Albania sees one in three households struggling to cover basic expenses

Eurostat data indicate that roughly 35% of Albanian households cannot afford essential costs such as rent, utility bills, a week’s vacation away from home, or new clothing. The statistics place Albania among the European nations with the highest levels of material and social deprivation. A significant portion of the population lacks the capacity to handle unexpected expenses, pay bills on time, or provide an annual holiday for their families. More than one‑third of Albanian youth experience severe material and social deprivation, the highest rate recorded in Europe. Experts attribute the situation to low income relative to the cost of living, rising housing prices and everyday expenses, which together increase pressure on family budgets.