Moving to North Macedonia: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

2,125,971

Population Growth Rate

0.22%

Urban Population

59.300000

Population in Major Urban Areas

SKOPJE (capital) 499,000

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Age Structure

17.270000

Median Age

36.500000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

12

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

9

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

1.59

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

26

Mother's mean age at first birth

26

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.080000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-0.48

Ethnic Groups

Macedonian 58.4%, Albanian 24.3%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.5%, Serb 1.3%, other 2.3%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no ethnic affiliation data was available 7.2%

Language Note

The official language is Macedonian, which is written in a Cyrillic script. Albanian, Turkish, and Serbian are spoken widely. Sixty-seven per cent of the population in Macedonia are Macedonian, 22.9% are Albanian and there are between 2-3% Gypsy and Serb minorities.

Nationality Noun

Macedonian(s)

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Literacy - total population

96.1%

Literacy - male

98.2%

Literacy - female

94.1%

Literacy Definition

NA

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

13.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

75.580000

Infant Mortality Rate

8.110000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

8.110000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

10

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

2.62

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

4.6

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

6.6%

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.1%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

99.800000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

97.200000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

1.8%

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Economic Overview

Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment.

Its low tax rates and free economic zones have helped to attract foreign investment, which is still low relative to the rest of Europe.

Corruption and weak rule of law remain significant problems.

Some businesses complain of opaque regulations and unequal enforcement of the law.

Macedonia’s economy is closely linked to Europe as a customer for exports and source of investment, and has suffered as a result of prolonged weakness in the euro zone.

Unemployment has remained consistently high at about 23% but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, which is not captured by official statistics.

Macedonia is working to build a country-wide natural gas pipeline and distribution network.

Currently, Macedonia receives its small natural gas supplies from Russia via Bulgaria.

In 2016, Macedonia signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece to build an interconnector that could connect to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline that will traverse the region once complete, or to an LNG import terminal in Greece.

Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged to the euro, and inflation at a low level.

However, in the last two years, the internal political crisis has hampered economic performance, with GDP growth slowing in 2016 and 2017, and both domestic private and public investments declining.

Fiscal policies were lax, with unproductive public expenditures, including subsidies and pension increases, and rising guarantees for the debt of state owned enterprises, and fiscal targets were consistently missed.

In 2017, public debt stabilized at about 47% of GDP, still relatively low compared to its Western Balkan neighbors and the rest of Europe.

Industries

coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses, steel

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$14,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$33,020,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$14,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

3.2%

GDP - official exchange rate

$10,090,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 69.1% government
• consumption: 16.6% investment in fixed
• capital: 24%& investment in
• inventories: 6.8% exports of goods and
• services: 52% imports of goods and
• services: -68.5%

GDP - note

Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

GDP by Sector- agriculture

10.2%

GDP by Sector- Industry

24.9%

GDP by Sector- services

64.9%

Industrial Growth Rate

4%

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Inflation Rate

1.6%

Currency Name and Code

Macedonian Denar (MKD)

Fiscal Year

Calendar Year

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

6.4%

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Labor Force

949,300

Unemployment Rate

31.7%

Major Industries

coal, metallic chromium, lead, zinc, ferronickel, textiles, wood products, tobacco, food processing, buses, steel

Agriculture Products

wheat, grapes, rice, tobacco, corn, millet, cotton, sesame, mulberry leaves, citrus, vegetables; beef, pork, poultry, mutton

Population Below Poverty Line

28.7%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

16,782

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

6%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

18.8%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

27.5%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

53.7%

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Annual Budget

$2,772,000,000 (USD)

Public Debt (% of GDP)

37.4%

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-4.1%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

30.6%

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Full Country Name

Republic of North Macedonia

Country Name

North Macedonia

Local - Long

Republika Severna Makedonija

Local - Short

Severna Makedonija

Former Name

Democratic Federal Macedonia, People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia, Republic of Macedonia

Etymology- history of name

the country name derives from the ancient kingdom of Macedon (7th to 2nd centuries B.C.)

Independence

8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 8 September (1991), also known as National Day

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Government Type

parliamentary republic

Constitution

• history: several previous (since 1944); latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991
• amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by the government, by at least 30 members of the Assembly, or by petition of at least 150,000 citizens; final approval requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; amended several times, last in 2019; this amendment was the result of the 2018 Prespa Agreement with Greece, in which the constitutional name of the country would be modified to Republic of North Macedonia in exchange for assurances that Greece would no longer object to its integration in international organizations; note - a referendum on amendments to the constitution is expected in 2024

Legal System:

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Gordana SILJANOVSKA-DAVKOVA (since 12 May 2024)
• head of government: Prime Minister Hristijan MICKOSKI (since 23 June 2024)
• cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the Assembly by simple majority vote 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 most recent election
• date: 24 April and 8 May 2024
• 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 expected date of next
• election: 2029

Legislative Branch:

