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FYROM
FYROM (Europe)
Introduction ::FYROM
Background:
FYROM gained its independence peacefully from Yugoslavia in 1991. Greece's objection to the new state's use of what it considered a Hellenic name and symbols delayed international recognition, which occurred under the provisional designation of "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." In 1995, Greece lifted a 20-month trade embargo and the two countries agreed to normalize relations. The United States began referring to FYROM by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia, in 2004 and negotiations continue between Greece and FYROM to resolve the name issue. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of FYROM's Albanian population and led to the internationally-brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting by establishing a set of new laws enhancing the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for FYROM, although progress has been made on both fronts over the past several years.
Geography ::FYROM
Location:
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece
Geographic coordinates:
41 50 N, 22 00 E
Map references:
Europe
Area:
total: 25,713 sq km country comparison to the world: 149 land: 25,433 sq km
water: 280 sq km
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Vermont
Land boundaries:
total: 766 km
border countries: Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)
Climate:
warm, dry summers and autumns; relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall
Terrain:
mountainous territory covered with deep basins and valleys; three large lakes, each divided by a frontier line; country bisected by the Vardar River
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Vardar River 50 m
highest point: Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m
Natural resources:
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land
Land use:
arable land: 22.01%
permanent crops: 1.79%
other: 76.2% (2005)
Irrigated land:
550 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
6.4 cu km (2001)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 2.27
per capita: 1,118 cu m/yr (2000)
Natural hazards:
high seismic risks
Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe
People ::FYROM
Population:
2,072,086 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Age structure:
0-14 years: 19.2% (male 206,054/female 191,354)
15-64 years: 69.4% (male 722,823/female 710,830)
65 years and over: 11.4% (male 102,231/female 133,426) (2010 est.)
Median age:
total: 35.4 years
male: 34.4 years
female: 36.5 years (2010 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.257% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Birth rate:
11.92 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 165
Death rate:
8.87 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142
Urbanization:
urban population: 67% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.077 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.76 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 158 male: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 74.92 years country comparison to the world: 89 male: 72.4 years
female: 77.64 years (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.58 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 180
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
less than 0.1% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 146
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
fewer than 200 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 159
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 138
Ethnic groups:
FYROMs 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%,
Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)
Religions:
FYROM Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)
Languages:
FYROM (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96.1%
male: 98.2%
female: 94.1% (2002 census)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 12 years
male: 12 years
female: 12 years (2007)
Education expenditures:
3.5% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 133
Government ::FYROM
Country name:
conventional long form: FYROM
conventional short form: FYROM
local long form: FYROM
local short form: FYROM
note: the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the "former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" (FYROM)
former: People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia
Government type:
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
name: Skopje
geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 21 26 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
84 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aerodrom (Skopje),
Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica,
Butel (Skopje), Cair (Skopje), Caska, Centar (Skopje), Centar Zupa,
Cesinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir
Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Dorce Petrov (Gjorce Petrov) (Skopje),
Drugovo, Gazi Baba (Skopje), Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden,
Jegunovce, Karbinci, Karpos (Skopje), Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kisela Voda
(Skopje), Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani,
Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski
Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid,
Oslomej, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis,
Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Saraj (Skopje), Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane,
Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Suto Orizari (Skopje), Sveti
Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica,
Vranestica, Vrapciste, Zajas, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci
note: the 10 municipalities followed by Skopje in parentheses collectively constitute the larger Skopje Municipality
Independence:
8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day
Constitution:
adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended November 2001, 2005 and in 2009
note: amended November 2001 by a series of new constitutional amendments strengthening minority rights, in 2005 with amendments related to the judiciary, and in 2009 with amendments related to the threshold required to elect the president
Legal system:
based on civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009)
head of government: Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006)
cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO/DPMNE, BDI/DUI, and several small parties (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held on 22 March 2009, second round held on 5 April 2009 (next to be held in March 2014); prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections
election results: Gjorge IVANOV elected president on second-round ballot; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 63.1%, Ljubomir FRCKOSKI 36.9%
Legislative branch:
unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (120 seats; members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral districts; members serve four-year terms)
elections: last held on 1 June and 15 June 2008 (next to be held by July 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 49%, SDSM-led block 24%, BDI/DUI 13%, PDSh/DPA 8%, other 6%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 63, SDSM-led block 27, BDI/DUI 18, PDSh/DPA 11, PEI 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court; Constitutional Court; Republican Judicial Council
note: the Assembly appoints the judges
Political parties and leaders:
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Federation of Free Trade Unions [Svetlana PETROVIC]; Federation of Trade Unions [Vanco MURATOVSKI]; Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Dojcin CVETANOSKI]
International organization participation:
BIS, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (applicant), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM
(observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP,
SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI
chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501
FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131
consulate(s) general: Southfield (Michigan), Chicago
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Philip T. REEKER
embassy: Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
mailing address: American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch)
telephone: [389] 2 310-2000
FAX: [389] 2 310-2499
Flag description:
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 FYROM
National anthem:
name: "Denes Nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)
lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
note: adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia
Economy ::FYROM
Economy - overview:
Having a small, open economy makes FYROM vulnerable to economic developments in Europe and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, FYROM was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of Yugoslavia ended transfer payments from the central government and eliminated advantages from inclusion in a de facto free trade area. An absence of infrastructure, UN sanctions on the downsized Yugoslavia, and a Greek economic embargo over a dispute about the country's constitutional name and flag hindered economic growth until 1996. Since then, FYROM has maintained macroeconomic stability with low inflation, but it has so far lagged the region in attracting foreign investment and creating jobs, despite making extensive fiscal and business sector reforms. Official unemployment remains high at 33%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be more than 20% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, FYROM has experienced decreased foreign direct investment, lowered credit, and a large trade deficit, but the financial system remained sound. Macroeconomic stability was maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which kept the domestic currency at the pegged level against the euro, at the expense of raising interest rates. As a result, GDP fell in 2009. but returned to positive in 2010.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$19.46 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $19.18 billion (2009 est.)
