Share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia
North Macedonia: Share of workers in vulnerable employment was 12.3% in 2025. ▼ Falling
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia, 1991–2025
Source: International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia is 12.3%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of down 1.9% on the previous year and down 43.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia peaked at 23.8% in 2001 and was at its lowest, 9.9%, in 2023.
North Macedonia ranks 139th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 17.2% | — |
| 1992 | 17.2% | +0.1% |
| 1993 | 17.5% | +1.7% |
| 1994 | 17.7% | +1.2% |
| 1995 | 18.0% | +2.1% |
| 1996 | 18.4% | +2.1% |
| 1997 | 18.9% | +2.4% |
| 1998 | 19.3% | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 21.3% | +10.5% |
| 2000 | 21.6% | +1.4% |
| 2001 | 23.8% | +10.3% |
| 2002 | 22.8% | -4.5% |
| 2003 | 19.9% | -12.5% |
| 2004 | 18.9% | -4.8% |
| 2005 | 22.7% | +19.8% |
| 2006 | 22.4% | -1.2% |
| 2007 | 21.8% | -2.8% |
| 2008 | 22.9% | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 22.4% | -2.1% |
| 2010 | 22.1% | -1.3% |
| 2011 | 21.9% | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 22.0% | +0.3% |
| 2013 | 23.4% | +6.5% |
| 2014 | 22.8% | -2.8% |
| 2015 | 21.7% | -4.5% |
| 2016 | 19.4% | -10.6% |
| 2017 | 18.6% | -4.1% |
| 2018 | 18.3% | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 16.7% | -8.9% |
| 2020 | 13.8% | -17.5% |
| 2021 | 12.7% | -8.1% |
| 2022 | 12.2% | -4.0% |
| 2023 | 9.9% | -18.2% |
| 2024 | 12.6% | +26.6% |
| 2025 | 12.3% | -1.9% |
North Macedonia compared with similar countries
- North Macedonia's 12.3% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 29.8%, 41% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
- North Macedonia's 12.3% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 11.3%, 1.1× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 18.4% | 17.2% | 21.3% | 9 |
| 2000s | 21.9% | 18.9% | 23.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 20.7% | 16.7% | 23.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.2% | 9.9% | 13.8% | 6 |
Countries ranked near North Macedonia
- 136 Netherlands 13.4% compare
- 137 Romania 13.0% compare
- 138 New Zealand 12.6% compare
- 140 Slovak Republic 11.8% compare
- 141 Guam 11.8% compare
- 142 South Africa 11.7% compare
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 share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia?
- Share of workers in vulnerable employment in North Macedonia was 12.3% in 2025, according to International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in North Macedonia?
- The highest recorded value was 23.8% in 2001.
- What is the lowest share of workers in vulnerable employment recorded in North Macedonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.9% in 2023.
- How does North Macedonia rank for share of workers in vulnerable employment?
- North Macedonia ranks 139th out of 186 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of workers in vulnerable employment rising or falling in North Macedonia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 43.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this North Macedonia data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (ILOEST/ILOSTAT) and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of workers in vulnerable employment. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of employed population who are working as independent own-account workers (self-employed without staff), or contributing family workers (self-employed in a household business or farm).