North Macedonia’s annual inflation slowed to 2.9% in February 2026, down from 3.2% in the previous month (chart), the state statistical office reported on March 9.

The highest year-on-year price increases were recorded in recreation and culture (5.4%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (4.9%), household goods and maintenance (4.6%) and restaurants and accommodation services (4.1%). Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by an annual 3.9%.

In contrast, transport prices fell 4.4% annually.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices edged up 0.2% in February, following a 0.7% drop in January.

Month-on-month, prices increased the most in education services, up 4.0%. Clothing and footwear rose by 1.1%, personal care and miscellaneous goods and services by 0.9%, while recreation, sport and culture and alcoholic beverages and tobacco increased by 0.3%. Meanwhile, transport costs fell by 0.8%, healthcare by 0.6%, and household equipment and maintenance by 0.5%.

In the first two months, the inflation stood at 3%.

The retail price index rose 1.6% year-on-year in Februarya and fell 0.3% compared with January.

Average inflation for 2025 stood at 4.1%, above 2024’s 3.5% but well below the 9.4% recorded in 2023, indicating a continued easing from the post-pandemic price surge.