Gender equality

The NSG reports that Albania has made progress in advancing gender equality. Gender equality is enshrined in the Albanian constitution and is also promoted through other legislation such as the Law on Gender Equality in Society and the Law on Measures against Violence in Family Relations.[1] The Law on Gender Equality mandates a minimum of 30% of candidates from each gender on candidate lists for elections, which has led to a significant increase in women’s representation in the Albanian parliament and municipal administrations.[2] However, while national institutions have made progress in putting gender equality at the forefront of national priorities, there are still deficiencies in the implementation of gender-related laws and policies. The NSG identified several issues that have held back gender equality in Albania. Discrimination and gender stereotypes persist, limiting women’s access to decision-making and other roles. Traditional gender roles remain dominant in Albania. 

Firstly, harassment and violence against women remain widespread and normalised, while victim support services and expertise in challenging gender-based violence are lacking. A national survey carried out in 2018 found that half of Albanian women interviewed had experienced some form of gender-based violence, including domestic or sexual violence, harassment, child marriage and/or forced marriage, and stalking. Deeply rooted patriarchal beliefs stymie action against gendered violence: 26% of Albanian women aged 18-74 believe a woman should be ashamed to talk about being raped, and 21% believe that the victim of rape is at least partially responsible. Of all sexual offences, 60% are committed against children, and there is a high correlation between sexual abuse experienced in childhood and gender-based violence experienced as an adult.[3] The NSG reported that support and protection services, such as the Coordinated Referral Mechanisms and Child Protection Groups, are understaffed and underequipped in many municipalities, so they are unable to help people in need. Furthermore, the Criminal Code has a very restrictive definition of rape, which it bases only on the use of force and places the burden of proof on the victim. Similarly, Albanian legislation is largely deficient with respect to other forms of gender-based violence, such as stalking, online harassment and sexual assault, which prevents victims from accessing support and protection services. The NSG also reported that widespread discrimination amongst the authorities responsible means that victims of gender-based violence from minority groups, such as Roma, LGBTQI people and the disabled, are practically unable to access justice.

Secondly, Albanian women are still held back in the labour market, with a 16-percentage point gap in labour force participation between men and women (61.6% compared to 77.6%). The gap is higher for vulnerable women such as those from the Roma and Egyptian communities.[4] Gender-based stereotypes means that female employment is concentrated in health and social services, education, manufacturing and agriculture – all sectors characterised by lower wages and informal employment. The division of household work is overwhelming gendered in Albania: 96% of domestic work is carried out by women, and 18% of Albanian women provide unpaid care work (compared to just 1% of men). Female entrepreneurship has increased in the past decade, and the latest figures show that 25.4% of Albanian women own or manage a business. However, most of these businesses are micro or small businesses concentrated in informal and lower value-added sectors, and female access to credit has not improved. Finally, although there is formal equality in inheritance and ownership law, over 80% of land titles remain in the hands of the “household head” (almost always a man), which limits the economic rights of women. The gender pay gap in the formal sector is 10.1 percentage points. Although this figure is lower than the EU average, it reflects low female participation in the labour market and is higher in sectors with higher levels of female employment.[5]

Positive developments include Albania’s ratification of ILO Convention 190 on Violence and Harassment in May 2022.[6]

