Fostering social cohesion in Albania

Abstract

Over recent decades, Albania has made remarkable progress in increasing the well-being of its citizens. With rising gross domestic product per capita and higher household consumption, the share of materially deprived households has been decreasing. In turn, extreme poverty is very low and life expectancy is increasing. To sustain the progress in building a socially cohesive society, this chapter puts forward priorities to foster social cohesion through labour market and social protection policies. Action is needed to create employment opportunities and conditions for Albanians from ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, including citizens with disabilities, to join the labour force. Recently, Albania has put in place a comprehensive set of social protection programmes; however, unequal coverage and generosity leave many vulnerable citizens without sufficient social security. A shift towards community-integrated social services, managed at the local level, has been initiated through legislative reform. Providing those most in need with pathways to integrate into society and the labour market is a key priority for Albania. Aligning social protection and labour policies and programmes in design and operationally is an important step to respond to this challenge.