TIRANA, Sept 1 /ATA/ - Albania’s average gross monthly wage rose by 9.8% in 2024 compared to the previous year, reaching 77,485 lek (approx. EUR 745), the national statistics agency INSTAT reported on Monday.

The data, based on payroll records from tax and social insurance systems, covers all sectors of the economy and both domestic and foreign workers.

According to the report, 22.4% of employees earn up to the official minimum wage, which stands at 40,000 lek for 2024.

The labor market also showed signs of improvement. Employment increased by 1.5 percentage points, while the unemployment rate for ages 15 - 74 fell to 8.7%, down 0.9 points from 2023.

Among the working-age population (15 - 64), 68.6% are employed, 9.4% are unemployed, and 24.3% are outside the labor force.

The report highlights ongoing gender disparities: men’s employment rate is 74.9%, compared to 62.4% for women, while the gender pay gap narrowed to 4.9%, down from 6.1% in 2023.

Albania’s total labor force in 2024 was estimated at 1.29 million, with men accounting for 54.1% and women 45.9%.

The best paid groups were managers, lawmakers and senior officials, the armed forces and workers in information and communication. Lower pay was reported in agriculture, crafts and trades, transport and warehousing.

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