Healthcare, a luxury for Albanians, 24% cannot afford even basic treatment

Albanians' health spending is increasing year after year, as a result of the aging population and the increasing burden of diseases, but the pace has accelerated significantly after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The review of national accounts by INSTAT reported that in 2023, Albanian families spent over 84 billion lek, or over 840 million euros, on health. This figure, generated by the household budget survey, was 8% higher than in 2022 and 41% higher than in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The burden of chronic diseases has increased by about 6% each year since the pandemic, according to official data, increasing the need for ongoing examinations and training. Other data shows that the bulk of spending goes to the purchase of medications.

According to official data, in 2024, over 28.1 billion lek of pharmaceutical products (280 million euros) were imported, while the medication reimbursement fund in 2024 had a ceiling of 12 billion lek.

As can be seen, the state has compensated 120 million euros out of the 281 million euros that Albanian citizens have spent on medical treatment. Around 160 million euros for pharmaceutical products were paid from personal income.

The medication reimbursement fund last year had a ceiling of 12 billion lek, about 120 million euros, a very low amount compared to Albanian families' health expenses of over 840 million euros in 2023.

Albania, as a country with a high level of poverty in the population and the lowest income in Europe, cannot have access to innovative therapies. Albania's demographic developments point to increasing pressure on healthcare spending.

The International Monetary Fund assessed earlier this year that Albania has the fiscal space to increase health spending. The World Bank has also called for increased investment in human capital, with more investment in education and health, in previous assessments.

Albanians were the most concerned in the Region about the high costs of health services according to the latest "Security Meter" survey conducted in 6 countries of the Region by the Regional Cooperation Council.

The results showed that 24% of Albanians were very worried about not being able to afford the financial costs of routine medical care and medication.

This concern was present at a lower percentage among citizens of Bosnia 16%, Kosovo 9%, North Macedonia 16%, Montenegro 20% and Serbia, 20%./ Monitor