Elisabeta Bajrami Ollogu, Arta Xhelili
BSF Report 1
IDEFE Publications, 2025
48 pp.
ISBN: 978-608-4944-28-7 / /
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Introduction
In the last two decades, North Macedonia has experienced a significant and persistent trend of emigration, particularly among its young population. Youth emigration has become one of the most significant challenges for the country over the past few decades, particularly during the transition period. As the country has been navigating its post socialist transformation, a growing number of citizens have been leaving the country in search of better living conditions and employment opportunities abroad. Many studies have shown that this trend, which has accelerated since the 1990s, seems to be mainly driven by the country’s relatively high unemployment rates, economic stagnation, political crisis, and limited career prospects for young graduates. Despite efforts by the governments throughout the years to address these issues, youth emigration remains a persistent phenomenon, particularly as young people see futures that are more promising in Western Europe instead of choosing to remain and contribute to the country’s development.
North Macedonia has one of the highest rates of youth emigration in the Western Balkans, with many young people aged 18-34 opting to migrate to countries within the European Union and beyond. According to official data from the State Statistical Office of the Republic of North Macedonia for 2024, a total of 10,354 people emigrated in the previous year, of whom 2,372 were young people aged 15 to 29.
Structural challenges such as high youth unemployment, limited economic opportunities, political instability, and weak institutional trust have been important factors driving these rising emigration rates. In 2023, the youth unemployment rate (ages 15-29) was 25.4%, while the general unemployment rate in the country was 13% (Stojceska et al., 2024). Furthermore, other drivers of this emigration are considered the economic hardship, lack of job security, and a perceived lack of opportunities for personal and professional growth within the domestic labor market. Graduates often face a harsh reality of limited job openings in their fields of study, while those who find employment frequently encounter low wages and poor working conditions. Additionally, social factors such as a desire for improved living standards, better healthcare, and higher-quality education also contribute to the decision to emigrate.
Politically, while North Macedonia has made significant strides toward European Union integration, many young people remain dissatisfied with the slow pace of reforms, widespread corruption, and the country’s political instability. This has fostered a sense of disillusionment among the youth, who often view migration as the most viable option for securing a better future.
The consequences of youth emigration in North Macedonia are far-reaching, affecting not only the labor market but also the country’s demographic and social structure. The “brain drain” effect, where highly skilled and educated individuals leave the country, intensifies existing labor shortages in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology. Moreover, this outflow of young talent presents a serious challenge for economic growth, as it undermines the capacity of local industries to innovate and expand. For the 2007- 2024 period, North Macedonia was ranked as the sixth country with the highest levels of brain drain in the world2. The country faces the dual challenge of retaining its educated youth while simultaneously addressing the factors that push them abroad.
LOST POTENTIAL: Understanding Youth Migration Drivers and Labor Market Perceptions in North Macedonia
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