The government aims to further increase salaries in the public sector. In a direct communication on Thursday with followers on social networks, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that “the average salary in the public sector is Euro 1,030 and will further increase”.

The Prime Minister stated that “the overall average salary (combined public and private sectors) in Albania, referring to INSTAT, is Euro 830.”

According to INSTAT, the average gross monthly salary, during the fourth quarter of 2024, reached Lek 83,401, increasing by 11.2%, compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

The economic activities that offer an average gross monthly salary, higher than the average salary at the national level, are the financial and insurance sectors as well as information technology and communication.

Compared to the same quarter of last year, during the fourth quarter of 2024, the average gross salary in the construction activity has the highest increase of 14.9%, while the information and communication activity group has the lowest increase of 5.9%.

The wage fund has increased more than twice during this decade and in 2025 it will reach 1.3 billion euros. Furthermore, Rama stated that Albania is the only country in the region where small businesses have no taxes.

Responding to comments on social networks who stated that taxes in Albania are more expensive than in the EU, the Prime Minister emphasized that in fact, taxes on salaries for 93% of employees in Albania are less than 10%, compared to up to 50% in the EU.

“As for taxes that are more expensive than in the EU, you have no idea about the taxes in the EU. In Albania, 93% of employees pay less than 10% tax on their salary. In the EU, even 50% can go to the state. Small businesses in Albania have no taxes at all, no VAT, zero. There is no small business in the region without taxes,” said Rama.

The Prime Minister also rejected the claim that food prices in Albania are more expensive than in the EU while adding that those who come here say the opposite.

Rama also spoke about the infrastructure in coastal areas. Investments in infrastructure and public works are developing tourism in various cities in the country, especially in coastal ones, where the flow of tourists is increasing.

"In Lezha, investments and projects are continuing and we are on the right track. We have completed the process and will sign the contract soon and the Milot-Balldren road will begin implementation. Meanwhile, the projects that are being carried out under the leadership of the mayor, Pjerin Ndreu, for the development of tourism are spectacular and the coast of Lezha will be like the coast of Spain, as Ndreu said there," Rama said.

Rama pointed out that, also in Saranda, a water supply project is being implemented. "We are investing in the Saranda water supply system," he said.

Meanwhile, in Fier, the prime minister continued, investments are being made, mainly for the coastal road infrastructure.

"The best will happen for Fier. We have started the infrastructure towards the sea so that everyone knows that Fier residents know that Fier also has a sea," Rama declared.

To a citizen's question regarding the abandonment of villages by young people, Rama responded that these are ubiquitous phenomena.