2017 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 earlier 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 a weak 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

3,537 sq km (2014)

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

42.86% arable land 52.42%; permanent crops 6.84%; permanent pasture 40.73% 28.19% 28.95% (2014 est.)

agricultural land

42.86%

forest

28.19%

other

28.95% (2014 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

18.05% (male 290,572/female 259,544) 17.47% (male 275,969/female 256,416) 41.06% (male 597,421/female 653,965) 11.54% (male 173,105/female 178,575) 11.89% (male 169,681/female 192,739) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

18.05% (male 290,572/female 259,544)

15-24 years

17.47% (male 275,969/female 256,416)

25-54 years

41.06% (male 597,421/female 653,965)

55-64 years

11.54% (male 173,105/female 178,575)

65 years and over

11.89% (male 169,681/female 192,739) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

13.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

6.3% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

69.3% (2008/09)

Death rate

6.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

18.1 5.5 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

18.1

potential support ratio

5.5 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

44

youth dependency ratio

26

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

3.5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

1,700 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

11.9 deaths/1,000 live births 13.3 deaths/1,000 live births 10.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

10.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

13.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

11.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

78.5 years 75.8 years 81.4 years (2017 est.)

female

81.4 years (2017 est.)

male

75.8 years

total population

78.5 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

32.9 years 31.6 years 34.3 years (2017 est.)

female

34.3 years (2017 est.)

male

31.6 years

total

32.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

24.5 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Albanian(s) Albanian

adjective

Albanian

noun

Albanian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.7% (2016)

Physicians density

1.29 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

3,047,987 (July 2017 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% (2017 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 15 years 16 years (2015)

female

16 years (2015)

male

15 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 (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

39.8% 39.3% 40.8% (2015 est.)

female

40.8% (2015 est.)

male

39.3%

total

39.8%

Urbanization

59.3% of total population (2017) 1.81% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.81% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

59.3% of total population (2017)

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 proposed by at least one-fifth of the Assembly membership; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required only if approved by two-thirds of the Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2016 (2017)

amendments

proposed by at least one-fifth of the Assembly membership; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required only if approved by two-thirds of the Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2016 (2017)

history

several previous; latest approved by the Assembly 21 October 1998, adopted by referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998

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) 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 223-4942 [1] (202) 628-7342 New York

chancery

2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

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 Ilir META (since 24 July 2017) 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 on 19, 20, 27, and 28 April 2017 (next election to be held in 2022); prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the majority party or coalition of parties in the Assembly Ilir META elected president; Assembly vote - 87 - 2 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 Ilir META (since 24 July 2017)

election results

Ilir META elected president; Assembly vote - 87 - 2 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 on 19, 20, 27, and 28 April 2017 (next election to be held in 2022); 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 (consists of 17 judges, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the chairman) Supreme Court judges, including the chairman, appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms; 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 Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 17 judges, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the chairman)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges, including the chairman, appointed by the president with the consent of the Assembly to serve single 9-year terms; 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

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 25 June 2017 (next to be held in 2021) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PS 74, PD 43, LSI 19, PDIU 3, PSD 1

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 - NA; seats by party - PS 74, PD 43, LSI 19, PDIU 3, PSD 1

elections

last held on 25 June 2017 (next to be held in 2021)

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

Democratic Party or PD [Lulzim BASHA] Party for Justice, Integration and Unity or PDIU [Shpetim IDRIZI] (formerly part of APMI) Social Democratic Party or PSD [Skender GJINUSHI] Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Monika KRYEMADHI] Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, corn, potatoes, vegetables, fruits, olives and olive oil, grapes; meat, dairy products; sheep and goats

Budget

$3.279 billion $3.494 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$3.494 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$3.279 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.25% (31 December 2016) 1.75% (31 December 2015)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.65% (31 December 2016 est.) 8.73% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-899 million (2016 est.) $-1.222 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$8.421 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $8.269 billion (31 December 2015 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, the negative effects of the crisis caused a significant economic slowdown. Since 2014, Albania’s economy has steadily improved and economic growth is projected to increase to 3.8% in 2017. However, close trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of possible 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 5.8% of GDP in 2015, 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. Since 2015, Albania has launched an ambitious program to increase tax compliance and bring more businesses into the formal economy. In July 2016, Albania passed constitutional amendments reforming the judicial system in order to strengthen the rule of law and to reduce deeply entrenched corruption. Albania’s electricity supply is uneven despite upgraded transmission capacities with neighboring countries. However, the government has recently taken steps to stem non-technical losses and has begun to upgrade the distribution grid. Better enforcement of electricity contracts has improved the financial viability of the sector, decreasing its reliance on budget support. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor road and rail networks, 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 three-year IMF program, an extended fund facility arrangement, was successfully concluded in February 2017. Albania’s 2017 budget aims to reach a small primary surplus, which the Albanian Government plans to achieve by strengthening tax collection amid moderate public wage and pension increases. The country continues to face high public debt, exceeding its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013 and reaching 71% in 2016.

