TIRANA, Oct. 13 /ATA/ – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised its forecast for Albania’s economic growth in 2026 to 3.5% from 3.4%, while projecting lower inflation and an improved current account balance.

In its World Economic Outlook report released on Tuesday, the IMF saidAlbania’s economy was expected to grow by 3.5% this year, with growthforecast at 3.2% in 2027, unchanged from its previous estimate.

The Fund lowered its forecast for average inflation in Albania in 2026 by 0.2 percentage points from its April projection, to 3.2% from 3.4%.

For 2027, it now expects inflation to average 3.2%, up from its previous forecast of 3.1%.

The outlook for the current account balance has also improved. Albania’s current account deficit, which reflects the country’s economic transactions with the rest of the world, is projected to narrow to 2.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, from 2.8% in the previous forecast. For 2027, the IMF expects a deficit of 2.5% of GDP, compared with 3.4% projected in April.

The unemployment rate is forecast to remain at 8.7% in both 2026 and 2027.