Europe :: Macedonia

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## Introduction ::Macedonia

Background:
Macedonia 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, but the issue of the name remained unresolved and negotiations for a solution are ongoing. Since 2004, the United States and 133 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Some ethnic Albanians, angered by perceived political and economic inequities, launched an insurgency in 2001 that eventually won the support of the majority of Macedonia's ethnic Albanian population and led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Fully implementing the Framework Agreement, maintaining momentum on democratic reforms, and stimulating economic growth and development continue to be challenges for Macedonia, although progress has been made over the past several years.

## Geography ::Macedonia

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: 150 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: 16.1% permanent crops: 1.36% other: 82.54% (2011)
Irrigated land:
1,278 sq km (2004)
Total renewable water resources:
6.4 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 1.03 cu km/yr (21%/67%/12%) per capita: 502 cu m/yr (2007)
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 and Society ::Macedonia

Nationality:
noun: Macedonian(s) adjective: Macedonian
Ethnic groups:
Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census)
Languages:
Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census)
Religions:
Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)
Population:
2,087,171 (July 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
Age structure:
0-14 years: 17.9% (male 193,507/female 180,157) 15-24 years: 14.3% (male 154,084/female 144,908) 25-54 years: 43.8% (male 463,282/female 450,261) 55-64 years: 11.9% (male 121,097/female 127,742) 65 years and over: 12.1% (male 108,324/female 143,809) (2013 est.) population pyramid:
Median age:
total: 36.5 years male: 35.4 years female: 37.6 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
0.22% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Birth rate:
11.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 166
Death rate:
9 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Net migration rate:
-0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Urbanization:
urban population: 59% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
SKOPJE (capital) 480,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
26 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
10 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 153
Infant mortality rate:
total: 8.11 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 156 male: 8.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 75.58 years country comparison to the world: 91 male: 73.03 years female: 78.33 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
1.59 children born/woman (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 179
Health expenditures:
7.1% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 79
Physicians density:
2.55 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
Hospital bed density:
4.5 beds/1,000 population (2009)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 1% of population total: 0% of population (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access:
improved: urban: 92% of population rural: 82% of population total: 88% of population unimproved: urban: 8% of population rural: 18% of population total: 12% of population (2010 est.)
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: 158
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2003 est.) country comparison to the world: 134
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
21.1% (2008) country comparison to the world: 92
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
1.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 120
Education expenditures:
NA
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97.3% male: 98.7% female: 95.9% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2010)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
total number: 16,782 percentage: 6 % (2005 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total: 55.3% country comparison to the world: 4 male: 55.7% female: 54.8% (2011)

## Government ::Macedonia

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form: Macedonia local long form: Republika Makedonija local short form: Makedonija 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:
71 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); 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, Grad Skopje, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci
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:
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt 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, 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; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister 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 (123 seats; all members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of six electoral and three diaspora districts; members serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 5 June 2011 (next to be held by June 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 39%, SDSM-led block 32.8%, BDI 10.2%, PDSh 5.9%, other 12.1%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE-led block 56, SDSM-led block 42, BDI 15, PDSh 8, RDK 2
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consist of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) 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 legislature for nonrenewable, 9-year terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts
Political parties and leaders:
Albanian Democratic Union or BDSh [Bardhyl MAHMUTI] Democratic League of Bosniaks in Macedonia [Rafet MUMINOVIC] Democratic Party of Serbs in Macedonia or DPSM [Ivan STOILJKOVIC] Democratic Party of the Albanians or PDSh [Menduh THACI] Democratic Party of Turks of Macedonia or DPTM [Kenan HASIPI] Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM [Liljana POPOVSKA] Democratic Union or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV] Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI] Dosoinstvo (Diginity) [Stojance ANGELOV] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Andrej ZENOVSKI] Liberal Party of Macedonia or LP [Ivon VELICKOVSKI] Movement for Turkish National Union [Erdogan SARAC] National Democratic Revival or RDK [Rufi OSMANI] New Democracy or ND [Imer SELMANI] New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Tito PETKOVSKI] Party for Democratic Action of Macedonia or SDA [Avdija PEPIC] Party for the Total Emancipation of Roma or PCER [Samka IBRAIMOVSKI] Party of United Democrats of Macedonia or PODEM [Zivko JANKULOVSKI] Party on European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI] Serbian Progressive Party in Macedonia or SPSM [Dragisha MILETIC] Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Branko CRVENKOVSKI] Socialist Party of Macedonia or SP [Ljubisav IVNAOV DZINGO] Union of Roma of Macedonia or SR [Amdi BAJRAM] United for Macedonia or OM [Ljube BOSKOSKI]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Federation of Free Trade Unions [Mirjana ANDREVSKA] Federation of Trade Unions [Zivko MITREVSKI] Trade Union of Education, Science and Culture [Jakim NEDELKOV]
International organization participation:
BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, 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: Chicago, New York, Southfield (MI)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission: Ambassador Paul D. WOHLERS 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 Macedonia
National symbol(s):
eight-rayed sun
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 ::Macedonia

