North Macedonia, a landlocked Southeast European nation, comprises the northern third of the geographical region of Macedonia. Bordered by Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Serbia, it boasts a population of 1.83 million, primarily ethnic Macedonians. Albanians constitute a significant minority, followed by smaller groups like Turks, Roma, and Serbs. The capital, Skopje, is home to a quarter of the population.
1903: Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising
The Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization (IMARO) launches the Ilinden–Preobrazhenie Uprising against the Ottoman Empire. The uprising, though eventually quelled, is celebrated as a key event in the pursuit of Macedonian independence.
1905: IMARO Formation
The Secret Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization (SMARO) changes its name to the Internal Macedonian-Adrianople Revolutionary Organization (IMARO).
1912: Ottoman Rule Ends
Ottoman rule in Macedonia ends after five centuries with the end of the Vilayet system and the Balkan Wars.
1912: First Balkan War and Division of Ottoman Territories
The First Balkan War took place in 1912, resulting in the Ottoman Empire losing most of its European territories. The region that would become North Macedonia was largely annexed by Serbia, with the exception of the Strumica region, which went to Bulgaria.
1913: Second Balkan War and Anti-Bulgarian Sentiment
In 1913, the Second Balkan War erupted, further shaping the territorial landscape. Following the war, an anti-Bulgarian campaign took place in areas under Serbian and Greek control. Bulgarian schools and churches were closed, and language and cultural expression were suppressed, leading to the Ohrid-Debar uprising against Serbian rule.
1913: Balkan Wars Conclude
The second Balkan War ends, resulting in the territory of North Macedonia coming under Serbian rule.
1915: World War I and Bulgarian Control
During World War I in 1915, most of present-day North Macedonia fell under Bulgarian control as part of the "Military Inspection Area of Macedonia." Bulgarian authorities implemented a policy of Bulgarisation, aiming to assimilate the region and its people.
1918: IMRO's Push for Independence and Bulgaria's Offer
Following World War I in 1918, the Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (IMRO) advocated for an independent Macedonia. The Bulgarian government under Alexander Malinov offered Pirin Macedonia for this purpose, but it was rejected by the Great Powers due to opposition from Serbia and Greece.
1918: Establishment of the Macedonian Byzantine Catholic Church
The Macedonian Byzantine Catholic Church, primarily composed of converts to Catholicism and their descendants, was established in 1918.
1919: Return to Serbian Control and Continued Suppression
After World War I ended in 1919, the area returned to Serbian control as part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. Anti-Bulgarian measures were reinstated, including the expulsion of Bulgarian clergy and teachers, removal of Bulgarian language materials, and dissolution of Bulgarian organizations. The Strumica region was also annexed to Serbian Macedonia.
1923: Formation of Anti-IMRO Groups
In 1923, a paramilitary organization called the Association against Bulgarian Bandits was formed in Stip to counter IMRO's activities. This group consisted of Serbian Chetniks, former IMRO members, and individuals from the Macedonian Federative Organization (MFO).
1924: Comintern's Proposal for a "United Macedonia"
In 1924, the Communist International (Comintern) proposed a platform for a "United Macedonia," but this idea faced resistance from Bulgarian and Greek communists.
1929: Establishment of the Vardar Banovina
In 1929, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was renamed the Kingdom of Yugoslavia and divided into administrative regions called banovinas. South Serbia, encompassing present-day North Macedonia, became known as the Vardar Banovina.
October 1934: Assassination of Alexander I of Yugoslavia
On October 9, 1934, IMRO member Vlado Chernozemski assassinated Alexander I of Yugoslavia, further escalating tensions in the region.
1934: Comintern Recognizes Macedonian Identity
In a significant development in 1934, the Comintern issued a resolution recognizing the existence of a separate Macedonian nation and language, providing a framework for future identity claims.
