{
  "Introduction": {
    "Background": {
      "text": "<p>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. <br><br>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.</p> <p>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. </p>"
    }
  },
  "Geography": {
    "Location": {
      "text": "Southeastern Europe, north of Greece"
    },
    "Geographic coordinates": {
      "text": "41 50 N, 22 00 E"
    },
    "Map references": {
      "text": "Europe"
    },
    "Area": {
      "total ": {
        "text": "25,713 sq km"
      },
      "land": {
        "text": "25,433 sq km"
      },
      "water": {
        "text": "280 sq km"
      }
    },
    "Area - comparative": {
      "text": "slightly larger than Vermont; almost four times the size of Delaware"
    },
    "Land boundaries": {
      "total": {
        "text": "838 km"
      },
      "border countries": {
        "text": "Albania 181 km; Bulgaria 162 km; Greece 234 km; Kosovo 160 km; Serbia 101 km"
      }
    },
    "Coastline": {
      "text": "0 km (landlocked)"
    },
    "Maritime claims": {
      "text": "none (landlocked)"
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall"
    },
    "Terrain": {
      "text": "mountainous with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River"
    },
    "Elevation": {
      "highest point": {
        "text": "Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m"
      },
      "lowest point": {
        "text": "Vardar River 50 m"
      },
      "mean elevation": {
        "text": "741 m"
      }
    },
    "Natural resources": {
      "text": "low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "44.3% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 16.4% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 26.5% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "39.8% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "15.9% (2018 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Irrigated land": {
      "text": "844 sq km (2016)"
    },
    "Major watersheds (area sq km)": {
      "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations"
    },
    "Natural hazards": {
      "text": "high seismic risks"
    },
    "Geography - note": {
      "text": "landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe"
    }
  },
  "People and Society": {
    "Population": {
      "total": {
        "text": "2,135,622"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "1,064,727"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "1,070,895 (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Nationality": {
      "noun": {
        "text": "Macedonian(s)"
      },
      "adjective": {
        "text": "Macedonian"
      }
    },
    "Ethnic groups": {
      "text": "Macedonian 58.4%, Albanian 24.3%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.5%, Serb 1.3%, other 2.3%, no ethnic affiliation data available 7.2% (2021 est.)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> data represent total resident population; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 6.5–13% of North Macedonia’s population"
    },
    "Languages": {
      "Languages": {
        "text": "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)": {
        "text": "<br>Книга на Светски Факти, неопходен извор на основни информации. (Macedonian)<br><br>The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information."
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> 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": {
      "text": "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": {
        "text": "16% (male 176,423/female 164,945)"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "68.4% (male 740,649/female 719,627)"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "15.6% (2024 est.) (male 147,655/female 186,323)"
      }
    },
    "Dependency ratios": {
      "total dependency ratio": {
        "text": "44.6"
      },
      "youth dependency ratio": {
        "text": "23.2"
      },
      "elderly dependency ratio": {
        "text": "21.4"
      },
      "potential support ratio": {
        "text": "4.7 (2021 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Median age": {
      "total": {
        "text": "40.5 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "39.4 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "41.6 years"
      }
    },
    "Population growth rate": {
      "text": "0.1% (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Birth rate": {
      "text": "10.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Death rate": {
      "text": "9.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Net migration rate": {
      "text": "0.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Population distribution": {
      "text": "a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations"
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "59.5% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major urban areas - population": {
      "text": "611,000 SKOPJE (capital) (2023)"
    },
    "Sex ratio": {
      "at birth": {
        "text": "1.07 male(s)/female"
      },
      "0-14 years": {
        "text": "1.07 male(s)/female"
      },
      "15-64 years": {
        "text": "1.03 male(s)/female"
      },
      "65 years and over": {
        "text": "0.79 male(s)/female"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Mother's mean age at first birth": {
      "text": "26.9 years (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Maternal mortality ratio": {
      "text": "3 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)"
    },
    "Infant mortality rate": {
      "total": {
        "text": "7 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "7.9 deaths/1,000 live births"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "6 deaths/1,000 live births"
      }
    },
    "Life expectancy at birth": {
      "total population": {
        "text": "77.3 years (2024 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "75.3 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "79.6 years"
      }
    },
    "Total fertility rate": {
      "text": "1.53 children born/woman (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Gross reproduction rate": {
      "text": "0.74 (2024 est.)"
