Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala) derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026
North Macedonia: Environment & Sustainability
How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?
North Macedonia is placed 154th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 3.631 (2024); Water Stress 65.88 (2023).
Share
Environment & Sustainability
154th
of 186 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place North Macedonia on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
3.631
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)
Lower is better
North Macedonia: 3.631. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.
- World median
- 3.21
- Best in Southern Europe
- 1.592 Albania
- Land neighbours
- Albania 1.592 · Bulgaria 4.679 · Greece 5.311 · Serbia 6.238 · Kosovo 4.778
Key 2 of 4
Water Stress
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0
65.88
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)
Lower is better
North Macedonia: 65.88. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.
- World median
- 10
- Best in Southern Europe
- 1.61 Croatia
- Land neighbours
- Albania 4.8 · Bulgaria 38.84 · Greece 17.74 · Serbia 5.81
Key 3 of 4
Organic Agricultural Area
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
0.33
Organic share of agricultural land (%)
Higher is better
North Macedonia: 0.33. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.
- World median
- 0.725
- Best in Southern Europe
- 22.74 Greece
- Land neighbours
- Albania 0.08 · Bulgaria 3.95 · Greece 22.74 · Serbia 0.83
3.39
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Lower is better
North Macedonia: 3.39. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.
- World median
- 2.296
- Best in Southern Europe
- 2.402 Albania
- Land neighbours
- Albania 2.402 · Greece 3.558 · Serbia 4.248
02Over time
Which way North Macedonia is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
CO₂ Emissions per Capita
Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) · lower is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia fell from 4.116 in 2000 to 3.631 in 2024; the world median went from 2.662 to 3.21.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2024 3.631 3.210 2023 4.006 3.145 2022 3.995 3.162 2021 3.521 3.087 2020 3.729 2.903 2019 4.018 3.273 2018 3.466 3.036 2017 3.653 3.049 2016 3.368 2.894 2015 3.393 2.846 2014 3.587 2.919 2013 3.702 2.779 2012 4.171 2.770 2011 4.324 2.748 2010 3.988 2.812 2009 4.002 2.799 2008 4.315 2.979 2007 4.329 2.593 2006 4.141 2.865 2005 4.113 2.885 2004 3.944 2.802 2003 4.100 2.918 2002 3.778 2.785 2001 4.013 2.726 2000 4.116 2.662 Water Stress
Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) · lower is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia rose from 16.75 in 2000 to 65.88 in 2023; the world median went from 10.07 to 10.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2023 65.88 10.000 2022 52.55 10.190 2021 37.93 10.460 2020 34.85 10.460 2019 38.70 10.890 2018 52.12 10.460 2017 38.69 10.460 2016 25.26 10.460 2015 20.83 10.190 2014 16.40 10.460 2013 11.97 10.460 2012 15.31 10.460 2011 18.66 10.460 2010 22.00 10.710 2009 25.34 10.960 2008 19.34 10.815 2007 13.34 11.180 2006 20.67 10.430 2005 28.00 10.250 2004 23.77 10.715 2003 19.55 10.370 2002 15.32 10.180 2001 16.04 10.130 2000 16.75 10.070 Organic Agricultural Area
Organic share of agricultural land (%) · higher is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia rose from 0.02 in 2005 to 0.33 in 2024; the world median went from 0.345 to 0.725.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2024 0.33 0.725 2023 0.35 0.780 2022 0.37 0.740 2021 0.31 0.710 2020 0.29 0.665 2019 0.29 0.550 2018 0.31 0.490 2017 0.21 0.630 2016 0.22 0.545 2015 0.17 0.540 2014 0.18 0.470 2013 0.25 0.440 2012 0.37 0.480 2011 0.59 0.460 2010 0.46 0.330 2009 0.15 0.335 2008 0.32 0.290 2007 0.12 0.370 2006 0.04 0.305 2005 0.02 0.345 Ecological Footprint
Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person) · lower is better
North MacedoniaWorld median
North Macedonia rose from 3.02 in 2000 to 3.39 in 2025; the world median went from 1.95 to 2.296.