1940: Serbianisation Policies and Internal Colonization
By 1940, the Serbian government had implemented a policy of forced Serbianisation in the region, aiming to assimilate the Macedonian population. This included suppressing Bulgarian activism, altering surnames, promoting internal colonization, and engaging in propaganda. Around 280 Serbian colonies were established as part of this program.
1943: Communist Partisan Resistance and the Holocaust
In 1943, amidst the harsh realities of occupation, many Vardar Macedonians joined the Communist Partisan resistance movement led by Josip Broz Tito. Tragically, under German pressure, Bulgarian authorities were complicit in the deportation of over 7,000 Jews from Skopje and Bitola.
October 1944: Bulgarian Army's Retreat and Collaboration with Soviet Forces
Following the Bulgarian coup d'état of 1944, Bulgarian troops withdrew toward their pre-war borders. Under the new pro-Soviet government, Bulgaria mobilized its army and collaborated with Soviet forces to drive out German forces from Yugoslavia.
December 1944: Proclamation of the People's Republic of Macedonia
In December 1944, the Anti-fascist Assembly for the National Liberation of Macedonia (ASNOM) declared the establishment of the People's Republic of Macedonia as a constituent republic within the People's Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. ASNOM served as the acting government until the war's end.
1944: "Nova Makedonija" Newspaper Founded
North Macedonia's oldest newspaper, "Nova Makedonija", was founded in 1944.
1945: Socialist Republic of Macedonia Established
After World War II, the Socialist Republic of Macedonia is established as a constituent state of communist Yugoslavia.
1945: End of World War II
World War II came to an end in 1945, marking a turning point in global politics and setting the stage for new geopolitical realities.
1946: Bulgaria Agrees to Macedonian Unification
In 1946, under pressure from the Soviet Union, the Bulgarian government led by Georgi Dimitrov consented to cede Bulgarian Macedonia to a unified Macedonian state. This marked a significant step toward the creation of a South Slav Federation.
1946: Greek Civil War and Refugee Crisis
The Greek Civil War (1946-1949) had significant regional implications. Macedonian communist insurgents provided support to Greek communists, and a refugee crisis ensued, with many fleeing to the Socialist Republic of Macedonia.
1947: Opening of the National Opera
Originally called the "Macedonian Opera", the National Opera opened in 1947 with a production of Cavalleria rusticana, conducted by Branko Pomorisac.
1947: Bled Agreement and Bulgarian Recognition
The Bled Agreement of 1947 saw Bulgaria formally confirm the intended unification of the Macedonian region, delaying its implementation until the future federation was established. Notably, this agreement marked the first time Bulgaria officially recognized the existence of a distinct Macedonian ethnicity and language.
1952: "Frosina" Released: The First Macedonian Feature Film
The first Macedonian feature film, "Frosina", directed by Vojislav Nanović, was released in 1952.
1958: "Miss Stone" Released: First Macedonian Color Film
The first Macedonian feature film in color, "Miss Stone", about a Protestant missionary in Ottoman Macedonia, was released in 1958.
1963: Renaming of Yugoslavia and Macedonia
In 1963, the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia was renamed to the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Along with this change, the People's Republic of Macedonia was renamed the Socialist Republic of Macedonia.
1963: Skopje earthquake
In 1963, a major earthquake struck Skopje, causing widespread destruction and resulting in the loss of over 1,000 lives.
1967: Declaration of Autocephaly
The Macedonian Orthodox Church declared autocephaly in 1967, a move that was not recognized by other Orthodox Churches until much later.
May 1972: First May Opera Performance
The first May Opera performance, featuring Kiril Makedonski's Tsar Samuil, took place in May 1972.
1989: TEKO TV Founded: First Private Television Channel
TEKO TV, based in Štip, was founded in 1989, becoming the first private television channel in the country.
September 1991: Independence Day
In September 1991, North Macedonia celebrated its independence day, marking its independence from Yugoslavia after a referendum.
