Introduction
Background
North Macedonia gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991 under the name of "Macedonia." In June 2018, Macedonia and Greece signed the Prespa Accord whereby the Republic of Macedonia agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia. Following ratification by both countries, the agreement went into force on 12 February 2019.
Geography
Area
total: 25,713 sq km
land: 25,433 sq km
water: 280 sq km
Climate
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Natural resources
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
People and Society
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.)
Population growth rate
0.11% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Skopje
Executive branch
chief of state: President Stevo PENDAROVSKI (since 12 May 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Dimitar KOVACEVSKI (since 16 January 2022)
Legislative branch
description: unicameral Assembly - Sobraine in Macedonian, Kuvend in Albanian (between 120 and 140 seats, currently 120; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; possibility of 3 directly elected in diaspora constituencies by simple majority vote provided there is sufficient voter turnout; members serve 4-year terms)
Economy
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
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$34.007 billion (2021 est.)
$32.71 billion (2020 est.)
$34.839 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$16,500 (2021 est.)
$15,800 (2020 est.)
$16,800 (2019 est.)
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
Remittances
3.54% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.34% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.52% of GDP (2019 est.)
Exports
$9.157 billion (2021 est.)
$7.19 billion (2020 est.)
$7.8 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 45%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
support catalysts, centrifuges, insulated wiring, iron alloys, seats (2021)
Imports
$11.354 billion (2021 est.)
$8.773 billion (2020 est.)
$9.605 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners
United Kingdom 14%, Germany 14%, Greece 8%, Serbia 8% (2019)
Imports - commodities
platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramics, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
Exchange rates
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
52.102 (2021 est.)
54.144 (2020 est.)
54.947 (2019 est.)
52.107 (2018 est.)
54.665 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Wednesday, December 13, 2023
