The increase of the minimum wage from 40,000 to 50,000 lek, with an additional 10,000 lek per employee per month, and the government support for 9 months through covering the difference in contributions, creates a situation where businesses face a...
Some of the main measures proposed in the 2026 fiscal package are as follows: No general increase in taxes or new taxes is planned for 2026. Increase in the minimum wage: from around 40,000 lek to approximately 50,000 lek per month starting...
The 2026 Draft State Budget reflects a careful fiscal approach aimed at maintaining the stability of the deficit and public debt, while directing expenditures toward social and developmental priorities. Compared to previous years, when the government’s focus was primarily on managing...
Over a tense decade, Albania’s public debt experienced a cycle marked by growth, crisis, and stabilization, reflecting the challenges faced by developing countries with limited fiscal capacity. From 72.1% of GDP in 2015, the debt-to-GDP ratio peaked at 74.1% in...
A typical day at the foreign exchange offices in downtown Tirana on 28 October 2025 reveals more than any statistical report. While the official euro exchange rate stands at around 96.8 lek, several currency exchange offices in the physical market...
The Albanian government is preparing a new fiscal package set to take effect on January 1, 2026, introducing significant changes to several key laws of the country’s tax and financial system.According to proposals from the Ministry of Finance released to...
During the period 2021–2025, tourism in Albania has moved from a post-pandemic recovery phase to a consolidation phase with clear growth trends. Data on overnight stays (the number of nights spent by visitors in accommodation facilities) show not only a...
Even in 2024, one-third of Albanians continue to face severe deprivation, unable to meet basic needs for food, energy, education, and healthcare—a stark reminder that economic growth does not automatically translate into well-being for all. Despite a 23.2% increase in average...
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its October 2025 report, forecasts steady growth for Albania, albeit at moderate rates. According to the data, real GDP is expected to grow from 4.0% in 2023 and 2024, to 3.4% in 2025, positioning...
In 2024, the Bank of Albania carried out one of its largest interventions in history, purchasing €930 million[1], and €800 million for 9-months in 2026, in foreign currency in an effort to curb the excessive strengthening of the...
