Albania: economy

What is the inflation rate in Albania?

Albania's annual inflation rate was 2.9% in September 2026, compared with 2.4% in September 2025, according to the Consumer Price Index published by INSTAT.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages added 0.96 percentage points to the annual rate, transport 0.81 points and housing, water, electricity and gas 0.54 points. Clothing and footwear pulled it down by 0.12 points. The Bank of Albania's governor said on 7 October 2026 that inflation averaged 3.3% in July and August and is likely to rise further over the next two quarters before easing from the middle of 2027. INSTAT notes that the CPI is undergoing a methodological revision.

Official sources: INSTAT: Consumer Price Index, September 2026 (PDF) · Bank of Albania: Governor's statement on monetary policy, 7 October 2026 (Albanian)

What is the Bank of Albania interest rate?

The Bank of Albania's base interest rate is 2.50%, the rate on its one-week repurchase agreements, according to the bank's website. The overnight deposit rate is 1.50% and the overnight lending rate 3.50%, in effect since 9 July 2025.

The bank's Supervisory Council kept all three rates unchanged on 7 October 2026, according to the governor's statement. The governor said the bank's forecasts and upside risks to inflation strengthen the case for a future move towards normalising monetary policy. Lending to the economy has been growing quickly, he said.

Official sources: Bank of Albania: base interest rate · Bank of Albania: Governor's statement on monetary policy, 7 October 2026 (Albanian)

How fast is Albania's economy growing?

Albania's real GDP grew 3.61% in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to INSTAT.

Public administration, education and health added 1.38 percentage points to growth, trade, transport, accommodation and food services 0.98 points, and real estate 0.36 points. Net taxes on products added 1.13 points. Agriculture, forestry and fishing subtracted 0.38 points, after output in the sector fell 2.29%. Quarterly estimates are revised as fuller data arrive. The Bank of Albania expects activity to keep growing at a steady pace close to potential, according to its October 2026 statement.

Official sources: INSTAT: Quarterly economic growth, Q2 2026 (PDF) · Bank of Albania: Governor's statement on monetary policy, 7 October 2026 (Albanian)

What are Albania's exports and imports?

Albania exported goods worth ALL 20.5 billion and imported ALL 75.6 billion in August 2026, a trade deficit of ALL 55.0 billion, according to INSTAT. Exports were 1.6% higher than a year earlier and imports 12.6% higher.

The deficit was 17.4% wider than in August 2025. Construction materials and metals, and food, beverages and tobacco, each added 1.3 percentage points to export growth, while textiles and footwear subtracted 2.9 points. Monthly figures swing with the seasons: exports fell 39.0% from July. The figures cover goods only, so tourism and other services are not included.

Official sources: INSTAT: Foreign trade in goods, August 2026 (PDF)

What is the exchange rate of the Albanian lek?

One euro was worth 91.28 lekë and one US dollar 81.34 lekë on 15 October 2026, according to the official exchange rates on the Bank of Albania's website. The pound sterling was 107.95 lekë.

The Bank of Albania updates its official rates each working day. The same page shows market buying and selling rates; for the euro they were 90.95 and 91.61 lekë. Banks and exchange offices set their own rates around these.

Official sources: Bank of Albania: official exchange rates

What is Albania's GDP per capita?

Albania's GDP per capita was US$12,998 in 2025, according to the World Bank, up from US$11,374 in 2024 and US$7,757 in 2022.

The figure divides GDP in current US dollars by the population, which INSTAT put at 2,335,930 on 1 January 2026, according to its population estimate. Because it is in dollars, it rises when the lek strengthens as well as when output grows. Personal remittances from Albanians abroad were equal to 8.4% of GDP in 2025, according to the World Bank.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita, Albania · INSTAT: Population on 1 January 2026 (PDF) · World Bank: Personal remittances received, Albania

What is Albania's economic growth rate?

In 2025, real GDP growth in Albania was 3.8%, according to the World Bank. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 9.0%; its low point was 2020, at -3.3%. It is 10th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 2.1%. Worldwide: 74th of 180.

What is Albania's GDP per person?

$12,998: that is GDP per person in Albania for 2025, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $28,420, and Albania placed 37th highest of 49. Worldwide: 70th of 180.

How does Albania's income per person compare after prices?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Albania was $28,221 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 39th highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $50,946 in international dollars. Worldwide: 70th of 179.

What share of Albania's economy is exports?

37.0% of GDP: that is exports of goods and services in Albania for 2025, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.4% of GDP (2005) to 38.4% of GDP (2023). It is 34th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 47.7% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 64th of 133.

Does Albania earn more abroad than it spends?

The IMF puts the current account balance in Albania at -0.5% of GDP in 2025, which is a deficit. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 25th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is -0.3% of GDP. World rank, highest first: 65th of 132.

How much foreign direct investment goes into Albania?

In 2025, net inflows of foreign direct investment in Albania was 6.1% of GDP, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 10.9% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at 3.2% of GDP. Europe & Central Asia median: 1.9% of GDP; Albania is 4th highest of 49. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 29th highest.

What interest rate do banks charge in Albania?

According to the IMF, the average bank lending rate in Albania was 6.4% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 14.1%; its low point was 2018, at 5.9%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 8.9%, and Albania placed 14th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 69th of 89.