Country Profile: North Macedonia

North Macedonia is a landlocked country located in Southeastern Europe, north of Greece. With a population of just over 2 million, the nation has a rich cultural heritage shaped by its ethnic diversity, primarily consisting of Macedonians and Albanians. The economy is classified as upper-middle-income, driven by private consumption and public infrastructure investments, while governance has faced challenges including democratic backsliding and corruption. North Macedonia has been making strides in its Euro-Atlantic integration, joining NATO in 2020 and starting EU accession talks in 2022.

Geography

North Macedonia is characterized by its mountainous terrain, deep basins, and three significant lakes, along with a hot, dry summer climate and cold winters. The country is landlocked and serves as a vital transportation corridor from Europe to the Aegean Sea. Despite its impressive natural beauty, North Macedonia is prone to high seismic risks.

Area: 25,713 sq km (slightly larger than Vermont)
Land Boundaries: Total 838 km (neighboring Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, and Serbia)
Elevation: Highest point at 2,764 m (Golem Korab)
Natural Resources: Abundant deposits of low-grade iron ore, copper, and other minerals
Climate: Warm, dry summers with cold winters and heavy snowfall

People and Society

The population of North Macedonia is approximately 2.14 million with a diverse ethnic composition; about 58.4% are Macedonians and 24.3% are Albanians. The country features a rich tapestry of languages, with both Macedonian and Albanian recognized as official languages. Despite facing socio-economic challenges, including a poverty rate of 21.8%, North Macedonia boasts a relatively high literacy rate and urbanization level.

Urban Population: 59.5% of total population (2023)
Life Expectancy: 77.3 years (2024)
Median Age: 40.9 years (2025)
Population Growth Rate: 0.08% (2025)
Infant Mortality Rate: 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births (2025)

Economy

North Macedonia's economy is driven by private consumption and public infrastructure investments, showing resilience with a projected GDP growth of 2.8% in 2024. The economy faces structural challenges including low productivity and emigration, while public debt has risen due to high spending on pensions and wages.

GDP (PPP): $43.844 billion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 2.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 13.5% (2024 est.)
Youth Unemployment Rate: 30.3% (2024 est.)
Public Debt: 39.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Government

North Macedonia operates as a parliamentary republic with an administrative structure comprising 80 municipalities. The government recently underwent elections in 2024, with key leadership held by President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. The nation's constitution, effective since 1991, allows for universal suffrage at the age of 18.

Capital: Skopje
Constitution Adopted: 17 November 1991
National Holiday: Independence Day on 8 September
Legislative Body: Unicameral Assembly with 123 members
Political Parties: Dominated by coalitions such as VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM

Military and Security

The Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM) integrates various forces, including air and ground units. Military spending is projected to reach 2% of GDP by 2025, reflecting the country's commitments to NATO standards. Efforts continue to modernize the military’s equipment, which historically reflects Soviet-era origins.

Active Military Personnel: Approximately 6,000 (2025)
Military Expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.)
No Conscription: Abolished in 2007
Peacekeeping Missions: Participation in NATO and UN operations
Military Equipment: Mix of older Soviet-era and modern armaments

Energy

North Macedonia's energy sector is primarily reliant on fossil fuels and hydroelectric power, with a total installed capacity of 2.467 million kW. The country has achieved 100% electrification and is moving towards enhancing its renewable energy sources.

Electricity Consumption: 5.896 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Installed Capacity from Fossil Fuels: 68.2% (2023 est.)
Coal Production: 4 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Consumption: 348.078 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Renewable Energy Share: 24% from hydroelectric sources (2023 est.)

Environment

North Macedonia faces environmental challenges, particularly from industrial air pollution, while also taking part in several international environmental agreements. The country has significant agricultural land, accounting for nearly 49.6% of its area, and is committed to improving its sustainability practices.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 7.369 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Total Water Withdrawal: 305.4 million cubic meters (municipal, 2022 est.)
Waste Generation: 627,000 tons of municipal solid waste (2024 est.)
Urban Population Rate: 59.5% (2023)
Deforestation Issues: Illustrated by significant forest cover accounting for 40.9% of land (2023 est.)

Transportation

North Macedonia has a modest transportation infrastructure, including railways and a growing number of airports. The country is focused on improving its connectivity as it serves as a strategic transit point in the region.

Airports: 13 (as of 2025)
Total Rail Length: 699 km (2020)
Electric Railways: 313 km electrified
Heliports: 13 (as of 2025)

Communications

The communications infrastructure of North Macedonia is developing, with high mobile cellular subscription rates. Approximately 87% of the population uses the internet, reflecting the country's growing digital engagement.

Fixed Line Subscriptions: 439,000 (2022 est.)
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: 1.98 million (2024 est.)
Internet Users: 87% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadband Subscriptions: 515,000 (2022 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	2,137,556 (2025 est.)
Area	25,713 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$43.844 billion (2024)
Unemployment Rate	13.5% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	10.07 births/1,000	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	77.3 years (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Electricity Access	100% (2022 est.)
Forest Coverage	40.9% (2023 est.)
Total Water Withdrawal	305.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)