North Macedonia: cost of living

How much does electricity cost in North Macedonia?

Households in North Macedonia paid an average of 7.427 denars per kWh for electricity, including VAT, in the first half of 2026, 1.3% more than in the second half of 2025, according to the State Statistical Office. The average retail price of natural gas for households was 1,832.7 denars per gigajoule, 6.9% less.

Converted to euros, Eurostat puts the household price for 2,500 to 4,999 kWh a year at EUR 0.1168 per kWh in the first half of 2026. Household tariffs are regulated by the Energy and Water Services Regulatory Commission.

Official sources: SSO: Electricity and natural gas prices, first semester of 2026 · Eurostat: Electricity prices for household consumers

What is the poverty rate in North Macedonia?

21.9% of people in North Macedonia were at risk of poverty in 2024, down from 22.2% in 2023, according to the State Statistical Office's Laeken poverty indicators. The rate is the share of people whose equivalised disposable income is below 60% of the national median.

The figure comes from the Survey on Income and Living Conditions and is comparable with EU countries; Eurostat gives the same 21.9% for 2024. The poverty rate is relative, so it measures inequality at the bottom of the income distribution rather than absolute hardship.

Official sources: SSO MakStat: Laeken indicators, at-risk-of-poverty · Eurostat: At-risk-of-poverty rate

Are prices rising in North Macedonia?

Prices in North Macedonia rose 2.7% in the year to September 2026, measured by the consumer price index, according to the State Statistical Office. Prices were flat between August and September: transport fell 3.4% while furnishings and household equipment rose 1.3% and food 0.5%.

The index tracks the cost of a fixed basket of goods and services bought by households. It does not show price levels, so it cannot say whether North Macedonia is cheap or expensive compared with other countries.

Official sources: SSO: Consumer price index, September 2026

How fast are prices rising in North Macedonia?

In 2025, consumer price inflation in North Macedonia was 4.1%, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from -0.7% (2009) to 14.2% (2022). It is 15th highest of 48 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.7%. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 47th highest.

How much do people in North Macedonia spend?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in North Macedonia at $5,084 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: $11,266; North Macedonia is 37th highest of 44. Of 124 countries with 2025 data, 55th highest.

What is the extreme poverty rate in North Macedonia?

3.9%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in North Macedonia for 2019, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.4% (2008) to 12.8% (2010). Europe & Central Asia median: 0.3%; North Macedonia is 3rd highest of 42. Worldwide: 18th of 77.

How many people in North Macedonia are poor?

21.9%: that is the share of people below the national poverty line in North Macedonia for 2023, according to the World Bank. The peak was 27.0% in 2009 and the low 19.0% in 2006. It is 3rd highest of 16 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 19.1%. World rank, highest first: 17th of 39.

What is income inequality in North Macedonia?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2019, is 33.5. The peak was 46.1 in 2008 and the low 33.0 in 2018. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 30.6, and North Macedonia placed 14th highest of 42. World rank, highest first: 39th of 77.

What is food insecurity in North Macedonia?

9.2%: that is moderate or severe food insecurity in North Macedonia for 2024, according to the FAO. That is the lowest since at least 2015. Europe & Central Asia median: 7.6%; North Macedonia is 16th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 98th of 135.