Topic: Photos of Antigua and Barbuda

Topic: Introduction
Background: The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands of Antigua and Barbuda in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. Early Spanish and French settlements were succeeded by an English colony in 1667. Slavery, to provide labor on the sugar plantations on Antigua, was abolished in 1834. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the island of Barbuda devastating the island and forcing the evacuation of the population to Antigua. Almost all of the structures on Barbuda were destroyed and the vegetation stripped, but Antigua was spared the worst.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 17 03 N, 61 48 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 443 sq km (Antigua 280 sq km; Barbuda 161 sq km)

land: 443 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: includes Redonda, 1.6 sq km
Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 153 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands, with some higher volcanic areas
Elevation: highest point: Mount Obama 402 m

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use: agricultural land: 20.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9% (2018 est.)

forest: 18.8% (2018 est.)

other: 60.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1.3 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: the island of Antigua is home to approximately 97% of the population; nearly the entire population of Barbuda lives in Codrington
Natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts
Geography - note: Antigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor
Map description: Antigua and Barbuda map showing the two islands situated in the Caribbean Sea.Antigua and Barbuda map showing the two islands situated in the Caribbean Sea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 100,335 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Antiguan(s), Barbudan(s)

adjective: Antiguan, Barbudan
Ethnic groups: African descent 87.3%, mixed 4.7%, Hispanic 2.7%, White 1.6%, other 2.7%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)

note: data represent population by ethnic group
Languages: English (official), Antiguan creole
Religions: Protestant 68.3% (Anglican 17.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 5.6%, Wesleyan Holiness 4.5%, Church of God 4.1%, Baptist 3.6%), Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2%, unspecified 5.5%, none 5.9% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.52% (male 11,243/female 10,871)

15-24 years: 16.15% (male 7,891/female 7,961)

25-54 years: 41.68% (male 18,757/female 22,167)

55-64 years: 10.74% (male 4,693/female 5,848)

65 years and over: 8.91% (2020 est.) (male 3,736/female 5,012)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 45.3

youth dependency ratio: 31.8

elderly dependency ratio: 13.6

potential support ratio: 7.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 32.7 years

male: 30.7 years

female: 34.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.15% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 15.16 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the island of Antigua is home to approximately 97% of the population; nearly the entire population of Barbuda lives in Codrington
Urbanization: urban population: 24.3% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 21,000 SAINT JOHN'S (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

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

15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.27 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.8 years

male: 75.63 years

female: 80.08 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 96.7% of population

unimproved: urban: NA

rural: NA

total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.76 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: total: 91.7% of population

unimproved: total: 8.1% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2018) <1,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 18.9% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over has completed five or more years of schooling

total population: 99%

male: 98.4%

female: 99.4% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years

male: 14 years

female: 16 years (2012)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water management - a major concern because of limited natural freshwater resources - is further hampered by the clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to run off quickly
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.92 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 0.56 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 0.22 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
Land use: agricultural land: 20.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.3% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 9% (2018 est.)

forest: 18.8% (2018 est.)

other: 60.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 24.3% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 30,585 tons (2012 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 7.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 2.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 52 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Antigua and Barbuda

etymology: "antiguo" is Spanish for "ancient" or "old"; the island was discovered by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and, according to tradition, named by him after the church of Santa Maria la Antigua (Old Saint Mary's) in Seville; "barbuda" is Spanish for "bearded" and the adjective may refer to the alleged beards of the indigenous people or to the island's bearded fig trees
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Saint John's

geographic coordinates: 17 07 N, 61 51 W

time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: named after Saint John the Apostle
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 2 dependencies*; Barbuda*, Redonda*, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mary, Saint Paul, Saint Peter, Saint Philip
Independence: 1 November 1981 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 November (1981)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest presented 31 July 1981, effective 31 October 1981 (The Antigua and Barbuda Constitution Order 1981)

amendments: proposed by either house of Parliament; passage of amendments to constitutional sections such as citizenship, fundamental rights and freedoms, the establishment, power, and authority of the executive and legislative branches, the Supreme Court Order, and the procedure for amending the constitution requires approval by at least two-thirds majority vote of the membership of both houses, approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum, and assent to by the governor general; passage of other amendments requires only two-thirds majority vote by both houses; amended 2009, 2011, 2018
Legal system: common law based on the English model
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014)

head of government: Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister

elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the governor general
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general)
House of Representatives (18 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - last appointed on 26 March 2018 (next NA)
House of Representatives - last held on 21 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023)

election results:
Senate -  composition - men 8, women 9, percent of women 52.9%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - ABLP 59.4%, UPP 37.2%, BPM 1.4%, other 1.9% ; seats by party - ABLP 15, UPP 1, BPM 1; composition - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 31.4%
Judicial branch: highest courts: the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) is the superior court of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States; the ECSC - headquartered on St. Lucia - consists of the Court of Appeal - headed by the chief justice and 4 judges - and the High Court with 18 judges; the Court of Appeal is itinerant, travelling to member states on a schedule to hear appeals from the High Court and subordinate courts; High Court judges reside in the member states, with 2 assigned to Antigua and Barbuda

judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by the Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission; Court of Appeal justices appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 65; High Court judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 62

subordinate courts: Industrial Court; Magistrates' Courts
Political parties and leaders: Antigua Labor Party or ABLP [Gaston BROWNE]
Antigua Barbuda True Labor Party or ABTLP [Sharlene SAMUEL]
Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Trevor WALKER]
Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Joanne MASSIAH]
Go Green for Life [Owen GEORGE]
United Progressive Party or UPP [Harold LOVELL] (a merger of Antigua Caribbean Liberation Movement, Progressive Labor Movement, and United National Democratic Party)
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sir Ronald SANDERS (since 17 September 2015)

chancery: 3234 Prospect Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

telephone: [1] (202) 362-5122

FAX: [1] (202) 362-5225

email address and website:
embantbar@aol.com

consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Antigua and Barbuda; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Antigua and Barbuda; [1] (246) 227-4000
Flag description: red, with an inverted isosceles triangle based on the top edge of the flag; the triangle contains three horizontal bands of black (top), light blue, and white, with a yellow rising sun in the black band; the sun symbolizes the dawn of a new era, black represents the African heritage of most of the population, blue is for hope, and red is for the dynamism of the people; the "V" stands for victory; the successive yellow, blue, and white coloring is also meant to evoke the country's tourist attractions of sun, sea, and sand
National symbol(s): fallow deer; national colors: red, white, blue, black, yellow
National anthem: name: Fair Antigua, We Salute Thee

lyrics/music: Novelle Hamilton RICHARDS/Walter Garnet Picart CHAMBERS

note: adopted 1967; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Antigua Naval Dockyard

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Tourism continues to dominate Antigua and Barbuda's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.   Like other countries in the region, Antigua's economy was severely hit by effects of the global economic recession in 2009. The country suffered from the collapse of its largest private sector employer, a steep decline in tourism, a rise in debt, and a sharp economic contraction between 2009 and 2011. Antigua has not yet returned to its pre-crisis growth levels. Barbuda suffered significant damages after hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through the Caribbean in 2017.   Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and could be disrupted by potential damage from natural disasters. The new government, elected in 2014 and led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The government places some hope in a new Citizenship by Investment Program, to both reduce public debt levels and spur growth, and a resolution of a WTO dispute with the US.Tourism continues to dominate Antigua and Barbuda's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Like other countries in the region, Antigua's economy was severely hit by effects of the global economic recession in 2009. The country suffered from the collapse of its largest private sector employer, a steep decline in tourism, a rise in debt, and a sharp economic contraction between 2009 and 2011. Antigua has not yet returned to its pre-crisis growth levels. Barbuda suffered significant damages after hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through the Caribbean in 2017. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and could be disrupted by potential damage from natural disasters. The new government, elected in 2014 and led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The government places some hope in a new Citizenship by Investment Program, to both reduce public debt levels and spur growth, and a resolution of a WTO dispute with the US.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.76 billion (2020 est.)

