Albania now has a falling birth rate, but the highest rate of infant mortality in Europe (26 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1996). There is a continuing high prevalence of infectious disease, but cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. There were 16,476 deaths in Albania in 1999, of which 2,464 were from cancer. A life expectancy in 1994 of 69.2 for men and 75.0 for women, above the average for CEE countries, is testimony to the underlying health and good nutrition of the population, despite problems of low income and limited available health services. Corresponding figures for 2000 report a life expectancy for me n of 64.3, and for women 72.9. Alcohol and tobacco consumption have been low, but are thought to be rising. Unemployment rose from 12% in 1996 to 28% in 2001.
Population and life expectancy, Central and Eastern Europe
Population (millions)
Life Expectancy
Male
Female
Albania
3.1
64.3
72.9
Bosnia-Herzogovina
3.9
68.7
74.4
Bulgaria
7.9
67.4
74.9
Croatia
4.6
69.8
77.7
Czech Republic
10.2
71.5
78.2
Estonia
1.3
65.4
76.5
Hungary
9.9
66.3
75.2
Latvia
2.4
64.2
75.5
Lithuania
3.7
66.9
77.2
Macedonia
2.0
70.2
74.8
Poland
38.6
69.2
7.7
Romania
22.4
66.2
73.5
Serbia and Montenegro
10.5
Slovakia
5.3
69.2
77.5
Slovenia
1.9
71.9
79.4
Source: World Health Report 2001
Figures are not available for Albania on standardised death rates per 100,000 population
WHO age standardised death rates per 100,000 population, Central and Eastern Europe (1995-1998)
Year
All Causes
Cancer
Albania
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bulgaria
1998
958.9
123.3
Croatia
1997
836.0
174.2
Czech Republic
1998
706.6
182.9
Estonia
1998
907.7
157.8
Hungary
1998
917.8
219.4
Latvia
1998
955.2
152.1
Lithuania
1997
817.2
149.4
Macedonia
1997
809.1
Poland
1996
812.2
165.2
Romania
1998
933.9
130.6
Serbia and Montenegro
Slovakia
1995
820.9
172.3
Slovenia
1997
666.1
167.5
Source: World Health Organisation: World Health Statistics 1997-1999
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