Skopje, 26 June 2026 (MIA) - The Constitutional Court has revoked sections of the 2021 Census Methodology related to the classification of “resident” and “non-resident” population, stating that such a classification is not in line with the fundamental value of rule of law in the country’s constitutional order. It also found that the head of the State Statistical Office overstepped his authority by introducing such classifications through a bylaw, without having the legal mandate to do so. The decision will not apply retroactively to the census conducted in 2021.

It will come into effect the moment it is published in the Official Gazette and will apply to bylaws adopted in the future.

“The Constitutional Court assessed the head of the State Statistical Office overstepped his authorization and through a bylaw (The Methodology) introduced a classification of resident and non-resident population, which he does not have the legal authority to do, since the 2021 Law on Census of Population, Households and Dwellings does not foresee a classification of the population through a bylaw,” the Court said.

The Court clarified that since this is a revocation decision, it will not apply to the already implemented census from 2021.

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