Albanian girls are moving toward the cities, leaving rural areas without “brides”

Internal population movements in Albania are increasingly being dominated by women, especially young girls and women of studying and working age.

Data published by ISA in the “Women and Men 2025” report show that during 2024, 16,289 women changed their place of residence within the country, compared to only 9,303 men.

The largest share of these movements is concentrated among the 20–29 age group. In the 20–24 age group alone, 3,080 women moved, while in the 25–29 age group the number reached 3,754. For men in the same age groups, the figures are significantly lower, at 537 and 1,098 respectively.

The data show that young women are becoming increasingly active in internal migration, a phenomenon linked to moving toward major cities for university studies, employment opportunities, or better access to services.

Tirana remains the main attraction hub, especially for sectors such as administration, services, call centers, technology, education, and healthcare, where female employment is more concentrated.

The ISA report also highlights that internal migration declined overall in 2024 compared to the previous year, but the gender gap remains strong. In 2023, 19,805 women and 12,277 men changed their residence.

The phenomenon is also gradually reshaping the social profile of cities.

Demography experts link this trend to urbanization, delayed marriage, increased participation of women in higher education, and the search for economic independence. According to sociologist Gëzim Tusha, this indicates that peripheral areas are being emptied and new families are no longer being formed there.

Economically, according to him, this shows that the Albanian economy is becoming increasingly concentrated in a few urban centers and in sectors where women have greater opportunities for employment and education.

At the same time, many rural areas and small towns are mainly losing their young female population, which later affects birth rates and the local family structure.

“KORÇA BOOM”