Every year’s figures
Year North Macedonia World median 2025 3.390 2.2963 2024 3.159 2.3139 2023 3.211 2.3174 2022 3.438 2.2724 2021 3.507 2.3370 2020 3.337 2.3057 2019 3.543 2.2578 2018 3.454 2.2485 2017 3.346 2.2209 2016 3.409 2.2308 2015 3.423 2.3000 2014 3.435 2.3814 2013 3.378 2.3363 2012 3.552 2.4200 2011 3.505 2.4794 2010 3.220 2.3679 2009 3.312 2.2224 2008 3.460 2.1727 2007 3.480 2.2036 2006 3.289 2.1203 2005 3.258 2.1512 2004 3.200 2.1055 2003 2.980 2.0449 2002 2.899 2.1195 2001 2.842 2.2004 2000 3.020 1.9499
03In context
North Macedonia beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.
North Macedonia and the countries it borders
Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | CO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person) | Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%) | Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%) | Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Albania | 99th | 1.592 | 4.8 | 0.08 | 2.402 |
 Greece | 100th | 5.311 | 17.74 | 22.74 | 3.558 |
 Bulgaria | =126th | 4.679 | 38.84 | 3.95 | — |
 Serbia | 142nd | 6.238 | 5.81 | 0.83 | 4.248 |
| North Macedonia | 154th | 3.631 | 65.88 | 0.33 | 3.39 |
 Kosovo | not placed | 4.778 | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.
Placed either side on environment & sustainability
The countries immediately above and below North Macedonia in the topic’s list.
Poland151st
Malta152nd
Belarus153rd- North Macedonia154th
Belgium155th
Türkiye156th
China157th
04Context, no vote
Where North Macedonia is ahead of the world, and behind
44 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median14
Statistics on which North Macedonia does better than the middle country measured.
Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.144.293.14▲ Improved since 2015
North Macedonia: 4.29 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.
Position 8th of 186 · derived.
World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.171.014.17▲ Improved since 2015
North Macedonia: 1.01 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.
Position 181st of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.
Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.7540.678▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 0.754 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.
Position 27th of 156 · derived.
Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00.310▲ Improved since 2015
North Macedonia: 0.31 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.
Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 53.45No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 3.4 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.
Ranked 127th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27916.85.279▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 16.8 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5650.941.565▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 0.94 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.
Position 143rd of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.
Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.38914.358.389▲ Improved since 2011
North Macedonia: 14.35 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.
Position 34th of 118 · derived.
ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4452.4447.44▼ Worsened since 2014
North Macedonia: 52.44 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.
Ranked 65th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.410.45▼ Worsened since 2014
North Macedonia: 0.41 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.
Ranked 66th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.
Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0639.4632.06▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 39.46 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 72nd of 162 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.6462.738▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 2.646 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5282,9482,528▲ Improved since 2012
North Macedonia: 2,948 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.
Position 85th of 181 · derived.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3239.4637.32▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 39.46 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 80th of 162 · derived.
Behind the world median7
Statistics on which North Macedonia does worse than the middle country measured.
PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.451614.45▲ Improved since 2013
North Macedonia: 16 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.
Position 97th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.
Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75511.73433.75▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 511.73 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.
Position 71st of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.859.963.8No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 59.9 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 61st of 99 by World Energy Council.
Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9661.3110.966No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 1.311 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.
Position 58th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.
Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6633.011.663No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 3.01 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.13.2816.1▼ Worsened since 2013
North Macedonia: 3.28 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 037.40▲ Improved since 2014
North Macedonia: 37.4 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end23
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4742.2161.474Moved since 2015
North Macedonia: 2.216 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04914.113.049Moved since 2014
North Macedonia: 14.11 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.2280.109Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 0.228 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.
Position 50th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9649.637.96No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 49.6 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.
