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20220901 | countries-mongolia-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Mongolia due to COVID-19. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the stay is less than 90 days. If you know you will be in country for more than 30 days, register with Mongolian Immigration within 7 days of arrival.
US Embassy/Consulate: +976-7007-6001; US Embassy Ulaanbaatar, Denver Street #3, 11th Micro-District, Ulaanbaatar 14190, Mongolia; UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov;
https://mn.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 976
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 103; Fire: 101; Police: 102
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Currency (Code): Togrog/tugriks (MNT)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages: Mongolian, Turkic, Russian
Major Religions: Buddhist 53%, Muslim 3%, Shamanist 2.9%, Christian 2.2%
Time Difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September; note: Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested / Note: Mongolia is sparsely inhabited and most of the country's road network consists of simple cross-country tracks.
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Karakorum; Gorkhi-Terelj National Park; Lake Khovsgol; Altai Tavan Bogd National Park; Orkhon Valley; Khustain Nuruu National Park; Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai
Major Sports: Soccer, horse racing, archery, wrestling, basketball
Cultural Practices: Displaying the middle finger outward is not the obscene gesture that it is in many western countries, but rather translates to "so-so."
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping 10% in restaurants is customary. It is accepted practice to tip guides and drivers $10-20 (USD) per person per day.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-congo-republic-of-the |
Topic: Photos of Congo, Republic of the
Topic: Introduction
Background: Upon independence in 1960, the former French region of Middle Congo became the Republic of the Congo. A quarter century of experimentation with Marxism was abandoned in 1990 and a democratically elected government took office in 1992. A two-year civil war that ended in 1999 restored former Marxist President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso, who had ruled from 1979 to 1992, and sparked a short period of ethnic and political unrest that was resolved by a peace agreement in late 1999. A new constitution adopted three years later provided for a multi-party system and a seven-year presidential term, and elections arranged shortly thereafter installed SASSOU-Nguesso. Following a year of renewed fighting, President SASSOU-Nguesso and southern-based rebel groups agreed to a final peace accord in March 2003. SASSOU-Nguesso was reeelected in 2009 and, after passing a referendum allowing him to run for a third term, was reelected again in 2016. The Republic of Congo is one of Africa's largest petroleum producers, but with declining production it will need new offshore oil finds to sustain its oil earnings over the long term.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Angola and Gabon
Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 15 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 342,000 sq km
land: 341,500 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Montana; about twice the size of Florida
Land boundaries: total: 5,554 km
border countries (5): Angola 231 km; Cameroon 494 km; Central African Republic 487 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,775 km; Gabon 2,567 km
Coastline: 169 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Terrain: coastal plain, southern basin, central plateau, northern basin
Elevation: highest point: Mont Nabeba 1,020 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 430 m
Natural resources: petroleum, timber, potash, lead, zinc, uranium, copper, phosphates, gold, magnesium, natural gas, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 31.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 29.3% (2018 est.)
forest: 65.6% (2018 est.)
other: 3.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Ubangi (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Major aquifers: Congo Basin
Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: seasonal flooding
Geography - note: about 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them
Map description: Republic of the Congo map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.Republic of the Congo map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,546,307 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Congolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Congolese or Congo
Ethnic groups: Kongo 40.5%, Teke 16.9%, Mbochi 13.1%, foreigner 8.2%, Sangha 5.6%, Mbere/Mbeti/Kele 4.4%, Punu 4.3%, Pygmy 1.6%, Oubanguiens 1.6%, Duma 1.5%, Makaa 1.3%, other and unspecified 1% (2014-15 est.)
Languages: French (official), French Lingala and Monokutuba (lingua franca trade languages), many local languages and dialects (of which Kikongo is the most widespread)
major-language sample(s):
Buku oyo ya bosembo ya Mokili Mobimba Ezali na Makanisi ya Liboso Mpenza. (Lingala)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening Churches/Christian Revival 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Salutiste 2.2%, Muslim 1.6%, Kimbanguiste 1.5%, other 8.1%, none 11.3% (2007 est.)
Demographic profile: The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa, with nearly 70% of Congolese living in urban areas. The population is concentrated in the southwest of the country, mainly in the capital Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and along the railway line that connects the two. The tropical jungles in the north of the country are sparsely populated. Most Congolese are Bantu, and most belong to one of four main ethnic groups, the Kongo, Teke, Mbochi, and Sangha, which consist of over 70 subgroups. The Republic of Congo is in the early stages of a demographic transition, whereby a population shifts from high fertility and mortality rates to low fertility and mortality rates associated with industrialized societies. Its total fertility rate (TFR), the average number of children born per woman, remains high at 4.4. While its TFR has steadily decreased, the progress slowed beginning in about 1995. The slowdown in fertility reduction has delayed the demographic transition and Congo’s potential to reap a demographic dividend, the economic boost that can occur when the share of the working-age population is larger than the dependent age groups. The TFR differs significantly between urban and rural areas – 3.7 in urban areas versus 6.5 in rural areas. The TFR also varies among regions. The urban regions of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire have much lower TFRs than other regions, which are predominantly or completely rural. The gap between desired fertility and actual fertility is also greatest in rural areas. Rural families may have more children to contribute to agricultural production and/or due to a lack of information about and access to contraception. Urban families may prefer to have fewer children because raising them is more expensive and balancing work and childcare may be more difficult. The number of births among teenage girls, the frequency of giving birth before the age of fifteen, and a lack of education are the most likely reasons for higher TFRs in rural areas. Although 90% of school-age children are enrolled in primary school, repetition and dropout rates are high and the quality of education is poor. Congolese women with no or little education start having children earlier and have more children in total than those with at least some secondary education. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa, with nearly 70% of Congolese living in urban areas. The population is concentrated in the southwest of the country, mainly in the capital Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and along the railway line that connects the two. The tropical jungles in the north of the country are sparsely populated. Most Congolese are Bantu, and most belong to one of four main ethnic groups, the Kongo, Teke, Mbochi, and Sangha, which consist of over 70 subgroups.The Republic of Congo is in the early stages of a demographic transition, whereby a population shifts from high fertility and mortality rates to low fertility and mortality rates associated with industrialized societies. Its total fertility rate (TFR), the average number of children born per woman, remains high at 4.4. While its TFR has steadily decreased, the progress slowed beginning in about 1995. The slowdown in fertility reduction has delayed the demographic transition and Congo’s potential to reap a demographic dividend, the economic boost that can occur when the share of the working-age population is larger than the dependent age groups. The TFR differs significantly between urban and rural areas – 3.7 in urban areas versus 6.5 in rural areas. The TFR also varies among regions. The urban regions of Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire have much lower TFRs than other regions, which are predominantly or completely rural. The gap between desired fertility and actual fertility is also greatest in rural areas. Rural families may have more children to contribute to agricultural production and/or due to a lack of information about and access to contraception. Urban families may prefer to have fewer children because raising them is more expensive and balancing work and childcare may be more difficult. The number of births among teenage girls, the frequency of giving birth before the age of fifteen, and a lack of education are the most likely reasons for higher TFRs in rural areas. Although 90% of school-age children are enrolled in primary school, repetition and dropout rates are high and the quality of education is poor. Congolese women with no or little education start having children earlier and have more children in total than those with at least some secondary education.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 41.57% (male 1,110,484/female 1,089,732)
15-24 years: 17.14% (male 454,981/female 452,204)
25-54 years: 33.5% (male 886,743/female 886,312)
55-64 years: 4.59% (male 125,207/female 117,810)
65 years and over: 3.2% (2020 est.) (male 75,921/female 93,676)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 78.7
youth dependency ratio: 73.7
elderly dependency ratio: 4.9
potential support ratio: 20.3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 19.5 years
male: 19.3 years
female: 19.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.34% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 31.82 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.38 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 68.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 2.553 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.295 million Pointe-Noire (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.6 years (2011/12 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 378 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 47.93 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 52.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 43.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.1 years
male: 60.65 years
female: 63.61 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.36 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 30.1% (2014/15)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 56.4% of population
total: 84.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 43.6% of population
total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 2.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 73.4% of population
rural: 15.1% of population
total: 54.7% of population
unimproved: urban: 26.6% of population
rural: 84.9% of population
total: 45.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 3.3% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 110,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 6,100 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Republic of the Congo is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 9.6% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 14.5% (2020 est.)
male: 26.8% (2020 est.)
female: 2.1% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 12.3% (2014/15)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 8.4%
women married by age 18: 29.1%
men married by age 18: 5.6% (2018 est.)
Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 80.3%
male: 86.1%
female: 74.6% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2012)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; tap water is not potable; deforestation; wildlife protection
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 38.67 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 3.28 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.24 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; rainy season (March to June); dry season (June to October); persistent high temperatures and humidity; particularly enervating climate astride the Equator
Land use: agricultural land: 31.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 29.3% (2018 est.)
forest: 65.6% (2018 est.)
other: 3.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 68.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 3.19% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 3.17% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Republic of the Congo is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to floods - on 29 November 2021, a state of emergency was declared due to floods in northern areas that caused crop and livestock losses, and displaced people, particularly in Likouala, Sangha, Cuvette and Plateaux departments; it is estimated that about 71,700 people have been affected, (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 451,200 tons (1993 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 118,214 tons (2005 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 26.2% (2005 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Ubangi (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km)
Major aquifers: Congo Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 63.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 24 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 832 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of the Congo
conventional short form: Congo (Brazzaville)
local long form: Republique du Congo
local short form: Congo
former: French Congo, Middle Congo, People's Republic of the Congo, Congo/Brazzaville
etymology: named for the Congo River, which makes up much of the country's eastern border; the river name derives from Kongo, a Bantu kingdom that occupied its mouth at the time of Portuguese discovery in the late 15th century and whose name stems from its people the Bakongo, meaning "hunters"
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Brazzaville
geographic coordinates: 4 15 S, 15 17 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named after the Italian-born French explorer and humanitarian, Pierre Savorgnan de BRAZZA (1852-1905), who promoted French colonial interests in central Africa and worked against slavery and the abuse of African laborers
Administrative divisions: 12 departments (departments, singular - department); Bouenza, Brazzaville, Cuvette, Cuvette-Ouest, Kouilou, Lekoumou, Likouala, Niari, Plateaux, Pointe-Noire, Pool, Sangha
Independence: 15 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 August (1960)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by referendum 25 October 2015
amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; passage of presidential proposals requires Supreme Court review followed by approval in a referendum; such proposals may also be submitted directly to Parliament, in which case passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote of both houses in joint session; proposals by Parliament require three-fourths majority vote of both houses in joint session; constitutional articles including those affecting the country’s territory, republican form of government, and secularity of the state are not amendable
Legal system: mixed legal system of French civil law and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Republic of the Congo
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (since 25 October 1997)
head of government: Prime Minister Clement MOUAMBA (since 24 April 2016); note - a constitutional referendum held in 2015 approved the change of the head of government from the president to the prime minister (2019)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms); election last held on 21 March 2021 (next to be held on 21 March 2026)
election results: Denis SASSOU-Nguesso reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Denis SASSOU-Nguesso (PCT) 88.4%, Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS (MCDDI) 8.0%, other 3.6% (2021)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of:
Senate (72 seats; members indirectly elected by local, district, and regional councils by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms with one-half of membership renewed every 3 years)
National Assembly (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held on 31 August 2017 for expiry of half the seats (next to be held in 2020)
National Assembly - last held on 16 and 30 July 2017 (next to be held in July 2022)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 46, independent 12, MAR 2, RDPS 2, UPADS 2, DRD 1, FP 1, MCDDI 1, PRL 1, Pulp 1, PUR 1, RC 1; composition - men 58, women 14, percent of women 19.4%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PCT 96, UPADS 8, MCDDI 4, other 23 (less than 4 seats) independent 20; composition - men 134, women 17, percent of women 11.3%; note - total Parliament percent of women 13.9%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members); note - a High Court of Justice, outside the judicial authority, tries cases involving treason by the president of the republic
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges elected by Parliament and serve until age 65; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president of the republic - 3 directly by the president and 6 nominated by Parliament; members appointed for renewable 9-year terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: Court of Audit and Budgetary Discipline; courts of appeal; regional and district courts; employment tribunals; juvenile courts
Political parties and leaders: Action Movement for Renewal or MAR [Roland BOUITI-VIAUDO]
Citizen's Rally or RC [Claude Alphonse NSILOU]
Congolese Labour Party or PCT [Denis SASSOU-NGUESSO]
Congolese Movement for Democracy and Integral Development or MCDDI [Guy Price Parfait KOLELAS]
Movement for Unity, Solidarity, and Work or MUST [Claudine MUNARI]
Pan-African Union for Social Development or UPADS [Pascal Tsaty MABIALA]
Party for the Unity of the Republic or PUR
Patriotic Union for Democracy and Progress or UPDP [Auguste-Celestin GONGARD NKOUA]
Prospects and Realities Club or CPR
Rally for Democracy and Social Progress or RDPS [Bernard BATCHI]
Rally of the Presidential Majority or RMP
Republican and Liberal Party or PRL [Bonaventure MIZIDY]
Union for the Republic or UR
Union of Democratic Forces or UDF
Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR
many smaller parties
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC (observer), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Serge MOMBOULI (since 31 July 2001)
chancery: 1720 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 726-5500
FAX: [1] (202) 726-1860
email address and website:
info@ambacongo-us.org
http://www.ambacongo-us.org/en-us/home.aspx
consulate(s): New Orleans
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eugene S. YOUNG (since 2022)
embassy: 70-83 Section D, Boulevard Denis Sassou N'Guesso, Brazzaville
mailing address: 2090 Brazzaville Place, Washington DC 20521-2090
telephone: [242] 06 612-2000, [242] 05 387-9700
email address and website:
BrazzavilleACS@state.gov
https://cg.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: divided diagonally from the lower hoist side by a yellow band; the upper triangle (hoist side) is green and the lower triangle is red; green symbolizes agriculture and forests, yellow the friendship and nobility of the people, red is unexplained but has been associated with the struggle for independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National symbol(s): lion, elephant; national colors: green, yellow, red
National anthem: name: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)
lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Sangha Trinational Forest
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The Republic of the Congo’s economy is a mixture of subsistence farming, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. Natural gas is increasingly being converted to electricity rather than being flared, greatly improving energy prospects. New mining projects, particularly iron ore, which entered production in late 2013, may add as much as $1 billion to annual government revenue. The Republic of the Congo is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and shares a common currency – the Central African Franc – with five other member states in the region. The current administration faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices that began in 2014 has constrained government spending; lower oil prices forced the government to cut more than $1 billion in planned spending. The fiscal deficit amounted to 11% of GDP in 2017. The government’s inability to pay civil servant salaries has resulted in multiple rounds of strikes by many groups, including doctors, nurses, and teachers. In the wake of a multi-year recession, the country reached out to the IMF in 2017 for a new program; the IMF noted that the country’s continued dependence on oil, unsustainable debt, and significant governance weakness are key impediments to the country’s economy. In 2018, the country’s external debt level will approach 120% of GDP. The IMF urged the government to renegotiate debts levels to sustainable levels before it agreed to a new macroeconomic adjustment package.The Republic of the Congo’s economy is a mixture of subsistence farming, an industrial sector based largely on oil and support services, and government spending. Oil has supplanted forestry as the mainstay of the economy, providing a major share of government revenues and exports. Natural gas is increasingly being converted to electricity rather than being flared, greatly improving energy prospects. New mining projects, particularly iron ore, which entered production in late 2013, may add as much as $1 billion to annual government revenue. The Republic of the Congo is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and shares a common currency – the Central African Franc – with five other member states in the region. The current administration faces difficult economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty. The drop in oil prices that began in 2014 has constrained government spending; lower oil prices forced the government to cut more than $1 billion in planned spending. The fiscal deficit amounted to 11% of GDP in 2017. The government’s inability to pay civil servant salaries has resulted in multiple rounds of strikes by many groups, including doctors, nurses, and teachers. In the wake of a multi-year recession, the country reached out to the IMF in 2017 for a new program; the IMF noted that the country’s continued dependence on oil, unsustainable debt, and significant governance weakness are key impediments to the country’s economy. In 2018, the country’s external debt level will approach 120% of GDP. The IMF urged the government to renegotiate debts levels to sustainable levels before it agreed to a new macroeconomic adjustment package.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.03 billion (2020 est.)
$20.68 billion (2019 est.)
$20.63 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: -3.1% (2017 est.)
-2.8% (2016 est.)
2.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $3,400 (2020 est.)
$3,800 (2019 est.)
$3,900 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $8.718 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2019 est.)
1.1% (2018 est.)
0.4% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: CCC (2019)
Moody's rating: Caa2 (2018)
Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 9.3% (2017 est.)
industry: 51% (2017 est.)
services: 39.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 47.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 9.6% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 42.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 62.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -62.7% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: cassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, cassava leaves, bananas, plantains, roots/tubers, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas
Industries: petroleum extraction, cement, lumber, brewing, sugar, palm oil, soap, flour, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate: -3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.055 million (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 35.4%
industry: 20.6%
services: 44% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 36% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40.9% (2011 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 48.9 (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)
Budget: revenues: 1.965 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.578 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 130.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
128.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.128 billion (2017 est.)
-$5.735 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $4.193 billion (2017 est.)
$4.116 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: China 49%, United Arab Emirates 15%, India 6%, Italy 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, copper, lumber, ships, refined petroleum (2019)
Imports: $2.501 billion (2017 est.)
$5.639 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: China 15%, France 12%, Belgium 6%, Angola 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: ships, chicken products, refined petroleum, processed fish, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $505.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$727.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $4.605 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.721 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
579.8 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 72% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 89% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 36% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 629,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 2,065,580,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 44 million kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 23 million kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.623 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 70.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 29.9% 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: 270,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 12,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 331,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.882 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 15,760 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 5,766 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 7,162 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 1,400,209,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 1,400,209,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 283.989 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 4.523 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 1.777 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 2.747 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 16.156 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 17,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4.89 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 89 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: suffering from economic challenges of stimulating recovery and reducing poverty; primary network consists of microwave radio relay and coaxial cable with services barely adequate for government use; key exchanges are in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, and Loubomo; intercity lines frequently out of order; youth are seeking the Internet more than their parents and often gain access through cyber cafes; only the most affluent have Internet access in their homes; operator has plans to upgrade national broadband through fiber link to WACS landing station at Pointe-Noire with connections to Angola and DRC; fiber network project with aims to connect north and south regions; DRC operator added fiber link between Brazzaville and Kinshasa (2020)
domestic: fixed-line infrastructure inadequate, providing less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has surged to nearly 99 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 242; WACS submarine cables to Europe and Western and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: 1 state-owned TV and 3 state-owned radio stations; several privately owned TV and radio stations; satellite TV service is available; rebroadcasts of several international broadcasters are available
Internet country code: .cg
Internet users: total: 484,245 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 9% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.02 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 333,899 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 4.6 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TN
Airports: total: 27 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 8
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 8
914 to 1,523 m: 9
under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Pipelines: 232 km gas, 4 km liquid petroleum gas, 982 km oil (2013)
Railways: total: 510 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 510 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Roadways: total: 23,324 km (2017)
paved: 3,111 km (2017)
unpaved: 20,213 km (2017)
note: road network in Congo is composed of 23,324 km of which 17,000 km are classified as national, departmental, and routes of local interest: 6,324 km are non-classified routes
Waterways: 1,120 km (2011) (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubangui Rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, necessitating a rail connection to Pointe-Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only)
Merchant marine: total: 11
by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1, other 9 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Pointe-Noire
oil terminal(s): Djeno
river port(s): Brazzaville (Congo)
Impfondo (Oubangui) Ouesso (Sangha) Oyo (Alima)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Congolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army, Navy, Congolese Air Force, Gendarmerie (2022)
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $350 million)
2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $330 million)
3.6% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $580 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 12,000 active duty troops (8,000 Army; 800 Navy; 1,000 Air Force; 2,000 Gendarmerie) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAC is armed with mostly ageing Russian and Soviet-era weapons, with a smaller mix of French and South African equipment; the leading supplier of arms to the FAC since 2010 is South Africa (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in the armed forces (2021)
Military - note: as of 2022, the FAC had limited capabilities due to obsolescent and poorly maintained equipment and low levels of training; its primary focus was internal security; since its creation in 1961, the FAC has had a turbulent history; it has been sidelined by some national leaders in favor of personal militias, endured an internal rebellion (1996), and clashed with various rebel groups and political or ethnic militias (1993-1996, 2002-2005, 2017); during the 1997-1999 civil war, the military generally split along ethnic lines, with most northern officers supporting eventual winner SASSOU-Nguesso, and most southerners backing the rebels; others joined ethnic-based factions loyal to regional warlords; forces backing SASSOU-Nguesso were supported by Angolan troops and received some French assistance; the FAC also has undergone at least three reorganizations that included the incorporation of former rebel combatants and various ethnic and political militias; in recent years, France has provided some advice and training, and a military cooperation agreement was signed with Russia in 2019as of 2022, the FAC had limited capabilities due to obsolescent and poorly maintained equipment and low levels of training; its primary focus was internal security; since its creation in 1961, the FAC has had a turbulent history; it has been sidelined by some national leaders in favor of personal militias, endured an internal rebellion (1996), and clashed with various rebel groups and political or ethnic militias (1993-1996, 2002-2005, 2017); during the 1997-1999 civil war, the military generally split along ethnic lines, with most northern officers supporting eventual winner SASSOU-Nguesso, and most southerners backing the rebels; others joined ethnic-based factions loyal to regional warlords; forces backing SASSOU-Nguesso were supported by Angolan troops and received some French assistance; the FAC also has undergone at least three reorganizations that included the incorporation of former rebel combatants and various ethnic and political militias; in recent years, France has provided some advice and training, and a military cooperation agreement was signed with Russia in 2019
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Republic of the Congo-Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC): the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area
Republic of the Congo-Angola: (Kabinda Exclave) None identifiedRepublic of the Congo-Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC): the location of the boundary in the broad Congo River is indefinite except in the Pool Malebo/Stanley Pool area
Republic of the Congo-Angola: (Kabinda Exclave) None identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 29,185 (Central African Republic), 22,133 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022)
IDPs: 159,830 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2022) |
20220901 | references-weights-and-measures | Note: At this time, only three countries - Burma, Liberia, and the US - have not adopted the International System of Units (SI, or metric system) as their official system of weights and measures. Although use of the metric system has been sanctioned by law in the US since 1866, it has been slow in displacing the American adaptation of the British Imperial System known as the US Customary System. The US is the only industrialized nation that does not mainly use the metric system in its commercial and standards activities, but there is increasing acceptance in science, medicine, government, and many sectors of industry. |
20220901 | countries-south-sudan-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: British explorers established the colony of Equatoria in 1870, which composed most of what is now South Sudan. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, it was declared that the southerners would be able to participate fully in the political system. A referendum, held in January 2011, was in favor of secession and South Sudan gained independence on 9 July 2011.British explorers established the colony of Equatoria in 1870, which composed most of what is now South Sudan. When Sudan gained its independence in 1956, it was declared that the southerners would be able to participate fully in the political system. A referendum, held in January 2011, was in favor of secession and South Sudan gained independence on 9 July 2011.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 644,329 sq km
Climate: hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone; rainfall heaviest in upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north
Natural resources: hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver
Topic: People and Society
Population: 11,544,905 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Dinka (Jieng) approximately 35-40%, Nuer (Naath) approximately 15%, Shilluk (Chollo), Azande, Bari, Kakwa, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi, Baka, Fertit (2011 est.)
Languages: English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk
Religions: Christian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 4.91% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Juba
Executive branch: chief of state: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); First Vice President Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon (since 22 February 2020); Vice President James Wani IGGA (since 22 February 2020); Vice President TABAN Deng Gai (since 22 February 2020); Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior (since 22 February 2020); Vice President Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (since 22 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); First Vice President Taban Deng GAI (since 26 July 2016); Vice President James Wani IGGA (since 22 February 2020); Vice President TABAN Deng Gai (since 22 February 2020); Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior (since 22 February 2020); Vice President Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (since 22 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Legislature consists of:
Council of States, pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace deal
Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), established on 4 August 2016, in accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan; note - originally 400 seats; the TNLA was expanded to 550 members from 400 and reestablished in May 2020 under the 2018 peace agreement
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: low-income, oil-based Sahelian economy; extreme poverty and food insecurity; COVID-19 and ongoing violence threaten socioeconomic potential; environmentally fragile; ongoing land and property rights issues; natural resource rich but lacks infrastructurelow-income, oil-based Sahelian economy; extreme poverty and food insecurity; COVID-19 and ongoing violence threaten socioeconomic potential; environmentally fragile; ongoing land and property rights issues; natural resource rich but lacks infrastructure
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.01 billion (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, sorghum, vegetables, cassava, goat milk, fruit, beef, sesame seed, sheep milk, mutton
Exports: $3.01 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: China 88%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, gold, forage crops, lumber, insect resins (2019)
Imports: $3.07 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 37%, Kenya 18%, China 18% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, foodstuffs, clothing and apparel (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-botswana-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Botswana. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required.
US Embassy/Consulate: [267] 395-3982; US Embassy Gaborone, Embassy Drive, Government Enclave, (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone, Botswana; https://bw.usembassy.gov/; ConsularGabarone@state.gov
Telephone Code: 267
Local Emergency Phone: 997911
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Currency (Code): Botswana pulas (BWP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): D, G
Major Languages: Setswana, Sekalanga, Shekgalagadi, English, Zezuru/Shona, Sesarwa, Sembukushu, Ndebele
Major Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4%, none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3%
Time Difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Chobe National Park; Okavango Delta; Tsodilo Hills; Nxai Pan National Park; Tuli Block; Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park; Mokolodi Nature Reserve
Major Sports: Soccer, boxing, softball, cricket, rugby
Cultural Practices: Handshakes, in Botswana, are more intricate than in western countries and involve the left hand placed under the right elbow.
Tipping Guidelines: Tip $1-2 (USD) per bag for porters to bring luggage to your room. A $1-2 (USD) tip for hotel staff is also common. A $10 (USD) per day tip is average for guides.
Souvenirs: Woven baskets, native dolls, leather and textile items, wood carvings, jewelry and ostrich shell items
Traditional Cuisine: Seswaa (or loswao) — beef or goat meat boiled with salt until tender and sometimes pounded; often served with maize meal, ground corn, or sorghumPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, June 20, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-albania-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Albania due to crime. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than a year.
US Embassy/Consulate: [355] 4 2247-285; US Embassy Tirana, Rruga Stavro Vinjau, No. 14, Tirana, Albania; https://al.usembassy.gov/; ACSTirana@state.gov
Telephone Code: 355
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 17; Fire: 18; Police: 19
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Currency (Code): Leke (ALL)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages: Albanian 98.8% (official), Greek 0.5%, other minority languages
Major Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, other minority religions
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Porto Palermo Castle; Valbona Valley; Apollonia; Saranda; Tirana; Himare; Berat; Shkodra; Pindus Mts. & Dinaric Alps; Kruje; Butrint; Gjirokastra
Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, boxing
Cultural Practices: Albanians will usually save gifts to open in private. Wrapping them nicely is a good idea.
Tipping Guidelines: Rounding up the bill at restaurants is fine, unless the service was outstanding, in which case, a good tip will be much appreciated. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip, but if they help with your luggage and provide you with tourist information, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping the housekeeping staff is not necessary but appreciated.
Souvenirs: Woven kilim rugs, alabaster, copper crafts, leather footwear, perfumesPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, April 25, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-brunei-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate. Independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate. Independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 5,765 sq km
land: 5,265 sq km
water: 500 sq km
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber
Topic: People and Society
Population: 478,054 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Malay 65.8%, Chinese 10.2%, other 24% (2020 est.)
Languages: Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects
Religions: Muslim (official) 80.9%, Christian 7.1%, Buddhist 7.1%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 5% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.45% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: absolute monarchy or sultanate
Capital: name: Bandar Seri Begawan
Executive branch: chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the monarch is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat Negara Brunei (33 seats; 20 members appointed by the sultan from ex-officio cabinet ministers, titled people, and prominent citizens in public service and various professional fields and 13 members from 4 multi-seat constituencies, and 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and first and second secretaries
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: almost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchangealmost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.23 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $62,200 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: poultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beef
Industries: petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation
Exports: $7.83 billion (2019 est.)
Exports - partners: Japan 34%, Australia 12%, Singapore 10%, India 8%, Malaysia 8%, Thailand 7%, China 6%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, industrial alcohols, industrial hydrocarbons (2019)
Imports: $6.81 billion (2019 est.)
Imports - partners: Singapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, tug boats, valves (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 |
20220901 | field-current-account-balance-country-comparison | |
20220901 | field-waterways | This entry gives the total length of navigable rivers, canals, and other inland bodies of water.
Topic: Afghanistan1,200 km (2011) (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT)
Topic: Albania41 km (2011) (on the Bojana River)
Topic: Angola1,300 km (2011)
Topic: Argentina11,000 km (2012)
Topic: Australia2,000 km (2011) (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling River systems)
Topic: Austria358 km (2011)
Topic: Bangladesh8,370 km (2011) (includes up to 3,060 km of main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in the dry season)
Topic: Belarus2,500 km (2011) (major rivers are the west-flowing Western Dvina and Neman Rivers and the south-flowing Dnepr River and its tributaries, the Berezina, Sozh, and Pripyat Rivers)
Topic: Belgium2,043 km (2012) (1,528 km in regular commercial use)
Topic: Belize825 km (2011) (navigable only by small craft)
Topic: Benin150 km (2011) (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border)
Topic: Bolivia10,000 km (2012) (commercially navigable almost exclusively in the northern and eastern parts of the country)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina(2011) (Sava River on northern border; open to shipping but use limited)
Topic: Brazil50,000 km (2012) (most in areas remote from industry and population)
Topic: Brunei209 km (2012) (navigable by craft drawing less than 1.2 m; the Belait, Brunei, and Tutong Rivers are major transport links)
Topic: Bulgaria470 km (2009)
Topic: Burma12,800 km (2011)
Topic: Burundi(2011) (mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi's principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Topic: Cambodia3,700 km (2012) (mainly on Mekong River)
Topic: Cameroon(2010) (major rivers in the south, such as the Wouri and the Sanaga, are largely non-navigable; in the north, the Benue, which connects through Nigeria to the Niger River, is navigable in the rainy season only to the port of Garoua)
Topic: Canada636 km (2011) (Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States)
Topic: Central African Republic2,800 km (2011) (the primary navigable river is the Ubangi, which joins the River Congo; it was the traditional route for the export of products because it connected with the Congo-Ocean railway at Brazzaville; because of the warfare on both sides of the River Congo from 1997, importers and exporters preferred routes through Cameroon)
Topic: Chad(2012) (Chari and Legone Rivers are navigable only in wet season)
Topic: China27,700 km (2020) (navigable waterways)
Topic: Colombia24,725 km (2019) (18,225 km navigable; the most important waterway, the River Magdalena, of which 1,092 km is navigable, is dredged regularly to ensure safe passage of cargo vessels and container barges)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the15,000 km (2011) (including the Congo River, its tributaries, and unconnected lakes)
Topic: Congo, Republic of the1,120 km (2011) (commercially navigable on Congo and Oubangui Rivers above Brazzaville; there are many ferries across the river to Kinshasa; the Congo south of Brazzaville-Kinshasa to the coast is not navigable because of rapids, necessitating a rail connection to Pointe-Noire; other rivers are used for local traffic only)
Topic: Costa Rica730 km (2011) (seasonally navigable by small craft)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire980 km (2011) (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons)
Topic: Croatia785 km (2009)
Topic: Cuba240 km (2011) (almost all navigable inland waterways are near the mouths of rivers)
Topic: Czechia664 km (2010) (principally on Elbe, Vltava, Oder, and other navigable rivers, lakes, and canals)
Topic: Denmark400 km (2010)
Topic: Ecuador1,500 km (2012) (most inaccessible)
Topic: Egypt3,500 km (2018) (includes the Nile River, Lake Nasser, Alexandria-Cairo Waterway, and numerous smaller canals in Nile Delta; the Suez Canal (193.5 km including approaches) is navigable by oceangoing vessels drawing up to 17.68 m)
Topic: El Salvador(2011) (Rio Lempa River is partially navigable by small craft)
Topic: Estonia335 km (2011) (320 km are navigable year-round)
Topic: European Union(2013) 53,384 km
Topic: Fiji203 km (2012) (122 km are navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges)
Topic: Finland8,000 km (2013) (includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia; water transport used frequently in the summer and widely replaced with sledges on the ice in winter; there are 187,888 lakes in Finland that cover 31,500 km); Finland also maintains 8,200 km of coastal fairways
Topic: Francemetropolitan France: 8,501 km (1,621 km navigable by craft up to 3,000 metric tons) (2010)
Topic: Gabon1,600 km (2010) (310 km on Ogooue River)
Topic: Gambia, The390 km (2010) (on River Gambia; small oceangoing vessels can reach 190 km)
Topic: Germany7,467 km (2012) (Rhine River carries most goods; Main-Danube Canal links North Sea and Black Sea)
Topic: Ghana1,293 km (2011) (168 km for launches and lighters on Volta, Ankobra, and Tano Rivers; 1,125 km of arterial and feeder waterways on Lake Volta)
Topic: Greece6 km (2012) (the 6-km-long Corinth Canal crosses the Isthmus of Corinth; it shortens a sea voyage by 325 km)
Topic: Guatemala990 km (2012) (260 km navigable year round; additional 730 km navigable during high-water season)
Topic: Guinea1,300 km (2011) (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system)
Topic: Guinea-Bissau(2012) (rivers are partially navigable; many inlets and creeks provide shallow-water access to much of interior)
Topic: Guyana330 km (2012) (the Berbice, Demerara, and Essequibo Rivers are navigable by oceangoing vessels for 150 km, 100 km, and 80 km respectively)
Topic: Honduras465 km (2012) (most navigable only by small craft)
Topic: Hungary1,622 km (2011) (most on Danube River)
Topic: India14,500 km (2012) (5,200 km on major rivers and 485 km on canals suitable for mechanized vessels)
Topic: Indonesia21,579 km (2011)
Topic: Iran850 km (2012) (on Karun River; some navigation on Lake Urmia)
Topic: Iraq5,279 km (2012) (the Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are the principal waterways)
Topic: Ireland956 km (2010) (pleasure craft only)
Topic: Italy2,400 km (2012) (used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared to road and rail)
Topic: Japan1,770 km (2010) (seagoing vessels use inland seas)
Topic: Kazakhstan43,983 km (2020) (on the Ertis (Irtysh) River (80%) and Syr Darya (Syrdariya) River)
Topic: Kenya(2011) none specifically; the only significant inland waterway is the part of Lake Victoria within the boundaries of Kenya; Kisumu is the main port and has ferry connections to Uganda and Tanzania
Topic: Kiribati5 km (2012) (small network of canals in Line Islands)
Topic: Korea, North2,250 km (2011) (most navigable only by small craft)
Topic: Korea, South1,600 km (2011) (most navigable only by small craft)
Topic: Kyrgyzstan576 km (2022)
Topic: Laos4,600 km (2012) (primarily on the Mekong River and its tributaries; 2,900 additional km are intermittently navigable by craft drawing less than 0.5 m)
Topic: Latvia300 km (2010) (navigable year-round)
Topic: Liechtenstein28 km (2010)
Topic: Lithuania441 km (2007) (navigable year-round)
Topic: Luxembourg37 km (2010) (on Moselle River)
Topic: Madagascar600 km (2011) (432 km navigable)
Topic: Malawi700 km (2010) (on Lake Nyasa [Lake Malawi] and Shire River)
Topic: Malaysia7,200 km (2011) (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km)
Topic: Mali1,800 km (2011) (downstream of Koulikoro; low water levels on the River Niger cause problems in dry years; in the months before the rainy season the river is not navigable by commercial vessels)
Topic: Mauritania(2011) (some navigation possible on the Senegal River)
Topic: Mexico2,900 km (2012) (navigable rivers and coastal canals mostly connected with ports on the country's east coast)
Topic: Moldova558 km (2011) (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut Rivers)
Topic: Mongolia580 km (2010) (the only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol) (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers ice free from May to September)
Topic: Mozambique460 km (2010) (Zambezi River navigable to Tete and along Cahora Bassa Lake)
Topic: Netherlands6,237 km (2012) (navigable by ships up to 50 tons)
Topic: Nicaragua2,220 km (2011) (navigable waterways as well as the use of the large Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua; rivers serve only the sparsely populated eastern part of the country)
Topic: Niger300 km (2012) (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March)
Topic: Nigeria8,600 km (2011) (Niger and Benue Rivers and smaller rivers and creeks)
Topic: Norway1,577 km (2010)
Topic: Panama800 km (2011) (includes the 82-km Panama Canal that is being widened)
Topic: Papua New Guinea11,000 km (2011)
Topic: Paraguay3,100 km (2012) (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná River systems)
Topic: Peru8,808 km (2011) (8,600 km of navigable tributaries on the Amazon River system and 208 km on Lago Titicaca)
Topic: Philippines3,219 km (2011) (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m)
Topic: Poland3,997 km (2009) (navigable rivers and canals)
Topic: Portugal210 km (2011) (on Douro River from Porto)
Topic: Romania1,731 km (2010) (includes 1,075 km on the Danube River, 524 km on secondary branches, and 132 km on canals)
Topic: Russia102,000 km (2009) (including 48,000 km with guaranteed depth; the 72,000-km system in European Russia links Baltic Sea, White Sea, Caspian Sea, Sea of Azov, and Black Sea)
Topic: Rwanda(2011) (Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft)
Topic: Senegal1,000 km (2012) (primarily on the Senegal, Saloum, and Casamance Rivers)
Topic: Serbia587 km (2009) (primarily on the Danube and Sava Rivers)
Topic: Sierra Leone800 km (2011) (600 km navigable year-round)
Topic: Slovakia172 km (2012) (on Danube River)
Topic: Slovenia(2012) (some transport on the Drava River)
Topic: South Sudansee entry for Sudan
Topic: Spain1,000 km (2012)
Topic: Sri Lanka160 km (2012) (primarily on rivers in southwest)
Topic: Sudan4,068 km (2011) (1,723 km open year-round on White and Blue Nile Rivers)
Topic: Suriname1,200 km (2011) (most navigable by ships with drafts up to 7 m)
Topic: Sweden2,052 km (2010)
Topic: Switzerland1,292 km (2010) (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee for commercial goods transport)
Topic: Syria900 km (2011) (navigable but not economically significant)
Topic: Tajikistan200 km (2011) (along Vakhsh River)
Topic: Tanzania(2011) (Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) are the principal avenues of commerce with neighboring countries; the rivers are not navigable)
Topic: Thailand4,000 km (2011) (3,701 km navigable by boats with drafts up to 0.9 m)
Topic: Togo50 km (2011) (seasonally navigable by small craft on the Mono River depending on rainfall)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)1,200 km (2010)
Topic: Turkmenistan1,300 km (2011) (Amu Darya River and Kara Kum Canal are important inland waterways)
Topic: Uganda(2011) (there are no long navigable stretches of river in Uganda; parts of the Albert Nile that flow out of Lake Albert in the northwestern part of the country are navigable; several lakes including Lake Victoria and Lake Kyoga have substantial traffic; Lake Albert is navigable along a 200-km stretch from its northern tip to its southern shores)
Topic: Ukraine1,672 km (2012) (most on Dnieper River)
Topic: United Kingdom3,200 km (2009) (620 km used for commerce)
Topic: United States41,009 km (2012) (19,312 km used for commerce; Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, is shared with Canada)
Topic: Uruguay1,600 km (2011)
Topic: Uzbekistan1,100 km (2012)
Topic: Venezuela7,100 km (2011) (Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels)
Topic: Vietnam47,130 km (2011) (30,831 km weight under 50 tons)
Topic: World2,293,412 km (2017)
top ten longest rivers: Nile (Africa) 6,693 km; Amazon (South America) 6,436 km; Mississippi-Missouri (North America) 6,238 km; Yenisey-Angara (Asia) 5,981 km; Ob-Irtysh (Asia) 5,569 km; Yangtze (Asia) 5,525 km; Yellow (Asia) 4,671 km; Amur (Asia) 4,352 km; Lena (Asia) 4,345 km; Congo (Africa) 4,344 km
note 1: rivers are not necessarily navigable along the entire length; if measured by volume, the Amazon is the largest river in the world, responsible for about 20% of the Earth's freshwater entering the ocean
note 2: there are 20 countries without rivers: 3 in Africa (Comoros, Djibouti, Libya), 1 in the Americas (Bahamas), 8 in Asia (Bahrain, Kuwait, Maldives, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Yemen), 3 in Europe (Malta, Monaco, Holy See), 5 in Oceania (Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Tonga, Tuvalu); these countries also do not have natural lakes
top ten largest natural lakes (by surface area): Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan) 372,960 sq km; Lake Superior (Canada, United States) 82,414 sq km; Lake Victoria (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) 69,490 sq km; Lake Huron (Canada, United States) 59,596 sq km; Lake Michigan (United States) 57,441 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia) 32,890 sq km; Great Bear Lake (Canada) 31,800 sq km; Lake Baikal (Russia) 31,494 sq km; Lake Nyasa (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania) 30,044 sq km; Great Slave Lake (Canada) 28,400 sq km
note 1: the areas of the lakes are subject to seasonal variation; only the Caspian Sea is saline, the rest are fresh water
note 2: Lakes Huron and Michigan are technically a single lake because the flow of water between the Straits of Mackinac that connects the two lakes keeps their water levels at near-equilibrium; combined, Lake Huron-Michigan is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world
note 3: the deepest lake in the world (1,620 m), and also the largest freshwater lake by volume (23,600 cu km), is Lake Baikal in Russia
Topic: Zambia2,250 km (2010) (includes Lake Tanganyika and the Zambezi and Luapula Rivers)
Topic: Zimbabwe(2011) (some navigation possible on Lake Kariba) |
20220901 | field-suffrage | This entry gives the age at enfranchisement and whether the right to vote is universal or restricted.
Topic: Afghanistan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Albania18 years of age; universal
Topic: Algeria18 years of age; universal
Topic: American Samoa18 years of age; universal
Topic: Andorra18 years of age; universal
Topic: Angola18 years of age; universal
Topic: Anguilla18 years of age; universal
Topic: Antigua and Barbuda18 years of age; universal
Topic: Argentina18-70 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-17 years of age - optional for national elections
Topic: Armenia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Aruba18 years of age; universal
Topic: Australia18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Austria16 years of age; universal
Topic: Azerbaijan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Bahamas, The18 years of age; universal
Topic: Bahrain20 years of age; universal
Topic: Bangladesh18 years of age; universal
Topic: Barbados18 years of age; universal
Topic: Belarus18 years of age; universal
Topic: Belgium18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Belize18 years of age; universal
Topic: Benin18 years of age; universal
Topic: Bermuda18 years of age; universal
Topic: Bhutan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Bolivia18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Topic: Botswana18 years of age; universal
Topic: Brazilvoluntary between 16 to 18 years of age, over 70, and if illiterate; compulsory between 18 to 70 years of age; note - military conscripts by law cannot vote
Topic: British Virgin Islands18 years of age; universal
Topic: Brunei18 years of age for village elections; universal
Topic: Bulgaria18 years of age; universal
Topic: Burkina Faso18 years of age; universal
Topic: Burma18 years of age; universal
Topic: Burundi18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cabo Verde18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cambodia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cameroon20 years of age; universal
Topic: Canada18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cayman Islands18 years of age; universal
Topic: Central African Republic18 years of age; universal
Topic: Chad18 years of age; universal
Topic: Chile18 years of age; universal
Topic: China18 years of age; universal
Topic: Christmas Island18 years of age
Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands18 years of age
Topic: Colombia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Comoros18 years of age; universal
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Congo, Republic of the18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cook Islands18 years of age; universal
Topic: Costa Rica18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire18 years of age; universal
Topic: Croatia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cuba16 years of age; universal
Topic: Curacao18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Topic: Cyprus18 years of age; universal
Topic: Czechia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Denmark18 years of age; universal
Topic: Djibouti18 years of age; universal
Topic: Dominica18 years of age; universal
Topic: Dominican Republic18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote
Topic: Ecuador18-65 years of age; universal and compulsory; 16-18, over 65, and other eligible voters, voluntary
Topic: Egypt18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: El Salvador18 years of age; universal
Topic: Equatorial Guinea18 years of age; universal
Topic: Eritrea18 years of age; universal
Topic: Estonia18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections
Topic: Eswatini18 years of age
Topic: Ethiopia18 years of age; universal
Topic: European Union18 years of age (16 years in Austria); universal; voting for the European Parliament is permitted in each member state
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)18 years of age; universal
Topic: Faroe Islands18 years of age; universal
Topic: Fiji18 years of age; universal
Topic: Finland18 years of age; universal
Topic: France18 years of age; universal
Topic: French Polynesia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Gabon18 years of age; universal
Topic: Gambia, The18 years of age; universal
Topic: Georgia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Germany18 years of age; universal; age 16 for some state and municipal elections
Topic: Ghana18 years of age; universal
Topic: Gibraltar18 years of age; universal; and British citizens with six months residence or more
Topic: Greece17 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Greenland18 years of age; universal
Topic: Grenada18 years of age; universal
Topic: Guam18 years of age; universal; note - Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Topic: Guatemala18 years of age; universal; note - active duty members of the armed forces and police by law cannot vote and are restricted to their barracks on election day
Topic: Guernsey16 years of age; universal
Topic: Guinea18 years of age; universal
Topic: Guinea-Bissau18 years of age; universal
Topic: Guyana18 years of age; universal
Topic: Haiti18 years of age; universal
Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)election of the pope is limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Topic: Honduras18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Hong Kong18 years of age in direct elections for 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats and all of the seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past 7 years; note - in indirect elections, suffrage is limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies for the other 70 legislature seats and a 1,500-member election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad sectoral groupings, central government bodies, municipal organizations, and elected Hong Kong officials
Topic: Hungary18 years of age, 16 if married and marriage is registered in Hungary; universal
Topic: Iceland18 years of age; universal
Topic: India18 years of age; universal
Topic: Indonesia17 years of age; universal; married persons regardless of age
Topic: Iran18 years of age; universal
Topic: Iraq18 years of age; universal
Topic: Ireland18 years of age; universal
Topic: Isle of Man16 years of age; universal
Topic: Israel18 years of age; universal; 17 years of age for municipal elections
Topic: Italy18 years of age; universal except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25
Topic: Jamaica18 years of age; universal
Topic: Japan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Jersey16 years of age; universal
Topic: Jordan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Kazakhstan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Kenya18 years of age; universal
Topic: Kiribati18 years of age; universal
Topic: Korea, North17 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Korea, South18 years of age; universal; note - the voting age was lowered from 19 to 18 beginning with the 2020 national election
Topic: Kosovo18 years of age; universal
Topic: Kuwait21 years of age and at least 20-year citizenship
Topic: Kyrgyzstan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Laos18 years of age; universal
Topic: Latvia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Lebanon21 years of age; authorized for all men and women regardless of religion; excludes persons convicted of felonies and other crimes or those imprisoned; excludes all military and security service personnel regardless of rank
Topic: Lesotho18 years of age; universal
Topic: Liberia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Libya18 years of age, universal
Topic: Liechtenstein18 years of age; universal
Topic: Lithuania18 years of age; universal
Topic: Luxembourg18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Macau18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past 7 years; note - indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" and an election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials
Topic: Madagascar18 years of age; universal
Topic: Malawi18 years of age; universal
Topic: Malaysia18 years of age; universal (2019)
Topic: Maldives18 years of age; universal
Topic: Mali18 years of age; universal
Topic: Malta18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal
Topic: Marshall Islands18 years of age; universal
Topic: Mauritania18 years of age; universal
Topic: Mauritius18 years of age; universal
Topic: Mexico18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of18 years of age; universal
Topic: Moldova18 years of age; universal
Topic: Monaco18 years of age; universal
Topic: Mongolia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Montenegro18 years of age; universal
Topic: Montserrat18 years of age; universal
Topic: Morocco18 years of age; universal
Topic: Mozambique18 years of age; universal
Topic: Namibia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Nauru20 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Nepal18 years of age; universal
Topic: Netherlands18 years of age; universal
Topic: New Caledonia18 years of age; universal
Topic: New Zealand18 years of age; universal
Topic: Nicaragua16 years of age; universal
Topic: Niger18 years of age; universal
Topic: Nigeria18 years of age; universal
Topic: Niue18 years of age; universal
Topic: Norfolk Island18 years of age; universal
Topic: North Macedonia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Northern Mariana Islands18 years of age; universal; note - indigenous inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Topic: Norway18 years of age; universal
Topic: Oman21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote
Topic: Pakistan18 years of age; universal; note - there are joint electorates and reserved parliamentary seats for women and non-Muslims
Topic: Palau18 years of age; universal
Topic: Panama18 years of age; universal
Topic: Papua New Guinea18 years of age; universal
Topic: Paraguay18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75
Topic: Peru18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 70
Topic: Philippines18 years of age; universal
Topic: Pitcairn Islands18 years of age; universal with three years residency
Topic: Poland18 years of age; universal
Topic: Portugal18 years of age; universal
Topic: Puerto Rico18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Topic: Qatar18 years of age; universal
Topic: Romania18 years of age; universal
Topic: Russia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Rwanda18 years of age; universal
Topic: Saint Barthelemy18 years of age, universal
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha18 years of age
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis18 years of age; universal
Topic: Saint Lucia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Saint Martin18 years of age, universal
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon18 years of age; universal
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines18 years of age; universal
Topic: Samoa21 years of age; universal
Topic: San Marino18 years of age; universal
Topic: Sao Tome and Principe18 years of age; universal
Topic: Saudi Arabia18 years of age; restricted to males; universal for municipal elections
Topic: Senegal18 years of age; universal
Topic: Serbia18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Topic: Seychelles18 years of age; universal
Topic: Sierra Leone18 years of age; universal
Topic: Singapore21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Sint Maarten18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Topic: Slovakia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Slovenia18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Topic: Solomon Islands21 years of age; universal
Topic: Somalia18 years of age; universal
Topic: South Africa18 years of age; universal
Topic: South Sudan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Spain18 years of age; universal
Topic: Sri Lanka18 years of age; universal
Topic: Sudan17 years of age; universal
Topic: Suriname18 years of age; universal
Topic: Sweden18 years of age; universal
Topic: Switzerland18 years of age; universal
Topic: Syria18 years of age; universal
Topic: Taiwan20 years of age; universal; note - in March 2022, the Legislative Yuan approved lowering the voting age to 18, but the change will require a constitutional amendment that must be submitted to a referendum
Topic: Tajikistan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Tanzania18 years of age; universal
Topic: Thailand18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Timor-Leste17 years of age; universal
Topic: Togo18 years of age; universal
Topic: Tokelau21 years of age; universal
Topic: Tonga21 years of age; universal
Topic: Trinidad and Tobago18 years of age; universal
Topic: Tunisia18 years of age; universal except for active government security forces (including the police and the military), people with mental disabilities, people who have served more than three months in prison (criminal cases only), and people given a suspended sentence of more than six months
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)18 years of age; universal
Topic: Turkmenistan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands18 years of age; universal
Topic: Tuvalu18 years of age; universal
Topic: Uganda18 years of age; universal
Topic: Ukraine18 years of age; universal
Topic: United Arab Emirateslimited; note - rulers of the seven emirates each select a proportion of voters for the Federal National Council (FNC) that together account for about 12 percent of Emirati citizens
Topic: United Kingdom18 years of age; universal
Topic: United States18 years of age; universal
Topic: Uruguay18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Topic: Uzbekistan18 years of age; universal
Topic: Vanuatu18 years of age; universal
Topic: Venezuela18 years of age; universal
Topic: Vietnam18 years of age; universal
Topic: Virgin Islands18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Topic: Wallis and Futuna18 years of age; universal
Topic: Yemen18 years of age; universal
Topic: Zambia18 years of age; universal
Topic: Zimbabwe18 years of age; universal |
20220901 | countries-spain-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Spain due to terrorism and civil unrest. Consult its website daily via the link below for any travel advisories about visiting this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: [34] (91) 587-2200; US Embassy in Madrid, Calle de Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid, Spain; askACS@state.gov;
https://es.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 34
Local Emergency Phone: 112
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Temperate; clear, hot summers in interior, more moderate and cloudy along coast; cloudy, cold winters in interior, partly cloudy and cool along coast
Currency (Code): Euros (EUR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages: Castilian Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Basque
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October; note: Spain has 2 time zones, including the Canary Islands (UTC 0)
Potable Water: Yes
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Alhambra & Generalife Gardens; Barcelona's Sagrada Familia & Gaudi Sites; Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba; Prado & Paseo del Artes; San Lorenzo de El Escorial; Guggenheim Museum Bilbao; Alcazar of Seville; Royal Palace in Madrid; Coa Valley & Siega Verde; Cave of Altamira; Routes of Santiago de Compostela; Valley of the Fallen
Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, tennis, cycling, golf, handball
Cultural Practices: Dinner is served later in Spain than in many other countries. It is common for the meal to be served around 9 p.m.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is determined by the time and place you are dining. Leaving 1 euro per person is fine for a daytime meal, but leave 10% for an evening meal. Tip room service 1-2 euro and leave 2-3 euros for hotel housekeeping at the end of your stay.
Souvenirs: Espadrille shoes, Cava sparkling wine, liquor, leather goods, Caganer figurines, mortar and pestle sets, Gaudí-inspired decorated itemsPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, April 25, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-saint-martin |
Topic: Photos of Saint Martin
Topic: Introduction
Background: Although sighted by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 and claimed for Spain, it was the Dutch who occupied the island in 1631 to exploit its salt deposits. The Spanish retook the island in 1633 but continued to be harassed by the Dutch. The Spanish finally relinquished Saint Martin to the French and Dutch, who divided it between themselves in 1648. Friction between the two sides caused the border to frequently fluctuate over the next two centuries, with the French eventually holding the greater portion of the island (about 61%). The cultivation of sugarcane introduced African slavery to the island in the late 18th century; the practice was not abolished until 1848. The island became a free port in 1939; the tourism industry was dramatically expanded during the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003, the populace of Saint Martin voted to secede from Guadeloupe and in 2007, the northern portion of the island became a French overseas collectivity. In 2010, the southern Dutch portion of the island became the independent nation of Sint Maarten within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the island of Saint Martin causing extensive damage to roads, communications, electrical power, and housing; the UN estimated that 90% of the buildings were damaged or destroyed.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, located in the Leeward Islands (northern) group; French part of the island of Saint Martin in the Caribbean Sea; Saint Martin lies east of the US Virgin Islands
Geographic coordinates: 18 05 N, 63 57 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 50 sq km
land: 50 sq km
water: negligible
Area - comparative: more than one-third the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 16 km
border countries (1): Sint Maarten 16 km
Coastline: 58.9 km (for entire island)
Climate: temperature averages 27-29 degrees Celsius all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; hurricane season stretches from July to November
Elevation: highest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m
lowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: salt
Population distribution: most of the population is found along the coast, with a largest concentrations around the capital Marigot, Orleans, and Grand-Case
Natural hazards: subject to hurricanes from July to November
Geography - note: note 1: the southern border is shared with Sint Maarten, a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; together, these two entities make up the smallest landmass in the world shared by two self-governing states
note 2: Simpson Bay Lagoon (aka as Simson Bay Lagoon or The Great Pond) is one of the largest inland lagoons in the West Indies; the border between the French and Dutch halves of the island of Saint Martin runs across the center of the lagoon, which is shared by both of the island's entities
Map description: Saint Martin map showing major population centers of this French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Martin map showing major population centers of this French overseas collectivity in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 32,792 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Creole (Mulatto), Black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), White, East Indian, other
Languages: French (official), Dutch, English, Guadeloupian Creole, Haitian Creole, Italian, Martiniquan Creole, Papiamento (dialect of Netherlands Antilles), Spanish
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.63% (male 4,148/female 4,197)
15-24 years: 10.28% (male 1,647/female 1,701)
25-54 years: 46.2% (male 7,201/female 7,841)
55-64 years: 8.71% (male 1,328/female 1,508)
65 years and over: 9.17% (2020 est.) (male 1,305/female 1,680)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA
youth dependency ratio: NA
elderly dependency ratio: NA
potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 33.3 years
male: 32.5 years
female: 34.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.33% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 14.09 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is found along the coast, with a largest concentrations around the capital Marigot, Orleans, and Grand-Case
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 6.71 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 7.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 5.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.58 years
male: 77.48 years
female: 83.81 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: excessive population pressure (increasing settlement); waste management; salinity intrusions into the main land of the island; fresh water supply is dependent on desalination of sea water; over exploitation of marine resources (reef fisheries, coral and shell); indiscriminate anchoring of boats damages coral reefs,causing underwater pollution and changes the sediment dynamics of Saint Martin's Island
Climate: temperature averages 27-29 degrees Celsius all year long; low humidity, gentle trade winds, brief, intense rain showers; hurricane season stretches from July to November
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 15,480 tons (2012 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Overseas Collectivity of Saint Martin
conventional short form: Saint Martin
local long form: Collectivite d'outre mer de Saint-Martin
local short form: Saint-Martin
etymology: explorer Christopher COLUMBUS named the island after Saint MARTIN of Tours because the 11 November 1493 day of discovery was the saint's feast day
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Territorial Council); overseas collectivity of France
Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France
note: the only French overseas collectivity that is part of the EU
Capital: name: Marigot
geographic coordinates: 18 04 N, 63 05 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: marigot is a French term referring to a body of water, a watercourse, a side-stream, or a tributary rivulet; the name likely refers to a stream at the site of the city's original founding
Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France)
National holiday: Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note - local holiday is Schoelcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848), as well as St. Martin's Day, 11 November (1985), which commemorates the discovery of the island by COLUMBUS on Saint Martin's Day, 11 November 1493; the latter holiday celebrated on both halves of the island
Constitution: history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
amendments: amendment procedures of France's constitution apply
Legal system: French civil law
Citizenship: see France
Suffrage: 18 years of age, universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Prefect Vincent BERTON (since 28 March 2022)
head of government: President of Territorial Council Louis MUSSINGTON (since 3 April 2022); First Vice President Alain RICHARDSON (since 3 April 2022)
cabinet: Executive Council; note - there is also an advisory economic, social, and cultural council
elections/appointments: French president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prefect appointed by French president on the advice of French Ministry of Interior; president of Territorial Council elected by its members for a 5-year term; election last held on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in 2027)
election results: Louis MUSSINGTON (RSM) elected president; Territorial Council vote - 23 out of 23 votes
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Territorial Council (23 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms); Saint Martin elects 1 member to the French Senate and 1member (shared with Saint Barthelemy) to the French National Assembly
elections: Territorial Council - first round held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027) and second round held on 27 March 2022
election results: Territorial Council - percent of vote by party (first round) - RSM 25.4%, UD 24.7%, HOPE 17.5%, Saint Martin with You 13.8%, Alternative 11.2%, Future Saint Martin 7.5%; percent of vote by party (second rate) - RSM and Alternative 49.1%, UD 33.3%, HOPE, Saint Martin with You, and Future Saint Martin 17.6%; seats by party - RSM and Alternative 15, UD 5, HOPE, Saint Martin with You, and Future Saint Martin 3; composition - men 13, women 10, percent of women 43.5%
French Senate - held on 28 September 2014 (next to be held not later than September 2020) French National Assembly - last held on 11 and 18 June 2017 (next to be held by June 2022) French Senate - 1 seat: UMP 1 French National Assembly - 1 seat: UMP 1
Political parties and leaders: Alternative [Valerie DAMASEAU]
Future Saint Martin (Avenir Saint Martin) [Yawo NYUIADZI]
Generation Hope or HOPE [Jules CHARVILLE]
Rassemblement Saint-Martinois or RSM [Louis MUSSINGTON] (formerly Movement for Justice and Prosperity or MJP)
Saint Martin with You [James HAMLET]
Union for Democracy or UD [Daniel GIBBS]
International organization participation: UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas collectivity of France)
Flag description: the flag of France is used
National symbol(s): brown pelican
National anthem: name: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land"
lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS
note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" remains official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" remains official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The economy of Saint Martin centers on tourism with 85% of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. The financial sector is also important to Saint Martin’s economy as it facilitates financial mediation for its thriving tourism sector. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported, primarily from Mexico and the US. Saint Martin is reported to have one of the highest per capita income in the Caribbean. As with the rest of the Caribbean, Saint Martin’s financial sector is having to deal with losing correspondent banking relationships. In September 2017, Hurricane Irma destroyed 95% of the French side of Saint Martin. Along the coastline of Marigot, the nerve center of the economy, the storm wiped out restaurants, shops, banks and open-air markets impacting more than 36,000 inhabitants.The economy of Saint Martin centers on tourism with 85% of the labor force engaged in this sector. Over one million visitors come to the island each year with most arriving through the Princess Juliana International Airport in Sint Maarten. The financial sector is also important to Saint Martin’s economy as it facilitates financial mediation for its thriving tourism sector. No significant agriculture and limited local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported, primarily from Mexico and the US. Saint Martin is reported to have one of the highest per capita income in the Caribbean. As with the rest of the Caribbean, Saint Martin’s financial sector is having to deal with losing correspondent banking relationships. In September 2017, Hurricane Irma destroyed 95% of the French side of Saint Martin. Along the coastline of Marigot, the nerve center of the economy, the storm wiped out restaurants, shops, banks and open-air markets impacting more than 36,000 inhabitants.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $561.5 million (2005 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $19,300 (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $561.5 million (2005 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1% (2000)
industry: 15% (2000)
services: 84% (2000)
Industries: tourism, light industry and manufacturing, heavy industry
Labor force: 17,300 (2008 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: 85 directly or indirectly employed in tourist industry
Exports - partners: United States 35%, Netherlands 26%, Antigua and Barbuda 21%, France 10% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, special use vessels, furniture, scrap aluminum, rum (2019)
Imports - partners: United States 76%, Netherlands 7%, France 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: jewelry, diamonds, pearls, recreational boats, cars (2019)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.885 (2017 est.)
0.903 (2016 est.)
0.9214 (2015 est.)
0.885 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 68,840 (2017 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 196 (2019 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: fully integrated access; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)
domestic: direct dial capability with both fixed and wireless systems (2018)
international: country code - 590; landing points for the SMPR-1, Southern Caribbean Fiber and the SSCS submarine cables providing connectivity to numerous Caribbean islands (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: 1 local TV station; access to about 20 radio stations, including RFO Guadeloupe radio broadcasts via repeater
Internet country code: .mf; note - .gp, the Internet country code for Guadeloupe, and .fr, the Internet country code for France, might also be encountered
Internet users: total: 19,300 (March 2022 est.)
percent of population: 48.5% (March 2022 est.)
Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Transportation - note: nearest airport for international flights is Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) located on Sint Maarten
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no armed forces; Saint Martin Police Force (Korps Politie Sint Marteen)
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identified
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana destined for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as Europetransshipment point for cocaine, heroin, and marijuana destined for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as well as Europe |
20220901 | countries-rwanda |
Topic: Photos of Rwanda
Topic: Introduction
Background: Rwanda - a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil - has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was not rare. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive hierarchy of political, cultural, and economic relationships that intertwined Rwanda’s ethnic and social groups. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus and a calcification of ethnic identities. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, increasing frustration and inequality. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence. Newly mobilized political parties and simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsi and extremist Hutu factions that gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in April 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME won reelection in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.Rwanda - a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil - has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was not rare. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive hierarchy of political, cultural, and economic relationships that intertwined Rwanda’s ethnic and social groups. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus and a calcification of ethnic identities. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, increasing frustration and inequality. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence.Newly mobilized political parties and simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsi and extremist Hutu factions that gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in April 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed approximately 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME won reelection in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 26,338 sq km
land: 24,668 sq km
water: 1,670 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 930 km
border countries (4): Burundi 315 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km; Tanzania 222 km; Uganda 172 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east
Elevation: highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m
lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m
mean elevation: 1,598 m
Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 74.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 47% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 18% (2018 est.)
other: 7.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 96 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Population distribution: one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congovolcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcanoperiodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congovolcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano
Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged with the population predominantly rural
Map description: Rwanda map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Rwanda map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 13,173,730 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s)
adjective: Rwandan
Ethnic groups: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy)
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1, English (official) <0.1, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Inkoranya nzimbuzi y'isi, isoko fatizo y'amakuru y'ibanze. (Kinyarwanda)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Protestant 57.7% (includes Adventist 12.6%), Roman Catholic 38.2%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1% (includes traditional, Jehovah's Witness), none 1.1% (2019-20 est.)
Demographic profile: Rwanda’s fertility rate declined sharply during the last decade, as a result of the government’s commitment to family planning, the increased use of contraceptives, and a downward trend in ideal family size. Increases in educational attainment, particularly among girls, and exposure to social media also contributed to the reduction in the birth rate. The average number of births per woman decreased from a 5.6 in 2005 to 4.5 in 2016. Despite these significant strides in reducing fertility, Rwanda’s birth rate remains very high and will continue to for an extended period of time because of its large population entering reproductive age. Because Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, its persistent high population growth and increasingly small agricultural landholdings will put additional strain on families’ ability to raise foodstuffs and access potable water. These conditions will also hinder the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and prevent environmental degradation.The UNHCR recommended that effective 30 June 2013 countries invoke a cessation of refugee status for those Rwandans who fled their homeland between 1959 and 1998, including the 1994 genocide, on the grounds that the conditions that drove them to seek protection abroad no longer exist. The UNHCR’s decision is controversial because many Rwandan refugees still fear persecution if they return home, concerns that are supported by the number of Rwandans granted asylum since 1998 and by the number exempted from the cessation. Rwandan refugees can still seek an exemption or local integration, but host countries are anxious to send the refugees back to Rwanda and are likely to avoid options that enable them to stay. Conversely, Rwanda itself hosts almost 160,000 refugees as of 2017; virtually all of them fleeing conflict in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.Rwanda’s fertility rate declined sharply during the last decade, as a result of the government’s commitment to family planning, the increased use of contraceptives, and a downward trend in ideal family size. Increases in educational attainment, particularly among girls, and exposure to social media also contributed to the reduction in the birth rate. The average number of births per woman decreased from a 5.6 in 2005 to 4.5 in 2016. Despite these significant strides in reducing fertility, Rwanda’s birth rate remains very high and will continue to for an extended period of time because of its large population entering reproductive age. Because Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, its persistent high population growth and increasingly small agricultural landholdings will put additional strain on families’ ability to raise foodstuffs and access potable water. These conditions will also hinder the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and prevent environmental degradation.The UNHCR recommended that effective 30 June 2013 countries invoke a cessation of refugee status for those Rwandans who fled their homeland between 1959 and 1998, including the 1994 genocide, on the grounds that the conditions that drove them to seek protection abroad no longer exist. The UNHCR’s decision is controversial because many Rwandan refugees still fear persecution if they return home, concerns that are supported by the number of Rwandans granted asylum since 1998 and by the number exempted from the cessation. Rwandan refugees can still seek an exemption or local integration, but host countries are anxious to send the refugees back to Rwanda and are likely to avoid options that enable them to stay. Conversely, Rwanda itself hosts almost 160,000 refugees as of 2017; virtually all of them fleeing conflict in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.95% (male 2,564,893/female 2,513,993)
15-24 years: 20.1% (male 1,280,948/female 1,273,853)
25-54 years: 33.06% (male 2,001,629/female 2,201,132)
55-64 years: 4.24% (male 241,462/female 298,163)
65 years and over: 2.65% (2020 est.) (male 134,648/female 201,710)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 74.2
youth dependency ratio: 68.8
elderly dependency ratio: 5.4
potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 19.7 years
male: 18.9 years
female: 20.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.74% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 26.44 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.86 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 17.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.208 million KIGALI (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23 years (2019/20 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 248 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 26.39 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 23.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.85 years
male: 63.89 years
female: 67.86 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.33 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 53.2% (2014/15)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 92.3% of population
rural: 80.7% of population
total: 82.7% of population
unimproved: urban: 7.7% of population
rural: 19.3% of population
total: 17.3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.12 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 89.1% of population
rural: 83.2% of population
total: 84.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 10.9% of population
rural: 16.8% of population
total: 15.8% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.5% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 220,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,500 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact diseases: rabies
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 13.7% (2020 est.)
male: 20.1% (2020 est.)
female: 7.2% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7.7% (2019/20)
Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 73.2%
male: 77.6%
female: 69.4% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 11 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.5%
male: 18.8%
female: 22.4% (2019 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; land degradation; soil erosion; a decline in soil fertility (soil exhaustion); wetland degradation and loss of biodiversity; widespread poaching
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 40.75 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 1.11 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.92 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Land use: agricultural land: 74.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 47% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 18% (2018 est.)
other: 7.5% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 17.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 3.75% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact diseases: rabies
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,384,969 tons (2016 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 61.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 20.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 102 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 13.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda
conventional short form: Rwanda
local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form: Rwanda
former: Ruanda, German East Africa
etymology: the name translates as "domain" in the native Kinyarwanda language
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Kigali
geographic coordinates: 1 57 S, 30 03 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the city takes its name from nearby Mount Kigali; the name "Kigali" is composed of the Bantu prefix "ki" and the Rwandan "gali" meaning "broad" and likely refers to the broad, sprawling hill that has been dignified with the title of "mount"
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern)
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003
amendments: proposed by the president of the republic (with Council of Ministers approval) or by two-thirds majority vote of both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote in both houses; changes to constitutional articles on national sovereignty, the presidential term, the form and system of government, and political pluralism also require approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law, based on German and Belgian models, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)
head of government: Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); note - a constitutional amendment approved in December 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held in August 2024); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.7%, Frank HABINEZA (DGPR)0.5%
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate or Senat (26 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum - a body of registered political parties, and 2 selected by institutions of higher learning; members serve 8-year terms)
Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (80 seats; 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 24 women selected by special interest groups, and 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held on 16-18 September 2019 (next to be held in 2027)
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 3 September 2018 (next to be held in September 2023)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 17, women 9, percent of women 34.6%
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 40, PSD 5, PL 4, other 4 indirectly elected 27; composition - men 31, women 49, percent of women 54.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 54.7%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals) and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Green Party of Rwanda or DGPR [Frank HABINEZA]
Liberal Party or PL [Donatille MUKABALISA]
Party for Progress and Concord or PPC [Dr. Alivera MUKABARAMBA]
Party Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri [Christine MUKABUNANI]
Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]
Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (includes RPF, PPC) [Paul KAGAME]
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013)
chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882
FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544
email address and website:
info@rwandaembassy.org
https://rwandaembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Deb MacLEAN (since February 2022)
embassy: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kaciyiru), P. O. Box 28 Kigali
mailing address: 2210 Kigali Place, Washington DC 20521-2210
telephone: [250] 252 596-400
FAX: [250] 252 580-325
email address and website:
consularkigali@state.gov
https://rw.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band; blue represents happiness and peace, yellow economic development and mineral wealth, green hope of prosperity and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity, as well as enlightenment and transparency from ignorance
National symbol(s): traditional woven basket with peaked lid; national colors: blue, yellow, green
National anthem: name: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)
lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA
note: adopted 2001
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with agriculture accounting for about 63% of export earnings, and with some mineral and agro-processing. Population density is high but, with the exception of the capital Kigali, is not concentrated in large cities – its 12 million people are spread out on a small amount of land (smaller than the state of Maryland). Tourism, minerals, coffee, and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy well beyond pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 6%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. In 2015, 39% of the population lived below the poverty line, according to government statistics, compared to 57% in 2006. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment. Rwanda consistently ranks well for ease of doing business and transparency. The Rwandan Government is seeking to become a regional leader in information and communication technologies and aims to reach middle-income status by 2020 by leveraging the service industry. In 2012, Rwanda completed the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. In 2016, the government launched an online system to give investors information about public land and its suitability for agricultural development.Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with agriculture accounting for about 63% of export earnings, and with some mineral and agro-processing. Population density is high but, with the exception of the capital Kigali, is not concentrated in large cities – its 12 million people are spread out on a small amount of land (smaller than the state of Maryland). Tourism, minerals, coffee, and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy well beyond pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 6%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. In 2015, 39% of the population lived below the poverty line, according to government statistics, compared to 57% in 2006. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment. Rwanda consistently ranks well for ease of doing business and transparency. The Rwandan Government is seeking to become a regional leader in information and communication technologies and aims to reach middle-income status by 2020 by leveraging the service industry. In 2012, Rwanda completed the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. In 2016, the government launched an online system to give investors information about public land and its suitability for agricultural development.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.18 billion (2020 est.)
$28.13 billion (2019 est.)
$25.7 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 6.1% (2017 est.)
6% (2016 est.)
8.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,100 (2020 est.)
$2,200 (2019 est.)
$2,100 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $9.136 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.3% (2019 est.)
-0.3% (2018 est.)
8.4% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2014)
Moody's rating: B2 (2016)
Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2019)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 30.9% (2017 est.)
industry: 17.6% (2017 est.)
services: 51.5% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 75.9% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22.9% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 18.2% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -32.8% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: bananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, gourds, milk, taro
Industries: cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 6.227 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 75.3%
industry: 6.7%
services: 18% (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.7% (2014 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.5%
male: 18.8%
female: 22.4% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 38.2% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43.7 (2016 est.)
51.3 (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.)
Budget: revenues: 1.943 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.337 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 40.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
37.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$622 million (2017 est.)
-$1.336 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $2.25 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$2.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 35%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 28%, Uganda 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, refined petroleum, coffee, tea, tin (2019)
Imports: $3.74 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$3.34 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 17%, Kenya 10%, Tanzania 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 7%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, gold, raw sugar, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $997.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.104 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $3.258 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.611 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar -
839.1 (2017 est.)
787.25 (2016 est.)
787.25 (2015 est.)
720.54 (2014 est.)
680.95 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 53% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 48% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 265,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 1,007,300,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 4.5 million kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 93.96 million kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 142 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 39% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 53.9% 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: 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: 8,300 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 6,628 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: 56.634 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.189 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 1.189 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 1.704 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 11,671 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 10,614,408 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 82 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Rwanda was slow to liberalize the mobile sector, allowing MTN a monopoly until 2006 when the fixed-line incumbent, Rwandatel (since acquired by Liquid Intelligence Technologies) became the second mobile operator; there was effective competition among three operators after Tigo launched services in 2009; the acquisition of Tigo by Airtel saw a significant consolidation in the market, and the cancellation of Rwandatel’s license in 2011 resulted in the market becoming a duopoly between the dominant operator MTN and Airtel; the fixed broadband sector has suffered from limited fixed-line infrastructure and high prices; operators are rolling out national backbone networks which also allow them to connect to the international submarine cables on Africa’s east coast; these cables gave the entire region greater internet bandwidth and ended the dependency on satellites; Liquid Technologies has continued to expand its FttP services across Kigali and a number of other towns, while the country also has a new cable link with Tanzania, and via Tanzania’s national broadband backbone it has gained connectivity to the networks of several other countries in the region; the number of subscribers on LTE infrastructure has increased sharply, helped by national LTE coverage achieved in mid-2018; mobile remains the dominant platform for voice and data services; the regulator noted that the number of mobile subscribers increased 2.7% in 2021, year-on-year; there was a slight fall in the beginning of 2022, though this decline was entirely from Airtel. (2022)
domestic: the capital, Kigali, is connected to provincial centers by microwave radio relay, and recently by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; fixed-line less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone density has increased to nearly 82 telephones per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service); international submarine fiber-optic cables on the African east coast has brought international bandwidth and lessened the dependency on satellites
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: 13 TV stations; 35 radio stations registered, including international broadcasters, government owns most popular TV and radio stations; regional satellite-based TV services available
Internet country code: .rw
Internet users: total: 3,497,096 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 27% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 17,685 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,073,528 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9XR
Airports: total: 7 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 4,700 km (2012)
paved: 1,207 km (2012)
unpaved: 3,493 km (2012)
Waterways: 90 km (2022) (Lake Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft)
Ports and terminals: lake port(s): Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Rwanda Defense Force (RDF; Ingabo z’u Rwanda): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force, Special Units (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $220 million)
1.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $200 million)
1.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $190 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 33,000 active RDF personnel (32,000 Army; 1,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RDF's inventory includes mostly Russian, Soviet-era, and older Western - largely French and South African - equipment; since 2010, Russia has been the top supplier (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription; Rwandan citizenship is required; enlistment is either as contract (5-years, renewable twice) or career (2021)
Military deployments: 2,450 (plus about 500 police) Central African Republic (approximately 1,700 for MINUSCA; an additional 750 troops sent separately under a bilateral agreement with CAR in August, 2021); up to 2,000 Mozambique (deployed mid-2021 under a bi-lateral agreement to assist with combating insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 400 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2022)
Military - note: the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers
the RDF is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best trained and most capable and professional military forces; as of 2022, over 5,000 RDF personnel were deployed on missions in Africathe Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers
the RDF is widely regarded as one of Africa’s best trained and most capable and professional military forces; as of 2022, over 5,000 RDF personnel were deployed on missions in Africa
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Rwanda-Burundi: Burundi's Ngozi province and Rwanda's Butare province dispute the two-kilometer-square hilly farmed area of Sabanerwa in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965 around Kibinga Hill in Rwanda's Butare Province
Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the 2005 DRC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place
Rwanda-Uganda: a joint technical committee established in 2007 to demarcate sections of the border
Rwanda-Burundi: Burundi's Ngozi province and Rwanda's Butare province dispute the two-kilometer-square hilly farmed area of Sabanerwa in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965 around Kibinga Hill in Rwanda's Butare Province
Rwanda-Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC): the 2005 DRC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place
Rwanda-Uganda: a joint technical committee established in 2007 to demarcate sections of the border
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 76,847 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 48,354 (Burundi) (2022)
stateless persons: 9,500 (mid-year 2021) |
20220901 | countries-gaza-strip |
Topic: Photos of Gaza Strip
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them. Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019. The Gaza Strip has been under the de facto governing authority of the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) since 2007, and has faced years of conflict, poverty, and humanitarian crises. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the Gaza Strip area has been dominated by many different peoples and empires throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The Gaza Strip fell to British forces during World War I, becoming a part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Egypt administered the newly formed Gaza Strip; Israel captured it in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly-created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank.In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began, and in 2001 negotiations to determine the permanent status of the West bank and Gaza Strip stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel in late 2005 unilaterally withdrew all of its settlers and soldiers and dismantled its military facilities in the Gaza Strip, but it continues to control the Gaza Strip’s land and maritime borders and airspace. In early 2006, HAMAS won a majority in the Palestinian Legislative Council election. Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Since HAMAS’s takeover, Israel and Egypt have enforced tight restrictions on movement and access of goods and individuals into and out of the territory. Fatah and HAMAS have since reached a series of agreements aimed at restoring political unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank but have struggled to enact them.Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip and the Israel Defense Forces periodically exchange projectiles and air strikes, respectively, threatening broader conflict. In May 2021, HAMAS launched rockets at Israel, sparking an 11-day conflict that also involved other Gaza-based militant groups. Egypt, Qatar, and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process have negotiated ceasefires to avert a broader conflict. Since 2018, HAMAS has also coordinated demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel security fence. Many of these protests have turned violent, resulting in several Israeli soldiers’ deaths and injuries as well as more than 200 Palestinian deaths and thousands of injuries, most of which occurred during weekly March of Return protests from 2018 to the end of 2019. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Israel
Geographic coordinates: 31 25 N, 34 20 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 360 sq km
land: 360 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 72 km
border countries (2): Egypt 13 km; Israel 59 km
Coastline: 40 km
Maritime claims: see entry for Israel note: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further noticenote: effective 3 January 2009, the Gaza maritime area is closed to all maritime traffic and is under blockade imposed by Israeli Navy until further notice
Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Terrain: flat to rolling, sand- and dune-covered coastal plain
Elevation: highest point: Abu 'Awdah (Joz Abu 'Awdah) 105 m
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: arable land, natural gas
Irrigated land: (2012) 240 sq km; note - includes the West Bank
Population distribution: population concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north
Natural hazards: droughts
Geography - note: once a strategic strip of land along Mideast-North African trade routes that has experienced an incredibly turbulent history; the town of Gaza itself has been besieged countless times in its history; Israel evacuated its civilian settlements and soldiers from the Gaza Strip in 2005
Map description: Gaza Strip showing major populated areas as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.Gaza Strip showing major populated areas as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 1,997,328 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood)
major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 98.0 - 99.0% (predominantly Sunni), Christian <1.0%, other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1.0% (2012 est.)
note: Israel dismantled its settlements in September 2005; Gaza has had no Jewish population since then
Age structure: 0-14 years: 42.53% (male 418,751/female 397,013)
15-24 years: 21.67% (male 210,240/female 205,385)
25-54 years: 29.47% (male 275,976/female 289,277)
55-64 years: 3.66% (male 36,409/female 33,731)
65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 27,248/female 24,191)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 71.2
youth dependency ratio: 65.7
elderly dependency ratio: 5.5
potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Median age: total: 18 years
male: 17.7 years
female: 18.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.02% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 27.67 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 2.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north
Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Major urban areas - population: 756,000 Gaza (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Infant mortality rate: total: 15.23 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.4 years
male: 73.65 years
female: 77.25 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.44 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 57.3% (2019/20)
note: includes Gaza Strip and West Bank
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.9% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 98.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: 2.71 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population
rural: 98.6% of population
total: 99.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population
rural: 1.4% of population
total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.1% (2019/20)
note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.7%
women married by age 18: 13.4% (2020 est.)
note: includes both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.5%
male: 98.8%
female: 96.2% (2020)
note: estimates are for Gaza Strip and the West Bank
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 14 years (2020)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1%
male: 36.6%
female: 70% (2020 est.)
note: includes the West Bank
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: soil degradation; desertification; water pollution from chemicals and pesticides; salination of fresh water; improper sewage treatment; water-borne disease; depletion and contamination of underground water resources
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 3.23 megatons (2016 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Climate: temperate, mild winters, dry and warm to hot summers
Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.387 million tons (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 6,935 tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2013 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Total renewable water resources: 837 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Gaza Strip
local long form: none
local short form: Qita' Ghazzah
etymology: named for the largest city in the enclave, Gaza, whose settlement can be traced back to at least the 15th century B.C. (as "Ghazzat")
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Movement and access restrictions, violent attacks, and the slow pace of post-conflict reconstruction continue to degrade economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli controls became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007. Under Hamas control, Gaza has suffered from rising unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and a sharp contraction of the private sector, which had relied primarily on export markets.Since April 2017, the Palestinian Authority has reduced payments for electricity supplied to Gaza and cut salaries for its employees there, exacerbating poor economic conditions. Since 2014, Egypt’s crackdown on the Gaza Strip’s extensive tunnel-based smuggling network has exacerbated fuel, construction material, and consumer goods shortages in the territory. Donor support for reconstruction following the 51-day conflict in 2014 between Israel and HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups has fallen short of post-conflict needs.Movement and access restrictions, violent attacks, and the slow pace of post-conflict reconstruction continue to degrade economic conditions in the Gaza Strip, the smaller of the two areas comprising the Palestinian territories. Israeli controls became more restrictive after HAMAS seized control of the territory in June 2007. Under Hamas control, Gaza has suffered from rising unemployment, elevated poverty rates, and a sharp contraction of the private sector, which had relied primarily on export markets.Since April 2017, the Palestinian Authority has reduced payments for electricity supplied to Gaza and cut salaries for its employees there, exacerbating poor economic conditions. Since 2014, Egypt’s crackdown on the Gaza Strip’s extensive tunnel-based smuggling network has exacerbated fuel, construction material, and consumer goods shortages in the territory. Donor support for reconstruction following the 51-day conflict in 2014 between Israel and HAMAS and other Gaza-based militant groups has fallen short of post-conflict needs.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): see entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank
Real GDP growth rate: -15.2% (2014 est.)
5.6% (2013 est.)
7% (2012 est.)
note: excludes the West Bank
Real GDP per capita: $6,220 (2019 est.)
$6,318 (2018 est.)
$6,402 (2017 est.)
see entry for the the West Bank
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.938 billion (2014 est.)
note: excludes the West Bank
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2017 est.)
-0.2% (2016 est.)
note: excludes the West Bank
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3% (2017 est.)
industry: 21.1% (2017 est.)
services: 75% (2017 est.)
note: data exclude the West Bank
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 88.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 26.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 18.6% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -55.6% (2017 est.)
note: data exclude the West Bank
Agricultural products: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds
Industries: textiles, food processing, furniture
Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2017 est.)
note: see entry for the West Bank
Labor force: 1.24 million (2017 est.)
note: excludes the West Bank
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.2%
industry: 10%
services: 84.8% (2015 est.)
note: data exclude the West Bank
Unemployment rate: 27.9% (2017 est.)
27% (2016 est.)
note: data exclude the West Bank
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1%
male: 36.6%
female: 70% (2020 est.)
note: includes the West Bank
Population below poverty line: 30% (2011 est.)
note: data exclude the West Bank
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.7 (2016 est.)
Budget: see entry for the West Bank
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.444 billion (2017 est.)
-$1.348 billion (2016 est.)
note: excludes the West Bank
Exports: $1.955 billion (2017 est.)
$1.827 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commodities: strawberries, carnations, vegetables, fish (small and irregular shipments, as permitted to transit the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing)
Imports: $8.59 billion (2018 est.)
$7.852 billion (2017 est.)
see entry for the West Bank
Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, fuel
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $446.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$583 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: see entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank
Exchange rates: see entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2018)
note: data for Gaza Strip and West Bank combined
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 215,000 kW (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
consumption: 5,702,816,000 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
imports: 5.9 billion kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
transmission/distribution losses: 847 million kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
refined petroleum consumption: 24,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
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: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Energy consumption per capita: 13.604 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 466,283 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.)
includes the West Bank
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,274,119 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 84 (2020 est.)
includes the West Bank
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Israel has final say in allocating frequencies in the Gaza Strip and does not permit anything beyond a 2G network (2018)
domestic: Israeli company BEZEQ and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; the Palestinian JAWWAL company provides cellular services; a slow 2G network allows calls and limited data transmission; fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular 76 per 100 (includes West Bank)
international: country code 970 or 972 (2018)
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: 1 TV station and about 10 radio stations; satellite TV accessible
Internet country code: .ps; note - IANA has designated .ps for the Gaza Strip, same as the West Bank
Internet users: total: 3,602,452 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 75% (2020 est.)
note: includes the West Bank
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 376,911 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.)
note: includes the West Bank
Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
note - non-operational
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Roadways: note: see entry for the West Banknote: see entry for the West Bank
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Gaza
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: HAMAS does not have a conventional military in the Gaza Strip but maintains security forces in addition to its military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades; the military wing reports to the HAMAS Political Bureau; there are several other militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip, most notably the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestine Islamic Jihad, which are usually but not always beholden to HAMAS's authority (2021)
Military expenditures: not available
Military and security service personnel strengths: the military wing of HAMAS has an estimated 20-25,000 fighters (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military wing of HAMAS is armed with light weapons, including an inventory of improvised rocket, anti-tank missile, and mortar capabilities; HAMAS acquires its weapons through smuggling or local construction and receives some military support from Iran (2021)
Military - note: since seizing control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, HAMAS has claimed responsibility for numerous rocket attacks into Israel and organized protests at the border between Gaza and Israel, resulting in violent clashes, casualties, and reprisal military actions by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF); HAMAS and Israel fought an 11-day conflict in May of 2021, which ended in an informal truce; sporadic clashes continued into 2022, including incendiary balloon attacks from Gaza and retaliatory IDF strikes; Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) has conducted numerous attacks on Israel since the 1980s, including a barrage of mortar and rocket strikes in 2020, also prompting IDF counter-strikes; see Appendix-T for more details on HAMAS and PIJ
in 2017, HAMAS and PIJ announced the formation of a "joint operations room" to coordinate the activities of their armed wings; by late 2020, the formation consisted of 12 militant groups operating in Gaza and had conducted its first joint training exercise (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Army of Islam; Abdallah Azzam Brigades; al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); Mujahidin Shura Council in the Environs of Jerusalem; Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ); Palestine Liberation Front; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP); PFLP-General Command
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: according to the Oslo Accords, the status of the Gaza Strip is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from Gaza Strip in September 2005according to the Oslo Accords, the status of the Gaza Strip is a final status issue to be resolved through negotiations; Israel removed settlers and military personnel from Gaza Strip in September 2005
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 1,476,706 (Palestinian refugees) (2020)
IDPs: 131,000 (includes persons displaced within the Gaza Strip due to the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since June 2014 and other Palestinian IDPs in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who fled as long ago as 1967, although confirmed cumulative data do not go back beyond 2006) (2020)
data represent Gaza Strip and West Bank |
20220901 | oceans-arctic-ocean |
Topic: Photos of Arctic Ocean
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the world's five oceans (after the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, and the Southern Ocean). The Northwest Passage (US and Canada) and Northern Sea Route (Norway and Russia) are two important seasonal waterways. In recent years the polar ice pack has receded in the summer allowing for increased navigation and raising the possibility of future sovereignty and shipping disputes among the six countries bordering the Arctic Ocean (Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, US).Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: body of water between Europe, Asia, and North America, mostly north of the Arctic Circle
Geographic coordinates: 90 00 N, 0 00 E
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total: 15.558 million sq km
note: includes Barents Sea, Beaufort Sea, Chukchi Sea, East Siberian Sea, Greenland Sea, Kara Sea, Laptev Sea, Northwest Passage, Norwegian Sea, and other tributary water bodies
Area - comparative: slightly less than 1.5 times the size of the US
Coastline: 45,389 km
Climate: polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature range; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Terrain: central surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 m thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge) major surface currents: two major, slow-moving, wind-driven currents (drift streams) dominate: a clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyre in the western part of the Arctic Ocean and a nearly straight line Transpolar Drift Stream that moves eastward across the ocean from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to the Fram Strait (between Greenland and Svalbard); sea ice that lies close to the center of the gyre can complete a 360 degree circle in about 2 years, while ice on the gyre periphery will complete the same circle in about 7-8 years; sea ice in the Transpolar Drift crosses the ocean in about 3 yearscentral surface covered by a perennial drifting polar icepack that, on average, is about 3 m thick, although pressure ridges may be three times that thickness; the icepack is surrounded by open seas during the summer, but more than doubles in size during the winter and extends to the encircling landmasses; the ocean floor is about 50% continental shelf (highest percentage of any ocean) with the remainder a central basin interrupted by three submarine ridges (Alpha Cordillera, Nansen Cordillera, and Lomonosov Ridge)major surface currents: two major, slow-moving, wind-driven currents (drift streams) dominate: a clockwise drift pattern in the Beaufort Gyre in the western part of the Arctic Ocean and a nearly straight line Transpolar Drift Stream that moves eastward across the ocean from the New Siberian Islands (Russia) to the Fram Strait (between Greenland and Svalbard); sea ice that lies close to the center of the gyre can complete a 360 degree circle in about 2 years, while ice on the gyre periphery will complete the same circle in about 7-8 years; sea ice in the Transpolar Drift crosses the ocean in about 3 years
Volume: ocean volume: 18.75 million cu km
percent of World Ocean total volume: 1.4%
Elevation: highest point: sea level
lowest point: Molloy Deep -5,577 m
mean depth: -1,205 m
ocean zones: Composed of water and in a fluid state, the oceans are delimited differently than the solid continents. Oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level. Although some sea creatures depend on light to live, others can do without it. Sunlight entering the water may travel about 1,000 m into the oceans under the right conditions, but there is rarely any significant light beyond 200 m.
The upper 200 m (656 ft) of oceans is called the euphotic, or "sunlight," zone. This zone contains the vast majority of commercial fisheries and is home to many protected marine mammals and sea turtles. Only a small amount of light penetrates beyond this depth.
The zone between 200 m (656 ft) and 1,000 m (3,280 ft) is usually referred to as the "twilight" zone, but is officially the dysphotic zone. In this zone, the intensity of light rapidly dissipates as depth increases. Such a minuscule amount of light penetrates beyond a depth of 200 m that photosynthesis is no longer possible.
The aphotic, or "midnight," zone exists in depths below 1,000 m (3,280 ft). Sunlight does not penetrate to these depths and the zone is bathed in darkness.
Natural resources: sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, polymetallic nodules, oil and gas fields, fish, marine mammals (seals and whales)
Natural hazards: ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May
Geography - note: major chokepoint is the southern Chukchi Sea (northern access to the Pacific Ocean via the Bering Strait); strategic location between North America and Russia; shortest marine link between the extremes of eastern and western Russia; floating research stations operated by the US and Russia; maximum snow cover in March or April about 20 to 50 centimeters over the frozen ocean; snow cover lasts about 10 months
Map description: Arctic Ocean map centered on the North Pole showing the major sea routes along the outer edges of the Ocean.Arctic Ocean map centered on the North Pole showing the major sea routes along the outer edges of the Ocean.
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: climate change; changes in biodiversity; use of toxic chemicals; endangered marine species include walruses and whales; fragile ecosystem slow to change and slow to recover from disruptions or damage; thinning polar icepack
Marine fisheries: the Arctic fishery region (Region 18) is the smallest in the world with a catch of only 515 mt in 2019, although the Food and Agriculture Organization assesses that some Arctic catches are reported in adjacent regions; Russia and Canada were historically the major producers; in 2017, Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and the US, along with the People’s Republic of China, the European Union, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, agreed to a 16 year ban on fishing in the Central Arctic Ocean to allow for time to study the ecological system of these waters
Regional fisheries bodies: International Council for the Exploration of the Seas
Climate: polar climate characterized by persistent cold and relatively narrow annual temperature range; winters characterized by continuous darkness, cold and stable weather conditions, and clear skies; summers characterized by continuous daylight, damp and foggy weather, and weak cyclones with rain or snow
Topic: Government
Country name: etymology: the name Arctic comes from the Greek word "arktikos" meaning "near the bear" or "northern," and that word derives from "arktos," meaning "bear"; the name refers either to the constellation Ursa Major, the "Great Bear," which is prominent in the northern celestial sphere, or to the constellation Ursa Minor, the "Little Bear," which contains Polaris, the North (Pole) Star
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals.
Topic: Transportation
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Churchill (Canada), Murmansk (Russia), Prudhoe Bay (US)
Transportation - note: sparse network of air, ocean, river, and land routes; the Northwest Passage (North America) and Northern Sea Route (Eurasia) are important seasonal waterways
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: record summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has renewed interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration
Canada-US: dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf
Canada-Denmark (Greenland)-Norway: have made submissions to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS)
Norway-Russia: signed a comprehensive maritime boundary agreement in 2010; Russia has augmented its 2001 CLCS submissionrecord summer melting of sea ice in the Arctic has renewed interest in maritime shipping lanes and sea floor exploration
Canada-US: dispute how to divide the Beaufort Sea and the status of the Northwest Passage but continue to work cooperatively to survey the Arctic continental shelf
Canada-Denmark (Greenland)-Norway: have made submissions to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental shelf (CLCS)
Norway-Russia: signed a comprehensive maritime boundary agreement in 2010; Russia has augmented its 2001 CLCS submission |
20220901 | countries-brazil-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Brazil due to crime. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp. A visa is not required.
US Embassy/Consulate: [55] (61) 3312-7000; US Embassy in Brasilia, SES – Av. das Nações, Quadra 801, Lote 03, 70403-900 – Brasília, DF; https://br.usembassy.gov/; BrasilliaACS@state.gov
Telephone Code: 55
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 192 or 193 ; Fire: 193; Police: 190
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Mostly tropical, but temperate in south
Currency (Code): Reals (BRL)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): C, N (No standard voltage)
Major Languages: Portuguese
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2%, other Christian 0.7%, Spiritis 2.2%
Time Difference: Federal District (UTC -3), Llha Fernando de Noronha (UTC -2), Manaus (UTC -4), Rio Branco (UTC -5)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested; if you plan to drive in Brazil, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Rio Carnival; Iguazu Falls; Lencois Maranhenses National Park; Christ the Redeemer Statue; Fernando De Noronha archipelago; Amazon Theatre; Canoa Quebrada; Botanical Garden of Curitiba; Amazon Rain Forest
Major Sports: Soccer, volleyball, basketball, capoeria (Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music)
Cultural Practices: Street markets (feira) are a popular feature in all areas of Brazil. They offer a wide selection of unique foods. Coxinha (ko-sheen-ya), a type of minced chicken [croquettes], is especially popular.
Tipping Guidelines: A standard service fee of 10% is included at most restaurants and bars; if not, you may leave a 10-15% tip. Round up the fare for a taxi driver's tip. Leave loose change for housekeeping each night.
Souvenirs: Woven hammocks, carved wooden figurines and musical instruments, gold and silver gemstone jewelry, handmade lace, feather headdresses
Traditional Cuisine: Feijoada — kidney or black beans stewed with beef and pork and sometimes vegetablesPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022 |
20220901 | https:--www.cia.gov-the-world-factbook | The World Factbook provides basic intelligence on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, environment, communications, transportation, military, terrorism, and transnational issues for 266 world entities.
Topic: Travel the globe with CIA’s World Factbook.
Topic: What's NewIn the Geography section for all countries, the “Land boundaries” entry was recently updated with the latest country boundary lengths (terrestrial) as compiled by the US Department of State.
Topic: Explore CountriesSearch over 260 locations across the globe.
Topic: The World & Its RegionsWorldAfricaAntarcticaAustralia and OceaniaCentral America and the CaribbeanCentral AsiaEast and Southeast AsiaEuropeMiddle EastNorth AmericaSouth AmericaSouth Asia
Topic: OceansArctic OceanAtlantic OceanIndian OceanPacific OceanSouthern OceanTravel more intelligently with The World Factbook Travel Facts. Here’s what you should know about each country before you go.Pressed for time? Check out our one-page summaries for essential information on each country.Every flag has a story. View flags of all the world’s countries and territories to learn the symbolism behind each design.Love data? The World Factbook has over 65 rank order pages that compare country data in specific fields.
Topic: World Factbook Is Just the Start. Apply for a Job at CIA.Curious about other cultures? Want to use your knowledge to help keep America safe? Make a career out of learning about the world. |
20220901 | countries-colombia-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel due to crime, terrorism, and COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: [57] (1) 275-2000; US Embassy in Bogota, Carrera 45 No. 24B-27 Bogotá, D.C. Colombia; https://co.usembassy.gov/; ACSBogota@state.gov
Telephone Code: 57
Local Emergency Phone: 119
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical along coast and eastern plains; cooler in highlands
Currency (Code): Pesos (COP)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 110 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B
Major Languages: Spanish
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 79%, Protestant 14%
Time Difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Colombia, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Salt Cathedral; Tayrona National Park; Monserrate; Santuario de Las Lajas; Los Nevados National Park; Cartagena; Cano Cristales; Qhapaq Nan/Andean Road System; San Agustin Archaeological Park; National Archeological Park of Tierradentro
Major Sports: Soccer, boxing, shooting sports, taekwondo, wrestling, tejo (involves throwing a disc at a small target)
Cultural Practices: Roses are well-received gifts in Colombia, but marigolds and lilies are disliked because of their association with funerals.
Tipping Guidelines: A 10% tip is common at restaurants. Taxi drivers are rarely tipped. An appropriate tip for a porter/bellboy is about $1 (USD) per bag. It is also good tipping etiquette to leave a small gratuity of about $1-2 (USD) per day for housekeeping.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Friday, March 25, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-west-bank |
Topic: Photos of West Bank
Topic: Introduction
Background: The landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo Accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip. In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area. The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements. Since 1994, the PA has administered parts of the West Bank under its control, mainly the major Palestinian population centers and areas immediately surrounding them. Roughly 60% of the West Bank remains under full Israeli civil and military control, impeding movement of people and goods through the territory. The landlocked West Bank - the larger of the two Palestinian territories - is home to some three million Palestinians. Inhabited since at least the 15th century B.C., the West Bank has been dominated by many different peoples throughout its history; it was incorporated into the Ottoman Empire in the early 16th century. The West Bank fell to British forces during World War I, becoming part of the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the West Bank was captured by Transjordan (later renamed Jordan), which annexed the West Bank in 1950; it was captured by Israel in the Six-Day War in 1967. Under a series of agreements known as the Oslo Accords signed between 1993 and 1999, Israel transferred to the newly created Palestinian Authority (PA) security and civilian responsibility for many Palestinian-populated areas of the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip.In addition to establishing the PA as an interim government, the Oslo Accords divided the West Bank into three areas with one fully managed by the PA, another fully administered by Israel, and a third with shared control until a permanent agreement could be reached between the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel. In 2000, a violent intifada or uprising began across the Palestinian territories, and in 2001 negotiations for a permanent agreement between the PLO and Israel on final status issues stalled. Subsequent attempts to re-start direct negotiations have not resulted in progress toward determining final status of the area.The PA last held national elections in 2006, when the Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) won a majority of seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). Fatah, the dominant Palestinian political faction in the West Bank, and HAMAS failed to maintain a unity government, leading to violent clashes between their respective supporters and HAMAS’s violent seizure of all PA military and governmental institutions in the Gaza Strip in June 2007. In December 2018, the Palestinian Constitutional Court dissolved the PLC. In recent years, Fatah and HAMAS have made several attempts at reconciliation, but the factions have been unable to implement agreements. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, west of Jordan, east of Israel
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 35 15 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 5,860 sq km
land: 5,640 sq km
water: 220 sq km
note: includes West Bank, Latrun Salient, and the northwest quarter of the Dead Sea, but excludes Mt. Scopus; East Jerusalem and Jerusalem No Man's Land are also included only as a means of depicting the entire area occupied by Israel in 1967
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Delaware
Land boundaries: total: 478 km
border countries (2): Israel 330 km; Jordan 148 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Terrain: mostly rugged, dissected upland in west, flat plains descending to Jordan River Valley to the east
Elevation: highest point: Khallat al Batrakh 1,020 m
lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m
Natural resources: arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 43.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 7.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 11% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 24.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 1.5% (2018 est.)
other: 55.2% (2018 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Irrigated land: (2012) 240 sq km; note - includes Gaza Strip
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and Israel) - 1,020 sq km
note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level
Population distribution: the most populous Palestinian communities in the West Bank are located in the central ridge and western half of its territory; Jewish settlements are located throughout the West Bank, the most populous in the Seam Zone--between the 1949 Armistice Line and the separation barrier--and around Jerusalem
Natural hazards: droughts
Geography - note: landlocked; highlands are main recharge area for Israel's coastal aquifers; there are about 380 Israeli civilian sites, including about 213 settlements and 132 small outpost communities in the West Bank and 35 sites in East Jerusalem (2017)
Map description: West Bank map showing its major population centers as well as parts of the two countries that surround it – Israel to the west and Jordan to the east.West Bank map showing its major population centers as well as parts of the two countries that surround it – Israel to the west and Jordan to the east.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,000,021 (2022 est.)
note: approximately 432,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2019); approximately 227,100 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2019)
Nationality: noun: NA
adjective: NA
Ethnic groups: Palestinian Arab, Jewish, other
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood)
major-language sample(s):
كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 80-85% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12-14%, Christian 1-2.5% (mainly Greek Orthodox), other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1% (2012 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 35.31% (male 525,645/female 498,458)
15-24 years: 20.75% (male 307,420/female 294,469)
25-54 years: 35.19% (male 516,758/female 503,626)
55-64 years: 5.12% (male 76,615/female 72,006)
65 years and over: 3.62% (2020 est.) (male 48,387/female 56,650)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 71.2
youth dependency ratio: 65.7
elderly dependency ratio: 5.5
potential support ratio: 18.2 (2020 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Median age: total: 21.9 years
male: 21.7 years
female: 22.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.69% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 24.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -4.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the most populous Palestinian communities in the West Bank are located in the central ridge and western half of its territory; Jewish settlements are located throughout the West Bank, the most populous in the Seam Zone--between the 1949 Armistice Line and the separation barrier--and around Jerusalem
Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Infant mortality rate: total: 15.29 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 17.68 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.38 years
male: 74.29 years
female: 78.6 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.96 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 57.3% (2019/20)
note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.9% of population
rural: 99% of population
total: 98.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population
rural: 1% of population
total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: 3.25 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population
rural: 98.6% of population
total: 99.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population
rural: 1.4% of population
total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
note: note includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.1% (2019/20)
note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.7%
women married by age 18: 13.4% (2020 est.)
note: includes both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.5%
male: 98.8%
female: 96.2% (2020)
note: estimates are for Gaza and the West Bank
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 14 years (2020)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1%
male: 36.6%
female: 70% (2020 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: adequacy of freshwater supply; sewage treatment
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 3.23 megatons (2016 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Climate: temperate; temperature and precipitation vary with altitude, warm to hot summers, cool to mild winters
Land use: agricultural land: 43.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 7.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 11% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 24.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 1.5% (2018 est.)
other: 55.2% (2018 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Urbanization: urban population: 77.3% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
note: data represent Gaza Strip and the West Bank
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.387 million tons (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 6,935 tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 0.5% (2013 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and Israel) - 1,020 sq km
note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 181.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 32 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 162 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Total renewable water resources: 837 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
note: data represent combined total from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: West Bank
etymology: name refers to the location of the region of the British Mandate of Palestine that was occupied and administered by Jordan in 1948, as it is located on the far side (west bank) of the Jordan River in relation to Jordan proper; the designation was retained following the 1967 Six-Day War and the subsequent changes in administration
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: In 2017, the economic outlook in the West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Territories – remained fragile, as security concerns and political friction slowed economic growth. Unemployment in the West Bank remained high at 19.0% in the third quarter of 2017, only slightly better than 19.6% at the same point the previous year, while the labor force participation rate remained flat, year-on-year.Longstanding Israeli restrictions on imports, exports, and movement of goods and people continue to disrupt labor and trade flows and the territory’s industrial capacity, and constrain private sector development. The PA’s budget benefited from an effort to improve tax collection, coupled with lower spending in 2017, but the PA for the foreseeable future will continue to rely heavily on donor aid for its budgetary needs and infrastructure development.In 2017, the economic outlook in the West Bank - the larger of the two areas comprising the Palestinian Territories – remained fragile, as security concerns and political friction slowed economic growth. Unemployment in the West Bank remained high at 19.0% in the third quarter of 2017, only slightly better than 19.6% at the same point the previous year, while the labor force participation rate remained flat, year-on-year.Longstanding Israeli restrictions on imports, exports, and movement of goods and people continue to disrupt labor and trade flows and the territory’s industrial capacity, and constrain private sector development. The PA’s budget benefited from an effort to improve tax collection, coupled with lower spending in 2017, but the PA for the foreseeable future will continue to rely heavily on donor aid for its budgetary needs and infrastructure development.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $25.91 billion (2020 est.)
$29.26 billion (2019 est.)
$28.87 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars and includes Gaza Strip
Real GDP growth rate: 5.3% (2014 est.)
1% (2013 est.)
6% (2012 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Real GDP per capita: $5,400 (2020 est.)
$6,200 (2019 est.)
$6,300 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars and includes Gaza Strip
GDP (official exchange rate): $9.828 billion (2014 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2017 est.)
-0.2% (2016 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.9% (2017 est.)
industry: 19.5% (2017 est.)
services: 77.6% (2017 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 91.3% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 26.7% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 20% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -61% (2017 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Agricultural products: tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds
Industries: small-scale manufacturing, quarrying, textiles, soap, olive-wood carvings, and mother-of-pearl souvenirs
Industrial production growth rate: 2.2% (2017 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Labor force: 1.24 million (2017 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11.5%
industry: 34.4%
services: 54.1% (2013 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Unemployment rate: 27.9% (2017 est.)
27% (2016 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 42.1%
male: 36.6%
female: 70% (2020 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Population below poverty line: 18% (2011 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.7 (2016 est.)
38.7 (2007 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 28.2% (2009 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Budget: revenues: 1.314 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 1.278 billion (2017 est.)
note: includes Palestinian Authority expenditures in the Gaza Strip
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 24.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
23.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 13.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.444 billion (2017 est.)
-$1.348 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $2.65 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip
$2.6 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Exports - commodities: stone, olives, fruit, vegetables, limestone
Imports: $9.15 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip
$9.02 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars and includes Gaza Strip
note: data include the Gaza Strip
Imports - commodities: food, consumer goods, construction materials, petroleum, chemicals
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $0 (31 December 2017 est.)
$583 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $1.662 billion (31 March 2016 est.)
$1.467 billion (31 March 2015 est.)
note: data include the Gaza Strip
Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -
3.606 (2017 est.)
3.841 (2016 est.)
3.841 (2015 est.)
3.8869 (2014 est.)
3.5779 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
note: data for West Bank and Gaza Strip combined
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 215,000 kW (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
consumption: 5,702,816,000 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
imports: 5.9 billion kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
transmission/distribution losses: 847 million kWh (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
refined petroleum consumption: 24,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 19 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 22,740 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: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.341 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Data includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Energy consumption per capita: 13.604 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 466,283 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,274,119 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 84 (2020 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: continuing political and economic instability has impeded liberalization of the telecommunications industry (2018)
domestic: Israeli company BEZEK and the Palestinian company PALTEL are responsible for fixed-line services; two Palestinian cellular providers, JAWWAL and WATANIYA MOBILE, launched 3G mobile networks in the West Bank in January 2018 after Israel lifted its ban; fixed-line 9 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscriptions 84 per 100 (includes Gaza Strip) (2020)
international: country code 970 or 972; 1 international switch in Ramallah
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: the Palestinian Authority operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; about 20 private TV and 40 radio stations; both Jordanian TV and satellite TV are accessible
Internet country code: .ps; note - IANA has designated .ps for the West Bank, same as Gaza Strip
Internet users: total: 3,602,452 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 75% (2020 est.)
note: includes the Gaza Strip
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 373,050 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.)
note: includes the Gaza Strip
Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 4,686 km (2010)
paved: 4,686 km (2010)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: per the Oslo Accords, the PA is not permitted a conventional military but maintains security and police forces; PA security personnel have operated almost exclusively in the West Bank since HAMAS seized power in the Gaza Strip in 2007; PA forces include National Security Forces, Presidential Guard, Civil Police, Civil Defense, Preventive Security Organization, the General Intelligence Organization, and the Military Intelligence Organization (2022)
note: the National Security Forces conduct gendarmerie-style security operations in circumstances that exceed the capabilities of the civil police; it is the largest branch of the Palestinian Authority security service and acts as the Palestinian army; the Presidential Guard protects facilities and provides dignitary protection; the Preventive Security Organization is responsible for internal intelligence gathering and investigations related to internal security cases, including political dissent
Military expenditures: not available
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Palestinian Authority Security Forces have approximately 30,000 active personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the security services are armed mostly with small arms and light weapons, although since 2007, they have received limited amounts of heavier equipment from Jordan (armored personnel carriers) and Russia (armored personnel carriers and transport helicopters) (2022)
Military service age and obligation: not available
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade; HAMAS; Kahane Chai; Palestine Islamic Jihad; Palestine Liberation Front; Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
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: West Bank-Israel: West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier constructionWest Bank-Israel: West Bank is Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; in 2002, Israel began construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; as of mid-2020, plans were to continue barrier construction
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 871,537 (Palestinian refugees) (2020)
IDPs: 131,000 (includes persons displaced within the Gaza strip due to the intensification of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since June 2014 and other Palestinian IDPs in the Gaza Strip and West Bank who fled as long ago as 1967, although confirmed cumulative data do not go back beyond 2006) (2020)
data represent Gaza Strip and West Bank |
20220901 | field-agricultural-products | This entry provides a list of a country's most important agricultural products, listed by annual tonnage.
Topic: Afghanistanwheat, milk, grapes, vegetables, potatoes, watermelons, melons, rice, onions, apples
Topic: Albaniamilk, maize, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, wheat, grapes, cucumbers, onions, apples
Topic: Algeriapotatoes, wheat, milk, watermelons, barley, onions, tomatoes, oranges, dates, vegetables
Topic: American Samoabananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Topic: Andorrasmall quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco; sheep, cattle
Topic: Angolacassava, bananas, maize, sweet potatoes, pineapples, sugar cane, potatoes, citrus fruit, vegetables, cabbage
Topic: Anguillasmall quantities of tobacco, vegetables; cattle raising
Topic: Antigua and Barbudatropical fruit, milk, mangoes/guavas, melons, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, limes, eggplants, onions
Topic: Argentinamaize, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, milk, barley, sunflower seed, beef, grapes, potatoes
Topic: Armeniamilk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barley
Topic: Arubaaloes; livestock; fish
Topic: Australiasugar cane, wheat, barley, milk, rapeseed, beef, cotton, grapes, poultry, potatoes
Topic: Austriamilk, maize, sugar beet, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, triticale, grapes, apples
Topic: Azerbaijanmilk, wheat, potatoes, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, cotton, apples, maize, onions
Topic: Bahamas, Thesugar cane, grapefruit, vegetables, bananas, tomatoes, poultry, tropical fruit, oranges, coconuts, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Bahrainmutton, dates, milk, poultry, tomatoes, fruit, sheep offals, sheep skins, eggs, pumpkins
Topic: Bangladeshrice, potatoes, maize, sugar cane, milk, vegetables, onions, jute, mangoes/guavas, wheat
Topic: Barbadossugar cane, poultry, vegetables, milk, eggs, pork, coconuts, pulses, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit
Topic: Belarusmilk, potatoes, sugar beet, wheat, triticale, barley, maize, rye, rapeseed, poultry
Topic: Belgiumsugar beet, milk, potatoes, wheat, pork, lettuce, poultry, maize, barley, pears
Topic: Belizesugar care, oranges, bananas, maize, poultry, rice, sorghum, papayas, grapefruit, soybeans
Topic: Benincassava, yams, maize, cotton, oil palm fruit, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, vegetables, soybeans
Topic: Bermudabananas, vegetables, citrus, flowers; dairy products, honey
Topic: Bhutanmilk, rice, maize, potatoes, roots/tubers, oranges, areca nuts, chillies/peppers, spices, ginger
Topic: Boliviasugar cane, soybeans, potatoes, maize, sorghum, rice, milk, plantains, poultry, bananas
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinamaize, milk, vegetables, potatoes, wheat, plums/sloes, apples, barley, cabbages, poultry
Topic: Botswanamilk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions
Topic: Brazilsugar cane, soybeans, maize, milk, cassava, oranges, poultry, rice, beef, cotton
Topic: British Virgin Islandsfruits, vegetables; livestock, poultry; fish
Topic: Bruneipoultry, eggs, fruit, cassava, bananas, legumes, cucumbers, rice, pineapples, beef
Topic: Bulgariawheat, maize, sunflower seed, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, grapes, tomatoes, watermelons
Topic: Burkina Fasosorghum, maize, millet, cotton, cow peas, sugar cane, groundnuts, rice, sesame seed, vegetables
Topic: Burmarice, sugar cane, beans, vegetables, milk, maize, poultry, groundnuts, fruit, plantains
Topic: Burundicassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, plantains, beans, vegetables, potatoes, cashew nuts, maize, taro
Topic: Cabo Verdesugar cane, tomatoes, bananas, cabbages, coconuts, cassava, pulses nes, vegetables, milk, goat milk
Topic: Cambodiacassava, rice, maize, vegetables, sugar cane, soybeans, rubber, oil palm fruit, bananas, pork
Topic: Camerooncassava, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, sugar cane, sorghum, tomatoes, bananas, vegetables
Topic: Canadawheat, rapeseed, maize, barley, milk, soybeans, potatoes, oats, peas, pork
Topic: Cayman Islandsvegetables, fruit; livestock; turtle farming
Topic: Central African Republiccassava, yams, groundnuts, taro, bananas, sugar cane, beef, maize, plantains, milk
Topic: Chadsorghum, groundnuts, millet, yams, cereals, sugar cane, beef, maize, cotton, cassava
Topic: Chilegrapes, apples, wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, tomatoes, maize, poultry, pork
Topic: Chinamaize, rice, vegetables, wheat, sugar cane, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, sweet potatoes
Topic: Christmas IslandNA
Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsvegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts
Topic: Colombiasugar cane, milk, oil palm fruit, potatoes, rice, bananas, cassava leaves, plantains, poultry, maize
Topic: Comoroscoconuts, cassava, rice, bananas, pulses nes, milk, taro, sweet potatoes, maize, cloves
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecassava, plantains, sugar cane, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, roots/tubers nes, bananas, sweet potatoes, groundnuts
Topic: Congo, Republic of thecassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, cassava leaves, bananas, plantains, roots/tubers, game meat, vegetables, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Cook Islandsvegetables, coconuts, roots/tubers, cassava, papayas, tomatoes, pork, fruit, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Costa Ricasugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice
Topic: Cote d'Ivoireyams, cassava, cocoa, oil palm fruit, sugar cane, rice, plantains, maize, cashew nuts, rubber
Topic: Croatiamaize, wheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, soybeans, potatoes, pork, grapes, sunflower seed
Topic: Cubasugar cane, cassava, vegetables, plantains, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, milk, pumpkins, mangoes/guavas, rice
Topic: Curacaoaloe, sorghum, peanuts, vegetables, tropical fruit
Topic: Cyprusmilk, potatoes, pork, sheep milk, goat milk, barley, wheat, poultry, olives, tangerines/mandarins
Topic: Czechiawheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, maize, pork, triticale, poultry
Topic: Denmarkmilk, wheat, barley, potatoes, sugar beet, pork, rye, rapeseed, oats, poultry
Topic: Djiboutivegetables, milk, beef, camel milk, lemons, limes, goat meat, mutton, beans, tomatoes
Topic: Dominicabananas, yams, grapefruit, taro, milk, coconuts, oranges, yautia, plantains, sugar cane
note: forest and fishery potential not exploited
Topic: Dominican Republicsugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts
Topic: Ecuadorsugar cane, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, maize, rice, plantains, poultry, cocoa, potatoes
Topic: Egyptsugar cane, sugar beet, wheat, maize, tomatoes, rice, potatoes, oranges, onions, milk
Topic: El Salvadorsugar cane, maize, milk, poultry, sorghum, beans, coconuts, eggs, apples, oranges
Topic: Equatorial Guineasweet potatoes, cassava, roots/tubers nes, plantains, oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, coffee, cocoa, eggs
Topic: Eritreasorghum, milk, vegetables, barley, cereals, pulses nes, roots/tubers nes, wheat, millet, beef
Topic: Estoniawheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, pork, triticale
Topic: Eswatinisugar cane, maize, roots/tubers nes, grapefruit, oranges, milk, beef, potatoes, vegetables, bananas
Topic: Ethiopiamaize, cereals, wheat, sorghum, milk, barley, sweet potatoes, roots/tubers nes, sugar cane, millet
Topic: European Unionwheat, barley, oilseeds, sugar beets, wine, grapes; dairy products, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry; fish
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)fodder and vegetable crops; venison, sheep, dairy products; fish, squid
Topic: Faroe Islandspotatoes, mutton, sheep skins, sheep offals, beef, sheep fat, cattle offals, cattle hides, cattle fat
Topic: Fijisugar cane, cassava, taro, poultry, vegetables, coconuts, eggs, milk, ginger, sweet potatoes
Topic: Finlandmilk, barley, oats, wheat, potatoes, sugar beet, rye, pork, poultry, beef
Topic: Francewheat, sugar beet, milk, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, rapeseed, pork, apples
Topic: French Polynesiacoconuts, fruit, roots/tubers nes, pineapples, cassava, sugar cane, eggs, tropical fruit, tomatoes
Topic: Gabonplantains, cassava, sugar cane, yams, taro, vegetables, maize, groundnuts, game meat, rubber
Topic: Gambia, Thegroundnuts, milk, oil palm fruit, millet, sorghum, rice, maize, vegetables, cassava, fruit
Topic: Gaza Striptomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds
Topic: Georgiamilk, grapes, maize, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, tomatoes, tangerines/mandarins, barley, apples
Topic: Germanymilk, sugar beet, wheat, barley, potatoes, pork, maize, rye, rapeseed, triticale
Topic: Ghanacassava, yams, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, rice, cocoa, oranges, pineapples
Topic: Gibraltarnone
Topic: Greecemaize, olives, wheat, milk, peaches/nectarines, oranges, tomatoes, grapes, milk, potatoes
Topic: Greenlandsheep, cattle, reindeer, fish, shellfish
Topic: Grenadabananas, watermelons, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, tomatoes, plantains, coconuts, melons, cucumbers, cabbages
Topic: Guamfruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef
Topic: Guatemalasugar cane, bananas, oil palm fruit, maize, melons, potatoes, milk, plantains, pineapples, rubber
Topic: Guernseytomatoes, greenhouse flowers, sweet peppers, eggplant, fruit; Guernsey cattle
Topic: Guinearice, cassava, groundnuts, maize, oil palm fruit, fonio, plantains, sugar cane, sweet potatoes, vegetables
Topic: Guinea-Bissaurice, cashew nuts, roots/tubers nes, oil palm fruit, plantains, cassava, groundnuts, vegetables, coconuts, fruit
Topic: Guyanarice, sugar cane, coconuts, pumpkins, squash, gourds, milk, eggplants, green chillies/peppers, poultry
Topic: Haitisugar cane, cassava, mangoes/guavas, plantains, bananas, yams, avocados, maize, rice, vegetables
Topic: Hondurassugarcane, oil palm fruit, milk, bananas, maize, coffee, melons, oranges, poultry, beans
Topic: Hong Kongpork, poultry, spinach, vegetables, pork offals, game meat, fruit, lettuce, green onions, pig fat
Topic: Hungarymaize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, barley, rapeseed, sugar beet, apples, pork, grapes
Topic: Icelandmilk, mutton, poultry, potatoes, barley, pork, eggs, beef, other meat, sheep skins
Topic: Indiasugar cane, rice, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, potatoes, vegetables, bananas, maize, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Indonesiaoil palm fruit, rice, maize, sugar cane, coconuts, cassava, bananas, eggs, poultry, rubber
Topic: Iranwheat, sugar cane, milk, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, potatoes, oranges, poultry, apples
Topic: Iraqwheat, barley, dates, tomatoes, rice, maize, grapes, potatoes, rice, watermelons
Topic: Irelandmilk, barley, beef, wheat, potatoes, pork, oats, poultry, mushrooms/truffles, mutton
Topic: Isle of Mancereals, vegetables; cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry
Topic: Israelmilk, potatoes, poultry, tomatoes, carrots, turnips, tangerines/mandarins, green chillies/peppers, eggs, vegetables
Topic: Italymilk, grapes, wheat, maize, tomatoes, apples, olives, sugar beet, oranges, rice
Topic: Jamaicasugar cane, goat milk, yams, poultry, coconuts, oranges, bananas, gourds, plantains, grapefruit
Topic: Japanrice, milk, sugar beet, vegetables, eggs, poultry, potatoes, cabbages, onions, pork
Topic: Jerseypotatoes, cauliflower, tomatoes; beef, dairy products
Topic: Jordantomatoes, poultry, olives, milk, potatoes, cucumbers, vegetables, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, peaches/nectarines
Topic: Kazakhstanwheat, milk, potatoes, barley, watermelons, melons, linseed, onions, maize, sunflower seed
Topic: Kenyasugar cane, milk, maize, potatoes, bananas, camel milk, cassava, sweet potatoes, mangoes/guavas, cabbages
Topic: Kiribaticoconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruit, poultry, pork, nuts, eggs
Topic: Korea, Northrice, maize, vegetables, apples, potatoes, cabbages, fruit, sweet potatoes, beans, soybeans
Topic: Korea, Southrice, vegetables, cabbages, milk, onions, pork, poultry, eggs, tangerines/mandarins, potatoes
Topic: Kosovowheat, corn, berries, potatoes, peppers, fruit; dairy, livestock; fish
Topic: Kuwaiteggs, dates, tomatoes, cucumbers, poultry, milk, mutton, potatoes, vegetables, eggplants
Topic: Kyrgyzstanmilk, potatoes, sugar beet, maize, wheat, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, onions, carrots/turnips
Topic: Laosrice, roots/tubers nes, cassava, sugar cane, vegetables, bananas, maize, watermelons, coffee, taro
Topic: Latviawheat, milk, rapeseed, barley, oats, potatoes, rye, beans, pork, poultry
Topic: Lebanonpotatoes, milk, tomatoes, apples, oranges, olives, wheat, cucumbers, poultry, lemons
Topic: Lesothomilk, potatoes, maize, vegetables, fruit, beef, game meat, mutton, beans, wool
Topic: Liberiacassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, rice, bananas, vegetables, plantains, rubber, taro, maize
Topic: Libyapotatoes, watermelons, tomatoes, onions, dates, milk, olives, wheat, poultry, vegetables
Topic: Liechtensteinwheat, barley, corn, potatoes; livestock, dairy products
Topic: Lithuaniawheat, milk, sugar beet, rapeseed, barley, triticale, potatoes, oats, peas, beans
Topic: Luxembourgmilk, wheat, barley, triticale, potatoes, pork, beef, grapes, rapeseed, oats
Topic: Macaupork, poultry, beef, pig fat, pig offals, eggs, pepper, cattle offals, cattle hides, goose/guinea fowl meat
Topic: Madagascarrice, sugar cane, cassava, sweet potatoes, milk, vegetables, bananas, mangoes/guavas, tropical fruit, potatoes
Topic: Malawisweet potatoes, cassava, sugar cane, maize, mangoes/guavas, potatoes, tomatoes, pigeon peas, bananas, plantains
Topic: Malaysiaoil palm fruit, rice, poultry, eggs, vegetables, rubber, coconuts, bananas, pineapples, pork
Topic: Maldivespapayas, vegetables, roots/tubers nes, nuts, fruit, other meat, tomatoes, coconuts, bananas, maize
Topic: Malimaize, rice, millet, sorghum, mangoes/guavas, cotton, watermelons, green onions/shallots, okra, sugar cane
Topic: Maltamilk, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, broccoli, eggplants, pork, cabbages, poultry
Topic: Marshall Islandscoconuts
Topic: Mauritaniarice, milk, goat milk, sheep milk, sorghum, mutton, beef, camel milk, camel meat, dates
Topic: Mauritiussugar cane, poultry, pumpkins, gourds, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes, pineapples, bananas, fruit
Topic: Mexicosugarcane, maize, milk, oranges, sorghum, tomatoes, poultry, wheat, green chillies/peppers, eggs
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofcoconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruit, eggs, beef
Topic: Moldovamaize, wheat, sunflower seed, grapes, apples, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, barley, plums/sloes
Topic: Monaconone
Topic: Mongoliamilk, wheat, goat milk, potatoes, mutton, sheep milk, beef, goat meat, horse meat, carrots/turnips
Topic: Montenegromilk, potatoes, grapes, vegetables, tomatoes, watermelons, wheat, apples, cabbages, barley
Topic: Montserratcabbages, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, peppers; livestock products
Topic: Moroccowheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, olives, tangerines/mandarins, tomatoes, oranges, barley, onions
Topic: Mozambiquesugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, bananas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, sorghum, potatoes
Topic: Namibiaroots/tubers nes, milk, maize, onions, beef, grapes, fruit, pulses nes, vegetables, millet
Topic: Naurucoconuts, tropical fruit, vegetables, pork, eggs, pig offals, pig fat, poultry, papayas, cabbages
Topic: Nepalrice, vegetables, sugar cane, potatoes, maize, wheat, buffalo milk, milk, fruit, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Netherlandsmilk, potatoes, sugar beet, pork, onions, wheat, poultry, tomatoes, carrots/turnips, beef
Topic: New Caledoniacoconuts, vegetables, maize, fruit, beef, pork, potatoes, bananas, eggs, yams
Topic: New Zealandmilk, beef, kiwi fruit, apples, potatoes, mutton, grapes, wheat, barley, green onions/shallots
Topic: Nicaraguasugar cane, milk, rice, maize, plantains, groundnuts, cassava, beans, coffee, poultry
Topic: Nigermillet, cow peas, sorghum, onions, milk, groundnuts, cassava, cabbages, goat milk, fruit
Topic: Nigeriacassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, sorghum, groundnuts, fruit, sweet potatoes
Topic: Niuecoconuts, taro, fruit, sweet potatoes, tropical fruit, yams, vegetables, lemons, limes, bananas
Topic: Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry
Topic: North Macedoniamilk, grapes, wheat, potatoes, green chillies/peppers, cabbages, tomatoes, maize, barley, watermelons
Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsvegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products
Topic: Norwaymilk, barley, wheat, potatoes, oats, pork, poultry, beef, eggs, rye
Topic: Omandates, tomatoes, vegetables, goat milk, milk, cucumbers, green chillies/peppers, watermelons, sorghum, melons
Topic: Pakistansugar cane, buffalo milk, wheat, milk, rice, maize, potatoes, cotton, fruit, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Palaucoconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra
Topic: Panamasugar cane, bananas, rice, poultry, milk, plantains, pineapples, maize, beef, pork
Topic: Papua New Guineaoil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, fruit, sweet potatoes, game meat, yams, roots/tubers nes, vegetables, taro
Topic: Paraguaysoybeans, sugar cane, maize, cassava, wheat, rice, beef, milk, oranges, oil palm fruit
Topic: Perusugar cane, potatoes, rice, plantains, milk, poultry, maize, cassava, oil palm fruit, grapes
Topic: Philippinessugar cane, rice, coconuts, maize, bananas, vegetables, tropical fruit, plantains, pineapples, cassava
Topic: Pitcairn Islandshoney; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens; fish
Topic: Polandmilk, sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, triticale, maize, barley, apples, mixed grains, rye
Topic: Portugalmilk, tomatoes, olives, grapes, maize, potatoes, pork, apples, oranges, poultry
Topic: Puerto Ricomilk, plantains, bananas, poultry, tomatoes, mangoes/guavas, eggs, oranges, gourds, papayas
Topic: Qatartomatoes, dates, camel milk, sheep milk, goat milk, pumpkins/gourds, mutton, poultry, milk, eggplants
Topic: Romaniamaize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, barley, grapes, sugar beet, rapeseed, plums/sloes
Topic: Russiawheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, barley, sunflower seed, maize, poultry, oats, soybeans
Topic: Rwandabananas, sweet potatoes, cassava, potatoes, plantains, beans, maize, gourds, milk, taro
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhacoffee, corn, potatoes, vegetables; fish, lobster; livestock; timber
Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviscoconuts, tropical fruit, roots/tubers, vegetables, sweet potatoes, pulses, watermelons, carrots/turnips, eggs, tomatoes
Topic: Saint Luciabananas, coconuts, fruit, tropical fruit, plantains, roots/tubers, cassava, poultry, vegetables, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonvegetables; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesbananas, sugar cane, roots/tubers, plantains, vegetables, fruit, coconuts, sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Samoacoconuts, taro, bananas, yams, tropical fruit, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, roots/tubers nes, pork
Topic: San Marinowheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides
Topic: Sao Tome and Principeplantains, oil palm fruit, coconuts, taro, bananas, fruit, cocoa, yams, cassava, maize
Topic: Saudi Arabiamilk, dates, poultry, fruit, watermelons, barley, wheat, potatoes, eggs, tomatoes
Topic: Senegalgroundnuts, watermelons, rice, sugar cane, cassava, millet, maize, onions, sorghum, vegetables
Topic: Serbiamaize, wheat, sugar beet, milk, sunflower seed, potatoes, soybeans, plums/sloes, apples, barley
Topic: Seychellescoconuts, vegetables, bananas, fruit, eggs, poultry, tomatoes, pork, tropical fruit, cassava
Topic: Sierra Leonecassava, rice, vegetables, oil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, milk, citrus fruit, groundnuts, fruit, pulses nes
Topic: Singaporepoultry, eggs, vegetables, pork, duck meat, spinach, pig offals, bird eggs, pig fat, cabbages
Topic: Sint Maartensugar
Topic: Slovakiawheat, maize, sugar beet, milk, barley, rapeseed, potatoes, sunflower seed, soybeans, pork
Topic: Sloveniamilk, maize, wheat, grapes, barley, potatoes, poultry, apples, beef, pork
Topic: Solomon Islandsoil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, coconuts, taro, yams, fruit, pulses nes, vegetables, cocoa, cassava
Topic: Somaliacamel milk, milk, sheep milk, goat milk, sugar cane, fruit, sorghum, cassava, vegetables, maize
Topic: South Africasugar cane, maize, milk, potatoes, grapes, poultry, oranges, wheat, soybeans, beef
Topic: South Sudanmilk, sorghum, vegetables, cassava, goat milk, fruit, beef, sesame seed, sheep milk, mutton
Topic: Spainbarley, milk, wheat, olives, grapes, tomatoes, pork, maize, oranges, sugar beet
Topic: Sri Lankarice, coconuts, sugar cane, plantains, milk, tea, cassava, maize, poultry, coir
Topic: Sudansugar cane, sorghum, milk, groundnuts, onions, sesame seed, goat milk, millet, bananas, wheat
Topic: Surinamerice, sugar cane, bananas, oranges, vegetables, plantains, coconuts, poultry, cassava, eggs
Topic: Swedenwheat, milk, sugar beet, barley, potatoes, oats, rapeseed, pork, rye, triticale
Topic: Switzerlandmilk, sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, pork, barley, apples, maize, beef, grapes
Topic: Syriawheat, barley, milk, olives, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, sheep milk, lemons, limes
Topic: Taiwanrice, vegetables, pork, cabbages, poultry, sugar cane, milk, eggs, pineapples, tropical fruit
Topic: Tajikistanmilk, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, onions, tomatoes, vegetables, cotton, carrots/turnips, beef
Topic: Tanzaniacassava, maize, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, rice, bananas, vegetables, milk, beans, sunflower seed
Topic: Thailandsugar cane, cassava, rice, oil palm fruit, rubber, maize, tropical fruit, poultry, pineapples, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Timor-Lesterice, maize, vegetables, coffee, roots/tubers nes, other meats, cassava, pork, beans, mangoes/guavas
Topic: Togocassava, maize, yams, sorghum, beans, oil palm fruit, rice, vegetables, cotton, groundnuts
Topic: Tokelaucoconuts, roots/tubers nes, tropical fruit, pork, bananas, eggs, poultry, pig offals, pig fat, fruit
Topic: Tongacoconuts, gourds, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, roots/tubers nes, plantains, lemons/limes
Topic: Trinidad and Tobagopoultry, fruit, coconuts, citrus fruit, milk, plantains, maize, oranges, eggs, gourds
Topic: Tunisiawheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, olives, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, potatoes, dates, green onions/shallots
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)milk, wheat, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, watermelons, apples
Topic: Turkmenistanmilk, wheat, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, grapes, sugar beet, beef, rice
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandscorn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Topic: Tuvalucoconuts, vegetables, tropical fruit, bananas, roots/tubers nes, pork, poultry, eggs, pig fat, pig offals
Topic: Ugandasugar cane, plantains, cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, milk, vegetables, beans, bananas, sorghum
Topic: Ukrainemaize, wheat, potatoes, sunflower seed, sugar beet, milk, barley, soybeans, rapeseed, tomatoes
Topic: United Arab Emiratesdates, cucumbers, tomatoes, goat meat, eggs, milk, poultry, carrots/turnips, goat milk, sheep milk
Topic: United Kingdomwheat, milk, barley, sugar beet, potatoes, rapeseed, poultry, oats, pork, beef
Topic: United Statesmaize, milk, soybeans, wheat, sugar cane, sugar beet, poultry, potatoes, cotton, pork
Topic: Uruguaysoybeans, milk, rice, maize, wheat, barley, beef, sugar cane, sorghum, oranges
Topic: Uzbekistanmilk, wheat, potatoes, carrots/turnips, cotton, tomatoes, vegetables, grapes, onions, watermelons
Topic: Vanuatucoconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, pork, fruit, milk, beef, groundnuts, cocoa
Topic: Venezuelasugar cane, maize, milk, rice, plantains, bananas, pineapples, potatoes, beef, poultry
Topic: Vietnamrice, vegetables, sugar cane, cassava, maize, pork, fruit, bananas, coffee, coconuts
Topic: Virgin Islandsfruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Topic: Wallis and Futunacoconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish
Topic: West Banktomatoes, cucumbers, olives, poultry, milk, potatoes, sheep milk, eggplants, gourds
Topic: Yemenmangoes/guavas, potatoes, sorghum, onions, milk, poultry, watermelons, grapes, oranges, bananas
Topic: Zambiasugar cane, cassava, maize, milk, vegetables, soybeans, beef, tobacco, wheat, groundnuts
Topic: Zimbabwesugar cane, maize, milk, tobacco, cassava, vegetables, bananas, beef, cotton, oranges |
20220901 | countries-zimbabwe |
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20220901 | countries-iceland |
Topic: Photos of Iceland
Topic: Introduction
Background: Settled by Norwegian and Celtic (Scottish and Irish) immigrants during the late 9th and 10th centuries A.D., Iceland boasts the world's oldest functioning legislative assembly, the Althingi, established in 930. Independent for over 300 years, Iceland was subsequently ruled by Norway and Denmark. Fallout from the Askja volcano of 1875 devastated the Icelandic economy and caused widespread famine. Over the next quarter century, 20% of the island's population emigrated, mostly to Canada and the US. Denmark granted limited home rule in 1874 and complete independence in 1944. The second half of the 20th century saw substantial economic growth driven primarily by the fishing industry. The economy diversified greatly after the country joined the European Economic Area in 1994, but Iceland was especially hard hit by the global financial crisis in the years following 2008. The economy is now on an upward trajectory, fueled primarily by a tourism and construction boom. Literacy, longevity, and social cohesion are first rate by world standards.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Northern Europe, island between the Greenland Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, northwest of the United Kingdom
Geographic coordinates: 65 00 N, 18 00 W
Map references: Arctic Region
Area: total: 103,000 sq km
land: 100,250 sq km
water: 2,750 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; about the same size as Kentucky
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 4,970 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Terrain: mostly plateau interspersed with mountain peaks, icefields; coast deeply indented by bays and fiords
Elevation: highest point: Hvannadalshnukur (at Vatnajokull Glacier) 2,110 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 557 m
Natural resources: fish, hydropower, geothermal power, diatomite
Land use: agricultural land: 18.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 0.3% (2018 est.)
other: 81% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: NA
Population distribution: Iceland is almost entirely urban with half of the population located in and around the capital of Reykjavik; smaller clusters are primarily found along the coast in the north and west
Natural hazards: earthquakes and volcanic activityvolcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air traffic; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjarearthquakes and volcanic activityvolcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (1,666 m) erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor nearby Katla (1,512 m), which has a high probability of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air traffic; Grimsvoetn and Hekla are Iceland's most active volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja, Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla, Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and Vestmannaeyjar
Geography - note: strategic location between Greenland and Europe; westernmost European country; Reykjavik is the northernmost national capital in the world; more land covered by glaciers than in all of continental Europe
Map description: Iceland map showing the North Atlantic Ocean island and its major population centers.Iceland map showing the North Atlantic Ocean island and its major population centers.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 357,603 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Icelander(s)
adjective: Icelandic
Ethnic groups: Icelandic 81.3%, Polish 5.6%, Danish 1%, other 12.1% (2021 est.)
note: data represent population by country of birth
Languages: Icelandic, English, Nordic languages, German
Religions: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Iceland (official) 62.3%, Roman Catholic 4%, Independent Congregation of Reykjavik 2.7%, Independent Congregation of Hafnarfjordur 2%, pagan worship 1.4%, Icelandic Ethical Humanist Association 1.1%, other (includes Zuist and Pentecostal) or unspecified 19%, none 7.6% (2021 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.31% (male 36,394/female 34,837)
15-24 years: 12.85% (male 22,748/female 22,317)
25-54 years: 39.44% (male 70,227/female 68,095)
55-64 years: 11.94% (male 20,762/female 21,111)
65 years and over: 15.47% (2020 est.) (male 25,546/female 28,697)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54
youth dependency ratio: 29.9
elderly dependency ratio: 24.1
potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 37.1 years
male: 36.6 years
female: 37.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.93% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.96 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.56 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.89 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: Iceland is almost entirely urban with half of the population located in and around the capital of Reykjavik; smaller clusters are primarily found along the coast in the north and west
Urbanization: urban population: 94% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 216,000 REYKJAVIK (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.7 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 4 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 1.65 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 1.83 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.64 years
male: 81.41 years
female: 85.97 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.95 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 8.6% (2019)
Physicians density: 4.14 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 2.8 beds/1,000 population (2019)
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: 0.1% (2020)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020) <500
note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.9% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 12% (2020 est.)
male: 11.9% (2020 est.)
female: 12% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 7.6% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years
male: 18 years
female: 20 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10%
male: 11.1%
female: 9% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water pollution from fertilizer runoff
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 5.94 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 2.06 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.59 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; moderated by North Atlantic Current; mild, windy winters; damp, cool summers
Land use: agricultural land: 18.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 0.3% (2018 est.)
other: 81% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 94% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.74% 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: 525,000 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 293,003 tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 55.8% (2013 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 198 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 300,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 170 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iceland
conventional short form: Iceland
local long form: Lydveldid Island
local short form: Island
etymology: Floki VILGERDARSON, an early Norse explorer of the island (9th century), applied the name "Land of Ice" after spotting a fjord full of drift ice to the north and spending a bitter winter on the island; he eventually settled on the island, however, after he saw how it greened up in the summer and that it was, in fact, habitable
Government type: unitary parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Reykjavik
geographic coordinates: 64 09 N, 21 57 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name means "smoky bay" in Icelandic and refers to the steamy, smoke-like vapors discharged by hot springs in the area
Administrative divisions: 69 municipalities (sveitarfelog, singular - sveitarfelagidh); Akrahreppur, Akranes, Akureyri, Arneshreppur, Asahreppur, Blaskogabyggdh, Blonduosbaer, Bolungarvik, Borgarbyggdh, Dalabyggdh, Dalvikurbyggdh, Eyjafjardharsveit, Eyja-og Miklaholtshreppur, Fjallabyggdh, Fjardhabyggdh, Fljotsdalshreppur, Floahreppur, Gardhabaer, Grimsnes-og Grafningshreppur, Grindavikurbaer, Grundarfjardharbaer, Grytubakkahreppur, Hafnarfjordhur, Helgafellssveit, Horgarsveit, Hrunamannahreppur, Hunathing Vestra, Hunavatnshreppur, Hvalfjardharsveit, Hveragerdhi, Isafjardharbaer, Kaldrananeshreppur, Kjosarhreppur, Kopavogur, Langanesbyggdh, Mosfellsbaer, Mulathing, Myrdalshreppur, Nordhurthing, Rangarthing Eystra, Rangarthing Ytra, Reykholahreppur, Reykjanesbaer, Reykjavik, Seltjarnarnes, Skaftarhreppur, Skagabyggdh, Skeidha-og Gnupverjahreppur, Skorradalshreppur, Skutustadhahreppur, Snaefellsbaer, Strandabyggdh, Stykkisholmur, Sudhavikurhreppur, Sudhurnesjabaer, Svalbardhshreppur, Svalbardhsstrandarhreppur, Sveitarfelagidh Arborg, Sveitarfelagidh Hornafjordhur, Sveitarfelagidh Olfus, Sveitarfelagidh Skagafjordhur, Sveitarfelagidh Skagastrond, Sveitarfelagidh Vogar, Talknafjardharhreppur, Thingeyjarsveit, Tjorneshreppur, Vestmannaeyjar, Vesturbyggdh, Vopnafjardharhreppur
Independence: 1 December 1918 (became a sovereign state under the Danish Crown); 17 June 1944 (from Denmark; birthday of Jon SIGURDSSON, leader of Iceland's 19th Century independence movement)
National holiday: Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest ratified 16 June 1944, effective 17 June 1944 (at independence)
amendments: proposed by the Althingi; passage requires approval by the Althingi and by the next elected Althingi, and confirmation by the president of the republic; proposed amendments to Article 62 of the constitution – that the Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the state church of Iceland – also require passage by referendum; amended many times, last in 2013
Legal system: civil law system influenced by the Danish model
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 Iceland
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 to 7 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON (since 1 August 2016)
head of government: Prime Minister Katrin JAKOBSDOTTIR (since 30 November 2017)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (no term limits); election last held on 27 June 2020 (next to be held in 2024); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition becomes prime minister
election results: Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON reelected president; percent of vote - Gudni Thorlacius JOHANNESSON (independent) 92.2%, Gudmundur Franklin JONSSON (independent) 7.8%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Althingi or Parliament (63 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 September 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - IP 25.4%, PP 20.6%, LGM 12.7%, SDA 9.5%, People's Party 9.5%, Pirate Party 9.5%, Reform Party 7.9%. CP 4.8%; seats by party - IP 16, PP 13, LGM 8, SDA 6, People's Party 6, Pirate Party 6, Reform Party 5, CP 3; composition - men 33, women 30; percent of women 47.6%percent of vote by party - IP 25.4%, PP 20.6%, LGM 12.7%, SDA 9.5%, People's Party 9.5%, Pirate Party 9.5%, Reform Party 7.9%. CP 4.8%; seats by party - IP 16, PP 13, LGM 8, SDA 6, People's Party 6, Pirate Party 6, Reform Party 5, CP 3; composition - men 33, women 30; percent of women 47.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Haestirettur (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges proposed by Ministry of Interior selection committee and appointed by the president; judges appointed for an indefinite period
subordinate courts: Appellate Court or Landsrettur; 8 district courts; Labor Court
Political parties and leaders: Centrist Party (Midflokkurinn) or CP [Sigmundur David GUNNLAUGSSON]
Independence Party (Sjalfstaedisflokkurinn) or IP [Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON]
Left-Green Movement (Vinstrihreyfingin-graent frambod) or LGM [Katrin JAKOBSDOTTIR]
People's Party (Flokkur Folksins) [Inga SAELAND]
Pirate Party (Piratar) [Halldora MOGENSEN]
Progressive Party (Framsoknarflokkurinn) or PP [Sigurdur Ingi JOHANNSSON]
Reform Party (Vidreisn) [Thorgerdur Katrin GUNNARSDOTTIR]
Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) or SDA [Logi Mar EINARSSON]Centrist Party (Midflokkurinn) or CP [Sigmundur David GUNNLAUGSSON]
Independence Party (Sjalfstaedisflokkurinn) or IP [Bjarni BENEDIKTSSON]
Left-Green Movement (Vinstrihreyfingin-graent frambod) or LGM [Katrin JAKOBSDOTTIR]
People's Party (Flokkur Folksins) [Inga SAELAND]
Pirate Party (Piratar) [Halldora MOGENSEN]
Progressive Party (Framsoknarflokkurinn) or PP [Sigurdur Ingi JOHANNSSON]
Reform Party (Vidreisn) [Thorgerdur Katrin GUNNARSDOTTIR]
Social Democratic Alliance (Samfylkingin) or SDA [Logi Mar EINARSSON]
International organization participation: Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bergdis ELLERTSDOTTIR (since 16 September 2019)
chancery: House of Sweden, 2900 K Street NW, #509, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 265-6653
FAX: [1] (202) 265-6656
email address and website:
washington@mfa.is
https://www.government.is/diplomatic-missions/embassy-of-iceland-in-washington-d.c/
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Michelle YERKIN (since June 2021)
embassy: Engjateigur 7, 105 Reykjavik
mailing address: 5640 Reykjavik Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-5640
telephone: [354] 595-2200
FAX: [354] 562-9118
email address and website:
ReykjavikConsular@state.gov
https://is.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: blue with a red cross outlined in white extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the colors represent three of the elements that make up the island: red is for the island's volcanic fires, white recalls the snow and ice fields of the island, and blue is for the surrounding ocean
National symbol(s): gyrfalcon; national colors: blue, white, red
National anthem: name: "Lofsongur" (Song of Praise)
lyrics/music: Matthias JOCHUMSSON/Sveinbjorn SVEINBJORNSSON
note: adopted 1944; also known as "O, Gud vors lands" (O, God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Thingvellir National Park (c); Surtsey (n); Vatnajökull National Park - Dynamic Nature of Fire and Ice (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Iceland's economy combines a capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive welfare system. Except for a brief period during the 2008 crisis, Iceland has in recent years achieved high growth, low unemployment, and a remarkably even distribution of income. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, particularly within the fields of tourism, software production, and biotechnology. Abundant geothermal and hydropower sources have attracted substantial foreign investment in the aluminum sector, boosted economic growth, and sparked some interest from high-tech firms looking to establish data centers using cheap green energy. Tourism, aluminum smelting, and fishing are the pillars of the economy. For decades the Icelandic economy depended heavily on fisheries, but tourism has now surpassed fishing and aluminum as Iceland’s main export industry. Tourism accounted for 8.6% of Iceland’s GDP in 2016, and 39% of total exports of merchandise and services. From 2010 to 2017, the number of tourists visiting Iceland increased by nearly 400%. Since 2010, tourism has become a main driver of Icelandic economic growth, with the number of tourists reaching 4.5 times the Icelandic population in 2016. Iceland remains sensitive to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports, and to fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Icelandic Krona. Following the privatization of the banking sector in the early 2000s, domestic banks expanded aggressively in foreign markets, and consumers and businesses borrowed heavily in foreign currencies. Worsening global financial conditions throughout 2008 resulted in a sharp depreciation of the krona vis-a-vis other major currencies. The foreign exposure of Icelandic banks, whose loans and other assets totaled nearly nine times the country's GDP, became unsustainable. Iceland's three largest banks collapsed in late 2008. GDP fell 6.8% in 2009, and unemployment peaked at 9.4% in February 2009. Three new banks were established to take over the domestic assets of the collapsed banks. Two of them have majority ownership by the state, which intends to re-privatize them. Since the collapse of Iceland's financial sector, government economic priorities have included stabilizing the krona, implementing capital controls, reducing Iceland's high budget deficit, containing inflation, addressing high household debt, restructuring the financial sector, and diversifying the economy. Capital controls were lifted in March 2017, but some financial protections, such as reserve requirements for specified investments connected to new inflows of foreign currency, remain in place.Iceland's economy combines a capitalist structure and free-market principles with an extensive welfare system. Except for a brief period during the 2008 crisis, Iceland has in recent years achieved high growth, low unemployment, and a remarkably even distribution of income. Iceland's economy has been diversifying into manufacturing and service industries in the last decade, particularly within the fields of tourism, software production, and biotechnology. Abundant geothermal and hydropower sources have attracted substantial foreign investment in the aluminum sector, boosted economic growth, and sparked some interest from high-tech firms looking to establish data centers using cheap green energy. Tourism, aluminum smelting, and fishing are the pillars of the economy. For decades the Icelandic economy depended heavily on fisheries, but tourism has now surpassed fishing and aluminum as Iceland’s main export industry. Tourism accounted for 8.6% of Iceland’s GDP in 2016, and 39% of total exports of merchandise and services. From 2010 to 2017, the number of tourists visiting Iceland increased by nearly 400%. Since 2010, tourism has become a main driver of Icelandic economic growth, with the number of tourists reaching 4.5 times the Icelandic population in 2016. Iceland remains sensitive to fluctuations in world prices for its main exports, and to fluctuations in the exchange rate of the Icelandic Krona. Following the privatization of the banking sector in the early 2000s, domestic banks expanded aggressively in foreign markets, and consumers and businesses borrowed heavily in foreign currencies. Worsening global financial conditions throughout 2008 resulted in a sharp depreciation of the krona vis-a-vis other major currencies. The foreign exposure of Icelandic banks, whose loans and other assets totaled nearly nine times the country's GDP, became unsustainable. Iceland's three largest banks collapsed in late 2008. GDP fell 6.8% in 2009, and unemployment peaked at 9.4% in February 2009. Three new banks were established to take over the domestic assets of the collapsed banks. Two of them have majority ownership by the state, which intends to re-privatize them. Since the collapse of Iceland's financial sector, government economic priorities have included stabilizing the krona, implementing capital controls, reducing Iceland's high budget deficit, containing inflation, addressing high household debt, restructuring the financial sector, and diversifying the economy. Capital controls were lifted in March 2017, but some financial protections, such as reserve requirements for specified investments connected to new inflows of foreign currency, remain in place.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $19.16 billion (2020 est.)
