2016 Edition

Background

Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became a candidate for EU accession. Albania in November 2016 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations conditioned upon implementation of a judicial reform package passed the same year. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles.

Area

28,748 sq km 27,398 sq km 1,350 sq km

land

27,398 sq km

total

28,748 sq km

water

1,350 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter

Coastline

362 km

Elevation

708 m lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m

highest point

Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m

mean elevation

708 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 20 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)

Irrigated land

3,310 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

691 km Greece 212 km, Kosovo 112 km, Macedonia 181 km, Montenegro 186 km

border countries (4)

Greece 212 km, Kosovo 112 km, Macedonia 181 km, Montenegro 186 km

total

691 km

Land use

43.8% arable land 22.7%; permanent crops 2.7%; permanent pasture 18.4% 28.3% 27.9% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

43.8%

forest

28.3%

other

27.9% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower, arable land

Population - distribution

a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country

Terrain

mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast

Age structure

18.37% (male 295,022/female 263,141) 18.09% (male 284,201/female 265,530) 40.73% (male 589,707/female 648,021) 11.23% (male 168,500/female 172,587) 11.58% (male 165,076/female 186,809) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

18.37% (male 295,022/female 263,141)

15-24 years

18.09% (male 284,201/female 265,530)

25-54 years

40.73% (male 589,707/female 648,021)

55-64 years

11.23% (male 168,500/female 172,587)

65 years and over

11.58% (male 165,076/female 186,809) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

13.1 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

72,818 12% (2005 est.)

percentage

12% (2005 est.)

total number

72,818

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.3% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

69.3% (2008/09)

Death rate

6.7 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

44.8% 26.9% 18% 5.6% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

18%

potential support ratio

5.6% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

44.8%

youth dependency ratio

26.9%

Drinking water source

urban: 84.3% of population rural: 81.8% of population total: 83.6% of population urban: 15.7% of population rural: 18.2% of population total: 16.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

18.2% of population

total

16.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

15.7% of population

Education expenditures

3.54% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Roma (Gypsy), Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.)

Health expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.04% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

12.3 deaths/1,000 live births 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

13.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

12.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Albanian 98.8% (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek 0.5%, other 0.6% (including Macedonian, Roma, Vlach, Turkish, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

78.3 years 75.7 years 81.2 years (2016 est.)

female

81.2 years (2016 est.)

male

75.7 years

total population

78.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.6% 98.4% 96.9% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.9% (2015 est.)

male

98.4%

total population

97.6%

Major urban areas - population

TIRANA (capital) 454,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

29 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

32.5 years 31.2 years 33.8 years (2016 est.)

female

33.8 years (2016 est.)

male

31.2 years

total

32.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

25 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Albanian(s) Albanian

adjective

Albanian

noun

Albanian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.1% (2014)

Physicians density

1.15 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

3,038,594 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country

Population growth rate

0.31% (2016 est.)

Religions

Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2% all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice (2011 est.)

note

all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice (2011 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 95.5% of population rural: 90.2% of population total: 93.2% of population urban: 4.5% of population rural: 9.8% of population total: 6.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

9.8% of population

total

6.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

4.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 16 years (2014)

female

16 years (2014)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.1 male(s)/female 1.12 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.12 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.91 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.89 male(s)/female

at birth

1.1 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.51 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

30.2% 32.5% 26.1% (2013 est.)

female

26.1% (2013 est.)

male

32.5%

total

30.2%

Urbanization

57.4% of total population (2015) 2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.21% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

57.4% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore

Capital

Tirana (Tirane) 41 19 N, 19 49 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

41 19 N, 19 49 E

name

Tirana (Tirane)

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Albania yes 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Albania

