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Contents
In brief
The country
- 3
2.3 million people, 19 percent fewer than in 2015
- 4
More leave than arrive, and the population ages
Where the market is now
- 5
Permits rose in most years since 2019
- 6
Twice the EU rate, above North Macedonia
- 7
The Philippines and India lead
- 8
The Philippines 3,279 approvals, India 3,251
- 9
No quota, 256,000 fewer people of working age by 2041
The outlook
- 10
About 15,500 first permits in 2026, between 9,560 and 23,500
- 11
Two drivers, and first EU residence permits for citizens of Albania
- 11
What could change this
Method and sources
- 12
How to read this report
- 12
Sources, photographs and flags
Cover: Tirana at sunset, with the mountains to the west of the city. Photograph by Valter Zhara, Pexels.
Albania issued about 14,000 first unique permits for work in 2025, a rounded press figure, and approved 18,156 employment applications, 43.4 percent more than in 2024. That is 9.9 first unique permits for every 1,000 residents aged 20 to 64, twice the EU's 4.9 first residence permits for work and above the 8.2 approvals of North Macedonia. Citizens of the Philippines and India received 36.0 percent of the approvals. The quota ended in 2025; the rules hold and the count is rising. 68,653 first EU residence permits went to citizens of Albania in 2025. We expect about 15,500 first unique permits for work in 2026 and a rising count in 2027, whose range is too wide for a yearly number. For 2031 the working age scenario, a scenario and not a forecast, gives 18,200 a year; held flat gives 14,000.
First unique permits for work in 2025, a press figure, provisional
First permits in 2026, between 9,560 and 23,500
First permits a year in 2031, working age scenario, not a forecast; held flat 14,000
Fewer people aged 15 to 64 in 2041 than in 2026
2.3 million people, 19 percent fewer than in 2015
Albania has 2.34 million people, 549,866 fewer than in 2015; most of the fall shows in 2024, the first count after the 2023 census. Births still just outnumber deaths, but more people leave than arrive: 28,531 net in 2025. The economy grew 19.5 percent over 2020 to 2024, the EU 5.9 percent, and the World Bank projects 16.8 percent fewer people aged 15 to 64 by 2041.
People living in Albania on 1 January 2026
19.1 percent fewer than in 2015. People aged 65 and over were 21.2 percent of the population in 2025.
GDP in 2025, billion euro at current prices
At current prices and exchange rates, provisional.
GDP per head in 2025
28 percent of the EU average of 41,700 euro in 2025. Counting lower prices at home, 43 percent, up from 30 percent in 2015.
Real growth in 2025
The IMF's estimate for 2025; it projects 3.4 percent for 2026. Over 2020 to 2024 the economy grew 19.5 percent in all, the EU 5.9 percent (our estimate from Eurostat's yearly rates).
People aged 15 and over in work, 2025
Against 58.1 percent across the world. ILO estimate.
Unique permit, then no quota
Sources: Eurostat, demo_gind (population on 1 January, updated 21 July 2026), nama_10_gdp and nama_10_pc (GDP in euro, updated 21 September 2026), tec00114 (price adjusted GDP per head), tec00115 (growth to 2024); IMF, World Economic Outlook April 2026 (real growth, 2025 an estimate); World Bank, SL.EMP.TOTL.SP.ZS (ILO modelled estimate of people aged 15 and over in work). All retrieved 27 September 2026. GDP per head: Werklist calculation on Eurostat's GDP and the mean population of 2025. Key dates: Law 79/2021 of 24 June 2021 and Law 43/2025 of 26 June 2025, text on qbz.gov.al and asp.gov.al, retrieved 27 September 2026.
The Philippines
India
Egypt
Türkiye
Kosovo
Italy
Albania
North Macedonia
MontenegroWhat this report answers
How many permits for work has Albania issued each year since 2019?
About 14,000 first unique permits for work in 2025, a rounded press figure, against 7,613 in 2024; in 2019 the count, renewals included, was 3,818. The employment agency approved 18,156 applications in 2025, 43.4% more than in 2024.
Which countries do the new hires come from, and which are growing?
Citizens of the Philippines received 3,279 employment approvals in 2025 and citizens of India 3,251: 36.0% together, up from 30.9%, and approvals for the Philippines more than doubled. Egypt followed with about 15% and Türkiye with about 9%.
How does Albania compare with its neighbours per resident?
9.9 first unique permits for work for every 1,000 residents aged 20 to 64 in 2025: twice the EU's 4.9 first residence permits for work, above North Macedonia's 8.2 approvals and Serbia's 6.3.
Which rules apply to employers who hire from abroad?
Law 43/2025 ended the yearly quota. The agency approves a hire only if no suitable jobseeker in Albania applied online, and the unique permit for work and residence is decided within 4 weeks. Pay must meet the minimum wage of 50,000 lek a month.
How is the working age population changing?
The World Bank projects 1,521,473 people aged 15 to 64 in 2026 and 1,265,730 in 2041: about 256,000 fewer, a fall of 16.8 percent.
How many first unique permits for work do we expect Albania to issue in 2026, and what comes after?
About 15,500 in 2026, between 9,560 and 23,500. For 2027 the range is too wide for a yearly number; the direction is rising. In 2031 the working age scenario, not a forecast, gives 18,200 a year; held flat, a stated assumption, keeps 14,000.
The full report answers each question with its figures, charts and sources. Request the full report