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North Macedonia

North Macedonia

Portugal

Portugal

Multidimensional Comparison

Normalized 0-100 Scale

How is this calculated?

  • Economy (GDP): World Bank Data. Based on GDP per capita (PPP) which adjusts for the local cost of living. Normalized against a baseline of $80,000 (100 pts).
  • Safety (Low Crime): World Bank Data. Inverted homicide rates. 0 homicides = 100 pts. 25+ homicides = 0 pts.
  • Happiness Index: WHR Score (0-10) multiplied by 10.
  • Healthcare, Digital & Business: These use their native 0-100 indexes directly (UHC Index, Internet %, Heritage Freedom).

Economy & Labor

Insights based on World Bank & Heritage Data

North Macedonia

The economy of North Macedonia faces several challenges but also opportunities for growth. With an inflation rate of 3.49%, the country maintains a relatively stable monetary environment. However, an unemployment rate of 12.26% and a GDP per capita not available (N/A) suggest ongoing economic struggles. The overall Economic Freedom Score of 63.30 indicates moderate economic freedom, with strengths in business and trade freedoms but challenges in areas like government integrity and tax burden.

Portugal

The Portuguese economy exhibits a moderate level of financial freedom with an Overall Economic Freedom Score of 71.2000, reflecting its commitment to business and investment freedoms. Despite having a relatively low Financial Freedom score of 60.0000, the country benefits from strong property rights (88.9000) and judicial effectiveness (90.1000), which are crucial for maintaining trust in the financial system. The current inflation rate stands at 2.4200%, while unemployment hovers around 6.1600%. These factors, coupled with a fiscal health score of 82.0000 and government spending at 44.6000, suggest a stable economic environment conducive to business growth and individual financial stability.

North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia
Metric
PortugalPortugal
$26,995.4GDP per Capita (PPP)$51,679.9
12.3%Unemployment Rate6.2%
3.5%Inflation Rate2.4%
33.5GINI Inequality33.9
8.6%Education Spending (GDP)10.4%

Quality of Life & Health

Insights based on WHO & World Bank Data

North Macedonia

North Macedonia boasts a life expectancy of 73.0 years, reflecting its overall healthcare quality and societal well-being. With an impressive ratio of 29.4 medical doctors per 10,000 people, the country ensures relatively accessible healthcare services. However, concerning lifestyle factors, 26.8% of adults are obese, highlighting a challenge in maintaining healthy living standards.

Portugal

Portugal boasts a high life expectancy of 81.2 years, reflecting its robust healthcare system that supports approximately 60.2 medical doctors per 10,000 people. While the country's adult obesity rate stands at 18.1%, it still offers a balanced lifestyle with rich cultural experiences and scenic beauty, enhancing overall quality of life.

North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia
Metric
PortugalPortugal
5.7Happiness Index6
73Life Expectancy81.2
69UHC Health Index83
26.1Air Quality (PM2.5)8.5
1.5Homicides (per 100k)0.7

Demographics

Insights based on World Bank Data

North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, the society is predominantly female, with a slightly higher percentage of females at 51.35%. The country has achieved a high level of internet penetration, with 93.1% of its population connected online. This digital connectivity supports an average English proficiency score of 595 on the EF scale, reflecting a generally well-equipped workforce for global communication. Despite these modern indicators, North Macedonia faces social and economic challenges such as income inequality, as indicated by a GINI index of 33.5, and demographic shifts like increasing urbanization (62.56%) and an aging population (18.02% over 65 years old), alongside a net migration loss. The commitment to education is also notable, with 8.64% of GDP allocated towards educational spending.

Portugal

In Portugal, the demographics reflect a balanced gender composition with females slightly outnumbering males at 52.37%. The country exhibits notable urbanization, with 61.33% of its population residing in cities, alongside an aging society where 24.53% are over 65 years old. Modernization is evident through high internet penetration rates (88.49%) and a relatively equitable distribution of wealth as indicated by a GINI index of 33.90. Education is a priority, with government spending accounting for 10.37% of GDP, fostering an environment where 32.61% of parliamentarians are women and English proficiency scores at 612 suggest a focus on global communication.

