Topic: Photos of Bulgaria

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Bulgars, a Central Asian Turkic tribe, merged with the local Slavic inhabitants in the late 7th century to form the first Bulgarian state. In succeeding centuries, Bulgaria struggled with the Byzantine Empire to assert its place in the Balkans, but by the end of the 14th century the country was overrun by the Ottoman Turks. Northern Bulgaria attained autonomy in 1878 and all of Bulgaria became independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1908. Having fought on the losing side in both World Wars, Bulgaria fell within the Soviet sphere of influence and became a People's Republic in 1946. Communist domination ended in 1990, when Bulgaria held its first multiparty election since World War II and began the contentious process of moving toward political democracy and a market economy while combating inflation, unemployment, corruption, and crime. The country joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Romania and Turkey
Geographic coordinates: 43 00 N, 25 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 110,879 sq km

land: 108,489 sq km

water: 2,390 sq km
Area - comparative: almost identical in size to Virginia; slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries: total: 1,806 km

border countries (5): Greece 472 km; Macedonia 162 km; Romania 605 km; Serbia 344 km; Turkey 223 km
Coastline: 354 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Terrain: mostly mountains with lowlands in north and southeast
Elevation: highest point: Musala 2,925 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 472 m
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, lead, zinc, coal, timber, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 46.9% (2018 est.)

arable land: 29.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 15.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 36.7% (2018 est.)

other: 16.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,020 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations
Natural hazards: earthquakes; landslides
Geography - note: strategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia
Map description: Bulgaria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.Bulgaria map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 6,873,253 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Bulgarian(s)

adjective: Bulgarian
Ethnic groups: Bulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Romani 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.)

note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 9–11% of Bulgaria's population
Languages: Bulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Romani 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Светoвен Алманах, незаменимият източник за основна информация. (Bulgarian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Eastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Jewish) 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.52% (male 520,190/female 491,506)

15-24 years: 9.4% (male 340,306/female 314,241)

25-54 years: 42.87% (male 1,538,593/female 1,448,080)

55-64 years: 13.15% (male 433,943/female 482,474)

65 years and over: 20.06% (2020 est.) (male 562,513/female 835,053)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 56.6

youth dependency ratio: 23

elderly dependency ratio: 33.6

potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 43.7 years

male: 41.9 years

female: 45.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.67% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8.05 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 14.41 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.29 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations
Urbanization: urban population: 76.4% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.287 million SOFIA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

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

25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female

total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.4 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 9.02 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.57 years

male: 72.36 years

female: 78.97 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.5 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.5% of population

rural: 97.4% of population

total: 99% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population

rural: 2.6% of population

total: 1% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 7.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 4.2 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 7.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2019 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,300 (2019 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2019 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 39% (2020 est.)

male: 40.9% (2020 est.)

female: 37.1% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.9% (2014)
Education expenditures: 4.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 98.4%

male: 98.7%

female: 98.1% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 14 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.2%

male: 14.6%

female: 13.7% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; rivers polluted from raw sewage, heavy metals, detergents; deforestation; forest damage from air pollution and resulting acid rain; soil contamination from heavy metals from metallurgical plants and industrial wastes
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 18.82 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 41.71 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 6.77 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; cold, damp winters; hot, dry summers
Land use: agricultural land: 46.9% (2018 est.)

arable land: 29.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.5% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 15.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 36.7% (2018 est.)

other: 16.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 76.4% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: -0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.22% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.011 million tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 572,993 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 19% (2015 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 882 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 3.942 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 834.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 21.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

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

conventional short form: Bulgaria

local long form: Republika Bulgaria

local short form: Bulgaria

former: Kingdom of Bulgaria, People's Republic of Bulgaria

etymology: named after the Bulgar tribes who settled the lower Balkan region in the 7th century A.D.
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Sofia

geographic coordinates: 42 41 N, 23 19 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

etymology: named after the Saint Sofia Church in the city, parts of which date back to the 4th century A.D.
Administrative divisions: 28 provinces (oblasti, singular - oblast); Blagoevgrad, Burgas, Dobrich, Gabrovo, Haskovo, Kardzhali, Kyustendil, Lovech, Montana, Pazardzhik, Pernik, Pleven, Plovdiv, Razgrad, Ruse, Shumen, Silistra, Sliven, Smolyan, Sofia, Sofia-Grad (Sofia City), Stara Zagora, Targovishte, Varna, Veliko Tarnovo, Vidin, Vratsa, Yambol
Independence: 3 March 1878 (as an autonomous principality within the Ottoman Empire); 22 September 1908 (complete independence from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 3 March (1878)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted between late 1990 and early 1991, adopted 13 July 1991

amendments: proposed by the National Assembly or by the president of the republic; passage requires three-fourths majority vote of National Assembly members in three ballots; signed by the National Assembly chairperson; note - under special circumstances, a "Grand National Assembly" is elected with the authority to write a new constitution and amend certain articles of the constitution, including those affecting basic civil rights and national sovereignty; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote in each of several readings; amended several times, last in 2015
Legal system: civil law
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

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

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Rumen RADEV (since 22 January 2017); Vice President Iliana IOTOVA (since 22 January 2017)

head of government: Prime Minister Gulub DONEV (since 2 August 2022); note - Prime Minister DONEV leads a caretaker government until snap elections are held on 2 October 2022

cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president and vice president elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 and 21 November 2021 (next to be held in fall 2026); chairman of the Council of Ministers (prime minister) elected by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly

election results: 2021: Rumen RADEV reelected president in second round; percent of vote in the first round - Rumen RADEV (independent) 49.4%, Anastas GERDZHIKOV (independent) 22.8%, Mustafa KARADAYI (DPS) 11.6%, Kostadin KOSTADINOV (Revival) 3.9%, Lozan PANOV (independent) 3.7%, other 8.6%; percent of vote in the second round - Rumen RADEV 66.7%, Anastas GERDZHIKOV 31.8%, neither 1.5%

