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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

6 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.mk

Internet users [time series]

100,000 (2001)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)

Radios [time series]

410,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: NA

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

408,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

12,362 (1997)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)

Televisions [time series]

510,000 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton

Budget [time series]

revenues: $850 million expenditures: $950 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Macedonian denar (MKD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

MKD

Debt - external [time series]

$1.3 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$150 million (2001 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

At independence in November 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the center and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on Yugoslavia, one of its largest markets, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. However, the leadership's commitment to economic reform, free trade, and regional integration was undermined by the ethnic Albanian insurgency of 2001. The economy shrank 4.6% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth recovered moderately in 2002 but unemployment at one-third of the workforce remained a critical problem.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

5.992 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

30 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

75 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

6.395 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 82% hydro: 18% other: 0% (1999) nuclear: 0%

Exchange rates [time series]

Macedonian denars per US dollar - 64.757 (January 2001), 65.904 (2000), 56.902 (1999), 54.462 (1998), 50.004 (1997)

Exports [time series]

$1 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

food, beverages, tobacco; miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel

Exports - partners [time series]

Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) 23.1%, Germany 20.6%, Greece 8.8%, Italy 8.6%, US 7.7% (2001)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $10 billion (2002 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 11% industry: 31% services: 58% (2001 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $5,000 (2002 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.8% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$1.6 billion f.o.b. (2002 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 12.6%, Greece 10.9%, Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) 9.3%, Russia 8.3%, Slovenia 7.0% (2000)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-5% (2002 est.)

Industries [time series]

coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4% (2002 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.1 million (2000 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%

Population below poverty line [time series]

24% (2001 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

35% (2002 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 25,333 sq km water: 477 sq km land: 24,856 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly larger than Vermont

Climate [time series]

warm, dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,753 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution from metallurgical plants

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

Irrigated land [time series]

550 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 23.59% permanent crops: 1.85% other: 74.56% (1998 est.)

Location [time series]

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

high seismic risks

Natural resources [time series]

chromium, lead, zinc, manganese, tungsten, nickel, low-grade iron ore, asbestos, sulfur, timber, arable land

Terrain [time series]

mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

123 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Bac, Belcista, Berovo, Bistrica, Bitola, Blatec, Bogdanci, Bogomila, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Cair (Skopje), Capari, Caska, Cegrane, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Delcevo, Delogozdi, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dobrusevo, Dolna Banjica, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Skopje), Drugovo, Dzepciste, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Izvor, Jegunovce, Kamenjane, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Klecevce, Kocani, Konce, Kondovo, Konopiste, Kosel, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kuklis, Kukurecani, Kumanovo, Labunista, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Lukovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovi Anovi, Meseista, Miravci, Mogila, Murtino, Negotino, Negotino-Polosko, Novaci, Novo Selo, Oblesevo, Ohrid, Orasac, Orizari, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Podares, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Rostusa, Samokov, Saraj, Sipkovica, Sopiste, Sopotnica, Srbinovo, Star Dojran, Staravina, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Topolcani, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Velesta, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vitoliste, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Vratnica, Vrutok, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zeleno, Zitose, Zletovo, Zrnovci note: the seven municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute "greater Skopje"

Capital [time series]

Skopje

Constitution [time series]

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 note: the Macedonian Parliament approved November 2001 a series of new constitutional amendments, strengthening minority rights

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: none local long form: Republika Makedonija abbreviation: F.Y.R.O.M. local short form: Makedonija

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Laurence Edward BUTLER embassy: bul. Ilinden bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] (02) 116-180 FAX: [389] (02) 117-103

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Nikola DIMITROV chancery: Suite 302, 1101 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 consulate(s) general: New York FAX: [1] (202) 337-3093 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3063

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Boris TRAJKOVSKI (since 15 December 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 1 November 2002) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 14 November 1999 (next to be held NA October 2004); prime minister elected by the Assembly; election last held NA October 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Boris TRAJKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Boris TRAJKOVSKI 52.4%, Tito PETKOVSKI 46.2%; Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected prime minister by Parliament with 72% of the vote cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, PDP, and DPA

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

a rising yellow sun with eight rays extending to the edges of the red field

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

8 September 1991 referendum by registered voters endorsing independence (from Yugoslavia)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, BIS, CCC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court - Parliament appoints the judges; Constitutional Court - Parliament appoints the judges; Republican Judicial Council - Parliament appoints the judges

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Assembly or Sobranje (120 seats - 85 members are elected by popular vote, 35 members come from lists of candidates submitted by parties based on the percentage that a party gains from the overall vote; all serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Together for Macedonia coalition 60, VMRO-DPMNE 33, Democratic Integrative Union 16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity 2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1 elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006)

National holiday [time series]

Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day and Ilinden

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic Integrative Union [leader NA]; Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Ljubcho GEORGIEVSKI, president]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Reform Option or VMRO-VMRO [Boris STOJMANOV]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Risto GUSTERVO]; Liberal Party [leader NA]; National Democratic Party or MPDK [Kastriot HAXHISEXHA]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PDP [Imeri IMERI, president]; Social-Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM (former Communist Party) [Branko CRVENKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition (including the Social Democrats) [leader NA]; Union of Romanies of Macedonia or SRM [leader NA]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

International recognition of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia's (F.Y.R.O.M.) independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 was delayed by Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols. Greece finally lifted its trade blockade in 1995, and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, despite continued disagreement over F.Y.R.O.M.'s use of "Macedonia." F.Y.R.O.M.'s large Albanian minority, an ethnic Albanian armed insurgency in F.Y.R.O.M. in 2001, and the status of neighboring Kosovo continue to be sources of ethnic tension.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army (ARM), Air and Air Defense Forces, Police Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$200 million (FY01/02 est.)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

6% (FY01/02 est.)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 551,523 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 444,575 (2002 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

19 years of age (2002 est.)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 17,905 (2002 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 22.4% (male 239,638; female 221,446) 15-64 years: 67.2% (male 694,368; female 686,450) 65 years and over: 10.4% (male 94,214; female 118,684) (2002 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.35 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.74 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Macedonian 66.6%, Albanian 22.7%, Turkish 4%, Roma 2.2%, Serb 2.1%, other 2.4% (1994)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.01% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

less than 100 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

12.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Languages [time series]

Macedonian 70%, Albanian 21%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 3%, other 3%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.26 years female: 76.68 years (2002 est.) male: 72.01 years

Literacy [time series]

definition: NA total population: NA% male: NA% female: NA%

Nationality [time series]

noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Population [time series]

2,054,800 note: a Framework Agreement ratified by Macedonia on 16 November 2001 calls for a new census in 2002 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.41% (2002 est.)

Religions [time series]

Macedonian Orthodox 67%, Muslim 30%, other 3%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.77 children born/woman (2002 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

dispute with Greece over country's name persists; 2001 FYROM-Yugoslavia boundary delimitation agreement, which adjusts former republic boundaries, was signed and ratified and awaits demarcation; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo dispute legitimacy of the agreement, which cedes small tracts of Kosovo lands to FYROM

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; while money laundering is a problem on a local level due to organized crime activities, the lack of a well-developed financial infrastructure limits the country's utility as a money-laundering center

Transportation

Airports [time series]

17 (2001)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2002)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2002)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 8,684 km paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,144 km (1997)

Pipelines [time series]

10 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

none

Railways [time series]

total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) note: a 56-km extension of the Kumanovo-Beljakovce line to the Bulgarian border at Gyueshevo is under construction (2001)

Waterways [time series]

note: lake transport only, on the Greek and Albanian borders

North Macedonia