Position 61st of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.8330.144Moved since 2014
North Macedonia: 0.833 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.666.6753.66No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 6.675 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.
Position 44th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0839.7131.08No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 39.71 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.
Position 77th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 525824525No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 824 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,82420,02813,824Moved since 2015
North Macedonia: 20,028 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 10073100No earlier reading
North Macedonia: 73 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.8351.4857.83No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 51.48 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.
Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7752,2643,775No real change since 2015
North Macedonia: 2,264 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.
Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6328.337.63Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 28.3 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.
Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3654.2787.36Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 54.27 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.
Position 114th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278153,454689,278No real change since 2013
North Macedonia: 153,454 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.
Position 128th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.6942.85325.69No real change since 2015
North Macedonia: 42.85 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.1371.708Moved since 2011
North Macedonia: 0.137 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 146th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,6351,0398,635Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 1,039 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.
Position 149th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,3752,47552,375Moved since 2014
North Macedonia: 2,475 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.
Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.180.535Moved since 2013
North Macedonia: 0.18 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.
Position 161st of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.730.221.73No real change since 2014
North Macedonia: 0.22 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.
Position 156th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.95402.954No real change since 1990
North Macedonia: 0 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.
Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.07501.075No real change since 2014
North Macedonia: 0 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.
No current reading for North Macedonia
Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Forest Area within Legally Established Protected Areas, Mangrove Area, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Water Withdrawal by Sector (last 2017). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Environment & Sustainability among North Macedonia’s 16 topics
Environment & Sustainability is North Macedonia’s 16th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 30th of 2004/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture29th of 1844/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience32nd of 1934/4 keys
- Peace & Security41st of 1773/4 keys
- Development & Human Capitaljoint 55th of 1963/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation52nd of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions70th of 1944/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality69th of 1593/3 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties89th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality85th of 1834/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade83rd of 1772/4 keys
- Digital & Technology95th of 1984/4 keys
- Energyjoint 87th of 1653/3 keys
- Education & Knowledge122nd of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour143rd of 1824/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability154th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on environment & sustainability
The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders North Macedonia can most readily be measured against.
1
AngolaMiddle Africa
1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale
- 2
São Tomé and PríncipeMiddle Africa
2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys
3
Sierra LeoneWestern Africa
3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Liechtenstein27th2/4 keysHighest in Southern Europe
Croatia82nd4/4 keysThis page
North Macedonia154th4/4 keys
Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
North Macedonia on environment & sustainability: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does North Macedonia rank on environment & sustainability?
North Macedonia is placed 154th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for North Macedonia?
3.631 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.
What is the latest Water Stress figure for North Macedonia?
65.88 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.
How does North Macedonia compare with Greece on environment & sustainability?
Greece is placed 100th of 186, and North Macedonia 154th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Greece 5.311, North Macedonia 3.631; Water Stress: Greece 17.74, North Macedonia 65.88; Organic Agricultural Area: Greece 22.74, North Macedonia 0.33; Ecological Footprint: Greece 3.558, North Macedonia 3.39.
How have North Macedonia’s environment & sustainability figures changed?
CO₂ Emissions per Capita fell from 4.116 in 2000 to 3.631 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 16.75 in 2000 to 65.88 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.02 in 2005 to 0.33 in 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 3.02 in 2000 to 3.39 in 2025.
Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for North Macedonia?
No current reading is published for North Macedonia on Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Forest Area within Legally Established Protected Areas, Mangrove Area, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation and Water Withdrawal by Sector. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.
How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- CO₂ Emissions per Capita — Global Carbon Project, CC BY 4.0
- Water Stress — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Organic Agricultural Area — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), CC BY 4.0
- Ecological Footprint — Global Footprint Network, CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 44 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
North Macedonia’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- North Macedonia (banner) — Pudelek (Marcin Szala) derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Angola — Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk, CC0
- Sierra Leone — Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). North Macedonia: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/north-macedonia/environment