Safest cities in North Macedonia
1 city with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04
What official travel advice warns about
Terrorism
- Terrorism in North MacedoniaTerrorist attacks in North Macedonia cannot be ruled out.
Political situation
- Occasionally there are protests which can cause disruption. Check local media for the latest information, be vigilant and avoid large crowds and gatherings.
Crime
- Protecting your belongingsThere have been several cases of pickpocketing by gangs of children and bag snatching in the main shopping and entertainment areas late at night. Foreign nationals appear to have been specifically targeted. Make sure your personal possessions are secure.
Laws and cultural differences
- Illegal drugsIllegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.
- Using cameras in secure areasIt is illegal to take photographs of any military installation or site of government or strategic importance.
- LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual relationships are legal, but people in North Macedonia are not particularly open about them. LGBT+ bars and restaurants are not common. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
- MoneyBritish banks do not exchange Macedonian denars, so exchange any unwanted denars before you leave. You should only change money through banks or official exchanges and not through street dealers. You will not be able to exchange Scottish or Northern Irish banknotes.
Transport risks
- Road travelIf you are planning to drive in North Macedonia, see information on driving abroad and check the rules of the road in the RAC’s North Macedonia guide. The guide lists driving regulations and other legal requirements you need to be aware of. You can get fines for:
- Driving standardsDriving standards and road conditions vary widely. Driving styles differ significantly from those in UK. Accidents are common. Always take care while driving or on foot.
- Driving a British car in North MacedoniaIf you are taking your own car, you must have:
- Delays for lorries at bordersLorries crossing the North Macedonia border may be subject to long delays. Make sure you have the proper customs documentation before you arrive at the border.
- Air travelFrom November to February there can be thick fog in Skopje and surrounding areas. There can be flight delays and diversions if fog affects visibility at Skopje airport.
Extreme weather and natural disasters
- WildfiresWildfires are possible in North Macedonia from April to October due to the dry and hot weather. Wildfires are highly dangerous and unpredictable. You should:
- EarthquakesEarthquakes occur occasionally. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for North Macedonia, updated 2026-08-13 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →
Country figures
- Homicide rate
- 1.26 /100k2024
- Income inequality
- Gini 33.52019
- Human development
- HDI 0.8152023
- Income
- $26,680/yrGNI per capita PPP
- Road deaths
- 5.1 /100kWHO, 2019
- Political stability
- 69/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
- Rule of law
- 53/100WGI, 2024
- Corruption perceptions
- 40/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
- Natural-hazard risk
- 2.6/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Women, Peace & Security
- 0.79GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
- Air quality
- 21.8 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
- Safe drinking water
- 81%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
- Healthcare capacity
- 2.9 doctors /1k4.7 hospital beds per 1,000
Natural hazards
- Earthquake
- 6.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Flood
- 4.2/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
- Drought
- 3.3/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in North Macedonia (as of 2025).
How North Macedonia compares
| Measure | North Macedonia | World median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.3 /100k | 2.4 /100k | −1.1 /100k — better for North Macedonia |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 33.5 | 35.2 | −1.7 — better for North Macedonia |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.815 | 0.763 | +0.052 — better for North Macedonia |
| Road deaths | 5.1 /100k | 15.4 /100k | −10.3 /100k — better for North Macedonia |
| Rule of law | 53/100 | 52/100 | +1/100 — better for North Macedonia |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 39/100 | +1/100 — better for North Macedonia |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 21.8 µg/m³ | 19.7 µg/m³ | +2.1 µg/m³ — better for World median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.6/10 | 3.8/10 | −1.2/10 — better for North Macedonia |
| Measure | North Macedonia | Europe median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 1.3 /100k | 1.0 /100k | +0.3 /100k — better for Europe median |
| Income inequality (Gini) | 33.5 | 30.6 | +2.9 — better for Europe median |
| Human development (HDI) | 0.815 | 0.911 | −0.097 — better for Europe median |
| Road deaths | 5.1 /100k | 5.8 /100k | −0.8 /100k — better for North Macedonia |
| Rule of law | 53/100 | 74/100 | −21/100 — better for Europe median |
| Corruption perceptions | 40/100 | 57/100 | −17/100 — better for Europe median |
| Air quality (PM2.5) | 21.8 µg/m³ | 11.2 µg/m³ | +10.6 µg/m³ — better for Europe median |
| Natural-hazard risk | 2.6/10 | 2.5/10 | +0.1/10 — better for Europe median |
Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.
All 1 cities, safest first
- Skopje79.4 · #1950 worldwide