North Macedonia

World Book Index

Introduction

North Macedonia, a landlocked country in Southeast Europe, emerged from the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991, marking its independence with a peaceful transition. Initially recognized as "Macedonia," the country underwent a significant transformation in 2018 when it signed the Prespa Accord with Greece, which led to its official name change to the Republic of North Macedonia on 12 February 2019. This historic agreement not only resolved a long-standing dispute but also paved the way for North Macedonia's aspirations towards European integration and regional stability.

Neighboring countries

Albania - Bulgaria - Greece - Kosovo - Serbia

Geography

Area
Total: 25,713 sq km
Land: 25,433 sq km
Water: 280 sq km

North Macedonia is characterized by its diverse topography, which includes mountainous regions, valleys, and lakes. The country is predominantly situated in the central part of the Balkan Peninsula, bordered by five countries, which enhances its strategic significance in the region. The climate is marked by warm, dry summers and autumns, contrasted with relatively cold winters that often bring heavy snowfall. This climatic variation contributes to the rich biodiversity and natural beauty of the country, making it an attractive destination for both tourism and agriculture. The natural resources of North Macedonia include low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, and arable land, which play a crucial role in its economic development.

People and Society

Population
Total: 2,135,622 (2024 estimated)

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 estimated)

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 estimated)

Religions
Macedonian Orthodox 46.1%, Muslim 32.2%, other Christian 13.8%, other and non-believers 0.5%, unspecified 7.4% (2021 estimated)

Population growth rate
0.1% (2024 estimated)

The demographic landscape of North Macedonia is marked by a rich tapestry of ethnicities and cultures, with the Macedonian ethnic group constituting the majority at 58.4%. The Albanian community, representing 24.3% of the population, plays a significant role in the country's social and political dynamics. Other ethnic groups, including Turks, Romani, and Serbs, contribute to the multicultural fabric of society. Macedonian and Albanian are the official languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of the nation. The religious composition is predominantly Macedonian Orthodox, followed by a significant Muslim population. The population growth rate remains modest at 0.1%, indicating a stable demographic trend amidst ongoing social changes and migration patterns.

Government

Government type
Parliamentary republic

Capital
Name: Skopje

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
Head of government: Prime Minister Hristijan MICKOSKI (since 23 June 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
Chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran POPOV (since 16 September 2022)

Diplomatic representation from the US
Chief of mission: Ambassador Angela AGGELER (since 8 November 2022)

North Macedonia operates as a parliamentary republic, where the President serves as the head of state and the Prime Minister acts as the head of government. The capital city, Skopje, is the political and administrative center of the country. The current President, Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, took office on 12 May 2024, while Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has been in office since 23 June 2024. The government structure is designed to promote democratic governance and representation, with a focus on addressing the challenges of political stability and economic development.

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 estimated)
$42.668 billion (2023 estimated)
$41.801 billion (2022 estimated)

Real GDP per capita
$24,500 (2024 estimated)
$23,300 (2023 estimated)
$22,800 (2022 estimated)

Exports
$10.445 billion (2024 estimated)
$10.691 billion (2023 estimated)
$10.123 billion (2022 estimated)

Exports - partners
Germany 39%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 6%, Greece 5%, Czechia 3% (2023)

Exports - commodities
Reaction and catalytic products, insulated wire, electricity, garments, seats (2023)

Imports
$12.644 billion (2024 estimated)
$12.748 billion (2023 estimated)
$13.009 billion (2022 estimated)

Imports - partners
UK 12%, Germany 10%, Greece 9%, China 9%, Serbia 8% (2023)

Imports - commodities
Platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramic ware, cars, natural gas (2023)

The economy of North Macedonia is classified as an upper-middle-income European economy, characterized by a steady GDP growth trajectory primarily fueled by private consumption, public infrastructure investments, and wage increases. However, the country faces challenges in its EU accession process, which has stalled, impacting investor confidence and economic reforms. Public debt has been on the rise, driven by high pension obligations, wages, and interest payments, which pose risks to fiscal sustainability. Furthermore, structural issues such as emigration, low productivity growth, and governance challenges hinder economic progress. In 2024, the real GDP (purchasing power parity) is estimated at $43.844 billion, with a per capita GDP of $24,500. The export sector is vital, with key partners including Germany, Serbia, and Bulgaria, while imports are dominated by the UK, Germany, and Greece, reflecting the interconnectedness of North Macedonia's economy within the regional and global markets.

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.815, ranking it 68th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 70th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 5.866. (more information)