This entry measures the degree of inequality in the distribution of family income in a country. The index is calculated from the Lorenz curve, in which cumulative family income is plotted against the number of families arranged from the poorest to the richest. The index is the ratio of (a) the area between a country's Lorenz curve and the 45 degree helping line to (b) the entire triangular area under the 45 degree line. The more nearly equal a country's income distribution, the closer its Lorenz curve to the 45 degree line and the lower its Gini index, e.g., a Scandinavian country with an index of 25. The more unequal a country's income distribution, the farther its Lorenz curve from the 45 degree line and the higher its Gini index, e.g., a Sub-Saharan country with an index of 50. If income were distributed with perfect equality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the 45 degree line and the index would be zero; if income were distributed with perfect inequality, the Lorenz curve would coincide with the horizontal axis and the right vertical axis and the index would be 100.

Topic: Afghanistan29.4 (2008)

Topic: Albania33.2 (2017 est.)

30 (2008 est.)

Topic: Algeria27.6 (2011 est.)

Topic: Angola51.3 (2018 est.)

Topic: Argentina41.4 (2018 est.)

45.8 (2009)

Topic: Armenia34.4 (2018 est.)

31.5 (2013 est.)

Topic: Australia34.4 (2014 est.)

35.2 (1994)

Topic: Austria29.7 (2017 est.)

30.5 (2014)

Topic: Azerbaijan33.7 (2008)

36.5 (2001)

Topic: Bangladesh32.4 (2016 est.)

33.2 (2005)

Topic: Belarus25.2 (2018 est.)

21.7 (1998)

Topic: Belgium27.4 (2017 est.)

28.7 (1996)

Topic: Benin47.8 (2015 est.)

Topic: Bhutan37.4 (2017 est.)

38.1 (2007)

Topic: Bolivia42.2 (2018 est.)

57.9 (1999)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina33 (2011 est.)

33.1 (2007)

Topic: Botswana53.3 (2015 est.)

63 (1993)

Topic: Brazil53.9 (2018 est.)

54 (2004)

Topic: Bulgaria40.4 (2017 est.)

38.3 (2016)

Topic: Burkina Faso35.3 (2014 est.)

48.2 (1994)

Topic: Burma30.7 (2017 est.)

Topic: Burundi38.6 (2013 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde42.4 (2015 est.)

Topic: Cambodia37.9 (2008 est.)

41.9 (2004 est.)

Topic: Cameroon46.5 (2014 est.)

46.6 (2014 est.)

Topic: Canada33.3 (2017 est.)

31.5 (1994)

Topic: Central African Republic43.6 (2003 est.)

61.3 (1993)

Topic: Chad43.3 (2011 est.)

Topic: Chile44.4 (2017 est.)

57.1 (2000)

Topic: China38.5 (2016 est.)

46.2 (2015 est.)

Topic: Colombia50.4 (2018 est.)

53.5 (2014)

Topic: Comoros45.3 (2014 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the42.1 (2012 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the48.9 (2011 est.)

Topic: Costa Rica48 (2018 est.)

49.2 (2013)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire41.5 (2015 est.)

36.7 (1995)

Topic: Croatia30.4 (2017 est.)

32.1 (2014 est.)

Topic: Cyprus31.4 (2017 est.)

32.4 (2013 est.)

Topic: Czechia24.9 (2017 est.)

25.1 (2014)

Topic: Denmark28.7 (2017 est.)

27.5 (2010 est.)

Topic: Djibouti41.6 (2017 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republic43.7 (2018 est.)

45.7 (2012 est.)

Topic: Ecuador45.4 (2018 est.)

48.5 (December 2017)

note: data are for urban households only

Topic: Egypt31.5 (2017 est.)

29.8 (2012)

Topic: El Salvador38.6 (2018 est.)

38 (2014)

Topic: Estonia30.4 (2017 est.)

35.6 (2014)

Topic: Eswatini54.6 (2016 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia35 (2015 est.)

30 (2000)

Topic: European Union30.8 (2016 est.)

31 (2015 est.)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)36 (2015)

Topic: Faroe Islands22.7 (2013 est.)

21.6 (2011 est.)

Topic: Fiji36.7 (2013 est.)

Topic: Finland27.4 (2017 est.)

22.2 (1995)

Topic: France31.6 (2017 est.)

29.2 (2015)

Topic: Gabon38 (2017 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The35.9 (2015 est.)

Topic: Gaza Strip33.7 (2016 est.)

Topic: Georgia36.4 (2018 est.)

46 (2011)

Topic: Germany31.9 (2016 est.)

30 (1994)

Topic: Ghana43.5 (2016 est.)

42.3 (2012-13)
 41.9 (2005-06)

Topic: Greece34.4 (2017 est.)

35.7 (2011)

Topic: Greenland33.9 (2015 est.)

34.3 (2014 est.)

Topic: Guatemala48.3 (2014 est.)

56 (2011)

Topic: Guinea33.7 (2012 est.)

40.3 (1994)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau50.7 (2010 est.)

Topic: Guyana44.6 (2007)

43.2 (1999)

Topic: Haiti41.1 (2012 est.)

59.2 (2001)

Topic: Honduras52.1 (2018 est.)

45.7 (2009)

Topic: Hong Kong53.9 (2016)

53.7 (2011 est.)

Topic: Hungary30.6 (2017 est.)

28.6 (2014)

Topic: Iceland26.8 (2015 est.)

25 (2005)

Topic: India35.7 (2011 est.)

37.8 (1997)

Topic: Indonesia37.8 (2018 est.)

39.4 (2005)

Topic: Iran40.8 (2017 est.)

Topic: Iraq29.5 (2012 est.)

Topic: Ireland32.8 (2016 est.)

35.9 (1987 est.)

Topic: Israel37 (2018 est.)

39 (2016 est.)

39.2 (2008)

Topic: Italy35.9 (2017 est.)

27.3 (1995)

Topic: Jamaica35 (2016)

38 (2015)

Topic: Japan32.9 (2013 est.)

24.9 (1993)

Topic: Jersey0.3 (2014 est.)

0.3 (2013 est.)

Topic: Jordan33.7 (2010 est.)

36.4 (1997)

Topic: Kazakhstan27.5 (2017 est.)

31.5 (2003)

Topic: Kenya40.8 (2015 est.)

42.5 (2008 est.)

Topic: Korea, South35.4 (2015 est.)

31.6 (2012 est.)

Topic: Kosovo29 (2017 est.)

24.1 (2014 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan27.7 (2018 est.)

29 (2001)

Topic: Laos36.4 (2012 est.)

34.6 (2002)

Topic: Latvia35.6 (2017 est.)

35.4 (2014)

Topic: Lebanon31.8 (2011 est.)

