In Albania, each family spends an average of 93,000 lek per month, but what stands out most is that 40% of this budget goes solely toward food, according to data from INSTAT (the National Institute of Statistics). Little remains for other essential needs such as education, entertainment, or savings.

“In every Albanian household, the food basket remains the most significant part of the budget. Basic products like bread, oil, milk, and vegetables consume nearly half of monthly income, while prices for these items have risen sharply over the past two years,”

reported journalist Ortensa Budlla.

Voices from Citizens

“We receive a small economic aid. How much of it goes to food? Almost all of it — often with debts. You borrow from one person to pay another. When some money comes in, you pay what you owe. When it doesn’t… well, that’s Albania.”

“Most of our income goes for basic needs — food above all. Living here with these salaries is difficult. Prices are even higher than in Western countries. A baby’s milk that costs €1.40 in Berlin costs 4,000 lek here.”

“For someone on a fixed income, it’s expensive. At the end of the month, can we save anything? I’m a pensioner; my children abroad help me. And what do I spend that money on? Food. Nothing is left for anything else.”

Citizens say the current spending pattern reflects a fragile economy, where wage increases have failed to keep up with the rising cost of living.

“If we analyze the data, Tirana, Durrës, and Korça show higher consumption levels. Meanwhile, Kukës and Dibra remain at the lowest spending levels, indicating low purchasing power, limited income, and minimal access to non-essential goods. Expenditures are expected to rise further, so we need a faster response — through wage growth and improved business conditions,”

said Eduard Gjokuaj, economics expert.

“Most of the population comes from a poor background. The challenges of urban life include the constant struggle to save even a little. The high cost of living has prevented families from planning for tomorrow — they can only think about today,”

stated sociologist Entela Binjaku.

Experts warn that if this trend continues, the gap between rich and poor will deepen even further, putting additional pressure on Albania’s already vulnerable middle and lower-income families.