In Albania, the number of children is declining, while investments in education and social protection remain lower than those of European Union countries. These are among the findings of UNICEF’s latest document on Albania, which outlines the priorities for cooperation with the country during the 2027–2031 period.
According to the report, Albania has a population of around 2.4 million, with children aged 0 to 17 accounting for only 19.1% of the population, approximately 460,000 in total. In 2011, children represented 26.4% of the population. UNICEF attributes this decline to low birth rates and emigration, stressing the need for greater investment in children and young people.
At the same time, the country has recorded some improvements. The percentage of children living at risk of poverty fell from 29.7% in 2019 to 26.6% in 2024. The share of young people who are not in employment, education, or training also decreased, from 27.9% in 2020 to 22.2% in 2024. Child mortality among children under five has continued to decline as well.
However, UNICEF highlights that Albania invests less than EU countries in key sectors. Spending on education stands at just 2.6% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to the EU average of 4.6%. Social protection expenditure amounts to 9.6% of GDP, while the European average is 20.5%. Of these funds, only 5% are allocated to social care services, while municipalities spend less than 2% of their budgets on such services.
Children with disabilities, Roma and Egyptian children, as well as those living in rural areas, have fewer opportunities to benefit from quality education, social services, and healthcare.
Inequality also remains a challenge. Women’s participation in the labour market is still 12.5 percentage points lower than that of men, while Albania continues to rank below the European Union average in terms of gender equality.
