🇲🇰North Macedonia Political Stability: 39.1/100

North Macedonia is a landlocked country located in the central Balkan peninsula, bordered by Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania. The terrain is predominantly rugged, characterized by the Vardar river valley and surrounded by mountain ranges, including the Šar and Osogovo mountains. The country features three significant lakes: Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran, which are popular for tourism and are among the oldest lakes in the world.

North Macedonia has a population of approximately 2.1 million people. The official language is Macedonian, and the country has a diverse cultural heritage influenced by its history and neighboring countries.

World Bank governance: rule of law 37th percentile, corruption control 28th percentile, political stability 40th percentile.

North Macedonia's strongest governance dimension is Regulatory Quality at 52/100, placing it in the upper half globally. This suggests the government can formulate and implement sound regulations that support private sector development.

The weakest dimension is Control of Corruption at 28/100. Corruption remains a significant governance challenge, potentially affecting everyday interactions with government institutions.

A moderate spread of 24 points separates the strongest and weakest indicators. This suggests governance strengths in some areas but room for improvement in others. Travelers can generally rely on institutional frameworks, though certain aspects of governance may be less dependable.

Weak governance indicators for North Macedonia mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates North Macedonia as Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.