Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Macedonia instead of Iceland, you would:

Health

live 6.8 years less

In Iceland, the average life expectancy is 84 years (81 years for men, 86 years for women) as of 2022. In Macedonia, that number is 77 years (75 years for men, 79 years for women) as of 2022.

Economy

pay a 78.4% lower top tax rate

Iceland has a top tax rate of 46.3% as of 2016. In Macedonia, the top tax rate is 10.0% as of 2016.

make 64.8% less money

Iceland has a GDP per capita of $66,500 as of 2023, while in Macedonia, the GDP per capita is $23,400 as of 2023.

be 3.7 times more likely to be unemployed

In Iceland, 3.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Macedonia, that number is 13.1% as of 2023.

be 2.5 times more likely to live below the poverty line

In Iceland, 8.8% live below the poverty line as of 2017. In Macedonia, however, that number is 21.8% as of 2019.

Life

be 4.4 times more likely to die during infancy

In Iceland, approximately 1.6 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2022. In Macedonia, on the other hand, 7.3 children do as of 2022.

have 19.0% fewer children

In Iceland, there are approximately 12.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Macedonia, there are 10.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

Basic Needs

be 17.0% less likely to have internet access

In Iceland, approximately 100.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Macedonia, about 83.0% do as of 2021.

Expenditures

spend 17.7% less on healthcare

Iceland spends 9.6% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2020. In Macedonia, that number is 7.9% of GDP as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Public Revenue Office, Directorate of Internal Revenue.

Macedonia: At a glance

Macedonia is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 25,433 sq km. 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 US and over 130 other nations have recognized Macedonia by its constitutional name, Republic of Macedonia. Ethnic Albanian grievances over perceived political and economic inequities escalated into an insurgency in 2001 that eventually led to the internationally brokered Ohrid Framework Agreement, which ended the fighting and established guidelines for constitutional amendments and the creation of new laws that enhanced the rights of minorities. Although Macedonia became an EU candidate in 2005, the country still faces challenges, including fully implementing the Framework Agreement, improving relations with Bulgaria, carrying out democratic reforms, and stimulating economic growth and development. Macedonia's membership in NATO was blocked by Greece at the Alliance's Summit of Bucharest in 2008.
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How big is Macedonia compared to Iceland? See an in-depth size comparison.

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