More than 4,500 dubious social assistance recipients identified in North Macedonia

Inspections of social assistance records in North Macedonia have identified more than 4,500 questionable beneficiaries, according to preliminary findings released on October 7, 2026. Among those flagged are people who had emigrated years ago and cases where recipients appear not to have existed at all.

The central questions raised by the checks are who authorised those payments, who verified the beneficiary lists, and ultimately where the money ended up. Officials conducting the reviews say the discoveries point to shortcomings in the system of oversight.

Scope and financial impact

Authorities report that by removing the disputed entries the monthly social assistance outflow has fallen by about 200 million denars. At the same time, critics note that many needy citizens still face long waits before receiving help.

The findings prompt broader fiscal questions: how much was paid to such dubious beneficiaries in previous years, and what portion of those funds can realistically be recovered and returned to the state budget? Auditors and prosecutors will need to determine whether payments can be reclaimed and from whom.

The issue has also been put to public opinion: Poll: Should there be proceedings to recover unduly paid funds? Yes/No

Investigations are ongoing and officials have said they will continue to review records and strengthen control mechanisms, but they have not yet published a full accounting of historical disbursements or an exact recovery plan.

Photo: press material from the event