Macedonia (Republic of Macedonia)

Macedonia Republic of Macedonia
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	59th best
Capital	Skopje
Land Area	25 220km21
Location	Europe, The Balkans
Population	2.1m2
Life Expectancy	73.84yrs (2017)3
GNI	$15 918 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	MK, MKD, 8075
Internet Domain	.mk6
Currency	Denar (MKD)7
Telephone	+3898

1. Overview
2. Macedonia National and Social Development
3. Macedonia's Demographics and Migration
4. Macedonia's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Macedonia's Health
6. Macedonia's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Macedonia's Modernity and Learning
8. Macedonia's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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1. Overview

“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.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Deep in the Balkan countryside, among slate-roofed villages, road-side cafes, lake panoramas and watermelon stalls, you find the soul of Macedonia. Macedonia is hard to beat. Part Balkan and part Mediterranean, and offering impressive ancient sites and buzzing modern nightlife, the country packs in much more action, activities and natural beauty than would seem possible for a place its size.

Easygoing Skopje remains one of Europe´s more unusual capitals, where constant urban renewal has made the city a continuous work in progress. With its hip cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs frequented by a large student population, Skopje is also emerging on the region´s entertainment scene.

In summer try hiking, mountain biking and climbing in remote mountains, some concealing medieval monasteries. Visit Ohrid, noted for its summer festival, sublime Byzantine churches and a large lake. Winter offers skiing at resorts such as Mavrovo, and food-and-grog festivities in the villages. Meeting the locals and partaking in the country´s living culture can be as memorable and rewarding as seeing the sights.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Macedonia National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
75	St Kitts & Nevis	0.777
76	Iran	0.774
77	Ukraine	0.773
78	Macedonia	0.770
79	China	0.768
80=	Moldova	0.767
80=	Palau	0.767
80=	Dominican Rep.	0.767
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
73	Thailand	$17 030
74	Antigua & Barbuda	$16 792
75	Botswana	$16 198
76	Macedonia	$15 918
77	Maldives	$15 448
78	Libya	$15 336
79	Bosnia & Herzegovina	$15 242
80	Moldova	$14 875
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	29.7
2	Norway	33.6
3	Switzerland	35.2
	...
56	Albania	76.9
57	Tunisia	77.0
58	Peru	77.5
59	Macedonia	77.8
60	Ecuador	78.1
61	Trinidad & Tobago	78.3
62	Northern Cyprus	79.1
63	Vietnam	79.7
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	88.9
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Macedonia's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population Datasets:

Macedonia's population is predicted to fall to 2 043 000 by 2030. This country has a fertility rate of 1.60. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
143	Botswana	2.3m
144	Gabon	2.1m
145	Lesotho	2.1m
146	Macedonia	2.1m
147	Slovenia	2.1m
148	Latvia	1.9m
149	Guinea-Bissau	1.9m
150	Bahrain	1.6m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
69	Cape Verde	74.1
70	Morocco	74.0
71	Iran	73.9
72	Macedonia	73.8
73	Nicaragua	73.8
74	Tunisia	73.8
75	Lithuania	73.7
76	Cuba	73.7
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
63	St Martin	2.39
64	Trinidad & Tobago	1.61
65	Saudi Arabia	2.39
66	Macedonia	1.60
67	Libya	2.40
68	Iceland	1.59
69	Dominica	1.59
70	Antigua & Barbuda	1.58
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
132	Uruguay	26.8
133	Cyprus	26.9
134	Chile	27.0
135	Macedonia	27.7
136	Luxembourg	28.3
137	Armenia	28.7
138=	Thailand	29.2
138=	Ireland	29.2
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
74	Grenada	6.6%
75	Armenia	6.5%
76	Bhutan	6.5%
77	Macedonia	6.3%
78	Finland	6.2%
79	Marshall Islands	6.2%
80	Turkey	6.0%
81	Syria	5.5%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
21	Georgia	25.1%
22	Kazakhstan	23.6%
23	St Lucia	23.3%
24	Macedonia	21.9%
25	Sao Tome & Principe	21.9%
26	Moldova	21.5%
27	Fiji	21.3%
28	Portugal	20.8%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Macedonia's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
36	Serbia	63.7
37	Montenegro	65.3
38	Monaco	71.7
39	Macedonia	72.8
40	Albania	73.6
41	Bosnia & Herzegovina	76.0
42	Georgia	76.4
43	Armenia	78.5
44	Moldova	80.6
	Europe Avg	47.37
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
68	Monaco	71.7
69	Colombia	71.9
70	Mongolia	72.6
71	Macedonia	72.8
72	Belize	73.4
73	Albania	73.6
74	Seychelles	73.8
75	Hong Kong	74.5
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₁₉.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₁₉.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets:

