Economic Monitor Albania
The tourism boom in Albania is positively impacts macroeconomic developments. GDP growth is expected to remain stable between 3.5% and 3.9% in 2025. Rising service exports and high FDI inflows led to an appreciation of the Albanian lek.
WA 3 | January 2026
Macroeconomic Analyses and Forecasting
Overview
- Albania experiences a tourism boom since 2021
- Tourist arrivals more than doubled (2021: 5.2 m, 2025: 11.0 m)
- Hotel overnight stays tripled (2021: 3.2 m, 2025: 9.7 m)
- The boom positively impacts macroeconomic developments
- Stable and relatively strong GDP growth; 2025: 3.5% to 3.9% expected
- Services exports increased sharply due to tourism; surplus in services balance contributes to a significant reduction of the current account deficit (2025: 2.8% of GDP)
- Persistently high FDI inflows (9M2025: 6.0% of GDP); the share of FDI in real estate sector increased because of the tourism boom
- The favorable external position led to an appreciation of the domestic lek
- Appreciation of the lek contributes to a decline in inflation; Dec-25: 2.3%
Special issues
- SEPA: SEPA payments available in ALB since Oct-25; expected savings: approx. EUR 71 m p.a.
- FDI attraction: focus on tourism, IT & BPO, plastics industry, and medical products
