The youth unemployment rate published by INSTAT for 2021 showed a 0.6% rise compared to 2020.

In 2020, the age-group 15-24 years old, shows an unemployment rate of 26.5% which went up to 27.1% in 2021.

However, according to former INSTAT director, Ines Nurja, this number is way higher in reality.

During an interview for Euronews Albania, she said that this rate doesn’t include the percentage of youth (15.4%) that are discouraged and aren’t looking for a job.

“In fact, it isn’t 27.1% as was reported. There’s also a percentage of youth that are discouraged, around 15.4% who aren’t out there and actively looking for a job. In my opinion, the true percentage could be close to two times as high as the 27.1% that was reported,” – she said.