$20.52 billion (2019 est.)
$20.01 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.94% (2019 est.)
3.88% (2018 est.)
4.57% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $52,300 (2020 est.)
$56,900 (2019 est.)
$56,700 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $24.614 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3% (2019 est.)
2.6% (2018 est.)
1.7% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A (2017)
Moody's rating: A2 (2019)
Standard & Poors rating: A (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 19.7% (2017 est.)
services: 74.6% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50.4% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 23.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 47% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -42.8% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, mutton, poultry, potatoes, barley, pork, eggs, beef, other meat, sheep skins
Industries: tourism, fish processing; aluminum smelting; geothermal power, hydropower; medical/pharmaceutical products
Industrial production growth rate: 2.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 200,000 (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 22.2%
services: 73% (2008)
Unemployment rate: 3.62% (2019 est.)
2.73% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10%
male: 11.1%
female: 9% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 8.8% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 26.8 (2015 est.)
25 (2005)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 10.39 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 10.02 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 40% of GDP (2017 est.)
51.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 42.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $1.496 billion (2019 est.)
$814 million (2018 est.)
Exports: $7.43 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$11.01 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$12.26 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Netherlands 23%, United Kingdom 9%, Germany 9%, Spain 8%, United States 7%, France 7%, Canada 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: aluminum and aluminum products, fish products, aircraft, iron alloys, animal meal (2019)
Imports: $7.55 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$9.76 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$11.34 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Norway 11%, Netherlands 10%, Germany 8%, Denmark 8%, United States 7%, United Kingdom 6%, China 6%, Sweden 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, aluminum oxide, carbon/graphite electronics, cars, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.567 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.226 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $19.422 billion (2019 est.)
$22.055 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Icelandic kronur (ISK) per US dollar -
127.05 (2020 est.)
121.68 (2019 est.)
121.86 (2018 est.)
131.92 (2014 est.)
116.77 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.967 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 17,912,066,000 kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 519 million kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 67.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 32.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 142,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 136,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 2,530 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 20,220 bbl/day (2017 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: 3.337 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 459,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 2.879 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 107,032 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 421,384 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Iceland has one of the smallest yet most progressive telecom markets in Europe; the country in 2020 became the top in Europe for fiber subscriptions; it aims to provide a fixed broadband service of at least 100Mb/s to 99.9% of the population by the end of 2021, an ambitious target by international standards and one which it is likely to achieve given the progress which operators have made in extending the reach of fiber networks; there is effective competition in the mobile and broadband markets, with a number of players having emerged to challenge the dominance of the two leading operators Síminn and Sýn, which have interests across the telecom sectors; Sýn was formerly Vodafone Iceland before being rebranded to reflect the company’s move into broadband and broadcasting following its December 2017 acquisition of most of the telecoms and media interests of 365 Media; Nova has become the leading player in the mobile market and has quickly expanded its presence in the fixed-line segment, particularly in fiber; the telecom market has shown some resilience in recent years following the significant economic downturn a decade ago, supported by continuing investment in mobile and fixed-line broadband infrastructure by operators and well as by the government’s Telecommunications Fund which is supporting Next Generation Access networks, particularly in rural areas; Síminn contracts Ericsson to build its 5G RAN, aiming for national 5G coverage by end-2022 (2021)
domestic: liberalization of the telecommunications sector beginning in the late 1990s has led to increased competition especially in the mobile services segment of the market; roughly 31 per 100 for fixed line and nearing 124 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020)
international: country code - 354; landing points for the CANTAT-3, FARICE-1, Greenland Connect and DANICE submarine cable system that provides connectivity to Canada, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, UK, Denmark, and Germany; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Iceland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-owned public TV broadcaster (RUV) operates 21 TV channels nationally (RUV and RUV 2, though RUV 2 is used less frequently); RUV broadcasts nationally, every household in Iceland is required to have RUV as it doubles as the emergency broadcast network; RUV also operates stringer offices in the north (Akureyri) and the east (Egilsstadir) but operations are all run out of RUV headquarters in Reykjavik; there are 3 privately owned TV stations; Stod 2 (Channel 2) is owned by Syn, following 365 Media and Vodafone merger, and is headquartered in Reykjavik; Syn also operates 4 sports channels under Stod 2; N4 is the only television station headquartered outside of Reykjavik, in Akureyri, with local programming for the north, south, and east of Iceland; Hringbraut is the newest station and is headquartered in Reykjavik; all of these television stations have nationwide penetration as 100% of households have multi-channel services though digital and/or fiber-optic connections RUV operates 3 radio stations (RAS 1, RAS2, and Rondo) as well as 4 regional stations (but they mostly act as range extenders for RUV radio broadcasts nationwide); there is 1 privately owned radio conglomerate, Syn (4 stations), that broadcasts nationwide, and 3 other radio stations that broadcast to the most densely populated regions of the country. In addition there are upwards of 20 radio stations that operate regionally (2019)RUV operates 3 radio stations (RAS 1, RAS2, and Rondo) as well as 4 regional stations (but they mostly act as range extenders for RUV radio broadcasts nationwide); there is 1 privately owned radio conglomerate, Syn (4 stations), that broadcasts nationwide, and 3 other radio stations that broadcast to the most densely populated regions of the country. In addition there are upwards of 20 radio stations that operate regionally
Internet country code: .is
Internet users: total: 362,798 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 99% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 141,816 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 63
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 7,819,740 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 163.65 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TF
Airports: total: 96 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 3 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 89
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 26
under 914 m: 60 (2021)
Roadways: total: 12,898 km (2012)
paved/oiled gravel: 5,647 km (2012) (excludes urban roads)
unpaved: 7,251 km (2012)
Merchant marine: total: 41
by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 34 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Grundartangi, Hafnarfjordur, Reykjavik
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Ministry of Interior: Icelandic Coast Guard (includes both air and maritime elements); Icelandic National Police (2022)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Icelandic Coast Guard has approximately 250 personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Icelandic Coast Guard's inventory consists of equipment from mostly European suppliers (2022)
Military - note: Iceland was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949; Iceland is the only NATO member that has no standing military force; defense of Iceland remains a NATO commitment and NATO maintains an air policing presence in Icelandic airspace; Iceland participates in international peacekeeping missions with the civilian-manned Icelandic Crisis Response Unit (ICRU)
Iceland cooperates with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; areas of cooperation include armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations; NORDEFCO was established in 2009 Iceland cooperates with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; areas of cooperation include armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations; NORDEFCO was established in 2009
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Iceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; the European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority filed a suit against Iceland, claiming the country violated the Agreement on the European Economic Area in failing to pay minimum compensation to Icesave depositorsIceland, the UK, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; the European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority filed a suit against Iceland, claiming the country violated the Agreement on the European Economic Area in failing to pay minimum compensation to Icesave depositors
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 73 (mid-year 2021) |
20220901 | field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold | This entry gives the dollar value for the stock of all financial assets that are available to the central monetary authority for use in meeting a country's balance of payments needs as of the end-date of the period specified. This category includes not only foreign currency and gold, but also a country's holdings of Special Drawing Rights in the International Monetary Fund, and its reserve position in the Fund.
Topic: Afghanistan$7.187 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.901 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Albania$3.59 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.109 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Algeria$97.89 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$114.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Angola$17.29 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$23.74 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Anguilla$76.38 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$48.14 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Argentina$55.33 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$38.43 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Armenia$2.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.204 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Aruba$921.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$828 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Australia$66.58 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$55.07 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Austria$21.57 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$23.36 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Azerbaijan$6.681 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.142 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Bahamas, The$1.522 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.002 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Bahrain$2.349 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.094 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Bangladesh$33.42 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$32.28 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Barbados$264.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$341.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Belarus$7.315 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.927 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Belgium$26.16 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$24.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Belize$312.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$376.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Benin$698.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$57.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Bhutan$1.206 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.127 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Bolivia$10.26 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$10.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina$6.474 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$5.137 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Botswana$7.491 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.189 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Brazil$374 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$367.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Brunei$3.488 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.366 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Bulgaria$28.38 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$25.13 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Burkina Faso$49 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$50.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Burma$4.924 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.63 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Burundi$97.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$95.17 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Cabo Verde$617.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$572.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Cambodia$12.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$9.122 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Cameroon$3.235 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Canada$86.68 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$82.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Central African Republic$304.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$252.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Chad$22.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$20.92 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Chile$38.98 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$40.49 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: China$3.236 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.098 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Colombia$47.13 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$46.18 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Comoros$208 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$159.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the$457.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$708.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of the$505.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$727.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Costa Rica$7.15 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.574 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire$6.257 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.935 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Croatia$18.82 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$14.24 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Cuba$11.35 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$12.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Curacao$0 (31 December 2017 est.)
Topic: Cyprus$888.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$817.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Czechia$148 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$85.73 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Denmark$75.25 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$64.25 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Djibouti$547.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$398.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Dominica$212.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$221.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Dominican Republic$6.873 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.134 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Ecuador$2.395 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.259 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Egypt$35.89 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$23.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: El Salvador$3.567 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.238 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Equatorial Guinea$45.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$62.31 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Eritrea$236.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$218.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Estonia$345 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$352.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Eswatini$563.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$564.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Ethiopia$3.013 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.022 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: European Union$740.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$746.9 billion (31 December 2013)
note: data are for the European Central Bank
Topic: Fiji$1.116 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$908.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Finland$10.51 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$11.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: France$156.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$138.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Gabon$981.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$804.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Gambia, The$170 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$87.64 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Gaza Strip$446.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$583 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Georgia$3.039 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.756 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Germany$200.1 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$173.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Ghana$7.555 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.162 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Greece$7.807 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.026 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Grenada$199.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$198 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Guatemala$11.77 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$9.156 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Guinea$331.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$383.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Guinea-Bissau$356.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$349.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Guyana$565.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$581 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Haiti$2.361 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Honduras$4.708 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.814 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Hong Kong$431.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$386.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Hungary$28 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$25.82 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Iceland$6.567 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.226 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: India$409.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$359.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Indonesia$130.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
Topic: Iran$120.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$133.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Iraq$48.88 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$45.36 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Ireland$4.412 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.203 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Israel$173.292 billion (2020 est.)
$113 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$95.45 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Italy$151.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$130.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Jamaica$3.781 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.719 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Japan$1.264 trillion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.233 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Jordan$15.56 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$15.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Kazakhstan$30.75 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$29.53 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Kenya$7.354 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.256 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Kiribati$0 (31 December 2017 est.)
$8.37 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Topic: Korea, South$389.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$371.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Kosovo$683.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$708.7 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Kuwait$33.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$31.13 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Kyrgyzstan$2.177 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.97 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Laos$1.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$940.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Latvia$4.614 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.514 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Lebanon$55.42 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$54.04 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Lesotho$657.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$925.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Liberia$459.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$528.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Libya$74.71 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$66.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Lithuania$4.45 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.697 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Luxembourg$878 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$974 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Macau$20.17 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$18.89 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
note: the Fiscal Reserves Act that came into force on 1 January 2012 requires the fiscal reserves to be separated from the foreign exchange reserves and to be managed separately; the transfer of assets took place in February 2012
Topic: Madagascar$1.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.076 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Malawi$780.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$585.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Malaysia$102.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$94.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Maldives$477.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$575.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Mali$647.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$395.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Malta$833 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Mauritania$875 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$849.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Mauritius$5.984 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.967 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Mexico$175.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$178.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
note: Mexico also maintains access to an $88 million Flexible Credit Line with the IMF
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of$203.7 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$135.1 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Moldova$2.803 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.206 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Mongolia$3.016 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.296 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Montenegro$1.077 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$846.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Montserrat$47.58 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$51.47 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Morocco$26.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$25.37 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Mozambique$3.361 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.081 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Namibia$2.432 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.834 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Nepal$9.091 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$8.506 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Netherlands$38.44 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$38.21 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: New Zealand$20.68 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$17.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Nicaragua$2.758 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.448 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Niger$1.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.186 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Nigeria$38.77 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$25.84 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: North Macedonia$2.802 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.755 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Norway$65.92 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$57.46 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Oman$16.09 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$20.26 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Pakistan$18.46 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$22.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Palau$0 (31 December 2017 est.)
$580.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Panama$2.703 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.878 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Papua New Guinea$1.735 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.656 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Paraguay$7.877 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.881 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Peru$63.83 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$61.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Philippines$81.57 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$80.69 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Poland$113.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$114.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Portugal$26.11 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$19.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Qatar$15.01 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$31.89 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Romania$44.43 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$40 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Russia$432.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$377.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Rwanda$997.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.104 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis$365.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$320.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Saint Lucia$321.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$320.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines$182.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$192.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Samoa$133 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$122.5 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: San Marino$392 million (2014 est.)
$539.3 million (2013 est.)
Topic: Sao Tome and Principe$58.95 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$61.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Saudi Arabia$496.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$535.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Senegal$1.827 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$116.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Serbia$11.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$10.76 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Seychelles$545.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$523.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Sierra Leone$478 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$497.2 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Singapore$279.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$271.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Slovakia$3.622 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.892 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Slovenia$889.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$853 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Solomon Islands$0 (31 December 2017 est.)
$421 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Somalia$30.45 million (2014 est.)
Topic: South Africa$50.72 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$47.23 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: South Sudan$73 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Spain$69.41 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$63.14 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Sri Lanka$7.959 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.019 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Sudan$198 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$168.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Suriname$424.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$381.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Sweden$62.22 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$59.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Switzerland$811.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$679.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Syria$407.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$504.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Taiwan$456.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$439 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Tajikistan$1.292 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$652.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Tanzania$5.301 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$4.067 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
note: excludes gold
Topic: Thailand$202.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$171.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Timor-Leste$544.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$437.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)
note: excludes assets of approximately $9.7 billion in the Petroleum Fund (31 December 2010)
Topic: Togo$77.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$42.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Tonga$198.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$176.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Trinidad and Tobago$8.892 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$9.995 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Tunisia$5.594 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$5.941 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Turkey$107.7 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$106.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Turkmenistan$24.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$25.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Uganda$3.654 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.034 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
note: excludes gold
Topic: Ukraine$18.81 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$15.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emirates$95.37 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$85.39 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: United Kingdom$150.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$129.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: United States$123.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$117.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Uruguay$15.96 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$13.47 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Uzbekistan$16 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$14 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Vanuatu$395.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$267.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Venezuela$9.661 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Vietnam$49.5 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$36.91 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: West Bank$0 (31 December 2017 est.)
$583 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Topic: Yemen$245.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$592.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Zambia$2.082 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.353 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Topic: Zimbabwe$431.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$407.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) |
20220901 | countries-central-african-republic |
Topic: Photos of Central African Republic
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of Sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in August 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power. CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. BOKASSA’s regime was characterized by widespread corruption and an intolerance of opposition, which manifested in the disappearances of many who challenged BOKASSA’s rule. In an effort to prolong his mandate, he named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in early 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA, rumored to have participated in the killing of some young students after the protests, fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic. CAR’s fifth coup in March 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after a mainly Muslim rebel coalition named the Seleka seized the capital and forced BOZIZE, who himself had taken power in a coup in 2003, to flee the country. Widespread abuses by the Seleka spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of the self-defense groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious-based, although focused on identity as opposed to religious ideology. Elections organized by a transitional government in early 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in December 2020. A peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory.The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of Sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in August 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power.CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. BOKASSA’s regime was characterized by widespread corruption and an intolerance of opposition, which manifested in the disappearances of many who challenged BOKASSA’s rule. In an effort to prolong his mandate, he named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in early 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA, rumored to have participated in the killing of some young students after the protests, fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic.CAR’s fifth coup in March 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after a mainly Muslim rebel coalition named the Seleka seized the capital and forced BOZIZE, who himself had taken power in a coup in 2003, to flee the country. Widespread abuses by the Seleka spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of the self-defense groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious-based, although focused on identity as opposed to religious ideology. Elections organized by a transitional government in early 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in December 2020. A peace agreement signed in February 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 21 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 622,984 sq km
land: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas; about four times the size of Georgia
Land boundaries: total: 5,920 km
border countries (5): Cameroon 901 km; Chad 1556 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km; South Sudan 1055 km; Sudan 174 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Elevation: highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,410 m
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
mean elevation: 635 m
Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 8.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 5.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.2% (2018 est.)
other: 55.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Ubangi river source (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major aquifers: Congo Basin, Lake Chad Basin
Population distribution: majority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Geography - note: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Map description: Central African Republic map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Central African Republic map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,454,533 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Ethnic groups: Baya 28.8%, Banda 22.9%, Mandjia 9.9%, Sara 7.9%, M'Baka-Bantu 7.9%, Arab-Fulani (Peul) 6%, Mbum 6%, Ngbanki 5.5%, Zande-Nzakara 3%, other Central African Republic ethnic groups 2%, non-Central African Republic ethnic groups .1% (2003 est.)
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Religions: Christian 89%, Muslim 9%, folk religion 1%, unaffiliated 1% (2020 est.)
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Demographic profile: The Central African Republic’s (CAR) humanitarian crisis has worsened since a coup in March 2013. CAR’s high mortality rate and low life expectancy are attributed to elevated rates of preventable and treatable diseases (including malaria and malnutrition), an inadequate health care system, precarious food security, and armed conflict. Some of the worst mortality rates are in western CAR’s diamond mining region, which is impoverished because of government attempts to control the diamond trade and the fall in industrial diamond prices. To make matters worse, the government and international donors have reduced health funding in recent years. The CAR’s weak educational system and low literacy rate have also suffered as a result of the country’s ongoing conflict. Schools are closed, qualified teachers are scarce, infrastructure, funding, and supplies are lacking and subject to looting, and many students and teachers are displaced by violence. Rampant poverty, human rights violations, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and a lack of security and stability have led to forced displacement internally and externally. Since the political crisis that resulted in CAR’s March 2013 coup began in December 2012, approximately 600,000 people have fled to Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and other neighboring countries, while another estimated 600,000 are displaced internally as of October 2019. The UN has urged countries to refrain from repatriating CAR refugees amid the heightened lawlessness. (2019)The Central African Republic’s (CAR) humanitarian crisis has worsened since a coup in March 2013. CAR’s high mortality rate and low life expectancy are attributed to elevated rates of preventable and treatable diseases (including malaria and malnutrition), an inadequate health care system, precarious food security, and armed conflict. Some of the worst mortality rates are in western CAR’s diamond mining region, which is impoverished because of government attempts to control the diamond trade and the fall in industrial diamond prices. To make matters worse, the government and international donors have reduced health funding in recent years. The CAR’s weak educational system and low literacy rate have also suffered as a result of the country’s ongoing conflict. Schools are closed, qualified teachers are scarce, infrastructure, funding, and supplies are lacking and subject to looting, and many students and teachers are displaced by violence.Rampant poverty, human rights violations, unemployment, poor infrastructure, and a lack of security and stability have led to forced displacement internally and externally. Since the political crisis that resulted in CAR’s March 2013 coup began in December 2012, approximately 600,000 people have fled to Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and other neighboring countries, while another estimated 600,000 are displaced internally as of October 2019. The UN has urged countries to refrain from repatriating CAR refugees amid the heightened lawlessness.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 39.49% (male 1,188,682/female 1,176,958)
15-24 years: 19.89% (male 598,567/female 593,075)
25-54 years: 32.95% (male 988,077/female 986,019)
55-64 years: 4.32% (male 123,895/female 134,829)
65 years and over: 3.35% (2020 est.) (male 78,017/female 122,736)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 86.4
youth dependency ratio: 81.1
elderly dependency ratio: 5.2
potential support ratio: 19.2 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 20 years
male: 19.7 years
female: 20.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.78% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 32.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 11.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: majority of residents live in the western and central areas of the country, especially in and around the capital of Bangui as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 43.1% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 3.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 933,000 BANGUI (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 829 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 82.97 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 89.03 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 76.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 55.52 years
male: 54.19 years
female: 56.88 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.04 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 17.8% (2019)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 83.9% of population
rural: 47.5% of population
total: 62.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 16.1% of population
rural: 52.5% of population
total: 37.1% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 7.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 1 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 53.8% of population
rural: 12.4% of population
total: 29.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 46.2% of population
rural: 87.6% of population
total: 70.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.9% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 88,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,200 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Central African Republic is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 7.5% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 20.5% (2019)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 25.8%
women married by age 18: 61%
men married by age 18: 17.1% (2019 est.)
Education expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 37.4%
male: 49.5%
female: 25.8% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 7 years
male: 8 years
female: 6 years (2012)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water pollution; tap water is not potable; poaching and mismanagement have diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation; soil erosion
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 49.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.3 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 22.44 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Land use: agricultural land: 8.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 5.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.2% (2018 est.)
other: 55.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 43.1% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 3.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 8.99% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Central African Republic is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Food insecurity: exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to internal conflict - persisting conflicts and displacements are expected to continue affecting agricultural activities and limit farmers’ access to crop growing areas and inputs, with a negative impact on 2022 crop production; in most prefectures, civil insecurity in 2021 continued to cause population displacements and widespread disruption of agricultural and marketing activities with negative consequences on food availability and access; the socio‑economic effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic, coupled with the high level of prices of some food staples, reduced substantially the households’ purchasing power (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,105,983 tons (2014 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Ubangi river source (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major aquifers: Congo Basin, Lake Chad Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 60.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 12 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 400,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 141 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
etymology: self-descriptive name specifying the country's location on the continent; "Africa" is derived from the Roman designation of the area corresponding to present-day Tunisia "Africa terra," which meant "Land of the Afri" (the tribe resident in that area), but which eventually came to mean the entire continent
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Bangui
geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: established as a French settlement in 1889 and named after its location on the northern bank of the Ubangi River; the Ubangi itself was named from the native word for the "rapids" located beside the outpost, which marked the end of navigable water north from from Brazzaville
Administrative divisions: 14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest (interim constitution) approved by the Transitional Council 30 August 2015, adopted by referendum 13-14 December 2015, ratified 27 March 2016
amendments: proposals require support of the government, two thirds of the National Council of Transition, and assent by the "Mediator of the Central African" crisis; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the National Council membership; non-amendable constitutional provisions include those on the secular and republican form of government, fundamental rights and freedoms, amendment procedures, or changes to the authorities of various high-level executive, parliamentary, and judicial officials
Legal system: civil law system based on the French model
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 35 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016)
head of government: Prime Minister Felix MOLOUA (since 7 February 2022); note - Prime Minister Henri-Marie DONDRA resigned on 2 February 2022
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: under the 2015 constitution, the president is elected by universal direct suffrage for a period of 5 years (eligible for a second term); election last held 27 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2025); note - Central African Republic held presidential and partial legislative elections on December 27, 2020; voting was disrupted in some areas, so those constituencies held the first round of their legislative elections on March 14, 2021 while some of the constituencies that did vote on December 27, 2020 held runoff elections for their legislators.
election results: 2020/2021: Faustin-Archange TOUADERA reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (independent) 53.9%, Anicet Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 21%, other 25.08%
2015: Faustin-Archange TOUADERA elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE (URCA) 23.7%, Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (independent) 19.1%, Desire KOLINGBA (RDC) 12.%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 11.4%, other 33.8%; percent of vote in second round - Faustin-Archange TOUADERA 62.7%, Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE 37.3%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (140 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: first round last held on 27 December 2020; note - on election day, voting in many electoral areas was disrupted by armed groups; on 13 February 2021, President TOUADERA announced that a new first round of elections will be held on 27 February for those areas controlled by armed groups and and second round on 14 March
election results: December 2015 election: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - UNDP 16, URCA 11, RDC 8, MLPC 10, KNK 7, other 28, independent 60; composition as of March 2022 - men 122, women 18, percent of women 12.9%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, at least 3 of whom are women)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court judge appointments - 2 by the president, 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly, 2 elected by their peers, 2 are advocates elected by their peers, and 2 are law professors elected by their peers; judges serve 7-year non-renewable terms
subordinate courts: high courts; magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders: Action Party for Development or PAD [El Hadj Laurent NGON-BABA]
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Clement BELIBANGA]
Central African Democratic Rally or RDC
Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [Louis PAPENIAH]
Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Martin ZIGUELE]
National Convergence (also known as Kwa Na Kwa) or KNK [Francois BOZIZE]
National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Michel AMINE]
New Alliance for Progress or NAP [Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH]
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch Derant LAKOUE]
Union for Central African Renewal or URCA [Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country) (suspended), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Martial NDOUBOU (since 17 September 2018)
chancery: 2704 Ontario Road NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
email address and website:
pc@usrcaembassy.org
https://www.usrcaembassy.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia A. MAHONEY (since 8 April 2022)
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: 2060 Bangui Place, Washington DC 20521-2060
telephone: [236] 2161-0200
FAX: [236] 2161-4494
email address and website: https://cf.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future
National symbol(s): elephant; national colors: blue, white, green, yellow, red
National anthem: name: "La Renaissance" (The Renaissance)
lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER
note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park; Sangha Trinational Forest
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry and mining, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with about 60% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of estimated GDP, although statistics are unreliable in the conflict-prone country. Timber and diamonds account for most export earnings, followed by cotton. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked geography, poor transportation system, largely unskilled work force, and legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is highly unequal and grants from the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. CAR shares a common currency with the Central African Monetary Union. The currency is pegged to the Euro. Since 2009, the IMF has worked closely with the government to institute reforms that have resulted in some improvement in budget transparency, but other problems remain. The government's additional spending in the run-up to the 2011 election worsened CAR's fiscal situation. In 2012, the World Bank approved $125 million in funding for transport infrastructure and regional trade, focused on the route between CAR's capital and the port of Douala in Cameroon. In July 2016, the IMF approved a three-year extended credit facility valued at $116 million; in mid-2017, the IMF completed a review of CAR’s fiscal performance and broadly approved of the government’s management, although issues with revenue collection, weak government capacity, and transparency remain. The World Bank in late 2016 approved a $20 million grant to restore basic fiscal management, improve transparency, and assist with economic recovery. Participation in the Kimberley Process, a commitment to remove conflict diamonds from the global supply chain, led to a partially lifted the ban on diamond exports from CAR in 2015, but persistent insecurity is likely to constrain real GDP growth.Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry and mining, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with about 60% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of estimated GDP, although statistics are unreliable in the conflict-prone country. Timber and diamonds account for most export earnings, followed by cotton. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked geography, poor transportation system, largely unskilled work force, and legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is highly unequal and grants from the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. CAR shares a common currency with the Central African Monetary Union. The currency is pegged to the Euro. Since 2009, the IMF has worked closely with the government to institute reforms that have resulted in some improvement in budget transparency, but other problems remain. The government's additional spending in the run-up to the 2011 election worsened CAR's fiscal situation. In 2012, the World Bank approved $125 million in funding for transport infrastructure and regional trade, focused on the route between CAR's capital and the port of Douala in Cameroon. In July 2016, the IMF approved a three-year extended credit facility valued at $116 million; in mid-2017, the IMF completed a review of CAR’s fiscal performance and broadly approved of the government’s management, although issues with revenue collection, weak government capacity, and transparency remain. The World Bank in late 2016 approved a $20 million grant to restore basic fiscal management, improve transparency, and assist with economic recovery. Participation in the Kimberley Process, a commitment to remove conflict diamonds from the global supply chain, led to a partially lifted the ban on diamond exports from CAR in 2015, but persistent insecurity is likely to constrain real GDP growth.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.483 billion (2019 est.)
$4.354 billion (2018 est.)
$4.195 billion (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.3% (2017 est.)
4.5% (2016 est.)
4.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $900 (2020 est.)
$900 (2019 est.)
$900 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.937 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2019 est.)
1.6% (2018 est.)
4.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 43.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 16% (2017 est.)
services: 40.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 95.3% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 8.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 13.7% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 12% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -29.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: cassava, yams, groundnuts, taro, bananas, sugar cane, beef, maize, plantains, milk
Industries: gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, sugar refining
Industrial production growth rate: 3.9% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.242 million (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line: 62% (2008 est.) NA
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43.6 (2003 est.)
61.3 (1993)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 33% (2003)
Budget: revenues: 282.9 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 300.1 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 52.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
56% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 14.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$163 million (2017 est.)
-$97 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $113.7 million (2017 est.)
$101.5 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: China 41%, United Arab Emirates 19%, France 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: lumber, gold, diamonds, sea vessels, cocoa paste (2019)
Imports: $393.1 million (2017 est.)
$342.2 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: India 18%, France 12%, United States 11%, China 9%, Netherlands 7%, Belgium 7%, Malta 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, packaged medicines, natural gas, broadcasting equipment, second-hand clothing (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $304.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$252.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $779.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$691.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
605.3 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 3% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 7% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 0.4% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 38,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 140.44 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 10.5 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 99.3% 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: 3 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 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 (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 2,799 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: 285,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 285,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 1.121 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1.831 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and at low-capacity; ongoing conflict has obstructed telecommunication and media development, although there are ISP (Internet service providers) and mobile phone carriers, radio is the most-popular communications medium (2018)
domestic: very limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; with the presence of multiple providers mobile-cellular service has reached nearly 34 per 100 mobile-cellular subscribers; cellular usage is increasing from a low base; most fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui (2019)
international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
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: government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Television Centrafricaine, provides limited domestic TV broadcasting; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately owned broadcast stations as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2017)
Internet country code: .cf
Internet users: total: 482,976 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 10% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 499 (2019 est.) Data available for 2019 only.
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.01 (2019 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 2
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 46,364 (2015)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 (2015) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TL
Airports: total: 39 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 37
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 11
914 to 1,523 m: 19
under 914 m: 6 (2021)
Roadways: total: 24,000 km (2018)
paved: 700 km (2018)
unpaved: 23,300 km (2018)
Waterways: 2,800 km (2011) (the primary navigable river is the Ubangi, which joins the River Congo; it was the traditional route for the export of products because it connected with the Congo-Ocean railway at Brazzaville; because of the warfare on both sides of the River Congo from 1997, importers and exporters preferred routes through Cameroon)
Ports and terminals: river port(s): Bangui (Oubangui)
Nola (Sangha)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Army (includes an air squadron, Escadrille Centrafricaine); Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale), National Police (2022)
note: in 2019-2021, the CAR created three Mixed Special Security units (Unités Spéciales Mixtes de Sécurité or USMS), regionally based battalion-sized units comprised of about 40% government and 60% rebel soldiers created to provide security along transportation corridors and at mining sites; the units are intended to be transitional in nature with a scheduled deployment time of two years
Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $50 million)
1.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $40 million)
1.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $40 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 8,000 FACA troops; up to 2,000 Gendarmerie; approximately 2,000 Mixed Special Security Units (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FACA is lightly and poorly armed with mostly outdated weapons; since 2010, it has received small amounts of second-hand equipment from China, Russia, and Ukraine (2021)
note: since 2013, CAR has been under a UNSC arms embargo; the embargo bans all supplies of arms and related materiel to the country except to the CAR security forces if approved in advance by the relevant UN Sanctions Committee
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for military service; no conscription (2021)
Military - note: the 2013 coup resulted in the institutional collapse of the FACA; its forces were overwhelmed and forced to flee to neighboring countries; reportedly only 10% of the FACA returned after the coup, and it has struggled to rebuild in the years of instability since; the European Union, France, Russia, the UN, and the US have provided various levels of security assistance
in 2018, the UN Security Council approved Russian security assistance for the CAR to help train and advise FACA personnel, as well as transport them to operational areas, provide logistical support, and assist with medical evacuation; Russia sent private military contractors, and as of early 2022, there were reportedly as many as 2,000 providing assistance to the FACA, as well as performing other security roles such as guarding mines and government officials; some Russian contractors and the CAR forces they supported have been accused of carrying out indiscriminate killings, using excessive force against civilians, and looting
the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) has operated in the country since 2014; its peacekeeping mission includes providing security, protecting civilians, facilitating humanitarian assistance, disarming and demobilizing armed groups, and supporting the country’s fragile transitional government; in November 2019, the UN Security Council extended the mandate of the MINUSCA peacekeeping mission another year; as of 2022, MINUSCA had about 14,000 total personnel
the European Union Training Mission in the Central African Republic (EUTM-RCA) has operated in the country since 2016, providing advice, training, and educational programs to the country's security forces (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Central African Republic-South Sudan: periodic violent skirmishes persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic over water and grazing rights Central African Republic-Sudan: periodic violent skirmishes persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic over water and grazing rightsCentral African Republic-South Sudan: periodic violent skirmishes persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic over water and grazing rightsCentral African Republic-Sudan: periodic violent skirmishes persist among related pastoral populations along the border with the Central African Republic over water and grazing rights
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 6,298 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (2022)
IDPs: 602,134 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005; tensions between ethnic groups) (2022) |
20220901 | field-petroleum | See entries under Refined petroleum products.
Topic: Afghanistantotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 24,300 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.)
Topic: Albaniatotal petroleum production: 16,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 26,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 10,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Algeriatotal petroleum production: 1,414,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 450,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 633,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 4,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12.2 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: American Samoatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,300 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.)
Topic: Angolatotal petroleum production: 1,197,600 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 133,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,367,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 7.783 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Antarcticatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 100 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.)
Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal 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.)
Topic: Argentinatotal petroleum production: 690,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 680,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 59,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 11,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2,482,700,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Armeniatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 10,900 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.)
Topic: Arubatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 8,100 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.)
Topic: Australiatotal petroleum production: 442,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,174,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 197,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 356,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.446 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Austriatotal petroleum production: 20,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 278,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 168,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 35.2 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Azerbaijantotal petroleum production: 711,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 107,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 679,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 7 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 25,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bahraintotal petroleum production: 185,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 73,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 228,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 186.5 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bangladeshtotal petroleum production: 13,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 122,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 21,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 28 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Barbadostotal petroleum production: 1,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 10,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Belarustotal petroleum production: 34,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 134,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 32,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 383,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 198 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Belgiumtotal petroleum production: 11,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 642,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 666,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Belizetotal petroleum production: 1,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 6.7 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Benintotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 46,300 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: 8 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bermudatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bhutantotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 4,400 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.)
Topic: Boliviatotal petroleum production: 65,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 87,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 240.9 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 34,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 13,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Botswanatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 21,700 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.)
Topic: Braziltotal petroleum production: 3,629,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3,142,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,123,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 186,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12,714,600,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bruneitotal petroleum production: 107,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 18,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 103,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Bulgariatotal 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.)
Topic: Burkina Fasototal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 30,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Burmatotal petroleum production: 7,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 146,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 4,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 139 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Burunditotal 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.)
Topic: Cabo Verdetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 6,500 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.)
Topic: Cambodiatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 64,100 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.)
Topic: Cameroontotal petroleum production: 63,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 37,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 62,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 20,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 200 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Canadatotal petroleum production: 5,468,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,629,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 3.177 million barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 793,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 170.3 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Cayman Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,500 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.)
Topic: Central African Republictotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 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.)
Topic: Chadtotal petroleum production: 87,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 12,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 116,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Chiletotal petroleum production: 11,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 361,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 172,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Chinatotal petroleum production: 4,712,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 14,007,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 52,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 9,238,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 26,022,600,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Colombiatotal petroleum production: 756,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 352,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 481,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.036 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Comorostotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal petroleum production: 22,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 17,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 21,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 180 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal petroleum production: 270,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 12,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 331,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.882 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Cook Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Costa Ricatotal petroleum production: 400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 63,300 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.)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal petroleum production: 33,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 56,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 30,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 69,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 100 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Croatiatotal petroleum production: 12,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 71,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 65,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 71 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Cubatotal petroleum production: 38,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 164,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 48,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 124 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Cyprustotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 54,400 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.)
Topic: Czechiatotal petroleum production: 6,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 219,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 150,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 15 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Denmarktotal petroleum production: 69,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 165,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 56,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 95,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 441 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Djiboutitotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 4,300 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.)
Topic: Dominicatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Dominican Republictotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 148,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 24,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Ecuadortotal petroleum production: 478,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 259,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 349,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 8.273 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Egypttotal petroleum production: 660,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 810,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 204,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 117,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 3.3 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: El Salvadortotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 59,100 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.)
Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal petroleum production: 142,600 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 22,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 184,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Eritreatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Estoniatotal petroleum production: 21,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 27,500 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.)
Topic: Eswatinitotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 6,000 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.)
Topic: Ethiopiatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 107,900 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: 400,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 300 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.)
Topic: Faroe Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,500 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.)
Topic: Fijitotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 11,500 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.)
Topic: Finlandtotal petroleum production: 8,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 207,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 232,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Francetotal petroleum production: 81,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,688,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,064,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 61.7 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: French Polynesiatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 6,700 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.)
Topic: Gabontotal petroleum production: 175,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 14,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 178,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Gambia, Thetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3,900 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.)
Topic: Gaza Striptotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
refined petroleum consumption: 24,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Topic: Georgiatotal petroleum production: 300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 32,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 35 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Germanytotal petroleum production: 135,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,346,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,720,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 115.2 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Ghanatotal petroleum production: 185,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 98,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 176,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 3,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 660 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Gibraltartotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 83,700 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.)
Topic: Greecetotal petroleum production: 4,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 309,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 4,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 491,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 10 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Greenlandtotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 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.)
Topic: Grenadatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Guamtotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
refined petroleum consumption: 2,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Topic: Guatemalatotal petroleum production: 10,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 112,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 6,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 86.1 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Guineatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Guyanatotal petroleum production: 110,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 18,100 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.)
Topic: Haititotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 21,100 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.)
Topic: Hondurastotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 66,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Hong Kongtotal petroleum production: 100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 404,600 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.)
Topic: Hungarytotal petroleum production: 35,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 180,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 8,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 134,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12.1 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Icelandtotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,700 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.)
Topic: Indiatotal petroleum production: 771,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 4,920,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 4.53 million barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 4,604,900,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Indonesiatotal petroleum production: 842,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.649 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 204,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 309,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.48 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Irantotal petroleum production: 3,450,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.934 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,230,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 33,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 208.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Iraqtotal petroleum production: 4,161,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 863,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 3,975,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 145.019 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Irelandtotal petroleum production: 600 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 159,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 60,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Israeltotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 232,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 232,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12.7 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Italytotal petroleum production: 107,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,255,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 10,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1.253 million barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 497.9 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Jamaicatotal petroleum production: 3,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 61,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 20,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Japantotal petroleum production: 10,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3,739,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 3,012,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 44.1 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Jordantotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 114,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 47,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 1 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Kazakhstantotal petroleum production: 1,864,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 320,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,531,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 30 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Kenyatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 116,400 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.)
Topic: Kiribatitotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 500 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.)
Topic: Korea, Northtotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 20,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 10,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Korea, Southtotal petroleum production: 37,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,598,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 3,034,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Topic: Kosovorefined petroleum consumption: 12,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Kuwaittotal petroleum production: 2,720,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 342,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,837,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 101.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal petroleum production: 700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 32,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 8,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 40 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Laostotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,300 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.)
Topic: Latviatotal petroleum production: 1,600 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 39,900 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.)
Topic: Lebanontotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 168,500 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.)
Topic: Lesothototal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,100 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.)
Topic: Liberiatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 9,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Libyatotal petroleum production: 1,252,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 219,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,067,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 48.363 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Lithuaniatotal petroleum production: 4,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 68,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 194,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Luxembourgtotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 63,900 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.)
Topic: Macautotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 14,300 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.)
Topic: Madagascartotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 21,100 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.)
Topic: Malawitotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 9,400 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.)
Topic: Malaysiatotal petroleum production: 593,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 718,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 303,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 182,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 3.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Maldivestotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 15,300 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.)
Topic: Malitotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 37,600 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.)
Topic: Maltatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 54,000 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.)
Topic: Mauritaniatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 27,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 4,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 20 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Mauritiustotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 36,700 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.)
Topic: Mexicototal petroleum production: 1,905,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,928,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,283,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 3,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 5,786,100,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofrefined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
Topic: Moldovatotal 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.)
Topic: Mongoliatotal petroleum production: 16,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 35,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 14,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Topic: Montenegrototal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 7,600 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.)
Topic: Montserrattotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Moroccototal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 307,500 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: 700,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Mozambiquetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 35,400 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.)
Topic: Namibiatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 26,500 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.)
Topic: Naurutotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 400 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.)
Topic: Nepaltotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 49,400 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.)
Topic: Netherlandstotal petroleum production: 76,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 915,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 8,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,096,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 137.7 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: New Caledoniatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 19,300 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.)
Topic: New Zealandtotal petroleum production: 13,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 184,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 21,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 99,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 41 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Nicaraguatotal petroleum production: 200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 35,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 13,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Nigertotal petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 13,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Nigeriatotal petroleum production: 1,646,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 483,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,889,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 36.89 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Niuetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 100 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.)
Topic: North Macedoniatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 22,700 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.)
Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
refined petroleum consumption: 2,100 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both Guam and Northern Mariana Islands
Topic: Norwaytotal petroleum production: 2.026 million bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 215,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,242,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 66,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 8,122,200,000 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Omantotal petroleum production: 978,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 234,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 779,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 5.373 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Pakistantotal petroleum production: 100,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 493,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 7,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 198,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 540 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Panamatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 143,700 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.)
Topic: Papua New Guineatotal petroleum production: 37,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 38,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 60,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 27,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 159.7 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Paraguaytotal petroleum production: 2,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 56,900 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.)
Topic: Perutotal petroleum production: 122,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 265,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 6,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 112,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 858.9 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Philippinestotal petroleum production: 10,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 527,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 12,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 232,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 138.5 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Polandtotal petroleum production: 28,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 697,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 6,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 542,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 113 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Portugaltotal petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 249,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 255,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Puerto Ricototal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 79,000 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.)
Topic: Qatartotal petroleum production: 1,815,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 293,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,264,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 25.244 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Romaniatotal petroleum production: 74,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 222,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 161,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 600 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Russiatotal petroleum production: 10,749,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3.699 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 5.196 million barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 14,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 80 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Rwandatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 8,300 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.)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 100 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.)
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Saint Luciatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 4,500 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.)
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 600 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.)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,500 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.)
Topic: Samoatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,500 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.)
Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal petroleum production: 10,815,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3,182,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 7,340,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 258.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Senegaltotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 57,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 20,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Serbiatotal petroleum production: 15,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 79,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 53,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 77.5 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Seychellestotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 7,500 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.)
Topic: Sierra Leonetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,900 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.)
Topic: Singaporetotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.448 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 13,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,121,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Slovakiatotal petroleum production: 3,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 85,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 109,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 9 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Sloveniatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 54,900 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.)
Topic: Solomon Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Somaliatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,900 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.)
Topic: South Africatotal petroleum production: 97,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 622,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 9,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 397,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 15 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: South Sudantotal petroleum production: 157,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 12,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 126,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Topic: Spaintotal petroleum production: 47,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.328 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,364,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Sri Lankatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 131,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 35,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Sudantotal petroleum production: 66,900 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 137,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 12,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 9,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Surinametotal petroleum production: 14,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 15,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 89 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Swedentotal petroleum production: 10,600 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 295,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 403,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Switzerlandtotal petroleum production: 300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 220,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 60,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Syriatotal petroleum production: 80,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 137,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 129,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Taiwantotal petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 998,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 886,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.4 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Tajikistantotal petroleum production: 300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 26,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 12 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Tanzaniatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 52,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Thailandtotal petroleum production: 438,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,284,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 28,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 979,800 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 252.8 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Timor-Lestetotal petroleum production: 14,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 3,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 32,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Togototal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 10,000 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.)
Topic: Tongatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal petroleum production: 81,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 35,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 22,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 64,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 243 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Tunisiatotal petroleum production: 42,500 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 107,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 29,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 10,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 425 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total petroleum production: 70,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 987,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 423,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 366 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Turkmenistantotal petroleum production: 235,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 153,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 59,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 600 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,600 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.)
Topic: Ugandatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 40,900 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: 2.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Ukrainetotal petroleum production: 57,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 248,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 6,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 395 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal petroleum production: 3,769,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 863,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,427,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 172,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 97.8 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: United Kingdomtotal petroleum production: 890,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,578,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 818,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 891,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: United Statestotal petroleum production: 17,924,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 20,542,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,048,100 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 7,768,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 47.107 billion barrels (2020 est.)
Topic: Uruguaytotal petroleum production: 400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 50,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 41,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Uzbekistantotal petroleum production: 5,200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 98,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 24,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 594 million barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Vanuatutotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,500 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.)
Topic: Venezuelatotal petroleum production: 604,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 470,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,002,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 303.806 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Vietnamtotal petroleum production: 197,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 495,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 66,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 103,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 4.4 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Virgin Islandstotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 16,400 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.)
Topic: Wake Islandtotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 9,500 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.)
Topic: West Banktotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
refined petroleum consumption: 24,600 bbl/day (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank
Topic: Yementotal petroleum production: 70,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 75,700 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: 3 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Zambiatotal petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 25,300 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 12,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Topic: Zimbabwetotal petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 27,300 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.) |
20220901 | countries-uruguay |
Topic: Photos of Uruguay
Topic: Introduction
Background: Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.Montevideo, founded by the Spanish in 1726 as a military stronghold, soon became an important commercial center due to its natural harbor. Claimed by Argentina but annexed by Brazil in 1821, Uruguay declared its independence in 1825 and secured its freedom in 1828 after a three-year struggle. The administrations of President Jose BATLLE in the early 20th century launched widespread political, social, and economic reforms that established a statist tradition. A violent Marxist urban guerrilla movement named the Tupamaros (or Movimiento de Liberación Nacional-Tupamaros (MLN-T)), launched in the late 1960s, led Uruguay's president to cede control of the government to the military in 1973. By yearend, the rebels had been crushed, but the military continued to expand its hold over the government. Civilian rule was restored in 1985. In 2004, the left-of-center Frente Amplio Coalition won national elections that effectively ended 170 years of political control previously held by the Colorado and National (Blanco) parties. The left-of-center retained the presidency and control of both chambers of congress until 2019. Uruguay's political and labor conditions are among the freest on the continent.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southern South America, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Argentina and Brazil
Geographic coordinates: 33 00 S, 56 00 W
Map references: South America
Area: total: 176,215 sq km
land: 175,015 sq km
water: 1,200 sq km
Area - comparative: about the size of Virginia and West Virginia combined; slightly smaller than the state of Washington
Land boundaries: total: 1,591 km
border countries (2): Argentina 541 km; Brazil 1,050 km
Coastline: 660 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or the edge of continental margin
Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Terrain: mostly rolling plains and low hills; fertile coastal lowland
Elevation: highest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 109 m
Natural resources: arable land, hydropower, minor minerals, fish
Land use: agricultural land: 87.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 76.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 10.2% (2018 est.)
other: 2.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 2,380 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Brazil) - 2,970 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major aquifers: Guarani Aquifer System
Population distribution: most of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban, living in towns or cities; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo
Natural hazards: seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts
Geography - note: second-smallest South American country (after Suriname); most of the low-lying landscape (three-quarters of the country) is grassland, ideal for cattle and sheep raising
Map description: Uruguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.Uruguay map showing major population centers as well as parts of neighboring countries and the South Atlantic Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,407,213 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Uruguayan(s)
adjective: Uruguayan
Ethnic groups: White 87.7%, Black 4.6%, Indigenous 2.4%, other 0.3%, none or unspecified 5% (2011 est.)
note: data represent primary ethnic identity
Languages: Spanish (official)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 42%, Protestant 15%, other 6%, agnostic 3%, atheist 10%, unspecified 24% (2014 est.)
Demographic profile: Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly.In the 1960s, Uruguayans for the first time emigrated en masse - primarily to Argentina and Brazil - because of economic decline and the onset of more than a decade of military dictatorship. Economic crises in the early 1980s and 2002 also triggered waves of emigration, but since 2002 more than 70% of Uruguayan emigrants have selected the US and Spain as destinations because of better job prospects. Uruguay had a tiny population upon its independence in 1828 and welcomed thousands of predominantly Italian and Spanish immigrants, but the country has not experienced large influxes of new arrivals since the aftermath of World War II. More recent immigrants include Peruvians and Arabs.Uruguay rates high for most development indicators and is known for its secularism, liberal social laws, and well-developed social security, health, and educational systems. It is one of the few countries in Latin America and the Caribbean where the entire population has access to clean water. Uruguay's provision of free primary through university education has contributed to the country's high levels of literacy and educational attainment. However, the emigration of human capital has diminished the state's return on its investment in education. Remittances from the roughly 18% of Uruguayans abroad amount to less than 1 percent of national GDP. The emigration of young adults and a low birth rate are causing Uruguay's population to age rapidly.In the 1960s, Uruguayans for the first time emigrated en masse - primarily to Argentina and Brazil - because of economic decline and the onset of more than a decade of military dictatorship. Economic crises in the early 1980s and 2002 also triggered waves of emigration, but since 2002 more than 70% of Uruguayan emigrants have selected the US and Spain as destinations because of better job prospects. Uruguay had a tiny population upon its independence in 1828 and welcomed thousands of predominantly Italian and Spanish immigrants, but the country has not experienced large influxes of new arrivals since the aftermath of World War II. More recent immigrants include Peruvians and Arabs.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.51% (male 336,336/female 324,563)
15-24 years: 15.14% (male 259,904/female 252,945)
25-54 years: 39.86% (male 670,295/female 679,850)
55-64 years: 10.79% (male 172,313/female 193,045)
65 years and over: 14.71% (2020 est.) (male 200,516/female 297,838)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.9
youth dependency ratio: 31.5
elderly dependency ratio: 23.4
potential support ratio: 4.3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 35.5 years
male: 33.8 years
female: 37.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.27% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.71 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the country's population resides in the southern half of the country; approximately 80% of the populace is urban, living in towns or cities; nearly half of the population lives in and around the capital of Montevideo
Urbanization: urban population: 95.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.767 million MONTEVIDEO (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 17 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 8.31 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.46 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.43 years
male: 75.32 years
female: 81.64 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.76 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 79.6% (2015)
note: percent of women aged 15-44
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 9.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 4.94 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density: 2.4 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.2% of population
rural: 99.6% of population
total: 99.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population
rural: 0.4% of population
total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.9% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 21.5% (2020 est.)
male: 24.4% (2020 est.)
female: 18.5% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.8% (2018)
Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.8%
male: 98.5%
female: 99% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years
male: 17 years
female: 20 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 33.5%
male: 29.4%
female: 38.8% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water pollution from meat packing/tannery industry; heavy metal pollution; inadequate solid/hazardous waste disposal; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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 Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 8.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 6.77 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 25.59 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: warm temperate; freezing temperatures almost unknown
Land use: agricultural land: 87.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 76.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 10.2% (2018 est.)
other: 2.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 95.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.56% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,260,140 tons (2012 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 100,811 tons (2011 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2011 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Brazil) - 2,970 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Rio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, Paraguay) - 4,880 km; Uruguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 1,610 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major aquifers: Guarani Aquifer System
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 410 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 80 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 3.17 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 172.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Oriental Republic of Uruguay
conventional short form: Uruguay
local long form: Republica Oriental del Uruguay
local short form: Uruguay
former: Banda Oriental, Cisplatine Province
etymology: name derives from the Spanish pronunciation of the Guarani Indian designation of the Uruguay River, which makes up the western border of the country and whose name later came to be applied to the entire country
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Montevideo
geographic coordinates: 34 51 S, 56 10 W
time difference: UTC-3 (2 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name "Montevidi" was originally applied to the hill that overlooked the bay upon which the city of Montevideo was founded; the earliest meaning may have been "[the place where we] saw the hill"
Administrative divisions: 19 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Artigas, Canelones, Cerro Largo, Colonia, Durazno, Flores, Florida, Lavalleja, Maldonado, Montevideo, Paysandu, Rio Negro, Rivera, Rocha, Salto, San Jose, Soriano, Tacuarembo, Treinta y Tres
Independence: 25 August 1825 (from Brazil)
National holiday: Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by plebiscite 27 November 1966, effective 15 February 1967, reinstated in 1985 at the conclusion of military rule
amendments: initiated by public petition of at least 10% of qualified voters, proposed by agreement of at least two fifths of the General Assembly membership, or by existing "constitutional laws" sanctioned by at least two thirds of the membership in both houses of the Assembly; proposals can also be submitted by senators, representatives, or by the executive power and require the formation of and approval in a national constituent convention; final passage by either method requires approval by absolute majority of votes cast in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2004
Legal system: civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (since 1 March 2020); Vice President Beatriz ARGIMON Cedeira (since 1 March 2020); the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (since 1 March 2020); Vice President Beatriz ARGIMON Cedeira (since 1 March 2020)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president with approval of the General Assembly
elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for nonconsecutive terms); election last held on 27 October 2019 with a runoff election on 24 November 2019 (next to be held in October 2024, and a runoff if needed in November 2024)
election results:
2019: Luis Alberto LACALLE POU elected president - results of the first round of presidential elections: percent of vote - Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 40.7%, Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (Blanco) 29.7%, Ernesto TALVI (Colorado Party) 12.8%, and Guido MANINI RIOS (Open Cabildo) 11.3%, other 5.5%; results of the second round: percent of vote - Luis Alberto LACALLE POU (Blanco) 50.6%, Daniel MARTINEZ (FA) 49.4%
2014: Tabare VAZQUEZ elected president in second round; percent of vote - Tabare VAZQUEZ (Socialist Party) 56.5%, Luis Alberto LACALLE Pou (Blanco) 43.4%
Legislative branch: description: bicameral General Assembly or Asamblea General consists of:
Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (30 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; the vice-president serves as the presiding ex-officio member; elected members serve 5-year terms)
Chamber of Representatives or Camara de Representantes (99 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method; members serve 5-year terms)
elections:
Chamber of Senators - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024)
Chamber of Representatives - last held on 27 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024)
election results:
Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 13, National Party 10, Colorado Party 4, Open Cabildo 3; composition - men 21, women 9, percent of women 30%
Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by coalition/party - NA; seats by coalition/party - Frente Amplio 42, National Party 30, Colorado Party 13, Open Cabildo 11, Independent Party 1, other 2; composition - men 75, women 24, percent of women 24.2%; note - total General Assembly percent of women 25.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 5 judges)
judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the president and appointed by two-thirds vote in joint conference of the General Assembly; judges serve 10-year terms, with reelection possible after a lapse of 5 years following the previous term
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; District Courts (Juzgados Letrados); Peace Courts (Juzgados de Paz); Rural Courts (Juzgados Rurales)
Political parties and leaders: Broad Front or FA (Frente Amplio) [Fernando PEREIRA] - (a broad governing coalition that comprises 34 factions including Uruguay Assembly [Danilo ASTORI], Progressive Alliance [Rodolfo NIN NOVOA], New Space [Rafael MICHELINI], Socialist Party [Gonzalo CIVILA], Vertiente Artiguista [Enrique RUBIO], Christian Democratic Party [Jorge RODRIGUEZ], For the People’s Victory [Luis PUIG], Popular Participation Movement (MPP) [Jose MUJICA], Big House [Constanza MOREIRA], Communist Party [Juan CASTILLO], The Federal League [Sergio LIER], Fuerza Renovadora [Mario BERGARA],
Colorado Party (including Batllistas [Julio Maria SANGUINETTI], and Ciudadanos [Adrian PENA])
Independent Party [Pablo MIERES]
National Party or Blanco (including Todos (Everyone) [Luis LACALLE POU] and National Alliance [Carlos CAMY])
Popular Unity [Gonzalo ABELLA]
Open Cabildo [Guido MANINI RIOS]
International organization participation: CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Andres Augusto DURAN HAREAU (since 23 December 2020)
chancery: 1913 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 331-1313
FAX: [1] (202) 331-8142
email address and website:
urueeuu@mrree.gub.uy
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jennifer SAVAGE (since 20 January 2021)
embassy: Lauro Muller 1776, Montevideo 11200
mailing address: 3360 Montevideo Place, Washington DC 20521-3360
telephone: (+598) 1770-2000
FAX: [+598] 1770-2128
email address and website:
MontevideoACS@state.gov
https://uy.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: nine equal horizontal stripes of white (top and bottom) alternating with blue; a white square in the upper hoist-side corner with a yellow sun bearing a human face (delineated in black) known as the Sun of May with 16 rays that alternate between triangular and wavy; the stripes represent the nine original departments of Uruguay; the sun symbol evokes the legend of the sun breaking through the clouds on 25 May 1810 as independence was first declared from Spain (Uruguay subsequently won its independence from Brazil); the sun features are said to represent those of Inti, the Inca god of the sun
note: the banner was inspired by the national colors of Argentina and by the design of the US flag
National symbol(s): Sun of May (a sun-with-face symbol); national colors: blue, white, yellow
National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI
note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic City of Colonia del Sacramento; Fray Bentos Industrial Landscape; The work of engineer Eladio Dieste: Church of Atlántida
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) and with non-Mercosur members, and President VAZQUEZ has maintained his predecessor's mix of pro-market policies and a strong social safety net.
Following financial difficulties in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Uruguay's economic growth averaged 8% annually during the 2004-08 period. The 2008-09 global financial crisis put a brake on Uruguay's vigorous growth, which decelerated to 2.6% in 2009. Nevertheless, the country avoided a recession and kept growth rates positive, mainly through higher public expenditure and investment; GDP growth reached 8.9% in 2010 but slowed markedly in the 2012-16 period as a result of a renewed slowdown in the global economy and in Uruguay's main trade partners and Mercosur counterparts, Argentina and Brazil. Reforms in those countries should give Uruguay an economic boost. Growth picked up in 2017.Uruguay has a free market economy characterized by an export-oriented agricultural sector, a well-educated workforce, and high levels of social spending. Uruguay has sought to expand trade within the Common Market of the South (Mercosur) and with non-Mercosur members, and President VAZQUEZ has maintained his predecessor's mix of pro-market policies and a strong social safety net.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $75.06 billion (2020 est.)
$79.73 billion (2019 est.)
$79.45 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.7% (2017 est.)
1.7% (2016 est.)
0.4% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $21,600 (2020 est.)
$23,000 (2019 est.)
$23,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $56.108 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 7.8% (2019 est.)
7.5% (2018 est.)
6.2% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB- (2013)
Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014)
Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2015)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 24.1% (2017 est.)
services: 69.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 66.8% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 14.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.7% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 21.6% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -18.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: soybeans, milk, rice, maize, wheat, barley, beef, sugar cane, sorghum, oranges
Industries: food processing, electrical machinery, transportation equipment, petroleum products, textiles, chemicals, beverages
Industrial production growth rate: -3.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.748 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 13%
industry: 14%
services: 73% (2010 est.)
Unemployment rate: 7.6% (2017 est.)
7.9% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 33.5%
male: 29.4%
female: 38.8% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 8.8% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.7 (2018 est.)
41.9 (2013)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.)
Budget: revenues: 17.66 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 19.72 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 65.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
61.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions.
Taxes and other revenues: 29.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $879 million (2017 est.)
$410 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $13.55 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$16.99 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$17.04 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 29%, Brazil 12%, United States 5%, Netherlands 5%, Argentina 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: sulfate wood pulp, beef, soybeans, concentrated milk, rice (2019)
Imports: $11.29 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$13.31 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$13.82 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Brazil 25%, China 15%, United States 11%, Argentina 11% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, packaged medicines, cars, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $15.96 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$13.47 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $43.705 billion (2019 est.)
$42.861 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Uruguayan pesos (UYU) per US dollar -
42.645 (2020 est.)
37.735 (2019 est.)
32.2 (2018 est.)
27.52 (2014 est.)
23.25 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 5.348 million kW (2020 est.)
Consumption: 11,461,960,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Exports: 1.148 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Imports: 515 million kWh (2020 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 1,329,700,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Solar: 3.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Wind: 42.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 30.6% 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: 21.6% 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: 400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 50,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
Crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil and lease condensate imports: 41,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 42,220 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 9,591 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Consumption: 96.872 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Imports: 96.872 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 6.45 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 6.259 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 190,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 66.909 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,224,600 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,779,790 (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 138.08 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Uruguay has an advanced telecom market, with excellent infrastructure and one of the highest broadband penetration rates in Latin America; fully digitized; high computer use and fixed-line/mobile penetrations; deployment of fiber infrastructure will encourage economic growth and stimulate e-commerce; state-owned monopoly on fixed-line market and dominance of mobile market; nationwide 3G coverage and LTE networks; limited 5G commercial reach; strong focus on fiber infrastructure with high percentage of residential fixed-broadband connections and near total business connections; importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2020)
domestic: most modern facilities concentrated in Montevideo; nationwide microwave radio relay network; overall fixed-line roughly 34 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity 138 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 598; landing points for the Unisor, Tannat, and Bicentenario submarine cable system providing direct connectivity to Brazil and Argentina; Bicentenario 2012 and Tannat 2017 cables helped end-users with Internet bandwidth; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: mixture of privately owned and state-run broadcast media; more than 100 commercial radio stations and about 20 TV channels; cable TV is available; many community radio and TV stations; adopted the hybrid Japanese/Brazilian HDTV standard (ISDB-T) in December 2010 (2019)
Internet country code: .uy
Internet users: total: 2,987,405 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 86% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,063,701 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CX
Airports: total: 133 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 122
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 40
under 914 m: 79 (2021)
Pipelines: 257 km gas, 160 km oil (2013)
Railways: total: 1,673 km (2016) (operational; government claims overall length is 2,961 km)
standard gauge: 1,673 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge
Roadways: total: 77,732 km (2010)
paved: 7,743 km (2010)
unpaved: 69,989 km (2010)
Waterways: 1,600 km (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 61
by type: container ship 1, general cargo 4, oil tanker 4, other 52 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Montevideo
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Uruguay (Fuerzas Armadas del Uruguay): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Coast Guard (Prefectura Nacional Naval)), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea); Guardia Nacional Republicana (paramilitary regiment of the National Police) (2022)
Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.47 billion)
2.1% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.51 billion)
2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.38 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 22,000 active personnel (14,000 Army; 5,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Armed Forces of Uruguay includes a wide variety of older or second-hand equipment; since 2010, it has imported limited amounts of military hardware from about 10 countries with Spain as the leading supplier (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age (18-22 years of age for Navy) for male or female voluntary military service; up to 40 years of age for specialists; enlistment is voluntary in peacetime, but the government has the authority to conscript in emergencies (2022)
note: as of 2017, women comprised about 19% of the active military
Military deployments: 830 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 210 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (Feb 2022)
Military - note: the military has some domestic responsibilities, including perimeter security for a number of prisons and border security; in 2020, the military deployed more than 1,000 troops to assist the National Police in securing the land border with Brazil and the riverine border with Argentina as part of a border control law passed in 2018 (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Uruguay-Argentina: in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime, which ended the dispute Uruguay-Brazil: uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil borderUruguay-Argentina: in 2010, the ICJ ruled in favor of Uruguay's operation of two paper mills on the Uruguay River, which forms the border with Argentina; the two countries formed a joint pollution monitoring regime, which ended the disputeUruguay-Brazil: uncontested boundary dispute between Brazil and Uruguay over Braziliera/Brasiliera Island in the Quarai/Cuareim River leaves the tripoint with Argentina in question; smuggling of firearms and narcotics continues to be an issue along the Uruguay-Brazil border
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 19,000 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2022)
stateless persons: 5 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: transit country for drugs mainly bound for Europe, often through sea-borne containers; limited law enforcement corruption; money laundering; weak border control along Brazilian frontier; increasing consumption of cocaine base and synthetic drugs |
20220901 | field-infant-mortality-rate-country-comparison | |
20220901 | countries-honduras |
Topic: Photos of Honduras
Topic: Introduction
Background: Once part of Spain's vast empire in the New World, Honduras became an independent nation in 1821. After two and a half decades of mostly military rule, a freely elected civilian government came to power in 1982. During the 1980s, Honduras proved a haven for anti-Sandinista contras fighting the Marxist Nicaraguan Government and an ally to Salvadoran Government forces fighting leftist guerrillas. The country was devastated by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, which killed about 5,600 people and caused approximately $2 billion in damage. Since then, the economy has slowly rebounded, despite COVID and severe storm-related setbacks in 2020 and 2021.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central America, bordering the Caribbean Sea, between Guatemala and Nicaragua and bordering the Gulf of Fonseca (North Pacific Ocean), between El Salvador and Nicaragua
Geographic coordinates: 15 00 N, 86 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 112,090 sq km
land: 111,890 sq km
water: 200 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Tennessee
Land boundaries: total: 1,575 km
border countries (3): Guatemala 244 km; El Salvador 391 km; Nicaragua 940 km
Coastline: 823 km (Caribbean Sea 669 km, Gulf of Fonseca 163 km)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: natural extension of territory or to 200 nm
Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Terrain: mostly mountains in interior, narrow coastal plains
Elevation: highest point: Cerro Las Minas 2,870 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 684 m
Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, iron ore, antimony, coal, fish, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 28.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 9.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 4% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 15.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 45.3% (2018 est.)
other: 25.9% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 900 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Laguna de Caratasca - 1,110 sq km
Population distribution: most residents live in the mountainous western half of the country; unlike other Central American nations, Honduras is the only one with an urban population that is distributed between two large centers - the capital of Tegucigalpa and the city of San Pedro Sula; the Rio Ulua valley in the north is the only densely populated lowland area
Natural hazards: frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast
Geography - note: has only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast
Map description: Honduras map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.Honduras map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 9,459,440 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Honduran(s)
adjective: Honduran
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, African descent 2%, White 1%
Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian dialects
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Evangelical/Protestant 48%, Roman Catholic 34%, other 1%, none 17% (2020 est.)
Demographic profile: Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and has one of the world's highest murder rates. More than half of the population lives in poverty and per capita income is one of the lowest in the region. Poverty rates are higher among rural and indigenous people and in the south, west, and along the eastern border than in the north and central areas where most of Honduras' industries and infrastructure are concentrated. The increased productivity needed to break Honduras' persistent high poverty rate depends, in part, on further improvements in educational attainment. Although primary-school enrollment is near 100%, educational quality is poor, the drop-out rate and grade repetition remain high, and teacher and school accountability is low. Honduras' population growth rate has slowed since the 1990s and is now 1.2% annually with a birth rate that averages 2.1 children per woman and more among rural, indigenous, and poor women. Honduras' young adult population - ages 15 to 29 - is projected to continue growing rapidly for the next three decades and then stabilize or slowly shrink. Population growth and limited job prospects outside of agriculture will continue to drive emigration. Remittances represent about a fifth of GDP.Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and has one of the world's highest murder rates. More than half of the population lives in poverty and per capita income is one of the lowest in the region. Poverty rates are higher among rural and indigenous people and in the south, west, and along the eastern border than in the north and central areas where most of Honduras' industries and infrastructure are concentrated. The increased productivity needed to break Honduras' persistent high poverty rate depends, in part, on further improvements in educational attainment. Although primary-school enrollment is near 100%, educational quality is poor, the drop-out rate and grade repetition remain high, and teacher and school accountability is low.Honduras' population growth rate has slowed since the 1990s and is now 1.2% annually with a birth rate that averages 2.1 children per woman and more among rural, indigenous, and poor women. Honduras' young adult population - ages 15 to 29 - is projected to continue growing rapidly for the next three decades and then stabilize or slowly shrink. Population growth and limited job prospects outside of agriculture will continue to drive emigration. Remittances represent about a fifth of GDP.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 1,411,537/female 1,377,319)
15-24 years: 21.03% (male 969,302/female 972,843)
25-54 years: 37.79% (male 1,657,260/female 1,832,780)
55-64 years: 5.58% (male 233,735/female 281,525)
65 years and over: 5.4% (2020 est.) (male 221,779/female 277,260)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.2
youth dependency ratio: 47.5
elderly dependency ratio: 7.7
potential support ratio: 13 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 24.4 years
male: 23.5 years
female: 25.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.19% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 17.92 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.68 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most residents live in the mountainous western half of the country; unlike other Central American nations, Honduras is the only one with an urban population that is distributed between two large centers - the capital of Tegucigalpa and the city of San Pedro Sula; the Rio Ulua valley in the north is the only densely populated lowland area
Urbanization: urban population: 59.6% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.48% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.527 million TEGUCIGALPA (capital), 956,000 San Pedro Sula (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.3 years (2011/12 est.)
note: median age a first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 65 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 15.08 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.17 years
male: 71.63 years
female: 78.82 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.01 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 73.2% (2011/12)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 90.7% of population
total: 96.1% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 9.3% of population
total: 3.9% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 7.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.5 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 0.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.7% of population
rural: 87.9% of population
total: 93% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.3% of population
rural: 12.1% of population
total: 7% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 22,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <1000
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.4% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7.1% (2011/12)
Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.5%
male: 88.2%
female: 88.7% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 11 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.8%
male: 11.1%
female: 27.7% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: urban population expanding; deforestation results from logging and the clearing of land for agricultural purposes; further land degradation and soil erosion hastened by uncontrolled development and improper land use practices such as farming of marginal lands; mining activities polluting Lago de Yojoa (the country's largest source of fresh water), as well as several rivers and streams, with heavy metals
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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 20.12 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 9.81 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 7.72 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: subtropical in lowlands, temperate in mountains
Land use: agricultural land: 28.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 9.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 4% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 15.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 45.3% (2018 est.)
other: 25.9% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 59.6% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.48% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.91% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,162,028 tons (2016 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Laguna de Caratasca - 1,110 sq km
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 315 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 114 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.178 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 92.164 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Honduras
conventional short form: Honduras
local long form: Republica de Honduras
local short form: Honduras
etymology: the name means "depths" in Spanish and refers to the deep anchorage in the northern Bay of Trujillo
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Tegucigalpa; note - article eight of the Honduran constitution states that the twin cities of Tegucigalpa and Comayaguela, jointly, constitute the capital of the Republic of Honduras; however, virtually all governmental institutions are on the Tegucigalpa side, which in practical terms makes Tegucigalpa the capital
geographic coordinates: 14 06 N, 87 13 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
etymology: while most sources agree that Tegucigalpa is of Nahuatl derivation, there is no consensus on its original meaning
Administrative divisions: 18 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento); Atlantida, Choluteca, Colon, Comayagua, Copan, Cortes, El Paraiso, Francisco Morazan, Gracias a Dios, Intibuca, Islas de la Bahia, La Paz, Lempira, Ocotepeque, Olancho, Santa Barbara, Valle, Yoro
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved 11 January 1982, effective 20 January 1982
amendments: proposed by the National Congress with at least two-thirds majority vote of the membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Congress in its next annual session; constitutional articles, such as the form of government, national sovereignty, the presidential term, and the procedure for amending the constitution, cannot be amended; amended several times, last in 2021
Legal system: civil law system
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 1 to 3 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022); Vice Presidents Salvador NASRALLA, Doris GUTIERREZ, and Renato FLORENTINO (since 27 January 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; CASTRO is Honduras' first female president
head of government: President Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (since 27 January 2022); Vice Presidents Salvador NASRALLA, Doris GUTIERREZ, and Renato FLORENTINO (since 27 January 2022)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term; election last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held in 30 November 2025); note - in 2015, the Constitutional Chamber of the Honduran Supreme Court struck down the constitutional provisions on presidential term limits
election results:
2021: Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya elected president; percent of vote - Iris Xiomara CASTRO de Zelaya (LIBRE) 51.1%, Nasry Juan ASFURA Zablah (PNH) 36.9%, Yani Benjamin ROSENTHAL Hidalgo (PL) 10%, other 2%
2017: Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado reelected president; percent of vote - Juan Orlando HERNANDEZ Alvarado (PNH) 43%, Salvador NASRALLA (Alianza de Oposicion contra la Dictadura) 41.4%, Luis Orlando ZELAYA Medrano (PL) 14.7%, other 0.9%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional (128 seats; members directly elected in 18 multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held on 30 November 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - LIBRE 39.8%, PNH 31.3%, PL 16.4%, PSH 10.9%, DC 0.8%, PAC 0.8%; seats by bloc or party - LIBRE 51, PNH 40, PL 21, PSH 14, DC 1, PAC 1; composition - men 93, women 35, percent of women 27.3%
note: seats by bloc or party as of 1 May 2022 - LIBRE 50, PNH 44, PL 22, PSH 10, DC 1, PAC 1
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (15 principal judges, including the court president, and 7 alternates; court organized into civil, criminal, constitutional, and labor chambers); note - the court has both judicial and constitutional jurisdiction
judge selection and term of office: court president elected by his peers; judges elected by the National Congress from candidates proposed by the Nominating Board, a diverse 7-member group of judicial officials and other government and non-government officials nominated by each of their organizations; judges elected by Congress for renewable, 7-year terms
subordinate courts: courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace
Political parties and leaders: Anti-Corruption Party or PAC [Julio LOPEZ]
Christian Democratic Party or DC [Carlos PORTILLO]
Democratic Liberation of Honduras or Liderh [Lempira VIANA]
Democratic Unification Party or UD [Alfonso DIAZ]
The Front or El Frente [Kelin PEREZ]
Honduran Patriotic Alliance or AP [Romeo VASQUEZ Velasquez]
Innovation and Unity Party or PINU [Guillermo VALLE]
Liberal Party or PL [Yani Benjamin ROSENTHAL Hidalgo]
Liberty and Refoundation Party or LIBRE [Jose Manuel ZELAYA Rosales]
National Party of Honduras or PNH [Juan Nasry ASFURA]
New Route or NR [Esdras Amado LOPEZ]
Opposition Alliance against the Dictatorship or Alianza de Oposicion contra la Dictadura [Salvador NASRALLA] (electoral coalition)
Savior Party of Honduras or PSH [Salvador Alejandro Cesar NASRALLA Salum]
Vamos or Let’s Go [Jose COTO]
We Are All Honduras (Todos Somos Honduras) or TSH [Marlon Oniel ESCOTO Valerio]
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC (suspended), IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO (suspended), WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)
chancery: 1220 19th Street NW, Suite #320, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 966-7702
FAX: [1] (202) 966-9751
email address and website:
https://hondurasembusa.org/
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s): Dallas, McAllen (TX)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Laura F. DOGU (since 12 April 2022)
embassy: Avenida La Paz, Tegucigalpa M.D.C.
mailing address: 3480 Tegucigalpa Place, Washington DC 20521-3480
telephone: [504] 2236-9320,
FAX: [504] 2236-9037
email address and website:
usahonduras@state.gov
https://hn.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of cerulean blue (top), white, and cerulean blue, with five cerulean, five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band; the stars represent the members of the former Federal Republic of Central America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea; the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water and the peace and prosperity of its people
note: similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Nicaragua, which features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom, centered in the white band
National symbol(s): scarlet macaw, white-tailed deer; national colors: blue, white
National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional de Honduras" (National Anthem of Honduras)
lyrics/music: Augusto Constancio COELLO/Carlos HARTLING
note: adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Maya Site of Copan (c); Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, suffers from extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, as well as high underemployment. While historically dependent on the export of bananas and coffee, Honduras has diversified its export base to include apparel and automobile wire harnessing. Honduras’s economy depends heavily on US trade and remittances. The US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in 2006 and has helped foster foreign direct investment, but physical and political insecurity, as well as crime and perceptions of corruption, may deter potential investors; about 15% of foreign direct investment is from US firms. The economy registered modest economic growth of 3.1%-4.0% from 2010 to 2017, insufficient to improve living standards for the nearly 65% of the population in poverty. In 2017, Honduras faced rising public debt, but its economy has performed better than expected due to low oil prices and improved investor confidence. Honduras signed a three-year standby arrangement with the IMF in December 2014, aimed at easing Honduras’s poor fiscal position.Honduras, the second poorest country in Central America, suffers from extraordinarily unequal distribution of income, as well as high underemployment. While historically dependent on the export of bananas and coffee, Honduras has diversified its export base to include apparel and automobile wire harnessing. Honduras’s economy depends heavily on US trade and remittances. The US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in 2006 and has helped foster foreign direct investment, but physical and political insecurity, as well as crime and perceptions of corruption, may deter potential investors; about 15% of foreign direct investment is from US firms. The economy registered modest economic growth of 3.1%-4.0% from 2010 to 2017, insufficient to improve living standards for the nearly 65% of the population in poverty. In 2017, Honduras faced rising public debt, but its economy has performed better than expected due to low oil prices and improved investor confidence. Honduras signed a three-year standby arrangement with the IMF in December 2014, aimed at easing Honduras’s poor fiscal position.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $50.89 billion (2020 est.)
$55.91 billion (2019 est.)
$54.46 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.8% (2017 est.)
3.8% (2016 est.)
3.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $5,100 (2020 est.)
$5,700 (2019 est.)
$5,700 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $25.145 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2019 est.)
4.3% (2018 est.)
3.9% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B1 (2017)
Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 14.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 28.8% (2017 est.)
services: 57% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 77.7% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 13.8% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 23.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 43.6% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -58.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugarcane, oil palm fruit, milk, bananas, maize, coffee, melons, oranges, poultry, beans
Industries: sugar processing, coffee, woven and knit apparel, wood products, cigars
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 3.735 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 39.2%
industry: 20.9%
services: 39.8% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.6% (2017 est.)
6.3% (2016 est.)
note: about one-third of the people are underemployed
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.8%
male: 11.1%
female: 27.7% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 48.3% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 52.1 (2018 est.)
45.7 (2009)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)
Budget: revenues: 4.658 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 5.283 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 39.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
38.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$380 million (2017 est.)
-$587 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $7.16 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$7.14 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 53%, El Salvador 8%, Guatemala 5%, Nicaragua 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: clothing and apparel, coffee, insulated wiring, bananas, palm oil (2019)
Imports: $11.5 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$11.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 42%, China 10%, Guatemala 8%, El Salvador 8%, Mexico 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, insulated wiring (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $4.708 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.814 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $9.137 billion (2019 est.)
$8.722 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: lempiras (HNL) per US dollar -
23.74 (2017 est.)
22.995 (2016 est.)
22.995 (2015 est.)
22.098 (2014 est.)
21.137 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 81% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 68% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3.991 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 8,140,480,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 540 million kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 787 million kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 3.16 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 46.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 10.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 7.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 24.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 2.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 25,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 25,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 66,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 12,870 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 56,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 8.523 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 61,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 8.462 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 19.8 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 531,763 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6,960,654 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 70 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Honduras is among the poorest countries in Central America and has long been plagued by an unstable political framework which has rendered telecom sector reform difficult; fixed-line teledensity, at only 4.9%, is significantly lower than the Latin American and Caribbean average; poor fixed-line infrastructure has been exacerbated by low investment and topographical difficulties which have made investment in rural areas unattractive or uneconomical; the internet has been slow to develop; DSL and cable modem technologies are available but are relatively expensive, while higher speed services are largely restricted to the major urban centers; the demand for broadband is steadily increasing and there has been some investment in network upgrades to fiber-based infrastructure; these factors have encouraged consumer take-up of mobile services, a sector where there is lively competition supported by international investment; mobile subscriptions are substantially below the regional average; revenue growth from the mobile sector looks promising in coming years as companies invest in their networks, expand their reach and upgrade their capabilities to accommodate mobile broadband services; mobile data as a proportion of overall mobile revenue has increased steadily, though low-end SMS services will continue to account for the bulk of data revenue for some years; political developments during the last few years have not facilitated the much-needed reform of legislation governing the telecoms sector; regulator frees up 3.5GHz fequencies for mobile use; Tigo and Amazon Web Services partner to offer cloud services. (2021)
domestic: private sub-operators allowed to provide fixed lines in order to expand telephone coverage contributing to a fixed-line teledensity of slightly over 5 per 100; mobile-cellular subscribership is roughly 70 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 504; landing points for both the ARCOS and the MAYA-1 fiber-optic submarine cable systems that together provide connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); connected to Central American Microwave System (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 servicesHonduras is among the poorest countries in Central America and has long been plagued by an unstable political framework which has rendered telecom sector reform difficult; fixed-line teledensity, at only 4.9%, is significantly lower than the Latin American and Caribbean average; poor fixed-line infrastructure has been exacerbated by low investment and topographical difficulties which have made investment in rural areas unattractive or uneconomical; the internet has been slow to develop; DSL and cable modem technologies are available but are relatively expensive, while higher speed services are largely restricted to the major urban centers; the demand for broadband is steadily increasing and there has been some investment in network upgrades to fiber-based infrastructure; these factors have encouraged consumer take-up of mobile services, a sector where there is lively competition supported by international investment; mobile subscriptions are substantially below the regional average; revenue growth from the mobile sector looks promising in coming years as companies invest in their networks, expand their reach and upgrade their capabilities to accommodate mobile broadband services; mobile data as a proportion of overall mobile revenue has increased steadily, though low-end SMS services will continue to account for the bulk of data revenue for some years; political developments during the last few years have not facilitated the much-needed reform of legislation governing the telecoms sector; regulator frees up 3.5GHz fequencies for mobile use; Tigo and Amazon Web Services partner to offer cloud services.
Broadcast media: multiple privately owned terrestrial TV networks, supplemented by multiple cable TV networks; Radio Honduras is the lone government-owned radio network; roughly 300 privately owned radio stations (2019)
Internet country code: .hn
Internet users: total: 4,159,935 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 42% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 396,916 (2020)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 26
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 251,149 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 450,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HR
Airports: total: 103 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 13
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 90
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 16
under 914 m: 73 (2021)
Railways: total: 699 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 164 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
115 km 1.057-mm gauge
420 km 0.914-mm gauge
Roadways: total: 14,742 km (2012)
paved: 3,367 km (2012)
unpaved: 11,375 km (2012) (1,543 km summer only)
note: an additional 8,951 km of non-official roads used by the coffee industry
Waterways: 465 km (2012) (most navigable only by small craft)
Merchant marine: total: 505
by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 244, oil tanker 82, other 178 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): La Ceiba, Puerto Cortes, San Lorenzo, Tela
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Honduran Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras, FFAA): Army (Ejercito), Honduran Naval Force (FNH; includes marines), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH), Honduran Military Police of Public Order (PMOP); Security Secretariat: Public Security Forces (includes Honduran National Police paramilitary units) (2022)
note: the PMOP was created in 2013 to support the Honduran National Police (HNP) against narcotics trafficking and organized crime; since its creation, the PMOP’s role in internal security has expanded; it was used against election protesters in 2017, for example, and it has been accused of human rights violations; as of 2022, the PMOP was composed of 8 battalions of military personnel (approximately 5,000 troops) who had undergone some police training; it reported to military authorities but conducted operations sanctioned by both civilian security officials and military leaders
Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $510 million)
1.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $500 million)
1.7% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $510 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 16,000 active personnel (7,500 Army; 1,500 Navy, including about 1,000 marines; 2,000 Air Force; 5,000 Military Police of Public Order); approximately 18,000 National Police (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FFAA's inventory is comprised of mostly older imported equipment from Israel, the UK, and the US; since 2010, Honduras has received limited amounts of military equipment from several countries, including Colombia, Israel, and the Netherlands (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary 2- to 3-year military service (men and women); no conscription (2022)
note: as of 2017, women made up over 4% of the active duty military
Military - note: the armed forces, including the PMOP, are subordinate to the Secretariat of Defense, while the HNP reports to the Secretariat of Security; the National Interinstitutional Security Force is an interagency command that coordinates the overlapping responsibilities of the HNP, PMOP, National Intelligence Directorate, and Public Ministry (public prosecutor), but exercises coordination, command, and control responsibilities only during interagency operations involving those forces (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala DifferendumInternational Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled on the delimitation of "bolsones" (disputed areas) along the El Salvador-Honduras border in 1992 with final settlement by the parties in 2006 after an Organization of American States survey and a further ICJ ruling in 2003; the 1992 ICJ ruling advised a tripartite resolution to a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca with consideration of Honduran access to the Pacific; El Salvador continues to claim tiny Conejo Island, not mentioned in the ICJ ruling, off Honduras in the Gulf of Fonseca; Honduras claims the Belizean-administered Sapodilla Cays off the coast of Belize in its constitution, but agreed to a joint ecological park around the cays should Guatemala consent to a maritime corridor in the Caribbean under the OAS-sponsored 2002 Belize-Guatemala Differendum
Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 247,000 (violence, extortion, threats, forced recruitment by urban gangs between 2004 and 2018) (2021)
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States and precursor chemicals used to produce illicit drugs; some experimental coca cultivationtransshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States and precursor chemicals used to produce illicit drugs; some experimental coca cultivation |
20220901 | countries-turks-and-caicos-islands |
Topic: Photos of Turks and Caicos Islands
Topic: Introduction
Background: The islands were part of the UK's Jamaican colony until 1962, when they assumed the status of a separate Crown colony upon Jamaica's independence. The governor of The Bahamas oversaw affairs from 1965 to 1973. With Bahamian independence, the islands received a separate governor in 1973. Although independence was agreed upon for 1982, the policy was reversed and the islands remain a British overseas territory. Grand Turk island suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Maria on 22 September 2017 resulting in loss of power and communications, as well as damage to housing and businesses.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
Geographic coordinates: 21 45 N, 71 35 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 948 sq km
land: 948 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 389 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Terrain: low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
Elevation: highest point: Blue Hill on Providenciales and Flamingo Hill on East Caicos 48 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: spiny lobster, conch
Land use: agricultural land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.2% (2018 est.)
other: 62.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk
Natural hazards: frequent hurricanes
Geography - note: include eight large islands and numerous smaller cays, islets, and reefs; only two of the Caicos Islands and six of the Turks group are inhabited
Map description: Turks and Caicos Islands map showing the major islands that make up this UK territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.Turks and Caicos Islands map showing the major islands that make up this UK territory in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 58,286 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic groups: Black 87.6%, White 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006 est.)
Languages: English (official)
Religions: Protestant 72.8% (Baptist 35.8%, Church of God 11.7%, Anglican 10%, Methodist 9.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 6%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Jehovah's Witness 1.8%, other 14% (2006 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 21.33% (male 6,077/female 5,852)
15-24 years: 13.19% (male 3,689/female 3,687)
25-54 years: 52.51% (male 14,729/female 14,637)
55-64 years: 7.81% (male 2,297/female 2,069)
65 years and over: 5.17% (2020 est.) (male 1,364/female 1,525)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA
youth dependency ratio: NA
elderly dependency ratio: NA
potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 34.6 years
male: 34.9 years
female: 34.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.86% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 13.54 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 8.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: eight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk
Urbanization: urban population: 94% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 5,000 GRAND TURK (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.59 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 14.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 8.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.82 years
male: 78.07 years
female: 83.71 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.7 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: total: 94.3% of population
unimproved: total: 5.7% of population (2017)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 88% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 12% of population (2017)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years
male: NA
female: (2015) NA
People - note: destination and transit point for illegal Haitian immigrants bound for the Bahamas and the US
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)
Climate: tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
Land use: agricultural land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.2% (2018 est.)
other: 62.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 94% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.46% 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.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turks and Caicos Islands
abbreviation: TCI
etymology: the Turks Islands are named after the Turk's cap cactus (native to the islands and appearing on the flag and coat of arms), while the Caicos Islands derive from the native term "caya hico" meaning "string of islands"
Government type: parliamentary democracy
Dependency status: overseas territory of the UK
Capital: name: Grand Turk (Cockburn Town)
geographic coordinates: 21 28 N, 71 08 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named after Sir Francis Cockburn, who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1837 to 1844
Administrative divisions: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Independence: none (overseas territory of the UK)
National holiday: Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, usually celebrated the Monday after the second Saturday in June
Constitution: history: several previous; latest signed 7 August 2012, effective 15 October 2012 (The Turks and Caicos Constitution Order 2011)
amendments: NA
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and civil law
Citizenship: see United Kingdom
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor Nigel DAKIN (since 15 July 2019)
head of government: Premier Washington MISICK (since 19 February 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor from among members of the House of Assembly
elections/appointments: the monarch is hereditary; governor appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party is appointed premier by the governor
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Assembly (21 seats; 15 members in multi-seat constituencies and a single all-islands constituency directly elected by simple majority vote, 1 member nominated by the premier and appointed by the governor, 1 nominated by the opposition party leader and appointed by the governor, and 2 from the Turks and Caicos Islands Civic Society directly appointed by the governor, and 2 ex-officio members; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 19 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
election results: percent of vote (preliminary) - PNP 56.2%, PDM 39%, other 4.8%; seats by party - PNP 14, PDM 1; composition (of elected members) - men 12, women 3; percent of women 20%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and other judges, as determined by the governor); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 2 justices); note - appeals beyond the Supreme Court are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Appeals Court judges appointed by the governor in accordance with the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body of high-level judicial officials; Supreme Court judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended to age 70; Appeals Court judge tenure determined by individual terms of appointment
subordinate courts: magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders: People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sean ASTWOOD]
Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK]
International organization participation: Caricom (associate), CDB, Interpol (subbureau), UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the colonial shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the shield is yellow and displays a conch shell, a spiny lobster, and Turk's cap cactus - three common elements of the islands' biota
National symbol(s): conch shell, Turk's cap cactus
National anthem: name: "This Land of Ours"
lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The Turks and Caicos economy is based on tourism, offshore financial services, and fishing. Most capital goods and food for domestic consumption are imported. The US is the leading source of tourists, accounting for more than three-quarters of the more than 1 million visitors that arrive annually. Three-quarters of the visitors come by ship. Major sources of government revenue also include fees from offshore financial activities and customs receipts.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $820 million (2020 est.)
$1.12 billion (2019 est.)
$1.06 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 5.3% (2018 est.)
4.3% (2017 est.)
4.4% (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $21,100 (2020 est.)
$29,300 (2019 est.)
$28,200 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.02 billion (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4% (2017 est.)
0.7% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 8.9% (2017 est.)
services: 90.6% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 49% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 21.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 69.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -56.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: corn, beans, cassava (manioc, tapioca), citrus fruits; fish
Industries: tourism, offshore financial services
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 4,848 (1990 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: note: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other servicesnote: about 33% in government and 20% in agriculture and fishing; significant numbers in tourism, financial, and other services
Unemployment rate: 10% (1997 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 247.3 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 224.3 million (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Exports: $830 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: France 31%, United States 16%, Zambia 13%, Singapore 9%, Republic of the Congo 8% (2019)
Exports - commodities: plastic building materials, stone processing machinery, iron structures, crustaceans, integrated circuits (2019)
Imports: $540 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 76% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, furniture, soybeans (2019)
Debt - external: NANA
Exchange rates: the US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 85,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 231.618 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 12.5 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,600 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,369 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: 245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 245,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 0 Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 4,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: fully digital system with international direct dialing; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE expansion points to investment and focus on data; regulatory development; telecommunication contributes to greatly to GDP (2020)
domestic: full range of services available; GSM wireless service available; fixed-line teledensity roughly 11 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 1-649; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable providing connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2020)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced 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: no local terrestrial TV stations, broadcasts from the Bahamas can be received and multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; government-run radio network operates alongside private broadcasters with a total of about 15 stations
Internet country code: .tc
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 22
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VQ-T
Airports: total: 8 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Roadways: total: 121 km (2003)
paved: 24 km (2003)
unpaved: 97 km (2003)
Merchant marine: total: 3
by type: general cargo 1, other 2 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Cockburn Harbour, Grand Turk, Providenciales
Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Illicit drugs: transshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe |
20220901 | field-hiv-aids-deaths | This entry gives an estimate of the number of adults and children who died of AIDS during a given calendar year.
Topic: Afghanistan(2020 est.) <1,000
Topic: AkrotiriNA
Topic: Albania(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Algeria(2020 est.) <200
Topic: American SamoaNA
Topic: AndorraNA
Topic: Angola16,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: AnguillaNA
Topic: Antigua and Barbuda(2018) <100
Topic: Argentina1,400 (2020 est.)
Topic: Armenia(2020 est.) <100
Topic: ArubaNA
Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA
Topic: Australia(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Austria(2017 est.) <100
Topic: Azerbaijan(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Bahamas, The(2018) <200
Topic: Bahrain(2017 est.) <100
Topic: Bangladesh(2018 est.) <1000
Topic: Barbados(2019 est.) <100
Topic: Belarus(2020 est.) <200
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: BelgiumNA
Topic: Belize(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Benin2,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: BermudaNA
Topic: Bhutan(2020) <100
Topic: Bolivia(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina(2018) <100
Topic: Botswana5,100 (2020 est.)
Topic: Bouvet IslandNA
Topic: Brazil13,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA
Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA
Topic: BruneiNA
Topic: Bulgaria(2019 est.) <100
Topic: Burkina Faso3,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Burma7,700 (2019 est.)
Topic: Burundi1,700 (2020 est.)
Topic: Cabo Verde(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Cambodia1,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: Cameroon14,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: CanadaNA
Topic: Cayman IslandsNA
Topic: Central African Republic3,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: Chad3,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Chile(2018) <1,000
Topic: ChinaNA
Topic: Christmas IslandNA
Topic: Clipperton IslandNA
Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA
Topic: Colombia3,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Comoros(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the17,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of the6,100 (2020 est.)
Topic: Cook IslandsNA
Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA
Topic: Costa Rica(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire13,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Croatia(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Cuba(2020 est.) <500
Topic: CuracaoNA
Topic: Cyprus(2017 est.) <100
Topic: Czechia(2018 est.) <100
Topic: Denmark(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: DhekeliaNA
Topic: Djibouti(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Dominica(2018) <100
Topic: Dominican Republic1,900 (2020 est.)
Topic: Ecuador(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Egypt(2020 est.) <500
Topic: El Salvador(2020 est.) <1000
Topic: Equatorial Guinea2,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Eritrea(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Estonia(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Eswatini2,400 (2020 est.)
Topic: Ethiopia13,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: European Unionnote: see individual entries of member states
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA
Topic: Faroe IslandsNA
Topic: Fiji(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Finland(2018) <100
Topic: France(2019 est.) <500
Topic: French PolynesiaNA
Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA
Topic: Gabon(2020 est.) <1000
Topic: Gambia, The1,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Gaza StripNA
Topic: Georgia(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Germany(2020 est.) <500
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Ghana13,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: GibraltarNA
Topic: Greece(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: GreenlandNA
Topic: Grenada(2018) <100
Topic: GuamNA
Topic: Guatemala(2020 est.) <1,000
Topic: GuernseyNA
Topic: Guinea3,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Guinea-Bissau1,500 (2020 est.)
Topic: Guyana(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Haiti2,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA
Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA
Topic: Honduras(2020 est.) <1000
Topic: Hong KongNA
Topic: Hungary(2018 est.) <100
Topic: Iceland(2020) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: India69,000 (2017 est.)
Topic: Indonesia24,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Iran3,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: IraqNA
Topic: Ireland(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Isle of ManNA
Topic: Israel(2018) <100
Topic: Italy(2020 est.) <1000
Topic: Jamaica(2020 est.) <1,000
Topic: Jan MayenNA
Topic: Japan(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: JerseyNA
Topic: Jordan(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Kazakhstan(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Kenya29,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: KiribatiNA
Topic: Korea, NorthNA
Topic: Korea, SouthNA
Topic: KosovoNA
Topic: Kuwait(2018 est.) <100
Topic: Kyrgyzstan(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Laos(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Latvia(2019 est.) <100
Topic: Lebanon(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Lesotho4,700 (2020 est.)
Topic: Liberia1,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Libya(2020) <100
Topic: LiechtensteinNA
Topic: Lithuania(2019 est.) <100
Topic: Luxembourg(2018 est.) <100
Topic: MacauNA
Topic: Madagascar1,800 (2020 est.)
Topic: Malawi12,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Malaysia2,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: MaldivesNA
Topic: Mali4,600 (2020 est.)
Topic: Malta(2016 est.) <100
Topic: Marshall IslandsNA
Topic: Mauritania(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Mauritius(2020) <1000
Topic: Mexico4,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA
Topic: Moldova(2020 est.) <500
Topic: MonacoNA
Topic: Mongolia(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Montenegro(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: MontserratNA
Topic: Morocco(2020 est.) <500
note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara
Topic: Mozambique38,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Namibia3,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: NauruNA
Topic: Navassa IslandNA
Topic: Nepal(2020 est.) <1000
Topic: Netherlands(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: New CaledoniaNA
Topic: New Zealand(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Nicaragua(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Niger1,100 (2020 est.)
Topic: Nigeria49,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: NiueNA
Topic: Norfolk IslandNA
Topic: North Macedonia300 (2018 est.)
Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA
Topic: Norway(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Oman(2019) <100
Topic: Pakistan8,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: PalauNA
Topic: Panama(2020 est.) <500
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Papua New Guinea(2020 est.) <500
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Paracel IslandsNA
Topic: Paraguay(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Peru(2020 est.) <1000
Topic: Philippines1,600 (2020 est.) <1,000
Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA
Topic: PolandNA
Topic: Portugal(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Puerto RicoNA
Topic: Qatar(2020 est.) <100
Topic: Romania(2020 est.) <500
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: RussiaNA
Topic: Rwanda2,500 (2020 est.)
Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis(2018) <100
Topic: Saint Lucia(2018) <100
Topic: Saint MartinNA
Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines(2018) <100
Topic: SamoaNA
Topic: San MarinoNA
Topic: Sao Tome and Principe(2020) <100
Topic: Saudi Arabia(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Senegal1,100 (2020 est.)
Topic: Serbia(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: SeychellesNA
Topic: Sierra Leone3,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: Singapore(2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Sint MaartenNA
Topic: Slovakia(2018 est.) <100
Topic: Slovenia(2018 est.) <100
Topic: Solomon IslandsNA
Topic: Somalia(2020 est.) <500
Topic: South Africa83,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA
Topic: South Sudan8,900 (2020 est.)
Topic: Spain(2020) <1,000
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Spratly IslandsNA
Topic: Sri Lanka(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Sudan2,300 (2020 est.)
Topic: Suriname(2020 est.) <200
Topic: SvalbardNA
Topic: SwedenNA
Topic: Switzerland(2020) <200
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Syria(2020) <100
Topic: TaiwanNA
Topic: Tajikistan(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Tanzania32,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Thailand12,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Timor-Leste(2020) <100
Topic: Togo3,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: TokelauNA
Topic: TongaNA
Topic: Trinidad and Tobago(2020 est.) <200
note: estimate does not include children
Topic: Tunisia(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)NA
Topic: TurkmenistanNA
Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA
Topic: TuvaluNA
Topic: Uganda22,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Ukraine3,100 (2020 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emirates100 (2020) <100
Topic: United KingdomNA
Topic: United StatesNA
Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA
Topic: Uruguay(2020 est.) <200
Topic: Uzbekistan(2020 est.) <1,000
Topic: VanuatuNA
Topic: Venezuela4,200 (2020 est.)
Topic: Vietnam3,800 (2020 est.)
Topic: Virgin IslandsNA
Topic: Wake IslandNA
Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA
Topic: West BankNA
Topic: World680,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Yemen(2020 est.) <500
Topic: Zambia24,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Zimbabwe22,000 (2020 est.) |
20220901 | countries-maldives |
Topic: Photos of Maldives
Topic: Introduction
Background: A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. The islands became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005. In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM in August 2008. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the GAYOOM regime. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, NASHEED purportedly resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contends that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, YAMEEN weakened democratic institutions, curtailed civil liberties, jailed his political opponents, restricted the press, and exerted control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. In September 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH, a parliamentarian of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who had the support of a coalition of four parties that came together to defeat YAMEEN and restore democratic norms to Maldives. In April 2019, SOLIH's MDP won 65 of 87 seats in parliament.A sultanate since the 12th century, the Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. The islands became a republic in 1968, three years after independence. President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated Maldives' political scene for 30 years, elected to six successive terms by single-party referendums. Following political demonstrations in the capital Male in August 2003, GAYOOM and his government pledged to embark upon a process of liberalization and democratic reforms, including a more representative political system and expanded political freedoms. Political parties were legalized in 2005.In June 2008, a constituent assembly - termed the "Special Majlis" - finalized a new constitution ratified by GAYOOM in August 2008. The first-ever presidential elections under a multi-candidate, multi-party system were held in October 2008. GAYOOM was defeated in a runoff poll by Mohamed NASHEED, a political activist who had been jailed several years earlier by the GAYOOM regime. In early February 2012, after several weeks of street protests in response to his ordering the arrest of a top judge, NASHEED purportedly resigned the presidency and handed over power to Vice President Mohammed WAHEED Hassan Maniku. A government-appointed Commission of National Inquiry concluded there was no evidence of a coup, but NASHEED contends that police and military personnel forced him to resign. NASHEED, WAHEED, and Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom ran in the 2013 elections with YAMEEN ultimately winning the presidency after three rounds of voting. As president, YAMEEN weakened democratic institutions, curtailed civil liberties, jailed his political opponents, restricted the press, and exerted control over the judiciary to strengthen his hold on power and limit dissent. In September 2018, YAMEEN lost his reelection bid to Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH, a parliamentarian of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), who had the support of a coalition of four parties that came together to defeat YAMEEN and restore democratic norms to Maldives. In April 2019, SOLIH's MDP won 65 of 87 seats in parliament.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Asia, group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south-southwest of India
Geographic coordinates: 3 15 N, 73 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 298 sq km
land: 298 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: about 1.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 644 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Terrain: flat, with white sandy beaches
Elevation: highest point: 8th tee, golf course, Villingi Island 5 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 2 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.3% (2018 est.)
forest: 3% (2018 est.)
other: 73.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago
Natural hazards: tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to sea level rise
Geography - note: smallest Asian country; archipelago of 1,190 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls (200 inhabited islands, plus 80 islands with tourist resorts); strategic location astride and along major sea lanes in Indian Ocean
Map description: Madives map showing this archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean. Madives map showing this archipelagic country in the Indian Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 390,164 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Maldivian(s)
adjective: Maldivian
Ethnic groups: homogeneous mixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African resulting from historical changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes
Languages: Dhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials)
Religions: Sunni Muslim (official)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.13% (male 44,260/female 42,477)
15-24 years: 17.24% (male 37,826/female 29,745)
25-54 years: 48.91% (male 104,217/female 87,465)
55-64 years: 6.91% (male 12,942/female 14,123)
65 years and over: 4.81% (2020 est.) (male 8,417/female 10,432)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 30.2
youth dependency ratio: 25.5
elderly dependency ratio: 4.7
potential support ratio: 21.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 29.5 years
male: 29.2 years
female: 30 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.14% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 15.54 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.15 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -12.78 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: about a third of the population lives in the centrally located capital city of Male and almost a tenth in southern Addu City; the remainder of the populace is spread over the 200 or so populated islands of the archipelago
Urbanization: urban population: 41.5% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.34% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 177,000 MALE (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.2 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 1.08 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23.2 years (2016/17 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 53 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 25.7 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 28.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.94 years
male: 74.57 years
female: 79.42 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 18.8% (2016/17)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 99.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 1% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 8% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 4.3 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 99.1% of population
total: 99.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0.9% of population
total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 8.6% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 25.2% (2020 est.)
male: 44.4% (2020 est.)
female: 6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 14.8% (2016/17)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0%
women married by age 18: 2.2%
men married by age 18: 2.2% (2017 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.7%
male: 97.3%
female: 98.1% (2016)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 14 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.5%
male: 18.5%
female: 11.7% (2019 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: depletion of freshwater aquifers threatens water supplies; inadequate sewage treatment; coral reef bleaching
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 7.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 1.44 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.14 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry, northeast monsoon (November to March); rainy, southwest monsoon (June to August)
Land use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.3% (2018 est.)
forest: 3% (2018 est.)
other: 73.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 41.5% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.34% 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: 211,506 tons (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 5.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 300,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 30 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Maldives
conventional short form: Maldives
local long form: Dhivehi Raajjeyge Jumhooriyyaa
local short form: Dhivehi Raajje
etymology: archipelago apparently named after the main island (and capital) of Male; the word "Maldives" means "the islands (dives) of Male"; alternatively, the name may derive from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa" meaning "garland of islands"; Dhivehi Raajje in Dhivehi means "Kingdom of the Dhivehi people"
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Male
geographic coordinates: 4 10 N, 73 30 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: derived from the Sanskrit word "mahaalay" meaning "big house"
Administrative divisions: 21 administrative atolls (atholhuthah, singular - atholhu); Addu (Addu City), Ariatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Ari Atoll), Ariatholhu Uthuruburi (North Ari Atoll), Faadhippolhu, Felidhuatholhu (Felidhu Atoll), Fuvammulah, Hahdhunmathi, Huvadhuatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Huvadhu Atoll), Huvadhuatholhu Uthuruburi (North Huvadhu Atoll), Kolhumadulu, Maale (Male), Maaleatholhu (Male Atoll), Maalhosmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Maalhosmadulu), Maalhosmadulu Uthuruburi (North Maalhosmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Dhekunuburi (South Miladhunmadulu), Miladhunmadulu Uthuruburi (North Miladhunmadulu), Mulakatholhu (Mulaku Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Dhekunuburi (South Nilandhe Atoll), Nilandheatholhu Uthuruburi (North Nilandhe Atoll), Thiladhunmathee Dhekunuburi (South Thiladhunmathi), Thiladhunmathee Uthuruburi (North Thiladhunmathi)
Independence: 26 July 1965 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
Constitution: history: many previous; latest ratified 7 August 2008
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote by its membership and the signature of the president of the republic; passage of amendments to constitutional articles on rights and freedoms and the terms of office of Parliament and of the president also requires a majority vote in a referendum; amended 2015
Legal system: Islamic (sharia) legal system with English common law influences, primarily in commercial matters
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 Maldives
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018); the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Ibrahim "Ibu" Mohamed SOLIH (since 17 November 2018); Vice President Faisal NASEEM (since 17 November 2018)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by Parliament
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 September 2018 (next to be held in 2023)
election results: Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH elected president (in 1 round); Ibrahim Mohamed SOLIH (MDP) 58.3%, Abdulla YAMEEN Abdul Gayoom (PPM) 41.7%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or People's Majlis (87 seats - includes 2 seats added by the Elections Commission in late 2018; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 April 2019 (next to be held in 2023)
election results: percent of vote - MDP 44.7%, JP 10.8%, PPM 8.7%, PNC 6.4%, MDA 2.8%, other 5.6%, independent 21%; seats by party - MDP 65, JP 5, PPM 5, PNC 3, MDA 2, independent 7; composition - men 83, women 4, percent of women 4.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president in consultation with the Judicial Service Commission - a 10-member body of selected high government officials and the public - and upon confirmation by voting members of the People's Majlis; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: High Court; Criminal, Civil, Family, Juvenile, and Drug Courts; Magistrate Courts (on each of the inhabited islands)
Political parties and leaders: Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Sheikh Imran ABDULLA]
Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party or DRP [Abdulla JABIR]
Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed Shiyam MOHAMED]
Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]
Maldives Labor and Social Democratic Party or MLSDP [Ahmed SHIHAM]
Maldives Thirdway Democrats or MTD [Ahmed ADEEB]
Maumoon/Maldives Reform Movement or MRM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]
National Democratic Congress [Yousuf Maaniu] (formed in 2020)
People's National Congress or PNC [Abdul Raheem ABDULLA] (formed in early 2019)
Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM
Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM] (2020)Adhaalath (Justice) Party or AP [Sheikh Imran ABDULLA]
Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party or DRP [Abdulla JABIR]
Maldives Development Alliance or MDA [Ahmed Shiyam MOHAMED]
Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP [Mohamed NASHEED]
Maldives Labor and Social Democratic Party or MLSDP [Ahmed SHIHAM]
Maldives Thirdway Democrats or MTD [Ahmed ADEEB]
Maumoon/Maldives Reform Movement or MRM [Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM]
National Democratic Congress [Yousuf Maaniu] (formed in 2020)
People's National Congress or PNC [Abdul Raheem ABDULLA] (formed in early 2019)
Progressive Party of Maldives or PPM
Republican (Jumhooree) Party or JP [Qasim IBRAHIM]
International organization participation: ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Maldives has no embassy in the US, but its Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Thilmeeza HUSSAIN (since 8 July 2019), is accredited to the US and serves as ambassador
chancery: 801 Second Avenue, Suite 202E, New York, NY 10017
telephone: [1] (212) 599-6194; [1] (212) 599-6195
FAX: [1] (212) 661-6405
email address and website:
info@maldivesmission.com
http://www.maldivesmission.com/Maldives has no embassy in the US, but its Permanent Representative to the UN in New York, Thilmeeza HUSSAIN (since 8 July 2019), is accredited to the US and serves as ambassador
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Maldives; the US is in the process of opening an embassy in Maldives; as of March 2022, there is no US Ambassador to Maldives; until late 2021, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka was also accredited to the Maldives
Flag description: red with a large green rectangle in the center bearing a vertical white crescent moon; the closed side of the crescent is on the hoist side of the flag; red recalls those who have sacrificed their lives in defense of their country, the green rectangle represents peace and prosperity, and the white crescent signifies Islam
National symbol(s): coconut palm, yellowfin tuna; national colors: red, green, white
National anthem: name: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)
lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA
note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Maldives has quickly become a middle-income country, driven by the rapid growth of its tourism and fisheries sectors, but the country still contends with a large and growing fiscal deficit. Infrastructure projects, largely funded by China, could add significantly to debt levels. Political turmoil and the declaration of a state of emergency in February 2018 led to the issuance of travel warnings by several countries whose citizens visit Maldives in significant numbers, but the overall impact on tourism revenue was unclear. In 2015, Maldives’ Parliament passed a constitutional amendment legalizing foreign ownership of land; foreign land-buyers must reclaim at least 70% of the desired land from the ocean and invest at least $1 billion in a construction project approved by Parliament. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are near-term challenges facing the government. Over the longer term, Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.Maldives has quickly become a middle-income country, driven by the rapid growth of its tourism and fisheries sectors, but the country still contends with a large and growing fiscal deficit. Infrastructure projects, largely funded by China, could add significantly to debt levels. Political turmoil and the declaration of a state of emergency in February 2018 led to the issuance of travel warnings by several countries whose citizens visit Maldives in significant numbers, but the overall impact on tourism revenue was unclear. In 2015, Maldives’ Parliament passed a constitutional amendment legalizing foreign ownership of land; foreign land-buyers must reclaim at least 70% of the desired land from the ocean and invest at least $1 billion in a construction project approved by Parliament. Diversifying the economy beyond tourism and fishing, reforming public finance, increasing employment opportunities, and combating corruption, cronyism, and a growing drug problem are near-term challenges facing the government. Over the longer term, Maldivian authorities worry about the impact of erosion and possible global warming on their low-lying country; 80% of the area is 1 meter or less above sea level.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $7.05 billion (2020 est.)
$10.37 billion (2019 est.)
$9.69 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.8% (2017 est.)
4.5% (2016 est.)
2.2% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $13,000 (2020 est.)
$19,500 (2019 est.)
$18,800 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $4.505 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.3% (2017 est.)
0.8% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: CCC (2020)
Moody's rating: B3 (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3% (2015 est.)
industry: 16% (2015 est.)
services: 81% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: (2016 est.) NA
government consumption: (2016 est.) NA
investment in fixed capital: (2016 est.) NA
investment in inventories: (2016 est.) NA
exports of goods and services: 93.6% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: 89% (2016 est.)
Agricultural products: papayas, vegetables, roots/tubers nes, nuts, fruit, other meat, tomatoes, coconuts, bananas, maize
Industries: tourism, fish processing, shipping, boat building, coconut processing, woven mats, rope, handicrafts, coral and sand mining
Industrial production growth rate: 14% (2012 est.)
Labor force: 222,200 (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7.7%
industry: 22.8%
services: 69.5% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 2.9% (2017 est.)
3.2% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.5%
male: 18.5%
female: 11.7% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 8.2% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 31.3 (2016 est.)
37.4 (2004 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10)
Budget: revenues: 1.19 billion (2016 est.)
expenditures: 1.643 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -10.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Public debt: 63.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
61.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 26.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$876 million (2017 est.)
-$1.033 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $3.72 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$3.58 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Thailand 24%, United States 13%, China 12%, France 11%, Germany 11%, Italy 5%, United Kingdom 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: fish products, natural gas, scrap iron, jewelry, liquid pumps (2019)
Imports: $4.09 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$4.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 24%, China 16%, Singapore 14%, India 11%, Malaysia 6%, Thailand 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fruits, furniture, broadcasting equipment, lumber (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $477.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$575.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $848.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$696.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Exchange rates: rufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar -
15.42 (2017 est.)
15.35 (2016 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 545,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 586.5 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 21 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.4% 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: 15,300 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 10,840 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: 2.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 2.286 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 59.69 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 14,508 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 717,708 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: with its economy so heavily dependent on tourism, the Maldives has suffered heavy economic as well as health casualties during the pandemic; the country had a relatively short period of lock down and was willing to welcome visitors back as early as July 2020; but the effective shutdown of international air travel for most of the year resulted in the bottom falling out of the Maldives’ tourism industry, taking GDP down 32% in the process; the economy fared better in 2021, with a return to growth, yet it may still be a few years before the country’s key industries can return to the same level of prosperity that they previously enjoyed; the Maldives’ telecoms market is experiencing a similar level of pain because of the pandemic, due to being overweight in the mobile segment; that is because, historically, the country’s high number of tourists and expatriate workers has inflated the penetration rate for mobile services, making it one of the highest in the world; that rate crashed in 2020 as demand for SIM cards (primarily prepaid) dried up; however, the number of contract subscribers increased as locals took advantage of competitive pricing offers from operators; everything now rests on a fast return to normality, with tourists helping to boost the nation’s coffers as well as buying up those prepaid SIM cards; with commercial 5G services already launched and fiber networks rapidly expanding around the country, the Maldives is primed to deliver world-class telecommunications services to its domestic and international customers. (2021)
domestic: fixed-line is at nearly 3 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscriptions stands at nearly 133 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 960; landing points for Dhiraagu Cable Network, NaSCOM, Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Networks and WARF submarine cables providing connections to 8 points in Maldives, India, and Sri Lanka; satellite earth station - 3 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-owned radio and TV monopoly until recently; 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned TV stations and 4 state-operated and 7 privately owned radio stations (2019)
Internet country code: .mv
Internet users: total: 340,542 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 63% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 63,685 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 36
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,147,247 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7.75 million (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 8Q
Airports: total: 9 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 7
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)
Roadways: total: 93 km (2018)
paved: 93 km (2018) - 60 km in Malée; 16 km on Addu Atolis; 17 km on Laamu
note: island roads are mainly compacted coral
Merchant marine: total: 68
by type: general cargo 21, oil tanker 19, other 28 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Male
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: the Republic of Maldives has no distinct army, navy, or air force but a single security unit called the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) comprised of ground forces, an air element, a coastguard, a presidential security division, and a special protection group (2022)
Military expenditures: not available
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,500 personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: India has provided most of the equipment in the MNDF's inventory (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-28 years of age for voluntary service; no conscription; 10th grade or equivalent education required; must not be a member of a political party (2022)
Military - note: the MNDF is primarily tasked to reinforce the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and ensure security in the country's exclusive economic zone (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Trafficking in persons: current situation: Maldives is a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking and a source country for Maldivian children subjected to human trafficking within the country; Bangladeshi and Indian migrants working both legally and illegally in the construction and service sectors face conditions of forced labor, including fraudulent recruitment, confiscation of identity and travel documents, nonpayment of wages, and debt bondage; a small number of women from Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, China, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Eastern Europe, and former Soviet states are trafficked to Maldives for sexual exploitation; some Maldivian children are transported to the capital for forced domestic service, where they may also be sexually abused
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Maldives does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts included convicting two individuals for trafficking-related offenses, convening the National Anti-Trafficking Steering Committee for the first time in two years; drafting and finalizing a 2020-2022 national action plan; however, efforts to hold employers accountable for trafficking did not increase, non-payment of wages and of the retention of migrant workers’ passports continued; standard operating procedures for victim identification, protection, and referral were not adopted; insufficient resources were devoted to the national action plan; Maldives was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) |
20220901 | field-revenue-from-coal-country-comparison | |
20220901 | field-coal | This field refers to a country's coal and metallurgical coke production, consumption, exports, imports, and proven reserves. These energy sources include anthracite, metallurgical, bituminous, subbituminous, and lignite coal and metallurgical coke. Proven reserves are those quantities of coal that have been analyzed as commercially recoverable in the future based on known reservoirs and assuming current economic conditions. Data are reported in metric tons, and one metric ton is 1,000 kilograms.
Topic: AfghanistanProduction: 2.096 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.096 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 66 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: AlbaniaProduction: 9,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 119,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 110,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 522 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: AlgeriaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 85,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 85,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 59 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: American SamoaProduction: 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.)
Topic: AngolaProduction: 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.)
Topic: AntarcticaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Antigua and BarbudaProduction: 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.)
Topic: ArgentinaProduction: 829,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.55 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 4,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 990,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 500 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ArmeniaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 12,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 12,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 163 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ArubaProduction: 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.)
Topic: AustraliaProduction: 504.051 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 99.048 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 390.808 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 583,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 149.079 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: AustriaProduction: 1.327 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 4.899 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 3.667 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: AzerbaijanProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 19,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 19,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Bahamas, TheProduction: 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.)
Topic: BahrainProduction: 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.)
Topic: BangladeshProduction: 1.016 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 9.345 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 8.329 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 293 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BarbadosProduction: 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.)
Topic: BelarusProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 621,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1.574 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.117 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BelgiumProduction: 1.105 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 4.167 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 504,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 3.467 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BelizeProduction: 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.)
Topic: BeninProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 78,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 78,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BermudaProduction: 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.)
Topic: BhutanProduction: 174,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 211,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 37,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BoliviaProduction: 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: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaProduction: 6.966 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 7.752 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 525,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.366 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.264 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BotswanaProduction: 1.876 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.416 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 497,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.66 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BrazilProduction: 13.993 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 31.841 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 16,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 19.217 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 6.596 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: British Virgin IslandsProduction: 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.)
Topic: BruneiProduction: 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.)
Topic: BulgariaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Burkina FasoProduction: 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.)
Topic: BurmaProduction: 1.468 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.981 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 514,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 6 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: BurundiProduction: 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.)
Topic: Cabo VerdeProduction: 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.)
Topic: CambodiaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.974 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 3.311 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: CameroonProduction: 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.)
Topic: CanadaProduction: 48.328 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 25.642 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 32.026 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 7.577 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 6.582 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Cayman IslandsProduction: 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.)
Topic: Central African RepublicProduction: 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: 3 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ChadProduction: 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.)
Topic: ChileProduction: 542,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 10.573 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 134,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 10.607 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.181 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ChinaProduction: 4,314,681,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 4,506,387,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 6.652 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 307.047 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 141.595 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ColombiaProduction: 51.395 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 8.547 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 69.861 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 79,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 4.554 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ComorosProduction: 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.)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 88 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of theProduction: 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.)
Topic: Cook IslandsProduction: 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.)
Topic: Costa RicaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Cote d'IvoireProduction: 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.)
Topic: CroatiaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 643,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 2,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 644,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: CubaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 4,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 4,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: CyprusProduction: 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.)
Topic: CzechiaProduction: 33.806 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 37.212 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1.885 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 3.795 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.927 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: DenmarkProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.249 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 194,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.122 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: DjiboutiProduction: 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.)
Topic: DominicaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Dominican RepublicProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.791 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.359 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: EcuadorProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 10,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 24 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: EgyptProduction: 262,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.31 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 86,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.134 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 16 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: El SalvadorProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Equatorial GuineaProduction: 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.)
Topic: EritreaProduction: 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.)
Topic: EstoniaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: EswatiniProduction: 108,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 169,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 163,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 135,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 144 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: EthiopiaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 689,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 528,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)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.)
Topic: Faroe IslandsProduction: 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.)
Topic: FijiProduction: 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.)
Topic: FinlandProduction: 762,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 3.552 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 101,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.661 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: FranceProduction: 2.312 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 10.712 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 35,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 7.891 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: French PolynesiaProduction: 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.)
Topic: GabonProduction: 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.)
Topic: Gambia, TheProduction: 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.)
Topic: GeorgiaProduction: 99,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 362,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 277,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 201 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: GermanyProduction: 114.86 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 145.379 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 2.317 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 31.503 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 35.9 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: GhanaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 48,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 48,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: GibraltarProduction: 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.)
Topic: GreeceProduction: 13.851 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 13.828 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 7,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 305,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.876 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: GreenlandProduction: 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: 183 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: GrenadaProduction: 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.)
Topic: GuamProduction: 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.)
Topic: GuatemalaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.28 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.376 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: GuineaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Guinea-BissauProduction: 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.)
Topic: GuyanaProduction: 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.)
Topic: HaitiProduction: 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.)
Topic: HondurasProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 25,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 25,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Hong KongProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5.485 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 5.485 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: HungaryProduction: 6.956 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 8.079 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 230,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.395 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.909 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: IcelandProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 142,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 136,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: IndiaProduction: 743.214 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 883.979 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1.029 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 219.212 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 105.931 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: IndonesiaProduction: 563.728 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 132.548 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 409.892 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 8.95 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 39.891 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: IranProduction: 2.783 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.794 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 76,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 87,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.203 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: IraqProduction: 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.)
Topic: IrelandProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 351,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 132,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 408,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 14 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: IsraelProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5.089 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 5.565 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ItalyProduction: 1.456 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 9.335 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 368,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 8.235 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 17 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: JamaicaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 61,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 82,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: JapanProduction: 29.84 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 210.882 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 3.201 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 174.486 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 350 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: JordanProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 219,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 219,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: KazakhstanProduction: 102.338 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 74.819 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 3.002 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 993,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 25.605 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: KenyaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 821,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 822,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: KiribatiProduction: 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.)