    },
    "Contraceptive prevalence rate": {
      "text": "59.9% (2018/19)"
    },
    "Drinking water source": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 99.7% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 99% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 99.4% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 0.3% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 1% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Current health expenditure": {
      "text": "7.9% of GDP (2020)"
    },
    "Physician density": {
      "text": "2.87 physicians/1,000 population (2015)"
    },
    "Hospital bed density": {
      "text": "4.3 beds/1,000 population (2017)"
    },
    "Sanitation facility access": {
      "improved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 100% of population"
      },
      "improved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 98% of population"
      },
      "improved: total": {
        "text": "total: 99.2% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: urban": {
        "text": "urban: 0% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: rural": {
        "text": "rural: 2% of population"
      },
      "unimproved: total": {
        "text": "total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Obesity - adult prevalence rate": {
      "text": "22.4% (2016)"
    },
    "Alcohol consumption per capita": {
      "total": {
        "text": "3.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "beer": {
        "text": "1.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "wine": {
        "text": "1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "spirits": {
        "text": "0.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      },
      "other alcohols": {
        "text": "0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Children under the age of 5 years underweight": {
      "text": "0.9% (2018/19)"
    },
    "Currently married women (ages 15-49)": {
      "text": "66.5% (2023 est.)"
    },
    "Child marriage": {
      "women married by age 15": {
        "text": "0.3%"
      },
      "women married by age 18": {
        "text": "7.5% (2019 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Education expenditures": {
      "text": "NA"
    },
    "Literacy": {
      "definition": {
        "text": "age 15 and over can read and write"
      },
      "total population": {
        "text": "98.4%"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "99.1%"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "97.6% (2020)"
      }
    },
    "School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "13 years"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "13 years"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "14 years (2020)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Environment": {
    "Environment - current issues": {
      "text": "air pollution from metallurgical plants; Skopje has severe air pollution problems every winter as a result of industrial emissions, smoke from wood-buring stoves, and exhaust fumes from old cars"
    },
    "Environment - international agreements": {
      "party to": {
        "text": "Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands"
      },
      "signed, but not ratified": {
        "text": "none of the selected agreements"
      }
    },
    "Climate": {
      "text": "warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall"
    },
    "Land use": {
      "agricultural land": {
        "text": "44.3% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: arable land": {
        "text": "arable land: 16.4% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent crops": {
        "text": "permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural land: permanent pasture": {
        "text": "permanent pasture: 26.5% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "forest": {
        "text": "39.8% (2018 est.)"
      },
      "other": {
        "text": "15.9% (2018 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Urbanization": {
      "urban population": {
        "text": "59.5% of total population (2023)"
      },
      "rate of urbanization": {
        "text": "0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Revenue from forest resources": {
      "text": "0.15% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Revenue from coal": {
      "text": "0% of GDP (2018 est.)"
    },
    "Air pollutants": {
      "particulate matter emissions": {
        "text": "25.17 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)"
      },
      "carbon dioxide emissions": {
        "text": "7.05 megatons (2016 est.)"
      },
      "methane emissions": {
        "text": "2.28 megatons (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Waste and recycling": {
      "municipal solid waste generated annually": {
        "text": "796,585 tons (2016 est.)"
      },
      "municipal solid waste recycled annually": {
        "text": "1,434 tons (2013 est.)"
      },
      "percent of municipal solid waste recycled": {
        "text": "0.2% (2013 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Major watersheds (area sq km)": {
      "text": "Atlantic Ocean drainage: <em>(Black Sea)</em> Danube (795,656 sq km)"
    },
    "Total water withdrawal": {
      "municipal": {
        "text": "310 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "industrial": {
        "text": "20 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      },
      "agricultural": {
        "text": "140 million cubic meters (2020 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Total renewable water resources": {
      "text": "6.4 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)"
    }
  },
  "Government": {
    "Country name": {
      "conventional long form": {
        "text": "Republic of North Macedonia"
      },
      "conventional short form": {
        "text": "North Macedonia"
      },
      "local long form": {
        "text": "Republika Severna Makedonija"
      },
      "local short form": {
        "text": "Severna Makedonija"
      },
      "former": {
        "text": "Democratic Federal Macedonia, People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "the country name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.)"