Economy - overview:
Macedonia is vulnerable to economic developments in Europe - due to strong trade ties - and dependent on regional integration and progress toward EU membership for continued economic growth. At independence in September 1991, Macedonia was the least developed of the Yugoslav republics, producing a mere 5% of the total federal output of goods and services. The collapse of the Socialist Federal Republic 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, Macedonia 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 more than 31%, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. In the wake of the global economic downturn, Macedonia has experienced decreased foreign direct investment and a large trade deficit. However, as a result of conservative fiscal policies and a sound financial system, in 2010 the country credit rating improved slightly to BB+ and was kept at that level in 2011-12. However, macroeconomic stability has been maintained by a prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged against the euro. As a result, GDP growth was modest, but positive at about 3% both in 2010 and 2011, and inflation was under control. The government loosened fiscal policy in 2012 and the budget deficit expanded to 3.5% of GDP.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$22.22 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 $22.28 billion (2011 est.) $21.66 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data
GDP (official exchange rate):
$9.676 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
-0.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 188 2.9% (2011 est.) 2.9% (2010 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$10,800 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112 $10,800 (2011 est.) $10,500 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 11.4% industry: 25.8% services: 62.8% (2012 est.)
Labor force:
936,000 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture: 16.7% industry: 26% services: 57.3% (September 2012)
Unemployment rate:
31.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 183 31.4% (2011 est.)
Population below poverty line:
30.4% (2011)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.2% highest 10%: 34.5% (2009 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
43.2 (2009) country comparison to the world: 48 39 (2003)
Investment (gross fixed):
21.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 70
Budget:
revenues: $2.883 billion expenditures: $3.254 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
29.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 91
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Public debt:
33.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109 27.8% of GDP (2011 est.) 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, as well as intra-governmental debt; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.1% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 3.9% (2011 est.)
Central bank discount rate:
3.75% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 4% (31 December 2011 est.) note: series discontinued in January 2010; the discount rate has been replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
8.48% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 8.87% (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of narrow money:
$1.413 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $1.29 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of broad money:
$5.709 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 $5.34 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of domestic credit:
$4.821 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.418 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Market value of publicly traded shares:
$2.423 billion (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 94 $2.495 billion (31 December 2011) $2.647 billion (31 December 2010)
Agriculture - products:
grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs
Industries:
food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate:
-2.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Current account balance:
-$323 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 -$273.5 million (2011 est.)
Exports:
$4.064 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 $4.429 billion (2011 est.)
Exports - commodities:
food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron, steel; automotive parts
Exports - partners:
Germany 25.5%, Italy 6.1%, Bulgaria 5.2%, Greece 4.5% (2012)
Imports:
$6.229 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $6.759 billion (2011 est.)
Imports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products
Imports - partners:
Greece 17.7%, Germany 11.5%, UK 9.3%, Bulgaria 8.7%, Italy 5%, Turkey 4.8% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$2.891 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $2.677 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Debt - external:
$6.807 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $6.271 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$4.284 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 $4.229 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$564 million (31 December 2009 est.)
Exchange rates:
Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 47.89 (2012 est.) 44.231 (2011 est.) 46.485 (2010 est.) 44.1 (2009) 41.414 (2008)
Fiscal year:
calendar year

## Energy ::Macedonia

Electricity - production:
5.81 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 112
Electricity - consumption:
7.25 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity - exports:
12.82 million kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - imports:
2.692 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
1.94 million kW (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 103
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
65.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 124
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
34.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012) country comparison to the world: 165
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2012) country comparison to the world: 151
Crude oil - imports:
18,800 bbl/day (2012) country comparison to the world: 71
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 164
Refined petroleum products - production:
21,280 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
17,490 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 137
Refined petroleum products - exports:
8,594 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 89
Refined petroleum products - imports:
21,530 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2012) country comparison to the world: 165
Natural gas - consumption:
136.6 million cu m (2011) country comparison to the world: 103
Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2012) country comparison to the world: 144
Natural gas - imports:
136.6 million cu m (2012) country comparison to the world: 71
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
8.231 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

## Communications ::Macedonia

Telephones - main lines in use:
422,100 (2011) country comparison to the world: 104
Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.213 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 137
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 130 per 100 persons international: country code - 389 (2012)
Broadcast media:
public TV broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately owned TV channels broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters and about 15 broadcast on national level via satellite; roughly 75 local commercial TV stations; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationally; about 70 local commercial radio stations (2012)
Internet country code:
.mk
Internet hosts:
62,826 (2012) country comparison to the world: 92
Internet users:
1.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 97

## Transportation ::Macedonia

Airports:
14 (2012) country comparison to the world: 151
Airports - with paved runways:
total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 under 914 m: 8 (2012)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
total: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2012)
Pipelines:
gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2013)
Railways:
total: 699 km country comparison to the world: 100 standard gauge: 699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2010)
Roadways:
total: 13,736 km (includes 216 km of expressways) (2010) country comparison to the world: 127

## Military ::Macedonia

Military branches:
Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM; includes General Staff and subordinate Joint Operational Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Special Operations Regiment) (2012)
Military service age and obligation:
18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2008 (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
males age 16-49: 532,196 females age 16-49: 511,964 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
males age 16-49: 443,843 females age 16-49: 426,251 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
male: 16,144 female: 14,920 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

## Transnational Issues ::Macedonia

Disputes - international:
Kosovo and Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; Greece continues to reject the use of the name Macedonia or Republic of Macedonia
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

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