The average household in the country spends over 60 percent of total income to meet basic needs such as food, clothing and utilities.
The data published by the State Statistical Office in the latest issue “North Macedonia in Figures” show that in 2019 the citizens spent the most money on food and soft drinks (43.1) and utilities (10.8). The costs of repaying loans and investing in real estate do not lag behind either (8.0).
About six percent of total consumption is spent on transportation, five percent is spent on clothing and footwear, four and a half percent on furniture and household items, and four percent on restaurants and hotels. Citizens spend the least money on education and cultural activities.
Statistics show increased cost of living in 2019 compared to 2018. According to data released in the publication, the cost of living index last year increased by 0.8 percent.
Increased costs were recorded for alcoholic beverages, tobacco, food and soft drinks, and decreased costs for clothing and footwear, transportation and housing.