2016: Rumen RADEV elected president in second round; percent of vote in the second round - Rumen RADEV (independent, supported by Bulgarian Socialist Party) 59.4%, Tsetska TSACHEVA (GERB) 36.2%, neither 4.5%

2011: Rosen PLEVNELIEV elected president in the second round; percent of vote in the second round - Rosen PLEVNELIEV (independent) 52.6%, Ivailo KALFIN (BSP) 47.4%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Narodno Sabranie (240 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 14 November 2021 (next election to be held on 2 October 2022)

election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - PP 25.3%, GERB-SDS 22.4%, DPS 12.8%, BSP for Bulgaria 10.1%, ITN 9.4%, DB 6.3%, Revival 4.8%, other 8.9%; seats by party/coalition - PP 67, GERB-SDS 59, DPS 34, BSP for Bulgaria 26, ITN 25, DB 16, Revival 13; composition as of March 2022 - men 186, women 54, percent of women 22.5%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Cassation (consists of a chairman and approximately 72 judges organized into penal, civil, and commercial colleges); Supreme Administrative Court (organized into 2 colleges with various panels of 5 judges each); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 justices); note - Constitutional Court resides outside the judiciary

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Cassation and Supreme Administrative judges elected by the Supreme Judicial Council or SJC (consists of 25 members with extensive legal experience) and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court justices elected by the National Assembly and appointed by the president and the SJC; justices appointed for 9-year terms with renewal of 4 justices every 3 years

subordinate courts: appeals courts; regional and district courts; administrative courts; courts martial
Political parties and leaders: Agrarian People's Union or ZNS [Roumen YONCHEV]
Bulgaria of the Citizens or DBG [Dimitar DELCHEV]
Bulgarian Agrarian People’s Union or BZNS [Nikolay NENCHEV]
Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Korneliya NINOVA] (alliance of BSP, PKT, New Dawn, Ecoglasnost)
Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB [Boyko BORISOV] (alliance with SDS)
Democratic Bulgaria or DB (alliance of Yes! Bulgaria, DSB, and The Greens) [Atanas ATANASOV, Hristo IVANOV]
Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Atanas ATANASOV]
Ecoglasnost [Emil GEORGIEV]
Green Movement or The Greens [Borislav SANDOV, Vladislav PENEV]
Middle European Class or SEC [Konstantin BACHIISKI]
Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS [Mustafa KARADAYI]
Movement 21 or D21 [Tatyana DONCHEVA]
New Dawn [Mincho MINCHEV]
Political Club Thrace or PKT [Stefan NACHEZ]
Political Movement "Social Democrats" or PDS  [Elena NONEVA]
Revival [Kostadin KOSTADINOV]
Stand Up.BG or IS.BG [Maya MONOLOVA]
Stand Up.BG, We Are Coming! or IBG-NI [Maya MONOLOVA, Nikolay HADZHIGENOV] (coalition of IS.BG, D21, DBG, ENP, and ZNS)
There is Such a People or ITN [Slavi TRIFONOV]
United People's Party or ENP [Valentina VASILEVA-FILADELFEVS]
Union of Democratic Forces or SDS [Rumen HRISTOV] (alliance with GERB)
Yes! Bulgaria [Hristo IVANOV]
Volt Bulgaria or Volt [Nastimir ANANIEV]
We Continue the Change of PP [Kiril PETKOV and Asen VASILEV] (electoral alliance of PP, PDS, SEC, and Volt)
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EU, FAO, G- 9, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NSG, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Georgi Velikov PANAYOTOV (since 7 June 2022)

chancery: 1621 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 387-0174; [1] (202) 299-0273, [1] (202) 483-1386

FAX: [1] (202) 234-7973

email address and website:
office@bulgaria-embassy.org; Embassy.Washington@mfa.bg

https://www.bulgaria-embassy.org/en/homepage/

consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Herro MUSTAFA (since 18 October 2019)

embassy: 16, Kozyak Street, Sofia 1408

mailing address: 5740 Sofia Place, Washington, DC  20521-5740

telephone: [359] (2) 937-5100

FAX: [359] (2) 937-5320

email address and website:
acs_sofia@state.gov

https://bg.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), green, and red; the pan-Slavic white-blue-red colors were modified by substituting a green band (representing freedom) for the blue

note: the national emblem, formerly on the hoist side of the white stripe, has been removed
National symbol(s): lion; national colors: white, green, red
National anthem: name: "Mila Rodino" (Dear Homeland)

lyrics/music: Tsvetan Tsvetkov RADOSLAVOV

note: adopted 1964; composed in 1885 by a student en route to fight in the Serbo-Bulgarian War
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 10 (7 cultural, 3 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Boyana Church (c); Madara Rider (c); Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak (c); Rock-Hewn Churches of Ivanovo (c); Rila Monastery (c); Ancient City of Nessebar (c); Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari (c); Srebarna Nature Reserve (n); Pirin National Park (n); Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians (n)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demonstrated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy imports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions.   The government undertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the economy from a centralized, planned economy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improvements to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained robust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annually - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, boosted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combined with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria’s economic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria’s prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017.   Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a participant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provided funding to Bulgaria’s National Electric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrecting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bulgargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government established the State eGovernment Agency. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordinating national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity.   Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects.Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demonstrated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy imports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions. The government undertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the economy from a centralized, planned economy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improvements to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained robust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annually - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, boosted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combined with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria’s economic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria’s prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017. Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a participant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provided funding to Bulgaria’s National Electric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrecting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bulgargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government established the State eGovernment Agency. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordinating national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity. Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $155.06 billion (2020 est.)

