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World Bank Report: Albania's Economy Will Slow Down, Invest in People
2026-04-29 19:46:47 / EKONOMI&SOCIALE
The World Bank predicts that Albania's economic growth will slow this year. From 3.7 percent, the world's highest monetary institution estimates that the country's Gross Domestic Product will expand by only 3.4 percent.
“Albania’s economy continues to show resilience, but building on this momentum requires bold structural reforms. The path forward is clear: accelerating reforms towards EU membership, with more investment in human capital and digital infrastructure, and mobilizing private capital will boost investment, create jobs, and accelerate convergence with the EU,” emphasized Massimiliano Paolucci, World Bank Country Manager for Albania.
Due to uncertainty and fears of an energy price crisis, which risks spreading throughout the supply chain, the World Bank has lowered its economic growth forecasts for all Western Balkan countries.
“Albania’s economic growth is expected to slow as higher energy prices and trade disruptions related to the situation in the Middle East are negatively affecting business flows. Maintaining the economic growth trend, in a context of a shrinking labor force, requires mobilizing untapped human capital by reforming benefit schemes, easing childcare restrictions, strengthening vocational training, and expanding employment for youth and women,” said Angela Faith Montfaucon, Senior Economist at the World Bank.
Other richer countries risk taking Albania's workforce... the country must identify and develop competitive advantages, the World Bank estimates.
"Albania remains one of the countries in the region with the highest per capita emigration, and those who remain face ongoing barriers to the labor market. Caregiving and family responsibilities keep women out of the labor market, especially in the 25-54 age group, while youth unemployment is at 21.5 percent, above the EU average of 14.7 percent," said Esida Bujupi, an economist at the World Bank.
In the assessment made of the Western Balkan economies in the spring 2026 report, it is said that Kosovo will have the highest growth, followed by Albania and North Macedonia and Montenegro, followed by Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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