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20220901

countries-taiwan-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: First inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwan based on a 1947 Constitution.First inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwan based on a 1947 Constitution. Topic: Geography Area: total: 35,980 sq km land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km Climate: tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year Natural resources: small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 23,580,712 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Han Chinese (including Holo, who compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's population, Hakka, and other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%, indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3% Languages: Mandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min Nan), Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages Religions: Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%, none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.) Population growth rate: 0.04% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Taipei Executive branch: chief of state: President TSAI Ing-wen (since 20 May 2016; re-elected on 11 Jan 2020); Vice President LAI Ching-te (since 20 May 2020) head of government: Premier SU Tseng-chang (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 11 January 2019); Vice Premier SHEN Jong-chin (Vice President of the Executive Yuan) (since 19 June 2020) Legislative branch: description: unicameral Legislative Yuan (113 seats; 73 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 34 directly elected in a single island-wide constituency by proportional representation vote, and 6 directly elected in multi-seat aboriginal constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: high-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequalityhigh-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequality Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,143,277,000,000 (2019 est.) Real GDP per capita: $24,502 (2018 est.) Agricultural products: rice, vegetables, pork, cabbages, poultry, sugar cane, milk, eggs, pineapples, tropical fruit Industries: electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals Exports: $388.49 billion (2019 est.) Exports - partners: China 26%, United States 14%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 7%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, office machinery/parts, computers, refined petroleum, liquid crystal displays (2019) Imports: $308.744 billion (2019 est.) Imports - partners: China 21%, Japan 16%, United States 11%, South Korea 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: integrated circuits, crude petroleum, photography equipment, natural gas, refined petroleum (2019) Exchange rates: New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar -Page last updated: Monday, Jul 25, 2022

20220901

countries-cuba-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Cuba due to demonstrable and sometimes debilitating injuries to members of our diplomatic community resulting in the drawdown of embassy staff. 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 citizen travelers should have at least 6 months of validity remaining on their passports after the date of entry 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. Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. US travelers must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury, Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) (https: and or and or www.treasury.gov and or about and or … and or offices and or pages and or office-of-foreign-assets-control.aspx). Anyone physically present in the US, regardless of citizenship and nationality, must comply with these regulations. Individuals seeking to travel to Cuba are not required to obtain licenses from OFAC if their travel is covered by a general license. If travel is not covered by a general license, OFAC authorization in the form of a specific license must be sought. One authorized reason for obtaining a license is “Support of the Cuban People.” More information on the licensing process may be found at the OFAC website above. Those contemplating travel to Cuba should also consult the US State Department's consular information page about the country. US Embassy/Consulate: [53] (7) 839-4100; US Embassy Havana, Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana, Cuba; https://cu.usembassy.gov/; acshavana@state.gov Telephone Code: 53 Local Emergency Phone: 26811 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October) Currency (Code): Cuban pesos (CUP) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 110 V, 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, C, L Major Languages: Spanish Major Religions: Christian 58.9%, folk religion 17.6%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, Muslim <1%, note: data is estimative as no authoritative source on religious affiliation in Cuba is available Time Difference: UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins second Sunday in March, ends first Sunday November; note: Cuba has been known to alter the schedule of DST on short notice in an attempt to conserve electricity Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Old Havana; Varadero; Trinidad; Guardalavaca; Cayo Largo del Sur; Cayo Coco; Parque Nacional Viñales Major Sports: Baseball, soccer, basketball Cultural Practices: Cubans will point by puckering their lips in the direction of or at the person to whom they are referring. Tipping Guidelines: In spas, restaurants, and barber shops, a 10% tip is appropriate. Tip the bellhop 1 peso per bag if he carries luggage to your room and leave housekeeping 1 peso per day. Souvenirs: Cigars, rum, coffee, sugar, local art and handicraftsPlease 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-costa-rica-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Costa Rica 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 90 days, but a return ticket is required. US Embassy/Consulate: [506] 2519-2000; US Embassy in San Jose, Calle 98 Vía 104, Pavas, San José, Costa Rica; https://cr.usembassy.gov/; acssanjose@state.gov Telephone Code: 506 Local Emergency Phone: 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 and subtropical; dry season (December to April); rainy season (May to November); cooler in highlands Currency (Code): Costa Rican colones (CRC) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: Spanish, English Major Religions: Roman Catholic 71.8%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 12.3%, other Protestant 2.6%, Jehovah's Witness 0.5% Time Difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Costa Rica, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Manuel Antonio National Park; Poas Volcano National Park; Arenal Volcano National Park; Monteverde and the Cloud Forests; Cocos Island; Tamarindo; Mal Pais and Santa Teresa; Tortuguero National Park Major Sports: Soccer, basketball Cultural Practices: Local Costa Ricans are loath to say "no," instead preferring "maybe." Keep in mind that a "maybe" is not an attempt to lie or mislead. Tipping Guidelines: Many restaurants will add a 10% service charge to the bill. If the service was good, you may leave a little extra for the server. It is standard to leave 500 CR (or $1 USD) per drink at bars. Tip tour guides between $10-15 (USD) per person depending on the size of the tour. Give $1-5 (USD) for taxi drivers depending on the distance. Round up for shorter distances. It is considerate to tip bellhops $1 (USD) per bag and leave $2 (USD) per day for housekeeping. Souvenirs: Coffee, hammocks, ceramic and wood bowls, wooden macaw statues and other carved items, leather rocking chairs, handmade earrings and threaded necklaces Traditional Cuisine: Gallo Pinto — kidney or black beans or pigeon peas and rice cooked together and mixed with Lizano sauce; often served as breakfastPlease 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-moldova

Topic: Photos of Moldova Topic: Introduction Background: A large portion of present day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001-09 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010-19, but pro-Russia Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016 and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in November 2020 and the Party of Action and Solidarity, which SANDU founded in 2015, won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in July 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in August 2021.  A large portion of present day Moldovan territory became a province of the Russian Empire in 1812 and then unified with Romania in 1918 in the aftermath of World War I. This territory was then incorporated into the Soviet Union at the close of World War II. Although Moldova has been independent from the Soviet Union since 1991, Russian forces have remained on Moldovan territory east of the Nistru River in the breakaway region of Transnistria.Years of Communist Party rule in Moldova from 2001-09 ultimately ended with election-related violent protests and a rerun of parliamentary elections in 2009. A series of pro-Europe ruling coalitions governed Moldova from 2010-19, but pro-Russia Igor DODON won the presidency in 2016 and his Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova won a plurality in the legislative election in 2019. Pro-EU reformist candidate Maia SANDU defeated DODON in his reelection bid in November 2020 and the Party of Action and Solidarity, which SANDU founded in 2015, won a parliamentary majority in an early legislative election in July 2021. Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA and her cabinet took office in August 2021. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Europe, northeast of Romania Geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 29 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 33,851 sq km land: 32,891 sq km water: 960 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,885 km border countries (2): Romania 683 km; Ukraine 1202 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Climate: moderate winters, warm summers Terrain: rolling steppe, gradual slope south to Black Sea Elevation: highest point: Dealul Balanesti 430 m lowest point: Dniester (Nistru) 2 m mean elevation: 139 m Natural resources: lignite, phosphorites, gypsum, limestone, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 74.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 55.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 9.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10.7% (2018 est.) forest: 11.9% (2018 est.) other: 13.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 2,283 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dniester (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Population distribution: pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti Natural hazards: landslides Geography - note: landlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone Map description: Moldova map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Moldova map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 3,287,326 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Moldovan(s) adjective: Moldovan Ethnic groups: Moldovan 75.1%, Romanian 7%, Ukrainian 6.6%, Gagauz 4.6%, Russian 4.1%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 0.8% (2014 est.) Languages: Moldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% identify their mother tongue as Moldovan, which is virtually the same as Romanian; 23.5% identify Romanian as their mother tongue), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014 est.); note - data represent mother tongue major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Moldovan/Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Orthodox 90.1%, other Christian 2.6%, other 0.1%, agnostic <.1%, atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.9% (2014 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.31% (male 317,243/female 298,673) 15-24 years: 11.27% (male 196,874/female 182,456) 25-54 years: 43.13% (male 738,103/female 712,892) 55-64 years: 13.26% (male 205,693/female 240,555) 65 years and over: 14.03% (2020 est.) (male 186,949/female 285,058) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 39.6 youth dependency ratio: 22.2 elderly dependency ratio: 17.4 potential support ratio: 5.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 37.7 years male: 36.2 years female: 39.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -1.12% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 10.19 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 12.47 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -8.87 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: pockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti Urbanization: urban population: 43.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 491,000 CHISINAU (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.86 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.46 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 25.2 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 19 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.44 years male: 68.6 years female: 76.52 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.59 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 56% (2020) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.9% of population rural: 87% of population total: 92.1% of population unimproved: urban: 1.1% of population rural: 13% of population total: 7.9% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.4% (2019) Physicians density: 3.1 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 5.7 beds/1,000 population (2014) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 83.1% of population total: 89.9% of population unimproved: urban: 1% of population rural: 16.9% of population total: 10.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 14,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 18.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 29% (2020 est.) male: 51.7% (2020 est.) female: 6.2% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.2% (2012) Education expenditures: 6.1% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.4% male: 99.7% female: 99.1% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 15 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.9% male: 9.9% female: 12.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: heavy use of agricultural chemicals, has contaminated soil and groundwater; extensive soil erosion and declining soil fertility from poor farming methods Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 15.97 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 5.12 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 3.29 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: moderate winters, warm summers Land use: agricultural land: 74.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 55.1% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 9.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 10.7% (2018 est.) forest: 11.9% (2018 est.) other: 13.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.09% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.26% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 3,981,200 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 609,920 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.3% (2015 est.) Major rivers (by length in km): Danube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dniester (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 148 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 650 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 42 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 12.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Moldova conventional short form: Moldova local long form: Republica Moldova local short form: Moldova former: Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic, Moldovan Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: named for the Moldova River in neighboring eastern Romania Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Chisinau in Moldovan (Kishinev in Russian) geographic coordinates: 47 00 N, 28 51 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: origin unclear but may derive from the archaic Romanian word "chisla" ("spring" or "water source") and "noua" ("new") because the original settlement was built at the site of a small spring note: pronounced KEE-shee-now (KIH-shi-nyov) Administrative divisions: 32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala) raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Ungheni municipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinau autonomous territorial unit: Gagauzia territorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria)32 raions (raioane, singular - raion), 3 municipalities (municipii, singular - municipiul), 1 autonomous territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala autonoma), and 1 territorial unit (unitatea teritoriala)raions: Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Cahul, Cantemir, Calarasi, Causeni, Cimislia, Criuleni, Donduseni, Drochia, Dubasari, Edinet, Falesti, Floresti, Glodeni, Hincesti, Ialoveni, Leova, Nisporeni, Ocnita, Orhei, Rezina, Riscani, Singerei, Soldanesti, Soroca, Stefan Voda, Straseni, Taraclia, Telenesti, Unghenimunicipalities: Balti, Bender, Chisinauautonomous territorial unit: Gagauziaterritorial unit: Stinga Nistrului (Transnistria) Independence: 27 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 27 August (1991) Constitution: history: previous 1978; latest adopted 29 July 1994, effective 27 August 1994 amendments: proposed by voter petition (at least 200,000 eligible voters), by at least one third of Parliament members, or by the government; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament within one year of initial proposal; revisions to constitutional articles on sovereignty, independence, and neutrality require majority vote by referendum; articles on fundamental rights and freedoms cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2018 Legal system: civil law system with Germanic law influences; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Moldova dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Maia SANDU (since 24 December 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Natalia GAVRILITA (since 6 August 2021) cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister-designate, nominated by the president, approved through a vote of confidence in Parliament elections/appointments: president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 15 November 2020 (next to be held in fall 2024); prime minister designated by the president upon consultation with Parliament; within 15 days from designation, the prime minister-designate must request a vote of confidence for his/her proposed work program from the Parliament election results: 2020: Maia SANDU elected president; percent of vote (second round results) - Maia SANDU (PAS) 57.7%, Igor DODON (PSRM) 42.3% 2016: Igor DODON elected president; percent of vote 52.1%, and Maia SANDU 47.9% Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 51 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 50 members directly elected in a single, nationwide constituency by closed party-list proportional representation vote; all members serve 4-year terms elections: last held on 11 July 2021 (next scheduled in July 2025) election results: percent of vote by party - PAS 52.8%, BECS (PSRM+PCRM) 27.1%, SHOR 5.7%; seats by party - PAS 63, BECS 32, SHOR 6; composition as of July 2022 - men 60, women 41, percent of women 40.6%last held on 11 July 2021 (next scheduled in July 2025)percent of vote by party - PAS 52.8%, BECS (PSRM+PCRM) 27.1%, SHOR 5.7%; seats by party - PAS 63, BECS 32, SHOR 6; composition as of July 2022 - men 60, women 41, percent of women 40.6% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief judge, 3 deputy-chief judges, 45 judges, and 7 assistant judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 6 judges); note - the Constitutional Court is autonomous to the other branches of government; the Court interprets the Constitution and reviews the constitutionality of parliamentary laws and decisions, decrees of the president, and acts of the government judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court of Justice judges appointed by the president upon the recommendation of the Superior Council of Magistracy, an 11-member body of judicial officials; all judges serve 4-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed 2 each by Parliament, the president, and the Higher Council of Magistracy for 6-year terms; court president elected by other court judges for a 3-year term subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Court of Business Audit; municipal courts Political parties and leaders: represented in Parliament: Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS [Igor GROSU] Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS [Vlad BATRINCEA, PSRM and Vladimir VORONIN, PCRM] SOR Party or PS [Ilan SHOR]represented in Parliament: Party of Action and Solidarity or PAS [Igor GROSU] Electoral Bloc of Communists and Socialists or BCS [Vlad BATRINCEA, PSRM and Vladimir VORONIN, PCRM] SOR Party or PS [Ilan SHOR] International organization participation: BSEC, CD, CE, CEI, CIS, EAEU (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eugen CARAS (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 2101 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 667-1130 FAX: [1] (202) 667-2624 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.md https://sua.mfa.gov.md/en Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kent D. LOGSDON (since 16 February 2022) embassy: 103 Mateevici Street, Chisinau MD-2009 mailing address: 7080 Chisinau Place, Washington DC  20521-7080 telephone: [373] (22) 408-300 FAX: [373] (22) 233-044 email address and website: ChisinauACS@state.gov https://md.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of Prussian blue (hoist side), chrome yellow, and vermilion red; emblem in center of flag is of a Roman eagle of dark gold (brown) outlined in black with a red beak and talons carrying a yellow cross in its beak and a green olive branch in its right talons and a yellow scepter in its left talons; on its breast is a shield divided horizontally red over blue with a stylized aurochs head, star, rose, and crescent all in black-outlined yellow; based on the color scheme of the flag of Romania - with which Moldova shares a history and culture - but Moldova's blue band is lighter; the reverse of the flag displays a mirrored image of the coat of arms note: one of only three national flags that differ on their obverse and reverse sides - the others are Paraguay and Saudi Arabia National symbol(s): aurochs (a type of wild cattle); national colors: blue, yellow, red National anthem: name: "Limba noastra" (Our Language) lyrics/music: Alexei MATEEVICI/Alexandru CRISTEA note: adopted 1994 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Struve Geodetic Arc Topic: Economy Economic overview: Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. With a moderate climate and productive farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, wheat, and tobacco. Moldova also depends on annual remittances of about $1.2 billion - almost 15% of GDP - from the roughly one million Moldovans working in Europe, Israel, Russia, and elsewhere.   With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by a more than $6 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom, largely the result of unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova and Romania inaugurated the Ungheni-Iasi natural gas interconnector project in August 2014. The 43-kilometer pipeline between Moldova and Romania, allows for both the import and export of natural gas. Several technical and regulatory delays kept gas from flowing into Moldova until March 2015. Romanian gas exports to Moldova are largely symbolic. In 2018, Moldova awarded a tender to Romanian Transgaz to construct a pipeline connecting Ungheni to Chisinau, bringing the gas to Moldovan population centers. Moldova also seeks to connect with the European power grid by 2022.   The government's stated goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economic growth in 2017, largely driven by increased consumption, increased revenue from agricultural exports, and improved tax collection. During fall 2014, Moldova signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU (AA/DCFTA), connecting Moldovan products to the world’s largest market. The EU AA/DCFTA has contributed to significant growth in Moldova’s exports to the EU. In 2017, the EU purchased over 65% of Moldova’s exports, a major change from 20 years previously when the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received over 69% of Moldova’s exports. A $1 billion asset-stripping heist of Moldovan banks in late 2014 delivered a significant shock to the economy in 2015; the subsequent bank bailout increased inflationary pressures and contributed to the depreciation of the leu and a minor recession. Moldova’s growth has also been hampered by endemic corruption, which limits business growth and deters foreign investment, and Russian restrictions on imports of Moldova’s agricultural products. The government’s push to restore stability and implement meaningful reform led to the approval in 2016 of a $179 million three-year IMF program focused on improving the banking and fiscal environments, along with additional assistance programs from the EU, World Bank, and Romania. Moldova received two IMF tranches in 2017, totaling over $42.5 million.   Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to corruption, political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, energy import dependence, Russian political and economic pressure, heavy dependence on agricultural exports, and unresolved separatism in Moldova's Transnistria region.Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. With a moderate climate and productive farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, wheat, and tobacco. Moldova also depends on annual remittances of about $1.2 billion - almost 15% of GDP - from the roughly one million Moldovans working in Europe, Israel, Russia, and elsewhere. With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by a more than $6 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom, largely the result of unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova and Romania inaugurated the Ungheni-Iasi natural gas interconnector project in August 2014. The 43-kilometer pipeline between Moldova and Romania, allows for both the import and export of natural gas. Several technical and regulatory delays kept gas from flowing into Moldova until March 2015. Romanian gas exports to Moldova are largely symbolic. In 2018, Moldova awarded a tender to Romanian Transgaz to construct a pipeline connecting Ungheni to Chisinau, bringing the gas to Moldovan population centers. Moldova also seeks to connect with the European power grid by 2022. The government's stated goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economic growth in 2017, largely driven by increased consumption, increased revenue from agricultural exports, and improved tax collection. During fall 2014, Moldova signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU (AA/DCFTA), connecting Moldovan products to the world’s largest market. The EU AA/DCFTA has contributed to significant growth in Moldova’s exports to the EU. In 2017, the EU purchased over 65% of Moldova’s exports, a major change from 20 years previously when the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received over 69% of Moldova’s exports. A $1 billion asset-stripping heist of Moldovan banks in late 2014 delivered a significant shock to the economy in 2015; the subsequent bank bailout increased inflationary pressures and contributed to the depreciation of the leu and a minor recession. Moldova’s growth has also been hampered by endemic corruption, which limits business growth and deters foreign investment, and Russian restrictions on imports of Moldova’s agricultural products. The government’s push to restore stability and implement meaningful reform led to the approval in 2016 of a $179 million three-year IMF program focused on improving the banking and fiscal environments, along with additional assistance programs from the EU, World Bank, and Romania. Moldova received two IMF tranches in 2017, totaling over $42.5 million. Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to corruption, political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, energy import dependence, Russian political and economic pressure, heavy dependence on agricultural exports, and unresolved separatism in Moldova's Transnistria region. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $32.26 billion (2020 est.) $34.68 billion (2019 est.) $33.48 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.5% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,300 (2020 est.) $13,000 (2019 est.) $12,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $11.982 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: B3 (2010) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 17.7% (2017 est.) industry: 20.3% (2017 est.) services: 62% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 85.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 42.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -70.7% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: maize, wheat, sunflower seed, grapes, apples, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, barley, plums/sloes Industries: sugar processing, vegetable oil, food processing, agricultural machinery; foundry equipment, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines; hosiery, shoes, textiles Industrial production growth rate: 3% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.295 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 32.3% industry: 12% services: 55.7% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.99% (2019 est.) 3.16% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.9% male: 9.9% female: 12.3% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 7.3% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 25.7 (2018 est.) 26.8 (2014 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.2% highest 10%: 22.1% (2014 est.) Budget: revenues: 2.886 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.947 billion (2017 est.) note: National Public Budget Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 31.5% of GDP (2017 est.) 35.8% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 30.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$602 million (2017 est.) -$268 million (2016 est.) Exports: $3.24 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.66 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.45 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Romania 27%, Russia 9%, Italy 9%, Germany 9%, Turkey 6%, Poland 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: insulated wiring, sunflower seeds, wine, corn, seats (2019) Imports: $5.93 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $6.62 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $6.39 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Romania 20%, Russia 10%, Ukraine 9%, Germany 8%, China 7%, Turkey 6%, Italy 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, insulated wiring, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.803 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.206 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $7.232 billion (2019 est.) $7.16 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Moldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 18.49 (2017 est.) 19.924 (2016 est.) 19.924 (2015 est.) 19.83 (2014 est.) 14.036 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 594,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 4,591,230,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 629 million kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 571 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 93.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 4.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 133,000 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 133,000 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 0 bbl/day (2021 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 22,000 bbl/day (2019 est.) crude oil and lease condensate exports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil and lease condensate imports: 0 barrels/day (2018 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 0 barrels (2021 est.) Refined petroleum products - production: 232 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 275 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 18,160 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 57,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 2,802,400,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 2,802,344,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 8.114 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 374,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.968 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 4.773 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 40.398 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,027,689 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 3,420,383 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 85 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom market has been affected by a combination of high unemployment and economic difficulties which have led to constraints on consumer spending; this has resulted in telecom revenue having fallen steadily in recent years; this decline continued into 2020, with a 6.3% in revenue from the important mobile sector alone, year-on-year; Moldova’s aspirations to join the EU have encouraged the government and regulator to adopt a range of measures to bring the country’s telecoms sector into line with EU principles and standards; in July 2017 the Electronic Communications Act was amended to accommodate the 2009 European regulatory framework, while further amendments were adopted in December 2017 and additional changes were proposed in 2019; Moldova is also part of the Eastern Partnership group of countries, and as such has set in train a glide path to reducing roaming charges, effective between 2022 and 2026; the country’s broadband strategy through to 2025 has been supported by the ITU and industry counterparts from Korea; the internet market is developing rapidly, and though the penetration rate is well below the average for most European countries there are many opportunities for further development; the market is highly competitive, with 101 active ISPs as of early 2021, though Moldtelecom and Starnet between them account for most connections; the number of cable broadband subscribers is increasing steadily, though fiber is now by far the strongest sector; by the end of 2020 fiber accounted for about 72.3% of all fixed broadband connections; the mobile market has also grown rapidly, and the sector accounts for the majority of total telecoms revenue; the triopoly of operators is dominated by Orange Moldova, while the launch of LTE services has opened up a new revenue growth opportunity centered on mobile broadband; the near comprehensive geographical reach of their mobile networks, market brand recognition and existing customer relationships will make for steady subscriber growth in coming years. (2021) domestic: competition among mobile telephone providers has spurred subscriptions; little interest in expanding fixed-line service which is roughly 25 per 100; mobile-cellular teledensity nearly 85 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 373; service through Romania and Russia via landline; satellite earth stations - at least 3 - Intelsat, Eutelsat, and Intersputnik note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced a downturn, particularly in mobile device production; progress towards 5G implementation has resumed, as well as upgrades to infrastructure; consumer spending on telecom services has increased due to the surge in demand for capacity and bandwidth; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home is still evident, and the spike in this area has seen growth opportunities for development of new tools and increased services Broadcast media: state-owned national radio-TV broadcaster operates 1 TV and 1 radio station; a total of nearly 70 terrestrial TV channels and some 50 radio stations are in operation; Russian and Romanian channels also are available (2019) Internet country code: .md Internet users: total: 2,025,380 (2019 est.) percent of population: 76% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 719,001 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 6 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 21 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,135,999 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 640,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ER Airports: total: 7 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 2,026 km gas (2021) (2021) Railways: total: 1,171 km (2014) standard gauge: 14 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge broad gauge: 1,157 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge Roadways: total: 9,352 km (2012) paved: 8,835 km (2012) unpaved: 517 km (2012) Waterways: 558 km (2011) (in public use on Danube, Dniester and Prut Rivers) Merchant marine: total: 147 by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 5, general cargo 97, oil tanker 7, other 33 (2021) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: National Army: Land Forces (Fortele Terestre ale Republicii Moldova, FTRM); Air Forces (Forţele Aeriene ale Republicii Moldova, FARM); Ministry of Internal Affairs: Carabinieri Troops (2022) note: the Carabinieri is a quasi-militarized gendarmerie responsible for protecting public buildings, maintaining public order, and other national security functions Military expenditures: 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $160 million) 0.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $130 million) 0.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $120 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 6,500 active troops (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Moldovan military's inventory is limited and almost entirely comprised of older Russian and Soviet-era equipment; since 2000, it has received small amounts of donated material from other nations, including the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; male registration required at age 16; 1-year service obligation (2021) note: as of 2019, women made up about 20% of the military's full-time personnel Military - note: Moldova is constitutionally neutral, but has maintained a relationship with NATO since 1992; bilateral cooperation started when Moldova joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1994; Moldova has contributed small numbers of troops to NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 2014, and a civilian NATO liaison office was established in Moldova in 2017 at the request of the Moldovan Government to promote practical cooperation and facilitate support the 1992 war between Moldovan forces and Transnistrian separatists backed by Russian troops ended with a cease-fire; as of 2022, Russia maintained approximately 1,500 troops in Transnistria, some of which served under the authority of a peacekeeping force known as a Joint Control Commission that also included Moldovan and separatist personnel; the remainder of the Russian contingent (the Operative Group of the Russian Troops or OGRT) guarded a depot of Soviet-era ammunition and trained Transnistrian separatist paramilitary troops (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Moldova-Romania: none identified Moldova-Ukraine: Ukraine and Moldova signed an agreement officially delimiting their border in 1999, but the border has not been demarcated due to Moldova's difficulties with the break-away region of Transnistria; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troopsMoldova-Romania: none identifiedMoldova-Ukraine: Ukraine and Moldova signed an agreement officially delimiting their border in 1999, but the border has not been demarcated due to Moldova's difficulties with the break-away region of Transnistria; Moldova and Ukraine operate joint customs posts to monitor the transit of people and commodities through Moldova's break-away Transnistria region, which remains under the auspices of an Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe-mandated peacekeeping mission comprised of Moldovan, Transnistrian, Russian, and Ukrainian troops Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 89,302 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) stateless persons: 3,372 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: limited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity

20220901

field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate

This entry gives an estimate of the percentage of adults (aged 15-49) living with HIV/AIDS. The adult prevalence rate is calculated by dividing the estimated number of adults living with HIV/AIDS at yearend by the total adult population at yearend. Topic: Afghanistan(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: AkrotiriNA Topic: Albania(2020 est.) <.1 Topic: Algeria(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: American SamoaNA Topic: AndorraNA Topic: Angola1.8% (2020 est.) Topic: AnguillaNA Topic: Antigua and Barbuda1.1% (2018) Topic: Argentina0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Armenia0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: ArubaNA Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA Topic: Australia0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Austria0.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The1.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Bahrain(2017 est.) <.1% Topic: Bangladesh(2018 est.) <.1% Topic: Barbados1.1% (2019 est.) Topic: Belarus0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: BelgiumNA Topic: Belize1.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Benin0.9% (2020 est.) Topic: BermudaNA Topic: Bhutan0.2% (2020) Topic: Bolivia0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina(2018) <.1% Topic: Botswana19.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Bouvet IslandNA Topic: Brazil0.6% (2020 est.) Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA Topic: BruneiNA Topic: Bulgaria(2019 est.) <.1% Topic: Burkina Faso0.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Burma0.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Burundi1% (2020 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Cambodia0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Cameroon3% (2020 est.) Topic: CanadaNA Topic: Cayman IslandsNA Topic: Central African Republic2.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Chad1.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Chile0.6% (2020 est.) Topic: ChinaNA Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Clipperton IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA Topic: Colombia0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Comoros(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the0.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the3.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Cook IslandsNA Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA Topic: Costa Rica0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire2.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Croatia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Cuba0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: CuracaoNA Topic: Cyprus0.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia(2018 est.) <.1% Topic: Denmark0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: DhekeliaNA Topic: Djibouti0.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Dominica0.6% (2018) Topic: Dominican Republic0.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuador0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Egypt(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: El Salvador0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea7.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Eritrea0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Estonia0.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatini26.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopia0.9% (2020 est.) Topic: European Unionnote - see individual entries of member states Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe IslandsNA Topic: Fiji0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Finland0.1% (2018) Topic: France0.3% (2019 est.) Topic: French PolynesiaNA Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA Topic: Gabon3% (2020 est.) Topic: Gambia, The1.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Gaza StripNA Topic: Georgia0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Germany0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Ghana1.7% (2020 est.) Topic: GibraltarNA Topic: Greece0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: GreenlandNA Topic: Grenada0.5% (2018) Topic: GuamNA Topic: Guatemala0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: GuernseyNA Topic: Guinea1.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau3% (2020 est.) Topic: Guyana1.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Haiti1.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Hong KongNA Topic: Hungary(2018 est.) <.1% Topic: Iceland0.1% (2020) Topic: India0.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Iran(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: IraqNA Topic: Ireland0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Isle of ManNA Topic: Israel0.2% (2018) Topic: Italy0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaica1.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Jan MayenNA Topic: Japan(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: JerseyNA Topic: Jordan(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Kazakhstan0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Kenya4.2% (2020 est.) Topic: KiribatiNA Topic: Korea, NorthNA Topic: Korea, SouthNA Topic: KosovoNA Topic: Kuwait(2018 est.) <.1% Topic: Kyrgyzstan0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Laos0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Latvia0.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Lebanon(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Lesotho21.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Liberia1.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Libya0.1% (2020) Topic: LiechtensteinNA Topic: Lithuania0.1% (2019 est.) Topic: Luxembourg0.3% (2018 est.) Topic: MacauNA Topic: Madagascar0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Malawi8.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Malaysia0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: MaldivesNA Topic: Mali0.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Malta0.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Marshall IslandsNA Topic: Mauritania0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritius1.7% (2020) Topic: Mexico0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA Topic: Moldova0.8% (2020 est.) Topic: MonacoNA Topic: Mongolia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Montenegro(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: MontserratNA Topic: Morocco(2020 est.) <.1% note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique11.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Namibia11.6% (2020 est.) Topic: NauruNA Topic: Navassa IslandNA Topic: Nepal0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Netherlands0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: New CaledoniaNA Topic: New Zealand(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Nicaragua0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Niger0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Nigeria1.3% (2020 est.) Topic: NiueNA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia(2018 est.) <.1% Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA Topic: Norway0.1% (2018 est.) Topic: Oman0.1% (2019) Topic: Pakistan0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: PalauNA Topic: Panama1% (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea0.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Paracel IslandsNA Topic: Paraguay0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Peru0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Philippines0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: PolandNA Topic: Portugal0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto RicoNA Topic: Qatar(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Romania0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Russia1.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda2.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis0.5% (2018) Topic: Saint Lucia0.6% (2018) Topic: Saint MartinNA Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1.5% (2018) Topic: SamoaNA Topic: San MarinoNA Topic: Sao Tome and Principe0.3% (2020) Topic: Saudi Arabia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Senegal0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Serbia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: SeychellesNA Topic: Sierra Leone1.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Singapore0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Sint MaartenNA Topic: Slovakia(2018 est.) <.1% Topic: Slovenia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Solomon IslandsNA Topic: Somalia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: South Africa19.1% (2020 est.) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA Topic: South Sudan2.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Spain0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Spratly IslandsNA Topic: Sri Lanka(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Sudan0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Suriname1.1% (2020 est.) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Sweden0.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Switzerland0.2% (2020) Topic: Syria(2020) <.1% Topic: TaiwanNA Topic: Tajikistan0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Tanzania4.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Thailand1% (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste0.2% (2020) Topic: Togo2% (2020 est.) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: TongaNA Topic: Trinidad and Tobago0.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Tunisia(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: TurkeyNA Topic: TurkmenistanNA Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA Topic: TuvaluNA Topic: Uganda5.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Ukraine1% (2020 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates0.1% (2020) Topic: United KingdomNA Topic: United StatesNA Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA Topic: Uruguay0.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan0.2% (2020 est.) Topic: VanuatuNA Topic: Venezuela0.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Vietnam0.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Wake IslandNA Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA Topic: West BankNA Topic: World0.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Yemen(2020 est.) <.1% Topic: Zambia11.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe11.9% (2020 est.)

20220901

field-credit-ratings

This entry provides the current bond ratings for a country or territory from each of the three major credit bureaus (Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard & Poors). These ratings allow investors, including international finance institutions (e.g., the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund, etc.) to understand how likely a government’s bond is to default. Rating factors include the following aspects: current account balance, debt payment history and timeliness, banking and financial operations, future economic outlook, and national economic strength. While in recent years other credit rating agencies have proliferated, these three credit agencies constitute more than 95% of the credit evaluation market globally and are the primary sovereign debt ratings considered by international and regional finance institutions. Topic: AlbaniaMoody's rating: B1 (2007) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2016) Topic: AndorraFitch rating: BBB+ (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2017) Topic: AngolaFitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: Caa1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) Topic: ArgentinaFitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: Ca (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) Topic: ArmeniaFitch rating: B+ (2020) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2019) Topic: ArubaFitch rating: BB (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2013) Topic: AustraliaFitch rating: AAA (2011) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2003) Topic: AustriaFitch rating: AA+ (2015) Moody's rating: Aa1 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2012) Topic: AzerbaijanFitch rating: BB+ (2016) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB+ (2016) Topic: Bahamas, TheMoody's rating: Ba2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2020) Topic: BahrainFitch rating: B+ (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2017) Topic: BangladeshFitch rating: BB- (2014) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2012) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2010) Topic: BarbadosMoody's rating: Caa1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019) Topic: BelarusFitch rating: B (2018) Moody's rating: B3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B (2017) Topic: BelgiumFitch rating: AA- (2016) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2011) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2011) Topic: BelizeMoody's rating: Caa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) Topic: BeninFitch rating: B (2019) Moody's rating: B2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2018) Topic: BermudaFitch rating: N/A (2015) Moody's rating: A2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015) Topic: BoliviaFitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2020) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaMoody's rating: B3 (2012) Standard & Poors rating: B (2011) Topic: BotswanaMoody's rating: A2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2020) Topic: BrazilFitch rating: BB- (2018) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2018) Topic: BulgariaFitch rating: BBB (2017) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019) Topic: Burkina FasoStandard & Poors rating: B (2017) Topic: Cabo VerdeFitch rating: B- (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2013) Topic: CambodiaMoody's rating: B2 (2007) Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2014) Topic: CameroonFitch rating: B (2006) Moody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020) Topic: CanadaFitch rating: AA+ (2020) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2002) Topic: Cayman IslandsMoody's rating: Aa3 (1997) Topic: ChileFitch rating: A- (2020) Moody's rating: A1 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2017) Topic: ChinaFitch rating: A+ (2007) Moody's rating: A1 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2017) Topic: ColombiaFitch rating: BBB- (2020) Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2017) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theMoody's rating: Caa1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2017) Topic: Congo, Republic of theFitch rating: CCC (2019) Moody's rating: Caa2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) Topic: Costa RicaFitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2020) Topic: Cote d'IvoireFitch rating: B+ (2015) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2015) Topic: CroatiaFitch rating: BBB- (2019) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2019) Topic: CubaMoody's rating: Caa2 (2014) Topic: CyprusFitch rating: BBB- (2018) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2018) Topic: CzechiaFitch rating: AA- (2018) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2011) Topic: DenmarkFitch rating: AAA (2003) Moody's rating: Aaa (1999) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2001) Topic: Dominican RepublicFitch rating: BB- (2016) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2015) Topic: EcuadorFitch rating: B- (2020) Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020) Topic: EgyptFitch rating: B+ (2019) Moody's rating: B2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B (2018) Topic: El SalvadorFitch rating: B- (2017) Moody's rating: B3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2018) Topic: EstoniaFitch rating: AA- (2018) Moody's rating: A1 (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2011) Topic: EswatiniMoody's rating: B3 (2020) Topic: EthiopiaFitch rating: B (2014) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2014) Topic: European UnionFitch rating: AAA (2010) Moody's rating: Aaa (2014) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2016) Topic: FijiMoody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2019) Topic: FinlandFitch rating: AA+ (2016) Moody's rating: Aa1 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2014) Topic: FranceFitch rating: AA (2014) Moody's rating: Aa2 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2013) Topic: GabonFitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: Caa1 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2016) Topic: GeorgiaFitch rating: BB (2019) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB (2019) Topic: GermanyFitch rating: AAA (1994) Moody's rating: Aaa (1986) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1983) Credit ratings prior to 1989 refer to West Germany. Topic: GhanaFitch rating: B (2013) Moody's rating: B3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020) Topic: GreeceFitch rating: BB (2020) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2019) Topic: GrenadaStandard & Poors rating: SD (2013) Topic: GuatemalaFitch rating: BB- (2020) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2010) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2017) Topic: HondurasMoody's rating: B1 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2017) Topic: Hong KongFitch rating: AA- (2020) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2017) Topic: HungaryFitch rating: BBB (2019) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019) Topic: IcelandFitch rating: A (2017) Moody's rating: A2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: A (2017) Topic: IndiaFitch rating: BBB- (2006) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2007) Topic: IndonesiaFitch rating: BBB (2017) Moody's rating: Baa2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019) Topic: IraqFitch rating: B- (2015) Moody's rating: Caa1 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2015) Topic: IrelandFitch rating: A+ (2017) Moody's rating: A2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2019) Topic: Isle of ManMoody's rating: Aa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2014) Topic: IsraelFitch rating: A+ (2016) Moody's rating: A1 (2008) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2018) Note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained. Topic: ItalyFitch rating: BBB- (2020) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2017) Topic: JamaicaFitch rating: B+ (2019) Moody's rating: B2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2019) Topic: JapanFitch rating: A (2015) Moody's rating: A1 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015) Topic: JordanFitch rating: BB- (2019) Moody's rating: B1 (2013) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2017) Topic: KazakhstanFitch rating: BBB (2016) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2016) Topic: KenyaFitch rating: B+ (2007) Moody's rating: B2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2010) Topic: Korea, SouthFitch rating: AA- (2012) Moody's rating: Aa2 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2016) Topic: KuwaitFitch rating: AA (2008) Moody's rating: A1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2020) Topic: KyrgyzstanMoody's rating: B2 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: NR (2016) Topic: LaosFitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: Caa2 (2020) Topic: LatviaFitch rating: A- (2014) Moody's rating: A3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020) Topic: LebanonFitch rating: RD (2020) Moody's rating: C (2020) Standard & Poors rating: D (2020) Topic: LesothoFitch rating: B (2019) Topic: LiechtensteinStandard & Poors rating: AAA (1996) Topic: LithuaniaFitch rating: A (2020) Moody's rating: A3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2020) Topic: LuxembourgFitch rating: AAA (1994) Moody's rating: Aaa (1989) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1994) Topic: MacauFitch rating: AA (2018) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2016) Topic: MalaysiaFitch rating: BBB+ (2020) Moody's rating: A3 (2004) Standard & Poors rating: A- (2003) Topic: MaldivesFitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: B3 (2020) Topic: MaliMoody's rating: Caa1 (2020) Topic: MaltaFitch rating: A+ (2017) Moody's rating: A2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: A- (2016) Topic: MauritiusMoody's rating: Baa1 (2012) Topic: MexicoFitch rating: BBB- (2020) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2020) Topic: MoldovaMoody's rating: B3 (2010) Topic: MongoliaFitch rating: B (2018) Moody's rating: B3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: B (2018) Topic: MontenegroMoody's rating: B1 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2014) Topic: MontserratStandard & Poors rating: BBB- (2020) Topic: MoroccoFitch rating: BB+ (2020) Moody's rating: Ba1 (1999) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2010) Topic: MozambiqueFitch rating: CCC (2019) Moody's rating: Caa2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2019) Topic: NamibiaFitch rating: BB (2019) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020) Topic: NetherlandsFitch rating: AAA (1994) Moody's rating: Aaa (1986) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2015) Topic: New ZealandFitch rating: AA (2011) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2011) Topic: NicaraguaFitch rating: B- (2018) Moody's rating: B3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2018) Topic: NigerMoody's rating: B3 (2019) Topic: NigeriaFitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020) Topic: North MacedoniaFitch rating: BB+ (2019) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2013) Topic: NorwayFitch rating: AAA (1995) Moody's rating: Aaa (1997) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1975) Topic: OmanFitch rating: BB- (2020) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2020) Topic: PakistanFitch rating: B- (2018) Moody's rating: B3 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2019) Topic: PanamaFitch rating: BBB (2011) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2020) Topic: Papua New GuineaMoody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2020) Topic: ParaguayFitch rating: BB+ (2018) Moody's rating: Ba1 (2015) Standard & Poors rating: BB (2014) Topic: PeruFitch rating: BBB+ (2013) Moody's rating: A3 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2013) Topic: PhilippinesFitch rating: BBB (2017) Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2019) Topic: PolandFitch rating: A- (2007) Moody's rating: A2 (2002) Standard & Poors rating: A- (2018) Topic: PortugalFitch rating: BBB (2007) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019) Topic: Puerto RicoStandard & Poors rating: D (2015) Topic: QatarFitch rating: AA- (2017) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2017) Topic: RomaniaFitch rating: BBB- (2011) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2006) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2014) Topic: RussiaFitch rating: BBB (2019) Moody's rating: Baa3 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2018) Topic: RwandaFitch rating: B+ (2014) Moody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2019) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesMoody's rating: B3 (2014) Topic: San MarinoFitch rating: BB+ (2020) Topic: Saudi ArabiaFitch rating: A (2019) Moody's rating: A1 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: A- (2016) Topic: SenegalMoody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2000) Topic: SerbiaFitch rating: BB+ (2019) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB+ (2019) Topic: SeychellesFitch rating: B+ (2020) Topic: SingaporeFitch rating: AAA (2003) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1995) Topic: SlovakiaFitch rating: A (2020) Moody's rating: A2 (2012) Standard & Poors rating: A+ (2015) Topic: SloveniaFitch rating: A (2019) Moody's rating: A3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2019) Topic: Solomon IslandsMoody's rating: B3 (2015) Topic: South AfricaFitch rating: BB- (2020) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2020) Topic: SpainFitch rating: A- (2018) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: A (2019) Topic: Sri LankaFitch rating: CCC (2020) Moody's rating: Caa1 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) Topic: SurinameFitch rating: C (2020) Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: SD (2020) Topic: SwedenFitch rating: AAA (2004) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2004) Topic: SwitzerlandFitch rating: AAA (2000) Moody's rating: Aaa (1982) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (1988) Topic: TaiwanFitch rating: AA- (2016) Moody's rating: Aa3 (1994) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2002) Topic: TajikistanMoody's rating: B3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2017) Topic: TanzaniaMoody's rating: B2 (2020) Topic: ThailandFitch rating: BBB+ (2013) Moody's rating: Baa1 (2003) Standard & Poors rating: BBB+ (2004) Topic: TogoMoody's rating: B3 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B (2019) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoMoody's rating: Ba1 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2020) Topic: TunisiaFitch rating: B (2020) Moody's rating: B2 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: N/A (2013) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Fitch rating: BB- (2019) Moody's rating: B2 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2018) Topic: UgandaFitch rating: B+ (2015) Moody's rating: B2 (2016) Standard & Poors rating: B (2014) Topic: UkraineFitch rating: B (2019) Moody's rating: B3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: B (2019) Topic: United Arab EmiratesFitch rating: AA- (2020) Moody's rating: Aa2 (2007) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2007) Topic: United KingdomFitch rating: AA- (2020) Moody's rating: Aaa (2020) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2016) Topic: United StatesFitch rating: AAA (1994) Moody's rating: Aaa (1949) Standard & Poors rating: AA+ (2011) Topic: UruguayFitch rating: BBB- (2013) Moody's rating: Baa2 (2014) Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2015) Topic: UzbekistanFitch rating: BB- (2018) Moody's rating: B1 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2018) Topic: VenezuelaFitch rating: RD (2017) Moody's rating: WR (2019) Standard & Poors rating: SD (2017) Topic: VietnamFitch rating: BB (2018) Moody's rating: Ba3 (2018) Standard & Poors rating: BB (2019) Topic: ZambiaFitch rating: RD (2020) Moody's rating: Ca (2020) Standard & Poors rating: SD (2020)

20220901

field-major-rivers-by-length-in-km

This entry describes one of the two major surface hydrological features of a country: large flowing bodies of water termed rivers (the other feature is lakes). The entry includes a list of major rivers, defined as having a length of 1,000 km or greater. These rivers constitute major drainage basins or watersheds that capture the flow of the majority of surface water flow. Taken together with major lakes, these features constitute the primary sources of surface freshwater. In instances where a river flows through more than one country, a note has been added to the field to indicate the country where the river starts and the country where a river ends. [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth. Topic: AfghanistanAmu Darya (shared with Tajikistan [s], Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km; Helmand river source (shared with Iran) - 1,130 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: AngolaZambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Okavango river source (shared with Namibia and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: ArgentinaRio de la Plata/Parana river mouth (shared with Brazil [s], Paraguay, and Uruguay) - 4,880 km; Paraguay (shared with Brazil [s], and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Uruguay (shared with Brazil [s] and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: AustraliaRiver Murray - 2,508 km; Darling River - 1,545 km; Murrumbidgee River - 1,485 km; Lachlan River - 1,339 km; Cooper Creek - 1,113 km; Flinders River - 1,004 km Topic: AustriaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: BangladeshBrahmaputra river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,969 km; Ganges river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 2,704 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: BelarusDnieper (shared with Russia [s] and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: BotswanaZambezi (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 Topic: BrazilAmazon river mouth (shared with Peru [s]) - 6,400 km; Rio de la Plata/Parana river source (shared with Paraguay, Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Tocantins - 3,650 km; Sao Francisco - 3,180 km; Paraguay river source (shared with Argentina and Paraguay [m]) - 2,549 km; Rio Negro river mouth (shared with Colombia [s] and Venezuela) - 2,250 km; Uruguay river source (shared with Argentina and Uruguay [m]) - 1,610 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: BulgariaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Burkina FasoVolta river source (shared with Ghana [m]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: BurmaMekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: CambodiaMekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: CanadaMackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Central African RepublicUbangi 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 Topic: ChinaYangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Mekong river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Brahmaputra river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Salween river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Pearl (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Red river source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: ColombiaRio Negro river source (shared with Venezuela and Brazil [m]) - 2,250 km; Orinoco (shared with Venezuela [s]) - 2,101 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theCongo river mouth (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, and Republic of Congo) - 4,700 km; Ubangi river mouth (shared with Central African Republic [s] and Republic of Congo) - 2,270 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Congo, Republic of theUbangi (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 Topic: CroatiaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: CzechiaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river source (shared with Germany [m]) - 1,252 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: EgyptNile river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 6,650 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: EthiopiaBlue Nile river source (shared with Sudan [m]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: FranceRhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km;  Loire - 1,012 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Gambia, TheGambia river mouth (shared with Senegal and Guinea [s]) - 1,094 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: GermanyDanube river source (shared with Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Elbe river mouth (shared with Czechia [s]) - 1,252 km; Rhine  (shared with Switzerland [s], France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: GhanaVolta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: GuineaNiger river source (shared with Mali, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Gambia river source (shared with Senegal and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: HungaryDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: IndiaBrahmaputra (shared with China [s] and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Indus (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Ganges river source (shared with Bangladesh [m]) - 2,704 km; Godavari - 1,465 km; Sutlej (shared with China [s] and Pakistan [m]) - 1,372 km; Yamuna - 1,370 km; Narmada - 1,289 km; Chenab river source (shared with Pakistan [m]) - 1,086 km; Ghaghara river mouth (shared with China [s] and Nepal) - 1,080 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: IndonesiaSepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: IranEuphrates (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 Topic: IraqEuphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: KazakhstanSyr Darya river mouth (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan) - 3,078 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: KyrgyzstanSyr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: LaosMekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: LesothoOrange river source (shared with South Africa and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: MalawiZambezi (shared with Zambia [s], Angola, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Tanzania, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: MaliNiger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: MauritaniaSenegal river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal and Mali) - 1,641 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: MexicoRio Grande river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 3,057 km; Colorado river mouth (shared with US [s]) - 2,333 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: MoldovaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dniester (shared with Ukraine [s/m]) - 1,411 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: MongoliaAmur (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 Topic: MoroccoDraa - 1,100 km Topic: MozambiqueZambezi river mouth (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 2,740 km; Limpopo river mouth (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Zimbabwe) - 1,800 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: NamibiaZambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Orange river mouth (shared with Lesotho [s], and South Africa) - 2,092 km; Okavango (shared with Angola [s], and Botswana [m]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: NetherlandsRhine river mouth (shared with Switzerland [s], Germany, and France) - 1,233 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: NigerNiger (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 Topic: NigeriaNiger river mouth (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Niger) - 4,200 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: PakistanIndus river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 3,610 km; Sutlej river mouth (shared with China [s] and India) - 1,372 km; Chenab river mouth (shared with India [s]) - 1,086 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Papua New GuineaSepik river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,126 km; Fly river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,050 km Topic: ParaguayRio de la Plata/Parana (shared with Brazil [s], Argentina, and Uruguay [m]) - 4,880 km; Paraguay river mouth (shared with Brazil [s] and Argentina) - 2,549 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: PeruAmazon river source (shared with Brazil [m]) - 6,400 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: PolandVistula river source and mouth (shared with Belarus and Ukraine) - 1,213 km note - longest river in Poland Topic: RomaniaDanube river mouth (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Ukraine) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: RussiaYenisey-Angara - 5,539 km; Ob-Irtysh - 5,410 km;  Amur river mouth (shared with China [s] and Mongolia) - 4,444 km; Lena - 4,400 km; Volga - 3,645 km; Kolyma - 2,513 km; Ural river source (shared with Kazakhstan [m]) - 2,428 km; Dnieper river source (shared with Belarus and Ukraine [m]) - 2,287 km; Don - 1,870 km; Pechora - 1,809 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: RwandaNile 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 Topic: SenegalSenegal (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, and Mauritania [m] ) - 1,641 km; Gambia (shared with Guinea [s] and The Gambia [m]) - 1,094 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: SerbiaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: SlovakiaDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: South AfricaOrange (shared with Lesotho [s], and Namibia [m]) - 2,092 km; Limpopo river source (shared with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km; Vaal [s] - 1,210 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: South SudanNile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: SpainTagus river source (shared with Portugal [m]) - 1,006 note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: SudanNile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthNile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km; Blue Nile river mouth (shared with Ethiopia [s]) - 1,600 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: SwitzerlandRhine  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 Topic: SyriaEuphrates (shared with Turkey [s], Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris (shared with Turkey, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: TajikistanSyr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river source (shared with Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan [m]) - 2,620 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: TanzaniaNile (shared with Rwanda [s], 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 Topic: ThailandMekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) - 1,950 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: TurkmenistanAmu 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 Topic: UgandaNile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthNile (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: UkraineDanube (shared with Germany [s], Austria, Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Romania [m]) - 2,888 km; Dnieper river mouth (shared with Russia [s] and Belarus) - 2,287 km; Dniester river source and mouth (shared with Moldova) - 1,411 km; Vistula (shared with Poland [s/m] and Belarus) - 1,213 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: United StatesMissouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthMissouri - 3,768 km; Mississippi - 3,544 km; Yukon river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 3,190 km; Saint Lawrence (shared with Canada) - 3,058 km; Rio Grande river source ( mouth shared with Mexico) - 3,057 km; Colorado river source (shared with Mexico [m]) - 2,333 km; Arkansas - 2,348 km; Columbia river mouth (shared with Canada [s]) - 2,250 km; Red - 2,188 km; Ohio - 2,102 km; Snake - 1,670 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: UruguayRio 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 Topic: UzbekistanSyr Darya (shared with Kyrgyzstan [s], Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan [m]) - 3,078 km; Amu Darya river mouth (shared with Tajikistan [s], Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan) - 2,620 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: VenezuelaRio 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 Topic: VietnamMekong river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: Worldtop ten longest rivers: Nile (Africa) 6,650 km; Amazon (South America) 6,436 km; Yangtze (Asia) 6,300 km; Mississippi-Missouri (North America) 6,275 km; Yenisey-Angara (Asia) 5,539 km; Huang He/Yellow (Asia) 5,464 km; Ob-Irtysh (Asia) 5,410 km; Congo (Africa) 4,700 km; Amur (Asia) 4,444 km; Lena (Asia) 4,400 km note: 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 Topic: ZambiaCongo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthCongo river source (shared with Angola, Republic of Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo [m]) - 4,700 km; Zambezi river source (shared with Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Topic: ZimbabweZambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouthZambezi (shared with Zambia [s]), Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 2,740 km; Limpopo (shared with South Africa [s], Botswana, and Mozambique [m]) - 1,800 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

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

field-dependency-status

This entry describes the formal relationship between a particular nonindependent entity and an independent state. Topic: Akrotiria special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Topic: American Samoaunincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Topic: Anguillaoverseas territory of the UK Topic: Arubaconstituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs obtained in 1986 upon separation from the Netherlands Antilles; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport Topic: Bermudaoverseas territory of the UK Topic: Bouvet Islandterritory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Oslo Police Topic: British Indian Ocean Territoryoverseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London Topic: British Virgin IslandsOverseas Territory of the UK; internal self-governing Topic: Cayman Islandsoverseas territory of the UK Topic: Christmas Islandnon-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development Topic: Clipperton Islandpossession of France; administered directly by the Minister of Overseas France Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnon-self governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development Topic: Cook Islandsself-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense in consultation with the Cook Islands Topic: Coral Sea Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport Topic: Curacaoconstituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairsconstituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Topic: Dhekeliaa special form of UK overseas territory; administered by an administrator who is also the Commander, British Forces Cyprus Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)overseas territory of the UK; also claimed by Argentina Topic: Faroe Islandspart of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948 Topic: French Polynesiaoverseas country of France; note - overseas territory of France from 1946-2003; overseas collectivity of France since 2003, though it is often referred to as an overseas country due to its degree of autonomy Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsoverseas territory of France since 1955 Topic: Gibraltaroverseas territory of the UK Topic: Greenlandpart of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1979 Topic: Guamunincorporated organized territory of the US with policy relations between Guam and the federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Topic: GuernseyBritish crown dependency Topic: Heard Island and McDonald Islandsterritory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (Australian Antarctic Division) Topic: Hong Kongspecial administrative region of the People's Republic of China Topic: Isle of ManBritish crown dependency Topic: Jan Mayenterritory of Norway; since August 1994, administered from Oslo through the county governor (fylkesmann) of Nordland; however, authority has been delegated to a station commander of the Norwegian Defense Communication Service; in 2010, Norway designated the majority of Jan Mayen as a nature reserve Topic: JerseyBritish crown dependency Topic: Macauspecial administrative region of the People's Republic of China Topic: Montserratoverseas territory of the UK Topic: Navassa Islandunorganized, unincorporated territory of the US; administered by the Fish and Wildlife Service, US Department of the Interior from the Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge in Boqueron, Puerto Rico; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of the Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse on the southern side of the island; Haiti has claimed the island since the 19th century Topic: New Caledoniaspecial collectivity (or a sui generis collectivity) of France since 1998; note - independence referenda took place on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021 with a majority voting in each case to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo; an 18-month transition period is now in place (ending 30 June 2023), during which a referendum on the new status of New Caledonia within France will take place  Topic: Niueself-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; New Zealand retains responsibility for external affairs and defense; however, these responsibilities confer no rights of control and are only exercised at the request of the Government of Niue Topic: Norfolk Islandself-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development Topic: Northern Mariana Islandscommonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; federal funds to the Commonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs Topic: Pitcairn Islandsoverseas territory of the UK Topic: Puerto Ricounincorporated organized territory of the US with commonwealth status; policy relations between Puerto Rico and the US conducted under the jurisdiction of the Office of the President Topic: Saint Barthelemyoverseas collectivity of France Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaOverseas Territory of the UK Topic: Saint Martinoverseas collectivity of France note: the only French overseas collectivity that is part of the EU Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonoverseas collectivity of France Topic: Sint Maartenconstituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairsconstituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands; full autonomy in internal affairs granted in 2010; Dutch Government responsible for defense and foreign affairs Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsoverseas territory of the UK, also claimed by Argentina; administered from the Falkland Islands by a commissioner, who is concurrently governor of the Falkland Islands, representing Queen ELIZABETH II Topic: Svalbardterritory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920), sovereignty was awarded to Norway Topic: Tokelauself-administering territory of New Zealand; note - Tokelau and New Zealand have agreed to a draft constitution as Tokelau moves toward free association with New Zealand; a UN-sponsored referendum on self governance in October 2007 did not meet the two-thirds majority vote necessary for changing the political status Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsoverseas territory of the UK Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugeswith the exception of Palmyra Atoll, the constituent islands are unincorporated, unorganized territories of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as part of the National Wildlife Refuge System note: Palmyra Atoll is partly privately owned and partly federally owned; the federally owned portion is administered from Washington, DC, by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior as an incorporated, unorganized territory of the US; the Office of Insular Affairs of the US Department of the Interior continues to administer nine excluded areas comprising certain tidal and submerged lands within the 12 nm territorial sea or within the lagoon Topic: Virgin Islandsunincorporated 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 Topic: Wake Islandunincorporated unorganized territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Department of the Interior; activities in the atoll are currently conducted by the 11th US Air Force and managed from Pacific Air Force Support Center Topic: Wallis and Futunaoverseas collectivity of France

20220901

countries-zimbabwe

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-svalbard

Topic: Photos of Svalbard Topic: Introduction Background: The archipelago may have been first discovered by Norse explorers in the 12th century; the islands served as an international whaling base during the 17th and 18th centuries. Norway's sovereignty was internationally recognized by treaty in 1920, and five years later it officially took over the territory. In the 20th century, coal mining started and today a Norwegian and a Russian company are still functioning. Travel between the settlements is accomplished with snowmobiles, aircraft, and boats.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Europe, islands between the Arctic Ocean, Barents Sea, Greenland Sea, and Norwegian Sea, north of Norway Geographic coordinates: 78 00 N, 20 00 E Map references: Arctic Region Area: total: 62,045 sq km land: 62,045 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Spitsbergen and Bjornoya (Bear Island) Area - comparative: slightly smaller than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 3,587 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: extends to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Terrain: rugged mountains; much of the upland areas are ice covered; west coast clear of ice about half the year; fjords along west and north coasts Elevation: highest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m lowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, zinc, phosphate, wildlife, fish Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Population distribution: the small population is primarily concentrated on the island of Spitsbergen in a handful of settlements on the south side of the Isfjorden, with Longyearbyen being the largest Natural hazards: ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic Geography - note: northernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area; Spitsbergen Island is the site of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a seed repository established by the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Norwegian Government Map description: Svalbard map showing the major population centers and islands of this Norwegian territory in the Arctic Ocean.  Svalbard map showing the major population centers and islands of this Norwegian territory in the Arctic Ocean.  Topic: People and Society Population: 2,926 (January 2021 est.) Ethnic groups: Norwegian 61.1%, foreign population 38.9% (consists primarily of Russians, Thais, Swedes, Filipinos, and Ukrainians) (2021 est.) note: foreigners account for almost one third of the population of the Norwegian settlements, Longyearbyen and Ny-Alesund (where the majority of Svalbard's resident population lives), as of mid-2021 Languages: Norwegian, Russian major-language sample(s): Verdens Faktabok, den essensielle kilden for grunnleggende informasjon. (Norwegian) 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 Population growth rate: -0.03% (2019 est.) Birth rate: NA Death rate: NA Net migration rate: -5.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) Population distribution: the small population is primarily concentrated on the island of Spitsbergen in a handful of settlements on the south side of the Isfjorden, with Longyearbyen being the largest Sex ratio: NA Infant mortality rate: total: NA male: NA female: NA Life expectancy at birth: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Total fertility rate: (2021 est.) NA Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: ice floes are a maritime hazard; past exploitation of mammal species (whale, seal, walrus, and polar bear) severely depleted the populations, but a gradual recovery seems to be occurring Climate: arctic, tempered by warm North Atlantic Current; cool summers, cold winters; North Atlantic Current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen, keeping water open and navigable most of the year Land use: agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Svalbard (sometimes referred to as Spitsbergen, the largest island in the archipelago) etymology: 12th century Norse accounts speak of the discovery of a "Svalbard" - literally "cold shores" - but they may have referred to Jan Mayen Island or eastern Greenland; the archipelago was traditionally known as Spitsbergen, but Norway renamed it Svalbard in the 1920s when it assumed sovereignty of the islands Government type: non-self-governing territory of Norway Dependency status: territory of Norway; administered by the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice, through a governor (sysselmann) residing in Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen; by treaty (9 February 1920), sovereignty was awarded to Norway Capital: name: Longyearbyen geographic coordinates: 78 13 N, 15 38 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 in Norwegian means Longyear Town; the site was established by and named after John LONGYEAR, whose Arctic Coal Company began mining operations there in 1906 Independence: none (territory of Norway) Legal system: the laws of Norway where applicable apply; only the laws of Norway made explicitly applicable to Svalbard have effect there; the Svalbard Act and the Svalbard Environmental Protection Act, and certain regulations, apply only to Svalbard; the Spitsbergen Treaty and the Svalbard Treaty grant certain rights to citizens and corporations of signatory nations; as of June 2017, 45 nations had ratified the Svalbard Treaty Citizenship: see Norway Executive branch: chief of state: King HARALD V of Norway (since 17 January 1991); Heir Apparent Crown Prince Haakon MAGNUS (son of the king, born 20 July 1973) head of government: Governor Lars FAUSE (since 24 June 2021); Vice Governor Solvi ELVEDAHL (since 1 May 2020) elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is hereditary; governor and assistant governor responsible to the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice Legislative branch: description: unicameral Longyearbyen Community Council (15 seats; members directly elected by majority vote to serve 4-year-terms); note - the Council acts very much like a Norwegian municipality, responsible for infrastructure and utilities, including power, land-use and community planning, education, and child welfare; however, healthcare services are provided by the state elections: last held on 7 October 2019 (next to be held in October 2023) election results: seats by party - Labor Party 5, Liberals 4, Conservatives 3, Progress Party 2, Green Party 1 Judicial branch: highest courts: none; note - Svalbard is subordinate to Norway's Nord-Troms District Court and Halogaland Court of Appeal, both located in Tromso Political parties and leaders: Svalbard Conservative Party [Kjetil FIGENSCHOU] Svalbard Green Party [Pal BERG] Svalbard Labor Party [Arild OLSEN] Svalbard Liberal Party [Terie AUVENIK] Svalbard Progress Party [Jorn DYBDAHL] International organization participation: none Flag description: the flag of Norway is used National anthem: note: 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: Economy Economic overview: Coal mining, tourism, and international research are Svalbard's major industries. Coal mining has historically been the dominant economic activity, and the Spitzbergen Treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 45 countries that so far have ratified the treaty equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still engaging in this are Norwegian and Russian. Low coal prices have forced the Norwegian coal company, Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani, to close one of its two mines and to considerably reduce the activity of the other. Since the 1990s, the tourism and hospitality industry has grown rapidly, and Svalbard now receives 60,000 visitors annually.   The settlements on Svalbard were established as company towns, and at their height in the 1950s, the Norwegian state-owned coal company supported nearly 1,000 jobs. Today, only about 300 people work in the mining industry.   Goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles, normally highly taxed on mainland Norway, are considerably cheaper in Svalbard in an effort by the Norwegian Government to entice more people to live on the Arctic archipelago. By law, Norway collects only enough taxes to pay for the needs of the local government; none of tax proceeds go to the central government.Coal mining, tourism, and international research are Svalbard's major industries. Coal mining has historically been the dominant economic activity, and the Spitzbergen Treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 45 countries that so far have ratified the treaty equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still engaging in this are Norwegian and Russian. Low coal prices have forced the Norwegian coal company, Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani, to close one of its two mines and to considerably reduce the activity of the other. Since the 1990s, the tourism and hospitality industry has grown rapidly, and Svalbard now receives 60,000 visitors annually. The settlements on Svalbard were established as company towns, and at their height in the 1950s, the Norwegian state-owned coal company supported nearly 1,000 jobs. Today, only about 300 people work in the mining industry. Goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles, normally highly taxed on mainland Norway, are considerably cheaper in Svalbard in an effort by the Norwegian Government to entice more people to live on the Arctic archipelago. By law, Norway collects only enough taxes to pay for the needs of the local government; none of tax proceeds go to the central government. Real GDP growth rate: NANA Labor force: 1,590 (2013) Budget: revenues: NA expenditures: NA Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): NA Taxes and other revenues: NA Exports: NANA Imports: $NA$NA Exchange rates: Norwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 8.308 (2017 est.) 8.0646 (2016 est.) 8.0646 (2015) 8.0646 (2014 est.) 6.3021 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Refined petroleum products - exports: 4,488 bbl/day (2012 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 18,600 bbl/day (2012 est.) Topic: Communications Telecommunication systems: general assessment: modern, well-developed (2018) domestic: the Svalbard Satellite Station - connected to the mainland via the Svalbard Undersea Cable System - is the only Arctic ground station that can see low-altitude, polar-orbiting satellites; it provides ground services to more satellites than any other facility in the world (2018) international: country code - 47-790; the Svalbard Undersea Cable System is a twin communications cable that connects Svalbard to mainland Norway; the system is the sole telecommunications link to the archipelago (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: the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK) began direct TV transmission to Svalbard via satellite in 1984; Longyearbyen households have access to 3 NRK radio and 2 TV stations Internet country code: .sj Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 4 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 3 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 40 km (2020) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Barentsburg, Longyearbyen, Ny-Alesund, Pyramiden Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces Military - note: Svalbard is a territory of Norway, demilitarized by treaty on 9 February 1920; Norwegian military activity is limited to fisheries surveillance by the Norwegian Coast Guard (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Norway-Russia: after 40 years of on-again, off-again negotiations, the two countries signed an agreement in September 2010, defining their maritime boundaries in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean; the border extends the countries’ land border northward beyond the islands in the Barents Sea and into the Arctic Ocean, but the exact distance northward was not specified; because the area is considered the high seas, the passage of naval and commercial vessels will be unaffected; once their legislatures ratify the agreement, both countries will have the green light for oil and natural gas exploration in their newly defined maritime areas; Russia objects to Norway’s establishment in 1977 of the Fishery Protection Zone around the Svalbard Islands, extending Norwegian sovereignty to the shelf around the archipelago; Svalbard is strategically important – as a gateway from the Berents Sea to the North Atlantic – and its waters provide rich fishing groundsNorway-Russia: after 40 years of on-again, off-again negotiations, the two countries signed an agreement in September 2010, defining their maritime boundaries in the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean; the border extends the countries’ land border northward beyond the islands in the Barents Sea and into the Arctic Ocean, but the exact distance northward was not specified; because the area is considered the high seas, the passage of naval and commercial vessels will be unaffected; once their legislatures ratify the agreement, both countries will have the green light for oil and natural gas exploration in their newly defined maritime areas; Russia objects to Norway’s establishment in 1977 of the Fishery Protection Zone around the Svalbard Islands, extending Norwegian sovereignty to the shelf around the archipelago; Svalbard is strategically important – as a gateway from the Berents Sea to the North Atlantic – and its waters provide rich fishing grounds

20220901

countries-nauru

Topic: Photos of Nauru Topic: Introduction Background: Nauru was inhabited by Micronesian and Polynesian settlers by around 1000 B.C., and the island was divided into 12 clans. Nauru developed in relative isolation because ocean currents made landfall on the island difficult. As a result, the Nauruan language does not clearly resemble any other in the Pacific region. In 1798, British sea captain John FEARN became the first European to spot the island. By 1830, European whalers used Nauru as a supply stop, trading firearms for food. In 1878, a civil war erupted on the island, reducing the population by more than a third. Germany forcibly annexed Nauru in 1888 by holding the 12 chiefs under house arrest until they consented to the annexation. Germany banned alcohol, confiscated weapons, instituted strict dress codes, and brought in Christian missionaries to convert the population. Phosphate was discovered in 1900 and heavily mined, although Nauru and Nauruans earned about one tenth of one percent of the profits from the phosphate deposits. Australian forces captured Nauru from Germany during World War I, and in 1919, it was placed under a joint Australian-British-New Zealand mandate with Australian administration. Japan occupied Nauru during World War II and used its residents as forced labor elsewhere in the Pacific while destroying much of the infrastructure on the island. After the war, Nauru became a UN trust territory under Australian administration. Recognizing the phosphate stocks would eventually be depleted, in 1962, Australian Prime Minister Robert MENZIES offered to resettle all Nauruans on Curtis Island in Queensland, but Nauruans rejected that plan and opted for independence, which was achieved in 1968. In 1970, Nauru purchased the phosphate mining assets, and income from the mines made Nauruans among the richest people in the world. However, Nauru subsequently began a series of unwise investments in buildings, musical theater, and an airline. Nauru sued Australia in 1989 for the damage caused by mining when Australia administered the island. Widespread phosphate mining officially ceased in 2006. Nauru went nearly bankrupt by 2000 and tried to rebrand itself as an offshore banking haven, although it ended that practice in 2005. In 2001, Australia set up the Nauru Regional Processing Center (NRPC), an offshore refugee detention facility, paying Nauru per person at the center. The NRPC was closed in 2008 but reopened in 2012. The number of refugees has steadily declined since 2014, and the remaining people were moved to a hotel in Brisbane, Australia, in 2020, effectively shuttering the NRPC. In a bid for Russian humanitarian aid, in 2008, Nauru recognized the breakaway Georgian republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, south of the Marshall Islands Geographic coordinates: 0 32 S, 166 55 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 21 sq km land: 21 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: about 0.1 times the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 30 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) Terrain: sandy beach rises to fertile ring around raised coral reefs with phosphate plateau in center Elevation: highest point: Command Ridge 70 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: phosphates, fish Land use: agricultural land: 20% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 20% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 80% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Population distribution: extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast Natural hazards: periodic droughts Geography - note: Nauru is the third-smallest country in the world behind the Holy See (Vatican City) and Monaco; it is the smallest country in the Pacific Ocean, the smallest country outside Europe, the world's smallest island country, and the the world's smallest independent republic; situated just 53 km south of the Equator, Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia Map description: Nauru map shows some features on this island in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 9,811 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan Ethnic groups: Nauruan 88.9%, part Nauruan 6.6%, I-Kiribati 2%, other 2.5% (2007 est.) Languages: Nauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes I-Kiribati 2% and Chinese 2%) (2011 est.) note: data represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12% Religions: Protestant 60.4% (includes Nauru Congregational 35.7%, Assembly of God 13%, Nauru Independent Church 9.5%, Baptist 1.5%, and Seventh Day Adventist 0.7%), Roman Catholic 33%, other 3.7%, none 1.8%, unspecified 1.1% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.87% (male 1,337/female 1,684) 15-24 years: 15.68% (male 732/female 806) 25-54 years: 42.57% (male 2,115/female 2,050) 55-64 years: 6.97% (male 283/female 401) 65 years and over: 3.94% (2022 est.) (male 133/female 254) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 27 years male: 28.2 years female: 25.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.42% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 21.1 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -10.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: extensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.7 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.51 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 7.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 67.93 years male: 64.38 years female: 71.62 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.62 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: 9.8% (2019) Physicians density: 1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.3% of population rural: NA total: 96.3% of population unimproved: urban: 3.7% of population rural: NA total: 3.7% of population (2017 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: 61% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 48.5% (2020 est.) male: 47.8% (2020 est.) female: 49.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: NA Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.6% male: 20.9% female: 37.5% (2013) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources, roof storage tanks that collect rainwater and desalination plants provide water; a century of intensive phosphate mining beginning in 1906 left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland; cadmium residue, phosphate dust, and other contaminants have caused air and water pollution with negative impacts on health; climate change has brought on rising sea levels and inland water shortages Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 12.53 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.05 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.01 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) Land use: agricultural land: 20% (2018 est.) arable land: 0% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 20% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 80% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 100% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest 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: 6,192 tons (2016 est.) Total renewable water resources: 10 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Nauru conventional short form: Nauru local long form: Republic of Nauru local short form: Nauru former: Pleasant Island etymology: the island name may derive from the Nauruan word "anaoero" meaning "I go to the beach" Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: no official capital; government offices in the Yaren District time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Administrative divisions: 14 districts; Aiwo, Anabar, Anetan, Anibare, Baitsi, Boe, Buada, Denigomodu, Ewa, Ijuw, Meneng, Nibok, Uaboe, Yaren Independence: 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) National holiday: Independence Day, 31 January (1968) Constitution: history: effective 29 January 1968 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of Parliament; amendments to constitutional articles, such as the republican form of government, protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the executive and legislative branches, also require two-thirds majority of votes in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2018 Legal system: mixed legal system of common law based on the English model and customary law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Suffrage: 20 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Lionel AINGIMEA (since 27 August 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 August 2019 (next to be held in 2022) election results: Lionel AINGIMEA elected president; Parliament vote - Lionel AINGIMEA (independent) 12, David ADEANG (Nauru First) 6 Legislative branch: description: unicameral parliament (19 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote using the "Dowdall" counting system by which voters rank candidates on their ballots; members serve 3-year terms) elections: last held on 24 August 2019 (next to be held in September 2022) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 19; composition - men 17, women 2, percent of women 10.5% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices); note - in late 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in early 2018, the government formed its own appeals court judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65 subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court Political parties and leaders: Nauru First (Naoero Amo) Party [David ADEANG] International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICCt, IFAD, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Margo DEIYE (since 1 December 2021) chancery: 800 2nd Avenue, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 937-0074 FAX: [1] (212) 937-0079 email address and website: nauru@onecommonwealth.org https://www.un.int/nauru/ Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Nauru; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Nauru Flag description: blue with a narrow, horizontal, gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the hoist side; blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star indicates the country's location in relation to the Equator (the gold stripe) and the 12 points symbolize the 12 original tribes of Nauru; the star's white color represents phosphate, the basis of the island's wealth National symbol(s): frigatebird, calophyllum flower; national colors: blue, yellow, white National anthem: name: "Nauru Bwiema" (Song of Nauru) lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS note: adopted 1968 Topic: Economy Economic overview: Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely.   The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future.   Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $150 million (2019 est.) $150 million (2018 est.) $137 million (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4% (2017 est.) 10.4% (2016 est.) 2.8% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $13,500 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $13,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars $10,667 (2017 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $114 million (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 5.1% (2017 est.) 8.2% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 6.1% (2009 est.) industry: 33% (2009 est.) services: 60.8% (2009 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 98% (2016 est.) government consumption: 37.6% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 42.2% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 11.2% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -89.1% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: coconuts, tropical fruit, vegetables, pork, eggs, pig offals, pig fat, poultry, papayas, cabbages Industries: phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: NA Labor force - by occupation: note: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportationnote: most of the labor force is employed in phosphate mining, public administration, education, and transportation Unemployment rate: 23% (2011 est.) 90% (2004 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 26.6% male: 20.9% female: 37.5% (2013) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 103 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 113.4 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 62% of GDP (2017 est.) 65% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 90.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: $5 million (2017 est.) $2 million (2016 est.) Exports: $30 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $110.3 million (2012 est.) Exports - partners: Thailand 34%, Australia 16%, United States 13%, South Korea 10%, Philippines 9%, Japan 7%, France 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: fish, calcium phosphates, low-voltage protection equipment, air conditioners, leather apparel (2019) Imports: $90 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $64.9 million (2016 est.) Imports - partners: Taiwan 52%, Australia 28% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, construction vehicles, tug boats, poultry meats, cars (2019) Debt - external: $33.3 million (2004 est.) Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3452 (2016 est.) 1.3452 (2015 est.) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.8% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 98.7% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 15,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 34.216 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 0 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: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 449 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: 66,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 66,000 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: 1,900 (2009 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2009 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 10,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 92 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: adequate local and international radiotelephone communication provided via Australian facilities; geography is a challenge for the islands; there is a need to service the tourism sector and the South Pacific Islands economy; mobile technology is booming (2018) domestic: fixed-line 0 per 100 and mobile-cellular subscribership approximately 95 per 100 (2019) international: country code - 674; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific 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: 1 government-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand sent via satellite or on videotape; 1 government-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, utilizes Australian and British programs (2019) Internet country code: .nr Internet users: total: 6,136 (2019 est.) percent of population: 57% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 950 (2010 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2010 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 5 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 45,457 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 7.94 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: C2 Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 30 km (2002) paved: 24 km (2002) unpaved: 6 km (2002) Merchant marine: total: 3 by type: oil tanker 1, other 2 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Nauru Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: no regular military forces; the police force, under the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, maintains internal security and, as necessary, external security Military - note: Nauru maintains no defense forces; under an informal agreement, defense is the responsibility of Australia Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 133 (mid-year 2021)

20220901

field-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight

This entry gives the percent of children under five considered to be underweight. Underweight means weight-for-age is less than minus two standard deviations from the median of the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards among children under 5 years of age. This statistic is an indicator of the nutritional status of a community. Children who suffer from growth retardation as a result of poor diets and/or recurrent infections tend to have a greater risk of suffering illness and death. Topic: Afghanistan19.1% (2018) Topic: AkrotiriNA Topic: Albania1.5% (2017/18) Topic: Algeria2.7% (2018/19) Topic: American SamoaNA Topic: AndorraNA Topic: Angola19% (2015/16) Topic: AnguillaNA Topic: Antigua and BarbudaNA Topic: Argentina1.7% (2018/19) Topic: Armenia2.6% (2015/16) Topic: ArubaNA Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA Topic: AustraliaNA Topic: AustriaNA Topic: Azerbaijan4.9% (2013) Topic: Bahamas, TheNA Topic: BahrainNA Topic: Bangladesh22.6% (2019) Topic: Barbados3.5% (2012) Topic: BelarusNA Topic: Belgium1% (2014/15) Topic: Belize4.6% (2015/16) Topic: Benin16.8% (2017/18) Topic: BermudaNA Topic: BhutanNA Topic: Bolivia3.4% (2016) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina1.6% (2012) Topic: BotswanaNA Topic: Bouvet IslandNA Topic: BrazilNA Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA Topic: BruneiNA Topic: Bulgaria1.9% (2014) Topic: Burkina Faso16.4% (2019) Topic: Burma19.1% (2017/18) Topic: Burundi27% (2018/19) Topic: Cabo VerdeNA Topic: Cambodia24.1% (2014) Topic: Cameroon11% (2018/19) Topic: CanadaNA Topic: Cayman IslandsNA Topic: Central African Republic20.5% (2019) Topic: Chad29.2% (2019) Topic: Chile0.5% (2014) Topic: China2.4% (2013) Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Clipperton IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsNA Topic: Colombia3.7% (2015/16) Topic: Comoros16.9% (2012) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the23.1% (2017/18) Topic: Congo, Republic of the12.3% (2014/15) Topic: Cook IslandsNA Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA Topic: Costa Rica2.9% (2018) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire12.8% (2016) Topic: CroatiaNA Topic: Cuba2.4% (2019) Topic: CuracaoNA Topic: CyprusNA Topic: CzechiaNA Topic: DenmarkNA Topic: DhekeliaNA Topic: Djibouti29.9% (2012) Topic: DominicaNA Topic: Dominican Republic4% (2013) Topic: Ecuador5.2% (2018/19) Topic: Egypt7% (2014) Topic: El Salvador5% (2014) Topic: Equatorial Guinea5.6% (2011) Topic: EritreaNA Topic: Estonia0.4% (2013/15) Topic: Eswatini5.8% (2014) Topic: Ethiopia21.1% (2019) Topic: European UnionNA Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe IslandsNA Topic: FijiNA Topic: FinlandNA Topic: FranceNA Topic: French PolynesiaNA Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA Topic: Gabon6.4% (2012) Topic: Gambia, The11.6% (2019/20) Topic: Gaza Strip2.1% (2019/20) note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Georgia2.1% (2018) Topic: Germany0.5% (2014/17) Topic: Ghana12.6% (2017/18) Topic: GibraltarNA Topic: GreeceNA Topic: GreenlandNA Topic: GrenadaNA Topic: GuamNA Topic: Guatemala12.4% (2014/15) Topic: GuernseyNA Topic: Guinea16.3% (2018) Topic: Guinea-Bissau18.8% (2019) Topic: Guyana8.2% (2014) Topic: Haiti9.5% (2016/17) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras7.1% (2011/12) Topic: Hong KongNA Topic: HungaryNA Topic: IcelandNA Topic: India33.4% (2016/18) Topic: Indonesia17.7% (2018) Topic: Iran4.1% (2010/11) Topic: Iraq3.9% (2018) Topic: IrelandNA Topic: Isle of ManNA Topic: IsraelNA Topic: ItalyNA Topic: Jamaica4.4% (2016) Topic: Jan MayenNA Topic: JapanNA Topic: JerseyNA Topic: Jordan3% (2012) Topic: Kazakhstan2% (2015) Topic: Kenya11.2% (2014) Topic: Kiribati6.9% (2018/19) Topic: Korea, North9.3% (2017) Topic: Korea, SouthNA Topic: KosovoNA Topic: Kuwait3% (2014) Topic: Kyrgyzstan1.8% (2018) Topic: Laos21.1% (2017) Topic: LatviaNA Topic: LebanonNA Topic: Lesotho10.5% (2018) Topic: Liberia10.9% (2019/20) Topic: Libya11.7% (2014) Topic: LiechtensteinNA Topic: LithuaniaNA Topic: LuxembourgNA Topic: MacauNA Topic: Madagascar26.4% (2018) Topic: Malawi9% (2019) Topic: Malaysia14.1% (2019) Topic: Maldives14.8% (2016/17) Topic: Mali18.1% (2019) Topic: MaltaNA Topic: Marshall Islands11.9% (2017) Topic: Mauritania19.2% (2018) Topic: MauritiusNA Topic: Mexico4.7% (2018/19) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofNA Topic: Moldova2.2% (2012) Topic: MonacoNA Topic: Mongolia1.8% (2018) Topic: Montenegro3.7% (2018/19) Topic: MontserratNA Topic: Morocco2.6% (2017/18) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique15.6% (2014/15) Topic: Namibia13.2% (2013) Topic: NauruNA Topic: Navassa IslandNA Topic: Nepal24.4% (2019) Topic: NetherlandsNA Topic: New CaledoniaNA Topic: New ZealandNA Topic: Nicaragua4.6% (2011/12) Topic: Niger31.3% (2019) Topic: Nigeria18.4% (2019/20) Topic: NiueNA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia0.9% (2018/19) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA Topic: NorwayNA Topic: Oman11.2% (2016/17) Topic: Pakistan23.1% (2017/18) Topic: PalauNA Topic: Panama3% (2019) Topic: Papua New Guinea27.8% (2009/11) Topic: Paracel IslandsNA Topic: Paraguay1.3% (2016) Topic: Peru2.4% (2019) Topic: Philippines19.1% (2018) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Poland0.7% (2010/12) Topic: Portugal0.4% (2015/16) Topic: Puerto RicoNA Topic: QatarNA Topic: RomaniaNA Topic: RussiaNA Topic: Rwanda7.7% (2019/20) Topic: Saint BarthelemyNA Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisNA Topic: Saint Lucia2.8% (2012) Topic: Saint MartinNA Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNA Topic: Samoa3.4% (2019/20) Topic: San MarinoNA Topic: Sao Tome and Principe5.4% (2019) Topic: Saudi ArabiaNA Topic: Senegal14.4% (2019) Topic: Serbia1% (2019) Topic: Seychelles3.6% (2012) Topic: Sierra Leone13.5% (2019) Topic: SingaporeNA Topic: Sint MaartenNA Topic: SlovakiaNA Topic: SloveniaNA Topic: Solomon Islands16.2% (2015) Topic: Somalia23% (2009) Topic: South Africa5.5% (2017) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA Topic: South SudanNA Topic: SpainNA Topic: Spratly IslandsNA Topic: Sri Lanka20.5% (2016) Topic: Sudan33% (2014) Topic: Suriname6.7% (2018) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: SwedenNA Topic: SwitzerlandNA Topic: SyriaNA Topic: TaiwanNA Topic: Tajikistan7.6% (2017) Topic: Tanzania14.6% (2018) Topic: Thailand7.7% (2019) Topic: Timor-Leste37.5% (2013) Topic: Togo15.2% (2017) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: Tonga0.8% (2019) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago4.9% (2011) Topic: Tunisia1.6% (2018) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)1.5% (2018/19) Topic: Turkmenistan3.1% (2019) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA Topic: TuvaluNA Topic: Uganda10.4% (2016) Topic: UkraineNA Topic: United Arab EmiratesNA Topic: United KingdomNA Topic: United States0.4% (2017/18) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA Topic: Uruguay1.8% (2018) Topic: Uzbekistan2.9% (2017) Topic: Vanuatu11.7% (2013) Topic: VenezuelaNA Topic: Vietnam13.4% (2017) Topic: Virgin IslandsNA Topic: Wake IslandNA Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA Topic: West Bank2.1% (2019/20) note: estimate is for Gaza Strip and the West Bank Topic: Yemen39.9% (2013) Topic: Zambia11.8% (2018/19) Topic: Zimbabwe9.7% (2019)

20220901

countries-iran-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader. Iran holds a strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport.Known as Persia until 1935, Iran became an Islamic republic in 1979 after the ruling monarchy was overthrown. Conservative clerical forces established a theocratic system of government with ultimate political authority vested in a learned religious scholar referred to commonly as the Supreme Leader. Iran holds a strategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport. Topic: Geography Area: total: 1,648,195 sq km land: 1,531,595 sq km water: 116,600 sq km Climate: mostly arid or semiarid, subtropical along Caspian coast Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, coal, chromium, copper, iron ore, lead, manganese, zinc, sulfur Topic: People and Society Population: 86,758,304 (2022 est.) 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 Religions: Muslim (official) 99.6% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2016 est.) Population growth rate: 0.98% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: theocratic republic Capital: name: Tehran 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) 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 Topic: Economy Economic overview: traditionally state-controlled economy but reforming state-owned financial entities; strong oil/gas, agricultural, and service sectors; recent massive inflation due to exchange rate depreciation, international sanctions, and investor uncertainty; increasing povertytraditionally state-controlled economy but reforming state-owned financial entities; strong oil/gas, agricultural, and service sectors; recent massive inflation due to exchange rate depreciation, international sanctions, and investor uncertainty; increasing poverty Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,044,310,000,000 (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,400 (2020 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 Exports: $101.4 billion (2017 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.) 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) Exchange rates: Iranian rials (IRR) per US dollar -Page last updated: Thursday, Jul 07, 2022

20220901

field-exchange-rates

This entry provides the average annual price of a country's monetary unit for the time period specified, expressed in units of local currency per US dollar, as determined by international market forces or by official fiat. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 4217 alphabetic currency code for the national medium of exchange is presented in parenthesis. Closing daily exchange rates are not presented in The World Factbook, but are used to convert stock values - e.g., the market value of publicly traded shares - to US dollars as of the specified date. Topic: Afghanistanafghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 7.87 (2017 est.) 68.03 (2016 est.) 67.87 (2015) 61.14 (2014 est.) 57.25 (2013 est.) Topic: Akrotirinote: uses the euronote: uses the euro Topic: Albanialeke (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: AlgeriaAlgerian dinars (DZD) per US dollar - 131.085 (2020 est.) 119.775 (2019 est.) 118.4617 (2018 est.) 100.691 (2014 est.) 80.579 (2013 est.) Topic: American Samoathe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: Andorraeuros (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: Angolakwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 172.6 (2017 est.) 163.656 (2016 est.) 163.656 (2015 est.) 120.061 (2014 est.) 98.303 (2013 est.) Topic: AnguillaEast 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: Antigua and BarbudaEast 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: ArgentinaArgentine pesos (ARS) per US dollar - 82.034 (2020 est.) 59.96559 (2019 est.) 37.23499 (2018 est.) 9.23 (2014 est.) 8.08 (2013 est.) Topic: Armeniadrams (AMD) per US dollar - 487.9 (2017 est.) 480.49 (2016 est.) 480.49 (2015 est.) 477.92 (2014 est.) 415.92 (2013 est.) Topic: ArubaAruban guilders/florins per US dollar - 1.79 (2017 est.) 1.79 (2016 est.) 1.79 (2015 est.) 1.79 (2014 est.) 1.79 (2013 est.) Topic: AustraliaAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.34048 (2020 est.) 1.46402 (2019 est.) 1.38552 (2018 est.) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) Topic: Austriaeuros (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: AzerbaijanAzerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 1.723 (2017 est.) 1.5957 (2016 est.) 1.5957 (2015 est.) 1.0246 (2014 est.) 0.7844 (2013 est.) Topic: Bahamas, TheBahamian dollars (BSD) per US dollar - 1 (2017 est.) 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 1 (2013 est.) Topic: BahrainBahraini dinars (BHD) per US dollar - 0.37705 (2020 est.) 0.37705 (2019 est.) 0.377 (2018 est.) 0.376 (2014 est.) 0.376 (2013 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtaka (BDT) per US dollar - 84.75 (2020 est.) 85 (2019 est.) 83.715 (2018 est.) 77.947 (2014 est.) 77.614 (2013 est.) Topic: BarbadosBarbadian dollars (BBD) per US dollar - 2 (2017 est.) 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 2 (2014 est.) 2 (2013 est.) note: the Barbadian dollar is pegged to the US dollar Topic: BelarusBelarusian rubles (BYB/BYR) per US dollar - 1.9 (2017 est.) 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 15,926 (2014 est.) 10,224.1 (2013 est.) Topic: Belgiumeuros (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: BelizeBelizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2017 est.) 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 2 (2014 est.) 2 (2013 est.) Topic: BeninCommunaute 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: BermudaBermudian dollars (BMD) per US dollar - 1 (2020 est.) 1 (2019 est.) 1 (2018 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 1 (2013 est.) Topic: Bhutanngultrum (BTN) per US dollar - 64.97 (2017 est.) 67.2 (2016 est.) 67.2 (2015 est.) 64.15 (2014 est.) 61.03 (2013 est.) Topic: Boliviabolivianos (BOB) per US dollar - 6.91 (2020 est.) 6.91 (2019 est.) 6.91 (2018 est.) 6.91 (2014 est.) 6.91 (2013 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinakonvertibilna markas (BAM) per US dollar - 1.729 (2017 est.) 1.7674 (2016 est.) 1.7674 (2015 est.) 1.7626 (2014 est.) 1.4718 (2013 est.) Topic: Botswanapulas (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: Brazilreals (BRL) per US dollar - 5.12745 (2020 est.) 4.14915 (2019 est.) 3.862 (2018 est.) 3.3315 (2014 est.) 2.3535 (2013 est.) Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorythe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: British Virgin Islandsthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: BruneiBruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - 1.33685 (2020 est.) 1.35945 (2019 est.) 1.3699 (2018 est.) 1.3749 (2014 est.) 1.267 (2013 est.) Topic: Bulgarialeva (BGN) per US dollar - 1.61885 (2020 est.) 1.7669 (2019 est.) 1.7172 (2018 est.) 1.7644 (2014 est.) 1.4742 (2013 est.) Topic: Burkina FasoCommunaute 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: Burmakyats (MMK) per US dollar - 1,361.9 (2017 est.) 1,234.87 (2016 est.) 1,234.87 (2015 est.) 1,162.62 (2014 est.) 984.35 (2013 est.) Topic: BurundiBurundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,945 (2020 est.) 1,876.25 (2019 est.) 1,800.495 (2018 est.) 1,571.9 (2014 est.) 1,546.7 (2013 est.) Topic: Cabo VerdeCabo Verdean escudos (CVE) per US dollar - 101.8 (2017 est.) 99.688 (2016 est.) 99.688 (2015 est.) 99.426 (2014 est.) 83.114 (2013 est.) Topic: Cambodiariels (KHR) per US dollar - 4,055 (2017 est.) 4,058.7 (2016 est.) 4,058.7 (2015 est.) 4,067.8 (2014 est.) 4,037.5 (2013 est.) Topic: CameroonCooperation 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: CanadaCanadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.28035 (2020 est.) 1.3228 (2019 est.) 1.32925 (2018 est.) 1.2788 (2014 est.) 1.0298 (2013 est.) Topic: Cayman IslandsCaymanian dollars (KYD) per US dollar - 0.82 (2017 est.) 0.82 (2016 est.) 0.82 (2015 est.) 0.82 (2014 est.) 0.83 (2013 est.) Topic: Central African RepublicCooperation 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: ChadCooperation 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: ChileChilean pesos (CLP) per US dollar - 738.81 (2020 est.) 770.705 (2019 est.) 674.25 (2018 est.) 658.93 (2014 est.) 570.37 (2013 est.) Topic: ChinaRenminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - 6.5374 (2020 est.) 7.0403 (2019 est.) 6.8798 (2018 est.) 6.1434 (2014 est.) 6.1958 (2013 est.) Topic: Christmas IslandAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3442 (2016 est.) 1.3442 (2015) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3442 (2016 est.) 1.3442 (2015) 1.3291 (2014) 1.1094 (2013) Topic: ColombiaColombian pesos (COP) per US dollar - 3,457.93 (2020 est.) 3,416.5 (2019 est.) 3,147.43 (2018 est.) 2,001 (2014 est.) 2,001.1 (2013 est.) Topic: ComorosComoran francs (KMF) per US dollar - 458.2 (2017 est.) 444.76 (2016 est.) 444.76 (2015 est.) 443.6 (2014 est.) 370.81 (2013 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theCongolese francs (CDF) per US dollar - 1,546.8 (2017 est.) 1,010.3 (2016 est.) 1,010.3 (2015 est.) 925.99 (2014 est.) 925.23 (2013 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of theCooperation 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: Cook IslandsNZ dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.416 (2017 est.) 1.4341 (2016 est.) 1.4341 (2015 est.) 1.441 (2014 est.) 1.4279 (2013 est.) Topic: Costa RicaCosta 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: Cote d'IvoireCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 594.3 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) Topic: Croatiakuna (HRK) per US dollar - 6.2474 (2020 est.) 6.72075 (2019 est.) 6.48905 (2018 est.) 6.8583 (2014 est.) 5.7482 (2013 est.) Topic: CubaCuban pesos (CUP) per US dollar - 1 (2017 est.) 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 22.7 (2013 est.) Topic: CuracaoNetherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2017 est.) 1.79 (2016 est.) 1.79 (2015 est.) 1.79 (2014 est.) 1.79 (2013 est.) Topic: Cypruseuros (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: Czechiakoruny (CZK) per US dollar - 21.76636 (2020 est.) 23.0629 (2019 est.) 22.71439 (2018 est.) 24.599 (2014 est.) 20.758 (2013 est.) Topic: DenmarkDanish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 6.16045 (2020 est.) 6.7506 (2019 est.) 6.5533 (2018 est.) 6.7236 (2014 est.) 5.6125 (2013 est.) Topic: Dhekelianote: uses the euronote: uses the euro Topic: DjiboutiDjiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.7 (2017 est.) 177.72 (2016 est.) 177.72 (2015 est.) 177.72 (2014 est.) 177.72 (2013 est.) Topic: DominicaEast 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: Dominican RepublicDominican 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: Ecuador25,000 (2020 est.) 25,000 (2019 est.) 25,000 (2018 est.) the US dollar became Ecuador's currency in 2001 Topic: EgyptEgyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 15.69 (2020 est.) 16.14 (2019 est.) 17.90999 (2018 est.) 7.7133 (2014 est.) 7.08 (2013 est.) Topic: El Salvadornote: the US dollar is used as a medium of exchange and circulates freely in the economy 1 (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial GuineaCooperation 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: Eritreanakfa (ERN) per US dollar - 15.38 (2017 est.) 15.375 (2016 est.) 15.375 (2015 est.) 15.375 (2014 est.) 15.375 (2013 est.) Topic: Estoniaeuros (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: Eswatiniemalangeni per US dollar - 14.44 (2017 est.) 14.6924 (2016 est.) 14.6924 (2015 est.) 12.7581 (2014 est.) 10.8469 (2013 est.) Topic: Ethiopiabirr (ETB) per US dollar - 25 (2017 est.) 21.732 (2016 est.) 21.732 (2015 est.) 21.55 (2014 est.) 19.8 (2013 est.) Topic: European Unioneuros per US dollar - 0.885 (2017 est.) 0.903 (2016 est.) 0.9214 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Falkland pounds (FKP) per US dollar - 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.6542 (2016 est.) 0.6542 (2015) 0.6542 (2014 est.) 0.6391 (2013 est.) Topic: Faroe IslandsDanish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 6.586 (2017 est.) 6.7269 (2016 est.) 6.7269 (2015 est.) 6.7236 (2014 est.) 5.6125 (2013 est.) Topic: FijiFijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - 2.05955 (2020 est.) 2.17345 (2019 est.) 2.1104 (2018 est.) 2.0976 (2014 est.) 1.8874 (2013 est.) Topic: Finlandeuros (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: Franceeuros (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: French PolynesiaComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 110.2 (2017 est.) 107.84 (2016 est.) 107.84 (2015 est.) 89.85 (2014 est.) 90.56 (2013 est.) Topic: GabonCooperation 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: Gambia, Thedalasis (GMD) per US dollar - 51.75 (2020 est.) 51.4 (2019 est.) 49.515 (2018 est.) 41.89 (2014 est.) 41.733 (2013 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripsee entry for the West Banksee entry for the West Bank Topic: Georgialaris (GEL) per US dollar - 2.535 (2017 est.) 2.3668 (2016 est.) 2.3668 (2015 est.) 2.2694 (2014 est.) 1.7657 (2013 est.) Topic: Germanyeuros (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: Ghanacedis (GHC) per US dollar - 5.86 (2020 est.) 5.68 (2019 est.) 4.9 (2018 est.) 3.712 (2014 est.) 2.895 (2013 est.) Topic: GibraltarGibraltar pounds (GIP) per US dollar - 0.885 (2017 est.) 0.903 (2016 est.) 0.9214 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Greeceeuros (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: GreenlandDanish kroner (DKK) per US dollar - 6.586 (2017 est.) 6.7309 (2016 est.) 6.7309 (2015 est.) 6.7326 (2014 est.) 5.6125 (2013 est.) Topic: GrenadaEast 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: Guamthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: Guatemalaquetzales (GTQ) per US dollar - 7.323 (2017 est.) 7.5999 (2016 est.) 7.5999 (2015 est.) 7.6548 (2014 est.) 7.7322 (2013 est.) Topic: GuernseyGuernsey pound per US dollar 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.738 (2016 est.) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2014) 0.607 (2013) Topic: GuineaGuinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 9,953 (2020 est.) 9,542.5 (2019 est.) 9,092 (2018 est.) 7,485.5 (2014 est.) 7,014.1 (2013 est.) Topic: Guinea-BissauCommunaute 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: GuyanaGuyanese dollars (GYD) per US dollar - 207 (2017 est.) 206.5 (2016 est.) 206.5 (2015 est.) 206.5 (2014 est.) 206.45 (2013 est.) Topic: Haitigourdes (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: Holy See (Vatican City)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: Honduraslempiras (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: Hong KongHong 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: Hungaryforints (HUF) per US dollar - 295.3276 (2020 est.) 299.4939 (2019 est.) 283.5923 (2018 est.) 279.33 (2014 est.) 232.6 (2013 est.) Topic: IcelandIcelandic 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: IndiaIndian rupees (INR) per US dollar - 73.565 (2020 est.) 71.05 (2019 est.) 70.7675 (2018 est.) 64.152 (2014 est.) 61.03 (2013 est.) Topic: IndonesiaIndonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar - 14,110 (2020 est.) 14,015 (2019 est.) 14,470 (2018 est.) 13,389.4 (2014 est.) 11,865.2 (2013 est.) Topic: IranIranian 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: IraqIraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar - 1,184 (2017 est.) 1,182 (2016 est.) 1,182 (2015 est.) 1,167.63 (2014 est.) 1,213.72 (2013 est.) Topic: Irelandeuros (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: Isle of ManManx pounds (IMP) per US dollar - 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.738 (2016 est.) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2014) 0.6472 (2013 est.) Topic: Israelnew Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.44 (2020 est.) 3.4684 (2019 est.) 3.7332 (2018 est.) 3.8869 (2014 est.) 3.5779 (2013 est.) Topic: Italyeuros (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: JamaicaJamaican dollars (JMD) per US dollar - 128.36 (2017 est.) 125.14 (2016 est.) 125.126 (2015 est.) 116.898 (2014 est.) 110.935 (2013 est.) Topic: Japanyen (JPY) per US dollar - 104.205 (2020 est.) 108.605 (2019 est.) 112.7 (2018 est.) 121.02 (2014 est.) 97.44 (2013 est.) Topic: JerseyJersey pounds (JEP) per US dollar 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.738 (2016 est.) 0.738 (2015) 0.6542 (2012) 0.6391 (2011 est.) Topic: JordanJordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2020 est.) 0.709 (2019 est.) 0.70925 (2018 est.) 0.71 (2014 est.) 0.71 (2013 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantenge (KZT) per US dollar - 420.0049 (2020 est.) 385.9248 (2019 est.) 370.4648 (2018 est.) 221.73 (2014 est.) 179.19 (2013 est.) Topic: KenyaKenyan shillings (KES) per US dollar - 111.45 (2020 est.) 101.4 (2019 est.) 102.4 (2018 est.) 98.179 (2014 est.) 87.921 (2013 est.) Topic: KiribatiAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.31 (2017 est.) 1.34 (2016 est.) 1.34 (2015 est.) 1.33 (2014 est.) 1.11 (2013 est.) note: the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender Topic: Korea, NorthNorth Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (average market rate) 135 (2017 est.) 130 (2016 est.) 130 (2015 est.) 98.5 (2013 est.) 155.5 (2012 est.) Topic: Korea, SouthSouth 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: Kosovoeuros (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: KuwaitKuwaiti dinars (KD) per US dollar - 0.3049 (2020 est.) 0.3037 (2019 est.) 0.304 (2018 est.) 0.3009 (2014 est.) 0.2845 (2013 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstansoms (KGS) per US dollar - 68.35 (2017 est.) 69.914 (2016 est.) 69.914 (2015 est.) 64.462 (2014 est.) 53.654 (2013 est.) Topic: Laoskips (LAK) per US dollar - 8,231.1 (2017 est.) 8,129.1 (2016 est.) 8,129.1 (2015 est.) 8,147.9 (2014 est.) 8,049 (2013 est.) Topic: Latviaeuros (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: LebanonLebanese pounds (LBP) per US dollar - 1,517.5 (2020 est.) 1,513 (2019 est.) 1,506.5 (2018 est.) 1,507.5 (2014 est.) 1,507.5 (2013 est.) Topic: Lesothomaloti (LSL) per US dollar - 14.48 (2017 est.) 14.71 (2016 est.) 14.71 (2015 est.) 12.76 (2014 est.) 10.85 (2013 est.) Topic: LiberiaLiberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - 109.4 (2017 est.) 93.4 (2016 est.) 93.4 (2015 est.) 85.3 (2014 est.) 83.893 (2013 est.) Topic: LibyaLibyan dinars (LYD) per US dollar - 1.413 (2017 est.) 1.3904 (2016 est.) 1.3904 (2015 est.) 1.379 (2014 est.) 1.2724 (2013 est.) Topic: LiechtensteinSwiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.9875 (2017 est.) 0.9852 (2016 est.) 0.9852 (2015 est.) 0.9627 (2014 est.) 0.9152 (2013 est.) Topic: Lithuanialitai (LTL) per US dollar - 0.82771 (2020 est.) 0.90338 (2019 est.) 0.87789 (2018 est.) 0.9012 (2014 est.) 0.7525 (2013 est.) Topic: Luxembourgeuros (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: Macaupatacas (MOP) per US dollar - 8 (2017 est.) 7.9951 (2016 est.) 7.9951 (2015 est.) 7.985 (2014 est.) 7.9871 (2013 est.) Topic: MadagascarMalagasy ariary (MGA) per US dollar - 3,116.1 (2017 est.) 3,176.5 (2016 est.) 3,176.5 (2015 est.) 2,933.5 (2014 est.) 2,414.8 (2013 est.) Topic: MalawiMalawian kwachas (MWK) per US dollar - 762.4951 (2020 est.) 736.6548 (2019 est.) 732.335 (2018 est.) 499.6 (2014 est.) 424.9 (2013 est.) Topic: Malaysiaringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 4.064 (2020 est.) 4.161 (2019 est.) 4.166 (2018 est.) 3.91 (2014 est.) 3.27 (2013 est.) Topic: Maldivesrufiyaa (MVR) per US dollar - 15.42 (2017 est.) 15.35 (2016 est.) Topic: MaliCommunaute 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: Maltaeuros (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: Marshall Islandsthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: Mauritaniaouguiyas (MRO) per US dollar - 363.6 (2017 est.) 352.37 (2016 est.) 352.37 (2015 est.) 319.7 (2014 est.) 299.5 (2013 est.) Topic: MauritiusMauritian rupees (MUR) per US dollar - 39.65 (2020 est.) 36.51 (2019 est.) 34.4 (2018 est.) 35.057 (2014 est.) 30.622 (2013 est.) Topic: MexicoMexican pesos (MXN) per US dollar - 19.8 (2020 est.) 19.22824 (2019 est.) 20.21674 (2018 est.) 15.848 (2014 est.) 13.292 (2013 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: MoldovaMoldovan lei (MDL) per US dollar - 18.49 (2017 est.) 19.924 (2016 est.) 19.924 (2015 est.) 19.83 (2014 est.) 14.036 (2013 est.) Topic: Monacoeuros (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: Mongoliatogrog/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: Montenegroeuros (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: MontserratEast 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: MoroccoMoroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 9.0065 (2020 est.) 9.657 (2019 est.) 9.48825 (2018 est.) 9.7351 (2014 est.) 8.3798 (2013 est.) Topic: Mozambiquemeticais (MZM) per US dollar - 74.12 (2020 est.) 63.885 (2019 est.) 61.625 (2018 est.) 39.983 (2014 est.) 31.367 (2013 est.) Topic: NamibiaNamibian dollars (NAD) per US dollar - 13.67 (2017 est.) 14.7096 (2016 est.) 14.7096 (2015 est.) 12.7589 (2014 est.) 10.8526 (2013 est.) Topic: NauruAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3452 (2016 est.) 1.3452 (2015 est.) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) Topic: NepalNepalese rupees (NPR) per US dollar - 104 (2017 est.) 107.38 (2016 est.) 107.38 (2015 est.) 102.41 (2014 est.) 99.53 (2013 est.) Topic: Netherlandseuros (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: New CaledoniaComptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - 110.2 (2017 est.) 107.84 (2016 est.) 107.84 (2015 est.) 89.85 (2013 est.) 90.56 (2012 est.) Topic: New ZealandNew 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: Nicaraguacordobas (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: NigerCommunaute 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: Nigerianairas (NGN) per US dollar - 383.5 (2020 est.) 362.75 (2019 est.) 363 (2018 est.) 192.73 (2014 est.) 158.55 (2013 est.) Topic: NiueNew Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.416 (2017 est.) 1.4279 (2016 est.) 1.4279 (2015) 1.4279 (2014 est.) 1.2039 (2013 est.) Topic: Norfolk IslandAustralian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3291 (2016 est.) 1.3291 (2015) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) Topic: North MacedoniaMacedonian denars (MKD) per US dollar - 55.8 (2017 est.) 55.733 (2016 est.) 55.733 (2015 est.) 55.537 (2014 est.) 46.437 (2013 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: NorwayNorwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 8.81535 (2020 est.) 9.14245 (2019 est.) 8.4837 (2018 est.) 8.0646 (2014 est.) 6.3021 (2013 est.) Topic: OmanOmani rials (OMR) per US dollar - 0.38505 (2020 est.) 0.38505 (2019 est.) 0.385 (2018 est.) 0.3845 (2014 est.) 0.3845 (2013 est.) Topic: PakistanPakistani rupees (PKR) per US dollar - 160.425 (2020 est.) 155.04 (2019 est.) 138.8 (2018 est.) 102.769 (2014 est.) 101.1 (2013 est.) Topic: Palauthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: Panamabalboas (PAB) per US dollar - 1 (2017 est.) 1 (2016 est.) 1 (2015 est.) 1 (2014 est.) 1 (2013 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineakina (PGK) per US dollar - 3.5131 (2020 est.) 3.4042 (2019 est.) 3.36915 (2018 est.) 2.7684 (2014 est.) 2.4614 (2013 est.) Topic: Paraguayguarani (PYG) per US dollar - 7,045 (2020 est.) 6,426 (2019 est.) 5,915.4 (2018 est.) 5,160.4 (2014 est.) 4,462.2 (2013 est.) Topic: Perunuevo sol (PEN) per US dollar - 3.599 (2020 est.) 3.3799 (2019 est.) 3.366 (2018 est.) 3.185 (2014 est.) 2.8383 (2013 est.) Topic: PhilippinesPhilippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - 48.055 (2020 est.) 50.81 (2019 est.) 52.71 (2018 est.) 45.503 (2014 est.) 44.395 (2013 est.) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNew Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.416 (2017 est.) 1.4279 (2016 est.) 1.4279 (2015) 1.4279 (2014 est.) 1.2039 (2013 est.) Topic: Polandzlotych (PLN) per US dollar - 3.6684 (2020 est.) 3.8697 (2019 est.) 3.76615 (2018 est.) 3.7721 (2014 est.) 3.1538 (2013 est.) Topic: Portugaleuros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.82771 (2020 est.) 0.90338 (2019 est.) 0.87789 (2018 est.) 0.7525 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricothe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: QatarQatari rials (QAR) per US dollar - 3.641 (2020 est.) 3.641 (2019 est.) 3.641 (2018 est.) 3.64 (2014 est.) 3.64 (2013 est.) Topic: Romanialei (RON) per US dollar - 4.02835 (2020 est.) 4.31655 (2019 est.) 4.0782 (2018 est.) 4.0057 (2014 est.) 3.3492 (2013 est.) Topic: RussiaRussian rubles (RUB) per US dollar - 73.7569 (2020 est.) 63.66754 (2019 est.) 66.2 (2018 est.) 60.938 (2014 est.) 38.378 (2013 est.) Topic: RwandaRwandan 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: Saint Barthelemy0.885 (2017 est.) 0.903 (2016 est.) 0.9214 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helenian pounds (SHP) per US dollar - 0.7836 (2017 est.) 0.6542 (2016 est.) 0.6542 (2015) 0.607 (2014 est.) 0.6391 (2013 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisEast 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: Saint LuciaEast 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: Saint Martineuros (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: Saint Pierre and Miqueloneuros (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: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEast 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: Samoatala (SAT) per US dollar - 2.54712 (2020 est.) 2.65534 (2019 est.) 2.57069 (2018 est.) 2.5609 (2014 est.) 2.3318 (2013 est.) Topic: San Marinoeuros (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: Sao Tome and Principedobras (STD) per US dollar - 22,689 (2017 est.) 21,797 (2016 est.) 22,149 (2015 est.) 22,091 (2014 est.) 18,466 (2013 est.) Topic: Saudi ArabiaSaudi riyals (SAR) per US dollar - 3.7514 (2020 est.) 3.75 (2019 est.) 3.7518 (2018 est.) 3.75 (2014 est.) 3.75 (2013 est.) Topic: SenegalCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 617.4 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) Topic: SerbiaSerbian dinars (RSD) per US dollar - 112.4 (2017 est.) 111.278 (2016 est.) 111.278 (2015 est.) 108.811 (2014 est.) 88.405 (2013 est.) Topic: SeychellesSeychelles rupees (SCR) per US dollar - 13.64 (2017 est.) 13.319 (2016 est.) 13.319 (2015 est.) 13.314 (2014 est.) 12.747 (2013 est.) Topic: Sierra Leoneleones (SLL) per US dollar - 7,396.3 (2017 est.) 6,289.9 (2016 est.) 6,289.9 (2015 est.) 5,080.8 (2014 est.) 4,524.2 (2013 est.) Topic: SingaporeSingapore 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: Sint MaartenNetherlands Antillean guilders (ANG) per US dollar - 1.79 (2017 est.) 1.79 (2016 est.) 1.79 (2015 est.) 1.79 (2014 est.) 1.79 (2013 est.) Topic: Slovakiaeuros (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: Sloveniaeuros (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: Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar - 8.06126 (2020 est.) 8.10373 (2019 est.) 8.01282 (2018 est.) 7.9147 (2014 est.) 7.3754 (2013 est.) Topic: SomaliaSomali shillings (SOS) per US dollar - 23,960 (2016 est.) Topic: South Africarand (ZAR) per US dollar - 14.9575 (2020 est.) 14.64 (2019 est.) 14.05125 (2018 est.) 12.7581 (2014 est.) 10.8469 (2013 est.) Topic: South SudanSouth Sudanese pounds (SSP) per US dollar - 0.885 (2017 est.) 0.903 (2016 est.) 0.9214 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Spaineuros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.82771 (2020 est.) 0.90338 (2019 est.) 0.87789 (2018 est.) 0.7525 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) Topic: Sri LankaSri 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: SudanSudanese pounds (SDG) per US dollar - 6.72 (2017 est.) 6.14 (2016 est.) 6.14 (2015 est.) 6.03 (2014 est.) 5.74 (2013 est.) Topic: SurinameSurinamese dollars (SRD) per US dollar - 7.53 (2017 est.) 6.229 (2016 est.) 6.229 (2015 est.) 3.4167 (2014 est.) 3.3 (2013 est.) Topic: SvalbardNorwegian kroner (NOK) per US dollar - 8.308 (2017 est.) 8.0646 (2016 est.) 8.0646 (2015) 8.0646 (2014 est.) 6.3021 (2013 est.) Topic: SwedenSwedish kronor (SEK) per US dollar - 8.49085 (2020 est.) 9.52915 (2019 est.) 9.01895 (2018 est.) 8.4335 (2014 est.) 6.8612 (2013 est.) Topic: SwitzerlandSwiss 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: SyriaSyrian pounds (SYP) per US dollar - 514.6 (2017 est.) 459.2 (2016 est.) 459.2 (2015 est.) 236.41 (2014 est.) 153.695 (2013 est.) Topic: TaiwanNew Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - 28.211 (2020 est.) 30.472 (2019 est.) 30.8395 (2018 est.) 31.911 (2014 est.) 30.363 (2013 est.) Topic: TajikistanTajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 8.764 (2017 est.) 7.8358 (2016 est.) 7.8358 (2015 est.) 6.1631 (2014 est.) 4.9348 (2013 est.) Topic: TanzaniaTanzanian shillings (TZS) per US dollar - 2,319 (2020 est.) 2,300 (2019 est.) 2,299.155 (2018 est.) 1,989.7 (2014 est.) 1,654 (2013 est.) Topic: Thailandbaht per US dollar - 30.03 (2020 est.) 30.29749 (2019 est.) 32.8075 (2018 est.) 34.248 (2014 est.) 32.48 (2013 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestethe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: TogoCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 617.4 (2017 est.) 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) Topic: TokelauNew Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - 1.543 (2017 est.) Topic: Tongapa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - 2.27015 (2020 est.) 2.29095 (2019 est.) 2.22717 (2018 est.) 2.106 (2014 est.) 1.847 (2013 est.) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago dollars (TTD) per US dollar - 6.78 (2017 est.) 6.669 (2016 est.) 6.669 (2015 est.) 6.4041 (2014 est.) 6.4041 (2013 est.) Topic: TunisiaTunisian dinars (TND) per US dollar - 2.71795 (2020 est.) 2.8518 (2019 est.) 2.95875 (2018 est.) 1.9617 (2014 est.) 1.6976 (2013 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar - 7.81925 (2020 est.) 5.8149 (2019 est.) 5.28905 (2018 est.) 2.72 (2014 est.) 2.1885 (2013 est.) Topic: TurkmenistanTurkmenistani 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: Turks and Caicos Islandsthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: TuvaluTuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.311 (2017 est.) 1.3442 (2016 est.) Topic: UgandaUgandan shillings (UGX) per US dollar - 3,680 (2020 est.) 3,685 (2019 est.) 3,735 (2018 est.) 3,234.1 (2014 est.) 2,599.8 (2013 est.) Topic: Ukrainehryvnia (UAH) per US dollar - 28.10001 (2020 est.) 23.7 (2019 est.) 27.80499 (2018 est.) 21.8447 (2014 est.) 11.8867 (2013 est.) Topic: United Arab EmiratesEmirati dirhams (AED) per US dollar - 3.67315 (2020 est.) 3.67315 (2019 est.) 3.67315 (2018 est.) 3.673 (2014 est.) 3.673 (2013 est.) Topic: United KingdomBritish 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: United StatesBritish pounds per US dollar: 0.7836 (2017 est.), 0.738 (2016 est.), 0.738 (2015 est.), 0.607 (2014 est), 0.6391 (2013 est.) Canadian dollars per US dollar: 1, 1.308 (2017 est.), 1.3256 (2016 est.), 1.3256 (2015 est.), 1.2788 (2014 est.), 1.0298 (2013 est.) Chinese yuan per US dollar: 1, 6.7588 (2017 est.), 6.6445 (2016 est.), 6.2275 (2015 est.), 6.1434 (2014 est.), 6.1958 (2013 est.) euros per US dollar: 0.885 (2017 est.), 0.903 (2016 est.), 0.9214(2015 est.), 0.885 (2014 est.), 0.7634 (2013 est.) Japanese yen per US dollar: 111.10 (2017 est.), 108.76 (2016 est.), 108.76 (2015 est.), 121.02 (2014 est.), 97.44 (2013 est.) note 1: the following countries and territories use the US dollar officially as their legal tender: British Virgin Islands, Ecuador, El Salvador, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Timor Leste, Turks and Caicos, and islands of the Caribbean Netherlands (Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba) note 2: the following countries and territories use the US dollar as official legal tender alongside local currency: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama note 3: the following countries and territories widely accept the US dollar as a dominant currency but have yet to declare it as legal tender: Bermuda, Burma, Cambodia, Cayman Islands, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Somalia Topic: UruguayUruguayan 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: UzbekistanUzbekistani soum (UZS) per US dollar - 3,906.1 (2017 est.) 2,966.6 (2016 est.) 2,966.6 (2015 est.) 2,569.6 (2014 est.) 2,311.4 (2013 est.) Topic: Vanuatuvatu (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: Venezuelabolivars (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: Vietnamdong (VND) per US dollar - 23,129 (2020 est.) 23,171.5 (2019 est.) 23,312.5 (2018 est.) 21,909 (2014 est.) 21,189 (2013 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandsthe US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: Wallis and FutunaComptoirs 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: West Banknew 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: YemenYemeni rials (YER) per US dollar - 275 (2017 est.) 214.9 (2016 est.) 214.9 (2015 est.) 228 (2014 est.) 214.89 (2013 est.) Topic: ZambiaZambian kwacha (ZMK) per US dollar - 21.065 (2020 est.) 15.3736 (2019 est.) 11.855 (2018 est.) 8.6 (2014 est.) 6.2 (2013 est.) Topic: ZimbabweZimbabwean dollars (ZWD) per US dollar - 82.3138 (2020 est.) 16.44579 (2019 est.) 322.355 (2018 est.) 234.25 (2010) note: the dollar was adopted as a legal currency in 2009; since then the Zimbabwean dollar has experienced hyperinflation and is essentially worthless

20220901

countries-australia

Topic: Photos of Australia Topic: Introduction Background: Aboriginal Australians arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago and developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and oral histories. Dutch navigators led by Abel TASMAN were the first Europeans to land in Australia in 1606, and they mapped the western and northern coasts. They named the continent New Holland but made no attempts to permanently settle it. In 1770, English captain James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies respectively. Great Britain and Ireland sent more than 150,000 convicts to Australia before ending the practice in 1868. As Europeans began settling areas away from the coasts, they came into more direct contact with Aboriginal Australians. Europeans also cleared land for agriculture, impacting Aboriginal Australians’ ways of life. These issues, along with disease and a policy in the 1900s that forcefully removed Aboriginal children from their parents, reduced the Aboriginal Australian population from more than 700,000 pre-European contact to a low of 74,000 in 1933. Four additional colonies were established in Australia in the mid-1800s: Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859). Gold rushes beginning in the 1850s brought thousands of new immigrants to New South Wales and Victoria, helping to reorient Australia away from its penal colony roots. In the second half of the 1800s, the colonies were all gradually granted self-government, and in 1901, they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia contributed more than 400,000 troops to Allied efforts during World War I, and Australian troops played a large role in the defeat of Japanese troops in the Pacific in World War II. Australia severed most constitutional links with the UK in 1942, and in 1951 signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, cementing its military alliance with the United States.  In 2021, Australia, the UK, and the US announced the AUKUS enhanced trilateral security partnership to maintain and expand the three countries’ edge in military capabilities and critical technologies. Australia’s post-war economy boomed and by the 1970s, racial policies that prevented most non-Whites from immigrating to Australia were removed, greatly increasing Asian immigration to the country. In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its proximity to East and Southeast Asia.  In the early 2000s, Australian politics became unstable with frequent attempts to oust party leaders, including five changes of prime minister between 2010 and 2018. As a result, both major parties instituted rules to make it harder to remove a party leader.Aboriginal Australians arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago and developed complex hunter-gatherer societies and oral histories. Dutch navigators led by Abel TASMAN were the first Europeans to land in Australia in 1606, and they mapped the western and northern coasts. They named the continent New Holland but made no attempts to permanently settle it. In 1770, English captain James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies respectively. Great Britain and Ireland sent more than 150,000 convicts to Australia before ending the practice in 1868. As Europeans began settling areas away from the coasts, they came into more direct contact with Aboriginal Australians. Europeans also cleared land for agriculture, impacting Aboriginal Australians’ ways of life. These issues, along with disease and a policy in the 1900s that forcefully removed Aboriginal children from their parents, reduced the Aboriginal Australian population from more than 700,000 pre-European contact to a low of 74,000 in 1933. Four additional colonies were established in Australia in the mid-1800s: Western Australia (1829), South Australia (1836), Victoria (1851), and Queensland (1859). Gold rushes beginning in the 1850s brought thousands of new immigrants to New South Wales and Victoria, helping to reorient Australia away from its penal colony roots. In the second half of the 1800s, the colonies were all gradually granted self-government, and in 1901, they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia. Australia contributed more than 400,000 troops to Allied efforts during World War I, and Australian troops played a large role in the defeat of Japanese troops in the Pacific in World War II. Australia severed most constitutional links with the UK in 1942, and in 1951 signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty, cementing its military alliance with the United States.  In 2021, Australia, the UK, and the US announced the AUKUS enhanced trilateral security partnership to maintain and expand the three countries’ edge in military capabilities and critical technologies. Australia’s post-war economy boomed and by the 1970s, racial policies that prevented most non-Whites from immigrating to Australia were removed, greatly increasing Asian immigration to the country. In recent decades, Australia has become an internationally competitive, advanced market economy due in large part to economic reforms adopted in the 1980s and its proximity to East and Southeast Asia. In the early 2000s, Australian politics became unstable with frequent attempts to oust party leaders, including five changes of prime minister between 2010 and 2018. As a result, both major parties instituted rules to make it harder to remove a party leader.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, continent between the Indian Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean Geographic coordinates: 27 00 S, 133 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 7,741,220 sq km land: 7,682,300 sq km water: 58,920 sq km note: includes Lord Howe Island and Macquarie Island Area - comparative: slightly smaller than the US contiguous 48 states Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 25,760 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: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Terrain: mostly low plateau with deserts; fertile plain in southeast Elevation: highest point: Mount Kosciuszko 2,228 m lowest point: Lake Eyre -15 m mean elevation: 330 m Natural resources: alumina, coal, iron ore, copper, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, opals, natural gas, petroleum; note - Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 29% of global coal exports; as well, Australia is by far the world's largest supplier of opals Land use: agricultural land: 46.65% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.03% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.04% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 42.58% (2018 est.) forest: 17.42% (2018 est.) other: 33.42% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 25,460 sq km (2014) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh 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 Major rivers (by length in km): River Murray - 2,508 km; Darling River - 1,545 km; Murrumbidgee River - 1,485 km; Lachlan River - 1,339 km; Cooper Creek - 1,113 km; Flinders River - 1,004 km Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Great Australian Bight) Murray-Darling (1,050,116 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Eyre (1,212,198 sq km) Major aquifers: Great Artesian Basin, Canning Basin Population distribution: population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population Natural hazards: cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest firesvolcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islandscyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest firesvolcanism: volcanic activity on Heard and McDonald Islands Geography - note: note 1: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders note 2: the Great Dividing Range that runs along eastern Australia is that continent’s longest mountain range and the third-longest land-based range in the world; the term "Great Dividing Range" refers to the fact that the mountains form a watershed crest from which all of the rivers of eastern Australia flow – east, west, north, and south note 3: Australia is the only continent without glaciers; it is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world; Australia is home to 10% of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world Map description: Australia map showing the major cities of the continent as well parts of surrounding seas.Australia map showing the major cities of the continent as well parts of surrounding seas. Topic: People and Society Population: 26,141,369 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian Ethnic groups: English 36.1%, Australian 33.5%, Irish 11.0%, Scottish 9.3%, Chinese 5.6%, Italian 4.6%, German 4.5%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2.8%, Indian 2.8%, Greek 1.8%, Dutch 1.6% (2016 est.) note: data represent self-identified ancestry, with the option of reporting two ancestriesEnglish 36.1%, Australian 33.5%, Irish 11.0%, Scottish 9.3%, Chinese 5.6%, Italian 4.6%, German 4.5%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2.8%, Indian 2.8%, Greek 1.8%, Dutch 1.6% Languages: English 72.7%, Mandarin 2.5%, Arabic 1.4%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.2%, Italian 1.2%, Greek 1%, other 14.8%, unspecified 6.5% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home Religions: Protestant 23.1% (Anglican 13.3%, Uniting Church 3.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.3%, Baptist 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.1%, Lutheran .7%, other Protestant .5%), Roman Catholic 22.6%, other Christian 4.2%, Muslim 2.6%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox .2%), Hindu 1.9%, other 1.3%, none 30.1%, unspecified 9.6% (2016 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.72% (male 2,457,418/female 2,309,706) 15-24 years: 12.89% (male 1,710,253/female 1,572,794) 25-54 years: 41.15% (male 5,224,840/female 5,255,041) 55-64 years: 11.35% (male 1,395,844/female 1,495,806) 65 years and over: 15.88% (2020 est.) (male 1,866,761/female 2,177,996) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.1 youth dependency ratio: 29.9 elderly dependency ratio: 25.1 potential support ratio: 4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 37.5 years male: 36.5 years female: 38.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.25% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 12.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.77 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 6.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population Urbanization: urban population: 86.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island Major urban areas - population: 5,151 million Melbourne, 5.057 million Sydney, 2.472 million Brisbane, 2.093 million Perth, 1.356 million Adelaide, 467,000 CANBERRA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.72 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.7 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.09 years male: 80.93 years female: 85.36 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.73 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 66.9% (2015/16) note: percent of women aged 18-44 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: 9.9% (2019) Physicians density: 4.13 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 3.8 beds/1,000 population (2016) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 30,000 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 note: estimate does not include children Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 29% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 13.6% (2020 est.) male: 15.6% (2020 est.) female: 11.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 22 years male: 21 years female: 22 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.3% male: 15.3% female: 13.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: soil erosion from overgrazing, deforestation, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; limited natural freshwater resources; soil salinity rising due to the use of poor quality water; drought, desertification; clearing for agricultural purposes threatens the natural habitat of many unique animal and plant species; disruption of the fragile ecosystem has resulted in significant floral extinctions; the Great Barrier Reef off the northeast coast, the largest coral reef in the world, is threatened by increased shipping and its popularity as a tourist site; overfishing, pollution, and invasive species are also problems Environment - international agreements: party to: 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: 7.19 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 375.91 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 105.01 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north Land use: agricultural land: 46.65% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.03% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.04% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 42.58% (2018 est.) forest: 17.42% (2018 est.) other: 33.42% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 86.5% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.78% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 13.345 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,618,245 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 42.1% (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh 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 Major rivers (by length in km): River Murray - 2,508 km; Darling River - 1,545 km; Murrumbidgee River - 1,485 km; Lachlan River - 1,339 km; Cooper Creek - 1,113 km; Flinders River - 1,004 km Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Great Australian Bight) Murray-Darling (1,050,116 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Eyre (1,212,198 sq km) Major aquifers: Great Artesian Basin, Canning Basin Total water withdrawal: municipal: 3.392 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.662 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 10.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 492 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Commonwealth of Australia conventional short form: Australia etymology: the name Australia derives from the Latin "australis" meaning "southern"; the Australian landmass was long referred to as "Terra Australis" or the Southern Land Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Canberra geographic coordinates: 35 16 S, 149 08 E time difference: UTC+10 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April time zone note: Australia has four time zones, including Lord Howe Island (UTC+10:30) etymology: the name is claimed to derive from either Kambera or Camberry, which are names corrupted from the original native designation for the area "Nganbra" or "Nganbira" Administrative divisions: 6 states and 2 territories*; Australian Capital Territory*, New South Wales, Northern Territory*, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia Dependent areas: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island Independence: 1 January 1901 (from the federation of UK colonies) National holiday: Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates 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: approved in a series of referenda from 1898 through 1900 and became law 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 amendments: proposed by Parliament; passage requires approval of a referendum bill by absolute majority vote in both houses of Parliament, approval in a referendum by a majority of voters in at least four states and in the territories, and Royal Assent; proposals that would reduce a state’s representation in either house or change a state’s boundaries require that state’s approval prior to Royal Assent; amended several times, last in 1977 Legal system: common law system based on the English 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 or permanent resident of Australia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General David HURLEY (since 1 July 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Anthony ALBANESE (since 23 May 2022) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and sworn in by the governor general elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is sworn in as prime minister by the governor general Legislative branch: description: bicameral Federal Parliament consists of: Senate (76 seats; 12 members from each of the 6 states and 2 each from the 2 mainland territories; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of state membership renewed every 3 years and territory membership renewed every 3 years) House of Representatives (151 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by majority preferential vote; members serve terms of up to 3 years) elections: Senate - last held on 21 May 2022 (next to be held on May 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 21 May 2022 (next to be held on May 2025) election results: Senate (initial results) - percent of vote by party - Liberal/National coalition 32.13%, ALP 29.81%, The Greens 13.85%, One Nation 4.38%, Lambie Network .26%; seats by party - Liberal/National coalition 29, ALP 21, The Greens 9, One Nation 1, Lambie Network 1, undecided 14 House of Representatives (initial results) - percent of vote by party - ALP 32.83%, Liberal/National coalition 35.77%, The Greens 11.85%, Katter's Australian Party 0.4%, Centre Alliance 0.24%, independents 5.52%; seats by party - ALP 76, Liberal/National Coalition 57, The Greens 4, Katter's Australian Party 1, Centre Alliance 1, independent 10, undecided 2 Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); note - each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court beyond the state and territory supreme courts judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general in council for life with mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: subordinate courts: at the federal level: Federal Court; Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia;  at the state and territory level: Local Court - New South Wales; Magistrates' Courts – Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory; District Courts – New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia; County Court – Victoria; Family Court – Western Australia; Court of Petty Sessions – Norfolk Island       Political parties and leaders: Australian Greens Party or The Greens [Adam BANDT] Australian Labor Party or ALP [Anthony ALBANESE] Liberal Party of Australia [Peter DUTTON] The Nationals [David LITTLEPROUD] Pauline Hanson’s One Nation or PHON or ONP [Pauline HANSON] International organization participation: ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF, SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Arthur SINODINOS (since 6 February 2020) chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 email address and website: https://usa.embassy.gov.au/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Michael GOLDMAN (since 19 January 2021) embassy: Moonah Place, Yarralumla, Australian Capital Territory 2600 mailing address: 7800 Canberra Place, Washington DC  20512-7800 telephone: [61] (02) 6214-5600 FAX: [61] (02) 9373-9184 email address and website: AskEmbassyCanberra@state.gov https://au.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Melbourne, Perth, Sydney Flag description: blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower hoist-side quadrant known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star, representing the federation of the colonies of Australia in 1901; the star depicts one point for each of the six original states and one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories; on the fly half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white with one small, five-pointed star and four larger, seven-pointed stars National symbol(s): Commonwealth Star (seven-pointed Star of Federation), golden wattle tree (Acacia pycnantha Benth), kangaroo, emu; national colors: green, gold National anthem: name: 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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 20 (4 cultural, 12 natural, 4 mixed); note - includes one site on Heard Island and McDonald Islands selected World Heritage Site locales: Great Barrier Reef (n); Greater Blue Mountains Area (n); Fraser Island (n); Gondwana Rainforests (n); Lord Howe Island Group (n); Royal Exhibition Building and Carlton Gardens (c); Shark Bay (n); Sydney Opera House (c); Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park (m); Kakadu National Park (m) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and India.   Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas Project, will significantly expand the resources sector.   For nearly two decades up till 2017, Australia had benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade. As export prices increased faster than import prices, the economy experienced continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system. Australia entered 2018 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by the sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China is growing at a slower pace and sharp drops in export prices have impacted growth.Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and India. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas Project, will significantly expand the resources sector. For nearly two decades up till 2017, Australia had benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade. As export prices increased faster than import prices, the economy experienced continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system. Australia entered 2018 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by the sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China is growing at a slower pace and sharp drops in export prices have impacted growth. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,250,900,000,000 (2020 est.) $1,254,480,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,227,940,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.84% (2019 est.) 2.77% (2018 est.) 2.45% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $48,700 (2020 est.) $49,500 (2019 est.) $49,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1,390,790,000,000 (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2019 est.) 1.9% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AAA (2011) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2003) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3.6% (2017 est.) industry: 25.3% (2017 est.) services: 71.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 56.9% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.5% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -21% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, wheat, barley, milk, rapeseed, beef, cotton, grapes, poultry, potatoes Industries: mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 12.568 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 3.6% industry: 21.1% services: 75.3% (2009 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.16% (2019 est.) 5.29% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 14.3% male: 15.3% female: 13.2% (2020 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34.4 (2014 est.) 35.2 (1994) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 25.4% (1994) Budget: revenues: 490 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 496.9 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 40.8% of GDP (2017 est.) 40.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 35.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: $8.146 billion (2019 est.) -$29.777 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $299.04 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $342.43 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $327.32 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 39%, Japan 15%, South Korea 7%, India 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: iron ore, coal, natural gas, gold, aluminum oxide (2019) Imports: $249.07 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $295.46 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $310.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 25%, United States 12%, Japan 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, delivery trucks (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $66.58 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $55.07 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $3,115,913,000,000 (2019 est.) $2,837,818,000,000 (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - 1.34048 (2020 est.) 1.46402 (2019 est.) 1.38552 (2018 est.) 1.3291 (2014 est.) 1.1094 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 82.517 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 237,388,272,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 12,607,778,000 kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 75.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 8.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 8.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 6.2% 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: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 462,500 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 64,120 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 619,600 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 142,104,321,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 41,905,381,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 101,766,728,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 6,295,646,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 3,228,115,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 417.87 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 162.26 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 158.668 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 96.942 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 241.004 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6.2 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 27.453 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 108 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the Australian telecom market since 2020 has been impacted by the pandemic, which forced many people to school and work from home and thus adopt fixed-line broadband services; internet traffic, both fixed and mobile, increased substantially as a result; in the fixed sector, there is an ongoing migration from copper-based platforms to fiber; NBN Co increased the number of premises migrated from hybrid fiber/copper infrastructure to FttP; by the end of 2023 NBN Co is expected to deliver a 1Gb/s service across 75% of its fixed-line network; the extension of fixed wireless access will mean that up to 120,000 premises currently dependent on satellite broadband will be able to access 5G-based fixed services; the fixed-line market has been falling steadily over the past five years; in the Australian fixed broadband market, there is a dynamic shift among customers to fiber networks; this infrastructure is being built out by NBN Co (also known as nbn), the company responsible for deploying the national broadband network, which is based on a multi-technology mix including VDSL, fibre, HFC, fixed wireless, and satellite; the DSL sector is steadily shrinking as customers are migrated to the NBN, while subscribers on HFC infrastructure will continue to be provided by existing cable within the NBN’s multi-technology mix, with a steady migration to full fiber connectivity; the mobile market is dominated by the three MNOs Telstra, Optus, and TPG Telecom; these offer LTE services on a wholesale basis, thus encouraging growth in the LTE sector, while also deploying services based on 5G; Optus and (since mid-2022) Telstra provide 5G access to their MVNOs. (2022) domestic: roughly 24 per 100 fixed-line and 108 per 100 mobile-cellular; more subscribers to mobile services than there are people; 90% of all mobile device sales are now smartphones, growth in mobile traffic brisk (2020) international: country code - 61; landing points for more than 20 submarine cables including: the SeaMeWe-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; the INDIGO-Central, INDIGO West and ASC, North West Cable System, Australia-Papua New Guinea cable, CSCS, PPC-1, Gondwana-1, SCCN, Hawaiki, TGA, Basslink, Bass Strait-1, Bass Strait-2, JGA-S, with links to other Australian cities, New Zealand and many countries in southeast Asia, US and Europe; the H2 Cable, AJC, Telstra Endeavor, Southern Cross NEXT with links to Japan, Hong Kong, and other Pacific Ocean countries as well as the US; satellite earth stations - 10 Intelsat (4 Indian Ocean and 6 Pacific Ocean), 2 Inmarsat, 2 Globalstar, 5 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: the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs multiple national and local radio networks and TV stations, as well as ABC Australia, a TV service that broadcasts in the Asia-Pacific region and is the main public broadcaster; Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), a second large public broadcaster, operates radio and TV networks broadcasting in multiple languages; several large national commercial TV networks, a large number of local commercial TV stations, and hundreds of commercial radio stations are accessible; cable and satellite systems are available (2022) Internet country code: .au Internet users: total: 23,123,940 (2020 est.) percent of population: 90% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 9,099,619 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 25 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 583 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 75,667,645 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 2,027,640,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: VH Airports: total: 418 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 349 over 3,047 m: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 14 1,524 to 2,437 m: 155 914 to 1,523 m: 155 under 914 m: 14 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 131 1,524 to 2,437 m: 16 914 to 1,523 m: 101 under 914 m: 14 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 637 km condensate/gas, 30,054 km gas, 240 km liquid petroleum gas, 3,609 km oil, 110 km oil/gas/water, 72 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 33,011 km (2015) standard gauge: 17,446 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (650 km electrified) narrow gauge: 12,318 km (2015) 1.067-m gauge (2,075.5 km electrified) broad gauge: 3,247 km (2015) 1.600-m gauge (372 km electrified) Roadways: total: 873,573 km (2015) urban: 145,928 km (2015) non-urban: 727,645 km (2015) Waterways: 2,000 km (2011) (mainly used for recreation on Murray and Murray-Darling River systems) Merchant marine: total: 581 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 76, oil tanker 7, other 496 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Indian Ocean: Adelaide, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Melbourne Pacific Ocean: Brisbane, Cairns, Gladstone, Hobart, Newcastle, Port Port Kembla, Sydney container port(s) (TEUs): Melbourne (2,967,315), Sydney (2,572,714) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Australia Pacific, Barrow Island, Burrup (Pluto), Curtis Island, Darwin, Karratha, Bladin Point (Ichthys), Gladstone, Prelude (offshore FLNG), Wheatstone dry bulk cargo port(s): Dampier (iron ore), Dalrymple Bay (coal), Hay Point (coal), Port Hedland (iron ore), Port Walcott (iron ore) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force (2022) note: the Army includes a Special Operations Command, while the Navy includes a Naval Aviation Force Military expenditures: 2.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2020) 2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $31.5 billion) 1.9% of GDP (2018) (approximately $29.8 billion) 2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $29.7 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 60,000 active troops (30,000 Army; 15,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Australian military's inventory includes a mix of domestically-produced and imported Western weapons systems; since 2015, the US is the largest supplier of arms; the Australian defense industry produces a variety of land and sea weapons platforms; the defense industry also participates in joint development and production ventures with other Western countries, including the US and Canada (2022) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary military service (with parental consent); no conscription (abolished 1973); women allowed to serve in all roles, including combat arms since 2013 (2022) note: in 2020-2021, women comprised nearly 20% of the ADF Military deployments: note: 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 Military - note: Australia has been part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty since 1951; Australia 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  Australia has a long-standing military relationship with the US; Australian and US forces first fought together in France in 1918 at the Battle of Hamel, and have fought together in every major US conflict since; Australia and the US signed an agreement in 2014 that allowed for closer bi-lateral defense and security cooperation, including annual rotations of US Marines and enhanced rotations of US Air Force aircraft to Australia; Australian military forces train often with US forces; Australia has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation  Australia also has long-standing defense and security ties to the UK, including a Defense and Security Cooperation Treaty signed in 2013; in 2020, Australia and the UK signed a memorandum of understanding to cooperate on the building of a next generation of frigates for their respective navies; the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) is their premier bilateral forum on foreign policy, defense, and security issues  in 2021, Australia, the UK, and the US announced an enhanced trilateral security partnership called “AUKUS” which would build on existing bilateral ties, including deeper integration of defense and security-related science, technology, industrial bases, and supply chains, as well as deeper cooperation on a range of defense and security capabilities; the first initiative under AUKUS was a commitment to support Australia in acquiring conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy (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: Australia-Indonesia (Maritime Boundary): All borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and EEZ boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature. Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef. Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing. Australia-Timor-Leste (Maritime Boundary): In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary.Australia-Indonesia (Maritime Boundary): All borders between Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of their maritime and EEZ boundary has yet to be ratified by Indonesia's legislature. Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef. Australia closed parts of the Ashmore and Cartier reserve to Indonesian traditional fishing. Australia-Timor-Leste (Maritime Boundary): In 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste agreed to a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing arrangement and deferred a maritime boundary. Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 12,701 (Iran), 10,108 (Afghanistan), 5,400 (Pakistan) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 5,770 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: Tasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines

20220901

countries-belgium

Topic: Photos of Belgium Topic: Introduction Background: Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.Belgium became independent from the Netherlands in 1830; it was occupied by Germany during World Wars I and II. The country prospered in the past half century as a modern, technologically advanced European state and member of NATO and the EU. In recent years, political divisions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish of the north and the French-speaking Walloons of the south have led to constitutional amendments granting these regions formal recognition and autonomy. The capital city of Brussels is home to numerous international organizations, including the EU and NATO.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands Geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 30,528 sq km land: 30,278 sq km water: 250 sq km Area - comparative: about the size of Maryland Land boundaries: total: 1,297 km border countries (4): France 556 km; Germany 133 km; Luxembourg 130 km; Netherlands 478 km Coastline: 66.5 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: geographic coordinates define outer limit continental shelf: median line with neighbors Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Terrain: flat coastal plains in northwest, central rolling hills, rugged mountains of Ardennes Forest in southeast Elevation: highest point: Botrange 694 m lowest point: North Sea 0 m mean elevation: 181 m Natural resources: construction materials, silica sand, carbonates, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 44.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 27.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 16.1% (2018 est.) forest: 22.4% (2018 est.) other: 33.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 230 sq km (2012) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Seine 78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km) Population distribution: most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas Natural hazards: flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes Geography - note: crossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals are within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO Map description: Belgium map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Sea.Belgium map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 11,847,338 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Belgian(s) adjective: Belgian Ethnic groups: Belgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.) Languages: Dutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1% major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een omnisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Roman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 2.3%, other Christian, 2.8%, Muslim 6.8%, other 1.7%, atheist 9.1%, nonbeliever/agnostic 20.2% (2018 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 17.22% (male 1,033,383/female 984,624) 15-24 years: 11.2% (male 670,724/female 642,145) 25-54 years: 39.23% (male 2,319,777/female 2,278,450) 55-64 years: 13.14% (male 764,902/female 775,454) 65 years and over: 19.21% (2020 est.) (male 988,148/female 1,263,109) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 57 youth dependency ratio: 26.7 elderly dependency ratio: 30.2 potential support ratio: 3.3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 41.6 years male: 40.4 years female: 42.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.57% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 10.95 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.64 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 4.38 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas Urbanization: urban population: 98.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.110 million BRUSSELS (capital), 1.053 million Antwerp (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: 1.02 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.2 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.86 years male: 79.25 years female: 84.59 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.77 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 66.7% (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: 10.7% (2019) Physicians density: 6.08 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 5.6 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 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 22.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 23.4% (2020 est.) male: 25.8% (2020 est.) female: 21% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 1% (2014/15) Education expenditures: 6.4% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 20 years male: 19 years female: 21 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.3% male: 15.5% female: 15.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: intense pressures from human activities: urbanization, dense transportation network, industry, extensive animal breeding and crop cultivation; air and water pollution also have repercussions for neighboring countries 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 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: 12.88 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 96.89 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 7.78 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate; mild winters, cool summers; rainy, humid, cloudy Land use: agricultural land: 44.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 27.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 16.1% (2018 est.) forest: 22.4% (2018 est.) other: 33.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 98.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.38% 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: 4.708 million tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 1,614,985 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34.3% (2015 est.) Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Seine 78,919 sq km), Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 739 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 3.21 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 45 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 18.3 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Belgium conventional short form: Belgium local long form: Royaume de Belgique (French)/Koninkrijk Belgie (Dutch)/Koenigreich Belgien (German) local short form: Belgique/Belgie/Belgien etymology: the name derives from the Belgae, an ancient Celtic tribal confederation that inhabited an area between the English Channel and the west bank of the Rhine in the first centuries B.C. Government type: federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Brussels geographic coordinates: 50 50 N, 4 20 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: may derive from the Old Dutch "bruoc/broek," meaning "marsh" and "sella/zele/sel" signifying "home" to express the meaning "home in the marsh" Administrative divisions: 3 regions (French: regions, singular - region; Dutch: gewesten, singular - gewest); Brussels-Capital Region, also known as Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (Dutch), Region de Bruxelles-Capitale (French long form), Bruxelles-Capitale (French short form); Flemish Region (Flanders), also known as Vlaams Gewest (Dutch long form), Vlaanderen (Dutch short form), Region Flamande (French long form), Flandre (French short form); Walloon Region (Wallonia), also known as Region Wallone (French long form), Wallonie (French short form), Waals Gewest (Dutch long form), Wallonie (Dutch short form) note: as a result of the 1993 constitutional revision that furthered devolution into a federal state, there are now three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; the 2012 sixth state reform transferred additional competencies from the federal state to the regions and linguistic communities Independence: 4 October 1830 (a provisional government declared independence from the Netherlands); 21 July 1831 (King LEOPOLD I ascended to the throne) National holiday: Belgian National Day (ascension to the throne of King LEOPOLD I), 21 July (1831) Constitution: history: drafted 25 November 1830, approved 7 February 1831, entered into force 26 July 1831, revised 14 July 1993 (creating a federal state) amendments: "revisions" proposed as declarations by the federal government in accord with the king or by Parliament followed by dissolution of Parliament and new elections; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of a two-thirds quorum in both houses of the next elected Parliament; amended many times, last in 2019 Legal system: civil law system based on the French Civil Code; note - Belgian law continues to be modified in conformance with the legislative norms mandated by the European Union; judicial review of legislative acts 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 Belgium dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: King PHILIPPE (since 21 July 2013); Heir Apparent Princess ELISABETH (daughter of the monarch, born 25 October 2001) head of government: Prime Minister Alexander DE CROO (since 1 October 2020); Deputy Prime Ministers Vincent Van Quickenborne (since 1 October 2020), Sophie Wilmes (since 1 October 2020), Vincent Van Peteghem (since 1 October 2020), Frank Vandenbroucke (since 1 October 2020), Pierre-Yves Dermagne (since 1 October 2020), Petra De Sutter (since 1 October 2020), Georges Gilkinet (since 1 October 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers formally appointed by the monarch elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary and constitutional; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the monarch and approved by Parliament Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate or Senaat (in Dutch), Senat (in French) (60 seats; 50 members indirectly elected by the community and regional parliaments based on their election results, and 10 elected by the 50 other senators; members serve 5-year terms) Chamber of Representatives or Kamer van Volksvertegenwoordigers (in Dutch), Chambre des Representants (in French) (150 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate - last held 26 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) Chamber of Representatives - last held on 26 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024); note - elections coincided with the EU elections election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - N-VA 15%, VB 12%, PS 12%, MR 12%, CD&V 8.3%, Open VLD 8.3%, Ecolo 15%, SP.A 6.7%, CDH 3.3%, PVDA-PTB 8.3%; seats by party - N-VA 9, VB 7, PS 7, MR 7, CD&V 5, Open VLD 5, Ecolo 9, SP.A 4, CDH 2, PVDA-PTB 5; composition as of March 2022 - men 31, women 29, percent of women 48.3% Chamber of Representatives - percent of vote by party - N-VA 16.7%, VB 12%, PS 13.3%, CD&V 8%, PVDA-PTB 8%, Open VLD 8%, MR 9.3%, SP.A 6%, Ecolo 8.7%, Green 5.3%, CDH 3.3%, Defi 1.3%; seats by party - N-VA 25, VB 18, PS 20, CD&V 12, PVDA+PTB 12, Open VLD 12, MR 14, SP.A 9, Ecolo 13, Green 8, CDH 5, Defi 2; composition as of March 2022 - men 87, women 63, percent of women 42%; note - overall Parliament percent of women 43.8% note: the 1993 constitutional revision that further devolved Belgium into a federal state created three levels of government (federal, regional, and linguistic community) with a complex division of responsibilities; this reality leaves six governments, each with its own legislative assembly; changes above occurred since the sixth state reformSenate - last held 26 May 2019 (next to be held in 2024) Judicial branch: highest courts: Constitutional Court or Grondwettelijk Hof (in Dutch) and Cour Constitutionelle (in French) (consists of 12 judges - 6 Dutch-speaking and 6 French-speaking); Supreme Court of Justice or Hof van Cassatie (in Dutch) and Cour de Cassation (in French) (court organized into 3 chambers: civil and commercial; criminal; social, fiscal, and armed forces; each chamber includes a Dutch division and a French division, each with a chairperson and 5-6 judges) judge selection and term of office: Constitutional Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by Parliament; judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 70; Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch from candidates submitted by the High Council of Justice, a 44-member independent body of judicial and non-judicial members; judges appointed for life subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional courts; specialized courts for administrative, commercial, labor, immigration, and audit issues; magistrate's courts; justices of the peace Political parties and leaders: Flemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V [Sammy MAHDI] Forward [Conner ROUSSEAU] (formerly Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A) Groen or Green [Nadia NAJI and Jeremie VANEECKHOUT] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER] Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Egbert LACHAERT] Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Tom VAN GRIEKEN] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Marc NOLLET, Rajae MAOUANE] Francophone Federalist Democrats or Defi [Francois DE SMET] Les Engages [Maxine PREVOT] (formerly Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH) People's Party or PP [Mischael MODRIKAMEN] (dissolved 18 June 2019) Reform Movement or MR [George-Louis BOUCHEZ] Socialist Party or PS [Paul MAGNETTE] Workers' Party or PVDA-PTB [Raoul HEDEBOUW] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional members), AfDB (nonregional members), Australia Group, Benelux, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-9, G-10, 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, MONUSCO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Jean-Arthur REGIBEAU (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 1430 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6900 FAX: [1] (202) 338-4960 email address and website: Washington@diplobel.fed.be https://unitedstates.diplomatie.belgium.be/en consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael ADLER (since 15 March 2022) embassy: 27 Boulevard du Regent [Regentlaan], B-1000 Brussels mailing address: 7600 Brussels Place, Washington DC  20521-7600 telephone: [32] (2) 811-4000 FAX: [32] (2) 811-4500 email address and website: uscitizenBrussels@state.gov https://be.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), yellow, and red; the vertical design was based on the flag of France; the colors are those of the arms of the duchy of Brabant (yellow lion with red claws and tongue on a black field) National symbol(s): golden rampant lion; national colors: red, black, yellow National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 15 (14 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Belfries of Belgium (c); Historic Brugge (c); The Grand Place, Brussels (c); Major Town Houses of Victor Horta (c); Notre-Dame Cathedral, Tournai (c); Spa, Liege (c); Primeval Beech Forests - Sonian Wood (n); Stoclet Palace (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Belgium’s central geographic location and highly developed transport network have helped develop a well-diversified economy, with a broad mix of transport, services, manufacturing, and high tech. Service and high-tech industries are concentrated in the northern Flanders region while the southern region of Wallonia is home to industries like coal and steel manufacturing. Belgium is completely reliant on foreign sources of fossil fuels, and the planned closure of its seven nuclear plants by 2025 should increase its dependence on foreign energy. Its role as a regional logistical hub makes its economy vulnerable to shifts in foreign demand, particularly with EU trading partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and the port of Zeebrugge conducts almost half its trade with the United Kingdom alone, leaving Belgium’s economy vulnerable to the outcome of negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU.   Belgium’s GDP grew by 1.7% in 2017 and the budget deficit was 1.5% of GDP. Unemployment stood at 7.3%, however the unemployment rate is lower in Flanders than Wallonia, 4.4% compared to 9.4%, because of industrial differences between the regions. The economy largely recovered from the March 2016 terrorist attacks that mainly impacted the Brussels region tourist and hospitality industry. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL's center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to decrease Belgium's high public debt of about 104% of GDP, but such efforts would also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and higher inflation promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption.   The government has pledged to pursue a reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to labor market rules and welfare benefits. These changes have generally made Belgian wages more competitive regionally, but have raised tensions with trade unions, which have called for extended strikes. In 2017, Belgium approved a tax reform plan to ease corporate rates from 33% to 29% by 2018 and down to 25% by 2020. The tax plan also included benefits for innovation and SMEs, intended to spur competitiveness and private investment.Belgium’s central geographic location and highly developed transport network have helped develop a well-diversified economy, with a broad mix of transport, services, manufacturing, and high tech. Service and high-tech industries are concentrated in the northern Flanders region while the southern region of Wallonia is home to industries like coal and steel manufacturing. Belgium is completely reliant on foreign sources of fossil fuels, and the planned closure of its seven nuclear plants by 2025 should increase its dependence on foreign energy. Its role as a regional logistical hub makes its economy vulnerable to shifts in foreign demand, particularly with EU trading partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and the port of Zeebrugge conducts almost half its trade with the United Kingdom alone, leaving Belgium’s economy vulnerable to the outcome of negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU. Belgium’s GDP grew by 1.7% in 2017 and the budget deficit was 1.5% of GDP. Unemployment stood at 7.3%, however the unemployment rate is lower in Flanders than Wallonia, 4.4% compared to 9.4%, because of industrial differences between the regions. The economy largely recovered from the March 2016 terrorist attacks that mainly impacted the Brussels region tourist and hospitality industry. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL's center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to decrease Belgium's high public debt of about 104% of GDP, but such efforts would also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and higher inflation promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption. The government has pledged to pursue a reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to labor market rules and welfare benefits. These changes have generally made Belgian wages more competitive regionally, but have raised tensions with trade unions, which have called for extended strikes. In 2017, Belgium approved a tax reform plan to ease corporate rates from 33% to 29% by 2018 and down to 25% by 2020. The tax plan also included benefits for innovation and SMEs, intended to spur competitiveness and private investment. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $557.11 billion (2020 est.) $594.47 billion (2019 est.) $584.05 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.41% (2019 est.) 1.49% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $48,200 (2020 est.) $51,700 (2019 est.) $51,100 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $533.028 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.4% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 2.1% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2016) Moody's rating: Aa3 (2011) Standard & Poors rating: AA (2011) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 0.7% (2017 est.) industry: 22.1% (2017 est.) services: 77.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 51.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 85.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -84.4% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar beet, milk, potatoes, wheat, pork, lettuce, poultry, maize, barley, pears Industries: engineering and metal products, motor vehicle assembly, transportation equipment, scientific instruments, processed food and beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, base metals, textiles, glass, petroleum Industrial production growth rate: 0.2% (2017 est.) Labor force: 4.122 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.3% industry: 18.6% services: 80.1% (2013 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.36% (2019 est.) 5.96% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.3% male: 15.5% female: 15.1% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 14.8% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 27.4 (2017 est.) 28.7 (1996) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.4% (2006) Budget: revenues: 253.5 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 258.6 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 103.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 106% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and includes 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 intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental 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; general government debt is defined by the Maastricht definition and calculated by the National Bank of Belgium as consolidated gross debt; the debt is defined in European Regulation EC479/2009 concerning the implementation of the protocol on the excessive deficit procedure annexed to the Treaty on European Union (Treaty of Maastricht) of 7 February 1992; the sub-sectors of consolidated gross debt are: federal government, communities and regions, local government, and social security funds Taxes and other revenues: 51.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $1.843 billion (2019 est.) -$4.135 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $414.79 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $436.3 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $451.25 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Germany 17%, France 14%, Netherlands 13%, United Kingdom 8%, United States 6%, Italy 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, diamonds, natural gas (2019) Imports: $412.85 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $433.04 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $452.53 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Netherlands 16%, Germany 13%, France 10%, United States 8%, Ireland 5%, China 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, medical cultures/vaccines, diamonds, natural gas (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $26.16 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $24.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Debt - external: $1,317,513,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,332,358,000,000 (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: 26.929 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 81,171,300,000 kWh (2020 est.) exports: 14.053 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 13.394 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.444 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 33.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 38.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 5.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 15% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.3% 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: 7.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 731,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 680,800 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 601,400 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 18,171,598,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 3,942,860,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 22,606,066,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 128.247 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 10.301 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 83.474 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 34.472 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 234.216 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 3,634,639 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 11,529,728 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Belgium’s mobile market is served by the three network operators Proximus, Orange Belgium and BASE, and by a good number of MVNOs; mobile networks have been upgraded to support growing mobile data use among subscribers, with near-comprehensive LTE coverage; operators have also trialed 5G in preparation for launching services; the auction of 5G-suitable spectrum has been delayed to the beginning of 2022, while the onerous restrictions on radiation have meant that some 5G trials have been suspended; there is effective competition in Belgium between the DSL and cable platforms, while in recent years government support has also encouraged investment in fiber networks; Telenet, supported by its parent Liberty Global, has extended the reach of services based on the DOCSIS3.1 standard, while Proximus also has extensive fibre/VDSL and FttP deployments and is currently investing in €3 billion 'Fibre for Belgium' program through to 2027; in a bid to encourage investment in under served areas, the regulator in 2018 amended the conditions by which market players grant wholesale access to copper and fiber infrastructure; in May 2019 it opened a further consultation on cost models for access to the networks of cablecos and those of Proximus’s fibre infrastructure. (2021) domestic: about 31 per 100 fixed-line and 99 per 100 mobile-cellular; nationwide mobile-cellular telephone system; extensive cable network; limited microwave radio relay network (2020) international: country code - 32; landing points for Concerto, UK-Belgium, Tangerine, and SeaMeWe-3, submarine cables that provide links to Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat - 3) (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 segmented market with the three major communities (Flemish, French, and German-speaking) each having responsibility for their own broadcast media; multiple TV channels exist for each community; additionally, in excess of 90% of households are connected to cable and can access broadcasts of TV stations from neighboring countries; each community has a public radio network coexisting with private broadcasters Internet country code: .be Internet users: total: 10,620,701 (2020 est.) percent of population: 92% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 4,734,210 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 7 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 117 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 13,639,487 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,285,340,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: OO Airports: total: 41 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 26 over 3,047 m: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 9 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 15 under 914 m: 15 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 3,139 km gas, 154 km oil, 535 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 3,592 km (2014) standard gauge: 3,592 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (2,960 km electrified) Roadways: total: 118,414 km (2015) paved: 118,414 km (2015) (includes 1,747 km of expressways) Waterways: 2,043 km (2012) (1,528 km in regular commercial use) Merchant marine: total: 201 by type: bulk carrier 19, container ship 7, general cargo 16, oil tanker 21, other 138 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Oostende, Zeebrugge container port(s) (TEUs): Antwerp (11,860,204) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Zeebrugge river port(s): Antwerp, Gent (Schelde River) Brussels (Senne River) Liege (Meuse River) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Belgian Armed Forces: Land Component, Marine (Naval) Component, Air Component, Medical Service (2022) Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020) 0.9% of GDP (2019) (approximately $5.54 billion) 0.9% of GDP (2018) (approximately $5.43 billion) 0.9% of GDP (2017) (approximately $5.2 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 25,000 active duty personnel (10,000 Land Component; 1,500 Marine Component; 5,000 Air Force Component; 1,500 Medical Service; 7,000 other, including joint staff, support, and training schools) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Belgian Armed Forces have a mix of weapons systems from European countries, Israel, and the US; since 2010, several European nations are the leading suppliers of armaments; Belgium has an export-focused defense industry that focuses on components and subcontracting (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for male and female voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 1995 (2021) note: in 2020, women comprised about 9% of the military's full-time personnel Military deployments: 125 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 Military - note: Belgium 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; Belgium hosts the NATO headquarters in Brussels in 2015, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg signed an agreement to conduct joint air policing of their territories; under the agreement, which went into effect in January of 2017, the Belgian and Dutch Air Forces trade responsibility for patrolling the skies over the three countries in 2018, the Defense Ministers of Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the creation of a Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC); the C-SOCC was declared operational in December 2020in 2018, the Defense Ministers of Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the creation of a Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC); the C-SOCC was declared operational in December 2020 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: none identifiednone identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 18,493 (Syria), 5,094 (Iraq) (2020); 52,557 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) stateless persons: 1,159 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: a primary entry point for cocaine smuggled into Europe; also a transit point for precursor chemicals from China for amphetamine and MDMA production labs in Belgium; a transit country for new psychoactive substances (NPS); increasing number of amphetamine and ecstasy production labs in Belgium; heroin also transits through Belgium.a primary entry point for cocaine smuggled into Europe; also a transit point for precursor chemicals from China for amphetamine and MDMA production labs in Belgium; a transit country for new psychoactive substances (NPS); increasing number of amphetamine and ecstasy production labs in Belgium; heroin also transits through Belgium.