North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia
Metric
PortugalPortugal
1,824,359Total Population10,694,681
62.6%Urban Population61.3%
18%Population 65+24.5%
-5,645Net Migration (5y)16,472
93.1%Internet Users88.5%
595English (EF EPI)612

Economic Freedom

North MacedoniaNorth Macedonia
Metric
PortugalPortugal
63.3Overall Economic Freedom71.2
56.2Property Rights88.9
49.5Judicial Effectiveness90.1
43.2Government Integrity63.4
94.9Tax Burden Score60.6
61.7Government Spending44.6
57.7Fiscal Health82
72.2Business Freedom83.1
51.4Labor Freedom54.8
69.6Monetary Freedom77.7
77.8Trade Freedom79.4
65Investment Freedom70
60Financial Freedom60

Digital Freedom & Remote Work

North Macedonia

North Macedonia shows minimal evidence of internet censorship, with no anomalies detected for WhatsApp, Telegram, Tor, or VPNs in recent OONI data, indicating unrestricted access to these platforms. The general censorship anomaly rate is low (1.76%), and communication tools critical for remote work remain reliable, though occasional network fluctuations may occur. VPNs appear freely available and functional, as OONI tests found no interference, suggesting no government-imposed restrictions on their use.

Portugal

Portugal exhibits minimal internet censorship, with low anomaly rates for WhatsApp (0.33%) and Telegram (0.20%), ensuring reliable communication tools critical for remote work. VPN availability appears unrestricted, as the OONI-reported 0.00% anomaly rate suggests no significant interference, though Tor faces moderate anomalies (3.13%) that may hint at limited network issues. Overall, digital freedom remains robust, with no legal barriers to VPN use or widespread censorship affecting essential platforms like Slack or GitHub.

Month-by-Month Climate Profile

North Macedonia

North Macedonia boasts a captivating continental climate, characterized by warm summers and chilly winters, with the hottest period of the year unfolding in July and August, when average maximum temperatures soar to 32 degrees Celsius, while the rainiest months occur from March to May and November, with an average of 9 to 10 rainy days. The country's climate is also marked by a dry summer season, with June, July, and August being the driest months, receiving only 4 to 6 rainy days, making spring, from April to June, and autumn, from September to October, the most comfortable seasons to relocate or visit, with mild temperatures and fewer rainy days. For expats and digital nomads seeking to immerse themselves in North Macedonia's stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, the best time to visit or relocate is during the spring and autumn seasons, when the weather is pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 18 to 26 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for outdoor exploration and cultural discovery.

Portugal

Portugal boasts a mild Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and gentle winters, with the hottest period occurring in July and August when temperatures soar to a scorching 27.75°C and 28.51°C respectively, while the rainiest months are November and March with 11 and 10 rainy days. The winter months, from December to February, are generally mild but wet, with an average of 8 to 9 rainy days, making spring and autumn the ideal seasons to relocate or visit, when the weather is pleasantly warm and sunny, with minimal rainfall. For expats and digital nomads seeking a comfortable climate, the best time to visit or relocate to Portugal is during the spring, from April to June, or autumn, from September to October, when the temperatures range from 17°C to 24°C, providing perfect weather for outdoor exploration and a relaxed lifestyle.

Average High Temperature (°C)

MonthNorth MacedoniaPortugal
Jan5° / -2°9 rain days15° / 9°8 rain days
Feb10° / 1°7 rain days16° / 9°8 rain days
Mar14° / 4°9 rain days17° / 10°10 rain days
Apr19° / 7°8 rain days20° / 12°9 rain days
May23° / 12°10 rain days23° / 14°4 rain days
Jun29° / 17°6 rain days25° / 16°4 rain days
Jul32° / 20°4 rain days28° / 18°1 rain days
Aug32° / 19°4 rain days29° / 18°1 rain days
Sep27° / 15°6 rain days26° / 17°4 rain days
Oct20° / 10°6 rain days23° / 16°9 rain days
Nov13° / 5°9 rain days18° / 12°11 rain days
Dec7° / 0°8 rain days15° / 10°9 rain days

Top Expat Origins

North Macedonia

AlbaniaAlbania
40,073
TurkeyTurkey
11,271
SerbiaSerbia
10,523
MontenegroMontenegro
5,415
Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina
5,111

Portugal

AngolaAngola
97,065
BrazilBrazil
88,899
FranceFrance
56,263
MozambiqueMozambique
43,136

Still deciding?

Neither North Macedonia nor Portugal feeling like the perfect match? See how North Macedonia stacks up against a global hotspot like Spain.