Topic: Korea, NorthProduction: 16.376 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 6.698 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 22,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 600 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Korea, SouthProduction: 16.364 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 140.579 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 16,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 123.784 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 326 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: KosovoProduction: 8.538 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 8.549 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 9,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 20,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.564 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: KuwaitProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 68,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 68,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: KyrgyzstanProduction: 2.287 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.717 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 984,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 481,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 971 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: LaosProduction: 16.04 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 15.823 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 235,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 18,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 503 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: LatviaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 39,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 40,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: LebanonProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 268,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 268,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: LesothoProduction: 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.)
Topic: LiberiaProduction: 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.)
Topic: LibyaProduction: 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.)
Topic: LithuaniaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 221,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 75,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 268,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: LuxembourgProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 65,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 74,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MacauProduction: 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.)
Topic: MadagascarProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 107,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 115,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MalawiProduction: 48,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 47,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MalaysiaProduction: 2.977 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 35.268 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 17,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 37.295 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 226 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MaldivesProduction: 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.)
Topic: MaliProduction: 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.)
Topic: MaltaProduction: 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.)
Topic: MauritaniaProduction: 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.)
Topic: MauritiusProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 661,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.189 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MexicoProduction: 9.886 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 10.241 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 5.182 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.211 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Topic: MoldovaProduction: 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.)
Topic: MongoliaProduction: 43.904 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 8.818 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 28.551 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2.52 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MontenegroProduction: 1.456 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.351 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 96,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 142 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MontserratProduction: 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.)
Topic: MoroccoProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 9.321 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 9.321 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 14 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: MozambiqueProduction: 7.25 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 46,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 8.355 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 48,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.792 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: NamibiaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 38,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 59,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: NauruProduction: 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.)
Topic: NepalProduction: 28,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 839,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 811,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: NetherlandsProduction: 1.879 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 8.241 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 20.164 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 21.552 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 497 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: New CaledoniaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.151 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: New ZealandProduction: 3.226 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 3.001 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1.14 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.09 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 7.575 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: NicaraguaProduction: 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.)
Topic: NigerProduction: 224,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 224,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 6 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: NigeriaProduction: 44,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 85,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 12,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 77,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 344 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: NiueProduction: 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.)
Topic: North MacedoniaProduction: 5.026 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5.211 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 174,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 332 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Topic: NorwayProduction: 69,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.13 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 46,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.172 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: OmanProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 115,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 115,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: PakistanProduction: 4.855 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 21.012 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 17.239 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 3.064 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: PanamaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.118 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.15 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Papua New GuineaProduction: 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.)
Topic: ParaguayProduction: 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.)
Topic: PeruProduction: 696,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 396,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 252,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 262,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 102 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: PhilippinesProduction: 13.752 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 32.855 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 7.554 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 28.358 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 361 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: PolandProduction: 108.152 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 110.674 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 11.063 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 13.281 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 26.932 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: PortugalProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 957,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 238,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 36 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Puerto RicoProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.361 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.502 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: QatarProduction: 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.)
Topic: RomaniaProduction: 15.002 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 16.412 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 2,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1.384 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 291 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: RussiaProduction: 447.332 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 266.038 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 224.324 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 24.027 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 162.166 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: RwandaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisProduction: 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.)
Topic: Saint LuciaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonProduction: 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.)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesProduction: 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.)
Topic: SamoaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeProduction: 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.)
Topic: Saudi ArabiaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 73,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 73,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SenegalProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 894,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 894,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SerbiaProduction: 39.673 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 40.83 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 72,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 987,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 7.514 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SeychellesProduction: 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.)
Topic: Sierra LeoneProduction: 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.)
Topic: SingaporeProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 423,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 424,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SlovakiaProduction: 2.148 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5.371 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 3.111 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 135 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SloveniaProduction: 3.175 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 3.502 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 335,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 371 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Solomon IslandsProduction: 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.)
Topic: SomaliaProduction: 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.)
Topic: South AfricaProduction: 248.388 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 170.308 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 74.965 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.054 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 9.893 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: South SudanProduction: 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.)
Topic: SpainProduction: 546,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 4.918 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 2.083 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 4.857 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.187 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Sri LankaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.237 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.586 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SudanProduction: 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.)
Topic: SurinameProduction: 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.)
Topic: SwedenProduction: 1.07 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 3.328 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 24,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.144 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SwitzerlandProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 150,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 139,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: SyriaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 38,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 38,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: TaiwanProduction: 5.955 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 67.985 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 118,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 63.523 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: TajikistanProduction: 2.103 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.16 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 57,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 375 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: TanzaniaProduction: 712,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 577,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 126,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 269 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ThailandProduction: 13.251 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 35.761 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 63,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 23.899 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.063 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Timor-LesteProduction: 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.)
Topic: TogoProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 46,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 46,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: TongaProduction: 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.)
Topic: Trinidad and TobagoProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: TunisiaProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 5,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Production: 78.871 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 108.271 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 54,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 40.919 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 11.525 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: TurkmenistanProduction: 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.)
Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsProduction: 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.)
Topic: TuvaluProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Topic: UgandaProduction: 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.)
Topic: UkraineProduction: 23.908 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 41.181 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 61,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 17.333 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 34.375 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: United Arab EmiratesProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 2.563 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 2,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.565 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: United KingdomProduction: 2.892 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 9.401 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1.309 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 5.537 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 26 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: United StatesProduction: 495.13 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 441.968 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 63.276 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 4.808 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 228.662 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: UruguayProduction: 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.)
Topic: UzbekistanProduction: 3.98 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 5.668 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 2.995 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 1.375 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: VanuatuProduction: 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.)
Topic: VenezuelaProduction: 396,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 33,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 685,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 731 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: VietnamProduction: 47.789 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 80.568 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 902,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 55 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 3.36 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: Wake IslandProduction: 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.)
Topic: YemenProduction: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 22,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 22,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ZambiaProduction: 1.116 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 1.176 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 39,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 99,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 45 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Topic: ZimbabweProduction: 3.888 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Consumption: 3.579 million metric tons (2020 est.)
Exports: 327,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
Imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
Proven reserves: 502 million metric tons (2019 est.) |
20220901 | countries-saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines due to COVID-19. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required.
US Embassy/Consulate: US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines +(246) 227-4399; EMER: +(246) 227-4000; US Embassy Bridgetown, Wildey Business Park, Wildey, St. Michael BB 14006, Barbados, W.I.; BridgetownACS@state.gov;
https://bb.usembassy.gov
Telephone Code: 784
Local Emergency Phone: 999, 911
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Currency (Code): East Caribbean dollars (XCD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 110 V, 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, G
Major Languages: English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois
Major Religions: Protestant 75%, Roman Catholic 6.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%
Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Tobago Cays; Montreal Gardens; La Soufriere cross country trail; Firefly Plantation in Bequia; Botanical Gardens in Kingstown; Dark View Falls; Vermont Natural Trail; Fort Duvernette; Bequia Beach; Union Beach
Major Sports: Rugby, cricket, soccer, netball, basketball, volleyball, tennis
Cultural Practices: Avoid cursing or using foul language as it is considered a criminal offense.
Tipping Guidelines: A service charge of 10% is usually added to a restaurant or hotel bill, but if not, leave at least 10-15% depending on your satisfaction with the service. Tip taxi drivers 10%, bellhops $2 (USD) per bag, and housekeeping $2 per night.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-eritrea-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: After independence from Italian control and then UK oversight, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopian annexation sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum.After independence from Italian control and then UK oversight, the UN established Eritrea as an autonomous region within the Ethiopian federation in 1952. Ethiopian annexation sparked a 30-year struggle for independence that ended in 1991. Eritreans overwhelmingly approved independence in a 1993 referendum.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 117,600 sq km
land: 101,000 sq km
water: 16,600 sq km
Climate: hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands
Natural resources: gold, potash, zinc, copper, salt, possibly oil and natural gas, fish
Topic: People and Society
Population: 6,209,262 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Tigrinya 50%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Afar 4%, Kunama 4%, Bilen 3%, Hedareb/Beja 2%, Nara 2%, Rashaida 1% (2021 est.)
Languages: Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages
Religions: Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, Sunni Muslim
Population growth rate: 1.03% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Asmara
Executive branch: chief of state: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government and is head of the State Council and National Assembly
head of government: President ISAIAS Afwerki (since 8 June 1993)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (Hagerawi Baito) (150 seats; 75 members indirectly elected by the ruling party and 75 directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: largely agrarian economy with a significant mining sector; substantial fiscal surplus due to tight controls; high and vulnerable debts; increased Ethiopian trade and shared port usage decreasing prices; financial and economic data integrity challengeslargely agrarian economy with a significant mining sector; substantial fiscal surplus due to tight controls; high and vulnerable debts; increased Ethiopian trade and shared port usage decreasing prices; financial and economic data integrity challenges
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.702 billion (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sorghum, milk, vegetables, barley, cereals, pulses nes, roots/tubers nes, wheat, millet, beef
Industries: food processing, beverages, clothing and textiles, light manufacturing, salt, cement
Exports: $624.3 million (2017 est.)
Exports - partners: China 62%, South Korea 28.3% (2017)
Exports - commodities: gold and other minerals, livestock, sorghum, textiles, food, small industry manufactures
Imports: $1.127 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: UAE 14.5%, China 13.2%, Saudi Arabia 13.2%, Italy 12.9%, Turkey 5.6%, South Africa 4.6% (2017)
Imports - commodities: machinery, petroleum products, food, manufactured goodsPage last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-romania-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Romania. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the stay is less than 90 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: +(40) (21) 200-3300 and/or +(40) (21) 270-6000; US Embassy Bucharest, 4-6, Dr. Liviu Librescu Blvd., District 1, Bucharest, 015118 Romania; ACSBucharest@state.gov; https://ro.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 40
Local Emergency Phone: 112
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Temperate; cold, cloudy winters with frequent snow and fog; sunny summers with frequent showers and thunderstorms
Currency (Code): Lei (RON)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages: Romanian, Hungarian, Romani
Major Religions: Eastern Orthodox 81.9%, Protestant 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%
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
Potable Water: Yes, but many opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Bran Castle; Sighisoara Historic Center; Palace of Parliament; Peles Castle; Merry Cemetery; Sibiu; Biertan Fortified Church; Dacian Fortresses; National Museum of Romanian History; Iron Gates in the Danube River
Major Sports: Soccer, gymnastics, handball, basketball, rugby
Cultural Practices: It is impolite to start eating immediately when seated, wait until your hosts says, "pofta buna" (good appetite).
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping 5-10% of the total bill for restaurant staff is appropriate. Hotel housekeeping should be tipped a bit per day or at the end of a longer stay. A porter expects $1 (USD) per bag to carry luggage to a room.
Souvenirs: Embroidered items, hand-painted icons and eggs, carved wooden spoons, woven carpets
Traditional Cuisine: Sarmale (cabbage rolls) — minced pork and/or poultry mixed with spices, rice, and onions, then rolled up in cabbage leaves and boiled in a sauce made of sauerkraut juice, tomato juice, and other ingredients; typically served with mamaliga (a corn flour mush) and sour creamPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, June 20, 2022 |
20220901 | field-citizenship | This entry provides information related to the acquisition and exercise of citizenship; it includes four subfields:
citizenship by birth describes the acquisition of citizenship based on place of birth, known as Jus soli, regardless of the citizenship of parents.
citizenship by descent only describes the acquisition of citizenship based on the principle of Jus sanguinis, or by descent, where at least one parent is a citizen of the state and being born within the territorial limits of the state is not required. The majority of countries adhere to this practice. In some cases, citizenship is conferred through the father or mother exclusively.
dual citizenship recognized indicates whether a state permits a citizen to simultaneously hold citizenship in another state. Many states do not permit dual citizenship and the voluntary acquisition of citizenship in another country is grounds for revocation of citizenship. Holding dual citizenship makes an individual legally obligated to more than one state and can negate the normal consular protections afforded to citizens outside their original country of citizenship.
residency requirement for naturalization lists the length of time an applicant is required to live in a state before applying for naturalization. In most countries citizenship can be acquired through the legal process of naturalization. The requirements for naturalization vary by state but generally include no criminal record, good health, economic wherewithal, and a period of authorized residency in the state. This time period can vary enormously among states and is often used to make the acquisition of citizenship difficult or impossible.
Topic: Afghanistancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must have been born in - and continuously lived in - Afghanistan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Albaniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Albania
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Algeriacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the mother must be a citizen of Algeria
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: American Samoasee United States
Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens
Topic: Andorracitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the mother must be an Andorran citizen or the father must have been born in Andorra and both parents maintain permanent residence in Andorra
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years
Topic: Angolacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Angola
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Anguillasee United Kingdom
Topic: Antigua and Barbudacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Argentinacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
Topic: Armeniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Armenia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Topic: Arubasee the Netherlands
Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandssee Australia
Topic: Australiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Australia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Topic: Austriacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Austria
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Azerbaijancitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Bahamas, Thecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of The Bahamas
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 6-9 years
Topic: Bahraincitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Bahrain
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 25 years; 15 years for Arab nationals
Topic: Bangladeshcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bangladesh
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Barbadoscitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Belaruscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Belarus
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Belgiumcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Belgium
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Belizecitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Benincitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Bermudacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the UK
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Bhutancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Bhutan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Boliviacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina
dual citizenship recognized: yes, provided there is a bilateral agreement with the other state
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Botswanacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Botswana
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Brazilcitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Topic: British Virgin Islandssee United Kingdom
Topic: Bruneicitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Brunei
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years
Topic: Bulgariacitizenship 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
Topic: Burkina Fasocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Burkina Faso
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Burmacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Burma
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: none
note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen
Topic: Burundicitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Burundi
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Cabo Verdecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cabo Verde
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Cambodiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cambodia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Camerooncitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cameroon
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Canadacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada
Topic: Cayman Islandssee United Kingdom
Topic: Central African Republiccitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of the Central African Republic
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 35 years
Topic: Chadcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Chad
dual citizenship recognized: Chadian law does not address dual citizenship
residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years
Topic: Chilecitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Chinacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen of China
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: while naturalization is theoretically possible, in practical terms it is extremely difficult; residency is required but not specified
Topic: Christmas Islandsee Australia
Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandssee Australia
Topic: Colombiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: least one parent must be a citizen or permanent resident of Colombia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Comoroscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Comoros
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Congo, Republic of thecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Republic of the Congo
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Coral Sea Islandssee Australia
Topic: Costa Ricacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Cote d'Ivoirecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cote d'Ivoire
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Croatiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Croatia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Cubacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Curacaosee the Netherlands
Topic: Cypruscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Cyprus
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Czechiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Czechia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Denmarkcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Denmark
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Djibouticitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the mother must be a citizen of Djibouti
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Dominicacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Dominican Republiccitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
Topic: Ecuadorcitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Topic: Egyptcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: if the father was born in Egypt
dual citizenship recognized: only with prior permission from the government
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: El Salvadorcitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Equatorial Guineacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Equatorial Guinea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Eritreacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Eritrea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years
Topic: Estoniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Estonia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Eswatinicitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Eswatini
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Ethiopiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Ethiopia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)see United Kingdom
Topic: Faroe Islandssee Denmark
Topic: Fijicitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Fiji
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application
Topic: Finlandcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Finland
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 6 years
Topic: Francecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of France
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: French Polynesiasee France
Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landssee France
Topic: Gaboncitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Gabon
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Gambia, Thecitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Georgiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Germanycitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a German citizen or a resident alien who has lived in Germany at least 8 years
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from government
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Ghanacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Gibraltarsee United Kingdom
Topic: Greececitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Greece
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Greenlandsee Denmark
Topic: Grenadacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state
Topic: Guamsee United States
Topic: Guatemalacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years with no absences of six consecutive months or longer or absences totaling more than a year
Topic: Guernseysee United Kingdom
Topic: Guineacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Guinea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: na
Topic: Guinea-Bissaucitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Guyanacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: na
Topic: Haiticitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Haiti
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: no
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: not applicable
note: in the Holy See, citizenship is acquired by law, ex iure, or by adminstrative decision; in the first instance, citizenship is a function of holding office within the Holy See as in the case of cardinals resident in Vatican City or diplomats of the Holy See; in the second instance, citizenship may be requested in a limited set of circumstances for those who reside within Vatican City under papal authorization, as a function of their office or service, or as the spouses and children of current citizens; citizenship is lost once an individual no longer permanently resides in Vatican City, normally reverting to the citizenship previously held
Topic: Hondurascitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 1 to 3 years
Topic: Hong Kongsee China
Topic: Hungarycitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Hungary
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Icelandcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Iceland
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 to 7 years
Topic: Indiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of India
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Indonesiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Indonesia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 continuous years
Topic: Irancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Iran
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Iraqcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Irelandcitizenship by birth: no, unless a parent of a child born in Ireland has been legally resident in Ireland for at least three of the four years prior to the birth of the child
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 of the previous 8 years
Topic: Isle of Mansee United Kingdom
Topic: Israelcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Israel
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but naturalized citizens are not allowed to maintain dual citizenship
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 out of the 5 years preceding the application for naturalization
note: Israeli law (Law of Return, 5 July 1950) provides for the granting of citizenship to any Jew - defined as a person being born to a Jewish mother or having converted to Judaism while renouncing any other religion - who immigrates to and expresses a desire to settle in Israel on the basis of the Right of aliyah; the 1970 amendment of this act extended the right to family members including the spouse of a Jew, any child or grandchild, and the spouses of children and grandchildren
Topic: Italycitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Italy
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years for EU nationals, 5 years for refugees and specified exceptions, 10 years for all others
Topic: Jamaicacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 5 years
Topic: Japancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Japan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Jerseysee United Kingdom
Topic: Jordancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Jordan
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years
Topic: Kazakhstancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kazakhstan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Kenyacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kenya
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years
Topic: Kiribaticitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Kiribati
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Korea, Northcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Korea, Southcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Korea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Kosovocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kosovo
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Kuwaitcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: not specified
Topic: Kyrgyzstancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Laoscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Laos
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Latviacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Latvia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Lebanoncitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Lebanon
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Lesothocitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Liberiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Liberia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
Topic: Libyacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Libya
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: varies from 3 to 5 years
Topic: Liechtensteincitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Liechtenstein; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Lithuaniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Lithuania
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Luxembourgcitizenship by birth: limited to situations where the parents are either unknown, stateless, or when the nationality law of the parents' state of origin does not permit acquisition of citizenship by descent when the birth occurs outside of national territory
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Luxembourg
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Macausee China
Topic: Madagascarcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Madagascar; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Malawicitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malawi
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Malaysiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malaysia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 out 12 years preceding application
Topic: Maldivescitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Maldives
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Malicitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Mali
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Maltacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malta
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Marshall Islandscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Mauritaniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Mauritania
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Mauritiuscitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 out of the previous 7 years including the last 12 months
Topic: Mexicocitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: not specified
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Moldovacitizenship 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
Topic: Monacocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Monaco; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen and father unknown
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Mongoliacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Montenegrocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Montenegro
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Montserratsee United Kingdom
Topic: Moroccocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Mozambiquecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Mozambique
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Namibiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Namibia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Nepalcitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years
Topic: Netherlandscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Netherlands
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: New Caledoniasee France
Topic: New Zealandcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Topic: Nicaraguacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Topic: Nigercitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Nigeriacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Nigeria
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 15 years
Topic: Norfolk Islandsee Australia
Topic: North Macedoniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Macedonia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Northern Mariana Islandssee United States
Topic: Norwaycitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Norway
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Omancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Oman
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Topic: Pakistancitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Pakistan
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but limited to select countries
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 out of the previous 7 years and including the 12 months preceding application
Topic: Palaucitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Palau
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: note - no procedure for naturalization
Topic: Panamacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Papua New Guineacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Papua New Guinea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Paraguaycitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Paraguay
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Topic: Perucitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
Topic: Philippinescitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Pitcairn Islandssee United Kingdom
Topic: Polandcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Poland
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Portugalcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Portugal
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; 6 years if from a Portuguese-speaking country
Topic: Puerto Ricosee United States
Topic: Qatarcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Qatar
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 20 years; 15 years if an Arab national
Topic: Romaniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Romania
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Russiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Russia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 years
Topic: Rwandacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Saint Barthelemysee France
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhasee United Kingdom
Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviscitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 14 years
Topic: Saint Luciacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Saint Martinsee France
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonsee France
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinescitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Samoacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: San Marinocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of San Marino
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years
Topic: Sao Tome and Principecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Saudi Arabiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Saudi Arabia; a child born out of wedlock in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi mother and unknown father
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Senegalcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Senegal
dual citizenship recognized: no, but Senegalese citizens do not automatically lose their citizenship if they acquire citizenship in another state
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Serbiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Serbia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Topic: Seychellescitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Sierra Leonecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Singaporecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Sint Maartensee the Netherlands
Topic: Slovakiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovakia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Sloveniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Slovenia; both parents if the child is born outside of Slovenia
dual citizenship recognized: yes, for select cases
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years, the last 5 of which have been continuous
Topic: Solomon Islandscitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Solomon Islands
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Somaliacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Somalia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: South Africacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Africa
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission of the government
residency requirement for naturalization: 1 year
Topic: South Sudancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Spaincitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Spain
dual citizenship recognized: only with select Latin American countries
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years for persons with no ties to Spain
Topic: Sri Lankacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka
dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Sudancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Sudan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Surinamecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Suriname
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Svalbardsee Norway
Topic: Swedencitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Sweden; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Sweden and the father unknown
dual citizenship recognized: no, unless the other citizenship was acquired involuntarily
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Switzerlandcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Switzerland
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application
Topic: Syriacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Syria; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen of Syria
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Taiwancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Taiwan
dual citizenship recognized: yes, except that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Tajikistancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tajikistan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years or 3 years of continuous residence prior to application
Topic: Tanzaniacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tanzania; if a child is born abroad, the father must be a citizen of Tanzania
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Thailandcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Thailand
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Timor-Lestecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Togocitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Tokelausee New Zealand
Topic: Tongacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Trinidad and Tobagocitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Topic: Tunisiacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Tunisia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Turkeycitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkey
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from the government
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Turkmenistancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkmenistan
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandssee United Kingdom
Topic: Tuvalucitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: na
Topic: Ugandacitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a native-born citizen of Uganda
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: an aggregate of 20 years and continuously for the last 2 years prior to applying for citizenship
Topic: Ukrainecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Ukraine
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: United Arab Emiratescitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 30 years
Topic: United Kingdomcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the United Kingdom
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: United Statescitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no, but the US government acknowledges such situtations exist; US citizens are not encouraged to seek dual citizenship since it limits protection by the US
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Uruguaycitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3-5 years
Topic: Uzbekistancitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Uzbekistan
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Vanuatucitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Venezuelacitizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; reduced to five years in the case of applicants from Spain, Portugal, Italy, or a Latin American or Caribbean country
Topic: Vietnamcitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Vietnam
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Topic: Virgin Islandssee United States
Topic: Wake Islandsee United States
Topic: Wallis and Futunasee France
Topic: Yemencitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Yemen; if the father is unknown, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Topic: Zambiacitizenship by birth: only if at least one parent is a citizen of Zambia
citizenship by descent only: yes, if at least one parent was a citizen of Zambia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years for those with an ancestor who was a citizen of Zambia, otherwise 10 years residency is required
Topic: Zimbabwecitizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Zimbabwe; in the case of a child born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
20220901 | countries-finland |
Topic: Photos of Finland
Topic: Introduction
Background: Finland was a province and then a grand duchy under Sweden from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and an autonomous grand duchy of Russia after 1809. It gained complete independence in 1917. During World War II, Finland successfully defended its independence through cooperation with Germany and resisted subsequent invasions by the Soviet Union - albeit with some loss of territory. In the subsequent half century, Finland transformed from a farm/forest economy to a diversified modern industrial economy; per capita income is among the highest in Western Europe. A member of the EU since 1995, Finland was the only Nordic state to join the euro single currency at its initiation in January 1999. In the 21st century, the key features of Finland's modern welfare state are high quality education, promotion of equality, and a national social welfare system - currently challenged by an aging population and the fluctuations of an export-driven economy.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 64 00 N, 26 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 338,145 sq km
land: 303,815 sq km
water: 34,330 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than two times the size of Georgia; slightly smaller than Montana
Land boundaries: total: 2,563 km
border countries (3): Norway 709 km; Sweden 545 km; Russia 1,309 km
Coastline: 1,250 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm (in the Gulf of Finland - 3 nm)
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm; extends to continental shelf boundary with Sweden, Estonia, and Russia
Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plains interspersed with lakes and low hills
Elevation: highest point: Halti (alternatively Haltia, Haltitunturi, Haltiatunturi) 1,328 m
lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 164 m
Natural resources: timber, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, chromite, nickel, gold, silver, limestone
Land use: agricultural land: 7.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 7.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 72.9% (2018 est.)
other: 19.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 690 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Saimaa - 1,760 sq km; Paijanne - 1,090 sq km; Inarijarvi - 1,000 sq km; Oulujarvi - 900 sq km; Pielinen - 850 sq km
Population distribution: the vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely poplulated
Natural hazards: severe winters in the north
Geography - note: long boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain
Map description: Finland map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.Finland map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,601,547 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Finn(s)
adjective: Finnish
Ethnic groups: Finnish, Swedish, Russian, Estonian, Romani, Sami
note: 91.5% of the population has a Finnish background
Languages: Finnish (official) 86.5%, Swedish (official) 5.2%, Russian 1.6%, other 6.7% (2021 est.)
major-language sample(s):
World Factbook, korvaamaton perustietolähde. (Finnish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Lutheran 66.6%, Greek Orthodox 1.1%, other 1.7%, none 30.6% (2021 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.41% (male 467,220/female 447,005)
15-24 years: 10.95% (male 312,179/female 297,717)
25-54 years: 37.37% (male 1,064,326/female 1,017,545)
55-64 years: 13.02% (male 357,687/female 367,610)
65 years and over: 22.26% (2020 est.) (male 543,331/female 697,045)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 62.4
youth dependency ratio: 25.8
elderly dependency ratio: 36.6
potential support ratio: 2.7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 42.8 years
male: 41.3 years
female: 44.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.24% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 10.35 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely poplulated
Urbanization: urban population: 85.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.328 million HELSINKI (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.5 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 2.13 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.76 years
male: 78.86 years
female: 84.79 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.74 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 85.5% (2015)
note: percent of women aged 18-49
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 9.2% (2019)
Physicians density: 4.64 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 3.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)
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: 0.1% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 4,000 (2018)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.2% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 21.6% (2020 est.)
male: 26.9% (2020 est.)
female: 16.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Child marriage: women married by age 18: 0% (2017 est.)
Education expenditures: 6.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years
male: 18 years
female: 20 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4%
male: 23.2%
female: 19.4% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: limited air pollution in urban centers; some water pollution from industrial wastes, agricultural chemicals; habitat loss threatens wildlife populations
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, Marine Life Conservation, 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: 5.88 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 45.87 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 4.46 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: cold temperate; potentially subarctic but comparatively mild because of moderating influence of the North Atlantic Current, Baltic Sea, and more than 60,000 lakes
Land use: agricultural land: 7.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 7.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 72.9% (2018 est.)
other: 19.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 85.7% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.42% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.36% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.738 million tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 769,926 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 28.1% (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Saimaa - 1,760 sq km; Paijanne - 1,090 sq km; Inarijarvi - 1,000 sq km; Oulujarvi - 900 sq km; Pielinen - 850 sq km
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 400 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 1.417 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 110 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Finland
conventional short form: Finland
local long form: Suomen tasavalta (Finnish)/ Republiken Finland (Swedish)
local short form: Suomi (Finnish)/ Finland (Swedish)
etymology: name may derive from the ancient Fenni peoples who are first described as living in northeastern Europe in the first centuries A.D.
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Helsinki
geographic coordinates: 60 10 N, 24 56 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: the name may derive from the Swedish "helsing," an archaic name for "neck" ("hals"), and which may refer to a narrowing of the Vantaa River that flows into the Gulf of Finland at Helsinki; "fors" refers to "rapids," so "helsing fors" meaning becomes "the narrows' rapids"
Administrative divisions: 19 regions (maakunnat, singular - maakunta (Finnish); landskapen, singular - landskapet (Swedish)); Aland (Swedish), Ahvenanmaa (Finnish); Etela-Karjala (Finnish), Sodra Karelen (Swedish) [South Karelia]; Etela-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Sodra Osterbotten (Swedish) [South Ostrobothnia]; Etela-Savo (Finnish), Sodra Savolax (Swedish) [South Savo]; Kanta-Hame (Finnish), Egentliga Tavastland (Swedish); Kainuu (Finnish), Kajanaland (Swedish); Keski-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Mellersta Osterbotten (Swedish) [Central Ostrobothnia]; Keski-Suomi (Finnish), Mellersta Finland (Swedish) [Central Finland]; Kymenlaakso (Finnish), Kymmenedalen (Swedish); Lappi (Finnish), Lappland (Swedish); Paijat-Hame (Finnish), Paijanne-Tavastland (Swedish); Pirkanmaa (Finnish), Birkaland (Swedish) [Tampere]; Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Osterbotten (Swedish) [Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Karjala (Finnish), Norra Karelen (Swedish) [North Karelia]; Pohjois-Pohjanmaa (Finnish), Norra Osterbotten (Swedish) [North Ostrobothnia]; Pohjois-Savo (Finnish), Norra Savolax (Swedish) [North Savo]; Satakunta (Finnish and Swedish); Uusimaa (Finnish), Nyland (Swedish) [Newland]; Varsinais-Suomi (Finnish), Egentliga Finland (Swedish) [Southwest Finland]
Independence: 6 December 1917 (from Russia)
National holiday: Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
Constitution: history: previous 1906, 1919; latest drafted 17 June 1997, approved by Parliament 11 June 1999, entered into force 1 March 2000
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage normally requires simple majority vote in two readings in the first parliamentary session and at least two-thirds majority vote in a single reading by the newly elected Parliament; proposals declared "urgent" by five-sixths of Parliament members can be passed by at least two-thirds majority vote in the first parliamentary session only; amended several times, last in 2018
Legal system: civil law system based on the Swedish model
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 Finland
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 6 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Sauli NIINISTO (since 1 March 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Sanna MARIN (since 10 December 2019)
cabinet: Council of State or Valtioneuvosto appointed by the president, responsible to Parliament
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 28 January 2018 (next to be held in January 2024); prime minister appointed by Parliament
election results: Sauli NIINISTO reelected president; percent of vote Sauli NIINISTO (independent) 62.7%, Pekka HAAVISTO (Vihr) 12.4%, Laura HUHTASAARI (PS) 6.9%, Paavo VAYRYNEN (independent) 6.2%, Matti VANHANEN (Kesk) 4.1%, other 7.7%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Eduskunta (200 seats; 199 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 1 member in the province of Aland directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 14 April 2019 (next to be held in April 2023)
election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - SDP 20%, PS 19.5%, Kok 19.0%. Center Party 15.5%, Vihr 10%, Vas 8%, SFP 4.5%, KD 2.5%, Aland .5%; other .5%; seats by party/coalition - SDP 40, PS 39, Kok 38, Centre Party 31, Vihr 20, Vas 16, SFP 9, KD 5; Aland 1; other 1; composition men 109, women 91, percent of women 45.5%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Korkein Oikeus (consists of the court president and 18 judges); Supreme Administrative Court (consists of 21 judges, including the court president and organized into 3 chambers); note - Finland has a dual judicial system - courts with civil and criminal jurisdiction and administrative courts with jurisdiction for litigation between individuals and administrative organs of the state and communities
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Supreme Administrative Court judges appointed by the president of the republic; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 68
subordinate courts: 6 Courts of Appeal; 8 regional administrative courts; 27 district courts; special courts for issues relating to markets, labor, insurance, impeachment, land, tenancy, and water rights
Political parties and leaders: Aland Coalition (a coalition of several political parties on the Aland Islands)
Center Party or Kesk [Annika SAARIKKO]
Christian Democrats or KD [Sari ESSAYAH]
Finns Party or PS [Riikka PURRA]
Green League or Vihr [Maria OHISALO]
Left Alliance or Vas [Li ANDERSSON]
National Coalition Party or Kok [Petteri ORPO]
Social Democratic Party or SDP [Sanna MARIN]
Swedish People's Party or RKP or SFP [Anna-Maja HENRIKSSON]
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNSOM, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mikko Tapani HAUTALA (since 17 September 2020)
chancery: 3301 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 298-5800
FAX: [1] (202) 298-6030
email address and website:
sanomat.was@formin.fi
https://finlandabroad.fi/web/usa/mission
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Douglas HICKEY (since 11 May 2022)
embassy: Itainen Puistotie 14 B, 00140 Helsinki
mailing address: 5310 Helsinki Place, Washington DC 20521-5310
telephone: [358] (9) 616-250
FAX: [358] (9) 174-681
email address and website:
HelsinkiACS@state.gov
https://fi.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: white with a blue cross extending to the edges of the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoist side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag); the blue represents the thousands of lakes scattered across the country, while the white is for the snow that covers the land in winter
National symbol(s): lion; national colors: blue, white
National anthem: name: "Maamme" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS
note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Fortress of Suomenlinna (c); Old Rauma (c); Petäjävesi Old Church (c); Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (c); Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki (c); High Coast / Kvarken Archipelago (n); Struve Geodetic Arc (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita GDP almost as high as that of Austria and the Netherlands and slightly above that of Germany and Belgium. Trade is important, with exports accounting for over one-third of GDP in recent years. The government is open to, and actively takes steps to attract, foreign direct investment. Finland is historically competitive in manufacturing, particularly in the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Finland excels in export of technology as well as promotion of startups in the information and communications technology, gaming, cleantech, and biotechnology sectors. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the cold climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export industry, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Finland had been one of the best performing economies within the EU before 2009 and its banks and financial markets avoided the worst of global financial crisis. However, the world slowdown hit exports and domestic demand hard in that year, causing Finland’s economy to contract from 2012 to 2014. The recession affected general government finances and the debt ratio. The economy returned to growth in 2016, posting a 1.9% GDP increase before growing an estimated 3.3% in 2017, supported by a strong increase in investment, private consumption, and net exports. Finnish economists expect GDP to grow a rate of 2-3% in the next few years. Finland's main challenges will be reducing high labor costs and boosting demand for its exports. In June 2016, the government enacted a Competitiveness Pact aimed at reducing labor costs, increasing hours worked, and introducing more flexibility into the wage bargaining system. As a result, wage growth was nearly flat in 2017. The Government was also seeking to reform the health care system and social services. In the long term, Finland must address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity in traditional industries that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.Finland has a highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita GDP almost as high as that of Austria and the Netherlands and slightly above that of Germany and Belgium. Trade is important, with exports accounting for over one-third of GDP in recent years. The government is open to, and actively takes steps to attract, foreign direct investment. Finland is historically competitive in manufacturing, particularly in the wood, metals, engineering, telecommunications, and electronics industries. Finland excels in export of technology as well as promotion of startups in the information and communications technology, gaming, cleantech, and biotechnology sectors. Except for timber and several minerals, Finland depends on imports of raw materials, energy, and some components for manufactured goods. Because of the cold climate, agricultural development is limited to maintaining self-sufficiency in basic products. Forestry, an important export industry, provides a secondary occupation for the rural population. Finland had been one of the best performing economies within the EU before 2009 and its banks and financial markets avoided the worst of global financial crisis. However, the world slowdown hit exports and domestic demand hard in that year, causing Finland’s economy to contract from 2012 to 2014. The recession affected general government finances and the debt ratio. The economy returned to growth in 2016, posting a 1.9% GDP increase before growing an estimated 3.3% in 2017, supported by a strong increase in investment, private consumption, and net exports. Finnish economists expect GDP to grow a rate of 2-3% in the next few years. Finland's main challenges will be reducing high labor costs and boosting demand for its exports. In June 2016, the government enacted a Competitiveness Pact aimed at reducing labor costs, increasing hours worked, and introducing more flexibility into the wage bargaining system. As a result, wage growth was nearly flat in 2017. The Government was also seeking to reform the health care system and social services. In the long term, Finland must address a rapidly aging population and decreasing productivity in traditional industries that threaten competitiveness, fiscal sustainability, and economic growth.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $261.39 billion (2020 est.)
$268.84 billion (2019 est.)
$265.46 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.15% (2019 est.)
1.52% (2018 est.)
3.27% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $47,300 (2020 est.)
$48,700 (2019 est.)
$48,100 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $269.259 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2019 est.)
1% (2018 est.)
0.7% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA+ (2016)
Moody's rating: Aa1 (2016)
Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2014)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.7% (2017 est.)
industry: 28.2% (2017 est.)
services: 69.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 54.4% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 22.9% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 22.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 38.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -38.2% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, barley, oats, wheat, potatoes, sugar beet, rye, pork, poultry, beef
Industries: metals and metal products, electronics, machinery and scientific instruments, shipbuilding, pulp and paper, foodstuffs, chemicals, textiles, clothing
Industrial production growth rate: 6.2% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.52 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4%
industry: 20.7%
services: 75.3% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.63% (2019 est.)
7.38% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.4%
male: 23.2%
female: 19.4% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 12.2% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 27.4 (2017 est.)
22.2 (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.7%
highest 10%: 45.2% (2013)
Budget: revenues: 134.2 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 135.6 billion (2017 est.)
note: Central Government Budget data; these numbers represent a significant reduction from previous official reporting
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 61.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
62.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Taxes and other revenues: 53.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$603 million (2019 est.)
-$4.908 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $108.22 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$106.01 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$109.513 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners: Germany 14%, Sweden 10%, United States 8%, Netherlands 6%, China 6%, Russia 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, paper and wood pulp products, cars, stainless steel, lumber (2019)
Imports: $107.39 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$109.45 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$110.701 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: Germany 16%, Sweden 14%, Russia 13%, China 6%, Netherlands 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $10.51 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$11.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $631.549 billion (2019 est.)
$536.301 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.82771 (2020 est.)
0.90338 (2019 est.)
0.87789 (2018 est.)
0.885 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 20.418 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 79.356 billion kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 6.666 billion kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 21.615 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.574 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 13.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 33.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 11.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 23.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 17.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 762,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 3.552 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 101,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 2.661 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 8,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 207,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 232,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 310,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 166,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 122,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 2,392,826,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)
exports: 181.143 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
imports: 2,568,532,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 41.996 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 9.377 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 27.737 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 4.882 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 216.571 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 225,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7.12 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 129 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Finland’s telecom market is among the more progressive in Europe, with operators having been at the forefront in deploying technologies and with the regulator being among the first to auction spectrum for 5G use; these efforts have been supported by the government which is working towards its target of providing a broadband service of at least 100Mb/s by 2025; 5G services were available to more than 40% of the population by early 2021, and take-up among subscribers has been strong although most will remain with LTE in the short term; the country enjoys one of the highest broadband and mobile subscription rates in the region, with customers able to make use of the latest iterations of technologies including DOCSIS3.1, LTE-A, 5G, and GPON fiber infrastructure; Finland has emerged as one of the pioneers in 5G; the auction of spectrum in the 700MHz and 3.5GHh bands has enabled network operators to extend the availability of LTE services nationally and to prepare for 5G services; Spectrum in the 2.5GHz band was auctioned in mid-2020 and has since enabled the MNOs to widen their 5G footprint considerably; the incumbent telco Telia remains the dominant player in the DSL sector, but there is an ongoing shift away from DSL to fiber and mobile networks. (2021)
domestic: fixed-line 4 per 100 subscriptions and nearly 129 per 100 mobile-cellular (2020)
international: country code - 358; landing points for Botnia, BCS North-1 & 2, SFL, SFS-4, C-Lion1, Eastern Lights, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, FEC, and EESF-2 & 3 submarine cables that provide links to many Finland points, Estonia, Sweden, Germany, and Russia; satellite earth stations - access to Intelsat transmission service via a Swedish satellite earth station, 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Ocean regions); note - Finland shares the Inmarsat earth station with the other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: a mix of 3 publicly operated TV stations and numerous privately owned TV stations; several free and special-interest pay-TV channels; cable and satellite multi-channel subscription services are available; all TV signals are broadcast digitally; Internet television, such as Netflix and others, is available; public broadcasting maintains a network of 13 national and 25 regional radio stations; a large number of private radio broadcasters and access to Internet radio
Internet country code: .fi
note - Aland Islands assigned .ax.fi
Internet users: total: 5,087,180 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 92% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1.846 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 77
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 13,364,839 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 957.64 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OH
Airports: total: 148 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 74
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 26
1,524 to 2,437 m: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 21
under 914 m: 14 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 74
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 71 (2021)
Pipelines: 1,288 km gas transmission pipes, 1,976 km distribution pipes (2016)
Railways: total: 5,926 km (2016)
broad gauge: 5,926 km (2016) 1.524-m gauge (3,270 km electrified)
Roadways: total: 454,000 km (2012)
highways: 78,000 km (2012) (50,000 paved, including 700 km of expressways; 28,000 unpaved)
private and forest roads: 350,000 km (2012)
urban: 26,000 km (2012)
Waterways: 8,000 km (2013) (includes Saimaa Canal system of 3,577 km; southern part leased from Russia; water transport used frequently in the summer and widely replaced with sledges on the ice in winter; there are 187,888 lakes in Finland that cover 31,500 km); Finland also maintains 8,200 km of coastal fairways
Merchant marine: total: 272
by type: bulk carrier 9, container ship 1, general cargo 74, oil tanker 4, other 184 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Helsinki, Kotka, Naantali, Porvoo, Raahe, Rauma
LNG terminal(s) (import): Pori, Tornio Manga; note - an additional terminal at Hamina is under construction and due to come online in October 2022
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Finnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army (Maavoimat), Navy (Merivoimat), Air Force (Ilmavoimat); Ministry of the Interior: Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) (2022)
note: the Border Guard becomes part of the FDF in wartime
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2020)
1.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $4.18 billion)
1.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $4.02 billion)
1.3% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.8 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 22,000 total active duty personnel (15,000 Army; 4,000 Navy; 3,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Finnish Defense Forces consists of a wide mix of mostly modern US, European, and domestically-produced weapons systems; since 2010, the US is the leading supplier; the Finnish defense industry produces a variety of military equipment, including wheeled armored vehicles and naval vessels (2021)
Military service age and obligation: at age 18, all Finnish men are obligated to serve 5.5-12 months of service within a branch of the military or the Border Guard (length of service depends on the type of duty), and women 18-29 may volunteer for service; there is also an option to perform non-military service which lasts for 8.5 or 11.5 months; after completing their initial conscript obligation, individuals enter the reserves and remain eligible for mobilization until the age of 50 for rank-and-file and 60 for non-commissioned and commissioned officers (2022)
note: the military trains approximately 21,000 (20,000 Army) conscripts each year; as of 2019, women made up about 4% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments: 160 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Military - note: as of early 2022, Finland was not a member of NATO, but Finland and NATO actively cooperated in peace-support operations, exercised together, and exchanged analysis and information; Finland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994; Finnish Armed Forces participated in NATO-led military operations and missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq Finland is a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and actively participates in CSDP crisis management missions and operations the Finnish Armed Forces closely cooperate with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; areas of cooperation include armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations; NORDEFCO was established in 2009as of early 2022, Finland was not a member of NATO, but Finland and NATO actively cooperated in peace-support operations, exercised together, and exchanged analysis and information; Finland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994; Finnish Armed Forces participated in NATO-led military operations and missions in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and IraqFinland is a signatory of the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and actively participates in CSDP crisis management missions and operationsthe Finnish Armed Forces closely cooperate with the militaries of other Nordic countries through the Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO), which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden; areas of cooperation include armaments, education, human resources, training and exercises, and operations; NORDEFCO was established in 2009
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: various groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the former Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demandsvarious groups in Finland advocate restoration of Karelia and other areas ceded to the former Soviet Union, but the Finnish Government asserts no territorial demands
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 9,053 (Iraq) (mid-year 2021); 30,372 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022)
stateless persons: 3,416 (mid-year 2021) |
20220901 | countries-hong-kong |
Topic: Photos of Hong Kong
Topic: Introduction
Background: Seized by the UK in 1841, Hong Kong was formally ceded by China the following year at the end of the First Opium War; the Kowloon Peninsula was added in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War, and was further extended when Britain obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Pursuant to an agreement signed by China and the UK on 19 December 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic and strict political system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the subsequent 50 years.
Since the turnover, Hong Kong has continued to enjoy success as an international financial center. However, dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong Government and growing Chinese political influence has been a central issue and led to considerable civil unrest, including large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019 after the HKSAR attempted to revise a local ordinance to allow extraditions to mainland China. In response, the governments of the HKSAR and China took several actions that reduced the city's autonomy and placed new restrictions on the rights of Hong Kong residents, moves that were widely criticized to be in direct contravention of obligations under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Chief among these actions was a sweeping national security law for Hong Kong imposed by the Chinese Government in June 2020 that criminalized acts such as those interpreted as secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign or external forces. The law ushered in a widespread crackdown on public protests, criticism of authorities, and freedom of speech, and was used by authorities to target pro-democracy activists, organizations, and media companies. Democratic lawmakers and political figures were arrested, while others fled abroad. At the same time, dozens of civil society groups and several independent media outlets were closed or have disbanded. In March 2021, Beijing imposed a more restrictive electoral system, including restructuring the Legislative Council (LegCo) and allowing only government-approved candidates to run for office, claiming it was to ensure a system of "patriots" governed Hong Kong. The changes ensured that virtually all seats in the December 2021 LegCo election were won by pro-establishment candidates and effectively ended political opposition to Beijing in the territory.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China
Geographic coordinates: 22 15 N, 114 10 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 1,108 sq km
land: 1,073 sq km
water: 35 sq km
Area - comparative: six times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 33 km
regional borders (1): China 33 km
Coastline: 733 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Terrain: hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north
Elevation: highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
Natural resources: outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar
Land use: agricultural land: 5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 3.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 95% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: population fairly evenly distributed
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons
Geography - note: consists of a mainland area (the New Territories) and more than 200 islands
Map description: Hong Kong map showing major districts of this special administrative region of China that extends into the South China Sea.Hong Kong map showing major districts of this special administrative region of China that extends into the South China Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 7,276,588 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Chinese/Hong Konger
adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong
Ethnic groups: Chinese 92%, Filipino 2.5%, Indonesian 2.1%, other 3.4% (2016 est.)
Languages: Cantonese (official) 88.9%, English (official) 4.3%, Mandarin (official) 1.9%, other Chinese dialects 3.1%, other 1.9% (2016 est.)
major-language sample(s):
世界概况, 必須擁有的基本資料参考书 (Cantonese)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.世界概况, 必須擁有的基本資料参考书 (Cantonese)
Religions: Buddhist or Taoist 27.9%, Protestant 6.7%, Roman Catholic 5.3%, Muslim 4.2%, Hindu 1.4%, Sikh 0.2%, other or none 54.3% (2016 est.)
note: many people practice Confucianism, regardless of their religion or not having a religious affiliation
Age structure: 0-14 years: 12.81% (male 490,477/female 437,971)
15-24 years: 8.81% (male 334,836/female 303,897)
25-54 years: 42.66% (male 1,328,529/female 1,763,970)
55-64 years: 17.24% (male 582,047/female 668,051)
65 years and over: 18.48% (2020 est.) (male 625,453/female 714,676)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 44.7
youth dependency ratio: 18.3
elderly dependency ratio: 26.3
potential support ratio: 3.8 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 45.6 years
male: 44.2 years
female: 46.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.17% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8.04 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.65 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population fairly evenly distributed
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.58% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 7.643 million Hong Kong (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.13 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.78 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.8 years (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 2.55 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 2.82 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.61 years
male: 80.91 years
female: 86.46 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.22 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 66.7% (2017)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: 2.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 4.9 beds/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.4% of population
rural: NA
total: 96.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.6% of population
rural: NA
total: 3.6% of population (2017)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.5%
male: 17.3%
female: 13.6% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air and water pollution from rapid urbanization; urban waste pollution; industrial pollution
Air pollutants: carbon dioxide emissions: 43.64 megatons (2016 est.)
Climate: subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall
Land use: agricultural land: 5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 3.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 0% (2018 est.)
other: 95% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.58% 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: 5,679,816 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,931,138 tons (2016 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34% (2016 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
conventional short form: Hong Kong
local long form: Heung Kong Takpit Hangching Ku (Eitel/Dyer-Ball)
local short form: Heung Kong (Eitel/Dyer-Ball)
abbreviation: HK
etymology: probably an imprecise phonetic rendering of the Cantonese name meaning "fragrant harbor"
Government type: presidential limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
Dependency status: special administrative region of the People's Republic of China
Administrative divisions: none (special administrative region of the People's Republic of China)
Independence: none (special administrative region of China)
National holiday: National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note - 1 July (1997) is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Constitution: history: several previous (governance documents while under British authority); latest drafted April 1988 to February 1989, approved March 1990, effective 1 July 1997 (Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China serves as the constitution); note - since 1990, China's National People's Congress has interpreted specific articles of the Basic Law
amendments: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, or the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, approval by two thirds of Hong Kong’s deputies to the NPC, and approval by the Hong Kong chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC
Legal system: mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and Chinese customary law (in matters of family and land tenure); PRC imposition of National Security Law incorporates elements of Chinese civil law
Citizenship: see China
Suffrage: 18 years of age in direct elections for 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats and all of the seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past 7 years; note - in indirect elections, suffrage is limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies for the other 70 legislature seats and a 1,500-member election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad sectoral groupings, central government bodies, municipal organizations, and elected Hong Kong officials
Executive branch: chief of state: President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013)
head of government: Chief Executive John LEE (since 1 July 2022)
cabinet: Executive Council or ExCo appointed by the chief executive
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by National People's Congress for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 March 2018 (next to be held in March 2023); chief executive indirectly elected by the Election Committee and appointed by the PRC Government for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 May 2022 (next to be held in 2027)
election results: 2022: John LEE was the only candidate and won with over 99% of the vote by the Election Committee
2017: Election Committee vote - Carrie LAM (non-partisan) 777, John TSANG (non-partisan) 365, WOO Kwok-hing (non-partisan) 21, 23 ballots rejected (1,186 votes cast)
note: electoral changes that Beijing imposed in March 2021 expanded the Election Committee to 1,500 members
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Council or LegCo (90 seats); 20 members directly elected in 2-seat constituencies, 30 indirectly elected by the approximately 220,000 members of various functional constituencies based on a variety of methods, and 50 indirectly elected by the 1,500-member Election Committee; members serve 4-year terms; note - in March 2021, China's National People's Congress amended the electoral rules and system for the LegCo; the total number of seats increased from 70 to 90, directly elected geographical constituencies were reduced from 35 to 20 seats, while trade-based indirectly elected functional constituencies remained at 30; an additional 40 seats were elected by the 1,500-member Election Commission; all political candidates are evaluated by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC), established in April 2022; the CERC consists of the chairperson, 2-4 official members, and 1-3 non-official members, all appointed by the chief executive
elections: last held on 19 Dec 2021 (next scheduled for 2025)
election results: percent of vote by bloc: pro-Beijing 93%, non-establishment 7%; seats by block/party - pro-Beijing 89 (DAB 19, FTU 8, BPA 7, NPP 5, Liberal Party 4, FEW 2, FLU 2, other 46), non-establishment 1 (Third Side); composition - men 73, women 17, percent of women 18.9%; voter turnout 30.2%; note - Hong Kong's leading pro-democracy political parties boycotted the 2021 election
percent of vote by bloc: pro-Beijing 93%, non-establishment 7%; seats by block/party - pro-Beijing 89 (DAB 19, FTU 8, BPA 7, NPP 5, Liberal Party 4, FEW 2, FLU 2, other 46), non-establishment 1 (Third Side); composition - men 73, women 17, percent of women 18.9%; voter turnout 30.2%; note - Hong Kong's leading pro-democracy political parties boycotted the 2021 election
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Final Appeal (consists of the chief justice, 3 permanent judges, and 20 non-permanent judges); note - a sitting bench consists of the chief justice, 3 permanent judges, and 1 non-permanent judge
judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the Hong Kong Chief Executive upon the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, an independent body consisting of the Secretary for Justice, other judges, and judicial and legal professionals; permanent judges serve until normal retirement at age 65, but term can be extended; non-permanent judges appointed for renewable 3-year terms without age limit
subordinate courts: High Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and Court of First Instance); District Courts (includes Family and Land Courts); magistrates' courts; specialized tribunals
Political parties and leaders: parties:
Bauhinia Party or BP [WONG Chau-chi/LI Shan]
Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB [Starry LEE Wai-king]
Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong or BPA [LO Wai-kwok]
New People's Party or NPP [Regina IP]
Liberal Party or LP [led by Felix CHUNG Kwok-pan; chaired by Tony CHEUNG]
Third Side [TIK Chi-yeun]
League of Social Democrats or LSD [Raphael WONG Ho-ming]
Labor Party [Steven KWOK Wing-kin; arrested in 2020]
Civic Party [vacant]
Democratic Party [LO Kin-hei]
Hong Kong Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood [Howard LEE]
People Power or PP [LEUNG Ka-shing]
Neighborhood and Workers Service Center or NWSC [LEUNG Yui-chung]
other:
Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions or HKFTU [labor and political group presided over by NG Chau-pei and chaired by Kingsley WON]
Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers or HKFEW [WONG Kwan-yu]
Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions or HKFLU [represented by POON Siu-Ping]
Roundtable [Michael TIEN Puk-sun]
Professional Power [Christine FONG Kwok Shan]
Kowloon West New Dynamic or KWND [Priscilla LEUNG]
New Prospect for Hong Kong [Gary ZHANG Xinyu]
New Century Forum [Ma Fung-kwak]
Path of Democracy [Ronny TONG] (think tank) (2022)
note(s) - pro-democracy - Civic Party, Democratic Party, Labor Party, LSD, PP, Professional Commons; pro-Beijing - DAB, FTU, Liberal Party, NPP, BPA, BP; non-establishment - Third Side, Path of Democracy; there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies
by the end of 2021, the leading pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong had been effectively removed from the political arena under the provisions of Beijing's 2021 electoral changes or via charges under the 2020 national security law; in addition, dozens of pro-democracy organizations, including political parties, unions, churches, civil rights groups, and media organizations have disbanded or closed
International organization participation: ADB, APEC, BIS, FATF, ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC (NGOs), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none (Special Administrative Region of China); Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) carries out normal liaison activities and communication with the US Government and other US entities; Eddie MAK, JP (since 3 July 2018) is the Hong Kong Commissioner to the US Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; address: 1520 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone: [1] (202) 331-8947; FAX: [1] (202) 331-8958; hketo@hketowashington.gov.hk
HKETO offices: New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Consul General Hanscom SMITH (since July 2019); note - also accredited to Macau
embassy: 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong
mailing address: 8000 Hong Kong Place, Washington DC 20521-8000
telephone: [852] 2523-9011
FAX: [852] 2845-1598
email address and website:
acshk@state.gov
https://hk.usconsulate.gov/
Flag description: red with a stylized, white, five-petal Bauhinia flower in the center; each petal contains a small, red, five-pointed star in its middle; the red color is the same as that on the Chinese flag and represents the motherland; the fragrant Bauhinia - developed in Hong Kong the late 19th century - has come to symbolize the region; the five stars echo those on the flag of China
National symbol(s): orchid tree flower; national colors: red, white
National anthem: note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Hong Kong has a free market economy, highly dependent on international trade and finance - the value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of reexports, is about four times GDP. Hong Kong has no tariffs on imported goods, and it levies excise duties on only four commodities, whether imported or produced locally: hard alcohol, tobacco, oil, and methyl alcohol. There are no quotas or dumping laws. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983. Excess liquidity, low interest rates and a tight housing supply have caused Hong Kong property prices to rise rapidly. The lower and middle-income segments of the population increasingly find housing unaffordable. Hong Kong's open economy has left it exposed to the global economic situation. Its continued reliance on foreign trade and investment makes it vulnerable to renewed global financial market volatility or a slowdown in the global economy. Mainland China has long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for about half of Hong Kong's total trade by value. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. As a result of China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland tourists to the territory surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to 47.3 million in 2014, outnumbering visitors from all other countries combined. After peaking in 2014, overall tourist arrivals dropped 2.5% in 2015 and 4.5% in 2016. The tourism sector rebounded in 2017, with visitor arrivals rising 3.2% to 58.47 million. Travelers from Mainland China totaled 44.45 million, accounting for 76% of the total. The Hong Kong Government is promoting the Special Administrative Region (SAR) as the preferred business hub for renminbi (RMB) internationalization. Hong Kong residents are allowed to establish RMB-denominated savings accounts, RMB-denominated corporate and Chinese government bonds have been issued in Hong Kong, RMB trade settlement is allowed, and investment schemes such as the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII) Program was first launched in Hong Kong. Offshore RMB activities experienced a setback, however, after the People’s Bank of China changed the way it set the central parity rate in August 2015. RMB deposits in Hong Kong fell from 1.0 trillion RMB at the end of 2014 to 559 billion RMB at the end of 2017, while RMB trade settlement handled by banks in Hong Kong also shrank from 6.8 trillion RMB in 2015 to 3.9 trillion RMB in 2017. Hong Kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. In 2015, mainland Chinese companies constituted about 50% of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and accounted for about 66% of the exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service industry has grown rapidly. In 2014, Hong Kong and China signed a new agreement on achieving basic liberalization of trade in services in Guangdong Province under the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), adopted in 2003 to forge closer ties between Hong Kong and the mainland. The new measures, which took effect in March 2015, cover a negative list and a most-favored treatment provision. On the basis of the Guangdong Agreement, the Agreement on Trade in Services signed in November 2015 further enhanced liberalization, including extending the implementation of the majority of Guangdong pilot liberalization measures to the whole Mainland, reducing the restrictive measures in the negative list, and adding measures in the positive lists for cross-border services as well as cultural and telecommunications services. In June 2017, the Investment Agreement and the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (Ecotech Agreement) were signed under the framework of CEPA. Hong Kong’s economic integration with the mainland continues to be most evident in the banking and finance sector. Initiatives like the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect, the Hong Kong- Shenzhen Stock Connect the Mutual Recognition of Funds, and the Bond Connect scheme are all important steps towards opening up the Mainland’s capital markets and have reinforced Hong Kong’s role as China’s leading offshore RMB market. Additional connect schemes such as ETF Connect (for exchange-traded fund products) are also under exploration by Hong Kong authorities. In 2017, Chief Executive Carrie LAM announced plans to increase government spending on research and development, education, and technological innovation with the aim of spurring continued economic growth through greater sector diversification.Hong Kong has a free market economy, highly dependent on international trade and finance - the value of goods and services trade, including the sizable share of reexports, is about four times GDP. Hong Kong has no tariffs on imported goods, and it levies excise duties on only four commodities, whether imported or produced locally: hard alcohol, tobacco, oil, and methyl alcohol. There are no quotas or dumping laws. Hong Kong continues to link its currency closely to the US dollar, maintaining an arrangement established in 1983. Excess liquidity, low interest rates and a tight housing supply have caused Hong Kong property prices to rise rapidly. The lower and middle-income segments of the population increasingly find housing unaffordable. Hong Kong's open economy has left it exposed to the global economic situation. Its continued reliance on foreign trade and investment makes it vulnerable to renewed global financial market volatility or a slowdown in the global economy. Mainland China has long been Hong Kong's largest trading partner, accounting for about half of Hong Kong's total trade by value. Hong Kong's natural resources are limited, and food and raw materials must be imported. As a result of China's easing of travel restrictions, the number of mainland tourists to the territory surged from 4.5 million in 2001 to 47.3 million in 2014, outnumbering visitors from all other countries combined. After peaking in 2014, overall tourist arrivals dropped 2.5% in 2015 and 4.5% in 2016. The tourism sector rebounded in 2017, with visitor arrivals rising 3.2% to 58.47 million. Travelers from Mainland China totaled 44.45 million, accounting for 76% of the total. The Hong Kong Government is promoting the Special Administrative Region (SAR) as the preferred business hub for renminbi (RMB) internationalization. Hong Kong residents are allowed to establish RMB-denominated savings accounts, RMB-denominated corporate and Chinese government bonds have been issued in Hong Kong, RMB trade settlement is allowed, and investment schemes such as the Renminbi Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (RQFII) Program was first launched in Hong Kong. Offshore RMB activities experienced a setback, however, after the People’s Bank of China changed the way it set the central parity rate in August 2015. RMB deposits in Hong Kong fell from 1.0 trillion RMB at the end of 2014 to 559 billion RMB at the end of 2017, while RMB trade settlement handled by banks in Hong Kong also shrank from 6.8 trillion RMB in 2015 to 3.9 trillion RMB in 2017. Hong Kong has also established itself as the premier stock market for Chinese firms seeking to list abroad. In 2015, mainland Chinese companies constituted about 50% of the firms listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and accounted for about 66% of the exchange's market capitalization. During the past decade, as Hong Kong's manufacturing industry moved to the mainland, its service industry has grown rapidly. In 2014, Hong Kong and China signed a new agreement on achieving basic liberalization of trade in services in Guangdong Province under the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), adopted in 2003 to forge closer ties between Hong Kong and the mainland. The new measures, which took effect in March 2015, cover a negative list and a most-favored treatment provision. On the basis of the Guangdong Agreement, the Agreement on Trade in Services signed in November 2015 further enhanced liberalization, including extending the implementation of the majority of Guangdong pilot liberalization measures to the whole Mainland, reducing the restrictive measures in the negative list, and adding measures in the positive lists for cross-border services as well as cultural and telecommunications services. In June 2017, the Investment Agreement and the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation (Ecotech Agreement) were signed under the framework of CEPA. Hong Kong’s economic integration with the mainland continues to be most evident in the banking and finance sector. Initiatives like the Hong Kong-Shanghai Stock Connect, the Hong Kong- Shenzhen Stock Connect the Mutual Recognition of Funds, and the Bond Connect scheme are all important steps towards opening up the Mainland’s capital markets and have reinforced Hong Kong’s role as China’s leading offshore RMB market. Additional connect schemes such as ETF Connect (for exchange-traded fund products) are also under exploration by Hong Kong authorities. In 2017, Chief Executive Carrie LAM announced plans to increase government spending on research and development, education, and technological innovation with the aim of spurring continued economic growth through greater sector diversification.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $420.13 billion (2020 est.)
$447.34 billion (2019 est.)
$454.98 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: -1.25% (2019 est.)
2.86% (2018 est.)
3.8% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $56,200 (2020 est.)
$59,600 (2019 est.)
$61,100 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $365.753 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.8% (2019 est.)
2.4% (2018 est.)
1.4% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2020)
Moody's rating: Aa3 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 7.6% (2017 est.)
services: 92.3% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 67% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 9.9% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 21.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 188% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -187.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: pork, poultry, spinach, vegetables, pork offals, game meat, fruit, lettuce, green onions, pig fat
Industries: trading and logistics, financial services, professional services, tourism, cultural and creative, clothing and textiles, shipping, electronics, toys, clocks and watches
Industrial production growth rate: 1.7% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 3.627 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.8% (2013 est.)
industry: 2% (2016 est.)
services: 54.5% (2016 est.)
industry and services: 12.5% (2013 est.)
agriculture/fishing/forestry/mining: 10.1% (2013)
manufacturing: 17.1% (2013 est.)
note: above data exclude public sector
Unemployment rate: 2.93% (2019 est.)
2.83% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.5%
male: 17.3%
female: 13.6% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 19.9% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 53.9 (2016)
53.7 (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% NA
highest 10%: 38.1% (2016) NA
Budget: revenues: 79.34 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 61.64 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 5.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 0.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
0.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 23.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: $22.469 billion (2019 est.)
$13.516 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $615.88 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$649.02 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$681.28 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 23%, India 14%, Netherlands 6%, United Kingdom 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, broadcasting equipment, integrated circuits, diamonds, telephones (2019)
Imports: $609.13 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$642.8 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$682.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 46%, Taiwan 7%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 5%, United States 5%, Japan 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, office machinery, telephones, diamonds (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $431.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$386.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $1,648,409,000,000 (2019 est.)
$1,670,919,000,000 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar -
7.75225 (2020 est.)
7.8285 (2019 est.)
7.8133 (2018 est.)
7.752 (2014 est.)
7.754 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 14.168 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 44,183,900,000 kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 12.7 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.622 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 5.485 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 5.485 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 404,600 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: 13,570 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 402,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 4,913,021,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 4,913,021,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 92.493 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 23.557 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 62.451 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 6.484 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 172.009 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,900,599 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 21,865,215 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 292 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Hong Kong’s telecommunications sector continues to stay near the top of world rankings for the industry; it has kept its #1 spot in the Asian region in terms of the maturity of its telecom market – a reflection of the high subscription rates across mobile, mobile broadband, and fixed broadband; fixed-line teledensity in Hong Kong is impressive at over 50%, although it too has started a gradual decline in keeping with most other telecom markets around the world, as consumers slowly transition over to the mobile platform for all of their communication needs; concerns over national security prompted the US Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Defense to prevent the branch line of the newly completed Pacific Light Cable Network (PLCN) linking Los Angeles with Taiwan from being lit; and ongoing issues with the deployment of Huawei technology inside the core infrastructure of telecom networks (something that has been done extensively in Hong Kong, including in its 5G networks) means that the territory – along with its telecom sector – may become increasingly isolated from the rest of the world; Hong Kong is likely to drop back from its position as a regional and global leader in the telecom market. (2021)
domestic: microwave radio relay links and extensive fiber-optic network; fixed-line is over 52 per 100 and mobile-cellular is nearly 292 subscriptions per 100 (2020)
international: country code - 852; landing points for the AAE-1, AAG, APCN-2, APG, ASE, FEA, FNAL, RNAL, H2HE, SeaMeWe-3, SJC and TGN-IA submarine cables that provide connections to Asia, US, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Pacific Ocean and 2 Indian Ocean); coaxial cable to Guangzhou, China (2022)
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: 34 commercial terrestrial TV networks each with multiple stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; 3 licensed broadcasters of terrestrial radio, one of which is government funded, operate about 12 radio stations; note - 4 digital radio broadcasters operated in Hong Kong from 2010 to 2017, but all digital radio services were terminated in September 2017 due to weak market demand (2019)
Internet country code: .hk
Internet users: total: 6,883,256 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 92% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,885,586 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020) (registered in China)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 275 (registered in China)
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 47,101,822 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 12,676,720,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: B-H
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Heliports: 9 (2021)
Roadways: total: 2,193 km (2021)
paved: 2,193 km (2021)
Merchant marine: total: 2,718
by type: bulk carrier 1,158, container ship 558, general cargo 184, oil tanker 388, other 430 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Hong Kong
container port(s) (TEUs): Hong Kong (18,361,000) (2019)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong Police Force (specialized units include the Police Counterterrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit) (2022)
note: the Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Southern Theater Command
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of China
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Hong Kong plans to reduce its 2,800-hectare Frontier Closed Area (FCA) to 400 hectares by 2015; the FCA was established in 1951 as a buffer zone between Hong Kong and mainland China to prevent illegal migration from and the smuggling of goodsHong Kong plans to reduce its 2,800-hectare Frontier Closed Area (FCA) to 400 hectares by 2015; the FCA was established in 1951 as a buffer zone between Hong Kong and mainland China to prevent illegal migration from and the smuggling of goods
Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Hong Kong, and traffickers also exploit victims from Hong Kong abroad; traffickers exploit women from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia in sex trafficking; some women in Hong Kong – often with the assistance of their families – deceive Indian and Pakistani men into arranged marriages involving forced domestic service, bonded labor in construction and other physically demanding industries, and other forms of abuse via exploitative contracts; drug trafficking syndicates coerced South American women to carry drugs into Hong Kong; employment agencies hired foreign domestic workers under false pretenses and forced them into commercial sex, sometimes through debt-based coercion
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Hong Kong does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; Hong Kong is hiring and training 98 new employees within the immigration, customs, labor, and justice departments dedicated to trafficking issues; authorities screened more than 7,000 vulnerable individuals for trafficking; the labor department introduced a victim identification mechanism to its division offices; the government provided anti-trafficking training to various officials; the government did not investigate, prosecute, or convict any cases of labor trafficking, investigated fewer sex trafficking cases, and did not provide victims any government-funded services; the government continued to penalize victims for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit; no legislation was enacted to fully criminalize all forms of trafficking (2020)
Illicit drugs: modern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; groups involved in money laundering range from local street organizations to sophisticated international syndicates involved in assorted criminal activities, including drug trafficking; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsmodern banking system provides conduit for money laundering; groups involved in money laundering range from local street organizations to sophisticated international syndicates involved in assorted criminal activities, including drug trafficking; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics |
20220901 | countries-mongolia |
Topic: Photos of Mongolia
Topic: Introduction
Background: The peoples of Mongolia have a long history under a number of nomadic empires dating back to the period of the Xiongnu in the 4th century B.C. The name Mongol goes back to at least the 11th century A.D. The most famous Mongol, TEMÜÜJIN (aka Genghis Khan) emerged as the ruler of all Mongols in the early 1200s. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created through conquest a Mongol Empire that extended across much of Eurasia. His descendants, including ÖGÖDEI and KHUBILAI (aka Kublai Khan), continued military campaigns of conquest, taking control of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of China where KHUBILAI established the Yuan Dynasty in the 1270s. The Mongols attempted to invade Japan and Java before their empire broke apart in the 14th century. In the 17th century, Mongolia fell under the rule of the Manchus of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Following the collapse of the Manchus in 1911, Mongolia declared its independence, achieving it with help from the Soviet Union in 1921. Mongolia became a socialist state (the Mongolian People’s Republic) in 1924. Following independence and until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the country was a Soviet satellite state, and heavily reliant on economic, military, and political assistance from Moscow. The period also was marked by purges, political repression, economic stagnation, and tensions with China.
Mongolia peacefully transitioned to an independent democracy in 1990. In 1992, it adopted a new constitution and established a free market economy. Since the country's transition, it has conducted eight presidential and nine legislative elections as of 2021. Throughout the period, the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) - which took the name Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) in 2010 - has competed for political power with the Democratic Party (DP) and several other smaller parties, including a new party formed by former President ENKHBAYAR, which confusingly adopted for itself the MPRP name until it merged with MPP in 2021. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, the MPP won overwhelming control of the Parliament over the DP, which had overseen a sharp decline in Mongolia’s economy during its control of the Parliament in the preceding years. Mongolians elected a DP member, Khaltmaa BATTULGA, as president in 2017. The June 2020 parliamentary elections left the MPP with continued dominant control of the parliament. Mongolians elected former prime minister and MPP member Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH as president in 2021. Mongolia maintains close cultural, political, and military ties with Russia while China is its largest economic partner. Mongolia’s foreign relations are focused on preserving its autonomy by balancing relations with China and Russia, as well as its other major partners, Japan, South Korea, and the US.The peoples of Mongolia have a long history under a number of nomadic empires dating back to the period of the Xiongnu in the 4th century B.C. The name Mongol goes back to at least the 11th century A.D. The most famous Mongol, TEMÜÜJIN (aka Genghis Khan) emerged as the ruler of all Mongols in the early 1200s. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created through conquest a Mongol Empire that extended across much of Eurasia. His descendants, including ÖGÖDEI and KHUBILAI (aka Kublai Khan), continued military campaigns of conquest, taking control of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of China where KHUBILAI established the Yuan Dynasty in the 1270s. The Mongols attempted to invade Japan and Java before their empire broke apart in the 14th century. In the 17th century, Mongolia fell under the rule of the Manchus of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. Following the collapse of the Manchus in 1911, Mongolia declared its independence, achieving it with help from the Soviet Union in 1921. Mongolia became a socialist state (the Mongolian People’s Republic) in 1924. Following independence and until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, the country was a Soviet satellite state, and heavily reliant on economic, military, and political assistance from Moscow. The period also was marked by purges, political repression, economic stagnation, and tensions with China.
Mongolia peacefully transitioned to an independent democracy in 1990. In 1992, it adopted a new constitution and established a free market economy. Since the country's transition, it has conducted eight presidential and nine legislative elections as of 2021. Throughout the period, the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) - which took the name Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) in 2010 - has competed for political power with the Democratic Party (DP) and several other smaller parties, including a new party formed by former President ENKHBAYAR, which confusingly adopted for itself the MPRP name until it merged with MPP in 2021. In the 2016 parliamentary elections, the MPP won overwhelming control of the Parliament over the DP, which had overseen a sharp decline in Mongolia’s economy during its control of the Parliament in the preceding years. Mongolians elected a DP member, Khaltmaa BATTULGA, as president in 2017. The June 2020 parliamentary elections left the MPP with continued dominant control of the parliament. Mongolians elected former prime minister and MPP member Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH as president in 2021. Mongolia maintains close cultural, political, and military ties with Russia while China is its largest economic partner. Mongolia’s foreign relations are focused on preserving its autonomy by balancing relations with China and Russia, as well as its other major partners, Japan, South Korea, and the US.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Northern Asia, between China and Russia
Geographic coordinates: 46 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 1,564,116 sq km
land: 1,553,556 sq km
water: 10,560 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Alaska; more than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 8,082 km
border countries (2): China 4,630 km; Russia 3,452 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Terrain: vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central
Elevation: highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Khuiten Peak) 4,374 m
lowest point: Hoh Nuur 560 m
mean elevation: 1,528 m
Natural resources: oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron
Land use: agricultural land: 73% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 72.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 7% (2018 est.)
other: 20% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 840 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Hovsgol Nuur - 2,620 sq km; Har Us Nuur - 1,760 sq km;
Salt water lake(s): Uvs Nuur - 3,350 sq km; Hyargas Nuur - 1,360 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Population distribution: sparsely distributed population throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities
Natural hazards: dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is harsh winter conditions
Geography - note: landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
Map description: Mongolia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries – Russia to the north and China to the south.Mongolia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries – Russia to the north and China to the south.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,227,863 (2022 est.)
note: Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries in the world (2 people per sq km); twice as many ethnic Mongols (some 6 million) live in Inner Mongolia (Nei Mongol) in neighboring China
Nationality: noun: Mongolian(s)
adjective: Mongolian
Ethnic groups: Khalkh 83.8%, Kazak 3.8%, Durvud 2.6%, Bayad 2%, Buriad 1.4%, Zakhchin 1.2%, Dariganga 1.1%, other 4.1% (2020 est.)
Languages: Mongolian 90% (official) (Khalkha dialect is predominant), Turkic, Russian (1999)
major-language sample(s):
Дэлхийн баримтат ном, үндсэн мэдээллийн зайлшгүй эх сурвалж. (Mongolian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Buddhist 51.7%, Muslim 3.2%, Shamanist 2.5%, Christian 1.3%, other 0.7%, none 40.6% (2020 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.96% (male 435,596/female 418,524)
15-24 years: 14.93% (male 239,495/female 233,459)
25-54 years: 45.29% (male 694,481/female 740,334)
55-64 years: 8.04% (male 115,560/female 139,129)
65 years and over: 4.78% (2020 est.) (male 60,966/female 90,482)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.8
youth dependency ratio: 48.1
elderly dependency ratio: 6.7
potential support ratio: 15 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 29.8 years
male: 28.8 years
female: 30.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.88% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 15.84 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: sparsely distributed population throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities
Urbanization: urban population: 68.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.645 million ULAANBAATAR (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.82 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.5 years (2008 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 20-24
Maternal mortality ratio: 45 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 20.18 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 23.26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 16.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.37 years
male: 67.19 years
female: 75.76 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.91 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 48.1% (2018)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.4% of population
rural: 64.2% of population
total: 87.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population
rural: 35.8% of population
total: 12.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 3.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 3.85 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 8 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.4% of population
rural: 69.9% of population
total: 88.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population
rural: 30.1% of population
total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020 est.) <1,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.6% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 29.4% (2020 est.)
male: 51.7% (2020 est.)
female: 7.1% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.8% (2018)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9%
women married by age 18: 12%
men married by age 18: 2.1% (2018 est.)
Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.2%
male: 99.1%
female: 99.2% (2020)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 16 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.9%
male: 16.9%
female: 19.5% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources in some areas; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws leads to air pollution in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation and overgrazing increase soil erosion from wind and rain; water pollution; desertification and mining activities have a deleterious effect on the environment
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 40.42 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 25.37 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 13.72 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Land use: agricultural land: 73% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 72.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 7% (2018 est.)
other: 20% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 68.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.14% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 8.62% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.9 million tons (2016 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Hovsgol Nuur - 2,620 sq km; Har Us Nuur - 1,760 sq km;
Salt water lake(s): Uvs Nuur - 3,350 sq km; Hyargas Nuur - 1,360 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 45.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 166.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 250.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 34.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Mongolia
local long form: none
local short form: Mongol Uls
former: Outer Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic
etymology: the name means "Land of the Mongols" in Latin; the Mongolian name Mongol Uls translates as "Mongol State"
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Ulaanbaatar
geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September
time zone note: Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)
etymology: the name means "red hero" in Mongolian and honors national hero Damdin Sukhbaatar, leader of the partisan army that with Soviet Red Army help, liberated Mongolia from Chinese occupation in the early 1920s
Administrative divisions: 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs
Independence: 29 December 1911 (independence declared from China; in actuality, autonomy attained); 11 July 1921 (from China)
National holiday: Naadam (games) holiday (commemorates independence from China in the 1921 Revolution), 11-15 July; Constitution Day (marks the date that the Mongolian People's Republic was created under a new constitution), 26 November (1924)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 13 January 1992, effective 12 February 1992
amendments: proposed by the State Great Hural, by the president of the republic, by the government, or by petition submitted to the State Great Hural by the Constitutional Court; conducting referenda on proposed amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the State Great Hural; passage of amendments by the State Great Hural requires at least three-quarters majority vote; passage by referendum requires majority participation of qualified voters and a majority of votes; amended 1999, 2000, 2019
Legal system: civil law system influenced by Soviet and Romano-Germanic legal systems; constitution ambiguous on judicial 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: both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH (since 25 June 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Luvsannamsrai OYUN-ERDENE (since 27 January 2021); Deputy Prime Minister Ulziisaikhan ENKHTUVSHIN (since 18 October 2017)
cabinet: directly appointed by the prime minister following a constitutional amendment ratified in November 2019; prior to the amendment, the cabinet was nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament)
elections/appointments: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in the State Great Hural and directly elected by simple majority popular vote for one 6-year term; election last held on 9 June 2021; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural
election results: Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH elected president in first round; percent of vote - Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH (Mongolian People's Party) 67.7%, Dangaasuren ENKHBAT (HUN Coalition) 20.31%, Sodnomzundui ERDENE (Democratic Party) 5.99%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral State Great Hural or Ulsyn Ikh Khural (76 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; each constituency requires at least 50% voter participation for the poll to be valid; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 24 June 2020 (next to be held in 2024)
election results: percent of vote by party - MPP 44.9%, DP 24.5%, Our Coalition 8.1%, independent 8.7%, Right Person Electorate Coalition 5.2%, other 8.5%; seats by party - MPP 62, DP 11, Our Coalition 1, Right Person Electorate Coalition 1; independent 1; composition - 63 men, 13 women; percent of women 17.1%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the Chief Justice and 24 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tsets (consists of the chairman and 8 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice and judges appointed by the president upon recommendation by the General Council of Courts - a 14-member body of judges and judicial officials - to the State Great Hural; appointment is for life; chairman of the Constitutional Court elected from among its members; members appointed from nominations by the State Great Hural - 3 each by the president, the State Great Hural, and the Supreme Court; appointment is 6 years; chairmanship limited to a single renewable 3-year term
subordinate courts: aimag (provincial) and capital city appellate courts; soum, inter-soum, and district courts; Administrative Cases Courts
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [Tsogtgerel ODON]
Mongolian National Democratic Party or MNDP [Bayanjargal TSOGTGEREL]
Mongolian People's Party or MPP [Luvsannamsrai OYUN-ERDENE]
Civil Will-Green Party or CWGP [Tserendorj GANKHUYAG]
Mongolian Traditionally United Party or MTUP [Batdelgeriin BATBOLD]
National Labor Party or HUN [Togmid Dorhkhand]
Mongolian Social Democratic Party or MSDP [Adiya GANBAATAR]
Justice Party [Batbayar NASANBILEG]
Right Person Electorate Coalition (coalition of the National Labor Party, Mongolian Social Democratic Party, and the Justice Party [Badrakhyn NAIDALAA]
Our Coalition (coalition of the MPRP, Civil Will-Green Party, and Mongolian Traditionally United Party formed for the 2020 election)
note - there were 35 total registered parties as of December 2021
International organization participation: ADB, ARF, CD, CICA, CP, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador BATBAYAR Ulziidelger (since 1 December 2021)
chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117
FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227
email address and website:
washington@mfa.gov.mn
http://mongolianembassy.us/
consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael S. KLECHESKI (since 22 February 2019)
embassy: Denver Street #3, 11th Micro-District, Ulaanbaatar 14190
mailing address: 4410 Ulaanbaatar Place, Washington DC 20521-4410
telephone: [976] 7007-6001
FAX: [976] 7007-6174
email address and website:
UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov
https://mn.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three, equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol); blue represents the sky, red symbolizes progress and prosperity
National symbol(s): soyombo emblem; national colors: red, blue, yellow
National anthem: name: "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia)
lyrics/music: Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ
note: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Uvs Nuur Basin (n); Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape (c); Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai (c); Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and surrounding sacred landscape (c); Landscapes of Dauria (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Foreign direct investment in Mongolia's extractive industries – which are based on extensive deposits of copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten - has transformed Mongolia's landlocked economy from its traditional dependence on herding and agriculture. Exports now account for more than 40% of GDP. Mongolia depends on China for more than 60% of its external trade - China receives some 90% of Mongolia's exports and supplies Mongolia with more than one-third of its imports. Mongolia also relies on Russia for 90% of its energy supplies, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad, particularly in South Korea, are significant. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession, because of political inaction, and natural disasters, as well as strong economic growth, because of market reforms and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. The country opened a fledgling stock exchange in 1991. Mongolia joined the WTO in 1997 and seeks to expand its participation in regional economic and trade regimes. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices globally and new gold production. By late 2008, Mongolia was hit by the global financial crisis and Mongolia's real economy contracted 1.3% in 2009. In early 2009, the IMF reached a $236 million Stand-by Arrangement with Mongolia and it emerged from the crisis with a stronger banking sector and better fiscal management. In October 2009, Mongolia passed long-awaited legislation on an investment agreement to develop the Oyu Tolgoi (OT) mine, among the world's largest untapped copper-gold deposits. However, a dispute with foreign investors developing OT called into question the attractiveness of Mongolia as a destination for foreign investment. This caused a severe drop in FDI, and a slowing economy, leading to the dismissal of Prime Minister Norovyn ALTANKHUYAG in November 2014. The economy had grown more than 10% per year between 2011 and 2013 - largely on the strength of commodity exports and high government spending - before slowing to 7.8% in 2014, and falling to the 2% level in 2015. Growth rebounded from a brief 1.6% contraction in the third quarter of 2016 to 5.8% during the first three quarters of 2017, largely due to rising commodity prices. The May 2015 agreement with Rio Tinto to restart the OT mine and the subsequent $4.4 billion finance package signing in December 2015 stemmed the loss of investor confidence. The current government has made restoring investor trust and reviving the economy its top priority, but has failed to invigorate the economy in the face of the large drop-off in foreign direct investment, mounting external debt, and a sizeable budget deficit. Mongolia secured a $5.5 billion financial assistance package from the IMF and a host of international creditors in May 2017, which is expected to improve Mongolia’s long-term fiscal and economic stability as long as Ulaanbaatar can advance the agreement’s difficult contingent reforms, such as consolidating the government’s off-balance sheet liabilities and rehabilitating the Mongolian banking sector.Foreign direct investment in Mongolia's extractive industries – which are based on extensive deposits of copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten - has transformed Mongolia's landlocked economy from its traditional dependence on herding and agriculture. Exports now account for more than 40% of GDP. Mongolia depends on China for more than 60% of its external trade - China receives some 90% of Mongolia's exports and supplies Mongolia with more than one-third of its imports. Mongolia also relies on Russia for 90% of its energy supplies, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad, particularly in South Korea, are significant. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession, because of political inaction, and natural disasters, as well as strong economic growth, because of market reforms and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. The country opened a fledgling stock exchange in 1991. Mongolia joined the WTO in 1997 and seeks to expand its participation in regional economic and trade regimes. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices globally and new gold production. By late 2008, Mongolia was hit by the global financial crisis and Mongolia's real economy contracted 1.3% in 2009. In early 2009, the IMF reached a $236 million Stand-by Arrangement with Mongolia and it emerged from the crisis with a stronger banking sector and better fiscal management. In October 2009, Mongolia passed long-awaited legislation on an investment agreement to develop the Oyu Tolgoi (OT) mine, among the world's largest untapped copper-gold deposits. However, a dispute with foreign investors developing OT called into question the attractiveness of Mongolia as a destination for foreign investment. This caused a severe drop in FDI, and a slowing economy, leading to the dismissal of Prime Minister Norovyn ALTANKHUYAG in November 2014. The economy had grown more than 10% per year between 2011 and 2013 - largely on the strength of commodity exports and high government spending - before slowing to 7.8% in 2014, and falling to the 2% level in 2015. Growth rebounded from a brief 1.6% contraction in the third quarter of 2016 to 5.8% during the first three quarters of 2017, largely due to rising commodity prices. The May 2015 agreement with Rio Tinto to restart the OT mine and the subsequent $4.4 billion finance package signing in December 2015 stemmed the loss of investor confidence. The current government has made restoring investor trust and reviving the economy its top priority, but has failed to invigorate the economy in the face of the large drop-off in foreign direct investment, mounting external debt, and a sizeable budget deficit. Mongolia secured a $5.5 billion financial assistance package from the IMF and a host of international creditors in May 2017, which is expected to improve Mongolia’s long-term fiscal and economic stability as long as Ulaanbaatar can advance the agreement’s difficult contingent reforms, such as consolidating the government’s off-balance sheet liabilities and rehabilitating the Mongolian banking sector.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.6 billion (2020 est.)
$39.72 billion (2019 est.)
$37.77 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 5.1% (2017 est.)
1.2% (2016 est.)
2.4% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $11,500 (2020 est.)
$12,300 (2019 est.)
$11,900 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $11.14 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.6% (2017 est.)
0.5% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2018)
Moody's rating: B3 (2018)
Standard & Poors rating: B (2018)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 12.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 38.2% (2017 est.)
services: 49.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 49.2% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 12.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 23.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 12.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 59.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -57.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, wheat, goat milk, potatoes, mutton, sheep milk, beef, goat meat, horse meat, carrots/turnips
Industries: construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing
Industrial production growth rate: -1% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.241 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 31.1%
industry: 18.5%
services: 50.5% (2016)
Unemployment rate: 8% (2017 est.)
7.9% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.9%
male: 16.9%
female: 19.5% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 28.4% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.7 (2018 est.)
36.5 (2008)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 13.7%
highest 10%: 5.7% (2017)
Budget: revenues: 2.967 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 3.681 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 91.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
90% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.155 billion (2017 est.)
-$700 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $7.65 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$8.42 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$7.71 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 81%, Switzerland 9% (2019)
Exports - commodities: coal, copper, gold, iron, crude petroleum (2019)
Imports: $7.34 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$9.25 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$8.48 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 31%, Russia 29%, Japan 10%, South Korea 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, construction vehicles, aircraft (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.016 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.296 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $29.945 billion (2019 est.)
$28.046 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar -
2,378.1 (2017 est.)
2,140.3 (2016 est.)
2,140.3 (2015 est.)
1,970.3 (2014 est.)
1,817.9 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 91% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 73% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.479 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 7,336,520,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 24 million kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 1.723 billion kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 892 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 89.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 8.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 1.3% 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: 43.904 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 8.818 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 28.551 million metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 2.52 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 16,700 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 35,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 14,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 24,190 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: 22.74 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 17.445 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 5.295 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 83.045 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 160,153 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 4,363,919 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: liberalized and competitive telecoms market comprises of a number of operators which have steadily eroded the dominance of the incumbent telco, Mongolia Telecom, over the years; fixed-line penetration increased steadily in the years to 2018 as more people took on fixed-line access for voice calls and to access copper-based broadband services; the number of lines fell in 2019, and again and more sharply in 2020, partly through the economic consequences of the pandemic (GDP fell 5.3% in 2020, year-on-year) and partly due to the migration to the mobile platform and to VoIP; fixed broadband penetration remains low, mainly due to a limited number of fixed lines and the dominance of the mobile platform; the attraction of fixed broadband as a preferred access where it is available is waning as the mobile networks are upgraded with greater capacity and capabilities; the growing popularity of mobile broadband continues to underpin overall broadband and telecom sector growth, with Mongolia’s market very much being dominated by mobile services, supported by widely available LTE; this will largely determine and shape the future direction of Mongolia’s developing digital economy. (2021)
domestic: very low fixed-line teledensity of less than 5 per 100; there are four mobile-cellular providers and subscribership is roughly 133 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7 (2016)
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: following a law passed in 2005, Mongolia's state-run radio and TV provider converted to a public service provider; also available are 68 radio and 160 TV stations, including multi-channel satellite and cable TV providers; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019)
Internet country code: .mn
Internet users: total: 2,065,324 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 63% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 307,166 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 670,360 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7.82 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: JU
Airports: total: 44 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 15
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 10
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 29
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 24
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Railways: total: 1,815 km (2017)
broad gauge: 1,815 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge
note: national operator Ulaanbaatar Railway is jointly owned by the Mongolian Government and by the Russian State Railway
Roadways: total: 113,200 km (2017)
paved: 10,600 km (2017)
unpaved: 102,600 km (2017)
Waterways: 580 km (2010) (the only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol) (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers ice-free from May to September)
Merchant marine: total: 302
by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 7, general cargo 131, oil tanker 64, other 96 (2021)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Mongolian Armed Forces (Mongol ulsyn zevsegt huchin): General Purpose Troops (Mongolian Army), Air/Air Defense Force, Cyber Security, Special Forces, Civil Engineering, Civil Defense Forces (2022)
Military expenditures: 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $240 million)
0.7% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $240 million)
0.8% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $110 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimates vary; approximately 9,000 active duty troops (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the MAF are armed with Soviet-era equipment supplemented by deliveries of second-hand Russian weapons (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation in army or air forces or police for males only (can be exchanged for a 24‐month stint in the civil service or a tax voucher); after conscription, soldiers can contract into military service for 2 or 4 years; citizens can also voluntarily join the armed forces (2021)
Military deployments: 860 South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022)
note: from 2003 to July 2021, some 3,300 Mongolian troops served in Afghanistan, including about 1,300 under the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (2015 to 2021); since 2002, Mongolia has deployed more than 19,000 peacekeepers and observers to UN operations in more than a dozen countries
Military - note: Mongolia has been engaged in dialogue and cooperation with NATO since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner; Mongolia supported the NATO-led Kosovo Force from 2005-2007 and contributed troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan from 2009-2014, as well as to the follow-on Resolute Support Mission that provided training, advice, and other assistance to the Afghan security forces (2015-2021)Mongolia has been engaged in dialogue and cooperation with NATO since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner; Mongolia supported the NATO-led Kosovo Force from 2005-2007 and contributed troops to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan from 2009-2014, as well as to the follow-on Resolute Support Mission that provided training, advice, and other assistance to the Afghan security forces (2015-2021)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 17 (mid-year 2021) |
20220901 | field-heliports | This entry gives the total number of heliports with hard-surface runways, helipads, or landing areas that support routine sustained helicopter operations exclusively and have support facilities including one or more of the following facilities: lighting, fuel, passenger handling, or maintenance. It includes former airports used exclusively for helicopter operations but excludes heliports limited to day operations and natural clearings that could support helicopter landings and takeoffs.
Topic: Afghanistan1 (2021)
Topic: Algeria4 (2022)
Topic: Angola1 (2021)
Topic: Antarctica53 (2021)
note: all year-round and seasonal stations operated by National Antarctic Programs stations have some kind of helicopter landing facilities, prepared (helipads) or unprepared
Topic: Argentina2 (2021)
Topic: Australia1 (2021)
Topic: Austria1 (2021)
Topic: Azerbaijan1 (2021)
Topic: Bahamas, The1 (2021)
Topic: Bahrain1 (2021)
Topic: Bangladesh3 (2021)
Topic: Belarus1 (2021)
Topic: Belgium1 (2021)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina6 (2021)
Topic: Brazil13 (2021)
Topic: Brunei3 (2021)
Topic: Bulgaria1 (2021)
Topic: Burma11 (2021)
Topic: Burundi1 (2021)
Topic: Cambodia1 (2021)
Topic: Canada26 (2021)
Topic: Chile1 (2021)
Topic: China39 (2021)
Topic: Colombia3 (2021)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1 (2021)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire1 (2021)
Topic: Croatia1 (2021)
Topic: Cyprus9 (2021)
Topic: Czechia1 (2021)
Topic: Dominican Republic1 (2021)
Topic: Ecuador2 (2021)
Topic: Egypt7 (2021)
Topic: El Salvador2 (2021)
Topic: Eritrea1 (2021)
Topic: Estonia1 (2021)
Topic: European Union(2021) 90
Topic: France1 (2021)
Topic: French Polynesia1 (2021)
Topic: Gaza Strip1 (2021)
Topic: Georgia2 (2021)
Topic: Germany23 (2021)
Topic: Greece9 (2021)
Topic: Guatemala1 (2021)
Topic: Hong Kong9 (2021)
Topic: Hungary3 (2021)
Topic: India45 (2021)
Topic: Indonesia76 (2021)
Topic: Iran26 (2021)
Topic: Iraq16 (2021)
Topic: Israel3 (2021)
Topic: Italy5 (2021)
Topic: Japan16 (2021)
Topic: Jordan1 (2021)
Topic: Kazakhstan3 (2021)
Topic: Korea, North23 (2021)
Topic: Korea, South466 (2021)
Topic: Kosovo2 (2021)
Topic: Kuwait4 (2021)
Topic: Latvia1 (2021)
Topic: Lebanon1 (2021)
Topic: Libya2 (2021)
Topic: Luxembourg1 (2021)
Topic: Macau2 (2021)
Topic: Malaysia4 (2021)
Topic: Mali2 (2021)
Topic: Malta2 (2021)
Topic: Mexico1 (2021)
Topic: Monaco1 (2021)
Topic: Mongolia1 (2021)
Topic: Montenegro1 (2021)
Topic: Morocco1 (2021)
Topic: Netherlands1 (2021)
Topic: New Caledonia8 (2021)
Topic: Niger1 (2021)
Topic: Nigeria5 (2021)
Topic: Northern Mariana Islands1 (2021)
Topic: Norway1 (2021)
Topic: Oman3 (2021)
Topic: Pakistan23 (2021)
Topic: Panama3 (2021)
Topic: Papua New Guinea2 (2021)
Topic: Peru5 (2021)
Topic: Philippines2 (2021)
Topic: Poland6 (2021)
Topic: Qatar1 (2021)
Topic: Romania2 (2021)
Topic: Russia49 (2021)
Topic: Saudi Arabia10 (2021)
Topic: Serbia2 (2021)
Topic: Seychelles1 (2021)
Topic: Sierra Leone2 (2021)
Topic: Slovakia1 (2021)
Topic: Solomon Islands3 (2021)
Topic: South Sudan3 (2021)
Topic: Spain13 (2021)
Topic: Spratly Islands5 (2021)
Topic: Sri Lanka1 (2021)
Topic: Sudan7 (2021)
Topic: Svalbard1 (2021)
Topic: Sweden2 (2021)
Topic: Switzerland2 (2021)
Topic: Syria6 (2021)
Topic: Taiwan31 (2021)
Topic: Thailand7 (2021)
Topic: Timor-Leste8 (2021)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)20 (2021)
Topic: Turkmenistan1 (2021)
Topic: Ukraine9 (2021)
Topic: United Arab Emirates5 (2021)
Topic: United Kingdom9 (2021)
Topic: United States5,287 (2021)
Topic: Venezuela3 (2021)
Topic: Vietnam1 (2021)
Topic: West Bank1 (2021)
Topic: World6,524 (2021) |
20220901 | countries-palau-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Palau. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required, as long as you are a tourist, and do not stay in the country more than a year.
US Embassy/Consulate: +680-587-2920/2990; EMER: +680-775-6150; US Embassy in Koror, Airai State, in an area known as Omsangel (no street address), PO Box 6028, Koror, Palau 96940; ConsularKoror@state.gov;
https://pw.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 680
Local Emergency Phone: 911
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever and cholera is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever and cholera transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever and cholera transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November
Currency (Code): US Dollar is used (USD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B
Major Languages: Palauan, other Micronesian, English, Filipino, Chinese
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Baptist), Modekngei 5.7% Palau), Muslim 3%, Mormon 1.5%
Time Difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Ngerulmud; Jellyfish Lake; Rock Islands; Clear Lake; Lake Ngardok; Peleliu War Museum
Major Sports: Soccer, volleyball, basketball
Cultural Practices: Unlike in western countries where raised eyebrows often signal confusion, in Palau they are taken to mean agreement.
Tipping Guidelines: Tip 10-15% of the bill in restaurants and $5 (USD) per tank when diving.
Souvenirs: Woven baskets, mats, and straw hats; shell jewelry, wood-carved storyboards and figurines, spices, flower-based body products
Traditional Cuisine: Tinola — soup made with chicken, green papaya, and gingerPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, June 20, 2022 |
20220901 | field-member-states | This entry, which appears only in the European Union, Government category, provides a listing of all of the European Union member countries, as well as their associated overseas countries and territories.
Topic: European Union27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden; note - candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey there are 13 overseas countries and territories (OCTs) (1 with Denmark [Greenland], 6 with France [French Polynesia; French Southern and Antarctic Lands; New Caledonia; Saint Barthelemy; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Wallis and Futuna], and 6 with the Netherlands [Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten]), all are part of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA)
note: there are non-European OCTs having special relations with Denmark, France, and the Netherlands (list is annexed to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union), that are associated with the EU to promote their economic and social development; member states apply to their trade with OCTs the same treatment as they accord each other pursuant to the treaties; OCT nationals are in principle EU citizens, but these countries are neither part of the EU, nor subject to the EU27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden; note - candidate countries: Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkeythere are 13 overseas countries and territories (OCTs) (1 with Denmark [Greenland], 6 with France [French Polynesia; French Southern and Antarctic Lands; New Caledonia; Saint Barthelemy; Saint Pierre and Miquelon; Wallis and Futuna], and 6 with the Netherlands [Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten]), all are part of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association (OCTA) |
20220901 | countries-iran |
Topic: Photos of Iran
Topic: Introduction
Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts - a popularly elected 88-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and was subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program until Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Implementation Day in 2016. The US began gradually re-imposing sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018. Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud, but the protests were quickly suppressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013, Iranians elected a centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun RUHANI to the presidency. A longtime senior member in the regime, he made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. In July 2015, Iran and the five permanent members, plus Germany (P5+1) signed the JCPOA under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief; however, the US reimposed sanctions in 2018 dealing a blow to RUHANI's legacy and the Iranian economy. Negotiations to restore the deal started in 2021 and are ongoing. Iran held elections in February 2020 for the Majles and the president in June 2021, resulting in a hardline and conservative monopoly across the regime's elected and unelected institutions. President Ebrahim RAISI is a hardline cleric with a decades-long career in Iran's judiciary and has had limited foreign policy and economic experience.Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown and Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI was forced into exile. Conservative clerical forces led by Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader who, according to the constitution, is accountable only to the Assembly of Experts - a popularly elected 88-member body of clerics. US-Iranian relations became strained when a group of Iranian students seized the US Embassy in Tehran in November 1979 and held embassy personnel hostages until mid-January 1981. The US cut off diplomatic relations with Iran in April 1980. During the period 1980-88, Iran fought a bloody, indecisive war with Iraq that eventually expanded into the Persian Gulf and led to clashes between US Navy and Iranian military forces. Iran has been designated a state sponsor of terrorism and was subject to US, UN, and EU economic sanctions and export controls because of its continued involvement in terrorism and concerns over possible military dimensions of its nuclear program until Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Implementation Day in 2016. The US began gradually re-imposing sanctions on Iran after the US withdrawal from JCPOA in May 2018.Following the election of reformer Hojjat ol-Eslam Mohammad KHATAMI as president in 1997 and a reformist Majles (legislature) in 2000, a campaign to foster political reform in response to popular dissatisfaction was initiated. The movement floundered as conservative politicians, supported by the Supreme Leader, unelected institutions of authority like the Council of Guardians, and the security services reversed and blocked reform measures while increasing security repression. Starting with nationwide municipal elections in 2003 and continuing through Majles elections in 2004, conservatives reestablished control over Iran's elected government institutions, which culminated with the August 2005 inauguration of hardliner Mahmud AHMADI-NEJAD as president. His controversial reelection in June 2009 sparked nationwide protests over allegations of electoral fraud, but the protests were quickly suppressed. Deteriorating economic conditions due primarily to government mismanagement and international sanctions prompted at least two major economically based protests in July and October 2012, but Iran's internal security situation remained stable. President AHMADI-NEJAD's independent streak angered regime establishment figures, including the Supreme Leader, leading to conservative opposition to his agenda for the last year of his presidency, and an alienation of his political supporters. In June 2013, Iranians elected a centrist cleric Dr. Hasan Fereidun RUHANI to the presidency. A longtime senior member in the regime, he made promises of reforming society and Iran's foreign policy. In July 2015, Iran and the five permanent members, plus Germany (P5+1) signed the JCPOA under which Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief; however, the US reimposed sanctions in 2018 dealing a blow to RUHANI's legacy and the Iranian economy. Negotiations to restore the deal started in 2021 and are ongoing. Iran held elections in February 2020 for the Majles and the president in June 2021, resulting in a hardline and conservative monopoly across the regime's elected and unelected institutions. President Ebrahim RAISI is a hardline cleric with a decades-long career in Iran's judiciary and has had limited foreign policy and economic experience.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea, between Iraq and Pakistan
Geographic coordinates: 32 00 N, 53 00 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 1,648,195 sq km
land: 1,531,595 sq km
water: 116,600 sq km
Area - comparative: almost 2.5 times the size of Texas; slightly smaller than Alaska
Land boundaries: total: 5,894 km
border countries (7): Afghanistan 921 km; Armenia 44 km; Azerbaijan 689 km; Iraq 1,599 km; Pakistan 959 km; Turkey 534 km; Turkmenistan 1,148 km
Coastline: 2,440 km - note: Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: bilateral agreements or median lines in the Persian Gulf
continental shelf: natural prolongation
Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Terrain: rugged, mountainous rim; high, central basin with deserts, mountains; small, discontinuous plains along both coasts
Elevation: highest point: Kuh-e Damavand 5,625 m
lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m
mean elevation: 1,305 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur
Land use: agricultural land: 30.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 18.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 6.8% (2018 est.)
other: 63.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 95,530 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km; Lake Urmia - 5,200 sq km; Lake Namak - 750 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km; Helmand (shared with Afghanistan [s]) - 1,130 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Population distribution: population is concentrated in the north, northwest, and west, reflecting the position of the Zagros and Elburz Mountains; the vast dry areas in the center and eastern parts of the country, around the deserts of the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, have a much lower population density
Natural hazards: periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes
Geography - note: strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport
Map description: Iran map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.Iran map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 86,758,304 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Iranian(s)
adjective: Iranian
Ethnic groups: Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen, and Turkic tribes
Languages: Persian Farsi (official), Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic
major-language sample(s):
چکیده نامه جهان، منبعی ضروری برای کسب اطلاعات کلی جهان (Persian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim (official) 99.6% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2016 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 24.11% (male 10,472,844/female 10,000,028)
15-24 years: 13.36% (male 5,806,034/female 5,537,561)
25-54 years: 48.94% (male 21,235,038/female 20,327,384)
55-64 years: 7.72% (male 3,220,074/female 3,337,420)
65 years and over: 5.87% (2020 est.) (male 2,316,677/female 2,670,254)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 45.6
youth dependency ratio: 36
elderly dependency ratio: 9.6
potential support ratio: 14.2 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 31.7 years
male: 31.5 years
female: 32 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.98% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 15.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population is concentrated in the north, northwest, and west, reflecting the position of the Zagros and Elburz Mountains; the vast dry areas in the center and eastern parts of the country, around the deserts of the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut, have a much lower population density
Urbanization: urban population: 76.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 9.382 million TEHRAN (capital), 3.318 million Mashhad, 2.219 million Esfahan, 1.699 million Shiraz, 1.644 million Tabriz, 1.587 million Karaj (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 16 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.84 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 15.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 13.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.25 years
male: 73.89 years
female: 76.67 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 77.4% (2010/11)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 98.1% of population
total: 99.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 1.9% of population
total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.7% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.58 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 1.6 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 (2015 est.)
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 54,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,200 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
note: a new coronavirus is causing sustained community spread of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Iran; sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; as of 18 August 2022, Iran has reported a total of 7,493,317 cases of COVID-19 or 8,921.36 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 143,160 cumulative deaths or a rate 170.44 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25.8% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 13.6% (2020 est.)
male: 24.1% (2020 est.)
female: 3.1% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4.1% (2010/11)
Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 85.5%
male: 90.4%
female: 80.8% (2016)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years
male: 15 years
female: 15 years (2017)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 23.7%
male: 21.2%
female: 36% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution, especially in urban areas, from vehicle emissions, refinery operations, and industrial effluents; deforestation; overgrazing; desertification; oil pollution in the Persian Gulf; wetland losses from drought; soil degradation (salination); inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution from raw sewage and industrial waste; urbanization
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 35.09 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 661.71 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 158.71 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast
Land use: agricultural land: 30.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 18.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 6.8% (2018 est.)
other: 63.1% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 76.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.32% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2017 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
note: a new coronavirus is causing sustained community spread of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Iran; sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; as of 18 August 2022, Iran has reported a total of 7,493,317 cases of COVID-19 or 8,921.36 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 143,160 cumulative deaths or a rate 170.44 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 17.885 million tons (2017 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 894,250 tons (2017 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5% (2017 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km; Lake Urmia - 5,200 sq km; Lake Namak - 750 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Syria, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km; Helmand (shared with Afghanistan [s]) - 1,130 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 6.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 1.1 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 86 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 137.045 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Iran
conventional short form: Iran
local long form: Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Iran
local short form: Iran
former: Persia
etymology: name derives from the Avestan term "aryanam" meaning "Land of the Noble [Ones]"
Government type: theocratic republic
Capital: name: Tehran
geographic coordinates: 35 42 N, 51 25 E
time difference: UTC+3.5 (8.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins fourth Wednesday in March; ends fourth Friday in September
etymology: various explanations of the city's name have been proffered, but the most plausible states that it derives from the Persian words "tah" meaning "end or bottom" and "ran" meaning "[mountain] slope" to signify "bottom of the mountain slope"; Tehran lies at the bottom slope of the Elburz Mountains
Administrative divisions: 31 provinces (ostanha, singular - ostan); Alborz, Ardabil, Azarbayjan-e Gharbi (West Azerbaijan), Azarbayjan-e Sharqi (East Azerbaijan), Bushehr, Chahar Mahal va Bakhtiari, Esfahan, Fars, Gilan, Golestan, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khorasan-e Jonubi (South Khorasan), Khorasan-e Razavi (Razavi Khorasan), Khorasan-e Shomali (North Khorasan), Khuzestan, Kohgiluyeh va Bowyer Ahmad, Kordestan, Lorestan, Markazi, Mazandaran, Qazvin, Qom, Semnan, Sistan va Baluchestan, Tehran, Yazd, Zanjan
Independence: 1 April 1979 (Islamic Republic of Iran proclaimed); notable earlier dates: ca. 550 B.C. (Achaemenid (Persian) Empire established); A.D. 1501 (Iran reunified under the Safavid Dynasty); 1794 (beginning of Qajar Dynasty); 12 December 1925 (modern Iran established under the PAHLAVI Dynasty)
National holiday: Republic Day, 1 April (1979)
Constitution: history: previous 1906; latest adopted 24 October 1979, effective 3 December 1979
amendments: proposed by the supreme leader – after consultation with the Exigency Council – and submitted as an edict to the "Council for Revision of the Constitution," a body consisting of various executive, legislative, judicial, and academic leaders and members; passage requires absolute majority vote in a referendum and approval of the supreme leader; articles including Iran’s political system, its religious basis, and its form of government cannot be amended; amended 1989
Legal system: religious legal system based on secular and Islamic law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Iran
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini-KHAMENEI (since 4 June 1989)
head of government: President Ebrahim RAISI (since 18 June 2021); First Vice President Mohammad MOKHBER (since 8 August 2021)
cabinet: Council of Ministers selected by the president with legislative approval; the supreme leader has some control over appointments to several ministries
elections/appointments: supreme leader appointed for life by Assembly of Experts; president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term and an additional nonconsecutive term); election last held on 18 June 2021 (next to be held in June 2025)
election results: 2021: Ebrahim RAISI elected president; percent of vote - Ebrahim RAISI (CCA) 72.4%, Mohsen REZAI (RFII) 13.8%, Abbdolnaser HEMATI (ECP) 9.8%, Amir-Hosein Qazizadeh-HASHEMI (Islamic Law Party) 4%
2017: Hasan Fereidun RUHANI reelected president; percent of vote - Hasan Fereidun RUHANI (Moderation and Development Party) 58.8%, Ebrahim RAISI (Combat Clergy Association) 39.4% , Mostafa Mir-SALIM Islamic Coalition Party) 1.2%, Mostafa HASHEMI-TABA(Executives of Construction Party) 0.5%
note: 3 oversight bodies are also considered part of the executive branch of government
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Islamic Consultative Assembly or Majles-e Shura-ye Eslami or Majles (290 seats; 285 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by 2-round vote, and 1 seat each for Zoroastrians, Jews, Assyrian and Chaldean Christians, Armenians in the north of the country and Armenians in the south; members serve 4-year terms); note - all candidates to the Majles must be approved by the Council of Guardians, a 12-member group of which 6 are appointed by the supreme leader and 6 are jurists nominated by the judiciary and elected by the Majles
elections: first round held on 21 February 2020 and second round for 11 remaining seats held on 11 September 2020 (next full Majles election to be held in 2024)
election results: percent of vote by coalition (first round) - NA; seats by coalition (first round) - conservatives and hardliners 226, reformists 19, independents 40, religious minorities 5; as of June 2021 by-elections; composition - men 274, women 16, percent of women 5.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and organized into 42 two-bench branches, each with a justice and a judge)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president appointed by the head of the High Judicial Council (HJC), a 5-member body to include the Supreme Court chief justice, the prosecutor general, and 3 clergy, in consultation with judges of the Supreme Court; president appointed for a single, renewable 5-year term; other judges appointed by the HJC; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: Penal Courts I and II; Islamic Revolutionary Courts; Courts of Peace; Special Clerical Court (functions outside the judicial system and handles cases involving clerics); military courts
Political parties and leaders: Combatant Clergy Association (an active political group)
Executives of Construction Party
Followers of the Guardianship of the Jurisprudent [Ali LARIJANI]
Front of Islamic Revolutionary Stability [Morteza AGHA-TEHRANI, general secretary]
Islamic Coalition Party
Islamic Iran Participation Front [associated with former President Mohammed KHATAMI]
Islamic Law Party
Militant Clerics Society
Moderation and Development Party
National Trust Party
National Unity Party
Pervasive Coalition of Reformists [Ali SUFI, chairman] (includes Council for Coordinating the Reforms Front, National Trust Party, Union of Islamic Iran People Party, Moderation and Development Party)
Principlists Grand Coalition (includes Combatant Clergy Association and Islamic Coalition Party, Society of Devotees and Pathseekers of the Islamic Revolution, Front of Islamic Revolution Stability)
Progress, Welfare, and Justice Front
Progress and Justice Population of Islamic Iran or PJP [Hosein GHORBANZADEH, general secretary]
Resistance Front of Islamic Iran [Yadollah HABIBI, general secretary]
Steadfastness Front
Union of Islamic Iran People's Party
Wayfarers of the Islamic Revolution
International organization participation: CICA, CP, D-8, ECO, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, SAARC (observer), SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none; Iran has an Interests Section in the Pakistani Embassy; address: Iranian Interests Section, Embassy of Pakistan, 1250 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037; telephone: [1] (202) 965-4990; FAX [1] (202) 965-1073; info@daftar.org
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none; the US Interests Section is located in the Embassy of Switzerland; US Foreign Interests Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Pasdaran, Shahid Mousavi Street (Golestan 5th), Corner of Paydarfard Street, No. 55, Tehran
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red; the national emblem (a stylized representation of the word Allah in the shape of a tulip, a symbol of martyrdom) in red is centered in the white band; ALLAH AKBAR (God is Great) in white Arabic script is repeated 11 times along the bottom edge of the green band and 11 times along the top edge of the red band; green is the color of Islam and also represents growth, white symbolizes honesty and peace, red stands for bravery and martyrdom
National symbol(s): lion; national colors: green, white, red
National anthem: name: "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)
lyrics/music: multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI
note 1: adopted 1990; Iran has had six national anthems; the first, entitled "Salam-e Shah" (Royal Salute) was in use from 1873-1909; next came "Salamati-ye Dowlat-e Elliye-ye Iran" (Salute of the Sublime State of Persia, 1909-1933); it was followed by "Sorud-e melli" (The Imperial Anthem of Iran; 1933-1979), which chronicled the exploits of the Pahlavi Dynasty; "Ey Iran" (Oh Iran) functioned unofficially as the national anthem for a brief period between the ouster of the Shah in 1979 and the early days of the Islamic Republic in 1980; "Payandeh Bada Iran" (Long Live Iran) was used between 1980 and 1990 during the time of Ayatollah KHOMEINI
note 2: a recording of the current Iranian national anthem is unavailable since the US Navy Band does not record anthems for countries from which the US does not anticipate official visits; the US does not have diplomatic relations with Iran
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 26 (24 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Persepolis (c); Tchogha Zanbil (c); Bam and its Cultural Landscape (c); Golestan Palace (c); Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System (c); Pasargadae (c); Hyrcanian Forests (n); Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex (c); Meidan Emam, Esfahan (c); Bisotun (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Iran's economy is marked by statist policies, inefficiencies, and reliance on oil and gas exports, but Iran also possesses significant agricultural, industrial, and service sectors. The Iranian government directly owns and operates hundreds of state-owned enterprises and indirectly controls many companies affiliated with the country's security forces. Distortions - including corruption, price controls, subsidies, and a banking system holding billions of dollars of non-performing loans - weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Private sector activity includes small-scale workshops, farming, some manufacturing, and services, in addition to medium-scale construction, cement production, mining, and metalworking. Significant informal market activity flourishes and corruption is widespread. The lifting of most nuclear-related sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in January 2016 sparked a restoration of Iran’s oil production and revenue that drove rapid GDP growth, but economic growth declined in 2017 as oil production plateaued. The economy continues to suffer from low levels of investment and declines in productivity since before the JCPOA, and from high levels of unemployment, especially among women and college-educated Iranian youth. In May 2017, the re-election of President Hasan RUHANI generated widespread public expectations that the economic benefits of the JCPOA would expand and reach all levels of society. RUHANI will need to implement structural reforms that strengthen the banking sector and improve Iran’s business climate to attract foreign investment and encourage the growth of the private sector. Sanctions that are not related to Iran’s nuclear program remain in effect, and these—plus fears over the possible re-imposition of nuclear-related sanctions—will continue to deter foreign investors from engaging with Iran.Iran's economy is marked by statist policies, inefficiencies, and reliance on oil and gas exports, but Iran also possesses significant agricultural, industrial, and service sectors. The Iranian government directly owns and operates hundreds of state-owned enterprises and indirectly controls many companies affiliated with the country's security forces. Distortions - including corruption, price controls, subsidies, and a banking system holding billions of dollars of non-performing loans - weigh down the economy, undermining the potential for private-sector-led growth. Private sector activity includes small-scale workshops, farming, some manufacturing, and services, in addition to medium-scale construction, cement production, mining, and metalworking. Significant informal market activity flourishes and corruption is widespread. The lifting of most nuclear-related sanctions under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in January 2016 sparked a restoration of Iran’s oil production and revenue that drove rapid GDP growth, but economic growth declined in 2017 as oil production plateaued. The economy continues to suffer from low levels of investment and declines in productivity since before the JCPOA, and from high levels of unemployment, especially among women and college-educated Iranian youth. In May 2017, the re-election of President Hasan RUHANI generated widespread public expectations that the economic benefits of the JCPOA would expand and reach all levels of society. RUHANI will need to implement structural reforms that strengthen the banking sector and improve Iran’s business climate to attract foreign investment and encourage the growth of the private sector. Sanctions that are not related to Iran’s nuclear program remain in effect, and these—plus fears over the possible re-imposition of nuclear-related sanctions—will continue to deter foreign investors from engaging with Iran.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,044,310,000,000 (2020 est.)
$1,027,240,000,000 (2019 est.)
$1.102 trillion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3.7% (2017 est.)
12.5% (2016 est.)
-1.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $12,400 (2020 est.)
$12,400 (2019 est.)
$13,500 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $581.252 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 10% (2017 est.)
9.6% (2017 est.)
9.1% (2016 est.)
note: official Iranian estimate
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 9.6% (2016 est.)
industry: 35.3% (2016 est.)
services: 55% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 49.7% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 14% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 14.5% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 26% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -24.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, sugar cane, milk, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, potatoes, oranges, poultry, apples
Industries: petroleum, petrochemicals, gas, fertilizer, caustic soda, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food processing (particularly sugar refining and vegetable oil production), ferrous and nonferrous metal fabrication, armaments
Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 30.5 million (2017 est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 16.3%
industry: 35.1%
services: 48.6% (2013 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11.8% (2017 est.)
12.4% (2016 est.)
note: data are Iranian Government numbers
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 23.7%
male: 21.2%
female: 36% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 18.7% (2007 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.8 (2017 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2005)
Budget: revenues: 74.4 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 84.45 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 39.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
47.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: includes publicly guaranteed debt
Taxes and other revenues: 17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 21 March - 20 March
Current account balance: $9.491 billion (2017 est.)
$16.28 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $101.4 billion (2017 est.)
$83.98 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: China 48%, India 12%, South Korea 8%, Turkey 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, polymers, industrial alcohols, iron, pistachios (2019)
Imports: $76.39 billion (2017 est.)
$63.14 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: China 28%, United Arab Emirates 20%, India 11%, Turkey 7%, Brazil 6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: rice, corn, broadcasting equipment, soybean products, beef (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $120.6 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$133.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $7.995 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$8.196 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar -
32,769.7 (2017 est.)
30,914.9 (2016 est.)
30,914.9 (2015 est.)
29,011.5 (2014 est.)
25,912 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 80.553 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 279,826,390,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 6.365 billion kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 2.738 billion kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 34.303 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 88.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.2% 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: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 2.783 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 2.794 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 76,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 87,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 1.203 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 3,450,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.934 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 2,230,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 33,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 208.6 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 1.764 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 397,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 64,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 237,561,415,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 220,704,282,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 17,607,046,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
imports: 1,153,457,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
proven reserves: 33,987,296,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 646.038 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 5.142 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 204.21 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 436.687 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 145.54 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 29,093,587 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 127,624,951 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Iran’s telecom infrastructure has suffered from sanctions in recent years, which prevented the import of equipment and devices and encouraged widespread smuggling, with a consequent loss of tax revenue; to address this, the government introduced a device registration scheme, and bolstered the capacity for domestically manufactured mobile phones; companies have invested in broadening the reach of their LTE networks, which has increased network capacity and improved the quality of mobile broadband services; the country is also looking to 5G, with services having been launched by MCI and MTN Irancell in early 2021; the sector is still limited by low frequency bands; the government is addressing this with plans to reallocate the 3.5GHz band for 5G use; Iran is keen to grow its Iran’s digital economy and the National Internet Network (NIN) is pivotal to Iran’s fixed broadband infrastructure plans and overall Smart City progress; from a broad perspective, Iran offers significant opportunities for growth in the telecoms sector; the country has one of the largest populations in the Middle East, and there is a high proportion of youthful, tech savvy users having considerable demand for both fixed and mobile telecom services; companies are offering national roaming to improve services in rural areas; TCI is allowing infrastructure sharing of its fiber network with competitors; (2022)
domestic: approximately 35 per 100 for fixed-line and 152 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions; investment by Iran's state-owned telecom company has greatly improved and expanded both the fixed-line and mobile cellular networks; a huge percentage of the cell phones in the market have been smuggled into the country (2020)
international: country code - 98; landing points for Kuwait-Iran, GBICS & MENA, FALCON, OMRAN/3PEG Cable System, POI and UAE-Iran submarine fiber-optic cable to the Middle East, Africa and India; (TAE) fiber-optic line runs from Azerbaijan through the northern portion of Iran to Turkmenistan with expansion to Georgia and Azerbaijan; HF radio and microwave radio relay to Turkey, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kuwait, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan; satellite earth stations - 13 (9 Intelsat and 4 Inmarsat) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-run broadcast media with no private, independent broadcasters; Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the state-run TV broadcaster, operates 19 nationwide channels including a news channel, about 34 provincial channels, and several international channels; about 20 foreign Persian-language TV stations broadcasting on satellite TV are capable of being seen in Iran; satellite dishes are illegal and, while their use is subjectively tolerated, authorities confiscate satellite dishes from time to time; IRIB operates 16 nationwide radio networks, a number of provincial stations, and an external service; most major international broadcasters transmit to Iran (2019)
Internet country code: .ir
Internet users: total: 75,594,081 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 84% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 9,564,195 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 22 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 237
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 25,604,871 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 290.74 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EP
Airports: total: 319 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 140
over 3,047 m: 42
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 26
914 to 1,523 m: 36
under 914 m: 7 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 179
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 135
under 914 m: 32 (2021)
Heliports: 26 (2021)
Pipelines: 7 km condensate, 973 km condensate/gas, 20,794 km gas, 570 km liquid petroleum gas, 8,625 km oil, 7,937 km refined products (2013)
Railways: total: 8,483.5 km (2014)
standard gauge: 8,389.5 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (189.5 km electrified)
broad gauge: 94 km (2014) 1.676-m gauge
Roadways: total: 223,485 km (2018)
paved: 195,485 km (2018)
unpaved: 28,000 km (2018)
Waterways: 850 km (2012) (on Karun River; some navigation on Lake Urmia)
Merchant marine: total: 893
by type: bulk carrier 32, container ship 31, general cargo 371, oil tanker 84, other 375 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bandar-e Asaluyeh, Bandar Abbas, Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni
container port(s) (TEUs): Bandar Abbas
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Air Force, Air Defense Forces; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Aerospace Force (controls strategic missile force), Qods Force (aka Quds Force; special operations), Cyber Electronic Command, Basij Paramilitary Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (border and security troops, assigned to the armed forces in wartime) (2022)
note 1: the Artesh Navy operates Iran’s larger warships and operates in the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and deep waters in the region and beyond; the IRGC Navy has responsibility for the closer-in Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
note 2: the Basij is a volunteer paramilitary group with local organizations across the country, which sometimes acts as an auxiliary law enforcement unit subordinate to IRGC ground forces
Military expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.5% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $22.8 billion)
3.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $29.1 billion)
3.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $31.2 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 550-600,000 active armed forces personnel; approximately 400,000 Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (350,000 Ground Forces; 18,000 Navy; 40,000 Air Force/Air Defense Forces); approximately 150-190,000 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (100-150,000 Ground Forces; 20,000 Navy; 15,000 Aerospace Force; 5-15,000 Qods Force); estimated 90,000 active Basij Paramilitary Forces (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Iranian military's inventory includes a mix of domestically-produced and mostly older foreign equipment largely of Chinese, Russian, Soviet, and US origin (US equipment acquired prior to the Islamic Revolution in 1979); Iran has also received some military equipment from North Korea, including midget submarines and ballistic missiles; Iran has a defense industry with the capacity to develop, produce, support, and sustain air, land, missile, and naval weapons programs (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age for volunteers; 17 years of age for Law Enforcement Forces; 15 years of age for Basij Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); conscript military service obligation is 18-24 months, depending on the location of service (soldiers serving in places of high security risk and deprived areas serve shorter terms); women exempt from military service (2021)
note: as of 2019, approximately 80% of Artesh ground forces personnel were conscripts, while Navy and Air/Air Defense Force personnel were primarily volunteers; conscripts reportedly comprised more than 50 percent of the IRGC (most volunteers were reportedly recruited from the Basij Forces)
Military deployments: estimated 1-3,000 Syria (2022)
note: Iran has recruited, trained, and funded thousands of Syrian and foreign fighters to support the ASAD regime during the Syrian civil war
Military - note: the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was formed in May 1979 in the immediate aftermath of Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI’s fall, as leftists, nationalists, and Islamists jockeyed for power; while the interim prime minister controlled the government and state institutions, such as the Army, followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI organized counterweights, including the IRGC, to protect the Islamic revolution; the IRGC’s command structure bypassed the elected president and went directly to KHOMEINI; the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88) transformed the IRGC into more of a conventional fighting force with its own ground, air, naval, and special forces, plus control over Iran’s strategic missile and rocket forces; as of 2022, the IRGC was a highly institutionalized and parallel military force to Iran’s regular armed forces (Artesh); it was heavily involved in internal security and had significant influence in the political and economic spheres of Iranian society, as well as Iran’s foreign policy; its special operations forces, known as the Qods/Quds Force, specialized in foreign missions and has provided advice, funding, guidance, material support, training, and weapons to militants in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as extremist groups, including HAMAS, Hizballah, Kata’ib Hizballah, and Palestine Islamic Jihad (see Appendix-T for additional details on the IRGC and Qods Force); the Qods Force also conducts intelligence and reconnaissance operations the Supreme Council for National Security (SCNS) is the senior-most body for formulating Iran’s foreign and security policy; it is formally chaired by the president, who also appoints the SCNS secretary; its members include the speaker of the Majles, the head of the judiciary, the chief of the Armed Forces General Staff (chief of defense or CHOD), the commanders of the Artesh (regular forces) and IRGC, and the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, interior, and intelligence; the SCNS reports to the supreme leader; the supreme leader is the commander-in-chief of the armed forcesthe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was formed in May 1979 in the immediate aftermath of Shah Mohammad Reza PAHLAVI’s fall, as leftists, nationalists, and Islamists jockeyed for power; while the interim prime minister controlled the government and state institutions, such as the Army, followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah KHOMEINI organized counterweights, including the IRGC, to protect the Islamic revolution; the IRGC’s command structure bypassed the elected president and went directly to KHOMEINI; the Iran-Iraq War (1980–88) transformed the IRGC into more of a conventional fighting force with its own ground, air, naval, and special forces, plus control over Iran’s strategic missile and rocket forces; as of 2022, the IRGC was a highly institutionalized and parallel military force to Iran’s regular armed forces (Artesh); it was heavily involved in internal security and had significant influence in the political and economic spheres of Iranian society, as well as Iran’s foreign policy; its special operations forces, known as the Qods/Quds Force, specialized in foreign missions and has provided advice, funding, guidance, material support, training, and weapons to militants in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, as well as extremist groups, including HAMAS, Hizballah, Kata’ib Hizballah, and Palestine Islamic Jihad (see Appendix-T for additional details on the IRGC and Qods Force); the Qods Force also conducts intelligence and reconnaissance operations the Supreme Council for National Security (SCNS) is the senior-most body for formulating Iran’s foreign and security policy; it is formally chaired by the president, who also appoints the SCNS secretary; its members include the speaker of the Majles, the head of the judiciary, the chief of the Armed Forces General Staff (chief of defense or CHOD), the commanders of the Artesh (regular forces) and IRGC, and the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, interior, and intelligence; the SCNS reports to the supreme leader; the supreme leader is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces
Maritime threats: the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 28 February 2022, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region;" Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Omanthe Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-003 Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Red Sea-Threats to US and International Shipping from Iran) effective 28 February 2022, which states in part that "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in this region continue to present risk to commercial shipping...there is a continued possibility that Iran and/or its regional proxies could take actions against US and partner interests in the region;" Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has been established to provide escorts for commercial shipping transiting the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jaysh al Adl (Jundallah); Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK); al-Qa’ida
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: Iran-Afghanistan: Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought; Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurvey Iran-Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Russia: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified a Caspian seabed delimitation treaty in 2018 based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea Iran-Iraq: Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf Iran-UAE: Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; the dispute was rehashed at the September 2021 UN General Assembly meeting; Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corp opened an airport on Greater Tunb in February 2022Iran-Afghanistan: Iran protests Afghanistan's limiting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought; Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurveyIran-Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan-Russia: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified a Caspian seabed delimitation treaty in 2018 based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the seaIran-Iraq: Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian GulfIran-UAE: Iran and UAE dispute Tunb Islands and Abu Musa Island, which are occupied by Iran; the dispute was rehashed at the September 2021 UN General Assembly meeting; Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corp opened an airport on Greater Tunb in February 2022
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 2.6 million undocumented Afghans, 780,000 Afghan refugee card holders, 20,000 Iraqi refugee card holders (2020)
stateless persons: 34 (mid-year 2021)
Trafficking in persons: current situation: Iran is a presumed source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Iranian and Afghan boys and girls are forced into prostitution domestically; Iranian women are subjected to sex trafficking in Iran, Pakistan, the Persian Gulf, and Europe; Azerbaijani women and children are also sexually exploited in Iran; Afghan migrants and refugees and Pakistani men and women are subjected to conditions of forced labor in Iran; NGO reports indicate that criminal organizations play a significant role in human trafficking in Iran
tier rating: Tier 3 — Iran does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; therefore, Iran remained in Tier 3; the government continued a policy of recruiting and using child soldiers, government officials perpetrated sex trafficking of adults and children and continued trafficking both in Iran and overseas; the government continued to force or coerce children and adults to fight for Iranian-led militias operating in Syria and provided financial support to militias fighting in armed conflicts in the region using child soldiers; authorities failed to identify and protect trafficking victims among vulnerable populations; law enforcement treated trafficking victims as criminals, facing severe punishment or death for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit (2020)
Illicit drugs: significant transit and destination country for opiates and cannabis products mainly from Afghanistan; produces and consumes methamphetamine and traffics it to international markets; one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europesignificant transit and destination country for opiates and cannabis products mainly from Afghanistan; produces and consumes methamphetamine and traffics it to international markets; one of the primary transshipment routes for Southwest Asian heroin to Europe |
20220901 | countries-burkina-faso |
Topic: Photos of Burkina Faso
Topic: Introduction
Background: Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate. The area achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. The last successful coup occurred in 1987 when Blaise COMPAORE deposed the former president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In October 2014, COMPAORE resigned following protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition period organizing presidential and legislative elections. In November 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president; he was reelected in November 2020.
Terrorist groups - including groups affiliated with Al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State - began attacks in the country in 2016 and conducted attacks in the capital in 2016, 2017, and 2018. By late 2021, insecurity in Burkina Faso had displaced 1.4 million people and led to significant jumps in humanitarian needs and food insecurity. In addition to terrorism, the country faces a myriad of problems including high population growth, recurring drought, pervasive and perennial food insecurity, and limited natural resources. It is one of the world’s poorest countries.
Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Western Africa, north of Ghana
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 274,200 sq km
land: 273,800 sq km
water: 400 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 3,611 km
border countries (6): Benin 386 km; Cote d'Ivoire 545 km; Ghana 602 km; Mali 1325 km; Niger 622 km; Togo 131 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desertthree climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert
Terrain: mostly flat to dissected, undulating plains; hills in the west and southeast; occupies an extensive plateau with savanna that is grassy in the north and gradually gives way to sparse forests in the south
Elevation: highest point: Tena Kourou 749 m
lowest point: Mouhoun (Black Volta) River 200 m
mean elevation: 297 m
Natural resources: gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt
Land use: agricultural land: 44.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 22% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 37% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 21.93% (2018 est.)
forest: 19.3% (2018 est.)
other: 36.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 550 sq km (2016)
Major rivers (by length in km): Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
Population distribution: Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map (2019)Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: recurring droughts
Geography - note: landlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas
Map description: Burkina Faso map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Burkina Faso map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 21,935,389 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Burkinabe (singular and plural)
adjective: Burkinabe
Ethnic groups: Mossi 52%, Fulani 8.4%, Gurma 7%, Bobo 4.9%, Gurunsi 4.6%, Senufo 4.5%, Bissa 3.7%, Lobi 2.4%, Dagara 2.4%, Tuareg/Bella 1.9%, Dioula 0.8%, unspecified/no answer 0.3%, other 7.2% (2010 est.)
Languages: French (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population
Religions: Muslim 63.2%, Roman Catholic 24.6%, Protestant 6.9%, traditional/animist 4.2%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2017-18 est.)
