North Macedonia

Internet country code

.mk

Internet hosts

57,763 (2009) country comparison to the world: 81

Internet users

847,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 97

Radio broadcast stations

AM 29, FM 32, shortwave 0 (2008)

Telephone system

general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions domestic: combined fixed line and mobile telephone subscribership approaching 150 per 100 persons international: country code - 389 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

457,100 (2008) country comparison to the world: 101

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.502 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 116

Television broadcast stations

52 (2007)

Agriculture - products

grapes, wine, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Budget

revenues: $3.167 billion expenditures: $3.239 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 64 6.5% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.68% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 83 10.23% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

-$1.21 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 -$247 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$4.667 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $3.967 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68

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. GDP subsequently rose each year through 2000. In 2001, during a civil conflict, the economy shrank 4.5% because of decreased trade, intermittent border closures, increased deficit spending on security needs, and investor uncertainty. Growth averaged 4% per year during 2003-06 and more than 5% per year during 2007-08. 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 nearly 35%, 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 slowdown of export growth. The Government of Macedonia now predicts growth in 2009 to be no more than 3%.

Electricity - consumption

7.358 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.491 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

6.376 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 41.414 (2008 est.), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006), 48.92 (2005), 49.41 (2004)

Exports

$3.971 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $3.35 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Serbia and Montenegro 20.4%, Germany 15.4%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 10.1%, Italy 8.8%, Croatia 6.5% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.569 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$18.83 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $17.88 billion (2007 est.) $16.88 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars Macedonia has a large informal sector

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 11.5% industry: 27.8% services: 60.7% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $8,700 (2007 est.) $8,200 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 79 5.9% (2007 est.) 3.7% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$6.523 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $4.976 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 13.3%, Greece 12.4%, Bulgaria 9.9%, Serbia and Montenegro 6.9%, Italy 6.3%, Turkey 5.6%, Slovenia 5.3%, Poland 4.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 2.3% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.6% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Labor force

925,000 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 19.6% industry: 30.4% services: 50% (September 2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 93 $2.715 billion (31 December 2007) $1.098 billion (31 December 2006)

Natural gas - consumption

70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 153

Natural gas - imports

70 million cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 110

Oil - consumption

21,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Oil - exports

7,410 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Oil - imports

26,730 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Population below poverty line

29.8% (2006)

Public debt

20.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 20% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.109 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $2.265 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$2.405 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Stock of domestic credit

$3.906 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 $2.924 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$1.307 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 81 $1.173 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$3.254 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 80 $3.127 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

33.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 34.9% (2007 est.)

Area

total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 149 land: 25,433 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

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

Environment - current issues

air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

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

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

550 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 766 km border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

Land use

arable land: 22.01% permanent crops: 1.79% other: 76.2% (2005)

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)

Administrative divisions

84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje), Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa, Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje), Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda (Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality

Capital

name: Skopje geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001 and in 2005 note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights and in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM) former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER embassy: Bul. Ilindenska bb, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 311-6180 FAX: [389] 2 311-7103

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009) head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held 22 March 2009, second round held 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.14%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.86%

Flag description

a yellow sun with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

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

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council note: the Assembly appoints the judges

Legal system

based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1

National holiday

Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note - also known as Saint Elijah's Day

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Alliance [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic League of Bosniaks [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Serbs [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of Turks [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union of Albanians or BDSh [Bardyl MAHMUTI]; Democratic Union of Vlachs for Macedonia [Mitko KOSTOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; For a Better Macedonia coalition [Nikola GRUEVSKI] (includes VMRO-DPMNE, SP, Democratic Union, Democratic Renewal of Macedonia, Democratic Party of Turks, Democratic Party of Serbs, SR, and smaller parties); Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization-Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; League for Democracy [Gjorgi MARJANOVIC]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Stojan ANDOV]; National Alternative [Harun ALIU]; National Democratic Union or BDK [Hysni SHAQIR]; New Democracy of DR/ND [Imer SELMANI]; New Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Prosperity or PPD/PDP [Sefedin HARUNI]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Party of Free Democrats or PSD [Ljubco JORDANOVSKI]; Social Democratic Alliance of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Sun-Coalition for Europe [Radmila SKERINSKA] (includes SDSM, NSDP, LDP, Liberal Party and smaller parties); Union of Romas or SR [Shaban SALIU]; United Party for Emancipation or OPE [Nezdet MUSTAFA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]; World Macedonian Congress [Todor PETROV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991, but Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and Macedonia to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 532,856 females age 16-49: 513,684 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 444,247 females age 16-49: 427,556 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 14,596 female: 13,881 (2009 est.)

Military branches

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV), Special Operations Regiment (2009)

Military expenditures

6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 10

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2007)

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830) 65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

11.97 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Death rate

8.83 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 130

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 149

HIV/AIDS - deaths

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

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

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

Infant mortality rate

total: 9.01 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 157 male: 9.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 74.68 years country comparison to the world: 88 male: 72.18 years female: 77.38 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 96.1% male: 98.2% female: 94.1% (2002 census)

Median age

total: 35.1 years male: 34.1 years female: 36.2 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Net migration rate

-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Population

2,066,718 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Population growth rate

0.262% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 12 years (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 182

Urbanization

urban population: 67% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

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

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

Airports

14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 150

Airports - with paved runways

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2009)

Pipelines

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2008)

Railways

total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 105 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 13,182 km (includes 208 km of expressways) (2002) country comparison to the world: 128