Topic: Lesotho44.9 (2017 est.)

56 (1986-87)

Topic: Liberia35.3 (2016 est.)

38.2 (2007)

Topic: Lithuania37.3 (2017 est.)

35 (2014)

Topic: Luxembourg34.9 (2017 est.)

26 (2005 est.)

Topic: Macau35 (2013)

38 (2008)

Topic: Madagascar42.6 (2012 est.)

42.7 (2010)

Topic: Malawi44.7 (2016 est.)

39 (2004)

Topic: Malaysia41 (2015 est.)

49.2 (1997)

Topic: Maldives31.3 (2016 est.)

37.4 (2004 est.)

Topic: Mali40.1 (2001)

50.5 (1994)

Topic: Malta29.2 (2017 est.)

27.7 (2014)

Topic: Mauritania32.6 (2014 est.)

39 (2006 est.)

Topic: Mauritius36.8 (2017 est.)

39 (2006 est.)

Topic: Mexico36.8 (2018 est.)

48.3 (2008)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of40.1 (2013 est.)

Topic: Moldova25.7 (2018 est.)

26.8 (2014 est.)

Topic: Mongolia32.7 (2018 est.)

36.5 (2008)

Topic: Montenegro39 (2015 est.)

32.3 (2013 est.)

Topic: Morocco39.5 (2013 est.)

39.5 (1999 est.)

Topic: Mozambique54 (2014 est.)

47.3 (2002)

Topic: Namibia59.1 (2015 est.)

70.7 (2003)

Topic: Nepal32.8 (2010 est.)

47.2 (2008 est.)

Topic: Netherlands28.5 (2017 est.)

25.1 (2013 est.)

Topic: New Zealand36.2 (1997)

Topic: Nicaragua46.2 (2014 est.)

45.8 (2009)

Topic: Niger34.3 (2014 est.)

50.5 (1995)

Topic: Nigeria35.1 (2018 est.)

50.6 (1997)

Topic: North Macedonia34.2 (2017 est.)

35.2 (2014)

Topic: Norway27 (2017 est.)

25.8 (1995)

Topic: Pakistan33.5 (2015 est.)

30.9 (FY2011)

Topic: Panama49.2 (2018 est.)

56.1 (2003)

Topic: Papua New Guinea50.9 (1996)

Topic: Paraguay46.2 (2018 est.)

53.2 (2009)

Topic: Peru42.8 (2018 est.)

51 (2005)

Topic: Philippines44.4 (2015 est.)

46 (2012 est.)

Topic: Poland29.7 (2017 est.)

33.7 (2008)

Topic: Portugal33.8 (2017 est.)

34 (2014 est.)

Topic: Qatar41.1 (2007)

Topic: Romania36 (2017 est.)

28.2 (2010)

Topic: Russia37.5 (2018 est.)

41.9 (2013)

Topic: Rwanda43.7 (2016 est.)

51.3 (2010 est.)

Topic: Saint Lucia51.2 (2016 est.)

Topic: Samoa38.7 (2013 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe56.3 (2017 est.)

32.1 (2000 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabia45.9 (2013 est.)

Topic: Senegal40.3 (2011 est.)

Topic: Serbia36.2 (2017 est.)

28.2 (2008 est.)

Topic: Seychelles46.8 (2013 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leone35.7 (2018 est.)

62.9 (1989)

Topic: Singapore45.9 (2017)

45.8 (2016)

Topic: Slovakia25.2 (2016 est.)

26.1 (2014)

Topic: Slovenia24.2 (2017 est.)

24.5 (2015)

Topic: Solomon Islands37.1 (2013 est.)

Topic: South Africa63 (2014 est.)

63.4 (2011 est.)

Topic: South Sudan46 (2010 est.)

Topic: Spain34.7 (2017 est.)

32 (2005)

Topic: Sri Lanka39.8 (2016 est.)

46 (1995)

Topic: Sudan34.2 (2014 est.)

Topic: Sweden28.8 (2017 est.)

25 (1992)

Topic: Switzerland32.7 (2017 est.)

33.1 (1992)

Topic: Taiwan33.6 (2014)

32.6 (2000)

Topic: Tajikistan34 (2015 est.)

34.7 (1998)

Topic: Tanzania40.5 (2017 est.)

34.6 (2000)

Topic: Thailand36.4 (2018 est.)

48.4 (2011)

Topic: Timor-Leste28.7 (2014 est.)

38 (2002 est.)

Topic: Togo43.1 (2015 est.)

Topic: Tonga37.6 (2015 est.)

Topic: Tunisia32.8 (2015 est.)

41.7 (1995 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)41.9 (2018 est.)

43.6 (2003)

Topic: Turkmenistan40.8 (1998)

Topic: Tuvalu39.1 (2010 est.)

Topic: Uganda42.8 (2016 est.)

45.7 (2002)

Topic: Ukraine26.1 (2018 est.)

28.2 (2009)

Topic: United Arab Emirates32.5 (2014 est.)

Topic: United Kingdom34.8 (2016 est.)

33.4 (2010)

Topic: United States41.1 (2016 est.)

40.8 (1997)

Topic: Uruguay39.7 (2018 est.)

41.9 (2013)

Topic: Uzbekistan36.8 (2003)

44.7 (1998)

Topic: Vanuatu37.6 (2010 est.)

Topic: Venezuela39 (2011)

49.5 (1998)

Topic: Vietnam35.7 (2018 est.)

37.6 (2008)

Topic: West Bank33.7 (2016 est.)

38.7 (2007 est.)

note: includes Gaza Strip

Topic: World37.9 (2012 est.)

37.9 (2005 est.)

Topic: Yemen36.7 (2014 est.)

37.3 (1999 est.)

Topic: Zambia57.1 (2015 est.)

50.8 (2004)

Topic: Zimbabwe44.3 (2017 est.)

50.1 (2006)


Topic: Photos of Tonga

Topic: Introduction
Background: The first humans arrived in Tonga around 1000 B.C. The islands’ politics were probably highly centralized under the Tu’i Tonga, or Tongan king, by A.D. 950, and by 1200, the Tu’i Tonga had expanded his influence throughout Polynesia and into Melanesia and Micronesia. The Tongan Empire began to decline in the 1300s, descending into civil wars, a military defeat to Samoa, and internal political strife that saw successive leaders assassinated. By the mid-1500s, some Tu’i Tongans were ethnic Samoan and day-to-day administration of Tonga was transferred to a new position occupied by ethnic Tongans.

