Mickoski presents July figures: annual inflation 2.3%
The Prime Minister highlighted the fall in annual inflation; the opposition says it is not being felt in household budgets.
Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski today presented the inflation data for July and emphasized that the country is among the best in Europe in terms of low inflation: annual inflation stands at 2.3 percent, and retail prices are higher by 1.8 percent compared to the same period last year.
Mickoski noted that the rate is lower than the European average, which, according to the figures he cited, is 2.93 percent. He also compared it with the region and with 2022 — when, as he said, North Macedonia was ninth out of 12 countries, and now is second-lowest in inflation.
SDSM disputes the method of comparison and assessed that the benchmark period chosen was the time of the most severe energy crisis, when inflation peaked at 19.8 percent. The opposition warns that a lower rate today does not mean that prices have returned to previous levels, but that they are rising more slowly.
SDSM said: "These price increases directly eat into citizens' budgets and increase the costs of basic food products. The analysis based on data from the State Statistical Office and the National Bank shows that the purchasing power of the denar from 2022 to today has decreased by about 30% for basic products. What in 2022 could be bought for 1,000 denars, today costs 1,300 denars. Statements about 'reduced inflation', the statistical releases and the charts that Mickoski draws on a board are intended solely for propaganda purposes. Not a single word, not a chart, can convince the citizen that they are living better — the people feel and live much worse."
Referring to data from the State Statistical Office, Finance Think calculated that in July year-on-year the largest price increases were for jewelry and watches (+34.8%), recording media (+33.5%) and pre-school and primary education (+30%). There were also significant increases in social protection, liquid fuels, bank fees, sewage collection and in cultural and entertainment services — cinemas, theaters and concerts.
The latest inflation report from the State Statistical Office shows that on a monthly level prices are almost flat: in July, compared to June, inflation was only 0.1 percent.
Photo: press material from the event
