The public administration in Albania has marked a slight increase in the number of civil service positions during 2025, but the report of the Commissioner for Civil Service Oversight shows that problems with appointments contrary to the law continue to remain present, even with an increasing trend compared to the previous year.
According to the data, the total number of civil service positions reached 16,343 in 2025, up from 16,095 in 2024. At the same time, the number of positions filled through competition has also increased, reflecting a partial improvement in the implementation of legal procedures. Positions filled in accordance with the law reached 12,976, while in 2024 this figure was lower.
However, at the same time, the number of appointments in violation of the law has also increased. In 2025, 1,279 cases were identified, an increase of 2.3% compared to 2024. These appointments constitute about 7.3% of the total positions, indicating that the problem remains structural and not isolated.
Noticeable changes also appear in the management of vacancies. The number of vacant positions in the state administration has decreased significantly from 1,760 in 2024 to 1,088 in 2025, signaling an improvement in filling jobs. In contrast, in the local administration, vacant positions have increased slightly from 690 to 731, while in independent institutions from 158 to 189.
Regarding the distribution of violations, local administration continues to hold the main weight in 2025, an unchanged trend from 2024. 1,016 cases of illegal appointments were identified at this level, with a concentration in several municipalities such as Kavaja, Vau i Dejës, Malësia e Madhe, Rrogozhina and Saranda. This phenomenon remains linked to structures with high employment volumes and weaknesses in the implementation of competition procedures.
Recruitment dynamics also show comparative changes. During 2025, 1,462 appointments were made in the civil service, with the dominance of new admissions in the executive category, which constitute 52% of the total. Compared to 2024, there is an increase in admissions from abroad, especially in the state administration, while parallel movements and promotions have decreased.
In terms of mobility, data shows that the system is relying less on internal transfers and more on new recruitment, a change that signals greater openness of the administration to competition.
Meanwhile, a relative stabilization is also evident in exits from the system compared to 2024. In 2025, departures for legal and voluntary reasons dominate. Resignations (359 cases) and retirements (170 cases) together account for 77% of total departures, reflecting more demographic factors than disciplinary measures or restructuring./ekofin.al/
