SELECT EDITION
CATEGORIES
◆ COMMUNICATIONS(8 fields)
Broadcast media
public TV broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately owned TV channels broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters and about 15 broadcast on national level via satellite; roughly 75 local commercial TV stations; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationally; about 70 local commercial radio stations (2012)
Internet country code
.mk
Internet users
1.1 million | 51.1% (2009) | country comparison to the world: 121
Radio broadcast stations
AM 1, FM 68, shortwave 0 (2009)
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 (2012)
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 390,000 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105
Telephones - mobile cellular
total: 2.3 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147
Television broadcast stations
76 (2009)
◆ ECONOMY(41 fields)
Agriculture - products
grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs
Budget
revenues: $2.89 billion | expenditures: $3.328 billion (2014 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-4% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 144
Central bank discount rate
3.25% (31 December 2014) | 3.25% (31 December 2013) | note: series discontinued in January 2010; the discount rate has been replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate | country comparison to the world: 104
Commercial bank prime lending rate
5.2% (31 December 2014 est.) | 5.4% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114
Current account balance
-$151 million (2014 est.) | -$194.1 million (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100
Debt - external
$7.241 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $7.194 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114
Distribution of family income - Gini index
43.6 (2013) | 39.2 (2011) | country comparison to the world: 65
Economy - overview
Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment, but has lagged the Balkan region in attracting foreign investment. Corruption and weak rule of law remain significant problems. Some businesses complain of opaque regulations and unequal enforcement of the law. Unemployment has remained consistently high at more than 30% since 2008, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, which is not captured by official statistics. Macedonia’s economy is closely linked to Europe as a customer for exports and source of investment, and has suffered as a result of prolonged weakness in the euro zone. Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged against the euro, and by limiting fiscal deficits. The government has been loosening fiscal policy, however, and the budget deficit was 4.2% of GDP in both 2013 and 2014. Public debt at the end of 2014 was 45.8%, which although low by regional comparison, is significant for a small economy.
Exchange rates
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - | 50.56 (2014 est.) | 44.63 (2013 est.) | 47.89 (2012 est.) | 44.23 (2011 est.) | 46.49 (2010 est.)
Exports
$4.934 billion (2014 est.) | $4.267 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128
Exports - commodities
foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron, steel; automotive parts
Exports - partners
Germany 41.4%, Bulgaria 6.6%, Italy 6.1%, Serbia 5.2%, Kosovo 4.7%, Greece 4.6% (2014 est.)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate)
$11.34 billion (2014 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$27.62 billion (2014 est.) | $26.62 billion (2013 est.) | $25.93 billion (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data | country comparison to the world: 130
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 69.8% | government consumption: 16.8% | investment in fixed capital: 29% | investment in inventories: 1.6% | exports of goods and services: 47.9% | imports of goods and services: -65.1% | (2014 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 8.8% | industry: 21.3% | services: 69.9% (2014 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$13,300 (2014 est.) | $12,900 (2013 est.) | $12,500 (2012 est.) | note: data are in 2014 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 112
GDP - real growth rate
3.8% (2014 est.) | 2.7% (2013 est.) | -0.5% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92
Gross national saving
29.2% of GDP (2014 est.) | 26.7% of GDP (2013 est.) | 26% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.2% | highest 10%: 34.5% (2009 est.)
Imports
$7.277 billion (2014 est.) | $6.6 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 122
Imports - commodities
machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products
Imports - partners
UK 12.3%, Germany 11.1%, Greece 9.2%, Serbia 8.2%, Italy 6.2%, China 5.9%, Bulgaria 5.3%, Turkey 5.1% (2014)
Industrial production growth rate
4.8% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91
Industries
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
-0.1% (2014 est.) | 2.8% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 26
Labor force
961,400 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147
Labor force - by occupation
agriculture: 18.3% | industry: 29.1% | services: 52.6% (2014 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$2.084 billion (31 December 2014) | $2.302 billion (31 December 2013) | $2.423 billion (31 December 2012) | country comparison to the world: 99
Population below poverty line
30.4% (2011 est.)
