Is the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia a poor country?

North Macedonia is considered an upper-middle-income country by the World Bank. While it has experienced economic progress in recent years, it still faces various challenges related to economic development and poverty. Here are some relevant aspects:

GNI Per Capita: According to the World Bank, North Macedonia's Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in 2021 was $6,970. This puts it above the lower-middle-income country threshold of $4,046 but below the high-income country threshold of $12,695.

Economic Growth: In recent years, North Macedonia has achieved positive economic growth. In 2021, its GDP growth rate was estimated at 4.8% after a contraction of 4.5% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Poverty Rates: Although poverty rates have declined in North Macedonia, a significant portion of the population still lives in poverty. According to the World Bank, 21.1% of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2019, down from 25.3% in 2010.

Unemployment: Unemployment remains a challenge, with a rate of 16.8% in 2021. This affects youth disproportionately, as the youth unemployment rate stands at 35.3%.

Income Inequality: North Macedonia faces a substantial income inequality gap. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, was estimated at 42.1 in 2019, indicating a high degree of income disparity.

Despite progress and ongoing efforts, several economic and social challenges continue to affect North Macedonia, including issues related to poverty, income inequality, and unemployment.