20220901

countries-iraq

Topic: Photos of Iraq Topic: Introduction Background: Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a "republic" in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led forces. In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates - except for Iraq's Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk - in January 2009 and in April and June 2013, and has repeatedly postponed the next provincial elections, originally planned for April 2017. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in October 2021 when 329 legislators were elected to the COR. The acting Iraqi National Intelligence Service Director General Mustafa al-KADHIMI became prime minister in May 2020 after the previous prime minister resigned in late 2019 because of widespread protests demanding more employment opportunities and an end to corruption. His mandate as prime minister was to guide Iraq toward an early national legislative election, which was held in October 2021. Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq was engaged in a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory lost in the western and northern portion of the country. Iraqi and allied forces recaptured Mosul, the country's second-largest city, in 2017 and drove ISIS out of its other urban strongholds. In December 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS while continuing operations against the group's residual presence in rural areas. Also in late 2017, ABADI responded to an independence referendum held by the Kurdistan Regional Government by ordering Iraqi forces to take control of disputed territories across central and northern Iraq that were previously occupied and governed by Kurdish forces.Formerly part of the Ottoman Empire, Iraq was occupied by the United Kingdom during World War I and was declared a League of Nations mandate under UK administration in 1920. Iraq attained its independence as a kingdom in 1932. It was proclaimed a "republic" in 1958 after a coup overthrew the monarchy, but in actuality, a series of strongmen ruled the country until 2003. The last was SADDAM Husayn from 1979 to 2003. Territorial disputes with Iran led to an inconclusive and costly eight-year war (1980-88). In August 1990, Iraq seized Kuwait but was expelled by US-led UN coalition forces during the Gulf War of January-February 1991. After Iraq's expulsion, the UN Security Council (UNSC) required Iraq to scrap all weapons of mass destruction and long-range missiles and to allow UN verification inspections. Continued Iraqi noncompliance with UNSC resolutions led to the Second Gulf War in March 2003 and the ouster of the SADDAM Husayn regime by US-led forces.In October 2005, Iraqis approved a constitution in a national referendum and, pursuant to this document, elected a 275-member Council of Representatives (COR) in December 2005. The COR approved most cabinet ministers in May 2006, marking the transition to Iraq's first constitutional government in nearly a half century. Iraq held elections for provincial councils in all governorates - except for Iraq's Kurdistan Region and Kirkuk - in January 2009 and in April and June 2013, and has repeatedly postponed the next provincial elections, originally planned for April 2017. Iraq has held four national legislative elections since 2006, most recently in October 2021 when 329 legislators were elected to the COR. The acting Iraqi National Intelligence Service Director General Mustafa al-KADHIMI became prime minister in May 2020 after the previous prime minister resigned in late 2019 because of widespread protests demanding more employment opportunities and an end to corruption. His mandate as prime minister was to guide Iraq toward an early national legislative election, which was held in October 2021.Between 2014 and 2017, Iraq was engaged in a military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) to recapture territory lost in the western and northern portion of the country. Iraqi and allied forces recaptured Mosul, the country's second-largest city, in 2017 and drove ISIS out of its other urban strongholds. In December 2017, then-Prime Minister Haydar al-ABADI publicly declared victory against ISIS while continuing operations against the group's residual presence in rural areas. Also in late 2017, ABADI responded to an independence referendum held by the Kurdistan Regional Government by ordering Iraqi forces to take control of disputed territories across central and northern Iraq that were previously occupied and governed by Kurdish forces.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, between Iran and Kuwait Geographic coordinates: 33 00 N, 44 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 438,317 sq km land: 437,367 sq km water: 950 sq km Area - comparative: slightly more than three times the size of New York state Land boundaries: total: 3,809 km border countries (6): Iran 1,599 km; Jordan 179 km; Kuwait 254 km; Saudi Arabia 811 km; Syria 599 km; Turkey 367 km Coastline: 58 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: not specified Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Terrain: mostly broad plains; reedy marshes along Iranian border in south with large flooded areas; mountains along borders with Iran and Turkey Elevation: highest point: Cheekha Dar (Kurdish for "Black Tent") 3,611 m lowest point: Persian Gulf 0 m mean elevation: 312 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, phosphates, sulfur Land use: agricultural land: 18.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.2% (2018 est.) forest: 1.9% (2018 est.) other: 80% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 35,250 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Hammar - 1,940 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab 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) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Population distribution: population is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly populated or uninhabited Natural hazards: dust storms; sandstorms; floods Geography - note: strategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf Map description: Iraq map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf.Iraq map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Persian Gulf. Topic: People and Society Population: 40,462,701 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Iraqi(s) adjective: Iraqi Ethnic groups: Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian) note: data is a 1987 government estimate; no more recent reliable numbers are available Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkmen (a Turkish dialect), Syriac (Neo-Aramaic), and Armenian are official in areas where native speakers of these languages constitute a majority of the population major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أحسن مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (official) 95-98% (Shia 61-64%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1% (includes Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 est.) note: the last census in Iraq was in 1997; while there has been voluntary relocation of many Christian families to northern Iraq, the overall Christian population has decreased at least 50% and perhaps as high as 90% since the fall of the SADDAM Husayn regime in 2003, according to US Embassy estimates, with many fleeing to Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.02% (male 7,349,868/female 7,041,405) 15-24 years: 19.83% (male 3,918,433/female 3,788,157) 25-54 years: 35.59% (male 6,919,569/female 6,914,856) 55-64 years: 4.23% (male 805,397/female 839,137) 65 years and over: 3.33% (2020 est.) (male 576,593/female 719,240) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 69.9 youth dependency ratio: 64.1 elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 potential support ratio: 17.1 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 21.2 years male: 20.8 years female: 21.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 24.7 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 3.9 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly populated or uninhabited Urbanization: urban population: 71.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 7.512 million BAGHDAD (capital), 1.737 million Mosul, 1.414 million Basra, 1.052 million Kirkuk, 930,000 Najaf, 878,000 Erbil (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 79 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.18 years male: 71.3 years female: 75.15 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 3.25 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 52.8% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 97.4% of population total: 99.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 2.6% of population total: 0.7% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.5% (2019) Physicians density: 0.97 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA Major infectious diseases: degree 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 30.4% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 18.5% (2020 est.) male: 35.1% (2020 est.) female: 1.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3.9% (2018) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 7.2% women married by age 18: 27.9% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 85.6% male: 91.2% female: 79.9% (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.6% male: 22% female: 63.3% (2017) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: government water control projects drained most of the inhabited marsh areas east of An Nasiriyah by drying up or diverting the feeder streams and rivers; a once sizable population of Marsh Arabs, who inhabited these areas for thousands of years, has been displaced; furthermore, the destruction of the natural habitat poses serious threats to the area's wildlife populations; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation (salination) and erosion; desertification; military and industrial infrastructure has released heavy metals and other hazardous substances into the air, soil, and groundwater; major sources of environmental damage are effluents from oil refineries, factory and sewage discharges into rivers, fertilizer and chemical contamination of the soil, and industrial air pollution in urban areas Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Environmental Modification Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 57.73 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 190.06 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 17.44 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mostly desert; mild to cool winters with dry, hot, cloudless summers; northern mountainous regions along Iranian and Turkish borders experience cold winters with occasionally heavy snows that melt in early spring, sometimes causing extensive flooding in central and southern Iraq Land use: agricultural land: 18.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 8.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.2% (2018 est.) forest: 1.9% (2018 est.) other: 80% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 71.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.91% 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.) Major infectious diseases: degree 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 Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to civil conflict and economic slowdown - the 2022 Humanitarian Needs Overview identified 2.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, of which 0.96 million have acute humanitarian needs; while the number of people in need remained similar to the previous year, the severity of those needs increased, largely due to the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic on top of an existing humanitarian crisis, leading to a 35% increase in the number of people in acute need; more than half of these are concentrated in the governorates of Nineveh and Anbar; the number of severely food insecure people is estimated at about 435,000, while 731,000 are vulnerable to food insecurity (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 13.14 million tons (2015 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh water lake(s): Lake Hammar - 1,940 sq km Major rivers (by length in km): Euphrates river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 3,596 km; Tigris river mouth (shared with Turkey[s], Syria, and Iran) - 1,950 km; the Tigris and Euphrates join to form the Shatt al Arab 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) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.23 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 2.05 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 35.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 89.86 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Iraq conventional short form: Iraq local long form: Jumhuriyat al-Iraq/Komar-i Eraq local short form: Al Iraq/Eraq former: Mesopotamia, Mandatory Iraq, Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq etymology: the name probably derives from "Uruk" (Biblical "Erech"), the ancient Sumerian and Babylonian city on the Euphrates River Government type: federal parliamentary republic Capital: name: Baghdad geographic coordinates: 33 20 N, 44 24 E time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: although the origin of the name is disputed, it likely has compound Persian roots with "bagh" and "dad" meaning "god" and "given" respectively to create the meaning of "bestowed by God" Administrative divisions: 18 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah (Arabic); parezgakan, singular - parezga (Kurdish)) and 1 region*; 'Al Anbar; Al Basrah; Al Muthanna; Al Qadisiyah (Ad Diwaniyah); An Najaf; Arbil (Erbil) (Arabic), Hewler (Kurdish); As Sulaymaniyah (Arabic), Slemani (Kurdish); Babil; Baghdad; Dahuk (Arabic), Dihok (Kurdish); Dhi Qar; Diyala; Karbala'; Kirkuk; Maysan; Ninawa; Salah ad Din; Wasit note: Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government administers Arbil, Dahuk, and As Sulaymaniyah (as Hewler, Dihok, and Slemani respectively) Independence: 3 October 1932 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration); note - on 28 June 2004 the Coalition Provisional Authority transferred sovereignty to the Iraqi Interim Government National holiday: Independence Day, 3 October (1932); Republic Day, 14 July (1958) Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 15 October 2005 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic and the Council of Minsters collectively, or by one fifth of the Council of Representatives members; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Council of Representatives, approval by referendum, and ratification by the president; passage of amendments to articles on citizen rights and liberties requires two-thirds majority vote of Council of Representatives members after two successive electoral terms, approval in a referendum, and ratification by the president Legal system: mixed legal system of civil 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: at least one parent must be a citizen of Iraq dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Barham SALIH (since 2 October 2018); vice presidents (vacant) head of government: Prime Minister Mustafa al-KADHIMI (since 7 May 2020) cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, approved by Council of Representatives elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Council of Representatives (COR) to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); COR election last held on 10 October 2021 (next to be held in 2025) election results: 2018: COR vote in first round - Barham SALIH (PUK) 165, Fuad HUSAYN (KDP) 90; Barham SALIH elected president in second round - Barham SALIH 219, Fuad HUSAYN 22; note - the COR vote on 1 October 2018 failed due to a lack of quorum, and a new session was held on 2 October 2014: Fuad MASUM elected president; Council of Representatives vote - Fuad MASUM (PUK) 211, Barham SALIH (PUK) 17; Haydar al-ABADI (Da'wa Party) approved as prime minister2018: COR vote in first round - Barham SALIH (PUK) 165, Fuad HUSAYN (KDP) 90; Barham SALIH elected president in second round - Barham SALIH 219, Fuad HUSAYN 22; note - the COR vote on 1 October 2018 failed due to a lack of quorum, and a new session was held on 2 October 2014: Fuad MASUM elected president; Council of Representatives vote - Fuad MASUM (PUK) 211, Barham SALIH (PUK) 17; Haydar al-ABADI (Da'wa Party) approved as prime minister Legislative branch: description: unicameral Council of Representatives of Iraq (COR) or Majlis an-Nuwwab al-Iraqiyy (329 seats; 320 members directly elected in 83 multi-seat constituencies by single nontransferable vote, 9 seats reserved for minorities - 5 for Christians, 1 each for Sabaean-Mandaeans, Yazidis, Shabaks, Fayli Kurds, and 25% of seats allocated to women; members serve 4-year terms); note - in late 2020, the COR approved an electoral law, replacing the proportional representation voting system with the single non-transferable system elections: last held on 10 October 2021 (next to be held in October 2025) election results: percent of vote by party/coalition - NA; seats by party/coalition - Sadrist Bloc 73, National Progress Alliance 37, State of Law Coalition 33, Kurdish Democratic Party 31, Al Fatah Alliance 17, Kurdistan Alliance 17, Al Iraq Alliance 14, New Generation Movement 14, Ishraqet Konoon 6, Tasmin Alliance 5, Babylon Movement 4, National Contract Alliance 4, National State Forces Alliance 4, other 22, independent 43; composition - men 234, women 95, percent of women 28.9% Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Supreme Court or FSC (consists of 9 judges); note - court jurisdiction limited to constitutional issues, application of federal laws, ratification of election results for the COR, judicial competency disputes, and disputes between regions or governorates and the central government; Court of Cassation (consists of a court president, 5 vice presidents, and at least 24 judges) judge selection and term of office: Federal Supreme Court judges nominated by the HJC President, the FSC Chief Justice, the Public Prosecutor's Office chief, and the head of the Judicial Oversight Commission; FSC members required to retire at age 72; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the HJC and confirmed by the Council of Representatives to serve until retirement nominally at age 63, but can be extended to age 66 by the HJC subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (governorate level); civil courts, including first instance, personal status, labor, and customs; criminal courts including felony, misdemeanor, investigative, major crimes, juvenile, and traffic courts Political parties and leaders: Al Fatah Alliance [Hadi al-AMIRI] Azm Alliance [Khamis al-KHANJAR] Babylon Movement [Rayan al-KILDANI] Imtidad [Ala al-RIKABI] Ishraqet Konoon [Jaafar AZIZ] Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masoud BARZANI] National Contract Alliance Falih al-FAYYADH] National State Forces Alliance [Ammar al-HAKIM] National Wisdom Trend [Ammar al-HAKIM] New Generation Movement [SHASWAR Abd al-Wahid Qadir] Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Bafel TALABANI] State of Law Coalition [Nuri al MALIKI] The Sadrist Bloc [Muqtada al-SADR] Taqadum [Muhammad al-HALBUSI] Tasmin Alliance [Sarah al-SALIHI] numerous smaller independent, religious, local, tribal, and minority parties International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CICA, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Mohammed Husham Malik AL FITYAN (since 22 March 2022) chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 742-1600 FAX: [1] (202) 333-1129 email address and website: http://www.iraqiembassy.us/ consulate(s) general: Detroit, Los Angeles Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Alina L. ROMANOWSKI (since 2 June 2022) embassy: Al-Kindi Street, International Zone, Baghdad; note - consulate in Al Basrah closed as of 28 September 2018 mailing address: 6060 Baghdad Place, Washington DC  20521-6060 telephone: 0760-030-3000 email address and website: BaghdadACS@state.gov https://iq.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great") in green Arabic script is centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white); the Council of Representatives approved this flag in 2008 as a compromise replacement for the Ba'thist SADDAM-era flag note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two stars but no script; Yemen, which has a plain white band; and that of Egypt, which has a golden Eagle of Saladin centered in the white band National symbol(s): golden eagle; national colors: red, white, black National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 6 (5 cultural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Ashur (Qal'at Sherqat) (c); Babylon (c); Erbil Citadel (c); Hatra (c); Samarra Archaeological City (c); The Ahwar (Marshland) of Southern Iraq: Refuge of Biodiversity and the Relict Landscape of the Mesopotamian Cities (m) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Iraq's GDP growth slowed to 1.1% in 2017, a marked decline compared to the previous two years as domestic consumption and investment fell because of civil violence and a sluggish oil market. The Iraqi Government received its third tranche of funding from its 2016 Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF in August 2017, which is intended to stabilize its finances by encouraging improved fiscal management, needed economic reform, and expenditure reduction. Additionally, in late 2017 Iraq received more than $1.4 billion in financing from international lenders, part of which was generated by issuing a $1 billion bond for reconstruction and rehabilitation in areas liberated from ISIL. Investment and key sector diversification are crucial components to Iraq’s long-term economic development and require a strengthened business climate with enhanced legal and regulatory oversight to bolster private-sector engagement. The overall standard of living depends on global oil prices, the central government passage of major policy reforms, a stable security environment post-ISIS, and the resolution of civil discord with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).   Iraq's largely state-run economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides roughly 85% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings, and is a major determinant of the economy's fortunes. Iraq's contracts with major oil companies have the potential to further expand oil exports and revenues, but Iraq will need to make significant upgrades to its oil processing, pipeline, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their economic potential.   In 2017, Iraqi oil exports from northern fields were disrupted following a KRG referendum that resulted in the Iraqi Government reasserting federal control over disputed oil fields and energy infrastructure in Kirkuk. The Iraqi government and the KRG dispute the role of federal and regional authorities in the development and export of natural resources. In 2007, the KRG passed an oil law to develop IKR oil and gas reserves independent of the federal government. The KRG has signed about 50 contracts with foreign energy companies to develop its reserves, some of which lie in territories taken by Baghdad in October 2017. The KRG is able to unilaterally export oil from the fields it retains control of through its own pipeline to Turkey, which Baghdad claims is illegal. In the absence of a national hydrocarbons law, the two sides have entered into five provisional oil- and revenue-sharing deals since 2009, all of which collapsed.   Iraq is making slow progress enacting laws and developing the institutions needed to implement economic policy, and political reforms are still needed to assuage investors' concerns regarding the uncertain business climate. The Government of Iraq is eager to attract additional foreign direct investment, but it faces a number of obstacles, including a tenuous political system and concerns about security and societal stability. Rampant corruption, outdated infrastructure, insufficient essential services, skilled labor shortages, and antiquated commercial laws stifle investment and continue to constrain growth of private, nonoil sectors. Under the Iraqi constitution, some competencies relevant to the overall investment climate are either shared by the federal government and the regions or are devolved entirely to local governments. Investment in the IKR operates within the framework of the Kurdistan Region Investment Law (Law 4 of 2006) and the Kurdistan Board of Investment, which is designed to provide incentives to help economic development in areas under the authority of the KRG.   Inflation has remained under control since 2006. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard-pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into an improved standard of living for the Iraqi populace. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country despite a bloated public sector. Overregulation has made it difficult for Iraqi citizens and foreign investors to start new businesses. Corruption and lack of economic reforms - such as restructuring banks and developing the private sector – have inhibited the growth of the private sector.Iraq's GDP growth slowed to 1.1% in 2017, a marked decline compared to the previous two years as domestic consumption and investment fell because of civil violence and a sluggish oil market. The Iraqi Government received its third tranche of funding from its 2016 Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF in August 2017, which is intended to stabilize its finances by encouraging improved fiscal management, needed economic reform, and expenditure reduction. Additionally, in late 2017 Iraq received more than $1.4 billion in financing from international lenders, part of which was generated by issuing a $1 billion bond for reconstruction and rehabilitation in areas liberated from ISIL. Investment and key sector diversification are crucial components to Iraq’s long-term economic development and require a strengthened business climate with enhanced legal and regulatory oversight to bolster private-sector engagement. The overall standard of living depends on global oil prices, the central government passage of major policy reforms, a stable security environment post-ISIS, and the resolution of civil discord with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). Iraq's largely state-run economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides roughly 85% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings, and is a major determinant of the economy's fortunes. Iraq's contracts with major oil companies have the potential to further expand oil exports and revenues, but Iraq will need to make significant upgrades to its oil processing, pipeline, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their economic potential. In 2017, Iraqi oil exports from northern fields were disrupted following a KRG referendum that resulted in the Iraqi Government reasserting federal control over disputed oil fields and energy infrastructure in Kirkuk. The Iraqi government and the KRG dispute the role of federal and regional authorities in the development and export of natural resources. In 2007, the KRG passed an oil law to develop IKR oil and gas reserves independent of the federal government. The KRG has signed about 50 contracts with foreign energy companies to develop its reserves, some of which lie in territories taken by Baghdad in October 2017. The KRG is able to unilaterally export oil from the fields it retains control of through its own pipeline to Turkey, which Baghdad claims is illegal. In the absence of a national hydrocarbons law, the two sides have entered into five provisional oil- and revenue-sharing deals since 2009, all of which collapsed. Iraq is making slow progress enacting laws and developing the institutions needed to implement economic policy, and political reforms are still needed to assuage investors' concerns regarding the uncertain business climate. The Government of Iraq is eager to attract additional foreign direct investment, but it faces a number of obstacles, including a tenuous political system and concerns about security and societal stability. Rampant corruption, outdated infrastructure, insufficient essential services, skilled labor shortages, and antiquated commercial laws stifle investment and continue to constrain growth of private, nonoil sectors. Under the Iraqi constitution, some competencies relevant to the overall investment climate are either shared by the federal government and the regions or are devolved entirely to local governments. Investment in the IKR operates within the framework of the Kurdistan Region Investment Law (Law 4 of 2006) and the Kurdistan Board of Investment, which is designed to provide incentives to help economic development in areas under the authority of the KRG. Inflation has remained under control since 2006. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard-pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into an improved standard of living for the Iraqi populace. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country despite a bloated public sector. Overregulation has made it difficult for Iraqi citizens and foreign investors to start new businesses. Corruption and lack of economic reforms - such as restructuring banks and developing the private sector – have inhibited the growth of the private sector. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $372.27 billion (2020 est.) $415.32 billion (2019 est.) $397.64 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: -2.1% (2017 est.) 13.1% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $9,300 (2020 est.) $10,600 (2019 est.) $10,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $231.994 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.1% (2019 est.) 0.3% (2018 est.) 0.2% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B- (2015) Moody's rating: Caa1 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: B- (2015) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 3.3% (2017 est.) industry: 51% (2017 est.) services: 45.8% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50.4% (2013 est.) government consumption: 22.9% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 32.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -40.9% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, barley, dates, tomatoes, rice, maize, grapes, potatoes, rice, watermelons Industries: petroleum, chemicals, textiles, leather, construction materials, food processing, fertilizer, metal fabrication/processing Industrial production growth rate: 0.7% (2017 est.) Labor force: 8.9 million (2010 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 21.6% industry: 18.7% services: 59.8% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 16% (2012 est.) 15% (2010 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 25.6% male: 22% female: 63.3% (2017) Population below poverty line: 23% (2014 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 29.5 (2012 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.7% (2007 est.) Budget: revenues: 68.71 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 76.82 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 59.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 66% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $4.344 billion (2017 est.) -$13.38 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $50.61 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $88.9 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $91.93 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: China 26%, India 24%, South Korea 9%, United States 8%, Italy 6%, Greece 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, dates, petroleum coke (2019) Imports: $54.72 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $72.28 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $56.88 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United Arab Emirates 28%, Turkey 21%, China 19% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cars, jewelry, cigarettes (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $48.88 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $45.36 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $73.02 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $64.16 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Iraqi dinars (IQD) per US dollar - 1,184 (2017 est.) 1,182 (2016 est.) 1,182 (2015 est.) 1,167.63 (2014 est.) 1,213.72 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 28.369 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 46,492,540,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 14.18 billion kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 58.502 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 97.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 2.1% 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: 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: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 398,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 8,284 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 255,100 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 10,710,773,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 18,014,129,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 7,303,356,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 3,728,926,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 143.479 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 108.14 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 35.339 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 63.174 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,699,758 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 37,475,325 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 93 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Iraq continues to face a number of political and economic challenges, though increasing civil stability has made it easier for mobile and fixed-line operators to rebuild telecom services and infrastructure damaged during the last few years; the government extended the licenses held by the MNOs for an additional three years to compensate for the chaos and destruction caused between 2014 and 2017 when Islamic State held sway in many areas of the country; the three major MNOs are Zain Iraq, Asiacell, and Korek Telecom, which together control over 90% of the mobile market; the companies have struggled to develop LTE services; with LTE services being very low, there is little chance for 5G to be available in the short term; most services are still based on GSM and 3G, except in the Kurdish region where LTE is more widely available. (2022) domestic: 3G services offered by three major mobile operators; 4G offered by one operator in Iraqi; conflict has destroyed infrastructure in areas; about 10 per 100 for fixed-line and 92 per 100 for mobile-cellular subscriptions (2020) international: country code - 964; landing points for FALCON, and GBICS/MENA submarine cables providing connections to the Middle East, Africa and India; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - 1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean, 1 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region, and 1 Arabsat (inoperative)); local microwave radio relay connects border regions to Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, and Turkey (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: the number of private radio and TV stations has increased rapidly since 2003; government-owned TV and radio stations are operated by the publicly funded Iraqi Media Network; private broadcast media are mostly linked to political, ethnic, or religious groups; satellite TV is available to an estimated 70% of viewers and many of the broadcasters are based abroad; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are accessible (2019) Internet country code: .iq Internet users: total: 24,133,502 (2020 est.) percent of population: 60% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 6,254,099 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 34 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,075,065 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 16.2 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: YI Airports: total: 102 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 20 2,438 to 3,047 m: 34 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 30 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 6 (2021) Heliports: 16 (2021) Pipelines: 2,455 km gas, 913 km liquid petroleum gas, 5,432 km oil, 1,637 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 2,272 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,272 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 59,623 km (2012) paved: 59,623 km (2012) (includes Kurdistan region) Waterways: 5,279 km (2012) (the Euphrates River (2,815 km), Tigris River (1,899 km), and Third River (565 km) are the principal waterways) Merchant marine: total: 68 by type: general cargo 1, oil tanker 6, other 61 (2021) Ports and terminals: river port(s): Al Basrah (Shatt al Arab); Khawr az Zubayr, Umm Qasr (Khawr az Zubayr waterway) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Ministry 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) Military expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 4.1% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.8% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $14.6 billion) 4.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $16 billion) 6% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $20.4 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 200,000 personnel under the Ministry of Defense (190,000 Army/Aviation Command/Special Forces; 5,000 Navy; 5,000 Air/Air Defense Forces); approximately 25,000 National-Level Security Forces (10,000 Iraqi Counterterrorism Service; 10,000 Presidential Brigades; 5,000 Prime Minister’s Special Forces Division); Ministry of Peshmerga: approximately 150,000-plus (45-50,000 Regional Guard Brigades; 40-45,000 Unit 70 Forces; 65-70,000 Unit 80 Forces); estimated 100-160,000 Popular Mobilization Forces (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Iraqi military inventory is comprised of a mix of equipment from a wide variety of sources, including Europe, South Africa, South Korea, Russia, and the US; since 2010, Russia and the US are the leading suppliers of military hardware to Iraq (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18-40 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (abolished 2003) (2022) note: in late 2021, the Iraqi Government approved a draft conscription law for the Council of Representatives to debate Military - note: - as of 2022, Iraqi security forces (ISF) continued to conduct counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group, particularly in northern and western Iraq; Kurdish Security Forces (KSF, aka Peshmerga) also conducted operations against ISIS - the KSF were formally recognized as a legitimate Iraqi military force under the country’s constitution and have operated jointly with the Iraqi military against ISIS militants, but they also operate outside of Iraqi military command structure; since 2021, the ISF and the KSF have conducted joint counter-ISIS operations in an area known as the Kurdish Coordination Line (KCL), a swath of disputed territory in northern Iraq claimed by both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central Iraqi Government; the KSF/Peshmerga report to the Kurdistan Regional Government or Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan parties instead of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense - Popular Mobilization Commission and Affiliated Forces (PMF or PMC), also known as Popular Mobilization Units (PMU, or al-Hashd al-Sha’abi in Arabic), tribal militia units have fought alongside the Iraqi military against ISIS since 2014, but the majority of these forces continue to largely ignore the 2016 Law of the Popular Mobilization Authority, which mandated that armed militias must be regulated in a fashion similar to Iraq’s other security forces and act under the Iraqi Government’s direct control; the Iraqi Government funds the PMF, and the prime minister legally commands it, but many of the militia units take orders from associated political parties and/or other government officials, including some with ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and some that have been designated as terrorist organizations by the US; the PMF/PMU is an umbrella organization comprised of many different militias, the majority of which are Shia; there are typically three types of Shia militia: --militias backed by Iran; they are considered the most active and capable, and include such groups as the Badr Organization (Saraya al-Sala), Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Kataib Hizballah --militias affiliated with Shia political parties, but not aligned with Iran, such as Moqtada al-SADR's Saray al-Salam (Peace Brigades) --militias not connected with political parties, but affiliated with the Najaf-based Grand Ayatollah Ali al-SISTANI (Iraq’s supreme Shia cleric), such as the Hawza militias other PMF/PMU militias include Tribal Mobilization militias, or Hashd al-Asha’iri, which are composed of fighters from Sunni tribes; some of these militias take orders from the ISF and local authorities while others respond to orders from the larger Shia PMU militias; still other militias include Yazidi and Christian militias and the Turkmen brigades; the links of these forces to the PMU is not always clear-cut and may be loosely based on financial, legal, or political incentives - at the request of the Iraqi government, NATO agreed to establish an advisory, training and capacity-building mission for the Iraqi military in October 2018; as of 2022, the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) had about 500 troops; in December 2021, the task force that leads the defeat ISIS mission in Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), transitioned from a combat role to an advise, assist, and enable role (2022)- as of 2022, Iraqi security forces (ISF) continued to conduct counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group, particularly in northern and western Iraq; Kurdish Security Forces (KSF, aka Peshmerga) also conducted operations against ISIS - the KSF were formally recognized as a legitimate Iraqi military force under the country’s constitution and have operated jointly with the Iraqi military against ISIS militants, but they also operate outside of Iraqi military command structure; since 2021, the ISF and the KSF have conducted joint counter-ISIS operations in an area known as the Kurdish Coordination Line (KCL), a swath of disputed territory in northern Iraq claimed by both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central Iraqi Government; the KSF/Peshmerga report to the Kurdistan Regional Government or Kurdistan Democratic Party and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan parties instead of the Iraqi Ministry of Defense - Popular Mobilization Commission and Affiliated Forces (PMF or PMC), also known as Popular Mobilization Units (PMU, or al-Hashd al-Sha’abi in Arabic), tribal militia units have fought alongside the Iraqi military against ISIS since 2014, but the majority of these forces continue to largely ignore the 2016 Law of the Popular Mobilization Authority, which mandated that armed militias must be regulated in a fashion similar to Iraq’s other security forces and act under the Iraqi Government’s direct control; the Iraqi Government funds the PMF, and the prime minister legally commands it, but many of the militia units take orders from associated political parties and/or other government officials, including some with ties to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and some that have been designated as terrorist organizations by the US; the PMF/PMU is an umbrella organization comprised of many different militias, the majority of which are Shia; there are typically three types of Shia militia:--militias backed by Iran; they are considered the most active and capable, and include such groups as the Badr Organization (Saraya al-Sala), Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Kataib Hizballah--militias affiliated with Shia political parties, but not aligned with Iran, such as Moqtada al-SADR's Saray al-Salam (Peace Brigades)--militias not connected with political parties, but affiliated with the Najaf-based Grand Ayatollah Ali al-SISTANI (Iraq’s supreme Shia cleric), such as the Hawza militiasother PMF/PMU militias include Tribal Mobilization militias, or Hashd al-Asha’iri, which are composed of fighters from Sunni tribes; some of these militias take orders from the ISF and local authorities while others respond to orders from the larger Shia PMU militias; still other militias include Yazidi and Christian militias and the Turkmen brigades; the links of these forces to the PMU is not always clear-cut and may be loosely based on financial, legal, or political incentives- at the request of the Iraqi government, NATO agreed to establish an advisory, training and capacity-building mission for the Iraqi military in October 2018; as of 2022, the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) had about 500 troops; in December 2021, the task force that leads the defeat ISIS mission in Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), transitioned from a combat role to an advise, assist, and enable role Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Ansar al-Islam; Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al-Naqshabandi; Kata'ib Hizballah; Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) 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: Iraq-Iran: Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian Gulf Iraq-Turkey: Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in IraqIraq-Iran: Iraq's lack of a maritime boundary with Iran prompts jurisdiction disputes beyond the mouth of the Shatt al Arab in the Persian GulfIraq-Turkey: Turkey has expressed concern over the autonomous status of Kurds in Iraq Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 15,272 (Turkey), 7,881 (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (mid-year 2021); 262,756 (Syria) (2022) IDPs: 1,184,818 (displacement in central and northern Iraq since January 2014) (2022) stateless persons: 47,253 (mid-year 2021); note - in the 1970s and 1980s under SADDAM Husayn's regime, thousands of Iraq's Faili Kurds, followers of Shia Islam, were stripped of their Iraqi citizenship, had their property seized by the government, and many were deported; some Faili Kurds had their citizenship reinstated under the 2,006 Iraqi Nationality Law, but others lack the documentation to prove their Iraqi origins; some Palestinian refugees persecuted by the SADDAM regime remain stateless note: estimate revised to reflect the reduction of statelessness in line with Law 26 of 2006, which allows stateless persons to apply for nationality in certain circumstances; more accurate studies of statelessness in Iraq are pending (2015)

20220901

field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate-country-comparison

20220901

countries-korea-north

Topic: Photos of Korea, North 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, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored communist control. After the Korean War (1950-53), during which North Korea failed to conquer UN-backed South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of juche ("self-reliance") as a check against outside influence. North Korea demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. Under KIM Jong Il's reign, North Korea continued developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has since occupied the regime's highest political and military posts.  After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the mid-1990s has faced chronic food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, the North's domestic agricultural production has increased, but still falls far short of producing sufficient food to provide for its entire population. Starting in 2002, North Korea began to ease restrictions to allow semi-private markets, but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. New economic development plans in the 2010s failed to meet government-mandated goals for key industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic performance. In response, the North Korean leader in early 2021 admitted these failures, but vowed to continue "self-reliant" policies. North Korea has a history of provocative regional military actions and posturing that are of major concern to the international community and have limited North Korea’s international engagement, particularly economically. These include proliferation of military-related items; long-range missile development; WMD programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and large conventional armed forces. In 2013, North Korea declared a policy of simultaneous development of its nuclear weapons program and economy. In late 2017, KIM Jong Un declared the North's nuclear weapons development complete. In 2018, KIM announced a pivot towards diplomacy, including a re-prioritization of economic development, a pause in missile testing beginning in late 2017, and a refrain from anti-US rhetoric starting in June 2018. Since 2018, KIM has participated in four meetings with Chinese President XI Jinping, three with South Korean President MOON Jae-in, and three with US President TRUMP. Since 2019, North Korea has continued developing its ballistic missile program and issued statements condemning the US, and vowing to further strengthen its military capabilities, including long range missiles and nuclear weapons. North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated and one of Asia’s poorest countries. 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, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, Korea was split with the northern half coming under Soviet-sponsored communist control. After the Korean War (1950-53), during which North Korea failed to conquer UN-backed South Korea (Republic of Korea, ROK), North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, DPRK), under its founder President KIM Il Sung, adopted a policy of juche ("self-reliance") as a check against outside influence. North Korea demonized the US as the ultimate threat to its social system through state-funded propaganda, and molded political, economic, and military policies around the core ideological objective of eventual unification of Korea under Pyongyang's control. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, assuming a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. Under KIM Jong Il's reign, North Korea continued developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has since occupied the regime's highest political and military posts. After decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation, the North since the mid-1990s has faced chronic food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, the North's domestic agricultural production has increased, but still falls far short of producing sufficient food to provide for its entire population. Starting in 2002, North Korea began to ease restrictions to allow semi-private markets, but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. New economic development plans in the 2010s failed to meet government-mandated goals for key industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic performance. In response, the North Korean leader in early 2021 admitted these failures, but vowed to continue "self-reliant" policies. North Korea has a history of provocative regional military actions and posturing that are of major concern to the international community and have limited North Korea’s international engagement, particularly economically. These include proliferation of military-related items; long-range missile development; WMD programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and large conventional armed forces. In 2013, North Korea declared a policy of simultaneous development of its nuclear weapons program and economy. In late 2017, KIM Jong Un declared the North's nuclear weapons development complete. In 2018, KIM announced a pivot towards diplomacy, including a re-prioritization of economic development, a pause in missile testing beginning in late 2017, and a refrain from anti-US rhetoric starting in June 2018. Since 2018, KIM has participated in four meetings with Chinese President XI Jinping, three with South Korean President MOON Jae-in, and three with US President TRUMP. Since 2019, North Korea has continued developing its ballistic missile program and issued statements condemning the US, and vowing to further strengthen its military capabilities, including long range missiles and nuclear weapons. North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated and one of Asia’s poorest countries. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea Geographic coordinates: 40 00 N, 127 00 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 120,538 sq km land: 120,408 sq km water: 130 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Virginia; slightly smaller than Mississippi Land boundaries: total: 1,607 km border countries (3): China 1,352 km; South Korea 237 km; Russia 18 km Coastline: 2,495 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned Climate: temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters Terrain: mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; wide coastal plains in west, discontinuous in east Elevation: highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m mean elevation: 600 m Natural resources: coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 21.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 19.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2018 est.) forest: 46% (2018 est.) other: 32.2% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 14,600 sq km (2012) Population distribution: population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east Natural hazards: late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall volcanism: P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically activelate spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fallvolcanism: P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active Geography - note: strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated Map description: North Korea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies.North Korea map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and water bodies. Topic: People and Society Population: 25,955,138 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean Ethnic groups: racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Languages: Korean major-language sample(s): 월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: traditionally Buddhist and Confucian, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Age structure: 0-14 years: 20.33% (male 2,680,145/female 2,571,334) 15-24 years: 14.39% (male 1,873,814/female 1,842,269) 25-54 years: 43.77% (male 5,671,900/female 5,633,861) 55-64 years: 11.77% (male 1,454,000/female 1,585,830) 65 years and over: 9.75% (2021 est.) (male 878,176/female 1,640,031) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 41.2 youth dependency ratio: 28 elderly dependency ratio: 13.2 potential support ratio: 7.6 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 34.6 years male: 33.2 years female: 36.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.46% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 14.21 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 9.53 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east Urbanization: urban population: 62.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 3.133 million PYONGYANG (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.33 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 89 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 22.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 71.77 years male: 67.88 years female: 75.88 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.9 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 70.2% (2017) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 97.8% of population rural: 89.1% of population total: 94.5% of population unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population rural: 10.9% of population total: 5.5% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: 3.68 physicians/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 92.7% of population rural: 73.1% of population total: 85.3% of population unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population rural: 26.9% of population total: 14.7% 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: 6.8% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 17.4% (2020 est.) male: 34.8% (2020 est.) female: 0% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 9.3% (2017) Education expenditures: NA Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 100% male: 100% female: 100% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2015) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: water pollution; inadequate supplies of potable water; waterborne disease; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation Environment - international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Law of the Sea Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 30.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 28.28 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 18.68 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters Land use: agricultural land: 21.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 19.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2018 est.) forest: 46% (2018 est.) other: 32.2% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 62.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Food insecurity: widespread lack of access: due to low food consumption levels, poor dietary diversity, and economic downturn - a large portion of the population suffers from low levels of food consumption and very poor dietary diversity; the economic constraints, particularly resulting from the global impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic, have increased the population’s vulnerability to food insecurity; the food gap is estimated at about 860,000 mt, equivalent to approximately 2-3 months of food use, if this gap is not adequately covered through commercial imports and/or food aid, households could experience a harsh lean period (2022) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 902.8 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.145 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 6.61 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 77.15 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: Choson abbreviation: DPRK etymology: derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm" Government type: dictatorship, single-party state; official state ideology of "Juche" or "national self-reliance" Capital: name: Pyongyang geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: on 5 May 2018, North Korea reverted to UTC+9, the same time zone as South Korea etymology: the name translates as "flat land" in Korean Administrative divisions: 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason note: P'yongyang is identified as a directly controlled city, while Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural)provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggangspecial administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason Independence: 15 August 1945 (from Japan) National holiday: Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) Constitution: history: previous 1948, 1972; latest adopted 1998 (during KIM Jong-il era) amendments: proposed by the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA); passage requires more than two-thirds majority vote of the total SPA membership; revised several times, last in 2019 Legal system: civil law system based on the Prussian model; system influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory 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 North Korea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: unknown Suffrage: 17 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: State Affairs Commission President KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011); note - North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define "the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission" as "the supreme leader who represents the state"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, however, KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011 head of government: Supreme People's Assembly President CHOE Ryong Hae (since 11 April 2019); note - functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials (2021) cabinet: Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly except the Minister of People's Armed Forces elections/appointments: chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly; election last held on 10 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2024) election results: KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed note: the Korean Workers' Party continues to list deceased leaders KIM Il Sung and KIM Jong Il as Eternal President and Eternal General Secretary respectively Legislative branch: description: unicameral Supreme People's Assembly or Ch'oego Inmin Hoeui (687 seats; members directly elected by majority vote in 2 rounds if needed to serve 5-year terms); note - the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates elections: last held on 10 March 2019 (next to be held March 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KWP 607, KSDP 50, Chondoist Chongu Party 22, General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) 5, religious associations 3; ruling party approves a list of candidates who are elected without opposition; composition as of March 2022 - men 566, women 121, percent of women 17.6% note: KWP, KSDP, Chondoist Chongu Party, and Chongryon are under the KWP's control; a token number of seats reserved for minor parties Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of one judge and 2 "People's Assessors" or, for some cases, 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms subordinate courts: lower provincial courts as determined by the Supreme People's Assembly Political parties and leaders: major parties: Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Un, general secretary] General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) [HO Chong Man] minor parties: Chondoist Chongu Party [RI Myong Chol] (under KWP control) Social Democratic Party or KSDP [PAK Yong Il] (under KWP control) (2021) International organization participation: ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: none; North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none; the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power Flag description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the hoist side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star; the broad red band symbolizes revolutionary traditions; the narrow white bands stand for purity, strength, and dignity; the blue bands signify sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism National symbol(s): red star, chollima (winged horse); national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "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) National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Koguryo Tombs Complex; Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong Topic: Economy Economic overview: North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, shortages of spare parts, and poor maintenance. Corruption and resource misallocation, including show projects, large-scale military spending, and development of its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, severely draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power outputs have stagnated for years at a fraction of pre-1990 levels. Frequent weather-related crop failures aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems, including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, poor soil quality, insufficient fertilization, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel.   The mid 1990s through mid-2000s were marked by severe famine and widespread starvation. Significant food aid was provided by the international community through 2009. Since that time, food assistance has declined significantly. In the last few years, domestic corn and rice production has improved, although domestic production does not fully satisfy demand. A large portion of the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed semi-private markets to begin selling a wider range of goods, allowing North Koreans to partially make up for diminished public distribution system rations. It also implemented changes in the management process of communal farms in an effort to boost agricultural output.   In December 2009, North Korea carried out a redenomination of its currency, capping the amount of North Korean won that could be exchanged for the new notes, and limiting the exchange to a one-week window. A concurrent crackdown on markets and foreign currency use yielded severe shortages and inflation, forcing Pyongyang to ease the restrictions by February 2010. In response to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, South Korea’s government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities. In February 2016, South Korea ceased its remaining bilateral economic activity by closing the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test a month earlier. This nuclear test and another in September 2016 resulted in two United Nations Security Council Resolutions that targeted North Korea’s foreign currency earnings, particularly coal and other mineral exports. Throughout 2017, North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile tests led to a tightening of UN sanctions, resulting in full sectoral bans on DPRK exports and drastically limited key imports. Over the last decade, China has been North Korea’s primary trading partner.   The North Korean Government continues to stress its goal of improving the overall standard of living, but has taken few steps to make that goal a reality for its populace. In 2016, the regime used two mass mobilizations — one totaling 70 days and another 200 days — to spur the population to increase production and complete construction projects quickly. The regime released a five-year economic development strategy in May 2016 that outlined plans for promoting growth across sectors. Firm political control remains the government’s overriding concern, which likely will inhibit formal changes to North Korea’s current economic system.North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, shortages of spare parts, and poor maintenance. Corruption and resource misallocation, including show projects, large-scale military spending, and development of its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, severely draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power outputs have stagnated for years at a fraction of pre-1990 levels. Frequent weather-related crop failures aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems, including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, poor soil quality, insufficient fertilization, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. The mid 1990s through mid-2000s were marked by severe famine and widespread starvation. Significant food aid was provided by the international community through 2009. Since that time, food assistance has declined significantly. In the last few years, domestic corn and rice production has improved, although domestic production does not fully satisfy demand. A large portion of the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed semi-private markets to begin selling a wider range of goods, allowing North Koreans to partially make up for diminished public distribution system rations. It also implemented changes in the management process of communal farms in an effort to boost agricultural output. In December 2009, North Korea carried out a redenomination of its currency, capping the amount of North Korean won that could be exchanged for the new notes, and limiting the exchange to a one-week window. A concurrent crackdown on markets and foreign currency use yielded severe shortages and inflation, forcing Pyongyang to ease the restrictions by February 2010. In response to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, South Korea’s government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities. In February 2016, South Korea ceased its remaining bilateral economic activity by closing the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test a month earlier. This nuclear test and another in September 2016 resulted in two United Nations Security Council Resolutions that targeted North Korea’s foreign currency earnings, particularly coal and other mineral exports. Throughout 2017, North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile tests led to a tightening of UN sanctions, resulting in full sectoral bans on DPRK exports and drastically limited key imports. Over the last decade, China has been North Korea’s primary trading partner. The North Korean Government continues to stress its goal of improving the overall standard of living, but has taken few steps to make that goal a reality for its populace. In 2016, the regime used two mass mobilizations — one totaling 70 days and another 200 days — to spur the population to increase production and complete construction projects quickly. The regime released a five-year economic development strategy in May 2016 that outlined plans for promoting growth across sectors. Firm political control remains the government’s overriding concern, which likely will inhibit formal changes to North Korea’s current economic system. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $40 billion (2015 est.) $40 billion (2014 est.) $40 billion (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars North Korea does not publish reliable National Income Accounts data; the data shown are derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) GDP estimates that were made by Angus MADDISON in a study conducted for the OECD; his figure for 1999 was extrapolated to 2015 using estimated real growth rates for North Korea's GDP and an inflation factor based on the US GDP deflator; the results were rounded to the nearest $10 billion. Real GDP growth rate: -1.1% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) 1.1% (2013 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,700 (2015 est.) $1,800 (2014 est.) $1,800 (2013 est.) note: data are in 2015 US dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $28 billion (2013 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): NANA GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 22.5% (2017 est.) industry: 47.6% (2017 est.) services: 29.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: (2014 est.) NA government consumption: (2014 est.) NA investment in fixed capital: (2014 est.) NA investment in inventories: (2014 est.) NA exports of goods and services: 5.9% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -11.1% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: rice, maize, vegetables, apples, potatoes, cabbages, fruit, sweet potatoes, beans, soybeans Industries: military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism Industrial production growth rate: 1% (2017 est.) Labor force: 14 million (2014 est.) note: estimates vary widely Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 37% industry: 63% (2008 est.) Unemployment rate: 25.6% (2013 est.) 25.5% (2012 est.) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 3.2 billion (2007 est.) expenditures: 3.3 billion (2007 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.4% (of GDP) (2007 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 11.4% (of GDP) (2007 est.) note: excludes earnings from state-operated enterprises Fiscal year: calendar year Exports: $222 million (2018) $4.582 billion (2017 est.) $2.908 billion (2015 est.) Exports - partners: China 67%, Suriname 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: watch components, fake hair, iron alloys, instructional models, tungsten (2019) Imports: $2.32 billion (2018 est.) $3.86 billion (2016 est.) Imports - partners: China 96% (2019) Imports - commodities: clothing and apparel, soybean oil, rice, wheat products, clocks/watches (2019) Debt - external: $5 billion (2013 est.) Exchange rates: North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (average market rate) 135 (2017 est.) 130 (2016 est.) 130 (2015 est.) 98.5 (2013 est.) 155.5 (2012 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 26% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 36% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 11% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 8.413 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 13,930,320,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.146 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 15.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 84.1% 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: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 11,270 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 8,260 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: 18.465 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 15.252 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.213 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 12.61 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1.18 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: following years of isolationism and economic under-achievement, North Korea languishes near the bottom of the world’s telecom maturity index alongside Afghanistan and Turkmenistan (who also happen to be struggling under repressive political regimes); the obstacles to building a functioning telecom network are so numerous that a fixed-line segment barely exists; foreign investors have been permitted to partner with the North Korea Post & Telecommunications Corporation (NKPTC) to progress mobile voice, text, and broadband services, albeit on a strictly limited scale and with tight restrictions over what can be accessed; mobile communication is estimated to have eased up slightly to reach 19% in 2021, yet the high cost of ownership coupled with strict censorship makes mobile communications the exclusive domain of senior government officials and diplomats; for those citizens living close to China, it has been possible to obtain Chinese handsets and SIM cards, and to connect to towers (illegally) located just across the border; while this offers access to the outside world and at much lower prices than the state-controlled offerings, the risks are high including steep fines and the possibility of jail time; North Korea has been slightly more effective in building an IT sector and a nascent digital economy on the back of a concerted effort to grow a sizeable, well-trained IT workforce; but even here, its capabilities have been directed more towards nefarious activities such as cyber crime and hacking into Western countries’ computer systems; North Korea’s determination to put itself offside with the rest of the world in pursuit of its ideology can only lead to tighter controls on communications inside and outside of the country. (2022) domestic: fiber-optic links installed down to the county level; telephone directories unavailable; mobile service launched in late 2008 for the Pyongyang area and considerable progress in expanding to other parts of the country since; fixed-lines are approximately 5 per 100 and mobile-cellular 15 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 850; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean, 1 Russian - Indian Ocean region); other international connections through Moscow and Beijing 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 independent media; radios and TVs are pre-tuned to government stations; 4 government-owned TV stations; the Korean Workers' Party owns and operates the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, and the state-run Voice of Korea operates an external broadcast service; the government prohibits listening to and jams foreign broadcasts (2019) Internet country code: .kp Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 4 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 103,560 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 250,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: P Airports: total: 82 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 39 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 22 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 4 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 43 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 17 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Heliports: 23 (2021) Pipelines: 6 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 7,435 km (2014) standard gauge: 7,435 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (5,400 km electrified) note: figures are approximate; some narrow-gauge railway also exists Roadways: total: 25,554 km (2006) paved: 724 km (2006) unpaved: 24,830 km (2006) Waterways: 2,250 km (2011) (most navigable only by small craft) Merchant marine: total: 264 by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 5, general cargo 189, oil tanker 33, other 29 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ch'ongjin, Haeju, Hungnam, Namp'o, Songnim, Sonbong (formerly Unggi), Wonsan Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Korean 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); Ministry of Public Security: Border Guards, civil security forces (2021) note 1: the Security Guard Command protects the Kim family, other senior leadership figures, and government facilities note 2: 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 Military expenditures: between 2010 and 2019, military expenditures accounted for an estimated 20-25% of North Korea's GDP annually Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies widely; estimated 1.15 million active troops (950,000 Army; 120,000 Air Force; 60,000 Navy; 10,000 Strategic Missile Forces); estimated 200,000 internal security forces (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the KPA is equipped with older weapon systems originally acquired from the former Soviet Union, Russia, and China, as well as some domestically-produced equipment; North Korea manufactures copies and provides some upgrades to the older foreign weapon systems; it also produces a diverse array of military hardware, including small arms, munitions, light armored vehicles, tanks, naval vessels and submarines, and advanced weapons systems, such as ballistic missiles (2021) note: since 2006, the UN Security Council has passed nearly a dozen resolutions sanctioning North Korea for developing nuclear weapons and related activities, starting with Resolution 1718 which condemned the North's first nuclear test and placed sanctions on the supply of heavy weaponry (including tanks, armored combat vehicles, large calibre artillery, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, and missiles and missile launchers), missile technology and material, and select luxury goods; additional resolutions have expanded to include all arms, including small arms and light weapons; the US and other countries have also imposed unilateral sanctions Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for compulsory male and female military service; service obligation 10 years for men, to age 23 for women (reportedly reduced in 2021 to 7-8 years for men and 5 years for women) (2021) note: the bulk of the KPA is made up of conscripts; as many as 20 percent of North Korean males between the ages of 16 and 54 are in the military at a given time and possibly up to 30 percent of males between the ages of 18 and 27, not counting the reserves or paramilitary units Military - note: 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 KPA and the South Korean military 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 the KPA was founded in 1948; Kim Jong Un is the KPA supreme commander, while operational control of the armed forces resides in the General Staff Department (GSD), which reports directly to Kim; the GSD maintains overall control of all military forces and is charged with turning Kim’s directives into operational military orders; the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is responsible for administrative control of the military and external relations with foreign militaries as of 2022, North Korea’s growing ballistic missile program included close- (CRBM), short- (SRBM), medium- (MRBM), intermediate- (IRBM), and intercontinental- (ICBM) range ballistic missiles; the North received its first ballistic missiles, short-range FROGs (free rocket over ground), from the Soviet Union in the 1960s, but its modern ballistic missile program is generally thought to date back to the mid-1970s when it received a Soviet Scud-class missile, likely from Egypt; the North reverse-engineered the missile and developed an indigenously built version in 1984; it flight-tested its first Scud-based medium-range Nodong missile in 1990, and probably began development of the multi-stage Taepodong missiles around this time as well; the North revealed its first road-mobile ICBM in 2012 and conducted the first test of an ICBM-class system in 2017; it conducted additional ICBM tests in 2022 North Korea in the 2010s and 2020s has increasingly relied on illicit activities — including cybercrime — to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs to evade US and UN sanctions  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 KPA and the South Korean military 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 KPA was founded in 1948; Kim Jong Un is the KPA supreme commander, while operational control of the armed forces resides in the General Staff Department (GSD), which reports directly to Kim; the GSD maintains overall control of all military forces and is charged with turning Kim’s directives into operational military orders; the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is responsible for administrative control of the military and external relations with foreign militariesas of 2022, North Korea’s growing ballistic missile program included close- (CRBM), short- (SRBM), medium- (MRBM), intermediate- (IRBM), and intercontinental- (ICBM) range ballistic missiles; the North received its first ballistic missiles, short-range FROGs (free rocket over ground), from the Soviet Union in the 1960s, but its modern ballistic missile program is generally thought to date back to the mid-1970s when it received a Soviet Scud-class missile, likely from Egypt; the North reverse-engineered the missile and developed an indigenously built version in 1984; it flight-tested its first Scud-based medium-range Nodong missile in 1990, and probably began development of the multi-stage Taepodong missiles around this time as well; the North revealed its first road-mobile ICBM in 2012 and conducted the first test of an ICBM-class system in 2017; it conducted additional ICBM tests in 2022 North Korea in the 2010s and 2020s has increasingly relied on illicit activities — including cybercrime — to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs to evade US and UN sanctions   Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: North Korea-China: risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation, and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen Rivers North Korea-Japan: North Korea supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima) North Korea-South Korea: Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting Line as a maritime boundaryNorth Korea-China: risking arrest, imprisonment, and deportation, tens of thousands of North Koreans cross into China to escape famine, economic privation, and political oppression; North Korea and China dispute the sovereignty of certain islands in Yalu and Tumen RiversNorth Korea-Japan: North Korea supports South Korea in rejecting Japan's claim to Liancourt Rocks (Tok-do/Take-shima)North Korea-South Korea: Military Demarcation Line within the 4-km-wide Demilitarized Zone has separated North from South Korea since 1953; periodic incidents in the Yellow Sea with South Korea which claims the Northern Limiting Line as a maritime boundary Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: undetermined (2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: North Korea is a source country for men, women, and children who are subjected to forced labor, forced marriage, and sex trafficking; in the recent past, many North Korean women and girls lured by promises of food, jobs, and freedom migrated to China illegally to escape poor social and economic conditions only to be forced into prostitution, marriage, or exploitative labor arrangements; North Koreans do not have a choice in the work the government assigns them and are not free to change jobs at will; many North Korean workers recruited to work abroad under bilateral contracts with foreign governments are subjected to forced labor and reportedly face government reprisals if they try to escape or complain to outsiders; thousands of North Koreans, including children, are subjected to forced labor in prison camps tier rating: Tier 3 — the government of North Korea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; during this reporting period there was a government policy or pattern of forced labor of adults and children in prison camps, labor training centers, and through its imposition of forced labor conditions on North Korean overseas contract workers;  proceeds from state-sponsored forced labor fund government functions and illicit activities; the government has made no effort to address human trafficking (2020) Illicit drugs: at present there is insufficient information to determine the current level of involvement of government officials in the production or trafficking of illicit drugs, but for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of North Korea , many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics; police investigations in Taiwan, Japan and Australia during that period have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine

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-hungary-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU five years later.Hungary became a Christian kingdom in A.D. 1000 and for many centuries served as a bulwark against Ottoman Turkish expansion in Europe. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. Hungary held its first multiparty elections in 1990 and initiated a free market economy. It joined NATO in 1999 and the EU five years later. Topic: Geography Area: total: 93,028 sq km land: 89,608 sq km water: 3,420 sq km Climate: temperate; cold, cloudy, humid winters; warm summers Natural resources: bauxite, coal, natural gas, fertile soils, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 9,699,577 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Hungarian 85.6%, Romani 3.2%, German 1.9%, other 2.6%, unspecified 14.1% (2011 est.) Languages: Hungarian (official) 99.6%, English 16%, German 11.2%, Russian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, French 1.2%, other 4.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Hungarian is the mother tongue of 98.9% of Hungarian speakers (2011 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist 11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%, other 1.9%, none 18.2%, no response 27.2% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: -0.3% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Budapest Executive branch: chief of state: President Katalin NOVAK (since 10 May 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Viktor ORBAN (since 29 May 2010) Legislative branch: description: unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (199 seats; 106 members directly elected in single-member constituencies by simple majority vote and 93 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by party-list proportional representation vote, using the d’Hondt method; members serve 4-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: high-income EU and OECD economy; decreasing government spending; increasing judicial independence concerns; flat income taxation; increasingly dependent on energy imports; strong tourism and automotive manufacturinghigh-income EU and OECD economy; decreasing government spending; increasing judicial independence concerns; flat income taxation; increasingly dependent on energy imports; strong tourism and automotive manufacturing Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $302.32 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $31,000 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: maize, wheat, milk, sunflower seed, barley, rapeseed, sugar beet, apples, pork, grapes Industries: mining, metallurgy, construction materials, processed foods, textiles, chemicals (especially pharmaceuticals), motor vehicles Exports: $123.83 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: Germany 27%, Romania 5%, Italy 5%, Slovakia 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, packaged medicines, spark-ignition engines, video displays, broadcasting equipment (2019) Imports: $120.25 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Germany 25%, China 6%, Poland 6%, Austria 6%, Czechia 5%, Slovakia 5%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, integrated circuits, packaged medicines, broadcasting equipment, crude petroleum (2019)Page last updated: Thursday, May 12, 2022

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

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countries-malaysia

Topic: Photos of Malaysia Topic: Introduction Background: Malaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants. The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. These holdings were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's expulsion in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in May 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted rule by UMNO. MAHATHIR resigned in February 2020 amid a political dispute. King ABDULLAH then selected Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin as the new prime minister. MUHYIDDIN resigned in August 2021 after losing a majority of support in parliament. King ABDULLAH next selected ISMAIL SABRI Yakoob as the successor prime minister.Malaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants. The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured their hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. These holdings were occupied by Japan from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. The first several years of the country's independence were marred by a communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's expulsion in 1965. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly-formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in May 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted rule by UMNO. MAHATHIR resigned in February 2020 amid a political dispute. King ABDULLAH then selected Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin as the new prime minister. MUHYIDDIN resigned in August 2021 after losing a majority of support in parliament. King ABDULLAH next selected ISMAIL SABRI Yakoob as the successor prime minister.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam Geographic coordinates: 2 30 N, 112 30 E Map references: Southeast Asia Area: total: 329,847 sq km land: 328,657 sq km water: 1,190 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,742 km border countries (3): Brunei 266 km; Indonesia 1,881 km; Thailand 595 km Coastline: 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia 2,607 km) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Terrain: coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Elevation: highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 419 m Natural resources: tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite Land use: agricultural land: 23.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 19.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2018 est.) forest: 62% (2018 est.) other: 14.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 3,800 sq km (2012) Population distribution: a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula Natural hazards: flooding; landslides; forest fires Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea Map description: Malaysia map showing the major cities of the two main parts of the country along the South China Sea.Malaysia map showing the major cities of the two main parts of the country along the South China Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 33,871,431 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian Ethnic groups: Bumiputera 62.5% (Malays and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%, non-citizens 9.8% (2019 est.) Languages: Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - Malaysia has 134 living languages - 112 indigenous languages and 22 non-indigenous languages; in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages; the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Bahasa Malaysia) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (official) 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, none 0.8%, unspecified 1% (2010 est.) Demographic profile: Malaysia’s multi-ethnic population consists of the bumiputera – Malays and other indigenous peoples – (62%), ethnic Chinese (21%), ethnic Indians (6%), and foreigners (10%).  The majority of Malaysia’s ethnic Chinese and Indians trace their roots to the British colonialists’ recruitment of hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indians as mine and plantation workers between the early-19th century and the 1930s.  Most Malays have maintained their rural lifestyle, while the entrepreneurial Chinese have achieved greater wealth and economic dominance.  In order to eradicate Malay poverty, the Malaysian Government in 1971 adopted policies that gave preference to the bumiputera in public university admissions, government jobs and contracts, and property ownership.  Affirmative action continues to benefit well-off urban bumiputera but has done little to alleviate poverty for their more numerous rural counterparts.  The policies have pushed ethnic Chinese and Indians to study at private or foreign universities (many do not return) and have created and sustained one of the world’s largest civil services, which is 85-90% Malay.  The country’s age structure has changed significantly since the 1960s, as fertility and mortality rates have declined.  Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 5 children per woman in 1970, to 3 in 1998, to 2.1 in 2015 as a result of increased educational attainment and labor participation among women, later marriages, increased use of contraception, and changes in family size preference related to urbanization.  The TFR is higher among Malays, rural residents (who are mainly Malay), the poor, and the less-educated.  Despite the reduced fertility rate, Malaysia’s population will continue to grow, albeit at a decreasing rate, for the next few decades because of its large number of reproductive-age women.  The youth population has been shrinking, and the working-age population (15-64 year olds) has been growing steadily.  Malaysia’s labor market has successfully absorbed the increasing number of job seekers, leading to sustained economic growth.  However, the favorable age structure is changing, and around 2020, Malaysia will start to become a rapidly aging society.  As the population ages, Malaysia will need to better educate and train its labor force, raise productivity, and continue to increase the number of women workers in order to further develop its economy. More than 1.8 million Malaysians lived abroad as of 2015, including anywhere from 350,000 to 785,000 workers, more than half of whom have an advanced level of education.  The vast majority of emigrants are ethnic Chinese, seeking better educational and job opportunities abroad because of institutionalized ethnic discrimination favoring the Malays.  The primary destination country is nearby Singapore, followed by Bangladesh and Australia.  Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians also commute across the causeway to Singapore daily for work. Brain drain is an impediment to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a high-income country.  The situation is compounded by a migrant inflow that is composed almost entirely of low-skilled laborers who work mainly in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.  Officially, Malaysia had about 1.8 million legal foreign workers as of mid-year 2017 – largely from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh – but as many as 3 to 4 million are estimated to be in the country illegally.  Immigrants outnumber ethnic Indians and could supplant the ethnic Chinese as Malaysia’s second largest population group around 2035.Malaysia’s multi-ethnic population consists of the bumiputera – Malays and other indigenous peoples – (62%), ethnic Chinese (21%), ethnic Indians (6%), and foreigners (10%).  The majority of Malaysia’s ethnic Chinese and Indians trace their roots to the British colonialists’ recruitment of hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indians as mine and plantation workers between the early-19th century and the 1930s.  Most Malays have maintained their rural lifestyle, while the entrepreneurial Chinese have achieved greater wealth and economic dominance.  In order to eradicate Malay poverty, the Malaysian Government in 1971 adopted policies that gave preference to the bumiputera in public university admissions, government jobs and contracts, and property ownership.  Affirmative action continues to benefit well-off urban bumiputera but has done little to alleviate poverty for their more numerous rural counterparts.  The policies have pushed ethnic Chinese and Indians to study at private or foreign universities (many do not return) and have created and sustained one of the world’s largest civil services, which is 85-90% Malay. The country’s age structure has changed significantly since the 1960s, as fertility and mortality rates have declined.  Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 5 children per woman in 1970, to 3 in 1998, to 2.1 in 2015 as a result of increased educational attainment and labor participation among women, later marriages, increased use of contraception, and changes in family size preference related to urbanization.  The TFR is higher among Malays, rural residents (who are mainly Malay), the poor, and the less-educated.  Despite the reduced fertility rate, Malaysia’s population will continue to grow, albeit at a decreasing rate, for the next few decades because of its large number of reproductive-age women.  The youth population has been shrinking, and the working-age population (15-64 year olds) has been growing steadily.  Malaysia’s labor market has successfully absorbed the increasing number of job seekers, leading to sustained economic growth.  However, the favorable age structure is changing, and around 2020, Malaysia will start to become a rapidly aging society.  As the population ages, Malaysia will need to better educate and train its labor force, raise productivity, and continue to increase the number of women workers in order to further develop its economy.More than 1.8 million Malaysians lived abroad as of 2015, including anywhere from 350,000 to 785,000 workers, more than half of whom have an advanced level of education.  The vast majority of emigrants are ethnic Chinese, seeking better educational and job opportunities abroad because of institutionalized ethnic discrimination favoring the Malays.  The primary destination country is nearby Singapore, followed by Bangladesh and Australia.  Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians also commute across the causeway to Singapore daily for work.Brain drain is an impediment to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a high-income country.  The situation is compounded by a migrant inflow that is composed almost entirely of low-skilled laborers who work mainly in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.  Officially, Malaysia had about 1.8 million legal foreign workers as of mid-year 2017 – largely from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh – but as many as 3 to 4 million are estimated to be in the country illegally.  Immigrants outnumber ethnic Indians and could supplant the ethnic Chinese as Malaysia’s second largest population group around 2035. Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 4,504,562/female 4,246,681) 15-24 years: 16.63% (male 2,760,244/female 2,670,186) 25-54 years: 40.86% (male 6,737,826/female 6,604,776) 55-64 years: 8.81% (male 1,458,038/female 1,418,280) 65 years and over: 6.9% (2020 est.) (male 1,066,627/female 1,184,863) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 44.2 youth dependency ratio: 33.8 elderly dependency ratio: 10.4 potential support ratio: 9.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.2 years male: 28.9 years female: 29.6 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.03% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 14.55 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 1.48 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula Urbanization: urban population: 78.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 8.420 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.065 million Johor Bahru, 842,000 Ipoh (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 29 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.13 years male: 74.5 years female: 77.87 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 52.2% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 90.7% of population total: 97.5% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 9.3% of population total: 2.5% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.8% (2019) Physicians density: 1.54 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99% of population rural: NA total: NA unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: NA total: (2020 est.) NA HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.4% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 92,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 2,000 (2020 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever water contact diseases: leptospirosis Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 15.6% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 22.5% (2020 est.) male: 43.8% (2020 est.) female: 1.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 14.1% (2019) Education expenditures: 4.2% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 96.2% female: 93.6% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 14 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12% male: 11.4% female: 13% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires; endangered species; coastal reclamation damaging mangroves and turtle nesting sites 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, Law of the Sea, 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: 16.04 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 248.29 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 51.51 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons Land use: agricultural land: 23.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 19.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2018 est.) forest: 62% (2018 est.) other: 14.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 78.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 1.57% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: dengue fever water contact diseases: leptospirosis Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 12,982,685 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,271,970 tons (2016 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.5% (2016 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.342 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.641 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.505 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 580 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia local long form: none local short form: Malaysia former: British Malaya, Malayan Union, Federation of Malaya etymology: the name means "Land of the Malays" Government type: federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy note: all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka (Malacca) and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls) Capital: name: Kuala Lumpur; note - nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not the capital; Parliament meets in Kuala Lumpur geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the Malay word for "river junction or estuary" is "kuala" and "lumpur" means "mud"; together the words render the meaning of "muddy confluence" Administrative divisions: 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya Independence: 31 August 1957 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia) Constitution: history: previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957, effective 27 August 1957 amendments: proposed as a bill by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in the bill’s second and third readings; a number of constitutional sections are excluded from amendment or repeal; amended many times, last in 2019 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic (sharia) law, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the federation 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 Malaysia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 out 12 years preceding application Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal (2019) Executive branch: chief of state: King Sultan ABDULLAH Sultan Ahmad Shah (since 24 January 2019); note - King MUHAMMAD V (formerly known as TUANKU Muhammad FARIS Petra) (selected on 14 October 2016; installed on 13 December 2016) resigned on 6 January 2019; the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister ISMAIL SABRI Yaakob (since 21 August 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament with the consent of the king elections/appointments: king elected by and from the hereditary rulers of 9 states for a 5-year term; election is on a rotational basis among rulers of the 9 states; election last held on 24 January 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister designated from among members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who commands support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament of Malaysia or Parlimen Malaysia consists of: Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 members appointed by the king and 26 indirectly elected by 13 state legislatures; members serve 3-year terms) House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) (2019) elections: Senate - appointed House of Representatives - last held on 9 May 2018 (next national elections are not scheduled until 2023 but are widely expected to be called in 2022) election results: Senate - appointed; composition - men 54, women 14, percent of women 20.6% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - PH 45.6%, BN 33.8%, PAS 16.9%, WARISAN 2.3%, other 1.4%; seats by party/coalition - PH 113, BN 79, PAS 18, WARISAN 8, USA 1, independent 3; composition - men 199, women 23, percent of women 10.4%; note - total Parliament percent of women 12.8% note: as of May 2022, seats by party/coalition - PH 90, PN 50, BN 42, GPS 18, WARISAN 7, PEJUANG 4, PBM 3, PSB 1, MUDA 1, independent 4, vacant 2 Judicial branch: highest courts: Federal Court (consists of the chief justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief justice of the High Court of Malaya, chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, 8 judges, and 1 "additional" judge); note - Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts judge selection and term of office: Federal Court justices appointed by the monarch on advice of the prime minister; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 66 with the possibility of a single 6-month extension subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court Political parties and leaders: National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN: United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UNMO [Ahmad Zahid HAMIDI] Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA [Wee Ka SIONG] Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [Vigneswaran SANASEE] United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS [Joseph KURUP] United Malays National Organization or UMNO [Zahid HAMID] Coalition of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [LIM Guan Eng] National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU] People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim] United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU] Coalition Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) or PN Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM/BERSATU [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin] People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim] Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang] United Sabah Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS [Maximus ONGKILI] Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GARAKAN/PGRM [Dominic Lau Hoe CHAI] Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR [Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan] Sabah Progressive Party [Yong Teck LEE] Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS [ABANG JOHARI Openg] United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS [James MASING] Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [TIONG King Sing] Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian] Other: Sabah Heritage Party (Parti Warisan Sabah) or WARISAN [SHAFIE Apdal] Fighters of the Nation Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG [Mukhris MAHATIR] Sarawak Workers Party or PBM [Larry Sng Wei SHIEN] Malaysian United Democratic Alliance or MUDA [Syed SADDIQ bin Syed Abdul Rahman] United Sarawak Party (Parti Sarawak Bersatu) or PSB [WONG Soon Koh] United Sabah Alliance or USA (Gabungan Sabah) Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin]Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS [ABANG JOHARI Openg] United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS [James MASING] Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [TIONG King Sing] Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian] Other: Sabah Heritage Party (Parti Warisan Sabah) or WARISAN [SHAFIE Apdal] Fighters of the Nation Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG [Mukhris MAHATIR] Sarawak Workers Party or PBM [Larry Sng Wei SHIEN] Malaysian United Democratic Alliance or MUDA [Syed SADDIQ bin Syed Abdul Rahman] United Sarawak Party (Parti Sarawak Bersatu) or PSB [WONG Soon Koh] United Sabah Alliance or USA (Gabungan Sabah) Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin] International organization participation: ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Fairuz Adli Mohd ROZALI (since 28 August 2021) chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 email address and website: mwwashington@kln.gov.my https://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/home consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Brian D. McFEETERS (since 26 February 2021) embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: 4210 Kuala Lumpur, Washington DC  20521-4210 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 email address and website: KLACS@state.gov https://my.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with white (bottom); there is a dark blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a yellow 14-pointed star; the flag is often referred to as Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member states and the federal government; the 14 points on the star represent the unity between these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is the royal color of Malay rulers note: the design is based on the flag of the US National symbol(s): tiger, hibiscus; national colors: gold, black National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (2 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Gunung Mulu National Park (n); Kinabalu Park (n); Malacca and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (c); Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity.   The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s worst performing currencies during 2013-17. The ringgit hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets.   Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays.   Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration.Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity. The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s worst performing currencies during 2013-17. The ringgit hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets. Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays. Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $855.6 billion (2020 est.) $906.24 billion (2019 est.) $868.85 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.31% (2019 est.) 4.77% (2018 est.) 5.81% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $26,400 (2020 est.) $28,400 (2019 est.) $27,600 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $364.631 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.6% (2019 est.) 0.9% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB+ (2020) Moody's rating: A3 (2004) Standard & Poors rating: A- (2003) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 8.8% (2017 est.) industry: 37.6% (2017 est.) services: 53.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 55.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.3% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 71.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -64.4% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: oil palm fruit, rice, poultry, eggs, vegetables, rubber, coconuts, bananas, pineapples, pork Industries: Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production;Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging Industrial production growth rate: 5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 15.139 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 11% industry: 36% services: 53% (2012 est.) Unemployment rate: 3.3% (2019 est.) 3.33% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 12% male: 11.4% female: 13% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 5.6% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41 (2015 est.) 49.2 (1997) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 1.8% highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.) Budget: revenues: 51.25 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 60.63 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 54.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 56.2% of GDP (2016 est.) note: this figure is based on the amount of federal government debt, RM501.6 billion ($167.2 billion) in 2012; this includes Malaysian Treasury bills and other government securities, as well as loans raised externally and bonds and notes issued overseas; this figure excludes debt issued by non-financial public enterprises and guaranteed by the federal government, which was an additional $47.7 billion in 2012 Taxes and other revenues: 16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $12.295 billion (2019 est.) $8.027 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $207.37 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $237.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $245.89 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Singapore 13%, China 13%, United States 11%, Hong Kong 6%, Japan 6%, Thailand 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, natural gas, semiconductors, palm oil (2019) Imports: $185.59 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $210.68 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $221.83 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 24%, Singapore 14%, Japan 6%, United States 6%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, broadcasting equipment, coal (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $102.4 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $94.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $224.596 billion (2019 est.) $226.901 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - 4.064 (2020 est.) 4.161 (2019 est.) 4.166 (2018 est.) 3.91 (2014 est.) 3.27 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 34.959 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 150.062 billion kWh (2019 est.) exports: 669 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 19 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 12.124 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 87.5% 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: 10.9% 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: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 528,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 208,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 304,600 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 74,985,350,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 39,586,915,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 34,197,548,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) imports: 4,008,073,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 1,189,306,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 254.764 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 81.726 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 94.934 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 78.104 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 123.755 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 7,467,900 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 43,723,600 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: As part of a diverse range of initiatives designed to move the country from developing to developed status by 2025, Malaysia has enabled and encouraged open competition in its telecommunications market; the result is very high penetration levels in both the mobile (147%) and mobile broadband (127%) segments, and near-universal coverage of 4G LTE networks; the incumbent landline operator Telekom Malaysia retains an almost monopolistic hold on the fixed-line market as well as a significant lead in fixed broadband; steady growth is occurring as more fiber optic cable networks are being deployed around the country on top of Telekom Malaysia’s national backbone; consumers are the main beneficiaries of the highly competitive market; they enjoy widespread access to high-speed mobile services as well as attractive offers on bundles to keep data use up but prices low; the downside is that most of Malaysia’s MNOs and MVNOs have struggled to increase revenue in line with growth in subscriber numbers as well as demand for broadband data; while the operators have been very successful in moving a significant proportion (now over 30%) of customers from prepaid over to higher-value postpaid accounts, ARPU continues to fall year after year as a result of competitive pricing pressures; the mobile market, in particular, has become overcrowded and the government is keen to see further rationalization and consolidation with the operators; two of the country’s four MNOs – Digi and Celcom – announced plans in November 2021 to merge their Malaysian operations; while customers will no doubt continue to enjoy high quality services at competitive rates, the new entity (to be called Celcom Digi) will be hopeful of squeezing better margins through improved economies of scale; the government’s next move is to encourage the private mobile operators to sign up to the country’s wholesale 5G network being built by Ericsson for the government-owned and operated Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB); this special-purpose vehicle company was established by the Ministry of Finance to undertake the development and deployment of Malaysia’s 5G infrastructure across the country; the government’s stated intent was to avoid duplication of networks and infrastructure, and thus reduce investment costs for the operators; but with DNB being Malaysia’s single wholesale 5G network provider, the MNOs have been reluctant to commit due to having limited opportunity to differentiate their 5G services and being somewhat at the mercy of the wholesaler’s pricing; to date, no MNO has agreed to the deal and are instead demanding the development of a dual wholesale network model (one that no doubt offers more flexible terms, at least in the eyes of the MNOs); Malaysia’s 5G rollout has, in effect, come to a standstill while the government tries to find a way to restart negotiations. (2022) domestic: fixed-line roughly 23 per 100 and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 135 per 100 persons; domestic satellite system with 2 earth stations (2020) international: country code - 60; landing points for BBG, FEA, SAFE, SeaMeWe-3 & 4 & 5, AAE-1, JASUKA, BDM, Dumai-Melaka Cable System, BRCS, ACE, AAG, East-West Submarine Cable System, SEAX-1, SKR1M, APCN-2, APG, BtoBe,  BaSICS, and Labuan-Brunei Submarine and MCT submarine cables providing connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean, 1 Pacific Ocean); launch of Kacific-1 satellite in 2019 (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 TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays throughout the country, and the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays throughout the country; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks, as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 55 radio stations overall (2019) Internet country code: .my Internet users: total: 29,129,398 (2020 est.) percent of population: 90% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 3,358,800 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 13 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 270 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 60,481,772 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 1,404,410,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9M Airports: total: 114 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 39 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 8 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 69 (2021) Heliports: 4 (2021) Pipelines: 354 km condensate, 6,439 km gas, 155 km liquid petroleum gas, 1,937 km oil, 43 km oil/gas/water, 114 km refined products, 26 km water (2013) Railways: total: 1,851 km (2014) standard gauge: 59 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,792 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified) Roadways: total: 144,403 km (2010) (excludes local roads) paved: 116,169 km (2010) (includes 1,821 km of expressways) unpaved: 28,234 km (2010) Waterways: 7,200 km (2011) (Peninsular Malaysia 3,200 km; Sabah 1,500 km; Sarawak 2,500 km) Merchant marine: total: 1,769 by type: bulk carrier 16, container ship 28, general cargo 174, oil tanker 153, other 1,398 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bintulu, Johor Bahru, George Town (Penang), Pelabuhan Klang (Port Klang), Tanjung Pelepas container port(s) (TEUs): Port Kelang (Port Klang) (13,580,717), Tanjung Pelepas (9,100,000) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Bintulu (Sarawak) LNG terminal(s) (import): Sungei Udang Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Malaysian 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) Military expenditures: 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2020) 1% of GDP (2019) (approximately $7.84 billion) 1% of GDP (2018) (approximately $7.63 billion) 1.1% of GDP (2017) (approximately $7.75 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 115,000 active duty troops (80,000 Army; 18,000 Navy; 17,000 Air Force) (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Malaysian Armed Forces field a diverse mix of mostly older imported weapons systems; since 2010, it has imported military equipment from approximately 20 countries, with Germany and Spain as the leading suppliers (2021) Military service age and obligation: 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent and proof of age); mandatory retirement age 60; women serve in the Malaysian Armed Forces; no conscription (2021) note - in 2020, the Malaysian Armed Forces announced a goal of having 10% of the active military comprised of women Military deployments: 830 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (May 2022) Military - note: maritime security has long been a top priority for the Malaysian Armed Forces, but it has received even greater emphasis in the 2000s, particularly anti-piracy operations in the Strait of Malacca and countering Chinese naval incursions in Malaysia’s Economic Exclusion Zone, as well as addressing identified shortfalls in maritime capabilities; as such, it has undertaken modest efforts to procure more modern ships, improve air and maritime surveillance, expand the Navy’s support infrastructure (particularly bases/ports) and domestic ship-building capacities, restructure naval command and control, and increase naval cooperation with regional and international partners; as of 2022, for example, the Navy had 6 frigates fitting out or under construction and scheduled for completion by 2023, which will increase the number of operational frigates from 2 to 8; in addition, it began tri-lateral air and naval patrols with Indonesia and the Philippines in 2017; Malaysia also cooperates closely with the US military, including on maritime surveillance and participating regularly in bilateral and multilateral training exercises Malaysia 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 (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 incidentsthe 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: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Jemaah Islamiyah (JI); Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) 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: piracy remains a problem in the Malacca Strait Malaysia-Brunei: per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei; in 2009, the media reported that Brunei had dropped its claims to the Limbang corridor, but Brunei responded that the subject had never been discussed during recent talks between the two countries Malaysia-China-Philippines-Vietnam: while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties, which is currently being negotiated between China and ASEAN; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands Malaysia-Indonesia: land and maritime negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and disputed areas include the controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea Malaysia-Philippines: Philippines retains a dormant claim to the eastern part of Malaysia's Sabah State in northern Borneo Malaysia-Singapore: disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, 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 Malaysia-Thailand: in 2008, separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts Malaysia to take measures to close and to monitor the border with Thailand to stem terrorist activities    piracy remains a problem in the Malacca StraitMalaysia-Brunei: per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei; in 2009, the media reported that Brunei had dropped its claims to the Limbang corridor, but Brunei responded that the subject had never been discussed during recent talks between the two countriesMalaysia-China-Philippines-Vietnam: while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of conduct" sought by some parties, which is currently being negotiated between China and ASEAN; Malaysia was not party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly IslandsMalaysia-Indonesia: land and maritime negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and disputed areas include the controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the Ambalat oil block in the Celebes SeaMalaysia-Philippines: Philippines retains a dormant claim to the eastern part of Malaysia's Sabah State in northern BorneoMalaysia-Singapore: disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, 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 LedgeMalaysia-Thailand: in 2008, separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern provinces prompts Malaysia to take measures to close and to monitor the border with Thailand to stem terrorist activities   Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 120,126 (Burma) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 112,003 (mid-year 2021); note - Malaysia's stateless population consists of Rohingya refugees from Burma, ethnic Indians, and the children of Filipino and Indonesian illegal migrants; Burma stripped the Rohingya of their nationality in 1982; Filipino and Indonesian children who have not been registered for birth certificates by their parents or who received birth certificates stamped "foreigner" are not eligible to attend government schools; these children are vulnerable to statelessness should they not be able to apply to their parents' country of origin for passports Trafficking in persons: current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a lesser extent, a source and transit country for women and children subjected to conditions of forced labor and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; Malaysia is mainly a destination country for foreign workers who migrate willingly from countries including Indonesia, Nepal, India, Thailand, China, the Philippines, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Vietnam, but subsequently they encounter forced labor or debt bondage at the hands of their employers in the domestic, agricultural, construction, plantation, and industrial sectors; a small number of Malaysian citizens were reportedly trafficked internally and to Singapore, China, and Japan for commercial sexual exploitation; refugees are also vulnerable to trafficking; some officials are reportedly complicit in facilitating trafficking; traffickers lure Rohingya women and girls residing in refugee camps in Bangladesh to Malaysia, where they are coerced to engage in commercial sex tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Malaysia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government identified more victims, increased the number of trafficking-specialist prosecutors, drafted victim identification standard operating procedures, identified two volunteer victim assistance specialists that worked with more than 100 victims, and co-hosted the first national conference on anti-trafficking; however, authorities prosecuted and convicted fewer traffickers and investigated few trafficking cases; despite the issue of corruption, insufficient efforts were made to prosecute officials’ complicity in trafficking-related crimes or to report the results of investigations into such crimes; insufficient interagency coordination and victim services discouraged foreign victims from participating in criminal proceedings; no resources were devoted to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; Malaysia was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 (2020) Illicit drugs: methamphetamine is the most used and trafficked drug controlled by criminal organizations that produce it; crystal methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis products, heroin, ketamine, and Erimin 5 (nimetazepam) are smuggled into the country; a transit point for trafficking cocaine and other drugs to the Australian market  methamphetamine is the most used and trafficked drug controlled by criminal organizations that produce it; crystal methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis products, heroin, ketamine, and Erimin 5 (nimetazepam) are smuggled into the country; a transit point for trafficking cocaine and other drugs to the Australian market 

20220901

countries-turkey-turkiye-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community.Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community. Topic: Geography Area: total: 783,562 sq km land: 769,632 sq km water: 13,930 sq km Climate: temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior Natural resources: coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower Topic: People and Society Population: 83,047,706 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 6-11% (2016 est.) Languages: Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages Religions: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Population growth rate: 0.67% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Ankara Executive branch: chief of state: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (chief of state since 28 August 2014; head of government since 9 July 2019); Vice President Fuat OKTAY (since 9 July 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (head of government since 9 July 2019; chief of state since 28 August 2014); note - a 2017 constitutional referendum eliminated the post of prime minister after the 2018 general election  Legislative branch: description: unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkey Buyuk Millet Meclisi (600 seats - increased from 550 seats beginning with June 2018 election; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms - increased from 4 to 5 years beginning with June 2018 election) Topic: Economy Economic overview: upper middle-income, diversified Middle Eastern economy; economic instability from 2016 attempted coup and 2018 currency recession; hit hard by COVID-19, increasing poverty and unemployment; endemic corruption; large agriculture labor forceupper middle-income, diversified Middle Eastern economy; economic instability from 2016 attempted coup and 2018 currency recession; hit hard by COVID-19, increasing poverty and unemployment; endemic corruption; large agriculture labor force Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2,393,960,000,000 (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $28,400 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: milk, wheat, sugar beet, tomatoes, barley, maize, potatoes, grapes, watermelons, apples Industries: textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper Exports: $203.29 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: Germany 9%, United Kingdom 6%, Iraq 5%, Italy 5%, United States 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, delivery trucks, jewelry, clothing and apparel (2019) Imports: $232.01 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Germany 11%, China 9%, Russia 9%, United States 5%, Italy 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: gold, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, vehicle parts, scrap iron (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 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

field-major-urban-areas-population

This entry provides the population of the capital and up to six major cities defined as urban agglomerations with populations of at least 750,000 people. An urban agglomeration is defined as comprising the city or town proper and also the suburban fringe or thickly settled territory lying outside of, but adjacent to, the boundaries of the city. For smaller countries, lacking urban centers of 750,000 or more, only the population of the capital is presented. Topic: Afghanistan4.458 million KABUL (capital) (2022) Topic: Albania512,000 TIRANA (capital) (2022) Topic: Algeria2.854 million ALGIERS (capital), 922,000 Oran (2022) Topic: American Samoa49,000 PAGO PAGO (capital) (2018) Topic: Andorra23,000 ANDORRA LA VELLA (capital) (2018) Topic: Angola8.952 million LUANDA (capital), 914,000 Lubango, 862,000 Cabinda, Benguela 777,000 (2022) Topic: Anguilla1,000 THE VALLEY (capital) (2018) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda21,000 SAINT JOHN'S (capital) (2018) Topic: Argentina15.370 million BUENOS AIRES (capital), 1.598 million Cordoba, 1.574 million Rosario, 1.209 million Mendoza, 1.014 million San Miguel de Tucuman, 904,000 La Plata (2022) Topic: Armenia1.092 million YEREVAN (capital) (2022) Topic: Aruba30,000 ORANJESTAD (capital) (2018) Topic: Australia5,151 million Melbourne, 5.057 million Sydney, 2.472 million Brisbane, 2.093 million Perth, 1.356 million Adelaide, 467,000 CANBERRA (capital) (2022) Topic: Austria1.960 million VIENNA (capital) (2022) Topic: Azerbaijan2.401 million BAKU (capital) (2022) Topic: Bahamas, The280,000 NASSAU (capital) (2018) Topic: Bahrain689,000 MANAMA (capital) (2022) Topic: Bangladesh22.478 million DHAKA (capital), 5.253 million Chittagong, 950,000 Khulna, 942,000 Rajshahi, 928,000 Sylhet, Bogra 864,000 (2022) Topic: Barbados89,000 BRIDGETOWN (capital) (2018) Topic: Belarus2.049 million MINSK (capital) (2022) Topic: Belgium2.110 million BRUSSELS (capital), 1.053 million Antwerp (2022) Topic: Belize23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018) Topic: Benin285,000 PORTO-NOVO (capital) (2018); 1.189 million Abomey-Calavi, 709,000 COTONOU (seat of government) (2022) Topic: Bermuda10,000 HAMILTON (capital) (2018) Topic: Bhutan203,000 THIMPHU (capital) (2018) Topic: Bolivia278,000 Sucre (constitutional capital) (2018); 1.908 million LA PAZ (capital), 1.784 million Santa Cruz, 1.369 million Cochabamba (2022) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina344,000 SARAJEVO (capital) (2022) Topic: Botswana269,000 GABORONE (capital) (2018) Topic: Brazil22.430 million Sao Paulo, 13.634 million Rio de Janeiro, 6.194 million Belo Horizonte, 4.804 million BRASILIA (capital), 4.220 million Recife, 4.185 million Porto Alegre (2022) Topic: British Virgin Islands15,000 ROAD TOWN (capital) (2018) Topic: Brunei241,000 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2011) note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold Topic: Bulgaria1.287 million SOFIA (capital) (2022) Topic: Burkina Faso3.056 million OUAGADOUGOU (capital), 1.074 million Bobo-Dioulasso (2022) Topic: Burma5.514 million RANGOON (Yangon) (capital), 1.501 million Mandalay (2022) Topic: Burundi1.139 million BUJUMBURA (capital) (2022) Topic: Cabo Verde168,000 PRAIA (capital) (2018) Topic: Cambodia2.211 million PHNOM PENH (capital) (2022) Topic: Cameroon4.164 million YAOUNDE (capital), 3.927 million Douala (2022) Topic: Canada6.313 million Toronto, 4.277 million Montreal, 2.632 million Vancouver, 1.611 million Calgary, 1.519 million Edmonton, 1.423 million OTTAWA (capital) (2022) Topic: Cayman Islands35,000 GEORGE TOWN (capital) (2018) Topic: Central African Republic933,000 BANGUI (capital) (2022) Topic: Chad1.533 million N'DJAMENA (capital) (2022) Topic: Chile6.857 million SANTIAGO (capital), 1.000 million Valparaiso, 902,000 Concepcion (2022) Topic: China28.517 million Shanghai, 21.333 million BEIJING (capital), 16.875 million Chongqing, 14.012 million Tianjin, 13.965 million Guangzhou, 12.831 million Shenzhen (2022) Topic: Colombia11.344 million BOGOTA (capital), 4.068 million Medellin, 2.837 million Cali, 2.325 million Barranquilla, 1.366 million Bucaramanga, 1.079 million Cartagena (2022) Topic: Comoros62,000 MORONI (capital) (2018) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the15.628 million KINSHASA (capital), 2.765 million Mbuji-Mayi, 2.695 million Lubumbashi, 1.593 million Kananga, 1.366 million Kisangani, 1.190 million Bukavu (2022) Topic: Congo, Republic of the2.553 million BRAZZAVILLE (capital), 1.295 million Pointe-Noire (2022) Topic: Costa Rica1.441 million SAN JOSE (capital) (2022) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire231,000 YAMOUSSOUKRO (capital) (2018), 5.516 million ABIDJAN (seat of government) (2022) Topic: Croatia684,000 ZAGREB (capital) (2022) Topic: Cuba2.146 million HAVANA (capital) (2022) Topic: Curacao144,000 WILLEMSTAD (capital) (2018) Topic: Cyprus269,000 NICOSIA (capital) (2018) Topic: Czechia1.318 million PRAGUE (capital) (2022) Topic: Denmark1.370 million COPENHAGEN (capital) (2022) Topic: Djibouti591,000 DJIBOUTI (capital) (2022) Topic: Dominica15,000 ROSEAU (capital) (2018) Topic: Dominican Republic3.458 million SANTO DOMINGO (capital) (2022) Topic: Ecuador3.092 million Guayaquil, 1.928 million QUITO (capital) (2022) Topic: Egypt21.750 million CAIRO (capital), 5.484 million Alexandria, 764,000 Bur Sa'id (2022) Topic: El Salvador1.111 million SAN SALVADOR (capital) (2022) Topic: Equatorial Guinea297,000 MALABO (capital) (2018) Topic: Eritrea1.035 million ASMARA (capital) (2022) Topic: Estonia452,000 TALLINN (capital) (2022) Topic: Eswatini68,000 MBABANE (capital) (2018) Topic: Ethiopia5.228 million ADDIS ABABA (capital) (2022) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)2,000 STANLEY (capital) (2018) Topic: Faroe Islands21,000 TORSHAVN (capital) (2018) Topic: Fiji178,000 SUVA (capital) (2018) Topic: Finland1.328 million HELSINKI (capital) (2022) Topic: France11.142 million PARIS (capital), 1.748 million Lyon, 1.620 million Marseille-Aix-en-Provence, 1.073 million Lille, 1.049 million Toulouse, 991,000 Bordeaux (2022) Topic: French Polynesia136,000 PAPEETE (capital) (2018) Topic: Gabon857,000 LIBREVILLE (capital) (2022) Topic: Gambia, The470,000 BANJUL (capital) (2022) note: includes the local government areas of Banjul and Kanifing Topic: Gaza Strip756,000 Gaza (2022) Topic: Georgia1.080 million TBILISI (capital) (2022) Topic: Germany3.571 million BERLIN (capital), 1.788 million Hamburg, 1.566 million Munich, 1.137 million Cologne, 791,000 Frankfurt (2022) Topic: Ghana3.630 million Kumasi, 2.605 million ACCRA (capital), 1.035 million Sekondi Takoradi (2022) Topic: Gibraltar35,000 GIBRALTAR (capital) (2018) Topic: Greece3.154 million ATHENS (capital), 814,000 Thessaloniki (2022) Topic: Greenland18,000 NUUK (capital) (2018) Topic: Grenada39,000 SAINT GEORGE'S (capital) (2018) Topic: Guam147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018) Topic: Guatemala3.036 million GUATEMALA CITY (capital) (2022) Topic: Guernsey16,000 SAINT PETER PORT (capital) (2018) Topic: Guinea2.049 million CONAKRY (capital) (2022) Topic: Guinea-Bissau643,000 BISSAU (capital) (2022) Topic: Guyana110,000 GEORGETOWN (capital) (2018) Topic: Haiti2.915 million PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) (2022) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)1,000 VATICAN CITY (capital) (2018) Topic: Honduras1.527 million TEGUCIGALPA (capital), 956,000 San Pedro Sula (2022) Topic: Hong Kong7.643 million Hong Kong (2022) Topic: Hungary1.775 million BUDAPEST (capital) (2022) Topic: Iceland216,000 REYKJAVIK (capital) (2018) Topic: India32.066 million NEW DELHI (capital), 20.961 million Mumbai, 15.134 million Kolkata, 13.193 million Bangalore, 11.503 million Chennai, 10.534 million Hyderabad (2022) Topic: Indonesia11.075 million JAKARTA (capital), 3.622 million Bekasi, 3.005 million Surabaya, 2.942 million Depok, 2.638 million Bandung, 2.456 million Tangerang (2022) Topic: Iran9.382 million TEHRAN (capital), 3.318 million Mashhad, 2.219 million Esfahan, 1.699 million Shiraz, 1.644 million Tabriz, 1.587 million Karaj (2022) Topic: Iraq7.512 million BAGHDAD (capital), 1.737 million Mosul, 1.414 million Basra, 1.052 million Kirkuk, 930,000 Najaf, 878,000 Erbil (2022) Topic: Ireland1.256 million DUBLIN (capital) (2022) Topic: Isle of Man27,000 DOUGLAS (capital) (2018) Topic: Israel4.344 million Tel Aviv-Yafo, 1.164 million Haifa, 957,000 JERUSALEM (capital) (2022) Topic: Italy4.298 million ROME (capital), 3.149 million Milan, 2.180 million Naples, 1.798 million Turin, 907,000 Bergamo, 850,000 Palermo (2022) Topic: Jamaica595,000 KINGSTON (capital) (2022) Topic: Japan37.274 million TOKYO (capital), 19.060 million Osaka, 9.572 million Nagoya, 5.503 million Kitakyushu-Fukuoka, 2.935 million Shizuoka-Hamamatsu, 2.669 million Sapporo (2022) Topic: Jersey34,000 SAINT HELIER (capital) (2018) Topic: Jordan2.210 million AMMAN (capital) (2022) Topic: Kazakhstan1.958 million Almaty, 1.254 million NUR-SULTAN (capital), 1.126 million Shimkent (2022) Topic: Kenya5.119 million NAIROBI (capital), 1.389 million Mombassa (2022) Topic: Kiribati64,000 TARAWA (capital) (2018) Topic: Korea, North3.133 million PYONGYANG (capital) (2022) Topic: Korea, South9.976 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) Topic: Kosovo216,870 PRISTINA (capital) (2019) Topic: Kuwait3.239 million KUWAIT (capital) (2022) Topic: Kyrgyzstan1.082 million BISHKEK (capital) (2022) Topic: Laos706,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2022) Topic: Latvia625,000 RIGA (capital) (2022) Topic: Lebanon2.433 million BEIRUT (capital) (2022) Topic: Lesotho202,000 MASERU (capital) (2018) Topic: Liberia1.623 million MONROVIA (capital) (2022) Topic: Libya1.176 million TRIPOLI (capital), 953,000 Misratah, 848,000 Benghazi (2022) Topic: Liechtenstein5,000 VADUZ (capital) (2018) Topic: Lithuania541,000 VILNIUS (capital) (2022) Topic: Luxembourg120,000 LUXEMBOURG (capital) (2018) Topic: Madagascar3.700 million ANTANANARIVO (capital) (2022) Topic: Malawi1.222 million LILONGWE (capital), 995,000 Blantyre-Limbe (2022) Topic: Malaysia8.420 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.065 million Johor Bahru, 842,000 Ipoh (2022) Topic: Maldives177,000 MALE (capital) (2018) Topic: Mali2.817 million BAMAKO (capital) (2022) Topic: Malta213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018) Topic: Marshall Islands31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018) Topic: Mauritania1.432 million NOUAKCHOTT (capital) (2022) Topic: Mauritius149,000 PORT LOUIS (capital) (2018) Topic: Mexico22.085 million MEXICO CITY (capital), 5.340 million Guadalajara, 5.037 million Monterrey, 3.295 million Puebla, 2.576 million Toluca de Lerdo, 2.221 million Tijuana (2022) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018) Topic: Moldova491,000 CHISINAU (capital) (2022) Topic: Monaco39,000 MONACO (capital) (2018) Topic: Mongolia1.645 million ULAANBAATAR (capital) (2022) Topic: Montenegro177,000 PODGORICA (capital) (2018) Topic: Morocco3.840 million Casablanca, 1.932 million RABAT (capital), 1.267 million Fes, 1.238 million Tangier, 1.277 million Marrakech, 960,000 Agadir (2022) Topic: Mozambique1.797 million Matola, 1.139 million MAPUTO (capital), 927,000 Nampula (2022) Topic: Namibia461,000 WINDHOEK (capital) (2022) Topic: Nepal1.521 million KATHMANDU (capital) (2022) Topic: Netherlands1.166 million AMSTERDAM (capital), 1.015 million Rotterdam (2022) Topic: New Caledonia198,000 NOUMEA (capital) (2018) Topic: New Zealand1.652 million Auckland, 419,000 WELLINGTON (capital) (2022) Topic: Nicaragua1.083 million MANAGUA (capital) (2022) Topic: Niger1.384 million NIAMEY (capital) (2022) Topic: Nigeria15.388 million Lagos, 4.219 million Kano, 3.756 million Ibadan, 3.652 million ABUJA (capital), 3.325 million Port Harcourt, 1.841 million Benin City (2022) Topic: Niue1,000 ALOFI (capital) (2018) Topic: North Macedonia606,000 SKOPJE (capital) (2022) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018) Topic: Norway1.071 million OSLO (capital) (2022) Topic: Oman1.623 million MUSCAT (capital) (2022) Topic: Pakistan16.840 million Karachi, 13.542 million Lahore, 3.625 million Faisalabad, 2.353 million Gujranwala, 2.343 million Peshawar, 1.198 million ISLAMABAD (capital) (2022) Topic: Palau277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018) Topic: Panama1.938 million PANAMA CITY (capital) (2022) Topic: Papua New Guinea400,000 PORT MORESBY (capital) (2022) Topic: Paraguay3.452 million ASUNCION (capital) (2022) Topic: Peru11.045 million LIMA (capital), 947,000 Arequipa, 891,000 Trujillo (2022) Topic: Philippines14.406 million MANILA (capital), 1.908 million Davao, 1.009 million Cebu City, 931,000 Zamboanga, 925,000 Antipolo, 786,000 Cagayan de Oro City (2022) Topic: Poland1.795 million WARSAW (capital), 770,000 Krakow (2022) Topic: Portugal2.986 million LISBON (capital), 1.320 million Porto (2022) Topic: Puerto Rico2.443 million SAN JUAN (capital) (2022) Topic: QatarAr-Rayyan 779,000, 652,000 DOHA (capital) (2022) Topic: Romania1.785 million BUCHAREST (capital) (2022) Topic: Russia12.641 million MOSCOW (capital), 5.536 million Saint Petersburg, 1.686 million Novosibirsk, 1.521 million Yekaterinburg, 1.286 million Kazan, 1.253 million Nizhniy Novgorod (2022) Topic: Rwanda1.208 million KIGALI (capital) (2022) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha1,000 JAMESTOWN (capital) (2018) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis14,000 BASSETERRE (capital) (2018) Topic: Saint Lucia22,000 CASTRIES (capital) (2018) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon6,000 SAINT-PIERRE (capital) (2018) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines27,000 KINGSTOWN (capital) (2018) Topic: Samoa36,000 APIA (capital) (2018) Topic: San Marino4,000 SAN MARINO (2018) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe80,000 SAO TOME (capital) (2018) Topic: Saudi Arabia7.538 million RIYADH (capital), 4.781 million Jeddah, 2.115 million Mecca, 1.545 million Medina, 1.305 million Ad Dammam, 860,000 million Hufuf-Mubarraz (2022) Topic: Senegal3.326 million DAKAR (capital) (2022) Topic: Serbia1.405 million BELGRADE (capital) (2022) Topic: Seychelles28,000 VICTORIA (capital) (2018) Topic: Sierra Leone1.272 million FREETOWN (capital) (2022) Topic: Singapore3.040 million SINGAPORE (capital) (2022) Topic: Sint Maarten1,327 PHILIPSBURG (capital) (2011) Topic: Slovakia439,000 BRATISLAVA (capital) (2022) Topic: Slovenia286,000 LJUBLJANA (capital) (2018) Topic: Solomon Islands82,000 HONIARA (capital) (2018) Topic: Somalia2.497 million MOGADISHU (capital), 1.079 million Hargeysa (2022) Topic: South Africa10.110 million Johannesburg (includes Ekurhuleni), 4.801 million Cape Town (legislative capital), 3.199 million Durban, 2.74 million PRETORIA (administrative capital), 1.281 million Port Elizabeth, 909,000 West Rand (2022) Topic: South Sudan440,000 JUBA (capital) (2022) Topic: Spain6.714 million MADRID (capital), 5.658 million Barcelona, 837,000 Valencia (2022) Topic: Sri Lanka103,000 Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte (legislative capital) (2018), 626,000 COLOMBO (capital) (2022) Topic: Sudan6.160 million KHARTOUM (capital), 1.012 million Nyala (2022) Topic: Suriname239,000 PARAMARIBO (capital) (2018) Topic: Sweden1.659 million STOCKHOLM (capital) (2022) Topic: Switzerland1.420 million Zurich, 437,000 BERN (capital) (2022) Topic: Syria2.503 million DAMASCUS (capital), 2.098 million Aleppo, 1.398 million Hims (Homs), 964,000 Hamah (2022) Topic: Taiwan4.471 million New Taipei City, 2.742 million TAIPEI (capital), 2.296 million Taoyuan, 1.547 million Kaohsiung, 1.354 million Taichung, 863,000 Tainan (2022) Topic: Tajikistan962,000 DUSHANBE (capital) (2022) Topic: Tanzania262,000 Dodoma (legislative capital) (2018), 7.405 million DAR ES SALAAM (administrative capital), 1.245 million Mwanza, 766,000 Zanzibar (2022) Topic: Thailand10.900 million BANGKOK (capital), 1.436 Chon Buri, 1.342 million Samut Prakan, 1.198 million Chiang Mai, 992,000 Songkla, 988,000 Nothaburi (2022) Topic: Timor-Leste281,000 DILI (capital) (2018) Topic: Togo1.926 million LOME (capital) (2022) Topic: Tonga23,000 NUKU'ALOFA (2018) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago545,000 PORT-OF-SPAIN (capital) (2022) Topic: Tunisia2.439 million TUNIS (capital) (2022) Topic: Turkey15.636 million Istanbul, 5.310 million ANKARA (capital), 3.056 million Izmir, 2.055 million Bursa, 1.814 million Adana, 1.773 million Gaziantep (2022) Topic: Turkmenistan883,000 ASHGABAT (capital) (2022) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands5,000 GRAND TURK (capital) (2018) Topic: Tuvalu7,000 FUNAFUTI (capital) (2018) Topic: Uganda3.652 million KAMPALA (capital) (2022) Topic: Ukraine3.010 million KYIV (capital), 1.423 million Kharkiv, 1.008 million Odesa, 952,000 Dnipropetrovsk, 893,000 Donetsk (2022) Topic: United Arab Emirates2.964 million Dubai, 1.786 million Sharjah, 1.540 million ABU DHABI (capital) (2022) Topic: United Kingdom9.426 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) Topic: United States18.867 million New York-Newark, 12.488 million Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana, 8.901 million Chicago, 6.603 million Houston, 6.488 million Dallas-Fort Worth, 5.434 million WASHINGTON, D.C. (capital) (2022) Topic: Uruguay1.767 million MONTEVIDEO (capital) (2022) Topic: Uzbekistan2.574 million TASHKENT (capital) (2022) Topic: Vanuatu53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018) Topic: Venezuela2.957 million CARACAS (capital), 2.333 million Maracaibo, 1.959 million Valencia, 1.241 million Barquisimeto, 1.230 million Maracay, 950,000 Ciudad Guayana (2022) Topic: Vietnam9.077 million Ho Chi Minh City, 5.067 million HANOI (capital), 1.786 million Can Tho, 1.382 million Hai Phong, 1.188 million Da Nang, 1.078 million Bien Hoa (2022) Topic: Virgin Islands52,000 CHARLOTTE AMALIE (capital) (2018) Topic: Wallis and Futuna1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018) Topic: Worldten largest urban agglomerations: Tokyo (Japan) - 37,393,000; New Delhi (India) - 30,291,000; Shanghai (China) - 27,058,000; Sao Paulo (Brazil) - 22,043,000; Mexico City (Mexico) - 21,782,000; Dhaka (Bangladesh) - 21,006,000; Cairo (Egypt) - 20,901,000; Beijing (China) - 20,463,000; Mumbai (India) - 20,411,000;  Osaka (Japan) - 19,165,000 (2020) ten largest urban agglomerations, by continent: Africa - Cairo (Egypt) - 20,485,000; Lagos (Nigeria) - 13,904,000; Kinshasha (DRC) - 13,743,000; Luanda (Angola) - 8,045,000; Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) - 6,368,000; Khartoum (Sudan) - 5,678,000; Johannesburg (South Africa) - 5,635,000; Alexandria (Egypt) - 5,182,000; Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire) - 5,059,000; Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) - 4,592,000 Asia - Tokyo (Japan) - 37,435,000; New Delhi (India) - 29,399,000; Shanghai (China) - 26,317,000; Dhaka (Bangladesh) - 20,284,000; Mumbai (India) - 20,185,000; Beijing (China) - 20,035,000; Osaka (Japan) - 19,223,000; Karachi (Pakistan) - 15,741,000; Chongqing (China) - 15,354,000; Istanbul (Turkey) - 14,968,000 Europe - Moscow (Russia) - 12,476,000; Paris (France) - 10,958,000; London (United Kingdom) - 9,177,000; Madrid (Spain) - 6,559,000; Barcelona (Spain) - 5,541,000, Saint Petersburg (Russia) -  5,427,000; Rome (Italy) - 4,234,000; Berlin (Germany) - 3,557,000; Athens (Greece) - 3,154,000; Milan (Italy) - 3,136,000 North America - Mexico City (Mexico) - 21,672,000; New York-Newark (United States) - 18,805,000; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana (United States) - 12,448,000; Chicago (United States) - 8,862,000; Houston (United States) - 6,245,000; Dallas-Fort Worth (United States) - 6,201,000; Toronto (Canada) - 6,139,000; Miami (United States) - 6,079,000; Philadelphia (United States) - 5,705,000; Atlanta (United States) - 5,689,000 Oceania - Melbourne (Australia) - 4,870,000, Sydney (Australia) - 4,859,000; Brisbane (Australia) - 2,372,000; Perth (Australia) - 2,016,000; Auckland (New Zealand) - 1,582,000; Adelaide (Australia) - 1,328,000; Gold Coast-Tweed Head (Australia) - 687,000; Canberra (Australia) - 452,000; Newcastle-Maitland (Australia) - 447,000; Wellington (New Zealand) - 413,000 South America - Sao Paulo (Brazil) - 21,847,000; Buenos Aires (Argentina) - 15,057,000; Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) - 13,374,000; Bogota (Colombia) - 10,779,000; Lima (Peru) - 10,555,000; Santiago (Chile) - 6,724,000; Belo Horizonte (Brazil) - 6,028,000; Brasilia (Brazil) - 4,559,000; Porto Alegre (Brazil) - 4,115,000; Recife (Brazil) - 4,078,000 (2019) Topic: Yemen3.182 million SANAA (capital), 1.045 million Aden (2022) Topic: Zambia3.042 million LUSAKA (capital) (2022) Topic: Zimbabwe1.558 million HARARE (capital) (2022)

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

countries-cook-islands-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens consult its website daily via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws, and special circumstances about visiting United Kingdom and Cook Islands. 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 and during the length of their entire visit. 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 for stays of less than 30 days. It is possible to extend visit up to 5 months. US Embassy/Consulate: None (self-governing in free association with New Zealand); US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the Embassy in New Zealand [64] (4) 462-6000; United States Embassy Wellington, 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand Telephone Code: 682 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 998; Fire: 996; Police: 999 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season (April to November) and a more humid season (December to March) Currency (Code): New Zealand dollars (NZD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 240 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I Major Languages: English 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) 76.2%, other 8.3%; note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census Major Religions: Protestant 62.8%, Roman Catholic 17%, Mormon 4.4% Time Difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: A local license is required. Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Tapuaetai (One Foot Island); Muri Beach; Titikaveka Beach; Te Vara Nui Village; cross-island hike to Te Rua Manga (The Needle); Aroa Marine Reserve Major Sports: Netball, rugby, soccer Cultural Practices: Swimwear should be confined to the beach and resort pool areas. Tipping Guidelines: Don't feel that you need to leave a tip, unless you believe that you have received outstanding service. Souvenirs: Pareu cloth and quilted items, woven hats and baskets, carved wooden instruments and decorative items, pearl and shell items, collectible coins and stamps Traditional Cuisine: Ika Mata — freshly caught fish cooked in lemon juice and then combined with fresh coconut cream, onion, and chilis; typically served with a side salad 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

field-taxes-and-other-revenues

This entry records total taxes and other revenues received by the national government during the time period indicated, expressed as a percent of GDP. Taxes include personal and corporate income taxes, value added taxes, excise taxes, and tariffs. Other revenues include social contributions - such as payments for social security and hospital insurance - grants, and net revenues from public enterprises. Normalizing the data, by dividing total revenues by GDP, enables easy comparisons across countries, and provides an average rate at which all income (GDP) is paid to the national level government for the supply of public goods and services. Topic: Afghanistan11.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Albania27.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Algeria32.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: American Samoa37.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Andorra69% (of GDP) (2016) Topic: Angola29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Anguilla46.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Argentina18.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Armenia22.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Aruba25.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Australia35.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Austria48.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan23.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrain16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladesh9.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Barbados29.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Belarus40.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Belgium51.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Belize29.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Benin17.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bermuda16.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutan27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bolivia39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina44% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Botswana30.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Brazil35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Brunei18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgaria35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso21.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Burma13.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi15.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde27.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodia17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroon15.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Canada39.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands38.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republic14.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Chad13.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Chile20.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: China21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Colombia26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Comoros25.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the11.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cook Islands29% (of GDP) (2010 est.) Topic: Costa Rica14.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire19.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Croatia46.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Cuba58.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Curacao16.6% (of GDP) (2012 est.) Topic: Cyprus39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia40.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark53% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti35.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Dominica40.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuador32% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Egypt17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvador23.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Eritrea34.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Estonia39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini28.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopia13.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: European Union45.2% (of GDP) (2014) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)32.5% (of GDP) (FY09/10) Topic: Faroe Islands30.2% (of GDP) (2014 est.) Topic: Fiji29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Finland53.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: France53.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia39.4% (of GDP) (2012) Topic: Gabon17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Georgia28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Germany45% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Gibraltar23.3% (of GDP) (2008 est.) Topic: Greece48.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland77.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Grenada25.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guam21.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Guatemala10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guernsey20.6% (of GDP) (2005) Topic: Guinea16.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Guyana28.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Haiti18.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Hong Kong23.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Hungary44.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland42.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: India9.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia13% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Iran17.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Iraq35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ireland26% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Isle of Man14.2% (of GDP) (FY05/06 est.) Topic: Israel26.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Italy46.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Japan35.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Jersey16.6% (of GDP) (2005) Topic: Jordan23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan22.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kenya17.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribati76.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, North11.4% (of GDP) (2007 est.) note: excludes earnings from state-operated enterprises Topic: Korea, South23.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo29% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwait41.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Laos18.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Latvia37.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Lesotho39.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Liberia16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Libya51.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein14.9% (of GDP) (2012 est.) Topic: Lithuania33.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourg44.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Macau29.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascar15.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Malawi21.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysia16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Maldives26.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Mali20% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Malta40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands52.6% (of GDP) (2013 est.) Topic: Mauritania27.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritius22.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico22.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of65.2% (of GDP) (FY12/13 est.) Topic: Moldova30.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Monaco14.9% (of GDP) (2011 est.) Topic: Mongolia26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Montenegro37.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Morocco20.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambique26.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Namibia32.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nauru90.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nepal23.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlands43.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia20.4% (of GDP) (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealand36.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua28% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Niger21.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeria3.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: North Macedonia29% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands31.4% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Norway54.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Oman31.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistan15.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Palau66.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Panama20.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea18.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguay14.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Peru27.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Philippines15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Poland39.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal42.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico8.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Qatar26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Romania29.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Russia16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda21.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis31.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon26.8% (of GDP) (1996 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Samoa28.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: San Marino40.6% (of GDP) (2011 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe26.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia26.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Senegal19.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Serbia42.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Seychelles39.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone15.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Singapore15.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Slovakia39.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia43.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands41% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Somalia2.1% (of GDP) (2014 est.) Topic: South Africa26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudan8.5% (of GDP) (FY2017/18 est.) Topic: Spain37.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka13.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan18.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Suriname16.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Sweden50.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland35.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Syria4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Taiwan16% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistan31.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzania15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand15.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Togo21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tonga39.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago24.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisia24.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Turkey20.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan14.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Tuvalu106.7% (of GDP) (2013 est.) note: revenue data include Official Development Assistance from Australia Topic: Uganda14.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Ukraine26.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates28.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom39.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: United States17% (of GDP) (2017 est.) note: excludes contributions for social security and other programs; if social contributions were added, taxes and other revenues would amount to approximately 22% of GDP Topic: Uruguay29.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan31.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Vanuatu27.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuela44.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnam24.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands28.9% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna16.7% (of GDP) (2015 est.) NA Topic: West Bank13.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: World26.7% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Topic: Yemen9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Zambia17.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe21.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

20220901

field-preliminary-statement

This entry, which appears only in the European Union, Introduction category, provides an explanation and justification for the inclusion of a separate European Union geographic entity.

20220901

field-inflation-rate-consumer-prices

This entry provides the annual inflation rate, as calculated by the percent change in current consumer prices from the previous year's consumer prices. Topic: Afghanistan5% (2017 est.) 4.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Albania1.4% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Algeria1.9% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) Topic: American Samoa-0.5% (2015 est.) 1.4% (2014 est.) Topic: Andorra-0.9% (2015 est.) -0.1% (2014 est.) Topic: Angola17.2% (2019 est.) 20.3% (2018 est.) 32.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Anguilla1.3% (2017 est.) -0.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda2.5% (2017 est.) -0.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Argentina25.7% (2017 est.) 26.5% (2016 est.) note: data are derived from private estimates Topic: Armenia1.4% (2019 est.) 2.5% (2018 est.) 0.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Aruba-0.5% (2017 est.) -0.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Australia1.6% (2019 est.) 1.9% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Austria1.5% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 2% (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan2.6% (2019 est.) 2.3% (2018 est.) 12.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The1.4% (2017 est.) -0.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Bahrain1.4% (2017 est.) 2.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Bangladesh5.5% (2019 est.) 5.5% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Barbados4.4% (2017 est.) 1.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Belarus5.6% (2019 est.) 4.8% (2018 est.) 6% (2017 est.) Topic: Belgium1.4% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 2.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Belize1.1% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Benin-0.8% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 0% (2017 est.) Topic: Bermuda1.9% (2017 est.) 1.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Bhutan5.8% (2017 est.) 7.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Bolivia1.8% (2019 est.) 2.2% (2018 est.) 2.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina1.2% (2017 est.) -1.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Botswana2.7% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Brazil3.7% (2019 est.) 3.6% (2018 est.) 3.4% (2017 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands1.1% (2017 est.) 1.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Brunei-0.2% (2017 est.) -0.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Bulgaria3.1% (2019 est.) 2.8% (2018 est.) 2% (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso-3.2% (2019 est.) 1.9% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Burma8.8% (2019 est.) 6.8% (2018 est.) 4.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi-0.6% (2019 est.) -2.5% (2018 est.) 15.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde1.1% (2019 est.) 1.2% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodia2.9% (2017 est.) 3% (2016 est.) Topic: Cameroon2.4% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 0.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Canada1.9% (2019 est.) 2.2% (2018 est.) 1.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands2% (2017 est.) -0.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Central African Republic2.7% (2019 est.) 1.6% (2018 est.) 4.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Chad-0.9% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) -1.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Chile2.2% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 2.1% (2017 est.) Topic: China2.8% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 1.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Colombia3.5% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 4.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Comoros1% (2017 est.) 1.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the41.5% (2017 est.) 18.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the2.2% (2019 est.) 1.1% (2018 est.) 0.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Cook Islands2.2% (2011 est.) Topic: Costa Rica2% (2019 est.) 2.2% (2018 est.) 1.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire-1.1% (2019 est.) 0.3% (2018 est.) 0.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Croatia0.7% (2019 est.) 1.4% (2018 est.) 1.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Cuba5.5% (2017 est.) 4.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Curacao2.6% (2013 est.) 2.8% (2012 est.) Topic: Cyprus0.2% (2019 est.) 1.4% (2018 est.) 0.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Czechia2.8% (2019 est.) 2.1% (2018 est.) 2.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Denmark0.7% (2019 est.) 0.8% (2018 est.) 1.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Djibouti0.7% (2017 est.) 2.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Dominica0.6% (2017 est.) 0% (2016 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic1.8% (2019 est.) 3.5% (2018 est.) 3.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuador0.2% (2019 est.) -0.2% (2018 est.) 0.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Egypt9.3% (2019 est.) 14.4% (2018 est.) 29.6% (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvador0% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 1% (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea1.2% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Eritrea9% (2017 est.) 9% (2016 est.) Topic: Estonia2.2% (2019 est.) 3.4% (2018 est.) 3.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatini6.2% (2017 est.) 7.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Ethiopia15.7% (2019 est.) 13.9% (2018 est.) 10.8% (2017 est.) Topic: European Union1.1% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 1.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)1.4% (2014 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands-0.3% (2016) -1.7% (2015) Topic: Fiji3.4% (2017 est.) 3.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Finland1% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) Topic: France1.1% (2019 est.) 1.8% (2018 est.) 1% (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesia0% (2015 est.) 0.3% (2014 est.) Topic: Gabon2.4% (2019 est.) 4.7% (2018 est.) 2.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The7.1% (2019 est.) 6.5% (2018 est.) 8% (2017 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip0.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.) note: excludes the West Bank Topic: Georgia4.8% (2019 est.) 2.6% (2018 est.) 6% (2017 est.) Topic: Germany1.4% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 1.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Ghana8.4% (2019 est.) 9.8% (2018 est.) 12.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Gibraltar2.5% (2013 est.) 2.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Greece0.2% (2019 est.) 0.6% (2018 est.) 1.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Greenland0.3% (January 2017 est.) 1.2% (January 2016 est.) Topic: Grenada0.9% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Guam1% (2017 est.) 0% (2016 est.) Topic: Guatemala3.7% (2019 est.) 3.7% (2018 est.) 4.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Guernsey3.4% (June 2006 est.) Topic: Guinea9.4% (2019 est.) 9.8% (2018 est.) 8.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau0.2% (2019 est.) 0.3% (2018 est.) 1.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Guyana2% (2017 est.) 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Haiti14.7% (2017 est.) 13.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Honduras4.3% (2019 est.) 4.3% (2018 est.) 3.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Hong Kong2.8% (2019 est.) 2.4% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Hungary3.3% (2019 est.) 2.8% (2018 est.) 2.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Iceland3% (2019 est.) 2.6% (2018 est.) 1.7% (2017 est.) Topic: India3.7% (2019 est.) 3.9% (2018 est.) 3.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesia2.8% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Iran10% (2017 est.) 9.6% (2017 est.) 9.1% (2016 est.) note: official Iranian estimate Topic: Iraq-0.1% (2019 est.) 0.3% (2018 est.) 0.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Ireland0.9% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 0.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Isle of Man4.1% (2017 est.) 1% (2016 est.) Topic: Israel1.8% (2020 est.) 0.8% (2019 est.) 0.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Italy0.6% (2019 est.) 1.1% (2018 est.) 1.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaica3.9% (2019 est.) 3.7% (2018 est.) 4.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Japan0.4% (2019 est.) 0.9% (2018 est.) 0.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Jersey3.7% (2006) Topic: Jordan0.3% (2019 est.) 4.4% (2018 est.) 3.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan5.2% (2019 est.) 6% (2018 est.) 7.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Kenya5.1% (2019 est.) 4.6% (2018 est.) 8% (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribati0.4% (2017 est.) 1.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Korea, NorthNANA Topic: Korea, South0.3% (2019 est.) 1.4% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovo2.6% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwait1.5% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan1.1% (2019 est.) 1.5% (2018 est.) 3.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Laos0.8% (2017 est.) 1.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Latvia2.8% (2019 est.) 2.5% (2018 est.) 2.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanon2.8% (2019 est.) 6% (2018 est.) 4.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Lesotho5.3% (2019 est.) 3.8% (2018 est.) 5.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Liberia12.4% (2017 est.) 8.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Libya28.5% (2017 est.) 25.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein-0.4% (2016 est.) -0.2% (2013) Topic: Lithuania2.3% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 3.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourg1.7% (2019 est.) 1.5% (2018 est.) 1.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Macau2.7% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 1.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascar5.6% (2019 est.) 8.6% (2018 est.) 8.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Malawi9.3% (2019 est.) 12.4% (2018 est.) 11.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysia0.6% (2019 est.) 0.9% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled Topic: Maldives2.3% (2017 est.) 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Mali1.9% (2018 est.) 1.8% (2017 est.) 1.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Malta1.6% (2019 est.) 1.1% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands0% (2017 est.) -1.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Mauritania2.2% (2019 est.) 3.1% (2018 est.) 2.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritius0.4% (2019 est.) 3.2% (2018 est.) 3.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico3.6% (2019 est.) 4.9% (2018 est.) 6% (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of0.5% (2017 est.) 0.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Moldova4.8% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Monaco1.5% (2010) Topic: Mongolia4.6% (2017 est.) 0.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Montenegro0.3% (2019 est.) 2.6% (2018 est.) 2.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Montserrat1.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Morocco0.2% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambique2.7% (2019 est.) 3.9% (2018 est.) 15.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Namibia3.7% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 6.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Nauru5.1% (2017 est.) 8.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Nepal4.5% (2017 est.) 9.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Netherlands2.6% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledonia1.4% (2017 est.) 0.6% (2016 est.) Topic: New Zealand1.6% (2019 est.) 1.5% (2018 est.) 1.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaragua5.3% (2019 est.) 4.9% (2018 est.) 3.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Niger-2.5% (2019 est.) 6.3% (2018 est.) 2.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeria11.3% (2019 est.) 12.1% (2018 est.) 16.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Niue4% (2005) Topic: North Macedonia0.7% (2019 est.) 1.4% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands0.3% (2016 est.) 0.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Norway2.1% (2019 est.) 2.7% (2018 est.) 1.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Oman0.1% (2019 est.) 0.7% (2018 est.) 1.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistan9.3% (2019 est.) 5.2% (2018 est.) 4.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Palau0.9% (2017 est.) -1% (2016 est.) Topic: Panama0.9% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea5.4% (2017 est.) 6.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Paraguay3.6% (2017 est.) 4.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Peru2.1% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 2.8% (2017 est.) note: data are for metropolitan Lima, annual average Topic: Philippines2.4% (2019 est.) 5.2% (2018 est.) 2.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Poland2.1% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 2% (2017 est.) Topic: Portugal0.3% (2019 est.) 0.9% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico1.8% (2017 est.) -0.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Qatar-0.6% (2019 est.) 0.2% (2018 est.) 0.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Romania3.8% (2019 est.) 4.6% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Russia4.4% (2019 est.) 2.8% (2018 est.) 3.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Rwanda3.3% (2019 est.) -0.3% (2018 est.) 8.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha4% (2012 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis0% (2017 est.) -0.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia0.1% (2017 est.) -3.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon1.5% (2015) 4.5% (2010) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines2.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Samoa1.3% (2017 est.) 0.1% (2016 est.) Topic: San Marino1% (2017 est.) 0.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe7.8% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) 5.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia-2% (2019 est.) -4.5% (2018 est.) -0.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Senegal-0.8% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Serbia-0.1% (2019 est.) -1.1% (2018 est.) 2% (2017 est.) Topic: Seychelles1.8% (2019 est.) 3.7% (2018 est.) 2.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone14.8% (2019 est.) 16% (2018 est.) 18.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Singapore0.5% (2019 est.) 0.4% (2018 est.) 0.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten4% (2012 est.) 0.7% (2009 est.) Topic: Slovakia2.6% (2019 est.) 2.5% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Slovenia1.6% (2019 est.) 1.7% (2018 est.) 1.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands0.5% (2017 est.) 0.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Somalia1.5% (2017 est.) -71.1% (2016 est.) Topic: South Africa4.1% (2019 est.) 4.6% (2018 est.) 5.2% (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudan187.9% (2017 est.) 379.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Spain0.7% (2019 est.) 1.6% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka4.3% (2019 est.) 4.2% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Sudan50.2% (2019 est.) 62.8% (2018 est.) 32.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Suriname22% (2017 est.) 55.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Sweden1.7% (2019 est.) 1.9% (2018 est.) 1.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerland0.3% (2019 est.) 0.9% (2018 est.) 0.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Syria28.1% (2017 est.) 47.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Taiwan0.5% (2019 est.) 1.3% (2018 est.) 0.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistan7.7% (2019 est.) 3.9% (2018 est.) 7.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzania3.4% (2019 est.) 3.5% (2018 est.) 5.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand0.7% (2019 est.) 1% (2018 est.) 0.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste0.6% (2017 est.) -1.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Togo0.6% (2019 est.) 0.9% (2018 est.) -0.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Tokelau4% (2020 est.) 2.5% (2019 est.) 11% (2017 est.) note: Tokelau notes that its wide inflation swings are due almost entirely due to cigarette prices, a chief import. Topic: Tonga7.4% (2017 est.) 2.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago1.9% (2017 est.) 3.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Tunisia6.7% (2019 est.) 7.2% (2018 est.) 5.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)15.4% (2019 est.) 16.2% (2018 est.) 11.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan8% (2017 est.) 3.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands4% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Tuvalu4.1% (2017 est.) 3.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Uganda2.8% (2019 est.) 2.6% (2018 est.) 5.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Ukraine7.9% (2019 est.) 11% (2018 est.) 14.4% (2017 est.) note: Excluding the temporarily occupied territories of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, the city of Sevastopol and part of the anti-terrorist operation zone Topic: United Arab Emirates-1.9% (2019 est.) 3% (2018 est.) 1.9% (2017 est.) Topic: United Kingdom1.7% (2019 est.) 2.4% (2018 est.) 2.6% (2017 est.) Topic: United States1.8% (2019 est.) 2.4% (2018 est.) 2.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Uruguay7.8% (2019 est.) 7.5% (2018 est.) 6.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan12.5% (2017 est.) 8% (2016 est.) note: official data; based on independent analysis of consumer prices, inflation reached 22% in 2012 Topic: Vanuatu3.1% (2017 est.) 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Venezuela146,101.7% (2019 est.) 45,518.1% (2018 est.) 416.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnam2.7% (2019 est.) 3.5% (2018 est.) 3.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands1% (2016 est.) 2.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futuna0.9% (2015) 2.8% (2005) Topic: West Bank0.2% (2017 est.) -0.2% (2016 est.) note: excludes Gaza Strip Topic: World6.4% (2017 est.) 3.7% (2016 est.) developed countries: 1.9% (2017 est.) 0.9% (2016 est.) developing countries: 8.8% (2017 est.) 3.7% (2016 est.) note: the above estimates are weighted averages; inflation in developed countries is 0% to 4% typically, in developing countries, 4% to 10% typically; national inflation rates vary widely in individual cases; inflation rates have declined for most countries for the last several years, held in check by increasing international competition from several low wage countries and by soft demand due to the world financial crisis Topic: Yemen24.7% (2017 est.) -12.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Zambia9.1% (2019 est.) 7.4% (2018 est.) 6.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe241.7% (2019 est.) 10.6% (2018 est.) 0.9% (2017 est.)

20220901

countries-belize

Topic: Photos of Belize Topic: Introduction Background: Belize was the site of several Mayan city states until their decline at the end of the first millennium A.D. The British and Spanish disputed the region in the 17th and 18th centuries; it formally became the colony of British Honduras in 1862. Territorial disputes between the UK and Guatemala delayed the independence of Belize until 1981. Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation until 1992 and the two countries are involved in an ongoing border dispute. Both nations have voted to send the dispute for final resolution to the International Court of Justice. Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy. Current concerns include the country's heavy foreign debt burden, high crime rates, high unemployment combined with a majority youth population, growing involvement in the Mexican and South American drug trade, and one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Central America.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 Mexico Geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 45 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 22,966 sq km land: 22,806 sq km water: 160 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Land boundaries: total: 542 km border countries (2): Guatemala 266 km; Mexico 276 km Coastline: 386 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm in the north, 3 nm in the south; note - from the mouth of the Sarstoon River to Ranguana Cay, Belize's territorial sea is 3 nm; according to Belize's Maritime Areas Act, 1992, the purpose of this limitation is to provide a framework for negotiating a definitive agreement on territorial differences with Guatemala exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Terrain: flat, swampy coastal plain; low mountains in south Elevation: highest point: Doyle's Delight 1,124 m lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 173 m Natural resources: arable land potential, timber, fish, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 6.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.) forest: 60.6% (2018 est.) other: 32.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 35 sq km (2012) Population distribution: approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east Natural hazards: frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) Geography - note: only country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean Map description: Belize map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea.Belize map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Caribbean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 412,387 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Belizean(s) adjective: Belizean Ethnic groups: Mestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, White 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3% (2010 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin Languages: English 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.5%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) Religions: Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Church of Jesus Christ, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.) Demographic profile: Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent.Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation.Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent.Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation. Age structure: 0-14 years: 32.57% (male 66,454/female 63,700) 15-24 years: 19% (male 39,238/female 36,683) 25-54 years: 37.72% (male 73,440/female 77,300) 55-64 years: 6.18% (male 12,235/female 12,444) 65 years and over: 4.53% (2020 est.) (male 8,781/female 9,323) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 52 youth dependency ratio: 44.4 elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 potential support ratio: 13.1 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 23.9 years male: 23 years female: 24.8 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.64% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 21.28 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 3.94 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: approximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east Urbanization: urban population: 46.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 23,000 BELMOPAN (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 36 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 11.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.82 years male: 74.23 years female: 77.5 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.62 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 51.4% (2015/16) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 99.4% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0.6% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6% (2019) Physicians density: 1.08 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Hospital bed density: 1 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 95.7% of population total: 97.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 4.3% of population total: 2.7% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 3,800 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <200 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 24.1% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.5% (2020 est.) male: 15.1% (2020 est.) female: 1.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 4.6% (2015/16) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 6.3% women married by age 18: 33.5% men married by age 18: 22.2% (2016 est.) Education expenditures: 7.9% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.3% male: 12.7% female: 28.5% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: deforestation; water pollution, including pollution of Belize's Barrier Reef System, from sewage, industrial effluents, agricultural runoff; inability to properly dispose of solid waste 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, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 21.23 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 0.57 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.55 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Land use: agricultural land: 6.9% (2018 est.) arable land: 3.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.4% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 2.2% (2018 est.) forest: 60.6% (2018 est.) other: 32.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 46.4% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.31% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 101,379 tons (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 11.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 21.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 68.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 21.734 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Belize former: British Honduras etymology: may be named for the Belize River, whose name possibly derives from the Maya word "belix," meaning "muddy-watered" Government type: parliamentary democracy (National Assembly) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Belmopan geographic coordinates: 17 15 N, 88 46 W time difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the decision to move the capital of the country inland to higher and more stable land was made in the 1960s; the name chosen for the new city was formed from the union of two words: "Belize," the name of the longest river in the country, and "Mopan," one of the rivers in the area of the new capital that empties into the Belize River Administrative divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo Independence: 21 September 1981 (from the UK) National holiday: Battle of St. George's Caye Day (National Day), 10 September (1798); Independence Day, 21 September (1981) Constitution: history: previous 1954, 1963 (preindependence); latest signed and entered into force 21 September 1981 amendments: proposed and adopted by two-thirds majority vote of the National Assembly House of Representatives except for amendments relating to rights and freedoms, changes to the Assembly, and to elections and judiciary matters, which require at least three-quarters majority vote of the House; both types of amendments require assent of the governor general; amended several times, last in 2017 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: yes 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); represented by Governor Froyla TZALAM (since 27 May 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Juan Antonio BRICENO (since 12 November 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Cordel HYDE (since 16 November 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among members of the National Assembly 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; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: Senate (14 seats, including the president); 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 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, non-governmental organizations in good standing, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; Senate president elected from among the Senate members or from outside the Senate; members serve 5-year terms House of Representatives (31 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) elections: Senate -  last appointed 11 November 2020 (next appointments in November 2025) House of Representatives - last held on 11 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2025) election results: Senate - all members appointed; composition as of March 2022 - composition - men 9, women 5, percent of women 35.7% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PUP 59.6%, UDP 38.8%, other 1.6%; seats by party - PUP 26, UDP 5; composition as of March 2022 -  men 27, women 4, percent of women 12.9%; note - total percent of women in the National Assembly 20%   Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Judicature (consists of the Court of Appeal with the court president and 3 justices, and the Supreme Court with the chief justice and 10 justices); note - in 2010, Belize acceded to the Caribbean Court of Justice as the final court of appeal, replacing that of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal president and justices appointed by the governor-general upon advice of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; justices' tenures vary by terms of appointment; Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the prime minister and the National Assembly opposition leader; other judges appointed by the governor-general upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Services Section of the Public Services Commission and with the concurrence of the prime minister after consultation with the National Assembly opposition leader; judges can be appointed beyond age 65 but must retire by age 75; in 2013, the Supreme Court chief justice overturned a constitutional amendment that had restricted Court of Appeal judge appointments to as short as 1 year subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Family Court Political parties and leaders: Belize Progressive Party or BPP [Wil MAHEIA] (formed in 2015 from a merger of the People's National Party, elements of the Vision Inspired by the People, and other smaller political groups) People's United Party or PUP [Juan Antonio "Johnny" BRICENO] United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean Oliver Barrow and Patrick FABER] Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Hubert ENRIQUEZ] International organization participation: ACP, AOSIS, C, Caricom, CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, Petrocaribe, SICA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lynn Raymond YOUNG (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-2826 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 email address and website: reception.usa@mfa.gov.bz https://www.belizeembassyusa.mfa.gov.bz/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York (consular services temporarily suspended beginning 18 December 2020) consulate(s): Miami Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d’Affaires Leyla MOSES-ONES (since August 2021) embassy: Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo mailing address: 3050 Belmopan Place, Washington DC  20521-3050 telephone: (501) 822-4011 FAX: (501) 822-4012 email address and website: ACSBelize@state.gov https://bz.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: royal blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland of 50 mahogany leaves; the colors are those of the two main political parties: blue for the PUP and red for the UDP; various elements of the coat of arms - the figures, the tools, the mahogany tree, and the garland of leaves - recall the logging industry that led to British settlement of Belize note: Belize's flag is the only national flag that depicts human beings; two British overseas territories, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands, also depict humans National symbol(s): Baird's tapir (a large, browsing, forest-dwelling mammal), keel-billed toucan, Black Orchid; national colors: red, blue National anthem: name: 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) National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System Topic: Economy Economic overview: Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil.   The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, but GPD growth has averaged only 2.1% from 2007-2016, with 2.5% growth estimated for 2017. Belize’s dependence on energy imports makes it susceptible to energy price shocks.   Although Belize has the third highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains reducing poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. High unemployment, a growing trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt, and a growing trade imbalance.Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, but GPD growth has averaged only 2.1% from 2007-2016, with 2.5% growth estimated for 2017. Belize’s dependence on energy imports makes it susceptible to energy price shocks. Although Belize has the third highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains reducing poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. High unemployment, a growing trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt, and a growing trade imbalance. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $2.43 billion (2020 est.) $2.83 billion (2019 est.) $2.78 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 0.8% (2017 est.) -0.5% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $6,100 (2020 est.) $7,300 (2019 est.) $7,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1.854 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.1% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Caa3 (2020) Standard & Poors rating: CCC+ (2020) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 10.3% (2017 est.) industry: 21.6% (2017 est.) services: 68% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 75.1% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.2% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -63.2% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar care, oranges, bananas, maize, poultry, rice, sorghum, papayas, grapefruit, soybeans Industries: garment production, food processing, tourism, construction, oil Industrial production growth rate: -0.6% (2017 est.) Labor force: 120,500 (2008 est.) note: shortage of skilled labor and all types of technical personnel Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 10.2% industry: 18.1% services: 71.7% (2007 est.) Unemployment rate: 9% (2017 est.) 8% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.3% male: 12.7% female: 28.5% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 41% (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 553.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 572 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 99% of GDP (2017 est.) 95.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 29.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: -$143 million (2017 est.) -$163 million (2016 est.) Exports: $710 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.1 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.07 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United Kingdom 27%, United States 24%, Spain 6%, Jamaica 5%, Ireland 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: raw sugar, bananas, fruit juice, fish products, crude petroleum (2019) Imports: $900 million (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.2 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.16 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: United States 36%, China 13%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 10% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cigarettes, recreational boats, natural gas, cars (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $312.1 million (31 December 2017 est.) $376.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.315 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $1.338 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Belizean dollars (BZD) per US dollar - 2 (2017 est.) 2 (2016 est.) 2 (2015 est.) 2 (2014 est.) 2 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.5% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 98.2% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 100% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 204,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 992.305 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 240 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 80.3 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 63.6% 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: 13.4% 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: 22.9% 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: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 36 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 4,161 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: 541,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 541,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 31.552 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 19,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 264,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 66 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Belize’s fixed-line teledensity and mobile subscriptions remain lower than average for the region, a legacy of insufficient market competition and low investment in telecoms services, exacerbated by lax managerial standards within the incumbent telco Digi; Digi has undertaken significant investment in infrastructure, launching an LTE-A service at the end of 2016 and in mid-2017 completing a submarine cable to Ambergris Caye, enabling it to launch an FttP service in San Pedro; loans secured since 2017 enabled the company to migrate its infrastructure from legacy copper to fiber; BTL invested BZ$93 million dollars to provide high speed broadband to 80% of residences across Belize; the telecom market was liberalized in 2003 yet Digi continues to hold a monopoly in fixed-line services, and it remains the dominant provider of mobile and broadband services; the government has undertaken some measures to improve competition, notably by obliging Digi in mid-2013 to open its networks to VoIP services. (2021) domestic: roughly 5 per 100 fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity of 65 per 100 persons; mobile sector accounting for over 90% of all phone subscriptions (2019) international: country code - 501; landing points for the ARCOS and SEUL fiber-optic telecommunications submarine cable that provides links to South and Central America, parts of the Caribbean, and the US; satellite earth station - 8 (Intelsat - 2, unknown - 6) (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: 8 privately owned TV stations; multi-channel cable TV provides access to foreign stations; about 25 radio stations broadcasting on roughly 50 different frequencies; state-run radio was privatized in 1998 (2019) Internet country code: .bz Internet users: total: 202,787 (2020 est.) percent of population: 51% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 36,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 28 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,297,533 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3.78 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: V3 Airports: total: 47 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 41 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 11 under 914 m: 29 (2021) Roadways: total: 3,281 km (2017) paved: 601 km (2017) unpaved: 2,680 km (2017) Waterways: 825 km (2011) (navigable only by small craft) Merchant marine: total: 813 by type: bulk carrier 54, container ship 1, general cargo 428, oil tanker 70, other 260 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Belize City, Big Creek Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Belize 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 Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $35 million) 1.4% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $35 million) 1.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $30 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 1,300 BDF personnel; approximately 300 Belize Coast Guard (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the BDF's inventory is limited and consists mostly of UK- and US-origin equipment (2022) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient, but conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation 12 years (2022) Military - note: the BDF traces its history back to the Prince Regent Royal Honduras Militia, a volunteer force established in 1817; the BDF was established in 1978 from the disbanded Police Special Force and the Belize Volunteer Guard to assist the resident British forces with the defense of Belize against Guatemala the British Army has maintained a presence in Belize since its independence; as of 2022, the presence consisted of a small training support unit that provides jungle training to troops from the UK and international partnersthe BDF traces its history back to the Prince Regent Royal Honduras Militia, a volunteer force established in 1817; the BDF was established in 1978 from the disbanded Police Special Force and the Belize Volunteer Guard to assist the resident British forces with the defense of Belize against Guatemalathe British Army has maintained a presence in Belize since its independence; as of 2022, the presence consisted of a small training support unit that provides jungle training to troops from the UK and international partners Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Belize-Guatemala: Demarcated but insecure boundary due to Guatemala’s claims to more than half of Belizean territory.  Line of Adjacency operates in lieu of an international boundary to control influx of Guatemalan squatters onto Belizean territory. Smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation and debt bondage are all problems. Belize lacks resources to detect and extradite impoverished Guatemalan peasants squatting in Belizean rain forests in the remote border areas.  Belize-Mexico: Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty. Transshipment of illegal narcotics, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and the growing of marijuana in very low population areas are all issues in the region today.Belize-Guatemala: Demarcated but insecure boundary due to Guatemala’s claims to more than half of Belizean territory.  Line of Adjacency operates in lieu of an international boundary to control influx of Guatemalan squatters onto Belizean territory. Smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and human trafficking for sexual exploitation and debt bondage are all problems. Belize lacks resources to detect and extradite impoverished Guatemalan peasants squatting in Belizean rain forests in the remote border areas. Belize-Mexico: Belize and Mexico are working to solve minor border demarcation discrepancies arising from inaccuracies in the 1898 border treaty. Transshipment of illegal narcotics, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and the growing of marijuana in very low population areas are all issues in the region today. Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims and Belizeans abroad; Belizean and foreign women, men, and girls and LGBTI persons, mainly from Central America, are sex trafficked in bars, nightclubs, hotels, and brothels; men, women, and children from Central America, Mexico, and Asia may migrate voluntarily to Belize seeking work and then are subjected to forced labor in restaurants, shops, domestic work, and agriculture; foreign child sex tourists exploit children in tourist areas tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Belize does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities initiated more trafficking investigations, convicted a trafficker, screened for potential trafficking victims during labor inspections, and continued to implement a 2018-2020 national anti-trafficking action plan; anti-trafficking training was provided to the anti-trafficking police unit, immigration officers, prosecutors, judges, prison officials, and social workers; however, the government did not initiate any new trafficking prosecutions and continued to apply victim identification procedures inconsistently; corruption and official complicity in trafficking remained concerns, but no investigations, prosecutions, or convictions of government employees were reported (2020) Illicit drugs: Belize is a transit country for illegal drugs, mainly cocaine, originating from countries in South America; low domestic drug consumption problem outside of recreational cannabisBelize is a transit country for illegal drugs, mainly cocaine, originating from countries in South America; low domestic drug consumption problem outside of recreational cannabis

20220901

countries-bermuda

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20220901

countries-georgia

Topic: Photos of Georgia Topic: Introduction Background: The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and good governance during his time in power, but also faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was also complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that led to periodic flare-ups in tension and violence and that culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions. Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI became president in November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI and SAAKASHVILI then left the country. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the following years, the prime minister position has seen frequent turnover. Most recently, Irakli GARIBASHVILI became prime minister in February 2021, replacing Giorgi GAKHARIA, who later in the year formed his own opposition party. In October 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse of office convictions. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. SAAKASHVILI made progress on market reforms and good governance during his time in power, but also faced accusations of abuse of office. Progress was also complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia that led to periodic flare-ups in tension and violence and that culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions.Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI became president in November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI and SAAKASHVILI then left the country. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and in the following years, the prime minister position has seen frequent turnover. Most recently, Irakli GARIBASHVILI became prime minister in February 2021, replacing Giorgi GAKHARIA, who later in the year formed his own opposition party. In October 2021, SAAKASHVILI returned to Georgia, where he was immediately arrested to serve six years in prison on outstanding abuse of office convictions. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both Geographic coordinates: 42 00 N, 43 30 E Map references: Asia Area: total: 69,700 sq km land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti Area - comparative: slightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,814 km border countries (4): Armenia 219 km; Azerbaijan 428 km; Russia 894 km; Turkey 273 km Coastline: 310 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Terrain: largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; fertile soils in river valley flood plains and foothills of Kolkhida Lowland Elevation: highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,193 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m mean elevation: 1,432 m Natural resources: timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth Land use: agricultural land: 35.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 5.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.9% (2018 est.) forest: 39.4% (2018 est.) other: 25.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 4,330 sq km (2012) Population distribution: settlement concentrated in the central valley, particularly in the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest Natural hazards: earthquakes Geography - note: note 1: strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them note 2: the world's four deepest caves are all in Georgia, including two that are the only known caves on earth deeper than 2,000 m: Krubera Cave at -2,197 m (-7,208 ft; reached in 2012) and Veryovkina Cave at -2,212 (-7,257 ft; reached in 2018) Map description: Georgia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea.Georgia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Black Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 4,935,518 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian Ethnic groups: Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.) Languages: Georgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1%; note - Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.) major-language sample(s): მსოფლიო ფაქტების წიგნი, ძირითადი ინფორმაციის აუცილებელი წყარო. (Georgian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Orthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 18.42% (male 472,731/female 435,174) 15-24 years: 10.9% (male 286,518/female 250,882) 25-54 years: 40.59% (male 984,942/female 1,016,353) 55-64 years: 13.24% (male 288,650/female 364,117) 65 years and over: 16.85% (2020 est.) (male 326,219/female 504,444) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55 youth dependency ratio: 31.3 elderly dependency ratio: 23.6 potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 38.6 years male: 35.9 years female: 41.4 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.03% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 11 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 10.8 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: settlement concentrated in the central valley, particularly in the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest Urbanization: urban population: 60.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia Major urban areas - population: 1.080 million TBILISI (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.54 male(s)/female total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 25.9 years (2019 est.) note: data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia Maternal mortality ratio: 25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.5 years male: 73.45 years female: 81.74 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.75 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 40.6% (2018) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.4% of population rural: 94.3% of population total: 97.3% of population unimproved: urban: 0.6% of population rural: 5.7% of population total: 2.7% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.7% (2019) Physicians density: 5.11 physicians/1,000 population (2020) Hospital bed density: 2.9 beds/1,000 population (2014) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 96.3% of population rural: 72.7% of population total: 86.7% of population unimproved: urban: 3.7% of population rural: 27.3% of population total: 13.3% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 9,100 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.7% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 31.7% (2020 est.) male: 56.3% (2020 est.) female: 7.1% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.1% (2018) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.3% women married by age 18: 13.9% men married by age 18: 0.5% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 3.8% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.6% male: 99.7% female: 99.5% (2019) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 16 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 39.4% male: 40.1% female: 38.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy water pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals; land and forest degradation; biodiversity loss; waste management Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, 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 Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands 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: 10.13 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 6.05 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast Land use: agricultural land: 35.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 5.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 27.9% (2018 est.) forest: 39.4% (2018 est.) other: 25.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 60.3% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 800,000 tons (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 359,974,627.7 cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 402,206,287.9 cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 1,060,819,084.4 cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 63.33 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic etymology: the Western name may derive from the Persian designation "gurgan" meaning "Land of the Wolves"; the native name "Sak'art'velo" means "Land of the Kartvelians" and refers to the core central Georgian region of Kartli Government type: semi-presidential republic Capital: name: Tbilisi geographic coordinates: 41 41 N, 44 50 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name in Georgian means "warm place," referring to the numerous sulfuric hot springs in the area Administrative divisions: 9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti city: Tbilisi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note 1: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses note 2: the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeticity: Tbilisiautonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) Independence: 9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III) National holiday: Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union Constitution: history: previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995 amendments: proposed as a draft law supported by more than one half of the Parliament membership or by petition of at least 200,000 voters; passage requires support by at least three fourths of the Parliament membership in two successive sessions three months apart and the signature and promulgation by the president of Georgia; amended several times, last in 2020 (legislative electoral system revised) Legal system: civil law 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 Georgia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Salome ZOURABICHVILI (since 16 December 2018) head of government: Prime Minister Irakli GARIBASHVILI (since 22 February 2021) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers 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 28 November 2018 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president note - 2017 constitutional amendments made the 2018 election the last where the president was directly elected; future presidents will be elected by a 300-member College of Electors; in light of these changes, ZOURABICHVILI was allowed a six-year term election results: 2018 Salome ZOURABICHVILI elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Salome ZOURABICHVILI (independent, backed by Georgian Dream) 59.5%, Grigol VASHADZE (UNM) 40.5%; Irakli GARIBASHVILI approved as prime minister by Parliamentary vote 89-2 2013 Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI is sworn in as president (Georgian Dream) 62.1%, David BAKRADZE (ENM) 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE (DM-UG) 10.2%, other 6% Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats statutory, 144 current; 120 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed, party-list proportional representation vote and 30 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by at least 50% majority vote, with a runoff if needed; no party earning less than 40% of total votes may claim a majority; members serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 31 October and 21 November 2020 (next to be held in October 2024) election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.2%, UNM 27.2%, European Georgia 3.8%, Lelo 3.2%, Strategy 3.2%, Alliance of Patriots 3.1%, Girchi 2.9%, Citizens 1.3%, Labor 1%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 90, UNM 36, European Georgia 5, Lelo 4, Strategy 4, Alliance of Patriots 4, Girchi 4, Citizens 2, Labor 1; composition (as of October 2021) - men 117, women 27, percent of women 18.8% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 28 judges organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges); note - the Abkhazian and Ajarian Autonomous republics each have a supreme court and a hierarchy of lower courts judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the High Council of Justice (a 14-member body consisting of the Supreme Court chairperson, common court judges, and appointees of the president of Georgia) and appointed by Parliament; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed 3 each by the president, by Parliament, and by the Supreme Court judges; judges appointed for 10-year terms subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance of Patriots [Irma INASHVILI] Citizens Party [Aleko ELISASHVILI] European Georgia-Movement for Liberty [Davit BAKRADZE] European Socialists [Fridon INJIA] For Georgia [Giorgi GAKHARIA] Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Irakli KOBAKHIDZE] Girchi-More Freedom [Zurab JAPARIDZE] Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI] Lelo for Georgia [Mamuka KHAZARADZE] New Political Centre-Girchi [Iago KHVICHIA] Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE] Strategy Aghmashenebeli [Giorgi VASHADZE] United National Movement or UNM [Nikanor "Nika" MELIA] International organization participation: ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CPLP (associate), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David ZALKALIANI (since 7 June 2022) chancery: 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 387-0864 email address and website: embgeo.usa@mfa.gov.ge https://georgiaembassyusa.org/contact/ consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kelly C. DEGNAN (since 31 January 2020) embassy: 11 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue, Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi, 0131 mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC  20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 227-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 253-23-10 email address and website: askconsultbilisi@state.gov https://ge.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross design is based on a 14th century banner of the Kingdom of Georgia National symbol(s): Saint George, lion; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 4 (3 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Gelati Monastery (c); Historical Monuments of Mtskheta (c); Upper Svaneti (c); Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its electricity needs.   Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit hub for gas, oil, and other goods.   Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment, remittances, and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sank to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-17, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment remains persistently high.   The country is pinning its hopes for faster growth on a continued effort to build up infrastructure, enhance support for entrepreneurship, simplify regulations, and improve professional education, in order to attract foreign investment and boost employment, with a focus on transportation projects, tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Georgia had historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia concluded an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. In 2017, Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as part of Tbilisi’s efforts to diversify its economic ties. Georgia is seeking to develop its Black Sea ports to further facilitate East-West trade.Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its electricity needs. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit hub for gas, oil, and other goods. Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment, remittances, and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sank to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-17, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment remains persistently high. The country is pinning its hopes for faster growth on a continued effort to build up infrastructure, enhance support for entrepreneurship, simplify regulations, and improve professional education, in order to attract foreign investment and boost employment, with a focus on transportation projects, tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Georgia had historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia concluded an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. In 2017, Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as part of Tbilisi’s efforts to diversify its economic ties. Georgia is seeking to develop its Black Sea ports to further facilitate East-West trade. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $52.33 billion (2020 est.) $55.76 billion (2019 est.) $53.12 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2017 est.) 2.8% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $14,100 (2020 est.) $15,000 (2019 est.) $14,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $17.694 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 4.8% (2019 est.) 2.6% (2018 est.) 6% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB (2019) Moody's rating: Ba2 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 8.2% (2017 est.) industry: 23.7% (2017 est.) services: 67.9% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 62.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 17.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29.5% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 50.4% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -62.2% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: milk, grapes, maize, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, tomatoes, tangerines/mandarins, barley, apples Industries: steel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, gold), chemicals, wood products, wine Industrial production growth rate: 6.7% (2017 est.) Labor force: 686,000 (2019 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 55.6% industry: 8.9% services: 35.5% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 11.8% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 39.4% male: 40.1% female: 38.3% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 19.5% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 36.4 (2018 est.) 46 (2011) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 31.3% (2008) Budget: revenues: 4.352 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.925 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 44.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 44.4% 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; Georgia does not maintain intragovernmental debt or social funds Taxes and other revenues: 28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.348 billion (2017 est.) -$1.84 billion (2016 est.) Exports: $5.94 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $9.54 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $8.9 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Russia 12%, Azerbaijan 12%, Armenia 9%, Bulgaria 8%, China 6%, Turkey 6%, Ukraine 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: copper, cars, iron alloys, wine, packaged medicines (2019) Imports: $8.94 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $11.11 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $10.77 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Turkey 17%, China 11%, Russia 9%, Azerbaijan 6%, United States 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, copper, packaged medicines, natural gas (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $3.039 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $2.756 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $18.149 billion (2019 est.) $17.608 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: laris (GEL) per US dollar - 2.535 (2017 est.) 2.3668 (2016 est.) 2.3668 (2015 est.) 2.2694 (2014 est.) 1.7657 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 4.579 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 12,062,080,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 256 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 1.712 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 918.2 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 25.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 73.9% 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: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 247 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 2,052 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 28,490 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 6.088 million cubic meters (2020 est.) consumption: 2,539,649,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 2,534,892,000 cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 8.495 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 10.299 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.063 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 4.245 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 4.992 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 63.286 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 387,698 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 5,100,101 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the telecom sector has been attempting for many years to overcome the decades of under-investment in its fixed-line infrastructure during the Soviet era; concerted efforts to privatize state-owned enterprises and open up the telecom market have been mostly successful, with a large number of networks now competing in both the fixed-line and the mobile segments; more needs to be done, however, to give investors the confidence to enter a market that has barely moved in terms of revenue growth over the last decade, and where regulatory overreach has sometimes come perilously close to arresting further development; Georgia’s government moved fast following the collapse of the Soviet Union to liberalize the country’s telecom market; this resulted in a relatively high number of networks competing in the under-developed fixed-line segment as well as in the emerging mobile market; both segments remain dominated by just a few companies, with SilkNet and MagtiCom holding the lion’s share. (2022) domestic: fixed-line subscriptions over 9 per 100, cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 128 per 100 persons; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi; the mobile and mobile broadband segments have both demonstrated solid growth in 2021, (2020) international: country code - 995; landing points for the Georgia-Russia, Diamond Link Global, and Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Russia, Romania and Bulgaria; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (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: The Tbilisi-based Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2, and the Batumi-based Adjara TV, and the State Budget funds all three; there are also a number of independent commercial television broadcasters, such as Imedi, Rustavi 2, Pirveli TV, Maestro, Kavkasia, Georgian Dream Studios (GDS), Obiektivi, Mtavari Arkhi, and a small Russian language operator TOK TV; Tabula and Post TV are web-based television outlets; all of these broadcasters and web-based television outlets, except GDS, carry the news; the Georgian Orthodox Church also operates a satellite-based television station called Unanimity; there are 26 regional television broadcasters across Georgia that are members of the Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters and/or the Alliance of Georgian Broadcasters; the broadcaster organizations seek to strengthen the regional media's capacities and distribution of regional products: a nationwide digital switchover occurred in 2015; there are several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations (2019) Internet country code: .ge Internet users: total: 2,717,583 (2020 est.) percent of population: 73% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 972,162 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (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: 516,034 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 750,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 4L Airports: total: 22 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 2 (2021) Pipelines: 1,596 km gas, 1,175 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 1,363 km (2014) narrow gauge: 37 km (2014) 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) broad gauge: 1,326 km (2014) 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified) Roadways: total: 20,295 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 25 by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 3, other 20 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Black Sea - Batumi, Poti Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Georgian 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) Military expenditures: 1.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2019) (approximately $780 million) 1.9% of GDP (2018) (approximately $760 million) 1.9% of GDP (2017) (approximately $750 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 30,000 troops, including active National Guard forces (2022) note: in December 2020, the Parliament of Georgia adopted a resolution determining that the Georgian Defense Forces would have maximum peacetime strength of 37,000 troops Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Georgian Defense Forces are equipped mostly with older Russian and Soviet-era weapons; since 2010, it has received limited quantities of equipment from European countries and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-27 years of age for voluntary active duty military service; conscription abolished in 2016, but reinstated in 2017 for men 18 to 27 years of age; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2022) note 1: approximately 6-7,000 individuals are called up annually for conscription for service; approximately 25% enter the Defense Forces, while the remainder serve in the Ministry of Internal Affairs or as prison guards in the Ministry of Corrections note 2: as of 2019, women made up about 6% of the military's full-time personnel Military - note: as of 2022, approximately 7-10,000 Russian troops continued to occupy the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with GeorgiaRussia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 25,771 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) IDPs: 305,000 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2021) stateless persons: 534 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: located on a major drug trafficking route where Southwest Asian opium, heroin and precursor chemicals are transported; marijuana trafficking increasedlocated on a major drug trafficking route where Southwest Asian opium, heroin and precursor chemicals are transported; marijuana trafficking increased

20220901

field-government-note

This entry includes miscellaneous government information of significance not included elsewhere. Topic: Chinain 2018, the Chinese Government established an investigatory National Supervisory Commission to oversee all state employees Topic: French Polynesiaunder certain acts of France, French Polynesia has acquired autonomy in all areas except those relating to police, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are fashioned after those of the French prime minister Topic: Somaliaregional and local governing bodies continue to exist and control various areas of the country, including the self-declared Republic of Somaliland in northwestern Somalia