$2.09 billion (2019 est.)

$2.02 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.8% (2017 est.)

5.3% (2016 est.)

4.1% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $18,000 (2020 est.)

$21,500 (2019 est.)

$21,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.524 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.5% (2017 est.)

-0.5% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)

industry: 20.8% (2017 est.)

services: 77.3% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 53.5% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.9% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 73.9% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -66.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: tropical fruit, milk, mangoes/guavas, melons, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, limes, eggplants, onions
Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances)
Industrial production growth rate: 6.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 30,000 (1991)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7%

industry: 11%

services: 82% (1983 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA

highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 298.2 million (2017 est.)

expenditures: 334 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 86.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

86.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: -$112 million (2017 est.)

$2 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.15 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$56.5 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: Poland 37%, Suriname 33%, United Arab Emirates 8% (2019)
Exports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, precious/semi-precious metal scraps, rice, corn (2019)
Imports: $1.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$503.4 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 39%, Poland 16%, China 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, ships, cars, precious/semi-precious metals, recreational boats (2019)
Debt - external: $441.2 million (31 December 2012)

$458 million (June 2010)
Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -

2.7 (2017 est.)

2.7 (2016 est.)

2.7 (2015 est.)

2.7 (2014 est.)

2.7 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 117,000 kW (2020 est.)

consumption: 278 million kWh (2019 est.)

exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)

transmission/distribution losses: 65 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 95.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

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

solar: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)

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

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

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

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

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

consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)

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

refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 91 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 5,065 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)

proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 729,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

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

from petroleum and other liquids: 729,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)

from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 107.154 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 27,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 184,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 188 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has seen a decline in subscriber numbers (particularly for prepaid mobile services the mainstay of short term visitors) and revenue; fixed and mobile broadband services are two areas that have benefited from the crisis as employees and students have resorted to working from home; one major casualty may be the region’s second largest telco operator, Digicel; the company filed for bankruptcy in the US in April 2020; it continues to operate in all of its Caribbean markets as it seeks to refinance billions of dollars of debt; the other major telco, regional incumbent Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC), is experiencing similar drops in subscriber numbers and revenue; CWC is expanding and enhancing its fixed and mobile networks in many of the countries it serves around the Caribbean, despite many locations being small islands with very small populations; one area of the telecom market that is not prepared for growth is 5G mobile; governments, regulators, and even the mobile network operators have shown that they have not been investing in 5G opportunities at the present time; network expansion and enhancements remain concentrated around improving LTE coverage. (2021)

domestic: fixed-line teledensity roughly 25 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is about 193 per 100 persons (2019)

international: country code - 1-268; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cable systems with links to other islands in the eastern Caribbean; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
Broadcast media: state-controlled Antigua and Barbuda Broadcasting Service (ABS) operates 1 TV station; multi-channel cable TV subscription services are available; ABS operates 1 radio station; roughly 15 radio stations, some broadcasting on multiple frequencies
Internet country code: .ag
Internet users: total: 73,807 (2019 est.)

percent of population: 76% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 8,000 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.)

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

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 580,174 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 290,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V2
Airports: total: 3 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2

2,438 to 3,047 m: 1

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

under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,170 km (2011)

paved: 386 km (2011)

unpaved: 784 km (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 677

by type: bulk carrier 24, container ship 123, general cargo 473, oil tanker 2, other 55 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Saint John's

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF): Coast Guard and the Antigua and Barbuda Regiment (2022)
Military expenditures: not available
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 200 active military personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the ABDF's equipment inventory is limited to small arms, light weapons, and soft-skin vehicles; the Coast Guard maintains ex-US patrol vessels and some smaller boats (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-23 years of age for voluntary military service for both males and females; no conscription (2022)
Military - note: has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) agreed to prepare contingency plans and assist one another, on request, in national emergencies, prevention of smuggling, search and rescue, immigration control, fishery protection, customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, protection of off-shore installations, pollution control, national and other disasters, and threats to national security (2022)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Illicit drugs: a transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbeana transit point for cocaine and marijuana destined for North America, Europe, and elsewhere in the Caribbean


This entry gives the average annual number of births during a year per 1,000 persons in the population at midyear; also known as crude birth rate. The birth rate is usually the dominant factor in determining the rate of population growth. It depends on both the level of fertility and the age structure of the population.

Topic: Afghanistan35.46 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: AkrotiriNA

Topic: Albania12.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Algeria18.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: American Samoa16.7 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Andorra6.88 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Angola41.8 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Anguilla12.01 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda15.16 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Argentina15.58 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Armenia11.1 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Aruba11.82 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA

Topic: Australia12.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Austria9.45 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijan13.59 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, The14.64 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bahrain12.4 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bangladesh17.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Barbados10.83 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Belarus9.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Belgium10.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Belize21.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Benin41.15 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bermuda11.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bhutan15.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bolivia18.61 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina8.41 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Botswana20.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bouvet IslandNA

Topic: Brazil13.96 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA

Topic: British Virgin Islands10.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Brunei16.14 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Bulgaria8.05 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Burkina Faso33.57 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Burma16.34 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Burundi35.17 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde18.49 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cambodia19.29 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cameroon35.53 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Canada10.17 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cayman Islands11.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Central African Republic32.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Chad40.45 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Chile12.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: China9.93 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Christmas IslandNA

Topic: Clipperton IslandNA

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA

Topic: Colombia15.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Comoros22.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the40.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the31.82 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cook Islands12.55 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA

Topic: Costa Rica14.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire28.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Croatia8.65 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cuba10.11 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Curacao13.2 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Cyprus10.57 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Czechia8.59 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Denmark11.22 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: DhekeliaNA

Topic: Djibouti22.25 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Dominica13.91 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Dominican Republic18.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ecuador16.45 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Egypt21.46 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: El Salvador17.87 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinea29.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Eritrea27.04 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Estonia8.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Eswatini23.35 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia30.49 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: European Union(2020 est.) 9.5 births/1,000 population

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)10.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Topic: Faroe Islands14.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Fiji16.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Finland10.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: France11.66 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: French Polynesia13.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA

Topic: Gabon26.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The28.78 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gaza Strip27.67 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Georgia11 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Germany9.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ghana28.55 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Gibraltar13.93 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Greece7.61 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Greenland13.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Grenada13.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guam18.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guatemala22.34 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guernsey9.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guinea35.67 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau36.45 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Guyana16.72 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Haiti21.12 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Topic: Honduras17.92 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Hong Kong8.04 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Hungary8.65 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Iceland12.96 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: India16.82 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Indonesia15.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Iran15.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Iraq24.7 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ireland12.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Isle of Man10.58 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Israel17.41 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Italy6.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jamaica15.91 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jan MayenNA

