Country Summary: North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia)
Country Name: North Macedonia (Republic of North Macedonia)
Capital: Skopje
Government Type: parliamentary republic
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.
Continent: Europe
Population: 2,133,410 (2023 est.)
Ethnic Groups: Macedonian 58.4%, Albanian 24.3%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.5%, Serb 1.3%, other 2.3%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no ethnic affiliation data was available 7.2% (2021 est.)
Languages: Macedonian (official) 61.4%, Albanian (official) 24.3%, Turkish 3.4%, Romani 1.7%, other (includes Aromanian (Vlach) and Bosnian) 2%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no language data was available 7.2% (2021 est.); note - data represent mother tongue; minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where they are spoken by at least 20% of the population; Albanian is co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities; Turkish is co-official in Centar Zupa and Plasnica; Romani is co-official in Suto Orizari; Aromanian is co-official in Krusevo; Serbian is co-official in Cucer Sandevo
Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 46.1%, Muslim 32.2%, other Christian 13.8%, other and non-believers 0.5%, unspecified 0.2%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no religious affiliation data was available 7.2% (2021 est.)
Economic Overview: growing upper middle-income European economy; EU accession stalled due to Bulgarian dispute; new NATO member; private consumption-driven growth; investment declined due to COVID-19; regional economic power gains since Greek naming resolution
Currency: Macedonian Denar (MKD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $4.12 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $35.245 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars
Real GDP Growth Rate: 2.15% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per Capita: $17,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars
Exports:
$10.126 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 112
Export Commodities: support catalysts, centrifuges, insulated wiring, iron alloys, seats (2021)
Export Partners: Germany 45%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 5% (2019)
Imports:
$13.008 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 109
Import Commodities: platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramics, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
Import Partners: United Kingdom 14%, Germany 14%, Greece 8%, Serbia 8% (2019)
Natural Resources: low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Agricultural Products: milk, grapes, wheat, potatoes, green chillies/peppers, cabbages, tomatoes, maize, barley, watermelons
Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts
Industrial Production Growth Rate:
-4.33% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Comparison Ranking: 198
Labor Force: 916,000 (2022 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 14.43% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Natural Hazards: high seismic risks
Geography:
Total: 25,713 sq km
Land: 25,433 sq km
Water: 280 sq km
(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)
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