Discover the ‘laziest’ Albanian cities: who has the highest percentage of inactive population in the labor market?

The inactivity rate, which measures the percentage of the working-age population that is neither employed nor actively seeking a job, showed significant differences among regions in 2025.

This category includes, among others, students, early retirees, people caring for family, those with health problems, and individuals who have given up looking for work.

Gjirokastra, Vlora, Shkodra, and Lezha have the highest percentage of inactive population in the labor market, while on the other hand, Kukësi and Berati have the lowest levels at 31.7 and 31.8 percent respectively.

The data show that the strongest annual increase in inactivity was recorded in Kukës, where the rate rose by 9.4 percentage points from 2024 to 2025. Such a large increase in the population that will not work in the country’s poorest region is linked to high emigration, an aging population, and a lack of job opportunities, which often discourages residents from seeking work.

Gjirokastra also recorded a similar increase, with inactivity rising by 9.1 percentage points to reach 41.1%, the second highest level in the country. This region is also characterized by an aging population and emigration, factors that reduce labor market participation.

But Vlora remains the region with the highest inactivity rate, 40.8%. This reflects an aging population, seasonal employment in tourism, and a significant portion of residents who are not active throughout the year.

In Shkodër, the rate rose slightly to 40%, 1.1 percentage points more than a year earlier. A more moderate increase was also observed in Elbasan (2.3 percentage points), Dibër (1.4 points), and Durrës (0.3 points).

On the other hand, Lezha recorded the greatest improvement, with a decrease in inactivity of 3.7 percentage points, from 42.1% to 38.4%. The decline is linked to increased employment in manufacturing, agriculture, and tourism, as well as an increase in the number of people who have returned to active job searching.

Tirana also saw a significant decrease, by 2 percentage points, dropping to 37.5%. As the country’s largest economic center, Tirana benefits from the creation of new jobs in services, technology, construction, and administration, attracting more people into the labor market.

Berati recorded a decrease of 2.2 percentage points, while smaller declines were observed in Fier (-0.7 points), Korçë (-0.5 points), and Vlorë (-0.1 points). /Monitor