Albanians are feeling the pinch as high prices, low wages, and insufficient pensions emerge as their top economic worries, according to a new survey by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). The study, which polled 6,000 people across the Western Balkans, highlights significant disparities in economic priorities across the region.
A striking 73% of Albanian respondents flagged rising living costs as their primary concern. Low wages were the second most pressing issue, cited by 57%, while 41% pointed to inadequate pensions as a major worry.
The survey shows Albanians are more dissatisfied with pensions compared to their regional counterparts. Taxes also featured prominently, with 22% of Albanians identifying them as a concern, exceeding the regional average of 15%.
Despite having the highest fuel prices in the Balkans, only 20% of Albanians viewed fuel costs as problematic, compared to 29% in Kosovo, where prices are 30% lower. Unemployment also ranked lower as a concern in Albania, with 31% identifying it as an issue, compared to a regional average of 36%.
Corporate corruption, a key issue for Bosnians and Serbs, was a minor concern for Albanians.
Since its launch in 2021, the RCC’s “SecuriMeter” has provided crucial data on public perceptions, equipping policymakers with the tools to address emerging challenges. This year’s results underline the interconnected nature of economic and social issues in the Western Balkans, calling for coordinated solutions.
