21.05.2021 – 08:00
The population of the country is shrinking from year to year, but within the total age group up to 15 years is shrinking rapidly, while that over 65 years old is growing rapidly.
INSTAT data show that in January 2021 the population from 0-15 years old decreased by 11.5 thousand people with a contraction of 2.4 percent compared to a year ago, while the age group 65+ marked a sharp increase of more than 14.6 thousand people or by about 2.4 percent.
The decline in population at young ages was replaced by the growth of old age. This tendency, which is being driven by the decline in the number of births, the emigration of young people and the increase in life expectancy, will sharpen this 10-year period.
On the one hand the education systems will be facilitated by the number of students. In the preschool cycle at other levels of education there will be fewer students, creating the conditions for increasing the quality of services.
On the contrary, the increase of the population over 65 years old will put in front of a new test the infrastructure of Albania, which is not yet ready to face the high wave of the elderly population and its needs, as the number of pensioners increases year after year. viti.
Revenues from contributions decreased by 1.6% in 2020 and expenditures increased by 1.5%, as a result of which the deficit of the scheme deepened and the subsidy from the state budget increased. The financing of the state budget in the insurance scheme reached ALL 29 billion with an increase of over 14% compared to 2019.
From 2010-2020 the beneficiaries in the pension scheme increased by 22%, but in the meantime the payments for a pensioner have started to decrease.
In reality, the situation is even worse, as from 2011 to 2019, 360 thousand people left the country, according to a special survey by INSTAT on immigration. Only 1.6% of those leaving were of retirement age. These developments show that the age of the population over 65 years, as a percentage of the total population, is greater than the official indicators. With declining fertility and high levels of emigration, the total population will decline, while people of retirement age, according to INSTAT optimistic scenarios, will own 21% of the population by 2030.
Europe is facing the same trend, but many countries, especially those in the EU have made progress with policies to cope with this change, Albania will find it difficult to adapt due to lack of limited financial resources and vision to cope with change of population structure in favor of older ages. The United Nations sounded the alarm that governments and states around the world are not prepared to administer old age, both socially and economically./ B. Hoxha / Monitor