Albania ranks among the countries with the highest neonatal mortality rates in Europe, according to the latest report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to the data, Albania registers 7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a figure significantly exceeding the European average of 2.2 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Situation in the Region and Europe
Albania holds the highest neonatal mortality rate in the Western Balkans, while neighboring countries such as Montenegro report much lower rates, with only 1 death per 1,000 live births.
Comparison with other regional countries:
- Romania – 3.3 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Serbia – 3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Bulgaria – 2.7 deaths per 1,000 live births
- North Macedonia – 2.2 deaths per 1,000 live births
- Montenegro – 1 death per 1,000 live births
At the European level, San Marino has the lowest neonatal mortality rate, with only 0.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, while Turkmenistan reports the highest, with 23 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Rising Neonatal Mortality in Albania
WHO data indicates that neonatal mortality in Albania has increased by 1.4% between 2018 and 2022. This upward trend has also been observed in several other countries, including:
- Cyprus – +11.1%
- Switzerland – +3.4%
- Luxembourg – +1.4%
- Slovakia – +1.4%
- Kazakhstan – +0.8%
Urgent Need for Action
Health experts emphasize that the increase in neonatal mortality is linked to factors such as prenatal and postnatal healthcare, the quality of medical services, and access to maternal healthcare.
The alarming figures highlight the urgent need for intervention to improve healthcare services for newborns and mothers in Albania. Health institutions and authorities are expected to take concrete measures to reduce this rate and ensure higher standards in the country’s healthcare system.