Dutch sailors explored the islands in the 1600s and British Captain James COOK visited Tonga three times in the 1770s, naming them the Friendly Islands for the positive reception he thought he received, even though the Tongans he encountered were plotting ways to kill him. In 1799, Tonga fell into a new round of civil wars over succession. Wesleyan missionaries arrived in 1822, quickly converting the population. In the 1830s, a low-ranking chief from Ha’apai began to consolidate control over the islands and won the support of the missionaries by declaring that he would dedicate Tonga to God. The chief soon made alliances with leaders on most of the other islands and was crowned King George TUPOU I in 1845, establishing the only still-extant Polynesian monarchy. TUPOU I declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and his successor, King George TUPOU II, agreed to enter a protectorate agreement with the UK in 1900 after rival Tongan chiefs tried to overthrow him. As a protectorate, Tonga never completely lost its indigenous governance, but it did become more isolated and the social hierarchy became more stratified between a group of nobles and a large class of commoners. Today, about one third of parliamentary seats are reserved for nobles.

Queen Salote TUPOU III negotiated the end of the protectorate in 1965, which was achieved under King TUPOU IV, who in 1970 withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations. A prodemocracy movement gained steam in the early 2000s, led by future Prime Minister ‘Akilisi POHIVA, and in 2006, riots broke out in Nuku’alofa to protest the lack of progress on prodemocracy legislation. To appease the activists, in 2008, King George TUPOU V announced he was relinquishing most of his powers leading up to parliamentary elections in 2010; he died in 2012 and was succeeded by his brother ‘Aho’eitu TUPOU VI. Tropical Cyclone Gita, the strongest-ever recorded storm to impact Tonga, hit the islands in February 2018 causing extensive damage.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 747 sq km

land: 717 sq km

water: 30 sq km
Area - comparative: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 419 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain: mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock
Elevation: highest point: Kao Volcano on Kao Island 1,046 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use: agricultural land: 43.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 22.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 15.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 5.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 12.5% (2018 est.)

other: 44.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied
Natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ouvolcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofuacyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ouvolcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has shown frequent activity in recent years, while Niuafo'ou (260 m), which last erupted in 1985, has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua
Geography - note: the western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand
Map description: Tonga map showing the major islands that make up this archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean.Tonga map showing the major islands that make up this archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 105,517 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Tongan(s)

adjective: Tongan
Ethnic groups: Tongan 97%, part-Tongan 0.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified <0.1% (2016 est.)
Languages: Tongan and English 76.8%, Tongan, English, and other language 10.6%, Tongan only (official) 8.7%, English only (official) 0.7%, other 1.7%, none 2.2% (2016 est.)

note: data represent persons aged 5 and older who can read and write a simple sentence in Tongan, English, or another language
Religions: Protestant 64.1% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 35%, Free Church of Tonga 11.9%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Assembly of God 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 1.6%, other 4.3%), Church of Jesus Christ 18.6%, Roman Catholic 14.2%, other 2.4%, none 0.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2016 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 32% (male 17,250/female 16,698)

15-24 years: 19.66% (male 10,679/female 10,175)

25-54 years: 35.35% (male 18,701/female 18,802)

55-64 years: 6.17% (male 3,345/female 3,202)

65 years and over: 6.83% (2020 est.) (male 3,249/female 3,994)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 68.6

youth dependency ratio: 58.6

elderly dependency ratio: 10

potential support ratio: 10 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 24.1 years

male: 23.6 years

female: 24.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.26% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 20.31 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -18.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: over two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied
Urbanization: urban population: 23.1% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 23,000 NUKU'ALOFA (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 24.9 years (2012 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 52 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 12.41 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.53 years

male: 75.89 years

female: 79.23 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.76 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 29.3% (2019)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.8% of population

rural: 99.6% of population

total: 99.6% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population

rural: 0.4% of population

total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.95 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.4% of population

rural: 98.8% of population

total: 98.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population

rural: 1.2% of population

total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 48.2% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 31% (2020 est.)

male: 46.7% (2020 est.)

female: 15.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.8% (2019)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.4%

women married by age 18: 10.1%

men married by age 18: 2.8% (2019 est.)
Education expenditures: 8% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: can read and write Tongan and/or English

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.4%

female: 99.5% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years

male: 15 years

female: 17 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.9%

male: 5.7%

female: 13.1% (2018)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation from land being cleared for agriculture and settlement; soil exhaustion; water pollution due to salinization, sewage, and toxic chemicals from farming activities; coral reefs and marine populations threatened
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.08 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.13 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.12 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December)
Land use: agricultural land: 43.1% (2018 est.)

arable land: 22.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 15.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 5.6% (2018 est.)

forest: 12.5% (2018 est.)

other: 44.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 23.1% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 17,238 tons (2012 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga

conventional short form: Tonga

local long form: Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga

local short form: Tonga

former: Friendly Islands

etymology: "tonga" means "south" in the Tongan language and refers to the country's geographic position in relation to central Polynesia
Government type: constitutional monarchy
Capital: name: Nuku'alofa

geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W

time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January

etymology: composed of the words "nuku," meaning "residence or abode," and "alofa," meaning "love," to signify "abode of love"
Administrative divisions: 5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u
Independence: 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status)
National holiday: Official Birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959); note - actual birthday of the monarch is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875)
Constitution: history: adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988, 2016

amendments: proposed by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by the Assembly in each of three readings, the unanimous approval of the Privy Council (a high-level advisory body to the monarch), the Cabinet, and assent to by the monarch; revised 1988; amended many times, last in 2013
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Siaosi Manumataogo 'Alaivahamama'o 'Ahoeitu Konstantin Tuku'aho, son of the king (born 17 September 1985); note - on 18 March 2012, King George TUPOU V died and his brother, Crown Prince TUPOUTO'A Lavaka, assumed the throne as TUPOU VI

head of government: Prime Minister Siaosi SOVALENI (since 27 December 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the monarch; election last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025)

election results: Siaosi SOVALENI elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly; Siaosi SOVALENI 16 votes, Aisake EKE 10

note: a Privy Council advises the monarch
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Fale Alea (26 seats); 17 people's representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 9 indirectly elected by hereditary leaders; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 18 November 2021 (next to be held in November 2025)

election results: percent of vote - NA; seats by party (elected members) - independents 11, nobles' representatives 9,  Democratic Party 3, Peoples Party 3; composition - men 26, women 0, percent of women 0%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and a number of judges determined by the monarch); note - appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are brought before the King in Privy Council, the monarch's advisory organ that has both judicial and legislative powers

judge selection and term of office: judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council and subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly

subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land Courts
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands or DPFI or PTOA
People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO]
Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA]
Tonga Democratic Labor Party
Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM
Tonga People's Party or PAK (Paati ʻa e Kakai ʻo Tonga) [Pohiva TU'I'ONETOA] (split from Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands)
International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Viliami Va’inga TONE (since 20 April 2021)

chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022

telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025

FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024

email address and website:
tongaunmission@aol.com

consulate(s) general: San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tonga; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga
Flag description: red with a bold red cross on a white rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner; the cross reflects the deep-rooted Christianity in Tonga, red represents the blood of Christ and his sacrifice, and white signifies purity
National symbol(s): red cross on white field, arms equal length; national colors: red, white
National anthem: name: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)

lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT

note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Tonga has a small, open island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand.   The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from overseas Tongans to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offers a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep-sea mining also offer opportunities for investment.   Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. But the government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.Tonga has a small, open island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from overseas Tongans to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offers a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep-sea mining also offer opportunities for investment. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. But the government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $670 million (2019 est.)