$161.78 billion (2019 est.)

$156.02 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3.39% (2019 est.)

3.2% (2018 est.)

3.5% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $22,400 (2020 est.)

$23,200 (2019 est.)

$22,200 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $68.49 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2019 est.)

2.8% (2018 est.)

2% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB (2017)

Moody's rating: Baa1 (2020)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.3% (2017 est.)

industry: 28% (2017 est.)

services: 67.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 61.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 16% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 19.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 66.3% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -64.8% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, maize, sunflower seed, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, tomatoes, watermelons
Industries: electricity, gas, water; food, beverages, tobacco; machinery and equipment, automotive parts, base metals, chemical products, coke, refined petroleum, nuclear fuel; outsourcing centers
Industrial production growth rate: 3.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 3.113 million (2020 est.)

note: number of employed persons
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6.8%

industry: 26.6%

services: 66.6% (2016 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.66% (2019 est.)

6.18% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.2%

male: 14.6%

female: 13.7% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 23.8% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.4 (2017 est.)

38.3 (2016)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9%

highest 10%: 31.2% (2017)
Budget: revenues: 20.35 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 19.35 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 23.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

27.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: defined by the EU's Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year in the following categories of government liabilities: currency and deposits, securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives, and loans; general government sector comprises the subsectors: central government, state government, local government, and social security funds
Taxes and other revenues: 35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $2.06 billion (2019 est.)

$611 million (2018 est.)
Exports: $39.27 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$44.04 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$43.52 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Germany 16%, Romania 8%, Italy 7%, Turkey 7%, Greece 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, packaged medicines, copper, wheat, electricity (2019)
Imports: $38.07 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$41.84 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$41.91 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 11%, Russia 9%, Italy 7%, Romania 7%, Turkey 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, copper, cars, packaged medicines, refined petroleum (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $28.38 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$25.13 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $39.059 billion (2019 est.)

$41.139 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: leva (BGN) per US dollar -

1.61885 (2020 est.)

1.7669 (2019 est.)

1.7172 (2018 est.)

1.7644 (2014 est.)

1.4742 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 11.097 million kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 30,905,170,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 7.115 billion kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 3.707 billion kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 2.767 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 36.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

nuclear: 44.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

solar: 4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

wind: 4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 9.1% 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: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 22.298 million metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 23.213 million metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 35,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 675,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

proven reserves: 2.366 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 4,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption: 97,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)

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

crude oil and lease condensate imports: 119,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves: 15 million barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 144,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 92,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 49,260 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 62.439 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

consumption: 2,929,401,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 2.747 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

imports: 2,950,157,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves: 5.663 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 38.373 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 20.483 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 12.248 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 5.642 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 103.924 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 872,757 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7,945,739 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 114 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Bulgaria’s telecom market was for some years affected by the difficult macroeconomic climate, as well as by relatively high unemployment and a shrinking population; these factors continue to slow investments in the sector, though revenue growth has returned since 2019; there still remains pressure on revenue growth, with consumers migrating from fixed-line voice telephony to mobile and VoIP alternatives, while the volume of SMS and MMS traffic has been affected by the growing use of alternative OTT messaging services; the mature mobile market has effective competition between A1 Bulgaria, Yettel (branded as Telenor Bulgaria before March 2022, the Telenor Group’s local unit that had been sold to the PPF Group in August 2018), and the incumbent telco Vivacom; competition intensified following the implementation of a streamlined mobile number portability process; customer preference for bundled services has put pressure on pricing and encouraged operators to offer generous voice and data packages; Vivacom was sold to United Group in April 2020, following European Commission approval; the company is investing in network upgrades and its development of services based on 5G have stimulated other market players to invest in their own service provision; A1 Bulgaria and Vivacom both launched commercial 5G services in 2020, and by the end of 2022 about 70% of the population is expected to be covered by 5G; the broadband market in Bulgaria enjoys excellent cross-platform competition; the share of the market held by DSL has fallen steadily as a result of customers being migrated to fiber networks, particularly those operated by the incumbent telco Vivacom; by early 2021 about 65% of fixed-line broadband subscribers were on fiber infrastructure; Bulgaria joins the U.S. State Department’s Clean Network initiative in a bid to protect its 5G communications networks (2022)

domestic: fixed-line over 12 per 100 persons, mobile-cellular teledensity, fostered by multiple service providers, is over 114 telephones per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 359; Caucasus Cable System via submarine cable provides connectivity to Ukraine, Georgia and Russia; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system provides connectivity to Italy, Albania, and Macedonia; satellite earth stations - 3 (1 Intersputnik in the Atlantic Ocean region, 2 Intelsat in the Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased servicesBulgaria’s telecom market was for some years affected by the difficult macroeconomic climate, as well as by relatively high unemployment and a shrinking population; these factors continue to slow investments in the sector, though revenue growth has returned since 2019; there still remains pressure on revenue growth, with consumers migrating from fixed-line voice telephony to mobile and VoIP alternatives, while the volume of SMS and MMS traffic has been affected by the growing use of alternative OTT messaging services; the mature mobile market has effective competition between A1 Bulgaria, Yettel (branded as Telenor Bulgaria before March 2022, the Telenor Group’s local unit that had been sold to the PPF Group in August 2018), and the incumbent telco Vivacom; competition intensified following the implementation of a streamlined mobile number portability process; customer preference for bundled services has put pressure on pricing and encouraged operators to offer generous voice and data packages; Vivacom was sold to United Group in April 2020, following European Commission approval; the company is investing in network upgrades and its development of services based on 5G have stimulated other market players to invest in their own service provision; A1 Bulgaria and Vivacom both launched commercial 5G services in 2020, and by the end of 2022 about 70% of the population is expected to be covered by 5G; the broadband market in Bulgaria enjoys excellent cross-platform competition; the share of the market held by DSL has fallen steadily as a result of customers being migrated to fiber networks, particularly those operated by the incumbent telco Vivacom; by early 2021 about 65% of fixed-line broadband subscribers were on fiber infrastructure; Bulgaria joins the U.S. State Department’s Clean Network initiative in a bid to protect its 5G communications networks
Broadcast media: 4 national terrestrial TV stations with 1 state-owned and 3 privately owned; a vast array of TV stations are available from cable and satellite TV providers; state-owned national radio broadcasts over 3 networks; large number of private radio stations broadcasting, especially in urban areas
Internet country code: .bg
Internet users: total: 4,853,811 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 70% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,115,053 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 8 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 44

