North Macedonia Population
Europe & Central Asia · 151st most populous · Upper middle income
Population right now (estimate)
1,807,876
The population of North Macedonia is about 1,807,876 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 1.8 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.02% of the world's people.
North Macedonia is ranked 151st of 217 by population. The population is shrinking, by about 0.55% a year. It peaked around 1990 at 2.1 million and is projected to fall to 1.5 million by 2050. Since 1960 (1.4 million) it has grown by 26%. Population density is 72 people per square kilometre. 63% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
1.8 million
Yearly change
−0.55%
World rank
151st
Share of world
0.02%
Density
72/km²
Land area
25,220 km²
Life expectancy
76.6 yrs
Births per woman
1.40
GDP per capita
$10,490
GDP
$19.1B
Population of North Macedonia, 1960–2050
North Macedonia population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,435,059 | — | 57 |
| 1970 | 1,664,208 | +1.70% | 66 |
| 1980 | 1,933,038 | +1.39% | 77 |
| 1990 | 2,063,689 | +0.39% | 82 |
| 2000 | 2,026,350 | +0.46% | 80 |
| 2010 | 1,946,298 | −0.64% | 77 |
| 2020 | 1,856,124 | −1.07% | 74 |
| 2024 | 1,824,359 | −0.19% | 72 |
| 2026proj. | 1,810,928 | −0.55% | 72 |
| 2030proj. | 1,768,776 | −0.65% | 70 |
| 2040proj. | 1,645,597 | −0.78% | 65 |
| 2050proj. | 1,517,120 | −0.84% | 60 |
North Macedonia vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 98.2 times as many people as North Macedonia. Bangladesh is 19.0 times more densely populated.
North Macedonia population: questions and answers
What is the population of North Macedonia in 2026?
About 1,810,928 (1.8 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is North Macedonia's population growing?
No — it is falling by about 0.55% a year (2026).
What is the population density of North Macedonia?
About 72 people per km², with a land area of 25,220 km².
What will the population of North Macedonia be in 2050?
About 1.5 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of North Macedonia?
Skopje.
What is the life expectancy in North Macedonia?
76.6 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.