Updated
Overview
North Macedonia has 15% more people than Kosovo: 1.82 million against 1.58 million (2025).
North Macedonia's economy is about 55% larger than Kosovo's, at $19.10B versus $12.46B.
Per person, North Macedonia is the wealthier of the two: $10,490 against $7,899 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | North Macedonia | Kosovo | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.10B | $12.46B | 2025 | $16.68B / $11.15B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $10,490 | $7,899 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.5% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.1% | Lower: 3.9% | 2025 | 3.5% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | 12.3% | Lower: 10.9% | 2025 / 2023 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 37 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.82 million | 1.58 million | 2025 | 2.14 million / 1.98 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | -1.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.0 yrs | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.47 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.6 yrs | Higher: 78.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 63% | 51% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 93% | 89% | 2025 / 2018 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 25,713 km² | 10,908 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 70.8/km² | 144.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 6.62 Mt | — | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 3.6 t | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $353.68M | $165.55M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.1% | 1.5% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 16,000 | — | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.5% for North Macedonia, 3.6% for Kosovo).
Inflation is comparable in both: 4.1% in North Macedonia and 3.9% in Kosovo.
People and society
Life expectancy is 1.6 years longer in Kosovo (78.2 vs 76.6).
North Macedonia is considerably more urbanized: 63% of people live in cities, against 51%.
Geography
By land area, North Macedonia is 2.4 times the size of Kosovo: 25,713 km² versus 10,908 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Kosovo is far more densely settled: 145 people per km² against 71.
Military
North Macedonia spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Kosovo: $353.68M versus $165.55M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Frequently asked
- Is North Macedonia bigger than Kosovo?
- North Macedonia is larger by land area. North Macedonia covers 25,713 km² while Kosovo covers 10,908 km², so North Macedonia is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, North Macedonia or Kosovo?
- North Macedonia has the larger population: 1.82 million versus 1.58 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is North Macedonia richer than Kosovo?
- Measured by GDP per capita, North Macedonia is richer: $10,490 against $7,899. Total GDP tells the same story: $19.10B for North Macedonia versus $12.46B for Kosovo.
- Who spends more on their military, North Macedonia or Kosovo?
- North Macedonia spends more: $353.68M versus $165.55M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).