The transition of Albanian families: marriages decrease, divorces increase

Albanian families are going through a strong transitional period influenced by migration, poverty, and high living costs, which are contributing to a decline in marriages, while divorces on the other hand are showing an upward trend.

Official INSTAT data show that last year there were 16,120 marriages, a decrease of 7.7% compared to 2023, while divorces reached 4,100, or 65 fewer than in 2023.

Even though the absolute number of divorces fluctuates, their ratio per 100 marriages has increased significantly. In 2021, for every 100 marriages there were only 15.8 divorces, while in 2024 this ratio reached around 25 divorces per 100 marriages, the highest level of the last five years.

Marriages are declining due to factors related to emigration and the decreasing number of young people, which reduces the population base that enters marriage.

Economic pressure has become a decisive factor both for not getting married and for divorces. Young people face low wages, high rents, unaffordable apartments, and serious difficulties in creating stable conditions for a family. As a result, marriage is postponed or avoided altogether. On the other hand, divorces are increasing due to financial difficulties that create tension within families.

Many couples live apart due to economic migration, which often leads to the breakdown of marriage or prevents it from taking place. Emigration and declining birth rates have caused the population of young people in the country to shrink.

The mentality is also changing. Young people are focusing more on careers and financial independence, delaying marriage until a later age or preferring cohabitation without formalizing it.

Meanwhile, higher participation in the labor market and independent income give women more autonomy, making them less dependent on marriage as an economic mechanism. At the same time, this increases the willingness to divorce when the relationship does not work, avoiding the sacrifices once considered necessary to preserve the family.

Increasingly, especially in urban areas, stress levels are higher. The fast pace of life and lack of social support are adding pressure within families. As social norms have liberalized, the stigma surrounding divorce has weakened significantly. Today, divorce is seen as an acceptable solution rather than a failure, making the decision easier to take.

“KORÇA BOOM”