Exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia
North Macedonia: Exclusive breastfeeding rate was 27.5% in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia, 1999–2019
Source: Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of children under 6 months.
Analysis
The most recent figure for exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia is 27.5%, measured in 2019.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 19.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia peaked at 99.0% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 16.2%, in 2005.
That places North Macedonia 60th out of 72 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia, year by year
| Year | % of children under 6 months | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 36.6% | — |
| 2003 | 99.0% | +170.5% |
| 2005 | 16.2% | -83.7% |
| 2006 | 16.2% | +0.2% |
| 2011 | 23.0% | +42.1% |
| 2019 | 27.5% | +19.5% |
North Macedonia compared with similar countries
- North Macedonia's 27.5% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 37.2%, 74% of the median. (20 countries reporting)
- North Macedonia's 27.5% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 37.2%, 74% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 36.6% | 36.6% | 36.6% | 1 |
| 2000s | 43.8% | 16.2% | 99.0% | 3 |
| 2010s | 25.3% | 23.0% | 27.5% | 2 |
Countries ranked near North Macedonia
More reference data data for North Macedonia
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.102 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.1665 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.4328 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0308 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.4328 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.342 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.224 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.6296 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.168 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia?
- Exclusive breastfeeding rate in North Macedonia was 27.5% in 2019, according to Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in North Macedonia?
- The highest recorded value was 99.0% in 2003.
- What is the lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate recorded in North Macedonia?
- The lowest recorded value was 16.2% in 2005.
- How does North Macedonia rank for exclusive breastfeeding rate?
- North Macedonia ranks 60th out of 72 countries with data for 2019.
- Is exclusive breastfeeding rate rising or falling in North Macedonia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 19.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Macedonia data come from?
- The figures come from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and UNICEF, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Exclusive breastfeeding rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 6 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
The share of infants less than six months old who were fed only with breast milk in the past 24 hours. WHO and UNICEF recommend that children be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life – meaning no other foods or liquids are provided, including water.