Youth unemployment

Youth unemployment has been a persistent problem in Albania for many years. In the latest data from 2021, youth unemployment stood at 27%, double the rate for the population as a whole. This is, however, a significant reduction from the peak of 40% in 2015. The rate of young people that are not in employment, education or training (NEET) was 24% in 2021, which again represented an improvement from the peak of 30% in 2014-2015.[7] The NSG reports that young people often face long periods of unemployment or underemployment after finishing education or training due to the lack of stable employment prospects. The NSG states that the principal reason is the mismatch between the skills required by employers and the skills that young people have, especially those with only secondary education. Limited access to training means that many young people are not able to acquire skills that are in high demand on the labour market. Despite some progress in recent years, the Albanian labour market remains relatively small and highly concentrated in certain sectors, such as trade, services and construction. This concentration makes it difficult for young people to find work in their desired fields, especially if they lack experience or specialized skills.[8] Finally, the NSG notes that the high degree of informality, with its associated precariousness and lack of labour rights, also deters young people from entering the labour market. High youth unemployment and a lack of employment prospects represent major contributors to Albania’s high emigration rate, with the number of emigrants rising 10.5% in 2022 from 2021.[9] The NSG reports some progress and measures taken to tackle the issue. Access to tertiary education for young people, measured by the share of those aged 20-24 in tertiary education, increased from 12.3% in 2016 to 14.9% in 2021.[10] Moreover, the unemployment rate of young people with tertiary education fell below the overall national average rate of unemployment.[11] However, the situation for less-educated young people has not improved. In 2018, the Albanian government launched the "Youth Guarantee" programme, which aims to provide every young person under the age of 30 with a job, apprenticeship, or further education or training within four months of leaving education or becoming unemployed. The European Union’s Progress Report for Albania 2022 stated that Albanian has to finalise the Youth Guarantee Implementation Plan and begin its implementation.[12]

Inclusion of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers and minorities

The NSG noted that Albania has seen a sharp increase in the number of refugees and asylum seekers since 2017. In 2021, there were 2,533 requests for asylum, a 13.5% increase from 2020. Many of those who requested protection were from Afghanistan, a consequence of the Taliban’s seizure of Kabul in August 2021.[13] The spike in asylum seekers in 2021 meant that the number in 2022 fell dramatically year-on-year to 125 people. Afghans still made up a large share (28%), as did Ukrainians (21%).[14] Albania is principally a transit country for people from the Middle East and North Africa attempting to reach Western Europe. The Albanian government has been working with international organisations such as the UNHCR to provide support and assistance to asylum seekers, including shelter, necessities, medical care, legal assistance and education[15]. However, the NSG reported that Albania has faced issues in addressing the needs of asylum seekers due to limited capacity and resources. Furthermore, the NSG identified language difficulties and limited employment opportunities as barriers to deeper integration into local communities.

Albania’s national minorities include Greeks, Macedonians, Montenegrins, Vlachs, Balkan Egyptians and Roma. The NSG reported that the Albanian government has strengthened efforts to improve the rights of these minorities according to international standards such as the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities. Several action plans and policies were put in place in 2022 to increase the inclusion of minorities. These include a new LGBTQI action plan, which aims to fight discrimination, improve access to services and approve a legal gender recognition law, and a new national action plan for equality, inclusion and participation of Roma and Balkan Egyptians. Similarly, Albania also created a new fund for civil society projects that support minority rights. However, challenges remain, especially with regard to the Romani population, who face discrimination and limited access to education, healthcare and employment. Legislation has still not been adopted on the freedom to self-identify as a member of a national minority or on the protection of minority languages.[16]

Education, training and lifelong learning

The NSG reported a significant expansion in education, training and lifelong learning in Albania in recent years. A series of educational reforms have raised educational standards, expanded access to education and brought the Albanian system in line with international standards.[17] Access to education has been expanded through initiatives targeted at rural areas and vulnerable groups, including the creation of pre-university education centres, the provision of transport and the building and renovation of schools.[18] The NSG reported that vocational education and training (VET) has also been expanded, and that vocational centres and schools have been constructed. Over the past six years, a comprehensive framework that defines the VET system has been established, as envisaged by the National Education and Skills Strategy (NESS). After a series of reorganisations and mergers of poor performing schools, there are currently 35 public upper secondary VET schools. New tech-related schools have been established, such as the Hermann Gmeiner ICT school, twinned with an Austrian partner school. Adult education programmes have been put in place to allow people to gain new skills, improve their employability and increase their social integration. These take place in 10 public vocational training centres (VTCs), which are managed by the national employment services.[19] Care has also been taken to ensure access to lifelong learning for vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities and Roma people.[20] However, the VET system’s governance is over-centralised, and there is a mismatch between the legal responsibilities of VET providers and the resources provided to them.[21] Finally, the NSG reports that Albania has increased its international cooperation in the field of education, for example by adopting the Bologna Process and renewing its participation in the Erasmus+ programme for the 2021-2027 period.

