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

Health

live 3.4 years longer

In Bhutan, the average life expectancy is 73 years (72 years for men, 75 years for women) as of 2024. In Macedonia, that number is 77 years (74 years for men, 79 years for women) as of 2024.

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see 2.7 times more spent on your healthcare

Bhutan spends $677 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Macedonia spends $1,808 as of 2023.

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have 5.3 times more doctors per person

Bhutan has 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Macedonia has 29.4 as of 2022.

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have 23.3% more access to essential health services

Bhutan scores 60 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Macedonia scores 74 as of 2021.

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be 2.1 times more likely to be obese

In Bhutan, 13.1% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Macedonia, that number is 26.8% of people as of 2024.

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be 18.0% more likely to die by suicide

Bhutan has a suicide rate of 4.9 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Macedonia, it is 5.8 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Economy

make 2.3 times more money

Bhutan has a GDP per capita of $4,493 as of 2025, while in Macedonia, the GDP per capita is $10,490 as of 2025.

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be 3.8 times more likely to be unemployed

In Bhutan, 3.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Macedonia, that number is 12.3% as of 2025.

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be 76.6% more likely to live below the poverty line

In Bhutan, 12.4% live below the poverty line as of 2022. In Macedonia, however, that number is 21.9% as of 2023.

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Life

be 93.6% less likely to die during childbirth

In Bhutan, approximately 47.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Macedonia, 3.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 51.6% more likely to be literate

In Bhutan, the literacy rate is 64.9% as of 2022. In Macedonia, it is 98.4% as of 2020.

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be 81.8% less likely to die during infancy

In Bhutan, approximately 13.7 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Macedonia, on the other hand, 2.5 children do as of 2024.

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have 29.8% fewer children

In Bhutan, there are approximately 12.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Macedonia, there are 8.8 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 68.1% more on healthcare

Bhutan spends 4.4% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Macedonia, that number is 7.4% of GDP as of 2023.

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Safety

be 38.1% less likely to be murdered

Bhutan has a homicide rate of 2.5 per 100,000 people as of 2020. In Macedonia, that number is 1.5 per 100,000 as of 2023.

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be 53.3% less likely to die in a road accident

In Bhutan, road accidents kill 12.2 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Macedonia, they kill 5.7 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

find 10.2 times more home broadband

Bhutan has 2.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Macedonia has 29.9 as of 2024.

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live with 37.3 times more strain on fresh water

Bhutan withdraws 1% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Macedonia withdraws 53% as of 2022.

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Environment

emit 99.0% more CO2

Bhutan emits 2.0 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Macedonia emits 4.0 tonnes as of 2024.

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Sources: World Bank (2020–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2021), World Health Organization (2024), The World Factbook (2020). How we calculate this

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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