Vdekshmërive

Vdekshmërive is a term used in Albanian demography to denote mortality within a population. It refers to the occurrence of deaths and, more specifically, to the rates at which deaths happen over a defined period. The word is formed from the root vdekje (death) with the suffixes that create an abstract noun and its inflected forms; vdekshmërive appears in contexts describing mortality rates or the mortality status of a group.

In statistical practice, vdekshmërive is analyzed through several indicators. The crude death rate measures deaths per 1,000 people in a given year, regardless of age or sex. Age-specific and sex-specific death rates break down mortality by age groups or by sex, allowing comparison across populations with different age structures. The infant mortality rate focuses on deaths of children under a specified age, typically per 1,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth summarizes the expected length of life given current mortality conditions. Collecting and interpreting vdekshmërive relies on vital statistics, censuses, and health surveys, with national statistical offices (such as INSTAT in Albania) and international databases (World Bank, WHO, UN) providing data for analysis.

Mortality data are used to assess population health, track development, and evaluate the impact of health systems, nutrition, disease burden, and social determinants. Limitations may arise from incomplete reporting, age misclassification, or delays in data collection, affecting cross-country comparisons or trend analysis. Overall, vdekshmërive serves as a fundamental indicator of health status and demographic change within a population.