Religion in Albania - Religious Demography

Religious Demography

The country has an area of 29,000 square kilometres (11,000 sq mi) and a population of 3.6 million. No reliable data were available on active participation in formal religious services, but estimates range from 25 to 40 percent. According to the IRF Report, and other sources, up to 75% of the population in Albania declare no religious affiliation since early 1990s.

Most Albanians were Muslims; (70%) -majority Sunni and about (20%) Bektashi, followed by Orthodox Albanians (20%) and Roman Catholics (10%)during the census of 1939. Other minor religious communities are Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Bahá'í, etc. The World Christian Database puts the percentages at 38.8% Muslim (30% Sunni and 8.8% Bektashi), 36.5% Christian (22% Albanian Orthodox and 13.5% Roman Catholic), 5.3% agnostic, 0.7% atheist and 0.2% Baha'i.

These are only the official statistics of 1935, however, and since then much has changed. Bashkim Zeneli, former Albanian ambassador to Greece, said that about 900,000 Albanians have emigrated to Greece in 20 years, and around 200,000 of them have returned to Albania. From this, around 240,000 are said to be Muslim by heritage, and around 85,000 have returned to Albania. Although they presently live in Albania, a lot of them continue to be Orthodox.

Muslims are found throughout the country, while Orthodox followers are concentrated in the south and Catholics in the north. However, this division is not strict, particularly in many urban centers, which have mixed populations. Members of the Greek minority, concentrated in the south, belong almost exclusively to the Orthodox Church. In addition to the four traditional religious groups, there are substantial numbers of followers of Protestant denominations, Baha'is, Jehovah's Witnesses, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), and other religious groups.

The State Committee on Cults reported a total of 245 religious groups, organizations, and foundations in addition to the 4 traditional faiths. This number includes 34 different Islamic organizations and 189 Protestant organizations, mostly associated with the Albanian Evangelical Brotherhood (Vëllazëria Ungjillore Shqiptare).

According to the 2007–2008 Gallup polls, 63% of Albanians claim that religion does not play an important role in their life.