2017 Edition

Background

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greek objection to Macedonia’s name, insisting it implies territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of the same name, and democratic backsliding have stalled the country’s movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block Macedonian efforts to gain UN membership if the name “Macedonia” was used. Macedonia was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution 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 (OFA), which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Relations between Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain fragile, however. Macedonia has been engulfed in a political crisis that began after the 2014 legislative and presidential election, and which escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretap content that it alleged showed widespread government corruption. Although Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, the country still faces challenges, including overcoming the political crisis, fully implementing the OFA, resolving the outstanding name dispute with Greece, improving relations with Bulgaria, halting democratic backsliding, and stimulating economic growth and development. At the 2008 NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania, the Allies agreed that Macedonia would be invited to join the Alliance as soon as a mutually acceptable resolution to the name dispute was reached with Greece.

Area

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

land

25,433 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

741 m lowest point: Vardar River 50 m highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m

highest point

Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

mean elevation

741 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

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 (2012)

Land boundaries

838 km Albania 181 km, Bulgaria 162 km, Greece 234 km, Kosovo 160 km, Serbia 101 km

border countries (5)

Albania 181 km, Bulgaria 162 km, Greece 234 km, Kosovo 160 km, Serbia 101 km

total

838 km

Land use

44.3% arable land 16.4%; permanent crops 1.4%; permanent pasture 26.5% 39.8% 15.9% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

44.3%

forest

39.8%

other

15.9% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

Terrain

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

Age structure

17.17% (male 187,063/female 174,196) 13.41% (male 145,716/female 136,444) 43.6% (male 465,862/female 451,321) 12.41% (male 128,024/female 132,955) 13.41% (male 121,019/female 161,121) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

17.17% (male 187,063/female 174,196)

15-24 years

13.41% (male 145,716/female 136,444)

25-54 years

43.6% (male 465,862/female 451,321)

55-64 years

12.41% (male 128,024/female 132,955)

65 years and over

13.41% (male 121,019/female 161,121) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

11.4 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.3% (2011)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

40.2% (2011)

Death rate

9.2 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

41.6 23.8 17.7 5.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

17.7

potential support ratio

5.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

41.6

youth dependency ratio

23.8

Drinking water source

urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99.4% of population urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1.1% of population total: 0.6% of population (2015 est.)

rural

1.1% of population

total

0.6% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.2% of population

Ethnic groups

Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 est.) Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 6.5–13% of Macedonia’s population

note

Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 6.5–13% of Macedonia’s population

Health expenditures

6.5% of GDP (2014)

Hospital bed density

4.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

7.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

7.4 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Romani 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 est.) minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where they are spoken by at least 20% of the population; Albanian is co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities; Turkish is co-official in Centar Zupa and Plasnica; Romani is co-official in Suto Orizari; Aromanian is co-official in Drusevo; Serbian is co-official in Cucer Sandevo

note

minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where they are spoken by at least 20% of the population; Albanian is co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities; Turkish is co-official in Centar Zupa and Plasnica; Romani is co-official in Suto Orizari; Aromanian is co-official in Drusevo; Serbian is co-official in Cucer Sandevo

Life expectancy at birth

76.4 years 73.8 years 79.2 years (2017 est.)

female

79.2 years (2017 est.)

male

73.8 years

total population

76.4 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.8% 98.8% 96.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

96.8% (2015 est.)

male

98.8%

total population

97.8%

Major urban areas - population

SKOPJE (capital) 503,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

37.9 years 36.8 years 39 years (2017 est.)

female

39 years (2017 est.)

male

36.8 years

total

37.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

26.8 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Macedonian(s) Macedonian

adjective

Macedonian

noun

Macedonian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.4% (2016)

Physicians density

2.8 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

2,103,721 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

Population growth rate

0.17% (2017 est.)

Religions

Macedonian Orthodox 64.8%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.4%, other and unspecified 1.5% (2002 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 97.2% of population rural: 82.6% of population total: 90.9% of population urban: 2.8% of population rural: 17.4% of population total: 9.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

17.4% of population

total

9.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

2.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 13 years 13 years (2014)

female

13 years (2014)

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 0.96 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 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

0.96 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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.6 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

47.3% 49.7% 43.3% (2014 est.)

female

43.3% (2014 est.)

male

49.7%

total

47.3%

Urbanization

57.3% of total population (2017) 0.24% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.24% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

57.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

70 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city* (grad); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje*, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci

Capital

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Macedonia no 8 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Macedonia

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

8 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991 proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; draft amendments require approval by majority vote of Assembly members, followed by public debate; final passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; draft amendments require approval by majority vote of Assembly members, followed by public debate; final passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)

history

several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991

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 the country name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.)

