In recent years, state and public administration jobs in Albania have become less attractive to job seekers. Despite efforts to increase salaries, the allure of working in the public sector has diminished. In 2023, there were 1,082 job openings announced in the public administration, yet they received only 14,584 applications. This equates to an average of 13.5 applications per position, a notable decrease from the 17.9 applications per position seen in 2022.
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"Salary increases do not affect all positions uniformly. There is no consistency in the pay rise. The private sector continues to offer better wages and a greater variety of positions. Additionally, many individuals opt for self-employment," explains Helena Halilaj, a lecturer and labor market expert.
Data from the Department of Public Administration indicates that out of nearly 1,100 positions announced last year, only 838 were filled. This means that only 77.5% of the vacancies were occupied.
"The unfilled positions are particularly noticeable in the middle and higher categories of specialists. This is due to the fear of SPAK (Special Anti-Corruption Structure). There is a fear that signing documents could have legal repercussions," Halilaj added.
The issue of unfilled vacancies in public administration was also raised earlier this month by Blendi Gonxhja, the Minister for Economy, Culture, and Innovation.
"I invite everyone to visit the DAP (Department of Public Administration) website. I encourage everyone to try working in the public sector again. I understand that many are disillusioned. They fear signing documents, and they fear investigations," stated Gonxhja.
This decline in applications highlights a growing concern regarding the attractiveness and security of public sector jobs in Albania. Despite salary increases, the private sector's competitive wages and diverse opportunities, coupled with fears of legal consequences, continue to deter many from pursuing careers in public administration.