Skopje, 3 June 2025 (MIA) - Citing preliminary data from the State Statistical Office, Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski told a press conference Tuesday the real growth of the gross domestic product (GDP) in Q1 of 2025 was 3 percent. The seasonally and calendar-adjusted growth rate stands at 3.2 percent.

“The Macedonian economy is ranked fourth [in Europe], immediately behind Ireland, Denmark and Poland. This is very significant, and it is no coincidence. It is the result of courage, vision and a lot of work,” Mickoski said.

The Prime Minister stressed this is the third quarter of GDP growth of 3 percent or higher since the election of the new Government. “This is proof that results must come when the country is being led in the right way, and with knowledge, planning and patience,” he said.

“We knew we couldn't waste time. We closed the chapter of stagnation, uncertainty, and manipulation. We launched a new chapter of economic growth, valuing labor, supporting the private sector, and ensuring fair competition. This growth is a very serious signal that reforms produce results, considering we are talking about the first quarter of the year, which is always the weakest and most challenging,” Mickoski added. 

The average growth, “which will be higher than 4 percent”, must be maintained if the country wishes to rank even higher by 2030, the PM said. However, Mickoski noted that this doesn’t only depend on internal parameters, but that external factors play a big role too.

“Since the average within the EU is 1.4 percent, we can say that we are two and a half times above that average, while in the eurozone, it is 1.2 percent. Belgium is at 1.1 percent; Germany at 0 percent; Estonia at 0.1 percent; France at 0.6 percent; Italy at 0.7 percent; Latvia at -0.3 percent; Hungary at -0.4 percent; Austria at -0.7 percent; Romania at 0.5 percent; Slovenia at -0.8 percent; Slovakia at 1 percent; Finland at 0.8 percent; and neighboring Serbia recorded 2 percent growth in the first quarter,” Mickoski added.

The Prime Minister said the Government aimed to quickly solve the issues in productivity and employment.

“This growth is not just a number, it represents new factories, new machinery, new contracts, new salaries, and new hope. It means families will have greater security, and young people will see a reason to stay and fight for their future in their own country. We understand that the economy is nothing without the people, which is why we are building it together, with hardworking workers, creative youth, and skilled engineers,” Mickoski stressed

Photo: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia