Skopje, 16 September 2025 (MIA) - The average active transparency of the ministries, Government, and municipalities in 2025 stands at 80 percent, the same as in 2024, according to the regular annual ranking of institutions based on the Active Transparency Index published by the Center for Civil Communications.

The ranking includes 102 institutions – all ministries, municipalities, and the Government.

The Index shows that the active transparency of the ministries and the Government has decreased compared to 2024, now standing at 84 percent, down from 86 percent. Meanwhile, the municipalities have maintained the same level of active transparency as last year, at 79 percent. Notably, 44 percent of the institutions included in the assessment have worsened their active transparency (compared to 19 percent last year).

“The Ministry of Defense has maintained the maximum 100 percent active transparency for the fifth consecutive year, while the newly established Ministry of Digital Transformation also achieved a 100 percent result this year. Among the municipalities, unlike last year when five shared the top spot with 100 percent active transparency, this year only two – Kavadarci and Kichevo – have retained that position,” the Center said in a press release.

In terms of regions, the country’s Eastern Region ranks first for the third consecutive year, maintaining the same level of active transparency as last year – 88 percent. At the bottom of the list is the Polog Region, with a reduced level of active transparency compared to last year – 71 percent, down from 73 percent.

The report shows that ministries and municipalities publish the least amount of information about finances (ministries at 58 percent, and municipalities at 59 percent).

There has been a significant decline in responses to requests for free access to public information, which were sent to all institutions on the same day with the same question, according to the Center. Municipalities responded on average in 21 days (compared to 15 days last year), while ministries took 23 days (compared to 14 days last year). The legal deadline for responses is 20 days.

Only 54 percent of institutions responded within the legal deadline of 20 days, down from 71 percent in 2024.

Photo: Center for Civil Communications