The Bank of Albania kept its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% on March 2026, marking the fifth consecutive pause. The overnight lending and deposit rates were also held steady at 3.5% and 1.5%, respectively. Consumer price inflation averaged 2.4% in January and February, below the target of 3%, with inflationary pressures contained in rent prices. The economy expanded 3.7% over the past year, supported by growth in household spending, private investment and export of services. The unemployment rate in Q4 2025 stood at 8.3%, remaining close to its historical lows. However, the labor market remains under tension, driven by high demand in business and weak supply of workers. The Council stated overall developments in recent months have been in line with expectations and reflect a positive growth trend. However, it also highlighted rising uncertainty stemming from ongoing geopolitical tensions, warning that potential supply shocks could pose risks to inflation and future economic growth. source: Bank of Albania

The benchmark interest rate in Albania was last recorded at 2.50 percent. Interest Rate in Albania averaged 3.72 percent from 2001 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 8.50 percent in April of 2002 and a record low of 0.50 percent in March of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - Albania Interest Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Albania Interest Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

The benchmark interest rate in Albania was last recorded at 2.50 percent. Interest Rate in Albania is expected to be 2.50 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Albania Interest Rate is projected to trend around 3.00 percent in 2027 and 3.25 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2025-11-05 03:30 PM Interest Rate Decision 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2025-12-17 03:30 PM Interest Rate Decision 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2026-03-25 03:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%
2026-05-06 02:00 PM Interest Rate Decision 2.5% 2.75%
2026-07-01 02:00 PM Interest Rate Decision
2026-08-05 02:00 PM Interest Rate Decision


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Banks Balance Sheet 2345126.91 2349361.69 ALL Million Feb 2026
Central Bank Balance Sheet 851364.20 851184.70 ALL Million Feb 2026
Deposit Interest Rate 1.50 1.50 percent Mar 2026
Interest Rate 2.50 2.50 percent Mar 2026
Lending Rate 3.50 3.50 percent Mar 2026
Loans to Private Sector 518177.34 511578.57 ALL Million Feb 2026
Money Supply M0 676184.70 682615.74 ALL Million Feb 2026
Money Supply M1 982560.56 988414.21 ALL Million Feb 2026
Money Supply M2 1214800.59 1218502.88 ALL Million Feb 2026
Money Supply M3 1983818.37 1988338.46 ALL Million Feb 2026


Albania Interest Rate
In Albania, interest rate decisions are taken by the Bank of Albania. The official interest rate is the 1-week repo rate.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
2.50 2.50 8.50 0.50 2001 - 2026 percent Daily

News Stream
Albania Keeps Key Policy Rate at 2.5%
The Bank of Albania kept its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% on March 2026, marking the fifth consecutive pause. The overnight lending and deposit rates were also held steady at 3.5% and 1.5%, respectively. Consumer price inflation averaged 2.4% in January and February, below the target of 3%, with inflationary pressures contained in rent prices. The economy expanded 3.7% over the past year, supported by growth in household spending, private investment and export of services. The unemployment rate in Q4 2025 stood at 8.3%, remaining close to its historical lows. However, the labor market remains under tension, driven by high demand in business and weak supply of workers. The Council stated overall developments in recent months have been in line with expectations and reflect a positive growth trend. However, it also highlighted rising uncertainty stemming from ongoing geopolitical tensions, warning that potential supply shocks could pose risks to inflation and future economic growth.
2026-03-25
Albania Holds Policy Rate at 2.5%
The Bank of Albania kept its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% on December 17, marking the fourth consecutive meeting pause. The overnight lending and deposit rates were also held steady at 3.5% and 1.5%, respectively. The economy maintained steady growth in the second half of 2025, driven by robust consumption, investment, and service exports, with tourism as a notable contributor. Inflation remained well-contained, with the CPI averaging 2.2% in October–November, slightly below third-quarter levels, as food, energy, and housing price pressures eased, while core inflation held steady at 3.1–3.5%. Unemployment rate eased to a one-year low of 8.1% in Q3 2025. Looking ahead, inflation is expected to return to the 3% target by Q2 2026, with risks broadly balanced between potential upward pressures from geopolitical tensions and downside risks from slower growth among key trading partners.
2025-12-17
Albania Keeps Key Rate Steady at 2.5%
The Bank of Albania kept its policy rate unchanged at 2.5% on November 5, marking the third consecutive monthly pause, with overnight lending and deposit rates steady at 3.5% and 1.5%, respectively. Non-harmonized inflation averaged 2.4% in Q3 2025, edging up from the prior quarter yet staying below the 3% target, driven by rising rents and higher services prices, while food inflation eased. Inflation is expected to reach the target in H1 2026. The economy remained strong, with GDP growing 3.6% in the first half of the year, supported by higher household consumption, private investment, and services exports. Employment and wages also increased, while the unemployment rate fell to a historic low of 8.5%. However, trade tensions and geopolitical risks pose downside pressures, and labor market tightness coupled with rapid wage growth could push inflation above forecasts.
2025-11-05