[1] Official Publications Centre (2008), Law on Gender Equality in Society: http://qbz.gov.al/eli/ligj/2008/07/24/9970 ; Official Publications Centre (2006), Law on Measures against Violence in Family Relations: http://qbz.gov.al/eli/ligj/2006/12/18/9669

[2] United Nations in Albania (2021), Advancing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in Albania: ﷟HYPERLINK "https://albania.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Field%20Office%20Albania/Attachments/Publications/2021/06/UN%20Albania_gender%20equality%20position%20paper_GEEW_final.pdf"https://albania.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Field%20Office%20Albania/Attachments/Publications/2021/06/UN%20Albania_gender%20equality%20position%20paper_GEEW_final.pdf

[3] INSTAT (2018), Violence against Women and Girls in Albania: https://www.instat.gov.al/media/6123/publication-violence-against-women.pdf

[4] European Commission (2022), Progress Report Albania 2022: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/Albania%20Report%202022.pdf

[5] UN Women (2021), Position Paper on gender equality: https://albania.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Field%20Office%20Albania/Attachments/Publications/2021/06/UN%20Albania_gender%20equality%20position%20paper_GEEW_final.pdf  

[6] Office of the President of Albania (2022), Presidential Decree ratifying ILO Convention 190: https://arkiva.president.al/presidenti-meta-dekreton-shpallje-ligji-nr-13-2022/

[7] INSTAT (2022), Unemployment in Albania: https://www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/unemployment-in-albania/ 

[8] World Bank (2019), Albania Systematic Country Diagnostic: https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/albania/publication/albania-systematic-country-diagnostic-addressing-youth-unemployment-in-albania

[9] INSTAT (2023), Press Release, Population of Albania: https://www.instat.gov.al/media/11654/population-of-albania-on-1-january-2023.pdf 

[10] INSTAT (2022), Education in Albania: https://www.instat.gov.al/en/statistical-literacy/education-in-albania/

[11] ibid

[12] European Commission (2022), Progress Report Albania 2022: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/Albania%20Report%202022.pdf

[13] INSTAT (2022), Asylum Seekers in Albania 2021: https://www.instat.gov.al/media/10293/asylum-seekers-in-albania-2021.pdf

[14] INSTAT (2023), Asylum Seekers in Albania 2022: https://www.instat.gov.al/media/11848/asylum-seekers-in-albania-2022.pdf

[15] Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania (2022), International Organizations:  https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/organizata-nderkombetare/

[16] European Commission (2022), Progress Report Albania 2022: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/Albania%20Report%202022.pdf

[17] UNDP Albania (2022), Review of Albania’s Vocational Education and Training System including a comparative analysis with selected countries from Central and Western Europe and the Balkan Region: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-06/VET%20English%20Online_Oct%202%5B1%5D%5B26%5D.pdf

[18] ibid

[19] National Agency for Employment and Education Albania (2022), Professional Qualifications: https://akpa.gov.al/sherbimet/kualifikime/

[20] World Bank Group (2022), Albania, Social Protection Situational Analysis: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3c905eea-9c8e-5bee-a571-a91ee89a945b/content

[21] UNDP Albania (2022), Review of Albania’s Vocational Education and Training System including a comparative analysis with selected countries from Central and Western Europe and the Balkan Region: https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-06/VET%20English%20Online_Oct%202%5B1%5D%5B26%5D.pdf

