Albania is facing one of its most pressing public health challenges in recent years: a significant shortage of medical professionals. According to a recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) titled “Challenges of Developing Countries in the Health Workforce”, the emigration of doctors has become the main threat to the sustainability of the country’s healthcare system.
The report highlights a concerning trend: more Albanian doctors are leaving the country every year, seeking better opportunities abroad. As a result, hospitals, particularly in rural and peripheral areas, are struggling to maintain essential healthcare services.
The Current State of Albania’s Health Workforce
According to WHO estimates, Albania currently has around 6,900 licensed doctors, with nearly 80% employed in the public sector. This translates to approximately 220 doctors per 100,000 inhabitants, a figure significantly below the average of both Southeast European and broader European countries.
These numbers illustrate the growing gap in Albania’s healthcare capacity. The shortage affects both urban hospitals, which are becoming overloaded, and rural clinics, where medical care is becoming increasingly difficult to access.
The Growing Trend of Doctor Emigration
Every year, an estimated 150 doctors plan to leave Albania, further deepening the shortage of medical personnel. WHO data show that the number of Albanian-trained doctors working abroad reached 1,060 across 38 foreign countries in 2020.
Germany, in particular, has become a major destination. In 2013, only 149 Albanian doctors were registered in Germany. By 2021, that number had risen to 988, representing an increase of more than sixfold in less than a decade.
The Order of Physicians of Albania has also recorded a steady rise in the issuance of Professional Good Standing Certificates, a required document for doctors seeking employment abroad. From 2013 to 2023, the number of these certificates has grown consistently, reflecting a persistent wave of medical migration.
Why Are Doctors Leaving Albania?
The reasons behind this exodus are complex but well-documented. Low wages, lack of modern equipment, limited career advancement opportunities, and high workloads have driven many medical professionals to look for better conditions in Western Europe.
In countries like Germany, Italy, France, and the UK, Albanian doctors can earn several times more than in Albania, often with better working hours and access to advanced medical technology. The difference in working conditions and professional recognition is simply too large to ignore.
The Impact on Public Health Services
The internal migration of doctors from smaller towns to Tirana, the capital, further aggravates the problem. This internal shift has left regional hospitals and rural health centers severely understaffed, particularly in mountainous and remote areas.
Patients living outside major cities are increasingly forced to travel long distances for basic health services. Emergency response times are growing longer, and the overall quality of care in rural areas continues to decline.
Healthcare experts warn that if the trend continues, Albania could soon face a critical collapse in healthcare coverage, especially in primary care and emergency medicine.