North Macedonia

Broadcast media

public television broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately-owned TV channels broadcast nationally; roughly 50 local commercial TV stations broadcasting; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationally; roughly 65 local commercial radio stations functioning (2007)

Internet country code

.mk

Internet hosts

60,533 (2010) country comparison to the world: 84

Internet users

1.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 97

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-cellular telephone subscribership about 115 per 100 persons international: country code - 389 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

442,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 100

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.943 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 135

Agriculture - products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 62 6.5% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

10.07% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 9.68% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$328 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 -$645.6 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$5.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.5 billion (31 December 2009 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. 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 33%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a large trade deficit, but the financial system remained sound. Macroeconomic stability was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, at the expense of raising interest rates. As a result, GDP fell in 2009. but returned to positive in 2010.

Electricity - consumption

7.797 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.635 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

6.162 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 47.601 (2010), 44.1 (2009), 41.414 (2008), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006)

Exports

$3.171 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.686 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 20.31%, Greece 13.09%, Italy 11.08%, Bulgaria 10.61%, Croatia 7.74% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.58 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.46 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $19.18 billion (2009 est.) $19.31 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 12.1% industry: 29.6% services: 58.3% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $9,300 (2009 est.) $9,400 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -0.7% (2009 est.) 4.8% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$5.113 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.842 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 15.11%, Greece 14.88%, Bulgaria 9.08%, Italy 7.68%, Turkey 7.59%, Slovenia 6.26%, Hungary 4.31% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

1.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 -0.8% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Labor force

942,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 18.6% industry: 29.5% services: 51.9% (September 2009)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.859 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 100 $823.5 million (31 December 2008) $2.715 billion (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

80 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas - imports

82 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - exports

4,672 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Oil - imports

20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Population below poverty line

28.7% (2008)

Public debt

25.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 32.4% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $4.217 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.528 billion (31 October 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.357 billion (2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.001 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.055 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.146 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.184 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

33.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 32.2% (2009 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, 2005 and in 2009 note: 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

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: Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone: [389] 2 310-2000 FAX: [389] 2 310-2499

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), Chicago

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 (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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 election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%

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 organization participation

BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), 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, WCO, 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 on 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 anthem

name: "Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia) lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI note: adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, 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

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Alliance or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh/DPA [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Turks in Macedonia [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI/DUI [Ali AHMETI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization--Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity (VMRO-DPMNE) [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Jovan MANSIJEVSKI]; Liberal Party [Borce STOJANOVSKI]; Movement for Reconstruction of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA]; New Alternative [Gjorgji OROVCANEC]; New Democracy or DR [Imer SELMANI]; New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Action in Macedonia or SDAM [Avdija PEPIC]; Party for European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Social-Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Socialist Party or SP [Ljubisav IVANOV-ZINGO]; Union of Roma of Macedonia [Amdi BAJRAM]; United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOVSKI]; VMRO-Macedonian [Borislav STOJMENOV]

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]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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. 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 Ohrid 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: 530,966 females age 16-49: 511,534 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 442,953 females age 16-49: 425,981 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 15,338 female: 14,445 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command, with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV); Special Operations Regiment; Logistic Support Command; Training Command (2010)

Military expenditures

6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 9

Military service age and obligation

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

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) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

11.92 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Death rate

8.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 133

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: 146

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: 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 158 male: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

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

total population: 74.92 years country comparison to the world: 89 male: 72.4 years female: 77.64 years (2010 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: 35.4 years male: 34.4 years female: 36.5 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Population

2,072,086 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Population growth rate

0.257% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177

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 (2007)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

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 (2010) country comparison to the world: 149

Airports - with paved runways

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2009)

Railways

total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 104 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2009)

Roadways

total: 13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2009) country comparison to the world: 126