North Macedonia

Republic of MacedoniaRepublika Makedonija

parliamentary democracy

North Macedonia as the 2010 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 134 fields, one of 34 editions from 1992 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalSkopje, UTC+1
Position41 50 N, 22 00 E
Area25,713 sq km
LocationSoutheastern Europe, north of Greece
Populationas each edition published it
2.07 million July 2010 est. · 2.17m in 1992
Population growth% a year
0.257% 2010 est. · 0.91% in 1993
Median ageyears
35.4 years 2010 est. · 32.5 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
74.92 years 2010 est. · 73.19 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
1.58 children per woman 2010 est. · 2 in 1993
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
8.76 deaths per 1,000 live births 2010 est. · 29.7 in 1993
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$9,400 2010 est. · $3,110 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
1.5% 2010 est. · -18% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. 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 Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.

Geography

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

20 fields

Land useshare of 25,713 sq km

arable land 22.01%permanent crops 1.79%other 76.2% (2005)irrigated 550 sq km (2003)
Area
25,713sq km
country comparison to the world: 149land: 25,433 sq kmwater: 280 sq kmslightly larger than Vermont
Coastline
0km
(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Highest point
2,764m
Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit)lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
Land boundaries
766km
border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

Location

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Climate

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

Terrain

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

Natural resources

low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total:
2.27
per capita:
1,118 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

high seismic risks

Environment - current issues

air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements

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

Geography - note

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

People

22 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2010 est.)

102,231
65 and over11.4%
133,426
722,823
15-6469.4%
710,830
206,054
0-1419.2%
191,354
MaleFemale
Population
2,072,086
(July 2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 143growth rate: 0.257% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 177

Per 1,000 population

Birth
11.92 (2010 est.)Death
8.87 (July 2010 est.)Net migration
-0.48 (2010 est.)

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2010 est.)74.92
72.4 · 77.64Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)8.76
8.98 · 8.53Literacy (2002 census)96.1%
98.2% · 94.1%
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2010 est.)35.4
34.4 · 36.5School life expectancy years (2007)12
12 · 12
MaleFemaleLife expectancy country comparison to the world: 89 · Infant mortality country comparison to the world: 158 · Literacy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups(2002 census)

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

Religions(2002 census)

Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%Muslim 33.3%other Christian 0.37%other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)
Urban population
67%of total population
(2008)rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.76 male(s)/female
total population:
1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Nationality

noun:
Macedonian(s)
adjective:
Macedonian

Languages

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

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 133

Government

Parliamentary democracy; President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009); Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)

19 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

63.1%
Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%two-round election: first round held on 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014)

Assembly or Sobranie, 120 seats, elected 1 June and 15 June 2008one dot, one seat

VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63SDSM-led block 27BDI/DUI 18PDSh/DPA 11PEI 1

Percent of vote

VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%SDSM-led block 24%BDI/DUI 13%PDSh/DPA 8%other 6%

Country name

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 the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)

former:
People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Capital

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

Administrative divisions

84 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, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, 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 Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (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 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality

Independence

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

National holiday

Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day

Constitution

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001, 2005 and in 2009

note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights, in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary,

and in 2009 with amendments related to the threshold required to elect the president

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)
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, BDI/DUI, and several small parties
; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term);
  • two-round election: first round held on 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014);
  • prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections
election results:
Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%

Legislative branch

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; members serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held on 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012)
election results:
  • percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%;
  • seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1

Judicial branch

  • Supreme Court;
  • Constitutional Court;
  • Republican Judicial Council

note: the Assembly appoints the judges

Political parties and leaders

  • Democratic Alliance or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV];
  • Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia [Ivan STOILJKOVIC];
  • Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI];
  • Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia [Kenan HASIPI];
  • Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI];
  • Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization--Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) [Nikola GRUEVSKI];
  • Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIJEVSKI];
  • Liberal Party [Borce STOJANOVSKI];
  • Movement for Reconstruction of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA];
  • New Alternative [Gjorgji OROVCANEC];
  • New Democracy or DR [Imer SELMANI];
  • New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI];
  • Party for Democratic Action in Macedonia or SDAM [Avdija PEPIC];
  • Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI];
  • Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI];
  • Socialist Party or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO];
  • Union of Roma of Macedonia [Amdi BAJRAM];
  • United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOVSKI];
  • VMRO-Macedonian [Borislav STOJMENOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

  • Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC];
  • Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI];
  • Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]

International organization participation

BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), 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, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

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), Chicago

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Philip T. REEKER
embassy:
Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
mailing address:
American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone:
[389] 2 310-2000
FAX:
[389] 2 310-2499

Flag description

  • 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

National anthem

name:
"Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)
lyrics/music:
Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI

note: adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia

Economy

Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth.