Topic: Japan6.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jersey12.41 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Jordan22.58 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kazakhstan15.38 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kenya26.39 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kiribati20.12 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Korea, North14.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Korea, South6.92 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kosovo14.85 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kuwait17.78 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Kyrgyzstan19.54 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Laos20.9 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Latvia8.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Lebanon13.1 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Lesotho23.15 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Liberia36.64 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Libya21.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Liechtenstein10.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Lithuania9.26 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Luxembourg11.61 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Macau9.11 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Madagascar28.68 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Malawi27.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Malaysia14.55 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Maldives15.54 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mali41.07 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Malta9.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Marshall Islands22 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mauritania28.06 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mauritius9.86 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mexico13.55 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of18.39 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Moldova10.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Monaco6.66 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Mongolia15.84 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Montenegro11.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Montserrat10.9 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Morocco17.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambique37.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Namibia25.01 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nauru21.1 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Navassa IslandNA

Topic: Nepal17.53 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Netherlands10.99 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: New Caledonia14.13 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: New Zealand12.78 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nicaragua16.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Niger47.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Nigeria34.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: NiueNA

Topic: Norfolk IslandNA

Topic: North Macedonia10.45 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Northern Mariana Islands15.5 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Norway12 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Oman22.11 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Pakistan26.48 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Palau11.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Panama17.99 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Papua New Guinea29.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Paracel IslandsNA

Topic: Paraguay16.32 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Peru17.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Philippines22.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA

Topic: Poland8.5 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Portugal8 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Puerto Rico7.87 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Qatar9.33 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Romania8.76 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Russia9.45 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Rwanda26.44 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Barthelemy9.29 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha9.34 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis12.24 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Lucia12.02 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Martin14.09 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon6.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines12.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Samoa19.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: San Marino8.85 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe28.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Saudi Arabia14.22 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Senegal31.51 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Serbia8.92 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Seychelles12.37 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sierra Leone32.2 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Singapore9.05 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sint Maarten12.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Slovakia8.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Slovenia8.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Solomon Islands22.71 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Somalia37.98 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: South Africa18.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA

Topic: South Sudan37.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Spain7.13 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Spratly IslandsNA

Topic: Sri Lanka13.8 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Sudan33.47 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Suriname15.38 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: SvalbardNA

Topic: Sweden10.83 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Switzerland10.36 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Syria22.72 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Taiwan7.39 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tajikistan20.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tanzania33.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Thailand10.14 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Timor-Leste30.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Togo31.86 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: TokelauNA

Topic: Tonga20.31 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago10.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tunisia14.62 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)14.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Turkmenistan17.51 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands13.54 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Tuvalu22.7 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Uganda40.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Ukraine9 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirates10.81 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United Kingdom10.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United States12.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA

Topic: Uruguay12.71 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistan15.53 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Vanuatu21.57 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Venezuela17.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Vietnam15.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Virgin Islands11.63 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Wake IslandNA

Topic: Wallis and Futuna12.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: West Bank24.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: World18.1 births/1,000 population (2020 est.)

note: this rate results in about 259 worldwide births per minute or 4.3 births every second

Topic: Yemen24.64 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Zambia34.86 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)

Topic: Zimbabwe33.07 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)


Topic: Abdallah Azzam Brigades (AAB)aka – AAB, Ziyad al-Jarrah Battalions of the Abdallah Azzam Brigades; Yusuf al-‘Uyayri Battalions of the Abdallah Azzam Brigades; Marwan Hadid Brigades; Marwan Hadid Brigade;  Abdullah Azzam Brigades in the Land of Al Shamhistory – assessed as disbanded; formed around 2005 as a Sunni jihadist group with ties to al-Qa’ida; formally announced its presence in a 2009 video statement while claiming responsibility for a rocket attack against Israel; in 2013, became involved in the Syrian War where it fought against Iranian-backed forces, particularly Hizballah; has been largely dormant over the past several years and in 2019 announced that it was disbandinggoals – rid the Middle East of Western influence, disrupt Israel's economy and its efforts to establish security, and erode Shia Muslim influence in Lebanonleadership and organization – Sirajeddin ZURAYQAT (var: Siraj al-Din Zreqat, Siraj al-Din Zuraiqat) was AAB's spiritual leader, spokesman, and commander; was divided into regionally based branches representing fighters in southern Lebanon (Ziyad al-Jarrah Battalions), the Gaza Strip (Marwan Hadid Brigade), and Syriaareas of operation – was based in Lebanon and operated chiefly in Lebanon; was also active in Gaza and Syria, but announced in November 2019 that its forces Syria were dissolvingtargets, tactics, and weapons – principal targets were Shia Muslims, the Shia terrorist group Hizballah, and Israel; was responsible for several car and suicide bombing attacks against Shia Muslims in Beirut, Lebanon; claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks against Israel and Lebanon; members were typically armed with small arms, light machine guns, grenades, rockets, and improvised explosive devicesstrength – was estimated to be down to a few dozen members prior to disbandingfinancial and other support – funding support is unknown but probably received donations from sympathizers and engaged in smuggling contraband, including weaponsdesignation - placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 30 May 2012

Topic: Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) aka – al-Harakat al Islamiyya (the Islamic Movement); al-Harakat-ul al-Islamiyah; Bearer of the Sword; Father of the Executioner; Father of the Swordsman; International Harakatu'l Al-Islamia; Lucky 9; Islamic State in the Philippines; Mujahideen Commando Freedom Fightershistory – formed in 1991 when it split from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front; has carried out dozens of attacks in the Philippines; linked to al-Qa’ida in the 1990s and 2000s; in recent years, the group has focused on local violence and criminal activity, especially kidnap-for-ransom operations; some factions have declared allegiance to the Islamic State and have had a large role in the operations of ISIS-East Asia (ISIS-EA) in the Philippines, including the attack on Marawi City in 2017; ASG fighters affiliated with ISIS-EA were reportedly linked to suicide attacks in 2019 and 2020 in Jolo, Sulu province; the commander of an ASG faction, Hatib Hajan SAWADJAAN, was the acting leader of ISIS-EA until his reported death in mid-2020; continued to be active into 2022, despite considerable losses to counter-terrorism operations by Philippine security forces

goals – establish an Islamic State in the southern Philippines and ultimately across Southeast Asialeadership and organization - leadership fragmented; loosely structured and family/clan/network-based; factions tend to coalesce around individual leaders; Sulu-based Radullan SAHIRON (aka Putol, Kahal Mohammad) reportedly became the leader in 2017; SAHIRON has not pledged allegiance to ISISareas of operation – the southern Philippines, especially Basilan, Jolo, and Tawi-Tawi islands and their surrounding waters, as well as Mindanao; also has been active in Malaysiatargets, tactics, and weapons - targets military and security personnel, facilities, and checkpoints; also attacks civilian targets, such as churches, markets, and ferry boats; conducted the country’s deadliest terrorist attack when it bombed a ferry boat in Manila Bay in 2004, killing 116 people; known for kidnapping civilians, particularly foreigners, for ransom and has killed hostages when ransoms were not paid; tactics include car bombings, ambushes, complex assaults involving dozens of fighters, beheadings, and assassinations, as well as possible suicide bombings; has conducted acts of piracy in local waters; weapons include small arms, light and heavy machine guns, mortars, landmines, and improvised explosive devicesstrength – assessed in 2022 to have less than 200 armed fightersfinancial and other support – funded primarily through kidnapping-for-ransom operations and extortion; makes financial appeals on social media; may receive funding from external sources, including remittances from overseas Philippine workers and Middle East-based sympathizers; has received training and other assistance from other regional terrorist groups, such as Jemaah Islamiya; buys weapons and ammunition from corrupt local government officials or smuggles them in from nearby countries designation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 8 October 1997

