The Government of Albania must review social assistance schemes for vulnerable families, the World Bank noted.

The energy crisis and increasing consumer prices are making living conditions harder with more citizens going to be struggling to buy food at higher prices, risking poverty levels to plunge even further.

“While seeing the pace of recovery following the pandemic, the World Bank is suggesting the Albanian government not to rely on construction only, but also invest in education, innovation and green economy”, said Hilda Shijaku, Senior Economist at the World Bank Office in Tirana.

The report presented on Thursday, the World Bank estimates that after the 4% shrink recorded last year, GDP growth will climb to 7.2% in 2021, and will mainly rely on consumption, tourism, and construction.