On this page

1. Main challenges to social inclusion

2. Definitions and concepts

Main challenges to social inclusion

Social inclusion in North Macedonia refers to ensuring equal access to rights, services and opportunities for all individuals, particularly those at risk of poverty, discrimination or marginalisation.

According to the State Statistical Office, the at-risk-of-poverty rate was 21.9% in 2024, indicating that more than one fifth of the population lives below 60% of median equivalised income. Young people are particularly vulnerable: the youth unemployment rate (15–24) remained above 28% in 2024, significantly higher than the overall unemployment rate (around 12%). The NEET rate (young people not in education, employment or training) remains structurally high compared to EU averages.

North Macedonia is a multiethnic and multi-confessional state. The Ohrid Framework Agreement (2001) ended the internal conflict and introduced constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights, equitable representation and decentralisation. While it improved institutional inclusion, socio-economic disparities persist, particularly affecting Roma communities, persons with disabilities, rural youth and long-term unemployed persons.

Education-related challenges

Although secondary education has been compulsory since 2008, early school leaving and educational inequality remain concerns. According to recent national data, early school leaving remains above the EU target of 9%, with significantly higher dropout rates among Roma students.

The Strategy for Roma Inclusion 2022–2030 (Стратегија за инклузија на Ромите 2022–2030), adopted by the Government in 2022, aims to:

• reduce socio-economic disparities between Roma and non-Roma populations;

• decrease poverty and unemployment;

• combat discrimination and anti-Gypsyism;

• improve access to education, housing, health and civil registration.
   

Despite policy efforts, Roma students remain overrepresented in segregated educational settings and underrepresented in higher education.

Inclusion of students with disabilities also remains uneven due to insufficient support staff, limited accessibility of school infrastructure and capacity gaps in inclusive teaching methodologies.

Employment-related challenges

Labour market exclusion is a major driver of social exclusion. Structural challenges include:

• high youth unemployment (over 28% in 2024); 
• skills mismatch between education outcomes and labour market needs;
• limited transition mechanisms from school to work;
• gender disparities in labour market participation;
• low employment rates among persons with disabilities and Roma.

The National Employment Strategy 2021–2027 aims to improve employability, strengthen inclusive labour market measures and reduce structural unemployment. It is implemented by the Employment Service Agency under the Ministry of Economy and Labour (established in its current structure in 2024 following governmental reorganisation).

However, activation measures remain limited in coverage relative to the size of vulnerable groups, and long-term unemployment continues to represent a significant share of total unemployment.

Social protection and discrimination

The Law on Social Protection introduced a Guaranteed Minimum Assistance scheme aimed at reducing extreme poverty. While it improved targeting efficiency, benefit levels remain modest compared to living costs.

The Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination (2020) provides a comprehensive anti-discrimination framework and established the Commission for Prevention and Protection against Discrimination. Reported cases show discrimination based on ethnicity, disability, gender and socio-economic status.

Institutional fragmentation and limited inter-sectoral coordination continue to affect the effectiveness of inclusion policies.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policy was reorganised in 2024 into the Ministry of Social Policy, Demography and Youth, and the Ministry of Economy and Labour. These institutional changes aim to improve policy coordination in employment, youth and social protection domains. However, a comprehensive new national strategy for poverty reduction has not yet replaced the expired 2010–2020 framework.

Definitions and concepts

North Macedonia does not have a single legally codified definition of “social inclusion.” However, national policy documents and legislation use related concepts.

The expired National Strategy for Reduction of Poverty and Social Exclusion (2010–2020) defined social exclusion as a multidimensional process preventing individuals from fully participating in economic, social and political life.

The Law on Social Protection refers to social exclusion as a condition of cumulative disadvantage but does not provide a formal operational definition.

The Law on Prevention and Protection against Discrimination (2020) defines key concepts:

• Discrimination by association – less favourable treatment due to association with a protected group; 

• Discrimination by perception – discrimination based on assumed characteristics;

• Equality – equal rights and responsibilities before the law;

• Marginalised groups – groups exposed to structural barriers, prejudice or limited access to opportunities. 

In practice, social inclusion policies in North Macedonia follow the EU social inclusion framework, focusing on access to employment, education, healthcare, housing and participation in decision-making processes.