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest approved by the Assembly 21 October 1998, adopted by referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998; amended several times, last in 2012 proposed by at least one-fifth of Assembly members; approval required by at least two-thirds vote of members; referendum required only if approved by two-thirds of Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2012 (2016)

amendments

proposed by at least one-fifth of Assembly members; approval required by at least two-thirds vote of members; referendum required only if approved by two-thirds of Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2012 (2016)

history

several previous; latest approved by the Assembly 21 October 1998, adopted by referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998; amended several times, last in 2012

Country name

Republic of Albania Albania Republika e Shqiperise Shqiperia People's Socialist Republic of Albania the English-language country name seems to be derived from the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani; the native name "Shqiperia" is popularly interpreted to mean "Land of the eagles"

conventional long form

Republic of Albania

conventional short form

Albania

etymology

the English-language country name seems to be derived from the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani; the native name "Shqiperia" is popularly interpreted to mean "Land of the eagles"

former

People's Socialist Republic of Albania

local long form

Republika e Shqiperise

local short form

Shqiperia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Donald LU (since 13 January 2015) Rruga e Elbasanit, 103, Tirana US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510 [355] (4) 2247-285 [355] (4) 2232-222

chief of mission

Ambassador Donald LU (since 13 January 2015)

embassy

Rruga e Elbasanit, 103, Tirana

FAX

[355] (4) 2232-222

mailing address

US Department of State, 9510 Tirana Place, Dulles, VA 20189-9510

telephone

[355] (4) 2247-285

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Floreta FABER (since 18 May 2015) 1312 18th Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 223-4942 [1] (202) 628-7342 New York

chancery

1312 18th Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Floreta FABER (since 18 May 2015)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 628-7342

telephone

[1] (202) 223-4942

Executive branch

President of the Republic Bujar NISHANI (since 24 July 2012) Prime Minister Edi RAMA (since 10 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Niko PELESHI Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by the Assembly president indirectly elected by the Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); a candidate needs three-fifths majority vote of the Assembly in 1 of 3 rounds or a simple majority in 2 additional rounds to become president; election last held in 4 rounds during the period 30 May-11 June 2012 (next election to be held in 2017); prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the majority party or coalition of parties in the Assembly Bujar NISHANI elected president; Assembly vote - 73 of 140 in fourth round

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by the Assembly

chief of state

President of the Republic Bujar NISHANI (since 24 July 2012)

election results

Bujar NISHANI elected president; Assembly vote - 73 of 140 in fourth round

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by the Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); a candidate needs three-fifths majority vote of the Assembly in 1 of 3 rounds or a simple majority in 2 additional rounds to become president; election last held in 4 rounds during the period 30 May-11 June 2012 (next election to be held in 2017); prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the majority party or coalition of parties in the Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Edi RAMA (since 10 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Niko PELESHI

Flag description

red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero George Kastrioti SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Ottoman Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-78); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shqiptare," which translates as "sons of the eagle"

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 150 judges organized into 4 divisions: civil and commercial; social security and labor; criminal; and administrative; Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members including the court president); note - Algeria's judicial system does not include sharia courts Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; chairman elected by the People's Assembly for a single 3-year term; Court of Cassation judges, including the chairman, appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms) Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of 150 judges organized into 4 divisions: civil and commercial; social security and labor; criminal; and administrative; Constitutional Council (consists of 9 members including the court president); note - Algeria's judicial system does not include sharia courts

judge selection and term of office

Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years; chairman elected by the People's Assembly for a single 3-year term; Court of Cassation judges, including the chairman, appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms)

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance

Legal system

civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the "Code of Leke" prevails

