Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 8.7 years longer

In Laos, the average life expectancy is 68 years (66 years for men, 70 years for women) as of 2022. In Macedonia, that number is 77 years (75 years for men, 79 years for women) as of 2022.

be 4.2 times more likely to be obese

In Laos, 5.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Macedonia, that number is 22.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 2.8 times more money

Laos has a GDP per capita of $8,400 as of 2023, while in Macedonia, the GDP per capita is $23,400 as of 2023.

pay a 58.3% lower top tax rate

Laos has a top tax rate of 24.0% as of 2016. In Macedonia, the top tax rate is 10.0% as of 2016.

be 11.1 times more likely to be unemployed

In Laos, 1.2% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Macedonia, that number is 13.1% as of 2023.

be 19.1% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Laos, 18.3% live below the poverty line as of 2018. In Macedonia, however, that number is 21.8% as of 2019.

Life

be 97.6% less likely to die during childbirth

In Laos, approximately 126.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Macedonia, 3.0 women do as of 2020.

be 13.0% more likely to be literate

In Laos, the literacy rate is 87.1% as of 2021. In Macedonia, it is 98.4% as of 2020.

be 80.6% less likely to die during infancy

In Laos, approximately 37.8 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 48.5% fewer children

In Laos, there are approximately 19.8 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 33.9% more likely to have internet access

In Laos, approximately 62.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Macedonia, about 83.0% do as of 2021.

be 11.9% more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Laos, approximately 89% of people have improved drinking water access (97% in urban areas, and 84% in rural areas) as of 2020. In Macedonia, that number is 99% of people on average (100% in urban areas, and 99% in rural areas) as of 2020.

Expenditures

spend 2.9 times more on healthcare

Laos spends 2.7% 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, Ministry of Finance, Public Revenue Office.

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 Laos? See an in-depth size comparison.

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