2012 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2012 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
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. Since 2004, the United States and 133 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. 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.
Geography
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 (2003)
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)
People and Society
Age structure
- 18.2% (male 195,827/ female 182,231) 70.1% (male 736,974/ female 722,369) 11.8% (male 105,332/ female 139,637) (2012 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 18.2% (male 195,827/ female 182,231)
- 15-64 years
- 70.1% (male 736,974/ female 722,369)
- 65 years and over
- 11.8% (male 105,332/ female 139,637) (2012 est.)
Birth rate
11.8 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.8% (2005)
Death rate
8.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
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
- 8.32 deaths/1,000 live births 8.56 deaths/1,000 live births 8.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- female
- 8.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
- total
- 8.32 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
- 75.36 years 72.82 years 78.1 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 78.1 years (2012 est.)
- total population
- 75.36 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 97.3% 98.7% 95.9% (2010 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 95.9% (2010 est.)
- male
- 98.7%
- total population
- 97.3%
Major cities - population
SKOPJE (capital) 480,000 (2009)
Maternal mortality rate
10 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
Median age
- 36.2 years 35.1 years 37.2 years (2012 est.)
- female
- 37.2 years (2012 est.)
- male
- 35.1 years
- total
- 36.2 years
Nationality
- Macedonian(s) Macedonian
- adjective
- Macedonian
- noun
- Macedonian(s)
Net migration rate
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
Physicians density
2.546 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Population
2,082,370 (July 2012 est.)
Population growth rate
0.237% (2012 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
- rural
- 18% of population
- total
- 11% of population
- 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
- 1.08 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- 15-64 years
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.75 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.08 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
- under 15 years
- 1.08 male(s)/female
Total fertility rate
1.59 children born/woman (2012 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)
Government
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, New York
- chancery
- 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI
- consulate(s) general
- Southfield (Michigan), Chicago, New York
- 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, 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, 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, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, 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 all basic, appellate, and supreme court 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 10.2%, PDSh 5.9%, other 12.1%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 56, SDSM-led block 42, BDI 15, PDSh 8, RDK 2
- election results
- percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 39%, SDSM-led block 32.8%, BDI 10.2%, PDSh 5.9%, other 12.1%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 56, SDSM-led block 42, BDI 15, PDSh 8, RDK 2
- 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 Union or BDSh [Bardhyl MAHMUTI]; Democratic League of Bosniaks in Macedonia [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia or DPSM [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Turks of Macedonia or DPTM [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI]; Dosoinstvo (Diginity) [Stojance ANGELOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Andrej ZENOVSKI]; Liberal Party of Macedonia or LP [Ivon VELICKOVSKI]; Movement for Turkish National Union [Erdogan SARAC]; National Democratic Revival or RDK [Rufi OSMANI]; New Democracy or ND [Imer SELMANI]; New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Action of Macedonia or SDA [Avdija PEPIC]; Party for the Total Emancipation of Roma or PCER [Samka IBRAIMOVSKI]; Party of United Democrats of Macedonia or PODEM [Zivko JANKULOVSKI]; Party on European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Serbian Progressive Party in Macedonia or SPSM [Dragisha MILETIC]; Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVNAOV DZINGO]; Union of Roma of Macedonia or SR [Amdi BAJRAM]; United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOSKI]
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
Economy
Agriculture - products
grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs
Budget
- $2.922 billion $3.186 billion (2012 est.)
- expenditures
- $3.186 billion (2012 est.)
- revenues
- $2.922 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-2.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
Central bank discount rate
4% (31 December 2011 est.) 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.) series discontinued in January 2010; the discount rate has been replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate
8.8% (31 December 2012 est.) 8.87% (31 December 2011 est.)
Current account balance
-$242 million (2012 est.) -$273.5 million (2011 est.)
Debt - external
$6.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.727 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
44.2 (2008) 39 (2003)
Economy - overview
Macedonia is vulnerable to economic developments in Europe - due to strong banking and trade ties - 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 the Socialist Federal Republic 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 more than 31%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% 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 availability, and a large trade deficit. However, as a result of conservative fiscal policies and a sound financial system, in 2010 the country credit rating improved slightly to BB+ and was kept at that level in 2011-12. Macroeconomic stability has been maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged against the euro. As a result, GDP growth was modest, but positive, from 2010 to 2012, and inflation was under control.
Exchange rates
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 48.1 (2012 est.) 44.231 (2011 est.) 46.485 (2010 est.) 44.1 (2009) 41.414 (2008)
Exports
$4.338 billion (2012 est.) $4.429 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities
food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel
Exports - partners
Germany 28.1%, Italy 7.2%, Bulgaria 5.4%, Greece 4.9% (2011)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition by sector
- 11.1% 27.3% 61.6% (2012 est.)
- agriculture
- 11.1%
- industry
- 27.3%
- services
- 61.6% (2012 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$10,700 (2012 est.) $10,600 (2011 est.) $10,300 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
1% (2012 est.) 3.1% (2011) 2.9% (2010)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$10.2 billion (2012 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$22.15 billion (2012 est.) $21.94 billion (2011 est.) $21.28 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 2% 32.4% (2009 est.)
- highest 10%
- 32.4% (2009 est.)
- lowest 10%
- 2%
Imports
$6.188 billion (2012 est.) $6.759 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products
Imports - partners
Greece 14.2%, Germany 13.2%, Bulgaria 11.1%, UK 8%, Turkey 5.4%, Italy 5.4% (2011)
Industrial production growth rate
4% (2011 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.3% (2012 est.) 3.9% (2011 est.)
Investment (gross fixed)
29.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
Labor force
936,000 (2012 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
$2.504 billion (31 December 2011) $2.647 billion (31 December 2010) $922.2 million (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line
30.9% (2010)
Public debt
27.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 28.7% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover Central Government debt
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.698 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.677 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money
$5.415 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $5.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$NA (31 December 2011) $564 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$4.036 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $3.739 billion (31 October 2010 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$4.487 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.418 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$1.335 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.29 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
28.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate
31.3% (2012 est.) 31.4% (2011 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
8.231 million Mt (2010 est.)
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - imports
18,800 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
Electricity - consumption
9.024 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - exports
0 kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
65.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
34.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports
2.634 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
1.54 million kW (2009 est.)
Electricity - production
6.39 billion kWh (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption
136.8 million cu m (2011)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - imports
136.8 million cu m (2011)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
17,490 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
7,706 bbl/day (2009 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
21,530 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
21,280 bbl/day (2008 est.)
Communications
Broadcast media
public TV 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; 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 (2010)
Internet country code
.mk
Internet hosts
62,826 (2012)
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 130 per 100 persons country code - 389 (2011)
- domestic
- combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 130 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 (2011)
Telephones - main lines in use
422,100 (2011)
Telephones - mobile cellular
2.213 million (2011)
Transportation
Airports
14 (2012)
Airports - with paved runways
- 8 (2012)
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 2
- total
- 10
- under 914 m
- 8 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 3 (2012)
- 914 to 1,523 m
- 1
- total
- 4
- under 914 m
- 3 (2012)
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)
Military and Security
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); Logistic Support Command; Training Command (2010)
- Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM)
- Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV); 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; conscription abolished in 2008 (2011)
Transnational Issues
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