Topic: Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB) aka – al-Aqsa Martyrs Battalion; al-Aqsa Brigades; Martyr Yasser Arafat; Kata'ib Shuhada al-Aqsa; The Brigades; al-Aqsa Intifada Martyrs' Group; Martyrs of al-Aqsa Grouphistory – emerged at the outset of the second intifada in September 2000 as a loosely-organized armed wing of Yasser ARAFAT's Fatah faction in the West Bank; in 2002, some members splintered from Fatah while others remained loyal; the group carried out suicide attacks against Israeli targets between 2001-2007; most of the group’s leaders have been captured or killed by Israel; following an agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) after the HAMAS takeover of Gaza in 2007, Israel pardoned some AAMB fighters in return for an agreement to disarm; after a trial period, those that disarmed were absorbed into PA security forces while those that refused were targeted by PA security forces; still others formed splinter groups such as the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades-Nidal al-Amoudi Division and the Popular Resistance Committees in Gaza; some factions participated in operations against Israeli targets through the 2010s, including the “Stabbing Intifada” of 2015-16, as well as periodic rocket attacks in 2017-2018; claimed responsibility for an attack in 2022 by a gunman that killed 5 near Tel Avivgoals – drive the Israeli military and Israeli settlers from the West Bank and establish a Palestinian state loyal to Fatahleadership and organization – most of the group’s original leaders have been captured or killed by Israel; typically has operated under a decentralized power structure, with each cell/faction reporting to a local leader and mostly acting independently of each otherareas of operation –  Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank; has members in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanontargets, tactics, and weapons – primarily employed bombing and small-arms attacks against Israeli military personnel and settlers after the second intifada began in September 2000, but by 2002 had turned increasingly to attacks against civilians inside Israel, including the first female suicide bombing; since 2010, has launched numerous rocket attacks against Israeli communities; largest attack was in November 2012, when it fired more than 500 rockets into Israel during Israeli military operations in Gaza; fighters typically armed with small arms, light and heavy machine guns, grenades, mortars, improvised explosive devices, and rocketsstrength – estimated in 2020 to have a few hundred membersfinancial and other support – Iran has provided AAMB with funds and guidance, mostly through Hizballah facilitators; has cooperated with other terrorist groups throughout its existence, including Hamas, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)designation –placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 27 March 2002

Topic: al-Ashtar Brigades (AAB)aka - Saraya al-Ashtar; the military arm of the al-Wafa Islamic movementhistory – is an Iranian-backed Shia militant group established in 2013 with the aim of overthrowing the ruling Sunni family in Bahrain; in 2018, formally adopted Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps branding in its logo and flag and reaffirmed the group’s loyalty to Tehran; has not claimed any attacks in recent years, but reportedly still active through 2021goals – foment an insurgency against the ruling Sunni family of Bahrain and, ultimately, replace it with a Shia-based government; also seeks to expel US and other Western military forces from Bahrainleadership and organization – Qassim Abdullah Ali AHMED (aka Qassim al Muamen) is the Iran-based leader of AAB; operates in cellsareas of operation – located in Bahrain; also active in Iran and Iraqtargets, tactics, and weapons – targets local security forces in Bahrain and plotted to attack oil pipelines; also has promoted violence against the British, Saudi Arabian, and US governments; methods include shootings and bombings; equipped with small arms and explosives, including improvised explosive devicesstrength – not availablefunding and other support – receives funding, training, and weapons support from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps; also receives training from the Iraq-based Kataib Hezbollah terrorist groupdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 11 July 2018

Topic: al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun)aka – al-Mulathamun Brigade; al-Muwaqqi’un bil-Dima; Those Signed in Blood Battalion (or Brigade); Signatories in Blood; Those who Sign in Blood; Witnesses in Blood; Signed-in-Blood Battalion; Masked Men Brigade; Khaled Abu al-Abbas Brigade; al-Mulathamun Masked Ones Brigade; al-Murabitoun; The "Sentinels" or "Guardians"history – was part of al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) but split from AQIM in 2012 over leadership disputes; merged with the Mali-based Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa to form al-Murabitoun in August 2013; some members split from the group in mid-2015 and declared allegiance to the Islamic State, which acknowledged the pledge in October 2016, creating the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara; in late 2015, al-Mulathamun/al-Mourabitoun announced a re-merger with AQIM and in 2017, joined a coalition of al-Qa’ida-affiliated groups operating in the Sahel region known as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); the group remained active in 2022 under the JNIM bannergoals – replace regional governments with an Islamic stateleadership and organization – unclear; Mokhtar BELMOKHTAR or Abderrahman al-SANHADJI (BELMOKHTAR has been declared killed several times since 2013); operations guided by a governing shura council but details on the sub-structure are not available

areas of operation – Algeria, Burkina Faso, Libya, Mali, and Nigertargets, tactics, and weapons – primarily targets Western interests in the Sahel but also regional military forces; known for high-profile attacks with small arms and explosives against civilian targets frequented or run by Westerners, including restaurants, hotels, mines, and energy facilities; in 2013, claimed responsibility for taking over 800 people hostage during a four-day siege at the Tiguentourine gas plant in southeastern Algeria, resulting in the deaths of 39 civilians; has claimed responsibility for suicide car bombings at military bases in Niger and Mali, including a suicide car bombing attack on a military camp in Gao, Mali, that killed at least 60 and wounded more than 100; has been involved in fighting against French military and local security forces in Mali; armed with small arms, machine guns, landmines, mortars, and improvised explosive devices strength – not available; dated information suggests a few hundredfinancial and other support – engages in kidnappings for ransom and smuggling activities; receives support through its connections to other terrorist organizations in the region; acquired weapons from Libya, battlefield captures, and seized stockpiles from local militariesdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 19 December 2013

