North Macedonia: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to North Macedonia — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
2,082,958
#145 of 197 countries
Area
25,713 km²
#151 of 248 countries
Density
81.0 / km²
#130 of 245 countries

North Macedonia has a population of 2,082,958 spread across 25,713 km², giving it an average density of 81.0 people per km².

Demographics

Median Age
40.9
Life Expectancy
77.3 yrs
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. North Macedonia is classified as an upper middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 34% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Upper middle income
GDP per Capita
$8,674
Cost of Living
34% of US
Inflation
9.4%
Inequality
33.5
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$24,500
Unemployment
13.5%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 3.5% of North Macedonia's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$253,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
3.5%
Air Passengers
86,868
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — North Macedonia has 2.94 physicians per 1,000 people, near the global average. Standard travel insurance should suffice.

Physicians
2.94/1k
Hospital Beds
4.74/1k
Health Spend
$639/person
Infant Mortality
2.8/1k
Immunization
73%
Safe Drinking Water
98.2%
Basic Sanitation
99.0%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In North Macedonia, 87% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 105 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
87.2%
Mobile Subs
105/100
Broadband
29.2/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data