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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.mk

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

6,001 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

268,000 (2006)

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]

490,900 (2006)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

1.417 million (2006)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

31 (plus 166 repeaters) (1995)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grapes, wine, tobacco, vegetables; milk, eggs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $2.132 billion expenditures: $2.167 billion (2006 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Macedonian denar (MKD)

Current account balance [time series]

$-23.7 million (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.365 billion (2006 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

39 (2003)

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

$NA (2005)

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 central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, 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 averaged 4% per year during 2003-06. Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has lagged the region in attracting foreign investment, and job growth has been anemic. Macedonia has an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20 percent of GDP, that falls outside official statistics.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

8.929 billion kWh (2006)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2006)

Electricity - imports [time series]

2.994 billion kWh (2006)

Electricity - production [time series]

5.935 billion kWh (2006)

Exchange rates [time series]

Macedonian denars per US dollar - 48.978 (2006), 48.92 (2005), 49.41 (2004), 54.322 (2003), 64.35 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$2.396 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Serbia and Montenegro 23.2%, Germany 15.6%, Greece 15.1%, Italy 9.9%, Bulgaria 5.4%, Croatia 5.2% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$5.601 billion (2006 est.)

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

$16.96 billion note: Macedonia has a large informal sector (2006 est.)

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

agriculture: 12.6% industry: 29.5% services: 57.9% (2006 est.)

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

$8,300 (2006 est.)

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

3.1% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$3.682 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 15.1%, Germany 9.8%, Greece 8.5%, Serbia and Montenegro 7.5%, Bulgaria 6.7%, Italy 6% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.4% (2006 est.)

Industries [time series]

food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

3.2% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

17.8% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

880,000 (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 21.7% industry: 32.6% services: 45.7% (September 2006)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$646 million (2005)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

95.91 million cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

95.91 million cu m (2005)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

23,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports [time series]

NA bbl/day

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

30% (2005)

Public debt [time series]

41.5% of GDP (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$1.889 billion (2006 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$NA

Unemployment rate [time series]

36% (2006 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; 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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, 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 (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 22.01% permanent crops: 1.79% other: 76.2% (2005)

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]

85 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer-Sandevo, Debar, Debartsa, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gjorce Petrov (Skopje), Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rastusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Skopje, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci note: the ten municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality

Capital [time series]

name: Skopje geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution [time series]

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Gillian A. MILOVANOVIC embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US 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 Zoran JOLEVSKI chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Branko CRVENKOVSKI (since 12 May 2004) head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006) 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, NSDP, PDSh/DPA, and several small parties elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election last held 14 April and 28 April 2004 (next to be held by April 2009); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections election results: Branko CRVENKOVSKI elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Branko CRVENKOVSKI 62.7%, Sasko KEDEV 37.3%

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 endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)

International organization participation [time series]

BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, 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; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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; to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 5 July 2006 (next to be held by July 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 33%, SDSM 22%, BDI/DUI 12%, PDSh/DPA 7%, NSDP 6%, VMRO-Narodna 6%, other 14%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 45, SDSM 32, BDI/DUI 17, PDSh/DPA 11, NSDP 7, VMRO-Narodna 6, other 2

National holiday [time series]

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

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

Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic League of the Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Arben XHAFERI]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [Mitko KOSTOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; 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 Alternative [Harun ALIU]; National Democratic Party-New Democratic Forces or PDK-FRO [Hysni SHAQIR]; New Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Future [Alajdin DEMIRI]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Abduljhadi VEJSELI]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Radmila SEKERINSKA]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Union of Romas or SR [Saliu SHABAN]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]

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

Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; World Macedonian Congress [Todor PETROV]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. The undetermined status of neighboring Kosovo, implementation of the Framework Agreement, and a weak economy continue to be challenges for Macedonia.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 498,259 females age 18-49: 481,317 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 411,156 females age 18-49: 397,839 (2005 est.)

Manpower reaching military service age annually [time series]

males age 18-49: 16,686 females age 18-49: 15,664 (2005 est.)

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

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV), Special Operations Regiment (2007)

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

6% (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for voluntary military service (2007)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 19.8% (male 210,418/female 195,884) 15-64 years: 69.1% (male 715,997/female 704,739) 65 years and over: 11.1% (male 99,892/female 128,985) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

12.02 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)

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: 9.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

Macedonian 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 74.21 years male: 71.73 years female: 76.88 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: 98.2% female: 94.1% (2002 census)

Median age [time series]

total: 34.4 years male: 33.5 years female: 35.5 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

2,055,915 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.263% (2007 est.)

Religions [time series]

Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.074 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.016 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.774 male(s)/female total population: 0.997 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.57 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

ethnic Albanians in Kosovo object to demarcation of the boundary with Serbia in accordance with the 2000 Macedonia-Serbia and Montenegro delimitation agreement; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Illicit drugs [time series]

major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2006)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

17 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 4 (2007)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2006)

Railways [time series]

total: 699 km standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 8,684 km paved: 5,540 km unpaved: 3,144 km (1999)

North Macedonia