TIRANA, June 21 – Albanian households became more pessimistic in 2015 while the moderate optimism by the business community remained unchanged, according to a Balkan Barometer survey published by the Regional Cooperation Council on Tuesday.
On a 0 to 100 scale, Albania scored 38 in the 2015 Balkan Public Sentiment Index measuring the current and future expectations regarding the general and economic situation of individual households. The score deteriorated by 5 percentage points compared to 2014 but stands 1 point above the SEE average of 37 in seven countries including EU member Croatia and six EU regional EU aspirants.
Unemployment and the economic situation were rated as the most important problems facing the Albanian economy by 60 to 69 percent of respondents. Corruption was rated as a top concern by 35 percent of respondents.
Meanwhile, business perceptions remained unchanged compared to 2014, ranking Albania and Serbia the most pessimistic among seven SEE countries including Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.
On a 0 to 100 scale, Albania scored 51 in the Balkan Business Sentiment Index measuring business situation, current and expected demand for products/services and general economic situation.
Almost half of businesses said the general economic situation deteriorated over the past year and only 37 percent expect it to improve over the next 12 months.
Some 1,000 Albanian households and 200 businesses were surveyed as part of the 2016 public and business Balkan Barometer opinions.
