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 incomes in Albania over the past year and seemingly positive macroeconomic indicators, the reality for a significant portion of the population remains harsh and worrying. Data from the Income and Living Standards Survey (AANJ 2024) show that one-third of Albanian citizens still cannot meet basic needs for food, energy, education, and healthcare.
Pensions and family benefits keep the most vulnerable families from falling into extreme poverty, but they are insufficient to ensure a sustainable standard of living. A pensioner receiving 30,000 lek per month often struggles to cover even half of basic food and energy expenses, while a family with two adults and two children living solely on minimum wages faces income shortfalls for energy, transportation, and children’s educational needs.
Data indicate that families with children and the elderly are most exposed to the risks of poverty and material deprivation. For many, daily choices are critical: sacrificing food, reducing healthcare spending, or failing to provide essential school supplies for their children.
The analysis highlights that economic growth in numbers does not automatically translate into real improvements in citizens’ lives.
Strong social policies, fairer income distribution, and careful inflation control are urgently needed, as the minimum living standard for the most vulnerable families remains at risk
This situation imposes economic pressure on citizens and threatens social cohesion and societal stability.
The message for the public is clear!
The economy may grow on paper, but the real purchasing power of the most vulnerable and middle-class families continues to face pressure, generating social risk and polarization.