      }
    },
    "Government type": {
      "text": "parliamentary republic"
    },
    "Capital": {
      "name": {
        "text": "Skopje"
      },
      "geographic coordinates": {
        "text": "42 00 N, 21 26 E"
      },
      "time difference": {
        "text": "UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)"
      },
      "daylight saving time": {
        "text": "+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October"
      },
      "etymology": {
        "text": "Skopje derives from its ancient name Scupi, the Latin designation of a Dardanian and classical era Greco-Roman frontier fortress town; the name goes back to a pre-Hellenic, Illyrian times"
      }
    },
    "Administrative divisions": {
      "text": "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 comprised of 10 municipalities: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Aerodrom, Butel, Centar, Chair, Gazi Baba, Gjorce Petrov, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Saraj, and Shuto Orizari."
    },
    "Independence": {
      "text": "8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)"
    },
    "National holiday": {
      "text": "Independence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day"
    },
    "Legal system": {
      "text": "civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts"
    },
    "Constitution": {
      "history": {
        "text": "several previous (since 1944); latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991"
      },
      "amendments": {
        "text": "proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; final approval requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2019; this amendment was the result of the 2018 Prespa Agreement with Greece, in which the constitutional name of the country would be modified to Republic of North Macedonia in exchange for assurances that Greece would no longer object to its integration in international organizations; note - a referendum on&nbsp; amendments to the constitution is expected in 2024"
      }
    },
    "International law organization participation": {
      "text": "has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction"
    },
    "Citizenship": {
      "citizenship by birth": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "citizenship by descent only": {
        "text": "at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia"
      },
      "dual citizenship recognized": {
        "text": "no"
      },
      "residency requirement for naturalization": {
        "text": "8 years"
      }
    },
    "Suffrage": {
      "text": "18 years of age; universal"
    },
    "Executive branch": {
      "chief of state": {
        "text": "President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)"
      },
      "head of government": {
        "text": "President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)"
      },
      "cabinet": {
        "text": "Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote"
      },
      "elections/appointments": {
        "text": "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 deemed valid; president elected for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 April and 8 May 2024 (next to be held in 2029); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the Assembly"
      },
      "election results": {
        "text": "<em>2024: </em>Hristijan MICKOSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 77 for, 22 against<em><br><br>2024: </em>Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote - Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (VMRO-DPMNE) 69%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 31%<em><br><br>2024: </em>Talat XHAFERI elected caretaker prime minister; Assembly vote - 65 for (opposition boycott)<em><br><br>2022: </em>Dimitar KOVACEVSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - NA<em><br></em>"
      }
    },
    "Legislative branch": {
      "legislature name": {
        "text": "Assembly of the Republic (Sobranie)"
      },
      "legislative structure": {
        "text": "unicameral"
      },
      "number of seats": {
        "text": "123 (all directly elected)"
      },
      "electoral system": {
        "text": "mixed system"
      },
      "scope of elections": {
        "text": "full renewal"
      },
      "term in office": {
        "text": "4 years"
      },
      "most recent election date": {
        "text": "5/8/2024"
      },
      "parties elected and seats per party": {
        "text": "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": {
        "text": "39.2%"
      },
      "expected date of next election": {
        "text": "May 2028"
      }
    },
    "Judicial branch": {
      "highest court(s)": {
        "text": "Supreme Court (consists of 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)"
      },
      "judge selection and term of office": {
        "text": "Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Assembly for nonrenewable, 9-year terms"
      },
      "subordinate courts": {
        "text": "Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts"
      }
    },
    "Political parties": {
      "text": "Alliance for Albanians or AfA or ASH<br>Alternative (Alternativa) or AAA<br>Besa Movement or BESA<br>Citizen Option for Macedonia or GROM <br>Democratic Alliance or DS<br>Democratic Movement or LD <br>Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH<br>Democratic Party of Serbs or DPSM<br>Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM<br>Democratic Union for Integration or BDI<br>European Democratic Party or PDE <br>Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE<br>Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP<br>Liberal Democratic Party or LDP<br>New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP<br>Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM<br>Socialist Party of Macedonia or SPM<br>Srpska Stranka in Macedonia or SSM<br>The Left (Levica) <br>The People Movement or LP<br>Turkish Democratic Party or TDP <br>Turkish Movement Party or THP <br>We Can! (coalition includes SDSM/BESA/VMRO-NP, DPT, LDP)"
    },
    "International organization participation": {
      "text": "BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO",
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>North Macedonia is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership"
    },
    "Diplomatic representation in the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Zoran POPOV (since 16 September 2022)"
      },
      "chancery": {
        "text": "2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 667-0501"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[1] (202) 667-2104"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>washington@mfa.gov.mk<br><br>United States (mfa.gov.mk)"
