Country Profile: North Macedonia

North Macedonia, located in Southeastern Europe and bordering Greece, is a landlocked nation characterized by a mountainous terrain interspersed with valleys and deep basins. With a population of approximately 2.1 million, the country has a diverse demographic comprised mainly of ethnic Macedonians and Albanians, among other groups. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income, relying on private consumption, public infrastructure investments, and wage growth, while challenges remain in governance and economic reforms. North Macedonia has undergone significant political changes, particularly since gaining independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, and has made strides in its Euro-Atlantic integration, including joining NATO in 2020.

Geography

North Macedonia is situated north of Greece and is characterized by its mountainous landscape, which features several large lakes and is traversed by the Vardar River. The country has a total area of 25,713 square kilometers and is completely landlocked, with no coastline. It experiences a climate with warm, dry summers and cold winters that can see heavy snowfall. The diverse natural resources include low-grade iron ore, copper, and arable land, which constitutes a significant part of land use.

• 25,713 sq km: Total land area, slightly larger than Vermont.
• 49.6%: Agricultural land use as of 2023.
• 2,764 m: Highest point is Golem Korab.
• 40.9%: Forest area in 2023.
• 838 km: Total land boundaries.
• High seismic risks: Noted natural hazard.

People and Society

The population of North Macedonia is estimated to be approximately 2.1 million, with a composition of 58.4% ethnic Macedonians and 24.3% ethnic Albanians. The country has made strides in language rights, recognizing both Macedonian and Albanian as official languages in various municipalities. The society is diverse in religion, with Orthodox Christians being the largest group, followed by Muslims, and has high literacy rates among women. Urban areas attract a significant proportion of the population, contributing to an urbanization rate of 59.5%.

• 2,137,556: Projected population in 2025.
• 68.4%: Proportion of the population aged 15-64 years (2024 est.).
• 10.07 births/1,000 population: Birth rate in 2025.
• 77.3 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024 est.).
• 59.5%: Urban population as of 2023.
• 97.8%: Access to improved drinking water sources.

Economy

North Macedonia's economy is classified as upper-middle-income, with a reliance on private consumption and public infrastructure investments for growth. The nation faces challenges such as emigration, low productivity growth, and a rising public debt. Economic indicators project a GDP growth rate of 2.8% for 2024, with industrial and service sectors being vital, although unemployment remains a critical issue.

• $16.685 billion: GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.).
• 13.5%: Unemployment rate projected for 2024.
• $24,500: Real GDP per capita estimated for 2024.
• 21.8%: Proportion of the population below the poverty line (2019 est.).
• 32.7%: Share of services in GDP composition (2024 est.).
• 2.7%: Remittances as a share of GDP (2024 est.).

Government

North Macedonia is a parliamentary republic with a president serving as head of state and a prime minister acting as head of government. The country has a unicameral legislature and operates under a civil law system. Recent elections in 2024 resulted in new leadership, marking the continual evolution of the political landscape following its independence and subsequent reforms.

• Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA: President since May 2024.
• Hristijan MICKOSKI: Prime Minister since June 2024.
• 123: Total seats in the unicameral Assembly.
• 18 years: The minimum voting age in the country.
• 8 September: Independence Day.

Military and Security

The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia plays a key role in the national defense, comprising various branches including air and ground forces. The country maintains military expenditures of around 2% of GDP as it fulfills its commitments to NATO and participates in international peace missions.

• 6,000: Approximate active military personnel (2025).
• 2% of GDP: Military expenditures projected for 2025.
• Conscription abolished in 2007: Military service is voluntary.
• Participated in NATO missions: Including operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Energy

North Macedonia has made significant advancements in energy access, achieving 100% electrification. The energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, although renewable sources are beginning to gain traction.

• 2.467 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023).
• 5.896 billion kWh: Electricity consumption in 2023.
• 68.2%: Share of fossil fuels in total electricity generation capacity (2023).
• 332 million metric tons: Proven coal reserves (2023).

Environment

Environmental issues in North Macedonia primarily stem from air pollution linked to industrial activities and vehicle emissions. The country participates in several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these challenges.

• 7.369 million metric tonnes: CO2 emissions in 2023.
• 49.6%: Agricultural land as of 2023.
• 4.9%: Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
• 305.4 million cubic meters: Total municipal water withdrawal (2022 est.).

Transportation

North Macedonia has a developing transportation infrastructure with several airports and railways facilitating connectivity. The country has 13 airports and a railway network that totals 699 km, enhancing both domestic and international travel options.

• 13: Number of airports planned for 2025.
• 699 km: Total length of railway tracks as of 2020.
• 313 km: Electrified railway sections.

Communications

The communication infrastructure in North Macedonia includes a significant number of mobile and fixed-line subscriptions, with a high internet usage rate among the population. The broadcasting sector features a variety of national and regional channels.

• 1.98 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.).
• 87%: Internet penetration rate (2023 est.).
• 439,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2022 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,137,556	Estimated for 2025
Area	25,713 sq km	Total land area
GDP (official exchange rate)	$16.685 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment rate	13.5%	Projected for 2024
Energy consumption per capita	56.104 million Btu/person	Estimated for 2023
Birth rate	10.07 births/1,000 population	Estimated for 2025
Life expectancy at birth	77.3 years	Projected for 2024
Total fertility rate	1.53 children born/woman	Estimated for 2025