20220901

places-references-terrorist-organizations

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

field-economic-overview

This entry briefly describes five economic components for a given country: * National Economy, including a brief economic history; * Domestic Markets, including labor and wage markets, as well as brief commentary on economic sector portfolios; * Financial Power and Public Finance, including brief discussions of financial market strengths and security, lending/exchange rates (especially if abnormalities exist), and foreign direct investments; * Trade Power and Influence, including brief commentary on chief imports and exports; and * Regional Strategy and Efforts, including key partners, regional economic development efforts, and any underlying economic data integrity concerns. Topic: AfghanistanPrior to 2001, Afghanistan was an extremely poor, landlocked, and foreign aid-dependent country. Increased domestic economic activity occurred following the US-led invasion, as well as significant international economic development assistance. This increased activity expanded access to water, electricity, sanitation, education, and health services, and fostered consistent growth in government revenues since 2014. While international security forces have been drawing down since 2012, with much higher U.S. forces’ drawdowns occurring since 2017, economic progress continues, albeit uneven across sectors and key economic indicators. After recovering from the 2018 drought and growing 3.9% in 2019, political instability, expiring international financial commitments, and the COVID-19 pandemic have wrought significant adversity on the Afghan economy, with a projected 5% contraction. Current political parties’ power-sharing agreement following the September 2019 presidential elections as well as ongoing Taliban attacks and peace talks have led to Afghan economic instability. This instability, coupled with expiring international grant and assistance, endangers recent fiscal gains and has led to more internally displaced persons. In November 2020, Afghanistan secured $12 billion in additional international aid for 2021-2025, much of which is conditional upon Taliban peace progress. Additionally, Afghanistan continues to experience influxes of repatriating Afghanis, mostly from Iran, significantly straining economic and security institutions. Afghanistan’s trade deficit remains at approximately 31% of GDP and is highly dependent on financing through grants and aid. While Afghan agricultural growth remains consistent, recent industrial and services growth have been enormously impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and trade cessations. While trade with the People’s Republic of China has rapidly expanded in recent years, Afghanistan still relies heavily upon India and Pakistan as export partners but is more diverse in its import partners. Furthermore, Afghanistan still struggles to effectively enforce business contracts, facilitate easy tax collection, and enable greater international trade for domestic enterprises. Current Afghan priorities focus on the following goals: Securing international economic agreements, many of which are contingent on Taliban peace progress; Increasing exports to $2 billion USD by 2023; Continuing to expand government revenue collection; Countering corruption and navigating challenges from the power-sharing agreement; and Developing a strong private sector that can empower the economy. Prior to 2001, Afghanistan was an extremely poor, landlocked, and foreign aid-dependent country. Increased domestic economic activity occurred following the US-led invasion, as well as significant international economic development assistance. This increased activity expanded access to water, electricity, sanitation, education, and health services, and fostered consistent growth in government revenues since 2014. While international security forces have been drawing down since 2012, with much higher U.S. forces’ drawdowns occurring since 2017, economic progress continues, albeit uneven across sectors and key economic indicators. After recovering from the 2018 drought and growing 3.9% in 2019, political instability, expiring international financial commitments, and the COVID-19 pandemic have wrought significant adversity on the Afghan economy, with a projected 5% contraction.Current political parties’ power-sharing agreement following the September 2019 presidential elections as well as ongoing Taliban attacks and peace talks have led to Afghan economic instability. This instability, coupled with expiring international grant and assistance, endangers recent fiscal gains and has led to more internally displaced persons. In November 2020, Afghanistan secured $12 billion in additional international aid for 2021-2025, much of which is conditional upon Taliban peace progress. Additionally, Afghanistan continues to experience influxes of repatriating Afghanis, mostly from Iran, significantly straining economic and security institutions.Afghanistan’s trade deficit remains at approximately 31% of GDP and is highly dependent on financing through grants and aid. While Afghan agricultural growth remains consistent, recent industrial and services growth have been enormously impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and trade cessations. While trade with the People’s Republic of China has rapidly expanded in recent years, Afghanistan still relies heavily upon India and Pakistan as export partners but is more diverse in its import partners. Furthermore, Afghanistan still struggles to effectively enforce business contracts, facilitate easy tax collection, and enable greater international trade for domestic enterprises. Current Afghan priorities focus on the following goals: Topic: AkrotiriEconomic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Akrotiri. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Topic: AlbaniaAlbania, 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. Topic: AlgeriaAlgeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist post-independence development model. In recent years the Algerian Government has halted the privatization of state-owned industries and imposed restrictions on imports and foreign involvement in its economy, pursuing an explicit import substitution policy.   Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 30% of GDP, 60% of budget revenues, and nearly 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world - including the 3rd-largest reserves of shale gas - and is the 6th-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th in proven oil reserves. Hydrocarbon exports enabled Algeria to maintain macroeconomic stability, amass large foreign currency reserves, and maintain low external debt while global oil prices were high. With lower oil prices since 2014, Algeria’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by more than half and its oil stabilization fund has decreased from about $20 billion at the end of 2013 to about $7 billion in 2017, which is the statutory minimum.   Declining oil prices have also reduced the government’s ability to use state-driven growth to distribute rents and fund generous public subsidies, and the government has been under pressure to reduce spending. Over the past three years, the government has enacted incremental increases in some taxes, resulting in modest increases in prices for gasoline, cigarettes, alcohol, and certain imported goods, but it has refrained from reducing subsidies, particularly for education, healthcare, and housing programs.   Algiers has increased protectionist measures since 2015 to limit its import bill and encourage domestic production of non-oil and gas industries. Since 2015, the government has imposed additional restrictions on access to foreign exchange for imports, and import quotas for specific products, such as cars. In January 2018 the government imposed an indefinite suspension on the importation of roughly 850 products, subject to periodic review.   President BOUTEFLIKA announced in fall 2017 that Algeria intends to develop its non-conventional energy resources. Algeria has struggled to develop non-hydrocarbon industries because of heavy regulation and an emphasis on state-driven growth. Algeria has not increased non-hydrocarbon exports, and hydrocarbon exports have declined because of field depletion and increased domestic demand.Algeria's economy remains dominated by the state, a legacy of the country's socialist post-independence development model. In recent years the Algerian Government has halted the privatization of state-owned industries and imposed restrictions on imports and foreign involvement in its economy, pursuing an explicit import substitution policy. Hydrocarbons have long been the backbone of the economy, accounting for roughly 30% of GDP, 60% of budget revenues, and nearly 95% of export earnings. Algeria has the 10th-largest reserves of natural gas in the world - including the 3rd-largest reserves of shale gas - and is the 6th-largest gas exporter. It ranks 16th in proven oil reserves. Hydrocarbon exports enabled Algeria to maintain macroeconomic stability, amass large foreign currency reserves, and maintain low external debt while global oil prices were high. With lower oil prices since 2014, Algeria’s foreign exchange reserves have declined by more than half and its oil stabilization fund has decreased from about $20 billion at the end of 2013 to about $7 billion in 2017, which is the statutory minimum. Declining oil prices have also reduced the government’s ability to use state-driven growth to distribute rents and fund generous public subsidies, and the government has been under pressure to reduce spending. Over the past three years, the government has enacted incremental increases in some taxes, resulting in modest increases in prices for gasoline, cigarettes, alcohol, and certain imported goods, but it has refrained from reducing subsidies, particularly for education, healthcare, and housing programs. Algiers has increased protectionist measures since 2015 to limit its import bill and encourage domestic production of non-oil and gas industries. Since 2015, the government has imposed additional restrictions on access to foreign exchange for imports, and import quotas for specific products, such as cars. In January 2018 the government imposed an indefinite suspension on the importation of roughly 850 products, subject to periodic review. President BOUTEFLIKA announced in fall 2017 that Algeria intends to develop its non-conventional energy resources. Algeria has struggled to develop non-hydrocarbon industries because of heavy regulation and an emphasis on state-driven growth. Algeria has not increased non-hydrocarbon exports, and hydrocarbon exports have declined because of field depletion and increased domestic demand. Topic: American SamoaAmerican Samoa s a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and processing are the backbone of the private sector with processed fish products as the primary exports. The fish processing business accounted for 15.5% of employment in 2015.   In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency oversaw a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.   Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism has some potential as a source of income and jobs.American Samoa s a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and processing are the backbone of the private sector with processed fish products as the primary exports. The fish processing business accounted for 15.5% of employment in 2015. In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency oversaw a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism has some potential as a source of income and jobs. Topic: AndorraAndorra has a developed economy and a free market, with per capita income above the European average and above the level of its neighbors, Spain and France. The country has developed a sophisticated infrastructure including a one-of-a-kind micro-fiber-optic network for the entire country. Tourism, retail sales, and finance comprise more than three-quarters of GDP. Duty-free shopping for some products and the country’s summer and winter resorts attract millions of visitors annually. Andorra uses the euro and is effectively subject to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. Andorra's comparative advantage as a tax haven eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened and the government eased bank secrecy laws under pressure from the EU and OECD.   Agricultural production is limited - only about 5% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported, making the economy vulnerable to changes in fuel and food prices. The principal livestock is sheep. Manufacturing output and exports consist mainly of perfumes and cosmetic products, products of the printing industry, electrical machinery and equipment, clothing, tobacco products, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products.   To provide incentives for growth and diversification in the economy, the Andorran government began sweeping economic reforms in 2006. The Parliament approved three laws to complement the first phase of economic openness: on companies (October 2007), on business accounting (December 2007), and on foreign investment (April 2008 and June 2012). From 2011 to 2015, the Parliament also approved direct taxes in the form of taxes on corporations, on individual incomes of residents and non-residents, and on capital gains, savings, and economic activities. These regulations aim to establish a transparent, modern, and internationally comparable regulatory framework, in order to attract foreign investment and businesses that offer higher value added.Andorra has a developed economy and a free market, with per capita income above the European average and above the level of its neighbors, Spain and France. The country has developed a sophisticated infrastructure including a one-of-a-kind micro-fiber-optic network for the entire country. Tourism, retail sales, and finance comprise more than three-quarters of GDP. Duty-free shopping for some products and the country’s summer and winter resorts attract millions of visitors annually. Andorra uses the euro and is effectively subject to the monetary policy of the European Central Bank. Andorra's comparative advantage as a tax haven eroded when the borders of neighboring France and Spain opened and the government eased bank secrecy laws under pressure from the EU and OECD. Agricultural production is limited - only about 5% of the land is arable - and most food has to be imported, making the economy vulnerable to changes in fuel and food prices. The principal livestock is sheep. Manufacturing output and exports consist mainly of perfumes and cosmetic products, products of the printing industry, electrical machinery and equipment, clothing, tobacco products, and furniture. Andorra is a member of the EU Customs Union and is treated as an EU member for trade in manufactured goods (no tariffs) and as a non-EU member for agricultural products. To provide incentives for growth and diversification in the economy, the Andorran government began sweeping economic reforms in 2006. The Parliament approved three laws to complement the first phase of economic openness: on companies (October 2007), on business accounting (December 2007), and on foreign investment (April 2008 and June 2012). From 2011 to 2015, the Parliament also approved direct taxes in the form of taxes on corporations, on individual incomes of residents and non-residents, and on capital gains, savings, and economic activities. These regulations aim to establish a transparent, modern, and internationally comparable regulatory framework, in order to attract foreign investment and businesses that offer higher value added. Topic: AngolaAngola's economy is overwhelmingly driven by its oil sector. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 50% of GDP, more than 70% of government revenue, and more than 90% of the country's exports; Angola is an OPEC member and subject to its direction regarding oil production levels. Diamonds contribute an additional 5% to exports. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food is still imported.   Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 17% per year from 2004 to 2008. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Some of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war (1975-2002). However, the government since 2005 has used billions of dollars in credit from China, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU to help rebuild Angola's public infrastructure. Land mines left from the war still mar the countryside, and as a result, the national military, international partners, and private Angolan firms all continue to remove them.   The global recession that started in 2008 stalled Angola’s economic growth and many construction projects stopped because Luanda accrued billions in arrears to foreign construction companies when government revenue fell. Lower prices for oil and diamonds also resulted in GDP falling 0.7% in 2016. Angola formally abandoned its currency peg in 2009 but reinstituted it in April 2016 and maintains an overvalued exchange rate. In late 2016, Angola lost the last of its correspondent relationships with foreign banks, further exacerbating hard currency problems. Since 2013 the central bank has consistently spent down reserves to defend the kwanza, gradually allowing a 40% depreciation since late 2014. Consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to less than 9% in 2014, before rising again to above 30% from 2015-2017.   Continued low oil prices, the depreciation of the kwanza, and slower than expected growth in non-oil GDP have reduced growth prospects, although several major international oil companies remain in Angola. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, is a major long-term challenge that poses an additional threat to the economy.Angola's economy is overwhelmingly driven by its oil sector. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 50% of GDP, more than 70% of government revenue, and more than 90% of the country's exports; Angola is an OPEC member and subject to its direction regarding oil production levels. Diamonds contribute an additional 5% to exports. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food is still imported. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 17% per year from 2004 to 2008. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Some of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war (1975-2002). However, the government since 2005 has used billions of dollars in credit from China, Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU to help rebuild Angola's public infrastructure. Land mines left from the war still mar the countryside, and as a result, the national military, international partners, and private Angolan firms all continue to remove them. The global recession that started in 2008 stalled Angola’s economic growth and many construction projects stopped because Luanda accrued billions in arrears to foreign construction companies when government revenue fell. Lower prices for oil and diamonds also resulted in GDP falling 0.7% in 2016. Angola formally abandoned its currency peg in 2009 but reinstituted it in April 2016 and maintains an overvalued exchange rate. In late 2016, Angola lost the last of its correspondent relationships with foreign banks, further exacerbating hard currency problems. Since 2013 the central bank has consistently spent down reserves to defend the kwanza, gradually allowing a 40% depreciation since late 2014. Consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to less than 9% in 2014, before rising again to above 30% from 2015-2017. Continued low oil prices, the depreciation of the kwanza, and slower than expected growth in non-oil GDP have reduced growth prospects, although several major international oil companies remain in Angola. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, is a major long-term challenge that poses an additional threat to the economy. Topic: AnguillaAnguilla has few natural resources, is unsuited for agriculture, and the economy depends heavily on luxury tourism, offshore banking, lobster fishing, and remittances from emigrants. Increased activity in the tourism industry has spurred the growth of the construction sector contributing to economic growth. Anguillan officials have put substantial effort into developing the offshore financial sector, which is small but growing. In the medium term, prospects for the economy will depend largely on the recovery of the tourism sector and, therefore, on revived income growth in the industrialized nations as well as on favorable weather conditions. Topic: AntarcticaScientific undertakings rather than commercial pursuits are the predominant human activity in Antarctica. Offshore fishing and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity. Antarctic Fisheries, within the area covered by the Convention on Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources currently target Patagonian toothfish, Antarctic toothfish, mackerel icefish and Antarctic krill. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) manages these fisheries using the ecosystem-based and precautionary approach.  The Commission’s objective is conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and it regulates the fisheries based on the level of information available, and maintaining existing ecological relationships.  While Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing has declined in the Convention area since 1990, it remains a concern A total of 73,670 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2019-2020 Antarctic summer, 32 percent greater than the 55,489 visitors in 2018-2019. These estimates were provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and do not include passengers on overflights. Nearly all of the tourists were passengers on commercial ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer.Scientific undertakings rather than commercial pursuits are the predominant human activity in Antarctica. Offshore fishing and tourism, both based abroad, account for Antarctica's limited economic activity.Antarctic Fisheries, within the area covered by the Convention on Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources currently target Patagonian toothfish, Antarctic toothfish, mackerel icefish and Antarctic krill. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) manages these fisheries using the ecosystem-based and precautionary approach.  The Commission’s objective is conservation of Antarctic marine living resources and it regulates the fisheries based on the level of information available, and maintaining existing ecological relationships.  While Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing has declined in the Convention area since 1990, it remains a concernA total of 73,670 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2019-2020 Antarctic summer, 32 percent greater than the 55,489 visitors in 2018-2019. These estimates were provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and do not include passengers on overflights. Nearly all of the tourists were passengers on commercial ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Topic: Antigua and BarbudaTourism continues to dominate Antigua and Barbuda's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components.   Like other countries in the region, Antigua's economy was severely hit by effects of the global economic recession in 2009. The country suffered from the collapse of its largest private sector employer, a steep decline in tourism, a rise in debt, and a sharp economic contraction between 2009 and 2011. Antigua has not yet returned to its pre-crisis growth levels. Barbuda suffered significant damages after hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through the Caribbean in 2017.   Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and could be disrupted by potential damage from natural disasters. The new government, elected in 2014 and led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The government places some hope in a new Citizenship by Investment Program, to both reduce public debt levels and spur growth, and a resolution of a WTO dispute with the US.Tourism continues to dominate Antigua and Barbuda's economy, accounting for nearly 60% of GDP and 40% of investment. The dual-island nation's agricultural production is focused on the domestic market and constrained by a limited water supply and a labor shortage stemming from the lure of higher wages in tourism and construction. Manufacturing comprises enclave-type assembly for export with major products being bedding, handicrafts, and electronic components. Like other countries in the region, Antigua's economy was severely hit by effects of the global economic recession in 2009. The country suffered from the collapse of its largest private sector employer, a steep decline in tourism, a rise in debt, and a sharp economic contraction between 2009 and 2011. Antigua has not yet returned to its pre-crisis growth levels. Barbuda suffered significant damages after hurricanes Irma and Maria passed through the Caribbean in 2017. Prospects for economic growth in the medium term will continue to depend on tourist arrivals from the US, Canada, and Europe and could be disrupted by potential damage from natural disasters. The new government, elected in 2014 and led by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, continues to face significant fiscal challenges. The government places some hope in a new Citizenship by Investment Program, to both reduce public debt levels and spur growth, and a resolution of a WTO dispute with the US. Topic: Arctic OceanEconomic activity is limited to the exploitation of natural resources, including petroleum, natural gas, fish, and seals. Topic: ArgentinaArgentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight.   Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as president in late 2007, and in 2008 the rapid economic growth of previous years slowed sharply as government policies held back exports and the world economy fell into recession. In 2010 the economy rebounded strongly, but slowed in late 2011 even as the government continued to rely on expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, which kept inflation in the double digits.   In order to deal with these problems, the government expanded state intervention in the economy: it nationalized the oil company YPF from Spain's Repsol, expanded measures to restrict imports, and further tightened currency controls in an effort to bolster foreign reserves and stem capital flight. Between 2011 and 2013, Central Bank foreign reserves dropped $21.3 billion from a high of $52.7 billion. In July 2014, Argentina and China agreed on an $11 billion currency swap; the Argentine Central Bank has received the equivalent of $3.2 billion in Chinese yuan, which it counts as international reserves.   With the election of President Mauricio MACRI in November 2015, Argentina began a historic political and economic transformation, as his administration took steps to liberalize the Argentine economy, lifting capital controls, floating the peso, removing export controls on some commodities, cutting some energy subsidies, and reforming the country’s official statistics. Argentina negotiated debt payments with holdout bond creditors, continued working with the IMF to shore up its finances, and returned to international capital markets in April 2016.   In 2017, Argentina’s economy emerged from recession with GDP growth of nearly 3.0%. The government passed important pension, tax, and fiscal reforms. And after years of international isolation, Argentina took on several international leadership roles, including hosting the World Economic Forum on Latin America and the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, and is set to assume the presidency of the G-20 in 2018.Argentina benefits from rich natural resources, a highly literate population, an export-oriented agricultural sector, and a diversified industrial base. Although one of the world's wealthiest countries 100 years ago, Argentina suffered during most of the 20th century from recurring economic crises, persistent fiscal and current account deficits, high inflation, mounting external debt, and capital flight. Cristina FERNANDEZ DE KIRCHNER succeeded her husband as president in late 2007, and in 2008 the rapid economic growth of previous years slowed sharply as government policies held back exports and the world economy fell into recession. In 2010 the economy rebounded strongly, but slowed in late 2011 even as the government continued to rely on expansionary fiscal and monetary policies, which kept inflation in the double digits. In order to deal with these problems, the government expanded state intervention in the economy: it nationalized the oil company YPF from Spain's Repsol, expanded measures to restrict imports, and further tightened currency controls in an effort to bolster foreign reserves and stem capital flight. Between 2011 and 2013, Central Bank foreign reserves dropped $21.3 billion from a high of $52.7 billion. In July 2014, Argentina and China agreed on an $11 billion currency swap; the Argentine Central Bank has received the equivalent of $3.2 billion in Chinese yuan, which it counts as international reserves. With the election of President Mauricio MACRI in November 2015, Argentina began a historic political and economic transformation, as his administration took steps to liberalize the Argentine economy, lifting capital controls, floating the peso, removing export controls on some commodities, cutting some energy subsidies, and reforming the country’s official statistics. Argentina negotiated debt payments with holdout bond creditors, continued working with the IMF to shore up its finances, and returned to international capital markets in April 2016. In 2017, Argentina’s economy emerged from recession with GDP growth of nearly 3.0%. The government passed important pension, tax, and fiscal reforms. And after years of international isolation, Argentina took on several international leadership roles, including hosting the World Economic Forum on Latin America and the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, and is set to assume the presidency of the G-20 in 2018. Topic: ArmeniaUnder the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region.   Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan.   Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP. Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015, but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017. Armenia’s rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies – the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation.Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agro industrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia joined the World Trade Organization in January 2003. The government has made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been largely ineffective. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and strengthen the rule of law in order to raise its economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from Turkey and Azerbaijan. Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to volatility in the global commodity markets and the economic challenges in Russia. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support, as most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. Remittances from expatriates working in Russia are equivalent to about 12-14% of GDP. Armenia joined the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union in January 2015, but has remained interested in pursuing closer ties with the EU as well, signing a Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with the EU in November 2017. Armenia’s rising government debt is leading Yerevan to tighten its fiscal policies – the amount is approaching the debt to GDP ratio threshold set by national legislation. Topic: ArubaTourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy.   Tourism accounts for a majority of economic activity; as of 2017, over 2 million tourists visited Aruba annually, with the large majority (80-85%) of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom, especially in the hospitality sector.   Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to improve its trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers.   In 2016, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and the Government of Aruba signed an agreement to restart Valero Energy Corp.'s former 235,000-b/d refinery. Tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban Government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector continues to be a strong sector; unemployment has significantly decreased.Tourism, petroleum bunkering, hospitality, and financial and business services are the mainstays of the small open Aruban economy. Tourism accounts for a majority of economic activity; as of 2017, over 2 million tourists visited Aruba annually, with the large majority (80-85%) of those from the US. The rapid growth of the tourism sector has resulted in a substantial expansion of other activities. Construction continues to boom, especially in the hospitality sector. Aruba is heavily dependent on imports and is making efforts to expand exports to improve its trade balance. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Panama being the major suppliers. In 2016, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleos de Venezuela SA, and the Government of Aruba signed an agreement to restart Valero Energy Corp.'s former 235,000-b/d refinery. Tourism and related industries have continued to grow, and the Aruban Government is working to attract more diverse industries. Aruba's banking sector continues to be a strong sector; unemployment has significantly decreased. Topic: Ashmore and Cartier Islandsno economic activity Topic: Atlantic OceanThe Atlantic Ocean provides some of the world's most heavily trafficked sea routes, between and within the Eastern and Western Hemispheres. Other economic activity includes the exploitation of natural resources, e.g., fishing, dredging of aragonite sands (The Bahamas), and production of crude oil and natural gas (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, and North Sea). Topic: AustraliaAustralia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and India.   Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas Project, will significantly expand the resources sector.   For nearly two decades up till 2017, Australia had benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade. As export prices increased faster than import prices, the economy experienced continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system. Australia entered 2018 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by the sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China is growing at a slower pace and sharp drops in export prices have impacted growth.Australia is an open market with minimal restrictions on imports of goods and services. The process of opening up has increased productivity, stimulated growth, and made the economy more flexible and dynamic. Australia plays an active role in the WTO, APEC, the G20, and other trade forums. Australia’s free trade agreement (FTA) with China entered into force in 2015, adding to existing FTAs with the Republic of Korea, Japan, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and the US, and a regional FTA with ASEAN and New Zealand. Australia continues to negotiate bilateral agreements with Indonesia, as well as larger agreements with its Pacific neighbors and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and an Asia-wide Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership that includes the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and India. Australia is a significant exporter of natural resources, energy, and food. Australia's abundant and diverse natural resources attract high levels of foreign investment and include extensive reserves of coal, iron, copper, gold, natural gas, uranium, and renewable energy sources. A series of major investments, such as the US$40 billion Gorgon Liquid Natural Gas Project, will significantly expand the resources sector. For nearly two decades up till 2017, Australia had benefited from a dramatic surge in its terms of trade. As export prices increased faster than import prices, the economy experienced continuous growth, low unemployment, contained inflation, very low public debt, and a strong and stable financial system. Australia entered 2018 facing a range of growth constraints, principally driven by the sharp fall in global prices of key export commodities. Demand for resources and energy from Asia and especially China is growing at a slower pace and sharp drops in export prices have impacted growth. Topic: AustriaAustria is a well-developed market economy with skilled labor force and high standard of living. It is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's, but also the US’, its third-largest trade partner. Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector.   Austrian economic growth strengthen in 2017, with a 2.9% increase in GDP. Austrian exports, accounting for around 60% of the GDP, were up 8.2% in 2017. Austria’s unemployment rate fell by 0.3% to 5.5%, which is low by European standards, but still at its second highest rate since the end of World War II, driven by an increased number of refugees and EU migrants entering the labor market.   Austria's fiscal position compares favorably with other euro-zone countries. The budget deficit stood at a low 0.7% of GDP in 2017 and public debt declined again to 78.4% of GDP in 2017, after reaching a post-war high 84.6% in 2015. The Austrian government has announced it plans to balance the fiscal budget in 2019. Several external risks, such as Austrian banks' exposure to Central and Eastern Europe, the refugee crisis, and continued unrest in Russia/Ukraine, eased in 2017, but are still a factor for the Austrian economy. Exposure to the Russian banking sector and a deep energy relationship with Russia present additional risks.   Austria elected a new pro-business government in October 2017 that campaigned on promises to reduce bureaucracy, improve public sector efficiency, reduce labor market protections, and provide positive investment incentives.Austria is a well-developed market economy with skilled labor force and high standard of living. It is closely tied to other EU economies, especially Germany's, but also the US’, its third-largest trade partner. Its economy features a large service sector, a sound industrial sector, and a small, but highly developed agricultural sector. Austrian economic growth strengthen in 2017, with a 2.9% increase in GDP. Austrian exports, accounting for around 60% of the GDP, were up 8.2% in 2017. Austria’s unemployment rate fell by 0.3% to 5.5%, which is low by European standards, but still at its second highest rate since the end of World War II, driven by an increased number of refugees and EU migrants entering the labor market. Austria's fiscal position compares favorably with other euro-zone countries. The budget deficit stood at a low 0.7% of GDP in 2017 and public debt declined again to 78.4% of GDP in 2017, after reaching a post-war high 84.6% in 2015. The Austrian government has announced it plans to balance the fiscal budget in 2019. Several external risks, such as Austrian banks' exposure to Central and Eastern Europe, the refugee crisis, and continued unrest in Russia/Ukraine, eased in 2017, but are still a factor for the Austrian economy. Exposure to the Russian banking sector and a deep energy relationship with Russia present additional risks. Austria elected a new pro-business government in October 2017 that campaigned on promises to reduce bureaucracy, improve public sector efficiency, reduce labor market protections, and provide positive investment incentives. Topic: AzerbaijanPrior to the decline in global oil prices since 2014, Azerbaijan's high economic growth was attributable to rising energy exports and to some non-export sectors. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Novorossiysk, and the Baku-Supsa Pipelines remain the main economic driver, but efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway. The expected completion of the geopolitically important Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) between Azerbaijan and Europe will open up another source of revenue from gas exports. First gas to Turkey through the SGC is expected in 2018 with project completion expected by 2020-21.   Declining oil prices caused a 3.1% contraction in GDP in 2016, and a 0.8% decline in 2017, highlighted by a sharp reduction in the construction sector. The economic decline was accompanied by higher inflation, a weakened banking sector, and two sharp currency devaluations in 2015. Azerbaijan’s financial sector continued to struggle. In May 2017, Baku allowed the majority state-owed International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), the nation’s largest bank, to default on some of its outstanding debt and file for restructuring in Azerbaijani courts; IBA also filed in US and UK bankruptcy courts to have its restructuring recognized in their respective jurisdictions.   Azerbaijan has made limited progress with market-based economic reforms. Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. The government has, however, made efforts to combat corruption, particularly in customs and government services. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress, including the need for more foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics remains important, Azerbaijan has expanded trade with Turkey and Europe and is seeking new markets for non-oil/gas exports - mainly in the agricultural sector - with Gulf Cooperation Council member countries, the US, and others. It is also improving Baku airport and the Caspian Sea port of Alat for use as a regional transportation and logistics hub.   Long-term prospects depend on world oil prices, Azerbaijan's ability to develop export routes for its growing gas production, and its ability to improve the business environment and diversify the economy. In late 2016, the president approved a strategic roadmap for economic reforms that identified key non-energy segments of the economy for development, such as agriculture, logistics, information technology, and tourism. In October 2017, the long-awaited Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, stretching from the Azerbaijani capital to Kars in north-eastern Turkey, began limited service.Prior to the decline in global oil prices since 2014, Azerbaijan's high economic growth was attributable to rising energy exports and to some non-export sectors. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Novorossiysk, and the Baku-Supsa Pipelines remain the main economic driver, but efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway. The expected completion of the geopolitically important Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) between Azerbaijan and Europe will open up another source of revenue from gas exports. First gas to Turkey through the SGC is expected in 2018 with project completion expected by 2020-21. Declining oil prices caused a 3.1% contraction in GDP in 2016, and a 0.8% decline in 2017, highlighted by a sharp reduction in the construction sector. The economic decline was accompanied by higher inflation, a weakened banking sector, and two sharp currency devaluations in 2015. Azerbaijan’s financial sector continued to struggle. In May 2017, Baku allowed the majority state-owed International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), the nation’s largest bank, to default on some of its outstanding debt and file for restructuring in Azerbaijani courts; IBA also filed in US and UK bankruptcy courts to have its restructuring recognized in their respective jurisdictions. Azerbaijan has made limited progress with market-based economic reforms. Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. The government has, however, made efforts to combat corruption, particularly in customs and government services. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress, including the need for more foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics remains important, Azerbaijan has expanded trade with Turkey and Europe and is seeking new markets for non-oil/gas exports - mainly in the agricultural sector - with Gulf Cooperation Council member countries, the US, and others. It is also improving Baku airport and the Caspian Sea port of Alat for use as a regional transportation and logistics hub. Long-term prospects depend on world oil prices, Azerbaijan's ability to develop export routes for its growing gas production, and its ability to improve the business environment and diversify the economy. In late 2016, the president approved a strategic roadmap for economic reforms that identified key non-energy segments of the economy for development, such as agriculture, logistics, information technology, and tourism. In October 2017, the long-awaited Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, stretching from the Azerbaijani capital to Kars in north-eastern Turkey, began limited service. Topic: Bahamas, TheThe Bahamas has the second highest per capita GDP in the English-speaking Caribbean with an economy heavily dependent on tourism and financial services. Tourism accounts for approximately 50% of GDP and directly or indirectly employs half of the archipelago's labor force. Financial services constitute the second-most important sector of the Bahamian economy, accounting for about 15% of GDP. Manufacturing and agriculture combined contribute less than 7% of GDP and show little growth, despite government incentives aimed at those sectors. The new government led by Prime Minister Hubert MINNIS has prioritized addressing fiscal imbalances and rising debt, which stood at 75% of GDP in 2016. Large capital projects like the Baha Mar Casino and Hotel are driving growth. Public debt increased in 2017 in large part due to hurricane reconstruction and relief financing. The primary fiscal balance was a deficit of 0.4% of GDP in 2016. The Bahamas is the only country in the Western Hemisphere that is not a member of the World Trade Organization. Topic: BahrainOil and natural gas play a dominant role in Bahrain’s economy. Despite the Government’s past efforts to diversify the economy, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues. In the last few years lower world energy prices have generated sizable budget deficits - about 10% of GDP in 2017 alone. Bahrain has few options for covering these deficits, with low foreign assets and fewer oil resources compared to its GCC neighbors. The three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to "junk" status in 2016, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s high debt levels. Nevertheless, Bahrain was able to raise about $4 billion by issuing foreign currency denominated debt in 2017.   Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil and gas –finance, and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In April 2018 Bahrain announced it had found a significant oil field off the country’s west coast, but is still assessing how much of the oil can be extracted profitably.   In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes, Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness — especially regarding industry, finance, and tourism — and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector. Since 2015, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and has begun to phase in higher prices for electricity and water. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. It plans to introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of 2018.Oil and natural gas play a dominant role in Bahrain’s economy. Despite the Government’s past efforts to diversify the economy, oil still comprises 85% of Bahraini budget revenues. In the last few years lower world energy prices have generated sizable budget deficits - about 10% of GDP in 2017 alone. Bahrain has few options for covering these deficits, with low foreign assets and fewer oil resources compared to its GCC neighbors. The three major US credit agencies downgraded Bahrain’s sovereign debt rating to "junk" status in 2016, citing persistently low oil prices and the government’s high debt levels. Nevertheless, Bahrain was able to raise about $4 billion by issuing foreign currency denominated debt in 2017. Other major economic activities are production of aluminum - Bahrain's second biggest export after oil and gas –finance, and construction. Bahrain continues to seek new natural gas supplies as feedstock to support its expanding petrochemical and aluminum industries. In April 2018 Bahrain announced it had found a significant oil field off the country’s west coast, but is still assessing how much of the oil can be extracted profitably. In addition to addressing its current fiscal woes, Bahraini authorities face the long-term challenge of boosting Bahrain’s regional competitiveness — especially regarding industry, finance, and tourism — and reconciling revenue constraints with popular pressure to maintain generous state subsidies and a large public sector. Since 2015, the government lifted subsidies on meat, diesel, kerosene, and gasoline and has begun to phase in higher prices for electricity and water. As part of its diversification plans, Bahrain implemented a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US in August 2006, the first FTA between the US and a Gulf state. It plans to introduce a Value Added Tax (VAT) by the end of 2018. Topic: BangladeshBangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 2005 despite prolonged periods of political instability, poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the services sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product.   Garments, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports in FY 2016-17. The industrial sector continues to grow, despite the need for improvements in factory safety conditions. Steady export growth in the garment sector, combined with $13 billion in remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, contributed to Bangladesh's rising foreign exchange reserves in FY 2016-17. Recent improvements to energy infrastructure, including the start of liquefied natural gas imports in 2018, represent a major step forward in resolving a key growth bottleneck.Bangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 2005 despite prolonged periods of political instability, poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the services sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector, with rice as the single-most-important product. Garments, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports in FY 2016-17. The industrial sector continues to grow, despite the need for improvements in factory safety conditions. Steady export growth in the garment sector, combined with $13 billion in remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, contributed to Bangladesh's rising foreign exchange reserves in FY 2016-17. Recent improvements to energy infrastructure, including the start of liquefied natural gas imports in 2018, represent a major step forward in resolving a key growth bottleneck. Topic: BarbadosBarbados is the wealthiest and one of the most developed countries in the Eastern Caribbean and enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region. Historically, the Barbadian economy was dependent on sugarcane cultivation and related activities. However, in recent years the economy has diversified into light industry and tourism. Offshore finance and information services are important foreign exchange earners, boosted by being in the same time zone as eastern US financial centers and by a relatively highly educated workforce. Following the 2008-09 recession, external vulnerabilities such as fluctuations in international oil prices have hurt economic growth, raised Barbados' already high public debt to GDP ratio - which stood at 105% of GDP in 2016 - and cut into its international reserves. Topic: BelarusAs part of the former Soviet Union, Belarus had a relatively well-developed industrial base, but it is now outdated, inefficient, and dependent on subsidized Russian energy and preferential access to Russian markets. The country’s agricultural base is largely dependent on government subsidies. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, an initial burst of economic reforms included privatization of state enterprises, creation of private property rights, and the acceptance of private entrepreneurship, but by 1994 the reform effort dissipated. About 80% of industry remains in state hands, and foreign investment has virtually disappeared. Several businesses have been renationalized. State-owned entities account for 70-75% of GDP, and state banks make up 75% of the banking sector.   Economic output declined for several years following the break-up of the Soviet Union, but revived in the mid-2000s. Belarus has only small reserves of crude oil and imports crude oil and natural gas from Russia at subsidized, below market, prices. Belarus derives export revenue by refining Russian crude and selling it at market prices. Russia and Belarus have had serious disagreements over prices and quantities for Russian energy. Beginning in early 2016, Russia claimed Belarus began accumulating debt – reaching $740 million by April 2017 – for paying below the agreed price for Russian natural gas and Russia cut back its export of crude oil as a result of the debt. In April 2017, Belarus agreed to pay its gas debt and Russia restored the flow of crude.   New non-Russian foreign investment has been limited in recent years, largely because of an unfavorable financial climate. In 2011, a financial crisis lead to a nearly three-fold devaluation of the Belarusian ruble. The Belarusian economy has continued to struggle under the weight of high external debt servicing payments and a trade deficit. In mid-December 2014, the devaluation of the Russian ruble triggered a near 40% devaluation of the Belarusian ruble.   Belarus’s economy stagnated between 2012 and 2016, widening productivity and income gaps between Belarus and neighboring countries. Budget revenues dropped because of falling global prices on key Belarusian export commodities. Since 2015, the Belarusian government has tightened its macro-economic policies, allowed more flexibility to its exchange rate, taken some steps towards price liberalization, and reduced subsidized government lending to state-owned enterprises. Belarus returned to modest growth in 2017, largely driven by improvement of external conditions and Belarus issued sovereign debt for the first time since 2011, which provided the country with badly-needed liquidity, and issued $600 million worth of Eurobonds in February 2018, predominantly to US and British investors.As part of the former Soviet Union, Belarus had a relatively well-developed industrial base, but it is now outdated, inefficient, and dependent on subsidized Russian energy and preferential access to Russian markets. The country’s agricultural base is largely dependent on government subsidies. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, an initial burst of economic reforms included privatization of state enterprises, creation of private property rights, and the acceptance of private entrepreneurship, but by 1994 the reform effort dissipated. About 80% of industry remains in state hands, and foreign investment has virtually disappeared. Several businesses have been renationalized. State-owned entities account for 70-75% of GDP, and state banks make up 75% of the banking sector. Economic output declined for several years following the break-up of the Soviet Union, but revived in the mid-2000s. Belarus has only small reserves of crude oil and imports crude oil and natural gas from Russia at subsidized, below market, prices. Belarus derives export revenue by refining Russian crude and selling it at market prices. Russia and Belarus have had serious disagreements over prices and quantities for Russian energy. Beginning in early 2016, Russia claimed Belarus began accumulating debt – reaching $740 million by April 2017 – for paying below the agreed price for Russian natural gas and Russia cut back its export of crude oil as a result of the debt. In April 2017, Belarus agreed to pay its gas debt and Russia restored the flow of crude. New non-Russian foreign investment has been limited in recent years, largely because of an unfavorable financial climate. In 2011, a financial crisis lead to a nearly three-fold devaluation of the Belarusian ruble. The Belarusian economy has continued to struggle under the weight of high external debt servicing payments and a trade deficit. In mid-December 2014, the devaluation of the Russian ruble triggered a near 40% devaluation of the Belarusian ruble. Belarus’s economy stagnated between 2012 and 2016, widening productivity and income gaps between Belarus and neighboring countries. Budget revenues dropped because of falling global prices on key Belarusian export commodities. Since 2015, the Belarusian government has tightened its macro-economic policies, allowed more flexibility to its exchange rate, taken some steps towards price liberalization, and reduced subsidized government lending to state-owned enterprises. Belarus returned to modest growth in 2017, largely driven by improvement of external conditions and Belarus issued sovereign debt for the first time since 2011, which provided the country with badly-needed liquidity, and issued $600 million worth of Eurobonds in February 2018, predominantly to US and British investors. Topic: BelgiumBelgium’s central geographic location and highly developed transport network have helped develop a well-diversified economy, with a broad mix of transport, services, manufacturing, and high tech. Service and high-tech industries are concentrated in the northern Flanders region while the southern region of Wallonia is home to industries like coal and steel manufacturing. Belgium is completely reliant on foreign sources of fossil fuels, and the planned closure of its seven nuclear plants by 2025 should increase its dependence on foreign energy. Its role as a regional logistical hub makes its economy vulnerable to shifts in foreign demand, particularly with EU trading partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and the port of Zeebrugge conducts almost half its trade with the United Kingdom alone, leaving Belgium’s economy vulnerable to the outcome of negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU.   Belgium’s GDP grew by 1.7% in 2017 and the budget deficit was 1.5% of GDP. Unemployment stood at 7.3%, however the unemployment rate is lower in Flanders than Wallonia, 4.4% compared to 9.4%, because of industrial differences between the regions. The economy largely recovered from the March 2016 terrorist attacks that mainly impacted the Brussels region tourist and hospitality industry. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL's center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to decrease Belgium's high public debt of about 104% of GDP, but such efforts would also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and higher inflation promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption.   The government has pledged to pursue a reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to labor market rules and welfare benefits. These changes have generally made Belgian wages more competitive regionally, but have raised tensions with trade unions, which have called for extended strikes. In 2017, Belgium approved a tax reform plan to ease corporate rates from 33% to 29% by 2018 and down to 25% by 2020. The tax plan also included benefits for innovation and SMEs, intended to spur competitiveness and private investment.Belgium’s central geographic location and highly developed transport network have helped develop a well-diversified economy, with a broad mix of transport, services, manufacturing, and high tech. Service and high-tech industries are concentrated in the northern Flanders region while the southern region of Wallonia is home to industries like coal and steel manufacturing. Belgium is completely reliant on foreign sources of fossil fuels, and the planned closure of its seven nuclear plants by 2025 should increase its dependence on foreign energy. Its role as a regional logistical hub makes its economy vulnerable to shifts in foreign demand, particularly with EU trading partners. Roughly three-quarters of Belgium's trade is with other EU countries, and the port of Zeebrugge conducts almost half its trade with the United Kingdom alone, leaving Belgium’s economy vulnerable to the outcome of negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU. Belgium’s GDP grew by 1.7% in 2017 and the budget deficit was 1.5% of GDP. Unemployment stood at 7.3%, however the unemployment rate is lower in Flanders than Wallonia, 4.4% compared to 9.4%, because of industrial differences between the regions. The economy largely recovered from the March 2016 terrorist attacks that mainly impacted the Brussels region tourist and hospitality industry. Prime Minister Charles MICHEL's center-right government has pledged to further reduce the deficit in response to EU pressure to decrease Belgium's high public debt of about 104% of GDP, but such efforts would also dampen economic growth. In addition to restrained public spending, low wage growth and higher inflation promise to curtail a more robust recovery in private consumption. The government has pledged to pursue a reform program to improve Belgium’s competitiveness, including changes to labor market rules and welfare benefits. These changes have generally made Belgian wages more competitive regionally, but have raised tensions with trade unions, which have called for extended strikes. In 2017, Belgium approved a tax reform plan to ease corporate rates from 33% to 29% by 2018 and down to 25% by 2020. The tax plan also included benefits for innovation and SMEs, intended to spur competitiveness and private investment. Topic: BelizeTourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil.   The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, but GPD growth has averaged only 2.1% from 2007-2016, with 2.5% growth estimated for 2017. Belize’s dependence on energy imports makes it susceptible to energy price shocks.   Although Belize has the third highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains reducing poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. High unemployment, a growing trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt, and a growing trade imbalance.Tourism is the number one foreign exchange earner in this small economy, followed by exports of sugar, bananas, citrus, marine products, and crude oil. The government's expansionary monetary and fiscal policies, initiated in September 1998, led to GDP growth averaging nearly 4% in 1999-2007, but GPD growth has averaged only 2.1% from 2007-2016, with 2.5% growth estimated for 2017. Belize’s dependence on energy imports makes it susceptible to energy price shocks. Although Belize has the third highest per capita income in Central America, the average income figure masks a huge income disparity between rich and poor, and a key government objective remains reducing poverty and inequality with the help of international donors. High unemployment, a growing trade deficit and heavy foreign debt burden continue to be major concerns. Belize faces continued pressure from rising sovereign debt, and a growing trade imbalance. Topic: BeninThe free market economy of Benin has grown consecutively for four years, though growth slowed in 2017, as its close trade links to Nigeria expose Benin to risks from volatile commodity prices. Cotton is a key export commodity, with export earnings significantly impacted by the price of cotton in the broader market. The economy began deflating in 2017, with the consumer price index falling 0.8%.   During the first two years of President TALON’s administration, which began in April 2016, the government has followed an ambitious action plan to kickstart development through investments in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and governance. Electricity generation, which has constrained Benin’s economic growth, has increased and blackouts have been considerably reduced. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for a large proportion of investment in infrastructure projects.   Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory, and has used equipment from donors effectively against such piracy. Pilferage has significantly dropped at the Port of Cotonou, though the port is still struggling with effective implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Projects included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) first compact (2006-11) were designed to increase investment and private sector activity by improving key institutional and physical infrastructure. The four projects focused on access to land, access to financial services, access to justice, and access to markets (including modernization of the port). The Port of Cotonou is a major contributor to Benin’s economy, with revenues projected to account for more than 40% of Benin’s national budget.   Benin will need further efforts to upgrade infrastructure, stem corruption, and expand access to foreign markets to achieve its potential. In September 2015, Benin signed a second MCC Compact for $375 million that entered into force in June 2017 and is designed to strengthen the national utility service provider, attract private sector investment, fund infrastructure investments in electricity generation and distribution, and develop off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households. As part of the Government of Benin’s action plan to spur growth, Benin passed public private partnership legislation in 2017 to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, encourage new information and communication technology, and establish Independent Power Producers. In April 2017, the IMF approved a three year $150.4 million Extended Credit Facility agreement to maintain debt sustainability and boost donor confidence.The free market economy of Benin has grown consecutively for four years, though growth slowed in 2017, as its close trade links to Nigeria expose Benin to risks from volatile commodity prices. Cotton is a key export commodity, with export earnings significantly impacted by the price of cotton in the broader market. The economy began deflating in 2017, with the consumer price index falling 0.8%. During the first two years of President TALON’s administration, which began in April 2016, the government has followed an ambitious action plan to kickstart development through investments in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and governance. Electricity generation, which has constrained Benin’s economic growth, has increased and blackouts have been considerably reduced. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for a large proportion of investment in infrastructure projects. Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory, and has used equipment from donors effectively against such piracy. Pilferage has significantly dropped at the Port of Cotonou, though the port is still struggling with effective implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Projects included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) first compact (2006-11) were designed to increase investment and private sector activity by improving key institutional and physical infrastructure. The four projects focused on access to land, access to financial services, access to justice, and access to markets (including modernization of the port). The Port of Cotonou is a major contributor to Benin’s economy, with revenues projected to account for more than 40% of Benin’s national budget. Benin will need further efforts to upgrade infrastructure, stem corruption, and expand access to foreign markets to achieve its potential. In September 2015, Benin signed a second MCC Compact for $375 million that entered into force in June 2017 and is designed to strengthen the national utility service provider, attract private sector investment, fund infrastructure investments in electricity generation and distribution, and develop off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households. As part of the Government of Benin’s action plan to spur growth, Benin passed public private partnership legislation in 2017 to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, encourage new information and communication technology, and establish Independent Power Producers. In April 2017, the IMF approved a three year $150.4 million Extended Credit Facility agreement to maintain debt sustainability and boost donor confidence. Topic: BermudaInternational business, which consists primarily of insurance and other financial services, is the real bedrock of Bermuda's economy, consistently accounting for about 85% of the island's GDP. Tourism is the country’s second largest industry, accounting for about 5% of Bermuda's GDP but a much larger share of employment. Over 80% of visitors come from the US and the sector struggled in the wake of the global recession of 2008-09. Even the financial sector has lost roughly 5,000 high-paying expatriate jobs since 2008, weighing heavily on household consumption and retail sales. Bermuda must import almost everything. Agriculture and industry are limited due to the small size of the island.   Bermuda's economy returned to negative growth in 2016, reporting a contraction of 0.1% GDP, after growing by 0.6% in 2015. Unemployment reached 7% in 2016 and 2017, public debt is growing and exceeds $2.4 billion, and the government continues to work on attracting foreign investment. Still, Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world.International business, which consists primarily of insurance and other financial services, is the real bedrock of Bermuda's economy, consistently accounting for about 85% of the island's GDP. Tourism is the country’s second largest industry, accounting for about 5% of Bermuda's GDP but a much larger share of employment. Over 80% of visitors come from the US and the sector struggled in the wake of the global recession of 2008-09. Even the financial sector has lost roughly 5,000 high-paying expatriate jobs since 2008, weighing heavily on household consumption and retail sales. Bermuda must import almost everything. Agriculture and industry are limited due to the small size of the island. Bermuda's economy returned to negative growth in 2016, reporting a contraction of 0.1% GDP, after growing by 0.6% in 2015. Unemployment reached 7% in 2016 and 2017, public debt is growing and exceeds $2.4 billion, and the government continues to work on attracting foreign investment. Still, Bermuda enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the world. Topic: BhutanBhutan's small economy is based largely on hydropower, agriculture, and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than half the population. Because rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive, industrial production is primarily of the cottage industry type. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and is dependent on India for financial assistance and migrant laborers for development projects, especially for road construction. Bhutan signed a pact in December 2014 to expand duty-free trade with Bangladesh.   Multilateral development organizations administer most educational, social, and environment programs, and take into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government is cautious in its expansion of the tourist sector, restricing visits to environmentally conscientious tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment.   Bhutan’s largest export - hydropower to India - could spur sustainable growth in the coming years if Bhutan resolves chronic delays in construction. Bhutan’s hydropower exports comprise 40% of total exports and 25% of the government’s total revenue. Bhutan currently taps only 6.5% of its 24,000-megawatt hydropower potential and is behind schedule in building 12 new hydropower dams with a combined capacity of 10,000 megawatts by 2020 in accordance with a deal signed in 2008 with India. The high volume of imported materials to build hydropower plants has expanded Bhutan's trade and current account deficits. Bhutan also signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh and India in July 2017 to jointly construct a new hydropower plant for exporting electricity to Bangladesh.Bhutan's small economy is based largely on hydropower, agriculture, and forestry, which provide the main livelihood for more than half the population. Because rugged mountains dominate the terrain and make the building of roads and other infrastructure difficult and expensive, industrial production is primarily of the cottage industry type. The economy is closely aligned with India's through strong trade and monetary links and is dependent on India for financial assistance and migrant laborers for development projects, especially for road construction. Bhutan signed a pact in December 2014 to expand duty-free trade with Bangladesh. Multilateral development organizations administer most educational, social, and environment programs, and take into account the government's desire to protect the country's environment and cultural traditions. For example, the government is cautious in its expansion of the tourist sector, restricing visits to environmentally conscientious tourists. Complicated controls and uncertain policies in areas such as industrial licensing, trade, labor, and finance continue to hamper foreign investment. Bhutan’s largest export - hydropower to India - could spur sustainable growth in the coming years if Bhutan resolves chronic delays in construction. Bhutan’s hydropower exports comprise 40% of total exports and 25% of the government’s total revenue. Bhutan currently taps only 6.5% of its 24,000-megawatt hydropower potential and is behind schedule in building 12 new hydropower dams with a combined capacity of 10,000 megawatts by 2020 in accordance with a deal signed in 2008 with India. The high volume of imported materials to build hydropower plants has expanded Bhutan's trade and current account deficits. Bhutan also signed a memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh and India in July 2017 to jointly construct a new hydropower plant for exporting electricity to Bangladesh. Topic: BoliviaBolivia is a resource rich country with strong growth attributed to captive markets for natural gas exports – to Brazil and Argentina. However, the country remains one of the least developed countries in Latin America because of state-oriented policies that deter investment.   Following an economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms in the 1990s spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large Northern Hemisphere markets. In 2005-06, the government passed hydrocarbon laws that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company in exchange for a predetermined service fee; the laws engendered much public debate. High commodity prices between 2010 and 2014 sustained rapid growth and large trade surpluses with GDP growing 6.8% in 2013 and 5.4% in 2014. The global decline in oil prices that began in late 2014 exerted downward pressure on the price Bolivia receives for exported gas and resulted in lower GDP growth rates - 4.9% in 2015 and 4.3% in 2016 - and losses in government revenue as well as fiscal and trade deficits.   A lack of foreign investment in the key sectors of mining and hydrocarbons, along with conflict among social groups, pose challenges for the Bolivian economy. In 2015, President Evo MORALES expanded efforts to court international investment and boost Bolivia’s energy production capacity. MORALES passed an investment law and promised not to nationalize additional industries in an effort to improve the investment climate. In early 2016, the Government of Bolivia approved the 2016-2020 National Economic and Social Development Plan aimed at maintaining growth of 5% and reducing poverty.Bolivia is a resource rich country with strong growth attributed to captive markets for natural gas exports – to Brazil and Argentina. However, the country remains one of the least developed countries in Latin America because of state-oriented policies that deter investment. Following an economic crisis during the early 1980s, reforms in the 1990s spurred private investment, stimulated economic growth, and cut poverty rates. The period 2003-05 was characterized by political instability, racial tensions, and violent protests against plans - subsequently abandoned - to export Bolivia's newly discovered natural gas reserves to large Northern Hemisphere markets. In 2005-06, the government passed hydrocarbon laws that imposed significantly higher royalties and required foreign firms then operating under risk-sharing contracts to surrender all production to the state energy company in exchange for a predetermined service fee; the laws engendered much public debate. High commodity prices between 2010 and 2014 sustained rapid growth and large trade surpluses with GDP growing 6.8% in 2013 and 5.4% in 2014. The global decline in oil prices that began in late 2014 exerted downward pressure on the price Bolivia receives for exported gas and resulted in lower GDP growth rates - 4.9% in 2015 and 4.3% in 2016 - and losses in government revenue as well as fiscal and trade deficits. A lack of foreign investment in the key sectors of mining and hydrocarbons, along with conflict among social groups, pose challenges for the Bolivian economy. In 2015, President Evo MORALES expanded efforts to court international investment and boost Bolivia’s energy production capacity. MORALES passed an investment law and promised not to nationalize additional industries in an effort to improve the investment climate. In early 2016, the Government of Bolivia approved the 2016-2020 National Economic and Social Development Plan aimed at maintaining growth of 5% and reducing poverty. Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnia and Herzegovina has a transitional economy with limited market reforms. The economy relies heavily on the export of metals, energy, textiles, and furniture as well as on remittances and foreign aid. A highly decentralized government hampers economic policy coordination and reform, while excessive bureaucracy and a segmented market discourage foreign investment. The economy is among the least competitive in the region. Foreign banks, primarily from Austria and Italy, control much of the banking sector, though the largest bank is a private domestic one. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark) - the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro through a currency board arrangement, which has maintained confidence in the currency and has facilitated reliable trade links with European partners. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. In 2016, Bosnia began a three-year IMF loan program, but it has struggled to meet the economic reform benchmarks required to receive all funding installments.   Bosnia and Herzegovina's private sector is growing slowly, but foreign investment dropped sharply after 2007 and remains low. High unemployment remains the most serious macroeconomic problem. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006 provided a steady source of revenue for the government and helped rein in gray-market activity, though public perceptions of government corruption and misuse of taxpayer money has encouraged a large informal economy to persist. National-level statistics have improved over time, but a large share of economic activity remains unofficial and unrecorded.   Bosnia and Herzegovina's top economic priorities are: acceleration of integration into the EU; strengthening the fiscal system; public administration reform; World Trade Organization membership; and securing economic growth by fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector.Bosnia and Herzegovina has a transitional economy with limited market reforms. The economy relies heavily on the export of metals, energy, textiles, and furniture as well as on remittances and foreign aid. A highly decentralized government hampers economic policy coordination and reform, while excessive bureaucracy and a segmented market discourage foreign investment. The economy is among the least competitive in the region. Foreign banks, primarily from Austria and Italy, control much of the banking sector, though the largest bank is a private domestic one. The konvertibilna marka (convertible mark) - the national currency introduced in 1998 - is pegged to the euro through a currency board arrangement, which has maintained confidence in the currency and has facilitated reliable trade links with European partners. Bosnia and Herzegovina became a full member of the Central European Free Trade Agreement in September 2007. In 2016, Bosnia began a three-year IMF loan program, but it has struggled to meet the economic reform benchmarks required to receive all funding installments. Bosnia and Herzegovina's private sector is growing slowly, but foreign investment dropped sharply after 2007 and remains low. High unemployment remains the most serious macroeconomic problem. Successful implementation of a value-added tax in 2006 provided a steady source of revenue for the government and helped rein in gray-market activity, though public perceptions of government corruption and misuse of taxpayer money has encouraged a large informal economy to persist. National-level statistics have improved over time, but a large share of economic activity remains unofficial and unrecorded. Bosnia and Herzegovina's top economic priorities are: acceleration of integration into the EU; strengthening the fiscal system; public administration reform; World Trade Organization membership; and securing economic growth by fostering a dynamic, competitive private sector. Topic: BotswanaUntil 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. Topic: Bouvet Islandno economic activity; declared a nature reserve Topic: BrazilBrazil is the eighth-largest economy in the world, but is recovering from a recession in 2015 and 2016 that ranks as the worst in the country’s history. In 2017, Brazil`s GDP grew 1%, inflation fell to historic lows of 2.9%, and the Central Bank lowered benchmark interest rates from 13.75% in 2016 to 7%.   The economy has been negatively affected by multiple corruption scandals involving private companies and government officials, including the impeachment and conviction of Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF in August 2016. Sanctions against the firms involved — some of the largest in Brazil — have limited their business opportunities, producing a ripple effect on associated businesses and contractors but creating opportunities for foreign companies to step into what had been a closed market.   The succeeding TEMER administration has implemented a series of fiscal and structural reforms to restore credibility to government finances. Congress approved legislation in December 2016 to cap public spending. Government spending growth had pushed public debt to 73.7% of GDP at the end of 2017, up from over 50% in 2012. The government also boosted infrastructure projects, such as oil and natural gas auctions, in part to raise revenues. Other economic reforms, proposed in 2016, aim to reduce barriers to foreign investment, and to improve labor conditions. Policies to strengthen Brazil’s workforce and industrial sector, such as local content requirements, have boosted employment, but at the expense of investment.   Brazil is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), a trade bloc that includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay - Venezuela’s membership in the organization was suspended In August 2017. After the Asian and Russian financial crises, Mercosur adopted a protectionist stance to guard against exposure to volatile foreign markets and it currently is negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the European Union and Canada.Brazil is the eighth-largest economy in the world, but is recovering from a recession in 2015 and 2016 that ranks as the worst in the country’s history. In 2017, Brazil`s GDP grew 1%, inflation fell to historic lows of 2.9%, and the Central Bank lowered benchmark interest rates from 13.75% in 2016 to 7%. The economy has been negatively affected by multiple corruption scandals involving private companies and government officials, including the impeachment and conviction of Former President Dilma ROUSSEFF in August 2016. Sanctions against the firms involved — some of the largest in Brazil — have limited their business opportunities, producing a ripple effect on associated businesses and contractors but creating opportunities for foreign companies to step into what had been a closed market. The succeeding TEMER administration has implemented a series of fiscal and structural reforms to restore credibility to government finances. Congress approved legislation in December 2016 to cap public spending. Government spending growth had pushed public debt to 73.7% of GDP at the end of 2017, up from over 50% in 2012. The government also boosted infrastructure projects, such as oil and natural gas auctions, in part to raise revenues. Other economic reforms, proposed in 2016, aim to reduce barriers to foreign investment, and to improve labor conditions. Policies to strengthen Brazil’s workforce and industrial sector, such as local content requirements, have boosted employment, but at the expense of investment. Brazil is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur), a trade bloc that includes Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay - Venezuela’s membership in the organization was suspended In August 2017. After the Asian and Russian financial crises, Mercosur adopted a protectionist stance to guard against exposure to volatile foreign markets and it currently is negotiating Free Trade Agreements with the European Union and Canada. Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryAll economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. Some of the natural resources found in this territory include coconuts, fish, and sugarcane. Topic: British Virgin IslandsThe economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2008. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959.   Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements.   In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business.The economy, one of the most stable and prosperous in the Caribbean, is highly dependent on tourism, which generates an estimated 45% of the national income. More than 934,000 tourists, mainly from the US, visited the islands in 2008. Because of traditionally close links with the US Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands has used the US dollar as its currency since 1959. Livestock raising is the most important agricultural activity; poor soils limit the islands' ability to meet domestic food requirements. In the mid-1980s, the government began offering offshore registration to companies wishing to incorporate in the islands, and incorporation fees now generate substantial revenues. Roughly 400,000 companies were on the offshore registry by yearend 2000. The adoption of a comprehensive insurance law in late 1994, which provides a blanket of confidentiality with regulated statutory gateways for investigation of criminal offenses, made the British Virgin Islands even more attractive to international business. Topic: BruneiBrunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market.   Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level.   The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement.Brunei is an energy-rich sultanate on the northern coast of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-educated, largely English-speaking population; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export market. Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and substantial income from overseas investment supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income taxes, and the government provides free medical services and free education through the university level. The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other industries such as information and communications technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under Islamic law. Brunei’s trade increased in 2016 and 2017, following its regional economic integration in the ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Topic: BulgariaBulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demonstrated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy imports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions.   The government undertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the economy from a centralized, planned economy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improvements to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained robust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annually - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, boosted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combined with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria’s economic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria’s prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017.   Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a participant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provided funding to Bulgaria’s National Electric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrecting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bulgargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government established the State eGovernment Agency. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordinating national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity.   Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects.Bulgaria, a former communist country that entered the EU in 2007, has an open economy that historically has demonstrated strong growth, but its per-capita income remains the lowest among EU members and its reliance on energy imports and foreign demand for its exports makes its growth sensitive to external market conditions. The government undertook significant structural economic reforms in the 1990s to move the economy from a centralized, planned economy to a more liberal, market-driven economy. These reforms included privatization of state-owned enterprises, liberalization of trade, and strengthening of the tax system - changes that initially caused some economic hardships but later helped to attract investment, spur growth, and make gradual improvements to living conditions. From 2000 through 2008, Bulgaria maintained robust, average annual real GDP growth in excess of 6%, which was followed by a deep recession in 2009 as the financial crisis caused domestic demand, exports, capital inflows and industrial production to contract, prompting the government to rein in spending. Real GDP growth remained slow - less than 2% annually - until 2015, when demand from EU countries for Bulgarian exports, plus an inflow of EU development funds, boosted growth to more than 3%. In recent years, strong domestic demand combined with low international energy prices have contributed to Bulgaria’s economic growth approaching 4% and have also helped to ease inflation. Bulgaria’s prudent public financial management contributed to budget surpluses both in 2016 and 2017. Bulgaria is heavily reliant on energy imports from Russia, a potential vulnerability, and is a participant in EU-backed efforts to diversify regional natural gas supplies. In late 2016, the Bulgarian Government provided funding to Bulgaria’s National Electric Company to cover the $695 million compensation owed to Russian nuclear equipment manufacturer Atomstroyexport for the cancellation of the Belene Nuclear Power Plant project, which the Bulgarian Government terminated in 2012. As of early 2018, the government was floating the possibility of resurrecting the Belene project. The natural gas market, dominated by state-owned Bulgargaz, is also almost entirely supplied by Russia. Infrastructure projects such as the Inter-Connector Greece-Bulgaria and Inter-Connector Bulgaria-Serbia, which would enable Bulgaria to have access to non-Russian gas, have either stalled or made limited progress. In 2016, the Bulgarian Government established the State eGovernment Agency. This new agency is responsible for the electronic governance, coordinating national policies with the EU, and strengthening cybersecurity. Despite a favorable investment regime, including low, flat corporate income taxes, significant challenges remain. Corruption in public administration, a weak judiciary, low productivity, lack of transparency in public procurements, and the presence of organized crime continue to hamper the country's investment climate and economic prospects. Topic: Burkina FasoBurkina 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. Topic: BurmaSince Burma began the transition to a civilian-led government in 2011, the country initiated economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. Burma established a managed float of the Burmese kyat in 2012, granted the Central Bank operational independence in July 2013, enacted a new anti-corruption law in September 2013, and granted licenses to 13 foreign banks in 2014-16. State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who took power in March 2016, have sought to improve Burma’s investment climate following the US sanctions lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in November 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a foreign investment law that consolidates investment regulations and eases rules on foreign ownership of businesses. Burma’s economic growth rate recovered from a low growth under 6% in 2011 but has been volatile between 6% and 8% between 2014 and 2018. Burma’s abundant natural resources and young labor force have the potential to attract foreign investment in the energy, garment, information technology, and food and beverage sectors. The government is focusing on accelerating agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure. The government has also taken steps to improve transparency in the mining and oil sectors through publication of reports under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2016 and 2018. Despite these improvements, living standards have not improved for the majority of the people residing in rural areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia – approximately 26% of the country’s 51 million people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and economic mismanagement of previous governments have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and inadequate access to capital, which will require a major commitment to reverse. The Burmese Government has been slow to address impediments to economic development such as unclear land rights, a restrictive trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection system, and an antiquated banking system.Since Burma began the transition to a civilian-led government in 2011, the country initiated economic reforms aimed at attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the global economy. Burma established a managed float of the Burmese kyat in 2012, granted the Central Bank operational independence in July 2013, enacted a new anti-corruption law in September 2013, and granted licenses to 13 foreign banks in 2014-16. State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who took power in March 2016, have sought to improve Burma’s investment climate following the US sanctions lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in November 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a foreign investment law that consolidates investment regulations and eases rules on foreign ownership of businesses.Burma’s economic growth rate recovered from a low growth under 6% in 2011 but has been volatile between 6% and 8% between 2014 and 2018. Burma’s abundant natural resources and young labor force have the potential to attract foreign investment in the energy, garment, information technology, and food and beverage sectors. The government is focusing on accelerating agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing and opening the financial sector, and developing transportation and electricity infrastructure. The government has also taken steps to improve transparency in the mining and oil sectors through publication of reports under the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) in 2016 and 2018.Despite these improvements, living standards have not improved for the majority of the people residing in rural areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in Asia – approximately 26% of the country’s 51 million people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and economic mismanagement of previous governments have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and inadequate access to capital, which will require a major commitment to reverse. The Burmese Government has been slow to address impediments to economic development such as unclear land rights, a restrictive trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection system, and an antiquated banking system. Topic: BurundiBurundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. Agriculture accounts for over 40% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi's primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for more than half of foreign exchange earnings, but these earnings are subject to fluctuations in weather and international coffee and tea prices, Burundi is heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as foreign exchange earnings from participation in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Foreign aid represented 48% of Burundi's national income in 2015, one of the highest percentages in Sub-Saharan Africa, but this figure decreased to 33.5% in 2016 due to political turmoil surrounding President NKURUNZIZA’s bid for a third term. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009.   Burundi faces several underlying weaknesses – low governmental capacity, corruption, a high poverty rate, poor educational levels, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, and overburdened utilities – that have prevented the implementation of planned economic reforms. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept pace with inflation, which reached approximately 18% in 2017.   Real GDP growth dropped precipitously following political events in 2015 and has yet to recover to pre-conflict levels. Continued resistance by donors and the international community will restrict Burundi’s economic growth as the country deals with a large current account deficit.Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. Agriculture accounts for over 40% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi's primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for more than half of foreign exchange earnings, but these earnings are subject to fluctuations in weather and international coffee and tea prices, Burundi is heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors, as well as foreign exchange earnings from participation in the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM). Foreign aid represented 48% of Burundi's national income in 2015, one of the highest percentages in Sub-Saharan Africa, but this figure decreased to 33.5% in 2016 due to political turmoil surrounding President NKURUNZIZA’s bid for a third term. Burundi joined the East African Community (EAC) in 2009. Burundi faces several underlying weaknesses – low governmental capacity, corruption, a high poverty rate, poor educational levels, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, and overburdened utilities – that have prevented the implementation of planned economic reforms. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept pace with inflation, which reached approximately 18% in 2017. Real GDP growth dropped precipitously following political events in 2015 and has yet to recover to pre-conflict levels. Continued resistance by donors and the international community will restrict Burundi’s economic growth as the country deals with a large current account deficit. Topic: Cabo VerdeCabo Verde’s economy depends on development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and depends on conditions in the euro-zone countries. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances as a share of GDP are one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.   Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. The island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and poor soil for growing food on several of the islands, requiring it to import most of what it consumes. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited.   Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. The government’s elevated debt levels have limited its capacity to finance any shortfalls.Cabo Verde’s economy depends on development aid, foreign investment, remittances, and tourism. The economy is service-oriented with commerce, transport, tourism, and public services accounting for about three-fourths of GDP. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy and depends on conditions in the euro-zone countries. Cabo Verde annually runs a high trade deficit financed by foreign aid and remittances from its large pool of emigrants; remittances as a share of GDP are one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Although about 40% of the population lives in rural areas, the share of food production in GDP is low. The island economy suffers from a poor natural resource base, including serious water shortages, exacerbated by cycles of long-term drought, and poor soil for growing food on several of the islands, requiring it to import most of what it consumes. The fishing potential, mostly lobster and tuna, is not fully exploited. Economic reforms are aimed at developing the private sector and attracting foreign investment to diversify the economy and mitigate high unemployment. The government’s elevated debt levels have limited its capacity to finance any shortfalls. Topic: CambodiaCambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and about 7% since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of growth. Around 700,000 people, the majority of whom are women, are employed in the garment and footwear sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are employed in the tourism sector, and a further 200,000 people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007 and reaching 5.6 million visitors in 2017. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems.   Still, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by corruption, limited human resources, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the percentage of the population living in poverty decreased to 13.5% in 2016. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure.   The World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia as a lower middle-income country as a result of continued rapid economic growth over the past several years. Cambodia’s graduation from a low-income country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance and will challenge the government to seek new sources of financing. The Cambodian Government has been working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 20% of the government budget will come from donor assistance in 2018. A major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance.   Textile exports, which accounted for 68% of total exports in 2017, have driven much of Cambodia’s growth over the past several years. The textile sector relies on exports to the United States and European Union, and Cambodia’s dependence on its comparative advantage in textile production is a key vulnerability for the economy, especially because Cambodia has continued to run a current account deficit above 9% of GDP since 2014.Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and about 7% since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of growth. Around 700,000 people, the majority of whom are women, are employed in the garment and footwear sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are employed in the tourism sector, and a further 200,000 people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year in 2007 and reaching 5.6 million visitors in 2017. Mining also is attracting some investor interest and the government has touted opportunities for mining bauxite, gold, iron and gems. Still, Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia, and long-term economic development remains a daunting challenge, inhibited by corruption, limited human resources, high income inequality, and poor job prospects. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the percentage of the population living in poverty decreased to 13.5% in 2016. More than 50% of the population is less than 25 years old. The population lacks education and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure. The World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia as a lower middle-income country as a result of continued rapid economic growth over the past several years. Cambodia’s graduation from a low-income country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance and will challenge the government to seek new sources of financing. The Cambodian Government has been working with bilateral and multilateral donors, including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs; more than 20% of the government budget will come from donor assistance in 2018. A major economic challenge for Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an economic environment in which the private sector can create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic imbalance. Textile exports, which accounted for 68% of total exports in 2017, have driven much of Cambodia’s growth over the past several years. The textile sector relies on exports to the United States and European Union, and Cambodia’s dependence on its comparative advantage in textile production is a key vulnerability for the economy, especially because Cambodia has continued to run a current account deficit above 9% of GDP since 2014. Topic: CameroonCameroon’s market-based, diversified economy features oil and gas, timber, aluminum, agriculture, mining and the service sector. Oil remains Cameroon’s main export commodity, and despite falling global oil prices, still accounts for nearly 40% of exports. Cameroon’s economy suffers from factors that often impact underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, continuing inefficiencies of a large parastatal system in key sectors, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise.   Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF continues to press for economic reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. The Government of Cameroon provides subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel that have strained the federal budget and diverted funds from education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, as low oil prices have led to lower revenues.   Cameroon devotes significant resources to several large infrastructure projects currently under construction, including a deep seaport in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. Cameroon’s energy sector continues to diversify, recently opening a natural gas-powered electricity generating plant. Cameroon continues to seek foreign investment to improve its inadequate infrastructure, create jobs, and improve its economic footprint, but its unfavorable business environment remains a significant deterrent to foreign investment.Cameroon’s market-based, diversified economy features oil and gas, timber, aluminum, agriculture, mining and the service sector. Oil remains Cameroon’s main export commodity, and despite falling global oil prices, still accounts for nearly 40% of exports. Cameroon’s economy suffers from factors that often impact underdeveloped countries, such as stagnant per capita income, a relatively inequitable distribution of income, a top-heavy civil service, endemic corruption, continuing inefficiencies of a large parastatal system in key sectors, and a generally unfavorable climate for business enterprise. Since 1990, the government has embarked on various IMF and World Bank programs designed to spur business investment, increase efficiency in agriculture, improve trade, and recapitalize the nation's banks. The IMF continues to press for economic reforms, including increased budget transparency, privatization, and poverty reduction programs. The Government of Cameroon provides subsidies for electricity, food, and fuel that have strained the federal budget and diverted funds from education, healthcare, and infrastructure projects, as low oil prices have led to lower revenues. Cameroon devotes significant resources to several large infrastructure projects currently under construction, including a deep seaport in Kribi and the Lom Pangar Hydropower Project. Cameroon’s energy sector continues to diversify, recently opening a natural gas-powered electricity generating plant. Cameroon continues to seek foreign investment to improve its inadequate infrastructure, create jobs, and improve its economic footprint, but its unfavorable business environment remains a significant deterrent to foreign investment. Topic: CanadaCanada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer.   TThe 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship, with goods and services trade totaling more than $680 billion in 2017, and two-way investment stocks of more than $800 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s merchandise exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports.   Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Canada’s economy posted strong growth in 2017 at 3%, but most analysts are projecting Canada’s economic growth will drop back closer to 2% in 2018.Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer. TThe 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship, with goods and services trade totaling more than $680 billion in 2017, and two-way investment stocks of more than $800 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s merchandise exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports. Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Canada’s economy posted strong growth in 2017 at 3%, but most analysts are projecting Canada’s economic growth will drop back closer to 2% in 2018. Topic: Cayman IslandsWith no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 65,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2017, including more than 280 banks, 700 insurers, and 10,500 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland.   Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2016, with more than three-quarters from the US.With no direct taxation, the islands are a thriving offshore financial center. More than 65,000 companies were registered in the Cayman Islands as of 2017, including more than 280 banks, 700 insurers, and 10,500 mutual funds. A stock exchange was opened in 1997. Nearly 90% of the islands' food and consumer goods must be imported. The Caymanians enjoy a standard of living comparable to that of Switzerland. Tourism is also a mainstay, accounting for about 70% of GDP and 75% of foreign currency earnings. The tourist industry is aimed at the luxury market and caters mainly to visitors from North America. Total tourist arrivals exceeded 2.1 million in 2016, with more than three-quarters from the US. Topic: Central African RepublicSubsistence 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. Topic: ChadChad’s landlocked location results in high transportation costs for imported goods and dependence on neighboring countries. Oil and agriculture are mainstays of Chad’s economy. Oil provides about 60% of export revenues, while cotton, cattle, livestock, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. The services sector contributes less than one-third of GDP and has attracted foreign investment mostly through telecommunications and banking.   Nearly all of Chad’s fuel is provided by one domestic refinery, and unanticipated shutdowns occasionally result in shortages. The country regulates the price of domestic fuel, providing an incentive for black market sales.   Although high oil prices and strong local harvests supported the economy in the past, low oil prices now stress Chad’s fiscal position and have resulted in significant government cutbacks. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most of its public and private sector investment. Investment in Chad is difficult due to its limited infrastructure, lack of trained workers, extensive government bureaucracy, and corruption. Chad obtained a three-year extended credit facility from the IMF in 2014 and was granted debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in April 2015.   In 2018, economic policy will be driven by efforts that started in 2016 to reverse the recession and to repair damage to public finances and exports. The government is implementing an emergency action plan to counterbalance the drop in oil revenue and to diversify the economy. Chad’s national development plan (NDP) cost just over $9 billion with a financing gap of $6.7 billion. The NDP emphasized the importance of private sector participation in Chad’s development, as well as the need to improve the business environment, particularly in priority sectors such as mining and agriculture.   The Government of Chad reached a deal with Glencore and four other banks on the restructuring of a $1.45 billion oil-backed loan in February 2018, after a long negotiation. The new terms include an extension of the maturity to 2030 from 2022, a two-year grace period on principal repayments, and a lower interest rate of the London Inter-bank Offer Rate (Libor) plus 2% - down from Libor plus 7.5%. The original Glencore loan was to be repaid with crude oil assets, however, Chad's oil sales were hit by the downturn in the price of oil. Chad had secured a $312 million credit from the IMF in June 2017, but release of those funds hinged on restructuring the Glencore debt. Chad had already cut public spending to try to meet the terms of the IMF program, but that prompted strikes and protests in a country where nearly 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. Multinational partners, such as the African Development Bank, the EU, and the World Bank are likely to continue budget support in 2018, but Chad will remain at high debt risk, given its dependence on oil revenue and pressure to spend on subsidies and security.Chad’s landlocked location results in high transportation costs for imported goods and dependence on neighboring countries. Oil and agriculture are mainstays of Chad’s economy. Oil provides about 60% of export revenues, while cotton, cattle, livestock, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. The services sector contributes less than one-third of GDP and has attracted foreign investment mostly through telecommunications and banking. Nearly all of Chad’s fuel is provided by one domestic refinery, and unanticipated shutdowns occasionally result in shortages. The country regulates the price of domestic fuel, providing an incentive for black market sales. Although high oil prices and strong local harvests supported the economy in the past, low oil prices now stress Chad’s fiscal position and have resulted in significant government cutbacks. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most of its public and private sector investment. Investment in Chad is difficult due to its limited infrastructure, lack of trained workers, extensive government bureaucracy, and corruption. Chad obtained a three-year extended credit facility from the IMF in 2014 and was granted debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in April 2015. In 2018, economic policy will be driven by efforts that started in 2016 to reverse the recession and to repair damage to public finances and exports. The government is implementing an emergency action plan to counterbalance the drop in oil revenue and to diversify the economy. Chad’s national development plan (NDP) cost just over $9 billion with a financing gap of $6.7 billion. The NDP emphasized the importance of private sector participation in Chad’s development, as well as the need to improve the business environment, particularly in priority sectors such as mining and agriculture. The Government of Chad reached a deal with Glencore and four other banks on the restructuring of a $1.45 billion oil-backed loan in February 2018, after a long negotiation. The new terms include an extension of the maturity to 2030 from 2022, a two-year grace period on principal repayments, and a lower interest rate of the London Inter-bank Offer Rate (Libor) plus 2% - down from Libor plus 7.5%. The original Glencore loan was to be repaid with crude oil assets, however, Chad's oil sales were hit by the downturn in the price of oil. Chad had secured a $312 million credit from the IMF in June 2017, but release of those funds hinged on restructuring the Glencore debt. Chad had already cut public spending to try to meet the terms of the IMF program, but that prompted strikes and protests in a country where nearly 40% of the population lives below the poverty line. Multinational partners, such as the African Development Bank, the EU, and the World Bank are likely to continue budget support in 2018, but Chad will remain at high debt risk, given its dependence on oil revenue and pressure to spend on subsidies and security. Topic: ChileChile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up some 60% of total exports. Copper is Chile’s top export and provides 20% of government revenue.   From 2003 through 2013, real growth averaged almost 5% per year, despite a slight contraction in 2009 that resulted from the global financial crisis. Growth slowed to an estimated 1.4% in 2017. A continued drop in copper prices prompted Chile to experience its third consecutive year of slow growth.   Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, effective 1 January 2004. Chile has 26 trade agreements covering 60 countries including agreements with the EU, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. In May 2010, Chile signed the OECD Convention, becoming the first South American country to join the OECD. In October 2015, Chile signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which was finalized as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and signed at a ceremony in Chile in March 2018.   The Chilean Government has generally followed a countercyclical fiscal policy, under which it accumulates surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and generally allows deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of 31 October 2016, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $23.5 billion. Chile used these funds to finance fiscal stimulus packages during the 2009 economic downturn.   In 2014, then-President Michelle BACHELET introduced tax reforms aimed at delivering her campaign promise to fight inequality and to provide access to education and health care. The reforms are expected to generate additional tax revenues equal to 3% of Chile’s GDP, mostly by increasing corporate tax rates to OECD averages.Chile has a market-oriented economy characterized by a high level of foreign trade and a reputation for strong financial institutions and sound policy that have given it the strongest sovereign bond rating in South America. Exports of goods and services account for approximately one-third of GDP, with commodities making up some 60% of total exports. Copper is Chile’s top export and provides 20% of government revenue. From 2003 through 2013, real growth averaged almost 5% per year, despite a slight contraction in 2009 that resulted from the global financial crisis. Growth slowed to an estimated 1.4% in 2017. A continued drop in copper prices prompted Chile to experience its third consecutive year of slow growth. Chile deepened its longstanding commitment to trade liberalization with the signing of a free trade agreement with the US, effective 1 January 2004. Chile has 26 trade agreements covering 60 countries including agreements with the EU, Mercosur, China, India, South Korea, and Mexico. In May 2010, Chile signed the OECD Convention, becoming the first South American country to join the OECD. In October 2015, Chile signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, which was finalized as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and signed at a ceremony in Chile in March 2018. The Chilean Government has generally followed a countercyclical fiscal policy, under which it accumulates surpluses in sovereign wealth funds during periods of high copper prices and economic growth, and generally allows deficit spending only during periods of low copper prices and growth. As of 31 October 2016, those sovereign wealth funds - kept mostly outside the country and separate from Central Bank reserves - amounted to more than $23.5 billion. Chile used these funds to finance fiscal stimulus packages during the 2009 economic downturn. In 2014, then-President Michelle BACHELET introduced tax reforms aimed at delivering her campaign promise to fight inequality and to provide access to education and health care. The reforms are expected to generate additional tax revenues equal to 3% of Chile’s GDP, mostly by increasing corporate tax rates to OECD averages. Topic: ChinaSince the late 1970s, China has moved from a closed, centrally planned system to a more market-oriented one that plays a major global role. China has implemented reforms in a gradualist fashion, resulting in efficiency gains that have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Reforms began with the phaseout of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, growth of the private sector, development of stock markets and a modern banking system, and opening to foreign trade and investment. China continues to pursue an industrial policy, state support of key sectors, and a restrictive investment regime. From 2013 to 2017, China had one of the fastest growing economies in the world, averaging slightly more than 7% real growth per year. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, China in 2017 stood as the largest economy in the world, surpassing the US in 2014 for the first time in modern history. China became the world's largest exporter in 2010, and the largest trading nation in 2013. Still, China's per capita income is below the world average.   In July 2005 moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. From mid-2005 to late 2008, the renminbi (RMB) appreciated more than 20% against the US dollar, but the exchange rate remained virtually pegged to the dollar from the onset of the global financial crisis until June 2010, when Beijing announced it would resume a gradual appreciation. From 2013 until early 2015, the renminbi held steady against the dollar, but it depreciated 13% from mid-2015 until end-2016 amid strong capital outflows; in 2017 the RMB resumed appreciating against the dollar – roughly 7% from end-of-2016 to end-of-2017. In 2015, the People’s Bank of China announced it would continue to carefully push for full convertibility of the renminbi, after the currency was accepted as part of the IMF’s special drawing rights basket. However, since late 2015 the Chinese Government has strengthened capital controls and oversight of overseas investments to better manage the exchange rate and maintain financial stability.   The Chinese Government faces numerous economic challenges including: (a) reducing its high domestic savings rate and correspondingly low domestic household consumption; (b) managing its high corporate debt burden to maintain financial stability; (c) controlling off-balance sheet local government debt used to finance infrastructure stimulus; (d) facilitating higher-wage job opportunities for the aspiring middle class, including rural migrants and college graduates, while maintaining competitiveness; (e) dampening speculative investment in the real estate sector without sharply slowing the economy; (f) reducing industrial overcapacity; and (g) raising productivity growth rates through the more efficient allocation of capital and state-support for innovation. Economic development has progressed further in coastal provinces than in the interior, and by 2016 more than 169.3 million migrant workers and their dependents had relocated to urban areas to find work. One consequence of China’s population control policy known as the "one-child policy" - which was relaxed in 2016 to permit all families to have two children - is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the North - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and urbanization. The Chinese Government is seeking to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil, focusing on natural gas, nuclear, and clean energy development. In 2016, China ratified the Paris Agreement, a multilateral agreement to combat climate change, and committed to peak its carbon dioxide emissions between 2025 and 2030.   The government's 13th Five-Year Plan, unveiled in March 2016, emphasizes the need to increase innovation and boost domestic consumption to make the economy less dependent on government investment, exports, and heavy industry. However, China has made more progress on subsidizing innovation than rebalancing the economy. Beijing has committed to giving the market a more decisive role in allocating resources, but the Chinese Government’s policies continue to favor state-owned enterprises and emphasize stability. Chinese leaders in 2010 pledged to double China’s GDP by 2020, and the 13th Five Year Plan includes annual economic growth targets of at least 6.5% through 2020 to achieve that goal. In recent years, China has renewed its support for state-owned enterprises in sectors considered important to "economic security," explicitly looking to foster globally competitive industries. Chinese leaders also have undermined some market-oriented reforms by reaffirming the "dominant" role of the state in the economy, a stance that threatens to discourage private initiative and make the economy less efficient over time. The slight acceleration in economic growth in 2017—the first such uptick since 2010—gives Beijing more latitude to pursue its economic reforms, focusing on financial sector deleveraging and its Supply-Side Structural Reform agenda, first announced in late 2015.Since the late 1970s, China has moved from a closed, centrally planned system to a more market-oriented one that plays a major global role. China has implemented reforms in a gradualist fashion, resulting in efficiency gains that have contributed to a more than tenfold increase in GDP since 1978. Reforms began with the phaseout of collectivized agriculture, and expanded to include the gradual liberalization of prices, fiscal decentralization, increased autonomy for state enterprises, growth of the private sector, development of stock markets and a modern banking system, and opening to foreign trade and investment. China continues to pursue an industrial policy, state support of key sectors, and a restrictive investment regime. From 2013 to 2017, China had one of the fastest growing economies in the world, averaging slightly more than 7% real growth per year. Measured on a purchasing power parity (PPP) basis that adjusts for price differences, China in 2017 stood as the largest economy in the world, surpassing the US in 2014 for the first time in modern history. China became the world's largest exporter in 2010, and the largest trading nation in 2013. Still, China's per capita income is below the world average. In July 2005 moved to an exchange rate system that references a basket of currencies. From mid-2005 to late 2008, the renminbi (RMB) appreciated more than 20% against the US dollar, but the exchange rate remained virtually pegged to the dollar from the onset of the global financial crisis until June 2010, when Beijing announced it would resume a gradual appreciation. From 2013 until early 2015, the renminbi held steady against the dollar, but it depreciated 13% from mid-2015 until end-2016 amid strong capital outflows; in 2017 the RMB resumed appreciating against the dollar – roughly 7% from end-of-2016 to end-of-2017. In 2015, the People’s Bank of China announced it would continue to carefully push for full convertibility of the renminbi, after the currency was accepted as part of the IMF’s special drawing rights basket. However, since late 2015 the Chinese Government has strengthened capital controls and oversight of overseas investments to better manage the exchange rate and maintain financial stability. The Chinese Government faces numerous economic challenges including: (a) reducing its high domestic savings rate and correspondingly low domestic household consumption; (b) managing its high corporate debt burden to maintain financial stability; (c) controlling off-balance sheet local government debt used to finance infrastructure stimulus; (d) facilitating higher-wage job opportunities for the aspiring middle class, including rural migrants and college graduates, while maintaining competitiveness; (e) dampening speculative investment in the real estate sector without sharply slowing the economy; (f) reducing industrial overcapacity; and (g) raising productivity growth rates through the more efficient allocation of capital and state-support for innovation. Economic development has progressed further in coastal provinces than in the interior, and by 2016 more than 169.3 million migrant workers and their dependents had relocated to urban areas to find work. One consequence of China’s population control policy known as the "one-child policy" - which was relaxed in 2016 to permit all families to have two children - is that China is now one of the most rapidly aging countries in the world. Deterioration in the environment - notably air pollution, soil erosion, and the steady fall of the water table, especially in the North - is another long-term problem. China continues to lose arable land because of erosion and urbanization. The Chinese Government is seeking to add energy production capacity from sources other than coal and oil, focusing on natural gas, nuclear, and clean energy development. In 2016, China ratified the Paris Agreement, a multilateral agreement to combat climate change, and committed to peak its carbon dioxide emissions between 2025 and 2030. The government's 13th Five-Year Plan, unveiled in March 2016, emphasizes the need to increase innovation and boost domestic consumption to make the economy less dependent on government investment, exports, and heavy industry. However, China has made more progress on subsidizing innovation than rebalancing the economy. Beijing has committed to giving the market a more decisive role in allocating resources, but the Chinese Government’s policies continue to favor state-owned enterprises and emphasize stability. Chinese leaders in 2010 pledged to double China’s GDP by 2020, and the 13th Five Year Plan includes annual economic growth targets of at least 6.5% through 2020 to achieve that goal. In recent years, China has renewed its support for state-owned enterprises in sectors considered important to "economic security," explicitly looking to foster globally competitive industries. Chinese leaders also have undermined some market-oriented reforms by reaffirming the "dominant" role of the state in the economy, a stance that threatens to discourage private initiative and make the economy less efficient over time. The slight acceleration in economic growth in 2017—the first such uptick since 2010—gives Beijing more latitude to pursue its economic reforms, focusing on financial sector deleveraging and its Supply-Side Structural Reform agenda, first announced in late 2015. Topic: Christmas IslandThe main economic activities on Christmas Island are the mining of low grade phosphate, limited tourism, the provision of government services and, since 2005, the construction and operation of the Immigration Detention Center. The government sector includes administration, health, education, policing, customs, quarantine, and defense. Topic: Clipperton IslandAlthough 115 species of fish have been identified in the territorial waters of Clipperton Island, tuna fishing is the only economically viable species. Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsCoconuts, grown throughout the islands, are the sole cash crop. Small local gardens and fishing contribute to the food supply, but additional food and most other necessities must be imported from Australia. There is a small tourist industry. Topic: ColombiaColombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer and the world’s fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia’s economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities (goods that have little value-added from processing or labor inputs).   Colombia’s economy slowed in 2017 because of falling world market prices for oil and lower domestic oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia’s sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia’s FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017.   Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance—a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.Colombia heavily depends on energy and mining exports, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in commodity prices. Colombia is Latin America’s fourth largest oil producer and the world’s fourth largest coal producer, third largest coffee exporter, and second largest cut flowers exporter. Colombia’s economic development is hampered by inadequate infrastructure, poverty, narcotrafficking, and an uncertain security situation, in addition to dependence on primary commodities (goods that have little value-added from processing or labor inputs). Colombia’s economy slowed in 2017 because of falling world market prices for oil and lower domestic oil production due to insurgent attacks on pipeline infrastructure. Although real GDP growth averaged 4.7% during the past decade, it fell to an estimated 1.8% in 2017. Declining oil prices also have contributed to reduced government revenues. In 2016, oil revenue dropped below 4% of the federal budget and likely remained below 4% in 2017. A Western credit rating agency in December 2017 downgraded Colombia’s sovereign credit rating to BBB-, because of weaker-than-expected growth and increasing external debt. Colombia has struggled to address local referendums against foreign investment, which have slowed its expansion, especially in the oil and mining sectors. Colombia’s FDI declined by 3% to $10.2 billion between January and September 2017. Colombia has signed or is negotiating Free Trade Agreements (FTA) with more than a dozen countries; the US-Colombia FTA went into effect in May 2012. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance—a regional trade block formed in 2012 by Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru to promote regional trade and economic integration. The Colombian government took steps in 2017 to address several bilateral trade irritants with the US, including those on truck scrappage, distilled spirits, pharmaceuticals, ethanol imports, and labor rights. Colombia hopes to accede to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Topic: ComorosOne of the world's poorest and smallest economies, the Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for about 50% of GDP, employs a majority of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang ylang (perfume essence); and the Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather. Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, and other dried vegetables account for more than 25% of imports. Remittances from about 300,000 Comorans contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. France, Comoros’s colonial power, remains a key trading partner and bilateral donor.   Comoros faces an education system in need of upgrades, limited opportunities for private commercial and industrial enterprises, poor health services, limited exports, and a high population growth rate. Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, and an ongoing electricity crisis have inhibited growth. The government, elected in mid-2016, has moved to improve revenue mobilization, reduce expenditures, and improve electricity access, although the public sector wage bill remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community with 15 other regional member states.One of the world's poorest and smallest economies, the Comoros is made up of three islands that are hampered by inadequate transportation links, a young and rapidly increasing population, and few natural resources. The low educational level of the labor force contributes to a subsistence level of economic activity and a heavy dependence on foreign grants and technical assistance. Agriculture, including fishing, hunting, and forestry, accounts for about 50% of GDP, employs a majority of the labor force, and provides most of the exports. Export income is heavily reliant on the three main crops of vanilla, cloves, and ylang ylang (perfume essence); and the Comoros' export earnings are easily disrupted by disasters such as fires and extreme weather. Despite agriculture’s importance to the economy, the country imports roughly 70% of its food; rice, the main staple, and other dried vegetables account for more than 25% of imports. Remittances from about 300,000 Comorans contribute about 25% of the country’s GDP. France, Comoros’s colonial power, remains a key trading partner and bilateral donor. Comoros faces an education system in need of upgrades, limited opportunities for private commercial and industrial enterprises, poor health services, limited exports, and a high population growth rate. Recurring political instability, sometimes initiated from outside the country, and an ongoing electricity crisis have inhibited growth. The government, elected in mid-2016, has moved to improve revenue mobilization, reduce expenditures, and improve electricity access, although the public sector wage bill remains one of the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. In mid-2017, Comoros joined the Southern African Development Community with 15 other regional member states. Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theThe economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast natural resource wealth - continues to perform poorly. Systemic corruption since independence in 1960, combined with countrywide instability and intermittent conflict that began in the early-90s, has reduced national output and government revenue, and increased external debt. With the installation of a transitional government in 2003 after peace accords, economic conditions slowly began to improve as the government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms. Progress on implementing substantive economic reforms remains slow because of political instability, bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, and patronage, which also dampen international investment prospects.   Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth until 2015, but low commodity prices have led to slower growth, volatile inflation, currency depreciation, and a growing fiscal deficit. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems for the large mining sector and for the economy as a whole. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data.   Poverty remains widespread in DRC, and the country failed to meet any Millennium Development Goals by 2015. DRC also concluded its program with the IMF in 2015. The price of copper – the DRC’s primary export - plummeted in 2015 and remained at record lows during 2016-17, reducing government revenues, expenditures, and foreign exchange reserves, while inflation reached nearly 50% in mid-2017 – its highest level since the early 2000s.The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast natural resource wealth - continues to perform poorly. Systemic corruption since independence in 1960, combined with countrywide instability and intermittent conflict that began in the early-90s, has reduced national output and government revenue, and increased external debt. With the installation of a transitional government in 2003 after peace accords, economic conditions slowly began to improve as the government reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, and President KABILA began implementing reforms. Progress on implementing substantive economic reforms remains slow because of political instability, bureaucratic inefficiency, corruption, and patronage, which also dampen international investment prospects. Renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most export income, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth until 2015, but low commodity prices have led to slower growth, volatile inflation, currency depreciation, and a growing fiscal deficit. An uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of transparency in government policy are long-term problems for the large mining sector and for the economy as a whole. Much economic activity still occurs in the informal sector and is not reflected in GDP data. Poverty remains widespread in DRC, and the country failed to meet any Millennium Development Goals by 2015. DRC also concluded its program with the IMF in 2015. The price of copper – the DRC’s primary export - plummeted in 2015 and remained at record lows during 2016-17, reducing government revenues, expenditures, and foreign exchange reserves, while inflation reached nearly 50% in mid-2017 – its highest level since the early 2000s. Topic: Congo, Republic of theThe 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. Topic: Cook IslandsLike many other South Pacific island nations, the Cook Islands' economic development is hindered by the isolation of the country from foreign markets, the limited size of domestic markets, lack of natural resources, periodic devastation from natural disasters, and inadequate infrastructure. Agriculture, employing more than one-quarter of the working population, provides the economic base with major exports of copra and citrus fruit. Black pearls are the Cook Islands' leading export. Manufacturing activities are limited to fruit processing, clothing, and handicrafts. Trade deficits are offset by remittances from emigrants and by foreign aid overwhelmingly from New Zealand. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country became overextended, maintaining a bloated public service and accumulating a large foreign debt. Subsequent reforms, including the sale of state assets, the strengthening of economic management, the encouragement of tourism, and a debt restructuring agreement, have rekindled investment and growth. The government is targeting fisheries and seabed mining as sectors for future economic growth. Topic: Coral Sea Islandsno economic activity Topic: Costa RicaSince 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. Topic: Cote d'IvoireFor the last 5 years Cote d'Ivoire's growth rate has been among the highest in the world. Cote d'Ivoire is heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly two-thirds of the population. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to climatic conditions. Cocoa, oil, and coffee are the country's top export revenue earners, but the country has targeted agricultural processing of cocoa, cashews, mangoes, and other commodities as a high priority. Mining gold and exporting electricity are growing industries outside agriculture.   Following the end of more than a decade of civil conflict in 2011, Cote d’Ivoire has experienced a boom in foreign investment and economic growth. In June 2012, the IMF and the World Bank announced $4.4 billion in debt relief for Cote d'Ivoire under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.For the last 5 years Cote d'Ivoire's growth rate has been among the highest in the world. Cote d'Ivoire is heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly two-thirds of the population. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to climatic conditions. Cocoa, oil, and coffee are the country's top export revenue earners, but the country has targeted agricultural processing of cocoa, cashews, mangoes, and other commodities as a high priority. Mining gold and exporting electricity are growing industries outside agriculture. Following the end of more than a decade of civil conflict in 2011, Cote d’Ivoire has experienced a boom in foreign investment and economic growth. In June 2012, the IMF and the World Bank announced $4.4 billion in debt relief for Cote d'Ivoire under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative. Topic: CroatiaThough still one of the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, Croatia’s economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war. The country's output during that time collapsed, and Croatia missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6%, led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable.   Croatia experienced an abrupt slowdown in the economy in 2008; economic growth was stagnant or negative in each year between 2009 and 2014, but has picked up since the third quarter of 2014, ending 2017 with an average of 2.8% growth. Challenges remain including uneven regional development, a difficult investment climate, an inefficient judiciary, and loss of educated young professionals seeking higher salaries elsewhere in the EU. In 2016, Croatia revised its tax code to stimulate growth from domestic consumption and foreign investment. Income tax reduction began in 2017, and in 2018 various business costs were removed from income tax calculations. At the start of 2018, the government announced its economic reform plan, slated for implementation in 2019.   Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Croatian economy, comprising 19.6% of Croatia’s GDP. Croatia is working to become a regional energy hub, and is undertaking plans to open a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal by the end of 2019 or early in 2020 to import LNG for re-distribution in southeast Europe.   Croatia joined the EU on July 1, 2013, following a decade-long accession process. Croatia has developed a plan for Eurozone accession, and the government projects Croatia will adopt the Euro by 2024. In 2017, the Croatian government decreased public debt to 78% of GDP, from an all-time high of 84% in 2014, and realized a 0.8% budget surplus - the first surplus since independence in 1991. The government has also sought to accelerate privatization of non-strategic assets with mixed success. Croatia’s economic recovery is still somewhat fragile; Croatia’s largest private company narrowly avoided collapse in 2017, thanks to a capital infusion from an American investor. Restructuring is ongoing, and projected to finish by mid-July 2018.Though still one of the wealthiest of the former Yugoslav republics, Croatia’s economy suffered badly during the 1991-95 war. The country's output during that time collapsed, and Croatia missed the early waves of investment in Central and Eastern Europe that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall. Between 2000 and 2007, however, Croatia's economic fortunes began to improve with moderate but steady GDP growth between 4% and 6%, led by a rebound in tourism and credit-driven consumer spending. Inflation over the same period remained tame and the currency, the kuna, stable. Croatia experienced an abrupt slowdown in the economy in 2008; economic growth was stagnant or negative in each year between 2009 and 2014, but has picked up since the third quarter of 2014, ending 2017 with an average of 2.8% growth. Challenges remain including uneven regional development, a difficult investment climate, an inefficient judiciary, and loss of educated young professionals seeking higher salaries elsewhere in the EU. In 2016, Croatia revised its tax code to stimulate growth from domestic consumption and foreign investment. Income tax reduction began in 2017, and in 2018 various business costs were removed from income tax calculations. At the start of 2018, the government announced its economic reform plan, slated for implementation in 2019. Tourism is one of the main pillars of the Croatian economy, comprising 19.6% of Croatia’s GDP. Croatia is working to become a regional energy hub, and is undertaking plans to open a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal by the end of 2019 or early in 2020 to import LNG for re-distribution in southeast Europe. Croatia joined the EU on July 1, 2013, following a decade-long accession process. Croatia has developed a plan for Eurozone accession, and the government projects Croatia will adopt the Euro by 2024. In 2017, the Croatian government decreased public debt to 78% of GDP, from an all-time high of 84% in 2014, and realized a 0.8% budget surplus - the first surplus since independence in 1991. The government has also sought to accelerate privatization of non-strategic assets with mixed success. Croatia’s economic recovery is still somewhat fragile; Croatia’s largest private company narrowly avoided collapse in 2017, thanks to a capital infusion from an American investor. Restructuring is ongoing, and projected to finish by mid-July 2018. Topic: CubaThe government continues to balance the need for loosening its socialist economic system against a desire for firm political control. In April 2011, the government held the first Cuban Communist Party Congress in almost 13 years, during which leaders approved a plan for wide-ranging economic changes. Since then, the government has slowly and incrementally implemented limited economic reforms, including allowing Cubans to buy electronic appliances and cell phones, stay in hotels, and buy and sell used cars. The government has cut state sector jobs as part of the reform process, and it has opened up some retail services to "self-employment," leading to the rise of so-called "cuentapropistas" or entrepreneurs. More than 500,000 Cuban workers are currently registered as self-employed. The Cuban regime has updated its economic model to include permitting the private ownership and sale of real estate and new vehicles, allowing private farmers to sell agricultural goods directly to hotels, allowing the creation of non-agricultural cooperatives, adopting a new foreign investment law, and launching a "Special Development Zone" around the Mariel port. Since 2016, Cuba has attributed slowed economic growth in part to problems with petroleum product deliveries from Venezuela. Since late 2000, Venezuela provided petroleum products to Cuba on preferential terms, supplying at times nearly 100,000 barrels per day. Cuba paid for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela, including some 30,000 medical professionals.The government continues to balance the need for loosening its socialist economic system against a desire for firm political control. In April 2011, the government held the first Cuban Communist Party Congress in almost 13 years, during which leaders approved a plan for wide-ranging economic changes. Since then, the government has slowly and incrementally implemented limited economic reforms, including allowing Cubans to buy electronic appliances and cell phones, stay in hotels, and buy and sell used cars. The government has cut state sector jobs as part of the reform process, and it has opened up some retail services to "self-employment," leading to the rise of so-called "cuentapropistas" or entrepreneurs. More than 500,000 Cuban workers are currently registered as self-employed.The Cuban regime has updated its economic model to include permitting the private ownership and sale of real estate and new vehicles, allowing private farmers to sell agricultural goods directly to hotels, allowing the creation of non-agricultural cooperatives, adopting a new foreign investment law, and launching a "Special Development Zone" around the Mariel port.Since 2016, Cuba has attributed slowed economic growth in part to problems with petroleum product deliveries from Venezuela. Since late 2000, Venezuela provided petroleum products to Cuba on preferential terms, supplying at times nearly 100,000 barrels per day. Cuba paid for the oil, in part, with the services of Cuban personnel in Venezuela, including some 30,000 medical professionals. Topic: CuracaoMost of Curacao's GDP results from services. Tourism, petroleum refining and bunkering, offshore finance, and transportation and communications are the mainstays of this small island economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Curacao has limited natural resources, poor soil, and inadequate water supplies, and budgetary problems complicate reform of the health and education systems. Although GDP grew only slightly during the past decade, Curacao enjoys a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared to other countries in the region. Curacao has an excellent natural harbor that can accommodate large oil tankers, and the port of Willemstad hosts a free trade zone and a dry dock. Venezuelan state-owned oil company PdVSA, under a contract in effect until 2019, leases the single refinery on the island from the government, directly employing some 1,000 people. Most of the oil for the refinery is imported from Venezuela and most of the refined products are exported to the US and Asia. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Venezuela being the major suppliers. The government is attempting to diversify its industry and trade. Curacao is an Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) of the European Union. Nationals of Curacao are citizens of the European Union, even though it is not a member. Based on its OCT status, products that originate in Curacao have preferential access to the EU and are exempt from import duties. Curacao is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative and, as a result, products originating in Curacao can be imported tax free into the US if at least 35% has been added to the value of these products in Curacao. The island has state-of-the-art information and communication technology connectivity with the rest of the world, including a Tier IV datacenter. With several direct satellite and submarine optic fiber cables, Curacao has one of the best Internet speeds and reliability in the Western Hemisphere.Most of Curacao's GDP results from services. Tourism, petroleum refining and bunkering, offshore finance, and transportation and communications are the mainstays of this small island economy, which is closely tied to the outside world. Curacao has limited natural resources, poor soil, and inadequate water supplies, and budgetary problems complicate reform of the health and education systems. Although GDP grew only slightly during the past decade, Curacao enjoys a high per capita income and a well-developed infrastructure compared to other countries in the region.Curacao has an excellent natural harbor that can accommodate large oil tankers, and the port of Willemstad hosts a free trade zone and a dry dock. Venezuelan state-owned oil company PdVSA, under a contract in effect until 2019, leases the single refinery on the island from the government, directly employing some 1,000 people. Most of the oil for the refinery is imported from Venezuela and most of the refined products are exported to the US and Asia. Almost all consumer and capital goods are imported, with the US, the Netherlands, and Venezuela being the major suppliers.The government is attempting to diversify its industry and trade. Curacao is an Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) of the European Union. Nationals of Curacao are citizens of the European Union, even though it is not a member. Based on its OCT status, products that originate in Curacao have preferential access to the EU and are exempt from import duties. Curacao is a beneficiary of the Caribbean Basin Initiative and, as a result, products originating in Curacao can be imported tax free into the US if at least 35% has been added to the value of these products in Curacao. The island has state-of-the-art information and communication technology connectivity with the rest of the world, including a Tier IV datacenter. With several direct satellite and submarine optic fiber cables, Curacao has one of the best Internet speeds and reliability in the Western Hemisphere. Topic: CyprusThe area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by a services sector that accounts for more than four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, finance, shipping, and real estate have traditionally been the most important services. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since May 2004 and adopted the euro as its national currency in January 2008.   During the first five years of EU membership, the Cyprus economy grew at an average rate of about 4%, with unemployment between 2004 and 2008 averaging about 4%. However, the economy tipped into recession in 2009 as the ongoing global financial crisis and resulting low demand hit the tourism and construction sectors. An overextended banking sector with excessive exposure to Greek debt added to the contraction. Cyprus’ biggest two banks were among the largest holders of Greek bonds in Europe and had a substantial presence in Greece through bank branches and subsidiaries. Following numerous downgrades of its credit rating, Cyprus lost access to international capital markets in May 2011. In July 2012, Cyprus became the fifth euro-zone government to request an economic bailout program from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund - known collectively as the "Troika."   Shortly after the election of President Nikos ANASTASIADES in February 2013, Cyprus reached an agreement with the Troika on a $13 billion bailout that triggered a two-week bank closure and the imposition of capital controls that remained partially in place until April 2015. Cyprus' two largest banks merged and the combined entity was recapitalized through conversion of some large bank deposits to shares and imposition of losses on bank bondholders. As with other EU countries, the Troika conditioned the bailout on passing financial and structural reforms and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Despite downsizing and restructuring, the Cypriot financial sector remains burdened by the largest stock of non-performing loans in the euro zone, equal to nearly half of all loans. Since the bailout, Cyprus has received positive appraisals by the Troika and outperformed fiscal targets but has struggled to overcome political opposition to bailout-mandated legislation, particularly regarding privatizations. The rate of non-performing loans (NPLs) is still very high at around 49%, and growth would accelerate if Cypriot banks could increase the pace of resolution of the NPLs.   In October 2013, a US-Israeli consortium completed preliminary appraisals of hydrocarbon deposits in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which estimated gross mean reserves of about 130 billion cubic meters. Though exploration continues in Cyprus’ EEZ, no additional commercially exploitable reserves have been identified. Developing offshore hydrocarbon resources remains a critical component of the government’s economic recovery efforts, but development has been delayed as a result of regional developments and disagreements about exploitation methods.The area of the Republic of Cyprus under government control has a market economy dominated by a services sector that accounts for more than four-fifths of GDP. Tourism, finance, shipping, and real estate have traditionally been the most important services. Cyprus has been a member of the EU since May 2004 and adopted the euro as its national currency in January 2008. During the first five years of EU membership, the Cyprus economy grew at an average rate of about 4%, with unemployment between 2004 and 2008 averaging about 4%. However, the economy tipped into recession in 2009 as the ongoing global financial crisis and resulting low demand hit the tourism and construction sectors. An overextended banking sector with excessive exposure to Greek debt added to the contraction. Cyprus’ biggest two banks were among the largest holders of Greek bonds in Europe and had a substantial presence in Greece through bank branches and subsidiaries. Following numerous downgrades of its credit rating, Cyprus lost access to international capital markets in May 2011. In July 2012, Cyprus became the fifth euro-zone government to request an economic bailout program from the European Commission, European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund - known collectively as the "Troika." Shortly after the election of President Nikos ANASTASIADES in February 2013, Cyprus reached an agreement with the Troika on a $13 billion bailout that triggered a two-week bank closure and the imposition of capital controls that remained partially in place until April 2015. Cyprus' two largest banks merged and the combined entity was recapitalized through conversion of some large bank deposits to shares and imposition of losses on bank bondholders. As with other EU countries, the Troika conditioned the bailout on passing financial and structural reforms and privatizing state-owned enterprises. Despite downsizing and restructuring, the Cypriot financial sector remains burdened by the largest stock of non-performing loans in the euro zone, equal to nearly half of all loans. Since the bailout, Cyprus has received positive appraisals by the Troika and outperformed fiscal targets but has struggled to overcome political opposition to bailout-mandated legislation, particularly regarding privatizations. The rate of non-performing loans (NPLs) is still very high at around 49%, and growth would accelerate if Cypriot banks could increase the pace of resolution of the NPLs. In October 2013, a US-Israeli consortium completed preliminary appraisals of hydrocarbon deposits in Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which estimated gross mean reserves of about 130 billion cubic meters. Though exploration continues in Cyprus’ EEZ, no additional commercially exploitable reserves have been identified. Developing offshore hydrocarbon resources remains a critical component of the government’s economic recovery efforts, but development has been delayed as a result of regional developments and disagreements about exploitation methods. Topic: CzechiaCzechia is a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, but its dependence on exports makes economic growth vulnerable to contractions in external demand. Czechia’s exports comprise some 80% of GDP and largely consist of automobiles, the country’s single largest industry. Czechia acceded to the EU in 2004 but has yet to join the euro-zone. While the flexible koruna helps Czechia weather external shocks, it was one of the world’s strongest performing currencies in 2017, appreciating approximately 16% relative to the US dollar after the central bank (Czech National Bank - CNB) ended its cap on the currency’s value in early April 2017, which it had maintained since November 2013. The CNB hiked rates in August and November 2017 - the first rate changes in nine years - to address rising inflationary pressures brought by strong economic growth and a tight labor market.   Since coming to power in 2014, the new government has undertaken some reforms to try to reduce corruption, attract investment, and improve social welfare programs, which could help increase the government’s revenues and improve living conditions for Czechs. The government introduced in December 2016 an online tax reporting system intended to reduce tax evasion and increase revenues. The government also plans to remove labor market rigidities to improve the business climate, bring procurement procedures in line with EU best practices, and boost wages. The country's low unemployment rate has led to steady increases in salaries, and the government is facing pressure from businesses to allow greater migration of qualified workers, at least from Ukraine and neighboring Central European countries.   Long-term challenges include dealing with a rapidly aging population, a shortage of skilled workers, a lagging education system, funding an unsustainable pension and health care system, and diversifying away from manufacturing and toward a more high-tech, services-based, knowledge economy.Czechia is a prosperous market economy that boasts one of the highest GDP growth rates and lowest unemployment levels in the EU, but its dependence on exports makes economic growth vulnerable to contractions in external demand. Czechia’s exports comprise some 80% of GDP and largely consist of automobiles, the country’s single largest industry. Czechia acceded to the EU in 2004 but has yet to join the euro-zone. While the flexible koruna helps Czechia weather external shocks, it was one of the world’s strongest performing currencies in 2017, appreciating approximately 16% relative to the US dollar after the central bank (Czech National Bank - CNB) ended its cap on the currency’s value in early April 2017, which it had maintained since November 2013. The CNB hiked rates in August and November 2017 - the first rate changes in nine years - to address rising inflationary pressures brought by strong economic growth and a tight labor market. Since coming to power in 2014, the new government has undertaken some reforms to try to reduce corruption, attract investment, and improve social welfare programs, which could help increase the government’s revenues and improve living conditions for Czechs. The government introduced in December 2016 an online tax reporting system intended to reduce tax evasion and increase revenues. The government also plans to remove labor market rigidities to improve the business climate, bring procurement procedures in line with EU best practices, and boost wages. The country's low unemployment rate has led to steady increases in salaries, and the government is facing pressure from businesses to allow greater migration of qualified workers, at least from Ukraine and neighboring Central European countries. Long-term challenges include dealing with a rapidly aging population, a shortage of skilled workers, a lagging education system, funding an unsustainable pension and health care system, and diversifying away from manufacturing and toward a more high-tech, services-based, knowledge economy. Topic: DenmarkThis thoroughly modern market economy features advanced industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping, and renewable energy, and a high-tech agricultural sector. Danes enjoy a high standard of living, and the Danish economy is characterized by extensive government welfare measures and an equitable distribution of income. An aging population will be a long-term issue.   Denmark’s small open economy is highly dependent on foreign trade, and the government strongly supports trade liberalization. Denmark is a net exporter of food, oil, and gas and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus, but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector.   Denmark is a member of the EU but not the eurozone. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union, Denmark has negotiated an opt-out with the EU and is not required to adopt the euro.   Denmark is experiencing a modest economic expansion. The economy grew by 2.0% in 2016 and 2.1% in 2017. The expansion is expected to decline slightly in 2018. Unemployment stood at 5.5% in 2017, based on the national labor survey. The labor market was tight in 2017, with corporations experiencing some difficulty finding appropriately-skilled workers to fill billets. The Danish Government offers extensive programs to train unemployed persons to work in sectors that need qualified workers.   Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the global financial crisis swung the budget balance into deficit. Since 2014 the balance has shifted between surplus and deficit. In 2017 there was a surplus of 1.0%. The government projects a lower deficit in 2018 and 2019 of 0.7%, and public debt (EMU debt) as a share of GDP is expected to decline to 35.6% in 2018 and 34.8% in 2019. The Danish Government plans to address increasing municipal, public housing and integration spending in 2018.This thoroughly modern market economy features advanced industry with world-leading firms in pharmaceuticals, maritime shipping, and renewable energy, and a high-tech agricultural sector. Danes enjoy a high standard of living, and the Danish economy is characterized by extensive government welfare measures and an equitable distribution of income. An aging population will be a long-term issue. Denmark’s small open economy is highly dependent on foreign trade, and the government strongly supports trade liberalization. Denmark is a net exporter of food, oil, and gas and enjoys a comfortable balance of payments surplus, but depends on imports of raw materials for the manufacturing sector. Denmark is a member of the EU but not the eurozone. Despite previously meeting the criteria to join the European Economic and Monetary Union, Denmark has negotiated an opt-out with the EU and is not required to adopt the euro. Denmark is experiencing a modest economic expansion. The economy grew by 2.0% in 2016 and 2.1% in 2017. The expansion is expected to decline slightly in 2018. Unemployment stood at 5.5% in 2017, based on the national labor survey. The labor market was tight in 2017, with corporations experiencing some difficulty finding appropriately-skilled workers to fill billets. The Danish Government offers extensive programs to train unemployed persons to work in sectors that need qualified workers. Denmark maintained a healthy budget surplus for many years up to 2008, but the global financial crisis swung the budget balance into deficit. Since 2014 the balance has shifted between surplus and deficit. In 2017 there was a surplus of 1.0%. The government projects a lower deficit in 2018 and 2019 of 0.7%, and public debt (EMU debt) as a share of GDP is expected to decline to 35.6% in 2018 and 34.8% in 2019. The Danish Government plans to address increasing municipal, public housing and integration spending in 2018. Topic: DhekeliaEconomic activity is limited to providing services to the military and their families located in Dhekelia. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Topic: DjiboutiDjibouti's economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location as a deepwater port on the Red Sea. Three-fourths of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scant rainfall and less than 4% arable land limits crop production to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported.   Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports, exports, and reexports represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Reexports consist primarily of coffee from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An official unemployment rate of nearly 40% - with youth unemployment near 80% - continues to be a major problem. Inflation was a modest 3% in 2014-2017, due to low international food prices and a decline in electricity tariffs.   Djibouti’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food and water leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks, though in mid-2015 Djibouti passed new legislation to liberalize the energy sector. The government has emphasized infrastructure development for transportation and energy and Djibouti – with the help of foreign partners, particularly China – has begun to increase and modernize its port capacity. In 2017, Djibouti opened two of the largest projects in its history, the Doraleh Port and Djibouti-Addis Ababa Railway, funded by China as part of the "Belt and Road Initiative," which will increase the country’s ability to capitalize on its strategic location.Djibouti's economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location as a deepwater port on the Red Sea. Three-fourths of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scant rainfall and less than 4% arable land limits crop production to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports, exports, and reexports represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Reexports consist primarily of coffee from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An official unemployment rate of nearly 40% - with youth unemployment near 80% - continues to be a major problem. Inflation was a modest 3% in 2014-2017, due to low international food prices and a decline in electricity tariffs. Djibouti’s reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food and water leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks, though in mid-2015 Djibouti passed new legislation to liberalize the energy sector. The government has emphasized infrastructure development for transportation and energy and Djibouti – with the help of foreign partners, particularly China – has begun to increase and modernize its port capacity. In 2017, Djibouti opened two of the largest projects in its history, the Doraleh Port and Djibouti-Addis Ababa Railway, funded by China as part of the "Belt and Road Initiative," which will increase the country’s ability to capitalize on its strategic location. Topic: DominicaThe Dominican economy was dependent on agriculture - primarily bananas - in years past, but increasingly has been driven by tourism, as the government seeks to promote Dominica as an "ecotourism" destination. However, Hurricane Maria, which passed through the island in September 2017, destroyed much of the country’s agricultural sector and caused damage to all of the country’s transportation and physical infrastructure. Before Hurricane Maria, the government had attempted to foster an offshore financial industry and planned to sign agreements with the private sector to develop geothermal energy resources. At a time when government finances are fragile, the government’s focus has been to get the country back in shape to service cruise ships. The economy contracted in 2015 and recovered to positive growth in 2016 due to a recovery of agriculture and tourism. Dominica suffers from high debt levels, which increased from 67% of GDP in 2010 to 77% in 2016. Dominica is one of five countries in the East Caribbean that have citizenship by investment programs whereby foreigners can obtain passports for a fee and revenue from this contribute to government budgets. Topic: Dominican RepublicThe 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. Topic: EcuadorEcuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which accounted for about a third of the country's export earnings in 2017. Remittances from overseas Ecuadorian are also important.   In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis that lead to some reforms, including adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in most of the years that followed. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since 2008 and now accounts for 77.7% of the Ecuador’s bilateral debt. Various economic policies under the CORREA administration, such as an announcement in 2017 that Ecuador would terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties - including one with the US, generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment.   Faced with a 2013 trade deficit of $1.1 billion, Ecuador imposed tariff surcharges from 5% to 45% on an estimated 32% of imports. Ecuador’s economy fell into recession in 2015 and remained in recession in 2016. Declining oil prices and exports forced the CORREA administration to cut government oulays. Foreign investment in Ecuador is low as a result of the unstable regulatory environment and weak rule of law.   n April of 2017, Lenin MORENO was elected President of Ecuador by popular vote. His immediate challenge was to reengage the private sector to improve cash flow in the country. Ecuador’s economy returned to positive, but sluggish, growth. In early 2018, the MORENO administration held a public referendum on seven economic and political issues in a move counter to CORREA-administration policies, reduce corruption, strengthen democracy, and revive employment and the economy. The referendum resulted in repeal of taxes associated with recovery from the earthquake of 2016, reduced restrictions on metal mining in the Yasuni Intangible Zone - a protected area, and several political reforms.Ecuador is substantially dependent on its petroleum resources, which accounted for about a third of the country's export earnings in 2017. Remittances from overseas Ecuadorian are also important. In 1999/2000, Ecuador's economy suffered from a banking crisis that lead to some reforms, including adoption of the US dollar as legal tender. Dollarization stabilized the economy, and positive growth returned in most of the years that followed. China has become Ecuador's largest foreign lender since 2008 and now accounts for 77.7% of the Ecuador’s bilateral debt. Various economic policies under the CORREA administration, such as an announcement in 2017 that Ecuador would terminate 13 bilateral investment treaties - including one with the US, generated economic uncertainty and discouraged private investment. Faced with a 2013 trade deficit of $1.1 billion, Ecuador imposed tariff surcharges from 5% to 45% on an estimated 32% of imports. Ecuador’s economy fell into recession in 2015 and remained in recession in 2016. Declining oil prices and exports forced the CORREA administration to cut government oulays. Foreign investment in Ecuador is low as a result of the unstable regulatory environment and weak rule of law. n April of 2017, Lenin MORENO was elected President of Ecuador by popular vote. His immediate challenge was to reengage the private sector to improve cash flow in the country. Ecuador’s economy returned to positive, but sluggish, growth. In early 2018, the MORENO administration held a public referendum on seven economic and political issues in a move counter to CORREA-administration policies, reduce corruption, strengthen democracy, and revive employment and the economy. The referendum resulted in repeal of taxes associated with recovery from the earthquake of 2016, reduced restrictions on metal mining in the Yasuni Intangible Zone - a protected area, and several political reforms. Topic: EgyptOccupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Agriculture, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, tourism, and other service sectors drove the country’s relatively diverse economic activity.   Despite Egypt’s mixed record for attracting foreign investment over the past two decades, poor living conditions and limited job opportunities have contributed to public discontent. These socioeconomic pressures were a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted MUBARAK. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 has restricted economic growth and failed to alleviate persistent unemployment, especially among the young.   In late 2016, persistent dollar shortages and waning aid from its Gulf allies led Cairo to turn to the IMF for a 3-year, $12 billion loan program. To secure the deal, Cairo floated its currency, introduced new taxes, and cut energy subsidies - all of which pushed inflation above 30% for most of 2017, a high that had not been seen in a generation. Since the currency float, foreign investment in Egypt’s high interest treasury bills has risen exponentially, boosting both dollar availability and central bank reserves. Cairo will be challenged to obtain foreign and local investment in manufacturing and other sectors without a sustained effort to implement a range of business reforms.Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Agriculture, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, tourism, and other service sectors drove the country’s relatively diverse economic activity. Despite Egypt’s mixed record for attracting foreign investment over the past two decades, poor living conditions and limited job opportunities have contributed to public discontent. These socioeconomic pressures were a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted MUBARAK. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 has restricted economic growth and failed to alleviate persistent unemployment, especially among the young. In late 2016, persistent dollar shortages and waning aid from its Gulf allies led Cairo to turn to the IMF for a 3-year, $12 billion loan program. To secure the deal, Cairo floated its currency, introduced new taxes, and cut energy subsidies - all of which pushed inflation above 30% for most of 2017, a high that had not been seen in a generation. Since the currency float, foreign investment in Egypt’s high interest treasury bills has risen exponentially, boosting both dollar availability and central bank reserves. Cairo will be challenged to obtain foreign and local investment in manufacturing and other sectors without a sustained effort to implement a range of business reforms. Topic: El SalvadorThe smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2014, but recovered somewhat in 2015-17 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. Remittances accounted for approximately 18% of GDP in 2017 and were received by about a third of all households.   In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. In September 2015, El Salvador kicked off a five-year $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation - a US Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets.   The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during reconstruction and rebuilding following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt, estimated at 59.3% of GDP in 2017, has been growing over the last several years.The smallest country in Central America geographically, El Salvador has the fourth largest economy in the region. With the global recession, real GDP contracted in 2009 and economic growth has since remained low, averaging less than 2% from 2010 to 2014, but recovered somewhat in 2015-17 with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%. Remittances accounted for approximately 18% of GDP in 2017 and were received by about a third of all households. In 2006, El Salvador was the first country to ratify the Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which has bolstered the export of processed foods, sugar, and ethanol, and supported investment in the apparel sector amid increased Asian competition. In September 2015, El Salvador kicked off a five-year $277 million second compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation - a US Government agency aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty - to improve El Salvador's competitiveness and productivity in international markets. The Salvadoran Government maintained fiscal discipline during reconstruction and rebuilding following earthquakes in 2001 and hurricanes in 1998 and 2005, but El Salvador's public debt, estimated at 59.3% of GDP in 2017, has been growing over the last several years. Topic: Equatorial GuineaExploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; a recent rebasing of GDP resulted in an upward revision of the size of the economy by approximately 30%. Forestry and farming are minor components of GDP. Although preindependence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy since independence has diminished the potential for agriculture-led growth. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood. Declining revenue from hydrocarbon production, high levels of infrastructure expenditures, lack of economic diversification, and corruption have pushed the economy into decline in recent years and limited improvements in the general population’s living conditions. Equatorial Guinea’s real GDP growth has been weak in recent years, averaging -0.5% per year from 2010 to 2014, because of a declining hydrocarbon sector. Inflation remained very low in 2016, down from an average of 4% in 2014.   As a middle income country, Equatorial Guinea is now ineligible for most low-income World Bank and the IMF funding. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues and has attempted to address this issue by working toward compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. US foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea is limited in part because of US restrictions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.   Equatorial Guinea hosted two economic diversification symposia in 2014 that focused on attracting investment in five sectors: agriculture and animal ranching, fishing, mining and petrochemicals, tourism, and financial services. Undeveloped mineral resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals. In 2017 Equatorial Guinea signed a preliminary agreement with Ghana to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG); as oil production wanes, the government believes LNG could provide a boost to revenues, but it will require large investments and long lead times to develop.Exploitation of oil and gas deposits, beginning in the 1990s, has driven economic growth in Equatorial Guinea; a recent rebasing of GDP resulted in an upward revision of the size of the economy by approximately 30%. Forestry and farming are minor components of GDP. Although preindependence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy since independence has diminished the potential for agriculture-led growth. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood. Declining revenue from hydrocarbon production, high levels of infrastructure expenditures, lack of economic diversification, and corruption have pushed the economy into decline in recent years and limited improvements in the general population’s living conditions. Equatorial Guinea’s real GDP growth has been weak in recent years, averaging -0.5% per year from 2010 to 2014, because of a declining hydrocarbon sector. Inflation remained very low in 2016, down from an average of 4% in 2014. As a middle income country, Equatorial Guinea is now ineligible for most low-income World Bank and the IMF funding. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues and has attempted to address this issue by working toward compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. US foreign assistance to Equatorial Guinea is limited in part because of US restrictions pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Equatorial Guinea hosted two economic diversification symposia in 2014 that focused on attracting investment in five sectors: agriculture and animal ranching, fishing, mining and petrochemicals, tourism, and financial services. Undeveloped mineral resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals. In 2017 Equatorial Guinea signed a preliminary agreement with Ghana to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG); as oil production wanes, the government believes LNG could provide a boost to revenues, but it will require large investments and long lead times to develop. Topic: EritreaSince formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced many economic problems, including lack of financial resources and chronic drought. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice. Like the economies of many African nations, a large share of the population - nearly 80% in Eritrea - is engaged in subsistence agriculture, but the sector only produces a small share of the country's total output. Mining accounts for the lion's share of output.   The government has strictly controlled the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability; new regulations in 2013 aimed at relaxing currency controls have had little economic effect. Few large private enterprises exist in Eritrea and most operate in conjunction with government partners, including a number of large international mining ventures, which began production in 2013. In late 2015, the Government of Eritrea introduced a new currency, retaining the name nakfa, and restricted the amount of hard currency individuals could withdraw from banks per month. The changeover has resulted in exchange fluctuations and the scarcity of hard currency available in the market.   While reliable statistics on Eritrea are difficult to obtain, erratic rainfall and the large percentage of the labor force tied up in military service continue to interfere with agricultural production and economic development. Eritrea's harvests generally cannot meet the food needs of the country without supplemental grain purchases. Copper, potash, and gold production are likely to continue to drive limited economic growth and government revenue over the next few years, but military spending will continue to compete with development and investment plans.Since formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Eritrea has faced many economic problems, including lack of financial resources and chronic drought. Eritrea has a command economy under the control of the sole political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice. Like the economies of many African nations, a large share of the population - nearly 80% in Eritrea - is engaged in subsistence agriculture, but the sector only produces a small share of the country's total output. Mining accounts for the lion's share of output. The government has strictly controlled the use of foreign currency by limiting access and availability; new regulations in 2013 aimed at relaxing currency controls have had little economic effect. Few large private enterprises exist in Eritrea and most operate in conjunction with government partners, including a number of large international mining ventures, which began production in 2013. In late 2015, the Government of Eritrea introduced a new currency, retaining the name nakfa, and restricted the amount of hard currency individuals could withdraw from banks per month. The changeover has resulted in exchange fluctuations and the scarcity of hard currency available in the market. While reliable statistics on Eritrea are difficult to obtain, erratic rainfall and the large percentage of the labor force tied up in military service continue to interfere with agricultural production and economic development. Eritrea's harvests generally cannot meet the food needs of the country without supplemental grain purchases. Copper, potash, and gold production are likely to continue to drive limited economic growth and government revenue over the next few years, but military spending will continue to compete with development and investment plans. Topic: EstoniaEstonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.   The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption.   Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce.Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption. Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce. Topic: EswatiniA small, landlocked kingdom, Eswatini is bordered in the north, west and south by the Republic of South Africa and by Mozambique in the east. Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing Eswatini's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for almost half of its revenue. Eswatini is a lower middle income country. As of 2017, more than one-quarter of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS; Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV prevalence rate, a financial strain and source of economic instability.   The manufacturing sector diversified in the 1980s and 1990s, but manufacturing has grown little in the last decade. Sugar and soft drink concentrate are the largest foreign exchange earners, although a drought in 2015-16 decreased sugar production and exports. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods are persistent problems. Mining has declined in importance in recent years. Coal, gold, diamond, and quarry stone mines are small scale, and the only iron ore mine closed in 2014. With an estimated 28% unemployment rate, Eswatini's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and to attract foreign direct investment is acute.   Eswatini's national development strategy, which expires in 2022, prioritizes increases in infrastructure, agriculture production, and economic diversification, while aiming to reduce poverty and government spending. Eswatini's revenue from SACU receipts are likely to continue to decline as South Africa pushes for a new distribution scheme, making it harder for the government to maintain fiscal balance without introducing new sources of revenue.A small, landlocked kingdom, Eswatini is bordered in the north, west and south by the Republic of South Africa and by Mozambique in the east. Eswatini depends on South Africa for a majority of its exports and imports. Eswatini's currency is pegged to the South African rand, effectively relinquishing Eswatini's monetary policy to South Africa. The government is dependent on customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) for almost half of its revenue. Eswatini is a lower middle income country. As of 2017, more than one-quarter of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS; Eswatini has the world’s highest HIV prevalence rate, a financial strain and source of economic instability. The manufacturing sector diversified in the 1980s and 1990s, but manufacturing has grown little in the last decade. Sugar and soft drink concentrate are the largest foreign exchange earners, although a drought in 2015-16 decreased sugar production and exports. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and floods are persistent problems. Mining has declined in importance in recent years. Coal, gold, diamond, and quarry stone mines are small scale, and the only iron ore mine closed in 2014. With an estimated 28% unemployment rate, Eswatini's need to increase the number and size of small and medium enterprises and to attract foreign direct investment is acute. Eswatini's national development strategy, which expires in 2022, prioritizes increases in infrastructure, agriculture production, and economic diversification, while aiming to reduce poverty and government spending. Eswatini's revenue from SACU receipts are likely to continue to decline as South Africa pushes for a new distribution scheme, making it harder for the government to maintain fiscal balance without introducing new sources of revenue. Topic: EthiopiaEthiopia - the second most populous country in Africa - is a one-party state with a planned economy. For more than a decade before 2016, GDP grew at a rate between 8% and 11% annually – one of the fastest growing states among the 188 IMF member countries. This growth was driven by government investment in infrastructure, as well as sustained progress in the agricultural and service sectors. More than 70% of Ethiopia’s population is still employed in the agricultural sector, but services have surpassed agriculture as the principal source of GDP.   Ethiopia has the lowest level of income-inequality in Africa and one of the lowest in the world, with a Gini coefficient comparable to that of the Scandinavian countries. Yet despite progress toward eliminating extreme poverty, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, due both to rapid population growth and a low starting base. Changes in rainfall associated with world-wide weather patterns resulted in the worst drought in 30 years in 2015-16, creating food insecurity for millions of Ethiopians.   The state is heavily engaged in the economy. Ongoing infrastructure projects include power production and distribution, roads, rails, airports and industrial parks. Key sectors are state-owned, including telecommunications, banking and insurance, and power distribution. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to tenants. Title rights in urban areas, particularly Addis Ababa, are poorly regulated, and subject to corruption.   Ethiopia’s foreign exchange earnings are led by the services sector - primarily the state-run Ethiopian Airlines - followed by exports of several commodities. While coffee remains the largest foreign exchange earner, Ethiopia is diversifying exports, and commodities such as gold, sesame, khat, livestock and horticulture products are becoming increasingly important. Manufacturing represented less than 8% of total exports in 2016, but manufacturing exports should increase in future years due to a growing international presence.   The banking, insurance, telecommunications, and micro-credit industries are restricted to domestic investors, but Ethiopia has attracted roughly $8.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), mostly from China, Turkey, India and the EU; US FDI is $567 million. Investment has been primarily in infrastructure, construction, agriculture/horticulture, agricultural processing, textiles, leather and leather products.   To support industrialization in sectors where Ethiopia has a comparative advantage, such as textiles and garments, leather goods, and processed agricultural products, Ethiopia plans to increase installed power generation capacity by 8,320 MW, up from a capacity of 2,000 MW, by building three more major dams and expanding to other sources of renewable energy. In 2017, the government devalued the birr by 15% to increase exports and alleviate a chronic foreign currency shortage in the country.Ethiopia - the second most populous country in Africa - is a one-party state with a planned economy. For more than a decade before 2016, GDP grew at a rate between 8% and 11% annually – one of the fastest growing states among the 188 IMF member countries. This growth was driven by government investment in infrastructure, as well as sustained progress in the agricultural and service sectors. More than 70% of Ethiopia’s population is still employed in the agricultural sector, but services have surpassed agriculture as the principal source of GDP. Ethiopia has the lowest level of income-inequality in Africa and one of the lowest in the world, with a Gini coefficient comparable to that of the Scandinavian countries. Yet despite progress toward eliminating extreme poverty, Ethiopia remains one of the poorest countries in the world, due both to rapid population growth and a low starting base. Changes in rainfall associated with world-wide weather patterns resulted in the worst drought in 30 years in 2015-16, creating food insecurity for millions of Ethiopians. The state is heavily engaged in the economy. Ongoing infrastructure projects include power production and distribution, roads, rails, airports and industrial parks. Key sectors are state-owned, including telecommunications, banking and insurance, and power distribution. Under Ethiopia's constitution, the state owns all land and provides long-term leases to tenants. Title rights in urban areas, particularly Addis Ababa, are poorly regulated, and subject to corruption. Ethiopia’s foreign exchange earnings are led by the services sector - primarily the state-run Ethiopian Airlines - followed by exports of several commodities. While coffee remains the largest foreign exchange earner, Ethiopia is diversifying exports, and commodities such as gold, sesame, khat, livestock and horticulture products are becoming increasingly important. Manufacturing represented less than 8% of total exports in 2016, but manufacturing exports should increase in future years due to a growing international presence. The banking, insurance, telecommunications, and micro-credit industries are restricted to domestic investors, but Ethiopia has attracted roughly $8.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), mostly from China, Turkey, India and the EU; US FDI is $567 million. Investment has been primarily in infrastructure, construction, agriculture/horticulture, agricultural processing, textiles, leather and leather products. To support industrialization in sectors where Ethiopia has a comparative advantage, such as textiles and garments, leather goods, and processed agricultural products, Ethiopia plans to increase installed power generation capacity by 8,320 MW, up from a capacity of 2,000 MW, by building three more major dams and expanding to other sources of renewable energy. In 2017, the government devalued the birr by 15% to increase exports and alleviate a chronic foreign currency shortage in the country. Topic: European UnionThe 27 member states that make up the EU have adopted an internal single market with free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor. The EU, which is also a customs union, aims to bolster Europe's trade position and its political and economic weight in international affairs.   Despite great differences in per capita income among member states (from $28,000 to $109,000) and in national attitudes toward issues like inflation, debt, and foreign trade, the EU has achieved a high degree of coordination of monetary and fiscal policies. A common currency – the euro – circulates among 19 of the member states that make up the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Eleven member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999 (Greece did so two years later). Since 2004, 13 states acceded to the EU. Of the 13, Slovenia (2007), Cyprus and Malta (2008), Slovakia (2009), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2014), and Lithuania (2015) have adopted the euro; seven other member states - excluding Denmark, which has a formal opt-out - are required by EU treaties to adopt the common currency upon meeting fiscal and monetary convergence criteria.   The EU economy posted moderate GDP growth for 2014 through 2017, capping five years of sustained growth since the 2008-09 global economic crisis and the ensuing sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone in 2011. However, the bloc’s recovery was uneven. Some EU member states (Czechia, Ireland, Malta, Romania, Sweden, and Spain) recorded strong growth, others (Italy) experienced modest expansion, and Greece finally ended its EU rescue program in August 2018. Overall, the EU’s recovery was buoyed by lower commodities prices and accommodative monetary policy, which lowered interest rates and stimulated demand. The euro zone, which makes up about 70% of the total EU economy, performed well, achieving a growth rate not seen in a decade. In October 2017 the European Central Bank (ECB) announced it would extend its bond-buying program through September 2018, and possibly beyond that date, to keep the euro zone recovery on track. The ECB’s efforts to spur more lending and investment through its asset-buying program, negative interest rates, and long-term loan refinancing programs have not yet raised inflation in line with the ECB’s statutory target of just under 2%.   Despite its performance, high unemployment in some member states, high levels of public and private debt, muted productivity, an incomplete single market in services, and an aging population remain sources of potential drag on the EU’s future growth. Moreover, the EU economy remains vulnerable to a slowdown of global trade and bouts of political and financial turmoil. In June 2016, the UK voted to withdraw from the EU, the first member country ever to attempt to secede. Continued uncertainty about the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU (concluded January 2020) could hurt consumer and investor confidence and dampen EU growth, particularly if trade and cross-border investment significantly declines. Political disagreements between EU member states on reforms to fiscal and economic policy also may impair the EU’s ability to bolster its crisis-prevention and resolution mechanisms. International investors’ fears of a broad dissolution of the single currency area have largely dissipated, but these concerns could resurface if elected leaders implement policies that contravene euro-zone budget or banking rules. State interventions in ailing banks, including rescue of banks in Italy and resolution of banks in Spain, have eased financial vulnerabilities in the European banking sector even though some banks are struggling with low profitability and a large stock of bad loans, fragilities that could precipitate localized crises. Externally, the EU has continued to pursue comprehensive free trade agreements to expand EU external market share, particularly with Asian countries; EU and Japanese leaders reached a political-level agreement on a free trade agreement in July 2017, and agreement with Mexico in April 2018 on updates to an existing free trade agreement.The 27 member states that make up the EU have adopted an internal single market with free movement of goods, services, capital, and labor. The EU, which is also a customs union, aims to bolster Europe's trade position and its political and economic weight in international affairs. Despite great differences in per capita income among member states (from $28,000 to $109,000) and in national attitudes toward issues like inflation, debt, and foreign trade, the EU has achieved a high degree of coordination of monetary and fiscal policies. A common currency – the euro – circulates among 19 of the member states that make up the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). Eleven member states introduced the euro as their common currency on 1 January 1999 (Greece did so two years later). Since 2004, 13 states acceded to the EU. Of the 13, Slovenia (2007), Cyprus and Malta (2008), Slovakia (2009), Estonia (2011), Latvia (2014), and Lithuania (2015) have adopted the euro; seven other member states - excluding Denmark, which has a formal opt-out - are required by EU treaties to adopt the common currency upon meeting fiscal and monetary convergence criteria. The EU economy posted moderate GDP growth for 2014 through 2017, capping five years of sustained growth since the 2008-09 global economic crisis and the ensuing sovereign debt crisis in the euro zone in 2011. However, the bloc’s recovery was uneven. Some EU member states (Czechia, Ireland, Malta, Romania, Sweden, and Spain) recorded strong growth, others (Italy) experienced modest expansion, and Greece finally ended its EU rescue program in August 2018. Overall, the EU’s recovery was buoyed by lower commodities prices and accommodative monetary policy, which lowered interest rates and stimulated demand. The euro zone, which makes up about 70% of the total EU economy, performed well, achieving a growth rate not seen in a decade. In October 2017 the European Central Bank (ECB) announced it would extend its bond-buying program through September 2018, and possibly beyond that date, to keep the euro zone recovery on track. The ECB’s efforts to spur more lending and investment through its asset-buying program, negative interest rates, and long-term loan refinancing programs have not yet raised inflation in line with the ECB’s statutory target of just under 2%. Despite its performance, high unemployment in some member states, high levels of public and private debt, muted productivity, an incomplete single market in services, and an aging population remain sources of potential drag on the EU’s future growth. Moreover, the EU economy remains vulnerable to a slowdown of global trade and bouts of political and financial turmoil. In June 2016, the UK voted to withdraw from the EU, the first member country ever to attempt to secede. Continued uncertainty about the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU (concluded January 2020) could hurt consumer and investor confidence and dampen EU growth, particularly if trade and cross-border investment significantly declines. Political disagreements between EU member states on reforms to fiscal and economic policy also may impair the EU’s ability to bolster its crisis-prevention and resolution mechanisms. International investors’ fears of a broad dissolution of the single currency area have largely dissipated, but these concerns could resurface if elected leaders implement policies that contravene euro-zone budget or banking rules. State interventions in ailing banks, including rescue of banks in Italy and resolution of banks in Spain, have eased financial vulnerabilities in the European banking sector even though some banks are struggling with low profitability and a large stock of bad loans, fragilities that could precipitate localized crises. Externally, the EU has continued to pursue comprehensive free trade agreements to expand EU external market share, particularly with Asian countries; EU and Japanese leaders reached a political-level agreement on a free trade agreement in July 2017, and agreement with Mexico in April 2018 on updates to an existing free trade agreement. Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000-ton catch.   Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins.   Tourism, especially ecotourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and adds approximately $5.5 million to the Falkland’s annual GDP. The British military presence also provides a sizable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense.   In 1993, the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In May 2010 the first commercial oil discovery was made, signaling the potential for the development of a long term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands.The economy was formerly based on agriculture, mainly sheep farming, but fishing and tourism currently comprise the bulk of economic activity. In 1987, the government began selling fishing licenses to foreign trawlers operating within the Falkland Islands' exclusive fishing zone. These license fees net more than $40 million per year, which help support the island's health, education, and welfare system. The waters around the Falkland Islands are known for their squid, which account for around 75% of the annual 200,000-ton catch. Dairy farming supports domestic consumption; crops furnish winter fodder. Foreign exchange earnings come from shipments of high-grade wool to the UK and from the sale of postage stamps and coins. Tourism, especially ecotourism, is increasing rapidly, with about 69,000 visitors in 2009 and adds approximately $5.5 million to the Falkland’s annual GDP. The British military presence also provides a sizable economic boost. The islands are now self-financing except for defense. In 1993, the British Geological Survey announced a 200-mile oil exploration zone around the islands, and early seismic surveys suggest substantial reserves capable of producing 500,000 barrels per day. Political tensions between the UK and Argentina remain high following the start of oil drilling activities in the waters. In May 2010 the first commercial oil discovery was made, signaling the potential for the development of a long term hydrocarbon industry in the Falkland Islands. Topic: Faroe IslandsThe Faroese economy has experienced a period of significant growth since 2011, due to higher fish prices and increased salmon farming and catches in the pelagic fisheries. Fishing has been the main source of income for the Faroe Islands since the late 19th century, but dependence on fishing makes the economy vulnerable to price fluctuations. Nominal GDP, measured in current prices, grew 5.6% in 2015 and 6.8% in 2016. GDP growth was forecast at 6.2% in 2017, slowing to 0.5% in 2018, due to lower fisheries quotas, higher oil prices and fewer farmed salmon combined with lower salmon prices. The fisheries sector accounts for about 97% of exports, and half of GDP. Unemployment is low, estimated at 2.1% in early 2018. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark, which amounts to about 11% of Faroese GDP , Faroese have a standard of living equal to that of Denmark. The Faroe Islands have bilateral free trade agreements with the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey.   For the first time in 8 years, the Faroe Islands managed to generate a public budget surplus in 2016, a trend which continued in 2017. The local government intends to use this to reduce public debt, which reached 38% of GDP in 2015. A fiscal sustainability analysis of the Faroese economy shows that a long-term tightening of fiscal policy of 5% of GDP is required for fiscal sustainability.   Increasing public infrastructure investments are likely to lead to continued growth in the short term, and the Faroese economy is becoming somewhat more diversified. Growing industries include financial services, petroleum-related businesses, shipping, maritime manufacturing services, civil aviation, IT, telecommunications, and tourism.The Faroese economy has experienced a period of significant growth since 2011, due to higher fish prices and increased salmon farming and catches in the pelagic fisheries. Fishing has been the main source of income for the Faroe Islands since the late 19th century, but dependence on fishing makes the economy vulnerable to price fluctuations. Nominal GDP, measured in current prices, grew 5.6% in 2015 and 6.8% in 2016. GDP growth was forecast at 6.2% in 2017, slowing to 0.5% in 2018, due to lower fisheries quotas, higher oil prices and fewer farmed salmon combined with lower salmon prices. The fisheries sector accounts for about 97% of exports, and half of GDP. Unemployment is low, estimated at 2.1% in early 2018. Aided by an annual subsidy from Denmark, which amounts to about 11% of Faroese GDP , Faroese have a standard of living equal to that of Denmark. The Faroe Islands have bilateral free trade agreements with the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Turkey. For the first time in 8 years, the Faroe Islands managed to generate a public budget surplus in 2016, a trend which continued in 2017. The local government intends to use this to reduce public debt, which reached 38% of GDP in 2015. A fiscal sustainability analysis of the Faroese economy shows that a long-term tightening of fiscal policy of 5% of GDP is required for fiscal sustainability. Increasing public infrastructure investments are likely to lead to continued growth in the short term, and the Faroese economy is becoming somewhat more diversified. Growing industries include financial services, petroleum-related businesses, shipping, maritime manufacturing services, civil aviation, IT, telecommunications, and tourism. Topic: FijiFiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners.   Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports.   The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013.Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners. Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports. The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013. Topic: FinlandFinland 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. Topic: FranceThe French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million foreign tourists in 2017. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate economic inequality.   France's real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2017, up from 1.2% the year before. The unemployment rate (including overseas territories) increased from 7.8% in 2008 to 10.2% in 2015, before falling to 9.0% in 2017. Youth unemployment in metropolitan France decreased from 24.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017.   France’s public finances have historically been strained by high spending and low growth. In 2017, the budget deficit improved to 2.7% of GDP, bringing it in compliance with the EU-mandated 3% deficit target. Meanwhile, France's public debt rose from 89.5% of GDP in 2012 to 97% in 2017.   Since entering office in May 2017, President Emmanuel MACRON launched a series of economic reforms to improve competitiveness and boost economic growth. President MACRON campaigned on reforming France’s labor code and in late 2017 implemented a range of reforms to increase flexibility in the labor market by making it easier for firms to hire and fire and simplifying negotiations between employers and employees. In addition to labor reforms, President MACRON’s 2018 budget cuts public spending, taxes, and social security contributions to spur private investment and increase purchasing power. The government plans to gradually reduce corporate tax rate for businesses from 33.3% to 25% by 2022.The French economy is diversified across all sectors. The government has partially or fully privatized many large companies, including Air France, France Telecom, Renault, and Thales. However, the government maintains a strong presence in some sectors, particularly power, public transport, and defense industries. France is the most visited country in the world with 89 million foreign tourists in 2017. France's leaders remain committed to a capitalism in which they maintain social equity by means of laws, tax policies, and social spending that mitigate economic inequality. France's real GDP grew by 1.9% in 2017, up from 1.2% the year before. The unemployment rate (including overseas territories) increased from 7.8% in 2008 to 10.2% in 2015, before falling to 9.0% in 2017. Youth unemployment in metropolitan France decreased from 24.6% in the fourth quarter of 2014 to 20.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017. France’s public finances have historically been strained by high spending and low growth. In 2017, the budget deficit improved to 2.7% of GDP, bringing it in compliance with the EU-mandated 3% deficit target. Meanwhile, France's public debt rose from 89.5% of GDP in 2012 to 97% in 2017. Since entering office in May 2017, President Emmanuel MACRON launched a series of economic reforms to improve competitiveness and boost economic growth. President MACRON campaigned on reforming France’s labor code and in late 2017 implemented a range of reforms to increase flexibility in the labor market by making it easier for firms to hire and fire and simplifying negotiations between employers and employees. In addition to labor reforms, President MACRON’s 2018 budget cuts public spending, taxes, and social security contributions to spur private investment and increase purchasing power. The government plans to gradually reduce corporate tax rate for businesses from 33.3% to 25% by 2022. Topic: French PolynesiaSince 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply.   After growing at an average yearly rate of 4.2% from 1997-2007, the economic and financial crisis in 2008 marked French Polynesia’s entry into recession. However, since 2014, French Polynesia has shown signs of recovery. Business turnover reached 1.8% year-on-year in September 2016, tourism increased 1.8% in 2015, and GDP grew 2.0% in 2015.   French Polynesia’s tourism-dominated service sector accounted for 85% of total value added for the economy in 2012. Tourism employs 17% of the workforce. Pearl farming is the second biggest industry, accounting for 54% of exports in 2015; however, the output has decreased to 12.5 tons – the lowest level since 2008. A small manufacturing sector predominantly processes commodities from French Polynesia’s primary sector - 8% of total economy in 2012 - including agriculture and fishing.   France has agreed to finance infrastructure, marine businesses, and cultural and ecological sites at roughly $80 million per year between 2015 and 2020. Japan, the US, and China are French Polynesia’s three largest trade partners.Since 1962, when France stationed military personnel in the region, French Polynesia has changed from a subsistence agricultural economy to one in which a high proportion of the work force is either employed by the military or supports the tourist industry. With the halt of French nuclear testing in 1996, the military contribution to the economy fell sharply. After growing at an average yearly rate of 4.2% from 1997-2007, the economic and financial crisis in 2008 marked French Polynesia’s entry into recession. However, since 2014, French Polynesia has shown signs of recovery. Business turnover reached 1.8% year-on-year in September 2016, tourism increased 1.8% in 2015, and GDP grew 2.0% in 2015. French Polynesia’s tourism-dominated service sector accounted for 85% of total value added for the economy in 2012. Tourism employs 17% of the workforce. Pearl farming is the second biggest industry, accounting for 54% of exports in 2015; however, the output has decreased to 12.5 tons – the lowest level since 2008. A small manufacturing sector predominantly processes commodities from French Polynesia’s primary sector - 8% of total economy in 2012 - including agriculture and fishing. France has agreed to finance infrastructure, marine businesses, and cultural and ecological sites at roughly $80 million per year between 2015 and 2020. Japan, the US, and China are French Polynesia’s three largest trade partners. Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsEconomic activity is limited to servicing meteorological and geophysical research stations, military bases, and French and other fishing fleets. The fish catches landed on Iles Kerguelen by foreign ships are exported to France and Reunion. Topic: GabonGabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most Sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon relied on timber and manganese exports until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. From 2010 to 2016, oil accounted for approximately 80% of Gabon’s exports, 45% of its GDP, and 60% of its state budget revenues.   Gabon faces fluctuating international prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. A rebound of oil prices from 2001 to 2013 helped growth, but declining production, as some fields passed their peak production, has hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. GDP grew nearly 6% per year over the 2010-14 period, but slowed significantly from 2014 to just 1% in 2017 as oil prices declined. Low oil prices also weakened government revenue and negatively affected the trade and current account balances. In the wake of lower revenue, Gabon signed a 3-year agreement with the IMF in June 2017.   Despite an abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management and over-reliance on oil has stifled the economy. Power cuts and water shortages are frequent. Gabon is reliant on imports and the government heavily subsidizes commodities, including food, but will be hard pressed to tamp down public frustration with unemployment and corruption.Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most Sub-Saharan African nations, but because of high income inequality, a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon relied on timber and manganese exports until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. From 2010 to 2016, oil accounted for approximately 80% of Gabon’s exports, 45% of its GDP, and 60% of its state budget revenues. Gabon faces fluctuating international prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. A rebound of oil prices from 2001 to 2013 helped growth, but declining production, as some fields passed their peak production, has hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. GDP grew nearly 6% per year over the 2010-14 period, but slowed significantly from 2014 to just 1% in 2017 as oil prices declined. Low oil prices also weakened government revenue and negatively affected the trade and current account balances. In the wake of lower revenue, Gabon signed a 3-year agreement with the IMF in June 2017. Despite an abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management and over-reliance on oil has stifled the economy. Power cuts and water shortages are frequent. Gabon is reliant on imports and the government heavily subsidizes commodities, including food, but will be hard pressed to tamp down public frustration with unemployment and corruption. Topic: Gambia, TheThe government has invested in the agriculture sector because three-quarters of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood and agriculture provides for about one-third of GDP, making The Gambia largely reliant on sufficient rainfall. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated and agricultural productivity is low. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of cashews, groundnuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's reexport trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports and China has been its largest trade partner for both exports and imports for several years.   The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits. It relies heavily on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. Remittance inflows to The Gambia amount to about one-fifth of the country’s GDP. The Gambia's location on the ocean and proximity to Europe has made it one of the most frequented tourist destinations in West Africa, boosted by private sector investments in eco-tourism and facilities. Tourism normally brings in about 20% of GDP, but it suffered in 2014 from tourists’ fears of Ebola virus in neighboring West African countries. Unemployment and underemployment remain high.   Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders were concerned about the quality of fiscal management under the administration of former President Yahya JAMMEH, who reportedly stole hundreds of millions of dollars of the country’s funds during his 22 years in power, but anticipate significant improvements under the new administration of President Adama BARROW, who assumed power in early 2017. As of April 2017, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank were all negotiating with the new government of The Gambia to provide financial support in the coming months to ease the country’s financial crisis.   The country faces a limited availability of foreign exchange, weak agricultural output, a border closure with Senegal, a slowdown in tourism, high inflation, a large fiscal deficit, and a high domestic debt burden that has crowded out private sector investment and driven interest rates to new highs. The government has committed to taking steps to reduce the deficit, including through expenditure caps, debt consolidation, and reform of state-owned enterprises.The government has invested in the agriculture sector because three-quarters of the population depends on the sector for its livelihood and agriculture provides for about one-third of GDP, making The Gambia largely reliant on sufficient rainfall. The agricultural sector has untapped potential - less than half of arable land is cultivated and agricultural productivity is low. Small-scale manufacturing activity features the processing of cashews, groundnuts, fish, and hides. The Gambia's reexport trade accounts for almost 80% of goods exports and China has been its largest trade partner for both exports and imports for several years. The Gambia has sparse natural resource deposits. It relies heavily on remittances from workers overseas and tourist receipts. Remittance inflows to The Gambia amount to about one-fifth of the country’s GDP. The Gambia's location on the ocean and proximity to Europe has made it one of the most frequented tourist destinations in West Africa, boosted by private sector investments in eco-tourism and facilities. Tourism normally brings in about 20% of GDP, but it suffered in 2014 from tourists’ fears of Ebola virus in neighboring West African countries. Unemployment and underemployment remain high. Economic progress depends on sustained bilateral and multilateral aid, on responsible government economic management, and on continued technical assistance from multilateral and bilateral donors. International donors and lenders were concerned about the quality of fiscal management under the administration of former President Yahya JAMMEH, who reportedly stole hundreds of millions of dollars of the country’s funds during his 22 years in power, but anticipate significant improvements under the new administration of President Adama BARROW, who assumed power in early 2017. As of April 2017, the IMF, the World Bank, the European Union, and the African Development Bank were all negotiating with the new government of The Gambia to provide financial support in the coming months to ease the country’s financial crisis. The country faces a limited availability of foreign exchange, weak agricultural output, a border closure with Senegal, a slowdown in tourism, high inflation, a large fiscal deficit, and a high domestic debt burden that has crowded out private sector investment and driven interest rates to new highs. The government has committed to taking steps to reduce the deficit, including through expenditure caps, debt consolidation, and reform of state-owned enterprises. Topic: Gaza StripMovement 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. Topic: GeorgiaGeorgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its electricity needs.   Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit hub for gas, oil, and other goods.   Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment, remittances, and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sank to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-17, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment remains persistently high.   The country is pinning its hopes for faster growth on a continued effort to build up infrastructure, enhance support for entrepreneurship, simplify regulations, and improve professional education, in order to attract foreign investment and boost employment, with a focus on transportation projects, tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Georgia had historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia concluded an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. In 2017, Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as part of Tbilisi’s efforts to diversify its economic ties. Georgia is seeking to develop its Black Sea ports to further facilitate East-West trade.Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its electricity needs. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit hub for gas, oil, and other goods. Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment, remittances, and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sank to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-17, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment remains persistently high. The country is pinning its hopes for faster growth on a continued effort to build up infrastructure, enhance support for entrepreneurship, simplify regulations, and improve professional education, in order to attract foreign investment and boost employment, with a focus on transportation projects, tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Georgia had historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia concluded an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. In 2017, Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as part of Tbilisi’s efforts to diversify its economic ties. Georgia is seeking to develop its Black Sea ports to further facilitate East-West trade. Topic: GermanyThe German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment. Germany benefits from a highly skilled labor force, but, like its Western European neighbors, faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and a large increase in net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms.   Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong economic growth and falling unemployment. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II. The German Government introduced a minimum wage in 2015 that increased to $9.79 (8.84 euros) in January 2017.   Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's total budget deficit - including federal, state, and municipal - to 4.1% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduced the deficit to 0.8% in 2011 and in 2017 Germany reached a budget surplus of 0.7%. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016, though the target was already reached in 2012.   Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela MERKEL announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022. Germany plans to replace nuclear power largely with renewable energy, which accounted for 29.5% of gross electricity consumption in 2016, up from 9% in 2000. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production.   The German economy suffers from low levels of investment, and a government plan to invest 15 billion euros during 2016-18, largely in infrastructure, is intended to spur needed private investment. Domestic consumption, investment, and exports are likely to drive German GDP growth in 2018, and the country’s budget and trade surpluses are likely to remain high.The German economy - the fifth largest economy in the world in PPP terms and Europe's largest - is a leading exporter of machinery, vehicles, chemicals, and household equipment. Germany benefits from a highly skilled labor force, but, like its Western European neighbors, faces significant demographic challenges to sustained long-term growth. Low fertility rates and a large increase in net immigration are increasing pressure on the country's social welfare system and necessitate structural reforms. Reforms launched by the government of Chancellor Gerhard SCHROEDER (1998-2005), deemed necessary to address chronically high unemployment and low average growth, contributed to strong economic growth and falling unemployment. These advances, as well as a government subsidized, reduced working hour scheme, help explain the relatively modest increase in unemployment during the 2008-09 recession - the deepest since World War II. The German Government introduced a minimum wage in 2015 that increased to $9.79 (8.84 euros) in January 2017. Stimulus and stabilization efforts initiated in 2008 and 2009 and tax cuts introduced in Chancellor Angela MERKEL's second term increased Germany's total budget deficit - including federal, state, and municipal - to 4.1% in 2010, but slower spending and higher tax revenues reduced the deficit to 0.8% in 2011 and in 2017 Germany reached a budget surplus of 0.7%. A constitutional amendment approved in 2009 limits the federal government to structural deficits of no more than 0.35% of GDP per annum as of 2016, though the target was already reached in 2012. Following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, Chancellor Angela MERKEL announced in May 2011 that eight of the country's 17 nuclear reactors would be shut down immediately and the remaining plants would close by 2022. Germany plans to replace nuclear power largely with renewable energy, which accounted for 29.5% of gross electricity consumption in 2016, up from 9% in 2000. Before the shutdown of the eight reactors, Germany relied on nuclear power for 23% of its electricity generating capacity and 46% of its base-load electricity production. The German economy suffers from low levels of investment, and a government plan to invest 15 billion euros during 2016-18, largely in infrastructure, is intended to spur needed private investment. Domestic consumption, investment, and exports are likely to drive German GDP growth in 2018, and the country’s budget and trade surpluses are likely to remain high. Topic: GhanaGhana has a market-based economy with relatively few policy barriers to trade and investment in comparison with other countries in the region, and Ghana is endowed with natural resources. Ghana's economy was strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels, but in recent years has suffered the consequences of loose fiscal policy, high budget and current account deficits, and a depreciating currency.   Agriculture accounts for about 20% of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. Gold, oil, and cocoa exports, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. Expansion of Ghana’s nascent oil industry has boosted economic growth, but the fall in oil prices since 2015 reduced by half Ghana’s oil revenue. Production at Jubilee, Ghana's first commercial offshore oilfield, began in mid-December 2010. Production from two more fields, TEN and Sankofa, started in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The country’s first gas processing plant at Atuabo is also producing natural gas from the Jubilee field, providing power to several of Ghana’s thermal power plants.   As of 2018, key economic concerns facing the government include the lack of affordable electricity, lack of a solid domestic revenue base, and the high debt burden. The AKUFO-ADDO administration has made some progress by committing to fiscal consolidation, but much work is still to be done. Ghana signed a $920 million extended credit facility with the IMF in April 2015 to help it address its growing economic crisis. The IMF fiscal targets require Ghana to reduce the deficit by cutting subsidies, decreasing the bloated public sector wage bill, strengthening revenue administration, boosting tax revenues, and improving the health of Ghana’s banking sector. Priorities for the new administration include rescheduling some of Ghana’s $31 billion debt, stimulating economic growth, reducing inflation, and stabilizing the currency. Prospects for new oil and gas production and follow through on tighter fiscal management are likely to help Ghana’s economy in 2018.Ghana has a market-based economy with relatively few policy barriers to trade and investment in comparison with other countries in the region, and Ghana is endowed with natural resources. Ghana's economy was strengthened by a quarter century of relatively sound management, a competitive business environment, and sustained reductions in poverty levels, but in recent years has suffered the consequences of loose fiscal policy, high budget and current account deficits, and a depreciating currency. Agriculture accounts for about 20% of GDP and employs more than half of the workforce, mainly small landholders. Gold, oil, and cocoa exports, and individual remittances, are major sources of foreign exchange. Expansion of Ghana’s nascent oil industry has boosted economic growth, but the fall in oil prices since 2015 reduced by half Ghana’s oil revenue. Production at Jubilee, Ghana's first commercial offshore oilfield, began in mid-December 2010. Production from two more fields, TEN and Sankofa, started in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The country’s first gas processing plant at Atuabo is also producing natural gas from the Jubilee field, providing power to several of Ghana’s thermal power plants. As of 2018, key economic concerns facing the government include the lack of affordable electricity, lack of a solid domestic revenue base, and the high debt burden. The AKUFO-ADDO administration has made some progress by committing to fiscal consolidation, but much work is still to be done. Ghana signed a $920 million extended credit facility with the IMF in April 2015 to help it address its growing economic crisis. The IMF fiscal targets require Ghana to reduce the deficit by cutting subsidies, decreasing the bloated public sector wage bill, strengthening revenue administration, boosting tax revenues, and improving the health of Ghana’s banking sector. Priorities for the new administration include rescheduling some of Ghana’s $31 billion debt, stimulating economic growth, reducing inflation, and stabilizing the currency. Prospects for new oil and gas production and follow through on tighter fiscal management are likely to help Ghana’s economy in 2018. Topic: GibraltarSelf-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. Tax rates are low to attract foreign investment. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment.   The financial sector, tourism (over 11 million visitors in 2012), gaming revenues, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, tourism, and the shipping sector contribute 30%, 30%, and 25%, respectively, of GDP. Telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-gaming account for the remaining 15%.Self-sufficient Gibraltar benefits from an extensive shipping trade, offshore banking, and its position as an international conference center. Tax rates are low to attract foreign investment. The British military presence has been sharply reduced and now contributes about 7% to the local economy, compared with 60% in 1984. In recent years, Gibraltar has seen major structural change from a public to a private sector economy, but changes in government spending still have a major impact on the level of employment. The financial sector, tourism (over 11 million visitors in 2012), gaming revenues, shipping services fees, and duties on consumer goods also generate revenue. The financial sector, tourism, and the shipping sector contribute 30%, 30%, and 25%, respectively, of GDP. Telecommunications, e-commerce, and e-gaming account for the remaining 15%. Topic: GreeceGreece has a capitalist economy with a public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 18% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP.   The Greek economy averaged growth of about 4% per year between 2003 and 2007, but the economy went into recession in 2009 as a result of the world financial crisis, tightening credit conditions, and Athens' failure to address a growing budget deficit. By 2013, the economy had contracted 26%, compared with the pre-crisis level of 2007. Greece met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criterion of no more than 3% of GDP in 2007-08, but violated it in 2009, when the deficit reached 15% of GDP. Deteriorating public finances, inaccurate and misreported statistics, and consistent underperformance on reforms prompted major credit rating agencies to downgrade Greece's international debt rating in late 2009 and led the country into a financial crisis. Under intense pressure from the EU and international market participants, the government accepted a bailout program that called on Athens to cut government spending, decrease tax evasion, overhaul the civil-service, health-care, and pension systems, and reform the labor and product markets. Austerity measures reduced the deficit to 1.3% in 2017. Successive Greek governments, however, failed to push through many of the most unpopular reforms in the face of widespread political opposition, including from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public.   In April 2010, a leading credit agency assigned Greek debt its lowest possible credit rating, and in May 2010, the IMF and euro-zone governments provided Greece emergency short- and medium-term loans worth $147 billion so that the country could make debt repayments to creditors. Greece, however, struggled to meet the targets set by the EU and the IMF, especially after Eurostat - the EU's statistical office - revised upward Greece's deficit and debt numbers for 2009 and 2010. European leaders and the IMF agreed in October 2011 to provide Athens a second bailout package of $169 billion. The second deal called for holders of Greek government bonds to write down a significant portion of their holdings to try to alleviate Greece’s government debt burden. However, Greek banks, saddled with a significant portion of sovereign debt, were adversely affected by the write down and $60 billion of the second bailout package was set aside to ensure the banking system was adequately capitalized.   In 2014, the Greek economy began to turn the corner on the recession. Greece achieved three significant milestones: balancing the budget - not including debt repayments; issuing government debt in financial markets for the first time since 2010; and generating 0.7% GDP growth — the first economic expansion since 2007.   Despite the nascent recovery, widespread discontent with austerity measures helped propel the far-left Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) party into government in national legislative elections in January 2015. Between January and July 2015, frustrations grew between the SYRIZA-led government and Greece’s EU and IMF creditors over the implementation of bailout measures and disbursement of funds. The Greek government began running up significant arrears to suppliers, while Greek banks relied on emergency lending, and Greece’s future in the euro zone was called into question. To stave off a collapse of the banking system, Greece imposed capital controls in June 2015, then became the first developed nation to miss a loan payment to the IMF, rattling international financial markets. Unable to reach an agreement with creditors, Prime Minister Alexios TSIPRAS held a nationwide referendum on 5 July on whether to accept the terms of Greece’s bailout, campaigning for the ultimately successful "no" vote. The TSIPRAS government subsequently agreed, however, to a new $96 billion bailout in order to avert Greece’s exit from the monetary bloc. On 20 August 2015, Greece signed its third bailout, allowing it to cover significant debt payments to its EU and IMF creditors and to ensure the banking sector retained access to emergency liquidity. The TSIPRAS government — which retook office on 20 September 2015 after calling new elections in late August — successfully secured disbursal of two delayed tranches of bailout funds. Despite the economic turmoil, Greek GDP did not contract as sharply as feared, boosted in part by a strong tourist season.   In 2017, Greece saw improvements in GDP and unemployment. Unfinished economic reforms, a massive non-performing loan problem, and ongoing uncertainty regarding the political direction of the country hold the economy back. Some estimates put Greece’s black market at 20- to 25% of GDP, as more people have stopped reporting their income to avoid paying taxes that, in some cases, have risen to 70% of an individual’s gross income.Greece has a capitalist economy with a public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Tourism provides 18% of GDP. Immigrants make up nearly one-fifth of the work force, mainly in agricultural and unskilled jobs. Greece is a major beneficiary of EU aid, equal to about 3.3% of annual GDP. The Greek economy averaged growth of about 4% per year between 2003 and 2007, but the economy went into recession in 2009 as a result of the world financial crisis, tightening credit conditions, and Athens' failure to address a growing budget deficit. By 2013, the economy had contracted 26%, compared with the pre-crisis level of 2007. Greece met the EU's Growth and Stability Pact budget deficit criterion of no more than 3% of GDP in 2007-08, but violated it in 2009, when the deficit reached 15% of GDP. Deteriorating public finances, inaccurate and misreported statistics, and consistent underperformance on reforms prompted major credit rating agencies to downgrade Greece's international debt rating in late 2009 and led the country into a financial crisis. Under intense pressure from the EU and international market participants, the government accepted a bailout program that called on Athens to cut government spending, decrease tax evasion, overhaul the civil-service, health-care, and pension systems, and reform the labor and product markets. Austerity measures reduced the deficit to 1.3% in 2017. Successive Greek governments, however, failed to push through many of the most unpopular reforms in the face of widespread political opposition, including from the country's powerful labor unions and the general public. In April 2010, a leading credit agency assigned Greek debt its lowest possible credit rating, and in May 2010, the IMF and euro-zone governments provided Greece emergency short- and medium-term loans worth $147 billion so that the country could make debt repayments to creditors. Greece, however, struggled to meet the targets set by the EU and the IMF, especially after Eurostat - the EU's statistical office - revised upward Greece's deficit and debt numbers for 2009 and 2010. European leaders and the IMF agreed in October 2011 to provide Athens a second bailout package of $169 billion. The second deal called for holders of Greek government bonds to write down a significant portion of their holdings to try to alleviate Greece’s government debt burden. However, Greek banks, saddled with a significant portion of sovereign debt, were adversely affected by the write down and $60 billion of the second bailout package was set aside to ensure the banking system was adequately capitalized. In 2014, the Greek economy began to turn the corner on the recession. Greece achieved three significant milestones: balancing the budget - not including debt repayments; issuing government debt in financial markets for the first time since 2010; and generating 0.7% GDP growth — the first economic expansion since 2007. Despite the nascent recovery, widespread discontent with austerity measures helped propel the far-left Coalition of the Radical Left (SYRIZA) party into government in national legislative elections in January 2015. Between January and July 2015, frustrations grew between the SYRIZA-led government and Greece’s EU and IMF creditors over the implementation of bailout measures and disbursement of funds. The Greek government began running up significant arrears to suppliers, while Greek banks relied on emergency lending, and Greece’s future in the euro zone was called into question. To stave off a collapse of the banking system, Greece imposed capital controls in June 2015, then became the first developed nation to miss a loan payment to the IMF, rattling international financial markets. Unable to reach an agreement with creditors, Prime Minister Alexios TSIPRAS held a nationwide referendum on 5 July on whether to accept the terms of Greece’s bailout, campaigning for the ultimately successful "no" vote. The TSIPRAS government subsequently agreed, however, to a new $96 billion bailout in order to avert Greece’s exit from the monetary bloc. On 20 August 2015, Greece signed its third bailout, allowing it to cover significant debt payments to its EU and IMF creditors and to ensure the banking sector retained access to emergency liquidity. The TSIPRAS government — which retook office on 20 September 2015 after calling new elections in late August — successfully secured disbursal of two delayed tranches of bailout funds. Despite the economic turmoil, Greek GDP did not contract as sharply as feared, boosted in part by a strong tourist season. In 2017, Greece saw improvements in GDP and unemployment. Unfinished economic reforms, a massive non-performing loan problem, and ongoing uncertainty regarding the political direction of the country hold the economy back. Some estimates put Greece’s black market at 20- to 25% of GDP, as more people have stopped reporting their income to avoid paying taxes that, in some cases, have risen to 70% of an individual’s gross income. Topic: GreenlandGreenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to price fluctuations. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP.   The economy is expanding after a period of decline. The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland grew annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season.   The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Self Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period.   Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development.Greenland’s economy depends on exports of shrimp and fish, and on a substantial subsidy from the Danish Government. Fish account for over 90% of its exports, subjecting the economy to price fluctuations. The subsidy from the Danish Government is budgeted to be about $535 million in 2017, more than 50% of government revenues, and 25% of GDP. The economy is expanding after a period of decline. The economy contracted between 2012 and 2014, grew by 1.7% in 2015 and by 7.7%in 2016. The expansion has been driven by larger quotas for shrimp, the predominant Greenlandic export, and also by increased activity in the construction sector, especially in Nuuk, the capital. Private consumption and tourism also are contributing to GDP growth more than in previous years. Tourism in Greenland grew annually around 20% in 2015 and 2016, largely a result of increasing numbers of cruise lines now operating in Greenland's western and southern waters during the peak summer tourism season. The public sector, including publicly owned enterprises and the municipalities, plays a dominant role in Greenland's economy. During the last decade the Greenland Self Rule Government pursued conservative fiscal and monetary policies, but public pressure has increased for better schools, health care, and retirement systems. The budget was in deficit in 2014 and 2016, but public debt remains low at about 5% of GDP. The government plans a balanced budget for the 2017–20 period. Significant challenges face the island, including low levels of qualified labor, geographic dispersion, lack of industry diversification, the long-term sustainability of the public budget, and a declining population due to emigration. Hydrocarbon exploration has ceased with declining oil prices. The island has potential for natural resource exploitation with rare-earth, uranium, and iron ore mineral projects proposed, but a lack of infrastructure hinders development. Topic: GrenadaGrenada 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. Topic: GuamUS national defense spending is the main driver of Guam’s economy, followed closely by tourism and other services. Guam serves as a forward US base for the Western Pacific and is home to thousands of American military personnel. Total federal spending (defense and non-defense) amounted to $1.988 billion in 2016, or 34.2 of Guam’s GDP. Of that total, federal grants and cover-over payments amounted to $3444.1 million in 2016, or 35.8% of Guam’s total revenues for the fiscal year. In 2016, Guam’s economy grew 0.3%. Despite slow growth, Guam’s economy has been stable over the last decade. National defense spending cushions the island’s economy against fluctuations in tourism. Service exports, mainly spending by foreign tourists in Guam, amounted to over $1 billion for the first time in 2016, or 17.8% of GDP. Topic: GuatemalaGuatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.5% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; key agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to two-thirds of the country's exports and about a tenth of its GDP.   The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala has since pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment.   The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the population, averages 79%, with 40% of the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world.Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.5% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; key agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to two-thirds of the country's exports and about a tenth of its GDP. The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a major obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala has since pursued important reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the largest increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural exports. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the richest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the population, averages 79%, with 40% of the indigenous population living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. Topic: GuernseyFinancial services accounted for about 21% of employment and about 32% of total income in 2016 in this tiny, prosperous Channel Island economy. Construction, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Financial services, professional services, tourism, retail, and the public sector have been growing. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore financial center. Topic: GuineaGuinea is a poor country of approximately 12.9 million people in 2016 that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves, as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main exports. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth.   Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a 3-year Extended Credit Facility arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In 2014, Guinea complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts. Guinea completed its program with the IMF in October 2016 even though some targeted reforms have been delayed. Currently Guinea is negotiating a new IMF program which will be based on Guinea’s new five-year economic plan, focusing on the development of higher value-added products, including from the agro-business sector and development of the rural economy.   Political instability, a reintroduction of the Ebola virus epidemic, low international commodity prices, and an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency are factors that could impact Guinea’s future growth. Economic recovery will be a long process while the government adjusts to lower inflows of international donor aid following the surge of Ebola-related emergency support. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in the 2014-15 period and impeded several projects, such as offshore oil exploration and the Simandou iron ore project. The economy, however, grew by 6.6% in 2016 and 6.7% in 2017, mainly due to growth from bauxite mining and thermal energy generation as well as the resiliency of the agricultural sector. The 240-megawatt Kaleta Dam, inaugurated in September 2015, has expanded access to electricity for residents of Conakry. An combined with fears of Ebola virus, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability.   Guinea’s iron ore industry took a hit in 2016 when investors in the Simandou iron ore project announced plans to divest from the project. In 2017, agriculture output and public investment boosted economic growth, while the mining sector continued to play a prominent role in economic performance.   Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water - all of which continue to plague economic development. The present government, led by President Alpha CONDE, is working to create an environment to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries and firms in Guinea's economic development.Guinea is a poor country of approximately 12.9 million people in 2016 that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves, as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main exports. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth. Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a 3-year Extended Credit Facility arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In 2014, Guinea complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts. Guinea completed its program with the IMF in October 2016 even though some targeted reforms have been delayed. Currently Guinea is negotiating a new IMF program which will be based on Guinea’s new five-year economic plan, focusing on the development of higher value-added products, including from the agro-business sector and development of the rural economy. Political instability, a reintroduction of the Ebola virus epidemic, low international commodity prices, and an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency are factors that could impact Guinea’s future growth. Economic recovery will be a long process while the government adjusts to lower inflows of international donor aid following the surge of Ebola-related emergency support. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in the 2014-15 period and impeded several projects, such as offshore oil exploration and the Simandou iron ore project. The economy, however, grew by 6.6% in 2016 and 6.7% in 2017, mainly due to growth from bauxite mining and thermal energy generation as well as the resiliency of the agricultural sector. The 240-megawatt Kaleta Dam, inaugurated in September 2015, has expanded access to electricity for residents of Conakry. An combined with fears of Ebola virus, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability. Guinea’s iron ore industry took a hit in 2016 when investors in the Simandou iron ore project announced plans to divest from the project. In 2017, agriculture output and public investment boosted economic growth, while the mining sector continued to play a prominent role in economic performance. Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water - all of which continue to plague economic development. The present government, led by President Alpha CONDE, is working to create an environment to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries and firms in Guinea's economic development. Topic: Guinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau is highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, cashew nut exports, and foreign assistance. Two out of three Bissau-Guineans remain below the absolute poverty line. The legal economy is based on cashews and fishing. Illegal logging and trafficking in narcotics also play significant roles. The combination of limited economic prospects, weak institutions, and favorable geography have made this West African country a way station for drugs bound for Europe.   Guinea-Bissau has substantial potential for development of mineral resources, including phosphates, bauxite, and mineral sands. Offshore oil and gas exploration has begun. The country’s climate and soil make it feasible to grow a wide range of cash crops, fruit, vegetables, and tubers; however, cashews generate more than 80% of export receipts and are the main source of income for many rural communities.   The government was deposed in August 2015, and since then, a political stalemate has resulted in weak governance and reduced donor support.   The country is participating in a three-year, IMF extended credit facility program that was suspended because of a planned bank bailout. The program was renewed in 2017, but the major donors of direct budget support (the EU, World Bank, and African Development Bank) have halted their programs indefinitely. Diversification of the economy remains a key policy goal, but Guinea-Bissau’s poor infrastructure and business climate will constrain this effort.Guinea-Bissau is highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, cashew nut exports, and foreign assistance. Two out of three Bissau-Guineans remain below the absolute poverty line. The legal economy is based on cashews and fishing. Illegal logging and trafficking in narcotics also play significant roles. The combination of limited economic prospects, weak institutions, and favorable geography have made this West African country a way station for drugs bound for Europe. Guinea-Bissau has substantial potential for development of mineral resources, including phosphates, bauxite, and mineral sands. Offshore oil and gas exploration has begun. The country’s climate and soil make it feasible to grow a wide range of cash crops, fruit, vegetables, and tubers; however, cashews generate more than 80% of export receipts and are the main source of income for many rural communities. The government was deposed in August 2015, and since then, a political stalemate has resulted in weak governance and reduced donor support. The country is participating in a three-year, IMF extended credit facility program that was suspended because of a planned bank bailout. The program was renewed in 2017, but the major donors of direct budget support (the EU, World Bank, and African Development Bank) have halted their programs indefinitely. Diversification of the economy remains a key policy goal, but Guinea-Bissau’s poor infrastructure and business climate will constrain this effort. Topic: GuyanaThe Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production. With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production. In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020.   Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Despite these improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure.The Guyanese economy exhibited moderate economic growth in recent years and is based largely on agriculture and extractive industries. The economy is heavily dependent upon the export of six commodities - sugar, gold, bauxite, shrimp, timber, and rice - which represent nearly 60% of the country's GDP and are highly susceptible to adverse weather conditions and fluctuations in commodity prices. Guyana closed or consolidated several sugar estates in 2017, reducing production of sugar to a forecasted 147,000 tons in 2018, less than half of 2017 production. Much of Guyana's growth in recent years has come from a surge in gold production. With a record-breaking 700,000 ounces of gold produced in 2016, Gold production in Guyana has offset the economic effects of declining sugar production. In January 2018, estimated 3.2 billion barrels of oil were found offshore and Guyana is scheduled to become a petroleum producer by March 2020. Guyana's entrance into the Caricom Single Market and Economy in January 2006 broadened the country's export market, primarily in the raw materials sector. Guyana has experienced positive growth almost every year over the past decade. Inflation has been kept under control. Recent years have seen the government's stock of debt reduced significantly - with external debt now less than half of what it was in the early 1990s. Despite these improvements, the government is still juggling a sizable external debt against the urgent need for expanded public investment. In March 2007, the Inter-American Development Bank, Guyana's principal donor, canceled Guyana's nearly $470 million debt, equivalent to 21% of GDP, which along with other Highly Indebted Poor Country debt forgiveness, brought the debt-to-GDP ratio down from 183% in 2006 to 52% in 2017. Guyana had become heavily indebted as a result of the inward-looking, state-led development model pursued in the 1970s and 1980s. Chronic problems include a shortage of skilled labor and a deficient infrastructure. Topic: HaitiHaiti 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. Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsThe islands have no indigenous economic activity, but the Australian Government allows limited fishing in the surrounding waters. Visits to Heard Island typically focus on terrestrial and marine research and infrequent private expeditions. Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of sources, including investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; these help fund the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), diplomatic missions, and media outlets. Moreover, an annual collection taken up in dioceses and from direct donations go to a non-budgetary fund, known as Peter's Pence, which is used directly by the pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to churches in developing nations.   The separate Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos as well as fees for admission to museums and publication sales. Revenues increased between 2010 and 2011 because of expanded operating hours and a growing number of visitors. However, the Holy See did not escape the financial difficulties experienced by other European countries; in 2012, it started a spending review to determine where to cut costs to reverse its 2011 budget deficit of $20 million. The Holy See generated a modest surplus in 2012 before recording a $32 million deficit in 2013, driven primarily by the decreasing value of gold. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome so most public expenditures go to wages and other personnel costs;. In February 2014, Pope FRANCIS created the Secretariat of the Economy to oversee financial and administrative operations of the Holy See, part of a broader campaign to reform the Holy See’s finances.The Holy See is supported financially by a variety of sources, including investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions; these help fund the Roman Curia (Vatican bureaucracy), diplomatic missions, and media outlets. Moreover, an annual collection taken up in dioceses and from direct donations go to a non-budgetary fund, known as Peter's Pence, which is used directly by the pope for charity, disaster relief, and aid to churches in developing nations. The separate Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos as well as fees for admission to museums and publication sales. Revenues increased between 2010 and 2011 because of expanded operating hours and a growing number of visitors. However, the Holy See did not escape the financial difficulties experienced by other European countries; in 2012, it started a spending review to determine where to cut costs to reverse its 2011 budget deficit of $20 million. The Holy See generated a modest surplus in 2012 before recording a $32 million deficit in 2013, driven primarily by the decreasing value of gold. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome so most public expenditures go to wages and other personnel costs;. In February 2014, Pope FRANCIS created the Secretariat of the Economy to oversee financial and administrative operations of the Holy See, part of a broader campaign to reform the Holy See’s finances. Topic: HondurasHonduras, 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. Topic: Hong KongHong 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. Topic: HungaryHungary has transitioned from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy with a per capita income approximately two thirds of the EU-28 average; however, in recent years the government has become more involved in managing the economy. Budapest has implemented unorthodox economic policies to boost household consumption and has relied on EU-funded development projects to generate growth.   Following the fall of communism in 1990, Hungary experienced a drop-off in exports and financial assistance from the former Soviet Union. Hungary embarked on a series of economic reforms, including privatization of state-owned enterprises and reduction of social spending programs, to shift from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy, and to reorient its economy towards trade with the West. These efforts helped to spur growth, attract investment, and reduce Hungary’s debt burden and fiscal deficits. Despite these reforms, living conditions for the average Hungarian initially deteriorated as inflation increased and unemployment reached double digits. Conditions slowly improved over the 1990s as the reforms came to fruition and export growth accelerated. Economic policies instituted during that decade helped position Hungary to join the European Union in 2004. Hungary has not yet joined the euro-zone. Hungary suffered a historic economic contraction as a result of the global economic slowdown in 2008-09 as export demand and domestic consumption dropped, prompting it to take an IMF-EU financial assistance package.   Since 2010, the government has backpedaled on many economic reforms and taken a more populist approach towards economic management. The government has favored national industries and government-linked businesses through legislation, regulation, and public procurements. In 2011 and 2014, Hungary nationalized private pension funds, which squeezed financial service providers out of the system, but also helped Hungary curb its public debt and lower its budget deficit to below 3% of GDP, as subsequent pension contributions have been channeled into the state-managed pension fund. Hungary’s public debt (at 74.5% of GDP) is still high compared to EU peers in Central Europe. Real GDP growth has been robust in the past few years due to increased EU funding, higher EU demand for Hungarian exports, and a rebound in domestic household consumption. To further boost household consumption ahead of the 2018 election, the government embarked on a six-year phased increase to minimum wages and public sector salaries, decreased taxes on foodstuffs and services, cut the personal income tax from 16% to 15%, and implemented a uniform 9% business tax for small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies. Real GDP growth slowed in 2016 due to a cyclical decrease in EU funding, but increased to 3.8% in 2017 as the government pre-financed EU funded projects ahead of the 2018 election.   Systemic economic challenges include pervasive corruption, labor shortages driven by demographic declines and migration, widespread poverty in rural areas, vulnerabilities to changes in demand for exports, and a heavy reliance on Russian energy imports.Hungary has transitioned from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy with a per capita income approximately two thirds of the EU-28 average; however, in recent years the government has become more involved in managing the economy. Budapest has implemented unorthodox economic policies to boost household consumption and has relied on EU-funded development projects to generate growth. Following the fall of communism in 1990, Hungary experienced a drop-off in exports and financial assistance from the former Soviet Union. Hungary embarked on a series of economic reforms, including privatization of state-owned enterprises and reduction of social spending programs, to shift from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy, and to reorient its economy towards trade with the West. These efforts helped to spur growth, attract investment, and reduce Hungary’s debt burden and fiscal deficits. Despite these reforms, living conditions for the average Hungarian initially deteriorated as inflation increased and unemployment reached double digits. Conditions slowly improved over the 1990s as the reforms came to fruition and export growth accelerated. Economic policies instituted during that decade helped position Hungary to join the European Union in 2004. Hungary has not yet joined the euro-zone. Hungary suffered a historic economic contraction as a result of the global economic slowdown in 2008-09 as export demand and domestic consumption dropped, prompting it to take an IMF-EU financial assistance package. Since 2010, the government has backpedaled on many economic reforms and taken a more populist approach towards economic management. The government has favored national industries and government-linked businesses through legislation, regulation, and public procurements. In 2011 and 2014, Hungary nationalized private pension funds, which squeezed financial service providers out of the system, but also helped Hungary curb its public debt and lower its budget deficit to below 3% of GDP, as subsequent pension contributions have been channeled into the state-managed pension fund. Hungary’s public debt (at 74.5% of GDP) is still high compared to EU peers in Central Europe. Real GDP growth has been robust in the past few years due to increased EU funding, higher EU demand for Hungarian exports, and a rebound in domestic household consumption. To further boost household consumption ahead of the 2018 election, the government embarked on a six-year phased increase to minimum wages and public sector salaries, decreased taxes on foodstuffs and services, cut the personal income tax from 16% to 15%, and implemented a uniform 9% business tax for small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies. Real GDP growth slowed in 2016 due to a cyclical decrease in EU funding, but increased to 3.8% in 2017 as the government pre-financed EU funded projects ahead of the 2018 election. Systemic economic challenges include pervasive corruption, labor shortages driven by demographic declines and migration, widespread poverty in rural areas, vulnerabilities to changes in demand for exports, and a heavy reliance on Russian energy imports. Topic: IcelandIceland'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. Topic: IndiaIndia's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Slightly less than half of the workforce is in agriculture, but services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for nearly two-thirds of India's output but employing less than one-third of its labor force. India has capitalized on its large educated English-speaking population to become a major exporter of information technology services, business outsourcing services, and software workers. Nevertheless, per capita income remains below the world average. India is developing into an open-market economy, yet traces of its past autarkic policies remain. Economic liberalization measures, including industrial deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, began in the early 1990s and served to accelerate the country's growth, which averaged nearly 7% per year from 1997 to 2017.   India's economic growth slowed in 2011 because of a decline in investment caused by high interest rates, rising inflation, and investor pessimism about the government's commitment to further economic reforms and about slow world growth. Investors’ perceptions of India improved in early 2014, due to a reduction of the current account deficit and expectations of post-election economic reform, resulting in a surge of inbound capital flows and stabilization of the rupee. Growth rebounded in 2014 through 2016. Despite a high growth rate compared to the rest of the world, India’s government-owned banks faced mounting bad debt, resulting in low credit growth. Rising macroeconomic imbalances in India and improving economic conditions in Western countries led investors to shift capital away from India, prompting a sharp depreciation of the rupee through 2016.   The economy slowed again in 2017, due to shocks of "demonetizaton" in 2016 and introduction of GST in 2017. Since the election, the government has passed an important goods and services tax bill and raised foreign direct investment caps in some sectors, but most economic reforms have focused on administrative and governance changes, largely because the ruling party remains a minority in India’s upper house of Parliament, which must approve most bills.   India has a young population and corresponding low dependency ratio, healthy savings and investment rates, and is increasing integration into the global economy. However, long-term challenges remain significant, including: India's discrimination against women and girls, an inefficient power generation and distribution system, ineffective enforcement of intellectual property rights, decades-long civil litigation dockets, inadequate transport and agricultural infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, high spending and poorly targeted subsidies, inadequate availability of quality basic and higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration.India's diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Slightly less than half of the workforce is in agriculture, but services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for nearly two-thirds of India's output but employing less than one-third of its labor force. India has capitalized on its large educated English-speaking population to become a major exporter of information technology services, business outsourcing services, and software workers. Nevertheless, per capita income remains below the world average. India is developing into an open-market economy, yet traces of its past autarkic policies remain. Economic liberalization measures, including industrial deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, began in the early 1990s and served to accelerate the country's growth, which averaged nearly 7% per year from 1997 to 2017. India's economic growth slowed in 2011 because of a decline in investment caused by high interest rates, rising inflation, and investor pessimism about the government's commitment to further economic reforms and about slow world growth. Investors’ perceptions of India improved in early 2014, due to a reduction of the current account deficit and expectations of post-election economic reform, resulting in a surge of inbound capital flows and stabilization of the rupee. Growth rebounded in 2014 through 2016. Despite a high growth rate compared to the rest of the world, India’s government-owned banks faced mounting bad debt, resulting in low credit growth. Rising macroeconomic imbalances in India and improving economic conditions in Western countries led investors to shift capital away from India, prompting a sharp depreciation of the rupee through 2016. The economy slowed again in 2017, due to shocks of "demonetizaton" in 2016 and introduction of GST in 2017. Since the election, the government has passed an important goods and services tax bill and raised foreign direct investment caps in some sectors, but most economic reforms have focused on administrative and governance changes, largely because the ruling party remains a minority in India’s upper house of Parliament, which must approve most bills. India has a young population and corresponding low dependency ratio, healthy savings and investment rates, and is increasing integration into the global economy. However, long-term challenges remain significant, including: India's discrimination against women and girls, an inefficient power generation and distribution system, ineffective enforcement of intellectual property rights, decades-long civil litigation dockets, inadequate transport and agricultural infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, high spending and poorly targeted subsidies, inadequate availability of quality basic and higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration. Topic: Indian OceanThe Indian Ocean provides major sea routes connecting the Middle East, Africa, and East Asia with Europe and the Americas. It carries a particularly heavy traffic of petroleum and petroleum products from the oilfields of the Persian Gulf and Indonesia. Its fish are of great and growing importance to the bordering countries for domestic consumption and export. Fishing fleets from Russia, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan also exploit the Indian Ocean, mainly for shrimp and tuna. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, and western Australia. An estimated 40% of the world's offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean. Beach sands rich in heavy minerals and offshore placer deposits are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Topic: IndonesiaIndonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has seen a slowdown in growth since 2012, mostly due to the end of the commodities export boom. During the global financial crisis, Indonesia outperformed its regional neighbors and joined China and India as the only G20 members posting growth. Indonesia’s annual budget deficit is capped at 3% of GDP, and the Government of Indonesia lowered its debt-to-GDP ratio from a peak of 100% shortly after the Asian financial crisis in 1999 to 34% today. In May 2017 Standard & Poor’s became the last major ratings agency to upgrade Indonesia’s sovereign credit rating to investment grade.   Poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among its regions are still part of Indonesia’s economic landscape. President Joko WIDODO - elected in July 2014 – seeks to develop Indonesia’s maritime resources and pursue other infrastructure development, including significantly increasing its electrical power generation capacity. Fuel subsidies were significantly reduced in early 2015, a move which has helped the government redirect its spending to development priorities. Indonesia, with the nine other ASEAN members, will continue to move towards participation in the ASEAN Economic Community, though full implementation of economic integration has not yet materialized.Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has seen a slowdown in growth since 2012, mostly due to the end of the commodities export boom. During the global financial crisis, Indonesia outperformed its regional neighbors and joined China and India as the only G20 members posting growth. Indonesia’s annual budget deficit is capped at 3% of GDP, and the Government of Indonesia lowered its debt-to-GDP ratio from a peak of 100% shortly after the Asian financial crisis in 1999 to 34% today. In May 2017 Standard & Poor’s became the last major ratings agency to upgrade Indonesia’s sovereign credit rating to investment grade. Poverty and unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource distribution among its regions are still part of Indonesia’s economic landscape. President Joko WIDODO - elected in July 2014 – seeks to develop Indonesia’s maritime resources and pursue other infrastructure development, including significantly increasing its electrical power generation capacity. Fuel subsidies were significantly reduced in early 2015, a move which has helped the government redirect its spending to development priorities. Indonesia, with the nine other ASEAN members, will continue to move towards participation in the ASEAN Economic Community, though full implementation of economic integration has not yet materialized. Topic: IranIran'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. Topic: IraqIraq's GDP growth slowed to 1.1% in 2017, a marked decline compared to the previous two years as domestic consumption and investment fell because of civil violence and a sluggish oil market. The Iraqi Government received its third tranche of funding from its 2016 Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF in August 2017, which is intended to stabilize its finances by encouraging improved fiscal management, needed economic reform, and expenditure reduction. Additionally, in late 2017 Iraq received more than $1.4 billion in financing from international lenders, part of which was generated by issuing a $1 billion bond for reconstruction and rehabilitation in areas liberated from ISIL. Investment and key sector diversification are crucial components to Iraq’s long-term economic development and require a strengthened business climate with enhanced legal and regulatory oversight to bolster private-sector engagement. The overall standard of living depends on global oil prices, the central government passage of major policy reforms, a stable security environment post-ISIS, and the resolution of civil discord with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).   Iraq's largely state-run economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides roughly 85% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings, and is a major determinant of the economy's fortunes. Iraq's contracts with major oil companies have the potential to further expand oil exports and revenues, but Iraq will need to make significant upgrades to its oil processing, pipeline, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their economic potential.   In 2017, Iraqi oil exports from northern fields were disrupted following a KRG referendum that resulted in the Iraqi Government reasserting federal control over disputed oil fields and energy infrastructure in Kirkuk. The Iraqi government and the KRG dispute the role of federal and regional authorities in the development and export of natural resources. In 2007, the KRG passed an oil law to develop IKR oil and gas reserves independent of the federal government. The KRG has signed about 50 contracts with foreign energy companies to develop its reserves, some of which lie in territories taken by Baghdad in October 2017. The KRG is able to unilaterally export oil from the fields it retains control of through its own pipeline to Turkey, which Baghdad claims is illegal. In the absence of a national hydrocarbons law, the two sides have entered into five provisional oil- and revenue-sharing deals since 2009, all of which collapsed.   Iraq is making slow progress enacting laws and developing the institutions needed to implement economic policy, and political reforms are still needed to assuage investors' concerns regarding the uncertain business climate. The Government of Iraq is eager to attract additional foreign direct investment, but it faces a number of obstacles, including a tenuous political system and concerns about security and societal stability. Rampant corruption, outdated infrastructure, insufficient essential services, skilled labor shortages, and antiquated commercial laws stifle investment and continue to constrain growth of private, nonoil sectors. Under the Iraqi constitution, some competencies relevant to the overall investment climate are either shared by the federal government and the regions or are devolved entirely to local governments. Investment in the IKR operates within the framework of the Kurdistan Region Investment Law (Law 4 of 2006) and the Kurdistan Board of Investment, which is designed to provide incentives to help economic development in areas under the authority of the KRG.   Inflation has remained under control since 2006. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard-pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into an improved standard of living for the Iraqi populace. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country despite a bloated public sector. Overregulation has made it difficult for Iraqi citizens and foreign investors to start new businesses. Corruption and lack of economic reforms - such as restructuring banks and developing the private sector – have inhibited the growth of the private sector.Iraq's GDP growth slowed to 1.1% in 2017, a marked decline compared to the previous two years as domestic consumption and investment fell because of civil violence and a sluggish oil market. The Iraqi Government received its third tranche of funding from its 2016 Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) with the IMF in August 2017, which is intended to stabilize its finances by encouraging improved fiscal management, needed economic reform, and expenditure reduction. Additionally, in late 2017 Iraq received more than $1.4 billion in financing from international lenders, part of which was generated by issuing a $1 billion bond for reconstruction and rehabilitation in areas liberated from ISIL. Investment and key sector diversification are crucial components to Iraq’s long-term economic development and require a strengthened business climate with enhanced legal and regulatory oversight to bolster private-sector engagement. The overall standard of living depends on global oil prices, the central government passage of major policy reforms, a stable security environment post-ISIS, and the resolution of civil discord with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). Iraq's largely state-run economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides roughly 85% of government revenue and 80% of foreign exchange earnings, and is a major determinant of the economy's fortunes. Iraq's contracts with major oil companies have the potential to further expand oil exports and revenues, but Iraq will need to make significant upgrades to its oil processing, pipeline, and export infrastructure to enable these deals to reach their economic potential. In 2017, Iraqi oil exports from northern fields were disrupted following a KRG referendum that resulted in the Iraqi Government reasserting federal control over disputed oil fields and energy infrastructure in Kirkuk. The Iraqi government and the KRG dispute the role of federal and regional authorities in the development and export of natural resources. In 2007, the KRG passed an oil law to develop IKR oil and gas reserves independent of the federal government. The KRG has signed about 50 contracts with foreign energy companies to develop its reserves, some of which lie in territories taken by Baghdad in October 2017. The KRG is able to unilaterally export oil from the fields it retains control of through its own pipeline to Turkey, which Baghdad claims is illegal. In the absence of a national hydrocarbons law, the two sides have entered into five provisional oil- and revenue-sharing deals since 2009, all of which collapsed. Iraq is making slow progress enacting laws and developing the institutions needed to implement economic policy, and political reforms are still needed to assuage investors' concerns regarding the uncertain business climate. The Government of Iraq is eager to attract additional foreign direct investment, but it faces a number of obstacles, including a tenuous political system and concerns about security and societal stability. Rampant corruption, outdated infrastructure, insufficient essential services, skilled labor shortages, and antiquated commercial laws stifle investment and continue to constrain growth of private, nonoil sectors. Under the Iraqi constitution, some competencies relevant to the overall investment climate are either shared by the federal government and the regions or are devolved entirely to local governments. Investment in the IKR operates within the framework of the Kurdistan Region Investment Law (Law 4 of 2006) and the Kurdistan Board of Investment, which is designed to provide incentives to help economic development in areas under the authority of the KRG. Inflation has remained under control since 2006. However, Iraqi leaders remain hard-pressed to translate macroeconomic gains into an improved standard of living for the Iraqi populace. Unemployment remains a problem throughout the country despite a bloated public sector. Overregulation has made it difficult for Iraqi citizens and foreign investors to start new businesses. Corruption and lack of economic reforms - such as restructuring banks and developing the private sector – have inhibited the growth of the private sector. Topic: IrelandIreland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program.   In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%. The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP.   In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures.Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. It was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity dropped sharply during the world financial crisis and the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry during 2008-11. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit from efforts to stabilize its fragile banking sector, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. In March 2011, the KENNY government intensified austerity measures to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF bailout program. In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt. In 2014, the economy rapidly picked up. In late 2014, the government introduced a fiscally neutral budget, marking the end of the austerity program. Continued growth of tax receipts has allowed the government to lower some taxes and increase public spending while keeping to its deficit-reduction targets. In 2015, GDP growth exceeded 26%. The magnitude of the increase reflected one-off statistical revisions, multinational corporate restructurings in intellectual property, and the aircraft leasing sector, rather than real gains in the domestic economy, which was still growing. Growth moderated to around 4.1% in 2017, but the recovering economy assisted lowering the deficit to 0.6% of GDP. In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment during the 2008-11 economic crisis, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Ireland’s low corporation tax of 12.5% and a talented pool of high-tech laborers have been some of the key factors in encouraging business investment. Loose tax residency requirements made Ireland a common destination for international firms seeking to pay less tax or, in the case of U.S. multinationals, defer taxation owed to the United States. In 2014, amid growing international pressure, the Irish government announced it would phase in more stringent tax laws, effectively closing a commonly used loophole. The Irish economy continued to grow in 2017 and is forecast to do so through 2019, supported by a strong export sector, robust job growth, and low inflation, to the point that the Government must now address concerns about overheating and potential loss of competitiveness. The greatest risks to the economy are the UK’s scheduled departure from the European Union ("Brexit") in March 2019, possible changes to international taxation policies that could affect Ireland’s revenues, and global trade pressures. Topic: Isle of ManFinancial services, manufacturing, and tourism are key sectors of the economy. The government offers low taxes and other incentives to high-technology companies and financial institutions to locate on the island; this has paid off in expanding employment opportunities in high-income industries. As a result, agriculture and fishing, once the mainstays of the economy, have declined in their contributions to GDP. The Isle of Man also attracts online gambling sites and the film industry. Online gambling sites provided about 10% of the islands income in 2014. The Isle of Man currently enjoys free access to EU markets and trade is mostly with the UK. The Isle of Man’s trade relationship with the EU derives from the United Kingdom’s EU membership and will need to be renegotiated in light of the United Kingdom’s decision to withdraw from the bloc. A transition period is expected to allow the free movement of goods and agricultural products to the EU until the end of 2020 or until a new settlement is negotiated. Topic: IsraelIsrael has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows.   Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.   Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan.   Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency.   In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita.Israel has a technologically advanced free market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among its leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are offset by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. Since March 2020, economic growth has slowed compared to recent historical averages, but Israel's slump has been less severe than in other Middle Eastern countries because of its swift vaccine roll-out and diversified economic base. Between 2016 and 2019, growth averaged 3.6% per year, led by exports. Israel's new government is hoping to pass the country's first budget in two years, which, combined with prudent fiscal policy and strong global trade ties would probably enable Israel to recover from economic challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds in the last decade. In 2020, Israel began exporting gas to Egypt and Jordan. Income inequality and high housing and commodity prices continue to be a concern for many Israelis. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries, and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of "tycoons" have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. Government officials have called for reforms to boost the housing supply and to increase competition in the banking sector to address these public grievances. Despite calls for reforms, the restricted housing supply continues to impact younger Israelis seeking to purchase homes. Tariffs and non-tariff barriers, coupled with guaranteed prices and customs tariffs for farmers kept food prices high. Private consumption is expected to drive growth through 2021, with consumers benefitting from low inflation and a strong currency. In the long term, Israel faces structural issues including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultraorthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only about 8% of the workforce, with the rest mostly employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition. Expenditures on educational institutions remain low compared to most other OECD countries with similar GDP per capita. Topic: ItalyItaly’s economy comprises a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, highly subsidized, agricultural south, with a legacy of unemployment and underdevelopment. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family-owned. Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 17% of GDP. These activities are most common within the agriculture, construction, and service sectors.   Italy is the third-largest economy in the euro zone, but its exceptionally high public debt and structural impediments to growth have rendered it vulnerable to scrutiny by financial markets. Public debt has increased steadily since 2007, reaching 131% of GDP in 2017. Investor concerns about Italy and the broader euro-zone crisis eased in 2013, bringing down Italy's borrowing costs on sovereign government debt from euro-era records. The government still faces pressure from investors and European partners to sustain its efforts to address Italy's longstanding structural economic problems, including labor market inefficiencies, a sluggish judicial system, and a weak banking sector. Italy’s economy returned to modest growth in late 2014 for the first time since 2011. In 2015-16, Italy’s economy grew at about 1% each year, and in 2017 growth accelerated to 1.5% of GDP. In 2017, overall unemployment was 11.4%, but youth unemployment remained high at 37.1%. GDP growth is projected to slow slightly in 2018.Italy’s economy comprises a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, highly subsidized, agricultural south, with a legacy of unemployment and underdevelopment. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family-owned. Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 17% of GDP. These activities are most common within the agriculture, construction, and service sectors. Italy is the third-largest economy in the euro zone, but its exceptionally high public debt and structural impediments to growth have rendered it vulnerable to scrutiny by financial markets. Public debt has increased steadily since 2007, reaching 131% of GDP in 2017. Investor concerns about Italy and the broader euro-zone crisis eased in 2013, bringing down Italy's borrowing costs on sovereign government debt from euro-era records. The government still faces pressure from investors and European partners to sustain its efforts to address Italy's longstanding structural economic problems, including labor market inefficiencies, a sluggish judicial system, and a weak banking sector. Italy’s economy returned to modest growth in late 2014 for the first time since 2011. In 2015-16, Italy’s economy grew at about 1% each year, and in 2017 growth accelerated to 1.5% of GDP. In 2017, overall unemployment was 11.4%, but youth unemployment remained high at 37.1%. GDP growth is projected to slow slightly in 2018. Topic: JamaicaThe Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which accounts for more than 70% of GDP. The country derives most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Earnings from remittances and tourism each account for 14% and 20% of GDP, while bauxite/alumina exports have declined to less than 5% of GDP.   Jamaica's economy has grown on average less than 1% a year for the last three decades and many impediments remain to growth: a bloated public sector which crowds out spending on important projects; high crime and corruption; red-tape; and a high debt-to-GDP ratio. Jamaica, however, has made steady progress in reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio from a high of almost 150% in 2012 to less than 110% in 2017, in close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current IMF Stand-By Agreement requires Jamaica to produce an annual primary surplus of 7%, in an attempt to reduce its debt burden below 60% by 2025.   Economic growth reached 1.6% in 2016, but declined to 0.9% in 2017 after intense rainfall, demonstrating the vulnerability of the economy to weather-related events. The HOLNESS administration therefore faces the difficult prospect of maintaining fiscal discipline to reduce the debt load while simultaneously implementing growth inducing policies and attacking a serious crime problem. High unemployment exacerbates the crime problem, including gang violence fueled by advanced fee fraud (lottery scamming) and the drug trade.The Jamaican economy is heavily dependent on services, which accounts for more than 70% of GDP. The country derives most of its foreign exchange from tourism, remittances, and bauxite/alumina. Earnings from remittances and tourism each account for 14% and 20% of GDP, while bauxite/alumina exports have declined to less than 5% of GDP. Jamaica's economy has grown on average less than 1% a year for the last three decades and many impediments remain to growth: a bloated public sector which crowds out spending on important projects; high crime and corruption; red-tape; and a high debt-to-GDP ratio. Jamaica, however, has made steady progress in reducing its debt-to-GDP ratio from a high of almost 150% in 2012 to less than 110% in 2017, in close collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The current IMF Stand-By Agreement requires Jamaica to produce an annual primary surplus of 7%, in an attempt to reduce its debt burden below 60% by 2025. Economic growth reached 1.6% in 2016, but declined to 0.9% in 2017 after intense rainfall, demonstrating the vulnerability of the economy to weather-related events. The HOLNESS administration therefore faces the difficult prospect of maintaining fiscal discipline to reduce the debt load while simultaneously implementing growth inducing policies and attacking a serious crime problem. High unemployment exacerbates the crime problem, including gang violence fueled by advanced fee fraud (lottery scamming) and the drug trade. Topic: Jan MayenJan Mayen is a volcanic island with no exploitable natural resources, although surrounding waters contain substantial fish stocks and potential untapped petroleum resources. Economic activity is limited to providing services for employees of Norway's radio and meteorological stations on the island. Topic: JapanOver the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (slightly less than 1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features have significantly eroded under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change.   Measured on a purchasing power parity basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2017 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. For three postwar decades, overall real economic growth was impressive - averaging 10% in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and the collapse of an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, which resulted in several years of economic stagnation as firms sought to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008.   Japan enjoyed an uptick in growth since 2013, supported by Prime Minister Shinzo ABE’s "Three Arrows" economic revitalization agenda - dubbed "Abenomics" - of monetary easing, "flexible" fiscal policy, and structural reform. Led by the Bank of Japan’s aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making modest progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. The government currently faces the quandary of balancing its efforts to stimulate growth and institute economic reforms with the need to address its sizable public debt, which stands at 235% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate. However, the first such increase, in April 2014, led to a sharp contraction, so Prime Minister ABE has twice postponed the next increase, which is now scheduled for October 2019. Structural reforms to unlock productivity are seen as central to strengthening the economy in the long-run.   Scarce in critical natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported energy and raw materials. After the complete shutdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than before on imported fossil fuels. However, ABE’s government is seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards and is emphasizing nuclear energy’s importance as a base-load electricity source. In August 2015, Japan successfully restarted one nuclear reactor at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture, and several other reactors around the country have since resumed operations; however, opposition from local governments has delayed several more restarts that remain pending. Reforms of the electricity and gas sectors, including full liberalization of Japan’s energy market in April 2016 and gas market in April 2017, constitute an important part of Prime Minister Abe’s economic program.   Under the Abe Administration, Japan’s government sought to open the country’s economy to greater foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses, including by joining 11 trading partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Japan became the first country to ratify the TPP in December 2016, but the United States signaled its withdrawal from the agreement in January 2017. In 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). Japan also reached agreement with the European Union on an Economic Partnership Agreement in July 2017, and is likely seek to ratify both agreements in the Diet this year.Over the past 70 years, government-industry cooperation, a strong work ethic, mastery of high technology, and a comparatively small defense allocation (slightly less than 1% of GDP) have helped Japan develop an advanced economy. Two notable characteristics of the post-World War II economy were the close interlocking structures of manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors, known as keiretsu, and the guarantee of lifetime employment for a substantial portion of the urban labor force. Both features have significantly eroded under the dual pressures of global competition and domestic demographic change. Measured on a purchasing power parity basis that adjusts for price differences, Japan in 2017 stood as the fourth-largest economy in the world after first-place China, which surpassed Japan in 2001, and third-place India, which edged out Japan in 2012. For three postwar decades, overall real economic growth was impressive - averaging 10% in the 1960s, 5% in the 1970s, and 4% in the 1980s. Growth slowed markedly in the 1990s, averaging just 1.7%, largely because of the aftereffects of inefficient investment and the collapse of an asset price bubble in the late 1980s, which resulted in several years of economic stagnation as firms sought to reduce excess debt, capital, and labor. Modest economic growth continued after 2000, but the economy has fallen into recession four times since 2008. Japan enjoyed an uptick in growth since 2013, supported by Prime Minister Shinzo ABE’s "Three Arrows" economic revitalization agenda - dubbed "Abenomics" - of monetary easing, "flexible" fiscal policy, and structural reform. Led by the Bank of Japan’s aggressive monetary easing, Japan is making modest progress in ending deflation, but demographic decline – a low birthrate and an aging, shrinking population – poses a major long-term challenge for the economy. The government currently faces the quandary of balancing its efforts to stimulate growth and institute economic reforms with the need to address its sizable public debt, which stands at 235% of GDP. To help raise government revenue, Japan adopted legislation in 2012 to gradually raise the consumption tax rate. However, the first such increase, in April 2014, led to a sharp contraction, so Prime Minister ABE has twice postponed the next increase, which is now scheduled for October 2019. Structural reforms to unlock productivity are seen as central to strengthening the economy in the long-run. Scarce in critical natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on imported energy and raw materials. After the complete shutdown of Japan’s nuclear reactors following the earthquake and tsunami disaster in 2011, Japan's industrial sector has become even more dependent than before on imported fossil fuels. However, ABE’s government is seeking to restart nuclear power plants that meet strict new safety standards and is emphasizing nuclear energy’s importance as a base-load electricity source. In August 2015, Japan successfully restarted one nuclear reactor at the Sendai Nuclear Power Plant in Kagoshima prefecture, and several other reactors around the country have since resumed operations; however, opposition from local governments has delayed several more restarts that remain pending. Reforms of the electricity and gas sectors, including full liberalization of Japan’s energy market in April 2016 and gas market in April 2017, constitute an important part of Prime Minister Abe’s economic program. Under the Abe Administration, Japan’s government sought to open the country’s economy to greater foreign competition and create new export opportunities for Japanese businesses, including by joining 11 trading partners in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). Japan became the first country to ratify the TPP in December 2016, but the United States signaled its withdrawal from the agreement in January 2017. In 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). Japan also reached agreement with the European Union on an Economic Partnership Agreement in July 2017, and is likely seek to ratify both agreements in the Diet this year. Topic: JerseyJersey's economy is based on international financial services, agriculture, and tourism. In 2016, the financial services sector accounted for about 41% of the island's output. Agriculture represented about 1% of Jersey’s economy in 2016. Potatoes are an important export crop, shipped mostly to the UK. The Jersey breed of dairy cattle originated on the island and is known worldwide. The dairy industry remains important to the island with approximately $8.8 million gallons of milk produced in 2015. Tourism accounts for a significant portion of Jersey’s economy, with more than 700,000 total visitors in 2015. Living standards come close to those of the UK. All raw material and energy requirements are imported as well as a large share of Jersey's food needs. Light taxes and death duties make the island a popular offshore financial center. Jersey maintains its relationship with the EU through the UK. Therefore, in light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, Jersey will also need to renegotiate its ties to the EU. Topic: JordanJordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of unemployment and underemployment, budget and current account deficits, and government debt.   King ABDALLAH, during the first decade of the 2000s, implemented significant economic reforms, such as expanding foreign trade and privatizing state-owned companies that attracted foreign investment and contributed to average annual economic growth of 8% for 2004 through 2008. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil contributed to slower growth from 2010 to 2017 - with growth averaging about 2.5% per year - and hurt export-oriented sectors, construction/real estate, and tourism. Since the onset of the civil war in Syria and resulting refugee crisis, one of Jordan’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges has been managing the influx of approximately 660,000 UN-registered refugees, more than 80% of whom live in Jordan’s urban areas. Jordan’s own official census estimated the refugee number at 1.3 million Syrians as of early 2016.   Jordan is nearly completely dependent on imported energy—mostly natural gas—and energy consistently makes up 25-30% of Jordan’s imports. To diversify its energy mix, Jordan has secured several contracts for liquefied and pipeline natural gas, developed several major renewables projects, and is currently exploring nuclear power generation and exploitation of abundant oil shale reserves. In August 2016, Jordan and the IMF agreed to a $723 million Extended Fund Facility that aims to build on the three-year, $2.1 billion IMF program that ended in August 2015 with the goal of helping Jordan correct budgetary and balance of payments imbalances.Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of unemployment and underemployment, budget and current account deficits, and government debt. King ABDALLAH, during the first decade of the 2000s, implemented significant economic reforms, such as expanding foreign trade and privatizing state-owned companies that attracted foreign investment and contributed to average annual economic growth of 8% for 2004 through 2008. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil contributed to slower growth from 2010 to 2017 - with growth averaging about 2.5% per year - and hurt export-oriented sectors, construction/real estate, and tourism. Since the onset of the civil war in Syria and resulting refugee crisis, one of Jordan’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges has been managing the influx of approximately 660,000 UN-registered refugees, more than 80% of whom live in Jordan’s urban areas. Jordan’s own official census estimated the refugee number at 1.3 million Syrians as of early 2016. Jordan is nearly completely dependent on imported energy—mostly natural gas—and energy consistently makes up 25-30% of Jordan’s imports. To diversify its energy mix, Jordan has secured several contracts for liquefied and pipeline natural gas, developed several major renewables projects, and is currently exploring nuclear power generation and exploitation of abundant oil shale reserves. In August 2016, Jordan and the IMF agreed to a $723 million Extended Fund Facility that aims to build on the three-year, $2.1 billion IMF program that ended in August 2015 with the goal of helping Jordan correct budgetary and balance of payments imbalances. Topic: KazakhstanKazakhstan's vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves form the backbone of its economy. Geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, Kazakhstan, g possesses substantial fossil fuel reserves and other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. The government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries and has made initial attempts to diversify its economy by targeting sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing for greater development and investment. It also adopted a Subsoil Code in December 2017 with the aim of increasing exploration and investment in the hydrocarbon, and particularly mining, sectors.   Kazakhstan's oil production and potential is expanding rapidly. A $36.8 billion expansion of Kazakhstan’s premiere Tengiz oil field by Chevron-led Tengizchevroil should be complete in 2022. Meanwhile, the super-giant Kashagan field finally launched production in October 2016 after years of delay and an estimated $55 billion in development costs. Kazakhstan’s total oil production in 2017 climbed 10.5%.   Kazakhstan is landlocked and depends on Russia to export its oil to Europe. It also exports oil directly to China. In 2010, Kazakhstan joined Russia and Belarus to establish a Customs Union in an effort to boost foreign investment and improve trade. The Customs Union evolved into a Single Economic Space in 2012 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in January 2015. Supported by rising commodity prices, Kazakhstan’s exports to EAEU countries increased 30.2% in 2017. Imports from EAEU countries grew by 24.1%.   The economic downturn of its EAEU partner, Russia, and the decline in global commodity prices from 2014 to 2016 contributed to an economic slowdown in Kazakhstan. In 2014, Kazakhstan devalued its currency, the tenge, and announced a stimulus package to cope with its economic challenges. In the face of further decline in the ruble, oil prices, and the regional economy, Kazakhstan announced in 2015 it would replace its currency band with a floating exchange rate, leading to a sharp fall in the value of the tenge. Since reaching a low of 391 to the dollar in January 2016, the tenge has modestly appreciated, helped by somewhat higher oil prices. While growth slowed to about 1% in both 2015 and 2016, a moderate recovery in oil prices, relatively stable inflation and foreign exchange rates, and the start of production at Kashagan helped push 2017 GDP growth to 4%.   Despite some positive institutional and legislative changes in the last several years, investors remain concerned about corruption, bureaucracy, and arbitrary law enforcement, especially at the regional and municipal levels. An additional concern is the condition of the country’s banking sector, which suffers from poor asset quality and a lack of transparency. Investors also question the potentially negative effects on the economy of a contested presidential succession as Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, turned 77 in 2017.Kazakhstan's vast hydrocarbon and mineral reserves form the backbone of its economy. Geographically the largest of the former Soviet republics, excluding Russia, Kazakhstan, g possesses substantial fossil fuel reserves and other minerals and metals, such as uranium, copper, and zinc. It also has a large agricultural sector featuring livestock and grain. The government realizes that its economy suffers from an overreliance on oil and extractive industries and has made initial attempts to diversify its economy by targeting sectors like transport, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, petrochemicals and food processing for greater development and investment. It also adopted a Subsoil Code in December 2017 with the aim of increasing exploration and investment in the hydrocarbon, and particularly mining, sectors. Kazakhstan's oil production and potential is expanding rapidly. A $36.8 billion expansion of Kazakhstan’s premiere Tengiz oil field by Chevron-led Tengizchevroil should be complete in 2022. Meanwhile, the super-giant Kashagan field finally launched production in October 2016 after years of delay and an estimated $55 billion in development costs. Kazakhstan’s total oil production in 2017 climbed 10.5%. Kazakhstan is landlocked and depends on Russia to export its oil to Europe. It also exports oil directly to China. In 2010, Kazakhstan joined Russia and Belarus to establish a Customs Union in an effort to boost foreign investment and improve trade. The Customs Union evolved into a Single Economic Space in 2012 and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) in January 2015. Supported by rising commodity prices, Kazakhstan’s exports to EAEU countries increased 30.2% in 2017. Imports from EAEU countries grew by 24.1%. The economic downturn of its EAEU partner, Russia, and the decline in global commodity prices from 2014 to 2016 contributed to an economic slowdown in Kazakhstan. In 2014, Kazakhstan devalued its currency, the tenge, and announced a stimulus package to cope with its economic challenges. In the face of further decline in the ruble, oil prices, and the regional economy, Kazakhstan announced in 2015 it would replace its currency band with a floating exchange rate, leading to a sharp fall in the value of the tenge. Since reaching a low of 391 to the dollar in January 2016, the tenge has modestly appreciated, helped by somewhat higher oil prices. While growth slowed to about 1% in both 2015 and 2016, a moderate recovery in oil prices, relatively stable inflation and foreign exchange rates, and the start of production at Kashagan helped push 2017 GDP growth to 4%. Despite some positive institutional and legislative changes in the last several years, investors remain concerned about corruption, bureaucracy, and arbitrary law enforcement, especially at the regional and municipal levels. An additional concern is the condition of the country’s banking sector, which suffers from poor asset quality and a lack of transparency. Investors also question the potentially negative effects on the economy of a contested presidential succession as Kazakhstan’s first president, Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, turned 77 in 2017. Topic: KenyaKenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade. Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold. While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties.   Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities. Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders. Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 and appears poised to continue growing.   Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018. The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017.   In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed. The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018.   The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate. While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive. The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary. Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing.Kenya is the economic, financial, and transport hub of East Africa. Kenya’s real GDP growth has averaged over 5% for the last decade. Since 2014, Kenya has been ranked as a lower middle income country because its per capita GDP crossed a World Bank threshold. While Kenya has a growing entrepreneurial middle class and steady growth, its economic development has been impaired by weak governance and corruption. Although reliable numbers are hard to find, unemployment and under-employment are extremely high, and could be near 40% of the population. In 2013, the country adopted a devolved system of government with the creation of 47 counties, and is in the process of devolving state revenues and responsibilities to the counties. Agriculture remains the backbone of the Kenyan economy, contributing one-third of GDP. About 75% of Kenya’s population of roughly 48.5 million work at least part-time in the agricultural sector, including livestock and pastoral activities. Over 75% of agricultural output is from small-scale, rain-fed farming or livestock production. Tourism also holds a significant place in Kenya’s economy. In spite of political turmoil throughout the second half of 2017, tourism was up 20%, showcasing the strength of this sector. Kenya has long been a target of terrorist activity and has struggled with instability along its northeastern borders. Some high visibility terrorist attacks during 2013-2015 (e.g., at Nairobi’s Westgate Mall and Garissa University) affected the tourism industry severely, but the sector rebounded strongly in 2016-2017 and appears poised to continue growing. Inadequate infrastructure continues to hamper Kenya’s efforts to improve its annual growth so that it can meaningfully address poverty and unemployment. The KENYATTA administration has been successful in courting external investment for infrastructure development. International financial institutions and donors remain important to Kenya's growth and development, but Kenya has also successfully raised capital in the global bond market issuing its first sovereign bond offering in mid-2014, with a second occurring in February 2018. The first phase of a Chinese-financed and constructed standard gauge railway connecting Mombasa and Nairobi opened in May 2017. In 2016 the government was forced to take over three small and undercapitalized banks when underlying weaknesses were exposed. The government also enacted legislation that limits interest rates banks can charge on loans and set a rate that banks must pay their depositors. This measure led to a sharp shrinkage of credit in the economy. A prolonged election cycle in 2017 hurt the economy, drained government resources, and slowed GDP growth. Drought-like conditions in parts of the country pushed 2017 inflation above 8%, but the rate had fallen to 4.5% in February 2018. The economy, however, is well placed to resume its decade-long 5%-6% growth rate. While fiscal deficits continue to pose risks in the medium term, other economic indicators, including foreign exchange reserves, interest rates, current account deficits, remittances and FDI are positive. The credit and drought-related impediments were temporary. Now In his second term, President KENYATTA has pledged to make economic growth and development a centerpiece of his second administration, focusing on his "Big Four" initiatives of universal healthcare, food security, affordable housing, and expansion of manufacturing. Topic: KiribatiA remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted by the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income. Although the number of seafarers employed declined due to changes in global shipping demands, remittances are expected to improve with more overseas temporary and seasonal work opportunities for Kiribati nationals.   Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth. Public debt increased from 23% of GDP at the end of 2015 to 25.8% in 2016.   Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 32.7% in 2016 to the government’s finances. The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $855.5 million in late July 2016. The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, US dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Euro. Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget.A remote country of 33 scattered coral atolls, Kiribati has few natural resources and is one of the least developed Pacific Island countries. Commercially viable phosphate deposits were exhausted by the time of independence from the United Kingdom in 1979. Earnings from fishing licenses and seafarer remittances are important sources of income. Although the number of seafarers employed declined due to changes in global shipping demands, remittances are expected to improve with more overseas temporary and seasonal work opportunities for Kiribati nationals. Economic development is constrained by a shortage of skilled workers, weak infrastructure, and remoteness from international markets. The public sector dominates economic activity, with ongoing capital projects in infrastructure including road rehabilitation, water and sanitation projects, and renovations to the international airport, spurring some growth. Public debt increased from 23% of GDP at the end of 2015 to 25.8% in 2016. Kiribati is dependent on foreign aid, which was estimated to have contributed over 32.7% in 2016 to the government’s finances. The country’s sovereign fund, the Revenue Equalization Reserve Fund (RERF), which is held offshore, had an estimated balance of $855.5 million in late July 2016. The RERF seeks to avoid exchange rate risk by holding investments in more than 20 currencies, including the Australian dollar, US dollar, the Japanese yen, and the Euro. Drawdowns from the RERF helped finance the government’s annual budget. Topic: Korea, NorthNorth Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, shortages of spare parts, and poor maintenance. Corruption and resource misallocation, including show projects, large-scale military spending, and development of its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, severely draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power outputs have stagnated for years at a fraction of pre-1990 levels. Frequent weather-related crop failures aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems, including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, poor soil quality, insufficient fertilization, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel.   The mid 1990s through mid-2000s were marked by severe famine and widespread starvation. Significant food aid was provided by the international community through 2009. Since that time, food assistance has declined significantly. In the last few years, domestic corn and rice production has improved, although domestic production does not fully satisfy demand. A large portion of the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed semi-private markets to begin selling a wider range of goods, allowing North Koreans to partially make up for diminished public distribution system rations. It also implemented changes in the management process of communal farms in an effort to boost agricultural output.   In December 2009, North Korea carried out a redenomination of its currency, capping the amount of North Korean won that could be exchanged for the new notes, and limiting the exchange to a one-week window. A concurrent crackdown on markets and foreign currency use yielded severe shortages and inflation, forcing Pyongyang to ease the restrictions by February 2010. In response to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, South Korea’s government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities. In February 2016, South Korea ceased its remaining bilateral economic activity by closing the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test a month earlier. This nuclear test and another in September 2016 resulted in two United Nations Security Council Resolutions that targeted North Korea’s foreign currency earnings, particularly coal and other mineral exports. Throughout 2017, North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile tests led to a tightening of UN sanctions, resulting in full sectoral bans on DPRK exports and drastically limited key imports. Over the last decade, China has been North Korea’s primary trading partner.   The North Korean Government continues to stress its goal of improving the overall standard of living, but has taken few steps to make that goal a reality for its populace. In 2016, the regime used two mass mobilizations — one totaling 70 days and another 200 days — to spur the population to increase production and complete construction projects quickly. The regime released a five-year economic development strategy in May 2016 that outlined plans for promoting growth across sectors. Firm political control remains the government’s overriding concern, which likely will inhibit formal changes to North Korea’s current economic system.North Korea, one of the world's most centrally directed and least open economies, faces chronic economic problems. Industrial capital stock is nearly beyond repair as a result of decades of mismanagement, underinvestment, shortages of spare parts, and poor maintenance. Corruption and resource misallocation, including show projects, large-scale military spending, and development of its ballistic missile and nuclear programs, severely draws off resources needed for investment and civilian consumption. Industrial and power outputs have stagnated for years at a fraction of pre-1990 levels. Frequent weather-related crop failures aggravated chronic food shortages caused by on-going systemic problems, including a lack of arable land, collective farming practices, poor soil quality, insufficient fertilization, and persistent shortages of tractors and fuel. The mid 1990s through mid-2000s were marked by severe famine and widespread starvation. Significant food aid was provided by the international community through 2009. Since that time, food assistance has declined significantly. In the last few years, domestic corn and rice production has improved, although domestic production does not fully satisfy demand. A large portion of the population continues to suffer from prolonged malnutrition and poor living conditions. Since 2002, the government has allowed semi-private markets to begin selling a wider range of goods, allowing North Koreans to partially make up for diminished public distribution system rations. It also implemented changes in the management process of communal farms in an effort to boost agricultural output. In December 2009, North Korea carried out a redenomination of its currency, capping the amount of North Korean won that could be exchanged for the new notes, and limiting the exchange to a one-week window. A concurrent crackdown on markets and foreign currency use yielded severe shortages and inflation, forcing Pyongyang to ease the restrictions by February 2010. In response to the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, South Korea’s government cut off most aid, trade, and bilateral cooperation activities. In February 2016, South Korea ceased its remaining bilateral economic activity by closing the Kaesong Industrial Complex in response to North Korea’s fourth nuclear test a month earlier. This nuclear test and another in September 2016 resulted in two United Nations Security Council Resolutions that targeted North Korea’s foreign currency earnings, particularly coal and other mineral exports. Throughout 2017, North Korea’s continued nuclear and missile tests led to a tightening of UN sanctions, resulting in full sectoral bans on DPRK exports and drastically limited key imports. Over the last decade, China has been North Korea’s primary trading partner. The North Korean Government continues to stress its goal of improving the overall standard of living, but has taken few steps to make that goal a reality for its populace. In 2016, the regime used two mass mobilizations — one totaling 70 days and another 200 days — to spur the population to increase production and complete construction projects quickly. The regime released a five-year economic development strategy in May 2016 that outlined plans for promoting growth across sectors. Firm political control remains the government’s overriding concern, which likely will inhibit formal changes to North Korea’s current economic system. Topic: Korea, SouthAfter 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. Topic: KosovoKosovo's economy has shown progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for about 17% of GDP and international donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize a majority of its state-owned enterprises.   Kosovo's citizens are the second poorest in Europe, after Moldova, with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $10,400 in 2017. An unemployment rate of 33%, and a youth unemployment rate near 60%, in a country where the average age is 26, encourages emigration and fuels a significant informal, unreported economy. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. However, high levels of corruption, little contract enforcement, and unreliable electricity supply have discouraged potential investors. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low.   Minerals and metals production - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once the backbone of industry, has declined because of aging equipment and insufficient investment, problems exacerbated by competing and unresolved ownership claims of Kosovo’s largest mines. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a major impediment to economic development. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of Kosovo C, a new lignite-fired power plant that would leverage Kosovo’s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older bituminous-fired power plant, Kosovo B, and the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants.   In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012, and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013. In 2016, Kosovo implemented the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations with the EU, focused on trade liberalization. In 2014, nearly 60% of customs duty-eligible imports into Kosovo were EU goods. In August 2015, as part of its EU-facilitated normalization process with Serbia, Kosovo signed agreements on telecommunications and energy distribution, but disagreements over who owns economic assets, such as the Trepca mining conglomerate, within Kosovo continue.   Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012, when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014, the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increases, and the government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The government, led by Prime Minister MUSTAFA - a trained economist - recently made several changes to its fiscal policy, expanding the list of duty-free imports, decreasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) for basic food items and public utilities, and increasing the VAT for all other goods.   While Kosovo’s economy continued to make progress, unemployment has not been reduced, nor living standards raised, due to lack of economic reforms and investment.Kosovo's economy has shown progress in transitioning to a market-based system and maintaining macroeconomic stability, but it is still highly dependent on the international community and the diaspora for financial and technical assistance. Remittances from the diaspora - located mainly in Germany, Switzerland, and the Nordic countries - are estimated to account for about 17% of GDP and international donor assistance accounts for approximately 10% of GDP. With international assistance, Kosovo has been able to privatize a majority of its state-owned enterprises. Kosovo's citizens are the second poorest in Europe, after Moldova, with a per capita GDP (PPP) of $10,400 in 2017. An unemployment rate of 33%, and a youth unemployment rate near 60%, in a country where the average age is 26, encourages emigration and fuels a significant informal, unreported economy. Most of Kosovo's population lives in rural towns outside of the capital, Pristina. Inefficient, near-subsistence farming is common - the result of small plots, limited mechanization, and a lack of technical expertise. Kosovo enjoys lower labor costs than the rest of the region. However, high levels of corruption, little contract enforcement, and unreliable electricity supply have discouraged potential investors. The official currency of Kosovo is the euro, but the Serbian dinar is also used illegally in Serb majority communities. Kosovo's tie to the euro has helped keep core inflation low. Minerals and metals production - including lignite, lead, zinc, nickel, chrome, aluminum, magnesium, and a wide variety of construction materials - once the backbone of industry, has declined because of aging equipment and insufficient investment, problems exacerbated by competing and unresolved ownership claims of Kosovo’s largest mines. A limited and unreliable electricity supply is a major impediment to economic development. The US Government is cooperating with the Ministry of Economic Development (MED) and the World Bank to conclude a commercial tender for the construction of Kosovo C, a new lignite-fired power plant that would leverage Kosovo’s large lignite reserves. MED also has plans for the rehabilitation of an older bituminous-fired power plant, Kosovo B, and the development of a coal mine that could supply both plants. In June 2009, Kosovo joined the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, the Central Europe Free Trade Area (CEFTA) in 2006, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2012, and the Council of Europe Development Bank in 2013. In 2016, Kosovo implemented the Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA) negotiations with the EU, focused on trade liberalization. In 2014, nearly 60% of customs duty-eligible imports into Kosovo were EU goods. In August 2015, as part of its EU-facilitated normalization process with Serbia, Kosovo signed agreements on telecommunications and energy distribution, but disagreements over who owns economic assets, such as the Trepca mining conglomerate, within Kosovo continue. Kosovo experienced its first federal budget deficit in 2012, when government expenditures climbed sharply. In May 2014, the government introduced a 25% salary increase for public sector employees and an equal increase in certain social benefits. Central revenues could not sustain these increases, and the government was forced to reduce its planned capital investments. The government, led by Prime Minister MUSTAFA - a trained economist - recently made several changes to its fiscal policy, expanding the list of duty-free imports, decreasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) for basic food items and public utilities, and increasing the VAT for all other goods. While Kosovo’s economy continued to make progress, unemployment has not been reduced, nor living standards raised, due to lack of economic reforms and investment. Topic: KuwaitKuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - more than 6% of world reserves. Kuwaiti officials plan to increase production to 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2020. Petroleum accounts for over half of GDP, 92% of export revenues, and 90% of government income.   With world oil prices declining, Kuwait realized a budget deficit in 2015 for the first time more than a decade; in 2016, the deficit grew to 16.5% of GDP. Kuwaiti authorities announced cuts to fuel subsidies in August 2016, provoking outrage among the public and National Assembly, and the Amir dissolved the government for the seventh time in ten years. In 2017 the deficit was reduced to 7.2% of GDP, and the government raised $8 billion by issuing international bonds. Despite Kuwait’s dependence on oil, the government has cushioned itself against the impact of lower oil prices, by saving annually at least 10% of government revenue in the Fund for Future Generations.   Kuwait has failed to diversify its economy or bolster the private sector, because of a poor business climate, a large public sector that employs about 74% of citizens, and an acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch that has stymied most economic reforms. The Kuwaiti Government has made little progress on its long-term economic development plan first passed in 2010. While the government planned to spend up to $104 billion over four years to diversify the economy, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy, many of the projects did not materialize because of an uncertain political situation or delays in awarding contracts. To increase non-oil revenues, the Kuwaiti Government in August 2017 approved draft bills supporting a Gulf Cooperation Council-wide value added tax scheduled to take effect in 2018.Kuwait has a geographically small, but wealthy, relatively open economy with crude oil reserves of about 102 billion barrels - more than 6% of world reserves. Kuwaiti officials plan to increase production to 4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2020. Petroleum accounts for over half of GDP, 92% of export revenues, and 90% of government income. With world oil prices declining, Kuwait realized a budget deficit in 2015 for the first time more than a decade; in 2016, the deficit grew to 16.5% of GDP. Kuwaiti authorities announced cuts to fuel subsidies in August 2016, provoking outrage among the public and National Assembly, and the Amir dissolved the government for the seventh time in ten years. In 2017 the deficit was reduced to 7.2% of GDP, and the government raised $8 billion by issuing international bonds. Despite Kuwait’s dependence on oil, the government has cushioned itself against the impact of lower oil prices, by saving annually at least 10% of government revenue in the Fund for Future Generations. Kuwait has failed to diversify its economy or bolster the private sector, because of a poor business climate, a large public sector that employs about 74% of citizens, and an acrimonious relationship between the National Assembly and the executive branch that has stymied most economic reforms. The Kuwaiti Government has made little progress on its long-term economic development plan first passed in 2010. While the government planned to spend up to $104 billion over four years to diversify the economy, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy, many of the projects did not materialize because of an uncertain political situation or delays in awarding contracts. To increase non-oil revenues, the Kuwaiti Government in August 2017 approved draft bills supporting a Gulf Cooperation Council-wide value added tax scheduled to take effect in 2018. Topic: KyrgyzstanKyrgyzstan is a landlocked, mountainous, lower middle income country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only cotton is exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and - in some years - electricity. The country has sought to attract foreign investment to expand its export base, including construction of hydroelectric dams, but a difficult investment climate and an ongoing legal battle with a Canadian firm over the joint ownership structure of the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors. Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers, predominantly in Russia and Kazakhstan, are equivalent to more than one-quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP.   Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly implemented market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. In 1998, Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. The government has privatized much of its ownership shares in public enterprises. Despite these reforms, the country suffered a severe drop in production in the early 1990s and has again faced slow growth in recent years as the global financial crisis and declining oil prices have dampened economies across Central Asia. The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 3 to 5% of GDP.   Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China and low commodity prices continue to hamper economic growth. Large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow to develop. Many Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians complain that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states are hurting certain sectors of the Kyrgyz economy, such as meat and dairy production, in which they have comparative advantage. Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to meet EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs believe this process as disjointed and incomplete. Kyrgyzstan’s economic development continues to be hampered by corruption, lack of administrative transparency, lack of diversity in domestic industries, and difficulty attracting foreign aid and investment.Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked, mountainous, lower middle income country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only cotton is exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and - in some years - electricity. The country has sought to attract foreign investment to expand its export base, including construction of hydroelectric dams, but a difficult investment climate and an ongoing legal battle with a Canadian firm over the joint ownership structure of the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors. Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers, predominantly in Russia and Kazakhstan, are equivalent to more than one-quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly implemented market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. In 1998, Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. The government has privatized much of its ownership shares in public enterprises. Despite these reforms, the country suffered a severe drop in production in the early 1990s and has again faced slow growth in recent years as the global financial crisis and declining oil prices have dampened economies across Central Asia. The Kyrgyz government remains dependent on foreign donor support to finance its annual budget deficit of approximately 3 to 5% of GDP. Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China and low commodity prices continue to hamper economic growth. Large-scale trade and investment pledged by Kyrgyz leaders has been slow to develop. Many Kyrgyz entrepreneurs and politicians complain that non-tariff measures imposed by other EAEU member states are hurting certain sectors of the Kyrgyz economy, such as meat and dairy production, in which they have comparative advantage. Since acceding to the EAEU, the Kyrgyz Republic has continued harmonizing its laws and regulations to meet EAEU standards, though many local entrepreneurs believe this process as disjointed and incomplete. Kyrgyzstan’s economic development continues to be hampered by corruption, lack of administrative transparency, lack of diversity in domestic industries, and difficulty attracting foreign aid and investment. Topic: LaosThe government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. Economic growth averaged more than 6% per year in the period 1988-2008, and Laos' growth has more recently been amongst the fastest in Asia, averaging more than 7% per year for most of the last decade.   Nevertheless, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a basic, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal land-line telecommunications. Electricity is available to 83% of the population. Agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 20% of GDP and 73% of total employment. Recently, the country has faced a persistent current account deficit, falling foreign currency reserves, and growing public debt.   Laos' economy is heavily dependent on capital-intensive natural resource exports. The economy has benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in hydropower dams along the Mekong River, copper and gold mining, logging, and construction, although some projects in these industries have drawn criticism for their environmental impacts.   Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004 and applied for Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in 2013 after being admitted to the World Trade Organization earlier in the year. Laos held the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016. Laos is in the process of implementing a value-added tax system. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among foreign investors and has developed special economic zones replete with generous tax incentives, but a limited labor pool, a small domestic market, and corruption remain impediments to investment. Laos also has ongoing problems with the business environment, including onerous registration requirements, a gap between legislation and implementation, and unclear or conflicting regulations.The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-party communist states, began decentralizing control and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. Economic growth averaged more than 6% per year in the period 1988-2008, and Laos' growth has more recently been amongst the fastest in Asia, averaging more than 7% per year for most of the last decade. Nevertheless, Laos remains a country with an underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. It has a basic, but improving, road system, and limited external and internal land-line telecommunications. Electricity is available to 83% of the population. Agriculture, dominated by rice cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 20% of GDP and 73% of total employment. Recently, the country has faced a persistent current account deficit, falling foreign currency reserves, and growing public debt. Laos' economy is heavily dependent on capital-intensive natural resource exports. The economy has benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in hydropower dams along the Mekong River, copper and gold mining, logging, and construction, although some projects in these industries have drawn criticism for their environmental impacts. Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US in 2004 and applied for Generalized System of Preferences trade benefits in 2013 after being admitted to the World Trade Organization earlier in the year. Laos held the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016. Laos is in the process of implementing a value-added tax system. The government appears committed to raising the country's profile among foreign investors and has developed special economic zones replete with generous tax incentives, but a limited labor pool, a small domestic market, and corruption remain impediments to investment. Laos also has ongoing problems with the business environment, including onerous registration requirements, a gap between legislation and implementation, and unclear or conflicting regulations. Topic: LatviaLatvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing more than half of GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality.   Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07, but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the slowing world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged by more than 14% in 2009 and, despite strong growth since 2011, the economy took until 2017 return to pre-crisis levels in real terms. Strong investment and consumption, the latter stoked by rising wages, helped the economy grow by more than 4% in 2017, while inflation rose to 3%. Continued gains in competitiveness and investment will be key to maintaining economic growth, especially in light of unfavorable demographic trends, including the emigration of skilled workers, and one of the highest levels of income inequality in the EU.   In the wake of the 2008-09 crisis, the IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro in exchange for the government's commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011, although, the austerity measures imposed large social costs. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 80% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia also joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016.Latvia is a small, open economy with exports contributing more than half of GDP. Due to its geographical location, transit services are highly-developed, along with timber and wood-processing, agriculture and food products, and manufacturing of machinery and electronics industries. Corruption continues to be an impediment to attracting foreign direct investment and Latvia's low birth rate and decreasing population are major challenges to its long-term economic vitality. Latvia's economy experienced GDP growth of more than 10% per year during 2006-07, but entered a severe recession in 2008 as a result of an unsustainable current account deficit and large debt exposure amid the slowing world economy. Triggered by the collapse of the second largest bank, GDP plunged by more than 14% in 2009 and, despite strong growth since 2011, the economy took until 2017 return to pre-crisis levels in real terms. Strong investment and consumption, the latter stoked by rising wages, helped the economy grow by more than 4% in 2017, while inflation rose to 3%. Continued gains in competitiveness and investment will be key to maintaining economic growth, especially in light of unfavorable demographic trends, including the emigration of skilled workers, and one of the highest levels of income inequality in the EU. In the wake of the 2008-09 crisis, the IMF, EU, and other international donors provided substantial financial assistance to Latvia as part of an agreement to defend the currency's peg to the euro in exchange for the government's commitment to stringent austerity measures. The IMF/EU program successfully concluded in December 2011, although, the austerity measures imposed large social costs. The majority of companies, banks, and real estate have been privatized, although the state still holds sizable stakes in a few large enterprises, including 80% ownership of the Latvian national airline. Latvia officially joined the World Trade Organization in February 1999 and the EU in May 2004. Latvia also joined the euro zone in 2014 and the OECD in 2016. Topic: LebanonLebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and inadequate intellectual property rights protection. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism.   The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern banking hub. Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily, mostly from domestic banks, which saddled the government with a huge debt burden. Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007, following the July 2006 war. The "CEDRE" investment event hosted by France in April 2018 again rallied the international community to assist Lebanon with concessional financing and some grants for capital infrastructure improvements, conditioned upon long-delayed structural economic reforms in fiscal management, electricity tariffs, and transparent public procurement, among many others.   The Syria conflict cut off one of Lebanon's major markets and a transport corridor through the Levant. The influx of nearly one million registered and an estimated 300,000 unregistered Syrian refugees has increased social tensions and heightened competition for low-skill jobs and public services. Lebanon continues to face several long-term structural weaknesses that predate the Syria crisis, notably, weak infrastructure, poor service delivery, institutionalized corruption, and bureaucratic over-regulation. Chronic fiscal deficits have increased Lebanon’s debt-to-GDP ratio, the third highest in the world; most of the debt is held internally by Lebanese banks. These factors combined to slow economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-17, after four years of averaging 8% growth. Weak economic growth limits tax revenues, while the largest government expenditures remain debt servicing, salaries for government workers, and transfers to the electricity sector. These limitations constrain other government spending, limiting its ability to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as water, electricity, and transportation. In early 2018, the Lebanese government signed long-awaited contract agreements with an international consortium for petroleum exploration and production as part of the country’s first offshore licensing round. Exploration is expected to begin in 2019.Lebanon has a free-market economy and a strong laissez-faire commercial tradition. The government does not restrict foreign investment; however, the investment climate suffers from red tape, corruption, arbitrary licensing decisions, complex customs procedures, high taxes, tariffs, and fees, archaic legislation, and inadequate intellectual property rights protection. The Lebanese economy is service-oriented; main growth sectors include banking and tourism. The 1975-90 civil war seriously damaged Lebanon's economic infrastructure, cut national output by half, and derailed Lebanon's position as a Middle Eastern banking hub. Following the civil war, Lebanon rebuilt much of its war-torn physical and financial infrastructure by borrowing heavily, mostly from domestic banks, which saddled the government with a huge debt burden. Pledges of economic and financial reforms made at separate international donor conferences during the 2000s have mostly gone unfulfilled, including those made during the Paris III Donor Conference in 2007, following the July 2006 war. The "CEDRE" investment event hosted by France in April 2018 again rallied the international community to assist Lebanon with concessional financing and some grants for capital infrastructure improvements, conditioned upon long-delayed structural economic reforms in fiscal management, electricity tariffs, and transparent public procurement, among many others. The Syria conflict cut off one of Lebanon's major markets and a transport corridor through the Levant. The influx of nearly one million registered and an estimated 300,000 unregistered Syrian refugees has increased social tensions and heightened competition for low-skill jobs and public services. Lebanon continues to face several long-term structural weaknesses that predate the Syria crisis, notably, weak infrastructure, poor service delivery, institutionalized corruption, and bureaucratic over-regulation. Chronic fiscal deficits have increased Lebanon’s debt-to-GDP ratio, the third highest in the world; most of the debt is held internally by Lebanese banks. These factors combined to slow economic growth to the 1-2% range in 2011-17, after four years of averaging 8% growth. Weak economic growth limits tax revenues, while the largest government expenditures remain debt servicing, salaries for government workers, and transfers to the electricity sector. These limitations constrain other government spending, limiting its ability to invest in necessary infrastructure improvements, such as water, electricity, and transportation. In early 2018, the Lebanese government signed long-awaited contract agreements with an international consortium for petroleum exploration and production as part of the country’s first offshore licensing round. Exploration is expected to begin in 2019. Topic: LesothoSmall, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho depends on a narrow economic base of textile manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, and regional customs revenue. About three-fourths of the people live in rural areas and engage in animal herding and subsistence agriculture, although Lesotho produces less than 20% of the nation's demand for food. Agriculture is vulnerable to weather and climate variability.   Lesotho relies on South Africa for much of its economic activity; Lesotho imports 85% of the goods it consumes from South Africa, including most agricultural inputs. Households depend heavily on remittances from family members working in South Africa in mines, on farms, and as domestic workers, though mining employment has declined substantially since the 1990s. Lesotho is a member of the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), and revenues from SACU accounted for roughly 26% of total GDP in 2016; however, SACU revenues are volatile and expected to decline over the next 5 years. Lesotho also gains royalties from the South African Government for water transferred to South Africa from a dam and reservoir system in Lesotho. However, the government continues to strengthen its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties and other transfers.   The government maintains a large presence in the economy - government consumption accounted for about 26% of GDP in 2017. The government remains Lesotho's largest employer; in 2016, the government wage bill rose to 23% of GDP – the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lesotho's largest private employer is the textile and garment industry - approximately 36,000 Basotho, mainly women, work in factories producing garments for export to South Africa and the US. Diamond mining in Lesotho has grown in recent years and accounted for nearly 35% of total exports in 2015. Lesotho managed steady GDP growth at an average of 4.5% from 2010 to 2014, dropping to about 2.5% in 2015-16, but poverty remains widespread around 57% of the total population.Small, mountainous, and completely landlocked by South Africa, Lesotho depends on a narrow economic base of textile manufacturing, agriculture, remittances, and regional customs revenue. About three-fourths of the people live in rural areas and engage in animal herding and subsistence agriculture, although Lesotho produces less than 20% of the nation's demand for food. Agriculture is vulnerable to weather and climate variability. Lesotho relies on South Africa for much of its economic activity; Lesotho imports 85% of the goods it consumes from South Africa, including most agricultural inputs. Households depend heavily on remittances from family members working in South Africa in mines, on farms, and as domestic workers, though mining employment has declined substantially since the 1990s. Lesotho is a member of the Southern Africa Customs Union (SACU), and revenues from SACU accounted for roughly 26% of total GDP in 2016; however, SACU revenues are volatile and expected to decline over the next 5 years. Lesotho also gains royalties from the South African Government for water transferred to South Africa from a dam and reservoir system in Lesotho. However, the government continues to strengthen its tax system to reduce dependency on customs duties and other transfers. The government maintains a large presence in the economy - government consumption accounted for about 26% of GDP in 2017. The government remains Lesotho's largest employer; in 2016, the government wage bill rose to 23% of GDP – the largest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Lesotho's largest private employer is the textile and garment industry - approximately 36,000 Basotho, mainly women, work in factories producing garments for export to South Africa and the US. Diamond mining in Lesotho has grown in recent years and accounted for nearly 35% of total exports in 2015. Lesotho managed steady GDP growth at an average of 4.5% from 2010 to 2014, dropping to about 2.5% in 2015-16, but poverty remains widespread around 57% of the total population. Topic: LiberiaLiberia is a low-income country that relies heavily on foreign assistance and remittances from the diaspora. It is richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture. Its principal exports are iron ore, rubber, diamonds, and gold. Palm oil and cocoa are emerging as new export products. The government has attempted to revive raw timber extraction and is encouraging oil exploration.   In the 1990s and early 2000s, civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially infrastructure in and around the capital. Much of the conflict was fueled by control over Liberia’s natural resources. With the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, businesses that had fled the country began to return. The country achieved high growth during the period 2010-13 due to favorable world prices for its commodities. However, during the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, the economy declined and many foreign-owned businesses departed with their capital and expertise. The epidemic forced the government to divert scarce resources to combat the spread of the virus, reducing funds available for needed public investment. The cost of addressing the Ebola epidemic coincided with decreased economic activity reducing government revenue, although higher donor support significantly offset this loss. During the same period, global commodities prices for key exports fell and have yet to recover to pre-Ebola levels.   In 2017, gold was a key driver of growth, as a new mining project began its first full year of production; iron ore exports are also increased as Arcelor Mittal opened new mines at Mount Gangra. The completion of the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam increased electricity production to support ongoing and future economic activity, although electricity tariffs remain high relative to other countries in the region and transmission infrastructure is limited. Presidential and legislative elections in October 2017 generated election-related spending pressures.   Revitalizing the economy in the future will depend on economic diversification, increasing investment and trade, higher global commodity prices, sustained foreign aid and remittances, development of infrastructure and institutions, combating corruption, and maintaining political stability and security.Liberia is a low-income country that relies heavily on foreign assistance and remittances from the diaspora. It is richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture. Its principal exports are iron ore, rubber, diamonds, and gold. Palm oil and cocoa are emerging as new export products. The government has attempted to revive raw timber extraction and is encouraging oil exploration. In the 1990s and early 2000s, civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially infrastructure in and around the capital. Much of the conflict was fueled by control over Liberia’s natural resources. With the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, businesses that had fled the country began to return. The country achieved high growth during the period 2010-13 due to favorable world prices for its commodities. However, during the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, the economy declined and many foreign-owned businesses departed with their capital and expertise. The epidemic forced the government to divert scarce resources to combat the spread of the virus, reducing funds available for needed public investment. The cost of addressing the Ebola epidemic coincided with decreased economic activity reducing government revenue, although higher donor support significantly offset this loss. During the same period, global commodities prices for key exports fell and have yet to recover to pre-Ebola levels. In 2017, gold was a key driver of growth, as a new mining project began its first full year of production; iron ore exports are also increased as Arcelor Mittal opened new mines at Mount Gangra. The completion of the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam increased electricity production to support ongoing and future economic activity, although electricity tariffs remain high relative to other countries in the region and transmission infrastructure is limited. Presidential and legislative elections in October 2017 generated election-related spending pressures. Revitalizing the economy in the future will depend on economic diversification, increasing investment and trade, higher global commodity prices, sustained foreign aid and remittances, development of infrastructure and institutions, combating corruption, and maintaining political stability and security. Topic: LibyaLibya's economy, almost entirely dependent on oil and gas exports, has struggled since 2014 given security and political instability, disruptions in oil production, and decline in global oil prices. The Libyan dinar has lost much of its value since 2014 and the resulting gap between official and black market exchange rates has spurred the growth of a shadow economy and contributed to inflation. The country suffers from widespread power outages, caused by shortages of fuel for power generation. Living conditions, including access to clean drinking water, medical services, and safe housing have all declined since 2011. Oil production in 2017 reached a five-year high, driving GDP growth, with daily average production rising to 879,000 barrels per day. However, oil production levels remain below the average pre-Revolution highs of 1.6 million barrels per day.   The Central Bank of Libya continued to pay government salaries to a majority of the Libyan workforce and to fund subsidies for fuel and food, resulting in an estimated budget deficit of about 17% of GDP in 2017. Low consumer confidence in the banking sector and the economy as a whole has driven a severe liquidity shortage.Libya's economy, almost entirely dependent on oil and gas exports, has struggled since 2014 given security and political instability, disruptions in oil production, and decline in global oil prices. The Libyan dinar has lost much of its value since 2014 and the resulting gap between official and black market exchange rates has spurred the growth of a shadow economy and contributed to inflation. The country suffers from widespread power outages, caused by shortages of fuel for power generation. Living conditions, including access to clean drinking water, medical services, and safe housing have all declined since 2011. Oil production in 2017 reached a five-year high, driving GDP growth, with daily average production rising to 879,000 barrels per day. However, oil production levels remain below the average pre-Revolution highs of 1.6 million barrels per day. The Central Bank of Libya continued to pay government salaries to a majority of the Libyan workforce and to fund subsidies for fuel and food, resulting in an estimated budget deficit of about 17% of GDP in 2017. Low consumer confidence in the banking sector and the economy as a whole has driven a severe liquidity shortage. Topic: LiechtensteinDespite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on income is applied - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues.   The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.   Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany and the US - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents.Despite its small size and lack of natural resources, Liechtenstein has developed into a prosperous, highly industrialized, free-enterprise economy with a vital financial services sector and one of the highest per capita income levels in the world. The Liechtenstein economy is widely diversified with a large number of small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in the services sector. Low business taxes - a flat tax of 12.5% on income is applied - and easy incorporation rules have induced many holding companies to establish nominal offices in Liechtenstein, providing 30% of state revenues. The country participates in a customs union with Switzerland and uses the Swiss franc as its national currency. It imports more than 90% of its energy requirements. Liechtenstein has been a member of the European Economic Area (an organization serving as a bridge between the European Free Trade Association and the EU) since May 1995. The government is working to harmonize its economic policies with those of an integrated EU. As of 2015, 54% of Liechtenstein’s workforce consisted of cross-border commuters, largely from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Since 2008, Liechtenstein has faced renewed international pressure - particularly from Germany and the US - to improve transparency in its banking and tax systems. In December 2008, Liechtenstein signed a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the US. Upon Liechtenstein's conclusion of 12 bilateral information-sharing agreements, the OECD in October 2009 removed the principality from its "grey list" of countries that had yet to implement the organization's Model Tax Convention. By the end of 2010, Liechtenstein had signed 25 Tax Information Exchange Agreements or Double Tax Agreements. In 2011, Liechtenstein joined the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel across 26 European countries. In 2015, Liechtenstein and the EU agreed to clamp down on tax fraud and evasion and in 2018 will start automatically exchanging information on the bank accounts of each other’s residents. Topic: LithuaniaAfter the country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania faced an initial dislocation that is typical during transitions from a planned economy to a free-market economy. Macroeconomic stabilization policies, including privatization of most state-owned enterprises, and a strong commitment to a currency board arrangement led to an open and rapidly growing economy and rising consumer demand. Foreign investment and EU funding aided in the transition. Lithuania joined the WTO in May 2001, the EU in May 2004, and the euro zone in January 2015, and is now working to complete the OECD accession roadmap it received in July 2015. In 2017, joined the OECD Working Group on Bribery, an important step in the OECD accession process.   The Lithuanian economy was severely hit by the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but it has rebounded and become one of the fastest growing in the EU. Increases in exports, investment, and wage growth that supported consumption helped the economy grow by 3.6% in 2017. In 2015, Russia was Lithuania’s largest trading partner, followed by Poland, Germany, and Latvia; goods and services trade between the US and Lithuania totaled $2.2 billion. Lithuania opened a self-financed liquefied natural gas terminal in January 2015, providing the first non-Russian supply of natural gas to the Baltic States and reducing Lithuania’s dependence on Russian gas from 100% to approximately 30% in 2016.   Lithuania’s ongoing recovery hinges on improving the business environment, especially by liberalizing labor laws, and improving competitiveness and export growth, the latter hampered by economic slowdowns in the EU and Russia. In addition, a steady outflow of young and highly educated people is causing a shortage of skilled labor, which, combined with a rapidly aging population, could stress public finances and constrain long-term growth.After the country declared independence from the Soviet Union in 1990, Lithuania faced an initial dislocation that is typical during transitions from a planned economy to a free-market economy. Macroeconomic stabilization policies, including privatization of most state-owned enterprises, and a strong commitment to a currency board arrangement led to an open and rapidly growing economy and rising consumer demand. Foreign investment and EU funding aided in the transition. Lithuania joined the WTO in May 2001, the EU in May 2004, and the euro zone in January 2015, and is now working to complete the OECD accession roadmap it received in July 2015. In 2017, joined the OECD Working Group on Bribery, an important step in the OECD accession process. The Lithuanian economy was severely hit by the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but it has rebounded and become one of the fastest growing in the EU. Increases in exports, investment, and wage growth that supported consumption helped the economy grow by 3.6% in 2017. In 2015, Russia was Lithuania’s largest trading partner, followed by Poland, Germany, and Latvia; goods and services trade between the US and Lithuania totaled $2.2 billion. Lithuania opened a self-financed liquefied natural gas terminal in January 2015, providing the first non-Russian supply of natural gas to the Baltic States and reducing Lithuania’s dependence on Russian gas from 100% to approximately 30% in 2016. Lithuania’s ongoing recovery hinges on improving the business environment, especially by liberalizing labor laws, and improving competitiveness and export growth, the latter hampered by economic slowdowns in the EU and Russia. In addition, a steady outflow of young and highly educated people is causing a shortage of skilled labor, which, combined with a rapidly aging population, could stress public finances and constrain long-term growth. Topic: LuxembourgThis small, stable, high-income economy has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. Luxembourg, the only Grand Duchy in the world, is a landlocked country in northwestern Europe surrounded by Belgium, France, and Germany. Despite its small landmass and small population, Luxembourg is the fifth-wealthiest country in the world when measured on a gross domestic product (PPP) per capita basis. Luxembourg has one of the highest current account surpluses as a share of GDP in the euro zone, and it maintains a healthy budgetary position, with a 2017 surplus of 0.5% of GDP, and the lowest public debt level in the region.   Since 2002, Luxembourg’s government has proactively implemented policies and programs to support economic diversification and to attract foreign direct investment. The government focused on key innovative industries that showed promise for supporting economic growth: logistics, information and communications technology (ICT); health technologies, including biotechnology and biomedical research; clean energy technologies, and more recently, space technology and financial services technologies. The economy has evolved and flourished, posting strong GDP growth of 3.4% in 2017, far outpacing the European average of 1.8%.   Luxembourg remains a financial powerhouse – the financial sector accounts for more than 35% of GDP - because of the exponential growth of the investment fund sector through the launch and development of cross-border funds (UCITS) in the 1990s. Luxembourg is the world’s second-largest investment fund asset domicile, after the US, with $4 trillion of assets in custody in financial institutions.   Luxembourg has lost some of its advantage as a favorable tax location because of OECD and EU pressure, as well as the "LuxLeaks" scandal, which revealed advantageous tax treatments offered to foreign corporations. In 2015, the government’s compliance with EU requirements to implement automatic exchange of tax information on savings accounts - thus ending banking secrecy - has constricted banking activity. Likewise, changes to the way EU members collect taxes from e-commerce has cut Luxembourg’s sales tax revenues, requiring the government to raise additional levies and to reduce some direct social benefits as part of the tax reform package of 2017. The tax reform package also included reductions in the corporate tax rate and increases in deductions for families, both intended to increase purchasing power and increase competitiveness.This small, stable, high-income economy has historically featured solid growth, low inflation, and low unemployment. Luxembourg, the only Grand Duchy in the world, is a landlocked country in northwestern Europe surrounded by Belgium, France, and Germany. Despite its small landmass and small population, Luxembourg is the fifth-wealthiest country in the world when measured on a gross domestic product (PPP) per capita basis. Luxembourg has one of the highest current account surpluses as a share of GDP in the euro zone, and it maintains a healthy budgetary position, with a 2017 surplus of 0.5% of GDP, and the lowest public debt level in the region. Since 2002, Luxembourg’s government has proactively implemented policies and programs to support economic diversification and to attract foreign direct investment. The government focused on key innovative industries that showed promise for supporting economic growth: logistics, information and communications technology (ICT); health technologies, including biotechnology and biomedical research; clean energy technologies, and more recently, space technology and financial services technologies. The economy has evolved and flourished, posting strong GDP growth of 3.4% in 2017, far outpacing the European average of 1.8%. Luxembourg remains a financial powerhouse – the financial sector accounts for more than 35% of GDP - because of the exponential growth of the investment fund sector through the launch and development of cross-border funds (UCITS) in the 1990s. Luxembourg is the world’s second-largest investment fund asset domicile, after the US, with $4 trillion of assets in custody in financial institutions. Luxembourg has lost some of its advantage as a favorable tax location because of OECD and EU pressure, as well as the "LuxLeaks" scandal, which revealed advantageous tax treatments offered to foreign corporations. In 2015, the government’s compliance with EU requirements to implement automatic exchange of tax information on savings accounts - thus ending banking secrecy - has constricted banking activity. Likewise, changes to the way EU members collect taxes from e-commerce has cut Luxembourg’s sales tax revenues, requiring the government to raise additional levies and to reduce some direct social benefits as part of the tax reform package of 2017. The tax reform package also included reductions in the corporate tax rate and increases in deductions for families, both intended to increase purchasing power and increase competitiveness. Topic: MacauSince opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, Macau has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming the territory into one of the world's largest gaming centers. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China's decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. In 2016, Macau's gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 76% of total government revenue.   Macau's economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in the 2010-13 period, largely on the back of tourism from mainland China and the gaming sectors. In 2015, this city of 646,800 hosted nearly 30.7 million visitors. Almost 67% came from mainland China. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has slowed greatly since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. Services export — primarily gaming — increasingly has driven Macau’s economic performance. Mainland China’s anti-corruption campaign brought Macau’s gambling boom to a halt in 2014, with spending in casinos contracting 34.3% in 2015. As a result, Macau's inflation-adjusted GDP contracted 21.5% in 2015 and another 2.1% in 2016 - down from double-digit expansion rates in the period 2010-13 - but the economy recovered handsomely in 2017.   Macau continues to face the challenges of managing its growing casino industry, risks from money-laundering activities, and the need to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on gaming revenues. Macau's currency, the pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory.Since opening up its locally-controlled casino industry to foreign competition in 2001, Macau has attracted tens of billions of dollars in foreign investment, transforming the territory into one of the world's largest gaming centers. Macau's gaming and tourism businesses were fueled by China's decision to relax travel restrictions on Chinese citizens wishing to visit Macau. In 2016, Macau's gaming-related taxes accounted for more than 76% of total government revenue. Macau's economy slowed dramatically in 2009 as a result of the global economic slowdown, but strong growth resumed in the 2010-13 period, largely on the back of tourism from mainland China and the gaming sectors. In 2015, this city of 646,800 hosted nearly 30.7 million visitors. Almost 67% came from mainland China. Macau's traditional manufacturing industry has slowed greatly since the termination of the Multi-Fiber Agreement in 2005. Services export — primarily gaming — increasingly has driven Macau’s economic performance. Mainland China’s anti-corruption campaign brought Macau’s gambling boom to a halt in 2014, with spending in casinos contracting 34.3% in 2015. As a result, Macau's inflation-adjusted GDP contracted 21.5% in 2015 and another 2.1% in 2016 - down from double-digit expansion rates in the period 2010-13 - but the economy recovered handsomely in 2017. Macau continues to face the challenges of managing its growing casino industry, risks from money-laundering activities, and the need to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on gaming revenues. Macau's currency, the pataca, is closely tied to the Hong Kong dollar, which is also freely accepted in the territory. Topic: MadagascarMadagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy.   After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’état led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup strategy had placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%.   Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity.Madagascar is a mostly unregulated economy with many untapped natural resources, but no capital markets, a weak judicial system, poorly enforced contracts, and rampant government corruption. The country faces challenges to improve education, healthcare, and the environment to boost long-term economic growth. Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is a mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population. Deforestation and erosion, aggravated by bushfires, slash-and-burn clearing techniques, and the use of firewood as the primary source of fuel, are serious concerns to the agriculture dependent economy. After discarding socialist economic policies in the mid-1990s, Madagascar followed a World Bank- and IMF-led policy of privatization and liberalization until a 2009 coup d’état led many nations, including the United States, to suspend non-humanitarian aid until a democratically-elected president was inaugurated in 2014. The pre-coup strategy had placed the country on a slow and steady growth path from an extremely low starting point. Exports of apparel boomed after gaining duty-free access to the US market in 2000 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); however, Madagascar's failure to comply with the requirements of the AGOA led to the termination of the country's duty-free access in January 2010, a sharp fall in textile production, a loss of more than 100,000 jobs, and a GDP drop of nearly 11%. Madagascar regained AGOA access in January 2015 and ensuing growth has been slow and fragile. Madagascar produces around 80% of the world’s vanilla and its reliance on this commodity for most of its foreign exchange is a significant source of vulnerability. Economic reforms have been modest and the country’s financial sector remains weak, limiting the use of monetary policy to control inflation. An ongoing IMF program aims to strengthen financial and investment management capacity. Topic: MalawiLandlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops.   The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief.   Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi’s economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm. The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates. Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates.Landlocked Malawi ranks among the world's least developed countries. The country’s economic performance has historically been constrained by policy inconsistency, macroeconomic instability, poor infrastructure, rampant corruption, high population growth, and poor health and education outcomes that limit labor productivity. The economy is predominately agricultural with about 80% of the population living in rural areas. Agriculture accounts for about one-third of GDP and 80% of export revenues. The performance of the tobacco sector is key to short-term growth as tobacco accounts for more than half of exports, although Malawi is looking to diversify away from tobacco to other cash crops. The economy depends on substantial inflows of economic assistance from the IMF, the World Bank, and individual donor nations. Donors halted direct budget support from 2013 to 2016 because of concerns about corruption and fiscal carelessness, but the World Bank resumed budget support in May 2017. In 2006, Malawi was approved for relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program but recent increases in domestic borrowing mean that debt servicing in 2016 exceeded the levels prior to HIPC debt relief. Heavily dependent on rain-fed agriculture, with corn being the staple crop, Malawi’s economy was hit hard by the El Nino-driven drought in 2015 and 2016, and now faces threat from the fall armyworm. The drought also slowed economic activity, led to two consecutive years of declining economic growth, and contributed to high inflation rates. Depressed food prices over 2017 led to a significant drop in inflation (from an average of 21.7% in 2016 to 12.3% in 2017), with a similar drop in interest rates. Topic: MalaysiaMalaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity.   The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s worst performing currencies during 2013-17. The ringgit hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets.   Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays.   Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration.Malaysia, an upper middle-income country, has transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further up the value-added production chain by attracting investments in high technology, knowledge-based industries and services. NAJIB's Economic Transformation Program is a series of projects and policy measures intended to accelerate the country's economic growth. The government has also taken steps to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a general slowdown in global economic activity. The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost domestic demand and reduce the economy's dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP. Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015, down significantly from prior years amid a decline in commodity prices and diversification of government revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020, including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low commodity prices throughout the period not only strained government finances, but also shrunk Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s worst performing currencies during 2013-17. The ringgit hit new lows following the US presidential election amid a broader selloff of emerging market assets. Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to riskier financial instruments, although it remains vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013 after he encountered significant opposition from Malay nationalists and other vested interests. In September 2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance the economic condition of ethnic Malays. Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance regional economic integration. Topic: MaldivesMaldives 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. Topic: MaliAmong the 25 poorest countries in the world, landlocked Mali depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country's fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest; cotton and gold exports make up around 80% of export earnings. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid.   Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River; about 65% of Mali’s land area is desert or semidesert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government subsidizes the production of cereals to decrease the country’s dependence on imported foodstuffs and to reduce its vulnerability to food price shocks.   Mali is developing its iron ore extraction industry to diversify foreign exchange earnings away from gold, but the pace will depend on global price trends. Although the political coup in 2012 slowed Mali’s growth, the economy has since bounced back, with GDP growth above 5% in 2014-17, although physical insecurity, high population growth, corruption, weak infrastructure, and low levels of human capital continue to constrain economic development. Higher rainfall helped to boost cotton output in 2017, and the country’s 2017 budget increased spending more than 10%, much of which was devoted to infrastructure and agriculture. Corruption and political turmoil are strong downside risks in 2018 and beyond.Among the 25 poorest countries in the world, landlocked Mali depends on gold mining and agricultural exports for revenue. The country's fiscal status fluctuates with gold and agricultural commodity prices and the harvest; cotton and gold exports make up around 80% of export earnings. Mali remains dependent on foreign aid. Economic activity is largely confined to the riverine area irrigated by the Niger River; about 65% of Mali’s land area is desert or semidesert. About 10% of the population is nomadic and about 80% of the labor force is engaged in farming and fishing. Industrial activity is concentrated on processing farm commodities. The government subsidizes the production of cereals to decrease the country’s dependence on imported foodstuffs and to reduce its vulnerability to food price shocks. Mali is developing its iron ore extraction industry to diversify foreign exchange earnings away from gold, but the pace will depend on global price trends. Although the political coup in 2012 slowed Mali’s growth, the economy has since bounced back, with GDP growth above 5% in 2014-17, although physical insecurity, high population growth, corruption, weak infrastructure, and low levels of human capital continue to constrain economic development. Higher rainfall helped to boost cotton output in 2017, and the country’s 2017 budget increased spending more than 10%, much of which was devoted to infrastructure and agriculture. Corruption and political turmoil are strong downside risks in 2018 and beyond. Topic: MaltaMalta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe. Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.   Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year.   Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors. Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors. The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals.   Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market. The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth. Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Inflation remains low.Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe. Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year. Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors. Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors. The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals. Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market. The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth. Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Inflation remains low. Topic: Marshall IslandsUS assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. Tourism holds some potential. The islands and atolls have few natural resources, and imports exceed exports.   The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during the period 1986-2001 under the original Compact of Free Association (Compact). In 2002 and 2003, the US and the Marshall Islands renegotiated the Compact's financial package for a 20-year period, 2004 to 2024. Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance. Under the amended Compact, the US and Marshall Islands are also jointly funding a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024, when direct Compact aid ends.US assistance and lease payments for the use of Kwajalein Atoll as a US military base are the mainstay of this small island country. Agricultural production, primarily subsistence, is concentrated on small farms; the most important commercial crops are coconuts and breadfruit. Industry is limited to handicrafts, tuna processing, and copra. Tourism holds some potential. The islands and atolls have few natural resources, and imports exceed exports. The Marshall Islands received roughly $1 billion in aid from the US during the period 1986-2001 under the original Compact of Free Association (Compact). In 2002 and 2003, the US and the Marshall Islands renegotiated the Compact's financial package for a 20-year period, 2004 to 2024. Under the amended Compact, the Marshall Islands will receive roughly $1.5 billion in direct US assistance. Under the amended Compact, the US and Marshall Islands are also jointly funding a Trust Fund for the people of the Marshall Islands that will provide an income stream beyond 2024, when direct Compact aid ends. Topic: MauritaniaMauritania's economy is dominated by extractive industries (oil and mines), fisheries, livestock, agriculture, and services. Half the population still depends on farming and raising livestock, even though many nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2017. Recently, GDP growth has been driven largely by foreign investment in the mining and oil sectors.   Mauritania's extensive mineral resources include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, and phosphate rock, and exploration is ongoing for tantalum, uranium, crude oil, and natural gas. Extractive commodities make up about three-quarters of Mauritania's total exports, subjecting the economy to price swings in world commodity markets. Mining is also a growing source of government revenue, rising from 13% to 30% of total revenue from 2006 to 2014. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, and fishing accounts for about 15% of budget revenues, 45% of foreign currency earnings. Mauritania processes a total of 1,800,000 tons of fish per year, but overexploitation by foreign and national fleets threaten the sustainability of this key source of revenue.   The economy is highly sensitive to international food and extractive commodity prices. Other risks to Mauritania's economy include its recurring droughts, dependence on foreign aid and investment, and insecurity in neighboring Mali, as well as significant shortages of infrastructure, institutional capacity, and human capital. In December 2017, Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three year agreement under the Extended Credit Facility to foster economic growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and reduce poverty. Investment in agriculture and infrastructure are the largest components of the country’s public expenditures.Mauritania's economy is dominated by extractive industries (oil and mines), fisheries, livestock, agriculture, and services. Half the population still depends on farming and raising livestock, even though many nomads and subsistence farmers were forced into the cities by recurrent droughts in the 1970s, 1980s, 2000s, and 2017. Recently, GDP growth has been driven largely by foreign investment in the mining and oil sectors. Mauritania's extensive mineral resources include iron ore, gold, copper, gypsum, and phosphate rock, and exploration is ongoing for tantalum, uranium, crude oil, and natural gas. Extractive commodities make up about three-quarters of Mauritania's total exports, subjecting the economy to price swings in world commodity markets. Mining is also a growing source of government revenue, rising from 13% to 30% of total revenue from 2006 to 2014. The nation's coastal waters are among the richest fishing areas in the world, and fishing accounts for about 15% of budget revenues, 45% of foreign currency earnings. Mauritania processes a total of 1,800,000 tons of fish per year, but overexploitation by foreign and national fleets threaten the sustainability of this key source of revenue. The economy is highly sensitive to international food and extractive commodity prices. Other risks to Mauritania's economy include its recurring droughts, dependence on foreign aid and investment, and insecurity in neighboring Mali, as well as significant shortages of infrastructure, institutional capacity, and human capital. In December 2017, Mauritania and the IMF agreed to a three year agreement under the Extended Credit Facility to foster economic growth, maintain macroeconomic stability, and reduce poverty. Investment in agriculture and infrastructure are the largest components of the country’s public expenditures. Topic: MauritiusSince independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified, upper middle-income economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. Mauritius has achieved steady growth over the last several decades, resulting in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure.   The economy currently depends on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, but is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, education, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area but sugar makes up only around 3-4% of national GDP. Authorities plan to emphasize services and innovation in the coming years. After several years of slow growth, government policies now seek to stimulate economic growth in five areas: serving as a gateway for international investment into Africa; increasing the use of renewable energy; developing smart cities; growing the ocean economy; and upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, including public transportation, the port, and the airport.   Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. The Mauritius International Financial Center is under scrutiny by international bodies promoting fair tax competition and Mauritius has been cooperating with the European Union and the United states in the automatic exchange of account information. Mauritius is also a member of the OECD/G20’s Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and is under pressure to review its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements. The offshore sector is vulnerable to changes in the tax framework and authorities have been working on a Financial Services Sector Blueprint to enable Mauritius to transition to a jurisdiction of higher value added. Mauritius’ textile sector has taken advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, a preferential trade program that allows duty free access to the US market, with Mauritian exports to the US growing by 35.6 % from 2000 to 2014. However, lack of local labor as well as rising labor costs eroding the competitiveness of textile firms in Mauritius.   Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped mitigate negative effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-17, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe. Growth in the US and Europe fostered goods and services exports, including tourism, while lower oil prices kept inflation low. Mauritius continues to rank as one of the most business-friendly environments on the continent and passed a Business Facilitation Act to improve competitiveness and long-term growth prospects. A new National Economic Development Board was set up in 2017-2018 to spearhead efforts to promote exports and attract inward investment.Since independence in 1968, Mauritius has undergone a remarkable economic transformation from a low-income, agriculturally based economy to a diversified, upper middle-income economy with growing industrial, financial, and tourist sectors. Mauritius has achieved steady growth over the last several decades, resulting in more equitable income distribution, increased life expectancy, lowered infant mortality, and a much-improved infrastructure. The economy currently depends on sugar, tourism, textiles and apparel, and financial services, but is expanding into fish processing, information and communications technology, education, and hospitality and property development. Sugarcane is grown on about 90% of the cultivated land area but sugar makes up only around 3-4% of national GDP. Authorities plan to emphasize services and innovation in the coming years. After several years of slow growth, government policies now seek to stimulate economic growth in five areas: serving as a gateway for international investment into Africa; increasing the use of renewable energy; developing smart cities; growing the ocean economy; and upgrading and modernizing infrastructure, including public transportation, the port, and the airport. Mauritius has attracted more than 32,000 offshore entities, many aimed at commerce in India, South Africa, and China. The Mauritius International Financial Center is under scrutiny by international bodies promoting fair tax competition and Mauritius has been cooperating with the European Union and the United states in the automatic exchange of account information. Mauritius is also a member of the OECD/G20’s Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting and is under pressure to review its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements. The offshore sector is vulnerable to changes in the tax framework and authorities have been working on a Financial Services Sector Blueprint to enable Mauritius to transition to a jurisdiction of higher value added. Mauritius’ textile sector has taken advantage of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act, a preferential trade program that allows duty free access to the US market, with Mauritian exports to the US growing by 35.6 % from 2000 to 2014. However, lack of local labor as well as rising labor costs eroding the competitiveness of textile firms in Mauritius. Mauritius' sound economic policies and prudent banking practices helped mitigate negative effects of the global financial crisis in 2008-09. GDP grew in the 3-4% per year range in 2010-17, and the country continues to expand its trade and investment outreach around the globe. Growth in the US and Europe fostered goods and services exports, including tourism, while lower oil prices kept inflation low. Mauritius continues to rank as one of the most business-friendly environments on the continent and passed a Business Facilitation Act to improve competitiveness and long-term growth prospects. A new National Economic Development Board was set up in 2017-2018 to spearhead efforts to promote exports and attract inward investment. Topic: MexicoMexico's $2.4 trillion economy – 11th largest in the world - has become increasingly oriented toward manufacturing since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force in 1994. Per capita income is roughly one-third that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal.   Mexico has become the US' second-largest export market and third-largest source of imports. In 2017, two-way trade in goods and services exceeded $623 billion. Mexico has free trade agreements with 46 countries, putting more than 90% of its trade under free trade agreements. In 2012, Mexico formed the Pacific Alliance with Peru, Colombia, and Chile.   Mexico's current government, led by President Enrique PENA NIETO, has emphasized economic reforms, passing and implementing sweeping energy, financial, fiscal, and telecommunications reform legislation, among others, with the long-term aim to improve competitiveness and economic growth across the Mexican economy. Since 2015, Mexico has held public auctions of oil and gas exploration and development rights and for long-term electric power generation contracts. Mexico has also issued permits for private sector import, distribution, and retail sales of refined petroleum products in an effort to attract private investment into the energy sector and boost production.   Since 2013, Mexico’s economic growth has averaged 2% annually, falling short of private-sector expectations that President PENA NIETO’s sweeping reforms would bolster economic prospects. Growth is predicted to remain below potential given falling oil production, weak oil prices, structural issues such as low productivity, high inequality, a large informal sector employing over half of the workforce, weak rule of law, and corruption. Mexico’s economy remains vulnerable to uncertainty surrounding the future of NAFTA — because the United States is its top trading partner and the two countries share integrated supply chains — and to potential shifts in domestic policies following the inauguration of a new a president in December 2018.Mexico's $2.4 trillion economy – 11th largest in the world - has become increasingly oriented toward manufacturing since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) entered into force in 1994. Per capita income is roughly one-third that of the US; income distribution remains highly unequal. Mexico has become the US' second-largest export market and third-largest source of imports. In 2017, two-way trade in goods and services exceeded $623 billion. Mexico has free trade agreements with 46 countries, putting more than 90% of its trade under free trade agreements. In 2012, Mexico formed the Pacific Alliance with Peru, Colombia, and Chile. Mexico's current government, led by President Enrique PENA NIETO, has emphasized economic reforms, passing and implementing sweeping energy, financial, fiscal, and telecommunications reform legislation, among others, with the long-term aim to improve competitiveness and economic growth across the Mexican economy. Since 2015, Mexico has held public auctions of oil and gas exploration and development rights and for long-term electric power generation contracts. Mexico has also issued permits for private sector import, distribution, and retail sales of refined petroleum products in an effort to attract private investment into the energy sector and boost production. Since 2013, Mexico’s economic growth has averaged 2% annually, falling short of private-sector expectations that President PENA NIETO’s sweeping reforms would bolster economic prospects. Growth is predicted to remain below potential given falling oil production, weak oil prices, structural issues such as low productivity, high inequality, a large informal sector employing over half of the workforce, weak rule of law, and corruption. Mexico’s economy remains vulnerable to uncertainty surrounding the future of NAFTA — because the United States is its top trading partner and the two countries share integrated supply chains — and to potential shifts in domestic policies following the inauguration of a new a president in December 2018. Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofEconomic activity consists largely of subsistence farming and fishing, and government, which employs two-thirds of the adult working population and receives funding largely - 58% in 2013 – from Compact of Free Association assistance provided by the US. The islands have few commercially valuable mineral deposits. The potential for tourism is limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited internal air and water transportation.   Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid from 1986 to 2001. The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) negotiated a second (amended) Compact agreement in 2002-03 that took effect in 2004. The amended Compact runs for a 20-year period to 2023; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also develops a trust fund for the FSM that will provide a comparable income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants end.   The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of dependence on US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector.Economic activity consists largely of subsistence farming and fishing, and government, which employs two-thirds of the adult working population and receives funding largely - 58% in 2013 – from Compact of Free Association assistance provided by the US. The islands have few commercially valuable mineral deposits. The potential for tourism is limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited internal air and water transportation. Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid from 1986 to 2001. The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) negotiated a second (amended) Compact agreement in 2002-03 that took effect in 2004. The amended Compact runs for a 20-year period to 2023; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also develops a trust fund for the FSM that will provide a comparable income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants end. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of dependence on US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector. Topic: MoldovaDespite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. With a moderate climate and productive farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, wheat, and tobacco. Moldova also depends on annual remittances of about $1.2 billion - almost 15% of GDP - from the roughly one million Moldovans working in Europe, Israel, Russia, and elsewhere.   With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by a more than $6 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom, largely the result of unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova and Romania inaugurated the Ungheni-Iasi natural gas interconnector project in August 2014. The 43-kilometer pipeline between Moldova and Romania, allows for both the import and export of natural gas. Several technical and regulatory delays kept gas from flowing into Moldova until March 2015. Romanian gas exports to Moldova are largely symbolic. In 2018, Moldova awarded a tender to Romanian Transgaz to construct a pipeline connecting Ungheni to Chisinau, bringing the gas to Moldovan population centers. Moldova also seeks to connect with the European power grid by 2022.   The government's stated goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economic growth in 2017, largely driven by increased consumption, increased revenue from agricultural exports, and improved tax collection. During fall 2014, Moldova signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU (AA/DCFTA), connecting Moldovan products to the world’s largest market. The EU AA/DCFTA has contributed to significant growth in Moldova’s exports to the EU. In 2017, the EU purchased over 65% of Moldova’s exports, a major change from 20 years previously when the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received over 69% of Moldova’s exports. A $1 billion asset-stripping heist of Moldovan banks in late 2014 delivered a significant shock to the economy in 2015; the subsequent bank bailout increased inflationary pressures and contributed to the depreciation of the leu and a minor recession. Moldova’s growth has also been hampered by endemic corruption, which limits business growth and deters foreign investment, and Russian restrictions on imports of Moldova’s agricultural products. The government’s push to restore stability and implement meaningful reform led to the approval in 2016 of a $179 million three-year IMF program focused on improving the banking and fiscal environments, along with additional assistance programs from the EU, World Bank, and Romania. Moldova received two IMF tranches in 2017, totaling over $42.5 million.   Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to corruption, political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, energy import dependence, Russian political and economic pressure, heavy dependence on agricultural exports, and unresolved separatism in Moldova's Transnistria region.Despite recent progress, Moldova remains one of the poorest countries in Europe. With a moderate climate and productive farmland, Moldova's economy relies heavily on its agriculture sector, featuring fruits, vegetables, wine, wheat, and tobacco. Moldova also depends on annual remittances of about $1.2 billion - almost 15% of GDP - from the roughly one million Moldovans working in Europe, Israel, Russia, and elsewhere. With few natural energy resources, Moldova imports almost all of its energy supplies from Russia and Ukraine. Moldova's dependence on Russian energy is underscored by a more than $6 billion debt to Russian natural gas supplier Gazprom, largely the result of unreimbursed natural gas consumption in the breakaway region of Transnistria. Moldova and Romania inaugurated the Ungheni-Iasi natural gas interconnector project in August 2014. The 43-kilometer pipeline between Moldova and Romania, allows for both the import and export of natural gas. Several technical and regulatory delays kept gas from flowing into Moldova until March 2015. Romanian gas exports to Moldova are largely symbolic. In 2018, Moldova awarded a tender to Romanian Transgaz to construct a pipeline connecting Ungheni to Chisinau, bringing the gas to Moldovan population centers. Moldova also seeks to connect with the European power grid by 2022. The government's stated goal of EU integration has resulted in some market-oriented progress. Moldova experienced better than expected economic growth in 2017, largely driven by increased consumption, increased revenue from agricultural exports, and improved tax collection. During fall 2014, Moldova signed an Association Agreement and a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement with the EU (AA/DCFTA), connecting Moldovan products to the world’s largest market. The EU AA/DCFTA has contributed to significant growth in Moldova’s exports to the EU. In 2017, the EU purchased over 65% of Moldova’s exports, a major change from 20 years previously when the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) received over 69% of Moldova’s exports. A $1 billion asset-stripping heist of Moldovan banks in late 2014 delivered a significant shock to the economy in 2015; the subsequent bank bailout increased inflationary pressures and contributed to the depreciation of the leu and a minor recession. Moldova’s growth has also been hampered by endemic corruption, which limits business growth and deters foreign investment, and Russian restrictions on imports of Moldova’s agricultural products. The government’s push to restore stability and implement meaningful reform led to the approval in 2016 of a $179 million three-year IMF program focused on improving the banking and fiscal environments, along with additional assistance programs from the EU, World Bank, and Romania. Moldova received two IMF tranches in 2017, totaling over $42.5 million. Over the longer term, Moldova's economy remains vulnerable to corruption, political uncertainty, weak administrative capacity, vested bureaucratic interests, energy import dependence, Russian political and economic pressure, heavy dependence on agricultural exports, and unresolved separatism in Moldova's Transnistria region. Topic: MonacoMonaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a banking center and has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas.   The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. Monaco, however, is not a tax-free shelter; it charges nearly 20% value-added tax, collects stamp duties, and companies face a 33% tax on profits unless they can show that three-quarters of profits are generated within the principality. Monaco was formally removed from the OECD's "grey list" of uncooperative tax jurisdictions in late 2009, but continues to face international pressure to abandon its banking secrecy laws and help combat tax evasion. In October 2014, Monaco officially became the 84th jurisdiction participating in the OECD’s Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, an effort to combat offshore tax avoidance and evasion.   Monaco's reliance on tourism and banking for its economic growth has left it vulnerable to downturns in France and other European economies which are the principality's main trade partners. In 2009, Monaco's GDP fell by 11.5% as the euro-zone crisis precipitated a sharp drop in tourism and retail activity and home sales. A modest recovery ensued in 2010 and intensified in 2013, with GDP growth of more than 9%, but Monaco's economic prospects remain uncertain.Monaco, bordering France on the Mediterranean coast, is a popular resort, attracting tourists to its casino and pleasant climate. The principality also is a banking center and has successfully sought to diversify into services and small, high-value-added, nonpolluting industries. The state retains monopolies in a number of sectors, including tobacco, the telephone network, and the postal service. Living standards are high, roughly comparable to those in prosperous French metropolitan areas. The state has no income tax and low business taxes and thrives as a tax haven both for individuals who have established residence and for foreign companies that have set up businesses and offices. Monaco, however, is not a tax-free shelter; it charges nearly 20% value-added tax, collects stamp duties, and companies face a 33% tax on profits unless they can show that three-quarters of profits are generated within the principality. Monaco was formally removed from the OECD's "grey list" of uncooperative tax jurisdictions in late 2009, but continues to face international pressure to abandon its banking secrecy laws and help combat tax evasion. In October 2014, Monaco officially became the 84th jurisdiction participating in the OECD’s Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters, an effort to combat offshore tax avoidance and evasion. Monaco's reliance on tourism and banking for its economic growth has left it vulnerable to downturns in France and other European economies which are the principality's main trade partners. In 2009, Monaco's GDP fell by 11.5% as the euro-zone crisis precipitated a sharp drop in tourism and retail activity and home sales. A modest recovery ensued in 2010 and intensified in 2013, with GDP growth of more than 9%, but Monaco's economic prospects remain uncertain. Topic: MongoliaForeign 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. Topic: MontenegroMontenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system. Around 90% of Montenegrin state-owned companies have been privatized, including 100% of banking, telecommunications, and oil distribution. Tourism, which accounts for more than 20% of Montenegro’s GDP, brings in three times as many visitors as Montenegro’s total population every year. Several new luxury tourism complexes are in various stages of development along the coast, and a number are being offered in connection with nearby boating and yachting facilities. In addition to tourism, energy and agriculture are considered two distinct pillars of the economy. Only 20% of Montenegro’s hydropower potential is utilized. Montenegro plans to become a net energy exporter, and the construction of an underwater cable to Italy, which will be completed by the end of 2018, will help meet its goal.   Montenegro uses the euro as its domestic currency, though it is not an official member of the euro zone. In January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF, and in December 2011, the WTO. Montenegro began negotiations to join the EU in 2012, having met the conditions set down by the European Council, which called on Montenegro to take steps to fight corruption and organized crime.   The government recognizes the need to remove impediments in order to remain competitive and open the economy to foreign investors. Net foreign direct investment in 2017 reached $848 million and investment per capita is one of the highest in Europe, due to a low corporate tax rate. The biggest foreign investors in Montenegro in 2017 were Norway, Russia, Italy, Azerbaijan and Hungary.   Montenegro is currently planning major overhauls of its road and rail networks, and possible expansions of its air transportation system. In 2014, the Government of Montenegro selected two Chinese companies to construct a 41 km-long section of the country’s highway system, which will become part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Cheaper borrowing costs have stimulated Montenegro’s growing debt, which currently sits at 65.9% of GDP, with a forecast, absent fiscal consolidation, to increase to 80% once the repayment to China’s Ex/Im Bank of a €800 million highway loan begins in 2019. Montenegro first instituted a value-added tax (VAT) in April 2003, and introduced differentiated VAT rates of 17% and 7% (for tourism) in January 2006. The Montenegrin Government increased the non-tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 21% as of January 2018, with the goal of reducing its public debt.Montenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system. Around 90% of Montenegrin state-owned companies have been privatized, including 100% of banking, telecommunications, and oil distribution. Tourism, which accounts for more than 20% of Montenegro’s GDP, brings in three times as many visitors as Montenegro’s total population every year. Several new luxury tourism complexes are in various stages of development along the coast, and a number are being offered in connection with nearby boating and yachting facilities. In addition to tourism, energy and agriculture are considered two distinct pillars of the economy. Only 20% of Montenegro’s hydropower potential is utilized. Montenegro plans to become a net energy exporter, and the construction of an underwater cable to Italy, which will be completed by the end of 2018, will help meet its goal. Montenegro uses the euro as its domestic currency, though it is not an official member of the euro zone. In January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF, and in December 2011, the WTO. Montenegro began negotiations to join the EU in 2012, having met the conditions set down by the European Council, which called on Montenegro to take steps to fight corruption and organized crime. The government recognizes the need to remove impediments in order to remain competitive and open the economy to foreign investors. Net foreign direct investment in 2017 reached $848 million and investment per capita is one of the highest in Europe, due to a low corporate tax rate. The biggest foreign investors in Montenegro in 2017 were Norway, Russia, Italy, Azerbaijan and Hungary. Montenegro is currently planning major overhauls of its road and rail networks, and possible expansions of its air transportation system. In 2014, the Government of Montenegro selected two Chinese companies to construct a 41 km-long section of the country’s highway system, which will become part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Cheaper borrowing costs have stimulated Montenegro’s growing debt, which currently sits at 65.9% of GDP, with a forecast, absent fiscal consolidation, to increase to 80% once the repayment to China’s Ex/Im Bank of a €800 million highway loan begins in 2019. Montenegro first instituted a value-added tax (VAT) in April 2003, and introduced differentiated VAT rates of 17% and 7% (for tourism) in January 2006. The Montenegrin Government increased the non-tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) rate to 21% as of January 2018, with the goal of reducing its public debt. Topic: MontserratSevere volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airport and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops.   Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. Half of the island remains uninhabitable. In January 2013, the EU announced the disbursement of a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat in order to boost the country's economic recovery, with a specific focus on public finance management, public sector reform, and prudent economic management. Montserrat is tied to the EU through the UK. Although the UK is leaving the EU, Montserrat’s aid will not be affected as Montserrat maintains a direct agreement with the EU regarding aid.Severe volcanic activity, which began in July 1995, has put a damper on this small, open economy. A catastrophic eruption in June 1997 closed the airport and seaports, causing further economic and social dislocation. Two-thirds of the 12,000 inhabitants fled the island. Some began to return in 1998 but lack of housing limited the number. The agriculture sector continued to be affected by the lack of suitable land for farming and the destruction of crops. Prospects for the economy depend largely on developments in relation to the volcanic activity and on public sector construction activity. Half of the island remains uninhabitable. In January 2013, the EU announced the disbursement of a $55.2 million aid package to Montserrat in order to boost the country's economic recovery, with a specific focus on public finance management, public sector reform, and prudent economic management. Montserrat is tied to the EU through the UK. Although the UK is leaving the EU, Montserrat’s aid will not be affected as Montserrat maintains a direct agreement with the EU regarding aid. Topic: MoroccoMorocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to work towards building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center and broker for business throughout Africa. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness.   In the 1980s, Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although poor harvests and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the US in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the EU in 2008. In late 2014, Morocco eliminated subsidies for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil, dramatically reducing outlays that weighed on the country’s budget and current account. Subsidies on butane gas and certain food products remain in place. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable more than 50% of installed electricity generation capacity by 2030.   Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. Key economic challenges for Morocco include reforming the education system and the judiciary.Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to work towards building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center and broker for business throughout Africa. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness. In the 1980s, Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although poor harvests and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the US in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the EU in 2008. In late 2014, Morocco eliminated subsidies for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil, dramatically reducing outlays that weighed on the country’s budget and current account. Subsidies on butane gas and certain food products remain in place. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable more than 50% of installed electricity generation capacity by 2030. Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. Key economic challenges for Morocco include reforming the education system and the judiciary. Topic: MozambiqueAt independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist policies, economic mismanagement, and a brutal civil war from 1977 to 1992 further impoverished the country. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, propelled the country’s GDP, in purchasing power parity terms, from $4 billion in 1993 to about $37 billion in 2017. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, about half the population remains below the poverty line and subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force.   Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt was reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives. However, in 2016, information surfaced revealing that the Mozambican Government was responsible for over $2 billion in government-backed loans secured between 2012-14 by state-owned defense and security companies without parliamentary approval or national budget inclusion; this prompted the IMF and international donors to halt direct budget support to the Government of Mozambique. An international audit was performed on Mozambique’s debt in 2016-17, but debt restructuring and resumption of donor support have yet to occur.   Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 6%-8% in the decade leading up to 2015, one of Africa's strongest performances, but the sizable external debt burden, donor withdrawal, elevated inflation, and currency depreciation contributed to slower growth in 2016-17.   Two major International consortiums, led by American companies ExxonMobil and Anadarko, are seeking approval to develop massive natural gas deposits off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, in what has the potential to become the largest infrastructure project in Africa. . The government predicts sales of liquefied natural gas from these projects could generate several billion dollars in revenues annually sometime after 2022.At independence in 1975, Mozambique was one of the world's poorest countries. Socialist policies, economic mismanagement, and a brutal civil war from 1977 to 1992 further impoverished the country. In 1987, the government embarked on a series of macroeconomic reforms designed to stabilize the economy. These steps, combined with donor assistance and with political stability since the multi-party elections in 1994, propelled the country’s GDP, in purchasing power parity terms, from $4 billion in 1993 to about $37 billion in 2017. Fiscal reforms, including the introduction of a value-added tax and reform of the customs service, have improved the government's revenue collection abilities. In spite of these gains, about half the population remains below the poverty line and subsistence agriculture continues to employ the vast majority of the country's work force. Mozambique's once substantial foreign debt was reduced through forgiveness and rescheduling under the IMF's Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and Enhanced HIPC initiatives. However, in 2016, information surfaced revealing that the Mozambican Government was responsible for over $2 billion in government-backed loans secured between 2012-14 by state-owned defense and security companies without parliamentary approval or national budget inclusion; this prompted the IMF and international donors to halt direct budget support to the Government of Mozambique. An international audit was performed on Mozambique’s debt in 2016-17, but debt restructuring and resumption of donor support have yet to occur. Mozambique grew at an average annual rate of 6%-8% in the decade leading up to 2015, one of Africa's strongest performances, but the sizable external debt burden, donor withdrawal, elevated inflation, and currency depreciation contributed to slower growth in 2016-17. Two major International consortiums, led by American companies ExxonMobil and Anadarko, are seeking approval to develop massive natural gas deposits off the coast of Cabo Delgado province, in what has the potential to become the largest infrastructure project in Africa. . The government predicts sales of liquefied natural gas from these projects could generate several billion dollars in revenues annually sometime after 2022. Topic: NamibiaNamibia’s economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for about 12.5% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Marine diamond mining is increasingly important as the terrestrial diamond supply has dwindled. The rising cost of mining diamonds, especially from the sea, combined with increased diamond production in Russia and China, has reduced profit margins. Namibian authorities have emphasized the need to add value to raw materials, do more in-country manufacturing, and exploit the services market, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors.   Namibia is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium. The Chinese-owned Husab uranium mine began producing uranium ore in 2017, and is expected to reach full production in August 2018 and produce 15 million pounds of uranium a year. Namibia also produces large quantities of zinc and is a smaller producer of gold and copper. Namibia's economy remains vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and drought.   Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years, food shortages are problematic in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, obscures one of the world's most unequal income distributions; the current government has prioritized exploring wealth redistribution schemes while trying to maintain a pro-business environment. GDP growth in 2017 slowed to about 1%, however, due to contractions in both the construction and mining sectors, as well as an ongoing drought. Growth is expected to recover modestly in 2018.   A five-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact ended in September 2014. As an upper middle income country, Namibia is ineligible for a second compact. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Namibia receives 30%-40% of its revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU); volatility in the size of Namibia's annual SACU allotment and global mineral prices complicates budget planning.Namibia’s economy is heavily dependent on the extraction and processing of minerals for export. Mining accounts for about 12.5% of GDP, but provides more than 50% of foreign exchange earnings. Rich alluvial diamond deposits make Namibia a primary source for gem-quality diamonds. Marine diamond mining is increasingly important as the terrestrial diamond supply has dwindled. The rising cost of mining diamonds, especially from the sea, combined with increased diamond production in Russia and China, has reduced profit margins. Namibian authorities have emphasized the need to add value to raw materials, do more in-country manufacturing, and exploit the services market, especially in the logistics and transportation sectors. Namibia is one of the world’s largest producers of uranium. The Chinese-owned Husab uranium mine began producing uranium ore in 2017, and is expected to reach full production in August 2018 and produce 15 million pounds of uranium a year. Namibia also produces large quantities of zinc and is a smaller producer of gold and copper. Namibia's economy remains vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and drought. Namibia normally imports about 50% of its cereal requirements; in drought years, food shortages are problematic in rural areas. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, obscures one of the world's most unequal income distributions; the current government has prioritized exploring wealth redistribution schemes while trying to maintain a pro-business environment. GDP growth in 2017 slowed to about 1%, however, due to contractions in both the construction and mining sectors, as well as an ongoing drought. Growth is expected to recover modestly in 2018. A five-year Millennium Challenge Corporation compact ended in September 2014. As an upper middle income country, Namibia is ineligible for a second compact. The Namibian economy is closely linked to South Africa with the Namibian dollar pegged one-to-one to the South African rand. Namibia receives 30%-40% of its revenues from the Southern African Customs Union (SACU); volatility in the size of Namibia's annual SACU allotment and global mineral prices complicates budget planning. Topic: NauruRevenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely.   The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future.   Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb.Revenues of this tiny island - a coral atoll with a land area of 21 square kilometers - traditionally have come from exports of phosphates. Few other resources exist, with most necessities being imported, mainly from Australia, its former occupier and later major source of support. Primary reserves of phosphates were exhausted and mining ceased in 2006, but mining of a deeper layer of "secondary phosphate" in the interior of the island began the following year. The secondary phosphate deposits may last another 30 years. Earnings from Nauru’s export of phosphate remains an important source of income. Few comprehensive statistics on the Nauru economy exist; estimates of Nauru's GDP vary widely. The rehabilitation of mined land and the replacement of income from phosphates are serious long-term problems. In anticipation of the exhaustion of Nauru's phosphate deposits, substantial amounts of phosphate income were invested in trust funds to help cushion the transition and provide for Nauru's economic future. Although revenue sources for government are limited, the opening of the Australian Regional Processing Center for asylum seekers since 2012 has sparked growth in the economy. Revenue derived from fishing licenses under the "vessel day scheme" has also boosted government income. Housing, hospitals, and other capital plant are deteriorating. The cost to Australia of keeping the Nauruan government and economy afloat continues to climb. Topic: Navassa IslandSubsistence fishing and commercial trawling occur within refuge waters. Topic: NepalNepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Nepal is heavily dependent on remittances, which amount to as much as 30% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for almost two-thirds of the population but accounting for less than a third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain.   Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of commercially feasible capacity. Nepal has signed trade and investment agreements with India, China, and other countries, but political uncertainty and a difficult business climate have hampered foreign investment. The United States and Nepal signed a $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in September 2017 which will expand Nepal’s electricity infrastructure and help maintain transportation infrastructure.   Massive earthquakes struck Nepal in early 2015, which damaged or destroyed infrastructure and homes and set back economic development. Although political gridlock and lack of capacity have hindered post-earthquake recovery, government-led reconstruction efforts have progressively picked up speed, although many hard hit areas still have seen little assistance. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, inconsistent electricity supply, and underdeveloped transportation infrastructure.Nepal is among the least developed countries in the world, with about one-quarter of its population living below the poverty line. Nepal is heavily dependent on remittances, which amount to as much as 30% of GDP. Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for almost two-thirds of the population but accounting for less than a third of GDP. Industrial activity mainly involves the processing of agricultural products, including pulses, jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Nepal has considerable scope for exploiting its potential in hydropower, with an estimated 42,000 MW of commercially feasible capacity. Nepal has signed trade and investment agreements with India, China, and other countries, but political uncertainty and a difficult business climate have hampered foreign investment. The United States and Nepal signed a $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact in September 2017 which will expand Nepal’s electricity infrastructure and help maintain transportation infrastructure. Massive earthquakes struck Nepal in early 2015, which damaged or destroyed infrastructure and homes and set back economic development. Although political gridlock and lack of capacity have hindered post-earthquake recovery, government-led reconstruction efforts have progressively picked up speed, although many hard hit areas still have seen little assistance. Additional challenges to Nepal's growth include its landlocked geographic location, inconsistent electricity supply, and underdeveloped transportation infrastructure. Topic: NetherlandsThe Netherlands, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, plays an important role as a European transportation hub, with a consistently high trade surplus, stable industrial relations, and low unemployment. Industry focuses on food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 2% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for food-processing and underpins the country’s status as the world’s second largest agricultural exporter.   The Netherlands is part of the euro zone, and as such, its monetary policy is controlled by the European Central Bank. The Dutch financial sector is highly concentrated, with four commercial banks possessing over 80% of banking assets, and is four times the size of Dutch GDP.   In 2008, during the financial crisis, the government budget deficit hit 5.3% of GDP. Following a protracted recession from 2009 to 2013, during which unemployment doubled to 7.4% and household consumption contracted for four consecutive years, economic growth began inching forward in 2014. Since 2010, Prime Minister Mark RUTTE’s government has implemented significant austerity measures to improve public finances and has instituted broad structural reforms in key policy areas, including the labor market, the housing sector, the energy market, and the pension system. In 2017, the government budget returned to a surplus of 0.7% of GDP, with economic growth of 3.2%, and GDP per capita finally surpassed pre-crisis levels. The fiscal policy announced by the new government in the 2018-2021 coalition plans for increases in government consumption and public investment, fueling domestic demand and household consumption and investment. The new government’s policy also plans to increase demand for workers in the public and private sector, forecasting a further decline in the unemployment rate, which hit 4.8% in 2017.The Netherlands, the sixth-largest economy in the European Union, plays an important role as a European transportation hub, with a consistently high trade surplus, stable industrial relations, and low unemployment. Industry focuses on food processing, chemicals, petroleum refining, and electrical machinery. A highly mechanized agricultural sector employs only 2% of the labor force but provides large surpluses for food-processing and underpins the country’s status as the world’s second largest agricultural exporter. The Netherlands is part of the euro zone, and as such, its monetary policy is controlled by the European Central Bank. The Dutch financial sector is highly concentrated, with four commercial banks possessing over 80% of banking assets, and is four times the size of Dutch GDP. In 2008, during the financial crisis, the government budget deficit hit 5.3% of GDP. Following a protracted recession from 2009 to 2013, during which unemployment doubled to 7.4% and household consumption contracted for four consecutive years, economic growth began inching forward in 2014. Since 2010, Prime Minister Mark RUTTE’s government has implemented significant austerity measures to improve public finances and has instituted broad structural reforms in key policy areas, including the labor market, the housing sector, the energy market, and the pension system. In 2017, the government budget returned to a surplus of 0.7% of GDP, with economic growth of 3.2%, and GDP per capita finally surpassed pre-crisis levels. The fiscal policy announced by the new government in the 2018-2021 coalition plans for increases in government consumption and public investment, fueling domestic demand and household consumption and investment. The new government’s policy also plans to increase demand for workers in the public and private sector, forecasting a further decline in the unemployment rate, which hit 4.8% in 2017. Topic: New CaledoniaNew Caledonia has 11% of the world's nickel reserves, representing the second largest reserves on the planet. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy.   With the gradual increase in the production of two new nickel plants in 2015, average production of metallurgical goods stood at a record level of 94 thousand tons. However, the sector is exposed to the high volatility of nickel prices, which have been in decline since 2016. In 2017, one of the three major mining firms on the island, Vale, put its operations up for sale, triggering concerns of layoffs ahead of the 2018 independence referendum.New Caledonia has 11% of the world's nickel reserves, representing the second largest reserves on the planet. Only a small amount of the land is suitable for cultivation, and food accounts for about 20% of imports. In addition to nickel, substantial financial support from France - equal to more than 15% of GDP - and tourism are keys to the health of the economy. With the gradual increase in the production of two new nickel plants in 2015, average production of metallurgical goods stood at a record level of 94 thousand tons. However, the sector is exposed to the high volatility of nickel prices, which have been in decline since 2016. In 2017, one of the three major mining firms on the island, Vale, put its operations up for sale, triggering concerns of layoffs ahead of the 2018 independence referendum. Topic: New ZealandOver 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. Topic: NicaraguaNicaragua, 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. Topic: NigerNiger 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. Topic: NigeriaNigeria is Sub Saharan Africa’s largest economy and relies heavily on oil as its main source of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Following the 2008-09 global financial crises, the banking sector was effectively recapitalized and regulation enhanced. Since then, Nigeria’s economic growth has been driven by growth in agriculture, telecommunications, and services. Economic diversification and strong growth have not translated into a significant decline in poverty levels; over 62% of Nigeria's over 180 million people still live in extreme poverty.   Despite its strong fundamentals, oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by inadequate power supply, lack of infrastructure, delays in the passage of legislative reforms, an inefficient property registration system, restrictive trade policies, an inconsistent regulatory environment, a slow and ineffective judicial system, unreliable dispute resolution mechanisms, insecurity, and pervasive corruption. Regulatory constraints and security risks have limited new investment in oil and natural gas, and Nigeria's oil production had been contracting every year since 2012 until a slight rebound in 2017.   President BUHARI, elected in March 2015, has established a cabinet of economic ministers that includes several technocrats, and he has announced plans to increase transparency, diversify the economy away from oil, and improve fiscal management, but has taken a primarily protectionist approach that favors domestic producers at the expense of consumers. President BUHARI ran on an anti-corruption platform, and has made some headway in alleviating corruption, such as implementation of a Treasury Single Account that allows the government to better manage its resources and a more transparent government payroll and personnel system that eliminated duplicate and "ghost workers." The government also is working to develop stronger public-private partnerships for roads, agriculture, and power.   Nigeria entered recession in 2016 as a result of lower oil prices and production, exacerbated by militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, coupled with detrimental economic policies, including foreign exchange restrictions. GDP growth turned positive in 2017 as oil prices recovered and output stabilized.Nigeria is Sub Saharan Africa’s largest economy and relies heavily on oil as its main source of foreign exchange earnings and government revenues. Following the 2008-09 global financial crises, the banking sector was effectively recapitalized and regulation enhanced. Since then, Nigeria’s economic growth has been driven by growth in agriculture, telecommunications, and services. Economic diversification and strong growth have not translated into a significant decline in poverty levels; over 62% of Nigeria's over 180 million people still live in extreme poverty. Despite its strong fundamentals, oil-rich Nigeria has been hobbled by inadequate power supply, lack of infrastructure, delays in the passage of legislative reforms, an inefficient property registration system, restrictive trade policies, an inconsistent regulatory environment, a slow and ineffective judicial system, unreliable dispute resolution mechanisms, insecurity, and pervasive corruption. Regulatory constraints and security risks have limited new investment in oil and natural gas, and Nigeria's oil production had been contracting every year since 2012 until a slight rebound in 2017. President BUHARI, elected in March 2015, has established a cabinet of economic ministers that includes several technocrats, and he has announced plans to increase transparency, diversify the economy away from oil, and improve fiscal management, but has taken a primarily protectionist approach that favors domestic producers at the expense of consumers. President BUHARI ran on an anti-corruption platform, and has made some headway in alleviating corruption, such as implementation of a Treasury Single Account that allows the government to better manage its resources and a more transparent government payroll and personnel system that eliminated duplicate and "ghost workers." The government also is working to develop stronger public-private partnerships for roads, agriculture, and power. Nigeria entered recession in 2016 as a result of lower oil prices and production, exacerbated by militant attacks on oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta region, coupled with detrimental economic policies, including foreign exchange restrictions. GDP growth turned positive in 2017 as oil prices recovered and output stabilized. Topic: NiueThe economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories for processing passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue.   Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half.   The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses.The economy suffers from the typical Pacific island problems of geographic isolation, few resources, and a small population. The agricultural sector consists mainly of subsistence gardening, although some cash crops are grown for export. Industry consists primarily of small factories for processing passion fruit, lime oil, honey, and coconut cream. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is an important source of revenue. Government expenditures regularly exceed revenues, and the shortfall is made up by critically needed grants from New Zealand that are used to pay wages to public employees. Economic aid allocation from New Zealand in FY13/14 was US$10.1 million. Niue has cut government expenditures by reducing the public service by almost half. The island in recent years has suffered a serious loss of population because of emigration to New Zealand. Efforts to increase GDP include the promotion of tourism and financial services, although the International Banking Repeal Act of 2002 resulted in the termination of all offshore banking licenses. Topic: Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island is suffering from a severe economic downturn. Tourism, the primary economic activity, is the main driver of economic growth. The agricultural sector has become self-sufficient in the production of beef, poultry, and eggs. Topic: North MacedoniaSince its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment. Its low tax rates and free economic zones have helped to attract foreign investment, which is still low relative to the rest of Europe. Corruption and weak rule of law remain significant problems. Some businesses complain of opaque regulations and unequal enforcement of the law.   Macedonia’s economy is closely linked to Europe as a customer for exports and source of investment, and has suffered as a result of prolonged weakness in the euro zone. Unemployment has remained consistently high at about 23% but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, which is not captured by official statistics.   Macedonia is working to build a country-wide natural gas pipeline and distribution network. Currently, Macedonia receives its small natural gas supplies from Russia via Bulgaria. In 2016, Macedonia signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece to build an interconnector that could connect to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline that will traverse the region once complete, or to an LNG import terminal in Greece.   Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged to the euro, and inflation at a low level. However, in the last two years, the internal political crisis has hampered economic performance, with GDP growth slowing in 2016 and 2017, and both domestic private and public investments declining. Fiscal policies were lax, with unproductive public expenditures, including subsidies and pension increases, and rising guarantees for the debt of state owned enterprises, and fiscal targets were consistently missed. In 2017, public debt stabilized at about 47% of GDP, still relatively low compared to its Western Balkan neighbors and the rest of Europe.Since its independence in 1991, Macedonia has made progress in liberalizing its economy and improving its business environment. Its low tax rates and free economic zones have helped to attract foreign investment, which is still low relative to the rest of Europe. Corruption and weak rule of law remain significant problems. Some businesses complain of opaque regulations and unequal enforcement of the law. Macedonia’s economy is closely linked to Europe as a customer for exports and source of investment, and has suffered as a result of prolonged weakness in the euro zone. Unemployment has remained consistently high at about 23% but may be overstated based on the existence of an extensive gray market, estimated to be between 20% and 45% of GDP, which is not captured by official statistics. Macedonia is working to build a country-wide natural gas pipeline and distribution network. Currently, Macedonia receives its small natural gas supplies from Russia via Bulgaria. In 2016, Macedonia signed a memorandum of understanding with Greece to build an interconnector that could connect to the Trans Adriatic Pipeline that will traverse the region once complete, or to an LNG import terminal in Greece. Macedonia maintained macroeconomic stability through the global financial crisis by conducting prudent monetary policy, which keeps the domestic currency pegged to the euro, and inflation at a low level. However, in the last two years, the internal political crisis has hampered economic performance, with GDP growth slowing in 2016 and 2017, and both domestic private and public investments declining. Fiscal policies were lax, with unproductive public expenditures, including subsidies and pension increases, and rising guarantees for the debt of state owned enterprises, and fiscal targets were consistently missed. In 2017, public debt stabilized at about 47% of GDP, still relatively low compared to its Western Balkan neighbors and the rest of Europe. Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsThe economy of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(CNMI) has been on the rebound in the last few years, mainly on the strength of its tourism industry. In 2016, the CNMI’s real GDP increased 28.6% over the previous year, following two years of relatively rapid growth in 2014 and 2015. Chinese and Korean tourists have supplanted Japanese tourists in the last few years. The Commonwealth is making a concerted effort to broaden its tourism by extending casino gambling from the small Islands of Tinian and Rota to the main Island of Saipan, its political and commercial center. Investment is concentrated on hotels and casinos in Saipan, the CNMI’s largest island and home to about 90% of its population.   Federal grants have also contributed to economic growth and stability. In 2016, federal grants amounted to $101.4 billion which made up 26% of the CNMI government’s total revenues. A small agriculture sector consists of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons.   Legislation is pending in the US Congress to extend the transition period to allow foreign workers to work in the CNMI on temporary visas.The economy of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands(CNMI) has been on the rebound in the last few years, mainly on the strength of its tourism industry. In 2016, the CNMI’s real GDP increased 28.6% over the previous year, following two years of relatively rapid growth in 2014 and 2015. Chinese and Korean tourists have supplanted Japanese tourists in the last few years. The Commonwealth is making a concerted effort to broaden its tourism by extending casino gambling from the small Islands of Tinian and Rota to the main Island of Saipan, its political and commercial center. Investment is concentrated on hotels and casinos in Saipan, the CNMI’s largest island and home to about 90% of its population. Federal grants have also contributed to economic growth and stability. In 2016, federal grants amounted to $101.4 billion which made up 26% of the CNMI government’s total revenues. A small agriculture sector consists of cattle ranches and small farms producing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Legislation is pending in the US Congress to extend the transition period to allow foreign workers to work in the CNMI on temporary visas. Topic: NorwayNorway has a stable economy with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector, and an extensive social safety net. Norway opted out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. However, as a member of the European Economic Area, Norway partially participates in the EU’s single market and contributes sizably to the EU budget.   The country is richly endowed with natural resources such as oil and gas, fish, forests, and minerals. Norway is a leading producer and the world’s second largest exporter of seafood, after China. The government manages the country’s petroleum resources through extensive regulation. The petroleum sector provides about 9% of jobs, 12% of GDP, 13% of the state’s revenue, and 37% of exports, according to official national estimates. Norway is one of the world's leading petroleum exporters, although oil production is close to 50% below its peak in 2000. Gas production, conversely, has more than doubled since 2000. Although oil production is historically low, it rose in 2016 for the third consecutive year due to the higher production of existing oil fields and to new fields coming on stream. Norway’s domestic electricity production relies almost entirely on hydropower.   In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves state revenue from petroleum sector activities in the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $1 trillion at the end of 2017. To help balance the federal budget each year, the government follows a "fiscal rule," which states that spending of revenues from petroleum and fund investments shall correspond to the expected real rate of return on the fund, an amount it estimates is sustainable over time. In February 2017, the government revised the expected rate of return for the fund downward from 4% to 3%.   After solid GDP growth in the 2004-07 period, the economy slowed in 2008, and contracted in 2009, before returning to modest, positive growth from 2010 to 2017. The Norwegian economy has been adjusting to lower energy prices, as demonstrated by growth in labor force participation and employment in 2017. GDP growth was about 1.5% in 2017, driven largely by domestic demand, which has been boosted by the rebound in the labor market and supportive fiscal policies. Economic growth is expected to remain constant or improve slightly in the next few years.Norway has a stable economy with a vibrant private sector, a large state sector, and an extensive social safety net. Norway opted out of the EU during a referendum in November 1994. However, as a member of the European Economic Area, Norway partially participates in the EU’s single market and contributes sizably to the EU budget. The country is richly endowed with natural resources such as oil and gas, fish, forests, and minerals. Norway is a leading producer and the world’s second largest exporter of seafood, after China. The government manages the country’s petroleum resources through extensive regulation. The petroleum sector provides about 9% of jobs, 12% of GDP, 13% of the state’s revenue, and 37% of exports, according to official national estimates. Norway is one of the world's leading petroleum exporters, although oil production is close to 50% below its peak in 2000. Gas production, conversely, has more than doubled since 2000. Although oil production is historically low, it rose in 2016 for the third consecutive year due to the higher production of existing oil fields and to new fields coming on stream. Norway’s domestic electricity production relies almost entirely on hydropower. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves state revenue from petroleum sector activities in the world's largest sovereign wealth fund, valued at over $1 trillion at the end of 2017. To help balance the federal budget each year, the government follows a "fiscal rule," which states that spending of revenues from petroleum and fund investments shall correspond to the expected real rate of return on the fund, an amount it estimates is sustainable over time. In February 2017, the government revised the expected rate of return for the fund downward from 4% to 3%. After solid GDP growth in the 2004-07 period, the economy slowed in 2008, and contracted in 2009, before returning to modest, positive growth from 2010 to 2017. The Norwegian economy has been adjusting to lower energy prices, as demonstrated by growth in labor force participation and employment in 2017. GDP growth was about 1.5% in 2017, driven largely by domestic demand, which has been boosted by the rebound in the labor market and supportive fiscal policies. Economic growth is expected to remain constant or improve slightly in the next few years. Topic: OmanOman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency’s fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit.   Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture.   Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government’s budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018.Oman is heavily dependent on oil and gas resources, which can generate between and 68% and 85% of government revenue, depending on fluctuations in commodity prices. In 2016, low global oil prices drove Oman’s budget deficit to $13.8 billion, or approximately 20% of GDP, but the budget deficit is estimated to have reduced to 12% of GDP in 2017 as Oman reduced government subsidies. As of January 2018, Oman has sufficient foreign assets to support its currency’s fixed exchange rates. It is issuing debt to cover its deficit. Oman is using enhanced oil recovery techniques to boost production, but it has simultaneously pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP. The key components of the government's diversification strategy are tourism, shipping and logistics, mining, manufacturing, and aquaculture. Muscat also has notably focused on creating more Omani jobs to employ the rising number of nationals entering the workforce. However, high social welfare benefits - that had increased in the wake of the 2011 Arab Spring - have made it impossible for the government to balance its budget in light of current oil prices. In response, Omani officials imposed austerity measures on its gasoline and diesel subsidies in 2016. These spending cuts have had only a moderate effect on the government’s budget, which is projected to again face a deficit of $7.8 billion in 2018. Topic: Pacific OceanThe Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new drillings. Topic: PakistanDecades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment have led to underdevelopment in Pakistan. Pakistan has a large English-speaking population, with English-language skills less prevalent outside urban centers. Despite some progress in recent years in both security and energy, a challenging security environment, electricity shortages, and a burdensome investment climate have traditionally deterred investors. Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of output and two-fifths of employment. Textiles and apparel account for more than half of Pakistan's export earnings; Pakistan's failure to diversify its exports has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Pakistan’s GDP growth has gradually increased since 2012, and was 5.3% in 2017. Official unemployment was 6% in 2017, but this fails to capture the true picture, because much of the economy is informal and underemployment remains high. Human development continues to lag behind most of the region.   In 2013, Pakistan embarked on a $6.3 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility, which focused on reducing energy shortages, stabilizing public finances, increasing revenue collection, and improving its balance of payments position. The program concluded in September 2016. Although Pakistan missed several structural reform criteria, it restored macroeconomic stability, improved its credit rating, and boosted growth. The Pakistani rupee has remained relatively stable against the US dollar since 2015, though it declined about 10% between November 2017 and March 2018. Balance of payments concerns have reemerged, however, as a result of a significant increase in imports and weak export and remittance growth.   Pakistan must continue to address several longstanding issues, including expanding investment in education, healthcare, and sanitation; adapting to the effects of climate change and natural disasters; improving the country’s business environment; and widening the country’s tax base. Given demographic challenges, Pakistan’s leadership will be pressed to implement economic reforms, promote further development of the energy sector, and attract foreign investment to support sufficient economic growth necessary to employ its growing and rapidly urbanizing population, much of which is under the age of 25.   In an effort to boost development, Pakistan and China are implementing the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" (CPEC) with $60 billion in investments targeted towards energy and other infrastructure projects. Pakistan believes CPEC investments will enable growth rates of over 6% of GDP by laying the groundwork for increased exports. CPEC-related obligations, however, have raised IMF concern about Pakistan’s capital outflows and external financing needs over the medium term.Decades of internal political disputes and low levels of foreign investment have led to underdevelopment in Pakistan. Pakistan has a large English-speaking population, with English-language skills less prevalent outside urban centers. Despite some progress in recent years in both security and energy, a challenging security environment, electricity shortages, and a burdensome investment climate have traditionally deterred investors. Agriculture accounts for one-fifth of output and two-fifths of employment. Textiles and apparel account for more than half of Pakistan's export earnings; Pakistan's failure to diversify its exports has left the country vulnerable to shifts in world demand. Pakistan’s GDP growth has gradually increased since 2012, and was 5.3% in 2017. Official unemployment was 6% in 2017, but this fails to capture the true picture, because much of the economy is informal and underemployment remains high. Human development continues to lag behind most of the region. In 2013, Pakistan embarked on a $6.3 billion IMF Extended Fund Facility, which focused on reducing energy shortages, stabilizing public finances, increasing revenue collection, and improving its balance of payments position. The program concluded in September 2016. Although Pakistan missed several structural reform criteria, it restored macroeconomic stability, improved its credit rating, and boosted growth. The Pakistani rupee has remained relatively stable against the US dollar since 2015, though it declined about 10% between November 2017 and March 2018. Balance of payments concerns have reemerged, however, as a result of a significant increase in imports and weak export and remittance growth. Pakistan must continue to address several longstanding issues, including expanding investment in education, healthcare, and sanitation; adapting to the effects of climate change and natural disasters; improving the country’s business environment; and widening the country’s tax base. Given demographic challenges, Pakistan’s leadership will be pressed to implement economic reforms, promote further development of the energy sector, and attract foreign investment to support sufficient economic growth necessary to employ its growing and rapidly urbanizing population, much of which is under the age of 25. In an effort to boost development, Pakistan and China are implementing the "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor" (CPEC) with $60 billion in investments targeted towards energy and other infrastructure projects. Pakistan believes CPEC investments will enable growth rates of over 6% of GDP by laying the groundwork for increased exports. CPEC-related obligations, however, have raised IMF concern about Pakistan’s capital outflows and external financing needs over the medium term. Topic: PalauThe economy is dominated by tourism, fishing, and subsistence agriculture. Government is a major employer of the work force relying on financial assistance from the US under the Compact of Free Association (Compact) with the US that took effect after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994. The US provided Palau with roughly $700 million in aid for the first 15 years following commencement of the Compact in 1994 in return for unrestricted access to its land and waterways for strategic purposes. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly double that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia.   Business and leisure tourist arrivals reached a record 167,966 in 2015, a 14.4% increase over the previous year, but fell to 138,408 in 2016. Long-run prospects for tourism have been bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of industrial East Asia, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Proximity to Guam, the region's major destination for tourists from East Asia, and a regionally competitive tourist infrastructure enhance Palau's advantage as a destination.The economy is dominated by tourism, fishing, and subsistence agriculture. Government is a major employer of the work force relying on financial assistance from the US under the Compact of Free Association (Compact) with the US that took effect after the end of the UN trusteeship on 1 October 1994. The US provided Palau with roughly $700 million in aid for the first 15 years following commencement of the Compact in 1994 in return for unrestricted access to its land and waterways for strategic purposes. The population enjoys a per capita income roughly double that of the Philippines and much of Micronesia. Business and leisure tourist arrivals reached a record 167,966 in 2015, a 14.4% increase over the previous year, but fell to 138,408 in 2016. Long-run prospects for tourism have been bolstered by the expansion of air travel in the Pacific, the rising prosperity of industrial East Asia, and the willingness of foreigners to finance infrastructure development. Proximity to Guam, the region's major destination for tourists from East Asia, and a regionally competitive tourist infrastructure enhance Palau's advantage as a destination. Topic: PanamaPanama's dollar-based economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for more than three-quarters of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, logistics, banking, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism and Panama is a center for offshore banking. Panama's transportation and logistics services sectors, along with infrastructure development projects, have boosted economic growth; however, public debt surpassed $37 billion in 2016 because of excessive government spending and public works projects. The US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement was approved by Congress and signed into law in October 2011, and entered into force in October 2012.   Future growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 10-15% of current GDP. The expansion project more than doubled the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate high-capacity vessels such as tankers and neopanamax vessels that are too large to traverse the existing canal. The US and China are the top users of the Canal.   Strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity, as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Latin America. About one-fourth of the population lives in poverty; however, from 2006 to 2012 poverty was reduced by 10 percentage points.Panama's dollar-based economy rests primarily on a well-developed services sector that accounts for more than three-quarters of GDP. Services include operating the Panama Canal, logistics, banking, the Colon Free Trade Zone, insurance, container ports, flagship registry, and tourism and Panama is a center for offshore banking. Panama's transportation and logistics services sectors, along with infrastructure development projects, have boosted economic growth; however, public debt surpassed $37 billion in 2016 because of excessive government spending and public works projects. The US-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement was approved by Congress and signed into law in October 2011, and entered into force in October 2012. Future growth will be bolstered by the Panama Canal expansion project that began in 2007 and was completed in 2016 at a cost of $5.3 billion - about 10-15% of current GDP. The expansion project more than doubled the Canal's capacity, enabling it to accommodate high-capacity vessels such as tankers and neopanamax vessels that are too large to traverse the existing canal. The US and China are the top users of the Canal. Strong economic performance has not translated into broadly shared prosperity, as Panama has the second worst income distribution in Latin America. About one-fourth of the population lives in poverty; however, from 2006 to 2012 poverty was reduced by 10 percentage points. Topic: Papua New GuineaPapua New Guinea (PNG) is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain, land tenure issues, and the high cost of developing infrastructure. The economy has a small formal sector, focused mainly on the export of those natural resources, and an informal sector, employing the majority of the population. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the people. The global financial crisis had little impact because of continued foreign demand for PNG's commodities.   Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. Natural gas reserves amount to an estimated 155 billion cubic meters. Following construction of a $19 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, PNG LNG, a consortium led by ExxonMobil, began exporting liquefied natural gas to Asian markets in May 2014. The project was delivered on time and only slightly above budget. The success of the project has encouraged other companies to look at similar LNG projects. French supermajor Total is hopes to begin construction on the Papua LNG project by 2020. Due to lower global commodity prices, resource revenues of all types have fallen dramatically. PNG’s government has recently been forced to adjust spending levels downward.   Numerous challenges still face the government of Peter O'NEILL, including providing physical security for foreign investors, regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and maintaining good relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including chronic law and order and land tenure issues. In August, 2017, PNG launched its first-ever national trade policy, PNG Trade Policy 2017-2032. The policy goal is to maximize trade and investment by increasing exports, to reduce imports, and to increase foreign direct investment (FDI).Papua New Guinea (PNG) is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by rugged terrain, land tenure issues, and the high cost of developing infrastructure. The economy has a small formal sector, focused mainly on the export of those natural resources, and an informal sector, employing the majority of the population. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the people. The global financial crisis had little impact because of continued foreign demand for PNG's commodities. Mineral deposits, including copper, gold, and oil, account for nearly two-thirds of export earnings. Natural gas reserves amount to an estimated 155 billion cubic meters. Following construction of a $19 billion liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, PNG LNG, a consortium led by ExxonMobil, began exporting liquefied natural gas to Asian markets in May 2014. The project was delivered on time and only slightly above budget. The success of the project has encouraged other companies to look at similar LNG projects. French supermajor Total is hopes to begin construction on the Papua LNG project by 2020. Due to lower global commodity prices, resource revenues of all types have fallen dramatically. PNG’s government has recently been forced to adjust spending levels downward. Numerous challenges still face the government of Peter O'NEILL, including providing physical security for foreign investors, regaining investor confidence, restoring integrity to state institutions, promoting economic efficiency by privatizing moribund state institutions, and maintaining good relations with Australia, its former colonial ruler. Other socio-cultural challenges could upend the economy including chronic law and order and land tenure issues. In August, 2017, PNG launched its first-ever national trade policy, PNG Trade Policy 2017-2032. The policy goal is to maximize trade and investment by increasing exports, to reduce imports, and to increase foreign direct investment (FDI). Topic: Paracel IslandsThe islands have the potential for oil and gas development. Waters around the islands support commercial fishing, but the islands themselves are not populated on a permanent basis. Topic: ParaguayLandlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain.   On a per capita basis, real income has grown steadily over the past five years as strong world demand for commodities, combined with high prices and favorable weather, supported Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the fifth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. Severe drought and outbreaks of hoof-and-mouth disease in 2012 led to a brief drop in beef and other agricultural exports. Since 2014, however, Paraguay’s economy has grown at a 4% average annual rate due to strong production and high global prices, at a time when other countries in the region have contracted.   The Paraguayan Government recognizes the need to diversify its economy and has taken steps in recent years to do so. In addition to looking for new commodity markets in the Middle East and Europe, Paraguayan officials have promoted the country’s low labor costs, cheap energy from its massive Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam, and single-digit tax rate on foreign firms. As a result, the number of factories operating in the country – mostly transplants from Brazil - has tripled since 2014.   Corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth. Judicial corruption is endemic and is seen as the greatest barrier to attracting more foreign investment. Paraguay has been adverse to public debt throughout its history, but has recently sought to finance infrastructure improvements to attract foreign investment.Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has grown steadily over the past five years as strong world demand for commodities, combined with high prices and favorable weather, supported Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the fifth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. Severe drought and outbreaks of hoof-and-mouth disease in 2012 led to a brief drop in beef and other agricultural exports. Since 2014, however, Paraguay’s economy has grown at a 4% average annual rate due to strong production and high global prices, at a time when other countries in the region have contracted. The Paraguayan Government recognizes the need to diversify its economy and has taken steps in recent years to do so. In addition to looking for new commodity markets in the Middle East and Europe, Paraguayan officials have promoted the country’s low labor costs, cheap energy from its massive Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam, and single-digit tax rate on foreign firms. As a result, the number of factories operating in the country – mostly transplants from Brazil - has tripled since 2014. Corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth. Judicial corruption is endemic and is seen as the greatest barrier to attracting more foreign investment. Paraguay has been adverse to public debt throughout its history, but has recently sought to finance infrastructure improvements to attract foreign investment. Topic: PeruPeru's economy reflects its varied topography - an arid lowland coastal region, the central high sierra of the Andes, and the dense forest of the Amazon. A wide range of important mineral resources are found in the mountainous and coastal areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. Peru is the world's second largest producer of silver and copper.   The Peruvian economy grew by an average of 5.6% per year from 2009-13 with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. This growth was due partly to high international prices for Peru's metals and minerals exports, which account for 55% of the country's total exports. Growth slipped from 2014 to 2017, due to weaker world prices for these resources. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, dependence on minerals and metals exports and imported foodstuffs makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices.   Peru's rapid expansion coupled with cash transfers and other programs have helped to reduce the national poverty rate by over 35 percentage points since 2004, but inequality persists and continued to pose a challenge for the Ollanta HUMALA administration, which championed a policy of social inclusion and a more equitable distribution of income. Poor infrastructure hinders the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. The HUMALA administration passed several economic stimulus packages in 2014 to bolster growth, including reforms to environmental regulations in order to spur investment in Peru’s lucrative mining sector, a move that was opposed by some environmental groups. However, in 2015, mining investment fell as global commodity prices remained low and social conflicts plagued the sector.   Peru's free trade policy continued under the HUMALA administration; since 2006, Peru has signed trade deals with the US, Canada, Singapore, China, Korea, Mexico, Japan, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Chile, Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Honduras, concluded negotiations with Guatemala and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and begun trade talks with El Salvador, India, and Turkey. Peru also has signed a trade pact with Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, called the Pacific Alliance, that seeks integration of services, capital, investment and movement of people. Since the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force in February 2009, total trade between Peru and the US has doubled. President Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI succeeded HUMALA in July 2016 and is focusing on economic reforms and free market policies aimed at boosting investment in Peru. Mining output increased significantly in 2016-17, which helped Peru attain one of the highest GDP growth rates in Latin America, and Peru should maintain strong growth in 2018. However, economic performance was depressed by delays in infrastructure mega-projects and the start of a corruption scandal associated with a Brazilian firm. Massive flooding in early 2017 also was a drag on growth, offset somewhat by additional public spending aimed at recovery efforts.Peru's economy reflects its varied topography - an arid lowland coastal region, the central high sierra of the Andes, and the dense forest of the Amazon. A wide range of important mineral resources are found in the mountainous and coastal areas, and Peru's coastal waters provide excellent fishing grounds. Peru is the world's second largest producer of silver and copper. The Peruvian economy grew by an average of 5.6% per year from 2009-13 with a stable exchange rate and low inflation. This growth was due partly to high international prices for Peru's metals and minerals exports, which account for 55% of the country's total exports. Growth slipped from 2014 to 2017, due to weaker world prices for these resources. Despite Peru's strong macroeconomic performance, dependence on minerals and metals exports and imported foodstuffs makes the economy vulnerable to fluctuations in world prices. Peru's rapid expansion coupled with cash transfers and other programs have helped to reduce the national poverty rate by over 35 percentage points since 2004, but inequality persists and continued to pose a challenge for the Ollanta HUMALA administration, which championed a policy of social inclusion and a more equitable distribution of income. Poor infrastructure hinders the spread of growth to Peru's non-coastal areas. The HUMALA administration passed several economic stimulus packages in 2014 to bolster growth, including reforms to environmental regulations in order to spur investment in Peru’s lucrative mining sector, a move that was opposed by some environmental groups. However, in 2015, mining investment fell as global commodity prices remained low and social conflicts plagued the sector. Peru's free trade policy continued under the HUMALA administration; since 2006, Peru has signed trade deals with the US, Canada, Singapore, China, Korea, Mexico, Japan, the EU, the European Free Trade Association, Chile, Thailand, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Honduras, concluded negotiations with Guatemala and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, and begun trade talks with El Salvador, India, and Turkey. Peru also has signed a trade pact with Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, called the Pacific Alliance, that seeks integration of services, capital, investment and movement of people. Since the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement entered into force in February 2009, total trade between Peru and the US has doubled. President Pedro Pablo KUCZYNSKI succeeded HUMALA in July 2016 and is focusing on economic reforms and free market policies aimed at boosting investment in Peru. Mining output increased significantly in 2016-17, which helped Peru attain one of the highest GDP growth rates in Latin America, and Peru should maintain strong growth in 2018. However, economic performance was depressed by delays in infrastructure mega-projects and the start of a corruption scandal associated with a Brazilian firm. Massive flooding in early 2017 also was a drag on growth, offset somewhat by additional public spending aimed at recovery efforts. Topic: PhilippinesThe economy has been relatively resilient to global economic shocks due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from about 10 million overseas Filipino workers and migrants, and a rapidly expanding services industry. During 2017, the current account balance fell into the negative range, the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis, in part due to an ambitious new infrastructure spending program announced this year. However, international reserves remain at comfortable levels and the banking system is stable.   Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditures management have helped ease the Philippines' debt burden and tight fiscal situation. The Philippines received investment-grade credit ratings on its sovereign debt under the former AQUINO administration and has had little difficulty financing its budget deficits. However, weak absorptive capacity and implementation bottlenecks have prevented the government from maximizing its expenditure plans. Although it has improved, the low tax-to-GDP ratio remains a constraint to supporting increasingly higher spending levels and sustaining high and inclusive growth over the longer term.   Economic growth has accelerated, averaging over 6% per year from 2011 to 2017, compared with 4.5% under the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO government; and competitiveness rankings have improved. Although 2017 saw a new record year for net foreign direct investment inflows, FDI to the Philippines has continued to lag regional peers, in part because the Philippine constitution and other laws limit foreign investment and restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors - such as land ownership and public utilities.   Although the economy grew at a rapid pace under the AQUINO government, challenges to achieving more inclusive growth remain. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of the rich. The unemployment rate declined from 7.3% to 5.7% between 2010 and 2017; while there has been some improvement, underemployment remains high at around 17% to 18% of the employed population. At least 40% of the employed work in the informal sector. Poverty afflicts more than a fifth of the total population but is as high as 75% in some areas of the southern Philippines. More than 60% of the poor reside in rural areas, where the incidence of poverty (about 30%) is more severe - a challenge to raising rural farm and non-farm incomes. Continued efforts are needed to improve governance, the judicial system, the regulatory environment, the infrastructure, and the overall ease of doing business.   2016 saw the election of President Rodrigo DUTERTE, who has pledged to make inclusive growth and poverty reduction his top priority. DUTERTE believes that illegal drug use, crime and corruption are key barriers to economic development. The administration wants to reduce the poverty rate to 17% and graduate the economy to upper-middle income status by the end of President DUTERTE’s term in 2022. Key themes under the government’s Ten-Point Socioeconomic Agenda include continuity of macroeconomic policy, tax reform, higher investments in infrastructure and human capital development, and improving competitiveness and the overall ease of doing business. The administration sees infrastructure shortcomings as a key barrier to sustained economic growth and has pledged to spend $165 billion on infrastructure by 2022. Although the final outcome has yet to be seen, the current administration is shepherding legislation for a comprehensive tax reform program to raise revenues for its ambitious infrastructure spending plan and to promote a more equitable and efficient tax system. However, the need to finance rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the southern region of Mindanao following the 2017 Marawi City siege may compete with other spending on infrastructure.The economy has been relatively resilient to global economic shocks due to less exposure to troubled international securities, lower dependence on exports, relatively resilient domestic consumption, large remittances from about 10 million overseas Filipino workers and migrants, and a rapidly expanding services industry. During 2017, the current account balance fell into the negative range, the first time since the 2008 global financial crisis, in part due to an ambitious new infrastructure spending program announced this year. However, international reserves remain at comfortable levels and the banking system is stable. Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditures management have helped ease the Philippines' debt burden and tight fiscal situation. The Philippines received investment-grade credit ratings on its sovereign debt under the former AQUINO administration and has had little difficulty financing its budget deficits. However, weak absorptive capacity and implementation bottlenecks have prevented the government from maximizing its expenditure plans. Although it has improved, the low tax-to-GDP ratio remains a constraint to supporting increasingly higher spending levels and sustaining high and inclusive growth over the longer term. Economic growth has accelerated, averaging over 6% per year from 2011 to 2017, compared with 4.5% under the MACAPAGAL-ARROYO government; and competitiveness rankings have improved. Although 2017 saw a new record year for net foreign direct investment inflows, FDI to the Philippines has continued to lag regional peers, in part because the Philippine constitution and other laws limit foreign investment and restrict foreign ownership in important activities/sectors - such as land ownership and public utilities. Although the economy grew at a rapid pace under the AQUINO government, challenges to achieving more inclusive growth remain. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of the rich. The unemployment rate declined from 7.3% to 5.7% between 2010 and 2017; while there has been some improvement, underemployment remains high at around 17% to 18% of the employed population. At least 40% of the employed work in the informal sector. Poverty afflicts more than a fifth of the total population but is as high as 75% in some areas of the southern Philippines. More than 60% of the poor reside in rural areas, where the incidence of poverty (about 30%) is more severe - a challenge to raising rural farm and non-farm incomes. Continued efforts are needed to improve governance, the judicial system, the regulatory environment, the infrastructure, and the overall ease of doing business. 2016 saw the election of President Rodrigo DUTERTE, who has pledged to make inclusive growth and poverty reduction his top priority. DUTERTE believes that illegal drug use, crime and corruption are key barriers to economic development. The administration wants to reduce the poverty rate to 17% and graduate the economy to upper-middle income status by the end of President DUTERTE’s term in 2022. Key themes under the government’s Ten-Point Socioeconomic Agenda include continuity of macroeconomic policy, tax reform, higher investments in infrastructure and human capital development, and improving competitiveness and the overall ease of doing business. The administration sees infrastructure shortcomings as a key barrier to sustained economic growth and has pledged to spend $165 billion on infrastructure by 2022. Although the final outcome has yet to be seen, the current administration is shepherding legislation for a comprehensive tax reform program to raise revenues for its ambitious infrastructure spending plan and to promote a more equitable and efficient tax system. However, the need to finance rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in the southern region of Mindanao following the 2017 Marawi City siege may compete with other spending on infrastructure. Topic: Pitcairn IslandsThe inhabitants of this tiny isolated economy exist on fishing, subsistence farming, handicrafts, and postage stamps. The fertile soil of the valleys produces a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, including citrus, sugarcane, watermelons, bananas, yams, and beans. Bartering is an important part of the economy. The major sources of revenue are the sale of postage stamps to collectors and the sale of handicrafts to passing ships. Topic: PolandPoland has the sixth-largest economy in the EU and has long had a reputation as a business-friendly country with largely sound macroeconomic policies. Since 1990, Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization. During the 2008-09 economic slowdown Poland was the only EU country to avoid a recession, in part because of the government’s loose fiscal policy combined with a commitment to rein in spending in the medium-term Poland is the largest recipient of EU development funds and their cyclical allocation can significantly impact the rate of economic growth.   The Polish economy performed well during the 2014-17 period, with the real GDP growth rate generally exceeding 3%, in part because of increases in government social spending that have helped to accelerate consumer-driven growth. However, since 2015, Poland has implemented new business restrictions and taxes on foreign-dominated economic sectors, including banking and insurance, energy, and healthcare, that have dampened investor sentiment and has increased the government’s ownership of some firms. The government reduced the retirement age in 2016 and has had mixed success in introducing new taxes and boosting tax compliance to offset the increased costs of social spending programs and relieve upward pressure on the budget deficit. Some credit ratings agencies estimate that Poland during the next few years is at risk of exceeding the EU’s 3%-of-GDP limit on budget deficits, possibly impacting its access to future EU funds. Poland’s economy is projected to perform well in the next few years in part because of an anticipated cyclical increase in the use of its EU development funds and continued, robust household spending.   Poland faces several systemic challenges, which include addressing some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and rail infrastructure, business environment, rigid labor code, commercial court system, government red tape, and burdensome tax system, especially for entrepreneurs. Additional long-term challenges include diversifying Poland’s energy mix, strengthening investments in innovation, research, and development, as well as stemming the outflow of educated young Poles to other EU member states, especially in light of a coming demographic contraction due to emigration, persistently low fertility rates, and the aging of the Solidarity-era baby boom generation.Poland has the sixth-largest economy in the EU and has long had a reputation as a business-friendly country with largely sound macroeconomic policies. Since 1990, Poland has pursued a policy of economic liberalization. During the 2008-09 economic slowdown Poland was the only EU country to avoid a recession, in part because of the government’s loose fiscal policy combined with a commitment to rein in spending in the medium-term Poland is the largest recipient of EU development funds and their cyclical allocation can significantly impact the rate of economic growth. The Polish economy performed well during the 2014-17 period, with the real GDP growth rate generally exceeding 3%, in part because of increases in government social spending that have helped to accelerate consumer-driven growth. However, since 2015, Poland has implemented new business restrictions and taxes on foreign-dominated economic sectors, including banking and insurance, energy, and healthcare, that have dampened investor sentiment and has increased the government’s ownership of some firms. The government reduced the retirement age in 2016 and has had mixed success in introducing new taxes and boosting tax compliance to offset the increased costs of social spending programs and relieve upward pressure on the budget deficit. Some credit ratings agencies estimate that Poland during the next few years is at risk of exceeding the EU’s 3%-of-GDP limit on budget deficits, possibly impacting its access to future EU funds. Poland’s economy is projected to perform well in the next few years in part because of an anticipated cyclical increase in the use of its EU development funds and continued, robust household spending. Poland faces several systemic challenges, which include addressing some of the remaining deficiencies in its road and rail infrastructure, business environment, rigid labor code, commercial court system, government red tape, and burdensome tax system, especially for entrepreneurs. Additional long-term challenges include diversifying Poland’s energy mix, strengthening investments in innovation, research, and development, as well as stemming the outflow of educated young Poles to other EU member states, especially in light of a coming demographic contraction due to emigration, persistently low fertility rates, and the aging of the Solidarity-era baby boom generation. Topic: PortugalPortugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community - the EU's predecessor - in 1986. Over the following two decades, successive governments privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country joined the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU members.   The economy grew by more than the EU average for much of the 1990s, but the rate of growth slowed in 2001-08. After the global financial crisis in 2008, Portugal’s economy contracted in 2009 and fell into recession from 2011 to 2013, as the government implemented spending cuts and tax increases to comply with conditions of an EU-IMF financial rescue package, signed in May 2011. Portugal successfully exited its EU-IMF program in May 2014, and its economic recovery gained traction in 2015 because of strong exports and a rebound in private consumption. GDP growth accelerated in 2016, and probably reached 2.5 % in 2017. Unemployment remained high, at 9.7% in 2017, but has improved steadily since peaking at 18% in 2013.   The center-left minority Socialist government has unwound some unpopular austerity measures while managing to remain within most EU fiscal targets. The budget deficit fell from 11.2% of GDP in 2010 to 1.8% in 2017, the country’s lowest since democracy was restored in 1974, and surpassing the EU and IMF projections of 3%. Portugal exited the EU’s excessive deficit procedure in mid-2017.Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community - the EU's predecessor - in 1986. Over the following two decades, successive governments privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country joined the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU members. The economy grew by more than the EU average for much of the 1990s, but the rate of growth slowed in 2001-08. After the global financial crisis in 2008, Portugal’s economy contracted in 2009 and fell into recession from 2011 to 2013, as the government implemented spending cuts and tax increases to comply with conditions of an EU-IMF financial rescue package, signed in May 2011. Portugal successfully exited its EU-IMF program in May 2014, and its economic recovery gained traction in 2015 because of strong exports and a rebound in private consumption. GDP growth accelerated in 2016, and probably reached 2.5 % in 2017. Unemployment remained high, at 9.7% in 2017, but has improved steadily since peaking at 18% in 2013. The center-left minority Socialist government has unwound some unpopular austerity measures while managing to remain within most EU fiscal targets. The budget deficit fell from 11.2% of GDP in 2010 to 1.8% in 2017, the country’s lowest since democracy was restored in 1974, and surpassing the EU and IMF projections of 3%. Portugal exited the EU’s excessive deficit procedure in mid-2017. Topic: Puerto RicoPuerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however, growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s, and a steep rise in the price of oil, which generates most of the island's electricity.   Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration, as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011, but declined to 11.5% in December 2017. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico, hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland.   The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP.   Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016, although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt remained steady at 92.5% of GDP in 2017, about $17,000 per person, or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut, the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations, including water and electric utilities. In June 2015, Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors.   Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico square on in September 2017, causing electrical power outages to 90% of the territory, as well as extensive loss of housing and infrastructure and contamination of potable water. Despite massive efforts, more than 40% of the territory remained without electricity as of yearend 2017. As a result of the destruction, many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the US mainland.Puerto Rico had one of the most dynamic economies in the Caribbean region until 2006; however, growth has been negative for each of the last 11 years. The downturn coincided with the phaseout of tax preferences that had led US firms to invest heavily in the Commonwealth since the 1950s, and a steep rise in the price of oil, which generates most of the island's electricity. Diminished job opportunities prompted a sharp rise in outmigration, as many Puerto Ricans sought jobs on the US mainland. Unemployment reached 16% in 2011, but declined to 11.5% in December 2017. US minimum wage laws apply in Puerto Rico, hampering job expansion. Per capita income is about two-thirds that of the US mainland. The industrial sector greatly exceeds agriculture as the locus of economic activity and income. Tourism has traditionally been an important source of income with estimated arrivals of more than 3.6 million tourists in 2008. Puerto Rico's merchandise trade surplus is exceptionally strong, with exports nearly 50% greater than imports, and its current account surplus about 10% of GDP. Closing the budget deficit while restoring economic growth and employment remain the central concerns of the government. The gap between revenues and expenditures amounted to 0.6% of GDP in 2016, although analysts believe that not all expenditures have been accounted for in the budget and a better accounting of costs would yield an overall deficit of roughly 5% of GDP. Public debt remained steady at 92.5% of GDP in 2017, about $17,000 per person, or nearly three times the per capita debt of the State of Connecticut, the highest in the US. Much of that debt was issued by state-run schools and public corporations, including water and electric utilities. In June 2015, Governor Alejandro GARCIA Padilla announced that the island could not pay back at least $73 billion in debt and that it would seek a deal with its creditors. Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico square on in September 2017, causing electrical power outages to 90% of the territory, as well as extensive loss of housing and infrastructure and contamination of potable water. Despite massive efforts, more than 40% of the territory remained without electricity as of yearend 2017. As a result of the destruction, many Puerto Ricans have emigrated to the US mainland. Topic: QatarQatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem its budget deficit.   Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total.   Following trade restriction imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt in 2017, Qatar established new trade routes with other countries to maintain access to imports.Qatar’s oil and natural gas resources are the country’s main economic engine and government revenue source, driving Qatar’s high economic growth and per capita income levels, robust state spending on public entitlements, and booming construction spending, particularly as Qatar prepares to host the World Cup in 2022. Although the government has maintained high capital spending levels for ongoing infrastructure projects, low oil and natural gas prices in recent years have led the Qatari Government to tighten some spending to help stem its budget deficit. Qatar’s reliance on oil and natural gas is likely to persist for the foreseeable future. Proved natural gas reserves exceed 25 trillion cubic meters - 13% of the world total and, among countries, third largest in the world. Proved oil reserves exceed 25 billion barrels, allowing production to continue at current levels for about 56 years. Despite the dominance of oil and natural gas, Qatar has made significant gains in strengthening non-oil sectors, such as manufacturing, construction, and financial services, leading non-oil GDP to steadily rise in recent years to just over half the total. Following trade restriction imposed by Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt in 2017, Qatar established new trade routes with other countries to maintain access to imports. Topic: RomaniaRomania, which joined the EU on 1 January 2007, began the transition from communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and to address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to permeate the business environment.   In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Romania signed a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders, but GDP contracted until 2011. In March 2011, Romania and the IMF/EU/World Bank signed a 24-month precautionary standby agreement, worth $6.6 billion, to promote fiscal discipline, encourage progress on structural reforms, and strengthen financial sector stability; no funds were drawn. In September 2013, Romanian authorities and the IMF/EU agreed to a follow-on standby agreement, worth $5.4 billion, to continue with reforms. This agreement expired in September 2015, and no funds were drawn. Progress on structural reforms has been uneven, and the economy still is vulnerable to external shocks.   Economic growth rebounded in the 2013-17 period, driven by strong industrial exports, excellent agricultural harvests, and, more recently, expansionary fiscal policies in 2016-2017 that nearly quadrupled Bucharest’s annual fiscal deficit, from +0.8% of GDP in 2015 to -3% of GDP in 2016 and an estimated -3.4% in 2017. Industry outperformed other sectors of the economy in 2017. Exports remained an engine of economic growth, led by trade with the EU, which accounts for roughly 70% of Romania trade. Domestic demand was the major driver, due to tax cuts and large wage increases that began last year and are set to continue in 2018.   An aging population, emigration of skilled labor, significant tax evasion, insufficient health care, and an aggressive loosening of the fiscal package compromise Romania’s long-term growth and economic stability and are the economy's top vulnerabilities.Romania, which joined the EU on 1 January 2007, began the transition from communism in 1989 with a largely obsolete industrial base and a pattern of output unsuited to the country's needs. Romania's macroeconomic gains have only recently started to spur creation of a middle class and to address Romania's widespread poverty. Corruption and red tape continue to permeate the business environment. In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, Romania signed a $26 billion emergency assistance package from the IMF, the EU, and other international lenders, but GDP contracted until 2011. In March 2011, Romania and the IMF/EU/World Bank signed a 24-month precautionary standby agreement, worth $6.6 billion, to promote fiscal discipline, encourage progress on structural reforms, and strengthen financial sector stability; no funds were drawn. In September 2013, Romanian authorities and the IMF/EU agreed to a follow-on standby agreement, worth $5.4 billion, to continue with reforms. This agreement expired in September 2015, and no funds were drawn. Progress on structural reforms has been uneven, and the economy still is vulnerable to external shocks. Economic growth rebounded in the 2013-17 period, driven by strong industrial exports, excellent agricultural harvests, and, more recently, expansionary fiscal policies in 2016-2017 that nearly quadrupled Bucharest’s annual fiscal deficit, from +0.8% of GDP in 2015 to -3% of GDP in 2016 and an estimated -3.4% in 2017. Industry outperformed other sectors of the economy in 2017. Exports remained an engine of economic growth, led by trade with the EU, which accounts for roughly 70% of Romania trade. Domestic demand was the major driver, due to tax cuts and large wage increases that began last year and are set to continue in 2018. An aging population, emigration of skilled labor, significant tax evasion, insufficient health care, and an aggressive loosening of the fiscal package compromise Romania’s long-term growth and economic stability and are the economy's top vulnerabilities. Topic: RussiaRussia has undergone significant changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union, moving from a centrally planned economy towards a more market-based system. Both economic growth and reform have stalled in recent years, however, and Russia remains a predominantly statist economy with a high concentration of wealth in officials' hands. Economic reforms in the 1990s privatized most industry, with notable exceptions in the energy, transportation, banking, and defense-related sectors. The protection of property rights is still weak, and the state continues to interfere in the free operation of the private sector.   Russia is one of the world's leading producers of oil and natural gas, and is also a top exporter of metals such as steel and primary aluminum. Russia is heavily dependent on the movement of world commodity prices as reliance on commodity exports makes it vulnerable to boom and bust cycles that follow the volatile swings in global prices. The economy, which had averaged 7% growth during the 1998-2008 period as oil prices rose rapidly, has seen diminishing growth rates since then due to the exhaustion of Russia’s commodity-based growth model.   A combination of falling oil prices, international sanctions, and structural limitations pushed Russia into a deep recession in 2015, with GDP falling by close to 2.8%. The downturn continued through 2016, with GDP contracting another 0.2%, but was reversed in 2017 as world demand picked up. Government support for import substitution has increased recently in an effort to diversify the economy away from extractive industries.Russia has undergone significant changes since the collapse of the Soviet Union, moving from a centrally planned economy towards a more market-based system. Both economic growth and reform have stalled in recent years, however, and Russia remains a predominantly statist economy with a high concentration of wealth in officials' hands. Economic reforms in the 1990s privatized most industry, with notable exceptions in the energy, transportation, banking, and defense-related sectors. The protection of property rights is still weak, and the state continues to interfere in the free operation of the private sector. Russia is one of the world's leading producers of oil and natural gas, and is also a top exporter of metals such as steel and primary aluminum. Russia is heavily dependent on the movement of world commodity prices as reliance on commodity exports makes it vulnerable to boom and bust cycles that follow the volatile swings in global prices. The economy, which had averaged 7% growth during the 1998-2008 period as oil prices rose rapidly, has seen diminishing growth rates since then due to the exhaustion of Russia’s commodity-based growth model. A combination of falling oil prices, international sanctions, and structural limitations pushed Russia into a deep recession in 2015, with GDP falling by close to 2.8%. The downturn continued through 2016, with GDP contracting another 0.2%, but was reversed in 2017 as world demand picked up. Government support for import substitution has increased recently in an effort to diversify the economy away from extractive industries. Topic: RwandaRwanda 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. Topic: Saint BarthelemyThe economy of Saint Barthelemy is based upon high-end tourism and duty-free luxury commerce, serving visitors primarily from North America. The luxury hotels and villas host 70,000 visitors each year with another 130,000 arriving by boat. The relative isolation and high cost of living inhibits mass tourism. The construction and public sectors also enjoy significant investment in support of tourism. With limited fresh water resources, all food must be imported, as must all energy resources and most manufactured goods. The tourism sector creates a strong employment demand and attracts labor from Brazil and Portugal. The country’s currency is the euro. Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaThe economy depends largely on financial assistance from the UK, which amounted to about $27 million in FY06/07 or more than twice the level of annual budgetary revenues. The local population earns income from fishing, raising livestock, and sales of handicrafts. Because there are few jobs, 25% of the work force has left to seek employment on Ascension Island, on the Falklands, and in the UK. Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisThe economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand.   Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there.The economy of Saint Kitts and Nevis depends on tourism; since the 1970s, tourism has replaced sugar as the economy’s traditional mainstay. Roughly 200,000 tourists visited the islands in 2009, but reduced tourism arrivals and foreign investment led to an economic contraction in the 2009-2013 period, and the economy returned to growth only in 2014. Like other tourist destinations in the Caribbean, Saint Kitts and Nevis is vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and shifts in tourism demand. Following the 2005 harvest, the government closed the sugar industry after several decades of losses. To compensate for lost jobs, the government has embarked on a program to diversify the agricultural sector and to stimulate other sectors of the economy, such as export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking. The government has made notable progress in reducing its public debt, from 154% of GDP in 2011 to 83% in 2013, although it still faces one of the highest levels in the world, largely attributable to public enterprise losses. Saint Kitts and Nevis is among other countries in the Caribbean that supplement their economic activity through economic citizenship programs, whereby foreigners can obtain citizenship from Saint Kitts and Nevis by investing there. Topic: Saint LuciaThe 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. Topic: Saint MartinThe 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. Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonThe inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. The services sector accounted for 86% of GDP in 2010, the last year data is available for. Government employment accounts for than 46% of the GDP, and 78% of the population is working age.   The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. Trade is the second largest sector in terms of value added created, where it contributes significantly to economic activity. The extractive industries and energy sector is the third largest sector of activity in the archipelago, attributable in part to the construction of a new thermal power plant in 2015.The inhabitants have traditionally earned their livelihood by fishing and by servicing fishing fleets operating off the coast of Newfoundland. The economy has been declining, however, because of disputes with Canada over fishing quotas and a steady decline in the number of ships stopping at Saint Pierre. The services sector accounted for 86% of GDP in 2010, the last year data is available for. Government employment accounts for than 46% of the GDP, and 78% of the population is working age. The government hopes an expansion of tourism will boost economic prospects. Fish farming, crab fishing, and agriculture are being developed to diversify the local economy. Recent test drilling for oil may pave the way for development of the energy sector. Trade is the second largest sector in terms of value added created, where it contributes significantly to economic activity. The extractive industries and energy sector is the third largest sector of activity in the archipelago, attributable in part to the construction of a new thermal power plant in 2015. Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesSuccess 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. Topic: SamoaThe economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013.   The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island.   The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014.The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013. The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. In September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami severely damaged Samoa and nearby American Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. In December 2012, extensive flooding and wind damage from Tropical Cyclone Evan killed four people, displaced over 6,000, and damaged or destroyed an estimated 1,500 homes on Samoa's Upolu Island. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the country's financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline, while at the same time protecting the environment. Foreign reserves are relatively healthy and inflation is low, but external debt is approximately 45% of GDP. Samoa became the 155th member of the WTO in May 2012, and graduated from least developed country status in January 2014. Topic: San MarinoSan Marino's economy relies heavily on tourism, banking, and the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The manufacturing and financial sectors account for more than half of San Marino's GDP. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy.   San Marino's economy contracted considerably in the years since 2008, largely due to weakened demand from Italy - which accounts for nearly 90% of its export market - and financial sector consolidation. Difficulties in the banking sector, the global economic downturn, and the sizable decline in tax revenues all contributed to negative real GDP growth. The government adopted measures to counter the downturn, including subsidized credit to businesses and is seeking to shift its growth model away from a reliance on bank and tax secrecy. San Marino does not issue public debt securities; when necessary, it finances deficits by drawing down central bank deposits.   The economy benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The income tax rate is also very low, about one-third the average EU level. San Marino continues to work towards harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU and international standards. In September 2009, the OECD removed San Marino from its list of tax havens that have yet to fully adopt global tax standards, and in 2010 San Marino signed Tax Information Exchange Agreements with most major countries. In 2013, the San Marino Government signed a Double Taxation Agreement with Italy, but a referendum on EU membership failed to reach the quorum needed to bring it to a vote.San Marino's economy relies heavily on tourism, banking, and the manufacture and export of ceramics, clothing, fabrics, furniture, paints, spirits, tiles, and wine. The manufacturing and financial sectors account for more than half of San Marino's GDP. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of the most prosperous regions of Italy. San Marino's economy contracted considerably in the years since 2008, largely due to weakened demand from Italy - which accounts for nearly 90% of its export market - and financial sector consolidation. Difficulties in the banking sector, the global economic downturn, and the sizable decline in tax revenues all contributed to negative real GDP growth. The government adopted measures to counter the downturn, including subsidized credit to businesses and is seeking to shift its growth model away from a reliance on bank and tax secrecy. San Marino does not issue public debt securities; when necessary, it finances deficits by drawing down central bank deposits. The economy benefits from foreign investment due to its relatively low corporate taxes and low taxes on interest earnings. The income tax rate is also very low, about one-third the average EU level. San Marino continues to work towards harmonizing its fiscal laws with EU and international standards. In September 2009, the OECD removed San Marino from its list of tax havens that have yet to fully adopt global tax standards, and in 2010 San Marino signed Tax Information Exchange Agreements with most major countries. In 2013, the San Marino Government signed a Double Taxation Agreement with Italy, but a referendum on EU membership failed to reach the quorum needed to bring it to a vote. Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeThe economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is small, based mainly on agricultural production, and, since independence in 1975, increasingly dependent on the export of cocoa beans. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome depends heavily on imports of food, fuels, most manufactured goods, and consumer goods, and changes in commodity prices affect the country’s inflation rate. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the nascent oil sector are major economic problems facing the country. In recent years the government has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. In 2017, several business-related laws were enacted that aim to improve the business climate.   São Tomé and Príncipe has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. In April 2011, the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. In 2016, Sao Tome and Portugal signed a five-year cooperation agreement worth approximately $64 million, some of which will be provided as loans. In 2017, China and São Tomé signed a mutual cooperation agreement in areas such as infrastructure, health, and agriculture worth approximately $146 million over five years.   Considerable potential exists for development of tourism, and the government has taken steps to expand tourist facilities in recent years. Potential also exists for the development of petroleum resources in São Tomé and Príncipe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, some of which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but production is at least several years off.   Volatile aid and investment inflows have limited growth, and poverty remains high. Restricteded capacity at the main port increases the periodic risk of shortages of consumer goods. Contract enforcement in the country’s judicial system is difficult. The IMF in late 2016 expressed concern about vulnerabilities in the country’s banking sector, although the country plans some austerity measures in line with IMF recommendations under their three year extended credit facility. Deforestation, coastal erosion, poor waste management, and misuse of natural resources also are challenging issues.The economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is small, based mainly on agricultural production, and, since independence in 1975, increasingly dependent on the export of cocoa beans. Cocoa production has substantially declined in recent years because of drought and mismanagement. Sao Tome depends heavily on imports of food, fuels, most manufactured goods, and consumer goods, and changes in commodity prices affect the country’s inflation rate. Maintaining control of inflation, fiscal discipline, and increasing flows of foreign direct investment into the nascent oil sector are major economic problems facing the country. In recent years the government has attempted to reduce price controls and subsidies. In 2017, several business-related laws were enacted that aim to improve the business climate. São Tomé and Príncipe has had difficulty servicing its external debt and has relied heavily on concessional aid and debt rescheduling. In April 2011, the country completed a Threshold Country Program with The Millennium Challenge Corporation to help increase tax revenues, reform customs, and improve the business environment. In 2016, Sao Tome and Portugal signed a five-year cooperation agreement worth approximately $64 million, some of which will be provided as loans. In 2017, China and São Tomé signed a mutual cooperation agreement in areas such as infrastructure, health, and agriculture worth approximately $146 million over five years. Considerable potential exists for development of tourism, and the government has taken steps to expand tourist facilities in recent years. Potential also exists for the development of petroleum resources in São Tomé and Príncipe's territorial waters in the oil-rich Gulf of Guinea, some of which are being jointly developed in a 60-40 split with Nigeria, but production is at least several years off. Volatile aid and investment inflows have limited growth, and poverty remains high. Restricteded capacity at the main port increases the periodic risk of shortages of consumer goods. Contract enforcement in the country’s judicial system is difficult. The IMF in late 2016 expressed concern about vulnerabilities in the country’s banking sector, although the country plans some austerity measures in line with IMF recommendations under their three year extended credit facility. Deforestation, coastal erosion, poor waste management, and misuse of natural resources also are challenging issues. Topic: Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings.   Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Approximately 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors; at the same time, however, Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population.   In 2017, the Kingdom incurred a budget deficit estimated at 8.3% of GDP, which was financed by bond sales and drawing down reserves. Although the Kingdom can finance high deficits for several years by drawing down its considerable foreign assets or by borrowing, it has cut capital spending and reduced subsidies on electricity, water, and petroleum products and recently introduced a value-added tax of 5%. In January 2016, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced that Saudi Arabia intends to list shares of its state-owned petroleum company, ARAMCO - another move to increase revenue and outside investment. The government has also looked at privatization and diversification of the economy more closely in the wake of a diminished oil market. Historically, Saudi Arabia has focused diversification efforts on power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemical sectors. More recently, the government has approached investors about expanding the role of the private sector in the health care, education and tourism industries. While Saudi Arabia has emphasized their goals of diversification for some time, current low oil prices may force the government to make more drastic changes ahead of their long-run timeline.Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. Saudi Arabia is encouraging the growth of the private sector in order to diversify its economy and to employ more Saudi nationals. Approximately 6 million foreign workers play an important role in the Saudi economy, particularly in the oil and service sectors; at the same time, however, Riyadh is struggling to reduce unemployment among its own nationals. Saudi officials are particularly focused on employing its large youth population. In 2017, the Kingdom incurred a budget deficit estimated at 8.3% of GDP, which was financed by bond sales and drawing down reserves. Although the Kingdom can finance high deficits for several years by drawing down its considerable foreign assets or by borrowing, it has cut capital spending and reduced subsidies on electricity, water, and petroleum products and recently introduced a value-added tax of 5%. In January 2016, Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced that Saudi Arabia intends to list shares of its state-owned petroleum company, ARAMCO - another move to increase revenue and outside investment. The government has also looked at privatization and diversification of the economy more closely in the wake of a diminished oil market. Historically, Saudi Arabia has focused diversification efforts on power generation, telecommunications, natural gas exploration, and petrochemical sectors. More recently, the government has approached investors about expanding the role of the private sector in the health care, education and tourism industries. While Saudi Arabia has emphasized their goals of diversification for some time, current low oil prices may force the government to make more drastic changes ahead of their long-run timeline. Topic: SenegalSenegal’s economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas. The country's key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and Senegal is also working on oil exploration projects. It relies heavily on donor assistance, remittances and foreign direct investment. Senegal reached a growth rate of 7% in 2017, due in part to strong performance in agriculture despite erratic rainfall.   President Macky SALL, who was elected in March 2012 under a reformist policy agenda, inherited an economy with high energy costs, a challenging business environment, and a culture of overspending. President SALL unveiled an ambitious economic plan, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which aims to implement priority economic reforms and investment projects to increase economic growth while preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and a challenging business climate are among the perennial challenges that may slow the implementation of this plan.   Senegal receives technical support from the IMF under a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) to assist with implementation of the ESP. The PSI implementation continues to be satisfactory as concluded by the IMF’s fifth review in December 2017. Financial markets have signaled confidence in Senegal through successful Eurobond issuances in 2014, 2017, and 2018.   The government is focusing on 19 projects under the ESP to continue The government’s goal under the ESP is structural transformation of the economy. Key projects include the Thiès-Touba Highway, the new international airport opened in December 2017, and upgrades to energy infrastructure. The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal’s development. Electricity prices in Senegal are among the highest in the world. Power Africa, a US presidential initiative led by USAID, supports Senegal’s plans to improve reliability and increase generating capacity.Senegal’s economy is driven by mining, construction, tourism, fisheries and agriculture, which are the primary sources of employment in rural areas. The country's key export industries include phosphate mining, fertilizer production, agricultural products and commercial fishing and Senegal is also working on oil exploration projects. It relies heavily on donor assistance, remittances and foreign direct investment. Senegal reached a growth rate of 7% in 2017, due in part to strong performance in agriculture despite erratic rainfall. President Macky SALL, who was elected in March 2012 under a reformist policy agenda, inherited an economy with high energy costs, a challenging business environment, and a culture of overspending. President SALL unveiled an ambitious economic plan, the Emerging Senegal Plan (ESP), which aims to implement priority economic reforms and investment projects to increase economic growth while preserving macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability. Bureaucratic bottlenecks and a challenging business climate are among the perennial challenges that may slow the implementation of this plan. Senegal receives technical support from the IMF under a Policy Support Instrument (PSI) to assist with implementation of the ESP. The PSI implementation continues to be satisfactory as concluded by the IMF’s fifth review in December 2017. Financial markets have signaled confidence in Senegal through successful Eurobond issuances in 2014, 2017, and 2018. The government is focusing on 19 projects under the ESP to continue The government’s goal under the ESP is structural transformation of the economy. Key projects include the Thiès-Touba Highway, the new international airport opened in December 2017, and upgrades to energy infrastructure. The cost of electricity is a chief constraint for Senegal’s development. Electricity prices in Senegal are among the highest in the world. Power Africa, a US presidential initiative led by USAID, supports Senegal’s plans to improve reliability and increase generating capacity. Topic: SerbiaSerbia has a transitional economy largely dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains significant in certain areas. The economy relies on manufacturing and exports, driven largely by foreign investment. MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, civil war, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy worse off than it was in 1990. In 2015, Serbia’s GDP was 27.5% below where it was in 1989.   After former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC was ousted in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. Serbia renewed its membership in the IMF in December 2000 and rejoined the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Serbia has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, but many large enterprises - including the power utilities, telecommunications company, natural gas company, and others - remain state-owned. Serbia has made some progress towards EU membership, gaining candidate status in March 2012. In January 2014, Serbia's EU accession talks officially opened and, as of December 2017, Serbia had opened 12 negotiating chapters including one on foreign trade. Serbia's negotiations with the WTO are advanced, with the country's complete ban on the trade and cultivation of agricultural biotechnology products representing the primary remaining obstacle to accession. Serbia maintains a three-year Stand-by Arrangement with the IMF worth approximately $1.3 billion that is scheduled to end in February 2018. The government has shown progress implementing economic reforms, such as fiscal consolidation, privatization, and reducing public spending.   Unemployment in Serbia, while relatively low (16% in 2017) compared with its Balkan neighbors, remains significantly above the European average. Serbia is slowly implementing structural economic reforms needed to ensure the country's long-term prosperity. Serbia reduced its budget deficit to 1.7% of GDP and its public debt to 71% of GDP in 2017. Public debt had more than doubled between 2008 and 2015. Serbia's concerns about inflation and exchange-rate stability preclude the use of expansionary monetary policy.   Major economic challenges ahead include: stagnant household incomes; the need for private sector job creation; structural reforms of state-owned companies; strategic public sector reforms; and the need for new foreign direct investment. Other serious longer-term challenges include an inefficient judicial system, high levels of corruption, and an aging population. Factors favorable to Serbia's economic growth include the economic reforms it is undergoing as part of its EU accession process and IMF agreement, its strategic location, a relatively inexpensive and skilled labor force, and free trade agreements with the EU, Russia, Turkey, and countries that are members of the Central European Free Trade Agreement.Serbia has a transitional economy largely dominated by market forces, but the state sector remains significant in certain areas. The economy relies on manufacturing and exports, driven largely by foreign investment. MILOSEVIC-era mismanagement of the economy, an extended period of international economic sanctions, civil war, and the damage to Yugoslavia's infrastructure and industry during the NATO airstrikes in 1999 left the economy worse off than it was in 1990. In 2015, Serbia’s GDP was 27.5% below where it was in 1989. After former Federal Yugoslav President MILOSEVIC was ousted in September 2000, the Democratic Opposition of Serbia (DOS) coalition government implemented stabilization measures and embarked on a market reform program. Serbia renewed its membership in the IMF in December 2000 and rejoined the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Serbia has made progress in trade liberalization and enterprise restructuring and privatization, but many large enterprises - including the power utilities, telecommunications company, natural gas company, and others - remain state-owned. Serbia has made some progress towards EU membership, gaining candidate status in March 2012. In January 2014, Serbia's EU accession talks officially opened and, as of December 2017, Serbia had opened 12 negotiating chapters including one on foreign trade. Serbia's negotiations with the WTO are advanced, with the country's complete ban on the trade and cultivation of agricultural biotechnology products representing the primary remaining obstacle to accession. Serbia maintains a three-year Stand-by Arrangement with the IMF worth approximately $1.3 billion that is scheduled to end in February 2018. The government has shown progress implementing economic reforms, such as fiscal consolidation, privatization, and reducing public spending. Unemployment in Serbia, while relatively low (16% in 2017) compared with its Balkan neighbors, remains significantly above the European average. Serbia is slowly implementing structural economic reforms needed to ensure the country's long-term prosperity. Serbia reduced its budget deficit to 1.7% of GDP and its public debt to 71% of GDP in 2017. Public debt had more than doubled between 2008 and 2015. Serbia's concerns about inflation and exchange-rate stability preclude the use of expansionary monetary policy. Major economic challenges ahead include: stagnant household incomes; the need for private sector job creation; structural reforms of state-owned companies; strategic public sector reforms; and the need for new foreign direct investment. Other serious longer-term challenges include an inefficient judicial system, high levels of corruption, and an aging population. Factors favorable to Serbia's economic growth include the economic reforms it is undergoing as part of its EU accession process and IMF agreement, its strategic location, a relatively inexpensive and skilled labor force, and free trade agreements with the EU, Russia, Turkey, and countries that are members of the Central European Free Trade Agreement. Topic: SeychellesSince independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the high income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourism sector, which directly employs about 26% of the labor force and directly and indirectly accounts for more than 55% of GDP, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and tourism industry services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of the offshore financial, information, and communication sectors and renewable energy. In 2008, having depleted its foreign exchange reserves, Seychelles defaulted on interest payments due on a $230 million Eurobond, requested assistance from the IMF, and immediately enacted a number of significant structural reforms, including liberalization of the exchange rate, reform of the public sector to include layoffs, and the sale of some state assets. In December 2013, the IMF declared that Seychelles had successfully transitioned to a market-based economy with full employment and a fiscal surplus. However, state-owned enterprises still play a prominent role in the economy. Effective 1 January 2017, Seychelles was no longer eligible for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunities Act after having gained developed country status. Seychelles grew at 5% in 2017 because of a strong tourism sector and low commodity prices. The Seychellois Government met the IMF’s performance criteria for 2017 but recognizes a need to make additional progress to reduce high income inequality, represented by a Gini coefficient of 46.8. As a very small open economy dependent on tourism, Seychelles remains vulnerable to developments such as economic downturns in countries that supply tourists, natural disasters, and changes in local climatic conditions and ocean temperature. One of the main challenges facing the government is implementing strategies that will increase Seychelles' long-term resilience to climate change without weakening economic growth.Since independence in 1976, per capita output in this Indian Ocean archipelago has expanded to roughly seven times the pre-independence, near-subsistence level, moving the island into the high income group of countries. Growth has been led by the tourism sector, which directly employs about 26% of the labor force and directly and indirectly accounts for more than 55% of GDP, and by tuna fishing. In recent years, the government has encouraged foreign investment to upgrade hotels and tourism industry services. At the same time, the government has moved to reduce the dependence on tourism by promoting the development of the offshore financial, information, and communication sectors and renewable energy.In 2008, having depleted its foreign exchange reserves, Seychelles defaulted on interest payments due on a $230 million Eurobond, requested assistance from the IMF, and immediately enacted a number of significant structural reforms, including liberalization of the exchange rate, reform of the public sector to include layoffs, and the sale of some state assets. In December 2013, the IMF declared that Seychelles had successfully transitioned to a market-based economy with full employment and a fiscal surplus. However, state-owned enterprises still play a prominent role in the economy. Effective 1 January 2017, Seychelles was no longer eligible for trade benefits under the US African Growth and Opportunities Act after having gained developed country status. Seychelles grew at 5% in 2017 because of a strong tourism sector and low commodity prices. The Seychellois Government met the IMF’s performance criteria for 2017 but recognizes a need to make additional progress to reduce high income inequality, represented by a Gini coefficient of 46.8.As a very small open economy dependent on tourism, Seychelles remains vulnerable to developments such as economic downturns in countries that supply tourists, natural disasters, and changes in local climatic conditions and ocean temperature. One of the main challenges facing the government is implementing strategies that will increase Seychelles' long-term resilience to climate change without weakening economic growth. Topic: Sierra LeoneSierra Leone is extremely poor and nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that destroyed most institutions before ending in the early 2000s.   In recent years, economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly iron ore. The country’s principal exports are iron ore, diamonds, and rutile, and the economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. Until 2014, the government had relied on external assistance to support its budget, but it was gradually becoming more independent. The Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015, combined with falling global commodities prices, caused a significant contraction of economic activity in all areas. While the World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in November 2015, low commodity prices in 2015-2016 contributed to the country’s biggest fiscal shortfall since 2001. In 2017, increased iron ore exports, together with the end of the Ebola epidemic, supported a resumption of economic growth.   Continued economic growth will depend on rising commodities prices and increased efforts to diversify the sources of growth. Non-mining activities will remain constrained by inadequate infrastructure, such as power and roads, even though power sector projects may provide some additional electricity capacity in the near term. Pervasive corruption and undeveloped human capital will continue to deter foreign investors. Sustained international donor support in the near future will partially offset these fiscal constraints.Sierra Leone is extremely poor and nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that destroyed most institutions before ending in the early 2000s. In recent years, economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly iron ore. The country’s principal exports are iron ore, diamonds, and rutile, and the economy is vulnerable to fluctuations in international prices. Until 2014, the government had relied on external assistance to support its budget, but it was gradually becoming more independent. The Ebola outbreak of 2014 and 2015, combined with falling global commodities prices, caused a significant contraction of economic activity in all areas. While the World Health Organization declared an end to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone in November 2015, low commodity prices in 2015-2016 contributed to the country’s biggest fiscal shortfall since 2001. In 2017, increased iron ore exports, together with the end of the Ebola epidemic, supported a resumption of economic growth. Continued economic growth will depend on rising commodities prices and increased efforts to diversify the sources of growth. Non-mining activities will remain constrained by inadequate infrastructure, such as power and roads, even though power sector projects may provide some additional electricity capacity in the near term. Pervasive corruption and undeveloped human capital will continue to deter foreign investors. Sustained international donor support in the near future will partially offset these fiscal constraints. Topic: SingaporeSingapore 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. Topic: Sint MaartenThe economy of Sint Maarten centers around tourism with nearly four-fifths of the labor force engaged in this sector. Nearly 1.8 million visitors came to the island by cruise ship and roughly 500,000 visitors arrived through Princess Juliana International Airport in 2013. Cruise ships and yachts also call on Sint Maarten's numerous ports and harbors. Limited agriculture and local fishing means that almost all food must be imported. Energy resources and manufactured goods are also imported. Sint Maarten had the highest per capita income among the five islands that formerly comprised the Netherlands Antilles. Topic: SlovakiaSlovakia’s economy suffered from a slow start in the first years after its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993, due to the country’s authoritarian leadership and high levels of corruption, but economic reforms implemented after 1998 have placed Slovakia on a path of strong growth. With a population of 5.4 million, the Slovak Republic has a small, open economy driven mainly by automobile and electronics exports, which account for more than 80% of GDP. Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 and the euro zone in 2009. The country’s banking sector is sound and predominantly foreign owned.   Slovakia has been a regional FDI champion for several years, attractive due to a relatively low-cost yet skilled labor force, and a favorable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe. Exports and investment have been key drivers of Slovakia’s robust growth in recent years. The unemployment rate fell to historical lows in 2017, and rising wages fueled increased consumption, which played a more prominent role in 2017 GDP growth. A favorable outlook for the Eurozone suggests continued strong growth prospects for Slovakia during the next few years, although inflation is also expected to pick up.   Among the most pressing domestic issues potentially threatening the attractiveness of the Slovak market are shortages in the qualified labor force, persistent corruption issues, and an inadequate judiciary, as well as a slow transition to an innovation-based economy. The energy sector in particular is characterized by unpredictable regulatory oversight and high costs, in part driven by government interference in regulated tariffs. Moreover, the government’s attempts to maintain low household energy prices could harm the profitability of domestic energy firms while undercutting energy efficiency initiatives.Slovakia’s economy suffered from a slow start in the first years after its separation from the Czech Republic in 1993, due to the country’s authoritarian leadership and high levels of corruption, but economic reforms implemented after 1998 have placed Slovakia on a path of strong growth. With a population of 5.4 million, the Slovak Republic has a small, open economy driven mainly by automobile and electronics exports, which account for more than 80% of GDP. Slovakia joined the EU in 2004 and the euro zone in 2009. The country’s banking sector is sound and predominantly foreign owned. Slovakia has been a regional FDI champion for several years, attractive due to a relatively low-cost yet skilled labor force, and a favorable geographic location in the heart of Central Europe. Exports and investment have been key drivers of Slovakia’s robust growth in recent years. The unemployment rate fell to historical lows in 2017, and rising wages fueled increased consumption, which played a more prominent role in 2017 GDP growth. A favorable outlook for the Eurozone suggests continued strong growth prospects for Slovakia during the next few years, although inflation is also expected to pick up. Among the most pressing domestic issues potentially threatening the attractiveness of the Slovak market are shortages in the qualified labor force, persistent corruption issues, and an inadequate judiciary, as well as a slow transition to an innovation-based economy. The energy sector in particular is characterized by unpredictable regulatory oversight and high costs, in part driven by government interference in regulated tariffs. Moreover, the government’s attempts to maintain low household energy prices could harm the profitability of domestic energy firms while undercutting energy efficiency initiatives. Topic: SloveniaWith 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. Topic: Solomon IslandsThe bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), severe ethnic violence, the closure of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts, which concluded in Jun 2017, to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds. Topic: SomaliaDespite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia maintains an informal economy largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Somalia's government lacks the ability to collect domestic revenue and external debt – mostly in arrears – was estimated at about 77% of GDP in 2017.   Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Economic activity is estimated to have increased by 2.4% in 2017 because of growth in the agriculture, construction and telecommunications sector. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal.   In recent years, Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu, has witnessed the development of the city's first gas stations, supermarkets, and airline flights to Turkey since the collapse of central authority in 1991. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Formalized economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu and a few regional capitals, and within the city, security concerns dominate business. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually, although international concerns over the money transfers into Somalia continues to threaten these services’ ability to operate in Western nations. In 2017, Somalia elected a new president and collected a record amount of foreign aid and investment, a positive sign for economic recovery.Despite the lack of effective national governance, Somalia maintains an informal economy largely based on livestock, remittance/money transfer companies, and telecommunications. Somalia's government lacks the ability to collect domestic revenue and external debt – mostly in arrears – was estimated at about 77% of GDP in 2017. Agriculture is the most important sector, with livestock normally accounting for about 40% of GDP and more than 50% of export earnings. Nomads and semi-pastoralists, who are dependent upon livestock for their livelihood, make up a large portion of the population. Economic activity is estimated to have increased by 2.4% in 2017 because of growth in the agriculture, construction and telecommunications sector. Somalia's small industrial sector, based on the processing of agricultural products, has largely been looted and the machinery sold as scrap metal. In recent years, Somalia's capital city, Mogadishu, has witnessed the development of the city's first gas stations, supermarkets, and airline flights to Turkey since the collapse of central authority in 1991. Mogadishu's main market offers a variety of goods from food to electronic gadgets. Hotels continue to operate and are supported with private-security militias. Formalized economic growth has yet to expand outside of Mogadishu and a few regional capitals, and within the city, security concerns dominate business. Telecommunication firms provide wireless services in most major cities and offer the lowest international call rates on the continent. In the absence of a formal banking sector, money transfer/remittance services have sprouted throughout the country, handling up to $1.6 billion in remittances annually, although international concerns over the money transfers into Somalia continues to threaten these services’ ability to operate in Western nations. In 2017, Somalia elected a new president and collected a record amount of foreign aid and investment, a positive sign for economic recovery. Topic: South AfricaSouth Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world.   Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to an estimated 0.7% in 2017. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 27% of the workforce, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. Eskom, the state-run power company, is building three new power stations and is installing new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability but has been plagued with accusations of mismanagement and corruption and faces an increasingly high debt burden.   South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation while empowering a broader economic base; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas, to increase job growth, and to provide university level-education at affordable prices. Political infighting among South Africa’s ruling party and the volatility of the rand risks economic growth. International investors are concerned about the country’s long-term economic stability; in late 2016, most major international credit ratings agencies downgraded South Africa’s international debt to junk bond status.South Africa is a middle-income emerging market with an abundant supply of natural resources; well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors; and a stock exchange that is Africa’s largest and among the top 20 in the world. Economic growth has decelerated in recent years, slowing to an estimated 0.7% in 2017. Unemployment, poverty, and inequality - among the highest in the world - remain a challenge. Official unemployment is roughly 27% of the workforce, and runs significantly higher among black youth. Even though the country's modern infrastructure supports a relatively efficient distribution of goods to major urban centers throughout the region, unstable electricity supplies retard growth. Eskom, the state-run power company, is building three new power stations and is installing new power demand management programs to improve power grid reliability but has been plagued with accusations of mismanagement and corruption and faces an increasingly high debt burden. South Africa's economic policy has focused on controlling inflation while empowering a broader economic base; however, the country faces structural constraints that also limit economic growth, such as skills shortages, declining global competitiveness, and frequent work stoppages due to strike action. The government faces growing pressure from urban constituencies to improve the delivery of basic services to low-income areas, to increase job growth, and to provide university level-education at affordable prices. Political infighting among South Africa’s ruling party and the volatility of the rand risks economic growth. International investors are concerned about the country’s long-term economic stability; in late 2016, most major international credit ratings agencies downgraded South Africa’s international debt to junk bond status. Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsSome fishing takes place in adjacent waters. Harvesting finfish and krill are potential sources of income. The islands receive income from postage stamps produced in the UK, the sale of fishing licenses, and harbor and landing fees from tourist vessels. Tourism from specialized cruise ships is increasing rapidly. Topic: South SudanIndustry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan. Continued fighting within the new nation is disrupting what remains of the economy. The vast majority of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance. Property rights are insecure and price signals are weak, because markets are not well-organized.   South Sudan has little infrastructure – about 10,000 kilometers of roads, but just 2% of them paved. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators, and indoor plumbing and potable water are scarce, so less than 2% of the population has access to electricity. About 90% of consumed goods, capital, and services are imported from neighboring countries – mainly Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Chinese investment plays a growing role in the infrastructure and energy sectors.   Nevertheless, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa, with fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. At independence in 2011, South Sudan produced nearly three-fourths of former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The Government of South Sudan relies on oil for the vast majority of its budget revenues, although oil production has fallen sharply since independence. South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with 98% of the government’s annual operating budget and 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) derived from oil. Oil is exported through a pipeline that runs to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The economy of South Sudan will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the existing oil infrastructure. The outbreak of conflict in December 2013, combined with falling crude oil production and prices, meant that GDP fell significantly between 2014 and 2017. Since the second half of 2017 oil production has risen, and is currently about 130,000 barrels per day.   Poverty and food insecurity has risen due to displacement of people caused by the conflict. With famine spreading, 66% of the population in South Sudan is living on less than about $2 a day, up from 50.6% in 2009, according to the World Bank. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fishing providing the livelihood for a majority of the households. Much of rural sector activity is focused on low-input, low-output subsistence agriculture.   South Sudan is burdened by considerable debt because of increased military spending and high levels of government corruption. Economic mismanagement is prevalent. Civil servants, including police and the military, are not paid on time, creating incentives to engage in looting and banditry. South Sudan has received more than $11 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the US, the UK, and the EU. Inflation peaked at over 800% per year in October 2016 but dropped to 118% in 2017. The government has funded its expenditures by borrowing from the central bank and foreign sources, using forward sales of oil as collateral. The central bank’s decision to adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime in December 2015 triggered a 97% depreciation of the currency and spawned a growing black market.   Long-term challenges include rooting out public sector corruption, improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and unemployment, improving fiscal transparency - particularly in regard to oil revenues, taming inflation, improving government revenues, and creating a rules-based business environment.Industry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan. Continued fighting within the new nation is disrupting what remains of the economy. The vast majority of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance. Property rights are insecure and price signals are weak, because markets are not well-organized. South Sudan has little infrastructure – about 10,000 kilometers of roads, but just 2% of them paved. Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators, and indoor plumbing and potable water are scarce, so less than 2% of the population has access to electricity. About 90% of consumed goods, capital, and services are imported from neighboring countries – mainly Uganda, Kenya and Sudan. Chinese investment plays a growing role in the infrastructure and energy sectors. Nevertheless, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources. South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa, with fertile soils and abundant water supplies. Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle. At independence in 2011, South Sudan produced nearly three-fourths of former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day. The Government of South Sudan relies on oil for the vast majority of its budget revenues, although oil production has fallen sharply since independence. South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with 98% of the government’s annual operating budget and 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) derived from oil. Oil is exported through a pipeline that runs to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea. The economy of South Sudan will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the existing oil infrastructure. The outbreak of conflict in December 2013, combined with falling crude oil production and prices, meant that GDP fell significantly between 2014 and 2017. Since the second half of 2017 oil production has risen, and is currently about 130,000 barrels per day. Poverty and food insecurity has risen due to displacement of people caused by the conflict. With famine spreading, 66% of the population in South Sudan is living on less than about $2 a day, up from 50.6% in 2009, according to the World Bank. About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fishing providing the livelihood for a majority of the households. Much of rural sector activity is focused on low-input, low-output subsistence agriculture. South Sudan is burdened by considerable debt because of increased military spending and high levels of government corruption. Economic mismanagement is prevalent. Civil servants, including police and the military, are not paid on time, creating incentives to engage in looting and banditry. South Sudan has received more than $11 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the US, the UK, and the EU. Inflation peaked at over 800% per year in October 2016 but dropped to 118% in 2017. The government has funded its expenditures by borrowing from the central bank and foreign sources, using forward sales of oil as collateral. The central bank’s decision to adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime in December 2015 triggered a 97% depreciation of the currency and spawned a growing black market. Long-term challenges include rooting out public sector corruption, improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and unemployment, improving fiscal transparency - particularly in regard to oil revenues, taming inflation, improving government revenues, and creating a rules-based business environment. Topic: Southern OceanFisheries in 2013-14 landed 302,960 metric tons, of which 96% (291,370 tons-the highest reported catch since 1991) was krill and 4% (11,590 tons) Patagonian toothfish (also known as Chilean sea bass), compared to 15,330 tons in 2012-13 (estimated fishing from the area covered by the Convention of the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, which extends slightly beyond the Southern Ocean area). International agreements were adopted in late 1999 to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which in the 2000-01 season landed, by one estimate, 8,376 metric tons of Patagonian and Antarctic toothfish. A total of 73,670 tourists visited the Antarctic Treaty area in the 2019-2020 Antarctic summer, 32 percent greater than the 55,489 visitors in 2018-2019. These estimates were provided to the Antarctic Treaty by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators and do not include passengers on overflights. Nearly all of the tourists were passengers on commercial ships and several yachts that make trips during the summer. Topic: SpainAfter a prolonged recession that began in 2008 in the wake of the global financial crisis, Spain marked the fourth full year of positive economic growth in 2017, with economic activity surpassing its pre-crisis peak, largely because of increased private consumption. The financial crisis of 2008 broke 16 consecutive years of economic growth for Spain, leading to an economic contraction that lasted until late 2013. In that year, the government successfully shored up its struggling banking sector - heavily exposed to the collapse of Spain’s real estate boom - with the help of an EU-funded restructuring and recapitalization program.   Until 2014, contraction in bank lending, fiscal austerity, and high unemployment constrained domestic consumption and investment. The unemployment rate rose from a low of about 8% in 2007 to more than 26% in 2013, but labor reforms prompted a modest reduction to 16.4% in 2017. High unemployment strained Spain's public finances, as spending on social benefits increased while tax revenues fell. Spain’s budget deficit peaked at 11.4% of GDP in 2010, but Spain gradually reduced the deficit to about 3.3% of GDP in 2017. Public debt has increased substantially – from 60.1% of GDP in 2010 to nearly 96.7% in 2017.   Strong export growth helped bring Spain's current account into surplus in 2013 for the first time since 1986 and sustain Spain’s economic growth. Increasing labor productivity and an internal devaluation resulting from moderating labor costs and lower inflation have improved Spain’s export competitiveness and generated foreign investor interest in the economy, restoring FDI flows.   In 2017, the Spanish Government’s minority status constrained its ability to implement controversial labor, pension, health care, tax, and education reforms. The European Commission expects the government to meet its 2017 budget deficit target and anticipates that expected economic growth in 2018 will help the government meet its deficit target. Spain’s borrowing costs are dramatically lower since their peak in mid-2012, and increased economic activity has generated a modest level of inflation, at 2% in 2017.After a prolonged recession that began in 2008 in the wake of the global financial crisis, Spain marked the fourth full year of positive economic growth in 2017, with economic activity surpassing its pre-crisis peak, largely because of increased private consumption. The financial crisis of 2008 broke 16 consecutive years of economic growth for Spain, leading to an economic contraction that lasted until late 2013. In that year, the government successfully shored up its struggling banking sector - heavily exposed to the collapse of Spain’s real estate boom - with the help of an EU-funded restructuring and recapitalization program. Until 2014, contraction in bank lending, fiscal austerity, and high unemployment constrained domestic consumption and investment. The unemployment rate rose from a low of about 8% in 2007 to more than 26% in 2013, but labor reforms prompted a modest reduction to 16.4% in 2017. High unemployment strained Spain's public finances, as spending on social benefits increased while tax revenues fell. Spain’s budget deficit peaked at 11.4% of GDP in 2010, but Spain gradually reduced the deficit to about 3.3% of GDP in 2017. Public debt has increased substantially – from 60.1% of GDP in 2010 to nearly 96.7% in 2017. Strong export growth helped bring Spain's current account into surplus in 2013 for the first time since 1986 and sustain Spain’s economic growth. Increasing labor productivity and an internal devaluation resulting from moderating labor costs and lower inflation have improved Spain’s export competitiveness and generated foreign investor interest in the economy, restoring FDI flows. In 2017, the Spanish Government’s minority status constrained its ability to implement controversial labor, pension, health care, tax, and education reforms. The European Commission expects the government to meet its 2017 budget deficit target and anticipates that expected economic growth in 2018 will help the government meet its deficit target. Spain’s borrowing costs are dramatically lower since their peak in mid-2012, and increased economic activity has generated a modest level of inflation, at 2% in 2017. Topic: Spratly IslandsEconomic activity is limited to commercial fishing. The proximity to nearby oil- and gas-producing sedimentary basins indicate potential oil and gas deposits, but the region is largely unexplored. No reliable estimates of potential reserves are available. Commercial exploitation has yet to be developed. Topic: Sri LankaSri 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: Topic: SudanSudan has experienced protracted social conflict and the loss of three quarters of its oil production due to the secession of South Sudan. The oil sector had driven much of Sudan's GDP growth since 1999. For nearly a decade, the economy boomed on the back of rising oil production, high oil prices, and significant inflows of foreign direct investment. Since the economic shock of South Sudan's secession, Sudan has struggled to stabilize its economy and make up for the loss of foreign exchange earnings. The interruption of oil production in South Sudan in 2012 for over a year and the consequent loss of oil transit fees further exacerbated the fragile state of Sudan’s economy. Ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan, Darfur, and the Blue Nile states, lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture, keep close to half of the population at or below the poverty line. Sudan was subject to comprehensive US sanctions, which were lifted in October 2017. Sudan is attempting to develop non-oil sources of revenues, such as gold mining and agriculture, while carrying out an austerity program to reduce expenditures. The world’s largest exporter of gum Arabic, Sudan produces 75-80% of the world’s total output. Agriculture continues to employ 80% of the work force. Sudan introduced a new currency, still called the Sudanese pound, following South Sudan's secession, but the value of the currency has fallen since its introduction. Khartoum formally devalued the currency in June 2012, when it passed austerity measures that included gradually repealing fuel subsidies. Sudan also faces high inflation, which reached 47% on an annual basis in November 2012 but fell to about 35% per year in 2017. (2017)Sudan has experienced protracted social conflict and the loss of three quarters of its oil production due to the secession of South Sudan. The oil sector had driven much of Sudan's GDP growth since 1999. For nearly a decade, the economy boomed on the back of rising oil production, high oil prices, and significant inflows of foreign direct investment. Since the economic shock of South Sudan's secession, Sudan has struggled to stabilize its economy and make up for the loss of foreign exchange earnings. The interruption of oil production in South Sudan in 2012 for over a year and the consequent loss of oil transit fees further exacerbated the fragile state of Sudan’s economy. Ongoing conflicts in Southern Kordofan, Darfur, and the Blue Nile states, lack of basic infrastructure in large areas, and reliance by much of the population on subsistence agriculture, keep close to half of the population at or below the poverty line.Sudan was subject to comprehensive US sanctions, which were lifted in October 2017. Sudan is attempting to develop non-oil sources of revenues, such as gold mining and agriculture, while carrying out an austerity program to reduce expenditures. The world’s largest exporter of gum Arabic, Sudan produces 75-80% of the world’s total output. Agriculture continues to employ 80% of the work force.Sudan introduced a new currency, still called the Sudanese pound, following South Sudan's secession, but the value of the currency has fallen since its introduction. Khartoum formally devalued the currency in June 2012, when it passed austerity measures that included gradually repealing fuel subsidies. Sudan also faces high inflation, which reached 47% on an annual basis in November 2012 but fell to about 35% per year in 2017. Topic: SurinameSuriname’s economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil and gold accounting for approximately 85% of exports and 27% of government revenues. This makes the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. The worldwide drop in international commodity prices and the cessation of alumina mining in Suriname significantly reduced government revenue and national income during the past few years. In November 2015, a major US aluminum company discontinued its mining activities in Suriname after 99 years of operation. Public sector revenues fell, together with exports, international reserves, employment, and private sector investment.   Economic growth declined annually from just under 5% in 2012 to -10.4% in 2016. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. Suriname began instituting macro adjustments between September 2015 and 2016; these included another 20% currency devaluation in November 2015 and foreign currency interventions by the Central Bank until March 2016, after which time the Bank allowed the Surinamese dollar (SRD) to float. By December 2016, the SRD had lost 46% of its value against the dollar. Depreciation of the Surinamese dollar and increases in tariffs on electricity caused domestic prices in Suriname to rise 22.0% year-over-year by December 2017.   Suriname's economic prospects for the medium-term will depend on its commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and on the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government's over-reliance on revenue from the extractive sector colors Suriname's economic outlook. Following two years of recession, the Fitch Credit Bureau reported a positive growth of 1.2% in 2017 and the World Bank predicted 2.2% growth in 2018. Inflation declined to 9%, down from 55% in 2016 , and increased gold production helped lift exports. Yet continued budget imbalances and a heavy debt and interest burden resulted in a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83% in September 2017. Purchasing power has fallen rapidly due to the devalued local currency. The government has announced its intention to pass legislation to introduce a new value-added tax in 2018. Without this and other measures to strengthen the country’s fiscal position, the government may face liquidity pressures.Suriname’s economy is dominated by the mining industry, with exports of oil and gold accounting for approximately 85% of exports and 27% of government revenues. This makes the economy highly vulnerable to mineral price volatility. The worldwide drop in international commodity prices and the cessation of alumina mining in Suriname significantly reduced government revenue and national income during the past few years. In November 2015, a major US aluminum company discontinued its mining activities in Suriname after 99 years of operation. Public sector revenues fell, together with exports, international reserves, employment, and private sector investment. Economic growth declined annually from just under 5% in 2012 to -10.4% in 2016. In January 2011, the government devalued the currency by 20% and raised taxes to reduce the budget deficit. Suriname began instituting macro adjustments between September 2015 and 2016; these included another 20% currency devaluation in November 2015 and foreign currency interventions by the Central Bank until March 2016, after which time the Bank allowed the Surinamese dollar (SRD) to float. By December 2016, the SRD had lost 46% of its value against the dollar. Depreciation of the Surinamese dollar and increases in tariffs on electricity caused domestic prices in Suriname to rise 22.0% year-over-year by December 2017. Suriname's economic prospects for the medium-term will depend on its commitment to responsible monetary and fiscal policies and on the introduction of structural reforms to liberalize markets and promote competition. The government's over-reliance on revenue from the extractive sector colors Suriname's economic outlook. Following two years of recession, the Fitch Credit Bureau reported a positive growth of 1.2% in 2017 and the World Bank predicted 2.2% growth in 2018. Inflation declined to 9%, down from 55% in 2016 , and increased gold production helped lift exports. Yet continued budget imbalances and a heavy debt and interest burden resulted in a debt-to-GDP ratio of 83% in September 2017. Purchasing power has fallen rapidly due to the devalued local currency. The government has announced its intention to pass legislation to introduce a new value-added tax in 2018. Without this and other measures to strengthen the country’s fiscal position, the government may face liquidity pressures. Topic: SvalbardCoal mining, tourism, and international research are Svalbard's major industries. Coal mining has historically been the dominant economic activity, and the Spitzbergen Treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 45 countries that so far have ratified the treaty equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still engaging in this are Norwegian and Russian. Low coal prices have forced the Norwegian coal company, Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani, to close one of its two mines and to considerably reduce the activity of the other. Since the 1990s, the tourism and hospitality industry has grown rapidly, and Svalbard now receives 60,000 visitors annually.   The settlements on Svalbard were established as company towns, and at their height in the 1950s, the Norwegian state-owned coal company supported nearly 1,000 jobs. Today, only about 300 people work in the mining industry.   Goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles, normally highly taxed on mainland Norway, are considerably cheaper in Svalbard in an effort by the Norwegian Government to entice more people to live on the Arctic archipelago. By law, Norway collects only enough taxes to pay for the needs of the local government; none of tax proceeds go to the central government.Coal mining, tourism, and international research are Svalbard's major industries. Coal mining has historically been the dominant economic activity, and the Spitzbergen Treaty of 9 February 1920 gives the 45 countries that so far have ratified the treaty equal rights to exploit mineral deposits, subject to Norwegian regulation. Although US, UK, Dutch, and Swedish coal companies have mined in the past, the only companies still engaging in this are Norwegian and Russian. Low coal prices have forced the Norwegian coal company, Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani, to close one of its two mines and to considerably reduce the activity of the other. Since the 1990s, the tourism and hospitality industry has grown rapidly, and Svalbard now receives 60,000 visitors annually. The settlements on Svalbard were established as company towns, and at their height in the 1950s, the Norwegian state-owned coal company supported nearly 1,000 jobs. Today, only about 300 people work in the mining industry. Goods such as alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles, normally highly taxed on mainland Norway, are considerably cheaper in Svalbard in an effort by the Norwegian Government to entice more people to live on the Arctic archipelago. By law, Norway collects only enough taxes to pay for the needs of the local government; none of tax proceeds go to the central government. Topic: SwedenSweden’s small, open, and competitive economy has been thriving and Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Sweden remains outside the euro zone largely out of concern that joining the European Economic and Monetary Union would diminish the country’s sovereignty over its welfare system.   Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of a manufacturing economy that relies heavily on foreign trade. Exports, including engines and other machines, motor vehicles, and telecommunications equipment, account for more than 44% of GDP. Sweden enjoys a current account surplus of about 5% of GDP, which is one of the highest margins in Europe.   GDP grew an estimated 3.3% in 2016 and 2017 driven largely by investment in the construction sector. Swedish economists expect economic growth to ease slightly in the coming years as this investment subsides. Global economic growth boosted exports of Swedish manufactures further, helping drive domestic economic growth in 2017. The Central Bank is keeping an eye on deflationary pressures and bank observers expect it to maintain an expansionary monetary policy in 2018. Swedish prices and wages have grown only slightly over the past few years, helping to support the country’s competitiveness.   In the short and medium term, Sweden’s economic challenges include providing affordable housing and successfully integrating migrants into the labor market.Sweden’s small, open, and competitive economy has been thriving and Sweden has achieved an enviable standard of living with its combination of free-market capitalism and extensive welfare benefits. Sweden remains outside the euro zone largely out of concern that joining the European Economic and Monetary Union would diminish the country’s sovereignty over its welfare system. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of a manufacturing economy that relies heavily on foreign trade. Exports, including engines and other machines, motor vehicles, and telecommunications equipment, account for more than 44% of GDP. Sweden enjoys a current account surplus of about 5% of GDP, which is one of the highest margins in Europe. GDP grew an estimated 3.3% in 2016 and 2017 driven largely by investment in the construction sector. Swedish economists expect economic growth to ease slightly in the coming years as this investment subsides. Global economic growth boosted exports of Swedish manufactures further, helping drive domestic economic growth in 2017. The Central Bank is keeping an eye on deflationary pressures and bank observers expect it to maintain an expansionary monetary policy in 2018. Swedish prices and wages have grown only slightly over the past few years, helping to support the country’s competitiveness. In the short and medium term, Sweden’s economic challenges include providing affordable housing and successfully integrating migrants into the labor market. Topic: SwitzerlandSwitzerland, 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. Topic: SyriaSyria's economy has deeply deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, declining by more than 70% from 2010 to 2017. The government has struggled to fully address the effects of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, diminished domestic consumption and production, reduced subsidies, and high inflation, which have caused dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, a decreasing value of the Syrian pound, and falling household purchasing power. In 2017, some economic indicators began to stabilize, including the exchange rate and inflation, but economic activity remains depressed and GDP almost certainly fell.   During 2017, the ongoing conflict and continued unrest and economic decline worsened the humanitarian crisis, necessitating high levels of international assistance, as more than 13 million people remain in need inside Syria, and the number of registered Syrian refugees increased from 4.8 million in 2016 to more than 5.4 million.   Prior to the turmoil, Damascus had begun liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange, but the economy remains highly regulated. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, industrial contaction, water pollution, and widespread infrastructure damage.Syria's economy has deeply deteriorated amid the ongoing conflict that began in 2011, declining by more than 70% from 2010 to 2017. The government has struggled to fully address the effects of international sanctions, widespread infrastructure damage, diminished domestic consumption and production, reduced subsidies, and high inflation, which have caused dwindling foreign exchange reserves, rising budget and trade deficits, a decreasing value of the Syrian pound, and falling household purchasing power. In 2017, some economic indicators began to stabilize, including the exchange rate and inflation, but economic activity remains depressed and GDP almost certainly fell. During 2017, the ongoing conflict and continued unrest and economic decline worsened the humanitarian crisis, necessitating high levels of international assistance, as more than 13 million people remain in need inside Syria, and the number of registered Syrian refugees increased from 4.8 million in 2016 to more than 5.4 million. Prior to the turmoil, Damascus had begun liberalizing economic policies, including cutting lending interest rates, opening private banks, consolidating multiple exchange rates, raising prices on some subsidized items, and establishing the Damascus Stock Exchange, but the economy remains highly regulated. Long-run economic constraints include foreign trade barriers, declining oil production, high unemployment, rising budget deficits, increasing pressure on water supplies caused by heavy use in agriculture, industrial contaction, water pollution, and widespread infrastructure damage. Topic: TaiwanTaiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy that is driven largely by industrial manufacturing, and especially exports of electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in global demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, rapidly aging population, and increasing competition from China and other Asia Pacific markets are other major long-term challenges.   Following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand - Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations - and, in November of that year, inked a trade pact with Singapore. However, follow-on components of the ECFA, including a signed agreement on trade in services and negotiations on trade in goods and dispute resolution, have stalled. In early 2014, the government bowed to public demand and proposed a new law governing the oversight of cross-Strait agreements, before any additional deals with China are implemented; the legislature has yet to vote on such legislation, leaving the future of ECFA uncertain. President TSAI since taking office in May 2016 has promoted greater economic integration with South and Southeast Asia through the New Southbound Policy initiative and has also expressed interest in Taiwan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as bilateral trade deals with partners such as the US. These overtures have likely played a role in increasing Taiwan’s total exports, which rose 11% during the first half of 2017, buoyed by strong demand for semiconductors.   Taiwan's total fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 expected to account for nearly 20% of the island's total population by 2025.   The island runs a trade surplus with many economies, including China and the US, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind those of China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. In 2006, China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment and has also secured greater market access for its investors on the mainland. In August 2012, the Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese renminbi (RMB) and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which has helped Taiwan develop into a local RMB hub.   Closer economic links with the mainland bring opportunities for Taiwan’s economy but also pose challenges as political differences remain unresolved and China’s economic growth is slowing. President TSAI’s administration has made little progress on the domestic economic issues that loomed large when she was elected, including concerns about stagnant wages, high housing prices, youth unemployment, job security, and financial security in retirement. TSAI has made more progress on boosting trade with South and Southeast Asia, which may help insulate Taiwan’s economy from a fall in mainland demand should China’s growth slow in 2018.Taiwan has a dynamic capitalist economy that is driven largely by industrial manufacturing, and especially exports of electronics, machinery, and petrochemicals. This heavy dependence on exports exposes the economy to fluctuations in global demand. Taiwan's diplomatic isolation, low birth rate, rapidly aging population, and increasing competition from China and other Asia Pacific markets are other major long-term challenges. Following the landmark Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) signed with China in June 2010, Taiwan in July 2013 signed a free trade deal with New Zealand - Taipei’s first-ever with a country with which it does not maintain diplomatic relations - and, in November of that year, inked a trade pact with Singapore. However, follow-on components of the ECFA, including a signed agreement on trade in services and negotiations on trade in goods and dispute resolution, have stalled. In early 2014, the government bowed to public demand and proposed a new law governing the oversight of cross-Strait agreements, before any additional deals with China are implemented; the legislature has yet to vote on such legislation, leaving the future of ECFA uncertain. President TSAI since taking office in May 2016 has promoted greater economic integration with South and Southeast Asia through the New Southbound Policy initiative and has also expressed interest in Taiwan joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership as well as bilateral trade deals with partners such as the US. These overtures have likely played a role in increasing Taiwan’s total exports, which rose 11% during the first half of 2017, buoyed by strong demand for semiconductors. Taiwan's total fertility rate of just over one child per woman is among the lowest in the world, raising the prospect of future labor shortages, falling domestic demand, and declining tax revenues. Taiwan's population is aging quickly, with the number of people over 65 expected to account for nearly 20% of the island's total population by 2025. The island runs a trade surplus with many economies, including China and the US, and its foreign reserves are the world's fifth largest, behind those of China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. In 2006, China overtook the US to become Taiwan's second-largest source of imports after Japan. China is also the island's number one destination for foreign direct investment. Taiwan since 2009 has gradually loosened rules governing Chinese investment and has also secured greater market access for its investors on the mainland. In August 2012, the Taiwan Central Bank signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cross-Strait currency settlement with its Chinese counterpart. The MOU allows for the direct settlement of Chinese renminbi (RMB) and the New Taiwan dollar across the Strait, which has helped Taiwan develop into a local RMB hub. Closer economic links with the mainland bring opportunities for Taiwan’s economy but also pose challenges as political differences remain unresolved and China’s economic growth is slowing. President TSAI’s administration has made little progress on the domestic economic issues that loomed large when she was elected, including concerns about stagnant wages, high housing prices, youth unemployment, job security, and financial security in retirement. TSAI has made more progress on boosting trade with South and Southeast Asia, which may help insulate Taiwan’s economy from a fall in mainland demand should China’s growth slow in 2018. Topic: TajikistanTajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, tungsten, and coal. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan is the poorest among the former Soviet republics. Because less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the predominant crop, Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food.   Since the end of the civil war, the country has pursued half-hearted reforms and privatizations in the economic sphere, but its poor business climate remains a hindrance to attracting foreign investment. Some experts estimate the value of narcotics transiting Tajikistan is equivalent to 30%-50% of GDP.   Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, more than one million Tajik citizens work abroad - roughly 90% in Russia - supporting families back home through remittances that in 2017 were equivalent to nearly 35% of GDP. Tajikistan’s large remittances from migrant workers in Russia exposes it to monetary shocks. Tajikistan often delays devaluation of its currency for fear of inflationary pressures on food and other consumables. Recent slowdowns in the Russian and Chinese economies, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations have hampered economic growth. The dollar value of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by almost 65% in 2015, and the government spent almost $500 million in 2016 to bail out the country’s still troubled banking sector.   Tajikistan’s growing public debt – currently about 50% of GDP – could result in financial difficulties. Remittances from Russia increased in 2017, however, bolstering the economy somewhat. China owns about 50% of Tajikistan’s outstanding debt. Tajikistan has borrowed heavily to finance investment in the country’s vast hydropower potential. In 2016, Tajikistan contracted with the Italian firm Salini Impregilo to build the Roghun dam over a 13-year period for $3.9 billion. A 2017 Eurobond has largely funded Roghun’s first phase, after which sales from Roghun’s output are expected to fund the rest of its construction. The government has not ruled out issuing another Eurobond to generate auxiliary funding for its second phase.Tajikistan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by minerals extraction, metals processing, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, antimony, tungsten, and coal. Industry consists mainly of small obsolete factories in food processing and light industry, substantial hydropower facilities, and a large aluminum plant - currently operating well below its capacity. The 1992-97 civil war severely damaged an already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Today, Tajikistan is the poorest among the former Soviet republics. Because less than 7% of the land area is arable and cotton is the predominant crop, Tajikistan imports approximately 70% of its food. Since the end of the civil war, the country has pursued half-hearted reforms and privatizations in the economic sphere, but its poor business climate remains a hindrance to attracting foreign investment. Some experts estimate the value of narcotics transiting Tajikistan is equivalent to 30%-50% of GDP. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, more than one million Tajik citizens work abroad - roughly 90% in Russia - supporting families back home through remittances that in 2017 were equivalent to nearly 35% of GDP. Tajikistan’s large remittances from migrant workers in Russia exposes it to monetary shocks. Tajikistan often delays devaluation of its currency for fear of inflationary pressures on food and other consumables. Recent slowdowns in the Russian and Chinese economies, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations have hampered economic growth. The dollar value of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan dropped by almost 65% in 2015, and the government spent almost $500 million in 2016 to bail out the country’s still troubled banking sector. Tajikistan’s growing public debt – currently about 50% of GDP – could result in financial difficulties. Remittances from Russia increased in 2017, however, bolstering the economy somewhat. China owns about 50% of Tajikistan’s outstanding debt. Tajikistan has borrowed heavily to finance investment in the country’s vast hydropower potential. In 2016, Tajikistan contracted with the Italian firm Salini Impregilo to build the Roghun dam over a 13-year period for $3.9 billion. A 2017 Eurobond has largely funded Roghun’s first phase, after which sales from Roghun’s output are expected to fund the rest of its construction. The government has not ruled out issuing another Eurobond to generate auxiliary funding for its second phase. Topic: TanzaniaTanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009-17 averaging 6%-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession and in general, benefited from low oil prices. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining.   The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for slightly less than one-quarter of GDP and employs about 65% of the work force, although gold production in recent years has increased to about 35% of exports. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular.   The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment.   The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, which provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant, worth $698 million, but in late 2015, the MCC Board of Directors deferred a decision to renew Tanzania’s eligibility because of irregularities in voting in Zanzibar and concerns over the government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill.   The new government elected in 2015 has developed an ambitious development agenda focused on creating a better business environment through improved infrastructure, access to financing, and education progress, but implementing budgets remains challenging for the government. Recent policy moves by President MAGUFULI are aimed at protecting domestic industry and have caused concern among foreign investors.Tanzania has achieved high growth rates based on its vast natural resource wealth and tourism with GDP growth in 2009-17 averaging 6%-7% per year. Dar es Salaam used fiscal stimulus measures and easier monetary policies to lessen the impact of the global recession and in general, benefited from low oil prices. Tanzania has largely completed its transition to a market economy, though the government retains a presence in sectors such as telecommunications, banking, energy, and mining. The economy depends on agriculture, which accounts for slightly less than one-quarter of GDP and employs about 65% of the work force, although gold production in recent years has increased to about 35% of exports. All land in Tanzania is owned by the government, which can lease land for up to 99 years. Proposed reforms to allow for land ownership, particularly foreign land ownership, remain unpopular. The financial sector in Tanzania has expanded in recent years and foreign-owned banks account for about 48% of the banking industry's total assets. Competition among foreign commercial banks has resulted in significant improvements in the efficiency and quality of financial services, though interest rates are still relatively high, reflecting high fraud risk. Banking reforms have helped increase private-sector growth and investment. The World Bank, the IMF, and bilateral donors have provided funds to rehabilitate Tanzania's aging infrastructure, including rail and port, which provide important trade links for inland countries. In 2013, Tanzania completed the world's largest Millennium Challenge Compact (MCC) grant, worth $698 million, but in late 2015, the MCC Board of Directors deferred a decision to renew Tanzania’s eligibility because of irregularities in voting in Zanzibar and concerns over the government's use of a controversial cybercrime bill. The new government elected in 2015 has developed an ambitious development agenda focused on creating a better business environment through improved infrastructure, access to financing, and education progress, but implementing budgets remains challenging for the government. Recent policy moves by President MAGUFULI are aimed at protecting domestic industry and have caused concern among foreign investors. Topic: ThailandWith a relatively well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand is highly dependent on international trade, with exports accounting for about two thirds of GDP. Thailand’s exports include electronics, agricultural commodities, automobiles and parts, and processed foods. The industry and service sectors produce about 90% of GDP. The agricultural sector, comprised mostly of small-scale farms, contributes only 10% of GDP but employs about one third of the labor force. Thailand has attracted an estimated 3.0-4.5 million migrant workers, mostly from neighboring countries. Over the last few decades, Thailand has reduced poverty substantially. In 2013, the Thai Government implemented a nationwide 300 baht (roughly $10) per day minimum wage policy and deployed new tax reforms designed to lower rates on middle-income earners. Thailand’s economy is recovering from slow growth during the years since the 2014 coup. Thailand’s economic fundamentals are sound, with low inflation, low unemployment, and reasonable public and external debt levels. Tourism and government spending - mostly on infrastructure and short-term stimulus measures – have helped to boost the economy, and The Bank of Thailand has been supportive, with several interest rate reductions. Over the longer-term, household debt levels, political uncertainty, and an aging population pose risks to growth.With a relatively well-developed infrastructure, a free-enterprise economy, and generally pro-investment policies, Thailand is highly dependent on international trade, with exports accounting for about two thirds of GDP. Thailand’s exports include electronics, agricultural commodities, automobiles and parts, and processed foods. The industry and service sectors produce about 90% of GDP. The agricultural sector, comprised mostly of small-scale farms, contributes only 10% of GDP but employs about one third of the labor force. Thailand has attracted an estimated 3.0-4.5 million migrant workers, mostly from neighboring countries.Over the last few decades, Thailand has reduced poverty substantially. In 2013, the Thai Government implemented a nationwide 300 baht (roughly $10) per day minimum wage policy and deployed new tax reforms designed to lower rates on middle-income earners.Thailand’s economy is recovering from slow growth during the years since the 2014 coup. Thailand’s economic fundamentals are sound, with low inflation, low unemployment, and reasonable public and external debt levels. Tourism and government spending - mostly on infrastructure and short-term stimulus measures – have helped to boost the economy, and The Bank of Thailand has been supportive, with several interest rate reductions.Over the longer-term, household debt levels, political uncertainty, and an aging population pose risks to growth. Topic: Timor-LesteSince independence in 1999, Timor-Leste has faced great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of offshore oil and gas resources has greatly supplemented government revenues. This technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs in part because there are no production facilities in Timor-Leste. Gas is currently piped to Australia for processing, but Timor-Leste has expressed interest in developing a domestic processing capability.   In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of the Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and to preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of $16 billion, as of mid-2016. Oil accounts for over 90% of government revenues, and the drop in the price of oil in 2014-16 has led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of government spending. Timor-Leste compensated for the decline in price by exporting more oil. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the Petroleum Fund is sufficient to sustain government operations for the foreseeable future.   Annual government budget expenditures increased markedly between 2009 and 2012 but dropped significantly through 2016. Historically, the government failed to spend as much as its budget allowed. The government has focused significant resources on basic infrastructure, including electricity and roads, but limited experience in procurement and infrastructure building has hampered these projects. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty.Since independence in 1999, Timor-Leste has faced great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of offshore oil and gas resources has greatly supplemented government revenues. This technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs in part because there are no production facilities in Timor-Leste. Gas is currently piped to Australia for processing, but Timor-Leste has expressed interest in developing a domestic processing capability. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of the Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and to preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of $16 billion, as of mid-2016. Oil accounts for over 90% of government revenues, and the drop in the price of oil in 2014-16 has led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of government spending. Timor-Leste compensated for the decline in price by exporting more oil. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the Petroleum Fund is sufficient to sustain government operations for the foreseeable future. Annual government budget expenditures increased markedly between 2009 and 2012 but dropped significantly through 2016. Historically, the government failed to spend as much as its budget allowed. The government has focused significant resources on basic infrastructure, including electricity and roads, but limited experience in procurement and infrastructure building has hampered these projects. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty. Topic: TogoTogo has enjoyed a period of steady economic growth fueled by political stability and a concerted effort by the government to modernize the country’s commercial infrastructure, but discontent with President Faure GNASSINGBE has led to a rapid rise in protests, creating downside risks. The country completed an ambitious large-scale infrastructure improvement program, including new principal roads, a new airport terminal, and a new seaport. The economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, providing employment for around 60% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton and other agricultural products generate about 20% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is among the world's largest producers of phosphate and seeks to develop its carbonate phosphate reserves, which provide more than 20% of export earnings.   Supported by the World Bank and the IMF, the government's decade-long effort to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Togo completed its IMF Extended Credit Facility in 2011 and reached a Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief completion point in 2010 at which 95% of the country's debt was forgiven. Togo continues to work with the IMF on structural reforms, and in January 2017, the IMF signed an Extended Credit Facility arrangement consisting of a three-year $238 million loan package. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased transparency in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors.   Togo’s 2017 economic growth probably remained steady at 5.0%, largely driven by infusions of foreign aid, infrastructure investment in its port and mineral industry, and improvements in the business climate. Foreign direct investment inflows have slowed in recent years.Togo has enjoyed a period of steady economic growth fueled by political stability and a concerted effort by the government to modernize the country’s commercial infrastructure, but discontent with President Faure GNASSINGBE has led to a rapid rise in protests, creating downside risks. The country completed an ambitious large-scale infrastructure improvement program, including new principal roads, a new airport terminal, and a new seaport. The economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, providing employment for around 60% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton and other agricultural products generate about 20% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is among the world's largest producers of phosphate and seeks to develop its carbonate phosphate reserves, which provide more than 20% of export earnings. Supported by the World Bank and the IMF, the government's decade-long effort to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Togo completed its IMF Extended Credit Facility in 2011 and reached a Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief completion point in 2010 at which 95% of the country's debt was forgiven. Togo continues to work with the IMF on structural reforms, and in January 2017, the IMF signed an Extended Credit Facility arrangement consisting of a three-year $238 million loan package. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased transparency in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo’s 2017 economic growth probably remained steady at 5.0%, largely driven by infusions of foreign aid, infrastructure investment in its port and mineral industry, and improvements in the business climate. Foreign direct investment inflows have slowed in recent years. Topic: TokelauTokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The principal sources of revenue are from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand.   The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $15 million annually in FY12/13 and FY13/14 - to maintain public services. New Zealand's support amounts to 80% of Tokelau's recurrent government budget. An international trust fund, currently worth nearly $32 million, was established in 2004 by New Zealand to provide Tokelau an independent source of revenue.Tokelau's small size (three villages), isolation, and lack of resources greatly restrain economic development and confine agriculture to the subsistence level. The principal sources of revenue are from sales of copra, postage stamps, souvenir coins, and handicrafts. Money is also remitted to families from relatives in New Zealand. The people rely heavily on aid from New Zealand - about $15 million annually in FY12/13 and FY13/14 - to maintain public services. New Zealand's support amounts to 80% of Tokelau's recurrent government budget. An international trust fund, currently worth nearly $32 million, was established in 2004 by New Zealand to provide Tokelau an independent source of revenue. Topic: TongaTonga has a small, open island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand.   The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from overseas Tongans to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offers a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep-sea mining also offer opportunities for investment.   Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. But the government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures.Tonga has a small, open island economy and is the last constitutional monarchy among the Pacific Island countries. It has a narrow export base in agricultural goods. Squash, vanilla beans, and yams are the main crops. Agricultural exports, including fish, make up two-thirds of total exports. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances. Tonga had 53,800 visitors in 2015. The country must import a high proportion of its food, mainly from New Zealand. The country remains dependent on external aid and remittances from overseas Tongans to offset its trade deficit. The government is emphasizing the development of the private sector, encouraging investment, and is committing increased funds for health care and education. Tonga's English-speaking and educated workforce offers a viable labor market, and the tropical climate provides fertile soil. Renewable energy and deep-sea mining also offer opportunities for investment. Tonga has a reasonably sound basic infrastructure and well developed social services. But the government faces high unemployment among the young, moderate inflation, pressures for democratic reform, and rising civil service expenditures. Topic: Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago relies on its energy sector for much of its economic activity, and has one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8% per year, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, GDP has slowed down since then, contracting during 2009-12, making small gains in 2013 and contracting again in 2014-17. Trinidad and Tobago is buffered by considerable foreign reserves and a sovereign wealth fund that equals about one-and-a-half times the national budget, but the country is still in a recession and the government faces the dual challenge of gas shortages and a low price environment. Large-scale energy projects in the last quarter of 2017 are helping to mitigate the gas shortages.   Energy production and downstream industrial use dominate the economy. Oil and gas typically account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports but less than 5% of employment. Trinidad and Tobago is home to one of the largest natural gas liquefaction facilities in the Western Hemisphere. The country produces about nine times more natural gas than crude oil on an energy equivalent basis with gas contributing about two-thirds of energy sector government revenue. The US is the country’s largest trading partner, accounting for 28% of its total imports and 48% of its exports.   Economic diversification is a longstanding government talking point, and Trinidad and Tobago has much potential due to its stable, democratic government and its educated, English speaking workforce. The country is also a regional financial center with a well-regulated and stable financial system. Other sectors the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has targeted for increased investment and projected growth include tourism, agriculture, information and communications technology, and shipping. Unfortunately, a host of other factors, including low labor productivity, inefficient government bureaucracy, and corruption, have hampered economic development.Trinidad and Tobago relies on its energy sector for much of its economic activity, and has one of the highest per capita incomes in Latin America. Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over 8% per year, significantly above the regional average of about 3.7% for that same period; however, GDP has slowed down since then, contracting during 2009-12, making small gains in 2013 and contracting again in 2014-17. Trinidad and Tobago is buffered by considerable foreign reserves and a sovereign wealth fund that equals about one-and-a-half times the national budget, but the country is still in a recession and the government faces the dual challenge of gas shortages and a low price environment. Large-scale energy projects in the last quarter of 2017 are helping to mitigate the gas shortages. Energy production and downstream industrial use dominate the economy. Oil and gas typically account for about 40% of GDP and 80% of exports but less than 5% of employment. Trinidad and Tobago is home to one of the largest natural gas liquefaction facilities in the Western Hemisphere. The country produces about nine times more natural gas than crude oil on an energy equivalent basis with gas contributing about two-thirds of energy sector government revenue. The US is the country’s largest trading partner, accounting for 28% of its total imports and 48% of its exports. Economic diversification is a longstanding government talking point, and Trinidad and Tobago has much potential due to its stable, democratic government and its educated, English speaking workforce. The country is also a regional financial center with a well-regulated and stable financial system. Other sectors the Government of Trinidad and Tobago has targeted for increased investment and projected growth include tourism, agriculture, information and communications technology, and shipping. Unfortunately, a host of other factors, including low labor productivity, inefficient government bureaucracy, and corruption, have hampered economic development. Topic: TunisiaTunisia's economy – structurally designed to favor vested interests – faced an array of challenges exposed by the 2008 global financial crisis that helped precipitate the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. After the revolution and a series of terrorist attacks, including on the country’s tourism sector, barriers to economic inclusion continued to add to slow economic growth and high unemployment.   Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country's economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia's main economic partner, the EU. Tunisia's strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improved living standards. Former President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (1987-2011) continued these policies, but as his reign wore on cronyism and corruption stymied economic performance, unemployment rose, and the informal economy grew. Tunisia’s economy became less and less inclusive. These grievances contributed to the January 2011 overthrow of BEN ALI, further depressing Tunisia's economy as tourism and investment declined sharply.   Tunisia’s government remains under pressure to boost economic growth quickly to mitigate chronic socio-economic challenges, especially high levels of youth unemployment, which has persisted since the 2011 revolution. Successive terrorist attacks against the tourism sector and worker strikes in the phosphate sector, which combined account for nearly 15% of GDP, slowed growth from 2015 to 2017. Tunis is seeking increased foreign investment and working with the IMF through an Extended Fund Facility agreement to fix fiscal deficiencies.Tunisia's economy – structurally designed to favor vested interests – faced an array of challenges exposed by the 2008 global financial crisis that helped precipitate the 2011 Arab Spring revolution. After the revolution and a series of terrorist attacks, including on the country’s tourism sector, barriers to economic inclusion continued to add to slow economic growth and high unemployment. Following an ill-fated experiment with socialist economic policies in the 1960s, Tunisia focused on bolstering exports, foreign investment, and tourism, all of which have become central to the country's economy. Key exports now include textiles and apparel, food products, petroleum products, chemicals, and phosphates, with about 80% of exports bound for Tunisia's main economic partner, the EU. Tunisia's strategy, coupled with investments in education and infrastructure, fueled decades of 4-5% annual GDP growth and improved living standards. Former President Zine el Abidine BEN ALI (1987-2011) continued these policies, but as his reign wore on cronyism and corruption stymied economic performance, unemployment rose, and the informal economy grew. Tunisia’s economy became less and less inclusive. These grievances contributed to the January 2011 overthrow of BEN ALI, further depressing Tunisia's economy as tourism and investment declined sharply. Tunisia’s government remains under pressure to boost economic growth quickly to mitigate chronic socio-economic challenges, especially high levels of youth unemployment, which has persisted since the 2011 revolution. Successive terrorist attacks against the tourism sector and worker strikes in the phosphate sector, which combined account for nearly 15% of GDP, slowed growth from 2015 to 2017. Tunis is seeking increased foreign investment and working with the IMF through an Extended Fund Facility agreement to fix fiscal deficiencies. Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Turkey's largely free-market economy is driven by its industry and, increasingly, service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. The automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries have risen in importance and surpassed the traditional textiles and clothing sectors within Turkey's export mix. However, the recent period of political stability and economic dynamism has given way to domestic uncertainty and security concerns, which are generating financial market volatility and weighing on Turkey’s economic outlook.   Current government policies emphasize populist spending measures and credit breaks, while implementation of structural economic reforms has slowed. The government is playing a more active role in some strategic sectors and has used economic institutions and regulators to target political opponents, undermining private sector confidence in the judicial system. Between July 2016 and March 2017, three credit ratings agencies downgraded Turkey’s sovereign credit ratings, citing concerns about the rule of law and the pace of economic reforms.   Turkey remains highly dependent on imported oil and gas but is pursuing energy relationships with a broader set of international partners and taking steps to increase use of domestic energy sources including renewables, nuclear, and coal. The joint Turkish-Azerbaijani Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline is moving forward to increase transport of Caspian gas to Turkey and Europe, and when completed will help diversify Turkey's sources of imported gas.   After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country's economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth, averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. An aggressive privatization program also reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, power generation, and communication. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey's well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis, and GDP growth rebounded to around 9% in 2010 and 2011, as exports and investment recovered following the crisis.   The growth of Turkish GDP since 2016 has revealed the persistent underlying imbalances in the Turkish economy. In particular, Turkey’s large current account deficit means it must rely on external investment inflows to finance growth, leaving the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Other troublesome trends include rising unemployment and inflation, which increased in 2017, given the Turkish lira’s continuing depreciation against the dollar. Although government debt remains low at about 30% of GDP, bank and corporate borrowing has almost tripled as a percent of GDP during the past decade, outpacing its emerging-market peers and prompting investor concerns about its long-term sustainability.Turkey's largely free-market economy is driven by its industry and, increasingly, service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. The automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries have risen in importance and surpassed the traditional textiles and clothing sectors within Turkey's export mix. However, the recent period of political stability and economic dynamism has given way to domestic uncertainty and security concerns, which are generating financial market volatility and weighing on Turkey’s economic outlook. Current government policies emphasize populist spending measures and credit breaks, while implementation of structural economic reforms has slowed. The government is playing a more active role in some strategic sectors and has used economic institutions and regulators to target political opponents, undermining private sector confidence in the judicial system. Between July 2016 and March 2017, three credit ratings agencies downgraded Turkey’s sovereign credit ratings, citing concerns about the rule of law and the pace of economic reforms. Turkey remains highly dependent on imported oil and gas but is pursuing energy relationships with a broader set of international partners and taking steps to increase use of domestic energy sources including renewables, nuclear, and coal. The joint Turkish-Azerbaijani Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline is moving forward to increase transport of Caspian gas to Turkey and Europe, and when completed will help diversify Turkey's sources of imported gas. After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country's economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth, averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. An aggressive privatization program also reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, power generation, and communication. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey's well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis, and GDP growth rebounded to around 9% in 2010 and 2011, as exports and investment recovered following the crisis. The growth of Turkish GDP since 2016 has revealed the persistent underlying imbalances in the Turkish economy. In particular, Turkey’s large current account deficit means it must rely on external investment inflows to finance growth, leaving the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Other troublesome trends include rising unemployment and inflation, which increased in 2017, given the Turkish lira’s continuing depreciation against the dollar. Although government debt remains low at about 30% of GDP, bank and corporate borrowing has almost tripled as a percent of GDP during the past decade, outpacing its emerging-market peers and prompting investor concerns about its long-term sustainability. Topic: TurkmenistanTurkmenistan 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. Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsThe 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. Topic: TuvaluTuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. Only eight of the atolls are inhabited. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with its highest point at 4.6 meters above sea level. The country is isolated, almost entirely dependent on imports, particularly of food and fuel, and vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, which pose significant challenges to development.   The public sector dominates economic activity. Tuvalu has few natural resources, except for its fisheries. Earnings from fish exports and fishing licenses for Tuvalu’s territorial waters are a significant source of government revenue. In 2013, revenue from fishing licenses doubled and totaled more than 45% of GDP.   Official aid from foreign development partners has also increased. Tuvalu has substantial assets abroad. The Tuvalu Trust Fund, an international trust fund established in 1987 by development partners, has grown to $104 million (A$141 million) in 2014 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. While remittances are another substantial source of income, the value of remittances has declined since the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but has stabilized at nearly $4 million per year. The financial impact of climate change and the cost of climate related adaptation projects is one of many concerns for the nation.Tuvalu consists of a densely populated, scattered group of nine coral atolls with poor soil. Only eight of the atolls are inhabited. It is one of the smallest countries in the world, with its highest point at 4.6 meters above sea level. The country is isolated, almost entirely dependent on imports, particularly of food and fuel, and vulnerable to climate change and rising sea levels, which pose significant challenges to development. The public sector dominates economic activity. Tuvalu has few natural resources, except for its fisheries. Earnings from fish exports and fishing licenses for Tuvalu’s territorial waters are a significant source of government revenue. In 2013, revenue from fishing licenses doubled and totaled more than 45% of GDP. Official aid from foreign development partners has also increased. Tuvalu has substantial assets abroad. The Tuvalu Trust Fund, an international trust fund established in 1987 by development partners, has grown to $104 million (A$141 million) in 2014 and is an important cushion for meeting shortfalls in the government's budget. While remittances are another substantial source of income, the value of remittances has declined since the 2008-09 global financial crisis, but has stabilized at nearly $4 million per year. The financial impact of climate change and the cost of climate related adaptation projects is one of many concerns for the nation. Topic: UgandaUganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, substantial reserves of recoverable oil, and small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy, employing 72% of the work force. The country’s export market suffered a major slump following the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan, but has recovered lately, largely due to record coffee harvests, which account for 16% of exports, and increasing gold exports, which account for 10% of exports. Uganda has a small industrial sector that is dependent on imported inputs such as refined oil and heavy equipment. Overall, productivity is hampered by a number of supply-side constraints, including insufficient infrastructure, lack of modern technology in agriculture, and corruption.   Uganda’s economic growth has slowed since 2016 as government spending and public debt has grown. Uganda’s budget is dominated by energy and road infrastructure spending, while Uganda relies on donor support for long-term drivers of growth, including agriculture, health, and education. The largest infrastructure projects are externally financed through concessional loans, but at inflated costs. As a result, debt servicing for these loans is expected to rise.   Oil revenues and taxes are expected to become a larger source of government funding as oil production starts in the next three to 10 years. Over the next three to five years, foreign investors are planning to invest $9 billion in production facilities projects, $4 billion in an export pipeline, as well as in a $2-3 billion refinery to produce petroleum products for the domestic and East African Community markets. Furthermore, the government is looking to build several hundred million dollars’ worth of highway projects to the oil region.   Uganda faces many economic challenges. Instability in South Sudan has led to a sharp increase in Sudanese refugees and is disrupting Uganda's main export market. Additional economic risks include: poor economic management, endemic corruption, and the government’s failure to invest adequately in the health, education, and economic opportunities for a burgeoning young population. Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa - only 22% of Ugandans have access to electricity, dropping to 10% in rural areas.Uganda has substantial natural resources, including fertile soils, regular rainfall, substantial reserves of recoverable oil, and small deposits of copper, gold, and other minerals. Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy, employing 72% of the work force. The country’s export market suffered a major slump following the outbreak of conflict in South Sudan, but has recovered lately, largely due to record coffee harvests, which account for 16% of exports, and increasing gold exports, which account for 10% of exports. Uganda has a small industrial sector that is dependent on imported inputs such as refined oil and heavy equipment. Overall, productivity is hampered by a number of supply-side constraints, including insufficient infrastructure, lack of modern technology in agriculture, and corruption. Uganda’s economic growth has slowed since 2016 as government spending and public debt has grown. Uganda’s budget is dominated by energy and road infrastructure spending, while Uganda relies on donor support for long-term drivers of growth, including agriculture, health, and education. The largest infrastructure projects are externally financed through concessional loans, but at inflated costs. As a result, debt servicing for these loans is expected to rise. Oil revenues and taxes are expected to become a larger source of government funding as oil production starts in the next three to 10 years. Over the next three to five years, foreign investors are planning to invest $9 billion in production facilities projects, $4 billion in an export pipeline, as well as in a $2-3 billion refinery to produce petroleum products for the domestic and East African Community markets. Furthermore, the government is looking to build several hundred million dollars’ worth of highway projects to the oil region. Uganda faces many economic challenges. Instability in South Sudan has led to a sharp increase in Sudanese refugees and is disrupting Uganda's main export market. Additional economic risks include: poor economic management, endemic corruption, and the government’s failure to invest adequately in the health, education, and economic opportunities for a burgeoning young population. Uganda has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa - only 22% of Ugandans have access to electricity, dropping to 10% in rural areas. Topic: UkraineAfter Russia, the Ukrainian Republic was the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil accounted for more than one fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied unique equipment such as large diameter pipes and vertical drilling apparatus, and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR.   Shortly after independence in August 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms to foster economic growth. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy. From 2000 until mid-2008, Ukraine's economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president. The economy contracted nearly 15% in 2009, among the worst economic performances in the world. In April 2010, Ukraine negotiated a price discount on Russian gas imports in exchange for extending Russia's lease on its naval base in Crimea.   Ukraine’s oligarch-dominated economy grew slowly from 2010 to 2013 but remained behind peers in the region and among Europe’s poorest. After former President YANUKOVYCH fled the country during the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine’s economy fell into crisis because of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, military conflict in the eastern part of the country, and a trade war with Russia, resulting in a 17% decline in GDP, inflation at nearly 60%, and dwindling foreign currency reserves. The international community began efforts to stabilize the Ukrainian economy, including a March 2014 IMF assistance package of $17.5 billion, of which Ukraine has received four disbursements, most recently in April 2017, bringing the total disbursed as of that date to approximately $8.4 billion. Ukraine has made progress on reforms designed to make the country prosperous, democratic, and transparent, including creation of a national anti-corruption agency, overhaul of the banking sector, establishment of a transparent VAT refund system, and increased transparency in government procurement. But more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, improving the business environment to attract foreign investment, privatizing state-owned enterprises, and land reform. The fifth tranche of the IMF program, valued at $1.9 billion, was delayed in mid-2017 due to lack of progress on outstanding reforms, including adjustment of gas tariffs to import parity levels and adoption of legislation establishing an independent anti-corruption court.   Russia’s occupation of Crimea in March 2014 and ongoing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine have hurt economic growth. With the loss of a major portion of Ukraine’s heavy industry in Donbas and ongoing violence, the economy contracted by 6.6% in 2014 and by 9.8% in 2015, but it returned to low growth in in 2016 and 2017, reaching 2.3% and 2.0%, respectively, as key reforms took hold. Ukraine also redirected trade activity towards the EU following the implementation of a bilateral Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, displacing Russia as its largest trading partner. A prohibition on commercial trade with separatist-controlled territories in early 2017 has not impacted Ukraine’s key industrial sectors as much as expected, largely because of favorable external conditions. Ukraine returned to international debt markets in September 2017, issuing a $3 billion sovereign bond.After Russia, the Ukrainian Republic was the most important economic component of the former Soviet Union, producing about four times the output of the next-ranking republic. Its fertile black soil accounted for more than one fourth of Soviet agricultural output, and its farms provided substantial quantities of meat, milk, grain, and vegetables to other republics. Likewise, its diversified heavy industry supplied unique equipment such as large diameter pipes and vertical drilling apparatus, and raw materials to industrial and mining sites in other regions of the former USSR. Shortly after independence in August 1991, the Ukrainian Government liberalized most prices and erected a legal framework for privatization, but widespread resistance to reform within the government and the legislature soon stalled reform efforts and led to some backtracking. Output by 1999 had fallen to less than 40% of the 1991 level. Outside institutions - particularly the IMF encouraged Ukraine to quicken the pace and scope of reforms to foster economic growth. Ukrainian Government officials eliminated most tax and customs privileges in a March 2005 budget law, bringing more economic activity out of Ukraine's large shadow economy. From 2000 until mid-2008, Ukraine's economy was buoyant despite political turmoil between the prime minister and president. The economy contracted nearly 15% in 2009, among the worst economic performances in the world. In April 2010, Ukraine negotiated a price discount on Russian gas imports in exchange for extending Russia's lease on its naval base in Crimea. Ukraine’s oligarch-dominated economy grew slowly from 2010 to 2013 but remained behind peers in the region and among Europe’s poorest. After former President YANUKOVYCH fled the country during the Revolution of Dignity, Ukraine’s economy fell into crisis because of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, military conflict in the eastern part of the country, and a trade war with Russia, resulting in a 17% decline in GDP, inflation at nearly 60%, and dwindling foreign currency reserves. The international community began efforts to stabilize the Ukrainian economy, including a March 2014 IMF assistance package of $17.5 billion, of which Ukraine has received four disbursements, most recently in April 2017, bringing the total disbursed as of that date to approximately $8.4 billion. Ukraine has made progress on reforms designed to make the country prosperous, democratic, and transparent, including creation of a national anti-corruption agency, overhaul of the banking sector, establishment of a transparent VAT refund system, and increased transparency in government procurement. But more improvements are needed, including fighting corruption, developing capital markets, improving the business environment to attract foreign investment, privatizing state-owned enterprises, and land reform. The fifth tranche of the IMF program, valued at $1.9 billion, was delayed in mid-2017 due to lack of progress on outstanding reforms, including adjustment of gas tariffs to import parity levels and adoption of legislation establishing an independent anti-corruption court. Russia’s occupation of Crimea in March 2014 and ongoing Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine have hurt economic growth. With the loss of a major portion of Ukraine’s heavy industry in Donbas and ongoing violence, the economy contracted by 6.6% in 2014 and by 9.8% in 2015, but it returned to low growth in in 2016 and 2017, reaching 2.3% and 2.0%, respectively, as key reforms took hold. Ukraine also redirected trade activity towards the EU following the implementation of a bilateral Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, displacing Russia as its largest trading partner. A prohibition on commercial trade with separatist-controlled territories in early 2017 has not impacted Ukraine’s key industrial sectors as much as expected, largely because of favorable external conditions. Ukraine returned to international debt markets in September 2017, issuing a $3 billion sovereign bond. Topic: United Arab EmiratesThe UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%.   Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors.   The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014.   The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and introduced excise taxes (50% on sweetened carbonated beverages and 100% on energy drinks and tobacco) in October 2017. A five-percent value-added tax was introduced in January 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment.The UAE has an open economy with a high per capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus. Successful efforts at economic diversification have reduced the portion of GDP from the oil and gas sector to 30%. Since the discovery of oil in the UAE nearly 60 years ago, the country has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. The government has increased spending on job creation and infrastructure expansion and is opening up utilities to greater private sector involvement. The country's free trade zones - offering 100% foreign ownership and zero taxes - are helping to attract foreign investors. The global financial crisis of 2008-09, tight international credit, and deflated asset prices constricted the economy in 2009. UAE authorities tried to blunt the crisis by increasing spending and boosting liquidity in the banking sector. The crisis hit Dubai hardest, as it was heavily exposed to depressed real estate prices. Dubai lacked sufficient cash to meet its debt obligations, prompting global concern about its solvency and ultimately a $20 billion bailout from the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi Government that was refinanced in March 2014. The UAE’s dependence on oil is a significant long-term challenge, although the UAE is one of the most diversified countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council. Low oil prices have prompted the UAE to cut expenditures, including on some social programs, but the UAE has sufficient assets in its sovereign investment funds to cover its deficits. The government reduced fuel subsidies in August 2015, and introduced excise taxes (50% on sweetened carbonated beverages and 100% on energy drinks and tobacco) in October 2017. A five-percent value-added tax was introduced in January 2018. The UAE's strategic plan for the next few years focuses on economic diversification, promoting the UAE as a global trade and tourism hub, developing industry, and creating more job opportunities for nationals through improved education and increased private sector employment. Topic: United KingdomThe 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. Topic: United StatesThe US has the most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $59,500. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment; however, their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. Based on a comparison of GDP measured at purchasing power parity conversion rates, the US economy in 2014, having stood as the largest in the world for more than a century, slipped into second place behind China, which has more than tripled the US growth rate for each year of the past four decades. In the US, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, businesses face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets. Long-term problems for the US include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits. The onrush of technology has been a driving factor in the gradual development of a "two-tier" labor market in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. But the globalization of trade, and especially the rise of low-wage producers such as China, has put additional downward pressure on wages and upward pressure on the return to capital. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. Since 1996, dividends and capital gains have grown faster than wages or any other category of after-tax income. Imported oil accounts for more than 50% of US consumption and oil has a major impact on the overall health of the economy. Crude oil prices doubled between 2001 and 2006, the year home prices peaked; higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets and many individuals fell behind in their mortgage payments. Oil prices climbed another 50% between 2006 and 2008, and bank foreclosures more than doubled in the same period. Besides dampening the housing market, soaring oil prices caused a drop in the value of the dollar and a deterioration in the US merchandise trade deficit, which peaked at $840 billion in 2008. Because the US economy is energy-intensive, falling oil prices since 2013 have alleviated many of the problems the earlier increases had created. The sub-prime mortgage crisis, falling home prices, investment bank failures, tight credit, and the global economic downturn pushed the US into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009, Congress passed and former President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012, the Federal Government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan required major shifts in national resources from civilian to military purposes and contributed to the growth of the budget deficit and public debt. Through FY 2018, the direct costs of the wars will have totaled more than $1.9 trillion, according to US Government figures. In March 2010, former President OBAMA signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a health insurance reform that was designed to extend coverage to an additional 32 million Americans by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. Total spending on healthcare - public plus private - rose from 9.0% of GDP in 1980 to 17.9% in 2010. In July 2010, the former president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a law designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight. The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) announced plans in December 2012 to purchase $85 billion per month of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities in an effort to hold down long-term interest rates, and to keep short-term rates near zero until unemployment dropped below 6.5% or inflation rose above 2.5%. The Fed ended its purchases during the summer of 2014, after the unemployment rate dropped to 6.2%, inflation stood at 1.7%, and public debt fell below 74% of GDP. In December 2015, the Fed raised its target for the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25%, the first increase since the recession began. With continued low growth, the Fed opted to raise rates several times since then, and in December 2017, the target rate stood at 1.5%. In December 2017, Congress passed and former President Donald TRUMP signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which, among its various provisions, reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; lowers the individual tax rate for those with the highest incomes from 39.6% to 37%, and by lesser percentages for those at lower income levels; changes many deductions and credits used to calculate taxable income; and eliminates in 2019 the penalty imposed on taxpayers who do not obtain the minimum amount of health insurance required under the ACA. The new taxes took effect on 1 January 2018; the tax cut for corporations are permanent, but those for individuals are scheduled to expire after 2025. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) under the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new law will reduce tax revenues and increase the federal deficit by about $1.45 trillion over the 2018-2027 period. This amount would decline if economic growth were to exceed the JCT’s estimate.The US has the most technologically powerful economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $59,500. US firms are at or near the forefront in technological advances, especially in computers, pharmaceuticals, and medical, aerospace, and military equipment; however, their advantage has narrowed since the end of World War II. Based on a comparison of GDP measured at purchasing power parity conversion rates, the US economy in 2014, having stood as the largest in the world for more than a century, slipped into second place behind China, which has more than tripled the US growth rate for each year of the past four decades.In the US, private individuals and business firms make most of the decisions, and the federal and state governments buy needed goods and services predominantly in the private marketplace. US business firms enjoy greater flexibility than their counterparts in Western Europe and Japan in decisions to expand capital plant, to lay off surplus workers, and to develop new products. At the same time, businesses face higher barriers to enter their rivals' home markets than foreign firms face entering US markets.Long-term problems for the US include stagnation of wages for lower-income families, inadequate investment in deteriorating infrastructure, rapidly rising medical and pension costs of an aging population, energy shortages, and sizable current account and budget deficits.The onrush of technology has been a driving factor in the gradual development of a "two-tier" labor market in which those at the bottom lack the education and the professional/technical skills of those at the top and, more and more, fail to get comparable pay raises, health insurance coverage, and other benefits. But the globalization of trade, and especially the rise of low-wage producers such as China, has put additional downward pressure on wages and upward pressure on the return to capital. Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households. Since 1996, dividends and capital gains have grown faster than wages or any other category of after-tax income.Imported oil accounts for more than 50% of US consumption and oil has a major impact on the overall health of the economy. Crude oil prices doubled between 2001 and 2006, the year home prices peaked; higher gasoline prices ate into consumers' budgets and many individuals fell behind in their mortgage payments. Oil prices climbed another 50% between 2006 and 2008, and bank foreclosures more than doubled in the same period. Besides dampening the housing market, soaring oil prices caused a drop in the value of the dollar and a deterioration in the US merchandise trade deficit, which peaked at $840 billion in 2008. Because the US economy is energy-intensive, falling oil prices since 2013 have alleviated many of the problems the earlier increases had created.The sub-prime mortgage crisis, falling home prices, investment bank failures, tight credit, and the global economic downturn pushed the US into a recession by mid-2008. GDP contracted until the third quarter of 2009, the deepest and longest downturn since the Great Depression. To help stabilize financial markets, the US Congress established a $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program in October 2008. The government used some of these funds to purchase equity in US banks and industrial corporations, much of which had been returned to the government by early 2011. In January 2009, Congress passed and former President Barack OBAMA signed a bill providing an additional $787 billion fiscal stimulus to be used over 10 years - two-thirds on additional spending and one-third on tax cuts - to create jobs and to help the economy recover. In 2010 and 2011, the federal budget deficit reached nearly 9% of GDP. In 2012, the Federal Government reduced the growth of spending and the deficit shrank to 7.6% of GDP. US revenues from taxes and other sources are lower, as a percentage of GDP, than those of most other countries.Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan required major shifts in national resources from civilian to military purposes and contributed to the growth of the budget deficit and public debt. Through FY 2018, the direct costs of the wars will have totaled more than $1.9 trillion, according to US Government figures.In March 2010, former President OBAMA signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a health insurance reform that was designed to extend coverage to an additional 32 million Americans by 2016, through private health insurance for the general population and Medicaid for the impoverished. Total spending on healthcare - public plus private - rose from 9.0% of GDP in 1980 to 17.9% in 2010.In July 2010, the former president signed the DODD-FRANK Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a law designed to promote financial stability by protecting consumers from financial abuses, ending taxpayer bailouts of financial firms, dealing with troubled banks that are "too big to fail," and improving accountability and transparency in the financial system - in particular, by requiring certain financial derivatives to be traded in markets that are subject to government regulation and oversight.The Federal Reserve Board (Fed) announced plans in December 2012 to purchase $85 billion per month of mortgage-backed and Treasury securities in an effort to hold down long-term interest rates, and to keep short-term rates near zero until unemployment dropped below 6.5% or inflation rose above 2.5%. The Fed ended its purchases during the summer of 2014, after the unemployment rate dropped to 6.2%, inflation stood at 1.7%, and public debt fell below 74% of GDP. In December 2015, the Fed raised its target for the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25%, the first increase since the recession began. With continued low growth, the Fed opted to raise rates several times since then, and in December 2017, the target rate stood at 1.5%.In December 2017, Congress passed and former President Donald TRUMP signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which, among its various provisions, reduces the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; lowers the individual tax rate for those with the highest incomes from 39.6% to 37%, and by lesser percentages for those at lower income levels; changes many deductions and credits used to calculate taxable income; and eliminates in 2019 the penalty imposed on taxpayers who do not obtain the minimum amount of health insurance required under the ACA. The new taxes took effect on 1 January 2018; the tax cut for corporations are permanent, but those for individuals are scheduled to expire after 2025. The Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) under the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new law will reduce tax revenues and increase the federal deficit by about $1.45 trillion over the 2018-2027 period. This amount would decline if economic growth were to exceed the JCT’s estimate. Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugesno economic activity Topic: UruguayUruguay 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.  Topic: UzbekistanUzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in which 51% of the population lives in urban settlements; the agriculture-rich Fergana Valley, in which Uzbekistan’s eastern borders are situated, has been counted among the most densely populated parts of Central Asia. Since its independence in September 1991, the government has largely maintained its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production, prices, and access to foreign currency. Despite ongoing efforts to diversify crops, Uzbek agriculture remains largely centered on cotton; Uzbekistan is the world's fifth-largest cotton exporter and seventh-largest producer. Uzbekistan's growth has been driven primarily by state-led investments, and export of natural gas, gold, and cotton provides a significant share of foreign exchange earnings.   Recently, lower global commodity prices and economic slowdowns in neighboring Russia and China have hurt Uzbekistan's trade and investment and worsened its foreign currency shortage. Aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government is taking incremental steps to reform the business sector and address impediments to foreign investment in the country. Since the death of first President Islam KARIMOV and election of President Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV, emphasis on such initiatives and government efforts to improve the private sector have increased. In the past, Uzbek authorities accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek laws and have frozen and seized their assets.   As a part of its economic reform efforts, the Uzbek Government is looking to expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises and prioritizes increasing foreign direct investment. In September 2017, the government devalued the official currency rate by almost 50% and announced the loosening of currency restrictions to eliminate the currency black market, increase access to hard currency, and boost investment.Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in which 51% of the population lives in urban settlements; the agriculture-rich Fergana Valley, in which Uzbekistan’s eastern borders are situated, has been counted among the most densely populated parts of Central Asia. Since its independence in September 1991, the government has largely maintained its Soviet-style command economy with subsidies and tight controls on production, prices, and access to foreign currency. Despite ongoing efforts to diversify crops, Uzbek agriculture remains largely centered on cotton; Uzbekistan is the world's fifth-largest cotton exporter and seventh-largest producer. Uzbekistan's growth has been driven primarily by state-led investments, and export of natural gas, gold, and cotton provides a significant share of foreign exchange earnings. Recently, lower global commodity prices and economic slowdowns in neighboring Russia and China have hurt Uzbekistan's trade and investment and worsened its foreign currency shortage. Aware of the need to improve the investment climate, the government is taking incremental steps to reform the business sector and address impediments to foreign investment in the country. Since the death of first President Islam KARIMOV and election of President Shavkat MIRZIYOYEV, emphasis on such initiatives and government efforts to improve the private sector have increased. In the past, Uzbek authorities accused US and other foreign companies operating in Uzbekistan of violating Uzbek laws and have frozen and seized their assets. As a part of its economic reform efforts, the Uzbek Government is looking to expand opportunities for small and medium enterprises and prioritizes increasing foreign direct investment. In September 2017, the government devalued the official currency rate by almost 50% and announced the loosening of currency restrictions to eliminate the currency black market, increase access to hard currency, and boost investment. Topic: VanuatuThis 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. Topic: VenezuelaVenezuela 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. Topic: VietnamVietnam is a densely populated developing country that has been transitioning since 1986 from the rigidities of a centrally planned, highly agrarian economy to a more industrial and market based economy, and it has raised incomes substantially. Vietnam exceeded its 2017 GDP growth target of 6.7% with growth of 6.8%, primarily due to unexpected increases in domestic demand, and strong manufacturing exports.   Vietnam has a young population, stable political system, commitment to sustainable growth, relatively low inflation, stable currency, strong FDI inflows, and strong manufacturing sector. In addition, the country is committed to continuing its global economic integration. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 and concluded several free trade agreements in 2015-16, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (which the EU has not yet ratified), the Korean Free Trade Agreement, and the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. In 2017, Vietnam successfully chaired the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference with its key priorities including inclusive growth, innovation, strengthening small and medium enterprises, food security, and climate change. Seeking to diversify its opportunities, Vietnam also signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Transpacific Partnership in 2018 and continued to pursue the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.   To continue its trajectory of strong economic growth, the government acknowledges the need to spark a ‘second wave’ of reforms, including reforming state-owned-enterprises, reducing red tape, increasing business sector transparency, reducing the level of non-performing loans in the banking sector, and increasing financial sector transparency. Vietnam’s public debt to GDP ratio is nearing the government mandated ceiling of 65%.   In 2016, Vietnam cancelled its civilian nuclear energy development program, citing public concerns about safety and the high cost of the program; it faces growing pressure on energy infrastructure. Overall, the country’s infrastructure fails to meet the needs of an expanding middle class. Vietnam has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable growth over the last several years, but despite the recent speed-up in economic growth the government remains cautious about the risk of external shocks.Vietnam is a densely populated developing country that has been transitioning since 1986 from the rigidities of a centrally planned, highly agrarian economy to a more industrial and market based economy, and it has raised incomes substantially. Vietnam exceeded its 2017 GDP growth target of 6.7% with growth of 6.8%, primarily due to unexpected increases in domestic demand, and strong manufacturing exports. Vietnam has a young population, stable political system, commitment to sustainable growth, relatively low inflation, stable currency, strong FDI inflows, and strong manufacturing sector. In addition, the country is committed to continuing its global economic integration. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 and concluded several free trade agreements in 2015-16, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (which the EU has not yet ratified), the Korean Free Trade Agreement, and the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. In 2017, Vietnam successfully chaired the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference with its key priorities including inclusive growth, innovation, strengthening small and medium enterprises, food security, and climate change. Seeking to diversify its opportunities, Vietnam also signed the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Transpacific Partnership in 2018 and continued to pursue the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. To continue its trajectory of strong economic growth, the government acknowledges the need to spark a ‘second wave’ of reforms, including reforming state-owned-enterprises, reducing red tape, increasing business sector transparency, reducing the level of non-performing loans in the banking sector, and increasing financial sector transparency. Vietnam’s public debt to GDP ratio is nearing the government mandated ceiling of 65%. In 2016, Vietnam cancelled its civilian nuclear energy development program, citing public concerns about safety and the high cost of the program; it faces growing pressure on energy infrastructure. Overall, the country’s infrastructure fails to meet the needs of an expanding middle class. Vietnam has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable growth over the last several years, but despite the recent speed-up in economic growth the government remains cautious about the risk of external shocks. Topic: Virgin IslandsTourism, 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. Topic: Wake IslandEconomic activity is limited to providing services to military personnel and contractors located on the island. All food and manufactured goods must be imported. Topic: Wallis and FutunaThe 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. Topic: West BankIn 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. Topic: WorldThe international financial crisis of 2008-09 led to the first downturn in global output since 1946 and presented the world with a major new challenge: determining what mix of fiscal and monetary policies to follow to restore growth and jobs, while keeping inflation and debt under control. Financial stabilization and stimulus programs that started in 2009-11, combined with lower tax revenues in 2009-10, required most countries to run large budget deficits. Treasuries issued new public debt - totaling $9.1 trillion since 2008 - to pay for the additional expenditures. To keep interest rates low, most central banks monetized that debt, injecting large sums of money into their economies - between December 2008 and December 2013 the global money supply increased by more than 35%. Governments are now faced with the difficult task of spurring current growth and employment without saddling their economies with so much debt that they sacrifice long-term growth and financial stability. When economic activity picks up, central banks will confront the difficult task of containing inflation without raising interest rates so high they snuff out further growth. Fiscal and monetary data for 2013 are currently available for 180 countries, which together account for 98.5% of world GDP. Of the 180 countries, 82 pursued unequivocally expansionary policies, boosting government spending while also expanding their money supply relatively rapidly - faster than the world average of 3.1%; 28 followed restrictive fiscal and monetary policies, reducing government spending and holding money growth to less than the 3.1% average; and the remaining 70 followed a mix of counterbalancing fiscal and monetary policies, either reducing government spending while accelerating money growth, or boosting spending while curtailing money growth. (For more information, see attached spreadsheet.) In 2013, for many countries the drive for fiscal austerity that began in 2011 abated. While 5 out of 6 countries slowed spending in 2012, only 1 in 2 countries slowed spending in 2013. About 1 in 3 countries actually lowered the level of their expenditures. The global growth rate for government expenditures increased from 1.6% in 2012 to 5.1% in 2013, after falling from a 10.1% growth rate in 2011. On the other hand, nearly 2 out of 3 central banks tightened monetary policy in 2013, decelerating the rate of growth of their money supply, compared with only 1 out of 3 in 2012. Roughly 1 of 4 central banks actually withdrew money from circulation, an increase from 1 out of 7 in 2012. Growth of the global money supply, as measured by the narrowly defined M1, slowed from 8.7% in 2009 and 10.4% in 2010 to 5.2% in 2011, 4.6% in 2012, and 3.1% in 2013. Several notable shifts occurred in 2013. By cutting government expenditures and expanding money supplies, the US and Canada moved against the trend in the rest of the world. France reversed course completely. Rather than reducing expenditures and money as it had in 2012, it expanded both. Germany reversed its fiscal policy, sharply expanding federal spending, while continuing to grow the money supply. South Korea shifted monetary policy into high gear, while maintaining a strongly expansionary fiscal policy. Japan, however, continued to pursue austere fiscal and monetary policies. Austere economic policies have significantly affected economic performance. The global budget deficit narrowed to roughly $2.7 trillion in 2012 and $2.1 trillion in 2013, or 3.8% and 2.5% of World GDP, respectively. But growth of the world economy slipped from 5.1% in 2010 and 3.7% in 2011, to just 3.1% in 2012, and 2.9% in 2013. Countries with expansionary fiscal and monetary policies achieved significantly higher rates of growth, higher growth of tax revenues, and greater success reducing the public debt burden than those countries that chose contractionary policies. In 2013, the 82 countries that followed a pro-growth approach achieved a median GDP growth rate of 4.7%, compared to 1.7% for the 28 countries with restrictive fiscal and monetary policies, a difference of 3 percentage points. Among the 82, China grew 7.7%, Philippines 6.8%, Malaysia 4.7%, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia 3.6%, Argentina 3.5%, South Korea 2.8%, and Russia 1.3%, while among the 28, Brazil grew 2.3%, Japan 2.0%, South Africa 2.0%, Netherlands -0.8%, Croatia -1.0%, Iran -1.5%, Portugal -1.8%, Greece -3.8%, and Cyprus -8.7%. Faster GDP growth and lower unemployment rates translated into increased tax revenues and a less cumbersome debt burden. Revenues for the 82 expansionary countries grew at a median rate of 10.7%, whereas tax revenues fell at a median rate of 6.8% for the 28 countries that chose austere economic policies. Budget balances improved for about three-quarters of the 28, but, for most, debt grew faster than GDP, and the median level of their public debt as a share of GDP increased 9.1 percentage points, to 59.2%. On the other hand, budget balances deteriorated for most of the 82 pro-growth countries, but GDP growth outpaced increases in debt, and the median level of public debt as a share of GDP increased just 1.9%, to 39.8%. The world recession has suppressed inflation rates - world inflation declined 1.0 percentage point in 2012 to about 4.1% and 0.2 percentage point to 3.9% in 2013. In 2013 the median inflation rate for the 82 pro-growth countries was 1.3 percentage points higher than that for the countries that followed more austere fiscal and monetary policies. Overall, the latter countries also improved their current account balances by shedding imports; as a result, current account balances deteriorated for most of the countries that pursued pro-growth policies. Slow growth of world income continued to hold import demand in check and crude oil prices fell. Consequently, the dollar value of world trade grew just 1.3% in 2013. Beyond the current global slowdown, the world faces several long standing economic challenges. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, waste-disposal, epidemics, water-shortages, famine, over-fishing of oceans, deforestation, desertification, and depletion of non-renewable resources. The nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, services, funds, and technology. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, has created economic risks because the participating nations have varying income levels and growth rates, and hence, require a different mix of monetary and fiscal policies. Governments, especially in Western Europe, face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries are unable to devote sufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a growing risk to global prosperity - the diversion of resources away from capital investments to counter-terrorism programs. Despite these vexing problems, the world economy also shows great promise. Technology has made possible further advances in a wide range of fields, from agriculture, to medicine, alternative energy, metallurgy, and transportation. Improved global communications have greatly reduced the costs of international trade, helping the world gain from the international division of labor, raise living standards, and reduce income disparities among nations. Much of the resilience of the world economy in the aftermath of the financial crisis resulted from government and central bank leaders around the globe working in concert to stem the financial onslaught, knowing well the lessons of past economic failures.The international financial crisis of 2008-09 led to the first downturn in global output since 1946 and presented the world with a major new challenge: determining what mix of fiscal and monetary policies to follow to restore growth and jobs, while keeping inflation and debt under control. Financial stabilization and stimulus programs that started in 2009-11, combined with lower tax revenues in 2009-10, required most countries to run large budget deficits. Treasuries issued new public debt - totaling $9.1 trillion since 2008 - to pay for the additional expenditures. To keep interest rates low, most central banks monetized that debt, injecting large sums of money into their economies - between December 2008 and December 2013 the global money supply increased by more than 35%. Governments are now faced with the difficult task of spurring current growth and employment without saddling their economies with so much debt that they sacrifice long-term growth and financial stability. When economic activity picks up, central banks will confront the difficult task of containing inflation without raising interest rates so high they snuff out further growth.Fiscal and monetary data for 2013 are currently available for 180 countries, which together account for 98.5% of world GDP. Of the 180 countries, 82 pursued unequivocally expansionary policies, boosting government spending while also expanding their money supply relatively rapidly - faster than the world average of 3.1%; 28 followed restrictive fiscal and monetary policies, reducing government spending and holding money growth to less than the 3.1% average; and the remaining 70 followed a mix of counterbalancing fiscal and monetary policies, either reducing government spending while accelerating money growth, or boosting spending while curtailing money growth.(For more information, see attached spreadsheet.)In 2013, for many countries the drive for fiscal austerity that began in 2011 abated. While 5 out of 6 countries slowed spending in 2012, only 1 in 2 countries slowed spending in 2013. About 1 in 3 countries actually lowered the level of their expenditures. The global growth rate for government expenditures increased from 1.6% in 2012 to 5.1% in 2013, after falling from a 10.1% growth rate in 2011. On the other hand, nearly 2 out of 3 central banks tightened monetary policy in 2013, decelerating the rate of growth of their money supply, compared with only 1 out of 3 in 2012. Roughly 1 of 4 central banks actually withdrew money from circulation, an increase from 1 out of 7 in 2012. Growth of the global money supply, as measured by the narrowly defined M1, slowed from 8.7% in 2009 and 10.4% in 2010 to 5.2% in 2011, 4.6% in 2012, and 3.1% in 2013. Several notable shifts occurred in 2013. By cutting government expenditures and expanding money supplies, the US and Canada moved against the trend in the rest of the world. France reversed course completely. Rather than reducing expenditures and money as it had in 2012, it expanded both. Germany reversed its fiscal policy, sharply expanding federal spending, while continuing to grow the money supply. South Korea shifted monetary policy into high gear, while maintaining a strongly expansionary fiscal policy. Japan, however, continued to pursue austere fiscal and monetary policies.Austere economic policies have significantly affected economic performance. The global budget deficit narrowed to roughly $2.7 trillion in 2012 and $2.1 trillion in 2013, or 3.8% and 2.5% of World GDP, respectively. But growth of the world economy slipped from 5.1% in 2010 and 3.7% in 2011, to just 3.1% in 2012, and 2.9% in 2013.Countries with expansionary fiscal and monetary policies achieved significantly higher rates of growth, higher growth of tax revenues, and greater success reducing the public debt burden than those countries that chose contractionary policies. In 2013, the 82 countries that followed a pro-growth approach achieved a median GDP growth rate of 4.7%, compared to 1.7% for the 28 countries with restrictive fiscal and monetary policies, a difference of 3 percentage points. Among the 82, China grew 7.7%, Philippines 6.8%, Malaysia 4.7%, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia 3.6%, Argentina 3.5%, South Korea 2.8%, and Russia 1.3%, while among the 28, Brazil grew 2.3%, Japan 2.0%, South Africa 2.0%, Netherlands -0.8%, Croatia -1.0%, Iran -1.5%, Portugal -1.8%, Greece -3.8%, and Cyprus -8.7%.Faster GDP growth and lower unemployment rates translated into increased tax revenues and a less cumbersome debt burden. Revenues for the 82 expansionary countries grew at a median rate of 10.7%, whereas tax revenues fell at a median rate of 6.8% for the 28 countries that chose austere economic policies. Budget balances improved for about three-quarters of the 28, but, for most, debt grew faster than GDP, and the median level of their public debt as a share of GDP increased 9.1 percentage points, to 59.2%. On the other hand, budget balances deteriorated for most of the 82 pro-growth countries, but GDP growth outpaced increases in debt, and the median level of public debt as a share of GDP increased just 1.9%, to 39.8%.The world recession has suppressed inflation rates - world inflation declined 1.0 percentage point in 2012 to about 4.1% and 0.2 percentage point to 3.9% in 2013. In 2013 the median inflation rate for the 82 pro-growth countries was 1.3 percentage points higher than that for the countries that followed more austere fiscal and monetary policies. Overall, the latter countries also improved their current account balances by shedding imports; as a result, current account balances deteriorated for most of the countries that pursued pro-growth policies. Slow growth of world income continued to hold import demand in check and crude oil prices fell. Consequently, the dollar value of world trade grew just 1.3% in 2013.Beyond the current global slowdown, the world faces several long standing economic challenges. The addition of 80 million people each year to an already overcrowded globe is exacerbating the problems of pollution, waste-disposal, epidemics, water-shortages, famine, over-fishing of oceans, deforestation, desertification, and depletion of non-renewable resources. The nation-state, as a bedrock economic-political institution, is steadily losing control over international flows of people, goods, services, funds, and technology. The introduction of the euro as the common currency of much of Western Europe in January 1999, while paving the way for an integrated economic powerhouse, has created economic risks because the participating nations have varying income levels and growth rates, and hence, require a different mix of monetary and fiscal policies. Governments, especially in Western Europe, face the difficult political problem of channeling resources away from welfare programs in order to increase investment and strengthen incentives to seek employment. Because of their own internal problems and priorities, the industrialized countries are unable to devote sufficient resources to deal effectively with the poorer areas of the world, which, at least from an economic point of view, are becoming further marginalized. The terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September 2001 accentuated a growing risk to global prosperity - the diversion of resources away from capital investments to counter-terrorism programs.Despite these vexing problems, the world economy also shows great promise. Technology has made possible further advances in a wide range of fields, from agriculture, to medicine, alternative energy, metallurgy, and transportation. Improved global communications have greatly reduced the costs of international trade, helping the world gain from the international division of labor, raise living standards, and reduce income disparities among nations. Much of the resilience of the world economy in the aftermath of the financial crisis resulted from government and central bank leaders around the globe working in concert to stem the financial onslaught, knowing well the lessons of past economic failures. Topic: YemenYemen is a low-income country that faces difficult long-term challenges to stabilizing and growing its economy, and the current conflict has only exacerbated those issues. The ongoing war has halted Yemen’s exports, pressured the currency’s exchange rate, accelerated inflation, severely limited food and fuel imports, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. The conflict has also created a severe humanitarian crisis - the world’s largest cholera outbreak currently at nearly 1 million cases, more than 7 million people at risk of famine, and more than 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance.   Prior to the start of the conflict in 2014, Yemen was highly dependent on declining oil and gas resources for revenue. Oil and gas earnings accounted for roughly 25% of GDP and 65% of government revenue. The Yemeni Government regularly faced annual budget shortfalls and tried to diversify the Yemeni economy through a reform program designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. In July 2014, the government continued reform efforts by eliminating some fuel subsidies and in August 2014, the IMF approved a three-year, $570 million Extended Credit Facility for Yemen.   However, the conflict that began in 2014 stalled these reform efforts and ongoing fighting continues to accelerate the country’s economic decline. In September 2016, President HADI announced the move of the main branch of Central Bank of Yemen from Sanaa to Aden where his government could exert greater control over the central bank’s dwindling resources. Regardless of which group controls the main branch, the central bank system is struggling to function. Yemen’s Central Bank’s foreign reserves, which stood at roughly $5.2 billion prior to the conflict, have declined to negligible amounts. The Central Bank can no longer fully support imports of critical goods or the country’s exchange rate. The country also is facing a growing liquidity crisis and rising inflation. The private sector is hemorrhaging, with almost all businesses making substantial layoffs. Access to food and other critical commodities such as medical equipment is limited across the country due to security issues on the ground. The Social Welfare Fund, a cash transfer program for Yemen’s neediest, is no longer operational and has not made any disbursements since late 2014.   Yemen will require significant international assistance during and after the protracted conflict to stabilize its economy. Long-term challenges include a high population growth rate, high unemployment, declining water resources, and severe food scarcity.Yemen is a low-income country that faces difficult long-term challenges to stabilizing and growing its economy, and the current conflict has only exacerbated those issues. The ongoing war has halted Yemen’s exports, pressured the currency’s exchange rate, accelerated inflation, severely limited food and fuel imports, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. The conflict has also created a severe humanitarian crisis - the world’s largest cholera outbreak currently at nearly 1 million cases, more than 7 million people at risk of famine, and more than 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. Prior to the start of the conflict in 2014, Yemen was highly dependent on declining oil and gas resources for revenue. Oil and gas earnings accounted for roughly 25% of GDP and 65% of government revenue. The Yemeni Government regularly faced annual budget shortfalls and tried to diversify the Yemeni economy through a reform program designed to bolster non-oil sectors of the economy and foreign investment. In July 2014, the government continued reform efforts by eliminating some fuel subsidies and in August 2014, the IMF approved a three-year, $570 million Extended Credit Facility for Yemen. However, the conflict that began in 2014 stalled these reform efforts and ongoing fighting continues to accelerate the country’s economic decline. In September 2016, President HADI announced the move of the main branch of Central Bank of Yemen from Sanaa to Aden where his government could exert greater control over the central bank’s dwindling resources. Regardless of which group controls the main branch, the central bank system is struggling to function. Yemen’s Central Bank’s foreign reserves, which stood at roughly $5.2 billion prior to the conflict, have declined to negligible amounts. The Central Bank can no longer fully support imports of critical goods or the country’s exchange rate. The country also is facing a growing liquidity crisis and rising inflation. The private sector is hemorrhaging, with almost all businesses making substantial layoffs. Access to food and other critical commodities such as medical equipment is limited across the country due to security issues on the ground. The Social Welfare Fund, a cash transfer program for Yemen’s neediest, is no longer operational and has not made any disbursements since late 2014. Yemen will require significant international assistance during and after the protracted conflict to stabilize its economy. Long-term challenges include a high population growth rate, high unemployment, declining water resources, and severe food scarcity. Topic: ZambiaZambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia’s lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose.   Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country’s public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs.Zambia had one of the world’s fastest growing economies for the ten years up to 2014, with real GDP growth averaging roughly 6.7% per annum, though growth slowed during the period 2015 to 2017, due to falling copper prices, reduced power generation, and depreciation of the kwacha. Zambia’s lack of economic diversification and dependency on copper as its sole major export makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in the world commodities market and prices turned downward in 2015 due to declining demand from China; Zambia was overtaken by the Democratic Republic of Congo as Africa’s largest copper producer. GDP growth picked up in 2017 as mineral prices rose. Despite recent strong economic growth and its status as a lower middle-income country, widespread and extreme rural poverty and high unemployment levels remain significant problems, made worse by a high birth rate, a relatively high HIV/AIDS burden, by market-distorting agricultural and energy policies, and growing government debt. Zambia raised $7 billion from international investors by issuing separate sovereign bonds in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Concurrently, it issued over $4 billion in domestic debt and agreed to Chinese-financed infrastructure projects, significantly increasing the country’s public debt burden to more than 60% of GDP. The government has considered refinancing $3 billion worth of Eurobonds and significant Chinese loans to cut debt servicing costs. Topic: ZimbabweZimbabwe's economy depends heavily on its mining and agriculture sectors. Following a contraction from 1998 to 2008, the economy recorded real growth of more than 10% per year in the period 2010-13, before falling below 3% in the period 2014-17, due to poor harvests, low diamond revenues, and decreased investment. Lower mineral prices, infrastructure and regulatory deficiencies, a poor investment climate, a large public and external debt burden, and extremely high government wage expenses impede the country’s economic performance.   Until early 2009, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) routinely printed money to fund the budget deficit, causing hyperinflation. Adoption of a multi-currency basket in early 2009 - which allowed currencies such as the Botswana pula, the South Africa rand, and the US dollar to be used locally - reduced inflation below 10% per year. In January 2015, as part of the government’s effort to boost trade and attract foreign investment, the RBZ announced that the Chinese renmimbi, Indian rupee, Australian dollar, and Japanese yen would be accepted as legal tender in Zimbabwe, though transactions were predominantly carried out in US dollars and South African rand until 2016, when the rand’s devaluation and instability led to near-exclusive use of the US dollar. The government in November 2016 began releasing bond notes, a parallel currency legal only in Zimbabwe which the government claims will have a one-to-one exchange ratio with the US dollar, to ease cash shortages. Bond notes began trading at a discount of up to 10% in the black market by the end of 2016.   Zimbabwe’s government entered a second Staff Monitored Program with the IMF in 2014 and undertook other measures to reengage with international financial institutions. Zimbabwe repaid roughly $108 million in arrears to the IMF in October 2016, but financial observers note that Zimbabwe is unlikely to gain new financing because the government has not disclosed how it plans to repay more than $1.7 billion in arrears to the World Bank and African Development Bank. International financial institutions want Zimbabwe to implement significant fiscal and structural reforms before granting new loans. Foreign and domestic investment continues to be hindered by the lack of land tenure and titling, the inability to repatriate dividends to investors overseas, and the lack of clarity regarding the government’s Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act.Zimbabwe's economy depends heavily on its mining and agriculture sectors. Following a contraction from 1998 to 2008, the economy recorded real growth of more than 10% per year in the period 2010-13, before falling below 3% in the period 2014-17, due to poor harvests, low diamond revenues, and decreased investment. Lower mineral prices, infrastructure and regulatory deficiencies, a poor investment climate, a large public and external debt burden, and extremely high government wage expenses impede the country’s economic performance. Until early 2009, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) routinely printed money to fund the budget deficit, causing hyperinflation. Adoption of a multi-currency basket in early 2009 - which allowed currencies such as the Botswana pula, the South Africa rand, and the US dollar to be used locally - reduced inflation below 10% per year. In January 2015, as part of the government’s effort to boost trade and attract foreign investment, the RBZ announced that the Chinese renmimbi, Indian rupee, Australian dollar, and Japanese yen would be accepted as legal tender in Zimbabwe, though transactions were predominantly carried out in US dollars and South African rand until 2016, when the rand’s devaluation and instability led to near-exclusive use of the US dollar. The government in November 2016 began releasing bond notes, a parallel currency legal only in Zimbabwe which the government claims will have a one-to-one exchange ratio with the US dollar, to ease cash shortages. Bond notes began trading at a discount of up to 10% in the black market by the end of 2016. Zimbabwe’s government entered a second Staff Monitored Program with the IMF in 2014 and undertook other measures to reengage with international financial institutions. Zimbabwe repaid roughly $108 million in arrears to the IMF in October 2016, but financial observers note that Zimbabwe is unlikely to gain new financing because the government has not disclosed how it plans to repay more than $1.7 billion in arrears to the World Bank and African Development Bank. International financial institutions want Zimbabwe to implement significant fiscal and structural reforms before granting new loans. Foreign and domestic investment continues to be hindered by the lack of land tenure and titling, the inability to repatriate dividends to investors overseas, and the lack of clarity regarding the government’s Indigenization and Economic Empowerment Act.