Demographic profile: Burkina Faso has a young age structure – the result of declining mortality combined with steady high fertility – and continues to experience rapid population growth, which is putting increasing pressure on the country’s limited arable land. More than 65% of the population is under the age of 25, and the population is growing at 3% annually. Mortality rates, especially those of infants and children, have decreased because of improved health care, hygiene, and sanitation, but women continue to have an average of almost 6 children. Even if fertility were substantially reduced, today’s large cohort entering their reproductive years would sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future. Only about a third of the population is literate and unemployment is widespread, dampening the economic prospects of Burkina Faso’s large working-age population. Migration has traditionally been a way of life for Burkinabe, with seasonal migration being replaced by stints of up to two years abroad. Cote d’Ivoire remains the top destination, although it has experienced periods of internal conflict. Under French colonization, Burkina Faso became a main labor source for agricultural and factory work in Cote d’Ivoire. Burkinabe also migrated to Ghana, Mali, and Senegal for work between the world wars. Burkina Faso attracts migrants from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Mali, who often share common ethnic backgrounds with the Burkinabe. Despite its food shortages and high poverty rate, Burkina Faso has become a destination for refugees in recent years and hosts about 33,500 Malians as of May 2017. (2018)Burkina Faso has a young age structure – the result of declining mortality combined with steady high fertility – and continues to experience rapid population growth, which is putting increasing pressure on the country’s limited arable land. More than 65% of the population is under the age of 25, and the population is growing at 3% annually. Mortality rates, especially those of infants and children, have decreased because of improved health care, hygiene, and sanitation, but women continue to have an average of almost 6 children. Even if fertility were substantially reduced, today’s large cohort entering their reproductive years would sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future. Only about a third of the population is literate and unemployment is widespread, dampening the economic prospects of Burkina Faso’s large working-age population.Migration has traditionally been a way of life for Burkinabe, with seasonal migration being replaced by stints of up to two years abroad. Cote d’Ivoire remains the top destination, although it has experienced periods of internal conflict. Under French colonization, Burkina Faso became a main labor source for agricultural and factory work in Cote d’Ivoire. Burkinabe also migrated to Ghana, Mali, and Senegal for work between the world wars. Burkina Faso attracts migrants from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Mali, who often share common ethnic backgrounds with the Burkinabe. Despite its food shortages and high poverty rate, Burkina Faso has become a destination for refugees in recent years and hosts about 33,500 Malians as of May 2017.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.58% (male 4,606,350/female 4,473,951)
15-24 years: 20.33% (male 2,121,012/female 2,114,213)
25-54 years: 29.36% (male 2,850,621/female 3,265,926)
55-64 years: 3.57% (male 321,417/female 423,016)
65 years and over: 3.16% (2020 est.) (male 284,838/female 374,057)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 87.9
youth dependency ratio: 83.4
elderly dependency ratio: 4.5
potential support ratio: 22.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 17.9 years
male: 17 years
female: 18.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.53% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 33.57 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.61 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map (2019)Most of the population is located in the center and south. Nearly one-third of the population lives in cities. The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou (Ouaga), with a population of 1.8 million as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 31.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 3.056 million OUAGADOUGOU (capital), 1.074 million Bobo-Dioulasso (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.75 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.4 years (2010 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 320 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 49.42 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 53.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 45.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63.44 years
male: 61.63 years
female: 65.31 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.27 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 30.1% (2020)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 94.7% of population
rural: 71.3% of population
total: 78.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 5.3% of population
rural: 28.7% of population
total: 21.5% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.5% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 0.4 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 90.8% of population
rural: 37.7% of population
total: 54% of population
unimproved: urban: 9.2% of population
rural: 62.3% of population
total: 46% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.7% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 97,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 3,300 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Burkina Faso is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.6% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 14.3% (2020 est.)
male: 22.1% (2020 est.)
female: 6.4% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 16.4% (2019)
Education expenditures: 5.8% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 39.3%
male: 49.2%
female: 31% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 9 years
male: 9 years
female: 9 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.6%
male: 8.9%
female: 8.4% (2019)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: recent droughts and desertification severely affecting agricultural activities, population distribution, and the economy; overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation (2019)
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 36.78 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 3.42 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 12.85 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: three climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desertthree climate zones including a hot tropical savanna with a short rainy season in the southern half, a tropical hot semi-arid steppe climate typical of the Sahel region in the northern half, and small area of hot desert in the very north of the country bordering the Sahara Desert
Land use: agricultural land: 44.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 22% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 37% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 21.93% (2018 est.)
forest: 19.3% (2018 est.)
other: 36.5% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 31.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 4.75% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 4.54% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Burkina Faso is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to civil insecurity in the north - in the upcoming peak of the lean season, between June and August 2022, 2.6 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity; domestic cereal production in 2021 was estimated at a below-average level due to effects of adverse weather and the civil conflict, further aggravating conditions; in Centre-Nord and Sahel regions, insecurity continues to cause population displacements, further deteriorating the food security situation; a coup d’état on January 2022 is an additional factor that could increase civil insecurity and further stress food insecurity conditions (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,575,251 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 309,030 tons (2005 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12% (2005 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Volta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 375.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 21.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 420.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 13.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Burkina Faso
local long form: none
local short form: Burkina Faso
former: Upper Volta, Republic of Upper Volta
etymology: name translates as "Land of the Honest (Incorruptible) Men"
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Ouagadougou
geographic coordinates: 12 22 N, 1 31 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: Ouagadougou is a Francophone spelling of the native name "Wogodogo," meaning "where people get honor and respect"
Administrative divisions: 13 regions; Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, Sud-Ouest
Independence: 5 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by referendum 2 June 1991, adopted 11 June 1991, temporarily suspended late October to mid-November 2014; initial draft of a new constitution to usher in the new republic was completed in January 2017 and a final draft was submitted to the government in December 2017; a constitutional referendum originally scheduled for adoption in March 2019 was postponed; on 1 March 2022 a transition charter was adopted, allowing military authorities to rule for three years and barring transitional President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA from being an electoral candidate after the transition
amendments: proposed by the president, by a majority of National Assembly membership, or by petition of at least 30,000 eligible voters submitted to the Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote in the Assembly; failure to meet that threshold requires majority voter approval in a referendum; constitutional provisions on the form of government, the multiparty system, and national sovereignty cannot be amended; amended several times
Legal system: civil law based on the French model and customary law; in mid-2019, the National Assembly amended the penal code
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 Burkina Faso
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: transitional President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA (since 2 February 2022); note - on 24 January 2022, a military junta led by DAMIBA, leader of the Patriotic Movement for Safeguard and Restoration, took power and ousted President Roch Marc Christian KABORE
head of government: Prime Minister Albert OUEDRAOGO (since 3 March 2022); note - transitional President Lt. Col. DAMIBA appointed OUEDRAOGO Prime Minister on 3 March 2022; the position had been vacant since 24 January 2022 when the military ousted former Prime Minister Lassina ZERBO
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second); last held on 22 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025); prime minister appointed by the president with consent of the National Assembly; note - on 1 March 2022 a transition charter was adopted, allowing military authorities to rule for three years and barring transitional President Lt. Col. Paul-Henri Sandaogo DAMIBA from being an electoral candidate after the transition.
election results: 2020: Roch Marc Christian KABORE reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Roch Marc Christian KABORE (MPP) 57.9%, Eddie KOMBOIGO (CDP) 15.5%, Zephirin DIABRE (UPC)12.5%, other 14.1%
2015: Roch Marc Christian KABORE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Roch Marc Christian KABORE (MPP) 53.5%, Zephirin DIABRE (UPC) 29.6%, Tahirou BARRY (PAREN) 3.1%, Benewende Stanislas SANKARA (UNIR-MS) 2.8%, other 10.9%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly (127 seats; 111 members directly elected in 13 multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote and 26 members elected in a nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; all member serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - MPP 34.6%, CDP 13.3%, UPC 10.2%, NTD 5.6%, other 36.3%; seats by party - MPP 56, CDP 20, NTD 13, UPC 12, other 26; composition as of October 2021 - men 119, women 8, percent of women 6.3%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Appeals or Cour de Cassation (consists of NA judges); Council of State (consists of NA judges); Constitutional Council or Conseil Constitutionnel (consists of the council president and 9 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judge appointments mostly controlled by the president of Burkina Faso; judges have no term limits; Council of State judge appointment and tenure NA; Constitutional Council judges appointed by the president of Burkina Faso upon the proposal of the minister of justice and the president of the National Assembly; judges appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of membership renewed every 3 years
subordinate courts: Appeals Court; High Court; first instance tribunals; district courts; specialized courts relating to issues of labor, children, and juveniles; village (customary) courts
Political parties and leaders: African Democratic Rally/Alliance for Democracy and Federation or ADF/RDA [Gilbert Noel OUEDRAOGO]
African People’s Movement or MAP [Victorien TOUGOUMA]
Congress for Democracy and Progress or CDP [Eddie KOMBOIGO]
Le Faso Autrement [Ablasse OUEDRAOGO]
New Alliance of the Faso or NAFA [Rasmane OUEGRAOGO]
New Time for Democracy or NTD [Vincent DABILGOU]
Organization for Democracy and Work or ODT [Anatole BONKOUNGOU]
Party for Development and Change or PDC [Aziz SEREME]
Party for Democracy and Progress-Socialist Party or PDP-PS [Drabo TORO]
Party for Democracy and Socialism/Metba or PDS/Metba [Philippe OUEDRAOGO]
Party for National Renaissance or PAREN [Michel BERE]
People's Movement for Progress or MPP [Roch Marc Christian KABORE]
Rally for Democracy and Socialism or RDS [Francois OUEDRAOGO]
Rally for the Development of Burkina or RDB [Celestin Saidou COMPAORE]
Rally of Ecologists of Burkina Faso or RDEB [Adama SERE]
Soleil d’Avenir [Abdoulaye SOMA]
Union for a New Burkina or UBN [Diemdioda DICKO]
Union for Progress and Change or UPC [Zephirin DIABRE]
Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Party or UNIR-MS [Benewende Stanislas SANKARA]
Union for the Republic or UPR [Toussaint Abel COULIBALY]
Youth Alliance for the Republic and Independence or AJIR [Adama KANAZOE]
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNITAR, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Charge d'Affaires Boulmonli Leonard LOMBO (since 15 April 2022)
chancery: 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-5577
FAX: [1] (202) 667-1882
email address and website:
contact@burkina-usa.org
https://burkina-usa.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sandra E. CLARK (since 25 September 2020)
embassy: Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000, Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Rue 15.873, Ouagadougou
mailing address: 2440 Ouagadougou Place, Washington, DC 20521-2440
telephone: (226) 25-49-53-00
FAX: (226) 25-49-56-23
email address and website:
ouagaACS@state.gov
https://bf.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a yellow five-pointed star in the center; red recalls the country's struggle for independence, green is for hope and abundance, and yellow represents the country's mineral wealth
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
National symbol(s): white stallion; national colors: red, yellow, green
National anthem: name: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)
lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA
note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Ruins of Loropéni (c); Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. Irregular patterns of rainfall, poor soil, and the lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure contribute to the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports - gold has accounted for about three-quarters of the country’s total export revenues. Burkina Faso’s economic growth and revenue depends largely on production levels and global prices for the two commodities. The country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports. In 2016, the government adopted a new development strategy, set forth in the 2016-2020 National Plan for Economic and Social Development, that aims to reduce poverty, build human capital, and to satisfy basic needs. A new three-year IMF program (2018-2020), approved in 2018, will allow the government to reduce the budget deficit and preserve critical spending on social services and priority public investments. While the end of the political crisis has allowed Burkina Faso’s economy to resume positive growth, the country’s fragile security situation could put these gains at risk. Political insecurity in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose long-term challenges.Burkina Faso is a poor, landlocked country that depends on adequate rainfall. Irregular patterns of rainfall, poor soil, and the lack of adequate communications and other infrastructure contribute to the economy’s vulnerability to external shocks. About 80% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop. The country has few natural resources and a weak industrial base. Cotton and gold are Burkina Faso’s key exports - gold has accounted for about three-quarters of the country’s total export revenues. Burkina Faso’s economic growth and revenue depends largely on production levels and global prices for the two commodities. The country has seen an upswing in gold exploration, production, and exports. In 2016, the government adopted a new development strategy, set forth in the 2016-2020 National Plan for Economic and Social Development, that aims to reduce poverty, build human capital, and to satisfy basic needs. A new three-year IMF program (2018-2020), approved in 2018, will allow the government to reduce the budget deficit and preserve critical spending on social services and priority public investments. While the end of the political crisis has allowed Burkina Faso’s economy to resume positive growth, the country’s fragile security situation could put these gains at risk. Political insecurity in neighboring Mali, unreliable energy supplies, and poor transportation links pose long-term challenges.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $45.16 billion (2020 est.)
$44.27 billion (2019 est.)
$41.88 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 6.4% (2017 est.)
5.9% (2016 est.)
3.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,200 (2020 est.)
$2,200 (2019 est.)
$2,100 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $14.271 billion (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -3.2% (2019 est.)
1.9% (2018 est.)
1.4% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Standard & Poors rating: B (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 31% (2017 est.)
industry: 23.9% (2017 est.)
services: 44.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 56.5% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 23.9% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 28.4% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -34.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sorghum, maize, millet, cotton, cow peas, sugar cane, groundnuts, rice, sesame seed, vegetables
Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold
Industrial production growth rate: 10.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 8.501 million (2016 est.)
note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90%
industry and services: 10% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate: 77% (2004)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.6%
male: 8.9%
female: 8.4% (2019)
Population below poverty line: 41.4% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35.3 (2014 est.)
48.2 (1994)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)
Budget: revenues: 2.666 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 3.655 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -7.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 38.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
38.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 21.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.019 billion (2017 est.)
-$820 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $4.47 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$4.51 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Switzerland 59%, India 21% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, cotton, zinc, cashews, sesame seeds (2019)
Imports: $5.02 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.17 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.3 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: Cote d'Ivoire 15%, China 9%, Ghana 8%, France 8%, India 6%, United States 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, electricity, aircraft (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $49 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$50.9 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $3.056 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.88 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
605.3 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 22% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 69% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 2% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 392,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 2,033,520,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 600 million kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 248 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 89.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 6.9% 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: 0.4% 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: 30,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 23,580 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: 4.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 4.444 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 3.23 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 75,039 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 22,117,218 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Burkina Faso’s telecom sector in recent years has made some gains in providing the necessary infrastructure and bandwidth to support telecom services; an IXP completed in September 2020 increased international bandwidth capacity by a third, while in mid-2021 the government was able to start the second phase of a national fiber backbone project; this will link the capital city to an addition 145 municipalities, and provide additional connectivity to terrestrial cables in neighboring countries; this new infrastructure is also making it possible for the government to trial tele medicine, and so address the very poor availability of medical services in almost all parts of the country; the activities of the militants in side areas of the country jeopardize overall security, and render it difficult for the telcos to safeguard their networks and equipment; Burkina Faso joins G5 Sahel countries to eliminate roaming fees (2022)
domestic: fixed-line connections stand at less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage nearly 106 per 100, with multiple providers there is competition and the hope for growth from a low base; Internet penetration is 16% (2020)
international: country code - 226; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
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: since the official inauguration of Terrestrial Digital Television (TNT) in December 2017, Burkina Faso now has 14 digital TV channels among which 2 are state-owned; there are more than 140 radio stations (commercial, religious, community) available throughout the country including a national and regional state-owned network; the state-owned Radio Burkina and the private Radio Omega are among the most widespread stations and both include broadcasts in French and local languages (2019)
Internet country code: .bf
Internet users: total: 4,598,721 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 22% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 13,979 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 151,531 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 100,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: XT
Airports: total: 23 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 5 (2021)
Railways: total: 622 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 622 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
note: another 660 km of this railway extends into Cote d'Ivoire
Roadways: total: 15,304 km (2014)
paved: 3,642 km (2014)
unpaved: 11,662 km (2014)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF): Army of Burkina Faso (L’Armee de Terre, LAT), Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie; Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) (2022)
note 1: the National Gendarmerie officially reports to the Ministry of Defense, but usually operates in support of the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Justice; Gendarmerie troops are typically integrated with Army forces in anti-terrorism operations
note 2: the VDP is a civilian defense force established in 2019 to act as auxiliaries to the Army in the fight against militants; the volunteers receive two weeks of training and typically assist with carrying out surveillance, information-gathering, and escort duties
Military expenditures: 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $450 million)
1.9% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $370 million)
1.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $260 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 12,000 personnel (7,000 Army; 500 Air Force; 4,500 National Gendarmerie) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FABF has a mix of foreign-supplied weapons; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of mostly donated second-hand equipment from a variety of countries (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; women may serve in supporting roles (2021)
Military deployments: 650 (plus about 180 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
note: Burkina Faso is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US
Military - note: including the most recent in January 2022, the military has conducted seven coups since 1960; as of 2022, the military was also actively engaged in combat operations with terrorist groups linked to al-Qa'ida and ISIS, particularly in the northern and eastern regions; in the north, the terrorist group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) has exploited ethnic tensions and perceptions of state neglect, as well as grievances over corruption, patronage politics, social stratification, and land disputes; the east is reportedly a stronghold of the Islamic State-Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) terrorist group (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Ansarul Islam; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
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: adding to illicit cross-border activities, Burkina Faso has issues concerning unresolved boundary alignments with its neighbors; demarcation is currently underway with Mali; the dispute with Niger was referred to the ICJ in 2010, and a dispute over several villages with Benin persists; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualau/Kourouadding to illicit cross-border activities, Burkina Faso has issues concerning unresolved boundary alignments with its neighbors; demarcation is currently underway with Mali; the dispute with Niger was referred to the ICJ in 2010, and a dispute over several villages with Benin persists; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualau/Kourou
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 24,756 (Mali) (2022)
IDPs: 1,850,293 (2022)1,850,293 (2022) |
20220901 | field-military-deployments | This entry lists military forces deployed to other countries or territories abroad. The World Factbook defines deployed as a permanently stationed force or a temporary deployment of greater than six months. Deployments smaller than 100 personnel or paramilitaries, police, contractors, mercenaries, or proxy forces are not included. Numbers provided are estimates only and should be considered paper strengths, not necessarily the current number of troops on the ground. In addition, some estimates, such as those by the US military, are significantly influenced by deployment policies, contingencies, or world events and may change suddenly. Where available, the organization or mission that at least some of the forces are deployed under is listed. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry:
AMISOM - Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia; UN-supported, AU-operated peacekeeping mission
BATUS - British Army Training Unit Suffield, Canada
BATUK - British Army Training Unit, Kenya
CSTO - Collective Security Treaty Organization
ECOMIG - ECOWUS Mission in The Gambia; Africa Union-European Union peacekeeping, stabilization, and training mission in Gambia
EUTM - European Union Training Mission
EUFOR - European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (also known as Operation Althea)
EuroCorps - European multi-national corps headquartered in Strasbourg, France, consisting of troops from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain; Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Turkey are Associated Nations of EuroCorps
G5 Joint Force - G5 Sahel Cross-Border Joint Force comprised of troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger
KFOR - the Kosovo Force; a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in Kosovo
MFO - Multinational Force & Observers Sinai, headquartered in Rome
MINUSCA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic
MINUSMA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
MNJTF - Multinational Joint Task Force Against Boko Haram comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria with the mission of fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin
MONUSCO - United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
NATO - North American Treaty Organization, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium
Operation Barkhane - French-led counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel alongside the G5 Joint Force; headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad and supported by Canada, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the US
Operation Inherent Resolve - US-led coalition to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and provide assistance and training to Iraqi security forces
UNAFIL - United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon
UNAMID - African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, Sudan
UNDOF - United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, Golan (Israel-Syria border)
UNFICYP - United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus
UNISFA - United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Sudan-South Sudan border)
UNMISS - United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan
UNSOM - United Nations Assistance Mission in SomaliaThis entry lists military forces deployed to other countries or territories abroad. The World Factbook defines deployed as a permanently stationed force or a temporary deployment of greater than six months. Deployments smaller than 100 personnel or paramilitaries, police, contractors, mercenaries, or proxy forces are not included. Numbers provided are estimates only and should be considered paper strengths, not necessarily the current number of troops on the ground. In addition, some estimates, such as those by the US military, are significantly influenced by deployment policies, contingencies, or world events and may change suddenly. Where available, the organization or mission that at least some of the forces are deployed under is listed. The following terms and abbreviations are used throughout the entry: AMISOM - Africa Union (AU) Mission in Somalia; UN-supported, AU-operated peacekeeping missionBATUS - British Army Training Unit Suffield, CanadaBATUK - British Army Training Unit, KenyaCSTO - Collective Security Treaty OrganizationECOMIG - ECOWUS Mission in The Gambia; Africa Union-European Union peacekeeping, stabilization, and training mission in GambiaEUTM - European Union Training MissionEUFOR - European Union Force Bosnia and Herzegovina (also known as Operation Althea)EuroCorps - European multi-national corps headquartered in Strasbourg, France, consisting of troops from Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Spain; Greece, Italy, Poland, Romania and Turkey are Associated Nations of EuroCorpsG5 Joint Force - G5 Sahel Cross-Border Joint Force comprised of troops from Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and NigerKFOR - the Kosovo Force; a NATO-led international peacekeeping force in KosovoMFO - Multinational Force & Observers Sinai, headquartered in RomeMINUSCA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African RepublicMINUSMA - United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in MaliMNJTF - Multinational Joint Task Force Against Boko Haram comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria with the mission of fighting Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Basin
MONUSCO - United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the CongoNATO - North American Treaty Organization, headquartered in Brussels, BelgiumOperation Barkhane - French-led counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel alongside the G5 Joint Force; headquartered in N’Djamena, Chad and supported by Canada, Denmark, Estonia, the European Union, Germany, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the USOperation Inherent Resolve - US-led coalition to counter the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and provide assistance and training to Iraqi security forcesUNAFIL - United Nations Interim Force in LebanonUNAMID - African Union - United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, SudanUNDOF - United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, Golan (Israel-Syria border)UNFICYP - United Nations Peacekeeping Force in CyprusUNISFA - United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (Sudan-South Sudan border)UNMISS - United Nations Mission in the Republic of South SudanUNSOM - United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
Topic: Argentina250 Cyprus (UNFICYP) (May 2022)
Topic: Australianote: since the 1990s, Australia has deployed more than 30,000 personnel on nearly 100 UN peacekeeping and coalition military operations, including in Cambodia, Rwanda, the Solomon Islands, Somalia, and East Timor
Topic: Austria170 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 300 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 200 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (Aug 2022)
Topic: Bangladesh1,375 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,625 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO; plus about 190 police); 120 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,100 Mali (MINUSMA; plus about 280 police); 1,600 South Sudan (UNMISS); 180 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022)
Topic: Belgium125 France (contributing member of EuroCorps); 250 Romania (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Belgium, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Benin260 (plus about 160 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Burkina Faso650 (plus about 180 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
note: Burkina Faso is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US
Topic: Burundi760 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 5,400 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022)
Topic: Cambodia225 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 180 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 290 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Cameroon750 (plus about 350 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022)
note: Cameroon has committed approximately 2,000-2,500 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations occur occasionally
Topic: Canadathe CAF has nearly 1,400 military personnel forward deployed for NATO air, land, and sea missions in the European theater, including up to 650 troops in Latvia and 140 in Romania (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Canada, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Chad1,450 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
note 1: Chad has committed approximately 1,000-1,500 troops to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically; in 2019, Chad sent more than 1,000 troops to Nigeria’s Borno State to fight Boko Haram as part of the MNJTF mission
note 2: Chad is also part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), Mauritania, and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US
Topic: China425 Mali (MINUSMA); 225 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 420 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,050 South Sudan (UNMISS); up to 2,000 Djibouti (May 2022)
Topic: Colombia275 Egypt (MFO) (2022)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire850 Mali (MINUSMA) (2022)
Topic: Croatia130 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Czechiaup to 130 Lithuania (NATO); 130 Slovakia (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Denmarkapproximately 220 Estonia (NATO); approximately 100 Middle East/Iraq (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Denmark, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Djibouti960 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022)
Topic: Egypt1,000 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,075 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: El Salvador175 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Ethiopia5-10,000 Somalia (4,500 for ATMIS; the remainder under a bilateral agreement with Somalia; note - bilateral figures are prior to the conflict with Tigray); 250 Sudan (UNISFA); 1,475 South Sudan (UNMISS) (2022)
Topic: European Unionsince 2003, the EU has launched more than 30 civilian and military crisis-management, advisory, and training missions in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, as well as counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and a naval operation in the Mediterranean to disrupt human smuggling and trafficking networks and prevent the loss of life at sea (2022)
Topic: Fiji170 Egypt (MFO); 165 Iraq (UNAMI); 150 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2022)
Topic: Finland160 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Topic: Franceapproximately 4,000 Burkina Faso/Chad/Niger (Operation Barkhane, Operation Sabre; note - in 2021, France announced that it would cut the number of troops in this force to about 2,500 by 2023); approximately 300 Central African Republic; 300 Comoros; approximately 900 Cote D'Ivoire; approximately 1,450 Djibouti; 220 Estonia (NATO); approximately 2,000 French Guyana; approximately 900 French Polynesia; approximately 1,000 French West Indies; 350 Gabon; approximately 500 Middle East (Iraq/Jordan/Syria); 600 Lebanon (UNIFIL); approximately 1,400 New Caledonia; approximately 1,700 Reunion Island; 550 Romania (NATO); approximately 350 Senegal; approximately 650 United Arab Emirates (2022)
note 1: France has been a contributing member of the EuroCorps since 1992
note 2: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including France, have sent additional troops to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Germanyup to 500 Iraq (NATO); 1,030 Lithuania (NATO); up to 1,400 Mali (MINUSMA/EUTM); 280 Slovakia (NATO) (2022)
note 1: Germany is a contributing member of the EuroCorps
note 2: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Germany, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Ghana140 Mali (MINUSMA); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 725 (plus about 275 police) South Sudan (UNMISS); 650 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022)
Topic: Greeceapproximately 1,000 Cyprus; 100 Kosovo (NATO); 100 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2022)
Topic: Guatemala155 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022)
Topic: Guinea670 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Hungary160 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR stabilization force); 150 Iraq (NATO); 470 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2022)
Topic: India1,900 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 110 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 900 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 2,350 South Sudan (UNMISS); 310 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022)
Topic: Indonesia225 (plus about 140 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,025 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 1,225 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Topic: Iranestimated 1-3,000 Syria (2022)
note: Iran has recruited, trained, and funded thousands of Syrian and foreign fighters to support the ASAD regime during the Syrian civil war
Topic: Ireland130 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 320 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Topic: Italy120 Djibouti; 900 Middle East/Iraq/Kuwait (NATO, European Assistance Mission Iraq); 640 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 250 Latvia (NATO); 875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 400 Libya; 290 Niger; 250 Romania (NATO); 150 Somalia (EUTM) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Japanapproximately 180 Djibouti (2022)
Topic: Jordan330 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Kenya260 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 3,650 Somalia (ATMIS) (2022)
Topic: Korea, South250 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 280 South Sudan (UNMISS); 170 United Arab Emirates; note - since 2009, South Korea has kept a naval flotilla with approximately 300 personnel in the waters off of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula (2022)
Topic: Latvia130 Kosovo (KFOR/NATO) (2022)
Topic: Liberia160 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Lithuanianote: contributes about 350-550 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units
Topic: Malawi750 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022)
Topic: Malaysia830 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Topic: Malinote: until announcing its withdrawal in May of 2022, Mali was part of a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, and Niger; Mali had committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force
Topic: Mauritania470 (plus about 320 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022)
note: Mauritania is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G4 Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), and Niger; it has committed 550 troops and 100 gendarmes to the force; as of 2020, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US
Topic: Mongolia860 South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022)
note: from 2003 to July 2021, some 3,300 Mongolian troops served in Afghanistan, including about 1,300 under the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission (2015 to 2021); since 2002, Mongolia has deployed more than 19,000 peacekeepers and observers to UN operations in more than a dozen countries
Topic: Morocco775 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 925 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022)
Topic: Nepal790 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 400 Golan Heights (UNDOF); 870 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 235 Liberia (UNSMIL); 175 Mali (MINUSMA); 1,750 (plus about 220 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022)
Topic: Netherlands270 Lithuania (NATO); 125 Slovakia (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including the Netherlands, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: New Zealandup to 220 Antarctica (summer season only) (2022)
Topic: Niger875 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
note 1: Niger is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 (now G4) Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), and Mauritania; it has committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force; as of 2022, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US
note 2: Niger also has about 1,000 troops committed to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically
Topic: Nigeria200 Ghana (ECOMIG) (2022)
note: Nigeria has committed an Army combat brigade (approximately 3,000 troops) to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), a regional counter-terrorism force comprised of troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger; MNJTF conducts operations against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically
Topic: Norwayup to 190 Lithuania (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Norway, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Pakistan1,300 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,970 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 220 Mali (MINUSMA); 290 South Sudan (UNMISS); 220 Sudan (UNISFA) (May 2022)
Topic: Peru215 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022)
Topic: Poland250 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); up to 180 Latvia (NATO); 190 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 230 Romania (NATO) (2022)
note 1: Poland contributes about 2,500 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units
note 2: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Poland, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Portugal200 Central African Republic (MINUSCA/EUTM); up to 120 Lithuania (NATO) (2022)
note 1: in 2021, Portugal deployed about 80 troops to Mozambique to assist with the EU training mission
note 2: NATO troop deployment numbers in eastern Europe are as of February 2022; in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Portugal, have sent additional troops to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Romaniaup to 120 Poland (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Russiainformation varies; approximately 3,000-4,000 Armenia; approximately 2,000 Azerbaijan (peacekeepers for Nagorno-Karabakh); estimated 3,000-5,000 Belarus; approximately 7,000-10,000 Georgia; approximately 500 Kyrgyzstan; approximately 1,500 Moldova (Transnistria); estimated 3,000-5,000 Syria; approximately 5,000-7,000 Tajikistan (February 2022)
note 1: in February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with an estimated 150,000 troops; prior to the invasion, it maintained an estimated 30,000 troops in areas of Ukraine occupied since 2014
note 2: prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia was assessed to have about 3,000-5,000 private military contractors conducting military and security operations in Africa, including in the Central African Republic, Libya, Mali, and Sudan
Topic: Rwanda2,450 (plus about 500 police) Central African Republic (approximately 1,700 for MINUSCA; an additional 750 troops sent separately under a bilateral agreement with CAR in August, 2021); up to 2,000 Mozambique (deployed mid-2021 under a bi-lateral agreement to assist with combating insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 400 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2022)
Topic: Saudi Arabiaestimated 2,500-5,000 Yemen (varies depending on operations) (2022)
Topic: Senegal750 Gambia (ECOMIG); 970 Mali (MINUSMA); note - Senegal also has about 1,100 police deployed on various UN peacekeeping missions (2022)
Topic: Serbia175 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Topic: Singaporemaintains permanent training detachments of military personnel in Australia, France, and the US (2022)
Topic: Slovakia240 Cyprus (UNFICYP); up to 150 Latvia (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Slovakia, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Slovenia200 Kosovo (NATO); 100 Slovakia (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Slovenia, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: South Africa1,150 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); up to 1,500 Mozambique (part of a Southern African Development Community force to help quell an insurgency) (2022)
Topic: Spainapproximately 200 Iraq (NATO/EU training assistance); up to 600 Latvia (NATO); 650 Lebanon (UNIFIL); approximately 500 Mali (EUTM); 150 Turkey (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Spain, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: Sri Lanka110 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 240 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: SudanSudan joined the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015, reportedly providing as many as 40,000 troops during the peak of the war in 2016-17, mostly from the Rapid Support Forces; by 2021, Sudan had reduced the size of the force to about a brigade (approximately 2-3,000 troops) (2022)
Topic: Swedenapproximately 200 Mali (MINUSMA) (2022)
Topic: Switzerlandup to 165 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2022)
Topic: Tanzania450 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 850 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022)
Topic: Thailand280 South Sudan (UNMISS) (May 2022)
Topic: Togo730 (plus about 300 police) Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Tunisia325 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 100 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)approximately 150 (Azerbaijan; monitoring cease-fire, clearing mines); 250 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR); approximately 30,000 Cyprus; estimated 5,000 Iraq; 300 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 110 Lebanon (UNIFIL); estimated 500 Libya; approximately 3,000 Qatar; approximately 200 Somalia (training mission); estimated 5,000-10,000 Syria (2022)
note 1: between 2016 and 2020, Turkey conducted four major military campaigns in northern Syria; Turkey also has deployed troops into northern Iraq on numerous occasions to combat the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), including large operations involving thousands of troops in 2007, 2011, and 2018, and smaller-scale incursions in 2021 and 2022; in October of 2021, Turkey’s parliament extended the military’s mandate to launch cross-border operations in Iraq and Syria by two more years
note 2: in 2020, Turkey deployed hundreds of Turkish troops and as many as 5,000 Syrian fighters to Libya to support the Libyan Government of National Accord
Topic: Uganda6,800 Somalia (6,200 ATMIS; 625 UNSOM); 250 Equatorial Guinea (training mission) (2022)
Topic: Ukrainenote: prior to the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine contributed about 500 troops to the Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine joint military brigade (LITPOLUKRBRIG), which was established in 2014; the brigade is headquartered in Poland and is comprised of an international staff, three battalions, and specialized units
Topic: United Arab Emiratesestimates vary; reportedly a few hundred remain in Yemen; maintains military bases in Eritrea and Somalia (2022)
Topic: United Kingdomapproximately 1,000 Brunei; approximately 400 Canada (BATUS); approximately 2,500 Cyprus (250 for UNFICYP); approximately 1,000 Estonia (NATO); approximately 1,200 Falkland Islands; approximately 200 Germany; 570 Gibraltar; approximately 1,400 Middle East (including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE); up to 350 Kenya (BATUK); approximately 350 Mali (EUTM, MINUSMA); 150 Poland (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including the UK, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Topic: United States5,000 Africa (mostly in Djibouti, with approximately 700-1,000 in other countries of East Africa and about 700 in West Africa); 1,700 Australia; 250 Diego Garcia; 150 Canada; 650 Cuba (Guatanamo Bay); 290 Egypt (MFO); approximately 100,000 Europe (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, UK); 150 Greenland; 6,200 Guam; 370 Honduras; 56,000 Japan; approximately 15,000 Middle East (Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates); 125 Philippines; 28,000 South Korea; 200 Singapore; 100 Thailand (2022)
note: US military rotational policies affect deployment numbers; the US deploys ground and air units to select countries for 6-12 month rotational assignments on a continuous basis; in South Korea, for example, the US continuously rotates combat brigades (approximately 3,000 personnel) for 9 months at a time; contingencies also affect US troop deployments; in 2019-2020, the US deployed more than 15,000 additional military personnel to the Middle East for an extended period of time and in 2022, it sent more than 30,000 reinforcements to Europe in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; in addition, some overseas US naval bases, such as the headquarters of US Naval Forces Central Command (USNAVCENT) in Manama, Bahrain, are frequented by the crews of US ships on 6-9 month deployments; a US carrier strike group with an air wing and supporting ships typically includes over 6-7,000 personnel
Topic: Uruguay830 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 210 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (May 2022)
Topic: Worldas of early 2022, there were about 75,000 UN peacekeepers deployed worldwide
Topic: Zambia930 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (May 2022) |
20220901 | field-major-infectious-diseases | This entry lists major infectious diseases likely to be encountered in countries where the risk of such diseases is assessed to be very high as compared to the United States. These infectious diseases represent risks to US Government personnel traveling to the specified country for a period of less than three years. The degree of risk is assessed by considering the foreign nature of these infectious diseases, their severity, and the probability of being affected by the diseases present. The diseases listed do not necessarily represent the total disease burden experienced by the local population.
The risk to an individual traveler varies considerably by the specific location, visit duration, type of activities, type of accommodations, time of year, and other factors. Consultation with a travel medicine physician is needed to evaluate individual risk and recommend appropriate preventive measures such as vaccines.
Diseases are organized into the following six exposure categories shown in italics and listed in typical descending order of risk. Note: The sequence of exposure categories listed in individual country entries may vary according to local conditions.
food or waterborne diseases acquired through eating or drinking:
Hepatitis A - viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; spread through consumption of food or water contaminated with fecal matter, principally in areas of poor sanitation; victims exhibit fever, jaundice, and diarrhea; 15% of victims will experience prolonged symptoms over 6-9 months; vaccine available.
Hepatitis E - water-borne viral disease that interferes with the functioning of the liver; most commonly spread through fecal contamination of drinking water; victims exhibit jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, and dark colored urine.
Typhoid fever - bacterial disease spread through contact with food or water contaminated by fecal matter or sewage; victims exhibit sustained high fevers; left untreated, mortality rates can reach 20%.
vector-borne diseases acquired through the bite of an infected arthropod:
Malaria - caused by single-cell parasitic protozoa Plasmodium; transmitted to humans via the bite of the female Anopheles mosquito; parasites multiply in the liver attacking red blood cells resulting in cycles of fever, chills, and sweats accompanied by anemia; death due to damage to vital organs and interruption of blood supply to the brain; endemic in 85, mostly tropical, countries with 95% of cases and the majority of 0.4-0.6 million estimated annual deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (six countries – Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Mozambique, Angola and Burkina Faso – accounted for just over half of all malaria deaths globally in 2020).
Dengue fever - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments; manifests as sudden onset of fever and severe headache; occasionally produces shock and hemorrhage leading to death in 5% of cases.
Yellow fever - mosquito-borne (in urban areas Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments; severity ranges from influenza-like symptoms to severe hepatitis and hemorrhagic fever; occurs only in tropical South America and sub-Saharan Africa, where most cases are reported; fatality rate is less than 20%.
Japanese Encephalitis - mosquito-borne (Culex tritaeniorhynchus) viral disease associated with rural areas in Asia; acute encephalitis can progress to paralysis, coma, and death; fatality rates 30%.
African Trypanosomiasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa Trypanosoma; transmitted to humans via the bite of bloodsucking tsetse flies; infection leads to malaise and irregular fevers and, in advanced cases when the parasites invade the central nervous system, coma and death; endemic in 36 countries of sub-Saharan Africa; cattle and wild animals act as reservoir hosts for the parasites.
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis - caused by the parasitic protozoa leishmania; transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies; results in skin lesions that may become chronic; endemic in 88 countries; 90% of cases occur in Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Peru; wild and domesticated animals as well as humans can act as reservoirs of infection.
Plague - bacterial disease transmitted by fleas normally associated with rats; person-to-person airborne transmission also possible; recent plague epidemics occurred in areas of Asia, Africa, and South America associated with rural areas or small towns and villages; manifests as fever, headache, and painfully swollen lymph nodes; disease progresses rapidly and without antibiotic treatment leads to pneumonic form with a death rate in excess of 50%.
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever - tick-borne viral disease; infection may also result from exposure to infected animal blood or tissue; geographic distribution includes Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe; sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle aches followed by hemorrhaging in the bowels, urine, nose, and gums; mortality rate is approximately 30%.
Rift Valley fever - viral disease affecting domesticated animals and humans; transmission is by mosquito and other biting insects; infection may also occur through handling of infected meat or contact with blood; geographic distribution includes eastern and southern Africa where cattle and sheep are raised; symptoms are generally mild with fever and some liver abnormalities, but the disease may progress to hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, or ocular disease; fatality rates are low at about 1% of cases.
Chikungunya - mosquito-borne (Aedes aegypti) viral disease associated with urban environments, similar to Dengue Fever; characterized by sudden onset of fever, rash, and severe joint pain usually lasting 3-7 days, some cases result in persistent arthritis.
water-contact diseases acquired through swimming or wading in freshwater lakes, streams, and rivers:
Leptospirosis - bacterial disease that affects animals and humans; infection occurs through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated by animal urine; symptoms include high fever, severe headache, vomiting, jaundice, and diarrhea; untreated, the disease can result in kidney damage, liver failure, meningitis, or respiratory distress; fatality rates are low but left untreated recovery can take months.
Schistosomiasis - caused by parasitic trematode flatworm Schistosoma; fresh water snails act as intermediate host and release larval form of parasite that penetrates the skin of people exposed to contaminated water; worms mature and reproduce in the blood vessels, liver, kidneys, and intestines releasing eggs, which become trapped in tissues triggering an immune response; may manifest as either urinary or intestinal disease resulting in decreased work or learning capacity; mortality, while generally low, may occur in advanced cases usually due to bladder cancer; endemic in 74 developing countries with 80% of infected people living in sub-Saharan Africa; humans act as the reservoir for this parasite.
aerosolized dust or soil-contact disease acquired through inhalation of aerosols contaminated with rodent urine:
Lassa fever - viral disease carried by rats of the genus Mastomys; endemic in portions of West Africa; infection occurs through direct contact with or consumption of food contaminated by rodent urine or fecal matter containing virus particles; fatality rate can reach 50% in epidemic outbreaks.
respiratory disease acquired through close contact with an infectious person:
Meningococcal meningitis - bacterial disease causing an inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord; one of the most important bacterial pathogens is Neisseria meningitidis because of its potential to cause epidemics; symptoms include stiff neck, high fever, headaches, and vomiting; bacteria are transmitted from person to person by respiratory droplets and facilitated by close and prolonged contact resulting from crowded living conditions, often with a seasonal distribution; death occurs in 5-15% of cases, typically within 24-48 hours of onset of symptoms; highest burden of meningococcal disease occurs in the hyperendemic region of sub-Saharan Africa known as the "Meningitis Belt" which stretches from Senegal east to Ethiopia.
animal-contact disease acquired through direct contact with local animals:
Rabies - viral disease of mammals usually transmitted through the bite of an infected animal, most commonly dogs; virus affects the central nervous system causing brain alteration and death; symptoms initially are non-specific fever and headache progressing to neurological symptoms; death occurs within days of the onset of symptoms.
Topic: Afghanistandegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Crimea-Congo hemorrhagic fever, malaria
note: Afghanistan is one of two countries with endemic wild polio virus (the other is Pakistan) and considered high risk for international spread of the disease; before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Angoladegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Argentinanote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Argentina; as of 6 June 2022, Argentina has reported a total of 9,230,573 cases of COVID-19 or 20,423.53 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 128,889 cumulative deaths or 285.18 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 4 June 2022, 55.2% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Bangladeshdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Bangladesh; as of 6 June 2022, Bangladesh has reported a total of 1,953,700 cases of COVID-19 or 1,186.29 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 29,131 cumulative deaths or a rate of 17.68 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 4 June 2022, 77.59% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Benindegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Benin is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Boliviadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Botswanadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Brazildegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Brazil; as of 6 June 2022, Brazil has reported a total of 31,060,017 cases of COVID-19 or 14,612.39 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 666,801 cumulative deaths or a rate 313.7 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 5 June 2022, 86.02% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Burkina Fasodegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Burkina Faso is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Burmadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Burundidegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Cambodiadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
Topic: Cameroondegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Cameroon is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Central African Republicdegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Central African Republic is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Chaddegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Chad is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Chinadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis
soil contact diseases: hantaviral hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)
note: a new coronavirus is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in China; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; the US Department of State has issued a do not travel advisory for China due to COVID-19; the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also recommended against travel to China and published additional guidance at https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/novel-coronavirus-china; the US Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in China to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures; as of 6 June 2022, China has reported a total of 3,392,315 cases of COVID-19 or 230.57 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 17,551 cumulative deaths or a rate 1.19 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 89.36% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Colombiadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Colombia; as of 6 June 2022, Columbia has reported a total of 6,103,455 cases of COVID-19 or 11,995.1 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 139,854 cumulative deaths or a rate 274.85 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 13 May 2022, 82.35% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and trypanosomiasis-gambiense (African sleeping sickness)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Democratic Republic of the Congo is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Congo, Republic of thedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Republic of the Congo is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Cook Islandsdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Costa Ricadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Topic: Cote d'Ivoiredegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Topic: Croatiadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Topic: Cubadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Topic: Djiboutidegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Djibouti is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Dominican Republicdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Topic: Ecuadordegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Egyptdegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Topic: El Salvadordegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Topic: Equatorial Guineadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Eritreadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
Topic: Estoniadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Topic: Eswatinidegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Topic: Ethiopiadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Ethiopia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: European Unionnote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring regionally; the US Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in the European Union’s Schengen Area (comprised of the following 26 European states: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland) to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures
Topic: Fijidegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Francenote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout France; as of 6 June 2022, France has reported a total of 28,733,287 cases of COVID-19 or 44,178.3 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 145,123 cumulative deaths or a rate 223.1 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 2 June 2022, 80.7% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: French Polynesiadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Gabondegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Gambia, Thedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; The Gambia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Gaza Stripnote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the Gaza Strip is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Ghanadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: since October 2021, there has been a yellow fever outbreak in Ghana with numerous cases, including some deaths, in the following regions: Savannah, Upper West, Bono, and Oti; the CDC recommends travelers going to Ghana should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel and should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there; those never vaccinated against yellow fever should avoid travel to Nigeria during the outbreak; there are no medications to treat or cure yellow fever
Topic: Guatemaladegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Guineadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever (2016)
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Guinea is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Guinea-Bissaudegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Guinea-Bissau is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Guyanadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Haitidegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Hondurasdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Hungarydegree of risk: intermediate (2016)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2016)
Topic: Indiadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: clusters of cases of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are being reported across 27 States and Union Territories in India; as of 30 March 2022, India has reported a total of 43,023,215 cases of COVID-19 or 3,117.61 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 521,101 cumulative deaths or a rate 37.76 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 29 March 2022, 70.68% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Indonesiadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: a new coronavirus is causing sustained community spread of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Indonesia; as of 6 June 2022, Indonesia has reported a total of 6,057,142 cases of COVID-19 or 2,214.5 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 156,622 cumulative deaths or a rate 57.26 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 3 June 2022, 72.5% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Irandegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
note: a new coronavirus is causing sustained community spread of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Iran; sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; as of 6 June 2022, Iran has reported a total of 7,232,731 cases of COVID-19 or 8,611.1 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 141,331 cumulative deaths or a rate 168.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 75.9% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Iraqdegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Iraq; as of 6 June 2022, Iraq has reported a total of 2,328,670 cases of COVID-19 or 5,789.5 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 25,221 cumulative deaths or a rate of 62.7 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 28 May 2022, 25.9% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Israelnote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Israel is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Israel is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Italynote: a new coronavirus is causing respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Italy; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; as of 6 June 2022, Italy has reported a total of 17,505,973 cases of COVID-19 or 29,352 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 166,949 cumulative deaths or a rate of 279.9 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 84.1% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; the US Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in Italy to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures
Topic: Japanrespiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: clusters of cases of respiratory illness caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Japan; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; as of 6 June 2022, Japan has reported a total of 8,945,784 cases of COVID-19 or 7,073 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 30,752 cumulative deaths or a rate of 24.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 82.2% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Jordannote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Jordan; as of 6 June 2022, Jordan has reported a total of 1,697,271 cases of COVID-19 or 16,634.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 14,068 cumulative deaths or a rate of 137.9 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 29 May 2022, 46.65% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Kenyadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Kiribatidegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Korea, Southrespiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: a novel coronavirus is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in South Korea; as of 30 March 2022, South Korea has reported a total of 18,168,708 cases of COVID-19 or 35,437.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 24,279 cumulative deaths or a rate of 47.4 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 87.8% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Laosdegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Latviadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Topic: Lebanonnote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Lebanon; as of 6 June 2022, Lebanon has reported a total of 1,099,821 cases of COVID-19 or 16,113.5 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 10,437 cumulative deaths or a rate of 152.9 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 30 May 2022, 39.69% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Lesothodegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Topic: Liberiadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Liberia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Lithuaniadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis
Topic: Madagascardegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Madagascar is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Malawidegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Malawi is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Malaysiadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
Topic: Malidegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Topic: Marshall Islandsdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Mauritaniadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Mauritania is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Mexicodegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
note: a new coronavirus is causing sustained community spread of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in Mexico; sustained community spread means that people have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known, and the spread is ongoing; illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe with fatalities reported; as of 6 June 2022, Mexico has reported a total of 5,782,405 cases of COVID-19 or 4,484.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 324,966 cumulative deaths or a rate of 252 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 20 May 2022, 66.68% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Montenegrodegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever
Topic: Mozambiquedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Mozambique is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Namibiadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Topic: Naurudegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Nepaldegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: Japanese encephalitis, malaria, and dengue fever
Topic: New Caledoniadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Nicaraguadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Nigerdegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Niger is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Nigeriadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: leptospirosis and schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever
note 1: on 4 May 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Travel Health Notice for a Yellow Fever outbreak in Nigeria; a large, ongoing outbreak of yellow fever in Nigeria began in September 2017; the outbreak is now spread throughout the country with the Nigerian Ministry of Health reporting cases of the disease in multiple states (Bauchi, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, and Enugu); the CDC recommends travelers going to Nigeria should receive vaccination against yellow fever at least 10 days before travel and should take steps to prevent mosquito bites while there; those never vaccinated against yellow fever should avoid travel to Nigeria during the outbreak
note 2: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Nigeria; as of 6 June 2022, Nigeria has reported a total of 256,148 cases of COVID-19 or 124.3 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 3,148 cumulative deaths or a rate of 1.5 cumulative death per 100,000 population; as of 22 May 2022, 12.97% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
note 3: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Nigeria is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Niuedegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Pakistandegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
animal contact diseases: rabies
note 1: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Pakistan; as of 6 June 2022, Pakistan has reported a total of 1,530,705 cases of COVID-19 or 692.9 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 30,379 cumulative deaths or a rate of 13.75 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 60.05% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
note 2: Pakistan is one of two countries with endemic wild polio virus (the other is Afghanistan) and considered high risk for international spread of the disease; before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Palaudegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Panamadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Topic: Papua New Guineadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Paraguaydegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Topic: Perudegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Bartonellosis (Oroya fever)
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Peru; as of 6 June 2022, Peru has reported a total of 3,581,524 cases of COVID-19 or 10,862.4 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 213,205 cumulative deaths or a rate of 646.6 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 88.04% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Philippinesdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
Topic: Pitcairn Islandsdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Polanddegree of risk: intermediate (2016)
vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis (2016)
Topic: Russiadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, tickborne encephalitis
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout the Russia; as of 6 June 2022, Russia has reported a total of 18,355,200 cases of COVID-19 or 12,577.7 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 379,584 cumulative deaths or a rate of 260.1 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 4 June 2022, 55.58% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Rwandadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Samoadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Sao Tome and Principedegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Topic: Senegaldegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Senegal is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Serbiadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
Topic: Sierra Leonedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
aerosolized dust or soil contact diseases: Lassa fever
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Sierra Leone is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Solomon Islandsdegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Somaliadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Rift Valley fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Somalia is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: South Africadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout South Africa; as of 6 June 2022, South Africa has reported a total of 3,968,205 cases of COVID-19 or 6,690.7 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 101,317 cumulative deaths or a rate of 170.83 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 36.33% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: South Sudandegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, Trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; South Sudan is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Spainrespiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Spain; as of 6 June 2022, Spain has reported a total of 12,403,245 cases of COVID-19 or 26,204.4 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 106,797 cumulative deaths or a rate of 225.6 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 88.22% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; the Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in Spain to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures
Topic: Sri Lankadegree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Sudandegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Topic: Surinamedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Tajikistandegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Tajikistan is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Tanzaniadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Rift Valley fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Thailanddegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, and malaria
Topic: Timor-Lestedegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Topic: Togodegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Topic: Tokelaudegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Tongadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout Turkey; as of 6 June 2022, Turkey has reported a total of 15,073,722 cases of COVID-19 or 17,872.76 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 98,969 cumulative deaths or a rate of 117.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 31 May 2022, 68.02% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Ugandadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and Trypanosomiasis-Gambiense (African sleeping sickness)
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Uganda is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Ukrainenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Eastern Europe; Ukraine is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Eastern Europe; Ukraine is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: United Arab Emiratesnote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout UAE; as of 6 June 2022, UAE has reported a total of 910,935 cases of COVID-19 or 9,210.29 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 2,305 cumulative deaths or a rate of 23.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 1 June 2022, 98.99% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: United Kingdomrespiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout the UK; as of 6 June 2022, the UK has reported a total of 22,305,897 cases of COVID-19 or 32,857.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 178,749 cumulative deaths or a rate of 263.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 31 May 2022, 78.42% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; the US Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in the UK to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures
Topic: Vanuatudegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Venezueladegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: as of 30 September 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Venezuela; the country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate health care is currently not available in most of the country
Topic: Vietnamdegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis
Topic: Wallis and Futunadegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: West Banknote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccinenote: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; the West Bank is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Worldnote: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring globally; older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions are at increased risk for severe disease; some health care systems are becoming overwhelmed and there may be limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas; many countries are implementing travel restrictions and mandatory quarantines, closing borders, and prohibiting non-citizens from entry with little advance notice; US residents may have difficulty returning to the United States; as of 6 June 2022, 529,410,287 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 6,296,771 deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization; as of 6 June 2022, 65.7% of the World population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Topic: Yemendegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Yemen is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Topic: Zambiadegree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Topic: Zimbabwedegree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies |
20220901 | countries-nicaragua |
Topic: Photos of Nicaragua
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Pacific coast of Nicaragua was settled as a Spanish colony from Panama in the early 16th century. Independence from Spain was declared in 1821 and the country became an independent republic in 1838. Britain occupied the Caribbean Coast in the first half of the 19th century, but gradually ceded control of the region in subsequent decades. Violent opposition to governmental manipulation and corruption spread to all classes by 1978 and resulted in a short-lived civil war that brought a civic-military coalition, spearheaded by the Marxist Sandinista guerrillas led by Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra to power in 1979. Nicaraguan aid to leftist rebels in El Salvador prompted the US to sponsor anti-Sandinista contra guerrillas through much of the 1980s. After losing free and fair elections in 1990, 1996, and 2001, former Sandinista President Daniel ORTEGA was elected president in 2006, 2011, 2016, and most recently in 2021. Municipal, regional, and national-level elections since 2008 have been marred by widespread irregularities. Democratic institutions have weakened under the ORTEGA regime as the president has garnered full control over all branches of government, especially after cracking down on a nationwide pro-democracy protest movement in 2018. In the lead-up to the 2021 presidential election, authorities arrested over 40 individuals linked to the political opposition, including presidential candidates, private sector leaders, NGO workers, human rights defenders, and journalists. Only five lesser-known presidential candidates of mostly small parties allied to ORTEGA's Sandinistas were allowed to run against ORTEGA in the November 2021 election.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Costa Rica and Honduras
Geographic coordinates: 13 00 N, 85 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 130,370 sq km
land: 119,990 sq km
water: 10,380 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than New York state
Land boundaries: total: 1,253 km
border countries (2): Costa Rica 313 km; Honduras 940 km
Coastline: 910 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: natural prolongation
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Terrain: extensive Atlantic coastal plains rising to central interior mountains; narrow Pacific coastal plain interrupted by volcanoes
Elevation: highest point: Mogoton 2,085 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 298 m
Natural resources: gold, silver, copper, tungsten, lead, zinc, timber, fish
Land use: agricultural land: 42.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 12.5% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 2.5% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.2% (2018 est.)
forest: 25.3% (2018 est.)
other: 32.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,990 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago de Nicaragua - 8,150 sq km; Lago de Managua - 1,040 sq km
Population distribution: the overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters
Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanesvolcanism: significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telicadestructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanesvolcanism: significant volcanic activity; Cerro Negro (728 m), which last erupted in 1999, is one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion, Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica
Geography - note: largest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua
Map description: Nicaragua map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.Nicaragua map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 6,301,880 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nicaraguan(s)
adjective: Nicaraguan
Ethnic groups: Mestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 69%, White 17%, Black 9%, Amerindian 5%
Languages: Spanish (official) 95.3%, Miskito 2.2%, Mestizo of the Caribbean coast 2%, other 0.5%; note - English and indigenous languages found on the Caribbean coast (2005 est.)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 50%, Evangelical 33.2%, other 2.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 13.2% (2017 est.)
Demographic profile: Despite being one of the poorest countries in Latin America, Nicaragua has improved its access to potable water and sanitation and has ameliorated its life expectancy, infant and child mortality, and immunization rates. However, income distribution is very uneven, and the poor, agriculturalists, and indigenous people continue to have less access to healthcare services. Nicaragua's total fertility rate has fallen from around 6 children per woman in 1980 to below replacement level today, but the high birth rate among adolescents perpetuates a cycle of poverty and low educational attainment.Nicaraguans emigrate primarily to Costa Rica and to a lesser extent the United States. Nicaraguan men have been migrating seasonally to Costa Rica to harvest bananas and coffee since the early 20th century. Political turmoil, civil war, and natural disasters from the 1970s through the 1990s dramatically increased the flow of refugees and permanent migrants seeking jobs, higher wages, and better social and healthcare benefits. Since 2000, Nicaraguan emigration to Costa Rica has slowed and stabilized. Today roughly 300,000 Nicaraguans are permanent residents of Costa Rica - about 75% of the foreign population - and thousands more migrate seasonally for work, many illegally.Despite being one of the poorest countries in Latin America, Nicaragua has improved its access to potable water and sanitation and has ameliorated its life expectancy, infant and child mortality, and immunization rates. However, income distribution is very uneven, and the poor, agriculturalists, and indigenous people continue to have less access to healthcare services. Nicaragua's total fertility rate has fallen from around 6 children per woman in 1980 to below replacement level today, but the high birth rate among adolescents perpetuates a cycle of poverty and low educational attainment.Nicaraguans emigrate primarily to Costa Rica and to a lesser extent the United States. Nicaraguan men have been migrating seasonally to Costa Rica to harvest bananas and coffee since the early 20th century. Political turmoil, civil war, and natural disasters from the 1970s through the 1990s dramatically increased the flow of refugees and permanent migrants seeking jobs, higher wages, and better social and healthcare benefits. Since 2000, Nicaraguan emigration to Costa Rica has slowed and stabilized. Today roughly 300,000 Nicaraguans are permanent residents of Costa Rica - about 75% of the foreign population - and thousands more migrate seasonally for work, many illegally.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.63% (male 811,731/female 777,984)
15-24 years: 19.51% (male 609,962/female 600,567)
25-54 years: 42.41% (male 1,254,683/female 1,376,052)
55-64 years: 6.63% (male 188,591/female 222,766)
65 years and over: 5.82% (2020 est.) (male 159,140/female 201,965)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.3
youth dependency ratio: 45.5
elderly dependency ratio: 8.8
potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 27.3 years
male: 26.4 years
female: 28.2 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.92% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 16.52 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the overwhelming majority of the population resides in the western half of the country, with much of the urban growth centered in the capital city of Managua; coastal areas also show large population clusters
Urbanization: urban population: 59.6% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.083 million MANAGUA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.2 years (2011/12 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratio: 198 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 19.09 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 22.26 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.78 years
male: 72.56 years
female: 77.11 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.8 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 80.4% (2011/12)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.5% of population
rural: 62.6% of population
total: 83.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.5% of population
rural: 37.4% of population
total: 16.8% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 8.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 89.9% of population
rural: 66.5% of population
total: 80.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 10.1% of population
rural: 33.5% of population
total: 19.7% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 12,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 23.7% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4.6% (2011/12)
Education expenditures: 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 82.6%
male: 82.4%
female: 82.8% (2015)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.5%
male: 6.4%
female: 12.9% (2014 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution; drought
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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 16.87 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 5.59 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 6.46 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical in lowlands, cooler in highlands
Land use: agricultural land: 42.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 12.5% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 2.5% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.2% (2018 est.)
forest: 25.3% (2018 est.)
other: 32.5% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 59.6% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.26% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,528,816 tons (2010 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lago de Nicaragua - 8,150 sq km; Lago de Managua - 1,040 sq km
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 286 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 73.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.185 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 164.52 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nicaragua
conventional short form: Nicaragua
local long form: Republica de Nicaragua
local short form: Nicaragua
etymology: Nicarao was the name of the largest indigenous settlement at the time of Spanish arrival; conquistador Gil GONZALEZ Davila, who explored the area (1622-23), combined the name of the community with the Spanish word "agua" (water), referring to the two large lakes in the west of the country (Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua)
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Managua
geographic coordinates: 12 08 N, 86 15 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: may derive from the indigenous Nahuatl term "mana-ahuac," which translates as "adjacent to the water" or a site "surrounded by water"; the city is situated on the southwestern shore of Lake Managua
Administrative divisions: 15 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 2 autonomous regions* (regiones autonomistas, singular - region autonoma); Boaco, Carazo, Chinandega, Chontales, Costa Caribe Norte*, Costa Caribe Sur*, Esteli, Granada, Jinotega, Leon, Madriz, Managua, Masaya, Matagalpa, Nueva Segovia, Rio San Juan, Rivas
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 19 November 1986, effective 9 January 1987
amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or assent of at least half of the National Assembly membership; passage requires approval by 60% of the membership of the next elected Assembly and promulgation by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2021
Legal system: civil law system; Supreme Court may review administrative acts
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: yes
dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where bilateral agreements exist
residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years
Suffrage: 16 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (since 10 January 2007); Vice President Rosario MURILLO Zambrana (since 10 January 2017)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by qualified plurality vote for a 5-year term (no term limits as of 2014); election last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held on 1 November 2026)
election results:
2021: Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president for a fourth consecutive term; percent of vote - Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 75.9%, Walter ESPINOZA (PLC) 14.3%, Guillermo OSORNO (CCN) 3.3%, Marcelo MONTIEL (ALN) 3.1%, other 3.4%
2016: Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra reelected president for a third consecutive term; percent of vote - Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra (FSLN) 72.4%, Maximino RODRIGUEZ (PLC) 15%, Jose del Carmen ALVARADO (PLI) 4.5%, Saturnino CERRATO Hodgson (ALN) 4.3%, other 3.7%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (92 statutory seats, current 91; 70 members in multi-seat constituencies, representing the country's 15 departments and 2 autonomous regions, and 20 members in a single nationwide constituency directly elected by party-list proportional representation vote; up to 2 seats reserved for the previous president and the runner-up candidate in the previous presidential election; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 7 November 2021 (next to be held on 1 November 2026)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FSLN 75, PLC 10, ALN 2, APRE 1, PLI 2, YATAMA 1; composition - men 45, women 46, percent of women 50.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 16 judges organized into administrative, civil, criminal, and constitutional chambers)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly to serve 5-year staggered terms
subordinate courts: Appeals Court; first instance civil, criminal, and labor courts; military courts are independent of the Supreme Court
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for the Republic or APRE [Carlos CANALES]
Alternative for Change or AC (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Orlando Jose TARDENCILLA]
Autonomous Liberal Party or PAL [Rene Margarito BELLO ROMERO]
Caribbean Unity Movement or PAMUC [Armando Francisco ARISTA FLORES]
Christian Unity Party or PUC (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Guillermo Daniel ORTEGA REYES]
Citizens for Liberty or CxL [Carmella ROGERS AUMBURN]; note - cancelled by the Supreme Electoral Council on 8/6/2021
Conservative Party or PC [Alfredo CESAR]
Democratic Restoration Party or PRD [Saturnino CERRATO]; note - cancelled by the Supreme Electoral Council on 5/18/2021
Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Mario ASENSIO]
Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Maria Haydee OSUNA]
Moskitia Indigenous Progressive Movement or MOSKITIA PAWANKA (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Wycliff Diego BLANDON]
Multiethnic Indigenous Party or PIM (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Carla Elvis WHITE HODGSON]
Nationalist Liberal Party or PLN (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Constantino Raul VELASQUEZ]
Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Alejandro MEJIA Ferreti]
Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or CCN [Guillermo OSORNO]
Nicaraguan Resistance Party or PRN (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Julio Cesar BLANDON SANCHEZ]
Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra]
Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Suyen BARAHONA]; note - cancelled by the Supreme Electoral Council on 6/21/2008; in January 2021 they rebranded and now call themselves Democratic Renovation Union or UNAMOS
Sons of Mother Earth or YATAMA [Brooklyn RIVERA]
The New Sons of Mother Earth Movement or MYATAMARAN (operates in a political alliance with the FSLN) [Osorno Salomon COLEMAN]
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Obadiah CAMPBELL Hooker (since 28 June 2010)
chancery: 1627 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 939-6570; [1] (202) 939-6573
FAX: [1] (202) 939-6545
consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin K. SULLIVAN (since 14 November 2018)
embassy: Kilometer 5.5 Carretera Sur, Managua
mailing address: 3240 Managua Place, Washington DC 20521-3240
telephone: [505] 2252-7100,
FAX: [505] 2252-7250
email address and website:
ACS.Managua@state.gov
https://ni.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, and blue with the national coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms features a triangle encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE NICARAGUA on the top and AMERICA CENTRAL on the bottom; the banner is based on the former blue-white-blue flag of the Federal Republic of Central America; the blue bands symbolize the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, while the white band represents the land between the two bodies of water
note: similar to the flag of El Salvador, which features a round emblem encircled by the words REPUBLICA DE EL SALVADOR EN LA AMERICA CENTRAL centered in the white band; also similar to the flag of Honduras, which has five blue stars arranged in an X pattern centered in the white band
National symbol(s): turquoise-browed motmot (bird); national colors: blue, white
National anthem: name: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)
lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO
note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830s until 1876
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Ruins of León Viejo; León Cathedral
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere, has widespread underemployment and poverty. GDP growth of 4.5% in 2017 was insufficient to make a significant difference. Textiles and agriculture combined account for nearly 50% of Nicaragua's exports. Beef, coffee, and gold are Nicaragua’s top three export commodities. The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many Nicaraguan agricultural and manufactured goods. In 2013, the government granted a 50-year concession with the option for an additional 50 years to a newly formed Chinese-run company to finance and build an inter-oceanic canal and related projects, at an estimated cost of $50 billion. The canal construction has not started.Nicaragua, the poorest country in Central America and the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere, has widespread underemployment and poverty. GDP growth of 4.5% in 2017 was insufficient to make a significant difference. Textiles and agriculture combined account for nearly 50% of Nicaragua's exports. Beef, coffee, and gold are Nicaragua’s top three export commodities. The Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement has been in effect since April 2006 and has expanded export opportunities for many Nicaraguan agricultural and manufactured goods. In 2013, the government granted a 50-year concession with the option for an additional 50 years to a newly formed Chinese-run company to finance and build an inter-oceanic canal and related projects, at an estimated cost of $50 billion. The canal construction has not started.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $34.98 billion (2020 est.)
$35.68 billion (2019 est.)
$37.05 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.9% (2017 est.)
4.7% (2016 est.)
4.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $5,300 (2020 est.)
$5,500 (2019 est.)
$5,700 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $12.57 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.3% (2019 est.)
4.9% (2018 est.)
3.8% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B- (2018)
Moody's rating: B3 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: B- (2018)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 15.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 24.4% (2017 est.)
services: 60% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 69.9% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 28.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 41.2% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -55.4% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, milk, rice, maize, plantains, groundnuts, cassava, beans, coffee, poultry
Industries: food processing, chemicals, machinery and metal products, knit and woven apparel, petroleum refining and distribution, beverages, footwear, wood, electric wire harness manufacturing, mining
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 3.046 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 31%
industry: 18%
services: 50% (2011 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.4% (2017 est.)
6.2% (2016 est.)
note: underemployment was 46.5% in 2008
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.5%
male: 6.4%
female: 12.9% (2014 est.)
Population below poverty line: 24.9% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 46.2 (2014 est.)
45.8 (2009)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 47.1% (2014)
Budget: revenues: 3.871 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 4.15 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 33.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
31.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by Government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as retirement, medical care, and unemployment, debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions; Nicaragua rebased its GDP figures in 2012, which reduced the figures for debt as a percentage of GDP
Taxes and other revenues: 28% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$694 million (2017 est.)
-$989 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $5.34 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.71 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.56 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 60%, El Salvador 5%, Mexico 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: clothing and apparel, gold, insulated wiring, coffee, beef (2019)
Imports: $5.94 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.25 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.75 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 27%, Mexico 12%, China 11%, Guatemala 9%, Costa Rica 7%, El Salvador 6%, Honduras 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, clothing and apparel, crude petroleum, packaged medicines, insulated wiring (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.758 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.448 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $11.674 billion (2019 est.)
$11.771 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: cordobas (NIO) per US dollar -
30.11 (2017 est.)
28.678 (2016 est.)
28.678 (2015 est.)
27.257 (2014 est.)
26.01 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 97% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 99.2% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 1.837 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 3,182,620,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 434 million kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.89 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 37.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 15.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 12.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 16.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 17.2% 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: 200 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 35,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 13,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 14,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 20,120 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: 4.851 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 4.851 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 14.916 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 210,981 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 5,976,479 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 90 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Nicaragua’s telecoms market has mirrored the country’s poor economic achievements, with fixed-line teledensity and mobile penetration also being the lowest in Central America. The fixed line broadband market remains nascent, with population penetration below 4%. Most internet users are concentrated in the largest cities, given that rural and marginal areas lack access to the most basic telecom infrastructure; internet cafés provide public access to internet and email services, but these also tend to be restricted to the larger population centers; to address poor infrastructure, the World Bank has funded a project aimed at improving connectivity via a national fiber broadband network; there are separate schemes to improve broadband in eastern regions and provide links to Caribbean submarine cables; América Móvil’s Claro has a clear lead in all of Nicaragua’s telecom sectors, including fixed-line, mobile, broadband, and pay TV; the number of mobile subscribers overtook the number of fixed lines in early 2002, and the mobile sector now accounts for most lines in service; Telefónica sold its operations in Nicaragua to Millicom in 2019; Millicom’s Tigo (previously Telefónica’s Movistar) is the only company competing with Claro in the fixed-line and mobile market; in the mobile sector, Tigo holds almost a third of the market, but in the fixed-line sector it has only about 10% market share; other companies operating in the market, including the Russian state corporation Rostejnologuii, Yota Mobile and IWB Holding; in the mobile market China’s Xinwei Nicaragua (Xinwei Intelcom) launched services in early 2016, operating under the CooTel banner. (2021)
domestic: since privatization, access to fixed-line and mobile-cellular services has improved; fixed-line teledensity roughly 3 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has increased to roughly 90 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 505; landing point for the ARCOS fiber-optic submarine cable which provides connectivity to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intersputnik (Atlantic Ocean region) and 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: multiple terrestrial TV stations, supplemented by cable TV in most urban areas; nearly all are government-owned or affiliated; more than 300 radio stations, both government-affiliated and privately owned (2019)
Internet country code: .ni
Internet users: total: 2,981,049 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 45% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 290,351 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 7
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YN
Airports: total: 147 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 12
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 4 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 135
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 119 (2021)
Pipelines: 54 km oil (2013)
Roadways: total: 23,897 km (2014)
paved: 3,346 km (2014)
unpaved: 20,551 km (2014)
Waterways: 2,220 km (2011) (navigable waterways as well as the use of the large Lake Managua and Lake Nicaragua; rivers serve only the sparsely populated eastern part of the country)
Merchant marine: total: 5
by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 1, other 3 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bluefields, Corinto
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Army of Nicaragua (Ejercito de Nicaragua, EN): Land Forces (Fuerza Terrestre); Naval Forces (Fuerza Naval); Air Forces (Fuerza Aérea); Special Operations Command (Comando de Operaciones Especiales); Nicaraguan National Police (2022)
note: both the military and the police report directly to the president
Military expenditures: 0.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.6% of GDP (2019) (approximately $170 million)
0.6% of GDP (2018) (approximately $180 million)
0.6% of GDP (2017) (approximately $190 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 12,000 active personnel (10,000 Army; 800 Navy; 1,200 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Nicaraguan military's inventory includes mostly second-hand Russian/Soviet-era equipment; since 2010, Russia is the leading arms supplier to Nicaragua (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; tour of duty 18-36 months; requires Nicaraguan nationality and 6th-grade education (2022)
Military - note: the modern Army of Nicaragua was created in 1979 as the Sandinista Popular Army (1979-1984); prior to 1979, the military was known as the National Guard, which was organized and trained by the US in the 1920s and 1930s; the first commander of the National Guard, Anastasio SOMOZA García, seized power in 1937 and ran the country as a military dictator until his assassination in 1956; his sons ran the country either directly or through figureheads until the Sandinistas came to power in 1979; the defeated National Guard was disbanded by the Sandinistas (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Nicaragua-El Salvador-Honduras: the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; the court ruled, rather, that the Gulf of Fonseca represents a condominium, with control being shared by El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua; the decision allowed for the possibility that the three nations could divide the waters at a later date if they wished to do so Nicaragua-Costa Rica: Nicaragua and Costa Rica regularly file border dispute cases with the ICJ over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island, virtually uninhabited areas claimed by both countries; there is an ongoing case in the ICJ to determine Pacific and Atlantic ocean maritime borders as well as land borders; in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region; in 2018, the ICJ ruled that Nicaragua must remove a military base from a contested coastal area near the San Juan River, and that Costa Rica had sovereignty over the northern part of Isla Portillos, including the coast, but excluding Harbour Head Lagoon; additionally, Honduras was required to pay reparations for environmental damage to part of the wetlands at the mouth of the San Juan River Nicaragua-Colombia: Nicaragua filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Colombia in 2013 over the delimitation of the Continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the Nicaraguan coast, as well as over the alleged violation by Colombia of Nicaraguan maritime space in the Caribbean Sea, which contains rich oil and fish resources; as of September 2021, Colombia refuses to abide by the ICJ ruling Nicaragua-Honduras: none identifiedNicaragua-El Salvador-Honduras: the 1992 ICJ ruling for El Salvador and Honduras advised a tripartite resolution to establish a maritime boundary in the Gulf of Fonseca, which considers Honduran access to the Pacific; the court ruled, rather, that the Gulf of Fonseca represents a condominium, with control being shared by El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua; the decision allowed for the possibility that the three nations could divide the waters at a later date if they wished to do soNicaragua-Costa Rica: Nicaragua and Costa Rica regularly file border dispute cases with the ICJ over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island, virtually uninhabited areas claimed by both countries; there is an ongoing case in the ICJ to determine Pacific and Atlantic ocean maritime borders as well as land borders; in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region; in 2018, the ICJ ruled that Nicaragua must remove a military base from a contested coastal area near the San Juan River, and that Costa Rica had sovereignty over the northern part of Isla Portillos, including the coast, but excluding Harbour Head Lagoon; additionally, Honduras was required to pay reparations for environmental damage to part of the wetlands at the mouth of the San Juan RiverNicaragua-Colombia: Nicaragua filed a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against Colombia in 2013 over the delimitation of the Continental shelf beyond the 200 nautical miles from the Nicaraguan coast, as well as over the alleged violation by Colombia of Nicaraguan maritime space in the Caribbean Sea, which contains rich oil and fish resources; as of September 2021, Colombia refuses to abide by the ICJ rulingNicaragua-Honduras: none identified
Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Nicaragua and Nicaraguans abroad; women, children, and migrants are most at risk; women and children are subject to sex trafficking within the country and its two Caribbean autonomous regions, as well as in other Central American countries, Mexico, Spain, and the United States; traffickers used social media to recruit victims with promises of high-paying jobs in restaurants, hotels, construction, and security outside of Nicaragua where they are subjected to sex or labor trafficking; traffickers exploit children through forced participation in illegal drug production and trafficking; children and persons with disabilities are subjected to forced begging; Nicaragua is also a destination for child sex tourists from the United States, Canada, and Western Europe
tier rating: Tier 3 — Nicaragua does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so and was downgraded to Tier 3; the government identified slightly more victims than in the previous reporting period and prosecuted a trafficker; however, no traffickers were convicted and victim identification remained inadequate; authorities did not investigate, prosecute, or convict government employees complicit in trafficking; the government provided no victim services; prosecution, protection, and prevention efforts in the two Caribbean autonomous regions of Nicaragua continued to be much weaker than in the rest of the country (2020)
Illicit drugs: a transit route for drug traffickers smuggling cocaine from South America through Mexico into the United States via maritime and air routesa transit route for drug traffickers smuggling cocaine from South America through Mexico into the United States via maritime and air routes |
20220901 | countries-mali-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Mali due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa or Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: [223] 2070-2300 or [223]-6675-2860; US Embassy in Bamako, ACI 2000, Rue 243, (located off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge west of the Bamako central district), Porte 297, Bamako, Mali; ACSBamako@state.gov;
https://ml.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 223
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 15; Fire: 17; Police: 18
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)
Currency (Code): Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (Western African CFA francs, XOF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages: French, Bambara, Peul, Dogon, Maraka, Malinke, Sonrhai/Djerma, Minianka, Tamacheq, Senoufo, Bobo note: Mali has 13 national languages in addition to French
Major Religions: Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist .7%, none 2.5%
Time Difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Timbuktu; Bamako; Grand Mosque of Djenne; Mopti; Mount Hombori; Tomb of Askia in Gao
Major Sports: Soccer, basketball
Cultural Practices: Pointing at people with the index finger is considered rude. Use the whole hand to gesture instead.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping porters $1 (USD) per bag and hotel staff $1-2 (USD) per day is appropriate. Professional guides and/or drivers who accompany you throughout a visit should be tipped $10 (USD) per day.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, April 18, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-grenada |
Topic: Photos of Grenada
Topic: Introduction
Background: Carib Indians inhabited Grenada when Christopher COLUMBUS landed on the island in 1498, but it remained uncolonized for more than a century. The French settled Grenada in the 17th century, established sugar estates, and imported large numbers of African slaves. Britain took the island in 1762 and vigorously expanded sugar production. In the 19th century, cacao eventually surpassed sugar as the main export crop; in the 20th century, nutmeg became the leading export. In 1967, Britain gave Grenada autonomy over its internal affairs. Full independence was attained in 1974, making Grenada one of the smallest independent countries in the Western Hemisphere. In 1979, a leftist New Jewel Movement seized power under Maurice BISHOP, ushering in the Grenada Revolution. On 19 October 1983, factions within the revolutionary government overthrew and killed BISHOP and members of his party. Six days later, the island was invaded by US forces and those of six other Caribbean nations, which quickly captured the ringleaders and their hundreds of Cuban advisers. The rule of law was restored, and democratic elections were reinstituted the following year and have continued since then.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 12 07 N, 61 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 344 sq km
land: 344 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 121 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Terrain: volcanic in origin with central mountains
Elevation: highest point: Mount Saint Catherine 840 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: timber, tropical fruit
Land use: agricultural land: 32.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 8.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 20.6% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 50% (2018 est.)
other: 17.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: approximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast
Natural hazards: lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to Novembervolcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) lies on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km north of the island of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends up to the Netherlands dependency of Saba in the northlies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to Novembervolcanism: Mount Saint Catherine (840 m) lies on the island of Grenada; Kick 'em Jenny, an active submarine volcano (seamount) on the Caribbean Sea floor, lies about 8 km north of the island of Grenada; these two volcanoes are at the southern end of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends up to the Netherlands dependency of Saba in the north
Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada
Map description: Grenada map showing the islands that make up this country in the Caribbean Sea.Grenada map showing the islands that make up this country in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 113,949 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Grenadian(s)
adjective: Grenadian
Ethnic groups: African descent 82.4%, mixed 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.)
Languages: English (official), French patois
Religions: Protestant 49.2% (includes Pentecostal 17.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 13.2%, Anglican 8.5%, Baptist 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Evangelical 1.9%, Methodist 1.6%, other 1.2%), Roman Catholic 36%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, Rastafarian 1.2%, other 5.5%, none 5.7%, unspecified 1.3% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.23% (male 13,709/female 12,564)
15-24 years: 14.14% (male 8,034/female 7,959)
25-54 years: 40.05% (male 23,104/female 22,187)
55-64 years: 11.69% (male 6,734/female 6,490)
65 years and over: 10.89% (2020 est.) (male 5,774/female 6,539)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 50.5
youth dependency ratio: 35.8
elderly dependency ratio: 14.7
potential support ratio: 6.8 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 33.3 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 33.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.32% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 13.94 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.31 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: approximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast
Urbanization: urban population: 36.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.86% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 39,000 SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.94 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.74 years
male: 73.13 years
female: 78.6 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.93 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: total: 96.8% of population
unimproved: total: 3.2% of population (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.44 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 3.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 93.7% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 6.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2018) <500
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.3% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.6%
male: 98.6%
female: 98.6% (2014 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 19 years
male: 18 years
female: 19 years (2018)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation causing habitat destruction and species loss; coastal erosion and contamination; pollution and sedimentation; inadequate solid waste management
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.56 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.27 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.04 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; tempered by northeast trade winds
Land use: agricultural land: 32.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 8.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 20.6% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 50% (2018 est.)
other: 17.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 36.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.86% 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: 29,536 tons (2012 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 12 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 2.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 200 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Grenada
etymology: derivation of the name remains obscure; some sources attribute the designation to Spanish influence (most likely named for the Spanish city of Granada), with subsequent French and English interpretations resulting in the present-day Grenada; in Spanish "granada" means "pomegranate"
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Saint George's
geographic coordinates: 12 03 N, 61 45 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the 1763 Treaty of Paris transferred possession of Grenada from France to Great Britain; the new administration renamed Ville de Fort Royal (Fort Royal Town) to Saint George's Town, after the patron saint of England; eventually the name became simply Saint George's
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes and 1 dependency*; Carriacou and Petite Martinique*, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint John, Saint Mark, Saint Patrick
Independence: 7 February 1974 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
Constitution: history: previous 1967; latest presented 19 December 1973, effective 7 February 1974, suspended 1979 following a revolution but restored in 1983
amendments: proposed by either house of Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the membership in both houses and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections, such as personal rights and freedoms, the structure, authorities, and procedures of the branches of government, the delimitation of electoral constituencies, or the procedure for amending the constitution, also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum; amended 1991, 1992
Legal system: common law based on 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 for persons from a non-Caribbean state and 4 years for a person from a Caribbean state
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Cecile LA GRENADE (since 7 May 2013)
head of government: Prime Minister Keith MITCHELL (since 20 February 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; 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 (13 seats; members appointed by the governor general - 10 on the advice of the prime minister and 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition party; members serve 5-year terms)
House of Representatives (15 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 April 2018 (next no later than 2023)
House of Representatives - last held on 13 March 2018 (next no later than 2023)
election results: Senate - percent by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 11, women 2 percent of women 15.4%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NNP 58.9%, NDC 40.5%; other 0.6% seats by party - NNP 15; composition - men 8, women 7, percent of women 46.7%; note - total Parliament percent of women 32.1%
Judicial branch: highest courts: regionally, 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, traveling 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 in Grenada; appeals beyond the ECSC in civil and criminal matters are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, and independent body of judicial officials; 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: magistrates' courts; Court of Magisterial Appeals
Political parties and leaders: National Democratic Congress or NDC [Dickon MITCHELL]
New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, CARIFORUM, CARIBCAN, Caricom, CBI, CDB, CELAC, CSME, ECCU, EPA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yolande Yvonne SMITH (since 8 April 2019)
chancery: 1701 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 265-2561
FAX: [1] (202) 265-2468
email address and website:
embassy@grenadaembassyusa.org
https://grenadaembassyusa.org/
consulate(s) general: Miami, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: the US does not have an official embassy in Grenada; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Grenada
embassy: Lance-aux-Epines, Saint George's
mailing address: 3180 Grenada Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
telephone: [1] (473) 444-1173
FAX: [1] (473) 444-4820
email address and website:
StgeorgesACS@state.gov
https://bb.usembassy.gov/embassy/grenada/
Flag description: a rectangle divided diagonally into yellow triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (hoist side and outer side), with a red border around the flag; there are seven yellow, five-pointed stars with three centered in the top red border, three centered in the bottom red border, and one on a red disk superimposed at the center of the flag; there is also a symbolic nutmeg pod on the hoist-side triangle (Grenada is a leading nutmeg producer); the seven stars stand for the seven administrative divisions, with the central star denoting the capital, St. George's; yellow represents the sun and the warmth of the people, green stands for vegetation and agriculture, and red symbolizes harmony, unity, and courage
National symbol(s): Grenada dove, bougainvillea flower; national colors: red, yellow, green
National anthem: name: "Hail Grenada"
lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO
note: adopted 1974
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Grenada relies on tourism and revenue generated by St. George’s University - a private university offering degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, the health sciences, nursing, arts and sciences, and business - as its main source of foreign exchange. In the past two years the country expanded its sources of revenue, including from selling passports under its citizenship by investment program. These projects produced a resurgence in the construction and manufacturing sectors of the economy. In 2017, Grenada experienced its fifth consecutive year of growth and the government successfully marked the completion of its five-year structural adjustment program that included among other things austerity measures, increased tax revenue and debt restructuring. Public debt-to-GDP was reduced from 100% of GDP in 2013 to 71.8% in 2017.Grenada relies on tourism and revenue generated by St. George’s University - a private university offering degrees in medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, the health sciences, nursing, arts and sciences, and business - as its main source of foreign exchange. In the past two years the country expanded its sources of revenue, including from selling passports under its citizenship by investment program. These projects produced a resurgence in the construction and manufacturing sectors of the economy. In 2017, Grenada experienced its fifth consecutive year of growth and the government successfully marked the completion of its five-year structural adjustment program that included among other things austerity measures, increased tax revenue and debt restructuring. Public debt-to-GDP was reduced from 100% of GDP in 2013 to 71.8% in 2017.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.7 billion (2020 est.)
$1.91 billion (2019 est.)
$1.87 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 5.1% (2017 est.)
3.7% (2016 est.)
6.4% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $15,100 (2020 est.)
$17,100 (2019 est.)
$16,800 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.119 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2017 est.)
1.7% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Standard & Poors rating: SD (2013)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 15.5% (2017 est.)
services: 77.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 63% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 12% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 60% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -55% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: bananas, watermelons, sweet potatoes, sugar cane, tomatoes, plantains, coconuts, melons, cucumbers, cabbages
Industries: food and beverages, textiles, light assembly operations, tourism, construction, education, call-center operations
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 55,270 (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11%
industry: 20%
services: 69% (2008 est.)
Unemployment rate: 24% (2017 est.)
28.2% (2016 est.)
Population below poverty line: 38% (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 288.4 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 252.3 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 3.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 70.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
82% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 25.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$77 million (2017 est.)
-$34 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $650 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$44.2 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 40%, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7%, Saint Lucia 7%, France 6%, Netherlands 5%, Germany 5%, Ireland 5%, Antigua and Barbuda 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: fish, nutmeg, cocoa beans, fruits, wheat, toilet paper (2019)
Imports: $640 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$314.7 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 35%, Canada 24%, China 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: aircraft, poultry meat, cars, refined petroleum, food preparation materials (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $199.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$198 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $793.5 million (2017 est.)
$682.3 million (2016 est.)
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: 95.3% (2018)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 55,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 194.495 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 19 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 98.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.1% 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: 2,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,886 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: 316,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 316,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 39.799 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 16,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 122,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108 (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: interisland VHF and UHF radiotelephone links; 29 per 100 for fixed-line and 102 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2019)
international: country code - 1-473; landing points for the ECFS, Southern Caribbean Fiber and CARCIP submarine cables with links to 13 Caribbean islands extending from the British Virgin Islands to Trinidad & Tobago including Puerto Rico and Barbados; SHF radiotelephone links to Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Vincent; VHF and UHF radio links to Trinidad (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: multiple publicly and privately owned television and radio stations; Grenada Information Service (GIS) is government-owned and provides television and radio services; the Grenada Broadcasting Network, jointly owned by the government and the Caribbean Communications Network of Trinidad and Tobago, operates a TV station and 2 radio stations; Meaningful Television (MTV) broadcasts island-wide and is part of a locally-owned media house, Moving Target Company, that also includes an FM radio station and a weekly newspaper; multi-channel cable TV subscription service is provided by Columbus Communications Grenada (FLOW GRENADA) and is available island wide; approximately 25 private radio stations also broadcast throughout the country (2019)
Internet country code: .gd
Internet users: total: 64,136 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 57% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 32,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J3
Airports: total: 3 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,127 km (2017)
paved: 902 km (2017)
unpaved: 225 km (2017)
Merchant marine: total: 6
by type: general cargo 3, other 3 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Saint George's
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2022)
Military - note: Grenada joined the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) in 1985; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, 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: nonenone
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 |
20220901 | field-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24-country-comparison | |
20220901 | countries-ashmore-and-cartier-islands |
Topic: Photos of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
Topic: Introduction
Background: Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively.
In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, the islands saw several Allied ship visits and post-war, Cartier Island became a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively.
In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claims to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands outside the Australian migration zone.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef
Geographic coordinates: 12 25 S, 123 20 E
note - Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E; Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island
Area - comparative: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 74.1 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical
Terrain: low with sand and coral
Elevation: highest point: Cartier Island 5 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
Natural hazards: surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards
Geography - note: Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000
Map description: Ashmore and Cartier Islands map showing the islands and reefs that make up this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.Ashmore and Cartier Islands map showing the islands and reefs that make up this Australian territory in the Indian Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: (July 2021 est.) no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA
15-24 years: NA
25-54 years: NA
55-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA
youth dependency ratio: NA
elderly dependency ratio: NA
potential support ratio: NA
Population growth rate: 0.32% (2021 est.)
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
Current Health Expenditure: NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: illegal killing of protected wildlife by traditional Indonesian fisherman, as well as fishing by non-traditional Indonesian vessels, are ongoing problems; sea level rise, changes in sea temperature, and ocean acidification are concerns; marine debris
Climate: tropical
Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands
etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted his namesake island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800
Dependency status: territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport
Legal system: the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply
Citizenship: see Australia
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of Australia)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of Australia)
Flag description: the flag of Australia is used
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: no economic activity
Topic: Transportation
Ports and terminals: none; offshore anchorage only
Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Australia-Indonesia: Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore ReefAustralia-Indonesia: Australia has closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing; Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef |
20220901 | countries-saint-lucia |
Topic: Photos of Saint Lucia
Topic: Introduction
Background: The island, with its fine natural harbor at Castries and burgeoning sugar industry, was contested by England and France throughout the 17th and early 18th centuries (changing possession 14 times); it was finally ceded to the UK in 1814 and became part of the British Windward Islands colony. Even after the abolition of slavery on its plantations in 1834, Saint Lucia remained an agricultural island, dedicated to producing tropical commodity crops. In the mid-20th century, Saint Lucia joined the West Indies Federation (1958–1962) and in 1967 became one of the six members of the West Indies Associated States, with internal self-government. In 1979, Saint Lucia gained full independence.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 53 N, 60 58 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 616 sq km
land: 606 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: three and a half times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 158 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, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Terrain: volcanic and mountainous with broad, fertile valleys
Elevation: highest point: Mount Gimie 948 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
Land use: agricultural land: 17.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 11.5% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 1% (2018 est.)
forest: 77% (2018 est.)
other: 5.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries
Natural hazards: hurricanesvolcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava dome remnants associated with the Soufriere volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the southhurricanesvolcanism: Mount Gimie (948 m), also known as Qualibou, is a caldera on the west of the island; the iconic twin pyramidal peaks of Gros Piton (771 m) and Petit Piton (743 m) are lava dome remnants associated with the Soufriere volcano; there have been no historical magmatic eruptions, but a minor steam eruption in 1766 spread a thin layer of ash over a wide area; Saint Lucia is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south
Geography - note: the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean
Map description: Saint Lucia map showing major population centers on this island in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Lucia map showing major population centers on this island in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 167,122 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saint Lucian(s)
adjective: Saint Lucian
Ethnic groups: Black/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Languages: English (official), Saint Lucian Creole
Religions: Roman Catholic 61.5%, Protestant 25.5% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 10.4%, Pentecostal 8.9%, Baptist 2.2%, Anglican 1.6%, Church of God 1.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Evangelical 2.3% and Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), Rastafarian 1.9%, other 0.4%, none 5.9%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.24% (male 16,484/female 15,546)
15-24 years: 13.6% (male 11,475/female 11,165)
25-54 years: 42.83% (male 34,436/female 36,868)
55-64 years: 11.23% (male 8,624/female 10,075)
65 years and over: 13.1% (2020 est.) (male 9,894/female 11,920)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 39.4
youth dependency ratio: 25
elderly dependency ratio: 14.4
potential support ratio: 7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 36.9 years
male: 35.7 years
female: 38 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.29% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.02 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries
Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 22,000 CASTRIES (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 117 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 11.99 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.23 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.95 years
male: 76.21 years
female: 81.84 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.72 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 55.5% (2011/12)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.4% of population
rural: 98.5% of population
total: 98.7% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population
rural: 1.5% of population
total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.64 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.6% of population
rural: 92.9% of population
total: 93.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.4% of population
rural: 7.1% of population
total: 6.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.6% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2018) <1,000
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 19.7% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.8% (2012)
Education expenditures: 3.6% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years
male: 12 years
female: 13 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 37.2%
male: 39.6%
female: 34.3% (2019 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.22 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.41 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.27 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season January to April, rainy season May to August
Land use: agricultural land: 17.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 11.5% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 1% (2018 est.)
forest: 77% (2018 est.)
other: 5.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 77,616 tons (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 12.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 30.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 300 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Lucia
etymology: named after Saint LUCY of Syracuse by French sailors who were shipwrecked on the island on 13 December 1502, the saint's feast day; Saint Lucia is the only country named specifically after a woman
note: pronounced saynt-looshuh
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Castries
geographic coordinates: 14 00 N, 61 00 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: in 1785, the village of Carenage was renamed Castries, after Charles Eugene Gabriel de La Croix de Castries (1727-1801), who was then the French Minister of the Navy and Colonies
Administrative divisions: 10 districts; Anse-la-Raye, Canaries, Castries, Choiseul, Dennery, Gros-Islet, Laborie, Micoud, Soufriere, Vieux-Fort
Independence: 22 February 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 22 February (1979)
Constitution: history: previous 1958, 1960 (preindependence); latest presented 20 December 1978, effective 22 February 1979
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Assembly membership in the final reading and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to various constitutional sections, such as those on fundamental rights and freedoms, government finances, the judiciary, and procedures for amending the constitution, require at least three-quarters majority vote by the House and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments approved by the House but rejected by the Senate require a majority of votes cast in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2008
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Lucia
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Acting Governor General Errol CHARLES (since 11 November 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Philip J. PIERRE (since 28 July 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by governor general
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Houses of Parliament consists of:
Senate (11 seats; all members appointed by the governor general; 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 2 upon consultation with religious, economic, and social groups; members serve 5-year terms)
House of Assembly (18 seats; 17 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and the speaker, designated from outside the Parliament; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: Senate - last appointments on 17 August 2021 (next in 2026)
House of Assembly - last held on 26 July 2021 (next to be held in 2026)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 6, women 5, percent of women 45.5%
House of Assembly - percent of vote by party - SLP 50.1%, UWP 42.9%, other o.3%, independent 6.6%; seats by party - SLP 13, UWP 2, independent 2; composition (including the speaker) - men 16, women 2, percent of women 11.1%; note - total Parliament percent of women 24.1%
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, traveling 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 4 on Saint Lucia; Saint Lucia is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; 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: magistrate's court
Political parties and leaders: Saint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Philip J. PIERRE]
United Workers Party or UWP [Allen CHASTANET]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Elizabeth DARIUS-CLARKE (since 7 June 2022)
chancery: 1629 K Street NW, Suite 1250, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6792
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6723
email address and website:
embassydc@gosl.gov.lc
https://www.embassyofstlucia.org/
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Lucia; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Lucia
Flag description: cerulean blue with a gold isosceles triangle below a black arrowhead; the upper edges of the arrowhead have a white border; the blue color represents the sky and sea, gold stands for sunshine and prosperity, and white and black the racial composition of the island (with the latter being dominant); the two major triangles invoke the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), cone-shaped volcanic plugs that are a symbol of the island
National symbol(s): twin pitons (volcanic peaks), Saint Lucia parrot; national colors: cerulean blue, gold, black, white
National anthem: name: "Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia"
lyrics/music: Charles JESSE/Leton Felix THOMAS
note: adopted 1967
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Pitons Management Area
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. Tourism is Saint Lucia's main source of jobs and income - accounting for 65% of GDP - and the island's main source of foreign exchange earnings. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area. Crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, but St. Lucia's once solid banana industry has been devastated by strong competition. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks, including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. Furthermore, high public debt - 77% of GDP in 2012 - and high debt servicing obligations constrain the CHASTANET administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. St. Lucia has experienced anemic growth since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, largely because of a slowdown in tourism - airlines cut back on their routes to St. Lucia in 2012. Also, St. Lucia introduced a value added tax in 2012 of 15%, becoming the last country in the Eastern Caribbean to do so. In 2013, the government introduced a National Competitiveness and Productivity Council to address St. Lucia's high public wages and lack of productivity.The island nation has been able to attract foreign business and investment, especially in its offshore banking and tourism industries. Tourism is Saint Lucia's main source of jobs and income - accounting for 65% of GDP - and the island's main source of foreign exchange earnings. The manufacturing sector is the most diverse in the Eastern Caribbean area. Crops such as bananas, mangos, and avocados continue to be grown for export, but St. Lucia's once solid banana industry has been devastated by strong competition. Saint Lucia is vulnerable to a variety of external shocks, including volatile tourism receipts, natural disasters, and dependence on foreign oil. Furthermore, high public debt - 77% of GDP in 2012 - and high debt servicing obligations constrain the CHASTANET administration's ability to respond to adverse external shocks. St. Lucia has experienced anemic growth since the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008, largely because of a slowdown in tourism - airlines cut back on their routes to St. Lucia in 2012. Also, St. Lucia introduced a value added tax in 2012 of 15%, becoming the last country in the Eastern Caribbean to do so. In 2013, the government introduced a National Competitiveness and Productivity Council to address St. Lucia's high public wages and lack of productivity.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.25 billion (2020 est.)
$2.82 billion (2019 est.)
$2.78 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3% (2017 est.)
3.4% (2016 est.)
-0.9% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $12,300 (2020 est.)
$15,400 (2019 est.)
$15,300 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1.686 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.1% (2017 est.)
-3.1% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.9% (2017 est.)
industry: 14.2% (2017 est.)
services: 82.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 66.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 11.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 62.7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -56.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: bananas, coconuts, fruit, tropical fruit, plantains, roots/tubers, cassava, poultry, vegetables, mangoes/guavas
Industries: tourism; clothing, assembly of electronic components, beverages, corrugated cardboard boxes, lime processing, coconut processing
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 79,700 (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21.7%
industry: 24.7%
services: 53.6% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate: 20% (2003 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 37.2%
male: 39.6%
female: 34.3% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 25% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 51.2 (2016 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 398.2 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 392.8 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 70.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
69.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: $21 million (2017 est.)
-$31 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.22 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$188.2 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 29%, Uruguay 16%, Barbados 8%, Trinidad and Tobago 5.5%, United Kingdom 6%, Dominica 6%, Guyana 5%, France 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, beer, jewelry, bananas, refined petroleum, rum (2019)
Imports: $1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$575.9 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: Colombia 46%, United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, cars, poultry meats, natural gas (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $321.8 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$320.7 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $570.6 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$529 million (31 December 2015 est.)
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: 99.5% (2018)
electrification - urban areas: 97.5% (2018)
electrification - rural areas: 99.9% (2018)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 92,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 322.506 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 27.568 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 1% 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: 4,500 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 3,113 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: 659,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 659,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 50.872 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 38,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 203,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: an adequate system that is automatically switched; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) and LTE markets; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is 20 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 102 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 1-758; landing points for the ECFS and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to numerous Caribbean islands; direct microwave radio relay link with Martinique and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; tropospheric scatter to Barbados (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: 3 privately owned TV stations; 1 public TV station operating on a cable network; multi-channel cable TV service available; a mix of state-owned and privately owned broadcasters operate nearly 25 radio stations including repeater transmission stations (2019)
Internet country code: .lc
Internet users: total: 97,323 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 53% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 33,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J6
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,210 km (2011)
paved: 847 km (2011)
unpaved: 363 km (2011)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Castries, Cul-de-Sac, Vieux-Fort
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Marine Unit) (2022)
Military - note: Saint Lucia has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, 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: Saint Lucia-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean SeaSaint Lucia-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
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 |
20220901 | countries-akrotiri |
Topic: Photos of Akrotiri
Topic: Introduction
Background: By terms of the 1960 Treaty of Establishment that created the independent Republic of Cyprus, the UK retained full sovereignty and jurisdiction over two areas of almost 254 square kilometers - Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The southernmost and smaller of the two is the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area, which is also referred to as the Western Sovereign Base Area.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Mediterranean, peninsula on the southwest coast of Cyprus
Geographic coordinates: 34 37 N, 32 58 E
Map references: Middle East
Area: total: 123 sq km
note: includes a salt lake and wetlands
Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 48 km
border countries (1): Cyprus 48 km
Coastline: 56.3 km
Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Geography - note: British extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; of the Sovereign Base Area (SBA) land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land
Map description: Akrotiri map showing the UK Sovereign Base Area as well as the adjacent part of south Cyprus.
Topic: People and Society
Population: (2020) approximately 18,195 on the Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia including 11,000 Cypriots and 7,195 Service and UK-based contract personnel and dependents
Languages: English, Greek
major-language sample(s):
Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Age structure: 0-14 years: NA
15-24 years: NA
25-54 years: NA
55-64 years: NA
65 years and over: NA
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA
youth dependency ratio: NA
elderly dependency ratio: NA
potential support ratio: NA
Birth rate: NA
Death rate: NA
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: NA
Current Health Expenditure: NA
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: hunting around the salt lake; note - breeding place for loggerhead and green turtles; only remaining colony of griffon vultures is on the base
Climate: temperate; Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool winters
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Akrotiri
etymology: named for the village that lies within the Western Sovereign Base Area on Cyprus
Dependency status: a special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus
Capital: name: Episkopi Cantonment (base administrative center for Akrotiri and Dhekelia)
geographic coordinates: 34 40 N, 32 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: "Episkopi" means "episcopal" in Greek and stems from the fact that the site previously served as the bishop's seat of an Orthodox diocese
Constitution: history: presented 3 August 1960, effective 16 August 1960 (The Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia Order in Council 1960 serves as a basic legal document)
amendments: amended 1966
Legal system: laws applicable to the Cypriot population are, as far as possible, the same as the laws of the Republic of Cyprus; note - the Sovereign Base Area Administration has its own court system to deal with civil and criminal matters
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)
head of government: Administrator Major General Robert J. THOMSON (since 25 September 2019); note - administrator reports to the British Ministry of Defense; the chief officer is responsible for the day-to-day running of the civil government of the Sovereign Bases
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; administrator appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Ministry of Defense
Judicial branch: highest courts: Senior Judges' Court (consists of several visiting judges from England and Wales)
judge selection and term of office: see entry for United Kingdom
subordinate courts: Resident Judges' Court; Courts Martial
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK)
Flag description: the flag of the UK is used
National anthem: note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Economic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported.
Exchange rates: note: uses the euronote: uses the euro
Topic: Communications
Broadcast media: British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides multi-channel satellite TV service as well as BFBS radio broadcasts to the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area
Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 1 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021)
Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the UK; Akrotiri (aka the Western Sovereign Base Area) has a full RAF base, headquarters for British Forces Cyprus, and the Episkopi Cantonment |
20220901 | field-revenue-from-forest-resources-country-comparison | |
20220901 | countries-new-zealand |
Topic: Photos of New Zealand
Topic: Introduction
Background: Polynesian settlers may have arrived in New Zealand in the late 1200s, with widespread settlement in the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country. Competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori iwi (tribes) by the 1500s as large game became extinct. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but after an encounter with local Maori, he sailed away. British captain James COOK was the next European to arrive in New Zealand in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although he had few legal powers. In 1835, some Maori iwi from the North Island declared independence as the United Tribes of New Zealand. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, they asked the British for protection. In 1840, the British negotiated their protection in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was eventually signed by more than 500 different Maori chiefs, although many chiefs did not or were not asked to sign. In the English-language version of the treaty, the British thought the Maori ceded their land to the UK, but translations of the treaty appeared to give the British less authority, and land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still present and being actively negotiated in New Zealand.
The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and gave it limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars from the 1840s to the 1870s fought between Europeans and various Maori iwi. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand provided more than 100,000 troops during each World War, many of whom fought as part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947, signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, and militarily supported the US in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies, contributing to a dispute with the US over naval ship visits that led the US to suspend its defense obligations to New Zealand in 1986.
In recent years, New Zealand has explored reducing some of its ties to the UK. There in an active, minority movement about changing New Zealand to a republic, and in 2015-16, a referendum on changing the New Zealand flag to remove the Union Jack failed 57% to 43%.Polynesian settlers may have arrived in New Zealand in the late 1200s, with widespread settlement in the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country. Competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori iwi (tribes) by the 1500s as large game became extinct. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but after an encounter with local Maori, he sailed away. British captain James COOK was the next European to arrive in New Zealand in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although he had few legal powers. In 1835, some Maori iwi from the North Island declared independence as the United Tribes of New Zealand. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, they asked the British for protection. In 1840, the British negotiated their protection in the Treaty of Waitangi, which was eventually signed by more than 500 different Maori chiefs, although many chiefs did not or were not asked to sign. In the English-language version of the treaty, the British thought the Maori ceded their land to the UK, but translations of the treaty appeared to give the British less authority, and land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still present and being actively negotiated in New Zealand.
The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and gave it limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars from the 1840s to the 1870s fought between Europeans and various Maori iwi. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand provided more than 100,000 troops during each World War, many of whom fought as part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947, signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, and militarily supported the US in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies, contributing to a dispute with the US over naval ship visits that led the US to suspend its defense obligations to New Zealand in 1986.
In recent years, New Zealand has explored reducing some of its ties to the UK. There in an active, minority movement about changing New Zealand to a republic, and in 2015-16, a referendum on changing the New Zealand flag to remove the Union Jack failed 57% to 43%.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 S, 174 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 268,838 sq km
land: 264,537 sq km
water: 4,301 sq km
note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands
Area - comparative: almost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 15,134 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: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Terrain: predominately mountainous with large coastal plains
Elevation: highest point: Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724 m; note - the mountain's height was 3,764 m until 14 December 1991 when it lost about 10 m in an avalanche of rock and ice; erosion of the ice cap since then has brought the height down another 30 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 388 m
Natural resources: natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone
Land use: agricultural land: 43.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 41.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 31.4% (2018 est.)
other: 25.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 7,210 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Taupo - 610 sq km
Population distribution: over three-quarters of New Zealanders, including the indigenous Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas
Natural hazards: earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activityvolcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island; see note 2 under "Geography - note"earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activityvolcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m), which last erupted in 2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island; see note 2 under "Geography - note"
Geography - note: note 1: consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands; South Island, the larger main island, is the 12th largest island in the world and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps; North Island is the 14th largest island in the world and is not as mountainous, but it is marked by volcanism note 2: New Zealand lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire note 3: almost 90% of the population lives in cities and over three-quarters on North Island; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the worldnote 1: consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands; South Island, the larger main island, is the 12th largest island in the world and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps; North Island is the 14th largest island in the world and is not as mountainous, but it is marked by volcanismnote 2: New Zealand lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Firenote 3: almost 90% of the population lives in cities and over three-quarters on North Island; Wellington is the southernmost national capital in the world
Map description: New Zealand map showing major cities and islands of this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.New Zealand map showing major cities and islands of this archipelagic country in the South Pacific Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,053,004 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: New Zealander(s)
adjective: New Zealand
Ethnic groups: European 64.1%, Maori 16.5%, Chinese 4.9%, Indian 4.7%, Samoan 3.9%, Tongan 1.8%, Cook Islands Maori 1.7%, English 1.5%, Filipino 1.5%, New Zealander 1%, other 13.7% (2018 est.)
note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group
Languages: English (de facto official) 95.4%, Maori (de jure official) 4%, Samoan 2.2%, Northern Chinese 2%, Hindi 1.5%, French 1.2%, Yue 1.1%, New Zealand Sign Language (de jure official) 0.5%, other or not stated 17.2% (2018 est.)
note: shares sum to 124.1% due to multiple responses on the 2018 census
Religions: Christian 37.3% (Catholic 10.1%, Anglican 6.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 5.2%, Pentecostal 1.8%, Methodist 1.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, other 10.7%), Hindu 2.7%, Maori 1.3%, Muslim, 1.3%, Buddhist 1.1%, other religion 1.6% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha'i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 48.6%, objected to answering 6.7% (2018 est.)
note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one religion
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.63% (male 496,802/female 469,853)
15-24 years: 12.92% (male 328,327/female 308,132)
25-54 years: 39.98% (male 996,857/female 972,566)
55-64 years: 11.93% (male 285,989/female 301,692)
65 years and over: 15.54% (2020 est.) (male 358,228/female 407,031)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.8
youth dependency ratio: 30.3
elderly dependency ratio: 25.5
potential support ratio: 3.9 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 37.2 years
male: 36.4 years
female: 37.9 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.17% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.78 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 5.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: over three-quarters of New Zealanders, including the indigenous Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas
Urbanization: urban population: 86.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.652 million Auckland, 419,000 WELLINGTON (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 27.8 years (2009 est.)
note: median age at first birth
Maternal mortality ratio: 9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 3.64 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.54 years
male: 80.78 years
female: 84.39 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 79.9% (2014/15)
note: percent of women aged 16-49
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 9.7% (2019)
Physicians density: 3.62 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 2.6 beds/1,000 population (2019)
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)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,600 (2020 est.)
note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 30.8% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 13.7% (2020 est.)
male: 15% (2020 est.)
female: 12.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 6% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 20 years
male: 20 years
female: 21 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.4%
male: 12.2%
female: 12.6% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water quality and availability; rapid urbanisation; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species; negative effects of climate change
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 5.73 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 34.38 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 34.3 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate with sharp regional contrasts
Land use: agricultural land: 43.2% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 41.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 31.4% (2018 est.)
other: 25.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 86.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.5% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.405 million tons (2016 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Taupo - 610 sq km
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 810 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 1.184 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 3.207 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 327 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: New Zealand
abbreviation: NZ
etymology: Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to reach New Zealand in 1642; he named it Staten Landt, but Dutch cartographers renamed it Nova Zeelandia in 1645 after the Dutch province of Zeeland; British explorer Captain James COOK subsequently anglicized the name to New Zealand when he mapped the islands in 1769
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Wellington
geographic coordinates: 41 18 S, 174 47 E
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April
time zone note: New Zealand has two time zones: New Zealand standard time (UTC+12) and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time; UTC+12:45)
etymology: named in 1840 after Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and victorious general at the Battle of Waterloo
Administrative divisions: 16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast
Dependent areas: Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau
Independence: 26 September 1907 (from the UK)
National holiday: Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); Anzac Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915)
Constitution: history: New Zealand has no single constitution document; the Constitution Act 1986, effective 1 January 1987, includes only part of the uncodified constitution; others include a collection of statutes or "acts of Parliament," the Treaty of Waitangi, Orders in Council, letters patent, court decisions, and unwritten conventions
amendments: proposed as bill by Parliament or by referendum called either by the government or by citizens; passage of a bill as an act normally requires two separate readings with committee reviews in between to make changes and corrections, a third reading approved by the House of Representatives membership or by the majority of votes in a referendum, and assent of the governor-general; passage of amendments to reserved constitutional provisions affecting the term of Parliament, electoral districts, and voting restrictions requires approval by 75% of the House membership or the majority of votes in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori
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 New Zealand
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Jacinda ARDERN (since 26 October 2017); Deputy Prime Minister Grant ROBERTSON (since 2 November 2020)
cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation 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; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor-general; note - Prime Minister ARDERN heads up a minority coalition government consisting of the Labor and New Zealand First parties with confidence and supply support from the Green Party
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Representatives - commonly called Parliament (120 seats for 2020-23 term); 72 members directly elected in 65 single-seat constituencies and 7 Maori constituencies by simple majority vote and 48 directly elected by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 October 2020 (next scheduled for 2023)
election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 49.1%, National Party 26.8%, ACT Party 8%, Green Party 6.3%, Maori Party 1%; seats by party - Labor Party 64, National Party 35, Green Party 10, ACT Party 10, Maori Party 1; composition - men 61, women 59, percent of women 49.2%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice); note - the Supreme Court in 2004 replaced the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) as the final appeals court
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general upon the recommendation of the attorney- general; justices appointed until compulsory retirement at age 70
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; tribunals and authorities; district courts; specialized courts for issues related to employment, environment, family, Maori lands, youth, military; tribunals
Political parties and leaders: ACT New Zealand [David SEYMOUR]
Green Party [James SHAW]
Mana Movement [Hone HARAWIRA] (formerly Mana Party)
Maori Party [Che WILSON and Kaapua SMITH]
New Zealand First Party or NZ First [Winston PETERS]
New Zealand Labor Party [Jacinda ARDERN]
New Zealand National Party [Christopher LUXON]
United Future New Zealand [Damian LIGHT]
International organization participation: ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Rosemary BANKS (since 11 January 2019)
chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800
FAX: [1] (202) 667-5277
email address and website:
wshinfo@mfat.govt.nz
https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/
consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas Stewart UDALL (since 1 December 2021) note - also accredited to Samoa
embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011
mailing address: 4370 Auckland Place, Washington DC 20521-4370
telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000
FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490
email address and website:
AucklandACS@state.gov
https://nz.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general: Auckland
Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant with four red five-pointed stars edged in white centered in the outer half of the flag; the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation
National symbol(s): Southern Cross constellation (four, five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern; national colors: black, white, red (ochre)
National anthem: name: "God Defend New Zealand"
lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS
note: adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem; New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status; as a commonwealth realm, in addition to "God Defend New Zealand," "God Save the Queen" serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom); "God Save the Queen" normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, "God Defend New Zealand" is played
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 natural, 1 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (n); Tongariro National Park (m); New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Over the past 40 years, the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy, dependent on concessionary British market access, to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for 10 consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, fueling a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for policymakers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007 and 2008. The higher rate attracted international capital inflows, which strengthened the currency and housing market while aggravating the current account deficit. Rising house prices, especially in Auckland, have become a political issue in recent years, as well as a policy challenge in 2016 and 2017, as the ability to afford housing has declined for many. Expanding New Zealand’s network of free trade agreements remains a top foreign policy priority. New Zealand was an early promoter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and was the second country to ratify the agreement in May 2017. Following the United States’ withdrawal from the TPP in January 2017, on 10 November 2017 the remaining 11 countries agreed on the core elements of a modified agreement, which they renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In November 2016, New Zealand opened negotiations to upgrade its FTA with China; China is one of New Zealand’s most important trading partners.Over the past 40 years, the government has transformed New Zealand from an agrarian economy, dependent on concessionary British market access, to a more industrialized, free market economy that can compete globally. This dynamic growth has boosted real incomes, but left behind some at the bottom of the ladder and broadened and deepened the technological capabilities of the industrial sector. Per capita income rose for 10 consecutive years until 2007 in purchasing power parity terms, but fell in 2008-09. Debt-driven consumer spending drove robust growth in the first half of the decade, fueling a large balance of payments deficit that posed a challenge for policymakers. Inflationary pressures caused the central bank to raise its key rate steadily from January 2004 until it was among the highest in the OECD in 2007 and 2008. The higher rate attracted international capital inflows, which strengthened the currency and housing market while aggravating the current account deficit. Rising house prices, especially in Auckland, have become a political issue in recent years, as well as a policy challenge in 2016 and 2017, as the ability to afford housing has declined for many. Expanding New Zealand’s network of free trade agreements remains a top foreign policy priority. New Zealand was an early promoter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and was the second country to ratify the agreement in May 2017. Following the United States’ withdrawal from the TPP in January 2017, on 10 November 2017 the remaining 11 countries agreed on the core elements of a modified agreement, which they renamed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In November 2016, New Zealand opened negotiations to upgrade its FTA with China; China is one of New Zealand’s most important trading partners.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $215.6 billion (2020 est.)
$213.5 billion (2019 est.)
$210.07 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.22% (2019 est.)
3.22% (2018 est.)
3.8% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $42,400 (2020 est.)
$42,900 (2019 est.)
$42,900 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $205.202 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2019 est.)
1.5% (2018 est.)
1.8% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA (2011)
Moody's rating: Aaa (2002)
Standard & Poors rating: AA (2011)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.7% (2017 est.)
industry: 21.5% (2017 est.)
services: 72.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 57.2% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 23.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 27% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -26.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, beef, kiwi fruit, apples, potatoes, mutton, grapes, wheat, barley, green onions/shallots
Industries: agriculture, forestry, fishing, logs and wood articles, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, real estate services, tourism
Industrial production growth rate: 1.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.709 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 6.6%
industry: 20.7%
services: 72.7% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.13% (2019 est.)
4.32% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.4%
male: 12.2%
female: 12.6% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 36.2 (1997)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 74.11 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 70.97 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 31.7% of GDP (2017 est.)
33.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 36.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes
Current account balance: -$6.962 billion (2019 est.)
-$8.742 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $50.43 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$57.16 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$57.71 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 28%, Australia 14%, United States 9%, Japan 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: dairy products, sheep/goat meats, lumber, beef products, fresh fruits (2019)
Imports: $47.86 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$57.75 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$58.39 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 18%, Australia 15%, United States 9%, Japan 6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, gas turbines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $20.68 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$17.81 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $190.621 billion (2019 est.)
$192.327 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar -
1.41794 (2020 est.)
1.52334 (2019 est.)
1.45709 (2018 est.)
1.4279 (2014 est.)
1.2039 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 9.615 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 41,169,838,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2,256,332,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 19.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 5.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 54.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 18.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 3.226 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 3.001 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 1.14 million metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 1.09 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 7.575 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 13,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 184,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 21,600 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 99,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 41 million barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 115,100 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 1,782 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 56,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 4,771,126,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 4,946,237,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 31.148 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 40.344 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 5.139 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 25.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 9.445 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 186.804 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 858,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6.148 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 127 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the principal growth areas in in New Zealand’s telecom market have been in mobile broadband and fiber; the UFB1 rollout was completed in November 2019 and the UFB2 rollout is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2022; Chorus noted that as of the beginning of 2022, 1Gb/s plans accounted for about 23% of all fiber connections, while 43% of business customers adopted a gigabit service; New Zealand’s mobile market continues to undergo significant developments; there have been considerable gains made in LTE services, with effective competition between Spark, Vodafone NZ, and 2degrees; the widening coverage of LTE networks has been supported by the Rural Broadband Initiative rollout, which added a significant number of mobile sites to new or underserved areas; as the initiative is winding down, this has enabled the participating telcos to invest in NB-IoT and other platforms; Vodafone NZ expects to extend its NB-IoT footprint to cover at least 60% of the country by 2024; the market is undergoing additional consolidation, with approval of the merger between 2degrees and Orcon Group having been granted by regulators in May 2022; this will create the country’s third-largest integrated telco, offering fixed and mobile services in competition with Spark and Vodafone NZ. The merger proposal came fast of the heels of Vocus Group and its local subsidiary Orcon having acquired 2degrees from Trilogy International in December 2021; this deal created a new company, Voyage Digital. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line roughly 37 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 136 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 64; landing points for the Southern Cross NEXT, Aqualink, Nelson-Levin, SCCN and Hawaiki submarine cable system providing links to Australia, Fiji, American Samoa, Kiribati, Samo, Tokelau, US and around New Zealand; satellite earth stations - 8 (1 Inmarsat - Pacific Ocean, 7 other) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks and state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial television and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available, as are a range of streaming services (2019)
Internet country code: .nz
Internet users: total: 4,677,556 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 92% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,764,984 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 15 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 199
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,249,049 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,349,300,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZK
Airports: total: 123 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 39
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 23
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 84
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 33
under 914 m: 48 (2021)
Pipelines: 331 km condensate, 2,500 km gas, 172 km liquid petroleum gas, 288 km oil, 198 km refined products (2018)
Railways: total: 4,128 km (2018)
narrow gauge: 4,128 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified)
Roadways: total: 94,000 km (2017)
paved: 61,600 km (2017) (includes 199 km of expressways)
unpaved: 32,400 km (2017)
Merchant marine: total: 115
by type: container ship 1, general cargo 12, oil tanker 4, other 98 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Auckland, Lyttelton, Manukau Harbor, Marsden Point, Tauranga, Wellington
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.5% of GDP (2020)
1.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $3.1 billion)
1.2% of GDP (2018) (approximately $2.62 billion)
1.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $2.43 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) has about 9,500 active duty troops (4,700 Army; 2,300 Navy; 2,500 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: NZDF is equipped mostly with imported weapons and equipment from Western suppliers; the US is the leading provider since 2010 (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2022)
note: New Zealand opened up all military occupations to women in 2000; in 2019, women accounted for about 18% of the uniformed full-time personnel
Military deployments: up to 220 Antarctica (summer season only) (2022)
Military - note: New Zealand is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily
New Zealand has been part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty since 1951; however, the US suspended its ANZUS security obligations to New Zealand in 1986 after New Zealand implemented a policy barring nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered warships from its ports; the US and New Zealand signed the Wellington Declaration in 2010, which reaffirmed close ties between the two countries, and in 2012 signed the Washington Declaration, which provided a framework for future security cooperation and defense dialogues; in 2016, a US naval ship conducted the first bilateral warship visit to New Zealand since the 1980s
New Zealand has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: New Zealand-Antarctica: asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)New Zealand-Antarctica: asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Ross Dependency)
Illicit drugs: significant consumer of amphetamines |
20220901 | field-major-lakes-area-sq-km | This entry describes one of the two major surface hydrological features of a country: large localized water bodies termed lakes (the other feature is rivers). The entry contains a list of major natural lakes, defined as having an area of 500 sq km or greater. Taken together with major rivers, these features constitute the primary sources of surface freshwater.
Topic: AfghanistanSalt water lake(s): Ab-e Istadah-ye Muqur (endorheic basin) - 520 sq km
Topic: AlbaniaFresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km
note - largest lake in the Balkans
Topic: ArgentinaFresh water lake(s): Lago Buenos Aires (shared with Chile) - 2,240 sq km; Lago Argentino - 1,410 sq km; Lago Viedma - 1,090 sq km; Lago San Martin (shared with Chile) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Colhue Huapi - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Chile) - 590 sq km; Lago Nahuel Huapi - 550 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Laguna Mar Chiquita - 1,850 sq km;
Topic: ArmeniaFresh water lake(s): Lake Sevan - 1,360 sq km
Topic: AustraliaFresh water lake(s): Lake Alexandrina - 570 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lake Eyre - 9,690 sq km; Lake Torrens (ephemeral) - 5,780 sq km; Lake Gairdner - 4,470 sq km; Lake Mackay (ephemeral) - 3,494 sq km; Lake Frome - 2,410 sq km; Lake Amadeus (ephemeral) - 1,032 sq km
Topic: AustriaFresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Germany) - 540 sq km
Topic: AzerbaijanSalt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km
Topic: BoliviaFresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Peru) - 8,030 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lago Poopo - 1,340 sq km
Topic: BrazilFresh water lake(s): Lagoa dos Patos - 10,140 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Uruguay) - 2,970 sq km
Topic: BurundiFresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km
Topic: CambodiaFresh water lake(s): Tonle Sap - 2,700-16,000 sq km
Topic: CameroonFresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Chad) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year
Topic: CanadaFresh water lake(s): Huron* - 35,972 sq km; Great Bear Lake - 31,328 sq km; Superior* - 28,754 sq km; Great Slave Lake - 28,568 sq km; Lake Winnipeg - 24,387 sq km; Erie* - 12,776 sq km; Ontario* - 9,790 sq km; Lake Athabasca - 7,935 sq km; Reindeer Lake - 6,650 sq km; Nettilling Lake - 5,542 sq km
note - Great Lakes* area shown as Canadian waters
Topic: ChadFresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year
Topic: ChileFresh water lake(s): Lago General Carrera (shared with Argentina) - 2,240 sq km; Lago O'Higgins (shared with Argentina) - 1,010 sq km; Lago Llanquihue - 800 sq km; Lago Fagnano (shared with Argentina) - 590 sq km
Topic: ChinaFresh water lake(s): Dongting Hu - 3,100 sq km; Poyang Hu - 3,350 sq km; Hongze Hu - 2,700 sq km; Tai Hu - 2,210 sq km; Hulun Nur - 1,590
Salt water lake(s): Quinghai Hu - 4,460 sq km; Nam Co - 2,500 sq km; Siling Co - 1,860 sq km; Tangra Yumco - 1,400 sq km; Bosten Hu 1,380 sq km
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theFresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Uganda) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Zambia) - 4,350 sq km; Lac Mai-Ndombe - 2,300 sq km; Lake Kivu (shared with Rwanda) - 2,220 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Uganda) - 2,150 sq km; Lac Tumba - 500 sq km; Lac Upemba - 530 sq km
Topic: Cote d'IvoireSalt water lake(s): Lagune Aby - 780 sq km
Topic: DjiboutiSalt water lake(s): Abhe Bad/Abhe Bid Hayk (shared with Ethiopia) - 780 sq km
Topic: Dominican RepublicSalt water lake(s): Lago de Enriquillo - 500 sq km
Topic: EgyptSalt water lake(s): Lake Manzala - 1,360 sq km
note - largest of Nile Delta lakes
Topic: EthiopiaFresh water lake(s): Lake Tana - 3,600 sq km; Abaya Hayk - 1,160 sq km; Ch'amo Hayk - 550 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Kenya) - 6,400 sq km; Abhe Bid Hayk/Abhe Bad (shared with Djibouti) - 780 sq km;
Topic: FinlandFresh water lake(s): Saimaa - 1,760 sq km; Paijanne - 1,090 sq km; Inarijarvi - 1,000 sq km; Oulujarvi - 900 sq km; Pielinen - 850 sq km
Topic: FranceFresh water lake(s): Lake Geneva (shared with Switzerland) - 580 sq km
Topic: GermanyFresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Switzerland and Austria) - 540 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Stettiner Haff/Zalew Szczecinski (shared with Poland) - 900 sq km
Topic: GuatemalaFresh water lake(s): Lago de Izabal - 590 sq km
Topic: HondurasSalt water lake(s): Laguna de Caratasca - 1,110 sq km
Topic: HungaryFresh water lake(s): Lake Balaton - 590 sq km
Topic: IndiaSalt water lake(s): Chilika Lake - 1,170 sq km
Topic: IndonesiaFresh water lake(s): Danau Toba - 1,150 sq km
note - located in the caldera of a super volcano that erupted more than 70,000 years ago; it is the largest volcanic lake in the World
Topic: IranSalt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km; Lake Urmia - 5,200 sq km; Lake Namak - 750 sq km
Topic: IraqFresh water lake(s): Lake Hammar - 1,940 sq km
Topic: IsraelSalt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and West Bank) - 1,020 sq km
note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level
Topic: JapanFresh water lake(s): Biwa-ko 688 sq km
Topic: JordanSalt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Israel and West Bank) - 1,020 sq km
note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level
Topic: KazakhstanFresh water lake(s): Ozero Balkhash - 22,000 sq km; Ozero Zaysan - 1,800 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Russia) - 374,000 sq km; Aral Sea (north) - 3,300 sq km; Ozero Alakol - 2,650 sq km; Ozero Teniz 1,590 sq km; Ozero Seletytenzi - 780 sq km; Ozero Sasykkol - 740 sq km
Topic: KenyaFresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Uganda) - 62,940 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lake Turkana (shared with Ethiopia) - 6,400 sq km
Topic: KyrgyzstanSalt water lake(s): Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq km
note - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes
Topic: LithuaniaSalt water lake(s): Curonian Lagoon (shared with Russia) - 1,620 sq km
Topic: MalawiFresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Tanzania) - 22,490
Salt water lake(s): Lake Chilwa - 1,040 sq km
Topic: MaliFresh water lake(s): Lac Faguibine - 590 sq km
note - the Niger River is the only source of water for the lake; in recent years the lake is dry
Topic: MexicoFresh water lake(s): Laguna de Chapala - 1,140 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Laguna de Terminos - 1,550 sq km
Topic: MongoliaFresh water lake(s): Hovsgol Nuur - 2,620 sq km; Har Us Nuur - 1,760 sq km;
Salt water lake(s): Uvs Nuur - 3,350 sq km; Hyargas Nuur - 1,360 sq km
Topic: MontenegroFresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Albania) - 400 sq km
note - largest lake in the Balkans
Topic: MozambiqueFresh water lake(s): Lake Malawi (shared with Malawi and Tanzania) - 22,490
Topic: New ZealandFresh water lake(s): Lake Taupo - 610 sq km
Topic: NicaraguaFresh water lake(s): Lago de Nicaragua - 8,150 sq km; Lago de Managua - 1,040 sq km
Topic: NigerFresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year
Topic: NigeriaFresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Niger, Chad, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year
Topic: PanamaSalt water lake(s): Laguna de Chiriqui - 900 sq km
Topic: PeruFresh water lake(s): Lago Titicaca (shared with Bolivia) - 8,030 sq km
Topic: PhilippinesSalt water lake(s): Laguna de Bay - 890 sq km
Topic: PolandSalt water lake(s): Zalew Szczecinski/Stettiner Haff (shared with Germany) - 900 sq km
Topic: RussiaFresh water lake(s): Lake Baikal - 31,500 sq km; Lake Ladoga - 18,130 sq km; Lake Onega - 9,720 sq km; Lake Khanka (shared with China) - 5,010 sq km; Lake Peipus - 4,300 sq km; Ozero Vygozero - 1,250 sq km; Ozero Beloye - 1,120 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km; Ozero Malyye Chany - 2,500 sq km; Curonian Lagoon (shared with Lithuania) - 1,620 sq km
note - the Caspian Sea is the World's largest lake
Topic: RwandaFresh water lake(s): Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km
Topic: SwedenFresh water lake(s): Vanern - 5,580 sq km; Vattern - 1,910 sq km; Malaren - 1,140 sq km
Topic: SwitzerlandFresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Germany and Austria) - 540 sq km; Lake Geneva (shared with France) - 580 sq km
Topic: TanzaniaFresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Uganda and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Zambia) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Malawi (shared with Mozambique and Malawi) - 22,490
Salt water lake(s): Lake Rukwa - 5,760 sq km
Topic: ThailandSalt water lake(s): Thalesap Songkhla - 1,290 sq km
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Fresh water lake(s): Lake Beysehir - 650 sq km; Lake Egridir - 520 sq km
Salt water lake(s): Lake Van - 3,740 sq km; Lake Tuz - 1,640 sq km;
Topic: TurkmenistanSalt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km
Topic: UgandaFresh water lake(s): Lake Victoria (shared with Tanzania and Kenya) - 62,940 sq km; Lake Albert (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 5,590 sq km; Lake Kyoga - 4,430 sq km; Lake Edward (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,150 sq km
Topic: United StatesFresh water lake(s): Michigan – 57,750 sq km; Superior* – 53,348 sq km; Huron* – 23,597 sq km; Erie* – 12,890 sq km; Ontario* – 9,220 sq km; Lake of the Woods – 4,350 sq km; Iliamna – 2,590 sq km; Okeechobee – 1,810 sq km; Belcharof – 1,190 sq km; Red – 1,170 sq km; Saint Clair – 1,113 sq km; Champlain – 1,100 sq km
note - Great Lakes* area shown as US waters
Salt water lake(s): Great Salt – 4,360 sq km; Pontchartrain – 1,620 sq km; Selawik – 1,400 sq km; Salton Sea – 950 sq km
Topic: UruguaySalt water lake(s): Lagoa Mirim (shared with Brazil) - 2,970 sq km
Topic: UzbekistanFresh water lake(s): Aral Sea (shared with Kazakhstan) - largely dried up
Topic: VenezuelaSalt water lake(s): Lago de Maracaibo - 13,010 sq km
Topic: West BankSalt water lake(s): Dead Sea (shared with Jordan and Israel) - 1,020 sq km
note - endorheic hypersaline lake; 9.6 times saltier than the ocean; lake shore is 431 meters below sea level
Topic: Worldtop ten largest natural lakes: Caspian Sea (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan) 374,000 sq km; Lake Superior (Canada, United States) 82,100 sq km; Lake Victoria (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) 62,940 sq km; Lake Huron (Canada, United States) 59,600 sq km; Lake Michigan (United States) 57,750 sq km; Lake Tanganyika (Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Zambia) 32,000 sq km; Great Bear Lake (Canada) 31,328 sq km; Lake Baikal (Russia) 31,500 sq km; Lake Malawi (Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania) 22,490 sq km; Great Slave Lake (Canada) 28,568 sq km
note 1: the areas of the lakes are subject to seasonal variation; only the Caspian Sea is saline, the rest are fresh water
note 2: Lakes Huron and Michigan are technically a single lake because the flow of water between the Straits of Mackinac that connects the two lakes keeps their water levels at near-equilibrium; combined, Lake Huron-Michigan is the largest freshwater lake by surface area in the world
Topic: ZambiaFresh water lake(s): Lake Tanganyika (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Burundi) - 32,000 sq km; Lake Mweru (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 4,350 sq km; Lake Bangweulu - 4,000-15,000 sq km seasonal variation |
20220901 | field-refined-petroleum-products-imports | This entry is the country's total imports of refined petroleum products, in barrels per day (bbl/day).
Topic: Afghanistan34,210 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Albania26,660 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Algeria82,930 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: American Samoa2,346 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Angola111,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Antigua and Barbuda5,065 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Argentina121,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Armenia7,145 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Aruba7,891 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Australia619,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Austria135,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Azerbaijan5,576 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bahamas, The19,150 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bahrain14,530 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bangladesh81,570 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Barbados10,630 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Belarus14,630 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Belgium601,400 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Belize4,161 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Benin38,040 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bermuda3,939 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bhutan3,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bolivia20,620 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina18,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Botswana21,090 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Brazil490,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: British Virgin Islands1,227 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Brunei6,948 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Bulgaria49,260 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Burkina Faso23,580 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Burma102,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Burundi1,374 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cabo Verde5,607 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cambodia43,030 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cameroon14,090 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Canada405,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Cayman Islands4,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Central African Republic2,799 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Chad2,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Chile166,400 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: China1.16 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Colombia57,170 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Comoros1,241 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the21,140 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of the7,162 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cook Islands611 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Costa Rica51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire7,405 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Croatia35,530 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cuba52,750 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Curacao45,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Cyprus49,240 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Czechia83,860 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Denmark109,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Djibouti6,692 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Dominica1,237 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Dominican Republic108,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Ecuador153,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Egypt280,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: El Salvador49,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Equatorial Guinea5,094 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Eritrea3,897 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Estonia35,520 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Eswatini5,279 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Ethiopia69,970 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: European Union8.613 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)286 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Faroe Islands4,555 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Fiji17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Finland122,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: France886,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: French Polynesia6,785 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Gabon10,680 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Gambia, The3,738 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Georgia28,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Germany883,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Ghana85,110 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Gibraltar74,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Greece192,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Greenland3,973 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Grenada1,886 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Guam13,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Guatemala97,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Guinea18,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Guinea-Bissau2,625 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Guyana13,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Haiti20,030 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Honduras56,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Hong Kong402,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Hungary82,110 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Iceland20,220 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: India653,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Indonesia591,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Iran64,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Iraq255,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Ireland126,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Israel98,860 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Italy422,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Jamaica30,580 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Japan1.1 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Jordan68,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Kazakhstan39,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Kenya90,620 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Kiribati420 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Korea, North8,260 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Korea, South908,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Kosovo14,040 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Kuwait0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Kyrgyzstan34,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Laos17,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Latvia54,370 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Lebanon151,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Lesotho5,118 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Liberia8,181 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Libya168,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Lithuania42,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Luxembourg59,020 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Macau14,180 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Madagascar18,880 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Malawi4,769 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Malaysia304,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Maldives10,840 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Mali20,610 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Malta52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Marshall Islands2,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Mauritania17,290 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Mauritius26,960 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Mexico867,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Moldova18,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Mongolia24,190 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Montenegro6,448 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Montserrat406 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Morocco229,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Mozambique25,130 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Namibia26,270 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Nauru449 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Nepal26,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Netherlands2.148 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: New Caledonia19,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: New Zealand56,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Nicaragua20,120 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Niger3,799 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Nigeria223,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Niue54 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: North Macedonia23,560 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Norway135,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Oman6,041 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Pakistan264,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Panama129,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Papua New Guinea17,110 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Paraguay40,760 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Peru65,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Philippines211,400 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Poland222,300 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Portugal78,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Puerto Rico127,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Qatar12,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Romania49,420 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Russia41,920 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Rwanda6,628 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha65 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis1,743 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Saint Lucia3,113 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon650 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1,621 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Samoa2,363 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Sao Tome and Principe1,027 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Saudi Arabia609,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Senegal32,050 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Serbia18,720 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Seychelles7,225 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Sierra Leone6,439 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Singapore2.335 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Sint Maarten10,440 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Slovakia38,340 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Slovenia93,060 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Solomon Islands1,577 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Somalia5,590 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: South Africa195,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: South Sudan7,160 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Spain464,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Sri Lanka66,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Sudan24,340 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Suriname10,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Svalbard18,600 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Topic: Sweden229,600 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Switzerland165,100 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Syria38,080 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Taiwan418,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Tajikistan22,460 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Tanzania67,830 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Thailand134,200 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Timor-Leste3,481 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Togo13,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Tonga910 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Trinidad and Tobago0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Tunisia85,340 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)560,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Turkmenistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands1,369 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Uganda31,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Ukraine167,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emirates392,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: United Kingdom907,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: United States2.175 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Topic: Uruguay9,591 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Uzbekistan0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Vanuatu1,073 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Venezuela20,640 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Vietnam282,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Virgin Islands23,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: West Bank22,740 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: World28.62 million bbl/day (2014 est.)
Topic: Yemen75,940 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Zambia10,150 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Topic: Zimbabwe26,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) |
20220901 | countries-united-kingdom |
Topic: Photos of United Kingdom
Topic: Introduction
Background: The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw two World Wars seriously deplete the UK's strength and the Irish Republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998. The UK was an active member of the EU after its accession in 1973, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, motivated in part by frustration at a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU. The UK became the first country to depart the EU on 31 January 2020, after prolonged negotiations on EU-UK economic and security relationships had been hammered out.The United Kingdom has historically played a leading role in developing parliamentary democracy and in advancing literature and science. At its zenith in the 19th century, the British Empire stretched over one-fourth of the earth's surface. The first half of the 20th century saw two World Wars seriously deplete the UK's strength and the Irish Republic withdraw from the union. The second half witnessed the dismantling of the Empire and the UK rebuilding itself into a modern and prosperous European nation. As one of five permanent members of the UN Security Council and a founding member of NATO and the Commonwealth of Nations, the UK pursues a global approach to foreign policy. The Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly were established in 1998.The UK was an active member of the EU after its accession in 1973, although it chose to remain outside the Economic and Monetary Union. However, motivated in part by frustration at a remote bureaucracy in Brussels and massive migration into the country, UK citizens on 23 June 2016 voted by 52 to 48 percent to leave the EU. The UK became the first country to depart the EU on 31 January 2020, after prolonged negotiations on EU-UK economic and security relationships had been hammered out.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Western Europe, islands - including the northern one-sixth of the island of Ireland - between the North Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea; northwest of France
Geographic coordinates: 54 00 N, 2 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 243,610 sq km
land: 241,930 sq km
water: 1,680 sq km
note 1: the percentage area breakdown of the four UK countries is: England 53%, Scotland 32%, Wales 9%, and Northern Ireland 6%
note 2: includes Rockall and the Shetland Islands, which are part of Scotland
Area - comparative: twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries: total: 499 km
border countries (1): Ireland 499 km
Coastline: 12,429 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: as defined in continental shelf orders or in accordance with agreed upon boundaries
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Terrain: mostly rugged hills and low mountains; level to rolling plains in east and southeast
Elevation: highest point: Ben Nevis 1,345 m
lowest point: The Fens -4 m
mean elevation: 162 m
Natural resources: coal, petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, lead, zinc, gold, tin, limestone, salt, clay, chalk, gypsum, potash, silica sand, slate, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 71% (2018 est.)
arable land: 25.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 45.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 11.9% (2018 est.)
other: 17.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 950 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: the core of the population lies in and around London, with significant clusters found in central Britain around Manchester and Liverpool, in the Scottish lowlands between Edinburgh and Glasgow, southern Wales in and around Cardiff, and far eastern Northern Ireland centered on Belfast
Natural hazards: winter windstorms; floods
Geography - note: lies near vital North Atlantic sea lanes; only 35 km from France and linked by tunnel under the English Channel (the Channel Tunnel or Chunnel); because of heavily indented coastline, no location is more than 125 km from tidal waters
Map description: United Kingdom map showing the British Isles (including Northern Ireland) situated in the North Sea.United Kingdom map showing the British Isles (including Northern Ireland) situated in the North Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 67,791,400 (2022 est.) United Kingdom
constituent countries by percentage of total population:
England 84.3%
Scotland 8.1%
Wales 4.7%
Northern Ireland 2.8%
Nationality: noun: Briton(s), British (collective plural)
adjective: British
Ethnic groups: White 87.2%, Black/African/Caribbean/black British 3%, Asian/Asian British: Indian 2.3%, Asian/Asian British: Pakistani 1.9%, mixed 2%, other 3.7% (2011 est.)
