The annual inflation rate in North Macedonia accelerated to 2.6% in August 2026, up from a two-year low of 2.3% in July. Price increases were recorded in several categories, including clothing and footwear (2.1% vs. 1.8% in July), housing and utilities (3.8% vs. 3.6%), health (1.5% vs. 1.3%), transport (3.4% vs. 1.1%), information and communication (1.9% vs. 2.0%), recreation and culture (8.8% vs. 5.7%), education (5.0% vs. 4.9%), and restaurants and hotels (4.8% vs. 4.4%).
Price growth for miscellaneous goods and services was unchanged at 1.9%. Meanwhile, inflation eased in alcoholic beverages and tobacco (9.4% vs. 9.5%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (1.0% vs. 1.1%), furniture and household equipment (1.7% vs. 2.1%), and insurance and financial services (0.3% vs. 1.6%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose 0.4% in August, after a 0.1% increase in the previous month.