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,022,645 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.38 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: LZ
Airports: total: 68 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 57

over 3,047 m: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 17

1,524 to 2,437 m: 12

under 914 m: 26 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11

914 to 1,523 m: 2

under 914 m: 9 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 2,765 km gas, 346 km oil, 378 km refined products (2017)
Railways: total: 5,114 km (2014)

standard gauge: 4,989 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (2,880 km electrified)

narrow gauge: 125 km (2014) 0.760-m gauge
Roadways: total: 19,512 km (2011)

paved: 19,235 km (2011) (includes 458 km of expressways)

unpaved: 277 km (2011)

note: does not include Category IV local roads
Waterways: 470 km (2009)
Merchant marine: total: 79

by type: bulk carrier 4, general cargo 14, oil tanker 8, other 53 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Burgas, Varna (Black Sea)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Bulgarian Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Voennovazdushni Sili, VVS), Joint Special Forces; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.6% of GDP (2020)

3.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $2.95 billion)

1.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $1.72 billion)

1.2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $1.5 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 28,000 active duty personnel (17,000 Army; 4,000 Navy; 7,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Bulgarian Armed Forces inventory consists primarily of Soviet-era equipment, although in recent years Bulgaria has procured limited amounts of more modern weapons systems from some Western countries (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription ended in 2007; service obligation 6-9 months (2021)

note: in 2021, women comprised about 17% of the Bulgarian military's full-time personnel
Military - note: Bulgaria became a member of NATO in 2004; Bulgaria conducts its own air policing mission, but because of Russian aggression in the Black Sea region, NATO allies have sent detachments of fighters to augment the Bulgarian Air Force since 2014 (2022)

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force

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: nonenone
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 19,014 (Syria) (mid-year 2021); 86,489 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022)

stateless persons: 1,143 (mid-year 2021)

note: 77,143 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022); Bulgaria is predominantly a transit country
Illicit drugs: source country for amphetamine tablets


Topic: Photos of Moldova

Topic: Introduction
Background: A large portion of present day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001-09 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010-19, but pro-Russia Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016 and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in November 2020 and the Party of Action and Solidarity, which SANDU founded in 2015, won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in July 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in August 2021.  A large portion of present day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria.Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001-09 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010-19, but pro-Russia Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016 and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in November 2020 and the Party of Action and Solidarity, which SANDU founded in 2015, won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in July 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in August 2021. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 33,851 sq km

land: 32,891 sq km

water: 960 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 1,885 km

border countries (2): Romania 683 km; Ukraine 1202 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: moderate winters, warm summers
Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea
Elevation: highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m

lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m

mean elevation: 139 m
Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 74.9% (2018 est.)

arable land: 55.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.9% (2018 est.)

other: 13.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,283 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dniester (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution: pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti
Natural hazards: landslides
Geography - note: landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone
Map description: Moldova map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Moldova map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,287,326 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s)

adjective: Moldovan
Ethnic groups: Moldovan 75.1%, Romanian 7%, Ukrainian 6.6%, Gagauz 4.6%, Russian 4.1%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 0.8% (2014 est.)
Languages: Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% identify their mother tongue as Moldovan, which is virtually the same as Romanian; 23.5% identify Romanian as their mother tongue), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014 est.); note - data represent mother tongue

major-language sample(s):
Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Moldovan/Romanian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Orthodox 90.1%, other Christian 2.6%, other 0.1%, agnostic <.1%, atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.9% (2014 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.31% (male 317,243/female 298,673)

15-24 years: 11.27% (male 196,874/female 182,456)

25-54 years: 43.13% (male 738,103/female 712,892)

55-64 years: 13.26% (male 205,693/female 240,555)

65 years and over: 14.03% (2020 est.) (male 186,949/female 285,058)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 39.6

youth dependency ratio: 22.2

elderly dependency ratio: 17.4

potential support ratio: 5.7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 37.7 years

male: 36.2 years

female: 39.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -1.12% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 12.47 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -8.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti
Urbanization: urban population: 43.2% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 491,000 CHISINAU (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

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

25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female

total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 25.2 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 13.55 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 9.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.44 years

male: 68.6 years

female: 76.52 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.59 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 56% (2020)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.9% of population

rural: 87% of population

total: 92.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population

rural: 13% of population

total: 7.9% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 3.1 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 5.7 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99% of population

rural: 83.1% of population

total: 89.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 1% of population

rural: 16.9% of population

total: 10.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 18.9% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 29% (2020 est.)

male: 51.7% (2020 est.)

female: 6.2% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.2% (2012)
Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.7%

female: 99.1% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years

male: 14 years

female: 15 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.9%

male: 9.9%

female: 12.3% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion and declining soil fertility from poor farming methods
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.97 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 5.12 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 3.29 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: moderate winters, warm summers
Land use: agricultural land: 74.9% (2018 est.)

arable land: 55.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 10.7% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.9% (2018 est.)

