Albania: environment

Where does Albania's electricity come from?

Albania produced 2,361 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity in the second quarter of 2026, 34.4% more than a year earlier, according to INSTAT's balance of electric power.

Public hydropower plants generated 42.8% and private and concession hydropower plants 38.2%, while other renewable producers supplied 19.0%. Albania exported 991 GWh, 55.4% more than a year earlier, and imported 569 GWh, 21.5% less. Electricity available for use in Albania rose 5.1% from a year earlier.

Official sources: INSTAT: Balance of electric power, Q2 2026 (PDF)

How much waste does Albania recycle?

About 18% of urban waste managed in Albania was recycled in 2025, roughly unchanged from 2024, according to INSTAT's urban solid waste statistics. 77% went to landfill.

900.8 thousand tonnes of waste were managed in 2025, 4.5% more than the year before. Each inhabitant generated 383 kilograms on average, 23 kilograms more than in 2024. 90.3% of the population was covered by waste collection services. INSTAT says the composition of urban waste has stayed much the same over the years.

Official sources: INSTAT: Urban solid waste, 2025 (PDF)

What are Albania's CO2 emissions?

Albania emitted 4.24 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2024, excluding land use and forestry, according to the World Bank, down from 5.11 million tonnes in 2021. That is about 1.8 tonnes per person.

The figures come from the EDGAR database and count emissions from fuel burned in the country. Hydropower and other renewables generated all of Albania's domestic electricity in the second quarter of 2026, according to INSTAT's balance of electric power.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions, Albania · INSTAT: Balance of electric power, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What is the air quality like in Albania?

People in Albania were exposed to an average of 15.51 micrograms of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) per cubic metre of air in 2023, according to the World Bank, down from 16.45 in 2022.

The figure is a population-weighted annual average modelled from satellite and ground data, so it does not show differences between cities or days. The Institute of Public Health monitors environmental health in Albania.

Official sources: World Bank: PM2.5 mean annual exposure, Albania · Institute of Public Health

What is Albania's carbon footprint per person?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, carbon dioxide emissions per person in Albania was 1.8 tonnes in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.4 tonnes (2005) to 2.1 tonnes (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.1 tonnes, and Albania placed 44th highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 108th of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Albania emit?

According to the European Commission's EDGAR database, total greenhouse gas emissions in Albania was 7.1 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 45th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 148th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Albania use?

According to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO, the renewable share of final energy use in Albania was 41.9% in 2021. The peak was 44.4% in 2020 and the low 31.6% in 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 20.4%; Albania is 7th highest of 50. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 57th highest.

What is Albania's forest cover?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 34.3%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 25th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 33.2%. Worldwide: 90th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Albania?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 15.5 micrograms per cubic metre. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre, and Albania placed 19th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 113th of 192.

How much of Albania's land is protected?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Albania was 23.6% in 2025. No year since 2013 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.1%, and Albania placed 19th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 54th of 192.

What is water stress in Albania?

According to the FAO, water stress in Albania was 4.8% in 2022. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 8.4%; its low point was 2020, at 4.7%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 12.6%, and Albania placed 35th highest of 47. Worldwide: 121st of 175.