Topic: Photos of Norfolk Island

Topic: Introduction
Background: Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island between 1200 and 1500 but the remote island was uninhabited by the time British explorer James COOK landed on the island in 1774. Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned.

In 1856, almost 200 Pitcairn Islanders - descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions - were relocated to Norfolk Island because of overcrowding on the Pitcairn Islands. Some returned to the Pitcairn Islands over the next few years but most settled permanently on Norfolk Island and recreated the land tenure and governance structures they previously had. Norfolk Island retained a great degree of local control until 1897, when it became a dependency of New South Wales. During World War II, Norfolk Island was an airbase and an important refueling stop in the South Pacific. In 1976, an Australian judge recommended Norfolk Island be incorporated fully into Australia, which Norfolk Islanders rejected. Following an appeal to the UN, Australia granted limited self-government to Norfolk Island in 1979.

With growing financial troubles during the 2000s, Australia abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 2015, reduced Norfolk Island’s autonomy in 2016, and suspended the local council in 2020. Most services are provided by a mix of the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales and Queensland. These moves were unpopular on Norfolk Island, which has sought to have its self-government restored.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 29 02 S, 167 57 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 36 sq km

land: 36 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 0.2 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 32 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcanic island with mostly rolling plains
Elevation: highest point: Mount Bates 319 m

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: agricultural land: 25% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 25% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.5% (2018 est.)

other: 63.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Natural hazards: tropical cyclones (especially May to July)
Geography - note: most of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated
Map description: Norfolk Island map shows a few population centers on this island in the South Pacific Ocean.Norfolk Island map shows a few population centers on this island in the South Pacific Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 1,748 (2016 est.)
Nationality: noun: Norfolk Islander(s)

adjective: Norfolk Islander(s)
Ethnic groups: Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.)

note: respondents were able to identify up to two ancestries; percentages represent a proportion of all responses from people in Norfolk Island, including those who did not identify an ancestry; only top responses are shownAustralian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2%
Languages: English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (also known as Norfuk or Norf'k, which is a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.)

note: data represent language spoken at home
Religions: Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 29.2%, Uniting Church in Australia 9.8%, Presbyterian 2.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.7%, other 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.)
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: 0.01% (2014 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Population distribution: population concentrated around the capital of Kingston
Sex ratio: NA
Infant mortality rate: total: NA

male: NA

female: NA
Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA
Total fertility rate: 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
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 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
Literacy: total population: NA

male: NA

female: NA

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: inadequate solid waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem
Climate: subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation
Land use: agricultural land: 25% (2018 est.)

arable land: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 25% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.5% (2018 est.)

other: 63.5% (2018 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island

conventional short form: Norfolk Island

etymology: named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Mary HOWARD, Duchess of Norfolk, in 1774
Government type: non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia; note - the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia
Dependency status: self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development
Capital: name: Kingston

geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E

time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April

etymology: the name is a blending of the words "king's" and "town"; the British king at the time of the town's settlement in the late 18th century was George III
Administrative divisions: none (territory of Australia)
Independence: none (territory of Australia)
National holiday: Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
Constitution: history: previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979

amendments: amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: English common law and the laws of Australia
Citizenship: see Australia
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019)

head of government: Administrator Eric HUTCHINSON (since 1 April 2017)

cabinet: Executive Council consists of 4 Legislative Assembly members

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Norfolk Island Regional Council (5 seats; councillors directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); mayor elected annually by the councillors

elections: elections last held 28 May 2016 (next rescheduled to be held in 2022)

election results: seats by party - independent 5; composition - men 4, women 1, percent of women 20%

note: following an administrative restructuring of local government, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved on 18 June 2015 and replaced by an interim Norfolk Island Advisory Council effective 1 July 2015; the Advisory Council consisted of 5 members appointed by the Norfolk Island administrator based on nominations from the community; following elections on 28 May 2016, the new Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC) commenced operations on 1 July 2016; on 20 December 2020 the NIRC was suspended for three months following a public audit and this suspension was extended on 3 February 2021 for an additional three months pending the outcome of a public inquiry; the council election previously scheduled for 13 March 2021 has been postponed 12 months
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island are heard by the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia

judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70

subordinate courts: Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal
Political parties and leaders: Norfolk Island Labor Party [Mike KELLY]
Norfolk Liberals [John BROWN]
International organization participation: UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: three vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and green with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered in the slightly wider white band; green stands for the rich vegetation on the island, and the pine tree - endemic to the island - is a symbol of Norfolk Island

note: somewhat reminiscent of the flag of Canada with its use of only two colors and depiction of a prominent local floral symbol in the central white band; also resembles the green and white triband of Nigeria
National symbol(s): Norfolk Island pine
National anthem: name: "Come Ye Blessed"

lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT

note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Norfolk Island is suffering from a severe economic downturn. Tourism, the primary economic activity, is the main driver of economic growth. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): NANA
Agricultural products: Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Industries: tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete
Labor force: 978 (2006)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6%

industry: 14%

services: 80% (2006 est.)
Budget: revenues: 4.6 million (FY99/00)

expenditures: 4.8 million (FY99/00)
Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June
Exports: NANA
Exports - partners: Philippines 29%, Singapore 21%, India 14%, Belgium 7%, Australia 5%, Canada 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: soybean meal, Norfolk Island pine seeds, Kentia palm seeds, activated carbon, centrifuges, pesticides, postage stamps (2019)
Imports: $NA$NA
Imports - partners: New Zealand 23%, Australia 19%, Philippines 19%, Singapore 14%, Fiji 11% (2019)
Imports - commodities: clothing and apparel, chemical analysis instruments, refined petroleum, cars, kitchen machinery (2019)
Debt - external: NANA
Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar -

1.311 (2017 est.)

1.3291 (2016 est.)

1.3291 (2015)

1.3291 (2014 est.)

1.1094 (2013 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: adequate, 4G mobile telecommunication network (2020)

domestic: free local calls

international: country code - 672; submarine cable links with Australia and New Zealand; satellite earth station - 1

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 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009)
Internet country code: .nf
Internet users: total: 612 (2016 est.)

percent of population: 35% (2016 est.)

Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 80 km (2008)

paved: 53 km (2008)

unpaved: 27 km (2008)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Kingston

Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified


This entry lists the major (mega) aquifer system(s) that underlie a country, keeping in mind that many of these mega aquifers are so large that they extend under multiple countries. More than 30% of freshwater is held in underground aquifers. There is great variation in the size of such aquifers, but a limited number of very large aquifer systems contain a majority of the World’s groundwater volume in storage.

Topic: AlgeriaLullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System, Murzuk-Djado Basin, North Western Sahara Aquifer, Taoudeni-Tanezrouft Basin

Topic: AngolaCongo Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Topic: ArgentinaGuarani Aquifer System

Topic: AustraliaGreat Artesian Basin, Canning Basin

Topic: BahrainArabian Aquifer System

Topic: BangladeshIndus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin

Topic: BoliviaAmazon Basin

Topic: BotswanaLower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Topic: BrazilAmazon Basin, Guarani Aquifer System, Maranhao Basin

Topic: CameroonLake Chad Basin

Topic: CanadaNorthern Great Plains Aquifer

Topic: Central African RepublicCongo Basin, Lake Chad Basin

Topic: ChadLake Chad Basin, Nubian Aquifer System

Topic: ChinaNorth China Aquifer System (Huang Huai Hai Plain), Song-Liao Plain, Tarim Basin

Topic: ColombiaAmazon Basin

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theCongo Basin

Topic: Congo, Republic of theCongo Basin

Topic: EgyptNubian Aquifer System

Topic: EthiopiaOgaden-Juba Basin, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer)

