Europe's poorest, Albania with the lowest per capita consumption and income

Albania continues to be the poorest country in Europe, with the lowest per capita income and consumption. According to data published today by Eurostat for 2019, Albanians had a per capita income of 31% of the European average, the lowest in Europe (data on Kosovo not included). Compared to a year ago, this percentage has remained unchanged, which shows that Albania has stalled in the so-called convergence process, which means faster economic growth than developed countries, in order to capture the average income. of the EU within a period of time.

Albania is already poorer than Bosnia and Herzegovina, which averaged 32% of the EU in 2019, while a year ago it had the same level as Albania. Northern Macedonia had this indicator at 38%, Serbia (41%) and the richest in the region is Montenegro, with 50% of the EU average.

In the other indicator, that of individual per capita consumption, which measures the material well-being of family members, Albania still remains last, at 40% of the EU average, from 39% a year ago. For Bosnia, this indicator is 42%, for Macedonia 43%, for Serbia 49% and again the highest is Montenegro, with 60% of the European average.

In the EU, the poorest is Bulgaria

In Europe, in 2019, per capita income fluctuated between 53% of the European average in Bulgaria and 261% in Luxembourg. 10 member states had per capita income above the EU average.

In the Individual Consumer Consumption Index (AIC), nine Member States recorded AIC per capita above the EU average in 2019. The highest level in the EU was recorded in Luxembourg, 35% above the EU average. Germany was about 23% higher, followed by Austria, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden and France, which recorded all levels between 5% and 20% above the EU average.

AIC per capita for twelve member states results between the EU average of up to 25% less. In Italy, Ireland, Cyprus, Spain and Lithuania the levels were 10% or less below the EU average, while Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovenia and Malta were between 10% and 20% lower. Poland, Romania and Greece were between 20% and 25% below the EU average.

Six member states recorded AIC per capita, above 25% below the EU average. Estonia was 25% below, Slovakia, Latvia, Hungary and Croatia between 25% and 35% below, while Bulgaria had AIC per capita 41% below the EU average.

Source: Monitor