Inflation in Albania reached 3.4% in July, standing 0.4 percentage points above the European Union average. Rising prices were mainly driven by food, transport and tourism-related services.
Inflation in Albania, measured according to the harmonised methodology used to compare European countries, reached 3.4% in July 2026, placing the country above the European Union average.
Data published by INSTAT show that the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices recorded an annual increase of 3.4%. According to comparative data, the average for the 27 European Union member states stood at 3%, meaning that harmonised inflation in Albania was around 0.4 percentage points higher.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages continued to exert the greatest pressure on inflation in July. Prices in this category rose by 3.2% compared with July last year, contributing 1.09 percentage points to overall inflation.
The strongest price increase, however, was recorded in the “Recreation, sport and culture” category, which rose by 8.5% year-on-year and contributed 0.55 percentage points to inflation. During a period coinciding with the peak tourist season, prices for restaurants and accommodation services were 3.6% higher than a year earlier, contributing 0.53 percentage points.
Transport was another significant source of inflationary pressure. Prices in this category increased by 4.6% year-on-year, contributing 0.39 percentage points to overall inflation. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco became 4.5% more expensive, education services rose by 3.3%, while insurance and financial services were 3.2% more expensive than in July 2025.
The post Inflation reaches 3.4% according to Eurostat, Albania above EU average appeared first on Euronews Albania.
