Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala) derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 05 of 18 · Country Index 2026
North Macedonia: Health & Wellbeing
How long, and how well fed, do people live?
North Macedonia is placed joint 30th of 200 countries on health & wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Life Expectancy at Birth 77.39 (2023); Under-Five Mortality Rate 2.803 (2024).
Share
Health & Wellbeing
joint30th
of 200 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 77.39Life Expectancy at Birth, 2023Years a newborn would live at current death rates
- 2.803Under-Five Mortality Rate, 2024Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
- 4.307Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five, 2024Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
- 1.6Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity, 2024Population in severe food insecurity (%)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place North Macedonia on health & wellbeing — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Life Expectancy at Birth
UN DESA Population Division
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
77.39
Years a newborn would live at current death rates
Higher is better
North Macedonia: 77.39. Across the 222 countries in this edition, values run from 54.46 (Nigeria) to 86.37 (Monaco); the world median is 74.63.
- World median
- 74.63
- Best in Southern Europe
- 85.71 San Marino
- Land neighbours
- Albania 79.6 · Bulgaria 75.64 · Greece 81.86 · Serbia 76.77 · Kosovo 78.03
Key 2 of 4
Under-Five Mortality Rate
UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
2.803
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)
Lower is better
North Macedonia: 2.803. Across the 200 countries in this edition, values run from 1.26 (San Marino) to 115.65 (Nigeria); the world median is 14.54.
- World median
- 14.54
- Best in Southern Europe
- 1.26 San Marino
- Land neighbours
- Albania 9.227 · Bulgaria 5.736 · Greece 3.824 · Serbia 5.408 · Kosovo 8.723
Key 3 of 4
Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five
UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · North Macedonia’s is from 2019 · CC BY 3.0 IGO
4.307
Children under 5 who are stunted (%)
Lower is better
North Macedonia: 4.307. Across the 162 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.518 (Latvia) to 52.8 (Burundi); the world median is 13.8.
- World median
- 13.8
- Best in Southern Europe
- 1.458 Greece
- Land neighbours
- Albania 11.32 · Bulgaria 7 · Greece 1.458 · Serbia 5.423
Key 4 of 4
Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
1.6
Population in severe food insecurity (%)
Lower is better
North Macedonia: 1.6. Across the 125 countries in this edition, values run from 0.6 (Brazil) to 62.9 (South Sudan); the world median is 4.9.
- World median
- 4.9
- Best in Southern Europe
- 0.6 Croatia and Slovenia
- Land neighbours
- Albania 8.3 · Bulgaria 1.7 · Greece 1.6 · Serbia 0.7
02Over time
Which way North Macedonia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Life Expectancy at Birth
Years a newborn would live at current death rates · higher is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia rose from 72.57 in 2000 to 77.39 in 2023; the world median went from 70.68 to 74.63.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2023 77.3947 74.630 2022 76.6455 74.313 2021 73.2918 72.433 2020 74.4687 73.063 2019 76.8346 74.196 2018 76.8835 74.081 2017 76.1524 74.029 2016 75.5710 74.013 2015 75.6289 73.783 2014 75.6327 73.330 2013 75.5832 73.386 2012 75.0430 73.210 2011 75.1424 73.003 2010 75.0374 72.827 2009 74.4689 72.426 2008 74.4363 72.264 2007 73.7418 72.113 2006 73.7907 72.027 2005 73.6075 71.876 2004 73.4475 71.477 2003 73.0466 71.409 2002 72.7090 71.173 2001 73.0061 70.926 2000 72.5690 70.678 Under-Five Mortality Rate
Deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) · lower is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia fell from 16.01 in 2000 to 2.803 in 2024; the world median went from 30.43 to 14.54.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2024 2.80 14.5 2023 3.45 15.2 2022 4.22 14.7 2021 5.06 15.1 2020 5.99 15.3 2019 7.11 15.7 2018 8.39 16.3 2017 9.62 16.8 2016 10.59 17.5 2015 11.13 17.9 2014 11.10 18.3 2013 10.72 18.7 2012 10.36 18.8 2011 10.24 19.0 2010 10.39 19.2 2009 10.84 20.8 2008 11.52 20.7 2007 12.33 21.8 2006 13.12 22.8 2005 13.73 24.0 2004 14.03 25.9 2003 14.17 26.9 2002 14.48 28.0 2001 15.13 29.1 2000 16.01 30.4 Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity
Population in severe food insecurity (%) · lower is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia fell from 3.6 in 2015 to 1.6 in 2024; the world median went from 3.4 to 4.9.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2024 1.6 4.9 2023 3.4 4.7 2022 4.8 5.4 2021 6.9 5.7 2020 6.0 5.6 2019 5.0 5.0 2018 3.2 4.2 2017 3.1 4.0 2016 3.1 3.4 2015 3.6 3.4
03In context
North Macedonia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 200 countries on health & wellbeing, never a place within the region.