50 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$19.46billion
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 127$19.18 billion (2009 est.) · $19.31 billion (2008 est.)note: data are in 2010 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sectorofficial exchange rate: $9.58 billion (2010 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,400
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 114$9,300 (2009 est.) · $9,400 (2008 est.)note: data are in 2010 US dollars
Real growth rate
1.5%
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 169-0.7% (2009 est.) · 4.8% (2008 est.)industrial production growth: 1.3% (2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 143
Inflation, consumer prices
1.5%
(2010 est.)country comparison to the world: 41-0.8% (2009 est.)

GDP - composition by sector(2010 est.)

agriculture 12.1%industry 29.6%services 58.3% (2010 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

20.31%
Germany
15.11%
13.09%
Greece
14.88%
11.08%
Italy
7.68%
10.61%
Bulgaria
9.08%
7.74%
Croatia
Turkey
7.59%
Slovenia
6.26%
Hungary
4.31%
Exports $3.171 billion (2010 est.)Imports $5.113 billion (2010 est.)(2009)

Electricity

Electricity production
6.162 billion (2009 est.)Electricity consumption
7.797 billion (2009 est.)Electricity imports
1.635 billion (2009 est.)

Economy - overview

Having a small, open economy makes Macedonia vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. 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.

Since then, Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at 33%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics.

In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a large trade deficit, but the financial system remained sound. Macroeconomic stability was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, at the expense of raising interest rates. As a result, GDP fell in 2009. but returned to positive in 2010.

Labor force

942,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
18.6%
industry:
29.5%
services:
51.9% (September 2009)

Unemployment rate

33.1% (2010 est.) · 32.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
2.4%
highest 10%:
29.6% (2003)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68

Investment (gross fixed)

22.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Public debt

25.7% of GDP (2010 est.) · 32.4% of GDP (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2009) · 6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 62

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.07% (31 December 2009 est.) · 9.68% (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Stock of narrow money

$1.146 billion (31 December 2010 est) · $1.184 billion (31 December 2009 est) country comparison to the world: 137

Stock of broad money

$4.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $4.217 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Stock of domestic credit

$4.001 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $4.055 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.859 billion (31 December 2009) · $823.5 million (31 December 2008) · $2.715 billion (31 December 2007) country comparison to the world: 100

Agriculture - products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Industries

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - exports

4,672 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Oil - imports

20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - consumption

80 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas - imports

82 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Current account balance

-$328 million (2010 est.) · -$645.6 million (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Exports

$3.171 billion (2010 est.) · $2.686 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Exports - commodities

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

Imports

$5.113 billion (2010 est.) · $4.842 billion (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Imports - commodities

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Debt - external

$5.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) · $5.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.528 billion (31 October 2009 est.) · $3.357 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 47.601 (2010), 44.1 (2009), 41.414 (2008), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006)

Communications

7 fields
Mobile cellular
1.943 million
(2009)
Internet users
60,533
(2010)
Fixed lines
442,200
(2009) · country code .mk

Telephone system

general assessment:
competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions
domestic:
combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 115 per 100 persons
international:
country code - 389 (2009)

Broadcast media

  • public television broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network;
  • 5 privately-owned TV channels broadcast nationally;
  • roughly 50 local commercial TV stations broadcasting;
  • large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming;
  • public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations;
  • 3 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationally;
  • roughly 65 local commercial radio stations functioning (2007)

Internet users

1.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 97

Transportation

6 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
8

Airports by runway lengthunpaved only

under 914 m
3

Networkskm

Roadways
13,736 (2009)Railways
699
Roadways: (includes 216 km of expressways) · Railways: standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2009)

Airports

14 (2010) country comparison to the world: 149

Pipelines

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2009)

Railways

total:
699 km

country comparison to the world: 104

standard gauge:
699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2009)

Roadways

total: 13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2009) country comparison to the world: 126

Military

6 fields
Military expenditures
6%of GDP
(2005 est.)country comparison to the world: 9

Military branches

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM):
  • Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV);
  • Special Operations Regiment;
  • Logistic Support Command;
  • Training Command (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49:
530,966
females age 16-49:
511,534 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
442,953
females age 16-49:
425,981 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male:
15,338
female:
14,445 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

3 fields

Disputes - international

  • Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008;
  • Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007)

Illicit drugs

  • 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

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Macedonia.” The World Factbook 2010. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/north-macedonia/2010.