Topic: FranceParis Basin

Topic: GabonCongo Basin

Topic: Gambia, TheSenegalo-Mauritanian Basin

Topic: Guinea-BissauSenegalo-Mauritanian Basin

Topic: IndiaIndus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin

Topic: IraqArabian Aquifer System

Topic: JordanArabian Aquifer System

Topic: KenyaOgaden-Juba Basin

Topic: KuwaitArabian Aquifer System

Topic: LibyaNubian Aquifer System, North Western Sahara Aquifer System, Murzuk-Djado Basin

Topic: MaliLullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Taodeni-Tanezrouft Basin

Topic: MauritaniaSenegalo-Mauritanian Basin, Taodeni-Tanzerouft Basin

Topic: MexicoAtlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains Aquifer

Topic: NamibiaLower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Topic: NepalIndus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Basin

Topic: NigerLake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin

Topic: NigeriaLake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Aquifer System

Topic: OmanArabian Aquifer System

Topic: PakistanIndus Basin

Topic: ParaguayGuarani Aquifer System

Topic: PeruAmazon Basin

Topic: QatarArabian Aquifer System

Topic: RussiaAngara-Lena Basin, Pechora Basin, North Caucasus Basin, East European Aquifer System, West Siberian Basin, Tunguss Basin, Yakut Basin

Topic: Saudi ArabiaArabian Aquifer System

Topic: SenegalSenegalo-Mauritanian Basin

Topic: SomaliaOgaden-Juba Basin

Topic: South AfricaKaroo Basin, Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin

Topic: SudanNubian Aquifer System, Sudd Basin (Umm Ruwaba Aquifer)

Topic: TunisiaNorth Western Sahara Aquifer System

Topic: United StatesNorthern Great Plains Aquifer, Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifer System, Californian Central Valley Aquifer System, Ogallala Aquifer (High Plains), Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains Aquifer

Topic: UruguayGuarani Aquifer System

Topic: Worldsummary statement: aquifers are underground layers of water-bearing permeable rock formations; they include alluvial formations such as unconsolidated sand and gravel aquifers, sedimentary rock formations of sandstone and karst (carbonate rocks such as limestone) aquifers, as well as volcanic aquifers, and basement aquifers (igneous and metamorphic rocks that underlie sedimentary and volcanic rock sequences); groundwater from aquifers can be extracted using a water well; The World Factbook lists 37 major aquifers across 52 countries; of these, 13 are in Africa, 10 in Asia, 5 in North America, 3 in South America, 4 in Europe, and 2 in Australia; although aquifers can vary in size, the major aquifers listed in The Factbook contain the bulk of the stored volume of groundwater; the fresh water held in these aquifers represents more than 30% of the World's fresh water; in the US, groundwater is primarily used for irrigation and globally, 70% of groundwater withdrawn is used for agriculture; groundwater also supplies almost half of all drinking water worldwide

Topic: ZambiaUpper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin

Topic: ZimbabweUpper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin


This entry gives the gross domestic product (GDP) or value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year. A nation's GDP at purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates is the sum value of all goods and services produced in the country valued at prices prevailing in the United States in the year noted. This is the measure most economists prefer when looking at per-capita welfare and when comparing living conditions or use of resources across countries. The measure is difficult to compute, as a US dollar value has to be assigned to all goods and services in the country regardless of whether these goods and services have a direct equivalent in the United States (for example, the value of an ox-cart or non-US military equipment); as a result, PPP estimates for some countries are based on a small and sometimes different set of goods and services. In addition, many countries do not formally participate in the World Bank's PPP project that calculates these measures, so the resulting GDP estimates for these countries may lack precision. For many developing countries, PPP-based GDP measures are multiples of the official exchange rate (OER) measure. The differences between the OER- and PPP-denominated GDP values for most of the wealthy industrialized countries are generally much smaller.

Topic: Afghanistan$77.04 billion (2020 est.)

$78.56 billion (2019 est.)

$75.6 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Albania$37.73 billion (2020 est.)

$39.02 billion (2019 est.)

$38.19 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Algeria$468.4 billion (2020 est.)

$495.56 billion (2019 est.)

$491.63 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: American Samoa$658 million (2016 est.)

$674.9 million (2015 est.)

$666.9 billion (2014 est.)

note: data are in 2016 US dollars

Topic: Andorra$3.327 billion (2015 est.)

$3.363 billion (2014 est.)

$3.273 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Topic: Angola$203.71 billion (2020 est.)

$212.29 billion (2019 est.)

$213.62 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Anguilla$175.4 million (2009 est.)

$191.7 million (2008 est.)

$108.9 million (2004 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda$1.76 billion (2020 est.)

$2.09 billion (2019 est.)

$2.02 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Argentina$893.31 billion (2020 est.)

$991.52 billion (2019 est.)

$1,012,670,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Armenia$37.31 billion (2020 est.)

$40.38 billion (2019 est.)

$37.53 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Aruba$4.158 billion (2017 est.)

$4.05 billion (2017 est.)

$4.107 billion (2016 est.)

Topic: Australia$1,250,900,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,254,480,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,227,940,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Austria$463.12 billion (2020 est.)

$495.8 billion (2019 est.)

$488.86 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Azerbaijan$138.51 billion (2020 est.)

$144.74 billion (2019 est.)

$141.24 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bahamas, The$12.1 billion (2020 est.)

$14.45 billion (2019 est.)

$14.28 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bahrain$69.65 billion (2020 est.)

$73.95 billion (2019 est.)

$72.51 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bangladesh$793.49 billion (2020 est.)

$775.08 billion (2019 est.)

$716.65 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Barbados$3.7 billion (2020 est.)

$4.49 billion (2019 est.)

$4.49 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Belarus$179.97 billion (2020 est.)

$181.61 billion (2019 est.)

$179.1 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Belgium$557.11 billion (2020 est.)

$594.47 billion (2019 est.)

$584.05 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Belize$2.43 billion (2020 est.)

$2.83 billion (2019 est.)

$2.78 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Benin$40.29 billion (2020 est.)

$38.79 billion (2019 est.)

$36.3 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bermuda$5.23 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$5.2 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$5.227 billion (2017 est.)

Topic: Bhutan$8.42 billion (2020 est.)

$9.03 billion (2019 est.)

$8.56 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bolivia$92.59 billion (2020 est.)

$100.45 billion (2019 est.)

$98.27 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina$47.05 billion (2020 est.)

$49.17 billion (2019 est.)

$47.82 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Botswana$37.72 billion (2020 est.)

$40.95 billion (2019 est.)

$39.75 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Brazil$2,989,430,000,000 (2020 est.)

$3,115,910,000,000 (2019 est.)

$3,072,550,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: British Virgin Islands$500 million (2017 est.)

$490.2 million (2016 est.)

$481.1 million (2015 est.)

Topic: Brunei$27.23 billion (2020 est.)

$26.91 billion (2019 est.)

$25.9 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Bulgaria$155.06 billion (2020 est.)

$161.78 billion (2019 est.)

$156.02 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Burkina Faso$45.16 billion (2020 est.)

$44.27 billion (2019 est.)

$41.88 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Burma$247.24 billion (2020 est.)

$274.69 billion (2019 est.)

$270.11 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Burundi$8.69 billion (2020 est.)

$8.67 billion (2019 est.)

$8.51 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cabo Verde$3.36 billion (2020 est.)

$3.94 billion (2019 est.)

$3.73 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cambodia$70.08 billion (2020 est.)

$72.36 billion (2019 est.)

$67.59 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cameroon$94.94 billion (2020 est.)

$94.25 billion (2019 est.)

$90.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Canada$1,742,790,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,842,330,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,808,660,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cayman Islands$4.78 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$4.61 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$4.409 billion (2017 est.)

Topic: Central African Republic$4.483 billion (2019 est.)

$4.354 billion (2018 est.)

$4.195 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Chad$24.97 billion (2020 est.)

$25.19 billion (2019 est.)

$24.4 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Chile$445.88 billion (2020 est.)

$473.19 billion (2019 est.)

