Country exposure · MK
North Macedonia
Europe · Skopje · parliamentary republic
What North Macedonia means for your money — the prices you pay, the tariffs in motion, and where U.S. policy could change both.
$307M
U.S. imports, 2025
+74.9%
change in one year
$76M
U.S. exports, 2025
2M
Population
$16.7B
GDP
In your house
What you buy that North Macedonia makes
America bought $307M in goods from North Macedonia in 2025 — up 74.9% in a single year. Of every $100 of it, here's where the money went.
Trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles
trucks, buses, SUVs
$169M54.9%
Other parts and accessories of vehicles
car parts and accessories
$31M10.1%
Electric apparatus
$28M9%
Tobacco, waxes, etc.
$18M5.8%
Furniture, household goods, etc.
furniture, mattresses, lamps
$7M2.3%
Industrial machines, other
$6M2.1%
Telecommunications equipment
phones, routers, networking gear
$5M1.7%
Bakery products
$5M1.6%
Chemicals-other, n.e.c.
$4M1.4%
Minimum value shipments
$4M1.4%
2026 so far (through April): $71M in imports. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade in Goods (customs basis).
The other direction
What America sells to North Macedonia
$76M in 2025 — a trade rupture cuts both ways, for American producers as well as American prices.
Trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles
$15Mtrucks, buses, SUVs
Engines and engine parts
$10MMilitary trucks, armored vehicles, etc.
$9MOther industrial supplies
$7MOther parts and accessories of vehicles
$5Mcar parts and accessories
Civilian aircraft, engines, equipment, and parts
$4MLaboratory testing instruments
$3MMinimum value shipments
$2MPlastic materials
$2Mplastics for packaging and goods
Where you stand
U.S. tariff posture toward North Macedonia
North Macedonia was assigned 33% in April 2025, reduced to 15% in August — the same bracket as EU member states. On February 13, 2026 it reached a framework agreement with the U.S. maintaining 15% (with certain goods at 0%) in exchange for eliminating customs duties on all U.S. industrial and agricultural goods and committing not to impose a digital services tax. Days later Executive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions, Feb 20, 2026) terminated the IEEPA reciprocal duties, and Proclamation 11012 replaced it with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge effective February 24, 2026. North Macedonia has no Section 232 steel/aluminum exposure.
Reciprocal tariff (assigned — terminated)
33%
The rate this country was assigned under the EO 14257 reciprocal Annex — no longer in force. The Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs and they were terminated February 24, 2026 (EO 14389), replaced by a universal ~10% Section 122 surcharge. See the timeline below for the current effective rate.
Policy in motion
Tariff status: a moving target
U.S. tariff policy toward North Macedonia has changed 5 times since 2025. This page tracks it.
2026-02-24
IEEPA reciprocal tariffs terminated — replaced by 10% Section 122
In effectExecutive Order 14389 (Ending Certain Tariff Actions) terminated the IEEPA tariff duties effective February 24, 2026, replacing North Macedonia's 15% reciprocal rate with a 10% Section 122 temporary import surcharge under Proclamation 11012 (capped at 150 days).
91 FR 9437 →2026-02-13
U.S.-North Macedonia framework agreement reached
AgreementA framework set the reciprocal rate at 15% (with certain goods at 0%) in exchange for North Macedonia eliminating customs duties on all U.S. industrial and agricultural goods and committing not to impose a digital services tax and to support the WTO e-commerce duty moratorium.
Source ↗2025-08-07
Rate reduced to 15%
In effectExecutive Order 14326 set the post-pause Annex I reciprocal rates; North Macedonia's rate was lowered from 33% to 15% effective August 7, 2025, placing it in the same bracket as EU member states.
90 FR 37963 →2025-04-10
Elevated reciprocal rates paused to 10% for 90 days
In effectExecutive Order 14266 suspended the higher country-specific reciprocal rates — including North Macedonia's 33% — back to the 10% baseline for 90 days.
90 FR 15625 →2025-04-05
Reciprocal tariff regime begins — North Macedonia assigned 33%
In effectExecutive Order 14257 imposed a 10% universal reciprocal duty effective April 5 and a 33% country-specific rate for North Macedonia scheduled to take effect April 9 under Annex I.
