Why is Albania more expensive than Macedonia?
Posted by MelodicBed4180@reddit | AskBalkans | View on Reddit | 129 comments
Going by numbeo, Albania is overall 40% more expensive than Macedonia. Restaurant prices a 56% higher and rents almost double. But average wages are the same. I find this strange considering they are neighbouring countries with the same salaries. Is there a bias on numbeo where there’s more prices coming from tourist in Albania or is this how things are?
Pristine10887@reddit
Cause Albania is beautiful and Macedonia is a shithole
The_Espgut@reddit
*North*
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
Not sure why you're getting downvoted. I will keep correcting it wherever I see it. Macedonia by itself is a region in the north of Greece. North Macedonia is a country.
KPlusGauda@reddit
Because out of +/- 10 countries of the Balkans, the only ones who care about it are Greeks.
Which is just insane. You are literally one of the most popular countries on the planet. Tourism, history, pop culture, you punch waaaay above your weight. And it's so annoying when you bully Macedonia, the country, because of their name.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
Us Greeks see it as North Macedonia has bullied us in using Greek (Hellenistic) names, symbols and at the end of the day a part of our history as their own. If Greek claims were based on nothing and completely unfair these would have gone nowhere. There is a reason why they haven't been able to use the word Macedonia as their country name literally ever.
To say that it's annoying just because of a name is a very simplistic way to view the issue and it shows your understanding of the issue.
Anyways, I don't believe this is a place to discuss this, but I do believe we should eventually all agree in this sub if we're going to call a country by its proper name that was agreed upon from officials from both countries (with the risk of getting down voted I don't care) or we can call the country with a made-up name because I can use my own made up names too.
KPlusGauda@reddit
This just shows that, despite your history, you are indeed a small nation in your minds.
I will continue to call it "Macedonia" and jobless Greeks will never change it.
And this is not disrespect to Greece, I am simply not interested in this madness.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
It shows by your attacks (calling people you don't know jobless) how much you are bothered by the truth. I didn't have any personal attacks to any people of any country. I simply state that there is a correct name that all governments have agreed upon and there's also an incorrect name which is my choice to correct every time I see it written wrong. If this is too hard for you to understand, then there is no point in continuing this discussion
KPlusGauda@reddit
Except for the fact that I like Macedonia, I don't have any personal connections to the country. What I do mind is bullying, and this is what Greece is doing for, what, 20 years now?
Yes, we all know the official name of the country, so there is zero need for you to mention that. The rest of us simply don't care about your feelings, even if you are technically correct (which you are, yes). But we don't care, and you correcting us only waste your own time.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
If you don't care, I wouldn't have all these people commenting under my correction. I will keep correcting. Thank you very much. Or else we can also start using made up names like FYROM
CaptainComfortable43@reddit
Small country small people
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
It's not madness. It's history. But sure whatever fits your narrative
sugarmaxxing@reddit
As somebody from the country, I don't think it's that big of a deal if people use North Macedonia instead of Macedonia online but we're not official representatives of our country and we have no obligation to add "North" to the name. You can argue about history and politics all you want (as is common by mentioning the name) but the fact is that most Macedonians will continue to say "Macedonia" and it's not like there's some legally binding system about what we can say online. If the subreddit wants to enforce rules about the name, so be it. A very simple solution is to not instantly start arguments about the name and that's that.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
And the fact is also that Greeks (and others) will correct that every time they see it. So I don't understand where the problem is. Let them correct it. Don't get upset about it
sugarmaxxing@reddit
You yourself complain about there being a war in the comment section, but you spark it with the corrections. If you simply discuss the post and not the name then there would be no issue, but you're being pedantic hence the downvotes. It's your choice to bring these politics into the post. If somebody started an argument for saying "North Macedonia" then I would say the same.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
Why would someone start an argument for using the correct name? I think that's the breakdown in communication we're having. Is. You equate the 2
sugarmaxxing@reddit
Because this is a post discussing prices between Macedonia and Albania, it has nothing to do with the spat whatsoever. You can comment on the topic if you want and use "North Macedonia' and I guarantee you people wouldn't care that much, but if you instead choose to be a smartass and correct the wording, then of course it's going to spark an argument. At the end the day the whole spat is a big can of worms but there is no obligation for us to say North Macedonia or for you to say Macedonia, regardless of the agreement. Again, you're free to correct people but it could upset others and get reactions, but if that's what you want have at it.
