Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia
North Macedonia: Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas was 551,402 people in 2020. ▲ Rising
Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia is 551,402 people, measured in 2020.
The figure is down 6.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia peaked at 616,496 people in 1990 and was at its lowest, 505,142 people, in 1950.
That places North Macedonia 146th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 15 years of available data.
Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 505,142 people | — |
| 1955 | 518,114 people | +2.6% |
| 1960 | 527,868 people | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 539,338 people | +2.2% |
| 1970 | 553,448 people | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 566,144 people | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 592,197 people | +4.6% |
| 1985 | 612,268 people | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 616,496 people | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 599,611 people | -2.7% |
| 2000 | 599,320 people | -0.0% |
| 2005 | 607,347 people | +1.3% |
| 2010 | 590,972 people | -2.7% |
| 2015 | 575,416 people | -2.6% |
| 2020 | 551,402 people | -4.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 511,628 people | 505,142 people | 518,114 people | 2 |
| 1960s | 533,603 people | 527,868 people | 539,338 people | 2 |
| 1970s | 559,796 people | 553,448 people | 566,144 people | 2 |
| 1980s | 602,232 people | 592,197 people | 612,268 people | 2 |
| 1990s | 608,054 people | 599,611 people | 616,496 people | 2 |
| 2000s | 603,334 people | 599,320 people | 607,347 people | 2 |
| 2010s | 583,194 people | 575,416 people | 590,972 people | 2 |
| 2020s | 551,402 people | 551,402 people | 551,402 people | 1 |
Countries ranked near North Macedonia
More population data for North Macedonia
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -1.24 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -3.21 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -1.24 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate -0.9708 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 1,909 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population -0.1557 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -1.01 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth -1.2% (2100)
- Population density 34.22 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 28,904 people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia?
- Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas in North Macedonia was 551,402 people in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in North Macedonia?
- The highest recorded value was 616,496 people in 1990.
- What is the lowest number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in North Macedonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 505,142 people in 1950.
- How does North Macedonia rank for number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- North Macedonia ranks 146th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in North Macedonia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 6.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this North Macedonia data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Number of people living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of people living in rural areas. Rural areas are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.