Albania: cost of living

What is the poverty rate in Albania?

19.0% of people in Albania were at risk of poverty in 2025, 0.2 percentage points fewer than in 2024, according to the Survey on Income and Living Conditions published by INSTAT on 15 October 2026.

The at-risk-of-poverty threshold was 349,565 lekë a year for one person, up from 324,336 lekë. The measure is relative, so the threshold moves with typical incomes. 39.4% of the population was at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and 31.2% faced severe material and social deprivation. Without social transfers, including pensions, the poverty rate would have been 35.9%. The Gini coefficient was 30.37%.

Official sources: INSTAT: Income and Living Conditions in Albania, 2025 (PDF, Albanian)

How much does an Albanian household spend a month?

The average Albanian household spent 95,227 lekë a month on consumption in 2025, 2.3% more than in 2024, according to INSTAT's Household Budget Survey. Households had 3.1 members on average.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages took the largest share, 37,859 lekë or 39.8% of the budget. Within food, vegetables made up 20.2%, meat 16.6% and milk, cheese and eggs 15.5%. Spending on recreation and culture rose fastest, by 10.0%, followed by alcohol and tobacco (5.1%) and transport (5.0%). The survey covers households with usual residence in Albania.

Official sources: INSTAT: Household Budget Survey 2025 (PDF)

What is Albania's inflation rate?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Albania at 2.1% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 6.7%; its low point was 2016, at 1.3%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7%, and Albania placed 41st highest of 48. Worldwide: 107th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Albania?

In 2025, household consumption per person in Albania was $4,814, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 39th highest of 44 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $11,266. World rank, highest first: 57th of 124.

How many people in Albania live on under $3 a day?

0.3%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Albania for 2020, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 0.3%, and Albania placed 20th highest of 40. World rank, highest first: 44th of 69.

What is the poverty rate in Albania?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2022, is 19.7%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 12.4% (2008) to 23.7% (2016). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 17.9%, and Albania placed 11th highest of 22. Worldwide: 32nd of 52.

How unequal are incomes in Albania?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Albania at 29.4 in 2020. Since 2005 it has ranged from 29.0 (2012) to 34.6 (2014). Europe & Central Asia median: 30.2; Albania is 23rd highest of 40. Of 69 countries with 2020 data, 52nd highest.

What is food insecurity in Albania?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Albania was 31.8%, according to the FAO. The peak was 39.0% in 2016 and the low 30.2% in 2021. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 7.6%, and Albania placed 2nd highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 48th of 135.