Albania

Languages:

Albania is a linguistically homogeneous nation with Albanian as its official language, spoken by approximately 98% of the population. Albanian, an Indo-European language, has two main dialects: Gheg, primarily spoken in the north, and Tosk, spoken in the south. Although minority languages such as Greek, Romani, and Macedonian are spoken by smaller ethnic communities, they are not widely used. In recent years, English, Italian, and German have gained popularity as foreign languages, particularly among the younger generation and in the tourism sector.

Religion:

Albania is characterized by religious diversity and tolerance, with Islam, Christianity, and various other faiths coexisting. According to a 2011 census, 56.7% of the population identifies as Muslim, with Sunni and Bektashi denominations being the most prevalent. The majority of the remaining population practices Christianity, with 10% adhering to the Orthodox Church and 6.8% being Roman Catholic. However, it is important to note that many Albanians consider themselves secular or non-religious, with religious identity often holding a cultural rather than spiritual significance.

Ethnic Groups:

Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Romani, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic and cultural affiliation