Farm jobs fall as Albania shifts towards services

Farm jobs in Albania fell again at the start of 2026, while services continued to grow, showing how quickly the labour market is moving away from traditional sectors.

INSTAT figures show agricultural employment fell 1.3% from a year earlier and 6.7% from the previous quarter.

Industry also recorded a fall, while service jobs rose 4.2% year on year.

The drop is expected to hit rural areas hardest, where emigration, low investment and an ageing population are already weakening farming.

Most new service jobs are being created in cities and tourist areas, but many remain low-paid or seasonal.