other: 13.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 43.2% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,981,200 tons (2015 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 609,920 tons (2015 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.3% (2015 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dniester (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 148 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 650 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 42 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 12.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

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

conventional short form: Moldova

local long form: Republica Moldova

local short form: Moldova

former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic

etymology: named for the Moldova River in neighboring eastern Romania
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Chisinau in Moldovan (Kishinev in Russian)

geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E

time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

etymology: origin unclear but may derive from the archaic Romanian word "chisla" ("spring" or "water source") and "noua" ("new") because the original settlement was built at the site of a small spring

note: pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyov)
Administrative divisions: 32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Unghenimunicipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinauautonomous territorial unit: Gagauziaterritorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)
Independence: 27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
Constitution: history: previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994

amendments: proposed by voter petition (at least 200,000 eligible voters), by at least one third of Parliament members, or by the government; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament within one year of initial proposal; revisions to constitutional articles on sovereignty, independence, and neutrality require majority vote by referendum; articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2018
Legal system: civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

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

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Maia SANDU (since 24 December 2020)

head of government: Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA (since 6 August 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister-designate, nominated by the president, approved through a vote of confidence in Parliament

elections/appointments: president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 November 2020 (next to be held in fall 2024); prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament

election results: 2020: Maia SANDU elected president; percent of vote (second round results) - Maia SANDU (PAS) 57.7%, Igor DODON (PSRM) 42.3%

2016: Igor DODON elected president; percent of vote 52.1%, and Maia SANDU 47.9%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 51 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 50 members directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote; all members serve 4-year terms

elections: last held on 11 July 2021 (next scheduled in July 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAS 52.8%, BECS (PSRM+PCRM) 27.1%, SHOR 5.7%; seats by party - PAS 63, BECS 32, SHOR 6; composition as of July 2022 - men 60, women 41, percent of women 40.6%last held on 11 July 2021 (next scheduled in July 2025)percent of vote by party - PAS 52.8%, BECS (PSRM+PCRM) 27.1%, SHOR 5.7%; seats by party - PAS 63, BECS 32, SHOR 6; composition as of July 2022 - men 60, women 41, percent of women 40.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief judge, 3 deputy-chief judges, 45 judges, and 7 assistant judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 6 judges); note - the Constitutional Court is autonomous to the other branches of government; the Court interprets the Constitution and reviews the constitutionality of parliamentary laws and decisions, decrees of the president, and acts of the government

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistracy, an 11-member body of judicial officials; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy for 6-year terms; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts
Political parties and leaders: represented in Parliament:
Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS [Igor GROSU]
Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS [Vlad BATRINCEA, PSRM and Vladimir VORONIN, PCRM]
SOR Party or PS [Ilan SHOR]represented in Parliament:
Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS [Igor GROSU]
Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS [Vlad BATRINCEA, PSRM and Vladimir VORONIN, PCRM]
SOR Party or PS [Ilan SHOR]
International organization participation: BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEU (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eugen CARAS (since 17 July 2020)

chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130

FAX: [1] (202) 667-2624

email address and website:
washington@mfa.gov.md

https://sua.mfa.gov.md/en
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kent D. LOGSDON (since 16 February 2022)

embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009

mailing address: 7080 Chisinau Place, Washington DC  20521-7080

telephone: [373] (22) 408-300

FAX: [373] (22) 233-044

email address and website:
ChisinauACS@state.gov

https://md.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of Prussian blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of dark gold (brown) outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with which Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag displays a mirrored image of the coat of arms

note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia
National symbol(s): aurochs (a type of wild cattle); national colors: blue, yellow, red
National anthem: name: "Limba noastra" (Our Language)

lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA

note: adopted 1994
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Struve Geodetic Arc

