Unemployment rate (annual) in North Macedonia

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 11.5% 2027: 11.4% 2028: 11.3% 2029: 11.2% 2030: 11.1% 2031: 11.0%

32.4% (1999) ANUAL · % · Annual · CSV

Period	%
Jan 1999	32.4%
Jan 1998	34.5%
Jan 1997	36.1%
Jan 1996	32.0%

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually, covering the full year and subject to revision.

What it is

Measures the share of North Macedonia's labour force that is unemployed and actively seeking work. Published by the State Statistical Office, it is the country's headline labour market indicator.

How it's calculated

Calculated as the unemployed as a percentage of the labour force, following ILO methodology harmonised with Eurostat, from the household labour force survey. The annual figure averages the quarters.

Market implications

Traditionally one of the highest jobless rates in the Balkans, its decline is a benchmark of socio-economic progress for the EU candidate country. It matters to investors and Brussels rather than as a driver of National Bank monetary policy.

Limitations

High structural and long-term unemployment, together with emigration and a large informal economy, condition the rate's interpretation. Annual survey data carry sampling error and revisions.