North Macedonia Records 90,020 Unemployed and 101,022 Informally Employed

During the second quarter of 2026, the active population in North Macedonia increased by 0.8% compared with the same period in 2025. At the same time, the number of unemployed people fell by 1.5%.

Data from the State Statistical Office show that the active population stands at 798,718 people. Of these, 708,698 are employed and 90,020 are unemployed. The activity rate is 52.5%, the employment rate is 46.6%, while unemployment stands at 11.3%.

Men account for 63.6% of the unemployed, while women account for 36.4%.

Employment also increased, with 1% more people employed. In this group, 57.7% are men and 42.3% are women.

Statistics for the second quarter of 2026 recorded 101,022 informally employed people, a figure that increased by 7.2% compared with the previous quarter.

The State Statistical Office explains that this increase is mainly related to the rise in informal employment in agriculture, forestry and fishing. A total of 51,487 people were recorded in these sectors, accounting for 51% of all informally employed people. Meanwhile, construction accounts for 17.2% of this group.

“This structure shows that seasonal activities in these two sectors have a key impact on quarterly fluctuations in informal employment,” the State Statistical Office said.