1991: Naming Dispute Impacts International Relations
Between 1991 and 2019, the country's name became a significant issue in international relations, leading to a UN-mediated negotiation process.
1991: Republic of Macedonia Declared
After the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Socialist Republic of Macedonia declares its independence as the "Republic of Macedonia" in 1991.
1991: Darko Pančev's European Golden Boot and European Cup Final Victory
Darko Pančev was awarded the European Golden Boot in 1991 and is widely recognized for scoring the decisive penalty in the 1991 European Cup Final, securing Red Star Belgrade's first-ever victory in the tournament's 50-year history.
1991: Naming Dispute with Greece Arises
Following North Macedonia's independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, a naming dispute arose with Greece over the use of the name "Macedonia." Greece opposed the name without a geographical qualifier, fearing confusion with its own region of Greek Macedonia.
1991: Macedonia Declares Independence
Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, the Socialist Republic of Macedonia declares its independence as the "Republic of Macedonia".
1991: Peaceful Secession from Yugoslavia
In 1991, the Socialist Republic of Macedonia peacefully seceded from Yugoslavia, marking a pivotal moment in its history. The country subsequently removed "Socialist" from its official name.
1991: Adoption of the Constitution
The Constitution of North Macedonia came into effect shortly after the republic declared independence in 1991. This document establishes Skopje as the capital, defines North Macedonia as a social free state, and outlines limitations on the powers of both local and national governments, including the military.
January 1992: International Recognition of Independence
In January 1992, the European Community recommended recognition of Macedonian independence, and Bulgaria became the first country to officially recognize it.
1992: Membership in International Monetary Fund
North Macedonia joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 1992.
1992: Establishment of PTT Macedonia
PTT Macedonia, the state-owned company for postal services, was founded in 1992.
1992: Basketball Federation of North Macedonia Created
The governing body of basketball in North Macedonia, the Basketball Federation of North Macedonia, was created in 1992.
April 1993: Admission to the United Nations
Eighteen months after gaining independence from Yugoslavia, North Macedonia was admitted as a member state of the United Nations in April 1993. However, due to the ongoing name dispute with Greece, the country was formally addressed within the UN as "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" until the resolution of the issue.
1993: Admission to the United Nations
The Republic of Macedonia joins the United Nations under the provisional name "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" due to a dispute with Greece over the name "Macedonia".
1993: Macedonian Radio Television Founded
The Assembly of North Macedonia founded the public channel Macedonian Radio Television in 1993.
1993: Membership in World Health Organization and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
North Macedonia became a member of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in 1993.
1993: UN Adopts Provisional Name
In 1993, the UN admitted North Macedonia under the provisional reference "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia." This was intended to be temporary while a resolution to the naming dispute with Greece was sought.
1993: Basketball Federation of North Macedonia Joins FIBA
In 1993, the Basketball Federation of North Macedonia joined FIBA.
1993: Admission to the World Postal Union
In 1993, PTT Macedonia was admitted to the World Postal Union.
1994: "Before the Rain" Nominated for an Oscar
Milcho Manchevski's film "Before the Rain" was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Feature Film category in 1994.
1994: Trade Embargo by Greece
The economy of North Macedonia was impacted in 1994 when Greece imposed a trade embargo on the country.
November 1995: End of the Bosnian War
In November 1995, the Bosnian War ended, offering some relief to the economy of North Macedonia which had been affected by the imposition of sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro following the outbreak of the Yugoslav Wars.
1995: Membership in Council of Europe and Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
In 1995, North Macedonia joined the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).
1995: Replacement of Interim Accord
The Prespa Agreement superseded the 1995 Interim Accord between Macedonia and Greece, aiming for a more comprehensive and permanent resolution to their long-standing disputes.
September 1996: Establishment of 123 Municipalities
Prior to the 2004 reorganization, local government in North Macedonia was structured around 123 municipalities, established in September 1996.
