Census results showed that the age group over 60 reached 667 thousand people in October 2023, with a 49% increase from 2011, at a time when the overall population in the same period fell by 13%.

But this is good news for companies that import medicines. The new results signal more sales, as the burden of disease and medication use increases with an aging population.

All businesses, that have at their core the provision of health services, will revise projections with increased profits. Also, all services and businesses related to services to the third age are expected to increase.

Dorian Sadiku, who heads the Association of Pharmaceutical Warehouses, says that the aging population increases the demand for medicines and this is a global phenomenon.

On the other hand, Census 2023 revealed that there were 204 thousand young people aged 0-15 years less than in 2011, or a 35% decrease and this is bad news for the businesses of production and trade of dough, sweets, clothing, etc.

All those who have a business related to the trade of goods and services, from offices to schools will suffer a significant decline during the next decade. Adi Haxhiymeri, who heads the Association of Flour Processors, claimed that the population decline has been evident in recent years. The emigration of young people has led to a steady decline in dough and sugar imports over the past decade. Haxhiymeri said that the new population data are bad news, but Albanian businesses have become resilient to crises and operate with short-term plans.

The results of the 2023 Census showed that the population of Albania in October 2023 was 2.4 million inhabitants, or 420 thousand less than in the 2011 Census, while the average age of the population reached 42.5 years, 7 years more than in 2011.

These results will lead to strong revisions of all economic indicators, from macroeconomic results such as employment, and income per capita to business plans that will need to be formatted with the new population.

The economy expert, Selami Xhepa, said that the older population creates a limitation of growth opportunities in the long term. The labor market will suffer for employees, as domestic demand will decrease. Xhepa said that stress on long-term liabilities, such as pension and health funds, will increase.

In 2023, a total of 287 thousand tons of wheat were imported. This amount was 24% lower than the imports of 2011. If Albania did not have this flow of tourists like the last two years, circulation and consumption in the economy would be in difficulty.

Adi Haxhiymeri noted that young people are the biggest consumers of dough, as middle-aged and older people often go on diets and eliminate dough.