$468.77 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: China$23,009,780,000,000 (2020 est.)

$22,492,450,000,000 (2019 est.)

$21,229,360,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Christmas IslandNANA

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNANA

Topic: Colombia$683.94 billion (2020 est.)

$734.22 billion (2019 est.)

$710.89 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Comoros$2.73 billion (2020 est.)

$2.6 billion (2019 est.)

$2.55 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the$96.03 billion (2020 est.)

$95.29 billion (2019 est.)

$91.29 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Congo, Republic of the$19.03 billion (2020 est.)

$20.68 billion (2019 est.)

$20.63 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cook Islands$299.9 million (2016 est.)

$183.2 million (2015 est.)

Topic: Costa Rica$100.25 billion (2020 est.)

$105.02 billion (2019 est.)

$102.79 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire$136.48 billion (2020 est.)

$134.05 billion (2019 est.)

$126.19 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Croatia$107.11 billion (2020 est.)

$116.89 billion (2019 est.)

$113.64 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Cuba$137 billion (2017 est.)

$134.8 billion (2016 est.)

$134.2 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2016 US dollars

Topic: Curacao$3.86 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$3.99 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$4.08 billion (2017 est.)

Topic: Cyprus$33.67 billion (2020 est.)

$35.48 billion (2019 est.)

$34.42 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Czechia$409.97 billion (2020 est.)

$434.31 billion (2019 est.)

$424.48 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Denmark$326.2 billion (2020 est.)

$335.36 billion (2019 est.)

$326.07 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Djibouti$5.42 billion (2020 est.)

$5.39 billion (2019 est.)

$5 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Dominica$710 million (2020 est.)

$850 million (2019 est.)

$830 million (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Dominican Republic$184.45 billion (2020 est.)

$197.74 billion (2019 est.)

$188.23 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Ecuador$182.24 billion (2020 est.)

$197.55 billion (2019 est.)

$197.53 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Egypt$1,223,040,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,180,890,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,118,720,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: El Salvador$52.26 billion (2020 est.)

$56.77 billion (2019 est.)

$55.31 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Equatorial Guinea$23.86 billion (2020 est.)

$25.09 billion (2019 est.)

$26.68 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Eritrea$9.702 billion (2017 est.)

$8.953 billion (2016 est.)

$8.791 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Estonia$47.44 billion (2020 est.)

$48.87 billion (2019 est.)

$46.54 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Eswatini$9.74 billion (2020 est.)

$9.9 billion (2019 est.)

$9.68 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Ethiopia$264.05 billion (2020 est.)

$248.97 billion (2019 est.)

$229.76 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: European Union$19,885,625,000,000 (2019 est.)

$19,551,328,000,000 (2018 est.)

$19,115,988,000,000 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)$206.4 million (2015 est.)

$164.5 million (2014 est.)

$167.5 million (2013 est.)

Topic: Faroe Islands$2.001 billion (2014 est.)

$1.89 billion (2013 est.)

$1.608 billion (2012 est.)

Topic: Fiji$9.86 billion (2020 est.)

$12.18 billion (2019 est.)

$12.23 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Finland$261.39 billion (2020 est.)

$268.84 billion (2019 est.)

$265.46 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: France$2,832,170,000,000 (2020 est.)

$3,082,300,000,000 (2019 est.)

$3,036,490,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: French Polynesia$5.49 billion (2017 est.)

$5.383 billion (2016 est.)

$6.963 billion (2015 est.)

Topic: Gabon$32.05 billion (2020 est.)

$32.48 billion (2019 est.)

$31.25 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Gambia, The$5.22 billion (2020 est.)

$5.22 billion (2019 est.)

$4.92 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Gaza Stripsee entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank

Topic: Georgia$52.33 billion (2020 est.)

$55.76 billion (2019 est.)

$53.12 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Germany$4,238,800,000,000 (2020 est.)

$4,457,050,000,000 (2019 est.)

$4,432,430,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Ghana$164.84 billion (2020 est.)

$164.16 billion (2019 est.)

$154.13 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Gibraltar$2.044 billion (2014 est.)

$1.85 billion (2013 est.)

$2 billion (2012 est.)

note: data are in 2014 dollars

Topic: Greece$292.4 billion (2020 est.)

$318.68 billion (2019 est.)

$312.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Greenland$2.413 billion (2015 est.)

$2.24 billion (2014 est.)

$2.203 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Topic: Grenada$1.7 billion (2020 est.)

$1.91 billion (2019 est.)

$1.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Guam$5.793 billion (2016 est.)

$5.697 billion (2015 est.)

$5.531 billion (2014 est.)

Topic: Guatemala$141.5 billion (2020 est.)

$143.68 billion (2019 est.)

$138.33 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Guernsey$3.465 billion (2015 est.)

$3.451 billion (2014 est.)

$3.42 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 dollars

Topic: Guinea$35.08 billion (2020 est.)

$32.78 billion (2019 est.)

$31.03 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Guinea-Bissau$3.64 billion (2020 est.)

$3.73 billion (2019 est.)

$3.56 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Guyana$14.69 billion (2020 est.)

$10.24 billion (2019 est.)

$9.72 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Haiti$31.62 billion (2020 est.)

$32.72 billion (2019 est.)

$33.28 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NANA

Topic: Honduras$50.89 billion (2020 est.)

$55.91 billion (2019 est.)

$54.46 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Hong Kong$420.13 billion (2020 est.)

$447.34 billion (2019 est.)

$454.98 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Hungary$302.32 billion (2020 est.)

$318.09 billion (2019 est.)

$303.98 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Iceland$19.16 billion (2020 est.)

$20.52 billion (2019 est.)

$20.01 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: India$8,443,360,000,000 (2020 est.)

$9,174,040,000,000 (2019 est.)

$8,817,670,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Indonesia$3,130,470,000,000 (2020 est.)

$3,196,620,000,000 (2019 est.)

$3,043,880,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Iran$1,044,310,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,027,240,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1.102 trillion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Iraq$372.27 billion (2020 est.)

$415.32 billion (2019 est.)

$397.64 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Ireland$447.97 billion (2020 est.)

$433.17 billion (2019 est.)

$410.33 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Isle of Man$6.792 billion (2015 est.)

$7.428 billion (2014 est.)

$6.298 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2014 US dollars

Topic: Israel$353.39 billion (2020 est.)

$362.23 billion (2019 est.)

$350.15 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Italy$2,322,140,000,000 (2020 est.)

$2,548,190,000,000 (2019 est.)

$2,540,890,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Jamaica$25.89 billion (2020 est.)

$28.83 billion (2019 est.)

$28.57 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Japan$5,224,850,000,000 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$5,210,770,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$5,180,326,000,000 (2017 est.)

Topic: Jersey$5.569 billion (2016 est.)

$5.514 billion (2015 est.)

$4.98 billion (2014 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Topic: Jordan$100.16 billion (2020 est.)

$101.74 billion (2019 est.)

$99.79 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Kazakhstan$475.18 billion (2020 est.)

$487.87 billion (2019 est.)

$466.86 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Kenya$226.94 billion (2020 est.)

$227.64 billion (2019 est.)

$216.05 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Kiribati$270 million (2020 est.)

$270 million (2019 est.)

$260 million (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Korea, North$40 billion (2015 est.)

$40 billion (2014 est.)

$40 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars

North Korea does not publish reliable National Income Accounts data; the data shown are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP estimates that were made by Angus MADDISON in a study conducted for the OECD; his figure for 1999 was extrapolated to 2015 using estimated real growth rates for North Korea's GDP and an inflation factor based on the US GDP deflator; the results were rounded to the nearest $10 billion.

Topic: Korea, South$2,187,800,000,000 (2020 est.)

$2,208,960,000,000 (2019 est.)

$2,164,810,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Kosovo$19.13 billion (2020 est.)

$20.55 billion (2019 est.)

$19.58 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Kuwait$209.74 billion (2019 est.)

