Inflation and unemployment, the main concerns in the region

2024-10-05 21:20:00, Aktualitet CNA

Inflation and unemployment, the main concerns in the region

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According to the data of the Balkan Barometer 2024, in a survey that analyzes the main challenges of the economies in the Western Balkans, it turns out that the three main problems facing these countries are the increase in prices, the general economic situation, and unemployment.

Across the region, 64% of respondents rate rising prices and inflation as the biggest problem facing their countries' economies. This concern is particularly pronounced in Serbia, where 73% of citizens are concerned about rising prices. Albania is second, with 71% of the population considering inflation and the cost of living as one of the biggest problems. While in Bosnia and Herzegovina citizens are less affected by this phenomenon where 53% of them consider it a challenge.

Another problem highlighted by the data is the economic situation in general, which is listed as a major concern by 45% of the region's citizens. In Albania, 57% of respondents see the country's economic situation as the most important challenge.

Unemployment remains another major problem in the Western Balkans, including particularly Albania and Montenegro, where 40% of Albanian citizens and 33% of Montenegrin citizens list this as one of their top three concerns. This percentage exceeds the average of the Balkans, which is 27%.

In addition to economic issues, security and political instability are two factors that directly affect the well-being of citizens. At the regional level, 27% of citizens are concerned about political instability. Albania, however, seems to have a relatively lower level of concern about this issue, with only 15% of the population seeing it as a problem, compared to countries like Kosovo (21%) or Bosnia and Herzegovina (43%). where political stability appears to be a greater concern.

And while inflation and unemployment are the main problems, some other aspects that affect the quality of life include the quality of education and the quality of health care. In our country, only 4% of respondents list education as a main problem, while 11% express concerns about the quality of health care. These percentages are lower compared to other countries in the region./ SCAN