Press Freedom Higher is better20
Pos.		202520
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
39	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	71.79
40	Fiji	71.20
41	Gabon	70.65
42	Macedonia	70.44
43	Dominican Rep.	69.87
44	Samoa	69.28
45	Seychelles	68.56
46	Tonga	68.39
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

North Macedonia is one of only 19 countries who in 2025 had better press freedom than in the 2010s.

Slavery Lower is better21
Pos.		2018 % Victims21
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
140	Guinea	0.78
141	Greece	0.79
142	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.80
143	Macedonia	0.87
144	Swaziland	0.88
145	Thailand	0.89
146	Laos	0.94
147	Papua New Guinea	1.03
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better22
Pos.		2014 Rank22
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
53	Peru	53
54	Bosnia & Herzegovina	54
55=	Armenia	55
55=	Macedonia	55
55=	Suriname	55
58	El Salvador	58
59	Ghana	59
60	Jamaica	60
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
89	Malawi	3.0
90=	Moldova	3.0
90=	Montenegro	3.0
90=	Macedonia	3.0
90=	India	3.0
90=	Fiji	3.0
90=	Ecuador	3.0
90=	Dominican Rep.	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
33	Cyprus	20
34=	Namibia	20
34=	Ukraine	20
34=	Macedonia	20
34=	Slovakia	20
34=	Honduras	20
34=	S. Africa	20
34=	Liechtenstein	20
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better24
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
124	Sudan	11.65
125	Kazakhstan	11.67
126	Switzerland	11.71
127	Macedonia	11.71
128	Czechia	11.73
129	Malawi	11.77
130	Maldives	11.85
131	Central African Rep.	11.87
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 report on Macedonia was quite short: "Legislation aimed at protecting journalists and media freedom was proposed. A law protecting women from violence was not fully implemented. Inter-ethnic tensions were exacerbated by hate speech. At least 18,000 refugees and migrants were pushed back to Greece"₂₅.

Gender Equality Datasets:

Macedonia is on the way towards ending gender inequality.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree (2007)

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		202226
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
34	Greece	0.12
35	Albania	0.12
36	Montenegro	0.12
37	Macedonia	0.14
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.14
39	Latvia	0.15
40	Malta	0.15
41	Moldova	0.17
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

From the 1990s to the 2000s, Macedonia was the 3rd most-improved country in terms of Gender Inequality.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
60=	Romania	1946
60=	Panama	1946
60=	Cameroon	1946
60=	Macedonia	1946
60=	Venezuela	1946
60=	Guatemala	1946
60=	Vietnam	1946
60=	Trinidad & Tobago	1946
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice Datasets:

LGBT Equality Higher is better27
Pos.		2017 Score27
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
68=	Ukraine	25
68=	Mongolia	25
68=	Liechtenstein	25
68=	Macedonia	25
68=	Cape Verde	25
68=	Moldova	25
68=	Turkey	25
68=	Latvia	25
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better28
Pos.		202128
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
125	Germany	3.3
126=	Ghana	3.3
126=	Italy	3.3
126=	Macedonia	3.3
126=	Liberia	3.3
126=	Malawi	3.3
126=	Madagascar	3.3
132	Burundi	3.5
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Macedonia's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)29
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank29
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
25	Germany	75.7
26	Andorra	77.5
27	Albania	77.7
28	Macedonia	78.1
29	Cyprus	78.2
30	Malta	80.7
31=	Czechia	81.6
31=	Croatia	81.6
33	Greece	83.0
	Europe Avg	86.87
q=51.

Health (2025)29
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank29
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
51	Albania	77.7
52	Israel	78.0
53	Antigua & Barbuda	78.0
54	Macedonia	78.1
55	Cyprus	78.2
56	British Virgin Islands	78.7
57	Barbados	79.8
58	USA	80.0
	World Avg	96.49
q=213.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, The Cook Islands and S. Sudan₃₀.

