The average salary increases, but half of the employed in the country receive less than 60 thousand lek net per month

2026-06-15 07:35:00, Ekonomi CNA

The average salary increases, but half of the employed in the country receive

The dynamics of wages in the labor market continued their upward trend at the beginning of this year, reflecting the need of businesses to compete in conditions of labor shortage.

However, the salary structure shows that a significant part of the working population continues to face modest incomes. According to the latest INSTAT data, in the first quarter of 2026 the median gross monthly salary reached 74,010 lek with an annual increase of 19%. This means that 50 percent of salaried employees are paid 74,010 lek per month gross.

Exactly half of the employees in the country receive a net salary of less than around 60,000 lek per month (after deducting social security, health and income tax contributions), while the other half is paid above this level.

The strongest change was recorded precisely in the first quarter of 2026, where the median wage increased by 11.2% compared to the end of 2025 as a result of the effects of the minimum wage that brought a chain effect on the entire wage category.

On the other hand, the average gross salary has continued to grow, but at a more moderate pace. In the first quarter of 2026, it reached 90,119 lekë with an annual growth of 9.6%. The average salary was 18% higher than the median salary. This difference narrowed compared to 2025, as low and mid-level salaries have experienced a faster increase than very high salaries, which usually skew the average indicator.

Unlike the average wage, which is influenced by the very high wages of a minority, the median wage is the most accurate indicator of the real standard of living of society.

For economic experts, the figure of around 60 thousand lek net for half of the workforce remains an open challenge for the consumption and purchasing power of Albanian families. Its ability to cover living needs depends almost entirely on whether or not the individual has a rental obligation, especially in a market with increasing costs like that of Tirana.

For a person living alone and having to pay rent, this salary is barely enough to cover survival and the most critical existential needs. The majority of the income, almost half of it, goes immediately to housing in a suburban area or in a modest studio apartment. If the individual has no housing expenses, the same salary provides a more stable lifestyle for a single person.

Calculations show that to have a dignified life without severe constraints, a net salary of 60 thousand lek per month works well only as a second salary within a family or for a young person who is just taking his first steps in the job market and does not yet have family responsibilities or rent./ Monitor