Languages: English
note: the following are recognized regional languages: Scots (about 30% of the population of Scotland), Scottish Gaelic (about 60,000 speakers in Scotland), Welsh (about 20% of the population of Wales), Irish (about 10% of the population of Northern Ireland), Cornish (some 2,000 to 3,000 people in Cornwall) (2012 est.)
Religions: Christian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7% (2011 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.63% (male 5,943,435/female 5,651,780)
15-24 years: 11.49% (male 3,860,435/female 3,692,398)
25-54 years: 39.67% (male 13,339,965/female 12,747,598)
55-64 years: 12.73% (male 4,139,378/female 4,234,701)
65 years and over: 18.48% (2020 est.) (male 5,470,116/female 6,681,311)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 57.1
youth dependency ratio: 27.8
elderly dependency ratio: 29.3
potential support ratio: 3.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 40.6 years
male: 39.6 years
female: 41.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.53% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.79 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 9.07 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 3.59 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the core of the population lies in and around London, with significant clusters found in central Britain around Manchester and Liverpool, in the Scottish lowlands between Edinburgh and Glasgow, southern Wales in and around Cardiff, and far eastern Northern Ireland centered on Belfast
Urbanization: urban population: 84.4% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 9.426 million LONDON (capital), 2.750 million Manchester, 2.626 million Birmingham, 1.902 million West Yorkshire, 1.681 million Glasgow, 944,000 Southampton/Portsmouth (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29 years (2018 est.)
note: data represent England and Wales only
Maternal mortality ratio: 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.94 years
male: 79.95 years
female: 84.04 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.63 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 76.1% (2010/12)
note: percent of women aged 16-49
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 10.2% (2019)
Physicians density: 3 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 2.5 beds/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 99.8% of population
total: 99.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 0.2% of population
total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: respiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout the UK; as of 6 June 2022, the UK has reported a total of 22,305,897 cases of COVID-19 or 32,857.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 178,749 cumulative deaths or a rate of 263.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 31 May 2022, 78.42% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; the US Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in the UK to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.8% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 15.4% (2020 est.)
male: 17.3% (2020 est.)
female: 13.5% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Child marriage: women married by age 18: 0.1% (2020 est.)
Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 11.2%
male: 13%
female: 9.2% (2019 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution improved but remains a concern, particularly in the London region; soil pollution from pesticides and heavy metals; decline in marine and coastal habitats brought on by pressures from housing, tourism, and industry
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 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, 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, Marine Life Conservation, 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: 10.53 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 379.02 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 49.16 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
Land use: agricultural land: 71% (2018 est.)
arable land: 25.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 45.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 11.9% (2018 est.)
other: 17.1% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 84.4% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: respiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: widespread ongoing transmission of a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is occurring throughout the UK; as of 6 June 2022, the UK has reported a total of 22,305,897 cases of COVID-19 or 32,857.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 178,749 cumulative deaths or a rate of 263.3 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 31 May 2022, 78.42% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine; the US Department of Homeland Security has issued instructions requiring US passengers who have been in the UK to travel through select airports where the US Government has implemented enhanced screening procedures
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 31.567 million tons (2014 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 8,602,008 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 27.3% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 6.227 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 1.01 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.183 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 147 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; note - the island of Great Britain includes England, Scotland, and Wales
conventional short form: United Kingdom
abbreviation: UK
etymology: self-descriptive country name; the designation "Great Britain," in the sense of "Larger Britain," dates back to medieval times and was used to distinguish the island from "Little Britain," or Brittany in modern France; the name Ireland derives from the Gaelic "Eriu," the matron goddess of Ireland (goddess of the land)
Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: London
geographic coordinates: 51 30 N, 0 05 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
time zone note: the time statements apply to the United Kingdom proper, not to its crown dependencies or overseas territories
etymology: the name derives from the Roman settlement of Londinium, established on the current site of London around A.D. 43; the original meaning of the name is uncertain
Administrative divisions: England: 24 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities (including 4 single-tier counties*); two-tier counties: Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Worcestershire London boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster metropolitan districts: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton unitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset; Bedford; Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Bracknell Forest; Brighton and Hove; City of Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Central Bedfordshire; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cornwall; Darlington; Derby; Dorset; Durham County*; East Riding of Yorkshire; Halton; Hartlepool; Herefordshire*; Isle of Wight*; Isles of Scilly; City of Kingston upon Hull; Leicester; Luton; Medway; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; North Somerset; Northumberland*; Nottingham; Peterborough; Plymouth; Portsmouth; Reading; Redcar and Cleveland; Rutland; Shropshire; Slough; South Gloucestershire; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Stoke-on-Trent; Swindon; Telford and Wrekin; Thurrock; Torbay; Warrington; West Berkshire; West Northamptonshire; Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham; York Northern Ireland: 5 borough councils, 4 district councils, 2 city councils; borough councils: Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrim district councils: Derry City and Strabane; Fermanagh and Omagh; Mid Ulster; Newry, Murne, and Down city councils: Belfast; Lisburn and Castlereagh Scotland: 32 council areas; council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West Lothian Wales: 22 unitary authorities; unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, The Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, WrexhamEngland: 24 two-tier counties, 32 London boroughs and 1 City of London or Greater London, 36 metropolitan districts, 59 unitary authorities (including 4 single-tier counties*);two-tier counties: Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, East Sussex, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, North Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, WorcestershireLondon boroughs and City of London or Greater London: Barking and Dagenham, Barnet, Bexley, Brent, Bromley, Camden, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Lewisham, City of London, Merton, Newham, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Southwark, Sutton, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminstermetropolitan districts: Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Calderdale, Coventry, Doncaster, Dudley, Gateshead, Kirklees, Knowlsey, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Oldham, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sefton, Sheffield, Solihull, South Tyneside, St. Helens, Stockport, Sunderland, Tameside, Trafford, Wakefield, Walsall, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhamptonunitary authorities: Bath and North East Somerset; Bedford; Blackburn with Darwen; Blackpool; Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; Bracknell Forest; Brighton and Hove; City of Bristol; Buckinghamshire; Central Bedfordshire; Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester; Cornwall; Darlington; Derby; Dorset; Durham County*; East Riding of Yorkshire; Halton; Hartlepool; Herefordshire*; Isle of Wight*; Isles of Scilly; City of Kingston upon Hull; Leicester; Luton; Medway; Middlesbrough; Milton Keynes; North East Lincolnshire; North Lincolnshire; North Northamptonshire; North Somerset; Northumberland*; Nottingham; Peterborough; Plymouth; Portsmouth; Reading; Redcar and Cleveland; Rutland; Shropshire; Slough; South Gloucestershire; Southampton; Southend-on-Sea; Stockton-on-Tees; Stoke-on-Trent; Swindon; Telford and Wrekin; Thurrock; Torbay; Warrington; West Berkshire; West Northamptonshire; Wiltshire; Windsor and Maidenhead; Wokingham; YorkNorthern Ireland: 5 borough councils, 4 district councils, 2 city councils;borough councils: Antrim and Newtownabbey; Ards and North Down; Armagh City, Banbridge, and Craigavon; Causeway Coast and Glens; Mid and East Antrimdistrict councils: Derry City and Strabane; Fermanagh and Omagh; Mid Ulster; Newry, Murne, and Downcity councils: Belfast; Lisburn and CastlereaghScotland: 32 council areas;council areas: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll and Bute, Clackmannanshire, Dumfries and Galloway, Dundee City, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Lothian, East Renfrewshire, City of Edinburgh, Eilean Siar (Western Isles), Falkirk, Fife, Glasgow City, Highland, Inverclyde, Midlothian, Moray, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Orkney Islands, Perth and Kinross, Renfrewshire, Shetland Islands, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Stirling, The Scottish Borders, West Dunbartonshire, West LothianWales: 22 unitary authorities;unitary authorities: Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Isle of Anglesey, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Swansea, The Vale of Glamorgan, Torfaen, Wrexham
Dependent areas: Anguilla; Bermuda; British Indian Ocean Territory; British Virgin Islands; Cayman Islands; Falkland Islands; Gibraltar; Montserrat; Pitcairn Islands; Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha; South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands; Turks and Caicos Islands
Independence: no official date of independence: 927 (minor English kingdoms unite); 3 March 1284 (enactment of the Statute of Rhuddlan uniting England and Wales); 1536 (Act of Union formally incorporates England and Wales); 1 May 1707 (Acts of Union formally unite England, Scotland, and Wales as Great Britain); 1 January 1801 (Acts of Union formally unite Great Britain and Ireland as the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland); 6 December 1921 (Anglo-Irish Treaty formalizes partition of Ireland; six counties remain part of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland); 12 April 1927 (Royal and Parliamentary Titles Act establishes current name of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
National holiday: the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday
Constitution: history: unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice
amendments: proposed as a bill for an Act of Parliament by the government, by the House of Commons, or by the House of Lords; passage requires agreement by both houses and by the monarch (Royal Assent); many previous, last in 2020 - The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020, European Union (Future Relationship) Act 2020
Legal system: common law system; has nonbinding judicial review of Acts of Parliament under the Human Rights Act of 1998
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 the United Kingdom
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); Heir Apparent Prince CHARLES (son of the queen, born 14 November 1948); note - Queen ELIZABETH II's reign is the second longest in recorded history
head of government: Prime Minister Boris JOHNSON (Conservative) (since 24 July 2019)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes the prime minister; election last held on 12 December 2019 (next to be held by 2 May 2024)
note 1: in addition to serving as the UK head of state, the British sovereign is the constitutional monarch for 15 additional Commonwealth countries (these 16 states are each referred to as a Commonwealth realm)
note 2: Prime Minister JOHNSON announced on 7 July 2022 that he would be stepping down as prime minister; he will stay in office until a replacement is selected, most likely in September
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
House of Lords (membership not fixed; as of October 2021, 787 lords were eligible to participate in the work of the House of Lords - 673 life peers, 88 hereditary peers, and 26 clergy; members are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister and non-party political members recommended by the House of Lords Appointments Commission); note - House of Lords total does not include ineligible members or members on leave of absence
House of Commons (650 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 5-year terms unless the House is dissolved earlier)
elections:
House of Lords - no elections; note - in 1999, as provided by the House of Lords Act, elections were held in the House of Lords to determine the 92 hereditary peers who would remain; elections held only as vacancies in the hereditary peerage arise)
House of Commons - last held on 12 December 2019 (next to be held by 2 May 2024)
election results:
House of Lords - composition - men 554, women 222, percent of women 28.6%
House of Commons - percent of vote by party - Conservative 54.9%, Labor 30.8%, Lib Dems 2.2%, SNP 6.8%, DUP 1.2%, Sinn Fein 1.1%, Plaid Cymru .6%, other 2.5%; seats by party - Conservative 365, Labor 202, SNP 48, Lib Dems 11, DUP 8, Sinn Fein 7, Plaid Cymru 4, other 9; composition - men 425, women 225, percent of women 34.6%; total Parliament percent of women 31.3%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 12 justices, including the court president and deputy president); note - the Supreme Court was established by the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 and implemented in 2009, replacing the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords as the highest court in the United Kingdom
judge selection and term of office: judge candidates selected by an independent committee of several judicial commissions, followed by their recommendations to the prime minister, and appointed by the monarch; justices serve for life
subordinate courts: England and Wales: Court of Appeal (civil and criminal divisions); High Court; Crown Court; County Courts; Magistrates' Courts; Scotland: Court of Sessions; Sheriff Courts; High Court of Justiciary; tribunals; Northern Ireland: Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland; High Court; county courts; magistrates' courts; specialized tribunals
Political parties and leaders: Alliance Party (Northern Ireland) [Naomi LONG]
Conservative and Unionist Party [Boris JOHNSON]
Democratic Unionist Party or DUP (Northern Ireland) [Jeffrey DONALDSON]
Green Party of England and Wales or Greens [Carla DENYER and Adrian RAMSAY]
Labor (Labour) Party [Sir Keir STARMER]
Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) [Ed Davey]
Party of Wales (Plaid Cymru) [Adam PRICE]
Scottish National Party or SNP [Nicola STURGEON]
Sinn Fein (Northern Ireland) [Mary Lou MCDONALD]
Social Democratic and Labor Party or SDLP (Northern Ireland) [Colum EASTWOOD]
UK Independence Party or UKIP [Pat MOUNTAIN, interim leader]
Ulster Unionist Party or UUP (Northern Ireland) [Robin SWANN]
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, C, CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UN Security Council (permanent), UNSOM, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Karen Elizabeth PIERCE (since 8 April 2020)
chancery: 3100 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-6500
FAX: [1] (202) 588-7870
email address and website:
britishembassyenquiries@gmail.com
https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-washington
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s): Orlando (FL), San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Matthew PALMER
embassy: 33 Nine Elms Lane, London, SW11 7US
mailing address: 8400 London Place, Washington DC 20521-8400
telephone: [44] (0) 20-7499-9000
FAX: [44] (0) 20-7891-3845
email address and website:
SCSLondon@state.gov
https://uk.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general: Belfast, Edinburgh
Flag description: blue field with the red cross of Saint George (patron saint of England) edged in white superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick (patron saint of Ireland), which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew (patron saint of Scotland); properly known as the Union Flag, but commonly called the Union Jack; the design and colors (especially the Blue Ensign) have been the basis for a number of other flags including other Commonwealth countries and their constituent states or provinces, and British overseas territories
National symbol(s): lion (Britain in general); lion, Tudor rose, oak (England); lion, unicorn, thistle (Scotland); dragon, daffodil, leek (Wales); shamrock, flax (Northern Ireland); national colors: red, white, blue (Britain in general); red, white (England); blue, white (Scotland); red, white, green (Wales)
National anthem: name: "God Save the Queen"
lyrics/music: unknown
note: in use since 1745; by tradition, the song serves as both the national and royal anthem of the UK; it is known as either "God Save the Queen" or "God Save the King," depending on the gender of the reigning monarch; it also serves as the royal anthem of many Commonwealth nations
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 33 (28 cultural, 4 natural, 1 mixed); note - includes one site in Bermuda
selected World Heritage Site locales: Giant's Causeway and Causeway Coast (n); Ironbridge Gorge (c); Stonehenge, Avebury, and Associated Sites (c); Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd (c); Blenheim Palace (c); City of Bath (c); Tower of London (c); St Kilda (m); Maritime Greenwich (c); Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (c); Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (c); The English Lake District (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is the third largest economy in Europe after Germany and France. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining; the UK has been a net importer of energy since 2005. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, are key drivers of British GDP growth. Manufacturing, meanwhile, has declined in importance but still accounts for about 10% of economic output. In 2008, the global financial crisis hit the economy particularly hard, due to the importance of its financial sector. Falling home prices, high consumer debt, and the global economic slowdown compounded the UK’s economic problems, pushing the economy into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompting the then BROWN (Labour) government to implement a number of measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets. Facing burgeoning public deficits and debt levels, in 2010 the then CAMERON-led coalition government (between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) initiated an austerity program, which has continued under the Conservative government. However, the deficit still remains one of the highest in the G7, standing at 3.6% of GDP as of 2017, and the UK has pledged to lower its corporation tax from 20% to 17% by 2020. The UK had a debt burden of 90.4% GDP at the end of 2017. The UK economy has begun to slow since the referendum vote to leave the EU in June 2016. A sustained depreciation of the British pound has increased consumer and producer prices, weighing on consumer spending without spurring a meaningful increase in exports. The UK has an extensive trade relationship with other EU members through its single market membership, and economic observers have warned the exit will jeopardize its position as the central location for European financial services. The UK is slated to leave the EU at the end of January 2020.The UK, a leading trading power and financial center, is the third largest economy in Europe after Germany and France. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanized, and efficient by European standards, producing about 60% of food needs with less than 2% of the labor force. The UK has large coal, natural gas, and oil resources, but its oil and natural gas reserves are declining; the UK has been a net importer of energy since 2005. Services, particularly banking, insurance, and business services, are key drivers of British GDP growth. Manufacturing, meanwhile, has declined in importance but still accounts for about 10% of economic output.In 2008, the global financial crisis hit the economy particularly hard, due to the importance of its financial sector. Falling home prices, high consumer debt, and the global economic slowdown compounded the UK’s economic problems, pushing the economy into recession in the latter half of 2008 and prompting the then BROWN (Labour) government to implement a number of measures to stimulate the economy and stabilize the financial markets. Facing burgeoning public deficits and debt levels, in 2010 the then CAMERON-led coalition government (between Conservatives and Liberal Democrats) initiated an austerity program, which has continued under the Conservative government. However, the deficit still remains one of the highest in the G7, standing at 3.6% of GDP as of 2017, and the UK has pledged to lower its corporation tax from 20% to 17% by 2020. The UK had a debt burden of 90.4% GDP at the end of 2017.The UK economy has begun to slow since the referendum vote to leave the EU in June 2016. A sustained depreciation of the British pound has increased consumer and producer prices, weighing on consumer spending without spurring a meaningful increase in exports. The UK has an extensive trade relationship with other EU members through its single market membership, and economic observers have warned the exit will jeopardize its position as the central location for European financial services. The UK is slated to leave the EU at the end of January 2020.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2,797,980,000,000 (2020 est.)
$3,101,640,000,000 (2019 est.)
$3,059,690,000,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.26% (2019 est.)
1.25% (2018 est.)
1.74% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $41,600 (2020 est.)
$46,400 (2019 est.)
$46,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $2,827,918,000,000 (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.7% (2019 est.)
2.4% (2018 est.)
2.6% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2020)
Moody's rating: Aaa (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: AA (2016)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.7% (2017 est.)
industry: 20.2% (2017 est.)
services: 79.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 65.8% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 17.2% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 30.2% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -31.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, milk, barley, sugar beet, potatoes, rapeseed, poultry, oats, pork, beef
Industries: machine tools, electric power equipment, automation equipment, railroad equipment, shipbuilding, aircraft, motor vehicles and parts, electronics and communications equipment, metals, chemicals, coal, petroleum, paper and paper products, food processing, textiles, clothing, other consumer goods
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 35.412 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.3%
industry: 15.2%
services: 83.5% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.17% (2019 est.)
2.51% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 11.2%
male: 13%
female: 9.2% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 18.6% (2017 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34.8 (2016 est.)
33.4 (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 31.1% (2012)
Budget: revenues: 1.028 trillion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 1.079 trillion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 87.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
87.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Taxes and other revenues: 39.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 6 April - 5 April
Current account balance: -$121.921 billion (2019 est.)
-$104.927 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $741.95 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$879.92 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$882.65 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 15%, Germany 10%, China 7%, Netherlands 7%, France 7%, Ireland 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars, gas turbines, gold, crude petroleum, packaged medicines (2019)
Imports: $752.77 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$914.96 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$916.4 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 13%, China 10%, United States 8%, Netherlands 7%, France 6%, Belgium 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: gold, cars, crude petroleum, refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $150.8 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$129.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $8,721,590,000,000 (2019 est.)
$8,696,559,000,000 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: British pounds (GBP) per US dollar -
0.7836 (2017 est.)
0.738 (2016 est.)
0.738 (2015 est.)
0.607 (2014 est.)
0.6391 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 113.153 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 289.688 billion kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 4.481 billion kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 22.391 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 27.746 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 37.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 15.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 4.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 25.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 2.6% 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: 15% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 2.892 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 9.401 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 1.309 million metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 5.537 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 26 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 890,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,578,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 818,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 891,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 2.5 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 1.29 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 613,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 907,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 32,482,541,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 75,696,895,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
exports: 6,873,025,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 51,050,178,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 180.661 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 398.084 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 23.5 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 216.237 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 158.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 119.894 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 32.037 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 80.967 million (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 119.9 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: UK’s telecom market remains one of the largest in Europe, characterized by competition, affordable pricing, and its technologically advanced systems; mobile penetration above the EU average; government to invest in infrastructure and 5G technologies with ambition for a fully-fibered nation by 2033; operators expanded the reach of 5G services in 2020; super-fast broadband available to about 95% of customers; London is developing smart city technology, in collaboration with private, tech, and academic sectors; in 2020 the UK Government banned Chinese company Huawei's 5G equipment from the UK's 5G networks following advisement from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC); importer of broadcasting equipment from China (2021)
domestic: equal mix of buried cables, microwave radio relay, and fiber-optic systems; fixed-line over 47 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 116 per 100 (2020)
international: country code - 44; Landing points for the GTT Atlantic, Scotland-Northern Ireland -1, & -2, Lanis 1,-2, &-3, Sirius North, BT-MT-1, SHEFA-2, BT Highlands and Islands Submarine Cable System, Northern Lights, FARICE-1, Celtic Norse, Tampnet Offshore FOC Network, England Cable, CC-2, E-LLan, Sirius South, ESAT -1 & -2, Rockabill, Geo-Eirgrid, UK-Netherlands-14, Circle North & South, Ulysses2, Conceto, Farland North, Pan European Crossing, Solas, Swansea-Bream, GTT Express, Tata TGN-Atlantic & -Western Europe, Apollo, EIG, Glo-1, TAT-14, Yellow, Celtic, FLAG Atlantic-1, FEA, Isle of Scilly Cable, UK-Channel Islands-8 and SeaMeWe-3 submarine cables providing links throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia, and US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (7 Atlantic Ocean and 3 Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and 1 Eutelsat; at least 8 large international switching centers (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: public service broadcaster, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world; BBC operates multiple TV networks with regional and local TV service; a mixed system of public and commercial TV broadcasters along with satellite and cable systems provide access to hundreds of TV stations throughout the world; BBC operates multiple national, regional, and local radio networks with multiple transmission sites; a large number of commercial radio stations, as well as satellite radio services are available (2018)
Internet country code: .uk
Internet users: total: 63,854,528 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 95% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 27,330,297 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.)
Communications - note: note 1: the British Library claims to be the largest library in the world with well over 150 million items and in most known languages; it receives copies of all books produced in the UK or Ireland, as well as a significant proportion of overseas titles distributed in the UK; in addition to books (print and digital), holdings include: journals, manuscripts, newspapers, magazines, sound and music recordings, videos, maps, prints, patents, and drawings
note 2: on 1 May 1840, the United Kingdom led the world with the introduction of postage stamps; the Austrian Empire had examined the idea of an "adhesive tax postmark" for the prepayment of postage in 1835; while the suggestion was reviewed in detail, it was rejected for the time being; other countries (including Austria) soon followed the UK's example with their own postage stamps; by the 1860s, most countries were issuing stamps; originally, stamps had to be cut from sheets; the UK issued the first postage stamps with perforations in 1854
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 20 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 794
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 165,388,610 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 6,198,370,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: G
Airports: total: 460 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 271
over 3,047 m: 7
2,438 to 3,047 m: 29
1,524 to 2,437 m: 89
914 to 1,523 m: 80
under 914 m: 66 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 189
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 26
under 914 m: 160 (2021)
Heliports: 9 (2021)
Pipelines: 502 km condensate, 9 km condensate/gas, 28,603 km gas, 59 km liquid petroleum gas, 5,256 km oil, 175 km oil/gas/water, 4,919 km refined products, 255 km water (2013)
Railways: total: 16,837 km (2015)
standard gauge: 16,534 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (5,357 km electrified)
broad gauge: 303 km (2015) 1.600-m gauge (in Northern Ireland)
Roadways: total: 394,428 km (2009)
paved: 394,428 km (2009) (includes 3,519 km of expressways)
Waterways: 3,200 km (2009) (620 km used for commerce)
Merchant marine: total: 1,249
by type: bulk carrier 140, container ship 59, general cargo 109, oil tanker 84, other 857 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Dover, Felixstowe, Immingham, Liverpool, London, Southampton, Teesport (England); Forth Ports (Scotland); Milford Haven (Wales)
oil terminal(s): Fawley Marine terminal, Liverpool Bay terminal (England); Braefoot Bay terminal, Finnart oil terminal, Hound Point terminal (Scotland)
container port(s) (TEUs): Felixstowe (3,584,000), London (2,790,000), Southampton (1,924,847) (2019)
LNG terminal(s) (import): Dragon, Isle of Grain, South Hook, Teesside
Transportation - note: begun in 1988 and completed in 1994, the Channel Tunnel (nicknamed the Chunnel) is a 50.5-km (31.4-mi) rail tunnel beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover that runs from Folkestone, Kent, England to Coquelles, Pas-de-Calais in northern France; it is the only fixed link between the island of Great Britain and mainland Europe
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: United Kingdom Armed Forces (aka British Armed Forces, aka Her Majesty's Armed Forces): British Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force (2022)
note: in 2021 the UK formed a joint service Space Command staffed by Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, as well as civilians and key members of the commercial sector to manage space operations, training, and capabilities; it established a National Cyber Force comprised of military and intelligence personnel in 2020; in 2019, the UK formed the Strategic Command (formerly Joint Forces Command) to develop and manage the British military's medical services, training and education, defense intelligence, and information systems across the land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains; national-level special forces (UK Special Forces, UKSF) also fall under Strategic Command; in addition, the command manages joint overseas operations
Military expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2020)
2.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $68.4 billion)
2.1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $67.8 billion)
2.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $65.9 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 153,000 regular forces (81,000 Army; 34,000 Navy, including about 7,000 Royal Marines; 38,000 Air Force) (2022)
note: the military also has approximately 40-45,000 reserves and other personnel on active duty
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the British military is comprised of a mix of domestically-produced and imported Western weapons systems; the US is the leading supplier of armaments to the UK since 2010; the UK defense industry is capable of producing a wide variety of air, land, and sea weapons systems and is one of the world's top weapons suppliers (2021)
Military service age and obligation: slight variations by service, but generally 16-36 years of age for enlisted (with parental consent under 18) and 18-29 for officers; minimum length of service 4 years; women serve in military services including ground combat roles; conscription abolished in 1963 (2021)
note: as of 2019, women made up about 11% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments: approximately 1,000 Brunei; approximately 400 Canada (BATUS); approximately 2,500 Cyprus (250 for UNFICYP); approximately 1,000 Estonia (NATO); approximately 1,200 Falkland Islands; approximately 200 Germany; 570 Gibraltar; approximately 1,400 Middle East (including Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, UAE); up to 350 Kenya (BATUK); approximately 350 Mali (EUTM, MINUSMA); 150 Poland (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including the UK, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Military - note: the UK is a member of NATO and was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949; the UK is also a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily
in 2010, France and the UK signed a declaration on defense and security cooperation that included greater military interoperability and a Combined Joint Expeditionary Force (CJEF), a deployable, combined Anglo-French military force for use in a wide range of crisis scenarios, up to and including high intensity combat operations; the CJEF has no standing forces, but would be available at short notice for UK-French bilateral, NATO, EU, UN, or other operations; combined training exercises began in 2011; as of 2020, the CJEF was assessed as having full operating capacity with the ability to rapidly deploy over 10,000 personnel capable of high intensity operations, peacekeeping, disaster relief, and humanitarian assistance
in 2014, the UK led the formation of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a pool of high-readiness military forces from Baltic and Scandinavian countries able to respond to a wide range of contingencies both in peacetime and in times of crisis or conflict; its principal geographic area of interest is the High North, North Atlantic, and Baltic Sea regions, where the JEF can complement national capabilities or NATO’s deterrence posture, although it is designed to be flexible and prepared to respond to humanitarian crises further afield; the JEF consists of 10 countries (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the UK) and was declared operational in 2018; most of the forces in the pool are British, and the UK provides the most rapidly deployable units as well as the command and control elements
the British Armed Forces were formed in 1707 as the armed forces of the Kingdom of Great Britain when England and Scotland merged under the terms of the Treaty of Union; while the origins of the armed forces of England and Scotland stretch back to the Middle Ages, the first standing armies for England and Scotland were organized in the 1600s while the navies were formed in the 1500s; the Royal Marines were established in 1755; the Royal Air Force was created in April 1918 by the merger of the British Army's Royal Flying Corps and the Admiralty's Royal Naval Air Service (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Continuity Irish Republican Army; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); New Irish Republican Army; al-Qa'ida
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: UK-Argentina: UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands UK-Argentina-Chile: the UK’s territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claim UK-Denmark: the UK, Iceland, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands signed an agreement in 2019 extending the Faroe Islands’ northern continental shelf area UK (Gibraltar)-Spain: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insisted on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproved of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; London and Madrid reached a temporary agreement at the end of 2020 that allowed Gibraltar to be part of the passport-free Schengen zone; talks are expected to continue in 2022 UK-Mauritius-Seychelles: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory); in 2001, the former inhabitants of the archipelago, evicted 1967 - 1973, were granted UK citizenship and the right of return, followed by Orders in Council in 2004 that banned rehabitation, a High Court ruling reversed the ban, a Court of Appeal refusal to hear the case, and a Law Lords' decision in 2008 denied the right of return; in addition, the UK created the world's largest marine protection area around the Chagos Islands prohibiting the extraction of any natural resources thereinUK-Argentina: UK rejects sovereignty talks requested by Argentina, which still claims the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) and South Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsUK-Argentina-Chile: the UK’s territorial claim in Antarctica (British Antarctic Territory) overlaps Argentine claim and partially overlaps Chilean claimUK-Denmark: the UK, Iceland, and Ireland dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm; Iceland, Norway, and the Faroe Islands signed an agreement in 2019 extending the Faroe Islands’ northern continental shelf areaUK (Gibraltar)-Spain: in 2002, Gibraltar residents voted overwhelmingly by referendum to reject any "shared sovereignty" arrangement between the UK and Spain; the Government of Gibraltar insisted on equal participation in talks between the two countries; Spain disapproved of UK plans to grant Gibraltar greater autonomy; London and Madrid reached a temporary agreement at the end of 2020 that allowed Gibraltar to be part of the passport-free Schengen zone; talks are expected to continue in 2022UK-Mauritius-Seychelles: Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago (British Indian Ocean Territory); in 2001, the former inhabitants of the archipelago, evicted 1967 - 1973, were granted UK citizenship and the right of return, followed by Orders in Council in 2004 that banned rehabitation, a High Court ruling reversed the ban, a Court of Appeal refusal to hear the case, and a Law Lords' decision in 2008 denied the right of return; in addition, the UK created the world's largest marine protection area around the Chagos Islands prohibiting the extraction of any natural resources therein
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 21,011 (Iran), 14,503 (Eritrea), 11,251 (Sudan), 11,412 (Syria), 9,469 (Afghanistan), 8,357 (Pakistan), 6,933 (Iraq), 5,200 (Sri Lanka) (2020); 107,900 (Ukraine) (as of 2 August 2022)
stateless persons: 3,968 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: consumer and transit country for illicit drugs; cocaine and heroin consumption rates among Europe’s highest; criminal organizations engage in domestic drug trafficking and financial crimes; drug use remains linked to serious violence; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsconsumer and transit country for illicit drugs; cocaine and heroin consumption rates among Europe’s highest; criminal organizations engage in domestic drug trafficking and financial crimes; drug use remains linked to serious violence; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics |
20220901 | countries-albania |
Topic: Photos of Albania
Topic: Introduction
Background: Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of isolated communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents. Albania has made progress in its democratic development since it first held multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became an EU candidate. Albania in April 2017 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations following the passage of historic EU-mandated justice reforms in 2016. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and a weak energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles.Albania declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1912, but was conquered by Italy in 1939 and occupied by Germany in 1943. Communist partisans took over the country in 1944. Albania allied itself first with the USSR (until 1960), and then with China (to 1978). In the early 1990s, Albania ended 46 years of isolated communist rule and established a multiparty democracy. The transition has proven challenging as successive governments have tried to deal with high unemployment, widespread corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, powerful organized crime networks, and combative political opponents.Albania has made progress in its democratic development since it first held multiparty elections in 1991, but deficiencies remain. Most of Albania's post-communist elections were marred by claims of electoral fraud; however, international observers judged elections to be largely free and fair since the restoration of political stability following the collapse of pyramid schemes in 1997. Albania joined NATO in April 2009 and in June 2014 became an EU candidate. Albania in April 2017 received a European Commission recommendation to open EU accession negotiations following the passage of historic EU-mandated justice reforms in 2016. Although Albania's economy continues to grow, it has slowed, and the country is still one of the poorest in Europe. A large informal economy and a weak energy and transportation infrastructure remain obstacles.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Europe, bordering the Adriatic Sea and Ionian Sea, between Greece to the south and Montenegro and Kosovo to the north
Geographic coordinates: 41 00 N, 20 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 28,748 sq km
land: 27,398 sq km
water: 1,350 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 691 km
border countries (4): Greece 212 km; Kosovo 112 km; Macedonia 181 km; Montenegro 186 km
Coastline: 362 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Terrain: mostly mountains and hills; small plains along coast
Elevation: highest point: Maja e Korabit (Golem Korab) 2,764 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 708 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, bauxite, chromite, copper, iron ore, nickel, salt, timber, hydropower, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 22.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 28.8% (2018 est.)
other: 28.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,537 sq km (2014)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km
note - largest lake in the Balkans
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country
Natural hazards: destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought
Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea)
Map description: Albania map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Adriatic Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 3,095,344 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Albanian(s)
adjective: Albanian
Ethnic groups: Albanian 82.6%, Greek 0.9%, other 1% (including Vlach, Romani, Macedonian, Montenegrin, and Egyptian), unspecified 15.5% (2011 est.)
note: data represent population by ethnic and cultural affiliation
Languages: Albanian 98.8% (official - derived from Tosk dialect), Greek 0.5%, other 0.6% (including Macedonian, Romani, Vlach, Turkish, Italian, and Serbo-Croatian), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Libri i fakteve boterore, burim i pa zevendesueshem per informacione elementare. (Albanian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 56.7%, Roman Catholic 10%, Orthodox 6.8%, atheist 2.5%, Bektashi (a Sufi order) 2.1%, other 5.7%, unspecified 16.2% (2011 est.)
note: all mosques and churches were closed in 1967 and religious observances prohibited; in November 1990, Albania began allowing private religious practice
Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.6% (male 284,636/female 256,474)
15-24 years: 15.39% (male 246,931/female 226,318)
25-54 years: 42.04% (male 622,100/female 670,307)
55-64 years: 11.94% (male 178,419/female 188,783)
65 years and over: 13.03% (2020 est.) (male 186,335/female 214,276)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.9
youth dependency ratio: 25.3
elderly dependency ratio: 21.6
potential support ratio: 4.6 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 34.3 years
male: 32.9 years
female: 35.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.22% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.69 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country
Urbanization: urban population: 63.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 512,000 TIRANA (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.6 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 15 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 10.82 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.85 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 9.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.47 years
male: 76.8 years
female: 82.33 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.54 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 46% (2017/18)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.3% of population
rural: 96.4% of population
total: 97% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.7% of population
rural: 3.6% of population
total: 3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.2% (2018)
Physicians density: 1.88 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2013)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 0.5% of population
total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,400 (2020 est.)
note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.7% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 22.4% (2020 est.)
male: 38.8% (2020 est.)
female: 6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1.5% (2017/18)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1.4%
women married by age 18: 11.8%
men married by age 18: 1.2% (2018 est.)
Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 98.1%
male: 98.5%
female: 97.8% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 15 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2020)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27%
male: 27.8%
female: 25.9% (2019 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; water pollution from industrial and domestic effluents; air pollution from industrial and power plants; loss of biodiversity due to lack of resources for sound environmental management
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.87 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 4.54 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.55 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: mild temperate; cool, cloudy, wet winters; hot, clear, dry summers; interior is cooler and wetter
Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 22.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 28.8% (2018 est.)
other: 28.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 63.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.29% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.18% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,142,964 tons (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Montenegro) - 400 sq km
note - largest lake in the Balkans
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 283 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 231.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 905 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 30.2 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Albania
conventional short form: Albania
local long form: Republika e Shqiperise
local short form: Shqiperia
former: People's Socialist Republic of Albania
etymology: the English-language country name seems to be derived from the ancient Illyrian tribe of the Albani; the native name "Shqiperia" is derived from the Albanian word "Shqiponje" ("Eagle") and is popularly interpreted to mean "Land of the Eagles"
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Tirana (Tirane)
geographic coordinates: 41 19 N, 19 49 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the name Tirana first appears in a 1418 Venetian document; the origin of the name is unclear, but may derive from Tirkan Fortress, whose ruins survive on the slopes of Dajti mountain and which overlooks the city
Administrative divisions: 12 counties (qarqe, singular - qark); Berat, Diber, Durres, Elbasan, Fier, Gjirokaster, Korce, Kukes, Lezhe, Shkoder, Tirane, Vlore
Independence: 28 November 1912 (from the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday: Independence Day, 28 November (1912), also known as Flag Day
Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by the Assembly 21 October 1998, adopted by referendum 22 November 1998, promulgated 28 November 1998
amendments: proposed by at least one fifth of the Assembly membership; passage requires at least a two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required only if approved by two thirds of the Assembly; amendments approved by referendum effective upon declaration by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2020
Legal system: civil law system except in the northern rural areas where customary law known as the "Code of Leke" is still present
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 Albania
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Republic Bajram BEGAJ (since 24 July 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Edi RAMA (since 10 September 2013); Deputy Prime Minister Arben AHMETAJ (since 18 September 2021)
cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, nominated by the president, and approved by the Assembly
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); a candidate needs three-fifths majority vote of the Assembly in 1 of 3 rounds or a simple majority in 2 additional rounds to become president; election last held in 4 rounds on 16, 23, and 30 May and 4 June 2022 (next election to be held in 2027); prime minister appointed by the president on the proposal of the majority party or coalition of parties in the Assembly
election results: 2022: Bajram BEGAJ elected president in the fourth round; Assembly vote - 78-4, opposition parties boycotted
2017: Ilir META elected president in the fourth round; Assembly vote - 87-2
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly or Kuvendi (140 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 April 2021 (next to be held in 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - PS 48.7%, PD-Alliance for Change 39.4%, LSI 6.8%, PSD 2.3%, other 2.8%; seats by party/coalition - PS 74, PD-Alliance for Change 59, LSI 4, PSD 3; composition - men 93, women 47, percent of women 33.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 19 judges, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the chairman)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Judicial Council with the consent of the president to serve single 9-year terms; Supreme Court chairman is elected for a single 3-year term by the court members; appointments of Constitutional Court judges are rotated among the president, Parliament, and Supreme Court from a list of pre-qualified candidates (each institution selects 3 judges), to serve single 9-year terms; candidates are pre-qualified by a randomly selected body of experienced judges and prosecutors; Constitutional Court chairman is elected by the court members for a single, renewable 3-year term
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; specialized courts: Court for Corruption and Organized Crime, Appeals Court for Corruption and Organized Crime (responsible for corruption, organized crime, and crimes of high officials)
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Change (electoral coalition led by PD)
Democratic Party or PD [Enkelejd ALIBEAJ, interim leader]
Party for Justice, Integration and Unity or PDIU [Shpetim IDRIZI] (part of the Alliance for Change)
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Tom DOSHI]
Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Monika KRYEMADHI]
Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA]
International organization participation: BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Floreta LULI-FABER (since 18 May 2015)
chancery: 2100 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 223-4942
FAX: [1] (202) 628-7342
email address and website:
embassy.washington@mfa.gov.al
http://www.ambasadat.gov.al/usa/en
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Yuri KIM (since 27 January 2020)
embassy: Rruga Stavro Vinjau, No. 14, Tirana
mailing address: 9510 Tirana Place, Washington DC 20521-9510
telephone: [355] 4 2247-285
FAX: [355] 4 2232-222
email address and website:
ACSTirana@state.gov
https://al.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: red with a black two-headed eagle in the center; the design is claimed to be that of 15th-century hero Georgi Kastrioti SKANDERBEG, who led a successful uprising against the Ottoman Turks that resulted in a short-lived independence for some Albanian regions (1443-78); an unsubstantiated explanation for the eagle symbol is the tradition that Albanians see themselves as descendants of the eagle; they refer to themselves as "Shqiptare," which translates as "sons of the eagle"
National symbol(s): black double-headed eagle; national colors: red, black
National anthem: name: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag)
lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU
note: adopted 1912
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 1 natural, 1 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Butrint (c); Historic Berat and Gjirokastër (c); Primeval Beech Forests (n); Lake Ohrid Region (m)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Albania, a formerly closed, centrally planned state, is a developing country with a modern open-market economy. Albania managed to weather the first waves of the global financial crisis but, the negative effects of the crisis caused a significant economic slowdown. Since 2014, Albania’s economy has steadily improved and economic growth reached 3.8% in 2017. However, close trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of possible debt crises and weak growth in the euro zone. Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth, declined from 12-15% of GDP before the 2008 financial crisis to 5.8% of GDP in 2015, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy. The agricultural sector, which accounts for more than 40% of employment but less than one quarter of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming, because of a lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Complex tax codes and licensing requirements, a weak judicial system, endemic corruption, poor enforcement of contracts and property issues, and antiquated infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment making attracting foreign investment difficult. Since 2015, Albania has launched an ambitious program to increase tax compliance and bring more businesses into the formal economy. In July 2016, Albania passed constitutional amendments reforming the judicial system in order to strengthen the rule of law and to reduce deeply entrenched corruption. Albania’s electricity supply is uneven despite upgraded transmission capacities with neighboring countries. However, the government has recently taken steps to stem non-technical losses and has begun to upgrade the distribution grid. Better enforcement of electricity contracts has improved the financial viability of the sector, decreasing its reliance on budget support. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor road and rail networks, a long standing barrier to sustained economic growth. Inward foreign direct investment has increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The government is focused on the simplification of licensing requirements and tax codes, and it entered into a new arrangement with the IMF for additional financial and technical support. Albania’s three-year IMF program, an extended fund facility arrangement, was successfully concluded in February 2017. The Albanian Government has strengthened tax collection amid moderate public wage and pension increases in an effort to reduce its budget deficit. The country continues to face high public debt, exceeding its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013 and reaching 72% in 2016.Albania, a formerly closed, centrally planned state, is a developing country with a modern open-market economy. Albania managed to weather the first waves of the global financial crisis but, the negative effects of the crisis caused a significant economic slowdown. Since 2014, Albania’s economy has steadily improved and economic growth reached 3.8% in 2017. However, close trade, remittance, and banking sector ties with Greece and Italy make Albania vulnerable to spillover effects of possible debt crises and weak growth in the euro zone.Remittances, a significant catalyst for economic growth, declined from 12-15% of GDP before the 2008 financial crisis to 5.8% of GDP in 2015, mostly from Albanians residing in Greece and Italy. The agricultural sector, which accounts for more than 40% of employment but less than one quarter of GDP, is limited primarily to small family operations and subsistence farming, because of a lack of modern equipment, unclear property rights, and the prevalence of small, inefficient plots of land. Complex tax codes and licensing requirements, a weak judicial system, endemic corruption, poor enforcement of contracts and property issues, and antiquated infrastructure contribute to Albania's poor business environment making attracting foreign investment difficult. Since 2015, Albania has launched an ambitious program to increase tax compliance and bring more businesses into the formal economy. In July 2016, Albania passed constitutional amendments reforming the judicial system in order to strengthen the rule of law and to reduce deeply entrenched corruption.Albania’s electricity supply is uneven despite upgraded transmission capacities with neighboring countries. However, the government has recently taken steps to stem non-technical losses and has begun to upgrade the distribution grid. Better enforcement of electricity contracts has improved the financial viability of the sector, decreasing its reliance on budget support. Also, with help from international donors, the government is taking steps to improve the poor road and rail networks, a long standing barrier to sustained economic growth.Inward foreign direct investment has increased significantly in recent years as the government has embarked on an ambitious program to improve the business climate through fiscal and legislative reforms. The government is focused on the simplification of licensing requirements and tax codes, and it entered into a new arrangement with the IMF for additional financial and technical support. Albania’s three-year IMF program, an extended fund facility arrangement, was successfully concluded in February 2017. The Albanian Government has strengthened tax collection amid moderate public wage and pension increases in an effort to reduce its budget deficit. The country continues to face high public debt, exceeding its former statutory limit of 60% of GDP in 2013 and reaching 72% in 2016.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.73 billion (2020 est.)
$39.02 billion (2019 est.)
$38.19 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.24% (2019 est.)
4.07% (2018 est.)
3.8% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $13,300 (2020 est.)
$13,700 (2019 est.)
$13,300 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $15.273 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2019 est.)
2% (2018 est.)
1.9% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B1 (2007)
Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2016)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 21.7% (2017 est.)
industry: 24.2% (2017 est.)
services: 54.1% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 78.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 11.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 25.2% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0.2% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 31.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, maize, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, wheat, grapes, cucumbers, onions, apples
Industries: food; footwear, apparel and clothing; lumber, oil, cement, chemicals, mining, basic metals, hydropower
Industrial production growth rate: 6.8% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.104 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 41.4%
industry: 18.3%
services: 40.3% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.83% (2019 est.)
6.32% (2018 est.)
note: these official rates may not include those working at near-subsistence farming
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 27%
male: 27.8%
female: 25.9% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: 14.3% (2012 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.2 (2017 est.)
30 (2008 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 19.6% (2015 est.)
Budget: revenues: 3.614 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 3.874 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 71.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
73.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 27.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$908 million (2017 est.)
-$899 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $3.47 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$4.82 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$4.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Italy 45%, Spain 8%, Germany 6%, Greece 5%, France 4%, China 4% (2019)
Exports - commodities: leather footwear and parts, crude petroleum, iron alloys, clothing, electricity, perfumes (2019)
Imports: $5.67 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.93 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$6.85 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Italy 28%, Greece 12%, China 11%, Turkey 9%, Germany 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, tanned hides, packaged medical supplies, footwear parts (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.59 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$3.109 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $9.311 billion (2019 est.)
$9.547 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: leke (ALL) per US dollar -
102.43 (2020 est.)
111.36 (2019 est.)
108.57 (2018 est.)
125.96 (2014 est.)
105.48 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 2.531 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 6,527,980,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 963 million kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 3.239 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.054 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 99.4% 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: 9,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 119,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 110,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 522 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 16,100 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 26,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 10,500 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 5,638 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 3,250 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 26,660 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 42.05 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 42.05 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 5.692 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.794 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 235,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.482 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 78,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 38.442 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 223,469 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2,618,880 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 91 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Albania’s small telecom market has improved through signatory status of EU accession plan; EU financial aid will build infrastructure and enhance cooperation; operator committed €100 million to upgrade fixed-line infrastructure, supporting broadband services nationally; consistent with the region, fixed-line telephony use and penetration is declining as subscribers prefer mobile solutions; mobile sector is supported through LTE networks; operators have invested in 5G, including the intention to create a corridor with Kosovo; importer of broadcasting equipment from EU neighbors (2021)
domestic: fixed-line approximately 8 per 100, teledensity continues to decline due to heavy use of mobile-cellular telephone services; mobile-cellular telephone use is widespread and generally effective, 91 per 100 for mobile-cellular (2020)
international: country code - 355; submarine cables for the Adria 1 and Italy-Albania provide connectivity to Italy, Croatia, and Greece; a combination submarine cable and land fiber-optic system, provides additional connectivity to Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Turkey; international traffic carried by fiber-optic cable and, when necessary, by microwave radio relay from the Tirana exchange to Italy and Greece (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: Albania has more than 65 TV stations, including several that broadcast nationally; Albanian TV broadcasts are also available to Albanian-speaking populations in neighboring countries; many viewers have access to Italian and Greek TV broadcasts via terrestrial reception; Albania's TV stations have begun a government-mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcast; the government has pledged to provide analog-to-digital converters to low-income families affected by this decision; cable TV service is available; 2 public radio networks and roughly 78 private radio stations; several international broadcasters are available (2019)
Internet country code: .al
Internet users: total: 2,043,251 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 72% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 508,937 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 303,137 (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ZA
Airports: total: 3 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 498 km gas (a majority of the network is in disrepair and parts of it are missing), 249 km oil (2015)
Railways: total: 677 km (2015) (447 km of major railway lines and 230 km of secondary lines)
standard gauge: 677 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge
Roadways: total: 3,945 km (2018)
Waterways: 41 km (2011) (on the Bojana River)
Merchant marine: total: 70
by type: general cargo 47, oil tanker 1, other 22 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Durres, Sarande, Shengjin, Vlore
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Republic of Albania Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë (FARSH)): Land Forces, Navy Forces (includes Coast Guard), Air Forces
Ministry of Interior: Guard of the Republic, State Police (includes the Border and Migration Police) (2022)
note: the State Police are primarily responsible for internal security, while the Guard of the Republic protects senior state officials, foreign dignitaries, and certain state properties
Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.3% of GDP (2020)
1.5% of GDP (2019) (approximately $360 million)
1.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $330 million)
1.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $290 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,000 total active duty personnel (5,000 Army; 1,500 Navy; 500 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Albanian military was previously equipped with mostly Soviet-era weapons that were sold or destroyed; its inventory now includes a mix of mostly donated and second-hand European and US equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of equipment from France, Germany, and the US (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 19 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; 18 is the legal minimum age in case of general/partial compulsory mobilization; conscription abolished 2010 (2021)
note: as of 2020, women comprised about 14% of the military's full-time personnel, including 20% of the officers
Military - note: Albania became a member of NATO in 2009; as of 2022, Greece and Italy were providing NATO's air policing mission for Albania
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix T
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: nonenone
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 1,528 (mid-year 2021)
note: 11,827 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-January 2021)
Illicit drugs: active transshipment point for Albanian narco-trafficking organizations moving illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin from Turkey and countries in South America and Asia throughout Europe; significant source country for cannabis productionactive transshipment point for Albanian narco-trafficking organizations moving illicit drugs such as cocaine and heroin from Turkey and countries in South America and Asia throughout Europe; significant source country for cannabis production |
20220901 | field-national-anthem | A generally patriotic musical composition - usually in the form of a song or hymn of praise - that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions, or struggles of a nation or its people. National anthems can be officially recognized as a national song by a country's constitution or by an enacted law, or simply by tradition. Although most anthems contain lyrics, some do not.
Topic: Afghanistanname: "Milli Surood" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA
note: adopted 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups
Topic: Akrotirinote: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a UK area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Albanianame: "Hymni i Flamurit" (Hymn to the Flag)
lyrics/music: Aleksander Stavre DRENOVA/Ciprian PORUMBESCU
note: adopted 1912
Topic: Algerianame: "Kassaman" (We Pledge)
lyrics/music: Mufdi ZAKARIAH/Mohamed FAWZI
note: adopted 1962; ZAKARIAH wrote "Kassaman" as a poem while imprisoned in Algiers by French colonial forces
Topic: American Samoaname: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa)
lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA
note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Topic: Andorraname: "El Gran Carlemany" (The Great Charlemagne)
lyrics/music: Joan BENLLOCH i VIVO/Enric MARFANY BONS
note: adopted 1921; the anthem provides a brief history of Andorra in a first person narrative
Topic: Angolaname: "Angola Avante" (Forward Angola)
lyrics/music: Manuel Rui Alves MONTEIRO/Rui Alberto Vieira Dias MINGAO
note: adopted 1975
Topic: Anguillaname: "God Bless Anguilla"
lyrics/music: Alex RICHARDSON
note: local anthem adopted 1981; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Antigua and Barbudaname: 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)
Topic: Argentinaname: "Himno Nacional Argentino" (Argentine National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Vicente LOPEZ y PLANES/Jose Blas PARERA
note: adopted 1813; Vicente LOPEZ was inspired to write the anthem after watching a play about the 1810 May Revolution against Spain
Topic: Armenianame: "Mer Hayrenik" (Our Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN
note: adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics
Topic: Arubaname: "Aruba Deshi Tera" (Aruba Precious Country)
lyrics/music: Juan Chabaya 'Padu' LAMPE/Rufo Inocencio WEVER
note: local anthem adopted 1986; as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, "Het Wilhelmus" is official (see Netherlands)
Topic: Australianame: Advance Australia Fair
lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK
note 1: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not used for all official occasions until 1984; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
note 2: the well-known and much-loved bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda" is often referred to as Australia's unofficial national anthem; the original lyrics were written in 1895 by Australian poet Banjo PATERSON, and were first published as sheet music in 1903; since 2012, a Waltzing Matilda Day has been held annually on 6 April, the anniversary of the first performance of the song in 1895
Topic: Austrianame: "Bundeshymne" (Federal Hymn)
lyrics/music: Paula von PRERADOVIC/Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART or Johann HOLZER (disputed)
note 1: adopted 1947; the anthem is also known as "Land der Berge, Land am Strome" (Land of the Mountains, Land by the River); Austria adopted a new national anthem after World War II to replace the former imperial anthem composed by Franz Josef HAYDN, which had been appropriated by Germany in 1922 and was thereafter associated with the Nazi regime; a gendered version of the lyrics was adopted by the Austrian Federal Assembly in fall 2011 and became effective 1 January 2012
note 2: the beloved waltz "The Blue Danube" ("An der schoenen, blauen Donau"), composed in 1866 by the Austrian composer Johann STRAUSS II, is consistently referred to as Austria's unofficial national anthem
Topic: Azerbaijanname: "Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan)
lyrics/music: Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV
note: adopted 1992; although originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, "Azerbaijan Marsi" did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
Topic: Bahamas, Thename: "March On, Bahamaland!"
lyrics/music: Timothy GIBSON
note: adopted 1973; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Bahrainname: "Bahrainona" (Our Bahrain)
lyrics/music: unknown
note: adopted 1971; although Mohamed Sudqi AYYASH wrote the original lyrics, they were changed in 2002 following the transformation of Bahrain from an emirate to a kingdom
Topic: Bangladeshname: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)
lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE
note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem
Topic: Barbadosname: "The National Anthem of Barbados"
lyrics/music: Irving BURGIE/C. Van Roland EDWARDS
note: adopted 1966; the anthem is also known as "In Plenty and In Time of Need"
Topic: Belarusname: "My, Bielarusy" (We Belarusians)
lyrics/music: Mikhas KLIMKOVICH and Uladzimir KARYZNA/Nester SAKALOUSKI
note: music adopted 1955, lyrics adopted 2002; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Belarus kept the music of its Soviet-era anthem but adopted new lyrics; also known as "Dziarzauny himn Respubliki Bielarus" (State Anthem of the Republic of Belarus)
Topic: Belgiumname: "La Brabanconne" (The Song of Brabant)
lyrics/music: Louis-Alexandre DECHET[French] Victor CEULEMANS [Dutch]/Francois VAN CAMPENHOUT
note: adopted 1830; according to legend, Louis-Alexandre DECHET, an actor at the theater in which the revolution against the Netherlands began, wrote the lyrics with a group of young people in a Brussels cafe
Topic: Belizename: Land of the Free
lyrics/music: Samuel Alfred HAYNES/Selwyn Walford YOUNG
note: adopted 1981; as a Commonwealth country, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Beninname: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)
lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON
note: adopted 1960
Topic: Bermudaname: Hail to Bermuda
lyrics/music: Bette JOHNS
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Bhutanname: "Druk tsendhen" (The Thunder Dragon Kingdom)
lyrics/music: Gyaldun Dasho Thinley DORJI/Aku TONGMI
note: adopted 1953
Topic: Bolivianame: "Cancion Patriotica" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music: Jose Ignacio de SANJINES/Leopoldo Benedetto VINCENTI
note: adopted 1852
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaname: "Drzavna himna Bosne i Hercegovine" (The National Anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina)
lyrics/music: none officially; Dusan SESTIC and Benjamin ISOVIC/Dusan SESTIC
note: music adopted 1999; lyrics proposed in 2009 and others in 2016 were not approved; a parliamentary committee launched a new initiative for lyrics in February 2018
Topic: Botswananame: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
note: adopted 1966
Topic: Brazilname: "Hino Nacional Brasileiro" (Brazilian National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Joaquim Osorio Duque ESTRADA/Francisco Manoel DA SILVA
note: music adopted 1890, lyrics adopted 1922; the anthem's music, composed in 1822, was used unofficially for many years before it was adopted
Topic: British Virgin Islandsnote: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Bruneiname: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty)
lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap
note: adopted 1951
Topic: Bulgarianame: "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
Topic: Burkina Fasoname: "Le Ditanye" (Anthem of Victory)
lyrics/music: Thomas SANKARA
note: adopted 1974; also known as "Une Seule Nuit" (One Single Night); written by the country's former president, an avid guitar player
Topic: Burmaname: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World, Myanmar)
lyrics/music: SAYA TIN
note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-European nations that have anthems rooted in indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before transitioning into a Western-style orchestrated work
Topic: Burundiname: "Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)
lyrics/music: Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO
note: adopted 1962
Topic: Cabo Verdename: "Cantico da Liberdade" (Song of Freedom)
lyrics/music: Amilcar Spencer LOPES/Adalberto Higino Tavares SILVA
note: adopted 1996
Topic: Cambodianame: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)
lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL
note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime
Topic: Cameroonname: "O Cameroun, Berceau de nos Ancetres" (O Cameroon, Cradle of Our Forefathers)
lyrics/music: Rene Djam AFAME, Samuel Minkio BAMBA, Moise Nyatte NKO'O [French], Benard Nsokika FONLON [English]/Rene Djam AFAME
note: adopted 1957; Cameroon's anthem, also known as "Chant de Ralliement" (The Rallying Song), has been used unofficially since 1948 and officially adopted in 1957; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ
Topic: Canadaname: "O Canada"
lyrics/music: Adolphe-Basile ROUTHIER [French], Robert Stanley WEIR [English]/Calixa LAVALLEE
note: adopted 1980; originally written in 1880, "O Canada" served as an unofficial anthem many years before its official adoption; the anthem has French and English versions whose lyrics differ; as a Commonwealth realm, in addition to the national anthem, "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Cayman Islandsname: "Beloved Isle Cayman"
lyrics/music: Leila E. ROSS
note: adopted 1993; served as an unofficial anthem since 1930; as a territory of the United Kingdom, in addition to the local anthem, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Central African Republicname: "La Renaissance" (The Renaissance)
lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER
note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA wrote the anthem's lyrics and was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory
Topic: Chadname: "La Tchadienne" (The Chadian)
lyrics/music: Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD
note: adopted 1960
Topic: Chilename: "Himno Nacional de Chile" (National Anthem of Chile)
lyrics/music: Eusebio LILLO Robles and Bernardo DE VERA y Pintado/Ramon CARNICER y Battle
note: music adopted 1828, original lyrics adopted 1818, adapted lyrics adopted 1847; under Augusto PINOCHET's military rule, a verse glorifying the army was added; however, as a protest, some citizens refused to sing this verse; it was removed when democracy was restored in 1990
Topic: Chinaname: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers)
lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er
note: adopted 1949; the anthem, though banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as "Zhongguo Guoge" (Chinese National Song); it was originally the theme song to the 1935 Chinese movie, "Sons and Daughters in a Time of Storm"
Topic: Christmas Islandnote: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnote: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)note: as a territory of Australia, "Advance Australia Fair" remains official as the national anthem, while "God Save the Queen" serves as the royal anthem (see Australia)
Topic: Colombianame: "Himno Nacional de la Republica de Colombia" (National Anthem of the Republic of Colombia)
lyrics/music: Rafael NUNEZ/Oreste SINDICI
note: adopted 1920; the anthem was created from an inspirational poem written by President Rafael NUNEZ
Topic: Comorosname: "Udzima wa ya Masiwa" (The Union of the Great Islands)
lyrics/music: Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE/Said Hachim SIDI ABDEREMANE and Kamildine ABDALLAH
note: adopted 1978
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thename: "Debout Congolaise" (Arise Congolese)
lyrics/music: Joseph LUTUMBA/Simon-Pierre BOKA di Mpasi Londi
note: adopted 1960; replaced when the country was known as Zaire; but readopted in 1997
Topic: Congo, Republic of thename: "La Congolaise" (The Congolese)
lyrics/music: Jacques TONDRA and Georges KIBANGHI/Jean ROYER and Joseph SPADILIERE
note: originally adopted 1959, restored 1991
Topic: Cook Islandsname: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty)
lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS
note: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; his wife, a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics
Topic: Costa Ricaname: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)
lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903
Topic: Cote d'Ivoirename: "L'Abidjanaise" (Song of Abidjan)
lyrics/music: Mathieu EKRA, Joachim BONY, and Pierre Marie COTY/Pierre Marie COTY and Pierre Michel PANGO
note: adopted 1960; although the nation's capital city moved from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro in 1983, the anthem still owes its name to the former capital
Topic: Croatianame: "Lijepa nasa domovino" (Our Beautiful Homeland)
lyrics/music: Antun MIHANOVIC/Josip RUNJANIN
note: adopted in 1972 while still part of Yugoslavia; "Lijepa nasa domovino," whose lyrics were written in 1835, served as an unofficial anthem beginning in 1891
Topic: Cubaname: "La Bayamesa" (The Bayamo Song)
lyrics/music: Pedro FIGUEREDO
note: adopted 1940; Pedro FIGUEREDO first performed "La Bayamesa" in 1868 during the Ten Years War against the Spanish; a leading figure in the uprising, FIGUEREDO was captured in 1870 and executed by a firing squad; just prior to the fusillade he is reputed to have shouted, "Morir por la Patria es vivir" (To die for the country is to live), a line from the anthem
Topic: Curacaoname: "Himmo di Korsou" (Anthem of Curacao)
lyrics/music: Guillermo ROSARIO, Mae HENRIQUEZ, Enrique MULLER, Betty DORAN/Frater Candidus NOWENS, Errol "El Toro" COLINA
note: adapted 1978; the lyrics, originally written in 1899, were rewritten in 1978 to make them less colonial in nature
Topic: Cyprusname: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty)
lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS
note: adopted 1960; Cyprus adopted the Greek national anthem as its own; the Turkish Cypriot community in Cyprus uses the anthem of Turkey
Topic: Czechianame: "Kde domov muj?" (Where is My Home?)
lyrics/music: Josef Kajetan TYL/Frantisek Jan SKROUP
note: adopted 1993; the anthem was originally written as incidental music to the play "Fidlovacka" (1834), it soon became very popular as an unofficial anthem of the Czech nation; its first verse served as the official Czechoslovak anthem beginning in 1918, while the second verse (Slovak) was dropped after the split of Czechoslovakia in 1993
Topic: Denmarkname: "Der er et yndigt land" (There is a Lovely Country); "Kong Christian" (King Christian)
lyrics/music: Adam Gottlob OEHLENSCHLAGER/Hans Ernst KROYER; Johannes EWALD/unknown
note: Denmark has two national anthems with equal status; "Der er et yndigt land," adopted 1844, is a national anthem, while "Kong Christian," adopted 1780, serves as both a national and royal anthem; "Kong Christian" is also known as "Kong Christian stod ved hojen mast" (King Christian Stood by the Lofty Mast) and "Kongesangen" (The King's Anthem); within Denmark, the royal anthem is played only when royalty is present and is usually followed by the national anthem; when royalty is not present, only the national anthem is performed; outside Denmark, the royal anthem is played, unless the national anthem is requested
Topic: Dhekelianote: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a United Kingdom area of special sovereignty, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Djiboutiname: "Jabuuti" (Djibouti)
lyrics/music: Aden ELMI/Abdi ROBLEH
note: adopted 1977
Topic: Dominicaname: "Isle of Beauty"
lyrics/music: Wilfred Oscar Morgan POND/Lemuel McPherson CHRISTIAN
note: adopted 1967
Topic: Dominican Republicname: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES
note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island
Topic: Ecuadorname: "Salve, Oh Patria!" (We Salute You, Our Homeland)
lyrics/music: Juan Leon MERA/Antonio NEUMANE
note: adopted 1948; Juan Leon MERA wrote the lyrics in 1865; only the chorus and second verse are sung
Topic: Egyptname: "Bilady, Bilady, Bilady" (My Homeland, My Homeland, My Homeland)
lyrics/music: Younis-al QADI/Sayed DARWISH
note: adopted 1979; the current anthem, less militaristic than the previous one, was created after the signing of the 1979 peace treaty with Israel; Sayed DARWISH, commonly considered the father of modern Egyptian music, composed the anthem
Topic: El Salvadorname: "Himno Nacional de El Salvador" (National Anthem of El Salvador)
lyrics/music: Juan Jose CANAS/Juan ABERLE
note: officially adopted 1953, in use since 1879; at 4:20 minutes, the anthem of El Salvador is one of the world's longest
Topic: Equatorial Guineaname: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)
lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)
note: adopted 1968
Topic: Eritreaname: "Ertra, Ertra, Ertra" (Eritrea, Eritrea, Eritrea)
lyrics/music: SOLOMON Tsehaye Beraki/Isaac Abraham MEHAREZGI and ARON Tekle Tesfatsion
note: adopted 1993; upon independence from Ethiopia
Topic: Estonianame: "Mu isamaa, mu onn ja room" (My Native Land, My Pride and Joy)
lyrics/music: Johann Voldemar JANNSEN/Fredrik PACIUS
note: adopted 1920, though banned between 1940 and 1990 under Soviet occupation; the anthem, used in Estonia since 1869, shares the same melody as Finland's but has different lyrics
Topic: Eswatininame: "Nkulunkulu Mnikati wetibusiso temaSwati" (Oh God, Bestower of the Blessings of the Swazi)
lyrics/music: Andrease Enoke Fanyana SIMELANE/David Kenneth RYCROFT
note: adopted 1968; uses elements of both ethnic Swazi and Western music styles
Topic: Ethiopianame: "Whedefit Gesgeshi Woud Enat Ethiopia" (March Forward, Dear Mother Ethiopia)
lyrics/music: DEREJE Melaku Mengesha/SOLOMON Lulu
note: adopted 1992
Topic: European Unionname: "Ode to Joy"
lyrics/music: no lyrics/Ludwig VAN BEETHOVEN, arranged by Herbert VON KARAJAN
note: official EU anthem since 1985; the anthem is meant to represent all of Europe rather than just the organization, conveying ideas of peace, freedom, and unity
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)name: "Song of the Falklands"
lyrics/music: Christopher LANHAM
note: adopted 1930s; the song is the local unofficial anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Faroe Islandsname: "Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
lyrics/music: Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
note: adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted their own national anthem
Topic: Fijiname: "God Bless Fiji"
lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT)
note: adopted 1970; known in Fijian as "Meda Dau Doka" (Let Us Show Pride); adapted from the hymn, "Dwelling in Beulah Land," the anthem's English lyrics are generally sung, although they differ in meaning from the official Fijian lyrics
Topic: Finlandname: "Maamme" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Johan Ludvig RUNEBERG/Fredrik PACIUS
note: in use since 1848; although never officially adopted by law, the anthem has been popular since it was first sung by a student group in 1848; Estonia's anthem uses the same melody as that of Finland
Topic: Francename: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille)
lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle
note: adopted 1795, restored 1870; originally known as "Chant de Guerre pour l'Armee du Rhin" (War Song for the Army of the Rhine), the National Guard of Marseille made the song famous by singing it while marching into Paris in 1792 during the French Revolutionary Wars
Topic: French Polynesianame: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui)
lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI, and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN (the compositional group created both the lyrics and music)
note: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsnote: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: Gabonname: "La Concorde" (The Concorde)
lyrics/music: Georges Aleka DAMAS
note: adopted 1960
Topic: Gambia, Thename: "For The Gambia, Our Homeland"
lyrics/music: Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE
note: adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"
Topic: Georgianame: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty)
lyrics/music: Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)
note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted
Topic: Germanyname: "Das Lied der Deutschen" (Song of the Germans)
lyrics/music: August Heinrich HOFFMANN VON FALLERSLEBEN/Franz Joseph HAYDN
note: adopted 1922; the anthem, also known as "Deutschlandlied" (Song of Germany), was originally adopted for its connection to the March 1848 liberal revolution; following appropriation by the Nazis of the first verse, specifically the phrase, "Deutschland, Deutschland ueber alles" (Germany, Germany above all) to promote nationalism, it was banned after 1945; in 1952, its third verse was adopted by West Germany as its national anthem; in 1990, it became the national anthem for the reunited Germany
Topic: Ghananame: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana"
lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO
note: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup
Topic: Gibraltarname: "Gibraltar Anthem"
lyrics/music: Peter EMBERLEY
note: adopted 1994; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the United Kingdom, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Greecename: "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty)
lyrics/music: Dionysios SOLOMOS/Nikolaos MANTZAROS
note: adopted 1864; the anthem is based on a 158-stanza poem by the same name, which was inspired by the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottomans (only the first two stanzas are used); Cyprus also uses "Hymn to Liberty" as its anthem
Topic: Greenlandname: "Nunarput utoqqarsuanngoravit" (Our Country, Who's Become So Old also translated as You Our Ancient Land)
lyrics/music: Henrik LUND/Jonathan PETERSEN
note: adopted 1916; the government also recognizes "Nuna asiilasooq" as a secondary anthem
Topic: Grenadaname: "Hail Grenada"
lyrics/music: Irva Merle BAPTISTE/Louis Arnold MASANTO
note: adopted 1974
Topic: Guamname: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand Ye Guamanians)
lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN
note: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn"; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner," which generally follows the playing of "Stand Ye Guamanians," is official (see United States)
Topic: Guatemalaname: "Himno Nacional de Guatemala" (National Anthem of Guatemala)
lyrics/music: Jose Joaquin PALMA/Rafael Alvarez OVALLE
note: adopted 1897, modified lyrics adopted 1934; Cuban poet Jose Joaquin PALMA anonymously submitted lyrics to a public contest calling for a national anthem; his authorship was not discovered until 1911
Topic: Guernseyname: "Sarnia Cherie" (Guernsey Dear)
lyrics/music: George DEIGHTON/Domencio SANTANGELO
note: adopted 1911; serves as a local anthem; as a British crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Guineaname: "Liberte" (Liberty)
lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA
note: adopted 1958
Topic: Guinea-Bissauname: "Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada" (This Is Our Beloved Country)
lyrics/music: Amilcar Lopes CABRAL/XIAO He
note: adopted 1974; a delegation from then Portuguese Guinea visited China in 1963 and heard music by XIAO He; Amilcar Lopes CABRAL, the leader of Guinea-Bissau's independence movement, asked the composer to create a piece that would inspire his people to struggle for independence
Topic: Guyananame: "Dear Land of Guyana, of Rivers and Plains"
lyrics/music: Archibald Leonard LUKERL/Robert Cyril Gladstone POTTER
note: adopted 1966
Topic: Haitiname: "La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song)
lyrics/music: Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD
note: adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti
Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)name: "Inno e Marcia Pontificale" (Hymn and Pontifical March); often called The Pontifical Hymn
lyrics/music: Raffaello LAVAGNA/Charles-Francois GOUNOD
note: adopted 1950
Topic: Hondurasname: "Himno Nacional de Honduras" (National Anthem of Honduras)
lyrics/music: Augusto Constancio COELLO/Carlos HARTLING
note: adopted 1915; the anthem's seven verses chronicle Honduran history; on official occasions, only the chorus and last verse are sung
Topic: Hong Kongnote: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)
Topic: Hungaryname: "Himnusz" (Hymn)
lyrics/music: Ferenc KOLCSEY/Ferenc ERKEL
note: adopted 1844
Topic: Icelandname: "Lofsongur" (Song of Praise)
lyrics/music: Matthias JOCHUMSSON/Sveinbjorn SVEINBJORNSSON
note: adopted 1944; also known as "O, Gud vors lands" (O, God of Our Land), the anthem was originally written and performed in 1874
Topic: Indianame: "Jana-Gana-Mana" (Thou Art the Ruler of the Minds of All People)
lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE
note: adopted 1950; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote Bangladesh's national anthem
Topic: Indonesianame: "Indonesia Raya" (Great Indonesia)
lyrics/music: Wage Rudolf SOEPRATMAN
note: adopted 1945
Topic: Iranname: "Soroud-e Melli-ye Jomhouri-ye Eslami-ye Iran" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran)
lyrics/music: multiple authors/Hassan RIAHI
note 1: adopted 1990; Iran has had six national anthems; the first, entitled "Salam-e Shah" (Royal Salute) was in use from 1873-1909; next came "Salamati-ye Dowlat-e Elliye-ye Iran" (Salute of the Sublime State of Persia, 1909-1933); it was followed by "Sorud-e melli" (The Imperial Anthem of Iran; 1933-1979), which chronicled the exploits of the Pahlavi Dynasty; "Ey Iran" (Oh Iran) functioned unofficially as the national anthem for a brief period between the ouster of the Shah in 1979 and the early days of the Islamic Republic in 1980; "Payandeh Bada Iran" (Long Live Iran) was used between 1980 and 1990 during the time of Ayatollah KHOMEINI
note 2: a recording of the current Iranian national anthem is unavailable since the US Navy Band does not record anthems for countries from which the US does not anticipate official visits; the US does not have diplomatic relations with Iran
Topic: Iraqname: "Mawtini" (My Homeland)
lyrics/music: Ibrahim TOUQAN/Mohammad FLAYFEL
note: adopted 2004; following the ouster of SADDAM Husayn, Iraq adopted "Mawtini," a popular folk song throughout the Arab world; also serves as an unofficial anthem of the Palestinian people
Topic: Irelandname: "Amhran na bhFiann" (The Soldier's Song)
lyrics/music: Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
note: adopted 1926; instead of "Amhran na bhFiann," the song "Ireland's Call" is often used at athletic events where citizens of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team
Topic: Isle of Manname: "Arrane Ashoonagh dy Vannin" (O Land of Our Birth)
lyrics/music: William Henry GILL [English], John J. KNEEN [Manx]/traditional
note: adopted 2003, in use since 1907; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom) and is played when the sovereign, members of the royal family, or the lieutenant governor are present
Topic: Israelname: "Hatikvah" (The Hope)
lyrics/music: Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN
note: adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)
Topic: Italyname: "Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians)
lyrics/music: Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO
note: adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy)
Topic: Jamaicaname: "Jamaica, Land We Love"
lyrics/music: Hugh Braham SHERLOCK/Robert Charles LIGHTBOURNE
note: adopted 1962
Topic: Japanname: "Kimigayo" (The Emperor's Reign)
lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI
note: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; there is some opposition to the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor
Topic: Jerseyname: "Isle de Siez Nous" (Island Home)
lyrics/music: Gerard LE FEUVRE
note: adopted 2008; serves as a local anthem; as a British Crown dependency, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Jordanname: "As-salam al-malaki al-urdoni" (Long Live the King of Jordan)
lyrics/music: Abdul-Mone'm al-RIFAI'/Abdul-Qader al-TANEER
note: adopted 1946; the shortened version of the anthem is used most commonly, while the full version is reserved for special occasions
Topic: Kazakhstanname: "Menin Qazaqstanim" (My Kazakhstan)
lyrics/music: Zhumeken NAZHIMEDENOV and Nursultan NAZARBAYEV/Shamshi KALDAYAKOV
note: adopted 2006; President Nursultan NAZARBAYEV played a role in revising the lyrics
Topic: Kenyaname: "Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu" (Oh God of All Creation)
lyrics/music: Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE/traditional, adapted by Graham HYSLOP, Thomas KALUME, Peter KIBUKOSYA, Washington OMONDI, and George W. SENOGA-ZAKE
note: adopted 1963; based on a traditional Kenyan folk song
Topic: Kiribatiname: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati)
lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA
note: adopted 1979
Topic: Korea, Northname: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun
note: adopted 1947; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine)
Topic: Korea, Southname: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay
note: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics
Topic: Kosovoname: Europe
lyrics/music: no lyrics/Mendi MENGJIQI
note: adopted 2008; Kosovo chose to exclude lyrics in its anthem so as not to offend the country's minority ethnic groups
Topic: Kuwaitname: "Al-Nasheed Al-Watani" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Ahmad MUSHARI al-Adwani/Ibrahim Nasir al-SOULA
note: adopted 1978; the anthem is only used on formal occasions
Topic: Kyrgyzstanname: "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)
lyrics/music: Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV
note: adopted 1992
Topic: Laosname: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit
note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975 Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
Topic: Latvianame: "Dievs, sveti Latviju!" (God Bless Latvia)
lyrics/music: Karlis BAUMANIS
note: adopted 1920, restored 1990; first performed in 1873 while Latvia was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Topic: Lebanonname: "Kulluna lil-watan" (All Of Us, For Our Country!)
lyrics/music: Rachid NAKHLE/Wadih SABRA
note: adopted 1927; chosen following a nationwide competition
Topic: Lesothoname: "Lesotho fatse la bo ntat'a rona" (Lesotho, Land of Our Fathers)
lyrics/music: Francois COILLARD/Ferdinand-Samuel LAUR
note: adopted 1967; music derives from an 1823 Swiss songbook
Topic: Liberianame: "All Hail, Liberia Hail!"
lyrics/music: Daniel Bashiel WARNER/Olmstead LUCA
note: lyrics adopted 1847, music adopted 1860; the anthem's author later became the third president of Liberia
Topic: Libyaname: "Libya, Libya, Libya"
lyrics/music: Al Bashir AL AREBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
note: also known as "Ya Beladi" or "Oh, My Country!"; adopted 1951; readopted 2011 with some modification to the lyrics; during the QADHAFI years between 1969 and 2011, the anthem was "Allahu Akbar," (God is Great) a marching song of the Egyptian Army in the 1956 Suez War
Topic: Liechtensteinname: "Oben am jungen Rhein" (High Above the Young Rhine)
lyrics/music: Jakob Joseph JAUCH/Josef FROMMELT
note: adopted 1850, revised 1963; uses the tune of "God Save the Queen"
Topic: Lithuanianame: "Tautiska giesme" (The National Song)
lyrics/music: Vincas KUDIRKA
note: adopted 1918, restored 1990; written in 1898 while Lithuania was a part of Russia; banned during the Soviet occupation from 1940 to 1990
Topic: Luxembourgname: "Ons Heemecht" (Our Motherland); "De Wilhelmus" (The William)
lyrics/music: Michel LENTZ/Jean-Antoine ZINNEN; Nikolaus WELTER/unknown
note: "Ons Heemecht," adopted 1864, is the national anthem, while "De Wilhelmus," adopted 1919, serves as a royal anthem for use when members of the grand ducal family enter or exit a ceremony in Luxembourg
Topic: Macaunote: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)note: as a Special Administrative Region of China, "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" is the official anthem (see China)
Topic: Madagascarname: "Ry Tanindraza nay malala o" (Oh, Our Beloved Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Pasteur RAHAJASON/Norbert RAHARISOA
note: adopted 1959
Topic: Malawiname: "Mulungu dalitsa Malawi" (Oh God Bless Our Land of Malawi)
lyrics/music: Michael-Fredrick Paul SAUKA
note: adopted 1964
Topic: Malaysianame: "Negaraku" (My Country)
lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER
note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie," was originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13 states
Topic: Maldivesname: "Gaumee Salaam" (National Salute)
lyrics/music: Mohamed Jameel DIDI/Wannakuwattawaduge DON AMARADEVA
note: lyrics adopted 1948, music adopted 1972; between 1948 and 1972, the lyrics were sung to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne"
Topic: Maliname: "Le Mali" (Mali)
lyrics/music: Seydou Badian KOUYATE/Banzoumana SISSOKO
note: adopted 1962; also known as "Pour L'Afrique et pour toi, Mali" (For Africa and for You, Mali) and "A ton appel Mali" (At Your Call, Mali)
Topic: Maltaname: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem)
lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT
note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer
Topic: Marshall Islandsname: "Forever Marshall Islands"
lyrics/music: Amata KABUA
note: adopted 1981
Topic: Mauritanianame: "Hymne National de la Republique Islamique de Mauritanie" (National Anthem of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania)
lyrics/music: Baba Ould CHEIKH/traditional, arranged by Tolia NIKIPROWETZKY
note: adopted 1960; the unique rhythm of the Mauritanian anthem makes it particularly challenging to sing; Mauritania in November 2017 adopted a new national anthem, "Bilada-l ubati-l hudati-l kiram" (The Country of Fatherhood is the Honorable Gift) composed by Rageh Daoud (sound file of the new anthem is forthcoming)
Topic: Mauritiusname: "Motherland"
lyrics/music: Jean Georges PROSPER/Philippe GENTIL
note: adopted 1968
Topic: Mexiconame: "Himno Nacional Mexicano" (National Anthem of Mexico)
lyrics/music: Francisco Gonzalez BOCANEGRA/Jaime Nuno ROCA
note: adopted 1943, in use since 1854; also known as "Mexicanos, al grito de Guerra" (Mexicans, to the War Cry); according to tradition, Francisco Gonzalez BOCANEGRA, an accomplished poet, was uninterested in submitting lyrics to a national anthem contest; his fiancee locked him in a room and refused to release him until the lyrics were completed
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofname: "Patriots of Micronesia"
lyrics/music: unknown/August Daniel BINZER
note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes BRAHMS' "Festival Overture" and Gustav MAHLER's "Third Symphony"
Topic: Moldovaname: "Limba noastra" (Our Language)
lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA
note: adopted 1994
Topic: Monaconame: "A Marcia de Muneghu" (The March of Monaco)
lyrics/music: Louis NOTARI/Charles ALBRECHT
note: music adopted 1867, lyrics adopted 1931; although French is commonly spoken, only the Monegasque lyrics are official; the French version is known as "Hymne Monegasque" (Monegasque Anthem); the words are generally only sung on official occasions
Topic: Mongolianame: "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia)
lyrics/music: Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ
note: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions
Topic: Montenegroname: "Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May)
lyrics/music: Sekula DRLJEVIC/unknown, arranged by Zarko MIKOVIC
note: adopted 2004; music based on a Montenegrin folk song
Topic: Montserratnote: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Morocconame: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif)
lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN
note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970
Topic: Mozambiquename: "Patria Amada" (Lovely Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Salomao J. MANHICA/unknown
note: adopted 2002
Topic: Namibianame: "Namibia, Land of the Brave"
lyrics/music: Axali DOESEB
note: adopted 1991
Topic: Nauruname: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru)
lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS
note: adopted 1968
Topic: Nepalname: "Sayaun Thunga Phool Ka" (Hundreds of Flowers)
lyrics/music: Pradeep Kumar RAI/Ambar GURUNG
note: adopted 2007; after the abolition of the monarchy in 2006, a new anthem was required because of the previous anthem's praise for the king
Topic: Netherlandsname: "Het Wilhelmus" (The William)
lyrics/music: Philips VAN MARNIX van Sint Aldegonde (presumed)/unknown
note: adopted 1932, in use since the 17th century, making it the oldest national anthem in the world; also known as "Wilhelmus van Nassouwe" (William of Nassau), it is in the form of an acrostic, where the first letter of each stanza spells the name of the leader of the Dutch Revolt
Topic: New Caledonianame: "Soyons unis, devenons freres" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers)
lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir)
note: adopted 2008; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (an indigenous language); as a self-governing territory of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: New Zealandname: "God Defend New Zealand"
lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS
note: adopted 1940 as national song, adopted 1977 as co-national anthem; New Zealand has two national anthems with equal status; as a commonwealth realm, in addition to "God Defend New Zealand," "God Save the Queen" serves as a national anthem (see United Kingdom); "God Save the Queen" normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present; in all other cases, "God Defend New Zealand" is played
Topic: Nicaraguaname: "Salve a ti, Nicaragua" (Hail to Thee, Nicaragua)
lyrics/music: Salomon Ibarra MAYORGA/traditional, arranged by Luis Abraham DELGADILLO
note: although only officially adopted in 1971, the music was approved in 1918 and the lyrics in 1939; the tune, originally from Spain, was used as an anthem for Nicaragua from the 1830s until 1876
Topic: Nigername: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien)
lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
note: adopted 1961
Topic: Nigerianame: "Arise Oh Compatriots, Nigeria's Call Obey"
lyrics/music: John A. ILECHUKWU, Eme Etim AKPAN, B.A. OGUNNAIKE, Sotu OMOIGUI and P.O. ADERIBIGBE/Benedict Elide ODIASE
note: adopted 1978; lyrics are a mixture of the five top entries in a national contest
Topic: Niuename: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven)
lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA
note: adopted 1974
Topic: Norfolk Islandname: "Come Ye Blessed"
lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT
note: the local anthem, whose lyrics consist of the words from Matthew 25:34-36, 40, is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" the island does not recognize "Advance Australia Fair" (which other Australian territories use); instead "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: North Macedonianame: "Denes nad Makedonija" (Today Over Macedonia)
lyrics/music: Vlado MALESKI/Todor SKALOVSKI
note: written in 1943 and adopted in 1991, the song previously served as the anthem of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia while part of Yugoslavia
Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsname: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea)
lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHORN
note: adopted 1996; the Carolinian version of the song is known as "Satil Matawal Pacifico;" as a commonwealth of the US, in addition to the local anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Topic: Norwayname: "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" (Yes, We Love This Country)
lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Bjornstjerne BJORNSON/Rikard NORDRAAK
note: adopted 1864; in addition to the national anthem, "Kongesangen" (Song of the King), which uses the tune of "God Save the Queen," serves as the royal anthem
Topic: Omanname: "Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani" (The Sultan's Anthem)
lyrics/music: Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
note: adopted 1932; new lyrics written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his ship visit
Topic: Pakistanname: "Qaumi Tarana" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez JULLANDHURI/Ahmed Ghulamali CHAGLA
note: adopted 1954; also known as "Pak sarzamin shad bad" (Blessed Be the Sacred Land)
Topic: Palauname: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau)
lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL
note: adopted 1980
Topic: Panamaname: "Himno Istmeno" (Isthmus Hymn)
lyrics/music: Jeronimo DE LA OSSA/Santos A. JORGE
note: adopted 1925
Topic: Papua New Guineaname: "O Arise All You Sons"
lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY
note: adopted 1975
Topic: Paraguayname: "Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!" (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed
note: adopted 1934, in use since 1846; officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934
Topic: Peruname: "Himno Nacional del Peru" (National Anthem of Peru)
lyrics/music: Jose DE LA TORRE Ugarte/Jose Bernardo ALZEDO
note: adopted 1822; the song won a national anthem contest
Topic: Philippinesname: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land)
lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA de Leon)/Julian FELIPE
note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; although the original lyrics were written in Spanish, later English and Filipino versions were created; today, only the Filipino version is used
Topic: Pitcairn Islandsname: "We From Pitcairn Island"
lyrics/music: unknown/Frederick M. LEHMAN
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Polandname: "Mazurek Dabrowskiego" (Dabrowski's Mazurka)
lyrics/music: Jozef WYBICKI/traditional
note: adopted 1927; the anthem, commonly known as "Jeszcze Polska nie zginela" (Poland Has Not Yet Perished), was written in 1797; the lyrics resonate strongly with Poles because they reflect the numerous occasions in which the nation's lands have been occupied
Topic: Portugalname: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)
lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL
note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event
Topic: Puerto Riconame: "La Borinquena" (The Puerto Rican)
lyrics/music: Manuel Fernandez JUNCOS/Felix Astol ARTES
note: music adopted 1952, lyrics adopted 1977; the local anthem's name is a reference to the indigenous name of the island, Borinquen; the music was originally composed as a dance in 1867 and gained popularity in the early 20th century; there is some evidence that the music was written by Francisco RAMIREZ; as a commonwealth of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Topic: Qatarname: "Al-Salam Al-Amiri" (The Amiri Salute)
lyrics/music: Sheikh MUBARAK bin Saif al-Thani/Abdul Aziz Nasser OBAIDAN
note: adopted 1996; anthem first performed that year at a meeting of the Gulf Cooperative Council hosted by Qatar
Topic: Romanianame: "Desteapta-te romane!" (Wake up, Romanian!)
lyrics/music: Andrei MURESIANU/Anton PANN
note: adopted 1990; the anthem was written during the 1848 Revolution
Topic: Russianame: "Gimn Rossiyskoy Federatsii" (National Anthem of the Russian Federation)
lyrics/music: Sergey Vladimirovich MIKHALKOV/Aleksandr Vasilyevich ALEKSANDROV
note: in 2000, Russia adopted the tune of the anthem of the former Soviet Union (composed in 1939); the lyrics, also adopted in 2000, were written by the same person who authored the Soviet lyrics in 1943
Topic: Rwandaname: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)
lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA
note: adopted 2001
Topic: Saint Barthelemyname: "L'Hymne a St. Barthelemy" (Hymn to St. Barthelemy)
lyrics/music: Isabelle Massart DERAVIN/Michael VALENTI
note: local anthem in use since 1999; as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhanote: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)note: as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is official (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisname: "Oh Land of Beauty!"
lyrics/music: Kenrick Anderson GEORGES
note: adopted 1983
Topic: Saint Lucianame: "Sons and Daughters of St. Lucia"
lyrics/music: Charles JESSE/Leton Felix THOMAS
note: adopted 1967
Topic: Saint Martinname: "O Sweet Saint Martin's Land"
lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS
note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" remains official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" remains official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonnote: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a collectivity of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesname: "St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful!"
lyrics/music: Phyllis Joyce MCCLEAN PUNNETT/Joel Bertram MIGUEL
note: adopted 1967
Topic: Samoaname: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom)
lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA
note: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)
Topic: San Marinoname: "Inno Nazionale della Repubblica" (National Anthem of the Republic)
lyrics/music: no lyrics/Federico CONSOLO
note: adopted 1894; the music for the lyric-less anthem is based on a 10th century chorale piece
Topic: Sao Tome and Principename: "Independencia total" (Total Independence)
lyrics/music: Alda Neves DA GRACA do Espirito Santo/Manuel dos Santos Barreto de Sousa e ALMEIDA
note: adopted 1975
Topic: Saudi Arabianame: "Aash Al Maleek" (Long Live Our Beloved King)
lyrics/music: Ibrahim KHAFAJI/Abdul Rahman al-KHATEEB
note: music adopted 1947, lyrics adopted 1984
Topic: Senegalname: "Pincez Tous vos Koras, Frappez les Balafons" (Pluck Your Koras, Strike the Balafons)
lyrics/music: Leopold Sedar SENGHOR/Herbert PEPPER
note: adopted 1960; lyrics written by Leopold Sedar SENGHOR, Senegal's first president; the anthem sometimes played incorporating the Koras (harp-like stringed instruments) and Balafons (types of xylophones) mentioned in the title
Topic: Serbianame: "Boze pravde" (God of Justice)
lyrics/music: Jovan DORDEVIC/Davorin JENKO
note: adopted 1904; song originally written as part of a play in 1872 and has been used as an anthem by the Serbian people throughout the 20th and 21st centuries
Topic: Seychellesname: "Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
lyrics/music: David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
note: adopted 1996
Topic: Sierra Leonename: "High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free"
lyrics/music: Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA
note: adopted 1961
Topic: Singaporename: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay
Topic: Sint Maartenname: O Sweet Saint Martin's Land
lyrics/music: Gerard KEMPS
note: the song, written in 1958, is used as an unofficial anthem for the entire island (both French and Dutch sides); as a collectivity of France, in addition to the local anthem, "La Marseillaise" is official on the French side (see France); as a constituent part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to the local anthem, "Het Wilhelmus" is official on the Dutch side (see Netherlands)
Topic: Slovakianame: "Nad Tatrou sa blyska" (Lightning Over the Tatras)
lyrics/music: Janko MATUSKA/traditional
note: adopted 1993, in use since 1844; music based on the Slovak folk song "Kopala studienku" (She was digging a well)
Topic: Slovenianame: "Zdravljica" (A Toast)
lyrics/music: France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL
note: adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism
Topic: Solomon Islandsname: "God Save Our Solomon Islands"
lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA
note: adopted 1978
Topic: Somalianame: "Qolobaa Calankeed" (Every Nation Has its own Flag)
lyrics/music: lyrics/music: Abdullahi QARSHE
note: adopted 2012; written in 1959
Topic: South Africaname: "National Anthem of South Africa"
lyrics/music: Enoch SONTONGA and Cornelius Jacob LANGENHOVEN/Enoch SONTONGA and Marthinus LOURENS de Villiers
note: adopted 1994; a combination of "N'kosi Sikelel' iAfrica" (God Bless Africa) and "Die Stem van Suid Afrika" (The Call of South Africa), which were respectively the anthems of the non-white and white communities under apartheid; official lyrics contain a mixture of Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, and English (i.e., the five most widely spoken of South Africa's 11 official languages); music incorporates the melody used in the Tanzanian and Zambian anthems
Topic: South Sudanname: "South Sudan Oyee!" (Hooray!)
lyrics/music: collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers
note: adopted 2011; anthem selected in a national contest
Topic: Spainname: "Himno Nacional Espanol" (National Anthem of Spain)
lyrics/music: no lyrics/unknown
note: officially in use between 1770 and 1931, restored in 1939; the Spanish anthem is the first anthem to be officially adopted, but it has no lyrics; in the years prior to 1931 it became known as "Marcha Real" (The Royal March); it first appeared in a 1761 military bugle call book and was replaced by "Himno de Riego" in the years between 1931 and 1939; the long version of the anthem is used for the king, while the short version is used for the prince, prime minister, and occasions such as sporting events
Topic: Sri Lankaname: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)
lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE
note: adopted 1951
Topic: Sudanname: "Nahnu Djundulla Djundulwatan" (We Are the Army of God and of Our Land)
lyrics/music: Sayed Ahmad Muhammad SALIH/Ahmad MURJAN
note: adopted 1956; originally served as the anthem of the Sudanese military
Topic: Surinamename: "God zij met ons Suriname!" (God Be With Our Suriname)
lyrics/music: Cornelis Atses HOEKSTRA and Henry DE ZIEL/Johannes Corstianus DE PUY
note: adopted 1959; originally adapted from a Sunday school song written in 1893 and contains lyrics in both Dutch and Sranang Tongo
Topic: Svalbardnote: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway)note: as a territory of Norway, "Ja, vi elsker dette landet" is official (see Norway)
Topic: Swedenname: "Du Gamla, Du Fria" (Thou Ancient, Thou Free)
lyrics/music: Richard DYBECK/traditional
note: in use since 1844; also known as "Sang till Norden" (Song of the North), is based on a Swedish folk tune; it has never been officially adopted by the government; "Kungssangen" (The King's Song) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies
Topic: Switzerlandname: the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)
lyrics/music: Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG
note: unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages
Topic: Syrianame: "Humat ad-Diyar" (Guardians of the Homeland)
lyrics/music: Khalil Mardam BEY/Mohammad Salim FLAYFEL and Ahmad Salim FLAYFEL
note: adopted 1936, restored 1961; between 1958 and 1961, while Syria was a member of the United Arab Republic with Egypt, the country had a different anthem
Topic: Taiwanname: "Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China)
lyrics/music: HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-yun
note: adopted 1930; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; it is informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); because of political pressure from China, "Guo Qi Ge" (National Banner Song) is used at international events rather than the official anthem of Taiwan; the "National Banner Song" has gained popularity in Taiwan and is commonly used during flag raisings
Topic: Tajikistanname: "Surudi milli" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Gulnazar KELDI/Sulaimon YUDAKOV
note: adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet republic but adopted new lyrics
Topic: Tanzanianame: "Mungu ibariki Afrika" (God Bless Africa)
lyrics/music: collective/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
note: adopted 1961; the anthem, which is also a popular song in Africa, shares the same melody with that of Zambia but has different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem
Topic: Thailandname: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand)
lyrics/music: Luang SARANUPRAPAN/Phra JENDURIYANG
note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law, people are required to stand for the national anthem at 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio during this time; "Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and is played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies
Topic: Timor-Lestename: "Patria" (Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO
note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared
Topic: Togoname: "Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)
lyrics/music: Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH
note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; this anthem was replaced by another during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992
Topic: Tokelauname: "Te Atua" (For the Almighty)
lyrics/music: unknown/Falani KALOLO
note: adopted 2008; in preparation for eventual self governance, Tokelau held a national contest to choose an anthem; as a territory of New Zealand, "God Defend New Zealand" and "God Save the Queen" are official (see New Zealand)
Topic: Tonganame: "Ko e fasi `o e tu"i `o e `Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands)
lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT
note: in use since 1875; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song)
Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoname: "Forged From the Love of Liberty"
lyrics/music: Patrick Stanislaus CASTAGNE
note: adopted 1962; song originally created to serve as an anthem for the West Indies Federation; adopted by Trinidad and Tobago following the Federation's dissolution in 1962
Topic: Tunisianame: "Humat Al Hima" (Defenders of the Homeland)
lyrics/music: Mustafa Sadik AL-RAFII and Aboul-Qacem ECHEBBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
note: adopted 1957, replaced 1958, restored 1987; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of the United Arab Emirates
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)name: "Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March)
lyrics/music: Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR
note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932
Topic: Turkmenistanname: "Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem)
lyrics/music: collective/Veli MUKHATOV
note: adopted 1997, lyrics revised in 2008, to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsname: "This Land of Ours"
lyrics/music: Conrad HOWELL
note: serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the UK, "God Save the Queen" is the official anthem (see United Kingdom)
Topic: Tuvaluname: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty)
lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA
note: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto
Topic: Ugandaname: "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty!"
lyrics/music: George Wilberforce KAKOMOA
note: adopted 1962
Topic: Ukrainename: "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina" (Ukraine Has Not Yet Perished)
lyrics/music: Paul CHUBYNSKYI/Mikhail VERBYTSKYI
note: music adopted 1991, lyrics adopted 2003; song first performed in 1864 at the Ukraine Theatre in Lviv; the lyrics, originally written in 1862, were revised in 2003
Topic: United Arab Emiratesname: "Nashid al-watani al-imarati" (National Anthem of the UAE)
lyrics/music: AREF Al Sheikh Abdullah Al Hassan/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
note: music adopted 1971, lyrics adopted 1996; Mohamad Abdel WAHAB also composed the music for the anthem of Tunisia
Topic: United Kingdomname: "God Save the Queen"
lyrics/music: unknown
note: in use since 1745; by tradition, the song serves as both the national and royal anthem of the UK; it is known as either "God Save the Queen" or "God Save the King," depending on the gender of the reigning monarch; it also serves as the royal anthem of many Commonwealth nations
Topic: United Statesname: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH
note: adopted 1931; during the War of 1812, after witnessing the successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore following British naval bombardment, Francis Scott KEY wrote the lyrics to what would become the national anthem; the lyrics were set to the tune of "The Anacreontic Song"; only the first verse is sung
Topic: Uruguayname: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem of Uruguay)
lyrics/music: Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/Francisco Jose DEBALI
note: adopted 1848; the anthem is also known as "Orientales, la Patria o la tumba!" ("Uruguayans, the Fatherland or Death!"); it is the world's longest national anthem in terms of music (105 bars; almost five minutes); generally only the first verse and chorus are sung
Topic: Uzbekistanname: "O'zbekiston Respublikasining Davlat Madhiyasi" (National Anthem of the Republic of Uzbekistan)
lyrics/music: Abdulla ARIPOV/Mutal BURHANOV
note: adopted 1992; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet Republic but adopted new lyrics
Topic: Vanuatuname: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)
lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV
note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French
Topic: Venezuelaname: "Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People)
lyrics/music: Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA
note: adopted 1881; lyrics written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence
Topic: Vietnamname: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops)
lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO
note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem
Topic: Virgin Islandsname: "Virgin Islands March"
lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr.
note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Topic: Wallis and Futunanote: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: Worldname: virtually every country has a national anthem; most (but not all) anthems have lyrics, which are usually in the national or most common language of the country; states with more than one national language may offer several versions of their anthem
note: the world's oldest national anthem is the "Het Wilhelmus" (The William) of the Netherlands, which dates to the 17th century; the first national anthem to be officially adopted (1795) was "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) of France; Japan claims to have the world's shortest national anthem, entitled "Kimigayo" (The Emperor's Reign), it consists of 11 measures of music (the lyrics are also the world's oldest, dating to the 10th century or earlier); the world's longest national anthem is that of Greece, "Ymnos eis tin Eleftherian" (Hymn to Liberty) with 158 stanzas - only two of which are used; both Denmark and New Zealand have two official national anthems
Topic: Yemenname: "al-qumhuriyatu l-muttahida" (United Republic)
lyrics/music: Abdullah Abdulwahab NOA'MAN/Ayyoab Tarish ABSI
note: adopted 1990; the music first served as the anthem for South Yemen before unification with North Yemen in 1990
Topic: Zambianame: "Lumbanyeni Zambia" (Stand and Sing of Zambia, Proud and Free)
lyrics/music: multiple/Enoch Mankayi SONTONGA
note: adopted 1964; the melody, from the popular song "God Bless Africa," is the same as that of Tanzania but with different lyrics; the melody is also incorporated into South Africa's anthem
Topic: Zimbabwename: "Kalibusiswe Ilizwe leZimbabwe" [Northern Ndebele language] "Simudzai Mureza WeZimbabwe" [Shona] (Blessed Be the Land of Zimbabwe)
lyrics/music: Solomon MUTSWAIRO/Fred Lecture CHANGUNDEGA
note: adopted 1994 |
20220901 | countries-wallis-and-futuna |
Topic: Photos of Wallis and Futuna
Topic: Introduction
Background: The first humans settled Wallis and Futuna around 800 B.C. The islands were a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837. The missionaries converted most of the population of Wallis by 1842 and of Futuna by 1846. The missionaries and newly-converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a rebellion of locals. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia that same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority.
Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia and become a French overseas territory, a status it assumed in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna’s designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity. Wallis and Futuna became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.The first humans settled Wallis and Futuna around 800 B.C. The islands were a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837. The missionaries converted most of the population of Wallis by 1842 and of Futuna by 1846. The missionaries and newly-converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a rebellion of locals. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia that same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority.
Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia and become a French overseas territory, a status it assumed in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna’s designation changed to that of an overseas collectivity. Wallis and Futuna became an associate member of the Pacific Islands Forum in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 13 18 S, 176 12 W
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 142 sq km
land: 142 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets
Area - comparative: 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 129 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius
Terrain: volcanic origin; low hills
Elevation: highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 522 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: NEGL
Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 7.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 35.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 41.9% (2018 est.)
other: 15.3% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Natural hazards: cyclones; tsunamis
Geography - note: both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes
Map description: Wallis and Futuna map showing the islands that make up this French overseas collectivity in the South Pacific Ocean.Wallis and Futuna map showing the islands that make up this French overseas collectivity in the South Pacific Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 15,891 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders
adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander
Ethnic groups: Polynesian
Languages: Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 99%, other 1%
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.58% (male 1,702/female 1,561)
15-24 years: 14.72% (male 1,238/female 1,095)
25-54 years: 43.55% (male 3,529/female 3,376)
55-64 years: 9.99% (male 745/female 842)
65 years and over: 11.73% (2022 est.) (male 953/female 911)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA
youth dependency ratio: NA
elderly dependency ratio: NA
potential support ratio: NA
Median age: total: 34 years
male: 33.1 years
female: 35.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.25% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -3.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
note: there has been steady emigration from Wallis and Futuna to New Caledonia
Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 4 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.67 years
male: 77.68 years
female: 83.81 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.71 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
rural: 99.1% of population
total: 99.1% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: 0.9% of population
total: 0.9% of population (2020)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Physicians density: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: 92.9% of population
total: 92.9% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: 7.1% of population
total: 7.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) largely as a result of the continued use of wood as the main fuel source; as a consequence of cutting down the forests, the mountainous terrain of Futuna is particularly prone to erosion; there are no permanent settlements on Alofi because of the lack of natural freshwater resources; lack of soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna negatively impacts agricultural productivity
Climate: tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius
Land use: agricultural land: 42.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 7.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 35.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 41.9% (2018 est.)
other: 15.3% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 0% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands
conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna
local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna
local short form: Wallis et Futuna
former: Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands
etymology: Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS, who discovered it in 1767; Futuna is derived from the native word "futu," which is the name of the fish-poison tree found on the island
Government type: parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France
Dependency status: overseas collectivity of France
Capital: name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea)
geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W
time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions: 3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea
Independence: none (overseas collectivity of France)
National holiday: Bastille Day, 14 July (1789)
Constitution: history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution)
amendments: French constitution amendment procedures apply
Legal system: French civil law
Citizenship: see France
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Administrator Superior Herve JONATHAN (since 11 January 2021)
head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since 20 March 2022)
cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the administrator superior on the advice of the Territorial Assembly
elections/appointments: French president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); administrator superior appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members
note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Territorial Assembly or Assemblee Territoriale (20 seats - Wallis 13, Futuna 7; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by party-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
Wallis and Futuna indirectly elects 1 senator to the French Senate by an electoral college by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term, and directly elects 1 deputy to the French National Assembly by absolute majority vote for a 5-year term
elections: Territorial Assembly - last held on 20 March 2022 (next to be held in March 2027)
French Senate - last held on 24 and 27 September 2020 (next to be held by September 2023)
French National Assembly - last held on 11 June 2017 (next to be held in June 2022)
election results: Territorial Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 2 members are elected from the list Ofa mo'oni ki tou fenua and 2 members are elected from list Mauli fetokoniaki, 1 seat each from 16 other lists; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA%
representation in French Senate - LR 1 (man)
representation in French National Assembly - independent 1 (man)
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases); note - appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia)
judge selection and term of office: NA
subordinate courts: courts of first instance; labor court; note - justice generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law, and there is a magistrate in Mata-Utu
Political parties and leaders: Left Radical Party or PRG [Guillaume LACROIX] (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG)
Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) (leader NA)
Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR [Clovis LOGOLOGOFOLAU]
Socialist Party or PS
Taumu'a Lelei [Soane Muni UHILA]
Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF
International organization participation: PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (overseas collectivity of France)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (overseas collectivity of France)
Flag description: unofficial, local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle, representing the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; the flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper hoist quadrant
note: the design is derived from an original red banner with a white cross pattee that was introduced in the 19th century by French missionaries; the flag of France is used for official occasions
National symbol(s): red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field; national colors: red, white
National anthem: note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)note: as a territory of France, "La Marseillaise" is official (see France)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. However, roughly 70% of the labor force is employed in the public sector, although only about a third of the population is in salaried employment. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. France directly finances the public sector and health-care and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health-care facilities. A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live on the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government.The economy is limited to traditional subsistence agriculture, with about 80% of labor force earnings coming from agriculture (coconuts and vegetables), livestock (mostly pigs), and fishing. However, roughly 70% of the labor force is employed in the public sector, although only about a third of the population is in salaried employment. Revenues come from French Government subsidies, licensing of fishing rights to Japan and South Korea, import taxes, and remittances from expatriate workers in New Caledonia. France directly finances the public sector and health-care and education services. It also provides funding for key development projects in a range of areas, including infrastructure, economic development, environmental management, and health-care facilities. A key concern for Wallis and Futuna is an aging population with consequent economic development issues. Very few people aged 18-30 live on the islands due to the limited formal employment opportunities. Improving job creation is a current priority for the territorial government.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $60 million (2004 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: NANA
Real GDP per capita: $3,800 (2004 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $195 million (2005) (2005)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.9% (2015)
2.8% (2005)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: NA
industry: NA
services: NA
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 26% (2005)
government consumption: 54% (2005)
Agricultural products: coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish
Industries: copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Labor force: 4,482 (2013)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 74%
industry: 3%
services: 23% (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.8% (2013 est.)
12.2% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 32.54 million (2015 est.) NA
expenditures: 34.18 million (2015 est.) NA
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.8% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA
Public debt: 5.6% of GDP (2004 est.)
note: offical data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Taxes and other revenues: 16.7% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA
Fiscal year: calendar year
Exports: $47,450 (2004 est.)
Exports - partners: Singapore 47%, France 32%, Belgium 9% (2019)
Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, jewelry, cars, aircraft parts, polyacetals (2019)
Imports: $61.17 million (2004 est.)
Imports - partners: France 43%, Fiji 24%, New Zealand 11%, Australia 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, beef products, poultry meats, engine parts, packaged medicines (2019)
Debt - external: $3.67 million (2004)
Exchange rates: Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar -
110.2 (2015 est.)
89.8 (2014 est.)
89.85 (2013 est.)
90.56 (2012 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,132 (2018 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2018 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 0 (2018)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: 2G widespread; bandwidth is limited; mobile subscriber numbers are higher than fixed-line and better suited for islands; good mobile coverage in the capital cities and also reasonable coverage across more remote atolls; recent international interest in infrastructure development; increase in demand for mobile broadband as mobile services serve as primary source for Internet access; Kacific-1 broadband satellite launched in 2019 to improve costs and capability (2020)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity 25 per 100 persons and 0 per 100 mobile subscriptions (2019)
international: country code - 681; landing point for the Tui-Samoa submarine cable network connecting Wallis & Futuna, Samoa and Fiji (2020)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019)
Internet country code: .wf
Internet users: total: 1,029 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 9% (2019 est.)
Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Merchant marine: total: 1
by type: other 1 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Leava, Mata-Utu
Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of France
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified |
20220901 | field-industrial-production-growth-rate | This entry gives the annual percentage increase in industrial production (includes manufacturing, mining, and construction).
Topic: Afghanistan-1.9% (2016 est.)
Topic: Albania6.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Algeria0.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: American SamoaNA
Topic: AndorraNA
Topic: Angola2.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Anguilla4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Antigua and Barbuda6.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Argentina2.7% (2017 est.)
note: based on private sector estimates
Topic: Armenia5.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: ArubaNA
Topic: Australia1.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Austria6.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Azerbaijan-3.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bahamas, The5.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bahrain0.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bangladesh10.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Barbados2.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Belarus5.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Belgium0.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Belize-0.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Benin3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bermuda2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bhutan6.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bolivia2.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Botswana-4.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Brazil0% (2017 est.)
Topic: British Virgin Islands1.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Brunei1.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Bulgaria3.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Burkina Faso10.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Burma8.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Burundi-2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cabo Verde2.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cambodia10.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cameroon3.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Canada4.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cayman Islands2.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Central African Republic3.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Chad-4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Chile-0.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: China6.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Colombia-2.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Comoros1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of the-3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cook Islands1% (2002)
Topic: Costa Rica1.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire4.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Croatia1.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Cuba-1.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: CuracaoNA
Topic: Cyprus13.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Czechia7.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Denmark2.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Djibouti2.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Dominica-13% (2017 est.)
Topic: Dominican Republic3.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Ecuador-0.6% (2017 est.)
note: excludes oil refining
Topic: Egypt3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: El Salvador3.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Equatorial Guinea-6.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Eritrea5.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Estonia9.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Eswatini5.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Ethiopia10.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: European Union3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA
Topic: Faroe Islands3.4% (2009 est.)
Topic: Fiji2.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Finland6.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: France2% (2017 est.)
Topic: French PolynesiaNA
Topic: Gabon1.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Gambia, The-0.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Gaza Strip2.2% (2017 est.)
note: see entry for the West Bank
Topic: Georgia6.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Germany3.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Ghana16.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: GibraltarNA
Topic: Greece3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: GreenlandNA
Topic: Grenada10% (2017 est.)
Topic: GuamNA
Topic: Guatemala1.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: GuernseyNA
Topic: Guinea11% (2017 est.)
Topic: Guinea-Bissau2.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Guyana-5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Haiti0.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Honduras4.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Hong Kong1.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Hungary7.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Iceland2.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: India5.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Indonesia4.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Iran3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Iraq0.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Ireland7.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Israel3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Italy2.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Jamaica0.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Japan1.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: JerseyNA
Topic: Jordan1.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Kazakhstan5.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Kenya3.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Kiribati1.1% (2012 est.)
Topic: Korea, North1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Korea, South4.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Kosovo1.2% (2016 est.)
Topic: Kuwait2.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Kyrgyzstan10.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Laos8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Latvia10.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Lebanon-21.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Lesotho12.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Liberia9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Libya60.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: LiechtensteinNA
Topic: Lithuania5.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Luxembourg1.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Macau2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Madagascar5.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Malawi1.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Malaysia5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Maldives14% (2012 est.)
Topic: Mali6.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Malta-3.3% (2016 est.)
Topic: Marshall IslandsNA
Topic: Mauritania1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Mauritius3.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Mexico-0.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA
Topic: Moldova3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Monaco6.8% (2015)
Topic: Mongolia-1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Montenegro-4.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Montserrat-21% (2017 est.)
Topic: Morocco2.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Mozambique4.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Namibia-0.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: NauruNA
Topic: Nepal12.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Netherlands3.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: New Caledonia3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: New Zealand1.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Nicaragua3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Niger6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Nigeria2.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: NiueNA
Topic: North Macedonia-7.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA
Topic: Norway1.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Oman-3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Pakistan5.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: PalauNA
Topic: Panama6.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Papua New Guinea3.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Paraguay2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Peru2.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Philippines7.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Poland7.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Portugal3.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Puerto Rico-2.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Qatar3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Romania5.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Russia-1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Rwanda4.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Saint Lucia6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines2.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Samoa-1.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: San Marino-1.1% (2012 est.)
Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Saudi Arabia-2.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Senegal7.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Serbia3.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Seychelles2.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Sierra Leone15.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Singapore5.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Slovakia2.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Slovenia8.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Solomon Islands3.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Somalia3.5% (2014 est.)
Topic: South Africa1.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Spain4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Sri Lanka4.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Sudan4.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Suriname1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Sweden4.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Switzerland3.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Syria4.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Taiwan3.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Tajikistan1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Tanzania12% (2017 est.)
Topic: Thailand1.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Timor-Leste2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Togo5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Tonga5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Trinidad and Tobago-4.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Tunisia0.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)9.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Turkmenistan1% (2017 est.)
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Tuvalu-26.1% (2012 est.)
Topic: Uganda4.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: Ukraine3.1% (2017 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emirates1.8% (2017 est.)
Topic: United Kingdom3.4% (2017 est.)
Topic: United States2.3% (2017 est.)
Topic: Uruguay-3.6% (2017 est.)
Topic: Uzbekistan4.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Vanuatu4.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Venezuela-2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Vietnam8% (2017 est.)
Topic: Virgin IslandsNA
Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA
Topic: West Bank2.2% (2017 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Topic: World3.2% (2017 est.)
Topic: Yemen8.9% (2017 est.)
Topic: Zambia4.7% (2017 est.)
Topic: Zimbabwe0.3% (2017 est.) |
20220901 | about |
Topic: CIA.gov has changed . . .If you arrived at this page using a bookmark or favorites link, please update it accordingly.Please use the search form or the links below to find the information you seek.Thank you for visiting CIA.gov.The CIA Web Team |
20220901 | countries-haiti |
Topic: Photos of Haiti
Topic: Introduction
Background: The native Taino - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when Christopher COLUMBUS first landed on it in 1492 - were virtually wiped out by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but relied heavily on the forced labor of enslaved Africans and environmentally degrading practices. In the late 18th century, Toussaint L'OUVERTURE led a revolution of Haiti's nearly half a million slaves that ended France's rule on the island. After a prolonged struggle, and under the leadership of Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, Haiti became the first country in the world led by former slaves after declaring its independence in 1804, but it was forced to pay an indemnity of 100 million francs (equivalent to $21 billion USD in March 2022) to France for more than a century and was shunned by other countries for nearly 40 years. On 12 July 1862, the US officially recognized Haiti, but foreign economic influence and internal political instability induced the US to occupy Haiti from 1915-1934. Subsequently, Francois "Papa Doc" DUVALIER and then his son Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" DUVALIER led repressive and corrupt regimes that ruled Haiti in 1957-1971 and 1971-1986, respectively. President Jovenel MOISE was assassinated on 7 July 2021, leading the country further into an extra-constitutional governance structure and contributing to the country’s growing fragility. President MOISE's five-year term would have ended on 7 February 2022; his assassination plunged Haiti deeper into a political crisis that was not anticipated in its constitution. Thus, on 20 July 2021, the Government of Haiti installed Ariel HENRY - whom President MOISE had nominated - as prime minister. As of March 2022, Haiti had no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges. Haiti has long been plagued by natural disasters. In January 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti with an epicenter about 25 km (15 mi) west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Estimates are that over 300,000 people were killed and some 1.5 million left homeless. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti’s southern peninsula in August 2021, causing well over 2,000 deaths; an estimated 500,000 required emergency humanitarian aid. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, as well as one of the most unequal in wealth distribution.The native Taino - who inhabited the island of Hispaniola when Christopher COLUMBUS first landed on it in 1492 - were virtually wiped out by Spanish settlers within 25 years. In the early 17th century, the French established a presence on Hispaniola. In 1697, Spain ceded to the French the western third of the island, which later became Haiti. The French colony, based on forestry and sugar-related industries, became one of the wealthiest in the Caribbean but relied heavily on the forced labor of enslaved Africans and environmentally degrading practices. In the late 18th century, Toussaint L'OUVERTURE led a revolution of Haiti's nearly half a million slaves that ended France's rule on the island. After a prolonged struggle, and under the leadership of Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, Haiti became the first country in the world led by former slaves after declaring its independence in 1804, but it was forced to pay an indemnity of 100 million francs (equivalent to $21 billion USD in March 2022) to France for more than a century and was shunned by other countries for nearly 40 years. On 12 July 1862, the US officially recognized Haiti, but foreign economic influence and internal political instability induced the US to occupy Haiti from 1915-1934. Subsequently, Francois "Papa Doc" DUVALIER and then his son Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" DUVALIER led repressive and corrupt regimes that ruled Haiti in 1957-1971 and 1971-1986, respectively. President Jovenel MOISE was assassinated on 7 July 2021, leading the country further into an extra-constitutional governance structure and contributing to the country’s growing fragility. President MOISE's five-year term would have ended on 7 February 2022; his assassination plunged Haiti deeper into a political crisis that was not anticipated in its constitution. Thus, on 20 July 2021, the Government of Haiti installed Ariel HENRY - whom President MOISE had nominated - as prime minister. As of March 2022, Haiti had no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges. Haiti has long been plagued by natural disasters. In January 2010, a major 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti with an epicenter about 25 km (15 mi) west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Estimates are that over 300,000 people were killed and some 1.5 million left homeless. The earthquake was assessed as the worst in this region over the last 200 years. A 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti’s southern peninsula in August 2021, causing well over 2,000 deaths; an estimated 500,000 required emergency humanitarian aid. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, as well as one of the most unequal in wealth distribution.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 72 25 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 27,750 sq km
land: 27,560 sq km
water: 190 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries: total: 376 km
border countries (1): Dominican Republic 376 km
Coastline: 1,771 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to depth of exploitation
Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Terrain: mostly rough and mountainous
Elevation: highest point: Pic la Selle 2,674 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 470 m
Natural resources: bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 66.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 38.5% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 3.6% (2018 est.)
other: 30% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 970 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: fairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas
Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts
Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Dominican Republic (western one-third is Haiti, eastern two-thirds is the Dominican Republic); it is the most mountainous nation in the Caribbean
Map description: Haiti map shows the country’s border with the Dominican Republic and its position in the Caribbean Sea.Haiti map shows the country’s border with the Dominican Republic and its position in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 11,334,637 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Haitian(s)
adjective: Haitian
Ethnic groups: Black 95%, mixed and White 5%
Languages: French (official), Creole (official)
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Catholic 55%, Protestant 29%, Vodou 2.1%, other 4.6%, none 10% (2018 est.)
note: 50-80% of Haitians incorporate some elements of Vodou culture or practice in addition to another religion, most often Roman Catholicism; Vodou was recognized as an official religion in 2003
Age structure: 0-14 years: 31.21% (male 1,719,961/female 1,734,566)
15-24 years: 20.71% (male 1,145,113/female 1,146,741)
25-54 years: 38.45% (male 2,110,294/female 2,145,209)
55-64 years: 5.3% (male 280,630/female 305,584)
65 years and over: 4.33% (2020 est.) (male 210,451/female 269,228)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 60.4
youth dependency ratio: 52.1
elderly dependency ratio: 8.3
potential support ratio: 13.3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 24.1 years
male: 23.8 years
female: 24.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.2% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 21.12 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.23 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: fairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas
Urbanization: urban population: 58.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 2.915 million PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.01 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.4 years (2016/7 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 480 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 40.02 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 45.71 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 34.26 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.95 years
male: 63.26 years
female: 68.67 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.43 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 34.3% (2016/17)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 91.9% of population
rural: 56.1% of population
total: 76.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 8.1% of population
rural: 43.9% of population
total: 23.5% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.7% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.23 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 0.7 beds/1,000 population (2013)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 82.9% of population
rural: 42.6% of population
total: 65.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 17.1% of population
rural: 57.4% of population
total: 34.4% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.9% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 150,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,200 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.7% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 7.7% (2020 est.)
male: 12.2% (2020 est.)
female: 3.1% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 9.5% (2016/17)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 2.1%
women married by age 18: 14.9%
men married by age 18: 1.6% (2017 est.)
Education expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 61.7%
male: 65.3%
female: 58.3% (2016)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel); soil erosion; overpopulation leads to inadequate supplies of potable water and and a lack of sanitation; natural disasters
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Nuclear Test Ban
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 14.63 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 2.98 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 6.12 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; semiarid where mountains in east cut off trade winds
Land use: agricultural land: 66.4% (2018 est.)
arable land: 38.5% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 17.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 3.6% (2018 est.)
other: 30% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 58.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.68% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to reduced agricultural production and socio-political turmoil - about 4.56 million people are estimated to be facing severe acute food insecurity and in need of urgent food assistance between March and June 2022; the high levels of food insecurity are the result of consecutive reduced cereal harvests between 2018 and 2021, and elevated food prices, exacerbated by sociopolitical turmoil; two natural disasters (a 7.2 magnitude earthquake and a tropical storm) that struck in August 2021, destroyed productive assets and infrastructures, and caused losses of stored food, further aggravating conditions; the lack of income-earning opportunities amid worsening insecurity and difficult macroeconomic conditions is likely to heighten food insecurity (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,309,852 tons (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 190 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 51 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.209 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 14.022 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Haiti
conventional short form: Haiti
local long form: Republique d'Haiti (French)/ Repiblik d Ayiti (Haitian Creole)
local short form: Haiti (French)/ Ayiti (Haitian Creole)
etymology: the native Taino name means "Land of High Mountains" and was originally applied to the entire island of Hispaniola
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Port-au-Prince
geographic coordinates: 18 32 N, 72 20 W
time difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November
etymology: according to tradition, in 1706, a Captain de Saint-Andre named the bay and its surrounding area after his ship Le Prince; the name of the town that grew there means, "the Port of The Prince"
Administrative divisions: 10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est
Independence: 1 January 1804 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
Constitution: history: many previous; latest adopted 10 March 1987, with substantial revisions in June 2012; note – the constitution is commonly referred to as the “amended 1987 constitution”
amendments: proposed by the executive branch or by either the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies; consideration of proposed amendments requires support by at least two-thirds majority of both houses; passage requires at least two-thirds majority of the membership present and at least two-thirds majority of the votes cast; approved amendments enter into force after installation of the next president of the republic; constitutional articles on the democratic and republican form of government cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2012
Legal system: civil law system strongly influenced by Napoleonic Code
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Haiti
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President (vacant); note - Prime Minister Ariel HENRY assumed executive responsibilities, including naming Cabinet members, following the assassination President MOISE on 7 July 2021; new elections have not yet been scheduled.
head of government: Prime Minister Ariel HENRY (since 20 July 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president; parliament must ratify the Cabinet and Prime Minister's governing policy
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a single non-consecutive term); last election had been originally scheduled for 9 October 2016 but was postponed until 20 November 2016 due to Hurricane Matthew
election results:
2016: Jovenel MOISE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Jovenel MOISE (PHTK) 55.6%, Jude CELESTIN (LAPEH) 19.6%, Jean-Charles MOISE (PPD) 11%, Maryse NARCISSE (FL) 9%; other 4.8%
2011: Michel MARTELLY elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Michel MARTELLY (Peasant's Response) 68%, Mirlande MANIGAT (RDNP) 32%
Legislative branch: description: bicameral legislature or le Corps legislatif ou le Parlement consists of:
le Sénat de la République or Senate (30 seats; 10 filled as of March 2022); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms (2-term limit) with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years)
la Chambre des députés or Chamber of Deputies (119 seats; 0 filled as of March 2022; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year terms; no term limits); note - when the 2 chambers meet collectively it is known as L'Assemblée nationale or the National Assembly and is convened for specific purposes spelled out in the constitution
elections:
Senate - last held on 20 November 2016 with runoff on 29 January 2017 (next originally scheduled for 27 October 2019, but postponed until political and civil society actors agree to a consensual process)
Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 August 2015 with runoff on 25 October 2015 and 20 November 2016 (next originally scheduled for 27 October 2019, but postponed until political and civil society actors agree to a consensual process)
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 10, women 0, percent of women 0%
Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - NA
note: the Chamber of Deputies is currently defunct, and the Senate is only one-third filled (not enough seats for a quorum)
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour de cassation (consists of a chief judge and other judges); note 1 - the Cour de cassation currently has no chief judge and only 3 sitting members and is not functional; note 2 - Haiti is a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice; Constitutional Court, called for in the 1987 constitution but not yet established; High Court of Justice, for trying high government officials - currently not functional
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president from candidate lists submitted by the Senate of the National Assembly; note - Article 174 of Haiti's constitution states that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for 10 years, whereas Article 177 states that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for life
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; magistrate's courts; land, labor, and children's courts
note: the Superior Council of the Judiciary or Conseil Superieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire is a 9-member body charged with the administration and oversight of the judicial branch of government
Political parties and leaders: Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Emancipation (Ligue Alternative pour le Progres et l’Emancipation Haitienne) or LAPEH [Jude CELESTIN]
Bridge (Pont) or Pou Nou Tout [Jean Marie CHERESTAL]
Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MCNH [Luc MESADIEU]
Christian National Movement for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Chavannes JEUNE]
Combat of Peasant Workers to Liberate Haiti (Konbit Travaye Peyizan Pou Libere Ayiti) or Kontra Pep La [Jean William JEANTY]
Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]
Cooperative Action to Rebuild Haiti or KONBA [Jean William JEANTY]
December 16 Platform or Platfom 16 Desanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]
Democratic Alliance Party or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition includes KID and PPRH)
Democratic Centers' National Council or CONACED [Osner FEVRY]
Democratic and Popular Sector (Secteur Democratique et Populaire) or SDP [Nenel CASSY, Andre MICHEL and Marjorie MICHEL]
Democratic Unity Convention (Konvansyon Inite Demokratik) or KID [Enold JOSEPH]
Dessalinian Patriotic and Popular Movement or MOPOD [Jean Andre VICTOR]
Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME]
Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Maryse NARCISSE and former President Jean Bertrand ARISTIDE]
For Us All or PONT [Jean-Marie CHERESTAL]
Forward (En Avant) [Jerry TARDIEU]
Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats (Fusion Des Sociaux-Démocrates Haïtiens) or FHSD [Edmonde Supplice BEAUZILE]
G18 Policy Platform (Plateforme Politique G18) [Joseph WUILSON]
Haiti in Action (Ayiti An Aksyon Haiti's Action) or AAA [Youri LATORTUE]
Haitian Tet Kale Party (Parti Haitien Tet Kale) or PHTK [Line Sainphaar BALTHAZAR]
Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]
Lavni Organization or LAVNI [Yves CRISTALIN]
Lod Demokratik [Jean Renel SENATUS]
Love Haiti (Renmen Ayiti) or RA [Jean Henry CEANT]
MTV Ayiti [Reginald BOULOS]
National Consortium of Haitian Political Parties (Consortium National des Partis Politiques Haitiens) or CNPPH [Jeantel JOSEPH]
National Shield Network (Reseau Bouclier National) [Victor PROPHANE and Garry BODEAU]
Organization of the People's Struggle (Oganizasyon Pep Kap Lite) or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]
Patriotic Unity (Inite Patriyotik) or Inite [Sorel YACINTHE and Levaillant Louis JEUNE]
Platform Pitit Desaline (Politik Pitit Dessalines) or PPD [Moise JEAN-CHARLES]
Popular Patriotic Dessalinien Movement (Mouvement Patriotique Populaire Dessalinien) or MOPOD [Jean Andre VICTOR]
Rally of Progressive National Democrats (Rassemblement des Democrates Nationaux Progressistes) or RDNP [Eric JEAN-BAPTISTE]
Respe (Respect) [Charles Henry BAKER]
Women and Families Political Parties (Defile Pati Politik Fanm Ak Fanmi) [Marie Rebecca GUILLAUME]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OIF, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Bocchit EDMOND (since 23 December 2020)
chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090
FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215
email address and website:
amb.washington@diplomatie.ht
https://www.haiti.org/
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando (FL), New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Nicole D. THERIOT
embassy: Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince
mailing address: 3400 Port-au-Prince Place, Washington, DC 20521-3400
telephone: [011] (509) 2229-8000
FAX: [011] (509) 2229-8027
email address and website:
acspap@state.gov
https://ht.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red with a centered white rectangle bearing the coat of arms, which contains a palm tree flanked by flags and two cannons above a scroll bearing the motto L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE (Union Makes Strength); the colors are taken from the French Tricolor and represent the union of blacks and mulattoes
National symbol(s): Hispaniolan trogon (bird), hibiscus flower; national colors: blue, red
National anthem: name: "La Dessalinienne" (The Dessalines Song)
lyrics/music: Justin LHERISSON/Nicolas GEFFRARD
note: adopted 1904; named for Jean-Jacques DESSALINES, a leader in the Haitian Revolution and first ruler of an independent Haiti
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: National History Park – Citadel, Sans Souci, Ramiers
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Haiti is a free market economy with low labor costs and tariff-free access to the US for many of its exports. Two-fifths of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, which remains vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters. Poverty, corruption, vulnerability to natural disasters, and low levels of education for much of the population represent some of the most serious impediments to Haiti’s economic growth. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equivalent to more than a quarter of GDP, and nearly double the combined value of Haitian exports and foreign direct investment. Currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with close to 60% of the population living under the national poverty line, Haiti’s GDP growth rose to 5.5% in 2011 as the Haitian economy began recovering from the devastating January 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince, and neighboring areas. However, growth slowed to below 2% in 2015 and 2016 as political uncertainty, drought conditions, decreasing foreign aid, and the depreciation of the national currency took a toll on investment and economic growth. Hurricane Matthew, the fiercest Caribbean storm in nearly a decade, made landfall in Haiti on 4 October 2016, with 140 mile-per-hour winds, creating a new humanitarian emergency. An estimated 2.1 million people were affected by the category 4 storm, which caused extensive damage to crops, houses, livestock, and infrastructure across Haiti’s southern peninsula. US economic engagement under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the 2008 Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE II) have contributed to an increase in apparel exports and investment by providing duty-free access to the US. The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010 extended the CBTPA and HOPE II until 2020, while the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 extended trade benefits provided to Haiti in the HOPE and HELP Acts through September 2025. Apparel sector exports in 2016 reached approximately $850 million and account for over 90% of Haitian exports and more than 10% of the GDP. Investment in Haiti is hampered by the difficulty of doing business and weak infrastructure, including access to electricity. Haiti's outstanding external debt was cancelled by donor countries following the 2010 earthquake, but has since risen to $2.6 billion as of December 2017, the majority of which is owed to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe program. Although the government has increased its revenue collection, it continues to rely on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability, with over 20% of its annual budget coming from foreign aid or direct budget support.Haiti is a free market economy with low labor costs and tariff-free access to the US for many of its exports. Two-fifths of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, which remains vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters. Poverty, corruption, vulnerability to natural disasters, and low levels of education for much of the population represent some of the most serious impediments to Haiti’s economic growth. Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equivalent to more than a quarter of GDP, and nearly double the combined value of Haitian exports and foreign direct investment. Currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with close to 60% of the population living under the national poverty line, Haiti’s GDP growth rose to 5.5% in 2011 as the Haitian economy began recovering from the devastating January 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince, and neighboring areas. However, growth slowed to below 2% in 2015 and 2016 as political uncertainty, drought conditions, decreasing foreign aid, and the depreciation of the national currency took a toll on investment and economic growth. Hurricane Matthew, the fiercest Caribbean storm in nearly a decade, made landfall in Haiti on 4 October 2016, with 140 mile-per-hour winds, creating a new humanitarian emergency. An estimated 2.1 million people were affected by the category 4 storm, which caused extensive damage to crops, houses, livestock, and infrastructure across Haiti’s southern peninsula. US economic engagement under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the 2008 Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE II) have contributed to an increase in apparel exports and investment by providing duty-free access to the US. The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010 extended the CBTPA and HOPE II until 2020, while the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 extended trade benefits provided to Haiti in the HOPE and HELP Acts through September 2025. Apparel sector exports in 2016 reached approximately $850 million and account for over 90% of Haitian exports and more than 10% of the GDP. Investment in Haiti is hampered by the difficulty of doing business and weak infrastructure, including access to electricity. Haiti's outstanding external debt was cancelled by donor countries following the 2010 earthquake, but has since risen to $2.6 billion as of December 2017, the majority of which is owed to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe program. Although the government has increased its revenue collection, it continues to rely on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability, with over 20% of its annual budget coming from foreign aid or direct budget support.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $31.62 billion (2020 est.)
$32.72 billion (2019 est.)
$33.28 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.2% (2017 est.)
1.5% (2016 est.)
1.2% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,800 (2020 est.)
$2,900 (2019 est.)
$3,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $8.608 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 14.7% (2017 est.)
13.4% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 22.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 20.3% (2017 est.)
services: 57.6% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 99.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 10% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 32.6% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 20% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -60.3% (2017 est.)
note: figure for household consumption also includes government consumption
Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, mangoes/guavas, plantains, bananas, yams, avocados, maize, rice, vegetables
Industries: textiles, sugar refining, flour milling, cement, light assembly using imported parts
Industrial production growth rate: 0.9% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 4.594 million (2014 est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor; unskilled labor abundant
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 38.1%
industry: 11.5%
services: 50.4% (2010)
Unemployment rate: 40.6% (2010 est.)
note: widespread unemployment and underemployment; more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs
Population below poverty line: 58.5% (2012 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.1 (2012 est.)
59.2 (2001)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 0.7%
highest 10%: 47.7% (2001)
Budget: revenues: 1.567 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 1.65 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 31.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
33.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Current account balance: -$348 million (2017 est.)
-$83 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.73 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$1.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 81%, Canada 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: clothing and apparel, eels, essential oils, perfumes, mangoes, cocoa beans (2019)
Imports: $5.21 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$5.67 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 39%, China 22%, Turkey 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, rice, clothing and apparel, palm oil, poultry meats (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.361 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $2.762 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.17 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: gourdes (HTG) per US dollar -
65.21 (2017 est.)
63.34 (2016 est.)
63.34 (2015 est.)
50.71 (2014 est.)
