In 10 years, the large regions of the North lost a quarter of their population, Shkodra leads the way

2026-06-16 07:13:53, Sociale CNA

In 10 years, the large regions of the North lost a quarter of their population,

The large regions of Northern Albania are experiencing a strong population depletion in the last decade due to the acceleration of a cycle of emigration abroad.

The latest INSTAT data shows that during the last ten-year period 2016–2026, Shkodra marked the most drastic decline nationally with a loss of 25.58% of its residents, with over 50 thousand fewer people in this region.

Following it is Kukës, which has lost 24.78% of its population over the last decade due to strong emigration of young people to the UK. Lezha also presents an almost identical situation with a contraction of 24.11%, proving that the entire northern coastal and plain belt is facing mass exodus.

The Dibra region is also on the same worrying trend, having recorded a 22.49% decrease in its total population.

Official data shows that the four main northern regions are rapidly losing population compared to the others.

Nationally, Albania's total population has suffered a net contraction of 14.23%, decreasing by exactly 387,462 inhabitants between 2016-2026, with other regions of the country also exposed. Fier, for example, has lost 68,089 inhabitants in the last decade, corresponding to a 23.02% decrease in the population of 2026.

Elbasan also recorded a relative decrease of 21.06% in population over the same period. In the southeast, Korça recorded a contraction of 22.63%, equivalent to approximately 48 thousand fewer inhabitants over the 10-year period.

The population of Gjirokastra shrank by 21.86%, making it difficult to maintain basic services in a region that, in addition to shrinking, is also suffering from rapid aging.

Meanwhile, Vlora has suffered a decline of 18.46%, decreasing by over 32 thousand inhabitants, while the population of Berat has shrunk by 9.44%. Even Durrës, a major economic center, due to its port and tourism has suffered a contraction of 12.08%, or over 30 thousand inhabitants in a decade.

The capital is the only region that has recorded a modest population growth of 1.25%, adding a total of about 9,428 new residents during this decade, as a result of internal immigration.

Albania is rapidly polarizing around a single urban hub, with Tirana expanding rapidly while all other regions are facing population aging and shrinking.

Data from 2026 show that demographic balances have changed irreversibly, but the north of Albania remains the most affected area, where abandonment is occurring at the fastest and most worrying rates./ Monitor.al