North Macedonia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 200; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Life Expectancy at BirthYears a newborn would live at current death rates | Under-Five Mortality RateDeaths before age five (per 1,000 live births) | Stunting Prevalence in Children Under FiveChildren under 5 who are stunted (%) | Prevalence of Severe Food InsecurityPopulation in severe food insecurity (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Greece | 21st | 81.86 | 3.824 | 1.458 | 1.6 |
| North Macedonia | =30th | 77.39 | 2.803 | 4.307 | 1.6 |
 Serbia | 41st | 76.77 | 5.408 | 5.423 | 0.7 |
 Bulgaria | 55th | 75.64 | 5.736 | 7 | 1.7 |
 Kosovo | 61st | 78.03 | 8.723 | — | — |
 Albania | 81st | 79.6 | 9.227 | 11.32 | 8.3 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 200.
Placed either side on health & wellbeing
The countries immediately above and below North Macedonia in the topic’s list.
Singapore28th
Croatia29th
Cyprus=30th- North Macedonia=30th
United States=30th
Denmark33rd
Belarus=34th
04Context, no vote
Where North Macedonia is ahead of the world, and behind
53 more statistics filed under health & wellbeing, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median30
Statistics on which North Macedonia does better than the middle country measured.
Care-Seeking for Children with Symptoms of PneumoniaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 67.79367.7No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 93 · world median 67.7 · Children under 5 with pneumonia symptoms taken to a health provider (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 14 to 99.1; higher is better.
Position 4th of 127 · derived.
Neonatal Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 8.1341.0558.134▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 1.055 · world median 8.134 · Deaths in the first 28 days (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.544 to 39.47; lower is better.
Position 195th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Vegetable Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 102.69298.72102.69▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 298.72 · world median 102.69 · Vegetables available as food (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.89 to 412.72; higher is better.
Global Multidimensional Poverty IndexOPHI · 2025 · world median 0.0390.0010.039▲ Improved since 2018
North Macedonia: 0.001 · world median 0.039 · MPI (0–1). Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.517; lower is better.
Position 104th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Maternal Mortality RatioMMEIG · 2023 · world median 46.652.7646.65No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 2.76 · world median 46.65 · Maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.11 to 992.83; lower is better.
Position 186th of 195 · derived, 1st = worst.
Births Attended by Skilled Health StaffUNICEF and WHO (Joint Database on Skilled Birth Attendance) · 2023 · world median 99.310099.3▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 100 · world median 99.3 · Births attended by skilled health staff (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Database on Skilled Birth Attendance), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 60.9 to 100; higher is better.
Position 1st of 84 · derived.
Infant Mortality RateUN IGME · 2024 · world median 12.262.45712.26▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 2.457 · world median 12.26 · Deaths before age one (per 1,000 live births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.214 to 71.87; lower is better.
Position 182nd of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Postnatal Care for Newborns Within Two DaysUNICEF · 2025 · world median 82.998.682.9No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 98.6 · world median 82.9 · Newborns with a health check within 2 days of birth (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.3 to 99.9; higher is better.
Position 12th of 109 · derived.
Antenatal Care Coverage, At Least Four VisitsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 8195.781No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 95.7 · world median 81 · Women with a live birth who had 4+ antenatal visits (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 22.6 to 100; higher is better.
Position 18th of 153 · derived.
Oral Rehydration Salts for Children with DiarrhoeaUNICEF · 2024 · world median 41.56241.5No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 62 · world median 41.5 · Children under 5 with diarrhoea given oral rehydration salts (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 9.9 to 95.4; higher is better.
Position 18th of 127 · derived.
Dietary Energy SupplyFAO · 2024 · world median 2,9823,4962,982▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 3,496 · world median 2,982 · Dietary energy supply (kcal per person per day). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1,757 to 3,962; higher is better.
Position 25th of 155 · derived.
Prevalence of UndernourishmentFAO · 2023 · world median 5.22.55.2▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 2.5 · world median 5.2 · Population undernourished (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 54.2; lower is better.
Position 104th of 104 · derived, 1st = worst.
Mortality Rate, Ages 5–14UN IGME · 2024 · world median 2.8581.2422.858No real change since 2014
North Macedonia: 1.242 · world median 2.858 · Deaths between ages 5 and 14 (per 1,000 children aged 5). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.392 to 59.04; lower is better.
