In 1990, the youth aged 0-24 years constituted 46.7 percent of Albania’s population, while in 2020, they accounted for only 31 percent of the total.

This was the sharpest decline compared to the countries in the region and other developing countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, according to a recent study by the European Training Foundation on the latest trends in employment and skills.

When it comes to employment trends, human capital and educational skills come to the forefront. Comparative data in the study show that Albania’s perspective on new employment models has been affected by negative demographic developments.

The entire region and Europe are involved in the aging process of the population, but in Albania, this is happening more rapidly.

For example, in Bosnia, the youth in the age group 0-24 years accounted for 37 percent of the total population, while in 2020, they constituted 26.3%.

Montenegro and North Macedonia had similar trends, while Serbia had a milder downward trend. In 2020, Serbia had the 0-24 age group at 24.6% of the total population, down from 30.2% in 1990, with a gentler decline than the region.

Despite the sharp decline, Albania and Kosovo appear to be the countries where the young population is still at the highest levels in the region.

For example, in 2020, almost 40.7% of the population in Kosovo was in the age group 0-24 years, while this indicator was 54.7% in 1990.

Other data sources from the country show that the decline in the younger groups is being created by high tendencies of youth emigration and a decline in births.

The factors of emigration have a multifaceted impact, as departures leave a gap in birth rates in subsequent periods. This is evidenced by the fact that the Albanian population in emigration is growing year after year, and the local population is in a sustainable downward trend.

Results from a survey conducted by the Regional Cooperation Council in May-June 2023 in the 6 Western Balkan countries highlighted that although Albania has experienced stronger emigration than the region so far, it still has a high potential for departure, especially for educated youth. The survey indicates that 31 percent of Albanians plan to leave the country. Importantly, 18 percent of them already have plans and have found ways to leave.

Those aiming to leave generally focus on the active working group aged 18-44, while those who do not want to leave dominate the 45-65+ age group of the population.