Topic: al-Nusrah Front (ANF)/Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)aka – Jabhat al-Nusrah; Jabhet al-Nusrah; The Victory Front; al-Nusrah Front for the People of the Levant; al-Nusrah Front in Lebanon; Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham min Mujahedi al-Sham fi Sahat al-Jihad; Support Front for the People of the Levant; Jabhat Fath al-Sham; Jabhat Fath al Sham; Jabhat Fatah al-Sham; Jabhat Fateh al-Sham; Front for the Conquest of Syria; the Front for liberation of al Sham; Front for the Conquest of Syria/the Levant; Front for the Liberation of the Levant; Conquest of the Levant Front; Fatah al-Sham Front; Fateh al-Sham Front; Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham; Hay’et Tahrir al-Sham; Hayat Tahrir al-Sham; HTS; Assembly for the Liberation of Syria; Assembly for Liberation of the Levant; Liberation of al-Sham Commission; Liberation of the Levant Organization; Tahrir al-Sham; Tahrir al-Sham Hay’athistory – formed circa late 2011 when former al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI) leader Abu Bakr al-BAGHDADI sent Syrian militant Abu Muhammad al-JAWLANI (var: al-GOLANI, al-JOLANI) to organize al-Qa'ida cells in Syria; split from AQI in early 2013 and became an independent entity; operated as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham briefly in 2016; in 2017, joined with four smaller Syrian Islamist factions (Harakat Nur al Din al Zenki, Liwa al Haqq, Ansar al Din, and Jaysh al Sunna) and created Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, "Assembly for the Liberation of the Levant") as a vehicle to advance its position in Syria; since 2017, additional groups and individuals have joined; as of 2022, HTS was the dominate militant group in northwest Syria and asserted considerable influence and control over the so-called Syrian Salvation Government in the Iblib de-escalation zone where it continued to defend against attacks from Syrian Government forces and its allies and consolidate its position; maintained a tense relationship with al-Qa'ida affiliate in Syria Hurras al-Din (HAD) and refused efforts to resolve differences; has reportedly detained or killed some HAD leaders; has openly clashed with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) and regularly detained ISIS members seeking to use Idlib as a safehavengoals – unify under its banner the various anti-ASAD jihadist groups operating in Syria and consolidate its control over the Idlib region; ultimately oust Syrian President Bashar al-ASAD's regime and replace it with a Sunni Islamic stateleadership and organization – led by an overall commander (al-JAWLANI) assisted by a small consultative council (“majlis-ash-shura”); has branches for political, religious, military, financial, civilian services, media, and administrative affairs; operational structure varies from clandestine cells to paramilitary/semi-conventional military units organized as battalions and brigades; claims to have 10 brigades, each with the ability to operate independently with its own infantry, armor, supply, and fire support units; reportedly operates a commando unit known as the "Red Bands" or "Band of Deaths" that is responsible for conducting raids behind regime front linesareas of operation – headquartered in Syria's Idlib Province in the northwest, operationally active primarily in northwestern Syria after regime advances cleared opposition groups from other areas of the countrytargets, tactics, and weapons – primarily attacks Syrian Government and pro-regime forces (including Iranian-backed) and other Syrian insurgent groups, including ISIS, as well as some minorities and civilians; engages in conventional and guerrilla-style attacks using small arms and other light weapons, artillery, rockets, landmines, anti-tank missiles, armored combat vehicles, and surface-to-air missiles; also known for using terrorist tactics, including assassinations and suicide attacks incorporating car bombs and explosive vestsstrength – assessed in 2022 to have as many as 15,000 fightersfinancial and other support – derives funding from smuggling, extortion, taxes and fines on local populations and at border crossings it controls, and donations from external Gulf-based donors; taxes imposed on local populations include income, business, and services and utilities such as access to electricity, water, and bread; also raises funds through control of the import and distribution of fuel through a front company; has conducted kidnappings-for-ransom operations in the past; maintains training camps and provides some logistical support to like-minded groups; has also reportedly received military training from private foreign contractorsdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 15 May 2014; on 31 May 2018, the Department of State amended the designation of al-Nusrah Front to include Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other aliases

Topic: al-Qa'ida (AQ) aka – al-Qa’eda; al-Qaeda; Qa’idat al-Jihad (The Base for Jihad); formerly Qa’idat Ansar Allah (The Base of the Supporters of God); the Islamic Army; Islamic Salvation Foundation; The Base; The Group for the Preservation of the Holy Sites; The Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Places; the World Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders; the Usama Bin Ladin Network; the Usama Bin Ladin Organization; al-Jihad; the Jihad Group; Egyptian al-Jihad; Egyptian Islamic Jihad; New Jihadhistory – formed under Usama BIN LADIN (UBL) circa 1988 and now one of the largest and longest-operating jihadist organizations in the world; helped finance, recruit, transport, and train fighters for the Afghan resistance against the former Soviet Union in the 1980s; in the 1990s, was based in Sudan and then Afghanistan, where it planned and staged attacks; merged with al-Jihad (Egyptian Islamic Jihad) in June 2001; developed a reputation for carrying out large-scale, mass casualty attacks against civilians; has lost dozens of mid- and senior-level operatives to counterterrorism efforts, including UBL in May 2011, which has disrupted operations but the group continues to recruit, plan, inspire, and conduct attacks; has established affiliated organizations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, and its contemporary strength is primarily in these affiliates; tied to the Taliban in Afghanistan and remained active there into 2022goals – eject Western influence from the Islamic world, unite the worldwide Muslim community, overthrow governments perceived as un-Islamic, and ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia; direct, enable, and inspire individuals to conduct attacks, recruit, disseminate propaganda, and raise funds on behalf of the group around the world; destabilize local economies and governments by attacking security services, government targets, and civilian targets; maintain its traditional safe haven in Afghanistan; establish and maintain additional safehavens elsewhereleadership and organization – not available; Egyptian Ayman al-ZAWAHIRI, who was selected to lead following UBL's death, was killed in 2022; has a leadership council (“majlis al-shura”); al-Qa’ida reportedly maintains branches for military, political, religious, financial, and media affairs; affiliates have separate emirs (leaders) and organizational structures that vary by regionareas of operation – based in Afghanistan; employs an affiliate or proxy model, which includes al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (Yemen), al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (North Africa and the Sahel), Hurras al-Din (Syria), al-Shabaab (Somalia), and al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan); has supporters, sympathizers, and associates worldwide, including in Asia, Europe, North America, and South America; maintains a strong online presence and individuals inspired by AQ’s ideology may conduct operations without direction from its central leadership; opportunistically enters (or secures the allegiance of participants in) local conflictstargets, tactics, and weapons – considers its enemies to be Shia Muslims, US and Western interests, so-called "apostate" governments (such as Saudi Arabia) perceived to be supporting the US and the West, and the Islamic State; leader ZAWAHIRI has encouraged followers to attack European (particularly British and French), Israeli, NATO, Russian, and US targets, specifically military bases and forces; targets have included embassies, restaurants, hotels, airplanes, trains, and tourists sites; employs a combination of guerrilla warfare hit-and-run and terrorist tactics against security and military forces; known for use of suicide bombers, car bombs, explosive-laden boats, and airplanes; conducted the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US, which involved 19 operatives hijacking and crashing four US commercial jets—two into the World Trade Center in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and the last into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania—killing nearly 3,000 peoplestrength – as of 2022, it was estimated to have several hundred operatives in Afghanistan; the organization remained a focal point of inspiration for a worldwide network of affiliated groups and other sympathetic terrorist organizations, such as the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Islamic Jihad Union, Lashkar i Jhangvi, Harakat ul-Mujahideen, the Haqqani Network, and Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistanfinancial and other support –primarily depends on donations from like-minded supporters and from individuals, primarily in the Gulf States; uses social media platforms to solicit donations and has been channeled funds through cyberfinancing campaigns; has received some funds from kidnapping for ransom operations; historically has acquired money from Islamic charitable organizations; also recruits followers through social mediadesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 8 October 1999

note - has some ideological and tactical similarities with the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) and the groups typically operate in the same conflict zones, but the relationship is mostly adversarial, and they compete for resources and recruits, and often clash militarily

