As in the whole country, in Elbasan, the number of births has decreased. According to official data, 950 babies were born in 2023, 100 less than the previous year. Even more negative is the ratio between the years 2021 and 2023 where 250 fewer births are observed. Something like this is made known to Euronews Albania, by the head of Elbasan’s maternity hospital, Olgert Alla.

“The number of births in the last 3-4 years has been decreasing. Not only in Elbasan but in the whole country, specifically in Elbasan from 2021, 2022, 2023 we have 100 fewer births.

The number of births in the last 3 years in the Elbasan Maternity Hospital is presented as follows:

Year 2021 – 1250 babies

Year 2022 – 1060 babies

Year 2023 – 950 babies

Olgert Alla lists some of the causes of this situation, where according to him the main one is the shrinking of the population.

“The main reason is the emigration of the reproductive layer of society. Because we have patients that we follow during pregnancy in the 5-6th month, they emigrate and give birth abroad”, said Olgert Alla, the head of Elbasan’s maternity hospital.

At the Obstetrics-Gynecology Hospital in Elbasan, during 2023, 28 girls became mother at a minor age, a growing phenomenon, says doctor Alla.

“We have cases of births under the age of 18, mostly girls from the Roma community, it is increasing. A year ago we had 14, this year we had 28. Pregnancy and childbirth itself are dangerous for both the girl and the baby”, said Olgert Alla, the head of Elbasan’s maternity ward.

Psychologist Manolita Hida says that the decrease in the number of marriages, but also the economic level, are some of the causes that are affecting this phenomenon.

“Increasingly we have less and less young population among us. Other aspects are related to the part of parenting and responsibility. And of course this has its costs, in terms of the social life part, the economic life part, the fatigue part and the stress part that comes with a child. Another important element is the part of neuro-developmental problems”, said Manolita Hida, clinical psychologist.

According to experts in the field, other factors also influence the aging of the population, such as the low standard of living and socio-economic problems, mainly in young families.