North Macedonia
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, North Macedonia experienced a notable decline in the total maternal rate, falling to 62.0% from 66.2% in 2023, reflecting a decrease in the proportion of women who have had children. Conversely, the average number of children per mother rose to 2.30, marking one of the higher fertility rates globally and in Europe. Childlessness also increased to 38.0%, continuing an upward trend seen in recent years.
- The total maternal rate declined by 4.2 percentage points, indicating fewer women becoming mothers overall.
- Average maternal age remains relatively low at 28.2 years, though it has gradually increased over recent years.
- Total fertility gap saw a slight rise to 31.2%, while the fertility gap continues to fall compared to earlier in the decade.
- Childlessness rose by 4.2 percentage points to 38.0%, reflecting a growing share of women who remain childless over their lifetime.
In 2024, North Macedonia experiences notable shifts in fertility and maternal patterns, including a lower total maternal rate but higher children per mother on average.
- Total maternal rate decreased to 62%, ranking 24th globally and 20th in Europe
- Children per mother increased to 2.30, among highest globally (5th) and in Europe (4th)
- Average maternal age remains low at 28.2 years, ranked 33rd globally, 25th in Europe
- Childlessness rises to 38%, placing 15th worldwide and 10th in Europe
Key fertility indicators — North Macedonia
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 62.0% |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 28.2 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 33 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 62.0%. It fell compared with 2023 (down 4.2pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), TMR has been falling with an average of 63.5%. Looking back to the 2020s (63.5%), TMR stands lower by about 1.5pp.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 27 out of 42 countries for TMR. Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 20 out of 30 countries for TMR.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 69.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 59.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 66.2% |
| 2000 | 79.7% | 2024 | 62.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
The average number of children per mother in North Macedonia is 2.30 (2024). The average is higher than in 2023 (up 0.09). Over the past five years, CPM has been rising, averaging 2.21. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.21), mothers in North Macedonia are now having higher by about 0.09 children on average.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 9 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, North Macedonia has one of the highest CPM values (ranked 6/30).
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 2.23 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.16 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.21 |
| 2000 | 2.26 | 2024 | 2.30 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 28.2 years. It is essentially unchanged from the previous year. Across the most recent five-year window, AMA has been rising with an average of 27.8 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 27.8 years), AMA now stands higher by about 0.4 years.
Globally, North Macedonia has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 36/42). Within Europe, North Macedonia has one of the lowest average maternal ages (ranked 25/30).
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.02 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 27.50 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 28.16 |
| 2000 | 24.21 | 2024 | 28.19 |
Source: Eurostat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, North Macedonia’s TFG is 31.2% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.42). There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 1.9pp). Over the past five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 32.3%. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 32.3%), the TFG stands lower by about 1.1pp.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 27 out of 42 countries for TFG. Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 18 out of 30 countries for TFG.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 25.3% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 37.8% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.3% |
| 2000 | 13.0% | 2024 | 31.2% |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for North Macedonia stands at 35.1% in 2024. It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.6pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 32.9% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (32.9%), today’s FWG is higher by about 2.2pp.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 23 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 17 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 17.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.5% |
| 2000 | -13.0% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
North Macedonia’s SHL stands at 56.0 years in 2024. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 4.2 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 54.9 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (54.9 years), today’s SHL is higher by about 1.2 years.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 20 out of 42 countries for SHL. Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 14 out of 30 countries for SHL.
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in North Macedonia, there would be 33 great-grandchildren, representing a -67.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 16 out of 42 countries for TGI.
Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 13 out of 30 countries for TGI.
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2080 - Births down 75% in 2136 - Births down 90% in 2210
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 15,948 in 2024 to 7,974 in 2080, and by 90% to 1,595 in 2210 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
38.0% of women in North Macedonia remain childless over their lifetime (2024). It is higher than in 2023 (up 4.2pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), childlessness has been rising with an average of 36.5%. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (36.5%), today’s level is higher by about 1.5pp.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 15 out of 42 countries for childlessness. Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 10 out of 30 countries for childlessness.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.7% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.8% |
| 2000 | 20.3% | 2024 | 38.0% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
Total births in North Macedonia were 15,948 in 2024. It is broadly unchanged from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 17,562 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (17,562), total births are now lower by 1,614 births (9.2% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 24.1k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 18.9k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 16.6k |
| 2000 | 27.9k | 2024 | 15.9k |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for North Macedonia stands at 35.1% in 2024. It is up marginally on 2023 (up 1.6pp). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 32.9% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (32.9%), today’s FWG is higher by about 2.2pp.
Globally, North Macedonia ranks 23 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, North Macedonia ranks 17 out of 29 countries for FWG.
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 17.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 35.1% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 33.5% |
| 2000 | -13.0% | 2024 | 35.1% |
Source: Eurostat.