90 FR 15041 →
Made for America
What North Macedonia makes for America
North Macedonia is a direct U.S. source of 3 essential goods Americans rely on — the items themselves, shipped finished off the line.
Reference
The country itself
Europe · Geography, people, economy, and government — public-domain data from the CIA World Factbook.
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.
Geography
- Location
- Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
- Area
- 25,713 sq km
- 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
- Natural resources
- low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- Natural hazards
- high seismic risks
People & society
- Population
- 2,137,556 (2025 est.)
- Nationality
- Macedonian(s)
- Ethnic groups
- 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.)
- 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.)
- Religions
- Orthodox 46.1%, Islam 32.2%, Christian 13.2%, Other 7.2%; less than 1%: atheist, Catholic, other religions, not specified, Protestant (2021 est.)
- Median age
- 40.9 years (2025 est.)
- Life expectancy at birth
- 77.3 years (2024 est.)
- Literacy
- 97.8% (2018 est.)
Economy
- Economic overview
- upper-middle-income European economy; GDP growth driven by private consumption, public infrastructure investments, and wage growth; stalled progress on EU accession; public debt rising due to high pensions, wages, and interest payments; structural challenges of emigration, low productivity growth, and governance
- Industries
- food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts
- Agricultural products
- chillies/peppers, milk, wheat, potatoes, grapes, barley, cabbages, maize, watermelons, tomatoes (2023)
- Exports - partners
- Germany 39%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 6%, Greece 5%, Czechia 3% (2023)
- Imports - partners
- UK 12%, Germany 10%, Greece 9%, China 9%, Serbia 8% (2023)
Government
- Government type
- parliamentary republic
- Capital
- Skopje
- Independence
- 8 September 1991 (referendum endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
- Constitution
- several previous (since 1944); latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
- Executive branch
- President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
- Legislative branch
- Assembly of the Republic (Sobranie)
Full reference data
Every field, by section — CIA World Factbook. Open a topic to expand it.
Introduction
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.
Travel Facts
US State Dept Travel Advisory
The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in North Macedonia. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements
US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the stay is less than 90 days, within a six month period.
US Embassy/Consulate
+(389) (2) 310-2000 (0 -for Switchboard Operator); US Embassy Skopje, Str. “Samoilova” Nr.21, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia; SkopjeACS@state.gov; https://mk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code
389
Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 94; Fire: 93; Police: 92
Vaccinations
See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/
Climate
Warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Currency (Code)
Macedonian denars (MKD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages
Macedonian, Albanian, Turkish, Romani, Serbian
Major Religions
Macedonian Orthodox 64.8%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.4%
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
Potable Water
Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Mavrovo National Park; Bitola; Kratovo; Pelister National Park
Major Sports
Soccer, handball, basketball
Cultural Practices
Sometimes instead of saying "no," Macedonians will click their tongues and shake their heads slightly.
Tipping Guidelines
Common practice in restaurants is to round up the bill for a tip, but in finer dining establishments a 10-15% tip is appreciated. Tipping taxi drivers is not common.
Souvenirs
Religious icons and marble statues, jeweled crosses, rosaries, wood carvings, spices
Traditional Cuisine
Tavče Gravče — fresh white beans and other vegetables baked and served in a traditional unglazed earthenware pot
CIA source last updated
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Travel resources
Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs: American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency? Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers: from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Geography
Location
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references
Europe
Area - total
25,713 sq km
Area - land
25,433 sq km
Area - water
280 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Vermont; almost four times the size of Delaware
Land boundaries - total
838 km
Land boundaries - border countries
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
Elevation - lowest point
Vardar River 50 m
Elevation - mean elevation
741 m
Natural resources
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Land use - agricultural land
49.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 31.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
40.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
9.5% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
844 sq km (2016)
Major watersheds (area sq km) - Atlantic Ocean drainage
(Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution
a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations
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
People and Society
Population - total
2,137,556 (2025 est.)
Population - male
1,065,634
Population - female
1,071,922
Nationality - noun
Macedonian(s)
Nationality - adjective
Macedonian
Ethnic groups
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.)
