Albania: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Albania?

Albania's unemployment rate was 8.3% in the second quarter of 2026, according to the Labour Force Survey published by INSTAT. That was 0.2 percentage points lower than a year earlier and 0.1 points lower than in the first quarter.

The rate covers people aged 15 and over. The employment rate for the same age group was 58.3%, and the labour force participation rate for people aged 15 to 64 was 76.3%. Unemployed people are those without work who are actively looking and available to start. The survey is quarterly, and INSTAT also publishes administrative data on registered jobseekers.

Official sources: INSTAT: Quarterly Labour Force Survey, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What is the average salary in Albania?

The average gross monthly wage in Albania was 92,150 lekë in the second quarter of 2026, 9.8% more than a year earlier, according to INSTAT.

Financial and insurance activities paid the most, at 187,267 lekë, followed by information and communication at 143,528 lekë. Wages rose fastest in construction, by 22.1%. Pay is concentrated at the two ends: 25.8% of employees earned the minimum wage, while 17.1% earned more than 120,000 lekë. At the official rate of 15 October 2026, 92,150 lekë is about €1,010. The figure is gross, before tax and social contributions.

Official sources: INSTAT: Wage statistics, Q2 2026 (PDF)

How many people in Albania earn the minimum wage?

25.8% of employees in Albania were paid the minimum wage in the second quarter of 2026, according to the wage statistics published by INSTAT.

INSTAT says the distribution of employees remains concentrated at the extremes of the pay range: at the same time 17.1% earned over 120,000 lekë a month, a share that continues to grow. Compared with the first quarter, the number of employees on middle and high wages increased. The fastest pay rises by occupation were for craft and related trades workers (16.0%) and elementary occupations (15.1%).

Official sources: INSTAT: Wage statistics, Q2 2026 (PDF)

What is the minimum wage in Albania?

50,000 ALL a month: that is the statutory minimum wage in Albania for 2026, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How much do workers in Albania earn on average?

$548 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Albania for 2022, according to the ILO. Since 2015 it has ranged from $372 a month (2015) to $552 a month (2021). It is 35th highest of 43 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is $1,771 a month. Worldwide: 49th of 98.

What is Albania's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Albania was 10.9%, according to the ILO. The peak was 18.1% in 2014 and the low 10.7% in 2023. Europe & Central Asia median: 5.5%; Albania is 6th highest of 47. World rank, highest first: 29th of 174.

How many young people in Albania are unemployed?

The ILO puts unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Albania at 25.6% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2015, at 39.6%; its low point was 2011, at 22.7%. Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Albania is 5th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 24th highest.

What share of people in Albania are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Albania was 64.3% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 13th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 60.3%. World rank, highest first: 72nd of 174.

How many women in Albania are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate for women in Albania was 58.6%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 54.6%; Albania is 13th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 55th highest.

How many people in Albania are employed?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Albania was 57.2% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 56.6%; Albania is 21st highest of 47. Worldwide: 92nd of 174.

What is vulnerable employment in Albania?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 46.0%. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.0%, and Albania placed 3rd highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 57th highest.

How many people in Albania are employees?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Albania was 49.7%, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 85.5%, and Albania placed 45th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 115th highest.