What is the population of North Macedonia in 2026?
North Macedonia has a population of 1,820,909 people (2025 estimate), which is 153rd in the world and about 0.02% of the global total.
Officially Republic of North Macedonia
Population 2025
1,820,909
0.02% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
−0.19%
−3,442 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
72/km²
25,220 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
41.0 years
Life expectancy 76.6 years
Our World in Data, 2025About North Macedonia
With a population of 1.82 million, North Macedonia ranks 151st globally and is experiencing modest population decline at -0.2% annually. The country spans 25,220 km² across southeastern Europe with a population density of 72 people per km². A median age of 41 years reflects an aging demographic, while life expectancy stands at 76.6 years and the fertility rate is 1.4 births per woman.
Skopje serves as the capital. The nation established independence in 1991 and operates as a parliamentary republic, with the denar as its currency and Macedonian as the official language. Urban areas account for 63% of the population. The economy registers a GDP per capita of $10,490, positioning it as a lower-middle-income country in the region.
This summary is AI-generated from the indicators on this page. The figures themselves come from the sources cited beside each value.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Skopje
- Continent
- Europe
- ISO codes
- MK · MKD
- Demonym
- Macedonian
- Currency
- denar (MKD den)
- Government
- Parliamentary republic
- State inception
- 1991
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +389
- Internet TLD
- .mk
- Land neighbours
- 5
Languages
- Macedonian
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Not published for North Macedonia: Mean Years of Schooling.
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 16.8%
- Age 15–64
- 65.2%
- Age 65+
- 18.0%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 8 | 73 |
| 95-99 | 153 | 763 |
| 90-94 | 1,369 | 4,215 |
| 85-89 | 5,529 | 11,812 |
| 80-84 | 13,232 | 22,204 |
| 75-79 | 24,708 | 35,950 |
| 70-74 | 42,148 | 52,514 |
| 65-69 | 53,918 | 59,998 |
| 60-64 | 58,321 | 63,172 |
| 55-59 | 60,344 | 64,373 |
| 50-54 | 59,614 | 63,398 |
| 45-49 | 62,648 | 64,340 |
| 40-44 | 63,956 | 64,930 |
| 35-39 | 62,011 | 62,209 |
| 30-34 | 60,492 | 59,365 |
| 25-29 | 55,901 | 54,205 |
| 20-24 | 53,254 | 52,277 |
| 15-19 | 52,172 | 50,755 |
| 10-14 | 55,731 | 53,984 |
| 5-9 | 54,002 | 51,695 |
| 0-4 | 47,337 | 43,931 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 1,248,683 |
| 1960 | 1,435,059 |
| 1970 | 1,664,208 |
| 1980 | 1,933,038 |
| 1990 | 2,063,689 |
| 2000 | 2,057,253 |
| 2010 | 2,051,505 |
| 2020 | 1,872,015 |
| 2030 | 1,762,486 |
| 2040 | 1,641,908 |
| 2050 | 1,512,688 |
| 2060 | 1,371,920 |
| 2070 | 1,226,952 |
| 2080 | 1,093,862 |
| 2090 | 974,133 |
| 2100 | 862,997 |
How North Macedonia Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
- India1.46B
- China1.41B
- United States341.8M
- Indonesia285.7M
- Pakistan255.2M
- Nigeria237.5M
- Brazil212.8M
- Bangladesh175.7M
- Russia143.5M
- Ethiopia135.5M
- North Macedonia1.82M
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| North Macedonia | 1.82M |
Countries Bordering North Macedonia
5 land borders.
North Macedonia Population FAQ
Is the population of North Macedonia growing or shrinking?
North Macedonia's population is shrinking at −0.19% per year, a change of roughly 3,442 people annually.
What is the capital of North Macedonia?
The capital of North Macedonia is Skopje.
How densely populated is North Macedonia?
North Macedonia has 72/km² across 25,220 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in North Macedonia?
Life expectancy at birth in North Macedonia is 76.6 years (2024).
What is the median age in North Macedonia?
The median age in North Macedonia is 41.0 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is North Macedonia in?
North Macedonia is in Europe.