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18 clusters · 61 sources · 70 days · First seen · Last updated

North Macedonia public sector pay and pension system updates

Overview

The VMRO-DPMNE-led government in North Macedonia continues to implement salary and pension increases across various sectors. In the public sector, recent agreements with unions UPOZ and SADO aim to improve pay for administrative staff. Education workers have seen a 20% salary increase, with primary and secondary school employees on track for raises between 46% and 60% within one mandate, and university professors receiving a 14% increase. In healthcare, an annex to the collective agreement raised salaries by 4,815 denars net, with nurses expected to reach total raises of 50% by the end of the mandate. Concerns regarding the stability of the pension and disability insurance fund have intensified. The Fiscal Council has warned that without intervention, the deficit could reach 6.3 percent of GDP by 2030 and peak at 6.6 percent between 2035 and 2037. To address this, the Council has proposed increasing the contribution rate to 20% and limiting indexation to inflation. Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has responded by assuring citizens that the pension system remains secure, stating there are currently no plans to increase the retirement age. He has also mentioned the possibility of nationalizing second-pillar assets, a move criticized by the Association of Pension Fund Management Companies. Political tension has emerged as the SDSM opposition, led by Venko Filipče, criticized the government’s economic results and warned of a 1 billion euro pension fund deficit. In response, VMRO-DPMNE defended the administration, claiming average salaries and pensions have grown faster under their leadership than under previous administrations. Regarding the cost of living, September 2026 inflation remained unchanged monthly, with an annual increase of 2.7%. While the minimum wage is projected to reach 26,046 denars by 2026, union data suggests a four-person household requires significantly more to cover basic needs and rent.

Entities

North Macedonia · VMRO-DPMNE · Hristijan Mickoski · State Statistical Office · Besar Durmishi

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    North Macedonia minimum wage increases projected through 2026

    VLEN reports that North Macedonia's net minimum wage is set to rise from 22,567 denars in 2024 to 26,046 denars by 2026, a nominal increase 67% higher than the 2016–2018 period.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    North Macedonia pension funds reach 3.5 billion euros in assets

    Private pension fund assets in North Macedonia grew to 215.1 billion denars (3.5 billion euros) by late September, amid political debates over potential nationalization.

  3. [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    North Macedonia inflation holds steady at 2.7% annually

    North Macedonia's annual inflation rate stood at 2.7% in September 2026, with monthly costs remaining unchanged despite rising food prices.

  4. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Mickoski rejects raising retirement age amid pension fund deficit concerns

    Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski stated that North Macedonia's pension system is stable, rejecting proposals to raise the retirement age despite warnings of a potential 1.3 billion euro deficit.

  5. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    North Macedonia Fiscal Council proposes raising pension contributions to 20%

    The Fiscal Council of North Macedonia proposes raising pension contribution rates to 20% to combat a growing deficit, which currently faces a 500 million euro shortage.

  6. [BUSINESS] 6 sources
    North Macedonia announces 3% pension increase for September

    North Macedonia will implement a 3% pension increase in October, though critics argue the rise fails to keep pace with rising food and maintenance costs.

  7. [POLITICS] 12 sources
    North Macedonia faces SDSM leadership crisis and pension debates

    North Macedonia faces political friction as the '12:05' platform calls for SDSM leadership changes, while ruling and opposition parties clash over pension fund stability and a scheduled 3% pension increase.

  8. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    North Macedonia to increase pensions by 3% to 3.5% in October

    North Macedonian pensions are expected to increase by 3% to 3.5% in October, using a new percentage-based methodology tied to inflation and wage growth.

  9. [POLITICS] 2 sources
    VMRO-DPMNE defends North Macedonia pension system stability

    VMRO-DPMNE defended the stability of North Macedonia's pension system, claiming pensions have risen by 7,000 denars under their leadership while accusing SDSM of spreading unfounded panic.

  10. [POLITICS] 3 sources
    North Macedonia to implement percentage-based pension increases

    Macedonian pensions are expected to increase by 3 to 3.5 percent in September, using a percentage-based adjustment method tied to inflation and wage growth.

  11. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    North Macedonia pension adjustment to begin September 1

    North Macedonia will begin a legal pension adjustment on September 1, with increases expected to be paid on October 1 based on inflation and wage growth.

  12. [BUSINESS] 7 sources
    VMRO-DPMNE claims faster growth in salaries and pensions

    VMRO-DPMNE claims that under its leadership, North Macedonia has seen faster growth in average salaries and pensions compared to the previous SDS-DUI government.

  13. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    Besar Durmishi discusses minimum wage reforms and state enterprise laws

    North Macedonia's Minister of Economy and Labor is open to discussing a new minimum wage formula and denied plans to sell state shares under the new Law on Public Enterprises.

  14. [BUSINESS] 22 sources
    North Macedonia pensions expected to rise by 3 percent in September

    North Macedonian pensioners are expected to see a roughly 3 percent increase in September, based on adjustments to average salaries and living costs.

  15. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    North Macedonia economic data shows rising costs and salary trends

    Economic reports from North Macedonia show a four-person family needs at least 68,675 denars for basic needs, while the average net salary rose 6.4% annually to 48,381 denars in June 2026.

  16. [POLITICS] 11 sources
    SDSM proposes 600 euro minimum wage and healthcare salary hikes

    SDSM President Venko Filipče announced plans to propose a 600 euro minimum wage and 40% salary increases for healthcare and education workers to combat rising living costs in North Macedonia.

  17. [BUSINESS] 4 sources
    North Macedonia to implement percentage-based pension increases in September

    North Macedonia is set to implement a percentage-based pension increase in September, meaning higher earners will receive larger absolute raises than before.

  18. [POLITICS] 5 sources
    North Macedonia public sector wage increases via collective agreements

    The VMRO-DPMNE government in North Macedonia has secured collective agreements to increase public sector wages in healthcare, education, administration, and security.

Sources

24-ore.com · 360stepeni.mk · a1on.mk · albinfo.ch · alfa.mk · bankarstvo.mk · biznisinfo.mk · biznisvesti.mk · centar.mk · denesen.mk · ekonomijaibiznis.mk · epokaere.com · expres.mk · faktiditor.ch · gazeta.mk · gazeta10.com · gijotina.com · javanews.al · lajmpress.org · libertas.mk · lider.mk · lideri.mk · makfax.com.mk · makpress.mk · miroslavaarpasova.blog.sme.sk · nezavisen.mk · ohridsky.com · opserver.mk · panoptikum.mk · pari.com.mk · petel.bg · plusinfo.mk · podtepeto.com · press24.mk · prv.mk · racin.mk · reporter.mk · republika.mk · sdsm.org.mk · shenja.tv · sitel.com.mk · skopje1.mk · skopskoeho.mk · slobodenpecat.mk · sport1.mk · telegrafi.com · tetova1.mk · tocka.com.mk

This summary has been updated 22 times: see revision history