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Strong decline in students in 9-year education, 3% less in 2024-2025

2025-08-08 21:49:00, Sociale CNA

The number of students enrolled in the entire education system in Albania has decreased by 1.5% overall for the 2024–2025 school year, falling to 528,602 from 536,780 the previous year. However, this decrease is most pronounced in 9-year education, where data shows a significant contraction of about 3% in just one school year.

The decline was particularly strong in primary education, with 136,379 students enrolled, down from 141,089 the previous year, reflecting a decline of over 4,700 students or -3%. Meanwhile, in the upper cycle of basic education (grades VI–IX), the number of students fell from 116,983 to 114,238 or -2%. In total, 9-year education lost over 7,400 students in one year, making it the segment with the strongest decline in the education system.

A decrease was also recorded in secondary education, where 91,125 students were enrolled this year, down from 92,595 the previous year, or -3%. Within this level, enrollments decreased both in general high schools, from 75,348 to 73,203, and in vocational schools, from 17,247 to 17,922, although there was a slight increase that may reflect a growing interest in vocational education.

On the other hand, higher education has continued its upward trend in enrollment. For the year 2024–2025, 122,613 students were enrolled, compared to 120,063 the previous year.

Among them, 70.9% are studying in public higher education institutions. In the "Bachelor" cycle of studies, for the same period, 68,080 students were registered, marking a decrease of 0.8%, compared to the academic year 2023-2024.

As in the previous year, the most preferred field of study remains “Business, Administration and Law”, where about a quarter of all students are concentrated. Other preferred fields include: “Health and Wellbeing” with 20.7%, “Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction” with 18.8%.

The general trend shows a shift in young people's interest towards technical and health fields, while traditional humanitarian and social disciplines are losing ground.

Data on education enrollment clearly reflects a continuous decline in the school-age population, which is directly affecting enrollment numbers, especially in 9-year education. This trend raises concerns about the future of the education system and the need for reforms to address the lack of younger generations in schools./ Monitor