Topic: al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) aka – al-Qa’ida in the South Arabian Peninsula; al-Qa’ida in Yemen; al-Qa’ida of Jihad Organization in the Arabian Peninsula; al-Qa’ida Organization in the Arabian Peninsula; Tanzim Qa’idat al-Jihad fi Jazirat al-Arab; AQY; Ansar al-Shari’a; Sons of Abyan; Sons of Hadramawt; Sons of Hadramawt Committee; Civil Council of Hadramawt; National Hadramawt Councilhistory – formed in January 2009 when the now-deceased leader of al-Qa’ida (AQ) in Yemen, Nasir AL-WAHISHI, publicly announced that Yemeni and Saudi al-Qa’ida operatives were working together under the banner of AQAP; the announcement signaled the rebirth of an AQ franchise that previously carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia; beginning in 2014-2015, AQAP was able to take advantage of Yemen’s civil war and expand operations in the country, controlling a large portion of the southern part of the Yemen by 2016"; after 2017, the group began losing territory and fighters, as well as leaders, to internal dissensions, desertions to ISIS, and casualties from Yemeni and international military operations and fighting with ISIS and the Huthis; however, in 2022 the group continued to occupy territory, conduct attacks, and pose a significant threat in Yemengoals – establish a caliphate and a government/society based on sharia in the Arabian Peninsula and the wider Middle East; support the broader goals of AQ’s central leadershipleadership and organization – led by Khalid bin Umar BATARFI (aka Abu Miqdad al-Kindi); has a leadership council (“majlis al-shura”) comprised of lieutenant commanders who are responsible for overall political direction and military operations; organized in branches or wings for military operations, political, propaganda (recruitment), and religious issues (for justifying attacks from a theological perspective while offering spiritual guidance)areas of operation – most active in southern and central Yemen; probably has a limited presence in Saudi Arabiatargets, tactics, and weapons – chiefly targets Security Belt Forces and other groups affiliated with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the Shabwa and Abyan governorates, as well as the Huthis in the Bayda governorate; also targets Yemeni Government officials, oil facilities, merchant ships, and Shia Muslims; has targeted Western interests, including embassies, diplomats, business people, tourists, and airliners; has waged open warfare with Islamic State elements in Yemen since 2018; employs guerrilla-style and terrorist tactics, including ambushes, complex assaults, assassinations, snipers, bombings, and suicide attacks; equipped with small arms, machine guns, artillery, rockets, landmines, anti-tank missiles, armored combat vehicles, man-portable air defense systems (MANPADs), and improvised explosive devices, including car bombs, road side bombs, and suicide vestsstrength – estimated 2-3,000 in 2022, down from as many as 6-7,000 in 2018financial and other support – receives funding from theft, robberies, oil and gas revenue, kidnapping-for-ransom operations, and donations from like-minded supporters; for nearly a year after seizing the city of Mukallah in April 2015, had access millions of dollars from port fees and funds stolen from the central bank; many of its weapons have been seized from the Yemeni military; recruits through social media, print, and digital meansdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 19 January 2010

Topic: al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) aka – al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent; Qaedat al-Jihad in the Indian Subcontinent, Qaedat al-Jihad, Jamaat Qaidat al-Jihad fi'shibhi al-Qarrat al-Hindiya,history – al-Qa'ida leader Dr. Ayman al-ZAWAHIRI announced AQIS's inception in a video address in September 2014; the group claimed responsibility for a September 2014 attack on a naval dockyard in Karachi in an attempt to seize a Pakistani warship; since the assault, the group has conducted a limited number of small attacks on civilians, but has not publicly claimed any attacks since 2017, although some members fought in Afghanistan with the Taliban; suffered some losses to counter-terrorism operations in 2020-2022; in September and October 2021, the group released two propaganda videos specifically targeting India and Kashmir, and in mid-2022 threatened to conduct suicide bombings in several Indian cities; has strong ties to Lashkare Tayyiba (LeT) and a rivalry with the Islamic State's Khorasan branch

goals – establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent; support the broader goals of al-Qai’da’s central leadershipleadership and organization – reportedly Usama MAHMOOD (alt. Osama MEHMOOD); has a shura council, which, like other AQ affiliates, probably includes subordinates and branches/wings for military, religious, propaganda, and political matters; reportedly has regional branches for Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan; Ansar al-Islam in Bangladesh has claimed to be the official wing of AQIS in Bangladeshareas of operation – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and possibly Burmatargets, tactics, and weapons – military and security personnel, political parties, foreigners, foreign aid workers, university professors, students, and secular bloggers; has used small arms and improvised explosive devices, as well as crude weapons such as machetes; claimed responsibility for the 2016 machete murders of two editors of a human rights magazine in Dhaka, Bangladeshmembership – estimated in 2022 to have up to 400 fightersfinancial and other support – likely receives financial and material support from AQ senior leadership; also engages in kidnapping-for-ransom, extortion, and general criminal activity to raise fundsdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 1 July 2016

Topic: al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) aka – GSPC; Le Groupe Salafiste Pour la Predication et le Combat; Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat; Salafist Group for Call and Combat; Tanzim al-Qa’ida fi Bilad alMaghrib al-Islamiyahistory – formed in 1998 in Algeria under Hassan HATTAB, when he split from the Armed Islamic Group; was known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC) until rebranding itself as AQIM in September 2006; has since undergone various schisms and rapprochements; in 2011, a Mauritanian-led group broke away, calling itself the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA); in 2012, the Veiled Men Battalion split off and rebranded itself the al-Mulathamun Battalion; al-Mulathamun and MUJWA merged to form al-Mourabitoun in 2013; in late 2015, AQIM reincorporated al-Murabitoun and in 2017, the Mali Branch of AQIM and al-Murabitoun joined the Mali-based al-Qa’ida coalition Jama‘at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); continued to be active in 2022 despite heavy pressure from regional and international counterterrorism operations, particularly in using North Africa as a support zone for assisting JNIM operations in Mali and the Sahel, including operating transnational financial networks to move and share fundsgoals – overthrow “apostate” African regimes and establish a regional Islamic state across all of North and West Africa; support the broader goals of al-Qai’da’s central leadershipleadership and organization – Abu Obaida al-ANNABI (aka Abu Ubaydah Yusuf al-Anabi, Yazid Mubarak); has a 14-member shura council comprised of regional commanders and the heads of the political, military, judicial, and media committees; locally organized into "battalions" and "brigades," which range in size from a few dozen to several hundred fighters at any given timeareas of operation – based in northeastern Algeria, but reportedly shifting more towards the Sahel because of Algerian counterterrorism pressure; operates in northern Mali, southwest Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Cote d’Ivoiretargets, tactics, and weapons – local and international military and security forces using both terrorist and guerrilla warfare tactics; employs improvised explosive devices, suicide bombers, as well as light weapons, machine guns, mortars, rockets, and landmines; also attacks “soft” civilian targets such as hotels, resorts, and restaurants that cater to Westerners and tourists with small arms, explosives, and suicide bombers; known for assassinations and kidnappingsstrength – estimated in 2020 to have 500-1,000 fightersfinancial and other support – engages in kidnappings-for-ransom and other criminal activities, particularly extorting drug trafficking groups and others; arms largely acquired from Libyan stockpiles, battlefield captures, or via illicit regional arms marketsdesignation – GSPC was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization on 27 March 2002; the Department of State amended the GSPC designation on 20 February 2008, after the GSPC officially joined with al-Qa’ida in September 2006 and became AQIM

