6th July 2026, Skopje – In the first half of the year, i.e. during the January–June period, total budget revenues reached approximately Denar 170 billion, up by 8.6% compared to the same period last year, with revenue performance exceeding 45% of the projections.
Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska, elaborating on the 2026 Supplementary Budget during the parliamentary committee debate, emphasized that public finances remain stable, with budget revenues being collected in line with projections, while expenditures are directed towards meeting legal requirements and implementing priority development policies.
“It is noteworthy that most revenues are generated through continuity in economic activity. Tax revenues amounted to Denar 96.7 billion, whereby VAT revenues amounted to Denar 43.3 billion, accounting for 44.7% in the total budget revenues. PIT revenues reached Denar 17.5 billion, CIT revenues amounted to Denar 13.8 billion, while revenues generated from excise duties totalled Denar 13.9 billion,” the Minister noted.
The data indicate that PIT revenues increased by 11.7%, VAT revenues by 16.4% and import duties revenues by 8.3%.
According to the Minister, this is clear evidence of continuity in economic activity, with the businesses remaining active, wages increasing, and institutions successfully implementing policies aimed at improving revenue collection and reducing the informal economy.
During the first six months this year, social contributions, as primary source of funding for the pension and healthcare system, were collected in the amount of Denar 58.8 billion, representing a 7.5% increase compared to the same period last year.
On the expenditure side, budget expenditures amounted to Denar 205.9 billion, ensuring fulfillment of obligations towards citizens under the legal requirements.
During the first half of 2026, the Government met its obligations to the business sector by refunding Denar 1.2 billion collected under the Solidarity Tax. Denar 58.1 billion was paid for pensions, ensuring regular payment of pensions for all pensioners. Denar 25.5 billion was spent to finance the healthcare system, while Denar 7.6 billion was paid out for the social protection of the most vulnerable categories of citizens. Transfers to municipalities through block grants for education, childcare, culture, firefighting, and other transferred competencies amounted to Denar 15.1 billion, with additional Denar 2.4 billion transferred as VAT grants. At the same time, in the first half of the year, all domestic and foreign debt was repaid in a timely and disciplined manner. Interest payments amounted to Denar 12 billion, while principal repayments on domestic and foreign debt totalled Denar 60.7 billion.
As the Minister elaborated, this is of utmost importance, as financial discipline and timely debt repayment are prerequisites for preserving the confidence of investors, international financial institutions, and credit rating agencies.
She emphasized that, on the expenditure side, the policy remains unchanged, upholding the commitment to timely payment of all obligations under the legal requirements, disciplined public finance management and prioritized financing of development policies.
The Minister highlighted that the strongest indicator of the Government’s development policy is the capital spending, standing at Denar 19.4 billion in the first half of the year, increasing by 53.5% compared to the same period last year. The Minister pointed out that this translates into scaled-up investments in roads, railways, municipal infrastructure, schools, kindergartens, healthcare facilities, water supply and sewerage systems, energy projects, and local development. By the end of May, Denar 6.3 billion was spent for the construction of Corridors 8 and 10d, with an additional Denar 2.1 billion for infrastructure projects across municipalities.