$208.85 billion (2018 est.)

$206.274 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Kyrgyzstan$31.02 billion (2020 est.)

$33.95 billion (2019 est.)

$32.46 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Laos$56.79 billion (2020 est.)

$56.54 billion (2019 est.)

$53.62 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Latvia$56.92 billion (2020 est.)

$59.06 billion (2019 est.)

$57.88 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Lebanon$79.51 billion (2020 est.)

$99.76 billion (2019 est.)

$106.93 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Lesotho$4.88 billion (2020 est.)

$5.49 billion (2019 est.)

$5.51 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Liberia$6.85 billion (2020 est.)

$7.05 billion (2019 est.)

$7.21 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Libya$70.65 billion (2020 est.)

$102.84 billion (2019 est.)

$100.3 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Liechtenstein$4.978 billion (2014 est.)

$3.2 billion (2009 est.)

$3.216 billion (2008 est.)

Topic: Lithuania$102.66 billion (2020 est.)

$103.56 billion (2019 est.)

$99.25 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Luxembourg$69.72 billion (2020 est.)

$70.64 billion (2019 est.)

$69.06 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Macau$35.58 billion (2020 est.)

$81.44 billion (2019 est.)

$83.64 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Madagascar$41.82 billion (2020 est.)

$43.65 billion (2019 est.)

$41.81 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Malawi$28.44 billion (2020 est.)

$28.22 billion (2019 est.)

$26.69 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Malaysia$855.6 billion (2020 est.)

$906.24 billion (2019 est.)

$868.85 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Maldives$7.05 billion (2020 est.)

$10.37 billion (2019 est.)

$9.69 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Mali$44.89 billion (2020 est.)

$45.64 billion (2019 est.)

$43.57 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Malta$20.6 billion (2020 est.)

$22.15 billion (2019 est.)

$20.99 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Marshall Islands$240 million (2019 est.)

$220 million (2018 est.)

$219 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Mauritania$23.17 billion (2020 est.)

$23.52 billion (2019 est.)

$22.2 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Mauritius$24.64 billion (2020 est.)

$28.95 billion (2019 est.)

$28.1 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Mexico$2,306,320,000,000 (2020 est.)

$2,513,410,000,000 (2019 est.)

$2,514,780,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of$390 million (2019 est.)

$390 million (2018 est.)

$389 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Moldova$32.26 billion (2020 est.)

$34.68 billion (2019 est.)

$33.48 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Monaco$7.672 billion (2015 est.)

$7.279 billion (2014 est.)

$6.79 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars

Topic: Mongolia$37.6 billion (2020 est.)

$39.72 billion (2019 est.)

$37.77 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Montenegro$11.36 billion (2020 est.)

$13.39 billion (2019 est.)

$12.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Montserrat$167.4 million (2011 est.)

$155.9 million (2010 est.)

$162.7 million (2009 est.)

Topic: Morocco$259.42 billion (2020 est.)

$279.3 billion (2019 est.)

$272.53 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Mozambique$38.42 billion (2020 est.)

$38.91 billion (2019 est.)

$38.04 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Namibia$22.6 billion (2020 est.)

$24.56 billion (2019 est.)

$24.71 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Nauru$150 million (2019 est.)

$150 million (2018 est.)

$137 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Nepal$110.72 billion (2020 est.)

$113.08 billion (2019 est.)

$106.03 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Netherlands$945.48 billion (2020 est.)

$982.22 billion (2019 est.)

$966.02 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: New Caledonia$11.11 billion (2017 est.)

$10.89 billion (2016 est.)

$10.77 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2015 dollars

Topic: New Zealand$215.6 billion (2020 est.)

$213.5 billion (2019 est.)

$210.07 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Nicaragua$34.98 billion (2020 est.)

$35.68 billion (2019 est.)

$37.05 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Niger$28.97 billion (2020 est.)

$28.54 billion (2019 est.)

$26.95 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Nigeria$1,013,530,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,032,050,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,009,750,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Niue$10.01 million (2003 est.)

Topic: Norfolk IslandNANA

Topic: North Macedonia$33.02 billion (2020 est.)

$34.59 billion (2019 est.)

$33.52 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars; Macedonia has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data

Topic: Northern Mariana Islands$1.242 billion (2016 est.)

$933 million (2015 est.)

$845 million (2014 est.)

note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars

Topic: Norway$342.06 billion (2020 est.)

$344.69 billion (2019 est.)

$341.78 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Oman$135.79 billion (2019 est.)

$136.92 billion (2018 est.)

$135.696 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Pakistan$1,021,130,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,015,800,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,005,850,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
data are for fiscal years

Topic: Palau$320 million (2019 est.)

$330 million (2018 est.)

$317 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Panama$109.52 billion (2020 est.)

$133.47 billion (2019 est.)

$129.54 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Papua New Guinea$36.69 billion (2020 est.)

$38.17 billion (2019 est.)

$36.06 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Paraguay$87.98 billion (2020 est.)

$88.87 billion (2019 est.)

$89.23 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Peru$371.29 billion (2020 est.)

$417.88 billion (2019 est.)

$408.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Philippines$871.56 billion (2020 est.)

$963.83 billion (2019 est.)

$908.26 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNANA

Topic: Poland$1,223,460,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,257,440,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,202,820,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Portugal$331.64 billion (2020 est.)

$358.78 billion (2019 est.)

$350.07 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Puerto Rico$106.82 billion (2020 est.)

$111.16 billion (2019 est.)

$109.53 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Qatar$245.66 billion (2020 est.)

$255.01 billion (2019 est.)

$253.05 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Romania$556.07 billion (2020 est.)

$578.39 billion (2019 est.)

$555.47 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Russia$3,875,690,000,000 (2020 est.)

$3,993,550,000,000 (2019 est.)

$3,913,980,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Rwanda$27.18 billion (2020 est.)

$28.13 billion (2019 est.)

$25.7 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha$31.1 million (2009 est.)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis$1.24 billion (2020 est.)

$1.39 billion (2019 est.)

$1.36 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Saint Lucia$2.25 billion (2020 est.)

$2.82 billion (2019 est.)

$2.78 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Saint Martin$561.5 million (2005 est.)

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon$261.3 million (2015 est.)

$215.3 million (2006 est.)

note: supplemented by annual payments from France of about $60 million

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines$1.34 billion (2020 est.)

$1.38 billion (2019 est.)

$1.37 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Samoa$1.25 billion (2020 est.)

$1.28 billion (2019 est.)

$1.24 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: San Marino$2.06 billion (2019 est.)

$2.01 billion (2018 est.)

$1.982 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe$890 million (2020 est.)

$860 million (2019 est.)

$840 million (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Saudi Arabia$1,543,240,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,609,320,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,604,010,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Senegal$55.26 billion (2020 est.)

$54.78 billion (2019 est.)

$52.47 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Serbia$125.8 billion (2020 est.)

$127.04 billion (2019 est.)

$121.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Seychelles$2.4 billion (2020 est.)

$2.69 billion (2019 est.)

$2.65 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Sierra Leone$13.15 billion (2020 est.)

$13.44 billion (2019 est.)

$12.72 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Singapore$531.04 billion (2020 est.)

$561.3 billion (2019 est.)

$553.85 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Sint Maarten$1.44 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars

$1.436 billion (2018 est.)

$1.538 billion (2017 est.)

Topic: Slovakia$165.57 billion (2020 est.)

$173.83 billion (2019 est.)

$169.57 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Slovenia$76.75 billion (2020 est.)

$81.25 billion (2019 est.)

$78.74 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Solomon Islands$1.71 billion (2020 est.)

$1.78 billion (2019 est.)

$1.76 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Somalia$13.19 billion (2020 est.)

$13.39 billion (2019 est.)

$13.01 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 US dollars

Topic: South Africa$680.04 billion (2020 est.)

