North Macedonia faces demographic crisis in education sector

North Macedonia is facing a significant demographic crisis that is impacting its education system. The number of high school students has dropped from over 20,000 to approximately 14,000 in just ten years. This decline in the younger population is expected to continue affecting primary, secondary, and higher education levels.

At the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University (UKIM), annual enrollments have recently fluctuated between five and six thousand students. While the first enrollment round this year saw about 4,700 students—with expectations to exceed 5,000 due to international students—UKIM Rector Biljana Angelova warned that systemic measures are required to prevent further decline. She emphasized the need for policies that provide security and employment to encourage young people to remain in the country.

In the city of Struga, students face an immediate logistical challenge. Organized school transport is threatened starting September 1 as carriers boycott services, demanding the repayment of outstanding debts and higher ticket prices. The current mayor has pledged that a 60,000 euro debt incurred under previous administration will be settled by the end of the year.