$660 million (2018 est.)

$660 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.)

4.2% (2016 est.)

3.5% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $6,400 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$6,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$6,472 (2017 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $455 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.4% (2017 est.)

2.6% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 19.9% (2017 est.)

industry: 20.3% (2017 est.)

services: 59.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 99.4% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 21.9% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 22.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -68.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers nes, plantains, lemons/limes
Industries: tourism, construction, fishing
Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 33,800 (2011 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2,006% (2006 est.)

industry: 27.5% (2006 est.)

services: 2,006% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.1% (2011 est.)

1.1% (2006)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.9%

male: 5.7%

female: 13.1% (2018)
Population below poverty line: 22.5% (2010 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 37.6 (2015 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 181.2 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 181.2 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 48% of GDP (FY2017 est.)

51.8% of GDP (FY2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 39.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Current account balance: -$53 million (2017 est.)

-$30 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $90 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$110 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$100 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 38%, South Korea 18%, Australia 14%, New Zealand 14%, Japan 6%,  (2019)
Exports - commodities: squash, fish, various fruits and nuts, antiques, coral and shells (2019)
Imports: $300 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$330 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$320 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Fiji 29%, New Zealand 23%, China 14%, United States 8%, Australia 6%, Japan 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, poultry meats, audio equipment, mutton, goat meat, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $198.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$176.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $189.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$198.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar -

2.27015 (2020 est.)

2.29095 (2019 est.)

2.22717 (2018 est.)

2.106 (2014 est.)

1.847 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 98.9% (2018)

electrification - urban areas: 98.9% (2018)

electrification - rural areas: 98.9% (2018)
Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 26,000 kW (2020 est.)

Consumption: 54.448 million kWh (2019 est.)

Exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

Imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses: 5.9 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

Biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: Production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: Total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)

Refined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)

Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 910 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 171,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids: 171,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 22.841 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 7,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 62,104 (2019)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59.43 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: high speed Internet provided by 3 MNOs, has subsequently allowed for better health care services, faster connections for education and growing e-commerce services; in 2018 new 4G LTE network; fixed-line teledensity has dropped given mobile subscriptions; mobile technology dominates given the island's geography; satellite technology is widespread and is important especially in areas away from the city; the launch in 2019 of the Kacific-1 broadband satellite has made broadband more widely available for around 89 remote communities (2020)

domestic: fixed-line 6 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity 59 telephones per 100; fully automatic switched network (2019)

international: country code - 676; landing point for the Tonga Cable and the TDCE connecting to Fiji and 3 separate Tonga islands; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services are available; 1 state-owned and 5 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia broadcasts available via satellite (2019)
Internet country code: .to
Internet users: total: 42,844 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 41% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 5,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A3
Airports: total: 6 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 680 km (2011)

paved: 184 km (2011)

unpaved: 496 km (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 32

by type: container ship 4, general cargo 13, oil tanker 1, other 14 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Nuku'alofa, Neiafu, Pangai

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: His Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga (Tonga Defense Services): Joint Force headquarters, Tonga Royal Guard, Land Force (Royal Tongan Marines), Tonga Navy, Training Wing, Air Wing, and Support Unit (2022)
Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.) (approximately $10 million)

2.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $12 million)

1.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $7.1 million)

2.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $10 million)

1.7% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $7.6 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 650 personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Tonga military's inventory includes mostly light weapons and equipment from European (primarily the UK) countries and the US, as well as naval patrol vessels from Australia; Australia is the only supplier of military systems since 2010 (2021)
Military service age and obligation: men and women, 18-25, may volunteer; no conscription (2021)
Military - note: Tonga participated in World War I as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but the Tonga Defense Force (TDF) was not established until 1939 at the beginning of World War II; in 1943, New Zealand helped train about 2,000 Tongan troops who saw action in the Solomon Islands; the TDF was disbanded at the end of the war, but was reactivated in 1946 as the Tonga Defense Services (TDS); in 2013, the name of the TDS was changed to His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga (HMAF); Tongan troops deployed to Iraq from 2004-2008 and Afghanistan to support UK forces from 2010-2014 (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Tonga-Fiji: Fiji does not recognize Tonga’s 1972 claim to the Minerva Reefs and their surrounding waters; the Minerva Reefs’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone includes valuable fishing grounds  Tonga-Fiji: Fiji does not recognize Tonga’s 1972 claim to the Minerva Reefs and their surrounding waters; the Minerva Reefs’ 200-mile exclusive economic zone includes valuable fishing grounds


Topic: Introduction
Background: Following its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan succeeded in significantly reducing the poverty rate and has directed revenues from its oil and gas production to develop the country’s infrastructure.Following its independence in 1991, Azerbaijan succeeded in significantly reducing the poverty rate and has directed revenues from its oil and gas production to develop the country’s infrastructure.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 86,600 sq km

land: 82,629 sq km

water: 3,971 sq km
Climate: dry, semiarid steppe
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite

Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,353,296 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Azerbaijani 91.6%, Lezghin 2%, Russian 1.3%, Armenian 1.3%, Talysh 1.3%, other 2.4% (2009 est.)
Languages: Azerbaijani (Azeri) (official) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7% (2009 est.)
Religions: Muslim 97.3% (predominantly Shia), Christian 2.6%, other <0.1, unaffiliated <0.1 (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.67% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Baku (Baki, Baky)
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003); First Vice President Mehriban ALIYEVA (since 21 February 2017)

head of government: Prime Minister Ali ASADOV (since 8 October 2019); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: oil-based economy; macroeconomic instabilities due to demand shocks; recent state bailout of largest lender; potential economic gains from Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; negatively impacted by COVID-19; investing in human capital to diversify and retain younger generationoil-based economy; macroeconomic instabilities due to demand shocks; recent state bailout of largest lender; potential economic gains from Nagorno-Karabakh conflict; negatively impacted by COVID-19; investing in human capital to diversify and retain younger generation
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $138.51 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $13,700 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, wheat, potatoes, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, cotton, apples, maize, onions
Industries: petroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles
Exports: $15.21 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Italy 28%, Turkey 15%, Israel 7%, Germany 5%, India 5% (2017)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, tomatoes, gold (2019)
Imports: $15.54 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: United Kingdom 17%, Russia 17%, Turkey 12%, China 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: gold, cars, refined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies (2019)
Exchange rates: Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar -Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022