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. With a moderate climate and productive farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, wheat, and tobacco. Moldova also depends on annual remittances of about $1.2 billion - almost 15% of GDP - from the roughly one million Moldovans working in Europe, Israel, Russia, and elsewhere.   With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by a more than $6 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom, largely the result of unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova and Romania inaugurated the Ungheni-Iasi natural gas interconnector project in August 2014. The 43-kilometer pipeline between Moldova and Romania, allows for both the import and export of natural gas. Several technical and regulatory delays kept gas from flowing into Moldova until March 2015. Romanian gas exports to Moldova are largely symbolic. In 2018, Moldova awarded a tender to Romanian Transgaz to construct a pipeline connecting Ungheni to Chisinau, bringing the gas to Moldovan population centers. Moldova also seeks to connect with the European power grid by 2022.   The government's stated goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economic growth in 2017, largely driven by increased consumption, increased revenue from agricultural exports, and improved tax collection. During fall 2014, Moldova signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU (AA/DCFTA), connecting Moldovan products to the world’s largest market. The EU AA/DCFTA has contributed to significant growth in Moldova’s exports to the EU. In 2017, the EU purchased over 65% of Moldova’s exports, a major change from 20 years previously when the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received over 69% of Moldova’s exports. A $1 billion asset-stripping heist of Moldovan banks in late 2014 delivered a significant shock to the economy in 2015; the subsequent bank bailout increased inflationary pressures and contributed to the depreciation of the leu and a minor recession. Moldova’s growth has also been hampered by endemic corruption, which limits business growth and deters foreign investment, and Russian restrictions on imports of Moldova’s agricultural products. The government’s push to restore stability and implement meaningful reform led to the approval in 2016 of a $179 million three-year IMF program focused on improving the banking and fiscal environments, along with additional assistance programs from the EU, World Bank, and Romania. Moldova received two IMF tranches in 2017, totaling over $42.5 million.   Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to corruption, political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, energy import dependence, Russian political and economic pressure, heavy dependence on agricultural exports, and unresolved separatism in Moldova's Transnistria region.Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. With a moderate climate and productive farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, wheat, and tobacco. Moldova also depends on annual remittances of about $1.2 billion - almost 15% of GDP - from the roughly one million Moldovans working in Europe, Israel, Russia, and elsewhere. With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by a more than $6 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom, largely the result of unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova and Romania inaugurated the Ungheni-Iasi natural gas interconnector project in August 2014. The 43-kilometer pipeline between Moldova and Romania, allows for both the import and export of natural gas. Several technical and regulatory delays kept gas from flowing into Moldova until March 2015. Romanian gas exports to Moldova are largely symbolic. In 2018, Moldova awarded a tender to Romanian Transgaz to construct a pipeline connecting Ungheni to Chisinau, bringing the gas to Moldovan population centers. Moldova also seeks to connect with the European power grid by 2022. The government's stated goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economic growth in 2017, largely driven by increased consumption, increased revenue from agricultural exports, and improved tax collection. During fall 2014, Moldova signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU (AA/DCFTA), connecting Moldovan products to the world’s largest market. The EU AA/DCFTA has contributed to significant growth in Moldova’s exports to the EU. In 2017, the EU purchased over 65% of Moldova’s exports, a major change from 20 years previously when the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received over 69% of Moldova’s exports. A $1 billion asset-stripping heist of Moldovan banks in late 2014 delivered a significant shock to the economy in 2015; the subsequent bank bailout increased inflationary pressures and contributed to the depreciation of the leu and a minor recession. Moldova’s growth has also been hampered by endemic corruption, which limits business growth and deters foreign investment, and Russian restrictions on imports of Moldova’s agricultural products. The government’s push to restore stability and implement meaningful reform led to the approval in 2016 of a $179 million three-year IMF program focused on improving the banking and fiscal environments, along with additional assistance programs from the EU, World Bank, and Romania. Moldova received two IMF tranches in 2017, totaling over $42.5 million. Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to corruption, political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, energy import dependence, Russian political and economic pressure, heavy dependence on agricultural exports, and unresolved separatism in Moldova's Transnistria region.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $32.26 billion (2020 est.)

$34.68 billion (2019 est.)

$33.48 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.5% (2017 est.)

4.3% (2016 est.)

-0.4% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $12,300 (2020 est.)

$13,000 (2019 est.)

$12,400 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $11.982 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (2019 est.)

3% (2018 est.)

6.5% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2010)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 17.7% (2017 est.)

industry: 20.3% (2017 est.)

services: 62% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 85.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 19% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 1.4% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -70.7% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: maize, wheat, sunflower seed, grapes, apples, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, barley, plums/sloes
Industries: sugar processing, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.295 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 32.3%

industry: 12%

services: 55.7% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.99% (2019 est.)

3.16% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.9%

male: 9.9%

female: 12.3% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 7.3% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 25.7 (2018 est.)

26.8 (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2%

highest 10%: 22.1% (2014 est.)
Budget: revenues: 2.886 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 2.947 billion (2017 est.)

note: National Public Budget
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 31.5% of GDP (2017 est.)

35.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 30.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$602 million (2017 est.)

-$268 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $3.24 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$3.66 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$3.45 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Romania 27%, Russia 9%, Italy 9%, Germany 9%, Turkey 6%, Poland 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: insulated wiring, sunflower seeds, wine, corn, seats (2019)
Imports: $5.93 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$6.62 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$6.39 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Romania 20%, Russia 10%, Ukraine 9%, Germany 8%, China 7%, Turkey 6%, Italy 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, insulated wiring, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.803 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.206 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $7.232 billion (2019 est.)

$7.16 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar -

18.49 (2017 est.)

19.924 (2016 est.)

19.924 (2015 est.)

19.83 (2014 est.)

14.036 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 594,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 4,591,230,000 kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 629 million kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 571 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

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

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

wind: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

hydroelectricity: 4.5% 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: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

consumption: 133,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 133,000 metric tons (2020 est.)

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

refined petroleum consumption: 22,000 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: 232 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 275 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 18,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 57,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

consumption: 2,802,400,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 2,802,344,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 8.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke: 374,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids: 2.968 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 4.773 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 40.398 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,027,689 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,420,383 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 85 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom market has been affected by a combination of high unemployment and economic difficulties which have led to constraints on consumer spending; this has resulted in telecom revenue having fallen steadily in recent years; this decline continued into 2020, with a 6.3% in revenue from the important mobile sector alone, year-on-year; Moldova’s aspirations to join the EU have encouraged the government and regulator to adopt a range of measures to bring the country’s telecoms sector into line with EU principles and standards; in July 2017 the Electronic Communications Act was amended to accommodate the 2009 European regulatory framework, while further amendments were adopted in December 2017 and additional changes were proposed in 2019; Moldova is also part of the Eastern Partnership group of countries, and as such has set in train a glide path to reducing roaming charges, effective between 2022 and 2026; the country’s broadband strategy through to 2025 has been supported by the ITU and industry counterparts from Korea; the internet market is developing rapidly, and though the penetration rate is well below the average for most European countries there are many opportunities for further development; the market is highly competitive, with 101 active ISPs as of early 2021, though Moldtelecom and Starnet between them account for most connections; the number of cable broadband subscribers is increasing steadily, though fiber is now by far the strongest sector; by the end of 2020 fiber accounted for about 72.3% of all fixed broadband connections; the mobile market has also grown rapidly, and the sector accounts for the majority of total telecoms revenue; the triopoly of operators is dominated by Orange Moldova, while the launch of LTE services has opened up a new revenue growth opportunity centered on mobile broadband; the near comprehensive geographical reach of their mobile networks, market brand recognition and existing customer relationships will make for steady subscriber growth in coming years. (2021)

domestic: competition among mobile telephone providers has spurred subscriptions; little interest in expanding fixed-line service which is roughly 25 per 100; mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 85 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; a total of nearly 70 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2019)
Internet country code: .md
Internet users: total: 2,025,380 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 76% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 719,001 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,135,999 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 640,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ER
Airports: total: 7 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 2,026 km gas (2021) (2021)
Railways: total: 1,171 km (2014)

standard gauge: 14 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge

broad gauge: 1,157 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge
Roadways: total: 9,352 km (2012)

paved: 8,835 km (2012)

unpaved: 517 km (2012)
Waterways: 558 km (2011) (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut Rivers)
Merchant marine: total: 147

by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 5, general cargo 97, oil tanker 7, other 33 (2021)

