Albania
Leading cause: Heart Disease · 56% plant-based · 78.6 yr life expectancy · UHC 71/100
What People Eat
Cardiovascular and dietary profile drawn from WHO Global Health Estimates. Plant-based score reflects the share of whole plant foods (grains, legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts) in the typical national diet.
Disease Burden
Leading cause of death: Heart Disease · 248 / 100k
Bars show each rate against the global range; the tick marks the world median.
Heart disease (248/100k) leads and is high, despite a partly Mediterranean diet (vegetables, legumes, olive oil) that should be protective. High smoking, salt, and out-of-pocket health costs that delay care drive the burden.
Healthcare System
Sources: WHO UHC Service Coverage Index (SDG 3.8.1) & WHO Global Health Expenditure Database. Latest available year.
What Could Improve
- Tobacco control and salt reduction are key levers on the high CVD rate.
- Lean into the Mediterranean elements of the diet and expand affordable primary care.
Explore the evidence: Heart Disease
WHO Global Health Estimates · 2022 · age-standardized country data
→ 248 CVD deaths per 100k · 56% plant-based diet