High fuel prices have deepened the financial burden on Albanian families. Since July of this year, a liter of diesel has exceeded the value of over 200 lek, one of the highest levels in Europe, while on the other hand, the average salary in our country is one of the lowest on the continent. As a result, the high price is gradually changing the way Albanians are using their vehicles.
For about 74% of citizens, fuel expenses account for over 15% of monthly budgets, while 78.6% of users have limited car use or drive fewer kilometers.
These results emerged from an online survey that Monitor magazine conducted with 384 people from September 16 to October 6, 2026, through the ECR (Engaged Citizens Reporting) platform. 76% of respondents were male.
The results should be read as perceptions and behaviors of survey participants and not as a representative measurement of all Albanian families, as the sample is not representative.
Another problem highlighted by the survey is the inability to invest in more economical vehicles. Almost half of the participants stated that they have considered changing their car, but cannot afford it financially. In this way, families are faced with a difficult choice: continue to pay high fuel costs or reduce their movements.
The results show an almost unanimous demand for state intervention, mainly through tax cuts. One of the most interesting findings is the high willingness to use the car less if public transport is improved, a signal that the economic impact of fuel prices cannot be addressed through fiscal policy alone.
It is also related to investments in infrastructure, the organization of transportation, and the alternatives that families have to meet their daily mobility needs.
In the short term, the price of oil remains a factor affecting household spending and purchasing power. In the longer term, reducing dependence on private vehicles and developing more economical transport alternatives may be as important as direct interventions in fuel prices.
One respondent commented that, "Owning a vehicle creates problems with costs, parking, and everything else related to it, significantly reducing income. In addition, we also face security problems given the chaos with which movements in the city of Tirana are planned."
Fuel accounts for over 15% of monthly income for 40% of respondents./Monitor
