Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Macedonia instead of South Africa, you would:

Health

be 99.5% less likely to be living with HIV/AIDS

In South Africa, 19.1% of people are living with AIDS/HIV as of 2020. In Macedonia, that number is 0.1% of people as of 2018.

live 11.5 years longer

In South Africa, the average life expectancy is 65 years (64 years for men, 67 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 20.8% less likely to be obese

In South Africa, 28.3% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Macedonia, that number is 22.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

make 63.6% more money

South Africa has a GDP per capita of $14,300 as of 2023, while in Macedonia, the GDP per capita is $23,400 as of 2023.

be 53.3% less likely to be unemployed

In South Africa, 28.0% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Macedonia, that number is 13.1% as of 2023.

pay a 77.8% lower top tax rate

South Africa has a top tax rate of 45.0% as of 2017. In Macedonia, the top tax rate is 10.0% as of 2016.

be 31.3% more likely to live below the poverty line

In South Africa, 16.6% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Macedonia, however, that number is 21.8% as of 2019.

Life

be 97.6% less likely to die during childbirth

In South Africa, approximately 127.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Macedonia, 3.0 women do as of 2020.

be 71.7% less likely to die during infancy

In South Africa, approximately 25.9 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 42.4% fewer children

In South Africa, there are approximately 17.7 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 15.6% more likely to have access to electricity

In South Africa, approximately 86% of the population has electricity access as of 2022. In Macedonia, 100% of the population do as of 2022.

be 15.3% more likely to have internet access

In South Africa, approximately 72.0% of the population has internet access as of 2021. In Macedonia, about 83.0% do as of 2021.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Public Revenue Office, South African Revenue Service.

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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