Quality of life comparison

compared to

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

Health

live 6.1 years less

In South Korea, the average life expectancy is 83 years (80 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.

be 4.8 times more likely to be obese

In South Korea, 4.7% of adults are obese as of 2016. In Macedonia, that number is 22.4% of people as of 2016.

Economy

pay a 73.7% lower top tax rate

South Korea has a top tax rate of 38.0% as of 2016. In Macedonia, the top tax rate is 10.0% as of 2016.

make 53.8% less money

South Korea has a GDP per capita of $50,600 as of 2023, while in Macedonia, the GDP per capita is $23,400 as of 2023.

be 5.0 times more likely to be unemployed

In South Korea, 2.6% of adults are unemployed as of 2023. In Macedonia, that number is 13.1% as of 2023.

be 51.4% more likely to live below the poverty line

In South Korea, 14.4% live below the poverty line as of 2016. In Macedonia, however, that number is 21.8% as of 2019.

Life

be 62.5% less likely to die during childbirth

In South Korea, approximately 8.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2020. In Macedonia, 3.0 women do as of 2020.

have 47.4% more children

In South Korea, there are approximately 6.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2022. In Macedonia, there are 10.2 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

be 2.6 times more likely to die during infancy

In South Korea, approximately 2.9 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.

Basic Needs

be 15.3% less likely to have internet access

In South Korea, approximately 98.0% 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, National Tax Service, South Korea, 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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