2011 Edition

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, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution are ongoing. The United States recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and 97 other nations have as well. 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 ethnic Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement, maintaining momentum on democratic reforms, and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made over the past several years.

Area

25,713 sq km 25,433 sq km 280 sq km

total

25,713 sq km

water

280 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Vermont

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Vardar River 50 m Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

highest point

Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

lowest point

Vardar River 50 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.27 1,118 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,118 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.27

Geographic coordinates

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Geography - note

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

Irrigated land

1,280 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

766 km Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

border countries

Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

total

766 km

Land use

22.01% 1.79% 76.2% (2005)

arable land

22.01%

other

76.2% (2005)

permanent crops

1.79%

Location

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

high seismic risks

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

6.4 cu km (2001)

Age structure

18.5% (male 198,643/female 184,775) 70% (male 733,601/female 720,103) 11.6% (male 103,620/female 136,586) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

18.5% (male 198,643/female 184,775)

15-64 years

70% (male 733,601/female 720,103)

65 years and over

11.6% (male 103,620/female 136,586) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

11.87 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.8% (2005)

Death rate

8.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0% of population (2008)

rural

1% of population

total

0% of population (2008)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.63 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

8.54 deaths/1,000 live births 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births 8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

8.54 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

75.14 years 72.61 years 77.87 years (2011 est.)

female

77.87 years (2011 est.)

total population

75.14 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 96.1% 98.2% 94.1% (2002 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

94.1% (2002 census)

male

98.2%

total population

96.1%

Major cities - population

SKOPJE (capital) 480,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

35.8 years 34.8 years 36.9 years (2011 est.)

female

36.9 years (2011 est.)

male

34.8 years

total

35.8 years

Nationality

Macedonian(s) Macedonian

adjective

Macedonian

noun

Macedonian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

2.5463 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

2,077,328 (July 2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.248% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 92% of population rural: 82% of population total: 89% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 18% of population total: 11% of population (2008)

rural

18% of population

total

11% of population (2008)

urban

8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2008)

female

13 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.077 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.76 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.76 male(s)/female

at birth

1.077 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.08 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

54.9% 52.8% 58.5% (2009)

female

58.5% (2009)

total

54.9%

Urbanization

59% of total population (2010) 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

59% of total population (2010)

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 the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality

Capital

Skopje 42 00 N, 21 26 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

42 00 N, 21 26 E

name

Skopje

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

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

Country name

Republic of Macedonia Macedonia Republika Makedonija Makedonija the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM) People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

conventional long form

Republic of Macedonia

conventional short form

Macedonia

former

People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

local long form

Republika Makedonija

local short form

Makedonija

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Paul D. WOHLERS Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) [389] 2 310-2000 [389] 2 310-2499

chief of mission

Ambassador Paul D. WOHLERS

embassy

Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje

FAX

[389] 2 310-2499

mailing address

American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)

telephone

[389] 2 310-2000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-0501 [1] (202) 667-2131 Southfield (Michigan), Chicago

chancery

2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI

consulate(s) general

Southfield (Michigan), Chicago

FAX

[1] (202) 667-2131

telephone

[1] (202) 667-0501

Executive branch

President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009) Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006) 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 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; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%

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

chief of state

President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)

election results

Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%

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; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

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

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Judicial Council the Judicial Council appoints the judges; Legislative Assembly appoints Constitutional Court Judges

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (123 seats; all members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral and three diaspora districts; members serve four-year terms) last held on 5 June 2011 (next to be held by June 2015) percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 39%, SDSM-led block 32.8%, BDI/DUI 10.2%, PDSh/DPA 5.9%, other 12.1%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1

election results

percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 39%, SDSM-led block 32.8%, BDI/DUI 10.2%, PDSh/DPA 5.9%, other 12.1%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1

elections

last held on 5 June 2011 (next to be held by June 2015)

National anthem

"Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia) Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia

lyrics/music

Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI

name

"Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

eight-rayed sun

Political parties and leaders

Albanian Democratic Resistance or PDK [Rufi OSMANI]; 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 [Risto PENOV]; 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-DZINGO]; Union of Roma of Macedonia [Amdi BAJRAM]; United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOVSKI]; VMRO-Macedonian [Borislav STOJMENOV]; VMRO-People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Free Trade Unions [Rasko MISHKOSKI]; Federation of Trade Unions [Zivko MITREVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Yakim NEDELKOV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Budget

$2.853 billion $3.08 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$3.08 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$2.853 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.) 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.) series discontinued in January 2010. Discount rate was replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate: 4.0% (31 December 2010)

series discontinued in January 2010. Discount rate was replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate

4.0% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.5% (31 December 2010 est.) 10.062% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$258.6 million (2010 est.) -$598.8 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$5.704 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.589 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.2 (2008) 39 (2003)

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 31.7%, 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. However, as a result of conservative fiscal policies and a sound financial system, in 2010 the country received slightly improved credit ratings. Macroeconomic stability also was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, while interest rates were falling. As a result, GDP growth was modest, but positive, in 2010.

Electricity - consumption

8.189 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.37 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

6.819 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 46.434 (2010) 44.1 (2009) 41.414 (2008) 44.732 (2007) 48.978 (2006)

Exports

$3.296 billion (2010 est.) $2.686 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 20.2%, Italy 7.1%, Bulgaria 7.1%, Greece 6.4% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

12% 29.5% 58.5% (2010 est.)

agriculture

12%

industry

29.5%

services

58.5% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,700 (2010 est.) $9,600 (2009 est.) $9,700 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.7% (2010 est.) -0.9% (2009 est.) 5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.108 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20 billion (2010 est.) $19.86 billion (2009 est.) $20.04 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.2% 34.5% (2008)

highest 10%

34.5% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.2%

Imports

$5.241 billion (2010 est.) $4.843 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 11.5%, Russia 11.1%, Greece 8.3%, Bulgaria 8.2%, UK 7%, Turkey 5.1%, Italy 5.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

-4.9% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2010 est.) -0.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

938,300 (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

19.9% 22.1% 58% (September 2010)

agriculture

19.9%

industry

22.1%

services

58% (September 2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.647 billion (31 December 2010) $922.2 million (31 December 2009) $823.5 million (31 December 2008)

Natural gas - consumption

117.4 million cu m (2010)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

117.4 million cu m (2010)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

19,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

8,594 bbl/day (2010)

Oil - imports

21,530 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

116 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

28.7% (2008)

Public debt

24.6% of GDP (2010 est.) 23.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.278 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.913 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA (31 December 2010) $564 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.739 billion (31 October 2010 est.) $3.554 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.322 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.191 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.249 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.224 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

32% (2010 est.) 32.2% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

public television broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately-owned TV channels broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters and about 15 broadcast on national level via satellite; roughly 75 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; about 70 local commercial radio stations functioning (2010)

Internet country code

.mk

Internet hosts

60,533 (2010)

Internet users

1.057 million (2009)

Telephone system

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

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 115 per 100 persons

general assessment

competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions

international

country code - 389 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

413,100 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.153 million (2010)

Airports

14 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

8 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

total

10

under 914 m

8 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

4

under 914 m

3 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2010)

Railways

699 km 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2010)

total

699 km

Roadways

13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2010)

total

13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

532,196 511,964 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

511,964 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

532,196

Manpower fit for military service

443,843 426,251 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

426,251 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

443,843

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

16,144 14,920 (2010 est.)

female

14,920 (2010 est.)

male

16,144

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)

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 expenditures

6% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

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

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

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

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

IDPs

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