2014 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. Since 2004, the US and over 130 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into an insurgency 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. Although Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, the country still faces challenges, including fully implementing the Framework Agreement, improving relations with Bulgaria, carrying out democratic reforms, and stimulating economic growth and development. Macedonia's membership in NATO was blocked by Greece at the Alliance's Summit of Bucharest in 2008.

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)

1.03 cu km/yr (21%/67%/12%) 502 cu m/yr (2007)

per capita

502 cu m/yr (2007)

total

1.03 cu km/yr (21%/67%/12%)

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

1,278 sq km (2004)

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

16.1% 1.36% 82.54% (2011)

arable land

16.1%

other

82.54% (2011)

permanent crops

1.36%

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 (2011)

Age structure

17.7% (male 191,682/female 178,510) 14.1% (male 151,901/female 142,679) 43.8% (male 464,392/female 451,038) 12.1% (male 123,272/female 129,081) 12.1% (male 111,090/female 148,074) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

17.7% (male 191,682/female 178,510)

15-24 years

14.1% (male 151,901/female 142,679)

25-54 years

43.8% (male 464,392/female 451,038)

55-64 years

12.1% (male 123,272/female 129,081)

65 years and over

12.1% (male 111,090/female 148,074) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

11.64 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

16,782 6 % (2005 est.)

percentage

6 % (2005 est.)

total number

16,782

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.8% (2005)

Death rate

9.04 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

41.2 % 23.4 % 17.8 % 5.6 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

17.8 %

potential support ratio

5.6 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

41.2 %

youth dependency ratio

23.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

1.2% of population

total

0.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0.2% of population

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

6.6% of GDP (2011)

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

4.6 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

7.9 deaths/1,000 live births 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births 7.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

7.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

7.9 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

75.8 years 73.23 years 78.56 years (2014 est.)

female

78.56 years (2014 est.)

total population

75.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.4% 98.7% 96% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96% (2011 est.)

male

98.7%

total population

97.4%

Major urban areas - population

SKOPJE (capital) 499,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

36.8 years 35.7 years 37.9 years (2014 est.)

female

37.9 years (2014 est.)

male

35.7 years

total

36.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.2 (2011 est.)

Nationality

Macedonian(s) Macedonian

adjective

Macedonian

noun

Macedonian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.1% (2008)

Physicians density

2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

2,091,719 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

0.21% (2014 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.2% of population rural: 82.8% of population total: 91.4% of population urban: 2.8% of population rural: 17.2% of population total: 8.6% of population (2012 est.)

rural

17.2% of population

total

8.6% of population (2012 est.)

urban

2.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2010)

female

13 years (2010)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.08 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.07 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

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

0.99 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 (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

53.9% 55.2% 51.7% (2012)

female

51.7% (2012)

total

53.9%

Urbanization

59.3% of total population (2011) 0.33% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.33% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

59.3% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

71 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); 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, Grad Skopje, 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, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

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

several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended several times, last in 2011 (2011)

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 (since 11 August 2011) 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 (since 11 August 2011)

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 (since 22 March 2007) 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-0501 [1] (202) 667-2131 Chicago, New York, Southfield (MI)

chancery

2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI (since 22 March 2007)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, New York, Southfield (MI)

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, 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 13 April 2014, second round held on 27 April 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 re-elected president in second-round; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 55.3%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI 41.1%; note - 13 April 2014 first round results - Gjorge IVANOV 51.7%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI 37.5%

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, DUI, and several small parties

chief of state

President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)

election results

Gjorge IVANOV re-elected president in second-round; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 55.3%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI 41.1%; note - 13 April 2014 first round results - Gjorge IVANOV 51.7%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI 37.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held on 13 April 2014, second round held on 27 April 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 (consist of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) 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 legislature for nonrenewable, 9-year terms Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consist of NA 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 legislature for nonrenewable, 9-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts

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 the six domestic and three diaspora electoral districts; members serve four-year terms) last held on 27 April 2014 (next to be held in April 2019) percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 43.0%, SDSM 25.3%, DUI 13.7%, DPA 5.9%, GROM 2.8%, NDR 1.6%, other 4.3%, invalid 3.4%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 61, SDSM 34, DUI 19, DPA 7, GROM 1, NDR 2

election results

percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 43.0%, SDSM 25.3%, DUI 13.7%, DPA 5.9%, GROM 2.8%, NDR 1.6%, other 4.3%, invalid 3.4%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 61, SDSM 34, DUI 19, DPA 7, GROM 1, NDR 2

elections

last held on 27 April 2014 (next to be held in April 2019)

