Macedonia (Republic of Macedonia)

https://www.humantruth.info/macedonia.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Macedonia Republic of Macedonia
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	56th 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

“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	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
53	Brazil	71.5
54	Serbia	74.8
55	Albania	75.0
56	Macedonia	76.4
57	Barbados	76.5
58	Mexico	76.7
59	Sri Lanka	77.1
60	Tunisia	77.9
	Europe Avg	57.3
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

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, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₆
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₆
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.

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants₁₇
Pos.		2017 %₁₇
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.

Emigrants₁₈
Pos.		2010 %₁₈
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 #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Europe (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
36	Bulgaria	68.8
37	Ukraine	73.9
38	Romania	76.6
39	Macedonia	78.3
40	Georgia	83.0
41	Moldova	84.3
42	Albania	87.5
43	Bosnia & Herzegovina	89.5
44	Kosovo	96.1
	Europe Avg	52.39
q=49.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
64	Suriname	76.4
65	Romania	76.6
66	Guatemala	77.4
67	Macedonia	78.3
68	Vanuatu	78.5
69	Honduras	78.6
70	Jamaica	79.5
71	Colombia	79.6
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₂₀. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₂₀.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, 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 Europe₂₀, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂₀.

For more, see:

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

4.1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

#freedom #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #politics #slavery

Press Freedom Higher is better₂₁
Pos.		2025₂₁
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. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

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

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better₂₂
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 1000₂₂
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
146	Albania	11.80
147	Turkmenistan	11.90
148	Myanmar	12.10
149	Macedonia	12.60
150	Ukraine	12.80
151=	Russia	13.00
151=	Afghanistan	13.00
151=	Kuwait	13.00
	Europe Avg	5.64
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

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
89=	Moldova	3.0
89=	Montenegro	3.0
89=	Macedonia	3.0
89=	India	3.0
89=	Fiji	3.0
89=	Ecuador	3.0
89=	Dominican Rep.	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₃
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₃
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
33=	Cyprus	20
33=	Namibia	20
33=	Ukraine	20
33=	Macedonia	20
33=	Slovakia	20
33=	Honduras	20
33=	S. Africa	20
33=	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.

4.2. Gender Equality Datasets

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #politics #women

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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

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.		Year Women Can Vote 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.

4.3. Prejudice Datasets

#2020s #freethought #homosexuality #religious_tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better₂₇
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score₂₇
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
103	Laos	-0.13
104	Trinidad & Tobago	-0.19
105	Albania	-0.40
106	Macedonia	-0.43
107	Bahamas	-0.45
108	Mongolia	-0.48
109	Hungary	-0.50
110	Honduras	-0.51
	Europe Avg	1.77
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

In North Macedonia, homosexuality has been legal since 1996 after Yugoslavia made being homosexual illegal, but same-sex marriage is banned and there is no recognition of same-sex unions. Discrimination protections exist in law but are weakly enforced, and social acceptance remains low.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

⇡ Supported the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.
⇡ Supported the 2008 Declaration at the UN General Assemly affirming LGBTQ rights, tabled by Argentina.
⇡ In 2025, signed the UN Human Rights Council Joint statement on ending acts of violence and human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
⇡ Voted in favour of the 2014 Resolution 27/32 at the UN Human Rights Council against discrimiantion based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

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

5. Macedonia's Health

#health

Compared to Europe (2025)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	San Marino	42.3
	...
30	Slovakia	72.8
31	Montenegro	73.5
32	Croatia	76.3
33	Macedonia	78.5
34	Belarus	80.2
35	Bulgaria	83.0
36	Estonia	83.2
37	Serbia	84.1
38	Armenia	85.3
	Europe Avg	68.59
q=48.

Health (2025)₂₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₉
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
62	Barbados	77.6
63	Qatar	77.9
64	Seychelles	78.0
65	Macedonia	78.5
66	Belarus	80.2
67	Dominica	80.4
68	Oman	80.7
69	Iran	80.8
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₀.

