North Macedonia

Broadcast media

public TV broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately-owned TV channels broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters and about 15 broadcast on national level via satellite; roughly 75 local commercial TV stations; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationally; about 70 local commercial radio stations (2010)

Internet country code

.mk

Internet hosts

62,826 (2012) country comparison to the world: 92

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 130 per 100 persons international: country code - 389 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

422,100 (2011) country comparison to the world: 104

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.213 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 137

Agriculture - products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs

Budget

revenues: $2.922 billion expenditures: $3.186 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Central bank discount rate

4% (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 54 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.) note: series discontinued in January 2010; the discount rate has been replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate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

8.8% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 8.87% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$242 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 -$273.5 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$6.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $6.727 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

44.2 (2008) country comparison to the world: 47 39 (2003)

Economy - overview

Macedonia is vulnerable to economic developments in Europe - due to strong banking and trade ties - and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. Since then, Macedonia has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at more than 31%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit availability, and a large trade deficit. However, as a result of conservative fiscal policies and a sound financial system, in 2010 the country credit rating improved slightly to BB+ and was kept at that level in 2011-12. Macroeconomic stability has been maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged against the euro. As a result, GDP growth was modest, but positive, from 2010 to 2012, and inflation was under control.

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 48.1 (2012 est.) 44.231 (2011 est.) 46.485 (2010 est.) 44.1 (2009) 41.414 (2008)

Exports

$4.338 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $4.429 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Germany 28.1%, Italy 7.2%, Bulgaria 5.4%, Greece 4.9% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$10.2 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$22.15 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $21.94 billion (2011 est.) $21.28 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 11.1% industry: 27.3% services: 61.6% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 $10,600 (2011 est.) $10,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 3.1% (2011) 2.9% (2010)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 32.4% (2009 est.)

Imports

$6.188 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $6.759 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Greece 14.2%, Germany 13.2%, Bulgaria 11.1%, UK 8%, Turkey 5.4%, Italy 5.4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

4% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 3.9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

29.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Labor force

936,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 19.9% industry: 22.1% services: 58% (September 2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.504 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 92 $2.647 billion (31 December 2010) $922.2 million (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

30.9% (2010)

Public debt

27.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 28.7% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover Central Government debt

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.698 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $2.677 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.415 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $5.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA (31 December 2011) $564 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.036 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $3.739 billion (31 October 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.487 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $4.418 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.335 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $1.29 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Unemployment rate

31.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 31.4% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

8.231 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Crude oil - imports

18,800 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Electricity - consumption

9.024 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 99

Electricity - from fossil fuels

65.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

34.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 62

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Electricity - imports

2.634 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity - installed generating capacity

1.54 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 111

Electricity - production

6.39 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 109

Natural gas - consumption

136.8 million cu m (2011) country comparison to the world: 104

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Natural gas - imports

136.8 million cu m (2011) country comparison to the world: 73

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,490 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

Refined petroleum products - exports

7,706 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Refined petroleum products - imports

21,530 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Refined petroleum products - production

21,280 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Area

total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 150 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

1,280 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 Paul D. WOHLERS 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, New York

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, 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; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister 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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Judicial Council note: the Judicial Council appoints all basic, appellate, and supreme court judges; Legislative Assembly appoints Constitutional Court Judges

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (123 seats; all members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral and three diaspora districts; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 5 June 2011 (next to be held by June 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 39%, SDSM-led block 32.8%, BDI 10.2%, PDSh 5.9%, other 12.1%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 56, SDSM-led block 42, BDI 15, PDSh 8, RDK 2

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

National symbol(s)

eight-rayed sun

Political parties and leaders

Albanian Democratic Union or BDSh [Bardhyl MAHMUTI]; Democratic League of Bosniaks in Macedonia [Rafet MUMINOVIC]; Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia or DPSM [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]; Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh [Menduh THACI]; Democratic Party of Turks of Macedonia or DPTM [Kenan HASIPI]; Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA]; Democratic Union or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV]; Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI]; Dosoinstvo (Diginity) [Stojance ANGELOV]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI]; Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Andrej ZENOVSKI]; Liberal Party of Macedonia or LP [Ivon VELICKOVSKI]; Movement for Turkish National Union [Erdogan SARAC]; National Democratic Revival or RDK [Rufi OSMANI]; New Democracy or ND [Imer SELMANI]; New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI]; Party for Democratic Action of Macedonia or SDA [Avdija PEPIC]; Party for the Total Emancipation of Roma or PCER [Samka IBRAIMOVSKI]; Party of United Democrats of Macedonia or PODEM [Zivko JANKULOVSKI]; Party on European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI]; Serbian Progressive Party in Macedonia or SPSM [Dragisha MILETIC]; Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI]; Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVNAOV DZINGO]; Union of Roma of Macedonia or SR [Amdi BAJRAM]; United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOSKI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Federation of Free Trade Unions [Rasko MISHKOSKI]; Federation of Trade Unions [Zivko MITREVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Yakim NEDELKOV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution are ongoing. Since 2004, the United States and 133 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's ethnic Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement, maintaining momentum on democratic reforms, and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made over the past several years.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 532,196 females age 16-49: 511,964 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 443,843 females age 16-49: 426,251 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 16,144 female: 14,920 (2010 est.)

Military branches

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

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; conscription abolished in 2008 (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.2% (male 195,827/ female 182,231) 15-64 years: 70.1% (male 736,974/ female 722,369) 65 years and over: 11.8% (male 105,332/ female 139,637) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

11.8 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 112

Death rate

8.95 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 68

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 138

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 120

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Health expenditures

6.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 85

Hospital bed density

4.63 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.32 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 155 male: 8.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 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: 75.36 years country comparison to the world: 89 male: 72.82 years female: 78.1 years (2012 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.7% female: 95.9% (2010 est.)

Major cities - population

SKOPJE (capital) 480,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 153

Median age

total: 36.2 years male: 35.1 years female: 37.2 years (2012 est.)

Nationality

noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Physicians density

2.546 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

2,082,370 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 145

Population growth rate

0.237% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 82% of population total: 89% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 18% of population total: 11% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2008)

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: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.59 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 54.9% country comparison to the world: 2 male: 52.8% female: 58.5% (2009)

Urbanization

urban population: 59% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 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

Airports

14 (2012) country comparison to the world: 150

Airports - with paved runways

total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2012)

Pipelines

gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2010)

Railways

total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 100 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total: 13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2010) country comparison to the world: 127