1996: Membership in South-Eastern European Cooperation Process
North Macedonia became a member of the South-Eastern European Cooperation Process (SECI) in 1996.
1996: Open Economy and Trade Growth
Since 1996, North Macedonia has adopted an open economy, with trade becoming a significant contributor to its GDP.
1997: Division of PTT Macedonia
PTT Macedonia was divided into Macedonian Telekom and Macedonian Post (later renamed to North Macedonia Post) in 1997.
2000: Magomed Ibragimov Wins Bronze at the Olympics
At the 2000 Summer Olympics, Magomed Ibragimov won the bronze medal in the freestyle 85 kg wrestling competition. This was the first Olympic medal for the newly independent country.
August 2001: End of Conflict with Albanian Insurgents
In August 2001, the conflict between the Macedonian government and ethnic Albanian insurgents ended with a NATO ceasefire. The Ohrid Agreement granted greater political power and cultural recognition to the Albanian minority.
2001: Membership in the International Organization of La Francophonie
North Macedonia joined the International Organization of La Francophonie in 2001.
2001: Brief War and Power-Sharing Agreement
In 2001, North Macedonia experienced a brief war stemming from power imbalances between the ethnic Macedonian majority and Albanian minority. Subsequently, a power-sharing agreement was reached to address the concerns of both communities.
2001: Construction of Beljakovci Railway Line
Construction began in 2001 on the Beljakovci railway line, connecting the border of Bulgaria to provide a direct route between Skopje and Sofia.
2001: Impact of Armed Conflicts on Tourism
Following its independence, North Macedonia experienced a serious negative impact on tourism performance due to armed conflicts in 2001.
2002: Kometal Gjorče Petrov Skopje's EHF Women's Champions League Win
Kometal Gjorče Petrov Skopje, a women's handball club from North Macedonia, triumphed in the EHF Women's Champions League in 2002, highlighting the country's prowess in the sport.
November 2003: Darko Pančev Named Macedonia's Golden Player
In November 2003, as part of UEFA's jubilee celebrations, Darko Pančev was chosen as Macedonia's Golden Player, acknowledging him as the country's most exceptional player of the past 50 years.
2003: Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations raised concerns in 2003 regarding suspected extrajudicial executions, intimidation of activists and journalists, and allegations of torture by the police in North Macedonia.
2003: Membership in World Trade Organization
North Macedonia became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2003.
August 2004: Legislation for Local Boundaries
In August 2004, the parliament of North Macedonia enacted legislation to redraw local boundaries. The legislation aimed to grant greater autonomy to ethnic Albanians in areas where they constitute a majority.
August 2004: Reorganization into Municipalities
In August 2004, North Macedonia was reorganized into 84 municipalities. The City of Skopje, consisting of 10 municipalities, was established as a distinct unit of local self-government and the country's capital.
2005: Candidate for European Union Membership
North Macedonia becomes a candidate for joining the European Union.
2005: Steady Economic Growth
North Macedonia experienced steady economic growth, with GDP rising by 3.1% in 2005.
2005: High Unemployment Rate
North Macedonia faced a high unemployment rate of 37.2% in 2005.
2005: Candidate for European Union Membership
North Macedonia was officially recognized as a candidate state for European Union membership in 2005.
July 2006: Parliamentary Elections and Government Formation
Following a relatively calm election process in July 2006, the center-right VMRO-DPMNE party, under the leadership of Nikola Gruevski, secured a decisive victory. The inclusion of the Democratic Party of Albanians in the new government sparked protests in regions with a significant Albanian population.
2006: Projected Economic Growth and Inflation Control
Economic growth was projected to average 5.2% between 2006 and 2010. The government successfully controlled inflation, achieving rates of 3% in 2006 and 2% in 2007.
2006: Membership in Central European Free Trade Agreement
North Macedonia joined the Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA) in 2006.
2006: Poverty Rate
The poverty rate in North Macedonia was 22% in 2006.
