Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]
total: 454,300 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21.41 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media [time series]
public service TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 3 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; additionally, there are 10 regional TV stations that broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters, 54 TV channels with concession for cable TV, 9 regional TV stations with concessions for cable TV; 4 satellite TV channels broadcasting on a national level, 21 local commercial TV channels, and a large number of cable operators that offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates over 3 stations; there are 4 privately owned radio stations that broadcast nationally; 17 regional radio stations, and 49 local commercial radio stations (2019)
Internet country code [time series]
.mk
Internet users [time series]
total: 1.71 million (2021 est.) percent of population: 81.41% (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems [time series]
general assessment: EU pre-accession process has led to stronger tele-density with a closer regulatory framework and independent regulators; administrative ties with the EU have led to progress; broadband services are widely available; more customers moving to fiber networks; operators investing in LTE; importer of broadcasting equipment from Vietnam and China; MOU for 5G with US (2020) domestic: fixed-line 19 per 100 and mobile-cellular 99 per 100 subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 389 note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 400,454 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18.87 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 1,921,013 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90.51 (2019 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products [time series]
milk, grapes, wheat, potatoes, green chillies/peppers, cabbages, tomatoes, maize, barley, watermelons
Budget [time series]
revenues: 3.295 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.605 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Credit ratings [time series]
Fitch rating: BB+ (2019) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2013)
Current account balance [time series]
-$151 million (2017 est.) -$293 million (2016 est.)
Debt - external [time series]
$9.065 billion (2019 est.) $9.398 billion (2018 est.)
Economic overview [time series]
Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment. Its low tax rates and free economic zones have helped to attract foreign investment, which is still low relative to the rest of Europe. Corruption and weak rule of law remain significant problems. Some businesses complain of opaque regulations and unequal enforcement of the law. Macedonia s economy is closely linked to Europe as a customer for exports and source of investment, and has suffered as a result of prolonged weakness in the euro zone. Unemployment has remained consistently high at about 23% but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, which is not captured by official statistics. Macedonia is working to build a country-wide natural gas pipeline and distribution network. Currently, Macedonia receives its small natural gas supplies from Russia via Bulgaria. In 2016, Macedonia signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece to build an interconnector that could connect to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline that will traverse the region once complete, or to an LNG import terminal in Greece. Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged to the euro, and inflation at a low level. However, in the last two years, the internal political crisis has hampered economic performance, with GDP growth slowing in 2016 and 2017, and both domestic private and public investments declining. Fiscal policies were lax, with unproductive public expenditures, including subsidies and pension increases, and rising guarantees for the debt of state owned enterprises, and fiscal targets were consistently missed. In 2017, public debt stabilized at about 47% of GDP, still relatively low compared to its Western Balkan neighbors and the rest of Europe.
Exchange rates [time series]
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 55.8 (2017 est.) 55.733 (2016 est.) 55.733 (2015 est.) 55.537 (2014 est.) 46.437 (2013 est.)
Exports [time series]
$7.18 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.) $7.78 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $7.61 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
support catalysts, centrifuges, insulated wiring, vehicle parts, buses, seats (2019)
Exports - partners [time series]
Germany 45%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 5% (2019)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$12.696 billion (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 65.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.6% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.6% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 20.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 54% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -69% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 10.9% (2017 est.) industry: 26.6% (2017 est.) services: 62.5% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]
34.2 (2017 est.) 35.2 (2014)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 1.7% highest 10%: 25% (2015 est.)
Imports [time series]
$8.76 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2020 est.) $9.6 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2019 est.) $9.23 billion note: data are in current year dollars (2018 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramics, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
Imports - partners [time series]
United Kingdom 14%, Germany 14%, Greece 8%, Serbia 8% (2019)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
-7.8% (2017 est.)
Industries [time series]
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
0.7% (2019 est.) 1.4% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force [time series]
793,000 (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 16.2% industry: 29.2% services: 54.5% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line [time series]
21.6% (2018 est.)
Public debt [time series]
39.3% of GDP (2017 est.) 39.5% of GDP (2016 est.) note: official data from Ministry of Finance; data cover central government debt; this data excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; includes treasury debt held by foreign entitites; excludes debt issued by sub-national entities; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]
$33.02 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $34.59 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $33.52 billion note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data
Real GDP growth rate [time series]
0% (2017 est.) 2.9% (2016 est.) 3.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita [time series]
$15,800 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2020 est.) $16,600 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2019 est.) $16,100 note: data are in 2017 dollars (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$2.802 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.755 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
29% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate [time series]
17.29% (2019 est.) 20.7% (2018 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 37% male: 35.2% female: 40% (2020 est.)