Topic: Photos of Gabon

Topic: Introduction
Background: Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in and surrounding present-day Gabon, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, historical traditions were passed on orally, resulting in much of Gabon's early history being lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization following World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960. Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest ruling heads of state in history - was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG), which remains the predominant party in Gabonese politics today. In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution after he was confronted with growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. President Ali BONGO Ondimba was reelected in 2016 in a close election against a united opposition. Gabon’s Constitutional Court reviewed the contested election results and ruled in his favor.Gabon, a sparsely populated country known for its dense rainforests and vast petroleum reserves, is one of the most prosperous and stable countries in central Africa. Approximately 40 ethnic groups are represented, the largest of which is the Fang, a group that covers the northern third of Gabon and expands north into Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. From about the early 1300s, various kingdoms emerged in and surrounding present-day Gabon, including the Kingdoms of Loango and Orungu. Because most early Bantu languages spoken in these kingdoms did not have a written form, historical traditions were passed on orally, resulting in much of Gabon's early history being lost over time. Portuguese traders who arrived in the mid-1400s gave the area its name of Gabon. At that time, indigenous trade networks began to engage with European traders, exchanging goods such as ivory and wood. For a century beginning in the 1760s, trade came to focus mostly on enslaved people. While many groups in Gabon participated in the slave trade, the Fang were a notable exception. As the slave trade declined in the late 1800s, France colonized the country and directed a widespread extraction of Gabonese resources. Anti-colonial rhetoric by Gabon’s educated elites increased significantly in the early 1900s, but no widespread rebellion materialized. French decolonization following World War II led to the country’s independence in 1960.Within a year of independence, the government changed from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and Leon M’BA won the first presidential election in 1961. El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest ruling heads of state in history - was M’BA’s vice president and assumed the presidency after M’BA’s death in 1967. BONGO went on to dominate the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). In 1968, he declared Gabon a single-party state and created the Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG), which remains the predominant party in Gabonese politics today. In the early 1990s, he reintroduced a multiparty system under a new constitution after he was confronted with growing political opposition. He was reelected by wide margins in 1995, 1998, 2002, and 2005 against a divided opposition and amidst allegations of fraud. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. President Ali BONGO Ondimba was reelected in 2016 in a close election against a united opposition. Gabon’s Constitutional Court reviewed the contested election results and ruled in his favor.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 267,667 sq km

land: 257,667 sq km

water: 10,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 3,261 km

border countries (3): Cameroon 349 km; Republic of the Congo 2,567 km; Equatorial Guinea 345 km
Coastline: 885 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain: narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Elevation: highest point: Mont Bengoue 1,050 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 377 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 19% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 17.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 81% (2018 est.)

other: 0% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Major aquifers: Congo Basin
Population distribution: the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: none
Geography - note: a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity
Map description: Gabon map showing major cities and towns as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Atlantic Ocean.Gabon map showing major cities and towns as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Atlantic Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 2,340,613 (2022 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Gabonese (singular and plural)

adjective: Gabonese
Ethnic groups: Gabonese-born 80.1% (includes Fang 23.2%, Shira-Punu/Vili 18.9%, Nzabi-Duma 11.3%, Mbede-Teke 6.9%, Myene 5%, Kota-Kele 4.9%, Okande-Tsogo 2.1%, Pygmy .3%, other 7.5%), Cameroonian 4.6%, Malian 2.4%, Beninese 2.1%, acquired Gabonese nationality 1.6%, Togolese 1.6%, Senegalese 1.1%, Congolese (Brazzaville) 1%, other 5.5% (includes Congolese (Kinshasa), Equatorial Guinean, Nigerian) (2012 est.)
Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
Religions: Roman Catholic 42.3%, Protestant 12.3%, other Christian 27.4%, Muslim 9.8%, animist 0.6%, other 0.5%, none/no answer 7.1% (2012 est.)
Demographic profile: Gabon’s oil revenues have given it one of the highest per capita income levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the wealth is not evenly distributed and poverty is widespread. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the large youth population; more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. With a fertility rate still averaging more than 4 children per woman, the youth population will continue to grow and further strain the mismatch between Gabon’s supply of jobs and the skills of its labor force.Gabon has been a magnet to migrants from neighboring countries since the 1960s because of the discovery of oil, as well as the country’s political stability and timber, mineral, and natural gas resources. Nonetheless, income inequality and high unemployment have created slums in Libreville full of migrant workers from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and elsewhere in West Africa. In 2011, Gabon declared an end to refugee status for 9,500 remaining Congolese nationals to whom it had granted asylum during the Republic of the Congo’s civil war between 1997 and 2003. About 5,400 of these refugees received permits to reside in Gabon.Gabon’s oil revenues have given it one of the highest per capita income levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the wealth is not evenly distributed and poverty is widespread. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the large youth population; more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. With a fertility rate still averaging more than 4 children per woman, the youth population will continue to grow and further strain the mismatch between Gabon’s supply of jobs and the skills of its labor force.Gabon has been a magnet to migrants from neighboring countries since the 1960s because of the discovery of oil, as well as the country’s political stability and timber, mineral, and natural gas resources. Nonetheless, income inequality and high unemployment have created slums in Libreville full of migrant workers from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and elsewhere in West Africa. In 2011, Gabon declared an end to refugee status for 9,500 remaining Congolese nationals to whom it had granted asylum during the Republic of the Congo’s civil war between 1997 and 2003. About 5,400 of these refugees received permits to reside in Gabon.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 36.45% (male 413,883/female 399,374)

15-24 years: 21.9% (male 254,749/female 233,770)

25-54 years: 32.48% (male 386,903/female 337,776)

55-64 years: 5.19% (male 58,861/female 56,843)

