Why does agriculture employ so many people in Albania?

Agriculture employs a significant portion of the Albanian workforce—approximately half of the economically active population—primarily due to the persistence of traditional farming methods and a lack of mechanization, which necessitate a high number of farmworkers to maintain production levels.1

Additionally, structural economic changes and widespread unemployment have limited alternative job opportunities for many citizens. Following the transition from a communist system, many women who lost jobs in other sectors have returned to working on family farms. While the country has seen agricultural growth in the postcommunist period, the sector remains characterized by low productivity and a reliance on labor-intensive practices.21