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-cameroon-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Exercise increased caution in Cameroon due to COVID-19 and 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 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: [237] 22220 1500; US Embassy in Yaoundé, Avenue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé, Cameroon; https://cm.usembassy.gov/; YaoundeACS@state.gov Telephone Code: 237 Local Emergency Phone: Local numbers only Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Varies with terrain, from tropical along coast to semiarid and hot 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, E Major Languages: 24 major African language groups, English, French Major Religions: Roman Catholic 38.3%, Protestant 25.5%, other Christian 6.9%, Muslim 24.4%, animist 2.2% 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: Yaounde; Limbe; Douala; Waza National Park; Bamenda; Foumban Palace; Lake Nyos Major Sports: Soccer, tennis, boxing, basketball, cycling Cultural Practices: Government officials are regularly referred to as "excellency" instead of by surname. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping $2-5 (USD) per service rendered is considered acceptable for porters and waiters; $8-15 (USD) per person per day is considered normal for guides and safari drivers.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

field-revenue-from-coal-country-comparison

20220901

countries-belize-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Belize 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 is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. 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 for stays of less than 30 days. US Embassy/Consulate: [011] (501) 822-4011; US Embassy, Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo, Belize; https://bz.usembassy.gov/; ACSBelize@state.gov Telephone Code: 501 Local Emergency Phone: 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; very hot and humid; rainy season (May to November); dry season (February to May) Currency (Code): Dollars (BZD) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 110 V, 220 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, G (same as US plug) Major Languages: English, Spanish, Belize Creole, Maya, German, Garifuna Major Religions: Roman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5%, none 15.5% Time Difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes, but some opt for bottled water outside the cities International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Ambergris Caye; Lighthouse Reef Atoll & the Blue Hole; Turneffe Islands Atoll; Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary; Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, sailing Cultural Practices: Haggling is uncommon and considered rude, except at street markets. Tipping Guidelines: A tip between 15-20% is appropriate in restaurants and bars. Tipping taxi drivers is typically rare because metropolitan prices are low. A tip somewhere between 5-15% of the total bill is appropriate for hotel staff. Souvenirs: Mayan woven baskets and textiles, conch jewelry, wood-carved kitchenware and decorative items, handmade hammocks, native dolls, rum Traditional Cuisine: Belizean Rice and Beans — red kidney beans and rice stewed in coconut milk; typically served with meat and potato salad and/or plantainsPlease 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-norway-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Norway. 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: [47] 21-30-85-40; US Embassy in Oslo, Morgedalsvegen 36, 0378 Oslo, Norway; OsloACS@state.gov; https://no.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 47 Local Emergency Phone: 112, 110 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colder interior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainy year-round on west coast Currency (Code): Norwegian kroner (NOK) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Bokmal Norwegian, Nynorsk Norwegian, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities Major Religions: Church of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 68.1%, Muslim 3.4%, Roman Catholic 3.1%, other Christian 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: Sognefjord; Pulpit Rock; Oslo (includes National Theater, Bygdoy, Viking Ships Museum, Akershus Fortress), Tromsø; Lofoten Islands; Bergen Hanseatic Warf Major Sports: Soccer, winter sports (biatholon, cross-country skiing, ski jumping, speed skating), ice hockey, handball Cultural Practices: Modesty is looked on favorably in Norway, while boastfulness is considered quite rude. This disposition stems from a cultural tradition known as Janet Law, which outlines a series of traditional Norwegian values. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not required. It is, however, customary to leave a tip in restaurants and bars if you are happy with the service. A 10-20% tip is the norm. It is uncommon to tip taxi drivers or cleaning staff at hotels.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

field-internet-users-country-comparison

20220901

field-refined-petroleum-products-exports-country-comparison

20220901

about-whats-new

Topic: August 11, 2022A new The World of the CIA page has been added under the About tab to let visitors learn more about the Factbook‘s home world at CIA headquarters. This portfolio of outstanding photographs also contains links to still further photos of the CIA compound. Check it out. Topic: August 4, 2022This month marks The World Factbook’s 60th birthday! To celebrate, a special 60th anniversary cover has been commissioned.Although the Factbook ceased publication in 2017, new annual cover designs have continued to be made as they help brand the publication and online audiences look forward to seeing what each new cover will highlight. This year’s special design – appearing on the Gallery of Covers page – subtly shows the progression and expansion of the Factbook over time; it becomes more graphic heavy “read” from left to right. Also added to the Gallery this week are selected examples of some of the plain covers from the Factbook‘s first two decades, which further underscore the publication’s development over the past sixty years. Topic: July 28, 2022The World Factbook’s Energy category was recently restructured; while most data has been retained, various former fields have now been combined as subfields under the broad headings of “Electricity,” “Coal,” “Petroleum,” and “Natural gas.” Explanations of some of these revisions will appear below and in What’s New statements in coming weeks.To improve readability and address user feedback, The World Factbook has revised its natural gas data by combining the five former fields into a singular “Natural gas” field, with production, consumption, exports, imports, and proven reserves sub-fields. All data reflect only dry natural gas and exclude non-hydrocarbon gases, as well as vented, flared, and reinjected natural gas. Topic: July 21, 2022The 2021 edition of The World Factbook has been added to the Archives page (under About). All previous versions of The World Factbook – from 2000 to 2021 – are now available on that page. Topic: July 14, 2022In Appendix D: Cross-Reference List of Country Data Codes, the old two-character GEC codes in the first column have been replaced by the new standard three-character GENC codes being adopted by the US Government as the authoritative codes for countries and their subdivisions. GENC stands for Geopolitical Entities, Names, and Codes and is the authoritative set of country names and codes for use by the Federal Government for information exchange. Further details about various types of country codes may be found in the introductory paragraphs of Appendix D. Topic: July 7, 2022A common question asked of The World Factbook is: How many countries are there? The answer is 195. Based on the seven-continent model, and grouping islands with adjacent continents, Africa has the most countries with 54. Europe contains 49 countries and Asia 48, but these two continents share five countries: Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkey. North America consists of 23 sovereign states, Oceania has 14, and South America 12. Topic: June 30, 2022Have you ever travelled abroad and wondered about a country’s traditional foods? Now you can turn to a country’s Travel Facts and learn about one of its popular national dishes in a new “Traditional Cuisine” entry. In Egypt, for example, ful medames is a stew of cooked fava beans with olive oil, cumin, and other herbs and spices that is served from a large metal jug. Topic: June 23, 2022The World Factbook has added a new “Tobacco use” field to the People and Society category providing the latest estimates of tobacco use, whether smoked or smokeless or both. According to the World Health Organization, 23% of the US population uses tobacco products, 28.4% among men and 17.5% among women.  This usage rate ranks the US in 66th position among countries, below Italy but above the Philippines. Topic: June 16, 2022Did you know that Antarctica contains more water than any other continent? The only problem is that it is all ice! Some 99% of the land area is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, the largest single mass of ice on earth covering an area of 14 million sq km (5.4 million sq mi) and containing 26.5 million cu km (6.4 million cu mi) of ice (this is almost 62% of all of the world’s fresh water). If all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world’s ocean by 58 m (190 ft). Topic: June 9, 2022For the five World oceans – Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, and Southern – a “Volume” entry was recently added that not only presents the estimated volume of each of the oceans in million cubic kilometers, but also the percent of the World Ocean total volume. For example, the Indian Ocean’s 264 million cu km volume represents 19.8% of the volume of all of the World’s oceans. Topic: June 2, 2022You are visiting a new country and trying to determine what would be a perfect memento of your trip. The World Factbook can help you decide. The Travel Facts page for every country now includes a Souvenirs section that lists favorite items that visitors like to procure. For example, in Nepal common souvenirs include: knotted/woven carpets and hemp items, wool pashminas, sheepskin slippers, woven caps, kukri knives, precious metal and turquoise jewelry, sacred scroll paintings, wood instruments, lokta bark paper, tea, and kitchen spices. Topic: May 26, 2022In the Environment category, the “Food insecurity” field was recently updated with first quarter 2022 information for 44 – mostly African and Asian – countries where access to food supplies remains a concern. While there have been no significant changes, lingering effects of COVID-19 restrictions are still apparent. More ominously, the ongoing Ukraine war is preventing grain deliveries and raising warnings of an impending global food crisis. Topic: May 19, 2022A second batch of larger and more detailed country maps was recently added to the Factbook. The new countries include: The Bahamas, Benin, Cameroon, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, and North Korea. Topic: May 12, 2022Several key demographic fields in the People and Society category have been updated with 2022 data.  These fields are:  “Life expectancy at birth,” “Total fertility rate,” “Infant mortality rate,” and “Sex ratio.” Topic: May 5, 2022In late March of this year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa, as well as for a few Middle Eastern countries. While wild or naturally occurring polio has been virtually eradicated worldwide, a vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV) has become a concern. VDPV is a strain of the weakened poliovirus that was initially included in oral polio vaccine and that has changed over time and behaves like the wild or naturally occurring virus. This means that it can be spread more easily to people who are unvaccinated against polio and who come into 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 vaccination series. The CDC recommendations may be found in the “Major infectious diseases” entry in the People and Society section of the 24 Sub-Saharan African (and miscellaneous other) countries where VDPV is a threat. Topic: April 28, 2022An important new field providing data on the prevalence of “Child marriage” has been added to the People and Society category. Girls who marry early tend to drop out of school and often have early, higher-risk pregnancies. Child brides are also at risk of abuse, exploitation, and separation from relatives and family. Topic: April 21, 2022In the Military and Security section, the “Maritime threat” entry – which describes piracy threats – was recently updated with 2021 numbers. Overall, there was a significant drop in incidents world-wide over 2020 (195) to 132 for 2021; this is the lowest number since 1994.  The Gulf of Aden remained quiet and West African incidents were down considerably. Areas that showed an increase in attacks were the Singapore Straits and the Western Hemisphere. Topic: April 14, 2022Several population-growth-related fields in the People and Society category have been updated with 2022 data.  These fields are: “Population,” “Population growth rate,” “Birth rate,” “Death rate,” and “Net migration rate.” Topic: April 7, 2022In the Military and Security category, the “Military equipment inventories and acquisitions” field was recently updated with the latest available information from 2021. Topic: March 31, 2022Appendix H: Strategic Materials, which lists all of the compounds, metals, non-metals, and rare earth elements deemed to be of critical importance to US national security, has been updated. The US is 100% import reliant for 14 of the 59 elements listed as Strategic Materials. The US gets between 19-25 commodities from China, 13-18 commodities from Canada, 10 from South Africa, 9 from Brazil, 8 from India, and 6 from Russia. The economic slowdown associated with COVID-19 affected global production of many commodities in 2020, but that slackening began to recover in 2021. Topic: March 24, 2022The World Factbook is delighted to announce the inclusion of 24 new country maps – the first tranche in what will be a series of cartographic updates. The new maps, larger in size and more detailed than previous versions, may be found for the following countries/territories: Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Antarctica, Australia, China, Republic of the Congo, Iceland, India, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Laos, Mongolia, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Yemen. Topic: March 17, 2022In the Military and Security category, the “Military expenditures” field was recently updated with the latest available information. Topic: March 10, 2022Information on drinking water and sanitation has been updated for 2020; both of these subjects are key indicators of social and economic development.  Both the “Drinking water source” and “Sanitation facility access” fields (in the People and Society section) are categorized as ‘improved’ or ‘unimproved’ and include data for rural, urban, and total populations.  Over 90% of the world’s population has access to improved drinking water sources, while almost 70% of the world’s population has access to improved sanitation facilities. Topic: March 3, 2022Have a look this week at the population pyramids (under People and Society > “Age structure”) all of which have recently been updated for 2022. Population pyramids illustrate the age and sex structure of a country’s population. Pyramids that are wider at the bottom and get progressively narrower toward the top are typical of youthful populations, while pyramids that are barrel-shaped characterize more mature populations. Population pyramids can provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. Topic: February 24, 2022Substantial quantities of new photos have recently been added to the following World Factbook entries: Angola, Cuba, Djibouti, Liberia, Nepal, Rwanda, Serbia, and Taiwan. Topic: February 17, 2022In the People and Society category, the “Urbanization” field, which shows the estimated proportion of a country’s population living in urban areas, has been updated with 2022 data. The “Major urban areas – population” field, which provides the estimated population of up to six of a country’s largest urban centers over 750,000 people, has also been updated. For those countries with no metropolis  of 750,000 or more, the estimated population of only the capital has been provided. Topic: February 10, 2022The World Factbook is delighted to unveil its latest field this week entitled “National heritage,” which introduces a country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The first subfield in this new entry – found in the Government section – lists how many sites are present in a country and whether they are cultural or natural or both. The second subfield lists up to 10 or so selected sites in a country. Most countries have fewer than 10 or 12 sites, but some (mostly larger) countries contain many dozen. The United States currently has 24 inscribed sites. Where possible, links have been set up from a listed site to a photo from The World Factbook‘s photo collection. Topic: February 3, 2022The “Military service age and obligation” field has been expanded where possible with information on the approximate numbers or percentages of conscripts in a country’s military. Additionally, the percentages of women in the military have been added where that data is available. Topic: January 27, 2022There are 195 independent countries in the World; amazingly, 80 of them (41% !) have names beginning with one of only four letters (at least in the English language): B (18, Bahamas to Burundi), C (18, Cambodia to Czechia), M (18, Macedonia to Mozambique), and S (24, Saint Kitts and Nevis to Syria). All other letters except W and X begin the name of at least one country. Topic: January 20, 2022Last week the uninhabited island of Hunga Tonga in the Tongan archipelago began to erupt. Located 65 km (40 mi) north of Tongatapu, Tonga’s main island, it is part of the highly active Tonga–Kermadec Islands volcanic arc in the South Pacific. The eruption caused damaging tsunamis along the entire rim of the Pacific Ocean but, fortunately, loss of life has been low. The explosion is the largest of the 21st century to date. Topic: January 13, 2022Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups has been completely updated and includes several new entries (e.g., Forum for the Progress of South America and Wassenaar Arrangement), as well as their contact information (address, phone, fax). In addition, email and website addresses have been added for most organizations. Topic: January 06, 2022Appendix T: Terrorist Organizations has been updated with the latest information from the US State Department’s just-published Country Terrorism Review. All Appendix T entries are now up to at least 2020 and most are 2021. Included are two new foreign terrorist organizations: the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia-People’s Army (FARC-EP) and Segunda Marquetalia. Topic: December 30, 2021Have you ever heard of AOSIS? The acronym stands for the Alliance of Small Island States. Established in 1990, it is an intergovernmental organization of 39 small island and low-lying coastal countries that are particularly vulnerable to climate change. AOSIS has been very active from its inception and has played a leading role in global forums in raising awareness on climate change and in advocating for action to address climate change. To find out more about AOSIS, or about any of more than 200 other international organizations, go to References and click on Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups. Topic: December 16, 2021In the five Oceans entries, the “Marine fisheries” field – in the Environment category – has been updated with the latest available 2019 FAO numbers. Overall, the rankings did not change significantly. The Pacific Ocean remains the largest fishery with 57.8% of total global catch, followed by the Atlantic (26.4%), and Indian Oceans (15.3%). Herrings, sardines, and anchovies make up 24% of the global catch of marine fishes. Topic: December 9, 2021In the Transportation category, the “Merchant marine” entry has been updated for all countries that have a merchant fleet. Topic: December 2, 2021On 30 November 2021, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados became a republic, transitioning from a parliamentary constitutional monarchy to a parliamentary republic with a ceremonial elected president as head of state. The prime minister remains head of government and the country continues its membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. The date marked the 55th anniversary of Barbados achieving its independence from the UK in 1966. Topic: November 18, 2021Are you interested in education and youth employment trends? Please see our newly updated entries for “Education expenditures,” “Literacy,” and “Youth unemployment” in the People and Society section for all countries. Topic: November 11, 2021The “Illicit drugs” entry in the Transnational Issues section was recently updated for all countries with the latest available information and data. Topic: November 4, 2021The World Factbook has added its latest water-related fields, “Major lakes” and “Major rivers,” which appear in both the Geography and Environment categories. “Major aquifers” and “Major watersheds” were introduced last month. The “Major lakes” entry includes natural lakes larger that 500 sq km and designates them as either fresh water or salt water. The “Major rivers” field includes rivers longer than 1,000 km – 87 of them in 84 countries. Several large countries have multiple river entries: Brazil with 7, Canada 10, China 10, India 9, Russia 9, and the US 11. Topic: October 28, 2021The World Factbook is pleased to announce an enhancement to its 223 One-Page Summaries, which now include a brief country/territory Introduction and an Economic Overview snapshot to accompany the latest economic data. In addition, the Government, Geography, and People and Society fields have all been updated where possible. Topic: October 21, 2021The US Government designates 16 countries as Major Non-NATO Allies (MNNA) with which it has strategic working relationships in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation. The countries are: Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia. While MNNA status provides military and economic privileges, it does not entail any security commitments. Information on MNNA status has been added to the “Military – note” for each of these countries. Topic: October 14, 2021The World Factbook is introducing four new water-related fields, to appear in both the Geography and Environment categories. “Major aquifers” and “Major watersheds” are being launched this week; “Major lakes” and “Major rivers” will be added in the not-too-distant future. Topic: October 7, 2021The “Military expenditures” entry was recently updated for all countries with the latest available data – mostly with 2020 numbers, but a few with 2021 or 2019 figures. Topic: September 30, 2021In the Government category, the “Diplomatic representation in the US” and the “Diplomatic representation from the US” entries were recently updated for all countries. Additionally, email and website addresses were included for all foreign embassies in the US, as well as for US embassies abroad. Topic: September 23, 2021Did you know there really is a Robinson Crusoe Island? From 1704 to 1709, the island was home to a marooned sailor, Alexander Selkirk, who at least partially inspired novelist Daniel Defoe’s fictional Robinson Crusoe in his 1719 novel. Today some 850 people live on the island, which received its current name in 1966 to reflect its literary connection and to promote tourism. To find out where the island is located, what it was formerly called, and to what country it belongs, check the Factbook‘s Appendix F: Geographic Names. Topic: September 16, 2021The troy weight system is primarily used in the precious metals industry (e.g., the troy ounce is a traditional unit of gold weight). So, how would someone convert from troy pounds to kilograms? Find out by visiting The World Factbook‘s Weights and Measures page (Appendix G) and scrolling down to either kilograms or pounds, troy. Topic: September 9, 2021Rare earth elements or REEs are 17 chemical elements that are critical in many of today’s high-tech industries. Typical applications for REEs include batteries in hybrid cars, fiber optic cables, flat panel displays, and permanent magnets, as well as some defense and medical products. Appendix H: Strategic Materials includes detailed information on 16 of these elements, including facts describing the elements, their uses, import sources and import quantities, world resources, and any available substitutes. (The only REE not included is Promethium, which exists only in miniscule, economically insignificant quantities.) Topic: September 2, 2021In the Government category, under the “Legislative branch” entry, the descriptions for all Central and South Asian countries, as well as all South American, Mesoamerican, and Greater Antilles countries, have been reviewed and updated where necessary. Topic: August 26, 2021 Topic: August 19, 2021 Topic: August 12, 2021 Topic: August 5, 2021 Topic: July 29, 2021 Topic: July 22, 2021In the Environment category, all the “Food insecurity” entries have been updated with the latest available UN Food and Agriculture Organization data (July 2021). Topic: July 15, 2021 Topic: July 8, 2021 Topic: June 30, 2021 Topic: June 17, 2021 Topic: June 10, 2021In the Transnational Issues category, the “Trafficking in persons” entry was recently updated for the roughly five dozen countries where this situation continues to be a serious problem and is not being adequately addressed. Topic: June 3, 2021Many World Factbook users are aware that the Government section for every country contains a “National anthem” entry as well as a musical link. Did you know that the World entry also has national anthem information? Listed in that entry are distinctive or exceptional anthems, such as the world’s oldest anthem, the world’s shortest anthem, the countries with two official anthems, etc. Visit the World entry to learn what all these remarkable anthems are. Topic: May 27, 2021Did you know that the oceans are divided into three zones based on depth and light level? Find out what these three levels are by going to any of the five ocean entries (Arctic, Atlantic, Indian, Pacific, Southern), then the “Elevation” field and checking out the new ‘ocean zones’ entry. A link to a helpful chart is also included. Topic: May 20, 2021The “Marine fisheries” field in the Environment section of the five Oceans entries was recently updated. The link found in each of these fields displays the Major Fishing Areas of the world as delineated by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. Topic: May 13, 2021Trade data fields for “Imports – commodities,” “Exports – commodities,” “Imports – partners,” and “Exports – partners” have been updated for all countries and territories. This update includes trade data for smaller territories that The World Factbook had not previously reported. Topic: May 6, 2021In the World entry, the airport traffic numbers in the Transportation category have been updated with preliminary 2020 data and they present a dramatically different scenario due to COVID-19 restrictions. Passenger traffic through the top ten airports declined 45.7% in 2020 and for all airports globally dropped am amazing 64.6%. Atlanta, which had been the busiest passenger airport for more than 20 years, is now number two. Seven of the top ten airports for passenger traffic are in China and the other three are in the US. Most of the new rankings are due to domestic flights in China; when global traffic opens up again the old passenger patterns should reemerge.In contrast, air cargo traffic in the top ten airports grew by 3% in 2020 and the rank order was largely unchanged. Memphis, TN surpassed Hong Kong to become the busiest cargo airport. All told, the top ten cargo airports handled 28% of global air cargo. Topic: April 29, 2021In the Military and Security category, the following fields have been updated with the latest 2020 or 2021 data/information: “Military and security forces,” “Military and security service personnel strengths,” “Military deployments,” and “Military equipment inventories and acquisitions.” Topic: April 22, 2021In honor of Earth Day, The World Factbook is introducing a new Environment category, with newly compiled entries that include information on air pollution, water supplies, revenues from natural resources, food insecurity, and waste and recycling. A few of the new category’s fields have appeared in other Factbook sections before (climate, land use, urbanization, major infectious diseases) and they are now gathered in this new section. The new category may be found after ‘People and Society’ but before ‘Government’ under every country listing. Topic: April 15, 2021 Topic: April 8, 2021 Topic: April 1, 2021 Topic: March 25, 2021 Topic: March 18, 2021 Topic: March 11, 2021 Topic: March 4, 2021 Topic: February 25, 2021 Topic: February 18, 2021 Topic: February 8, 2021 Topic: February 4, 2021 Topic: January 28, 2021 Topic: January 21, 2021 Topic: January 14, 2021 Topic: January 7, 2021 Topic: December 31, 2020 Topic: December 17, 2020 Topic: December 10, 2020 Topic: December 03, 2020 Topic: November 25, 2020 Topic: November 19, 2020 Topic: November 12, 2020 Topic: November 05, 2020 Topic: October 28, 2020 Topic: October 22, 2020 Topic: October 15, 2020 Topic: October 08, 2020 Topic: September 24, 2020 Topic: September 17, 2020 Topic: September 10, 2020 Topic: August 26, 2020 Topic: August 20, 2020Continuing this month’s cartography spotlight: Did you know that you can find multiple maps to almost a hundred countries under  the References tab>Regional and World Maps>Maps at CIA? The maps usually include two, and frequently all three, of the following country maps: Administrative, Physiographic, and Transportation – in both PDF and JPG formats. Topic: August 13, 2020 Topic: August 06, 2020 Topic: July 30, 2020 Topic: July 23, 2020 Topic: July 09, 2020 Topic: July 02, 2020 Topic: June 26, 2020 Topic: June 18, 2020 Topic: June 11, 2020 Topic: June 04, 2020 Topic: May 28, 2020 Topic: May 21, 2020Did you know that more than three-quarters of the world’s countries have a maritime boundary of some sort. As such, they have an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which is a sea zone – set forth by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea – over which a country has special rights regarding the exploration and use of marine resources. An EEZ stretches from a country’s mean-low tide baseline at its coast out to 200 nautical miles. Most maps do not show EEZs, but The World Factbook’s World Oceans map does (under the References tab>Regional and World Maps>World Oceans; the PDF version is the most informative, particularly when enlarged). More than one-third of the world’s ocean area falls within an EEZ. Topic: May 14, 2020 Topic: May 07, 2020The “Capital” entry (under Government) is where visitors to The World Factbook will find information related to time. This placement is because the Factbook indicates the time difference in a country relative to the time observed in Washington, DC. The “Capital” entry is also where information on daylight savings time and time zones may be found.Did you know that only about a third of all countries – and only about one-fifth of the world’s inhabitants – use daylight savings time? Find more detailed information on time zones and daylight savings time under World>Government>Capital. Topic: April 30, 2020 Topic: April 23, 2020 Topic: April 16, 2020 Topic: April 09, 2020 Topic: April 02, 2020 Topic: March 19, 2020 Topic: March 12, 2020 Topic: March 05, 2020 Topic: February 27, 2020 Topic: February 20, 2020 Topic: February 13, 2020 Topic: February 06, 2020 Topic: January 31, 2020 Topic: January 28, 2020 Topic: January 23, 2020 Topic: January 16, 2020 Topic: January 09, 2020 Topic: December 19, 2019 Topic: December 12, 2019 Topic: December 05, 2019 Topic: November 21, 2019 Topic: November 14, 2019 Topic: November 07, 2019 Topic: October 31, 2019 Topic: October 24, 2019 Topic: October 17, 2019 Topic: October 10, 2019 Topic: October 03, 2019 Topic: September 24, 2019 Topic: September 19, 2019 Topic: September 12, 2019 Topic: September 03, 2019 Topic: August 29, 2019 Topic: August 22, 2019 Topic: August 15, 2019 Topic: August 08, 2019 Topic: August 01, 2019 Topic: July 25, 2019 Topic: July 18, 2019 Topic: July 11, 2019 Topic: July 03, 2019 Topic: June 26, 2019 Topic: June 21, 2019The World Factbook is proud to unveil its new Travel Facts feature!144 country pages – ranging from Afghanistan to Yemen – now have an embedded Travel Facts icon, which visitors can click to reveal a downloadable one-page summary of important facts to know before traveling to that country. Travel Facts include: Passport/Visa requirements, US State Dept. Travel Warnings, Vaccination Requirements, Climate, Currency, Major Languages, Religions, Time Difference, Potable Water, International Driving Permit requirement, Road Driving Side, Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s), Cultural Practices, Telephone Code, Local Emergency Phone Numbers, and US Embassy/Consulate Information.Travel Facts for the remainder of the world’s countries will become available in the months to come. Topic: June 13, 2019 Topic: June 06, 2019 Topic: May 30, 2019 Topic: May 23, 2019 Topic: May 16, 2019 Topic: May 09, 2019 Topic: May 02, 2019 Topic: April 25, 2019 Topic: April 18, 2019 Topic: April 16, 2019 Topic: April 11, 2019 Topic: April 04, 2019 Topic: March 28, 2019 Topic: March 21, 2019 Topic: March 14, 2019 Topic: March 07, 2019 Topic: February 28, 2019 Topic: February 21, 2019 Topic: February 14, 2019Greece and its northern neighbor Macedonia recently resolved a nearly-three-decade-old naming dispute in which both countries claimed historical rights to the name “Macedonia.” The Republic of Macedonia agreed to change its name to the Republic of North Macedonia and this renaming was officially promulgated on 12 February 2019. The World Factbook will incorporate the new name throughout its database after the US State Department receives an official diplomatic notification from the Macedonian Government and after the name has been approved by the US Board on Geographic Names – all of which should take place within the next few days.Other country name changes of the 21st century include last year’s name change of Swaziland to Eswatini, the Czech Republic adopting the short-form name of Czechia in 2016, Cape Verde formalizing the Portuguese use of its name Cabo Verde for all official purposes in 2013, and East Timor adopting the name of Timor-Leste shortly after attaining independence in 2002. Topic: February 07, 2019 Topic: January 31, 2019 Topic: January 24, 2019 Topic: January 16, 2019 Topic: January 10, 2019 Topic: January 03, 2019 Topic: December 31, 2018 Topic: December 20, 2018 Topic: December 14, 2018 Topic: December 06, 2018 Topic: November 28, 2018 Topic: November 21, 2018 Topic: November 14, 2018 Topic: November 08, 2018 Topic: November 01, 2018 Topic: October 25, 2018 Topic: October 18, 2018 Topic: October 11, 2018 Topic: October 04, 2018 Topic: September 27, 2018 Topic: September 20, 2018 Topic: September 13, 2018 Topic: September 06, 2018 Topic: August 30, 2018 Topic: August 23, 2018 Topic: August 16, 2018 Topic: August 09, 2018 Topic: August 02, 2018 Topic: July 26, 2018 Topic: July 19, 2018 Topic: July 12, 2018 Topic: July 05, 2018 Topic: June 28, 2018 Topic: June 21, 2018 Topic: June 14, 2018 Topic: June 07, 2018 Topic: May 31, 2018 Topic: May 16, 2018 Topic: May 10, 2018 Topic: May 03, 2018 Topic: April 26, 2018 Topic: April 19, 2018 Topic: April 11, 2018 Topic: April 05, 2018 Topic: March 29, 2018 Topic: March 22, 2018 Topic: March 15, 2018 Topic: March 09, 2018 Topic: March 05, 2018 Topic: February 23, 2018 Topic: February 16, 2018 Topic: February 09, 2018 Topic: February 01, 2018 Topic: January 26, 2018 Topic: January 19, 2018 Topic: January 11, 2018 Topic: January 05, 2018 Topic: December 22, 2017 Topic: December 15, 2017 Topic: December 08, 2017 Topic: December 01, 2017 Topic: November 17, 2017 Topic: November 09, 2017 Topic: November 03, 2017 Topic: October 27, 2017 Topic: October 20, 2017 Topic: October 13, 2017 Topic: October 06, 2017 Topic: September 22, 2017 Topic: September 18, 2017 Topic: September 08, 2017 Topic: September 01, 2017 Topic: August 25, 2017 Topic: August 18, 2017 Topic: August 04, 2017 Topic: July 28, 2017 Topic: July 21, 2017 Topic: July 14, 2017 Topic: July 07, 2017 Topic: June 30, 2017 Topic: June 23, 2017 Topic: June 09, 2017 Topic: June 02, 2017 Topic: May 25, 2017 Topic: May 16, 2017 Topic: May 11, 2017 Topic: April 26, 2017 Topic: April 20, 2017 Topic: April 12, 2017 Topic: April 06, 2017 Topic: March 30, 2017 Topic: March 23, 2017 Topic: March 16, 2017 Topic: March 09, 2017 Topic: March 02, 2017 Topic: February 23, 2017 Topic: February 13, 2017 Topic: February 02, 2017 Topic: January 26, 2017 Topic: January 13, 2017 Topic: January 06, 2017 Topic: December 23, 2016 Topic: December 16, 2016 Topic: December 09, 2016 Topic: December 02, 2016 Topic: November 23, 2016 Topic: November 17, 2016 Topic: November 10, 2016 Topic: November 04, 2016 Topic: October 28, 2016 Topic: October 21, 2016 Topic: October 14, 2016 Topic: October 07, 2016 Topic: September 30, 2016 Topic: September 23, 2016 Topic: September 16, 2016 Topic: September 08, 2016 Topic: August 26, 2016 Topic: August 19, 2016 Topic: August 12, 2016 Topic: August 05, 2016 Topic: July 29, 2016 Topic: July 22, 2016 Topic: July 15, 2016 Topic: July 08, 2016 Topic: July 01, 2016 Topic: June 24, 2016 Topic: June 17, 2016 Topic: June 10, 2016 Topic: June 03, 2016 Topic: May 27, 2016 Topic: May 19, 2016 Topic: May 12, 2016 Topic: May 06, 2016 Topic: April 29, 2016 Topic: April 22, 2016 Topic: April 15, 2016 Topic: April 08, 2016 Topic: April 01, 2016 Topic: March 17, 2016 Topic: March 10, 2016 Topic: February 25, 2016 Topic: February 19, 2016 Topic: February 12, 2016 Topic: February 05, 2016 Topic: January 29, 2016 Topic: January 21, 2016 Topic: January 15, 2016 Topic: January 08, 2016 Topic: December 30, 2015 Topic: December 17, 2015 Topic: December 10, 2015 Topic: November 20, 2015 Topic: November 13, 2015 Topic: November 06, 2015 Topic: October 30, 2015 Topic: October 22, 2015 Topic: October 16, 2015 Topic: October 09, 2015 Topic: October 02, 2015 Topic: September 25, 2015 Topic: September 18, 2015 Topic: September 11, 2015 Topic: September 02, 2015 Topic: August 27, 2015 Topic: August 20, 2015 Topic: August 13, 2015 Topic: August 07, 2015 Topic: July 31, 2015 Topic: July 24, 2015 Topic: July 17, 2015 Topic: July 10, 2015 Topic: July 02, 2015 Topic: June 26, 2015 Topic: June 19, 2015 Topic: June 12, 2015 Topic: May 29, 2015 Topic: May 22, 2015 Topic: May 15, 2015 Topic: May 08, 2015 Topic: April 30, 2015 Topic: April 21, 2015 Topic: April 13, 2015 Topic: August 15, 2014 Topic: July 10, 2014 Topic: June 26, 2014 Topic: June 19, 2014 Topic: June 12, 2014 Topic: June 05, 2014 Topic: May 29, 2014 Topic: May 15, 2014 Topic: May 08, 2014 Topic: April 30, 2014 Topic: April 17, 2014 Topic: April 10, 2014 Topic: April 03, 2014 Topic: March 27, 2014 Topic: March 20, 2014 Topic: March 06, 2014 Topic: February 27, 2014 Topic: February 20, 2014 Topic: February 13, 2014 Topic: February 06, 2014 Topic: January 30, 2014 Topic: January 16, 2014 Topic: January 09, 2014 Topic: December 19, 2013 Topic: December 10, 2013 Topic: December 05, 2013 Topic: November 21, 2013 Topic: November 14, 2013 Topic: November 06, 2013 Topic: October 31, 2013 Topic: October 24, 2013 Topic: September 26, 2013 Topic: September 12, 2013 Topic: August 29, 2013 Topic: August 22, 2013 Topic: August 15, 2013 Topic: August 08, 2013 Topic: August 01, 2013 Topic: July 11, 2013 Topic: July 03, 2013 Topic: June 27, 2013 Topic: June 20, 2013 Topic: June 13, 2013 Topic: June 06, 2013 Topic: May 23, 2013 Topic: May 16, 2013 Topic: May 09, 2013 Topic: May 02, 2013 Topic: April 25, 2013 Topic: April 18, 2013 Topic: April 11, 2013 Topic: April 04, 2013 Topic: March 28, 2013 Topic: March 21, 2013 Topic: March 14, 2013 Topic: February 28, 2013 Topic: February 21, 2013 Topic: February 14, 2013 Topic: February 07, 2013 Topic: January 31, 2013 Topic: January 24, 2013 Topic: January 17, 2013 Topic: January 10, 2013 Topic: January 03, 2013 Topic: December 20, 2012 Topic: December 13, 2012 Topic: December 06, 2012 Topic: November 29, 2012 Topic: November 21, 2012 Topic: November 15, 2012 Topic: November 08, 2012 Topic: October 26, 2012 Topic: October 18, 2012 Topic: October 11, 2012 Topic: October 04, 2012 Topic: September 27, 2012 Topic: September 20, 2012 Topic: September 13, 2012 Topic: September 05, 2012 Topic: August 29, 2012 Topic: August 22, 2012 Topic: August 08, 2012 Topic: August 01, 2012 Topic: July 25, 2012 Topic: July 18, 2012 Topic: July 04, 2012 Topic: June 27, 2012 Topic: June 21, 2012 Topic: June 13, 2012 Topic: May 30, 2012 Topic: May 23, 2012 Topic: May 16, 2012 Topic: May 09, 2012 Topic: May 02, 2012 Topic: April 17, 2012 Topic: April 11, 2012 Topic: April 04, 2012 Topic: March 21, 2012 Topic: March 14, 2012 Topic: March 07, 2012 Topic: February 29, 2012 Topic: February 15, 2012 Topic: February 08, 2012 Topic: January 26, 2012 Topic: January 18, 2012

20220901

countries-algeria-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Algeria was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962.Algeria was heavily colonized by the French in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A bloody eight-year struggle culminated in Algerian independence in 1962. Topic: Geography Area: total: 2,381,740 sq km land: 2,381,740 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: arid to semiarid; mild, wet winters with hot, dry summers along coast; drier with cold winters and hot summers on high plateau; sirocco is a hot, dust/sand-laden wind especially common in summer Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, uranium, lead, zinc Topic: People and Society Population: 44,178,884 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% Languages: Arabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); dialects include Kabyle Berber (Taqbaylit), Shawiya Berber (Tacawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq) Religions: Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ibadi  Muslims) <1% (2012 est.) Population growth rate: 1.34% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Algiers Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelmadjid TEBBOUNE (since 12 December 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Ayman BENABDERRAHMANE (since 7 July 2021); note - President TEBBOUNE appointed BENABDERRAHMANE as prime minister following the resignation of Prime Minister Abdelaziz DJERAD on 24 June 2021     Abdelaziz DJERAD (since 28 December 2019) Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Barlaman consists of: Council of the Nation or Majlis al-Umma (174 seats; two-thirds of members indirectly elected by simple majority vote by an electoral college composed of local assemblies within each wilaya, and one-third of members appointed by the president; members serve 6-year terms with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) National People's Assembly or al-Majlis al-Sha'abi al-Watani (407 seats including 8 seats for Algerian diaspora); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms); note - in March 2021, President TEBBOUNE ordered the number of Assembly seats be reduced to 407 from 462 Topic: Economy Economic overview: suffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reformssuffering oil and gas economy; lack of sector and market diversification; political instability chilling domestic consumption; poor credit access and declines in business confidence; COVID-19 austerity policies; delayed promised socio-economic reforms Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $468.4 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $10,700 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: potatoes, wheat, milk, watermelons, barley, onions, tomatoes, oranges, dates, vegetables Industries: petroleum, natural gas, light industries, mining, electrical, petrochemical, food processing Exports: $38.32 billion (2019 est.) Exports - partners: Italy 13%, France 13%, Spain 12%, United States 7%, United Kingdom 7%, India 5%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, fertilizers, ammonia (2019) Imports: $54.26 billion (2019 est.) Imports - partners: China 18%, France 14%, Italy 8%, Spain 8%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies, milk, vehicle parts (2019)Page last updated: Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022