$19.31 billion (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars; FYROM has a large informal sector
GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.58 billion (2010 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 -0.7% (2009 est.)
4.8% (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$9,400 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $9,300 (2009 est.)
$9,400 (2008 est.)
note: data are in 2010 US dollars
GDP - composition by sector:
agriculture: 12.1%
industry: 29.6%
services: 58.3% (2010 est.)
Labor force:
942,000 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 18.6%
industry: 29.5%
services: 51.9% (September 2009)
Unemployment rate:
33.1% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 32.2% (2009 est.)
Population below poverty line:
28.7% (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
39 (2003) country comparison to the world: 68
Investment (gross fixed):
22.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Public debt:
25.7% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 32.4% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 41 -0.8% (2009 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
6.5% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 62 6.5% (31 December 2008)
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
10.07% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95 9.68% (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.146 billion (31 December 2010 est) country comparison to the world: 137 $1.184 billion (31 December 2009 est)
Stock of broad money:
$4.134 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $4.217 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.001 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $4.055 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.859 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 100 $823.5 million (31 December 2008)
$2.715 billion (31 December 2007)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
1.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - production:
6.162 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 106
Electricity - consumption:
7.797 billion kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2009 est.)
Electricity - imports:
1.635 billion kWh (2009 est.)
Oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 167
Oil - consumption:
20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125
Oil - exports:
4,672 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Oil - imports:
20,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - consumption:
80 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Natural gas - imports:
82 million cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Current account balance:
-$328 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 -$645.6 million (2009 est.)
Exports:
$3.171 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $2.686 billion (2009 est.)
Exports - commodities:
food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron and steel
Exports - partners:
Germany 20.31%, Greece 13.09%, Italy 11.08%, Bulgaria 10.61%,
Croatia 7.74% (2009)
Imports:
$5.113 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $4.842 billion (2009 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products
Imports - partners:
Germany 15.11%, Greece 14.88%, Bulgaria 9.08%, Italy 7.68%, Turkey 7.59%, Slovenia 6.26%, Hungary 4.31% (2009)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.127 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 $2.292 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Debt - external:
$5.52 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 $5.5 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$3.528 billion (31 October 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.357 billion (2007 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA
Exchange rates:
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 47.601 (2010), 44.1 (2009), 41.414 (2008), 44.732 (2007), 48.978 (2006)
Communications ::FYROM
Telephones - main lines in use:
442,200 (2009) country comparison to the world: 100
Telephones - mobile cellular:
1.943 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 135
Telephone system:
general assessment: competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions
domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 115 per 100 persons
international: country code - 389 (2009)
Broadcast media:
public television broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately-owned TV channels broadcast nationally; roughly 50 local commercial TV stations broadcasting; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately-owned radio stations broadcast nationally; roughly 65 local commercial radio stations functioning (2007)
Internet country code:
.mk
Internet hosts:
60,533 (2010) country comparison to the world: 84
Internet users:
1.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 97
Transportation ::FYROM
Airports:
14 (2010) country comparison to the world: 149
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
under 914 m: 8 (2010)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 3 (2010)
Pipelines:
gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2009)
Railways:
total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 104 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2009)
Roadways:
total: 13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2009) country comparison to the world: 126
Military ::FYROM
Military branches:
Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM): Joint Operational Command,
with subordinate Air Wing (Makedonsko Voeno Vozduhoplovstvo, MVV);
Special Operations Regiment; Logistic Support Command; Training
Command (2010)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2010)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 530,966
females age 16-49: 511,534 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 442,953
females age 16-49: 425,981 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 15,338
female: 14,445 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 9
Transnational Issues ::FYROM
Disputes - international:
Kosovo and FYROM completed demarcation of their boundary in
September 2008; Greece continues to reject the use of the name
Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
IDPs: fewer than 1,000 (ethnic conflict in 2001) (2007)
Illicit drugs:
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