2006: Start of "Antiquisation" Policy
Upon coming to power in 2006, the VMRO-DPMNE government implemented an "Antiquisation" policy, erecting statues of figures like Alexander the Great to assert a Macedonian identity, a move that fueled tensions with Greece.
2007: Renewed Clashes with Militant Groups
Macedonian security forces faced further armed confrontations with Albanian militant groups in 2007, highlighting the ongoing tensions and instability in the region.
2007: Growth of IT Market
North Macedonia's IT market experienced significant growth in 2007, increasing by 63.8% year on year, marking the fastest growth in the Adriatic region.
2007: Inflation Control
The government successfully controlled inflation, achieving rates of 3% in 2006 and 2% in 2007.
2007: End of Conscription
Conscription in North Macedonia ended in 2007, making the ARSM a volunteer military.
2007: Flat Tax Implementation
In 2007, North Macedonia implemented a flat tax system at 12% to attract foreign investment. This rate was further reduced to 10% in 2008.
2008: Formation of Ruling Coalition
Following the early parliamentary elections in 2008, the VMRO-DPMNE and the Democratic Union for Integration formed a ruling coalition in North Macedonia.
2008: Flat Tax Reduction
In 2007, North Macedonia implemented a flat tax system at 12% to attract foreign investment. This rate was further reduced to 10% in 2008.
2008: European Women's Handball Championship in North Macedonia
North Macedonia hosted the European Women's Handball Championship in 2008, with the matches held in Skopje and Ohrid. The national team finished in seventh place.
March 2009: European Parliament Supports EU Candidacy
The European Parliament expressed support for North Macedonia's EU candidacy in March 2009 and urged the EU Commission to set a date for the start of accession talks by the year's end. They also recommended a swift lifting of the visa regime for Macedonian citizens.
April 2009: Presidential and Local Elections
North Macedonia conducted peaceful presidential and local elections in April 2009, a significant step towards its EU aspirations. The ruling conservative VMRO-DPMNE party emerged victorious in the local elections, while their supported candidate, Gjorgi Ivanov, was elected president.
2009: World Bank Recognition of Economic Reform
In 2009, the World Bank ranked North Macedonia as the fourth "best reformatory state" out of 178 countries, acknowledging the considerable economic reforms undertaken since independence.
2010: Religious Affiliation
A 2010 Pew Research estimation indicated that 1.4% of the population in North Macedonia identified as "unaffiliated" in terms of religious affiliation.
2010: Projected Economic Growth
Economic growth was projected to average 5.2% between 2006 and 2010.
2011: Religious Buildings
At the end of 2011, North Macedonia had 1,842 churches and 580 mosques, reflecting the presence of both Orthodox and Islamic religious communities.
2011: North Macedonia Achieves 4th Place in EuroBasket
North Macedonia achieved its best finish at the EuroBasket tournament in 2011, coming in 4th place.
2011: Increase in Foreign Visitors
The number of foreign visitors to North Macedonia has been on the rise, with a notable increase of 14.6% in 2011.
October 2012: EU Accession Negotiations Proposed and Blocked
In October 2012, EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle proposed the start of accession negotiations with North Macedonia for the fourth time. However, these efforts were blocked by Greece and Bulgaria. Bulgaria's position was that they could not support North Macedonia's accession due to their perception of North Macedonia promoting hostility towards Bulgaria.
2012: Men's National Handball Team's Best Finish at the European Championship
North Macedonia's men's national handball team achieved their highest-ever ranking in the European Championship, finishing fifth in 2012.
2012: Inter-Ethnic Tensions Flare
Macedonia experienced a surge in inter-ethnic tensions in 2012, marked by violence between ethnic Albanians and Macedonians, escalating the climate of distrust and hostility.
2012: GDP Structure Comparison
Compared to 2012, the manufacturing sector's contribution to GDP slightly increased in 2013.