20220901

field-demographic-profile

This entry describes a country’s key demographic features and trends and how they vary among regional, ethnic, and socioeconomic sub-populations. Some of the topics addressed are population age structure, fertility, health, mortality, poverty, education, and migration. Topic: AlgeriaFor the first two thirds of the 20th century, Algeria's high fertility rate caused its population to grow rapidly. However, about a decade after independence from France in 1962, the total fertility rate fell dramatically from 7 children per woman in the 1970s to about 2.4 in 2000, slowing Algeria's population growth rate by the late 1980s. The lower fertility rate was mainly the result of women's rising age at first marriage (virtually all Algerian children being born in wedlock) and to a lesser extent the wider use of contraceptives. Later marriages and a preference for smaller families are attributed to increases in women's education and participation in the labor market; higher unemployment; and a shortage of housing forcing multiple generations to live together. The average woman's age at first marriage increased from about 19 in the mid-1950s to 24 in the mid-1970s to 30.5 in the late 1990s. Algeria's fertility rate experienced an unexpected upturn in the early 2000s, as the average woman's age at first marriage dropped slightly. The reversal in fertility could represent a temporary fluctuation in marriage age or, less likely, a decrease in the steady rate of contraceptive use. Thousands of Algerian peasants - mainly Berber men from the Kabylia region - faced with land dispossession and economic hardship under French rule migrated temporarily to France to work in manufacturing and mining during the first half of the 20th century. This movement accelerated during World War I, when Algerians filled in for French factory workers or served as soldiers. In the years following independence, low-skilled Algerian workers and Algerians who had supported the French (known as Harkis) emigrated en masse to France. Tighter French immigration rules and Algiers' decision to cease managing labor migration to France in the 1970s limited legal emigration largely to family reunification. Not until Algeria's civil war in the 1990s did the country again experience substantial outmigration. Many Algerians legally entered Tunisia without visas claiming to be tourists and then stayed as workers. Other Algerians headed to Europe seeking asylum, although France imposed restrictions. Sub-Saharan African migrants came to Algeria after its civil war to work in agriculture and mining. In the 2000s, a wave of educated Algerians went abroad seeking skilled jobs in a wider range of destinations, increasing their presence in North America and Spain. At the same time, legal foreign workers principally from China and Egypt came to work in Algeria's construction and oil sectors. Illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Malians, Nigeriens, and Gambians, continue to come to Algeria in search of work or to use it as a stepping stone to Libya and Europe. Since 1975, Algeria also has been the main recipient of Sahrawi refugees from the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara (today part of Morocco). More than 1000,000 Sahrawis are estimated to be living in five refugee camps in southwestern Algeria near Tindouf.For the first two thirds of the 20th century, Algeria's high fertility rate caused its population to grow rapidly. However, about a decade after independence from France in 1962, the total fertility rate fell dramatically from 7 children per woman in the 1970s to about 2.4 in 2000, slowing Algeria's population growth rate by the late 1980s. The lower fertility rate was mainly the result of women's rising age at first marriage (virtually all Algerian children being born in wedlock) and to a lesser extent the wider use of contraceptives. Later marriages and a preference for smaller families are attributed to increases in women's education and participation in the labor market; higher unemployment; and a shortage of housing forcing multiple generations to live together. The average woman's age at first marriage increased from about 19 in the mid-1950s to 24 in the mid-1970s to 30.5 in the late 1990s.Algeria's fertility rate experienced an unexpected upturn in the early 2000s, as the average woman's age at first marriage dropped slightly. The reversal in fertility could represent a temporary fluctuation in marriage age or, less likely, a decrease in the steady rate of contraceptive use.Thousands of Algerian peasants - mainly Berber men from the Kabylia region - faced with land dispossession and economic hardship under French rule migrated temporarily to France to work in manufacturing and mining during the first half of the 20th century. This movement accelerated during World War I, when Algerians filled in for French factory workers or served as soldiers. In the years following independence, low-skilled Algerian workers and Algerians who had supported the French (known as Harkis) emigrated en masse to France. Tighter French immigration rules and Algiers' decision to cease managing labor migration to France in the 1970s limited legal emigration largely to family reunification.Not until Algeria's civil war in the 1990s did the country again experience substantial outmigration. Many Algerians legally entered Tunisia without visas claiming to be tourists and then stayed as workers. Other Algerians headed to Europe seeking asylum, although France imposed restrictions. Sub-Saharan African migrants came to Algeria after its civil war to work in agriculture and mining. In the 2000s, a wave of educated Algerians went abroad seeking skilled jobs in a wider range of destinations, increasing their presence in North America and Spain. At the same time, legal foreign workers principally from China and Egypt came to work in Algeria's construction and oil sectors. Illegal migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly Malians, Nigeriens, and Gambians, continue to come to Algeria in search of work or to use it as a stepping stone to Libya and Europe.Since 1975, Algeria also has been the main recipient of Sahrawi refugees from the ongoing conflict in Western Sahara (today part of Morocco). More than 1000,000 Sahrawis are estimated to be living in five refugee camps in southwestern Algeria near Tindouf. Topic: AngolaMore than a decade after the end of Angola's 27-year civil war, the country still faces a variety of socioeconomic problems, including poverty, high maternal and child mortality, and illiteracy. Despite the country's rapid post-war economic growth based on oil production, about 40 percent of Angolans live below the poverty line and unemployment is widespread, especially among the large young-adult population. Only about 70% of the population is literate, and the rate drops to around 60% for women. The youthful population - about 45% are under the age of 15 - is expected to continue growing rapidly with a fertility rate of more than 5 children per woman and a low rate of contraceptive use. Fewer than half of women deliver their babies with the assistance of trained health care personnel, which contributes to Angola's high maternal mortality rate. Of the estimated 550,000 Angolans who fled their homeland during its civil war, most have returned home since 2002. In 2012, the UN assessed that conditions in Angola had been stable for several years and invoked a cessation of refugee status for Angolans. Following the cessation clause, some of those still in exile returned home voluntarily through UN repatriation programs, and others integrated into host countries.More than a decade after the end of Angola's 27-year civil war, the country still faces a variety of socioeconomic problems, including poverty, high maternal and child mortality, and illiteracy. Despite the country's rapid post-war economic growth based on oil production, about 40 percent of Angolans live below the poverty line and unemployment is widespread, especially among the large young-adult population. Only about 70% of the population is literate, and the rate drops to around 60% for women. The youthful population - about 45% are under the age of 15 - is expected to continue growing rapidly with a fertility rate of more than 5 children per woman and a low rate of contraceptive use. Fewer than half of women deliver their babies with the assistance of trained health care personnel, which contributes to Angola's high maternal mortality rate.Of the estimated 550,000 Angolans who fled their homeland during its civil war, most have returned home since 2002. In 2012, the UN assessed that conditions in Angola had been stable for several years and invoked a cessation of refugee status for Angolans. Following the cessation clause, some of those still in exile returned home voluntarily through UN repatriation programs, and others integrated into host countries. Topic: ArgentinaArgentina's population continues to grow but at a slower rate because of its steadily declining birth rate. Argentina's fertility decline began earlier than in the rest of Latin America, occurring most rapidly between the early 20th century and the 1950s, and then becoming more gradual. Life expectancy has been improving, most notably among the young and the poor. While the population under age 15 is shrinking, the youth cohort - ages 15-24 - is the largest in Argentina's history and will continue to bolster the working-age population. If this large working-age population is well-educated and gainfully employed, Argentina is likely to experience an economic boost and possibly higher per capita savings and investment. Although literacy and primary school enrollment are nearly universal, grade repetition is problematic and secondary school completion is low. Both of these issues vary widely by region and socioeconomic group. Argentina has been primarily a country of immigration for most of its history, welcoming European immigrants (often providing needed low-skilled labor) after its independence in the 19th century and attracting especially large numbers from Spain and Italy. More than 7 million European immigrants are estimated to have arrived in Argentina between 1880 and 1930, when it adopted a more restrictive immigration policy. European immigration also began to wane in the 1930s because of the global depression. The inflow rebounded temporarily following WWII and resumed its decline in the 1950s when Argentina's military dictators tightened immigration rules and European economies rebounded. Regional migration increased, however, supplying low-skilled workers escaping economic and political instability in their home countries. As of 2015, immigrants made up almost 5% of Argentina's population, the largest share in South America. Migration from neighboring countries accounted for approximately 80% of Argentina's immigrant population in 2015. The first waves of highly skilled Argentine emigrant workers headed mainly to the United States and Spain in the 1960s and 1970s, driven by economic decline and repressive military dictatorships. The 2008 European economic crisis drove the return migration of some Argentinean and other Latin American nationals, as well as the immigration of Europeans to South America, where Argentina was a key recipient. In 2015, Argentina received the highest number of legal migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean. The majority of its migrant inflow came from Paraguay and Bolivia.Argentina's population continues to grow but at a slower rate because of its steadily declining birth rate. Argentina's fertility decline began earlier than in the rest of Latin America, occurring most rapidly between the early 20th century and the 1950s, and then becoming more gradual. Life expectancy has been improving, most notably among the young and the poor. While the population under age 15 is shrinking, the youth cohort - ages 15-24 - is the largest in Argentina's history and will continue to bolster the working-age population. If this large working-age population is well-educated and gainfully employed, Argentina is likely to experience an economic boost and possibly higher per capita savings and investment. Although literacy and primary school enrollment are nearly universal, grade repetition is problematic and secondary school completion is low. Both of these issues vary widely by region and socioeconomic group.Argentina has been primarily a country of immigration for most of its history, welcoming European immigrants (often providing needed low-skilled labor) after its independence in the 19th century and attracting especially large numbers from Spain and Italy. More than 7 million European immigrants are estimated to have arrived in Argentina between 1880 and 1930, when it adopted a more restrictive immigration policy. European immigration also began to wane in the 1930s because of the global depression. The inflow rebounded temporarily following WWII and resumed its decline in the 1950s when Argentina's military dictators tightened immigration rules and European economies rebounded. Regional migration increased, however, supplying low-skilled workers escaping economic and political instability in their home countries. As of 2015, immigrants made up almost 5% of Argentina's population, the largest share in South America. Migration from neighboring countries accounted for approximately 80% of Argentina's immigrant population in 2015.The first waves of highly skilled Argentine emigrant workers headed mainly to the United States and Spain in the 1960s and 1970s, driven by economic decline and repressive military dictatorships. The 2008 European economic crisis drove the return migration of some Argentinean and other Latin American nationals, as well as the immigration of Europeans to South America, where Argentina was a key recipient. In 2015, Argentina received the highest number of legal migrants in Latin America and the Caribbean. The majority of its migrant inflow came from Paraguay and Bolivia. Topic: BelizeMigration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent.Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation.Migration continues to transform Belize's population. About 16% of Belizeans live abroad, while immigrants constitute approximately 15% of Belize's population. Belizeans seeking job and educational opportunities have preferred to emigrate to the United States rather than former colonizer Great Britain because of the United States' closer proximity and stronger trade ties with Belize. Belizeans also emigrate to Canada, Mexico, and English-speaking Caribbean countries. The emigration of a large share of Creoles (Afro-Belizeans) and the influx of Central American immigrants, mainly Guatemalans, Salvadorans, and Hondurans, has changed Belize's ethnic composition. Mestizos have become the largest ethnic group, and Belize now has more native Spanish speakers than English or Creole speakers, despite English being the official language. In addition, Central American immigrants are establishing new communities in rural areas, which contrasts with the urbanization trend seen in neighboring countries. Recently, Chinese, European, and North American immigrants have become more frequent.Immigration accounts for an increasing share of Belize's population growth rate, which is steadily falling due to fertility decline. Belize's declining birth rate and its increased life expectancy are creating an aging population. As the elderly population grows and nuclear families replace extended households, Belize's government will be challenged to balance a rising demand for pensions, social services, and healthcare for its senior citizens with the need to reduce poverty and social inequality and to improve sanitation. Topic: BeninBenin has a youthful age structure – almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 – which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates. Benin’s total fertility has been falling over time but remains high, declining from almost 7 children per women in 1990 to 4.8 in 2016. Benin’s low contraceptive use and high unmet need for contraception contribute to the sustained high fertility rate. Although the majority of Beninese women use skilled health care personnel for antenatal care and delivery, the high rate of maternal mortality indicates the need for more access to high quality obstetric care.Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many desperate parents resort to sending their children to work in wealthy households as domestic servants (a common practice known as vidomegon), mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, often under brutal conditions. Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders.Benin has a youthful age structure – almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 – which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates. Benin’s total fertility has been falling over time but remains high, declining from almost 7 children per women in 1990 to 4.8 in 2016. Benin’s low contraceptive use and high unmet need for contraception contribute to the sustained high fertility rate. Although the majority of Beninese women use skilled health care personnel for antenatal care and delivery, the high rate of maternal mortality indicates the need for more access to high quality obstetric care.Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many desperate parents resort to sending their children to work in wealthy households as domestic servants (a common practice known as vidomegon), mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, often under brutal conditions. Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders. Topic: BoliviaBolivia ranks at or near the bottom among Latin American countries in several areas of health and development, including poverty, education, fertility, malnutrition, mortality, and life expectancy. On the positive side, more children are being vaccinated and more pregnant women are getting prenatal care and having skilled health practitioners attend their births.Bolivia’s income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Public education is of poor quality, and educational opportunities are among the most unevenly distributed in Latin America, with girls and indigenous and rural children less likely to be literate or to complete primary school. The lack of access to education and family planning services helps to sustain Bolivia’s high fertility rate—approximately three children per woman. Bolivia’s lack of clean water and basic sanitation, especially in rural areas, contributes to health problems.Between 7% and 16% of Bolivia’s population lives abroad (estimates vary in part because of illegal migration). Emigrants primarily seek jobs and better wages in Argentina (the principal destination), the US, and Spain. In recent years, more restrictive immigration policies in Europe and the US have increased the flow of Bolivian emigrants to neighboring countries. Fewer Bolivians migrated to Brazil in 2015 and 2016 because of its recession; increasing numbers have been going to Chile, mainly to work as miners.Bolivia ranks at or near the bottom among Latin American countries in several areas of health and development, including poverty, education, fertility, malnutrition, mortality, and life expectancy. On the positive side, more children are being vaccinated and more pregnant women are getting prenatal care and having skilled health practitioners attend their births.Bolivia’s income inequality is the highest in Latin America and one of the highest in the world. Public education is of poor quality, and educational opportunities are among the most unevenly distributed in Latin America, with girls and indigenous and rural children less likely to be literate or to complete primary school. The lack of access to education and family planning services helps to sustain Bolivia’s high fertility rate—approximately three children per woman. Bolivia’s lack of clean water and basic sanitation, especially in rural areas, contributes to health problems.Between 7% and 16% of Bolivia’s population lives abroad (estimates vary in part because of illegal migration). Emigrants primarily seek jobs and better wages in Argentina (the principal destination), the US, and Spain. In recent years, more restrictive immigration policies in Europe and the US have increased the flow of Bolivian emigrants to neighboring countries. Fewer Bolivians migrated to Brazil in 2015 and 2016 because of its recession; increasing numbers have been going to Chile, mainly to work as miners. Topic: BotswanaBotswana 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. Topic: BrazilBrazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions but is funding a study abroad program to bring advanced skills back to the country. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, and Bolsa Familia and other social programs have lifted tens of millions out of poverty. More than half of Brazil's population is considered middle class, but poverty and income inequality levels remain high; the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas (slums).Brazil has traditionally been a net recipient of immigrants, with its southeast being the prime destination. After the importation of African slaves was outlawed in the mid-19th century, Brazil sought Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Germans) and later Asians (Japanese) to work in agriculture, especially coffee cultivation. Recent immigrants come mainly from Argentina, Chile, and Andean countries (many are unskilled illegal migrants) or are returning Brazilian nationals. Since Brazil's economic downturn in the 1980s, emigration to the United States, Europe, and Japan has been rising but is negligible relative to Brazil's total population. The majority of these emigrants are well-educated and middle-class. Fewer Brazilian peasants are emigrating to neighboring countries to take up agricultural work.Brazil's rapid fertility decline since the 1960s is the main factor behind the country's slowing population growth rate, aging population, and fast-paced demographic transition. Brasilia has not taken full advantage of its large working-age population to develop its human capital and strengthen its social and economic institutions but is funding a study abroad program to bring advanced skills back to the country. The current favorable age structure will begin to shift around 2025, with the labor force shrinking and the elderly starting to compose an increasing share of the total population. Well-funded public pensions have nearly wiped out poverty among the elderly, and Bolsa Familia and other social programs have lifted tens of millions out of poverty. More than half of Brazil's population is considered middle class, but poverty and income inequality levels remain high; the Northeast, North, and Center-West, women, and black, mixed race, and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Disparities in opportunities foster social exclusion and contribute to Brazil's high crime rate, particularly violent crime in cities and favelas (slums).Brazil has traditionally been a net recipient of immigrants, with its southeast being the prime destination. After the importation of African slaves was outlawed in the mid-19th century, Brazil sought Europeans (Italians, Portuguese, Spaniards, and Germans) and later Asians (Japanese) to work in agriculture, especially coffee cultivation. Recent immigrants come mainly from Argentina, Chile, and Andean countries (many are unskilled illegal migrants) or are returning Brazilian nationals. Since Brazil's economic downturn in the 1980s, emigration to the United States, Europe, and Japan has been rising but is negligible relative to Brazil's total population. The majority of these emigrants are well-educated and middle-class. Fewer Brazilian peasants are emigrating to neighboring countries to take up agricultural work. Topic: BruneiBrunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs. Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service.  Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force.Brunei is a small, oil-rich sultanate of less than half a million people, making it the smallest country in Southeast Asia by population.  Its total fertility rate – the average number of births per woman – has been steadily declining over the last few decades, from over 3.5 in the 1980s to below replacement level today at nearly 1.8.  The trend is due to women’s increased years of education and participation in the workforce, which have resulted in later marriages and fewer children.  Yet, the population continues to grow because of the large number of women of reproductive age and a reliance on foreign labor – mainly from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and South Asian countries – to fill low-skilled jobs.Brunei is officially Muslim, and Malay is the official language.  The country follows an official Malay national ideology, Malay Islamic Monarchy, which promotes Malay language and culture, Islamic values, and the monarchy.  Only seven of Brunei’s native groups are recognized in the constitution and are defined as “Malay” – Brunei Malays, Belait, Kedayan, Dusun, Bisayak, Lun Bawang, and Sama-Baiau.  Together they make up about 66% percent of the population and are referred to as the Bumiputera.  The Bumiputera are entitled to official privileges, including land ownership, access to certain types of employment (Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Brunei Shell Petroleum), easier access to higher education, and better job opportunities in the civil service. Brunei’s Chinese population descends from migrants who arrived when Brunei was a British protectorate (1888 and 1984).  They are prominent in the non-state commercial sector and account for approximately 10% of the population.  Most Bruneian Chinese are permanent residents rather than citizens despite roots going back several generations.  Many are stateless and are denied rights granted to citizens, such as land ownership, subsidized health care, and free secondary and university education.  Because of the discriminatory policies, the number of Chinese in Brunei has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years.  Native ethnic groups that are not included in the Bumiputera are not recognized in the constitution and are not officially identified as “Malay” or automatically granted citizenship.  Foreign workers constitute some quarter of the labor force. Topic: Burkina FasoBurkina 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. Topic: BurmaBurma’s 2014 national census – the first in more than 30 years – revealed that the country’s total population is approximately 51.5 million, significantly lower than the Burmese Government’s prior estimate of 61 million.  The Burmese Government assumed that the 2% population growth rate between 1973 and 1983 remained constant and that emigration was zero, ignoring later sample surveys showing declining fertility rates and substantial labor migration abroad in recent decades.  These factors reduced the estimated average annual growth rate between 2003 and 2014 to about .9%.  Among Southeast Asian countries, Burma’s life expectancy is among the lowest and its infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest.  The large difference in life expectancy between women and men has resulted in older age cohorts consisting of far more women than men. Burma’s demographic transition began in the 1950s, when mortality rates began to drop.  Fertility did not start to decrease until the 1960s, sustaining high population growth until the decline accelerated in the 1980s.  The birth rate has held fairly steady from 2000 until today.  Since the 1970s, the total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen more than 60%, from almost 6 children per woman to 2.2 in 2016.  The reduced TFR is largely a result of women marrying later and more women never marrying, both being associated with greater educational attainment and labor force participation among women.  TFR, however, varies regionally, between urban and rural areas, by educational attainment, and among ethnic groups, with fertility lowest in urban areas (where it is below replacement level). The shift in Burma’s age structure has been slow (45% of the population is still under 25 years of age) and uneven among its socioeconomic groups.  Any economic boost from the growth of the working-age population is likely to take longer to develop, to have a smaller impact, and to be distributed unequally.  Rural poverty and unemployment continue to drive high levels of internal and international migration.  The majority of labor migration is internal, mainly from rural to urban areas.  The new government’s growing regional integration, reforms, and improved diplomatic relations are increasing the pace of international migration and destination choices.  As many as 4-5 million Burmese, mostly from rural areas and several ethnic groups, have taken up unskilled jobs abroad in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Thailand is the most common destination, hosting about 70% of Burma’s international migrants, followed by Malaysia, China, and Singapore.  Burma is a patchwork of more than 130 religious and ethnic groups, distinguishing it as one of the most diverse countries in the region.  Ethnic minorities face substantial discrimination, and the Rohingya, the largest Muslim group, are arguably the most persecuted population in the country.  The Burmese Government and the Buddhist majority see the Rohingya as a threat to identity, competitors for jobs and resources, terrorists, and some still resent them for their alliance with Burma’s British colonizers during its 19th century.  Since at least the 1960s, they have been subjected to systematic human rights abuses, violence, marginalization, and disenfranchisement, which authorities continue to deny.  Despite living in Burma for centuries, many Burmese see the Rohingya as illegal Bengali immigrants and refer to them Bengalis.  As a result, the Rohingya have been classified as foreign residents and stripped of their citizenship, rendering them one of the largest stateless populations in the world.   Hundreds of thousands of Burmese from various ethnic groups have been internally displaced (an estimated 644,000 as of year-end 2016) or have fled to neighboring countries over the decades because of persecution, armed conflict, rural development projects, drought, and natural disasters.  Bangladesh has absorbed the most refugees from Burma, with an estimated 33,000 officially recognized and 200,000 to 500,000 unrecognized Rohingya refugees, as of 2016.  An escalation in violation has caused a surge in the inflow of Rohingya refugees since late August 2017, raising the number to an estimated 870,000.  As of June 2017, another approximately 132,500 refugees, largely Rohingya and Chin, were living in Malaysia, and more than 100,000, mostly Karen, were housed in camps along the Burma-Thailand border. Burma’s 2014 national census – the first in more than 30 years – revealed that the country’s total population is approximately 51.5 million, significantly lower than the Burmese Government’s prior estimate of 61 million.  The Burmese Government assumed that the 2% population growth rate between 1973 and 1983 remained constant and that emigration was zero, ignoring later sample surveys showing declining fertility rates and substantial labor migration abroad in recent decades.  These factors reduced the estimated average annual growth rate between 2003 and 2014 to about .9%.  Among Southeast Asian countries, Burma’s life expectancy is among the lowest and its infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest.  The large difference in life expectancy between women and men has resulted in older age cohorts consisting of far more women than men.Burma’s demographic transition began in the 1950s, when mortality rates began to drop.  Fertility did not start to decrease until the 1960s, sustaining high population growth until the decline accelerated in the 1980s.  The birth rate has held fairly steady from 2000 until today.  Since the 1970s, the total fertility rate (TFR) has fallen more than 60%, from almost 6 children per woman to 2.2 in 2016.  The reduced TFR is largely a result of women marrying later and more women never marrying, both being associated with greater educational attainment and labor force participation among women.  TFR, however, varies regionally, between urban and rural areas, by educational attainment, and among ethnic groups, with fertility lowest in urban areas (where it is below replacement level).The shift in Burma’s age structure has been slow (45% of the population is still under 25 years of age) and uneven among its socioeconomic groups.  Any economic boost from the growth of the working-age population is likely to take longer to develop, to have a smaller impact, and to be distributed unequally.  Rural poverty and unemployment continue to drive high levels of internal and international migration.  The majority of labor migration is internal, mainly from rural to urban areas.  The new government’s growing regional integration, reforms, and improved diplomatic relations are increasing the pace of international migration and destination choices.  As many as 4-5 million Burmese, mostly from rural areas and several ethnic groups, have taken up unskilled jobs abroad in agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Thailand is the most common destination, hosting about 70% of Burma’s international migrants, followed by Malaysia, China, and Singapore. Burma is a patchwork of more than 130 religious and ethnic groups, distinguishing it as one of the most diverse countries in the region.  Ethnic minorities face substantial discrimination, and the Rohingya, the largest Muslim group, are arguably the most persecuted population in the country.  The Burmese Government and the Buddhist majority see the Rohingya as a threat to identity, competitors for jobs and resources, terrorists, and some still resent them for their alliance with Burma’s British colonizers during its 19th century.  Since at least the 1960s, they have been subjected to systematic human rights abuses, violence, marginalization, and disenfranchisement, which authorities continue to deny.  Despite living in Burma for centuries, many Burmese see the Rohingya as illegal Bengali immigrants and refer to them Bengalis.  As a result, the Rohingya have been classified as foreign residents and stripped of their citizenship, rendering them one of the largest stateless populations in the world.  Hundreds of thousands of Burmese from various ethnic groups have been internally displaced (an estimated 644,000 as of year-end 2016) or have fled to neighboring countries over the decades because of persecution, armed conflict, rural development projects, drought, and natural disasters.  Bangladesh has absorbed the most refugees from Burma, with an estimated 33,000 officially recognized and 200,000 to 500,000 unrecognized Rohingya refugees, as of 2016.  An escalation in violation has caused a surge in the inflow of Rohingya refugees since late August 2017, raising the number to an estimated 870,000.  As of June 2017, another approximately 132,500 refugees, largely Rohingya and Chin, were living in Malaysia, and more than 100,000, mostly Karen, were housed in camps along the Burma-Thailand border.  Topic: BurundiBurundi is a densely populated country with a high population growth rate, factors that combined with land scarcity and poverty place a large share of its population at risk of food insecurity. About 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Subdivision of land to sons, and redistribution to returning refugees, results in smaller, overworked, and less productive plots. Food shortages, poverty, and a lack of clean water contribute to a 60% chronic malnutrition rate among children. A lack of reproductive health services has prevented a significant reduction in Burundi’s maternal mortality and fertility rates, which are both among the world’s highest. With two-thirds of its population under the age of 25 and a birth rate of about 6 children per woman, Burundi’s population will continue to expand rapidly for decades to come, putting additional strain on a poor country.Historically, migration flows into and out of Burundi have consisted overwhelmingly of refugees from violent conflicts. In the last decade, more than a half million Burundian refugees returned home from neighboring countries, mainly Tanzania. Reintegrating the returnees has been problematic due to their prolonged time in exile, land scarcity, poor infrastructure, poverty, and unemployment. Repatriates and existing residents (including internally displaced persons) compete for limited land and other resources. To further complicate matters, international aid organizations reduced their assistance because they no longer classified Burundi as a post-conflict country. Conditions have deteriorated since renewed violence erupted in April 2015, causing another outpouring of refugees. In addition to refugee out-migration, Burundi has hosted thousands of refugees from neighboring countries, mostly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lesser numbers from Rwanda.Burundi is a densely populated country with a high population growth rate, factors that combined with land scarcity and poverty place a large share of its population at risk of food insecurity. About 90% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. Subdivision of land to sons, and redistribution to returning refugees, results in smaller, overworked, and less productive plots. Food shortages, poverty, and a lack of clean water contribute to a 60% chronic malnutrition rate among children. A lack of reproductive health services has prevented a significant reduction in Burundi’s maternal mortality and fertility rates, which are both among the world’s highest. With two-thirds of its population under the age of 25 and a birth rate of about 6 children per woman, Burundi’s population will continue to expand rapidly for decades to come, putting additional strain on a poor country.Historically, migration flows into and out of Burundi have consisted overwhelmingly of refugees from violent conflicts. In the last decade, more than a half million Burundian refugees returned home from neighboring countries, mainly Tanzania. Reintegrating the returnees has been problematic due to their prolonged time in exile, land scarcity, poor infrastructure, poverty, and unemployment. Repatriates and existing residents (including internally displaced persons) compete for limited land and other resources. To further complicate matters, international aid organizations reduced their assistance because they no longer classified Burundi as a post-conflict country. Conditions have deteriorated since renewed violence erupted in April 2015, causing another outpouring of refugees. In addition to refugee out-migration, Burundi has hosted thousands of refugees from neighboring countries, mostly from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and lesser numbers from Rwanda. Topic: Cabo VerdeCabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century – a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. Over the centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.Labor migration historically reduced Cabo Verde’s population growth and still provides a key source of income through remittances. Expatriates probably outnumber Cabo Verde’s resident population, with most families having a member abroad. Cabo Verdeans have settled in the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. The largest diaspora community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, dating to the early 1800s, is a byproduct of the transatlantic whaling industry. Cabo Verdean men fleeing poverty at home joined the crews of US whaling ships that stopped in the islands. Many settled in New Bedford and stayed in the whaling or shipping trade, worked in the textile or cranberry industries, or operated their own transatlantic packet ships that transported compatriots to the US. Increased Cabo Verdean emigration to the US coincided with the gradual and eventually complete abolition of slavery in the archipelago in 1878.During the same period, Portuguese authorities coerced Cabo Verdeans to go to Sao Tome and Principe and other Portuguese colonies in Africa to work as indentured laborers on plantations. In the 1920s, when the US implemented immigration quotas, Cabo Verdean emigration shifted toward Portugal, West Africa (Senegal), and South America (Argentina). Growing numbers of Cabo Verdean labor migrants headed to Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. They filled unskilled jobs in Portugal, as many Portuguese sought out work opportunities in the more prosperous economies of northwest Europe. Cabo Verdeans eventually expanded their emigration to the Netherlands, where they worked in the shipping industry. Migration to the US resumed under relaxed migration laws. Cabo Verdean women also began migrating to southern Europe to become domestic workers, a trend that continues today and has shifted the gender balance of Cabo Verdean emigration.Emigration has declined in more recent decades due to the adoption of more restrictive migration policies in destination countries. Reduced emigration along with a large youth population, decreased mortality rates, and increased life expectancies, has boosted population growth, putting further pressure on domestic employment and resources. In addition, Cabo Verde has attracted increasing numbers of migrants in recent decades, consisting primarily of people from West Africa, Portuguese-speaking African countries, Portugal, and China. Since the 1990s, some West African migrants have used Cabo Verde as a stepping stone for illegal migration to Europe.Cabo Verde’s population descends from its first permanent inhabitants in the late 15th-century – a preponderance of West African slaves, a small share of Portuguese colonists, and even fewer Italians, Spaniards, and Portuguese Jews. Over the centuries, the country’s overall population size has fluctuated significantly, as recurring periods of famine and epidemics have caused high death tolls and emigration.Labor migration historically reduced Cabo Verde’s population growth and still provides a key source of income through remittances. Expatriates probably outnumber Cabo Verde’s resident population, with most families having a member abroad. Cabo Verdeans have settled in the US, Europe, Africa, and South America. The largest diaspora community in New Bedford, Massachusetts, dating to the early 1800s, is a byproduct of the transatlantic whaling industry. Cabo Verdean men fleeing poverty at home joined the crews of US whaling ships that stopped in the islands. Many settled in New Bedford and stayed in the whaling or shipping trade, worked in the textile or cranberry industries, or operated their own transatlantic packet ships that transported compatriots to the US. Increased Cabo Verdean emigration to the US coincided with the gradual and eventually complete abolition of slavery in the archipelago in 1878.During the same period, Portuguese authorities coerced Cabo Verdeans to go to Sao Tome and Principe and other Portuguese colonies in Africa to work as indentured laborers on plantations. In the 1920s, when the US implemented immigration quotas, Cabo Verdean emigration shifted toward Portugal, West Africa (Senegal), and South America (Argentina). Growing numbers of Cabo Verdean labor migrants headed to Western Europe in the 1960s and 1970s. They filled unskilled jobs in Portugal, as many Portuguese sought out work opportunities in the more prosperous economies of northwest Europe. Cabo Verdeans eventually expanded their emigration to the Netherlands, where they worked in the shipping industry. Migration to the US resumed under relaxed migration laws. Cabo Verdean women also began migrating to southern Europe to become domestic workers, a trend that continues today and has shifted the gender balance of Cabo Verdean emigration.Emigration has declined in more recent decades due to the adoption of more restrictive migration policies in destination countries. Reduced emigration along with a large youth population, decreased mortality rates, and increased life expectancies, has boosted population growth, putting further pressure on domestic employment and resources. In addition, Cabo Verde has attracted increasing numbers of migrants in recent decades, consisting primarily of people from West Africa, Portuguese-speaking African countries, Portugal, and China. Since the 1990s, some West African migrants have used Cabo Verde as a stepping stone for illegal migration to Europe. Topic: CambodiaCambodia is a predominantly rural country with among the most ethnically and religiously homogenous populations in Southeast Asia: more than 95% of its inhabitants are Khmer and more than 95% are Buddhist.  The population’s size and age structure shrank and then rebounded during the 20th century as a result of conflict and mass death.  During the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 as many as 1.5 to 2 million people are estimated to have been killed or died as a result of starvation, disease, or overwork – a loss of about 25% of the population.  At the same time, emigration was high, and the fertility rate sharply declined.  In the 1980s, after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, fertility nearly doubled and reached pre-Khmer Rouge levels of close to 7 children per woman, reflecting in part higher infant survival rates.  The baby boom was followed by a sustained fertility decline starting in the early 1990s, eventually decreasing from 3.8 in 2000 to 2.9 in 2010, although the rate varied by income, education, and rural versus urban location.  Despite continuing fertility reduction, Cambodia still has a youthful population that is likely to maintain population growth through population momentum. Improvements have also been made in mortality, life expectancy, and contraceptive prevalence, although reducing malnutrition among children remains stalled.  Differences in health indicators are pronounced between urban and rural areas, which experience greater poverty. Cambodia is predominantly a country of migration, driven by the search for work, education, or marriage.  Internal migration is more prevalent than international migration, with rural to urban migration being the most common, followed by rural to rural migration.  Urban migration focuses on the pursuit of unskilled or semi-skilled jobs in Phnom Penh, with men working mainly in the construction industry and women working in garment factories.  Most Cambodians who migrate abroad do so illegally using brokers because it is cheaper and faster than through formal channels, but doing so puts them at risk of being trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.  Young Cambodian men and women migrate short distances across the Thai border using temporary passes to work in agriculture, while others migrate long distances primarily into Thailand and Malaysia for work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Cambodia was a refugee sending country in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, its ousting by the Vietnamese invasion, and the resultant civil war.  Tens of thousands of Cambodians fled to Thailand; more than 100,000 were resettled in the US in the 1980s.  Cambodia signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Australia in 2014 to voluntarily resettle refugees seeking shelter in Australia.  However, the deal has proven to be a failure because of poor conditions and a lack of support services for the few refugees willing to accept the offer.Cambodia is a predominantly rural country with among the most ethnically and religiously homogenous populations in Southeast Asia: more than 95% of its inhabitants are Khmer and more than 95% are Buddhist.  The population’s size and age structure shrank and then rebounded during the 20th century as a result of conflict and mass death.  During the Khmer Rouge regime between 1975 and 1979 as many as 1.5 to 2 million people are estimated to have been killed or died as a result of starvation, disease, or overwork – a loss of about 25% of the population.  At the same time, emigration was high, and the fertility rate sharply declined.  In the 1980s, after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge, fertility nearly doubled and reached pre-Khmer Rouge levels of close to 7 children per woman, reflecting in part higher infant survival rates.  The baby boom was followed by a sustained fertility decline starting in the early 1990s, eventually decreasing from 3.8 in 2000 to 2.9 in 2010, although the rate varied by income, education, and rural versus urban location.  Despite continuing fertility reduction, Cambodia still has a youthful population that is likely to maintain population growth through population momentum. Improvements have also been made in mortality, life expectancy, and contraceptive prevalence, although reducing malnutrition among children remains stalled.  Differences in health indicators are pronounced between urban and rural areas, which experience greater poverty.Cambodia is predominantly a country of migration, driven by the search for work, education, or marriage.  Internal migration is more prevalent than international migration, with rural to urban migration being the most common, followed by rural to rural migration.  Urban migration focuses on the pursuit of unskilled or semi-skilled jobs in Phnom Penh, with men working mainly in the construction industry and women working in garment factories.  Most Cambodians who migrate abroad do so illegally using brokers because it is cheaper and faster than through formal channels, but doing so puts them at risk of being trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.  Young Cambodian men and women migrate short distances across the Thai border using temporary passes to work in agriculture, while others migrate long distances primarily into Thailand and Malaysia for work in agriculture, fishing, construction, manufacturing, and domestic service.  Cambodia was a refugee sending country in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, its ousting by the Vietnamese invasion, and the resultant civil war.  Tens of thousands of Cambodians fled to Thailand; more than 100,000 were resettled in the US in the 1980s.  Cambodia signed a multi-million dollar agreement with Australia in 2014 to voluntarily resettle refugees seeking shelter in Australia.  However, the deal has proven to be a failure because of poor conditions and a lack of support services for the few refugees willing to accept the offer. Topic: CameroonCameroon has a large youth population, with more than 60% of the populace under the age of 25. Fertility is falling but remains at a high level, especially among poor, rural, and uneducated women, in part because of inadequate access to contraception. Life expectancy remains low at about 55 years due to the prevalence of HIV and AIDs and an elevated maternal mortality rate, which has remained high since 1990. Cameroon, particularly the northern region, is vulnerable to food insecurity largely because of government mismanagement, corruption, high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters. Despite economic growth in some regions, poverty is on the rise, and is most prevalent in rural areas, which are especially affected by a shortage of jobs, declining incomes, poor school and health care infrastructure, and a lack of clean water and sanitation. Underinvestment in social safety nets and ineffective public financial management also contribute to Cameroon’s high rate of poverty.  The activities of Boko Haram, other armed groups, and counterinsurgency operations have worsened food insecurity in the Far North region.   International migration has been driven by unemployment (including fewer government jobs), poverty, the search for educational opportunities, and corruption. The US and Europe are preferred destinations, but, with tighter immigration restrictions in these countries, young Cameroonians are increasingly turning to neighboring states, such as Gabon and Nigeria, South Africa, other parts of Africa, and the Near and Far East. Cameroon’s limited resources make it dependent on UN support to host more than 420,000 refugees and asylum seekers as of September 2020. These refugees and asylum seekers are primarily from the Central African Republic and Nigeria.  Internal and external displacement have grown dramatically in recent years.  Boko Haram's attacks and counterattacks by government forces in the Far North since 2014 have increased the number of internally displaced people.  Armed conflict between separatists and Cameroon's military in the the Northwest and Southwest since 2016 have displaced hundreds of thousands of the country's Anglophone minority.Cameroon has a large youth population, with more than 60% of the populace under the age of 25. Fertility is falling but remains at a high level, especially among poor, rural, and uneducated women, in part because of inadequate access to contraception. Life expectancy remains low at about 55 years due to the prevalence of HIV and AIDs and an elevated maternal mortality rate, which has remained high since 1990. Cameroon, particularly the northern region, is vulnerable to food insecurity largely because of government mismanagement, corruption, high production costs, inadequate infrastructure, and natural disasters. Despite economic growth in some regions, poverty is on the rise, and is most prevalent in rural areas, which are especially affected by a shortage of jobs, declining incomes, poor school and health care infrastructure, and a lack of clean water and sanitation. Underinvestment in social safety nets and ineffective public financial management also contribute to Cameroon’s high rate of poverty.  The activities of Boko Haram, other armed groups, and counterinsurgency operations have worsened food insecurity in the Far North region.  International migration has been driven by unemployment (including fewer government jobs), poverty, the search for educational opportunities, and corruption. The US and Europe are preferred destinations, but, with tighter immigration restrictions in these countries, young Cameroonians are increasingly turning to neighboring states, such as Gabon and Nigeria, South Africa, other parts of Africa, and the Near and Far East. Cameroon’s limited resources make it dependent on UN support to host more than 420,000 refugees and asylum seekers as of September 2020. These refugees and asylum seekers are primarily from the Central African Republic and Nigeria.  Internal and external displacement have grown dramatically in recent years.  Boko Haram's attacks and counterattacks by government forces in the Far North since 2014 have increased the number of internally displaced people.  Armed conflict between separatists and Cameroon's military in the the Northwest and Southwest since 2016 have displaced hundreds of thousands of the country's Anglophone minority. Topic: Central African RepublicThe 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. Topic: ChadDespite the start of oil production in 2003, 40% of Chad’s population lives below the poverty line. The population will continue to grow rapidly because of the country’s very high fertility rate and large youth cohort – more than 65% of the populace is under the age of 25 – although the mortality rate is high and life expectancy is low. Chad has the world’s third highest maternal mortality rate. Among the primary risk factors are poverty, anemia, rural habitation, high fertility, poor education, and a lack of access to family planning and obstetric care. Impoverished, uneducated adolescents living in rural areas are most affected. To improve women’s reproductive health and reduce fertility, Chad will need to increase women’s educational attainment, job participation, and knowledge of and access to family planning. Only about a quarter of women are literate, less than 5% use contraceptives, and more than 40% undergo genital cutting.As of October 2017, more than 320,000 refugees from Sudan and more than 75,000 from the Central African Republic strain Chad’s limited resources and create tensions in host communities. Thousands of new refugees fled to Chad in 2013 to escape worsening violence in the Darfur region of Sudan. The large refugee populations are hesitant to return to their home countries because of continued instability. Chad was relatively stable in 2012 in comparison to other states in the region, but past fighting between government forces and opposition groups and inter-communal violence have left nearly 60,000 of its citizens displaced in the eastern part of the country.Despite the start of oil production in 2003, 40% of Chad’s population lives below the poverty line. The population will continue to grow rapidly because of the country’s very high fertility rate and large youth cohort – more than 65% of the populace is under the age of 25 – although the mortality rate is high and life expectancy is low. Chad has the world’s third highest maternal mortality rate. Among the primary risk factors are poverty, anemia, rural habitation, high fertility, poor education, and a lack of access to family planning and obstetric care. Impoverished, uneducated adolescents living in rural areas are most affected. To improve women’s reproductive health and reduce fertility, Chad will need to increase women’s educational attainment, job participation, and knowledge of and access to family planning. Only about a quarter of women are literate, less than 5% use contraceptives, and more than 40% undergo genital cutting.As of October 2017, more than 320,000 refugees from Sudan and more than 75,000 from the Central African Republic strain Chad’s limited resources and create tensions in host communities. Thousands of new refugees fled to Chad in 2013 to escape worsening violence in the Darfur region of Sudan. The large refugee populations are hesitant to return to their home countries because of continued instability. Chad was relatively stable in 2012 in comparison to other states in the region, but past fighting between government forces and opposition groups and inter-communal violence have left nearly 60,000 of its citizens displaced in the eastern part of the country. Topic: ChileChile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution.Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru.Chile is in the advanced stages of demographic transition and is becoming an aging society - with fertility below replacement level, low mortality rates, and life expectancy on par with developed countries. Nevertheless, with its dependency ratio nearing its low point, Chile could benefit from its favorable age structure. It will need to keep its large working-age population productively employed, while preparing to provide for the needs of its growing proportion of elderly people, especially as women - the traditional caregivers - increasingly enter the workforce. Over the last two decades, Chile has made great strides in reducing its poverty rate, which is now lower than most Latin American countries. However, its severe income inequality ranks as the worst among members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. Unequal access to quality education perpetuates this uneven income distribution.Chile has historically been a country of emigration but has slowly become more attractive to immigrants since transitioning to democracy in 1990 and improving its economic stability (other regional destinations have concurrently experienced deteriorating economic and political conditions). Most of Chile's small but growing foreign-born population consists of transplants from other Latin American countries, especially Peru. Topic: ColombiaColombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries. Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain’s ailing economy and high unemployment. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela’s political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning home.Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Even with the Colombian Government’s December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world’s highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades—although the number is likely to be much higher—including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan. More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina. Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean -- especially Haiti and Cuba -- who are en route to the US or Canada.Colombia is in the midst of a demographic transition resulting from steady declines in its fertility, mortality, and population growth rates. The birth rate has fallen from more than 6 children per woman in the 1960s to just above replacement level today as a result of increased literacy, family planning services, and urbanization. However, income inequality is among the worst in the world, and more than a third of the population lives below the poverty line.Colombia experiences significant legal and illegal economic emigration and refugee outflows. Large-scale labor emigration dates to the 1960s; the United States and, until recently, Venezuela have been the main host countries. Emigration to Spain picked up in the 1990s because of its economic growth, but this flow has since diminished because of Spain’s ailing economy and high unemployment. Colombia has been the largest source of Latin American refugees in Latin America, nearly 400,000 of whom live primarily in Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela’s political and economic crisis since 2015, however, has created a reverse flow, consisting largely of Colombians returning home.Forced displacement continues to be prevalent because of violence among guerrillas, paramilitary groups, and Colombian security forces. Afro-Colombian and indigenous populations are disproportionately affected. Even with the Colombian Government’s December 2016 peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the risk of displacement remains as other rebel groups fill the void left by the FARC. Between 1985 and September 2017, nearly 7.6 million persons have been internally displaced, the highest total in the world. These estimates may undercount actual numbers because many internally displaced persons are not registered. Historically, Colombia also has one of the world’s highest levels of forced disappearances. About 30,000 cases have been recorded over the last four decades—although the number is likely to be much higher—including human rights activists, trade unionists, Afro-Colombians, indigenous people, and farmers in rural conflict zones.Because of political violence and economic problems, Colombia received limited numbers of immigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries, mostly from the Middle East, Europe, and Japan. More recently, growth in the oil, mining, and manufacturing sectors has attracted increased labor migration; the primary source countries are Venezuela, the US, Mexico, and Argentina. Colombia has also become a transit area for illegal migrants from Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean -- especially Haiti and Cuba -- who are en route to the US or Canada. Topic: ComorosComoros’ population is a melange of Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians, and the much smaller number of Europeans that settled on the islands between the 8th and 19th centuries, when they served as a regional trade hub. The Arab and Persian influence is most evident in the islands’ overwhelmingly Muslim majority – about 98% of Comorans are Sunni Muslims. The country is densely populated, averaging nearly 350 people per square mile, although this varies widely among the islands, with Anjouan being the most densely populated.Given the large share of land dedicated to agriculture and Comoros’ growing population, habitable land is becoming increasingly crowded. The combination of increasing population pressure on limited land and resources, widespread poverty, and poor job prospects motivates thousands of Comorans each year to attempt to illegally migrate using small fishing boats to the neighboring island of Mayotte, which is a French territory. The majority of legal Comoran migration to France came after Comoros’ independence from France in 1975, with the flow peaking in the mid-1980s.At least 150,000 to 200,000 people of Comoran citizenship or descent live abroad, mainly in France, where they have gone seeking a better quality of life, job opportunities, higher education (Comoros has no universities), advanced health care, and to finance elaborate traditional wedding ceremonies (aada). Remittances from the diaspora are an economic mainstay, in 2013 representing approximately 25% of Comoros’ GDP and significantly more than the value of its exports of goods and services (only 15% of GDP). Grand Comore, Comoros’ most populous island, is both the primary source of emigrants and the main recipient of remittances. Most remittances are spent on private consumption, but this often goes toward luxury goods and the aada and does not contribute to economic development or poverty reduction. Although the majority of the diaspora is now French-born with more distant ties to Comoros, it is unclear whether they will sustain the current level of remittances.Comoros’ population is a melange of Arabs, Persians, Indonesians, Africans, and Indians, and the much smaller number of Europeans that settled on the islands between the 8th and 19th centuries, when they served as a regional trade hub. The Arab and Persian influence is most evident in the islands’ overwhelmingly Muslim majority – about 98% of Comorans are Sunni Muslims. The country is densely populated, averaging nearly 350 people per square mile, although this varies widely among the islands, with Anjouan being the most densely populated.Given the large share of land dedicated to agriculture and Comoros’ growing population, habitable land is becoming increasingly crowded. The combination of increasing population pressure on limited land and resources, widespread poverty, and poor job prospects motivates thousands of Comorans each year to attempt to illegally migrate using small fishing boats to the neighboring island of Mayotte, which is a French territory. The majority of legal Comoran migration to France came after Comoros’ independence from France in 1975, with the flow peaking in the mid-1980s.At least 150,000 to 200,000 people of Comoran citizenship or descent live abroad, mainly in France, where they have gone seeking a better quality of life, job opportunities, higher education (Comoros has no universities), advanced health care, and to finance elaborate traditional wedding ceremonies (aada). Remittances from the diaspora are an economic mainstay, in 2013 representing approximately 25% of Comoros’ GDP and significantly more than the value of its exports of goods and services (only 15% of GDP). Grand Comore, Comoros’ most populous island, is both the primary source of emigrants and the main recipient of remittances. Most remittances are spent on private consumption, but this often goes toward luxury goods and the aada and does not contribute to economic development or poverty reduction. Although the majority of the diaspora is now French-born with more distant ties to Comoros, it is unclear whether they will sustain the current level of remittances. Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theDespite a wealth of fertile soil, hydroelectric power potential, and mineral resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) struggles with many socioeconomic problems, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, poor vaccination coverage, lack of access to improved water sources and sanitation, and frequent and early fertility. Ongoing conflict, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of investment have resulted in food insecurity; almost 30 percent of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. The overall coverage of basic public services – education, health, sanitation, and potable water – is very limited and piecemeal, with substantial regional and rural/urban disparities. Fertility remains high at almost 5 children per woman and is likely to remain high because of the low use of contraception and the cultural preference for larger families.The DRC is a source and host country for refugees. Between 2012 and 2014, more than 119,000 Congolese refugees returned from the Republic of Congo to the relative stability of northwest DRC, but more than 540,000 Congolese refugees remained abroad as of year-end 2015. In addition, an estimated 3.9 million Congolese were internally displaced as of October 2017, the vast majority fleeing violence between rebel group and Congolese armed forces. Thousands of refugees have come to the DRC from neighboring countries, including Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi.Despite a wealth of fertile soil, hydroelectric power potential, and mineral resources, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) struggles with many socioeconomic problems, including high infant and maternal mortality rates, malnutrition, poor vaccination coverage, lack of access to improved water sources and sanitation, and frequent and early fertility. Ongoing conflict, mismanagement of resources, and a lack of investment have resulted in food insecurity; almost 30 percent of children under the age of 5 are malnourished. The overall coverage of basic public services – education, health, sanitation, and potable water – is very limited and piecemeal, with substantial regional and rural/urban disparities. Fertility remains high at almost 5 children per woman and is likely to remain high because of the low use of contraception and the cultural preference for larger families.The DRC is a source and host country for refugees. Between 2012 and 2014, more than 119,000 Congolese refugees returned from the Republic of Congo to the relative stability of northwest DRC, but more than 540,000 Congolese refugees remained abroad as of year-end 2015. In addition, an estimated 3.9 million Congolese were internally displaced as of October 2017, the vast majority fleeing violence between rebel group and Congolese armed forces. Thousands of refugees have come to the DRC from neighboring countries, including Rwanda, the Central African Republic, and Burundi. Topic: Congo, Republic of theThe 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.  Topic: Costa RicaCosta 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. Topic: Cote d'IvoireCote d’Ivoire’s population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future because almost 60% of the populace is younger than 25, the total fertility rate is holding steady at about 3.5 children per woman, and contraceptive use is under 20%. The country will need to improve education, health care, and gender equality in order to turn its large and growing youth cohort into human capital. Even prior to 2010 unrest that shuttered schools for months, access to education was poor, especially for women. As of 2015, only 53% of men and 33% of women were literate. The lack of educational attainment contributes to Cote d’Ivoire’s high rates of unskilled labor, adolescent pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS prevalence.Following its independence in 1960, Cote d’Ivoire’s stability and the blossoming of its labor-intensive cocoa and coffee industries in the southwest made it an attractive destination for migrants from other parts of the country and its neighbors, particularly Burkina Faso. The HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY administration continued the French colonial policy of encouraging labor immigration by offering liberal land ownership laws. Foreigners from West Africa, Europe (mainly France), and Lebanon composed about 25% of the population by 1998.Ongoing economic decline since the 1980s and the power struggle after HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY’s death in 1993 ushered in the politics of "Ivoirite," institutionalizing an Ivoirian identity that further marginalized northern Ivoirians and scapegoated immigrants. The hostile Muslim north-Christian south divide snowballed into a 2002 civil war, pushing tens of thousands of foreign migrants, Liberian refugees, and Ivoirians to flee to war-torn Liberia or other regional countries and more than a million people to be internally displaced. Subsequently, violence following the contested 2010 presidential election prompted some 250,000 people to seek refuge in Liberia and other neighboring countries and again internally displaced as many as a million people. By July 2012, the majority had returned home, but ongoing inter-communal tension and armed conflict continue to force people from their homes.Cote d’Ivoire’s population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future because almost 60% of the populace is younger than 25, the total fertility rate is holding steady at about 3.5 children per woman, and contraceptive use is under 20%. The country will need to improve education, health care, and gender equality in order to turn its large and growing youth cohort into human capital. Even prior to 2010 unrest that shuttered schools for months, access to education was poor, especially for women. As of 2015, only 53% of men and 33% of women were literate. The lack of educational attainment contributes to Cote d’Ivoire’s high rates of unskilled labor, adolescent pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS prevalence.Following its independence in 1960, Cote d’Ivoire’s stability and the blossoming of its labor-intensive cocoa and coffee industries in the southwest made it an attractive destination for migrants from other parts of the country and its neighbors, particularly Burkina Faso. The HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY administration continued the French colonial policy of encouraging labor immigration by offering liberal land ownership laws. Foreigners from West Africa, Europe (mainly France), and Lebanon composed about 25% of the population by 1998.Ongoing economic decline since the 1980s and the power struggle after HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY’s death in 1993 ushered in the politics of "Ivoirite," institutionalizing an Ivoirian identity that further marginalized northern Ivoirians and scapegoated immigrants. The hostile Muslim north-Christian south divide snowballed into a 2002 civil war, pushing tens of thousands of foreign migrants, Liberian refugees, and Ivoirians to flee to war-torn Liberia or other regional countries and more than a million people to be internally displaced. Subsequently, violence following the contested 2010 presidential election prompted some 250,000 people to seek refuge in Liberia and other neighboring countries and again internally displaced as many as a million people. By July 2012, the majority had returned home, but ongoing inter-communal tension and armed conflict continue to force people from their homes. Topic: DjiboutiDjibouti is a poor, predominantly urban country, characterized by high rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and childhood malnutrition. More than 75% of the population lives in cities and towns (predominantly in the capital, Djibouti). The rural population subsists primarily on nomadic herding. Prone to droughts and floods, the country has few natural resources and must import more than 80% of its food from neighboring countries or Europe. Health care, particularly outside the capital, is limited by poor infrastructure, shortages of equipment and supplies, and a lack of qualified personnel. More than a third of health care recipients are migrants because the services are still better than those available in their neighboring home countries. The nearly universal practice of female genital cutting reflects Djibouti’s lack of gender equality and is a major contributor to obstetrical complications and its high rates of maternal and infant mortality. A 1995 law prohibiting the practice has never been enforced.Because of its political stability and its strategic location at the confluence of East Africa and the Gulf States along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Djibouti is a key transit point for migrants and asylum seekers heading for the Gulf States and beyond. Each year some hundred thousand people, mainly Ethiopians and some Somalis, journey through Djibouti, usually to the port of Obock, to attempt a dangerous sea crossing to Yemen. However, with the escalation of the ongoing Yemen conflict, Yemenis began fleeing to Djibouti in March 2015, with almost 20,000 arriving by August 2017. Most Yemenis remain unregistered and head for Djibouti City rather than seeking asylum at one of Djibouti’s three spartan refugee camps. Djibouti has been hosting refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly Somalis and lesser numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans, at camps for 20 years, despite lacking potable water, food shortages, and unemployment.Djibouti is a poor, predominantly urban country, characterized by high rates of illiteracy, unemployment, and childhood malnutrition. More than 75% of the population lives in cities and towns (predominantly in the capital, Djibouti). The rural population subsists primarily on nomadic herding. Prone to droughts and floods, the country has few natural resources and must import more than 80% of its food from neighboring countries or Europe. Health care, particularly outside the capital, is limited by poor infrastructure, shortages of equipment and supplies, and a lack of qualified personnel. More than a third of health care recipients are migrants because the services are still better than those available in their neighboring home countries. The nearly universal practice of female genital cutting reflects Djibouti’s lack of gender equality and is a major contributor to obstetrical complications and its high rates of maternal and infant mortality. A 1995 law prohibiting the practice has never been enforced.Because of its political stability and its strategic location at the confluence of East Africa and the Gulf States along the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, Djibouti is a key transit point for migrants and asylum seekers heading for the Gulf States and beyond. Each year some hundred thousand people, mainly Ethiopians and some Somalis, journey through Djibouti, usually to the port of Obock, to attempt a dangerous sea crossing to Yemen. However, with the escalation of the ongoing Yemen conflict, Yemenis began fleeing to Djibouti in March 2015, with almost 20,000 arriving by August 2017. Most Yemenis remain unregistered and head for Djibouti City rather than seeking asylum at one of Djibouti’s three spartan refugee camps. Djibouti has been hosting refugees and asylum seekers, predominantly Somalis and lesser numbers of Ethiopians and Eritreans, at camps for 20 years, despite lacking potable water, food shortages, and unemployment. Topic: EcuadorEcuador's high poverty and income inequality most affect indigenous, mixed race, and rural populations. The government has increased its social spending to ameliorate these problems, but critics question the efficiency and implementation of its national development plan. Nevertheless, the conditional cash transfer program, which requires participants' children to attend school and have medical check-ups, has helped improve educational attainment and healthcare among poor children. Ecuador is stalled at above replacement level fertility and the population most likely will keep growing rather than stabilize.An estimated 2 to 3 million Ecuadorians live abroad, but increased unemployment in key receiving countries - Spain, the United States, and Italy - is slowing emigration and increasing the likelihood of returnees to Ecuador. The first large-scale emigration of Ecuadorians occurred between 1980 and 2000, when an economic crisis drove Ecuadorians from southern provinces to New York City, where they had trade contacts. A second, nationwide wave of emigration in the late 1990s was caused by another economic downturn, political instability, and a currency crisis. Spain was the logical destination because of its shared language and the wide availability of low-skilled, informal jobs at a time when increased border surveillance made illegal migration to the US difficult. Ecuador has a small but growing immigrant population and is Latin America's top recipient of refugees; 98% are neighboring Colombians fleeing violence in their country.Ecuador's high poverty and income inequality most affect indigenous, mixed race, and rural populations. The government has increased its social spending to ameliorate these problems, but critics question the efficiency and implementation of its national development plan. Nevertheless, the conditional cash transfer program, which requires participants' children to attend school and have medical check-ups, has helped improve educational attainment and healthcare among poor children. Ecuador is stalled at above replacement level fertility and the population most likely will keep growing rather than stabilize.An estimated 2 to 3 million Ecuadorians live abroad, but increased unemployment in key receiving countries - Spain, the United States, and Italy - is slowing emigration and increasing the likelihood of returnees to Ecuador. The first large-scale emigration of Ecuadorians occurred between 1980 and 2000, when an economic crisis drove Ecuadorians from southern provinces to New York City, where they had trade contacts. A second, nationwide wave of emigration in the late 1990s was caused by another economic downturn, political instability, and a currency crisis. Spain was the logical destination because of its shared language and the wide availability of low-skilled, informal jobs at a time when increased border surveillance made illegal migration to the US difficult. Ecuador has a small but growing immigrant population and is Latin America's top recipient of refugees; 98% are neighboring Colombians fleeing violence in their country. Topic: EgyptEgypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia. Most of the country is desert, so about 95% of the population is concentrated in a narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile River, which represents only about 5% of Egypt’s land area. Egypt’s rapid population growth – 46% between 1994 and 2014 – stresses limited natural resources, jobs, housing, sanitation, education, and health care.Although the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell from roughly 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just over 3 in the late 1990s, largely as a result of state-sponsored family planning programs, the population growth rate dropped more modestly because of decreased mortality rates and longer life expectancies. During the last decade, Egypt’s TFR decline stalled for several years and then reversed, reaching 3.6 in 2011, and has plateaued the last few years. Contraceptive use has held steady at about 60%, while preferences for larger families and early marriage may have strengthened in the wake of the recent 2011 revolution. The large cohort of women of or nearing childbearing age will sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future (an effect called population momentum).Nevertheless, post-MUBARAK governments have not made curbing population growth a priority. To increase contraceptive use and to prevent further overpopulation will require greater government commitment and substantial social change, including encouraging smaller families and better educating and empowering women. Currently, literacy, educational attainment, and labor force participation rates are much lower for women than men. In addition, the prevalence of violence against women, the lack of female political representation, and the perpetuation of the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continue to keep women from playing a more significant role in Egypt’s public sphere.Population pressure, poverty, high unemployment, and the fragmentation of inherited land holdings have historically motivated Egyptians, primarily young men, to migrate internally from rural and smaller urban areas in the Nile Delta region and the poorer rural south to Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban centers in the north, while a much smaller number migrated to the Red Sea and Sinai areas. Waves of forced internal migration also resulted from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the floods caused by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. Limited numbers of students and professionals emigrated temporarily prior to the early 1970s, when economic problems and high unemployment pushed the Egyptian Government to lift restrictions on labor migration. At the same time, high oil revenues enabled Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, as well as Libya and Jordan, to fund development projects, creating a demand for unskilled labor (mainly in construction), which attracted tens of thousands of young Egyptian men.Between 1970 and 1974 alone, Egyptian migrants in the Gulf countries increased from approximately 70,000 to 370,000. Egyptian officials encouraged legal labor migration both to alleviate unemployment and to generate remittance income (remittances continue to be one of Egypt’s largest sources of foreign currency and GDP). During the mid-1980s, however, depressed oil prices resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, decreased demand for low-skilled labor, competition from less costly South Asian workers, and efforts to replace foreign workers with locals significantly reduced Egyptian migration to the Gulf States. The number of Egyptian migrants dropped from a peak of almost 3.3 million in 1983 to about 2.2 million at the start of the 1990s, but numbers gradually recovered.In the 2000s, Egypt began facilitating more labor migration through bilateral agreements, notably with Arab countries and Italy, but illegal migration to Europe through overstayed visas or maritime human smuggling via Libya also rose. The Egyptian Government estimated there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants in 2009, with roughly 75% being temporary migrants in other Arab countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates) and 25% being predominantly permanent migrants in the West (US, UK, Italy, France, and Canada).During the 2000s, Egypt became an increasingly important transit and destination country for economic migrants and asylum seekers, including Palestinians, East Africans, and South Asians and, more recently, Iraqis and Syrians. Egypt draws many refugees because of its resettlement programs with the West; Cairo has one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Many East African migrants are interned or live in temporary encampments along the Egypt-Israel border, and some have been shot and killed by Egyptian border guards.Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia. Most of the country is desert, so about 95% of the population is concentrated in a narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile River, which represents only about 5% of Egypt’s land area. Egypt’s rapid population growth – 46% between 1994 and 2014 – stresses limited natural resources, jobs, housing, sanitation, education, and health care.Although the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell from roughly 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just over 3 in the late 1990s, largely as a result of state-sponsored family planning programs, the population growth rate dropped more modestly because of decreased mortality rates and longer life expectancies. During the last decade, Egypt’s TFR decline stalled for several years and then reversed, reaching 3.6 in 2011, and has plateaued the last few years. Contraceptive use has held steady at about 60%, while preferences for larger families and early marriage may have strengthened in the wake of the recent 2011 revolution. The large cohort of women of or nearing childbearing age will sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future (an effect called population momentum).Nevertheless, post-MUBARAK governments have not made curbing population growth a priority. To increase contraceptive use and to prevent further overpopulation will require greater government commitment and substantial social change, including encouraging smaller families and better educating and empowering women. Currently, literacy, educational attainment, and labor force participation rates are much lower for women than men. In addition, the prevalence of violence against women, the lack of female political representation, and the perpetuation of the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continue to keep women from playing a more significant role in Egypt’s public sphere.Population pressure, poverty, high unemployment, and the fragmentation of inherited land holdings have historically motivated Egyptians, primarily young men, to migrate internally from rural and smaller urban areas in the Nile Delta region and the poorer rural south to Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban centers in the north, while a much smaller number migrated to the Red Sea and Sinai areas. Waves of forced internal migration also resulted from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the floods caused by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. Limited numbers of students and professionals emigrated temporarily prior to the early 1970s, when economic problems and high unemployment pushed the Egyptian Government to lift restrictions on labor migration. At the same time, high oil revenues enabled Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, as well as Libya and Jordan, to fund development projects, creating a demand for unskilled labor (mainly in construction), which attracted tens of thousands of young Egyptian men.Between 1970 and 1974 alone, Egyptian migrants in the Gulf countries increased from approximately 70,000 to 370,000. Egyptian officials encouraged legal labor migration both to alleviate unemployment and to generate remittance income (remittances continue to be one of Egypt’s largest sources of foreign currency and GDP). During the mid-1980s, however, depressed oil prices resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, decreased demand for low-skilled labor, competition from less costly South Asian workers, and efforts to replace foreign workers with locals significantly reduced Egyptian migration to the Gulf States. The number of Egyptian migrants dropped from a peak of almost 3.3 million in 1983 to about 2.2 million at the start of the 1990s, but numbers gradually recovered.In the 2000s, Egypt began facilitating more labor migration through bilateral agreements, notably with Arab countries and Italy, but illegal migration to Europe through overstayed visas or maritime human smuggling via Libya also rose. The Egyptian Government estimated there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants in 2009, with roughly 75% being temporary migrants in other Arab countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates) and 25% being predominantly permanent migrants in the West (US, UK, Italy, France, and Canada).During the 2000s, Egypt became an increasingly important transit and destination country for economic migrants and asylum seekers, including Palestinians, East Africans, and South Asians and, more recently, Iraqis and Syrians. Egypt draws many refugees because of its resettlement programs with the West; Cairo has one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Many East African migrants are interned or live in temporary encampments along the Egypt-Israel border, and some have been shot and killed by Egyptian border guards. Topic: El SalvadorEl Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty.El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. It is well into its demographic transition, experiencing slower population growth, a decline in its number of youths, and the gradual aging of its population. The increased use of family planning has substantially lowered El Salvador's fertility rate, from approximately 6 children per woman in the 1970s to replacement level today. A 2008 national family planning survey showed that female sterilization remained the most common contraception method in El Salvador - its sterilization rate is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean - but that the use of injectable contraceptives is growing. Fertility differences between rich and poor and urban and rural women are narrowing.Salvadorans fled during the 1979 to 1992 civil war mainly to the United States but also to Canada and to neighboring Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Emigration to the United States increased again in the 1990s and 2000s as a result of deteriorating economic conditions, natural disasters (Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and earthquakes in 2001), and family reunification. At least 20% of El Salvador's population lives abroad. The remittances they send home account for close to 20% of GDP, are the second largest source of external income after exports, and have helped reduce poverty. Topic: Equatorial GuineaEquatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea’s main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line.Equatorial Guinea’s large and growing youth population – about 60% are under the age of 25 – is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence.Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest and least populated countries in continental Africa and is the only independent African country where Spanish is an official language. Despite a boom in oil production in the 1990s, authoritarianism, corruption, and resource mismanagement have concentrated the benefits among a small elite. These practices have perpetuated income inequality and unbalanced development, such as low public spending on education and health care. Unemployment remains problematic because the oil-dominated economy employs a small labor force dependent on skilled foreign workers. The agricultural sector, Equatorial Guinea’s main employer, continues to deteriorate because of a lack of investment and the migration of rural workers to urban areas. About three-quarters of the population lives below the poverty line.Equatorial Guinea’s large and growing youth population – about 60% are under the age of 25 – is particularly affected because job creation in the non-oil sectors is limited, and young people often do not have the skills needed in the labor market. Equatorial Guinean children frequently enter school late, have poor attendance, and have high dropout rates. Thousands of Equatorial Guineans fled across the border to Gabon in the 1970s to escape the dictatorship of MACIAS NGUEMA; smaller numbers have followed in the decades since. Continued inequitable economic growth and high youth unemployment increases the likelihood of ethnic and regional violence. Topic: EritreaEritrea is a persistently poor country that has made progress in some socioeconomic categories but not in others. Education and human capital formation are national priorities for facilitating economic development and eradicating poverty. To this end, Eritrea has made great strides in improving adult literacy – doubling the literacy rate over the last 20 years – in large part because of its successful adult education programs. The overall literacy rate was estimated to be almost 74% in 2015; more work needs to be done to raise female literacy and school attendance among nomadic and rural communities. Subsistence farming fails to meet the needs of Eritrea’s growing population because of repeated droughts, dwindling arable land, overgrazing, soil erosion, and a shortage of farmers due to conscription and displacement. The government’s emphasis on spending on defense over agriculture and its lack of foreign exchange to import food also contribute to food insecurity.Eritrea has been a leading refugee source country since at least the 1960s, when its 30-year war for independence from Ethiopia began. Since gaining independence in 1993, Eritreans have continued migrating to Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Egypt, or Israel because of a lack of basic human rights or political freedom, educational and job opportunities, or to seek asylum because of militarization. Eritrea’s large diaspora has been a source of vital remittances, funding its war for independence and providing 30% of the country’s GDP annually since it became independent.In the last few years, Eritreans have increasingly been trafficked and held hostage by Bedouins in the Sinai Desert, where they are victims of organ harvesting, rape, extortion, and torture. Some Eritrean trafficking victims are kidnapped after being smuggled to Sudan or Ethiopia, while others are kidnapped from within or around refugee camps or crossing Eritrea’s borders. Eritreans composed approximately 90% of the conservatively estimated 25,000-30,000 victims of Sinai trafficking from 2009-2013, according to a 2013 consultancy firm report.Eritrea is a persistently poor country that has made progress in some socioeconomic categories but not in others. Education and human capital formation are national priorities for facilitating economic development and eradicating poverty. To this end, Eritrea has made great strides in improving adult literacy – doubling the literacy rate over the last 20 years – in large part because of its successful adult education programs. The overall literacy rate was estimated to be almost 74% in 2015; more work needs to be done to raise female literacy and school attendance among nomadic and rural communities. Subsistence farming fails to meet the needs of Eritrea’s growing population because of repeated droughts, dwindling arable land, overgrazing, soil erosion, and a shortage of farmers due to conscription and displacement. The government’s emphasis on spending on defense over agriculture and its lack of foreign exchange to import food also contribute to food insecurity.Eritrea has been a leading refugee source country since at least the 1960s, when its 30-year war for independence from Ethiopia began. Since gaining independence in 1993, Eritreans have continued migrating to Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Egypt, or Israel because of a lack of basic human rights or political freedom, educational and job opportunities, or to seek asylum because of militarization. Eritrea’s large diaspora has been a source of vital remittances, funding its war for independence and providing 30% of the country’s GDP annually since it became independent.In the last few years, Eritreans have increasingly been trafficked and held hostage by Bedouins in the Sinai Desert, where they are victims of organ harvesting, rape, extortion, and torture. Some Eritrean trafficking victims are kidnapped after being smuggled to Sudan or Ethiopia, while others are kidnapped from within or around refugee camps or crossing Eritrea’s borders. Eritreans composed approximately 90% of the conservatively estimated 25,000-30,000 victims of Sinai trafficking from 2009-2013, according to a 2013 consultancy firm report. Topic: EswatiniEswatini, a small, predominantly rural, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, suffers from severe poverty and the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A weak and deteriorating economy, high unemployment, rapid population growth, and an uneven distribution of resources all combine to worsen already persistent poverty and food insecurity, especially in rural areas. Erratic weather (frequent droughts and intermittent heavy rains and flooding), overuse of small plots, the overgrazing of cattle, and outdated agricultural practices reduce crop yields and further degrade the environment, exacerbating Eswatini's poverty and subsistence problems. Eswatini's extremely high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate – more than 28% of adults have the disease – compounds these issues. Agricultural production has declined due to HIV/AIDS, as the illness causes households to lose manpower and to sell livestock and other assets to pay for medicine and funerals.Swazis, mainly men from the country’s rural south, have been migrating to South Africa to work in coal, and later gold, mines since the late 19th century. Although the number of miners abroad has never been high in absolute terms because of Eswatini's small population, the outflow has had important social and economic repercussions. The peak of mining employment in South Africa occurred during the 1980s. Cross-border movement has accelerated since the 1990s, as increasing unemployment has pushed more Swazis to look for work in South Africa (creating a "brain drain" in the health and educational sectors); southern Swazi men have continued to pursue mining, although the industry has downsized. Women now make up an increasing share of migrants and dominate cross-border trading in handicrafts, using the proceeds to purchase goods back in Eswatini. Much of today’s migration, however, is not work-related but focuses on visits to family and friends, tourism, and shopping.Eswatini, a small, predominantly rural, landlocked country surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, suffers from severe poverty and the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. A weak and deteriorating economy, high unemployment, rapid population growth, and an uneven distribution of resources all combine to worsen already persistent poverty and food insecurity, especially in rural areas. Erratic weather (frequent droughts and intermittent heavy rains and flooding), overuse of small plots, the overgrazing of cattle, and outdated agricultural practices reduce crop yields and further degrade the environment, exacerbating Eswatini's poverty and subsistence problems. Eswatini's extremely high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate – more than 28% of adults have the disease – compounds these issues. Agricultural production has declined due to HIV/AIDS, as the illness causes households to lose manpower and to sell livestock and other assets to pay for medicine and funerals.Swazis, mainly men from the country’s rural south, have been migrating to South Africa to work in coal, and later gold, mines since the late 19th century. Although the number of miners abroad has never been high in absolute terms because of Eswatini's small population, the outflow has had important social and economic repercussions. The peak of mining employment in South Africa occurred during the 1980s. Cross-border movement has accelerated since the 1990s, as increasing unemployment has pushed more Swazis to look for work in South Africa (creating a "brain drain" in the health and educational sectors); southern Swazi men have continued to pursue mining, although the industry has downsized. Women now make up an increasing share of migrants and dominate cross-border trading in handicrafts, using the proceeds to purchase goods back in Eswatini. Much of today’s migration, however, is not work-related but focuses on visits to family and friends, tourism, and shopping. Topic: EthiopiaEthiopia is a predominantly agricultural country – more than 80% of the population lives in rural areas – that is in the early stages of demographic transition. Infant, child, and maternal mortality have fallen sharply over the past decade, but the total fertility rate has declined more slowly and the population continues to grow. The rising age of marriage and the increasing proportion of women remaining single have contributed to fertility reduction. While the use of modern contraceptive methods among married women has increased significantly from 6 percent in 2000 to 27 percent in 2012, the overall rate is still quite low.Ethiopia’s rapid population growth is putting increasing pressure on land resources, expanding environmental degradation, and raising vulnerability to food shortages. With more than 40 percent of the population below the age of 15 and a fertility rate of over 5 children per woman (and even higher in rural areas), Ethiopia will have to make further progress in meeting its family planning needs if it is to achieve the age structure necessary for reaping a demographic dividend in the coming decades.Poverty, drought, political repression, and forced government resettlement have driven Ethiopia’s internal and external migration since the 1960s. Before the 1974 revolution, only small numbers of the Ethiopian elite went abroad to study and then returned home, but under the brutal Derg regime thousands fled the country, primarily as refugees. Between 1982 and 1991 there was a new wave of migration to the West for family reunification. Since the defeat of the Derg in 1991, Ethiopians have migrated to escape violence among some of the country’s myriad ethnic groups or to pursue economic opportunities. Internal and international trafficking of women and children for domestic work and prostitution is a growing problem.Ethiopia is a predominantly agricultural country – more than 80% of the population lives in rural areas – that is in the early stages of demographic transition. Infant, child, and maternal mortality have fallen sharply over the past decade, but the total fertility rate has declined more slowly and the population continues to grow. The rising age of marriage and the increasing proportion of women remaining single have contributed to fertility reduction. While the use of modern contraceptive methods among married women has increased significantly from 6 percent in 2000 to 27 percent in 2012, the overall rate is still quite low.Ethiopia’s rapid population growth is putting increasing pressure on land resources, expanding environmental degradation, and raising vulnerability to food shortages. With more than 40 percent of the population below the age of 15 and a fertility rate of over 5 children per woman (and even higher in rural areas), Ethiopia will have to make further progress in meeting its family planning needs if it is to achieve the age structure necessary for reaping a demographic dividend in the coming decades.Poverty, drought, political repression, and forced government resettlement have driven Ethiopia’s internal and external migration since the 1960s. Before the 1974 revolution, only small numbers of the Ethiopian elite went abroad to study and then returned home, but under the brutal Derg regime thousands fled the country, primarily as refugees. Between 1982 and 1991 there was a new wave of migration to the West for family reunification. Since the defeat of the Derg in 1991, Ethiopians have migrated to escape violence among some of the country’s myriad ethnic groups or to pursue economic opportunities. Internal and international trafficking of women and children for domestic work and prostitution is a growing problem. Topic: GabonGabon’s oil revenues have given it one of the highest per capita income levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the wealth is not evenly distributed and poverty is widespread. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the large youth population; more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. With a fertility rate still averaging more than 4 children per woman, the youth population will continue to grow and further strain the mismatch between Gabon’s supply of jobs and the skills of its labor force.Gabon has been a magnet to migrants from neighboring countries since the 1960s because of the discovery of oil, as well as the country’s political stability and timber, mineral, and natural gas resources. Nonetheless, income inequality and high unemployment have created slums in Libreville full of migrant workers from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and elsewhere in West Africa. In 2011, Gabon declared an end to refugee status for 9,500 remaining Congolese nationals to whom it had granted asylum during the Republic of the Congo’s civil war between 1997 and 2003. About 5,400 of these refugees received permits to reside in Gabon.Gabon’s oil revenues have given it one of the highest per capita income levels in Sub-Saharan Africa, but the wealth is not evenly distributed and poverty is widespread. Unemployment is especially prevalent among the large youth population; more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. With a fertility rate still averaging more than 4 children per woman, the youth population will continue to grow and further strain the mismatch between Gabon’s supply of jobs and the skills of its labor force.Gabon has been a magnet to migrants from neighboring countries since the 1960s because of the discovery of oil, as well as the country’s political stability and timber, mineral, and natural gas resources. Nonetheless, income inequality and high unemployment have created slums in Libreville full of migrant workers from Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Benin, Togo, and elsewhere in West Africa. In 2011, Gabon declared an end to refugee status for 9,500 remaining Congolese nationals to whom it had granted asylum during the Republic of the Congo’s civil war between 1997 and 2003. About 5,400 of these refugees received permits to reside in Gabon. Topic: Gambia, TheThe Gambia’s youthful age structure – almost 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – is likely to persist because the country’s total fertility rate remains strong at nearly 4 children per woman. The overall literacy rate is around 55%, and is significantly lower for women than for men. At least 70% of the populace are farmers who are reliant on rain-fed agriculture and cannot afford improved seeds and fertilizers. Crop failures caused by droughts between 2011 and 2013 have increased poverty, food shortages, and malnutrition.The Gambia is a source country for migrants and a transit and destination country for migrants and refugees. Since the 1980s, economic deterioration, drought, and high unemployment, especially among youths, have driven both domestic migration (largely urban) and migration abroad (legal and illegal). Emigrants are largely skilled workers, including doctors and nurses, and provide a significant amount of remittances. The top receiving countries for Gambian emigrants are Spain, the US, Nigeria, Senegal, and the UK. While the Gambia and Spain do not share historic, cultural, or trade ties, rural Gambians have migrated to Spain in large numbers because of its proximity and the availability of jobs in its underground economy (this flow slowed following the onset of Spain’s late 2007 economic crisis).The Gambia’s role as a host country to refugees is a result of wars in several of its neighboring West African countries. Since 2006, refugees from the Casamance conflict in Senegal have replaced their pattern of flight and return with permanent settlement in The Gambia, often moving in with relatives along the Senegal-Gambia border. The strain of providing for about 7,400 Casamance refugees has increased poverty among Gambian villagers.The Gambia’s youthful age structure – almost 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – is likely to persist because the country’s total fertility rate remains strong at nearly 4 children per woman. The overall literacy rate is around 55%, and is significantly lower for women than for men. At least 70% of the populace are farmers who are reliant on rain-fed agriculture and cannot afford improved seeds and fertilizers. Crop failures caused by droughts between 2011 and 2013 have increased poverty, food shortages, and malnutrition.The Gambia is a source country for migrants and a transit and destination country for migrants and refugees. Since the 1980s, economic deterioration, drought, and high unemployment, especially among youths, have driven both domestic migration (largely urban) and migration abroad (legal and illegal). Emigrants are largely skilled workers, including doctors and nurses, and provide a significant amount of remittances. The top receiving countries for Gambian emigrants are Spain, the US, Nigeria, Senegal, and the UK. While the Gambia and Spain do not share historic, cultural, or trade ties, rural Gambians have migrated to Spain in large numbers because of its proximity and the availability of jobs in its underground economy (this flow slowed following the onset of Spain’s late 2007 economic crisis).The Gambia’s role as a host country to refugees is a result of wars in several of its neighboring West African countries. Since 2006, refugees from the Casamance conflict in Senegal have replaced their pattern of flight and return with permanent settlement in The Gambia, often moving in with relatives along the Senegal-Gambia border. The strain of providing for about 7,400 Casamance refugees has increased poverty among Gambian villagers. Topic: GhanaGhana has a young age structure, with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25. Its total fertility rate fell significantly during the 1980s and 1990s but has stalled at around four children per woman for the last few years. Fertility remains higher in the northern region than the Greater Accra region. On average, desired fertility has remained stable for several years; urban dwellers want fewer children than rural residents. Increased life expectancy, due to better health care, nutrition, and hygiene, and reduced fertility have increased Ghana’s share of elderly persons; Ghana’s proportion of persons aged 60+ is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty has declined in Ghana, but it remains pervasive in the northern region, which is susceptible to droughts and floods and has less access to transportation infrastructure, markets, fertile farming land, and industrial centers. The northern region also has lower school enrollment, higher illiteracy, and fewer opportunities for women.Ghana was a country of immigration in the early years after its 1957 independence, attracting labor migrants largely from Nigeria and other neighboring countries to mine minerals and harvest cocoa – immigrants composed about 12% of Ghana’s population in 1960. In the late 1960s, worsening economic and social conditions discouraged immigration, and hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mostly Nigerians, were expelled.During the 1970s, severe drought and an economic downturn transformed Ghana into a country of emigration; neighboring Cote d’Ivoire was the initial destination. Later, hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians migrated to Nigeria to work in its booming oil industry, but most were deported in 1983 and 1985 as oil prices plummeted. Many Ghanaians then turned to more distant destinations, including other parts of Africa, Europe, and North America, but the majority continued to migrate within West Africa. Since the 1990s, increased emigration of skilled Ghanaians, especially to the US and the UK, drained the country of its health care and education professionals. Internally, poverty and other developmental disparities continue to drive Ghanaians from the north to the south, particularly to its urban centers.Ghana has a young age structure, with approximately 57% of the population under the age of 25. Its total fertility rate fell significantly during the 1980s and 1990s but has stalled at around four children per woman for the last few years. Fertility remains higher in the northern region than the Greater Accra region. On average, desired fertility has remained stable for several years; urban dwellers want fewer children than rural residents. Increased life expectancy, due to better health care, nutrition, and hygiene, and reduced fertility have increased Ghana’s share of elderly persons; Ghana’s proportion of persons aged 60+ is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty has declined in Ghana, but it remains pervasive in the northern region, which is susceptible to droughts and floods and has less access to transportation infrastructure, markets, fertile farming land, and industrial centers. The northern region also has lower school enrollment, higher illiteracy, and fewer opportunities for women.Ghana was a country of immigration in the early years after its 1957 independence, attracting labor migrants largely from Nigeria and other neighboring countries to mine minerals and harvest cocoa – immigrants composed about 12% of Ghana’s population in 1960. In the late 1960s, worsening economic and social conditions discouraged immigration, and hundreds of thousands of immigrants, mostly Nigerians, were expelled.During the 1970s, severe drought and an economic downturn transformed Ghana into a country of emigration; neighboring Cote d’Ivoire was the initial destination. Later, hundreds of thousands of Ghanaians migrated to Nigeria to work in its booming oil industry, but most were deported in 1983 and 1985 as oil prices plummeted. Many Ghanaians then turned to more distant destinations, including other parts of Africa, Europe, and North America, but the majority continued to migrate within West Africa. Since the 1990s, increased emigration of skilled Ghanaians, especially to the US and the UK, drained the country of its health care and education professionals. Internally, poverty and other developmental disparities continue to drive Ghanaians from the north to the south, particularly to its urban centers. Topic: GuatemalaGuatemala is a predominantly poor country that struggles in several areas of health and development, including infant, child, and maternal mortality, malnutrition, literacy, and contraceptive awareness and use. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and has the highest fertility rate in Latin America. It also has the highest population growth rate in Latin America, which is likely to continue because of its large reproductive-age population and high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala's population is under age 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America. Guatemala's total fertility rate has slowly declined during the last few decades due in part to limited government-funded health programs. However, the birth rate is still more close to three children per woman and is markedly higher among its rural and indigenous populations.Guatemalans have a history of emigrating legally and illegally to Mexico, the United States, and Canada because of a lack of economic opportunity, political instability, and natural disasters. Emigration, primarily to the United States, escalated during the 1960 to 1996 civil war and accelerated after a peace agreement was signed. Thousands of Guatemalans who fled to Mexico returned after the war, but labor migration to southern Mexico continues.Guatemala is a predominantly poor country that struggles in several areas of health and development, including infant, child, and maternal mortality, malnutrition, literacy, and contraceptive awareness and use. The country's large indigenous population is disproportionately affected. Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America and has the highest fertility rate in Latin America. It also has the highest population growth rate in Latin America, which is likely to continue because of its large reproductive-age population and high birth rate. Almost half of Guatemala's population is under age 19, making it the youngest population in Latin America. Guatemala's total fertility rate has slowly declined during the last few decades due in part to limited government-funded health programs. However, the birth rate is still more close to three children per woman and is markedly higher among its rural and indigenous populations.Guatemalans have a history of emigrating legally and illegally to Mexico, the United States, and Canada because of a lack of economic opportunity, political instability, and natural disasters. Emigration, primarily to the United States, escalated during the 1960 to 1996 civil war and accelerated after a peace agreement was signed. Thousands of Guatemalans who fled to Mexico returned after the war, but labor migration to southern Mexico continues. Topic: GuineaGuinea’s strong population growth is a result of declining mortality rates and sustained elevated fertility. The population growth rate was somewhat tempered in the 2000s because of a period of net outmigration. Although life expectancy and mortality rates have improved over the last two decades, the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continues to contribute to high infant and maternal mortality rates. Guinea’s total fertility remains high at about 5 children per woman because of the ongoing preference for larger families, low contraceptive usage and availability, a lack of educational attainment and empowerment among women, and poverty. A lack of literacy and vocational training programs limit job prospects for youths, but even those with university degrees often have no option but to work in the informal sector. About 60% of the country’s large youth population is unemployed.Tensions and refugees have spilled over Guinea’s borders with Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. During the 1990s Guinea harbored as many as half a million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, more refugees than any other African country for much of that decade. About half sought refuge in the volatile "Parrot’s Beak" region of southwest Guinea, a wedge of land jutting into Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. Many were relocated within Guinea in the early 2000s because the area suffered repeated cross-border attacks from various government and rebel forces, as well as anti-refugee violence.Guinea’s strong population growth is a result of declining mortality rates and sustained elevated fertility. The population growth rate was somewhat tempered in the 2000s because of a period of net outmigration. Although life expectancy and mortality rates have improved over the last two decades, the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continues to contribute to high infant and maternal mortality rates. Guinea’s total fertility remains high at about 5 children per woman because of the ongoing preference for larger families, low contraceptive usage and availability, a lack of educational attainment and empowerment among women, and poverty. A lack of literacy and vocational training programs limit job prospects for youths, but even those with university degrees often have no option but to work in the informal sector. About 60% of the country’s large youth population is unemployed.Tensions and refugees have spilled over Guinea’s borders with Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire. During the 1990s Guinea harbored as many as half a million refugees from Sierra Leone and Liberia, more refugees than any other African country for much of that decade. About half sought refuge in the volatile "Parrot’s Beak" region of southwest Guinea, a wedge of land jutting into Sierra Leone near the Liberian border. Many were relocated within Guinea in the early 2000s because the area suffered repeated cross-border attacks from various government and rebel forces, as well as anti-refugee violence. Topic: Guinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau’s young and growing population is sustained by high fertility; approximately 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Its large reproductive-age population and total fertility rate of more than 4 children per woman offsets the country’s high infant and maternal mortality rates. The latter is among the world’s highest because of the prevalence of early childbearing, a lack of birth spacing, the high percentage of births outside of health care facilities, and a shortage of medicines and supplies.Guinea-Bissau’s history of political instability, a civil war, and several coups (the latest in 2012) have resulted in a fragile state with a weak economy, high unemployment, rampant corruption, widespread poverty, and thriving drug and child trafficking. With the country lacking educational infrastructure, school funding and materials, and qualified teachers, and with the cultural emphasis placed on religious education, parents frequently send boys to study in residential Koranic schools (daaras) in Senegal and The Gambia. They often are extremely deprived and are forced into street begging or agricultural work by marabouts (Muslim religious teachers), who enrich themselves at the expense of the children. Boys who leave their marabouts often end up on the streets of Dakar or other large Senegalese towns and are vulnerable to even worse abuse.Some young men lacking in education and job prospects become involved in the flourishing international drug trade. Local drug use and associated violent crime are growing.Guinea-Bissau’s young and growing population is sustained by high fertility; approximately 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Its large reproductive-age population and total fertility rate of more than 4 children per woman offsets the country’s high infant and maternal mortality rates. The latter is among the world’s highest because of the prevalence of early childbearing, a lack of birth spacing, the high percentage of births outside of health care facilities, and a shortage of medicines and supplies.Guinea-Bissau’s history of political instability, a civil war, and several coups (the latest in 2012) have resulted in a fragile state with a weak economy, high unemployment, rampant corruption, widespread poverty, and thriving drug and child trafficking. With the country lacking educational infrastructure, school funding and materials, and qualified teachers, and with the cultural emphasis placed on religious education, parents frequently send boys to study in residential Koranic schools (daaras) in Senegal and The Gambia. They often are extremely deprived and are forced into street begging or agricultural work by marabouts (Muslim religious teachers), who enrich themselves at the expense of the children. Boys who leave their marabouts often end up on the streets of Dakar or other large Senegalese towns and are vulnerable to even worse abuse.Some young men lacking in education and job prospects become involved in the flourishing international drug trade. Local drug use and associated violent crime are growing. Topic: GuyanaGuyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs.Guyana is the only English-speaking country in South America and shares cultural and historical bonds with the Anglophone Caribbean. Guyana's two largest ethnic groups are the Afro-Guyanese (descendants of African slaves) and the Indo-Guyanese (descendants of Indian indentured laborers), which together comprise about three quarters of Guyana's population. Tensions periodically have boiled over between the two groups, which back ethnically based political parties and vote along ethnic lines. Poverty reduction has stagnated since the late 1990s. About one-third of the Guyanese population lives below the poverty line; indigenous people are disproportionately affected. Although Guyana's literacy rate is reported to be among the highest in the Western Hemisphere, the level of functional literacy is considerably lower, which has been attributed to poor education quality, teacher training, and infrastructure.Guyana's emigration rate is among the highest in the world - more than 55% of its citizens reside abroad - and it is one of the largest recipients of remittances relative to GDP among Latin American and Caribbean counties. Although remittances are a vital source of income for most citizens, the pervasive emigration of skilled workers deprives Guyana of professionals in healthcare and other key sectors. More than 80% of Guyanese nationals with tertiary level educations have emigrated. Brain drain and the concentration of limited medical resources in Georgetown hamper Guyana's ability to meet the health needs of its predominantly rural population. Guyana has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region and continues to rely on international support for its HIV treatment and prevention programs. Topic: HondurasHonduras 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. Topic: IndonesiaIndonesia has the world’s fourth-largest population.  It is predominantly Muslim and has the largest Muslim population of any country in the world.  The population is projected to increase to as much as 320 million by 2045.  A government-supported family planning program.  The total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – from 5.6 in the mid-1960s to 2.7 in the mid-1990s.  The success of the program was also due to the social acceptance of family planning, which received backing from influential Muslim leaders and organizations. The fertility decline slowed in the late 1990’s when responsibility for family planning programs shifted to the district level, where the programs were not prioritized.  Since 2012 the national government revitalized the national family planning program, and Indonesia’s TFR has slowly decreased to 2.3 in 2020.  The government may reach its goal of achieving replacement level fertility – 2.1 children per woman – but the large number of women of childbearing age ensures significant population growth for many years.  Indonesia is a source country for labor migrants, a transit country for asylum seekers, and a destination mainly for highly skilled migrant workers.  International labor migration, both legal and illegal, from Indonesia to other parts of Asia (most commonly Malaysia) and the Middle East has taken place for decades because of high unemployment and underemployment, poverty, and low wages domestically.  Increasing numbers of migrant workers are drawn to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US.  The majority of Indonesian labor migration is temporary and consists predominantly of low-skilled workers, mainly women working as domestics. Indonesia’s strategic location between Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and Indian Oceans – and its relatively easy accessibility via boat – appeal to asylum seekers.  It is also an attractive transit location because of its easy entry requirements and the ability to continue on to Australia.  Recent asylum seekers have come from Afghanistan, Burma (Rohingyas), Iraq, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.  Since 2013, when Australia tightening its immigration policy, thousands of migrants and asylum seekers have been stranded in Indonesia, where they live in precarious conditions and receive only limited support from international organizations.  The situation for refugees in Indonesia has also worsened because Australia and the US, which had resettled the majority of refugees in Indonesia, have significantly lowered their intake.Indonesia has the world’s fourth-largest population.  It is predominantly Muslim and has the largest Muslim population of any country in the world.  The population is projected to increase to as much as 320 million by 2045.  A government-supported family planning program.  The total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – from 5.6 in the mid-1960s to 2.7 in the mid-1990s.  The success of the program was also due to the social acceptance of family planning, which received backing from influential Muslim leaders and organizations.The fertility decline slowed in the late 1990’s when responsibility for family planning programs shifted to the district level, where the programs were not prioritized.  Since 2012 the national government revitalized the national family planning program, and Indonesia’s TFR has slowly decreased to 2.3 in 2020.  The government may reach its goal of achieving replacement level fertility – 2.1 children per woman – but the large number of women of childbearing age ensures significant population growth for many years. Indonesia is a source country for labor migrants, a transit country for asylum seekers, and a destination mainly for highly skilled migrant workers.  International labor migration, both legal and illegal, from Indonesia to other parts of Asia (most commonly Malaysia) and the Middle East has taken place for decades because of high unemployment and underemployment, poverty, and low wages domestically.  Increasing numbers of migrant workers are drawn to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the US.  The majority of Indonesian labor migration is temporary and consists predominantly of low-skilled workers, mainly women working as domestics.Indonesia’s strategic location between Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and Indian Oceans – and its relatively easy accessibility via boat – appeal to asylum seekers.  It is also an attractive transit location because of its easy entry requirements and the ability to continue on to Australia.  Recent asylum seekers have come from Afghanistan, Burma (Rohingyas), Iraq, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.  Since 2013, when Australia tightening its immigration policy, thousands of migrants and asylum seekers have been stranded in Indonesia, where they live in precarious conditions and receive only limited support from international organizations.  The situation for refugees in Indonesia has also worsened because Australia and the US, which had resettled the majority of refugees in Indonesia, have significantly lowered their intake. Topic: KenyaKenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate. More than 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning. Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources. Although Kenya in 1967 was the first Sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic. Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at just over 3 children today.Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations. Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa. Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya shelters more than 300,000 Somali refugees as of April 2017.Kenya has experienced dramatic population growth since the mid-20th century as a result of its high birth rate and its declining mortality rate. More than 40% of Kenyans are under the age of 15 because of sustained high fertility, early marriage and childbearing, and an unmet need for family planning. Kenya’s persistent rapid population growth strains the labor market, social services, arable land, and natural resources. Although Kenya in 1967 was the first Sub-Saharan country to launch a nationwide family planning program, progress in reducing the birth rate has largely stalled since the late 1990s, when the government decreased its support for family planning to focus on the HIV epidemic. Government commitment and international technical support spurred Kenyan contraceptive use, decreasing the fertility rate (children per woman) from about 8 in the late 1970s to less than 5 children twenty years later, but it has plateaued at just over 3 children today.Kenya is a source of emigrants and a host country for refugees. In the 1960s and 1970s, Kenyans pursued higher education in the UK because of colonial ties, but as British immigration rules tightened, the US, the then Soviet Union, and Canada became attractive study destinations. Kenya’s stagnant economy and political problems during the 1980s and 1990s led to an outpouring of Kenyan students and professionals seeking permanent opportunities in the West and southern Africa. Nevertheless, Kenya’s relative stability since its independence in 1963 has attracted hundreds of thousands of refugees escaping violent conflicts in neighboring countries; Kenya shelters more than 300,000 Somali refugees as of April 2017. Topic: LaosLaos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population – almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25.  Its progress on health and development issues has been uneven geographically, among ethnic groups, and socioeconomically.  Laos has made headway in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate almost halving from 46% in 1992/93 to 22% in 2012/13.  Nevertheless, pronounced rural-urban disparities persist, and income inequality is rising.  Poverty most affects populations in rural and highland areas, particularly ethnic minority groups.  The total fertility rate (TFR) has decreased markedly from around 6 births per woman on average in 1990 to approximately 2.8 in 2016, but it is still one of the highest in Southeast Asia.  TFR is higher in rural and remote areas, among ethnic minority groups, the less-educated, and the poor; it is lower in urban areas and among the more educated and those with higher incomes.  Although Laos’ mortality rates have improved substantially over the last few decades, the maternal mortality rate and childhood malnutrition remain at high levels.  As fertility and mortality rates continue to decline, the proportion of Laos’ working-age population will increase, and its share of dependents will shrink.  The age structure shift will provide Laos with the potential to realize a demographic dividend during the next few decades, if it can improve educational access and quality and gainfully employ its growing working-age population in productive sectors.  Currently, Laos primary school enrollment is nearly universal, but the drop-out rate remains problematic.  Secondary school enrollment has also increased but remains low, especially for girls.  Laos has historically been a country of emigration and internal displacement due to conflict and a weak economy. The Laos civil war (1953 – 1975) mainly caused internal displacement (numbering in the hundreds of thousands).  Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, indigenous people in remote, war-struck areas were resettled and more than 300,000 people fled to Thailand to escape the communist regime that took power.  The majority of those who sought refuge in Thailand ultimately were resettled in the US (mainly Hmong who fought with US forces), and lesser numbers went to France, Canada, and Australia.  The Laos Government carried out resettlement programs between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s to relocate ethnic minority groups from the rural northern highlands to development areas in the lowlands ostensibly to alleviate poverty, make basic services more accessible, eliminate slash-and-burn agriculture and opium production, integrate ethnic minorities, and control rebel groups (including Hmong insurgents).  For many, however, resettlement has exacerbated poverty, led to the loss of livelihoods, and increased food insecurity and mortality rates.  As the resettlement programs started to wane in the second half of the 1990s, migration from the northern highlands to urban centers – chiefly the capital Vientiane – to pursue better jobs in the growing manufacturing and service sectors became the main type of relocation.  Migration of villagers from the south seeking work in neighboring Thailand also increased.  Thailand is the main international migration destination for Laotians because of the greater availability of jobs and higher pay than at home; nearly a million Laotian migrants were estimated to live in Thailand as of 2015.Laos is a predominantly rural country with a youthful population – almost 55% of the population is under the age of 25.  Its progress on health and development issues has been uneven geographically, among ethnic groups, and socioeconomically.  Laos has made headway in poverty reduction, with the poverty rate almost halving from 46% in 1992/93 to 22% in 2012/13.  Nevertheless, pronounced rural-urban disparities persist, and income inequality is rising.  Poverty most affects populations in rural and highland areas, particularly ethnic minority groups. The total fertility rate (TFR) has decreased markedly from around 6 births per woman on average in 1990 to approximately 2.8 in 2016, but it is still one of the highest in Southeast Asia.  TFR is higher in rural and remote areas, among ethnic minority groups, the less-educated, and the poor; it is lower in urban areas and among the more educated and those with higher incomes.  Although Laos’ mortality rates have improved substantially over the last few decades, the maternal mortality rate and childhood malnutrition remain at high levels.  As fertility and mortality rates continue to decline, the proportion of Laos’ working-age population will increase, and its share of dependents will shrink.  The age structure shift will provide Laos with the potential to realize a demographic dividend during the next few decades, if it can improve educational access and quality and gainfully employ its growing working-age population in productive sectors.  Currently, Laos primary school enrollment is nearly universal, but the drop-out rate remains problematic.  Secondary school enrollment has also increased but remains low, especially for girls. Laos has historically been a country of emigration and internal displacement due to conflict and a weak economy. The Laos civil war (1953 – 1975) mainly caused internal displacement (numbering in the hundreds of thousands).  Following the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, indigenous people in remote, war-struck areas were resettled and more than 300,000 people fled to Thailand to escape the communist regime that took power.  The majority of those who sought refuge in Thailand ultimately were resettled in the US (mainly Hmong who fought with US forces), and lesser numbers went to France, Canada, and Australia. The Laos Government carried out resettlement programs between the mid-1980s and mid-1990s to relocate ethnic minority groups from the rural northern highlands to development areas in the lowlands ostensibly to alleviate poverty, make basic services more accessible, eliminate slash-and-burn agriculture and opium production, integrate ethnic minorities, and control rebel groups (including Hmong insurgents).  For many, however, resettlement has exacerbated poverty, led to the loss of livelihoods, and increased food insecurity and mortality rates.  As the resettlement programs started to wane in the second half of the 1990s, migration from the northern highlands to urban centers – chiefly the capital Vientiane – to pursue better jobs in the growing manufacturing and service sectors became the main type of relocation.  Migration of villagers from the south seeking work in neighboring Thailand also increased.  Thailand is the main international migration destination for Laotians because of the greater availability of jobs and higher pay than at home; nearly a million Laotian migrants were estimated to live in Thailand as of 2015. Topic: LesothoLesotho faces great socioeconomic challenges. More than half of its population lives below the property line, and the country’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is the second highest in the world. In addition, Lesotho is a small, mountainous, landlocked country with little arable land, leaving its population vulnerable to food shortages and reliant on remittances. Lesotho’s persistently high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been increasing during the last decade, according to the last two Demographic and Health Surveys. Despite these significant shortcomings, Lesotho has made good progress in education; it is on-track to achieve universal primary education and has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa.Lesotho’s migration history is linked to its unique geography; it is surrounded by South Africa with which it shares linguistic and cultural traits. Lesotho at one time had more of its workforce employed outside its borders than any other country. Today remittances equal about 17% of its GDP. With few job options at home, a high rate of poverty, and higher wages available across the border, labor migration to South Africa replaced agriculture as the prevailing Basotho source of income decades ago. The majority of Basotho migrants were single men contracted to work as gold miners in South Africa. However, migration trends changed in the 1990s, and fewer men found mining jobs in South Africa because of declining gold prices, stricter immigration policies, and a preference for South African workers.Although men still dominate cross-border labor migration, more women are working in South Africa, mostly as domestics, because they are widows or their husbands are unemployed. Internal rural-urban flows have also become more frequent, with more women migrating within the country to take up jobs in the garment industry or moving to care for loved ones with HIV/AIDS. Lesotho’s small population of immigrants is increasingly composed of Taiwanese and Chinese migrants who are involved in the textile industry and small retail businesses.Lesotho faces great socioeconomic challenges. More than half of its population lives below the property line, and the country’s HIV/AIDS prevalence rate is the second highest in the world. In addition, Lesotho is a small, mountainous, landlocked country with little arable land, leaving its population vulnerable to food shortages and reliant on remittances. Lesotho’s persistently high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been increasing during the last decade, according to the last two Demographic and Health Surveys. Despite these significant shortcomings, Lesotho has made good progress in education; it is on-track to achieve universal primary education and has one of the highest adult literacy rates in Africa.Lesotho’s migration history is linked to its unique geography; it is surrounded by South Africa with which it shares linguistic and cultural traits. Lesotho at one time had more of its workforce employed outside its borders than any other country. Today remittances equal about 17% of its GDP. With few job options at home, a high rate of poverty, and higher wages available across the border, labor migration to South Africa replaced agriculture as the prevailing Basotho source of income decades ago. The majority of Basotho migrants were single men contracted to work as gold miners in South Africa. However, migration trends changed in the 1990s, and fewer men found mining jobs in South Africa because of declining gold prices, stricter immigration policies, and a preference for South African workers.Although men still dominate cross-border labor migration, more women are working in South Africa, mostly as domestics, because they are widows or their husbands are unemployed. Internal rural-urban flows have also become more frequent, with more women migrating within the country to take up jobs in the garment industry or moving to care for loved ones with HIV/AIDS. Lesotho’s small population of immigrants is increasingly composed of Taiwanese and Chinese migrants who are involved in the textile industry and small retail businesses. Topic: LiberiaLiberia’s high fertility rate of nearly 5 children per woman and large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – will sustain a high dependency ratio for many years to come. Significant progress has been made in preventing child deaths, despite a lack of health care workers and infrastructure. Infant and child mortality have dropped nearly 70% since 1990; the annual reduction rate of about 5.4% is the highest in Africa.Nevertheless, Liberia’s high maternal mortality rate remains among the world’s worst; it reflects a high unmet need for family planning services, frequency of early childbearing, lack of quality obstetric care, high adolescent fertility, and a low proportion of births attended by a medical professional. Female mortality is also increased by the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC), which is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood and are an obstacle to formal classroom education for Liberian girls.Liberia has been both a source and a destination for refugees. During Liberia’s 14-year civil war (1989-2003), more than 250,000 people became refugees and another half million were internally displaced. Between 2004 and the cessation of refugee status for Liberians in June 2012, the UNHCR helped more than 155,000 Liberians to voluntarily repatriate, while others returned home on their own. Some Liberian refugees spent more than two decades living in other West African countries. Liberia hosted more than 125,000 Ivoirian refugees escaping post-election violence in 2010-11; as of mid-2017, about 12,000 Ivoirian refugees were still living in Liberia as of October 2017 because of instability.Liberia’s high fertility rate of nearly 5 children per woman and large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – will sustain a high dependency ratio for many years to come. Significant progress has been made in preventing child deaths, despite a lack of health care workers and infrastructure. Infant and child mortality have dropped nearly 70% since 1990; the annual reduction rate of about 5.4% is the highest in Africa.Nevertheless, Liberia’s high maternal mortality rate remains among the world’s worst; it reflects a high unmet need for family planning services, frequency of early childbearing, lack of quality obstetric care, high adolescent fertility, and a low proportion of births attended by a medical professional. Female mortality is also increased by the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC), which is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood and are an obstacle to formal classroom education for Liberian girls.Liberia has been both a source and a destination for refugees. During Liberia’s 14-year civil war (1989-2003), more than 250,000 people became refugees and another half million were internally displaced. Between 2004 and the cessation of refugee status for Liberians in June 2012, the UNHCR helped more than 155,000 Liberians to voluntarily repatriate, while others returned home on their own. Some Liberian refugees spent more than two decades living in other West African countries. Liberia hosted more than 125,000 Ivoirian refugees escaping post-election violence in 2010-11; as of mid-2017, about 12,000 Ivoirian refugees were still living in Liberia as of October 2017 because of instability. Topic: LibyaDespite continuing unrest, Libya remains a destination country for economic migrants. It is also a hub for transit migration to Europe because of its proximity to southern Europe and its lax border controls. Labor migrants have been drawn to Libya since the development of its oil sector in the 1960s. Until the latter part of the 1990s, most migrants to Libya were Arab (primarily Egyptians and Sudanese). However, international isolation stemming from Libya’s involvement in international terrorism and a perceived lack of support from Arab countries led QADHAFI in 1998 to adopt a decade-long pan-African policy that enabled large numbers of Sub-Saharan migrants to enter Libya without visas to work in the construction and agricultural industries. Although Sub-Saharan Africans provided a cheap labor source, they were poorly treated and were subjected to periodic mass expulsions.By the mid-2000s, domestic animosity toward African migrants and a desire to reintegrate into the international community motivated QADHAFI to impose entry visas on Arab and African immigrants and to agree to joint maritime patrols and migrant repatriations with Italy, the main recipient of illegal migrants departing Libya. As his regime neared collapse in 2011, QADHAFI reversed his policy of cooperating with Italy to curb illegal migration and sent boats loaded with migrants and asylum seekers to strain European resources. Libya’s 2011 revolution decreased immigration drastically and prompted nearly 800,000 migrants to flee to third countries, mainly Tunisia and Egypt, or to their countries of origin. The inflow of migrants declined in 2012 but returned to normal levels by 2013, despite continued hostility toward Sub-Saharan Africans and a less-inviting job market.While Libya is not an appealing destination for migrants, since 2014, transiting migrants – primarily from East and West Africa – continue to exploit its political instability and weak border controls and use it as a primary departure area to migrate across the central Mediterranean to Europe in growing numbers. In addition, more than 200,000 people were displaced internally as of August 2017 by fighting between armed groups in eastern and western Libya and, to a lesser extent, by inter-tribal clashes in the country’s south.Despite continuing unrest, Libya remains a destination country for economic migrants. It is also a hub for transit migration to Europe because of its proximity to southern Europe and its lax border controls. Labor migrants have been drawn to Libya since the development of its oil sector in the 1960s. Until the latter part of the 1990s, most migrants to Libya were Arab (primarily Egyptians and Sudanese). However, international isolation stemming from Libya’s involvement in international terrorism and a perceived lack of support from Arab countries led QADHAFI in 1998 to adopt a decade-long pan-African policy that enabled large numbers of Sub-Saharan migrants to enter Libya without visas to work in the construction and agricultural industries. Although Sub-Saharan Africans provided a cheap labor source, they were poorly treated and were subjected to periodic mass expulsions.By the mid-2000s, domestic animosity toward African migrants and a desire to reintegrate into the international community motivated QADHAFI to impose entry visas on Arab and African immigrants and to agree to joint maritime patrols and migrant repatriations with Italy, the main recipient of illegal migrants departing Libya. As his regime neared collapse in 2011, QADHAFI reversed his policy of cooperating with Italy to curb illegal migration and sent boats loaded with migrants and asylum seekers to strain European resources. Libya’s 2011 revolution decreased immigration drastically and prompted nearly 800,000 migrants to flee to third countries, mainly Tunisia and Egypt, or to their countries of origin. The inflow of migrants declined in 2012 but returned to normal levels by 2013, despite continued hostility toward Sub-Saharan Africans and a less-inviting job market.While Libya is not an appealing destination for migrants, since 2014, transiting migrants – primarily from East and West Africa – continue to exploit its political instability and weak border controls and use it as a primary departure area to migrate across the central Mediterranean to Europe in growing numbers. In addition, more than 200,000 people were displaced internally as of August 2017 by fighting between armed groups in eastern and western Libya and, to a lesser extent, by inter-tribal clashes in the country’s south. Topic: MadagascarMadagascar’s youthful population – just over 60% are under the age of 25 – and high total fertility rate of more than 4 children per women ensures that the Malagasy population will continue its rapid growth trajectory for the foreseeable future. The population is predominantly rural and poor; chronic malnutrition is prevalent, and large families are the norm. Many young Malagasy girls are withdrawn from school, marry early (often pressured to do so by their parents), and soon begin having children. Early childbearing, coupled with Madagascar’s widespread poverty and lack of access to skilled health care providers during delivery, increases the risk of death and serious health problems for young mothers and their babies.Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2013, of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24, more than 40% were married and more than a third had given birth by the age of 18. Although the legal age for marriage is 18, parental consent is often given for earlier marriages or the law is flouted, especially in rural areas that make up nearly 65% of the country. Forms of arranged marriage whereby young girls are married to older men in exchange for oxen or money are traditional. If a union does not work out, a girl can be placed in another marriage, but the dowry paid to her family diminishes with each unsuccessful marriage.Madagascar’s population consists of 18 main ethnic groups, all of whom speak the same Malagasy language. Most Malagasy are multi-ethnic, however, reflecting the island’s diversity of settlers and historical contacts (see Background). Madagascar’s legacy of hierarchical societies practicing domestic slavery (most notably the Merina Kingdom of the 16th to the 19th century) is evident today in persistent class tension, with some ethnic groups maintaining a caste system. Slave descendants are vulnerable to unequal access to education and jobs, despite Madagascar’s constitutional guarantee of free compulsory primary education and its being party to several international conventions on human rights. Historical distinctions also remain between central highlanders and coastal people.Madagascar’s youthful population – just over 60% are under the age of 25 – and high total fertility rate of more than 4 children per women ensures that the Malagasy population will continue its rapid growth trajectory for the foreseeable future. The population is predominantly rural and poor; chronic malnutrition is prevalent, and large families are the norm. Many young Malagasy girls are withdrawn from school, marry early (often pressured to do so by their parents), and soon begin having children. Early childbearing, coupled with Madagascar’s widespread poverty and lack of access to skilled health care providers during delivery, increases the risk of death and serious health problems for young mothers and their babies.Child marriage perpetuates gender inequality and is prevalent among the poor, the uneducated, and rural households – as of 2013, of Malagasy women aged 20 to 24, more than 40% were married and more than a third had given birth by the age of 18. Although the legal age for marriage is 18, parental consent is often given for earlier marriages or the law is flouted, especially in rural areas that make up nearly 65% of the country. Forms of arranged marriage whereby young girls are married to older men in exchange for oxen or money are traditional. If a union does not work out, a girl can be placed in another marriage, but the dowry paid to her family diminishes with each unsuccessful marriage.Madagascar’s population consists of 18 main ethnic groups, all of whom speak the same Malagasy language. Most Malagasy are multi-ethnic, however, reflecting the island’s diversity of settlers and historical contacts (see Background). Madagascar’s legacy of hierarchical societies practicing domestic slavery (most notably the Merina Kingdom of the 16th to the 19th century) is evident today in persistent class tension, with some ethnic groups maintaining a caste system. Slave descendants are vulnerable to unequal access to education and jobs, despite Madagascar’s constitutional guarantee of free compulsory primary education and its being party to several international conventions on human rights. Historical distinctions also remain between central highlanders and coastal people. Topic: MalawiMalawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi’s fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. Reduced plot sizes and increasing vulnerability to climate change, further threaten the sustainability of Malawi’s agriculturally based economy and will worsen food shortages. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.Historically, Malawians migrated abroad in search of work, primarily to South Africa and present-day Zimbabwe, but international migration became uncommon after the 1970s, and most migration in recent years has been internal. During the colonial period, Malawians regularly migrated to southern Africa as contract farm laborers, miners, and domestic servants. In the decade and a half after independence in 1964, the Malawian Government sought to transform its economy from one dependent on small-scale farms to one based on estate agriculture. The resulting demand for wage labor induced more than 300,000 Malawians to return home between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s. In recent times, internal migration has generally been local, motivated more by marriage than economic reasons.Malawi has made great improvements in maternal and child health, but has made less progress in reducing its high fertility rate. In both rural and urban areas, very high proportions of mothers are receiving prenatal care and skilled birth assistance, and most children are being vaccinated. Malawi’s fertility rate, however, has only declined slowly, decreasing from more than 7 children per woman in the 1980s to about 5.5 today. Nonetheless, Malawians prefer smaller families than in the past, and women are increasingly using contraceptives to prevent or space pregnancies. Rapid population growth and high population density is putting pressure on Malawi’s land, water, and forest resources. Reduced plot sizes and increasing vulnerability to climate change, further threaten the sustainability of Malawi’s agriculturally based economy and will worsen food shortages. About 80% of the population is employed in agriculture.Historically, Malawians migrated abroad in search of work, primarily to South Africa and present-day Zimbabwe, but international migration became uncommon after the 1970s, and most migration in recent years has been internal. During the colonial period, Malawians regularly migrated to southern Africa as contract farm laborers, miners, and domestic servants. In the decade and a half after independence in 1964, the Malawian Government sought to transform its economy from one dependent on small-scale farms to one based on estate agriculture. The resulting demand for wage labor induced more than 300,000 Malawians to return home between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s. In recent times, internal migration has generally been local, motivated more by marriage than economic reasons. Topic: MalaysiaMalaysia’s multi-ethnic population consists of the bumiputera – Malays and other indigenous peoples – (62%), ethnic Chinese (21%), ethnic Indians (6%), and foreigners (10%).  The majority of Malaysia’s ethnic Chinese and Indians trace their roots to the British colonialists’ recruitment of hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indians as mine and plantation workers between the early-19th century and the 1930s.  Most Malays have maintained their rural lifestyle, while the entrepreneurial Chinese have achieved greater wealth and economic dominance.  In order to eradicate Malay poverty, the Malaysian Government in 1971 adopted policies that gave preference to the bumiputera in public university admissions, government jobs and contracts, and property ownership.  Affirmative action continues to benefit well-off urban bumiputera but has done little to alleviate poverty for their more numerous rural counterparts.  The policies have pushed ethnic Chinese and Indians to study at private or foreign universities (many do not return) and have created and sustained one of the world’s largest civil services, which is 85-90% Malay.  The country’s age structure has changed significantly since the 1960s, as fertility and mortality rates have declined.  Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 5 children per woman in 1970, to 3 in 1998, to 2.1 in 2015 as a result of increased educational attainment and labor participation among women, later marriages, increased use of contraception, and changes in family size preference related to urbanization.  The TFR is higher among Malays, rural residents (who are mainly Malay), the poor, and the less-educated.  Despite the reduced fertility rate, Malaysia’s population will continue to grow, albeit at a decreasing rate, for the next few decades because of its large number of reproductive-age women.  The youth population has been shrinking, and the working-age population (15-64 year olds) has been growing steadily.  Malaysia’s labor market has successfully absorbed the increasing number of job seekers, leading to sustained economic growth.  However, the favorable age structure is changing, and around 2020, Malaysia will start to become a rapidly aging society.  As the population ages, Malaysia will need to better educate and train its labor force, raise productivity, and continue to increase the number of women workers in order to further develop its economy. More than 1.8 million Malaysians lived abroad as of 2015, including anywhere from 350,000 to 785,000 workers, more than half of whom have an advanced level of education.  The vast majority of emigrants are ethnic Chinese, seeking better educational and job opportunities abroad because of institutionalized ethnic discrimination favoring the Malays.  The primary destination country is nearby Singapore, followed by Bangladesh and Australia.  Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians also commute across the causeway to Singapore daily for work. Brain drain is an impediment to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a high-income country.  The situation is compounded by a migrant inflow that is composed almost entirely of low-skilled laborers who work mainly in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.  Officially, Malaysia had about 1.8 million legal foreign workers as of mid-year 2017 – largely from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh – but as many as 3 to 4 million are estimated to be in the country illegally.  Immigrants outnumber ethnic Indians and could supplant the ethnic Chinese as Malaysia’s second largest population group around 2035.Malaysia’s multi-ethnic population consists of the bumiputera – Malays and other indigenous peoples – (62%), ethnic Chinese (21%), ethnic Indians (6%), and foreigners (10%).  The majority of Malaysia’s ethnic Chinese and Indians trace their roots to the British colonialists’ recruitment of hundreds of thousands of Chinese and Indians as mine and plantation workers between the early-19th century and the 1930s.  Most Malays have maintained their rural lifestyle, while the entrepreneurial Chinese have achieved greater wealth and economic dominance.  In order to eradicate Malay poverty, the Malaysian Government in 1971 adopted policies that gave preference to the bumiputera in public university admissions, government jobs and contracts, and property ownership.  Affirmative action continues to benefit well-off urban bumiputera but has done little to alleviate poverty for their more numerous rural counterparts.  The policies have pushed ethnic Chinese and Indians to study at private or foreign universities (many do not return) and have created and sustained one of the world’s largest civil services, which is 85-90% Malay. The country’s age structure has changed significantly since the 1960s, as fertility and mortality rates have declined.  Malaysia’s total fertility rate (TFR) has dropped from 5 children per woman in 1970, to 3 in 1998, to 2.1 in 2015 as a result of increased educational attainment and labor participation among women, later marriages, increased use of contraception, and changes in family size preference related to urbanization.  The TFR is higher among Malays, rural residents (who are mainly Malay), the poor, and the less-educated.  Despite the reduced fertility rate, Malaysia’s population will continue to grow, albeit at a decreasing rate, for the next few decades because of its large number of reproductive-age women.  The youth population has been shrinking, and the working-age population (15-64 year olds) has been growing steadily.  Malaysia’s labor market has successfully absorbed the increasing number of job seekers, leading to sustained economic growth.  However, the favorable age structure is changing, and around 2020, Malaysia will start to become a rapidly aging society.  As the population ages, Malaysia will need to better educate and train its labor force, raise productivity, and continue to increase the number of women workers in order to further develop its economy.More than 1.8 million Malaysians lived abroad as of 2015, including anywhere from 350,000 to 785,000 workers, more than half of whom have an advanced level of education.  The vast majority of emigrants are ethnic Chinese, seeking better educational and job opportunities abroad because of institutionalized ethnic discrimination favoring the Malays.  The primary destination country is nearby Singapore, followed by Bangladesh and Australia.  Hundreds of thousands of Malaysians also commute across the causeway to Singapore daily for work.Brain drain is an impediment to Malaysia’s goal of becoming a high-income country.  The situation is compounded by a migrant inflow that is composed almost entirely of low-skilled laborers who work mainly in manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.  Officially, Malaysia had about 1.8 million legal foreign workers as of mid-year 2017 – largely from Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, and Bangladesh – but as many as 3 to 4 million are estimated to be in the country illegally.  Immigrants outnumber ethnic Indians and could supplant the ethnic Chinese as Malaysia’s second largest population group around 2035. Topic: MaliMali’s total population is expected to double by 2035; its capital Bamako is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. A young age structure, a declining mortality rate, and a sustained high total fertility rate of 6 children per woman – the third highest in the world – ensure continued rapid population growth for the foreseeable future. Significant outmigration only marginally tempers this growth. Despite decreases, Mali’s infant, child, and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa because of limited access to and adoption of family planning, early childbearing, short birth intervals, the prevalence of female genital cutting, infrequent use of skilled birth attendants, and a lack of emergency obstetrical and neonatal care.Mali’s high total fertility rate has been virtually unchanged for decades, as a result of the ongoing preference for large families, early childbearing, the lack of female education and empowerment, poverty, and extremely low contraceptive use. Slowing Mali’s population growth by lowering its birth rate will be essential for poverty reduction, improving food security, and developing human capital and the economy.Mali has a long history of seasonal migration and emigration driven by poverty, conflict, demographic pressure, unemployment, food insecurity, and droughts. Many Malians from rural areas migrate during the dry period to nearby villages and towns to do odd jobs or to adjoining countries to work in agriculture or mining. Pastoralists and nomads move seasonally to southern Mali or nearby coastal states. Others migrate long term to Mali’s urban areas, Cote d’Ivoire, other neighboring countries, and in smaller numbers to France, Mali’s former colonial ruler. Since the early 1990s, Mali’s role has grown as a transit country for regional migration flows and illegal migration to Europe. Human smugglers and traffickers exploit the same regional routes used for moving contraband drugs, arms, and cigarettes.Between early 2012 and 2013, renewed fighting in northern Mali between government forces and Tuareg secessionists and their Islamist allies, a French-led international military intervention, as well as chronic food shortages, caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Malians. Most of those displaced domestically sought shelter in urban areas of southern Mali, except for pastoralist and nomadic groups, who abandoned their traditional routes, gave away or sold their livestock, and dispersed into the deserts of northern Mali or crossed into neighboring countries. Almost all Malians who took refuge abroad (mostly Tuareg and Maure pastoralists) stayed in the region, largely in Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso.Mali’s total population is expected to double by 2035; its capital Bamako is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. A young age structure, a declining mortality rate, and a sustained high total fertility rate of 6 children per woman – the third highest in the world – ensure continued rapid population growth for the foreseeable future. Significant outmigration only marginally tempers this growth. Despite decreases, Mali’s infant, child, and maternal mortality rates remain among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa because of limited access to and adoption of family planning, early childbearing, short birth intervals, the prevalence of female genital cutting, infrequent use of skilled birth attendants, and a lack of emergency obstetrical and neonatal care.Mali’s high total fertility rate has been virtually unchanged for decades, as a result of the ongoing preference for large families, early childbearing, the lack of female education and empowerment, poverty, and extremely low contraceptive use. Slowing Mali’s population growth by lowering its birth rate will be essential for poverty reduction, improving food security, and developing human capital and the economy.Mali has a long history of seasonal migration and emigration driven by poverty, conflict, demographic pressure, unemployment, food insecurity, and droughts. Many Malians from rural areas migrate during the dry period to nearby villages and towns to do odd jobs or to adjoining countries to work in agriculture or mining. Pastoralists and nomads move seasonally to southern Mali or nearby coastal states. Others migrate long term to Mali’s urban areas, Cote d’Ivoire, other neighboring countries, and in smaller numbers to France, Mali’s former colonial ruler. Since the early 1990s, Mali’s role has grown as a transit country for regional migration flows and illegal migration to Europe. Human smugglers and traffickers exploit the same regional routes used for moving contraband drugs, arms, and cigarettes.Between early 2012 and 2013, renewed fighting in northern Mali between government forces and Tuareg secessionists and their Islamist allies, a French-led international military intervention, as well as chronic food shortages, caused the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Malians. Most of those displaced domestically sought shelter in urban areas of southern Mali, except for pastoralist and nomadic groups, who abandoned their traditional routes, gave away or sold their livestock, and dispersed into the deserts of northern Mali or crossed into neighboring countries. Almost all Malians who took refuge abroad (mostly Tuareg and Maure pastoralists) stayed in the region, largely in Mauritania, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Topic: MauritaniaWith a sustained total fertility rate of about 4 children per woman and almost 60% of the population under the age of 25, Mauritania's population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future. Mauritania's large youth cohort is vital to its development prospects, but available schooling does not adequately prepare students for the workplace. Girls continue to be underrepresented in the classroom, educational quality remains poor, and the dropout rate is high. The literacy rate is only about 50%, even though access to primary education has improved since the mid-2000s. Women's restricted access to education and discriminatory laws maintain gender inequality - worsened by early and forced marriages and female genital cutting. The denial of education to black Moors also helps to perpetuate slavery. Although Mauritania abolished slavery in 1981 (the last country in the world to do so) and made it a criminal offense in 2007, the millenniums-old practice persists largely because anti-slavery laws are rarely enforced and the custom is so ingrained.  According to a 2018 nongovernmental organization's report, a little more than 2% of Mauritania's population is enslaved, which includes individuals sujbected to forced labor and forced marriage, although many thousands of individuals who are legally free contend with discrimination, poor education, and a lack of identity papers and, therefore, live in de facto slavery.  The UN and international press outlets have claimed that up to 20% of Mauritania's population is enslaved, which would be the highest rate worldwide. Drought, poverty, and unemployment have driven outmigration from Mauritania since the 1970s. Early flows were directed toward other West African countries, including Senegal, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and Gambia. The 1989 Mauritania-Senegal conflict forced thousands of black Mauritanians to take refuge in Senegal and pushed labor migrants toward the Gulf, Libya, and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mauritania has accepted migrants from neighboring countries to fill labor shortages since its independence in 1960 and more recently has received refugees escaping civil wars, including tens of thousands of Tuaregs who fled Mali in 2012. Mauritania was an important transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants moving illegally to North Africa and Europe. In the mid-2000s, as border patrols increased in the Strait of Gibraltar, security increased around Spain's North African enclaves (Ceuta and Melilla), and Moroccan border controls intensified, illegal migration flows shifted from the Western Mediterranean to Spain's Canary Islands. In 2006, departure points moved southward along the West African coast from Morocco and then Western Sahara to Mauritania's two key ports (Nouadhibou and the capital Nouakchott), and illegal migration to the Canaries peaked at almost 32,000. The numbers fell dramatically in the following years because of joint patrolling off the West African coast by Frontex (the EU's border protection agency), Spain, Mauritania, and Senegal; the expansion of Spain's border surveillance system; and the 2008 European economic downturn.With a sustained total fertility rate of about 4 children per woman and almost 60% of the population under the age of 25, Mauritania's population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future. Mauritania's large youth cohort is vital to its development prospects, but available schooling does not adequately prepare students for the workplace. Girls continue to be underrepresented in the classroom, educational quality remains poor, and the dropout rate is high. The literacy rate is only about 50%, even though access to primary education has improved since the mid-2000s. Women's restricted access to education and discriminatory laws maintain gender inequality - worsened by early and forced marriages and female genital cutting.The denial of education to black Moors also helps to perpetuate slavery. Although Mauritania abolished slavery in 1981 (the last country in the world to do so) and made it a criminal offense in 2007, the millenniums-old practice persists largely because anti-slavery laws are rarely enforced and the custom is so ingrained.  According to a 2018 nongovernmental organization's report, a little more than 2% of Mauritania's population is enslaved, which includes individuals sujbected to forced labor and forced marriage, although many thousands of individuals who are legally free contend with discrimination, poor education, and a lack of identity papers and, therefore, live in de facto slavery.  The UN and international press outlets have claimed that up to 20% of Mauritania's population is enslaved, which would be the highest rate worldwide.Drought, poverty, and unemployment have driven outmigration from Mauritania since the 1970s. Early flows were directed toward other West African countries, including Senegal, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire, and Gambia. The 1989 Mauritania-Senegal conflict forced thousands of black Mauritanians to take refuge in Senegal and pushed labor migrants toward the Gulf, Libya, and Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Mauritania has accepted migrants from neighboring countries to fill labor shortages since its independence in 1960 and more recently has received refugees escaping civil wars, including tens of thousands of Tuaregs who fled Mali in 2012.Mauritania was an important transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants moving illegally to North Africa and Europe. In the mid-2000s, as border patrols increased in the Strait of Gibraltar, security increased around Spain's North African enclaves (Ceuta and Melilla), and Moroccan border controls intensified, illegal migration flows shifted from the Western Mediterranean to Spain's Canary Islands. In 2006, departure points moved southward along the West African coast from Morocco and then Western Sahara to Mauritania's two key ports (Nouadhibou and the capital Nouakchott), and illegal migration to the Canaries peaked at almost 32,000. The numbers fell dramatically in the following years because of joint patrolling off the West African coast by Frontex (the EU's border protection agency), Spain, Mauritania, and Senegal; the expansion of Spain's border surveillance system; and the 2008 European economic downturn. Topic: MauritiusMauritius has transitioned from a country of high fertility and high mortality rates in the 1950s and mid-1960s to one with among the lowest population growth rates in the developing world today. After World War II, Mauritius’ population began to expand quickly due to increased fertility and a dramatic drop in mortality rates as a result of improved health care and the eradication of malaria. This period of heightened population growth – reaching about 3% a year – was followed by one of the world’s most rapid birth rate declines.The total fertility rate fell from 6.2 children per women in 1963 to 3.2 in 1972 – largely the result of improved educational attainment, especially among young women, accompanied by later marriage and the adoption of family planning methods. The family planning programs’ success was due to support from the government and eventually the traditionally pronatalist religious communities, which both recognized that controlling population growth was necessary because of Mauritius’ small size and limited resources. Mauritius’ fertility rate has consistently been below replacement level since the late 1990s, a rate that is substantially lower than nearby countries in southern Africa.With no indigenous population, Mauritius’ ethnic mix is a product of more than two centuries of European colonialism and continued international labor migration. Sugar production relied on slave labor mainly from Madagascar, Mozambique, and East Africa from the early 18th century until its abolition in 1835, when slaves were replaced with indentured Indians. Most of the influx of indentured labor – peaking between the late 1830s and early 1860 – settled permanently creating massive population growth of more than 7% a year and reshaping the island’s social and cultural composition. While Indians represented about 12% of Mauritius’ population in 1837, they and their descendants accounted for roughly two-thirds by the end of the 19th century. Most were Hindus, but the majority of the free Indian traders were Muslims.Mauritius again turned to overseas labor when its success in clothing and textile exports led to a labor shortage in the mid-1980s. Clothing manufacturers brought in contract workers (increasingly women) from China, India, and, to a lesser extent Bangladesh and Madagascar, who worked longer hours for lower wages under poor conditions and were viewed as more productive than locals. Downturns in the sugar and textile industries in the mid-2000s and a lack of highly qualified domestic workers for Mauritius’ growing services sector led to the emigration of low-skilled workers and a reliance on skilled foreign labor. Since 2007, Mauritius has pursued a circular migration program to enable citizens to acquire new skills and savings abroad and then return home to start businesses and to invest in the country’s development.Mauritius has transitioned from a country of high fertility and high mortality rates in the 1950s and mid-1960s to one with among the lowest population growth rates in the developing world today. After World War II, Mauritius’ population began to expand quickly due to increased fertility and a dramatic drop in mortality rates as a result of improved health care and the eradication of malaria. This period of heightened population growth – reaching about 3% a year – was followed by one of the world’s most rapid birth rate declines.The total fertility rate fell from 6.2 children per women in 1963 to 3.2 in 1972 – largely the result of improved educational attainment, especially among young women, accompanied by later marriage and the adoption of family planning methods. The family planning programs’ success was due to support from the government and eventually the traditionally pronatalist religious communities, which both recognized that controlling population growth was necessary because of Mauritius’ small size and limited resources. Mauritius’ fertility rate has consistently been below replacement level since the late 1990s, a rate that is substantially lower than nearby countries in southern Africa.With no indigenous population, Mauritius’ ethnic mix is a product of more than two centuries of European colonialism and continued international labor migration. Sugar production relied on slave labor mainly from Madagascar, Mozambique, and East Africa from the early 18th century until its abolition in 1835, when slaves were replaced with indentured Indians. Most of the influx of indentured labor – peaking between the late 1830s and early 1860 – settled permanently creating massive population growth of more than 7% a year and reshaping the island’s social and cultural composition. While Indians represented about 12% of Mauritius’ population in 1837, they and their descendants accounted for roughly two-thirds by the end of the 19th century. Most were Hindus, but the majority of the free Indian traders were Muslims.Mauritius again turned to overseas labor when its success in clothing and textile exports led to a labor shortage in the mid-1980s. Clothing manufacturers brought in contract workers (increasingly women) from China, India, and, to a lesser extent Bangladesh and Madagascar, who worked longer hours for lower wages under poor conditions and were viewed as more productive than locals. Downturns in the sugar and textile industries in the mid-2000s and a lack of highly qualified domestic workers for Mauritius’ growing services sector led to the emigration of low-skilled workers and a reliance on skilled foreign labor. Since 2007, Mauritius has pursued a circular migration program to enable citizens to acquire new skills and savings abroad and then return home to start businesses and to invest in the country’s development. Topic: MoroccoMorocco is undergoing a demographic transition. Its population is growing but at a declining rate, as people live longer and women have fewer children. Infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been reduced through better health care, nutrition, hygiene, and vaccination coverage, although disparities between urban and rural and rich and poor households persist. Morocco’s shrinking child cohort reflects the decline of its total fertility rate from 5 in mid-1980s to 2.2 in 2010, which is a result of increased female educational attainment, higher contraceptive use, delayed marriage, and the desire for smaller families. Young adults (persons aged 15-29) make up almost 26% of the total population and represent a potential economic asset if they can be gainfully employed. Currently, however, many youths are unemployed because Morocco’s job creation rate has not kept pace with the growth of its working-age population. Most youths who have jobs work in the informal sector with little security or benefits.During the second half of the 20th century, Morocco became one of the world’s top emigration countries, creating large, widely dispersed migrant communities in Western Europe. The Moroccan Government has encouraged emigration since its independence in 1956, both to secure remittances for funding national development and as an outlet to prevent unrest in rebellious (often Berber) areas. Although Moroccan labor migrants earlier targeted Algeria and France, the flood of Moroccan "guest workers" from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s spread widely across northwestern Europe to fill unskilled jobs in the booming manufacturing, mining, construction, and agriculture industries. Host societies and most Moroccan migrants expected this migration to be temporary, but deteriorating economic conditions in Morocco related to the 1973 oil crisis and tighter European immigration policies resulted in these stays becoming permanent.A wave of family migration followed in the 1970s and 1980s, with a growing number of second generation Moroccans opting to become naturalized citizens of their host countries. Spain and Italy emerged as new destination countries in the mid-1980s, but their introduction of visa restrictions in the early 1990s pushed Moroccans increasingly to migrate either legally by marrying Moroccans already in Europe or illegally to work in the underground economy. Women began to make up a growing share of these labor migrants. At the same time, some higher-skilled Moroccans went to the US and Quebec, Canada.In the mid-1990s, Morocco developed into a transit country for asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa and illegal labor migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia trying to reach Europe via southern Spain, Spain’s Canary Islands, or Spain’s North African enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla. Forcible expulsions by Moroccan and Spanish security forces have not deterred these illegal migrants or calmed Europe’s security concerns. Rabat remains unlikely to adopt an EU agreement to take back third-country nationals who have entered the EU illegally via Morocco. Thousands of other illegal migrants have chosen to stay in Morocco until they earn enough money for further travel or permanently as a "second-best" option. The launching of a regularization program in 2014 legalized the status of some migrants and granted them equal access to education, health care, and work, but xenophobia and racism remain obstacles.Morocco is undergoing a demographic transition. Its population is growing but at a declining rate, as people live longer and women have fewer children. Infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been reduced through better health care, nutrition, hygiene, and vaccination coverage, although disparities between urban and rural and rich and poor households persist. Morocco’s shrinking child cohort reflects the decline of its total fertility rate from 5 in mid-1980s to 2.2 in 2010, which is a result of increased female educational attainment, higher contraceptive use, delayed marriage, and the desire for smaller families. Young adults (persons aged 15-29) make up almost 26% of the total population and represent a potential economic asset if they can be gainfully employed. Currently, however, many youths are unemployed because Morocco’s job creation rate has not kept pace with the growth of its working-age population. Most youths who have jobs work in the informal sector with little security or benefits.During the second half of the 20th century, Morocco became one of the world’s top emigration countries, creating large, widely dispersed migrant communities in Western Europe. The Moroccan Government has encouraged emigration since its independence in 1956, both to secure remittances for funding national development and as an outlet to prevent unrest in rebellious (often Berber) areas. Although Moroccan labor migrants earlier targeted Algeria and France, the flood of Moroccan "guest workers" from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s spread widely across northwestern Europe to fill unskilled jobs in the booming manufacturing, mining, construction, and agriculture industries. Host societies and most Moroccan migrants expected this migration to be temporary, but deteriorating economic conditions in Morocco related to the 1973 oil crisis and tighter European immigration policies resulted in these stays becoming permanent.A wave of family migration followed in the 1970s and 1980s, with a growing number of second generation Moroccans opting to become naturalized citizens of their host countries. Spain and Italy emerged as new destination countries in the mid-1980s, but their introduction of visa restrictions in the early 1990s pushed Moroccans increasingly to migrate either legally by marrying Moroccans already in Europe or illegally to work in the underground economy. Women began to make up a growing share of these labor migrants. At the same time, some higher-skilled Moroccans went to the US and Quebec, Canada.In the mid-1990s, Morocco developed into a transit country for asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa and illegal labor migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia trying to reach Europe via southern Spain, Spain’s Canary Islands, or Spain’s North African enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla. Forcible expulsions by Moroccan and Spanish security forces have not deterred these illegal migrants or calmed Europe’s security concerns. Rabat remains unlikely to adopt an EU agreement to take back third-country nationals who have entered the EU illegally via Morocco. Thousands of other illegal migrants have chosen to stay in Morocco until they earn enough money for further travel or permanently as a "second-best" option. The launching of a regularization program in 2014 legalized the status of some migrants and granted them equal access to education, health care, and work, but xenophobia and racism remain obstacles. Topic: MozambiqueMozambique is a poor, sparsely populated country with high fertility and mortality rates and a rapidly growing youthful population – 45% of the population is younger than 15. Mozambique’s high poverty rate is sustained by natural disasters, disease, high population growth, low agricultural productivity, and the unequal distribution of wealth. The country’s birth rate is among the world’s highest, averaging around more than 5 children per woman (and higher in rural areas) for at least the last three decades. The sustained high level of fertility reflects gender inequality, low contraceptive use, early marriages and childbearing, and a lack of education, particularly among women. The high population growth rate is somewhat restrained by the country’s high HIV/AIDS and overall mortality rates. Mozambique ranks among the worst in the world for HIV/AIDS prevalence, HIV/AIDS deaths, and life expectancy at birth.Mozambique is predominantly a country of emigration, but internal, rural-urban migration has begun to grow. Mozambicans, primarily from the country’s southern region, have been migrating to South Africa for work for more than a century. Additionally, approximately 1.7 million Mozambicans fled to Malawi, South Africa, and other neighboring countries between 1979 and 1992 to escape from civil war. Labor migrants have usually been men from rural areas whose crops have failed or who are unemployed and have headed to South Africa to work as miners; multiple generations of the same family often become miners. Since the abolition of apartheid in South Africa in 1991, other job opportunities have opened to Mozambicans, including in the informal and manufacturing sectors, but mining remains their main source of employment.Mozambique is a poor, sparsely populated country with high fertility and mortality rates and a rapidly growing youthful population – 45% of the population is younger than 15. Mozambique’s high poverty rate is sustained by natural disasters, disease, high population growth, low agricultural productivity, and the unequal distribution of wealth. The country’s birth rate is among the world’s highest, averaging around more than 5 children per woman (and higher in rural areas) for at least the last three decades. The sustained high level of fertility reflects gender inequality, low contraceptive use, early marriages and childbearing, and a lack of education, particularly among women. The high population growth rate is somewhat restrained by the country’s high HIV/AIDS and overall mortality rates. Mozambique ranks among the worst in the world for HIV/AIDS prevalence, HIV/AIDS deaths, and life expectancy at birth.Mozambique is predominantly a country of emigration, but internal, rural-urban migration has begun to grow. Mozambicans, primarily from the country’s southern region, have been migrating to South Africa for work for more than a century. Additionally, approximately 1.7 million Mozambicans fled to Malawi, South Africa, and other neighboring countries between 1979 and 1992 to escape from civil war. Labor migrants have usually been men from rural areas whose crops have failed or who are unemployed and have headed to South Africa to work as miners; multiple generations of the same family often become miners. Since the abolition of apartheid in South Africa in 1991, other job opportunities have opened to Mozambicans, including in the informal and manufacturing sectors, but mining remains their main source of employment. Topic: NamibiaPlanning officials view Namibia’s reduced population growth rate as sustainable based on the country’s economic growth over the past decade. Prior to independence in 1990, Namibia’s relatively small population grew at about 3% annually, but declining fertility and the impact of HIV/AIDS slowed this growth to 1.4% by 2011, rebounding to close to 2% by 2016. Namibia’s fertility rate has fallen over the last two decades – from about 4.5 children per woman in 1996 to 3.4 in 2016 – due to increased contraceptive use, higher educational attainment among women, and greater female participation in the labor force. The average age at first birth has stayed fairly constant, but the age at first marriage continues to increase, indicating a rising incidence of premarital childbearing.The majority of Namibians are rural dwellers (about 55%) and live in the better-watered north and northeast parts of the country. Migration, historically male-dominated, generally flows from northern communal areas – non-agricultural lands where blacks were sequestered under the apartheid system – to agricultural, mining, and manufacturing centers in the center and south. After independence from South Africa, restrictions on internal movement eased, and rural-urban migration increased, bolstering urban growth.Some Namibians – usually persons who are better-educated, more affluent, and from urban areas – continue to legally migrate to South Africa temporarily to visit family and friends and, much less frequently, to pursue tertiary education or better economic opportunities. Namibians concentrated along the country’s other borders make unauthorized visits to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana, to visit family and to trade agricultural goods. Few Namibians express interest in permanently settling in other countries; they prefer the safety of their homeland, have a strong national identity, and enjoy a well-supplied retail sector. Although Namibia is receptive to foreign investment and cross-border trade, intolerance toward non-citizens is widespread.Planning officials view Namibia’s reduced population growth rate as sustainable based on the country’s economic growth over the past decade. Prior to independence in 1990, Namibia’s relatively small population grew at about 3% annually, but declining fertility and the impact of HIV/AIDS slowed this growth to 1.4% by 2011, rebounding to close to 2% by 2016. Namibia’s fertility rate has fallen over the last two decades – from about 4.5 children per woman in 1996 to 3.4 in 2016 – due to increased contraceptive use, higher educational attainment among women, and greater female participation in the labor force. The average age at first birth has stayed fairly constant, but the age at first marriage continues to increase, indicating a rising incidence of premarital childbearing.The majority of Namibians are rural dwellers (about 55%) and live in the better-watered north and northeast parts of the country. Migration, historically male-dominated, generally flows from northern communal areas – non-agricultural lands where blacks were sequestered under the apartheid system – to agricultural, mining, and manufacturing centers in the center and south. After independence from South Africa, restrictions on internal movement eased, and rural-urban migration increased, bolstering urban growth.Some Namibians – usually persons who are better-educated, more affluent, and from urban areas – continue to legally migrate to South Africa temporarily to visit family and friends and, much less frequently, to pursue tertiary education or better economic opportunities. Namibians concentrated along the country’s other borders make unauthorized visits to Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Botswana, to visit family and to trade agricultural goods. Few Namibians express interest in permanently settling in other countries; they prefer the safety of their homeland, have a strong national identity, and enjoy a well-supplied retail sector. Although Namibia is receptive to foreign investment and cross-border trade, intolerance toward non-citizens is widespread. Topic: NicaraguaDespite 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. Topic: NigerNiger 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. Topic: NigeriaNigeria’s population is projected to grow from more than 186 million people in 2016 to 392 million in 2050, becoming the world’s fourth most populous country. Nigeria’s sustained high population growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future because of population momentum and its high birth rate. Abuja has not successfully implemented family planning programs to reduce and space births because of a lack of political will, government financing, and the availability and affordability of services and products, as well as a cultural preference for large families. Increased educational attainment, especially among women, and improvements in health care are needed to encourage and to better enable parents to opt for smaller families.Nigeria needs to harness the potential of its burgeoning youth population in order to boost economic development, reduce widespread poverty, and channel large numbers of unemployed youth into productive activities and away from ongoing religious and ethnic violence. While most movement of Nigerians is internal, significant emigration regionally and to the West provides an outlet for Nigerians looking for economic opportunities, seeking asylum, and increasingly pursuing higher education. Immigration largely of West Africans continues to be insufficient to offset emigration and the loss of highly skilled workers. Nigeria also is a major source, transit, and destination country for forced labor and sex trafficking.Nigeria’s population is projected to grow from more than 186 million people in 2016 to 392 million in 2050, becoming the world’s fourth most populous country. Nigeria’s sustained high population growth rate will continue for the foreseeable future because of population momentum and its high birth rate. Abuja has not successfully implemented family planning programs to reduce and space births because of a lack of political will, government financing, and the availability and affordability of services and products, as well as a cultural preference for large families. Increased educational attainment, especially among women, and improvements in health care are needed to encourage and to better enable parents to opt for smaller families.Nigeria needs to harness the potential of its burgeoning youth population in order to boost economic development, reduce widespread poverty, and channel large numbers of unemployed youth into productive activities and away from ongoing religious and ethnic violence. While most movement of Nigerians is internal, significant emigration regionally and to the West provides an outlet for Nigerians looking for economic opportunities, seeking asylum, and increasingly pursuing higher education. Immigration largely of West Africans continues to be insufficient to offset emigration and the loss of highly skilled workers. Nigeria also is a major source, transit, and destination country for forced labor and sex trafficking. Topic: PanamaPanama is a country of demographic and economic contrasts. It is in the midst of a demographic transition, characterized by steadily declining rates of fertility, mortality, and population growth, but disparities persist based on wealth, geography, and ethnicity. Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and dedicates substantial funding to social programs, yet poverty and inequality remain prevalent. The indigenous population accounts for a growing share of Panama's poor and extreme poor, while the non-indigenous rural poor have been more successful at rising out of poverty through rural-to-urban labor migration. The government's large expenditures on untargeted, indirect subsidies for water, electricity, and fuel have been ineffective, but its conditional cash transfer program has shown some promise in helping to decrease extreme poverty among the indigenous population.Panama has expanded access to education and clean water, but the availability of sanitation and, to a lesser extent, electricity remains poor. The increase in secondary schooling - led by female enrollment - is spreading to rural and indigenous areas, which probably will help to alleviate poverty if educational quality and the availability of skilled jobs improve. Inadequate access to sanitation contributes to a high incidence of diarrhea in Panama's children, which is one of the main causes of Panama's elevated chronic malnutrition rate, especially among indigenous communities.Panama is a country of demographic and economic contrasts. It is in the midst of a demographic transition, characterized by steadily declining rates of fertility, mortality, and population growth, but disparities persist based on wealth, geography, and ethnicity. Panama has one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and dedicates substantial funding to social programs, yet poverty and inequality remain prevalent. The indigenous population accounts for a growing share of Panama's poor and extreme poor, while the non-indigenous rural poor have been more successful at rising out of poverty through rural-to-urban labor migration. The government's large expenditures on untargeted, indirect subsidies for water, electricity, and fuel have been ineffective, but its conditional cash transfer program has shown some promise in helping to decrease extreme poverty among the indigenous population.Panama has expanded access to education and clean water, but the availability of sanitation and, to a lesser extent, electricity remains poor. The increase in secondary schooling - led by female enrollment - is spreading to rural and indigenous areas, which probably will help to alleviate poverty if educational quality and the availability of skilled jobs improve. Inadequate access to sanitation contributes to a high incidence of diarrhea in Panama's children, which is one of the main causes of Panama's elevated chronic malnutrition rate, especially among indigenous communities. Topic: ParaguayParaguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women.Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France.Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women.Paraguay is a country of emigration; it has not attracted large numbers of immigrants because of political instability, civil wars, years of dictatorship, and the greater appeal of neighboring countries. Paraguay first tried to encourage immigration in 1870 in order to rebound from the heavy death toll it suffered during the War of the Triple Alliance, but it received few European and Middle Eastern immigrants. In the 20th century, limited numbers of immigrants arrived from Lebanon, Japan, South Korea, and China, as well as Mennonites from Canada, Russia, and Mexico. Large flows of Brazilian immigrants have been arriving since the 1960s, mainly to work in agriculture. Paraguayans continue to emigrate to Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, Spain, and France. Topic: PeruPeru's urban and coastal communities have benefited much more from recent economic growth than rural, Afro-Peruvian, indigenous, and poor populations of the Amazon and mountain regions. The poverty rate has dropped substantially during the last decade but remains stubbornly high at about 30% (more than 55% in rural areas). After remaining almost static for about a decade, Peru's malnutrition rate began falling in 2005, when the government introduced a coordinated strategy focusing on hygiene, sanitation, and clean water. School enrollment has improved, but achievement scores reflect ongoing problems with educational quality. Many poor children temporarily or permanently drop out of school to help support their families. About a quarter to a third of Peruvian children aged 6 to 14 work, often putting in long hours at hazardous mining or construction sites.Peru was a country of immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has become a country of emigration in the last few decades. Beginning in the 19th century, Peru brought in Asian contract laborers mainly to work on coastal plantations. Populations of Chinese and Japanese descent - among the largest in Latin America - are economically and culturally influential in Peru today. Peruvian emigration began rising in the 1980s due to an economic crisis and a violent internal conflict, but outflows have stabilized in the last few years as economic conditions have improved. Nonetheless, more than 2 million Peruvians have emigrated in the last decade, principally to the US, Spain, and Argentina.Peru's urban and coastal communities have benefited much more from recent economic growth than rural, Afro-Peruvian, indigenous, and poor populations of the Amazon and mountain regions. The poverty rate has dropped substantially during the last decade but remains stubbornly high at about 30% (more than 55% in rural areas). After remaining almost static for about a decade, Peru's malnutrition rate began falling in 2005, when the government introduced a coordinated strategy focusing on hygiene, sanitation, and clean water. School enrollment has improved, but achievement scores reflect ongoing problems with educational quality. Many poor children temporarily or permanently drop out of school to help support their families. About a quarter to a third of Peruvian children aged 6 to 14 work, often putting in long hours at hazardous mining or construction sites.Peru was a country of immigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, but has become a country of emigration in the last few decades. Beginning in the 19th century, Peru brought in Asian contract laborers mainly to work on coastal plantations. Populations of Chinese and Japanese descent - among the largest in Latin America - are economically and culturally influential in Peru today. Peruvian emigration began rising in the 1980s due to an economic crisis and a violent internal conflict, but outflows have stabilized in the last few years as economic conditions have improved. Nonetheless, more than 2 million Peruvians have emigrated in the last decade, principally to the US, Spain, and Argentina. Topic: PhilippinesThe Philippines is an ethnically diverse country that is in the early stages of demographic transition.  Its fertility rate has dropped steadily since the 1950s.  The decline was more rapid after the introduction of a national population program in the 1970s in large part due to the increased use of modern contraceptive methods, but fertility has decreased more slowly in recent years.  The country’s total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – dropped below 5 in the 1980s, below 4 in the 1990s, and below 3 in the 2010s.  TFR continues to be above replacement level at 2.9 and even higher among the poor, rural residents, and the less-educated.  Significant reasons for elevated TFR are the desire for more than two children, in part because children are a means of financial assistance and security for parents as they age, particularly among the poor. The Philippines are the source of one of the world’s largest emigrant populations, much of which consists of legal temporary workers known as Overseas Foreign Workers or OFWs.  As of 2019, there were 2.2 million OFWs.  They work in a wide array of fields, most frequently in services (such as caregivers and domestic work), skilled trades, and construction but also in professional fields, including nursing and engineering.  OFWs most often migrate to Middle Eastern countries, but other popular destinations include Hong Kong, China, and Singapore, as well as employment on ships.  Filipino seafarers make up 35-40% of the world’s seafarers, as of 2014.   Women OFWs, who work primarily in domestic services and entertainment, have outnumbered men since 1992.  Migration and remittances have been a feature of Philippine culture for decades.  The government has encouraged and facilitated emigration, regulating recruitment agencies and adopting legislation to protect the rights of migrant workers.  Filipinos began emigrating to the US and Hawaii early in the 20th century.  In 1934, US legislation limited Filipinos to 50 visas per year except during labor shortages, causing emigration to plummet.  It was not until the 1960s, when the US and other destination countries – Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – loosened their immigration policies, that Filipino emigration expanded and diversified.  The government implemented an overseas employment program in the 1970s, promoting Filipino labor to Gulf countries needing more workers for their oil industries.  Filipino emigration increased rapidly.  The government had intended for international migration to be temporary, but a lack of jobs and poor wages domestically, the ongoing demand for workers in the Gulf countries, and new labor markets in Asia continue to spur Philippine emigration.The Philippines is an ethnically diverse country that is in the early stages of demographic transition.  Its fertility rate has dropped steadily since the 1950s.  The decline was more rapid after the introduction of a national population program in the 1970s in large part due to the increased use of modern contraceptive methods, but fertility has decreased more slowly in recent years.  The country’s total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – dropped below 5 in the 1980s, below 4 in the 1990s, and below 3 in the 2010s.  TFR continues to be above replacement level at 2.9 and even higher among the poor, rural residents, and the less-educated.  Significant reasons for elevated TFR are the desire for more than two children, in part because children are a means of financial assistance and security for parents as they age, particularly among the poor.The Philippines are the source of one of the world’s largest emigrant populations, much of which consists of legal temporary workers known as Overseas Foreign Workers or OFWs.  As of 2019, there were 2.2 million OFWs.  They work in a wide array of fields, most frequently in services (such as caregivers and domestic work), skilled trades, and construction but also in professional fields, including nursing and engineering.  OFWs most often migrate to Middle Eastern countries, but other popular destinations include Hong Kong, China, and Singapore, as well as employment on ships.  Filipino seafarers make up 35-40% of the world’s seafarers, as of 2014.   Women OFWs, who work primarily in domestic services and entertainment, have outnumbered men since 1992. Migration and remittances have been a feature of Philippine culture for decades.  The government has encouraged and facilitated emigration, regulating recruitment agencies and adopting legislation to protect the rights of migrant workers.  Filipinos began emigrating to the US and Hawaii early in the 20th century.  In 1934, US legislation limited Filipinos to 50 visas per year except during labor shortages, causing emigration to plummet.  It was not until the 1960s, when the US and other destination countries – Canada, Australia, and New Zealand – loosened their immigration policies, that Filipino emigration expanded and diversified.  The government implemented an overseas employment program in the 1970s, promoting Filipino labor to Gulf countries needing more workers for their oil industries.  Filipino emigration increased rapidly.  The government had intended for international migration to be temporary, but a lack of jobs and poor wages domestically, the ongoing demand for workers in the Gulf countries, and new labor markets in Asia continue to spur Philippine emigration. Topic: RwandaRwanda’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. Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaThe vast majority of the population of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha live on Saint Helena. Ascension has no indigenous or permanent residents and is inhabited only by persons contracted to work on the island (mainly with the UK and US military or in the space and communications industries) or their dependents, while Tristan da Cunha – the main island in a small archipelago – has fewer than 300 residents. The population of Saint Helena consists of the descendants of 17th century British sailors and settlers from the East India Company, African slaves, and indentured servants and laborers from India, Indonesia, and China. Most of the population of Ascension are Saint Helenians, Britons, and Americans, while that of Tristan da Cunha descends from shipwrecked sailors and Saint Helenians.Change in Saint Helena’s population size is driven by net outward migration. Since the 1980s, Saint Helena’s population steadily has shrunk and aged as the birth rate has decreased and many working-age residents left for better opportunities elsewhere. The restoration of British citizenship in 2002 accelerated family emigration; from 1998 to 2008 alone, population declined by about 20%.In the last few years, population has experienced some temporary growth, as foreigners and returning Saint Helenians, have come to build an international airport, but numbers are beginning to fade as the project reaches completion and workers depart. In the long term, once the airport is fully operational, increased access to the remote island has the potential to boost tourism and fishing, provide more jobs for Saint Helenians domestically, and could encourage some ex-patriots to return home. In the meantime, however, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha have to contend with the needs of an aging population. The elderly population of the islands has risen from an estimated 9.4% in 1998 to 20.4% in 2016.The vast majority of the population of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha live on Saint Helena. Ascension has no indigenous or permanent residents and is inhabited only by persons contracted to work on the island (mainly with the UK and US military or in the space and communications industries) or their dependents, while Tristan da Cunha – the main island in a small archipelago – has fewer than 300 residents. The population of Saint Helena consists of the descendants of 17th century British sailors and settlers from the East India Company, African slaves, and indentured servants and laborers from India, Indonesia, and China. Most of the population of Ascension are Saint Helenians, Britons, and Americans, while that of Tristan da Cunha descends from shipwrecked sailors and Saint Helenians.Change in Saint Helena’s population size is driven by net outward migration. Since the 1980s, Saint Helena’s population steadily has shrunk and aged as the birth rate has decreased and many working-age residents left for better opportunities elsewhere. The restoration of British citizenship in 2002 accelerated family emigration; from 1998 to 2008 alone, population declined by about 20%.In the last few years, population has experienced some temporary growth, as foreigners and returning Saint Helenians, have come to build an international airport, but numbers are beginning to fade as the project reaches completion and workers depart. In the long term, once the airport is fully operational, increased access to the remote island has the potential to boost tourism and fishing, provide more jobs for Saint Helenians domestically, and could encourage some ex-patriots to return home. In the meantime, however, Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha have to contend with the needs of an aging population. The elderly population of the islands has risen from an estimated 9.4% in 1998 to 20.4% in 2016. Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome and Principe’s youthful age structure – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – and high fertility rate ensure future population growth. Although Sao Tome has a net negative international migration rate, emigration is not a sufficient safety valve to reduce already high levels of unemployment and poverty. While literacy and primary school attendance have improved in recent years, Sao Tome still struggles to improve its educational quality and to increase its secondary school completion rate. Despite some improvements in education and access to healthcare, Sao Tome and Principe has much to do to decrease its high poverty rate, create jobs, and increase its economic growth.The population of Sao Tome and Principe descends primarily from the islands’ colonial Portuguese settlers, who first arrived in the late 15th century, and the much larger number of African slaves brought in for sugar production and the slave trade. For about 100 years after the abolition of slavery in 1876, the population was further shaped by the widespread use of imported unskilled contract laborers from Portugal’s other African colonies, who worked on coffee and cocoa plantations. In the first decades after abolition, most workers were brought from Angola under a system similar to slavery. While Angolan laborers were technically free, they were forced or coerced into long contracts that were automatically renewed and extended to their children. Other contract workers from Mozambique and famine-stricken Cape Verde first arrived in the early 20th century under short-term contracts and had the option of repatriation, although some chose to remain in Sao Tome and Principe.Today’s Sao Tomean population consists of mesticos (creole descendants of the European immigrants and African slaves that first inhabited the islands), forros (descendants of freed African slaves), angolares (descendants of runaway African slaves that formed a community in the south of Sao Tome Island and today are fishermen), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (locally born children of contract laborers), and lesser numbers of Europeans and Asians.Sao Tome and Principe’s youthful age structure – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – and high fertility rate ensure future population growth. Although Sao Tome has a net negative international migration rate, emigration is not a sufficient safety valve to reduce already high levels of unemployment and poverty. While literacy and primary school attendance have improved in recent years, Sao Tome still struggles to improve its educational quality and to increase its secondary school completion rate. Despite some improvements in education and access to healthcare, Sao Tome and Principe has much to do to decrease its high poverty rate, create jobs, and increase its economic growth.The population of Sao Tome and Principe descends primarily from the islands’ colonial Portuguese settlers, who first arrived in the late 15th century, and the much larger number of African slaves brought in for sugar production and the slave trade. For about 100 years after the abolition of slavery in 1876, the population was further shaped by the widespread use of imported unskilled contract laborers from Portugal’s other African colonies, who worked on coffee and cocoa plantations. In the first decades after abolition, most workers were brought from Angola under a system similar to slavery. While Angolan laborers were technically free, they were forced or coerced into long contracts that were automatically renewed and extended to their children. Other contract workers from Mozambique and famine-stricken Cape Verde first arrived in the early 20th century under short-term contracts and had the option of repatriation, although some chose to remain in Sao Tome and Principe.Today’s Sao Tomean population consists of mesticos (creole descendants of the European immigrants and African slaves that first inhabited the islands), forros (descendants of freed African slaves), angolares (descendants of runaway African slaves that formed a community in the south of Sao Tome Island and today are fishermen), servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde), tongas (locally born children of contract laborers), and lesser numbers of Europeans and Asians. Topic: SenegalSenegal has a large and growing youth population but has not been successful in developing its potential human capital. Senegal’s high total fertility rate of almost 4.5 children per woman continues to bolster the country’s large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Fertility remains high because of the continued desire for large families, the low use of family planning, and early childbearing. Because of the country’s high illiteracy rate (more than 40%), high unemployment (even among university graduates), and widespread poverty, Senegalese youths face dim prospects; women are especially disadvantaged.Senegal historically was a destination country for economic migrants, but in recent years West African migrants more often use Senegal as a transit point to North Africa – and sometimes illegally onward to Europe. The country also has been host to several thousand black Mauritanian refugees since they were expelled from their homeland during its 1989 border conflict with Senegal. The country’s economic crisis in the 1970s stimulated emigration; departures accelerated in the 1990s. Destinations shifted from neighboring countries, which were experiencing economic decline, civil wars, and increasing xenophobia, to Libya and Mauritania because of their booming oil industries and to developed countries (most notably former colonial ruler France, as well as Italy and Spain). The latter became attractive in the 1990s because of job opportunities and their periodic regularization programs (legalizing the status of illegal migrants).Additionally, about 16,000 Senegalese refugees still remain in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as a result of more than 30 years of fighting between government forces and rebel separatists in southern Senegal’s Casamance region.Senegal has a large and growing youth population but has not been successful in developing its potential human capital. Senegal’s high total fertility rate of almost 4.5 children per woman continues to bolster the country’s large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25. Fertility remains high because of the continued desire for large families, the low use of family planning, and early childbearing. Because of the country’s high illiteracy rate (more than 40%), high unemployment (even among university graduates), and widespread poverty, Senegalese youths face dim prospects; women are especially disadvantaged.Senegal historically was a destination country for economic migrants, but in recent years West African migrants more often use Senegal as a transit point to North Africa – and sometimes illegally onward to Europe. The country also has been host to several thousand black Mauritanian refugees since they were expelled from their homeland during its 1989 border conflict with Senegal. The country’s economic crisis in the 1970s stimulated emigration; departures accelerated in the 1990s. Destinations shifted from neighboring countries, which were experiencing economic decline, civil wars, and increasing xenophobia, to Libya and Mauritania because of their booming oil industries and to developed countries (most notably former colonial ruler France, as well as Italy and Spain). The latter became attractive in the 1990s because of job opportunities and their periodic regularization programs (legalizing the status of illegal migrants).Additionally, about 16,000 Senegalese refugees still remain in The Gambia and Guinea-Bissau as a result of more than 30 years of fighting between government forces and rebel separatists in southern Senegal’s Casamance region. Topic: SeychellesSeychelles has no indigenous population and was first permanently settled by a small group of French planters, African slaves, and South Indians in 1770. Seychelles’ modern population is composed of the descendants of French and later British settlers, Africans, and Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern traders and is concentrated on three of its 155 islands – the vast majority on Mahe and lesser numbers on Praslin and La Digue. Seychelles’ population grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, largely due to natural increase, but the pace has slowed because of fertility decline. The total fertility rate dropped sharply from 4.0 children per woman in 1980 to 1.9 in 2015, mainly as a result of a family planning program, free education and health care, and increased female labor force participation. Life expectancy has increased steadily, but women on average live 9 years longer than men, a difference that is higher than that typical of developed countries.The combination of reduced fertility and increased longevity has resulted in an aging population, which will put pressure on the government’s provision of pensions and health care. Seychelles’ sustained investment in social welfare services, such as free primary health care and education up to the post-secondary level, have enabled the country to achieve a high human development index score – among the highest in Africa. Despite some of its health and education indicators being nearly on par with Western countries, Seychelles has a high level of income inequality.An increasing number of migrant workers – mainly young men – have been coming to Seychelles in recent years to work in the construction and tourism industries. As of 2011, foreign workers made up nearly a quarter of the workforce. Indians are the largest non-Seychellois population – representing half of the country’s foreigners – followed by Malagasy.Seychelles has no indigenous population and was first permanently settled by a small group of French planters, African slaves, and South Indians in 1770. Seychelles’ modern population is composed of the descendants of French and later British settlers, Africans, and Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern traders and is concentrated on three of its 155 islands – the vast majority on Mahe and lesser numbers on Praslin and La Digue. Seychelles’ population grew rapidly during the second half of the 20th century, largely due to natural increase, but the pace has slowed because of fertility decline. The total fertility rate dropped sharply from 4.0 children per woman in 1980 to 1.9 in 2015, mainly as a result of a family planning program, free education and health care, and increased female labor force participation. Life expectancy has increased steadily, but women on average live 9 years longer than men, a difference that is higher than that typical of developed countries.The combination of reduced fertility and increased longevity has resulted in an aging population, which will put pressure on the government’s provision of pensions and health care. Seychelles’ sustained investment in social welfare services, such as free primary health care and education up to the post-secondary level, have enabled the country to achieve a high human development index score – among the highest in Africa. Despite some of its health and education indicators being nearly on par with Western countries, Seychelles has a high level of income inequality.An increasing number of migrant workers – mainly young men – have been coming to Seychelles in recent years to work in the construction and tourism industries. As of 2011, foreign workers made up nearly a quarter of the workforce. Indians are the largest non-Seychellois population – representing half of the country’s foreigners – followed by Malagasy. Topic: Sierra LeoneSierra Leone’s youthful and growing population is driven by its high total fertility rate (TFR) of almost 5 children per woman, which has declined little over the last two decades. Its elevated TFR is sustained by the continued desire for large families, the low level of contraceptive use, and the early start of childbearing. Despite its high TFR, Sierra Leone’s population growth is somewhat tempered by high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates that are among the world’s highest and are a result of poverty, a lack of potable water and sanitation, poor nutrition, limited access to quality health care services, and the prevalence of female genital cutting.Sierra Leone’s large youth cohort – about 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, which was one of the major causes of the country’s 1991-2002 civil war and remains a threat to stability today. Its estimated 60% youth unemployment rate is attributed to high levels of illiteracy and unskilled labor, a lack of private sector jobs, and low pay.Sierra Leone has been a source of and destination for refugees. Sierra Leone’s civil war internally displaced as many as 2 million people, or almost half the population, and forced almost another half million to seek refuge in neighboring countries (370,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea and 120,000 to Liberia). The UNHCR has helped almost 180,000 Sierra Leoneans to return home, while more than 90,000 others have repatriated on their own. Of the more than 65,000 Liberians who took refuge in Sierra Leone during their country’s civil war (1989-2003), about 50,000 have been voluntarily repatriated by the UNHCR and others have returned home independently. As of 2015, less than 1,000 Liberians still reside in Sierra Leone.Sierra Leone’s youthful and growing population is driven by its high total fertility rate (TFR) of almost 5 children per woman, which has declined little over the last two decades. Its elevated TFR is sustained by the continued desire for large families, the low level of contraceptive use, and the early start of childbearing. Despite its high TFR, Sierra Leone’s population growth is somewhat tempered by high infant, child, and maternal mortality rates that are among the world’s highest and are a result of poverty, a lack of potable water and sanitation, poor nutrition, limited access to quality health care services, and the prevalence of female genital cutting.Sierra Leone’s large youth cohort – about 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – continues to struggle with high levels of unemployment, which was one of the major causes of the country’s 1991-2002 civil war and remains a threat to stability today. Its estimated 60% youth unemployment rate is attributed to high levels of illiteracy and unskilled labor, a lack of private sector jobs, and low pay.Sierra Leone has been a source of and destination for refugees. Sierra Leone’s civil war internally displaced as many as 2 million people, or almost half the population, and forced almost another half million to seek refuge in neighboring countries (370,000 Sierra Leoneans fled to Guinea and 120,000 to Liberia). The UNHCR has helped almost 180,000 Sierra Leoneans to return home, while more than 90,000 others have repatriated on their own. Of the more than 65,000 Liberians who took refuge in Sierra Leone during their country’s civil war (1989-2003), about 50,000 have been voluntarily repatriated by the UNHCR and others have returned home independently. As of 2015, less than 1,000 Liberians still reside in Sierra Leone. Topic: SingaporeSingapore 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. Topic: SomaliaSomalia scores very low for most humanitarian indicators, suffering from poor governance, protracted internal conflict, underdevelopment, economic decline, poverty, social and gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Despite civil war and famine raising its mortality rate, Somalia’s high fertility rate and large proportion of people of reproductive age maintain rapid population growth, with each generation being larger than the prior one. More than 60% of Somalia’s population is younger than 25, and the fertility rate is among the world’s highest at almost 6 children per woman – a rate that has decreased little since the 1970s.A lack of educational and job opportunities is a major source of tension for Somalia’s large youth cohort, making them vulnerable to recruitment by extremist and pirate groups. Somalia has one of the world’s lowest primary school enrollment rates – just over 40% of children are in school – and one of world’s highest youth unemployment rates. Life expectancy is low as a result of high infant and maternal mortality rates, the spread of preventable diseases, poor sanitation, chronic malnutrition, and inadequate health services.During the two decades of conflict that followed the fall of the SIAD regime in 1991, hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes. Today Somalia is the world’s third highest source country for refugees, after Syria and Afghanistan. Insecurity, drought, floods, food shortages, and a lack of economic opportunities are the driving factors.As of 2016, more than 1.1 million Somali refugees were hosted in the region, mainly in Kenya, Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda, while more than 1.1 million Somalis were internally displaced. Since the implementation of a tripartite voluntary repatriation agreement among Kenya, Somalia, and the UNHCR in 2013, nearly 40,000 Somali refugees have returned home from Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp – still houses to approximately 260,000 Somalis. The flow sped up rapidly after the Kenyan Government in May 2016 announced its intention to close the camp, worsening security and humanitarian conditions in receiving communities in south-central Somalia. Despite the conflict in Yemen, thousands of Somalis and other refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa risk their lives crossing the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen and beyond (often Saudi Arabia). Bossaso in Puntland overtook Obock, Djibouti, as the primary departure point in mid-2014.Somalia scores very low for most humanitarian indicators, suffering from poor governance, protracted internal conflict, underdevelopment, economic decline, poverty, social and gender inequality, and environmental degradation. Despite civil war and famine raising its mortality rate, Somalia’s high fertility rate and large proportion of people of reproductive age maintain rapid population growth, with each generation being larger than the prior one. More than 60% of Somalia’s population is younger than 25, and the fertility rate is among the world’s highest at almost 6 children per woman – a rate that has decreased little since the 1970s.A lack of educational and job opportunities is a major source of tension for Somalia’s large youth cohort, making them vulnerable to recruitment by extremist and pirate groups. Somalia has one of the world’s lowest primary school enrollment rates – just over 40% of children are in school – and one of world’s highest youth unemployment rates. Life expectancy is low as a result of high infant and maternal mortality rates, the spread of preventable diseases, poor sanitation, chronic malnutrition, and inadequate health services.During the two decades of conflict that followed the fall of the SIAD regime in 1991, hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes. Today Somalia is the world’s third highest source country for refugees, after Syria and Afghanistan. Insecurity, drought, floods, food shortages, and a lack of economic opportunities are the driving factors.As of 2016, more than 1.1 million Somali refugees were hosted in the region, mainly in Kenya, Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Uganda, while more than 1.1 million Somalis were internally displaced. Since the implementation of a tripartite voluntary repatriation agreement among Kenya, Somalia, and the UNHCR in 2013, nearly 40,000 Somali refugees have returned home from Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp – still houses to approximately 260,000 Somalis. The flow sped up rapidly after the Kenyan Government in May 2016 announced its intention to close the camp, worsening security and humanitarian conditions in receiving communities in south-central Somalia. Despite the conflict in Yemen, thousands of Somalis and other refugees and asylum seekers from the Horn of Africa risk their lives crossing the Gulf of Aden to reach Yemen and beyond (often Saudi Arabia). Bossaso in Puntland overtook Obock, Djibouti, as the primary departure point in mid-2014. Topic: South AfricaSouth Africa’s youthful population is gradually aging, as the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined dramatically from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s to roughly 2.2 in 2014. This pattern is similar to fertility trends in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and sets South Africa apart from the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average TFR remains higher than other regions of the world. Today, South Africa’s decreasing number of reproductive age women is having fewer children, as women increase their educational attainment, workforce participation, and use of family planning methods; delay marriage; and opt for smaller families.As the proportion of working-age South Africans has grown relative to children and the elderly, South Africa has been unable to achieve a demographic dividend because persistent high unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDs have created a larger-than-normal dependent population. HIV/AIDS was also responsible for South Africa’s average life expectancy plunging to less than 43 years in 2008; it has rebounded to 63 years as of 2017. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health threat, although awareness-raising campaigns and the wider availability of anti-retroviral drugs is stabilizing the number of new cases, enabling infected individuals to live longer, healthier lives, and reducing mother-child transmissions.Migration to South Africa began in the second half of the 17th century when traders from the Dutch East India Company settled in the Cape and started using slaves from South and southeast Asia (mainly from India but also from present-day Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) and southeast Africa (Madagascar and Mozambique) as farm laborers and, to a lesser extent, as domestic servants. The Indian subcontinent remained the Cape Colony’s main source of slaves in the early 18th century, while slaves were increasingly obtained from southeast Africa in the latter part of the 18th century and into the 19th century under British rule.After slavery was completely abolished in the British Empire in 1838, South Africa’s colonists turned to temporary African migrants and indentured labor through agreements with India and later China, countries that were anxious to export workers to alleviate domestic poverty and overpopulation. Of the more than 150,000 indentured Indian laborers hired to work in Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911, most exercised the right as British subjects to remain permanently (a small number of Indian immigrants came freely as merchants). Because of growing resentment toward Indian workers, the 63,000 indentured Chinese workers who mined gold in Transvaal between 1904 and 1911 were under more restrictive contracts and generally were forced to return to their homeland.In the late 19th century and nearly the entire 20th century, South Africa’s then British colonies’ and Dutch states’ enforced selective immigration policies that welcomed "assimilable" white Europeans as permanent residents but excluded or restricted other immigrants. Following the Union of South Africa’s passage of a law in 1913 prohibiting Asian and other non-white immigrants and its elimination of the indenture system in 1917, temporary African contract laborers from neighboring countries became the dominant source of labor in the burgeoning mining industries. Others worked in agriculture and smaller numbers in manufacturing, domestic service, transportation, and construction. Throughout the 20th century, at least 40% of South Africa’s miners were foreigners; the numbers peaked at over 80% in the late 1960s. Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini were the primary sources of miners, and Malawi and Zimbabwe were periodic suppliers.Under apartheid, a "two gates" migration policy focused on policing and deporting illegal migrants rather than on managing migration to meet South Africa’s development needs. The exclusionary 1991 Aliens Control Act limited labor recruitment to the highly skilled as defined by the ruling white minority, while bilateral labor agreements provided exemptions that enabled the influential mining industry and, to a lesser extent, commercial farms, to hire temporary, low-paid workers from neighboring states. Illegal African migrants were often tacitly allowed to work for low pay in other sectors but were always under threat of deportation.The abolishment of apartheid in 1994 led to the development of a new inclusive national identity and the strengthening of the country’s restrictive immigration policy. Despite South Africa’s protectionist approach to immigration, the downsizing and closing of mines, and rising unemployment, migrants from across the continent believed that the country held work opportunities. Fewer African labor migrants were issued temporary work permits and, instead, increasingly entered South Africa with visitors’ permits or came illegally, which drove growth in cross-border trade and the informal job market. A new wave of Asian immigrants has also arrived over the last two decades, many operating small retail businesses.In the post-apartheid period, increasing numbers of highly skilled white workers emigrated, citing dissatisfaction with the political situation, crime, poor services, and a reduced quality of life. The 2002 Immigration Act and later amendments were intended to facilitate the temporary migration of skilled foreign labor to fill labor shortages, but instead the legislation continues to create regulatory obstacles. Although the education system has improved and brain drain has slowed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Africa continues to face skills shortages in several key sectors, such as health care and technology.South Africa’s stability and economic growth has acted as a magnet for refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries, despite the prevalence of discrimination and xenophobic violence. Refugees have included an estimated 350,000 Mozambicans during its 1980s civil war and, more recently, several thousand Somalis, Congolese, and Ethiopians. Nearly all of the tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum in South Africa have been categorized as economic migrants and denied refuge.South Africa’s youthful population is gradually aging, as the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined dramatically from about 6 children per woman in the 1960s to roughly 2.2 in 2014. This pattern is similar to fertility trends in South Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, and sets South Africa apart from the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa, where the average TFR remains higher than other regions of the world. Today, South Africa’s decreasing number of reproductive age women is having fewer children, as women increase their educational attainment, workforce participation, and use of family planning methods; delay marriage; and opt for smaller families.As the proportion of working-age South Africans has grown relative to children and the elderly, South Africa has been unable to achieve a demographic dividend because persistent high unemployment and the prevalence of HIV/AIDs have created a larger-than-normal dependent population. HIV/AIDS was also responsible for South Africa’s average life expectancy plunging to less than 43 years in 2008; it has rebounded to 63 years as of 2017. HIV/AIDS continues to be a serious public health threat, although awareness-raising campaigns and the wider availability of anti-retroviral drugs is stabilizing the number of new cases, enabling infected individuals to live longer, healthier lives, and reducing mother-child transmissions.Migration to South Africa began in the second half of the 17th century when traders from the Dutch East India Company settled in the Cape and started using slaves from South and southeast Asia (mainly from India but also from present-day Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia) and southeast Africa (Madagascar and Mozambique) as farm laborers and, to a lesser extent, as domestic servants. The Indian subcontinent remained the Cape Colony’s main source of slaves in the early 18th century, while slaves were increasingly obtained from southeast Africa in the latter part of the 18th century and into the 19th century under British rule.After slavery was completely abolished in the British Empire in 1838, South Africa’s colonists turned to temporary African migrants and indentured labor through agreements with India and later China, countries that were anxious to export workers to alleviate domestic poverty and overpopulation. Of the more than 150,000 indentured Indian laborers hired to work in Natal’s sugar plantations between 1860 and 1911, most exercised the right as British subjects to remain permanently (a small number of Indian immigrants came freely as merchants). Because of growing resentment toward Indian workers, the 63,000 indentured Chinese workers who mined gold in Transvaal between 1904 and 1911 were under more restrictive contracts and generally were forced to return to their homeland.In the late 19th century and nearly the entire 20th century, South Africa’s then British colonies’ and Dutch states’ enforced selective immigration policies that welcomed "assimilable" white Europeans as permanent residents but excluded or restricted other immigrants. Following the Union of South Africa’s passage of a law in 1913 prohibiting Asian and other non-white immigrants and its elimination of the indenture system in 1917, temporary African contract laborers from neighboring countries became the dominant source of labor in the burgeoning mining industries. Others worked in agriculture and smaller numbers in manufacturing, domestic service, transportation, and construction. Throughout the 20th century, at least 40% of South Africa’s miners were foreigners; the numbers peaked at over 80% in the late 1960s. Mozambique, Lesotho, Botswana, and Eswatini were the primary sources of miners, and Malawi and Zimbabwe were periodic suppliers.Under apartheid, a "two gates" migration policy focused on policing and deporting illegal migrants rather than on managing migration to meet South Africa’s development needs. The exclusionary 1991 Aliens Control Act limited labor recruitment to the highly skilled as defined by the ruling white minority, while bilateral labor agreements provided exemptions that enabled the influential mining industry and, to a lesser extent, commercial farms, to hire temporary, low-paid workers from neighboring states. Illegal African migrants were often tacitly allowed to work for low pay in other sectors but were always under threat of deportation.The abolishment of apartheid in 1994 led to the development of a new inclusive national identity and the strengthening of the country’s restrictive immigration policy. Despite South Africa’s protectionist approach to immigration, the downsizing and closing of mines, and rising unemployment, migrants from across the continent believed that the country held work opportunities. Fewer African labor migrants were issued temporary work permits and, instead, increasingly entered South Africa with visitors’ permits or came illegally, which drove growth in cross-border trade and the informal job market. A new wave of Asian immigrants has also arrived over the last two decades, many operating small retail businesses.In the post-apartheid period, increasing numbers of highly skilled white workers emigrated, citing dissatisfaction with the political situation, crime, poor services, and a reduced quality of life. The 2002 Immigration Act and later amendments were intended to facilitate the temporary migration of skilled foreign labor to fill labor shortages, but instead the legislation continues to create regulatory obstacles. Although the education system has improved and brain drain has slowed in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis, South Africa continues to face skills shortages in several key sectors, such as health care and technology.South Africa’s stability and economic growth has acted as a magnet for refugees and asylum seekers from nearby countries, despite the prevalence of discrimination and xenophobic violence. Refugees have included an estimated 350,000 Mozambicans during its 1980s civil war and, more recently, several thousand Somalis, Congolese, and Ethiopians. Nearly all of the tens of thousands of Zimbabweans who have applied for asylum in South Africa have been categorized as economic migrants and denied refuge. Topic: South SudanSouth Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. Most of the population lives off of farming, while smaller numbers rely on animal husbandry; more than 80% of the populace lives in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate is among the world’s highest for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of health care workers, facilities, and supplies; poor roads and a lack of transport; and cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking obstetric care. Most women marry and start having children early, giving birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants, who are unable to handle complications.Educational attainment is extremely poor due to the lack of schools, qualified teachers, and materials. Less than a third of the population is literate (the rate is even lower among women), and half live below the poverty line. Teachers and students are also struggling with the switch from Arabic to English as the language of instruction. Many adults missed out on schooling because of warfare and displacement.Almost 2 million South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the current conflict began in December 2013. Another 1.96 million South Sudanese are internally displaced as of August 2017. Despite South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure and social services, more than 240,000 people have fled to South Sudan to escape fighting in Sudan.South Sudan, independent from Sudan since July 2011 after decades of civil war, is one of the world’s poorest countries and ranks among the lowest in many socioeconomic categories. Problems are exacerbated by ongoing tensions with Sudan over oil revenues and land borders, fighting between government forces and rebel groups, and inter-communal violence. Most of the population lives off of farming, while smaller numbers rely on animal husbandry; more than 80% of the populace lives in rural areas. The maternal mortality rate is among the world’s highest for a variety of reasons, including a shortage of health care workers, facilities, and supplies; poor roads and a lack of transport; and cultural beliefs that prevent women from seeking obstetric care. Most women marry and start having children early, giving birth at home with the assistance of traditional birth attendants, who are unable to handle complications.Educational attainment is extremely poor due to the lack of schools, qualified teachers, and materials. Less than a third of the population is literate (the rate is even lower among women), and half live below the poverty line. Teachers and students are also struggling with the switch from Arabic to English as the language of instruction. Many adults missed out on schooling because of warfare and displacement.Almost 2 million South Sudanese have sought refuge in neighboring countries since the current conflict began in December 2013. Another 1.96 million South Sudanese are internally displaced as of August 2017. Despite South Sudan’s instability and lack of infrastructure and social services, more than 240,000 people have fled to South Sudan to escape fighting in Sudan. Topic: SurinameSuriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.Some 350,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands, Suriname's former colonial ruler. In the 19th century, better-educated, largely Dutch-speaking Surinamese began emigrating to the Netherlands. World War II interrupted the outflow, but it resumed after the war when Dutch labor demands grew - emigrants included all segments of the Creole population. Suriname still is strongly influenced by the Netherlands because most Surinamese have relatives living there and it is the largest supplier of development aid. Other emigration destinations include French Guiana and the United States. Suriname's immigration rules are flexible, and the country is easy to enter illegally because rainforests obscure its borders. Since the mid-1980s, Brazilians have settled in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, or eastern Suriname, where they mine gold. This immigration is likely to slowly re-orient Suriname toward its Latin American roots.Suriname is a pluralistic society consisting primarily of Creoles (persons of mixed African and European heritage), the descendants of escaped African slaves known as Maroons, and the descendants of Indian and Javanese (Indonesian) contract workers. The country overall is in full, post-industrial demographic transition, with a low fertility rate, a moderate mortality rate, and a rising life expectancy. However, the Maroon population of the rural interior lags behind because of lower educational attainment and contraceptive use, higher malnutrition, and significantly less access to electricity, potable water, sanitation, infrastructure, and health care.Some 350,000 people of Surinamese descent live in the Netherlands, Suriname's former colonial ruler. In the 19th century, better-educated, largely Dutch-speaking Surinamese began emigrating to the Netherlands. World War II interrupted the outflow, but it resumed after the war when Dutch labor demands grew - emigrants included all segments of the Creole population. Suriname still is strongly influenced by the Netherlands because most Surinamese have relatives living there and it is the largest supplier of development aid. Other emigration destinations include French Guiana and the United States. Suriname's immigration rules are flexible, and the country is easy to enter illegally because rainforests obscure its borders. Since the mid-1980s, Brazilians have settled in Suriname's capital, Paramaribo, or eastern Suriname, where they mine gold. This immigration is likely to slowly re-orient Suriname toward its Latin American roots. Topic: TanzaniaTanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; almost a third of the population is urban. Tanzania’s youthful population – about two-thirds of the population is under 25 – is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.8 children per woman. Progress in reducing the birth rate has stalled, sustaining the country’s nearly 3% annual growth. The maternal mortality rate has improved since 2000, yet it remains very high because of early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate maternal health services, and a lack of skilled birth attendants – problems that are worse among poor and rural women. Tanzania has made strides in reducing under-5 and infant mortality rates, but a recent drop in immunization threatens to undermine gains in child health. Malaria is a leading killer of children under 5, while HIV is the main source of adult mortalityFor Tanzania, most migration is internal, rural to urban movement, while some temporary labor migration from towns to plantations takes place seasonally for harvests. Tanzania was Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country for decades, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Great Lakes region, primarily Burundi, over the last fifty years. However, the assisted repatriation and naturalization of tens of thousands of Burundian refugees between 2002 and 2014 dramatically reduced the refugee population. Tanzania is increasingly a transit country for illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region who are heading to southern Africa for security reasons and/or economic opportunities. Some of these migrants choose to settle in Tanzania.Tanzania has the largest population in East Africa and the lowest population density; almost a third of the population is urban. Tanzania’s youthful population – about two-thirds of the population is under 25 – is growing rapidly because of the high total fertility rate of 4.8 children per woman. Progress in reducing the birth rate has stalled, sustaining the country’s nearly 3% annual growth. The maternal mortality rate has improved since 2000, yet it remains very high because of early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate maternal health services, and a lack of skilled birth attendants – problems that are worse among poor and rural women. Tanzania has made strides in reducing under-5 and infant mortality rates, but a recent drop in immunization threatens to undermine gains in child health. Malaria is a leading killer of children under 5, while HIV is the main source of adult mortalityFor Tanzania, most migration is internal, rural to urban movement, while some temporary labor migration from towns to plantations takes place seasonally for harvests. Tanzania was Africa’s largest refugee-hosting country for decades, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Great Lakes region, primarily Burundi, over the last fifty years. However, the assisted repatriation and naturalization of tens of thousands of Burundian refugees between 2002 and 2014 dramatically reduced the refugee population. Tanzania is increasingly a transit country for illegal migrants from the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region who are heading to southern Africa for security reasons and/or economic opportunities. Some of these migrants choose to settle in Tanzania. Topic: ThailandThailand has experienced a substantial fertility decline since the 1960s largely due to the nationwide success of its voluntary family planning program.  In just one generation, the total fertility rate (TFR) shrank from 6.5 children per woman in 1960s to below the replacement level of 2.1 in the late 1980s.  Reduced fertility occurred among all segments of the Thai population, despite disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of income, education, and access to public services.  The country’s “reproductive revolution” gained momentum in the 1970s as a result of the government’s launch of an official population policy to reduce population growth, the introduction of new forms of birth control, and the assistance of foreign non-government organizations.  Contraceptive use rapidly increased as new ways were developed to deliver family planning services to Thailand’s then overwhelmingly rural population.  The contraceptive prevalence rate increased from just 14% in 1970 to 58% in 1981 and has remained about 80% since 2000.  Thailand’s receptiveness to family planning reflects the predominant faith, Theravada Buddhism, which emphasizes individualism, personal responsibility, and independent decision-making.  Thai women have more independence and a higher status than women in many other developing countries and are not usually pressured by their husbands or other family members about family planning decisions.  Thailand’s relatively egalitarian society also does not have the son preference found in a number of other Asian countries; most Thai ideally want one child of each sex. Because of its low fertility rate, increasing life expectancy, and growing elderly population, Thailand has become an aging society that will face growing labor shortages.  The proportion of the population under 15 years of age has shrunk dramatically, the proportion of working-age individuals has peaked and is starting to decrease, and the proportion of elderly is growing rapidly.  In the short-term, Thailand will have to improve educational quality to increase the productivity of its workforce and to compete globally in skills-based industries.  An increasing reliance on migrant workers will be necessary to mitigate labor shortfalls. Thailand is a destination, transit, and source country for migrants. It has 3-4 million migrant workers as of 2017, mainly providing low-skilled labor in the construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and fishing and seafood processing sectors.  Migrant workers from other Southeast Asian countries with lower wages – primarily Burma and, to a lesser extent, Laos and Cambodia – have been coming to Thailand for decades to work in labor-intensive industries.  Many are undocumented and are vulnerable to human trafficking for forced labor, especially in the fisheries industry, or sexual exploitation.  A July 2017 migrant worker law stiffening fines on undocumented workers and their employers, prompted tens of thousands of migrants to go home.  Fearing a labor shortage, the Thai Government has postponed implementation of the law until January 2018 and is rapidly registering workers.  Thailand has also hosted ethnic minority refugees from Burma for more than 30 years; as of 2016, approximately 105,000 mainly Karen refugees from Burma were living in nine camps along the Thailand-Burma border. Thailand has a significant amount of internal migration, most often from rural areas to urban centers, where there are more job opportunities.  Low- and semi-skilled Thais also go abroad to work, mainly in Asia and a smaller number in the Middle East and Africa, primarily to more economically developed countries where they can earn higher wages.Thailand has experienced a substantial fertility decline since the 1960s largely due to the nationwide success of its voluntary family planning program.  In just one generation, the total fertility rate (TFR) shrank from 6.5 children per woman in 1960s to below the replacement level of 2.1 in the late 1980s.  Reduced fertility occurred among all segments of the Thai population, despite disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of income, education, and access to public services.  The country’s “reproductive revolution” gained momentum in the 1970s as a result of the government’s launch of an official population policy to reduce population growth, the introduction of new forms of birth control, and the assistance of foreign non-government organizations.  Contraceptive use rapidly increased as new ways were developed to deliver family planning services to Thailand’s then overwhelmingly rural population.  The contraceptive prevalence rate increased from just 14% in 1970 to 58% in 1981 and has remained about 80% since 2000. Thailand’s receptiveness to family planning reflects the predominant faith, Theravada Buddhism, which emphasizes individualism, personal responsibility, and independent decision-making.  Thai women have more independence and a higher status than women in many other developing countries and are not usually pressured by their husbands or other family members about family planning decisions.  Thailand’s relatively egalitarian society also does not have the son preference found in a number of other Asian countries; most Thai ideally want one child of each sex.Because of its low fertility rate, increasing life expectancy, and growing elderly population, Thailand has become an aging society that will face growing labor shortages.  The proportion of the population under 15 years of age has shrunk dramatically, the proportion of working-age individuals has peaked and is starting to decrease, and the proportion of elderly is growing rapidly.  In the short-term, Thailand will have to improve educational quality to increase the productivity of its workforce and to compete globally in skills-based industries.  An increasing reliance on migrant workers will be necessary to mitigate labor shortfalls.Thailand is a destination, transit, and source country for migrants. It has 3-4 million migrant workers as of 2017, mainly providing low-skilled labor in the construction, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and fishing and seafood processing sectors.  Migrant workers from other Southeast Asian countries with lower wages – primarily Burma and, to a lesser extent, Laos and Cambodia – have been coming to Thailand for decades to work in labor-intensive industries.  Many are undocumented and are vulnerable to human trafficking for forced labor, especially in the fisheries industry, or sexual exploitation.  A July 2017 migrant worker law stiffening fines on undocumented workers and their employers, prompted tens of thousands of migrants to go home.  Fearing a labor shortage, the Thai Government has postponed implementation of the law until January 2018 and is rapidly registering workers.  Thailand has also hosted ethnic minority refugees from Burma for more than 30 years; as of 2016, approximately 105,000 mainly Karen refugees from Burma were living in nine camps along the Thailand-Burma border.Thailand has a significant amount of internal migration, most often from rural areas to urban centers, where there are more job opportunities.  Low- and semi-skilled Thais also go abroad to work, mainly in Asia and a smaller number in the Middle East and Africa, primarily to more economically developed countries where they can earn higher wages. Topic: Timor-LesteTimor-Leste’s high fertility and population growth rates sustain its very youthful age structure – approximately 40% of the population is below the age of 15 and the country’s median age is 20.  While Timor-Leste’s total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – decreased significantly from over 7 in the early 2000s, it remains high at 4.3 in 2021 and will probably continue to decline slowly.  The low use of contraceptives and the traditional preference for large families is keeping fertility elevated.  The high TFR and falling mortality rates continue to fuel a high population growth rate of nearly 2.2%, which is the highest in Southeast Asia.  The country’s high total dependency ratio – a measure of the ratio of dependents to the working-age population – could divert more government spending toward social programs. Timor-Leste’s growing, poorly educated working-age population and insufficient job creation are ongoing problems.  Some 70% of the population lives in rural areas, where most of people are dependent on the agricultural sector.  Malnutrition and poverty are prevalent, with 42% of the population living under the poverty line as of 2014. During the Indonesian occupation (1975-1999) and Timor-Leste’s fight for independence, approximately 250,000 Timorese fled to western Timor and, in lesser numbers, Australia, Portugal, and other countries. Many of these emigrants later returned.  Since Timor-Leste’s 1999 independence referendum, economic motives and periods of conflict have been the main drivers of emigration.  Bilateral labor agreements with Australia, Malaysia, and South Korea and the presence of Timorese populations abroad, are pull factors, but the high cost prevents many young Timorese from emigrating.  Timorese communities are found in its former colonizers, Indonesia and Portugal, as well as the Philippines and the UK.  The country has also become a destination for migrants in the surrounding region, mainly men seeking work in construction, commerce, and services in Dili.Timor-Leste’s high fertility and population growth rates sustain its very youthful age structure – approximately 40% of the population is below the age of 15 and the country’s median age is 20.  While Timor-Leste’s total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – decreased significantly from over 7 in the early 2000s, it remains high at 4.3 in 2021 and will probably continue to decline slowly.  The low use of contraceptives and the traditional preference for large families is keeping fertility elevated.  The high TFR and falling mortality rates continue to fuel a high population growth rate of nearly 2.2%, which is the highest in Southeast Asia.  The country’s high total dependency ratio – a measure of the ratio of dependents to the working-age population – could divert more government spending toward social programs. Timor-Leste’s growing, poorly educated working-age population and insufficient job creation are ongoing problems.  Some 70% of the population lives in rural areas, where most of people are dependent on the agricultural sector.  Malnutrition and poverty are prevalent, with 42% of the population living under the poverty line as of 2014.During the Indonesian occupation (1975-1999) and Timor-Leste’s fight for independence, approximately 250,000 Timorese fled to western Timor and, in lesser numbers, Australia, Portugal, and other countries. Many of these emigrants later returned.  Since Timor-Leste’s 1999 independence referendum, economic motives and periods of conflict have been the main drivers of emigration.  Bilateral labor agreements with Australia, Malaysia, and South Korea and the presence of Timorese populations abroad, are pull factors, but the high cost prevents many young Timorese from emigrating.  Timorese communities are found in its former colonizers, Indonesia and Portugal, as well as the Philippines and the UK.  The country has also become a destination for migrants in the surrounding region, mainly men seeking work in construction, commerce, and services in Dili. Topic: TogoTogo’s population is estimated to have grown to four times its size between 1960 and 2010. With nearly 60% of its populace under the age of 25 and a high annual growth rate attributed largely to high fertility, Togo’s population is likely to continue to expand for the foreseeable future. Reducing fertility, boosting job creation, and improving education will be essential to reducing the country’s high poverty rate. In 2008, Togo eliminated primary school enrollment fees, leading to higher enrollment but increased pressure on limited classroom space, teachers, and materials. Togo has a good chance of achieving universal primary education, but educational quality, the underrepresentation of girls, and the low rate of enrollment in secondary and tertiary schools remain concerns.Togo is both a country of emigration and asylum. In the early 1990s, southern Togo suffered from the economic decline of the phosphate sector and ethnic and political repression at the hands of dictator Gnassingbe EYADEMA and his northern, Kabye-dominated administration. The turmoil led 300,000 to 350,000 predominantly southern Togolese to flee to Benin and Ghana, with most not returning home until relative stability was restored in 1997. In 2005, another outflow of 40,000 Togolese to Benin and Ghana occurred when violence broke out between the opposition and security forces over the disputed election of EYADEMA’s son Faure GNASSINGBE to the presidency. About half of the refugees reluctantly returned home in 2006, many still fearing for their safety. Despite ethnic tensions and periods of political unrest, Togo in September 2017 was home to more than 9,600 refugees from Ghana.Togo’s population is estimated to have grown to four times its size between 1960 and 2010. With nearly 60% of its populace under the age of 25 and a high annual growth rate attributed largely to high fertility, Togo’s population is likely to continue to expand for the foreseeable future. Reducing fertility, boosting job creation, and improving education will be essential to reducing the country’s high poverty rate. In 2008, Togo eliminated primary school enrollment fees, leading to higher enrollment but increased pressure on limited classroom space, teachers, and materials. Togo has a good chance of achieving universal primary education, but educational quality, the underrepresentation of girls, and the low rate of enrollment in secondary and tertiary schools remain concerns.Togo is both a country of emigration and asylum. In the early 1990s, southern Togo suffered from the economic decline of the phosphate sector and ethnic and political repression at the hands of dictator Gnassingbe EYADEMA and his northern, Kabye-dominated administration. The turmoil led 300,000 to 350,000 predominantly southern Togolese to flee to Benin and Ghana, with most not returning home until relative stability was restored in 1997. In 2005, another outflow of 40,000 Togolese to Benin and Ghana occurred when violence broke out between the opposition and security forces over the disputed election of EYADEMA’s son Faure GNASSINGBE to the presidency. About half of the refugees reluctantly returned home in 2006, many still fearing for their safety. Despite ethnic tensions and periods of political unrest, Togo in September 2017 was home to more than 9,600 refugees from Ghana. Topic: TunisiaThe Tunisian Government took steps in the 1960s to decrease population growth and gender inequality in order to improve socioeconomic development. Through its introduction of a national family planning program (the first in Africa) and by raising the legal age of marriage, Tunisia rapidly reduced its total fertility rate from about 7 children per woman in 1960 to 2 today. Unlike many of its North African and Middle Eastern neighbors, Tunisia will soon be shifting from being a youth-bulge country to having a transitional age structure, characterized by lower fertility and mortality rates, a slower population growth rate, a rising median age, and a longer average life expectancy.Currently, the sizable young working-age population is straining Tunisia’s labor market and education and health care systems. Persistent high unemployment among Tunisia’s growing workforce, particularly its increasing number of university graduates and women, was a key factor in the uprisings that led to the overthrow of the BEN ALI regime in 2011. In the near term, Tunisia’s large number of jobless young, working-age adults; deficiencies in primary and secondary education; and the ongoing lack of job creation and skills mismatches could contribute to future unrest. In the longer term, a sustained low fertility rate will shrink future youth cohorts and alleviate demographic pressure on Tunisia’s labor market, but employment and education hurdles will still need to be addressed.Tunisia has a history of labor emigration. In the 1960s, workers migrated to European countries to escape poor economic conditions and to fill Europe’s need for low-skilled labor in construction and manufacturing. The Tunisian Government signed bilateral labor agreements with France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, with the expectation that Tunisian workers would eventually return home. At the same time, growing numbers of Tunisians headed to Libya, often illegally, to work in the expanding oil industry. In the mid-1970s, with European countries beginning to restrict immigration and Tunisian-Libyan tensions brewing, Tunisian economic migrants turned toward the Gulf countries. After mass expulsions from Libya in 1983, Tunisian migrants increasingly sought family reunification in Europe or moved illegally to southern Europe, while Tunisia itself developed into a transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants heading to Europe.Following the ousting of BEN ALI in 2011, the illegal migration of unemployed Tunisian youths to Italy and onward to France soared into the tens of thousands. Thousands more Tunisian and foreign workers escaping civil war in Libya flooded into Tunisia and joined the exodus. A readmission agreement signed by Italy and Tunisia in April 2011 helped stem the outflow, leaving Tunisia and international organizations to repatriate, resettle, or accommodate some 1 million Libyans and third-country nationals.The Tunisian Government took steps in the 1960s to decrease population growth and gender inequality in order to improve socioeconomic development. Through its introduction of a national family planning program (the first in Africa) and by raising the legal age of marriage, Tunisia rapidly reduced its total fertility rate from about 7 children per woman in 1960 to 2 today. Unlike many of its North African and Middle Eastern neighbors, Tunisia will soon be shifting from being a youth-bulge country to having a transitional age structure, characterized by lower fertility and mortality rates, a slower population growth rate, a rising median age, and a longer average life expectancy.Currently, the sizable young working-age population is straining Tunisia’s labor market and education and health care systems. Persistent high unemployment among Tunisia’s growing workforce, particularly its increasing number of university graduates and women, was a key factor in the uprisings that led to the overthrow of the BEN ALI regime in 2011. In the near term, Tunisia’s large number of jobless young, working-age adults; deficiencies in primary and secondary education; and the ongoing lack of job creation and skills mismatches could contribute to future unrest. In the longer term, a sustained low fertility rate will shrink future youth cohorts and alleviate demographic pressure on Tunisia’s labor market, but employment and education hurdles will still need to be addressed.Tunisia has a history of labor emigration. In the 1960s, workers migrated to European countries to escape poor economic conditions and to fill Europe’s need for low-skilled labor in construction and manufacturing. The Tunisian Government signed bilateral labor agreements with France, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, with the expectation that Tunisian workers would eventually return home. At the same time, growing numbers of Tunisians headed to Libya, often illegally, to work in the expanding oil industry. In the mid-1970s, with European countries beginning to restrict immigration and Tunisian-Libyan tensions brewing, Tunisian economic migrants turned toward the Gulf countries. After mass expulsions from Libya in 1983, Tunisian migrants increasingly sought family reunification in Europe or moved illegally to southern Europe, while Tunisia itself developed into a transit point for Sub-Saharan migrants heading to Europe.Following the ousting of BEN ALI in 2011, the illegal migration of unemployed Tunisian youths to Italy and onward to France soared into the tens of thousands. Thousands more Tunisian and foreign workers escaping civil war in Libya flooded into Tunisia and joined the exodus. A readmission agreement signed by Italy and Tunisia in April 2011 helped stem the outflow, leaving Tunisia and international organizations to repatriate, resettle, or accommodate some 1 million Libyans and third-country nationals. Topic: UgandaUganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world; its total fertility rate is among the world’s highest at close to 5.5 children per woman. Except in urban areas, actual fertility exceeds women’s desired fertility by one or two children, which is indicative of the widespread unmet need for contraception, lack of government support for family planning, and a cultural preference for large families. High numbers of births, short birth intervals, and the early age of childbearing contribute to Uganda’s high maternal mortality rate. Gender inequities also make fertility reduction difficult; women on average are less-educated, participate less in paid employment, and often have little say in decisions over childbearing and their own reproductive health. However, even if the birth rate were significantly reduced, Uganda’s large pool of women entering reproductive age ensures rapid population growth for decades to come. Unchecked, population increase will further strain the availability of arable land and natural resources and overwhelm the country’s limited means for providing food, employment, education, health care, housing, and basic services. The country’s north and northeast lag even further behind developmentally than the rest of the country as a result of long-term conflict (the Ugandan Bush War 1981-1986 and more than 20 years of fighting between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and Ugandan Government forces), ongoing inter-communal violence, and periodic natural disasters. Uganda has been both a source of refugees and migrants and a host country for refugees. In 1972, then President Idi AMIN, in his drive to return Uganda to Ugandans, expelled the South Asian population that composed a large share of the country’s business people and bankers. Since the 1970s, thousands of Ugandans have emigrated, mainly to southern Africa or the West, for security reasons, to escape poverty, to search for jobs, and for access to natural resources. The emigration of Ugandan doctors and nurses due to low wages is a particular concern given the country’s shortage of skilled health care workers. Africans escaping conflicts in neighboring states have found refuge in Uganda since the 1950s; the country currently struggles to host tens of thousands from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and other nearby countries.Uganda has one of the youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world; its total fertility rate is among the world’s highest at close to 5.5 children per woman. Except in urban areas, actual fertility exceeds women’s desired fertility by one or two children, which is indicative of the widespread unmet need for contraception, lack of government support for family planning, and a cultural preference for large families. High numbers of births, short birth intervals, and the early age of childbearing contribute to Uganda’s high maternal mortality rate. Gender inequities also make fertility reduction difficult; women on average are less-educated, participate less in paid employment, and often have little say in decisions over childbearing and their own reproductive health. However, even if the birth rate were significantly reduced, Uganda’s large pool of women entering reproductive age ensures rapid population growth for decades to come.Unchecked, population increase will further strain the availability of arable land and natural resources and overwhelm the country’s limited means for providing food, employment, education, health care, housing, and basic services. The country’s north and northeast lag even further behind developmentally than the rest of the country as a result of long-term conflict (the Ugandan Bush War 1981-1986 and more than 20 years of fighting between the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) and Ugandan Government forces), ongoing inter-communal violence, and periodic natural disasters.Uganda has been both a source of refugees and migrants and a host country for refugees. In 1972, then President Idi AMIN, in his drive to return Uganda to Ugandans, expelled the South Asian population that composed a large share of the country’s business people and bankers. Since the 1970s, thousands of Ugandans have emigrated, mainly to southern Africa or the West, for security reasons, to escape poverty, to search for jobs, and for access to natural resources. The emigration of Ugandan doctors and nurses due to low wages is a particular concern given the country’s shortage of skilled health care workers. Africans escaping conflicts in neighboring states have found refuge in Uganda since the 1950s; the country currently struggles to host tens of thousands from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and other nearby countries. Topic: UruguayUruguay 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. Topic: VenezuelaSocial 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. Topic: VietnamWhen Vietnam was reunified in 1975, the country had a youthful age structure and a high fertility rate.  The population growth rate slowed dramatically during the next 25 years, as fertility declined and infant mortality and life expectancy improved.  The country’s adoption of a one-or-two-child policy in 1988 led to increased rates of contraception and abortion.  The total fertility rate dropped rapidly from nearly 5 in 1979 to 2.1 or replacement level in 1990, and at 1.8 is below replacement level today.  Fertility is higher in the more rural central highlands and northern uplands, which are inhabited primarily by poorer ethnic minorities, and is lower among the majority Kinh, ethnic Chinese, and a few other ethnic groups, particularly in urban centers.  With more than two-thirds of the population of working age (15-64), Vietnam has the potential to reap a demographic dividend for approximately three decades (between 2010 and 2040).  However, its ability to do so will depend on improving the quality of education and training for its workforce and creating jobs.  The Vietnamese Government is also considering changes to the country’s population policy because if the country’s fertility rate remains below replacement level, it could lead to a worker shortage in the future. Vietnam has experienced both internal migration and net emigration, both for humanitarian and economic reasons, for the last several decades.  Internal migration – rural-rural and rural-urban, temporary and permanent – continues to be a means of coping with Vietnam’s extreme weather and flooding.  Although Vietnam’s population is still mainly rural, increasing numbers of young men and women have been drawn to the country’s urban centers where they are more likely to find steady jobs and higher pay in the growing industrial and service sectors. The aftermath of the Vietnam War in 1975 resulted in an outpouring of approximately 1.6 million Vietnamese refugees over the next two decades.  Between 1975 and 1997, programs such as the Orderly Departure Program and the Comprehensive Plan of Action resettled hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees abroad, including the United States (880,000), China (260,000, mainly ethnic Chinese Hoa), Canada (160,000), Australia (155,000), and European countries (150,000).  In the 1980s, some Vietnamese students and workers began to migrate to allied communist countries, including the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and East Germany.  The vast majority returned home following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the early 1990s.  Since that time, Vietnamese labor migrants instead started to pursue opportunities in Asia and the Middle East.  They often perform low-skilled jobs under harsh conditions for low pay and are vulnerable to forced labor, including debt bondage to the private brokers who arrange the work contracts.  Despite Vietnam’s current labor surplus, the country has in recent years attracted some foreign workers, mainly from China and other Asian countries.When Vietnam was reunified in 1975, the country had a youthful age structure and a high fertility rate.  The population growth rate slowed dramatically during the next 25 years, as fertility declined and infant mortality and life expectancy improved.  The country’s adoption of a one-or-two-child policy in 1988 led to increased rates of contraception and abortion.  The total fertility rate dropped rapidly from nearly 5 in 1979 to 2.1 or replacement level in 1990, and at 1.8 is below replacement level today.  Fertility is higher in the more rural central highlands and northern uplands, which are inhabited primarily by poorer ethnic minorities, and is lower among the majority Kinh, ethnic Chinese, and a few other ethnic groups, particularly in urban centers.  With more than two-thirds of the population of working age (15-64), Vietnam has the potential to reap a demographic dividend for approximately three decades (between 2010 and 2040).  However, its ability to do so will depend on improving the quality of education and training for its workforce and creating jobs.  The Vietnamese Government is also considering changes to the country’s population policy because if the country’s fertility rate remains below replacement level, it could lead to a worker shortage in the future.Vietnam has experienced both internal migration and net emigration, both for humanitarian and economic reasons, for the last several decades.  Internal migration – rural-rural and rural-urban, temporary and permanent – continues to be a means of coping with Vietnam’s extreme weather and flooding.  Although Vietnam’s population is still mainly rural, increasing numbers of young men and women have been drawn to the country’s urban centers where they are more likely to find steady jobs and higher pay in the growing industrial and service sectors.The aftermath of the Vietnam War in 1975 resulted in an outpouring of approximately 1.6 million Vietnamese refugees over the next two decades.  Between 1975 and 1997, programs such as the Orderly Departure Program and the Comprehensive Plan of Action resettled hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees abroad, including the United States (880,000), China (260,000, mainly ethnic Chinese Hoa), Canada (160,000), Australia (155,000), and European countries (150,000).  Topic: ZambiaZambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy.Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries.Zambia’s poor, youthful population consists primarily of Bantu-speaking people representing nearly 70 different ethnicities. Zambia’s high fertility rate continues to drive rapid population growth, averaging almost 3 percent annually between 2000 and 2010. The country’s total fertility rate has fallen by less than 1.5 children per woman during the last 30 years and still averages among the world’s highest, almost 6 children per woman, largely because of the country’s lack of access to family planning services, education for girls, and employment for women. Zambia also exhibits wide fertility disparities based on rural or urban location, education, and income. Poor, uneducated women from rural areas are more likely to marry young, to give birth early, and to have more children, viewing children as a sign of prestige and recognizing that not all of their children will live to adulthood. HIV/AIDS is prevalent in Zambia and contributes to its low life expectancy.Zambian emigration is low compared to many other African countries and is comprised predominantly of the well-educated. The small amount of brain drain, however, has a major impact in Zambia because of its limited human capital and lack of educational infrastructure for developing skilled professionals in key fields. For example, Zambia has few schools for training doctors, nurses, and other health care workers. Its spending on education is low compared to other Sub-Saharan countries. Topic: ZimbabweZimbabwe’s progress in reproductive, maternal, and child health has stagnated in recent years. According to a 2010 Demographic and Health Survey, contraceptive use, the number of births attended by skilled practitioners, and child mortality have either stalled or somewhat deteriorated since the mid-2000s. Zimbabwe’s total fertility rate has remained fairly stable at about 4 children per woman for the last two decades, although an uptick in the urban birth rate in recent years has caused a slight rise in the country’s overall fertility rate. Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence rate dropped from approximately 29% to 15% since 1997 but remains among the world’s highest and continues to suppress the country’s life expectancy rate. The proliferation of HIV/AIDS information and prevention programs and personal experience with those suffering or dying from the disease have helped to change sexual behavior and reduce the epidemic.Historically, the vast majority of Zimbabwe’s migration has been internal – a rural-urban flow. In terms of international migration, over the last 40 years Zimbabwe has gradually shifted from being a destination country to one of emigration and, to a lesser degree, one of transit (for East African illegal migrants traveling to South Africa). As a British colony, Zimbabwe attracted significant numbers of permanent immigrants from the UK and other European countries, as well as temporary economic migrants from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Although Zimbabweans have migrated to South Africa since the beginning of the 20th century to work as miners, the first major exodus from the country occurred in the years before and after independence in 1980. The outward migration was politically and racially influenced; a large share of the white population of European origin chose to leave rather than live under a new black-majority government.In the 1990s and 2000s, economic mismanagement and hyperinflation sparked a second, more diverse wave of emigration. This massive out migration – primarily to other southern African countries, the UK, and the US – has created a variety of challenges, including brain drain, illegal migration, and human smuggling and trafficking. Several factors have pushed highly skilled workers to go abroad, including unemployment, lower wages, a lack of resources, and few opportunities for career growth.Zimbabwe’s progress in reproductive, maternal, and child health has stagnated in recent years. According to a 2010 Demographic and Health Survey, contraceptive use, the number of births attended by skilled practitioners, and child mortality have either stalled or somewhat deteriorated since the mid-2000s. Zimbabwe’s total fertility rate has remained fairly stable at about 4 children per woman for the last two decades, although an uptick in the urban birth rate in recent years has caused a slight rise in the country’s overall fertility rate. Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence rate dropped from approximately 29% to 15% since 1997 but remains among the world’s highest and continues to suppress the country’s life expectancy rate. The proliferation of HIV/AIDS information and prevention programs and personal experience with those suffering or dying from the disease have helped to change sexual behavior and reduce the epidemic.Historically, the vast majority of Zimbabwe’s migration has been internal – a rural-urban flow. In terms of international migration, over the last 40 years Zimbabwe has gradually shifted from being a destination country to one of emigration and, to a lesser degree, one of transit (for East African illegal migrants traveling to South Africa). As a British colony, Zimbabwe attracted significant numbers of permanent immigrants from the UK and other European countries, as well as temporary economic migrants from Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia. Although Zimbabweans have migrated to South Africa since the beginning of the 20th century to work as miners, the first major exodus from the country occurred in the years before and after independence in 1980. The outward migration was politically and racially influenced; a large share of the white population of European origin chose to leave rather than live under a new black-majority government.In the 1990s and 2000s, economic mismanagement and hyperinflation sparked a second, more diverse wave of emigration. This massive out migration – primarily to other southern African countries, the UK, and the US – has created a variety of challenges, including brain drain, illegal migration, and human smuggling and trafficking. Several factors have pushed highly skilled workers to go abroad, including unemployment, lower wages, a lack of resources, and few opportunities for career growth.

20220901

field-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons

This entry includes those persons residing in a country as refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), or stateless persons. Each country's refugee entry includes only countries of origin that are the source of refugee populations of 5,000 or more. The definition of a refugee according to a UN Convention is "a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution." The UN established the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 1950 to handle refugee matters worldwide. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has a different operational definition for a Palestinian refugee: "a person whose normal place of residence was Palestine during the period 1 June 1946 to 15 May 1948 and who lost both home and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 conflict." The term internally displaced person is not specifically covered in the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees; it is used to describe people who have fled their homes for reasons similar to refugees, but who remain within their own national territory and are subject to the laws of that state. A stateless person is defined as someone who is not considered a national by any state under the operation of its law, according to the 1954 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons. Topic: Afghanistanrefugees (country of origin): 72,188 (Pakistan) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 3.547 million (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in the south and west due to natural disasters and political instability) (2020) Topic: Albaniastateless persons: 1,528 (mid-year 2021) note: 11,827 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-January 2021) Topic: Algeriarefugees (country of origin): more than 100,000 (Sahrawi, mostly living in Algerian-sponsored camps in the southwestern Algerian town of Tindouf) (2018); 6,750 (Syria) (mid-year 2021) Topic: Angolarefugees (country of origin): 37,082 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 9,272 (Guinea), 6,357 (Cote d'Ivoire), 5,725 (Mauritania) (2022) Topic: Argentinarefugees (country of origin): 170,517 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) Topic: Armeniarefugees (country of origin): 38,774 (Azerbaijan), 5,205 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 892 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Arubarefugees (country of origin): 17,000 (Venezuela) (2021) Topic: Australiarefugees (country of origin): 12,701 (Iran), 10,108 (Afghanistan), 5,400 (Pakistan) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 5,770 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Austriarefugees (country of origin): 57,887 (Syria), 41,037 (Afghanistan), 9,661 (Iraq), 8,212 (Somalia), 7,046 (Iran), 7,003 (Russia) (mid-year 2021); 70,153 (Ukraine) (as of 7 June 2022) stateless persons: 3,229 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Azerbaijanrefugees (country of origin): 5,062 (Ukraine) (as of 31 May 2022) IDPs: 735,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh; IDPs are mainly ethnic Azerbaijanis but also include ethnic Kurds, Russians, and Turks predominantly from occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh; includes IDPs' descendants, returned IDPs, and people living in insecure areas and excludes people displaced by natural disasters; around half the IDPs live in the capital Baku) (2020) stateless persons: 3,585 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Bangladeshrefugees (country of origin): 925,380 (Burma) (2022) (includes an estimated 773,972 Rohingya refugees who have fled conflict since 25 August 2017) IDPs: 427,000 (conflict, development, human rights violations, religious persecution, natural disasters) (2020) stateless persons: 889,704 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Belarusrefugees (country of origin): 16,654 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 13 June 2022) stateless persons: 6,104 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Belgiumrefugees (country of origin): 18,493 (Syria), 5,094 (Iraq) (2020); 45,882 (Ukraine) (as of 6 June 2022) stateless persons: 1,159 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Boliviarefugees (country of origin): 12,400 (Venezuela) (2022) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinarefugees (country of origin): 5,112 (Croatia) (2020) IDPs: 99,000 (Bosnian Croats, Serbs, and Bosniaks displaced by inter-ethnic violence, human rights violations, and armed conflict during the 1992-95 war) (2020) stateless persons: 149 (mid-year 2021) note: 91,361 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-May 2022) Topic: Brazilrefugees (country of origin): 261,441 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2020) stateless persons: 14 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Bruneistateless persons: 20,863 (mid-year 2021); note - thousands of stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent residents and their families have lived in Brunei for generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay culture, customs, and language; stateless residents receive an International Certificate of Identity, which enables them to travel overseas; the government is considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians, including stateless permanent residents, from owning land Topic: Bulgariarefugees (country of origin): 19,014 (Syria) (mid-year 2021); 78,291 (Ukraine) (as of 7 June 2022) stateless persons: 1,143 (mid-year 2021) note: 74,107 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-March 2022); Bulgaria is predominantly a transit country Topic: Burkina Fasorefugees (country of origin): 24,756 (Mali) (2022) IDPs: 1,850,293 (2022)1,850,293 (2022) Topic: BurmaIDPs: 505,000 (government offensives against armed ethnic minority groups near its borders with China and Thailand, natural disasters, forced land evictions) (2020) stateless persons: 600,000 (mid-year 2021); note - Rohingya Muslims, living predominantly in Rakhine State, are Burma's main group of stateless people; the Burmese Government does not recognize the Rohingya as a "national race" and stripped them of their citizenship under the 1982 Citizenship Law, categorizing them as "non-nationals" or "foreign residents"; under the Rakhine State Action Plan drafted in October 2014, the Rohingya must demonstrate their family has lived in Burma for at least 60 years to qualify for a lesser naturalized citizenship and the classification of Bengali or be put in detention camps and face deportation; native-born but non-indigenous people, such as Indians, are also stateless; the Burmese Government does not grant citizenship to children born outside of the country to Burmese parents who left the country illegally or fled persecution, such as those born in Thailand; the number of stateless persons has decreased dramatically because hundreds of thousands of Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since 25 August 2017 to escape violence note: estimate does not include stateless IDPs or stateless persons in IDP-like situations because they are included in estimates of IDPs (2017) Topic: Burundirefugees (country of origin): 84,961 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 109,169 (some ethnic Tutsis remain displaced from intercommunal violence that broke out after the 1,993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; violence since April 2015) (2021) stateless persons: 767 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Cabo Verdestateless persons: 115 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Cambodiastateless persons: 57,444 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Cameroonrefugees (country of origin): 345,798 (Central African Republic), 138,381 (Nigeria) (2022) IDPs: 936,767 (2022) (includes far north, northwest, and southwest) Topic: Canadarefugees (country of origin): 22,400 (Venezuela) (refugees and migrants) (2020); 9,883 (Nigeria), 7,571 (Turkey), 7,385 (Iran), 6,965 (Pakistan), 6,287 (China), 5,244 (Colombia) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 3,823 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Central African Republicrefugees (country of origin): 5,702 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (2022) IDPs: 652,036 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005; tensions between ethnic groups) (2022) Topic: Chadrefugees (country of origin): 388,550 (Sudan), 122,958 (Central African Republic), 42,549 (Cameroon), 19,886 (Nigeria) (2022) IDPs: 406,573 (majority are in the east) (2022) Topic: Chilerefugees (country of origin): 448,138 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2020) Topic: Chinarefugees (country of origin): 303,107 (Vietnam), undetermined (North Korea) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: undetermined (2021) Topic: Colombiarefugees (country of origin): 1,842,390 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2022) IDPs: 8,244,835 (conflict between government and illegal armed groups and drug traffickers since 1985) (2022) stateless persons: 11 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of therefugees (country of origin): 210,476 (Rwanda), 210,357 (Central African Republic), 56,356 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 40,522 (Burundi) (2022) IDPs: 5.61 million (fighting between government forces and rebels since mid-1990s; conflict in Kasai region since 2016) (2021) Topic: Congo, Republic of therefugees (country of origin): 29,090 (Central African Republic), 22,114 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 304,430 (multiple civil wars since 1992) (2021) Topic: Costa Ricarefugees (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) Topic: Cote d'IvoireIDPs: 308,000 (post-election conflict in 2010-11, as well as civil war from 2002-04; land disputes; most pronounced in western and southwestern regions) (2019) stateless persons: 952,969 (mid-year 2021); note - many Ivoirians lack documentation proving their nationality, which prevent them from accessing education and healthcare; birth on Ivorian soil does not automatically result in citizenship; disputes over citizenship and the associated rights of the large population descended from migrants from neighboring countries is an ongoing source of tension and contributed to the country's 2002 civil war; some observers believe the government's mass naturalizations of thousands of people over the last couple of years is intended to boost its electoral support base; the government in October 2013 acceded to international conventions on statelessness and in August 2013 reformed its nationality law, key steps to clarify the nationality of thousands of residents; since the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration to eradicate statelessness in West Africa in February 2015, 6,400 people have received nationality papers; in September 2020, Cote d'Ivoire adopted Africa's first statelessness determination procedure to regularize the status of stateless people Topic: Croatiarefugees (country of origin): 13,759 (Ukraine) (as of 7 June 2022) stateless persons: 2,910 (mid-year 2021) note: 741,049 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-April 2022) Topic: Curacaorefugees (country of origin): 14,200 (Venezuela) (2021) Topic: Cyprusrefugees (country of origin): 9,820 (Syria) (mid-year 2021); 12,500 (Ukraine) (as of 6 June 2022) IDPs: 228,000 (both Turkish and Greek Cypriots; many displaced since 1974) (2020) stateless persons: 66 (mid-year 2021) note: 39,022 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-May 2022) Topic: Czechiarefugees (country of origin): 366,632 (Ukraine) (as of 7 June 2022) stateless persons: 1,498 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Denmarkrefugees (country of origin): 19,833 (Syria), 5,634 (Eritrea) (mid-year 2021); 29,191 (Ukraine) (as of 22 May 2022) stateless persons: 11,608 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Djiboutirefugees (country of origin): 5,972 (Yemen) (mid-year 2021); 14,227 (Somalia) (2021) Topic: Dominican Republicrefugees (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) Topic: Ecuadorrefugees (country of origin): 65,854 (Colombia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2021); 513,900 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2022) Topic: Egyptrefugees (country of origin): 70,022 (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (mid-year 2021); 141,303 (Syria), 52,446 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 20,970 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 21,105 (Eritrea) (refugees and asylum seekers), 15,585 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 10,025 (Yemen) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,815 (Iraq) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,802 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) stateless persons: 7 (mid-year 2021) Topic: El SalvadorIDPs: 71,500 (2021) Topic: Estoniarefugees (country of origin): 39,802 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 71,873 (mid-year 2021); note - following independence in 1991, automatic citizenship was restricted to those who were Estonian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants; thousands of ethnic Russians remained stateless when forced to choose between passing Estonian language and citizenship tests or applying for Russian citizenship; one reason for demurring on Estonian citizenship was to retain the right of visa-free travel to Russia; stateless residents can vote in local elections but not general elections; stateless parents who have been lawful residents of Estonia for at least five years can apply for citizenship for their children before they turn 15 years old Topic: Ethiopiarefugees (country of origin): 402,099 (South Sudan), 246,427 (Somalia), 159,369 (Eritrea), 47,179 (Sudan) (2022) IDPs: 1,990,168 (includes conflict- and climate-induced IDPs, excluding unverified estimates from the Amhara region; border war with Eritrea from 1998-2000; ethnic clashes; and ongoing fighting between the Ethiopian military and separatist rebel groups in the Somali and Oromia regions; natural disasters; intercommunal violence; most IDPs live in Sumale state) (2021) Topic: Finlandrefugees (country of origin): 9,053 (Iraq) (mid-year 2021); 26,196 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 3,416 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Francerefugees (country of origin): 37,744 (Afghanistan), 23,980 (Sri Lanka), 23,510 (Syria), 21,070 (Sudan), 19,007 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 16,995 (Russia), 15,090 (Guinea), 14,296 (Serbia and Kosovo), 13,180 (Turkey), 10,849 (Cambodia), 9,328 (Iraq) 8,519 (China), 8,338 (Cote d'Ivoire), 8,218 (Eritrea), 7,628 (Vietnam), 6,947 (Bangladesh), 6,649 (Somalia), 6,642 (Albania), 6,371 (Laos), 6,074 (Mauritania), 5,908 (Mali) (mid-year 2021); 43,300 (Ukraine) (as of 27 April 2022) stateless persons: 2,094 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Gaza Striprefugees (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 Topic: Georgiarefugees (country of origin): 19,690 (Ukraine) (as of 22 May 2022) IDPs: 304,000 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2019) stateless persons: 534 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Germanyrefugees (country of origin): 616,325 (Syria), 152,677 (Afghanistan), 147,400 (Iraq), 62,152 (Eritrea), 45,704 (Iran), 34,465 (Turkey), 29,137 (Somalia), 9,329 (Russia), 9,323 (Nigeria), 8,600 (Pakistan), 7,503 (Serbia and Kosovo), 6,057 (Ethiopia) (mid-year 2021); 780,000 (Ukraine) (as of 2 June 2022) stateless persons: 26,980 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Ghanarefugees (country of origin): 5,779 (Cote d'Ivoire) (flight from 2010 post-election fighting) (2022) Topic: Greecerefugees (country of origin): 38,496 (Syria), 25,188 (Afghanistan), 12,657 (Iraq), 5,002 (West Bank and Gaza) (mid-year 2021); 14,887 (Ukraine) (as of 5 June 2022) stateless persons: 5,552 (mid-year 2021) note: 1,216,968 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022); as of the end of February 2022, Greece hosted an estimated 161,419 refugees and asylum seekers Topic: GuatemalaIDPs: 242,000 (more than three decades of internal conflict that ended in 1996 displaced mainly the indigenous Maya population and rural peasants; ongoing drug cartel and gang violence) (2020) Topic: Guinea-Bissaurefugees (country of origin): 7,757 (Senegal) (2022) Topic: Guyanarefugees (country of origin): 24,500 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or received alternative legal stay) (2021) Topic: HaitiIDPs: 17,105 (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 Topic: HondurasIDPs: 247,090 (violence, extortion, threats, forced recruitment by urban gangs between 2004 and 2018) (2021) Topic: Hungaryrefugees (country of origin): 764,216 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 13 June 2022) stateless persons: 130 (mid-year 2021) note: 432,744 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-December 2018); Hungary is predominantly a transit country and hosts 137 migrants and asylum seekers as of the end of June 2018; 1,626 migrant arrivals in 2017 Topic: Icelandstateless persons: 73 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Indiarefugees (country of origin): 92,885 (Sri Lanka), 73,407 (Tibet/China), 20,325 (Burma), 8,537 (Afghanistan) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 473,000 (armed conflict and intercommunal violence) (2020) stateless persons: 19,677 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Indonesiarefugees (country of origin): 5,792 (Afghanistan) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 40,000 (inter-communal, inter-faith, and separatist violence between 1998 and 2004 in Aceh and Papua; religious attacks and land conflicts in 2007 and 2013; most IDPs in Aceh, Maluku, East Nusa Tengarra) (2020) stateless persons: 668 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Iranrefugees (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) Topic: Iraqrefugees (country of origin): 15,272 (Turkey), 7,881 (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (mid-year 2021); 260,686 (Syria) (2022) IDPs: 1,198,940 (displacement in central and northern Iraq since January 2014) (2021) stateless persons: 47,253 (mid-year 2021); note - in the 1970s and 1980s under SADDAM Husayn's regime, thousands of Iraq's Faili Kurds, followers of Shia Islam, were stripped of their Iraqi citizenship, had their property seized by the government, and many were deported; some Faili Kurds had their citizenship reinstated under the 2,006 Iraqi Nationality Law, but others lack the documentation to prove their Iraqi origins; some Palestinian refugees persecuted by the SADDAM regime remain stateless note: estimate revised to reflect the reduction of statelessness in line with Law 26 of 2006, which allows stateless persons to apply for nationality in certain circumstances; more accurate studies of statelessness in Iraq are pending (2015) Topic: Irelandrefugees (country of origin): 34,842 (Ukraine) (as of 2 June 2022) stateless persons: 107 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Israelrefugees (country of origin): 12,181 (Eritrea), 5,061 (Ukraine) (2019) stateless persons: 42 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Italyrefugees (country of origin): 19,441 (Nigeria), 15,337 (Pakistan), 12,962 (Afghanistan), 10,609 (Mali), 7,901 (Somalia), 5,845 (Gambia), 5,079 (Iraq) (mid-year 2021); 125,907 (Ukraine) (as of 31 May 2022) stateless persons: 3,000 (mid-year 2021) note: 610,671 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022) Topic: Japanstateless persons: 707 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Jordanrefugees (country of origin): 2,307,011 (Palestinian refugees) (2020); 66,665 (Iraq), 12,866 (Yemen), 6,013 Sudan (2021); 675,040 (Syria) (2022) stateless persons: 63 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Kazakhstanstateless persons: 7,915 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Kenyarefugees (country of origin): 279,197 (Somalia), 142,113 (South Sudan), 21,001 (Ethiopia), 19,036 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 7,521 (Burundi) (2022) IDPs: 190,000 (election-related violence, intercommunal violence, resource conflicts, al-Shabaab attacks in 2017 and 2018) (2020) stateless persons: 16,820 (mid-year 2021); note - the stateless population consists of Nubians, Kenyan Somalis, and coastal Arabs; the Nubians are descendants of Sudanese soldiers recruited by the British to fight for them in East Africa more than a century ago; Nubians did not receive Kenyan citizenship when the country became independent in 1963; only recently have Nubians become a formally recognized tribe and had less trouble obtaining national IDs; Galjeel and other Somalis who have lived in Kenya for decades are included with more recent Somali refugees and denied ID cards Topic: Korea, NorthIDPs: undetermined (2021) Topic: Korea, Southstateless persons: 204 (mid-year 2021) Topic: KosovoIDPs: 16,000 (primarily ethnic Serbs displaced during the 1998-1999 war fearing reprisals from the majority ethnic-Albanian population; a smaller number of ethnic Serbs, Roma, Ashkali, and Egyptians fled their homes in 2,004 as a result of violence) (2020) note: 7,794 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-April 2022) Topic: Kuwaitstateless persons: 92,020 (mid-year 2021); note - Kuwait's 1959 Nationality Law defined citizens as persons who settled in the country before 1920 and who had maintained normal residence since then; one-third of the population, descendants of Bedouin tribes, missed the window of opportunity to register for nationality rights after Kuwait became independent in 1961 and were classified as bidun (meaning "without"); since the 1980s Kuwait's bidun have progressively lost their rights, including opportunities for employment and education, amid official claims that they are nationals of other countries who have destroyed their identification documents in hopes of gaining Kuwaiti citizenship; Kuwaiti authorities have delayed processing citizenship applications and labeled biduns as "illegal residents," denying them access to civil documentation, such as birth and marriage certificates Topic: Kyrgyzstanstateless persons: 16 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Latviarefugees (country of origin): 23,382 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 209,168 (mid-year 2021); note - individuals who were Latvian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants were recognized as Latvian citizens when the country's independence was restored in 1991; citizens of the former Soviet Union residing in Latvia who have neither Latvian nor other citizenship are considered non-citizens (officially there is no statelessness in Latvia) and are entitled to non-citizen passports; children born after Latvian independence to stateless parents are entitled to Latvian citizenship upon their parents' request; non-citizens cannot vote or hold certain government jobs and are exempt from military service but can travel visa-free in the EU under the Schengen accord like Latvian citizens; non-citizens can obtain naturalization if they have been permanent residents of Latvia for at least five years, pass tests in Latvian language and history, and know the words of the Latvian national anthem Topic: Lebanonrefugees (country of origin): 479,537 (Palestinian refugees) (2020); 839,086 (Syria) (2022) IDPs: 7,000 (2020) stateless persons: undetermined (2016); note - tens of thousands of persons are stateless in Lebanon, including many Palestinian refugees and their descendants, Syrian Kurds denaturalized in Syria in 1962, children born to Lebanese women married to foreign or stateless men; most babies born to Syrian refugees, and Lebanese children whose births are unregistered Topic: Liberiarefugees (country of origin): 8,054 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2022) Topic: Libyarefugees (country of origin): 18,675 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 14,919 (Syria) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 168,011 (conflict between pro-QADHAFI and anti-QADHAFI forces in 2011; post-QADHAFI tribal clashes 2014) (2022) Topic: Lithuaniarefugees (country of origin): 53,913 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 2,721 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Luxembourgrefugees (country of origin): 5,300 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 194 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Malawirefugees (country of origin): 33,606 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 12,377 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers), 7,526 (Rwanda) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) Topic: Malaysiarefugees (country of origin): 120,126 (Burma) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 112,003 (mid-year 2021); note - Malaysia's stateless population consists of Rohingya refugees from Burma, ethnic Indians, and the children of Filipino and Indonesian illegal migrants; Burma stripped the Rohingya of their nationality in 1982; Filipino and Indonesian children who have not been registered for birth certificates by their parents or who received birth certificates stamped "foreigner" are not eligible to attend government schools; these children are vulnerable to statelessness should they not be able to apply to their parents' country of origin for passports Topic: Malirefugees (country of origin): 17,124 (Burkina Faso), 14,951 (Mauritania), 12,845 (Niger) (2022) IDPs: 350,110 (Tuareg rebellion since 2012) (2021) Topic: Maltastateless persons: 11 (mid-year 2021) note: 8,120 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015-April 2022) Topic: Mauritaniarefugees (country of origin): 26,001 (Sahrawis) (mid-year 2021); 84,526 (Mali) (2022) Topic: Mexicorefugees (country of origin): 22,254 (Honduras), 10,662 (El Salvador) (mid-year 2021); 82,976 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) IDPs: 357,000 (government's quashing of Zapatista uprising in 1994 in eastern Chiapas Region; drug cartel violence and government's military response since 2007; violence between and within indigenous groups) (2020) stateless persons: 13 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Moldovarefugees (country of origin): 494,421 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 9 June 2022) stateless persons: 3,372 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Mongoliastateless persons: 17 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Montenegrorefugees (country of origin): 7,355 (Ukraine) (as of 30 May 2022) stateless persons: 458 (mid-year 2021) note: 21,794 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022) Topic: Mozambiquerefugees (country of origin): 10,911 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 8,558 (Burundi) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 881,047 (violence between the government and an opposition group, violence associated with extremists groups in 2018, political violence 2019) (2022) Topic: Namibiarefugees (country of origin): 5,883 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) Topic: Naurustateless persons: 133 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Nepalrefugees (country of origin): 12,540 (Tibet/China), 6,365 (Bhutan) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: undetermined (mid-year 2021) Topic: Netherlandsrefugees (country of origin): 37,792 (Syria), 14,787 (Eritrea), 8,368 (Somalia), 6,636 (Iraq), 5,346 (Iran) (mid-year 2021); 62,970 (Ukraine) (as of 6 June 2022) stateless persons: 2,087 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Nigerrefugees (country of origin): 187,139 (Nigeria), 62,077 (Mali) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 264,257 (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) Topic: Nigeriarefugees (country of origin): 77,878 (Cameroon) (2022) IDPs: 3,030,544 (northeast Nigeria; Boko Haram attacks and counterinsurgency efforts in northern Nigeria; communal violence between Christians and Muslims in the middle belt region, political violence; flooding; forced evictions; cattle rustling; competition for resources) (2022) Topic: North Macedoniastateless persons: 553 (mid-year 2021) note: 533,438 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-May 2022) Topic: Norwayrefugees (country of origin): 15,542 (Syria), 11,965 (Eritrea) (mid-year 2021); 16,708 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 4,154 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Omanrefugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Yemen) (2017) Topic: Pakistanrefugees (country of origin): 2.74-3 million (1.4 million registered, 1.34-1.6  million undocumented or otherwise categorized) (Afghanistan) (2022) IDPs: 104,000 (primarily those who remain displaced by counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations and violent conflict between armed non-state groups in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Paktunkwa Province; more than 1 million displaced in northern Waziristan in 2014; individuals also have been displaced by repeated monsoon floods) (2020) stateless persons: 47 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Panamarefugees (country of origin): 80,021 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) Topic: Papua New Guinearefugees (country of origin): 11,601 (Indonesia) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 14,000 (natural disasters, tribal conflict, inter-communal violence, development projects) (2020) stateless persons: 9 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Paraguayrefugees (country of origin): 5,900 (Venezuela) (2022) Topic: Perurefugees (country of origin): 1,286,434 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) IDPs: 60,000 (civil war from 1980-2000; most IDPs are indigenous peasants in Andean and Amazonian regions; as of 2011, no new information on the situation of these IDPs) (2020) Topic: PhilippinesIDPs: 153,000 (government troops fighting the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the New People's Army; clan feuds; armed attacks, political violence, and communal tensions in Mindanao) (2020) stateless persons: 392 (mid-year 2021); note - stateless persons are descendants of Indonesian migrants Topic: Polandrefugees (country of origin): 9,870 (Russia) (2019); 3,954,957 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 13 June 2022) stateless persons: 1,389 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Portugalrefugees (country of origin): 41,456 (Ukraine) (as of 7 June 2022) stateless persons: 45 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Qatarstateless persons: 1,200 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Romaniarefugees (country of origin): 642,159 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 13 June 2022) stateless persons: 314 (mid-year 2021) note: 10,157 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022) Topic: Russiarefugees (country of origin): 1,136,243 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 9 June 2022) stateless persons: 56,960 (mid-year 2021); note - Russia's stateless population consists of Roma, Meskhetian Turks, and ex-Soviet citizens from the former republics; between 2003 and 2010 more than 600,000 stateless people were naturalized; most Meskhetian Turks, followers of Islam with origins in Georgia, fled or were evacuated from Uzbekistan after a 1989 pogrom and have lived in Russia for more than the required five-year residency period; they continue to be denied registration for citizenship and basic rights by local Krasnodar Krai authorities on the grounds that they are temporary illegal migrants Topic: Rwandarefugees (country of origin): 77,288 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) 48,123 (Burundi) (2022) stateless persons: 9,500 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Saudi Arabiastateless persons: 70,000 (mid-year 2021); note - thousands of biduns (stateless Arabs) are descendants of nomadic tribes who were not officially registered when national borders were established, while others migrated to Saudi Arabia in search of jobs; some have temporary identification cards that must be renewed every five years, but their rights remain restricted; most Palestinians have only legal resident status; some naturalized Yemenis were made stateless after being stripped of their passports when Yemen backed Iraq in its invasion of Kuwait in 1990; Saudi women cannot pass their citizenship on to their children, so if they marry a non-national, their children risk statelessness Topic: Senegalrefugees (country of origin): 18,375 (Mauritania) (2022) IDPs: 8,400 (2020) Topic: Serbiarefugees (country of origin): 17,336 (Croatia), 7,997 (Bosnia and Herzegovina) (mid-year 2021); 7,704 (Ukraine) (includes Kosovo; as of 7 June 2022) IDPs: 196,995 (most are Kosovar Serbs, some are Roma, Ashkalis, and Egyptian (RAE); some RAE IDPs are unregistered) (2021) stateless persons: 2,113 (includes stateless persons in Kosovo) (mid-year 2021) note: 837,861 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-June 2022); Serbia is predominantly a transit country and hosts an estimated 4,650 migrants and asylum seekers as of February 2022 Topic: Sierra LeoneIDPs: 5,500 (displacement caused by post-electoral violence in 2018 and clashes in the Pujehun region in 2019) (2020) Topic: Singaporestateless persons: 1,109 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Slovakiarefugees (country of origin): 501,335 (border crossings from Ukraine as of 13 June 2022) stateless persons: 1,532 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Sloveniarefugees (country of origin): 6,937 (Ukraine) (as of 1 June 2022) stateless persons: 10 (2020) note:  538,973 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals (January 2015-April 2022) Topic: Somaliarefugees (country of origin): 6,979 (Yemen) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 2.968 million (civil war since 1988, clan-based competition for resources; 2011 famine; insecurity because of fighting between al-Shabaab and the Transitional Federal Government's allied forces) (2022) Topic: South Africarefugees (country of origin): 23,054 (Somalia), 15,629 (Ethiopia) (mid-year 2021); 56,735 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) IDPs: 5,000 (2020) Topic: South Sudanrefugees (country of origin): 311,819 (Sudan), 18,407 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2022) IDPs: 1,436,000 (alleged coup attempt and ethnic conflict beginning in December 2013; information is lacking on those displaced in earlier years by: fighting in Abyei between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) in May 2011; clashes between the SPLA and dissident militia groups in South Sudan; inter-ethnic conflicts over resources and cattle; attacks from the Lord's Resistance Army; floods and drought) (2020) stateless persons: 10,000 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Spainrefugees (country of origin): 14,823 (Syria) (mid-year 2021); 418,200 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2021); 118,199 (Ukraine) (as of 5 June 2022) stateless persons: 6,.92 (mid-year 2021) note: 260,873 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals, including Canary Islands (January 2015-June 2022) Topic: Sri LankaIDPs: 27,000 (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) (2020) Topic: Sudanrefugees (country of origin): 805,989 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 128,996 (Eritrea) (refugees and asylum seekers), 93,482 (Syria) (refugees and asylum seekers), 73,335 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 28,033 (Central African Republic) (2022) IDPs: 2,276,000 (civil war 1983-2005; ongoing conflict in Darfur region; government and rebel fighting along South Sudan border; inter-tribal clashes) (2020) Topic: Swedenrefugees (country of origin): 114,995 (Syria), 28,744 (Afghanistan), 26,911 (Eritrea), 11,574 (Somalia), 11,153 (Iraq), 7,516 (Iran) (2020); 39,592 (Ukraine) (as of 25 May 2022) stateless persons: 50,098 (mid-year 2021); note - the majority of stateless people are from the Middle East and Somalia Topic: Switzerlandrefugees (country of origin): 38,219 (Eritrea), 20,043 (Syria), 14,649 (Afghanistan), 6,069 (Sri Lanka), 6,197 (Turkey) (mid-year 2021); 53,120 (Ukraine) (as of 7 June 2022) stateless persons: 684 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Syriarefugees (country of origin): 568,730 (Palestinian Refugees) (2020); 12,435 (Iraq) (mid-year 2021) IDPs: 6.662 million (ongoing civil war since 2011) (2021) stateless persons: 160,000 (mid-year 2021); note - Syria's stateless population consists of Kurds and Palestinians; stateless persons are prevented from voting, owning land, holding certain jobs, receiving food subsidies or public healthcare, enrolling in public schools, or being legally married to Syrian citizens; in 1962, some 120,000 Syrian Kurds were stripped of their Syrian citizenship, rendering them and their descendants stateless; in 2011, the Syrian Government granted citizenship to thousands of Syrian Kurds as a means of appeasement; however, resolving the question of statelessness is not a priority given Syria's ongoing civil war note: the ongoing civil war has resulted in more than 5.7 million registered Syrian refugees - dispersed in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey - as of June 2022 Topic: Tajikistanrefugees (country of origin): 6,775 (Afghanistan) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 6,141 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Tanzaniarefugees (country of origin): 127,104 (Burundi), 80,599 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2022) Topic: Thailandrefugees (country of origin): 91,349 (Burma) (2022) IDPs: 41,000 stateless persons: 554,103 (mid-year 2021) (estimate represents stateless persons registered with the Thai Government; actual number may be as high as 3.5 million); note - about half of Thailand's northern hill tribe people do not have citizenship and make up the bulk of Thailand's stateless population; most lack documentation showing they or one of their parents were born in Thailand; children born to Burmese refugees are not eligible for Burmese or Thai citizenship and are stateless; most Chao Lay, maritime nomadic peoples, who travel from island to island in the Andaman Sea west of Thailand are also stateless; stateless Rohingya refugees from Burma are considered illegal migrants by Thai authorities and are detained in inhumane conditions or expelled; stateless persons are denied access to voting, property, education, employment, healthcare, and driving note: Thai nationality was granted to more than 23,000 stateless persons between 2012 and 2016; in 2016, the Government of Thailand approved changes to its citizenship laws that could make 80,000 stateless persons eligible for citizenship, as part of its effort to achieve zero statelessness by 2024 (2018) Topic: Togorefugees (country of origin): 8,391 (Ghana) (2022) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagorefugees (country of origin): 28,500 (Venezuela) (economic and political crisis; includes Venezuelans who have claimed asylum, are recognized as refugees, or have received alternative legal stay) (2021) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)refugees (country of origin): 3,763,864 (Syria) (2022); 85,000 (Ukraine) (as of 25 April 2022) IDPs: 1.099 million (displaced from 1984-2005 because of fighting between the Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs are Kurds from eastern and southeastern provinces; no information available on persons displaced by development projects) (2020) stateless persons: 117 (2018) Topic: Turkmenistanstateless persons: 4,107 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Ugandarefugees (country of origin): 951,713 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 462,120 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 42,036 (Burundi), 56,894 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 25,915 (Rwanda), 22,505 (Eritrea) (2022) Topic: UkraineIDPs: 1,461,700 (Russian-sponsored separatist violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine) (2021); 6.48 million (Russian invasion), according to the UN (2022); note – the more recent invasion total may reflect some double counting, since it is impossible to determine how many of the recent IDPs may also include IDPs from the earlier Russian-sponsored violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine stateless persons: 35,875 (mid-year 2021); note - citizens of the former USSR who were permanently resident in Ukraine were granted citizenship upon Ukraine's independence in 1991, but some missed this window of opportunity; people arriving after 1991, Crimean Tatars, ethnic Koreans, people with expired Soviet passports, and people with no documents have difficulty acquiring Ukrainian citizenship; following the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, thousands of Crimean Tatars and their descendants deported from Ukraine under the STALIN regime returned to their homeland, some being stateless and others holding the citizenship of Uzbekistan or other former Soviet republics; a 1998 bilateral agreement between Ukraine and Uzbekistan simplified the process of renouncing Uzbek citizenship and obtaining Ukrainian citizenship1,461,700 (Russian-sponsored separatist violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine) (2021); 6.48 million (Russian invasion), according to the UN (2022); note – the more recent invasion total may reflect some double counting, since it is impossible to determine how many of the recent IDPs may also include IDPs from the earlier Russian-sponsored violence in Crimea and eastern Ukraine Topic: United Arab Emiratesstateless persons: 5 (mid-year 2021) Topic: United Kingdomrefugees (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); 37,400 (Ukraine) (as of 3 May 2022) stateless persons: 3,968 (mid-year 2021) Topic: United Statesrefugees (country of origin): the US admitted 11,411 refugees during FY2021 including: 4,891 (Democratic Republic of the Congo), 1,246 (Syria), 872 (Afghanistan), 803 (Ukraine), 772 (Burma), 513 (Sudan) stateless persons: 47 (mid-year 2021) note: 72,722 Venezuelans have claimed asylum since 2014 because of the economic and political crisis (2018) Topic: Uruguayrefugees (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) Topic: Uzbekistanstateless persons: 59,136 (mid-year 2021) Topic: Venezuelarefugees (country of origin): 67,935 (Colombia) (2020) note: As of December 2020, more than 800,000 Venezuelans have applied for asylum worldwide Topic: Vietnamstateless persons: 30,581 (mid-year 2021); note - Vietnam's stateless ethnic Chinese Cambodian population dates to the 1970s when thousands of Cambodians fled to Vietnam to escape the Khmer Rouge and were no longer recognized as Cambodian citizens; Vietnamese women who gave up their citizenship to marry foreign men have found themselves stateless after divorcing and returning home to Vietnam; the government addressed this problem in 2009, and Vietnamese women are beginning to reclaim their citizenship Topic: West Bankrefugees (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 Topic: Worldthe UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that as of year-end 2020 there were 82.4 million people forcibly displaced worldwide; this includes 48 million conflict IDPs, 26.4 million refugees, 4.1 million asylum seekers, and 3.9 million Venezuelans displaced abroad; the UNHCR estimates there are currently at least 10 million stateless personsthe UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimated that as of year-end 2020 there were 82.4 million people forcibly displaced worldwide; this includes 48 million conflict IDPs, 26.4 million refugees, 4.1 million asylum seekers, and 3.9 million Venezuelans displaced abroad; the UNHCR estimates there are currently at least 10 million stateless persons Topic: Yemenrefugees (country of origin): 68,986 (Somalia), 17,705 (Ethiopia) (2022) IDPs: 4,288,739 (conflict in Sa'ada Governorate; clashes between al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula and government forces) (2022) Topic: Zambiarefugees (country of origin): 66,675 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 8,240 (Burundi) (2022) Topic: Zimbabwerefugees (country of origin): 11,344 (Democratic Republic of Congo) (refugees and asylum seekers), 8,247 (Mozambique) (2022)

20220901

field-population-below-poverty-line

National estimates of the percentage of the population falling below the poverty line are based on surveys of sub-groups, with the results weighted by the number of people in each group. Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations. For example, rich nations generally employ more generous standards of poverty than poor nations. Topic: Afghanistan54.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Albania14.3% (2012 est.) Topic: Algeria5.5% (2011 est.) Topic: American SamoaNA Topic: Angola32.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Anguilla23% (2002 est.) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaNA Topic: Argentina35.5% (2019 est.) Topic: Armenia26.4% (2019 est.) Topic: ArubaNA Topic: Austria13.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan4.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The9.3% (2010 est.) Topic: BahrainNA Topic: Bangladesh24.3% (2016 est.) Topic: BarbadosNA Topic: Belarus5% (2019 est.) Topic: Belgium14.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Belize41% (2013 est.) Topic: Benin38.5% (2019 est.) Topic: Bermuda11% (2008 est.) Topic: Bhutan8.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Bolivia37.2% (2019 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina16.9% (2015 est.) Topic: Botswana19.3% (2009 est.) Topic: Brazil4.2% (2016 est.) note: approximately 4% of the population are below the "extreme" poverty line Topic: British Virgin IslandsNA Topic: BruneiNA Topic: Bulgaria23.8% (2019 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso41.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Burma24.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Burundi64.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde35% (2015 est.) Topic: Cambodia16.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Cameroon37.5% (2014 est.) Topic: Canada9.4% (2008 est.) note: this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off, a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line Topic: Cayman IslandsNA Topic: Central African Republic62% (2008 est.) NA Topic: Chad42.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Chile8.6% (2017 est.) Topic: China0.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Colombia35.7% (2019 est.) Topic: Comoros42.4% (2013 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the63% (2014 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the40.9% (2011 est.) Topic: Cook IslandsNA Topic: Costa Rica21% (2019 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire39.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Croatia18.3% (2018 est.) Topic: CubaNA Topic: Cyprus14.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Czechia10.1% (2018 est.) Topic: Denmark12.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Djibouti21.1% (2017 est.) Topic: Dominica29% (2009 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic21% (2019 est.) Topic: Ecuador25% (2019 est.) Topic: Egypt32.5% (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvador22.8% (2019 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea44% (2011 est.) Topic: Eritrea50% (2004 est.) Topic: Estonia21.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Eswatini58.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Ethiopia23.5% (2015 est.) Topic: European Union9.8% (2013 est.) note: see individual country entries of member states Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)NA Topic: Faroe Islands10% (2015 est.) Topic: Fiji29.9% (2019 est.) Topic: Finland12.2% (2019 est.) Topic: France13.6% (2018 est.) Topic: French Polynesia19.7% (2009 est.) Topic: Gabon33.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, The48.6% (2015 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip30% (2011 est.) note: data exclude the West Bank Topic: Georgia19.5% (2019 est.) Topic: Germany14.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Ghana23.4% (2016 est.) Topic: GibraltarNA Topic: Greece17.9% (2018 est.) Topic: Greenland16.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Grenada38% (2008 est.) Topic: Guam23% (2001 est.) Topic: Guatemala59.3% (2014 est.) Topic: GuernseyNA Topic: Guinea43.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau67% (2015 est.) Topic: Guyana35% (2006 est.) Topic: Haiti58.5% (2012 est.) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras48.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Hong Kong19.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Hungary12.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Iceland8.8% (2017 est.) Topic: India21.9% (2011 est.) Topic: Indonesia9.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Iran18.7% (2007 est.) Topic: Iraq23% (2014 est.) Topic: Ireland13.1% (2018 est.) Topic: Isle of ManNA Topic: Israel22% (2014 est.) note: Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day Topic: Italy20.1% (2018 est.) Topic: Jamaica17.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Japan16.1% (2013 est.) Topic: JerseyNA Topic: Jordan15.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan4.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Kenya36.1% (2015 est.) Topic: KiribatiNA Topic: Korea, NorthNA Topic: Korea, South14.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Kosovo17.6% (2015 est.) Topic: KuwaitNA Topic: Kyrgyzstan20.1% (2019 est.) Topic: Laos18.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Latvia22.9% (2018 est.) Topic: Lebanon27.4% (2011 est.) Topic: Lesotho49.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Liberia50.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Libyanote: about one-third of Libyans live at or below the national poverty linenote: about one-third of Libyans live at or below the national poverty line Topic: LiechtensteinNA Topic: Lithuania20.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Luxembourg17.5% (2018 est.) Topic: MacauNA Topic: Madagascar70.7% (2012 est.) Topic: Malawi51.5% (2016 est.) Topic: Malaysia5.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Maldives8.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Mali42.1% (2019 est.) Topic: Malta17.1% (2018 est.) Topic: Marshall IslandsNA Topic: Mauritania31% (2014 est.) Topic: Mauritius10.3% (2017 est.) Topic: Mexico41.9% (2018 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of41.2% (2013 est.) Topic: Moldova7.3% (2018 est.) Topic: MonacoNA Topic: Mongolia28.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Montenegro24.5% (2018 est.) Topic: MontserratNA Topic: Morocco4.8% (2013 est.) Topic: Mozambique46.1% (2014 est.) Topic: Namibia17.4% (2015 est.) Topic: NauruNA Topic: Nepal25.2% (2011 est.) Topic: Netherlands13.6% (2019 est.) Topic: New Caledonia17% (2008) Topic: New ZealandNA Topic: Nicaragua24.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Niger40.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Nigeria40.1% (2018 est.) Topic: NiueNA Topic: North Macedonia21.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsNA Topic: Norway12.7% (2018 est.) Topic: OmanNA Topic: Pakistan24.3% (2015 est.) Topic: Palau24.9% (2006) NA Topic: Panama22.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea37% (2002 est.) Topic: Paraguay23.5% (2019 est.) Topic: Peru20.2% (2019 est.) Topic: Philippines16.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Poland15.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Portugal17.2% (2018 est.) Topic: Puerto RicoNA Topic: QatarNA Topic: Romania23.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Russia12.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Rwanda38.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaNA Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisNA Topic: Saint Lucia25% (2016 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonNA Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNA Topic: Samoa20.3% (2013 est.) Topic: San MarinoNA Topic: Sao Tome and Principe66.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi ArabiaNA Topic: Senegal46.7% (2011 est.) Topic: Serbia23.2% (2018 est.) Topic: Seychelles25.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone56.8% (2018 est.) Topic: SingaporeNA Topic: Slovakia11.9% (2018 est.) Topic: Slovenia12% (2018 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands12.7% (2012 est.) Topic: SomaliaNA Topic: South Africa55.5% (2014 est.) Topic: South Sudan76.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Spain20.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka4.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Sudan46.5% (2009 est.) Topic: Suriname70% (2002 est.) Topic: Sweden17.1% (2018 est.) Topic: Switzerland16% (2018 est.) Topic: Syria82.5% (2014 est.) Topic: Taiwan1.5% (2012 est.) Topic: Tajikistan26.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Tanzania26.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Thailand9.9% (2018 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste41.8% (2014 est.) Topic: Togo55.1% (2015 est.) Topic: TokelauNA Topic: Tonga22.5% (2010 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago20% (2014 est.) Topic: Tunisia15.2% (2015 est.) Topic: Turkey14.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan0.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsNA Topic: Tuvalu26.3% (2010 est.) Topic: Uganda21.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Ukraine1.1% (2019 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates19.5% (2003 est.) Topic: United Kingdom18.6% (2017 est.) Topic: United States15.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Uruguay8.8% (2019 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan14.1% (2013 est.) Topic: VanuatuNA Topic: Venezuela33.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Vietnam6.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands28.9% (2002 est.) Topic: Wallis and FutunaNA Topic: West Bank18% (2011 est.) Topic: Yemen48.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Zambia54.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe38.3% (2019 est.)

