The first headcounts on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia were carried out in the 15th century, when Turkish authorities enumerated only taxpayers and the male population. There are Russian, French, Greek and other sources of data on population censuses in the 19th century.
The first modern census on the territory of the Republic of North Macedonia was conducted in 1921.
After the Second World War, nine population censuses were carried out in the Republic of North Macedonia: in 1948, 1953, 1961, 1971, 1981, 1991, 1994, 2002 and 2021.
The 1991 Census coverage was incomplete and, therefore, another census in the same decade was conducted in 1994.
The 1994 Census was the first census conducted in the Republic of North Macedonia after the proclamation of independence.
The 2002 Census was the last census carried out in the Republic of North Macedonia using the traditional method.
The 2021 Census was conducted by applying a new, so-called combined census method and new technological approach with entry of census data on handheld computers, laptops, and using data from the created pre-census database.
The Census of Population, Households and Dwellings is defined as a statistical operation which at regular intervals (usually ten years) officially counts the population of the country, from its smallest geographical territorial units to the country level, along with the defined demographic, social and economic characteristics of the total population.
Censuses are typically conducted every 10 years, in years that end in zero or one.
?he main objective of the Census is to determine the number of the population and its territorial distribution, to obtain data on vital, educational, economic, ethnic, migration and other characteristics of the population. The Census is the basis for estimating the number and movement of the population in the intercensal period, as well as for long-term projections of the population in the future.
According to its significance, the Census is ranked as an activity of high national interest, and its implementation is always regulated by a special Law on Census which is adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia.
The aggregated statistical results obtained from data collected with the Census, besides for statistical purposes, are also used for macroeconomic planning, creating development policies, scientific analysis and other research.