Labour rights and wages

The NSG raised serious concerns about the state of working conditions and labour rights in Albania. Issues such as workers being paid below minimum wage, unpaid overtime, unsafe working conditions and a generalised lack of enforcement of labour laws are endemic. A high degree of informality, estimated at 56.7% of employment in Albania, prevents workers from effectively enjoying their labour rights.[1] However, the NSG also noted that some progress has been made. Firstly, the minimum wage was increased by 30% in September 2022.[2] Furthermore, the State Labour Inspectorate was restructured in 2021 and given increased capacities and human resources,[3] although not all the new positions have yet been filled, reducing its effectiveness. ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment at work was ratified by the Albanian parliament in 2022, and 25 pieces of EU labour legislation were transposed, covering topics such as safety at work and gender equality.[4] That said, the NSG noted that the systems for combatting child labour and ensuring occupational safety and health (OSH) are still weak, and that they required  further effort to comply with existing legislation.

Research by the Centre for Labour Rights suggests that harassment and violence in Albanian workplaces is widespread. But, while 45% of employees surveyed are aware of such cases, only 5% of them choose to report them. Almost half of employees reported that the most common type of workplace violence and harassment takes place within superior-subordinate or employer-employee relationships, with women being more affected than men. Furthermore, women are more likely than men to not report violence and harassment at work.[5]

Job security and unemployment

The NSG reported that job insecurity remains a major problem in Albania, caused by the high degree of informality in the labour market and the proliferation of temporary and short-term contracts. These principally affect rural areas and sectors such as tourism, construction and agriculture, and the consequences include low pay, restricted access to labour rights and social benefits, and vulnerability to exploitation. The NSG notes that the foundation of this problem is a lack of other employment prospects, exacerbated by issues such as lax enforcement of labour law. Precariousness is more likely to affect young people, women and members of minority communities.[6] The NSG also raised the issue of long-term unemployment, which is estimated to affect 70% of all unemployed Albanians, or roughly 110,000 people.[7] Despite a shortage of 45,000 workers in the Albanian economy in 2022, the NSG reports difficulties in transitioning the long-term unemployed back into the labour market due to their lack of skills and demoralisation.[8] The National Agency for Employment and Skills does not have the capacity or staff to deal with these problems effectively. While the Reformed Employment Promotion Programmes, which provide on-the-job training and subsidised employment for jobseekers, continue to be implemented, only 4,835 jobseekers benefitted from these programmes in 2021.[9]

Work-life balance

Excessive working hours are described by the NSG as a significant problem in Albania. Workers are often under pressure to work long hours, sometimes without overtime pay, causing adverse effects, including on their health and private lives. It is estimated that 9% of Albanian workers work more than 48 hours a week, a full day more than the 40 hours permitted by the labour code.[10] The NSG identified a major cause of this problem as the need to supplement low pay with longer hours, demanding workloads and poor job security. Poor work-life balance is especially problematic for Albanian women, who are required to perform most household and caring tasks due to the persistence of traditional gender roles.[11] This severely limits women’s employment prospects and hinders their full participation in the labour market. A lack of childcare services, especially in rural regions, hinders the ability of working parents to effectively balance employment and caring responsibilities.[12] Two possible solutions proposed by the NSG – teleworking and part-time employment – are not widespread in Albania.

[1] ILO (2019), Overview of the informal economy in Albania: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---europe/---ro-geneva/---sro-budapest/documents/genericdocument/wcms_751313.pdf  

[2] Ministry of Finance and Economy of Albania (2023), Minister Ibrahimaj in Parliament: The historic wage reform is supported by the development of the economy, over 130,000 employees benefit:  https://financa.gov.al/ministrja-ibrahimaj-ne-parlament-reforma-e-pagave-historike-mbeshtetet-nga-zhvillimi-i-ekonomise-perfitojne-mbi-130-mije-punonjes/

[3] State Labour Inspectorate (2022), Annual Report 2021:  https://inspektoriatipunes.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Analize-vjetore-2021-ISHPSHSH-per-web-23032022.pdf

[4] International Labour Organization (2019), EU Directives and Reform of OSH and Labour Relations’ Legislation: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---europe/---ro-geneva/---sro-budapest/documents/publication/wcms_689355.pdf

