Albania has a population of around 2.8 million, with a much larger Albanian diaspora abroad — particularly in Italy, Greece, Germany, and the UK. Mass emigration in the 1990s and 2000s dramatically reshaped the country's demographics, and the population has declined significantly since the communist era.
Albanians are ethnically distinct from their neighbours and trace their origins to the ancient Illyrians. The language, Shqip, is an Indo-European language with no close relatives. The country is roughly 58% Muslim, 17% Catholic, and 7% Orthodox Christian, with the remainder identifying as non-religious or Bektashi. Religious identity sits lightly for most Albanians — the communist state banned all religion from 1967 to 1990, and today the country is notably secular and tolerant.
The population divides broadly into two groups: Ghegs in the north and Tosks in the south, distinguished mainly by dialect. This north-south divide also carries some cultural weight in terms of tradition and temperament, though it is easy to overstate.
Albanians are famously hospitable — the concept of besa (a sworn oath of honour, including protection of guests) is deeply embedded in the culture, particularly in the north. Travellers regularly report being invited into homes, offered food, and helped without any expectation of return. The flip side of this warmth is a fierce national pride that can make criticism of Albania feel unwelcome.
The country is young and changing fast. Tirana especially has a vibrant, outward-looking energy that feels quite different from the isolated, impoverished place of 20 years ago.