Background: North Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of 'Macedonia.' Greece objected to the new country’s name, insisting it implied territorial pretensions to the northern Greek province of Macedonia, and democratic backsliding for several years stalled North Macedonia's movement toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Immediately after Macedonia declared independence, Greece sought to block its efforts to gain UN membership if the name 'Macedonia' was used. The country was eventually admitted to the UN in 1993 as 'The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,' and at the same time it agreed to UN-sponsored negotiations on the name dispute. In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations, but the issue of the name remained unresolved amid ongoing negotiations. As an interim measure, the US and over 130 other nations recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into an armed conflict in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. In 2018, the government adopted a new law on languages, which elevated the Albanian language to an official language at the national level and kept the Macedonian language as the sole official language in international relations, but ties between ethnic Macedonians and ethnic Albanians remain complicated. In 2018, Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa Agreement whereby Macedonia agreed to change its name to North Macedonia, and the agreement went in to force on 12 February 2019. North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020 after amending its constitution as agreed and opened EU accession talks in 2022 after a two-year veto by Bulgaria over identity, language, and historical disputes. The 2014 legislative and presidential election triggered a political crisis that lasted almost three years and escalated in 2015 when the opposition party began releasing wiretapped material revealing alleged widespread government corruption and abuse. The country still faces challenges, including fully implementing reforms to overcome years of democratic backsliding, stimulating economic growth and development, and fighting organized crime and corruption.

Area
Total: 25,713 km²
Land: 25,433 km²
Water: 280 km²
Comparative: slightly larger than Vermont; almost four times the size of Delaware

Land boundaries
Total: 838 km
Border countries (5): (5) Albania 181 km; Bulgaria 162 km; Greece 234 km; Kosovo 160 km; Serbia 101 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall

Terrain: mountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River

Elevation
Highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
Lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
Mean elevation: 741 m

Land use
Agricultural land: 49.6% (2023 est.)
Arable land: 16.5% (2023 est.)
Permanent crops: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Permanent pasture: 31.5% (2023 est.)
Forest: 40.9% (2023 est.)
Other: 9.5% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land: 844 km² (2016)

Natural hazards: high seismic risks

Geography
Note: landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

Population
Total: 2,135,622 (2024 est.)
Male: 1,064,727
Female: 1,070,895
Distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
Growth rate: 0.1% (2024 est.)

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 est.)
Major-language sample(s): ; Книга на Светски Факти, неопходен извор на основни информации. (Macedonian); The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Note: data represent mother tongue; minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where at least 20% of the population are speakers, with Albanian co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities, Turkish in Centar Zupa and Plasnica, Romani in Suto Orizari, Aromanian in Krusevo, Serbian in Cucer Sandevo

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

Age structure
0-14 years: 16% (male 176,423/female 164,945)
15-64 years: 68.4% (male 740,649/female 719,627)
65 years and over: 15.6% (2024 est.) (male 147,655/female 186,323)

Dependency ratios
Total dependency ratio: 46.2 (2024 est.)
Youth dependency ratio: 23.4 (2024 est.)
Elderly dependency ratio: 22.9 (2024 est.)
Potential support ratio: 4.4 (2024 est.)

Median age
Total: 40.5 years (2024 est.)
Male: 39.4 years
Female: 41.6 years

Population growth rate: 0.1% (2024 est.)

Birth rate: 10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate: 9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations

Urbanization
Urban population: 59.5% of total population (2023)
Rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas
Population: 611,000 SKOPJE (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio
At birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate
Total: 7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
Male: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Female: 6 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 77.3 years (2024 est.)
Male: 75.3 years
Female: 79.6 years

Total fertility rate: 1.53 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Drinking water source
Urban: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 2.6% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 2.2% of population (2022 est.)

Sanitation facility access
Urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Rural: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)
Total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.9% (2019 est.)

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 13.5% (2024 est.); 13.2% (2023 est.); 14.5% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

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
Etymology: the name is of Illyrian or Macedonian origin, and the meaning is unclear; derives from Scupi, its name during the Roman era

Administrative divisions: 80 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city* (grad); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostuse, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje*, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci
*the Greater Skopje area is composed of 10 municipalities: Aerodrom, Butel, Centar, Chair, Gazi Baba, Gjorce Petrov, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Saraj, and Shuto Orizari

Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Executive branch
Chief of state: President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
Head of government: Prime Minister Hristijan MICKOSKI (since 23 June 2024)
Cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote
Election/appointment process: president directly elected using a modified 2-round system; a candidate can only be elected in the first round with an absolute majority from all registered voters; in the second round, voter turnout must be at least 40% for the result to be valid; president elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the Assembly usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister
Most recent election date: 24 April and 8 May 2024
2024: Talat XHAFERI elected caretaker prime minister; Assembly vote - 65 for (opposition boycott)
2022: Dimitar KOVACEVSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - NA
Expected date of next election: 2,029

Legislative branch
Legislature name: Assembly of the Republic (Sobranie)
Legislative structure: unicameral
Number of seats: 123 (all directly elected)
Electoral system: mixed system
Scope of elections: full renewal
Term in office: 4 years
Most recent election date: 5/8/2024
Parties elected and seats per party: Coalition 'Your Macedonia' (led by VMRO-DPMNE) (58); Coalition 'European Front' (led by the Democratic Union for Integration – DUI) (18); Coalition 'For a European Future' (led by the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia – SDSM) (18); Coalition VLEN (14); ZNAM (Movement 'I know': For our Macedonia) (6); The Left (Levica) (6)
Percentage of women in chamber: 39.2%
Expected date of next election: May 2,028

Flag description: a red field with a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) in the center, with eight broadening rays extending to the edges

National anthem
Title: 'Denes nad Makedonija' (Today Over Macedonia)
Lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
History: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia, when it was part of Yugoslavia

National heritage
Total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both natural)
Selected World Heritage Site locales:

Real gdp growth rate: 2.8% (2024 est.); 2.1% (2023 est.); 2.8% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real gdp per capita: 2.8% (2024 est.); 2.1% (2023 est.); 2.8% (2022 est.)
Note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Gdp composition by end use
Household consumption: 67.9% (2024 est.)
Government consumption: 16.8% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 28.4% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -75.8% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Gdp composition by sector of origin
Agriculture: 6% (2024 est.)
Industry: 22.7% (2024 est.)
Services: 59.2% (2024 est.)
Note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts

Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2024 est.)
Note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force: 779,200 (2024 est.)
Note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate: 13.5% (2024 est.); 13.2% (2023 est.); 14.5% (2022 est.)
Note: % of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment
Rate (ages 15-24): 13.5% (2024 est.); 13.2% (2023 est.); 14.5% (2022 est.)
Rate (ages 15-24) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Budget
Revenues: $4.787 billion (2023 est.)
Expenditures: $5.514 billion (2023 est.)
Note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Taxes and other revenues: 17.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Exports: $10.445 billion (2024 est.); $10.691 billion (2023 est.); $10.123 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: reaction and catalytic products, insulated wire, electricity, garments, seats (2023)
Commodities note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports: $12.644 billion (2024 est.); $12.748 billion (2023 est.); $13.009 billion (2022 est.)
Note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Commodities: platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramic ware, cars, natural gas (2023)
Commodities note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Electricity
Installed generating capacity: 2.467 million kW (2023 est.)
Consumption: 5.896 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Exports: 7.081 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Imports: 7.232 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 993.662 million kWh (2023 est.)
Access electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels: 68.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources solar: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources wind: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 24% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Generation sources biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal
Production: 4 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Consumption: 5.344 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Exports: 58,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Imports: 41,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Proven reserves: 332 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum
Refined petroleum consumption: 24,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Natural gas
Consumption: 348.078 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Imports: 347.981 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions: 7.369 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 3.014 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 3.682 million metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 673,000 metric tonnes of CO&sub2; (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita: 56.104 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Telephones
Fixed lines total subscriptions: 439,000 (2022 est.)
Fixed lines subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2022 est.)
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 1.92 million (2023 est.)
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 98 (2022 est.)

Internet
Users percent of population: 87% (2023 est.)

Broadband fixed subscriptions
Total: 515,000 (2022 est.)
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 est.)

Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.); 1.9% of GDP (2024 est.); 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.); 1.6% of GDP (2022 est.); 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Airports: 13 (2025)

Heliports: 13 (2025)

Railways
Total: 699 km (2020) 313 km electrified