Ethnic groups - note
note: 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
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.)
Languages - major-language sample(s)
Книга на Светски Факти, неопходен извор на основни информации. (Macedonian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Languages - note
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
Orthodox 46.1%, Islam 32.2%, Christian 13.2%, Other 7.2%; less than 1%: atheist, Catholic, other religions, not specified, Protestant (2021 est.)
Age structure - 0-14 years
16% (male 176,423/female 164,945)
Age structure - 15-64 years
68.4% (male 740,649/female 719,627)
Age structure - 65 years and over
15.6% (2024 est.) (male 147,655/female 186,323)
Dependency ratios - total dependency ratio
46.9 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - youth dependency ratio
23.3 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - elderly dependency ratio
23.6 (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios - potential support ratio
4.2 (2025 est.)
Median age - total
40.9 years (2025 est.)
Median age - male
39.4 years
Median age - female
41.6 years
Population growth rate
0.08% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
10.07 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.62 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
0.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 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)
Urbanization - 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
Sex ratio - 0-14 years
1.07 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 15-64 years
1.03 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - 65 years and over
0.79 male(s)/female
Sex ratio - total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
26.9 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate - total
6.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate - male
7.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Infant mortality rate - female
6 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth - total population
77.3 years (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth - male
75.3 years
Life expectancy at birth - female
79.6 years
Total fertility rate
1.53 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.74 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: urban
urban: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: rural
rural: 97.4% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - improved: total
total: 97.8% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: urban
urban: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: rural
rural: 2.6% of population (2022 est.)
Drinking water source - unimproved: total
total: 2.2% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
8.5% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure - Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
12.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.94 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
4.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: rural
rural: 98.6% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - improved: total
total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: rural
rural: 1.4% of population (2022 est.)
Sanitation facility access - unimproved: total
total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
22.4% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita - total
3.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - beer
1.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - wine
1.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - spirits
0.9 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita - other alcohols
0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
0.9% (2019 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
66.1% (2021 est.)
Child marriage - women married by age 15
0.3% (2019)
Child marriage - women married by age 18
7.5% (2019)
Literacy - female
97.8% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - total
15 years (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - male
14 years (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) - female
15 years (2022 est.)
Government
Country name - conventional long form
Republic of North Macedonia
Country name - conventional short form
North Macedonia
Country name - local long form
Republika Severna Makedonija
Country name - local short form
Severna Makedonija
Country name - former
Democratic Federal Macedonia, People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia
Country name - etymology
the name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.), whose name origin is unclear; it may derive from the mythological Macedon, the son of the Greek god Zeus; alternatively, it may come from the Greek word makednos , meaning "tail," or the Illyrian word maketia , meaning "cattle"
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital - name
Skopje
Capital - geographic coordinates
42 00 N, 21 26 E
Capital - time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Capital - daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Capital - 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
Constitution - history
several previous (since 1944); latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
Constitution - amendment process
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship - citizenship by birth
no
Citizenship - citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia
Citizenship - dual citizenship recognized
no
Citizenship - residency requirement for naturalization
8 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch - chief of state
President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
Executive branch - head of government
Prime Minister Hristijan MICKOSKI (since 23 June 2024)
Executive branch - cabinet
Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote
Executive branch - 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
Executive branch - most recent election date
24 April and 8 May 2024
Executive branch - election results
2024: Hristijan MICKOSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 77 for, 22 against 2024: Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA elected president in the second round; percent of vote - Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (VMRO-DPMNE) 69%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI (SDSM) 31% 2024: Talat XHAFERI elected caretaker prime minister; Assembly vote - 65 for (opposition boycott) 2022: Dimitar KOVACEVSKI elected prime minister; Assembly vote - NA
Executive branch - expected date of next election
2029
Legislative branch - legislature name
Assembly of the Republic (Sobranie)
Legislative branch - legislative structure
unicameral
Legislative branch - number of seats
123 (all directly elected)
Legislative branch - electoral system
mixed system
Legislative branch - scope of elections
full renewal
Legislative branch - term in office
4 years
Legislative branch - most recent election date
5/8/2024
Legislative branch - 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)
Legislative branch - percentage of women in chamber
39.2%
Legislative branch - expected date of next election
May 2028
Judicial branch - highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of 22 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
Judicial branch - judge selection and term of office
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
Judicial branch - subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts
Political parties
