Country Profile: North Macedonia

North Macedonia, located in southeastern Europe north of Greece, is a landlocked country characterized by its mountainous terrain and deep valleys, with a moderate climate of warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The estimated population of approximately 2.1 million is diverse, featuring ethnic Macedonians and Albanians among other groups. The economy is classified as upper-middle income, primarily driven by private consumption, but it faces challenges due to rising public debt and structural issues. Governance has seen significant changes following the transition from Yugoslavia, leading to a parliamentary republic structure with ongoing efforts for EU integration.

Geography

North Macedonia is bordered by Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, Kosovo to the northwest, and Serbia to the north. It has a total area of 25,713 sq km, primarily land, and is entirely landlocked with no coastline. The country's terrain is predominantly mountainous, with the Vardar River bisecting the nation and three major lakes marking its landscape.

• 49.6% of the land is used for agriculture (2023 est.)
• 40.9% of the area is forested (2023 est.)
• The highest point is Golem Korab at 2,764 m (highest elevation)

People and Society

The population of North Macedonia is estimated at 2,137,556 as of 2025, with a fairly even distribution across urban and rural areas. Ethnic Macedonians make up 58.4% of the population, followed by 24.3% Albanians, among others. The country recognizes both Macedonian and Albanian as official languages, reflecting its diverse linguistic landscape.

• 59.5% of the population lives in urban areas (2023)
• The median age is 40.9 years (2025 est.)
• Life expectancy at birth is 77.3 years (2024 est.)

Economy

North Macedonia has an upper-middle-income economy, with real GDP growth driven by private consumption and public infrastructure investments. The GDP (PPP) is projected at $43.844 billion for 2024, influenced by ongoing structural challenges, including emigration and low productivity growth.

• 2.8% is the expected GDP growth rate for 2024
• The unemployment rate is projected at 13.5% (2024 est.)
• 21.8% of the population lived below the poverty line (2019 est.)

Government

North Macedonia operates as a parliamentary republic with a unicameral legislature. The current president is Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, and the prime minister is Hristijan Mickoski, both elected in 2024. The country has made notable reforms to enhance minority rights and is navigating its path toward EU membership, which includes implementing significant governance reforms.

• The national holiday is Independence Day, celebrated on 8 September
• The constitution was last adopted on 17 November 1991
• Suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and over

Military and Security

The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia comprises various forces and is committed to fulfilling NATO obligations since joining in 2020. Military expenditures are currently estimated at 2% of GDP for 2025. The military consists of approximately 6,000 active personnel and participates in international missions.

• Military service is voluntary starting at age 18
• The military's equipment is transitioning from older Soviet-era systems to modern capabilities
• North Macedonia has participated in numerous peacekeeping missions, including in Afghanistan and Kosovo

Energy

North Macedonia's energy access is comprehensive, with 100% of the population having electricity. The country heavily relies on fossil fuels for energy, accounting for 68.2% of its electricity generation capacity.

• Total energy consumption per capita is 56.104 million Btu (2023 est.)
• Electricity consumption is 5.896 billion kWh (2023 est.)
• Proven coal reserves stand at 332 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

Environmental challenges in North Macedonia include air pollution mainly from industrial sources such as metallurgical plants and vehicle emissions. The country is engaged in various international environmental agreements to combat these issues.

• 49.6% of land is agricultural (2023 est.)
• 7.369 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions were recorded (2023 est.)
• The country has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Transportation

North Macedonia's transportation infrastructure includes a network of railways and airports that facilitate connectivity. The country has 13 airports and a railway system totaling 699 km.

• The rail network includes 313 km of electrified track (2020)
• There are 13 heliports as of 2025
• Civil aircraft registration follows the prefix Z3

Communications

North Macedonia has developed its communication networks, with a significant percentage of the population being internet users.

• 87% of the population are internet users (2023)
• Fixed-line telephone subscriptions number 439,000 (2022 est.)
• Mobile cellular subscriptions reached 1.98 million (2024 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,137,556 (2025 est.)
Area	25,713 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$43.844 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	13.5% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.3 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption	56.104 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Urban Population	59.5% (2023)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	1.53 children born/woman (2025 est.)