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: National Army: Land Forces (Fortele Terestre ale Republicii Moldova, FTRM); Air Forces (Forţele Aeriene ale Republicii Moldova, FARM); Ministry of Internal Affairs: Carabinieri Troops (2022)

note: the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions
Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

0.4% of GDP (2020 est.)

0.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $160 million)

0.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $130 million)

0.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $120 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 6,500 active troops (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Moldovan military's inventory is limited and almost entirely comprised of older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; since 2000, it has received small amounts of donated material from other nations, including the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 1-year service obligation (2021)

note: as of 2019, women made up about 20% of the military's full-time personnel
Military - note: Moldova is constitutionally neutral, but has maintained a relationship with NATO since 1992; bilateral cooperation started when Moldova joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994; Moldova has contributed small numbers of troops to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 2014, and a civilian NATO liaison office was established in Moldova in 2017 at the request of the Moldovan Government to promote practical cooperation and facilitate support

the 1992 war between Moldovan forces and Transnistrian separatists backed by Russian troops ended with a cease-fire; as of 2022, Russia maintained approximately 1,500 troops in Transnistria, some of which served under the authority of a peacekeeping force known as a Joint Control Commission that also included Moldovan and separatist personnel; the remainder of the Russian contingent (the Operative Group of the Russian Troops or OGRT) guarded a depot of Soviet-era ammunition and trained Transnistrian separatist paramilitary troops (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Moldova-Romania: none identified Moldova-Ukraine: Ukraine and Moldova signed an agreement officially delimiting their border in 1999, but the border has not been demarcated due to Moldova's difficulties with the break-away region of Transnistria; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troopsMoldova-Romania: none identifiedMoldova-Ukraine: Ukraine and Moldova signed an agreement officially delimiting their border in 1999, but the border has not been demarcated due to Moldova's difficulties with the break-away region of Transnistria; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troops
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 89,302 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022)

stateless persons: 3,372 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity


Topic: Introduction
Background: In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay left, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe.In 1816, the United Provinces of the Rio Plata declared their independence from Spain. After Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay left, the area that remained became Argentina. The country's population and culture were heavily shaped by immigrants from throughout Europe.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 2,780,400 sq km

land: 2,736,690 sq km

water: 43,710 sq km
Climate: mostly temperate; arid in southeast; subantarctic in southwest
Natural resources: fertile plains of the pampas, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron ore, manganese, petroleum, uranium, arable land

Topic: People and Society
Population: 46,245,668 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: European (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and Mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African descent 0.4% (2010 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua)
Religions: Roman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.82% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Buenos Aires
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alberto Angel FERNANDEZ (since 10 December 2019); Vice President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government (2019)

head of government: President Alberto Angel FERNANDEZ (since 10 December 2019); Vice President Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER (since 10 December 2019) (2018)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of:
Senate or Senado (72 seats; members directly elected on a provincial basis with 2 seats awarded to the party with the most votes and 1 seat to the party with the second highest number of votes; members serve 6-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years)
Chamber of Deputies or Cámara de Diputados (257 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 2 years)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: large diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflationlarge diversified economy; financial risks from debt obligations, rapid inflation, and reduced investor appetites; resource-rich, export-led growth model; increasing trade relations with China; G20 and OAS leader; tendency to nationalize businesses and under-report inflation
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $893.31 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $19,700 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: maize, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, milk, barley, sunflower seed, beef, grapes, potatoes
Industries: food processing, motor vehicles, consumer durables, textiles, chemicals and petrochemicals, printing, metallurgy, steel
Exports: $64.18 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Brazil 16%, China 11%, United States 7%, Chile 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: soybean products, corn, delivery trucks, wheat, frozen meat, gold (2019)
Imports: $52.14 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: Brazil 21%, China 18%, US 14%, Germany 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, vehicle parts, natural gas, soybeans (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022


This entry records total taxes and other revenues received by the national government during the time period indicated, expressed as a percent of GDP. Taxes include personal and corporate income taxes, value added taxes, excise taxes, and tariffs. Other revenues include social contributions - such as payments for social security and hospital insurance - grants, and net revenues from public enterprises. Normalizing the data, by dividing total revenues by GDP, enables easy comparisons across countries, and provides an average rate at which all income (GDP) is paid to the national level government for the supply of public goods and services.

Topic: Afghanistan11.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Albania27.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Algeria32.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: American Samoa37.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Andorra69% (of GDP) (2016)

Topic: Angola29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Anguilla46.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Argentina18.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Armenia22.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Aruba25.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Australia35.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Austria48.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijan23.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, The17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bahrain16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bangladesh9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Barbados29.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Belarus40.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Belgium51.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Belize29.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Benin17.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bermuda16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bhutan27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bolivia39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina44% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Botswana30.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Brazil35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: British Virgin Islands38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Brunei18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Bulgaria35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Burkina Faso21.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Burma13.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Burundi15.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde27.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cambodia17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cameroon15.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Canada39.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cayman Islands38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Central African Republic14.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Chad13.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Chile20.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: China21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Colombia26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Comoros25.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the11.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cook Islands29% (of GDP) (2010 est.)

