A new study by ALTAX Observatory introduces, for the first time, a comprehensive measurement of the wellbeing of Albanians beyond economic growth, showing that the progress achieved over the last decade is real, but still uneven. The Albanian Wellbeing Index (AWI) is presented through a new study by ALTAX Observatory and provides, for the first time, a comprehensive measurement of the wellbeing of Albanians beyond economic growth, demonstrating that the progress of the last decade is real, yet still unequal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albania has significantly improved its level of wellbeing during the period 2015\u20132025, but the benefits of this progress have not been distributed equally across society. This is the main conclusion of the latest study by ALTAX Observatory, which analyzes the country\u2019s economic and social development through a modern \u201cBeyond GDP\u201d approach, assessing not only the economy, but also health, education, the environment, equality, and quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the report, Albania Wellbeing Index (AWI)<\/strong>, an index developed by ALTAX to measure national wellbeing, increased from 52.4 points in 2015 to 71.2 points in 2025<\/strong>, marking an improvement of nearly 36%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the same period, GDP per capita<\/strong> increased by approximately 47% in real terms, relative poverty<\/strong> declined from 27.5% to 19.2%, Albania entered for the first time the category of countries with Very High Human Development<\/strong> (HDI 0.810), life expectancy<\/strong> increased to 79.6 years, and internet usage<\/strong> reached 85.6% of the population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the report highlights that behind these positive indicators lie significant social and territorial inequalities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The analysis shows that around 900,000 citizens continue<\/strong> to live in conditions of material and social deprivation<\/strong>, while the AROPE indicator (risk of poverty and social exclusion) remains at the high level of 40.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to ALTAX experts, the main beneficiaries of economic growth have been urban groups, tourism-related sectors, and families receiving remittances, while rural areas, pensioners, and low-income households have benefited far less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report emphasizes that Albania records the highest loss of human development due to inequality in the region, at 13%, indicating that a significant portion of economic progress is lost because of the unequal distribution of income and opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most concerning findings relates to the environmental dimension<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Air pollution levels measured through PM2.5 particles remain more than three times higher than the standards recommended by the World Health Organization, while energy generated from solar and wind sources continues to represent a very small share of the country\u2019s energy structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the report, this is the main reason why the environmental component remains the weakest dimension within the wellbeing index.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The report also provides a comparison of wellbeing at the level of the Western Balkans region and with the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Five priorities for the next decade<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The study argues that Albania can raise its wellbeing index above 80 points by 2030 if five priority reforms are undertaken:<\/p>\n\n\n\n