Most municipalities report more deaths than births in Q2 2026
Second‑quarter figures show 3,684 births (‑3%) and a negative natural increase of -1,005, with heavy losses in Bitola and other municipalities.
North Macedonia recorded a sharp demographic decline in the first half of 2026, with almost every municipality reporting more deaths than births, official statistics show.
According to data published for the second quarter of 2026, the number of live births nationwide amounted to 3.684, a 3 percent drop compared with the same period last year. The country’s natural increase is negative, totaling -1,005 people.
“The deepest negative natural increase was recorded in Bitola with minus 118. Next are Aerodrom with minus 62, Kumanovo and Prilep with minus 59 each, Gostivar and Kochani with minus 58 each, Veles with minus 57 and Ohrid with minus 51. Even in the capital Skopje the natural increase is negative with 36 people.” This summary accompanies the quarterly figures released by the State Statistical Office.
Municipal results and five‑year trends
- Skopje: -36
- Bitola: -118
- Aerodrom: -62
- Kumanovo: -59
- Prilep: -59
- Gostivar: -58
- Kochani: -58
- Veles: -57
- Ohrid: -51
- Tetovo: 1 025 → 822 (2021 → 2025)
- Kumanovo: 1 011 → 829 (2021 → 2025)
- Cair: 873 → 833 (2021 → 2025)
- Saraj: 618 → 575 (2021 → 2025)
- Gostivar: 583 → 440 (2021 → 2025)
- Struga: 543 → 474 (2021 → 2025)
- Kichevo: 368 → 277 (2021 → 2025)
- Arachinovo: 254 → 240 (2021 → 2025)
- Debar: 169 → 148 (2021 → 2025)
The five‑year data highlight sharper declines in several municipalities: Tetovo’s births fell from 1 025 in 2021 to 822 in 2025; Kumanovo from 1 011 to 829; and Gostivar, Struga and Kichevo also show notable decreases. Only Cair and Arachinovo recorded relatively stable counts.
Analysts say multiple factors are behind the downturn, including postponement of family formation for economic reasons and an aging population. Former director of the State Statistical Office, Apostol Simevski, points to migration as the main driver: he says migration is the largest cause of these developments.
Statisticians warn that without targeted measures to support younger generations and a coherent demographic strategy, the country risks shrinking school cohorts and further depopulation of towns and villages. For the first time in 2025, the total number of live births in the country fell below 16.000.
Photo: press material from the event
