Albania vs EU, where did inflation hit hardest? Entertainment "explodes" in our country, food and education become more expensive in the EU
The annual change data measured by the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices for 2025 show that the structure of inflation has been significantly different between Albania and the European Union, both in terms of the most affected groups and the intensity of price increases.
In Albania, the strongest price increase was recorded in entertainment and culture, with an inflation rate of 8.5%, much higher than in the EU, where the same group became more expensive by only 1.9%. This difference shows that cultural and entertainment services have been significantly more expensive for the Albanian consumer than for the European one.
Another group where Albania recorded higher growth than the EU is furniture, household appliances and maintenance, with 3% compared to 0.6% in the EU, as well as clothing and footwear, where inflation was 1.4% in Albania and 0.4% in the EU.
Meanwhile, transportation in Albania saw a price drop of -0.8%, while in the EU an increase of 0.7% was recorded, making this group another clear point of difference between the two markets.
In the European Union, inflation was stronger than in Albania in most basic consumer groups. Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 3.2% in the EU, compared to only 2% in Albania. Similarly, alcoholic beverages and tobacco became more expensive in the EU, by 4.4% compared to 3.4% in Albania.
A noticeable difference is also observed in rents, energy and fuels, where inflation in the EU reached 2.8%, while in Albania it was only 0.8%. Health care with 3.2% in the EU versus 1.1% in Albania and educational services with 4.7% in the EU versus 1.9% in Albania, also became significantly more expensive in EU countries.
In the services sector, hotels, cafes and restaurants recorded a higher increase in the EU with 4.1% than in Albania with 3%. Meanwhile, communication marked a price decrease in the EU with -1.5%, while in Albania there was an increase of 1.2%.
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