45.22 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 39% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 60% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 12% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 3.453 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 339 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 643 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 85.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 13.9% 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: 21,100 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 20,030 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 3.341 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 3.341 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 3.139 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.137 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 2,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 3.97 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7.319 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 64 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Haiti is in desperate need of maintaining effective communication services to enable it to keep going through the countless natural disasters, the country’s telecoms sector is really only surviving on the back of international goodwill to repair and replace the systems destroyed in the latest upheaval; Haiti’s fixed-line infrastructure is now practically non-existent, having been torn apart by Hurricane Matthew in 2016; what aid and additional investment has been forthcoming has been directed towards mobile solutions; over half of the country can afford a mobile handset or the cost of a monthly subscription; and mobile broadband subscriptions is half of that again – an estimated 28% in 2022; international aid continues to flow in to try and help the country’s telecoms sector recover – the World Bank has released a further $120 million to go on top of the $60 million grant provided after the last major 7.2 earthquake in August 2021. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line is less than 1 per 100; mobile-cellular telephone services have expanded greatly in the last decade due to low-cost GSM (Global Systems for Mobile) phones and pay-as-you-go plans; mobile-cellular teledensity is nearly 61 per 100 persons (2019)
international: country code - 509; landing points for the BDSNi and Fibralink submarine cables to 14 points in the Bahamas and Dominican Republic; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: per 2019 data released by Haitian telecommunications regulator CONATEL (Conseil National des Télécommunications), there are 398 legal sound broadcasting stations on the territory, including about 60 community radio stations, and 7 radio stations on the AM band; the FM band in Haiti is oversaturated by 158 percent; most radio stations broadcast 17 to 19 hours a day; there are 105 television stations operating in Haiti, including 36 TV stations in Port- au- Prince, 41 others in the provinces, and more than 40 radio-television stations; a large number of broadcasting stations operate irregularly and some stations operate with technical parameters that do not comply with established standards, thus causing harmful interference to existing telecommunications systems; VOA Creole Service broadcasts daily on 30 affiliate stations (2019)per 2019 data released by Haitian telecommunications regulator CONATEL (Conseil National des Télécommunications), there are 398 legal sound broadcasting stations on the territory, including about 60 community radio stations, and 7 radio stations on the AM band; the FM band in Haiti is oversaturated by 158 percent; most radio stations broadcast 17 to 19 hours a day; there are 105 television stations operating in Haiti, including 36 TV stations in Port- au- Prince, 41 others in the provinces, and more than 40 radio-television stations; a large number of broadcasting stations operate irregularly and some stations operate with technical parameters that do not comply with established standards, thus causing harmful interference to existing telecommunications systems; VOA Creole Service broadcasts daily on 30 affiliate stations
Internet country code: .ht
Internet users: total: 3,990,887 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 35% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 31,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.3 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 1
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HH
Airports: total: 14 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 10
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 8 (2021)
Roadways: total: 4,102 km (2011)
paved: 600 km (2011)
unpaved: 3,502 km (2011)
Merchant marine: total: 4
by type: general cargo 3, other 1 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Port-au-Prince
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: the Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH), disbanded in 1995, began to be reconstituted in 2017 to assist with natural disaster relief, border security, and combating transnational crime; it established an Army command in 2018 (2022)
note: the Haitian National Police (under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security) has a number of specialized units, including a coast guard, a presidential guard, and a paramilitary rapid-response Motorized Intervention Unit or BIM
Military expenditures: not available
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,200 active military troops (the force is planned to eventually have around 5,000 personnel); approximately 16,000 National Police (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: not available
Military service age and obligation: not available
Military - note: according to the Haitian Government, the mission of the reconstituted armed forces will focus on patrolling the border with the Dominican Republic, combating smuggling, and executing recovery efforts after natural disasters
the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) operated in Haiti from 2004 until 2017; its mission was to help restore stability after President Bertrand ARISTIDE fled the country, including assisting with the political process, strengthening government institutions, and promoting and protecting human rights; following the completion of MINUSTAH’s mandate in 2017, a smaller peacekeeping mission, the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), operated until 2019; its mission was to assist with the further development and strengthening of the national police, as well as Haiti’s justice and prison systems, and to promote and protect human rights; in 2019, the UN established the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) with the political mission of advising the Haiti Government in elections, governance, and security; BINUH's current mandate last until July 2023 according to the Haitian Government, the mission of the reconstituted armed forces will focus on patrolling the border with the Dominican Republic, combating smuggling, and executing recovery efforts after natural disasters
the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) operated in Haiti from 2004 until 2017; its mission was to help restore stability after President Bertrand ARISTIDE fled the country, including assisting with the political process, strengthening government institutions, and promoting and protecting human rights; following the completion of MINUSTAH’s mandate in 2017, a smaller peacekeeping mission, the UN Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), operated until 2019; its mission was to assist with the further development and strengthening of the national police, as well as Haiti’s justice and prison systems, and to promote and protect human rights; in 2019, the UN established the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) with the political mission of advising the Haiti Government in elections, governance, and security; BINUH's current mandate last until July 2023
Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Haiti are a risk for armed robbery against ships; in 2021, four attacks against commercial vessels were reported, a slight decrease from the five attacks reported in 2020; most of these occurred in the main port of Port-au-Prince while ships were berthed or at anchor
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: since 2004, peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti have assisted in maintaining civil order in Haiti; the mission currently includes 6,685 military, 2,607 police, and 443 civilian personnel; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Islandsince 2004, peacekeepers from the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti have assisted in maintaining civil order in Haiti; the mission currently includes 6,685 military, 2,607 police, and 443 civilian personnel; despite efforts to control illegal migration, Haitians cross into the Dominican Republic and sail to neighboring countries; Haiti claims US-administered Navassa Island
Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 17,000 (violence among armed gangs in the metropolitan area os Port-au-Prince) (2021)
stateless persons: 2,992 (2018); note - individuals without a nationality who were born in the Dominican Republic prior to January 2010
Illicit drugs: a transit point for cocaine from South America and marijuana from Jamaica en route to the United States; not a producer or large consumer of illicit drugs; some cultivation of cannabis for local consumptiona transit point for cocaine from South America and marijuana from Jamaica en route to the United States; not a producer or large consumer of illicit drugs; some cultivation of cannabis for local consumption |
20220901 | countries-saint-vincent-and-the-grenadines |
Topic: Photos of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Topic: Introduction
Background: Resistance by native Caribs prevented colonization on Saint Vincent until 1719. Disputed by France and the UK for most of the 18th century, the island was ceded to the latter in 1783. The British prized Saint Vincent due to its fertile soil, which allowed for thriving slave-run plantations of sugar, coffee, indigo, tobacco, cotton, and cocoa. In 1834, the British abolished slavery. Immigration of indentured servants eased the ensuing labor shortage, as did subsequent Portuguese immigrants from Madeira and East Indian laborers. Conditions remained harsh for both former slaves and immigrant agricultural workers, however, as depressed world sugar prices kept the economy stagnant until the early 1900s. The economy then went into a period of decline with many landowners abandoning their estates and leaving the land to be cultivated by liberated slaves. Between 1960 and 1962, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was a separate administrative unit of the Federation of the West Indies. Autonomy was granted in 1969 and independence in 1979. In April 2021, the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in the north of Saint Vincent destroyed much of Saint Vincent’s most productive agricultural lands. Unlike most of its tourism-dependent neighbors, the Vincentian economy is primarily agricultural. The US provided $4.7 million in humanitarian support after the eruption.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
Geographic coordinates: 13 15 N, 61 12 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)
land: 389 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 84 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Terrain: volcanic, mountainous
Elevation: highest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: hydropower, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 25.6% (2018 est.)
arable land: 12.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 7.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 5.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 68.7% (2018 est.)
other: 5.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 10 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown
Natural hazards: hurricanes; La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threatvolcanism: La Soufriere (1,234 m) on the island of Saint Vincent last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the southhurricanes; La Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threatvolcanism: La Soufriere (1,234 m) on the island of Saint Vincent last erupted in 1979; the island of Saint Vincent is part of the volcanic island arc of the Lesser Antilles that extends from Saba in the north to Grenada in the south
Geography - note: the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays
Map description: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the Caribbean Sea.Saint Vincent and the Grenadines map showing the islands that comprise this archipelagic country in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 100,969 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Saint Vincentian(s) or Vincentian(s)
adjective: Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
Ethnic groups: African descent 71.2%, mixed 23%, Indigenous 3%, East Indian/Indian 1.1%, European 1.5%, other 0.2% (2012 est.)
Languages: English, Vincentian Creole English, French patois
Religions: Protestant 75% (Pentecostal 27.6%, Anglican 13.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.6%, Baptist 8.9%, Methodist 8.7%, Evangelical 3.8%, Salvation Army 0.3%, Presbyterian/Congregational 0.3%), Roman Catholic 6.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, other 4.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 4.7% (2012 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.15% (male 10,309/female 10,121)
15-24 years: 14.83% (male 7,582/female 7,451)
25-54 years: 42.63% (male 22,395/female 20,824)
55-64 years: 11.68% (male 6,136/female 5,703)
65 years and over: 10.72% (2020 est.) (male 5,167/female 5,702)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.7
youth dependency ratio: 32.1
elderly dependency ratio: 14.5
potential support ratio: 6.9 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 35.3 years
male: 35.4 years
female: 35.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.17% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 12.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.49 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -6.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown
Urbanization: urban population: 53.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 27,000 KINGSTOWN (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 98 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 12.87 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 14.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 11.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.68 years
male: 74.63 years
female: 78.79 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: total: 95.1% of population
unimproved: total: 4.9% of population (2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.8% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.66 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Hospital bed density: 4.3 beds/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 90.2% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 9.8% of population (2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.5% (2018 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 1,200 (2018)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 23.7% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 5.7% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2015)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive; poor land use planning; deforestation; watershed management and squatter settlement control
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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.22 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.09 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
Land use: agricultural land: 25.6% (2018 est.)
arable land: 12.8% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 7.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 5.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 68.7% (2018 est.)
other: 5.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 53.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.94% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 31,561 tons (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 8.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 2,000 cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 100 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
etymology: Saint Vincent was named by explorer Christopher COLUMBUS after Saint VINCENT of Saragossa because the 22 January 1498 day of discovery was the saint's feast day
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Kingstown
geographic coordinates: 13 08 N, 61 13 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: an earlier French settlement was renamed Kingstown by the British in 1763 when they assumed control of the island; the king referred to in the name is George III (r. 1760-1820)
Administrative divisions: 6 parishes; Charlotte, Grenadines, Saint Andrew, Saint David, Saint George, Saint Patrick
Independence: 27 October 1979 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1979)
Constitution: history: previous 1969, 1975; latest drafted 26 July 1979, effective 27 October 1979 (The Saint Vincent Constitution Order 1979)
amendments: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and assent of the governor general; passage of amendments to constitutional sections on fundamental rights and freedoms, citizen protections, various government functions and authorities, and constitutional amendment procedures requires approval by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum of at least two thirds of the votes cast, and assent of the governor general
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
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 Susan DOUGAN (since 1 August 2019)
head of government: Prime Minister Ralph E. GONSALVES (since 29 March 2001)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Assembly (23 seats; 15 representatives directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 6 senators appointed by the governor general, and 2 ex officio members - the speaker of the house and the attorney general; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 5 November 2020 (next to be held in 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - ULP 49.58%, NDP 50.34%, other 0.8%; seats by party - ULP 9, NDP 6
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, traveling 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 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; note - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is also a member of the Caribbean Court of Justice
judge selection and term of office: chief justice of Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court appointed by Her Majesty, Queen ELIZABETH II; other justices and judges appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, an independent body of judicial officials; 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: magistrates' courts
Political parties and leaders: New Democratic Party or NDP [Dr. Godwin L. FRIDAY]
Unity Labor Party or ULP [Dr. Ralph GONSALVES] (formed in 1994 by the coalition of Saint Vincent Labor Party or SVLP and the Movement for National Unity or MNU)
SVG Green Party or SVGP [Ivan O'NEAL]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OECS, OPANAL, OPCW, Petrocaribe, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lou-Anne Gaylene GILCHRIST (since 18 January 2017)
chancery: 1627 K Street, NW, Suite 1202, Washington, DC 20006
telephone: [1] (202) 364-6730
FAX: [1] (202) 364-6730
email address and website:
mail@embsvg.com
http://wa.embassy.gov.vc/washington/
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; the US Ambassador to Barbados is accredited to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Flag description: three vertical bands of blue (hoist side), gold (double width), and green; the gold band bears three green diamonds arranged in a V pattern, which stands for Vincent; the diamonds recall the islands as "the Gems of the Antilles" and are set slightly lowered in the gold band to reflect the nation's position in the Antilles; blue conveys the colors of a tropical sky and crystal waters, yellow signifies the golden Grenadine sands, and green represents lush vegetation
National symbol(s): Saint Vincent parrot; national colors: blue, gold, green
National anthem: name: "St. Vincent! Land So Beautiful!"
lyrics/music: Phyllis Joyce MCCLEAN PUNNETT/Joel Bertram MIGUEL
note: adopted 1967
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity, as well as remittances. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to a small offshore banking sector and continues to fully adopt international regulatory standards. This lower-middle-income country remains vulnerable to natural and external shocks. The economy has shown some signs of recovery due to increased tourist arrivals, falling oil prices and renewed growth in the construction sector. The much anticipated international airport opened in early 2017 with hopes for increased airlift and tourism activity. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high public debt burden, which was 67% of GDP at the end of 2013.Success of the economy hinges upon seasonal variations in agriculture, tourism, and construction activity, as well as remittances. Much of the workforce is employed in banana production and tourism. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is home to a small offshore banking sector and continues to fully adopt international regulatory standards. This lower-middle-income country remains vulnerable to natural and external shocks. The economy has shown some signs of recovery due to increased tourist arrivals, falling oil prices and renewed growth in the construction sector. The much anticipated international airport opened in early 2017 with hopes for increased airlift and tourism activity. The government's ability to invest in social programs and respond to external shocks is constrained by its high public debt burden, which was 67% of GDP at the end of 2013.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.34 billion (2020 est.)
$1.38 billion (2019 est.)
$1.37 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.7% (2017 est.)
0.8% (2016 est.)
0.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $12,100 (2020 est.)
$12,500 (2019 est.)
$12,500 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $785 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2017 est.)
-0.2% (2016 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2014)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 17.4% (2017 est.)
services: 75.5% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 87.3% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 16.6% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 10.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.2% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 37.1% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -51.7% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: bananas, sugar cane, roots/tubers, plantains, vegetables, fruit, coconuts, sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes/guavas
Industries: tourism; food processing, cement, furniture, clothing, starch
Industrial production growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 57,520 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 26%
industry: 17%
services: 57% (1980 est.)
Unemployment rate: 18.8% (2008 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 225.2 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 230 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 73.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
82.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$116 million (2017 est.)
-$122 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $320 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$47.3 million (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: Jordan 39%, Singapore 14% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, drilling platforms and ships, recreational boats, collector's items, eddoes and dasheen (taro), arrowroot starch (2019)
Imports: $450 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$294.6 million (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, United Kingdom 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, ships, poultry meats, tug boats, recreational boats (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $182.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$192.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $362.2 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$330.8 million (31 December 2016 est.)
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: 49,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 133.917 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 11.083 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 73.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 25.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,500 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,621 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: 202,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 202,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 27.821 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 12,483 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 97,059 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: adequate island-wide, fully automatic telephone system; broadband access; expanded FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development; telecom sector contributes greatly to the overall GDP; telecom sector is a growth area (2020)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity exceeds 11 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 87 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 1-784; landing points for the ECFS, CARCIP and Southern Caribbean Fiber submarine cables providing connectivity to US and Caribbean Islands; connectivity also provided by VHF/UHF radiotelephone from Saint Vincent to Barbados; SHF radiotelephone to Grenada and Saint Lucia; access to Intelsat earth station in Martinique through Saint Lucia (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: St. Vincent and the Grenadines Broadcasting Corporation operates 1 TV station and 5 repeater stations that provide near total coverage to the multi-island state; multi-channel cable TV service available; a partially government-funded national radio service broadcasts on 1 station and has 2 repeater stations; about a dozen privately owned radio stations and repeater stations
Internet country code: .vc
Internet users: total: 24,408 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 22% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 24,733 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 11
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: J8
Airports: total: 6 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Merchant marine: total: 792
by type: bulk carrier 27, container ship 17, general cargo 155, oil tanker 16, other 577 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Kingstown
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF; includes the Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022)
Military - note: the country has been a member of the Caribbean Regional Security System (RSS) since its creation in 1982; RSS signatories (Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, and Saint Lucia) 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: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean SeaSaint Vincent and the Grenadines-Venezuela: joins other Caribbean states to counter Venezuela's claim that Aves Island sustains human habitation, a criterion under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which permits Venezuela to extend its EEZ/continental shelf over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea
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 |
20220901 | countries-sri-lanka |
Topic: Photos of Sri Lanka
Topic: Introduction
Background: The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009. During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society. In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the Parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems.The first Sinhalese arrived in Sri Lanka late in the 6th century B.C., probably from northern India. Buddhism was introduced circa 250 B.C., and the first kingdoms developed at the cities of Anuradhapura (from circa 200 B.C. to circa A.D. 1000) and Polonnaruwa (from about 1070 to 1200). In the 14th century, a south Indian dynasty established a Tamil kingdom in northern Sri Lanka. The Portuguese controlled the coastal areas of the island in the 16th century followed by the Dutch in the 17th century. The island was ceded to the British in 1796, became a crown colony in 1802, and was formally united under British rule by 1815. As Ceylon, it became independent in 1948; its name was changed to Sri Lanka in 1972. Prevailing tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatists erupted into war in July 1983. Fighting between the government and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continued for over a quarter century. Although Norway brokered peace negotiations that led to a cease-fire in 2002, the fighting slowly resumed and was again in full force by 2006. The government defeated the LTTE in May 2009.During the post-conflict years under President Mahinda RAJAPAKSA, the government initiated infrastructure development projects, many of which were financed by loans from China. His regime faced significant allegations of human rights violations and a shrinking democratic space for civil society. In 2015, a new coalition government headed by President Maithripala SIRISENA of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and Prime Minister Ranil WICKREMESINGHE of the United National Party came to power with pledges to advance economic, governance, anti-corruption, reconciliation, justice, and accountability reforms. However, implementation of these reforms has been uneven. In October 2018, President SIRISENA attempted to oust Prime Minister WICKREMESINGHE, swearing in former President RAJAPAKSA as the new prime minister and issuing an order to dissolve the Parliament and hold elections. This sparked a seven-week constitutional crisis that ended when the Supreme Court ruled SIRISENA’s actions unconstitutional, RAJAPAKSA resigned, and WICKREMESINGHE was reinstated. In November 2019, Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA won the presidential election and appointed his brother, Mahinda, prime minister. Since Gotabaya RAJAPAKSA’s election, there have been concerns about his administration’s commitment to pursuing justice, human rights, and accountability reforms, as well as the risks to foreign creditors that Sri Lanka faces given its ongoing economic crisis. A combination of factors including the impact of the worldwide COVID pandemic; severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel; and power outages have triggered increasingly violent protests in Columbo. Longtime parliamentarian and former five-time prime minister, Ranil WICKREMESINGHE replaced Mahinda RAJAPASKA as prime-minister in mid-May 2022, with a mandate to resolve the country's economic problems.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of India
Geographic coordinates: 7 00 N, 81 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 65,610 sq km
land: 64,630 sq km
water: 980 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 1,340 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 monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Terrain: mostly low, flat to rolling plain; mountains in south-central interior
Elevation: highest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 228 m
Natural resources: limestone, graphite, mineral sands, gems, phosphates, clay, hydropower, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 43.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 15.8% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 7% (2018 est.)
forest: 29.4% (2018 est.)
other: 27.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,700 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north
Natural hazards: occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Geography - note: strategic location near major Indian Ocean sea lanes; Adam's Bridge is a chain of limestone shoals between the southeastern coast of India and the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka; geological evidence suggests that this 50-km long Bridge once connected India and Sri Lanka; ancient records seem to indicate that a foot passage was possible between the two land masses until the 15th century when the land bridge broke up in a cyclone
Map description: Sri Lanka map showing major cities of this island country in the Indian Ocean.Sri Lanka map showing major cities of this island country in the Indian Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 23,187,516 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Sri Lankan(s)
adjective: Sri Lankan
Ethnic groups: Sinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.)
Languages: Sinhala (official and national language) 87%, Tamil (official and national language) 28.5%, English 23.8% (2012 est.)
note: data represent main languages spoken by the population aged 10 years and older; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; English is commonly used in government and is referred to as the "link language" in the constitution
Religions: Buddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 23.11% (male 2,696,379/female 2,592,450)
15-24 years: 14.58% (male 1,700,442/female 1,636,401)
25-54 years: 41.2% (male 4,641,842/female 4,789,101)
55-64 years: 10.48% (male 1,110,481/female 1,288,056)
65 years and over: 10.63% (2020 est.) (male 1,023,315/female 1,410,734)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.7
youth dependency ratio: 36.4
elderly dependency ratio: 17.3
potential support ratio: 5.8 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 33.7 years
male: 32.3 years
female: 35.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.61% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 13.8 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the population is primarily concentrated within a broad wet zone in the southwest, urban centers along the eastern coast, and on the Jaffna Peninsula in the north
Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 103,000 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) (2018), 626,000 COLOMBO (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 25.6 years (2016 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 30-34
Maternal mortality ratio: 36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 8.2 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.18 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78 years
male: 74.57 years
female: 81.56 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.98 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 64.6% (2016)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.7% of population
rural: 91.2% of population
total: 92.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population
rural: 8.8% of population
total: 7.2% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.23 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 4.2 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.6% of population
rural: 97.9% of population
total: 97.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 3.4% of population
rural: 2.1% of population
total: 2.4% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,700 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.2% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 22% (2020 est.)
male: 41.4% (2020 est.)
female: 2.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 20.5% (2016)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.9%
women married by age 18: 9.8% (2016 est.)
Education expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 92.3%
male: 93%
female: 91.6% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 14 years (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.1%
male: 16.6%
female: 29.4% (2018 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; wildlife populations threatened by poaching and urbanization; coastal degradation from mining activities and increased pollution; coral reef destruction; freshwater resources being polluted by industrial wastes and sewage runoff; waste disposal; air pollution in Colombo
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 23.36 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 10.95 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical monsoon; northeast monsoon (December to March); southwest monsoon (June to October)
Land use: agricultural land: 43.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 20.7% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 15.8% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 7% (2018 est.)
forest: 29.4% (2018 est.)
other: 27.1% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 19% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.22% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.06% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact diseases: leptospirosis
animal contact diseases: rabies
Food insecurity: widespread lack of access: due to serious macroeconomic challenges, significant reduction in 2022 cereal output, and high food prices - severe macroeconomic challenges, mostly reflecting dwindling foreign currency reserves after revenues from merchandise exports, remittances, and from the tourist sector declined dramatically over the last year, have had a negative impact on the country’s capacity to import cereals; the 2022 cereal production sharply declined due to a government ordered reduction in the application of chemical fertilizers; unprecedentedly high food prices are constraining economic access to food for a majority of households
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,631,650 tons (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 336,588 tons (2016 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.8% (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 805 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 831 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 11.31 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 52.8 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka
conventional short form: Sri Lanka
local long form: Shri Lanka Prajatantrika Samajavadi Janarajaya (Sinhala)/ Ilankai Jananayaka Choshalichak Kutiyarachu (Tamil)
local short form: Shri Lanka (Sinhala)/ Ilankai (Tamil)
former: Serendib, Ceylon
etymology: the name means "resplendent island" in Sanskrit
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Colombo (commercial capital); Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital)
geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 79 50 E
time difference: UTC+5.5 (10.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: Colombo may derive from the Sinhala "kolon thota," meaning "port on the river" (referring to the Kelani River that empties into the Indian Ocean at Colombo); alternatively, the name may derive from the Sinhala "kola amba thota" meaning "harbor with mango trees"; it is also possible that the Portuguese named the city after Christopher COLUMBUS, who lived in Portugal for many years (as Cristovao COLOMBO) before discovering the Americas for the Spanish crown in 1492 - not long before the Portuguese made their way to Sri Lanka in 1505; Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte translates as "Resplendent City of Growing Victory" in Sinhala
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces; Central, Eastern, North Central, Northern, North Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, Western
Independence: 4 February 1948 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day (National Day), 4 February (1948)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 16 August 1978, certified 31 August 1978
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of its total membership, certification by the president of the republic or the Parliament speaker, and in some cases approval in a referendum by absolute majority of valid votes; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: mixed legal system of Roman-Dutch civil law, English common law, Jaffna Tamil customary law, and Muslim personal law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Sri Lanka
dual citizenship recognized: no, except in cases where the government rules it is to the benefit of Sri Lanka
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 20 July 2022); the president is both chief of state and head of government; prime minister (vacant)
head of government: President Ranil WICKREMESINGHE (since 20 July 2022)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president in consultation with the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by preferential majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 16 November 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of Parliament for a 5-year term)
election results: Ranil WICKREMESINGHE elected president by Parliament on 20 July 2022; WICKREMESINGH 134 votes, Dullas ALAHAPPERUNA 82 votes
Note: amid public protests which began in March 2022, President Gotabaya RAJAPAKSE fled the country on 13 July and Ranil WICKREMESINGHE became acting president; RAJAPAKSE announced his resignation on the 14th, which was accepted by the speaker of Parliament the following day; Parliament on 20 July elected WICKREMESINGHE as president; vote - Ranil WICKREMESINGHE - 134, Dullas ALAHAPPERUMA - 82
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (225 seats; 196 members directly elected in multi-seat district constituencies by proportional representation vote using a preferential method in which voters select 3 candidates in order of preference; remaining 29 seats, referred to as the "national list" are allocated by each party secretary according to the island wide proportional vote the party obtains; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 17 August 2015 (next originally scheduled for 25 April 2020 but postponed to due to the COVID-19 pandemic)
election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - SLFPA 59.1%, SJB 23.9%, JVP 3.8%, TNA 2.8%, UNP 2.2%, TNPF 0.6%, EPDP 0.5%, other 7.1%; seats by coalition/party - SLFPA 145, SJB 54, TNA 10, JVP 3, other 13; composition - NA
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of the Republic (consists of the chief justice and 9 justices); note - the court has exclusive jurisdiction to review legislation
judge selection and term of office: chief justice nominated by the Constitutional Council (CC), a 9-member high-level advisory body, and appointed by the president; other justices nominated by the CC and appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice; all justices can serve until age 65
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; High Courts; Magistrates' Courts; municipal and primary courts
Political parties and leaders: Crusaders for Democracy [Ganeshalingam CHANDRALINGAM]
Eelam People's Democratic Party or EPDP [Douglas DEVANANDA]
Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front [Suresh PREMACHANDRAN]
Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE]
Jathika Hela Urumaya or JHU [Karunarathna PARANAWITHANA, Ven. Hadigalle Wimalasara THERO]
National Peoples Power or JVP [Anura Kumara DISSANAYAKE]
Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB [Sajith PREMADASA]
Sri Lanka Freedom Party or SLFP [Maithripala SIRISENA]
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress or SLMC [Rauff HAKEEM]
Sri Lanka People's Freedom Alliance [Mahinda RAJAPAKSA]
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna or SLPP [G. L. PEIRIS]
Tamil National Alliance or TNA [Rajavarothiam SAMPANTHAN] (alliance includes Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi [Mavai SENATHIRAJAH], People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam [D. SIDDARTHAN], Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization [Selvam ADAIKALANATHAN])
Tamil National People's Front [Gajendrakumar PONNAMBALAM]
United National Front for Good Governance or UNFGG [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE] (coalition includes JHU, UNP)
United National Party or UNP [Ranil WICKREMESINGHE]
United People's Freedom Alliance or UPFA [Maithripala SIRISENA] (coalition includes SLFP)
International organization participation: ABEDA, ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, FAO, G-11, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mahinda SAMARASINGHE (since 1 December 2021)
chancery: 3025 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4025 through 4028
FAX: [1] (202) 232-7181
email address and website:
slembassy@slembassyusa.org
https://slembassyusa.org/new/
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Julie J. CHUNG (since 17 February 2022)
embassy: 210 Galle Road, Colombo 03
mailing address: 6100 Colombo Place, Washington DC 20521-6100
telephone: [94] (11) 249-8500
FAX: [94] (11) 243-7345
email address and website:
colomboacs@state.gov
https://lk.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: yellow with two panels; the smaller hoist-side panel has two equal vertical bands of green (hoist side) and orange; the other larger panel depicts a yellow lion holding a sword on a maroon rectangular field that also displays a yellow bo leaf in each corner; the yellow field appears as a border around the entire flag and extends between the two panels; the lion represents Sinhalese ethnicity, the strength of the nation, and bravery; the sword demonstrates the sovereignty of the nation; the four bo leaves - symbolizing Buddhism and its influence on the country - stand for the four virtues of kindness, friendliness, happiness, and equanimity; orange signifies Sri Lankan Tamils, green Sri Lankan Moors, and maroon the Sinhalese majority; yellow denotes other ethnic groups; also referred to as the Lion Flag
National symbol(s): lion, water lily; national colors: maroon, yellow
National anthem: name: "Sri Lanka Matha" (Mother Sri Lanka)
lyrics/music: Ananda SAMARKONE
note: adopted 1951
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 8 (6 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Ancient City of Polonnaruwa (c); Ancient City of Sigiriya (c); Sacred City of Anuradhapura (c); Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications (c); Sacred City of Kandy (c); Sinharaja Forest Reserve (n); Rangiri Dambulla Cave Temple (c); Central Highlands of Sri Lanka (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Sri Lanka’s economy has historically relied upon government-guided market investments, and since 2009, several sectors have been excluded from any privatization efforts. Major infrastructure development of rural and civil war-impacted areas remains a major focus, as does small business development. Sri Lanka’s longstanding high debt and large civil service have contributed to historically high budget deficits and remain a concern. Sri Lankan tourism soared since the end of conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, but the 2018 constitutional crisis, the 2019 Easter bombings, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have since destabilized this key industry, leading Sri Lanka to nearly expend all foreign currency reserves. Regionally, Sri Lanka has engaged China on major infrastructure projects and currently owes $6.5 billion, which may soon be restructured. Fiscally, Sri Lanka’s focus on domestic goods—instead of export growth—further increased Sri Lanka’s trade imbalance, despite its EU preferential trade status allowing tax-free garment and gem exports to the EU. From 2019 until its repeal in 2021, Sri Lanka’s agricultural import ban on chemical fertilizers resulted in disastrous reductions in rice, tea, and rubber yields, increasing Sri Lanka’s import dependencies for these goods. The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has also decreased fuel supplies and significantly increased prices. India is providing both direct fertilizer and fuel aid to offset these shortages. Power shortages plague business climates, and further stoke existing labor shortages. Additionally Sri Lanka is also considering privatizing several state-owned entities to try to spur industrial and service sectors’ growth. Monetarily, Sri Lanka remains in a dire position, further exacerbated by the 2019 tax cuts that contributed to the country’s ongoing economic calamity. Already one of the highest indebted emerging markets, Sri Lanka defaulted on its current public debt payments in May 2022, and its ongoing currency crisis has crippled domestic revenues, tax collections, and economic activity, ushering in the country’s worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. As a result, inflation is skyrocketing (nearing 40%), and food, fuel, and medicine shortages have led to widespread unrest and economic collapse. Sri Lanka currently seeks an immediate $3 million IMF bridge loan and $75 million in foreign currency to pay for essential goods and fuel.The World Bank, India, and the G7 countries have agreed to aid Sri Lanka in securing debt relief, but the IMF maintains that Sri Lanka must raise interest rates and taxes to secure any loan. Current Sri Lankan priorities focus on the following goals: Securing a bridge loan from the IMF; Improving its foreign currency reserves through continued promotion of tourism and privatization of state enterprises; Recovering from COVID-19 pandemic-related economic disruptions and demand shocks; Identifying alternative fuel supply chains; and Restructuring preexisting infrastructure debts to China. Sri Lanka’s economy has historically relied upon government-guided market investments, and since 2009, several sectors have been excluded from any privatization efforts. Major infrastructure development of rural and civil war-impacted areas remains a major focus, as does small business development. Sri Lanka’s longstanding high debt and large civil service have contributed to historically high budget deficits and remain a concern. Sri Lankan tourism soared since the end of conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, but the 2018 constitutional crisis, the 2019 Easter bombings, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have since destabilized this key industry, leading Sri Lanka to nearly expend all foreign currency reserves. Regionally, Sri Lanka has engaged China on major infrastructure projects and currently owes $6.5 billion, which may soon be restructured.Fiscally, Sri Lanka’s focus on domestic goods—instead of export growth—further increased Sri Lanka’s trade imbalance, despite its EU preferential trade status allowing tax-free garment and gem exports to the EU. From 2019 until its repeal in 2021, Sri Lanka’s agricultural import ban on chemical fertilizers resulted in disastrous reductions in rice, tea, and rubber yields, increasing Sri Lanka’s import dependencies for these goods. The ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has also decreased fuel supplies and significantly increased prices. India is providing both direct fertilizer and fuel aid to offset these shortages. Power shortages plague business climates, and further stoke existing labor shortages. Additionally Sri Lanka is also considering privatizing several state-owned entities to try to spur industrial and service sectors’ growth.Monetarily, Sri Lanka remains in a dire position, further exacerbated by the 2019 tax cuts that contributed to the country’s ongoing economic calamity. Already one of the highest indebted emerging markets, Sri Lanka defaulted on its current public debt payments in May 2022, and its ongoing currency crisis has crippled domestic revenues, tax collections, and economic activity, ushering in the country’s worst economic crisis since independence in 1948. As a result, inflation is skyrocketing (nearing 40%), and food, fuel, and medicine shortages have led to widespread unrest and economic collapse. Sri Lanka currently seeks an immediate $3 million IMF bridge loan and $75 million in foreign currency to pay for essential goods and fuel.The World Bank, India, and the G7 countries have agreed to aid Sri Lanka in securing debt relief, but the IMF maintains that Sri Lanka must raise interest rates and taxes to secure any loan.Current Sri Lankan priorities focus on the following goals:
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $274.8 billion (2020 est.)
$284.97 billion (2019 est.)
$278.68 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.29% (2019 est.)
3.32% (2018 est.)
3.58% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $12,500 (2020 est.)
$13,100 (2019 est.)
$12,900 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $84.016 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.3% (2019 est.)
4.2% (2018 est.)
6.5% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: CCC (2020)
Moody's rating: Caa1 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 30.5% (2017 est.)
services: 61.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 8.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 10.2% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 21.9% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -29.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, coconuts, sugar cane, plantains, milk, tea, cassava, maize, poultry, coir
Industries: processing of rubber, tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities; telecommunications, insurance, banking; tourism, shipping; clothing, textiles; cement, petroleum refining, information technology services, construction
Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 8 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 27%
industry: 26%
services: 47% (31 December 2016)
Unemployment rate: 4.83% (2019 est.)
4.44% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 21.1%
male: 16.6%
female: 29.4% (2018 est.)
Population below poverty line: 4.1% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.8 (2016 est.)
46 (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)
Budget: revenues: 12.07 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 16.88 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 79.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
79.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: covers central government debt and excludes debt instruments directly owned by government entities other than the treasury (e.g. commercial bank borrowings of a government corporation); the data includes treasury debt held by foreign entities as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement; sub-national entities are usually not permitted to sell debt instruments
Taxes and other revenues: 13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$10 million (2019 est.)
-$17 million (2018 est.)
Exports: $19.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$20.26 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$15.166 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 24%, India 8%, United Kingdom 7%, Germany 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: clothing and apparel, tea, used tires, rubber products, precious stones, cinnamon (2019)
Imports: $24.56 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$26.84 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$26.063 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: India 24%, China 23%, Singapore 7%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Malaysia 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, textiles, gold, cars, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.959 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.019 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $55.332 billion (2019 est.)
$52.567 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Sri Lankan rupees (LKR) per US dollar -
185.8 (2020 est.)
181.2 (2019 est.)
178.545 (2018 est.)
135.86 (2014 est.)
130.57 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.527 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 13,991,420,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 1.337 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 64% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 32.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 2.237 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 2.586 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 131,100 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 35,300 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 34,210 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 3,871 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 66,280 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: 23.939 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 5.546 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 18.393 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 17.268 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,607,868 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 30,778,600 (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 144 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Sri Lanka’s fixed-line telephony market was one of the very few in the world to experience a significant upsurge in subscriptions in 2020; while the country suffers from a relatively poor fixed-line infrastructure and a correspondingly strong mobile sector, demand for traditional phone services increased 14% in 2020; preliminary results suggest a further jump of up to 13% can also be expected in 2021; this will take Sri Lanka’s fixed-line penetration to levels not seen since 2013; the most reason behind the market’s reversal of fortunes is the Covid-19 crisis and Sri Lanka’s ensuring lock downs; these forced much of the population back inside and reverting to ‘traditional’ methods of communication for both voice and data services; the fixed broadband market was equally robust, growing 20% in 2020 alone; Sri Lanka possesses a relatively low number of computers per household so the fixed broadband market’s success comes off a small base; the one area of the telecommunications market that experienced a fall was the mobile segment; up until the start of the pandemic, Sri Lanka had a very high mobile penetration rate of 155%; this near-saturation level reflected the preponderance for subscribers to carry multiple SIM cards to take advantage of cheaper on-net call rates; the reduction in demand and traffic because of the pandemic led to a sharp drop in the number of active subscriptions, down to just 135% – a 17% decline in just one year; the market is expected to bounce back quickly, as soon as the country eases back on its lock down measures and reduces travel restrictions; it will also be boosted, come 2022, by the anticipated launch of commercial 5G mobile services. (2021)
domestic: fixed-line roughly 11 per 100 and mobile-cellular nearly 139 per 100; national trunk network consists of digital microwave radio relay and fiber-optic links; fixed wireless local loops have been installed; competition is strong in mobile cellular systems and mobile cellular subscribership is increasing (2020)
international: country code - 94; landing points for the SeaMeWe -3,-5, Dhiraagu-SLT Submarine Cable Network, WARF Submarine Cable, Bharat Lanka Cable System and the Bay of Bengal Gateway submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: government operates 5 TV channels and 19 radio channels; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscription services available; 25 private TV stations and about 43 radio stations; 6 non-profit TV stations and 4 radio stations
Internet country code: .lk
Internet users: total: 7,671,650 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 35% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,781,530 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 34
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 5,882,376 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 436.2 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 4R
Airports: total: 18 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 11
over 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 7 km refined products
Railways: total: 1,562 km (2016)
broad gauge: 1,562 km (2016) 1.676-m gauge
Roadways: total: 114,093 km (2010)
paved: 16,977 km (2010)
unpaved: 97,116 km (2010)
Waterways: 160 km (2012) (primarily on rivers in southwest)
Merchant marine: total: 90
by type: bulk carrier 6, general cargo 13, oil tanker 11, other 60 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Colombo
container port(s) (TEUs): Colombo (7,228,337) (2019)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Sri Lanka Army (includes National Guard and the Volunteer Force), Sri Lanka Navy (includes Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard; Civil Security Department (Home Guard); Sri Lanka National Police: Special Task Force (a paramilitary unit responsible for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations) (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $5.9 billion)
1.9% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $5.6 billion)
2.2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $6.07 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 240,000 total personnel (170,000 Army; 40,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force); approximately 11,000 Special Task Force personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Sri Lankan military inventory consists mostly of Chinese and Russian-origin equipment; since 2010, China, India, and the US have been the leading suppliers of arms to Sri Lanka (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-22 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2022)
Military deployments: 110 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 125 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 240 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
Military - note: Sri Lanka traditionally has had close security ties to India; India participated in the counter-insurgency war against the LTTE from 1987-1991, losing over 1,000 soldiers in the conflict; the Sri Lankan and Indian militaries continue to conduct exercises together, and India trains over 1,000 Sri Lankan soldiers per year; however, since the end of the war with LTTE, Sri Lanka has also increased military ties with China, including acquiring military equipment, hosting naval port calls, and sending personnel to China for training
since the end of the war with LTTE, the Sri Lankan military has increased its role in a range of commercial sectors including agriculture, hotels, leisure, and restaurants; this expansion has been particularly discernible in the majority Tamil-populated northern and eastern provinces where a large portion of the Army reportedly remained deployed as of 2021 (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
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: none identifiednone identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 12,000 (civil war; more than half displaced prior to 2008; many of the more than 480,000 IDPs registered as returnees have not reached durable solutions) (2021)
Trafficking in persons: current situation: Sri Lanka is primarily a source and, to a much lesser extent, a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking cases involve traffickers forcing Sri Lankan workers into labor overseas; men, women, and children are subjected to forced labor in the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and the United States in construction, garment manufacturing, and domestic service; authorities have identified labor trafficking victims among Sri Lankan female migrant workers who seek employment in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Japan, and South Korea; traffickers force children, individuals with physical deformities, and those from socially vulnerable groups to beg or engage in criminal activity in Sri Lanka’s largest cities
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Sri Lanka does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; efforts include convicting traffickers under its trafficking statute, identifying victims, and working on anti-trafficking training and raising awareness; however, some officials reportedly complicit in trafficking are inadequately investigated; fewer victims were identified in country and abroad; social and legal assistance for victims remained inadequate and inconsistent; the Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment did not refer potential trafficking cases to police for criminal investigation; police continued to arrest trafficking victims for prostitution, vagrancy, and immigration offenses; child sex trafficking victims remained in government detention centers (2020) |
20220901 | field-labor-force | This entry contains the total labor force figure.
Topic: Afghanistan8.478 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Albania1.104 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Algeria10.859 million (2017 est.)
Topic: American Samoa17,850 (2015 est.)
Topic: Andorra39,750 (2016)
Topic: Angola12.51 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Anguilla6,049 (2001)
Topic: Antigua and Barbuda30,000 (1991)
Topic: Argentina18 million (2017 est.)
note: urban areas only
Topic: Armenia1.507 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Aruba51,610 (2007 est.)
note: of the 51,610 workers aged 15 and over in the labor force, 32,252 were born in Aruba and 19,353 came from abroad; foreign workers are 38% of the employed population
Topic: Australia12.568 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Austria3.739 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Azerbaijan4.939 million (2019 est.)
Topic: Bahamas, The196,900 (2013 est.)
Topic: Bahrain831,600 (2017 est.)
note: excludes unemployed; 44% of the population in the 15-64 age group is non-national
Topic: Bangladesh66.64 million (2017 est.)
note: extensive migration of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia
Topic: Barbados144,000 (2017 est.)
Topic: Belarus4.381 million (2016 est.)
Topic: Belgium4.122 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Belize120,500 (2008 est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel
Topic: Benin3.662 million (2007 est.)
Topic: Bermuda33,480 (2016 est.)
Topic: Bhutan397,900 (2017 est.)
note: major shortage of skilled labor
Topic: Bolivia5.719 million (2016 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina806,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Botswana1.177 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Brazil86.621 million (2020 est.)
Topic: British Virgin Islands12,770 (2004)
Topic: Brunei203,600 (2014 est.)
Topic: Bulgaria3.113 million (2020 est.)
note: number of employed persons
Topic: Burkina Faso8.501 million (2016 est.)
note: a large part of the male labor force migrates annually to neighboring countries for seasonal employment
Topic: Burma22.3 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Burundi5.012 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Cabo Verde196,100 (2007 est.)
Topic: Cambodia8.913 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Cameroon9.912 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Canada18.136 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Cayman Islands39,000 (2007 est.)
note: nearly 55% are non-nationals
Topic: Central African Republic2.242 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Chad5.654 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Chile7.249 million (2020 est.)
Topic: China774.71 million (2019 est.)
note: by the end of 2012, China's working age population (15-64 years) was 1.004 billion
Topic: Christmas IslandNA
Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA
Topic: Colombia19.309 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Comoros278,500 (2016 est.)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the20.692 million (2012 est.)
Topic: Congo, Republic of the2.055 million (2016 est.)
Topic: Cook Islands6,820 (2001)
Topic: Costa Rica1.843 million (2020 est.)
note: official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica
Topic: Cote d'Ivoire8.747 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Croatia1.656 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Cuba4.691 million (2017 est.)
note: state sector 72.3%, non-state sector 27.7%
Topic: Curacao73,010 (2013)
Topic: Cyprus416,000 (2019 est.)
Topic: Czechia5.222 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Denmark2.736 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Djibouti294,600 (2012)
Topic: Dominica25,000 (2000 est.)
Topic: Dominican Republic4.732 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Ecuador8.086 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Egypt24.113 million (2020 est.)
Topic: El Salvador2.908 million (2019 est.)
Topic: Equatorial Guinea195,200 (2007 est.)
Topic: Eritrea2.71 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Estonia648,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Eswatini427,900 (2016 est.)
Topic: Ethiopia52.82 million (2017 est.)
Topic: European Union238.9 million (2016 est.)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)1,850 (2016 est.)
Topic: Faroe Islands27,540 (2017 est.)
Topic: Fiji353,100 (2017 est.)
Topic: Finland2.52 million (2020 est.)
Topic: France27.742 million (2020 est.)
Topic: French Polynesia126,300 (2016 est.)
Topic: Gabon557,800 (2017 est.)
Topic: Gambia, The777,100 (2007 est.)
Topic: Gaza Strip1.24 million (2017 est.)
note: excludes the West Bank
Topic: Georgia686,000 (2019 est.)
Topic: Germany44.585 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Ghana12.49 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Gibraltar24,420 (2014 est.)
Topic: Greece4 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Greenland26,840 (2015 est.)
Topic: Grenada55,270 (2017 est.)
Topic: Guam73,210 (2016 est.)
note: includes only the civilian labor force
Topic: Guatemala6.664 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Guernsey31,470 (March 2006)
Topic: Guinea5.558 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Guinea-Bissau731,300 (2013 est.)
Topic: Guyana313,800 (2013 est.)
Topic: Haiti4.594 million (2014 est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor; unskilled labor abundant
Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)4,822 (2016)
Topic: Honduras3.735 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Hong Kong3.627 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Hungary4.414 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Iceland200,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: India521.9 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Indonesia129.366 million (2019 est.)
Topic: Iran30.5 million (2017 est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor
Topic: Iraq8.9 million (2010 est.)
Topic: Ireland2.289 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Isle of Man41,790 (2006)
Topic: Israel3.893 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Italy22.92 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Jamaica1.113 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Japan66.54 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Jersey59,950 (2017 est.)
Topic: Jordan731,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Kazakhstan8.685 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Kenya19.6 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Kiribati39,000 (2010 est.)
note: economically active, not including subsistence farmers
Topic: Korea, North14 million (2014 est.)
note: estimates vary widely
Topic: Korea, South26.839 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Kosovo500,300 (2017 est.)
note: includes those estimated to be employed in the gray economy
Topic: Kuwait2.695 million (2017 est.)
note: non-Kuwaitis represent about 60% of the labor force
Topic: Kyrgyzstan2.841 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Laos3.582 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Latvia885,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Lebanon2.166 million (2016 est.)
note: excludes as many as 1 million foreign workers and refugees
Topic: Lesotho930,800 (2017 est.)
Topic: Liberia1.677 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Libya1.114 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Liechtenstein38,520 (2015 est.) (2012)
note: 51% of the labor force in Liechtenstein commute daily from Austria, Switzerland, and Germany
Topic: Lithuania1.333 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Luxembourg476,000 (2020 est.)
note: data exclude foreign workers; in addition to the figure for domestic labor force, about 150,000 workers commute daily from France, Belgium, and Germany
Topic: Macau392,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Madagascar13.4 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Malawi7 million (2013 est.)
Topic: Malaysia15.139 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Maldives222,200 (2017 est.)
Topic: Mali6.447 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Malta223,000 (2019 est.)
Topic: Marshall Islands10,670 (2013 est.)
Topic: Mauritania1.437 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Mauritius554,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Mexico50.914 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of37,920 (2010 est.)
Topic: Moldova1.295 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Monaco52,000 (2014 est.)
note: includes all foreign workers
Topic: Mongolia1.241 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Montenegro167,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Montserrat4,521 (2012)
Topic: Morocco10.399 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Mozambique12.9 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Namibia956,800 (2017 est.)
Topic: NauruNA
Topic: Nepal16.81 million (2017 est.)
note: severe lack of skilled labor
Topic: Netherlands8.907 million (2020 est.)
Topic: New Caledonia119,500 (2016 est.)
Topic: New Zealand2.709 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Nicaragua3.046 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Niger6.5 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Nigeria60.08 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Niue663 (2001)
Topic: Norfolk Island978 (2006)
Topic: North Macedonia793,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Northern Mariana Islands27,970 (2010 est.)
note: includes foreign workers
Topic: Norway2.699 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Oman2.255 million (2016 est.)
note: about 60% of the labor force is non-national
Topic: Pakistan61.71 million (2017 est.)
note: extensive export of labor, mostly to the Middle East, and use of child labor
Topic: Palau11,610 (2016)
Topic: Panama1.633 million (2017 est.)
note: shortage of skilled labor, but an oversupply of unskilled labor
Topic: Papua New Guinea3.681 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Paraguay3.428 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Peru3.421 million (2020 est.)
note: individuals older than 14 years of age
Topic: Philippines41.533 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Pitcairn Islands15 (2004)
Topic: Poland9.561 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Portugal4.717 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Puerto Rico1.139 million (December 2014 est.)
Topic: Qatar1.953 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Romania4.889 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Russia69.923 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Rwanda6.227 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha2,486 (1998 est.)
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis18,170 (June 1995 est.)
Topic: Saint Lucia79,700 (2012 est.)
Topic: Saint Martin17,300 (2008 est.)
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon4,429 (2015)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines57,520 (2007 est.)
Topic: Samoa50,700 (2016 est.)
Topic: San Marino21,960 (September 2013 est.)
Topic: Sao Tome and Principe72,600 (2017 est.)
Topic: Saudi Arabia13.8 million (2017 est.)
note: comprised of 3.1 million Saudis and 10.7 million non-Saudis
Topic: Senegal6.966 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Serbia3 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Seychelles51,000 (2018 est.)
Topic: Sierra Leone132,000 (2013 est.)
Topic: Singapore3.778 million (2019 est.)
note: excludes non-residents
Topic: Sint Maarten23,200 (2008 est.)
Topic: Slovakia2.511 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Slovenia885,000 (2020 est.)
Topic: Solomon Islands202,500 (2007 est.)
Topic: Somalia4.154 million (2016 est.)
Topic: South Africa14.687 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Spain19.057 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Sri Lanka8 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Sudan11.92 million (2007 est.)
Topic: Suriname144,000 (2014 est.)
Topic: Svalbard1,590 (2013)
Topic: Sweden5.029 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Switzerland5.067 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Syria3.767 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Taiwan11.498 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Tajikistan2.295 million (2016 est.)
Topic: Tanzania24.89 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Thailand37.546 million (2020 est.)
Topic: Timor-Leste286,700 (2016 est.)
Topic: Togo2.595 million (2007 est.)
Topic: Tokelau1,100 (2019 est.)
Topic: Tonga33,800 (2011 est.)
Topic: Trinidad and Tobago629,400 (2017 est.)
Topic: Tunisia4.054 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)25.677 million (2020 est.)
note: this number is for the domestic labor force only; number does not include about 1.2 million Turks working abroad, nor refugees
Topic: Turkmenistan2.305 million (2013 est.)
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands4,848 (1990 est.)
Topic: Tuvalu3,615 (2004 est.)
Topic: Uganda15.84 million (2015 est.)
Topic: Ukraine16.033 million (2017 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emirates5.344 million (2017 est.)
note: expatriates account for about 85% of the workforce
Topic: United Kingdom35.412 million (2020 est.)
Topic: United States146.128 million (2020 est.)
note: includes unemployed
Topic: Uruguay1.748 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Uzbekistan13.273 million (2018 est.)
Topic: Vanuatu115,900 (2007 est.)
Topic: Venezuela14.21 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Vietnam54.659 million (2019 est.)
Topic: Virgin Islands48,550 (2016 est.)
Topic: Wallis and Futuna4,482 (2013)
Topic: West Bank1.24 million (2017 est.)
note: excludes Gaza Strip
Topic: World3.432 billion (2017 est.)
Topic: Yemen7.425 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Zambia6.898 million (2017 est.)
Topic: Zimbabwe7.907 million (2017 est.) |
20220901 | field-military-and-security-forces | This entry lists the military and security forces subordinate to defense ministries or the equivalent (typically ground, naval, air, and marine forces), as well as those belonging to interior ministries or the equivalent (typically gendarmeries, border/coast guards, paramilitary police, and other internal security forces).
Topic: Afghanistanas of 2022, the Taliban had established a Ministry of Defense and named commanders and deputy commanders for 8 regional corps; in December 2021, it announced the formation of a police force (2022)
Topic: AlbaniaRepublic of Albania Armed Forces (Forcat e Armatosura të Republikës së Shqipërisë (FARSH)): Land Forces, Navy Forces (includes Coast Guard), Air Forces
Ministry of Interior: Guard of the Republic, State Police (includes the Border and Migration Police) (2022)
note - the State Police are primarily responsible for internal security, while the Guard of the Republic protects senior state officials, foreign dignitaries, and certain state properties
Topic: AlgeriaAlgerian People's National Army (ANP): Land Forces, Naval Forces (includes coast guard), Air Forces, Territorial Air Defense Forces, Republican Guard (under ANP, but responsible to the President), National Gendarmerie; Ministry of Interior: General Directorate of National Security (national police) (2022)
Topic: Andorrano regular military forces; Police Corps of Andorra
Topic: AngolaAngolan Armed Forces (Forcas Armadas Angolanas, FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA; under operational control of the Army); Rapid Reaction Police (paramilitary) (2022)
Topic: Antigua and BarbudaAntigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF): Coast Guard and the Antigua and Barbuda Regiment (2022)
Topic: ArgentinaArmed Forces of the Argentine Republic (Fuerzas Armadas de la República Argentina): Argentine Army (Ejercito Argentino, EA), Navy of the Argentine Republic (Armada Republica, ARA; includes naval aviation and naval infantry), Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Argentina, FAA); Ministry of Security: Gendarmería Nacional Argentina (National Gendarmerie), Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval) (2022)
Topic: ArmeniaArmenian Armed Forces: Armenian Army (includes land, air, air defense forces) (2022)
Topic: Arubano regular military forces; Aruban Militia (ARUMIL) (2022)
Topic: AustraliaAustralian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army (includes Special Operations Command), Royal Australian Navy (includes Naval Aviation Force), Royal Australian Air Force (2022)
Topic: AustriaAustrian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air Forces, Cyber Forces, Special Forces (2022)
Topic: AzerbaijanLand Forces (Combined Arms Army), Air Forces, Navy Forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: State Border Service (includes Coast Guard), Internal Security Troops (2021)
Topic: Bahamas, TheRoyal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF): includes land, air, maritime elements (2022)
note - the Royal Bahamas Police Force maintains internal security; the Defense Force is primarily responsible for external security but also provides security at a detention center for migrants and performs some domestic security functions, such as guarding embassies; both report to the minister of national security
Topic: BahrainBahrain Defense Force (BDF): Royal Bahraini Army (includes the Royal Guard), Royal Bahraini Navy, Royal Bahraini Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Guard, Special Security Forces Command (SSFC), Coast Guard
(2022)
note(s) - the Royal Guard is officially under the command of the Army, but exercises considerable autonomy; the National Guard's primary mission is to guard critical infrastructure such as the airport and oil fields; while the Guard is under the Ministry of Interior, it reports directly to the king
Topic: BangladeshBangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Air Force; Ministry of Home Affairs: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Bangladesh Coast Guard, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Ansars, Village Defense Party (VDP) (2022)
note(s) - the RAB, Ansars, and VDP are paramilitary organizations for internal security; the RAB is a joint task force founded in 2004 and composed of members of the police, army, navy, air force, and border guards seconded to the RAB from their respective units; its mandate includes internal security, intelligence gathering related to criminal activities, and government-directed investigations
Topic: BarbadosBarbados Defense Force: The Barbados Regiment, The Barbados Coast Guard (2022)
Topic: BelarusBelarus Armed Forces: Army, Air and Air Defense Force, Special Operations Force, Special Troops (electronic warfare, signals, engineers, biological/chemical/nuclear protection troops, etc); Ministry of Interior: State Border Troops, Militia, Internal Troops (2021)
Topic: BelgiumBelgian Armed Forces: Land Component, Marine (Naval) Component, Air Component, Medical Service (2022)
Topic: BelizeBelize Defense Force (BDF): Army, Air Wing; Belize Coast Guard (2022)
note - the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security is responsible for oversight of the BDF and the Coast Guard, while the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries has responsibility for police and prisons
Topic: BeninBenin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army, Navy, Air Force; Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2022)
Topic: BermudaRoyal Bermuda Regiment; Bermuda Police Service (2022)
note - the Royal Bermuda Regiment is a reserve multi-role battalion that carries out two primary functions – providing military aid to civil authorities and humanitarian and disaster relief
Topic: BhutanRoyal Bhutan Army (includes Royal Bodyguard and an air wing); National Militia; Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs: Royal Bhutan Police (2022)
note - the Royal Bhutan Police (RBP) agency is responsible for internal security; the Army is responsible for external threats but also has responsibility for some internal security functions, including conducting counterinsurgency operations, guarding forests, and providing security for prominent persons
Topic: BoliviaBolivian Armed Forces: Bolivian Army (Ejercito de Boliviano, EB), Bolivian Naval Force (Fuerza Naval Boliviana, FNB), Bolivian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Boliviana, FAB); Ministry of Government: National Police (Policía Nacional de Bolivia, PNB; includes paramilitary Anti-Narcotics Special Forces (Fuerza Especial de Lucha Contra el Narcotráfico, FELCN)) and an Anti-Terrorist Group (GAT) (2022)
note(s) - the National Police is part of the reserves for the Armed Forces; the police and military share for border enforcement
Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaArmed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH or Oruzanih Snaga Bosne i Hercegovine, OSBiH): Operations Command (includes Army, Air, and Air Defense units), Support Command (2022)
Topic: BotswanaBotswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2022)
note - both the armed forces and the Botswana Police Service report to the Ministry of Defense, Justice, and Security
Topic: BrazilBrazilian Armed Forces: Brazilian Army (Exercito Brasileiro, EB), Brazilian Navy (Marinha do Brasil, MB, includes Naval Aviation (Aviacao Naval Brasileira) and Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais)), Brazilian Air Force (Forca Aerea Brasileira, FAB) (2021)
Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryno regular military forces
Topic: BruneiRoyal Brunei Armed Forces: Royal Brunei Land Force, Royal Brunei Navy, Royal Brunei Air Force (2022)
Topic: BulgariaBulgarian Armed Forces: Land Forces (Army), Naval Forces, Bulgarian Air Forces (Voennovazdushni Sili, VVS), Joint Special Forces; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards (2022)
Topic: Burkina FasoArmed Forces of Burkina Faso (FABF): Army of Burkina Faso (L’Armee de Terre, LAT), Air Force of Burkina Faso (Force Aerienne de Burkina Faso, FABF), National Gendarmerie; Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) (2022)
note(s) - the National Gendarmerie officially reports to the Ministry of Defense, but usually operates in support of the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Justice; Gendarmerie troops are typically integrated with Army forces in anti-terrorism operations; the VDP is a civilian defense force established in 2019 to act as auxiliaries to the military in the fight against militants
Topic: BurmaBurmese Defense Service (Tatmadaw): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay); People’s Militia; Ministry of Home Affairs: People's Police Force; Border Guard Forces/Police (2022)
note(s) - under the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw controls appointments of senior officials to lead the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Border Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs; in March 2022, a new law gave the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw the authority to appoint or remove the head of the police force
Topic: BurundiNational Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, air wing); Ministry of Public Security: National Police (Police Nationale du Burundi) (2022)
Topic: Cabo VerdeCabo Verdean Armed Forces (FACV): Army (also called the National Guard, GN; includes a small air component), Cabo Verde Coast Guard (Guardia Costeira de Cabo Verde, GCCV); Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police (2022)
Topic: CambodiaRoyal Cambodian Armed Forces: Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie; the National Committee for Maritime Security (performs Coast Guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies); Ministry of Interior: Cambodian National Police (2022)
Topic: CameroonCameroon Armed Forces (Forces Armees Camerounaises, FAC): Army (L'Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale Republique, MNR, includes naval infantry), Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Cameroun, AAC), Rapid Intervention Battalion (Bataillons d’Intervention Rapide, BIR), National Gendarmerie, Presidential Guard (2022)
note(s) - the National Police and the National Gendarmerie are responsible for internal security; the Police report to the General Delegation of National Security, while the Gendarmerie reports to the Secretariat of State for Defense in charge of the Gendarmerie; the Rapid Intervention Battalion (BIR) maintains its own command and control structure and reports directly to the president; it is a large brigade-sized force comprised of approximately 9 battalions, detachments, or groups (5 infantry, 1 airborne, 1 amphibious, 1 armored reconnaissance, and 1 counter-terrorism)
Topic: CanadaCanadian Forces: Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command; Primary Reserve (army, air, naval reserves); Coast Guard (Department of Fisheries and Oceans) (2022)
note - the Army reserves include the Canadian Rangers, which provides a limited presence in Canada's northern, coastal, and isolated areas for sovereignty, public safety, and surveillance roles
Topic: Cayman Islandsno regular military forces; Royal Cayman Islands Police Service
Topic: Central African RepublicCentral African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Army (includes an air squadron, Escadrille Centrafricaine); Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale), National Police (2022)
note - in 2019-2021, CAR created three Mixed Special Security units (Unités Spéciales Mixtes de Sécurité or USMS), regionally based battalion-sized units comprised of about 40% government and 60% rebel soldiers that are intended to provide security along transportation corridors and at mining sites; the units are intended to be transitional in nature with a scheduled deployment time of two years
Topic: ChadChadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT): Ground Forces (l'Armee de Terre, AdT), Chadian Air Force (l'Armee de l'Air Tchadienne, AAT), General Direction of the Security Services of State Institutions (Direction Generale des Services de Securite des Institutions de l'Etat, GDSSIE); National Gendarmerie; Ministry of Public Security and Immigration: National Nomadic Guard of Chad (GNNT), Chadian National Police (2022)
note(s) - the GDSSIE, formerly known as the Republican Guard, is the presidential guard force and is considered to be Chad's elite military unit; it is reportedly a division-size unit with infantry, armor, and special forces/anti-terrorism regiments (known as the Special Anti-Terrorist Group or SATG, aka Division of Special Anti-Terrorist Groups or DGSAT)
Topic: ChileArmed Forces of Chile (Fuerzas Armadas de Chile): Chilean Army (Ejército de Chile), Chilean Navy (Armada de Chile, includes marine units and coast guard or Maritime Territory and Merchant Marine Directorate (Directemar)), Chilean Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Chile, FACh); Ministry of the Interior and Public Security: Carabineros de Chile (National Police Force) (2022)
note - Carabineros de Chile are responsible to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior
Topic: ChinaPeople's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces, Navy (PLAN, includes marines and naval aviation), Air Force (PLAAF, includes airborne forces), Rocket Force (strategic missile force), and Strategic Support Force (information, electronic, and cyber warfare, as well as space forces); People's Armed Police (PAP, includes Coast Guard, Border Defense Force, Internal Security Forces); PLA Reserve Force (2022)
note(s) - the Strategic Support Force includes the Space Systems Department, which is responsible for nearly all PLA space operations, including space launch and support, space surveillance, space information support, space telemetry, tracking, and control, and space warfare
the PAP is a paramilitary police component of China’s armed forces that is under the command of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and charged with internal security, law enforcement, counterterrorism, and maritime rights protection
in 2018, the Coast Guard was moved from the State Oceanic Administration to the PAP; in 2013, China merged four of its five major maritime law enforcement agencies – the China Marine Surveillance (CMS), Maritime Police, Fishery Law Enforcement (FLE), and Anti-Smuggling Police – into a unified coast guard
Topic: ColombiaMilitary Forces of Colombia (Fuerzas Militares de Colombia): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), Republic of Colombia Navy (Armada Republica de Colombia, ARC; includes Coast Guard), Colombian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea de Colombia, FAC); Colombian National Police (civilian force that is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Defense) (2022)
Topic: ComorosNational Army for Development (l'Armee Nationale de Developpement, AND): Comoran Security Force (also called Comoran Defense Force (Force Comorienne de Defense, FCD), includes Gendarmerie); Ministry of Interior: Coast Guard, Federal Police, National Directorate of Territorial Safety (2021)
note - when the Gendarmerie serves as the judicial police, it reports to the Minister of Justice
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theArmed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Forces d'Armees de la Republique Democratique du Congo, FARDC): Land Forces, National Navy (La Marine Nationale), Congolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Congolaise, FAC); Republican Guard; Ministry of Interior: Congolese National Police, Directorate General for Migration (2022)
note - the Republican Guard is a division-size element consisting of approximately 5 regiments; it is regarded as the country’s best equipped and trained military unit and is under the direct control of the president
Topic: Congo, Republic of theCongolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Congolaises, FAC): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy, Congolese Air Force (Armee de l'Air Congolaise), Gendarmerie (2022)
Topic: Cook Islandsno regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service
Topic: Costa Ricano regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Public Force (Fuerza Pública (National Police)), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras); Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2022)
note - Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949
Topic: Cote d'IvoireArmed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (Forces Armees de Cote d'Ivoire, FACI; aka Republican Forces of Ivory Coast, FRCI): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale), Cote Air Force (Force Aerienne Cote), Special Forces (Forces Speciale); National Gendarmerie (under the Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Security and Civil Protection: National Police; Coordination Center for Operational Decisions (a mix of police, gendarmerie, and FACI personnel for assisting police in providing security in some large cities) (2022)
Topic: CroatiaArmed Forces of the Republic of Croatia (Oruzane Snage Republike Hrvatske, OSRH): Ground Forces (Hrvatska Kopnena Vojska, HKoV), Naval Forces (Hrvatska Ratna Mornarica, HRM, includes Coast Guard), Air Force and Air Defense Forces; Military Police Force supports each of the three Croatian military forces (2022)
Topic: CubaRevolutionary Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias, FAR): Revolutionary Army (Ejercito Revolucionario, ER), Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, MGR, includes Marine Corps), Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Forces (Defensas Anti-Aereas y Fuerza Aerea Revolucionaria, DAAFAR); Paramilitary forces: Youth Labor Army (Ejercito Juvenil del Trabajo, EJT), Territorial Militia Troops (Milicia de Tropas de Territoriales, MTT), Civil Defense Force; Ministry of Interior: Border Guards, State Security, National Revolutionary Police (2022)
Topic: Curacaono regular military forces; Curaçao Militia (CURMIL) (2022)
Topic: CyprusRepublic of Cyprus: Cypriot National Guard (Ethniki Froura, EF, includes Army Land Forces, Naval Command, Air Command) (2022)
Topic: CzechiaCzech Armed Forces: Land Forces; Air Forces; Cyber Forces; Special Forces (2022)
Topic: DenmarkDanish Armed Forces (Forsvaret): Royal Danish Army, Royal Danish Navy, Royal Danish Air Force, Danish Home Guard (Reserves) (2022)
note - the Danish military maintains a Joint Arctic Command with the mission of protecting the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark in the Arctic Region, including the Faroe Islands and Greenland; the command also conducts maritime pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, fishery inspections, search and rescue, hydrographical surveys, and provides support to governmental science missions
Topic: DjiboutiDjibouti Armed Forces (FAD): Army, Navy, Air Force; Djibouti Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior: National Gendarmerie, National Police (2022)
note - the National Police is responsible for security within Djibouti City and has primary control over immigration and customs procedures for all land border-crossing points, while the National Gendarmerie is responsible for all security outside of Djibouti City, as well as for protecting critical infrastructure within the city, such as the international airport
Topic: Dominicano regular military forces; Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force (includes Coast Guard) under the Ministry of Justice, Immigration, and National Security (2022)
Topic: Dominican RepublicArmed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG, includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2022)
note(s) - in addition to the military, the Ministry of Armed Forces directs the Airport Security Authority and Civil Aviation, Port Security Authority, the Tourist Security Corps, and Border Security Corps; the National Police (Policia Nacional) are under the Ministry of Interior
Topic: EcuadorEcuadorian Armed Forces: the Ecuadorian Army (Ejército Ecuatoriano), Ecuadorian Navy (Armada del Ecuador, Fuerza Naval del Ecuador, FNE, includes naval infantry, naval aviation, coast guard), Ecuadorian Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Ecuatoriana, FAE) (2022)
note - the National Police of Ecuador (Policía Nacional del Ecuador) is under the Ministry of Government
Topic: EgyptEgyptian Armed Forces (EAF): Army (includes Republican Guard), Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force, Air Defense Command, Border Guard Forces; Interior Ministry: Public Security Sector Police, the Central Security Force, National Security Sector (2022)
note(s) - the Public Security Sector Police are responsible for law enforcement nationwide; the Central Security Force protects infrastructure and is responsible for crowd control; the National Security Sector is responsible for internal security threats and counterterrorism along with other security services; in addition to its external defense duties, the EAF also has a mandate to assist police in protecting vital infrastructure during a state of emergency; military personnel were granted full arrest authority in 2011 but normally only use this authority during states of emergency and “periods of significant turmoil”
Topic: El Salvadorthe Armed Force of El Salvador (La Fuerza Armada de El Salvador, FAES): Army of El Salvador (Ejercito de El Salvador, ES), Navy of El Salvador (Fuerza Naval de El Salvador, FNES), Salvadoran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Salvadorena, FAS); Ministry of Justice and Public Security: National Civil Police (Policia Nacional Civil, PNC) (2022)
note - in 2016, El Salvador created a 1,000-strong combined Army commando and special police unit to combat criminal gang violence
Topic: Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Guinea Ecuatorial, FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, GNGE (Army)), Navy, Air Force; Gendarmerie (2022)
note - the Gendarmerie reports to the Ministry of National Defense and is responsible for security outside cities and for special events; military personnel also fulfill some police functions in border areas, sensitive sites, and high-traffic areas
Topic: EritreaEritrean Defense Forces: Eritrean Ground Forces, Eritrean Navy, Eritrean Air Force (includes Air Defense Force) (2022)
Topic: EstoniaEstonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defense League (Reserves) (2022)
Topic: EswatiniUmbutfo Eswatini Defense Force (UEDF): Army (includes a small air wing) (2022)
Topic: EthiopiaEthiopian National Defense Force (ENDF): Ground Forces, Ethiopian Air Force (Ye Ityopya Ayer Hayl, ETAF) (2022)
note(s) - in January 2020 the Ethiopian Government announced it had re-established a navy, which was disbanded in 1996; in March 2019 Ethiopia signed a defense cooperation agreement with France which stipulated that France would support the establishment of an Ethiopian navy, which will reportedly be based out of Djibouti
in 2018, Ethiopia established a Republican Guard military unit responsible to the Prime Minister for protecting senior officials
Topic: European Unionthe EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) provides the civilian, military, and political structures for EU crisis management and security issues; the highest bodies are: the Political and Security Committee (PSC), which meets at the ambassadorial level as a preparatory body for the Council of the EU; it assists with defining policies and preparing a crisis response the European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the EU's highest military body; it is composed of the chiefs of defense (CHODs) of the Member States, who are regularly represented by their permanent Military Representatives; the EUMC provides the PSC with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EU the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CIVCOM) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC in parallel with the EUMC on civilian aspects of crisis management the Politico-Military Group (PMG) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC on political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities and operations and missions, and monitors implementation other bodies set up under the CSDP include; the Security and Defense Policy Directorate (SECDEFPOL), the Integrated approach for Security and Peace Directorate (ISP), the EU Military Staff (EUMS), the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), the European Defense Agency, the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), the EU Institute for Security Studies, and the EU Satellite Center (2021)the EU's Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) provides the civilian, military, and political structures for EU crisis management and security issues; the highest bodies are:the Political and Security Committee (PSC), which meets at the ambassadorial level as a preparatory body for the Council of the EU; it assists with defining policies and preparing a crisis responsethe European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the EU's highest military body; it is composed of the chiefs of defense (CHODs) of the Member States, who are regularly represented by their permanent Military Representatives; the EUMC provides the PSC with advice and recommendations on all military matters within the EUthe Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CIVCOM) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC in parallel with the EUMC on civilian aspects of crisis managementthe Politico-Military Group (PMG) provides advice and recommendations to the PSC on political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities and operations and missions, and monitors implementationother bodies set up under the CSDP include; the Security and Defense Policy Directorate (SECDEFPOL), the Integrated approach for Security and Peace Directorate (ISP), the EU Military Staff (EUMS), the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability (CPCC), the Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), the European Defense Agency, the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), the EU Institute for Security Studies, and the EU Satellite Center (2021)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)no regular military forces
Topic: Faroe Islandsno regular military forces or conscription (2021)
Topic: FijiRepublic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF): Land Force Command, Maritime Command; Fiji Police Force (2021)
the RFMF is subordinate to the president as the commander in chief, while the Fiji Police Force reports to the the Ministry of Defense, National Security, and Policing
Topic: FinlandFinnish Defense Forces (FDF): Army (Maavoimat), Navy (Merivoimat), Air Force (Ilmavoimat); Ministry of the Interior: Border Guard (Rajavartiolaitos) (2022)
note - the Border Guard becomes part of the FDF in wartime
Topic: FranceFrench Armed Forces (Forces Armées Françaises): Army (Armee de Terre; includes Foreign Legion), Navy (Marine Nationale), Air and Space Force (Armee de l’Air et de l’Espace); includes Air Defense), National Guard (Reserves), National Gendarmerie (paramilitary police force that is a branch of the Armed Forces but under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior; also has additional duties to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice) (2022)
Topic: French Polynesiano regular military forces
Topic: GabonGabonese Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Gabonaise): Land Forces (Army), Navy, Air Forces, National Gendarmerie; Republican Guard (land forces under direct presidential control) (2022)
Topic: Gambia, TheGambia Armed Forces: the Gambian National Army (GNA), Gambia Navy, Gambia Air Force, Republican National Guard (responsible for VIP protection, riot control, and presidential security) (2022)
Topic: Gaza StripHAMAS does not have a conventional military in the Gaza Strip but maintains security forces in addition to its military wing, the 'Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades; the military wing reports to the HAMAS Political Bureau; there are several other militant groups operating in the Gaza Strip, most notably the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestine Islamic Jihad, which are usually but not always beholden to HAMAS's authority (2021)
Topic: GeorgiaGeorgian Defense Forces: Land Forces (includes Aviation and Air Defense Forces), Special Operations Forces, National Guard; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Border Police, Coast Guard (includes Georgian naval forces, which were merged with the Coast Guard in 2009) (2022)
Topic: GermanyFederal Armed Forces (Bundeswehr): Army (Heer), Navy (Deutsche Marine, includes naval air arm), Air Force (Luftwaffe, includes air defense), Joint Support Service (Streitkraeftebasis, SKB), Central Medical Service (Zentraler Sanitaetsdienst, ZSanDstBw), Cyber and Information Space Command (Kommando Cyber- und Informationsraum, Kdo CIR) (2022)
Topic: GhanaGhana Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force (2022)
Topic: GibraltarRoyal Gibraltar Regiment (2022)
Topic: GreeceHellenic Armed Forces: Hellenic Army (Ellinikos Stratos, ES; includes National Guard reserves), Hellenic Navy (Elliniko Polemiko Navtiko, EPN), Hellenic Air Force (Elliniki Polemiki Aeroporia, EPA; includes air defense); Ministry of Shipping Affairs and Island Policy: Coast Guard (2022)
note - the police (under the Ministry of Citizen Protection) and the armed forces (Ministry of National Defense) share law enforcement duties in certain border areas; border protection is coordinated by a deputy minister for national defense
Topic: Greenlandno regular military forces or conscription
Topic: Grenadano regular military forces; the Royal Grenada Police Force (under the Ministry of National Security) includes a Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit (2022)
Topic: GuatemalaArmy of Guatemala (Ejercito de Guatemala): Land Forces (Fuerzas de Tierra), Naval Forces (Fuerza de Mar), and Air Force (Fuerza de Aire); Ministry of Interior: National Civil Police (Policia Nacional Civil; includes paramilitary units) (2022)
Topic: GuineaNational Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee), Presidential Security Battalion (Battailon Autonome de la Sécurité Presidentielle, BASP), Gendarmerie (2022)
note - the National Gendarmerie is overseen by the Ministry of Defense, while the National Police is under the Ministry of Security; the Gendarmerie and National Police share responsibility for internal security, but only the Gendarmerie can arrest police or military officials
Topic: Guinea-BissauPeople's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP): Army, Navy, Air Force
Ministry of Internal Administration: Guard Nacional (a gendarmerie force), Public Order Police, Border Police, Rapid Intervention Police, Maritime Police (2022)
note - the Public Order Police is responsible for maintaining law and order, while the Judicial Police, under the Ministry of Justice, has primary responsibility for investigating drug trafficking, terrorism, and other transnational crimes
Topic: Guyanathe Guyana Defense Force is a unified force with ground, air, and coast guard components, as well as a militia (Guyana People's Militia) (2022)
Topic: Haitithe Haitian Armed Forces (FAdH), disbanded in 1995, began to be reconstituted in 2017 to assist with natural disaster relief, border security, and combating transnational crime; it established an Army command in 2018 (2022)
note - the Haitian National Police (under the Ministry of Justice and Public Security) has a number of specialized units, including a coast guard, a presidential guard, and a paramilitary rapid-response Motorized Intervention Unit or BIM
Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia); the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City (Corpo della Gendarmeriais) is a police force that helps augment the Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps during the Pope’s appearances, as well as providing general security, traffic direction, and investigative duties for the Vatican City State (2022)
Topic: HondurasHonduran Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas de Honduras, FFAA): Army (Ejercito), Honduran Naval Force (FNH; includes marines), Honduran Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Hondurena, FAH), Honduran Military Police of Public Order (PMOP); Security Secretariat: Public Security Forces (includes Honduran National Police paramilitary units) (2022)
note - the PMOP was created in 2013 to support the Honduran National Police (HNP) against narcotics trafficking and organized crime; since its creation, the PMOP’s role in internal security has expanded; it was used against election protesters in 2017, for example, and it has been accused of human rights violations; as of 2022, the PMOP was composed of 8 battalions of military personnel (approximately 5,000 troops) who had undergone some police training; it reported to military authorities but conducted operations sanctioned by both civilian security officials and military leaders
Topic: Hong Kongno regular indigenous military forces; Hong Kong Police Force (specialized units include the Police Counterterrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit)
the Hong Kong garrison of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force; these forces are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Southern Theater Command (2021)
Topic: Hungarythe Hungarian Defense Forces are a unified force (Joint Force Command) with Land Forces, Air Forces, and Logistics components (2022)
Topic: Icelandno regular military forces; Ministry of Interior: Icelandic Coast Guard (includes both air and maritime elements); Icelandic National Police (2022)
Topic: IndiaIndian Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard; Defense Security Corps (provides security for Ministry of Defense sites); Ministry of Home Affairs paramilitary forces: Central Armed Police Forces (includes Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Security Guards, Sashastra Seema Bal) (2022)
note - the Assam Rifles are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs, while operational control falls under the Ministry of Defense (specifically the Indian Army)
Topic: IndonesiaIndonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL), includes Marine Corps (Korps Marinir, KorMar), Naval Aviation Center (PUSPENERBAL)), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara (TNI-AU)), National Air Defense Command (Komando Pertahanan Udara Nasional (Kohanudnas)), Armed Forces Special Operations Command (Kopassus), Strategic Reserve Command (Kostrad), National Army Reserve Component (Komcad) (2022)
note(s) - in 2014, Indonesia created a Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) to coordinate the actions of all maritime security agencies, including the Navy, the Indonesian Sea and Coast Guard (Kesatuan Penjagaan Laut dan Pantai, KPLP), the Water Police (Polair), Customs (Bea Cukai), and Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
the Indonesian National Police includes a paramilitary Mobile Brigade Corps (BRIMOB); following the Bali terror bombing in 2002, the National Police formed a special counter-terrorism force called Detachment 88 (Densus or Detasemen Khusus 88 Antiteror)
Topic: IranIslamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Air Force, Air Defense Forces; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah, IRGC): Ground Forces, Navy (includes marines), Aerospace Force (controls strategic missile force), Qods Force (aka Quds Force; special operations), Cyber Electronic Command, Basij Paramilitary Forces (Popular Mobilization Army); Law Enforcement Forces (border and security troops, assigned to the armed forces in wartime) (2022)
note(s) - the Artesh Navy operates Iran’s larger warships and operates in the Gulf of Oman, the Caspian Sea, and deep waters in the region and beyond; the IRGC Navy has responsibility for the closer-in Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz; the Basij is a volunteer paramilitary group with local organizations across the country, which sometimes acts as an auxiliary law enforcement unit subordinate to IRGC ground forces
Topic: IraqMinistry of Defense: Iraqi Army, Army Aviation Command, Iraqi Navy, Iraqi Air Force, Iraqi Air Defense Command, Special Forces Command, Special Security Division (Green Zone protection)
National-Level Security Forces: Iraqi Counterterrorism Service (CTS), Prime Minister's Special Forces Division, Presidential Brigades
Ministry of Interior: Federal Police Forces Command, Border Guard Forces Command, Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency, Emergency Response Division, Facilities Protection Directorate, and Provincial Police
Ministry of Oil: Energy Police Directorate
Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Peshmerga: Regional Guard Brigades, Unit (or Division) 70 Forces, Unit (or Division) 80 Forces, special operations/counter-terrorism forces (Counter Terrorism Group, CTG and Counter Terrorism Directorate, CTD); note - Unit 70 and the CTG are associated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) political party, while Unit 80 and the CTD are associated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP); Kurdistan Regional Government Ministry of Interior: Zeravani and Emergency Response Forces (paramilitary internal security forces)
Popular Mobilization Committee (PMC): Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Tribal Mobilization Forces (TMF); the PMF and TMF are a collection of approximately 60 militias of widely varied sizes and political interests (2022)
Topic: IrelandIrish Defense Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn): Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, Reserve Defense Forces (2022)
Topic: IsraelIsrael Defense Forces (IDF): Ground Forces, Israel Naval Force (IN, includes commandos), Israel Air Force (IAF, includes air defense); Ministry of Public Security: Border Police (2022)
note - the Border Police is a unit within the Israel Police with its own organizational and command structure; it works both independently as well as in cooperation with or in support of the Israel Police and the IDF
Topic: ItalyItalian Armed Forces: Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI; includes aviation, marines), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI); Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2022)
note(s) - the Carabinieri is the national gendarmerie; for its civil police functions, the Carabinieri falls under the control of the Ministry of the Interior; the Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance is a force with military status and nationwide remit for financial crime investigations, including narcotics trafficking, smuggling, and illegal immigration
Topic: JamaicaJamaica Defense Force (JDF): Jamaica Regiment (Ground Forces), Maritime-Air-Cyber Command (includes Coast Guard, Air Wing, Military Intelligence Unit, Special Activities Regiment, and Military Cyber Corps), Support Brigade (logistics, engineers, health service, and military police); Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) (2022)
note - both the JDF and JCF are under the Ministry of National Security
Topic: JapanJapan Self-Defense Force (JSDF): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF; includes aviation), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF; includes naval aviation), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF); Japan Coast Guard (Ministry of Land, Transport, Infrastructure and Tourism) (2022)
Topic: JordanJordanian Armed Forces (JAF): Royal Jordanian Army (includes Special Operations Forces, Border Guards, Royal Guard), Royal Jordanian Air Force, Royal Jordanian Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior: Public Security Directorate (includes national police, the Gendarmerie, and the Civil Defense Directorate) (2022)
note - the armed forces report administratively to the minister of defense and have a support role for internal security; here is no separate Ministry of Defense; the prime minister also serves as defense minister
Topic: KazakhstanArmed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Police; Committee for National Security: Border Service (2022)
Topic: KenyaKenya Defense Forces: Kenya Army, Kenya Navy, Kenya Air Force (2022)
note - the National Police Service maintains internal security and reports to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government; it includes a paramilitary General Service Unit; the Kenya Coast Guard Service (established 2018) is under the Ministry of Interior, but led by a military officer and comprised of personnel from the military, as well as the National Police Service, intelligence services, and other government agencies
Topic: Kiribatino regular military forces; Kiribati Police and Prison Service (Ministry of Justice)
Topic: Korea, NorthKorean People's Army (KPA): KPA Ground Forces, KPA Navy, KPA Air Force and Air Defense Forces, KPA Strategic Forces (missile forces); KPA Special Forces (special operations forces)
Security Guard Command (aka Bodyguard Command; protects the Kim family, other senior leadership figures, and government facilities); Ministry of Public Security: Border Guards, civil security forces (2021)
note - the North also has a large paramilitary force organized into the Worker Peasant Red Guard and Red Youth Guard; these organizations are present at all levels of government (province, county, ward) and are under the control of the Korean Workers' Party in peacetime, but revert to KPA control in crisis or war; they are often mobilized for domestic projects, such as road building and agricultural support
Topic: Korea, SouthArmed Forces of the Republic of Korea: Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Navy (ROKN, includes Marine Corps, ROKMC), Air Force (ROKAF); Military reserves include Mobilization Reserve Forces (First Combat Forces) and Homeland Defense Forces (Regional Combat Forces); Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: Korea Coast Guard (2022)
note - in January 2022, the South Korean military announced the formation of a space branch
Topic: KosovoKosovo Security Force (KSF): Land Force Command; Logistics Command; Doctrine and Training Command; National Guard Command (2022)
as of 2022, the Kosovo Government continued the process of transitioning the KSF into a multi-ethnic territorial defense force, in accordance with a 10-year plan which began in 2019
Topic: KuwaitKuwaiti Armed Forces: Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya; includes Kuwaiti Air Defense Force, KADF), 25th Commando Brigade, and the Kuwait Emiri Guard Brigade; Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG); Coast Guard (Ministry of Interior) (2022)
note(s) - the Kuwait Amiri Guard Authority and the 25th Commando Brigade exercise independent command authority within the Kuwaiti Armed Forces, although activities such as training and equipment procurement are often coordinated with the other services; the Kuwaiti National Guard reports directly to the prime minister and the amir and possesses an independent command structure, equipment inventory, and logistics corps separate from the Ministry of Defense, the regular armed services, and the Ministry of Interior; it is responsible for protecting critical infrastructure and providing support for the Ministries of Interior and Defense as required
Topic: KyrgyzstanKyrgyz Armed Forces: Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, National Guard; Internal Troops; State Committee for National Security (GKNB): Border Service (2022)
Topic: LaosLao People's Armed Forces (LPAF): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Air Force, Self-Defense Militia Forces (2022)
Topic: LatviaNational Armed Forces (Nacionalie Brunotie Speki): Land Forces (Latvijas Sauszemes Speki), Naval Force (Latvijas Juras Speki, includes Coast Guard (Latvijas Kara Flote)), Air Force (Latvijas Gaisa Speki), National Guard (2022)
Topic: LebanonLebanese Armed Forces (LAF): Army Command (includes Presidential Guard Brigade, Land Border Regiments), Naval Forces, Air Forces; Ministry of Interior: Internal Security Forces Directorate (law enforcement; includes Mobile Gendarmerie), Directorate for General Security (DGS; border control, some domestic security duties) (2022)
note(s) - the commander of the LAF is also the commander of the Army; the LAF patrols external borders, while official checkpoints are under the authority of Directorate for General Security
Topic: LesothoLesotho Defense Force (LDF): Army (includes Air Wing) (2021)
note - the Lesotho Mounted Police Service is responsible for internal security and reports to the Minister of Police and Public Safety
Topic: LiberiaArmed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Liberian Coast Guard, Air Wing (2022)
note(s) - the AFL Air Wing was previously disbanded in 2005 and has been under development since 2019; the Liberian National Police and the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency are under the Ministry of Justice
Topic: LibyaLibya lacks a nationwide military and the interim government, the Government of National Unity (GNU), relies on its cooperation with disparate militias that it cannot entirely control for security; the GNU has access to various ground, air, and naval/coast guard forces comprised of a mix of semi-regular military units, militias, civilian volunteers, and foreign troops and mercenaries
the Libyan National Army (LNA), under de facto LNA commander Khalifa HAFTER, also includes various ground, air, and naval units comprised of semi-regular military personnel, militias, and foreign troops and mercenaries; as of 2022, the LNA operated independently from the GNU and exerted influence throughout eastern, central, and southern Libya (2022)
note - the Stability Support Authority (SSA) is a state-funded militia established in January 2021 by the GNU; it is tasked with securing government buildings and officials, participating in combat operations, apprehending those suspected of national security crimes, and cooperating with other security bodies
Topic: Liechtensteinno regular military forces; the National Police is responsible for all matters relating to the safety and security of Liechtenstein
Topic: LithuaniaLithuanian Armed Forces (Lietuvos Ginkluotosios Pajegos): Land Forces (Sausumos Pajegos), Naval Forces (Karines Juru Pajegos), Air Forces (Karines Oro Pajegos), Special Operations Forces (Specialiuju Operaciju Pajegos); National Defense Volunteer Forces (Savanoriu Pajegos); National Riflemen's Union (paramilitary force that acts as an additional reserve force) (2022)
Topic: LuxembourgLuxembourg Army (l'Armée Luxembourgeoise) (2022)
Topic: Macauno regular indigenous military forces; Macau Public Security Police Force (includes the Police Intervention Tactical Unit or UTIP for counterterrorism operations) (2021)
Topic: MadagascarPeople's Armed Forces: Army, Navy, Air Force; National Gendarmerie (operates under the Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Public Security: National Police (2022)
note - the National Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining law and order in rural areas at the village level, protecting government facilities, and operating a maritime police contingent; the National Police is responsible for maintaining law and order in urban areas
Topic: MalawiMalawi Defense Force (MDF): Army (includes marine unit), Air Force (established as a separate service August 2019; previously was an air wing under the Army) (2022)
note - the Malawi Police Service is under the Ministry of Homeland Security
Topic: MalaysiaMalaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia), Royal Malaysian Navy (Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia, TLDM), Royal Malaysian Air Force (Tentera Udara Diraja Malaysia, TUDM); Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Malaysian Police (PRMD, includes the General Operations Force, a paramilitary force with a variety of roles, including patrolling borders, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and counterinsurgency) (2022)
note - Malaysia created a National Special Operations Force in 2016 for combating terrorism threats; the force is comprised of personnel from the Armed Forces, the Royal Malaysian Police, and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (Malaysian Coast Guard)
Topic: Maldivesthe Republic of Maldives has no distinct army, navy, or air force but a single security unit called the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) comprised of ground forces, an air element, a coastguard, a presidential security division, and a special protection group (2022)
Topic: MaliMalian Armed Forces (FAMa): Army (Armee de Terre; includes a riverine patrol force), Republic of Mali Air Force (Force Aerienne de la Republique du Mali, FARM); National Gendarmerie; National Guard (Garde National du Mali) (2022)
note(s) - the Gendarmerie and the National Guard are under the authority of the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs (Ministere De La Defense Et Des Anciens Combattants, MDAC), but operational control is shared between the MDAC and the Ministry of Internal Security and Civil Protection
- the Gendarmerie's primary mission is internal security and public order; its duties also include territorial defense, humanitarian operations, intelligence gathering, and protecting private property, mainly in rural areas; as of 2021, the Gendarmerie was comprised of approximately 8 paramilitary companies and a mobile intervention unit
- the National Guard is a military force responsible for providing security to government facilities and institutions, prison service, public order, humanitarian operations, some border security, and intelligence gathering; as of 2021, it had approximately 8 companies of troops, including a camel corps for patrolling the deserts and borders of northern Mali
- there are also pro-government militias operating in Mali, such as the Imghad Tuareg Self-Defense Group and Allies (GATIA)
Topic: MaltaArmed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force) (2022)
Topic: Marshall Islandsno regular military forces; the national police (Marshall Islands Police Department, MIPD), local police forces, and the Sea Patrol (maritime police) maintain internal security; the MIPD and Sea Patrol report to the Ministry of Justice; local police report to their respective local government councils
Topic: MauritaniaMauritanian Armed Forces: Army, Mauritanian Navy (Marine Mauritanienne), Islamic Republic of Mauritania Air Group (Groupement Aerienne Islamique de Mauritanie, GAIM); Gendarmerie (Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Interior and Decentralization: National Guard, General Group for Road Safety (2022)
note(s) - the Gendarmerie is responsible for maintaining civil order around metropolitan areas and providing law enforcement services in rural areas; the National Guard performs a limited police function in keeping with its peacetime role of providing security at government facilities, to include prisons; the General Group for Road Safety maintains security on roads and operates checkpoints throughout the country
Topic: Mauritiusno regular military forces; the Mauritius Police Force (MPF) includes a paramilitary unit known as the Special Mobile Force, which includes a motorized infantry battalion and 2 light armored squadrons; the MPF also has a Police Helicopter Squadron, a Special Support Unit (riot police), and the National Coast Guard (also includes an air squadron) (2022)
Topic: MexicoSecretariat of National Defense (Secretaria de Defensa Nacional, SEDENA): Army (Ejercito), Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Mexicana, FAM); Secretariat of the Navy (Secretaria de Marina, SEMAR): Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico (ARM), includes Naval Air Force (FAN), Mexican Naval Infantry Corps (Cuerpo de Infanteria de Marina, Mexmar or CIM)); Secretariat of Public Security and Civilian Protection (Secretaria de Seguridad y Proteccion Ciudadana): National Guard (Guardia Nacional) (2022)
note(s) - the National Guard was formed in 2019 and consists of personnel from the former Federal Police (disbanded in December 2019) and military police units of the Army and Navy; while the Guard is part of the civilian-led Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection, the Secretariat of National Defense has day-to-day operational control; in addition, the armed forces provide the commanders and the training; the Guard, along with state and municipal police are responsible for enforcing the law and maintaining order; the military also actively supports police operations
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofno military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police (includes a maritime wing)
Topic: MoldovaNational Army: Land Forces (Fortele Terestre ale Republicii Moldova, FTRM); Air Forces (Forţele Aeriene ale Republicii Moldova, FARM); Ministry of Internal Affairs: Carabinieri Troops (2021)
note - the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions
Topic: Monacono regular military forces; Ministry of Interior: Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Company of Carabiniers (Palace Guard)), Corps des Sapeurs-pompiers de Monaco (Fire and Emergency), Police Department
Topic: MongoliaMongolian Armed Forces (Mongol ulsyn zevsegt huchin): General Purpose Troops (Mongolian Army), Air/Air Defense Force, Cyber Security, Special Forces, Civil Engineering, Civil Defense Forces (2022)
Topic: Montenegrothe Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: joint force with land, air, and naval elements (2022)
Topic: Montserratno regular military forces; Royal Montserrat Defence Force (ceremonial, civil defense duties), Montserrat Police Force
Topic: MoroccoRoyal Armed Forces: Royal Moroccan Army (includes the Moroccan Royal Guard), Royal Moroccan Navy (includes Coast Guard, marines), Royal Moroccan Air Force; Ministry of Defense (aka Administration of National Defense): Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie; Ministry of Interior: National Police, Auxiliary Forces (provides support to the Gendarmerie and National Police; includes a Mobile Intervention Corps, a motorized paramilitary security force that supplements the military and the police as needed) (2022)
note(s) - the National Police manages internal law enforcement in cities; the Royal Gendarmerie is responsible for law enforcement in rural regions and on national highways
Topic: MozambiqueArmed Defense Forces of Mozambique (Forcas Armadas de Defesa de Mocambique, FADM): Mozambique Army, Mozambique Navy (Marinha de Guerra de Mocambique, MGM), Mozambique Air Force (Forca Aerea de Mocambique, FAM)
Ministry of Interior: Mozambique National Police (PRM), the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), Rapid Intervention Unit (UIR; police special forces), Border Security Force
other security forces include the Presidential Guard and the Force for the Protection of High-Level Individuals (2022)
note - the FADM and other security forces are referred to collectively as the Defense and Security Forces (DFS)
Topic: NamibiaNamibian Defense Force (NDF): Army, Navy, Air Force
Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security: Namibian Police Force (includes a paramilitary Special Field Force responsible for protecting borders and government installations) (2022)
Topic: Nauruno regular military forces; the police force, under the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, maintains internal security and, as necessary, external security
Topic: NepalNepal Army (includes Air Wing); Nepal Armed Police Force (paramilitary force under the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for border and internal security, including counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism, and assisting the Army in the event of an external invasion) (2022)
Topic: NetherlandsRoyal Netherlands Army, Royal Netherlands Navy (includes Naval Air Service and Marine Corps), Royal Netherlands Air Force, Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Military Constabulary) (2022)
note - the Netherlands Coast Guard and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are civilian in nature, but managed by the Royal Netherlands Navy
Topic: New Caledoniano regular military forces; France bases land, air, and naval forces on New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC)
Topic: New ZealandNew Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2022)
Topic: NicaraguaArmy of Nicaragua (Ejercito de Nicaragua, EN): Land Forces (Fuerza Terrestre); Naval Forces (Fuerza Naval); Air Forces (Fuerza Aérea); Special Operations Command (Comando de Operaciones Especiales); Nicaraguan National Police (2022)
note - both the military and the police report directly to the president
Topic: NigerNigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie (GN); Ministry of Interior: Niger National Guard (GNN; aka Republican Guard), National Police (includes the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, which is charged with border management) (2022)
note - the Gendarmerie is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and has primary responsibility for rural security; the National Guard is responsible for domestic security and the protection of high-level officials and government buildings
Topic: NigeriaNigerian Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard), Air Force; Ministry of Interior: Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC, a paramilitary agency commissioned to assist the military in the management of threats to internal security, including attacks and natural disasters) (2022)
note - some states have created local security forces in response to increased violence, insecurity, and criminality that have exceeded the response capacity of government security forces
Topic: Niueno regular indigenous military forces; Police Force
Topic: North MacedoniaArmy of the Republic of North Macedonia (ARSM; includes a General Staff and subordinate Operations Command, Logistic Support Command, Training and Doctrine Command, Center for Electronic Reconnaissance, Aviation Brigade, and Honor Guard Battalion) (2022)
note - the Operations Command includes air, ground, special operations, support, and reserve forces
Topic: NorwayNorwegian Armed Forces: Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige Norske Sjoeforsvaret; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard (Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige Norske Luftforsvaret), Norwegian Special Forces, Norwegian Cyber Defense Force, Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2022)
Topic: OmanSultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman (RAO), Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), Royal Guard of Oman (RGO); Royal Oman Police (ROP): Civil Defense, Immigration, Customs, Royal Oman Police Coast Guard (2022)
Topic: PakistanPakistan Army (includes National Guard), Pakistan Navy (includes marines, Maritime Security Agency), Pakistan Air Force (Pakistan Fizaia); Ministry of Interior: Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers (2022)
note(s) - the National Guard is a paramilitary force and one of the Army's reserve forces, along with the Pakistan Army Reserve, the Frontier Corps, and the Pakistan Rangers; the Frontier Corps is a paramilitary force which operates in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas; its primary mission is security of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border; the Pakistan Rangers are also a paramilitary force which operate in Sindh and Punjab
Topic: Palauno regular military forces; the Ministry of Justice includes divisions/bureaus for public security, police functions, and maritime law enforcement
Topic: Panamano regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Panama National Police (La Policía Nacional de Panamá, PNP), National Air-Naval Service (Servicio Nacional Aeronaval, SENAN), National Border Service (Servicio Nacional de Fronteras, SENAFRONT) (2022)
note - the PNP includes paramilitary special forces units for counterterrorism and counternarcotics missions; in addition to its 3 regionally-based border security brigades, SENAFRONT includes a special forces brigade, which is comprised of special forces, counternarcotics, maritime, and rapid reaction units
Topic: Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF; includes land, maritime, and air elements); Ministry of Police: Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (2022)
Topic: ParaguayArmed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army (Ejercito), Navy (Armada, includes marines), Air Force (Fuerza Aerea)
Ministry of Internal Affairs: the National Police of Paraguay includes the Special Police Operations Force (Fuerza de Operaciones Policiales Especiales) (2022)
Topic: PeruJoint Command of the Armed Forces of Peru (CCFFAA): Peruvian Army (Ejercito del Peru), Peruvian Navy (Marina de Guerra del Peru, MGP, includes naval infantry and Coast Guard), Air Force of Peru (Fuerza Aerea del Peru, FAP); Ministry of the Interior (Ministerio del Interior): Peruvian National Police (Policía Nacional del Perú, PNP) (2022)
Topic: PhilippinesArmed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2021)
note(s) - the Philippine Coast Guard is an armed and uniformed service under the Department of Transportation; it would be attached to the AFP in wartime; the Philippine National Police Force (PNP) falls under the Department of the Interior
the Philippine Government also arms and supports civilian militias; the AFP controls Civilian Armed Force Geographical Units, while the Civilian Volunteer Organizations fall under PNP command
Topic: PolandPolish Armed Forces: Land Forces (Wojska Ladowe), Navy (Marynarka Wojenna), Air Force (Sily Powietrzne), Special Forces (Wojska Specjalne), Territorial Defense Force (Wojska Obrony Terytorialnej); Ministry of Interior and Administration: Border Guard (includes coast guard duties) (2022)
note - the Polish Armed Forces are organized into a General Staff, an Armed Forces General Command, an Armed Forces Operational Command, Territorial Defense Forces (established 2017), Military Police, and the Warsaw Garrison Command
Topic: PortugalPortuguese Armed Forces: Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP); Portuguese National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2022)
note - the GNR is a national gendarmerie force comprised of military personnel with law enforcement, internal security, civil defense, disaster response, and coast guard duties; it is responsible to the Ministry of Internal Administration and to the Ministry of National Defense; in the event of war or crisis, it may be placed under the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; the GNR has law enforcement jurisdiction in rural areas, while Public Security Police (also under the Ministry of Internal Administration) has jurisdiction in cities
Topic: Puerto Ricono regular indigenous military forces; National Guard, State Guard, Police Force
Topic: QatarQatari Amiri Land Force (QALF, includes Emiri Guard), Qatari Amiri Navy (QAN, includes Coast Guard), Qatari Amiri Air Force (QAAF); Internal Security Forces: Mobile Gendarmerie (2022)
Topic: RomaniaRomanian Armed Forces: Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Romanian Gendarmerie (2022)
Topic: RussiaArmed Forces of the Russian Federation: Ground Troops (Sukhoputnyye Voyskia, SV), Navy (Voyenno-Morskoy Flot, VMF), Aerospace Forces (Vozdushno-Kosmicheskiye Sily, VKS); Airborne Troops (Vozdushno-Desantnyye Voyska, VDV), and Missile Troops of Strategic Purpose (Raketnyye Voyska Strategicheskogo Naznacheniya, RVSN) referred to commonly as Strategic Rocket Forces, are independent "combat arms," not subordinate to any of the three branches
Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation (National Guard (FSVNG), Russian Guard, or Rosgvardiya): created in 2016 as an independent agency for internal/regime security, combating terrorism and narcotics trafficking, protecting important state facilities and government personnel, and supporting border security; forces under the National Guard include the Special Purpose Mobile Units (OMON), Special Rapid Response Detachment (SOBR), and Interior Troops (VV); these troops were originally under the command of the Interior Ministry (MVD); also nominally under the National Guard’s command are the forces of Chechen Republic head Ramzan KADYROV
Federal Security Services (FSB): Federal Border Guard Service (includes land and maritime forces) (2022)
note - the Air Force and Aerospace Defense Forces were merged into the VKS in 2015; VKS responsibilities also include launching military and dual‐use satellites, maintaining military satellites, and monitoring and defending against space threats
Topic: RwandaRwanda Defense Force (RDF; Ingabo z’u Rwanda): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force, Special Units (2022)
Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisMinistry of National Security: St. Kitts and Nevis Defense Force (SKNDF), St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (includes a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022)
Topic: Saint Luciano regular military forces; Royal Saint Lucia Police Force (includes Special Service Unit, Marine Unit) (2022)
Topic: Saint Martinno armed forces; Saint Martin Police Force (Korps Politie Sint Marteen)
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesno regular military forces; Royal Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVPF; includes the Coast Guard and a paramilitary Special Services Unit) (2022)
Topic: Samoano regular military forces; Samoa Police Force (Ministry of Police, Prisons, and Correction Services) (2022)
Topic: San Marinono regular military forces; Voluntary Military Corps (Corpi Militari), which includes a Uniformed Militia (performs ceremonial duties and limited police support functions) and Guard of the Great and General Council (defends the Captains Regent and the Great and General Council, participates in official ceremonies, cooperates with the maintenance of public order on special occasions, and performs guard duties during parliamentary sittings); the Police Corps includes the Gendarmerie, which is responsible for maintaining public order, protecting citizens and their property, and providing assistance during disasters (2022)
Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeArmed Forces of Sao Tome and Principe (Forcas Armadas de Sao Tome e Principe, FASTP): Army, Coast Guard of Sao Tome e Principe (Guarda Costeira de Sao Tome e Principe, GCSTP), Presidential Guard, National Guard (2022)
Topic: Saudi ArabiaMinistry of Defense: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes marines, special forces, naval aviation), Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Missiles Force; Ministry of the National Guard (SANG); Ministry of Interior: police, Border Guard, Facilities Security Force; State Security Presidency: General Directorate of Investigation (Mabahith), Special Security Forces, Special Emergency Forces (2022)
note - SANG (also known as the White Army) is a land force separate from the Ministry of Defense that is responsible for internal security, protecting the royal family, and external defense
Topic: SenegalSenegalese Armed Forces (Forces Armées Sénégalaises, FAS): Army, Senegalese National Navy (Marine Senegalaise, MNS), Senegalese Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Senegal), National Gendarmerie (includes Territorial and Mobile components); Ministry of Interior: National Police (2022)
note - the National Police operates in major cities, while the Gendarmerie primarily operates outside urban areas
Topic: SerbiaSerbian Armed Forces (Vojska Srbije, VS): Land Forces (includes Riverine Component, consisting of a naval flotilla on the Danube), Air and Air Defense Forces, Serbian Guard; Police Directorate of the Serbian Ministry of Interior: Gendarmerie (2022)
note - the Guard is a brigade-sized unit that is directly subordinate to the Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff
Topic: SeychellesSeychelles Defense Forces (SDF): Army (includes infantry, special forces, and a presidential security unit), Coast Guard, and Air Force; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Seychelles Police Force (includes unarmed police and an armed paramilitary Police Special Support Wing, the Anti-Narcotics Bureau, and the Marine Police Unit) (2022)
note - the military reports to the president, who acts as minister of defense
Topic: Sierra LeoneRepublic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): operates under a Joint Force Command with Land Forces, Maritime Forces, and an Air Wing (2022)
Topic: SingaporeSingapore Armed Forces (SAF; aka Singapore Defense Force): Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes air defense); Ministry of Home Affairs: Singapore Police Force (includes Police Coast Guard and the paramilitary Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police Force or GCSPF) (2022)
note(s) - in 2022, the SAF announced that it would form a Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) by the end of the year; in 2009, Singapore established a multi-agency national Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) to work with law enforcement and maritime agencies to guard Singapore’s waters, including conducting daily patrols, as well as boarding and escort operations in the Singapore Strait; the MSTF is subordinate to the Singapore Navy
Topic: Sint Maartenno regular military forces; Police Department for local law enforcement, supported by the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (Gendarmerie), the Dutch Caribbean Police Force (Korps Politie Caribisch Nederland, KPCN), and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG or Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied (KWCARIB)) (2022)
Topic: SlovakiaArmed Forces of the Slovak Republic (Ozbrojene Sily Slovenskej Republiky): Land Forces (Slovenské Pozemné Sily), Air Forces (Slovenské Vzdušné Sily), Special Operations Forces (Sily Pre Speciálne Operácie) (2022)
Topic: SloveniaSlovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): structured as a combined force with air, land, maritime, special operations, combat support, and combat service support elements (2022)
Topic: Solomon Islandsno regular military forces; the Royal Solomon Islands Police is responsible for internal and external security and reports to the Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services (2022)
Topic: SomaliaMinistry of Defense: Somali National Army (SNA); Ministry of Internal Security: Somali National Police (SNP, includes a maritime unit and a Turkish-trained commando unit known as Harmacad, or Cheetah) (2022)
note(s) - Somalia also has numerous militia and regional forces operating throughout the country; these forces include ones that are clan- and warlord-based, semi-official paramilitary and special police forces (aka darwish), and externally-sponsored militias; the SNA is attempting to incorporate some of these militia units; in addition, Somaliland has army and naval forces under the Somaliland Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces
Topic: South AfricaSouth African National Defense Force (SANDF): South African Army (includes Reserve Force), South African Navy (SAN), South African Air Force (SAAF), South African Military Health Services
the South African Police Service includes a Special Task Force for counterterrorism, counterinsurgency, and hostage rescue operations (2022)
Topic: South SudanSouth Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF): Ground Force (includes Presidential Guard, aka Tiger Division), Air Force, Air Defense Forces; National Unified Forces (pending formation) (2022)
note - numerous irregular forces, including militias operated by the National Security Service (an internal security force under the Ministry of National Security) and proxy forces, operate in the country with official knowledge
Topic: SpainSpanish Armed Forces: Army (Ejercito de Tierra), Spanish Navy (Armada Espanola, AE, includes Marine Corps), Spanish Air Force (Ejercito del Aire Espanola, EdA); Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) (2022)
note - the Civil Guard is a military force with police duties (including coast guard) under both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior; it also responds to the needs of the Ministry of Finance
Topic: Sri LankaSri Lanka Army (includes National Guard and the Volunteer Force), Sri Lanka Navy (includes Marine Corps), Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard; Civil Security Department (Home Guard); Sri Lanka National Police: Special Task Force (a paramilitary unit responsible for counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations) (2022)
Topic: SudanSudanese Armed Forces (SAF): Ground Force, Navy, Sudanese Air Force; Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Border Guards
Ministry of Interior: security police, special forces police, traffic police, Central Reserve Police (2022)
note(s) - the RSF is a semi-autonomous paramilitary force formed in 2013 to fight armed rebel groups in Sudan, with Mohammed Hamdan DAGALO (aka Hemeti) as its commander (he is also a member of the Sovereign Council); it was initially placed under the National Intelligence and Security Service, then came under the direct command of former president Omar al-BASHIR, who boosted the RSF as his own personal security force; as a result, the RSF was better funded and equipped than the regular armed forces; the RSF has since recruited from all parts of Sudan beyond its original Darfuri Arab groups but remains under the personal patronage and control of DAGALO; the RSF has been accused of committing human rights abuses against civilians; it is also reportedly involved in business enterprises, such as gold mining; in late 2019, Sovereign Council Chairman and SAF Commander-in-Chief General Abd-al-Fatah al-BURHAN said the RSF would be fully integrated into the SAF, but did not give a timeline
- the Central Reserve Police is a combat-trained paramilitary force that has been used against demonstrators and sanctioned by the US for human rights abuses
Topic: SurinameSuriname Army (National Leger, NL): Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Police (2022)
Topic: Svalbardno regular military forces
Topic: SwedenSwedish Armed Forces (Forsvarsmakten): Army, Navy, Air Force, Home Guard (2022)
Topic: SwitzerlandSwiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2022)
Topic: SyriaSyrian Armed Forces: Syrian Arab Army (includes Republican Guard), Syrian Naval Forces, Syrian Air Forces, Syrian Air Defense Forces, National Defense Forces (pro-government militia and auxiliary forces) (2022)
note - as of 2022, the Syrian military was supported by numerous pro-regime and pro-Iranian irregular/militia forces, Russian armed forces, the Iran-affiliated Hizballah terrorist group, and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Topic: TaiwanTaiwan Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force; Taiwan Coast Guard Administration (a law enforcement organization with homeland security functions during peacetime and national defense missions during wartime) (2022)
Topic: TajikistanArmed Forces of the Republic of Tajikistan: Land Forces, Mobile Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces; National Guard; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops (reserves for Armed Forces in wartime); State Committee on National Security: Border Guard Forces (2022)
Topic: TanzaniaTanzania People's Defense Forces (TPDF or Jeshi la Wananchi la Tanzania, JWTZ): Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Force, National Building Army (Jeshi la Kujenga Taifa, JKT), People's Militia (Reserves); Ministry of Home Affairs: Tanzania Police force (includes paramilitary Police Field Force) (2022)
note(s) - the National Building Army is a paramilitary organization under the Defense Forces that provides 6 months of military and vocational training to individuals as part of their 2 years of public service; after completion of training, some graduates join the regular Defense Forces while the remainder become part of the People's (or Citizen's) Militia; the Police Field Force (aka Field Force Unit) is a special police division with the responsibility for controlling unlawful demonstrations and riots
Topic: ThailandRoyal Thai Armed Forces (Kongthap Thai, RTARF): Royal Thai Army (Kongthap Bok Thai, RTA), Royal Thai Navy (Kongthap Ruea Thai, RTN; includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (Kongthap Akaat Thai, RTAF); Office of the Prime Minister: Royal Thai Police; Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC; oversees counter-insurgency operations, as well as countering terrorism, narcotics and weapons trafficking, and other internal security duties; primarily run by the Army) (2022)
note(s) - official paramilitary forces in Thailand include the Thai Rangers (Thahan Phran or "Hunter Soldiers") under the Army; the Paramilitary Marines under the Navy; the Border Patrol Police (BPP) under the Royal Thai Police; the Volunteer Defense Corps (VDC or O So) and National Defense Volunteers (NDV), both under the Ministry of Interior; there are also several government-backed volunteer militias created to provide village security against insurgents in the deep south or to assist the ISOC
Topic: Timor-LesteTimor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Joint Headquarters with Land, Air, Naval, Service Support, and Education/Training components; National Police (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2022)
Topic: TogoTogolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre), Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Armee de l’Air), National Gendarmerie (2022)
note - the Gendarmerie falls under the Ministry of the Armed Forces but also reports to the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection on many matters involving law enforcement and internal security
Topic: TongaHis Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga (Tonga Defense Services): Joint Force headquarters, Tonga Royal Guard, Land Force (Royal Tongan Marines), Tonga Navy, Training Wing, Air Wing, and Support Unit (2022)
Topic: Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago Defense Force (TTDF): Army/Land Forces (Trinidad and Tobago Regiment), Coast Guard, Air Guard, Defense Force Reserves; Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) (2022)
note - the Ministry of National Security oversees defense, immigration, and the police
Topic: TunisiaTunisian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Tunisiennes, FAT): Tunisian Army (includes Air Defense Force), Tunisian Navy, Tunisia Air Force; Ministry of Interior: National Police, National Guard (2022)
note - the National Police has primary responsibility for law enforcement in the major cities, while the National Guard (gendarmerie) oversees border security and patrols smaller towns and rural areas
Topic: TurkeyTurkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri); Ministry of Interior: Gendarmerie of the Turkish Republic (aka Gendarmerie General Command), Turkish Coast Guard Command, National Police (2022)
note(s) - the Gendarmerie is responsible for the maintenance of the public order in areas that fall outside the jurisdiction of police forces (generally in rural areas); in wartime, the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard would be placed under the operational control of the Land Forces and Naval Forces, respectively
Topic: TurkmenistanArmed Forces of Turkmenistan: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces; Federal Border Guard Service; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops (2022)
Topic: Tuvaluno regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force (Ministry of Justice, Communications, and Foreign Affairs) (2022)
Topic: UgandaUganda People's Defense Force (UPDF): Land Forces, Air Forces, Marine Forces, Special Forces Command, Reserve Force (2022)
note(s) - the Special Forces Command is a separate branch within the UPDF; it evolved from the former Presidential Guard Brigade and continues to have presidential protection duties in addition to its conventional missions, such as counterinsurgency; in 2018, President MUSEVENI created a volunteer force of Local Defense Units under the military to beef up local security in designated parts of the country
Topic: UkraineArmed Forces of Ukraine (Zbroyni Syly Ukrayiny, ZSU): Ground Forces (Sukhoputni Viys’ka), Naval Forces (Viys’kovo-Mors’ki Syly, VMS), Air Forces (Povitryani Syly, PS), Air Assault Forces (Desantno-shturmovi Viyska, DShV), Ukrainian Special Operations Forces (UASOF), Territorial Defense Forces (Reserves); Ministry of Internal Affairs: National Guard of Ukraine, State Border Guard Service of Ukraine (includes Maritime Border Guard) (2022)
note - in the event that martial law is declared, all National Guard units, with certain exceptions such as those tasked with providing for diplomatic security of embassies and consulates, would come under the command of the Ministry of Defense as auxiliary forces to the Armed Forces
Topic: United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates Armed Forces: Land Forces, Navy Forces, Air Force, Presidential Guard (includes special operations forces); Ministry of Interior: Critical Infrastructure and Coastal Patrol Agency (CICPA) (2022)
note - each emirate maintains a local police force called a general directorate, which is officially a branch of the federal Ministry of Interior; all emirate-level general directorates of police enforce their respective emirate’s laws autonomously; they also enforce federal laws within their emirate in coordination with one another under the federal ministry
Topic: United KingdomUnited Kingdom Armed Forces (aka British Armed Forces, aka Her Majesty's Armed Forces): British Army, Royal Navy (includes Royal Marines), Royal Air Force (2022)
note - in 2021 the UK formed a joint service Space Command staffed by Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel, as well as civilians and key members of the commercial sector to manage space operations, training, and capabilities; in 2019, the UK formed the Strategic Command (formerly Joint Forces Command) to develop and manage the British military's medical services, training and education, defense intelligence, and information systems across the land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains; national-level special forces (UK Special Forces, UKSF) also fall under Strategic Command; in addition, the command manages joint overseas operations
Topic: United StatesUnited States Armed Forces: US Army, US Navy (includes Marine Corps), US Air Force, US Space Force; US Coast Guard (administered in peacetime by the Department of Homeland Security, but in wartime reports to the Department of the Navy); National Guard (Army National Guard and Air National Guard) (2022)
note - the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their services and operate in part under state authority
Topic: UruguayArmed Forces of Uruguay (Fuerzas Armadas del Uruguay): National Army (Ejercito Nacional), National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Coast Guard (Prefectura Nacional Naval)), Uruguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea); Guardia Nacional Republicana (paramilitary regiment of the National Police) (2022)
Topic: UzbekistanArmed Forces of Uzbekistan: Army, Air and Air Defense Forces; National Guard; Ministry of Interior: Internal Security Troops, Border Guards (2022)
note - the National Guard, also under the Ministry of Defense, ensures public order and security of diplomatic missions, radio and television broadcasting, and other state entities
Topic: Vanuatuno regular military forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW)) (2022)
note - the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force also has external security responsibilities
Topic: VenezuelaBolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes marines, Coast Guard), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB; includes a joint-service Aerospace Defense Command (Comando de Defensa Aeroespacial Integral, CODAI), Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB)
Bolivarian National Police: Special Action Forces (Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales, FAES) (2022)
note(s) - the Bolivarian Militia was added as a "special component" to the FANB in 2020; the National Guard is responsible for maintaining public order, guarding the exterior of key government installations and prisons, conducting counter-narcotics operations, monitoring borders, and providing law enforcement in remote areas; it reports to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace
the FAES police paramilitary unit was created by President MADURO after the 2017 anti-government protests to bolster internal security; it has been accused of multiple human rights abuses
Topic: VietnamPeople's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; aka Vietnam People's Army, VPA): Ground Forces, Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Force and Air Defense, Border Defense Force, and Vietnam Coast Guard; Vietnam People's Public Security Ministry; Vietnam Civil Defense Force (2022)
note(s) - the Public Security Ministry is responsible for internal security and controls the national police, a special national security investigative agency, and other internal security units; the Vietnam Coast Guard was established in 1998 as the Vietnam Marine Police and renamed in 2013; Vietnam officially established a maritime self-defense force (civilian militia) in 2010 after the National Assembly passed the Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces in 2009; the Vietnam Fisheries Resources Surveillance (VFRS), established in 2013, is responsible for patrolling, monitoring for fishing violations, and carrying out fishery inspections; it is armed, allowed to use force if necessary, and works in tandem with the Vietnam Coast Guard
Topic: West Bankper the Oslo Accords, the PA is not permitted a conventional military but maintains security and police forces; PA security personnel have operated almost exclusively in the West Bank since HAMAS seized power in the Gaza Strip in 2007; PA forces include National Security Forces, Presidential Guard, Civil Police, Civil Defense, Preventive Security Organization, the General Intelligence Organization, and the Military Intelligence Organization (2022)
note(s) - the National Security Forces conduct gendarmerie-style security operations in circumstances that exceed the capabilities of the civil police; it is the largest branch of the Palestinian Authority security service and acts as the Palestinian army; the Presidential Guard protects facilities and provides dignitary protection; the Preventive Security Organization is responsible for internal intelligence gathering and investigations related to internal security cases, including political dissent
Topic: Yemenas of 2021, military and security forces operating in Yemen consisted of a patchwork of government, non-state, and foreign-backed regular, semi-regular/militia, and paramilitary forces, often with informal command organizations and conflicting, fluid, or overlapping agendas, loyalties, and relationships; in addition, the Huthis maintained opposition military and security forces Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) forces; Ministry of Defense: Yemeni National Army, Air Force and Air Defense, Navy and Coastal Defense Forces, Border Guard, Strategic Reserve Forces (includes Special Forces and Presidential Protection Brigades, which are under the Ministry of Defense but responsible to the president), Popular Committee Forces (government-backed tribal militia); Ministry of Interior: Special Security Forces (paramilitary; formerly known as Central Security Forces), Political Security Organization (state security), National Security Bureau (intelligence), Counterterrorism Unit Saudi-backed forces: paramilitary/militia border security brigades based largely on tribal or regional affiliation (deployed along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawf) United Arab Emirates-backed forces included tribal and regionally-based militia and paramilitary forces (concentrated in the southern governates): Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, including the Security Belt Forces, the Shabwani and Hadrami “Elite” Forces, the Support and Backup Forces (aka Logistics and Support Forces), Facilities Protection Forces, and Anti-Terrorism Forces; Republican Forces; Joint Forces; note – under the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, the STC forces were to be incorporated into Yemen’s Ministries of Defense and Interior under the authority of the HADI government Huthi: ground, air/air defense, coastal defense, presidential protection, special operations, missile, and tribal militia forces
note – a considerable portion--up to 70 percent by some estimates--of Yemen’s military and security forces defected in whole or in part to former president SALAH and the Huthi opposition in 2011-2015as of 2021, military and security forces operating in Yemen consisted of a patchwork of government, non-state, and foreign-backed regular, semi-regular/militia, and paramilitary forces, often with informal command organizations and conflicting, fluid, or overlapping agendas, loyalties, and relationships; in addition, the Huthis maintained opposition military and security forcesRepublic of Yemen Government (ROYG) forces; Ministry of Defense: Yemeni National Army, Air Force and Air Defense, Navy and Coastal Defense Forces, Border Guard, Strategic Reserve Forces (includes Special Forces and Presidential Protection Brigades, which are under the Ministry of Defense but responsible to the president), Popular Committee Forces (government-backed tribal militia); Ministry of Interior: Special Security Forces (paramilitary; formerly known as Central Security Forces), Political Security Organization (state security), National Security Bureau (intelligence), Counterterrorism UnitSaudi-backed forces: paramilitary/militia border security brigades based largely on tribal or regional affiliation (deployed along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the areas bordering the governorates of Saada and Al-Jawf)United Arab Emirates-backed forces included tribal and regionally-based militia and paramilitary forces (concentrated in the southern governates): Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces, including the Security Belt Forces, the Shabwani and Hadrami “Elite” Forces, the Support and Backup Forces (aka Logistics and Support Forces), Facilities Protection Forces, and Anti-Terrorism Forces; Republican Forces; Joint Forces; note – under the 2019 Riyadh Agreement, the STC forces were to be incorporated into Yemen’s Ministries of Defense and Interior under the authority of the HADI governmentHuthi: ground, air/air defense, coastal defense, presidential protection, special operations, missile, and tribal militia forces
Topic: ZambiaZambia Defense Force (ZDF): Zambia Army, Zambia Air Force, Zambia National Service; Defense Force Medical Service; Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security: Zambia Police (includes a paramilitary battalion) (2022)
note - the Zambia National Service is a support organization that also does public work projects
Topic: ZimbabweZimbabwe Defense Forces (ZDF): Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA), Air Force of Zimbabwe (AFZ) (2022) |
20220901 | countries-aruba-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, semi-autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.Discovered and claimed for Spain in 1499, Aruba was acquired by the Dutch in 1636. Aruba seceded from the Netherlands Antilles in 1986 and became a separate, semi-autonomous member of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Movement toward full independence was halted at Aruba's request in 1990.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 180 sq km
land: 180 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Natural resources: NEGL; white sandy beaches foster tourism
Topic: People and Society
Population: 122,320 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Aruban 66%, Colombian 9.1%, Dutch 4.3%, Dominican 4.1%, Venezuelan 3.2%, Curacaoan 2.2%, Haitian 1.5%, Surinamese 1.2%, Peruvian 1.1%, Chinese 1.1%, other 6.2% (2010 est.)
Languages: Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, and, to a lesser extent, French, as well as elements of African languages and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English (widely spoken) 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1%, Chinese 1.5%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9% (includes Methodist 0.9%, Adventist 0.9%, Anglican 0.4%, other Protestant 2.7%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 12%, none 5.5%, unspecified 0.5% (2010 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.14% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary democracy; part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Capital: name: Oranjestad
Executive branch: chief of state: King WILLEM-ALEXANDER of the Netherlands (since 30 April 2013); represented by Governor General Alfonso BOEKHOUDT (since 1 January 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister Evelyn WEVER-CROES (since 17 November 2017)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislature or Staten (21 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: small, tourism-dependent, territorial-island economy; very high public debt; COVID-19 crippled economic activity; partial recovery underway via tourism, benefitting from its high amount of timeshare residences; considering reopening oil refinerysmall, tourism-dependent, territorial-island economy; very high public debt; COVID-19 crippled economic activity; partial recovery underway via tourism, benefitting from its high amount of timeshare residences; considering reopening oil refinery
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.05 billion (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $38,442 (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: aloes; livestock; fish
Industries: tourism, petroleum transshipment facilities, banking
Exports: $1.45 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Malaysia 57%, United States 11%, Netherlands 6%, Jordan 6%, Venezuela 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, liquors, scrap iron, soap, tobacco (2019)
Imports: $1.67 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: United States 48%, Netherlands 16% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, jewelry, cars, vehicle parts, tobacco products (2019)
Exchange rates: Aruban guilders/florins per US dollar -Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 |
20220901 | field-area-rankings | This entry, which appears only in the World, Geography category, provides rankings for the earth's largest (or smallest) continents, countries, oceans, islands, mountain ranges, or other physical features. |
20220901 | field-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share | Data on household income or consumption come from household surveys, with the results adjusted for household size. Nations use different standards and procedures in collecting and adjusting the data. Surveys based on income will normally show a more unequal distribution than surveys based on consumption. The quality of surveys is improving with time, yet caution is still necessary in making inter-country comparisons.
Topic: Afghanistanlowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 24% (2008)
Topic: Albanialowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 19.6% (2015 est.)
Topic: Algerialowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 26.8% (1995)
Topic: American Samoalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Andorralowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Angolalowest 10%: 0.6%
highest 10%: 44.7% (2000)
Topic: Anguillalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Antigua and Barbudalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Argentinalowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 31% (2017 est.)
Topic: Armenialowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 25.7% (2014)
Topic: Arubalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Australialowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 25.4% (1994)
Topic: Austrialowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 23.5% (2012 est.)
Topic: Azerbaijanlowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 27.4% (2008)
Topic: Bahamas, Thelowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 22% (2007 est.)
Topic: Bahrainlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Bangladeshlowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
Topic: Barbadoslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Belaruslowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 21.9% (2008)
Topic: Belgiumlowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.4% (2006)
Topic: Belizelowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Beninlowest 10%: 3.1%
highest 10%: 29% (2003)
Topic: Bermudalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Bhutanlowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 30.6% (2012)
Topic: Bolivialowest 10%: 0.9%
highest 10%: 36.1% (2014 est.)
Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinalowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 25.8% (2011 est.)
Topic: Botswanalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Brazillowest 10%: 0.8%
highest 10%: 43.4% (2016 est.)
Topic: British Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Bruneilowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Bulgarialowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 31.2% (2017)
Topic: Burkina Fasolowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2009 est.)
Topic: Burmalowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)
Topic: Burundilowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 28% (2006)
Topic: Cabo Verdelowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 40.6% (2000)
Topic: Cambodialowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.)
Topic: Cameroonlowest 10%: 37.5%
highest 10%: 35.4% (2001)
Topic: Canadalowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2000)
Topic: Cayman Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Central African Republiclowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 33% (2003)
Topic: Chadlowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 30.8% (2003)
Topic: Chilelowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 41.5% (2013 est.)
Topic: Chinalowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 31.4% (2012)
note: data are for urban households only
Topic: Colombialowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 39.6% (2015 est.)
Topic: Comoroslowest 10%: 0.9%
highest 10%: 55.2% (2004)
Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 34.7% (2006)
Topic: Congo, Republic of thelowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 37.1% (2005)
Topic: Cook Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Costa Ricalowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.)
Topic: Cote d'Ivoirelowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 31.8% (2008)
Topic: Croatialowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 23% (2015 est.)
Topic: Cubalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Cypruslowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 28.8% (2014)
Topic: Czechialowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 21.7% (2015 est.)
Topic: Denmarklowest 10%: 9%
highest 10%: 23.4% (2016 est.)
Topic: Djiboutilowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 30.9% (2002)
Topic: Dominicalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Dominican Republiclowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.)
Topic: Ecuadorlowest 10%: 1.4%
highest 10%: 35.4% (2012 est.)
note: data are for urban households only
Topic: Egyptlowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 26.6% (2008)
Topic: El Salvadorlowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 32.3% (2014 est.)
Topic: Equatorial Guinealowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Eritrealowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Estonialowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 25.6% (2015)
Topic: Eswatinilowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.1% (2010 est.)
Topic: Ethiopialowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%: 25.6% (2005)
Topic: European Unionlowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 23.8% (2016 est.)
Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Faroe Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Fijilowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.)
Topic: Finlandlowest 10%: 6.7%
highest 10%: 45.2% (2013)
Topic: Francelowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 25.4% (2013)
Topic: French Polynesialowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Gabonlowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 32.7% (2005)
Topic: Gambia, Thelowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 36.9% (2003)
Topic: Georgialowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)
Topic: Germanylowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 24% (2000)
Topic: Ghanalowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 32.8% (2006)
Topic: Gibraltarlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Greecelowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 26.7% (2015 est.)
Topic: Greenlandlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Grenadalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Guamlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Guatemalalowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)
Topic: Guernseylowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Guinealowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)
Topic: Guinea-Bissaulowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 28% (2002)
Topic: Guyanalowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 33.8% (1999)
Topic: Haitilowest 10%: 0.7%
highest 10%: 47.7% (2001)
Topic: Honduraslowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 38.4% (2014)
Topic: Hong Konglowest 10%: 1.8% NA
highest 10%: 38.1% (2016) NA
Topic: Hungarylowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 22.4% (2015)
Topic: Icelandlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Indialowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 29.8% (2011)
Topic: Indonesialowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.2% (2010)
Topic: Iranlowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2005)
Topic: Iraqlowest 10%: 3.6%
highest 10%: 25.7% (2007 est.)
Topic: Irelandlowest 10%: 2.9%
highest 10%: 27.2% (2000)
Topic: Isle of Manlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Israellowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 31.3% (2010)
Topic: Italylowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 26.8% (2000)
Topic: Jamaicalowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 29.3% (2015)
Topic: Japanlowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 24.8% (2008)
Topic: Jerseylowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Jordanlowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.)
Topic: Kazakhstanlowest 10%: 4.2%
highest 10%: 23.3% (2016)
Topic: Kenyalowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 37.8% (2005)
Topic: Kiribatilowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Korea, Northlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Korea, Southlowest 10%: 6.8%
highest 10%: 48.5% (2015 est.)
Topic: Kosovolowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 22% (2015 est.)
Topic: Kuwaitlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Kyrgyzstanlowest 10%: 4.4%
highest 10%: 22.9% (2014 est.)
Topic: Laoslowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
Topic: Latvialowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 26.3% (2015)
Topic: Lebanonlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Lesotholowest 10%: 1%
highest 10%: 39.4% (2003)
Topic: Liberialowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 30.1% (2007)
Topic: Libyalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Liechtensteinlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Lithuanialowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 28.8% (2015)
Topic: Luxembourglowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 23.8% (2000)
Topic: Macaulowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Madagascarlowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 34.7% (2010 est.)
Topic: Malawilowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 37.5% (2010 est.)
Topic: Malaysialowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)
Topic: Maldiveslowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 33.3% (FY09/10)
Topic: Malilowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 25.8% (2010 est.)
Topic: Maltalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Marshall Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Mauritanialowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 29.5% (2000)
Topic: Mauritiuslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Mexicolowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 40% (2014)
Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oflowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Moldovalowest 10%: 4.2%
highest 10%: 22.1% (2014 est.)
Topic: Monacolowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Mongolialowest 10%: 13.7%
highest 10%: 5.7% (2017)
Topic: Montenegrolowest 10%: 3.5%
highest 10%: 25.7% (2014 est.)
Topic: Montserratlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Moroccolowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 33.2% (2007)
Topic: Mozambiquelowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 36.7% (2008)
Topic: Namibialowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 42% (2010)
Topic: Naurulowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Nepallowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 29.5% (2011)
Topic: Netherlandslowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 24.9% (2014 est.)
Topic: New Caledonialowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: New Zealandlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Nicaragualowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 47.1% (2014)
Topic: Nigerlowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)
Topic: Nigerialowest 10%: 1.8%
highest 10%: 38.2% (2010 est.)
Topic: Niuelowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: North Macedonialowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 25% (2015 est.)
Topic: Northern Mariana Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Norwaylowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 21.2% (2014)
Topic: Omanlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Pakistanlowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 26.1% (FY2013)
Topic: Palaulowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Panamalowest 10%: 1.1%
highest 10%: 38.9% (2014 est.)
Topic: Papua New Guinealowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 40.5% (1996)
Topic: Paraguaylowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 37.6% (2013 est.)
Topic: Perulowest 10%: 1.4%
highest 10%: 36.1% (2010 est.)
Topic: Philippineslowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 29.5% (2015 est.)
Topic: Polandlowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 23.9% (2015 est.)
Topic: Portugallowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 25.9% (2015 est.)
Topic: Puerto Ricolowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Qatarlowest 10%: 1.3%
highest 10%: 35.9% (2007)
Topic: Romanialowest 10%: 15.3%
highest 10%: 7.6% (2014 est.)
Topic: Russialowest 10%: 2.3%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)
Topic: Rwandalowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 43.2% (2011 est.)
Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevislowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Saint Lucialowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonlowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Samoalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: San Marinolowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Sao Tome and Principelowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Saudi Arabialowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Senegallowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 31.1% (2011)
Topic: Serbialowest 10%: 2.2%
highest 10%: 23.8% (2011)
Topic: Seychelleslowest 10%: 4.7%
highest 10%: 15.4% (2007)
Topic: Sierra Leonelowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 33.6% (2003)
Topic: Singaporelowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 27.5% (2017)
Topic: Slovakialowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 19.3% (2015 est.)
Topic: Slovenialowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 20.1% (2016)
Topic: Solomon Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Somalialowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: South Africalowest 10%: 1.2%
highest 10%: 51.3% (2011 est.)
Topic: Spainlowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%: 24% (2011)
Topic: Sri Lankalowest 10%: 3%
highest 10%: 32.2% (2012 est.)
Topic: Sudanlowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 26.7% (2009 est.)
Topic: Surinamelowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Swedenlowest 10%: 3.4%
highest 10%: 24% (2012)
Topic: Switzerlandlowest 10%: 7.5%
highest 10%: 19% (2007)
Topic: Syrialowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Taiwanlowest 10%: 6.4% (2010)
highest 10%: 40.3% (2010)
Topic: Tajikistanlowest 10%: (2009 est.) NA
highest 10%: (2009 est.) NA
Topic: Tanzanialowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2007)
Topic: Thailandlowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 31.5% (2009 est.)
Topic: Timor-Lestelowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 27% (2007)
Topic: Togolowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 27.1% (2006)
Topic: Tongalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Trinidad and Tobagolowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Tunisialowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)
Topic: Turkmenistanlowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 31.7% (1998)
Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Tuvalulowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Ugandalowest 10%: 2.4%
highest 10%: 36.1% (2009 est.)
Topic: Ukrainelowest 10%: 4.2%
highest 10%: 21.6% (2015 est.)
Topic: United Arab Emirateslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: United Kingdomlowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 31.1% (2012)
Topic: United Stateslowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 30% (2007 est.)
Topic: Uruguaylowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 30.8% (2014 est.)
Topic: Uzbekistanlowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 29.6% (2003)
Topic: Vanuatulowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Venezuelalowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 32.7% (2006)
Topic: Vietnamlowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)
Topic: Virgin Islandslowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: Wallis and Futunalowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Topic: West Banklowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 28.2% (2009 est.)
note: includes Gaza Strip
Topic: Worldlowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 30.2% (2008 est.)
Topic: Yemenlowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008 est.)
Topic: Zambialowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 47.4% (2010)
Topic: Zimbabwelowest 10%: 2%
highest 10%: 40.4% (1995) |
20220901 | countries-venezuela |
Topic: Photos of Venezuela
Topic: Introduction
Background: Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Although democratically elected governments largely held sway since 1959, the executive branch under Hugo CHAVEZ, president from 1999 to 2013, exercised increasingly authoritarian control over other branches of government. This undemocratic trend continued in 2018 when Nicolas MADURO claimed the presidency for his second term in an election boycotted by most opposition parties and widely viewed as fraudulent.
The last democratically-elected institution is the 2015 National Assembly. The president of the 2015 National Assembly, Juan GUAIDO is currently recognized by several countries - including the United States - as the interim president of Venezuela, while MADURO is recognized by most countries. In 2020, legislative elections were held for a new National Assembly, which the opposition boycotted and which were widely condemned as fraudulent. The resulting assembly is viewed by GUAIDO, most opposition parties, and many international actors as illegitimate. In November 2021, most opposition parties broke a three-year election boycott to participate in mayoral and gubernatorial elections, despite flawed conditions. As a result, the opposition more than doubled its representation at the mayoral level and retained four of 23 governorships. The 2021 regional elections marked the first time since 2006 that the EU was allowed to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela.
