Population figures
Total country population
2,082,706
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
19,371
Asylum-seekers:
41
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
179
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
46
Country context
North Macedonia is located in the Balkan Peninsula. The country is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, as well as numerous regional human rights agreements, providing a legal foundation for the protection of refugees and stateless persons.
The country's asylum system has undergone reforms, notably with the adoption of the Law on International and Temporary Protection (LITP) in 2018, which aims to align national practices with international and EU standards. However, challenges remain in areas such as family reunification for persons granted subsidiary protection, freedom of movement for asylum seekers, and the handling of repeated asylum applications. The Sector for Asylum (SfA), under the Ministry of Interior, is responsible for refugee status determination (RSD), with judicial review conducted by the Administrative Court. Although progress has been made, there is still room for improving the efficiency and fairness of asylum procedures.
...In recent years, the country has witnessed a shift in the profile of asylum seekers, with an increase in the number of persons granted subsidiary protection, especially vulnerable individuals like unaccompanied children. However, asylum applications remain low, with many individuals continuing their journey to Western Europe, primarily due to limited opportunities for integration and access to the labor market in North Macedonia.
North Macedonia has also faced challenges related to statelessness, with a significant portion of the stateless population being Roma, many of whom lack proper birth and civil documentation. Efforts to address statelessness include legislative reforms and the Law on Unregistered Persons, which provides temporary access to essential rights.
North Macedonia’s asylum system and border management have shown improvements, particularly through the development of a National Strategy for Integrated Border Management. This strategy emphasizes improving access to protection, training for officials, and strengthening coordination with international partners.
As of 2023, the country has implemented Temporary Protection (TP) for Ukrainian refugees, offering them a more favorable legal status, which should facilitate their access to rights and services.
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