Exchange rates

leke (ALL) per US dollar - 124.14 (2016 est.) 124.14 (2015 est.) 125.96 (2014 est.) 105.48 (2013 est.) 108.19 (2012 est.)

Exports

$789.1 million (2016 est.) $854.7 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

apparel and clothing, footwear; asphalt, metals and metallic ores, crude oil; cement and construction materials, vegetables, fruits, tobacco

Exports - partners

Italy 50.5%, Serbia 8.1%, Kosovo 7.5%, Greece 4.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

78.8% 11% 27.1% 0% 28.7% -45.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

28.7%

government consumption

11%

household consumption

78.8%

imports of goods and services

-45.6% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

27.1%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

23% 23.8% 53.2% (2016 est.)

agriculture

23%

industry

23.8%

services

53.2%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,800 (2016 est.) $11,400 (2015 est.) $11,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.4% (2016 est.) 2.2% (2015 est.) 1.8% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$11.87 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$34 billion (2016 est.) $32.48 billion (2015 est.) $31.43 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars unreported output may be as large as 50% of official GDP

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

15.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 16.3% of GDP (2015 est.) 16% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.1% 19.6% (2015 est.)

highest 10%

19.6% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%

4.1%

Imports

$3.671 billion (2016 est.) $3.402 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, chemicals

Imports - partners

Italy 29%, Germany 9.4%, China 8.7%, Greece 7.8%, Turkey 7.8%, Serbia 4.1% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2016 est.)

Industries

food; footwear, apparel and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.3% (2016 est.) 1.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

1.358 million (2016 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

72% of GDP (2016 est.) 72.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$3.109 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.139 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.75 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.747 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$6.056 billion (31 December 2014) $5.459 billion (31 December 2013)

Stock of domestic credit

$7.065 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $7.178 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$3.397 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.054 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

27% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

15.2% (2016 est.) 13.3% (2015 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

19,100 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

22,750 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

168.3 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

7.094 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.869 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

5.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

94.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.827 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.897 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

7.135 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

200 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

35 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

821.2 million cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

27,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

16,250 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

13,250 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

290 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

Albania has more than 65 TV stations, including several that broadcast nationally; Albanian TV broadcasts are also available to Albanian-speaking populations in neighboring countries; many viewers have access to Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; Albania's TV stations have begun a government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcast; the government has pledged to provide analog-to-digital converters to low-income families affected by this decision; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 78 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2017)

Internet country code

.al

Internet users

2,016,516 66.4% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

66.4% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,016,516

Telephone system

fixed line, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; of 3.4 million active mobile telephone users, 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G) offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2015, four companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 110 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016; Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas 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 (2016)

domestic

offsetting the shortage of fixed-line capacity, mobile-cellular phone service has been available since 1996; by 2015, four companies were providing mobile services and mobile teledensity had reached 110 per 100 persons; Internet broadband services initiated in 2005, and the penetration rate rose to over 65% by 2016; Internet cafes are popular in major urban areas

general assessment

fixed line, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective; of 3.4 million active mobile telephone users, 1.3 million use mobile broadband services (3G/4G)

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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

245,336 8 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

245,336

Telephones - mobile cellular

3,369,756 111 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

111 (July 2016 est.)

total

3,369,756

Airports

4 (2016)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

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 498 km (a majority of the network is in disrepair and parts of it are missing); oil 249 km (2015)

Ports and terminals

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

major seaport(s)

Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore

Railways

677 km (447 km of major railway lines and 230 km of secondary lines) 677 km 1.435-m gauge (2015)

standard gauge

677 km 1.435-m gauge (2015)

total

677 km (447 km of major railway lines and 230 km of secondary lines)

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

1.23% of GDP (2016) 1.16% of GDP (2015) 1.35% of GDP (2014) 1.41% of GDP (2013) 1.49% of GDP (2012)

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

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; significant source country for 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

4,921 (2016)

stateless persons

4,921 (2016)