$730.91 billion (2019 est.)

$729.8 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: South Sudan$20.01 billion (2017 est.)

$21.1 billion (2016 est.)

$24.52 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Spain$1,714,860,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,923,330,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,886,540,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Sri Lanka$274.8 billion (2020 est.)

$284.97 billion (2019 est.)

$278.68 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Sudan$176.4 billion (2020 est.)

$179.2 billion (2019 est.)

$181.61 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Suriname$9.46 billion (2020 est.)

$11.07 billion (2019 est.)

$10.95 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Sweden$524.75 billion (2020 est.)

$539.96 billion (2019 est.)

$532.67 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Switzerland$590.71 billion (2020 est.)

$608.16 billion (2019 est.)

$601.65 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Syria$50.28 billion (2015 est.)

$55.8 billion (2014 est.)

$61.9 billion (2013 est.)

note: data are in 2015 US dollars
the war-driven deterioration of the economy resulted in a disappearance of quality national level statistics in the 2012-13 period

Topic: Taiwan$1,143,277,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,113,126,000,000 (2018 est.)

$1,083,384,000,000 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars

Topic: Tajikistan$34.88 billion (2020 est.)

$33.38 billion (2019 est.)

$31.08 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Tanzania$152.79 billion (2020 est.)

$149.79 billion (2019 est.)

$141.59 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Thailand$1,206,620,000,000 (2020 est.)

$1,284,830,000,000 (2019 est.)

$1,256,360,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Timor-Leste$4.19 billion (2020 est.)

$4.59 billion (2019 est.)

$3.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Togo$17.45 billion (2020 est.)

$17.15 billion (2019 est.)

$16.26 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Tokelau$7,711,583 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars.

Topic: Tonga$670 million (2019 est.)

$660 million (2018 est.)

$660 million (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago$33.21 billion (2020 est.)

$36.03 billion (2019 est.)

$36.48 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Tunisia$114.97 billion (2020 est.)

$125.78 billion (2019 est.)

$124.48 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)$2,393,960,000,000 (2020 est.)

$2,352,640,000,000 (2019 est.)

$2,331,270,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Turkmenistan$92.33 billion (2019 est.)

$86.86 billion (2018 est.)

$81.787 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands$820 million (2020 est.)

$1.12 billion (2019 est.)

$1.06 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Tuvalu$50 million (2020 est.)

$50 million (2019 est.)

$50 million (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Uganda$99.61 billion (2020 est.)

$96.84 billion (2019 est.)

$90.67 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Ukraine$516.68 billion (2020 est.)

$538.33 billion (2019 est.)

$521.52 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: United Arab Emirates$655.79 billion (2019 est.)

$644.97 billion (2018 est.)

$637.384 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: United Kingdom$2,797,980,000,000 (2020 est.)

$3,101,640,000,000 (2019 est.)

$3,059,690,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: United States$19,846,720,000,000 (2020 est.)

$20,563,590,000,000 (2019 est.)

$20,128,580,000,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Uruguay$75.06 billion (2020 est.)

$79.73 billion (2019 est.)

$79.45 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Uzbekistan$239.42 billion (2020 est.)

$235.54 billion (2019 est.)

$222.63 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Vanuatu$850 million (2020 est.)

$930 million (2019 est.)

$910 million (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Venezuela$269.068 billion (2018 est.)

$381.6 billion (2017 est.)

$334.751 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Vietnam$798.21 billion (2020 est.)

$775.67 billion (2019 est.)

$724.81 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Virgin Islands$3.872 billion (2016 est.)

$3.759 billion (2015 est.)

$3.622 billion (2014 est.)

note: data are in 2013 dollars

Topic: Wallis and Futuna$60 million (2004 est.)

Topic: West Bank$25.91 billion (2020 est.)

$29.26 billion (2019 est.)

$28.87 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars and includes Gaza Strip

Topic: World$127.8 trillion (2017 est.)

$123.3 trillion (2016 est.)

$119.5 trillion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Yemen$73.63 billion (2017 est.)

$78.28 billion (2016 est.)

$90.63 billion (2015 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Zambia$60.12 billion (2020 est.)

$61.99 billion (2019 est.)

$61.1 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars

Topic: Zimbabwe$40.79 billion (2020 est.)

$44.34 billion (2019 est.)

$48.25 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Burma due to civil unrest and armed conflict. Reconsider Travel to Burma due toCOVID-19-related restrictions and limited and/or inadequate healthcare resources. Exercise increased caution due to wrongful detentions and areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance. 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 1 blank page 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: [95] (1) 753-6509; US Embassy in Rangoon, 110 University Ave, Kamayut Township, Rangoon, Burma; https://mm.usembassy.gov/; ACSRangoon@state.gov
Telephone Code: 95
Local Emergency Phone: 999
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. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)
Currency (Code): Kyats (MMK)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, C, D, G, I

Major Languages: Burmese; note: minority ethnic groups use their own languages
Major Religions: Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%
Time Difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon; Temples of Bagan; Inle Lake; Bogyoke Aung San Museum; Shwenandaw Monastery; Mandalay Royal Palace; Mandalay Hill; Pyu ancient cities (includes Halin, Beikthano, and Sri Ksetra)
Major Sports: Soccer, golf
Cultural Practices: It is impolite to sit on a chair with one's legs crossed, especially for women.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not a common practice, but guides and drivers do expect to be tipped. Tipping guides $2-5 (USD) per person per day is customary; drivers should receive $1-2 (USD) per day.
Souvenirs: Bamboo and lacquer items, silk, loose gem stones, jewelry,  jade items, especially Buddha figures; marionettes
Traditional Cuisine: Mohinga — a fish and rice noodle soup enriched with a variety of ingredients either added to the soup or used as a dressing or garnishPlease 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: Tuesday, July 26, 2022