[5] E.Dhembi, A.Papa, B.Metanji (2022), National Study, “Violence and Harassment in the World of Work in Albania: A Comparative Approach in Six Strategic Sectors of Economy”: https://clr.al/studim-kombetar-dhuna-dhe-ngacmimet-ne-boten-e-punes-ne-shqiperi/

[6] UN Women (2020). Albania Country Gender Equality Brief 2020, https://eca.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Field%20Office%20Albania/Attachments/Publications/2020/12/CGEB%20Albania_REPORT_1.pdf 

[7] ILO (2022), Decent Work Programme 2023-2026: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---ed_mas/---program/documents/genericdocument/wcms_865259.pdf

[8] Musabelliu, M (2022) Unemployment and labor shortage: the paradoxes of the Albanian workforce: https://china-cee.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022s05_Albania.pdf

[9] National Agency for Employment and Education (2022), Annual Analyses 2021: https://akpa.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Analiza-Vjetore-2021-AKPA.pdf

[10] Euronews (2021), 9% of the employed work seven days a week: https://euronews.al/en/9-of-the-employed-work-seven-days-a-week/ 

[11] UN Women (2020), Albania Country Gender Equality Brief 2020: https://eca.unwomen.org/sites/default/files/Field%20Office%20Albania/Attachments/Publications/2020/12/CGEB%20Albania_REPORT_1.pdf 

[12] Xhumari, M. (2022). Assessment of Extended Working Life in Albania on Various Dimensions of Well-Being from a Gender Perspective: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003145325-6/assessment-extended-working-life-albania-various-dimensions-well-being-gender-perspective-merita-vaso-xhumari-megi-xhumari?context=ubx

Poverty eradication and the welfare system

Albania has made significant strides in the past decades to reduce poverty, with the proportion of people living below the poverty line of $5.50 a day dropping from 25.4% in 2002 to 12.3% in 2020.[1] However, Albania has the highest rate of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Europe, with 74.4% of the working-age population at risk of poverty.[2] Other indicators of poverty are also extremely high, such as the 37%of households that report being unable to keep their home warm.[3] The NSG reports that there are four principle causes of the high level of poverty: high income inequality, high unemployment, a large urban-rural divide with high levels of rural poverty, and the social isolation and prejudice experienced by vulnerable groups such as the Roma.

Albania spends 9.4% of GDP on social protection, far below the EU average of 18.6%.[4] Other problems with the welfare state identified by the NSG include differences in access to services across regions and a lack of capacity to effectively administer the system. In the 2022 version of the Social Protection Strategy, the Albanian government has committed to expanding coverage, improving coordination between the various bodies that make up the welfare system and improving the efficacy of the system as a whole. So far, the reforms have clarified the roles and responsibilities of various actors in social protection (for example, local governments and national ministries), established the Social Fund as the main financing mechanism and introduced the possibility of procuring social services from non-public providers. Most financing for social services comes from municipalities (only 6% of total national government spending on social protection goes to social services), so there is significant heterogeneity in the provision of key services. Larger, better-off municipalities are able to provide a higher quality of service. The new Social Fund aims to address this problem and ensure equitable access to social services by providing grants to local governments to develop new social services. Further expected reforms include the improvement of targeting mechanisms for social assistance programmes; building the capacity and human resources of the welfare administration; the digitalisation of applications, evaluations and payments; and further cooperation with international organisations such as the World Bank and UNDP. However, even though local governments are legally able to contract non-public providers of social services, this has not happened so far. This is due to the lack of guidelines and regulations, including on the pricing of social services.[5] To counter the crisis brought about by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Albanian government introduced the Social Resistance Package. This included increases in pension payments, a 3000 Lek (~€28) a month payment for vulnerable people affected by price rises, public transport subsidies, energy subsidies, support for farmers and a reduction in taxes on salaries focussed on the lowest earners.[6] Another positive development was the establishment of the Order of Social Workers in 2022,[7] which the NSG reports will improve social protection by strengthening the social care workforce. The NSG further noted that, while resources invested in social care remain modest, more and more municipalities provide these services directly rather than through cash transfers.

