Education, Skills and Labour Availability

Education, Skills and Labour Availability Education System

Education in Albania is compulsory from ages 6 to 15. After 9 years, students may continue one of two basic types of secondary school: comprehensive (general) and technical/vocational. Albania has a tradition of strong secondary education offering advanced skills that prepare students to enter into the labor market.

Skills Availability

In the recent years, the number of students in all levels of education has continuously increased. A majority of students who finish elementary school enter high school, and a considerable percentage (74 %) of those who complete high school continue to a university.

In 2004-2005 the number of students enrolled in primary education was 488,166 and in secondary education 140,480 (INSTAT). During 2001 – 2005 the number of students enrolled in and graduated from secondary education increase by 35% and 46% respectively. Over the last five years the number of private secondary education institutions (general & vocational) has increased significantly. Today there are 72 private secondary schools in Albania.

Fact Sheet No.5

Last updated: February 2007

Education, Skills and Labour Availability

Number of students in years

Source: OECD, 2004

Percentage of students entering High School following Elementary School

Source: Ministry of Education and Science, 2006

University Education There are currently 11 public and 5 private institutions of higher education located in Albania’s main cities: Tirana, Shkodra, Korça, Vlora and Gjirokastra. Enrolment in higher education during 2005-06 is 3 times greater than in 1995-96. Women comprise 60% of all enrolled students.

Percentage of students entering University following High School

Source: OECD, 2004

Fact Sheet No.5

Last updated: February 2007

Education, Skills and Labour Availability

Number of students registered in public universities 2005 – 2006

Source: Ministry of Education and Science, 2006

Fact Sheet No.5

Last updated: February 2007

Education, Skills and Labour Availability

Technical Education The number of students enrolled in professional and technical education has increased. In 2004-2005 they accounted for 30.6% of the total number of secondary school students. During 2000-2003, 3,503 students graduated in technical subjects such as engineering, food technology, chemistry, physics etc.

Source: Ministry of Education and Science, 2006

Education-Abroad Force

Students studying abroad are evidence of Albania’s excellent potential. According to the Ministry of Education and Science, the number of Albanian students studying abroad has significantly increased each year, particularly those studying in Italy and the United States. Many return after completion of studies.

Number of Albanian students studying abroad (Year 2002)

Source: OECD, 2004

Foreign languages knowledge Foreign language training begins early in elementary education. In high school and university, the education program involves the study of two foreign languages. Albanian youth is skilled in Italian and Greek thanks to the influence and vicinity of both countries. English is common among the young generation and has become the dominant foreign language taught in the Albanian education system, followed by French and German. In 2005-2006, the number of students enrolled in foreign language courses in the universities of Tirana, Shkodra, Vlora and Elbasan was 4,552.

Labour Force Availability In 2005 the number of unemployed females was 74,031 and unemployed males 79,219, thus a total of 153,250. The number of long term registered unemployed is 142.143.

Fact Sheet No.5

Last updated: February 2007

Education, Skills and Labour Availability

Registered number of Unemployed

Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), 2006

Among the long term registered unemployed population about 55% have up to 8 years of education, 44% have a secondary education, and 1.2% have a university education.

Unemployment Rate (in percentage)

Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), 2005

Fact Sheet No.5

Last updated: February 2007

Education, Skills and Labour Availability

Long term registered unemployed by education level

Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), 2006

Long term registered unemployed by age group

Source: Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), 2006

Fact Sheet No.5

Last updated: February 2007