The MADURO regime places strong restrictions on freedoms of expression and the press. Since CHAVEZ, the ruling party's economic policies expanded the state's role in the economy through expropriations of major enterprises, strict currency exchange and price controls that discourage private sector investment and production, and overdependence on the petroleum industry for revenues, among others. Years of economic mismanagement left Venezuela ill-prepared to weather the global drop in oil prices in 2014, sparking an economic decline that has resulted in reduced government social spending, shortages of basic goods, and high inflation. Worsened living conditions have prompted over 6 million Venezuelans to migrate, mainly settling in nearby countries. Since 2017, the US has imposed financial and sectoral sanctions on the MADURO regime. Since mid-2020, and despite MADURO regime mismanagement and faltering infrastructure, oil production has begun to rise primarily due to strengthened MADURO regime trade relations with China, Russia, Iran, and the illicit oil trade. Caracas has more recently relaxed some economic controls to mitigate the impact of its sustained economic crisis, such as allowing increased currency and liberalizing import flexibility for private citizens and companies. Other concerns include human rights abuses, rampant violent crime, political manipulation of the judicial and electoral systems, and corruption.Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by military strongmen who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Although democratically elected governments largely held sway since 1959, the executive branch under Hugo CHAVEZ, president from 1999 to 2013, exercised increasingly authoritarian control over other branches of government. This undemocratic trend continued in 2018 when Nicolas MADURO claimed the presidency for his second term in an election boycotted by most opposition parties and widely viewed as fraudulent.
The last democratically-elected institution is the 2015 National Assembly. The president of the 2015 National Assembly, Juan GUAIDO is currently recognized by several countries - including the United States - as the interim president of Venezuela, while MADURO is recognized by most countries. In 2020, legislative elections were held for a new National Assembly, which the opposition boycotted and which were widely condemned as fraudulent. The resulting assembly is viewed by GUAIDO, most opposition parties, and many international actors as illegitimate. In November 2021, most opposition parties broke a three-year election boycott to participate in mayoral and gubernatorial elections, despite flawed conditions. As a result, the opposition more than doubled its representation at the mayoral level and retained four of 23 governorships. The 2021 regional elections marked the first time since 2006 that the EU was allowed to send an electoral observation mission to Venezuela.
The MADURO regime places strong restrictions on freedoms of expression and the press. Since CHAVEZ, the ruling party's economic policies expanded the state's role in the economy through expropriations of major enterprises, strict currency exchange and price controls that discourage private sector investment and production, and overdependence on the petroleum industry for revenues, among others. Years of economic mismanagement left Venezuela ill-prepared to weather the global drop in oil prices in 2014, sparking an economic decline that has resulted in reduced government social spending, shortages of basic goods, and high inflation. Worsened living conditions have prompted over 6 million Venezuelans to migrate, mainly settling in nearby countries. Since 2017, the US has imposed financial and sectoral sanctions on the MADURO regime. Since mid-2020, and despite MADURO regime mismanagement and faltering infrastructure, oil production has begun to rise primarily due to strengthened MADURO regime trade relations with China, Russia, Iran, and the illicit oil trade. Caracas has more recently relaxed some economic controls to mitigate the impact of its sustained economic crisis, such as allowing increased currency and liberalizing import flexibility for private citizens and companies. Other concerns include human rights abuses, rampant violent crime, political manipulation of the judicial and electoral systems, and corruption.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references: South America
Area: total: 912,050 sq km
land: 882,050 sq km
water: 30,000 sq km
Area - comparative: almost six times the size of Georgia; slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries: total: 5,267 km
border countries (3): Brazil 2,137 km; Colombia 2,341 km; Guyana 789 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 15 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation: highest point: Pico Bolivar 4,978 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 450 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
Land use: agricultural land: 24.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 20.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 52.1% (2018 est.)
other: 23.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 10,550 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lago de Maracaibo - 13,010 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Rio Negro (shared with Colombia [s] and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco river source and mouth (shared with Colombia) - 2,101 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in the northern and western highlands along an eastern spur at the northern end of the Andes, an area that includes the capital of Caracas
Natural hazards: subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Geography - note: note 1: the country lies on major sea and air routes linking North and South America note 2: Venezuela has some of the most unique geology in the world; tepuis are massive table-top mountains of the western Guiana Highlands that tend to be isolated and thus support unique endemic plant and animal species; their sheer cliffsides account for some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world including Angel Falls, the world's highest (979 m) that drops off Auyan Tepuinote 1: the country lies on major sea and air routes linking North and South Americanote 2: Venezuela has some of the most unique geology in the world; tepuis are massive table-top mountains of the western Guiana Highlands that tend to be isolated and thus support unique endemic plant and animal species; their sheer cliffsides account for some of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world including Angel Falls, the world's highest (979 m) that drops off Auyan Tepui
Map description: Venezuela map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea.Venezuela map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 29,789,730 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective: Venezuelan
Ethnic groups: unspecified Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, Indigenous
Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Demographic profile: Social investment in Venezuela during the CHAVEZ administration reduced poverty from nearly 50% in 1999 to about 27% in 2011, increased school enrollment, substantially decreased infant and child mortality, and improved access to potable water and sanitation through social investment. "Missions" dedicated to education, nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation were funded through petroleum revenues. The sustainability of this progress remains questionable, however, as the continuation of these social programs depends on the prosperity of Venezuela's oil industry. In the long-term, education and health care spending may increase economic growth and reduce income inequality, but rising costs and the staffing of new health care jobs with foreigners are slowing development. While CHAVEZ was in power, more than one million predominantly middle- and upper-class Venezuelans are estimated to have emigrated. The brain drain is attributed to a repressive political system, lack of economic opportunities, steep inflation, a high crime rate, and corruption. Thousands of oil engineers emigrated to Canada, Colombia, and the United States following CHAVEZ's firing of over 20,000 employees of the state-owned petroleum company during a 2002-03 oil strike. Additionally, thousands of Venezuelans of European descent have taken up residence in their ancestral homelands. Nevertheless, Venezuela has attracted hundreds of thousands of immigrants from South America and southern Europe because of its lenient migration policy and the availability of education and health care. Venezuela also has been a fairly accommodating host to Colombian refugees, numbering about 170,000 as of year-end 2016. However, since 2014, falling oil prices have driven a major economic crisis that has pushed Venezuelans from all walks of life to migrate or to seek asylum abroad to escape severe shortages of food, water, and medicine; soaring inflation; unemployment; and violence. As of March 2020, an estimated 5 million Venezuelans were refugees or migrants worldwide, with almost 80% taking refuge in Latin America and the Caribbean (notably Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, and Brazil, as well as the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Curacao). Asylum applications increased significantly in the US and Brazil in 2016 and 2017. Several receiving countries are making efforts to increase immigration restrictions and to deport illegal Venezuelan migrants - Ecuador and Peru in August 2018 began requiring valid passports for entry, which are difficult to obtain for Venezuelans. Nevertheless, Venezuelans continue to migrate to avoid economic collapse at home.Social investment in Venezuela during the CHAVEZ administration reduced poverty from nearly 50% in 1999 to about 27% in 2011, increased school enrollment, substantially decreased infant and child mortality, and improved access to potable water and sanitation through social investment. "Missions" dedicated to education, nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation were funded through petroleum revenues. The sustainability of this progress remains questionable, however, as the continuation of these social programs depends on the prosperity of Venezuela's oil industry. In the long-term, education and health care spending may increase economic growth and reduce income inequality, but rising costs and the staffing of new health care jobs with foreigners are slowing development.While CHAVEZ was in power, more than one million predominantly middle- and upper-class Venezuelans are estimated to have emigrated. The brain drain is attributed to a repressive political system, lack of economic opportunities, steep inflation, a high crime rate, and corruption. Thousands of oil engineers emigrated to Canada, Colombia, and the United States following CHAVEZ's firing of over 20,000 employees of the state-owned petroleum company during a 2002-03 oil strike. Additionally, thousands of Venezuelans of European descent have taken up residence in their ancestral homelands. Nevertheless, Venezuela has attracted hundreds of thousands of immigrants from South America and southern Europe because of its lenient migration policy and the availability of education and health care. Venezuela also has been a fairly accommodating host to Colombian refugees, numbering about 170,000 as of year-end 2016. However, since 2014, falling oil prices have driven a major economic crisis that has pushed Venezuelans from all walks of life to migrate or to seek asylum abroad to escape severe shortages of food, water, and medicine; soaring inflation; unemployment; and violence. As of March 2020, an estimated 5 million Venezuelans were refugees or migrants worldwide, with almost 80% taking refuge in Latin America and the Caribbean (notably Colombia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Argentina, and Brazil, as well as the Dominican Republic, Aruba, and Curacao). Asylum applications increased significantly in the US and Brazil in 2016 and 2017. Several receiving countries are making efforts to increase immigration restrictions and to deport illegal Venezuelan migrants - Ecuador and Peru in August 2018 began requiring valid passports for entry, which are difficult to obtain for Venezuelans. Nevertheless, Venezuelans continue to migrate to avoid economic collapse at home.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.66% (male 3,759,280/female 3,591,897)
15-24 years: 16.14% (male 2,348,073/female 2,275,912)
25-54 years: 41.26% (male 5,869,736/female 5,949,082)
55-64 years: 8.76% (male 1,203,430/female 1,305,285)
65 years and over: 8.18% (2020 est.) (male 1,069,262/female 1,272,646)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 54.4
youth dependency ratio: 42.1
elderly dependency ratio: 12.3
potential support ratio: 8.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 30 years
male: 29.4 years
female: 30.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.43% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 17.27 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 13.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the population is concentrated in the northern and western highlands along an eastern spur at the northern end of the Andes, an area that includes the capital of Caracas
Urbanization: urban population: 88.4% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 2.957 million CARACAS (capital), 2.333 million Maracaibo, 1.959 million Valencia, 1.241 million Barquisimeto, 1.230 million Maracay, 950,000 Ciudad Guayana (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 125 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 17.72 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 19.72 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 15.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.29 years
male: 70.12 years
female: 76.62 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.22 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 75% (2010)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 94.2% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 5.8% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.73 physicians/1,000 population (2017)
Hospital bed density: 0.9 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 95.8% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 4.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 100,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 4,200 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: as of 30 September 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Venezuela; the country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate health care is currently not available in most of the country
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25.6% (2016)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.1%
male: 97%
female: 97.2% (2016)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.1%
male: 10.5% NA
female: 14.9% (2017 est.) NA
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.82 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 164.18 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 68.66 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Land use: agricultural land: 24.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 3.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 20.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 52.1% (2018 est.)
other: 23.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 88.4% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.16% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
note: as of 30 September 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to Venezuela; the country is experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases, and adequate health care is currently not available in most of the country
Food insecurity: widespread lack of access: due to severe economic crisis - the national economy, highly dependent on oil production and exports, is forecast to contract in 2021 for the eighth consecutive year; with the persistent negative effects of the COVID‑19 pandemic that have compounded the already severe macro‑economic crisis, the access to food of the most vulnerable households is expected to deteriorate throughout 2021 due to widespread losses of income‑generating activities and soaring food prices (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,779,093 tons (2010 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lago de Maracaibo - 13,010 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Rio Negro (shared with Colombia [s] and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco river source and mouth (shared with Colombia) - 2,101 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Amazon (6,145,186 sq km), Orinoco (953,675 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 5.123 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 793.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 16.71 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 1.325 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form: Venezuela
local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form: Venezuela
former: State of Venezuela, Republic of Venezuela, United States of Venezuela
etymology: native stilt-houses built on Lake Maracaibo reminded early explorers Alonso de OJEDA and Amerigo VESPUCCI in 1499 of buildings in Venice and so they named the region "Venezuola," which in Italian means "Little Venice"
Government type: federal presidential republic
Capital: name: Caracas
geographic coordinates: 10 29 N, 66 52 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named for the native Caracas tribe that originally settled in the city's valley site near the Caribbean coast
Administrative divisions: 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 capital district* (distrito capital), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales (Federal Dependencies)**, Distrito Capital (Capital District)*, Falcon, Guarico, La Guaira, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia
note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands
Independence: 5 July 1811 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Constitution: history: many previous; latest adopted 15 December 1999, effective 30 December 1999
amendments: proposed through agreement by at least 39% of the National Assembly membership, by the president of the republic in session with the cabinet of ministers, or by petition of at least 15% of registered voters; passage requires simple majority vote by the Assembly and simple majority approval in a referendum; amended 2009; note - in 2016, President MADURO issued a decree to hold an election to form a constituent assembly to change the constitution; the election in July 2017 approved the formation of a 545-member constituent assembly and elected its delegates, empowering them to change the constitution and dismiss government institutions and officials
Legal system: civil law system based on the Spanish civil code
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: 10 years; reduced to five years in the case of applicants from Spain, Portugal, Italy, or a Latin American or Caribbean country
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: Notification Statement: the United States recognizes Juan GUAIDO as the Interim President of Venezuela
President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 19 April 2013); Executive Vice President Delcy RODRIGUEZ Gomez (since 14 June 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 19 April 2013); Executive Vice President Delcy RODRIGUEZ Gomez (since 14 June 2018)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); election last held on 20 May 2018 (next election scheduled for 2024)
election results: 2018: Nicolas MADURO Moros reelected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 68%, Henri FALCON (AP) 21%, Javier BERTUCCI 11%; note - the election was marked by serious shortcomings and electoral fraud; voter turnout was approximately 46% due largely to an opposition boycott of the election
2013: Nicolas MADURO Moros elected president; percent of vote - Nicolas MADURO Moros (PSUV) 50.6%, Henrique CAPRILES Radonski (PJ) 49.1%, other 0.3%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (277 seats; 3 seats reserved for indigenous peoples of Venezuela; members serve 5-year terms); note - in 2020, the National Electoral Council increased the number of seats in the National Assembly from 167 to 277 for the 6 December 2020 election
elections: last held on 6 December 2020 (next to be held in December 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - GPP (pro-government) 69.32%, Democratic Alliance (opposition coalition) 17.68%, other 13%; seats by party - GPP 253, Democratic Alliance 18, indigenous peoples 3, other 3; composition - NA
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Tribunal of Justice (consists of 32 judges organized into constitutional, political-administrative, electoral, civil appeals, criminal appeals, and social divisions)
judge selection and term of office: judges proposed by the Committee of Judicial Postulation (an independent body of organizations dealing with legal issues and of the organs of citizen power) and appointed by the National Assembly; judges serve nonrenewable 12-year terms; note - in July 2017, the National Assembly named 33 judges to the court to replace a series of judges, it argued, had been illegally appointed in late 2015 by the outgoing, socialist-party-led Assembly; the Government of President MADURO and the Socialist Party-appointed judges refused to recognize these appointments, however, and many of the new judges have since been imprisoned or forced into exile
subordinate courts: Superior or Appeals Courts (Tribunales Superiores); District Tribunals (Tribunales de Distrito); Courts of First Instance (Tribunales de Primera Instancia); Parish Courts (Tribunales de Parroquia); Justices of the Peace (Justicia de Paz) Network
Political parties and leaders: A New Era or UNT [Manuel ROSALES]
Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Antonio LEDEZMA]
Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano or CMC [Timoteo ZAMBRANO]
Christian Democrats or COPEI [Miguel SALAZAR]
Citizens Encounter or EC [Delsa SOLORZANO]
Clear Accounts or CC [Enzo SCARENO]
Coalition of parties loyal to Nicolas MADURO -- Great Patriotic Pole or GPP [Nicolas MADURO]
Coalition of opposition parties -- Democratic Alliance (Alianza Democratica) (comprised of AD, EL CAMBIO, COPEI, CMC, and AP)
Come Venezuela (Vente Venezuela) or VV [Maria Corina MACHADO]
Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA]
Consenso en la Zona or Conenzo [Enzo SCARANO and Leon JURADO]
Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]
Democratic Action or AD [Jose Bernabe GUTIERREZ Parra]
EL CAMBIO (The Change) [Javier Alejandro BERTUCCI Carrero]
Fatherland for All (Patria para Todos) or PPT [Ilenia MEDINA]
Fuerza Vecinal or FV [leaders include mayors Gustavo DUQUE, Darwin GONZALEZ, Elias SAYEGH, Manuel FERREIRA, Josy FERNANDEZ, and Morel David RODRIGUEZ]; note - national spokesman David UZCATEGUI
Justice First (Primero Justicia) or PJ [Julio BORGES]
LAPIZ [Antonio Ecarri]
Movement to Socialism (Movimiento al Socialismo) or MAS [Segundo MELENDEZ]
Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) or VP [Leopoldo LOPEZ, Freddy SUPERLANO, and Emilio GRATERON]
Progressive Advance (Avanzada Progresista) or AP [two groups, one led by Henri FALCON and Fanny GARCIA, the other led by Luis Augusto ROMERO and Bruno GALLO]
The Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELAZQUEZ]
United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Nicolas MADURO]
Venezuela First (Primero Venezuela) or PV [Luis PARRA]
Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV [Simon CALZADILLA]
Venezuela Project or PV [Carlos BERRIZBEITIA]
We Are Venezuela (Somos Venezuela) or MSV [Delcy RODRIGUEZ and Vanessa MONTERO]A New Era or UNT [Manuel ROSALES]
Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Antonio LEDEZMA]
Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano or CMC [Timoteo ZAMBRANO]
Christian Democrats or COPEI [Miguel SALAZAR]
Citizens Encounter or EC [Delsa SOLORZANO]
Clear Accounts or CC [Enzo SCARENO]
Coalition of parties loyal to Nicolas MADURO -- Great Patriotic Pole or GPP [Nicolas MADURO]
Coalition of opposition parties -- Democratic Alliance (Alianza Democratica) (comprised of AD, EL CAMBIO, COPEI, CMC, and AP)
Come Venezuela (Vente Venezuela) or VV [Maria Corina MACHADO]
Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA]
Consenso en la Zona or Conenzo [Enzo SCARANO and Leon JURADO]
Convergencia [Juan Jose CALDERA]
Democratic Action or AD [Jose Bernabe GUTIERREZ Parra]
EL CAMBIO (The Change) [Javier Alejandro BERTUCCI Carrero]
Fatherland for All (Patria para Todos) or PPT [Ilenia MEDINA]
Fuerza Vecinal or FV [leaders include mayors Gustavo DUQUE, Darwin GONZALEZ, Elias SAYEGH, Manuel FERREIRA, Josy FERNANDEZ, and Morel David RODRIGUEZ]; note - national spokesman David UZCATEGUI
Justice First (Primero Justicia) or PJ [Julio BORGES]
LAPIZ [Antonio Ecarri]
Movement to Socialism (Movimiento al Socialismo) or MAS [Segundo MELENDEZ]
Popular Will (Voluntad Popular) or VP [Leopoldo LOPEZ, Freddy SUPERLANO, and Emilio GRATERON]
Progressive Advance (Avanzada Progresista) or AP [two groups, one led by Henri FALCON and Fanny GARCIA, the other led by Luis Augusto ROMERO and Bruno GALLO]
The Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELAZQUEZ]
United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Nicolas MADURO]
Venezuela First (Primero Venezuela) or PV [Luis PARRA]
Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV [Simon CALZADILLA]
Venezuela Project or PV [Carlos BERRIZBEITIA]
We Are Venezuela (Somos Venezuela) or MSV [Delcy RODRIGUEZ and Vanessa MONTERO]
International organization participation: Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Carlos Alfredo VECCHIO (since 8 April 2019)
chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214
FAX: [1] (202) 342-6820
email address and website:
despacho.embveus@mppre.gob.ve
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: James “Jimmy” STORY, Ambassador for the Venezuela Affairs Unit (since November 2020); note - on 11 March 2019, the Department of State announced the temporary suspension of operations of the US Embassy in Caracas and the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel; the Venezuela Affairs Unit is located at the United States Embassy in Bogota, Colombia
embassy: Venezuela Affairs Unit, Carrera 45 N. 24B-27, Bogota
previously - F St. and Suapure St.; Urb. Colinas de Valle Arriba; Caracas 1080
mailing address: 3140 Caracas Place, Washington DC 20521-3140
telephone: 1-888-407-4747
email address and website:
ACSBogota@state.gov
https://ve.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band; the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; yellow is interpreted as standing for the riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for the blood shed in attaining independence; the seven stars on the original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that united in the war of independence; in 2006, then President Hugo CHAVEZ ordered an eighth star added to the star arc - a decision that sparked much controversy - to conform with the flag proclaimed by Simon Bolivar in 1827 and to represent the historic province of Guayana
National symbol(s): troupial (bird); national colors: yellow, blue, red
National anthem: name: "Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People)
lyrics/music: Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA
note: adopted 1881; lyrics written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Coro and its Port (c); Canaima National Park (n); Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for almost all export earnings and nearly half of the government’s revenue, despite a continued decline in oil production in 2017. In the absence of official statistics, foreign experts estimate that GDP contracted 12% in 2017, inflation exceeded 2000%, people faced widespread shortages of consumer goods and medicine, and the central bank's international reserves dwindled. In late 2017, Venezuela also entered selective default on some of its sovereign and state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., (PDVSA) bonds. Domestic production and industry continues to severely underperform and the Venezuelan Government continues to rely on imports to meet its basic food and consumer goods needs. Falling oil prices since 2014 have aggravated Venezuela’s economic crisis. Insufficient access to dollars, price controls, and rigid labor regulations have led some US and multinational firms to reduce or shut down their Venezuelan operations. Market uncertainty and PDVSA’s poor cash flow have slowed investment in the petroleum sector, resulting in a decline in oil production. Under President Nicolas MADURO, the Venezuelan Government’s response to the economic crisis has been to increase state control over the economy and blame the private sector for shortages. MADURO has given authority for the production and distribution of basic goods to the military and to local socialist party member committees. The Venezuelan Government has maintained strict currency controls since 2003. The government has been unable to sustain its mechanisms for distributing dollars to the private sector, in part because it needed to withhold some foreign exchange reserves to make its foreign bond payments. As a result of price and currency controls, local industries have struggled to purchase production inputs necessary to maintain their operations or sell goods at a profit on the local market. Expansionary monetary policies and currency controls have created opportunities for arbitrage and corruption and fueled a rapid increase in black market activity.Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for almost all export earnings and nearly half of the government’s revenue, despite a continued decline in oil production in 2017. In the absence of official statistics, foreign experts estimate that GDP contracted 12% in 2017, inflation exceeded 2000%, people faced widespread shortages of consumer goods and medicine, and the central bank's international reserves dwindled. In late 2017, Venezuela also entered selective default on some of its sovereign and state oil company, Petroleos de Venezuela, S.A., (PDVSA) bonds. Domestic production and industry continues to severely underperform and the Venezuelan Government continues to rely on imports to meet its basic food and consumer goods needs. Falling oil prices since 2014 have aggravated Venezuela’s economic crisis. Insufficient access to dollars, price controls, and rigid labor regulations have led some US and multinational firms to reduce or shut down their Venezuelan operations. Market uncertainty and PDVSA’s poor cash flow have slowed investment in the petroleum sector, resulting in a decline in oil production. Under President Nicolas MADURO, the Venezuelan Government’s response to the economic crisis has been to increase state control over the economy and blame the private sector for shortages. MADURO has given authority for the production and distribution of basic goods to the military and to local socialist party member committees. The Venezuelan Government has maintained strict currency controls since 2003. The government has been unable to sustain its mechanisms for distributing dollars to the private sector, in part because it needed to withhold some foreign exchange reserves to make its foreign bond payments. As a result of price and currency controls, local industries have struggled to purchase production inputs necessary to maintain their operations or sell goods at a profit on the local market. Expansionary monetary policies and currency controls have created opportunities for arbitrage and corruption and fueled a rapid increase in black market activity.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $269.068 billion (2018 est.)
$381.6 billion (2017 est.)
$334.751 billion (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: -19.67% (2018 est.)
-14% (2017 est.)
-15.76% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $7,704 (2018 est.)
$12,500 (2017 est.)
$9,417 (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $210.1 billion (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 146,101.7% (2019 est.)
45,518.1% (2018 est.)
416.8% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: RD (2017)
Moody's rating: WR (2019)
Standard & Poors rating: SD (2017)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.7% (2017 est.)
industry: 40.4% (2017 est.)
services: 54.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68.5% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 19.6% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 13.9% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.7% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 7% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -10.7% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, maize, milk, rice, plantains, bananas, pineapples, potatoes, beef, poultry
Industries: agricultural products, livestock, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel products, crude oil and petroleum products
Industrial production growth rate: -2% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 14.21 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 7.3%
industry: 21.8%
services: 70.9% (4th quarter, 2011 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.9% (2018 est.)
27.1% (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12.1%
male: 10.5% NA
female: 14.9% (2017 est.) NA
Population below poverty line: 33.1% (2015 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39 (2011)
49.5 (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.7%
highest 10%: 32.7% (2006)
Budget: revenues: 92.8 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 189.7 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -46.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 38.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
31.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: data cover central government debt, as well as the debt of state-owned oil company PDVSA; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include some debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; some debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions
Taxes and other revenues: 44.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $4.277 billion (2017 est.)
-$3.87 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $83.401 billion (2018 est.)
$93.485 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners: India 34%, China 28%, United States 12%, Spain 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, industrial alcohols, gold, iron (2019)
Imports: $18.432 billion (2018 est.)
$18.376 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: China 28%, United States 22%, Brazil 8%, Spain 6%, Mexico 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, rice, corn, tires, soybean meal, wheat (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $9.661 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$11 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $100.3 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$109.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: bolivars (VEB) per US dollar -
3,345 (2017 est.)
673.76 (2016 est.)
48.07 (2015 est.)
13.72 (2014 est.)
6.284 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.6% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 99% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 32.956 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 78,082,020,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 870 million kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 26.452 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 30.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 69.4% 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: 396,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 33,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 685,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 731 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 604,800 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 470,600 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 1,002,700 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 303.806 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 926,300 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 325,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 20,640 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 22,694,584,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 22,694,584,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 5,673,894,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 103.708 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 108,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 57.378 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 46.222 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 85.829 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 5,251,182 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 13,476,300 (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47.26 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Venezuela’s fixed-line teledensity was relatively high for the region before the steady growth in the number of lines came to an end in 2015; since then, the number of lines has plummeted, and by late 2021 teledensity had fallen to about 17.3%; the cause is largely linked to the country’s ongoing economic troubles, which have compelled many people to terminate fixed-line telecom services and others still to flee the country; these pressures have also distorted sector revenue and have placed into disarray operators’ investment plans aimed at improving networks and expanding the reach and capabilities of new technologies and services; the fixed broadband penetration rate is lower than the regional average, while data speeds are also relatively low; there is no effective competition in the provision of DSL, and as a result the state-owned incumbent CANTV has had little incentive to improve services from its meager revenue streams; mobile penetration in Venezuela is also below the regional average; the number of mobile subscribers fell by an estimated 2.4% in 2020, year-on-year, as subscribers terminated services in a bid to reduce discretionary spending, this decline is expected to continue into 2022, with subscriber growth not returning until 2023; the three MNOs Movilnet, Movistar, and Digitel have also had to contend with widespread theft of equipment and with erratic electricity supply to their remaining base stations; Movistar has also been hit by currency restrictions and has depended on support from Telefónica Group to stay afloat; this report provides an overview of Venezuela’s telecom infrastructure, market, and regulatory environment, together with profiles of the major fixed-line operators. It also provides a range of statistics and market analyses; the report also reviews the fixed and wireless broadband markets, as well as the mobile market, including an assessment of key market statistics and general sector analyses on a very difficult competitive environment. (2021)
domestic: two domestic satellite systems with three earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; 3 major providers operate in the mobile market and compete with state-owned company; fixed-line over 18 per 100 and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership about 63 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 58; landing points for the Venezuela Festoon, ARCOS, PAN-AM, SAC, GlobeNet, ALBA-1 and Americas II submarine cable system providing connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat (2020)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced 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: Venezuela has a mixture of state-run and private broadcast media that are subject to high levels of regime control, including the shuttering of opposition-leaning media outlets; 13 public service networks, 61 privately owned TV networks, a privately owned news channel with limited national coverage, and a regime-backed Pan-American channel; 3 regime-run radio networks officially control roughly 65 news stations and another 30 stations targeted at specific audiences; regime-sponsored community broadcasters include 235 radio stations and 44 TV stations; the number of private broadcast radio stations has been declining, but many still remain in operation (2021)
Internet country code: .ve
Internet users: total: 20,531,397 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 72% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,561,556 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 12 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 75
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,137,771 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.55 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YV
Airports: total: 444 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 127
over 3,047 m: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 33
914 to 1,523 m: 62
under 914 m: 17 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 317
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 57
914 to 1,523 m: 127
under 914 m: 130 (2021)
Heliports: 3 (2021)
Pipelines: 981 km extra heavy crude, 5941 km gas, 7,588 km oil, 1,778 km refined products (2013)
Railways: total: 447 km (2014)
standard gauge: 447 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (41.4 km electrified)
Roadways: total: 96,189 km (2014)
Waterways: 7,100 km (2011) (Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels)
Merchant marine: total: 281
by type: bulk carrier 4, container ship 1, general cargo 26, oil tanker 18, other 232 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon
oil terminal(s): Jose terminal
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian Army (Ejercito Bolivariano, EB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes marines, Coast Guard), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB; includes a joint-service Aerospace Defense Command (Comando de Defensa Aeroespacial Integral, CODAI), Bolivarian Militia (Milicia Bolivariana), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB)
Bolivarian National Police: Special Action Forces (Fuerzas de Acciones Especiales, FAES) (2022)
note 1: the Bolivarian Militia was added as a "special component" to the FANB in 2020; it is comprised of armed civilians who receive periodic training in exchange for a small stipend
note 2: the National Guard is responsible for maintaining public order, guarding the exterior of key government installations and prisons, conducting counter-narcotics operations, monitoring borders, and providing law enforcement in remote areas; it reports to both the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior, Justice, and Peace
note 3: the FAES police paramilitary unit was created by President MADURO after the 2017 anti-government protests to bolster internal security; it has been accused of multiple human rights abuses
Military expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $7.5 billion)
4.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $9.9 billion)
2.9% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $8.5 billion)
2.2% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $7.7 billion)
1.8% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $9.3 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 125-150,000 active personnel, including about 25-30,000 National Guard; approximately 200-225,000 Bolivarian Militia (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FANB inventory is mainly of Chinese and Russian origin with a smaller mix of equipment from Western countries, including the US; since 2010, Russia is the top supplier of military hardware to Venezuela (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 (25 for women) for voluntary service; the minimum service obligation is 24-30 months; all citizens of military service age (18-50 years old) are obligated to register for military service and subject to military training, although “forcible recruitment” is forbidden (2022)
note: as of 2017, women made up more than 20% of the active duty military
Military - note: between 2013 and 2017, Venezuela established at least a dozen military-led firms in a variety of economic sectors, such as agriculture, banking, construction, insurance, the media, mining, oil, and tourism; as of 2020, military officers reportedly led at least 60 state-owned companies; as of 2019, 9 of 32 government ministries were controlled by the military, including the ministries of agriculture and energy
as of late 2021, an estimated 1,500- 2,000 members of the terrorist organizations National Liberation Army (ELN) and Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia dissidents (FARC-People's Army and Segundo Marquetalia - see Appendix T) operated in Venezuela, mostly in the states of Amazonas, Apure, Bolivar, Guarico, Tachira, and Zulia, although ELN was assessed to be present in 12 of Venezuela’s 23 states; the groups were particularly active in Apure state where the Venezuelan military clashed several times with FARC dissidents of the 10th Front in 2020-2021 (2022)
Maritime threats: The International Maritime Bureau continues to report the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as at risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen; in 2021, no attacks were reported
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): National Liberation Army (ELN); Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC)
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: Venezuela-Brazil: none identified Venezuela-Colombia: dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; the border between the two countries was closed from March 2020 to October 2021 due to COVID, but goods and people fleeing poverty and violence continued to be smuggled from Venezuela into Colombia, and illegal narcotics and armed men flowed into Venezuela from Colombia; since the FARC disarmed in 2016, some former members have formed armed dissident groups that operate along the border Venezuela-Guyana: claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; in 2018, Guyana initiated proceedings against Venezuela with the International Court of Justice (ICJ); Venezuela requested a direct dialogue to settle the dispute; the ICJ ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear the case in December 2020; in September 2021, Venezuelan officials issued a statement reasserting dominion over three-quarters of Guyana, which Guyana stated was a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrity Venezuela-various: Venezuela claims Aves Island and thereby an economic exclusion Zone/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Venezuela’s claim to Aves Island is disputed by Dominica and several other countries because the island has rich guano deposits useful in producing fertilizer and gunpowder, as well as large fish stocks and natural gas reserves; contraband smuggling (narcotics and arms), illegal migration, trafficking in animals, plants, lumber, illegal exploitation of mineral resourcesVenezuela-Brazil: none identifiedVenezuela-Colombia: dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan administered Los Monjes Islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian-organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; the border between the two countries was closed from March 2020 to October 2021 due to COVID, but goods and people fleeing poverty and violence continued to be smuggled from Venezuela into Colombia, and illegal narcotics and armed men flowed into Venezuela from Colombia; since the FARC disarmed in 2016, some former members have formed armed dissident groups that operate along the borderVenezuela-Guyana: claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; in 2018, Guyana initiated proceedings against Venezuela with the International Court of Justice (ICJ); Venezuela requested a direct dialogue to settle the dispute; the ICJ ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear the case in December 2020; in September 2021, Venezuelan officials issued a statement reasserting dominion over three-quarters of Guyana, which Guyana stated was a threat to its sovereignty and territorial integrityVenezuela-various: Venezuela claims Aves Island and thereby an economic exclusion Zone/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Venezuela’s claim to Aves Island is disputed by Dominica and several other countries because the island has rich guano deposits useful in producing fertilizer and gunpowder, as well as large fish stocks and natural gas reserves; contraband smuggling (narcotics and arms), illegal migration, trafficking in animals, plants, lumber, illegal exploitation of mineral resources
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 67,935 (Colombia) (2020)
note: As of December 2020, more than 800,000 Venezuelans have applied for asylum worldwide
Trafficking in persons: current situation: Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to sex trafficking and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; women from Colombia, Peru, Haiti, China, and South Africa are also reported to have been sexually exploited in Venezuela; some Venezuelan women are transported to Caribbean islands, particularly Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad & Tobago, where they are subjected to forced prostitution; some Venezuelan children are forced to beg on the streets or work as domestic servants, while Ecuadorian children, often from indigenous communities, are subjected to forced labor; the government provided support to FARC dissidents and the ELN, which grew through the recruitment of child soldiers and exploitation of children in sex trafficking and forced labor; Illegal armed groups lure children in vulnerable conditions and dire economic circumstances with gifts and promises of basic sustenance to later recruit them into their ranks
tier rating: Tier 3 — Venezuela does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government created a specialized prosecutor’s office to oversee trafficking investigations and prosecutions; authorities began legal proceedings against three complicit officials in a notable case; however, the government did not assist any victims or investigate, prosecute, or convict any traffickers; little effort was made to curb the forced recruitment of Venezuelan children by Colombian armed groups operating illegally in Venezuela; authorities made little effort to screen Cuban medical professionals for trafficking indicators as the Cuban Government may have forced them to work by withholding their documentation, and coercing them to falsify medical records (2020)
Illicit drugs: a major drug transit country and trafficking route in the Western Hemisphere largely destined for the Caribbean, Central America, the United States, West Africa, and Europe for illegal drugs, predominately cocaine; government officials reportedly complicit with illegal armed narcotrafficking groups little international drug control cooperation; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border a major drug transit country and trafficking route in the Western Hemisphere largely destined for the Caribbean, Central America, the United States, West Africa, and Europe for illegal drugs, predominately cocaine; government officials reportedly complicit with illegal armed narcotrafficking groups little international drug control cooperation; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border |
20220901 | countries-marshall-islands-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Kwajalein hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system.After almost four decades under US administration as the easternmost part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Marshall Islands attained independence in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association. Kwajalein hosts one of four dedicated ground antennas that assist in the operation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation system.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 181 sq km
land: 181 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate: tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt
Natural resources: coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals
Topic: People and Society
Population: 79,906 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Marshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006 est.)
Languages: Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 est.)
Religions: Protestant 80.5% (United Church of Christ 47%, Assembly of God 16.2%, Bukot Nan Jesus 5.4%, Full Gospel 3.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 3%, Salvation Army 1.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, Meram in Jesus 1.2%, other Protestant 1.1%), Roman Catholic 8.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 1.2%, none 1.1% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US
Capital: name: Majuro; note - the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap
Executive branch: chief of state: President David KABUA (since 13 January 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President David KABUA (since 13 January 2020)
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Parliament consists of:
Council of Iroij, a 12-member group of tribal leaders advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice); members appointed to serve 1-year terms
Nitijela (33 seats; members in 19 single- and 5 multi-seat constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote to serve 4-year terms); note - legislative power resides in the Nitijela
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: upper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector workforce; produces coconut oil as a substitute to diesel fuel; becoming offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependentupper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector workforce; produces coconut oil as a substitute to diesel fuel; becoming offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependent
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $240 million (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $4,000 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts
Industries: copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls)
Exports: $130 million (2018 est.)
Exports - partners: Poland 28%, Denmark 19%, South Korea 13%, Indonesia 10%, Cyprus 6% (2019)
Exports - commodities: ships, fish, recreational boats, broadcasting equipment, coal tar oil (2019)
Imports: $170 million (2018 est.)
Imports - partners: South Korea 39%, China 27%, Japan 15% (2019)
Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, centrifuges, recreational boats, boat propellers (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-syria-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished.Following World War I, France acquired a mandate over the northern portion of the former Ottoman Empire province of Syria. The French administered the area as Syria until granting it independence in 1946. Syria united with Egypt in February 1958 to form the United Arab Republic. In September 1961, the two entities separated, and the Syrian Arab Republic was reestablished.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 187,437 sq km
land: 185,887 sq km
water: 1,550 sq km
Climate: mostly desert; hot, dry, sunny summers (June to August) and mild, rainy winters (December to February) along coast; cold weather with snow or sleet periodically in Damascus
Natural resources: petroleum, phosphates, chrome and manganese ores, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, marble, gypsum, hydropower
Topic: People and Society
Population: 21,563,800 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Arab ~50%, Alawite ~15%, Kurd ~10%, Levantine ~10%, other ~15% (includes Druze, Ismaili, Imami, Nusairi, Assyrian, Turkoman, Armenian)
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English
Religions: Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%
Population growth rate: 5.91% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: presidential republic; highly authoritarian regime
Capital: name: Damascus
Executive branch: chief of state: President Bashar al-ASAD (since 17 July 2000); Vice President Najah al-ATTAR (since 23 March 2006)
head of government: Prime Minister Hussein ARNOUS (since 30 August 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Ali Abdullah AYOUB (Lt Gen.) (since 30 August 2020)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral People's Assembly or Majlis al-Shaab (250 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority preferential vote to serve 4-year terms)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: low-income Middle Eastern economy; prior infrastructure and economy devastated by 11-year civil war; ongoing US sanctions; sporadic trans-migration during conflict; currently being supported by World Bank trust fund; ongoing hyperinflationlow-income Middle Eastern economy; prior infrastructure and economy devastated by 11-year civil war; ongoing US sanctions; sporadic trans-migration during conflict; currently being supported by World Bank trust fund; ongoing hyperinflation
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $50.28 billion (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,900 (2015 est.)
Agricultural products: wheat, barley, milk, olives, tomatoes, oranges, potatoes, sheep milk, lemons, limes
Industries: petroleum, textiles, food processing, beverages, tobacco, phosphate rock mining, cement, oil seeds crushing, automobile assembly
Exports: $1.85 billion (2017 est.)
Exports - partners: Saudi Arabia 23%, Turkey 18%, Egypt 14%, United Arab Emirates 8%, Jordan 7%, Kuwait 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: olive oil, cumin seeds, pistachios, tomatoes, apples, pears, spices, pitted fruits (2019)
Imports: $6.279 billion (2017 est.)
Imports - partners: Turkey 27%, China 22%, United Arab Emirates 14%, Egypt 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cigarettes, broadcasting equipment, wheat flours, sunflower oil, refined petroleum (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-bangladesh-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires for much of the first millennium A.D. The Bengali independence movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won independence for Bangladesh in 1971.The huge delta region formed at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires for much of the first millennium A.D. The Bengali independence movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won independence for Bangladesh in 1971.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 148,460 sq km
land: 130,170 sq km
water: 18,290 sq km
Climate: tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Natural resources: natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Topic: People and Society
Population: 165,650,475 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Bengali at least 98%, other indigenous ethnic groups 1.1% (2011 est.)
Languages: Bangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.)
Religions: Muslim 88.4%, other 11.6% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.93% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Dhaka
Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdul HAMID (since 24 April 2013); note - Abdul HAMID served as acting president following the death of Zillur RAHMAN in March 2013; HAMID was subsequently indirectly elected by the National Parliament and sworn in 24 April 2013
head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wazed (since 6 January 2009)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of the Nation or Jatiya Sangsad (350 seats; 300 members in single-seat territorial constituencies directly elected by simple majority vote; 50 members - reserved for women only - indirectly elected by the elected members by proportional representation vote using single transferable vote; all members serve 5-year terms)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: one of the fastest growing economies; significant poverty reduction; COVID-19 adversely impacted female labor force participation and undermined previously stable financial conditions; looking to diversify beyond clothing industry; fairly low government debt; new taxation law struggling to increase government revenuesone of the fastest growing economies; significant poverty reduction; COVID-19 adversely impacted female labor force participation and undermined previously stable financial conditions; looking to diversify beyond clothing industry; fairly low government debt; new taxation law struggling to increase government revenues
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $793.49 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $4,800 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, potatoes, maize, sugar cane, milk, vegetables, onions, jute, mangoes/guavas, wheat
Industries: jute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity, natural gas
Exports: $38.78 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: United States 15%, Germany 14%, United Kingdom 8%, Spain 7%, France 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: clothing, knitwear, leather footwear (2019)
Imports: $57.26 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: China 31%, India 15%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cotton, natural gas, scrap iron, wheat (2019)
Exchange rates: taka (BDT) per US dollar -Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-costa-rica |
Topic: Photos of Costa Rica
Topic: Introduction
Background: Although explored by the Spanish early in the 16th century, initial attempts at colonizing Costa Rica proved unsuccessful due to a combination of factors, including disease from mosquito-infested swamps, brutal heat, resistance by indigenous populations, and pirate raids. It was not until 1563 that a permanent settlement of Cartago was established in the cooler, fertile central highlands. The area remained a colony for some two and a half centuries. In 1821, Costa Rica became one of several Central American provinces that jointly declared their independence from Spain. Two years later it joined the United Provinces of Central America, but this federation disintegrated in 1838, at which time Costa Rica proclaimed its sovereignty and independence. Since the late 19th century, only two brief periods of violence have marred the country's democratic development. On 1 December 1948, Costa Rica dissolved its armed forces. Although it still maintains a large agricultural sector, Costa Rica has expanded its economy to include strong technology and tourism industries. The standard of living is relatively high. Land ownership is widespread.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central America, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between Nicaragua and Panama
Geographic coordinates: 10 00 N, 84 00 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 51,100 sq km
land: 51,060 sq km
water: 40 sq km
note: includes Isla del Coco
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 661 km
border countries (2): Nicaragua 313 km; Panama 348 km
Coastline: 1,290 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Terrain: coastal plains separated by rugged mountains including over 100 volcanic cones, of which several are major active volcanoes
Elevation: highest point: Cerro Chirripo 3,819 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
mean elevation: 746 m
Natural resources: hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 37.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 25.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 51.5% (2018 est.)
other: 11.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,015 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one-fifth of the population
Natural hazards: occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoesvolcanism: Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialbaoccasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoesvolcanism: Arenal (1,670 m), which erupted in 2010, is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed the town of Tabacon; Irazu (3,432 m), situated just east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba
Geography - note: four volcanoes, two of them active, rise near the capital of San Jose in the center of the country; one of the volcanoes, Irazu, erupted destructively in 1963-65
Map description: Costa Rica map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.Costa Rica map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,204,411 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Costa Rican(s)
adjective: Costa Rican
Ethnic groups: White or Mestizo 83.6%, Mulatto 6.7%, Indigenous 2.4%, Black or African descent 1.1%, other 1.1%, none 2.9%, unspecified 2.2% (2011 est.)
Languages: Spanish (official), English
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 47.5%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 19.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other Protestant 1.2%, other 3.1%, none 27% (2021 est.)
Demographic profile: Costa Rica's political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government's sustained social spending - almost 20% of GDP annually - Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity. Since the 1970s, expansion of these services has led to a rapid decline in infant mortality, an increase in life expectancy at birth, and a sharp decrease in the birth rate. The average number of children born per women has fallen from about 7 in the 1960s to 3.5 in the early 1980s to below replacement level today. Costa Rica's poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries, but it has stalled at around 20% for almost two decades.Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nicaraguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who perform unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues to be a source of tension. Less than 3% of Costa Rica's population lives abroad. The overwhelming majority of expatriates have settled in the United States after completing a university degree or in order to work in a highly skilled field.Costa Rica's political stability, high standard of living, and well-developed social benefits system set it apart from its Central American neighbors. Through the government's sustained social spending - almost 20% of GDP annually - Costa Rica has made tremendous progress toward achieving its goal of providing universal access to education, healthcare, clean water, sanitation, and electricity. Since the 1970s, expansion of these services has led to a rapid decline in infant mortality, an increase in life expectancy at birth, and a sharp decrease in the birth rate. The average number of children born per women has fallen from about 7 in the 1960s to 3.5 in the early 1980s to below replacement level today. Costa Rica's poverty rate is lower than in most Latin American countries, but it has stalled at around 20% for almost two decades.Costa Rica is a popular regional immigration destination because of its job opportunities and social programs. Almost 9% of the population is foreign-born, with Nicaraguans comprising nearly three-quarters of the foreign population. Many Nicaraguans who perform unskilled seasonal labor enter Costa Rica illegally or overstay their visas, which continues to be a source of tension. Less than 3% of Costa Rica's population lives abroad. The overwhelming majority of expatriates have settled in the United States after completing a university degree or in order to work in a highly skilled field.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22.08% (male 575,731/female 549,802)
15-24 years: 15.19% (male 395,202/female 379,277)
25-54 years: 43.98% (male 1,130,387/female 1,111,791)
55-64 years: 9.99% (male 247,267/female 261,847)
65 years and over: 8.76% (2020 est.) (male 205,463/female 241,221)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 45.1
youth dependency ratio: 30.2
elderly dependency ratio: 14.9
potential support ratio: 6.7 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 32.6 years
male: 32.1 years
female: 33.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.01% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 14.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: roughly half of the nation's population resides in urban areas; the capital of San Jose is the largest city and home to approximately one-fifth of the population
Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.441 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 27 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 8.39 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 9.45 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 7.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 79.64 years
male: 76.99 years
female: 82.43 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.86 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 70.9% (2018)
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 7.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 3.3 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99% of population
rural: 97.1% of population
total: 98.7% of population
unimproved: urban: 1% of population
rural: 2.9% of population
total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 16,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25.7% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 8.8% (2020 est.)
male: 12.9% (2020 est.)
female: 4.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.9% (2018)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 2%
women married by age 18: 17.1% (2018 est.)
Education expenditures: 6.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.9%
male: 97.8%
female: 97.9% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 40.7%
male: 34%
female: 50.9% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation and land use change, largely a result of the clearing of land for cattle ranching and agriculture; soil erosion; coastal marine pollution; fisheries protection; solid waste management; air pollution
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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.85 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 8.02 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 5.61 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands
Land use: agricultural land: 37.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 6.7% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 25.5% (2018 est.)
forest: 51.5% (2018 est.)
other: 11.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 82% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.5% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.82% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.46 million tons (2014 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 18,396 tons (2014 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1.3% (2014 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 652 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 240 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 2.302 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 113 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Costa Rica
conventional short form: Costa Rica
local long form: Republica de Costa Rica
local short form: Costa Rica
etymology: the name means "rich coast" in Spanish and was first applied in the early colonial period of the 16th century
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: San Jose
geographic coordinates: 9 56 N, 84 05 W
time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named in honor of Saint Joseph
Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Alajuela, Cartago, Guanacaste, Heredia, Limon, Puntarenas, San Jose
Independence: 15 September 1821 (from Spain)
National holiday: Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
Constitution: history: many previous; latest effective 8 November 1949
amendments: proposals require the signatures of at least 10 Legislative Assembly members or petition of at least 5% of qualified voters; consideration of proposals requires two-thirds majority approval in each of three readings by the Assembly, followed by preparation of the proposal as a legislative bill and its approval by simple majority of the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership; a referendum is required only if approved by at least two thirds of the Assembly; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: civil law system based on Spanish civil code; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; 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 and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (since 8 May 2022); First Vice President Stephan BRUNNER Neibig (since 8 May 2022); Second Vice President Mary Denisse MUNIVE Angermuller (since 8 May 2022)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the president
elections/appointments: president and vice presidents directly elected on the same ballot by modified majority popular vote (40% threshold) for a 4-year term (eligible for non-consecutive terms); election last held on 6 February 2022 with a runoff on 3 April 2022 (next to be held in February 2026 with a runoff in April 2026)
election results: 2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2%
2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRS) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%2022: Rodrigo CHAVES Robles elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 27.3%, Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 16.8%, Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PNR) 14.9%, Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz (PLP) 12.4%, Lineth SABORIO Chaverri (PUSC) 12.4%, Jose Maria VILLALTA Florez-Estrada 8.7% (PFA), other 7.5%; percent of vote in second round - Rodrigo CHAVES Robles (PPSD) 52.8%, Jose Maria FIGUERES Olsen (PLN) 47.2%
2018: Carlos ALVARADO Quesada elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 25%; Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 21.6%; Antonio ALVAREZ (PLN) 18.6%; Rodolfo PIZA (PUSC) 16%; Juan Diego CASTRO (PIN) 9.5%; Rodolfo HERNANDEZ (PRS) 4.9%, other 4.4%; percent of vote in second round - Carlos ALVARADO Quesada (PAC) 60.7%; Fabricio ALVARADO Munoz (PRN) 39.3%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Assembly or Asamblea Legislativa (57 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies - corresponding to the country's 7 provinces - by closed party-list proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 6 February 2022 (next to be held in February 2026)
election results: percent of vote by party - PLN 24.8%, PPSD 15%, PUSC 11.4%, PNR 10.1%, PLP 9.1%, 8.3%, other 21.3%; seats by party - PLN 19, PPSD 10, PUSC 9, PNR 7, PLP 6, PFA 6; composition - men 30, women 27, percent of women 47.4%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of 22 judges organized into 3 cassation chambers each with 5 judges and the Constitutional Chamber with 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges elected by the National Assembly for 8-year terms with renewal decided by the National Assembly
subordinate courts: appellate courts; trial courts; first instance and justice of the peace courts; Superior Electoral Tribunal
Political parties and leaders: Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA Castellanos]
Christian Democratic Alliance or ADC [Mario REDONDO Poveda]
Citizen Action Party or PAC [Marta Eugenia SOLANO Arias]
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO Alvarez]
Libertarian Movement Party or ML [Victor Danilo CUBERO Corrales]
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP [Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz]
National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]
National Liberation Party or PLN [Kattia RIVERA Soto]
National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos Luis AVENDANO Calvo]
New Generation or PNG [Rodolfo SOLIS Herrera]
New Republic Party or PNR [Francisco Javier PRENDAS Rodriguez]
Patriotic Alliance [Jorge ARAYA Westover]
Social Christian Republican Party or PRS [Otto ROBERTO Vargas]
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Randall QUIROS Bustamante]
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD [Luz Mary ALPIZAR Loaiza]
Accessibility Without Exclusion or PASE [Oscar Andres LOPEZ Arias]
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) or PFA [Ana Patricia MORA Castellanos]
Christian Democratic Alliance or ADC [Mario REDONDO Poveda]
Citizen Action Party or PAC [Marta Eugenia SOLANO Arias]
Costa Rican Renewal Party or PRC [Justo OROZCO Alvarez]
Libertarian Movement Party or ML [Victor Danilo CUBERO Corrales]
Liberal Progressive Party or PLP [Eliecer FEINZAIG Mintz]
National Integration Party or PIN [Walter MUNOZ Cespedes]
National Liberation Party or PLN [Kattia RIVERA Soto]
National Restoration Party or PRN [Carlos Luis AVENDANO Calvo]
New Generation or PNG [Rodolfo SOLIS Herrera]
New Republic Party or PNR [Francisco Javier PRENDAS Rodriguez]
Patriotic Alliance [Jorge ARAYA Westover]
Social Christian Republican Party or PRS [Otto ROBERTO Vargas]
Social Christian Unity Party or PUSC [Randall QUIROS Bustamante]
Social Democratic Progress Party or PPSD [Luz Mary ALPIZAR Loaiza]
International organization participation: BCIE, CACM, CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA (observer), MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Fernando LLORCA Castro (since 17 September 2018)
chancery: 2114 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 499-2984
FAX: [1] (202) 265-4795
email address and website:
embcr-us@rree.go.cr
http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/21
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Washington DC
honorary consulate(s): San Juan (Puerto Rico), Saint Paul (MN), Tucson (AZ)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Cynthia A. TELLES (since 11 March 2022)
embassy: Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas, San Jose
mailing address: 3180 St. George's Place, Washington DC 20521-3180
telephone: [506] 2519-2000
FAX: [506] 2519-2305
email address and website:
acssanjose@state.gov
https://cr.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: five horizontal bands of blue (top), white, red (double width), white, and blue, with the coat of arms in a white elliptical disk placed toward the hoist side of the red band; Costa Rica retained the earlier blue-white-blue flag of Central America until 1848 when, in response to revolutionary activity in Europe, it was decided to incorporate the French colors into the national flag and a central red stripe was added; today the blue color is said to stand for the sky, opportunity, and perseverance, white denotes peace, happiness, and wisdom, while red represents the blood shed for freedom, as well as the generosity and vibrancy of the people
note: somewhat resembles the flag of North Korea; similar to the flag of Thailand but with the blue and red colors reversed
National symbol(s): yiguirro (clay-colored robin); national colors: blue, white, red
National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional de Costa Rica" (National Anthem of Costa Rica)
lyrics/music: Jose Maria ZELEDON Brenes/Manuel Maria GUTIERREZ
note: adopted 1949; the anthem's music was originally written for an 1853 welcome ceremony for diplomatic missions from the US and UK; the lyrics were added in 1903
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (1 cultural, 3 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Guanacaste Conservation Area (n); Cocos Island National Park (n); Precolumbian Stone Spheres (c); La Amistad International Park (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Since 2010, Costa Rica has enjoyed strong and stable economic growth - 3.8% in 2017. Exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are the backbone of its commodity exports. Various industrial and processed agricultural products have broadened exports in recent years, as have high value-added goods, including medical devices. Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity also makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. The US-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which became effective for Costa Rica in 2009, helped increase foreign direct investment in key sectors of the economy, including insurance and telecommunication. However, poor infrastructure, high energy costs, a complex bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and uncertainty of contract enforcement impede greater investment. Costa Rica’s economy also faces challenges due to a rising fiscal deficit, rising public debt, and relatively low levels of domestic revenue. Poverty has remained around 20-25% for nearly 20 years, and the government’s strong social safety net has eroded due to increased constraints on its expenditures. Costa Rica’s credit rating was downgraded from stable to negative in 2015 and again in 2017, upping pressure on lending rates - which could hurt small business, on the budget deficit - which could hurt infrastructure development, and on the rate of return on investment - which could soften foreign direct investment (FDI). Unlike the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is not highly dependent on remittances - which represented just 1 % of GDP in 2016, but instead relies on FDI - which accounted for 5.1% of GDP.Since 2010, Costa Rica has enjoyed strong and stable economic growth - 3.8% in 2017. Exports of bananas, coffee, sugar, and beef are the backbone of its commodity exports. Various industrial and processed agricultural products have broadened exports in recent years, as have high value-added goods, including medical devices. Costa Rica's impressive biodiversity also makes it a key destination for ecotourism. Foreign investors remain attracted by the country's political stability and relatively high education levels, as well as the incentives offered in the free-trade zones; Costa Rica has attracted one of the highest levels of foreign direct investment per capita in Latin America. The US-Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR), which became effective for Costa Rica in 2009, helped increase foreign direct investment in key sectors of the economy, including insurance and telecommunication. However, poor infrastructure, high energy costs, a complex bureaucracy, weak investor protection, and uncertainty of contract enforcement impede greater investment. Costa Rica’s economy also faces challenges due to a rising fiscal deficit, rising public debt, and relatively low levels of domestic revenue. Poverty has remained around 20-25% for nearly 20 years, and the government’s strong social safety net has eroded due to increased constraints on its expenditures. Costa Rica’s credit rating was downgraded from stable to negative in 2015 and again in 2017, upping pressure on lending rates - which could hurt small business, on the budget deficit - which could hurt infrastructure development, and on the rate of return on investment - which could soften foreign direct investment (FDI). Unlike the rest of Central America, Costa Rica is not highly dependent on remittances - which represented just 1 % of GDP in 2016, but instead relies on FDI - which accounted for 5.1% of GDP.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $100.25 billion (2020 est.)
$105.02 billion (2019 est.)
$102.79 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 3.3% (2017 est.)
4.2% (2016 est.)
3.6% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $19,700 (2020 est.)
$20,800 (2019 est.)
$20,600 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $61.855 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2% (2019 est.)
2.2% (2018 est.)
1.6% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B (2020)
Moody's rating: B2 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: B (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 20.6% (2017 est.)
services: 73.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 64.2% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 17.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 17.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 33.3% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -32.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, pineapples, bananas, milk, oil palm fruit, fruit, oranges, watermelons, cassava, rice
Industries: medical equipment, food processing, textiles and clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products
Industrial production growth rate: 1.3% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.843 million (2020 est.)
note: official estimate; excludes Nicaraguans living in Costa Rica
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14%
industry: 22%
services: 64% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.1% (2017 est.)
9.5% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 40.7%
male: 34%
female: 50.9% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 21% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 48 (2018 est.)
49.2 (2013)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.5%
highest 10%: 36.9% (2014 est.)
Budget: revenues: 8.357 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 11.92 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -6.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 48.9% of GDP (2017 est.)
44.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 14.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.692 billion (2017 est.)
-$1.326 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $21.2 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$20.53 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 38%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, Guatemala 5%, Panama 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: medical instruments, bananas, tropical fruits, orthopedic appliances, food preparations (2019)
Imports: $19.39 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$19.64 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, medical instruments, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.15 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.574 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $29.589 billion (2019 est.)
$28.553 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Costa Rican colones (CRC) per US dollar -
573.5 (2017 est.)
544.74 (2016 est.)
544.74 (2015 est.)
534.57 (2014 est.)
538.32 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 3.674 million kW (2020 est.)
Consumption: 10,072,472,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Exports: 712 million kWh (2019 est.)
Imports: 733 million kWh (2019 est.)
Transmission/distribution losses: 1,321,498,000 kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: Fossil fuels: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Wind: 12.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Hydroelectricity: 71.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Geothermal: 14.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Biomass and waste: 1.2% 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: 400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum consumption: 63,300 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 51,320 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: Production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Consumption: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 8.115 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From coal and metallurgical coke: 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From petroleum and other liquids: 8.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 44.899 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 559,882 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 7,512,370 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 147 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: in Aug 2021 Liberty Latin America (LLA) completed its acquisition of Telefónica Costa Rica (Movistar) — Costa Rica’s second-largest mobile network operator — for around $505 million; the deal followed on the heels of the failure of Millicom to buy Movistar earlier in the year, at a higher price; LLA’s local unit Cabletica will be able to combine its fixed telecom services with Movistar’s mobile offerings; a rebranding exercise is anticipated in 2022, with the Movistar brand likely to be phased out; the fixed broadband market is one of the few parts of Costa Rica’s telecom sector to experience solid growth in recent years, both in size and revenue; the country’s fiber network expanded by 56% in 2020, reaching about 176,200km; fixed-line broadband traffic volume also increased by more than 30%, year-on-year; other areas of the market have proven relatively lack luster, with slow or even negative growth; ome of this can be attributed to the economic and social impacts of the pandemic, but the fixed-line and mobile sectors have both been struggling to produce decent results since well before the start of the crisis; the rollout of 5G network infrastructure in Costa Rica is unlikely to occur to any scale before 2023, but this may be one of the few remaining areas of opportunity open to investors outside of fixed-line internet and pay TV services. (2021)
domestic: roughly 11 per 100 fixed-line and 148 per 100 mobile-cellular; point-to-point and point-to-multi-point microwave, fiber-optic, and coaxial cable link rural areas; Internet service is available (2020)
international: country code - 506; landing points for the ARCOS-1, MAYA-1, and the PAC submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; connected to Central American Microwave System; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: over two dozen privately owned TV stations and 1 publicly owned TV station nationwide; cable network services are widely available; more than 100 privately owned radio stations and a public radio network (2022)
Internet country code: .cr
Internet users: total: 4,126,232 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 81% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 992,725 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 39
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,948,546 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 11.13 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TI
Airports: total: 161 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 47
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 27
under 914 m: 16 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 114
914 to 1,523 m: 18
under 914 m: 96 (2021)
Pipelines: 662 km refined products (2013)
Railways: total: 278 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 278 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
note: the entire rail network fell into disrepair and out of use at the end of the 20th century; since 2005, certain sections of rail have been rehabilitated
Roadways: total: 5,035 km (2017)
Waterways: 730 km (2011) (seasonally navigable by small craft)
Merchant marine: total: 11
by type: other 11 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Atlantic Ocean (Caribbean) - Puerto Limon
Pacific Ocean - Caldera
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Ministry of Public Security: the Public Force (Fuerza Pública (National Police)), Air Surveillance Service (Servicio de Vigilancia Aérea), National Coast Guard Service (Servicio Nacional de Guardacostas), Border Police (Policia de Fronteras); Ministry of Presidency: Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS), Special Intervention Unit (UEI) (2022)
note: Costa Rica's armed forces were constitutionally abolished in 1949
Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2019) (approximately $630 million)
0.7% of GDP (2018) (approximately $610 million)
0.7% of GDP (2017) (approximately $600 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: 12,500 Public Force personnel; approximately 500-600 Air, 500-600 Coast Guard, and 300-400 Border Police personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Public Force is lightly armed with an inventory that includes mostly second-hand US equipment (2022)
Military - note: Costa Rica relies on specialized paramilitary units within the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) for internal security missions and countering transnational threats such as narcotics smuggling and organized crime, as well as for participating in regional security operations and exercises; MPS forces have received advisory and training support from both Colombia and the US; since 2012, the US has also provided some military equipment, including aircraft and patrol boats (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Costa Rica and Nicaragua regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed regionCosta Rica and Nicaragua regularly file border dispute cases over the delimitations of the San Juan River and the northern tip of Calero Island to the International Court of Justice (ICJ); in 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rican vessels carrying out police activities could not use the river, but official Costa Rican vessels providing essential services to riverside inhabitants and Costa Rican tourists could travel freely on the river; in 2011, the ICJ provisionally ruled that both countries must remove personnel from the disputed area; in 2013, the ICJ rejected Nicaragua's 2012 suit to halt Costa Rica's construction of a highway paralleling the river on the grounds of irreparable environmental damage; in 2013, the ICJ, regarding the disputed territory, ordered that Nicaragua should refrain from dredging or canal construction and refill and repair damage caused by trenches connecting the river to the Caribbean and upheld its 2010 ruling that Nicaragua must remove all personnel; in early 2014, Costa Rica brought Nicaragua to the ICJ over offshore oil concessions in the disputed region
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 29,906 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021)
stateless persons: 205 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: significant transit country for drugs entering the United States; a growing drug consumption problem; drugs warehoused in Costa Rica end up in the local market where criminal organizations use cocaine as payment for services. significant transit country for drugs entering the United States; a growing drug consumption problem; drugs warehoused in Costa Rica end up in the local market where criminal organizations use cocaine as payment for services. |
20220901 | countries-sweden-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions when traveling to Sweden. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 89 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: [46] (08) 783 53 00; US Embassy in Stockholm, Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 31, SE-115 89 Stockholm, Sweden; STKACSinfo@state.gov;
https://se.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 46
Local Emergency Phone: 112
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Temperate in south with cold, cloudy winters and cool, partly cloudy summers; subarctic in north
Currency (Code): Swedish kronor (SEK)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages: Swedish; note: Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages
Major Religions: Church of Sweden (Lutheran) 60.2%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.5%
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water: Yes
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Stockholm (includes Vasa Museum, Skansen, Djurgarden, Gamla Stan, Drottningholm); Stockholm Archipelago; Birka & Hovgarden; Tanum petroglyphs; Malmo
Major Sports: Soccer, ice hockey, handball, floorball (a type of floor hockey), golf
Cultural Practices: Finish everything on your plate as it is considered rude to leave any food uneaten.
Tipping Guidelines: A service charge is frequently included at restaurants; If not, a 5-10% tip is appropriate. Leave small change at bars for a gratuity. Porters, bellhops, and housekeeping expect 5-10 kronor as a tip. Round up taxi fares.
Souvenirs: Dala horse wooden toys, Sami handicrafts, glasswork items, hand-knitted Nordic sweaters, schnapps spiritsPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Tuesday, May 10, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-timor-leste-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Timor-Leste due to crime and civil unrest. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for each entry stamp/visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: +(670) 332-4684; EMER: +(670) 7723-1328; US Embassy Dili, Av. de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili, Timor-Leste; ConsDili@state.gov;
https://tl.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 670
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance and Fire: 115; Police: 112; 331 2383
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Currency (Code): US Dollar (USD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): E, G, I
Major Languages: Tetun Prasa, Mambai, Makasai, Tetun Terik, Baikenu, Kemak, Bunak, Tokodede, Fataluku: note: there are about 32 indigenous languages
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%
Time Difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Dili (includes Cristo Rei, Resistance Museum, Tais Market); Jesus Backside Beach; Atauro Island; Lake Ira Lalaro; Jaco Island; Mount Ramelau; Marobo Hot Springs
Major Sports: Soccer, boxing
Cultural Practices: Timorese women are usually modestly dressed. It would be respectful, as a tourist, to dress likewise.
Tipping Guidelines: Service charges are not added to bills automatically. Leave a 10% tip if the service warrants it. Tipping is not seen as a necessity, but a reward for good service.
Souvenirs: Tais woven fabric, Batik and embroidered fabrics, shell and pearl jewelry, handmade bags, woodcarvings, silverwork
Traditional Cuisine: Ikan pepes — fish is coated in a paste made with ingredients including turmeric, macadamia nuts, tomatoes, shrimp paste, palm sugar, lemon basil, tamarind, lemongrass, and chili peppers and then wrapped in banana leaves; the parcels are steamed or grilled and served with lime or lemon wedges on the side Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-nepal-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Nepal due to the potential for isolated political violence. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: +977 1 423-4000, +977 1 400-7272; US Embassy in Kathmandu, Embassy of the United States of America, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal; usembktm@state.gov; https://np.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 977
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 228094; Fire: local number; Police: 100
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Varies from cool summers and severe winters in north to subtropical summers and mild winters in south
Currency (Code): Nepalese rupees (NPR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, M
Major Languages: Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, Tamang, Newar, Bajjika, Magar, Doteli, Urdu, Avadhi, Limbu, Gurung, Baitadeli; note: 123 languages reported as mother tongue
Major Religions: Hindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%
Time Difference: UTC+5.75 (10.75 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: An IDP is required, and after 15 days, a local license is required.
Road Driving Side: Left
Tourist Destinations: Kathmandu (includes Boudhanath Stupa, Durbar Square); Bhaktapur; Pokhara; Annapurna Circuit trek; Chitwan National Park; Lumbini (Buddha Birthplace)
Major Sports: Soccer, cricket, swimming, volleyball, tennis, martial arts
Cultural Practices: After food has touched ones lips, many Nepalese consider it unclean. This belief applies to drinking from bottled water, or offering to share snacks.
Tipping Guidelines: At restaurants, if a service charge has not been included, 10% of the bill is an acceptable tip. Porters may be tipped $2-4 (USD) per day, guides $3-5 (USD) per day.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, April 18, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-armenia-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Armenia. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport is valid at the date of their entering the country. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the stay is less than 6 months.
US Embassy/Consulate: [374](10) 464-700; US Embassy in Yerevan, 1 American Avenue, Yerevan 0082, Republic of Armenia; https://am.usembassy.gov/; acsyerevan@state.gov
Telephone Code: 374
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 103; Fire: 101; Police: 102
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Highland continental, hot summers, cold winters
Currency (Code): Drams (AMD)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages: Armenian (official) 97.9%, Russian
Major Religions: Armenian Apostolic 92.6%
Time Difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Yes
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Yerevan (includes Saint Gregory Cathedral, Blue Mosque, Cafesjian Museum); Shikahogh State Reserve; Lake Sevan; Dilijan National Park; Mount Aragats; Noravank Monastery Complex; Mount Ararat
Major Sports: Wrestling, soccer, gymnastics
Cultural Practices: When using public transportation, arrive early because buses fill up quickly and leave before their departure time.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is only common in the parts of the country visited by Western travelers. Anything from 10-20% is acceptable. Restaurants may include a service fee, but this is not the same as a tip. Rounding up taxi fares as a tip is common practice.
Souvenirs: Woven carpets, evil eye glass or bead jewelry, pottery, quilled picture art, silver jewelry and cameo jewelry/artPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-turkmenistan |
Topic: Photos of Turkmenistan
Topic: Introduction
Background: Present-day Turkmenistan covers territory that has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. The area was ruled in antiquity by various Persian empires, and was conquered by Alexander the Great, Muslim armies, the Mongols, Turkic warriors, and eventually the Russians. In medieval times, Merv (located in present-day Mary province) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia in the late 1800s, Turkmen territories later figured prominently in the anti-Bolshevik resistance in Central Asia. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic; it achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President for Life Saparmyrat NYYAZOW died in December 2006, and Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, a deputy chairman under NYYAZOW, emerged as the country's new president. BERDIMUHAMEDOW won Turkmenistan's first multi-candidate presidential election in February 2007, and again in 2012 and in 2017 with over 97% of the vote in both instances, in elections widely regarded as undemocratic. In February 2022, BERDIMUHAMEDOW announced that he would step down from the presidency and called for an election to replace him. His son, Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW, won the ensuing election, held in March 2022, with 73% of the vote. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, although no longer head of state, maintains an influential political position as head of the Halk Maslahaty (People’s Council).
Turkmenistan has sought new export markets for its extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves, which have yet to be fully exploited. As of late 2021, Turkmenistan exported the majority of its gas to China and smaller levels of gas to Russia. Turkmenistan's reliance on gas exports has made the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in the global energy market, and economic hardships since the drop in energy prices in 2014 have led many Turkmenistanis to emigrate, mostly to Turkey. Heavy restrictions placed by the government in 2020 on entry and exit into the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in a steep drop in emigration, however.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan
Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 60 00 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 488,100 sq km
land: 469,930 sq km
water: 18,170 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California
Land boundaries: total: 4,158 km
border countries (4): Afghanistan 804 km; Iran 1,148 km; Kazakhstan 413 km; Uzbekistan 1,793 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: subtropical desert
Terrain: flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west
Elevation: highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m
lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya (Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya, the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) -81 m
mean elevation: 230 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt
Land use: agricultural land: 72% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 67.8% (2018 est.)
forest: 8.8% (2018 est.)
other: 19.2% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 19,950 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
Population distribution: the most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat
Natural hazards: earthquakes; mudslides; droughts; dust storms; floods
Geography - note: landlocked; the western and central low-lying desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau
Map description: Turkmenistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea.Turkmenistan map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caspian Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,636,011 (2022 est.)
note: some sources suggest Turkmenistan's population could be as much as 1 to 2 million people lower than available estimates because of large-scale emigration during the last 10 years
Nationality: noun: Turkmenistani(s)
adjective: Turkmenistani
Ethnic groups: Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003 est.)
Languages: Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%
major-language sample(s):
Dünýä Facebooky, esasy maglumat üçin aýrylmaz bir çeşme dir. (Turkmen)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Muslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified <1% (2020 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 25.44% (male 713,441/female 693,042)
15-24 years: 16.48% (male 458,566/female 452,469)
25-54 years: 44.14% (male 1,214,581/female 1,226,027)
55-64 years: 8.56% (male 221,935/female 251,238)
65 years and over: 5.38% (2020 est.) (male 129,332/female 167,996)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.2
youth dependency ratio: 47.8
elderly dependency ratio: 7.4
potential support ratio: 13.5 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 29.2 years
male: 28.7 years
female: 29.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.99% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 17.51 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.71 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat
Urbanization: urban population: 53.5% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.23% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 883,000 ASHGABAT (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 24.2 years (2019)
Maternal mortality ratio: 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 37.62 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 45.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 29.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.83 years
male: 68.8 years
female: 75 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.03 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 49.7% (2019)
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.6% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.23 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Hospital bed density: 4 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 99.9% of population
total: 99.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 0.1% of population
total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 18.6% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 5.5% (2020 est.)
male: 10.6% (2020 est.)
female: 0.4% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.1% (2019)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.2%
women married by age 18: 6.1% (2019 est.)
Education expenditures: 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.8%
female: 99.6% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2020)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; soil erosion; desertification
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 19.02 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 70.63 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 52.09 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: subtropical desert
Land use: agricultural land: 72% (2018 est.)
arable land: 4.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 67.8% (2018 est.)
forest: 8.8% (2018 est.)
other: 19.2% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 53.5% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.23% 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: 500,000 tons (2013 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Caspian Sea (shared with Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Kazakhstan) - 374,000 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Amu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 755 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 839 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 26.36 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 24.765 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Turkmenistan
local long form: none
local short form: Turkmenistan
former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic
etymology: the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so Turkmenistan literally means the "Land of the Turkmen [people]"
Government type: presidential republic; authoritarian
Capital: name: Ashgabat (Ashkhabad)
geographic coordinates: 37 57 N, 58 23 E
time difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: derived from the Persian words "eshq" meaning "love" and "abad" meaning "inhabited place" or "city," and so loosely translates as "the city of love"
Administrative divisions: 5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dasoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence: 27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 14 September 2016
amendments: proposed by the Mejlisi; passage requires two-thirds majority vote or absolute majority approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2020 (changed legislature to bicameral)
Legal system: civil law system with Islamic (sharia) law influences
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkmenistan
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 19 March 2022); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 19 March 2022)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 12 March 2022 (next to be held in 2029); note - on 11 February 2022, President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW announced his intent to retire setting up the early presidential election
election results: 2022: Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW elected president; percent of vote - Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW 73.0%, Khydyr NUNNAYEV 11.1%, Agadzhan BEKMYRADOV 7.2%, other 8.7%; note - Serdar BERDIMUHAMEDOW is the son of previous president Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW
2017: Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (DPT) 97.7%, other 2.3%
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Council or Milli Genesi consists of:
People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (56 seats; 48 members indirectly elected by provincial councils and 8 members appointed by the president)
Assembly or Mejlisi (125 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms)
note: in September 2020, the Turkmenistani legislature (Milli Genesi) adopted a constitutional amendment creating an upper chamber, making the legislature bicameral; the chairperson of the Halk Maslahaty is now designated as the constitutional successor to the presidency; as of March 2022, Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW continues to serve in this position after stepping away from the presidency
elections: People's Council - first held on 28 March 2021 for 48 indirectly elected members (next to be held in 2026); first held on 14 April 2021 for 8 presidentially appointed members (next to be held NA)
Assembly - last held on 25 March 2018 (next to be held NA)
election results: People's Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPT 3, independent 45; composition - men 42, women 14, percent of women 32.3%
Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPT 55, APT 11, PIE 11, independent 48 (individuals nominated by citizen groups); composition (as of March 2018) - men 94, women 31, percent of women 24.8%; note - total percent of National Council percent of women 24.9%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Turkmenistan (consists of the court president and 21 associate judges and organized into civil, criminal, and military chambers)
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms
subordinate courts: High Commercial Court; appellate courts; provincial, district, and city courts; military courts
Political parties and leaders: Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan or APT [Basim ANNAGURBANOW]
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Ata SERDAROW]
Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or PIE [Saparmyrat OWGANOW]
note: all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMEDOW; a law authorizing the registration of political parties went into effect in January 2012; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad
International organization participation: ADB, CIS (associate member, has not ratified the 1993 CIS charter although it participates in meetings and held the chairmanship of the CIS in 2012), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Meret ORAZOV (since 14 February 2001)
chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 588-1500
FAX: [1] (202) 588-1500
email address and website:
turkmenembassyus@verizon.net
https://usa.tmembassy.gov.tm/en
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Matthew S. KLIMOW (since 26 June 2019)
embassy: 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat 744000
mailing address: 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070
telephone: [993] (12) 94-00-45
FAX: [993] (12) 94-26-14
email address and website:
ConsularAshgab@state.gov
https://tm.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; five white, five-pointed stars and a white crescent moon appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe; the green color and crescent moon represent Islam; the five stars symbolize the regions or welayats of Turkmenistan; the guls reflect the national identity of Turkmenistan where carpet-making has long been a part of traditional nomadic life
note: the flag of Turkmenistan is the most intricate of all national flags
National symbol(s): Akhal-Teke horse; national colors: green, white
National anthem: name: "Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem)
lyrics/music: collective/Veli MUKHATOV
note: adopted 1997, lyrics revised in 2008, to eliminate references to deceased President Saparmurat NYYAZOW
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Ancient Merv; Kunya-Urgench; Parthian Fortresses of Nisa
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Turkmenistan is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and significant natural gas and oil resources. The two largest crops are cotton, most of which is produced for export, and wheat, which is domestically consumed. Although agriculture accounts for almost 8% of GDP, it continues to employ nearly half of the country's workforce. Hydrocarbon exports, the bulk of which is natural gas going to China, make up 25% of Turkmenistan’s GDP. Ashgabat has explored two initiatives to bring gas to new markets: a trans-Caspian pipeline that would carry gas to Europe and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. Both face major financing, political, and security hurdles and are unlikely to be completed soon. Turkmenistan’s autocratic governments under presidents NIYAZOW (1991-2006) and BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 2007) have made little progress improving the business climate, privatizing state-owned industries, combatting corruption, and limiting economic development outside the energy sector. High energy prices in the mid-2000s allowed the government to undertake extensive development and social spending, including providing heavy utility subsidies. Low energy prices since mid-2014 are hampering Turkmenistan’s economic growth and reducing government revenues. The government has cut subsidies in several areas, and wage arrears have increased. In January 2014, the Central Bank of Turkmenistan devalued the manat by 19%, and downward pressure on the currency continues. There is a widening spread between the official exchange rate (3.5 TMM per US dollar) and the black market exchange rate (approximately 14 TMM per US dollar). Currency depreciation and conversion restrictions, corruption, isolationist policies, and declining spending on public services have resulted in a stagnate economy that is nearing crisis. Turkmenistan claims substantial foreign currency reserves, but non-transparent data limit international institutions’ ability to verify this information.Turkmenistan is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and significant natural gas and oil resources. The two largest crops are cotton, most of which is produced for export, and wheat, which is domestically consumed. Although agriculture accounts for almost 8% of GDP, it continues to employ nearly half of the country's workforce. Hydrocarbon exports, the bulk of which is natural gas going to China, make up 25% of Turkmenistan’s GDP. Ashgabat has explored two initiatives to bring gas to new markets: a trans-Caspian pipeline that would carry gas to Europe and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. Both face major financing, political, and security hurdles and are unlikely to be completed soon.Turkmenistan’s autocratic governments under presidents NIYAZOW (1991-2006) and BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 2007) have made little progress improving the business climate, privatizing state-owned industries, combatting corruption, and limiting economic development outside the energy sector. High energy prices in the mid-2000s allowed the government to undertake extensive development and social spending, including providing heavy utility subsidies.Low energy prices since mid-2014 are hampering Turkmenistan’s economic growth and reducing government revenues. The government has cut subsidies in several areas, and wage arrears have increased. In January 2014, the Central Bank of Turkmenistan devalued the manat by 19%, and downward pressure on the currency continues. There is a widening spread between the official exchange rate (3.5 TMM per US dollar) and the black market exchange rate (approximately 14 TMM per US dollar). Currency depreciation and conversion restrictions, corruption, isolationist policies, and declining spending on public services have resulted in a stagnate economy that is nearing crisis. Turkmenistan claims substantial foreign currency reserves, but non-transparent data limit international institutions’ ability to verify this information.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $92.33 billion (2019 est.)
$86.86 billion (2018 est.)
$81.787 billion (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 6.5% (2017 est.)
6.2% (2016 est.)
6.5% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $15,500 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
$14,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars
$14,205 (2017 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $40.819 billion (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 8% (2017 est.)
3.6% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 7.5% (2017 est.)
industry: 44.9% (2017 est.)
services: 47.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 10% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 28.2% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 26.2% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -14.3% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, wheat, cotton, tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons, grapes, sugar beet, beef, rice
Industries: natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing
Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 2.305 million (2013 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 48.2%
industry: 14%
services: 37.8% (2004 est.)
Unemployment rate: 11% (2014 est.)
10.6% (2013)
Population below poverty line: 0.2% (2012 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 40.8 (1998)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 31.7% (1998)
Budget: revenues: 5.657 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 6.714 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 28.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
24.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$4.359 billion (2017 est.)
-$7.207 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $7.458 billion (2017 est.)
$6.987 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - partners: China 82% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, cotton fibers, fertilizers (2019)
Imports: $4.571 billion (2017 est.)
$5.215 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - partners: Turkey 25%, Russia 18%, China 14%, Germany 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities: iron products, harvesting machinery, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, tractors (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $24.91 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$25.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $539.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$425.3 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Turkmenistani manat (TMM) per US dollar -
4.125 (2017 est.)
3.5 (2016 est.)
3.5 (2015 est.)
3.5 (2014 est.)
2.85 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5.205 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 15,090,300,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 3.2 billion kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.892 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 235,300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 153,400 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 59,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 600 million barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 191,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 53,780 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 83,622,908,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 45,398,541,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 38,224,367,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 11,326,720,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 109.037 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 19.977 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 89.06 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 330.507 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 717,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 9.377 million (2018)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 162.86 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the nation of Turkmenistan, which rivals only North Korea for its isolationism, continues to keep its telecom sector along with the broader populace under tight control; the country inched up just one point off the bottom of the world rankings for press and internet freedom in the most recent report from Reporters Without Borders; most social networks in the country are blocked, although locals do have access to the government-developed Biz Byarde (We Are Here) platform released in 2019; all internet users, however, need to identify themselves before logging on, and strict censorship over what can be viewed is in force; the end result is that Turkmenistan has one of the lowest penetration rates for internet access in the world. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line nearly 12 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 163 per 100 persons; first telecommunication satellite was launched in 2015 (2019)
international: country code - 993; linked by fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; an exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat (2018)
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: broadcast media is government controlled and censored; 7 state-owned TV and 4 state-owned radio networks; satellite dishes and programming provide an alternative to the state-run media; officials sometimes limit access to satellite TV by removing satellite dishes
Internet country code: .tm
Internet users: total: 1,247,940 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 21% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 10,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.2 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 27
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,457,474 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 16.92 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: EZ
Airports: total: 26 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 21
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 9
1,524 to 2,437 m: 9
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 4 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 7,500 km gas, 1501 km oil (2013)
Railways: total: 5,113 km (2017)
broad gauge: 5,113 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge
Roadways: total: 58,592 km (2002)
paved: 47,577 km (2002)
unpaved: 11,015 km (2002)
Waterways: 1,300 km (2011) (Amu Darya River and Kara Kum Canal are important inland waterways)
Merchant marine: total: 73
by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 8, other 59 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Caspian Sea - Turkmenbasy
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Turkmenistan: Land Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces; Federal Border Guard Service; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Internal Troops (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.9% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.54 billion)
1.8% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.45 billion)
1.8% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.32 billion)
1.8% of GDP (2016 est.) (approximately $1.3 billion)
1.5% of GDP (2015 est.) (approximately $1.1 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; estimated 30,000 active duty troops (25,000 National Army; 1,000 Navy; 4,000 Air and Air Defense Forces) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory for Turkmenistan's military is comprised largely of older Russian and Soviet-era weapons systems; since 2010, however, it has attempted to diversify and purchased equipment from more than a dozen countries, with Turkey as the top supplier (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for compulsory male military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2.5 years for the Navy); 20 years of age for voluntary service (including females); males may enroll in military schools from age 15 (2022)
Military - note: as of 2022, Turkmenistan continued to pursue a nationalist and isolationist security policy and has declined to participate in post-Soviet military groupings such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization military alliance (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); however, in September 2020, it participated in a Russian-led multinational military exercise held in southern Russia’s Astrakhan region alongside Russian, Chinese, Pakistani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Uzbek, Mongolian, Syrian, Iranian, Egyptian, Belarusian, Turkish, Armenian, and Azerbaijani contingents as of 2022, Turkmenistan continued efforts to improve its naval capabilities on the Caspian Sea, including expanding ship building capabilities and adding larger vessels to the Navy’s inventory; in 2018, it opened its first naval shipyard and in August 2021, the Navy commissioned its largest warship, a corvette that was jointly constructed with Turkeyas of 2022, Turkmenistan continued to pursue a nationalist and isolationist security policy and has declined to participate in post-Soviet military groupings such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization military alliance (CSTO) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); however, in September 2020, it participated in a Russian-led multinational military exercise held in southern Russia’s Astrakhan region alongside Russian, Chinese, Pakistani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Uzbek, Mongolian, Syrian, Iranian, Egyptian, Belarusian, Turkish, Armenian, and Azerbaijani contingentsas of 2022, Turkmenistan continued efforts to improve its naval capabilities on the Caspian Sea, including expanding ship building capabilities and adding larger vessels to the Navy’s inventory; in 2018, it opened its first naval shipyard and in August 2021, the Navy commissioned its largest warship, a corvette that was jointly constructed with Turkey
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan: in January 2021, the two countries reached a preliminary agreement on the joint exploration of an undersea hydrocarbon field containing oil and natural gas in the Caspian Sea Turkmenistan-Iran: none identified Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a treaty on the delimitation and demarcation process in 2001; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005; Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan agreed to their border in the Caspian Sea in 2014 Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan: in 2017, the three countries signed an agreement of the junction of their borders Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan: cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; in 2021, the two countries reached an agreement to create a joint intergovernmental commission to oversee water managementTurkmenistan-Azerbaijan: in January 2021, the two countries reached a preliminary agreement on the joint exploration of an undersea hydrocarbon field containing oil and natural gas in the Caspian SeaTurkmenistan-Iran: none identifiedTurkmenistan-Kazakhstan: Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan signed a treaty on the delimitation and demarcation process in 2001; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005; Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan agreed to their border in the Caspian Sea in 2014Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan-Uzbekistan: in 2017, the three countries signed an agreement of the junction of their bordersTurkmenistan-Uzbekistan: cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; in 2021, the two countries reached an agreement to create a joint intergovernmental commission to oversee water management
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 4,107 (mid-year 2021)
Trafficking in persons: current situation: Turkmenistan is a source, and to a much lesser degree, destination country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Turkmen in search of work in other countries are forced to work in textile sweatshops, construction, and domestic service; some Turkmen women and girls are sex trafficked abroad; Turkey is the primary trafficking destination, followed by Russia, India, and other countries in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and Europe; labor trafficking occurs within Turkmenistan, particularly in the construction industry; government officials require employees in private sector institutions, soldiers, and public sector workers to pick cotton without payment under the threat of penalty, such as dismissal, reduced work hours, or salary deductions to meet government-imposed quotas for the cotton harvest
tier rating: Tier 3 — Turkmenistan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; the government approved the 2020-2022 national action plan, continued anti-trafficking awareness campaigns, worked with international organizations on combating trafficking, provided training to its diplomatic corps on human trafficking, and identified potential trafficking victims at the international airport; however, the government used forced labor in the cotton harvest and public works projects; no officials were held accountable for their role in trafficking crimes; authorities did not prosecute or convict any traffickers; no victims were identified and offered protection or assistance programs (2020)
Illicit drugs: transit country for Afghan opiates to Turkish, Russian, and European markets, either directly from Afghanistan or through Iran; not a major producer or source country for illegal drugs or precursor chemicals transit country for Afghan opiates to Turkish, Russian, and European markets, either directly from Afghanistan or through Iran; not a major producer or source country for illegal drugs or precursor chemicals |
20220901 | countries-virgin-islands |
Topic: Photos of Virgin Islands
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Danes secured control over the southern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas, Saint John, and Saint Croix during the 17th and early 18th centuries. Sugarcane, produced by African slave labor, drove the islands' economy during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1917, the US purchased the Danish holdings, which had been in economic decline since the abolition of slavery in 1848. On 6 September 2017, Hurricane Irma passed over the northern Virgin Islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John and inflicted severe damage to structures, roads, the airport on Saint Thomas, communications, and electricity. Less than two weeks later, Hurricane Maria passed over the island of Saint Croix in the southern Virgin Islands, inflicting considerable damage with heavy winds and flooding rains.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 of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 1,910 sq km
land: 346 sq km
water: 1,564 sq km
Area - comparative: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 188 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land
Elevation: highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
Natural resources: pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Land use: agricultural land: 11.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 5.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 57.4% (2018 est.)
other: 31.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Natural hazards: several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Geography - note: important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
Map description: Virgin Islands map showing the three major islands that make up the US territory in the Caribbean Sea.Virgin Islands map showing the three major islands that make up the US territory in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 105,413 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Virgin Islander(s) (US citizens)
adjective: Virgin Islander
Ethnic groups: Black 76%, White 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1% (2010 est.)
note: 17.4% self-identify as Latino
Languages: English 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.)
Religions: Protestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 19.71% (male 10,671/female 10,192)
15-24 years: 10.16% (male 5,219/female 5,535)
25-54 years: 36.07% (male 17,844/female 20,342)
55-64 years: 14.24% (male 7,222/female 7,859)
65 years and over: 19.82% (2021 est.) (male 9,424/female 11,562)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 66
youth dependency ratio: 32
elderly dependency ratio: 34
potential support ratio: 2.9 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 41.8 years
male: 40.6 years
female: 42.8 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.45% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 11.63 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -7.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Urbanization: urban population: 96.1% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 7.65 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 8.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 80.27 years
male: 77.08 years
female: 83.65 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 98.7% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 1.3% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: NA
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 99.4% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: NA
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Land use: agricultural land: 11.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 5.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 57.4% (2018 est.)
other: 31.1% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 96.1% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: -0.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0% of GDP (2017 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 146,500 tons (2012 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Virgin Islands
former: Danish West Indies
abbreviation: VI
etymology: the myriad islets, cays, and rocks surrounding the major islands reminded Christopher COLUMBUS in 1493 of Saint Ursula and her 11,000 virgin followers (Santa Ursula y las Once Mil Virgenes), which over time shortened to the Virgins (las Virgenes)
Government type: unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Dependency status: unincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between the Virgin Islands and the federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Capital: name: Charlotte Amalie
geographic coordinates: 18 21 N, 64 56 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: originally called Taphus in Danish - meaning "tap house" or "beer house" because of its many beer halls - the town received a more dignified name in 1691 when it was named Charlotte Amalie in honor of Danish King Christian V’s wife, Charlotte Amalie of Hesse-Kassel (1650–1714)
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 islands at the second order; Saint Croix, Saint John, Saint Thomas
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 31 March (1917)
Constitution: history: 22 July 1954 - the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands functions as a constitution for this US territory
amendments: amended several times, last in 2012
Legal system: US common law
Citizenship: see United States
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - island residents are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch: chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)
head of government: Governor Albert BRYAN, Jr. (since 7 January 2019), Lieutenant Governor Tregenza ROACH (since 7 January 2019)
cabinet: Territorial Cabinet appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate
elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Virgin Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in the Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2018 with a runoff on 20 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2022)
election results: Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected governor in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah "Foncie" DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, other 11.9%; percent of vote in second round- Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, other .3%Albert BRYAN, Jr. elected governor in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 38.1%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 33.5%, Adlah "Foncie" DONASTORG, Jr. (independent) 16.5%, other 11.9%; percent of vote in second round- Albert BRYAN, Jr. (Democratic Party) 54.5%, Kenneth MAPP (independent) 45.2%, other .3%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislature of the Virgin Islands (15 seats; senators directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority popular vote to serve 2-year terms)
the Virgin Islands directly elects 1 delegate to the US House of Representatives by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term
elections: Legislature of the Virgin Islands last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
US House of Representatives last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
election results: Legislature of the Virgin Islands - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 13, independents 2; composition - men 11, women 4, percent of women 26.7%
delegate to US House of Representatives - seat by party - Democratic Party 1; composition - 1 woman
note: the Virgin Islands to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); note - court established by the US Congress in 2004 and assumed appellate jurisdiction in 2007
judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Virgin Islands Senate; justices serve initial 10-year terms and upon reconfirmation, during the extent of good behavior; chief justice elected to position by peers for a 3-year term
subordinate courts: Superior Court (Territorial Court renamed in 2004); US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court of the Virgin Islands; it is a territorial court and is not associated with a US federal judicial district); District Court of the Virgin Islands
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Stacey PLASKELL]
Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Dale BLYDEN]
Republican Party [John CANEGATA]
International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs)
Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US: none (territory of the US)
Flag description: white field with a modified US coat of arms in the center between the large blue initials V and I; the coat of arms shows a yellow eagle holding an olive branch in its right talon and three arrows in the left with a superimposed shield of seven red and six white vertical stripes below a blue panel; white is a symbol of purity, the letters stand for the Virgin Islands
National anthem: name: Virgin Islands March
lyrics/music: multiple/Alton Augustus ADAMS, Sr.
note: adopted 1963; serves as a local anthem; as a territory of the US, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Tourism, trade, other services, and rum production are the primary economic activities of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), accounting for most of its GDP and employment. The USVI receives between 2.5 and 3 million tourists a year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms, as evidenced by the destruction from two major hurricanes in 2017. Recovery and rebuilding have continued, but full recovery from these back-to-back hurricanes is years away. The USVI government estimates it will need $7.5 billion, almost twice the territory’s GDP, to rebuild the territory. The agriculture sector is small and most food is imported. In 2016, government spending (both federal and territorial together) accounted for about 27% of GDP while exports of goods and services, including spending by tourists, accounted for nearly 47%. Federal programs and grants, including rum tax cover-over totaling $482.3 million in 2016, contributed 32.2% of the territory’s total revenues. The economy picked up 0.9% in 2016 and had appeared to be progressing before the 2017 hurricanes severely damaged the territory’s infrastructure and the economy.Tourism, trade, other services, and rum production are the primary economic activities of the US Virgin Islands (USVI), accounting for most of its GDP and employment. The USVI receives between 2.5 and 3 million tourists a year, mostly from visiting cruise ships. The islands are vulnerable to damage from storms, as evidenced by the destruction from two major hurricanes in 2017. Recovery and rebuilding have continued, but full recovery from these back-to-back hurricanes is years away. The USVI government estimates it will need $7.5 billion, almost twice the territory’s GDP, to rebuild the territory. The agriculture sector is small and most food is imported. In 2016, government spending (both federal and territorial together) accounted for about 27% of GDP while exports of goods and services, including spending by tourists, accounted for nearly 47%. Federal programs and grants, including rum tax cover-over totaling $482.3 million in 2016, contributed 32.2% of the territory’s total revenues. The economy picked up 0.9% in 2016 and had appeared to be progressing before the 2017 hurricanes severely damaged the territory’s infrastructure and the economy.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.872 billion (2016 est.)
$3.759 billion (2015 est.)
$3.622 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2013 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.9% (2016 est.)
0.3% (2015 est.)
-1% (2014 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $37,000 (2016 est.)
$35,800 (2015 est.)
$34,500 (2014 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): $5.182 billion (2016 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2016 est.)
2.6% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2% (2012 est.)
industry: 20% (2012 est.)
services: 78% (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 68.2% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 26.8% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 7.5% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: 15% (2016 est.) NA
exports of goods and services: 46.7% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -64.3% (2016 est.)
Agricultural products: fruit, vegetables, sorghum; Senepol cattle
Industries: tourism, watch assembly, rum distilling, construction, pharmaceuticals, electronics
Industrial production growth rate: NA
Labor force: 48,550 (2016 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1%
industry: 19%
services: 80% (2003 est.)
Unemployment rate: 10.4% (2017 est.)
11% (2016 est.)
Population below poverty line: 28.9% (2002 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 1.496 billion (2016 est.)
expenditures: 1.518 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Public debt: 53.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
45.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September
Exports: $1.81 billion (2016 est.)
$1.537 billion (2015 est.)
Exports - partners: Haiti 14%, Guadeloupe 7%, Malaysia 7%, Martinique 7%, Barbados 7%, British Virgin Islands 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: refined petroleum, jewelry, recreational boats, watches, rum (2019)
Imports: $2.489 billion (2016 est.)
$1.549 billion (2015 est.)
Imports - partners: India 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, crude petroleum, rubber piping, jewelry, beer (2019)
Debt - external: NANA
Exchange rates: the US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 704 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 654.7 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 325,000 kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 98% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 1,240 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 3,285 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 23,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 76,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 59,121 (2018)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 204.5 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: modern system with total digital switching, uses fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay; good interisland and international connections; broadband access; expansion of FttP (Fiber to the Home) markets; LTE launches; regulatory development and expansion in several markets point to investment and focus on data (2020)
domestic: full range of services available; fixed-line roughly 72 per 100 persons, no recent teledensity numbers available for mobile-cellular usage, although it was approximately 75 per 100 in 2010 (2018)
international: country code - 1-340; landing points for the BSCS, St Thomas-ST Croix System, Southern Caribbean Fiber, Americas II, GCN, MAC, PAN-AM and SAC submarine cable connections to US, the Caribbean, Central and South America; satellite earth stations - NA (2020)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: about a dozen TV broadcast stations including 1 public TV station; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; 24 radio stations
Internet country code: .vi
Internet users: total: 68,268 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 64% (2019 est.)
Topic: Transportation
Airports: total: 2 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 2
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,260 km (2008)
Merchant marine: total: 1,868
by type: bulk carrier 91, container ship 39, general cargo 1,205, oil tanker 118, other 415 (2019)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Charlotte Amalie, Christiansted, Cruz Bay, Frederiksted, Limetree Bay
Topic: Military and Security
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified |
20220901 | countries-korea-south |
Topic: Photos of Korea, South
Topic: Introduction
Background: The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7th century (688). Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. After World War II, a democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korean invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea in 1979. PARK was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued authoritarian rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in.
South Korea hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February 2018, in which North Korea also participated. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by North Korea's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017. North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics, dispatch of a senior delegation to Seoul, and three inter-Korean summits in 2018 appear to have ushered in a temporary period of respite, buoyed by the historic US-North Korea summits in 2018 and 2019. Nevertheless, relations were stagnant into early 2022. The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms - Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla - were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula, as well as part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in the late 7th century (688). Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties.Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry between the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Following the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Tokyo formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence following Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. After World War II, a democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula while a communist-style government was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korean invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. A 1953 armistice split the Peninsula along a demilitarized zone at about the 38th parallel. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his regime from 1961 to 1979, South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea in 1979.PARK was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued authoritarian rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam (1993-98) became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in February 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In December 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against President PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, immediately suspending her presidential authorities. The impeachment was upheld in March 2017, triggering an early presidential election in May 2017 won by MOON Jae-in.
South Korea hosted the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February 2018, in which North Korea also participated. Discord with North Korea has permeated inter-Korean relations for much of the past decade, highlighted by North Korea's attacks on a South Korean ship and island in 2010, the exchange of artillery fire across the DMZ in 2015, and multiple nuclear and missile tests in 2016 and 2017. North Korea’s participation in the Winter Olympics, dispatch of a senior delegation to Seoul, and three inter-Korean summits in 2018 appear to have ushered in a temporary period of respite, buoyed by the historic US-North Korea summits in 2018 and 2019. Nevertheless, relations were stagnant into early 2022.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea
Geographic coordinates: 37 00 N, 127 30 E
Map references: Asia
Area: total: 99,720 sq km
land: 96,920 sq km
water: 2,800 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Indiana
Land boundaries: total: 237 km
border countries (1): North Korea 237 km
Coastline: 2,413 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: not specified
Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters
Terrain: mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south
Elevation: highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m
lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m
mean elevation: 282 m
Natural resources: coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential
Land use: agricultural land: 18.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 15.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 63.9% (2018 est.)
other: 18% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 7,780 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated
Natural hazards: occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwestvolcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuriesoccasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwestvolcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries
Geography - note: strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts
Map description: South Korea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.South Korea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 51,844,834 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Korean(s)
adjective: Korean
Ethnic groups: homogeneous
Languages: Korean, English (widely taught in elementary, junior high, and high school)
major-language sample(s):
월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Protestant 19.7%, Buddhist 15.5%, Catholic 7.9%, none 56.9% (2015 est.)
note: many people also carry on at least some Confucian traditions and practices
Age structure: 0-14 years: 12.02% (male 3,191,584/female 3,025,029)
15-24 years: 10.75% (male 2,900,013/female 2,658,057)
25-54 years: 44.83% (male 12,106,860/female 11,077,642)
55-64 years: 15.66% (male 3,958,718/female 4,142,322)
65 years and over: 16.74% (2021 est.) (male 3,766,138/female 4,888,799)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 39.5
youth dependency ratio: 17.5
elderly dependency ratio: 22
potential support ratio: 4.5 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 43.2 years
male: 41.6 years
female: 45 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.24% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 6.92 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.63 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: with approximately 70% of the country considered mountainous, the country's population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is quite high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated
Urbanization: urban population: 81.4% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 9.976 million SEOUL (capital), 3.468 million Busan, 2.834 million Incheon, 2.185 million Daegu (Taegu), 1.573 million Daejon (Taejon), 1.526 million Gwangju (Kwangju) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 32.2 years (2019 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 11 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 2.87 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 3.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 2.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 82.97 years
male: 79.88 years
female: 86.24 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.1 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 82.3% (2018)
note: percent of women aged 20-49
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 8.2% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 12.4 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: respiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: a novel coronavirus is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in South Korea; as of 30 March 2022, South Korea has reported a total of 18,168,708 cases of COVID-19 or 35,437.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 24,279 cumulative deaths or a rate of 47.4 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 87.8% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 4.7% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 20.8% (2020 est.)
male: 35.7% (2020 est.)
female: 5.9% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 16 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.3%
male: 11%
female: 9.7% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from the discharge of sewage and industrial effluents; drift net fishing; solid waste disposal; transboundary pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: 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: 24.57 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 620.3 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 30.28 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters
Land use: agricultural land: 18.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 15.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 2.2% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0.6% (2018 est.)
forest: 63.9% (2018 est.)
other: 18% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 81.4% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: respiratory diseases: Covid-19 (see note) (2020)
note: a novel coronavirus is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in South Korea; as of 30 March 2022, South Korea has reported a total of 18,168,708 cases of COVID-19 or 35,437.8 cumulative cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population with a total of 24,279 cumulative deaths or a rate of 47.4 cumulative deaths per 100,000 population; as of 6 June 2022, 87.8% of the population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 18,218,975 tons (2014 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 10,567,006 tons (2014 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 58% (2014 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 6.672 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 4.45 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 15.96 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 69.7 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Korea
conventional short form: South Korea
local long form: Taehan-min'guk
local short form: Han'guk
abbreviation: ROK
etymology: derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the South Korean name "Han'guk" derives from the long form, "Taehan-min'guk," which is itself a derivation from "Daehan-je'guk," which means "the Great Empire of the Han"; "Han" refers to the "Sam'han" or the "Three Han Kingdoms" (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla from the Three Kingdoms Era, 1st-7th centuries A.D.)
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Seoul; note - Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, is serving as an administrative capital for segments of the South Korean Government
geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name originates from the Korean word meaning "capital city" and which is believed to be derived from Seorabeol, the name of the capital of the ancient Korean Kingdom of Silla
Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi) provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla) metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan special city: Seoul special self-governing city: Sejong9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi)provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla)metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsanspecial city: Seoulspecial self-governing city: Sejong
Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan)
National holiday: Liberation Day, 15 August (1945)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest passed by National Assembly 12 October 1987, approved in referendum 28 October 1987, effective 25 February 1988
amendments: proposed by the president or by majority support of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum by more than one half of the votes by more than one half of eligible voters, and promulgation by the president; amended several times, last in 1987
Legal system: mixed legal system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought
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 South Korea
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; note - the voting age was lowered from 19 to 18 beginning with the 2020 national election
Executive branch: chief of state: President YOON Suk Yeol (since 10 May 2022); the president is both chief of state and head of government; Prime Minister HAN Deok-Soo (since 21 May 2022) serves as the principal executive assistant to the president, similar to the role of a vice president
head of government: President YOON Suk Yeol (since 10 May 2022)
cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; election last held on 9 March 2022 (next to be held March 2027); prime minister appointed by president with consent of National Assembly
election results: 2022: YOON Suk-yeol (PPP) 48.56%, LEE Jae-myung (DP) 47.83% (note - voter turnout 77.1%)
2017: MOON Jae-in (DP) 41.09%, HONG joon-pyo (Liberty Korea Party) 24.04%, AHN Cheol-soo (PP) 21.42%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Kuk Hoe (300 seats statutory, current 295; 253 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 47 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: last held on 15 April 2020 (next to be held on 10 April 2024)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DP/Together Citizens Party 180, United Future Party (now PPP) 103, JP 6, ODP 3, PP 3, independent 5; composition as of April 2022 - men 240, women 55, percent of women 18.6%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year nonrenewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65
subordinate courts: High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized under the District Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party or DP [SONG Young-gil] (renamed from Minjoo Party of Korea or MPK in October 2016; formerly New Politics Alliance for Democracy or NPAD, which was a merger of the Democratic Party or DP (formerly DUP) [KIM Han-gil] and the New Political Vision Party or NPVP [AHN Cheol-soo] in March 2014)
Justice Party or JP [YEO Young-kug]
Open Democratic Party or ODP [CHOE Kang-wook] (formed in early 2020)
People's Party or PP [AHN Cheol-soo] (formed in February 2020)
Together Citizens' Party [WOO Hee-jong, ChOI Bae-geun] (formed in early 2020 in alliance with the Democratic Party)
Transition Korea [CHO Jung-hun] (formed in February 2020)
Basic Income Party [SHIN Ji-hye] (formed in January 2020)
People Power Party or PPP [LEE Jun-seok] (renamed from United Future Party in September 2020, formerly Liberty Korea Party) (2022)
note - the Democratic (Minjoo) Party is South Korea’s largest party and its main progressive party; the People Power Party (PPP) is a conservative grouping and is South Korea’s second-largest party; the PPP and its predecessor parties have controlled the National Assembly for all but nine of the 33 years since the 1987 Constitution went into effect
International organization participation: ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador LEE Soo-hyuck (since 6 January 2020)
chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600
FAX: [1] (202) 797-0595
email address and website:
generalusa@mofa.go.kr
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do
consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas (TX), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Christopher DEL CORSO (since 16 July 2021)
embassy: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
mailing address: 9600 Seoul Place, Washington, DC 20521-9600
telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114
FAX: [82] (2) 397-4101
email address and website:
seoulinfoACS@state.gov
https://kr.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s): Busan
Flag description: white with a red (top) and blue yin-yang symbol in the center; there is a different black trigram from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) in each corner of the white field; the South Korean national flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; the blue section represents the negative cosmic forces of the yin, while the red symbolizes the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram (kwae) denotes one of the four universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony
National symbol(s): taegeuk (yin yang symbol), Hibiscus syriacus (Rose of Sharon), Siberian tiger; national colors: red, white, blue, black
National anthem: name: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song)
lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay
note: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; both North Korea's and South Korea's anthems share the same name and have a vaguely similar melody but have different lyrics
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 15 (13 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (n); Changdeokgung Palace Complex (c); Jongmyo Shrine (c); Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (c); Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (c); Gyeongju Historic Areas (c); Namhansanseong (c); Baekje Historic Areas (c); Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea (c); Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: After emerging from the 1950-53 war with North Korea, South Korea emerged as one of the 20th century’s most remarkable economic success stories, becoming a developed, globally connected, high-technology society within decades. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorest countries in the world. In 2004, South Korea's GDP surpassed one trillion dollars. Beginning in the 1960s under President PARK Chung-hee, the government promoted the import of raw materials and technology, encouraged saving and investment over consumption, kept wages low, and directed resources to export-oriented industries that remain important to the economy to this day. Growth surged under these policies, and frequently reached double-digits in the 1960s and 1970s. Growth gradually moderated in the 1990s as the economy matured, but remained strong enough to propel South Korea into the ranks of the advanced economies of the OECD by 1997. These policies also led to the emergence of family-owned chaebol conglomerates such as Daewoo, Hyundai, and Samsung, which retained their dominant positions even as the government loosened its grip on the economy amid the political changes of the 1980s and 1990s. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 hit South Korea’s companies hard because of their excessive reliance on short-term borrowing, and GDP ultimately plunged by 7% in 1998. South Korea tackled difficult economic reforms following the crisis, including restructuring some chaebols, increasing labor market flexibility, and opening up to more foreign investment and imports. These steps lead to a relatively rapid economic recovery. South Korea also began expanding its network of free trade agreements to help bolster exports, and has since implemented 16 free trade agreements covering 58 countries—including the United State and China—that collectively cover more than three-quarters of global GDP. In 2017, the election of President MOON Jae-in brought a surge in consumer confidence, in part, because of his successful efforts to increase wages and government spending. These factors combined with an uptick in export growth to drive real GDP growth to more than 3%, despite disruptions in South Korea’s trade with China over the deployment of a US missile defense system in South Korea. In 2018 and beyond, South Korea will contend with gradually slowing economic growth - in the 2-3% range - not uncommon for advanced economies. This could be partially offset by efforts to address challenges arising from its rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, continued dominance of the chaebols, and heavy reliance on exports rather than domestic consumption. Socioeconomic problems also persist, and include rising inequality, poverty among the elderly, high youth unemployment, long working hours, low worker productivity, and corruption.After emerging from the 1950-53 war with North Korea, South Korea emerged as one of the 20th century’s most remarkable economic success stories, becoming a developed, globally connected, high-technology society within decades. In the 1960s, GDP per capita was comparable with levels in the poorest countries in the world. In 2004, South Korea's GDP surpassed one trillion dollars. Beginning in the 1960s under President PARK Chung-hee, the government promoted the import of raw materials and technology, encouraged saving and investment over consumption, kept wages low, and directed resources to export-oriented industries that remain important to the economy to this day. Growth surged under these policies, and frequently reached double-digits in the 1960s and 1970s. Growth gradually moderated in the 1990s as the economy matured, but remained strong enough to propel South Korea into the ranks of the advanced economies of the OECD by 1997. These policies also led to the emergence of family-owned chaebol conglomerates such as Daewoo, Hyundai, and Samsung, which retained their dominant positions even as the government loosened its grip on the economy amid the political changes of the 1980s and 1990s. The Asian financial crisis of 1997-98 hit South Korea’s companies hard because of their excessive reliance on short-term borrowing, and GDP ultimately plunged by 7% in 1998. South Korea tackled difficult economic reforms following the crisis, including restructuring some chaebols, increasing labor market flexibility, and opening up to more foreign investment and imports. These steps lead to a relatively rapid economic recovery. South Korea also began expanding its network of free trade agreements to help bolster exports, and has since implemented 16 free trade agreements covering 58 countries—including the United State and China—that collectively cover more than three-quarters of global GDP. In 2017, the election of President MOON Jae-in brought a surge in consumer confidence, in part, because of his successful efforts to increase wages and government spending. These factors combined with an uptick in export growth to drive real GDP growth to more than 3%, despite disruptions in South Korea’s trade with China over the deployment of a US missile defense system in South Korea. In 2018 and beyond, South Korea will contend with gradually slowing economic growth - in the 2-3% range - not uncommon for advanced economies. This could be partially offset by efforts to address challenges arising from its rapidly aging population, inflexible labor market, continued dominance of the chaebols, and heavy reliance on exports rather than domestic consumption. Socioeconomic problems also persist, and include rising inequality, poverty among the elderly, high youth unemployment, long working hours, low worker productivity, and corruption.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2,187,800,000,000 (2020 est.)
$2,208,960,000,000 (2019 est.)
$2,164,810,000,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.04% (2019 est.)
2.91% (2018 est.)
3.16% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $42,300 (2020 est.)
$42,700 (2019 est.)
$41,900 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $1,646,604,000,000 (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (2019 est.)
1.4% (2018 est.)
1.9% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2012)
Moody's rating: Aa2 (2015)
Standard & Poors rating: AA (2016)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.2% (2017 est.)
industry: 39.3% (2017 est.)
services: 58.3% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 48.1% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 31.1% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -37.7% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: rice, vegetables, cabbages, milk, onions, pork, poultry, eggs, tangerines/mandarins, potatoes
Industries: electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel
Industrial production growth rate: 4.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 26.839 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.8%
industry: 24.6%
services: 70.6% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 3.76% (2019 est.)
3.85% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.3%
male: 11%
female: 9.7% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 14.4% (2016 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35.4 (2015 est.)
31.6 (2012 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 6.8%
highest 10%: 48.5% (2015 est.)
Budget: revenues: 357.1 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 335.8 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 39.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
39.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 23.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $59.971 billion (2019 est.)
$77.467 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $606.71 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$660.51 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$729.94 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 25%, United States 14%, Vietnam 9%, Hong Kong 6%, Japan 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, ships, office machinery (2019)
Imports: $540.96 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$607.54 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$649.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 22%, United States 12%, Japan 9% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, refined petroleum, coal (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $389.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$371.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $457.745 billion (2019 est.)
$435.98 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar -
1,084.65 (2020 est.)
1,189.9 (2019 est.)
1,119.8 (2018 est.)
1,130.95 (2014 est.)
1,052.96 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 135.789 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 531.258 billion kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 18.61 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 64.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 27.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 16.364 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 140.579 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 16,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 123.784 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 326 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 37,400 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 2,598,700 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 3,034,400 barrels/day (2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 3.302 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 1.396 million bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 908,800 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 240.042 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
consumption: 53,419,105,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2019 est.)
imports: 55,417,677,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
proven reserves: 7.079 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 686.954 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 319.383 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 255.518 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 112.052 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 242.346 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 23,858,239 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 70,513,676 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 138 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: South Korea is second only to Hong Kong in the world rankings of telecom market maturity; it is also on the leading edge of the latest telecom technology developments, including around 6G; and it is host to two of the world’s top equipment manufacturers in the form of Samsung and LG; with its highly urbanized, tech-savvy population, South Korea also enjoys very high communication levels across all segments – fixed-line telephony (44% at the start of 2022), fixed broadband (46%), mobile voice and data (144%), and mobile broadband (120%); the performance of the mobile sector is on a par with other developed markets around the region, but it’s the wire line segment that allows South Korea to stand out from the crowd; this is partly a reflection of the large proportion of its population who live in apartment buildings (around 60%), making fiber and apartment LAN connections relatively easy and cost-effective to deploy; the government’s Ultra Broadband convergence Network (UBcN) had aimed to reach 50% adoption by the end of 2022, but that target may be a few more years away;
fixed-line teledensity is also at a very high level compared to most of the rest of the world, but it has been on a sharp decline from a rate of 60% ten years ago; that fall has forced the incumbent telco KT Corp to diversify into other telecom segments (including investments in 5G and the development of 6G) as well as non-telecom sectors (such as autonomous vehicles) in an effort to transform itself into a digital platform company; on the mobile front, users have enthusiastically migrated from one generation of mobile platform to the next as each iteration becomes available; there also doesn’t appear to be any great concern about there being a lack of demand for 5G in South Korea (when the country is already well supported by 4G networks), with 30% of all subscribers having already made the switch; part of the reason behind the rapid transition may be the subsidized handsets on offer from each of the MNOs and the MVNOs – a practice that has become so widespread and cutthroat that the regulators have regularly stepped in and fined the companies billions for breaching the subsidy level and risking a price war that will ultimately damage the entire industry. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line approximately 47 per 100 and mobile-cellular services 138 per 100 persons; rapid assimilation of a full range of telecommunications technologies leading to a boom in e-commerce (2020)
international: country code - 82; landing points for EAC-C2C, FEA, SeaMeWe-3, TPE, APCN-2, APG, FLAG North Asia Loop/REACH North Asia Loop, KJCN, NCP, and SJC2 submarine cables providing links throughout Asia, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia and US; satellite earth stations - 66 (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: multiple national TV networks with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations
Internet country code: .kr
Internet users: total: 50,281,152 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 97% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 22,327,182 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 14 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 424
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 88,157,579 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 11,929,560,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HL
Airports: total: 111 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 71
over 3,047 m: 4
2,438 to 3,047 m: 19
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 13
under 914 m: 23 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 40
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 38 (2021)
Heliports: 466 (2021)
Pipelines: 3,790 km gas, 16 km oil, 889 km refined products (2018)
Railways: total: 3,979 km (2016)
standard gauge: 3,979 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (2,727 km electrified)
Roadways: total: 100,428 km (2016)
paved: 92,795 km (2016) (includes 4,193 km of expressways)
unpaved: 7,633 km (2016)
Waterways: 1,600 km (2011) (most navigable only by small craft)
Merchant marine: total: 1,904
by type: bulk carrier 78, container ship 91, general cargo 360, oil tanker 184, other 1,191 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Busan, Incheon, Gunsan, Kwangyang, Mokpo, Pohang, Ulsan, Yeosu
container port(s) (TEUs): Busan (21,992,001), Incheon (3,091,955), Kwangyang (2,378,337) (2019)
LNG terminal(s) (import): Incheon, Kwangyang, Pyeongtaek, Samcheok, Tongyeong, Yeosu
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea: Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Navy (ROKN, includes Marine Corps, ROKMC), Air Force (ROKAF); Military reserves include Mobilization Reserve Forces (First Combat Forces) and Homeland Defense Forces (Regional Combat Forces); Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: Korea Coast Guard (2022)
note: in January 2022, the South Korean military announced the formation of a space branch under its Joint Chiefs of Staff to coordinate the development of space and space-enabled capabilities across the Army, Navy and Air Force
Military expenditures: 2.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.6% of GDP (2020)
2.7% of GDP (2019) (approximately $58.1 billion)
2.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $55.8 billion)
2.5% of GDP (2017) (approximately $52.5 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 555,000 active duty personnel (420,000 Army; 70,000 Navy, including about 30,000 Marines; 65,000 Air Force) (2022)
note: South Korea intended to reduce the size of its military to about 522,000 by 2022
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the South Korean military is equipped with a mix of domestically-produced and imported weapons systems; South Korea has a robust defense industry and production includes armored fighting vehicles, artillery, aircraft, and naval ships; since 2010, the top foreign weapons supplier is the US and some domestically-produced systems are built under US license (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-28 years of age for compulsory military service; minimum conscript service obligation varies by service- 18 months (Army, Marines), 20 months (Navy), 21 months (Air Force); 18-26 years of age for voluntary military service (2021)
note 1: women, in service since 1950, are able to serve in all branches, including as officers, and in 2020 comprised about 7.5% of the active duty military
note 2: in 2022, about 330,000 of the military's active personnel were conscripts; the military brings on over 200,000 conscripts each year
Military deployments: 250 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 280 South Sudan (UNMISS); 170 United Arab Emirates; note - since 2009, South Korea has kept a naval flotilla with approximately 300 personnel in the waters off of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula (2022)
Military - note: the 1953 US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is a cornerstone of South Korea’s security; the Treaty committed the US to provide assistance in the event of an attack, particularly from North Korea; in addition, the Treaty gave the US permission to station land, air, and sea forces in and about the territory of South Korea as determined by mutual agreement; as of 2022, the US maintained approximately 28,000 military personnel in the country the South Korean military has assisted the US in conflicts in Afghanistan (5,000 troops; 2001-2014), Iraq (20,000 troops; 2003-2008), and Vietnam (325,000 troops; 1964-1973)
South Korea has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments
in 2016, South Korea concluded an agreement with the European Union for participation in EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, such as the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, which protects maritime shipping and conducts counter-piracy operations off the coast of East Africa South Korea has been engaged with NATO through dialogue and security cooperation since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner; it has participated in NATO-led missions and exercises, including leading an integrated civilian-military reconstruction team in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, 2010-2013; it has also cooperated with NATO in countering the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden by providing naval vessels as escorts in addition to the invasion of South Korea and the subsequent Korean War (1950-53), North Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s launched a considerable number of limited military and subversive actions against South Korea using special forces and terrorist tactics; including aggressive skirmishes along the DMZ, overt attempts to assassinate South Korean leaders, kidnappings, the bombing of an airliner, and a failed effort in 1968 to foment an insurrection and conduct a guerrilla war in the South with more than 100 seaborne commandos; from the 1990s until 2010, the North lost two submarines and a semi-submersible boat attempting to insert infiltrators into the South (1996, 1998) and provoked several engagements in the Northwest Islands area along the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL), including naval skirmishes between patrol boats in 1999 and 2002, the torpedoing and sinking of a South Korean corvette, the Cheonan, in 2010, and the bombardment of a South Korean Marine Corps installation on Yeonpyeong Island, also in 2010; since 2010, further minor incidents continue to occur periodically along the DMZ, where both the North and the South Korean militaries maintain large numbers of troops
in 2018, North Korea and South Korea signed a tension reduction agreement known as the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), which established land, sea, and air buffer zones along the DMZ and the NLL; implementation of the CMA required the removal of some land mines and guard posts; the efforts led to a reduction of tension in the DMZ, but as of 2022 North Korea had failed to uphold much of its side of the agreementthe 1953 US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is a cornerstone of South Korea’s security; the Treaty committed the US to provide assistance in the event of an attack, particularly from North Korea; in addition, the Treaty gave the US permission to station land, air, and sea forces in and about the territory of South Korea as determined by mutual agreement; as of 2022, the US maintained approximately 28,000 military personnel in the countrythe South Korean military has assisted the US in conflicts in Afghanistan (5,000 troops; 2001-2014), Iraq (20,000 troops; 2003-2008), and Vietnam (325,000 troops; 1964-1973)
South Korea has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US; MNNA is a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation; while MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments
in 2016, South Korea concluded an agreement with the European Union for participation in EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, such as the EU Naval Force Somalia – Operation Atalanta, which protects maritime shipping and conducts counter-piracy operations off the coast of East AfricaSouth Korea has been engaged with NATO through dialogue and security cooperation since 2005 and is considered by NATO to be a global partner; it has participated in NATO-led missions and exercises, including leading an integrated civilian-military reconstruction team in Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, 2010-2013; it has also cooperated with NATO in countering the threat of piracy in the Gulf of Aden by providing naval vessels as escortsin addition to the invasion of South Korea and the subsequent Korean War (1950-53), North Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s launched a considerable number of limited military and subversive actions against South Korea using special forces and terrorist tactics; including aggressive skirmishes along the DMZ, overt attempts to assassinate South Korean leaders, kidnappings, the bombing of an airliner, and a failed effort in 1968 to foment an insurrection and conduct a guerrilla war in the South with more than 100 seaborne commandos; from the 1990s until 2010, the North lost two submarines and a semi-submersible boat attempting to insert infiltrators into the South (1996, 1998) and provoked several engagements in the Northwest Islands area along the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL), including naval skirmishes between patrol boats in 1999 and 2002, the torpedoing and sinking of a South Korean corvette, the Cheonan, in 2010, and the bombardment of a South Korean Marine Corps installation on Yeonpyeong Island, also in 2010; since 2010, further minor incidents continue to occur periodically along the DMZ, where both the North and the South Korean militaries maintain large numbers of troops
in 2018, North Korea and South Korea signed a tension reduction agreement known as the Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA), which established land, sea, and air buffer zones along the DMZ and the NLL; implementation of the CMA required the removal of some land mines and guard posts; the efforts led to a reduction of tension in the DMZ, but as of 2022 North Korea had failed to uphold much of its side of the agreement
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: South Korea-Japan: South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954 South Korea-North Korea: Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundarySouth Korea-Japan: South Korea and Japan claim Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima), occupied by South Korea since 1954South Korea-North Korea: Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents with North Korea in the Yellow Sea over the Northern Limit Line, which South Korea claims as a maritime boundary
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 204 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: precursor chemicals used for illicit drugs, such as acetic anhydride, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine, imported from the United States, Japan, India, and China and then either resold within South Korea or smuggled into other countries precursor chemicals used for illicit drugs, such as acetic anhydride, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine, imported from the United States, Japan, India, and China and then either resold within South Korea or smuggled into other countries |
20220901 | countries-singapore |
Topic: Photos of Singapore
Topic: Introduction
Background: A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century and fell into obscurity. The British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the site in 1819. It joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries with strong international trading links (its port is one of the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia
Geographic coordinates: 1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area: total: 719 sq km
land: 709.2 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 193 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Terrain: lowlying, gently undulating central plateau
Elevation: highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m
lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
Natural resources: fish, deepwater ports
Land use: agricultural land: 1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 3.3% (2018 est.)
other: 95.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas
Natural hazards: flash floods
Geography - note: focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of about 60 islands, by far the largest of which is Pulau Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former islands and created a number of new ones
Map description: Singapore map showing major districts of this city-state surrounded by Malaysia and the Singapore Strait.Singapore map showing major districts of this city-state surrounded by Malaysia and the Singapore Strait.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 5,921,231 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Singaporean(s)
adjective: Singapore
Ethnic groups: Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.7%, Indian 8.9%, other 3.2% (2021 est.)
note: data represent population by self-identification; the population is divided into four categories: Chinese, Malay (includes indigenous Malays and Indonesians), Indian (includes Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or Sri Lankan), and other ethnic groups (includes Eurasians, Caucasians, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese)
Languages: English (official) 48.3%, Mandarin (official) 29.9%, other Chinese dialects (includes Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka) 8.7%, Malay (official) 9.2%, Tamil (official) 2.5%, other 1.4%; note - data represent language most frequently spoken at home (2020 est.)
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English)
世界概況 – 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin)
Religions: Buddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 20% (2020 est.)
Demographic profile: Singapore has one of the lowest total fertility rates (TFR) in the world – an average of 1.15 children born per woman – and a rapidly aging population. Women’s expanded educations, widened aspirations, and a desire to establish careers has contributed to delayed marriage and smaller families. Most married couples have only one or two children in order to invest more in each child, including the high costs of education. In addition, more and more Singaporeans, particularly women, are staying single. Factors contributing to this trend are a focus on careers, long working hours, the high cost of living, and long waits for public housing. With fertility at such a low rate and rising life expectancy, the proportion of the population aged 65 or over is growing and the youth population is shrinking. Singapore is projected to experience one of the largest percentage point increases in the elderly share of the population at 21% between 2019 and 2050, according to the UN. The working-age population (aged 15-64) will gradually decrease, leaving fewer workers to economically support the elderly population. Migration has played a key role in Singapore’s development. As Singapore’s economy expanded during the 19th century, more and more Chinese, Indian, and Malay labor immigrants arrived. Most of Singapore’s pre-World War II population growth was a result of immigration. During World War II, immigration came to a halt when the Japanese occupied the island but revived in the postwar years. Policy was restrictive during the 1950s and 1960s, aiming to protect jobs for residents by reducing the intake of low-skilled foreign workers and focusing instead on attracting professionals from abroad with specialist skills. Consequently, the nonresident share of Singapore’s population plummeted to less than 3%. As the country industrialized, however, it loosened restrictions on the immigration of manual workers. From the 1980s through the 2000s, the foreign population continued to grow as a result of policies aimed at attracting foreign workers of all skill levels. More recently, the government has instituted immigration policies that target highly skilled workers. Skilled workers are encouraged to stay and are given the opportunity to become permanent residents or citizens. The country, however, imposes restrictions on unskilled and low-skilled workers to ensure they do not establish roots, including prohibiting them from bringing their families and requiring employers to pay a monthly foreign worker levy and security bond. The country has also become increasingly attractive to international students. The growth of the foreign-born population has continued to be rapid; as of 2015, the foreign-born composed 46% of the total population. At the same time, growing numbers of Singaporeans are emigrating for education and work experience in highly skilled sectors such finance, information technology, and medicine. Increasingly, the moves abroad are permanent.Singapore has one of the lowest total fertility rates (TFR) in the world – an average of 1.15 children born per woman – and a rapidly aging population. Women’s expanded educations, widened aspirations, and a desire to establish careers has contributed to delayed marriage and smaller families. Most married couples have only one or two children in order to invest more in each child, including the high costs of education. In addition, more and more Singaporeans, particularly women, are staying single. Factors contributing to this trend are a focus on careers, long working hours, the high cost of living, and long waits for public housing. With fertility at such a low rate and rising life expectancy, the proportion of the population aged 65 or over is growing and the youth population is shrinking. Singapore is projected to experience one of the largest percentage point increases in the elderly share of the population at 21% between 2019 and 2050, according to the UN. The working-age population (aged 15-64) will gradually decrease, leaving fewer workers to economically support the elderly population.Migration has played a key role in Singapore’s development. As Singapore’s economy expanded during the 19th century, more and more Chinese, Indian, and Malay labor immigrants arrived. Most of Singapore’s pre-World War II population growth was a result of immigration. During World War II, immigration came to a halt when the Japanese occupied the island but revived in the postwar years. Policy was restrictive during the 1950s and 1960s, aiming to protect jobs for residents by reducing the intake of low-skilled foreign workers and focusing instead on attracting professionals from abroad with specialist skills. Consequently, the nonresident share of Singapore’s population plummeted to less than 3%. As the country industrialized, however, it loosened restrictions on the immigration of manual workers. From the 1980s through the 2000s, the foreign population continued to grow as a result of policies aimed at attracting foreign workers of all skill levels. More recently, the government has instituted immigration policies that target highly skilled workers. Skilled workers are encouraged to stay and are given the opportunity to become permanent residents or citizens. The country, however, imposes restrictions on unskilled and low-skilled workers to ensure they do not establish roots, including prohibiting them from bringing their families and requiring employers to pay a monthly foreign worker levy and security bond. The country has also become increasingly attractive to international students. The growth of the foreign-born population has continued to be rapid; as of 2015, the foreign-born composed 46% of the total population. At the same time, growing numbers of Singaporeans are emigrating for education and work experience in highly skilled sectors such finance, information technology, and medicine. Increasingly, the moves abroad are permanent.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 12.8% (male 406,983/female 387,665)
15-24 years: 15.01% (male 457,190/female 474,676)
25-54 years: 50.73% (male 1,531,088/female 1,618,844)
55-64 years: 10.58% (male 328,024/female 328,808)
65 years and over: 10.89% (2020 est.) (male 310,123/female 366,259)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 34.5
youth dependency ratio: 16.5
elderly dependency ratio: 18
potential support ratio: 5.6 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 35.6 years
male: 35.4 years
female: 35.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.92% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 9.05 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 4.04 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 3.040 million SINGAPORE (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 30.5 years (2015 est.)
median age
Maternal mortality ratio: 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 1.55 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 1.71 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 86.35 years
male: 83.65 years
female: 89.2 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.16 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 4.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 2.46 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 2.5 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: NA
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: NA
total: 0% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,000 (2020 est.)
note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100
note: estimate does not include children
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 6.1% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 16.5% (2020 est.)
male: 28% (2020 est.)
female: 5% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 2.5% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97.5%
male: 98.9%
female: 96.1% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years
male: 16 years
female: 17 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.6%
male: 8.1%
female: 13.5% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water pollution; industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater resources; limited land availability presents waste disposal problems; air pollution; deforestation; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Indonesia
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 18.26 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 37.54 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 4.4 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms
Land use: agricultural land: 1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.9% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.)
forest: 3.3% (2018 est.)
other: 95.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.74% 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: 7,704,300 tons (2017 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 4,699,623 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 61% (2015 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 296.73 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 336.294 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 26.376 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 600 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Singapore
conventional short form: Singapore
local long form: Republic of Singapore
local short form: Singapore
etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words "simha" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-state's leonine symbol
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Singapore
geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words "simha" (lion) and "pura" (city), thus creating the city's epithet "lion city"
Administrative divisions: no first order administrative divisions; there are five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019)
Independence: 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)
National holiday: National Day, 9 August (1965)
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965
amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum; amended many times, last in 2020
Legal system: English common law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive branch: chief of state: President HALIMAH Yacob (since 14 September 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to Parliament
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a fixed term of 6 years (there are no term limits); election last held on 13 September 2017 (next to be held in 2023); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: 2017: HALIMAH Yacob was declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate
2011: Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president; percent of vote - Tony TAN Keng Yam (independent) 35.2%, TAN Cheng Bock (independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 4.9%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (104 seats statutory, 103 current term; 93 members directly elected by simple majority popular vote, up to 9 nominated by a parliamentary selection committee and appointed by the president, and up to 12 non-constituency members from opposition parties to ensure political diversity; members serve 5-year terms); note - the number of nominated members increased to 12 for the 2020 election for the first time (2021)
elections: last held on 10 July 2020 (next must be held by 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 89.2%, WP 10.6%, other 0.2%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 10; composition of total Parliament - men 73, women 30, percent of women 29.1%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (although the number of judges varies - as of April 2019, the court totaled 20 judges, 7 judicial commissioners, 4 judges of appeal, and 16 international judges); the court is organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower tier High Court
judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended
subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Progressive Party or DPP [Mohamad Hamim BIN ALIYA]
National Solidarity Party or NSP [Spencer NG]
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]
People's Power Party or (PPP) [Goh Meng SENG]
People's Voice or PV [Lim TEAN]
Progress Singapore Party or PSP [Francis YUENT]
Red Dot United or RDU [Ravi PHILEMON]
Reform Party or RP [Kenneth JEYARETNAM]
Singapore Democratic Alliance or SDA [Desmond LIM]
Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [Dr. CHEE Soon Juan]
Singapore Malay National Organisation or PKMS [Muhammad Hairullah AHMAD]
Singapore People's Party or SPP [Steve Chia]
Singapore United Party or SUP [Andy ZHU]
Workers' Party or WP [Pritam SINGH] (2022)
note - the PAP has won every general election since the end of the British colonial era in 1959
International organization participation: ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok KUMAR Mirpuri (since 30 July 2012)
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876
email address and website:
singemb_was@mfa.sg
https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/
consulate(s) general: San Francisco
consulate(s): New York
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jonathan KAPLAN (since December 2021)
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508
mailing address: 4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC 20521-4280
telephone: [65] 6476-9100
FAX: [65] 6476-9340
email address and website:
singaporeusembassy@state.gov
https://sg.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side) partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality
National symbol(s): lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature), orchid; national colors: red, white
National anthem: name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Singapore Botanic Gardens
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys an open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on Singapore’s vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors. The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010. Growth from 2012-2017 was slower than during the previous decade, a result of slowing structural growth - as Singapore reached high-income levels - and soft global demand for exports. Growth recovered to 3.6% in 2017 with a strengthening global economy. The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy to reduce its dependence on foreign labor, raise productivity growth, and increase wages amid slowing labor force growth and an aging population. Singapore has attracted major investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. Singapore is a signatory of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and a party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations with nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-market economy. It enjoys an open and corruption-free environment, stable prices, and a per capita GDP higher than that of most developed countries. Unemployment is very low. The economy depends heavily on exports, particularly of electronics, petroleum products, chemicals, medical and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on Singapore’s vibrant transportation, business, and financial services sectors. The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since 2010. Growth from 2012-2017 was slower than during the previous decade, a result of slowing structural growth - as Singapore reached high-income levels - and soft global demand for exports. Growth recovered to 3.6% in 2017 with a strengthening global economy. The government is attempting to restructure Singapore’s economy to reduce its dependence on foreign labor, raise productivity growth, and increase wages amid slowing labor force growth and an aging population. Singapore has attracted major investments in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and medical technology production and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. Singapore is a signatory of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and a party to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations with nine other ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN Economic Community.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $531.04 billion (2020 est.)
$561.3 billion (2019 est.)
$553.85 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 0.73% (2019 est.)
3.48% (2018 est.)
4.34% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $93,400 (2020 est.)
$98,400 (2019 est.)
$98,200 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $372.088 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.5% (2019 est.)
0.4% (2018 est.)
0.5% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AAA (2003)
Moody's rating: Aaa (2002)
Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1995)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0% (2017 est.)
industry: 24.8% (2017 est.)
services: 75.2% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 35.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 10.9% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.8% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 2.8% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 173.3% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -149.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: poultry, eggs, vegetables, pork, duck meat, spinach, pig offals, bird eggs, pig fat, cabbages
Industries: electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, biomedical products, scientific instruments, telecommunication equipment, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, entrepot trade
Industrial production growth rate: 5.7% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 3.778 million (2019 est.)
note: excludes non-residents
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 25.6%
services: 73.7% (2017)
note: excludes non-residents
Unemployment rate: 2.25% (2019 est.)
