World Bank published today a periodic report on the Western Balkans, according to which all the six countries of the region are expected to fall in recession due to the coronavirus pandemics.

Albanian economy growth is expected to from -5 to -7 percent. In Albania’s case, the last November’s earthquake has had an important impact besides Covid-19.

If the pandemic slows down and the restrictive measures are lifted in the end of June, the economy may start healing by the second half of the year. But, if it lasts and the measures are lifted by August, the healing may start in the last trimester of the year.

The recession and the economic supporting measures are expected to increase the fiscal deficit and grow the government’s debt up to 75.8 percent of the gross domestic product.