conventional long form

Republic of Macedonia

conventional short form

Macedonia

etymology

the country name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.)

former

People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of 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)

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Jess L. BAILY (since 12 February 2015) 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 Jess L. BAILY (since 12 February 2015)

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 Vasko NAUMOVSKI (since 18 November 2014) 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 667-0501 [1] (202) 667-2131 Chicago, Detroit, New York

chancery

2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Vasko NAUMOVSKI (since 18 November 2014)

consulate(s) general

Chicago, Detroit, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 667-2131

telephone

[1] (202) 667-0501

Executive branch

President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009) Prime Minister Zoran ZAEV (since 31 May 2017) Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote; note - the 2014 cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, DUI, and several small parties; as a result of an agreement reached in July 2015 between the largest parties to resolve a 16-month opposition boycott of the Assembly, several minister and deputy minister positions were also given to the opposition SDSM from November 2015 through May 2016 in preparation for parliamentary elections originally scheduled for 24 April 2016, and pushed back to 5 June 2016, and again from September to December 2016 president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 13 and 27 April 2014 (next to be held in 2019); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Assembly Gjorge IVANOV reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV (independent) 55.3%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 41.1%, other 3.6%

cabinet

Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote; note - the 2014 cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, DUI, and several small parties; as a result of an agreement reached in July 2015 between the largest parties to resolve a 16-month opposition boycott of the Assembly, several minister and deputy minister positions were also given to the opposition SDSM from November 2015 through May 2016 in preparation for parliamentary elections originally scheduled for 24 April 2016, and pushed back to 5 June 2016, and again from September to December 2016

chief of state

President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)

election results

Gjorge IVANOV reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV (independent) 55.3%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 41.1%, other 3.6%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 13 and 27 April 2014 (next to be held in 2019); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Zoran ZAEV (since 31 May 2017)

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 republic

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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, 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 (consists of 22 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 Assembly for nonrenewable, 9-year terms Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Assembly for nonrenewable, 9-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (123 seats; 120 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 3 directly elected in diaspora constituencies worldwide by simple majority vote, provided candidates meet a specified minimum vote count; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 11 December 2016, with a second round held in one polling station on 25 December 2016 (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 38.1%, SDSM coalition 36.7%, BDI 7.3%, Besa Movement 4.9%, Alliance for Albanians 3.1%, PDSh 2.7%, other 7.2%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 51, SDSM coalition 49, BDI 10, Besa Movement 5, Alliance for Albanians 3, PDSh 2

description

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (123 seats; 120 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 3 directly elected in diaspora constituencies worldwide by simple majority vote, provided candidates meet a specified minimum vote count; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 38.1%, SDSM coalition 36.7%, BDI 7.3%, Besa Movement 4.9%, Alliance for Albanians 3.1%, PDSh 2.7%, other 7.2%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 51, SDSM coalition 49, BDI 10, Besa Movement 5, Alliance for Albanians 3, PDSh 2

elections

last held on 11 December 2016, with a second round held in one polling station on 25 December 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

"Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia) Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI written in 1943 and adopted in 1991 , the song 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)

note

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

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

eight-rayed sun; national colors: red, yellow

eight-rayed sun; national colors

red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Albanians [Ziadin SELA] Besa Movement [Bilal KASAMI] Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Menduh THACI] Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI] Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV] during the 2016 parliamentary elections VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM each led coalitions

note

during the 2016 parliamentary elections VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM each led coalitions

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Free Trade Unions or KSS [Blagoja RALPOVSKI] Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia or SSM [Zivko MITREVSKI] Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture or SONK [Jakim NEDELKOV] Student Plenum Eco Guerilla [Arianit XHAFERI]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Budget

$3.038 billion $3.327 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$3.327 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$3.038 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

3.25% (31 March 2017) 3.75% (31 December 2016) series discontinued in January 2010; the discount rate has been replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate

note

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

6.61% (31 December 2016 est.) 7.08% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-336 million (2016 est.) $-203.6 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$7.685 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.942 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.7 (2015) 35.2 (2014)

