Lezha and Shkodra had the lowest average salaries compared to the country's 12 regions, according to regional data from INSTAT.
In 2023, the average salary in Lezha was 56,802 lek per month and in Shkodra 57,043 lek per month. On the other hand, Tirana had an average salary of 79,212 lek per month, followed by Gjirokastra with 65 thousand lek per month.
Average salary data by region shows a marked difference at the national level, with Tirana leading with a significantly higher average salary than the rest of the country, as a result of the greater concentration of economic activities, public institutions, and private companies that offer more competitive salaries in the capital.
On the other hand, the lowest salaries are recorded in Lezha (around 56,800 lekë), with a salary 40% lower than Tirana; in Shkodër, with a salary 38% lower than Tirana; and in Berat, also with a salary 38% lower than Tirana. Wages in the regions indicate a lower presence of value-added sectors and higher employment in activities with limited productivity, such as small trade or agriculture.
Gjirokastra ranks after Tirana with an average salary of around 65,000 lek, standing out as one of the highest-paid regions in the south, perhaps as a result of the development of tourism and the service sectors. Regions such as Dibra, Fier, Kukës and Durrës stand at a similar level, between 61–62 thousand lek, which represents the overall national average.
In total, the gap between Tirana and the poorest regions reaches over 20 thousand lekë, reflecting strong regional economic differences.
It is paradoxical that Kukës, one of the regions with the lowest standard of living in the country, appears with a relatively high average salary compared to some other regions such as Lezha, Shkodra or Berat. Kukës has a smaller number of employees and, consequently, some limited sectors — especially in administration, education or health — have a greater weight in calculating the average salary.
In these sectors, wages are regulated and often higher than in the local private market. This raises the average, even though the majority of the population does not work in sectors with such wages.
The high average salary does not translate into overall well-being, as labor market participation is low and a large portion of families still rely on remittances and income from abroad./ Monitor
