TIRANA, June 4 – Albania’s Construction Cost Index rose 1.1% in the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the INSTAT, Albania’s Institute of Statistics.
According to the institute, higher labour costs drove the annual increase. The “Wage Expenses” group rose 4.8%. In addition, “Other Costs” increased 2.5%, while “Transport Expenses” and “Machinery Expenses” grew 1.7% and 1.5%, respectively.
At the same time, the “Material Expenses” group moved in the opposite direction and fell 0.9% compared with the first quarter of 2025. Within this category, “Construction Materials” recorded the sharpest decline at 1.4%. Meanwhile, “Hydro-sanitary and Ventilation Materials” dropped 0.9%. However, “Electrical and Communication Materials” increased 0.5%, partially offsetting the fall.
On a quarterly basis, the index rose 0.3% compared with the fourth quarter of 2025. The institute said “Other Costs” led the increase with 1.7%. In addition, “Wage Expenses” grew 0.6%, while both “Machinery Expenses” and “Transport Expenses” advanced 0.3%.
Conversely, “Material Expenses” declined 0.2% in the quarter. This reflected lower prices in “Hydro-sanitary and Ventilation Materials,” down 0.8%, and “Construction Materials,” down 0.4%. At the same time, “Electrical and Communication Materials” recorded a modest increase of 0.2%.
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