Albania’s Birth Rates Continue to Fall and Soon will Hit the Economy

Tirana, November 14
The latest indicators from the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) confirm a falling trend in the fertility rate across Albania during the third quarter Q3 of 2018. Fewer babies were born and in some regions, the death rate surpassed the birth rate.
Starting next year, the government will offer cash incentives to parents in order to increase the number of births that have been on a falling trend for three years in a row.
According to INSTAT data, the number of babies born during Q3 was 6,859, or 19.7 percent lower than the same period of 2017.
The natural growth of the population has fallen to modest levels, with about 2,000 individuals per year. However, some regions in Albania report a negative natural growth. This phenomenon is noticed particularly in the south. In Gjirokastra, Vlora, and Korca, the birth rate during the third quarter was lower than the death rate. In general, the number of births declined in all the regions. Gjirokastra hit a low of 111 babies born during Q3.
Currently, the median age of Albania’s population is 35 years. Meanwhile, INSTAT’s forecast says that it will reach 42 years by 2031.
The low fertility rate and the aged population will be major problems for the Albanian economy within a few decades. That’s why the government has decided to pay Albanians cash incentives for having more babies.

News Source: INSTAT

Photo credit: pixabay.com