Albania is facing an increasingly tight natural population balance. In the second quarter of 2026, the country recorded only 218 more births than deaths, while the number of births fell by 3% compared to the same period last year.
According to data published by INSTAT, 5,083 births and 4,865 deaths were registered during the second quarter. Although deaths fell by 3.7% compared to the second quarter of 2025, the decline in births remains an important signal for the country's demographic performance.
Only 218 additional people in three months
The difference between births and deaths, known as natural increase, was 218 people in the second quarter. This means that, excluding migration, the country's population increased naturally by less than 250 people over the three months.
The indicator takes on even greater importance due to its distribution across the territory. In the second quarter, five counties had positive natural increase, while seven counties recorded negative natural increase, meaning more deaths than births.
Tirana maintains positive balance, but births drop 12%
Tirana remains the region with the largest positive difference between births and deaths, with 1,033 more births than deaths. However, the capital sends a contradictory signal: it is also the region that recorded the strongest drop in births compared to the previous year.
In the second quarter of 2026, 2,310 births were registered in Tirana, but their number was 12% lower than in the second quarter of 2025. This was the largest percentage drop among the regions.
On the other hand, Dibra recorded the highest percentage increase in births, with 14.6%. Gjirokastra remains the region with the lowest number of births, only 66 during the second quarter.
Seven regions in natural "minus"
The demographic balance is particularly problematic in regions where deaths exceed births. Korça recorded the lowest natural increase, with 265 more deaths than births.
Overall, the picture shows a clear demographic divide between regions. While some areas, especially Tirana, continue to have a positive balance, the rest of the country is facing an increasingly unfavorable ratio between births and deaths.
