Albania: 41% of citizens cannot afford to purchase a car

Eurostat data reveals that 41% of Albanians reported in 2023 that they cannot afford to purchase a personal vehicle. This figure significantly exceeds the European Union average, which stood at 5.6% in 2023 and was projected at 5.5% for 2025.

Within the region, Albania's figure is also notably higher than its neighbors. For comparison, 16% of Serbians reported inability to purchase a vehicle in 2023, while North Macedonia reported 13% in 2024 and Montenegro reported 8.9% in 2024.

Demographic data indicates that the inability to afford a car is highest among single individuals, affecting 66% of single men and 88% of single women in this category.

Despite an increase in the total number of vehicles in circulation—with approximately 847,000 personal cars registered by the end of 2025 according to the General Directorate of Road Transport—Albania maintains a low vehicle-to-population ratio. The country has 360 cars per 1,000 inhabitants, which is nearly half of the EU average of 578 per 1,000.