Labor force participation rate in North Macedonia
North Macedonia: Labor force participation rate was 51.9% in 2025. ▬ Flat
Latest (2025)
51.9%
Change on year
down 0.5%
World rank
154th
of 186 countries
All-time high
56.3%
in 1991
All-time low
51.6%
in 2021
Years of data
36
1990–2025
Labor force participation rate in North Macedonia, 1990–2025
Source: ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2025, labor force participation rate in North Macedonia stood at 51.9%.
The figure is down 0.5% on the previous year and down 3.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate in North Macedonia peaked at 56.3% in 1991 and was at its lowest, 51.6%, in 2021.
North Macedonia ranks 154th of 186 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
Labor force participation rate in North Macedonia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 56.0% | — |
| 1991 | 56.3% | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 55.8% | -0.8% |
| 1993 | 55.3% | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 54.8% | -0.9% |
| 1995 | 54.4% | -0.8% |
| 1996 | 54.0% | -0.7% |
| 1997 | 53.8% | -0.4% |
| 1998 | 53.2% | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 52.6% | -1.1% |
| 2000 | 52.7% | +0.3% |
| 2001 | 52.9% | +0.3% |
| 2002 | 53.0% | +0.2% |
| 2003 | 53.5% | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 53.4% | -0.2% |
| 2005 | 53.3% | -0.2% |
| 2006 | 53.2% | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 54.3% | +1.9% |
| 2008 | 54.7% | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 54.7% | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 53.2% | -2.8% |
| 2011 | 54.5% | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 54.3% | -0.5% |
| 2013 | 54.7% | +0.7% |
| 2014 | 54.6% | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 54.0% | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 53.4% | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 53.2% | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 52.8% | -0.7% |
| 2019 | 53.0% | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 52.1% | -1.7% |
| 2021 | 51.6% | -0.9% |
| 2022 | 52.9% | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 51.8% | -2.2% |
| 2024 | 52.2% | +0.9% |
| 2025 | 51.9% | -0.5% |
North Macedonia compared with similar countries
- North Macedonia's 51.9% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 60.5%, 86% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- North Macedonia's 51.9% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 60.2%, 86% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 54.6% | 52.6% | 56.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 53.6% | 52.7% | 54.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 53.8% | 52.8% | 54.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 52.1% | 51.6% | 52.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Macedonia
More work & labour data for North Macedonia
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -1.24 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -1.21 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -1.28 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.11 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.1782 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 1,405 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 525.79 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 422.57 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 440.42 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 863 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate in North Macedonia?
- Labor force participation rate in North Macedonia was 51.9% in 2025, according to ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate recorded in North Macedonia?
- The highest recorded value was 56.3% in 1991.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate recorded in North Macedonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 51.6% in 2021.
- How does North Macedonia rank for labor force participation rate?
- North Macedonia ranks 154th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is labor force participation rate rising or falling in North Macedonia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this North Macedonia data come from?
- The figures come from ILO Modelled Estimates, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the working-age population (ages 15 and over) who are economically active (employed or unemployed).