Durmishi: New methodology for the consumer basket reflects households’ actual spending

The Ministry of Economy and Labor has introduced a new method for measuring living expenses, basing the average consumer basket on official statistical data, households’ actual consumption, and current market prices for products and services.

During a press conference today, Minister of Economy and Labor Besar Durmishi explained the new methodology. According to him, the approach aims to provide the most realistic, objective and transparent picture possible of household spending in North Macedonia.

Durmishi said the calculations are not based on assumed or desired needs, but on the consumption households have actually recorded, in line with internationally recognized statistical classifications.

The average consumer basket consists of 11 categories, including food and beverages, housing, transport, healthcare, education, clothing and footwear, communications, as well as other products and services.

The database used for the calculation includes information from the State Statistical Office, product prices collected in eight cities, data from 23 fruit and vegetable markets, as well as the prices of the best-selling food items in the five largest retail chains and three regional chains.

According to the ministry, the value of the average consumer basket reached 58,475 denars in August 2026. This represents an increase of just 29 denars compared with July, while spending on food and beverages fell by 255 denars in August compared with the previous month.

Compared with January this year, when the consumer basket stood at 56,381 denars, its value in August increased by 2,095 denars, or 3.7 percent.