According to INSTAT’s 2025 Survey of Income and Living Conditions, average monthly disposable income rose from 51,122 leks in 2024, reflecting an improvement in this measure of living standards.

The risk-of-poverty rate fell to 19% from 19.2% in 2024, while the rate of severe material and social deprivation declined to 31.2% from 32.8%.

The share of the population at risk of poverty or social exclusion also decreased, to 39.4% from 40.5% a year earlier, a decline of 1.1 percentage points.

Children aged 0-17 recorded the largest improvement in the risk-of-poverty indicator, which fell by 0.4 percentage points from the previous year. Among people aged 18-64, the rate declined to 18.5%.

Social transfers, particularly old-age and survivors’ pensions, continued to play an important role in supporting household welfare. According to INSTAT, including pensions in household income reduced the risk-of-poverty rate from 35.9% to 21.9%.

The annual poverty threshold for a single person rose to 349,565 leks, from 324,336 leks in 2024.

Income inequality, however, edged higher, with the Gini coefficient increasing to 30.37% from 29.83% a year earlier, indicating that disparities in income remain a challenge to further improvements in living standards.

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Ediona Kola, an IPH specialist, said breast cancer incidence had continued to rise slightly year-on-year, a trend also seen in other countries.

“The increase is linked to several factors, including population ageing, changes in lifestyle, but also greater awareness and improvements in screening and diagnosis,” Kola said.

At the same time, breast cancer mortality has declined, with the rate falling from 18 deaths per 100,000 women in 2021 to 16 per 100,000 last year. Around 214 women died from the disease in 2025, according to IPH data.

Kola urged women to undergo regular screening throughout the year and consult their family doctors about individual risk factors.

Breast cancer incidence was highest in the regions of Durres, Vlore, Korce and Fier, while the lowest rate was recorded in Diber.

Screening services are available year-round at regional hospitals and three centres in Tirana. Two mobile mammography units also expand access to screening, increasing their visits across the country during October, which is observed internationally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

“I would urge all women, not only in October but throughout the year, to undergo these examinations, contact their family doctor and discuss risk factors,” Kola said.

The IPH advised women to contact their family doctors for information on the nearest mammography centre and the schedule of mobile screening units in their area.

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Fruit production is spread across the country, but municipalities have developed distinct profiles for different crops, creating specialised production areas.

The south-eastern region of Korça remains one of Albania’s main apple-producing areas, with output of about 17,700 tonnes in 2025, followed by Maliq with 17,200 tonnes and Devoll with nearly 13,000 tonnes.

Elbasan led the country in both plum and cherry production, with 2,513 tonnes of plums and 2,868 tonnes of cherries last year.

Berat ranked first in fig production, with 5,438 tonnes, followed by Shkodra with 1,708 tonnes and Elbasan with 1,346 tonnes.

Lushnja was the leading producer of peaches and nectarines, with 4,725 tonnes, followed by Peqin with 2,756 tonnes, Fier with 2,717 tonnes and Elbasan with 2,354 tonnes.

The figures highlight the diversity of Albania’s agricultural production, with different regions retaining distinct advantages in fruit cultivation and supplying domestic markets while offering potential for processing and exports.

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The data show that Albania’s central arts institutions staged 1,272 performances and premieres during the year, attracting a total audience of 171,607.

Albania also strengthened its profile as a regional and international cultural destination. A total of 314 cultural events featuring international participation were held in 2025, drawing 261,654 attendees. Kosovo, European Union member states and Saudi Arabia accounted for the highest numbers of events and participants, according to the statistics.

The presence of foreign artists in Albania’s cultural life also expanded. Some 428 international artists took part in cultural events across the country, with artists from Saudi Arabia accounting for 29.7% of the total. They were followed by artists from Kosovo with 11.7% and Italy with 9.8%.

One of the year’s most notable trends was growing public interest in cultural heritage. The number of visitors to museums, archaeological parks and other cultural heritage institutions rose to 1,523,587, up 15.9% from 2024.

The cultural sector continued to contribute to employment, with 33,893 people working in culture-related activities and professions in 2025, equivalent to 3% of total employment nationwide, INSTAT said.

In terms of consumer prices, books recorded the largest increase among cultural goods and services, rising 2.9% year-on-year.

Public spending on Recreation, Culture and Religion accounted for 1.65% of total government expenditure and 0.50% of gross domestic product, underscoring the sector’s role in public policy and the country’s sustainable development, the data showed.

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The register of legal entities counted 250,097 active units at the end of 2025. The number of active farmers increased by 6.1% to 112,205, while active non-agricultural enterprises rose 4.3% to 137,892.

New business registrations climbed to 18,297 in 2025 from 15,970 a year earlier, reflecting continued growth in entrepreneurial activity.

The business register also recorded 146,527 active local units, up 4% from 2024. Most enterprises operated from a single location, while 1,824 maintained activities across multiple sites.

