Skopje, 29 December 2025 (MIA) – The government remains committed to improving the standards for living for the population as well as equality in income distribution, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski said Monday.

Speaking to members of the media after visiting the University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje, Mickoski referred to the latest statistical data on poverty in the country. Regarding the poverty rate and the so-called Gini index, he said the parameter showing the income distribution rate among the population in 2024 was lower than the year before, also being most favourable in the past four years.

“If poverty rate was 23 percent in 2020, 2024 recorded 21.9 percent. Regarding income inequality, this Gini index in Macedonia in 2024 was under 30 percent for the first time in the past 30 years. Dropping from 33.3 to 29.1 percent, it’s the best in the region. This index is better than the European average and also compared to all the countries in the region, meaning we have better equality in income distribution among the population,” Mickoski stated.

The government, he noted, will continue to work on programs aimed at improving conditions and I urge the municipalities to continue projects for newlyweds, mothers, etc.

As regards the pensioner poverty rate, PM Mickoski said he expects it to be drastically improved compared to previous years after the implementation of the linear increase in pensions.

The prime minister visited the University Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics in Skopje to mark the completion of a project on reconstruction and procurement of new equipment for the hospital.

Photo: MIA