One in eight Albanian businesses serves food or drink

More than one in eight businesses in Albania is a bar, restaurant or food-service outlet, the highest share among the European countries compared.

Eurostat data for 2023, analysed by Monitor, show the sector made up 12.28% of all firms — about 2.6 times the European Union average.

Albania had 15,445 such businesses, or 6.63 for every 1,000 residents. That placed it third in Europe per head, behind Greece and Portugal.

The figures reflect decades of low-cost family investment in cafes and restaurants. Tourism has added demand, but many outlets remain small, seasonal and under pressure from rising costs and labour shortages.