Macedonia - Population

The population of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 2,055,000, which placed it as number 140 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 10% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 22% of the population under 15 years of age. There were an equal number of males and females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 0.51%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 2,160,000. The population density in 2002 was 80 per sq km (206 per sq mi). The lowlands are the most populated regions in the country.

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 62% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital and largest city, Skopje, had a population of 485,000 in that year. Most towns have fewer than 15,000 residents. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000– 2005 was 1.2%.