20220901

countries-ukraine-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Ukraine due to Russian military invasion and COVID-19. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should depart immediately if it is safe to do so using any commercial or other privately available ground transportation options. U.S. citizens should not travel to Ukraine due to the active armed conflict and the singling out of U.S. citizens in Ukraine by Russian government security officials. All U.S. citizens should carefully monitor U.S. government notices and local and international media outlets for information about changing security conditions and alerts to shelter in place. Those remaining in Ukraine should exercise increased caution due to the potential for active combat, 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 is valid at the date of their entering the country and during the length of their entire visit. 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: +38 (044) 521-5566; EMER +38 (044) 521-5000; US Embassy Kyiv, 4 A.I. Sikorsky St (formerly Tankova), 04112 Kyiv, Ukraine; kyivacs@state.gov; https://ua.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 380 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 03, 118; Fire: 01; Police: 02 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations. 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 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, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine. http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate continental; Mediterranean only on the southern Crimean coast; precipitation disproportionately distributed, highest in west and north, lesser in east and southeast; winters vary from cool along the Black Sea to cold farther inland; warm summers across the greater part of the country, hot in the south Currency (Code): Hryvnia (UAH) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Ukrainian, Russian, other minority languages Major Religions: Ukrainian Orthodox -Kyiv Patriarchate, Ukrainian Orthodox -Moscow Patriarchate, Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish 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: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Kyiv (includes Saint Sophia Cathedral, Monastery of the Caves, Museum of Folk Architecture, Saint Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery, Mariinsky Palace, National Opera House, Chernobyl Museum, Saint Andrew’s Church); Mount Hoverla; Tunnel of Love; Old Town Lviv; Odessa; Chernivtsi; Tauric Chersonese & Its Chora Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, boxing, ice hockey Cultural Practices: When invited to a household for dinner, it is considered rude to refuse any of the dishes offered. Tipping Guidelines: Tipping is not required in Ukraine. However, 10% of the total bill is appreciated for good service. Tip the bellhop/porter the equivalent of $1 (USD) per bag and tip housekeeping your change.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-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: A Rwandan kingdom dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with Tutsi rulers conquering others militarily and centralizing power. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during WW I. Rwandan independence came in 1962. Conflict between Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups continued for decades. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first presidential and legislative elections in 2003.A Rwandan kingdom dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with Tutsi rulers conquering others militarily and centralizing power. German colonial rule began in 1898, but Belgian forces captured Rwanda in 1916 during WW I. Rwandan independence came in 1962. Conflict between Tutsi and Hutu ethnic groups continued for decades. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first presidential and legislative elections in 2003. Topic: Geography Area: total: 26,338 sq km land: 24,668 sq km water: 1,670 sq km Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land Topic: People and Society Population: 13,173,730 (2022 est.) 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.) 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.) Population growth rate: 1.74% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Kigali Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017) 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: fast-growing Sub-Saharan economy; major public investments; trade and tourism hit hard by COVID-19; increasing poverty after 2 decades of declines; Ugandan competition for regional influence; major coffee exporter; contested GDP figuresfast-growing Sub-Saharan economy; major public investments; trade and tourism hit hard by COVID-19; increasing poverty after 2 decades of declines; Ugandan competition for regional influence; major coffee exporter; contested GDP figures Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $27.18 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $2,100 (2020 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 Exports: $2.25 billion (2019 est.) 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.) 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)Page last updated: Friday, May 13, 2022

20220901

countries-jordan

Topic: Photos of Jordan Topic: Introduction Background: Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in 1921 and recognized ABDALLAH I from the Hashemite family as the country's first leader. The Hashemites also controlled Hijaz, or the western coastal area of modern day Saudi Arabia until 1925, when they were pushed out by Ibn SAUD and Wahhabi tribes. The country gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The country has had four kings. Jordan's long-time ruler, King HUSSEIN (1953-99), successfully navigated competing pressures from the major powers (US, USSR, and UK), various Arab states, Israel, and Palestinian militants, which led to a brief civil war in 1970 referred to as "Black September" and ended in King HUSSEIN's ouster of the militants from Jordan. Jordan's borders also have changed. In 1948, Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, eventually annexing those territories in 1950 and granting its new Palestinian residents Jordanian citizenship. In 1967, Jordan lost the West Bank and East Jerusalem to Israel in the Six-Day War but retained administrative claims until 1988 when King HUSSEIN permanently relinquished Jordanian claims to the West Bank in favor of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). King HUSSEIN signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994, after Israel and the PLO signed the Oslo Accords in 1993. Jordanian kings continue to claim custodianship of the holy sites in Jerusalem by virtue of their Hashemite heritage as descendants of the Prophet Mohammad and agreements with Israel and Jerusalem-based religious and Palestinian leaders. After Israel captured East Jerusalem in the 1967 War, it authorized the Jordanian-controlled Islamic Trust, or Waqf, to continue administering affairs in the Al Haram ash Sharif/Temple Mount holy compound, and the Jordan-Israel peace treaty reaffirmed Jordan's "special role" in administering the Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem. King HUSSEIN died in 1999 and was succeeded by his eldest son, ABDALLAH II, who remains the current king. In 2009, King ABDALLAH II designated his son HUSSEIN as the Crown Prince. During his reign, ABDALLAH II has contended with a series of challenges, including the Arab Spring influx of refugees from neighboring states and a perennially weak economy.  Following World War I and the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations awarded Britain the mandate to govern much of the Middle East. Britain demarcated a semi-autonomous region of Transjordan from Palestine in 1921 and recognized ABDALLAH I from the Hashemite family as the country's first leader. The Hashemites also controlled Hijaz, or the western coastal area of modern day Saudi Arabia until 1925, when they were pushed out by Ibn SAUD and Wahhabi tribes. The country gained its independence in 1946 and thereafter became The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Middle East, northwest of Saudi Arabia, between Israel (to the west) and Iraq Geographic coordinates: 31 00 N, 36 00 E Map references: Middle East Area: total: 89,342 sq km land: 88,802 sq km water: 540 sq km Area - comparative: about three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Indiana Land boundaries: total: 1,744 km border countries (5): Iraq 179 km; Israel 307 km; Saudi Arabia 731 km; Syria 379 km; West Bank 148 km Coastline: 26 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 3 nm Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Terrain: mostly arid desert plateau; a great north-south geological rift along the west of the country is the dominant topographical feature and includes the Jordan River Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Jordanian Highlands Elevation: highest point: Jabal Umm ad Dami 1,854 m lowest point: Dead Sea -431 m mean elevation: 812 m Natural resources: phosphates, potash, shale oil Land use: agricultural land: 11.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.4% (2018 est.) forest: 1.1% (2018 est.) other: 87.5% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 964 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt 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 Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Population distribution: population heavily concentrated in the west, and particularly the northwest, in and around the capital of Amman; a sizeable, but smaller population is located in the southwest along the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba Natural hazards: droughts; periodic earthquakes; flash floods Geography - note: strategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank; the Dead Sea, the lowest point in Asia and the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lac Assal in Djibouti), lies on Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank; Jordan is almost landlocked but does have a 26 km southwestern coastline with a single port, Al 'Aqabah (Aqaba) Map description: Jordan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries.Jordan map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries. Topic: People and Society Population: 10,998,531 (2022 est.) note: increased estimate reflects revised assumptions about the net migration rate due to the increased flow of Syrian refugees Nationality: noun: Jordanian(s) adjective: Jordanian Ethnic groups: Jordanian 69.3%, Syrian 13.3%, Palestinian 6.7%, Egyptian 6.7%, Iraqi 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes Armenian, Circassian) (2015 est.) note: data represent population by self-identified nationality Languages: Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes) 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 97.1% (official; predominantly Sunni), Christian 2.1% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), Buddhist 0.4%, Hindu 0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, folk <0.1%, other <0.1%, unaffiliated <0.1% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.05% (male 1,837,696/female 1,738,935) 15-24 years: 19.77% (male 1,126,567/female 1,012,812) 25-54 years: 38.39% (male 2,250,328/female 1,903,996) 55-64 years: 5.11% (male 290,633/female 262,827) 65 years and over: 3.67% (2020 est.) (male 194,464/female 202,386) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 58.2 youth dependency ratio: 52 elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 potential support ratio: 16 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 23.5 years male: 23.9 years female: 22.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.81% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 22.58 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 3.45 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -11.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: population heavily concentrated in the west, and particularly the northwest, in and around the capital of Amman; a sizeable, but smaller population is located in the southwest along the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba Urbanization: urban population: 91.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 2.210 million AMMAN (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.17 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 24.6 years (2017/18 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 46 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 76.01 years male: 74.51 years female: 77.6 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.96 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 51.8% (2017/18) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.2% of population rural: 97.9% of population total: 99.1% of population unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population rural: 2.1% of population total: 0.9% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 7.6% (2019) Physicians density: 2.66 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 1.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 98.8% of population rural: 97.8% of population total: 98.7% of population unimproved: urban: 1.2% of population rural: 2.2% of population total: 1.3% 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 Major infectious diseases: note: 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 35.5% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 34.8% (2020 est.) male: 56.8% (2020 est.) female: 12.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 3% (2012) Child marriage: women married by age 15: 1.5% women married by age 18: 9.7% men married by age 18: 0.1% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: 3% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.2% male: 98.6% female: 97.8% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 11 years male: 10 years female: 11 years (2020) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 37.3% male: 34.8% female: 49.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources; declining water table; salinity; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; desertification; biodiversity and ecosystem damage/loss Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 32.09 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 25.11 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 6.04 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: mostly arid desert; rainy season in west (November to April) Land use: agricultural land: 11.4% (2018 est.) arable land: 2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 8.4% (2018 est.) forest: 1.1% (2018 est.) other: 87.5% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 91.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.98% 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.) Major infectious diseases: note: 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 Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 2,529,997 tons (2013 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 177,100 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 7% (2014 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt 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 Major watersheds (area sq km): Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km) Major aquifers: Arabian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 456.9 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 32.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 554.7 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 937 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan conventional short form: Jordan local long form: Al Mamlakah al Urduniyah al Hashimiyah local short form: Al Urdun former: Transjordan etymology: named for the Jordan River, which makes up part of Jordan's northwest border Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Amman geographic coordinates: 31 57 N, 35 56 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Friday in February; ends last Friday in October etymology: in the 13th century B.C., the Ammonites named their main city "Rabbath Ammon"; "rabbath" designated "capital," so the name meant "The Capital of [the] Ammon[ites]"; over time, the "Rabbath" came to be dropped and the city became known simply as "Ammon" and then "Amman" Administrative divisions: 12 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); 'Ajlun, Al 'Aqabah, Al Balqa', Al Karak, Al Mafraq, Al ‘Asimah (Amman), At Tafilah, Az Zarqa', Irbid, Jarash, Ma'an, Madaba Independence: 25 May 1946 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration) National holiday: Independence Day, 25 May (1946) Constitution: history: previous 1928 (preindependence); latest initially adopted 28 November 1947, revised and ratified 1 January 1952 amendments: constitutional amendments require at least a two-thirds majority vote of both the Senate and the House and ratification by the king; no amendment of the constitution affecting the rights of the king and the succession to the throne is permitted during the king's reign; amended several times, last in 2016 Legal system: mixed system developed from codes instituted by the Ottoman Empire (based on French law), British common law, and Islamic law International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Citizenship: citizenship 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7 February 1999); Heir Apparent Crown Prince HUSSEIN (eldest son of the monarch, born on 28 June 1994) head of government: Prime Minister Bisher AL-KHASAWNEH (since 7 October 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarch prime minister in consultation with the prime minister elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-'Umma consists of: Senate or the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (65 seats; members appointed by the monarch to serve 4-year terms) Chamber of Deputies or House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (130 seats; 115 members directly elected in 23 multi-seat constituencies by open-list proportional representation vote and 15 seats for women; 12 of the 115 seats reserved for Christian, Chechen, and Circassian candidates; members serve 4-year terms) elections: Senate - last appointments on 27 Sep 2020 (next appointments in 2024) Chamber of Deputies - last held on 10 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) election results: Senate - composition men 58, women 7, percent of women 10.8% Chamber of Deputies - note - tribal, centrist, and pro-government candidates dominated in the 130-seat election; the Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, garnered only 10 seats, down from 15 in the previous election; women, who are guaranteed 15 seats by Jordan’s legislative quota system, won 16 seats, down from 20 seats won in the previous election; composition - men 114, women 16, percent of women 12.3%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 11.8%    Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Cassation or Supreme Court (consists of 15 members, including the chief justice); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the king; other judges nominated by the Judicial Council, an 11-member judicial policymaking body consisting of high-level judicial officials and judges, and approved by the king; judge tenure generally not limited; Constitutional Court members appointed by the king for 6-year non-renewable terms with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Great Felonies Court; religious courts; military courts; juvenile courts; Land Settlement Courts; Income Tax Court; Higher Administrative Court; Customs Court; special courts including the State Security Court Political parties and leaders: Jordan has 54 registered political parties, four of which currently have seats in the elected Chamber of Deputies including the Islamic Action Front, the Islamic Centrist Party, the United Jordanian Front Party, and the National Loyalty Party International organization participation: ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, CD, CICA, EBRD, FAO, G-11, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MINUSTAH, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, NATO (partner), OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Dina Khalil Tawfiq KAWAR (since 27 June 2016) chancery: 3504 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-2664 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3110 email address and website: hkjconsular@jordanembassyus.org http://www.jordanembassyus.org/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Henry T. WOOSTER (since 8 October 2020) embassy: Abdoun, Al-Umawyeen St., Amman mailing address: 6050 Amman Place, Washington DC  20521-6050 telephone: [962] (6) 590-6000 FAX: [962] (6) 592-0163 email address and website: Amman-ACS@state.gov https://jo.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of black (top), representing the Abbassid Caliphate, white, representing the Ummayyad Caliphate, and green, representing the Fatimid Caliphate; a red isosceles triangle on the hoist side, representing the Great Arab Revolt of 1916, and bearing a small white seven-pointed star symbolizing the seven verses of the opening Sura (Al-Fatiha) of the Holy Koran; the seven points on the star represent faith in One God, humanity, national spirit, humility, social justice, virtue, and aspirations; design is based on the Arab Revolt flag of World War I National symbol(s): eagle; national colors: black, white, green, red National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 6 (5 cultural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Petra (c); Quseir Amra (c); Um er-Rasas (Kastrom Mefa'a) (c); Wadi Rum Protected Area (m); Baptism Site “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (Al-Maghtas) (c); As-Salt - The Place of Tolerance and Urban Hospitality (c) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of unemployment and underemployment, budget and current account deficits, and government debt.   King ABDALLAH, during the first decade of the 2000s, implemented significant economic reforms, such as expanding foreign trade and privatizing state-owned companies that attracted foreign investment and contributed to average annual economic growth of 8% for 2004 through 2008. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil contributed to slower growth from 2010 to 2017 - with growth averaging about 2.5% per year - and hurt export-oriented sectors, construction/real estate, and tourism. Since the onset of the civil war in Syria and resulting refugee crisis, one of Jordan’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges has been managing the influx of approximately 660,000 UN-registered refugees, more than 80% of whom live in Jordan’s urban areas. Jordan’s own official census estimated the refugee number at 1.3 million Syrians as of early 2016.   Jordan is nearly completely dependent on imported energy—mostly natural gas—and energy consistently makes up 25-30% of Jordan’s imports. To diversify its energy mix, Jordan has secured several contracts for liquefied and pipeline natural gas, developed several major renewables projects, and is currently exploring nuclear power generation and exploitation of abundant oil shale reserves. In August 2016, Jordan and the IMF agreed to a $723 million Extended Fund Facility that aims to build on the three-year, $2.1 billion IMF program that ended in August 2015 with the goal of helping Jordan correct budgetary and balance of payments imbalances.Jordan's economy is among the smallest in the Middle East, with insufficient supplies of water, oil, and other natural resources, underlying the government's heavy reliance on foreign assistance. Other economic challenges for the government include chronic high rates of unemployment and underemployment, budget and current account deficits, and government debt. King ABDALLAH, during the first decade of the 2000s, implemented significant economic reforms, such as expanding foreign trade and privatizing state-owned companies that attracted foreign investment and contributed to average annual economic growth of 8% for 2004 through 2008. The global economic slowdown and regional turmoil contributed to slower growth from 2010 to 2017 - with growth averaging about 2.5% per year - and hurt export-oriented sectors, construction/real estate, and tourism. Since the onset of the civil war in Syria and resulting refugee crisis, one of Jordan’s most pressing socioeconomic challenges has been managing the influx of approximately 660,000 UN-registered refugees, more than 80% of whom live in Jordan’s urban areas. Jordan’s own official census estimated the refugee number at 1.3 million Syrians as of early 2016. Jordan is nearly completely dependent on imported energy—mostly natural gas—and energy consistently makes up 25-30% of Jordan’s imports. To diversify its energy mix, Jordan has secured several contracts for liquefied and pipeline natural gas, developed several major renewables projects, and is currently exploring nuclear power generation and exploitation of abundant oil shale reserves. In August 2016, Jordan and the IMF agreed to a $723 million Extended Fund Facility that aims to build on the three-year, $2.1 billion IMF program that ended in August 2015 with the goal of helping Jordan correct budgetary and balance of payments imbalances. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $100.16 billion (2020 est.) $101.74 billion (2019 est.) $99.79 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2% (2019 est.) 1.94% (2018 est.) 2.12% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $9,800 (2020 est.) $10,100 (2019 est.) $10,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $44.568 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (2019 est.) 4.4% (2018 est.) 3.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB- (2019) Moody's rating: B1 (2013) Standard & Poors rating: B+ (2017) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 4.5% (2017 est.) industry: 28.8% (2017 est.) services: 66.6% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 80.5% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 34.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -58% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: tomatoes, poultry, olives, milk, potatoes, cucumbers, vegetables, watermelons, green chillies/peppers, peaches/nectarines Industries: tourism, information technology, clothing, fertilizer, potash, phosphate mining, pharmaceuticals, petroleum refining, cement, inorganic chemicals, light manufacturing Industrial production growth rate: 1.4% (2017 est.) Labor force: 731,000 (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 20% services: 78% (2013 est.) Unemployment rate: 19.1% (2019 est.) 18.61% (2018 est.) note: official rate; unofficial rate is approximately 30% Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 37.3% male: 34.8% female: 49.4% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 15.7% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.7 (2010 est.) 36.4 (1997) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.4% highest 10%: 28.7% (2010 est.) Budget: revenues: 9.462 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.51 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -5.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 95.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 95.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central 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 exclude 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: 23.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$1.222 billion (2019 est.) -$2.964 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $16.29 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $15.09 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 21%, Saudi Arabia 13%, India 8%, Iraq 7%, United Arab Emirates 5%, China 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: fertilizers, calcium phosphates, packaged medicines, clothing and apparel, phosphoric acid (2019) Imports: $22.04 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $22.92 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 17%, Saudi Arabia 15%, United States 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Egypt 5%, India 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, clothing and apparel (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $15.56 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $15.54 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $32.088 billion (2019 est.) $29.916 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Jordanian dinars (JOD) per US dollar - 0.709 (2020 est.) 0.709 (2019 est.) 0.70925 (2018 est.) 0.71 (2014 est.) 0.71 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 5.644 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 17,366,400,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 98 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 239 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.249 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 83.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 11.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) biomass and waste: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 67,240 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 68,460 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 115.872 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 4,650,978,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 375.849 million cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 4,910,954,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 6.031 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 23.47 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 381,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 15.786 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.303 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 39.331 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 391,486 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 6,987,891 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 68 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Jordan’s government has focused on the use of ICT in a range of sectors, aimed at transforming the relatively small economy through the use of digital services; this policy has helped the country rise in the league tables for digital connectivity and internet readiness, and it has also attracted investment from foreign companies; during the ongoing global pandemic, the start-up sector has been further encouraged to develop solutions to combat the crisis, while other efforts have facilitated e-government services and encouraged businesses to adapt to new methods of working through their own digital transformation; these developments have been supported by the highly developed mobile sector, led by three major regional players which have near-comprehensive LTE network coverage; Orange Jordan has also focused on building up its FttP infrastructure, with the network covering about 618,000 premises by mid-2021. (2022) domestic: 1995 a telecommunications law opened all non-fixed-line services to private competition; in 2005, the monopoly over fixed-line services terminated and the entire telecommunications sector was opened to competition; currently fixed-line stands at nearly 4 per 100 persons and multiple mobile-cellular providers with subscribership over 68 per 100 persons (2020) international: country code - 962; landing point for the FEA and Taba-Aqaba submarine cable networks providing connectivity to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Asia; satellite earth stations - 33 (3 Intelsat, 1 Arabsat, and 29 land and maritime Inmarsat terminals (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: radio and TV dominated by the government-owned Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTV) that operates a main network, a sports network, a film network, and a satellite channel; first independent TV broadcaster aired in 2007; international satellite TV and Israeli and Syrian TV broadcasts are available; roughly 30 radio stations with JRTV operating the main government-owned station; transmissions of multiple international radio broadcasters are available Internet country code: .jo Internet users: total: 6,768,137 (2019 est.) percent of population: 67% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 630,545 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 54 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 3,383,805 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 175.84 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: JY Airports: total: 18 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 16 over 3,047 m: 8 2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 2 under 914 m: 2 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 473 km gas, 49 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 509 km (2020) narrow gauge: 509 km (2014) 1.050-m gauge Roadways: total: 7,203 km (2011) paved: 7,203 km (2011) Merchant marine: total: 35 by type: general cargo 6, oil tanker 1, other 28 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Al 'Aqabah Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Jordanian 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; there is no separate Ministry of Defense; the prime minister also serves as defense minister Military expenditures: 5% of GDP (2021 est.) 5% of GDP (2020 est.) 5.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $5.18 billion) 5.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $5.14 billion) 5.7% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $5.18 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 94,500 active duty armed forces personnel (80,000 Army; 14,000 Air Force; 500 Navy); approximately 15,000 Gendarmerie Forces (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the JAF inventory is comprised of a wide mix of imported equipment from Europe, some Gulf States, Russia, and the US; since 2010, the Netherlands and the US are the leading suppliers (2022) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary male military service (women can volunteer to serve in noncombat military positions in the Royal Jordanian Arab Army Women's Corps and RJAF); initial service term 2 years, with option to reenlist for 18 years; conscription abolished in 1991; however, in 2020, Jordan announced the reinstatement of compulsory military service for jobless men aged between 25 and 29 with 12 months of service, made up of 3 months of military training and 9 months of professional and technical training; in 2019, announced a voluntary 4-month National Military Service program for men and women aged between 18-25 years who have been unemployed for at least 6 months; service would include 1 month for military training with the remaining 3 months dedicated to vocational training in the sectors of construction and tourism (2022) note: most women serve in the medical service; outside the medical service, women comprised about 1.5% of the military as of 2019 Military deployments: 330 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: the Jordanian military traces its origins back to the Arab Legion, which was formed under the British protectorate of Transjordan in the 1920s due largely to its proximity to regional conflicts in Iraq and Syria, the presence of major terrorist organizations in both of those countries, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the highest priorities of Jordan’s military and security services in 2022 included securing its borders and the potential for domestic terrorist attacks; the terrorist group Hizballah and Iranian-backed militia forces were operating in southwestern Syria near Jordan’s border while fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group continued operating in both Iraq and Syria; ISIS fighters included Jordanian nationals, some of whom have returned to Jordan; meanwhile, individuals and groups sympathetic to Palestine have planned and conducted terrorist attacks in Jordan Jordan 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 Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994the Jordanian military traces its origins back to the Arab Legion, which was formed under the British protectorate of Transjordan in the 1920sdue largely to its proximity to regional conflicts in Iraq and Syria, the presence of major terrorist organizations in both of those countries, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the highest priorities of Jordan’s military and security services in 2022 included securing its borders and the potential for domestic terrorist attacks; the terrorist group Hizballah and Iranian-backed militia forces were operating in southwestern Syria near Jordan’s border while fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) terrorist group continued operating in both Iraq and Syria; ISIS fighters included Jordanian nationals, some of whom have returned to Jordan; meanwhile, individuals and groups sympathetic to Palestine have planned and conducted terrorist attacks in JordanJordan 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 Jordan signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994 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: Jordan-Iraq: the two countries signed a border agreement in 1984; Jordan has ratified the treaty, but it has not been confirmed that Iraq has ratified it; as of 2010, the agreement had not been registered with the UN Jordan-Israel: none identified Jordan-Saudi Arabia: Jordan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to demarcate their maritime borders in 2007 Jordan-Syria: the two countries signed an agreement in 2005 to settle the border dispute based on a 1931 demarcation accord; the two countries began demarcation in 2006 Jordan-West Bank: none identifiedJordan-Iraq: the two countries signed a border agreement in 1984; Jordan has ratified the treaty, but it has not been confirmed that Iraq has ratified it; as of 2010, the agreement had not been registered with the UNJordan-Israel: none identifiedJordan-Saudi Arabia: Jordan and Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to demarcate their maritime borders in 2007Jordan-Syria: the two countries signed an agreement in 2005 to settle the border dispute based on a 1931 demarcation accord; the two countries began demarcation in 2006Jordan-West Bank: none identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 2,307,011 (Palestinian refugees) (2020); 66,665 (Iraq), 12,866 (Yemen), 6,013 Sudan (2021); 676,164 (Syria) (2022) stateless persons: 63 (mid-year 2021) Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Jordan and Jordanians abroad; victims are primarily from South and Southeast Asia, East Africa, Egypt, and Syria; foreign migrants, many undocumented, working in construction, agriculture, textiles, and domestic work are the most vulnerable to trafficking because of informal work agreements and frequently changing employers; forced labor victims experience withheld or unpaid wages, confiscation of identity documents, restricted freedom of movement, unsafe living conditions, long hours without rest, isolation, and verbal and physical abuse; child labor and potential forced child labor increased; traffickers exploit Lebanese, North African, and Eastern European women who have migrated to Jordan to work in restaurants and nightclubs are subject to sex trafficking tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Jordan does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; the government increased the training of law enforcement personnel and victim advocates, maintained a trafficking shelter offering a wide range of services, partnered with civil society actors to proactively identify and protect trafficking victims, and conducted anti-trafficking awareness campaigns; the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts as fewer traffickers were investigated, prosecuted, and convicted; fewer victims were identified and assisted, and victims were still arrested, detained, and deported for unlawful acts traffickers compelled them to commit; under Jordan’s anti-trafficking law, penalties for sex trafficking offenses were not commensurate with penalties for other serious crimes (2020)human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Jordan and Jordanians abroad; victims are primarily from South and Southeast Asia, East Africa, Egypt, and Syria; foreign migrants, many undocumented, working in construction, agriculture, textiles, and domestic work are the most vulnerable to trafficking because of informal work agreements and frequently changing employers; forced labor victims experience withheld or unpaid wages, confiscation of identity documents, restricted freedom of movement, unsafe living conditions, long hours without rest, isolation, and verbal and physical abuse; child labor and potential forced child labor increased; traffickers exploit Lebanese, North African, and Eastern European women who have migrated to Jordan to work in restaurants and nightclubs are subject to sex trafficking Illicit drugs: primarily a transshipment country for amphetamine tablets originating in Lebanon and Syria and destined for Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Gulf countries; the government is increasingly concerned about domestic consumption of illicit drugs

20220901

field-budget

This entry includes revenues and expenditures. These figures are calculated on an exchange rate basis, i.e., not in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms. Topic: Afghanistanrevenues: 2.276 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.328 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Albaniarevenues: 3.614 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.874 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Algeriarevenues: 54.15 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 70.2 billion (2017 est.) Topic: American Samoarevenues: 249 million (2016 est.) expenditures: 262.5 million (2016 est.) Topic: Andorrarevenues: 1.872 billion (2016) expenditures: 2.06 billion (2016) Topic: Angolarevenues: 37.02 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 45.44 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Anguillarevenues: 81.92 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 80.32 million (2017 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudarevenues: 298.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 334 million (2017 est.) Topic: Argentinarevenues: 120.6 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 158.6 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Armeniarevenues: 2.644 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.192 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Arubarevenues: 681.6 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 755.5 million (2017 est.) Topic: Australiarevenues: 490 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 496.9 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Austriarevenues: 201.7 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 204.6 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Azerbaijanrevenues: 9.556 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 10.22 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Therevenues: 2.139 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.46 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bahrainrevenues: 5.854 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.407 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bangladeshrevenues: 25.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 33.5 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Barbadosrevenues: 1.466 billion (2017 est.) (2013 est.) expenditures: 1.664 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Belarusrevenues: 22.15 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 20.57 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Belgiumrevenues: 253.5 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 258.6 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Belizerevenues: 553.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 572 million (2017 est.) Topic: Beninrevenues: 1.578 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.152 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bermudarevenues: 999.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.176 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bhutanrevenues: 655.3 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 737.4 million (2017 est.) note: the Government of India finances nearly one-quarter of Bhutan's budget expenditures Topic: Boliviarevenues: 15.09 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 18.02 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinarevenues: 7.993 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 7.607 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Botswanarevenues: 5.305 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.478 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Brazilrevenues: 733.7 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 756.3 billion (2017 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandsrevenues: 400 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 400 million (2017 est.) Topic: Bruneirevenues: 2.245 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.345 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Bulgariarevenues: 20.35 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.35 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasorevenues: 2.666 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.655 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Burmarevenues: 9.108 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.23 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Burundirevenues: 536.7 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 729.6 million (2017 est.) Topic: Cabo Verderevenues: 493.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 546.7 million (2017 est.) Topic: Cambodiarevenues: 3.947 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.354 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Cameroonrevenues: 5.363 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.556 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Canadarevenues: 649.6 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 665.7 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandsrevenues: 874.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 766.6 million (2017 est.) Topic: Central African Republicrevenues: 282.9 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 300.1 million (2017 est.) Topic: Chadrevenues: 1.337 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.481 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Chilerevenues: 57.75 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 65.38 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Chinarevenues: 2.553 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.008 trillion (2017 est.) Topic: Christmas Islandrevenues: NA expenditures: NA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsrevenues: NA expenditures: NA Topic: Colombiarevenues: 83.35 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 91.73 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Comorosrevenues: 165.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 207.3 million (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of therevenues: 4.634 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.009 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of therevenues: 1.965 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.578 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Cook Islandsrevenues: 86.9 million (2010) expenditures: 77.9 million (2010) Topic: Costa Ricarevenues: 8.357 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.92 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoirerevenues: 7.749 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.464 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Croatiarevenues: 25.24 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 24.83 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Cubarevenues: 54.52 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 64.64 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Cyprusrevenues: 8.663 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 8.275 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Czechiarevenues: 87.37 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 83.92 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Denmarkrevenues: 172.5 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 168.9 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Djiboutirevenues: 717 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 899.2 million (2017 est.) Topic: Dominicarevenues: 227.8 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 260.4 million (2017 est.) Topic: Dominican Republicrevenues: 11.33 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.62 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Ecuadorrevenues: 33.43 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 38.08 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Egyptrevenues: 42.32 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 62.61 billion (2017 est.) Topic: El Salvadorrevenues: 5.886 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.517 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinearevenues: 2.114 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.523 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Eritrearevenues: 2.029 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.601 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Estoniarevenues: 10.37 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 10.44 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Eswatinirevenues: 1.263 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.639 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Ethiopiarevenues: 11.24 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.79 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)revenues: 67.1 million (FY09/10) expenditures: 75.3 million (FY09/10) Topic: Faroe Islandsrevenues: 835.6 million (2014 est.) expenditures: 883.8 million (2014) note: Denmark supplies the Faroe Islands with almost one-third of its public funds Topic: Fijirevenues: 1.454 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.648 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Finlandrevenues: 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 Topic: Francerevenues: 1.392 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.459 trillion (2017 est.) Topic: French Polynesiarevenues: 1.891 billion (2012) expenditures: 1.833 billion (2011) Topic: Gabonrevenues: 2.634 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.914 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Gambia, Therevenues: 300.4 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 339 million (2017 est.) Topic: Gaza Stripsee entry for the West Bank Topic: Georgiarevenues: 4.352 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.925 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Germanyrevenues: 1.665 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.619 trillion (2017 est.) Topic: Ghanarevenues: 9.544 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 12.36 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Gibraltarrevenues: 475.8 million (2008 est.) expenditures: 452.3 million (2008 est.) Topic: Greecerevenues: 97.99 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 96.35 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Greenlandrevenues: 1.719 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: 1.594 billion (2016 est.) Topic: Grenadarevenues: 288.4 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 252.3 million (2017 est.) Topic: Guamrevenues: 1.24 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: 1.299 billion (2016 est.) Topic: Guatemalarevenues: 8.164 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.156 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Guernseyrevenues: 563.6 million (2005) expenditures: 530.9 million (2005 est.) Topic: Guinearevenues: 1.7 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.748 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissaurevenues: 246.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 263.5 million (2017 est.) Topic: Guyanarevenues: 1.002 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.164 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Haitirevenues: 1.567 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.65 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)revenues: 315 million (2013) expenditures: 348 million (2013) Topic: Hondurasrevenues: 4.658 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.283 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Hong Kongrevenues: 79.34 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 61.64 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Hungaryrevenues: 61.98 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 64.7 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Icelandrevenues: 10.39 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 10.02 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Indiarevenues: 238.2 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 329 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Indonesiarevenues: 131.7 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 159.6 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Iranrevenues: 74.4 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 84.45 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Iraqrevenues: 68.71 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 76.82 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Irelandrevenues: 86.04 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 87.19 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Isle of Manrevenues: 965 million (FY05/06 est.) expenditures: 943 million (FY05/06 est.) Topic: Israelrevenues: 93.11 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 100.2 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Italyrevenues: 903.3 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 948.1 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Jamaicarevenues: 4.382 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.314 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Japanrevenues: 1.714 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.885 trillion (2017 est.) Topic: Jerseyrevenues: 829 million (2005) expenditures: 851 million (2005) Topic: Jordanrevenues: 9.462 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.51 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Kazakhstanrevenues: 35.48 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 38.3 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Kenyarevenues: 13.95 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.24 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Kiribatirevenues: 151.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 277.5 million (2017 est.) Topic: Korea, Northrevenues: 3.2 billion (2007 est.) expenditures: 3.3 billion (2007 est.) Topic: Korea, Southrevenues: 357.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 335.8 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Kosovorevenues: 2.054 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.203 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Kuwaitrevenues: 50.5 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 62.6 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstanrevenues: 2.169 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.409 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Laosrevenues: 3.099 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.038 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Latviarevenues: 11.39 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 11.53 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Lebanonrevenues: 11.62 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 15.38 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Lesothorevenues: 1.09 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.255 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Liberiarevenues: 553.6 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 693.8 million (2017 est.) Topic: Libyarevenues: 15.78 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 23.46 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Liechtensteinrevenues: 995.3 million (2012 est.) expenditures: 890.4 million (2011 est.) Topic: Lithuaniarevenues: 15.92 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 15.7 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Luxembourgrevenues: 27.75 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 26.8 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Macaurevenues: 14.71 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.684 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Madagascarrevenues: 1.828 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.136 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Malawirevenues: 1.356 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.567 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysiarevenues: 51.25 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 60.63 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Maldivesrevenues: 1.19 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: 1.643 billion (2016 est.) Topic: Malirevenues: 3.075 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.513 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Maltarevenues: 5.076 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.583 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandsrevenues: 116.7 million (2013 est.) expenditures: 113.9 million (2013 est.) Topic: Mauritaniarevenues: 1.354 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.396 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritiusrevenues: 2.994 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.038 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Mexicorevenues: 261.4 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 273.8 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofrevenues: 213.8 million (FY12/13 est.) expenditures: 192.1 million (FY12/13 est.) Topic: Moldovarevenues: 2.886 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.947 billion (2017 est.) note: National Public Budget Topic: Monacorevenues: 896.3 million (2011 est.) expenditures: 953.6 million (2011 est.) Topic: Mongoliarevenues: 2.967 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.681 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Montenegrorevenues: 1.78 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.05 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Montserratrevenues: 66.67 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 47.04 million (2017 est.) Topic: Moroccorevenues: 22.81 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 26.75 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Mozambiquerevenues: 3.356 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.054 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Namibiarevenues: 4.268 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Naururevenues: 103 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 113.4 million (2017 est.) Topic: Nepalrevenues: 5.925 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.945 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlandsrevenues: 361.4 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 352.4 billion (2017 est.) Topic: New Caledoniarevenues: 1.995 billion (2015 est.) expenditures: 1.993 billion (2015 est.) Topic: New Zealandrevenues: 74.11 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 70.97 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Nicaraguarevenues: 3.871 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.15 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Nigerrevenues: 1.757 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.171 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeriarevenues: 12.92 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.54 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Niuerevenues: 15.07 million (FY04/05) expenditures: 16.33 million (FY04/05) Topic: Norfolk Islandrevenues: 4.6 million (FY99/00) expenditures: 4.8 million (FY99/00) Topic: North Macedoniarevenues: 3.295 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.605 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsrevenues: 389.6 million (2016 est.) expenditures: 344 million (2015 est.) Topic: Norwayrevenues: 217.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 199.5 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Omanrevenues: 22.14 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 31.92 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Pakistanrevenues: 46.81 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 64.49 billion (2017 est.) note: data are for fiscal years Topic: Palaurevenues: 193 million (2012 est.) expenditures: 167.3 million (2012 est.) Topic: Panamarevenues: 12.43 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.44 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinearevenues: 3.638 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.591 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Paraguayrevenues: 5.524 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.968 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Perurevenues: 58.06 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 64.81 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Philippinesrevenues: 49.07 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 56.02 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandsrevenues: 746,000 (FY04/05) expenditures: 1.028 million (FY04/05) Topic: Polandrevenues: 207.5 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 216.2 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Portugalrevenues: 93.55 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 100 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricorevenues: 9.268 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 9.974 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Qatarrevenues: 44.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 53.82 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Romaniarevenues: 62.14 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 68.13 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Russiarevenues: 258.6 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 281.4 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Rwandarevenues: 1.943 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.337 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunharevenues: 8.427 million (FY06/07 est.) expenditures: 20.7 million (FY06/07 est.) note: revenue data reflect only locally raised revenues; the budget deficit is resolved by grant aid from the UK Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisrevenues: 307 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 291.1 million (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Luciarevenues: 398.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 392.8 million (2017 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonrevenues: 70 million (1996 est.) expenditures: 60 million (1996 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesrevenues: 225.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 230 million (2017 est.) Topic: Samoarevenues: 237.3 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 276.8 million (2017 est.) Topic: San Marinorevenues: 667.7 million (2011 est.) expenditures: 715.3 million (2011 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principerevenues: 103 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 112.4 million (2017 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiarevenues: 181 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 241.8 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Senegalrevenues: 4.139 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.9 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Serbiarevenues: 17.69 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 17.59 billion (2017 est.) note: data include both central government and local goverment budgets Topic: Seychellesrevenues: 593.4 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 600.7 million (2017 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonerevenues: 562 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 846.4 million (2017 est.) Topic: Singaporerevenues: 50.85 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 51.87 billion (2017 est.) note: expenditures include both operational and development expenditures Topic: Slovakiarevenues: 37.79 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 38.79 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Sloveniarevenues: 21.07 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 21.06 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandsrevenues: 532.5 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 570.5 million (2017 est.) Topic: Somaliarevenues: 145.3 million (2014 est.) expenditures: 151.1 million (2014 est.) Topic: South Africarevenues: 92.86 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 108.3 billion (2017 est.) Topic: South Sudanrevenues: 259.6 million (FY2017/18 est.) expenditures: 298.6 million (FY2017/18 est.) Topic: Spainrevenues: 498.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 539 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Sri Lankarevenues: 12.07 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 16.88 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Sudanrevenues: 8.48 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 13.36 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Surinamerevenues: 560.7 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 827.8 million (2017 est.) Topic: Svalbardrevenues: NA expenditures: NA Topic: Swedenrevenues: 271.2 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 264.4 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Switzerlandrevenues: 242.1 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 234.4 billion (2017 est.) note: includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets Topic: Syriarevenues: 1.162 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.211 billion (2017 est.) note: government projections for FY2016 Topic: Taiwanrevenues: 91.62 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 92.03 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Tajikistanrevenues: 2.269 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.374 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Tanzaniarevenues: 7.873 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 8.818 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Thailandrevenues: 69.23 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 85.12 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Timor-Lesterevenues: 300 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 2.4 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Togorevenues: 1.023 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.203 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Tokelaurevenues: 24,324,473 (2017 est.) expenditures: 11,666,542 (2017 est.) Topic: Tongarevenues: 181.2 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 181.2 million (2017 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagorevenues: 5.581 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 7.446 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Tunisiarevenues: 9.876 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 12.21 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Turkeyrevenues: 172.8 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 185.8 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Turkmenistanrevenues: 5.657 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.714 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsrevenues: 247.3 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 224.3 million (2017 est.) Topic: Tuvalurevenues: 42.68 million (2013 est.) expenditures: 32.46 million (2012 est.) note: revenue data include Official Development Assistance from Australia Topic: Ugandarevenues: 3.848 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.928 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Ukrainerevenues: 29.82 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 31.55 billion (2017 est.) note: this is the planned, consolidated budget Topic: United Arab Emiratesrevenues: 110.2 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 111.1 billion (2017 est.) note: the UAE federal budget does not account for emirate-level spending in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Topic: United Kingdomrevenues: 1.028 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.079 trillion (2017 est.) Topic: United Statesrevenues: 3.315 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 3.981 trillion (2017 est.) note: revenues exclude social contributions of approximately $1.0 trillion; expenditures exclude social benefits of approximately $2.3 trillion Topic: Uruguayrevenues: 17.66 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 19.72 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Uzbekistanrevenues: 15.22 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 15.08 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Vanuaturevenues: 236.7 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 244.1 million (2017 est.) Topic: Venezuelarevenues: 92.8 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 189.7 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Vietnamrevenues: 54.59 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 69.37 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandsrevenues: 1.496 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: 1.518 billion (2016 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futunarevenues: 32.54 million (2015 est.) NA expenditures: 34.18 million (2015 est.) NA Topic: West Bankrevenues: 1.314 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.278 billion (2017 est.) note: includes Palestinian Authority expenditures in the Gaza Strip Topic: Worldrevenues: 21.68 trillion (2017 est.) expenditures: 23.81 trillion (2017 est.) Topic: Yemenrevenues: 2.821 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.458 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Zambiarevenues: 4.473 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 6.357 billion (2017 est.) Topic: Zimbabwerevenues: 3.8 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 5.5 billion (2017 est.)

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

oceans-pacific-ocean

Topic: Photos of Pacific Ocean Topic: Introduction Background: The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the world's five oceans (followed by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and Arctic Ocean). Strategically important access waterways include the La Perouse, Tsugaru, Tsushima, Taiwan, Singapore, and Torres Straits.The decision by the International Hydrographic Organization in the spring of 2000 to delimit a fifth ocean, the Southern Ocean, removed the portion of the Pacific Ocean south of 60 degrees south.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: body of water between the Southern Ocean, Asia, Australia, and the Western Hemisphere Geographic coordinates: 0 00 N, 160 00 W Map references: Political Map of the World Area: total: 168.723 million sq km note: includes Arafura Sea, Bali Sea, Banda Sea, Bering Sea, Bering Strait, Celebes Sea, Coral Sea, East China Sea, Flores Sea, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, Java Sea, Philippine Sea, Sea of Japan, Sea of Okhotsk, Solomon Sea, South China Sea, Sulu Sea, Tasman Sea, and other tributary water bodies Area - comparative: about 15 times the size of the US; covers about 28% of the global surface; almost equal to the total land area of the world Coastline: 135,663 km Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Terrain: surface dominated by two large gyres (broad, circular systems of currents), one in the northern Pacific and another in the southern Pacific; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest at 10,924 m major surface currents: clockwise North Pacific Gyre formed by the warm northward flowing Kuroshio Current in the west, the eastward flowing North Pacific Current in the north, the southward flowing cold California Current in the east, and the westward flowing North Equatorial Current in the south; the counterclockwise South Pacific Gyre composed of the southward flowing warm East Australian Current in the west, the eastward flowing South Pacific Current in the south, the northward flowing cold Peru (Humbolt) Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the northsurface dominated by two large gyres (broad, circular systems of currents), one in the northern Pacific and another in the southern Pacific; in the northern Pacific, sea ice forms in the Bering Sea and Sea of Okhotsk in winter; in the southern Pacific, sea ice from Antarctica reaches its northernmost extent in October; the ocean floor in the eastern Pacific is dominated by the East Pacific Rise, while the western Pacific is dissected by deep trenches, including the Mariana Trench, which is the world's deepest at 10,924 mmajor surface currents: clockwise North Pacific Gyre formed by the warm northward flowing Kuroshio Current in the west, the eastward flowing North Pacific Current in the north, the southward flowing cold California Current in the east, and the westward flowing North Equatorial Current in the south; the counterclockwise South Pacific Gyre composed of the southward flowing warm East Australian Current in the west, the eastward flowing South Pacific Current in the south, the northward flowing cold Peru (Humbolt) Current in the east, and the westward flowing South Equatorial Current in the north Volume: ocean volume: 669.88 million cu km percent of World Ocean total volume: 50.1% Elevation: highest point: sea level lowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench -10,924 m note - the Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean basin mean depth: -4,080 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: oil and gas fields, polymetallic nodules, sand and gravel aggregates, placer deposits, fish Natural hazards: surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire; 80% of tsunamis, caused by volcanic or seismic events, occur within the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December Geography - note: the major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean; much of the Pacific Ocean's rim lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters that accounts for up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes; the Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean basin averaging 4,000 m in depth Map description: Pacific Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints.Pacific Ocean map highlights the Ocean in relation to surrounding continents and shows the major chokepoints. Topic: People and Society Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: pollution (such as sewage, runoff from land and toxic waste); habitat destruction; over-fishing; climate change leading to sea level rise, ocean acidification, and warming; endangered marine species include the dugong, sea lion, sea otter, seals, turtles, and whales; oil pollution in Philippine Sea and South China Sea Marine fisheries: the Pacific Ocean fisheries are the most important in the world accounting for 57.8%, or 46,144,490 mt, of the global marine capture in 2019; of the six regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Pacific Ocean, the following are the most important: Northwest Pacific region (Region 61) is the world’s most important fishery producing 24% of the global catch or 19,151,516 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 20º north latitude and west of 175º west longitude with the major producers including China (29,080726 mt), Japan (3,417,871 mt), South Korea (1,403,892 mt), and Taiwan (487,739 mt); the principal catches include Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, and scads Western Central Pacific region (Region 71) is the world’s second most important fishing region producing 17.3%, or 13,798,443 mt, of the global catch in 2019; tuna is the most important species in this region; the region includes the waters between 20º North and 25º South latitude and west of 175º West longitude with the major producers including Indonesia (6,907,932 mt), Vietnam (4,571,497 mt), Philippines (2,416,879 mt), Thailand (1,509,574 mt), and Malaysia (692,553 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, sardinellas, and cephalopods Southeast Pacific region (Region 87) is the third major Pacific fishery and third largest in the world producing 9.7%, or 7,755,134 mt, of the global catch in 2019; this region includes the nutrient rich upwelling waters off the west coast of South America between 5º North and 60º South latitude and east of 120º West longitude with the major producers including Peru (4,888,730 mt), Chile (3,298,795 mt), and Ecuador (1,186,249 mt); the principal catches include Peruvian anchovy (68.5% of the catch), Jumbo flying squid, and Chilean jack mackerel Pacific Northeast region (Region 67) is the fourth largest Pacific Ocean fishery and seventh largest in the world producing 4% of the global catch or 3,160,372 mt in 2019; this region encompasses the waters north of 40º North latitude and east of 175º West longitude including the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea with the major producers including the US (3,009,568 mt), Canada (276,677 mt), and Russia (6,908 mt); the principal catches include Alaska pollock, Pacific cod, and North Pacific hake Regional fisheries bodies: Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission, International  Council for the Exploration of the Seas, North Pacific Fisheries Commission, South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organization, Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commissionthe Pacific Ocean fisheries are the most important in the world accounting for 57.8%, or 46,144,490 mt, of the global marine capture in 2019; of the six regions delineated by the Food and Agriculture Organization in the Pacific Ocean, the following are the most important:Northwest Pacific region (Region 61) is the world’s most important fishery producing 24% of the global catch or 19,151,516 mt in 2019; it encompasses the waters north of 20º north latitude and west of 175º west longitude with the major producers including China (29,080726 mt), Japan (3,417,871 mt), South Korea (1,403,892 mt), and Taiwan (487,739 mt); the principal catches include Alaska Pollock, Japanese anchovy, chub mackerel, and scadsWestern Central Pacific region (Region 71) is the world’s second most important fishing region producing 17.3%, or 13,798,443 mt, of the global catch in 2019; tuna is the most important species in this region; the region includes the waters between 20º North and 25º South latitude and west of 175º West longitude with the major producers including Indonesia (6,907,932 mt), Vietnam (4,571,497 mt), Philippines (2,416,879 mt), Thailand (1,509,574 mt), and Malaysia (692,553 mt); the principal catches include Skipjack and Yellowfin tuna, sardinellas, and cephalopodsSoutheast Pacific region (Region 87) is the third major Pacific fishery and third largest in the world producing 9.7%, or 7,755,134 mt, of the global catch in 2019; this region includes the nutrient rich upwelling waters off the west coast of South America between 5º North and 60º South latitude and east of 120º West longitude with the major producers including Peru (4,888,730 mt), Chile (3,298,795 mt), and Ecuador (1,186,249 mt); the principal catches include Peruvian anchovy (68.5% of the catch), Jumbo flying squid, and Chilean jack mackerel Climate: planetary air pressure systems and resultant wind patterns exhibit remarkable uniformity in the south and east; trade winds and westerly winds are well-developed patterns, modified by seasonal fluctuations; tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico from June to October and affect Mexico and Central America; continental influences cause climatic uniformity to be much less pronounced in the eastern and western regions at the same latitude in the North Pacific Ocean; the western Pacific is monsoonal - a rainy season occurs during the summer months, when moisture-laden winds blow from the ocean over the land, and a dry season during the winter months, when dry winds blow from the Asian landmass back to the ocean; tropical cyclones (typhoons) may strike southeast and east Asia from May to December Topic: Government Country name: etymology: named by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN during the Spanish circumnavigation of the world in 1521; encountering favorable winds upon reaching the ocean, he called it "Mar Pacifico," which means "peaceful sea" in both Portuguese and Spanish Topic: Economy Economic overview: The Pacific Ocean is a major contributor to the world economy and particularly to those nations its waters directly touch. It provides low-cost sea transportation between East and West, extensive fishing grounds, offshore oil and gas fields, minerals, and sand and gravel for the construction industry. In 1996, over 60% of the world's fish catch came from the Pacific Ocean. Exploitation of offshore oil and gas reserves is playing an ever-increasing role in the energy supplies of the US, Australia, NZ, China, and Peru. The high cost of recovering offshore oil and gas, combined with the wide swings in world prices for oil since 1985, has led to fluctuations in new drillings. Topic: Transportation Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Bangkok (Thailand), Hong Kong (China), Kao-hsiung (Taiwan), Los Angeles (US), Manila (Philippines), Pusan (South Korea), San Francisco (US), Seattle (US), Shanghai (China), Singapore, Sydney (Australia), Vladivostok (Russia), Wellington (NZ), Yokohama (Japan) Topic: Military and Security Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of littoral states and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; an emerging threat area lies in the Celebes and Sulu Seas between the Philippines and Malaysia where 11 ships were attacked in 2021; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargoes stolen Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: some maritime disputes (see littoral states)some maritime disputes (see littoral states)

20220901

countries-aruba-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Aruba. 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 Aruba; the Consul General to Curacao is accredited to Aruba; US citizens may call US Dept of State (202)-501-4444 for emergencies; alternate contact is the US General Council to Curacao [599] (9) 4613066; US Consulate General in Curacao, PO Box 158, J.B. Gorsiraweg 1, Curacao Telephone Code: 297 Local Emergency Phone: 911 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Tropical marine, little seasonal temperature variation Currency (Code): Guilders/florins (AWG); USD accepted Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B, F Major Languages: Papiamento (official) (a creole language that is a mixture of Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, English, French, elements of African languages, and the language of the Arawak) 69.4%, Spanish 13.7%, English 7.1%, Dutch (official) 6.1% Major Religions: Roman Catholic 75.3%, Protestant 4.9%, other 12% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Arikok National Park (includes Boca Prins and Natural Pool); California Dunes and Lighthouse; Alto Vista Chapel Major Sports: Soccer, windsurfing, sailing Cultural Practices: Wearing swimwear around town is considered rude. Tipping Guidelines: Some bars and restaurants already add a 10-15% service charge. If you really like the service, you can still tip. Tipping $1-2 (USD) per bag is customary for the bellhops. Souvenirs: Woodcrafts, leather goods, pottery, jewelry, aloe/skin care productsPlease 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-fiji

Topic: Photos of Fiji Topic: Introduction Background: Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200, while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to spot Fiji in 1643, followed by British explorer James COOK in 1774. Captain William BLIGH plotted the islands in 1789. In the 1800s, merchants, traders, and whalers frequented the islands and the first missionaries arrived in 1835. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans and their weapons, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874. The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements in place to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. Long-serving Prime Minister Kamisese MARA largely balanced these ethnic divisions, but concerns about growing Indo-Fijian political influence led to two coups in 1987. A new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Commodore Josaia BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA  appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and continues to hold the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. With well-developed infrastructure, Fiji has become a hub for the Pacific, hosting the secretariat for the Pacific Islands Forum and the main campus of the University of the South Pacific. In addition, Fiji is a center for Pacific tourism, and Nadi International Airport is by far the busiest airport in a Pacific island country.Austronesians settled Fiji around 1000 B.C., followed by successive waves of Melanesians starting around the first century A.D. Fijians traded with Polynesian groups in Samoa and Tonga, and by about 900, much of Fiji was in the Tu’i Tongan Empire’s sphere of influence. The Tongan influence declined significantly by 1200, while Melanesian seafarers continued to periodically arrive in Fiji, further mixing Melanesian and Polynesian cultural traditions. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to spot Fiji in 1643, followed by British explorer James COOK in 1774. Captain William BLIGH plotted the islands in 1789. In the 1800s, merchants, traders, and whalers frequented the islands and the first missionaries arrived in 1835. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans and their weapons, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak and in 1871 CAKOBAU formed the Kingdom of Fiji in an attempt to centralize power. Fearing a hostile takeover by a foreign power as the kingdom’s economy began to falter, CAKOBAU ceded Fiji to the UK in 1874. The first British governor set up a plantation-style economy and brought in more than 60,000 Indians as indentured laborers, most of whom chose to stay in Fiji rather than return to India when their contracts expired. In the early 1900s, society was divided along ethnic lines, with iTaukei (indigenous Fijians), Europeans, and Indo-Fijians living in separate areas and maintaining their own languages and traditions. ITaukei fears of an Indo-Fijian takeover of government delayed independence through the 1960s; Fiji achieved independence in 1970 with agreements in place to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. Long-serving Prime Minister Kamisese MARA largely balanced these ethnic divisions, but concerns about growing Indo-Fijian political influence led to two coups in 1987. A new constitution in 1990 cemented iTaukei control of politics, leading thousands of Indo-Fijians to leave. A reformed constitution in 1997 was more equitable and led to the election of an Indo-Fijian prime minister in 1999, who was ousted in a coup the following year. In 2005, the new prime minister put forward a bill that would grant pardons to the coup perpetrators, leading Commodore Josaia BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA  appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and continues to hold the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. With well-developed infrastructure, Fiji has become a hub for the Pacific, hosting the secretariat for the Pacific Islands Forum and the main campus of the University of the South Pacific. In addition, Fiji is a center for Pacific tourism, and Nadi International Airport is by far the busiest airport in a Pacific island country.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Oceania, island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 18 00 S, 175 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 18,274 sq km land: 18,274 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 1,129 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Terrain: mostly mountains of volcanic origin Elevation: highest point: Tomanivi 1,324 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: timber, fish, gold, copper, offshore oil potential, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 4.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.6% (2018 est.) forest: 55.7% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012) Population distribution: approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas Natural hazards: cyclonic storms can occur from November to January Geography - note: consists of 332 islands, approximately 110 of which are inhabited, and more than 500 islets Map description: Fiji map showing the many islands that make up the country in the South Pacific Ocean.Fiji map showing the many islands that make up the country in the South Pacific Ocean. Topic: People and Society Population: 943,737 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Fijian(s) adjective: Fijian Ethnic groups: iTaukei 56.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indo-Fijian 37.5%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 4.5% (European, part European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 est.) note: a 2010 law replaces 'Fijian' with 'iTaukei' when referring to the original and native settlers of Fiji Languages: English (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official) Religions: Protestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, and Anglican 0.8%), Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other 0.3%, none 0.8% (2007 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 26.86% (male 128,499/female 122,873) 15-24 years: 15.51% (male 73,993/female 71,139) 25-54 years: 41.05% (male 196,932/female 187,270) 55-64 years: 9.25% (male 43,813/female 42,763) 65 years and over: 7.34% (2020 est.) (male 31,556/female 37,136) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 53.4 youth dependency ratio: 44.5 elderly dependency ratio: 8.9 potential support ratio: 11.2 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 29.9 years male: 29.7 years female: 30.1 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.44% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.56 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -5.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: approximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas Urbanization: urban population: 58.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 178,000 SUVA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 34 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.27 years male: 71.6 years female: 77.07 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.26 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 89.1% of population total: 94.3% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 10.9% of population total: 5.7% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 3.8% (2019) Physicians density: 0.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Hospital bed density: 2 beds/1,000 population (2016) 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: 1,300 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: high (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea vectorborne diseases: malaria Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 30.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 23.1% (2020 est.) male: 35.6% (2020 est.) female: 10.5% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 5.1% of GDP (2019 est.) Literacy: total population: 99.1% male: 99.1% female: 99.1% (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.4% male: 11.9% female: 22.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: the widespread practice of waste incineration is a major contributor to air pollution in the country, as are vehicle emissions in urban areas; deforestation and soil erosion are significant problems; a contributory factor to erosion is clearing of land by bush burning, a widespread practie that threatens biodiversity 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, 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: 10.19 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 2.05 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.95 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation Land use: agricultural land: 23.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 4.7% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 9.6% (2018 est.) forest: 55.7% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 58.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.59% 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: 189,390 tons (2011 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 10,322 tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 5.5% (2013 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 25.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 9.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 28.55 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Fiji conventional short form: Fiji local long form: Republic of Fiji (English)/ Matanitu ko Viti (Fijian) local short form: Fiji (English)/ Viti (Fijian) etymology: the Fijians called their home Viti, but the neighboring Tongans called it Fisi, and in the Anglicized spelling of the Tongan pronunciation - promulgated by explorer Captain James COOK - the designation became Fiji Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Suva (on Viti Levu) geographic coordinates: 18 08 S, 178 25 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "little hill" in the native Fijian (iTaukei) language and refers to a mound where a temple once stood Administrative divisions: 14 provinces and 1 dependency*; Ba, Bua, Cakaudrove, Kadavu, Lau, Lomaiviti, Macuata, Nadroga and Navosa, Naitasiri, Namosi, Ra, Rewa, Rotuma*, Serua, Tailevu Independence: 10 October 1970 (from the UK) National holiday: Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970) Constitution: history: several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013 amendments: proposed as a bill by Parliament and supported by at least three quarters of its members, followed by referral to the president and then to the Electoral Commission, which conducts a referendum; passage requires approval by at least three-quarters of registered voters and assent by the president Legal system: common law system based on the English 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 Fiji dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: at least 5 years residency out of the 10 years preceding application Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE (since 12 November 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Voreqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA (since 22 September 2014) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament elections/appointments: president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 October 2021 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister endorsed by the president election results: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president with 28 votes against 23 votes for Teimumu KEPA Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament (51 seats; members directly elected in a nationwide, multi-seat constituency by open-list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 14 November 2018 (next to be held in 2022) election results: percent of vote by party - FijiFirst 50%, SODELPA 39.6%, NFP 7.4%; seats by party - FijiFirst 27, SODELPA 21, NFP 3; composition - men 41, women 10, percent of women 19.6% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, all justices of the Court of Appeal, and judges appointed specifically as Supreme Court judges); Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, all puisne judges of the High Court, and judges specifically appointed to the Court of Appeal); High Court (chaired by the chief justice and includes a minimum of 10 puisne judges; High Court organized into civil, criminal, family, employment, and tax divisions) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president of Fiji on the advice of the prime minister following consultation with the parliamentary leader of the opposition; judges of the Supreme Court, the president of the Court of Appeal, the justices of the Court of Appeal, and puisne judges of the High Court appointed by the president of Fiji upon the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the committee of the House of Representatives responsible for the administration of justice; the chief justice, Supreme Court judges and justices of Appeal generally required to retire at age 70, but this requirement may be waived for one or more sessions of the court; puisne judges appointed for not less than 4 years nor more than 7 years, with mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Court (organized into civil, criminal, juvenile, and small claims divisions) Political parties and leaders: FijiFirst [Veroqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA] Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY] Fiji United Freedon Party or FUFP [Jagath KARUNARATNE] National Federation Party or NFP [Biman PRASAD] (primarily Indian) Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Lynda TABUYA] Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA Unity Fiji [Adi QORO] International organization participation: ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, CP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PCA, PIF, Sparteca (suspended), SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDOF, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Akuila VUIRA chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 466-8320 FAX: [1] (202) 466-8325 email address and website: info@FijiEmbassyDC.com https://www.fijiembassydc.com/ Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tony GREUBEL (since 20 January 2021); note - also accredited to Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu embassy: 158 Princes Road, Tamavua, Suva mailing address: 4290 Suva Place, Washington DC  20521-4290 telephone: [679] 331-4466 FAX: [679] 330-2267 email address and website: SuvaACS@state.gov https://fj.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: light blue with the flag of the UK in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the outer half of the flag; the blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean and the Union Jack reflects the links with Great Britain; the shield - taken from Fiji's coat of arms - depicts a yellow lion, holding a coconut pod between its paws, above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict stalks of sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove of peace National symbol(s): Fijian canoe; national color: light blue National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Levuka Historical Port Town Topic: Economy Economic overview: Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners.   Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports.   The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013.Fiji, endowed with forest, mineral, and fish resources, is one of the most developed and connected of the Pacific island economies. Earnings from the tourism industry, with an estimated 842,884 tourists visiting in 2017, and remittances from Fijian’s working abroad are the country’s largest foreign exchange earners. Bottled water exports to the US is Fiji’s largest domestic export. Fiji's sugar sector remains a significant industry and a major export, but crops and one of the sugar mills suffered damage during Cyclone Winston in 2016. Fiji’s trade imbalance continues to widen with increased imports and sluggish performance of domestic exports. The return to parliamentary democracy and successful elections in September 2014 improved investor confidence, but increasing bureaucratic regulation, new taxes, and lack of consultation with relevant stakeholders brought four consecutive years of decline for Fiji on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business index. Private sector investment in 2017 approached 20% of GDP, compared to 13% in 2013. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $9.86 billion (2020 est.) $12.18 billion (2019 est.) $12.23 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 3% (2017 est.) 0.7% (2016 est.) 3.8% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,000 (2020 est.) $13,700 (2019 est.) $13,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $4.891 billion (2017 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.4% (2017 est.) 3.9% (2016 est.) Credit ratings: Moody's rating: Ba3 (2017) Standard & Poors rating: BB- (2019) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 13.5% (2017 est.) industry: 17.4% (2017 est.) services: 69.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 81.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 24.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 29% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.6% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, cassava, taro, poultry, vegetables, coconuts, eggs, milk, ginger, sweet potatoes Industries: tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 353,100 (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 44.2% industry: 14.3% services: 41.6% (2011) Unemployment rate: 4.5% (2017 est.) 5.5% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 15.4% male: 11.9% female: 22.4% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: 29.9% (2019 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 36.7 (2013 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 34.9% (2009 est.) Budget: revenues: 1.454 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 1.648 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 48.9% of GDP (2017 est.) 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 29.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$277 million (2017 est.) -$131 million (2016 est.) Exports: $1.23 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.64 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.67 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 29%, Australia 14%, New Zealand 7%, Japan 6%, Tonga 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: water, refined petroleum, fish, raw sugar, gold (2019) Imports: $1.97 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.21 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $3.1 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Singapore 18%, Australia 13%, China 13.8%, New Zealand 11%, France 11%, South Korea 8% (2017) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, aircraft, cars, wheat, broadcasting equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $1.116 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $908.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $1.022 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $696.4 million (31 December 2016 est.) Exchange rates: Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - 2.05955 (2020 est.) 2.17345 (2019 est.) 2.1104 (2018 est.) 2.0976 (2014 est.) 1.8874 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 99.6% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 99.2% (2018) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 393,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 1,022,955,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 90 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 41.9% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 50.2% 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: 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: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 17,460 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: 1.691 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.691 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 32.901 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 48,510 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 991,500 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Fiji is the leading market to watch in terms of both LTE and 5G development in the region; the market boasts relatively sophisticated, advanced digital infrastructure, with telcos’ heavy investment resulting in the country having the highest mobile and internet subscriptions in the Pacific Islands region; LTE, LTE-A, and fiber technologies have received the most investment by the Fijian mobile operators, which include Digicel Fiji, Vodafone Fiji, and Telecom Fiji. Notably, LTE now accounts for the largest share of connections in the mobile segment; concentrating on the more highly populated areas, the operators are preparing for the next growth area of high-speed data; they also have 5G in mind, and are preparing their networks to be 5G-ready, anticipating an easier migration to the technology based on the relatively high LTE subscription rate; the sale of Digicel to Telstra also passed a major hurdle when the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission approved the transaction in March 2022; Fiji presents a challenging geographic environment for infrastructure development due to its population being spread across more than 100 islands; the majority of Fijians live on the two main islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu; in July 2018, the two islands were linked by the Savusavu submarine cable system, which provides a more secure link in times of emergency weather events such as the regular tropical cyclones that often cause massive destruction to the area, including destroying essential infrastructure such as electricity and telecommunications equipment; notably, the December 2021 eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai submarine volcano in Tonga damaged the Tonga Cable which connects Fiji, and Tonga blocking the latter off from internet services; cable theft and damage of critical communications infrastructure has also become a concern in Fiji, prompting authorities to establish a joint task force to tackle the issue. (2022) domestic: fixed-line nearly 9 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 118 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 679; landing points for the ICN1, SCCN, Southern Cross NEXT, Tonga Cable and Tui-Samoa submarine cable links to US, NZ, Australia and Pacific islands of Fiji, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Fallis & Futuna, and American Samoa; satellite earth stations - 2 Inmarsat (Pacific 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: Fiji TV, a publicly traded company, operates a free-to-air channel; Digicel Fiji operates the Sky Fiji and Sky Pacific multi-channel pay-TV services; state-owned commercial company, Fiji Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd, operates 6 radio stations - 2 public broadcasters and 4 commercial broadcasters with multiple repeaters; 5 radio stations with repeaters operated by Communications Fiji, Ltd; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available Internet country code: .fj Internet users: total: 444,978 (2019 est.) percent of population: 50% (2019 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 23,062 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 16 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 1,670,216 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 106.83 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: DQ Airports: total: 28 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 4 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 24 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 19 (2021) Railways: total: 597 km (2008) narrow gauge: 597 km (2008) 0.600-m gauge note: belongs to the government-owned Fiji Sugar Corporation; used to haul sugarcane during the harvest season, which runs from May to December Roadways: total: 3,440 km (2011) paved: 1,686 km (2011) unpaved: 1,754 km (2011) Waterways: 203 km (2012) (122 km are navigable by motorized craft and 200-metric-ton barges) Merchant marine: total: 73 by type: general cargo 20, oil tanker 4, other 49 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Lautoka, Levuka, Suva Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF): Land Force Command, Maritime Command; Fiji Police Force (2022) note: 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 Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $160 million) 1.6% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $160 million) 1.5% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $150 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 4,000 active personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RFMF is lightly armed and equipped; Australia has provided patrol boats and a few armored personnel carriers; it also provides logistical support for RFMF regional or UN operations; in recent years, China has provided construction equipment and military vehicles (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory retirement at age 55 (2021) Military deployments: 170 Egypt (MFO); 165 Iraq (UNAMI); 150 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2022) Military - note: the RFMF has a history of intervening in the country’s politics since the late 1980s, including coups in 1987 and 2006, and a mutiny in 2000 the RFMF also has a long tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations; since its first deployment of troops to South Lebanon in 1978 under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), it has deployed troops on nearly 20 additional UN missions (2022) Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: maritime boundary dispute with Tonga Trafficking in persons: current situation: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Fiji and Fijians abroad; Fijian women and children and victims from Thailand and China are sex trafficked in illegal brothels, local hotels, private homes, and massage parlors; Fijian children sent to live with families in larger cities are vulnerable to forced labor or sexual activity in exchange for food, clothing, shelter, or school fees; labor traffickers exploit Southeast Asian workers on small informal farms and factories and in construction; Southeast Asian fisherman may be subject to forced labor on Fijian-flagged ships or foreign-flagged ships transiting Fijian ports and water tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Fiji does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so; authorities maintained anti-trafficking law enforcement, investigating a similar number of cases as the prior year and convicting a trafficker for the first time since 2014; a government-convened working group finalized an updated anti-trafficking national action plan; however, the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts; law enforcement was often unaware of the definition of trafficking, procedures for interviewing victims, and how to proactively screen vulnerable populations for trafficking victims; inspectors did not adequately investigate labor violations for trafficking indicators or provide adequate support to victims (2020)

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-egypt

Topic: Photos of Egypt Topic: Introduction Background: The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from Britain in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals. Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muhammad MURSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MURSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MURSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In January 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and in May 2014 elected former defense minister Abdelfattah ELSISI president. Egypt elected a new legislature in December 2015, its first House of Representatives since 2012. ELSISI was reelected to a second four-year term in March 2018. In April 2019, Egypt approved via national referendum a set of constitutional amendments extending ELSISI’s term in office through 2024 and possibly through 2030 if reelected for a third term. The amendments would also allow future presidents up to two consecutive six-year terms in office, reestablish an upper legislative house, allow for one or more vice presidents, establish a 25% quota for female legislators, reaffirm the military’s role as guardian of Egypt, and expand presidential authority to appoint the heads of judicial councils. Successful legislative elections were held in October-November 2020, having been delayed for six months.    The regularity and richness of the annual Nile River flood, coupled with semi-isolation provided by deserts to the east and west, allowed for the development of one of the world's great civilizations. A unified kingdom arose circa 3200 B.C., and a series of dynasties ruled in Egypt for the next three millennia. The last native dynasty fell to the Persians in 341 B.C., who in turn were replaced by the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines. It was the Arabs who introduced Islam and the Arabic language in the 7th century and who ruled for the next six centuries. A local military caste, the Mamluks took control about 1250 and continued to govern after the conquest of Egypt by the Ottoman Turks in 1517. Completion of the Suez Canal in 1869 elevated Egypt as an important world transportation hub. Ostensibly to protect its investments, Britain seized control of Egypt's government in 1882, but nominal allegiance to the Ottoman Empire continued until 1914. Partially independent from the UK in 1922, Egypt acquired full sovereignty from Britain in 1952. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1971 and the resultant Lake Nasser have reaffirmed the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population (the largest in the Arab world), limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress society. The government has struggled to meet the demands of Egypt's fast-growing population as it implements large-scale infrastructure projects, energy cooperation, and foreign direct investment appeals.Inspired by the 2010 Tunisian revolution, Egyptian opposition groups led demonstrations and labor strikes countrywide, culminating in President Hosni MUBARAK's ouster in 2011. Egypt's military assumed national leadership until a new legislature was in place in early 2012; later that same year, Muhammad MURSI won the presidential election. Following protests throughout the spring of 2013 against MURSI's government and the Muslim Brotherhood, the Egyptian Armed Forces intervened and removed MURSI from power in July 2013 and replaced him with interim president Adly MANSOUR. Simultaneously, the government began enacting laws to limit freedoms of assembly and expression. In January 2014, voters approved a new constitution by referendum and in May 2014 elected former defense minister Abdelfattah ELSISI president. Egypt elected a new legislature in December 2015, its first House of Representatives since 2012. ELSISI was reelected to a second four-year term in March 2018. In April 2019, Egypt approved via national referendum a set of constitutional amendments extending ELSISI’s term in office through 2024 and possibly through 2030 if reelected for a third term. The amendments would also allow future presidents up to two consecutive six-year terms in office, reestablish an upper legislative house, allow for one or more vice presidents, establish a 25% quota for female legislators, reaffirm the military’s role as guardian of Egypt, and expand presidential authority to appoint the heads of judicial councils. Successful legislative elections were held in October-November 2020, having been delayed for six months.  Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Libya and the Gaza Strip, and the Red Sea north of Sudan, and includes the Asian Sinai Peninsula Geographic coordinates: 27 00 N, 30 00 E Map references: Africa Area: total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km Area - comparative: more than eight times the size of Ohio; slightly more than three times the size of New Mexico Land boundaries: total: 2,612 km border countries (4): Gaza Strip 13 km; Israel 208 km; Libya 1,115 km; Sudan 1,276 km Coastline: 2,450 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or the equidistant median line with Cyprus continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Terrain: vast desert plateau interrupted by Nile valley and delta Elevation: highest point: Mount Catherine 2,629 m lowest point: Qattara Depression -133 m mean elevation: 321 m Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, phosphates, manganese, limestone, gypsum, talc, asbestos, lead, rare earth elements, zinc Land use: agricultural land: 3.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.1% (2018 est.) other: 96.3% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 36,500 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lake Manzala - 1,360 sq km note - largest of Nile Delta lakes Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 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: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System Population distribution: approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods; landslides; hot, driving windstorms called khamsin occur in spring; dust storms; sandstorms Geography - note: note: controls Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees from Sudan and the Palestinian territories Map description: Egypt map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Red Seas.Egypt map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Mediterranean and Red Seas. Topic: People and Society Population: 107,770,524 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Egyptian(s) adjective: Egyptian Ethnic groups: Egyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.) note: data represent respondents by nationality Languages: Arabic (official), English, and French widely understood by educated classes major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أفضل مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10% Demographic profile: Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia. Most of the country is desert, so about 95% of the population is concentrated in a narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile River, which represents only about 5% of Egypt’s land area. Egypt’s rapid population growth – 46% between 1994 and 2014 – stresses limited natural resources, jobs, housing, sanitation, education, and health care.Although the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell from roughly 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just over 3 in the late 1990s, largely as a result of state-sponsored family planning programs, the population growth rate dropped more modestly because of decreased mortality rates and longer life expectancies. During the last decade, Egypt’s TFR decline stalled for several years and then reversed, reaching 3.6 in 2011, and has plateaued the last few years. Contraceptive use has held steady at about 60%, while preferences for larger families and early marriage may have strengthened in the wake of the recent 2011 revolution. The large cohort of women of or nearing childbearing age will sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future (an effect called population momentum).Nevertheless, post-MUBARAK governments have not made curbing population growth a priority. To increase contraceptive use and to prevent further overpopulation will require greater government commitment and substantial social change, including encouraging smaller families and better educating and empowering women. Currently, literacy, educational attainment, and labor force participation rates are much lower for women than men. In addition, the prevalence of violence against women, the lack of female political representation, and the perpetuation of the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continue to keep women from playing a more significant role in Egypt’s public sphere.Population pressure, poverty, high unemployment, and the fragmentation of inherited land holdings have historically motivated Egyptians, primarily young men, to migrate internally from rural and smaller urban areas in the Nile Delta region and the poorer rural south to Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban centers in the north, while a much smaller number migrated to the Red Sea and Sinai areas. Waves of forced internal migration also resulted from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the floods caused by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. Limited numbers of students and professionals emigrated temporarily prior to the early 1970s, when economic problems and high unemployment pushed the Egyptian Government to lift restrictions on labor migration. At the same time, high oil revenues enabled Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, as well as Libya and Jordan, to fund development projects, creating a demand for unskilled labor (mainly in construction), which attracted tens of thousands of young Egyptian men.Between 1970 and 1974 alone, Egyptian migrants in the Gulf countries increased from approximately 70,000 to 370,000. Egyptian officials encouraged legal labor migration both to alleviate unemployment and to generate remittance income (remittances continue to be one of Egypt’s largest sources of foreign currency and GDP). During the mid-1980s, however, depressed oil prices resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, decreased demand for low-skilled labor, competition from less costly South Asian workers, and efforts to replace foreign workers with locals significantly reduced Egyptian migration to the Gulf States. The number of Egyptian migrants dropped from a peak of almost 3.3 million in 1983 to about 2.2 million at the start of the 1990s, but numbers gradually recovered.In the 2000s, Egypt began facilitating more labor migration through bilateral agreements, notably with Arab countries and Italy, but illegal migration to Europe through overstayed visas or maritime human smuggling via Libya also rose. The Egyptian Government estimated there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants in 2009, with roughly 75% being temporary migrants in other Arab countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates) and 25% being predominantly permanent migrants in the West (US, UK, Italy, France, and Canada).During the 2000s, Egypt became an increasingly important transit and destination country for economic migrants and asylum seekers, including Palestinians, East Africans, and South Asians and, more recently, Iraqis and Syrians. Egypt draws many refugees because of its resettlement programs with the West; Cairo has one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Many East African migrants are interned or live in temporary encampments along the Egypt-Israel border, and some have been shot and killed by Egyptian border guards.Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world and the third most populous country in Africa, behind Nigeria and Ethiopia. Most of the country is desert, so about 95% of the population is concentrated in a narrow strip of fertile land along the Nile River, which represents only about 5% of Egypt’s land area. Egypt’s rapid population growth – 46% between 1994 and 2014 – stresses limited natural resources, jobs, housing, sanitation, education, and health care.Although the country’s total fertility rate (TFR) fell from roughly 5.5 children per woman in 1980 to just over 3 in the late 1990s, largely as a result of state-sponsored family planning programs, the population growth rate dropped more modestly because of decreased mortality rates and longer life expectancies. During the last decade, Egypt’s TFR decline stalled for several years and then reversed, reaching 3.6 in 2011, and has plateaued the last few years. Contraceptive use has held steady at about 60%, while preferences for larger families and early marriage may have strengthened in the wake of the recent 2011 revolution. The large cohort of women of or nearing childbearing age will sustain high population growth for the foreseeable future (an effect called population momentum).Nevertheless, post-MUBARAK governments have not made curbing population growth a priority. To increase contraceptive use and to prevent further overpopulation will require greater government commitment and substantial social change, including encouraging smaller families and better educating and empowering women. Currently, literacy, educational attainment, and labor force participation rates are much lower for women than men. In addition, the prevalence of violence against women, the lack of female political representation, and the perpetuation of the nearly universal practice of female genital cutting continue to keep women from playing a more significant role in Egypt’s public sphere.Population pressure, poverty, high unemployment, and the fragmentation of inherited land holdings have historically motivated Egyptians, primarily young men, to migrate internally from rural and smaller urban areas in the Nile Delta region and the poorer rural south to Cairo, Alexandria, and other urban centers in the north, while a much smaller number migrated to the Red Sea and Sinai areas. Waves of forced internal migration also resulted from the 1967 Arab-Israeli War and the floods caused by the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. Limited numbers of students and professionals emigrated temporarily prior to the early 1970s, when economic problems and high unemployment pushed the Egyptian Government to lift restrictions on labor migration. At the same time, high oil revenues enabled Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and other Gulf states, as well as Libya and Jordan, to fund development projects, creating a demand for unskilled labor (mainly in construction), which attracted tens of thousands of young Egyptian men.Between 1970 and 1974 alone, Egyptian migrants in the Gulf countries increased from approximately 70,000 to 370,000. Egyptian officials encouraged legal labor migration both to alleviate unemployment and to generate remittance income (remittances continue to be one of Egypt’s largest sources of foreign currency and GDP). During the mid-1980s, however, depressed oil prices resulting from the Iran-Iraq War, decreased demand for low-skilled labor, competition from less costly South Asian workers, and efforts to replace foreign workers with locals significantly reduced Egyptian migration to the Gulf States. The number of Egyptian migrants dropped from a peak of almost 3.3 million in 1983 to about 2.2 million at the start of the 1990s, but numbers gradually recovered.In the 2000s, Egypt began facilitating more labor migration through bilateral agreements, notably with Arab countries and Italy, but illegal migration to Europe through overstayed visas or maritime human smuggling via Libya also rose. The Egyptian Government estimated there were 6.5 million Egyptian migrants in 2009, with roughly 75% being temporary migrants in other Arab countries (Libya, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates) and 25% being predominantly permanent migrants in the West (US, UK, Italy, France, and Canada).During the 2000s, Egypt became an increasingly important transit and destination country for economic migrants and asylum seekers, including Palestinians, East Africans, and South Asians and, more recently, Iraqis and Syrians. Egypt draws many refugees because of its resettlement programs with the West; Cairo has one of the largest urban refugee populations in the world. Many East African migrants are interned or live in temporary encampments along the Egypt-Israel border, and some have been shot and killed by Egyptian border guards. Age structure: 0-14 years: 33.62% (male 18,112,550/female 16,889,155) 15-24 years: 18.01% (male 9,684,437/female 9,071,163) 25-54 years: 37.85% (male 20,032,310/female 19,376,847) 55-64 years: 6.08% (male 3,160,438/female 3,172,544) 65 years and over: 4.44% (2020 est.) (male 2,213,539/female 2,411,457) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 64.6 youth dependency ratio: 55.8 elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 potential support ratio: 11.4 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 24.1 years male: 23.8 years female: 24.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 1.68% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 21.46 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -0.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: approximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 21.750 million CAIRO (capital), 5.484 million Alexandria, 764,000 Bur Sa'id (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 22.6 years (2014 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 37 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 74.45 years male: 73.26 years female: 75.72 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.88 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 58.5% (2014) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.7% of population rural: 99.7% of population total: 99.7% of population unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population rural: 0.3% of population total: 0.3% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 4.7% (2019) Physicians density: 0.75 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 98.9% of population unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 1.1% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 24,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 32% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 24.3% (2020 est.) male: 48.1% (2020 est.) female: 0.4% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7% (2014) Education expenditures: 3.9% of GDP (2015 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 71.2% male: 76.5% female: 65.5% (2017) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2018) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.2% male: 12.2% female: 49.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: agricultural land being lost to urbanization and windblown sands; increasing soil salination below Aswan High Dam; desertification; oil pollution threatening coral reefs, beaches, and marine habitats; other water pollution from agricultural pesticides, raw sewage, and industrial effluents; limited natural freshwater resources away from the Nile, which is the only perennial water source; rapid growth in population overstraining the Nile and natural resources 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, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 79.28 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 238.56 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 59.68 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: desert; hot, dry summers with moderate winters Land use: agricultural land: 3.6% (2018 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.8% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.1% (2018 est.) other: 96.3% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 43% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.9% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.15% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever water contact diseases: schistosomiasis Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 21 million tons (2012 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2.625 million tons (2013 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.5% (2013 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Salt water lake(s): Lake Manzala - 1,360 sq km note - largest of Nile Delta lakes Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river mouth (shared with Rwanda [s], Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Sudan) - 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: (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km) Major aquifers: Nubian Aquifer System Total water withdrawal: municipal: 10.75 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 5.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 61.35 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 57.5 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Arab Republic of Egypt conventional short form: Egypt local long form: Jumhuriyat Misr al-Arabiyah local short form: Misr former: United Arab Republic (with Syria) etymology: the English name "Egypt" derives from the ancient Greek name for the country "Aigyptos"; the Arabic name "Misr" can be traced to the ancient Akkadian "misru" meaning border or frontier Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Cairo geographic coordinates: 30 03 N, 31 15 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: from the Arabic "al-Qahira," meaning "the victorious" Administrative divisions: 27 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat); Ad Daqahliyah, Al Bahr al Ahmar (Red Sea), Al Buhayrah, Al Fayyum, Al Gharbiyah, Al Iskandariyah (Alexandria), Al Isma'iliyah (Ismailia), Al Jizah (Giza), Al Minufiyah, Al Minya, Al Qahirah (Cairo), Al Qalyubiyah, Al Uqsur (Luxor), Al Wadi al Jadid (New Valley), As Suways (Suez), Ash Sharqiyah, Aswan, Asyut, Bani Suwayf, Bur Sa'id (Port Said), Dumyat (Damietta), Janub Sina' (South Sinai), Kafr ash Shaykh, Matruh, Qina, Shamal Sina' (North Sinai), Suhaj Independence: 28 February 1922 (from UK protectorate status; the military-led revolution that began on 23 July 1952 led to a republic being declared on 18 June 1953 and all British troops withdrawn on 18 June 1956); note - it was ca. 3200 B.C. that the Two Lands of Upper (southern) and Lower (northern) Egypt were first united politically National holiday: Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) Constitution: history: several previous; latest approved by a constitutional committee in December 2013, approved by referendum held on 14-15 January 2014, ratified by interim president on 19 January 2014 amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by one fifth of the House of Representatives members; a decision to accept the proposal requires majority vote by House members; passage of amendment requires a two-thirds majority vote by House members and passage by majority vote in a referendum; articles of reelection of the president and principles of freedom are not amendable unless the amendment "brings more guarantees;" amended 2019 Legal system: mixed legal system based on Napoleonic civil and penal law, Islamic religious law, and vestiges of colonial-era laws; judicial review of the constitutionality of laws by the Supreme Constitutional Court International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Citizenship: citizenship 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 Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory Executive branch: chief of state: President Abdelfattah ELSISI (since 8 June 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Mostafa MADBOULY (since 7 June 2018) cabinet: Cabinet ministers nominated by the executive branch and approved by the House of Representatives elections/appointments: president elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 6-year term (eligible for 3 consecutive terms); election last held on 26-28 March 2018 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president, approved by the House of Representatives; note - following  a constitutional amendment approved by referendum in April 2019, the presidential term was extended from 4 to 6 years and eligibility extended to 3 consecutive terms election results: Abdelfattah ELSISI reelected president in first round; percent of valid votes cast - Abdelfattah ELSISI (independent) 97.1%, Moussa Mostafa MOUSSA (El Ghad Party) 2.9%; note - more than 7% of ballots cast were deemed invalid Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (Majlis Al-Shiyoukh) (300 seats; 100 members elected in single seat constituencies, 100 elected by closed party-list system, and 100 appointed by the president; note - the upper house, previously the Shura Council, was eliminated in the 2014 constitution, reestablished as the Senate, following passage in a 2019 constitutional referendum and approved by the House of Representatives in June 2020 House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nowaab) (596 seats; 448 members directly elected by individual candidacy system, 120 members - with quotas for women, youth, Christians and workers - elected in party-list constituencies by simple majority popular vote, and 28 members appointed by the president; members of both houses serve 5-year terms elections: Senate - first round held on 11-12 August 2020 (9-10 August for diaspora); second round held on 8-9 September (6-7 September for diaspora) (next to be held in 2025) House of Representatives - last held 24-25 October and 7-8 November 2020) (next to be held in 2025) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nation's Future Party 100, independent 100; composition - men 260, women 40, percent of women 13.3%  House of Representatives (2020) - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Nation's Future Party 316, Republican People's Party 50, New Wafd Party 26, Homeland Defenders Party 23, Modern Egypt Party 11, Reform and Development Party 9, Al-Nour Party 7, Egyptian Conference Party 7, Egyptian Freedom Party 7, Egyptian Social Democratic Party 7, Tagammu 6, Justice Party 2, Etradet Geel Party 1, independent 124; composition - men 428, women 164, percent of women 27.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 22.8% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Constitutional Court (SCC) (consists of the court president and 10 justices); the SCC serves as the final court of arbitration on the constitutionality of laws and conflicts between lower courts regarding jurisdiction and rulings; Court of Cassation (CC) (consists of the court president and 550 judges organized in circuits with cases heard by panels of 5 judges); the CC is the highest appeals body for civil and criminal cases, also known as "ordinary justices"; Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) (consists of the court president and NA judges and organized in circuits with cases heard by panels of 5 judges); the SAC is the highest court of the State Council judge selection and term of office: under the 2014 constitution, all judges and justices selected and appointed by the Supreme Judiciary Council and approved as a formality by the president of the Republic; judges appointed for life; under the 2019 amendments, the president has the power to appoint heads of judiciary authorities and courts, the prosecutor general, and the head of the Supreme Constitutional Court subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; courts of limited jurisdiction; Family Court (established in 2004) Political parties and leaders: Al-Nour [Yunis MAKHYUN] Arab Democratic Nasserist Party [El Etehad el Masri el ARABI] Congress Party [Omar Al-Mokhtar SEMIDA] Conservative Party [El Mohafezin] Democratic Peace Party [Ahmed FADALY] Egyptian National Movement Party [Gen. Raouf EL SAYED] Egyptian Social Democratic Party [Farid ZAHRAN] El Ghad Party [Moussa Mostafa MOUSSA] El Serh El Masry el Hor [Tarek Ahmed Abbas NADIM] Eradet Geel Party Freedom Party [Mamdouuh HASSAN] Free Egyptians Party [Essam KHALIL] Justice Party Homeland’s Protector Party [Lt. Gen. (retired) Galal AL-HARIDI] Modern Egypt Party [Nabil DEIBIS] Nation's Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan) [Abdel Wahab Abdel RAZEQ] My Homeland Egypt Party [Gen. Seif El Islam ABDEL BARY ] National Progressive Unionist (Tagammu) Party [Sayed Abdel AAL] Reform and Development Party [Mohamad Anwar al-SADAT] Republican People’s Party [Hazim AMR] Revolutionary Guards Party [Magdy EL-SHARIF] Wafd Party[Abdel Sanad YAMAMA] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, BSEC (observer), CAEU, CD, CICA, COMESA, D-8, EBRD, 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, LAS, LCBC (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OSCE (partner), PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Motaz Mounir ZAHRAN (since 17 September 2020) chancery: 3521 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 895-5400; [1] (202) 895-5408 FAX: [1] (202) 244-5131 email address and website: consulate@egyptembassy.net https://www.egyptembassy.net/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant);  Charge d'Affaires Nicole SHAMPAINE (since 1 April 2022) embassy: 5 Tawfik Diab St., Garden City, Cairo mailing address: 7700 Cairo Place, Washington DC 20512-7700 telephone: [20-2] 2797-3300 FAX: [20-2] 2797-3200 email address and website: ConsularCairoACS@state.gov https://eg.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Alexandria Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), white, and black; the national emblem (a gold Eagle of Saladin facing the hoist side with a shield superimposed on its chest above a scroll bearing the name of the country in Arabic) centered in the white band; the band colors derive from the Arab Liberation flag and represent oppression (black), overcome through bloody struggle (red), to be replaced by a bright future (white) note: similar to the flag of Syria, which has two green stars in the white band; Iraq, which has an Arabic inscription centered in the white band; and Yemen, which has a plain white band National symbol(s): golden eagle, white lotus; national colors: red, white, black National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 7 (6 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Memphis and its Necropolis (c); Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis (c); Nubian Monuments (c); Saint Catherine Area (c); Abu Mena (c); Historic Cairo (c); Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley) (n) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Agriculture, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, tourism, and other service sectors drove the country’s relatively diverse economic activity.   Despite Egypt’s mixed record for attracting foreign investment over the past two decades, poor living conditions and limited job opportunities have contributed to public discontent. These socioeconomic pressures were a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted MUBARAK. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 has restricted economic growth and failed to alleviate persistent unemployment, especially among the young.   In late 2016, persistent dollar shortages and waning aid from its Gulf allies led Cairo to turn to the IMF for a 3-year, $12 billion loan program. To secure the deal, Cairo floated its currency, introduced new taxes, and cut energy subsidies - all of which pushed inflation above 30% for most of 2017, a high that had not been seen in a generation. Since the currency float, foreign investment in Egypt’s high interest treasury bills has risen exponentially, boosting both dollar availability and central bank reserves. Cairo will be challenged to obtain foreign and local investment in manufacturing and other sectors without a sustained effort to implement a range of business reforms.Occupying the northeast corner of the African continent, Egypt is bisected by the highly fertile Nile valley where most economic activity takes place. Egypt's economy was highly centralized during the rule of former President Gamal Abdel NASSER but opened up considerably under former Presidents Anwar EL-SADAT and Mohamed Hosni MUBARAK. Agriculture, hydrocarbons, manufacturing, tourism, and other service sectors drove the country’s relatively diverse economic activity. Despite Egypt’s mixed record for attracting foreign investment over the past two decades, poor living conditions and limited job opportunities have contributed to public discontent. These socioeconomic pressures were a major factor leading to the January 2011 revolution that ousted MUBARAK. The uncertain political, security, and policy environment since 2011 has restricted economic growth and failed to alleviate persistent unemployment, especially among the young. In late 2016, persistent dollar shortages and waning aid from its Gulf allies led Cairo to turn to the IMF for a 3-year, $12 billion loan program. To secure the deal, Cairo floated its currency, introduced new taxes, and cut energy subsidies - all of which pushed inflation above 30% for most of 2017, a high that had not been seen in a generation. Since the currency float, foreign investment in Egypt’s high interest treasury bills has risen exponentially, boosting both dollar availability and central bank reserves. Cairo will be challenged to obtain foreign and local investment in manufacturing and other sectors without a sustained effort to implement a range of business reforms. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,223,040,000,000 (2020 est.) $1,180,890,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,118,720,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.) 4.3% (2016 est.) 4.4% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $12,000 (2020 est.) $11,800 (2019 est.) $11,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $323.763 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 9.3% (2019 est.) 14.4% (2018 est.) 29.6% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2019) Moody's rating: B2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: B (2018) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 11.7% (2017 est.) industry: 34.3% (2017 est.) services: 54% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 86.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 10.1% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 14.8% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 16.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -28.5% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: sugar cane, sugar beet, wheat, maize, tomatoes, rice, potatoes, oranges, onions, milk Industries: textiles, food processing, tourism, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, hydrocarbons, construction, cement, metals, light manufactures Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 24.113 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 25.8% industry: 25.1% services: 49.1% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 7.86% (2019 est.) 12.7% (2016 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 19.2% male: 12.2% female: 49.3% (2019 est.) Population below poverty line: 32.5% (2017 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 31.5 (2017 est.) 29.8 (2012) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4% highest 10%: 26.6% (2008) Budget: revenues: 42.32 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 62.61 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -8.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 103% of GDP (2017 est.) 96.8% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover central 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 sold at public auctions Taxes and other revenues: 17.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 July - 30 June Current account balance: -$8.915 billion (2019 est.) -$7.682 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $40.1 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $53.52 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $51.62 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: United States 9%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Italy 6%, Turkey 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, India 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, natural gas, fertilizers (2019) Imports: $72.48 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $78.95 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $76.33 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: China 15%, Russia 7%, United States 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, wheat, crude petroleum, cars, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $35.89 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $23.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $109.238 billion (2019 est.) $92.638 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Egyptian pounds (EGP) per US dollar - 15.69 (2020 est.) 16.14 (2019 est.) 17.90999 (2018 est.) 7.7133 (2014 est.) 7.08 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 59.826 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 149,079,120,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 360 million kWh (2019 est.) imports: 74 million kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 33.623 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 88.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 2.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 7.7% 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: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 547,500 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 47,360 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 280,200 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 64,292,955,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 58,176,781,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 5,009,100,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 83.563 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 1,783,958,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 235.137 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 8.728 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 112.281 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 114.128 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 40.063 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 9,858,331 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 95,357,427 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 93 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Egypt’s large telecom market is supported by a population of about 103 million and benefits from effective competition in most sectors; a liberal regulatory regime allows for unified licenses which permit operators to offer fixed-line as well as mobile services; in recent years the government has developed a number of digital migration projects aimed at increasing average broadband speeds, delivering fiber broadband to about 60% of the population, developing an in-house satellite program, and creating a knowledge-based economy through the greater adoption of ICTs; the New Administrative Capital being built is only one of more than a dozen smart city projects, which together are stimulating investment in 5G and fiber broadband, as well as the adoption of IoT and AI solutions; the country endeavor to be a significant ICT hub in the North Africa and Middle East regions; Egypt’s mature mobile market has one of the highest subscription rates in Africa; progress in the adoption of mobile data services has been hampered by the lack of sufficient spectrum; the regulator in September 2020 made available 60MHz in the 2.6GHz band, though the spectrum was not allocated until late 2021; the additional spectrum will go far to enabling the MNOs to improve the quality of mobile broadband services offered; further 5G trials are to be held later in 2022, focused on the New Administrative Capital; the international cable infrastructure remains an important asset for Egypt, which benefits from its geographical position; Telecom Egypt has become one of the largest concerns in this segment, being a participating member in numerous cable systems; in mid-2021 the telco announced plans to build the Hybrid African Ring Path system, connecting a number of landlocked countries in Africa with Italy, France, and Portugal; the system will partly use the company’s existing terrestrial and sub sea cable networks. (2022) domestic: fixed-line roughly 10 per 100, mobile-cellular 93 per 100 (2020) international: country code - 20; landing points for Aletar, Africa-1, FEA, Hawk, IMEWE, and the SEA-ME-WE-3 & 4 submarine cable networks linking to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia ; satellite earth stations - 4 (2 Intelsat - Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean, 1 Arabsat, and 1 Inmarsat); tropospheric scatter to Sudan; microwave radio relay to Israel; a participant in Medarabtel (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: mix of state-run and private broadcast media; state-run TV operates 2 national and 6 regional terrestrial networks, as well as a few satellite channels; dozens of private satellite channels and a large number of Arabic satellite channels are available for free; some limited satellite services are also available via subscription; state-run radio operates about 30 stations belonging to 8 networks; privately-owned radio includes 8 major stations, 4 of which belong to 1 network (2019) Internet country code: .eg Internet users: total: 73,680,770 (2020 est.) percent of population: 72% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 9,349,469 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) Communications - note: one of the largest and most famous libraries in the ancient world was the Great Library of Alexandria in Egypt (founded about 295 B.C., it may have survived in some form into the 5th century A.D.); seeking to resurrect the great center of learning and communication, the Egyptian Government in 2002 inaugurated the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, an Egyptian National Library on the site of the original Great Library, which commemorates the original archive and also serves as a center of cultural and scientific excellence Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 14 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 101 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 12,340,832 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 437.63 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: SU Airports: total: 83 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 72 over 3,047 m: 15 2,438 to 3,047 m: 36 1,524 to 2,437 m: 15 under 914 m: 6 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 11 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Heliports: 7 (2021) Pipelines: 486 km condensate, 74 km condensate/gas, 7,986 km gas, 957 km liquid petroleum gas, 5,225 km oil, 37 km oil/gas/water, 895 km refined products, 65 km water (2013) Railways: total: 5,085 km (2014) standard gauge: 5,085 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (62 km electrified) Roadways: total: 65,050 km (2018) paved: 48,000 km (2018) unpaved: 17,050 km (2018) Waterways: 3,500 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) Merchant marine: total: 421 by type: bulk carrier 14, container ship 8, general cargo 27, oil tanker 40, other 332 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Mediterranean Sea - Alexandria, Damietta, El Dekheila, Port Said oil terminal(s): Ain Sukhna terminal, Sidi Kerir terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Port Said (East) (3,816,084) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (export): Damietta, Idku (Abu Qir Bay), Sumed Gulf of Suez - Suez Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Egyptian 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 1: 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 note 2: 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” Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020) 1.3% of GDP (2019) (approximately $15.8 billion) 1.4% of GDP (2018) (approximately $15.9 billion) 1.6% of GDP (2017) (approximately $16.7 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: information varies; approximately 450,000 active duty personnel (325,000 Army; 18,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force; 75,000 Air Defense Command); approximately 300,000 Central Security Forces personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the EAF's inventory is comprised of a mix of domestically produced, imported Soviet-era, and more modern, particularly Western, weapons systems; in recent years, the EAF has embarked on an extensive equipment modernization program with major purchases from a variety of suppliers; since 2010, the leading suppliers of military hardware to Egypt are France, Russia, and the US; Egypt has an established defense industry that produces a range of products from small arms to armored vehicles and naval vessels; it also has licensed and co-production agreements with several countries (2022) Military service age and obligation: voluntary enlistment possible from age 16 (men and women); 18-30 years of age for male conscript military service; service obligation - 14-36 months, followed by a 9-year reserve obligation; active service length depends on education; high school drop-outs serve for the full 36 months, while college graduates serve for lesser periods of time, depending on their education (2022) note: as of 2020, conscripts were estimated to comprise over half of the military, as well as a considerable portion of the Central Security Force Military deployments: 1,000 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,075 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: since 2011, the Egyptian Armed Forces, police, and other security forces have been actively engaged in counterinsurgency and counter-terrorism operations in the North Sinai governorate against several militant groups, particularly the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Sinai Province; as of 2022, Egypt had tens of thousands of military troops, police, and other security personnel deployed in the Sinai for internal security duties; in addition, tribal militias were assisting Egyptian security forces the military has a large stake in the civilian economy, including running banks, businesses, and shipping lines, producing consumer and industrial goods, importing commodities, and building and managing infrastructure projects, such as bridges, roads, hospitals, and housing; the various enterprises are reportedly profitable enough to make the armed forces largely self-funded Egypt 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 the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO) has operated in the Sinai since 1982 as a peacekeeping and monitoring force to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace; the MFO is an independent international organization, created by agreement between Egypt and Israel; as of 2022, it was composed of about 1,150 troops from 13 countries; Colombia, Fiji, and the US were the leading providers of troops to the MFO (2022) Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Army of Islam; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – Sinai Province (ISIS-SP); 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: Sudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai borderSudan claims but Egypt de facto administers security and economic development of Halaib region north of the 22nd parallel boundary; Egypt no longer shows its administration of the Bir Tawil trapezoid in Sudan on its maps; Gazan breaches in the security wall with Egypt in January 2008 highlight difficulties in monitoring the Sinai border Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 70,022 (West Bank and Gaza Strip) (mid-year 2021); 143,803 (Syria), 52,446 (Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 20,970 (South Sudan) (refugees and asylum seekers), 21,105 (Eritrea) (refugees and asylum seekers), 15,585 (Ethiopia) (refugees and asylum seekers), 10,025 (Yemen) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,815 (Iraq) (refugees and asylum seekers), 6,802 (Somalia) (refugees and asylum seekers) (2022) stateless persons: 7 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics

20220901

field-energy-consumption-per-capita

This entry refers to a country's total energy consumption per capita, including the consumption of petroleum, dry natural gas, coal, net nuclear, hydroelectric, and non-hydroelectric renewable electricity. Data are reported in British thermal Units per person (Btu/person). Topic: Afghanistan3.227 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Albania38.442 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Algeria61.433 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: American Samoa88.796 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Angola11.693 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Antarctica0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda107.154 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Argentina79.083 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Armenia53.019 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Aruba174.629 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Australia241.004 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Austria171.299 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan64.416 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The140.505 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bahrain547.976 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bangladesh9.917 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Barbados83.723 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Belarus102.558 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Belgium234.216 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Belize31.552 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Benin8.468 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bermuda176.312 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bhutan100.135 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bolivia27.094 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina71.815 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Botswana34.095 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Brazil59.444 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islands80.136 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Brunei415.184 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Bulgaria103.924 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso3.23 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Burma10.679 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Burundi1.087 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde26.539 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cambodia13.629 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cameroon6.187 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Canada403.7 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands175.578 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Central African Republic1.121 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Chad1.575 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Chile81.953 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: China105.687 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Colombia34.703 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Comoros5.346 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the1.371 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the16.156 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cook Islands0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Costa Rica44.899 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire8.225 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Croatia89.733 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cuba32.785 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Cyprus133.92 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Czechia161.972 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Denmark124.163 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Djibouti8.869 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Dominica37.513 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic39.016 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Ecuador42.564 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Egypt40.063 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: El Salvador24.124 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea57.596 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Eritrea3.217 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Estonia76.329 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Eswatini19.371 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Ethiopia3.219 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Fiji32.901 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Finland216.571 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: France151.053 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: French Polynesia0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Gabon26.786 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Gambia, The3.547 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip13.604 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: Georgia63.286 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Germany161.174 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Ghana11.239 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Gibraltar0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Greece108.022 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Grenada39.799 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Guam152.767 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Guatemala19.411 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Guinea4.133 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau2.46 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Guyana48.608 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Haiti3.97 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Honduras19.8 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Hong Kong172.009 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Hungary108.212 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: India23.231 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Indonesia29.68 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Iran145.54 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Iraq63.174 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Ireland133.674 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Israel113.273 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Italy112.606 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Jamaica49.7 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Japan147.107 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Jordan39.331 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan180.726 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Kenya6.31 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Kiribati9.335 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Korea, North12.61 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Korea, South242.346 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Kosovo51.462 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Kuwait381.985 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan35.059 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Laos73.187 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Latvia86.645 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Lebanon53.528 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Lesotho7.823 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Liberia3.79 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Libya107.118 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Lithuania101.651 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Luxembourg310.068 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Macau81.407 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Madagascar2.307 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Malawi1.809 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Malaysia123.755 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Maldives59.69 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Mali4.396 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Malta267.739 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Mauritania13.558 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Mauritius79.448 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Mexico61.597 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Moldova40.398 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Mongolia83.045 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Montenegro77.286 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Montserrat0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Morocco24.59 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Mozambique8.107 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Namibia29.811 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Nauru0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Nepal5.219 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Netherlands219.606 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: New Caledonia0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: New Zealand186.804 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Nicaragua14.916 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Niger1.54 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Nigeria8.466 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Niue0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: North Macedonia53.572 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Norway333.833 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Oman292.022 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Pakistan15.859 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Panama98.946 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea11.316 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Paraguay62.775 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Peru36.465 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Philippines19.261 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Poland112.831 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Portugal101.734 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico94.379 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Qatar723.582 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Romania71.736 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Russia227.898 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Rwanda1.704 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis71.96 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia50.872 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines27.821 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Samoa27.111 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe11.636 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia296.949 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Senegal9.221 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Serbia98.195 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Seychelles163.06 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone1.803 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Singapore639.951 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Slovakia129.665 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Slovenia134.836 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands6.955 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Somalia802,000 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: South Africa98.474 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: South Sudan2.404 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Spain122.673 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Sri Lanka17.268 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Sudan8.047 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Suriname82.356 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Sweden210.882 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Switzerland137.918 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Syria24.567 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Taiwan160.669 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Tajikistan27.651 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Tanzania3.334 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Thailand76.714 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste5.74 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Togo4.113 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Tonga22.841 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Tunisia35.62 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)79.126 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan330.507 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Tuvalu0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Uganda2.943 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Ukraine82.571 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates471.788 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: United Kingdom119.894 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: United States304.414 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Uruguay66.909 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan57.709 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Vanuatu10.878 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Venezuela85.829 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Vietnam36.392 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Wake Island0 Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: West Bank13.604 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Data represented includes both the Gaza Strip and West Bank Topic: Yemen5.453 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Zambia11.595 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe11.516 million Btu/person (2019 est.)

20220901

countries-andorra-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: The landlocked Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe. Although not a member of the EU, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc that is governed by various customs and cooperation agreements; it uses the euro as its national currency.The landlocked Principality of Andorra is one of the smallest states in Europe. Although not a member of the EU, Andorra enjoys a special relationship with the bloc that is governed by various customs and cooperation agreements; it uses the euro as its national currency. Topic: Geography Area: total: 468 sq km land: 468 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: temperate; snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers Natural resources: hydropower, mineral water, timber, iron ore, lead Topic: People and Society Population: 85,560 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Andorran 48.3%, Spanish 24.8%, Portuguese 11.2%, French 4.5%, Argentine 1.4%, other 9.8% (2021 est.) Languages: Catalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese Religions: Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 89.5, other 8.8%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.1% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary democracy (since March 1993) that retains its chiefs of state in the form of a co-principality; the two princes are the President of France and Bishop of Seu d'Urgell, Spain Capital: name: Andorra la Vella Executive branch: chief of state: Co-prince Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Patrick STROZDA (since 14 May 2017); and Co-prince Archbishop Joan-Enric VIVES i Sicilia (since 12 May 2003); represented by Josep Maria MAURI (since 20 July 2012) head of government: Xaviar Espot ZAMORA (since 16 May 2019) Legislative branch: description: unicameral General Council of the Valleys or Consell General de les Valls (a minimum of 28 seats; 14 members directly elected in two-seat constituencies (7 parishes) by simple majority vote and 14 directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms); note - voters cast two separate ballots - one for a national list and one for a parish list Topic: Economy Economic overview: high GDP; low unemployment; non-EU Euro user; co-principality duty-free area between Spain and France; tourist hub but hit hard by COVID-19; modern, non-tax haven financial sector; looking for big tech investments; new member of SEPA and IMFhigh GDP; low unemployment; non-EU Euro user; co-principality duty-free area between Spain and France; tourist hub but hit hard by COVID-19; modern, non-tax haven financial sector; looking for big tech investments; new member of SEPA and IMF Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.327 billion (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $49,900 (2015 est.) Agricultural products: small quantities of rye, wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, tobacco; sheep, cattle Industries: tourism (particularly skiing), banking, timber, furniture Exports: $78.71 million (2015 est.) Exports - partners: Spain 40%, France 19%, United States 11%, Mauritania 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, medical supplies, essential oils, cars, tanned hides (2019) Imports: $1.257 billion (2015 est.) Imports - partners: Spain 71%, France 17% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, perfumes, shaving products, liquors (2019) Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -Page last updated: Tuesday, Aug 23, 2022

20220901

field-religions

This entry is an ordered listing of religions by adherents starting with the largest group and sometimes includes the percent of total population. The core characteristics and beliefs of the world's major religions are described below. Baha'i - Founded by Mirza Husayn-Ali (known as Baha'u'llah) in Iran in 1852, Baha'i faith emphasizes monotheism and believes in one eternal transcendent God. Its guiding focus is to encourage the unity of all peoples on the earth so that justice and peace may be achieved on earth. Baha'i revelation contends the prophets of major world religions reflect some truth or element of the divine, believes all were manifestations of God given to specific communities in specific times, and that Baha'u'llah is an additional prophet meant to call all humankind. Bahais are an open community, located worldwide, with the greatest concentration of believers in South Asia. Buddhism - Religion or philosophy inspired by the 5th century B.C. teachings of Siddhartha Gautama (also known as Gautama Buddha "the enlightened one"). Buddhism focuses on the goal of spiritual enlightenment centered on an understanding of Gautama Buddha's Four Noble Truths on the nature of suffering, and on the Eightfold Path of spiritual and moral practice, to break the cycle of suffering of which we are a part. Buddhism ascribes to a karmic system of rebirth. Several schools and sects of Buddhism exist, differing often on the nature of the Buddha, the extent to which enlightenment can be achieved (for one or for all) and by whom (religious orders or laity). Basic Groupings    Theravada Buddhism: The oldest Buddhist school, Theravada is practiced mostly in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, and Thailand, with minority representation elsewhere in Asia and the West. Theravadans follow the Pali Canon of Buddha's teachings, and believe that one may escape the cycle of rebirth, worldly attachment, and suffering for oneself; this process may take one or several lifetimes.    Mahayana Buddhism, including subsets Zen and Tibetan (Lamaistic) Buddhism: Forms of Mahayana Buddhism are common in East Asia and Tibet, and parts of the West. Mahayanas have additional scriptures beyond the Pali Canon and believe the Buddha is eternal and still teaching. Unlike Theravada Buddhism, Mahayana schools maintain the Buddha-nature is present in all beings and all will ultimately achieve enlightenment.     Hoa Hao: a minority tradition of Buddhism practiced in Vietnam that stresses lay participation, primarily by peasant farmers; it eschews expensive ceremonies and temples and relocates the primary practices into the home. Christianity - Descending from Judaism, Christianity's central belief maintains Jesus of Nazareth is the promised messiah of the Hebrew Scriptures, and that his life, death, and resurrection are salvific for the world. Christianity is one of the three monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, along with Islam and Judaism, which traces its spiritual lineage to Abraham of the Hebrew Scriptures. Its sacred texts include the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament (or the Christian Gospels). Basic Groupings    Catholicism (or Roman Catholicism): This is the oldest established western Christian church and the world's largest single religious body. It is supranational, and recognizes a hierarchical structure with the Pope, or Bishop of Rome, as its head, located at the Vatican. Catholics believe the Pope is the divinely ordered head of the Church from a direct spiritual legacy of Jesus' apostle Peter. Catholicism is comprised of 23 particular Churches, or Rites - one Western (Roman or Latin-Rite) and 22 Eastern. The Latin Rite is by far the largest, making up about 98% of Catholic membership. Eastern-Rite Churches, such as the Maronite Church and the Ukrainian Catholic Church, are in communion with Rome although they preserve their own worship traditions and their immediate hierarchy consists of clergy within their own rite. The Catholic Church has a comprehensive theological and moral doctrine specified for believers in its catechism, which makes it unique among most forms of Christianity.    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The Church was organized in 1830 and teaches that it is the restoration of Jesus Christ's original church. It embraces salvation through Christ, personal revelation, and has an open canon, including the King James Bible and the Book of Mormon, which is another testament of Christ's divinity. The Book of Mormon maintains there was an appearance of Jesus in the New World following the Christian account of his resurrection, and that the Americas are uniquely blessed continents. The Church has a centralized doctrine and leadership structure, but has volunteer, lay clergy who oversee local congregations in 176 countries and territories.     Jehovah's Witnesses structure their faith on the Christian Bible, but their rejection of the Trinity is distinct from mainstream Christianity. They believe that a Kingdom of God, the Theocracy, will emerge following Armageddon and usher in a new earthly society. Adherents are required to evangelize and to follow a strict moral code.    Orthodox Christianity: The oldest established eastern form of Christianity, the Holy Orthodox Church, has a ceremonial head in the Bishop of Constantinople (Istanbul), also known as a Patriarch, but its various regional forms (e.g., Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Ukrainian Orthodox) are autocephalous (independent of Constantinople's authority, and have their own Patriarchs). Orthodox churches are highly nationalist and ethnic. The Orthodox Christian faith shares many theological tenets with the Roman Catholic Church, but diverges on some key premises and does not recognize the governing authority of the Pope.    Protestant Christianity: Protestant Christianity originated in the 16th century as an attempt to reform Roman Catholicism's practices, dogma, and theology. It encompasses several forms or denominations which are extremely varied in structure, beliefs, relationship to national governments, clergy, and governance. Many protestant theologies emphasize the primary role of scripture in their faith, advocating individual interpretation of Christian texts without the mediation of a final religious authority such as the Roman Pope. The oldest Protestant denominations include Lutheranism, Calvinism (Presbyterianism), and Anglican Christianity (Episcopalianism), which have established liturgies, governing structure, and formal clergy. Other variants on Protestant Christianity, including Pentecostal movements and independent churches, may lack one or more of these elements, and their leadership and beliefs are individualized and dynamic. Hinduism - Originating in the Vedic civilization of India (second and first millennium B.C.), Hinduism is an extremely diverse set of beliefs and practices with no single founder or religious authority. Hinduism has many scriptures; the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad-Gita are among some of the most important. Hindus may worship one or many deities, usually with prayer rituals within their own home. The most common figures of devotion are the gods Vishnu, Shiva, and a mother goddess, Devi. Most Hindus believe the soul, or atman, is eternal, and goes through a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara) determined by one's positive or negative karma, or the consequences of one's actions. The goal of religious life is to learn to act so as to finally achieve liberation (moksha) of one's soul, escaping the rebirth cycle. Islam - One of the three monotheistic Abrahamic faiths, Islam originated with the teachings of Muhammad in the 7th century. Muslims believe Muhammad is the final of all religious prophets (beginning with Abraham) and that the Qu'ran, which is the Islamic scripture, was revealed to him by God. Islam derives from the word submission, and obedience to God is a primary theme in this religion. In order to live an Islamic life, believers must follow the five pillars, or tenets, of Islam, which are the testimony of faith (shahada), daily prayer (salah), giving alms (zakah), fasting during Ramadan (sawm), and the pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj). Basic Groupings    The two primary branches of Islam are Sunni and Shia, which split from each other over a religio-political leadership dispute about the rightful successor to Muhammad. The Shia believe Muhammad's cousin and son-in-law, Ali, was the only divinely ordained Imam (religious leader), while the Sunni maintain the first three caliphs after Muhammad were also legitimate authorities. In modern Islam, Sunnis and Shia continue to have different views of acceptable schools of Islamic jurisprudence, and who is a proper Islamic religious authority. Islam also has an active mystical branch, Sufism, with various Sunni and Shia subsets.     Sunni Islam accounts for over 87-90% of the world's Muslim population. It recognizes the Abu Bakr as the first caliph after Muhammad. Sunni has four schools of Islamic doctrine and law - Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali - which uniquely interpret the Hadith, or recorded oral traditions of Muhammad. A Sunni Muslim may elect to follow any one of these schools, as all are considered equally valid.     Shia Islam represents 10-13% of Muslims worldwide, and its distinguishing feature is its reverence for Ali as an infallible, divinely inspired leader, and as the first Imam of the Muslim community after Muhammad. A majority of Shia are known as "Twelvers," because they believe that the 11 familial successor imams after Muhammad culminate in a 12th Imam (al-Mahdi) who is hidden in the world and will reappear at its end to redeem the righteous. Variants    Ismaili faith: A sect of Shia Islam, its adherents are also known as "Seveners," because they believe that the rightful seventh Imam in Islamic leadership was Isma'il, the elder son of Imam Jafar al-Sadiq. Ismaili tradition awaits the return of the seventh Imam as the Mahdi, or Islamic messianic figure. Ismailis are located in various parts of the world, particularly South Asia and the Levant.    Alawi faith: Another Shia sect of Islam, the name reflects followers' devotion to the religious authority of Ali. Alawites are a closed, secretive religious group who assert they are Shia Muslims, although outside scholars speculate their beliefs may have a syncretic mix with other faiths originating in the Middle East. Alawis live mostly in Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey.    Druze faith: A highly secretive tradition and a closed community that derives from the Ismaili sect of Islam; its core beliefs are thought to emphasize a combination of Gnostic principles believing that the Fatimid caliph, al-Hakin, is the one who embodies the key aspects of goodness of the universe, which are, the intellect, the word, the soul, the preceder, and the follower. The Druze have a key presence in Syria, Lebanon, and Israel. Jainism - Originating in India, Jain spiritual philosophy believes in an eternal human soul, the eternal universe, and a principle of "the own nature of things." It emphasizes compassion for all living things, seeks liberation of the human soul from reincarnation through enlightenment, and values personal responsibility due to the belief in the immediate consequences of one's behavior. Jain philosophy teaches non-violence and prescribes vegetarianism for monks and laity alike; its adherents are a highly influential religious minority in Indian society. Judaism - One of the first known monotheistic religions, likely dating to between 2000-1500 B.C., Judaism is the native faith of the Jewish people, based upon the belief in a covenant of responsibility between a sole omnipotent creator God and Abraham, the patriarch of Judaism's Hebrew Bible, or Tanakh. Divine revelation of principles and prohibitions in the Hebrew Scriptures form the basis of Jewish law, or halakhah, which is a key component of the faith. While there are extensive traditions of Jewish halakhic and theological discourse, there is no final dogmatic authority in the tradition. Local communities have their own religious leadership. Modern Judaism has three basic categories of faith: Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform/Liberal. These differ in their views and observance of Jewish law, with the Orthodox representing the most traditional practice, and Reform/Liberal communities the most accommodating of individualized interpretations of Jewish identity and faith. Shintoism - A native animist tradition of Japan, Shinto practice is based upon the premise that every being and object has its own spirit or kami. Shinto practitioners worship several particular kamis, including the kamis of nature, and families often have shrines to their ancestors' kamis. Shintoism has no fixed tradition of prayers or prescribed dogma, but is characterized by individual ritual. Respect for the kamis in nature is a key Shinto value. Prior to the end of World War II, Shinto was the state religion of Japan, and bolstered the cult of the Japanese emperor. Sikhism - Founded by the Guru Nanak (born 1469), Sikhism believes in a non-anthropomorphic, supreme, eternal, creator God; centering one's devotion to God is seen as a means of escaping the cycle of rebirth. Sikhs follow the teachings of Nanak and nine subsequent gurus. Their scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib - also known as the Adi Granth - is considered the living Guru, or final authority of Sikh faith and theology. Sikhism emphasizes equality of humankind and disavows caste, class, or gender discrimination. Taoism - Chinese philosophy or religion based upon Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, which centers on belief in the Tao, or the way, as the flow of the universe and the nature of things. Taoism encourages a principle of non-force, or wu-wei, as the means to live harmoniously with the Tao. Taoists believe the esoteric world is made up of a perfect harmonious balance and nature, while in the manifest world - particularly in the body - balance is distorted. The Three Jewels of the Tao - compassion, simplicity, and humility - serve as the basis for Taoist ethics. Zoroastrianism - Originating from the teachings of Zoroaster in about the 9th or 10th century B.C., Zoroastrianism may be the oldest continuing creedal religion. Its key beliefs center on a transcendent creator God, Ahura Mazda, and the concept of free will. The key ethical tenets of Zoroastrianism expressed in its scripture, the Avesta, are based on a dualistic worldview where one may prevent chaos if one chooses to serve God and exercises good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. Zoroastrianism is generally a closed religion and members are almost always born to Zoroastrian parents. Prior to the spread of Islam, Zoroastrianism dominated greater Iran. Today, though a minority, Zoroastrians remain primarily in Iran, India (where they are known as Parsi), and Pakistan. Traditional beliefs     Animism: the belief that non-human entities contain souls or spirits.     Badimo: a form of ancestor worship of the Tswana people of Botswana.     Confucianism: an ideology that humans are perfectible through self-cultivation and self-creation; developed from teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. Confucianism has strongly influenced the culture and beliefs of East Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam.     Inuit beliefs: a form of shamanism (see below) based on the animistic principles of the Inuit or Eskimo peoples.     Kirant: the belief system of the Kirat, a people who live mainly in the Himalayas of Nepal. It is primarily a form of polytheistic shamanism, but includes elements of animism and ancestor worship.     Pagan is a blanket term used to describe many unconnected belief practices throughout history, usually in reference to religions outside of the Abrahamic category (monotheistic faiths including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam).     Shamanism: beliefs and practices promoting communication with the spiritual world. Shamanistic beliefs are organized around a shaman or medicine man who - as an intermediary between the human and spirit world - is believed to be able to heal the sick (by healing their souls), communicate with the spirit world, and help souls into the afterlife through the practice of entering a trance. In shaman-based religions, the shaman is also responsible for leading sacred rites.     Spiritualism: the belief that souls and spirits communicate with the living usually through intermediaries called mediums. Syncretic (fusion of diverse religious beliefs and practices)     Cao Dai: a nationalistic Vietnamese sect, officially established in 1926, that draws practices and precepts from Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Catholicism.     Chondogyo: or the religion of the Heavenly Way, is based on Korean shamanism, Buddhism, and Korean folk traditions, with some elements drawn from Christianity. Formulated in the 1860s, it holds that God lives in all of us and strives to convert society into a paradise on earth, populated by believers transformed into intelligent moral beings with a high social conscience.     Kimbanguism: a puritan form of the Baptist denomination founded by Simon Kimbangu in the 1920s in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Adherents believe that salvation comes through Jesus' death and resurrection, like Christianity, but additionally that living a spiritually pure life following strict codes of conduct is required for salvation.     Modekngei: a hybrid of Christianity and ancient Palauan culture and oral traditions founded around 1915 on the island of Babeldaob. Adherents simultaneously worship Jesus Christ and Palauan goddesses.     Rastafarianism: an afro-centrist ideology and movement based on Christianity that arose in Jamaica in the 1930s; it believes that Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930-74, was the incarnation of the second coming of Jesus.     Santeria: practiced in Cuba, the merging of the Yoruba religion of Nigeria with Roman Catholicism and native Indian traditions. Its practitioners believe that each person has a destiny and eventually transcends to merge with the divine creator and source of all energy, Olorun.     Voodoo/Vodun: a form of spirit and ancestor worship combined with some Christian faiths, especially Catholicism. Haitian and Louisiana Voodoo, which have included more Catholic practices, are separate from West African Vodun, which has retained a focus on spirit worship. Non-religious     Agnosticism: the belief that most things are unknowable. In regard to religion, it is usually characterized as neither a belief nor non-belief in a deity.     Atheism: the belief that there are no deities of any kind. Topic: AfghanistanMuslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other <0.3% (2009 est.) Topic: AlbaniaMuslim 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 Topic: AlgeriaMuslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Ahmadi Muslims, Shia Muslims, Ibadi  Muslims) <1% (2012 est.) Topic: American SamoaChristian 98.3%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Topic: AndorraChristian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 89.5, other 8.8%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.) Topic: AngolaRoman Catholic 41.1%, Protestant 38.1%, other 8.6%, none 12.3% (2014 est.) Topic: AnguillaProtestant 73.2% (includes Anglican 22.7%, Methodist 19.4%, Pentecostal 10.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Baptist 7.1%, Church of God 4.9%, Presbyterian 0.2%, Brethren 0.1%), Roman Catholic 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other Christian 10.9%, other 3.2%, unspecified 0.3%, none 4.5% (2011 est.) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaProtestant 68.3% (Anglican 17.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 5.6%, Wesleyan Holiness 4.5%, Church of God 4.1%, Baptist 3.6%), Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2%, unspecified 5.5%, none 5.9% (2011 est.) Topic: ArgentinaRoman Catholic 62.9%, Evangelical 15.3% (Pentecostal 13%, other Evangelical 2.3%), Jehovah's Witness and Church of Jesus Christ 1.4%, other 1.2% (includes Muslim, Jewish), none 18.9% (includes agnostic and atheist), unspecified 0.3% (2019 est.) Topic: ArmeniaArmenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.) Topic: ArubaRoman 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.) Topic: AustraliaProtestant 23.1% (Anglican 13.3%, Uniting Church 3.7%, Presbyterian and Reformed 2.3%, Baptist 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.1%, Lutheran .7%, other Protestant .5%), Roman Catholic 22.6%, other Christian 4.2%, Muslim 2.6%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox .2%), Hindu 1.9%, other 1.3%, none 30.1%, unspecified 9.6% (2016 est.) Topic: AustriaCatholic 57%, Eastern Orthodox 8.7%, Muslim 7.9%, Evangelical Christian 3.3%, other/none/unspecified 23.1% (2018 est.) note:  data on Muslim is a 2016 estimate; data on other/none/unspecified are from 2012-2018 estimates Topic: AzerbaijanMuslim 97.3% (predominantly Shia), Christian 2.6%, other <0.1, unaffiliated <0.1 (2020 est.) note: religious affiliation for the majority of Azerbaijanis is largely nominal, percentages for actual practicing adherents are probably much lower Topic: Bahamas, TheProtestant 69.9% (includes Baptist 34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9% Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, Methodist 3.6%, Church of God 1.9%, Brethren 1.6%, other Protestant .9%), Roman Catholic 12%, other Christian 13% (includes Jehovah's Witness 1.1%), other 0.6%, none 1.9%, unspecified 2.6% (2010 est.) Topic: BahrainMuslim 73.7%, Christian 9.3%, Jewish 0.1%, other 16.9% (2017 est.) Topic: BangladeshMuslim 88.4%, other 11.6% (2020 est.) Topic: BarbadosProtestant 66.4% (includes Anglican 23.9%, other Pentecostal 19.5%, Adventist 5.9%, Methodist 4.2%, Wesleyan 3.4%, Nazarene 3.2%, Church of God 2.4%, Baptist 1.8%, Moravian 1.2%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 3.8%, other Christian 5.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness 2.0%, other 3.4%), Rastafarian 1%, other 1.5%, none 20.6%, unspecified 1.2% (2010 est.) Topic: BelarusOrthodox 48.3%, Catholic 7.1%, other 3.5%, non-believers 41.1% (2011 est.) Topic: BelgiumRoman Catholic 57.1%, Protestant 2.3%, other Christian, 2.8%, Muslim 6.8%, other 1.7%, atheist 9.1%, nonbeliever/agnostic 20.2% (2018 est.) Topic: BelizeRoman Catholic 40.1%, Protestant 31.5% (includes Pentecostal 8.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 4.7%, Mennonite 3.7%, Baptist 3.6%, Methodist 2.9%, Nazarene 2.8%), Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, other 10.5% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, Church of Jesus Christ, Muslim, Rastafarian, Salvation Army), unspecified 0.6%, none 15.5% (2010 est.) Topic: BeninMuslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.) Topic: BermudaProtestant 46.2% (includes Anglican 15.8%, African Methodist Episcopal 8.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.7, Pentecostal 3.5%, Methodist 2.7%, Presbyterian 2.0%, Church of God 1.6%, Baptist 1.2%, Salvation Army 1.1%, Brethren 1.0%, other Protestant 2.0%), Roman Catholic 14.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other Christian 9.1%, Muslim 1%, other 3.9%, none 17.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2010 est.) Topic: BhutanLamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepali-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est.) Topic: BoliviaRoman Catholic 70%, Evangelical 14.5%, Adventist 2.5%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, agnostic 0.3%, atheist 0.8%, other 3.5%, none 6.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaMuslim 50.7%, Orthodox 30.7%, Roman Catholic 15.2%, atheist 0.8%, agnostic 0.3%, other 1.2%, undeclared/no answer 1.1% (2013 est.) Topic: BotswanaChristian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%, other 1.4% (includes Baha'i, Hindu, Muslim, Rastafarian), none 15.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) Topic: BrazilRoman Catholic 64.6%, other Catholic 0.4%, Protestant 22.2% (includes Adventist 6.5%, Assembly of God 2.0%, Christian Congregation of Brazil 1.2%, Universal Kingdom of God 1.0%, other Protestant 11.5%), other Christian 0.7%, Spiritist 2.2%, other 1.4%, none 8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Topic: British Virgin IslandsProtestant 70.2% (Methodist 17.6%, Church of God 10.4%, Anglican 9.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 9.0%, Pentecostal 8.2%, Baptist 7.4%, New Testament Church of God 6.9%, other Protestant 1.2%), Roman Catholic 8.9%, Jehovah's Witness 2.5%, Hindu 1.9%, other 6.2%, none 7.9%, unspecified 2.4% (2010 est.) Topic: BruneiMuslim (official) 80.9%, Christian 7.1%, Buddhist 7.1%, other (includes indigenous beliefs) 5% (2016 est.) Topic: BulgariaEastern Orthodox 59.4%, Muslim 7.8%, other (including Catholic, Protestant, Armenian Apostolic Orthodox, and Jewish) 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4% (2011 est.) Topic: Burkina FasoMuslim 63.2%, Roman Catholic 24.6%, Protestant 6.9%, traditional/animist 4.2%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.4% (2017-18 est.) Topic: BurmaBuddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est.) note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 national census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith; as of December 2019, Muslims probably make up less than 3% of Burma's total population due to the large outmigration of the Rohingya population since 2017 Topic: BurundiRoman Catholic 58.6%, Protestant 35.3% (includes Adventist 2.7% and other Protestant 32.6%), Muslim 3.4%, other 1.3%, none 1.3% (2016-17 est.) Topic: Cabo VerdeRoman Catholic 77.3%, Protestant 4.6% (includes Church of the Nazarene 1.7%, Adventist 1.5%, Assembly of God 0.9%, Universal Kingdom of God 0.4%, and God and Love 0.1%), other Christian 3.4% (includes Christian Rationalism 1.9%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, and New Apostolic 0.5%), Muslim 1.8%, other 1.3%, none 10.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.) Topic: CambodiaBuddhist (official) 97.1%, Muslim 2%, Christian 0.3%, other 0.5% (2019 est.) Topic: CameroonRoman Catholic 38.3%, Protestant 25.5%, other Christian 6.9%, Muslim 24.4%, animist 2.2%, other 0.5%, none 2.2% (2018 est.) Topic: CanadaCatholic 39% (includes Roman Catholic 38.8%, other Catholic .2%), Protestant 20.3% (includes United Church 6.1%, Anglican 5%, Baptist 1.9%, Lutheran 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.5%, Presbyterian 1.4%, other Protestant 2.9%), Orthodox 1.6%, other Christian 6.3%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 1.5%, Sikh 1.4%, Buddhist 1.1%, Jewish 1%, other 0.6%, none 23.9% (2011 est.) Topic: Cayman IslandsProtestant 67.8% (includes Church of God 22.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 9.4%, Presbyterian/United Church 8.6%, Baptist 8.3%, Pentecostal 7.1%, non-denominational 5.3%, Anglican 4.1%, Wesleyan Holiness 2.4%), Roman Catholic 14.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.1%, other 7%, none 9.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.) Topic: Central African RepublicChristian 89%, Muslim 9%, folk religion 1%, unaffiliated 1% (2020 est.) note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority Topic: ChadMuslim 52.1%, Protestant 23.9%, Roman Catholic 20%, animist 0.3%, other Christian 0.2%, none 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2014-15 est.) Topic: ChileRoman Catholic 60%, Evangelical 18%, atheist or agnostic 4%, none 17% (2018 est.) Topic: Chinafolk religion 21.9%, Buddhist 18.2%, Christian 5.1%, Muslim 1.8%, Hindu < 0.1%, Jewish < 0.1%, other 0.7% (includes Daoist (Taoist)), unaffiliated 52.1% (2021 est.) note: officially atheist Topic: Christmas IslandMuslim 19.4%, Buddhist 18.3%, Roman Catholic 8.8%, Protestant 6.5% (includes Anglican 3.6%, Uniting Church 1.2%, other 1.7%), other Christian 3.3%, other 0.6%, none 15.3%, unspecified 27.7% (2016 est.) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsMuslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (2016 est.) Topic: ColombiaChristian 92.3% (predominantly Roman Catholic), other 1%, unspecified 6.7% (2020 est.) Topic: ComorosSunni Muslim 98%, other (including Shia Muslim, Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant) 2% note: Sunni Islam is the state religion Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theRoman Catholic 29.9%, Protestant 26.7%, other Christian 36.5%, Kimbanguist 2.8%, Muslim 1.3%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 1.2%, none 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2014 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of theRoman 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.) Topic: Cook IslandsProtestant 62.8% (Cook Islands Christian Church 49.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 7.9%, Assemblies of God 3.7%, Apostolic Church 2.1%), Roman Catholic 17%, Church of Jesus Christ 4.4%, other 8%, none 5.6%, no response 2.2% (2011 est.) Topic: Costa RicaRoman Catholic 47.5%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 19.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, other Protestant 1.2%, other 3.1%, none 27% (2021 est.) Topic: Cote d'IvoireMuslim 42.9%, Catholic 17.2%, Evangelical 11.8%, Methodist 1.7%, other Christian 3.2%, animist 3.6%, other religion 0.5%, none 19.1% (2014 est.) note: the majority of foreign migrant workers are Muslim (72.7%) and Christian (17.7%) Topic: CroatiaRoman Catholic 86.3%, Orthodox 4.4%, Muslim 1.5%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.5%, not religious or atheist 3.8% (2011 est.) Topic: CubaChristian 58.9%, folk religion 17.6%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, Muslim <1%, other <1%, none 23.2% (2020 est.) note: folk religions include religions of African origin, spiritualism, and others intermingled with Catholicism or Protestantism; data is estimative because no authoritative source on religious affiliation exists for Cuba Topic: CuracaoRoman Catholic 72.8%, Pentecostal 6.6%, Protestant 3.2%, Adventist 3%, Jehovah's Witness 2%, Evangelical 1.9%, other 3.8%, none 6%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.) Topic: CyprusOrthodox Christian 89.1%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Protestant/Anglican 2%, Muslim 1.8%, Buddhist 1%, other (includes Maronite, Armenian Church, Hindu) 1.4%, unknown 1.1%, none/atheist 0.6% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the government-controlled area of Cyprus Topic: CzechiaRoman Catholic 7%, other believers belonging to a church or religious society 6% (includes Evangelical United Brethren Church and Czechoslovak Hussite Church), believers unaffiliated with a religious society 9.1%, none 47.8%, unspecified 30.1% (2021 est.) Topic: DenmarkEvangelical Lutheran (official) 74.7%, Muslim 5.5%, other/none/unspecified (denominations of less than 1% each in descending order of size include Roman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Serbian Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Baptist, Buddhist, Church of Jesus Christ, Pentecostal, and nondenominational Christian) 19.8% (2019 est.) Topic: DjiboutiSunni Muslim 94% (nearly all Djiboutians), other 6% (mainly foreign-born residents - Shia Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Baha'i, and atheist) Topic: DominicaRoman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 29.7% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 6.7%, Pentecostal 6.1%, Baptist 5.2%, Christian Union Church 3.9%, Methodist 2.6%, Gospel Mission 2.1%, other Protestant 3.1%), Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 4.3%, none 9.4%, unspecified 1.4% (2011 est.) Topic: Dominican RepublicRoman Catholic 44.3%, Evangelical 13%, Protestant 7.9%, Adventist 1.4%, other 1.8%, atheist 0.2%, none 29.4%, unspecified 2% (2018 est.) Topic: EcuadorRoman Catholic 68.8%, Evangelical 15.4%, Adventist 1.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, other 1.3%, agnostic or atheist 1.4%, none 10.1%, don't know/no response 1% (2020 est.) note: data represent persons at least 16 years of age from five Ecuadoran cities Topic: EgyptMuslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%, Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other Christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10% Topic: El SalvadorRoman Catholic 50%, Protestant 36%, other 2%, none 12% (2014 est.) Topic: Equatorial GuineaRoman Catholic 88%, Protestant 5%, Muslim 2%, other 5% (animist, Baha'i, Jewish) (2015 est.) Topic: EritreaEritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran, Sunni Muslim Topic: EstoniaOrthodox 16.2%, Lutheran 9.9%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 2.2%, other 0.9%, none 54.1%, unspecified 16.7% (2011 est.) Topic: EswatiniChristian 90% (Zionist - a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship - 40%, Roman Catholic 20%, other 30% - includes Anglican, Methodist, Church of Jesus Christ, Jehovah's Witness), Muslim 2%, other 8% (includes Baha'i, Buddhist, Hindu, indigenous, Jewish) (2015 est.) Topic: EthiopiaEthiopian Orthodox 43.8%, Muslim 31.3%, Protestant 22.8%, Catholic 0.7%, traditional 0.6%, other 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: European UnionRoman Catholic 41%, Orthodox 10%, Protestant 9%, other Christian 4%, Muslim 2%, other 4% (includes Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu), atheist 10%, non-believer/agnostic  17%, unspecified 3% (2019 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Christian 57.1%, other 1.6%, none 35.4%, unspecified 6% (2016 est.) Topic: Faroe IslandsChristian 89.3% (predominantly Evangelical Lutheran), other 1%, none 3.8%, unspecified 6% (2011 est.) Topic: FijiProtestant 45% (Methodist 34.6%, Assembly of God 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%, and Anglican 0.8%), Hindu 27.9%, other Christian 10.4%, Roman Catholic 9.1%, Muslim 6.3%, Sikh 0.3%, other 0.3%, none 0.8% (2007 est.) Topic: FinlandLutheran 66.6%, Greek Orthodox 1.1%, other 1.7%, none 30.6% (2021 est.) Topic: FranceRoman Catholic 47%, Muslim 4%, Protestant 2%, Buddhists 2%, Orthodox 1%, Jewish 1%, other 1%, none 33%, unspecified 9% note: France maintains a tradition of secularism and has not officially collected data on religious affiliation since the 1872 national census, which complicates assessments of France's religious composition; an 1872 law prohibiting state authorities from collecting data on individuals' ethnicity or religious beliefs was reaffirmed by a 1978 law emphasizing the prohibition of the collection or exploitation of personal data revealing an individual's race, ethnicity, or political, philosophical, or religious opinions; a 1905 law codified France's separation of church and state Topic: French PolynesiaProtestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% Topic: GabonRoman Catholic 42.3%, Protestant 12.3%, other Christian 27.4%, Muslim 9.8%, animist 0.6%, other 0.5%, none/no answer 7.1% (2012 est.) Topic: Gambia, TheMuslim 96.4%, Christian 3.5%, other or none 0.1% (2019-20 est.) Topic: Gaza StripMuslim 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 Topic: GeorgiaOrthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.) Topic: GermanyRoman Catholic 26.7%, Protestant 24.3%, Muslim 3.5%, other 4.8%, none 40.7% (2020 est.) Topic: GhanaChristian 71.3% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 31.6%, Protestant 17.4%, Catholic 10%, other 12.3%), Muslim 19.9%, traditionalist 3.2%, other 4.5%, none 1.1% (2021 est.) Topic: GibraltarRoman Catholic 72.1%, Church of England 7.7%, other Christian 3.8%, Muslim 3.6%, Jewish 2.4%, Hindu 2%, other 1.1%, none 7.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2012 est.) Topic: GreeceGreek Orthodox 81-90%, Muslim 2%, other 3%, none 4-15%, unspecified 1% (2015 est.) Topic: GreenlandEvangelical Lutheran, traditional Inuit spiritual beliefs Topic: GrenadaProtestant 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.) Topic: GuamChristian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 94.2%, folk religions 1.5%, Buddhist 1.1%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.) Topic: GuatemalaRoman Catholic 41.7%, Evangelical 38.8%, other 2.7%, atheist 0.1%, none 13.8%, unspecified 2.9% (2018 est.) Topic: GuernseyProtestant (Anglican, Presbyterian, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist), Roman Catholic Topic: GuineaMuslim 89.1%, Christian 6.8%, animist 1.6%, other 0.1%, none 2.4% (2014 est.) Topic: Guinea-BissauMuslim 46.1%, folk religions 30.6%, Christian 18.9%, other or unaffiliated 4.4% (2020 est.) Topic: GuyanaProtestant 34.8% (Pentecostal 22.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Anglican 5.2%, Methodist 1.4%), Hindu 24.8%, Roman Catholic 7.1%, Muslim 6.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, Rastafarian 0.5%, other Christian 20.8%, other 0.9%, none 3.1% (2012 est.) Topic: HaitiCatholic 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 Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Roman Catholic Topic: HondurasEvangelical/Protestant 48%, Roman Catholic 34%, other 1%, none 17% (2020 est.) Topic: Hong KongBuddhist 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 Topic: HungaryRoman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist 11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%, other 1.9%, none 18.2%, no response 27.2% (2011 est.) Topic: IcelandEvangelical 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.) Topic: IndiaHindu 79.8%, Muslim 14.2%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.7%, other and unspecified 2% (2011 est.) Topic: IndonesiaMuslim 87.2%, Protestant 7%, Roman Catholic 2.9%, Hindu 1.7%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist and Confucian), unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Topic: IranMuslim (official) 99.6% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.2% (2016 est.) Topic: IraqMuslim (official) 95-98% (Shia 61-64%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1% (includes Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 est.) note: the last census in Iraq was in 1997; while there has been voluntary relocation of many Christian families to northern Iraq, the overall Christian population has decreased at least 50% and perhaps as high as 90% since the fall of the SADDAM Husayn regime in 2003, according to US Embassy estimates, with many fleeing to Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon Topic: IrelandRoman Catholic 78.3%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Orthodox 1.3%, Muslim 1.3%, other 2.4%, none 9.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Isle of ManChristian 54.7%, Muslim 0.5%, Buddhist 0.5%, Hindu 0.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 43.8% (2021 est.) Topic: IsraelJewish 74%, Muslim 18%, Christian 1.9%, Druze 1.6%, other 4.5% (2020 est.) Topic: ItalyChristian 80.8% (overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim 4.9%, unaffiliated 13.4%, other 0.9% (2020 est.) Topic: JamaicaProtestant 64.8% (includes Seventh Day Adventist 12.0%, Pentecostal 11.0%, Other Church of God 9.2%, New Testament Church of God 7.2%, Baptist 6.7%, Church of God in Jamaica 4.8%, Church of God of Prophecy 4.5%, Anglican 2.8%, United Church 2.1%, Methodist 1.6%, Revived 1.4%, Brethren 0.9%, and Moravian 0.7%), Roman Catholic 2.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.9%, Rastafarian 1.1%, other 6.5%, none 21.3%, unspecified 2.3% (2011 est.) Topic: JapanShintoism 70.5%, Buddhism 67.2%, Christianity 1.5%, other 5.9% (2019 est.) note: total adherents exceeds 100% because many people practice both Shintoism and Buddhism Topic: JerseyProtestant (Anglican, Baptist, Congregational New Church, Methodist, Presbyterian), Roman Catholic Topic: JordanMuslim 97.1% (official; predominantly Sunni), Christian 2.1% (majority Greek Orthodox, but some Greek and Roman Catholics, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, and Protestant denominations), Buddhist 0.4%, Hindu 0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, folk <0.1%, other <0.1%, unaffiliated <0.1% (2020 est.) Topic: KazakhstanMuslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (mainly Russian Orthodox), other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5% (2009 est.) Topic: KenyaChristian 85.5% (Protestant 33.4%, Catholic 20.6%, Evangelical 20.4%, African Instituted Churches 7%, other Christian 4.1%), Muslim 10.9%, other 1.8%, none 1.6%, don't know/no answer 0.2% (2019 est.) Topic: KiribatiRoman Catholic 58.9%, Kiribati Uniting Church 21.2%, Kiribati Protestant Church 8.4%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.1%, Baha'i 2.1%, other 1.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Northtraditionally Buddhist and Confucian, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom Topic: Korea, SouthProtestant 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 Topic: KosovoMuslim 95.6%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, Orthodox 1.5%, other 0.1%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.) Topic: KuwaitMuslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.) note: data represent the total population; about 72% of the population consists of immigrants Topic: KyrgyzstanMuslim 90% (majority Sunni), Christian 7% (Russian Orthodox 3%), other 3% (includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baha'i) (2017 est.) Topic: LaosBuddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.) Topic: LatviaLutheran 36.2%, Roman Catholic 19.5%, Orthodox 19.1%, other Christian 1.6%, other 0.1%, unspecified/none 23.5% (2017 est.) Topic: LebanonMuslim 67.8% (31.9% Sunni, 31.2% Shia, smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis), Christian 32.4% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group), Druze 4.5%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus (2020 est.) note: data represent the religious affiliation of the citizen population (data do not include Lebanon's sizable Syrian and Palestinian refugee populations); 18 religious sects recognized Topic: LesothoProtestant 47.8% (Pentecostal 23.1%, Lesotho Evangelical 17.3%, Anglican 7.4%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, other Christian 9.1%, non-Christian 1.4%, none 2.3% (2014 est.) Topic: LiberiaChristian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.5% (2008 est.) Topic: LibyaMuslim (official; virtually all Sunni) 96.6%, Christian 2.7%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, folk religion <1%, other  <1%, unafilliated <1% (2020 est.) note: non-Sunni Muslims include native Ibadhi Muslims (<1% of the population) and foreign Muslims Topic: LiechtensteinRoman Catholic (official) 73.4%, Protestant Reformed 6.3%, Muslim 5.9%,  Christian Orthodox 1.3%, Lutheran 1.2%, other Protestant .7%, other Christian .3%, other .8%, none 7%, unspecified 3.3% (2015 est.) Topic: LithuaniaRoman Catholic 74.2%, Russian Orthodox 3.7%, Old Believer 0.6%, Evangelical Lutheran 0.6%, Evangelical Reformist 0.2%, other (including Sunni Muslim Jewish, Greek Catholic, and Karaite) 0.9%, none 6.1%, unspecified 13.7% (2021 est.) Topic: LuxembourgChristian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 70.6%, Muslim 2.3%, other (includes Buddhist, folk religions, Hindu, Jewish) 0.4%, unaffiliated 26.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Macaufolk religion 58.9%, Buddhist 17.3%, Christian 7.2%, other 1.2%, none 15.4% (2020 est.) Topic: MadagascarChristian, indigenous, Muslim Topic: MalawiProtestant 33.5% (includes Church of Central Africa Presbyterian 14.2%, Seventh Day Adventist/Baptist 9.4%, Pentecostal 7.6%, Anglican 2.3%), Roman Catholic 17.2%, other Christian 26.6%, Muslim 13.8%, traditionalist 1.1%, other 5.6%, none 2.1% (2018 est.) Topic: MalaysiaMuslim (official) 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian 9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, none 0.8%, unspecified 1% (2010 est.) Topic: MaldivesSunni Muslim (official) Topic: MaliMuslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (2018 est.) Topic: MaltaRoman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.) Topic: Marshall IslandsProtestant 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.) Topic: MauritaniaMuslim (official) 100% Topic: MauritiusHindu 48.5%, Roman Catholic 26.3%, Muslim 17.3%, other Christian 6.4%, other 0.6%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Topic: MexicoRoman Catholic 78%, Protestant/evangelical Christian 11.2%, other 0.002%, unaffiliated (includes atheism) 10.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofRoman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God 0.7%), Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.) Topic: MoldovaOrthodox 90.1%, other Christian 2.6%, other 0.1%, agnostic <.1%, atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.9% (2014 est.) Topic: MonacoRoman Catholic 90% (official), other 10% Topic: MongoliaBuddhist 51.7%, Muslim 3.2%, Shamanist 2.5%, Christian 1.3%, other 0.7%, none 40.6% (2020 est.) Topic: MontenegroOrthodox 72.1%, Muslim 19.1%, Catholic 3.4%, atheist 1.2%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2011 est.) Topic: MontserratProtestant 71.4% (includes Anglican 17.7%, Pentecostal/Full Gospel 16.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 15%, Methodist 13.9%, Church of God 6.7%, other Protestant 2%), Roman Catholic 11.4%, Rastafarian 1.4%, Hindu 1.2%, Jehovah's Witness 1%, Muslim 0.4%, other/not stated 5.1%, none 7.9% (2018 est.) Topic: MoroccoMuslim 99% (official; virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i); note - Jewish about 3,000-3,500 (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: MozambiqueRoman Catholic 27.2%, Muslim 18.9%, Zionist Christian 15.6%, Evangelical/Pentecostal 15.3%, Anglican 1.7%, other 4.8%, none 13.9%, unspecified 2.5% (2017 est.) Topic: NamibiaChristian 97.5%, other 0.6% (includes Muslim, Baha'i, Jewish, Buddhist), unaffiliated 1.9% (2020 est.) Topic: NauruProtestant 60.4% (includes Nauru Congregational 35.7%, Assembly of God 13%, Nauru Independent Church 9.5%, Baptist 1.5%, and Seventh Day Adventist 0.7%), Roman Catholic 33%, other 3.7%, none 1.8%, unspecified 1.1% (2011 est.) Topic: NepalHindu 81.3%, Buddhist 9%, Muslim 4.4%, Kirant 3.1%, Christian 1.4%, other 0.5%, unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.) Topic: NetherlandsRoman Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.8% (includes Dutch Reformed, Protestant Church of The Netherlands, Calvinist), Muslim 5%, other 5.9% (includes Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish), none 54.1% (2019 est.) Topic: New CaledoniaChristian 85.2%, Muslim 2.8%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 10.4% (2020 est.) Topic: New ZealandChristian 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 Topic: NicaraguaRoman Catholic 50%, Evangelical 33.2%, other 2.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 13.2% (2017 est.) Topic: NigerMuslim 99.3%, Christian 0.3%, animist 0.2%, none 0.1% (2012 est.) Topic: NigeriaMuslim 53.5%, Roman Catholic 10.6%, other Christian 35.3%, other .6% (2018 est.) Topic: NiueEkalesia Niue (Congregational Christian Church of Niue - a Protestant church founded by missionaries from the London Missionary Society) 61.7%, Church of Jesus Christ 8.7%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, Jehovah's Witness 2.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4%, other 8.2%, none 8.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Norfolk IslandProtestant 46.8% (Anglican 29.2%, Uniting Church in Australia 9.8%, Presbyterian 2.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.7%, other 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.) Topic: North MacedoniaMacedonian Orthodox 46.1%, Muslim 32.2%, other Christian 13.8%, other and non-believers 0.5%, unspecified 0.2%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no religious affiliation data was available 7.2% (2021 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsChristian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) Topic: NorwayChurch of Norway (Evangelical Lutheran - official) 67.5%, Muslim 3.1%, Roman Catholic 3.1%, other Christian 3.8%, other 2.6%, unspecified 19.9% (2021 est.) Topic: OmanMuslim 85.9%, Christian 6.4%, Hindu 5.7%, other and unaffiliated 2% (2020 est.) note: Omani citizens represent approximately 56.4% of the population and are overwhelming Muslim (Ibadhi and Sunni sects each constitute about 45% and Shia about 5%); Christians, Hindus, and Buddhists account for roughly 5% of Omani citizens Topic: PakistanMuslim (official) 96.5% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 3.5% (2020 est.) Topic: PalauRoman Catholic 45.3%, Protestant 34.9% (includes Evangelical 26.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.9%, Assembly of God .9%, Baptist .7%), Modekngei 5.7% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.5%, other 9.7% (2015 est.) Topic: PanamaRoman Catholic 48.6%, Evangelical 30.2%, other 4.7%, agnostic 0.2%, atheist 0.2%, none 12.3%, unspecified 3.7% (2018 est.) Topic: Papua New GuineaProtestant 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.) note: data represent only the citizen population; roughly 0.3% of the population are non-citizens, consisting of Christian 52% (predominantly Roman Catholic), other 10.7% , none 37.3% Topic: ParaguayRoman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 est.) Topic: PeruRoman Catholic 60%, Christian 14.6% (includes Evangelical 11.1%, other 3.5%), other 0.3%, none 4%, unspecified 21.1% (2017 est.) Topic: PhilippinesRoman Catholic 79.5%, Muslim 6%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, Evangelical 2.4%, National Council of Churches in the Philippines 1.1%, other 7.4%, none <0.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsSeventh Day Adventist 100% Topic: PolandCatholic 85% (includes Roman Catholic 84.8% and other Catholic 0.3%), Orthodox 1.3% (almost all are Polish Autocephalous Orthodox), Protestant 0.4% (mainly Augsburg Evangelical and Pentecostal), other 0.3% (includes Jehovah's Witness, Buddhist, Hare Krishna, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Muslim, Jewish, Church of Jesus Christ), unspecified 12.9% (2020 est.) Topic: PortugalRoman Catholic 81%, other Christian 3.3%, other (includes Jewish, Muslim) 0.6%, none 6.8%, unspecified 8.3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population 15 years of age and older Topic: Puerto RicoRoman Catholic 56%, Protestant 33% (largely Pentecostal), other 2%, atheist 1%, none 7% (2014 est.) Topic: QatarMuslim 65.2%, Christian 13.7%, Hindu 15.9%, Buddhist 3.8%, folk religion <0.1%, Jewish <0.1%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Topic: RomaniaEastern Orthodox (including all sub-denominations) 81.9%, Protestant (various denominations including Reformed and Pentecostal) 6.4%, Roman Catholic 4.3%, other (includes Muslim) 0.9%, none or atheist 0.2%, unspecified 6.3% (2011 est.) Topic: RussiaRussian Orthodox 15-20%, Muslim 10-15%, other Christian 2% (2006 est.) note: estimates are of practicing worshipers; Russia has large populations of non-practicing believers and non-believers, a legacy of over seven decades of official atheism under Soviet rule; Russia officially recognizes Orthodox Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism as the country's traditional religions Topic: RwandaProtestant 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.) Topic: Saint BarthelemyRoman Catholic, Protestant, Jehovah's Witnesses Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaProtestant 75.9% (includes Anglican 68.9, Baptist 2.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.8%, Salvation Army 1.7%, New Apostolic 1.4%), Jehovah's Witness 4.1%, Roman Catholic 1.2%, other 2.5% (includes Baha'i), unspecified 0.8%, none 6.1%, no response 9.4% (2016 est.) note: data represent Saint Helena only Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisProtestant 75.6% (includes Anglican 16.6%, Methodist 15.8%, Pentecostal 10.8%, Church of God 7.4%, Baptist 5.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 5.4%, Wesleyan Holiness 5.3%, Moravian 4.8%, Evangelical 2.1%, Brethren 1.7%, Presbyterian 0.3%), Roman Catholic 5.9%, Hindu 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.4%, Rastafarian 1.3%, other 5%, none 8.8%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Topic: Saint LuciaRoman 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.) Topic: Saint MartinRoman Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Protestant, Hindu Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonRoman Catholic 99%, other 1% Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesProtestant 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.) Topic: SamoaProtestant 54.9% (Congregationalist 29%, Methodist 12.4%, Assembly of God 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, other Protestant 2.3%), Roman Catholic 18.8%, Church of Jesus Christ 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim), none 0.2% (2016 est.) Topic: San MarinoRoman Catholic Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeCatholic 55.7%, Adventist 4.1%, Assembly of God 3.4%, New Apostolic 2.9%, Mana 2.3%, Universal Kingdom of God 2%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 6.2%, none 21.2%, unspecified 1% (2012 est.) Topic: Saudi ArabiaMuslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-12% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2020 est.) note: despite having a large expatriate community of various faiths (more than 30% of the population), most forms of public religious expression inconsistent with the government-sanctioned interpretation of Sunni Islam are restricted; non-Muslims are not allowed to have Saudi citizenship and non-Muslim places of worship are not permitted (2013) Topic: SenegalMuslim 97.2% (most adhere to one of the four main Sufi brotherhoods), Christian 2.7% (mostly Roman Catholic) (2019 est.) Topic: SerbiaOrthodox 84.6%, Catholic 5%, Muslim 3.1%, Protestant 1%, atheist 1.1%, other 0.8% (includes agnostics, other Christians, Eastern, Jewish), undeclared or unknown 4.5% (2011 est.) note: most ethnic Albanians boycotted the 2011 census Topic: SeychellesRoman Catholic 76.2%, Protestant 10.5% (Anglican 6.1%, Pentecostal Assembly 1.5%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.2%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 2.4%, Hindu 2.4%, Muslim 1.6%, other non-Christian 1.1%, unspecified 4.8%, none 0.9% (2010 est.) Topic: Sierra LeoneMuslim 77.1%, Christian 22.9% (2019 est.) Topic: SingaporeBuddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 20% (2020 est.) Topic: Sint MaartenProtestant 41.9% (Pentecostal 14.7%, Methodist 10.0%, Seventh Day Adventist 6.6%, Baptist 4.7%, Anglican 3.1%, other Protestant 2.8%), Roman Catholic 33.1%, Hindu 5.2%, Christian 4.1%, Jehovah's Witness 1.7%, Evangelical 1.4%, Muslim/Jewish 1.1%, other 1.3% (includes Buddhist, Sikh, Rastafarian), none 7.9%, no response 2.4% (2011 est.) Topic: SlovakiaRoman Catholic 55.8%, Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession 5.3%, Greek Catholic 4%, Reformed Christian 1.6%, other 3%, none 23.8%, unspecified 6.5% (2021 est.) Topic: SloveniaCatholic 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.) Topic: Solomon IslandsProtestant 73.4% (Church of Melanesia 31.9%, South Sea Evangelical 17.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.7%, United Church 10.1%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.5%), Roman Catholic 19.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 4%, unspecified 0.1% (2009 est.) Topic: SomaliaSunni Muslim (Islam) (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter) Topic: South AfricaChristian 86%, ancestral, tribal, animist, or other traditional African religions 5.4%, Muslim 1.9%, other 1.5%, nothing in particular 5.2% (2015 est.) Topic: South SudanChristian 60.5%, folk religion 32.9%, Muslim 6.2%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Topic: SpainRoman Catholic 58.2%, atheist 16.2%, agnostic 10.8%, other 2.7%, non-believer 10.5%, unspecified 1.7% (2021 est.) Topic: Sri LankaBuddhist (official) 70.2%, Hindu 12.6%, Muslim 9.7%, Roman Catholic 6.1%, other Christian 1.3%, other 0.05% (2012 est.) Topic: SudanSunni Muslim, small Christian minority Topic: SurinameProtestant 23.6% (includes Evangelical 11.2%, Moravian 11.2%, Reformed .7%, Lutheran .5%), Hindu 22.3%, Roman Catholic 21.6%, Muslim 13.8%, other Christian 3.2%, Winti 1.8%, Jehovah's Witness 1.2%, other 1.7%, none 7.5%, unspecified 3.2% (2012 est.) Topic: SwedenChurch of Sweden (Lutheran) 57.6%, other (includes Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist) 8.9%, none or unspecified 33.5% (2019 est.) note: estimates reflect registered members of faith communities eligible for state funding (not all religions are state-funded and not all people who identify with a particular religion are registered members) and the Church of Sweden Topic: SwitzerlandRoman Catholic 34.4%, Protestant 22.5%, other Christian 5.7%, Muslim 5.4%, other 1.5%, none 29.4%, unspecified 1.1% (2020 est.) Topic: SyriaMuslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3% note:  the Christian population may be considerably smaller as a result of Christians fleeing the country during the ongoing civil war Topic: TaiwanBuddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%, none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.) Topic: TajikistanMuslim 98% (Sunni 95%, Shia 3%) other 2% (2014 est.) Topic: TanzaniaChristian 63.1%, Muslim 34.1%, folk religion 1.1%, Buddhist <1%, Hindu <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified 1.6% (2020 est.) note: Zanzibar is almost entirely Muslim Topic: ThailandBuddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, other <0.1%, none <0.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Timor-LesteRoman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.) Topic: TogoChristian 42.3%, folk religion 36.9%, Muslim 14%, Hindu <1%, Buddhist <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, none 6.2% (2020 est.) Topic: TokelauCongregational Christian Church 50.4%, Roman Catholic 38.7%, Presbyterian 5.9%, other Christian 4.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: TongaProtestant 64.1% (includes Free Wesleyan Church 35%, Free Church of Tonga 11.9%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Assembly of God 2.3%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.2%, Tokaikolo Christian Church 1.6%, other 4.3%), Church of Jesus Christ 18.6%, Roman Catholic 14.2%, other 2.4%, none 0.5%, unspecified 0.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoProtestant 32.1% (Pentecostal/Evangelical/Full Gospel 12%, Baptist 6.9%, Anglican 5.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.1%, Presbyterian/Congregational 2.5%, other Protestant 0.9%), Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu 18.2%, Muslim 5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 8.4%, none 2.2%, unspecified 11.1% (2011 est.) Topic: TunisiaMuslim (official; Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) <1% Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews) Topic: TurkmenistanMuslim 93%, Christian 6.4%, Buddhist <1%, folk religion <1%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unspecified <1% (2020 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsProtestant 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.) Topic: TuvaluProtestant 92.7% (Congregational Christian Church of Tuvalu 85.9%, Brethren 2.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.5%, Assemblies of God 1.5%), Baha'i 1.5%, Jehovah's Witness 1.5%, other 3.9%, none or refused 0.4% (2017 est.) Topic: UgandaProtestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est.) Topic: UkraineOrthodox (includes the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU), Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church (UAOC), and the Ukrainian Orthodox - Moscow Patriarchate (UOC-MP)), Ukrainian Greek Catholic, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, Jewish (2013 est.) note: Ukraine's population is overwhelmingly Christian; the vast majority - up to two thirds - identify themselves as Orthodox, but many do not specify a particular branch; the OCU and the UOC-MP each represent less than a quarter of the country's population, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church accounts for 8-10%, and the UAOC accounts for 1-2%; Muslim and Jewish adherents each compose less than 1% of the total population Topic: United Arab EmiratesMuslim (official) 76%, Christian 9%, other (primarily Hindu and Buddhist, less than 5% of the population consists of Parsi, Baha'i, Druze, Sikh, Ahmadi, Ismaili, Dawoodi Bohra Muslim, and Jewish) 15% (2005 est.) note: data represent the total population; as of 2020, immigrants make up about 88.1% of the total population, according to UN data Topic: United KingdomChristian (includes Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%, Muslim 4.4%, Hindu 1.3%, other 2%, unspecified 7.2%, none 25.7% (2011 est.) Topic: United StatesProtestant 46.5%, Roman Catholic 20.8%, Jewish 1.9%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.6%, other Christian 0.9%, Muslim 0.9%, Jehovah's Witness 0.8%, Buddhist 0.7%, Hindu 0.7%, other 1.8%, unaffiliated 22.8%, don't know/refused 0.6% (2014 est.) Topic: UruguayRoman Catholic 42%, Protestant 15%, other 6%, agnostic 3%, atheist 10%, unspecified 24% (2014 est.) Topic: UzbekistanMuslim 88% (mostly Sunni), Eastern Orthodox 9%, other 3% Topic: VanuatuProtestant 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.) Topic: VenezuelaRoman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Topic: VietnamCatholic 6.1%, Buddhist 5.8%, Protestant 1%, other 0.8%, none 86.3% (2019 est.) note: most Vietnamese are culturally Buddhist Topic: Virgin IslandsProtestant 65.5%, Roman Catholic 27.1%, other Christians 2.2%, other 1.5%, none 3.7% (2010 est.) Topic: Wallis and FutunaRoman Catholic 99%, other 1% Topic: West BankMuslim 80-85% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12-14%, Christian 1-2.5% (mainly Greek Orthodox), other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1% (2012 est.) Topic: WorldChristian 31.1%, Muslim 24.9%, Hindu 15.2%, Buddhist 6.6%, folk religions 5.6%, Jewish <1%, other <1%, unaffiliated 15.6% (2020 est.) Topic: YemenMuslim 99.1% (official; virtually all are citizens, an estimated 65% are Sunni and 35% are Shia), other 0.9% (includes Jewish, Baha'i, Hindu, and Christian; many are refugees or temporary foreign residents) (2020 est.) Topic: ZambiaProtestant 75.3%, Roman Catholic 20.2%, other 2.7% (includes Muslim Buddhist, Hindu, and Baha'i), none 1.8% (2010 est.) Topic: ZimbabweProtestant 74.8% (includes Apostolic 37.5%, Pentecostal 21.8%, other 15.5%), Roman Catholic 7.3%, other Christian 5.3%, traditional 1.5%, Muslim 0.5%, other 0.1%, none 10.5% (2015 est.)

