Tourism jobs rise as unemployment falls

Unemployment fell to 8.4% in the first quarter of 2026, while employers listed more than 5,600 open jobs across Albania.

The rate was 0.3 percentage points lower than a year earlier, according to official data.

The strongest demand is in tourism and services. The National Employment and Skills Agency listed cooks, assistant cooks, waiters, bartenders, receptionists and hotel room cleaners among the most requested jobs, mainly in Vlora, Durres and Saranda.

Services remain the country’s largest employer, with 46.9% of workers. Agriculture follows with 33.8%.

In Tirana, about 70% of employed people work in services. In Fier, Korca and Berat, agriculture accounts for more than 45% of employment.