Service-sector businesses, including trade, transport, hospitality, information and communications, accounted for 85.9% of active enterprises and generated 68.2% of net sales. Goods-producing sectors, including agriculture, industry and construction, represented 14.1% of enterprises and contributed 31.8% of net sales.

Companies with foreign owners or co-owners accounted for 5% of active enterprises and employed 12.5% of the country’s workforce.

Women managed or owned 31.6% of active enterprises in 2025, up slightly from 31.4% a year earlier. Their representation was highest in trade and other service activities, where they accounted for 34.3% and 41.2% of business owners or managers, respectively.

Large enterprises with 50 or more employees represented just 1.5% of active businesses but accounted for 48.6% of total employment and 44.8% of annual net sales, underlining their significant role in the Albanian economy.

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A total of 38,345 criminal offences were recorded in 2025, up 17.4% from 2024, according to the report published by INSTAT.

The number of suspected offenders reached 45,334, marking a 13.2% increase. Of these, 93.3% were men, with the most represented age group between 30 and 44 years old.

First-time offenders totalled 39,027, up 16.7% year-on-year.

Authorities recorded 19,145 victims in 2025, an increase of 7.8% compared with 2024. Of these, 39.3% were linked to crimes against persons. Women accounted for 36.7% of victims in this category, mainly in sexual offences, crimes against morality and dignity, and domestic-related offences.

The number of registered criminal proceedings rose to 27,049, up 8.5%. Of the 24,491 cases completed, 27.6% were dismissed, 27.8% suspended and 42.5% were sent to court for trial.

A total of 14,356 defendants were recorded in 2025, 9% more than a year earlier, of whom 94% were men.

Meanwhile, the prison population stood at 4,503, up slightly by 0.3% compared with 2024.

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Official data on central bank’s interventions in the domestic foreign exchange market show the total is up 10% compared with 2024. Of the amount, 297.9 million euros were planned purchases to increase the central bank’s reserves, while 729.1 euros million were direct market purchases aimed at preventing further weakening of the euro-lek exchange rate, a 12.1% increase year-on-year.

July recorded the highest monthly purchase, when the bank bought 236 million euros.

For 2026, the Bank of Albania plans 26 currency purchase auctions, with a total value of 330-450 million euros, concentrating on the summer months to maintain exchange rate stability and strengthen reserves.

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According to Ibrahimaj, the unemployment rate stood at 8.3% in 2025, while the employment rate reached 68.9%, marking an increase compared with the previous quarter. Labour force participation rose to 75.9%, improving year-on-year.

Speaking at a press conference, she said the average gross monthly wage in 2025 was 86,984 leks, up 4.3% from 2024.

Wage growth has supported consumption and demand for goods and services, Ibrahimaj said, adding that it reflects a steady upward annual trend.

Pensions increased by 8.4%, while remittances reached 1.12 billion euros, up 7.1% from a year earlier, she added. Household disposable income rose by 6.3%, indicating stronger financial capacity and overall economic stability.

“These indicators reflect a stable economy and an active labour market that supports consumption and economic growth,” Ibrahimaj said, adding that they provide a solid basis for addressing future challenges and improving citizens’ well-being.

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Data from the central bank show the value of consumer loans issued during the year reached 56 billion lek,  an increase of 18.6% compared with 2024.

Consumer lending includes instalment loans, bank advances and overdrafts to individuals, mainly denominated in the local currency, with about 88% of new loans issued in leks.

Such loans are typically used to finance purchases of electronic devices, household appliances, furniture, vehicles and other consumer goods.

By the end of 2025, the total consumer loan portfolio had reached 107.6 billion lek, central bank said.

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Figures released by the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) on Friday indicate that authorities approved 1,158 permits for new buildings during the year, with a combined floor area of 1,304,606 square metres. The total estimated investment value for buildings and engineering works reached 73.9 billion leks.

In the fourth quarter alone, 259 permits were granted for new buildings, covering 340,477 square metres. The estimated value of new construction projects stood at 15.47 billion leks, while reconstruction works accounted for a further 735.4 million leks.

Approved engineering works in the October–December period were valued at 2.61 billion leks for new projects and 608.9 million leks for reconstructions, bringing the total value of projects cleared in the quarter to around 19.4 billion leks.

Residential buildings continued to drive activity, accounting for 890 of the annual permits and 844,791 square metres of approved floor space. In the fourth quarter, 200 residential permits were issued, with an investment value of 11.34 billion leks for new developments.

Within the residential segment, multi-unit residential complexes made up the largest share, both in terms of surface area and investment value.

Non-residential construction remained significant, with 268 permits approved during the year, covering 459,815 square metres. In the fourth quarter, 59 permits were issued for hotels, commercial and industrial buildings and other service facilities, with new construction investments totalling 4.13 billion leks.

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