Updated
Overview
Albania has 29% more people than North Macedonia: 2.35 million against 1.82 million (2025).
Albania's economy is about 60% larger than North Macedonia's, at $30.54B versus $19.10B.
Per person, Albania is the wealthier of the two: $12,998 against $10,490 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Albania | North Macedonia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $30.54B | $19.10B | 2025 | $27.18B / $16.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $12,998 | $10,490 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.8% | 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.1% | 4.1% | 2025 | 2.2% / 3.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 10.9% | 12.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 43 | 37 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $548 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $430 | Higher: $659 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 2.35 million | 1.82 million | 2025 | 2.55 million / 2.14 million |
| Population growth | -1.2% | -0.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 37.3 yrs | 41.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.47 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 79.8 yrs | 76.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 63% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 86% | Higher: 93% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 28,748 km² | 25,713 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 81.7/km² | 70.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 4.44 Mt | 6.62 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 1.6 t | 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $535.47M | $353.68M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 2.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 8,000 | 16,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.8% for Albania, 3.5% for North Macedonia).
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Albania and 4.1% in North Macedonia.
People and society
Albania is the younger society: median age 37.3 versus 41.0 years.
Life expectancy is 3.2 years longer in Albania (79.8 vs 76.6).
Geography
By land area, Albania is 12% larger than North Macedonia: 28,748 km² versus 25,713 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Albania spends about 50% more on defence than North Macedonia: $535.47M versus $353.68M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
North Macedonia fields the larger armed forces: 16,000 personnel against 8,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Albania bigger than North Macedonia?
- Albania is larger by land area. Albania covers 28,748 km² while North Macedonia covers 25,713 km², so Albania is 12% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Albania or North Macedonia?
- Albania has the larger population: 2.35 million versus 1.82 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Albania richer than North Macedonia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Albania is richer: $12,998 against $10,490. Total GDP tells the same story: $30.54B for Albania versus $19.10B for North Macedonia.
- Who spends more on their military, Albania or North Macedonia?
- Albania spends more: $535.47M versus $353.68M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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