42 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, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₀.

For more, see:

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

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #suicide

Macedonia does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Macedonia does better than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₁, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₂, its adolescent birth rate₃₃ (but high for Europe), its fertility rate₁₅, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₄, its average life expectancy₁₁ (but bad for Europe) and in its suicide rate₃₅. But, things could still be better. Macedonia does worse than average in terms of its alcohol consumption rate₃₆ (still good for Europe), delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₇ and in the prevalence of overweight adults₃₈. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₆
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
118=	Japan	8.0
118=	Montenegro	8.0
120=	Malta	8.1
120=	Macedonia	8.1
122=	Burkina Faso	8.2
122=	St Vincent & Grenadines	8.2
122=	Dominica	8.2
125	Thailand	8.3
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better₃₅
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k₃₅
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
75	Belize	6.00
76	Brazil	6.08
77=	Paraguay	6.10
77=	Macedonia	6.10
79=	Pakistan	6.26
79=	Comoros	6.26
81	Puerto Rico	6.33
82	Malta	6.42
	Europe Avg	12.94
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

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 better₃₈
Pos.		1976 %₃₈
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 better₃₉
Pos.		2022 %₃₉
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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₃₇
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %₃₇
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
139	St Lucia	88.6
140	Mauritania	88.5
141	Vietnam	88.4
142	Macedonia	88.3
143	Cambodia	88.2
144	Tanzania	88.0
145	Pakistan	87.9
146=	Cook Islands	87.8
	Europe Avg	93.2
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x 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.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 1000₃₂
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
59	Romania	9.55
60	Ukraine	9.82
61	Brunei	9.90
62	Macedonia	9.95
63	Maldives	10.37
64	Albania	10.41
65	Antigua & Barbuda	11.08
66	Georgia	11.17
	Europe Avg	6.30
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

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)₄₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₀
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	82.54
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₄₀
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₀
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"₄₁. 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 ranks 112th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is formulated from 21 data sets. Macedonia comes in the best 20 when it comes to its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. It does better than average in terms of its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₂, its environmental performance₄₃ (but low for Europe), reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₄ (one of the best in Europe) and in energy to GDP efficiency₄₅. But, things still need to improve in Macedonia. Macedonia does worse than average when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₆.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		Total₄₂
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 better₄₃
Pos.		2018₄₃
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 better₄₅
Pos.		2022 Avg₄₅
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		International Accords on the Environment 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. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₆
Pos.		2011 %₄₆
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 better₄₄
Pos.		2021 kg₄₄
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. Also scored for 2010s.

7. Macedonia's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2025)₄₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₇
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
40	Andorra	53.0
41	Bosnia & Herzegovina	57.6
42	UK	58.5
43	Georgia	60.6
44	Moldova	60.7
45	Macedonia	65.1
46	Azerbaijan	65.5
47	Armenia	65.6
48	Albania	73.0
	Europe Avg	34.74
q=48.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₄₇
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₇
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
64	S. Africa	63.3
65	Seychelles	63.4
66	Cuba	64.5
67	Macedonia	65.1
68	Ecuador	65.3
69	Colombia	65.4
70	Azerbaijan	65.5
71	Kyrgyzstan	65.5
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

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, Iceland and Denmark₄₈. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₈. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₉.

“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)₅₀

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, 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 Europe₄₈, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₈.

For more, see:

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

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#metric #research #science

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₁
2	Israel	4.11₅₁
3	Japan	3.58₅₁
	...
62=	Costa Rica	0.47₅₂
62=	Qatar	0.47₅₃
62=	Cuba	0.47₅₄
65=	Macedonia	0.44₅₄
65=	Puerto Rico	0.44₅₄
67	Jordan	0.43₅₅
68	Mozambique	0.42₅₆
69	Thailand	0.39₅₂
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

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.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₅₇
Pos.		2025 %₅₇
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
77=	N. Korea	95
77=	Panama	95
77=	Lithuania	95
77=	Macedonia	95
77=	Nicaragua	95
77=	Malaysia	95
77=	Morocco	95
77=	Montenegro	95
	Europe Avg	97
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Progression in metric adoption:

1960 (90%): Yugoslav metric standards; minor traditional use.
1970 (95%): Standardization across sectors.
1980 (95%).
2000 (95%): Post-independence continuity.
2025 (95%).

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #english #maths #science

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2018₅₈
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 better₅₉
Pos.		2021 Years₅₉
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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2015 Score₆₀
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.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
62	Czechia	84%
63	Bhutan	84%
64	Portugal	84%
65	Macedonia	84%
66	Palestine	83%
67	Serbia	83%
68	Turkey	83%
69	San Marino	83%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2017 Ratio₆₁
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
80=	Liechtenstein	0.0
80=	Cyprus	0.0
82=	Philippines	0.0
82=	Macedonia	0.0
82=	Pakistan	0.0
82=	Paraguay	0.0
82=	Chile	0.0
82=	US Virgin Islands	0.0
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better₆₂
Pos.		2024₆₂
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

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Europe (2025)₆₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₆₃
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
34	Serbia	70.1
35	Montenegro	72.6
36	Bosnia & Herzegovina	73.7
37	Macedonia	74.4
38=	Kosovo	80.1
39	Armenia	82.4
40	Ukraine	84.5
41	Belarus	84.8
42	Turkey	85.8
	Europe Avg	46.24
q=44.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)₆₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₆₃
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
64	Montenegro	72.6
65	Maldives	72.6
66	Bosnia & Herzegovina	73.7
67	Macedonia	74.4
68	Mongolia	74.6
69	Kazakhstan	76.2
70	Argentina	76.4
71	Belize	76.5
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

"Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

Corruption Higher is better₆₄
Pos.		2022 Points₆₄
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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

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

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.

Happiness Higher is better₆₅
Pos.		2024 Score₆₅
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. Also scored for 2010s.

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

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.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₆₆
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q₆₆
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
78	Nicaragua	127.8
79	Tuvalu	127.5
80	Venezuela	126.8
81	Macedonia	125.8
82	Montenegro	124.8
83	Marshall Islands	124.3
84	Kiribati	123.5
85	Palau	120.8
	Europe Avg	160.7
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better₆₇
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score₆₇
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
94	Nicaragua	6.25
95	Tajikistan	6.22
96	Mexico	6.20
97	Macedonia	6.16
98	Tunisia	6.14
99	Liberia	6.13
100	Colombia	6.11
101	Belarus	6.09
	Europe Avg	7.65
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₈
Pos.		2022 %₆₈
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. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₆₉
Pos.		2023 Score₆₉
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. Also scored for 2010s.

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 better₇₀
Pos.		2019 Score₇₀
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.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₇₁
Pos.		2019₇₁
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 better₇₂
Pos.		2023 %₇₂
1	Slovakia	24.1%₇₃
2	Slovenia	24.3%₇₃
3	Belarus	24.4%₇₄
	...
62	Serbia	33.1%₇₃
63=	Guinea-Bissau	33.4%₇₃
63=	Bangladesh	33.4%₇₅
65=	Macedonia	33.5%₇₆
65=	Georgia	33.5%₇₅
67	Palestine	33.7%₇₇
68=	Tunisia	33.7%₇₃
68=	Jordan	33.7%₇₈
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₇₉
Pos.		2018 Severity₇₉
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	.016₈₀
	Europe Avg	.004
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₁:

	2010	2020
Christian	65.2%	64.7%
Muslim	33.3%	34.7%
Unaffiliated	1.43%	0.516%
Other	<0.1%	<0.1%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%
Hindu	None	None

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)₈₂.

Links:

A List of All Religions and Belief Systems