2013: GDP Structure
In 2013, the manufacturing sector, along with mining and construction, made up the largest portion of North Macedonia's GDP at 21.4%.
2014: Major Foreign Trade Sectors
In 2014, the leading sectors in North Macedonia's foreign trade were chemicals and machinery/transport equipment for exports, and manufactured goods, machinery/transport equipment, and mineral fuels for imports. The EU was the largest trading partner.
2015: Unemployment Rate Decrease
By the first quarter of 2015, North Macedonia's unemployment rate decreased to 27.3% due to employment measures and the attraction of multinational companies.
2015: Continued Armed Confrontations
In 2015, more armed confrontations occurred between Macedonian security forces and Albanian militant groups, indicating the persistent challenges in maintaining peace and security.
2015: Men's National Handball Team's Best Finish at the World Championship
The men's national handball team from North Macedonia secured their best-ever result in the World Championship in 2015, finishing in ninth place.
2016: Tourism in North Macedonia
In 2016, tourism played a significant role in the economy of North Macedonia, accounting for 6.7% of the nation's GDP.
2016: RK Vardar's EHF Champions League Victory
RK Vardar, a handball club from North Macedonia, emerged victorious in the EHF Champions League in 2016–2017.
April 2017: Parliament Storming
In April 2017, Macedonian nationalists stormed the parliament in response to the election of Talat Xhaferi, an ethnic Albanian, as Speaker of the Assembly, underscoring the deep-seated ethnic tensions.
June 2017: Change of Government
Zoran Zaev, leader of the Social Democratic Party, assumed the role of prime minister in June 2017, marking the end of 11 years of conservative VMRO-DPMNE rule led by former prime minister Nikola Gruevski.
August 2017: Friendship Agreement with Bulgaria
In August 2017, the Republic of Macedonia signed a friendship agreement with Bulgaria to resolve historical disputes and address what Bulgaria perceived as "anti-Bulgarian ideology" in Macedonia.
2017: Economic Challenges and GDP per capita
Despite progress, North Macedonia faced economic challenges in 2017. A significant portion of the population struggled financially, and issues like corruption and an ineffective legal system hindered development. The country's GDP per capita remained one of the lowest in Europe, at 36% of the EU average.
2017: Tourist Distribution in North Macedonia
In 2017, approximately 60% of the million tourists who visited North Macedonia were concentrated in Skopje and the southwestern region of the country.
June 2018: Prespa Agreement
Greece and the then-Republic of Macedonia sign the Prespa agreement, which includes the country changing its name to the "Republic of North Macedonia".
June 2018: Prespa Agreement
The Prespa Agreement, signed with Greece in June 2018, saw the country agree to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia, accepting a distinct identity from Greece's Macedonia.
June 2018: Prespa Agreement
The Prespa agreement is signed, leading to the country changing its name to the "Republic of North Macedonia" eight months later.
2018: RK Vardar's Second EHF Champions League Victory
RK Vardar continued their winning streak, securing their second consecutive EHF Champions League title in 2018–2019, showcasing their dominance in European handball.
2018: Prespa Agreement
The Prespa Agreement is reached, resolving the name dispute with Greece. The country agrees to rename itself "Republic of North Macedonia".
January 2019: Name Change Approved
The parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia approves the constitutional amendment to change the country's name on 11 January 2019.
May 2019: Stevo Pendarovski Becomes President
Stevo Pendarovski assumed the presidency of North Macedonia in May 2019, following his victory in the presidential elections.
2019: Prespa Agreement and International Recognition
Following the ratification of the Prespa Agreement in 2019, the long-standing naming dispute with Greece was settled. Most major international organizations welcomed the agreement and adopted the country's new name, North Macedonia.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index
In 2019, North Macedonia achieved a mean score of 7.42 out of 10 on the Forest Landscape Integrity Index, securing the 40th position globally among 172 countries.
