Updated
Overview
Albania has 3.8 times the population of Montenegro: 2.35 million people against 623,129 (2025).
Albania's economy is 3.3 times the size of Montenegro's, at $30.54B versus $9.23B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Albania | Montenegro | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.54B | $9.23B | 2025 | $27.18B / $8.07B |
| GDP per capita | $12,998 | Higher: $14,817 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.8% | 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 3.9% | 2025 | 2.2% / 3.3% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 10.9% | 13.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 43 | 42 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $548 | Higher: $930 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $430 | Higher: $757 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 2.35 million | 623,129 | 2025 | 2.55 million / 599,849 |
| Population growth | -1.2% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 37.3 yrs | 40.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.80 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 79.8 yrs | 77.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 66% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 89% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 28,748 km² | 13,812 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 81.7/km² | 45.1/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 4.44 Mt | Lower: 2.38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.6 t | 3.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $535.47M | $150.03M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 8,000 | 12,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Albania is growing faster: 3.8% annual GDP growth versus 2.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Albania and 3.9% in Montenegro.
Average monthly earnings favour Montenegro: $930 against $548 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Albania is the younger society: median age 37.3 versus 40.0 years.
Life expectancy is 1.9 years longer in Albania (79.8 vs 77.9).
Geography
By land area, Albania is 2.1 times the size of Montenegro: 28,748 km² versus 13,812 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Albania spends 3.6 times as much on defence as Montenegro: $535.47M versus $150.03M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Montenegro fields the larger armed forces: 12,000 personnel against 8,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Albania bigger than Montenegro?
- Albania is larger by land area. Albania covers 28,748 km² while Montenegro covers 13,812 km², so Albania is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Albania or Montenegro?
- Albania has the larger population: 2.35 million versus 623,129 (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Albania richer than Montenegro?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Montenegro is richer: $14,817 against $12,998. Total GDP tells a different story: $30.54B for Albania versus $9.23B for Montenegro.
- Who spends more on their military, Albania or Montenegro?
- Albania spends more: $535.47M versus $150.03M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).