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North Macedonia faces depopulation as 205 settlements lose all residents
Data from the 2021 Population Census reveals a significant demographic shift in North Macedonia, characterized by the depopulation of rural areas and increasing concentration in urban centers.
Of the country's 1,781 settlements, 205 have been recorded with no permanent residents. The census also shows that 684 settlements have fewer than 100 inhabitants, and 218 locations have fewer than ten people. In 381 settlements, there are ten or fewer households.
Conversely, major urban centers are seeing population growth. Skopje is the largest city with 526,502 residents. Other significant population hubs include Aerodrom in Skopje (75,108), Kumanovo (75,051), Bitola (69,287), Prilep (63,308), and Tetovo (63,176).
Factors contributing to this trend include emigration abroad, migration toward major cities like Skopje, an aging population, and the search for better employment, education, and services. This migration leads to the disappearance of local shops, schools, and essential services in rural regions.
Entities
Bitola · Kumanovo · North Macedonia · Prilep · Skopje
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Out of 1,781 settlements in North Macedonia, 205 were registered with zero inhabitants. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Bitola had 69,287 residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Kumanovo had 75,051 residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] 218 settlements had fewer than ten residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Skopje had a population of 526,502 residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] 684 settlements had fewer than 100 residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Prilep had 63,308 residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Tetovo had 63,176 residents. prv.mk · vecer.mk