The Republic of Macedonia covers an area of 25,713 km² and according to data from the census conducted in 2002, it has a
population of 2,022,547 inhabitants. In the past, the Republic of Macedonia was characterized by some significant demographic
changes, including a decline in the average annual rate of population increase. The enhanced immigration movements and
sudden decline in the rates of natural population increase have led to changes in distribution of the population and to a
spatial differentiation in the population. The long period of transition in the country has been reflected in the spatial
development of the country and its demographic processes and to relocation of the population. The different naturalgeographical
characteristics, unequal regional development potentials, unequal economic development, and demographic
characteristics have led to changes in the demographic situation of certain regions. The regions that continually lose part of
its population clearly differ from these regions that are characterized by an increased population which is leading to a greater
concentration of people in certain location. Further decades with a declining birth rate, followed by a change in the values of
population increase, together with migration movements, particularly from the rural and less developed economic regions,
has resulted in a decline in the population. The different zones of depopulation and concentration in a simple way express the
complex relationships in the population composition.