Between Efficiency and Accountability: A Survey-Based Analysis of Albania’s Territorial Reform Outcomes - Economicus

by Dr. Zhaklina DHAMO, Dokt. Roland BEJKO

Abstract
This study evaluates the outcomes of Albania’s 2015 Administrative and Territorial Reform (ATR), which aimed to improve public service delivery, enhance local autonomy, and align local governance with European standards. The reform reduced the number of local government units from 373 to 61 municipalities, expanding their responsibilities and territorial coverage. However, nearly a decade later, concerns persist regarding the effectiveness and equity of service provision. Using a structured questionnaire distributed to 248 citizens across five counties— Tirana, Shkodra, Vlora, Elbasan, and Gjirokastra—the study assesses perceptions of municipal service delivery in infrastructure, social services, education and culture, economic development, and security. Results indicate widespread dissatisfaction: 89% of respondents preferred the quality of services before the reform. Key issues include poor infrastructure maintenance, limited access to public transport, inadequate social services, and weak municipal support for local economic activity. In rural areas, 15% of citizens report receiving no infrastructure services at all. The study also highlights persistent gaps in fiscal decentralization, with municipal budgets remaining stagnant at around 1% of GDP, constraining local capacity to implement new functions effectively. Citizens also exhibit low awareness of administrative roles, reflecting a disconnection between local institutions and communities. These findings suggest that the ATR has fallen short of its intended goals, weakening institutional proximity and reducing accountability. The study calls for a reassessment of Albania’s decentralization strategy and territorial organization to better reflect citizen needs and institutional capabilities.
Keywords: Territorial reform, Local Governance, Albania, Citizen Perception, Decentralization

https://doi.org/10.58944/lboa6974