North Macedonia informal employment reaches over 101,000 people

According to the latest data from the State Statistical Office, over 101,000 people in North Macedonia are engaged in informal employment, representing a 7.2 percent increase from the previous quarter. This figure accounts for approximately 14.3 percent of the total workforce, meaning nearly every seventh employee works without a formal contract.

The largest concentration of informal workers is found in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector, which employs 51,487 individuals, or about 51 percent of the total informal workforce. The construction sector follows as the second largest, accounting for 17.2 percent of informal employment. The seasonal nature of activities in agriculture and construction is noted as a significant factor influencing these fluctuations.

Regarding the broader labor market, the total number of employed persons reached 708,698, while 90,020 people were unemployed. The unemployment rate stood at 11.3 percent, the activity rate at 52.5 percent, and the employment rate at 46.6 percent. Demographic data shows that men make up 57.7 percent of the total workforce, while women represent 42.3 percent. Among the unemployed, men account for 63.6 percent and women for 36.4 percent.