Alliance for Albanians or AfA or ASH Alternative (Alternativa) or AAA Besa Movement or BESA Citizen Option for Macedonia or GROM Democratic Alliance or DS Democratic Movement or LD Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH Democratic Party of Serbs or DPSM Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM Democratic Union for Integration or BDI European Democratic Party or PDE Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP Liberal Democratic Party or LDP New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM Socialist Party of Macedonia or SPM Srpska Stranka in Macedonia or SSM The Left (Levica) The People Movement or LP Turkish Democratic Party or TDP Turkish Movement Party or THP We Can! (coalition includes SDSM/BESA/VMRO-NP, DPT, LDP)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Zoran POPOV (since 16 September 2022)
Diplomatic representation in the US - chancery
2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US - telephone
[1] (202) 667-0501
Diplomatic representation in the US - FAX
[1] (202) 667-2104
Diplomatic representation in the US - email address and website
washington@mfa.gov.mk United States (mfa.gov.mk)
Diplomatic representation in the US - consulate(s) general
Chicago, Detroit, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US - chief of mission
Ambassador Angela AGGELER (since 8 November 2022)
Diplomatic representation from the US - embassy
Str. Samoilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
Diplomatic representation from the US - mailing address
7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120
Diplomatic representation from the US - telephone
[389] (2) 310-2000
Diplomatic representation from the US - FAX
[389] (2) 310-2499
Diplomatic representation from the US - email address and website
International organization participation
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
International organization participation - note
note: North Macedonia is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership
Independence
8 September 1991 (referendum endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday
Independence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day
Flag
description: a red field with a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) in the center, with eight broadening rays extending to the edges meaning: the red and yellow colors have long been associated with Macedonia
National symbol(s)
eight-rayed sun
National color(s)
red, yellow
National anthem(s) - title
"Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)
National anthem(s) - lyrics/music
Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
National anthem(s) - 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)
National heritage - selected World Heritage Site locales
Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Ohrid Region; Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle-income European economy; GDP growth driven by private consumption, public infrastructure investments, and wage growth; stalled progress on EU accession; public debt rising due to high pensions, wages, and interest payments; structural challenges of emigration, low productivity growth, and governance
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$43.844 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$42.668 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$41.801 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2024
2.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2023
2.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - Real GDP growth rate 2022
2.8% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate - note
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2024
$24,500 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2023
$23,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita - Real GDP per capita 2022
$22,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita - note
note: data in 2021 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$16.685 billion (2024 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) - note
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3.5% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
9.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
14.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - note
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - agriculture
6% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - industry
22.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - services
59.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
GDP - composition, by end use - household consumption
67.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - government consumption
16.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in fixed capital
28.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - exports of goods and services
62.7% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - imports of goods and services
-75.8% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use - note
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
chillies/peppers, milk, wheat, potatoes, grapes, barley, cabbages, maize, watermelons, tomatoes (2023)
Agricultural products - note
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals, automotive parts
Industrial production growth rate
1.8% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate - note
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Labor force
779,200 (2024 est.)
Labor force - note
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2024
13.5% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2023
13.2% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate - Unemployment rate 2022
14.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate - note
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - total
30.3% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - male
29.2% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - female
32.3% (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) - note
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Population below poverty line
21.8% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line - note
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2019
33.5 (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income - note
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Average household expenditures - on food
30.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Average household expenditures - on alcohol and tobacco
4.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%
1.9% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - highest 10%
22.9% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share - note
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances - Remittances 2024
2.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2023
2.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances - Remittances 2022
3.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances - note
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget - revenues
$4.787 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - expenditures
$5.514 billion (2023 est.)
Budget - note
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt - Public debt 2017
39.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
Public debt - note
note: 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
17.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues - note
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Current account balance - Current account balance 2024
-$374.385 million (2024 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2023
$56.573 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance - Current account balance 2022
-$868.965 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance - note
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Exports - Exports 2024
$10.445 billion (2024 est.)
