Albania

446 threatened species · Biodiversity Intelligence Dashboard

Threatened Species

446

CR + EN + VU

Critically Endangered

99

Highest risk

Endangered

133

Very high risk

Vulnerable

214

High risk

Declining

17%

78 species

Category Breakdown
CR 99
EN 133
VU 214
CR: 99
EN: 133
VU: 214

Critically Endangered

9922%

Extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Endangered

13330%

Very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Vulnerable

21448%

High risk of extinction in the wild.

Threatened total — 446 species

Species by Group
🦗

insects

222

222 threatened

🐚

molluscs

61

61 threatened

🌱

plants

43

43 threatened

🐟

fishes

40

40 threatened

🐦

birds

22

22 threatened

🕷️

arachnids

18

18 threatened

🪱

other invertebrates

13

13 threatened

🐸

amphibians

7

7 threatened

🍄

fungi

7

7 threatened

🐾

mammals

5

5 threatened

🐢

reptiles

4

4 threatened

🦀

crustaceans

3

3 threatened

🪸

corals

1

1 threatened

Global Share

0.80%

of globally threatened species

Country Rank

#78

of 250 countries

Endemic Threatened

12

Found only here

Conservation Outlook

Outlook: Deteriorating

Albania's biodiversity significance stems from its position at the crossroads of Mediterranean and Balkan biogeographical regions, creating unique endemic hotspots particularly in its karst cave systems and isolated mountain ranges. The country's limestone geology has fostered exceptional invertebrate endemism, with specialized cave-dwelling molluscs and arthropods found nowhere else on Earth. According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all 19 assessed endemic species are critically endangered, representing a biodiversity crisis of extraordinary proportions.

The most urgent threats to Albania's endemic fauna include limestone quarrying operations that directly destroy cave habitats, unregulated groundwater extraction altering subterranean ecosystems, and agricultural intensification in karst valleys affecting surface-groundwater connectivity. Tourism development in coastal and mountain regions poses additional pressure on fragile endemic populations. Climate change exacerbates these impacts by altering precipitation patterns crucial for maintaining cave humidity levels.

Albania has established the Prespa National Park and expanded protected area coverage to 15% of national territory, with particular focus on karst landscapes. The country participates in regional Balkan biodiversity initiatives and has strengthened environmental impact assessment requirements for quarrying operations. However, enforcement capacity remains limited, and economic pressures continue to drive habitat conversion.

The trajectory appears deteriorating given the complete critically endangered status of assessed endemic species.

Mediterranean ScrublandKarst Cave SystemsMontane ForestsAlpine MeadowsCoastal Wetlands
Top Threats
1.Type Unknown/Unrecorded (pollution)82 species
2.Logging & wood harvesting79 species
3.Annual & perennial non-timber crops76 species
4.Agricultural & forestry effluents59 species
5.Housing & urban areas56 species
6.Urban development and infrastructure expansion54 species
7.Dams & water management/use48 species
8.Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases46 species

Protected Areas

18 areas · 2,025 km²

How to Cite

IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS

GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org

This page: SpeciesRadar (2026). Albania: Biodiversity Dashboard. SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/countries/AL

Species counts reflect IUCN Red List threatened categories (CR, EN, VU). · Full citation guide & data usage terms

Frequently asked questions

How many threatened species are in Albania?
Albania has 446 threatened species recorded on SpeciesRadar — 99 of those are Critically Endangered, facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The figures combine IUCN Red List data with national red list assessments where available.
How many Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable species does Albania have?
Of the 446 threatened species in Albania, 99 are Critically Endangered, 133 are Endangered, and 214 are Vulnerable. Together these three IUCN Red List categories make up the "threatened" total.
What is the most endangered species in Albania?
Among the 99 Critically Endangered species in Albania, Struga Trout (Salmo balcanicus) is one of the most at-risk — featured prominently on the country dashboard. The full list of Critically Endangered species is filterable on the Species tab.
What protected areas exist in Albania?
Albania has 18 protected areas catalogued on SpeciesRadar, sourced from the WDPA and national designations. Notable sites include Kune-Vain-Tale, Sazan-Karaburun, Butrint National Park, and Dajti National Park, among 14 others. The full list is sortable and downloadable on the Protected Areas tab.
Which animal and plant groups are most threatened in Albania?
The most affected groups in Albania, by number of threatened species, are insects (222), molluscs (61), and plants (43). The full taxonomic breakdown is shown on the country dashboard.
What are the biggest threats to wildlife in Albania?
The leading threats to threatened species in Albania are type unknown/unrecorded (pollution), logging & wood harvesting, annual & perennial non-timber crops, and agricultural & forestry effluents. Each threat is mapped to the species it affects in the country's threat breakdown.
How many threatened species are found only in Albania?
Albania has 12 threatened species that are endemic — found nowhere else on Earth. Because their entire global population depends on this one country, they are especially vulnerable to local habitat loss.
How many of Albania's threatened species have declining populations?
78 of Albania's threatened species have populations that are still declining. Reversing these trends is the central focus of the conservation work the country dashboard tracks.
How does Albania compare to other countries for threatened species?
Albania ranks #78 of 250 countries by number of threatened species, and accounts for roughly 0.80% of all threatened species tracked worldwide. Threat is geographically concentrated, so a high rank reflects both rich biodiversity and intense pressure on it.
Where does the data for Albania come from, and can I download it?
SpeciesRadar draws on the IUCN Red List, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the World Database on Protected Areas, and national red lists. Every table on the Albania profile — species, national red list, and protected areas — can be downloaded as a CSV spreadsheet or a branded PDF report.