The per capita income of Albanians by the end of 2020 is expected to decrease by 425 dollars, or by almost 8% compared to the previous year, according to updated tables of the International Monetary Fund.

In nominal terms, the per capita income of each individual, at current prices (in dollars per capita) is expected to drop to USD 4,898 in 2020, from USD 5,323 a year earlier.

In total, according to IMF figures, the country is expected to lose USD 1.24 billion this year, which is as much as 8% of annual revenue in 2019.

This trend of declining per capita income is being observed worldwide, due to the consequences that quarantine had on global economies in order to prevent Covid-19 infection and the uncertainties that are still ongoing, raising many uncertainties about the future.

In the region, Albania (-425 USD) and Montenegro (-892 USD) are expected to have the highest per capita income decline, due to the higher economic contraction projected for these countries, which are related to tourism.

Albania and Kosovo are ranked among the poorest countries in Europe (after including the countries of the former Soviet Union). Out of 192 countries, Albania is 98th on the list and Kosovo 108th ($ 4,428 per capita for 2020), according to IMF estimates. 

Montenegro has the highest per capita income in the region, in 77th place in the world (8,825), almost double the Albanian-speaking lands. It is followed by Serbia, 80th (US $ 7,382), North Macedonia 90th (6,018), and Bosnia and Herzegovina 92nd (USD 6,015).