• Description: unicameral Assembly - Sobranie in Macedonian, Kuvend in Albanian (between 120 and 140 seats, currently 120; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote; possibility of 3 directly elected in diaspora constituencies by simple majority vote provided there is sufficient voter turnout; members serve 4-year terms)
• Elections: last held on 15 July 2020 (next to be held on 8 May 2024)
• Election Results: percent of vote by party/coalition - We Can! 35.9%, Renewal 34.6%, BDI 11.5%, AfA-Alternative 9%, The Left 4.1%, PDSH 1.5%, other 3.4%; seats by party/coalition - We Can! 46, Renewal 44, BDI 15, AfA-Alternative 12, The Left 2, PDSH 1;
• Composition: men 70, women 50, percent of women 41.7%

Judicial Branch:

• 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
• subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts

Regions or States:

80 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina) and 1 city* (grad); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostuse, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Skopje*, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci. The Greater Skopje area is comprised of 10 municipalities: Aerodrom, Butel, Centar, Chair, Gazi Baba, Gjorce Petrov, Karposh, Kisela Voda, Saraj, and Shuto Orizari.

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Alliance for Albanians or AfA or ASH [Arben TARAVARI]
• Alternative (Alternativa) or AAA [Afrim GASHI]
• Besa Movement or BESA [Bilal KASAMI]
• Citizen Option for Macedonia or GROM [Stefcho JAKIMOVSKI]
• Democratic Alliance or DS [Pavle TRAJANOV]
• Democratic Movement or LD [Izet MEXHITI]
• Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSH [Menduh THACI]
• Democratic Party of Serbs or DPSM [Ivan STOILJKOVIC]
• Democratic Renewal of Macedonia or DOM [Maja MORACHANIN]
• Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI]
• European Democratic Party or PDE [Arianit HOXHA]
• Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Hristijan MICKOSKI]
• Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI]
• Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Monika ZAJKOVA]
• New Social-Democratic Party or NSDP [Goran MISOVSKI]
• Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Dimitar KOVACHEVSKI]
• Socialist Party of Macedonia or SPM [Ljupcho DIMOVSKI]
• Srpska Stranka in Macedonia or SSM [Miroslav JOVANOVIC]
• The Left (Levica) [Dimitar APASIEV]
• The People Movement or LP [Skender REXHEPI]
• Turkish Democratic Party or TDP [Beycan ILYAS]
• Turkish Movement Party or THP [Enes IBRAHIM]
• We Can! (coalition includes SDSM/BESA/VMRO-NP, DPT, LDP)

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia dual citizenship
• recognized: no residency requirement for
• naturalization: 8 years

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Capital Name

Skopje

Capital - geographic coordinate

42 00 N, 21 26 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

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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

International Law Organization Participation:

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Angela AGGELER (since 8 November 2022)
• Embassy: Str. Samoilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje
• Mailing Address: 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120
• Telephone: [389] (2) 310-2000
• FAX: [389] (2) 310-2499
• Email: SkopjeACS@state.gov
• Website: https://mk.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Zoran POPOV (since 16 September 2022)
• Chancery: 2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 667-0501
• FAX: [1] (202) 667-2131
• Email: washington@mfa.gov.mk
• Consulate(s) General: Chicago, Detroit, New York

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Geographic Location

Europe

Geographic Coordinates

41 50 N, 22 00 E

Total Area

9,928 Square Miles 25,713 Square Kilometers

Land Area

9,820 Square Miles 25,433 Square Kilometers

Water Area

108 Square Miles 280 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

476 Miles 766 Kilometers

Border Countries

Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km

Highest Point

2,764 Meters

Lowest Point

50 Meters

Irrigated Land

493 Square Miles 1,278 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

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

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Climate

Mostly a country of hills and mountains, Macedonia has a continental Mediterranean climate characterized by long, dry, rather hot summers and short, cold winters.

The average air temperature in the summer is 25°C (77°F) and 0.5°C (33°F) in winter.

However, short periods of extreme temperatures of 110-115°F in summer and low 20s in the winter are common.

The average annual precipitation is 445.5 mm.

The humidity in Macedonia averages 66%.

Occasionally, there are dust storms in the Vardar River valley.

Macedonia is on a fault line and the country averages four earthquakes a year (most go unnoticed) with a median reading of 6 on the Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik International Seismological Scale.

Location

Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Total Area

9,928 Square Miles 25,713 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Serbia and Montenegro 221 km

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

Exports

$3,171,000,000 (USD)

Imports

$5,113,000,000 (USD)

Top Export Partners

Greece 15.5%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7%

Top Import Partners

Greece 15.5%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7%

Export Partners

Greece 15.5%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7%

Import Partners

Greece 15.5%, Germany 13.1%, Serbia and Montenegro 10.4%, Slovenia 8.6%, Bulgaria 8.1%, Turkey 6%, Romania 4.7%

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Country Description

Macedonia is a parliamentary democracy that is slowly but steadily transforming its economy.

Tourist facilities are available in the capital, Skopje, and other major towns.

In tourist centers, such as Skopje and Ohrid, European-standard hotels and other travel amenities are available.

