The consumer's basket is "heavier", citizens ask the government to take measures
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The increase in consumer prices is making life more difficult for the citizens of Kosovo. They express concern about the high prices of items, considering them unaffordable compared to their income. Low wages and increased imports are cited as the main factors that are negatively affecting the standard of living.
The Kosovo Statistics Agency announced on Friday that the overall harmonized index of consumer prices is higher by an average of 2.2% in July this year compared to the same period in 2023. Monthly inflation was 0,3% in July 2024. .
Citizen Ukë Stojki told KosovaPress that the prices of food items have increased beyond normal. He says that the Government of Kosovo should increase salaries.
Mejit Jetullah also estimates that the prices in the models are too high. He says that without the financial help of his family, he will not be able to make it.
Rasim Hajdari emphasizes that prices are unaffordable compared to income. He says that the government should take steps to reduce them and reduce imports.
The chairman of the "Consumatori" Association, Selatin Kaçaniku, expresses his skepticism that there will be a reduction in the prices of products. He points out that the increase in consumer prices is harming consumers and that the government should take socio-economic measures to support the most vulnerable groups.
The professor of economics, Mustafa Kadrijaj, in a statement for KosovaPress, says that the increase in the price of the consumption basket has continuously made life difficult for citizens. According to him, low wages and increased imports are the main factors affecting this situation.
Kadrijaj says that this report should be an alarm for the government to take measures.
In the KAS announcement, it is stated that the overall harmonized index of consumer prices is higher by an average of 2,2% in July of this year compared to the same period last year.
This is explained by the increase in consumer prices in COICOP groups and subgroups: flight tickets (22%); coffee, tea and cocoa (7,7%); fish (7,7%); alcoholic beverages (7,2%); trees (6,3%); solid fuels, firewood, pellets, etc. (6%); glassware, cutlery and kitchen tools (5,9%); goods and services for the usual maintenance of the household economy (5,6%); sugar, jam, honey, chocolate and sweets (5,6%); clothing (4,9%); personal care (4,3%); mineral water, soft drinks, fruit and vegetable juices (3,7%); other recreational, garden and pet items and equipment (3,6%); bread and cereals (3,1%); tobacco (2,7%); fuels and lubricants for personal transport equipment (2,1%); food products (2,1%); hotel services (1,9%); maintenance and arrangement of residence (1,8%); household appliances (1,5%); meat (1,4%); electricity (0,9%); and milk, cheese, and eggs (0,3%), with a combined impact of these subgroups of 2,4 percent on IHÇK.
Meanwhile, a drop in prices is observed in the COICOP group: vegetables (-5,2%) with an impact of (-0,2 percent) in IHÇK. /Mr. Zeneli/
