Total population | |
---|---|
est. around 200,000 | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Albania, Greece, United States, Australia | |
Albania and Greece | est. around 200,000[1][2][3] |
United States | over 15,000 (est. 1965)[4] |
Languages | |
Greek, Albanian Aromanian by Hellenized Aromanians | |
Religion | |
Orthodox Christianity |
The Greeks in Albania are ethnic Greeks who live in or originate from areas within modern Albania. After ethnic Albanians, they form the second largest ethnic group in the country. They are mostly concentrated in the south of the country, in the areas of the northern part of the historical region of Epirus, in parts of Vlorë County,[5] Gjirokastër, Korçë,[6] and Berat County.[7] The area is also known as Northern Epirus. Consequently, the Greeks hailing specifically from Southern Albania are also known as Northern Epirotes (Greek: Βορειοηπειρώτες Vorioipirotes, Albanian: Vorioepirot). The Greeks who live in the minority zones of Albania are officially recognised by the Albanian government as the Greek National Minority of Albania (Greek: Ελληνική Μειονότητα στην Αλβανία, Elliniki Mionotita stin Alvania; Albanian: Minoriteti Grek në Shqipëri).[8][9]
In 1913, after the end of five centuries of Ottoman rule, the area was included under the sovereignty of the newly founded Albanian state. The following year, Greeks revolted and declared their independence, and with the following Protocol of Corfu the area was recognised as an autonomous region under nominal Albanian sovereignty. However, this was never implemented.
In modern times, the Greek population has suffered from the prohibition of the Greek language if spoken outside the recognised minority zones (which have remained after the communist era) and even limitations on the official use of its language within those zones.[10] Many formerly Greek place-names have been officially changed to Albanian ones.[10][11] Greeks from the minority zones were also frequently forcibly moved to other parts of the country since they were seen as possible sources of dissent and ethnic tension.[10] In post-1990 era, these issues, including the emerging subject of private property rights, continue to persist to an extent.
Both Albania and Greece hold different and often conflicting estimations, as they have done so for the last 20 years.[12] Most Western sources put the number at around 200,000. The Albanian government in the 1989 census estimated around 60,000, while the Greek government supports a figure of 300,000.[13][14][15][16][17][18] Furthermore, 13,329 ethnic Greeks with Albanian citizenship reside in Greece, and are issued special identity cards as of 2022.[19] Most of Albania's ethnic Greeks have acquired citizenship and thus no longer rely on special identity cards. It has been suggested that some Albanians and Aromanians have claimed to be Greeks in exchange for economic benefits in Greece, such as work permits and pensions.
The Albanian government claimed that there were only 60,000, based on the biased 1989 census, whereas the Greek government claimed that there were upwards of 300,000. Most Western estimates were around the 200,000 mark ...
Greek co ethnics who are Albanian citizens (Voreioepirotes) hold Special Identity Cards for Omogeneis (co-ethnics) (EDTO) issued by the Greek police. EDTO holders are not included in the Ministry of Interior data on aliens. After repeated requests, the Ministry of Interior has released data on the actual number of valid EDTO to this date. Their total number is 189,000.
The Albanian government claimed that there were only 60,000, based on the biased 1989 census, whereas the Greek government claimed that there were upwards of 300,000. Most Western estimates were around the 200,000 mark ...
Albanian officials alleged that the priest was promoting irredentist sentiments among Albania's Greek minority – estimated at between 60,000 and 300,000.
that between 250,000 and 300,000 Orthodox Greeks reside in Albania
It is difficult to know how many ethnic Greeks there are in Albania. The Greek government, it is typically claimed, says that there are around 300,000 ethnic Greeks in Albania, but most Western estimates are around 200,000.
and Greece formally annulled claims to North Epirus (southern Albania), where there is a sizeable Greek minority. ... strained by concerns relating to the treatment of ethnic Greeks residing in Albania (numbering an estimated 300,000) ...
The 2022 number issued by the Ministry includes the 13,329 Albanian citizens who are identified by the special designation "homogeneous" on their ID cards. This officially identifies them as individuals of Greek minority from Albania.
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