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4 clusters · 16 sources · 46 days · First seen · Last updated

Socio-economic developments in North Macedonia

Overview

North Macedonia is experiencing diverse socio-economic shifts involving its labor market, cost of living, and real estate sector. The domestic labor market is defined by a persistent paradox of high unemployment alongside significant job vacancies. Data from the State Statistical Office recorded 10,697 job vacancies in the second quarter of 2026, representing a vacancy rate of 2.17 percent. The highest demand is found in the service and sales sectors, particularly in accommodation and food services, which reported a vacancy rate of 6.23 percent. By September 2026, approximately 90,000 people were classified as unemployed while 10,000 positions remained available. Experts attribute this gap to a mismatch between worker qualifications and market needs, alongside factors such as regional distribution, wage levels, and the emigration of the working-age population.

Economic pressure is intensified by the rising cost of living. In August 2026, the average monthly net salary rose to 48,733 denars, a 7.6 percent increase from the previous year. The highest growth was observed in the water supply and waste management sector (11.9 percent), administrative and support services (10.7 percent), and the manufacturing industry (9.0 percent). Computer programmers remain the highest-paid professionals, earning an average of 110,468 denars, while the security and investigation sector reports the lowest average at 28,249 denars. Despite nominal wage growth, the Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia (SSM) warns of a declining standard of living, noting that a four-member family requires a minimum monthly basket of 70,358 denars to cover basic needs. Political group VREDI noted that the nominal minimum wage rose from 22,567 denars in 2024 to 26,046 denars in 2026, an increase they describe as “67% higher than the growth seen during the 2016–2018 period.” Simultaneously, the housing market shows contradictory trends.

Entities

North Macedonia · State Statistical Office of North Macedonia · Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia · Regional Chamber of Commerce · Abil Baush

Claims

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

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 8 sources
    North Macedonia average net salary rises to 48,733 denars

    Average net salaries in North Macedonia rose 7.6% to 48,733 denars in August 2026, but remain significantly below the 70,358 denars required for a four-member family's basic needs.

  2. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    North Macedonia cost of living analysis shows labor required for basic expenses

    Calculations show that in North Macedonia, a minimum wage earner must work nearly 39 hours a week just to cover food for a four-person family.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    North Macedonia labor market faces record job vacancies and high unemployment

    North Macedonia faces a labor market paradox with over 10,000 job vacancies in Q2 2026, despite having more than 88,000 registered job seekers, highlighting a significant skills mismatch.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    North Macedonia labor market faces skill gaps and low engagement

    North Macedonia faces a labor market paradox where 90,000 are unemployed despite 10,000 vacancies, driven by skill mismatches and low employee engagement.

Sources

aksam.com.tr · almakos.com · artigercek.com · biznisinfo.mk · denar.mk · ekonomijaibiznis.mk · gazeta.mk · libertas.mk · panoptikum.mk · portalb.mk · racin.mk · shenja.tv · sitel.com.mk · tetovasot.com · trn.mk · ts.mk

This summary has been updated 7 times: see revision history