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The indicator shows total economic losses from weather- and climate-related extreme events (such as windstorms, flooding, heatwaves, cold spells, droughts or wildfires) per country and per year (since 1980). A moving average for the previous 30 years is added because of the large interannual variability of the losses.
North Macedonia faces growing economic losses due to climate change and natural hazards, especially floods and forest fires. Key findings highlight the country’s vulnerability. Between 1990 and 2023, floods were the most frequent and damaging natural hazards, with flash floods in 2016 causing 22 deaths and USD 100 million in losses. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency and intensity of floods and fires as shifting temperatures and precipitation patterns drive more extreme weather. River and urban flood risks are particularly high, with projections indicating more intense flooding and an 18% reduction in water availability by 2100, alongside heightened drought risks. Agriculture is particularly vulnerable, with climate variability increasing the risks of soil erosion and reduced yields of crops particularlywheat and maize. These changes threaten public safety, infrastructure and key sectors of the economy. A 2013 United Nations Development Programme report estimated significant economic impacts in energy demand, water resources for electricity production, and agriculture. Understanding these challenges will help North Macedonia evaluate strategies for building climate resilience.
References and footnotes
- ↵Global Water Partnership, ‘Country Brief: North Macedonia’, December 2022, accessed 31 July 2025, https://www.gwp.org/globalassets/global/about-gwp/publications/country-briefs/gwp_country_brief_north-macedonia_english.pdf.
- ↵International Monetary Fund, ‘Republic of North Macedonia: Selected issues’, IMF Staff Country Reports, 2024(027), A001, 26 January 2024, accessed 2 July 2025, https://www.elibrary.imf.org/view/journals/002/2024/027/article-A001-en.xml.
- ↵Global Water Partnership, How water resources management can support climate-resilient development in North Macedonia, 2022, accessed 2 July 2025, https://www.gwp.org/globalassets/global/about-gwp/publications/country-briefs/gwp_country_brief_north-macedonia_english.pdf.
- ↵United Nations Development Programme, Assessing the Economic Impact of Climate Change, Skopje, 2013, accessed 2 July 2025, https://www.undp.org/north-macedonia/publications/assessing-economic-impact-climate-change.