Position 159th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Gender Inequality IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.3510.1120.351No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 0.112 · world median 0.351 · GII (0 = full equality, 1 = maximum inequality). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 0.838; lower is better.
Ranked 37th of 172 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Stillbirth RateUN IGME · 2023 · world median 8.1633.6198.163▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 3.619 · world median 8.163 · Stillbirths (per 1,000 total births). UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.18 to 34.9; lower is better.
Position 154th of 200 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adult Mortality (Probability of Dying Between 15 and 60)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 133.781.7133.7▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 81.7 · world median 133.7 · Deaths before age 60 per 1,000 people alive at 15, at that year's death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 25.15 to 415.44; lower is better.
Position 162nd of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Institutional DeliveriesUNICEF · 2025 · world median 96.999.196.9No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 99.1 · world median 96.9 · Live births delivered in a health facility (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.5 to 100; higher is better.
Prevalence of Moderate or Severe Food InsecurityFAO · 2024 · world median 20.99.220.9▲ Improved since 2015
North Macedonia: 9.2 · world median 20.9 · Population in moderate or severe food insecurity (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 88.8; lower is better.
Position 98th of 135 · derived, 1st = worst.
Minimum Dietary Diversity, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2025 · world median 37.5754.1937.57No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 54.19 · world median 37.57 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at least 5 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 8.089 to 85.88; higher is better.
Position 34th of 115 · derived.
Severe Child Food Poverty, Children Aged 6–23 MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 21.2610.9321.26No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 10.93 · world median 21.26 · Children aged 6-23 months fed from at most 2 of 8 food groups (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.169 to 63.08; lower is better.
Position 80th of 113 · derived, 1st = worst.
Coefficient of Variation of Habitual Caloric ConsumptionFAO · 2024 · world median 0.250.220.25No real change since 2014
North Macedonia: 0.22 · world median 0.25 · Coefficient of variation of habitual calorie consumption across the population (standard deviation ÷ mean). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.17 to 0.4; lower is better.
Adolescent Birth Rate (Ages 15–19)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 27.4612.9627.46▼ Worsened since 2013
North Macedonia: 12.96 · world median 27.46 · Live births per 1,000 women aged 15–19. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.465 to 163.09; lower is better.
Position 150th of 222 · derived, 1st = worst.
Share of Dietary Energy Supply from Cereals, Roots and TubersFAO · 2022 · world median 413541▼ Worsened since 2012
North Macedonia: 35 · world median 41 · Share of dietary energy supply from cereals, roots and tubers (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 21 to 82; lower is better.
Human Development IndexUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.7620.8150.762▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 0.815 · world median 0.762 · HDI score (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.388 to 0.972; higher is better.
Ranked 68th of 193 by UNDP Human Development Report Office.
Low Birthweight PrevalenceUNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates) · 2020 · world median 10.218.29210.21No real change since 2010
North Macedonia: 8.292 · world median 10.21 · Live births weighing under 2,500 g (%). UNICEF and WHO (Joint Low Birthweight Estimates), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 3.993 to 27.44; lower is better.
Position 101st of 158 · derived, 1st = worst.
Fruit Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 84.8397.5684.83▼ Worsened since 2013
North Macedonia: 97.56 · world median 84.83 · Fruit available as food, excluding wine (kg per person per year). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 4.27 to 379.63; higher is better.
Share of Population Unable to Afford a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 26.415.626.4No real change since 2017
North Macedonia: 15.6 · world median 26.4 · Share of the population unable to afford a healthy diet (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 93.9; lower is better.
Position 90th of 145 · derived, 1st = worst.
Wasting Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 3.5463.363.546No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 3.36 · world median 3.546 · Children under 5 who are wasted (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.1 to 22.74; lower is better.
Position 91st of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Violent Discipline of ChildrenUNICEF · 2025 · world median 75.873.175.8No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 73.1 · world median 75.8 · Children aged 1-14 experiencing violent discipline (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 37.6 to 94; lower is better.
Position 49th of 90 · derived, 1st = worst.
Life Expectancy at Age 65UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 16.3916.516.39No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 16.5 · world median 16.39 · Further years a 65-year-old would live at current death rates. UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 12.13 to 23.21; higher is better.
Position 109th of 222 · derived.
Behind the world median12
Statistics on which North Macedonia does worse than the middle country measured.
Human Capital IndexWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 0.5640.5570.564▲ Improved since 2010
North Macedonia: 0.557 · world median 0.564 · HCI score (0–1). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.292 to 0.879; higher is better.