Topic: Costa Rica14.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire19.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Croatia46.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Cuba58.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Curacao16.6% (of GDP) (2012 est.)

Topic: Cyprus39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Czechia40.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Denmark53% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Djibouti35.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Dominica40.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republic14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Ecuador32% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Egypt17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: El Salvador23.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinea16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Eritrea34.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Estonia39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Eswatini28.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia13.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: European Union45.2% (of GDP) (2014)

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)32.5% (of GDP) (FY09/10)

Topic: Faroe Islands30.2% (of GDP) (2014 est.)

Topic: Fiji29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Finland53.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: France53.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: French Polynesia39.4% (of GDP) (2012)

Topic: Gabon17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Georgia28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Germany45% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Ghana20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Gibraltar23.3% (of GDP) (2008 est.)

Topic: Greece48.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Greenland77.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Grenada25.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Guam21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Guatemala10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Guernsey20.6% (of GDP) (2005)

Topic: Guinea16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Guyana28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Haiti18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Topic: Honduras20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Hong Kong23.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Hungary44.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Iceland42.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: India9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Indonesia13% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Iran17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Iraq35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Ireland26% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Isle of Man14.2% (of GDP) (FY05/06 est.)

Topic: Israel26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Italy46.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Jamaica29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Japan35.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Jersey16.6% (of GDP) (2005)

Topic: Jordan23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstan22.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Kenya17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Kiribati76.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Korea, North11.4% (of GDP) (2007 est.)

note: excludes earnings from state-operated enterprises

Topic: Korea, South23.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Kosovo29% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Kuwait41.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Laos18.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Latvia37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Lebanon21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Lesotho39.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Liberia16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Libya51.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Liechtenstein14.9% (of GDP) (2012 est.)

Topic: Lithuania33.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Luxembourg44.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Macau29.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Madagascar15.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Malawi21.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Malaysia16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Maldives26.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Mali20% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Malta40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Marshall Islands52.6% (of GDP) (2013 est.)

Topic: Mauritania27.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Mauritius22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Mexico22.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of65.2% (of GDP) (FY12/13 est.)

Topic: Moldova30.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Monaco14.9% (of GDP) (2011 est.)

Topic: Mongolia26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Montenegro37.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Morocco20.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Mozambique26.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Namibia32.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Nauru90.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Nepal23.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Netherlands43.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: New Caledonia20.4% (of GDP) (2015 est.)

Topic: New Zealand36.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Nicaragua28% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Niger21.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Nigeria3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: North Macedonia29% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islands31.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Norway54.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Oman31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Pakistan15.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Palau66.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Panama20.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinea18.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Paraguay14.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Peru27.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Philippines15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Poland39.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Portugal42.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Puerto Rico8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Qatar26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Romania29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Russia16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Rwanda21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis31.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Saint Lucia23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon26.8% (of GDP) (1996 est.)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Samoa28.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: San Marino40.6% (of GDP) (2011 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe26.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabia26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Senegal19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Serbia42.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Seychelles39.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leone15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Singapore15.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Slovakia39.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Slovenia43.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islands41% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Somalia2.1% (of GDP) (2014 est.)

Topic: South Africa26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: South Sudan8.5% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.)

Topic: Spain37.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Sri Lanka13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Sudan18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Suriname16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: SvalbardNA

Topic: Sweden50.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Switzerland35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Syria4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Taiwan16% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Tajikistan31.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Tanzania15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Thailand15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Timor-Leste10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Togo21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Tonga39.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago24.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Tunisia24.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Turkey20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistan14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Tuvalu106.7% (of GDP) (2013 est.)

note: revenue data include Official Development Assistance from Australia

Topic: Uganda14.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Ukraine26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirates28.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: United Kingdom39.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: United States17% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

note: excludes contributions for social security and other programs; if social contributions were added, taxes and other revenues would amount to approximately 22% of GDP

Topic: Uruguay29.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistan31.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Vanuatu27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Venezuela44.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Vietnam24.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Virgin Islands28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Wallis and Futuna16.7% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA

Topic: West Bank13.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: World26.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Topic: Yemen9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Zambia17.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Topic: Zimbabwe21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)


Topic: Introduction
Background: First inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwan based on a 1947 Constitution.First inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwan based on a 1947 Constitution.

Topic: Geography
Area: total: 35,980 sq km

land: 32,260 sq km

water: 3,720 sq km
Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year
Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land

Topic: People and Society
Population: 23,580,712 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Han Chinese (including Holo, who compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's population, Hakka, and other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%, indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3%
Languages: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min Nan), Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages
Religions: Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%, none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.04% (2022 est.)

Topic: Government
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Taipei
Executive branch: chief of state: President TSAI Ing-wen (since 20 May 2016; re-elected on 11 Jan 2020); Vice President LAI Ching-te (since 20 May 2020)

head of government: Premier SU Tseng-chang (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 11 January 2019); Vice Premier SHEN Jong-chin (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) (since 19 June 2020)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats; 73 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 34 directly elected in a single island-wide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat aboriginal constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: high-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequalityhigh-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequality
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,143,277,000,000 (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $24,502 (2018 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, vegetables, pork, cabbages, poultry, sugar cane, milk, eggs, pineapples, tropical fruit
Industries: electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals
Exports: $388.49 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: China 26%, United States 14%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 7%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, office machinery/parts, computers, refined petroleum, liquid crystal displays (2019)
Imports: $308.744 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: China 21%, Japan 16%, United States 11%, South Korea 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: integrated circuits, crude petroleum, photography equipment, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019)
Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar -Page last updated: Monday, Jul 25, 2022