North Macedonia’s annual inflation rate accelerated to 3.3% in October 2026, up from 2.7% in September, reaching its highest level since June. Price increases were recorded in several major categories, including food and non-alcoholic beverages (2.1% vs. 1.7% in September), alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics (7.8% vs. 6.5%), transport (9.5% vs. 3.3%), recreation, sport and culture (8.5% vs. 6.3%), and education (5.6% vs. 5.4%). Inflation was unchanged in housing and utilities (3.7%) and health care (1.3%).
By contrast, price growth slowed for clothing and footwear (2.6% vs. 2.7%), furniture, household equipment and routine household maintenance (1.2% vs. 2.2%), restaurants and accommodation services (4.9% vs. 5.8%), and personal care, social protection and other goods and services (2.1% vs. 2.6%). Prices declined in information and communication (-0.1% vs. 0.4%). On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.4% in October, after remaining flat in the previous month.