Position 88th of 172 · derived.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.451614.45▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 16 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 97th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Days Above 35°CECMWF · 2025 · world median 3.488.233.48No real change since 2015
North Macedonia: 8.23 · world median 3.48 · Days a year with a maximum temperature above 35°C, averaged over the country’s land. World Bank Group (Climate Change Knowledge Portal), from Copernicus ERA5 (ECMWF), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 222.89; lower is better.
HPV Vaccination Coverage, GirlsWUENIC · 2025 · world median 65.54065.5▼ Worsened since 2018
North Macedonia: 40 · world median 65.5 · Girls in the target group given the final dose of HPV vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 99; higher is better.
Exclusive Breastfeeding Under Six MonthsUNICEF · 2024 · world median 40.7427.5240.74No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 27.52 · world median 40.74 · Infants under 6 months exclusively breastfed (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.497 to 83.3; higher is better.
Position 106th of 136 · derived.
Immunisation Coverage, DTP3WUENIC · 2025 · world median 917991▼ Worsened since 2015
North Macedonia: 79 · world median 91 · Infants given a third dose of DTP vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 39 to 99; higher is better.
Agreement That Vaccines Are SafeWellcome Trust · 2018 · world median 77.6553.6177.65No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 53.61 · world median 77.65 · People aged 15+ who agree that vaccines are safe (% of those who had heard of vaccines). Wellcome Trust, 2018 edition, data for 2018.
Published values in that edition run from 29.29 to 97.91; higher is better.
Position 128th of 144 · derived.
Overweight Prevalence in Children Under FiveUNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates) · 2024 · world median 5.512.275.5No real change since 2014
North Macedonia: 12.27 · world median 5.5 · Children under 5 who are overweight (%). UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.623 to 26.43; lower is better.
Position 19th of 163 · derived, 1st = worst.
Immunisation Coverage, Measles First Dose (MCV1)WUENIC · 2025 · world median 906390▼ Worsened since 2015
North Macedonia: 63 · world median 90 · Infants given a first dose of measles vaccine (%). WHO and UNICEF (WUENIC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13 to 99; higher is better.
Demand for Family Planning Satisfied by Modern MethodsUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 71.2538.971.25▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 38.9 · world median 71.25 · Share of women aged 15–49 wanting to avoid pregnancy who use a modern method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 8.4 to 92.4; higher is better.
Position 179th of 196 · derived.
Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 PandemicAriel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset) · 2026 · world median 272.35803.2272.35No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 803.2 · world median 272.35 · Excess deaths per 100,000 people, March 2020 to the end of each country's data (at most December 2023). Ariel Karlinsky and Dmitry Kobak (World Mortality Dataset), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from -264.9 to 1,013; lower is better.
Early Initiation of BreastfeedingUNICEF · 2024 · world median 52.959.50552.95No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 9.505 · world median 52.95 · Newborns put to the breast within one hour of birth (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.749 to 93.1; higher is better.
Position 135th of 136 · derived.
No better end11
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Caesarean Section RateUNICEF · 2025 · world median 20.6538.320.65No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 38.3 · world median 20.65 · Live births delivered by caesarean section (%). UNICEF, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.6 to 72.2.
Cost of a Healthy DietFAO · 2025 · world median 4.555.394.55Moved since 2017
North Macedonia: 5.39 · world median 4.55 · Cost of the cheapest locally available healthy diet, PPP dollars per person per day. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.66 to 8.27.
Catastrophic Out-of-Pocket Health SpendingWorld Bank Group · 2019 · world median 6.887.8446.88No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 7.844 · world median 6.88 · Population in households spending more than 10% of their budget on health out of pocket (%). World Bank Group, 2019 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0.133 to 31.21.
Contraceptive Prevalence (Any Method)UN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 41.2543.741.25No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 43.7 · world median 41.25 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using any contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 6.6 to 78.7.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8351.4857.83No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 51.48 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Children with Functional DifficultiesUNICEF · 2024 · world median 1311.113No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 11.1 · world median 13 · Children aged 5-17 with a functional difficulty (%). UNICEF, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.9 to 35.2.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8937.1638.89Moved since 2015
North Macedonia: 37.16 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 116th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fish and Seafood Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 16.178.0116.17Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 8.01 · world median 16.17 · Fish and seafood available as food (kg per person per year, live-weight equivalent). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 83.81.
Adults Who Have Been Too Anxious or Depressed to Carry OnWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 20.0515.2120.05No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 15.21 · world median 20.05 · People aged 15+ who have ever been too anxious or depressed to continue their usual activities for two weeks or more (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.934 to 49.35.
