Macedonia Finance Minister reports 8.6% rise in first‑half budget revenues

Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska‑Koçoska told parliament that total budget revenues reached 170 billion denars in the January–June period, an 8.6% increase over the same period last year and covering more than 45% of the annual plan. Tax receipts amounted to 96.7 billion denars, with value‑added tax contributing 43.3 billion (about 44.7% of total tax revenue), personal income tax 17.5 billion, profit tax 13.8 billion and excise duties 13.9 billion. Social contributions rose 7.5% to 58.8 billion denars, supporting the pension and health systems.

Expenditures for the half‑year totaled 205.9 billion denars, including 1.2 billion returned from solidarity tax, 58.1 billion for pensions, 25.5 billion for health, and 7.6 billion for social protection. Block‑grant transfers to municipalities amounted to 15.1 billion plus an additional 2.4 billion from VAT. The state serviced all domestic and foreign debt obligations, paying 12 billion in interest and 60.7 billion in principal repayment. Capital spending surged 53.5% year‑on‑year to 19.4 billion denars, directed at infrastructure, schools, health facilities, energy and local development projects.