Prishtina, July 19, 2025 — Inflation in Kosovo is increasingly affecting everyday life, forcing citizens to cut back on their spending as prices climb faster than wages. According to the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, consumer prices in June 2025 rose by 4.3% compared to the same month last year, while month-to-month growth was 0.7%.
Many citizens, like Rexhep Hajrizi, say they’ve had to reduce outings and rethink their daily expenses due to stagnant incomes.
“We’re being forced to save as much as possible just to make it to the end of the month. Even going out has become a luxury,” Hajrizi said, adding that while prices have tripled in some sectors, wages and pensions remain the same.
Economist Fidan Qerimi explains that the price surge is largely tied to recent hikes in electricity costs. The government’s decision to require businesses to enter the open energy market has led to additional expenses that companies are passing on to consumers.
“Both the government and businesses are battling over electricity prices, but unfortunately it’s the citizens who are bearing the cost,” Qerimi stated.
Consumer rights advocate Selatin Kaçaniku has called on the government to take urgent measures to protect consumers. Among his recommendations: the establishment of an independent Ministry for Consumer Protection, the elevation of the current consumer protection unit within the Ministry of Industry to a full directorate, and a comprehensive reform of market legislation and enforcement.
As inflation continues to erode purchasing power, experts warn that without immediate government intervention, living costs will become increasingly unsustainable for large portions of the population.