Young People Over 21 Mostly Unemployed

10 November 2005

Sixty percent of Albanian citizens live in poverty and, to make matters worse, majority of them are young under the age of 21. Keeping in mind these numbers, reported by UNDP, the Chairman of �Albanian Society for All Ages� (ASAG), Nora Malaj addressed all government institutions in her statement for the media, with a demand to take all necessary steps to reduce this phenomenon.

Malaj added that the main problem is to guarantee citizens� prosperity, having in mind that the per capita revenue in the country is limited to 2400 $ US annually, which is below the level of absolute poverty, compared to the neighbouring countries.

The reports show that a sizeable portion of the population lives on less than 4,891 Albanian Lek per month, which is below the poverty line. The situation is extremely difficult in rural areas, with 29.8% of the population lives below the existential minimum, compared to 21% of the urban population.

Regarding the UNDP Report, Malaj emphasized the need to develop the rural zones through action of appropriate government institutions. Another alternative presented by ASAG is to repair all roads as main arteries of life in the country.