baddzie@reddit
Probably has something to do with Albania being a more touristy place, so automatically the prices tend to be higher
Boeing367-80@reddit
Tourism has been on steroids in Albania the last couple years.
Tirana airport passengers were 3.3 million in 2019 and 10.7 million in 2024. The country is overrun with tourists relative to past levels.
etnoexodus@reddit
That could also be Albanians coming back home
Codepressed@reddit
Also if I want to go Macedonia, I need to go first to travel to Albania and take a bus
Professional-Drag256@reddit
ITS NOT MACEDONIA. It’s western Bulgaria.
MelodicBed4180@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the reply guys. As expected, tourism has a big influence. How about groceries prices? Even those are more expensive compared to North Macedonia
AdventurousQuail4986@reddit
Yes they are higher.Mostly is due to rent.Also most of our stuff is imported.Agriculture has taken a big dip lately , also the unavailability of good Agricultural machinery and very low man power.
Big Vat ( 20%)
Also right now in Albania we dont have chains like Lidl or Aldi but we have expensive one like Spar and Conad wich they claim to import everything from Italy or EU.
Forerunner666@reddit
Stayed in Tirana for two needs just by a Conad. I was impressed by how expensive it was. It was always empty too.
Playful-Falcon-6243@reddit
Conad is one of the most expensive supermarkets in tirana. Quality is also better
Mako2401@reddit
Albania is more expensive because of three main factors :
The Adriatic Sea . Albania has some of the best access to the Adriatic Sea, and tourists prefer going to the sea than to a lake / mountain (which is the main tourism in Macedonia)
Belief that Albania will enter the EU relatively quickly. When you have that kind of belief, people tend to raise prices, and invest in more expensive/ luxurious attractions.
Improvements in infrastructure and crime. Albania for a very long time suffered from basic infrastructural problems and had very high crime rates. Now those are improving, and with that the prices are going up.
However, with all of this, I must say that the country that went insane with the prices is Croatia. Albania is still the cheapest place to go if you wanna go to the sea.
Substratas@reddit
Oh man, nearly 40% of our coastline is in the Ionian Sea, and all the good beaches, including the Albanian Riviera, are located ONLY in the Ionian sea (where all the big tourism & great pictures u see online are taken), yet I see people online repeatedly talk only about our “Adriatic coast”. The Adriatic sea in Albania is so dirty, it’s literally considered ghetto to go there during summer.
bayern_16@reddit
What is the climate like? I've never been. Do you get snowbirds like Florida does? These are people who live in colder climates that only live in Florida in the winter (Florida is way way to hot in the summer).
Substratas@reddit
It's not good for snowbirds imo. Albania's climate is generally very similar to central & southern continental Italy.
It's mostly Mediterranean but not the California kind of Mediterranean, not even the Europe's west coast type of Mediterranean (which has a small diurnal variation).
Unlike summers which are virtually cloudless, Januaries in Tirana are very rainy & humid, with 12-13°C highs during the day & 1-2°C lows at night / very early morning. The high humidity makes the night temperatures feel even colder.
The climate is even milder if you're closer to the coast, but it's nowhere near as warm as south Florida during winter.
KPlusGauda@reddit
If we only talk about east Adriatic, Albania probably has the worst coastline. Ionian sea however is quite beautiful.
phobug@reddit
Totally agree with 1. I can see the link for 2. But you lost me a 3, how is improving infrastructure and shipping the criminals to the west raise the prices in Albania?
Mako2401@reddit
It's psychology. Good roads and low crime rate attracts richer tourists, thus the prices go up. IT's a combination of all those things, not just one .
BoLoYu@reddit
The difference is the big Albanian emigrant community who visits and brings in their Euros and dollars, they destroy the local pricing because prices get jacked up for their spending.
Substratas@reddit
Girl, how can u even ask about North Macedonia when Tirana is literally becoming even more expensive than Athens? 😂
Albania is expensive because some of the fraudluencers who were travelling the world tried sushi, liked it & then came back to Albania with the idea to open a sushi restaurant with deplorable quality but prices higher than in Monaco.
Then the rest of those people who can’t afford to ever go abroad, go to those trashy restaurants in Tirana and waste half of their salaries on 24 maki rolls stuffed with only rice & one parched salmon cell (two if you are lucky) just to take instagram pictures so that their co-peasants can see that they’re eating sushi, and because they can’t afford to try it anywhere else in the world, their bar is too low so they are satisfied with that abomination.
That’s why Albania is so expensive…
urraca1@reddit
Are those prices accurate? The hotels are still really cheap compared to western and central Europe.
Substratas@reddit
Compared to London & Stockholm yes, but not compared to Poland (especially for the quality of the accomodation you get). At least not from my experience.
urraca1@reddit
I was comparing to Poland specifically as I live there.
sixers2021champions@reddit
Maybe a little bit more but yes
SecretRaspberry9955@reddit
Oh yeah that's def why Albania is expensive, because of the sushi
thatsexypotato-@reddit
This is insane but tracks with what I have seen this year in Tirana… the prices were closer to German prices than to Macedonian ones
Substratas@reddit
Albania is digging its own grave, and that is partially a result of our hustler mentality that it’s about taking advantage of the moment without thinking of the long-term consequences.
I used to advertise the crap out of it to all my teachers & classmates before because I wanted people to go and spend their money in Albania, but these last two years I see only people complaining extensively about the horrible service / food quality & abnormally high prices, so I stopped doing that because I don’t wanna look like those scammers who own the riviera and charge people a fortune for one parasol & two sunbeds.
Electronic_Mango4055@reddit
Your question was answered already but Albania is also just more desirable as a country and their diaspora is wealthier - north Macedonia is land locked, makes a huge difference
BeatnologicalMNE@reddit
Too much $$$$ from EU Albanians coming into Tirana, couple that with heavy increase when it comes to tourists coming to Albania. Same thing that happened to Croatia, then Montenegro will happen to Albania (it's already happening).
Get ready for sky high prices of everything thanks to influx of tourists & wealthy immigrants buying property along Albanian coastline.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
The sub admins need to put an end to this. Every post there is mention of Macedonia and/or North Macedonia, there is a war in the comments that's getting boring. Can we all agree to what's acceptable and what's right and what's wrong?
KPlusGauda@reddit
Yes, acceptable is whatever people write, as long as the rest of us understand what they meant. How about that? If Greeks are this b'hurt, they can leave the sub
Born-Ad8034@reddit
I mean, have you seen Macedonians try to work a calculator?
Dude_from_Europe@reddit
Dvatata plus tritata is pettata?
Mysterious_Contact_2@reddit
😅😅😅😅😅
CaptainComfortable43@reddit
There is no country called Macedonia. Maybe you are referring to Northern Macedonia?
Mako2401@reddit
North Ireland - Irish. North Korean - Koreans. North Macedonia - Macedonians.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
What you just wrote is completely out of topic. The person didn't say don't call the macedonians. The person said don't call the country Macedonia. It's North Macedonia. It's not Korea. It's South Korea. Get it? It's not that hard
athvellos22@reddit
Its time to end this stupid feud. Greece will annex you and we will be so united and happy
Ferg134@reddit
But Greece doesn't want to annex them, they're nothing to us. Bulgaria is another story however, since they are the same people mostly.
athvellos22@reddit
I am Greek and i want to annex them. Ειναι τα Μακεδονικά αδελφια μας
radiusmac@reddit
Come to Lerin, fellow greek neighbor. We will have panagur this weekend. Come and listen for traditional Macedonian music.