2.1% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.6%
male: 8.1%
female: 13.5% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 45.9 (2017)
45.8 (2016)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.6%
highest 10%: 27.5% (2017)
Budget: revenues: 50.85 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 51.87 billion (2017 est.)
note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 111.1% of GDP (2017 est.)
106.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which administers Singapore's defined contribution pension fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and are non-tradable; the government has not borrowed to finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore has no external public debt
Taxes and other revenues: 15.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: $63.109 billion (2019 est.)
$64.042 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $599.2 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$658.54 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$665.7 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: China 15%, Hong Kong 13%, Malaysia 9%, United States 8%, Indonesia 7%, India 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, gold, gas turbines, packaged medicines (2019)
Imports: $490.68 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$552.71 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$557.49 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 16%, Malaysia 11%, United States 9%, Taiwan 7%, Japan 5%, Indonesia 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, gold, gas turbines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $279.9 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$271.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $1,557,646,000,000 (2019 est.)
$1,528,177,000,000 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar -
1.33685 (2020 est.)
1.35945 (2019 est.)
1.3699 (2018 est.)
1.3748 (2014 est.)
1.2671 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 12.24 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 50,742,380,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 571 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 96.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 1.2% 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: 2.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 423,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 1,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 424,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.448 million bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 13,000 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 1,121,200 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 755,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 1.82 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 2.335 million bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 13,396,282,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 550.818 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
imports: 14,727,709,000 cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 238.983 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.588 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 211.115 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 26.28 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 639.951 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1.891 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 9,034,300 (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 156 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: a wealthy city-state, Singapore has a highly developed ICT infrastructure; government supported near universal home broadband penetration and free public access to wireless network; the government's telecommunication regulator, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), issued awards in mid-2020 to telecom operators with the goal of having at least 50% of the city-state covered with a standalone 5G network by the end of 2022; government actively promoting Smart Nation initiative supporting digital innovation; government oversees service providers and controls Internet content; well served by submarine cable and satellite connections; major importer of integrated circuits and broadcasting equipment from China and exporter of same to SE Asian neighboring countries (2021)
domestic: excellent domestic facilities; fixed-line roughly 32 per 100 and mobile-cellular 144 per 100 teledensity; multiple providers of high-speed Internet connectivity (2020)
international: country code - 65; landing points for INDIGO-West, SeaMeWe -3,-4,-5, SIGMAR, SJC, i2icn, PGASCOM, BSCS, IGG, B3JS, SAEx2, APCN-2, APG, ASC, SEAX-1, ASE, EAC-C2C, Matrix Cable System and SJC2 submarine cables providing links throughout Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 3, Bukit Timah, Seletar, and Sentosa; supplemented by VSAT coverage (2019 )
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: state controls broadcast media; 6 domestic TV stations operated by MediaCorp which is wholly owned by a state investment company; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; a total of 19 domestic radio stations broadcasting, with MediaCorp operating 11, Singapore Press Holdings, also government-linked, another 5, 2 controlled by the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association and one owned by BBC Radio; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations are available as is BBC; a number of Internet service radio stations are also available (2019)
Internet country code: .sg
Internet users: total: 5,230,942 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 92% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,509,700 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 230
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 40,401,515 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5,194,900,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9V
Airports: total: 9 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 3,220 km domestic gas (2014), 1,122 km cross-border pipelines (2017), 8 km refined products (2013) (2013)
Roadways: total: 3,500 km (2017)
paved: 3,500 km (2017) (includes 164 km of expressways)
Merchant marine: total: 3,321
by type: bulk carrier 576, container ship 514, general cargo 113, oil tanker 699, other 1,419 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Singapore
container port(s) (TEUs): Singapore (37,195,636) (2019)
LNG terminal(s) (import): Singapore
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Singapore Armed Forces (SAF; aka Singapore Defense Force): Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes air defense); Ministry of Home Affairs: Singapore Police Force (includes Police Coast Guard and the paramilitary Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police Force or GCSPF) (2022)
note 1: in 2022, the SAF announced that it would form a Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) by the end of the year
note 2: in 2009, Singapore established a multi-agency national Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) to work with law enforcement and maritime agencies to guard Singapore’s waters, including conducting daily patrols, as well as boarding and escort operations in the Singapore Strait; the MSTF is subordinate to the Singapore Navy
Military expenditures: 3.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
3% of GDP (2020)
2.9% of GDP (2019) (approximately $15 billion)
2.9% of GDP (2018) (approximately $14.8 billion)
3% of GDP (2017) (approximately $14.8 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 60,000 active duty troops (45,000 Army; 7,000 Navy; 8,000 Air Force) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the SAF has a diverse and largely modern mix of domestically-produced and imported weapons; since 2010, it has received armaments from about 10 countries with the US as the chief supplier; Singapore has the most developed arms industry in Southeast Asia and is also its largest importer of weapons (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-21 years of age for male compulsory military service; 16 1/2 years of age for voluntary enlistment (with parental consent); 2-year conscript service obligation, with a reserve obligation to age 40 (enlisted) or age 50 (officers); women are not conscripted, but they are allowed to volunteer for all services and branches, including combat arms (2021)
note 1: under the Enlistment Act, all male Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to enter National Service (NS) upon attaining the age of 18; most NS conscripts serve in the SAF, but some go into the Police Force or Civil Defense Force; as of 2020, conscripts comprised over half of the defense establishment
note 2: as of 2017, women made up about 7% of the active force
Military deployments: maintains permanent training detachments of military personnel in Australia, France, and the US (2022)
Military - note: Singapore is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily
the SAF's roots go back to 1854 when the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps was formed under colonial rule; the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment, was organized in 1957; the modern SAF was established in 1965; as of 2022, the SAF was widely viewed as the best equipped military in southeast Asia; the Army was largely based on conscripts and reservists with a small cadre of professional soldiers, while the Air Force and Navy were primarily comprised of well-trained professionals (2022)
Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; the Singapore Straits saw 35 attacks against commercial vessels in 2021, a 50% increase over 2020 and the highest number of incidents reported since 1992; vessels were boarded in 33 of the 35 incidents, one crew was injured, another assaulted and two threatened during these incidents
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Singapore-Indonesia: Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; subsequent treaties were signed in 2009 (ratified in 2010) and 2014 (ratified in 2017) settling the two countries’ boundaries in the Singapore Strait Singapore-Malaysia: disputes with Malaysia over territorial waters, airspace, the price of fresh water delivered to Singapore from Malaysia, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge, which is only visible at low tide
https://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/singapore-and-indonesia-signed-landmark-maritime-boundary-treaty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indonesia%E2%80%93Singapore_border
https://www.iseas.edu.sg/media/commentaries/indonesia-ratifies-maritime-border-treaty-with-singapore-a-commentary-by-mustafa-izzuddin/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedra_Branca_dispute
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Malaysia-in-transition/Singapore-and-Malaysia-make-major-breakthrough-in-maritime-dispute
https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/the-1962-johor-singapore-water-agreement-lessons-learned/piracy remains a problem in the Malacca StraitSingapore-Indonesia: Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; subsequent treaties were signed in 2009 (ratified in 2010) and 2014 (ratified in 2017) settling the two countries’ boundaries in the Singapore StraitSingapore-Malaysia: disputes with Malaysia over territorial waters, airspace, the price of fresh water delivered to Singapore from Malaysia, Singapore's extensive land reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008, the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge, which is only visible at low tide
Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 1,109 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: drug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money launderingdrug abuse limited because of aggressive law enforcement efforts, including carrying out death sentences; as a transportation and financial services hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and enforcement, as a venue for money laundering |
20220901 | countries-switzerland |
Topic: Photos of Switzerland
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 41,277 sq km
land: 39,997 sq km
water: 1,280 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 1,770 km
border countries (5): Austria 158 km; France 525 km; Italy 698 km; Liechtenstein 41 km; Germany 348 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain: mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation: highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
mean elevation: 1,350 m
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use: agricultural land: 38.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 31.5% (2018 est.)
other: 29.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 630 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Germany and Austria) - 540 sq km; Lake Geneva (shared with France) - 580 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Rhine river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)
Population distribution: population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement
Natural hazards: avalanches, landslides; flash floods
Geography - note: landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
Map description: Switzerland map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Switzerland map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 8,508,698 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective: Swiss
Ethnic groups: Swiss 69.2%, German 4.2%, Italian 3.2%, Portuguese 2.5%, French 2.1%, Kosovo 1.1%, Turkish 1%, other 16.7% (2020 est.)
note: data represent permanent and non-permanent resident population by country of birth
Languages: German (or Swiss German) (official) 62.1%, French (official) 22.8%, Italian (official) 8%, English 5.7%, Portuguese 3.5%, Albanian 3.3%, Serbo-Croatian 2.3%, Spanish 2.3%, Romansh (official) 0.5%, other 7.9%; note - German, French, Italian, and Romansh are all national and official languages; shares sum to more than 100% because respondents could indicate more than one main language (2019 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 34.4%, Protestant 22.5%, other Christian 5.7%, Muslim 5.4%, other 1.5%, none 29.4%, unspecified 1.1% (2020 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.34% (male 664,255/female 625,252)
15-24 years: 10.39% (male 446,196/female 426,708)
25-54 years: 42.05% (male 1,768,245/female 1,765,941)
55-64 years: 13.48% (male 569,717/female 563,482)
65 years and over: 18.73% (2020 est.) (male 699,750/female 874,448)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 51.6
youth dependency ratio: 22.7
elderly dependency ratio: 29
potential support ratio: 3.5 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 42.7 years
male: 41.7 years
female: 43.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.65% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 10.36 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 4.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement
Urbanization: urban population: 74.1% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.420 million Zurich, 437,000 BERN (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 31.1 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 3.58 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.23 years
male: 80.91 years
female: 85.67 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.58 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 71.6% (2017)
Drinking water source: 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.)
Current Health Expenditure: 11.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 4.38 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018)
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: 0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 17,000 (2020)
note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020) <200
note: estimate does not include children
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 19.5% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 25.5% (2020 est.)
male: 28.1% (2020 est.)
female: 22.9% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: total population: NA
male: NA
female: NA
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years
male: 17 years
female: 16 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.6%
male: 9.2%
female: 8% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from agricultural fertilizers; chemical contaminants and erosion damage the soil and limit productivity; loss of biodiversity
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 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, Marine Life Conservation, 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: 10.21 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 34.48 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 4.98 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Land use: agricultural land: 38.7% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.2% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 27.9% (2018 est.)
forest: 31.5% (2018 est.)
other: 29.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 74.1% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 6.056 million tons (2016 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,937,920 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 32% (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Germany and Austria) - 540 sq km; Lake Geneva (shared with France) - 580 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km): Rhine river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 931 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 642.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 160.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 53.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Swiss Confederation
conventional short form: Switzerland
local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German)/ Confederation Suisse (French)/ Confederazione Svizzera (Italian)/ Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh)
local short form: Schweiz (German)/ Suisse (French)/ Svizzera (Italian)/ Svizra (Romansh)
abbreviation: CH
etymology: name derives from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy that formed in the 14th century
Government type: federal republic (formally a confederation)
Capital: name: Bern
geographic coordinates: 46 55 N, 7 28 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: origin of the name is uncertain, but may derive from a 2nd century B.C. Celtic place name, possibly "berna" meaning "cleft," that was subsequently adopted by a Roman settlement
Administrative divisions: 26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Berne/Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve (Geneva), Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, Jura, Luzern (Lucerne), Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich
note: the canton names are in the official language(s) of the canton with the exception of Geneve and Luzern, where the conventional names (Geneva and Lucerne) have been added in parentheses; 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are referred to as half cantons because they elect only one member (instead of two) to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these 6 cantons only have a half vote
Independence: 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
National holiday: Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day
Constitution: history: previous 1848, 1874; latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000
amendments: proposed by the two houses of the Federal Assembly or by petition of at least one hundred thousand voters (called the "federal popular initiative"); passage of proposals requires majority vote in a referendum; following drafting of an amendment by the Assembly, its passage requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and approval by the majority of cantons; amended many times, last in 2018
Legal system: civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character
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 Switzerland
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio CASSIS (since 1 January 2022); Vice President Alain BERSET (since 1 January 2022); note - the Federal Council, comprised of 7 federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate the 1-year term of federal president
head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio CASSIS (since 1 January 2022); Vice President Alain BERSET (since 1 January 2022)
cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term
elections/appointments: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 8 December 2021 (next to be held in December 2022)
election results: Ignazio CASSIS elected president; Federal Assembly vote - Ignazio CASSIS (FDP.The Liberals) 156 of 197 votes; Alain BERSET (SP) elected vice president; Federal Assembly vote - 158 of 204
Legislative branch: description: description: bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblée Fédérale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of:
Council of States or Ständerat (in German), Conseil des États (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; members in multi-seat constituencies representing cantons and single-seat constituencies representing half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote except Jura and Neuchatel cantons which use list proportional representation vote; member term governed by cantonal law)
National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; 195 members in cantons directly elected by proportional representation vote and 6 in half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) (e.g. 2019)
elections:
Council of States - last held in most cantons on 20 October 2019 (each canton determines when the next election will be held)
National Council - last held on 20 October 2019 (next to be held on 31 October 2023) (e.g. 2019)
election results:
Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - The Center 13, FDP.The Liberals 12, SDP 9, Green Party 5, SVP 6, other 1; composition (as of October 2021) - men 34, women 12, percent of women 26.1%
National Council - percent of vote by party - SDP 26.5%, SP 19.5%, FDP.The Liberals 15.1%, Green Party 14%, The Center 14%, GLP 7.8%, other 3.5%; seats by party - SVP 53, SP 39, FDP.The Liberals 29, Green Party 28, The Center 28, GLP 16, other 7; composition (as of October 2021) - men 115, women 85, percent of women 42.5%; note - overall Federal Assembly percent of women 39.4% (e.g. 2019)
Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 justices and 19 deputy justices organized into 7 divisions)
judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; note - judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to the level of party representation in the Federal Assembly
subordinate courts: Federal Criminal Court (established in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (established in 2007); note - each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts
Political parties and leaders: Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals) [Petra GOESSI]
Green Liberal Party (Gruenliberale Partei or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL) [Juerg GROSSEN]
Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Regula RYTZ]
Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SP, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Cedric WERMUTH and Mattea MEYER]
Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica di Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Marco CHIESA]
The Center (Die Mitte, Alleanza del Centro, Le Centre, Allianza dal Center) [Gerhard PFISTER] (merger of the Christian Democratic People's Party and the Conservative Democratic Party)
other minor parties
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jacques Henri PITTELOUD (since 16 September 2019)
chancery: 2201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007-4105
telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900
FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564
email address and website:
washington@eda.admin.ch
https://www.eda.admin.ch/washington
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Scott MILLER (since 11 January 2022) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein
embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
mailing address: 5110 Bern Place, Washington DC 20521-5110
telephone: [41] (031) 357-70-11
FAX: [41] (031) 357-73-20
email address and website:
https://ch.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)
note: in 1863, a newly formed international relief organization convening in Geneva, Switzerland sought to come up with an identifying flag or logo, they chose the inverse of the Swiss flag - a red cross on a white field - as their symbol; today that organization is known throughout the world as the International Red Cross
National symbol(s): Swiss cross (white cross on red field, arms equal length); national colors: red, white
National anthem: name: the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)
lyrics/music: Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG
note: unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 13 (9 cultural, 4 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Old City of Berne (c); Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch (n); Monte San Giorgio (n); Abbey of St Gall (c); Three Castles, Defensive Wall, and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona (c); Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes (c); La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning (c); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair (c); Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Switzerland, a country that espouses neutrality, is a prosperous and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to gain access to the Union’s Single Market and enhance the country’s international competitiveness. Some trade protectionism remains, however, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled demand for Swiss exports and put Switzerland into a recession. During this period, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy, as well as to prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010. The sovereign debt crises unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries, however, coupled with economic instability in Russia and other Eastern European economies drove up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safehaven currency. In January 2015, the SNB abandoned the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro, roiling global currency markets and making active SNB intervention a necessary hallmark of present-day Swiss monetary policy. The independent SNB has upheld its zero interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell below 2% per year from 2011 through 2017. In recent years, Switzerland has responded to increasing pressure from neighboring countries and trading partners to reform its banking secrecy laws, by agreeing to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The Swiss Government has also renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate OECD standards.Switzerland, a country that espouses neutrality, is a prosperous and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to gain access to the Union’s Single Market and enhance the country’s international competitiveness. Some trade protectionism remains, however, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled demand for Swiss exports and put Switzerland into a recession. During this period, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy, as well as to prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010. The sovereign debt crises unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries, however, coupled with economic instability in Russia and other Eastern European economies drove up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safehaven currency. In January 2015, the SNB abandoned the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro, roiling global currency markets and making active SNB intervention a necessary hallmark of present-day Swiss monetary policy. The independent SNB has upheld its zero interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell below 2% per year from 2011 through 2017. In recent years, Switzerland has responded to increasing pressure from neighboring countries and trading partners to reform its banking secrecy laws, by agreeing to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The Swiss Government has also renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate OECD standards.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $590.71 billion (2020 est.)
$608.16 billion (2019 est.)
$601.65 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 1.11% (2019 est.)
3.04% (2018 est.)
1.65% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $68,400 (2020 est.)
$70,900 (2019 est.)
$70,700 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $731.502 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (2019 est.)
0.9% (2018 est.)
0.5% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AAA (2000)
Moody's rating: Aaa (1982)
Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1988)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.7% (2017 est.)
industry: 25.6% (2017 est.)
services: 73.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 53.7% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 12% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.5% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.4% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 65.1% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -54% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, sugar beet, wheat, potatoes, pork, barley, apples, maize, beef, grapes
Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals
Industrial production growth rate: 3.4% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 5.067 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.3%
industry: 19.8%
services: 76.9% (2015)
Unemployment rate: 2.31% (2019 est.)
2.55% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 8.6%
male: 9.2%
female: 8% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 16% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 32.7 (2017 est.)
33.1 (1992)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 7.5%
highest 10%: 19% (2007)
Budget: revenues: 242.1 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 234.4 billion (2017 est.)
note: includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 1.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 41.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
41.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM (Government Financial Systems Manual) 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options
Taxes and other revenues: 35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $79.937 billion (2019 est.)
$63.273 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $470.91 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$478.34 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$482.58 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland
Exports - partners: Germany 16%, United States 14%, United Kingdom 8%, China 7%, France 6%, India 6%, Italy 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, watches, jewelry (2019)
Imports: $401.91 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$394 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$395.86 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 21%, Italy 8%, United States 6%, France 6%, United Kingdom 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: gold, packaged medicines, jewelry, cars, medical cultures/vaccines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $811.2 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$679.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $1,909,446,000,000 (2019 est.)
$1,930,819,000,000 (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -
0.88995 (2020 est.)
0.98835 (2019 est.)
0.99195 (2018 est.)
0.9627 (2014 est.)
0.9152 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 22.921 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 56,406,647,000 kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 32.549 billion kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 26.988 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 4.19 billion kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 34.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 3.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 56.3% 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: 4.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 150,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 139,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 300 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 220,000 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 60,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 61,550 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 7,345 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 165,100 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 3,616,169,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 3,577,884,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 38.739 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 319,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 31.494 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 6.926 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 137.918 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,071,296 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 10.829 million (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126.05 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Switzerland has one of the highest broadband penetration rates within Europe, with a focus on services of at least 1Gb/s; this has been supported by sympathetic regulatory measures as well as by cooperative agreements between the main telcos Swisscom, Swiss Net Fire, and Sunrise UPC, and with local utilities; fast fiber is complemented by 5G services reaching about 97% of the population by early 2021; together, these networks will soon enable the telcos to provide ultra-fast broadband services nationally, ahead of most other countries in the region; the competitive mobile market is served by three network operators and a small number of MVNOs. Liberty Global acquired the MNO Sunrise in November 2020 and merged the business with its own unit UPC Switzerland, creating Sunrise UPC to contend effectively against Swisscom across the sector; 5G services offered by the MNOs offer data rates of up to 2Gb/s, and although various cantons have called a halt to extensions of 5G, citing health concerns, the regulator and environment ministry have put in place measures aimed at ensuring that network rollouts can continue without disruption; with the migration of subscribers to LTE and 5G networks, the MNOs have been able to begin closing down their GSM networks and repurpose physical assets and spectrum; although not a member of the EU, the country’s economic integration has meant that its telecom market deregulation has followed the EU’s liberalization framework, including the recent regulations on international voice roaming; this report presents an analysis of Switzerland’s fixed-line telecom market, including an assessment of network infrastructure; it examines the regulatory environment and evaluates the strategies and performance of service providers including Swisscom and Sunrise UPC; the report also assesses the mobile market, including new technologies and profiles of the main operators; the report reviews the fixed and fixed-wireless broadband segments and the migration to a fiber-abased infrastructure; subscriber forecasts to 2024 are provided covering a range of services. (2021)
domestic: fixed-line over 34 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 126 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks (2020)
international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean)
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: the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 17 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage ) (2019)the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 17 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage )
Internet country code: .ch
Internet users: total: 8,118,367 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 94% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 4,028,238 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 179
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 28,857,994 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,841,310,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HB
Airports: total: 63 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 40
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 17 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 23
under 914 m: 23 (2021)
Heliports: 2 (2021)
Pipelines: 1,800 km gas, 94 km oil (of which 60 are inactive), 17 km refined products (2017)
Railways: total: 5,466 km (2015) (includes 19 km in neighboring countries)
standard gauge: 3,836 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (3,634 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,630 km (2015) 1.200-m gauge (2 km electrified) (includes 19 km in neighboring countries)
1188 km 1.000-mm gauge (1,167.3 km electrified)
36 km 0.800-mm gauge (36.4 km electrified)
Roadways: total: 71,557 km (2017)
paved: 71,557 km (2017) (includes 1,458 of expressways)
Waterways: 1,292 km (2010) (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee for commercial goods transport)
Merchant marine: total: 20
by type: bulk carrier 16, general cargo 1, other 3 (includes Liechtenstein) (2021)
Ports and terminals: river port(s): Basel (Rhine)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2022)
Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2020)
0.7% of GDP (2019) (approximately $5.26 billion)
0.7% of GDP (2018) (approximately $4.72 billion)
0.7% of GDP (2017) (approximately $4.67 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Swiss Armed Forces maintain a full-time professional cadre of about 4,000 personnel along with approximately 18-20,000 conscripts brought in annually for 18-23 weeks of training; approximately 120,000 reserve forces (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Swiss Armed Forces inventory includes a mix of domestically-produced and imported weapons systems; the US is the leading supplier of military armaments to Switzerland since 2010; the Swiss defense industry produces a range of military land vehicles (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age generally for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 245 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by six 19-day intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2021)
note: conscientious objectors can choose 390 days of community service instead of military service
Military deployments: up to 165 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2022)
Military - note: Switzerland has long maintained a policy of military neutrality, but does periodically participate in EU, NATO, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and UN military operations; Swiss law excludes participation in combat operations for peace enforcement, and Swiss units will only participate in operations under the mandate of the UN or OSCE; Switzerland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1996; it contributed to the NATO-led Kosovo peace-support force (KFOR) in 1999 and as of 2022, continued doing so with up to 165 personnel; Switzerland also provided a small number of staff officers to the NATO mission in Afghanistan from 2004-2007Switzerland has long maintained a policy of military neutrality, but does periodically participate in EU, NATO, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and UN military operations; Swiss law excludes participation in combat operations for peace enforcement, and Swiss units will only participate in operations under the mandate of the UN or OSCE; Switzerland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1996; it contributed to the NATO-led Kosovo peace-support force (KFOR) in 1999 and as of 2022, continued doing so with up to 165 personnel; Switzerland also provided a small number of staff officers to the NATO mission in Afghanistan from 2004-2007
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in Appendix-T
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 38,219 (Eritrea), 20,043 (Syria), 14,649 (Afghanistan), 6,069 (Sri Lanka), 6,197 (Turkey) (mid-year 2021); 60,461 (Ukraine) (as of 16 August 2022)
stateless persons: 684 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics; a significant importer and exporter of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine |
20220901 | field-real-gdp-growth-rate-country-comparison | |
20220901 | countries-vanuatu |
Topic: Photos of Vanuatu
Topic: Introduction
Background: Vanuatu was first settled around 2000 B.C. by Austronesian speakers from Solomon Islands. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. In the mid-1400s, the Kuwae Volcano erupted, causing frequent conflict and internal strife amid declining food availability, especially on Efate Island. Around 1600, Chief ROI MATA united Efate under his rule. In 1606, Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de QUEIROS was the first European to see the Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and in 1774, British navigator James COOK named the islands the New Hebrides. The islands were frequented by whalers in the 1800s and interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict between Europeans and local Ni-Vanuatu. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s but faced difficulties converting the locals. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males of the islands and forced them to work as indentured servants.
With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the British-French Condominium to jointly administer the islands and they established separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional and the UK used France’s defeat to Germany in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. As Japan pushed into Melanesia, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu to prevent further advances. In 1945, US troops withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious cargo cults, such as the John Frum movement.
The France-UK condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s, but France was hesitant and political parties agitating independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented and elections were held in 1974 with independence granted in 1980 as Vanuatu under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. At independence, the Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, declared Espiritu Santo independent, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues 10 times.
Vanuatu was first settled around 2000 B.C. by Austronesian speakers from Solomon Islands. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. In the mid-1400s, the Kuwae Volcano erupted, causing frequent conflict and internal strife amid declining food availability, especially on Efate Island. Around 1600, Chief ROI MATA united Efate under his rule. In 1606, Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de QUEIROS was the first European to see the Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and in 1774, British navigator James COOK named the islands the New Hebrides. The islands were frequented by whalers in the 1800s and interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict between Europeans and local Ni-Vanuatu. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s but faced difficulties converting the locals. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males of the islands and forced them to work as indentured servants.
With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the British-French Condominium to jointly administer the islands and they established separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional and the UK used France’s defeat to Germany in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. As Japan pushed into Melanesia, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu to prevent further advances. In 1945, US troops withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious cargo cults, such as the John Frum movement.
The France-UK condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s, but France was hesitant and political parties agitating independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented and elections were held in 1974 with independence granted in 1980 as Vanuatu under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. At independence, the Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, declared Espiritu Santo independent, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues 10 times.
Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 S, 167 00 E
Map references: Oceania
Area: total: 12,189 sq km
land: 12,189 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited
Area - comparative: slightly larger than Connecticut
Land boundaries: total: 0 km
Coastline: 2,528 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
measured from claimed archipelagic baselines
Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April
Terrain: mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains
Elevation: highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
Natural resources: manganese, hardwood forests, fish
Land use: agricultural land: 15.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.1% (2018 est.)
other: 48.6% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace
Natural hazards: tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamisvolcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Headtropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamisvolcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head
Geography - note: a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes and there are several underwater volcanoes as well
Map description: Vanuatu map showing the major islands that make up this archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean.Vanuatu map showing the major islands that make up this archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 308,043 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural)
adjective: Ni-Vanuatu
Ethnic groups: Melanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 est.)
Languages: local languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.)
Religions: Protestant 70% (includes Presbyterian 27.9%, Anglican 15.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.5%, Assemblies of God 4.7%, Church of Christ 4.5%, Neil Thomas Ministry 3.1%, and Apostolic 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.4%, customary beliefs 3.7% (including Jon Frum cargo cult), other 12.6%, none 1.1%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.65% (male 51,267/female 49,111)
15-24 years: 19.99% (male 29,594/female 30,050)
25-54 years: 36.09% (male 52,529/female 55,130)
55-64 years: 5.89% (male 8,666/female 8,904)
65 years and over: 4.39% (2020 est.) (male 6,518/female 6,564)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 72.5
youth dependency ratio: 66.2
elderly dependency ratio: 12.3
potential support ratio: 8.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 23 years
male: 22.6 years
female: 23.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.63% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 21.57 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 3.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -1.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: three-quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; three largest islands - Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate - accomodate over half of the populace
Urbanization: urban population: 25.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.91 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 72 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 14.34 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 15.76 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 12.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.14 years
male: 73.45 years
female: 76.91 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.66 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 49% (2013)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 89.7% of population
total: 92.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 10.3% of population
total: 7.7% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 3.4% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2016)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 91.1% of population
rural: 60.4% of population
total: 68.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 8.9% of population
rural: 39.6% of population
total: 31.8% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 25.2% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 17.8% (2020 est.)
male: 33% (2020 est.)
female: 2.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 11.7% (2013)
Education expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2020 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87.5%
male: 88.3%
female: 86.7% (2018)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 18%
male: 16.1%
female: 20.1% (2019 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: population growth; water pollution, most of the population does not have access to a reliable supply of potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 10.31 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.15 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 0.5 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April
Land use: agricultural land: 15.3% (2018 est.)
arable land: 1.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 3.4% (2018 est.)
forest: 36.1% (2018 est.)
other: 48.6% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 25.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.54% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 70,225 tons (2012 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 25,983 tons (2013 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 37% (2013 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 10 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu
conventional short form: Vanuatu
local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu
local short form: Vanuatu
former: New Hebrides
etymology: derived from the words "vanua" (home or land) and "tu" (stand) that occur in several of the Austonesian languages spoken on the islands and which provide a meaning of "the land remains" but which also convey a sense of "independence" or "our land"
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Port-Vila (on Efate)
geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E
time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: there are two possibilities for the origin of the name: early European settlers were Portuguese and "vila" means "village or town" in Portuguese, hence "Port-Vila" would mean "Port Town"; alternatively, the site of the capital is referred to as "Efil" or "Ifira" in native languages, "Vila" is a likely corruption of these names
Administrative divisions: 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba
Independence: 30 July 1980 (from France and the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
Constitution: history: draft completed August 1979, finalized by constitution conference 19 September 1979, ratified by French and British Governments 23 October 1979, effective 30 July 1980 at independence
amendments: proposed by the prime minister or by the Parliament membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by Parliament in special session with at least three fourths of the membership; passage of amendments affecting the national and official languages, or the electoral and parliamentary system also requires approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2013
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law, French law, and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Bob LOUGHMAN (since 20 April 2020)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; Vanuatu president serves a 5-year term; election last held on 23 July 2022 (next to be held in 2027); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by Parliament from among its members; election for prime minister last held on 20 April 2020 (next to be held following general elections in 2024)
election results: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in the eighth round on 23 July 2022 with 48 votes;
Bob LOUGHMAN elected prime minister on 20 April 2020; Bob LOUGHMAN 31 votes, Ralph REGENVANU 21 votes
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (52 seats; members directly elected in 8 single-seat and 9 multi-seat constituencies by single non-transferable vote to serve 4-year terms (candidates in multi-seat constituencies can be elected with only 4% of the vote)
elections: last held on 19–20 March 2020 (next to be held in 2024)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - GJP 9, RMC 7, VP 7, LPV 5, UMP 5, NUP 4, other 15; composition - men 52, women 0; percent of women 0%; note - political party associations are fluid
note: the National Council of Chiefs advises on matters of culture and language
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of 2 or more judges of the Supreme Court designated by the chief justice); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 puisne judges - 3 local and 3 expatriate)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 4-member advisory body; judges serve until the age of retirement
subordinate courts: Magistrates Courts; Island Courts
Political parties and leaders: Greens Confederation or GC [Moana CARCASSES Kalosil]
Iauko Group or IG [Tony NARI]
Land and Justice Party (Graon mo Jastis Pati) or GJP [Ralph REGENVANU]
Melanesian Progressive Party or MPP [Barak SOPE]
Nagriamel movement or NAG [Frankie STEVENS]
Natatok Indigenous People's Democratic Party or (NATATOK) or NIPDP [Alfred Roland CARLOT]
National United Party or NUP [Ham LINI]
People's Progressive Party or PPP [Sato KILMAN]
People's Service Party or PSP [Don KEN]
Reunification of Movement for Change or RMC [Charlot SALWAI]
Rural Development Party or RDP [Jay NGWELE, spokesman]
Union of Moderate Parties or UMP [Serge VOHOR]
Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP [Edward NATAPEI]
Vanuatu Democratic Party [Maxime Carlot KORMAN]
Vanuatu First or Vanuatu [Russel NARI]
Vanuatu Liberal Movement or VLM [Gaetan PIKIOUNE]
Vanuatu Liberal Democratic Party or VLDP [Tapangararua WILLIE]
Vanuatu National Party or VNP [Issac HAMARILIU]
Vanuatu National Development Party or VNDP [Robert Bohn SIKOL]
Vanuatu Republican Party or VRP [Marcellino PIPITE]
International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2014)
note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
telephone: [1] (212) 661-4303
FAX: [1] (212) 422-3427
email address and website: email - vanunmis@aol.com
web address - https://www.un.int/vanuatu/
embassy: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017
note - the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy
Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Vanuatu; the US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea is accredited to Vanuatu
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) all separated by a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal Y (the two points of the Y face the hoist side and enclose the triangle); centered in the triangle is a boar's tusk encircling two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow; red represents the blood of boars and men, as well as unity, green the richness of the islands, and black the ni-Vanuatu people; the yellow Y-shape - which reflects the pattern of the islands in the Pacific Ocean - symbolizes the light of the Gospel spreading through the islands; the boar's tusk is a symbol of prosperity frequently worn as a pendant on the islands; the fern fronds represent peace
note: one of several flags where a prominent component of the design reflects the shape of the country; other such flags are those of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Eritrea
National symbol(s): boar's tusk with crossed fern fronds; national colors: red, black, green, yellow
National anthem: name: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We)
lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV
note: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in Bislama, a Creole language that mixes Pidgin English and French
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Chief Roi Mata’s Domain
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two thirds of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 330,000 visitors in 2017, are other mainstays of the economy. Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and most popular island for tourists, was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. Ongoing infrastructure difficulties at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport have caused air travel disruptions, further hampering tourism numbers. Australia and New Zealand are the main source of tourists and foreign aid. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. Since 2002, the government has stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth.This South Pacific island economy is based primarily on small-scale agriculture, which provides a living for about two thirds of the population. Fishing, offshore financial services, and tourism, with more than 330,000 visitors in 2017, are other mainstays of the economy. Tourism has struggled after Efate, the most populous and most popular island for tourists, was damaged by Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015. Ongoing infrastructure difficulties at Port Vila’s Bauerfield Airport have caused air travel disruptions, further hampering tourism numbers. Australia and New Zealand are the main source of tourists and foreign aid. A small light industry sector caters to the local market. Tax revenues come mainly from import duties. Mineral deposits are negligible; the country has no known petroleum deposits. Economic development is hindered by dependence on relatively few commodity exports, vulnerability to natural disasters, and long distances from main markets and between constituent islands. In response to foreign concerns, the government has promised to tighten regulation of its offshore financial center. Since 2002, the government has stepped up efforts to boost tourism through improved air connections, resort development, and cruise ship facilities. Agriculture, especially livestock farming, is a second target for growth.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $850 million (2020 est.)
$930 million (2019 est.)
$910 million (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.)
3.5% (2016 est.)
0.2% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $2,800 (2020 est.)
$3,100 (2019 est.)
$3,100 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $870 million (2017 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.1% (2017 est.)
0.8% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 27.3% (2017 est.)
industry: 11.8% (2017 est.)
services: 60.8% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 59.9% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 17.4% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 28.7% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -48.5% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: coconuts, roots/tubers nes, bananas, vegetables, pork, fruit, milk, beef, groundnuts, cocoa
Industries: food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning
Industrial production growth rate: 4.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 115,900 (2007 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 65%
industry: 5%
services: 30% (2000 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.7% (1999 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 18%
male: 16.1%
female: 20.1% (2019 est.)
Population below poverty line: NA
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 37.6 (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 236.7 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 244.1 million (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 48.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
46.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$13 million (2017 est.)
-$37 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $380 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$520 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Japan 33%, Thailand 13%, Mauritania 13%, South Korea 11%, China 9%, Fiji 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: fish and fish products, tug boats, perfume plants, mollusks, cocoa beans (2019)
Imports: $460 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$460 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 29%, Australia 18%, New Zealand 11%, Fiji 11%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, fishing ships, delivery trucks, poultry meats, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $395.1 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$267.4 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $200.5 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$182.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: vatu (VUV) per US dollar -
111.015 (2020 est.)
117.035 (2019 est.)
113.005 (2018 est.)
108.99 (2014 est.)
97.07 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 61.8% (2018)
electrification - urban areas: 93.7% (2018)
electrification - rural areas: 51.1% (2018)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 35,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 62.926 million kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 5 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 84.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 8.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 7.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1,500 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 1,073 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: 225,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 225,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 10.878 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,472 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 265,219 (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 88.44 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: for many years, GSM was the primary mobile technology for Vanuatu’s 300,000 people; recent infrastructure projects have improved access technologies, with a transition to 3G and, to a limited degree, to LTE; Vanuatu has also benefited from the ICN1 submarine cable and the launch of the Kacific-1 satellite, both of which have considerably improved access to telecom services in recent years; Vanuatu’s telecom sector is liberalized, with the two prominent mobile operators Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (operating as TVL) and Digicel Vanuatu offering effective competition; while fixed broadband penetration remains low, the incumbent operator is slowly exchanging copper fixed-lines for fiber; a number of ongoing submarine cable developments will also assist in increasing data rates and reduce internet pricing in coming years. (2021)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity a bit over 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular just over 80 per 100 (2020)
international: country code - 678; landing points for the ICN1 & ICN2 submarine cables providing connectivity to the Solomon Islands and Fiji; cables helped end-users with Internet bandwidth; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2020)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced 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: 1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV is available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu operates 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters; programming from multiple international broadcasters is available
Internet country code: .vu
Internet users: total: 77,969 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 26% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,785 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 374,603 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1.66 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YJ
Airports: total: 31 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 28
914 to 1,523 m: 7
under 914 m: 21 (2021)
Roadways: total: 1,070 km (2000)
paved: 256 km (2000)
unpaved: 814 km (2000)
Merchant marine: total: 306
by type: bulk carrier 18, container ship 2, general cargo 55, oil tanker 2, other 229 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Forari Bay, Luganville (Santo, Espiritu Santo), Port-Vila
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: no regular military forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: Vanuatu Police Force (VPF; includes Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VPMW)) (2022)
note: the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force also has external security responsibilities
Military - note: the separate British and French police forces were unified in 1980 under Ni-Vanuatu officers as the New Hebrides Constabulary; the force retained some British and French officers as advisors; the Constabulary was subsequently renamed the Vanuatu Police Force later in 1980
the Vanuatu Mobile Force has received training and other support from Australia, China, France, New Zealand, and the US (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Vanuatu-France: Matthew and Hunter Islands, two uninhabited islands east of New Caledonia, claimed by Vanuatu and France; in January 2019, a French naval mission landed officers on the islands to reinforce France’s sovereignty; in November 2021, French vessels fishing near the islands raised tensionsVanuatu-France: Matthew and Hunter Islands, two uninhabited islands east of New Caledonia, claimed by Vanuatu and France; in January 2019, a French naval mission landed officers on the islands to reinforce France’s sovereignty; in November 2021, French vessels fishing near the islands raised tensions |
20220901 | countries-slovenia |
Topic: Photos of Slovenia
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Slovene lands were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the latter's dissolution at the end of World War I. In 1918, the Slovenes joined the Serbs and Croats in forming a new multinational state, which was named Yugoslavia in 1929. After World War II, Slovenia was one of the republics in the restored Yugoslavia, which, though communist, soon distanced itself from the Soviet Union and spearheaded the Non-Aligned Movement. Dissatisfied with the exercise of power by the majority Serbs, the Slovenes succeeded in establishing their independence in 1991 after a short 10-day war. Historical ties to Western Europe, a growing economy, and a stable democracy have assisted in Slovenia's postcommunist transition. Slovenia acceded to both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004; it joined the euro zone and the Schengen Area in 2007.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: south Central Europe, Julian Alps between Austria and Croatia
Geographic coordinates: 46 07 N, 14 49 E
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 20,273 sq km
land: 20,151 sq km
water: 122 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 1,211 km
border countries (4): Austria 299 km; Croatia 600 km; Hungary 94 km; Italy 218 km
Coastline: 46.6 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Terrain: a short southwestern coastal strip of Karst topography on the Adriatic; an alpine mountain region lies adjacent to Italy and Austria in the north; mixed mountains and valleys with numerous rivers to the east
Elevation: highest point: Triglav 2,864 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 492 m
Natural resources: lignite, lead, zinc, building stone, hydropower, forests
Land use: agricultural land: 22.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 13.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 62.3% (2018 est.)
other: 14.9% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 60 sq km (2012)
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 and denser populations; pockets in the mountainous northwest exhibit less density than elsewhere
Natural hazards: flooding; earthquakes
Geography - note: despite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes
Map description: Slovenia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Venice.Slovenia map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Venice.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 2,101,208 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Slovene(s)
adjective: Slovenian
Ethnic groups: Slovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 est.)
Languages: Slovene (official) 87.7%, Croatian 2.8%, Serbo-Croatian 1.8%, Bosnian 1.6%, Serbian 1.6%, Hungarian 0.4% (official, only in municipalities where Hungarian national communities reside), Italian 0.2% (official, only in municipalities where Italian national communities reside), other or unspecified 3.9% (2002 est.)
major-language sample(s):
Svetovni informativni zvezek - neobhoden vir osnovnih informacij. (Slovene)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Catholic 57.8%, Muslim 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3%, other Christian 1%, unaffiliated 3.5%, no response or unspecified 22.8%, none 10.1% (2002 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.84% (male 160,134/female 151,960)
15-24 years: 9.01% (male 98,205/female 91,318)
25-54 years: 40.73% (male 449,930/female 406,395)
55-64 years: 14.19% (male 148,785/female 149,635)
65 years and over: 21.23% (2020 est.) (male 192,420/female 253,896)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.9
youth dependency ratio: 23.6
elderly dependency ratio: 32.3
potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 44.9 years
male: 43.4 years
female: 46.6 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.06% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; pockets in the mountainous northwest exhibit less density than elsewhere
Urbanization: urban population: 55.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.54% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 286,000 LJUBLJANA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 1.52 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 1.63 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 1.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.82 years
male: 78.96 years
female: 84.79 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.6 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA
Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA
total: 99.5% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 0.5% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 8.5% (2019)
Physicians density: 3.28 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 4.4 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 99% of population
unimproved: urban: NA
rural: NA
total: 1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2020 est.) <1,000
note: estimate does not include children
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2018 est.) <100
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.2% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 22% (2020 est.)
male: 24.4% (2020 est.)
female: 19.6% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 4.9% of GDP (2018 est.)
Literacy: definition: NA
total population: 99.7%
male: 99.7%
female: 99.7% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 18 years
male: 17 years
female: 18 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.2%
male: 12.7%
female: 16.2% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: air pollution from road traffic, domestic heating (wood buring), power generation, and industry; water pollution; biodiversity protection
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 94, 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: 15.81 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 12.63 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 2.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: Mediterranean climate on the coast, continental climate with mild to hot summers and cold winters in the plateaus and valleys to the east
Land use: agricultural land: 22.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 8.4% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 1.3% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 13.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 62.3% (2018 est.)
other: 14.9% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 55.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 0.54% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 926,000 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 430,034 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 46.4% (2015 est.)
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 169.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 758 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 3.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 31.87 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Slovenia
conventional short form: Slovenia
local long form: Republika Slovenija
local short form: Slovenija
former: People's Republic of Slovenia, Socialist Republic of Slovenia
etymology: the country's name means "Land of the Slavs" in Slovene
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Ljubljana
geographic coordinates: 46 03 N, 14 31 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: likely related to the Slavic root "ljub", meaning "to like" or "to love"; by tradition, the name is related to the Slovene word "ljubljena" meaning "beloved"
Administrative divisions: 201 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina) municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberk urban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje201 municipalities (obcine, singular - obcina) and 11 urban municipalities (mestne obcine, singular - mestna obcina)municipalities: Ajdovscina, Ankaran, Apace, Beltinci, Benedikt, Bistrica ob Sotli, Bled, Bloke, Bohinj, Borovnica, Bovec, Braslovce, Brda, Brezice, Brezovica, Cankova, Cerklje na Gorenjskem, Cerknica, Cerkno, Cerkvenjak, Cirkulane, Crensovci, Crna na Koroskem, Crnomelj, Destrnik, Divaca, Dobje, Dobrepolje, Dobrna, Dobrova-Polhov Gradec, Dobrovnik/Dobronak, Dolenjske Toplice, Dol pri Ljubljani, Domzale, Dornava, Dravograd, Duplek, Gorenja Vas-Poljane, Gorisnica, Gorje, Gornja Radgona, Gornji Grad, Gornji Petrovci, Grad, Grosuplje, Hajdina, Hoce-Slivnica, Hodos, Horjul, Hrastnik, Hrpelje-Kozina, Idrija, Ig, Ilirska Bistrica, Ivancna Gorica, Izola/Isola, Jesenice, Jezersko, Jursinci, Kamnik, Kanal ob Soci, Kidricevo, Kobarid, Kobilje, Kocevje, Komen, Komenda, Kosanjevica na Krki, Kostel, Kozje, Kranjska Gora, Krizevci, Krsko, Kungota, Kuzma, Lasko, Lenart, Lendava/Lendva, Litija, Ljubno, Ljutomer, Log-Dragomer, Logatec, Loska Dolina, Loski Potok, Lovrenc na Pohorju, Luce, Lukovica, Majsperk, Makole, Markovci, Medvode, Menges, Metlika, Mezica, Miklavz na Dravskem Polju, Miren-Kostanjevica, Mirna, Mirna Pec, Mislinja, Mokronog-Trebelno, Moravce, Moravske Toplice, Mozirje, Muta, Naklo, Nazarje, Odranci, Oplotnica, Ormoz, Osilnica, Pesnica, Piran/Pirano, Pivka, Podcetrtek, Podlehnik, Podvelka, Poljcane, Polzela, Postojna, Prebold, Preddvor, Prevalje, Puconci, Race-Fram, Radece, Radenci, Radlje ob Dravi, Radovljica, Ravne na Koroskem, Razkrizje, Recica ob Savinji, Rence-Vogrsko, Ribnica, Ribnica na Pohorju, Rogaska Slatina, Rogasovci, Rogatec, Ruse, Salovci, Selnica ob Dravi, Semic, Sempeter-Vrtojba, Sencur, Sentilj, Sentjernej, Sentjur, Sentrupert, Sevnica, Sezana, Skocjan, Skofja Loka, Skofljica, Slovenska Bistrica, Slovenske Konjice, Smarje pri Jelsah, Smarjeske Toplice, Smartno ob Paki, Smartno pri Litiji, Sodrazica, Solcava, Sostanj, Sredisce ob Dravi, Starse, Store, Straza, Sveta Ana, Sveta Trojica v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Andraz v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Jurij ob Scavnici, Sveti Jurij v Slovenskih Goricah, Sveti Tomaz, Tabor, Tisina, Tolmin, Trbovlje, Trebnje, Trnovska Vas, Trzic, Trzin, Turnisce, Velika Polana, Velike Lasce, Verzej, Videm, Vipava, Vitanje, Vodice, Vojnik, Vransko, Vrhnika, Vuzenica, Zagorje ob Savi, Zalec, Zavrc, Zelezniki, Zetale, Ziri, Zirovnica, Zrece, Zuzemberkurban municipalities: Celje, Koper, Kranj, Ljubljana, Maribor, Murska Sobota, Nova Gorica, Novo Mesto, Ptuj, Slovenj Gradec, Velenje
Independence: 25 June 1991 (from Yugoslavia)
National holiday: Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
Constitution: history: previous 1974 (preindependence); latest passed by Parliament 23 December 1991
amendments: proposed by at least 20 National Assembly members, by the government, or by petition of at least 30,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly; referendum required if agreed upon by at least 30 Assembly members; passage in a referendum requires participation of a majority of eligible voters and a simple majority of votes cast; amended several times, last in 2016
Legal system: civil law system
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 Slovenia; both parents if the child is born outside of Slovenia
dual citizenship recognized: yes, for select cases
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years, the last 5 of which have been continuous
Suffrage: 18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Borut PAHOR (since 22 December 2012)
head of government: Prime Minister Robert GOLOB (since 25 May 2022)
cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, elected by the National Assembly
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second consecutive term); election last held on 22 October with a runoff on 12 November 2017 (next election to be held on 23 October 2022); following National Assembly elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually nominated prime minister by the president and elected by the National Assembly
election results:
2017: Borut PAHOR is reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Borut PAHOR (independent) 47.1%, Marjan SAREC (Marjan Sarec List) 25%, Romana TOMC (SDS) 13.7%, Ljudmila NOVAK (NSi) 7.2%, other 7%; percent of vote in second round - Borut PAHOR 52.9%, Marjan SAREC 47.1%; Robert GOLOB (GS) elected prime minister on 25 May 2022, National Assembly vote - 54-30
2012: Borut PAHOR elected president; percent of vote in second round - Borut PAHOR (SD) 67.4%, Danilo TURK (independent) 32.6%; note - a snap election was held on 13 July 2014 following the resignation of Prime Minister Alenka BRATUSEK on 5 May 2014; Miro CERAR (SMC) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 57 to 11
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
National Council (State Council)or Drzavni Svet (40 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college to serve 5-year terms); note - the Council is primarily an advisory body with limited legislative powers
National Assembly or Drzavni Zbor (90 seats; 88 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 2 directly elected in special constituencies for Italian and Hungarian minorities by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections:
National Council - last held on 22 November 2017 (next to be held on 23 October 2022)
National Assembly - last held on 24 April 2022 (next to be held in 2026)
election results:
National Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 36, women 4, percent of women 10%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - GS 34.5%, SDS 23.5%, NSi 6.9%, SD 6.7%, Levica 4.4%, other 24%; seats by party - GS 41, SDS 27, NSi 8, SD 7, Levica 5; composition - men 54, women 36, percent of women 40%; note - total Parliament percent of women 30.8%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the court president and 37 judges organized into civil, criminal, commercial, labor and social security, administrative, and registry departments); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and vice president appointed by the National Assembly upon the proposal of the Minister of Justice based on the opinions of the Judicial Council, an 11-member independent body elected by the National Assembly from proposals submitted by the president, attorneys, law universities, and sitting judges; other Supreme Court judges elected by the National Assembly from candidates proposed by the Judicial Council; Supreme Court judges serve for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly from nominations by the president of the republic; Constitutional Court president selected from among its own membership for a 3-year term; other judges elected for single 9-year terms
subordinate courts: county, district, regional, and high courts; specialized labor-related and social courts; Court of Audit; Administrative Court
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Ljubo JASNIC]
Freedom Movement or GS [Robert GOLOB] (formerly Greens Actions Party)
List of Marjan Sarec or LMS [Marjan SAREC]
New Slovenia - Christian Democrats or NSi [Matej TONIN]
Party of Alenka Bratusek or Stranka SAB [Alenka BRATUSEK] (formerly Alliance of Social Liberal Democrats or ZSD and before that Alliance of Alenka Bratusek or ZaAB)
Slovenian Democratic Party or SDS [Janez JANSA]
Slovenian National Party or SNS [Zmago JELINCIC Plemeniti]
Social Democrats or SD [Tanja FAJON]
The Left or Levica [Luka MESEC] (successor to United Left or ZL)
International organization participation: Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITU, MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tone KAJZER (since 23 December 2020)
chancery: 2410 California Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 386-6601
FAX: [1] (202) 386-6633
email address and website:
vwa@gov.si
http://www.washington.embassy.si/index.php?id=51&L=1
consulate(s) general: Cleveland (OH)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jamie L. HARPOOTLIAN (since 17 February 2022)
embassy: Presernova 31, 1000 Ljubljana
mailing address: 7140 Ljubljana Place, Washington, DC 20521-7140
telephone: [386] (1) 200-5500
FAX: [386] (1) 200-5555
email address and website:
LjubljanaACS@state.gov
https://si.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of white (top), blue, and red, derive from the medieval coat of arms of the Duchy of Carniola; the Slovenian seal (a shield with the image of Triglav, Slovenia's highest peak, in white against a blue background at the center; beneath it are two wavy blue lines depicting seas and rivers, and above it are three six-pointed stars arranged in an inverted triangle, which are taken from the coat of arms of the Counts of Celje, the prominent Slovene dynastic house of the late 14th and early 15th centuries) appears in the upper hoist side of the flag centered on the white and blue bands
National symbol(s): Mount Triglav; national colors: white, blue, red
National anthem: name: "Zdravljica" (A Toast)
lyrics/music: France PRESEREN/Stanko PREMRL
note: adopted in 1989 while still part of Yugoslavia; originally written in 1848; the full poem, whose seventh verse is used as the anthem, speaks of pan-Slavic nationalism
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 5 (3 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Škocjan Caves (n); Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Heritage of Mercury: Almadén and Idrija (c); The works of Jože Plečnik in Ljubljana (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: With excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe, Slovenia has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Central Europe, despite having suffered a protracted recession in the 2008-09 period in the wake of the global financial crisis. Slovenia became the first 2004 EU entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced a stable political and economic transition. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the process for joining the OECD; it became a member in 2012. From 2014 to 2016, export-led growth, fueled by demand in larger European markets, pushed annual GDP growth above 2.3%. Growth reached 5.0% in 2017 and is projected to near or reach 5% in 2018. What used to be stubbornly high unemployment fell below 5.5% in early 2018, driven by strong exports and increasing consumption that boosted labor demand. Continued fiscal consolidation through increased tax collection and social security contributions will likely result in a balanced government budget in 2019. Prime Minister CERAR’s government took office in September 2014, pledging to press ahead with commitments to privatize a select group of state-run companies, rationalize public spending, and further stabilize the banking sector. Efforts to privatize Slovenia’s largely state-owned banking sector have largely stalled, however, amid concerns about an ongoing dispute over Yugoslav-era foreign currency deposits.With excellent infrastructure, a well-educated work force, and a strategic location between the Balkans and Western Europe, Slovenia has one of the highest per capita GDPs in Central Europe, despite having suffered a protracted recession in the 2008-09 period in the wake of the global financial crisis. Slovenia became the first 2004 EU entrant to adopt the euro (on 1 January 2007) and has experienced a stable political and economic transition. In March 2004, Slovenia became the first transition country to graduate from borrower status to donor partner at the World Bank. In 2007, Slovenia was invited to begin the process for joining the OECD; it became a member in 2012. From 2014 to 2016, export-led growth, fueled by demand in larger European markets, pushed annual GDP growth above 2.3%. Growth reached 5.0% in 2017 and is projected to near or reach 5% in 2018. What used to be stubbornly high unemployment fell below 5.5% in early 2018, driven by strong exports and increasing consumption that boosted labor demand. Continued fiscal consolidation through increased tax collection and social security contributions will likely result in a balanced government budget in 2019. Prime Minister CERAR’s government took office in September 2014, pledging to press ahead with commitments to privatize a select group of state-run companies, rationalize public spending, and further stabilize the banking sector. Efforts to privatize Slovenia’s largely state-owned banking sector have largely stalled, however, amid concerns about an ongoing dispute over Yugoslav-era foreign currency deposits.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $76.75 billion (2020 est.)
$81.25 billion (2019 est.)
$78.74 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.4% (2019 est.)
4.24% (2018 est.)
5.14% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $36,500 (2020 est.)
$38,900 (2019 est.)
$38,000 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $54.16 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2019 est.)
1.7% (2018 est.)
1.4% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A (2019)
Moody's rating: A3 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2019)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 32.2% (2017 est.)
services: 65.9% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 52.6% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 18.4% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 1.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 82.3% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -72.6% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, maize, wheat, grapes, barley, potatoes, poultry, apples, beef, pork
Industries: ferrous metallurgy and aluminum products, lead and zinc smelting; electronics (including military electronics), trucks, automobiles, electric power equipment, wood products, textiles, chemicals, machine tools
Industrial production growth rate: 8.6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 885,000 (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 5.5%
industry: 31.2%
services: 63.3% (2017 est.)
Unemployment rate: 7.64% (2019 est.)
8.25% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.2%
male: 12.7%
female: 16.2% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 12% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 24.2 (2017 est.)
24.5 (2015)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.8%
highest 10%: 20.1% (2016)
Budget: revenues: 21.07 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 21.06 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 0% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 73.6% of GDP (2017 est.)
78.6% 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 central, state, local government, and social security funds
Taxes and other revenues: 43.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: $3.05 billion (2019 est.)
$3.17 billion (2018 est.)
Exports: $41.73 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$45.41 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$45.93 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Germany 18%, Italy 11%, Croatia 8%, Austria 7%, France 5%, Switzerland 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: packaged medicines, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, electrical lighting/signaling equipment, electricity (2019)
Imports: $36.6 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$40.8 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$41.32 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Germany 14%, Italy 12%, Austria 8%, Switzerland 8%, China 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: packaged medicines, cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, electricity (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $889.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$853 million (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $48.656 billion (2019 est.)
$50.004 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.82771 (2020 est.)
0.90338 (2019 est.)
0.87789 (2018 est.)
0.885 (2014 est.)
0.7634 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.062 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 13.447 billion kWh (2020 est.)
exports: 9.123 billion kWh (2020 est.)
imports: 7.12 billion kWh (2020 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 848 million kWh (2020 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 27.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 36.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 32% 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: 1.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 3.175 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 3.502 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 3,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 335,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 371 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 54,900 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 29,350 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 93,060 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas: production: 4.899 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
consumption: 904.439 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2020 est.)
imports: 903.108 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 13.553 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 4.08 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 7.967 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 1.506 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 134.836 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 704,909 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2,511,980 (2019)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120.85 (2019)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Slovenia’s telecom sector is dominated by four operators; the incumbent telco Telekom Slovenije has faced increasing pressure in all sectors; to address this, the company had diversified its business interests to reduce its reliance on telecom services; the mobile market has four MNOs and a small number of MVNOs, operating in a country with a potential market of just over two million people; the regulator in recent years has addressed the need for mobile operators to have more spectrum, so enabling them to improve the quality and range of services; a multi-spectrum auction was concluded in mid-2021, aimed at supporting 5G services; the broadband market continues to be dominated by a small number of players; DSL lost its dominance some years ago, being taken over by fiber as subscribers are migrated to new fiber-based networks; fiber accounted for almost half of all fixed broadband connections by March 2022. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line nearly 34 per 100 and mobile-cellular over 122 per 100 teledensity (2020)
international: country code - 386 (2016)
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: public TV broadcaster, Radiotelevizija Slovenija (RTV), operates a system of national and regional TV stations; 35 domestic commercial TV stations operating nationally, regionally, and locally; about 60% of households are connected to multi-channel cable TV; public radio broadcaster operates 3 national and 4 regional stations; more than 75 regional and local commercial and non-commercial radio stations
Internet country code: .si
Internet users: total: 1,829,105 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 87% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 651,604 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,094,762 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 540,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: S5
Airports: total: 16 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 9
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Pipelines: 1,155 km gas, 5 km oil (2018)
Railways: total: 1,229 km (2014)
standard gauge: 1,229 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (503 km electrified)
Roadways: total: 38,985 km (2012)
paved: 38,985 km (2012) (includes 769 km of expressways)
Waterways: 710 km (2022) (some transport on the Drava River)
Merchant marine: total: 9
by type: other 9 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Koper
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Slovenian Armed Forces (Slovenska Vojska, SV): structured as a combined force with air, land, maritime, special operations, combat support, and combat service support elements (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
1% of GDP (2020)
1.1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $800 million)
1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $750 million)
1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $690 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 6,000 active duty troops (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the Slovenian Armed Forces is a mix of Soviet-era and smaller quantities of more modern Russian and Western equipment; since 2010, it has received limited amounts of military equipment from several countries led by France and Russia (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); conscription abolished in 2003 (2021)
note: as of 2019, women comprised about 15% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments: 200 Kosovo (NATO); 100 Slovakia (NATO) (2022)
note: in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries, including Slovenia, have sent additional troops and equipment to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Military - note: Slovenia became a member of NATO in 2004; Hungary and Italy provide NATO's air policing mission for Slovenia’s airspace (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Slovenia-Austria: none identified Slovenia-Croatia: since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia have each claimed sovereignty over Piran Bay and four villages, and Slovenia has objected to Croatia's claim of an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea; in 2009, however Croatia and Slovenia signed a binding international arbitration agreement to define their disputed land and maritime borders, which led Slovenia to lift its objections to Croatia joining the EU; in June 2017, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling on the border, but Croatia had withdrawn from the proceedings in 2015 and refused to implement it; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia; Slovenia continues to impose a hard border Schengen regime with Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 but has not yet fulfilled Schengen requirements Slovenia-Hungary: none identified Slovenia-Italy: none identifiedSlovenia-Austria: none identifiedSlovenia-Croatia: since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Croatia and Slovenia have each claimed sovereignty over Piran Bay and four villages, and Slovenia has objected to Croatia's claim of an exclusive economic zone in the Adriatic Sea; in 2009, however Croatia and Slovenia signed a binding international arbitration agreement to define their disputed land and maritime borders, which led Slovenia to lift its objections to Croatia joining the EU; in June 2017, the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling on the border, but Croatia had withdrawn from the proceedings in 2015 and refused to implement it; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Slovenia has implemented the strict Schengen border rules to curb illegal migration and commerce through southeastern Europe while encouraging close cross-border ties with Croatia; Slovenia continues to impose a hard border Schengen regime with Croatia, which joined the EU in 2013 but has not yet fulfilled Schengen requirementsSlovenia-Hungary: none identifiedSlovenia-Italy: none identified
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 7,200 (Ukraine) (as of 16 August 2022)
stateless persons: 10 (2020)
note: 544,284 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-July 2022)
Illicit drugs: minor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals |
20220901 | countries-dominican-republic |
Topic: Photos of Dominican Republic
Topic: Introduction
Background: The Taino - indigenous inhabitants of Hispaniola prior to the arrival of Europeans - divided the island into five chiefdoms and territories. Christopher COLUMBUS explored and claimed the island on his first voyage in 1492; it became a springboard for Spanish conquest of the Caribbean and the American mainland. In 1697, Spain recognized French dominion over the western third of the island, which in 1804 became Haiti. The remainder of the island, by then known as Santo Domingo, sought to gain its own independence in 1821 but was conquered and ruled by the Haitians for 22 years; it finally attained independence as the Dominican Republic in 1844. In 1861, the Dominicans voluntarily returned to the Spanish Empire, but two years later they launched a war that restored independence in 1865. A legacy of unsettled, mostly non-representative rule followed, capped by the dictatorship of Rafael Leonidas TRUJILLO from 1930 to 1961. Juan BOSCH was elected president in 1962 but was deposed in a military coup in 1963. In 1965, the US led an intervention in the midst of a civil war sparked by an uprising to restore BOSCH. In 1966, Joaquin BALAGUER defeated BOSCH in the presidential election. BALAGUER maintained a tight grip on power for most of the next 30 years when international reaction to flawed elections forced him to curtail his term in 1996. Since then, regular competitive elections have been held in which opposition candidates have won the presidency. Former President Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna (first term 1996-2000) won election to a new term in 2004 following a constitutional amendment allowing presidents to serve more than one term, and was later reelected to a second consecutive term. Following the two-term presidency of Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (2012-2020), Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona was elected president in July 2020.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Caribbean, eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Haiti
Geographic coordinates: 19 00 N, 70 40 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: total: 48,670 sq km
land: 48,320 sq km
water: 350 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly more than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries: total: 376 km
border countries (1): Haiti 376 km
Coastline: 1,288 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
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Terrain: rugged highlands and mountains interspersed with fertile valleys
Elevation: highest point: Pico Duarte 3,098 m
lowest point: Lago Enriquillo -46 m
mean elevation: 424 m
Natural resources: nickel, bauxite, gold, silver, arable land
Land use: agricultural land: 51.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 16.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 24.8% (2018 est.)
forest: 40.8% (2018 est.)
other: 7.7% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 3,070 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lago de Enriquillo - 500 sq km
Population distribution: coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)
Natural hazards: lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts
Geography - note: shares island of Hispaniola with Haiti (eastern two-thirds makes up the Dominican Republic, western one-third is Haiti); the second largest country in the Antilles (after Cuba); geographically diverse with the Caribbean's tallest mountain, Pico Duarte, and lowest elevation and largest lake, Lago Enriquillo
Map description: Dominican Republic map shows the country’s border with Haiti and its position in the Caribbean Sea.Dominican Republic map shows the country’s border with Haiti and its position in the Caribbean Sea.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,694,700 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Dominican(s)
adjective: Dominican
Ethnic groups: mixed 70.4% (Mestizo/Indio 58%, Mulatto 12.4%), Black 15.8%, White 13.5%, other 0.3% (2014 est.)
note: respondents self-identified their race; the term "indio" in the Dominican Republic is not associated with people of indigenous ancestry but people of mixed ancestry or skin color between light and dark
Languages: Spanish (official)
major-language sample(s):
La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions: Roman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%, other 1.8%, atheist 0.2%, none 29.4%, unspecified 2% (2018 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.85% (male 1,433,166/female 1,385,987)
15-24 years: 18.15% (male 968,391/female 937,227)
25-54 years: 40.54% (male 2,168,122/female 2,088,926)
55-64 years: 8.17% (male 429,042/female 428,508)
65 years and over: 6.29% (2020 est.) (male 310,262/female 350,076)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.8
youth dependency ratio: 42.2
elderly dependency ratio: 11.6
potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 27.9 years
male: 27.8 years
female: 28.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.91% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 18.03 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -2.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: coastal development is significant, especially in the southern coastal plains and the Cibao Valley, where population density is highest; smaller population clusters exist in the interior mountains (Cordillera Central)
Urbanization: urban population: 83.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 3.458 million SANTO DOMINGO (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.9 years (2013 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 95 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 21.18 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 18.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.56 years
male: 70.86 years
female: 74.33 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 69.5% (2014)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.3% of population
rural: 91.7% of population
total: 97.2% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population
rural: 8.3% of population
total: 2.8% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.9% (2019)
Physicians density: 1.45 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 1.6 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 97.4% of population
rural: 91.3% of population
total: 96.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population
rural: 8.7% of population
total: 3.7% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.9% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 72,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,900 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 27.6% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 10.6% (2020 est.)
male: 14.6% (2020 est.)
female: 6.5% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4% (2013)
Education expenditures: 4% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.8%
male: 93.8%
female: 93.8% (2016)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years
male: 14 years
female: 15 years (2017)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.9%
male: 11.6%
female: 20.7% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: water shortages; soil eroding into the sea damages coral reefs; deforestation
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 12.95 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 25.26 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 8.1 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation; seasonal variation in rainfall
Land use: agricultural land: 51.5% (2018 est.)
arable land: 16.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 24.8% (2018 est.)
forest: 40.8% (2018 est.)
other: 7.7% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 83.8% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 1.64% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,063,910 tons (2015 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 333,241 tons (2015 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8.2% (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lago de Enriquillo - 500 sq km
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 855 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 659.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 7.563 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 23.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Dominican Republic
conventional short form: The Dominican
local long form: Republica Dominicana
local short form: La Dominicana
former: Santo Domingo (the capital city's name formerly applied to the entire country)
etymology: the country name derives from the capital city of Santo Domingo (Saint Dominic)
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Santo Domingo
geographic coordinates: 18 28 N, 69 54 W
time difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named after Saint Dominic de Guzman (1170-1221), founder of the Dominican Order
Administrative divisions: 10 regions (regiones, singular - region); Cibao Nordeste, Cibao Noroeste, Cibao Norte, Cibao Sur, El Valle, Enriquillo, Higuamo, Ozama, Valdesia, Yuma
Independence: 27 February 1844 (from Haiti)
National holiday: Independence Day, 27 February (1844)
Constitution: history: many previous (38 total); latest proclaimed 13 June 2015
amendments: proposed by a special session of the National Congress called the National Revisory Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval by at least one half of those present in both houses of the Assembly; passage of amendments to constitutional articles, such as fundamental rights and guarantees, territorial composition, nationality, or the procedures for constitutional reform, also requires approval in a referendum
Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil code; Criminal Procedures Code modified in 2004 to include important elements of an accusatory system
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Dominican Republic
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory; married persons regardless of age can vote; note - members of the armed forces and national police by law cannot vote
Executive branch: chief of state: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (since 16 August 2020); Vice President Raquel PENA de Antuna (since 16 August 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president
elections/appointments: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a maximum of two consecutive terms); election last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic
election results:
2020: Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona elected president in first round; percent of vote - Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 52.5%, Gonzalo CASTILLO Terrero (PLD) 37.5%, Leonel Antonio FERNANDEZ Reyna (FP) 8.9% other 1.1%
2016: Danilo MEDINA Sanchez reelected president; percent of vote - Danilo MEDINA Sanchez (PLD) 61.7%, Luis Rodolfo ABINADER Corona (PRM) 35%, other 3.3%; Margarita CEDENO DE FERNANDEZ (PLD) reelected vice president
Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of:
Senate or Senado (32 seats; 26 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, and 6 members indirectly elected based upon province-wide party plurality votes for its candidates to the Chamber of Deputies; all members serve 4-year terms; note - in 2019, the Central Election Commission changed the electoral system for seats in26 constituencies to direct simple majority but retained indirect election for the remaining 6 constituencies; previously all 32 members were indirectly elected; the change had been challenged by the ruling and opposition parties)
House of Representatives or Camara de Diputados (190 seats; 178 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method, 5 members in a nationwide constituency and 7 diaspora members directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)
elections:
Senate - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held 2024)
House of Representatives - last held on 5 July 2020 (next to be held in 2024); note - the 2020 election was rescheduled from 17 May to 5 July 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic
election results:
Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 17, PLD 6, PRSC 6, BIS 1, DXC 1, FP 1; composition - men 28, women 4, percent of women 12.5%
House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PRM 86, PLD 75, PRSC 6, PRD 4, Broad Front 3, FP 3, AP 2, APD 2, BIS 2, DXC 2, other 5; composition - men 137, women 53, percent of women 27.9%; note - total National Congress percent of women 25.7%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice or Suprema Corte de Justicia (consists of a minimum of 16 magistrates); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges); note - the Constitutional Court was established in 2010 by constitutional amendment
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Council of the Judiciary comprised of the president, the leaders of both chambers of congress, the president of the Supreme Court, and a non-governing party congressional representative; Supreme Court judges appointed for 7-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed for 9-year terms
subordinate courts: courts of appeal; courts of first instance; justices of the peace; special courts for juvenile, labor, and land cases; Contentious Administrative Court for cases filed against the government
Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Democracy or APD
Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Fidel SANTANA]
Country Alliance or AP [Guillermo Antonio MORENO Garcia]
Dominican Liberation Party or PLD [Danilo MEDINA Sánchez]
Dominican Revolutionary Party or PRD [Miguel VARGAS Maldonado]
Dominicans For Change or DXC [Manuel OVIEDO Estrada]
Institutional Social Democratic Bloc or BIS
Liberal Reformist Party or PRL (formerly the Liberal Party of the Dominican Republic or PLRD)
Modern Revolutionary Party or PRM [Luis ABINADER]
National Progressive Front or FNP [Vinicio CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO]
People's Force or FP [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna]
Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Federico Augusto "Quique" ANTUN Batile]
International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, BCIE, Caricom (observer), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OAS, OIF (observer), OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA (associated member), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Sonia GUZMAN (since 18 January 2021)
chancery: 1715 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 332-6280
FAX: [1] (202) 265-8057
email address and website:
embassy@drembassyusa.org
http://drembassyusa.org/
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Glendale (CA), Mayaguez (Puerto Rico), Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)
consulate(s): San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Robert W. THOMAS (since 20 January 2021)
embassy: Av. Republica de Colombia #57, Santo Domingo
mailing address: 3470 Santo Domingo Place, Washington DC 20521-3470
telephone: (809) 567-7775
email address and website:
SDOAmericans@state.gov
https://do.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: a centered white cross that extends to the edges divides the flag into four rectangles - the top ones are ultramarine blue (hoist side) and vermilion red, and the bottom ones are vermilion red (hoist side) and ultramarine blue; a small coat of arms featuring a shield supported by a laurel branch (left) and a palm branch (right) is at the center of the cross; above the shield a blue ribbon displays the motto, DIOS, PATRIA, LIBERTAD (God, Fatherland, Liberty), and below the shield, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA appears on a red ribbon; in the shield a bible is opened to a verse that reads "Y la verdad nos hara libre" (And the truth shall set you free); blue stands for liberty, white for salvation, and red for the blood of heroes
National symbol(s): palmchat (bird); national colors: red, white, blue
National anthem: name: "Himno Nacional" (National Anthem)
lyrics/music: Emilio PRUD'HOMME/Jose REYES
note: adopted 1934; also known as "Quisqueyanos valientes" (Valient Sons of Quisqueye); the anthem never refers to the people as Dominican but rather calls them "Quisqueyanos," a reference to the indigenous name of the island
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Colonial City of Santo Domingo
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but over the last three decades the economy has become more diversified as the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world. For the last 20 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016, and public debt is declining. Marked income inequality, high unemployment, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports and the source of 40% of imports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports.The Dominican Republic was for most of its history primarily an exporter of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, but over the last three decades the economy has become more diversified as the service sector has overtaken agriculture as the economy's largest employer, due to growth in construction, tourism, and free trade zones. The mining sector has also played a greater role in the export market since late 2012 with the commencement of the extraction phase of the Pueblo Viejo Gold and Silver mine, one of the largest gold mines in the world. For the last 20 years, the Dominican Republic has been one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America. The economy rebounded from the global recession in 2010-16, and the fiscal situation is improving. A tax reform package passed in November 2012, a reduction in government spending, and lower energy costs helped to narrow the central government budget deficit from 6.6% of GDP in 2012 to 2.6% in 2016, and public debt is declining. Marked income inequality, high unemployment, and underemployment remain important long-term challenges; the poorest half of the population receives less than one-fifth of GDP, while the richest 10% enjoys nearly 40% of GDP. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for approximately half of exports and the source of 40% of imports. Remittances from the US amount to about 7% of GDP, equivalent to about a third of exports and two-thirds of tourism receipts. The Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement came into force in March 2007, boosting investment and manufacturing exports.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $184.45 billion (2020 est.)
$197.74 billion (2019 est.)
$188.23 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.6% (2017 est.)
6.6% (2016 est.)
7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $17,000 (2020 est.)
$18,400 (2019 est.)
$17,700 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $88.956 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2019 est.)
3.5% (2018 est.)
3.2% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2016)
Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017)
Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2015)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 5.6% (2017 est.)
industry: 33% (2017 est.)
services: 61.4% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 69.3% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 24.8% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -28.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: sugar cane, bananas, papayas, rice, plantains, milk, avocados, fruit, pineapples, coconuts
Industries: tourism, sugar processing, gold mining, textiles, cement, tobacco, electrical components, medical devices
Industrial production growth rate: 3.1% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 4.732 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 14.4%
industry: 20.8% (2014)
services: 64.7% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2017 est.)
5.5% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.9%
male: 11.6%
female: 20.7% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 21% (2019 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43.7 (2018 est.)
45.7 (2012 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 37.4% (2013 est.)
Budget: revenues: 11.33 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 13.62 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 37.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
34.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$165 million (2017 est.)
-$815 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $14.44 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$20.51 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$20.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United States 54%, Switzerland 8%, Canada 5%, India 5%, China 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, medical instruments, cigars, low-voltage protection equipment, bananas (2019)
Imports: $20.19 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$24.53 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$24.11 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: United States 50%, China 13% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, natural gas, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.873 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$6.134 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $23.094 billion (2019 est.)
$21.198 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: Dominican pesos (DOP) per US dollar -
47.42 (2017 est.)
46.078 (2016 est.)
46.078 (2015 est.)
45.052 (2014 est.)
43.556 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5.674 million kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 16,330,980,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 2.576 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 3.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 0.7% 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: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 1.791 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 2.359 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 148,200 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 24,900 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 16,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 108,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
consumption: 1,602,759,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 28.657 million cubic meters (2019 est.)
imports: 1,586,449,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 26.808 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 4.713 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 18.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 3.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 39.016 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,155,493 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 8,989,587 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 83 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the Dominican Republic’s telecom sector continued its solid form throughout 2020 and into 2021, shrugging off the economic turmoil unleashed by the Covid-19 pandemic to maintain a decade-long run of low but positive growth across all areas of the market; the Dominican Republic remains behind most of its counterparts in the Latin American region, especially in terms of fixed-line network coverage; mobile subscriptions are on par with the regional average, but at subscription levels of around 88% there is still ample opportunity for growth; in terms of growth, the standout winner was once again the mobile broadband segment; the market is expected to see close to 8% growth in 2021, building further on the gains it already made in 2020 when lock downs and work-from-home rules encouraged many people to find ways to upgrade their internet access and performance; the limited coverage of fixed-line broadband networks makes mobile the first, if not only, choice for most people in the country. (2021)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity is about 11 per 100 persons; multiple providers of mobile-cellular service with a subscribership of nearly 83 per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 1-809; 1-829; 1-849; landing point for the ARCOS-1, Antillas 1, AMX-1, SAm-1, East-West, Deep Blue Cable and the Fibralink submarine cables that provide links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and US; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2019)
note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services
Broadcast media: combination of state-owned and privately owned broadcast media; 1 state-owned TV network and a number of private TV networks; networks operate repeaters to extend signals throughout country; combination of state-owned and privately owned radio stations with more than 300 radio stations operating (2019)
Internet country code: .do
Internet users: total: 8,352,886 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 77% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 1,031,858 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: HI
Airports: total: 36 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 16
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 18 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 27 km gas, 103 km oil (2013)
Railways: total: 496 km (2014)
standard gauge: 354 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 142 km (2014) 0.762-m gauge
Roadways: total: 19,705 km (2002)
paved: 9,872 km (2002)
unpaved: 9,833 km (2002)
Merchant marine: total: 38
by type: container ship 1, general cargo 2, oil tanker 1, other 34 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Puerto Haina, Puerto Plata, Santo Domingo
oil terminal(s): Punta Nizao oil terminal
LNG terminal(s) (import): Andres LNG terminal (Boca Chica)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic: Army (Ejercito Nacional, EN), Navy (Marina de Guerra, MdG; includes naval infantry), Dominican Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Dominicana, FAD) (2022)
note: in addition to the military, the Ministry of Armed Forces directs the Airport Security Authority and Civil Aviation, Port Security Authority, the Tourist Security Corps, and Border Security Corps; the National Police (Policia Nacional) are under the Ministry of Interior
Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
0.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
0.7% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $1.43 billion)
0.7% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $1.33 billion)
0.6% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $1.2 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 60,000 active personnel (30,000 Army; 13,000 Navy; 17,000 Air Force); approximately 30,000 National Police (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military is lightly armed with an inventory consisting mostly of older US equipment with limited quantities of material from other countries (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 17-21 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); recruits must have completed primary school and be Dominican Republic citizens (2022)
note: as of 2021, women made up approximately 20% of the active duty military
Military - note: the military's primary focuses are countering illegal immigration and refugees along its 350-kilometer-long border with Haiti and interdicting air and maritime narcotics trafficking, as well as disaster relief (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Haitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better workHaitian migrants cross the porous border into the Dominican Republic to find work; illegal migrants from the Dominican Republic cross the Mona Passage each year to Puerto Rico to find better work
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 115,283 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2021)
stateless persons: 133,770 (2016); note - a September 2013 Constitutional Court ruling revoked the citizenship of those born after 1929 to immigrants without proper documentation, even though the constitution at the time automatically granted citizenship to children born in the Dominican Republic and the 2010 constitution provides that constitutional provisions cannot be applied retroactively; the decision overwhelmingly affected people of Haitian descent whose relatives had come to the Dominican Republic since the 1890s as a cheap source of labor for sugar plantations; a May 2014 law passed by the Dominican Congress regularizes the status of those with birth certificates but will require those without them to prove they were born in the Dominican Republic and to apply for naturalization; the government has issued documents to thousands of individuals who may claim citizenship under this law, but no official estimate has been released
note: revised estimate includes only individuals born to parents who were both born abroad; it does not include individuals born in the country to one Dominican-born and one foreign-born parent or subsequent generations of individuals of foreign descent; the estimate, as such, does not include all stateless persons (2015)
Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in the Dominican Republic and Dominicans abroad; Dominican women and children are sex trafficked throughout the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States; victims from Haiti and elsewhere in the Caribbean, Asia, and Latin America are trafficked in the Dominican Republic; Dominican women are lured to the Middle East, Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America to work in nightclubs but are then sex trafficked; domestically, children are forced into domestic servitude, street vending, begging, agricultural work, construction, and moving illicit narcotics, while adults are forced to work in construction, agriculture, and the services sector
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the Dominican Republic does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government has drafted a revised trafficking law that would be consistent with international law by removing the requirement for force, fraud, or coercion of sex trafficking of victims younger than 18; authorities increased investigations and prosecutions but convicted fewer traffickers and issued inadequate sentences; the country lacks a dedicated victim assistance budget and a full-time victim shelter; authorities did not effectively screen for trafficking indicators or refer all vulnerable individuals to care; the government has not allocated specific funds to implement its national anti-trafficking plan beyond the standard operating budget for the 14 institutions that are part of its Inter-Institutional Commission against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (2020)
Illicit drugs: a major transshipment point for cocaine transiting through the Caribbean |
20220901 | countries-niger |
Topic: Photos of Niger
Topic: Introduction
Background: Present-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms. In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger. France experienced determined local resistance - particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) - but established a colonial administration in 1922. After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991 when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In December of that year, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In February 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 and reelected in early 2016. In February 2021, BAZOUM Mohammed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked last in the world on the UN Development Programme's Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.Present-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms.In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger. France experienced determined local resistance - particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) - but established a colonial administration in 1922.After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991 when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In December of that year, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In February 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 and reelected in early 2016. In February 2021, BAZOUM Mohammed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked last in the world on the UN Development Programme's Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 1.267 million sq km
land: 1,266,700 sq km
water: 300 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundaries: total: 5,834 km
border countries (7): Algeria 951 km; Benin 277 km; Burkina Faso 622 km; Chad 1,196 km; Libya 342 km; Mali 838 km; Nigeria 1,608 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north
Elevation: highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
mean elevation: 474 m
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
Land use: agricultural land: 35.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 12.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 22.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 1% (2018 est.)
other: 63.9% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 1,000 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year
Major rivers (by length in km): Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin
Population distribution: majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: recurring droughts
Geography - note: landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture
Map description: Niger map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.Niger map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 24,484,587 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups: Hausa 53.1%, Zarma/Songhai 21.2%, Tuareg 11%, Fulani (Peuhl) 6.5%, Kanuri 5.9%, Gurma 0.8%, Arab 0.4%, Tubu 0.4%, other/unavailable 0.9% (2006 est.)
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Religions: Muslim 99.3%, Christian 0.3%, animist 0.2%, none 0.1% (2012 est.)
Demographic profile: Niger has the highest total fertility rate (TFR) of any country in the world, averaging close to 7 children per woman in 2016. A slight decline in fertility over the last few decades has stalled. This leveling off of the high fertility rate is in large part a product of the continued desire for large families. In Niger, the TFR is lower than the desired fertility rate, which makes it unlikely that contraceptive use will increase. The high TFR sustains rapid population growth and a large youth population – almost 70% of the populace is under the age of 25. Gender inequality, including a lack of educational opportunities for women and early marriage and childbirth, also contributes to high population growth.Because of large family sizes, children are inheriting smaller and smaller parcels of land. The dependence of most Nigeriens on subsistence farming on increasingly small landholdings, coupled with declining rainfall and the resultant shrinkage of arable land, are all preventing food production from keeping up with population growth.For more than half a century, Niger's lack of economic development has led to steady net outmigration. In the 1960s, Nigeriens mainly migrated to coastal West African countries to work on a seasonal basis. Some headed to Libya and Algeria in the 1970s to work in the booming oil industry until its decline in the 1980s. Since the 1990s, the principal destinations for Nigerien labor migrants have been West African countries, especially Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, while emigration to Europe and North America has remained modest. During the same period, Niger’s desert trade route town Agadez became a hub for West African and other Sub-Saharan migrants crossing the Sahara to North Africa and sometimes onward to Europe.More than 60,000 Malian refugees have fled to Niger since violence between Malian government troops and armed rebels began in early 2012. Ongoing attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, dating to 2013 in northern Nigeria and February 2015 in southeastern Niger, have pushed tens of thousands of Nigerian refugees and Nigerien returnees across the border to Niger and to displace thousands of locals in Niger’s already impoverished Diffa region.Niger has the highest total fertility rate (TFR) of any country in the world, averaging close to 7 children per woman in 2016. A slight decline in fertility over the last few decades has stalled. This leveling off of the high fertility rate is in large part a product of the continued desire for large families. In Niger, the TFR is lower than the desired fertility rate, which makes it unlikely that contraceptive use will increase. The high TFR sustains rapid population growth and a large youth population – almost 70% of the populace is under the age of 25. Gender inequality, including a lack of educational opportunities for women and early marriage and childbirth, also contributes to high population growth.Because of large family sizes, children are inheriting smaller and smaller parcels of land. The dependence of most Nigeriens on subsistence farming on increasingly small landholdings, coupled with declining rainfall and the resultant shrinkage of arable land, are all preventing food production from keeping up with population growth.For more than half a century, Niger's lack of economic development has led to steady net outmigration. In the 1960s, Nigeriens mainly migrated to coastal West African countries to work on a seasonal basis. Some headed to Libya and Algeria in the 1970s to work in the booming oil industry until its decline in the 1980s. Since the 1990s, the principal destinations for Nigerien labor migrants have been West African countries, especially Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, while emigration to Europe and North America has remained modest. During the same period, Niger’s desert trade route town Agadez became a hub for West African and other Sub-Saharan migrants crossing the Sahara to North Africa and sometimes onward to Europe.More than 60,000 Malian refugees have fled to Niger since violence between Malian government troops and armed rebels began in early 2012. Ongoing attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, dating to 2013 in northern Nigeria and February 2015 in southeastern Niger, have pushed tens of thousands of Nigerian refugees and Nigerien returnees across the border to Niger and to displace thousands of locals in Niger’s already impoverished Diffa region.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 50.58% (male 5,805,102/female 5,713,815)
15-24 years: 19.99% (male 2,246,670/female 2,306,285)
25-54 years: 23.57% (male 2,582,123/female 2,784,464)
55-64 years: 3.17% (male 357,832/female 364,774)
65 years and over: 2.68% (2020 est.) (male 293,430/female 317,866)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 109.5
youth dependency ratio: 104.1
elderly dependency ratio: 5.4
potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 14.8 years
male: 14.5 years
female: 15.1 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 3.66% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 47.08 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 9.87 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: -0.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 16.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 4.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 1.384 million NIAMEY (capital) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 18.5 years (2012 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 509 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 66.81 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 71.73 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 61.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 60.09 years
male: 58.55 years
female: 61.68 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 6.82 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 11% (2017/18)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 95.8% of population
rural: 63.1% of population
total: 68.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 4.2% of population
rural: 36.9% of population
total: 31.4% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 5.7% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Hospital bed density: 0.4 beds/1,000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 81.9% of population
rural: 13.5% of population
total: 24.8% of population
unimproved: urban: 18.1% of population
rural: 86.5% of population
total: 75.2% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.2% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 31,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,100 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Niger is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.5% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 7.4% (2020 est.)
male: 13.7% (2020 est.)
female: 1.1% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 31.3% (2019)
Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 35.1%
male: 43.6%
female: 26.7% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 6 years
male: 7 years
female: 6 years (2017)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 16.6%
male: 16.1%
female: 17.5% (2017 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; contaminated water; inadequate potable water; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 70.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 2.02 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 22.99 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Land use: agricultural land: 35.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 12.3% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 22.7% (2018 est.)
forest: 1% (2018 est.)
other: 63.9% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 16.9% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 4.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 4.41% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.03% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
animal contact diseases: rabies
respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
note: on 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Niger is currently considered a high risk to travelers for circulating vaccine-derived polioviruses (cVDPV); vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine (OPV) and that has changed over time and behaves more like the wild or naturally occurring virus; this means it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come in contact with the stool or respiratory secretions, such as from a sneeze, of an “infected” person who received oral polio vaccine; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, the CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine
Food insecurity: exceptional shortfall in aggregate food production/supplies: due to internal conflict and shortfall in cereal production - as of January 2022, an estimated 265,000 people have been displaced due to civil conflict; in addition, domestic cereal production was estimated at a below-average level in 2021, due to effects of adverse weather and the civil conflict, which is expected to further aggravate conditions; the aggregate cereal production in 2021 is officially estimated at 3.5 million mt, nearly 40% below the five‑year average; as a result, between June and August 2022, 3.64 million people are projected to face severe food insecurity; this is a 40% increase compared to the current post‑harvest period, underpinned by the reduced cereal production in 2021, high food prices and the high likelihood of persisting disruptions of markets and agricultural activities amid increasing insecurity (2022)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 1,865,646 tons (1993 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 74,626 tons (2005 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 4% (2005 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year
Major rivers (by length in km): Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major aquifers: Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 178.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 36 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.536 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 34.05 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
local short form: Niger
etymology: named for the Niger River that passes through the southwest of the country; from a native term "Ni Gir" meaning "River Gir"
note: pronounced nee-zhair
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Niamey
geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: according to tradition, the site was originally a fishing village named after a prominent local tree referred to as "nia niam"
Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district* (communaute urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960
Constitution: history: several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010
amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; consideration of amendments requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires at least four-fifths majority vote; if disapproved, the proposed amendment is dropped or submitted to a referendum; constitutional articles on the form of government, the multiparty system, the separation of state and religion, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment procedures, and amnesty of participants in the 2010 coup cannot be amended; amended 2011, 2017
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law, based on French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Mohamed BAZOUM (since 2 April 2021)
head of government: Prime Minister Ouhoumoudou MAHAMADOU (since 3 April 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 December 2020 with a runoff held on 21 February 2021 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister appointed by the president, authorized by the National Assembly
election results: 2020/2021: percent of vote in first round - Mohamed BAZOUM (PNDS-Tarrayya) 39.3%, Mahamane OUSMANE (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 9%, Albade ABOUDA (MPR-Jamhuriya) 7.1%, other 27.6%; percent of vote in second round - Mohamed BAZOUM (PNDS-Tarrayya) 55.7%, Mahamane OUSMANE (RDR Tchanji) 44.3%
2016: ISSOUFOU Mahamadou reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarrayya) 48.6%, Hama AMADOU (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17.8%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 11.3%, other 22.3%; percent of vote in second round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 92%, Hama AMADOU 8%
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (171 statutory seats - 166 currently; 158 members directly elected from 8 multi-member constituencies in 7 regions and Niamey by party-list proportional representation, 8 reserved for minorities elected in special single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 5 seats reserved for Nigeriens living abroad - l seat per continent - elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 27 December 2020 (next scheduled in December 2025)
election results: percent of vote by party - percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 37.04%, MODEN/FA Lumana 8.71%, MPR-Jamhuriya 7.59%, MNSD-Nassara 6.77%, RDR-Tchanji 4.41%, CPR-Inganci 4.15%, MPN-Kishin Kassa 3.97%, PJP Generation Dubara 2.88%, ANDP Zaman Lahya 2.46%, RPP Farrilla 2.10%, ARD Adaltchi-Mutuntchi 1.74%, AMEN AMIN 1.43%, MDEN Falala 1.42%, other 15.33%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 79, MODEN/FA Lumana 19, MPR-Jamhuriya 14, MNSD-Nassara 13, CPR-Inganci 8, MPN-Kishin Kassa 6, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 3, RPP Farrilla 2, PJP Generation Dubara 2, ARD Adaltchi-Mutuntchi 2, AMEN AMIN 2, other 16; composition - men 123, women 43, percent of women 25.9%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges); High Court of Justice (consists of 7 members)
judge selection and term of office: Constitutional Court judges nominated/elected - 1 by the president of the Republic, 1 by the president of the National Assembly, 2 by peer judges, 2 by peer lawyers, 1 law professor by peers, and 1 from within Nigerien society; all appointed by the president; judges serve 6-year nonrenewable terms with one-third of membership renewed every 2 years; High Judicial Court members selected from among the legislature and judiciary; members serve 5-year terms
subordinate courts: Court of Cassation; Council of State; Court of Finances; various specialized tribunals and customary courts
Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN [Omar Hamidou TCHIANA]
Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci [Kassoum MOCTAR]
Democratic Alliance for Niger or ADN-Fusaha [Habi Mahamadou SALISSOU]
National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Seini OUMAROU]
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moussa BARAZE]
Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana [Seydou TAHIROU]
Nigerien Movement for Democratic Renewal or MNRD-Hankuri [Mahamane OUSMANE]
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Mohamed BAZOUM]
Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa [Ibrahim YACOUBA]
Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya [Albade ABOUBA]
Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]
Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Amadou CHEIFFOU]
Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira [Sanoussi MAREINI]
Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat or UDR-Tabbat [Amadou Boubacar CISSE]
note: the SPLM and SPLM-DC are banned political parties
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINUSMA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mamadou Kiari LIMAN-TINGUIRI (since 19 April 2022)
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224
FAX: [1] (202) 483-3169
email address and website:
communication@embassyofniger.org
http://www.embassyofniger.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Chargé d’Affaires, Susan N’GARNIM (since 23 August 2021)
embassy: BP 11201, Niamey
mailing address: 2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC 20521-2420
telephone: [227] 20-72-26-61
FAX: [227] 20-73-55-60
email address and website:
consulateniamey@state.gov
https://ne.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people
note: similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
National symbol(s): zebu; national colors: orange, white, green
National anthem: name: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien)
lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
note: adopted 1961
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (n); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Historic Agadez (c)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Agriculture contributes approximately 40% of GDP and provides livelihood for over 80% of the population. The UN ranked Niger as the second least developed country in the world in 2016 due to multiple factors such as food insecurity, lack of industry, high population growth, a weak educational sector, and few prospects for work outside of subsistence farming and herding. Since 2011 public debt has increased due to efforts to scale-up public investment, particularly that related to infrastructure, as well as due to increased security spending. The government relies on foreign donor resources for a large portion of its fiscal budget. The economy in recent years has been hurt by terrorist activity near its uranium mines and by instability in Mali and in the Diffa region of the country; concerns about security have resulted in increased support from regional and international partners on defense. Low uranium prices, demographics, and security expenditures may continue to put pressure on the government’s finances. The Government of Niger plans to exploit oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources to sustain future growth. Although Niger has sizable reserves of oil, the prolonged drop in oil prices has reduced profitability. Food insecurity and drought remain perennial problems for Niger, and the government plans to invest more in irrigation. Niger’s three-year $131 million IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement for the years 2012-15 was extended until the end of 2016. In February 2017, the IMF approved a new 3-year $134 million ECF. In June 2017, The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) granted Niger $1 billion over three years for IDA18, a program to boost the country’s development and alleviate poverty. A $437 million Millennium Challenge Account compact for Niger, commencing in FY18, will focus on large-scale irrigation infrastructure development and community-based, climate-resilient agriculture, while promoting sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and sales. Formal private sector investment needed for economic diversification and growth remains a challenge, given the country’s limited domestic markets, access to credit, and competitiveness. Although President ISSOUFOU is courting foreign investors, including those from the US, as of April 2017, there were no US firms operating in Niger. In November 2017, the National Assembly passed the 2018 Finance Law that was geared towards raising government revenues and moving away from international support.Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Agriculture contributes approximately 40% of GDP and provides livelihood for over 80% of the population. The UN ranked Niger as the second least developed country in the world in 2016 due to multiple factors such as food insecurity, lack of industry, high population growth, a weak educational sector, and few prospects for work outside of subsistence farming and herding. Since 2011 public debt has increased due to efforts to scale-up public investment, particularly that related to infrastructure, as well as due to increased security spending. The government relies on foreign donor resources for a large portion of its fiscal budget. The economy in recent years has been hurt by terrorist activity near its uranium mines and by instability in Mali and in the Diffa region of the country; concerns about security have resulted in increased support from regional and international partners on defense. Low uranium prices, demographics, and security expenditures may continue to put pressure on the government’s finances. The Government of Niger plans to exploit oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources to sustain future growth. Although Niger has sizable reserves of oil, the prolonged drop in oil prices has reduced profitability. Food insecurity and drought remain perennial problems for Niger, and the government plans to invest more in irrigation. Niger’s three-year $131 million IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement for the years 2012-15 was extended until the end of 2016. In February 2017, the IMF approved a new 3-year $134 million ECF. In June 2017, The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) granted Niger $1 billion over three years for IDA18, a program to boost the country’s development and alleviate poverty. A $437 million Millennium Challenge Account compact for Niger, commencing in FY18, will focus on large-scale irrigation infrastructure development and community-based, climate-resilient agriculture, while promoting sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and sales. Formal private sector investment needed for economic diversification and growth remains a challenge, given the country’s limited domestic markets, access to credit, and competitiveness. Although President ISSOUFOU is courting foreign investors, including those from the US, as of April 2017, there were no US firms operating in Niger. In November 2017, the National Assembly passed the 2018 Finance Law that was geared towards raising government revenues and moving away from international support.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $28.97 billion (2020 est.)
$28.54 billion (2019 est.)
$26.95 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 4.9% (2017 est.)
4.9% (2016 est.)
4.3% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $1,200 (2020 est.)
$1,200 (2019 est.)
$1,200 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $12.926 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -2.5% (2019 est.)
6.3% (2018 est.)
2.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2019)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 41.6% (2017 est.)
industry: 19.5% (2017 est.)
services: 38.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 70.2% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 9.4% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 38.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 16.4% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -34.6% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: millet, cow peas, sorghum, onions, milk, groundnuts, cassava, cabbages, goat milk, fruit
Industries: uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 6.5 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 79.2%
industry: 3.3%
services: 17.5% (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate: 0.3% (2017 est.)
0.3% (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 16.6%
male: 16.1%
female: 17.5% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line: 40.8% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34.3 (2014 est.)
50.5 (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 26.8% (2014)
Budget: revenues: 1.757 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.171 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 45.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
45.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 21.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.16 billion (2017 est.)
-$1.181 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $1.39 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$1.45 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: United Arab Emirates 54%, China 25%, France 7%, Pakistan 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: gold, sesame seeds, uranium, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019)
Imports: $3.4 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$3.37 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 19%, France 9%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Cote d'Ivoire 6%, India 6%, Nigeria 5%, Togo 5%, Turkey 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: rice, packaged medicines, palm oil, cars, cement (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.186 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $3.728 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.926 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
605.3 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 14% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 2% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 324,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 1,325,420,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 1.057 billion kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 313 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 94.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 5.9% 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: 224,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 224,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 6 million metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 13,800 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 15,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 5,422 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 3,799 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: 2.374 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 499,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 1.875 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 1.54 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 58,000 (2020)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 14.239 million (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Niger is one of the largest countries in West Africa but also one of the poorest in the world; as with many African markets, a lack of fixed telecoms infrastructure has led to growth in mobile services; Niger’s mobile penetration is modest compared to other countries in the region, while fixed broadband penetration is negligible; recent international investment to complete the Trans-Saharan Dorsal optical fibre (SDR) network has extended the reach of fiber infrastructure in the country, and also increased international capacity; new cables linking the country with Chad and Burkina Faso have extended Niger’s connectivity with international cable infrastructure; following years of financial difficulties, the state-owned fixed line operator, Sonitel, was merged with its wholly owned mobile unit, SahelCom, in late 2016 to form a new entity, Niger Telecom; the merged company secured a global telecom license in November 2017 and is aiming to develop greater efficiency through sharing resources and infrastructure; the economic difficulties in the country in recent years, as well as a regulatory spat with authorities which saw its offices being shut down, encouraged Orange Group to sell its local business to its minority shareholder partner; the unit, once operating as Orange Niger, was rebranded as Zamani Telecom in December 2020; at the same time, the company secured funds to embark on a large-scale network upgrade program; Niger also hosts foreign investors Airtel, which leads the market, and Moov Africa, formerly Maroc Telecom. (2022)
domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity at nearly 41 per 100 persons; a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in southwestern Niger; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned (2019)
international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)
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-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has only radio station with national coverage; about 30 private radio stations operate locally; as many as 100 community radio stations broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available
Internet country code: .ne
Internet users: total: 2,331,072 (2019 est.)
percent of population: 10% (2019 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 12,000 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.1 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5U
Airports: total: 30 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m: 2 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 464 km oil
Roadways: total: 18,949 km (2010)
paved: 3,912 km (2010)
unpaved: 15,037 km (2010)
Waterways: 300 km (2012) (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March)
Merchant marine: total: 1
by type: general cargo 1 (2021)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie (GN); Ministry of Interior: Niger National Guard (GNN; aka Republican Guard), National Police (includes the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, which is charged with border management) (2022)
note: the Gendarmerie is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and has primary responsibility for rural security; the National Guard is responsible for domestic security and the protection of high-level officials and government buildings
Military expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $260 million)
1.9% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $270 million)
2% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $270 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 12,000 active FAN troops (8,000 Army; 200 Air Force; 4,000 Gendarmerie); approximately 3,000 National Guard (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the FAN's inventory consists of a wide variety of older weapons; since 2010, the FAN has received small amounts of mostly second-hand equipment and donations from several countries with the US as the top provider (2022)
Military service age and obligation: has conscription, although it is reportedly not always enforced; 18 is the legal minimum age for compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2022)
Military deployments: 875 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022)
note 1: Niger is part of a four (formerly five)-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5 (now G4) Sahel Group, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali (withdrew in 2022), and Mauritania; it has committed 1,100 troops and 200 gendarmes to the force; as of 2022, defense forces from each of the participating states were allowed to pursue terrorist fighters up to 100 km into neighboring countries; the force is backed by France, the UN, and the US
note 2: Niger also has about 1,000 troops committed to the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeast border; national MNJTF troop contingents are deployed within their own country territories, although cross‐border operations are conducted periodically
Military - note: as of 2022, the FAN was conducting counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations against Islamic militants on two fronts; in the Diffa region, the Nigeria-based Boko Haram terrorist group has conducted dozens of attacks on security forces, army bases, and civilians; on Niger’s western border with Mali, the Islamic State-West Africa (ISWA) has conducted numerous attacks on security personnel; a series of ISWA attacks on FAN forces near the Malian border in December of 2019 and January of 2020 resulted in the deaths of more than 170 soldiers; terrorist attacks continued into 2022 (2022)
Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa (ISIS-WA); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun)
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: Niger-Benin-Nigeria: location of Niger-Benin-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved Niger-Burkina Faso: the dispute with Burkina Faso was referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2010; the ICJ ruled in 2013 that 786 sq km should go to Burkina Faso and 277 sq km to Niger; the ruling was implemented in 2015 and 2016, with Burkina Faso gaining 14 towns and Niger 4 Niger-Cameroon-Nigeria: only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty that also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries Niger-Libya: Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tummo regionNiger-Benin-Nigeria: location of Niger-Benin-Nigeria tripoint is unresolvedNiger-Burkina Faso: the dispute with Burkina Faso was referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 2010; the ICJ ruled in 2013 that 786 sq km should go to Burkina Faso and 277 sq km to Niger; the ruling was implemented in 2015 and 2016, with Burkina Faso gaining 14 towns and Niger 4Niger-Cameroon-Nigeria: only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty that also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundariesNiger-Libya: Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tummo region
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 187,134 (Nigeria), 63,155 (Mali) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022)
IDPs: 347,648 (includes the regions of Diffa, Tillaberi, and Tahoua; unknown how many of the 11,000 people displaced by clashes between government forces and the Tuareg militant group, Niger Movement for Justice, in 2007 are still displaced; inter-communal violence; Boko Haram attacks in southern Niger, 2015) (2022)
Illicit drugs: a transit point for illicit drugs narcotics trafficked through the Sahara; drugs from South America, particularly cocaine, heroin, cannabis products, and synthetic drugs, transit en route to European and Middle Eastern markets; synthetic opioid tramadol is shipped from Nigeria through Niger to other African countries; hashish from Morocco is trafficked to Libya, Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East; traffickers are formalized networks of Arab, Tuareg, and Toubou transportation groupsa transit point for illicit drugs narcotics trafficked through the Sahara; drugs from South America, particularly cocaine, heroin, cannabis products, and synthetic drugs, transit en route to European and Middle Eastern markets; synthetic opioid tramadol is shipped from Nigeria through Niger to other African countries; hashish from Morocco is trafficked to Libya, Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East; traffickers are formalized networks of Arab, Tuareg, and Toubou transportation groups |
20220901 | countries-bosnia-and-herzegovina-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Bosnia and Herzegovina due to terrorism and land mines. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 3 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as you do not stay in the country more than 3 months.
US Embassy/Consulate: [387] (33) 704-000; US Embassy in Sarajevo, 1 Robert C. Frasure Street, 71000, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; https://ba.usembassy.gov/; sarajevoACS@state.gov
Telephone Code: 387
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 124; Fire: 123; Police: 122
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Hot summers and cool winters; areas of high elevation have short, cool summers and long, severe winters; mild, rainy winters along coast
Currency (Code): Konvertibilna markas (BAM)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F
Major Languages: Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian
Major Religions: Muslim 50.7%, Orthodox 30.7%, Roman Catholic 15.2%, atheist 0.8%. Agnostic 0.3%, other 1.2%, undeclared/no answer 1.1%
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March, ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Sarajevo; Mostar (includes Old Bridge); Blagaj; Pocitelj; Kravica Waterfalls; Stecci Medieval tombstone graveyard; Medjugorje
Major Sports: Soccer, basketball
Cultural Practices: Most hostels will request you to remove shoes before entering.
Tipping Guidelines: It is common to leave a 10-15% tip for good restaurant service. Bartenders and wait staff do not include a tip on the bill. Taxi drivers will often round their fare up, but a few extra markas will go a long way. A tip of 50 cents (USD) a night is appropriate for hotel maid staff.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Monday, April 25, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-rwanda-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Rwanda. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for each entry stamp/visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: +(250)-252-596-400 (Monday through Thursday, 8:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:15 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.); EMER: +(250)-252-596-400, and dial 1; U S Embassy Kigali, 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kacyiru), PO Box 28, Kigali, Rwanda; consularkigali@state
Telephone Code: 250
Local Emergency Phone: Local numbers only
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible
Currency (Code): Rwandan francs (RWF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, J
Major Languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili/Kiswahili
Major Religions: Protestant 49.5% (includes Adventist 11.8% and other Protestant 37.7%), Roman Catholic 43.7%, Muslim 2%, other 0.9% (includes Jehovah's Witness)
Time Difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Kigali Genocide Memorial; Volcanoes National Park; Nyungwe Forest National Park; Ethnographic Museum; Murambi Genocide Memorial; King's Palace Museum
Major Sports: Soccer
Cultural Practices: Personal space is often much tighter in Rwanda, so do not be surprised if conversations occur at closer distances.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping private guides $5-10 (USD) per person per day is common. Hotel and lodge staff would appreciate $5 (USD) per day.
Souvenirs: Imigongo art; tribal wall hangings, masks, weapons, and musical instruments; baskets with painted lids, embroidered cloth items
Traditional Cuisine: Brochettes — meat (typically goat, beef, chicken, or pork) or fish on a skewer, sometimes with vegetables, and roasted over hot coals; typically served with roasted potatoes, deep-fried bananas, or saladPlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, July 20, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-portugal-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 92,090 sq km
land: 91,470 sq km
water: 620 sq km
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower
Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,242,081 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Portuguese 95%; citizens from Portugal’s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Religions: Roman Catholic 81%, other Christian 3.3%, other (includes Jewish, Muslim) 0.6%, none 6.8%, unspecified 8.3% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.2% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Lisbon
Executive branch: chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016)
head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da COSTA (since 24 November 2015)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; 226 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote and 4 members - 2 each in 2 constituencies representing Portuguese living abroad - directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: high-income European economy; EU and NATO member; recently blocked Chinese utility takeover; major tourism, banking, and telecommunications sectors; very high public debt and bureaucracy; major renewable energy producerhigh-income European economy; EU and NATO member; recently blocked Chinese utility takeover; major tourism, banking, and telecommunications sectors; very high public debt and bureaucracy; major renewable energy producer
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $331.64 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $32,200 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, tomatoes, olives, grapes, maize, potatoes, pork, apples, oranges, poultry
Industries: textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper and pulp, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, automobiles and auto parts, base metals, minerals, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; dairy products, wine, other foodstuffs; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism, plastics, financial services, optics
Exports: $85.28 billion (2020 est.)
Exports - partners: Spain 23%, France 13%, Germany 12%, United Kingdom 6%, United States 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, leather footwear, paper products, tires (2019)
Imports: $89.31 billion (2020 est.)
Imports - partners: Spain 29%, Germany 13%, France 9%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, aircraft, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, natural gas (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-botswana |
Topic: Photos of Botswana
Topic: Introduction
Background: Seeking to stop the incorporation of their land into Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) or the Union of South Africa, in 1885, three tribal chiefs traveled to Great Britain and successfully lobbied the British Government to put "Bechuanaland" under UK protection. Upon independence in 1966, the British protectorate of Bechuanaland adopted the new name of Botswana. More than five decades of uninterrupted civilian leadership, progressive social policies, and significant capital investment have created one of the most stable economies in Africa. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party has won every national election since independence; President Mokgweetsi Eric MASISI assumed the presidency in April 2018 following the retirement of former President Ian KHAMA due to constitutional term limits. MASISI won his first election as president in October 2019, and he is Botswana’s fifth president since independence. Mineral extraction, principally diamond mining, dominates economic activity, though tourism is a growing sector due to the country's conservation practices and extensive nature preserves. Botswana has one of the world's highest rates of HIV/AIDS infection, but also one of Africa's most progressive and comprehensive programs for dealing with the disease.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.
Topic: Geography
Location: Southern Africa, north of South Africa
Geographic coordinates: 22 00 S, 24 00 E
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 581,730 sq km
land: 566,730 sq km
water: 15,000 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Texas; almost four times the size of Illinois
Land boundaries: total: 4,347.15 km
border countries (4): Namibia 1,544 km; South Africa 1,969 km; Zambia 0.15 km; Zimbabwe 834 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Terrain: predominantly flat to gently rolling tableland; Kalahari Desert in southwest
Elevation: highest point: Manyelanong Hill 1,495 m
note - the Factbook map is incorrect; it shows the wrong high elevation
lowest point: junction of the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers 513 m
mean elevation: 1,013 m
Natural resources: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver
Land use: agricultural land: 45.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 45.2% (2018 est.)
forest: 19.8% (2018 est.)
other: 34.4% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 20 sq km (2012)
Major rivers (by length in km): Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthZambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)
Major aquifers: Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
Population distribution: the population is primarily concentrated in the east with a focus in and around the captial of Gaborone, and the far central-eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari to the west as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility
Geography - note: landlocked; population concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country
Map description: Botswana map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Botswana map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.
Topic: People and Society
Population: 2,384,246 (2022 est.)
note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
adjective: Motswana (singular), Batswana (plural)
Ethnic groups: Tswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7%
Languages: Setswana 77.3%, Sekalanga 7.4%, Shekgalagadi 3.4%, English (official) 2.8%, Zezuru/Shona 2%, Sesarwa 1.7%, Sembukushu 1.6%, Ndebele 1%, other 2.8% (2011 est.)
Religions: Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.)
Demographic profile: Botswana has experienced one of the most rapid declines in fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa. The total fertility rate has fallen from more than 5 children per woman in the mid 1980s to approximately 2.4 in 2013. The fertility reduction has been attributed to a host of factors, including higher educational attainment among women, greater participation of women in the workforce, increased contraceptive use, later first births, and a strong national family planning program. Botswana was making significant progress in several health indicators, including life expectancy and infant and child mortality rates, until being devastated by the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the 1990s.Today Botswana has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world at approximately 22%, however comprehensive and effective treatment programs have reduced HIV/AIDS-related deaths. The combination of declining fertility and increasing mortality rates because of HIV/AIDS is slowing the population aging process, with a narrowing of the youngest age groups and little expansion of the oldest age groups. Nevertheless, having the bulk of its population (about 60%) of working age will only yield economic benefits if the labor force is healthy, educated, and productively employed.Batswana have been working as contract miners in South Africa since the 19th century. Although Botswana’s economy improved shortly after independence in 1966 with the discovery of diamonds and other minerals, its lingering high poverty rate and lack of job opportunities continued to push workers to seek mining work in southern African countries. In the early 1970s, about a third of Botswana’s male labor force worked in South Africa (lesser numbers went to Namibia and Zimbabwe). Not until the 1980s and 1990s, when South African mining companies had reduced their recruitment of foreign workers and Botswana’s economic prospects had improved, were Batswana increasingly able to find job opportunities at home.Most Batswana prefer life in their home country and choose cross-border migration on a temporary basis only for work, shopping, visiting family, or tourism. Since the 1970s, Botswana has pursued an open migration policy enabling it to recruit thousands of foreign workers to fill skilled labor shortages. In the late 1990s, Botswana’s prosperity and political stability attracted not only skilled workers but small numbers of refugees from neighboring Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.Botswana has experienced one of the most rapid declines in fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa. The total fertility rate has fallen from more than 5 children per woman in the mid 1980s to approximately 2.4 in 2013. The fertility reduction has been attributed to a host of factors, including higher educational attainment among women, greater participation of women in the workforce, increased contraceptive use, later first births, and a strong national family planning program. Botswana was making significant progress in several health indicators, including life expectancy and infant and child mortality rates, until being devastated by the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the 1990s.Today Botswana has the third highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world at approximately 22%, however comprehensive and effective treatment programs have reduced HIV/AIDS-related deaths. The combination of declining fertility and increasing mortality rates because of HIV/AIDS is slowing the population aging process, with a narrowing of the youngest age groups and little expansion of the oldest age groups. Nevertheless, having the bulk of its population (about 60%) of working age will only yield economic benefits if the labor force is healthy, educated, and productively employed.Batswana have been working as contract miners in South Africa since the 19th century. Although Botswana’s economy improved shortly after independence in 1966 with the discovery of diamonds and other minerals, its lingering high poverty rate and lack of job opportunities continued to push workers to seek mining work in southern African countries. In the early 1970s, about a third of Botswana’s male labor force worked in South Africa (lesser numbers went to Namibia and Zimbabwe). Not until the 1980s and 1990s, when South African mining companies had reduced their recruitment of foreign workers and Botswana’s economic prospects had improved, were Batswana increasingly able to find job opportunities at home.Most Batswana prefer life in their home country and choose cross-border migration on a temporary basis only for work, shopping, visiting family, or tourism. Since the 1970s, Botswana has pursued an open migration policy enabling it to recruit thousands of foreign workers to fill skilled labor shortages. In the late 1990s, Botswana’s prosperity and political stability attracted not only skilled workers but small numbers of refugees from neighboring Angola, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.54% (male 357,065/female 350,550)
15-24 years: 18.31% (male 208,824/female 215,462)
25-54 years: 39.67% (male 434,258/female 484,922)
55-64 years: 5.92% (male 59,399/female 77,886)
65 years and over: 5.56% (2020 est.) (male 53,708/female 75,159)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 61.1
youth dependency ratio: 53.8
elderly dependency ratio: 7.3
potential support ratio: 13.8 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 25.7 years
male: 24.5 years
female: 26.7 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.4% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 20.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the population is primarily concentrated in the east with a focus in and around the captial of Gaborone, and the far central-eastern city of Francistown; population density remains low in other areas in the country, especially in the Kalahari to the west as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 72.2% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 144 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 25.18 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 27.54 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 22.75 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.64 years
male: 63.6 years
female: 67.74 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.39 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 67.4% (2017)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.1% of population
rural: 96.9% of population
total: 99.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 3.1% of population
total: 0.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 6.1% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.38 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density: 1.8 beds/1,000 population
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 94.9% of population
rural: 63% of population
total: 85.6% of population
unimproved: urban: 5.1% of population
rural: 37% of population
total: 14.4% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 19.9% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 370,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 5,100 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 18.9% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 19.4% (2020 est.)
male: 30.4% (2020 est.)
female: 8.3% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA
Education expenditures: 6.9% of GDP (2019 est.)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 88.5%
male: 88%
female: 88.9% (2015)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years
male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2013)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 46.2%
male: 44.9%
female: 47.8% (2020 est.)
Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: overgrazing; desertification; limited freshwater resources; air pollution
Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.24 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 6.34 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 5.73 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: semiarid; warm winters and hot summers
Land use: agricultural land: 45.8% (2018 est.)
arable land: 0.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 0% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 45.2% (2018 est.)
forest: 19.8% (2018 est.)
other: 34.4% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 72.2% of total population (2022)
rate of urbanization: 2.47% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.23% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.45% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 210,854 tons (2010 est.)
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,109 tons (2005 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 1% (2005 est.)
Major rivers (by length in km): Zambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthZambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Okavango river mouth (shared with Angola [s], and Namibia) - 1,600 km
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Orange (941,351 sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: Zambezi (1,332,412 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Okavango Basin (863,866 sq km)
Major aquifers: Lower Kalahari-Stampriet Basin, Upper Kalahari-Cuvelai-Upper Zambezi Basin
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 100.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
industrial: 23.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 69 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 12.24 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Botswana
conventional short form: Botswana
local long form: Republic of Botswana
local short form: Botswana
former: Bechuanaland
etymology: the name Botswana means "Land of the Tswana" - referring to the country's major ethnic group
Government type: parliamentary republic
Capital: name: Gaborone
geographic coordinates: 24 38 S, 25 54 E
time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: named after GABORONE (ca. 1825-1931), a revered kgosi (chief) of the Tlokwa tribe, part of the larger Tswana ethnic group
Administrative divisions: 10 districts and 6 town councils*; Central, Chobe, Francistown*, Gaborone*, Ghanzi, Jwaneng*, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Lobatse*, North East, North West, Selebi-Phikwe*, South East, Southern, Sowa Town*
Independence: 30 September 1966 (from the UK)
National holiday: Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
Constitution: history: previous 1960 (preindependence); latest adopted March 1965, effective 30 September 1966
amendments: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires approval in two successive Assembly votes with at least two-thirds majority in the final vote; proposals to amend constitutional provisions on fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and branches of government, and public services also requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and assent by the president of the republic; amended several times, last in 2016
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law influenced by the Roman-Dutch model and also customary and common 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 Botswana
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government: President Mokgweetse Eric MASISI (since 1 April 2018); Vice President Slumber TSOGWANE (since 4 April 2018);
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 23 October 2019 (next to be held in 2024 October); vice president appointed by the president
election results: President Seretse Khama Ian KHAMA (since 1 April 2008) stepped down on 1 April 2018 having completed the constitutionally mandated 10-year term limit; upon his retirement, then Vice President MASISI became president; national elections held on 23 October 2019 gave MASISI'S BPD 38 seats in the National Assembly which then selected MASISI as President (2019)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament consists of the National Assembly (63 seats; 57 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 4 nominated by the president and indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the rest of the National Assembly, and 2 ex-officio members - the president and attorney general; elected members serve 5-year terms); note - the House of Chiefs (Ntlo ya Dikgosi), an advisory body to the National Assembly, consists of 35 members - 8 hereditary chiefs from Botswana's principal tribes, 22 indirectly elected by the chiefs, and 5 appointed by the president; the House of Chiefs consults on issues including powers of chiefs, customary courts, customary law, tribal property, and constitutional amendments
elections: last held on 23 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2024)
election results: percent of vote by party - BDP 52.7%, UDC 35.9%, BPF 4.4%, AP 5.1%, other 1.7%; seats by party - BDP 38, UDC 15, BPF 3, AP 1; composition as of February 2022 - men 56, women 7, percent of women 11.1%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal, High Court (each consists of a chief justice and a number of other judges as prescribed by the Parliament)
judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court chief justices appointed by the president and other judges appointed by the president upon the advice of the Judicial Service Commission; all judges appointed to serve until age 70
subordinate courts: Industrial Court (with circuits scheduled monthly in the capital city and in 3 districts); Magistrates Courts (1 in each district); Customary Court of Appeal; Paramount Chief's Court/Urban Customary Court; Senior Chief's Representative Court; Chief's Representative’s Court; Headman's Court
Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Progressives or AP [Ndaba GAOLATHE]
Botswana Congress Party or BCP [Dumelang SALESHANDO]
Botswana Democratic Party or BDP [Mokgweetsi MASISI]
Botswana Movement for Democracy or BMD [Sidney PILANE]
Botswana National Front or BNF [Duma BOKO]
Botswana Patriotic Front or BPF [Biggie BUTALE]
Botswana Peoples Party or BPP [Motlatsi MOLAPISI]
Real Alternative Party or RAP [Gaontebale MOKGOSI]
Umbrella for Democratic Change or UDC [Duma BOKO] (various times the coalition has included the BMD, BPP, BCP and BNF) (2019)
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, SACU, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Onkokame Kitso MOKAILA (since 17 September 2020)
chancery: 1531-1533 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 244-4990
FAX: [1] (202) 244-4164
email address and website:
info@botswanaembassy.org
http://www.botswanaembassy.org/
consulate(s) general: Atlanta
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Amanda S. JACOBSEN
embassy: Embassy Drive, Government Enclave (off Khama Crescent), Gaborone
mailing address: 2170 Gabarone Place, Washington DC 20521-2170
telephone: [267] 395-3982
FAX: [267] 318-0232
email address and website:
ConsularGabarone@state.gov
https://bw.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: light blue with a horizontal white-edged black stripe in the center; the blue symbolizes water in the form of rain, while the black and white bands represent racial harmony
National symbol(s): zebra; national colors: light blue, white, black
National anthem: name: "Fatshe leno la rona" (Our Land)
lyrics/music: Kgalemang Tumedisco MOTSETE
note: adopted 1966
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Tsodilo Hills (c); Okavango Delta (n)
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Until the beginning of the global recession in 2008, Botswana maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since its independence in 1966. Botswana recovered from the global recession in 2010, but only grew modestly until 2017, primarily due to a downturn in the global diamond market, though water and power shortages also played a role. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world five decades ago into a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of approximately $18,100 in 2017. Botswana also ranks as one of the least corrupt and best places to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa. Because of its heavy reliance on diamond exports, Botswana’s economy closely follows global price trends for that one commodity. Diamond mining fueled much of Botswana’s past economic expansion and currently accounts for one-quarter of GDP, approximately 85% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. In 2017, Diamond exports increased to the highest levels since 2013 at about 22 million carats of output, driving Botswana’s economic growth to about 4.5% and increasing foreign exchange reserves to about 45% of GDP. De Beers, a major international diamond company, signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 and moved its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone in 2013. The move was geared to support the development of Botswana's nascent downstream diamond industry. Tourism is a secondary earner of foreign exchange and many Batswana engage in tourism-related services, subsistence farming, and cattle rearing. According to official government statistics, unemployment is around 20%, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens the country's impressive economic gains.Until the beginning of the global recession in 2008, Botswana maintained one of the world's highest economic growth rates since its independence in 1966. Botswana recovered from the global recession in 2010, but only grew modestly until 2017, primarily due to a downturn in the global diamond market, though water and power shortages also played a role. Through fiscal discipline and sound management, Botswana has transformed itself from one of the poorest countries in the world five decades ago into a middle-income country with a per capita GDP of approximately $18,100 in 2017. Botswana also ranks as one of the least corrupt and best places to do business in Sub-Saharan Africa. Because of its heavy reliance on diamond exports, Botswana’s economy closely follows global price trends for that one commodity. Diamond mining fueled much of Botswana’s past economic expansion and currently accounts for one-quarter of GDP, approximately 85% of export earnings, and about one-third of the government's revenues. In 2017, Diamond exports increased to the highest levels since 2013 at about 22 million carats of output, driving Botswana’s economic growth to about 4.5% and increasing foreign exchange reserves to about 45% of GDP. De Beers, a major international diamond company, signed a 10-year deal with Botswana in 2012 and moved its rough stone sorting and trading division from London to Gaborone in 2013. The move was geared to support the development of Botswana's nascent downstream diamond industry. Tourism is a secondary earner of foreign exchange and many Batswana engage in tourism-related services, subsistence farming, and cattle rearing. According to official government statistics, unemployment is around 20%, but unofficial estimates run much higher. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is second highest in the world and threatens the country's impressive economic gains.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $37.72 billion (2020 est.)
$40.95 billion (2019 est.)
$39.75 billion (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.4% (2017 est.)
4.3% (2016 est.)
-1.7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $16,000 (2020 est.)
$17,800 (2019 est.)
$17,600 (2018 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $18.335 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.7% (2019 est.)
3.2% (2018 est.)
3.2% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Moody's rating: A2 (2020)
Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2020)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.8% (2017 est.)
industry: 27.5% (2017 est.)
services: 70.6% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 48.5% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 18.4% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 29% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.8% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 39.8% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -33.9% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, roots/tubers, vegetables, sorghum, beef, game meat, watermelons, cabbages, goat milk, onions
Industries: diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash, coal, iron ore, silver; beef processing; textiles
Industrial production growth rate: -4.2% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 1.177 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA
industry: NA
services: NA
Unemployment rate: 20% (2013 est.)
17.8% (2009 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 46.2%
male: 44.9%
female: 47.8% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 19.3% (2009 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 53.3 (2015 est.)
63 (1993)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA
highest 10%: NA
Budget: revenues: 5.305 billion (2017 est.)
expenditures: 5.478 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 14% of GDP (2017 est.)
15.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 30.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
Current account balance: $2.146 billion (2017 est.)
$2.147 billion (2016 est.)
Exports: $6.16 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$7.53 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: India 21%, Belgium 19%, United Arab Emirates 19%, South Africa 9%, Israel 7%, Hong Kong 6%, Singapore 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: diamonds, insulated wiring, gold, beef, carbonates (2019)
Imports: $7.44 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
$7.31 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: South Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019)
Imports - commodities: diamonds, refined petroleum, cars, delivery trucks, electricity (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $7.491 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$7.189 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $2.187 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.421 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: pulas (BWP) per US dollar -
10.90512 (2020 est.)
10.81081 (2019 est.)
10.60446 (2018 est.)
10.1263 (2014 est.)
8.9761 (2013 est.)
Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 59% (2019)
electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019)
electrification - rural areas: 29% (2019)
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 766,000 kW (2020 est.)
consumption: 3,515,900,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 1.101 billion kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 631 million kWh (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 0.2% 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: 1.876 million metric tons (2020 est.)
consumption: 1.416 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 497,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 1.66 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 21,700 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: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 21,090 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: 5.965 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.922 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 3.042 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Energy consumption per capita: 34.095 million Btu/person (2019 est.)
Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 140,003 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,829,408 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 163 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: effective regulatory reform has made Botswana’s telecom market one of the most liberalized in the region; there is a service-neutral licensing regime adapted to the convergence of technologies and services, and several operators now compete in all telecom sectors; Botswana has one of the highest mobile subscription rates in Africa, though with this growth in the number of subscribers has slowed sharply in recent years; the popular use of multiple SIM cards from different operators convinced that regulator that there was no need introduce mobile number portability, and although the government pursued the idea for some years, it accepted in April 2021 that it would not be implemented after all; in a bid to generate new revenue streams and secure market share, the three MNOs – Mascom Wireless (an affiliate of South Africa’s MTN), Orange Botswana (backed by Orange Group) and BTC – have entered the underdeveloped broadband sector by adopting of 3G, LTE, and WiMAX technologies; in the fixed-line broadband market they compete with a large number of ISPs, some of which have rolled out their own wireless access infrastructure; the landlocked country depends on satellites for international bandwidth, and on other countries for transit capacity to the landing points of international submarine cables; the landing of additional cables in the region in recent years has improved the competitive situation in this sector, while prices for connectivity have fallen dramatically; Paratus Teleco in mid-2021 completed the first stage of a private network covering the entire country, and linking to the company’s international cables (2022)
domestic: fixed-line teledensity has declined in recent years and now stands at roughly 6 telephones per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 162 telephones per 100 persons (2020)
international: country code - 267; international calls are made via satellite, using international direct dialing; 2 international exchanges; digital microwave radio relay links to Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean)
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: 2 TV stations - 1 state-owned and 1 privately owned; privately owned satellite TV subscription service is available; 2 state-owned national radio stations; 4 privately owned radio stations broadcast locally (2019)
Internet country code: .bw
Internet users: total: 1,505,040 (2020 est.)
percent of population: 64% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 259,525 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.)
Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 6
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 253,417 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 110,000 (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A2
Airports: total: 74 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 10
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 64
1,524 to 2,437 m: 5
914 to 1,523 m: 46
under 914 m: 13 (2021)
Railways: total: 888 km (2014)
narrow gauge: 888 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge
Roadways: total: 31,747 km (2017)
paved: 9,810 km (2017)
unpaved: 21,937 km (2017)
Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Botswana Defense Force (BDF): Ground Forces Command, Air Arm Command, Defense Logistics Command (2022)
note: both the BDF and the Botswana Police Service report to the Ministry of Defense, Justice, and Security
Military expenditures: 3% of GDP (2021 est.)
3% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.8% of GDP (2019) (approximately $760 million)
2.8% of GDP (2018) (approximately $730 million)
2.9% of GDP (2017) (approximately $740 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 9,000 active BDF personnel (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the BDF has a mix of foreign-supplied and mostly older weapons and equipment, largely from Europe (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021)
Military - note: Bechuanaland/Botswana did not have a permanent military during colonial times, with the British colonial administrators relying instead on small, lightly armed constabularies such as the Bechuanaland Mounted Police, the Bechuanaland Border Police, and by the early 1960s, the Police Mobile Unit (PMU); after independence in 1966, Botswana militarized the PMU and gave it responsibility for the country’s defense rather than create a conventional military force; however, turmoil in neighboring countries and numerous cross-border incursions by Rhodesian and South African security forces in the 1960s and 1970s demonstrated that the PMU was inadequate for defending the country and led to the establishment of the BDF in 1977; as of 2022, the BDF’s primary missions included securing territorial integrity/border security and internal duties such as disaster relief and anti-poaching
Botswana participates in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Standby Force, and in 2021-2022 contributed nearly 300 troops to the SADC’s effort to help the Mozambique Government suppress an insurgency (2022)
Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified |
20220901 | countries-saudi-arabia-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Saudi Arabia due to the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities. Exercise increased caution in Saudi Arabia due to terrorism. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: [966] (11) 488-3800; US Embassy in Riyadh, PO Box 94309, Riyadh 11693, Saudi Arabia; RiyadhACS@state.gov;
https://sa.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 966
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 997; Fire: 998; Police: 999
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Vaccinations required for certain visa classes. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Harsh, dry desert with great temperature extremes
Currency (Code): Saudi riyals (SAR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): G
Major Languages: Arabic
Major Religions: Muslim (85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh); note: most forms of public religious expression inconsistent with the government-sanctioned interpretation of Sunni Islam are restricted
Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: National Museum of Saudi Arabia; Jamaraat Bridge; Mada’in Salih; King's Fountain; Dumat al-Jandal; Al-Turaif District
Major Sports: Soccer, camel racing, wrestling
Cultural Practices: Do not point at people, better to keep hands flattened and gesture instead.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping 10-15% is expected for good service. Tip a porter/bellhop $1-2 (USD) per bag and a housekeeper $2 (USD) per day.
Souvenirs: Oud perfume, dried dates, olive oil, woven wool prayer rugs, oil lamps or incense burners, frankincense and myrrh incensePlease visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Thursday, May 19, 2022 |
20220901 | central-america-and-the-caribbean | |
20220901 | countries-chad-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Reconsider Travel to Chad due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: [235] 2251-5017; US Embassy N’Djamena, B.P. 413, N’Djamena, Chad; https://td.usembassy.gov/; NdjamenaACS@state.gov
Telephone Code: 235
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 997; Fire: 998; Police: 999
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Tropical in south, desert in north
Currency (Code): Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Central francs (Central African CFA franc, XAF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, E, F
Major Languages: French , Arabic, Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects
Major Religions: Muslim 52.1%, Protestant 23.9%, Roman Catholic 20%, animist 0.3%, other Christian 0.2%
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Chad National Museum; Zakouma National Park; Lakes of Ounianga; Ennedi Massif
Major Sports: Soccer, boxing, wrestling
Cultural Practices: All photography requires a government permit. Taking photos of military sites, official buildings, and airports is strictly prohibited, even with a permit.
Tipping Guidelines: Service charges are not usually included in restaurants and tips of 10% for waiters are acceptable. Taxi fares should be rounded up if the service is good.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-slovakia-travel-facts |
US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens RECONSIDER TRAVEL to Slovakia due to COVID-19. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required as long as the stay is less than 90 days.
US Embassy/Consulate: +(421) (2) 5443-0861 or +(421) (2) 5443-3338; EMER: +(421) 903-703-666; US Embassy Bratislava, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia; consulbratislava@state.gov;
https://sk.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 421
Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 155; Fire: 150; Police; 158
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations
http://www.who.int/
Climate: Temperate; cool summers; cold, cloudy, humid winters
Currency (Code): Euros (EUR)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages: Slovak, Hungarian, Roma, Ruthenian
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 8.2%, Greek Catholic 3.8%
Time Difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time); daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Potable Water: Yes
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Spis Castle; Slovak Paradise National Park; Pieniny Mountains; Demanovska Cave of Liberty; Vychodna Folklore Festival; Bratislava Castle; Tatra Mountains; Levoca
Major Sports: Soccer, ice hockey, cycling, hiking, soccer
Cultural Practices: Always wait to be invited before using someone’s first name. If you are invited to a Slovak’s home, take wine, flowers, or good quality chocolates for the hostess.
Tipping Guidelines: A tip of 10-20% is expected in restaurants. In other settings, tipping is expected only from tourists. In such cases, either round up a bill or leave 10% of the total.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.
World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.
US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.
To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)
How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444
Page last updated: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 |
20220901 | countries-papua-new-guinea-summaries |
Topic: Introduction
Background: The eastern half of the island of New Guinea was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. Since 2001, Bougainville has experienced autonomy. In a 2019 referendum, almost 98% of voters choose eventual independence.The eastern half of the island of New Guinea was divided between Germany (north) and the UK (south) in 1885. The latter area was transferred to Australia in 1902, which occupied the northern portion during World War I and continued to administer the combined areas until independence in 1975. Since 2001, Bougainville has experienced autonomy. In a 2019 referendum, almost 98% of voters choose eventual independence.
Topic: Geography
Area: total: 462,840 sq km
land: 452,860 sq km
water: 9,980 sq km
Climate: tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation
Natural resources: gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries
Topic: People and Society
Population: 9,593,498 (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups: Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian
Languages: Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 839 indigenous languages spoken (about 12% of the world's total); many languages have fewer than 1,000 speakers
Religions: Protestant 64.3% (Evangelical Lutheran 18.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.9%, Pentecostal 10.4%, United Church 10.3%, Evangelical Alliance 5.9%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.8%, Salvation Army .4%), Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 5.3%, non-Christian 1.4%, unspecified 3.1% (2011 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.35% (2022 est.)
Topic: Government
Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Capital: name: Port Moresby
Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob DADAE (since 28 February 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister James MARAPE (since 30 May 2019); Deputy Prime Minister Sam BASIL (since 20 December 2020)
Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Parliament (111 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies - 89 local, 20 provinicial, the autonomous province of Bouganville, and the National Capital District - by majority preferential vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the constitution allows up to 126 seats
Topic: Economy
Economic overview: lower middle-income Pacific island economy; very diverse, primarily informal agricultural labor force; natural resource rich extraction account for export volume; growing youth population faces lack of formal employment; hit by COVID-19lower middle-income Pacific island economy; very diverse, primarily informal agricultural labor force; natural resource rich extraction account for export volume; growing youth population faces lack of formal employment; hit by COVID-19
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $36.69 billion (2020 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $4,100 (2020 est.)
Agricultural products: oil palm fruit, bananas, coconuts, fruit, sweet potatoes, game meat, yams, roots/tubers nes, vegetables, taro
Industries: copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production; mining (gold, silver, copper); crude oil and petroleum products; construction, tourism, livestock (pork, poultry, cattle), dairy products, spice products (turmeric, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, chili, pepper, citronella, and nutmeg), fisheries products
Exports: $10.6 billion (2018 est.)
Exports - partners: Australia 26%, China 26%, Japan 22%, Taiwan 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities: natural gas, gold, copper, lumber, crude petroleum, nickel, palm oil, fish, coffee (2019)
Imports: $4.84 billion (2018 est.)
Imports - partners: Australia 33%, China 19%, Singapore 14%, Malaysia 9% (2019)
Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, excavation machinery, crude petroleum, foodstuffs, delivery trucks (2019)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022 |