Ten percent of all deaths in Albania in 2019 were due to air pollution, totaling 2,527 people, according to a report from the World Bank.
The bank estimated that there were 83 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants due to poor air quality, a very high number even amongst developing countries.
Sadly, air pollution remains a leading cause of death in many countries around the world causing stroke, lung cancer, pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, heart disesase, and even diabetes. These are triggered by human exposure to fine particles.
Overall, the bank suggests that 6.4 million people died prematurely in 2019 across the world.
According to data from the European Environment Agency, Albania had the second highest rate of pollution reated deaths in Europe.
Albania found itself second on the “worst countries” list, after Bosnia and Herzegovina. In BiH, 27% of deaths are related to air pollution and environmental issues. The rate of deaths is the highest in Europe, and 14 percentage points higher than the median of the EU which is just 13%.
With 23% of recorded deaths due to environmental matters, it is 10 percentage points higher than the European average.
Europeans with the lowest risk of dying from pollution-related issues are those in Norway and Iceland where the rate of deaths is just 9%. In Denmark and Sweden, it’s 10%.
“A factor driving this pattern is energy poverty, which is more prevalent in southern and central-eastern Europe,” it adds, explaining that “poorer communities rely on the combustion of low-quality solid fuels such as coal and wood, in low-efficiency ovens for domestic heating.”
At least 37% of Albanians are suffering from energy poverty, far above the European average of 5%, according to a study from DOOR and EIHP to address energy poverty in energy community contracting parties. This drives them to use wood to heat their homes, directly impacting the health of all.
Amongst the nine contracting parties, Kosovo has the largest share of households living in energy poverty at 40%. This is followed by Albania with 37%, 33% in North Macedonia, 22% in Serbia and 15% in Montenegro. The study defines energy poverty as not being able to adequately heat houses or meets day-to-day energy needs.
It also noted that energy-poor customers are those that do not get support in meeting their energy needs.