Economy - overview

Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment. Its low tax rates and free economic zones have helped to attract foreign investment, which is still low relative to the rest of Europe. Corruption and weak rule of law remain significant problems. Some businesses complain of opaque regulations and unequal enforcement of the law. Macedonia’s economy is closely linked to Europe as a customer for exports and source of investment, and has suffered as a result of prolonged weakness in the euro zone. Unemployment has remained consistently high at about 23%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, which is not captured by official statistics. Macedonia is working to build a country-wide natural gas pipeline and distribution network. Currently, Macedonia receives its small natural gas supplies from Russia via Bulgaria. In 2016, Macedonia signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece to build an interconnector that could connect to the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline that will traverse the region once complete, or to an LNG import terminal in Greece. Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged to the euro, and inflation at a low level. However, in the last two years, the internal political crisis has hampered economic performance, with GDP slowing in 2016, and both domestic private and public investments declining. Fiscal policies were lax, with unproductive public expenditures, including subsidies and pension increases, and rising guarantees for the debt of state owned enterprises, and fiscal targets were consistently missed. In 2016, public debt reached 50.5% of GDP before being revised down to 47.8% of GDP by year’s end, still relatively low compared to its Western Balkan neighbors and the rest of Europe. In 2016, Macedonia issued a Eurobond worth approximately $495 million to finance 2016 and part of 2017 budget needs.

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 55.733 (2016 est.) 55.733 (2015 est.) 55.537 (2014 est.) 46.437 (31 December 2013 est.) 47.89 (2012 est.)

Exports

$3.75 billion (2016 est.) $3.37 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 40.9%, Kosovo 13.5%, Serbia 7.7%, Bulgaria 4.5% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

65.3% 15.7% 13.3% 20.3% 49.2% -63.8% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

49.2%

government consumption

15.7%

household consumption

65.3%

imports of goods and services

-63.8% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

13.3%

investment in inventories

20.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.9% 29.7% 60.4% (2016 est.)

agriculture

9.9%

industry

29.7%

services

60.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,600 (2016 est.) $14,300 (2015 est.) $13,800 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.91 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$30.26 billion (2016 est.) $29.17 billion (2015 est.) $27.79 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

note

data are in 2016 dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

Gross national saving

30.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 29% of GDP (2015 est.) 29.8% of GDP (2014 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

$5.805 billion (2016 est.) $5.393 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 12.2%, UK 10.7%, Serbia 7.9%, Greece 7.3%, China 6.2%, Italy 5.6%, Turkey 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.6% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

7.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.2% (2016 est.) -0.3% (2015 est.)

Labor force

948,600 (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

16.6% 29.6% 53.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

16.6%

industry

29.6%

services

53.8% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.078 billion (31 December 2016) $1.853 billion (31 December 2015) $2.269 billion (31 December 2014)

Population below poverty line

21.5% (2015 est.)

Public debt

47.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 46.7% of GDP (2015 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; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds

note

official data from Ministry of Finance; data cover central government debt; this data excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; includes treasury debt held by foreign entitites; excludes debt issued by sub-national entities; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.755 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.471 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.574 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $4.459 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$849.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) $666.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$6.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.227 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.01 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $5.308 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.909 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.797 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

27.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

23.6% (2016 est.) 26.1% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.9 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

142.3 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

6.455 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

58.5 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

64.3% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

32.8% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

2.9% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.191 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.057 million kW (2016 est.)

Electricity - production

5.303 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

471 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016)

Natural gas - imports

60 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (31 December 2016 )

Refined petroleum products - consumption

20,700 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

3,900 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

23,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

public service TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 3 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; additionally, there are 5 privately owned TV channels that broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters, 4 TV channels with concession for cable TV, 5 satellite TV channels broadcasting on a national level, 47 local commercial TV channels, and a large number of cable operators that offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; there are 3 privately owned radio stations that broadcast nationally and about 75 local commercial radio stations (2017)

Internet country code

.mk

Internet users

1.475 million 70.4% (July 2016 est.)

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 120 per 100 persons country code - 389 (2017)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 120 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 (2017)

Telephones - fixed lines

368,070 18 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

18 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

368,070

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.223 million 106 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

106 (July 2016 est.)

total

2.223 million

Airports

10 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

6 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

total

8

under 914 m

6 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Z3 (2016)

Pipelines

gas 262 km; oil 120 km (2017)

Railways

699 km 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2017)

standard gauge

699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2017)

total

699 km

Roadways

14,182 km (includes 242 km of expressways) 9,633 km 4,549 km (2014)

paved

9,633 km

total

14,182 km (includes 242 km of expressways)

unpaved

4,549 km (2014)

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

0.97% of GDP (2016) 1.05% of GDP (2015) 1.08% of GDP (2014) 1.17% of GDP (2013) 1.23% of GDP (2012)

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

600 (2016) 478,416 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015 - November 2017); Macedonia is predominantly a transit country and hosts fewer than 50 refugees and asylum seekers as of September 2017

note

478,416 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015 - November 2017); Macedonia is predominantly a transit country and hosts fewer than 50 refugees and asylum seekers as of September 2017

stateless persons

600 (2016)