Skopje, 30 January 2026 (MIA) - The country's public debt until December 31, 2025 stands at 59.6% of GDP, the Ministry of Finance said Friday. 

According to Finance Minister Gordana Dimitrieska Kochoska, this clearly demonstrates the commitment to stable public finances and fiscal consolidation, as well as compliance with the Maastricht criteria, according to which public debt should be below 60% of GDP.

"Frankly, although the Ministry of Finance worked hard, our projections according to the Public Debt Management Strategy were that it would move slightly above 60%. But, once again, we can show and prove that we can really achieve results faster than we expected with commitment, careful planning and strict control of each expenditure, while paying attention to each expenditure, not only of the central government, but also how credits that should be withdrawn by public enterprises and joint-stock companies are spent," said Dimitrieska Kochoska.  

The Finance Minister noted that the lower level of public debt compared to expectations is mainly due to prudent management of public expenditure, as well as controlled and phased withdrawal of credit funds by public enterprises. In this process, she pointed out, the Budget Sector within the Ministry of Finance, which continuously monitors the financial conditions and reports, as well as the International Finance Sector, through which the withdrawal of funds is realized, play a significant role.

Asked about public debt year-end expectations, the Minister said she does not expect an amount of over 60%, but it is relative to the year's developments, which largely depends on the realization of revenues. "For this year, we planned and projected real tax revenues, and my expectations are that slight oscillation is possible, especially given that the e-invoice system should begin to be fully implemented," Finance Minister Dimitrieska Kochoska said. 

According to the Ministry of Finance, public debt at the end of 2025 stood at EUR 10,064.1 million, with external public debt at EUR 4,493.9 million and internal public debt at EUR 4,570.2 million. The state debt as until the end of 2025 stood at EUR 538,253.1 million, i.e. 51.8%, and recorded a decrease compared to the previous year by 1.2 percentage points.

Photo: Ministry of Finance