Dont be scared, we dont eat people.
CaptainComfortable43@reddit
I am not Greek and definitely not your neighbour. Enjoy your slavian lifestyle and music and when you can spare some time read a history book maybe…cheers
measure_@reddit
Well your comment history says otherwise
radiusmac@reddit
Oh, thank you so much for your suggestion! I was just going to the library 🥳
starcraft-de@reddit
You also freak out when someone says "Greece" instead of "Republic of Greece" or "Hellas"?
CaptainComfortable43@reddit
No one freaked out. Open google maps in your free time if you are afraid of history books…
Hyllius1@reddit
Isn't it Northward Makedonia?
vlookup11@reddit
Shut up you sped
Realistic_Cut_9597@reddit
I never understood the Greek logic, how Macedonia is not ok but North Macedonia is.
PossessionDry3806@reddit
There is no country called Northern Macedonia. Maybe you are referring to North Macedonia?
Realorbit@reddit
What's Macedonia?
radiusmac@reddit
Its a country. With 2 parts currently occupied.
Thank you.
Fcking internet bots.
athvellos22@reddit
Come and liberate them then... At least organize some resistance or something
radiusmac@reddit
No need for resistance. They are slowly, day by day, getting back to their own homes.
And thats nothing to be ashamed if you are Greek. After all, the greeks are the ones that are leaving thes areas...
https://youtu.be/tsvGKvRbPUU
athvellos22@reddit
We are waiting for you with open arms. The minimal wage jobs in tourism have your names on them
radiusmac@reddit
Sure, buddy.
athvellos22@reddit
Hahahahahah most of them are Greeks that moved businesses in north Macedonia 😂
radiusmac@reddit
Sure, buddy.
https://youtu.be/tsvGKvRbPUU
athvellos22@reddit
And? What does this have to do with what we were saying?
radiusmac@reddit
Listen, I have to work now, its was fun alright but life goes on, cant spend my day with internet bots.
Go live in your imagination and if you want, message me, I will be this weekend in Lerin. We have panagur there.
Come, the beer is on us. We will enjoy together traditional Macedonian music.
Affectionate-Arm-405@reddit
Don't go to work. Go to war and liberate those parts.
Jolly_Narwhal_5151@reddit
What a delusional moron
radiusmac@reddit
Did I touch your soft spot? :(
Jolly_Narwhal_5151@reddit
Go believe your baba and dedo fairytales…
radiusmac@reddit
Oh, we are arguing with bugar 🤣Dont cry little baby.
Targoniann@reddit
Your kind has money?
radiusmac@reddit
These are well known banknotes and also very popular by your females in the late 90 🤣
Ask them, they know. They had very popular names "dve cerveni" 🤣🤣🤣
Targoniann@reddit
And how could one get these dve cerveni? Maybe your wives and daughters earned them by gawking on Albanians and bussing their legs open on the western side daily for some income. Otherwise, idk maybe stealing? Your kind is also good with that! Or maybe both, give some insight as you're unfortunately one of these born there (my condolences), but we both know it's one of these 3 options, so which one?
LibertyChecked28@reddit
And the population of those occupied parts living in parallel reality.
radiusmac@reddit
Maybe this is AI, idk?
https://youtu.be/BREk449PqDM?list=RDcsztY-WvWeA
radiusmac@reddit
Sure.
https://youtu.be/csztY-WvWeA?list=RDcsztY-WvWeA
Mako2401@reddit
It's a country that Greece tried to wipe out in the 90s. there was a Greek politican who said, and I quote " the Skopians will spit blood and their babies will disappear."
Luckily, today as a Macedonian, I still exist. So TLDR , Macedonia is a country with Macedonian people in it.