Access to healthcare, housing and other essential services

The NSG raised concerns about the state of Albania’s healthcare system, noting that a long-standing emphasis on privatisation has weakened access to high-quality healthcare. The Albanian healthcare system is consequently characterised by underinvestment, a lack of infrastructure and an uneven geographic distribution of facilities and medical professionals, particularly affecting rural and low-income areas.[8] People living in these “medical deserts” are forced to travel long distances to receive care. This not only restricts access to healthcare for those without the means to travel but also disincentivises people from seeking early detection and preventative care.[9] Despite these problems, the NSG reported that some improvements have recently taken place in primary care. Primary care facilities have been expanded, telemedicine has been introduced to reach isolated communities, and the national health insurance system has been strengthened.[10] These improvements have been delivered thanks in part to support from international partners such as the EU, WHO and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.[11]

Access to affordable housing is increasingly constrained in Albania, and the NSG lists it as among the chief problems currently facing the country. Many Albanians, especially young people and families in cities, struggle to afford a home, as housing costs continue to increase. This is a long-term problem, as housing costs have increased more than salaries each year for several decades. Between 2021 and 2022, average rents in Tirana increased 13.4% year-on-year, those on the coast 24.1%, and those in central regions 17.3%.[12] High prices and the increase in interest payments on mortgages have made it largely impossible for young people in Albania to buy a home. The government has acknowledged the housing situation as a problem and has expanded the social housing programme. This includes rent subsidies, measures to improve the existing housing stock, construction of new social and low-cost housing and the creation of temporary housing. Over 4,000 families have benefited or will benefit from these measures in the period 2022-2023.[13]

Access to other essential services, such as water, sanitary facilities and electricity, also remains a problem. Access to clean water and sanitary facilities is constrained by inadequate infrastructure and a lack of investment in maintenance. This increases the risk of waterborne infections and is a particular problem in rural areas.[14] Although electricity coverage has improved in recent years, Albania still faces occasional power outages and voltage changes caused by aging and inadequate infrastructure and a lack of diversity in the sources of energy generation.[15] The NSG reported success in digitising government services, including essential services: 95% of these services are available on the e-Albania government portal.[16] Electronic interactions by households with the government increased by 37.6% between 2021 and 2022.[17]

[1] World Bank (2022), Poverty and Equity Brief Albania: https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/987B9C90-CB9F-4D93-AE8C-750588BF00QA/previous/Global_POVEQ_ALB.pdf

[2] Monitor (2022), Eurostat: Albania, with the highest percentage of the population at risk of poverty and social exclusion in Europe: https://www.monitor.al/eurostat-shqiperia-me-perqindjen-me-te-larte-te-popullsise-se-rrezikuar-nga-varferia-dhe-perjashtimi-social-ne-europe/

[3] Monitor (2022), Energy poverty on the rise, Secretariat: In Albania, 36% of families are in a difficult situation: https://www.monitor.al/varferia-energjetike-ne-rritje-sekretariati-ne-shqiperi-36-e-familjeve-ne-situate-te-veshtire/

[4] European Commission (2019), Financing social protection - Albania: https://ec.europa.eu/social/BlobServlet?docId=21871&langId=en

[5] World Bank Group (2022), Albania, Social Protection Situational Analysis: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/3c905eea-9c8e-5bee-a571-a91ee89a945b/content

[6] Ministry of Finance and Economy (2022), Social Resistance Package: https://financa.gov.al/paketa-e-rezistences-sociale-mbeshtetje-per-shtresat-qe-kane-nevoje-per-mbrojtje/

[7] Ministry of Health and Social protection (2021), Establishment of the Order of Social Workers: https://shendetesia.gov.al/ngritja-e-urdhrit-te-punonjesit-social/

