According to the State Statistical Office data, in 2011, in the Republic of Macedonia, the number of live births in urban areas was
13 008, which represents 57.1% of the total number of live births, in comparison with 9 762 live births or 42.9% in rural areas. By
regions, the Skopje Region had the highest share of total live births, 34.3%, whereas the Vardar Region had the smallest share,
6.8%.

The average age of mothers for all live births was 28.5 years in the urban areas and 27.2 in rural areas. The average age of mothers
at first birth was 27.0 years in urban areas and 25.0 years in rural areas. Mothers from rural areas were 2 years younger, according
to the mother’s age at first birth.

The number of deaths in urban areas was 11 478, which represents 59.0%, in comparison with 7 987 or 41.0% in rural areas. By
regions, the Skopje Region had the highest share of the total number of deaths, 26.7%, while the Vardar Region had the smallest
share, 8.2%. There were 93 infant deaths in urban areas and 79 in rural areas.

The average age of death was 71.5 years in urban areas and 72.8 years in rural areas, which means that the deceased persons in
rural areas had a higher average age by 1.2 years.

Urban areas accounted for 46.3% of the natural increase, while rural areas participated with 53.7%. The East, Pelagonia and Vardar
regions show negative natural increase.

The data on internal migration (movement within the borders of the same region) show that moving from rural to urban areas
is more common. Rural-urban migration at the regional level was highest in the Northeast Region at 42.0%. The Polog Region is
characterized by inter-rural migration, accounting for 58.8%.

The external net migration was highest in the Skopje Region (685 migrants), while lowest in the Southwest Region (-698 migrants),
and mostly in the urban areas.