65 years and over: 3.98% (2020 est.) (male 44,368/female 44,381)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 68.9

youth dependency ratio: 62.9

elderly dependency ratio: 6

potential support ratio: 16.8 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 21 years

male: 21.4 years

female: 20.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.4% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 26.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 90.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 857,000 LIBREVILLE (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.6 years (2012 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 252 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 28.56 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 31.58 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 69.7 years

male: 67.98 years

female: 71.48 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.31 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 31.1% (2012)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.2% of population

rural: 55.3% of population

total: 93.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 2.8% of population

rural: 44.7% of population

total: 6.9% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 2.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.65 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 6.3 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 81.3% of population

rural: 55.1% of population

total: 78.7% of population

unimproved: urban: 18.7% of population

rural: 44.9% of population

total: 21.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 46,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1000
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 15% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 6.4% (2012)
Education expenditures: 2.8% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 84.7%

male: 85.9%

female: 83.4% (2018)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation (the forests that cover three-quarters of the country are threatened by excessive logging); burgeoning population exacerbating disposal of solid waste; oil industry contributing to water pollution; wildlife poaching
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 38.51 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.32 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 1.13 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Land use: agricultural land: 19% (2018 est.)

arable land: 1.2% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 17.2% (2018 est.)

forest: 81% (2018 est.)

other: 0% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 90.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 2.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.6% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 238,102 tons (1995 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Major aquifers: Congo Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 84.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 14.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 40.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Gabonese Republic

conventional short form: Gabon

local long form: Republique Gabonaise

local short form: Gabon

etymology: name originates from the Portuguese word "gabao" meaning "cloak," which is roughly the shape that the early explorers gave to the estuary of the Komo River by the capital of Libreville
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Libreville

geographic coordinates: 0 23 N, 9 27 E

time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: original site settled by freed slaves and the name means "free town" in French; named in imitation of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Estuaire, Haut-Ogooue, Moyen-Ogooue, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooue-Ivindo, Ogooue-Lolo, Ogooue-Maritime, Woleu-Ntem
Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 August (1960)
Constitution: history: previous 1961; latest drafted May 1990, adopted 15 March 1991, promulgated 26 March 1991

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic, by the Council of Ministers, or by one third of either house of Parliament; passage requires Constitutional Court evaluation, at least two-thirds majority vote of two thirds of the Parliament membership convened in joint session, and approval in a referendum; constitutional articles on Gabon’s democratic form of government cannot be amended; amended several times, last in 2020
Legal system: mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009)

head of government: Prime Minister Rose Christiane Ossouka RAPONDA (since 16 July 2020)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 27 August 2016 (next to be held in August 2023); prime minister appointed by the president

election results: Ali BONGO Ondimba reelected president; percent of vote - Ali BONGO Ondimba (PDG) 49.8%, Jean PING (UFC) 48.2%, other 2.0% (2016)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of:
Senate or Senat (102 seats; members indirectly elected by municipal councils and departmental assemblies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms)
National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (143 seats; members elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last held on 30 January and 6 February 2021 (next to be held in December 2026)
National Assembly - held in 2 rounds on 6 and 27 October 2018 (next to be held in 2023)

election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 81, CLR 7, PSD 2, ADERE-UPG 1, UPG 1, PGCI 1, independent 7; composition - NA
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDG 98, The Democrats or LD 11, RV 8, Social Democrats of Gabon 5, RH&M 4, other 9, independent 8; composition - men 121, women 22, percent of women 15.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women NA
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 4 permanent specialized supreme courts - Supreme Court or Cour de Cassation, Administrative Supreme Court or Conseil d'Etat, Accounting Supreme Court or Cour des Comptes, Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle, and the non-permanent Court of State Security, initiated only for cases of high treason by the president and criminal activity by executive branch officials)

judge selection and term of office: appointment and tenure of Supreme, Administrative, Accounting, and State Security courts NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed - 3 by the national president, 3 by the president of the Senate, and 3 by the president of the National Assembly; judges serve single renewable 7-year terms

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; county courts; military courts
Political parties and leaders: Circle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [Gen. Jean-Boniface ASSELE]
Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [DIDJOB Divungui di Ndinge]
Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG [Ali BONGO Ondimba]
Independent Center Party of Gabon or PGCI [Luccheri GAHILA]
Legacy and Modernity Party or RH&M
Rally for Gabon or RPG
Restoration of Republican Values or RV
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU]
Social Democrats of Gabon
The Democrats or LD
Union for the New Republic or UPRN [Louis Gaston MAYILA]
Union of Gabonese People or UPG [Richard MOULOMBA]
Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Jean PING]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Charge D'Affaires Rod Ciangillan REMBENDAMBYA, Counselor (17 March 2021)

chancery: 2034 20th Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 797-1000

FAX: [1] (301) 332-0668

email address and website:
info@gaboneembassyusa.org

https://gabonembassyusa.org/en/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Samuel R. WATSON; note - also accredited to Sao Tome and Principe

embassy: Sabliere, B.P. 4000, Libreville

mailing address: 2270 Libreville Place, Washington, DC 20521-2270

telephone: [241] 011-45-71-00

FAX: [241] 011-45-71-05

email address and website:
ACSLibreville@state.gov

https://ga.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow, and blue; green represents the country's forests and natural resources, gold represents the equator (which transects Gabon) as well as the sun, blue represents the sea
National symbol(s): black panther; national colors: green, yellow, blue
National anthem: name: "La Concorde" (The Concorde)

lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS

note: adopted 1960
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 natural, 1 mixed)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Ecosystem and Relict Cultural Landscape of Lopé-Okanda (m); Ivindo National Park (n)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most Sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon relied on timber and manganese exports until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. From 2010 to 2016, oil accounted for approximately 80% of Gabon’s exports, 45% of its GDP, and 60% of its state budget revenues.   Gabon faces fluctuating international prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. A rebound of oil prices from 2001 to 2013 helped growth, but declining production, as some fields passed their peak production, has hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. GDP grew nearly 6% per year over the 2010-14 period, but slowed significantly from 2014 to just 1% in 2017 as oil prices declined. Low oil prices also weakened government revenue and negatively affected the trade and current account balances. In the wake of lower revenue, Gabon signed a 3-year agreement with the IMF in June 2017.   Despite an abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management and over-reliance on oil has stifled the economy. Power cuts and water shortages are frequent. Gabon is reliant on imports and the government heavily subsidizes commodities, including food, but will be hard pressed to tamp down public frustration with unemployment and corruption.Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most Sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon relied on timber and manganese exports until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. From 2010 to 2016, oil accounted for approximately 80% of Gabon’s exports, 45% of its GDP, and 60% of its state budget revenues. Gabon faces fluctuating international prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. A rebound of oil prices from 2001 to 2013 helped growth, but declining production, as some fields passed their peak production, has hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. GDP grew nearly 6% per year over the 2010-14 period, but slowed significantly from 2014 to just 1% in 2017 as oil prices declined. Low oil prices also weakened government revenue and negatively affected the trade and current account balances. In the wake of lower revenue, Gabon signed a 3-year agreement with the IMF in June 2017. Despite an abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management and over-reliance on oil has stifled the economy. Power cuts and water shortages are frequent. Gabon is reliant on imports and the government heavily subsidizes commodities, including food, but will be hard pressed to tamp down public frustration with unemployment and corruption.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $32.05 billion (2020 est.)

