Macedonia

Macedonia

Introduction

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.

Geography

Location

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references

Europe

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

Land boundaries

total: 766 km
border countries:Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

warm, dry summers and autumns

relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall

Terrain

mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys

three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line

country bisected by the Vardar River

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point:Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

Natural resources

low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Land use

arable land: 22.01%
permanent crops:1.79%
other:76.2% (2005)

Irrigated land

1,280 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

6.4 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.27
per capita:1,118cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

high seismic risks

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

Geography – note

landlocked

major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Macedonian(s)
adjective:Macedonian

Ethnic groups

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

Languages

Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)

Religions

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

Population

2,077,328 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144

Age structure

0-14 years: 18.5% (male 198,643/female 184,775)
15-64 years:70% (male 733,601/female 720,103)
65 years and over:11.6% (male 103,620/female 136,586) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 35.8 years
male:34.8 years
female:36.9 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

0.248% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173

Birth rate

11.87 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

Death rate

8.91 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Net migration rate

-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136

Urbanization

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

Major cities – population

SKOPJE (capital) 480,000 (2009)

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 (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

9 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 146

Infant mortality rate

total: 8.54 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 157 male:8.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female:8.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 75.14 years
country comparison to the world: 88 male:72.61 years
female:77.87 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.58 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176

Health expenditures

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

Physicians density

2.5463 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 53

Hospital bed density

4.63 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 45

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 0% of population (2008)

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 (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

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

HIV/AIDS – deaths

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

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

Education expenditures

NA

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:96.1%
male:98.2%
female:94.1% (2002 census)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

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

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

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

Government

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

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

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

Independence

8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)

National holiday

Independence Day, 8 September (1991)

also known as National Day

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

Legal system

civil law system

judicial review of legislative acts

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

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 the World 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%

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 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/DUI 10.2%, PDSh/DPA 5.9%, other 12.1%

seats by party – VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Constitutional Court

Judicial Council
note:the Judicial Council appoints the judges

Legislative Assembly appoints Constitutional Court Judges

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

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-DZINGO]

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 [Rasko MISHKOSKI]

Federation of Trade Unions [Zivko MITREVSKI]

Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Yakim NEDELKOV]

International organization participation

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

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

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

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 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

Economy

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 31.7%, 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. However, as a result of conservative fiscal policies and a sound financial system, in 2010 the country received slightly improved credit ratings. Macroeconomic stability also was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, while interest rates were falling. As a result, GDP growth was modest, but positive, in 2010.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125 $19.86 billion (2009 est.)
$20.04 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

Macedonia has a large informal sector

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.108 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

0.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178 -0.9% (2009 est.)
5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$9,700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112 $9,600 (2009 est.)
$9,700 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 12%
industry:29.5%
services:58.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

938,300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143

Labor force – by occupation

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

Unemployment rate

32% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179 32.2% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

28.7% (2008)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%:34.5% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

44.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 45 39 (2003)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Budget

revenues: $2.853 billion
expenditures:$3.08 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

31.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86

Public debt

24.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101 23.8% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49 -0.8% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

1.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60 6.5% (31 December 2009 est.)
note:series discontinued in January 2010. Discount rate was replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate: 4.0% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106 10.062% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.249 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134 $1.224 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$5.076 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123 $4.913 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.322 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114 $4.191 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$2.647 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 104 $922.2 million (31 December 2009)
$823.5 million (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits

milk, eggs

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

-4.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Electricity – production

6.819 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102

Electricity – consumption

8.189 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity – imports

1.37 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Oil – production

116 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Oil – consumption

19,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130

Oil – exports

8,594 bbl/day (2010)
country comparison to the world: 97

Oil – imports

21,530 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Natural gas – consumption

117.4 million cu m (2010)
country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142

Natural gas – imports

117.4 million cu m (2010)
country comparison to the world: 70

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166

Current account balance

-$258.6 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91 -$598.8 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$3.296 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119 $2.686 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

food, beverages, tobacco

textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel

Exports – partners

Germany 20.2%, Italy 7.1%, Bulgaria 7.1%, Greece 6.4% (2010)

Imports

$5.241 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111 $4.843 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

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

Imports – partners

Germany 11.5%, Russia 11.1%, Greece 8.3%, Bulgaria 8.2%, UK 7%, Turkey 5.1%, Italy 5.1% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.278 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112 $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$5.704 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106 $5.589 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$3.739 billion (31 October 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86 $3.554 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$NA (31 December 2010)
$564 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar -
46.434 (2010)
44.1 (2009)
41.414 (2008)
44.732 (2007)
48.978 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

14 (2010)
country comparison to the world:151

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 (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: 126

Military

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 service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service

no conscription (2010)

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 expenditures

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

Transnational Issues

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007)

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