Eurostat: Macedonia records lowest living standard in Europe
Eurostat index places Macedonia at 49,7 against EU average of 100; figures for Macedonia are reported as estimates.
Data published by Eurostat show that North Macedonia last year had the lowest standard of living among European countries — the country's index stands at 49.7, while the European Union average is set at 100.
That means that, according to the measure, real consumption per inhabitant is at about half of the EU average and places North Macedonia at the bottom in the regional comparison.
In the published data, listed ahead of North Macedonia are Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania. The statement emphasizes that the data for North Macedonia are estimated.
The sharp political response
The reaction was not long in coming: from the parliamentary podium political rivals Filipche and Mickoski exchanged accusations after the statistics were published.
Analysts assess that these figures will revive the debate on economic policy, the cost of living and the effect of measures intended to increase incomes and real household consumption.
Photo: press material from the event
