For many people in North Macedonia, their income goes only toward food, while for some it is not even enough to meet that need. In comments to Alsat, respondents described the difficulty of making ends meet because of high prices, low wages and small pensions.
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According to data from the Platform Against Poverty, 22 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, while among children the figure is 29.5 percent. The difficult social situation particularly affects families with more children, single parents and Roma families.
One person interviewed said poverty had always been present, but that the situation had now worsened further.
Another respondent said everyone tries to cover their expenses, but not everyone manages to do so. He attributed this to low wages and pensions, while prices continue to rise and, in his view, are far too high.
Another person also pointed to the sharp rise in prices, saying the wage he earns is not enough to cover the cost of living. He said people work only to buy food, and in some cases their income does not even cover that.
A woman said there are still many poor people in Macedonia, and people who work only to secure food. She described the country as poor, emphasizing that wages and living standards cannot be compared with those in some other countries.
In response to this situation, the Platform Against Poverty has sent an open letter to the authorities. It calls for the immediate adoption of a strategy to fight poverty, the introduction of child benefits and a reduction in healthcare costs.
The Platform Against Poverty in North Macedonia said that, in addition to the 29.5% of children living in poverty, 38% face multidimensional poverty. The conditions these children live in put their health, education, safety and development at risk. According to the Platform, 19% of families with children receive child or family benefits, compared with 88% in the European Union.
A summary of indicators for children shows that 29.5% are affected by poverty.
Multidimensional poverty affects 38% of children.
The consequences of these conditions include risks to their health, safety and education.
Worldwide, 826 million people face extreme poverty.
Meanwhile, 2.8 billion people around the world live in inadequate housing.
Of these, more than one billion are housed in tents or abandoned buildings in slums, while over 300 million people are homeless. Source: Alsat.