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 23 June 2013 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - PS 41.36%, PD 30.63%, LSI 10.46%, PR 3.02%, PDIU 2.61%, other 11.92%; seats by party - PS 65, PD 50, LSI 16, PDIU 4, PR 3, other 2; seats by parliamentary group as of April 2015 - ASHE 88, APMI 50, 2 - outside of the majority and opposition groups

description

unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - PS 41.36%, PD 30.63%, LSI 10.46%, PR 3.02%, PDIU 2.61%, other 11.92%; seats by party - PS 65, PD 50, LSI 16, PDIU 4, PR 3, other 2; seats by parliamentary group as of April 2015 - ASHE 88, APMI 50, 2 - outside of the majority and opposition groups

elections

last held on 23 June 2013 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag) Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU adopted 1912

lyrics/music

Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU

name

"Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag)

note

adopted 1912

National holiday

Independence Day, 28 November (1912) also known as Flag Day

National symbol(s)

double-headed eagle; national colors: red, black

double-headed eagle; national colors

red, black

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Party or PDK [Nard NDOKA] Democratic Party or PD [Lulzim BASHA] Movement for National Development of LZHK [Dashamir SHEHI] Republican Party or PR [Fatmir MEDIU] Christian Democratic Party of PKD [Mark FRROKU] Party for Justice, Integration and Unity or PDIU [Shpetim IDRIZI] (formerly part of APMI) Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Ilir META] Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA] Union for Human Rights Party or PBDNJ [Vangjel DULE] New Democratic Spirit or FRD [Bamir TOPI] only the major parties of each coalition are listed

note

only the major parties of each coalition are listed

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Trade Unions of Albania or KSSH [Kol NIKOLLAJ] Omonia [Vasil BOLLANO] Union of Independent Trade Unions of Albania or BSPSH [Gezim KALAJA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, sugar beets, grapes; meat, dairy products; sheep

Budget

$3.019 billion $3.472 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$3.472 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$3.019 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.25% (31 December 2014) 3% (31 December 2013)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

8.7% (31 December 2015 est.) 8.66% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.311 billion (2015 est.) -$1.71 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$7.716 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $8 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

29 (2012 est.) 30 (2008 est.)

Economy - overview

Albania, a formerly closed, centrally-planned state, is a developing country with a modern open-market economy. Albania managed to weather the first waves of the global financial crisis but, more recently, the negative effects of the crisis have caused a significant economic slowdown. Close trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of debt crises and weak growth in the euro zone. Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth, declined from 12-15% of GDP before the 2008 financial crisis to 5.7% of GDP in 2014, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy. The agricultural sector, which accounts for almost half of employment but only about one-fifth of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming, because of a lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Complex tax codes and licensing requirements, a weak judicial system, endemic corruption, poor enforcement of contracts and property issues, and antiquated infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment making attracting foreign investment difficult. Albania’s electricity supply is uneven despite upgraded transmission capacities with neighboring countries. Technical and non-technical losses in electricity - including theft and non-payment - continue to undermine the financial viability of the entire system, although the government has taken steps to stem non-technical losses and has begun to upgrade the distribution grid. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor national road and rail network, a long standing barrier to sustained economic growth. Inward FDI has increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The government is focused on the simplification of licensing requirements and tax codes, and it entered into a new arrangement with the IMF for additional financial and technical support. Albania’s IMF program may be at risk, however, because the government has not collected sufficient tax revenue needed to reduce the budget deficit. The country continues to face increasing public debt, exceeding its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013 and reaching 73% in 2015.

Exchange rates

leke (ALL) per US dollar - 125.96 (2015 est.) 105.48 (2014 est.) 105.48 (2013 est.) 108.19 (2012 est.) 100.9 (2011 est.)

Exports

$854.7 million (2015 est.) $1.241 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

textiles, footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; vegetables, fruits, tobacco

Exports - partners

Italy 43.4%, Kosovo 9.8%, US 7.7%, China 6.2%, Greece 5.3%, Spain 4.8% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

85.8% 10.6% 27.7% 1.7% 36.7% -62.5% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

36.7%

government consumption

10.6%

household consumption

85.8%

imports of goods and services

-62.5% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

27.7%

investment in inventories

1.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

21.9% 14.9% 63.3% (2015 est.)

agriculture

21.9%

industry

14.9%

services

63.3%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,900 (2015 est.) $11,400 (2014 est.) $11,000 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.6% (2015 est.) 2% (2014 est.) 1.1% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.54 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.65 billion (2015 est.) $31.81 billion (2014 est.) $31.18 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars unreported output may be as large as 50% of official GDP

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

18.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 14% of GDP (2014 est.) 17.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.1% 20.5% (2012)

highest 10%

20.5% (2012)

lowest 10%

4.1%

Imports

$3.402 billion (2015 est.) $4.17 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Imports - partners

Italy 33.5%, China 10.1%, Greece 9%, Turkey 6.7%, Germany 5.2% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

2.3% (2015 est.)