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Melanesia and Australasia₃₀.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Health Datasets:

Macedonia does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Macedonia does better than average when it comes to its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₁, its suicide rate₃₂, its adolescent birth rate₃₃ (but high for Europe), its fertility rate₁₄, its immunizations take-up₃₄ and in its average life expectancy₁₁ (but low for Europe). Macedonia doesn't do so well in other areas. Macedonia does worse than average in its alcohol consumption rate₃₅ (still good for Europe) and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₆. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Macedonia improved by +6.1yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Macedonia's peak fertility rate was 3.97 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
69	Cape Verde	74.1
70	Morocco	74.0
71	Iran	73.9
72	Macedonia	73.8
73	Nicaragua	73.8
74	Tunisia	73.8
75	Lithuania	73.7
76	Cuba	73.7
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better35
Pos.		2016 Per Capita35
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
118=	Japan	8.0
118=	Montenegro	8.0
120	Malta	8.1
121=	Macedonia	8.1
122	Burkina Faso	8.2
123=	St Vincent & Grenadines	8.2
123=	Dominica	8.2
125	Thailand	8.3
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
63	St Martin	2.39
64	Trinidad & Tobago	1.61
65	Saudi Arabia	2.39
66	Macedonia	1.60
67	Libya	2.40
68	Iceland	1.59
69	Dominica	1.59
70	Antigua & Barbuda	1.58
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Suicide Rate32
Pos.		2013 Per 100k32
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
34	Nicaragua	11.6
35	Costa Rica	12.1
36	Italy	12.8
37	Macedonia	13.5
38	Mauritius	13.7
39	UK	13.9
40	Ecuador	14.1
41	Spain	15.3
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better31
Pos.		2017 Rank31
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
31	Armenia	31
32	Bangladesh	32
33	Hungary	33
34	Macedonia	34
35	India	35
36	Fiji	36
37	Thailand	37
38	Pakistan	38
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better36
Pos.		1976 %36
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
143=	Bahamas	38.8
143=	Egypt	38.8
145	Libya	38.9
146	Macedonia	39.2
147	Saudi Arabia	39.4
148=	Iraq	40.0
148=	Venezuela	40.0
148=	Italy	40.0
	Europe Avg	38.2
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better37
Pos.		2022 %37
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
136	Seychelles	30.3%
137	Slovakia	30.3%
138	Grenada	30.5%
139	Macedonia	30.6%
140	Ireland	30.8%
141	Lebanon	31.1%
142	Lithuania	31.1%
143	Syria	31.2%
	Europe Avg	25.9%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199.

Children's Health Datasets:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better33
Pos.		2022 Per 100033
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
62	Sri Lanka	15.4
63	Turkey	15.7
64	Uzbekistan	15.7
65	Macedonia	16.1
66	India	16.3
67	Armenia	18.3
68	Bhutan	18.5
69	Tonga	19.2
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
66	Israel	95.2
67=	Grenada	95.2
67=	Slovenia	95.2
67=	Macedonia	95.2
70	Belize	95.1
71	Algeria	95.0
72	Tuvalu	94.9
73	Eritrea	94.7
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Macedonia's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2025)38
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank38
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
26	Poland	81.0
27	Slovenia	82.1
28	Georgia	83.6
29	Macedonia	86.9
30	Croatia	88.5
31	Czechia	89.3
32	Lithuania	89.5
33	Albania	91.5
34=	Monaco	92.1
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)38
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank38
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
109	Zambia	85.4
110	Venezuela	86.1
111	Taiwan	86.1
112	Macedonia	86.9
113	Canada	87.2
114	Guyana	87.4
115	Gabon	87.9
116	Croatia	88.5
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₃₉. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Macedonia comes 112th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is formulated from 21 data sets. Macedonia comes in the best 20 in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. It does better than average for its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₀, its environmental performance₄₁ (but bad for Europe), reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₂ (amongst the best in Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₃. Macedonia doesn't do so well in other areas. Macedonia does worse than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₄.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better40
Pos.		Total40
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
50	Swaziland	5.1%
51	Thailand	4.7%
52	Poland	4.6%
53	Macedonia	4.6%
54	Palau	4.6%
55	Bhutan	4.5%
56	Morocco	4.2%
57	Lebanon	3.8%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better41
Pos.		201841
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
65	Montenegro	61.3
66	Egypt	61.2
67	Lebanon	61.1
68	Macedonia	61.1
69	Brazil	60.7
70	Sri Lanka	60.6
71	Equatorial Guinea	60.4
72	Mexico	59.7
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better43
Pos.		2022 Avg43
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
78	Montenegro	1.03
79	Lesotho	1.03
80	Mauritius	1.03
81	Macedonia	1.04
82	Austria	1.04
83	Japan	1.05
84	Benin	1.06
85	Namibia	1.07
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
13	Lithuania	75%
14	Australia	74%
15	Uruguay	74%
16	Macedonia	74%
17	Panama	74%
18	Denmark	73%
19	Ecuador	72%
20	Armenia	72%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better44
Pos.		2011 %44
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
93	Slovakia	31.1%
94	Guyana	30.1%
95	Egypt	30.1%
96	Macedonia	30.1%
97	Senegal	29.6%
98	Comoros	28.3%
99	Ireland	27.9%
100	Israel	27.6%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better42
Pos.		2021 kg42
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
73	Cape Verde	38.4
74	Honduras	38.8
75	Kyrgyzstan	39.0
76	Macedonia	41.0
77	Guatemala	42.1
78	Uzbekistan	42.3
79	Turkey	43.0
80	Vanuatu	43.4
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

