Is Albania Rich or Poor? A 2025 Economic Perspective

I get asked this question a lot: “So, is Albania a rich country or a poor one?”

The answer isn’t simple. Albania is a mix. On one hand, it’s a country still carrying the scars of communism — broken infrastructure, salaries that can seem shockingly low if you compare them with Italy or Germany, and villages where time feels like it has stopped in the 1980s. On the other hand, you have Albanians driving brand new Range Rovers, villas with infinity pools rising above the Ionian Sea, and investments flowing in from both locals and the diaspora.

In short: Albania is both. And that’s what makes it fascinating — and worth paying attention to in 2025.

The Legacy of a “Poor” Country

When I walk through some neighborhoods of Saranda, I still see the old communist blocks. Simple, grey, and built to last, but not to inspire. Many older Albanians grew up in a time when private property didn’t even exist. My father still tells me stories about waiting in line for hours to buy basic food supplies.

Even today, the average salary in Albania hovers around €600–€700 per month. That’s why foreigners often assume the entire country is “poor.” They see modest pensions, families living simply, and villages where the primary economy is still olive oil, raki, and livestock.

And yet…

The Other Side: Rich Albanians

The truth is Albanians are some of the most resourceful, ambitious people I know. Decades of emigration created a strong diaspora. Many worked hard abroad — in Italy, Greece, Germany, the U.S. — and returned with savings and big dreams. Others send money back home, which fuels businesses and, especially, real estate.

Just last week, I met a client who spent twenty years in Switzerland. He came back not only to retire in Saranda but to buy two beachfront properties as investments. And he’s not an exception.

You’d be surprised how many Albanians you see in Saranda cafés in the summer who own properties worth over half a million euros. The stereotype of Albania as “poor” doesn’t hold when you walk through areas like Butrinti Road in Saranda or the hills above Ksamil. Some of the homes there rival villas on the French Riviera — only here, they cost a fraction.

Investments That Tell the Story

One of the clearest signs of Albania’s wealth is in real estate. Prices in Saranda and Ksamil have doubled in the past five years, and they’re still relatively affordable compared to Italy or Greece. I truly believe Saranda offers the best value on the entire Mediterranean coast.

When you see developments like White Residence in Ksamil, you start to understand. These are brand new apartments, finished in 2025, designed with a quiet luxury style. The residence even has its own private swimming pool, and it’s just a 7-minute walk from the beach. Ksamil used to be a sleepy fishing village — today, it’s one of the hottest spots in the Ionian.

Or take the Gold Residence in Saranda. First-line, seaview apartments with a private beach just one minute away. I showed one of these to a German couple not long ago. Their reaction reminded me why I love this job — they couldn’t believe they could get such views and a private residents’ pool at that price point. In Spain, something similar would easily cost triple.

And then there are the White Villas in Borsh. This project is personal to me. Our construction company, with over 15 years of experience and more than 150 skilled employees, built them right on the main street of Borsh. Each villa is about 300 m², with three floors, a private swimming pool, big veranda, parking, and sea views surrounded only by nature. It’s seven minutes by car from Borsh beach — but honestly, you may not want to leave the villa once you’re there. To me, this is the definition of quiet luxury. And here’s the kicker: all of them are for sale with 0% commission.

Tangent: The Small Things That Tell You a Lot

Sometimes, you don’t need big numbers to understand wealth. You just need to pay attention.
Like the small taverna above Borsh beach that most tourists never notice. Every August, I see Mercedes SUVs parked outside, families dining with fresh fish and bottles of €100 wine. Or the cafés in Saranda during winter — full of locals drinking macchiatos at €1.20 each, every single day. For a place often labeled “poor,” people here know how to live well.

And that lifestyle — simple, sunny, Mediterranean — is part of why investors keep coming.

So, Rich or Poor?

Albania is both. It’s a country where the minimum pension is barely enough to cover groceries, but where you can also find million-euro villas overlooking the Ionian. It’s a country where infrastructure sometimes lags behind, but private investments are transforming coastlines faster than most outsiders realize.

If you ask me, Albania is rich — not in the sense of GDP per capita, but in opportunity. In ambition. In lifestyle.

For anyone considering investing, whether it’s in a Saranda apartment with seaviews, a beachfront property in Ksamil, or a villa in Borsh, Albania offers a chance to get in early. Before prices catch up with the rest of the Mediterranean.

Final Thoughts

I’ve lived and worked here for years, and every day I see both sides: the struggles of a country emerging from its past, and the wealth being created by Albanians who never gave up. That mix is what makes Albania unique.

So next time someone asks if Albania is rich or poor, I tell them: It depends on where you look. But if you’re looking at the coastline, the real estate opportunities, and the lifestyle — the answer is clear.

This little country on the Ionian isn’t just catching up. It’s moving forward. And fast.