Life expectancy in North Macedonia has increased by one year and reached 76.63 years, but the country continues to face negative natural population growth.
Average life expectancy
2023 – 75.32 years
2024 – 76.63 years
According to data published by the State Statistical Office in the “Statistical Yearbook of the Republic of North Macedonia 2025”, during 2024, 16,061 children were born, while 20,201 people died.
2024
Births: 16,061
Deaths: 20,201
Natural increase: -4,140
This means a population decline of 4,140 inhabitants in just one year. Only the Skopje region recorded positive natural growth, while in all other regions the number of deaths significantly exceeded the number of births.
In the Skopje region, the highest natural growth was recorded in Saraj with +8.4 and in Čair with +5.5 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Saraj +8.4
Chair +5.5
Kisela Voda -4.2
Karposh -3.9
At the state level, the highest natural growth was recorded in the municipalities of Haraçinë +10.5, Studeničanë +9.7, Saraj +8.4, Likovë +6.2, Çair +5.5, Zelenikovë +5.3 and Shuto Orizari +5.2 per 1,000 inhabitants.
Top positive increases:
Haracina +10.5
Studeničan +9.7
Saraj +8.4
Lipkovo +6.2
Chair +5.5
Zelenikovo +5.3
Shuto Orizari +5.2
The lowest natural growth at the state level was recorded in Novo Selo, Novac, Nagoricani i Vjetër, Kratovo, Berovo, Cheshinovo-Obleshevo, and Rosoman.
Biggest drop:
Novo Selo -14.8
Novac -13.7
Old Nagorican -13.6
Kratovo -12.8
Berovo -10.3
Cheshinovo and Obleshevo -10.3
Rosoman -10.2
In just one year, the number of live births has dropped by almost 700, from 16,737 in 2023 to 16,061 in 2024.
Live births
2023-16,737
2024-16,061
In the last six years, since 2019, Macedonia has consistently had negative natural growth. The largest population decline was recorded in 2021, when 18,648 people were born and 28,516 died, or a decrease of -9,868 inhabitants.
Last year, a significant decline in marriages was also recorded. Their number decreased by 1,600 to 11,066, while divorces increased by 259, to a total of 2,024.
Marriage – 11,066
Divorces – 2,024
On average, there were 183 divorces per 1,000 marriages during 2024. The highest number of divorces per 1,000 marriages was recorded in the Vardar, East and Southeast regions – over 200, while the lowest was in the Northeast region – under 140.
According to municipalities, the highest number of divorces per 1,000 inhabitants is in Zërnovci with 888, Llozovo with 500, Rosomani with 461, Gradsko with 437, Delchevo with 386, Dojran with 363, Gevgelija with 319, Kavadarci with 316 and Qendër with 308.
MUNICIPALITY:
Zrnovci – 888
Lozovo – 500
Rosoman – 461
City – 437
Dellchevo – 386
Dojran – 363
Gjevgjeli – 319
Kavadar – 316
Center – 308
Meanwhile, the fewest divorces per 1,000 inhabitants were recorded in Vevčani and Qendër Zhupë – zero, Sopishte 26.3, Likovë 32.4, Haracinë 36, Saraj 44 and Pehçevo 45.5.