Jolly_Narwhal_5151@reddit
🤣🤣🤣 you are the laughing stock of the Balkans
Mako2401@reddit
We went from non existent to laughing stock. First they laugh at you then they join you is the saying.
Jolly_Narwhal_5151@reddit
No one will be joining you. Albania is already taking over you outcast
athvellos22@reddit
Do you actually want to unite with with Macedonia? 😂😂 You will be assimilated in seconds
Realorbit@reddit
You mean a Slavic Bulgarian. I don't know what some Greek politician said but I do know if the Hellenes didn't revolt we'd all still be Ottomans ..why don't you ask your politicians when they decided they would shift from Slavic culture to adopting another culture? When did that happen? Late 80s?
radiusmac@reddit
Can you take a picture from your face (cover your eyes, just your face) and send us?
Im 101% sure you look more like Turk then some "hellenic" imaginary warrior.
Realorbit@reddit
Well besides the fact that I have actually had a DNA test done and know exactly my genetic makeup if you were truly "Makedonas" you would know the speech given by Megas Alexandros regarding Hellenes and xenous (foreigners) also in the ancient Hellenic world where the Sklavenes were "slaves" if one was educated, culturally integrated and offered services to the state they could gain citizenship and be given rights. So you can be "Makedon" you just have to study the Greek language and learn the culture..mate. You wanna claim the name and culture put some work in and learn.
radiusmac@reddit
Cmooooon🤣 Dont be that kid... Its annoying arguing with a 17 year old that imagines stuff.
Genetic makeup? hahahahah jaooo... You cant make Windows format, let alone "Genetic Makeup" 😂😂😂
Enjoy your life kido, life is more than trying to propagate your believe on someone else.
Realorbit@reddit
This is your level of intellect. Zero arguments...I rest my case. приятен ден
radiusmac@reddit
Ќе научиш Македонски еден ден, ајде :)))
Т.е може твоите дома знаат ама се кријат, прашај ги 😂
Realorbit@reddit
That's not a language any ancient Makedon would understand. This however they would Ἔχε ἡμέραν εὐλογημένην
radiusmac@reddit
😂😂😂
Realorbit@reddit
Seems you were not educated in the Hellenic ways therefore your powers of intellect are subpar. This is not a worthy use of my time anymore.
Mako2401@reddit
Buddy. We survived genocide, sanctions, complete blockades, decades of you not admitting there are Macedonians in Greece... Do you think you'll win by ad hominem attacks on reddit? I was in Solun last week, talked to many Macedonians in Macedonian. Wake up to the reality.
Realorbit@reddit
I'm sure you can talk to many Bulgarians in " Macedonian" and they would understand you just fine.
Mako2401@reddit
I'm sure I can drink some "greek" coffee and eat some "greek" yogurt with them too.
athvellos22@reddit
Is that really the best you can do? Its about your "nationality" and your "heritage", get passionate.
Realorbit@reddit
Ok I'll educate you some more. Yoghurt has been referenced since ancient times when "Turkic" people hadn't begun their voyage from what is now western China to the Mediterranean. It was called xinogala meaning sour milk. The word yoghurt is Turkish. The coffee is middle eastern (I think Egyptian origin however not 100%) the reason it is called "Turkish coffee" is because the Ottoman Empire was so influential since they took over the Eastern Roman (Greek speaking ) empire nowadays called Byzantium. When the Greeks were expelled from their ancestral lands in Turkey and shipped to Greece they refused to call the Coffee Turkish firstly because it wasn't and secondly out of spite. Interesting points about coffee and yoghurt but perhaps more in depth subjects can be analysed such as mathematics, filosophy, democracy, the western alphabet, the birth of western medicine? Or were you just trying to sound smart?
athvellos22@reddit
Of course there are Macedonians in Macedonia. It goes without saying. What does this have to do with the Slavic minority though?
Question. If i write Greek with Latin alphabet, can i be Romanian? Asking for a friend.
athvellos22@reddit
Hahahahahahaha. Greece tried to do what?
