Albania
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
68 / 100
Partly Free
Nations in Transit
46 / 100
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
Albania has a record of competitive elections, though political parties are highly polarized and often organized around leading personalities. Religious freedom and freedom of assembly are generally respected. Corruption and bribery remain major problems, though the government is working to address corruption in the judiciary.
Research & Recommendations
Albania
Partly Free
68
100
| PR Political Rights | 28 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 40 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
67
100
Partly Free
Global freedom statuses are calculated on a weighted scale.
See the methodology.
Overview
Albania has a record of competitive elections, though political parties are highly polarized and often organized around leading personalities. Religious freedom and freedom of assembly are generally respected. Corruption and bribery remain major problems, though the government is working to address corruption in the judiciary.
Freedom in the World 2024 Policy Recommendations
Provide steady support and flexible funding to those on the front lines of the struggle against tyranny.
Democratic governments and donors must increase and sustain support for those working to defend and promote fundamental freedoms around the world. Failure to do so emboldens autocrats and can result in the loss of hard-won progress.
Uphold the rights of people living in disputed territories.
The events of the past year in places such as Nagorno-Karabakh and the Gaza Strip provided stark evidence that populations without self-determination are at greater risk of extreme human rights abuses or atrocities.
Protect free and fair elections in 2024.
At least 40 countries are holding national-level elections in 2024, and many more will conduct other types of balloting. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy, and independent and transparent electoral processes are necessary to foster genuine competition and public trust.
Albania
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
46
100
| DEMOCRACY-PERCENTAGE Democracy Percentage | 46.43 100 |
| DEMOCRACY-SCORE Democracy Score | 3.79 7 |
Last Year's Democracy Percentage & Status
46
100
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
The ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 representing the highest level of democratic progress and 1 the lowest. The Democracy Score is an average of ratings for the categories tracked in a given year. The Democracy Percentage, introduced in 2020, is a translation of the Democracy Score to the 0-100 scale, where 0 equals least democratic and 100 equals most democratic.
See the methodology.
Overview
Albania’s democracy experienced numerous challenges in 2023, especially during the local elections in May, which further consolidated the ruling party’s dominant position in the country. Several journalists were subjected to verbal and physical attacks throughout the year, and the working environment and conditions for journalists have deteriorated in 2023 compared to previous years. The main opposition party in parliament, the Democratic Party, continued to experience internal conflict and was split into factions led by dueling party leaders Lulzim Basha and Sali Berisha. This weak position ultimately resulted in little oversight of the government, led by the Socialists and Prime Minister Edi Rama, and, later, outright violence in the parliament.
Nations in Transit 2024 Policy Recommendations
Ensure that Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine is soundly defeated.
The future of European democracy and security is now inextricably linked to the fate of Ukraine. European Union (EU) and NATO member states must not only invest far more—and more efficiently—in their collective defense, but also provide Ukraine with the assistance it needs to roll back Russian advances and build a durable democracy of its own.
Support democratic renewal and reform.
In addition to defending the international order from emboldened autocrats, democratic governments must attend to democratic renewal within Europe, particularly among nascent democracies.
Provide consistent messaging and support to Europe’s aspiring democracies.
Military aggression from autocracies in the region has underscored the dangers of exclusion from democracy-based organizations like the EU and NATO, galvanizing the political will of policymakers in aspiring member states and generating further public pressure to undertake long-sought democratic reforms.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Global Freedom Score
68
/ 100
Partly Free
Nations in Transit Score
46
/ 100
Transitional or Hybrid Regime
Population: 2,778,000
Internet Facts
Status
Not Tracked
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
April 25, 2021
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
70.35%
Election Year
2021
Vulnerability Index
68
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked