North Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of “Macedonia.” Greece objected to the new country’s name, insisting it implied territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of Macedonia, and democratic backsliding for several years stalled North Macedonia’s movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block its efforts to gain UN membership if the name “Macedonia” was used. The country was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as “The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,” and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved amid ongoing negotiations. As an interim measure, the US and over 130 other nations recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia.
Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into an armed conflict in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. In 2018, the government adopted a new law on languages, which elevated the Albanian language to an official language at the national level and kept the Macedonian language as the sole official language in international relations, but ties between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain complicated.
In 2018, Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa Agreement whereby Macedonia agreed to change its name to North Macedonia, and the agreement went in to force on 12 February 2019. North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020 after amending its constitution as agreed and opened EU accession talks in 2022 after a two-year veto by Bulgaria over identity, language, and historical disputes. The 2014 legislative and presidential election triggered a political crisis that lasted almost three years and escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretapped material revealing alleged widespread government corruption and abuse. The country still faces challenges, including fully implementing reforms to overcome years of democratic backsliding, stimulating economic growth and development, and fighting organized crime and corruption. TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total : 25,713 sq km
land: 25,433 sq km
water: 280 sq km
comparison ranking: total 149
Area – comparative
slightly larger than Vermont; almost four times the size of Delaware
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 838 km
border countries (5): Albania 181 km; Bulgaria 162 km; Greece 234 km; Kosovo 160 km; Serbia 101 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Terrain
mountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River
Elevation
highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
mean elevation: 741 m
Natural resources
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Land use
agricultural land: 49.8% (2022 est.)
arable land: 16.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 31.8% (2022 est.)
forest: 39.7% (2022 est.)
other: 10.4% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
844 sq km (2016)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Natural hazards
high seismic risks
Geography – note
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
People and Society
Population
total: 2,135,622 (2024 est.)
male: 1,064,727
female: 1,070,895
comparison rankings: total 149; female 148; male 149
Nationality
noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups
Macedonian 58.4%, Albanian 24.3%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.5%, Serb 1.3%, other 2.3%, no ethnic affiliation data available 7.2% (2021 est.)
note: data represent total resident population; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 6.5–13% of North Macedonia’s population
Languages
Macedonian (official) 61.4%, Albanian (official) 24.3%, Turkish 3.4%, Romani 1.7%, other (includes Aromanian (Vlach) and Bosnian) 2%, unspecified 7.2% (2021 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Книга на Светски Факти, неопходен извор на основни информации. (Macedonian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note: data represent mother tongue; minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where at least 20% of the population are speakers, with Albanian co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities, Turkish in Centar Zupa and Plasnica, Romani in Suto Orizari, Aromanian in Krusevo, Serbian in Cucer Sandevo
Macedonian audio sample:
Religions
Macedonian Orthodox 46.1%, Muslim 32.2%, other Christian 13.8%, other and non-believers 0.5%, unspecified 7.4% (2021 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 16% (male 176,423/female 164,945)
15-64 years: 68.4% (male 740,649/female 719,627)
65 years and over: 15.6% (2024 est.) (male 147,655/female 186,323)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 46.2 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 23.4 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 22.9 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 4.4 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 40.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 39.4 years
female: 41.6 years
comparison ranking: total 59
Population growth rate
0.1% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 187
Birth rate
10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 181
Death rate
9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 43
Net migration rate
0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 72
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Urbanization
urban population: 59.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
611,000 SKOPJE (capital) (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
26.9 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 185
Infant mortality rate
total: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 156
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 77.3 years (2024 est.)
male: 75.3 years
female: 79.6 years
comparison ranking: total population 92
Total fertility rate
1.53 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 198
Gross reproduction rate
0.74 (2024 est.)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 97.4% of population (2022 est.)
total: 97.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 2.6% of population (2022 est.)
total: 2.2% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
8.5% of GDP (2021)
12.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.94 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
4.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 98.6% of population (2022 est.)
total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
rural: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)
total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
22.4% (2016)
comparison ranking: 77
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 3.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 1.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 97
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
0.9% (2018/19)
comparison ranking: 110
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.5% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 0.3% (2019)
women married by age 18: 7.5% (2019)
Literacy
female: 97.8% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 15 years (2022 est.)
male: 14 years (2022 est.)
female: 15 years (2022 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
air pollution from metallurgical plants, smoke from wood-burning stoves, and vehicle emissions
International environmental agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Land use
agricultural land: 49.8% (2022 est.)
arable land: 16.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 1.6% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 31.8% (2022 est.)
forest: 39.7% (2022 est.)
other: 10.4% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 59.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
7.369 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 3.014 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.682 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 673,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 121
Particulate matter emissions
28.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 796,585 tons (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,434 tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.2% (2013 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 310 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 140 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
6.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of North Macedonia
conventional short form: North Macedonia
local long form: Republika Severna Makedonija
local short form: Severna Makedonija
former: Democratic Federal Macedonia, People’s Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia
etymology: the name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.), whose name origin is unclear; it may derive from the mythological Macedon, the son of the Greek god Zeus; alternatively, it may come from the Greek word makednos, meaning “tail,” or the Illyrian word maketia, meaning “cattle”
Government type
parliamentary republic
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
etymology: the name is of Illyrian or Macedonian origin, and the meaning is unclear; derives from Scupi, its name during the Roman era
Administrative divisions
80 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 Rostuse, 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
*the Greater Skopje area is composed of 10 municipalities: Aerodrom, Butel, Centar, Chair, Gazi Baba, Gjorce Petrov, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Saraj, and Shuto Orizari
Legal system
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
Constitution
history: several previous (since 1944); latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; final approval requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
head of government: President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote
election/appointment process: president directly elected using a modified 2-round system; a candidate can only be elected in the first round with an absolute majority from all registered voters; in the second round, voter turnout must be at least 40% for the result to be valid; president elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the Assembly usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister
most recent election date: 24 April and 8 May 2024
election results:
2024: Hristijan MICKOSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote – 77 for, 22 against
2024: Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote – Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (VMRO-DPMNE) 69%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 31%
2024: Talat XHAFERI elected caretaker prime minister; Assembly vote – 65 for (opposition boycott)
2022: Dimitar KOVACEVSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote – NA
expected date of next election: 2029
Legislative branch
legislature name: Assembly of the Republic (Sobranie)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 123 (all directly elected)
electoral system: mixed system
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 5/8/2024
parties elected and seats per party: Coalition “Your Macedonia” (led by VMRO-DPMNE) (58); Coalition “European Front” (led by the Democratic Union for Integration – DUI) (18); Coalition “For a European Future” (led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia – SDSM) (18); Coalition VLEN (14); ZNAM (Movement “I know”: For our Macedonia) (6); The Left (Levica) (6)
percentage of women in chamber: 39.2%
expected date of next election: May 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Assembly for nonrenewable, 9-year terms
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts
Political parties
Alliance for Albanians or AfA or ASH
Alternative (Alternativa) or AAA
Besa Movement or BESA
Citizen Option for Macedonia or GROM
Democratic Alliance or DS
Democratic Movement or LD
Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH
Democratic Party of Serbs or DPSM
Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM
Democratic Union for Integration or BDI
European Democratic Party or PDE
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE
Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization – People’s Party or VMRO-NP
Liberal Democratic Party or LDP
New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP
Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM
Socialist Party of Macedonia or SPM
Srpska Stranka in Macedonia or SSM
The Left (Levica)
The People Movement or LP
Turkish Democratic Party or TDP
Turkish Movement Party or THP
We Can! (coalition includes SDSM/BESA/VMRO-NP, DPT, LDP)
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran POPOV (since 16 September 2022)
chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2104
email address and website:
[email protected]
United States (mfa.gov.mk)
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Detroit, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Angela AGGELER (since 8 November 2022)
embassy: Str. Samoilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
mailing address: 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120
telephone: [389] (2) 310-2000
FAX: [389] (2) 310-2499
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://mk.usembassy.gov/
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, NATO, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
note: North Macedonia is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership
Independence
8 September 1991 (referendum endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday
Independence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day
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
National symbol(s)
eight-rayed sun
National color(s)
red, yellow
National anthem(s)
title: “Denes nad Makedonija” (Today Over Macedonia)
lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
history: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, when it was part of Yugoslavia
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region; Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle-income European economy; GDP growth driven by private consumption, public infrastructure investments, and wage growth; stalled progress on EU accession; public debt rising due to high pensions, wages, and interest payments; structural challenges of emigration, low productivity growth, and governance
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$43.844 billion (2024 est.)
$42.668 billion (2023 est.)
$41.801 billion (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 136
Real GDP growth rate
2.8% (2024 est.)
2.1% (2023 est.)
