Albania together with Germany, Sweden and Denmark did not increase the forest area during the period 1990-2020. 

According to Eurostat data, forests cover about 45% of EU land in 2020. The forest area across EU has grown by 2.6% over three decades. Most of EU countries have increased forest area. 

Eurostat data for Europe show that Cyprus and Montenegro had the largest forest area growth in the last three decades. Eurostat reported that Albania in 2020 had 38% of forest land and there was no increase compared to 1990. 

In relative terms, forests and forested land accounted for at least half of the total land area in eight of the EU member states by 2020. The largest forest areas, about three quarters of the area are recorded in Finland (76.2% ) Sweden (74.5%); Slovenia (62.8%). In Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Portugal and Greece about 50-60% of the total land area was covered by forests and other forested lands. In contrast, forest and other forested land make up no more than 1.7% of the total land area in Malta, the Netherlands (11.0%), Ireland (12.3%) and Denmark (15.8%).

Sweden and Albania were the only ones not growing forest areas for three decades. Forests and other tree-covered lands make up about 1.1 million ha, almost 38% of the total territory in Albania. About 51% of forests are state-owned, 47% local government and 3% - privately owned. 

Of the total forest area, 47% are high beech, oak and black pine forests as the main varieties. Thickets comprise 29%, and 24% are categorized as shrub forests. 

The contribution of forests to the country's economy has remained small. Most wood logs produced in Albania are used for heating. Non-timber services are an important source of income in rural areas in Albania. There are 23 hunting reserves (in forests and lagoons), with an area of ​​about 35,000 ha. 

Forest management is decentralized through the transfer of about 50% of the forest and pasture area to local government units which are responsible for drafting forest management plans, establishing administrative and technical bodies to carry out forest inventory and drafting plans of investment. Municipalities are responsible for managing local forests in accordance with management plans.

(Source: Monitor)