Energy
Crude oil - exports [time series]
142 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Electricity - consumption [time series]
6.42 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports [time series]
58.5 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
60% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
37% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
3% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - imports [time series]
2.191 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
1.828 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - production [time series]
5.396 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
198.2 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports [time series]
198.2 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (31 December 2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
21,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
3,065 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
23,560 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Environment
Air pollutants [time series]
particulate matter emissions: 28.34 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 7.05 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 2.28 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate [time series]
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Environment - current issues [time series]
air pollution from metallurgical plants; Skopje has severe air pollution problems every winter as a result of industrial emissions, smoke from wood-buring stoves, and exhaust fumes from old cars
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 44.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 26.5% (2018 est.) forest: 39.8% (2018 est.) other: 15.9% (2018 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Revenue from coal [time series]
coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources [time series]
forest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.)
Total renewable water resources [time series]
6.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total water withdrawal [time series]
municipal: 277.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 225,809,581.6 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 329,217,707.7 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 58.8% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling [time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 796,585 tons (2016 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,434 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.2% (2013 est.)
Geography
total: 25,713 sq km land: 25,433 sq km water: 280 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly larger than Vermont; almost four times the size of Delaware
Climate [time series]
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Coastline [time series]
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation [time series]
highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m lowest point: Vardar River 50 m mean elevation: 741 m
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]
1,280 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 838 km border countries (5): Albania 181 km, Bulgaria 162 km, Greece 234 km, Kosovo 160 km, Serbia 101 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 44.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 16.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 26.5% (2018 est.) forest: 39.8% (2018 est.) other: 15.9% (2018 est.)
Location [time series]
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
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
Population distribution [time series]
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Terrain [time series]
mountainous 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]
70 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city* (grad); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje*, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci
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 etymology: Skopje derives from its ancient name Scupi, the Latin designation of a classical era Greco-Roman frontier fortress town; the name may go back even further to a pre-Greek, Illyrian name
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Constitution [time series]
history: several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; final approval requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2019
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Republic of North Macedonia conventional short form: North Macedonia local long form: Republika Severna Makedonija local short form: Severna Makedonija former: Democratic Federal Macedonia, People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia etymology: the country name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.)
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Kate Marie BYRNES (since 12 July 2019) embassy: Str. Samoilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje mailing address: 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 telephone: [389] (2) 310-2000 FAX: [389] (2) 310-2499 email address and website: SkopjeACS@state.gov https://mk.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Vilma PETKOVSKA, Minister Counselor (since 16 March 2020) chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.mk consulate(s) general: Chicago, Detroit, New York
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Stevo PENDAROVSKI (since 12 May 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Zoran ZAEV (since 31 August 2020); note - Prime Minister ZAEV resigned on 3 January 2019 but was reelected by the Assembly on 31 August 2020 (62-51) following the delayed Assembly general election on 15 July 2020 cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote elections/appointments: president directly elected using a modified 2-round system; a candidate can only be elected in the first round with an absolute majority from all registered voters; in the second round, voter turnout must be at least 40% for the result to be deemed valid; president elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 April and 5 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Assembly; Zoran ZAEV reelected prime minister by the Assembly on 31 August 2020; Assembly vote - 62 for, 51 against election results: Stevo PENDAROVSKI elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 44.8%, Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (VMRO-DPMNE) 44.2%, Blenim REKA (independent) 11.1%; percent of vote in second round - Stevo PENDAROVSKI 53.6%, Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA 46.4%
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow colors have long been associated with Macedonia
Government type [time series]
parliamentary republic
Independence [time series]
8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
International law organization participation [time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation [time series]
BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch [time series]
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Assembly for nonrenewable, 9-year terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts
Legal system [time series]
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral Assembly - Sobraine in Macedonian, Kuvend in Albanian (between 120 and 140 seats, currently 120; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; possibility of 3 directly elected in diaspora constituencies by simple majority vote provided there is sufficient voter turnout; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last election was to be held on 12 April 2020 but was postponed until 15 July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic (next to be held in 2024) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - We Can 35.9%, Renewal 34.6%, BDI 11.5%, AfA-Alternative 9%, The Left 4.1%, PDSh 1.5%, other 3.4%; seats by party/coalition - We Can 46, Renewal 44, BDI 15, AfA-Alternative 12, The Left 2, PDSh 1
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia) lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI note: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia
National holiday [time series]
Independence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day
National symbol(s) [time series]
eight-rayed sun; national colors: red, yellow