Topic: Photos of Kosovo

Topic: Introduction
Background: The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over the region from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo's present-day boundaries were established when Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. The Serbs - many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland - instituted a new constitution in 1989 revoking Kosovo's autonomous status. Kosovo's Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum declaring Kosovo independent. Serbia undertook repressive measures against the Kosovar Albanians in the 1990s, provoking a Kosovar Albanian insurgency. Beginning in 1998, Serbia conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians (some 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo). After international attempts to mediate the conflict failed, a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia beginning in March 1999 forced the Serbs to agree to withdraw their military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The 2006-07 negotiations ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, though the UN issued a comprehensive report on Kosovo's final status that endorsed independence. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, close to 100 countries have recognized Kosovo, and it has joined numerous international organizations. In October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010 affirming that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo's unique history and circumstances. Demonstrating Kosovo’s development into a sovereign, multi-ethnic, democratic country, the international community ended the period of Supervised Independence in 2012. Kosovo held its most recent national and municipal elections in 2021, ushering in a government led by the Self-Determination Movement's (VV) Albin KURTI, a former political prisoner who did not fight in the 1998-99 war. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence, but the two countries agreed in April 2013 to normalize their relations through EU-facilitated talks, which produced several subsequent agreements the parties are implementing to varying degrees, though they have not yet reached a comprehensive normalization of relations. Kosovo has pursued bilateral recognitions and memberships in international organizations, moves that Serbia strongly opposes. Kosovo signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU in 2015, and the EU named Kosovo as among the six Western Balkan countries that will be able to join the organization once it meets the criteria to accede. Kosovo also seeks memberships in the UN and in NATO.The central Balkans were part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before ethnic Serbs migrated to the territories of modern Kosovo in the 7th century. During the medieval period, Kosovo became the center of a Serbian Empire and saw the construction of many important Serb religious sites, including many architecturally significant Serbian Orthodox monasteries. The defeat of Serbian forces at the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 led to five centuries of Ottoman rule during which large numbers of Turks and Albanians moved to Kosovo. By the end of the 19th century, Albanians replaced Serbs as the dominant ethnic group in Kosovo. Serbia reacquired control over the region from the Ottoman Empire during the First Balkan War of 1912. After World War II, Kosovo's present-day boundaries were established when Kosovo became an autonomous province of Serbia in the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (S.F.R.Y.). Despite legislative concessions, Albanian nationalism increased in the 1980s, which led to riots and calls for Kosovo's independence. The Serbs - many of whom viewed Kosovo as their cultural heartland - instituted a new constitution in 1989 revoking Kosovo's autonomous status. Kosovo's Albanian leaders responded in 1991 by organizing a referendum declaring Kosovo independent. Serbia undertook repressive measures against the Kosovar Albanians in the 1990s, provoking a Kosovar Albanian insurgency.Beginning in 1998, Serbia conducted a brutal counterinsurgency campaign that resulted in massacres and massive expulsions of ethnic Albanians (some 800,000 ethnic Albanians were forced from their homes in Kosovo). After international attempts to mediate the conflict failed, a three-month NATO military operation against Serbia beginning in March 1999 forced the Serbs to agree to withdraw their military and police forces from Kosovo. UN Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) placed Kosovo under a transitional administration, the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, pending a determination of Kosovo's future status. A UN-led process began in late 2005 to determine Kosovo's final status. The 2006-07 negotiations ended without agreement between Belgrade and Pristina, though the UN issued a comprehensive report on Kosovo's final status that endorsed independence. On 17 February 2008, the Kosovo Assembly declared Kosovo independent. Since then, close to 100 countries have recognized Kosovo, and it has joined numerous international organizations. In October 2008, Serbia sought an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the legality under international law of Kosovo's declaration of independence. The ICJ released the advisory opinion in July 2010 affirming that Kosovo's declaration of independence did not violate general principles of international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, or the Constitutive Framework. The opinion was closely tailored to Kosovo's unique history and circumstances.Demonstrating Kosovo’s development into a sovereign, multi-ethnic, democratic country, the international community ended the period of Supervised Independence in 2012. Kosovo held its most recent national and municipal elections in 2021, ushering in a government led by the Self-Determination Movement's (VV) Albin KURTI, a former political prisoner who did not fight in the 1998-99 war. Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence, but the two countries agreed in April 2013 to normalize their relations through EU-facilitated talks, which produced several subsequent agreements the parties are implementing to varying degrees, though they have not yet reached a comprehensive normalization of relations. Kosovo has pursued bilateral recognitions and memberships in international organizations, moves that Serbia strongly opposes. Kosovo signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement with the EU in 2015, and the EU named Kosovo as among the six Western Balkan countries that will be able to join the organization once it meets the criteria to accede. Kosovo also seeks memberships in the UN and in NATO.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southeast Europe, between Serbia and Macedonia
Geographic coordinates: 42 35 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 10,887 sq km

land: 10,887 sq km

water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 714 km

border countries (4): Albania 112 km; North Macedonia 160 km; Montenegro 76 km; Serbia 366 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December
Terrain: flat fluvial basin at an elevation of 400-700 m above sea level surrounded by several high mountain ranges with elevations of 2,000 to 2,500 m
Elevation: highest point: Gjeravica/Deravica 2,656 m

lowest point: Drini i Bardhe/Beli Drim (located on the border with Albania) 297 m

mean elevation: 450 m
Natural resources: nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin, chrome, bauxite
Land use: agricultural land: 52.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 27.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 41.7% (2018 est.)

other: 5.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: NA
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution: population clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina
Geography - note: the 41-km long Nerodimka River divides into two branches each of which flows into a different sea: the northern branch flows into the Sitnica River, which via the Ibar, Morava, and Danube Rivers ultimately flows into the Black Sea; the southern branch flows via the Lepenac and Vardar Rivers into the Aegean Sea
Map description: Kosovo map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Kosovo map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 1,952,701 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Kosovan

adjective: Kosovan

note: Kosovo, a neutral term, is sometimes also used as a noun or adjective as in Kosovo Albanian, Kosovo Serb, Kosovo minority, or Kosovo citizen
Ethnic groups: Albanians 92.9%, Bosniaks 1.6%, Serbs 1.5%, Turk 1.1%, Ashkali 0.9%, Egyptian 0.7%, Gorani 0.6%, Romani 0.5%, other/unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.)

note: these estimates may under-represent Serb, Romani, and some other ethnic minorities because they are based on the 2011 Kosovo national census, which excluded northern Kosovo (a largely Serb-inhabited region) and was partially boycotted by Serb and Romani communities in southern Kosovo
Languages: Albanian (official) 94.5%, Bosnian 1.7%, Serbian (official) 1.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 0.9% (includes Romani), unspecified 0.1%; note - in municipalities where a community's mother tongue is not one of Kosovo's official languages, the language of that community may be given official status according to the 2006 Law on the Use of Languages (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Libri i Fakteve Boterore, burimi vital per informacione elementare. (Albanian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%, other 0.1%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.07% (male 241,563/female 223,568)

15-24 years: 16.95% (male 170,566/female 157,063)

25-54 years: 42.56% (male 433,914/female 388,595)

55-64 years: 8.67% (male 85,840/female 81,782)

65 years and over: 7.75% (2020 est.) (male 63,943/female 85,940)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA

youth dependency ratio: NA

elderly dependency ratio: NA

potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 30.5 years

male: 30.2 years

female: 30.8 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.57% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 14.85 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.07 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina
Major urban areas - population: 216,870 PRISTINA (capital) (2019)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.08 male(s)/female

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

25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female

total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 27.12 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 28.74 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 25.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.12 years

male: 68.83 years

female: 73.58 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.)
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
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: NA

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 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
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 49.7%

male: 45.9%

female: 57.6% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution (pollution from power plants and nearby lignite mines take a toll on people's health); water scarcity and pollution; land degradation
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 8.94 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.54 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: influenced by continental air masses resulting in relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall and hot, dry summers and autumns; Mediterranean and alpine influences create regional variation; maximum rainfall between October and December
Land use: agricultural land: 52.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 27.4% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 23.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 41.7% (2018 est.)

other: 5.5% (2018 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 319,000 tons (2015 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Kosovo

conventional short form: Kosovo

local long form: Republika e Kosoves (Albanian)/ Republika Kosovo (Serbian)

local short form: Kosove (Albanian)/ Kosovo (Serbian)

etymology: name derives from the Serbian "kos" meaning "blackbird," an ellipsis (linguistic omission) for "kosove polje" or "field of the blackbirds"
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Pristina (Prishtine, Prishtina)

geographic coordinates: 42 40 N, 21 10 E

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

etymology: the name may derive from a Proto-Slavic word reconstructed as "pryshchina," meaning "spring (of water)"
Administrative divisions: 38 municipalities (komunat, singular - komuna (Albanian); opstine, singular - opstina (Serbian)); Decan (Decani), Dragash (Dragas), Ferizaj (Urosevac), Fushe Kosove (Kosovo Polje), Gjakove (Dakovica), Gjilan (Gnjilane), Gllogovc (Glogovac), Gracanice (Gracanica), Hani i Elezit (Deneral Jankovic), Istog (Istok), Junik, Kacanik, Kamenice (Kamenica), Kline (Klina), Kllokot (Klokot), Leposaviq (Leposavic), Lipjan (Lipljan), Malisheve (Malisevo), Mamushe (Mamusa), Mitrovice e Jugut (Juzna Mitrovica) [South Mitrovica], Mitrovice e Veriut (Severna Mitrovica) [North Mitrovica], Novoberde (Novo Brdo), Obiliq (Obilic), Partesh (Partes), Peje (Pec), Podujeve (Podujevo), Prishtine (Pristina), Prizren, Rahovec (Orahovac), Ranillug (Ranilug), Shterpce (Strpce), Shtime (Stimlje), Skenderaj (Srbica), Suhareke (Suva Reka), Viti (Vitina), Vushtrri (Vucitrn), Zubin Potok, Zvecan
Independence: 17 February 2008 (from Serbia)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 February (2008)
Constitution: history: previous 1974, 1990; latest (postindependence) draft finalized 2 April 2008, signed 7 April 2008, ratified 9 April 2008, entered into force 15 June 2008; note - amendment 24, passed by the Assembly in August 2015, established the Kosovo Relocated Specialist Institution, referred to as the Kosovo Specialist Chamber or "Specialist Court," to try war crimes allegedly committed by members of the Kosovo Liberation Army in the late 1990s

amendments: proposed by the government, by the president of the republic, or by one fourth of Assembly deputies; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, including two-thirds majority vote of deputies representing non-majority communities, followed by a favorable Constitutional Court assessment; amended several times, last in 2020
Legal system: civil law system; note - the European Union Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) retained limited executive powers within the Kosovo judiciary for complex cases from 2008 to 2018
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: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kosovo

