In a ranking of 40 analyzed countries, Albania is placed 10th for the highest increase in food prices over the past ten years.

Despite positive economic growth rates—reflected in projections from international macroeconomic institutions—Albanian citizens continue to face challenges in covering basic living costs.

According to the latest Eurostat data, since 2015, the consumer basket price index in Albania has increased by 167%. This places Albania second in the Western Balkans region, after Serbia, where prices have risen by 175%. Kosovo follows with a 154% increase, while Montenegro has recorded a 153% rise over the same period.

At the top of the global list is Turkey, with a dramatic 1,600% surge in the prices of basic goods since 2015.

On the opposite end, Switzerland ranks as the most price-stable country, with only a 105% increase over the past decade. It is followed by Ireland, Cyprus, and Finland, where food price inflation has remained below 120%.

Meanwhile, according to INSTAT, the average gross salary in Albania is around 77,500 lekë (approximately €770 per month). In contrast, Serbia reports an average salary of around €1,150, indicating a significant gap in purchasing power.

Inflationary pressures caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have contributed significantly to the global rise in prices. However, fiscal measures and monetary policies implemented by governments and central banks have directly influenced how strongly consumers in each country feel the impact.