The standard of tourist facilities throughout the rest of the country varies considerably.

Safety & Security

A small number of murders and armed robberies have occurred nationwide.

None of these have targeted U.S. citizens or interests, but you should be aware of current events and your surroundings.

Macedonia has not experienced any incidents of large-scale public violence in recent years, although there have been occasions where protest activity devolved into localized violent incidents.

Public protests, demonstrations, and strikes in response to world or local events can sporadically occur in Macedonia.

Traffic disruptions and police diversion of traffic often occurs in connection with these demonstrations, particularly near the center of Skopje.

While the vast majority of demonstrations in Macedonia are peaceful, you should be aware that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence.

You are urged to avoid demonstration areas if possible, and to exercise caution if traveling within the vicinity of any demonstrations.

You should monitor media coverage to stay abreast of local events and should be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Information regarding demonstrations in Macedonia can be found on the Embassy Skopje website. .

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Crime

You should take the same precautions against becoming crime victims as you would in any U.S. city.

Violent crime against U.S. citizens is rare.

Pick-pocketing, theft, and other petty street crimes do occur, particularly in areas where tourists and foreigners congregate.

Do not leave valuables, including cell phones and electronic items, in plain view in unattended vehicles.

You should securely lock the windows and doors of your residence when it is not occupied.

Organized crime is present in Macedonia; organized criminal activity occasionally results in violent confrontations between members of rival organizations.

ATM use is generally safe; however, travelers should take standard safety precautions.

Pickpockets remain a problem in crowded areas of Skopje.

Be aware of your belongings and surroundings at all times.

Pickpockets use various diversionary tactics to distract victims; one method involves groups of children swarming around you and asking for money to find and take your wallet.

Victims of pick pocketing should report the crime to the police and cancel their credit cards as soon as possible.

Taxis are a common and generally safe form of transportation.

Use a legitimate, metered taxi to avoid conflicts about the fare.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Macedonia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country.

You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Macedonia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

If Arrested: If you are arrested in Macedonia, Macedonian authorities are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest.

Languages The official language is Macedonian, which is written in a Cyrillic script.

Albanian, Turkish, and Serbian are spoken widely.

Sixty-seven per cent of the population in Macedonia are Macedonian, 22.9% are Albanian and there are between 2-3% Gypsy and Serb minorities.

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Traffic Safety

Driving safely in Macedonia requires excellent defensive driving skills.

Many local drivers routinely ignore speed limits and other traffic regulations, such as stopping for red lights and stop signs.

Drivers may make illegal left turns from the far right lane, or drive into oncoming lanes of traffic.

The combination of speeding, unsafe driving practices, poor vehicle maintenance, the mixture of new and old vehicles on the roads, and poor lighting contributes to unsafe driving conditions.

Drivers and passengers should always wear seatbelts in Macedonia.

Pedestrians should exercise extreme caution when crossing the street, even when using crosswalks, as local drivers often do not slow down or stop for pedestrians.

A valid U.S. driver's license and an International Driving Permit are required for U.S. citizens driving in Macedonia.

Macedonians drive on the right side of the road.

Speed limits are generally posted.

Most major highways are in good repair, but many secondary urban and rural roads are poorly maintained and poorly lighted.

Horse-drawn carts, livestock, dead animals, rocks, or other objects are sometimes found in the roadway.

Some vehicles are old and lack standard front or rear lights.

Secondary mountain roads can be narrow, poorly marked, and lacking guardrails, and may quickly become dangerous in inclement weather.

Public transportation in Macedonia is dilapidated.

Roadside emergency services are limited.

In case of emergency, drivers may contact the police at telephone 192, the Ambulance Service at telephone 194, and Roadside Assistance at telephone 196.

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Airports - total

10

Airports with Paved Runways

8

Railways

434 Miles 699 Kilometers

Roadways- total

8,723 Miles 14,038 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

5,896 Miles 9,489 Kilometers

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Pipelines: Gas

167 Miles 268 Kilometers

Pipelines: Oil

75 Miles 120 Kilometers

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Telephones

442,200

Cell Phones

1,518,000

Internet Users

685,000

Internet Country Code

N/A

Internet Hosts

60,533

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

Telephone System

• 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

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Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

8,189,000,000

Electricity Imports- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

1,370,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

6,819,000,000

Natural Gas Consumption - Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

158,600,000

Natural Gas Imports- Cubic Meters (cu m)

158,600,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

17,490

Oil Imports- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

51,510

Anthem Lyrics

Denes nad Makedonija se ragja Novo sonce na slobodata.

Makedoncite se borat Za svoite pravdini!

Makedoncite se borat Za svoite pravdini!

Odnovo sega znameto se vee na Krushevskata Republika.

Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli, Dame Gruev, Sandanski!

Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli, Dame Gruev, Sandanski!

Gorite Makedonski shumno peat Novi pesni, novi vesnici.

Makedonija slobodna, Slobodna zhivee!

Makedonija slobodna, Slobodna zhivee!