      },
      "consulate(s) general": {
        "text": "Chicago, Detroit, New York"
      }
    },
    "Diplomatic representation from the US": {
      "chief of mission": {
        "text": "Ambassador Angela AGGELER (since 8 November 2022)"
      },
      "embassy": {
        "text": "Str. Samoilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje"
      },
      "mailing address": {
        "text": "7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120"
      },
      "telephone": {
        "text": "[389] (2) 310-2000"
      },
      "FAX": {
        "text": "[389] (2) 310-2499"
      },
      "email address and website": {
        "text": "<br>SkopjeACS@state.gov<br><br>https://mk.usembassy.gov/"
      }
    },
    "Flag description": {
      "text": "a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow colors have long been associated with Macedonia"
    },
    "National symbol(s)": {
      "text": "eight-rayed sun; national colors: red, yellow"
    },
    "National anthem": {
      "name": {
        "text": "\"Denes nad Makedonija\" (Today Over Macedonia)"
      },
      "lyrics/music": {
        "text": "Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia"
    },
    "National heritage": {
      "total World Heritage Sites": {
        "text": "2 (both natural)"
      },
      "selected World Heritage Site locales": {
        "text": "Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region; Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians"
      }
    }
  },
  "Economy": {
    "Economic overview": {
      "text": "upper-middle-income European economy; recovering from energy-driven inflation; macroeconomic support from IMF and EU lending facilities; stalled progress on EU accession; fiscal consolidation hampered by deficit spending on public works; structural challenges of emigration, low productivity growth, and governance"
    },
    "Real GDP (purchasing power parity)": {
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023": {
        "text": "$43.108 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022": {
        "text": "$42.233 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021": {
        "text": "$41.099 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "Real GDP growth rate": {
      "Real GDP growth rate 2023": {
        "text": "2.07% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2022": {
        "text": "2.76% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP growth rate 2021": {
        "text": "4.51% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Real GDP per capita": {
      "Real GDP per capita 2023": {
        "text": "$23,600 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2022": {
        "text": "$23,100 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Real GDP per capita 2021": {
        "text": "$22,400 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars"
    },
    "GDP (official exchange rate)": {
      "text": "$15.764 billion (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate"
    },
    "Inflation rate (consumer prices)": {
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023": {
        "text": "9.36% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022": {
        "text": "14.2% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021": {
        "text": "3.23% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices"
    },
    "Credit ratings": {
      "Fitch rating": {
        "text": "BB+ (2019)"
      },
      "Standard & Poors rating": {
        "text": "BB- (2013)"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained."
    },
    "GDP - composition, by sector of origin": {
      "agriculture": {
        "text": "6.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "industry": {
        "text": "23.3% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "services": {
        "text": "57.2% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data"
    },
    "GDP - composition, by end use": {
      "household consumption": {
        "text": "68.5% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "government consumption": {
        "text": "14.9% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in fixed capital": {
        "text": "24.7% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "investment in inventories": {
        "text": "4.9% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "exports of goods and services": {
        "text": "67.8% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "imports of goods and services": {
        "text": "-80.9% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection"
    },
    "Agricultural products": {
      "text": "milk, grapes, chilies/peppers, wheat, potatoes, apples, tomatoes, cabbages, maize, barley (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage"
    },
    "Industries": {
      "text": "food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts"
    },
    "Industrial production growth rate": {
      "text": "-1.63% (2022 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency"
    },
    "Labor force": {
      "text": "797,000 (2023 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work"
    },
    "Unemployment rate": {
      "Unemployment rate 2023": {
        "text": "13.08% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2022": {
        "text": "14.48% (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Unemployment rate 2021": {
        "text": "15.8% (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment"
    },
    "Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)": {
      "total": {
        "text": "28.6% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "male": {
        "text": "27% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "female": {
        "text": "31.5% (2023 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment"
    },
    "Population below poverty line": {
      "text": "21.8% (2019 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line"
    },
    "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income": {
      "Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019": {
        "text": "33.5 (2019 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality"
    },
    "Average household expenditures": {
      "on food": {
        "text": "30.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)"
      },
      "on alcohol and tobacco": {
        "text": "4.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Household income or consumption by percentage share": {
      "lowest 10%": {
        "text": "1.9% (2019 est.)"
