GeoRealityMatch
A stunning aerial shot of Tirana, Albania with vibrant orange skies during sunset. Perfect for travel and cityscape enthusiasts.Scenic aerial photo of Tirana, Albania with lush greenery, lake, and distant mountains at daytime.

Albania

Europe · Southeast Europe

High safetyAffordable cost of livingVery high development

Human development is high.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 94 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development, high safety and affordable cost of living.RetireeCombines high life expectancy, high safety and affordable cost of living.
vs Croatiavs Greece
Safety

36th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.725lower is more peacefulHigh safety
#36 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
1.4per 100,000 people a yearLowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
55.9Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferModerateNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes above the median country

GNI per person
$12,060national income per person, US dollarsModerate
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
14.1New York = 100ModerateNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
15.1years of median income to buy a median flatExpensiveNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 325% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 138% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$15K$30K$28,221 PPP$12,998Inflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $3,058 a person, $6,753 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2007, $3,743 a person, $7,585 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2008, $4,499 a person, $8,469 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2009, $4,214 a person, $9,031 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2010, $4,149 a person, $9,755 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2011, $4,466 a person, $10,273 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2012, $4,281 a person, $10,609 at PPP, inflation 2%2013, $4,543 a person, $10,882 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2014, $4,794 a person, $11,788 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2015, $4,200 a person, $12,387 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2016, $4,458 a person, $13,056 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2017, $5,006 a person, $14,111 at PPP, inflation 2%2018, $5,898 a person, $15,055 at PPP, inflation 2%2019, $6,069 a person, $16,442 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2020, $6,028 a person, $16,288 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2021, $7,242 a person, $18,213 at PPP, inflation 2%2022, $7,757 a person, $22,138 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2023, $9,741 a person, $24,848 at PPP, inflation 4.8%2024, $11,374 a person, $26,702 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2025, $12,998 a person, $28,221 at PPP, inflation 2.1%$0$15K$30KInflation, % a year8%0200620102015202020252006, $3,058 a person, $6,753 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2007, $3,743 a person, $7,585 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2008, $4,499 a person, $8,469 at PPP, inflation 3.3%2009, $4,214 a person, $9,031 at PPP, inflation 2.3%2010, $4,149 a person, $9,755 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2011, $4,466 a person, $10,273 at PPP, inflation 3.4%2012, $4,281 a person, $10,609 at PPP, inflation 2%2013, $4,543 a person, $10,882 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2014, $4,794 a person, $11,788 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2015, $4,200 a person, $12,387 at PPP, inflation 1.9%2016, $4,458 a person, $13,056 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2017, $5,006 a person, $14,111 at PPP, inflation 2%2018, $5,898 a person, $15,055 at PPP, inflation 2%2019, $6,069 a person, $16,442 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2020, $6,028 a person, $16,288 at PPP, inflation 1.6%2021, $7,242 a person, $18,213 at PPP, inflation 2%2022, $7,757 a person, $22,138 at PPP, inflation 6.7%2023, $9,741 a person, $24,848 at PPP, inflation 4.8%2024, $11,374 a person, $26,702 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2025, $12,998 a person, $28,221 at PPP, inflation 2.1%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Above-average life expectancy

Life expectancy
79.8years, at birthHigh
#42 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
71WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100ModerateWHO · 2023
Air pollution
13.2PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageModerateWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Fast home internet

Unemployment rate
10.9%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
94 Mbpsmedian download speedFastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
532EF English Proficiency Index scoreModerateEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet94 MbpsFast
Mobile113 MbpsModerate

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaEasy

Minimum income
$0 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
$55
  • Tax treatmentExempt
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineYes
  • Path to residencyYes
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official page
Scenic aerial photo of Tirana, Albania with lush greenery, lake, and distant mountains at daytime.
How it changed

Albania's Human Development Index

0.810Very high human development

71st of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 40th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #69Armenia0.811
  2. #69Barbados0.811
  3. #71Albania0.810
  4. #72Trinidad and Tobago0.807
  5. #73Mauritius0.806
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.654 in 1990 to 0.810 in 2023.

0.600.720.850.81019902000201020231990: 0.6541991: 0.6381992: 0.6221993: 0.6241994: 0.6291995: 0.6381996: 0.6471997: 0.6451998: 0.6591999: 0.6712000: 0.6822001: 0.6912002: 0.6972003: 0.7052004: 0.7102005: 0.7232006: 0.7322007: 0.7422008: 0.7492009: 0.7562010: 0.7692011: 0.7812012: 0.7902013: 0.7932014: 0.7972015: 0.7972016: 0.7972017: 0.7982018: 0.8012019: 0.8052020: 0.7942021: 0.7942022: 0.8062023: 0.8100.600.720.8519902000201020231990: 0.6541991: 0.6381992: 0.6221993: 0.6241994: 0.6291995: 0.6381996: 0.6471997: 0.6451998: 0.6591999: 0.6712000: 0.6822001: 0.6912002: 0.6972003: 0.7052004: 0.7102005: 0.7232006: 0.7322007: 0.7422008: 0.7492009: 0.7562010: 0.7692011: 0.7812012: 0.7902013: 0.7932014: 0.7972015: 0.7972016: 0.7972017: 0.7982018: 0.8012019: 0.8052020: 0.7942021: 0.7942022: 0.8062023: 0.810

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
79.8 years2024at birthUp 3.3 years from 76.4 years in 2005
Internet users
86%2024of people onlineUp 76 points from 10% in 2006
Urban population
59%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 12 points from 47% in 2006
Births per woman
1.342024births per womanDown 0.45 from 1.79 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
42%2021of energy usedUp 6 points from 36% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityUp 1 point from 99% in 2005
Infant mortality
82024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 5 from 14 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
1.8 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 0.4 t from 1.4 t in 2005
Forest area
29%2023of land under forestUp 1 point from 28% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

EU accession candidate with a Riviera coastline, rapidly rising tourism, and low costs. The case for living here is very high human development.

About Albania

Albania is a compact Balkan country with a rugged mountain interior, a sun-drenched Adriatic coastline, and centuries of layered history from Illyrian roots through Ottoman rule to communist-era bunkers. It suits travellers who enjoy discovering places before the crowds arrive, and the hospitality is genuine. Those who need polished infrastructure may find it rough around the edges.

Practical facts

  • CapitalTirana
  • LanguagesAlbanian
  • CurrencyAlbanian lek (ALL)
  • Area27,400 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Borders

MontenegroGreeceNorth Macedonia

Side by side

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Quick answers

What is Albania's Human Development Index?

Albania's Human Development Index is 0.810 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #71 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Albania safe?

Albania scores 1.73 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #36 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Albania?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Albania at 45.8 (New York = 100); that is #84 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Albania?

Life expectancy at birth in Albania is 79.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #42 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Albania?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Albania at 105.6, ranked #74 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.