Oil risks "freezing" wages - Analysis/ High prices, pressure on businesses
The increase in oil prices in early March 2026 has brought a shock wave to transportation and production costs, exerting direct pressure on the prices of services and daily consumption. But this increase may also have direct consequences on the salaries of Albanian citizens.
According to an ALTAX analysis, it is predicted that the conflict in the Middle East could slow real wage growth, especially for energy-sensitive sectors such as transport, services and light industry, increasing the need for fiscal policies and compensation mechanisms to preserve workers' purchasing power.
In this context, referring to the analysis, the trend towards higher wages and concentration in key professions and sectors remains a stabilizing factor, providing a basis to withstand the expected inflationary impacts during 2026.
In the short term, labor market dynamics, combined with wage growth, suggest relative resistance to price increases, however inflationary effects may affect the pace of real growth in employee income.
In the fourth quarter of 2025, the average gross salary per employee reached 86,984 lekë, marking an increase of 4.3%, compared to the same 3 months of 2024 and an increase of 4.4% compared to the third quarter of 2025. The distribution of salaries shows a stable distribution towards high salaries where the share of employees with salaries over 120 thousand lekë increased from 14.1% to 16.2%, while the minimum wage fell from 14.2% to 12.8%.
On the labor market side, the participation of the population aged 15–64 in the labor force was 75.9%, increasing by 0.4 percentage points compared to the same quarter of 2024, but marking a decrease of 0.6 percentage points compared to the third quarter of 2025.
The analysis by sector shows that agriculture recorded a modest increase in employment, industry a slight decrease, while services continued to be the sector with the greatest impact on labor market development. This structure indicates an orientation towards sectors with higher wages and more economic stability.
Joint exercise RENEA-EKAM/ Lamallari: Albania-Greece cooperation is key to regional security
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Besfort Lamallari, participated in the ceremony marking the end of the joint training between the special forces of the......
The state enters the oil market to curb prices - Rama: We will create a public factor to ease the burden of citizens
The state will intervene to regulate the oil market, given the increase in prices due to the conflict in the Middle East. In a press conference, Prime......
OSHEE Group increases salaries for field workers and electrical engineers
OSHEE Group sh.a. has taken a new step in support of energy sector professionals, by increasing salaries for field workers and electrical engineers at the......
The decision on Balluk's immunity does not hinder the EU accession process
During a press conference, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that yesterday's Parliament decision on Balluk's immunity does not hinder the EU membership......
Only 3% of small businesses export/ Albanian enterprises remain mainly oriented towards the domestic market
Small and medium-sized enterprises continue to hold the main weight of the Albanian economy. According to data published by the Institute of Statistics, in......
Kumbaro: Njihen diplomat për ushtrimin e profesionit të fizioterapistit
Nga Universiteti i Sporteve, ministrja e Arsimit Mirela Kumbaro njoftoi se studentët e diplomuar për fizioterapi në Fakultetin e Shkencave të Rehabilitimit......
Construction of connecting roads/ ARRSH: Explosions again today near the exit of the Llogora tunnel
The Albanian Road Authority announces that as part of the ongoing works for the construction of the connecting road segment of the Llogora tunnel, today at......
2,962 Albanian citizens, residents in the Middle East - Minister Ferit Hoxha: Their safety, a major priority of the Albanian Government
Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha reported to the Parliamentary Committee for Europe and Foreign Affairs on the measures taken by the Albanian authorities for the......
