The number of births at the Elbasan Maternity Hospital has been declining year after year. Compared to 10 years ago, births have dropped by 60%, with specialists emphasizing that multiple complex factors have contributed to this decline.

The birth rate in Albania has been decreasing annually, and Elbasan has recorded some of the sharpest declines. According to sociologists, the key reasons behind this trend include youth emigration and the high cost of living.

“Just like in the rest of the country, the birth rate in Elbasan is declining rapidly. In 2024, only 1,020 babies were born at the Elbasan hospital, a significantly lower figure compared to previous years. According to doctors, the causes vary, but the primary reason is the emigration of young people. While in the past decade, there were 5 to 6 births per day in Elbasan, now there are only one or two births per day,” medical experts stated.

“This declining trend has been ongoing for years across Albania, and here in Elbasan, we are seeing the same pattern. This year, we recorded 30 fewer births, with 1,020 births in 2024 compared to 1,050 in 2023. The decrease is evident. In past years, the drop was even steeper, with 100 to 120 fewer births annually. Over the last 10 years, we have consistently recorded around 100 fewer births each year,” said Olgert Alla, head of the Obstetrics-Gynecology Department in Elbasan.

Specialists stress that this phenomenon is multifaceted and cannot be attributed solely to emigration.

“I believe the reasons are varied, but primarily, youth emigration is the biggest factor. Additionally, we see a decrease in the number of children per family. In the past, families typically had three or four children, whereas today, most have one or at most two,” explained Dr. Olgert Alla.

Over the last five years, birth rates in Albania have declined by 22.2%.

The year 2023 marked a record low in Albania’s birth rate, with only 22,210 babies born—the lowest level recorded since 1934.