According to the audit findings, more than half of the funds for individual measures were concentrated in a limited number of employment centers. Specifically, 62.05 percent of the self-employment measure, as well as more than 50 percent of the wage subsidy measures and those for the employment and growth of legal entities, were implemented only in several cities, namely Skopje, Tetovo, Struga, Kumanovo and Probishtip, while the rest of the country benefited significantly less.

The auditors identified irregularities and inconsistencies in the work of the Employment Agency, and therefore issued a qualified opinion regarding the truthfulness and objectivity of the financial statements, as well as an adverse opinion on compliance with legal regulations, guidelines and policies established for 2024.

“In 2024, the Employment Agency paid 1,326,958 thousand denars or approximately 21,541,526 euros in cash compensation in the event of unemployment, of which 876,960 thousand denars (14,236,364 euros) for cash compensation and 449,998 thousand denars (7,305,162 euros) for material security, which represents 40.6% of the Employment Agency’s total expenditures in 2024. Payments for cash compensation are 27.13 percent higher, or 187,148 thousand denars more, compared with 2023,” the SAO said.

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The SAO report emphasizes that the 2024 audit issued an adverse opinion regarding the accurate and fair presentation of the financial position and the results of financial activities, as well as on the compliance of financial transactions with the relevant legislation, guidelines, and established policies.

According to the report, revenue from contributions collected for PIO1 in 2024 increased by 14% compared with 2023, reaching 71,435,601 thousand denars and accounting for 61.74% of total realized revenue.

However, this revenue growth in 2024 remains insufficient to cover pension expenditures, which have also increased every year and in 2024 reached 90,277,241 thousand denars.

Registry data show that at the end of 2024, the system counted 556,294 insured persons and 343,048 pensioners. This translates into a ratio of 1.63 insured persons for every pensioner, marking a slight decline compared with the previous year.

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