Tirana: Where one third of Albania calls home

Tirana, July 3, 2024 - A third of Albanians, or 31.6% of the total population, now live in Tirana, according to the 2023 census data. The county of Tirana has reached a population of 758,513, marking a significant increase from 2011, when only 26.8% of the population resided in the capital. This growth is primarily driven by internal migration.

Many citizens from other regions of Albania have chosen to move to Tirana, seeking better opportunities. The county of Fier ranks second, housing about 10% of the total population, followed by Elbasan with 9.7%. Durrës stands in fourth place with 9%. On the other hand, the counties of Kukës and Gjirokastër have the lowest percentages, with 2.6% and 2.5% of the population respectively.

Between 2011 and 2023, all counties except Tirana experienced a population decline. Shkodër saw a decrease of 28.3%, and Kukës followed closely with a 27.3% drop, while Berat experienced a more modest decline of 0.7%. In absolute numbers, Elbasan and Shkodër recorded the highest population decreases.

These figures highlight the growing centralization around Tirana, turning it into a major hub for Albanians nationwide. This trend presents challenges in terms of infrastructure and public services, prompting a need for a balanced regional development strategy to ensure equitable growth across the country.