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (since 4 April 2021)

head of government: Prime Minister Albin KURTI (since 22 March 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet elected by the Assembly

elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly for a 5-year term; if a candidate does not attain a two-thirds threshold in the first two ballots, the candidate winning a simple majority vote in the third ballot is elected (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3-4 April 2021 (next to be held in 2026); prime minister indirectly elected by the Assembly

election results: Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu elected president in the third ballot; Assembly vote - Vjosa OSMANI-Sadriu (Guxo!) 71 votes; Albin KURTI (VV) elected prime minister; Assembly vote - 67-30
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi i Kosoves/Skupstina Kosova (120 seats; 100 members directly elected by open-list proportional representation vote with 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities - 10 for Serbs and 10 for other ethnic minorities; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 14 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - VV 50%, PDK 16.9%, LDK 12.7%, AAK 7.1%, Serbian List 5.1%, other 8.2%; seats by party - VV 58, PDK 19, LDK 15, Serbian List 10, AAK 8, other 10; composition as of December 2021 - men 79, women 41, percent of women 34.2%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 18 judges and organized into Appeals Panel of the Kosovo Property Agency and Special Chamber); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Kosovo Judicial Council, a 13-member independent body staffed by judges and lay members, and also responsible for overall administration of Kosovo's judicial system; judges appointed by the president of the Republic of Kosovo; judges appointed until mandatory retirement age; Constitutional Court judges nominated by the Kosovo Assembly and appointed by the president of the republic to serve single, 9-year terms

subordinate courts: Court of Appeals (organized into 4 departments: General, Serious Crime, Commercial Matters, and Administrative Matters); Basic Court (located in 7 municipalities, each with several branches)

note: in August 2015, the Kosovo Assembly approved a constitutional amendment that establishes the Kosovo Relocated Specialist Judicial Institution, also referred to as the Kosovo Specialist Chambers or "Special Court"; the court, located at the Hague in the Netherlands, began operating in late 2016 and has jurisdiction to try crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other crimes under Kosovo law that occurred in the 1998-2000 period
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ]
Alternativa [Mimoza KUSARI-LILA]
Ashkali Party for Integration or PAI [Bekim ARIFI]
Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Lumir ABDIXHIKU]
Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Memli KRASNIQI]
Guxo! [Donika GERVALLA-SCHWARZ]
Independent Liberal Party or SLS [Slobodan PETROVIC]
Initiative for Kosovo or NISMA [Fatmir LIMAJ]
New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Elbert KRASNIQI]
New Democratic Party or NDS [Emilja REDXEPI]
New Kosovo Alliance or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI]
Progressive Movement of Kosovar Roma or LPRK [Erxhan GALUSHI]
Romani Initiative [Gazmend SALIJEVCI]
Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje) or VV [Albin KURTI]
Serbian List or SL [Goran RAKIC]
Social Democratic Party of Kosovo or PSD [Shpend AHMETI]
Social Democratic Union [Duda BALJE]
Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo or KDTP [Fikrim DAMKA]
Unique Gorani Party [Adem HODZA]
Vakat Coalition or VAKAT [Rasim DEMIRI]
International organization participation: IBRD, IDA, IFC, IMF, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ilir DUGOLLI (since 13 January 2022)

chancery: 2175 K Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20037

telephone: [1] (202) 450-2130

FAX: [1] (202) 735-0609

email address and website:
https://www.ambasada-ks.net/us/?page=2,1

consulate(s) general: New York

consulate(s): Des Moines (IA)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jeffrey M. HOVENIER (since 10 January 2022)

embassy: Arberia/Dragodan, Rr.  4 KORRIKU Nr. 25, Pristina

mailing address: 9520 Pristina Place, Washington DC  20521-9520

telephone: [383] 38-59-59-3000

FAX: [383] 38-604-890

email address and website:
PristinaACS@state.gov

https://xk.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: centered on a dark blue field is a gold-colored silhouette of Kosovo surmounted by six white, five-pointed stars arrayed in a slight arc; each star represents one of the major ethnic groups of Kosovo: Albanians, Serbs, Turks, Gorani, Roma, and Bosniaks

note: one of only two national flags that uses a map as a design element; the flag of Cyprus is the other
National symbol(s): six, five-pointed, white stars; national colors: blue, gold, white
National anthem: name: Europe

lyrics/music: no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI

note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to exclude lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend the country's minority ethnic groups
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Medieval Monuments in Kosovo

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Kosovo's economy has shown progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for about 17% of GDP and international donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize a majority of its state-owned enterprises.   Kosovo's citizens are the second poorest in Europe, after Moldova, with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $10,400 in 2017. An unemployment rate of 33%, and a youth unemployment rate near 60%, in a country where the average age is 26, encourages emigration and fuels a significant informal, unreported economy. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. However, high levels of corruption, little contract enforcement, and unreliable electricity supply have discouraged potential investors. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low.   Minerals and metals production - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once the backbone of industry, has declined because of aging equipment and insufficient investment, problems exacerbated by competing and unresolved ownership claims of Kosovo’s largest mines. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a major impediment to economic development. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of Kosovo C, a new lignite-fired power plant that would leverage Kosovo’s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older bituminous-fired power plant, Kosovo B, and the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants.   In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012, and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013. In 2016, Kosovo implemented the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations with the EU, focused on trade liberalization. In 2014, nearly 60% of customs duty-eligible imports into Kosovo were EU goods. In August 2015, as part of its EU-facilitated normalization process with Serbia, Kosovo signed agreements on telecommunications and energy distribution, but disagreements over who owns economic assets, such as the Trepca mining conglomerate, within Kosovo continue.   Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012, when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014, the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increases, and the government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The government, led by Prime Minister MUSTAFA - a trained economist - recently made several changes to its fiscal policy, expanding the list of duty-free imports, decreasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) for basic food items and public utilities, and increasing the VAT for all other goods.   While Kosovo’s economy continued to make progress, unemployment has not been reduced, nor living standards raised, due to lack of economic reforms and investment.Kosovo's economy has shown progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for about 17% of GDP and international donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize a majority of its state-owned enterprises. Kosovo's citizens are the second poorest in Europe, after Moldova, with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $10,400 in 2017. An unemployment rate of 33%, and a youth unemployment rate near 60%, in a country where the average age is 26, encourages emigration and fuels a significant informal, unreported economy. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. However, high levels of corruption, little contract enforcement, and unreliable electricity supply have discouraged potential investors. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Minerals and metals production - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once the backbone of industry, has declined because of aging equipment and insufficient investment, problems exacerbated by competing and unresolved ownership claims of Kosovo’s largest mines. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a major impediment to economic development. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of Kosovo C, a new lignite-fired power plant that would leverage Kosovo’s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older bituminous-fired power plant, Kosovo B, and the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012, and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013. In 2016, Kosovo implemented the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations with the EU, focused on trade liberalization. In 2014, nearly 60% of customs duty-eligible imports into Kosovo were EU goods. In August 2015, as part of its EU-facilitated normalization process with Serbia, Kosovo signed agreements on telecommunications and energy distribution, but disagreements over who owns economic assets, such as the Trepca mining conglomerate, within Kosovo continue. Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012, when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014, the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increases, and the government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The government, led by Prime Minister MUSTAFA - a trained economist - recently made several changes to its fiscal policy, expanding the list of duty-free imports, decreasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) for basic food items and public utilities, and increasing the VAT for all other goods. While Kosovo’s economy continued to make progress, unemployment has not been reduced, nor living standards raised, due to lack of economic reforms and investment.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.13 billion (2020 est.)