VexMilk-_-@reddit
Greece*
Realorbit@reddit
You mean the ancient Hellenic kingdom where Megas (great) Alexandros ( protector of men ) son of Fillipos (fond of horses) whose horse was named Voukefalas (big head) was from? You mean the kingdom of Makedonia who used to compete in the Ancient Olympics where only Hellenic city states were eligible to enter? You mean that place? PS: I put the translation of the Greek words in brackets to help non Greek speakers understand the names of the people and animals)
Realorbit@reddit
Boom
Commercial-Arm-1992@reddit
Albania is way too expensive for what it is. They are trying to profit so much in a short time by greedflating their prices
jewfit_@reddit
I’ve been visiting Albania since last Sunday and wish that I didn’t come.
mssarac@reddit
Unfortunately tourism drives prices up
BetImaginary4945@reddit
I've said it many times, this is a governing problem. Kick off the tourists and prices will normalize. If you want turists then control the amount by instituting quotas or charging a per entry fee (i.e. €500)
albo_kapedani@reddit
For a number of reasons: * The average salaries between Albania and N. Macedonia is similar, but economic inequality is greater in Albania. Basically, more wealthy people earn much more in Albania, and more working people earn more in N. Macedonia.
Illegal trading and money laundering, though in both countries, it is more significant in Albania. Hence, there's way more "dirty" money in circulation.
The coast. Being a coastal country has driven up tourism, which in turn has spiked up the prices.
Governmental bribery. Because of the spike in tourism, local and central authorities require more winkwink handshakehandshake for licences, permits, and other things that they require. Also, since Rama has come to power, what was once a 1/4 cut given to the authorities of the permit quote, now is +4/4 cut required.
Also, I think we, particularly us albanians from Albania, are far more pretentious, snobby, and comfort-seeking than N. Macedonians. Comfort and flashiness coats. Again, spiked up prices everywhere.
Mattos_12@reddit
Albania has a better developed tourist industry and that likely drives up restaurant prices.
CorkBeoWriter@reddit
More tourism, less local depopulation.
Sufficient-View5009@reddit
It`s called "Tourism"
damjan193@reddit
I was wondering the same. I often go to Albania for work and even in Tirana which is not on the coast and in the off peak period the prices are considerably higher while the living standards are similar to ours, at least at the moment.
Endi_loshi@reddit
It is called greedflation, my friend.
RoyMastang@reddit
Macedonia is an area in Greece. I suppose you refer to the country "North Macedonia".
Get your facts straight please.
Dude_from_Europe@reddit
I feel the answer is somewhere between the two: 1. Demand is probably much higher than supply during the summer season in touristy places in Albania 2. Culturally, many in Macedonia eat out in restaurants - this means that decent prices get rewarded with clients being there during breakfast, lunch and dinner (and late dinner :)). As a result it pays off playing a long game with good quality and modest margins rather than treating the game as a one-off “let me rip people off as much as I can”
Substratas@reddit
Culturally, many in Macedonia eat out in restaurants
Yeah, unlike Albanians, you guys are culturally the kings of eating & drinking out.
iVar4sale@reddit
Because sea
BestZucchini5995@reddit
PeterLynch69@reddit
Last year in Croatia the restourant prices were same as in Germany.
ElectronicShip3@reddit
2021 I was there and it was already more expensive then Berlin.
dado697392@reddit
I keep hearing that, but when I go to local-ish places, with good food, I can pay around €13-€15 for really good food + 1 drink. With 3 adults and a few more beers around €60. Is Berlin really that “cheap”?
kra73ace@reddit
Close to Italy?
When I was traveling to Croatia, I noticed a lot of rich Italians in yachts have anchored there, possibly to get away from the tourists in Italy.
radiusmac@reddit
You are asking this question in the summer period, where I assume you visited mostly tourist places.
If you are visiting cities/regions that are 101% full and have 10 people per 1m2, its understandable that they are more expensive - they are on the sea.
Go visit Ohrid in Macedonia this period and you will understand my point.