North Macedonia’s annual inflation accelerated to 2.6% in August from 2.3% in July (chart), the state statistical office said on September 7.

Measured by the consumer price index (CPI), consumer prices rose 0.4% month-on-month in August, while cumulative inflation in the first eight months of 2026 stood at 3.7%.

The largest annual price increase was recorded for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, at 9.0%, followed by recreation and culture at 8.8%, education at 5.0%, and restaurants and accommodation services at 4.8%.

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices, a major component of household spending, increased 1.0% year-on-year.

On a monthly basis, prices rose most sharply for recreation, sports and culture, by 3.1%, followed by restaurants and accommodation services, up 2.5%.

Prices also increased for personal care and miscellaneous goods and services by 0.6%, food and non-alcoholic beverages by 0.5%, household goods and equipment by 0.4%, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels by 0.2%.

These increases were partly offset by lower transport prices, which fell 0.8%, and clothing and footwear, down 0.3%.

The retail price index rose 2.3% year-on-year in August and edged down 0.2% month-on-month.