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5 clusters · 14 sources · 18 days · First seen 20 days ago · Last updated 3 days ago

North Macedonia institutional and demographic challenges

Overview

North Macedonia continues to navigate institutional and demographic challenges. The country is managing a legal trial concerning the ‘State Lottery’ case involving approximately 8 million euros, while simultaneously addressing a severe demographic decline. In 2025, the nation recorded a natural population loss of 4,437 people, a trend driven by low birth rates and emigration. This demographic decline persisted into 2026. During the second quarter of 2026, deaths outnumbered births by 1,005 people, with 3,684 births recorded—a 3.0 percent decrease from the previous year—against 4,689 deaths. This crisis is directly impacting the education system. As the 2026/2027 school year begins, the impact on educational infrastructure has become more pronounced. Data shows that approximately 3,000 fewer children enrolled in the first grade compared to last year, with total first-grade enrollment falling to roughly 14,900 from 17,900. This has resulted in 433 fewer school classes and the temporary closure of 26 rural or underpopulated school facilities. Recent updates indicate that 148 school facilities are currently without students, primarily in rural areas. Education Minister Vesna Janevska noted that the shrinking population threatens the long-term viability of the infrastructure and urged families to consider having more children. Compounding these issues is a disconnect in the real estate market. While over 36,000 new housing units were completed between 2020 and 2025, approximately 307,187 dwellings—roughly 36.6 percent of the total housing stock—remained unoccupied according to the 2021 census. Despite this, property prices continue to rise, with costs per square meter exceeding 3,000 euros in high-demand areas of Skopje and Ohrid. Recent data from the State Statistical Office highlights further shifts in family structures between 2020 and 2025. Total marriages have declined, with 10,507 recorded in 2025.

Entities

North Macedonia · State Statistical Office · Hristijan Mickoski · Vesna Janevska · Public Prosecutor's Office of North Macedonia

Timeline

3 days ago

[CULTURE] 2 sources
North Macedonia sees declining marriage rates and rising divorces
Statistical data from North Macedonia shows a decline in marriage rates and a rise in divorces between 2020 and 2025, while inter-ethnic marriages remain limited to 6–10% of total unions.
10 days ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
North Macedonia faces school closures amid demographic decline
North Macedonia reports a sharp decline in school enrollment, with 3,000 fewer first-graders than last year, leading to hundreds of fewer classes and multiple school closures due to demographic shifts.
11 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 8 sources
North Macedonia faces demographic decline and rising housing costs
North Macedonia faces a demographic crisis marked by a shrinking population and high housing vacancy rates, even as real estate prices in cities like Skopje continue to rise.
15 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
North Macedonia prosecutors face significant staffing shortages
North Macedonia's prosecution system faces a critical shortage, with only 74.3 percent of prosecutor positions filled in 2025, leading to unsatisfactory case resolution rates.
20 days ago

[POLITICS] 2 sources
North Macedonia faces lottery trial and demographic decline
North Macedonia faces an 8 million euro legal case regarding the State Lottery and a deepening demographic crisis driven by declining birth rates and natural population loss.

Sources

koha.mk · lajmpress.org · lider.mk · racin.mk · sitel.com.mk · tetova1.mk · tetovasot.com · tocka.com.mk · ts.mk · vecer.mk · vesnik.com · viki.mk · zhurnal.mk · zurnal.mk

This summary has been updated 6 times: see revision history