Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Macedonia instead of Papua New Guinea, you would:

Health

live 7.4 years longer

In Papua New Guinea, the average life expectancy is 69 years (68 years for men, 71 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

make 5.6 times more money

Papua New Guinea has a GDP per capita of $4,200 as of 2023, while in Macedonia, the GDP per capita is $23,400 as of 2023.

be 41.1% less likely to live below the poverty line

In Papua New Guinea, 37.0% live below the poverty line as of 2002. In Macedonia, however, that number is 21.8% as of 2019.

pay a 76.2% lower top tax rate

Papua New Guinea has a top tax rate of 42.0% as of 2016. In Macedonia, the top tax rate is 10.0% as of 2016.

be 4.9 times more likely to be unemployed

In Papua New Guinea, 2.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Macedonia, that number is 13.1% as of 2023.

Life

be 98.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Papua New Guinea, approximately 192.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Macedonia, 3.0 women do as of 2020.

be 53.3% more likely to be literate

In Papua New Guinea, the literacy rate is 64.2% as of 2015. In Macedonia, it is 98.4% as of 2020.

be 78.2% less likely to die during infancy

In Papua New Guinea, approximately 33.6 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 63.7% fewer children

In Papua New Guinea, there are approximately 28.1 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 5.3 times more likely to have access to electricity

In Papua New Guinea, approximately 19% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Macedonia, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 2.6 times more likely to have internet access

In Papua New Guinea, approximately 32.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Macedonia, about 83.0% do as of 2021.

be 2.1 times more likely to have access to improved drinking water

In Papua New Guinea, approximately 48% of people have improved drinking water access (86% in urban areas, and 42% 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 3.2 times more on healthcare

Papua New Guinea spends 2.5% 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, Internal Revenue Commission, Papua New Guinea.

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 Papua New Guinea? See an in-depth size comparison.

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