World Bank Sees Western Balkans Growth Averaging 3.1%
The World Bank sees stronger exports lifting Western Balkans growth to 3.1 percent. Infrastructure projects are expected to offset cooling regional consumption.
Economic growth for six Western Balkans nations is projected to strengthen to an average of 3.1% during the 2026-2027 period, driven by a rebound in exports and sustained public investment. According to the latest report from the World Bank, the regional outlook follows a period of relative stagnation, with collective growth for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia forecast at 2.9% for the current year.
The lender highlighted that large-scale infrastructure projects, many of which receive funding from the European Union, will play a critical role in offsetting a projected slowdown in household consumption. While robust performance in services exports—specifically tourism and information and communications technology—continues to support the economy, consumption growth is expected to cool as wage gains stabilize and foreign direct investment inflows soften.
