North Macedonia Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
North Macedonia's unemployment rate was 12.26% in 2025, ranked 160th globally. This represents a 5.8% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
North Macedonia's unemployment rate stood at 12.26% in 2025, a decline of +0.75pp from 2024. The IMF projects 12.84% by 2025. North Macedonia ranked 160th globally.
North Macedonia’s unemployment rate has fallen dramatically over the 35‑year span from 1991 to 2025, declining from a post‑independence high of 24.50 % to a historic trough of 12.26 % in 2025, the lowest level recorded in the series and placing the country 160th globally. The sharpest deterioration occurred in the mid‑1990s, when the rate peaked at 38.80 % in 1996 amid the economic dislocation of transition, but successive labour‑market reforms and gradual integration into European structures have driven a sustained reduction. By 2025 the figure is marginally lower than that of Georgia (12.10 %) and closely aligned with Armenia’s 12.87 %, suggesting that North Macedonia is now performing on par with its regional peers. Continued improvement will likely depend on the pace of structural reforms, investment in skill development and the ability to absorb labour into emerging sectors, which could further lower unemployment and enhance the country’s competitive standing.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 12.10% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 12.20% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 12.40% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 12.50% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 12.70% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 12.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 12.26% | −0.75pp | #160 |
| 2024 | 12.27% | −0.79pp | #165 |
| 2023 | 13.17% | −1.20pp | #169 |
| 2022 | 14.48% | −0.95pp | #170 |
| 2021 | 15.80% | −0.35pp | #173 |
| 2020 | 16.58% | −0.57pp | #172 |
| 2019 | 17.41% | −3.19pp | #179 |
| 2018 | 21.21% | −1.07pp | #187 |
| 2017 | 22.86% | −0.89pp | #187 |
| 2016 | 24.31% | −1.74pp | #188 |
| 2015 | 26.40% | −1.63pp | #190 |
| 2014 | 28.22% | −0.79pp | #191 |
| 2013 | 29.02% | −1.98pp | #191 |
| 2012 | 31.10% | −0.28pp | #191 |
| 2011 | 31.50% | −0.55pp | #191 |
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 unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
North Macedonia's unemployment rate was 12.26% in 2025. Ranked 160th globally. This represents a 5.8% decrease from the previous year.
North Macedonia's unemployment rate peaked at 38.80% in 1996.
The lowest unemployment rate in North Macedonia was 12.26% in 2025.
North Macedonia ranks 160th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
North Macedonia's unemployment rate is projected to reach 12.84% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of North Macedonia in 2025 was 12.26%. This ranks 160th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_north-macedonia_unemployment-rate,
title = {North Macedonia Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/north-macedonia/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}