Demographic Disaster or Political Blunder?
North Macedonia’s Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski caused a political earthquake when he announced a tax on singles. Yes, you read that right – a tax on those who are unmarried! But just two days later, under pressure from the public and human rights organizations, he retracted the statement, claiming it was misunderstood.
Mickoski openly admitted his concern about the country’s demographic situation. The number of newborn babies is plummeting – from 23 to 16 in just a few years, and the number of marriages has dropped by 30%. He spoke of the “silent extinction” of North Macedonia as if he were a business owner seriously considering the future of his company.
Human Rights on the Pillory?
However, this idea did not go without backlash. The Network for Protection Against Discrimination and civil society coalitions condemned the announcement as deeply worrying and discriminatory. They argue that such a tax would directly violate the rights to choice, private and family life, and freedom of family planning.
The Margini coalition sharply condemned the statement, calling it political hypocrisy that offers no solutions but only worsens the problem.
Demographic Crisis or Political Panic?
Was Mickoski merely trying to draw attention to a serious problem, or did he attempt to impose a controversial and unfair law? The demographic data is alarming, but is a tax on singles the right answer?
It is clear that North Macedonia, like many other countries in the region, faces declining birth rates and youth emigration. But punishing those who are unmarried or childless is not only ineffective but dangerous.
What’s Next?
The Prime Minister retracted the statement, but the question remains: how deep is the demographic crisis, and what will the authorities actually do? Will they focus on supporting families, economic stability, and creating conditions for young people to stay, or will we see new ideas that violate basic human rights?
Meanwhile, the public and NGOs remain vigilant, ready to fight for citizens’ rights.
Conclusion
This saga of the tax on singles is a perfect example of how political statements can cause an uproar and how important it is for leaders to choose their words and measures carefully. The demographic crisis is real, but solutions must be smart, fair, and focused on support, not punishment.
What do you think about this tax on singles idea? Is it just a bad joke or a serious problem that demands urgent solutions? Drop a comment, maybe together we can come up with a better plan!
Slug: premijer-severne-makedonije-porez-samci-demografska-kriza-ljudska-prava