2.8% (2022 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 122
Real GDP per capita
$24,500 (2024 est.)
$23,300 (2023 est.)
$22,800 (2022 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 90
GDP (official exchange rate)
$16.685 billion (2024 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
3.5% (2024 est.)
9.4% (2023 est.)
14.2% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 112
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6% (2024 est.)
industry: 22.7% (2024 est.)
services: 59.2% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 95; industry 111; agriculture 101
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 67.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption: 16.8% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 28.4% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services: -75.8% (2024 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
chillies/peppers, milk, wheat, potatoes, grapes, barley, cabbages, maize, watermelons, tomatoes (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts
Industrial production growth rate
1.8% (2024 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 103
Labor force
779,200 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 152
Unemployment rate
13.5% (2024 est.)
13.2% (2023 est.)
14.5% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 170
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 30.3% (2024 est.)
male: 29.2% (2024 est.)
female: 32.3% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 21
Population below poverty line
21.8% (2019 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
33.5 (2019 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 100
Average household expenditures
on food: 30.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 4.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 1.9% (2019 est.)
highest 10%: 22.9% (2019 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
2.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
3.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $4.141 billion (2021 est.)
expenditures: $4.666 billion (2021 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
39.3% of GDP (2017 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; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds
comparison ranking: 135
Taxes and other revenues
17.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 66
Current account balance
-$374.385 million (2024 est.)
$56.573 million (2023 est.)
-$868.965 million (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 107
Exports
$10.445 billion (2024 est.)
$10.691 billion (2023 est.)
$10.123 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 116
Exports – partners
Germany 39%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 6%, Greece 5%, Czechia 3% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
reaction and catalytic products, insulated wire, electricity, garments, seats (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$12.644 billion (2024 est.)
$12.748 billion (2023 est.)
$13.009 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 112
Imports – partners
UK 12%, Germany 10%, Greece 9%, China 9%, Serbia 8% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramic ware, cars, natural gas (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$5.252 billion (2024 est.)
$5.015 billion (2023 est.)
$4.12 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 96
Debt – external
$5.637 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 69
Exchange rates
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
56.873 (2024 est.)
56.947 (2023 est.)
58.574 (2022 est.)
52.102 (2021 est.)
54.144 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 2.467 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 5.896 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 7.081 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 7.232 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 993.662 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 99; imports 35; exports 34; consumption 125; installed generating capacity 115
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 68.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 24% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 4 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 5.344 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 58,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 41,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 332 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 348.078 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 347.981 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
56.104 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 87
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 439,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 98
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 1.92 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 152
Broadcast media
public TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 5 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; 11 regional TV stations broadcast nationally; 29 regional and local broadcasters; a large number of cable operators offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; 4 privately owned national radio stations and 60 regional and local operators (2023)
Internet country code
.mk
Internet users
percent of population: 87% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 515,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total 95
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Z3
Airports
13 (2025)
comparison ranking: 152
Heliports
13 (2025)
comparison ranking: 65
Railways
total: 699 km (2020) 313 km electrified
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM or ARNM): joint force with air, ground, reserve, special operations, and support forces (2025)
note: the Police of Macedonia maintain internal security, including migration and border enforcement, and report to the Ministry of the Interior
Military expenditures
2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2023)
1.6% of GDP (2022)
1.5% of GDP (2021)
1.2% of GDP (2020)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 6,000 active Army of the Republic of North Macedonia forces (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory is a mix of Soviet-era and increasing amounts of modern equipment from countries such as Turkey, the UK, and the US, with more on order (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2007 (2024)
note: as of 2024, women made up about 10% of the military’s full-time personnel
Military – note
the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM) is responsible for the defense of the country’s territory and independence, fulfilling North Macedonia’s commitments to NATO and European security, and contributing to EU, NATO, and UN peace and security missions; the ARSM has participated in multinational missions and operations in Afghanistan (NATO), Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU), Eastern Europe (NATO), Iraq (NATO), Kosovo (NATO), and Lebanon (UN); a key area of focus over the past decade has been improving capabilities and bringing the largely Soviet-era-equipped ARSM up to NATO standards; it has increased its participation in NATO training exercises since becoming the 30th member of the Alliance in 2020 and currently has small numbers of combat troops deployed to Bulgaria and Romania as part of NATO’s Enhance Forward Presence mission implemented because of Russian military aggression against Ukraine (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 20,937 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 159 (2024 est.)
