The present disclosure relates to a diffuser for a radial compressor. The diffuser may comprise a diffusor duct portion formed by first and second side walls that are arranged so as to diverge at least partially from one another in a direction of flow, a blade ring having a number of blades arranged at least partially in the diffusor duct portion with each blade having a pressure side and a suction side delimited by a blade leading edge and by a blade trailing edge of the respective blade, a number of pressure equalizing openings incorporated into at least one of the first and second side walls of the diffuser duct portion in a region where the first and second side walls diverge from one another with each of the pressure equalizing openings being arranged between the pressure side of one blade and the suction side of an adjacent blade of the blade ring, and a first annular duct arranged behind the pressure equalizing openings and fluidically connected to the diffuser duct portion via at least two of the pressure equalizing openings, such that a number of regions between two adjacent blades of the blade ring in the diffuser duct portion are fluidically connectable together.