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Uzbekistan Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Asia, north of Turkmenistan, south of Kazakhstan

Geographic coordinates:
41 00 N, 64 00 E

Map references:
Asia

Area:
total:447,400 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 57

land:425,400 sq km

water:22,000 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than California

Land boundaries:
total:6,221 km

border countries:Afghanistan 137 km, Kazakhstan 2,203 km, Kyrgyzstan 1,099 km, Tajikistan 1,161 km, Turkmenistan 1,621 km

Coastline:
0 km (doubly landlocked); note - Uzbekistan includes the southern portion of the Aral Sea with a 420 km shoreline

Maritime claims:
lowest point:Sariqamish Kuli -12 m

highest point:Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Natural resources:
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium, silver, copper, lead and zinc, tungsten, molybdenum

Land use:
arable land:9.61%

permanent crops:0.8%

other:89.58% (2011)

Irrigated land:
41,980 sq km (2005)

Total renewable water resources:
48.87 cu km (2011)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
48.87 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
NA

Environment - current issues:
shrinkage of the Aral Sea has resulted in growing concentrations of chemical pesticides and natural salts; these substances are then blown from the increasingly exposed lake bed and contribute to desertification and respiratory health problems; water pollution from industrial wastes and the heavy use of fertilizers and pesticides is the cause of many human health disorders; increasing soil salination; soil contamination from buried nuclear processing and agricultural chemicals, including DDT

Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
along with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world

People and Society

Nationality: noun: Uzbekistani adjective:Uzbekistani Ethnic groups: Uzbek 80%, Russian 5.5%, Tajik 5%, Kazakh 3%, Karakalpak 2.5%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.5% (1996 est.) Languages: Uzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% Religions: Muslim 88% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Population: 28,929,716 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 45 Age structure: 0-14 years:24.9% (male 3,693,838/female 3,514,734) 15-24 years:20.5% (male 3,008,779/female 2,934,534) 25-54 years:43% (male 6,178,921/female 6,255,715) 55-64 years:6.8% (male 926,129/female 1,036,576) 65 years and over:4.7% (male 588,881/female 791,609) (2014 est.) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio:48.3 % youth dependency ratio:42 % elderly dependency ratio:6.3 % potential support ratio:15.8 (2014 est.) Median age: total:27.1 years male:26.6 years female:27.7 years (2014 est.) Population growth rate: 0.93% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 125 Birth rate: 17.02 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 109 Death rate: 5.29 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 180 Net migration rate: -2.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 173 Urbanization: urban population:36.2% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization:1.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.) Major urban areas - population: TASHKENT (capital) 2.227 million (2011) Sex ratio: at birth:1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years:1.03 male(s)/female 25-54 years:0.99 male(s)/female 55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over:0.75 male(s)/female total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.8 (2006 est.) Maternal mortality rate: 28 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) Infant mortality rate: total:19.84 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 91 male:23.54 deaths/1,000 live births female:15.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)		Life expectancy at birth: total population:73.29 yearscountry comparison to the world: 125 male:70.25 years female:76.52 years (2014 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 154 Contraceptive prevalence rate: 64.9% (2006) Health expenditures: 5.4% of GDP (2011) Physicians density: 2.54 physicians/1,000 population (2010) Hospital bed density: 4.5 beds/1,000 population (2010) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.5% of population rural: 80.9% of population total: 87.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.5% of population rural: 19.1% of population total: 12.7% of population (2012 est.) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 150 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 29,700 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 72 HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,400 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 56 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 15.1% (2008)country comparison to the world: 119 Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4.4% (2006)country comparison to the world: 97 Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition:age 15 and over can read and write total population:99.4% male:99.6% female:99.2% (2011 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total:12 years male:12 years female:11 years (2011)

Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Uzbekistan conventional short form:Uzbekistan local long form:O'zbekiston Respublikasi local short form:O'zbekiston former:Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic Government type: republic; authoritarian presidential rule with little power outside the executive branch Capital: name:Tashkent (Toshkent) geographic coordinates:41 19 N, 69 15 E time difference:UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 12 provinces (viloyatlar, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous republic* (avtonom respublikasi), and 1 city** (shahar); Andijon Viloyati, Buxoro Viloyati, Farg'ona Viloyati, Jizzax Viloyati, Namangan Viloyati, Navoiy Viloyati, Qashqadaryo Viloyati (Qarshi), Qoraqalpog'iston Respublikasi [Karakalpakstan Republic]* (Nukus), Samarqand Viloyati, Sirdaryo Viloyati (Guliston), Surxondaryo Viloyati (Termiz), Toshkent Shahri [Tashkent City], Toshkent Viloyati [Tashkent province], Xorazm Viloyati (Urganch) Independence: 1 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 1 September (1991) Constitution: several previous; latest adopted 8 December 1992; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012) Legal system: civil law system International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state:President Islom KARIMOV (since 24 March 1990, when he was elected president by the then Supreme Soviet; first elected president of independent Uzbekistan in 1991) head of government:Prime Minister Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV (since 11 December 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam AZIMOV (since 2 January 2008) cabinet:Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of both chambers of the Supreme Assembly (Oliy Majlis) elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term; previously was a five-year term, extended by a 2002 constitutional amendment to seven years and changed back to five years in 2011); election last held on 23 December 2007 (next to be held first quarter 2015); prime minister, ministers, and deputy ministers appointed by the president; note - to present a facade of democracy, the president nominates a candidate for prime minister, who then must be approved by a majority vote in both chambers of parliament election results:Islom KARIMOV reelected president; percent of vote - Islom KARIMOV 88.1%, Asliddin RUSTAMOV 3.2%, Dilorom TOSHMUHAMEDOVA 2.9%, Akmal SAIDOV 2.6%, other 3.2% Legislative branch:** bicameral Supreme Assembly or Oliy Majlis consists of an upper house or Senate (100 seats; 84 members elected by regional governing councils and 16 appointed by the president; members to serve five-year terms) and a lower house or Legislative Chamber (Qonunchilik Palatasi) (150 seats; 135 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms, while 15 spots reserved for the Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan) elections:last held on 27 December 2009 and 10 January 2010 (next to be held in December 2014) election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Legislative Chamber - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - LDPU 53, NDP 32, National Rebirth Party 31, Adolat 19 note:all parties in the Supreme Assembly support President Islom KARIMOV		Judicial branch: highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of 34 judges organized in civil, criminal, and military sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges); Higher Economic Court (consists of 19 judges) judge selection and term of office:judges of the 3 highest courts nominated by the president and confirmed by the Oliy Majlis; judges appointed for 5-year terms subject to reappointment subordinate courts:regional, district, city, and town courts Political parties and leaders: Ecological Movement of Uzbekistan (O'zbekiston Ekologik Harakati) [Boriy ALIXONOV] Justice (Adolat) Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan [Narimon UMAROV] Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (O'zbekiston Liberal-Demokratik Partiyasi) or LDPU [Sodiqjon TURDIYEV] National Rebirth Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (Milliy Tiklanish) [Sarvar OTAMURATOV] People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (Xalq Demokratik Partiyas) or NDP [Hotamjon KETMONOV] (formerly Communist Party) Political pressure groups and leaders: there are no significant opposition political parties or pressure groups operating in Uzbekistan International organization participation: ADB, CICA, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:Ambassador Baxtiyor GULOMOV (since 18 July 2013) chancery:1746 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone:[1] (202) 887-5300 FAX:[1] (202) 293-6804 consulate(s) general:New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission:Ambassador George KROL (since 10 June 2011) embassy:3 Moyqo'rq'on, 5th Block, Yunusobod District, Tashkent 100093 mailing address:use embassy street address telephone:[998] (71) 120-5450 FAX:[998] (71) 120-6335 Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and green separated by red fimbriations with a white crescent moon (closed side to the hoist) and 12 white stars shifted to the hoist on the top band; blue is the color of the Turkic peoples and of the sky, white signifies peace and the striving for purity in thoughts and deeds, while green represents nature and is the color of Islam; the red stripes are the vital force of all living organisms that links good and pure ideas with the eternal sky and with deeds on earth; the crescent represents Islam and the 12 stars the months and constellations of the Uzbek calendar National symbol(s): khumo (mythical bird) National anthem: name:'O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi' (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan) lyrics/music:Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV note:adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet Republic but adopted new lyrics

Economy

Economy - overview: Uzbekistan is a dry, landlocked country; 11% of the land is intensely cultivated, in irrigated river valleys. More than 60% of the population lives in densely populated rural communities. Export of hydrocarbons, primarily natural gas, provides a significant share of foreign exchange earnings. Other major export earners include gold and cotton. Despite ongoing efforts to diversify crops, Uzbekistani agriculture remains largely centered around cotton, although production has dropped by 35% since 1991. Uzbekistan is now the world's fifth largest cotton exporter and sixth largest producer. The country is addressing international criticism for the use of child labor in its cotton harvest. Following independence in September 1991, the government sought to prop up its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production and prices. While aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government still sponsors measures that often increase, not decrease, its control over business decisions. A sharp increase in the inequality of income distribution has hurt the lower ranks of society since independence. In 2003, the government accepted Article VIII obligations under the IMF, providing for full currency convertibility. However, strict currency controls and tightening of borders have lessened the effects of convertibility and have also led to some shortages that have further stifled economic activity. The Central Bank often delays or restricts convertibility, especially for consumer goods. Uzbekistan's growth has been driven primarily by state-led investments and a favorable export environment. In the past Uzbekistani authorities have accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbekistani laws and have frozen and even seized their assets. At the same time, the Uzbekistani Government has actively courted several major US and international corporations, offering financing and tax advantages. A major US automaker opened a powertrain manufacturing facility in Tashkent in November 2011, but there have been no sizable US investments since then. Diminishing foreign investment and difficulties transporting goods across borders further challenge the economy of Uzbekistan. GDP (purchasing power parity): $112.6 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 70 $105.2 billion (2012 est.) $97.21 billion (2011 est.) note:data are in 2013 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $55.18 billion (2013 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 7% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 8.2% (2012 est.) 8.3% (2011 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $3,800 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $3,600 (2012 est.) $3,300 (2011 est.) note:data are in 2013 US dollars GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:55.7% government consumption:16.6% investment in fixed capital:23.5% investment in inventories:4.9% exports of goods and services:28% imports of goods and services:-31.3% (2011 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture:19.1% industry:32.2% services:48.7% (2013 est.) Agriculture - products: cotton, vegetables, fruits, grain; livestock Industries: textiles, food processing, machine building, metallurgy, mining, hydrocarbon extraction, chemicals Industrial production growth rate: 7.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 32 Labor force: 16.99 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture:25.9% industry:13.2% services:60.9% (2012 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.9% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 47 4.9% (2012 est.) note:official data, another 20% are underemployed		Population below poverty line: 17% (2011 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:2.8% highest 10%:29.6% (2003) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 36.8 (2003) country comparison to the world: 81 44.7 (1998) Budget: revenues:$17.84 billion expenditures:$18.05 billion (2013 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 32.3% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Public debt: 7.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 152 6.2% of GDP (2012 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 209 11.4% (2012 est.) note:official data; based on independent analysis of consumer prices, inflation reached 22% in 2012 Stock of narrow money: $6.514 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 93 $5.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of broad money: $10.88 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $9.463 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of domestic credit: $7.661 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $7.244 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $NA (31 December 2012) Current account balance: $1.801 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $1.807 billion (2012 est.) Exports: $14.91 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $14.38 billion (2012 est.) Exports - commodities: energy products, cotton, gold, mineral fertilizers, ferrous and nonferrous metals, textiles, food products, machinery, automobiles Exports - partners: China 21.2%, Kazakhstan 15.9%, Turkey 15.8%, Russia 14.7%, Bangladesh 9.5%, Kyrgyzstan 4% (2012) Imports: $12.64 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $12.06 billion (2012 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, ferrous and nonferrous metals Imports - partners: Russia 20.7%, China 16.6%, South Korea 16.4%, Kazakhstan 12.5%, Germany 4.6%, Turkey 4.2%, Ukraine 4% (2012) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $17 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $16 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Debt - external: $8.773 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 $7.342 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $NA Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA Exchange rates: Uzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 2,082.3 (2013 est.) 1,890.1 (2012 est.) 1,587.2 (2010 est.) 1,466.7 (2009) 1,317 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production: 52.53 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - consumption: 44.51 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - exports: 12.09 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Electricity - imports: 12 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15 Electricity - installed generating capacity: 11.6 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 51 Electricity - from fossil fuels: 85.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 197 Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 14.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 101 Electricity - from other renewable sources: 0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 Crude oil - production: 102,600 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 50 Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 135		Crude oil - proved reserves: 594 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 48 Refined petroleum products - production: 92,300 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 75 Refined petroleum products - consumption: 137,100 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Refined petroleum products - exports: 4,968 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 Refined petroleum products - imports: 656 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 Natural gas - production: 62.9 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 Natural gas - consumption: 46.8 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18 Natural gas - exports: 13.4 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 143 Natural gas - proved reserves: 1.841 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: 115.9 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: 1.963 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 60 Telephones - mobile cellular: 20.274 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 48 Telephone system: general assessment:digital exchanges in large cities and in rural areas domestic:the state-owned telecommunications company, Uzbektelecom, owner of the fixed line telecommunications system, has used loans from the Japanese government and the China Development Bank to upgrade fixed-line services including conversion to digital exchanges; mobile-cellular services are provided by 3 private and 1 state-owned operator with a total subscriber base of 19 million as of January 2014 international:country code - 998; linked by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay with CIS member states and to other countries by leased connection via the Moscow international gateway switch; the country also has a link to the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic cable; Uzbekistan has supported the national fiber optic backbone project of Afghanistan since 2008 (2009)		Broadcast media: government controls media; 14 state-owned broadcasters - 10 TV and 4 radio - provide service to virtually the entire country; about 20 privately owned TV stations, overseen by local officials, broadcast to local markets; privately owned TV stations are required to lease transmitters from the government-owned Republic TV and Radio Industry Corporation; in 2013, the government closed TV and radio broadcasters affiliated with the National Association of Electronic Mass Media of Uzbekistan, a government-sponsored NGO for private broadcast media Internet country code: .uz Internet hosts: 56,075 (2012) country comparison to the world: 94 Internet users: 4.689 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 50

Transportation

Airports 53 (2013) country comparison to the world: 89 Airports - with paved runways total:33 over 3,047 m:6 2,438 to 3,047 m:13 1,524 to 2,437 m:6 914 to 1,523 m:4 under 914 m:4 (2013) Airports - with unpaved runways total:20 2,438 to 3,047 m:2 under 914 m: 18 (2013)		Pipelines gas 10,401 km; oil 944 km (2013) Railways total:4,230 kmcountry comparison to the world: 40 broad gauge:4,200 km 1.520-m gauge (930 km electrified) (2012) Roadways total:86,496 kmcountry comparison to the world: 52 paved:75,511 km unpaved:10,985 km (2000) Waterways 1,100 km (2012) country comparison to the world: 63 Ports and terminals river port(s):Termiz (Amu Darya)

Military

Military branches Uzbek Armed Forces: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces (2013) Military service age and obligation 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 1-month or 1-year conscript service obligation for males; moving toward a professional military, but conscription in some form will continue; the military cannot accommodate everyone who wishes to enlist, and competition for entrance into the military is similar to the competition for admission to universities (2013) Manpower available for military service males age 16-49:7,887,292 females age 16-49:7,886,459 (2010 est.)		Manpower fit for military service males age 16-49:6,566,118 females age 16-49:6,745,818 (2010 est.) Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually male:306,404 female:295,456 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
prolonged drought and cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan created water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2004; border delimitation of 130 km of border with Kyrgyzstan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas

Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs:undetermined (government forcibly relocated an estimated 3,400 people from villages near the Tajikistan border in 2000-2001; no new data is available) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

Illicit drugs
transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and small amounts of opium poppy for domestic consumption; poppy cultivation almost wiped out by government crop eradication program; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

Macedonia Facts

Geography

People and Society

Government

Economy

Communications

Transportation

Military

Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southeastern Europe, north of Greece

Geographic coordinates:
41 50 N, 22 00 E

Map references:
Europe

Area:
total:25,713 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 150

land:25,433 sq km

water:280 sq km

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Vermont

Land boundaries:
total:766 km

border countries:Albania 151 km, Bulgaria 148 km, Greece 246 km, Kosovo 159 km, Serbia 62 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims:
lowest point:Vardar River 50 m

highest point:Golem Korab (Maja e Korabit) 2,764 m

Natural resources:
low-grade iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, manganese, nickel, tungsten, gold, silver, asbestos, gypsum, timber, arable land

Land use:
arable land:16.1%

permanent crops:1.36%

other:82.54% (2011)

Irrigated land:
1,278 sq km (2004)

Total renewable water resources:
6.4 cu km (2011)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
6.4 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
high seismic risks

Environment - current issues:
air pollution from metallurgical plants

Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:
landlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe

People and Society

Nationality: noun: Macedonian(s) adjective:Macedonian Ethnic groups: Macedonian 64.2%, Albanian 25.2%, Turkish 3.9%, Roma (Gypsy) 2.7%, Serb 1.8%, other 2.2% (2002 census) Languages: Macedonian (official) 66.5%, Albanian (official) 25.1%, Turkish 3.5%, Roma 1.9%, Serbian 1.2%, other 1.8% (2002 census) Religions: Macedonian Orthodox 64.7%, Muslim 33.3%, other Christian 0.37%, other and unspecified 1.63% (2002 census) Population: 2,091,719 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 147 Age structure: 0-14 years:17.7% (male 191,682/female 178,510) 15-24 years:14.1% (male 151,901/female 142,679) 25-54 years:43.8% (male 464,392/female 451,038) 55-64 years:12.1% (male 123,272/female 129,081) 65 years and over:12.1% (male 111,090/female 148,074) (2014 est.) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio:41.2 % youth dependency ratio:23.4 % elderly dependency ratio:17.8 % potential support ratio:5.6 (2014 est.) Median age: total:36.8 years male:35.7 years female:37.9 years (2014 est.) Population growth rate: 0.21% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 180 Birth rate: 11.64 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 171 Death rate: 9.04 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 66 Net migration rate: -0.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 135 Urbanization: urban population:59.3% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization:0.33% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.) Major urban areas - population: SKOPJE (capital) 499,000 (2011) Sex ratio: at birth:1.08 male(s)/female 0-14 years:1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years:1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years:1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over:0.75 male(s)/female total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.2 (2011 est.) Maternal mortality rate: 10 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) Infant mortality rate: total:7.9 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 157 male:8.16 deaths/1,000 live births female:7.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)		Life expectancy at birth: total population:75.8 yearscountry comparison to the world: 89 male:73.23 years female:78.56 years (2014 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.59 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 180 Health expenditures: 6.6% of GDP (2011) Physicians density: 2.62 physicians/1,000 population (2009) Hospital bed density: 4.6 beds/1,000 population (2010) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 98.8% of population total: 99.4% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 1.2% of population total: 0.6% of population (2012 est.) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.2% of population rural: 82.8% of population total: 91.4% of population unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population rural: 17.2% of population total: 8.6% of population (2012 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: less than 0.1% (2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 158 HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: fewer than 200 (2007 est.)country comparison to the world: 163 HIV/AIDS - deaths: fewer than 100 (2003 est.)country comparison to the world: 143 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.1% (2008)country comparison to the world: 92 Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.8% (2005)country comparison to the world: 124 Literacy: definition:age 15 and over can read and write total population:97.4% male:98.7% female:96% (2011 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total:13 years male:13 years female:13 years (2010) Child labor - children ages 5-14: Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total:53.9%country comparison to the world: 4 male:55.2% female:51.7% (2012)

Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Macedonia conventional short form:Macedonia local long form:Republika Makedonija local short form:Makedonija note:the provisional designation used by the UN, EU, and NATO is the 'former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' (FYROM) former:People's Republic of Macedonia, Socialist Republic of Macedonia Government type: parliamentary democracy Capital: name:Skopje geographic coordinates:42 00 N, 21 26 E time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October Administrative divisions: 71 municipalities (opstini, singular - opstina); Aracinovo, Berovo, Bitola, Bogdanci, Bogovinje, Bosilovo, Brvenica, Caska, Centar Zupa, Cesinovo-Oblesevo, Cucer Sandevo, Debar, Debarca, Delcevo, Demir Hisar, Demir Kapija, Dojran, Dolneni, Gevgelija, Gostivar, Grad Skopje, Gradsko, Ilinden, Jegunovce, Karbinci, Kavadarci, Kicevo, Kocani, Konce, Kratovo, Kriva Palanka, Krivogastani, Krusevo, Kumanovo, Lipkovo, Lozovo, Makedonska Kamenica, Makedonski Brod, Mavrovo i Rostusa, Mogila, Negotino, Novaci, Novo Selo, Ohrid, Pehcevo, Petrovec, Plasnica, Prilep, Probistip, Radovis, Rankovce, Resen, Rosoman, Sopiste, Staro Nagoricane, Stip, Struga, Strumica, Studenicani, Sveti Nikole, Tearce, Tetovo, Valandovo, Vasilevo, Veles, Vevcani, Vinica, Vrapciste, Zelenikovo, Zelino, Zrnovci Independence: 8 September 1991 (referendum by registered voters endorsed independence from Yugoslavia) National holiday: Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day Constitution: several previous; latest adopted 17 November 1991, effective 20 November 1991; amended several times, last in 2011 (2011) Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state:President Gjorge IVANOV (since 12 May 2009) head of government:Prime Minister Nikola GRUEVSKI (since 26 August 2006) cabinet:Council of Ministers elected by the majority vote of all the deputies in the Assembly; note - current cabinet formed by the government coalition parties VMRO-DPMNE, DUI, and several small parties elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); two-round election: first round held on 13 April 2014, second round held on 27 April 2014; prime minister elected by the Assembly following legislative elections; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister election results:Gjorge IVANOV re-elected president in second-round; percent of vote - Gjorge IVANOV 55.3%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI 41.1%; note - 13 April 2014 first round results - Gjorge IVANOV 51.7%, Stevo PENDAROVSKI 37.5% Legislative branch: unicameral Assembly or Sobranie (123 seats; all members elected by popular vote from party lists based on the percentage of the overall vote the parties gain in each of the six domestic and three diaspora electoral districts; members serve four-year terms) elections:last held on 27 April 2014 (next to be held in April 2019) election results:percent of vote by party - VMRO-DPMNE 43.0%, SDSM 25.3%, DUI 13.7%, DPA 5.9%, GROM 2.8%, NDR 1.6%, other 4.3%, invalid 3.4%; seats by party - VMRO-DPMNE 61, SDSM 34, DUI 19, DPA 7, GROM 1, NDR 2		Judicial branch: highest court(s):Supreme Court (consist of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 7-member body of legal professionals, and appointed by the Assembly; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the legislature for nonrenewable, 9-year terms subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal; Basic Courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Positive Macedonia or APM [Ljupco ZIKOV] Citizens Option for Macedonia or GROM [Stevco JAKIMOVSKI] Democratic Party of Albanians or DPA [Menduh THACI] Democratic Union for Integration or DUI [Ali AHMETI] Dosoinstvo (Diginity) [Stojance ANGELOV] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Nikola GRUEVSKI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI] National Democratic Revival or NDR [Rufi OSMANI] Party for a European Future or PEI [Fijat CANOSKI] Party for Democratic Prosperity [Abdyladi VEJSELI] Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Zoran ZAEV] Political pressure groups and leaders: Federation of Free Trade Unions [Mirjana ANDREVSKA] International organization participation: BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EU (candidate country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission:Ambassador Zoran JOLEVSKI (since 22 March 2007) chancery:2129 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone:[1] (202) 667-0501 FAX:[1] (202) 667-2131 consulate(s) general:Chicago, New York, Southfield (MI) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission:Ambassador Paul D. WOHLERS (since 11 August 2011) embassy:Str. Samolilova, Nr. 21, 1000 Skopje mailing address:American Embassy Skopje, US Department of State, 7120 Skopje Place, Washington, DC 20521-7120 (pouch) telephone:[389] (2) 310-2000 FAX:[389] (2) 310-2499 Flag description: a yellow sun (the Sun of Liberty) with eight broadening rays extending to the edges of the red field; the red and yellow colors have long been associated with Macedonia National symbol(s): eight-rayed sun National anthem: name:'Denes Nad Makedonija' (Today Over Macedonia) lyrics/music:Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI note:adopted 1991; the song, written in 1943, previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia

Economy

Economy - overview: Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made significant progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment, but has lagged the Balkan region in attracting foreign investment. Unemployment has remained consistently high at more than 30% since 2008, but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, that is not captured by official statistics. 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. Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged against the euro, and by limiting fiscal deficits. The government has been loosening fiscal policy, however, and the budget deficit expanded to 4.2% of GDP in 2013. Macedonia achieved modest GDP growth in 2013 after a small contraction in 2012; inflation is under control. GDP (purchasing power parity): $22.57 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $21.89 billion (2012 est.) $21.98 billion (2011 est.) note:data are in 2013 US dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data GDP (official exchange rate): $10.65 billion (2013 est.) GDP - real growth rate: 3.1% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 -0.4% (2012 est.) 2.9% (2011 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP): $10,800 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $10,600 (2012 est.) $10,700 (2011 est.) note:data are in 2013 US dollars Gross national saving: 23.2% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 62 24.7% of GDP (2012 est.) 23.2% of GDP (2011 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption:77.5% government consumption:15.3% investment in fixed capital:22.5% investment in inventories:3.1% exports of goods and services:47.7% imports of goods and services:-66.1% (2013 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture:10.2% industry:27.5% services:62.3% (2013 est.) Agriculture - products: grapes, tobacco, vegetables, fruits; milk, eggs Industries: food processing, beverages, textiles, chemicals, iron, steel, cement, energy, pharmaceuticals Industrial production growth rate: 3.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 Labor force: 960,700 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 145 Labor force - by occupation: agriculture:18.8% industry:27.5% services:53.7% (31 September 2013) Unemployment rate: 28.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 31% (2012 est.) Population below poverty line: 30.4% (2011) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%:2.2% highest 10%:34.5% (2009 est.) Distribution of family income - Gini index: 39.2 (2011) country comparison to the world: 65 43.2 (2009) Budget: revenues:$3.023 billion expenditures:$3.438 billion (2013 est.)		Taxes and other revenues: 30.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.1% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 Public debt: 34.3% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 108 34.1% of GDP (2012 est.) note:official data from Ministry of Finance; data cover central government debt; this data excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; includes treasury debt held by foreign entitites; excludes debt issued by sub-national entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; there are no debt instruments sold for social funds Fiscal year: calendar year Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 3.3% (2012 est.) Central bank discount rate: 3.25% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 3.75% (31 December 2012 est.) note:series discontinued in January 2010; the discount rate has been replaced by a referent rate for calculating the penalty rate Commercial bank prime lending rate: 6.4% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 124 6.8% (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of narrow money: $1.57 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 134 $1.414 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of broad money: $6.286 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 122 $5.708 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of domestic credit: $5.211 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 $4.681 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares: $2.214 billion (31 December 2013) Current account balance: -$194.1 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 -$385.2 million (2012 est.) Exports: $4.267 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 118 $4.002 billion (2012 est.) Exports - commodities: food, beverages, tobacco; textiles, miscellaneous manufactures, iron, steel; automotive parts Exports - partners: Germany 36.9%, Bulgaria 7.6%, Italy 6.5%, Kosovo 6.5%, Serbia 6.3%, Greece 5% (2012 est.) Imports: $6.6 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 $6.511 billion (2012 est.) Imports - commodities: machinery and equipment, automobiles, chemicals, fuels, food products Imports - partners: Great Britain 11%, Greece 10.6%, Germany 10.5%, Serbia 7.9%, Italy 6.5%, China 5.8%, Bulgaria 5.5%, Turkey 4.8% (2012 est.) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.747 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $2.891 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Debt - external: $7.451 billion (30 September 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $6.818 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: $4.695 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 $4.361 billion (31 December 2012 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad: $NA $564 million (31 December 2009 est.) Exchange rates: Macedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 46.398 (2013 est.) 47.885 (2012 est.) 46.485 (2010 est.) 44.1 (2009) 41.414 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production: 5.676 billion kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 Electricity - consumption: 6.989 billion kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 99 Electricity - exports: 62.36 million kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 Electricity - imports: 2.491 billion kWh (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 Electricity - installed generating capacity: 1.953 million kW (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 106 Electricity - from fossil fuels: 66.4% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 116 Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 33.2% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 69 Electricity - from other renewable sources: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 195 Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2013) country comparison to the world: 152 Crude oil - imports: 51,510 bbl/day (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 55		Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2013 est. est.) country comparison to the world: 163 Refined petroleum products - production: 17,030 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 Refined petroleum products - consumption: 17,490 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 Refined petroleum products - exports: 6,750 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 88 Refined petroleum products - imports: 21,530 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 103 Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2013) country comparison to the world: 165 Natural gas - consumption: 158.6 million cu m (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 102 Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2013) country comparison to the world: 146 Natural gas - imports: 158.6 million cu m (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 71 Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: 6.947 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use: 407,900 (2012) country comparison to the world: 103 Telephones - mobile cellular: 2.235 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 142 Telephone system: general assessment:competition from the mobile-cellular segment of the telecommunications market has led to a drop in fixed-line telephone subscriptions domestic:combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 130 per 100 persons international:country code - 389 (2012)		Broadcast media: public TV broadcaster operates 3 national channels and a satellite network; 5 privately owned TV channels broadcast nationally using terrestrial transmitters and about 15 broadcast on national level via satellite; roughly 75 local commercial TV stations; large number of cable operators offering domestic and international programming; public radio broadcaster operates over multiple stations; 3 privately owned radio stations broadcast nationally; about 70 local commercial radio stations (2012) Internet country code: .mk Internet hosts: 62,826 (2012) country comparison to the world: 92 Internet users: 1.057 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 97

Transportation

Airports 10 (2013) country comparison to the world: 155 Airports - with paved runways total:8 2,438 to 3,047 m:2 under 914 m:6 (2013) Airports - with unpaved runways total:2 914 to 1,523 m:1 under 914 m: 1 (2013)		Pipelines gas 268 km; oil 120 km (2013) Railways total:699 kmcountry comparison to the world: 100 standard gauge:699 km 1.435-m gauge (234 km electrified) (2012) Roadways total:14,038 km (includes 259 km of expressways)country comparison to the world: 124 paved:9,489 km unpaved:4,549 km (2012)

Military

Military branches Army of the Republic of Macedonia (ARM; includes General Staff and subordinate Joint Operational Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Special Operations Regiment) (2012) Military service age and obligation 18 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2008 (2013) Manpower available for military service males age 16-49:532,196 females age 16-49:511,964 (2010 est.) Manpower fit for military service males age 16-49:443,843 females age 16-49:426,251 (2010 est.)		Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually male:16,144 female:14,920 (2010 est.) Military expenditures 1.38% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 74 1.27% of GDP (2011) 1.38% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:905 (2012)

Illicit drugs
major transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement

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