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Living costs rise, foreign pensioners leave

2025-11-07 07:56:00, Ekonomi CNA

The increase in living costs in rents and food prices, which are now above the European average, is driving away foreign retirees who had chosen our country to live.

According to INSTAT data, the age group over 60 represents a significant portion of foreigners in our country. Last year, 3,007 people in this age group had a residence permit in our country, a decrease of 15.5% compared to 2023.

Although the total number of foreigners with residence permits has increased (from 21,460 in 2023 to 21,940 last year), the age group over 60 has shrunk both in number and percentage.

The decrease in this group is related to the movement of foreign pensioners to other countries with more favorable conditions for long-term stays or with a lower cost of living.

The data show that the migration profile towards Albania is becoming more active and younger, with a decline in the "permanent residence after retirement" component.

In the age group up to 19 years, the number has increased slightly from 1,891 in 2023 to 1,947 people in 2024, which accounts for about 9% of the total number of immigrants in our country. This category mainly includes children and young people living in Albania as part of foreign families or parents working in the country. The stable weight of this group indicates that family flows have not changed significantly.

The 20–29 age group has grown more than any other category, from 3,811 people in 2023 to 4,356 people in 2024, or 14%, accounting for 20% of the total number of foreigners with residence permits in Albania. This indicates a significant expansion in the inflow of young people, or seasonal workers or students who are seeing Albania as a destination for studies, work, etc.

The 30–39 age group also saw a strong annual growth of 11.7%, reaching a total of 5,395 people in 2024. This age group accounted for 24% of total emigrants. This age group mainly represents people active in the labor market, professionals who settle for medium or long-term periods for economic reasons. The growth of this age group shows that Albania is increasingly attracting working-age foreigners who see the country as a space with employment or investment opportunities.

In the 40–49 age group, the number of foreigners reached 4,283 people in 2024, a 10% increase. This age group also includes professionally active individuals, often with considerable experience, who may work in sectors such as construction, energy or financial services.

The 50–59 age group has recorded a 15% decrease, which indicates that foreigners of this age do not choose to stay in Albania, perhaps due to their approaching retirement age./ Monitor