Topic: al-Shabaab (AS)aka – the Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin (HSM); al-Shabab; Shabaab; the Youth; Mujahidin al-Shabaab Movement; Mujahideen Youth Movement; Mujahidin Youth Movement; al-Hijra, Al Hijra, Muslim Youth Center, MYC, Pumwani Muslim Youth, Pumwani Islamist Muslim Youth Centerhistory – descended from Al-Ittihad Al-Islami, a Somali terrorist group whose leaders fought in Afghanistan in the 1990s and formed circa 2003; operates as a core al-Qa'ida affiliate; was the militant wing of the former Somali Islamic Courts Council that took over parts of Somalia in 2006; since the end of 2006, has engaged in an insurgency against the transitional governments of Somalia and supporting foreign military forces and a campaign of violence against Somali civilians; responsible for numerous high-profile bombings and shootings throughout Somalia, and more than 3,000 civilian deaths since 2015; has influence in large areas of rural Somalia through coercion, control over local economies and commercial transit points; provides rudimentary government services in areas under its control, including rule of law through sharia courts, sharia-based institutions and schools, funding, services, security, and food; in 2019, was involved in more than 1,000 violent incidents in Somalia and eastern Kenya; continued to conduct widespread attacks through 2021 and into 2022, particularly in central and southern Somalia and the capital Mogadishu; in July 2022, it launched an incursion into Ethiopia with several hundred fightersgoals – discredit and destabilize the Federal Government of Somalia and establish Islamic rule in Somalia and Kenya's border regions; drive out Western influenceleadership and organization – led by Ahmad DIRIYE (aka Abu UBEYDAH/UBAIDAH, Abu Ubaidah DIREYE, Ahmad UMAR) since September 2014; structure is both hierarchical and decentralized and influenced by Somalia’s many clans; DIRIYE directs a shura council made up of multiple committees and ministries, including for finance, media, and military/security operations, as well as regional commanders; military operations reportedly includes 2 sub-branches, one for external operations, and one that enforces sharia in areas under the group's control; the shura council oversees regional commanders, although regional commanders can make decisions and take actions without the approval of the emir or the council; each regional division has military and administrative wingsareas of operation – controls a large swathe of the Lower and Middle Juba regions, as well as the Bakol, Bay, Benaadir, Gedo, and Shabelle regions; also maintains a presence in northern Somalia along the Golis Mountains and within Puntland’s urban areas; has conducted attacks in Djibouti, Kenya, and Uganda; especially active in the region of Kenya adjacent to Somalia; has also mounted armed incursions into Ethiopia in 2022 and 2007 (planned attacks inside Ethiopia were reportedly disrupted in 2013 and 2014) targets, tactics, and weapons – Somali Government officials, military units, police, and civilians, international aid workers, journalists, foreign troops (including US), and neighboring countries contributing to military stabilization operations in Somalia, particularly Kenya and Uganda; has attacked hotels, schools, military bases, police stations, shopping areas, and telecommunications towers in Kenya; has clashed with an Islamic State faction operating in northern Somalia; methods include assassinations, drive-by shootings, guerrilla style ambushes, suicide bombings, hostage taking, indiscriminate attacks on civilians, and roadside IEDs; typical attacks consist of a single or multiple suicide bombers, followed by an assault by members carrying small arms and explosives; in March 2022, for example, it conducted a complex ground assault involving multiple vehicle-mounted bombs and hundreds of militants on an international military peacekeeper base that killed more than 50 troops; in March 2019, operatives attacked a hotel in Mogadishu using a suicide bomber and small arms, killing at least 20; has placed truck-mounted bombs in high-density urban areas, including attacks in Mogadishu in December 2019 and October 2017 that together killed approximately 600 civilians; employs insurgent-type tactics against Somali and international military forces, including ambushes, hit-and-run attacks, improvised explosive device operations, land mines, mortar attacks, and targeted killings; typically armed with small arms, light and heavy machine guns (including truck-mounted machine guns), mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, and man-portable air defense systemsstrength – estimated in 2022 to have 7,000 to 12,000 fightersfinancial and other support – obtains funds primarily through extortion of businesses, taxation, and zakat (religious donations) collections from the local populations, robbery, and remittances and other money transfers from the Somali diaspora (although these funds are not always intended to support al-Shabaab members); probably receives training, arms, and bomb-making materials from other al-Qa’ida branches; operates military training camps in areas it occupies; has captured arms, ammunition, and other materiel from regional and Somali military forces; also purchases arms and ammunition through black marketsdesignation – placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 18 March 2008

Topic: Ansar al-Dine (AAD) aka – Ansar Dine; Ansar al-Din; Ancar Dine; Ansar ul-Din; Ansar Eddine; Defenders of the Faithhistory – created in late 2011; was among the terrorist groups (including al-Qa’ida) to take over northern Mali following the March 2012 coup that toppled the Malian government; proceeded to destroy UNESCO World Heritage sites and enforce a severe interpretation of Islam upon the civilian population living in the areas under their control; beginning in 2013, French and African military forces forced AAD and its allies out of the population centers they had seized, severely weakening AAD, although the group made a comeback in 2015 and 2016; in 2017, joined Jama'ah Nusrah al-Islam wal-Muslimin (Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida-linked groups in Mali that formed the same year; continued to conduct attacks under the JNIM banner into 2022goals – replace the Malian government with an Islamic stateleadership and organization – led by its founder Iyad Ag GHALI (aka Abu al-FADEL), who also leads JNIM; reportedly has regionally based branchesareas of operation – operates mostly in central and northern Malitargets, tactics, and weapons – targets Malian military and security forces, French and French coalition troops, and UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) personnel; uses a mix of guerrilla warfare hit-and-run and terrorist tactics, including ambushes, complex ground assaults involving dozens of fighters, road side bombs, rocket attacks, assassinations, kidnappings, and car and suicide bombings; fighters are armed with small arms, light and heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades, landmines, mortars, rockets, trucks mounting machine guns (aka “technicals”), and explosives, including improvised explosive devicesstrength – not availablefinancial and other support – cooperates with and has received support from al-Qa’ida since its inception; also reportedly receives funds from foreign donors and through smuggling; many of its arms were captured from the Malian Army or taken from Libyan military stockpiles; takes advantage of trans-Saharan smuggling routes to resupply from illicit markets in Libya and elsewhere in the regiondesignation - placed on the US Department of State's list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations on 22 March 2013


This entry gives an estimate of all people (adults and children) alive at yearend with HIV infection, whether or not they have developed symptoms of AIDS.

Topic: Afghanistan12,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: AkrotiriNA

Topic: Albania1,400 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Algeria18,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: American SamoaNA

Topic: AndorraNA

Topic: Angola340,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: AnguillaNA

Topic: Antigua and Barbuda(2018) <1,000

Topic: Argentina140,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Armenia4,800 (2020 est.)