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Alliance for Albanians or AfA [Ziadin SELA] Alternative (Alternativa) [Afrim GASHI] Besa Movement [Bilal KASAMI] Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Menduh THACI] Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Hristijan MICKOSKI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Goran MILEVSKI] Renewal (VMRO-DPMNE coalition) Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Dimitar KOVACHEVSKI] The Left (Levica) [Dimitar APASIEV] Turkish Democratic Party of DPT [Beycan ILYAS] We Can (coalition includes SDSM/Besa/VMRO-NP, DPT, LDP)
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
North Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of "Macedonia." Greek objection to the new country s name, insisting it implied territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of Macedonia, and democratic backsliding for several years stalled the country s movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block Macedonian efforts to gain UN membership if the name "Macedonia" was used. The country was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as "The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia," and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution continued. Over time, the US and over 130 other nations recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into a conflict in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. In January 2018, the government adopted a new law on languages, which elevated the Albanian language to an official language at the national level, with the Macedonian language remaining the sole official language in international relations. Relations between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain complicated, however. North Macedonia's pro-Western government has used its time in office since 2017 to sign a historic deal with Greece in June 2018 to end the name dispute and revive Skopje's NATO and EU membership prospects. This followed a nearly three-year political crisis that engulfed the country but ended in June 2017 following a six-month-long government formation period after a closely contested election in December 2016. The crisis began after the 2014 legislative and presidential election, and escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretapped material that revealed alleged widespread government corruption and abuse. Although an EU candidate since 2005, North Macedonia has yet to open EU accession negotiations. The country still faces challenges, including fully implementing reforms to overcome years of democratic backsliding and stimulating economic growth and development. In June 2018, Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa Accord whereby the Republic of Macedonia agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Following ratification by both countries, the agreement went in to force on 12 February 2019. North Macedonia signed an accession protocol to become a NATO member state in February 2019.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
North Macedonia officially became the 30th member of NATO in 2020
Military and security forces [time series]
Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM; includes a General Staff and subordinate Operations Command, Logistic Support Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Center for Electronic Reconnaissance, Aviation Brigade, and Honor Guard Battalion) (2021) note - the Operations Command includes air, ground, special operations, support, and reserve forces
Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]
the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM) has approximately 7,500 active duty personnel (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]
the inventory of North Macedonia's Army consists mostly of Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, it has received small amounts of equipment from Ireland and Turkey (2021)
Military expenditures [time series]
1.57% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.27% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.16% of GDP (2019) 0.94% of GDP (2018) 0.89% of GDP (2017)
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2007 (2021)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 16.16% (male 177,553/female 165,992) 15-24 years: 12.65% (male 139,250/female 129,770) 25-54 years: 44.47% (male 480,191/female 465,145) 55-64 years: 12.55% (male 131,380/female 135,407) 65 years and over: 14.17% (male 131,674/female 169,609) (2020 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
10.55 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
0.9% (2018/19)
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
59.9% (2018/19)
Current health expenditure (Current Health Expenditure) [time series]
6.6% (2018)
Death rate [time series]
9.65 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 44.5 youth dependency ratio: 23.6 elderly dependency ratio: 20.9 potential support ratio: 4.8 (2020 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1.1% of population total: 0.6% of population (2017 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 est.) note: North Macedonia has not conducted a census since 2002; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 6.5 13% of North Macedonia s population
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
<.1% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
300 (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
<500 (2018 est.)
Hospital bed density [time series]
4.3 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 7.49 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Languages [time series]
Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Romani 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other (includes Aromanian (Vlach) and Bosnian) 1.8% (2002 est.); note - minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where they are spoken by at least 20% of the population; Albanian is co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities; Turkish is co-official in Centar Zupa and Plasnica; Romani is co-official in Suto Orizari; Aromanian is co-official in Krusevo; Serbian is co-official in Cucer Sandevo major-language sample(s): Книга на Светски Факти, неопходен извор на основни информации. (Macedonian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 76.59 years male: 74.47 years female: 78.84 years (2021 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.4% male: 99.1% female: 97.6% (2020)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
601,000 SKOPJE (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality ratio [time series]
7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 39 years male: 38 years female: 40 years (2020 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
27 years (2019 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian
Net migration rate [time series]
0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
22.4% (2016)
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
2.87 physicians/1,000 population (2015)
Population [time series]
2,128,262 (July 2021 est.)
Population distribution [time series]
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Population growth rate [time series]
0.13% (2021 est.)
Religions [time series]
Macedonian Orthodox 64.8%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.4%, other and unspecified 1.5% (2002 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 17.4% of population total: 9.1% of population (2017 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 14 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2018)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.51 children born/woman (2021 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 37% male: 35.2% female: 40% (2020 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 58.8% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s) [time series]
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
Kosovo and North Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008
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]
stateless persons: 558 (2020) note: 524,176 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-November 2021)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
total: 10 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 6 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
Z3
Pipelines [time series]
262 km gas, 120 km oil (2017)
Railways [time series]
total: 925 km (2017) standard gauge: 925 km 1.435-m gauge (313 km electrified) (2017)
Roadways [time series]
total: 14,182 km (includes 290 km of expressways) (2017) paved: 9,633 km (2017) unpaved: 4,549 km (2017)