Quick facts
North Macedonia population overview
North Macedonia is the 34th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 1,809,888 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.6% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 28 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 16,108 births (8.9 per 1,000 people) and 20,452 deaths (11.3 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 5,792 people. The infant mortality rate is 5.7 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 1,435,059 in 1960 to 1,820,909 in 2025 — a change of +26.9%, or +0.4% per year on average. It peaked at 2,063,689 in 1990 and has declined 12.7% since.
Demographically, the median age is 41.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 77.8 years; women have on average 1.4 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.5% of residents are under 15 and 18.5% are 65 or older (2025); 62.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Skopje. North Macedonia covers 25,710 km², giving a population density of about 70.1 people per km². GDP was $19.10B in 2025 — about $10,490 per person (World Bank classification: upper middle income).
North Macedonia population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 1,801,805 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 1,809,888 |
| World rank | #152 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #34 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.022% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.6% |
| Births per year est. | 16,108 |
| Deaths per year est. | 20,452 |
| Net migration per year est. | -5,792 |
| Birth rate | 8.9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 11.3 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 5.7 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 94.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 41.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 77.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.4 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 62.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 25,710 km² |
| Population density | 70.1 per km² |
| Capital | Skopje |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $19.10B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $10,490 |
| Income group World Bank | Upper middle income |
North Macedonia population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 1,801,805 | – | – |
| 2025 | 1,820,909 | -3,450 | -0.2% |
| 2024 | 1,824,359 | -3,457 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | 1,827,816 | -3,896 | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 1,831,712 | -5,402 | -0.3% |
| 2021 | 1,837,114 | -19,010 | -1% |
| 2020 | 1,856,124 | -56,306 | -0.6% |
| 2015 | 1,912,430 | -33,868 | -0.4% |
| 2010 | 1,946,298 | -59,032 | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 2,005,330 | -21,020 | -0.2% |
| 2000 | 2,026,350 | +27,816 | +0.3% |
| 1995 | 1,998,534 | -65,155 | -0.6% |
| 1990 | 2,063,689 | +49,358 | +0.5% |
| 1985 | 2,014,331 | +81,293 | +0.8% |
| 1980 | 1,933,038 | +135,066 | +1.5% |
| 1975 | 1,797,972 | +133,764 | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 1,664,208 | +130,742 | +1.6% |
| 1965 | 1,533,466 | +98,407 | +1.3% |
| 1960 | 1,435,059 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About North Macedonia
Population over time
- From 1,435,059 in 1960 to 1,801,805 today — up 25.6%.
- Population peaked at 2,063,689 in 1990 and is down 12.7% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.5% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 76.6 years (2024), up 16.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.4 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.8 births vs 11.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 2.3 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 16.5% of the population is under 15 and 18.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 4.9% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 7.3 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 11.19 Mt in 1990 — down 34.8% since.
- Per person: 4 t in 2024, vs 5.54 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 1,450.1 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 20.8% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 19.5% of final energy in 2021 (+17.1 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 39.7% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 36.2% to 39.7% since 1992 — roughly 897 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 62.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 34% in 1960 (+28.9 points).
- Became majority-urban around 1974.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 40.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,948 m³ in 2022, up 11% since 1992.
Economy
- GDP: $19.10B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 89.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $10,490 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 12.3% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 4.1% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 93.1% of people used the internet in 2025.
- Mobile subscriptions: 108.4 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
North Macedonia in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of North Macedonia in 2026?
As of October 2026, North Macedonia has an estimated population of 1,801,805. The United Nations estimated 1,809,888 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of North Macedonia growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.6% per year — roughly 28 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 16,108 births and 20,452 deaths, with net migration of -5,792.
What is the population density of North Macedonia?
About 70.1 people per square kilometre: 1,801,805 people living on 25,710 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in North Macedonia?
The median age is 41.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 77.8 years. 16.5% of the population is under 15 and 18.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does North Macedonia rank by population?
North Macedonia is the 152nd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 34th in Europe, with 0.022% of the global population.
How has the population of North Macedonia changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 1,435,059; by 2025 it had grown to 1,820,909 (+26.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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Equatorial GuineaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.