Quick facts
Skopje overview
Skopje (orange) and the other large cities of North Macedonia
Skopje lies in Grad Skopje in North Macedonia at 42°N, 21.43°E, about 247 m above sea level. The local time zone is Europe/Skopje (UTC+2); GeoNames classifies it as a national capital.
It is the biggest urban centre of North Macedonia: the next largest cities are Kumanovo (75,051), Prilep (73,814), Bitola (69,287). Together, the three largest cities hold 34.6% of the national population.
The nearest large city is Čair, about 2 km away, followed by Butel (4 km).
North Macedonia as a whole has a live population of 1,801,775 (-0.6% a year) and ranks #152 of 238 countries — see the North Macedonia population page for the full statistics and the North Macedonia atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Skopje
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Čair Grad Skopje | 2 km | 64,773 |
| Butel Grad Skopje | 4 km | 36,154 |
| Šuto Orizare Grad Skopje | 5 km | 20,800 |
| Kisela Voda Grad Skopje | 8 km | 58,216 |
| Studeničani Studenichani | 12 km | 18,219 |
| Lipkovo Lipkovo | 22 km | 28,102 |
| Kumanovo Kumanovo | 28 km | 75,051 |
| Zelino Zhelino | 30 km | 25,422 |
Largest cities in North Macedonia
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SkopjeCapital | Grad Skopje | 474,889 |
| 2 | Kumanovo | Kumanovo | 75,051 |
| 3 | Prilep | Prilep | 73,814 |
| 4 | Bitola | Bitola | 69,287 |
| 5 | Čair | Grad Skopje | 64,773 |
| 6 | Tetovo | Tetovo | 63,176 |
| 7 | Kisela Voda | Grad Skopje | 58,216 |
| 8 | Veles | Veles | 57,873 |
| 9 | Gostivar | Gostivar | 50,974 |
| 10 | Shtip | Shtip | 48,279 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Skopje?
Skopje has about 474,889 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Skopje the capital of North Macedonia?
Yes — Skopje is the national capital of North Macedonia.
How big is Skopje compared with the rest of North Macedonia?
Its 474,889 residents are 26.4% of the 1,801,775 people living in North Macedonia today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Skopje?
In Grad Skopje, North Macedonia, at latitude 42 and longitude 21.43, 247 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Čair (2 km), Butel (4 km), Šuto Orizare (5 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Skopje Population 2026 — North Macedonia. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/north-macedonia/skopje/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/north-macedonia/skopje/">Skopje Population 2026 — North Macedonia</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.