In 2020, 621.000 were on the verge of going below the poverty line. Percentage-wise these individuals make up 21.4% of the national population.

During the pandemic, 37 thousand people were saved from hitting the poverty line.

The reason for this was the salaries went up by 8% on average compared to 2019.

The methodology used by INSTAT was to simultaneously calculate the living standard, relative poverty and material deprivations of Albanian families.

In order to escape extreme poverty, an individual needs to secure at least 5 euros a day. Below this threshold, he would be considered poor.

In terms of age, minors below the age of 17, make up the largest group of those who risk suffering from poverty and lack of material goods, whereas those over 65 years old are at a lower risk due to their monthly retirement benefits.

In comparison to other countries in the region, Albania has the highest index when it comes to the risk of going below the poverty line whereas, in relation to other countries in Europe, it is ranked third to last, leaving behind Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria.