The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and The Republic of Yemen Cosponsored by The United Nations Development Programme and The Government of Japan In Partnership with the Governments of: The Netherlands The United Kingdom The United States And the: Canadian International Development Agency Friedrich Ebert Stiftung International Labour Organization Irish Aid National Endowment for Democracy United States Agency for International Development Westminster Foundation for Democracy World Bank		Macedonia Country Summary english - french - spanish Macedonia has a semi-presidential system of government with a seperately elected President and parliament. In September 1991, the Republic of Macedonia peacefully seceded from Yugoslavia after voters passed a referendum on independence. The session had been precipitated by the introduction of a multiparty system in the formerly communist Republic in 1989 and legislative elections in 1990. Despite, a history of ethnic strife, difficult relations with neighboring countries, and a problematic economic transition, Macedonia has persevered in laying the foundation for a democratic, multi-ethnic society. Economic and Social Indicators Population: GNP: Per Capita GNP: Growth Rate: Illiteracy Rate: Life Expectancy: 2 million $2.2 billion $1090 figures unavailable figures unavailable 70-males 74-females The World Bank. World Development Report. Oxford Union Press,1999 Military conflict in Bosnia and now in Kosovo has placed Macedonia under enormous economic and social duress. The Kosovo war is estimated to have caused more than one billion dollars in direct and indirect losses to Macedonia. In addition, the influx of 280,000 Kosovar refugees has disrupted the delicate domestic balance between ethnic Albanians and ethnic Macedonian citizens. Nonetheless, the political parties in parliament, which includes both ethnic Macedonian and ethnic Albanian parties, have worked together remarkably well. Ethnic tensions and nationalist sentiment which caused past civil strife have not precipitated public unrest. In the mid-1990s economic adjustment measures were successful in achieving a stable currency and a decline in inflation and the budget deficit; however high unemployment has been a consistent problem. Regional turmoil has contributed to a current unemployment rate of approximately 40% as well as to a dramatic decrease in foreign investment. Macedonia's government has secured foreign aid from the international community to offset economic damage caused by the war. [ Introduction ] [ Declaration ] [ Conference Transcripts ] [ Discussion Board ] [ Forum Home ] [ NDI Home ]