[8] UNFPA Albania (2021), Demographic and Health Challenges facing Albania in the 21st Century: ﷟HYPERLINK "https://albania.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/albania_demographic_health_challenges_report_2020_english_version.pdf"https://albania.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/albania_demographic_health_challenges_report_2020_english_version.pdf

[9] ibid

[10] Compulsory Healthcare Insurance Fund (2023), Annual report 2022: https://fsdksh.gov.al/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Raport-vjetor-Fondi-viti-2022-Miratuar-ne-KA.pdf

[11] Ministry of Health and Social Protection (2020), Strategy on the Development of Primary Health Care Services in Albania 2020-2025: http://www.hap.org.al/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/PHC-Strategy-Nov2021-web.pdf

[12] ALTAX (2022), The apartment rental market in Tirana and the price increase in recent years: https://altax.al/en/the-apartment-rental-market-in-tirana-and-the-price-increase-in-recent-years/

[13] UNDP Albania (2016), Social Housing Strategy 2016-2025: https://www.undp.org/albania/publications/social-housing-strategy-2016-2025

[14] Western Balkans Investment Framework (2013), Rural Areas Water Supply and Wastewater Systems: https://www.wbif.eu/project/PRJ-ALB-ENV-010?downloadpdf=project

[15] European Commission (2022), Progress Report Albania 2022: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/Albania%20Report%202022.pdf

[16] National Information Society Agency (2022), Public services, Albania success case for digitization: https://akshi.gov.al/sherbimet-publike-shqiperia-rast-suksesi-per-digjitalizimin/

[17] State Minister for Service Standards (2023), The Steering Committee of the "Citizen-centered Public Services" Project convenes: https://standarde.gov.al/mblidhet-komiteti-drejtues-i-projektit-sherbime-publike-me-ne-qender-qytetarin-2/

Freedom of speech and assembly

Albania has strengthened the right to freedom of speech in recent years. Its place on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom ranking climbed from 84th in 2019 to 78th in 2022.[1] The NSG reported that media plurality and diversity have also improved through an increase in independent media organisations and online platforms. However, the NSG also raised concerns about a series of problems relating to freedom of speech. Firstly, it noted that physical assaults, verbal abuse and intimidation against journalists still occur.[2] Secondly, concerns remain about the potential of defamation laws to be abused to stifle freedom of expression, despite some positive changes in legislation in recent years in an attempt to prevent this from happening. Finally, the NSG raised concerns about political and economic control of the media and a lack of accountability in media governance.

Albania’s laws on freedom of assembly were improved significantly in 2022 to bring them in compliance with international norms. However, there are still concerns regarding the occasional disproportionate use of force by law enforcement at peaceful gatherings.[3] For these and other reasons, the CIVICUS Monitor of civic space considers civic space in Albania “narrowed”.[4]

Freedom of association

The NSG reported that Albania has a thriving civil society sector, with a large variety of organisations active in wide scope of areas. Furthermore, public engagement with and interest in civil society organisations remains high. The NSG also noted that the Albanian government has generally been supportive of civil society and acknowledges the value that CSOs provide. However, Albanian civil society also faces many challenges, such as a lack of financial resources, which limits the viability of CSOs, and administrative roadblocks, which prevent organisations from being set up in the first place.[5] Alarmingly, there have also been reports of harassment and intimidation of activists and organisations.[6] A new law on the Registration of Non-Profit Organisations was adopted in 2021, but implementation was delayed until 2023. CSOs have therefore continued to register under the old system, with its lengthy delays and severe administrative burdens.[7] The NSG reported that little to no progress has been made to implement the roadmap for an enabling environment for civil society. The Agency for Support of Civil Society has insufficient resources to properly support CSOs, which remain dependent on donors. Furthermore, there has been little to no progress in the field of VAT refunds for CSOs and tax incentives for donations.[8]

Civil and social dialogue, including involvement of civil society in the EU accession process

In 2022, some progress was made to strengthen the capacity of the National Labour Council, the national forum for tripartite social dialogue, with an expansion of its secretariat. However, based on CLR observations as a member of the NCL, it only met once in 2021 and twice in 2022. The NSG reports there is a complete lack of meaningful social dialogue at any level.

The government attempted to improve the level of civil dialogue through several initiatives. One was to strengthen institutions of civil dialogue, such as the National Economic and Social Council and the Open Government Partnership Action Plan, which aimed to boost citizen participation in the feedback given to public decision-making. Another was the creation of the National Economic and Social Scorecard, which lets citizens and CSOs keep track of government spending and performance across various sectors.[9]

The government has also attempted to actively involve CSOs in the process of accession to the EU. However, all these efforts have been hampered by a series of problems identified by the NSG. Principally, CSOs lack the resources and capacity to effectively engage in civil dialogue. The NSG believes that further public investment in civil society is needed before they can effectively contribute to policymaking.

[1] Reporters Without Borders (2023), Albania: https://rsf.org/en/country/albania

[2] U.S. State Department (2022), Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Albania: https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/albania/

[3] ibid

[4] CIVICUS (2023), Monitor - Albania: https://monitor.civicus.org/country/albania/

[5] USAID (2022), 2021 Civil Society organization sustainability index for Albania: https://storage.googleapis.com/cso-si-dashboard.appspot.com/Reports/CSOSI-Albania-2021.pdf

[6] Freedom House (2023), Nations in Transit 2022 - Albania: https://freedomhouse.org/country/albania/nations-transit/2022

[7] European Commission (2022), Progress Report Albania 2022: https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-10/Albania%20Report%202022.pdf

[8] ibid

[9] Open Government Partnership (2021), National Action Plan for Albania 2020-2022: https://www.opengovpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Albania_Action-Plan_2020-2022_EN.pdf

Albania generates 100% of its electricity from renewable hydropower. But continued reliance on fossil fuels for heating, cooling and transport means that the share of renewables in Albania’s total energy consumption was only 45% in 2020. However, this was far above the target of 38%, making Albania one of the best-performing countries in the Western Balkans. Albania achieved its 2020 energy efficiency targets, and in February 2022 it adopted 2030 energy efficiency targets as part of its first National Energy and Climate Plan. It has also made progress in adopting EU energy efficiency legislation, such as the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. However, no financing framework for energy efficiency currently exists. Instead, the principal financing method is ad-hoc schemes, such as a recent fund for subsidising the installation of solar water heaters.[1] Another point of concern is the effects of climate change on Albania’s hydropower plants: Droughts in 2022 reduced generation capacity and put energy supply at risk.[2]

Although Albania has an official definition of energy poverty, based on the vulnerability of specific consumers in terms of disability, health or income, a report by the Energy Community suggests that this definition does not capture the broader aspects of energy poverty. Moreover, Albania does not collect or make public its incidence of energy poverty, making it hard to evaluate the scale of the problem. The latest estimate, from early 2022, suggests that 37% of Albanians suffer from energy poverty. Data from 2019 suggests that 54% of Albanian households with income below 60% of the median had difficulties keeping their homes warm.[3] Considering this data comes from before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent energy crisis, current figures are likely to be even higher. In response to the energy crisis, the Albanian government acted firmly to freeze energy prices and cover 80% of the energy costs of households and small businesses, allocating ALL 28 billion (lek, €260 million) as part of its Social Resistance Package.[4]

[1] Energy Community (2022), Albania, 2022 Country Report: https://www.energy-community.org/implementation/report/Albania.html

[2] Euractiv (2022), Albania’s energy situation not good, EU money will help: https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/albanias-energy-situation-not-good-eu-money-will-help/

[3] Energy Community (2021), Study on addressing energy poverty: https://www.energy-community.org/regionalinitiatives/Transition/poverty/study.html

[4] International Energy Agency (2023), ALL 28 billion for energy price compensation: ﷟HYPERLINK "https://www.iea.org/policies/17469-all-28-billion-for-energy-price-compensation"https://www.iea.org/policies/17469-all-28-billion-for-energy-price-compensation