Albania: immigration

How many people are leaving Albania?

Net migration from Albania was minus 28,531 people in 2025, according to INSTAT's population estimate for 1 January 2026, meaning that many more people left than arrived. The population fell 1.16% to 2,335,930.

Births exceeded deaths by 1,147, so the fall came from emigration. Only Tiranë prefecture grew, by 0.7%, while Kukës and Shkodër fell by about 2.6% each. The median age rose from 44.3 to 45 years. Net migration is estimated as the balance of people moving in and out over the year.

Official sources: INSTAT: Population on 1 January 2026 (PDF)

How many Albanians seek asylum abroad?

At the end of 2025 there were 7,643 asylum seekers and 21,447 refugees from Albania in other countries, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Pending claims have fallen from 34,406 at the end of 2022.

The United Kingdom held the most pending claims from Albanians (1,929), followed by Italy (1,850) and the United States (1,369). France had the most recognised Albanian refugees, 12,138. The asylum seeker figures count claims still awaiting a decision at the year end, not new applications.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder

How many foreigners live in Albania?

32,163 foreigners held residence permits in Albania at the end of 2025, 46.6% more than a year earlier, according to INSTAT.

Employment was the main reason, for 55.1% of permits, followed by family reunification (19.8%), humanitarian purposes (7.9%) and study (3.1%). Europeans made up 52.9%, while the number from Asia more than doubled, rising 117.6%. Citizens of India and the Philippines made 26.6% of applications. 1,926 irregular foreigners were identified, up from 1,540. Separately, 144 people applied for asylum in Albania in 2025, mainly from Egypt, Afghanistan and Palestine, according to INSTAT's asylum statistics.

Official sources: INSTAT: Foreigners in Albania, 2025 (PDF) · INSTAT: Asylum seekers in Albania, 2025 (PDF)

What share of Albania's population are immigrants?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in Albania was 1.7% in 2024. That compares with 1.8% in 2015. It is 51st highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 11.7%. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 136th highest.

Are more people leaving Albania than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -24,230. The peak was -9,347 in 2016 and the low -51,907 in 2010. It is 42nd highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 158. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 153rd highest.

How many refugees live in Albania?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Albania was 4,673 in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 53 (2005) to 9,381 (2024). Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; Albania is 42nd highest of 50. Worldwide: 105th of 169.

How many people from Albania are refugees?

The latest figure from UNHCR, for 2025, is 21,447. The peak was 21,919 in 2023 and the low 10,104 in 2013. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 533, and Albania placed 7th highest of 49. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 45th highest.

How big are remittances in Albania's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in Albania at 8.4% of GDP in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 7th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 1.4% of GDP. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 22nd highest.