Exports - Exports 2023
$10.691 billion (2023 est.)
Exports - Exports 2022
$10.123 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - note
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - partners
Germany 39%, Serbia 8%, Bulgaria 6%, Greece 5%, Czechia 3% (2023)
Exports - partners - note
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
reaction and catalytic products, insulated wire, electricity, garments, seats (2023)
Exports - commodities - note
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - Imports 2024
$12.644 billion (2024 est.)
Imports - Imports 2023
$12.748 billion (2023 est.)
Imports - Imports 2022
$13.009 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - note
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - partners
UK 12%, Germany 10%, Greece 9%, China 9%, Serbia 8% (2023)
Imports - partners - note
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
platinum, refined petroleum, laboratory ceramic ware, cars, natural gas (2023)
Imports - commodities - note
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$5.252 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$5.015 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$4.12 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold - note
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Debt - external - Debt - external 2023
$5.637 billion (2023 est.)
Debt - external - note
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Exchange rates - Currency
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar -
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2024
56.873 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2023
56.947 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2022
58.574 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2021
52.102 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates - Exchange rates 2020
54.144 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access - electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
2.467 million kW (2023 est.)
Electricity - consumption
5.896 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - exports
7.081 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - imports
7.232 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity - transmission/distribution losses
993.662 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - fossil fuels
68.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - solar
4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - wind
2.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - hydroelectricity
24% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources - biomass and waste
0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal - production
4 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - consumption
5.344 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - exports
58,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - imports
41,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Coal - 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.)
Natural gas - imports
347.981 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita - Total energy consumption per capita 2023
56.104 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines - total subscriptions
439,000 (2022 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
24 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - total subscriptions
1.98 million (2024 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
108 (2024 est.)
Broadcast media
public TV broadcaster Macedonian Radio and Television operates 5 national terrestrial TV channels and 2 satellite TV channels; 11 regional TV stations broadcast nationally; 29 regional and local broadcasters; a large number of cable operators offer domestic and international programming; the public radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; 4 privately owned national radio stations and 60 regional and local operators (2023)
Internet country code
.mk
Internet users - percent of population
87% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - total
515,000 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions - subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
28 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Z3
Airports
13 (2025)
Heliports
13 (2025)
Railways - total
699 km (2020) 313 km electrified
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM or ARNM): joint force with air, ground, reserve, special operations, and support forces (2025)
Military and security forces - note
note: the Police of Macedonia maintain internal security, including migration and border enforcement, and report to the Ministry of the Interior
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2025
2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2024
1.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2023
1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2022
1.6% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military expenditures - Military Expenditures 2021
1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 6,000 active military personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is a mix of Russian/Soviet-era armaments and growing quantities of more modern equipment from countries such as Türkiye, the UK, and the US (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2007 (2025)
Military service age and obligation - note
note: as of 2024, women made up about 10% of the military's full-time personnel
Military - note
the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM) is responsible for the defense of the country’s territory and independence, fulfilling North Macedonia’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’s Enhance Forward Presence mission implemented because of Russian military aggression against Ukraine (2025)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
Terrorist group(s) - note
note: 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
20,937 (2024 est.)
Refugees and internally displaced persons - stateless persons
159 (2024 est.)
Environment
Environmental issues
air pollution from metallurgical plants, smoke from wood-burning stoves, and vehicle emissions
International environmental agreements - party to
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
International environmental agreements - signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Climate
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Land use - agricultural land
49.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 16.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 1.6% (2023 est.)
Land use - agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 31.5% (2023 est.)
Land use - forest
40.9% (2023 est.)
Land use - other
9.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization - urban population
59.5% of total population (2023)
Urbanization - rate of urbanization
0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - total emissions
7.369 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from coal and metallurgical coke
3.014 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from petroleum and other liquids
3.682 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions - from consumed natural gas
673,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
28.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling - municipal solid waste generated annually
627,000 tons (2024 est.)
Waste and recycling - percent of municipal solid waste recycled
4.9% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - municipal
305.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - industrial
31.54 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal - agricultural
139 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total renewable water resources
6.4 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)