Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA

$6,000 (2008 est.)

Inflation Rate

3.4% (2008 est.)

Population

3,639,453 (July 2009 est.)

Country Risk Ratings

D

Ease of Doing Business

86/181

Global Competitiveness

3.55/134

Country Map

View Larger Map

gE Network

There are 15 members in the
gE Network for this country.

Albania : Introduction

Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of xenophobic Communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, a dilapidated physical infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since first holding multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. International observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. In the 2005 general elections, the Democratic Party and its allies won a decisive victory on pledges of reducing crime and corruption, promoting economic growth, and decreasing the size of government. The election, and particularly the orderly transition of power, was considered an important step forward. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, the country is still one of the poorest in Europe, hampered by a large informal economy and an inadequate energy and transportation infrastructure. Albania has played a largely helpful role in managing inter-ethnic tensions in southeastern Europe, and is continuing to work toward joining NATO and the EU. Albania, with troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, has been a strong supporter of the global war on terrorism.

Albania: AENews

AENews is a news service dedicated to providing objective news about the Albanian economy, politics, finances and more. Users can subscribe to email newsletters, as well as RSS feeds.

Albania: Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT)

INSTAT is an independent institution under the authority of Council of Ministers. The web site includes monthly, quarterly and yearly data on social and economic indicators. (Available in English and Albanian)

Albania: Bank of Albania

Bank of Albania is the Central Bank of the Republic of Albania. The web site contains information about the Albanian banking system, statistical data and banking legislation. It also provides financial news updated weekly. (Available in English and Albanian)

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (June 2009)