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

Health

be 58.1% less likely to die by suicide

Cuba has a suicide rate of 13.8 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Macedonia, it is 5.8 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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live 1.6 years less

In Cuba, the average life expectancy is 78 years (76 years for men, 81 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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be 16.8% more likely to be obese

In Cuba, 23.0% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Macedonia, that number is 26.8% of people as of 2024.

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see 29.8% less spent on your healthcare

Cuba spends $2,575 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Macedonia spends $1,808 as of 2023.

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have 69.1% fewer doctors per person

Cuba has 95.4 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2021. Macedonia has 29.4 as of 2022.

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have 10.8% less access to essential health services

Cuba scores 83 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Macedonia scores 74 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 7.0 times more likely to be unemployed

In Cuba, 1.8% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Macedonia, that number is 12.3% as of 2025.

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Life

be 91.4% less likely to die during childbirth

In Cuba, approximately 35.0 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 63.2% less likely to die during infancy

In Cuba, approximately 6.8 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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Basic Needs

be 32.1% more likely to have internet access

In Cuba, approximately 70.5% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Macedonia, about 93.1% do as of 2025.

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Expenditures

spend 20.8% less on healthcare

Cuba spends 9.4% 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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Infrastructure

find 9.7 times more home broadband

Cuba has 3.1 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Macedonia has 29.9 as of 2024.

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use 2.3 times more electricity

Cuba uses 1,462 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2023. Macedonia uses 3,320 kWh as of 2023.

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live with 2.2 times more strain on fresh water

Cuba withdraws 24% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Macedonia withdraws 53% as of 2022.

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Environment

be 100.0% more likely to die from air pollution

In Cuba, air pollution causes 31.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Macedonia, it causes 62.0 as of 2019.

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emit 2.1 times more CO2

Cuba emits 1.9 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 (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024). 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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