$32.48 billion (2019 est.)

$31.25 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.5% (2017 est.)

2.1% (2016 est.)

3.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $14,400 (2020 est.)

$15,000 (2019 est.)

$14,700 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $16.064 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.4% (2019 est.)

4.7% (2018 est.)

2.6% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: CCC (2020)

Moody's rating: Caa1 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2016)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5% (2017 est.)

industry: 44.7% (2017 est.)

services: 50.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 37.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.1% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: -0.6% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -26.8% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: plantains, cassava, sugar cane, yams, taro, vegetables, maize, groundnuts, game meat, rubber
Industries: petroleum extraction and refining; manganese, gold; chemicals, ship repair, food and beverages, textiles, lumbering and plywood, cement
Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 557,800 (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 64%

industry: 12%

services: 24% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 28% (2015 est.)

20.4% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: 33.4% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 38 (2017 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5%

highest 10%: 32.7% (2005)
Budget: revenues: 2.634 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.914 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 62.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

64.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$725 million (2017 est.)

-$1.389 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $10.8 billion (2019 est.)

$9.533 billion (2018 est.)

$9.145 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners: China 63%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, manganese, lumber, veneer sheeting, refined petroleum (2019)
Imports: $5.02 billion (2019 est.)

$4.722 billion (2018 est.)

$4.749 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: France 22%, China 17%, Belgium 6%, United States 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: poultry meats, excavation machinery, packaged medicines, cars, rice (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $981.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$804.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $6.49 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$5.321 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -

605.3 (2017 est.)

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 92% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 39% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 784,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 3.134 billion kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)

imports: 511 million kWh (2019 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 389 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 40.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 59% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 175,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 14,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate exports: 178,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 2 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 16,580 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 4,662 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 10,680 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 319.102 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 319.102 million cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 25.995 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 2.651 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 2.025 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 626,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 26.786 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 25,428 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,049,530 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 137 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom market was liberalized in 1999 when the government awarded three mobile telephony licenses and two ISP licenses and established an independent regulatory authority; Moov Gabon (known as Gabon Telecom before a rebranding exercise in January 2021), was privatized in 2007 when Maroc Telecom bought a 51% stake in the network; in June 2016 Maroc Telecom merged its two business in Gabon, thereby reducing the number of mobile networks from four to three; the 2009 entry of USAN (operated by Bintel Group under the brand name Azur) into a competitive market with high subscriptions triggered a price war that saw falling revenue and profits, forcing the networks to streamline their businesses and to look for new income streams; following more than a year of delays, a license to offer 3G mobile broadband services was awarded in late 2011; Azur failed and ceased trading in late 2017, encumbered by debts and fined by the regulator for failing to observe its quality of service obligations; in contrast with the mobile market, Gabon’s fixed-line and internet sectors have remained underdeveloped due to a lack of competition and high prices; the country has sufficient international bandwidth on the SAT-3/WASC/SAFE submarine cable but this facility is monopolized by Moov Gabon; the arrival of the ACE submarine cable, combined with progressing work on the CAB cable, has increased back haul capacity supporting mobile data traffic, and broke Moov Gabon’s monopoly on international internet traffic. (2022)

domestic: fixed-line is a little over 1 per 100 subscriptions; a growing mobile cellular network with multiple providers is making telephone service more widely available with mobile cellular teledensity at nearly 139 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 241; landing points for the SAT-3/WASC, ACE and Libreville-Port Gentil Cable fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state owns and operates 2 TV stations and 2 radio broadcast stations; a few private radio and TV stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are accessible; satellite service subscriptions are available
Internet country code: .ga
Internet users: total: 1,379,951 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 62% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 44,607 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TR
Airports: total: 44 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 14

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 9

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30

1,524 to 2,437 m: 7

914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)

under 914 m: 14 (2021)
Pipelines: 807 km gas, 1,639 km oil, 3 km water (2013)
Railways: total: 649 km (2014)

standard gauge: 649 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
Roadways: total: 14,300 km (2001)

paved: 900 km (2001)

unpaved: 13,400 km (2001)
Waterways: 1,600 km (2010) (310 km on Ogooue River)
Merchant marine: total: 62

by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 17, oil tanker 17, other 27 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Libreville, Owendo, Port-Gentil

oil terminal(s): Gamba, Lucina

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Gabonese Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Gabonaise): Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Forces, National Gendarmerie; Republican Guard (land forces under direct presidential control) (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

1.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $450 million)

1.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $440 million)

1.8% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $480 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 6,500 active duty troops including the Republican Guard and Gendarmerie (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FDG is lightly armed with a mixed inventory from a variety of suppliers; since 2010, providers have included Brazil, China, France, Germany, and South Africa (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 20 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2021)
Military - note: members of the Gabonese Defense Forces attempted a failed coup in January 2019
Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2021, there were 34 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a significant decrease from the total number of 81 incidents in 2020, it included the one hijacking and three of five ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2021, 57 crew members were kidnapped in seven separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 100% of kidnappings worldwide; Nigerian pirates in particular are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-001 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 4 January 2022, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea"

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco BayUN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane Island and lesser islands and to establish a maritime boundary in hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay


Topic: Photos of Spratly Islands

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs surrounded by rich fishing grounds - and potentially by gas and oil deposits. They are claimed in their entirety by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. About 45 islands are occupied by relatively small numbers of military forces from China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Since 1985, Brunei has claimed a continental shelf that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim to the reef. Brunei claims an exclusive economic zone over this area.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 8 38 N, 111 55 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 5 sq km less than

land: 5 sq km less than

water: 0 sq km

note: includes 100 or so islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) of the central South China Sea
Area - comparative: land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 926 km
Maritime claims: NA
Climate: tropical
Terrain: small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs
Elevation: highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 6 m

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
Natural resources: fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential
Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.)
Natural hazards: typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard
Geography - note: strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs
Map description: Spratly Islands map showing the major islands and reefs of this archipelago in the South China Sea.Spratly Islands map showing the major islands and reefs of this archipelago in the South China Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: (July 2021 est.) no indigenous inhabitants

note: there are scattered garrisons occupied by military personnel of several claimant states
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA

15-24 years: NA

25-54 years: NA

55-64 years: NA

65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Population growth rate: NA
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: (2021 est.) NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA
Current Health Expenditure: NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: China's use of dredged sand and coral to build artificial islands harms reef systems; illegal fishing practices indiscriminately harvest endangered species, including sea turtles and giant clams
Climate: tropical
Land use: other: 100% (2018 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Spratly Islands

etymology: named after a British whaling captain Richard SPRATLY, who sighted Spratly Island in 1843; the name of the island eventually passed to the entire archipelago

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins indicate potential oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored. No reliable estimates of potential reserves are available. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed.

Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 8 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6

2,438 to 3,047 m: 3

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)
Heliports: 5 (2021)
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only

Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs of which about 45 are claimed and occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam

China: occupies 7 outposts (Fiery Cross, Mischief, Subi, Cuarteron, Gavin, Hughes, and Johnson reefs); the outposts on Fiery Cross, Mischief, and Subi include air bases with helipads and aircraft hangers, naval port facilities, surveillance radars, air defense and anti-ship missile sites, and other military infrastructure such as communications, barracks, maintenance facilities, and ammunition and fuel bunkers

Malaysia:  occupies 5 outposts in the southern portion of the archipelago, closest to the Malaysian state of Sabah (Ardasier Reef, Eric Reef, Mariveles Reef, Shallow Reef, and Investigator Shoal); all the outposts have helicopter landing pads, while Shallow Reef also has an airstrip

Philippines: occupies 9 features (Commodore Reef, Second Thomas Shoal, Flat Island, Loaita Cay, Loaita Island, Nanshan Island, Northeast Cay, Thitu Island, and West York Island); Thitu Island has the only Philippine airstrip in the Spratlys Taiwan: maintains a coast guard outpost with an airstrip on Itu Aba Island

Vietnam: occupies about 50 outposts spread across 27 features, including facilities on 21 rocks and reefs in the Spratlys, plus 14 platforms known as “economic, scientific, and technological service stations,” or Dịch vụ-Khoa (DK1), on six underwater banks to the southeast that Vietnam does not consider part of the disputed island chain, although China and Taiwan disagree; Spratly Islands outposts are on Alison Reef, Amboyna Cay, Barque Canada Reef, Central Reef, Collins Reef, Cornwallis South Reef, Discovery Great Reef, East Reef, Grierson Reef, Ladd Reef, Landsdowne Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Petley Reef, Sand Cay, Sin Cowe Island, South Reef, Southwest Cay, Spratly Island, Tennent Reef, West Reef; Spratly Island includes an airstrip with aircraft hangers; the six underwater banks with outposts include Vanguard, Rifleman, Prince of Wales, Prince Consort, Grainger, and Alexandra; over the past few years, Vietnam has continued to make modest improvements to its outposts, including defensive positions and infrastructure (2022)Taiwan: maintains a coast guard outpost with an airstrip on Itu Aba Island

Vietnam: occupies about 50 outposts spread across 27 features, including facilities on 21 rocks and reefs in the Spratlys, plus 14 platforms known as “economic, scientific, and technological service stations,” or Dịch vụ-Khoa (DK1), on six underwater banks to the southeast that Vietnam does not consider part of the disputed island chain, although China and Taiwan disagree; Spratly Islands outposts are on Alison Reef, Amboyna Cay, Barque Canada Reef, Central Reef, Collins Reef, Cornwallis South Reef, Discovery Great Reef, East Reef, Grierson Reef, Ladd Reef, Landsdowne Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Petley Reef, Sand Cay, Sin Cowe Island, South Reef, Southwest Cay, Spratly Island, Tennent Reef, West Reef; Spratly Island includes an airstrip with aircraft hangers; the six underwater banks with outposts include Vanguard, Rifleman, Prince of Wales, Prince Consort, Grainger, and Alexandra; over the past few years, Vietnam has continued to make modest improvements to its outposts, including defensive positions and infrastructure

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Taiwan-Brunei-China-Malaysia-Philippines-Vietnam: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China (including Taiwan) and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines; despite no public territorial claim to Louisa Reef, Brunei implicitly lays claim by including it within the natural prolongation of its continental shelf and basis for a seabed median with Vietnam; the islands are strategically located in the South China Sea and are surrounded by rich fishing groups and potential oil and natural gas deposits; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which eased tensions but fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China’s island-building and military presence in the archipelago remain controversialTaiwan-Brunei-China-Malaysia-Philippines-Vietnam: all of the Spratly Islands are claimed by China (including Taiwan) and Vietnam; parts of them are claimed by Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines; despite no public territorial claim to Louisa Reef, Brunei implicitly lays claim by including it within the natural prolongation of its continental shelf and basis for a seabed median with Vietnam; the islands are strategically located in the South China Sea and are surrounded by rich fishing groups and potential oil and natural gas deposits; claimants in November 2002 signed the "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," which eased tensions but fell short of a legally binding "code of conduct"; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; China’s island-building and military presence in the archipelago remain controversial


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Afghanistan due to civil unrest, armed conflict, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: [00 93] (0) 700-10-8000; US Embassy Kabul, Bibi Mahru, Kabul, Afghanistan; https://af.usembassy.gov/; KabulACS@state.gov; note U.S. Embassy Kabul suspended operations on August 31, 2021; USG is providing assistance through the Embassy in Doha, Qatar: Al-Luqta District, 22nd February Street, Doha, Qatar,  +(974) 4496-6000, ACSDoha@state.gov or ConsularDoha@state.gov
Telephone Code: 93
Local Emergency Phone: Local numbers only
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Polio vaccination up to 1 year before travel. See WHO recommendations.
Note: Afghanistan is one of two countries with endemic wild polio virus and considered high risk for international spread of the disease. Before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; in addition, before travel to any high-risk destination, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers
Currency (Code): Afghanis (AFN)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G

Major Languages: Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%, Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbeki 11%, English 6%, Turkmani 3%, Urdu 3%, other minority languages
Major Religions: Muslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%)
Time Difference: UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Blue Mosque of Mazar-e Sharif; mausoleum of King Amanullah Khan in Jalalabad; Green Mosque of Balkh; Friday Mosque of Herat; Band-e-Amir National Park; archaeological remains of the Bamyan Valley (includes Shahr-i-zohok (Red City); minaret & archaeological remains of Jam
Major Sports: Buzkashi (form of polo using a goat carcass), soccer, rugby
Cultural Practices: In Afghanistan, you may see people place their hands over their hearts and nod slightly as a greeting.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is uncommon except at the fanciest of restaurants. Donations to free historical sites are appreciated, as is extra money for local guides, usually around 20 afghanis. It is very common for a taxi driver or sales persons to tell you it is nothing when you want to pay. This reticence is just a form of politeness. Insist on paying.
Souvenirs: Tribal hats and scarves, pottery, lapis lazuli and soapstone items, handwoven rugs, brass and copperware
Traditional Cuisine: Kabuli Pulao — long-grained Basmati rice steamed in meat broth, with assorted lentils, raisins, carrots, lamb, and chopped almonds and pistachiosPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022