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

Alliance for Positive Macedonia or APM [Ljupco ZIKOV] Citizens Option for Macedonia or GROM [Stevco JAKIMOVSKI] Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA [Menduh THACI] Democratic Union for Integration or DUI [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] National Democratic Revival or NDR [Rufi OSMANI] Party for a European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI] Party for Democratic Prosperity [Abdyladi VEJSELI] Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Free Trade Unions [Mirjana ANDREVSKA] Federation of Trade Unions [Zivko MITREVSKI] Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Jakim NEDELKOV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Budget

$3.023 billion $3.438 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$3.438 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$3.023 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.25% (31 December 2013 est.) 3.75% (31 December 2012 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

6.4% (31 December 2013 est.) 6.8% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$194.1 million (2013 est.) -$385.2 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$7.451 billion (30 September 2013 est.) $6.818 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.2 (2011) 43.2 (2009)

Economy - overview

Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made significant progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment, but has lagged the Balkan region in attracting foreign investment. Unemployment has remained consistently high at more than 30% since 2008, 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. 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. Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged against the euro, and by limiting fiscal deficits. The government has been loosening fiscal policy, however, and the budget deficit expanded to 4.2% of GDP in 2013. Macedonia achieved modest GDP growth in 2013 after a small contraction in 2012; inflation is under control.

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 46.398 (2013 est.) 47.885 (2012 est.) 46.485 (2010 est.) 44.1 (2009) 41.414 (2008)

Exports

$4.267 billion (2013 est.) $4.002 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron, steel; automotive parts

Exports - partners

Germany 36.9%, Bulgaria 7.6%, Italy 6.5%, Kosovo 6.5%, Serbia 6.3%, Greece 5% (2012 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

77.5% 15.3% 22.5% 3.1% 47.7% -66.1% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

47.7%

government consumption

15.3%

household consumption

77.5%

imports of goods and services

-66.1%

investment in fixed capital

22.5%

investment in inventories

3.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

10.2% 27.5% 62.3% (2013 est.)

agriculture

10.2%

industry

27.5%

services

62.3% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,800 (2013 est.) $10,600 (2012 est.) $10,700 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.1% (2013 est.) -0.4% (2012 est.) 2.9% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.65 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$22.57 billion (2013 est.) $21.89 billion (2012 est.) $21.98 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

Gross national saving

23.2% of GDP (2013 est.) 24.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 23.2% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.2% 34.5% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

34.5% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

2.2%

Imports

$6.6 billion (2013 est.) $6.511 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Great Britain 11%, Greece 10.6%, Germany 10.5%, Serbia 7.9%, Italy 6.5%, China 5.8%, Bulgaria 5.5%, Turkey 4.8% (2012 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

3.2% (2013 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2013 est.) 3.3% (2012 est.)

Labor force

960,700 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

18.8% 27.5% 53.7% (31 September 2013)

agriculture

18.8%

industry

27.5%

services

53.7% (31 September 2013)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.214 billion (31 December 2013) $2.423 billion (31 December 2012) $2.495 billion (31 December 2011)

Population below poverty line

30.4% (2011)

Public debt

34.3% of GDP (2013 est.) 34.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 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, as well as intra-governmental debt; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.747 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $2.891 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.286 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $5.708 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

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

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.695 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.361 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.211 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $4.681 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.414 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

30.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

28.6% (2013 est.) 31% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.947 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2013)

Crude oil - imports

51,510 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est. est.)

Electricity - consumption

6.989 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - exports

62.36 million kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

66.4% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

33.2% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.4% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.491 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.953 million kW (2013 est.)

Electricity - production

5.676 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

158.6 million cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013)

Natural gas - imports

158.6 million cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,490 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

6,750 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

21,530 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

17,030 bbl/day (2010 est.)

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 (2012)

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 (2012)

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 (2012)

Telephones - main lines in use

407,900 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.235 million (2012)

Airports

10 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

total

8

under 914 m

6 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

Pipelines

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2013)

Railways

699 km 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2012)

total

699 km

Roadways

14,038 km (includes 259 km of expressways) 9,489 km 4,549 km (2012)

total

14,038 km (includes 259 km of expressways)

unpaved

4,549 km (2012)

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; includes General Staff and subordinate Joint Operational Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Special Operations Regiment) (2012)

Military expenditures

1.38% of GDP (2012) 1.27% of GDP (2011) 1.38% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2008 (2013)

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

905 (2012)

stateless persons

905 (2012)