      },
      "highest 10%": {
        "text": "22.9% (2019 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population"
    },
    "Remittances": {
      "Remittances 2023": {
        "text": "2.93% of GDP (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2022": {
        "text": "3.28% of GDP (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Remittances 2021": {
        "text": "3.5% of GDP (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities"
    },
    "Budget": {
      "revenues": {
        "text": "$4.141 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "expenditures": {
        "text": "$4.666 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated"
    },
    "Public debt": {
      "Public debt 2017": {
        "text": "39.3% of GDP (2017 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> official data from Ministry of Finance; data cover central government debt; this data excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; includes treasury debt held by foreign entitites; excludes debt issued by sub-national entities; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds"
    },
    "Taxes and other revenues": {
      "text": "17.39% (of GDP) (2021 est.)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP"
    },
    "Current account balance": {
      "Current account balance 2023": {
        "text": "$56.573 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2022": {
        "text": "-$868.965 million (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Current account balance 2021": {
        "text": "-$374.85 million (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports": {
      "Exports 2023": {
        "text": "$10.691 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2022": {
        "text": "$10.123 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exports 2021": {
        "text": "$9.208 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Exports - partners": {
      "text": "Germany 42%, Serbia 8%, Greece 7%, Bulgaria 5%, Italy 3% (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports"
    },
    "Exports - commodities": {
      "text": "reaction and catalytic products, insulated wire, electricity, garments, vehicle parts/accessories (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Imports": {
      "Imports 2023": {
        "text": "$12.748 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2022": {
        "text": "$13.009 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Imports 2021": {
        "text": "$11.362 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars"
    },
    "Imports - partners": {
      "text": "UK 16%, Greece 13%, Germany 9%, Serbia 8%, China 6% (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports"
    },
    "Imports - commodities": {
      "text": "platinum, refined petroleum, electricity, precious metal compounds, natural gas (2022)",
      "note": "<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars"
    },
    "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold": {
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023": {
        "text": "$5.015 billion (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022": {
        "text": "$4.12 billion (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021": {
        "text": "$4.129 billion (2021 est.)"
      },
      "note": "<b>note:</b> holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars"
    },
    "Debt - external": {
      "Debt - external 2023": {
        "text": "$5.845 billion (2023 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Exchange rates": {
      "Currency": {
        "text": "Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar -"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2023": {
        "text": "56.947 (2023 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2022": {
        "text": "58.574 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2021": {
        "text": "52.102 (2021 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2020": {
        "text": "54.144 (2020 est.)"
      },
      "Exchange rates 2019": {
        "text": "54.947 (2019 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Energy": {
    "Electricity access": {
      "electrification - total population": {
        "text": "100% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity": {
      "installed generating capacity": {
        "text": "2.153 million kW (2022 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "5.791 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "exports": {
        "text": "5.662 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "7.074 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      },
      "transmission/distribution losses": {
        "text": "1.064 billion kWh (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Electricity generation sources": {
      "fossil fuels": {
        "text": "71.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "solar": {
        "text": "0.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "wind": {
        "text": "2% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "hydroelectricity": {
        "text": "24.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      },
      "biomass and waste": {
        "text": "0.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Coal": {
      "production": {
        "text": "5.075 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "consumption": {
        "text": "5.776 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "exports": {
        "text": "53,000 metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "750,000 metric tons (2022 est.)"
      },
      "proven reserves": {
        "text": "332 million metric tons (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Petroleum": {
      "refined petroleum consumption": {
        "text": "22,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Natural gas": {
      "consumption": {
        "text": "274.928 million cubic meters (2022 est.)"
