28% of Albanian households have difficulties in paying monthly bills, such as water, lights, rent, etc. for 2018, according to the findings of the Balkan Barometer of the year.

The survey involving families in all Balkan countries showed that in Albania, the percentage of households that do not meet the obligations for paying off bills of light and water is greater than in any other country, even larger than in Kosovo, which is by level of living at comparable levels.

Even Bosnia and Kosovo were ranked among the least difficult countries to handle monthly bills, respectively by 9-17% each. In Macedonia, it is seen that 19% of households have this difficulty, while in Montenegro, 20% of them. After Albania, the highest level of households that do not afford bills is Serbia with about 23% of households.

According to the survey, the number of families struggling to pay monthly bills fell to 2017, but are still much higher than the regional average. Survey finding is also materialized in OSHE receipts, where about 24% of the electricity that is discharged into the network does not receive any payment.

Energy prices rose five years ago by about 20%. As Albania has the energy prices for consumers at the highest regional levels, it has the per capita income at the lowest levels. According to Eurostat data, over the period 2012-2017, Albania's per capita income increased by 700 euros, from 3300 euros per capita to 4000 euros per capita.

The largest net income growth per capita has occurred in Montenegro. Their level, from 5100 euros in 2012, amounted to 6900 euros in 2017, increasing by 1,800 euros. This value was nearly double the net income growth per capita than in other Balkan countries. Then, for the highest growth comes Macedonia, whose per capita income increased by 1100 euros during 2012-2017. Also, Serbia and Bosnia reported the same increase per capita income, with 900 euros for the period in question

Source: Monitor