Eurostat ranked Macedonia as the third poorest country in Europe, with only Albania and Bosnia faring worse.

The Macedonia GDP reaches only 31 percent of the European average, making the country among the worst off in the continent. It will take decades at best for Macedonia to catch up, it is estimated.

Among EU member states, Bulgaria does worst, with a GDP that is at 47 percent of the European average.

Luxembourg and Ireland are at the top, with Switzerland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden close behind.