Ministry basket 58,475 denars, unions 69,432 — 11,000-denar gap

Two competing calculations put the monthly minimum costs for a four-person household in different ranges: the Ministry of Economy and Labour’s basket for August totals 58,475 denars, while the trade unions’ minimum basket for September reaches 69,432 denars — a gap of about 11,000 denars. The ministry presented its figures and methodology on 9 October 2026. Author: Daniela Trpchevska-Zafirovska.

Why the numbers differ

The ministry’s basket breaks down to 21,132 denars for food and beverages and 1,429 denars for health services. Minister Besar Durmishi told reporters that the new calculation is based on State Statistical Office data, price checks in eight cities, information from 23 fruit and vegetable markets and the best-selling grocery items in major retail chains.

According to the ministry’s comparison, the August basket is higher than July by only 29 denars, while food and beverage costs fell by 255 denars. Compared with January — when the ministry’s basket measured 56,381 denars — the required funds have risen by 2,095 denars, or 3.7 percent.

“We do not want to enter into a contest whose basket is higher or lower. Our goal is not to minimise citizens' costs, but to provide an objective and transparent picture of consumption,” Durmishi said.

The ministry also used data from the last census showing that 95 percent of the population lives in owner-occupied housing. The new methodology will be reviewed at the Economic and Social Council meeting scheduled for 19 October, where the minimum wage is also expected to be discussed.

In parallel, the Confederation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) calculated a substantially higher minimum basket for September: 69,432 denars, up 757 denars from August. SSM’s figures show a year-on-year rise of 4,355 denars and a two-year increase of 8,126 denars; from the start of 2026 until September the basket grew by 3,019 denars.

SSM places the largest share of expenses on food and beverages — 25,259 denars or 36.4 percent of the total. For households that pay rent, estimated monthly costs reach 84,807 denars.

Opposition parties pointed to an expanding gap between incomes and living costs, arguing that two minimum wages are no longer enough to cover basic needs. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski, speaking in an interview on Alsat television, acknowledged persistent financial pressures for citizens but highlighted economic positives: low inflation, a regional and European-leading GDP growth rate in the second quarter of 2026, a reported GDP growth of 4.3 percent, and exports that grew faster than imports in July and August. He added that average inflation in the third quarter was below the European average.

Photo: press material from the event