Wages rise as industry output falls

Albania’s main production sectors paid more in wages in early 2026, but industry produced less and cut jobs.

INSTAT data for the first quarter show the wage fund rose in construction, energy, water supply, waste management and industry.

Construction recorded the strongest wage growth, up 22.4% from a year earlier. Output rose 7.2% and employment increased 5.6%.

Energy production jumped 45%, the strongest rise among the main sectors.

Industry was the weak spot. Output fell 4.9%, sales dropped 3.1% and employment was down 2.9%.

The decline came mainly from mining, where production fell 26.7% and sales dropped 28.1%.