2019: Local Government Reform
North Macedonia implemented a local government reform in 2019, dividing functions among 80 municipalities. The capital, Skopje, is structured as a group of ten municipalities.
2019: "Honeyland" Documentary Released
The documentary "Honeyland", directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov, was released in 2019.
2019: North Macedonia Officially Renamed
The renaming of the country to "Republic of North Macedonia" comes into effect.
2019: EU Accession Talks Approval & Referendum
Following the Prespa Agreement and the friendship agreement with Bulgaria, the EU approved the start of accession talks with Macedonia in 2019, contingent on the Prespa deal's implementation. A referendum on the name change received overwhelming support but failed to meet the required turnout.
January 2020: Appointment of Acting Prime Minister and Parliament President
On January 4, 2020, Oliver Spasovski took on the role of acting prime minister of North Macedonia. Concurrently, Talat Xhaferi was elected as the president of the Parliament. Xhaferi's election triggered protests led by VMRO-DPMNE, which were swiftly addressed by the police.
March 2020: NATO Accession and EU Talks Approval
North Macedonia officially joined NATO as its 30th member in March 2020. The EU also gave formal approval for North Macedonia to begin accession talks.
July 2020: Early Parliamentary Elections
North Macedonia held early parliamentary elections on July 15, 2020.
August 2020: Zoran Zaev Returns as Prime Minister
Zoran Zaev returned as the prime minister of the Republic of North Macedonia in August 2020, following his party's victory in the early parliamentary elections.
November 2020: Bulgaria's Veto on EU Accession Talks
Bulgaria vetoed the start of EU accession talks with North Macedonia in November 2020, citing concerns over historical issues and the treatment of Bulgarian identity, creating a significant roadblock in North Macedonia's EU integration process.
2020: "Honeyland" Nominated for Two Oscars
In 2020, "Honeyland" received nominations for Best International Feature Film and Best Documentary Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards. It was the first non-fictional film to be nominated in both categories.
2020: Membership in North Atlantic Treaty Organization
North Macedonia became a member state of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 2020.
October 2021: Zoran Zaev Resigns as Prime Minister
Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced his resignation in October 2021, following his party's losses in local elections.
2021: Population Census Results
The 2021 census reported a population of 1,836,713 in North Macedonia, with a population density of 72.2 persons per square kilometer and an average age of 40.08 years.
2021: Largest Ethnic Groups
The 2021 census confirmed that ethnic Macedonians constitute the largest ethnic group in North Macedonia, followed by Albanians, who primarily reside in the northwest. Turks represent the third-largest group, with official figures around 70,000.
January 2022: Dimitar Kovačevski Elected Prime Minister
Dimitar Kovačevski was elected as the new prime minister of North Macedonia in January 2022. His coalition cabinet consisted of the Social Democrats and two ethnic Albanian parties.
July 2022: Protests and Start of EU Accession Talks
July 2022 witnessed protests organized by opposition parties against the French proposal for North Macedonia's EU accession. Despite the opposition, the French proposal was passed, and EU accession talks officially began.
2022: Restoration of Relations with Orthodox Churches
After years of non-recognition, the Macedonian Orthodox Church restored relations with the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2022, leading to recognition from other churches.
2023: EU Accession Uncertainties
In 2023, the European Commission's Progress Report highlighted unfulfilled constitutional changes as obstacles to North Macedonia's EU accession. While the EU's geopolitical interests in the region are evident, the country's accession path remains uncertain.
2023: Global Innovation Index Ranking
North Macedonia achieved a ranking of 54th on the Global Innovation Index in 2023.
May 2024: Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova Becomes First Female President
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova was inaugurated as North Macedonia's president on May 12, 2024, marking a historic moment as she became the country's first female president.
2024: Jovan Mitreski Becomes President of Parliament
Jovan Mitreski assumed the position of president of the Parliament of North Macedonia in 2024.