Modern Contraceptive PrevalenceUN DESA Population Division · 2023 · world median 35.420.535.4Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 20.5 · world median 35.4 · Share of all women aged 15–49 using a modern contraceptive method (%). UN DESA Population Division, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 73.8.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.221.73No real change since 2014
North Macedonia: 0.22 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 156th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for North Macedonia
Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Global Report on Food Crises, INFORM Severity Index, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) and Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Health & Wellbeing among North Macedonia’s 16 topics
Health & Wellbeing is North Macedonia’s best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 30th of 2004/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture29th of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience32nd of 1934/4 keys
- Peace & Security41st of 1773/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 55th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation52nd of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions70th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality69th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties89th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality85th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade83rd of 1772/4 keys
- Digital & Technology95th of 1984/4 keys
- Energyjoint 87th of 1653/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge122nd of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour143rd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability154th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on health & wellbeing
The three countries placed highest of 200, and the leaders North Macedonia can most readily be measured against.
1
San MarinoSouthern Europe
1st of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Matl derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
MonacoWestern Europe
2nd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
AndorraSouthern Europe
3rd of 200 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
South Korea5th4/4 keysHighest in Europe
San Marino1st2/4 keysThis page
North Macedonia=30th4/4 keys
Positions out of 200 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about North Macedonia and health & wellbeing
On health & wellbeing
Global Hunger Index 2025: Countries with the Most Alarming Hunger Crisis
Thirteen countries scored across four editions — 2000, 2008, 2016 and 2025 — and five the report could not score at all. DR Congo and South Sudan share 121st place on 37.5.
On health & wellbeing
World Happiness Report 2025: Finland Leads Again as the US and UK Face Major Declines
The ten highest life evaluations of 2025, drawn on a world map, and the six things the report uses to explain them. Costa Rica and Mexico are the only two outside Europe and the Middle East.
08Questions
North Macedonia on health & wellbeing: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does North Macedonia rank on health & wellbeing?
North Macedonia is placed joint 30th of 200 countries on Health & Wellbeing in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Life Expectancy at Birth, Under-Five Mortality Rate, Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five and Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Life Expectancy at Birth figure for North Macedonia?
77.39 in 2023 (years a newborn would live at current death rates), according to UN DESA Population Division. The world median in the same edition was 74.63.
What is the latest Under-Five Mortality Rate figure for North Macedonia?
2.803 in 2024 (deaths before age five (per 1,000 live births)), according to UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME). The world median in the same edition was 14.54.
How does North Macedonia compare with Greece on health & wellbeing?
Greece is placed 21st of 200, and North Macedonia joint 30th. Life Expectancy at Birth: Greece 81.86, North Macedonia 77.39; Under-Five Mortality Rate: Greece 3.824, North Macedonia 2.803; Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five: Greece 1.458, North Macedonia 4.307; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity: Greece 1.6, North Macedonia 1.6.
How have North Macedonia’s health & wellbeing figures changed?
Life Expectancy at Birth rose from 72.57 in 2000 to 77.39 in 2023; Under-Five Mortality Rate fell from 16.01 in 2000 to 2.803 in 2024; Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity fell from 3.6 in 2015 to 1.6 in 2024.
Which health & wellbeing statistics are missing for North Macedonia?
No current reading is published for North Macedonia on Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Genital Mutilation Prevalence, Global Report on Food Crises, INFORM Severity Index, Insecticide-Treated Net Use, Malaria Incidence (P. falciparum), Malaria Incidence (P. vivax) and Malaria Mortality (P. falciparum). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Health spending, hospital beds and doctors per person are not measured, because more of any of them does not guarantee better outcomes. Mental health and self-reported happiness are not part of this topic. Food supply per person is measured under Food & Agriculture. Maternal mortality and many other indicators are published here as context; maternal mortality is a key in Development & Human Capital instead.
How the Health & Wellbeing standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The health & wellbeing method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Life Expectancy at Birth — UN DESA Population Division, CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Under-Five Mortality Rate — UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Stunting Prevalence in Children Under Five — UNICEF, WHO and World Bank Group (Joint Malnutrition Estimates), CC BY 3.0 IGO
- Prevalence of Severe Food Insecurity — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
The other 53 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
North Macedonia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- North Macedonia (banner) — Pudelek (Marcin Szala) derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- San Marino — Matl derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Monaco — Martin Weber derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Andorra — Tiia Monto derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). North Macedonia: Health & Wellbeing — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/north-macedonia/health