North Macedonia Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
North Macedonia's agriculture employment was 8.50% in 2025, ranked 71st globally. This represents a 3.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
North Macedonia's agriculture employment stood at 8.50% in 2025, a decline of +0.26% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 7.36% by 2026. North Macedonia ranked 71st globally.
North Macedonia’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has fallen sharply since the early 1990s, dropping from an all‑time peak of 24.45 percent in 1991 to a trough of 7.77 percent in 2023, before a modest rebound to 8.50 percent in 2025, which places the country 71st globally. The decline reflects structural transformation, urbanisation and the gradual reallocation of workers to services and industry, a pattern echoed in peers such as Iraq, where agricultural employment stands at 8.17 percent, and Uruguay at 8.07 percent. Over the 35‑year coverage period, the sector’s contribution to employment has contracted by more than two‑thirds, underscoring persistent productivity gains and the limited scope for large‑scale farm labour. Continued investment in agri‑technology, value‑added processing and rural infrastructure could stabilise the downward trajectory, while any reversal would likely require a concerted policy shift toward revitalising small‑holder farming and enhancing market access.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 6.18% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 6.77% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 7.36% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.50% | −0.26% | #71 |
| 2024 | 8.76% | +0.99% | #71 |
| 2023 | 7.77% | −1.75% | #67 |
| 2022 | 9.52% | −1.56% | #72 |
| 2021 | 11.08% | −0.45% | #77 |
| 2020 | 11.53% | −1.90% | #80 |
| 2019 | 13.42% | −1.35% | #85 |
| 2018 | 14.77% | −0.94% | #87 |
| 2017 | 15.71% | −0.68% | #90 |
| 2016 | 16.39% | −1.43% | #93 |
| 2015 | 17.82% | −0.64% | #95 |
| 2014 | 18.46% | −0.27% | #97 |
| 2013 | 18.74% | +1.48% | #96 |
| 2012 | 17.26% | −0.93% | #90 |
| 2011 | 18.19% | +0.06% | #92 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
North Macedonia matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2023. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
North Macedonia's agriculture employment was 8.50% in 2025. Ranked 71st globally. This represents a 3.0% decrease from the previous year.
North Macedonia's agriculture employment peaked at 24.45% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in North Macedonia was 7.77% in 2023.
North Macedonia ranks 71st globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
North Macedonia's agriculture employment is projected to reach 7.36% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of North Macedonia in 2025 was 8.50%. This ranks 71st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_north-macedonia_agriculture-employment,
title = {North Macedonia Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/north-macedonia/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}