North Macedonia: health and care

What is the life expectancy in North Macedonia?

Life expectancy at birth in North Macedonia was 76.6 years in 2024, up from 75.3 in 2023 and 73.2 in 2021, according to the World Bank.

The State Statistical Office publishes deaths by age and cause, which are the basis for life tables. Life expectancy summarises death rates in a given year; it is not a forecast of how long people born in that year will live.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, North Macedonia

How many births and deaths are there in North Macedonia?

15,850 babies were born in North Macedonia in 2025 and 20,287 people died, according to the SSO's North Macedonia in Figures 2026. The birth rate fell from 11.1 per 1,000 people in 2015 to 8.7 in 2025, while the death rate was 11.1 per 1,000.

In the second quarter of 2026, 3,684 births and 4,689 deaths were recorded, a natural decrease of 1,005, according to provisional SSO data. The total fertility rate was 1.4 children per woman in 2025, according to MakStat.

Official sources: SSO: North Macedonia in Figures 2026 (PDF) · SSO: Natural change in population, second quarter 2026 · SSO MakStat: Total fertility rate

What is the average life expectancy in North Macedonia?

76.6 years: that is life expectancy at birth in North Macedonia for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. The peak was 76.6 years in 2018 and the low 73.2 years in 2021. It is 37th highest of 52 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 79.5 years. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 70th highest.

How many babies die in North Macedonia?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in North Macedonia was 2.5 per 1,000 in 2024. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 36th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.4 per 1,000. Worldwide: 174th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in North Macedonia?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in North Macedonia at 3.0 per 100,000 in 2023. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 6.0 per 100,000, and North Macedonia placed 43rd highest of 51. Worldwide: 180th of 192.

What share of GDP does North Macedonia spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in North Macedonia at 7.4% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 8.4% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 6.3% of GDP. It is 28th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 73rd of 191.

How much do people in North Macedonia pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in North Macedonia was 39.6%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.0% (2008) to 41.7% (2021). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.0%, and North Macedonia placed 9th highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 56th highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in North Macedonia?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2022, is 2.9 per 1,000. Its high point since 2005 was 2019, at 3.4 per 1,000; its low point was 2005, at 2.1 per 1,000. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7 per 1,000, and North Macedonia placed 37th highest of 42. Of 125 countries with 2022 data, 51st highest.

How many hospital beds does North Macedonia have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2021, is 4.7 per 1,000. The peak was 4.8 per 1,000 in 2020 and the low 4.5 per 1,000 in 2009. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 4.4 per 1,000, and North Macedonia placed 21st highest of 44. World rank, highest first: 27th of 124.

What is measles vaccine coverage in North Macedonia?

In 2024, measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in North Macedonia was 73.0%, according to WHO and UNICEF. Its high point since 2005 was 2008, at 98.0%; its low point was 2020, at 63.0%. Europe & Central Asia median: 94.0%; North Macedonia is 48th highest of 51. Worldwide: 157th of 191.