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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mk

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

3,738 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

100,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 29, FM 20, shortwave 0 (1998)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: NA domestic: NA international: country code - 389

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

560,000 (2002)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

365,300 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)

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: $1.582 billion expenditures: $1.661 billion, including capital expenditures of $80 million NA (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Macedonian denar (MKD)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

MKD

Current account balance [time series]

$-278 million (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.929 billion (2003 est.)

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

$250 million (2003 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

At independence in September 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 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth barely recovered in 2002 to 0.9%, then rose to 2.8% in 2003. Unemployment at one-third of the workforce remains the most critical economic problem. The gray economy is estimated at around 40% of GDP. Politically, the country is more stable than in 2002.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

6.112 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

100 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

6.465 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Macedonian denars per US dollar - NA (2003), 64.3498 (2002), 68.0371 (2001), 65.9039 (2000), 56.9018 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$1.346 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Serbia and Montenegro 37.8%, Germany 27%, Italy 14.7%, Greece 9.7%, Croatia 6.9%, US 6.1%, Netherlands 4.8% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $13.81 billion (2003 est.)

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

agriculture: 11.3% industry: 32.1% services: 56.6% (2003 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $6,700 (2003 est.)

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

2.8% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$2.184 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; food products

Imports - partners [time series]

Greece 17.3%, Germany 12.6%, Serbia and Montenegro 9.2%, Slovenia 7.9%, Bulgaria 7.4%, Italy 6.2%, Turkey 6% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

4.5% (2003 est.)

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

1.2% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

16.3% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

860,000 (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture NA, industry NA, services NA

Oil - consumption [time series]

20,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

30.2% (2002 est.)

Public debt [time series]

30.2% of GDP (2003)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$935.1 million (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

36.7% (2003 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 25,333 sq km land: 24,856 sq km water: 477 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) 2,764 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: 22.26% permanent crops: 1.81% other: 75.93% (2001)

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]

low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, 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"; new information suggests that the 123 municipalities have been consolidated into 84 municipalities

Capital [time series]

Skopje

Constitution [time series]

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

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia; note - the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Lawrence Edward BUTLER embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Vlado BUCKOVSKI (since 17 December 2004) 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 SDSM, LDP, and BDI elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to be held April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly; election last held 1 November 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%, Sasko KEDEV 37.3%; Vlado BUCKOVSKI elected prime minister by the Assembly

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

a yellow sun with eight broadening 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, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats - members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; all serve four-year terms) elections: last held 15 September 2002 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Together for Macedonia coalition 60 (SDSM 43, LDP 12, others 5), VMRO-DPMNE 33 (VMRO 28 and LDT 5), Democratic Union for Integration 16, Democratic Party of Albanians 7, Party for Democratic Prosperity 2, National Democratic Party 1, Socialist Party of Macedonia 1

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 Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Alternative or DA [Vasil TUPURKOVSKI, president]; Democratic League of the Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH/DPA [Arben XHAFERI, president]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Republican Union of Macedonia or DRUM [Dosta DIMOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [leader NA]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Agrarian Party or VMRO-Agrarian Party [Marjan GJORCEV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE (including VMRO and LDT) [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-True Macedonian Option or VMRO-Vistinska [Boris ZMEJKOVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Macedonian [Boris STOJMENOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-People's Party or VMRO-Narodna [Vesna JANEVSKA]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Risto PENOV]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Democratic Party or PDK [Basri HALITI]; National Farmers' Party [VejljoTANTAROV]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Abduljhadi VEJSELI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Vlado BUCKOVSKI, president]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV, president]; Together for Macedonia coalition (including the SDSM and LDP) [Vlado BUCKOVSI]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]

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

Civic Movement of Macedonia [Gordana SILJANOVSKA]; Movement for Macedonia's Euro-Atlantic Integration [Dosta DIMOVSKA]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

International recognition of Macedonia's 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, although differences over Macedonia's name remain. The undetermined status of neighboring Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement - which ended the 2001 ethnic Albanian armed insurgency - and a weak economy continue to be challenges for Macedonia.

Military

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

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM; including Air and Air Defense Command)

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: 555,611 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 448,095 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service, tour of conscript duty is 6 months; 17 years of age for voluntary service (2004)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 17,595 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 21.5% (male 231,078; female 213,906) 15-64 years: 67.8% (male 707,298; female 696,830) 65 years and over: 10.7% (male 97,437; female 124,661) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

13.14 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

7.83 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.8%, Roma 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.3% (2002)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

less than 100 (2003 est.)

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

less than 200 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 11.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.67 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Macedonian 68%, Albanian 25%, Turkish 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2%, other 2%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.73 years male: 72.45 years female: 77.2 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Median age [time series]

total: 32.8 years male: 31.7 years female: 33.9 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

2,071,210 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.39% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Macedonian Orthodox 70%, Muslim 29%, other 1%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.74 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

the Albanian government calls for the protection of the rights of ethnic Albanians in Macedonia while continuing to seek regional cooperation; ethnic Albanians in Kosovo resist demarcation of a small section of the Macedonia-Kosovo boundary in accordance with the 2000 delimitation treaty, which transferred a small amount of land to Macedonia; dispute with Greece over country's name persists

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although most criminal activity is thought to be domestic and not a financial center, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement (no arrests or prosecutions for money laundering to date)

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 2,678 (ethnic conflict in 2001; most IDPs have returned) (2004)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

17 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 8,684 km paved: 5,540 km (including 133 km of expressways) unpaved: 3,144 km (1999 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

none

Railways [time series]

total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (233 km electrified) (2003)

North Macedonia