$20.55 billion (2019 est.)

$19.58 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3.7% (2017 est.)

4.1% (2016 est.)

4.1% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $10,800 (2020 est.)

$11,500 (2019 est.)

$10,900 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $7.926 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.6% (2019 est.)

1% (2018 est.)

1.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11.9% (2017 est.)

industry: 17.7% (2017 est.)

services: 70.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 84.3% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 13.6% (2017 est.)

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

investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -53.8% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit; dairy, livestock; fish
Industries: mineral mining, construction materials, base metals, leather, machinery, appliances, foodstuffs and beverages, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 1.2% (2016 est.)
Labor force: 500,300 (2017 est.)

note: includes those estimated to be employed in the gray economy
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.4%

industry: 17.4%

services: 78.2% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 30.5% (2017 est.)

27.5% (2016 est.)

note: Kosovo has a large informal sector that may not be reflected in these data
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 49.7%

male: 45.9%

female: 57.6% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 17.6% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 29 (2017 est.)

24.1 (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.8%

highest 10%: 22% (2015 est.)
Budget: revenues: 2.054 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.203 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 21.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

19.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 29% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Current account balance: -$467 million (2017 est.)

-$533 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.69 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.31 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$2.28 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Albania 16%, India 14%, North Macedonia 12.1%, Serbia 10.6%, Switzerland 5.6%, Germany 5.4% (2017)
Exports - commodities: mining and processed metal products, scrap metals, leather products, machinery, appliances, prepared foodstuffs, beverages and tobacco, vegetable products, textiles and apparel
Imports: $4.19 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$4.45 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$4.5 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 12.4%, Serbia 12.3%, Turkey 9.6%, China 9.1%, Italy 6.4%, North Macedonia 5.1%, Albania 5%, Greece 4.4% (2017)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, livestock, wood, petroleum, chemicals, machinery, minerals, textiles, stone, ceramic and glass products, electrical equipment
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $683.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$708.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $2.388 billion (2019 est.)

$2.409 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.885 (2017 est.)

0.903 (2016 est.)

0.9214 (2015 est.)

0.885 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.424 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 4,860,740,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 2.715 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 2.572 billion kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 1.145 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

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

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

wind: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 3.2% 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: 8.538 million metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 8.549 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 9,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 20,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 1.564 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 12,800 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 (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 192 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 14,040 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: 8.009 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 6.1 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 1.909 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 51.462 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 383,763 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 562,000 (2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2015 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Kosovo has benefited from financial and regulatory assistance as part of the EU pre-accession process; the telecom sector has been liberalized, and legislation has aligned the sector with the EU’s revised regulatory framework; poor telecom infrastructure has meant that fixed-line communication remains low by European standards; unlike most markets, the fixed-line broadband sector is dominated by new players, in particular the cable operator IPKO, a subsidiary of Telekom Slovenia; broadband companies in Kosovo are developing slowly; there is effective competition between the main cable and DSL operators, though as yet there is little progress with the expansion of fiber networks: investment by the incumbent PTK, trading as Telecom Kosovo, in building an upgraded fiber-based NGN has been insufficient thus far, exacerbated by the company’s financial difficulties; these difficulties encouraged the government in mid-2019 to prepare the sale of a majority stake in the company; the mobile sector accounts for most telecom lines for voice services, as well as the greater part of telecom revenue; two MNOs dominate the sector; Telenor Serbia and VIP Mobile stopped offering unlicensed mobile voice and data services in mid-2017 across border regions as part of a deal by which Kosovo secured its own dialing code. (2022 )

domestic: fixed-line roughly 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 32 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 383

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
Internet country code: .xk; note - assigned as a temporary code under UN Security Council resolution 1244/99

Internet users: total: 1,502,658 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 84% (2019 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 0 (2020)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: Z6
Airports: total: 6 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3

under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Heliports: 2 (2021)
Railways: total: 333 km (2015)

standard gauge: 333 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge
Roadways: total: 2,012 km (2015)

paved: 1,921 km (2015) (includes 78 km of expressways)

unpaved: 91 km (2015)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Kosovo Security Force (KSF; Forca e Sigurisë së Kosovës or FSK): Land Force Command; Logistics Command; Doctrine and Training Command; National Guard Command (2022)

note: as of 2022, the Kosovo Government continued the process of transitioning the KSF into a multi-ethnic territorial defense force, in accordance with a 10-year plan which began in 2019
Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

0.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $160 million)

0.8% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $150 million)

0.7% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $130 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 3,500 KSF personnel; note - Kosovo plans for the KSF to eventually number around 5,000 troops (2021)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the KSF is equipped with small arms and light vehicles only; it relies on donations and since 2013 has received donated equipment from Turkey and the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: service is voluntary; must be over the age of 18 and a citizen of Kosovo; upper age for enlisting is 30 for officers, 25 for other ranks, although these may be waived for recruits with key skills considered essential for the KSF
 (2021)
Military - note: the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) has operated in the country as a peace support force since 1999; KFOR is responsible for providing a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement for all citizens, as well as assisting in developing the Kosovo Security Force; as of 2022, it numbered about 3,700 troops from 28 countries

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: NATO-led Kosovo Force peacekeepers under UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo authority continue to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all Kosovo citizens Kosovo-Albania: none identified Kosovo-Montenegro: their 2015 demarcation agreement was ratified by Montenegro in December 2015 and by Kosovo in March 2018, but the actual demarcation has not been completed; as of March 2021, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin KURTI said that after the new Montenegrin government is formed, he would broach the subject of reopening the agreement Kosovo-North Macedonia: Kosovo and North Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; both countries ratified the demarcation documents on October 17, 2009, after high-level consultations resolved the disputed section of border around Debelde/Tanusevci Kosovo-Serbia: Serbia with several other states protest the US’s and other countries’ recognition of Kosovo's declaration of its status as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; Kosovo’s and Serbia’s temporary agreement on license plates expired on 21 April 2022; the two countries are meeting on 13 May to reach a permanent agreement  NATO-led Kosovo Force peacekeepers under UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo authority continue to ensure a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all Kosovo citizensKosovo-Albania: none identifiedKosovo-Montenegro: their 2015 demarcation agreement was ratified by Montenegro in December 2015 and by Kosovo in March 2018, but the actual demarcation has not been completed; as of March 2021, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin KURTI said that after the new Montenegrin government is formed, he would broach the subject of reopening the agreementKosovo-North Macedonia: Kosovo and North Macedonia completed demarcation of their boundary in September 2008; both countries ratified the demarcation documents on October 17, 2009, after high-level consultations resolved the disputed section of border around Debelde/TanusevciKosovo-Serbia: Serbia with several other states protest the US’s and other countries’ recognition of Kosovo's declaration of its status as a sovereign and independent state in February 2008; ethnic Serbian municipalities along Kosovo's northern border challenge final status of Kosovo-Serbia boundary; Kosovo’s and Serbia’s temporary agreement on license plates expired on 21 April 2022; the two countries are meeting on 13 May to reach a permanent agreement
Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 16,000 (primarily ethnic Serbs displaced during the 1998-1999 war fearing reprisals from the majority ethnic-Albanian population; a smaller number of ethnic Serbs, Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians fled their homes in 2,004 as a result of violence) (2021)

note: 8,011 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022)