7. Macedonia's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #maths #modernity #research #science #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
37	Montenegro	64.9
38	Bosnia & Herzegovina	65.6
39	Georgia	65.6
40	Moldova	68.9
41	Albania	76.4
42	Macedonia	77.2
43	Armenia	77.9
44	Azerbaijan	78.9
45	Andorra	87.1
	Europe Avg	39.81
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)45
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank45
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
78	Albania	76.4
79	Uzbekistan	76.5
80	Vietnam	76.9
81	Macedonia	77.2
82	Colombia	77.3
83	Kyrgyzstan	77.3
84	Armenia	77.9
85	Iran	78.0
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₄₆. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₆. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₇.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₄₈

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₆, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₆.

For more, see:

• "Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education Datasets:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2949
2	Israel	4.1149
3	Japan	3.5849
	...
62=	Costa Rica	0.4750
62=	Qatar	0.4751
62=	Cuba	0.4752
65	Macedonia	0.4452
66=	Puerto Rico	0.4452
67	Jordan	0.4353
68	Mozambique	0.4254
69	Thailand	0.3950
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better55
Pos.		201855
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
109	India	51.6%
110	Kuwait	51.5%
111	Congo, DR	50.7%
112	Macedonia	49.8%
113	Indonesia	48.8%
114	Congo, (Brazzaville)	48.8%
115	Iraq	48.0%
116	Paraguay	47.8%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better56
Pos.		2021 Years56
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
91	Indonesia	13.7
92	Swaziland	13.7
93	S. Africa	13.6
94	Macedonia	13.6
95	Azerbaijan	13.5
96	Jamaica	13.4
97	Sao Tome & Principe	13.4
98	Palestine	13.4
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better31
Pos.		2017 Rank31
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
16	Bosnia & Herzegovina	16
17	Sweden	17
18	Lithuania	18
19	Macedonia	19
20	Australia	20
21	Germany	21
22	Grenada	22
23	Poland	23
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better57
Pos.		2015 Score57
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
63	Brazil	1185
64	Peru	1182
65	Lebanon	1129
66	Tunisia	1114
67	Macedonia	1107
68	Kosovo	1087
69	Algeria	1086
70	Dominican Rep.	1018
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Technology and Information Datasets:

Internet Users Higher is better58
Pos.		201658
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
55	Russia	71%
56	Oman	71%
57	New Caledonia	70%
58=	Macedonia	69%
58=	Argentina	69%
60	Trinidad & Tobago	69%
61	Malaysia	69%
62	Greenland	67%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better59
Pos.		2017 Ratio59
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
80=	Liechtenstein	0.0
80=	Cyprus	0.0
82	Philippines	0.0
83=	Macedonia	0.0
83=	Pakistan	0.0
83=	Paraguay	0.0
83=	Chile	0.0
83=	US Virgin Islands	0.0
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better60
Pos.		202460
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
61	Costa Rica	46.9%
62	Albania	46.7%
63	Azerbaijan	46.0%
64	Macedonia	45.7%
65	Moldova	45.5%
66	S. Africa	45.4%
67	Kuwait	44.9%
68	Montenegro	44.9%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Macedonia's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Europe (2020)61
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank61
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
35	Bosnia & Herzegovina	68.9
36	Greece	70.9
37	Montenegro	73.2
38	Macedonia	75.2
39	Belarus	77.7
40	Armenia	82.2
41	Ukraine	84.4
42	Turkey	86.8
43	Georgia	87.1
	Europe Avg	48.48
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)61
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank61
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
68	Cuba	73.8
69	Tunisia	74.9
70	Maldives	75.1
71	Macedonia	75.2
72	Ghana	75.4
73	Kazakhstan	75.8
74	Vietnam	76.6
75	Seychelles	76.7
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture Datasets:

World Giving Index Higher is better62
Pos.		2022 %62
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
31=	Bahrain	45.0
31=	Malta	45.0
31=	Singapore	45.0
31=	Macedonia	45.0
31=	Venezuela	45.0
31=	Norway	45.0
31=	Austria	45.0
38	Sri Lanka	44.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better63
Pos.		2022 Points63
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
84	Kosovo	41.0
85=	Tunisia	40.0
85=	Suriname	40.0
85=	Macedonia	40.0
85=	Maldives	40.0
85=	India	40.0
85=	Guyana	40.0
91	Belarus	39.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Of all countries thoughout the 2000s, Macedonia improved its Corruption Perception Index score at the joint-3rd best rate.

Happiness Higher is better64
Pos.		2024 Score64
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
83	Indonesia	5.6
84	Algeria	5.6
85	Bulgaria	5.6
86	Macedonia	5.5
87	Armenia	5.5
88	Hong Kong	5.5
89=	Albania	5.4
89=	Tajikistan	5.4
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Macedonia only had World Happiness Index data in the 2010s for 2019, so it's 'average' for the 2010s is best considered unreliable..

Creativity & Culture Lower is better31
Pos.		2017 Rank31
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
52	Bahamas	52
53	UAE	53
54	Thailand	54
55	Macedonia	55
56	Mauritania	56
57	India	57
58	Philippines	58
59	Uruguay	59
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better31
Pos.		2017 Rank31
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
71	Montenegro	71
72	Ukraine	72
73	Chile	73
74	Macedonia	74
75	Oman	75
76	Dominican Rep.	76
77	Slovenia	77
78	Guatemala	78
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability Datasets:

Global Peace Index Lower is better65
Pos.		2023 Score65
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
35	Kuwait	1.67
36	Lithuania	1.67
37	UK	1.69
38	Macedonia	1.71
39	Costa Rica	1.73
40=	Vietnam	1.75
40=	Albania	1.75
42	Botswana	1.76
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better31
Pos.		2017 Rank31
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
132	Belarus	132
133	Portugal	133
134	El Salvador	134
135	Macedonia	135
136	Armenia	136
137	Dominica	137
138	Cape Verde	138
139	St Lucia	139
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better31
Pos.		2017 Rank31
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
51	Dominican Rep.	51
52	Slovakia	52
53	UAE	53
54	Macedonia	54
55	Zambia	55
56	Lithuania	56
57	Ukraine	57
58	Croatia	58
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better66
Pos.		2019 Score66
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
33	Switzerland	0.19
34	Latvia	0.23
35	S. Korea	0.30
36	Macedonia	0.30
37	Zambia	0.31
38	Djibouti	0.32
39	Bulgaria	0.37
40=	Albania	0.42
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better67
Pos.		201967
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
61	Ukraine	7.40
62	Brunei	7.60
63	Kazakhstan	7.70
64=	Macedonia	7.90
64=	Uruguay	7.90
64=	Thailand	7.90
64=	Georgia	7.90
64=	China	7.90
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better68
Pos.		2023 %68
1	Slovakia	24.1%69
2	Slovenia	24.3%69
3	Belarus	24.4%70
	...
62	Serbia	33.1%69
63=	Guinea-Bissau	33.4%69
63=	Bangladesh	33.4%71
65	Macedonia	33.5%72
66=	Georgia	33.5%71
67	Palestine	33.7%73
68=	Tunisia	33.7%69
68=	Jordan	33.7%74
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better75
Pos.		2018 Severity75
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
18	Kyrgyzstan	.008
19	Bosnia & Herzegovina	.008
20	Barbados	.009
21	Macedonia	.010
22	Guyana	.014
23	Dominican Rep.	.015
24	China	.016
25	Brazil	.01676
	Europe Avg	.004
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₇:

Christian	59.3%
Muslim	39.3%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	1.4%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census)₇₈.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems