Albania: housing

How many new buildings are being approved in Albania?

460 building permits for new buildings were approved in Albania in the second quarter of 2026, 30.7% more than a year earlier, according to INSTAT. Residential buildings accounted for 331 of them, with a floor area of 183,202 square metres.

Of the residential permits, 52 were for buildings with three or more dwellings, which made up 139,248 square metres. The approximate value of all permits was ALL 16.0 billion. INSTAT says the figures cover only permits reported by municipalities, because other institutions that approve permits do not yet report to it in a standard way, so the totals are incomplete.

Official sources: INSTAT: Building permits issued, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What share of Albania is urban?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 58.9%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 69.6%; Albania is 40th highest of 52. Worldwide: 114th of 193.

How many people in Albania live in slums?

UN-Habitat puts the share of city dwellers living in slums in Albania at 2.7% in 2022. That is the lowest since at least 2006. Europe & Central Asia median: 0.3%; Albania is 9th highest of 43. Worldwide: 115th of 170.

How many people in Albania have electricity?

100.0%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in Albania for 2024, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 100.0%, and Albania placed 1st highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 1st highest.

How many people in Albania have clean water?

According to WHO and UNICEF, the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Albania was 70.8% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 96.7%, and Albania placed 48th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 72nd of 134.

How many people in Albania have a safe toilet?

69.3%: that is the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Albania for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 90.2%; Albania is 38th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 60th of 134.

How many people in Albania cook with wood or charcoal?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 89.0%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 99.0%, and Albania placed 45th highest of 51. World rank, highest first: 109th of 192.