Plastic waste exports in Albania
Albania: Plastic waste exports was 4,167 tonnes in 2016. ◆ Volatile
Plastic waste exports in Albania, 1996–2016
Source: United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2016, plastic waste exports in Albania stood at 4,167 tonnes.
That represents a change of up 161.9% on the previous year and up 365.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, plastic waste exports in Albania peaked at 5,071 tonnes in 2011 and was at its lowest, 0.1 tonnes, in 2003.
Albania ranks 66th of 167 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Plastic waste exports in Albania, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 101.08 tonnes | — |
| 1997 | 99.1 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1998 | 1.75 tonnes | -98.2% |
| 1999 | 4.82 tonnes | +175.7% |
| 2000 | 33.6 tonnes | +596.5% |
| 2002 | 7 tonnes | -79.2% |
| 2003 | 0.1 tonnes | -98.6% |
| 2004 | 13.12 tonnes | +13025.0% |
| 2005 | 61.7 tonnes | +370.1% |
| 2006 | 894.37 tonnes | +1349.5% |
| 2007 | 698.99 tonnes | -21.8% |
| 2008 | 1,214 tonnes | +73.7% |
| 2009 | 1,031 tonnes | -15.1% |
| 2010 | 2,386 tonnes | +131.5% |
| 2011 | 5,071 tonnes | +112.5% |
| 2012 | 3,206 tonnes | -36.8% |
| 2013 | 3,086 tonnes | -3.8% |
| 2014 | 377.83 tonnes | -87.8% |
| 2015 | 1,591 tonnes | +321.1% |
| 2016 | 4,167 tonnes | +161.9% |
Albania compared with similar countries
- Albania's 4,167 tonnes is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1,066 tonnes, 3.9× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- Albania's 4,167 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 7,198 tonnes, 58% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Plastic waste exports in Albania changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | +13025.0% | 0.1 tonnes | 13.12 tonnes |
| 2006 | +1349.5% | 61.7 tonnes | 894.37 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 51.69 tonnes | 1.75 tonnes | 101.08 tonnes | 4 |
| 2000s | 439.3 tonnes | 0.1 tonnes | 1,214 tonnes | 9 |
| 2010s | 2,841 tonnes | 377.83 tonnes | 5,071 tonnes | 7 |
Countries ranked near Albania
More environment data for Albania
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.6356 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly 0.8208 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.434 °C (2025)
- Temperature change 2.15 °C (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -1.89 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -11.58 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is plastic waste exports in Albania?
- Plastic waste exports in Albania was 4,167 tonnes in 2016, according to United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest plastic waste exports recorded in Albania?
- The highest recorded value was 5,071 tonnes in 2011.
- What is the lowest plastic waste exports recorded in Albania?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1 tonnes in 2003.
- How does Albania rank for plastic waste exports?
- Albania ranks 66th out of 167 countries with data for 2016.
- Is plastic waste exports rising or falling in Albania?
- Over the last ten years it is up 365.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Albania data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Comtrade Database (2025); United Nations Comtrade Database (2023) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Plastic waste exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Amount of plastic waste a country exports to other countries, measured in tonnes per year.