Migration trends in North Macedonia

Europe

North Macedonia loses more people than it takes in: 534.6K emigrants against 149.4K immigrants. Net balance −385.3K — 21% of the country's population

1.8M

Population

149.4K

Immigrants

534.6K

Emigrants

−385.3K

Outflow

1 in 12 residents of North Macedonia was born abroad — and 1 in 4 people born in North Macedonia lives abroad

#103 in the world by net migration loss

Top corridors

The largest migration flows in North Macedonia

Where people move to

147.2K27.5%

85.1K15.9%

67.5K12.6%

Where people come from

1Albania

68.4K45.8%

2Turkey

20.1K13.4%

3Ukraine

19.2K12.8%

Immigrants in North Macedonia

Key moments

How migration has changed since 1990

1990

93.6K immigrants · 398.4K emigrants

1995

Roughly 1 in 20 residents was now foreign-born
The foreign-born population passed 100K residents

2015

Germany replaced Turkey as the main destination for those leaving

Today

The diaspora passed 500K people
Since 1990: 55.7K more foreign-born residents and 136.2K more emigrants

Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)

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