Public debt
45.8% of GDP (2014 est.) | 40.5% of GDP (2013 est.) | 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, as well as intra-governmental debt; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds | country comparison to the world: 116
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$2.958 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $2.747 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 112
Stock of broad money
$6.129 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $6.282 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$758 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $744 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$5.063 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $4.714 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 32
Stock of domestic credit
$5.055 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $5.208 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117
Stock of narrow money
$1.692 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $1.569 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140
Taxes and other revenues
26.5% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Unemployment rate
28.5% (2014 est.) | 29% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 178
◆ ENERGY(23 fields)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
8.084 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111
Crude oil - exports
0 bbl/day (2014) | country comparison to the world: 153
Crude oil - imports
146 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56
Crude oil - production
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 117
Crude oil - proved reserves
0 bbl (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 164
Electricity - consumption
6.96 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101
Electricity - exports
112.9 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85
Electricity - from fossil fuels
64.5% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
33% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 138
Electricity - from other renewable sources
2.6% of total installed capacity (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 92
Electricity - imports
3.073 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - installed generating capacity
2.011 million kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - production
4.569 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118
Natural gas - consumption
134.7 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2014) | country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - imports
134.7 million cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2014) | country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 169
Refined petroleum products - consumption
15,070 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140
Refined petroleum products - exports
2,616 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Refined petroleum products - imports
17,950 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 134
Refined petroleum products - production
1 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97
◆ GEOGRAPHY(20 fields)
Area
total: 25,713 sq km | land: 25,433 sq km | water: 280 sq km | country comparison to the world: 150
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: 1.03 cu km/yr (21%/67%/12%) | per capita: 502 cu m/yr (2007)
Geographic coordinates
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Geography - note
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
Irrigated land
1,278 sq km (2004)
Land boundaries
total: 838 km | border countries (5): Albania 181 km, Bulgaria 162 km, Greece 234 km, Kosovo 160 km, Serbia 101 km
Land use
agricultural land: 44.3% | arable land 16.4%; permanent crops 1.4%; permanent pasture 26.5% | 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
Terrain
mountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River
Total renewable water resources
6.4 cu km (2011)
◆ GOVERNMENT(21 fields)
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
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
several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended several times, last in 2011 (2011)
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 Jess L. BAILY (since 12 February 2015) | 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 Vasko NAUMOVSKI (since 18 November 2014) | chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 | telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501 | FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131 | consulate(s) general: Chicago, Detroit, 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 Assembly by simple majority vote; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, DUI, and several small parties | 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 usually elected prime minister by the Assembly | election results: Gjorge IVANOV reelected president in second round; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV (independent) 55.3%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 41.1%
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), 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
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consist of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) | judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the legislature for nonrenewable, 9-year terms | subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts
Legal system
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Legislative branch
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; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 27 April 2014 (next to be held on 24 April 2016); note - election has been moved up because of political unrest | election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 43.0%, SDSM 25.3%, DUI 13.7%, DPA 5.9%, GROM 2.8%, NDR 1.6%, other 4.3%, invalid 3.4%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 61, SDSM 34, DUI 19, DPA 7, GROM 1, NDR 1
National anthem
name: "Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia) | lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI | note: adopted 1991; written in 1943, 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
Political parties and leaders
Citizens Option for Macedonia or GROM [Stevco JAKIMOVSKI] | Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA [Menduh THACI] | Democratic Union for Integration or DUI [Ali AHMETI] | Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI] | National Democratic Revival or NDR [Vesel MEMEDI] | Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV] | note: during the 2014 parliamentary elections VMRO-DPMNE, SDSM, and GROM each led coalitions
Political pressure groups and leaders
Federation of Free Trade Unions [Mirjana ANDREVSKA] | Federation of Trade Unions [Zivko MITREVSKI] | Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture or SONK [Jakim NEDELKOV] | Student Plenum | Eco Guerilla [Arianit XHAFERI]
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
◆ INTRODUCTION(1 fields)
Background
Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution are ongoing. Since 2004, the US and over 130 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into an insurgency in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Although Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, the country still faces challenges, including fully implementing the Framework Agreement, resolving the outstanding name dispute with Greece, improving relations with Bulgaria, halting democratic backsliding, bolstering independence of the judiciary and media freedom, and stimulating economic growth and development. Macedonia's membership in NATO was blocked by Greece at the Alliance's Summit of Bucharest in 2008.
◆ MILITARY(6 fields)
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; includes General Staff and subordinate Joint Operational Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Special Operations Regiment) (2012)
Military expenditures
1.08% of GDP (2015) | 1.17% of GDP (2014) | 1.14% of GDP (2013) | 1.2% of GDP (2012) | 1.3% of GDP (2011) | country comparison to the world: 92
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2008 (2013)
◆ PEOPLE AND SOCIETY(33 fields)
Age structure
0-14 years: 17.48% (male 189,719/female 176,751) | 15-24 years: 13.88% (male 150,048/female 140,834) | 25-54 years: 43.69% (male 464,811/female 450,914) | 55-64 years: 12.21% (male 125,327/female 130,617) | 65 years and over: 12.74% (male 114,357/female 152,637) (2015 est.)
Birth rate
11.55 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170
Child labor - children ages 5-14
total number: 16,782 | percentage: 6% (2005 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.3% (2011) | country comparison to the world: 128
Contraceptive prevalence rate
40.2% (2011)
Death rate
9.08 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 41.4% | youth dependency ratio: 24% | elderly dependency ratio: 17.4% | potential support ratio: 5.7% (2015 est.)
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.)
Ethnic groups
Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.01% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131
HIV/AIDS - deaths
fewer than 100 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
200 (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 126
Health expenditures
6.4% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 79
Hospital bed density
4.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Infant mortality rate
total: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 7.96 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 7.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 156
Languages
Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.02 years | male: 73.44 years | female: 78.79 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 97.8% | male: 98.8% | female: 96.8% (2015 est.)
Major urban areas - population
SKOPJE (capital) 503,000 (2015)
Median age
total: 37.2 years | male: 36.1 years | female: 38.3 years (2015 est.)
Nationality
noun: Macedonian(s) | adjective: Macedonian
Net migration rate
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
20.8% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 92
Physicians density
2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
Population
2,096,015 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 147
Population growth rate
0.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 184
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.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 13 years | male: 13 years | female: 14 years (2012)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female | 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 | total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.6 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 180
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 53.9% | male: 55.2% | female: 51.7% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 4
Urbanization
urban population: 57.1% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 0.11% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
◆ TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES(3 fields)
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
stateless persons: 741 (2014)
◆ TRANSPORTATION(6 fields)
Airports
10 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 155
Airports - with paved runways
total: 8 | 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 | under 914 m: 6 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways
total: 2 | 914 to 1,523 m: 1 | 1 (2013)
Pipelines
gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2013)
Railways
total: 699 km | standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (223 km electrified) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 101
Roadways
total: 14,182 km (includes 242 km of expressways) | paved: 9,633 km | unpaved: 4,549 km (2014) | country comparison to the world: 124