Labor force, total in North Macedonia
North Macedonia: Labor force, total was 789,369 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Labor force, total in North Macedonia, 1990–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
Analysis
North Macedonia recorded 789,369 for labor force, total in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.3% on the previous year and down 6.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force, total in North Macedonia peaked at 862,431 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 784,466, in 2023.
That places North Macedonia 151st out of 187 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Labor force, total in North Macedonia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 845,619 | — |
| 1991 | 850,423 | +0.6% |
| 1992 | 838,762 | -1.4% |
| 1993 | 825,216 | -1.6% |
| 1994 | 813,984 | -1.4% |
| 1995 | 811,153 | -0.3% |
| 1996 | 814,199 | +0.4% |
| 1997 | 808,104 | -0.7% |
| 1998 | 807,000 | -0.1% |
| 1999 | 806,793 | -0.0% |
| 2000 | 818,451 | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 829,921 | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 830,362 | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 842,476 | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 842,296 | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 841,338 | -0.1% |
| 2006 | 841,182 | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 856,830 | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 862,431 | +0.7% |
| 2009 | 860,794 | -0.2% |
| 2010 | 834,993 | -3.0% |
| 2011 | 855,183 | +2.4% |
| 2012 | 850,592 | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 855,743 | +0.6% |
| 2014 | 855,229 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 846,415 | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 837,565 | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 832,185 | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 824,281 | -0.9% |
| 2019 | 823,317 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 800,704 | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 784,953 | -2.0% |
| 2022 | 802,703 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | 784,466 | -2.3% |
| 2024 | 792,140 | +1.0% |
| 2025 | 789,369 | -0.3% |
North Macedonia compared with similar countries
- North Macedonia's 789,369 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 3.32 million, 24% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- North Macedonia's 789,369 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3.31 million, 24% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 822,125 | 806,793 | 850,423 | 10 |
| 2000s | 842,608 | 818,451 | 862,431 | 10 |
| 2010s | 841,550 | 823,317 | 855,743 | 10 |
| 2020s | 792,389 | 784,466 | 802,703 | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Macedonia
More education data for North Macedonia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 18,794 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 15,086 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 13,978 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 150,231 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 105,461 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -0.8051 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0577 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force, total in North Macedonia?
- Labor force, total in North Macedonia was 789,369 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database.
- What is the highest labor force, total recorded in North Macedonia?
- The highest recorded value was 862,431 in 2008.
- What is the lowest labor force, total recorded in North Macedonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 784,466 in 2023.
- How does North Macedonia rank for labor force, total?
- North Macedonia ranks 151st out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force, total rising or falling in North Macedonia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this North Macedonia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILO), type: estimates based on external database, published as part of Labor force, total. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. It includes people who are currently employed and people who are unemployed but seeking work as well as first-time job-seekers. Not everyone who works is included, however. Unpaid workers, family workers, and students are often omitted, and some countries do not count members of the armed forces. Labor force size tends to vary during the year as seasonal workers enter and leave.