Industries

food and tobacco products; textiles and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2015 est.) 1.6% (2014 est.)

Labor force

1.122 million (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

41.8% 11.4% 46.8% (December 2014 est)

agriculture

41.8%

industry

11.4%

services

46.8% (December 2014 est)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

14.3% (2012 est.)

Public debt

71.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 69.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.139 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $2.665 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.72 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $6.269 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$5.557 billion (31 December 2013) $4.994 billion (31 December 2012)

Stock of domestic credit

$7.18 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $8.231 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.054 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.066 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

17.3% (2015 est.) 17.5% (2014 est.) these official rates may not include those working at near-subsistence farming

note

these official rates may not include those working at near-subsistence farming

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

4.3 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

23,320 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

20,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

200 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

7.793 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

288.5 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

5.2% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

94.8% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.355 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.9 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

4.7 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

32 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

32 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

821.2 million cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

27,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

614.1 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

28,330 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

753.2 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

3 public TV networks, one of which transmits by satellite to Albanian-language communities in neighboring countries; more than 60 private TV stations; many viewers can pick up Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 25 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2010)

Internet country code

.al

Internet users

1.916 million 63.2% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

63.2% (July 2015 est.)

total

1.916 million

Telephone system

despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011, multiple companies were providing mobile services, and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2015)

domestic

offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2011, multiple companies were providing mobile services, and mobile teledensity had reached 100 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, but growth has been slow; Internet cafes are popular in Tirana and have started to spread outside the capital

general assessment

despite new investment in fixed lines, teledensity remains low with roughly 10 fixed lines per 100 people; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective

international

country code - 355; submarine cable provides connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; the Trans-Balkan Line, a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

226,718 7 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

7 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

226,718

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.401 million 112 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

112 (July 2015 est.)

total

3.401 million

Airports

4 (2016)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

ZA (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

cargo 16, roll on/roll off 1 1 (Turkey 1) 5 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 4) (2010)

by type

cargo 16, roll on/roll off 1

foreign-owned

1 (Turkey 1)

registered in other countries

5 (Antigua and Barbuda 1, Panama 4) (2010)

total

17

National air transport system

151,632 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

151,632

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

1

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

gas 331 km; oil 249 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

major seaport(s)

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Railways

677 km 677 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

677 km 1.435-m gauge (2014)

total

677 km

Roadways

18,000 km 7,020 km 10,980 km (2002)

paved

7,020 km

total

18,000 km

unpaved

10,980 km (2002)

Waterways

41 km (on the Bojana River) (2011)

Military branches

Land Forces Command, Navy Force Command, Air Forces Command (2013)

Military expenditures

0.85% of GDP (2015) 1.04% of GDP (2014) 1.5% of GDP (2013) 1.47% of GDP (2012) 1.52% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

19 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 18 is the legal minimum age in case of general/partial compulsory mobilization (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

increasingly active transshipment point for Southwest Asian opiates, hashish, and cannabis transiting the Balkan route and - to a lesser extent - cocaine from South America destined for Western Europe; limited opium and expanding cannabis production; ethnic Albanian narcotrafficking organizations active and expanding in Europe; vulnerable to money laundering associated with regional trafficking in narcotics, arms, contraband, and illegal aliens

Refugees and internally displaced persons

7,442 (2015)

stateless persons

7,442 (2015)