Topic: ArubaNA

Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA

Topic: Australia30,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Austria7,400 (2017 est.)

Topic: Azerbaijan9,900 (2020 est.)

Topic: Bahamas, The4,700 (2020 est.)

Topic: Bahrain(2017 est.) <500

Topic: Bangladesh14,000 (2018 est.)

Topic: Barbados2,700 (2019 est.)

Topic: Belarus28,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: BelgiumNA

Topic: Belize3,800 (2020 est.)

Topic: Benin75,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: BermudaNA

Topic: Bhutan1,300 (2020)

Topic: Bolivia17,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina(2018) <500

Topic: Botswana370,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Bouvet IslandNA

Topic: Brazil930,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA

Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: BruneiNA

Topic: Bulgaria3,300 (2019 est.)

Topic: Burkina Faso97,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Burma240,000 (2019 est.)

Topic: Burundi83,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Cabo Verde2,400 (2020 est.)

Topic: Cambodia75,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Cameroon500,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: CanadaNA

Topic: Cayman IslandsNA

Topic: Central African Republic88,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Chad110,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Chile77,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: ChinaNA

Topic: Christmas IslandNA

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA

Topic: Colombia180,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Comoros(2020 est.) <200

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the510,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Congo, Republic of the110,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Cook IslandsNA

Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA

Topic: Costa Rica16,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Cote d'Ivoire380,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Croatia1,700 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Cuba33,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: CuracaoNA

Topic: Cyprus(2017 est.) <1000

Topic: Czechia4,400 (2018 est.)

Topic: Denmark6,700 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: DhekeliaNA

Topic: Djibouti6,800 (2020 est.)

Topic: Dominica(2018) <500

Topic: Dominican Republic72,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Ecuador45,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Egypt24,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: El Salvador25,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Equatorial Guinea68,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Eritrea13,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Estonia7,100 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Eswatini200,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Ethiopia620,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: European Unionnote - see individual entries of member states

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA

Topic: Faroe IslandsNA

Topic: Fiji1,300 (2020 est.)

Topic: Finland4,000 (2018)

Topic: France190,000 (2019 est.)

Topic: French PolynesiaNA

Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA

Topic: Gabon46,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Gambia, The27,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Gaza StripNA

Topic: Georgia9,100 (2020 est.)

Topic: Germany93,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Ghana350,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: GibraltarNA

Topic: Greece17,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: GreenlandNA

Topic: Grenada(2018) <500

Topic: GuamNA

Topic: Guatemala33,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: GuernseyNA

Topic: Guinea110,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Guinea-Bissau37,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Guyana9,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Haiti150,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Topic: Honduras22,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Hong KongNA

Topic: Hungary3,700 (2018 est.)

Topic: Iceland(2020) <500

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: India2.3 million (2020 est.)

Topic: Indonesia540,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Iran54,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: IraqNA

Topic: Ireland7,800 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Isle of ManNA

Topic: Israel9,000 (2018)

Topic: Italy140,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Jamaica32,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Jan MayenNA

Topic: Japan30,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: JerseyNA

Topic: Jordan(2020 est.) <1,000

Topic: Kazakhstan35,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Kenya1.4 million (2020 est.)

Topic: KiribatiNA

Topic: Korea, NorthNA

Topic: Korea, SouthNA

Topic: KosovoNA

Topic: Kuwait(2018 est.) <1000

Topic: Kyrgyzstan9,200 (2020 est.)

Topic: Laos15,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Latvia5,600 (2019 est.)

Topic: Lebanon2,700 (2020 est.)

Topic: Lesotho280,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Liberia35,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Libya9,500 (2020)

Topic: LiechtensteinNA

Topic: Lithuania3,400 (2019 est.)

Topic: Luxembourg1,200 (2018 est.)

Topic: MacauNA

Topic: Madagascar42,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Malawi990,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Malaysia92,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: MaldivesNA

Topic: Mali110,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Malta(2016 est.) <500

Topic: Marshall IslandsNA

Topic: Mauritania8,500 (2020 est.)

Topic: Mauritius14,000 (2020)

Topic: Mexico340,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA

Topic: Moldova14,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: MonacoNA

Topic: Mongolia(2020 est.) <1,000

Topic: Montenegro(2020 est.) <500

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: MontserratNA

Topic: Morocco22,000 (2020 est.)

note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara

Topic: Mozambique2.1 million (2020 est.)

Topic: Namibia210,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: NauruNA

Topic: Navassa IslandNA

Topic: Nepal30,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Netherlands24,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: New CaledoniaNA

Topic: New Zealand3,600 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Nicaragua12,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Niger31,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Nigeria1.7 million (2020 est.)

Topic: NiueNA

Topic: Norfolk IslandNA

Topic: North Macedonia(2018 est.) <500

Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA

Topic: Norway5,800 (2018 est.)

Topic: Oman2,500 (2019)

Topic: Pakistan200,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: PalauNA

Topic: Panama31,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Papua New Guinea55,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Paracel IslandsNA

Topic: Paraguay19,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Peru91,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Philippines120,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA

Topic: PolandNA

Topic: Portugal42,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Puerto RicoNA

Topic: Qatar(2020 est.) <200

Topic: Romania19,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Russia1 million (2017 est.)

Topic: Rwanda220,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA

Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis(2018) <200

Topic: Saint Lucia(2018) <1,000

Topic: Saint MartinNA

Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1,200 (2018)

Topic: SamoaNA

Topic: San MarinoNA

Topic: Sao Tome and Principe(2020) <1,000

Topic: Saudi Arabia12,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Senegal39,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Serbia3,300 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: SeychellesNA

Topic: Sierra Leone80,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Singapore8,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Sint MaartenNA

Topic: Slovakia1,200 (2018 est.)

Topic: Slovenia(2020 est.) <1,000

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Solomon IslandsNA

Topic: Somalia8,700 (2020 est.)

Topic: South Africa7.8 million (2020 est.)

Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA

Topic: South Sudan180,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Spain150,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Spratly IslandsNA

Topic: Sri Lanka3,700 (2020 est.)

Topic: Sudan49,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Suriname5,200 (2020 est.)

Topic: SvalbardNA

Topic: Sweden11,000 (2016 est.)

Topic: Switzerland17,000 (2020)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Syria(2020) <1,000

Topic: TaiwanNA

Topic: Tajikistan14,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Tanzania1.7 million (2020 est.)

Topic: Thailand500,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Timor-Leste1,200 (2020)

Topic: Togo110,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: TokelauNA

Topic: TongaNA

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago10,000 (2020 est.)

note: estimate does not include children

Topic: Tunisia4,500 (2020 est.)

Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)NA

Topic: TurkmenistanNA

Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA

Topic: TuvaluNA

Topic: Uganda1.4 million (2020 est.)

Topic: Ukraine260,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: United Arab Emirates(2020) <1,000

Topic: United KingdomNA

Topic: United StatesNA

Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA

Topic: Uruguay12,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Uzbekistan58,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: VanuatuNA

Topic: Venezuela100,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Vietnam250,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Virgin IslandsNA

Topic: Wake IslandNA

Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA

Topic: West BankNA

Topic: World37.7 million (2020 est.)

Topic: Yemen11,000 (2020 est.)

Topic: Zambia1.5 million (2020 est.)

Topic: Zimbabwe1.3 million (2020 est.)