Prime Minister of North Macedonia Hristijan Mickoski made an emotional address dedicated to one of the most acute crises in North Macedonia - demographic collapse. According to him, the government can no longer ignore this "silent, systemic and global problem" that undermines the foundations of society: low birth rate, aging population and mass emigration of young people, reports the North Macedonian media Civil Media.
Will Macedonians pay a bachelor's tax?
Among the most discussed ideas is the introduction of an additional tax for single and unmarried people. Mickoski stressed that this measure is still under consideration, but it is part of a broader vision for building a country in which family and birth rates become a national priority.
"There is nothing more sacred than life. And there is nothing sadder than our country quietly emptying out,“ the prime minister stated. "But there is nothing braver than a people waking up.“
The Demographic Picture: Alarming Data
In his statement, Mickoski presented specific statistics that show the scale of the problem:
In 2024, 16,061 children were born, while 20,201 people died – a natural decline of over 4,000 people in just one year.
Over the past 4 years, the country has lost over 33,000 inhabitants - the same population as a city like Kavadarci or Kichevo.
The birth rate has dropped from 12.5‰ (2010) to 8.8‰ (2024); In many municipalities there is no first grade due to a lack of children.
More and more people live alone, and the number of marriages and births continues to decline.
"Battle for the Future"
The Prime Minister of the RSM emphasized that the fight against the demographic crisis cannot be left in the hands of one ministry alone. This is a "battle that is being fought in every home, in every kindergarten, school and maternity ward".
The government declares its readiness to take a number of steps:
– To make life in the country meaningful for the young;
– To turn motherhood into a blessing, not a burden;
– To build institutions that retain the young, not push them out;
– To inspire hope that is stronger than the desire for a foreign passport
““It is time for a country where more children are born, young people get married, and those who emigrated return,“ said Mickoski. He quotes the French philosopher Edgar Morin, who said, “Demography is not destiny, it is a mirror.“
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Jul 5, 2025 16:45 589