Albania

Albania boasts a significantly high life expectancy, comparable to many wealthier Western European nations, despite its relatively lower GDP per capita. This suggests strong underlying public health factors or lifestyle influences mitigating the economic transition challenges.

Albania's fertility rate is extremely low (1.35), placing it well below the replacement level of 2.1. This indicates a rapidly aging population and future demographic decline, a common challenge in post-communist and developing European states.

The country demonstrates strong foundational development in education and infrastructure, evidenced by a near-universal literacy rate and 100% access to electricity. These figures suggest a high level of basic human development despite the moderate economic standing.

While Albania experienced solid GDP growth (4.015%) in 2023, the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high at over 10%. This suggests that the economic expansion is not translating effectively into widespread job creation, potentially due to structural issues or a skills mismatch.