Skopje, 15 December 2023 (MIA) - Deputy PM for Economic Affairs Fatmir Bytyqi told the presentation of the Population Projections by 2070 that demographic developments should not be seen in shock and fear, but rather be seen as an opportunity to create greater inclusiveness and foster human capital. 

Bytyqi pointed to the need to make systemic changes and decisions, highlighting as the most worrying data from the 2020 population census the section on young people and the clear trend of them leaving the country in the past 20 years. 

"Census data showed a clear trend of young people leaving in these 20 years. Projections indicate that this trend will continue. Our country will probably neither overcome the trend of increased emigration upon joining the European Union. All countries have this experience during accession, but also after joining the European Union, they record the return of emigrated citizens back to the country, or maintaining the number of the population," said Bytyqi. 

Unfortunately, Bytyqi stressed, I am afraid that the projections may become a reality, and we must not gloss over them. 

"We are already stumbling over them. For 20 years someone has been hiding them under the carpet, 20 years of not taking any action, for 20 years someone has been stealing our future. It's time to do something different, I believe the next few years are our chance to make a real change. Which starts with all of us. That's why I'm asking everyone who this message will reach to, let's be the corrective we need. Not the critic, but the corrective. To be able to look at data, at challenges, without the urge to blame, but with the will to improve. By seeing the bigger picture around us and understanding our place and role within it," Bytyqi said. 

He stressed that the solution lies in making systemic changes and decisions that bring predictability and consistency, regardless of political will, which, he noted, brings something that is invaluable for any development - the strengthening of security and trust.

"By creating policies that facilitate women's access to the labor market, attracting talented people, let's continue to work on integrating minorities. Let's encourage senior citizens to stay active, even after retirement, in their communities, in the economy and in public life. Inclusive societies are far more resilient to demographic changes, with a much higher probability of progressing, regardless of the numerical state of the population," the Deputy PM pointed out, stressing that the solution lies in completing the integration towards the European Union and economic growth, in a clear vision.

Bytyqi pointed out that the next test of whether the country is really ready to move forward and really work for the future is precisely the adoption of the National Development Strategy, which includes the population projections, and has already been prepared to be passed to the Parliament soon.

In addition, he noted that every government must be able to project and predict its demographic future, in order to be able to anticipate, plan and respond accordingly. This, according to him, is a sign of "demographic resilience", as well as a reflection of statesmanship responsibility.

Population projections of the Republic of North Macedonia by 2070 done by the State Statistical Office point to a decline in the overall population in the country. Observed according to projection variants, the population of the country, from the initial 1,832,000 in 2022, until the end of the projection period would move in the interval from 501,200 (constant variant), to 1,485,700 (variant without migrations). If nothing changes and the 2022 parameters remain, the overall population will fall to 1.3 million by 2070.