SSM: consumption basket for October 70,358 denars; rented households 85,733 denars
SSM reports a 1.33% monthly rise; food costs alone exceed the minimum wage.
Household living costs continue to climb: the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) says its consumption basket for October reached 70,358 denars, a monthly increase of 926 denars, or 1.33%.
For families living in rented accommodation the organisation calculates a much higher figure: 85,733 denars per month.
Food alone requires 26,170 denars — more than 46% of the typical household's real monthly income and 124 denars higher than the official minimum wage of 26,046 denars.
Price trend and political reactions
SSM notes that the upward trend is persistent: since January the basket has become heavier by 3,945 denars, about half of which is attributable solely to food price increases.
The opposition party SDSM sharply criticised the decline in living standards and rising impoverishment. The Government of North Macedonia published its own consumption basket, which it put at 58,475 denars — more than 11,000 denars lower than SSM's figure — arguing that its methodology is more objective. Trade unions are calling for an immediate rise in wages to ease household budgets amid continuing price increases.
Photo: press material from the event