      },
      "imports": {
        "text": "274.918 million cubic meters (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Carbon dioxide emissions": {
      "total emissions": {
        "text": "6.775 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from coal and metallurgical coke": {
        "text": "3.132 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from petroleum and other liquids": {
        "text": "3.111 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "from consumed natural gas": {
        "text": "532,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Energy consumption per capita": {
      "Total energy consumption per capita 2022": {
        "text": "46.564 million Btu/person (2022 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Communications": {
    "Telephones - fixed lines": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "439,000 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "24 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telephones - mobile cellular": {
      "total subscriptions": {
        "text": "1.92 million (2023 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "98 (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Telecommunication systems": {
      "general assessment": {
        "text": "as part of the EU pre-accession process, North Macedonia has built closer economic ties with the Union which accounts for 79% of Macedonia&rsquo;s exports and 49% of its imports; closer regulatory and administrative ties with European Commission (EC) institutions have done much to develop the telecom sector and prepare the market for the competitive environment encouraged in the EU; as part of EU integration legislation North Macedonia has implemented the principles of the EU&rsquo;s regulatory framework for communications, established an independent regulator and set out several provisions to provide for a competitive telecom market, including wholesale access to the incumbent&rsquo;s fixed-line network; broadband services are widely available, with effective competition between DSL and cable platforms complemented by wireless broadband and a developing fiber sector; the number of DSL subscribers has continued to fall in recent years as customers are migrated to fiber networks; the MNOs are increasingly focused on expanding their 5G networks, seeking stronger coverage across North Macedonia&rsquo;s high value urban areas; mobile data services are also becoming increasingly important following investments in LTE network rollouts and in upgrades to LTE-A technology (2022)"
      },
      "domestic": {
        "text": "fixed-line roughly 20 per 100 and mobile-cellular 92 per 100 subscriptions (2021)"
      },
      "international": {
        "text": "country code - 389"
      }
    },
    "Broadcast media": {
      "text": "public service TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 5 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; additionally, there are 11 regional TV stations broadcasting nationally, 29 regional and local broadcasters, a large number of cable operators offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; there are 4 privately owned national radio stations that broadcast and 60 regional and local operators (2023)"
    },
    "Internet country code": {
      "text": ".mk"
    },
    "Internet users": {
      "percent of population": {
        "text": "84% (2022 est.)"
      }
    },
    "Broadband - fixed subscriptions": {
      "total": {
        "text": "515,000 (2022 est.)"
      },
      "subscriptions per 100 inhabitants": {
        "text": "28 (2022 est.)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Transportation": {
    "Civil aircraft registration country code prefix": {
      "text": "Z3"
    },
    "Airports": {
      "text": "13 (2024)"
    },
    "Heliports": {
      "text": "8 (2024)"
    },
    "Pipelines": {
      "text": "262 km gas, 120 km oil (2017)"
    },
    "Railways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "699 km (2020) 313 km electrified"
      }
    },
    "Roadways": {
      "total": {
        "text": "15,170 km (2022)"
      }
    }
  },
  "Military and Security": {
    "Military and security forces": {
      "text": "Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM or ARNM): joint force with air, ground, reserve, special operations, and support forces (2024)",
      "note": "<strong>note: </strong>the Police of Macedonia maintain internal security, including migration and border enforcement, and report to the Ministry of the Interior"
    },
    "Military expenditures": {
      "Military Expenditures 2024": {
        "text": "2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2023": {
        "text": "1.7% of GDP (2023)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2022": {
        "text": "1.6% of GDP (2022)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2021": {
        "text": "1.5% of GDP (2021)"
      },
      "Military Expenditures 2020": {
        "text": "1.2% of GDP (2020)"
      }
    },
    "Military and security service personnel strengths": {
      "text": "approximately 6,000 active-duty personnel (2024)"
    },
    "Military equipment inventories and acquisitions": {
      "text": "the military's inventory is a mix of Soviet-era and increasing amounts of modern equipment from countries such as Turkey, the UK, and the US, with more on order (2024)"
    },
    "Military service age and obligation": {
      "text": "18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2007 (2024)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> as of 2024, women made up about 10% of the military's full-time personnel"
    },
    "Military - note": {
      "text": "the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM) is responsible for the defense of the country&rsquo;s territory and independence, fulfilling North Macedonia&rsquo;s commitments to NATO and European security, and contributing to EU, NATO, and UN peace and security missions; the ARSM has participated in multinational missions and operations in Afghanistan (NATO), Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU), Eastern Europe (NATO), Iraq (NATO), Kosovo (NATO), and Lebanon (UN); a key area of focus over the past decade has been improving capabilities and bringing the largely Soviet-era-equipped ARSM up to NATO standards; it has increased its participation in NATO training exercises since becoming the 30th member of the Alliance in 2020 and currently has small numbers of combat troops deployed to Bulgaria and Romania as part of NATO&rsquo;s Enhance Forward Presence mission implemented because of Russian military aggression against Ukraine (2024)"
    }
  },
  "Terrorism": {
    "Terrorist group(s)": {
      "text": "Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)",
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide"
    }
  },
  "Transnational Issues": {
    "Refugees and internally displaced persons": {
      "refugees (country of origin)": {
        "text": "18,915 (Ukraine) (as of 22 February 2024)"
      },
      "stateless persons": {
        "text": "521 (2022)"
      },
      "note": "<strong>note:</strong> 579,828 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-February 2024)"
    },
    "Illicit drugs": {
      "text": "major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement"
    }
  }
}