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-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

references-geographic-names

20220901

countries-kazakhstan-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes with additional Persian cultural influences, migrated to the region in the 15th century. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. The country gained independence in 1991.Ethnic Kazakhs, a mix of Turkic and Mongol nomadic tribes with additional Persian cultural influences, migrated to the region in the 15th century. The area was conquered by Russia in the 18th and 19th centuries, and Kazakhstan became a Soviet Republic in 1925. The country gained independence in 1991. Topic: Geography Area: total: 2,724,900 sq km land: 2,699,700 sq km water: 25,200 sq km Climate: continental, cold winters and hot summers, arid and semiarid Natural resources: major deposits of petroleum, natural gas, coal, iron ore, manganese, chrome ore, nickel, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, lead, zinc, bauxite, gold, uranium Topic: People and Society Population: 19,398,331 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: Kazakh (Qazaq) 68%, Russian 19.3%, Uzbek 3.2%, Ukrainian 1.5%, Uighur 1.5%, Tatar 1.1%, German 1%, other 4.4% (2019 est.) Languages: Kazakh (official, Qazaq) 83.1% (understand spoken language) and trilingual (Kazakh, Russian, English) 22.3% (2017 est.); Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 94.4% (understand spoken language) (2009 est.) Religions: Muslim 70.2%, Christian 26.2% (mainly Russian Orthodox), other 0.2%, atheist 2.8%, unspecified 0.5% (2009 est.) Population growth rate: 0.77% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Nur-Sultan Executive branch: chief of state: President Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV (since 20 March 2019); note - Nursultan NAZARBAYEV, who was president since 24 April 1990 (and in power since 22 June 1989 under the Soviet period), resigned on 20 March 2019; NAZARBAYEV retained the title and powers of "First President"; TOKAYEV completed NAZARBAYEV's term, which was shortened due to the early election of 9 June 2019, and then continued as president following his election victory head of government: Prime Minister Alikhan SMAILOV (since 11 January 2022); note - Prime Minister Askar MAMIN resigned on 5 January 2022 in the wake of massive protests of his government that began 2 January 2022 following a sudden, steep rise in gasoline prices Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (49 seats statutory, 48 as of October 2021); 34 members indirectly elected by 2-round majority vote by the oblast-level assemblies and 15 members appointed by decree of the president; members serve 6-year terms, with one-half of the membership renewed every 3 years) Mazhilis (107 seats; 98 members directly elected in a single national constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 9 indirectly elected by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan, a 351-member, presidentially appointed advisory body designed to represent the country's ethnic minorities) Topic: Economy Economic overview: oil and gas giant, with growing international investment; domestic economy hit hard by COVID-19 disruptions; reforming civil society and improving business confidence; legacy state controls and Russian influence inhibit growth and autonomyoil and gas giant, with growing international investment; domestic economy hit hard by COVID-19 disruptions; reforming civil society and improving business confidence; legacy state controls and Russian influence inhibit growth and autonomy Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $475.18 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $25,300 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, milk, potatoes, barley, watermelons, melons, linseed, onions, maize, sunflower seed Industries: oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, chromite, lead, zinc, copper, titanium, bauxite, gold, silver, phosphates, sulfur, uranium, iron and steel; tractors and other agricultural machinery, electric motors, construction materials Exports: $51.75 billion (2020 est.) Exports - partners: China 13%, Italy 12%, Russia 10%, Netherlands 7%, France 6%, South Korea 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, natural gas, copper, iron alloys, radioactive chemicals (2019) Imports: $44.3 billion (2020 est.) Imports - partners: Russia 34%, China 24% (2019) Imports - commodities: packaged medicines, natural gas, cars, broadcasting equipment, aircraft (2019)Page last updated: Thursday, May 12, 2022

20220901

field-population-distribution

This entry provides a summary description of the population dispersion within a country. While it may suggest population density, it does not provide density figures. Topic: Afghanistanpopulations tend to cluster in the foothills and periphery of the rugged Hindu Kush range; smaller groups are found in many of the country's interior valleys; in general, the east is more densely settled, while the south is sparsely populated Topic: Albaniaa fairly even distribution, with somewhat higher concentrations of people in the western and central parts of the country Topic: Algeriathe vast majority of the populace is found in the extreme northern part of the country along the Mediterranean Coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Andorrapopulation is unevenly distributed and is concentrated in the seven urbanized valleys that make up the country's parishes (political administrative divisions) Topic: Angolamost people live in the western half of the country; urban areas account for the highest concentrations of people, particularly the capital of Luanda as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Anguillamost of the population is concentrated in The Valley in the center of the island; settlmement is fairly uniform in the southwest, but rather sparce in the northeast Topic: Antigua and Barbudathe island of Antigua is home to approximately 97% of the population; nearly the entire population of Barbuda lives in Codrington Topic: Argentinaone-third of the population lives in Buenos Aires; pockets of agglomeration occur throughout the northern and central parts of the country; Patagonia to the south remains sparsely populated Topic: Armeniamost of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the capital of Yerevan is home to more than five times as many people as Gyumri, the second largest city in the country Topic: Arubamost residents live in or around Oranjestad and San Nicolaas; most settlments tend to be located on the less mountainous western side of the island Topic: Australiapopulation is primarily located on the periphery, with the highest concentration of people residing in the east and southeast; a secondary population center is located in and around Perth in the west; of the States and Territories, New South Wales has, by far, the largest population; the interior, or "outback", has a very sparse population Topic: Austriathe northern and eastern portions of the country are more densely populated; nearly two-thirds of the populace lives in urban areas Topic: Azerbaijanhighest population density is found in the far eastern area of the country, in and around Baku; apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed population Topic: Bahamas, Themost of the population lives in urban areas, with two-thirds living on New Providence Island where Nassau is located Topic: Bahrainsmallest population of the Gulf States, but urbanization rate exceeds 90%; largest settlement concentration is found on the far northern end of the island in and around Manamah and Al Muharraq Topic: Barbadosmost densely populated country in the eastern Caribbean; approximately one-third live in urban areas Topic: Belarusa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Belgiummost of the population concentrated in the northern two-thirds of the country; the southeast is more thinly populated; considered to have one of the highest population densities in the world; approximately 97% live in urban areas Topic: Belizeapproximately 25% to 30% of the population lives in the former capital, Belize City; over half of the overall population is rural; population density is slightly higher in the north and east Topic: Beninthe population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west at shown in this population distribution map Topic: Bermudarelatively even population distribution throughout Topic: Boliviaa high altitude plain in the west between two cordillera of the Andes, known as the Altiplano, is the focal area for most of the population; a dense settlement pattern is also found in and around the city of Santa Cruz, located on the eastern side of the Andes Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinathe northern and central areas of the country are the most densely populated Topic: Botswanathe 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 Topic: Brazilthe vast majority of people live along, or relatively near, the Atlantic coast in the east; the population core is in the southeast, anchored by the cities of Sao Paolo, Brasilia, and Rio de Janeiro Topic: British Virgin Islandsa fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations Topic: Bulgariaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger populations Topic: Burkina Faso 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 Topic: Burmapopulation concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated Topic: Burundione of Africa's most densely populated countries; concentrations tend to be in the north and along the northern shore of Lake Tanganyika in the west; most people live on farms near areas of fertile volcanic soil as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Cabo Verdeamong the nine inhabited islands, population distribution is variable; islands in the east are very dry and are only sparsely settled to exploit their extensive salt deposits; the more southerly islands receive more precipitation and support larger populations, but agriculture and livestock grazing have damaged the soil fertility and vegetation; approximately half of the population lives on Sao Tiago Island, which is the location of the capital of Praia; Mindelo, on the northern island of Sao Vicente, also has a large urban population as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Cambodiapopulation concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers Topic: Cameroonpopulation concentrated in the west and north, with the interior of the country sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Canadavast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia Topic: Cayman Islandsmajority of the population resides on Grand Cayman Topic: Central African Republicmajority 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 Topic: Chadthe population is unevenly distributed due to contrasts in climate and physical geography; the highest density is found in the southwest, particularly around Lake Chad and points south; the dry Saharan zone to the north is the least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Chile90% of the population is located in the middle third of the country around the capital of Santiago; the far north (anchored by the Atacama Desert) and the extreme south are relatively underpopulated Topic: Chinaoverwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many other countries in Asia and Europe; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang Topic: Christmas Islandmajority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsonly Home Island and West Island are populated Topic: Colombiathe majority of people live in the north and west where agricultural opportunities and natural resources are found; the vast grasslands of the llanos to the south and east, which make up approximately 60% of the country, are sparsely populated Topic: Comorosthe capital city of Maroni, located on the western side of the island of Grande Comore, is the country's largest city; however, of the three islands that comprise Comoros, it is Anjouan that is the most densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theurban clusters are spread throughout the country, particularly in the northeast along the boarder with Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi; the largest city is the capital, Kinshasha, located in the west along the Congo River; the south is least densely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Congo, Republic of thethe population is primarily located in the south, in and around the capital of Brazzaville as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Cook Islandsmost of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga Topic: Costa Ricaroughly 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 Topic: Cote d'Ivoirethe population is primarily located in the forested south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the northern savanna remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations located along transportation corridors as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Croatiamore of the population lives in the northern half of the country, with approximately a quarter of the populace residing in and around the capital of Zagreb; many of the islands are sparsely populated Topic: Cubalarge population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana Topic: Curacaolargest concentration on the island is Willemstad; smaller settlements near the coast can be found throughout the island, particularly in the northwest Topic: Cypruspopulation concentrated in central Nicosia and in the major cities of the south: Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca Topic: Czechiaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, but the northern and eastern regions tend to have larger urban concentrations Topic: Denmarkwith excellent access to the North Sea, Skagerrak, Kattegat, and the Baltic Sea, population centers tend to be along coastal areas, particularly in Copenhagen and the eastern side of the country's mainland Topic: Djiboutimost densely populated areas are in the east; the largest city is Djibouti, with a population over 600,000; no other city in the country has a total population over 50,000 as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Dominicapopulation is mosly clustered along the coast, with roughly a third living in the parish of St. George, in or around the capital of Roseau; the volcanic interior is sparsely populated Topic: Dominican Republiccoastal 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) Topic: Ecuadornearly half of the population is concentrated in the interior in the Andean intermontane basins and valleys, with large concentrations also found along the western coastal strip; the rainforests of the east remain sparsely populated Topic: Egyptapproximately 95% of the population lives within 20 km of the Nile River and its delta; vast areas of the country remain sparsely populated or uninhabited as shown in this population distribution map Topic: El Salvadorathough it is the smallest country in land area in Central America, El Salvador has a population that is 18 times larger than Belize; at least 20% of the population lives abroad; high population density country-wide, with particular concentration around the capital of San Salvador Topic: Equatorial Guineaonly two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Eritreadensity is highest in the center of the country in and around the cities of Asmara (capital) and Keren; smaller settlements exist in the north and south as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Estoniaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Eswatinibecause of its mountainous terrain, the population distribution is uneven throughout the country, concentrating primarily in valleys and plains as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Ethiopiahighest density is found in the highlands of the north and middle areas of the country, particularly around the centrally located capital city of Addis Ababa; the far east and southeast are sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: European Unionpopulation distribution varies considerably from country to country, but tends to follow a pattern of coastal and river settlement, with urban agglomerations forming large hubs facilitating large scale housing, industry, and commerce; the area in and around the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg (known collectively as Benelux), is the most densely populated area in the EU Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)a very small population, with most residents living in and around Stanley Topic: Faroe Islandsthe island of Streymoy is by far the most populous with over 40% of the population; it has approximately twice as many inhabitants as Eysturoy, the second most populous island; seven of the inhabited islands have fewer than 100 people Topic: Fijiapproximately 70% of the population lives on the island of Viti Levu; roughly half of the population lives in urban areas Topic: Finlandthe vast majority of people are found in the south; the northern interior areas remain sparsely poplulated Topic: Francemuch of the population is concentrated in the north and southeast; although there are many urban agglomerations throughout the country, Paris is by far the largest city, with Lyon ranked a distant second Topic: French Polynesiathe majority of the population lives in the Society Islands, one of five archipelagos that includes the most populous island - Tahiti - with approximately 70% of the nation's population Topic: Gabonthe relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Gambia, Thesettlements are found scattered along the Gambia River; the largest communities, including the capital of Banjul, and the country's largest city, Serekunda, are found at the mouth of the Gambia River along the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Gaza Strippopulation concentrated in major cities, particularly Gaza City in the north Topic: Georgiasettlement concentrated in the central valley, particularly in the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest Topic: Germanymost populous country in Europe; a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations, particularly in the far western part of the industrial state of North Rhine-Westphalia Topic: Ghanapopulation is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations being on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Greeceone-third of the population lives in and around metropolitan Athens; the remainder of the country has moderate population density mixed with sizeable urban clusters Topic: Greenlandsettlement concentrated on the southwest shoreline, with limited settlements scattered along the remaining coast; interior is uninhabited Topic: Grenadaapproximately one-third of the population is found in the capital of St. George's; the island's population is concentrated along the coast Topic: Guamno large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo Topic: Guatemalathe vast majority of the populace resides in the southern half of the country, particularly in the mountainous regions; more than half of the population lives in rural areas Topic: Guineaareas of highest density are in the west and south; interior is sparsely populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Guinea-Bissauapproximately one-fifth of the population lives in the capital city of Bissau along the Atlantic coast; the remainder is distributed among the eight other, mainly rural, regions as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Guyanapopulation is heavily concentrated in the northeast in and around Georgetown, with noteable concentrations along the Berbice River to the east; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Topic: Haitifairly even distribution; largest concentrations located near coastal areas Topic: Hondurasmost 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 Topic: Hong Kongpopulation fairly evenly distributed Topic: Hungarya fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: IcelandIceland 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 Topic: Indiawith the notable exception of the deserts in the northwest, including the Thar Desert, and the mountain fringe in the north, a very high population density exists throughout most of the country; the core of the population is in the north along the banks of the Ganges, with other river valleys and southern coastal areas also having large population concentrations Topic: Indonesiamajor concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands (those surrounding Java and Bali), Sumatra contains some of the most significant clusters, particularly in the south near the Selat Sunda, and along the northeastern coast near Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan) are also heavily populated Topic: Iranpopulation 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 Topic: Iraqpopulation is concentrated in the north, center, and eastern parts of the country, with many of the larger urban agglomerations found along extensive parts of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers; much of the western and southern areas are either lightly populated or uninhabited Topic: Irelandpopulation distribution is weighted to the eastern side of the island, with the largest concentration being in and around Dublin; populations in the west are small due to mountainous land, poorer soil, lack of good transport routes, and fewer job opportunities Topic: Isle of Manmost people concentrated in cities and large towns of which Douglas, in the southeast, is the largest Topic: Israelpopulation concentrated in and around Tel-Aviv, as well as around the Sea of Galilee; the south remains sparsely populated with the exception of the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba Topic: Italydespite a distinctive pattern with an industrial north and an agrarian south, a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples), attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Jamaicapopulation density is high throughout, but increases in and around Kingston, Montego Bay, and Port Esquivel Topic: Japanall primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one-third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain) Topic: Jerseyfairly even distribution; no notable trends Topic: Jordanpopulation heavily concentrated in the west, and particularly the northwest, in and around the capital of Amman; a sizeable, but smaller population is located in the southwest along the shore of the Gulf of Aqaba Topic: Kazakhstanmost of the country displays a low population density, particularly the interior; population clusters appear in urban agglomerations in the far northern and southern portions of the country Topic: Kenyapopulation heavily concentrated in the west along the shore of Lake Victoria; other areas of high density include the capital of Nairobi, and in the southeast along the Indian Ocean coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Kiribaticonsists of three achipelagos spread out over an area roughly the size of India; the eastern Line Islands and central Phoenix Islands are sparsely populated, but the western Gilbert Islands are some of the most densely settled places on earth, with the main island of South Tarawa boasting a population density similar to Tokyo or Hong Kong Topic: Korea, Northpopulation concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east Topic: Korea, Southwith 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 Topic: Kosovopopulation clusters exist throughout the country, the largest being in the east in and around the capital of Pristina Topic: Kuwaitdensest settlement is along the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait City and on Bubiyan Island; significant population threads extend south and west along highways that radiate from the capital, particularly in the southern half of the country Topic: Kyrgyzstanthe vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around the capital, Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains Topic: Laosmost densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia Topic: Latvialargest concentration of people is found in and around the port and capital city of Riga; small agglomerations are scattered throughout the country Topic: Lebanonthe majority of the people live on or near the Mediterranean coast, and of these most live in and around the capital, Beirut; favorable growing conditions in the Bekaa Valley, on the southeastern side of the Lebanon Mountains, have attracted farmers and thus the area exhibits a smaller population density Topic: Lesothorelatively higher population density in the western half of the nation, with the capital of Maseru, and the smaller cities of Mafeteng, Teyateyaneng, and Leribe attracting the most people as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Liberiamore than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Libyawell over 90% of the population lives along the Mediterranean coast in and between Tripoli to the west and Al Bayda to the east; the interior remains vastly underpopulated due to the Sahara and lack of surface water as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Liechtensteinmost of the population is found in the western half of the country along the Rhine River Topic: Lithuaniafairly even population distribution throughout the country, but somewhat greater concentrations in the southern cities of Vilnius and Kaunas, and the western port of Klaipeda Topic: Luxembourgmost people live in the south, on or near the border with France Topic: Macaupopulation fairly equally distributed Topic: Madagascarmost of population lives on the eastern half of the island; significant clustering is found in the central highlands and eastern coastline as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Malawipopulation density is highest south of Lake Nyasa as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Malaysiaa highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula Topic: Maldivesabout 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 Topic: Malithe overwhelming majority of the population lives in the southern half of the country, with greater density along the border with Burkina Faso as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Maltamost of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands Topic: Marshall Islandsmost people live in urban clusters found on many of the country's islands; more than two-thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye Topic: Mauritaniawith most of the country being a desert, vast areas of the country, particularly in the central, northern, and eastern areas, are without sizeable population clusters; half the population lives in or around the coastal capital of Nouakchott; smaller clusters are found near the southern border with Mali and Senegal as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Mauritiuspopulation density is one of the highest in the world; urban cluster are found throught the main island, with a greater density in and around Port Luis; population on Rodrigues Island is spread across the island with a slightly denser cluster on the north coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Mexicomost of the population is found in the middle of the country between the states of Jalisco and Veracruz; approximately a quarter of the population lives in and around Mexico City Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofthe majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas Topic: Moldovapockets of agglomeration exist throughout the country, the largest being in the center of the country around the capital of Chisinau, followed by Tiraspol and Balti Topic: Monacothe second most densely populated country in the world (after Macau); its entire population living on 2 square km Topic: Mongoliasparsely distributed population throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities Topic: Montenegrohighest population density is concentrated in the south, southwest; the extreme eastern border is the least populated area Topic: Montserratonly the northern half of the island is populated, the southern portion is uninhabitable due to volcanic activity Topic: Moroccothe highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Mozambiquethree large populations clusters are found along the southern coast between Maputo and Inhambane, in the central area between Beira and Chimoio along the Zambezi River, and in and around the northern cities of Nampula, Cidade de Nacala, and Pemba; the northwest and southwest are the least populated areas as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Namibiapopulation density is very low, with the largest clustering found in the extreme north-central area along the border with Angola as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Nauruextensive phosphate mining made approximately 90% of the island unsuitable for farming; most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast Topic: Nepalmost of the population is divided nearly equally between a concentration in the southern-most plains of the Tarai region and the central hilly region; overall density is quite low Topic: Netherlandsan area known as the Randstad, anchored by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, and Utrecht, is the most densely populated region; the north tends to be less dense, though sizeable communities can be found throughout the entire country Topic: New Caledoniamost of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea Topic: New Zealandover three-quarters of New Zealanders, including the indigenous Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas Topic: Nicaraguathe 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 Topic: Nigermajority 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 Topic: Nigerialargest population of any African nation; significant population clusters are scattered throughout the country, with the highest density areas being in the south and southwest as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Niuepopulation distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island Topic: Norfolk Islandpopulation concentrated around the capital of Kingston Topic: North Macedoniaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsapproximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan Topic: Norwaymost Norwegians live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the North Sea coast in the southwest, and Skaggerak in the southeast; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated Topic: Omanthe vast majority of the population is located in and around the Al Hagar Mountains in the north of the country; another smaller cluster is found around the city of Salalah in the far south; most of the country remains sparsely poplulated Topic: Pakistanthe Indus River and its tributaries attract most of the settlement, with Punjab province the most densely populated Topic: Palaumost of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap Topic: Panamapopulation is concentrated towards the center of the country, particularly around the Canal, but a sizeable segment of the populace also lives in the far west around David; the eastern third of the country is sparsely inhabited Topic: Papua New Guineapopulation concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one-fifth of the population residing in urban areas Topic: Paracel Islandsa population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands Topic: Paraguaymost of the population resides in the eastern half of the country; to the west lies the Gran Chaco (a semi-arid lowland plain), which accounts for 60% of the land territory, but only 2% of the overall population Topic: Peruapproximately one-third of the population resides along the desert coastal belt in the west, with a strong focus on the capital city of Lima; the Andean highlands, or sierra, which is strongly identified with the country's Amerindian population, contains roughly half of the overall population; the eastern slopes of the Andes, and adjoining rainforest, are sparsely populated Topic: Philippinespopulation concentrated where good farmlands lie; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire national population Topic: Pitcairn Islandsless than 50 inhabitants on Pitcairn Island, most reside near the village of Adamstown Topic: Polandpopulation concentrated in the southern area around Krakow and the central area around Warsaw and Lodz, with an extension to the northern coastal city of Gdansk Topic: Portugalconcentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities Topic: Puerto Ricopopulation clusters tend to be found along the coast, the largest of these is found in and around San Juan; an exception to this is a sizeable population located in the interior of the island immediately south of the capital around Caguas; most of the interior, particularly in the western half of the island, is dominated by the Cordillera Central mountains, where population density is low Topic: Qatarmost of the population is clustered in or around the capital of Doha on the eastern side of the peninsula Topic: Romaniaurbanization is not particularly high, and a fairly even population distribution can be found throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations; Hungarians, the country's largest minority, have a particularly strong presence in eastern Transylvania Topic: Russiapopulation is heavily concentrated in the westernmost fifth of the country extending from the Baltic Sea, south to the Caspian Sea, and eastward parallel to the Kazakh border; elsewhere, sizeable pockets are isolated and generally found in the south Topic: Rwandaone 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 Topic: Saint Barthelemymost of the populace concentrated in and around the capital of Gustavia, but scattered settlements exist around the island periphery Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena - population is concentrated in and around the capital Jamestown in the northwest, with another significant cluster in the interior Longwood area; Ascension - largest settlement, and location of most of the population, is Georgetown; Tristan da Cunha - most of the nearly 300 inhabitants live in the northern coastal town of Edinburgh of the Seven Seas Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevispopulation clusters are found in the small towns located on the periphery of both islands Topic: Saint Luciamost of the population is found on the periphery of the island, with a larger concentration in the north around the capital of Castries Topic: Saint Martinmost of the population is found along the coast, with a largest concentrations around the capital Marigot, Orleans, and Grand-Case Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonmost of the population is found on Saint Pierre Island; a small settlement is located on the north end of Miquelon Island Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesmost of the population is concentrated in and around the capital of Kingstown Topic: Samoaabout three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeSao Tome, the capital city, has roughly a quarter of the nation's population; Santo Antonio is the largest town on Principe; the northern areas of both islands have the highest population densities as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Saudi Arabiahistorically a population that was mostly nomadic or semi-nomadic, the Saudi population has become more settled since petroleum was discovered in the 1930s; most of the economic activities - and with it the country's population - is concentrated in a wide area across the middle of the peninsula, from Ad Dammam in the east, through Riyadh in the interior, to Mecca-Medina in the west near the Red Sea Topic: Senegalthe population is concentrated in the west, with Dakar anchoring a well-defined core area; approximately 70% of the population is rural as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Serbiaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Topic: Seychellesmore than three-quarters of the population lives on the main island of Mahe; Praslin contains less than 10%; a smaller percent on La Digue and the outer islands as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Sierra Leonepopulation clusters are found in the lower elevations of the south and west; the northern third of the country is less populated as shown on this population distribution map Topic: Singaporemost of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas Topic: Sint Maartenmost populous areas are Lower Prince's Quarter (north of Philipsburg), followed closely by Cul de Sac Topic: Slovakiaa fairly even distribution throughout most of the country; slightly larger concentration in the west in proximity to the Czech border Topic: Sloveniaa 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 Topic: Solomon Islandsmost of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these some two-thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port Topic: Somaliadistribution varies greatly throughout the country; least densely populated areas are in the northeast and central regions, as well as areas along the Kenyan border; most populated areas are in and around the cities of Mogadishu, Marka, Boorama, Hargeysa, and Baidoa as shown on this population distribution map Topic: South Africathe population concentrated along the southern and southeastern coast, and inland around Pretoria; the eastern half of the country is more densly populated than the west as shown in this population distribution map Topic: South Sudanclusters found in urban areas, particularly in the western interior and around the White Nile as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Spainwith the notable exception of Madrid, Sevilla, and Zaragoza, the largest urban agglomerations are found along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts; numerous smaller cities are spread throughout the interior reflecting Spain's agrarian heritage; very dense settlement around the capital of Madrid, as well as the port city of Barcelona Topic: Sri Lankathe 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 Topic: Sudanwith the exception of a ribbon of settlement that corresponds to the banks of the Nile, northern Sudan, which extends into the dry Sahara, is sparsely populated; more abundant vegetation and broader access to water increases population distribution in the south extending habitable range along nearly the entire border with South Sudan; sizeable areas of population are found around Khartoum, southeast between the Blue and White Nile Rivers, and througout South Darfur as shown on this population distribution map Topic: Surinamepopulation concentrated along the nothern coastal strip; the remainder of the country is sparsely populated Topic: Svalbardthe small population is primarily concentrated on the island of Spitsbergen in a handful of settlements on the south side of the Isfjorden, with Longyearbyen being the largest Topic: Swedenmost Swedes live in the south where the climate is milder and there is better connectivity to mainland Europe; population clusters are found all along the Baltic coast in the east; the interior areas of the north remain sparsely populated Topic: Switzerlandpopulation distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement Topic: Syriasignificant population density along the Mediterranean coast; larger concentrations found in the major cities of Damascus, Aleppo (the country's largest city), and Hims (Homs); more than half of the population lives in the coastal plain, the province of Halab, and the Euphrates River valley note: the ongoing civil war has altered the population distribution Topic: Taiwandistribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts Topic: Tajikistanthe country's population is concentrated at lower elevations, with perhaps as much as 90% of the people living in valleys; overall density increases from east to west Topic: Tanzaniathe largest and most populous East African country; population distribution is extremely uneven, but greater population clusters occur in the northern half of country and along the east coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Thailandhighest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters found througout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country Topic: Timor-Lestemost of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili Topic: Togoone of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Tokelauthe country's small population is fairly evenly distributed amongst the three atolls Topic: Tongaover two-thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied Topic: Trinidad and Tobagopopulation on Trinidad is concentrated in the western half of the island, on Tobago in the southern half Topic: Tunisiathe overwhelming majority of the population is located in the northern half of the country; the south remains largely underpopulated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast Topic: Turkmenistanthe most densely populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandseight of the thirty islands are inhabited; the island of Providenciales is the most populated, but the most densely populated is Grand Turk Topic: Tuvaluover half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti Topic: Ugandapopulation density is relatively high in comparison to other African nations; most of the population is concentrated in the central and southern parts of the country, particularly along the shores of Lake Victoria and Lake Albert; the northeast is least populated as shown in this population distribution map Topic: Ukrainedensest settlement in the eastern (Donbas) and western regions; noteable concentrations in and around major urban areas of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donets'k, Dnipropetrovs'k, and Odesa Topic: United Arab Emiratespopulation is heavily concentrated to the northeast on the Musandam Peninsula; the three largest emirates - Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah - are home to nearly 85% of the population Topic: United Kingdomthe 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 Topic: United Stateslarge urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western tier states; mountainous areas, principally the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian chain, deserts in the southwest, the dense boreal forests in the extreme north, and the central prarie states are less densely populated; Alaska's population is concentrated along its southern coast - with particular emphasis on the city of Anchorage - and Hawaii's is centered on the island of Oahu Topic: Uruguaymost 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 Topic: Uzbekistanmost of the population is concentrated in the fertile Fergana Valley in the easternmost arm of the country; the south has significant clusters of people, while the central and western deserts are sparsely populated Topic: Vanuatuthree-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 Topic: Venezuelamost 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 Topic: Vietnamthough it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people Topic: Virgin Islandswhile overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix Topic: West Bankthe 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 Topic: Worldsix of the world's seven continents are widely and permanently inhabited; Asia is easily the most populous continent with about 60% of the world's population (China and India together account for over 35%); Africa comes in second with over 15% of the earth's populace, Europe has about 10%, North America 8%, South America almost 6%, and Oceania less than 1%; the harsh conditions on Antarctica prevent any permanent habitation Topic: Yementhe vast majority of the population is found in the Asir Mountains (part of the larger Sarawat Mountain system), located in the far western region of the country Topic: Zambiaone of the highest levels of urbanization in Africa; high density in the central area, particularly around the cities of Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Mufulira as shown in this population distribution map Topic: ZimbabweAside from major urban agglomerations in Harare and Bulawayo, population distribution is fairly even, with slightly greater overall numbers in the eastern half as shown in this population distribution map

20220901

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Topic: Public CommentsI would like to thank you for the detailed, thorough, and incredibly useful World Factbook. We have been using the document to plan our travel for over 20 years; it has been an invaluable resource. Just saw the the new online Factbook and whoever redesigned it did a very good job.Thank you for providing this as a resource. When I was a classroom teacher, I used it as a reference tool, as well as for personal research and reading. “EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT, EXCELLENT!!! I love the CIA World Factbook! Since my days studying political science in college, the online version at https://www.cia/the-world-factbook/ is my FAVORITE website. I just get drawn into and lost in the data. So overwhelming at times…but I love it!!! People say, “Check Wikipedia.” I say, “Better check the CIA Factbook.” In my humble opinion, the CIA Factbook should be a mandatory textbook in high school. Where can I purchase a hard copy for my home? Thank you.” Hello CIA. Firstly, I really like and enjoy The World Factbook. Its presentation is professional and in my opinion, unbiased. I refer to it several times a year, more so if I’m planning on travelling outside of North America. I like the new format. [A Canadian visitor] “Thank you for the info on Ethiopia, it is really helpful :). (P.S. I asked my mom’s permission because I am under 18.) Have a wonderful day and God bless you!” “Just wanted to convey one US citizen’s appreciation for the work that your organization does to insure our security. We live in the best country in the world and it is because of folks like you that we continue to do so. Words alone can never properly convey my appreciation for the sacrifices and work that you do. Thank you so much!!Also, I do appreciate the website. It’s easy to use and contains very interesting information, especially the CIA Factbook!” “Thank you for creating The World Factbook; it’s been a lifesaver.” “The CIA World Factbook is a wonderful example of what the United States truly stands for. While the CIA is renowned for its secrecy and discretion, its willingness to publish an open and comprehensive information resource on the nations of our world reinforces its commitment to the search for truth and the dissemination of knowledge.” “Aside from the cloak-and-dagger stuff, the Agency publishes a stunningly useful online document, The World Factbook. I commend the contributors, and endorse it as a fine use of taxpayer money.” “I always thought the CIA was gathering only ‘secret’ information. Wow! Was I wrong! The amount of information available on the Agency’s website is astounding, not to mention, free. Thank you, guys.” “I greatly appreciate the vast amount of information available through the CIA’s World Factbook, and the enormous amount of work involved in keeping such a database up to date. Thank you for making it possible, and thank you to the many who work to provide such a valuable resource.” “CIA provides a wonderful service – particularly The World Factbook. Thank you for all your hard work.” “We love The World Factbook, and my fifth graders will be delighted to know that we heard back from you.” “I am contacting you to present my thanks for providing the public with fast, reliable, and convenient information at our fingertips, for absolutely nothing in return. My world is a high school geography presentation covering Greece, but by using your information, I started to understand the importance of knowledge being free to the public. Thank you, I plan on using your website for further studies.” “I am homeschooled and looking for information on French Guyana. Thanks for providing such great information. Your website has been my main source for up-to-date information on the web as we have been studying every country in the world.” “Thanks, cia.gov, all data from The World Factbook is awesome! So great and so detailed.” “The World Factbook has been a helpful tool for me for nearly 15 years. Thank you for providing this valuable resource.” “I want to compliment you on the gorgeous country picker [interactive flash map] on The World Factbook site. Country/region pickers are notoriously difficult to get right, and you absolutely nailed it. Well done.” “The CIA World Factbook must rank among the most precisely well-documented and politically unbiased publications anywhere. I am delighted to know that my tax dollars support such an important reference work … Thanks for your time and professional service.” “The World Factbook is very, very informative and helpful for me. Thank you for publishing it.” “My birthday is a month from today. All I want is the @CIA World Factbook.” “Thank you so very much for the beautifully arranged [data] tables you sent me last week. Please convey my heartfelt thanks to whoever assembled the data, and rest assured that when I use it, I will give CIA, The World Factbook as the source of the data.” “Thank you for making The World Factbook publicly available. I have purchased the app for my phone and it is indispensable.” “Fantastic site. I especially like The World Factbook and the leaders of world section. A treasure trove of information. Nice job!” Thank you for your… letter replying to my earlier inquiry about the CIA’s The World Factbook population estimate for Bulgaria. I am glad to note that the updated… figure comes much closer to the Bulgarian National Statistical Institute’s with a difference as you put it in your letter “within an acceptable range of accuracy.”… I avail myself on this occasion to assure you of my highest consideration. I would like to thank the CIA for their useful World Factbook. I am a student in Colorado. The World Factbook has helped me on numerous occasions at school. It recently helped me get a passing grade in my college geography class… Thanks for the good grades. I thank you for The World Factbook. It is a FANTASTIC resource. I have seen in your website, (World Factbook) it’s the most accurate website in terms of population and economy status of the world. [Comment from Kenya] Thank you so much! This is incredibly useful and I really appreciate the time you took to respond to my request. It’s rare to see that level of customer service and it is just awesome. [Grateful response after receiving a reply to a World Factbook question.] Your website is very helpful to me as a parent during homework time. The World Factbook is an invaluable tool for social studies/geography assignment help. I am gonna spread the word to teachers/other parents so they might utilize this awesome website and the multitude of interesting info it contains. The World Factbook is probably the most fantastic educational tool on which our tax dollars can be used. Thank you so much for your excellent effort. Great job on The World Factbook. It really is fantastic and useful. I love it. Thanks for the great maps on your site! Plus your published historical research is fascinating. I don’t think many individuals know that the CIA offers these resources. When I was a graduate student (1991), I did my thesis on Soviet Oil Production. The CIA had an excellent publication [The World Factbook] which I purchased and cited in my work… It was a fantastic mixture of geographical information and excellent analysis. I wanted to thank you for everything you do, for this website. The site alone takes a lot of work to maintain, not to mention what you contribute to this country every day. I came across this site by accident. Just being able to go through the library of information about each country has really given me a clearer understanding of the world. I wish more Americans knew about it! I love the CIA website. It helps me a lot with homework and stuff to get ready for the following grade. Thank you sooooooooooooo much. If my brother and sister did not tell me about your site I would still be getting all the wrong information. This is a wonderful site. I am not at all surprised by the depth of information the CIA possesses, but what you share is brilliant. I have learnt things about my own country that amaze me. A real one-stop shop. Love your site. Use it for teaching because I know it is accurate. Just wanted to congratulate you guys on The World Factbook. I have been reading various country reports over the last 10 years. I am an Indian citizen, your analysis on the Maoist insurgency in India as being one of the most destabilizing threats has been spot on. [An Indian visitor] I am a HUGE fan of your agency’s World Factbook and seem to find myself spending a fair amount of time every few weeks or so reading the information contained therein. I just want to thank everyone there for the fantastic World Factbook. This is an incredible resource. I have learned much and have truly enjoyed using and browsing through the publication. The World Factbook represents, to the highest degree, the best and most effective use of the Internet to provide relevant and useful and easy to understand information. Thank you. I am emailing to let you know that the The World Factbook you provide as part of the cia.gov website is a great source of information and I appreciate it on a daily basis. I am the International Sales Manager for a skateboard company based in Carlsbad, California so the type, quality, and quantity of information you provide in The World Factbook is a major asset to my daily life. I also frequently travel internationally for business and pleasure so it is nice to be able to look into the facts of my destination before setting off on my travels. Thank you for your time and for providing this much needed information. Every time I come to your site and Factbook I am compelled to tell you what a hell of a good job you do at providing this information to the public at large. Thank You for all the work you do making this information available, and for collecting it in one place. This time I will also comment on everything else you do. I think and believe that you are also doing a hell of a good job for us citizens of the US. Please keep up that good work, too. Nothing created by man is perfect, but it seems that you do strive for it. Thank you for that! G’day,I always like to read your info on other countries particularly before I travel to them. Your info is fantastic and very helpful. Thank you for keeping your database updated and full of stuff. I am a town planner and it is very interesting to read up on the latest stats of the world’s countries. Your World Factbook is excellent with populations and demographics, politics, and economic info.I often go to the US for a holiday to see my relatives there. I love travelling to the States, shopping there and holidaying. I hope to go again next year. I wish your country all the very best.Thanks once again. [An Australian visitor] I just wanted to say you have a great site! I think the biggest improvement is being able to hover over the continents and see the country names appear. It really helps to see a country’s neighbour and relative position. Thank you CIA and web master for maintaining this excellent website. It is exceptionally important to me as one of my most valued links when teaching Comparative Politics and World Politics to my students. By the way, it [The World Factbook] is an incredible resource work, and should be in every grade school and high school classroom in the country. It is one of the best returns on our tax dollars, in my humble opinion. The Factbook packs the informational punch of an almanac on steroids; it is excellent and exhaustive. I have used the online version of the CIA Factbook for several years and have always been delighted at the quantity and quality of information it contains. We use it in classroom discussions and assignments frequently. What a remarkable compendium of useful information. Great job! I really like your World Factbook. What a great resource. I regularly refer to it as my nine-year-old daughter has a country question each week for homework. Thanks for keeping it so up to date – even the information for New Zealand. This is a very appreciative user. [A New Zealand visitor] Thank you very much for one of the best sites on the Internet. I especially refer to The World Factbook, which is the best way to learn of other countries. Thank you all! [A Norwegian visitor] I got to your website by accident, when looking for information on Belize. Then I got curious and went to look on Portugal, my country. I know you get a lot of stuff to read but, in a world that is always thinking of CIA as a non-trustful organization, I really must congratulate you on the FACTS and fact-oriented analysis on Portugal. Much better and clearer than the info from IMF or the UN and many others. I just wanted to congratulate you for the info on the countries. [A Portuguese visitor] At Utah State University, I worked on an intensive and immersive undergraduate study abroad program for travel to developing countries with cultures very different from the US. In such challenging situations, developing cultural navigation skills is crucial for a successful experience. The World Factbook was initially useful for preparing undergraduates in learning facts about a country. Subsequently, it proved important for giving clues about the direction and nature of cultural differences one could expect upon entering a non-cosmopolitan setting. There is little available in the market for helping students think beyond a “Lonely Planet” shopping list of cultural differences; The World Factbook filled this niche. Wanted to compliment you on the excellent web site you have been maintaining in The World Factbook. The information compiled, particularly on the current status of North Korea, is very, very well done. It takes special talents of special people to boil so much information down into what you have produced, which is readily understandable by the public consumer.Thank you, on behalf of this one reader.I also feel confident that if your staff and field personnel are working with the same kind of professionalism and integrity, that our country is well served by its intelligence agency in all corners of the world.Thanks for your service. I just wanted to thank you for everything that you do, and for this site. The site alone takes a lot of work to maintain not to mention what you contribute to this country every day. I came across the site by accident. Just being able to go through the library information about each country has really given me a much more clear understanding of the world. I wish more Americans knew about it. Thank you! Your effort is probably the most fantastic educational tool on which our tax dollars can be used. Thank you so much for your excellent effort. I wanted to express my gratitude for your placing The World Factbook online. It is a great and quick way to get some interesting facts and data. [An Austrian visitor] I am an American geography teacher working in China. Your website is of great use to me when I prepare my lessons. Thanks. Your website is very helpful to me as a parent during homework time. The World Factbook is an invaluable tool for social studies/geography assignment help. I am going to spread the word to teachers/other parents so they might utilize this awesome website and the multitude of interesting info it contains. I really enjoy the Factbook because I’ve learned so much about countries I didn’t even know existed – plus ones I was a little fuzzy on where they were located. Thank you very much! I think this is an invaluable service. I love The World Factbook and appreciate the valuable and fascinating reference material that you provide. I look at it all the time. Thank you. I want to thank you for The CIA World Factbook! What a fantastic source of information. It should be promoted for use in our schools for Geography, History, and political science. THIS IS OUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK in a truly useful form. Thanks for your hard work on our behalf. I would like to thank the CIA for their useful World Factbook. I am a student living in Colorado. The World Factbook has helped me on numerous occasions at school. It recently helped me get a passing grade in my College Geography class. It helped me get an ‘A’ in my High School Geography class. Thanks for the good grades. I am happy to see our CIA on Facebook and Twitter. God bless you all and keep doing what you all do so well in protecting us. Your “CIA World Factbook” has been a valued research resource for me for many years. Thank you for maintaining The World Factbook. It is a great reference source for me and many others. I teach Geography at a High School in England. The information in your Factbook is extremely useful, there seems to be little else quite like it. Thank you. Your CIA Factfiles ROCK! I teach English in the UAE and the students don’t know much about the rest of the world. I LOVE this site! Thank you American government! I find the CIA World Factbook an unbelievably important asset for both research and general fact checking. Thank you for providing it. I wanted to send you a note to let you know that your new website looks wonderful! It still contains the same great, in-depth information but is more compact and easier to navigate. I frequently use the website in my Geography classes and suggest that all my students in Middle School as well as my Community College students search through the information when writing or presenting on different countries of the world. I would like the CIA to know that my [high school] students use information from The World Factbook and website when doing their research on Spanish-speaking countries. Thank you so very much for this very effective link. I wish more students were aware of what you offer. As a geography, US history, and AP government teacher, I wanted to say thank you for the Factbook. It is an incredible resource that I use in almost all my classes, and in my opinion it is one of the better direct contributions for education that government offers today – besides money, of course. I base projects on the Factbook and encourage students to remember it well – I am sure they will be able to make use of it in college as well. Thank you for your wonderful resource. We are using the CIA World Factbook as a reference to standardize codes we use to capture country of birth/territory data. I just wanted to let you know that your website is really good and that you helped me to study and hopefully pass my geography test on poor and rich nations. I don’t really think that many people know about this website, but I do because our geography teacher showed it to us. So to sum up what I wrote, thanks. Thank you for providing such a fantastic and informative site. I’ve visited with varying frequency over the years but always consider your site a first stop for international information. It’s well organized and loaded with demographics, maps, illustrations, and much more. The PDF version is wonderful. I’m grateful to see taxes so well spent. We are a high school in Peoria, IL. We have just started a Model United Nations Club here at Richwoods. As a career intelligence professional with the US Marine Corps, I found the CIA World Factbook to be a great starting point for research on countries. I think that this website is amazing and very easy to use. I use it for all of my social studies projects. Wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your work. The information on your website, especially The World Factbook has been very helpful when working with individuals from other countries. It provides me with a better idea of the context in which they lived. That, in turn, makes it possible to be more effective when assisting them in the management of psychological issues. Keep up the good work. I’d just like to tell you, that the CIA Factbook is one of the most useful things to be found on the Internet. Thank you for having it online and updating it constantly. I think the CIA Factbook is one of the most relevant fact books in the world, supplying lots of information about every country and a lot of regions.Many greetings and keep on with the good work. Thank you for your World Factbook. As a teacher, I use it frequently. Do not waste time to answer me, just let everyone know who contributed to this edition how it is useful and used worldwide. I am a social studies teacher and we use The World Factbook all the time. It is really nice to see all [the] information about [the] world in one place. You are giving very important info for all [the] world. It is appreciated. Thanks for much for making The World Factbook available on line. I use it often for background information on world events. I’ve been using your World Factbook on a regular basis as a quick reference tool for my studies in political science. It is a fantastic tool – thank you for providing it. I am a geography buff and I spend a lot of time on The World Factbook site. I wish to thank the CIA for making the info available to us, and a job well done. My respect for the Agency is unwavering. Keep up the good work. I would like to thank you for making your CIA World Factbook available to the public as I find it an invaluable resource. The CIA World Factbook is the most informative website on the Net. Thank you for it. This is a wonderful site. I am not at all surprised by the depth of information the CIA possesses, but what you share is brilliant. I have learnt things about my own country that amaze me. A real one-stop shop. I have been using the CIA Factbook on and off for a couple of years whenever I need some information on a country, and it has helped me a lot. I wish to thank you for keeping it in the public domain. As a political science professor teaching Comparative Politics, I have my students make extensive use of the CIA World Factbook. It’s an excellent resource and it is appreciated. I usually use your website for my Geography lessons as a rich source of information students can easily access. I really like The World Factbook. It has so much information! I use it all the time for my social studies homework, at least three times a week. Right now I am doing a project and absolutely all the information I need is on this website! Thank you for creating it. I’ve been using The World Factbook you provide in your web site, and it is wonderful! Just stumbled across this CIA World [Factbook] website and simply had to let you know how fantastic this site is. It is so chock-a-block full of info and so easy to navigate. A truly magnificent achievement which deserves a plaudit. Many thanks. As a social studies teacher I love the Factbook. Thanks for the great info! Hi, I just visited your website because I’m planning a holiday to Slovakia and wasn’t sure if they used the Euro or not. In order to get this information I was going to use The World Factbook, which I’ve always found really useful in the past as a traveling resource.To my surprise I found that you now offer The Factbook as a download which is FANTASTIC! I just wanted to say thank you very much – in the modern world it’s not often that people take time out to say thank you, and I wanted to do just that.So thank you very much! It is appreciated! I am a teacher in Texas and my class is creating a Cultural Quilts over an African country. Thank you very much and we love this web-site! Hi! I teach world cultures and am using the CIA World Factbook site to update the information to teach to my 6th graders. Your institution’s World Factbook is an incredibly useful resource. Being able to quickly find a nation’s population, simple economic indicators, religious and linguistic composition, total fertility rate, and literacy rates allows one to fill in contextual gaps that are needed to understand current events. Thank you for providing this resource online to the public. Hello, I am a reference librarian at a university library, and I use the CIA World Factbook a lot. It is an incredibly useful tool, and one that librarians feel can generally be relied upon, because of the authority of the world’s leading intelligence bureau. I am a World Studies Teacher and use your Factbook all the time with my students. I really appreciate your team’s effort in compiling the country data you have for public use. I love your Factbook. I use it all the time. Your entry about the USA has:Industries: leading industrial power in the world, highly diversified and technologically advanced; petroleum, steel, motor vehicles, aerospace, telecommunications, chemicals, electronics, food processing, consumer goods, lumber, mining.That entry makes my heart swell with pride. Thanks for saying it, and keep up the good work. With due regards, I would like to express my gratitude for the information provided by your World Factbook. Just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love your CIA Factbook. I use it for papers at school and that kind of thing. I have just put online a website that could be very useful for a person who wants to discover [more about] the world. On each place mark you will find information about the country and one link that goes directly to the CIA World Factbook. Thank you for allowing people of non-US origin access to your World Factbook, it is a wonderful collection of data for anyone interested in the world we live in. I’m in the 6th grade and I am doing a report on China and thanks to you guys I found a lot of info about my country. I am a Marketing Professor at the University of Detroit Mercy and I have used the CIA Factbook in many of my classes. First of all, thank you for this site, which helps [one] to get to know other countries and to broaden [one’s] views. I am Lithuanian, but now I live in Milwaukee – I am exchange student for one year. I would like to say that your World Factbook has been an excellent source of information for doing many research projects during my high school and collegiate career. I appreciate your hard work and thank you for that excellent resource. Your web-page helps me very much in my teaching of both Geography and English at a local high school in my town in Slovakia. I think the info that you folks make available to the galaxy is extraordinary! Having said that and meaning it, I think it is unfortunate, however, that I am not able to contact you kind folks by phone to ask any questions. Oh, welcome to the wonderful world of technology and its resulting detachment. Topic: Government CommentsYour website is excellent. It provides an indispensable reference for those involved in global political, military, diplomatic, or economic affairs. [US Navy officer] For us [at the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names, PCGN] the Factbook is an invaluable source of information which is readily accessible and easy to interpret. Knowing that the information contained therein is up-to-date and adheres to Board on Geographic Names/PCGN principles reinforces the authority of such a valuable resource.At PCGN we use the Factbook as an important reference when assessing geopolitical information for UK Government cartographic products; the administrative division and transnational issues sections being particularly helpful in these cases. More broadly, we often consult the country pages when researching information for our briefing papers.Furthermore, we are happy to be able to include a link to the Factbook from our website, so that our customers too can easily access this very useful source of geographical information.We all hope that the Factbook will continue to appear and be maintained as a useful and reliable source of geopolitical information. [Toponymist, PCGN, c/o The Royal Geographical Society] I truly appreciate the fact that it [The World Factbook] is “one stop shopping” for most of my data needs. In fact, as a foundation for any international study or research, it is the best place to start. I often go to other sites looking for data or making sure that the data I have is up to date and complete. However, what I often find is that their data is simply a repost of your data and not always up to date. The other thing that I really appreciate is that I can get a great set of time series data for analysis from The World Factbook. Most of my work involves statistically analyzing data for geospatial analysis, looking for trends or predictive variables. I have been very successful due to the availability and completeness of your efforts. [Researcher, US Department of State] I would like to let you know how much the CIA World Factbook is appreciated. It is an invaluable resource for obtaining the most precise and verified information on foreign countries. I refer to the Factbook often while working on my monographs regarding legal and political developments in Central Asia and in the Caucasus. The CIA World Factbook was repeatedly cited as the source of original information in my books when I compiled comparative tables on the countries of my research. the Factbook is especially significant in that it allows one to find figures, names, and dates that are not otherwise available. This publication is an extremely helpful tool for me and all of my colleagues. [Researcher, Law Library of Congress] I have added some analysis of the geology and geography of a country to several bibliographies I have written for the Corps of Engineers and the federal government in response to a number of recent humanitarian crises. For example, my bibliographies on the geology of Burma (Myanmar) and another one on Somalia included a great deal of information from the CIA Factbook on the geography of those countries, especially the transportation capabilities such as roads, airports, shipping statistics, and other data.I have generally found the data in the CIA Factbook to be current, concise and correct, and not usually available (or as easily available) elsewhere. [Researcher, Geospatial Information Library, US Army] Regarding the Cross-Reference List of Country Codes. Kudos for a page that is neat, easy to read, and contains useful information laid out in a logical manner.I love that you provide several forms of country coding all on one page, very convenient. Truly, sometimes it is required that I need to cross-reference from one type to another. [NGA GEOINT Aeronautical Intel Analyst] Our office is standardizing the geographical names in our Minerals Availability System Database, and we decided to use the Factbook‘s designations as a standard because of the reputation of your Agency’s work. [Minerals Specialist, US Department of the Interior] The CIA World Factbook remains the U.S. Government employee’s ultimate reference resource, an indispensable tool for my day-to-day requirements. Of the many calls I receive asking to clarify some point ‘what name should we use for this nationality, how long is the border between these two countries, what are the FIPS 10-4 and ISO 3166 codes for this dependency’ the Factbook is my first (and sometimes my only) line of reference. It is convenient, rich in information, and authoritative, and for those reasons and others, it is irreplaceable. [Geographer, US Department of State] I was looking at The World Factbook online. The site looks great! It is pleasant on the eyes, and of course, the content is a treasure trove. [Executive Secretary for Foreign Names, US Board on Geographic Names] Let me take this occasion to commend the CIA for its excellent and oft-used Factbook. It is certainly widely used here in the [State] Department, as well as by the general public. [Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of State] My compliments to… The World Factbook team. I cannot think of a product that I’ve used more often throughout my career. [CIA Deputy Chief] The CIA Factbook is the primary source used by researchers and academics who track and try to quantify/qualify boundary and territorial disputes. I have seen any number of studies sponsored by USIP, OES and universities who rely on the Factbook‘s Transnational Issues section for current information on the status of such disputes. A search engine search of territorial and border disputes invariably brings up Factbook entries, past and present.Just last Monday, while reviewing my Google Alerts bot on borders/boundaries, I found a paper by a Liberian writer/activist, who cited the Guinea-Senegal dispute, almost verbatim, from the Factbook.I would hope that your Agency continues in its unswerving support for your valuable publication to provide the US Government with official information on the global community. As it is vetted through the [State] Department, it remains the unsurpassed authoritative, current, and consistent resource on US perspectives and foreign policy. [Boundary Specialist, US Department of State] By the early 2000s, The World Factbook had replaced various traditional atlases and textbooks in becoming the predominant worldwide authority on current political geography information. Because no other source even approaches the Factbook‘s volume of usage and acceptance on the World Wide Web, this publication has, perhaps unintentionally, become one of the US Government’s most cost-effective means of affecting information flow overseas under both democratic and autocratic regimes.Measured within its purview of political, economic, and demographic overviews, the Factbook‘s reach and acceptance as authoritative has become the envy of other far more costly yet far less effective USG information programs. This level of accuracy, completeness, and effectiveness does not come by accident but only by the USG’s continued resolve to support the Factbook program.It should be noted that in no small manner, the contribution of the Factbook‘s cartography is as equally instrumental in worldwide dissemination of geographic knowledge as the Factbook‘s text.Including both the simpler base maps for each Factbook entry as well as the more detailed regional maps, these public-domain products have, far and away, found more widespread dispersal on the World Wide Web than any other single source of overseas non-navigational mapping. The perhaps unintentional effect again is to assure effective dissemination of the USG’s depiction of worldwide political boundaries and nomenclature.For researchers needing quick, handy reference material, and lacking multiple computer screens that can be viewed simultaneously, the traditional hard copy version continues to be a valuable and indispensable resource as well. [Boundary Specialist, US Department of State] I am working on a contract with the Department of Energy related to the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management.The Joint Convention is an International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA initiative adopted in 1997. The World Factbook provides important country background information for US Government officials, specifically DOE, NRC, and EPA, scheduled to attend a meeting of all Contracting Parties. [Safety Specialist, Department of Energy]

20220901

field-infant-mortality-rate

This entry gives the number of deaths of infants under one year old in a given year per 1,000 live births in the same year. This rate is often used as an indicator of the level of health in a country. Topic: Afghanistantotal: 104.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 113.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 96.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Albaniatotal: 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.) Topic: Algeriatotal: 19.72 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.77 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoatotal: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Andorratotal: 3.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Angolatotal: 58.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 64.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 53.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Anguillatotal: 3.07 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal: 14.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Argentinatotal: 9.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Armeniatotal: 12.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.51 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Arubatotal: 12.09 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.46 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Australiatotal: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Austriatotal: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 23.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.62 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 12.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bahraintotal: 10.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 30.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Barbadostotal: 10 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Belarustotal: 3.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Belgiumtotal: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Belizetotal: 11.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Benintotal: 55.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 60.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 50.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bermudatotal: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutantotal: 27.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Boliviatotal: 22.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 5.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Botswanatotal: 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.) Topic: Braziltotal: 13.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal: 14.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bruneitotal: 10.52 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Bulgariatotal: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 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.) Topic: Burmatotal: 32.94 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Burunditotal: 37.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 23.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.64 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodiatotal: 29.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cameroontotal: 48.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 53.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Canadatotal: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 7.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 9.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Central African Republictotal: 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.) Topic: Chadtotal: 65.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 71.21 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Chiletotal: 6.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.95 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Chinatotal: 6.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Christmas Islandtotal: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandstotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Colombiatotal: 11.65 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Comorostotal: 57.1 deaths/1,000 live births male: 67.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 46.73 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 60.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal: 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.) Topic: Cook Islandstotal: 15.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 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.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 55.67 deaths/1,000 live births male: 62.99 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Croatiatotal: 8.74 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cubatotal: 4.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.57 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Curacaototal: 7.88 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprustotal: 8.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.22 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Czechiatotal: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Denmarktotal: 3.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Djiboutitotal: 46.89 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 39.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Dominicatotal: 11.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 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.) Topic: Ecuadortotal: 18.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Egypttotal: 17.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 18.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvadortotal: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.79 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal: 78.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 84.23 deaths/1,000 live births female: 72.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Eritreatotal: 41.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.36 deaths/1,000 live births female: 34.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Estoniatotal: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatinitotal: 39.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 43.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.25 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 33.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: European Uniontotal: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.62 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Faroe Islandstotal: 5.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Fijitotal: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Finlandtotal: 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.) Topic: Francetotal: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.53 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 4.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gabontotal: 28.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 37.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Striptotal: 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.) Topic: Georgiatotal: 14.77 deaths/1,000 live births male: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Germanytotal: 3.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ghanatotal: 32.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltartotal: 6.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Greecetotal: 3.55 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.94 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Greenlandtotal: 8.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Grenadatotal: 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.) Topic: Guamtotal: 11.46 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.49 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.44 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemalatotal: 26.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guernseytotal: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guineatotal: 49.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.39 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal: 49.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54.84 deaths/1,000 live births female: 43.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Guyanatotal: 22.15 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Haititotal: 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.) Topic: Hondurastotal: 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.) Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 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.) Topic: Hungarytotal: 4.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Icelandtotal: 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.) Topic: Indiatotal: 30.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.95 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesiatotal: 19.73 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Irantotal: 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.) Topic: Iraqtotal: 19.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Irelandtotal: 3.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 4.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.85 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Israeltotal: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Italytotal: 3.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaicatotal: 11.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Japantotal: 1.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Jerseytotal: 3.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Jordantotal: 13.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 19.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kenyatotal: 27.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 30.92 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kiribatitotal: 32.93 deaths/1,000 live births male: 34.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, Northtotal: 22.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 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.) Topic: Kosovototal: 27.12 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.74 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwaittotal: 7.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.75 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 25.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 29.83 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.22 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Laostotal: 37.78 deaths/1,000 live births male: 41.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Latviatotal: 4.85 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.42 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanontotal: 7.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Lesothototal: 48.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 54 deaths/1,000 live births female: 42.72 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Liberiatotal: 44.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Libyatotal: 11.22 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtensteintotal: 4.05 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.41 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.15 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 3.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Macautotal: 4.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascartotal: 39.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 42.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 35.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Malawitotal: 33.43 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Malaysiatotal: 6.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Maldivestotal: 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.) Topic: Malitotal: 60.64 deaths/1,000 live births male: 66.04 deaths/1,000 live births female: 55.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Maltatotal: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 21.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 50.99 deaths/1,000 live births male: 56.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 44.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritiustotal: 12.08 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.63 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mexicototal: 11.86 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births male: 25.02 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Moldovatotal: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Monacototal: 1.76 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Mongoliatotal: 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.) Topic: Montenegrototal: 3.24 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Montserrattotal: 10.36 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Moroccototal: 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 61.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 63.37 deaths/1,000 live births female: 59.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Namibiatotal: 29.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 31.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Naurutotal: 7.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Nepaltotal: 25.13 deaths/1,000 live births male: 26.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 23.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlandstotal: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.02 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.98 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: New Zealandtotal: 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.) Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 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.) Topic: Nigertotal: 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.) Topic: Nigeriatotal: 56.68 deaths/1,000 live births male: 62.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 51.01 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Niuetotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Norfolk Islandtotal: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 7.32 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.31 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal: 12.48 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Norwaytotal: 2.31 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Omantotal: 14.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistantotal: 53.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 58.34 deaths/1,000 live births female: 49.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Palautotal: 11.28 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Panamatotal: 16.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineatotal: 33.59 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.91 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Paraguaytotal: 23.21 deaths/1,000 live births male: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 18.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Perutotal: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 11.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9.65 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Philippinestotal: 22.23 deaths/1,000 live births male: 24.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandstotal: (2018) NA male: NA female: NA Topic: Polandtotal: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Portugaltotal: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 6.04 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.61 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Qatartotal: 6.62 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.25 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Romaniatotal: 5.84 deaths/1,000 live births male: 6.07 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Russiatotal: 6.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Rwandatotal: 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.) Topic: Saint Barthelemytotal: 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.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.05 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal: 8.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.69 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 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.) Topic: Saint Martintotal: 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.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal: 8.16 deaths/1,000 live births male: 10.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal: 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.) Topic: Samoatotal: 18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.05 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: San Marinototal: 6.51 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 44.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.84 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 12.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.51 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.97 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Senegaltotal: 32.44 deaths/1,000 live births male: 35.78 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Serbiatotal: 4.81 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Seychellestotal: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.35 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.76 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 73.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 78.45 deaths/1,000 live births female: 68.23 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Singaporetotal: 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.) Topic: Sint Maartentotal: 7.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakiatotal: 4.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.48 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sloveniatotal: 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.) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 20.02 deaths/1,000 live births male: 23.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Somaliatotal: 86.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 96.18 deaths/1,000 live births female: 76.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: South Africatotal: 25.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 28.86 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.82 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: South Sudantotal: 63.18 deaths/1,000 live births male: 69.06 deaths/1,000 live births female: 57 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Spaintotal: 2.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.73 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 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.) Topic: Sudantotal: 42.27 deaths/1,000 live births male: 47.76 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Surinametotal: 30.25 deaths/1,000 live births male: 38.27 deaths/1,000 live births female: 21.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Svalbardtotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Swedentotal: 2.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 2.52 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 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.) Topic: Syriatotal: 15.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Taiwantotal: 3.97 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistantotal: 32.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.03 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 30.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Thailandtotal: 6.47 deaths/1,000 live births male: 7.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 33.69 deaths/1,000 live births male: 36.96 deaths/1,000 live births female: 30.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Togototal: 41.19 deaths/1,000 live births male: 45.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 36.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tokelautotal: NA male: NA female: (2021 est.) NA Topic: Tongatotal: 12.41 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 15.83 deaths/1,000 live births male: 17.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisiatotal: 11.87 deaths/1,000 live births male: 13.32 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Turkeytotal: 19.35 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.01 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistantotal: 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.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal: 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.) Topic: Tuvalutotal: 28.92 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 25.09 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ugandatotal: 30.45 deaths/1,000 live births male: 33.88 deaths/1,000 live births female: 26.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Ukrainetotal: 7.33 deaths/1,000 live births male: 8.26 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.33 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 5.14 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.71 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 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.) Topic: United Statestotal: 5.17 deaths/1,000 live births male: 5.55 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Uruguaytotal: 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.) Topic: Uzbekistantotal: 18.98 deaths/1,000 live births male: 22.6 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.14 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatutotal: 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.) Topic: Venezuelatotal: 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.) Topic: Vietnamtotal: 14.75 deaths/1,000 live births male: 15.09 deaths/1,000 live births female: 14.38 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandstotal: 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.) Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal: 4 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.93 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: West Banktotal: 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.) Topic: Worldtotal: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2020 est.) Topic: Yementotal: 46.54 deaths/1,000 live births male: 51.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Zambiatotal: 37.11 deaths/1,000 live births male: 40.57 deaths/1,000 live births female: 33.55 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 28.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 32.17 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)

20220901

field-unemployment-youth-ages-15-24

This entry gives the percent of the total labor force ages 15-24 unemployed during a specified year. Topic: Afghanistantotal: 16.2% male: 14.5% female: 21.1% (2020) Topic: Albaniatotal: 27% male: 27.8% female: 25.9% (2019 est.) Topic: Algeriatotal: 39.3% male: 33.1% female: 82% (2017 est.) Topic: Angolatotal: 17.3% male: 17.9% female: 16.7% (2014 est.) Topic: Argentinatotal: 30.2% male: 26.8% female: 35% (2020 est.) Topic: Armeniatotal: 32.6% male: 31.2% female: 34.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Australiatotal: 14.3% male: 15.3% female: 13.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Austriatotal: 10.5% male: 11.3% female: 9.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijantotal: 12.4% male: 10.9% female: 14.2% (2019 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal: 25.8% male: 20.8% female: 31.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Bahraintotal: 5.3% male: 2.6% female: 12.2% (2012 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtotal: 12.8% male: 10.8% female: 16.8% (2017 est.) Topic: Barbadostotal: 26% male: 30.3% female: 21.2% (2019 est.) Topic: Belarustotal: 12.4% male: 14.3% female: 10.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Belgiumtotal: 15.3% male: 15.5% female: 15.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Belizetotal: 19.3% male: 12.7% female: 28.5% (2019 est.) Topic: Benintotal: 3.9% male: 3.2% female: 4.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Bermudatotal: 29.3% male: 29.7% female: 29% (2014 est.) Topic: Bhutantotal: 10.7% male: 8.2% female: 12.7% (2015 est.) Topic: Boliviatotal: 16.1% male: 15.7% female: 16.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal: 36.6% male: 32.5% female: 42.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Botswanatotal: 46.2% male: 44.9% female: 47.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Braziltotal: 31.3% male: 27.5% female: 36.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Bruneitotal: 21.4% male: 19% female: 25.8% (2019 est.) Topic: Bulgariatotal: 14.2% male: 14.6% female: 13.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasototal: 8.6% male: 8.9% female: 8.4% (2019) Topic: Burmatotal: 1.5% male: 1.4% female: 1.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Burunditotal: 2.9% male: 4.4% female: 2% (2014 est.) Topic: Cabo Verdetotal: 50.4% male: 41.4% female: 65.3% (2019) Topic: Cambodiatotal: 2.5% male: 2.7% female: 2.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Cameroontotal: 6.3% male: 5.8% female: 6.8% (2014 est.) Topic: Canadatotal: 20.2% male: 20.9% female: 19.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal: 13.8% male: 16.4% female: 11.4% (2015 est.) Topic: Chadtotal: 1.5% male: 2.4% female: 0.7% (2018) Topic: Chiletotal: 24.9% male: 23.7% female: 26.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Colombiatotal: 25.8% male: 20.7% female: 33% (2020 est.) Topic: Comorostotal: 19.5% male: 20% female: 18.8% (2014) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal: 8.7% male: 11.3% female: 6.8% (2012 est.) Topic: Costa Ricatotal: 40.7% male: 34% female: 50.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal: 5.5% male: 4.7% female: 6.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Croatiatotal: 21.1% male: 18.7% female: 25% (2020 est.) Topic: Curacaototal: 29.3% male: 25.4% female: 34.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Cyprustotal: 18.2% male: 24.4% female: 12.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Czechiatotal: 8% male: 7.2% female: 9.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Denmarktotal: 11.6% male: 12.6% female: 10.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Djiboutitotal: 73% male: 72% female: 74.6% (2017) Topic: Dominican Republictotal: 14.9% male: 11.6% female: 20.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuadortotal: 11.1% male: 8.7% female: 15.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Egypttotal: 19.2% male: 12.2% female: 49.3% (2019 est.) Topic: El Salvadortotal: 10% male: 8.3% female: 12.8% (2019) Topic: Estoniatotal: 17.9% male: 17.4% female: 18.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatinitotal: 47.1% male: 44.2% female: 50% (2016) Topic: Ethiopiatotal: 3.5% male: 2.7% female: 4.5% (2013 est.) Topic: European Uniontotal: 18.7% male: 18.5% female: 19.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Fijitotal: 15.4% male: 11.9% female: 22.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Finlandtotal: 21.4% male: 23.2% female: 19.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Francetotal: 20.2% male: 20.3% female: 19.9% (2020 est.) Topic: French Polynesiatotal: 56.7% male: 54.5% female: 59.7% (2012 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal: 25.8% male: 21% female: 32.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Gaza Striptotal: 42.1% male: 36.6% female: 70% (2020 est.) note: includes the West Bank Topic: Georgiatotal: 39.4% male: 40.1% female: 38.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Germanytotal: 7.2% male: 7.9% female: 6.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Ghanatotal: 9.1% male: 9.4% female: 8.7% (2017 est.) Topic: Greecetotal: 35% male: 31.4% female: 39.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Guamtotal: 29.4% male: 29.7% female: 28.9% (2011 est.) Topic: Guatemalatotal: 4.6% male: 4% female: 5.7% (2019 est.) Topic: Guineatotal: 7.1% male: 6.1% female: 7.9% (2019 est.) Topic: Guyanatotal: 26.5% male: 20.7% female: 34.6% (2018 est.) Topic: Hondurastotal: 17.8% male: 11.1% female: 27.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Hong Kongtotal: 15.5% male: 17.3% female: 13.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Hungarytotal: 12.8% male: 11.9% female: 14% (2020 est.) Topic: Icelandtotal: 10% male: 11.1% female: 9% (2020 est.) Topic: Indiatotal: 19.8% male: 19.5% female: 21% (2020 est.) Topic: Indonesiatotal: 14.8% male: 15.1% female: 14.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Irantotal: 23.7% male: 21.2% female: 36% (2020 est.) Topic: Iraqtotal: 25.6% male: 22% female: 63.3% (2017) Topic: Irelandtotal: 15.3% male: 15.3% female: 15.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Isle of Mantotal: 10.1% male: 11.8% female: 8.2% (2011 est.) Topic: Israeltotal: 7.9% male: 7.6% female: 8.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Italytotal: 29.4% male: 27.9% female: 31.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaicatotal: 20.6% male: 16.8% female: 25.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Japantotal: 4.6% male: 5% female: 4.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Jordantotal: 37.3% male: 34.8% female: 49.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantotal: 3.8% male: 3.4% female: 4.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Kenyatotal: 12.9% male: 12% female: 13.8% (2019) Topic: Kiribatitotal: 22.5% male: 21.2% female: 24.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Korea, Southtotal: 10.3% male: 11% female: 9.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Kosovototal: 49.7% male: 45.9% female: 57.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Kuwaittotal: 15.4% male: 9.4% female: 30% (2016 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal: 9.6% male: 7.8% female: 13.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Laostotal: 18.2% male: 20.8% female: 15.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Latviatotal: 14.9% male: 14.4% female: 15.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Lebanontotal: 23.4% male: 24.5% female: 21.4% (2019) Topic: Lesothototal: 35.5% male: 31.2% NA female: 41.5% (2019 est.) NA Topic: Liberiatotal: 2.3% male: 2.4% female: 2.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Libyatotal: 48.7% male: 40.8% female: 67.8% (2012 est.) Topic: Lithuaniatotal: 19.6% male: 21.5% female: 17.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourgtotal: 23.2% male: 24.8% female: 21.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Macautotal: 8.1% male: 9.9% female: 6.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Madagascartotal: 3.4% male: 3.9% female: 3% (2015 est.) Topic: Malawitotal: 8.5% male: 6.7% female: 10.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Malaysiatotal: 12% male: 11.4% female: 13% (2020 est.) Topic: Maldivestotal: 15.5% male: 18.5% female: 11.7% (2019 est.) Topic: Malitotal: 2.4% male: 2.6% female: 2.3% (2018 est.) Topic: Maltatotal: 10.7% male: 13.1% female: 8% (2020 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal: 26% male: 31% female: 14.2% (2019 est.) Topic: Mauritaniatotal: 21.1% male: 18.8% female: 24.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Mauritiustotal: 21.8% male: 16.8% female: 28.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Mexicototal: 8.1% male: 7.8% female: 8.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal: 18.9% male: 10.4% female: 29.9% (2014) Topic: Moldovatotal: 10.9% male: 9.9% female: 12.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Monacototal: 26.7% male: 25.7% female: 27.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Mongoliatotal: 17.9% male: 16.9% female: 19.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Montenegrototal: 36% male: 33.6% female: 39.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Moroccototal: 22.2% male: 22% female: 22.8% (2016 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambiquetotal: 7.4% male: 7.7% female: 7.1% (2015 est.) Topic: Namibiatotal: 38% male: 37.5% female: 38.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Naurutotal: 26.6% male: 20.9% female: 37.5% (2013) Topic: Nepaltotal: 21.4% male: 19.7% female: 23.9% (2017 est.) Topic: Netherlandstotal: 9.1% male: 9.2% female: 9% (2020 est.) Topic: New Caledoniatotal: 38.4% male: 37.1% female: 40% (2014 est.) Topic: New Zealandtotal: 12.4% male: 12.2% female: 12.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Nicaraguatotal: 8.5% male: 6.4% female: 12.9% (2014 est.) Topic: Nigertotal: 16.6% male: 16.1% female: 17.5% (2017 est.) Topic: Nigeriatotal: 18.3% male: 18.4% NA female: 18.2% (2019 est.) NA Topic: North Macedoniatotal: 37% male: 35.2% female: 40% (2020 est.) Topic: Norwaytotal: 11.3% male: 12.1% female: 10.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Omantotal: 13.7% male: 10.3% female: 33.9% (2016) Topic: Pakistantotal: 7.9% male: 8.2% female: 6.8% (2018 est.) Topic: Palautotal: 5.6% Topic: Panamatotal: 40.1% male: 30.8% female: 51.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Paraguaytotal: 17.1% male: 13.1% female: 23.3% (2020 est.) Topic: Perutotal: 12.6% male: 13% female: 12.1% (2020 est.) Topic: Philippinestotal: 7% male: 6.1% female: 8.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Polandtotal: 10.8% male: 10.3% female: 11.6% (2020 est.) Topic: Portugaltotal: 22.6% male: 21% female: 24.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricototal: 26.6% male: 28.9% female: 23.1% (2012 est.) Topic: Qatartotal: 0.4% male: 0.2% female: 1.5% (2018 est.) Topic: Romaniatotal: 17.3% male: 17.9% female: 16.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Russiatotal: 17% male: 16% female: 18.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Rwandatotal: 20.5% male: 18.8% female: 22.4% (2019 est.) Topic: Saint Luciatotal: 37.2% male: 39.6% female: 34.3% (2019 est.) Topic: Samoatotal: 31.9% male: 24.6% female: 43.4% (2017 est.) Topic: San Marinototal: 27.4% male: 21.4% female: 36% (2016 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal: 20.8% male: NA female: (2012 est.) NA Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal: 27.2% male: 21.5% female: 43.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Senegaltotal: 4.1% male: 2.9% female: 6.7% (2019 est.) Topic: Serbiatotal: 26.7% male: 25% female: 29.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Seychellestotal: 16.4% male: 17.4% female: 15.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonetotal: 9.4% male: 14.8% female: 6.1% (2014 est.) Topic: Singaporetotal: 10.6% male: 8.1% female: 13.5% (2020 est.) Topic: Slovakiatotal: 19.4% male: 18.3% female: 21.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Sloveniatotal: 14.2% male: 12.7% female: 16.2% (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal: 1.3% male: 1% female: 1.6% (2013) Topic: South Africatotal: 59.4% male: 55.4% female: 64.1% (2020 est.) Topic: South Sudantotal: 38.6% male: 39.5% female: 37.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Spaintotal: 38.3% male: 37.1% female: 39.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Sri Lankatotal: 21.1% male: 16.6% female: 29.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Sudantotal: 32.6% male: 27.4% female: 43.5% (2011 est.) Topic: Surinametotal: 26.5% male: 18.7% female: 39.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Swedentotal: 24% male: 25% female: 22.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerlandtotal: 8.6% male: 9.2% female: 8% (2020 est.) Topic: Syriatotal: 35.8% male: 26.6% female: 71.1% (2011 est.) Topic: Tanzaniatotal: 3.9% male: 3.1% female: 4.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Thailandtotal: 5.2% male: 4.6% female: 5.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal: 13.2% male: 10.9% female: 15.9% (2016 est.) Topic: Togototal: 9.5% male: 12.3% female: 7.4% (2017 est.) Topic: Tongatotal: 8.9% male: 5.7% female: 13.1% (2018) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal: 8.7% male: 8.9% female: 8.4% (2016 est.) Topic: Tunisiatotal: 34.9% male: 33.8% female: 37.2% (2017 est.) Topic: Turkeytotal: 25.1% male: 22.5% female: 29.9% (2020 est.) Topic: Tuvalutotal: 20.6% male: 9.8% female: 45.9% (2016) Topic: Ugandatotal: 15.6% male: 13.8% female: 17.6% (2017 est.) Topic: Ukrainetotal: 19.3% male: 19.8% female: 18.5% (2020 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal: 7.2% male: 4.9% female: 15% (2019 est.) Topic: United Kingdomtotal: 11.2% male: 13% female: 9.2% (2019 est.) Topic: United Statestotal: 14.9% male: 15% female: 14.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Uruguaytotal: 33.5% male: 29.4% female: 38.8% (2020 est.) Topic: Vanuatutotal: 18% male: 16.1% female: 20.1% (2019 est.) Topic: Venezuelatotal: 12.1% male: 10.5% NA female: 14.9% (2017 est.) NA Topic: Vietnamtotal: 7.6% male: 6.6% female: 8.9% (2020 est.) Topic: West Banktotal: 42.1% male: 36.6% female: 70% (2020 est.) note: includes Gaza Strip Topic: Yementotal: 24.5% male: 23.5% female: 34.6% (2014 est.) Topic: Zambiatotal: 30.1% male: 32.1% female: 27.6% (2019 est.) Topic: Zimbabwetotal: 27.5% male: 25% female: 31.4% (2019 est.)

20220901

countries-liberia

Topic: Photos of Liberia Topic: Introduction Background: With 28 ethnic groups and languages, Liberia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. For hundreds of years, the Mali and Songhai Empires claimed most of Liberia. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders began establishing outposts along the Liberian coast. Unlike its neighbors, however, Liberia did not fall under European colonial rule. In the early 19th century, the US began sending freed enslaved people and other people of color to Liberia to establish settlements. In 1847, these settlers declared independence from the US, writing their own constitution and establishing Africa’s first republic. Early in Liberia’s history, tensions arose between the Americo-Liberian settlers and the indigenous population. In 1980, Samuel DOE, who was from the indigenous population, led a military coup and ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 permitted an election that brought TAYLOR to power. In 2000, fighting resumed. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted President TAYLOR’s resignation. TAYLOR was later convicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. In late 2005, President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF became president after two years of transitional governments; she was the first female head of state in Africa. In 2011, JOHNSON SIRLEAF won reelection but struggled to rebuild Liberia's economy, particularly following the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic, and to reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. In 2017, former soccer star George WEAH won the presidential runoff election, marking the first successful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another since the end of Liberia’s civil wars. Like his predecessor, WEAH has struggled to improve the country’s economy. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2023.  With 28 ethnic groups and languages, Liberia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. For hundreds of years, the Mali and Songhai Empires claimed most of Liberia. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders began establishing outposts along the Liberian coast. Unlike its neighbors, however, Liberia did not fall under European colonial rule. In the early 19th century, the US began sending freed enslaved people and other people of color to Liberia to establish settlements. In 1847, these settlers declared independence from the US, writing their own constitution and establishing Africa’s first republic.Early in Liberia’s history, tensions arose between the Americo-Liberian settlers and the indigenous population. In 1980, Samuel DOE, who was from the indigenous population, led a military coup and ushered in a decade of authoritarian rule. In December 1989, Charles TAYLOR launched a rebellion against DOE's regime that led to a prolonged civil war in which DOE was killed. A period of relative peace in 1997 permitted an election that brought TAYLOR to power. In 2000, fighting resumed. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted President TAYLOR’s resignation. TAYLOR was later convicted by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague for his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. In late 2005, President Ellen JOHNSON SIRLEAF became president after two years of transitional governments; she was the first female head of state in Africa. In 2011, JOHNSON SIRLEAF won reelection but struggled to rebuild Liberia's economy, particularly following the 2014-15 Ebola epidemic, and to reconcile a nation still recovering from 14 years of fighting. In 2017, former soccer star George WEAH won the presidential runoff election, marking the first successful transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another since the end of Liberia’s civil wars. Like his predecessor, WEAH has struggled to improve the country’s economy. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2023. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone Geographic coordinates: 6 30 N, 9 30 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 111,369 sq km land: 96,320 sq km water: 15,049 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than Virginia Land boundaries: total: 1,667 km border countries (3): Guinea 590 km; Cote d'Ivoire 778 km; Sierra Leone 299 km Coastline: 579 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Terrain: mostly flat to rolling coastal plains rising to rolling plateau and low mountains in northeast Elevation: highest point: Mount Wuteve 1,447 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 243 m Natural resources: iron ore, timber, diamonds, gold, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 28.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 5.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20.8% (2018 est.) forest: 44.6% (2018 est.) other: 27.3% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 30 sq km (2012) Population distribution: more than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) Geography - note: facing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture Map description: Liberia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.  Liberia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean.  Topic: People and Society Population: 5,358,483 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Liberian(s) adjective: Liberian Ethnic groups: Kpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, Krahn 4%, Vai 4%, Mandingo 3.2%, Gbandi 3%, Mende 1.3%, Sapo 1.3%, other Liberian 1.7%, other African 1.4%, non-African .1% (2008 est.) Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence Religions: Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.5% (2008 est.) Demographic profile: Liberia’s high fertility rate of nearly 5 children per woman and large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – will sustain a high dependency ratio for many years to come. Significant progress has been made in preventing child deaths, despite a lack of health care workers and infrastructure. Infant and child mortality have dropped nearly 70% since 1990; the annual reduction rate of about 5.4% is the highest in Africa.Nevertheless, Liberia’s high maternal mortality rate remains among the world’s worst; it reflects a high unmet need for family planning services, frequency of early childbearing, lack of quality obstetric care, high adolescent fertility, and a low proportion of births attended by a medical professional. Female mortality is also increased by the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC), which is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood and are an obstacle to formal classroom education for Liberian girls.Liberia has been both a source and a destination for refugees. During Liberia’s 14-year civil war (1989-2003), more than 250,000 people became refugees and another half million were internally displaced. Between 2004 and the cessation of refugee status for Liberians in June 2012, the UNHCR helped more than 155,000 Liberians to voluntarily repatriate, while others returned home on their own. Some Liberian refugees spent more than two decades living in other West African countries. Liberia hosted more than 125,000 Ivoirian refugees escaping post-election violence in 2010-11; as of mid-2017, about 12,000 Ivoirian refugees were still living in Liberia as of October 2017 because of instability.Liberia’s high fertility rate of nearly 5 children per woman and large youth cohort – more than 60% of the population is under the age of 25 – will sustain a high dependency ratio for many years to come. Significant progress has been made in preventing child deaths, despite a lack of health care workers and infrastructure. Infant and child mortality have dropped nearly 70% since 1990; the annual reduction rate of about 5.4% is the highest in Africa.Nevertheless, Liberia’s high maternal mortality rate remains among the world’s worst; it reflects a high unmet need for family planning services, frequency of early childbearing, lack of quality obstetric care, high adolescent fertility, and a low proportion of births attended by a medical professional. Female mortality is also increased by the prevalence of female genital cutting (FGC), which is practiced by 10 of Liberia’s 16 tribes and affects more than two-thirds of women and girls. FGC is an initiation ritual performed in rural bush schools, which teach traditional beliefs on marriage and motherhood and are an obstacle to formal classroom education for Liberian girls.Liberia has been both a source and a destination for refugees. During Liberia’s 14-year civil war (1989-2003), more than 250,000 people became refugees and another half million were internally displaced. Between 2004 and the cessation of refugee status for Liberians in June 2012, the UNHCR helped more than 155,000 Liberians to voluntarily repatriate, while others returned home on their own. Some Liberian refugees spent more than two decades living in other West African countries. Liberia hosted more than 125,000 Ivoirian refugees escaping post-election violence in 2010-11; as of mid-2017, about 12,000 Ivoirian refugees were still living in Liberia as of October 2017 because of instability. Age structure: 0-14 years: 43.35% (male 1,111,479/female 1,087,871) 15-24 years: 20.35% (male 516,136/female 516,137) 25-54 years: 30.01% (male 747,983/female 774,615) 55-64 years: 3.46% (male 89,150/female 86,231) 65 years and over: 2.83% (2020 est.) (male 70,252/female 73,442) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 77.6 youth dependency ratio: 71.7 elderly dependency ratio: 5.9 potential support ratio: 17 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 18 years male: 17.7 years female: 18.2 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 2.73% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 36.64 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: more than half of the population lives in urban areas, with approximately one-third living within an 80-km radius of Monrovia as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 53.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) Major urban areas - population: 1.623 million MONROVIA (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.1 years (2019/20 est.) note: median age at first birth among women 25-49 Maternal mortality ratio: 661 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 44.57 deaths/1,000 live births male: 48.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 40.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 65.45 years male: 63.19 years female: 67.78 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 4.79 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: 24.9% (2019/20) Drinking water source: improved: urban: 96.2% of population rural: 70.6% of population total: 84% of population unimproved: urban: 3.8% of population rural: 29.4% of population total: 16% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 8.5% (2019) Physicians density: 0.05 physicians/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 68% of population rural: 25.2% of population total: 47.5% of population unimproved: urban: 32% of population rural: 74.8% of population total: 52.5% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.1% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 35,000 (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,300 (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: 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 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 9.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 8.2% (2020 est.) male: 14.3% (2020 est.) female: 2% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 10.9% (2019/20) Child marriage: women married by age 15: NA women married by age 18: NA men married by age 18: 8.4% (2020 est.) Education expenditures: 2.3% of GDP (2020 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.3% male: 62.7% female: 34.1% (2017) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 2.3% male: 2.4% female: 2.2% (2016 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: tropical rain forest deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; hunting of endangered species for bushmeat; pollution of coastal waters from oil residue and raw sewage; pollution of rivers from industrial run-off; burning and dumping of household waste 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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 17.19 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.39 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 6.56 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: tropical; hot, humid; dry winters with hot days and cool to cold nights; wet, cloudy summers with frequent heavy showers Land use: agricultural land: 28.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 5.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 20.8% (2018 est.) forest: 44.6% (2018 est.) other: 27.3% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 53.1% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 3.41% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 13.27% 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, 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 Food insecurity: severe localized food insecurity: due to high food prices - production of rice, a main staple food, was estimated at a below-average level in 2021, a factor that is expected to further aggravate food insecurity in 2022 (2022) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 564,467 tons (2007 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 80.2 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 53.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 12.3 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 232 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Liberia conventional short form: Liberia etymology: name derives from the Latin word "liber" meaning "free"; so named because the nation was created as a homeland for liberated African-American slaves Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Monrovia geographic coordinates: 6 18 N, 10 48 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after James Monroe (1758-1831), the fifth president of the United States and supporter of the colonization of Liberia by freed slaves; one of two national capitals named for a US president, the other is Washington, D.C. Administrative divisions: 15 counties; Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Grand Kru, Lofa, Margibi, Maryland, Montserrado, Nimba, River Cess, River Gee, Sinoe Independence: 26 July 1847 National holiday: Independence Day, 26 July (1847) Constitution: history: previous 1847 (at independence); latest drafted 19 October 1983, revision adopted by referendum 3 July 1984, effective 6 January 1986 amendments: proposed by agreement of at least two thirds of both National Assembly houses or by petition of at least 10,000 citizens; passage requires at least two-thirds majority approval of both houses and approval in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of registered voters; amended 2011, 2020 Legal system: mixed legal system of common law, based on Anglo-American law, and customary 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 Liberia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 2 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George WEAH (since 22 January 2018); Vice President Jewel HOWARD-TAYLOR (since 22 January 2018); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President George WEAH (since 22 January 2018); Vice President Jewel HOWARD-TAYLOR (since 22 January 2018) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate 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 10 October 2017 with a run-off on 26 December 2017 (next to be held on 10 October 2023); the runoff originally scheduled for 7 November 2017 was delayed due to allegations of fraud in the first round, which the Supreme Court dismissed (2017) election results: George WEAH elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - George WEAH (Coalition for Democratic Change) 38.4%, Joseph BOAKAI (UP) 28.8%, Charles BRUMSKINE (LP) 9.6%, Prince JOHNSON (MDR) 8.2%, Alexander B. CUMMINGS (ANC) 7.2%, other 7.8%; percentage of vote in second round - George WEAH 61.5%, Joseph BOAKAI 38.5% Legislative branch: description: bicameral National Assembly consists of: The Liberian Senate (30 seats; members directly elected in 15 2-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 9-year staggered terms; each district elects 1 senator and elects the second senator 3 years later, followed by a 6-year hiatus, after which the first Senate seat is up for election) House of Representatives (73 seats; members directly elected in single-seat districts by simple majority vote to serve 6-year terms; eligible for a second term) elections: Senate - general election held on 8 December 2020 with half the seats up for election (next to be hled on 10 October 2023) House of Representatives - last held on 10 October 2017 (next to be held 10 October 2023) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - Collaborating Political Parties 40.27%, Congress for Democratic Change 28.02%, People's Unification Party 6.40, Movement for Democracy and Reconstructions 4.30%, All Liberia Coalition 1.09%,Rainbow Alliance 1.09%, Liberia Restoration Party 0,82%, Liberia National Union 0.77%, Movement for Progressive Change 0.74%, United People's Party 0.66%, Liberia Transformation Party 0.16%, National Democratic Coalition 0.07%, Movement for One Liberia 0.01; seats by coalition/party- CPP 13, CDC 5, PUP 2, MDR 1, NDC 1; composition - men 28, women 2, percent of women 6.7%     House of Representatives - percent of vote by party/coalition - Coalition for Democratic Change 15.6%, UP 14%, LP 8.7%, ANC 6.1%, PUP 5.9%, ALP 5.1%, MDR 3.4%, other 41.2%; seats by coalition/party - Coalition for Democratic Change 21, UP 20, PUP 5, LP 3, ALP 3, MDR 2, independent 13, other 6; composition - men 65, women 8, percent of women 11%; total Parliament percent of women 9.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 4 associate justices); note - the Supreme Court has jurisdiction for all constitutional cases judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate justices appointed by the president of Liberia with consent of the Senate; judges can serve until age 70 subordinate courts: judicial circuit courts; special courts, including criminal, civil, labor, traffic; magistrate and traditional or customary courts Political parties and leaders: Alliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Marcus S. G. DAHN] All Liberian Party or ALP [Benoi UREY] Alternative National Congress or ANC [Orishil GOULD] Coalition for Democratic Change [George WEAH] (includes CDC, NPP, and LPDP)Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH] Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES] Liberia National Union or LINU [Nathaniel BLAMA] Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Julius SUKU] Liberian People Democratic Party or LPDP [Alex J. TYLER] Liberian People's Party or LPP Liberty Party or LP [J. Fonati KOFFA] Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction or MDR [Prince Y. JOHNSON] Movement for Economic Empowerment [J. Mill JONES, Dr.] Movement for Progressive Change or MPC [Simeon FREEMAN] National Democratic Coalition or NDC [Dew MAYSON] National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [D. Nyandeh SIEH] National Patriotic Party or NPP [Jewel HOWARD TAYLOR] National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE] National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Victor BARNEY] People's Unification Party or PUP [Isobe GBORKORKOLLIE] Unity Party or UP [Varney SHERMAN] United People's Party [MacDonald WENTO] Victory for Change Party [Marcus R. JONES] International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador George S.W. PATTEN, Sr. (since 11 January 2019) chancery: 5201 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 723-0437 FAX: [1] (202) 723-0436 email address and website: info@liberiaemb.org http://www.liberianembassyus.org/ consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Michael A. MCCARTHY (since 22 January 2021) embassy: 502 Benson Street, Monrovia mailing address: 8800 Monrovia Place, Washington DC  20521-8800 telephone: [231] 77-677-7000 FAX: [231] 77-677-7370 email address and website: ACSMonrovia@state.gov https://lr.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: 11 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; a white five-pointed star appears on a blue square in the upper hoist-side corner; the stripes symbolize the signatories of the Liberian Declaration of Independence; the blue square represents the African mainland, and the star represents the freedom granted to the ex-slaves; according to the constitution, the blue color signifies liberty, justice, and fidelity, the white color purity, cleanliness, and guilelessness, and the red color steadfastness, valor, and fervor note: the design is based on the US flag National symbol(s): white star; national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "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: Economy Economic overview: Liberia is a low-income country that relies heavily on foreign assistance and remittances from the diaspora. It is richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture. Its principal exports are iron ore, rubber, diamonds, and gold. Palm oil and cocoa are emerging as new export products. The government has attempted to revive raw timber extraction and is encouraging oil exploration.   In the 1990s and early 2000s, civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially infrastructure in and around the capital. Much of the conflict was fueled by control over Liberia’s natural resources. With the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, businesses that had fled the country began to return. The country achieved high growth during the period 2010-13 due to favorable world prices for its commodities. However, during the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, the economy declined and many foreign-owned businesses departed with their capital and expertise. The epidemic forced the government to divert scarce resources to combat the spread of the virus, reducing funds available for needed public investment. The cost of addressing the Ebola epidemic coincided with decreased economic activity reducing government revenue, although higher donor support significantly offset this loss. During the same period, global commodities prices for key exports fell and have yet to recover to pre-Ebola levels.   In 2017, gold was a key driver of growth, as a new mining project began its first full year of production; iron ore exports are also increased as Arcelor Mittal opened new mines at Mount Gangra. The completion of the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam increased electricity production to support ongoing and future economic activity, although electricity tariffs remain high relative to other countries in the region and transmission infrastructure is limited. Presidential and legislative elections in October 2017 generated election-related spending pressures.   Revitalizing the economy in the future will depend on economic diversification, increasing investment and trade, higher global commodity prices, sustained foreign aid and remittances, development of infrastructure and institutions, combating corruption, and maintaining political stability and security.Liberia is a low-income country that relies heavily on foreign assistance and remittances from the diaspora. It is richly endowed with water, mineral resources, forests, and a climate favorable to agriculture. Its principal exports are iron ore, rubber, diamonds, and gold. Palm oil and cocoa are emerging as new export products. The government has attempted to revive raw timber extraction and is encouraging oil exploration. In the 1990s and early 2000s, civil war and government mismanagement destroyed much of Liberia's economy, especially infrastructure in and around the capital. Much of the conflict was fueled by control over Liberia’s natural resources. With the conclusion of fighting and the installation of a democratically elected government in 2006, businesses that had fled the country began to return. The country achieved high growth during the period 2010-13 due to favorable world prices for its commodities. However, during the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis, the economy declined and many foreign-owned businesses departed with their capital and expertise. The epidemic forced the government to divert scarce resources to combat the spread of the virus, reducing funds available for needed public investment. The cost of addressing the Ebola epidemic coincided with decreased economic activity reducing government revenue, although higher donor support significantly offset this loss. During the same period, global commodities prices for key exports fell and have yet to recover to pre-Ebola levels. In 2017, gold was a key driver of growth, as a new mining project began its first full year of production; iron ore exports are also increased as Arcelor Mittal opened new mines at Mount Gangra. The completion of the rehabilitation of the Mount Coffee Hydroelectric Dam increased electricity production to support ongoing and future economic activity, although electricity tariffs remain high relative to other countries in the region and transmission infrastructure is limited. Presidential and legislative elections in October 2017 generated election-related spending pressures. Revitalizing the economy in the future will depend on economic diversification, increasing investment and trade, higher global commodity prices, sustained foreign aid and remittances, development of infrastructure and institutions, combating corruption, and maintaining political stability and security. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $6.85 billion (2020 est.) $7.05 billion (2019 est.) $7.21 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2017 est.) -1.6% (2016 est.) 0% (2015 est.) Real GDP per capita: $1,400 (2020 est.) $1,400 (2019 est.) $1,500 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $3.071 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 12.4% (2017 est.) 8.8% (2016 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 34% (2017 est.) industry: 13.8% (2017 est.) services: 52.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 128.8% (2016 est.) government consumption: 16.7% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.5% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 6.7% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 17.5% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -89.2% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: cassava, sugar cane, oil palm fruit, rice, bananas, vegetables, plantains, rubber, taro, maize Industries: mining (iron ore and gold), rubber processing, palm oil processing, diamonds Industrial production growth rate: 9% (2017 est.) Labor force: 1.677 million (2017 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 70% industry: 8% services: 22% (2000 est.) Unemployment rate: 2.8% (2014 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 2.3% male: 2.4% female: 2.2% (2016 est.) Population below poverty line: 50.9% (2016 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 35.3 (2016 est.) 38.2 (2007) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.1% (2007) Budget: revenues: 553.6 million (2017 est.) expenditures: 693.8 million (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 34.4% of GDP (2017 est.) 28.3% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 16.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$627 million (2017 est.) -$464 million (2016 est.) Exports: $550 million (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $530 million (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $359 million (2017 est.) Exports - partners: Guyana 32%, Poland 10%, Switzerland 8%, Japan 7%, China 5% (2019) Exports - commodities: ships, iron, gold, rubber, crude petroleum (2019) Imports: $1.24 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $1.25 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $2.118 billion (2017 est.) Imports - partners: China 41%, Japan 21%, South Korea 18% (2019) Imports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, iron structures, boat propellers, centrifuges (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $459.8 million (31 December 2017 est.) $528.7 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $826 million (2019 est.) $679 million (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Liberian dollars (LRD) per US dollar - 109.4 (2017 est.) 93.4 (2016 est.) 93.4 (2015 est.) 85.3 (2014 est.) 83.893 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 12% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 18% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 196,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 292 million kWh (2019 est.) exports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) imports: 0 kWh (2019 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 26 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 40.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 59.1% 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: 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: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 8,181 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: 1.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 3.79 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1.653 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Liberia has a telecom market which is mainly based on mobile networks; this is due to the civil war which destroyed much of the fixed-line infrastructure; the fixed-line incumbent telco– rebranded as LTC Mobile in January 2022–has struggled with mismanagement and government neglect; its revenue is inadequate to allow it to invest in network infrastructure, and it has failed to make inroads in the market; to facilitate LTC Mobile’s market entry, the government in January 2022 set in train amendments to telecom legislation; LTC Mobile soon afterwards launched LTE services; internet services are available from a number of wireless ISPs as well as the mobile operators; the high cost and limited bandwidth of connections means that internet access is expensive and rates are very low; additional bandwidth is available from an international submarine cable but considerable investment is still needed in domestic fixed-line infrastructure before end-users can make full use of the cable. (2022) domestic: fixed-line less than 1 per 100; mobile-cellular subscription base growing and teledensity approached 57 per 100 persons (2019) international: country code - 231; landing point for the ACE submarine cable linking 20 West African countries and Europe; 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: 8 private and 1 government-owned TV station; satellite TV service available; 1 state-owned radio station; approximately 20 independent radio stations broadcasting in Monrovia, with approximately 80 more local stations operating in other areas; transmissions of 4 international (including the British Broadcasting Corporation and Radio France Internationale) broadcasters are available (2019) Internet country code: .lr Internet users: total: 1,314,996 (2020 est.) percent of population: 26% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 13,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.3 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: A8 Airports: total: 29 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 2 over 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 27 1,524 to 2,437 m: 5 914 to 1,523 m: 8 under 914 m: 14 (2021) Pipelines: 4 km oil (2013) Railways: total: 429 km (2008) standard gauge: 345 km (2008) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 84 km (2008) 1.067-m gauge note: most sections of the railways inoperable due to damage sustained during the civil wars from 1980 to 2003, but many are being rebuilt Roadways: total: 10,600 km (2018) paved: 657 km (2018) unpaved: 9,943 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 3,942 by type: bulk carrier 1,487, container ship 878, general cargo 131, oil tanker 851, other 595 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Buchanan, Monrovia Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL): Army, Liberian Coast Guard, Air Wing (2022) note: the AFL Air Wing was previously disbanded in 2005 and has been under redevelopment since 2019; the Liberian National Police and the Liberian Drug Enforcement Agency are under the Ministry of Justice Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $25 million) 0.5% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $20 million) 0.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $19 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,000 active personnel (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the AFL is poorly armed; it has received limited quantities of equipment since 2010, including donations, from countries such as China and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-35 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) note: as of 2020, women made up about .4% of the active military Military deployments: 160 Mali (MINUSMA) (May 2022) Military - note: the first militia unit established for defense of the colony was raised in 1832; the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) traces its origins to the 1908 establishment of the Liberia Frontier Force, which became the Liberian National Guard in 1965; the AFL was established in 1970; at the end of the second civil war in 2003, military and police forces were disbanded and approximately 100,000 military, police, and rebel combatants were disarmed; the AFL began to rebuild in 2003 with US assistance and the first infantry battalion of the restructured AFL was re-activated in late 2007; a second battalion was added in 2008 the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established in 2003 as a peacekeeping force; at its height, UNMIL was comprised of about 15,000 personnel, including more than 3,000 troops absorbed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peacekeeping mission; Liberian forces reassumed full control of the country’s security in June of 2016, and the UNMIL mission was ended in 2018  the first militia unit established for defense of the colony was raised in 1832; the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) traces its origins to the 1908 establishment of the Liberia Frontier Force, which became the Liberian National Guard in 1965; the AFL was established in 1970; at the end of the second civil war in 2003, military and police forces were disbanded and approximately 100,000 military, police, and rebel combatants were disarmed; the AFL began to rebuild in 2003 with US assistance and the first infantry battalion of the restructured AFL was re-activated in late 2007; a second battalion was added in 2008the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was established in 2003 as a peacekeeping force; at its height, UNMIL was comprised of about 15,000 personnel, including more than 3,000 troops absorbed from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peacekeeping mission; Liberian forces reassumed full control of the country’s security in June of 2016, and the UNMIL mission was ended in 2018  Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2021, there were 34 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a significant decrease from the total number of 81 incidents in 2020, it included the one hijacking and three of five ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2021, 57 crew members were kidnapped in seven separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 100% of kidnappings worldwide; Nigerian pirates in particular are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-001 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 4 January 2022, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea" Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Liberia-Guinea: none identified Liberia-Sierra Leone: none identifiedLiberia-Guinea: none identifiedLiberia-Sierra Leone: none identified Illicit drugs: not a significant transit country for illicit narcotics but proximity to major drug routes contribute to trafficking; not a significant producer of illicit narcotics; local drug use involves marijuana, heroin, cocaine, the synthetic opioid tramadol, and amphetamine-type stimulantsnot a significant transit country for illicit narcotics but proximity to major drug routes contribute to trafficking; not a significant producer of illicit narcotics; local drug use involves marijuana, heroin, cocaine, the synthetic opioid tramadol, and amphetamine-type stimulants

20220901

countries-antigua-and-barbuda-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.The Siboney were the first people to inhabit the islands in 2400 B.C., but Arawak Indians populated the islands when COLUMBUS landed on his second voyage in 1493. The islands became an independent state within the British Commonwealth of Nations in 1981. Topic: Geography Area: total: 443 sq km land: 443 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation Natural resources: NEGL; pleasant climate fosters tourism Topic: People and Society Population: 100,335 (2022 est.) Ethnic groups: African descent 87.3%, mixed 4.7%, Hispanic 2.7%, White 1.6%, other 2.7%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.) Languages: English (official), Antiguan creole Religions: Protestant 68.3% (Anglican 17.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 5.6%, Wesleyan Holiness 4.5%, Church of God 4.1%, Baptist 3.6%), Roman Catholic 8.2%, other 12.2%, unspecified 5.5%, none 5.9% (2011 est.) Population growth rate: 1.15% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm Capital: name: Saint John's Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Rodney WILLIAMS (since 14 August 2014) head of government: Prime Minister Gaston BROWNE (since 13 June 2014) Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: Senate (17 seats; members appointed by the governor general) House of Representatives (18 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms) Topic: Economy Economic overview: dual island-tourism and construction-driven economy; emerging “blue economy”; limited water supply and susceptibility to hurricanes limit activity; improving road infrastructure; friendly to foreign direct investment; looking at financial innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain technologiesdual island-tourism and construction-driven economy; emerging “blue economy”; limited water supply and susceptibility to hurricanes limit activity; improving road infrastructure; friendly to foreign direct investment; looking at financial innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1.76 billion (2020 est.) Real GDP per capita: $18,000 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: tropical fruit, milk, mangoes/guavas, melons, tomatoes, pineapples, lemons, limes, eggplants, onions Industries: tourism, construction, light manufacturing (clothing, alcohol, household appliances) Exports: $1.15 billion (2018 est.) Exports - partners: Poland 37%, Suriname 33%, United Arab Emirates 8% (2019) Exports - commodities: ships, refined petroleum, precious/semi-precious metal scraps, rice, corn (2019) Imports: $1.12 billion (2018 est.) Imports - partners: United States 39%, Poland 16%, China 7% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, ships, cars, precious/semi-precious metals, recreational boats (2019) Exchange rates: East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar -Page last updated: Monday, May 16, 2022

20220901

countries-american-samoa

Topic: Photos of American Samoa Topic: Introduction Background: Tutuila was settled by 1000 B.C. and the island served as a refuge for exiled chiefs and defeated warriors from the other Samoan islands. The Manu’a Islands developed its own traditional chiefdom that maintained its autonomy by controlling oceanic trade. In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to sail through the Manu’a Islands, and he was followed by French explorer Louis Antoine DE BOUGAINVILLE in 1768. Whalers and missionaries arrived in American Samoa in the 1830s, but American and European traders tended to favor the port in Apia - now in independent Samoa - over the smaller and less-developed Pago Pago on Tutuila. In the mid-1800s, a dispute arose in Samoa over control of the Samoan archipelago, with different chiefs gaining support from Germany, the UK, and the US. In 1872, the high chief of Tutuila offered the US exclusive rights to Pago Pago in return for US protection, but the US rejected this offer. As fighting resumed, the US agreed to the chief’s request in 1878 and set up a coaling station at Pago Pago. In 1899, with continued disputes over succession, Germany and the US agreed to divide the Samoan islands, while the UK withdrew its claims in exchange for parts of the Solomon Islands. Local chiefs on Tutuila formally ceded their land to the US in 1900, followed by the chief of Manu’a in 1904. The territory was officially named “American Samoa” in 1911. The US administered the territory through the Department of the Navy, and in 1918, the naval governor instituted strict quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the Spanish flu, allowing American Samoa to avoid the deadly infection that ravaged the then-New Zealand administered territory of Samoa. In 1949, there was an attempt to organize the territory, granting it formal self-government, but local chiefs helped defeat the measure in the US Congress. Administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1951, and in 1967, American Samoa adopted a constitution that provides significant protections for traditional Samoan land tenure rules, language, and culture. In 1977, after four attempts, voters approved a measure to directly elect their governor. Nevertheless, American Samoa officially remains an unorganized territory and people born in American Samoa are US nationals instead of US citizens, a status many American Samoans prefer.  Tutuila was settled by 1000 B.C. and the island served as a refuge for exiled chiefs and defeated warriors from the other Samoan islands. The Manu’a Islands developed its own traditional chiefdom that maintained its autonomy by controlling oceanic trade. In 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob ROGGEVEEN was the first European to sail through the Manu’a Islands, and he was followed by French explorer Louis Antoine DE BOUGAINVILLE in 1768. Whalers and missionaries arrived in American Samoa in the 1830s, but American and European traders tended to favor the port in Apia - now in independent Samoa - over the smaller and less-developed Pago Pago on Tutuila. In the mid-1800s, a dispute arose in Samoa over control of the Samoan archipelago, with different chiefs gaining support from Germany, the UK, and the US. In 1872, the high chief of Tutuila offered the US exclusive rights to Pago Pago in return for US protection, but the US rejected this offer. As fighting resumed, the US agreed to the chief’s request in 1878 and set up a coaling station at Pago Pago. In 1899, with continued disputes over succession, Germany and the US agreed to divide the Samoan islands, while the UK withdrew its claims in exchange for parts of the Solomon Islands. Local chiefs on Tutuila formally ceded their land to the US in 1900, followed by the chief of Manu’a in 1904. The territory was officially named “American Samoa” in 1911. The US administered the territory through the Department of the Navy, and in 1918, the naval governor instituted strict quarantine rules to prevent the spread of the Spanish flu, allowing American Samoa to avoid the deadly infection that ravaged the then-New Zealand administered territory of Samoa. In 1949, there was an attempt to organize the territory, granting it formal self-government, but local chiefs helped defeat the measure in the US Congress. Administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior in 1951, and in 1967, American Samoa adopted a constitution that provides significant protections for traditional Samoan land tenure rules, language, and culture. In 1977, after four attempts, voters approved a measure to directly elect their governor. Nevertheless, American Samoa officially remains an unorganized territory and people born in American Samoa are US nationals instead of US citizens, a status many American Samoans prefer. 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 halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W Map references: Oceania Area: total: 224 sq km land: 224 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Atoll and Swains Island Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 116 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Atoll, Swains Island) Elevation: highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m Natural resources: pumice, pumicite Land use: agricultural land: 24.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 15% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 9.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 75.5% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 0 sq km (2012) Natural hazards: cyclones common from December to Marchvolcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th centurycyclones common from December to Marchvolcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century Geography - note: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean Map description: Map of American Samoa showing the islands that together comprise this US territory and its relative location in the South Pacific Ocean; an inset provides detail of the major island of Tutuila with the capital Pago Pago.Map of American Samoa showing the islands that together comprise this US territory and its relative location in the South Pacific Ocean; an inset provides detail of the major island of Tutuila with the capital Pago Pago. Topic: People and Society Population: 45,443 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) adjective: American Samoan Ethnic groups: Pacific Islander 92.6% (includes Samoan 88.9%, Tongan 2.9%, other .8%), Asian 3.6% (includes Filipino 2.2%, other 1.4%), mixed 2.7%, other 1.2% (2010 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic origin or race Languages: Samoan 88.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.9%, Tongan 2.7%, other Pacific islander 3%, other 1.8% (2010 est.) note: most people are bilingual Religions: Christian 98.3%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.76% (male 7,063/female 6,662) 15-24 years: 18.16% (male 4,521/female 4,458) 25-54 years: 37.49% (male 9,164/female 9,370) 55-64 years: 9.69% (male 2,341/female 2,447) 65 years and over: 6.9% (2020 est.) (male 1,580/female 1,831) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: NA youth dependency ratio: NA elderly dependency ratio: NA potential support ratio: NA Median age: total: 27.2 years male: 26.7 years female: 27.7 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -1.92% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 16.7 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -29.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 49,000 PAGO PAGO (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 10.06 deaths/1,000 live births male: 12.14 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 75.32 years male: 72.83 years female: 77.97 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.21 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: NA Physicians density: NA 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: 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: limited supply of drinking water; pollution; waste disposal; coastal and stream alteration; soil erosion Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation Land use: agricultural land: 24.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 15% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 9.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 75.5% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 87.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.26% 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: 18,989 tons (2016 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa former: Eastern Samoa abbreviation: AS etymology: the meaning of Samoa is disputed; some modern explanations are that the "sa" connotes  "sacred" and "moa" indicates "center," so the name can mean "Holy Center"; alternatively, some assertions state that it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology; the name, however, may go back to Proto-Polynesian (PPn) times (before 1000 B.C.); a plausible PPn reconstruction has the first syllable as "sa'a" meaning "tribe or people" and "moa" meaning "deep sea or ocean" to convey the meaning "people of the deep sea" Government type: unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches Dependency status: unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior Capital: name: Pago Pago geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) note: pronounced pahn-go pahn-go Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts and 2 islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western Independence: none (territory of the US) National holiday: Flag Day, 17 April (1900) Constitution: history: adopted 17 October 1960; revised 1 July 1967 amendments: proposed by either house of the Legislative Assembly; passage requires three-fifths majority vote by the membership of each house, approval by simple majority vote in a referendum, approval by the US Secretary of the Interior, and only by an act of  the US Congress; amended several times, last in 2021 Legal system: mixed legal system of US common law and customary law Citizenship: see United States Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal 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 Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (since 3 January 2021) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 department directors appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature or Fono elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) election results: Lemanu Peleti MAUGA elected governor in first round; percent of vote - Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (independent) 60.3%, Gaoteote Palaie TOFAU (independent) 21.9%, I'aulualo Fa'afetai TALIA (independent) 12.3% Legislative branch: description: bicameral Legislature or Fono consists of: Senate (18 seats; members indirectly selected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms) House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members directly elected by simple majority vote and 1 decided by public meeting on Swains Island; members serve 2-year terms) elections: Senate - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) House of Representatives - last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024) election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 18; composition - men 17, women 1; percent of women 5.6% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 20, women 1; percent of women 4.8%; note total Legislature percent of women 5.1% 5 note: American Samoa elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate 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; election of delegate last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2022); Amata Coleman RADEWAGEN elected delegate; Amata Coleman RADEWAGEN (Republican Party) 83.5%, Oreta CHRICHTON (Democratic Party) 14.4%, Meleagi SUITONU-CHAPMAN (Democratic Party) 2.1% Judicial branch: highest courts: High Court of American Samoa (consists of the chief justice, associate chief justice, and 6 Samoan associate judges and organized into trial, family, drug, and appellate divisions); note - American Samoa has no US federal courts judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate chief justice appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior to serve for life; Samoan associate judges appointed by the governor to serve for life subordinate courts: district and village courts Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party [Fagafaga Daniel LANGKILDE, chairman] Republican Party [William SWORD, chairman] International organization participation: AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC Diplomatic representation in the US: none (territory of the US) Diplomatic representation from the US: embassy: none (territory of the US) Flag description: blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying 2 traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut-fiber fly whisk known as a "fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the US and American Samoa National symbol(s): a fue (coconut fiber fly whisk; representing wisdom) crossed with a to'oto'o (staff; representing authority); national colors: red, white, blue National anthem: name: "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: Economy Economic overview: American Samoa s a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and processing are the backbone of the private sector with processed fish products as the primary exports. The fish processing business accounted for 15.5% of employment in 2015.   In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency oversaw a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.   Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism has some potential as a source of income and jobs.American Samoa s a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and processing are the backbone of the private sector with processed fish products as the primary exports. The fish processing business accounted for 15.5% of employment in 2015. In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency oversaw a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism has some potential as a source of income and jobs. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $658 million (2016 est.) $674.9 million (2015 est.) $666.9 billion (2014 est.) note: data are in 2016 US dollars Real GDP growth rate: -2.5% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) 1% (2014 est.) Real GDP per capita: $11,200 (2016 est.) $11,300 (2015 est.) $11,200 (2014 est.) GDP (official exchange rate): $658 million (2016 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): -0.5% (2015 est.) 1.4% (2014 est.) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 27.4% (2012) industry: 12.4% (2012) services: 60.2% (2012) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 66.4% (2016 est.) government consumption: 49.7% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 7.3% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 5.1% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 65% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -93.5% (2016 est.) Agricultural products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts Industrial production growth rate: NA Labor force: 17,850 (2015 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA industry: 15.5% services: 46.4% (2015 est.) Unemployment rate: 29.8% (2005) Population below poverty line: NA Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 249 million (2016 est.) expenditures: 262.5 million (2016 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -2.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Public debt: 12.2% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 37.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.) Fiscal year: 1 October - 30 September Exports: $428 million (2016 est.) $427 million (2015 est.) Exports - partners: Australia 25%, Ghana 19%, Indonesia 15.6%, Burma 10.4%, Portugal 5.1% (2017) Exports - commodities: canned tuna Imports: $615 million (2016 est.) $657 million (2015 est.) Imports - partners: Fiji 10.7%, Singapore 10.4%, NZ 10.4%, South Korea 9.3%, Samoa 8.2%, Kenya 6.4%, Australia 5.2% (2017) Imports - commodities: raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts Debt - external: NANA Exchange rates: the US dollar is usedthe US dollar is used Topic: Energy Electricity: Installed generating capacity: 47,000 kW (2020 est.) Consumption: 151 million kWh (2019 est.) Exports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) Imports: 0 kWh (2020 est.) Transmission/distribution losses: 12 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: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 2,346 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: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From petroleum and other liquids: 355,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) From consumed natural gas: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 88.796 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 10,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 2,250 (2009 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2009 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; one of the most complete and modern telecommunications systems in the South Pacific Islands; all inhabited islands have telephone connectivity domestic: nearly 18 per 100 fixed-line teledensity, domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station (2018) international: country code - 1-684; landing points for the ASH, Southern Cross NEXT and Hawaiki  providing connectivity to New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, Hawaii, California, and SAS connecting American Samoa with Samoa; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific 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: 3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations Internet country code: .as Internet users: total: 17,147 (2020 est.) percent of population: 31% (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation Airports: total: 3 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Roadways: total: 241 km (2016) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Pago Pago Topic: Military and Security Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified

20220901

australia-and-oceania

20220901

field-political-parties-and-leaders

This entry includes a listing of significant political parties, coalitions, and electoral lists as of each country's last legislative election, unless otherwise noted. kParties that do not win a seat in national elections are usually not included. Topic: Afghanistanthe Taliban’s so-called “interim government” includes mostly Taliban members and not other political parties; before 15 August, 2021, the Ministry of Justice had licensed 72 political parties as of April 2019             Topic: AlbaniaAlliance 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; formerly part of APMI) Social Democratic Party or PSD [Tom DOSHI] Socialist Movement for Integration or LSI [Monika KRYEMADHI] Socialist Party or PS [Edi RAMA] Topic: AlgeriaAlgerian National Front or FNA [Moussa TOUATI] Algerian Popular Movement or MPA [Amara BENYOUNES] Algerian Rally or RA [Ali ZAGHDOUD] Algeria's Hope Rally or TAJ [Fatma Zohra ZEROUATI] Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Fethi GHARES] Dignity or El Karama [Mohamed DAOUI] El-Bina (Harakat El-Binaa El-Watani) [Abdelkader BENGRINA] El-Islah [Filali GHOUINI] Ennahda [Yazid BENAICHA] Ennour El Djazairi Party (Algerian Radiance Party) or PED [Badreddine BELBAZ] Front for Justice and Development or El Adala [Abdallah DJABALLAH] Future Front or El Mostakbel [Abdelaziz BELAID] Islamic Renaissance Movement or Ennahda Movement [Mohamed DOUIBI] Justice and Development Front or FJD [Abdellah DJABALLAH] Movement for National Reform or Islah [Filali GHOUINI] Movement of National Understanding or MEN Movement of Society for Peace or MSP [Abderrazak MAKRI] National Construction Movement or Harakat Al-bina' Al-watanii [Abdelkader BENGRINA] National Democratic Rally (Rassemblement National Democratique) or RND [Tayeb ZITOUNI] National Front for Social Justice or FNJS [Khaled BOUNEDJEMA] National Liberation Front or FLN [Abou El Fadhel BAADJI] National Party for Solidarity and Development or PNSD [Dalila YALAQUI] National Reform Movement or Islah [Djahid YOUNSI] National Republican Alliance or ANR [Belkacem SAHLI] New Dawn Party or El-Fajr El-Jadid [Tahar BENBAIBECHE] New Generation or Jil Jadid [Soufiane DJILALI] Oath of 1954 or Ahd 54 [Ali Fawzi REBAINE] Party of Justice and Liberty or PLJ [Djamel Ben ZIADI] Rally for Culture and Democracy or RCD [Mohcine BELABBAS] Socialist Forces Front or FFS [Youcef AOUCHICHE] Union for Change and Progress or UCP [Zoubida ASSOUL] Union of Democratic and Social Forces or UFDS [Noureddine BAHBOUH] Vanguard of Liberties or Talaie El Hurriyet [Abdelkader SAADI] Workers Party or PT [Louisa HANOUNE] Youth Party or PJ [Hamana BOUCHARMA] note: a law banning political parties based on religion was enacted in March 1997 Topic: American SamoaDemocratic Party [Fagafaga Daniel LANGKILDE, chairman] Republican Party [William SWORD, chairman] Topic: AndorraDemocrats for Andorra or DA [Xaviar ESPOT ZAMORA] Social Democratic Party or PS [Vicenc ALFY FERRER] Liberals of Andorra or L'A [Jordi GALLARDO FERNANDEZ] Third Way/Lauredian Union [Josep PINTAT FORNE] Social Democracy and Progress or SDP [Victor NAUDI ZAMORA] United for the Progress of Andorra or UPA [Alfons CLAVERA ARIZTI] note: Andorra has several smaller parties at the parish level (one is Lauredian Union) Topic: AngolaBroad Convergence for the Salvation of Angola Electoral Coalition or CASA-CE [Andre Mendes de CARVALHO] National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA; note - party has two factions; one led by Lucas NGONDA; the other by Ngola KABANGU National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA] (largest opposition party) Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Joao LOURENCO]; note - Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS stepped down 8 Sept 2018 ruling party in power since 1975 Social Renewal Party or PRS [Benedito DANIEL] Topic: AnguillaAnguilla Democratic Party or ADP Anguilla National Alliance or ANA Anguilla Progressive Movement or APM [Dr. Ellis WEBSTER]; prior to 2019, it was known as the Anguilla United Movement or AUM Anguilla United Front or AUF [Victor BANKS] (alliance includes ADP, ANA) Democracy, Opportunity, Vision, and Empowerment Party or DOVE [Sutcliffe HODGE] Topic: Antigua and BarbudaAntigua Labor Party or ABLP [Gaston BROWNE] Antigua Barbuda True Labor Party or ABTLP [Sharlene SAMUEL] Barbuda People's Movement or BPM [Trevor WALKER] Democratic National Alliance or DNA [Joanne MASSIAH] Go Green for Life [Owen GEORGE] United Progressive Party or UPP [Harold LOVELL] (a coalition of ACLM, PLM, UNDP) Topic: ArgentinaAvanza Libertad or AL [Jose Luis ESPERT] Civic Coalition ARI or CC-ARI [Elisa CARRIO, Maximiliano FERRARO] Federal Consensus or CF [Roberto LAVAGNA, Juan Manuel URTUBEY] Frente Civico por Santiago (Civic Front for Santiago) [Gerardo ZAMORA] Frente de Izquierda (Workers' Left Front) or FIT-U [Nicolas DEL CANO / Miriam BREGMAN] (coalition of leftist parties in lower house and includes PTS, PO, and MST) Frente de la Concordia Misionero (Front for the Renewal of Social Concord) or FRCS [Carlos Eduardo ROVIRA] Frente de Todos (Everyone's Front) or FdT [Alberto FERNANDEZ] - (includes FR, La Campora, and PJ); note - ruling coalition since 2019; includes several national and provincial Peronist political parties Generacion por un Encuentro Nacional (Generation for a National Encounter) or GEN [Margarita STOLBIZER] Frente Renovador (Renewal Front) or FR [Sergio MASSA, Pablo MIROLO] Hacemos por Cordoba (We do for Cordoba) or HC [Juan SCHIARETTI] Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change) or JxC - (includes CC-ARI, PRO, and UCR); note - primary opposition coalition since 2019 Juntos Somos Rio Negro (Together We Are Rio Negro) or JSRN [Alberto WERETILNECK]    Justicialist Party or PJ [Alberto Angel FERNANDEZ] La Campora [Maximo KIRCHNER] La Libertad Avanza or LLA [Javier MILEI] Movimiento Popular Neuquino (Neuquen People's Movement) or MPN [Omar GUTIERREZ] Partido Socialista or PS [Rosario Monica FEIN] Propuesta Republicana or PRO [Patricia BULLRICH] Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES] Socialist Workers' Party or PTS [Nicolas DEL CANO] Unidad Federal (coalition of provencial parties in the lower house) - (includes FRCS and JSRN) Workers' Party or PO [Gabriel SOLANO] Workers' Socialist Movement or MST [Alejandro BODART] Vamos con Vos (Let's Go with You) or VcV [Florencio RANDAZZO]Avanza Libertad or AL [Jose Luis ESPERT] Civic Coalition ARI or CC-ARI [Elisa CARRIO, Maximiliano FERRARO] Federal Consensus or CF [Roberto LAVAGNA, Juan Manuel URTUBEY] Frente Civico por Santiago (Civic Front for Santiago) [Gerardo ZAMORA] Frente de Izquierda (Workers' Left Front) or FIT-U [Nicolas DEL CANO / Miriam BREGMAN] (coalition of leftist parties in lower house and includes PTS, PO, and MST) Frente de la Concordia Misionero (Front for the Renewal of Social Concord) or FRCS [Carlos Eduardo ROVIRA] Frente de Todos (Everyone's Front) or FdT [Alberto FERNANDEZ] - (includes FR, La Campora, and PJ); note - ruling coalition since 2019; includes several national and provincial Peronist political parties Generacion por un Encuentro Nacional (Generation for a National Encounter) or GEN [Margarita STOLBIZER] Frente Renovador (Renewal Front) or FR [Sergio MASSA, Pablo MIROLO] Hacemos por Cordoba (We do for Cordoba) or HC [Juan SCHIARETTI] Juntos por el Cambio (Together for Change) or JxC - (includes CC-ARI, PRO, and UCR); note - primary opposition coalition since 2019 Juntos Somos Rio Negro (Together We Are Rio Negro) or JSRN [Alberto WERETILNECK]    Justicialist Party or PJ [Alberto Angel FERNANDEZ] La Campora [Maximo KIRCHNER] La Libertad Avanza or LLA [Javier MILEI] Movimiento Popular Neuquino (Neuquen People's Movement) or MPN [Omar GUTIERREZ] Partido Socialista or PS [Rosario Monica FEIN] Propuesta Republicana or PRO [Patricia BULLRICH] Radical Civic Union or UCR [Gerardo MORALES] Socialist Workers' Party or PTS [Nicolas DEL CANO] Unidad Federal (coalition of provencial parties in the lower house) - (includes FRCS and JSRN) Workers' Party or PO [Gabriel SOLANO] Workers' Socialist Movement or MST [Alejandro BODART] Vamos con Vos (Let's Go with You) or VcV [Florencio RANDAZZO] Topic: Armeniatwenty-five political parties or alliances competed in the June 2021 election; the top three parties or alliances that entered parliament garnered 80% of the vote; the below parties received 1% or more of the vote: 5165 National Conservative Movement Party [Karin TONOYAN] Alliance of Democrats [Arman BABAJANYAN] Armenia Alliance or HD (alliance of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and the Reborn Armenia Party) [Robert KOCHARYAN] Armenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN] Bright Armenia [Edmon MARUKYAN] Civil Contract or KP [Nikol PASHINYAN] Homeland Party [Artur VANETSYAN] Homeland of Armenians [Artak GALSTYAN] I Have Honor Alliance (alliance of the RPA and the Homeland Party, co-led by the two allied parties' leaders) Liberal Party [Samvel BABAYAN] National Democratic Party [Vahe GASPARYAN] Prosperous Armenia or BHK [Gagik TSARUKYAN] Republic Party [Aram SARGSYAN] Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN] Topic: ArubaAccion21 [Miguel MANSUR] Aruban People's Party or AVP [Michiel "Mike" EMAN] Democratic Electoral Network or RED [L.R. CROES] Movimiento Aruba Soberano or MAS [Marisol LOPEZ-TROMP] People's Electoral Movement Party or MEP [Evelyn WEVER-CROES] Pueblo Orguyoso y Respeta or POR [Alan HOWELL] RAIZ (ROOTS) [Ursell ARENDS] Topic: AustraliaAustralian Greens Party [Adam BANDT] Australian Labor Party or ALP [Anthony ALBANESE] Liberal Party of Australia [Scott MORRISON] The Nationals [Barnaby JOYCE] Pauline Hanson’s One Nation [Pauline HANSON] Topic: AustriaAustrian People's Party or OeVP [Karl NEHAMMER] Communist Party of Austria or KPOe [Mirko MESSNER] Freedom Party of Austria or FPOe [Herbert KICKI] The Greens [Werner KOGLER] NEOS - The New Austria [Beate MEINL-REISINGER] Social Democratic Party of Austria or SPOe [Pamela RENDI-WAGNER] Topic: AzerbaijanAzerbaijan Democratic Enlightenment Party or ADMP [Elshan MASAYEV] Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLI] Civic Unity Party or CUP [Sabir HAJIYEV] Great Order Party [Fazil MUSTAFA] Islamic Party of Azerbaijan [Mavsum SAMADOV] Musavat [Arif HAJILI] Popular Front Party [Ali KARIMLI] Motherland Party or AVP [Fazail AGAMALI] National Front Party [Razi NURULLAYEV] National Revival Movement Party [Faraj GULIYEV] Party for Democratic Reforms or PDR [Asim MOLLAZADE] Republican Alternative Party or REAL [Ilgar MAMMADOV] Social Democratic Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV] Social Prosperity Party [Khanhusein KAZIMLI] Unity Party or VP [Tahir KARIMLI] Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party [Gudrat HASANGULIYEV] Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party or YAP [President Ilham ALIYEV] Topic: Bahamas, TheDemocratic National Alliance or DNA [Arinthia KOMOLAFE] Free National Movement or FNM [Michael PINTARD] Progressive Liberal Party or PLP [Philip "Brave" DAVIS] Topic: Bahrainnote: political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 lawnote: political parties are prohibited, but political societies were legalized under a July 2005 law Topic: BangladeshAwami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA] Bangladesh Nationalist Front or BNF [Abdul Kalam AZADI] Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA] Bangladesh Tariqat Federation or BTF [Syed Nozibul Bashar MAIZBHANDARI] Jamaat-i-Islami Bangladesh or JIB (Makbul AHMAD) Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD] Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction) [Anwar Hossain MANJU] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Oli AHMED] National Socialist Party or JSD [KHALEQUZZAMAN] Workers Party or WP [Rashed Khan MENON] Topic: BarbadosAlliance Party for Progress or APP [Joseph ATHERLEY] Barbados Labor Party or BLP [Mia MOTTLEY] Democratic Labor Party or DLP [Steve Blackett] Topic: Belaruspro-government parties: Belarusian Agrarian Party or AP [Mikhail RUSY] Belarusian Patriotic Party [Mikalay ULAKHOVICH] Belarusian Social Sport Party [Uladzimir ALEKSANDROVICH] Communist Party of Belarus or KPB [Alyaksey SOKOL] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Aleh GAYDUKEVICH] Republican Party [Uladzimir BELAZOR] Republican Party of Labor and Justice [Alyaksandr STSYAPANAW] Social Democratic Party of Popular Accord [Syarhey YERMAK] opposition parties: Belarusian Christian Democracy Party [Paval SEVYARYNETS, Volha KAVALKOVA, Vital RYMASHEWSKI] (unregistered) Belarusian Party of the Green [Anastasiya DOROFEYEVA] Belarusian Party of the Left "Just World" [Syarhey KALYAKIN] Belarusian Popular Front or BPF [Ryhor KASTUSYOW] Belarusian Social-Democratic Assembly [Syarhey CHERACHEN] Belarusian Social Democratic Party ("Assembly") or BSDPH [Ihar BARYSAW] Belarusian Social Democratic Party (People's Assembly) [Mikalay STATKEVICH] (unregistered) Christian Conservative Party or BPF [Zyanon PAZNYAK] United Civic Party or UCP [Mikalay KAZLOW] Topic: BelgiumFlemish parties: Christian Democratic and Flemish or CD&V [Joachim COENS] Flemish Liberals and Democrats or Open VLD [Egbert LACHAERT] Groen or Green [Meyrem ALMACI] (formerly AGALEV, Flemish Greens) New Flemish Alliance or N-VA [Bart DE WEVER] Forward [Conner ROUSSEAU] (formerly Social Progressive Alternative or SP.A) Vlaams Belang (Flemish Interest) or VB [Tom VAN GRIEKEN] Francophone parties: Ecolo (Francophone Greens) [Jean-Marc NOLLET, Rajae MAOUANE] Francophone Federalist Democrats or Defi [Francois DE SMET] Humanist and Democratic Center or CDH [Maxine PREVOT] People's Party or PP [Mischael MODRIKAMEN] (dissolved 18 June 2019) Reform Movement or MR [George-Louis BOUCHEZ] Socialist Party or PS [Paul MAGNETTE] Workers' Party or PTB [Peter MERTENS] other minor parties Topic: BelizeBelize Progressive Party or BPP [Wil MAHEIA] (formed in 2015 from a merger of the People's National Party, elements of the Vision Inspired by the People, and other smaller political groups) People's United Party or PUP [Juan Antonio BRICENO] United Democratic Party or UDP [Patrick FABER] Vision Inspired by the People or VIP [Hubert ENRIQUEZ] Topic: BeninAlliance for a Triumphant Benin or ABT [Abdoulaye BIO TCHANE] African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN] Benin Renaissance or RB [Lehady SOGLO] Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE [Yayi BONI] Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] National Alliance for Development and Democracy or AND [Valentin Aditi HOUDE] New Consciousness Rally or NC [Pascal KOUPAKI] Patriotic Awakening or RP [Janvier YAHOUEDEOU] Social Democrat Party or PSD [Emmanuel GOLOU] Sun Alliance or AS [Sacca LAFIA] Union Makes the Nation or UN [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] (includes PRD, MADEP) United Democratic Forces or FDU [Mathurin NAGO] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties Topic: BermudaFree Democratic Movement or FDM (Marc BEAN) One Bermuda Alliance or OBA (Craig CANNONIER) Progressive Labor Party or PLP [Edward D. BURT] Topic: BhutanBhutan Kuen-Nyam Party or BKP Bhutan Peace and Prosperity Party (Druk Phuensum Tshogpa) or DPT [Pema GYAMTSHO] (Druk Chirwang Tshogpa or DCT merged with DPT in March 2018) People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tshering TOBGAY] United Party of Bhutan (Druk Nyamrup Tshogpa) or DNT [Lotay TSHERING] Topic: BoliviaCommunity Citizen Alliance or ACC [Carlos Diego MESA Gisbert] Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Juan Evo MORALES Ayma] National Unity or UN [Samuel DORIA MEDINA Arana] Revolutionary Left Front or FRI [Edgar GUZMAN Jauregui] Social Democrat Movement or MDS [Ruben COSTAS Aguilera] We Believe or Creemos [Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca] note: We Believe or Creemos [Luis Fernando CAMACHO Vaca] is a coalition comprised of several opposition parties that participated in the 2020 election, which includes the Christian Democratic Party (PDC) and Solidarity Civic Unity (UCS) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaAlliance for a Better Future of BiH or SBB BiH [Fahrudin RADONCIC] Alliance of Independent Social Democrats or SNSD [Milorad DODIK] Alternative Party for Democratic Activity or A-SDA [Nermin OGRESEVIC] (merged with Independent Bosnian Herzegovinian List to form NES) Croat Peasants' Party or HSS [Mario KARAMATIC] Croatian Christian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HKDU [Ivan MUSA] Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDU-BiH [Miro GRABOVAC-TITAN] Croatian Democratic Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or HDZ-BiH [Dragan COVIC] Croatian Democratic Union 1990 or HDZ-1990 [Ilija CVITANOVIC] Croatian Party of Rights dr. Ante Starcevic or HSP-AS Bih [Stanko PRIMORAC] Democratic Alliance or DEMOS [Nedeljko CUBRILOVIC] Democratic Front of DF [Zeljko KOMSIC] Democratic Peoples' Alliance or DNS [Nenad NESIC] Independent Bloc or NB [Senad SEPIC] Movement for Democratic Action or PDA [Mirsad KUKIC] People and Justice Party or NiP [elmedin KONAKOVIC] People's European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina or NES [Nermin OGRESEVIC] Progressive Srpska or NS [Goran DORDIC] Our Party or NS/HC [Edin FORTO] Party for Democratic Action or SDA [Bakir IZETBEGOVIC] Party of Democratic Progress or PDP [Branislav BORENOVIC] People's Democratic Movement or NDP [Dragan CAVIC] Serb Democratic Party or SDS [Mirko SAROVIC] Serb Radical Party-Dr. Vojislav Seselj or SRS-VS [Vojislav SESELJ] (merged with PDP) Social Democratic Party or SDP [Nermin NIKSIC] Socialist Party or SP [Petar DOKIC] United Srpska or US [Nenad STEVANDIC] Topic: BotswanaAlliance 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 collation has included the BMD, BPP, BCP and BNF) (2019) Topic: BrazilAvante [Luis Henrique de Oliveira RESENDE] (formerly Labor Party of Brazil or PTdoB)  Brazilian Communist Party or PCB [Astrogildo PEREIRA] Brazilian Democratic Movement or MDB [Luiz Felipe Baleia TENUTO Rossi] Brazilian Labor Party or PTB Brazilian Renewal Labor Party or PRTB [Aiceia RODRIGUES and Brazilian Vice President Hamilton MOURAO] Brazilian Republican Party or PRB [Marcos Antonio PEREIRA] Brazilian Social Democracy Party or PSDB [Bruno ARAUJO] Brazilian Socialist Party or PSB [Carlos Roberto SIQUEIRA de Barros] Christian Democracy or DC [Jose Maria EYMAEL] (formerly Christian Social Cidadania [Roberto Joao Pereira FREIRE] (formerly Popular Socialist Party or PPS) Democratic Party or PSDC) Christian Labor Party or PTC [Daniel TOURINHO] Communist Party of Brazil or PCdoB [Luciana SANTOS] Democratic Labor Party or PDT [Carlos LUPI] The Democrats or DEM [Jose AGRIPINO] (formerly Liberal Front Party or PFL) Green Party or PV [Jose Luiz PENNA] Liberal Party or PL [Luciano BIVAR and Antonio de RUEDA] (formerly Party of the Republic or PR) National Mobilization Party or PMN [Antonio Carlos Bosco MASSAROLLO] New Party or NOVO [Eduardo RIBEIRO] Patriota [Adilson BAROSSO Oliveira] (formerly National Ecologic Party or PEN) Podemos [Renata ABREU] (formerly National Labor Party or PTN) Progressive Party or PP [Ciro NOGUEIRA] Republican Social Order Party or PROS [Euripedes JUNIOR] Social Christian Party or PSC [Everaldo Dias PEREIRA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Alfredo COATIT Neto] Social Liberal Party or PSL [Luciano Caldas BIVAR] Socialism and Freedom Party or PSOL [Juliano MEDEIROS] Solidarity or SD [Paulinho DA FORCA] Sustainability Network or REDE [Marina SILVA] United Socialist Workers' Party or PSTU [Jose Maria DE ALMEIDA] Workers' Cause Party or PCO [Rui Costa PIMENTA] Workers' Party or PT [Gleisi HOFFMANN] Topic: British Virgin IslandsNational Democratic Party or NDP [Myron WALWYN] People's Empowerment Party or PEP [Alvin CHRISTOPHER] Progressive Virgin Islands Movement or PVIM [Ronnie SKELTON] Progressives United or PU [Julian FRASER] Virgin Islands Party or VIP [Andrew FAHIE] Topic: BruneiNational Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi] note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited activity Topic: BulgariaAgrarian People's Union or ZNS [Roumen YONCHEV] Bulgarian Agrarian People’s Union [Nikolay NENCHEV] Bulgarian Socialist Party or BSP [Korneliya NINOVA] (alliance of BSP, PKT, New Dawn, Ecoglasnost) Bulgaria of the Citizens or DBG [Dimitar DELCHEV]] Citizens for the European Development of Bulgaria or GERB (alliance with SDS) [Boyko BORISOV] Democratic Bulgaria or DB (alliance of Yes! Bulgaria, DSB, and The Greens) [Atanas ATANASOV, Hristo IVANOV] Democrats for a Strong Bulgaria or DSB [Atanas ATANASOV] Ecoglasnost [Emil GEORGIEV] Green Movement or The Greens [Borislav SANDOV, Vladislav PENEV] Middle European Class or SEC [Georgi MANEV] Movement for Rights and Freedoms or DPS [Mustafa KARADAYI] Movement 21 or D21 [Tatyana DONCHEVA] New Dawn [Mincho MINCHEV] Political Club Thrace or PKT [Stefan NACHEZ] Political Movement "Social Democrats" or PDS  [Elena NONEVA] Revival [Kostadin KOSTADINOV] Stand Up.BG or IS.BG [Maya MONOLOVA] Stand Up.BG, We Are Coming! or IBG-NI (coalition of IS.BG, D21, DBG, ENP, ZNS, and Volt) [Maya MONOLOVA, Nikolay HADZHIGENOV] There is Such a People or ITN [SLAVI TRIFONOV] United People's Party or ENP [Valentina VASILEVA-FILADELFEVS] Union of Democratic Forces or SDS (alliance with GERB)[Rumen HRISTOV] Yes! Bulgaria [Hristo IVANOV] Volt Bulgaria or Volt [Nastimir ANANIEV] We Continue the Change of PP (electoral alliance of PP, PDS, SEC, and Volt) [Kiril PETKOV and Asen VASILEV] Topic: Burkina FasoAfrican 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 [Mahamoudou DICKO] 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 [Simon COMPAORE] 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] Topic: BurmaArakan National Party or ANP [THAR TUN HLA] Democratic Party or DP [U THU WAI] Kayah State Democratic Party or KySDP Kayin People's Party or KPP [TUN AUNG MYINT] Kokang Democracy and Unity Party or KDUP [LUO XINGGUANG] La Hu National Development Party or LHNDP [KYA HAR SHAL] Lisu National Development Party or LNDP [U ARKI DAW] Mon Unity Party (formed in 2019 from the All Mon Region Democracy Party and Mon National Party) National Democratic Force or NDF [KHIN MAUNG SWE] National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SAN SUU KYI] National Unity Party or NUP [U HAN SHWE] Pa-O National Organization or PNO [AUNG KHAM HTI] People's Party [KO KO GYI] Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP [SAI AI PAO] Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD [KHUN HTUN OO] Ta'ang National Party or TNP [AIK MONE] Tai-Leng Nationalities Development Party or TNDP [ U SAI HTAY AUNG] Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP [THAN HTAY] Unity and Democracy Party of Kachin State or UDPKS [U KHAT HTEIN NAN] Wa Democratic Party or WDP [KHUN HTUN LU] Wa National Unity Party or WNUP [NYI PALOTE] Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD [PU CIN SIAN THANG] numerous smaller parties Topic: BurundiFront for Democracy in Burundi-Nyakuri or FRODEBU-Nyakuri [Keffa NIBIZI] Front for Democracy in Burundi-Sahwanya or FRODEBU-Sahwanya [Pierre Claver NAHIMANA] National Congress for Liberty or CNL [Agathon RWASA] National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE] National Liberation Forces or FNL [Jacques BIGITIMANA] Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Abel GASHATSI] Topic: Cabo Verderz African Party for Independence of Cabo Verde or PAICV [Janira Hopffer ALMADA] Democratic and Independent Cabo Verdean Union or UCID [Antonio MONTEIRO] Democratic Christian Party or PDC [Manuel RODRIGUES] Democratic Renovation Party or PRD [Victor FIDALGO] Movement for Democracy or MPD [Ulisses CORREIA E SILVA] Party for Democratic Convergence or PCD [Dr. Eurico MONTEIRO] Party of Work and Solidarity or PTS [Anibal MEDINA] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Joao ALEM] Topic: CambodiaCambodian People's Party or CPP [HUN SEN] National United Front for Independent, Neutral, Peaceful, and Cooperative Cambodia or FUNCINPEC [Prince NORODOM CHAKRAVUTH] League for Democracy Party or LDP [KHEM Veasna] Khmer Will Party [KONG MONIKA] Khmer National Unity Party or KNUP (an offshoot of FUNCINPEC) [NHEK BUN CHHAY] Candlelight Party or CP (the latest incarnation of the Sam Rainsy Party or SRP and the former Human Rights Party or HRP, which joined to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party or CNRP in 2012; the CNRP was dissolved in 2017) Other minor parties that registered for the 2022 commune-level elections included: Cambodia National Love Party, Cambodia Nationality Party, Cambodian Youth Party, Khmer Will Party, Cambodia Reform Party, Kampucheaniyum Party, Grassroots Democratic Party, Khmer United Party, Beehive Social Democratic Party, Cambodia Indigenous People's Democracy Party, Ekpheap Cheat Khmer Party, Reaksmey Khemara Party, Khmer Economic Development Party (2022) note(s) - following the 2017 commune election, the CPP-led government arrested the CNRP president Kem SOKHA for treason, dissolved the party on similar grounds, and forced most of its senior leadership into exile, where the party’s former president, Sam RAINSY, had been living since late 2015; as of March 2022, a total of 17 political parties had registered to run in the June 2022 commune-level elections, and opposition parties, particularly the Candlelight Party, continued to report, intimidation, harassment, and arrests by the Cambodian GovernmentOther minor parties that registered for the 2022 commune-level elections included: Cambodia National Love Party, Cambodia Nationality Party, Cambodian Youth Party, Khmer Will Party, Cambodia Reform Party, Kampucheaniyum Party, Grassroots Democratic Party, Khmer United Party, Beehive Social Democratic Party, Cambodia Indigenous People's Democracy Party, Ekpheap Cheat Khmer Party, Reaksmey Khemara Party, Khmer Economic Development Party Topic: CameroonAlliance for Democracy and Development Cameroon People's Democratic Movement or CPDM [Paul BIYA] Cameroon People's Party or CPP [Edith Kah WALLA] Cameroon Renaissance Movement or MRC [Maurice KAMTO] Cameroonian Democratic Union or UDC [Adamou Ndam NJOYA] Cameroonian Party for National Reconciliation or PCRN [Cabral LIBII] Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon or FSNC [Issa Tchiroma BAKARY] Movement for the Defense of the Republic or MDR [Dakole DAISSALA] Movement for the Liberation and Development of Cameroon or MLDC [Marcel YONDO] National Union for Democracy and Progress or UNDP [Maigari BELLO BOUBA] Progressive Movement or MP [Jean-Jacques EKINDI] Social Democratic Front or SDF [John FRU NDI] Union of Peoples of Cameroon or UPC [Provisionary Management Bureau] Union of Socialist Movements Topic: CanadaBloc Quebecois [Yves-Francois BLANCHET] Conservative Party of Canada or CPC [Candice BERGEN (interim)] Green Party [Amita KUTTNER (interim)] Liberal Party [Justin TRUDEAU] New Democratic Party or NDP [Jagmeet SINGH] People's Party of Canada [Maxime BERNIER] Topic: Cayman IslandsPeople's Progressive Movement or PPM [Alden MCLAUGHLIN] Cayman Democratic Party or CDP [McKeeva BUSH] Topic: Central African RepublicAction 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 [Desire Nzanga KOLINGBA] 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 [Amine MICHEL] New Alliance for Progress or NAP [Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE] Union for Central African Renewal or URCA [Anicet-Georges DOLOGUELE] Topic: ChadChadian Convention for Peace and Development or CTPD [Laoukein Kourayo MEDAR] Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR] Framework of Popular Action for Solidarity and Unity of the Republic or CAP-SUR [Joseph Djimrangar DADNADJI] National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP [Dr. Nouradine Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE] National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO] Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Ahmat ALHABO] Party for Unity and Reconciliation Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Idriss DEBY] Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Mahamat Allahou TAHER]RNDT/Le Reveil [Albert Pahimi PADACKE] Social Democratic Party for a Change-over of Power or PDSA [Malloum YOBODA] Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Felix Romadoumngar NIALBE] Topic: ChileApprove Dignity (Apruebo Dignidad) coalition or AD  - (includes PC, FA, and FREVS) [Gabriel BORIC] Broad Front Coalition (Frente Amplio) or FA (includes RD, CS, and Comunes) [Gonzalo WINTER] Broad Social Movement of Leftist Citizens (includes former MAS and Izquierda Ciudadana) [Fernando ZAMORANO] Chile We Can Do More or ChP+ [Sebastian SICHEL] (coalition includes EVOPOLI, PRI, RN, UDI) Christian Conservative Party or PCC [Antaris VARELA] Christian Democratic Party or PDC [Carmen FREI Ruiz-Tagle] Christian Social Front or FSC [Jose Antonio KAST] (includes PCC, PLR) Citizens or CIU [María Ignacia GOMEZ Martinez] Commons (Comunes) [Jorge RAMIREZ] Communist Party of Chile or PCCh [Guillermo TEILLIER del Valle] Democratic Revolution or RD [Margarita PORTUGUEZ] Green Ecological Party or PEV [Felix GONZALEZ] Humanist Party or PH [Octavio GONZALEZ] Independent Democratic Union or UDI [Javier MACAYA] Independent Regionalist Democratic Party or PRI [Hugo ORTIZ de Filippi] Liberal Party (Partido Liberal de Chile) or PL [Patricio MORALES] National Renewal or RN [Francisco CHAHUAN] New Social Pact or NPS [Yasna PROVOSTE] (includes PDC, PL, PPD, PRSD, PS) Party for Democracy or PPD [Natalia PERGIENTILI Domenech] Party of the People or PDG [Luis MORENO] Political Evolution or EVOPOLI [Andres MOLINA] Radical Social Democratic Party or PRSD [Carlos MALDONADO Curti] Republican Party or PLR [Rojo EDWARDS] Social Convergence or CS [Alondra ARELLANO] Social Green Regionalist Federation or FREVS [Jaime Francisco MULET Martinez] Socialist Party or PS [Alvaro Antonio ELIZALDE Soto] United Independents or IU [Cristian Alejandro CONTRERAS Radovic] Topic: ChinaChinese Communist Party or CCP [XI Jinping] note: China has 8 nominally independent small parties controlled by the CCP Topic: Christmas Islandnone Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnone Topic: ColombiaAlternative Democratic Pole or PDA [Ivan CEPEDA] Citizens Option (Opcion Ciudadana) or OC [Angel ALIRIO Moreno] (formerly known as the National Integration Party or PIN) The Commons (formerly People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC) [Rodrigo LONDONO Echeverry] Conservative Party or PC [Omar YEPES] Democratic Center Party or CD [Alvaro URIBE Velez] Fair and Free Colombia Green Alliance [Claudia LOPEZ Hernandez] Historic Pact for Colombia or PHxC (coalition composed of several left-leaning political parties and social movements) Humane Colombia [Gustavo PETRO] Independent Movement of Absolute Renovation or MIRA [Carlos Eduardo GUEVARA] League of Anti-Corruption Rulers or LIGA [Rodolfo HERNANDEZ Suarez] Liberal Party or PL [Cesar GAVIRIA] People's Alternative Revolutionary Force or FARC [Rodrigo LONDONO Echeverry] Radical Change or CR [German VARGAS Lleras] Team for Colombia - also known as the Experience Coalition or Coalition of the Regions (coalition composed of center-right and right-wing parties) Union Party for the People or U Party [Dilian Francisca TORO] We Believe Colombia or CREEMOS [Federico GUTIERREZ] note: Colombia has numerous smaller political parties and movements Topic: ComorosConvention for the Renewal of the Comoros or CRC [AZALI Assoumani] Democratic Rally of the Comoros or RDC [Mouigni BARAKA] Independent Party [N/A] Juwa Party or PJ [[Ahmed Abdallah SAMBI, Mahamoudou AHAMADA] Orange Party [Mohamed DAOUDOU] Party for the Comorian Agreement (Partie Pour l'Entente Commorienne) or PEC [Fahmi Said IBRAHIM] Rally for an Alternative of Harmonious and Integrated Development or RADHI [Mohamed AHMED] Rally with a Development Initiative for Enlightened Youth or RIDJA [Said LARIFOU] Union for the Development of the Comoros or UPDC [Mohamed HALIFA] (2018) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theChristian Democrat Party or PDC [Jose ENDUNDO] Congolese Rally for Democracy or RCD [Azarias RUBERWA] Convention of Christian Democrats or CDC Engagement for Citizenship and Development or ECiDe [Martin FAYULU] Forces of Renewal or FR [Mbusa NYAMWISI] Lamuka coalition [Martin FAYULU] (includes ECiDe, MLC, Together for Change, CNB, and, Nouvel Elan) Movement for the Liberation of the Congo or MLC [Jean-Pierre BEMBA] Nouvel Elan [Adolphe MUZITO] Our Congo or CNB ("Congo Na Biso") [Freddy MATUNGULU] People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy or PPRD [Henri MOVA Sakanyi] Social Movement for Renewal or MSR [Pierre LUMBI] Together for Change (Ensemble") [Moise KATUMBI] Unified Lumumbist Party or PALU [Antoine GIZENGA] Union for the Congolese Nation or UNC [Vital KAMERHE] Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Felix TSHISEKEDI] Topic: Congo, Republic of theAction 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 Topic: Cook IslandsCook Islands Party or CIP [Mark BROWN] Democratic Party or Demo [Tina BROWNE] One Cook Islands Movement [Teina BISHOP] Topic: Costa RicaAccessibility 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] Topic: Cote d'IvoireAfrican Peoples' Party-Cote d'Ivoire or PPA-CI[Laurent GBAGBO] Pan-African Congress for People's Justice and Equalityor COJEP [Charles BLE GOUDE] Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE] Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [former pres. [Pascal Affi N'GUESSAN] Liberty and Democracy for the Republic or LIDER [Mamadou KOULIBALY] Movement of the Future Forces or MFA [Innocent Augustin ANAKY KOBENA] Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alassane OUATTARA]  Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Henriette DIABATE] Together for Democrary and Sovereignty [Georges Armand OUEGNIN] Together to Build (UDPCI, FPI,and allies) [Toikeuse MABRI] Together to Build (UDPCI, FPI,and allies) [Toikeuse MABRI] Union for Cote d'Ivoire or UPCI [Gnamien KONAN] Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI [Albert Toikeusse MABRI] Topic: CroatiaBloc for Croatia or BLOK [Zlatko HASANBEGOVIC] The Bridge or Most [Bozo PETROV] (formerly the Bridge of Independent Lists) Center or Centar [Ivica PULJAK] (formerly Pametno and Party with a First and Last Name or SSIP)  Civic Liberal Alliance or GLAS [Ankar Mrak TARITAS] Croatian Demochristian Party or HDS [Goran DODIG Croatian Democratic Alliance of Slavonia and Baranja or HDSSB [Branimir GLAVAS] Croatian Democratic Union or HDZ [Andrej PLENKOVIC] Croatian Democratic Union-led coalition (includes HSLS, HDS, HDSSB) Croatian Party of Pensioners or HSU [Veselko GABRICEVIC] Croatian Peasant Party or HSS [Kreso BELJAK] Croatian People's Party - Liberal Democrats or HNS-LD [Stjepan CURAJ] Croatian Social Liberal Party or HSLS [Dario HREBAK] Croatian Sovereignists or HS [Marijan PAVLICEK] Focus on the Important or Focus [Davor NADI] Green-Left coalition (includes MOZEMO!, RF, NL) Homeland Movement or DP [Ivan PENAVA] Independent Democratic Serb Party or SDSS [Milorad PUPOVAC] Istrian Democratic Assembly or IDS [Dalibor PAUS] New Left or NL [Ivana KEKIN] People's Party - Reformists or NS-R [Radimir CACIC] Restart Coalition (includes HSLS, HDS, HDSSB) Social Democratic Party of Croatia or SDP [Peda GRBIN] We Can! or Mozemo! [collective leadership] Workers' Front or RF [collective leadership] Topic: CubaCuban Communist Party or PCC [Miguel DIAZ-CANEL Bermudez] Topic: CuracaoKorsou di Nos Tur or KdnT [Amparo dos SANTOS] Korsou Esun Miho or KEM [Michelangelo MARTINES] Movementu Futuro Korsou or MFK [Gilmar PISAS] Movementu Progresivo or MP [Marylin MOSES] Movishon Antia Nobo or MAN [Hensley KOEIMAN] Partido Antia Restruktura or PAR [Eugene RHUGGENAATH] Partido Inovashon Nashonal or PIN [Suzanne CAMELIA-ROMER] Partido Nashonal di Pueblo or PNP [Ruthmilda LARMONIE-CECILIA] Pueblo Soberano or PS [Ben WHITEMAN]  Trabou pa Kòrsou or TPK [Rennox CALMES]  Un Korsou Hustu [Omayra LEEFLANG] Topic: Cyprusarea under government control: Citizens' Alliance or SP [Giorgos LILLIKAS] Democratic Front or DiPa [Marios GAROYIAN] Democratic Party or DIKO [Nikolas PAPADOPOULOS] Democratic Rally or DISY [Averof NEOPHYTOU] Movement of Ecologists - Citizens' Alliance [Charalambos THEOPEMPTOU] Movement of Social Democrats EDEK [Marinos SIZOPOULOS] National Popular Front or ELAM [Christos CHRISTOU] Progressive Party of the Working People or AKEL (Communist party) [Stefanos STEFANOU] Solidarity Movement [Eleni THEOCHAROUS] area administered by Turkish Cypriots: Communal Democracy Party or TDP [Cemal OZYIGIT] Communal Liberation Party-New Forces or TKP-YG [Mehmet CAKICI] Cyprus Socialist Party or KSP [Mehmet BIRINCI] Democratic Party or DP [Serdar DENKTAS] National Democratic Party or NDP [Buray BUSKUVUTCU] National Unity Party or UBP [Faiz SUCUOGLU] New Cyprus Party or YKP [Murat KANATLI] People's Party or HP [Kudret OZERSAY] Rebirth Party or YDP [Erhan ARIKLI] Republican Turkish Party or CTP [Tufan ERHURMAN] United Cyprus Party or BKP [Izzet IZCAN] Topic: CzechiaChristian Democratic Union-Czechoslovak People's Party or KDU-CSL [Marian JURECKA] Civic Democratic Party or ODS [Petr FIALA] Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia or KSCM [Katerina KONECNA] Czech Social Democratic Party or CSSD [Michal SMARDA] Freedom and Direct Democracy or SPD [Tomio OKAMURA] Free Bloc or VB [Jana VOLFOVA] Mayors and Independents or STAN [Vit RAKUSAN] Movement of Dissatisfied Citizens or ANO [Andrej BABIS] Oath or Prisaha [Robert SLACHTA] Pirate Party or Pirates [Ivan BARTOS] Tradition Responsibility Prosperity 09 or TOP 09 [Marketa PEKAROVA ADAMOVA] Tricolor Freedomites Freeholders or TSS [Zuzana MAJEROVA ZAHRADNIKOVA] Topic: DenmarkThe Alternative AP (Franciska ROSENKILDE) Conservative People's Party or DKF or C [Soren PAPE POULSEN] Danish People's Party or DF or O [Kristian THULESEN DAHL] Liberal Alliance or LA or I [Alex VANOPSLAGH] Liberal Party (Venstre) or V [Jakob ELLEMANN-JENSEN] New Right Party or NB or D [Pernille VERMUND] Red-Green Alliance (Unity List) or EL [collective leadership, Mai VILLADSEN, spokesperson] Social Democrats or SDP or A [Mette FREDERIKSEN] Social Liberal Party or SLP or B [Sofie CARSTEN NIELSEN] Socialist People's Party or SF or F [Pia OLSEN DYHR] Topic: DjiboutiCenter for United Democrats or CDU [Ahmed Mohamed YOUSSOUF, chairman] Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH] Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM] Front for Restoration of Unity and Democracy (Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique) or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD] Movement for Democratic Renewal and Development [Daher Ahmed FARAH] Movement for Development and Liberty or MoDel [Ismail Ahmed WABERI] Movement for the Development and Balance of the Djiboutian Nation (Mouvement pour le Dévelopment et l'Équilibre de la Nation Djiboutienne) or MDEND [Zakaria Ismael FARAH] National Democratic Party or PND [Aden Robleh AWALEH] People's Rally for Progress or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party) Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Hasna Moumin BAHDON] Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Aden Mohamed ABDOU, interim president] Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PND, PPSD) Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ [Ilya Ismail GUEDI Hared] Topic: DominicaDominica Freedom Party or DFP [Kent VITAL] Dominica Labor Party or DLP [Roosevelt SKERRIT] Dominica United Workers Party or UWP [Lennox LINTON] Topic: Dominican RepublicAlliance 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 [Jose Ignacio PALIZA] National Progressive Front or FNP [Vinicio CASTILLO, Pelegrin CASTILLO] People's Force or FP [Leonel FERNANDEZ Reyna] Social Christian Reformist Party or PRSC [Federico ANTUN] Topic: EcuadorAvanza Party or AVANZA [Ramiro GONZALEZ] Central Democratic Movement or CD [Jimmy JAIRALA] Citizen Revolution Movement or MRC [Marcela AGUINAGA] Creating Opportunities Movement or CREO [Guillermo LASSO] Democratic Left or ID Forward Ecuador Movement [Alvaro NOBOA] Pachakutik Plurinational Unity Movement or MUPP [Marlon Rene SANTI Gualinga] Patriotic Society Party or PSP [Gilmar GUTIERREZ Borbua] Popular Democracy Movement or MPD [Luis VILLACIS] Social Christian Party or PSC [Alfredo SERRANO] Socialist Party [Gustavo VALLEJO] Society United for More Action or SUMA [Guillermo CELI] Topic: EgyptAl-Nour [Yunis MAKHYUN] Arab Democratic Nasserist Party [El Etehad el Masri el ARABI] Congress Party [Omar Al-Mokhtar SEMIDA] Conservative Party [El Mohafezin] Democratic Peace Party [Ahmed FADALY] Egyptian National Movement Party [Gen. Raouf EL SAYED] Egyptian Social Democratic Party [Farid ZAHRAN] El Ghad Party [Moussa Mostafa MOUSSA] El Serh El Masry el Hor [Tarek Ahmed Abbas NADIM] Eradet Geel Party Freedom Party [Mamdouuh HASSAN] Free Egyptians Party [Essam KHALIL] Justice Party Homeland’s Protector Party [Lt. Gen. (retired) Galal AL-HARIDI] Modern Egypt Party [Nabil DEIBIS] Nation's Future Party (Mostaqbal Watan) [Abdel Wahab Abdel RAZEQ] My Homeland Egypt Party [Gen. Seif El Islam ABDEL BARY ] National Progressive Unionist (Tagammu) Party [Sayed Abdel AAL] Reform and Development Party [Mohamad Anwar al-SADAT] Republican People’s Party [Hazim AMR] Revolutionary Guards Party [Magdy EL-SHARIF] Wafd Party[Abdel Sanad YAMAMA] Topic: El SalvadorChristian Democratic Party or PDC [Rodolfo Antonio PARKER Soto] Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front or FMLN [Oscar ORTIZ] Great Alliance for National Unity or GANA [Nelson GUARDADO] National Coalition Party or PCN [Manuel RODRIGUEZ] Nationalist Republican Alliance or ARENA [Erick SALGUERO] New Ideas (Nuevas Ideas) or NI [Xavier Zablah BUKELE] Our Time (Nuestro Tiempo) or NT [Juan VALIENTE] Vamos or V [Josue ALVARADO Flores] Topic: Equatorial GuineaConvergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Andres ESONO ONDO] Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro Obiang NGUEMA MBASOGO] Electoral Coalition or EC Juntos Podemos (coalition includes CPDS, FDR, UDC) National Congress of Equatorial Guinea [Agustin MASOKO ABEGUE] National Democratic Party [Benedicto OBIANG MANGUE] National Union for Democracy [Thomas MBA MONABANG] Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Carmelo MBA BACALE] Popular Union or UP [Daniel MARTINEZ AYECABA] Center Right  Union or UCD [Avelino MOCACHE MEHENGA] not officially registered parties: Citizens for Innovation or CI [Gabriel Nse Obiang OBONO] Democratic Republican Force or FDR [Guillermo NGUEMA ELA] Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO] Topic: EritreaPeople's Front for Democracy and Justice or PFDJ [ISAIAS Afwerki] (the only party recognized by the government) Topic: EstoniaCenter Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Juri RATAS] Estonia 200 [Kristina KALLAS] Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME] Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Kaja KALLAS] Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL] Pro Patria (Isamaa) [Helir-Valdor SEEDER] Social Democratic Party or SDE [Jevgeni OSSINOVSKI] Topic: Eswatinipolitical parties exist, but conditions for their operations, particularly in elections, are undefined, legally unclear, or culturally restricted; the following are considered political associations: African United Democratic Party or AUDP [Sibusiso DLAMINI] Ngwane National Liberatory Congress or NNLC [Sibongile MAZIBUKO] People's United Democratic Movement or PUDEMO [Mlungisi MAKHANYA] Swazi Democratic Party or SWADEPA [Vacant] Topic: Ethiopianational parties: All Ethiopian Unity Organization Alliance for Multination Democratic Federalism  National Movement of Amhara or NAMA Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice and Democracy or EZEMA [BERHANU Nega]  Ethiopian Democratic Union Ethiopian Federal Democratic Unity Forum or MEDREK Ethiopian Freedom Party Ethiopian National Unity Party Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party Ethiopian Social Democratic Party Federalist Democratic Forum Freedom and Equality Party Hedase Party Hiber Ethiopia Democratic Party Mother Party New Generation Party Oromo Federalist Congress Prosperity Party or PP regional parties: Afar Liberation Front Party or ANDF Afar People’s Justice Democratic Party Afar People’s Party or APP Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front Agew National Congress Amhara Democratic Force Movement Arena Tigray for Democracy and Sovereignty Argoba People’s Democratic Organization or APDO Argoba Nationality Democratic Movement Balderas for True Democracy Benishangul People’s Freedom Movement for Peace and Democracy Organization Benishangul People's Liberation Movement Boro Democratic Party Donga People’s Democratic Organization Gambella People’s Freedom Democratic Movement Gambella People’s Freedom Movement Gambella People Justice, Peace and Development Democratic Movement Gambella People’s Liberation Movement Gamo Democratic Party or GDP Gedio People Democratic Organization Harari Democratic Organization Kafa Green Party Kafa Peoples Democratic Union Kimant Democratic Party Kucha People's Democratic Party Mocha Democratic Party National Movement of Amhara National Movement of Wolaita Ogaden National Liberation Front or ONLF Oromo Freedom Movement Oromo Liberation Front Qucha People Democratic Party Raya Rayuma Democratic Party Renaissance Party  Sidama Freedom Movement or Sidama Liberation Movement Sidama Hadicho People’s Democratic Organization Sidama People’s Unity Democratic Organization Sidama Unity Party Tigray Democratic Party Union of Tigrians for Democracy and Sovereignty West Somali Democratic Party Wolayta National Movement Wolayta People’s Democratic Front Wolene People's Democratic Party (2020) notes - Ethiopia has over fifty national-level and regional-level political parties. The ruling party, the Prosperity Party, was created by Prime Minister ABIY in November 2019 from member parties of the former Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), which included the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP), Oromo Democratic Party (ODP), Southern Ethiopian People's Democratic Movement (SEPDM), plus other EPRDF-allied parties such as the Afar National Democratic Party (ANDP), Benishangul Gumuz People’s Democratic Party (BGPDP), Gambella People’s Democratic Movement (GPDM), Somali People’s Democratic Party (SPDP), and the Harari National League (HNL). Once the Prosperity Party was created, the various ethnically-based parties that comprised or were affiliated with the EPRDF were subsequently disbanded; in January 2021, the Ethiopian electoral board de-registered the Tigray People’s Liberation Front or TPLF; national level parties are qualified to register candidates in multiple regions across Ethiopia; regional parties can register candidates for both national and regional parliaments, but only in one region of Ethiopia Topic: European UnionEuropean United Left-Nordic Green Left or GUE/NGL [Manon AUBRY and Martin SCHIRDEWAN] European Conservatives and Reformists or ECR [Raffaele FITTO and Ryszard LEGUTKO] European Greens/European Free Alliance or Greens/EFA [Ska KELLER, Philippe LAMBERTS] European People's Party or EPP [Manfred WEBER] Identity and Democracy Party or ID [Marco ZANNI] Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats or S&D [Iratxe PEREZ] Renew Europe - RE (successor to Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe or ALDE) [Stephane SEJOURNE] Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)none; all independents Topic: Faroe IslandsCenter Party (Midflokkurin) [Jenis av RANA] People's Party (Folkaflokkurin) [Jorgen NICLASEN] Progress Party (Framsokn) [Poul MICHELSEN] Republic (Tjodveldi) [Hogni HOYDAL] (formerly the Republican Party) Self-Government Party (Sjalvstyri or Sjalvstyrisflokkurin) [Jogvan SKORHEIM] Social Democratic Party (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF [Aksel V. JOHANNESEN] Union Party (Sambandsflokkurin) [Bardur A STEIG NIELSEN] Topic: FijiFijiFirst [Veroqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA] Fiji Labor Party or FLP [Mahendra CHAUDHRY] Fiji United Freedon Party or FUFP [Jagath KARUNARATNE] National Federation Party or NFP [Biman PRASAD] (primarily Indian) Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Lynda TABUYA] Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA Unity Fiji [Adi QORO] Topic: FinlandAland 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] Topic: FranceCitizen and Republican Movement or MRC [Jean-Luc LAURENT] Debout la France or DLF [Nicolas DUPONT-AIGNAN] Democratic Movement or MoDem [Francois BAYROU] Europe Ecology - the Greens or EELV [Julien BAYOU] French Communist Party or PCF [Fabien ROUSSEL] Horizons [Edouard PHILIPPE] La France Insoumise or FI [Jean-Luc MELENCHON] La Republique en Marche! or LREM [Stanislas GUERINI] Movement of Progressives or MDP  Robert HUE] National Rally or RN [Marine LE PEN] (formerly National Front or FN) New Democrats [Aurelien TACHE, Emilie CARIOU] (formerly Ecology Democracy Solidarity or EDS) Radical Party of the Left or PRG [Guillaume LACROIX] Reconquete [Eric ZEMMOUR] Resistons! [Jean LASSALLE] Socialist Party or PS [Olivier FAURE] The Patriots or LP [Florian PHILIPPOT] The Republicans or LR [Christian JACOB] Union of Democrats and Independents or UDI [Jean-Christophe LAGARDE] Topic: French PolynesiaA Tia Porinetia [Teva ROHFRITSCH] Alliance for a New Democracy or ADN (includes The New Star [Philip SCHYLE], This Country is Yours [Nicole BOUTEAU]) New Fatherland Party (Ai'a Api) [Emile VERNAUDON] Our Home alliance People's Servant Party (Tavini Huiraatira) [Oscar TEMARU] Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira) [Gaston FLOSSE] Tapura Huiraatira [Edouard FRITICH] Tavini Huiraatira [James CHANCELOR] Union for Democracy alliance or UPD [Oscar TEMARU] Topic: GabonCircle of Liberal Reformers or CLR [Gen. Jean-Boniface ASSELE] Democratic and Republican Alliance or ADERE [DIDJOB Divungui di Ndinge] Gabonese Democratic Party or PDG [Ali BONGO Ondimba] Independent Center Party of Gabon or PGCI [Luccheri GAHILA] Legacy and Modernity Party or RH&M Rally for Gabon or RPG Restoration of Republican Values or RV Social Democratic Party or PSD [Pierre Claver MAGANGA-MOUSSAVOU] Social Democrats of Gabon The Democrats or LD Union for the New Republic or UPRN [Louis Gaston MAYILA] Union of Gabonese People or UPG [Richard MOULOMBA] Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Jean PING] Topic: Gambia, TheAlliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC [Fabakary JATTA] Coalition 2016 [collective leadership] (electoral coalition includes UDP, PDOIS, NRP, GMC, GDC, PPP, and GPDP) Gambia Democratic Congress or GDC [Mama KANDEH] Gambia Moral Congress or GMC [Mai FATTY] Gambia Party for Democracy and Progress or GPDP [Sarja JARJOU] National Convention Party or NCP [Yaya  SANYANG and Majanko SAMUSA (both claiming leadership)] National Democratic Action Movement or NDAM [Lamin Yaa JUARA] National People's Party or NPP [Adama BARROW] National Reconciliation Party or NRP [Hamat BAH] People's Democratic Organization for Independence and Socialism or PDOIS [Sidia JATTA] People's Progressive Party or PPP [Yaya CEESAY)] United Democratic Party or UDP [Ousainou DARBOE] Topic: GeorgiaAlliance of Patriots [Irma INASHVILI] Citizens Party [Aleko ELISASHVILI] European Georgia-Movement for Liberty [Davit BAKRADZE] European Socialists [Fridon INJIA] For Georgia [Giorgi GAKHARIA] Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Irakli KOBAKHIDZE] Girchi-More Freedom [Zurab JAPARIDZE] Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI] Lelo for Georgia [Mamuka KHAZARADZE] New Political Centre-Girchi [Iago KHVICHIA] Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE] Strategy Aghmashenebeli [Giorgi VASHADZE] United National Movement or UNM [Nikanor "Nika" MELIA] Topic: GermanyAlliance '90/Greens [Annalena BAERBOCK and Robert HABECK] Alternative for Germany or AfD [Alexander GAULAND - Honorary Chairman, Joerg MEUTHEN and Tino CHRUPALLA] Christian Democratic Union or CDU [Armin LASCHET] Christian Social Union or CSU [Markus SOEDER] Free Democratic Party or FDP [Christian LINDNER] Free Voters [Hubert AIWANGER] The Left or Die Linke [Janine WISSLER] Social Democratic Party or SPD [Saskia ESKEN and Norbert WALTER-BORJANS] Topic: GhanaAll Peoples Congress or APC [Hassan AYARIGA] Convention People's Party or CPP [Edmund N. DELLE] Ghana Freedom Party or GFP [Akua DONKOR] Ghana Union Movement or GUM [Christian Kwabena ANDREWS] Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP [Henry Herbert LARTEY] Liberal Party of Ghana or LPG [Kofi AKPALOO] National Democratic Congress or NDC [John Dramani MAHAMA] National Democratic Party or NDP [Nana Konadu Agyeman RAWLINGS] New Patriotic Party or NPP [Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO] People's Action Party or PAP [Imoru AYARNA] People's National Convention or PNC [Edward MAHAMA] Progressive People's Party or PPP [Paa Kwesi NDUOM] United Front Party or UFP [Dr. Nana A. BOATENG] United Progressive Party or UPP [Akwasi Addai ODIKE] note: Ghana has more than 20 registered parties; included are those which participated in the 2020 general election Topic: GibraltarGibraltar Liberal Party or Liberal Party of Gibraltar or LPG [Joseph GARCIA] Gibraltar Social Democrats or GSD [Keith AZOPARDI] Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party or GSLP [Fabian PICARDO] GSLP-Liberal Alliance (includes GSLP and LPG) Together Gibraltar or TG [Marlene HASSAN-NAHON] Topic: GreeceAnticapitalist Left Cooperation for the Overthrow or ANTARSYA [collective leadership] Coalition of the Radical Left or SYRIZA [Alexios (Alexis) TSIPRAS] Communist Party of Greece or KKE [Dimitrios KOUTSOUMBAS] Democratic Left or DIMAR [Athanasios (Thanasis) THEOCHAROPOULOS] European Realistic Disobedience Front or MeRA25 [Ioannis (Yanis) VAROUFAKIS] Greek Solution [Kyriakos VELOPOULOS] Independent Greeks or ANEL [Panagiotis (Panos) KAMMENOS] Movement for Change or KINAL [Nikos ANDROULAKIS] New Democracy or ND [Kyriakos MITSOTAKIS] Popular Unity or LAE [Nikolaos CHOUNTIS] Union of Centrists or EK [Vasileios (Vasilis) LEVENTIS] Topic: GreenlandDemocrats Party (Demokraatit) or D [Jens Frederik NIELSEN] Forward Party (Siumut) or S [Erik JENSEN] Inuit Community (Inuit Ataqatigiit) or IA [Mute Bourup EGEDE] Signpost Party (Partii Naleraq) or N [Hans ENOKSEN] Fellowship Party (Atassut) or A [Aqqalu JERIMIASSEN] Topic: GrenadaNational Democratic Congress or NDC [Dickon MITCHELL] New National Party or NNP [Keith MITCHELL] Topic: GuamDemocratic Party [Joaquin "Kin" PEREZ] Republican Party [Jerry CRISOSTOMO] Topic: GuatemalaBienestar Nacional or BIEN [Fidel REYES LEE] Citizen Prosperity or PC [Hernan MEJIA and Jorge GARCIA SILVA] Commitment, Renewal, and Order or CREO [Rodolfo NEUTZE] Everyone Together for Guatemala or TODOS [Felipe ALEJOS] Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity or URNG-MAIZ or URNG [Walter FELIX] Humanist Party of Guatemala or PHG [Rudio MERIDA] Movement for the Liberation of Peoples or MLP [Thelma CABRERA and Vincenta JERONIMO] Movimiento Semilla or SEMILLA [Cesar AREVALO DE LEON and Samuel PEREZ] National Advancement Party or PAN [Manuel CONDE] National Convergence Front or FCN-NACION [Javier HERNANDEZ] National Unity for Hope or UNE [Sandra TORRES and Jorge VARGAS] Nationalist Change Union or UCN [Carlos ROJAS and Sofia HERNANDEZ] PODEMOS [Jose LEON] Political Movement Winaq or Winaq [Sonia GUTIERREZ Raguay] Value or VALOR [Zury RIOS and Lucrecia MARROQUIN] Vamos por una Guatemala Diferente or VAMOS [Alejandro GIAMMATTEI] Victory or VICTORIA [Abraham RIVERA and his four sons  Amilcar, Juan, Manuel and Edgar] Vision with Values or VIVA [Armando Damian CASTILLO Alvarado] Topic: Guernseynone; all independents Topic: GuineaBloc Liberal or BL [Faya MILLIMONO] National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE] Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Vacant] Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG (Jacques GBONIMY) Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO] Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] Democratic Alliance for Renewal or ADR [Alpha Oumar Taran DIALLO] Modern Guinea [Thierno Yaya DIALLO] Party for Progress and Change or PPC [Aboubacar Biro SOUMAH] Rally for the Republic or RPR [Diabaty DORE] Democratic Union for Renewal and Progress or UDRP [Edouard Zoutomou KPOGHOMOU] Guinean Union for Democracy and Development or UGDD [Francis HABA] National Union for Prosperity or UNP [Alpha Mady SOUMAH] Citizen Party for the Defense of Collective Interests or PCDIC [Hamidou BARRY] Democratic Union of Guinea or UDG [Mamadou SYLLA] Union of Democrats for the Renaissance of Guinea or UDRG [Amadou Oury BAH] Party of Citizen Action through Labor or PACT [Makale TRAORE] Union for the Defense of Republican Interests or UDIR [Bouya KONATE] Front for the National Alliance or FAN [Makale CAMARA] Alliance for National Renewal or ARN [Pepe Koulemou KOULEMOU] Democratic Workers' Party of Guinea or PDTG [Talibi Dos CAMARA] Party of Freedom and Progress or PLP [Laye Souleymane DIALLO] Movement for Solidarity and Development or MSD [Abdoulaye DIALLO] New Guinea or NG [Mohamed CISSE] Guinean Party for Peaceful Coexistence and Development or PGCD [Nene Moussa Maleya CAMARA] Guinean Rally for Unity and Development or RGUD [Abraham BOURE] Guinean Party for Solidarity and Democracy or PGSD [Elie KAMANO] New Political Generation or NGP [Badra KONE] African Congress for Democracy and Renewal or CADRE [Daniel KOLIE] Party of Democrats for Hope or PADES [Ousmane KABA] Rally for Renaissance and Development or RRD [Abdoulaye KOUROUMA] Democratic National Movement or MND [Ousmane DORE] New Generation for the Republic or NGR [Abbe SYLLA] Generation for Reconciliation Union and Prosperity or GRUP [Papa Koly KOUROUMA] New Democratic Forces or NFD [Mouctar DIALLO] Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH] National Front for Development or FND [Alhousseine Makanera KAKE] Unity and Progress Party or PUP [Fode BANGOURA] Rally for the Integrated Development of Guinea or RDIG [Jean Marc TELIANO] Alliance for National Renewal or ARENA [Sekou Koureissy CONDE Guinean Rally for Development or RGD [Abdoul Kabele CAMARA] Guinean Renaissance Party or PGR [Ibrahima Sory CONDE] Party of Hope for National Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE] Citizen Generation or GECI [Mohamed SOUMAH] Union of Democratic Forces or UFD [Mamadou Baadiko BAH] Democratic People's Movement of Guinea or MPDG [Siaka BARRY] Guinea for Democracy and Balance or GDE [Aboubacar SOUMAH] Ruling party Guinea is currently lead by the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development, the transition government (Comité national du rassemblement et du développement, CNRD) Opposition parties Ruling party Guinea is currently lead by the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development, the transition government (Comité national du rassemblement et du développement, CNRD): Opposition parties : Topic: Guinea-BissauAfrican Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cabo Verde or PAIGC [Domingos SIMOES PEREIRA] Democratic Convergence Party or PCD [Vicente FERNANDES] Movement for Democratic Alternation Group of 15 or MADEM-G15 [Braima CAMARA] National People’s Assembly – Democratic Party of Guinea Bissau or APU-PDGB [Nuno Gomes NABIAM] New Democracy Party or PND [Mamadu Iaia DJALO] Party for Social Renewal or PRS [Alberto NAMBEIA] Republican Party for Independence and Development or PRID [Aristides GOMES] Union for Change or UM [Agnelo REGALA] Topic: GuyanaA New and United Guyana or ANUG [Ralph RAMKARRAN] A Partnership for National Unity or APNU [Joseph HARMON] Alliance for Change or AFC [Khemraj RAMJATTAN] Justice for All Party [Chandra Narine SHARMA] Liberty and Justice Party or LJP [Lenox SHUMAN] National Independent Party or NIP [Saphier Husain SUBEDAR] People's Progressive Party/Civic or PPP/C [Bharrat JAGDEO] The New Movement or TNM [Dr. Asha KISSOON] The United Force or TUF [Marissa NADIR] United Republican Party or URP [Vishnu BANDHU] Topic: HaitiAlternative 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] Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)none Topic: HondurasAnti-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 Hondurans (Todos Somos Honduras) or TSH [Marlon Oniel ESCOTO Valerio] Topic: Hong Kongparties: 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 Topic: HungaryChristian Democratic People's Party or KDNP [Zsolt SEMJEN] Democratic Coalition or DK [Ferenc GYURCSANY] Dialogue for Hungary (Parbeszed) or PM [Gergely KARACSONY, Timea SZABO] Fidesz-Hungarian Civic Alliance or Fidesz [Viktor ORBAN] Hungarian Socialist Party or MSZP [Bertalan TOTH, Agnes KUNHALMI] LMP-Hungary's Green Party [Mate KANASZ-NAGY, Erzsebet SCHMUCK] Mi Hazank [Laszlo TOROCZKAI] Momentum Movement (Momentum Mozgalom) [Anna DONATH] Movement for a Better Hungary or Jobbik [Peter JAKAB] National Self-Government of Germans in Hungary or LdU [Olivia SCHUBERT] Together (Egyutt) United for Hungary (a coalition of Jobbik, MSZP, Dialogue, DK, LMP, and Momentum) Topic: IcelandCentrist 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] Topic: IndiaAam Aadmi Party or AAP [Arvind KEJRIWAL] All India Trinamool Congress or AITC [Mamata BANERJEE] Bahujan Samaj Party or BSP [MAYAWATI] Bharatiya Janata Party or BJP [Jagat Prakash NADDA] Biju Janata Dal or BJD [Naveen PATNAIK] Communist Party of India-Marxist or CPI(M) [Sitaram YECHURY] Dravida Munnetra Khazhagam [Muthuvel Karunanidhi STALIN] Indian National Congress or INC [Sonia GANDHI] Nationalist Congress Party or NCP [Sharad PAWAR] Rashtriya Janata Dal or RJD [Lalu Prasad YADAV] Samajwadi Party or SP [Akhilesh YADAV] Shiromani Akali Dal or SAD [Sukhbir Singh BADAL] Shiv Sena or SS [Uddhav THACKERAY] Telegana Rashtra Samithi or TRS [K. Chandrashekar RAO] Telugu Desam Party or TDP [Chandrababu NAIDU] YSR Congress or YSRC [Jagan Mohan REDDY] note: India has dozens of national and regional political parties Topic: IndonesiaBerkarya Party [Muchdi PURWOPRANJONO] Crescent Star Party or PBB [Yusril Ihza MAHENDRA] Democrat Party or PD [Agus Harimurti YUDHOYONO] Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR [Airlangga HARTARTO] Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA [PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo] Garuda Party [Ahmad Ridha SABANA] Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P [MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri] Indonesian Justice and Unity Party or PKPI [Yussuf SOLICHIEN] Indonesian Solidarity Party or PSI [GIRING GANESHA] National Awakening Party or PKB [Muhaiman ISKANDAR] National Democratic Party or NasDem [Surya PALOH] National Mandate Party or PAN [Zulkifli HASAN] People's Conscience Party or Hanura [Oesman Sapta ODANG] Perindo Party [Hary TANOESOEDIBJO] Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Ahmad SYAIKHU] United Development Party or PPP [Suharso MONOARFA] (2021) Topic: IranCombatant 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 Topic: IraqAl Fatah Alliance [Hadi al-AMIRI] Azm Alliance [Khamis al-KHANJAR] Babylon Movement [Rayan al-KILDANI] Imtidad [Ala al-RIKABI] Ishraqet Konoon [Jaafar AZIZ] Kurdistan Democratic Party or KDP [Masoud BARZANI] National Contract Alliance Falih al-FAYYADH] National State Forces Alliance [Ammar al-HAKIM] National Wisdom Trend [Ammar al-HAKIM] New Generation Movement [SHASWAR Abd al-Wahid Qadir] Patriotic Union of Kurdistan or PUK [Bafel TALABANI] State of Law Coalition [Nuri al MALIKI] The Sadrist Bloc [Muqtada al-SADR] Taqadum [Muhammad al-HALBUSI] Tasmin Alliance [Sarah al-SALIHI] numerous smaller independent, religious, local, tribal, and minority parties Topic: IrelandSolidarity-People Before Profit or AAAS-PBP [collective leadership] Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN] Fine Gael [Leo VARADKAR] Green Party [Eamon RYAN] Labor (Labour) Party [Alan KELLY] Renua Ireland (vacant) Sinn Fein [Mary Lou MCDONALD] Social Democrats [Catherine MURPHY, Roisin SHORTALL] Socialist Party [collective leadership] The Workers' Party [Michael DONNELLY] Topic: Isle of ManGreen Party [Andrew LANGAN-NEWTON] Liberal Vannin Party [Lawrie HOOPER] Manx Labor Party [Joney FARAGHER] Mec Vannin [Mark KERMODE] (sometimes referred to as the Manx Nationalist Party) note: most members sit as independentsGreen Party [Andrew LANGAN-NEWTON] Liberal Vannin Party [Lawrie HOOPER] Manx Labor Party [Joney FARAGHER] Mec Vannin [Mark KERMODE] (sometimes referred to as the Manx Nationalist Party) Topic: IsraelBlue and White [Benny GANTZ] Joint Arab List [Ayman ODEH] (alliance includes Hadash, Ta’al, Balad) Labor [Merav MICHAELI] Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU] Meretz [Nitzan HOROWITZ] New Hope [Gideon SA'AR] United Arab List [Mansour ABBAS] Religious Zionist Party [Bezalel SMOTRICH, chairperson] SHAS [Aryeh DERI] United Torah Judaism, or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (alliance includes Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah) Yamina [Naftali BENNETT] Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID] Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Blue and White [Benny GANTZ] Joint Arab List [Ayman ODEH] (alliance includes Hadash, Ta’al, Balad) Labor [Merav MICHAELI] Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU] Meretz [Nitzan HOROWITZ] New Hope [Gideon SA'AR] United Arab List [Mansour ABBAS] Religious Zionist Party [Bezalel SMOTRICH, chairperson] SHAS [Aryeh DERI] United Torah Judaism, or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (alliance includes Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah) Yamina [Naftali BENNETT] Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID] Yisrael Beiteinu [Avigdor LIEBERMAN] Topic: ItalyArticle One or Art.1-MDP [Roberto SPERANZA] Associative Movement of Italians Abroad or MAIE [Ricardo Antonio MERIO] Brothers of Italy or FdI [Giorgi MELONI] Democratic Party or PD [Enrico LETTA] Five Star Movement or M5S [Giuseppe CONTE] Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI] Free and Equal (Liberi e Uguali) or LeU [Pietro GRASSO] League or Lega [Matteo SALVINI] More Europe or +EU [Emma BONINO] Popular Civic List or CP [Beatrice LORENZIN] Possible [Beatrice BRIGNONE] South American Union Italian Emigrants or USEI [Eugenion SANGREGORIO] South Tyrolean People's Party or SVP [Philipp ACHAMMER] Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party (Partito Autonomista Trentino Tirolese) or PATT [Franco PANIZZA, secretary] Us with Italy [Raffaele FITTO]Article One or Art.1-MDP [Roberto SPERANZA] Associative Movement of Italians Abroad or MAIE [Ricardo Antonio MERIO] Brothers of Italy or FdI [Giorgi MELONI] Democratic Party or PD [Enrico LETTA] Five Star Movement or M5S [Giuseppe CONTE] Forza Italia or FI [Silvio BERLUSCONI] Free and Equal (Liberi e Uguali) or LeU [Pietro GRASSO] League or Lega [Matteo SALVINI] More Europe or +EU [Emma BONINO] Popular Civic List or CP [Beatrice LORENZIN] Possible [Beatrice BRIGNONE] South American Union Italian Emigrants or USEI [Eugenion SANGREGORIO] South Tyrolean People's Party or SVP [Philipp ACHAMMER] Trentino Tyrolean Autonomist Party (Partito Autonomista Trentino Tirolese) or PATT [Franco PANIZZA, secretary] Us with Italy [Raffaele FITTO] Topic: JamaicaJamaica Labor Party or JLP [Andrew Michael HOLNESS] People's National Party or PNP [Mark GOLDING] United Independents' Congress or UIC [Joseph PATTERSON] Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP [Gilbert EDWARDS]Jamaica Labor Party or JLP [Andrew Michael HOLNESS] People's National Party or PNP [Mark GOLDING] United Independents' Congress or UIC [Joseph PATTERSON] Jamaica Progressive Party or JPP [Gilbert EDWARDS] Topic: JapanConstitutional Democratic Party of Japan or CDP [Yukio EDANO] Democratic Party for the People Japan or DPFP [Yuichiro TAMAKI] Group of Reformists [Sakihito OZAWA] Japan Communist Party or JCP [Kazuo SHII] Japan Innovation Party or Nippon Ishin no kai or Ishin [Ichiro MATSUI] Party of Hope or Kibo no To [Yuichiro TAMAKI] Komeito [Natsuo YAMAGUCHI] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Yoshihide SUGA] Liberal Party [Ichiro OZAWA] (formerly People's Life Party & Taro Yamamoto and Friends or PLPTYF)New Renaissance Party [Hiroyuki ARAI] Party for Japanese Kokoro or PJK [Masashi NAKANO] Reiwa Shinsengumi [Taro YAMAMOTO] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Tadatomo YOSHIDA] The Assembly to Energize Japan and the Independents [Kota MATSUDA] Topic: Jerseyone registered party: Reform Jersey [Sam MEZEC] note: most senators and deputies sit as independents Topic: JordanJordan has 54 registered political parties, four of which currently have seats in the elected Chamber of Deputies including the Islamic Action Front, the Islamic Centrist Party, the United Jordanian Front Party, and the National Loyalty Party Topic: KazakhstanAdal [Serik SULTANGALI] (formerly Birlik (Unity) Party) Ak Zhol (Bright Path) Party or Democratic Party of Kazakhstan Ak Zhol [Azat PERUASHEV] Amanat [Kasym-Zhomart TOKAYEV] (formerly Nur Otan (Radiant Fatherland)) National Social Democratic Party or NSDP [Zharmakhan TUYAKBAY] People's Democratic (Patriotic) Party "Auyl" [Ali BEKTAYEV] People's Party of Kazakhstan [Aikyn KONUROV] Topic: KenyaAlliance Party of Kenya or APK [Kiraitu MURUNGI] Amani National Congress or ANC [Musalia MUDAVADI] Federal Party of Kenya or FPK [Cyrus JIRONGA] Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya or FORD-K [Moses WETANGULA] Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-People or FORD-P [Henry OBWOCHA] Jubilee Party [Uhuru KENYATTA] Kenya African National Union or KANU [Gideon MOI] National Rainbow Coalition or NARC [Charity NGILU] Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya or ODM [Raila ODINGA] Wiper Democratic Movement-K or WDM-K (formerly Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya or ODM-K) [Kalonzo MUSYOKA] Topic: KiribatiBoutokaan Kiribati Moa Party (BKM) [Tessie LAMBOURNE] Tobwaan Kiribati Party or TKP [Taneti MAAMAU] Topic: Korea, Northmajor parties: Korean Workers' Party or KWP [KIM Jong Un, general secretary] General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon) [HO Chong Man] minor parties: Chondoist Chongu Party [RI Myong Chol] (under KWP control) Social Democratic Party or KSDP [PAK Yong Il] (under KWP control) (2021) Topic: Korea, SouthDemocratic 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) (2021) 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 (2022) Topic: KosovoAlliance for the Future of Kosovo or AAK [Ramush HARADINAJ] Alternativa [Mimoza KUSARI-LILA] Ashkali Party for Integration or PAI [Bekim ARIFI] Democratic League of Kosovo or LDK [Lumir ABDIXHIKU] Democratic Party of Kosovo or PDK [Memli KRASNIQI] Guxo! [Donika GERVALLA-SCHWARZ] Independent Liberal Party or SLS [Slobodan PETROVIC] Initiative for Kosovo or NISMA [Fatmir LIMAJ] New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo or IRDK [Elbert KRASNIQI] New Democratic Party or NDS [Emilja REDXEPI] New Kosovo Alliance or AKR [Behgjet PACOLLI] Progressive Movement of Kosovar Roma or LPRK [Erxhan GALUSHI] Romani Initiative [Gazmend SALIJEVCI] Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje) or VV [Albin KURTI] Serbian List or SL [Goran RAKIC] Social Democratic Party of Kosovo or PSD [Shpend AHMETI] Social Democratic Union [Duda BALJE] Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo or KDTP [Fikrim DAMKA] Unique Gorani Party [Adem HODZA] Vakat Coalition or VAKAT [Rasim DEMIRI] Topic: Kuwaitnone; the government does not recognize any political parties or allow their formation, although no formal law bans political parties Topic: KyrgyzstanAlliance [Mirlan JEENCHOROEV] Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan (Homeland) [Aybek MATKERIMOV] Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV] Ishenim (Trust in Kyrgyz) [Rysbat AMATOV] Yntymak (Unity) [Marlen MAMATALIEV] Yyman Nuru (Light of Faith) [Nurjigit KADYRBEKOV] Topic: LaosLao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP [THONGLOUN Sisoulit] note: other parties proscribed Topic: LatviaDevelopment/For! or AP! [Daniels PAVLUTS, Juris PUCE] National Alliance "All For Latvia!"-"For Fatherland and Freedom/LNNK" or NA [Raivis DZINTARS] New Conservative Party or JKP [Janis BORDANS] Social Democratic Party "Harmony" or S [Janis URBANOVICS] Union of Greens and Farmers or ZZS [Armands KRAUZE] New Unity or JV [Arvils ASERADENS] Who Owns the State? or KPV LV (disbanded 2021) Topic: LebanonAl-Ahbash or Association of Islamic Charitable Projects [Adnan TARABULSI] Amal Movement [Nabih BERRI] Azm Movement [Najib MIQATI] Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon [Fayiz SHUKR] Free Patriotic Movement or FPM [Gibran BASSIL] Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI] Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH] Islamic Actions Front [Sheikh Zuhayr al-JU’AYD] Kata'ib Party [Sami GEMAYEL] Lebanese Democratic Party [Talal ARSLAN] Lebanese Forces or LF [Samir JA'JA] Marada Movement [Sulayman FRANJIEH] Progressive Socialist Party or PSP [Walid JUNBLATT] Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party [Sabuh KALPAKIAN] Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Rabi BANAT] Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation [Hagop PAKRADOUNIAN]Al-Ahbash or Association of Islamic Charitable Projects [Adnan TARABULSI] Amal Movement [Nabih BERRI] Azm Movement [Najib MIQATI] Ba’th Arab Socialist Party of Lebanon [Fayiz SHUKR] Free Patriotic Movement or FPM [Gibran BASSIL] Future Movement Bloc [Sa'ad al-HARIRI] Hizballah [Hassan NASRALLAH] Islamic Actions Front [Sheikh Zuhayr al-JU’AYD] Kata'ib Party [Sami GEMAYEL] Lebanese Democratic Party [Talal ARSLAN] Lebanese Forces or LF [Samir JA'JA] Marada Movement [Sulayman FRANJIEH] Progressive Socialist Party or PSP [Walid JUNBLATT] Social Democrat Hunshaqian Party [Sabuh KALPAKIAN] Syrian Social Nationalist Party [Rabi BANAT] Tashnaq or Armenian Revolutionary Federation [Hagop PAKRADOUNIAN] Topic: LesothoAll Basotho Convention or ABC [Moeketsi MAJORO] Alliance of Democrats or AD [Monyane MOLELEKI] Basotho Action Party or BAP [Ngosa MAHAO] Basotho National Party or BNP [Thesele MASERIBANE] Democratic Congress or DC [Mathibeli MOKHOTHU] Democratic Party of Lesotho or DPL [Limpho TAU] Lesotho Congress for Democracy or LCD [Mothetjoa METSING] Movement of Economic Change or MEC [Selibe MOCHOBOROANE] National Independent Party or NIP [Kimetso MATHABA] Popular Front for Democracy of PFD [Lekhetho RAKUOANE] Reformed Congress of Lesotho or RCL [Keketso RANTSO] Topic: LiberiaAlliance for Peace and Democracy or APD [Marcus S. G. DAHN] All Liberian Party or ALP [Benoi UREY] Alternative National Congress or ANC [Orishil GOULD] Coalition for Democratic Change [George WEAH] (includes CDC, NPP, and LPDP)Congress for Democratic Change or CDC [George WEAH] Liberia Destiny Party or LDP [Nathaniel BARNES] Liberia National Union or LINU [Nathaniel BLAMA] Liberia Transformation Party or LTP [Julius SUKU] Liberian People Democratic Party or LPDP [Alex J. TYLER] Liberian People's Party or LPP Liberty Party or LP [J. Fonati KOFFA] Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction or MDR [Prince Y. JOHNSON] Movement for Economic Empowerment [J. Mill JONES, Dr.] Movement for Progressive Change or MPC [Simeon FREEMAN] National Democratic Coalition or NDC [Dew MAYSON] National Democratic Party of Liberia or NDPL [D. Nyandeh SIEH] National Patriotic Party or NPP [Jewel HOWARD TAYLOR] National Reformist Party or NRP [Maximillian T. W. DIABE] National Union for Democratic Progress or NUDP [Victor BARNEY] People's Unification Party or PUP [Isobe GBORKORKOLLIE] Unity Party or UP [Varney SHERMAN] United People's Party [MacDonald WENTO] Victory for Change Party [Marcus R. JONES] Topic: LibyaNA Topic: LiechtensteinFatherland Union (Vaterlaendische Union) or VU [Guenther FRITZ] Progressive Citizens' Party (Fortschrittliche Buergerpartei) or FBP [Thomas BANZER] The Free List (Die Freie Liste) or FL [Pepo FRICK and Conny BUECHEL BRUEHWILER] Democrats for Liechtenstein (Demokraten pro Liechtenstein) of DpL [Thomas REHAK] The Independents (Die Unabhaengigen) or DU [Harry QUADERER] Topic: LithuaniaElectoral Action of Lithuanian Poles or LLRA [Valdemar TOMASEVSKI] Farmers and Greens Union or LVZS [Ramunas KARBAUSKIS] Freedom Party or LP [Ausrine ARMONAITE] Homeland Union-Lithuanian Christian Democrats or TS-LKD [Gabrielius LANDSBERGIS] Labor Party or DP [Viktor USPASKICH] Lithuanian Center Party or LCP [Naglis PUTEIKIS] Lithuanian Green Party or LZP [Remigijus LAPINSKAS]] Lithuanian Liberal Movement or LS or LRLS [Viktorija CMILYTE] Lithuanian List or LL [Darius KUOLYS] Lithuanian Social Democratic Party or LSDP [Gintautas PALUCKAS] Lithuanian Social Democratic Labor Party or LSDDP [Gediminas KIRKILAS] Freedom and Justice Party or LT [Remigijus ZEMAITAITIS] Topic: LuxembourgAlternative Democratic Reform Party or ADR [Jean SCHOOS] Christian Social People's Party or CSV [Felix EISCHEN] Democratic Party or DP [Corinne CAHEN] Green Party [Djuna BERNARD, Meris SEHOVIC] Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party or LSAP [Yves CRUCHTEN] The Left (dei Lenk/la Gauche) [collective leadership, Central Committee] other minor parties Topic: MacauAlliance for Change or APM [Melinda CHAN Mei-yi] Alliance for a Happy Home or ABL [WONG Kit-cheng] (an electoral list of UPP) Civic Watch or Civico [Agnes LAM Iok-fong] Macau-Guangdong Union or UMG [MAK Soi-kun] Macau Citizens' Development Association or ACDM [Becky SONG Pek-kei] New Democratic Macau Association or ANMD [AU Kam-san] New Hope or NE [Jose Maria Pereira COUTINHO] New Macau Association (New Macau Progressives) or AMN or ANPM [Sulu SOU Ka-hou] New Union for Macau's Development or NUDM [Angela LEONG On-kei] Progress Promotion Union Prosperous Democratic Macau Association or APMD (an electoral list of AMN) Union for Development or UPD [HO Sut Hen] Union for Promoting Progress or UPP [HO Ion-sang] United Citizens Association of Macau or ACUM [CHAN Meng-kam] note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies Topic: MadagascarEconomic liberalism and democratic action for national recovery or LEADER FANILO [Jean Max RAKOTOMAMONJY] FOMBA [Ny Rado RAFALIMANANA] Gideons fighting against poverty in Madagascar (Gedeona Miady amin'ny Fahantrana eto Madagascar) or GFFM [Andre Christian Dieu Donne MAILHOL] Green party or VERTS (Antoko Maintso) [Alexandre GEORGET] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Malagasy aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Malagasy raising together (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] New Force for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'ny Madagasikara) or HVM [Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimanana] Total Refoundation of Madagascar (Refondation Totale de Madagascar) or RTM [Joseph Martin RANDRIAMAMPIONONA] Vanguard for the renovation of Madagascar (Avant-Garde pour la renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA] Young Malagasies Determined (Malagasy: Tanora malaGasy Vonona) or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]and MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA], and IRD (We are all with Andy Rajoelina) [Andry RAJOELINA]Economic liberalism and democratic action for national recovery or LEADER FANILO [Jean Max RAKOTOMAMONJY] FOMBA [Ny Rado RAFALIMANANA] Gideons fighting against poverty in Madagascar (Gedeona Miady amin'ny Fahantrana eto Madagascar) or GFFM [Andre Christian Dieu Donne MAILHOL] Green party or VERTS (Antoko Maintso) [Alexandre GEORGET] I Love Madagascar (Tiako I Madagasikara) or TIM [Marc RAVALOMANANA] Malagasy aware (Malagasy Tonga Saina) or MTS [Roland RATSIRAKA] Malagasy raising together (Malagasy Miara-Miainga) or MMM [Hajo ANDRIANAINARIVELO] New Force for Madagascar (Hery Vaovao ho an'ny Madagasikara) or HVM [Hery Martial RAJAONARIMAMPIANINA Rakotoarimanana] Total Refoundation of Madagascar (Refondation Totale de Madagascar) or RTM [Joseph Martin RANDRIAMAMPIONONA] Vanguard for the renovation of Madagascar (Avant-Garde pour la renovation de Madagascar) or AREMA [Didier RATSIRAKA] Young Malagasies Determined (Malagasy: Tanora malaGasy Vonona) or TGV [Andry RAJOELINA]and MAPAR [Andry RAJOELINA], and IRD (We are all with Andy Rajoelina) [Andry RAJOELINA] Topic: MalawiDemocratic Progressive Party or DPP [Peter MUTHARIKA] Malawi Congress Party or MCP [Lazarus CHAKWERA] Peoples Party or PP [Joyce BANDA] United Democratic Front or UDF [Atupele MULUZI] United Transformation Movement or UTM [Saulos CHILIMA] Topic: MalaysiaNational Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN: United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UNMO [Ahmad Zahid HAMIDI] Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA [Wee Ka SIONG] Malaysian Indian Congress ( Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC [Vigneswaran SANASEE] (Formerly - Coalition of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH (formerly the People's Alliance, before former PM MAHATHIR resigns 24 February 2020):  Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [LIM Guan Eng] Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin; note - former PM MAHATHIR stepped down 24 Feb 2020] National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU] People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim] Coalition Perikatan Nasional or PN, after Pakatan Harapan or PH coalition fell apart 24 February 2020 Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM [Tan Sri MUHYIDDIN Yassin] United Malays National Organization or UMNO [Zahid HAMID] People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR [ANWAR Ibrahim] Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam se Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang] Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [TAN Kok Wai] National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH [Mohamad SABU] United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS [Joseph KURUP] Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GARAKAN/PGRM [Dominic Lau Hoe CHAI] Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or Sabah Star  [Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan] Sabah Progressive Party [Yong Teck LEE] Other: Fighters of the Nation Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or Pejuang Malaysian United Democratic Alliance or Muda Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [TIONG King Sing] Sabah Heritage Party (Parti Warisan Sabah) or WARISAN [SHAFIE Apdal] Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS [ABANG JOHARI Openg] (includes PBB, SUPP, PRS, PDP) Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS [James MASING] Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian] United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU] United Sabah Alliance or USA (Gabungan Sabah) United Sabah Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS [Maximus ONGKILI] United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB Other: Fighters of the Nation Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or Pejuang Malaysian United Democratic Alliance or Muda Progressive Democratic Party or PDP [TIONG King Sing] Sabah Heritage Party (Parti Warisan Sabah) or WARISAN [SHAFIE Apdal] Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS [ABANG JOHARI Openg] (includes PBB, SUPP, PRS, PDP) Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS [James MASING] Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian] United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU] United Sabah Alliance or USA (Gabungan Sabah) United Sabah Party (Parti Bersatu Sabah) or PBS [Maximus ONGKILI] United Traditional Bumiputera Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB Topic: MaldivesAdhaalath (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] Topic: MaliAfrican Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI [Oumar MARIKO] Alliance for Democracy in Mali-Pan-African Party for Liberty, Solidarity, and Justice or ADEMA-PASJ [Tiemoko SANGARE] Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP-Maliba [Amadou THIAM] Alliance for the Solidarity of Mali-Convergence of Patriotic Forces or ASMA-CFP [Amadou CISSE] (vice-president, acting) Alternative Forces for Renewal and Emergence or FARE [Modibo SIDIBE] Convergence for the Development of Mali or CODEM [Housseyni Amion GUINDO] Democratic Alliance for Peace or ADP-Maliba [Aliou Boubacar DIALLO] Economic and Social Development Party or PDES [Jamille BITTAR] Front for Democracy and the Republic or FDR (coalition of smaller opposition parties) National Congress for Democratic Initiative or CNID [Mountaga TALL] Party for National Renewal or PARENA [Tiebile DRAME] Patriotic Movement for Renewal or MPR [Choguel Kokalla MAIGA] Rally for Mali or RPM [Boucary TRETA] Union for Republic and Democracy or URD [Younoussi TOURE] Topic: MaltaDemocratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD [Godfrey FARRUGIA] Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL [Robert ABELA] Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Bernard GRECH] Topic: Marshall Islandstraditionally there have been no formally organized political parties; what has existed more closely resembles factions or interest groups because they do not have party headquarters, formal platforms, or party structures Topic: MauritaniaAlliance for Justice and Democracy/Movement for Renewal or AJD/MR [Ibrahima Moctar SARR] Burst of Youth for the Nation [Lalla Mint CHERIF] Coalition of Majority Parties or CPM (includes UPR, UDP) and smaller parties El Karama Party [Cheikhna Ould Mohamed Ould HAJBOU] El Vadila Party [Ethmane Ould Ahmed ABOULMAALY] National Rally for Reform and Development or RNRD-TAWASSOUL [Mohamed Mahmoud Ould SEYIDI] Party of Unity and Development or PUD [Mohamed BARO] Popular Progressive Alliance or APP [Messaoud Ould BOULKHEIR] Rally of Democratic Forces or RFD [Ahmed Ould DADDAH] Ravah Party [ Mohamed Ould VALL] Republican Party for Democracy and Renewal or PRDR [Mintata Mint HEDEID] Union for Democracy and Progress or UDP [Naha Mint MOUKNASS] Union of Progress Forces [Mohamed Ould MAOULOUD] Union for the Republic or UPR [Sidi Mohamed Ould Taleb AMAR] Topic: MauritiusAlliance Morisien (Mauritian Alliance 2019; coalition includes MSM, ML, Patriotic Movement, and Militant Platform) [Pravind JUGNAUTH]  Mauritius Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PTR or MLP [Navinchandra RAMGOOLAM] Mauritian Militant Movement (Mouvement Militant Mauricien) or MMM [Paul BERENGER] Mauritian People's Union (Linion Pep Morisien) [Bruneau LAURETTE and Dev SUNNASY] Mauritian Rally (Rassemblement Mauricien) [Nando BODHA] Mauritian Social Democratic Party (Parti Mauricien Social Democrate) or PMSD [Xavier Luc DUVAL] Militant Platform (Plateforme Militante) [Steven OBEEGADOO] Militant Socialist Movement (Mouvement Socialist Mauricien) or MSM [Pravind JUGNAUTH] Muvman Liberater or ML [Ivan COLLENDAVELLOO] Patriotic Movement (Mouvement Patriotic) [Alan GANOO] Rodrigues Peoples Organization (Organisation du Peuple Rodriguais) or OPR [Serge CLAIR] Topic: MexicoCitizen's Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano) or MC [Clemente CASTANEDA Hoeflich] Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) or PRI [Claudia RUIZ Massieu] Labor Party (Partido del Trabajo) or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez] Mexican Green Ecological Party (Partido Verde Ecologista de Mexico) or PVEM [Karen CASTREJON Trujillo] Movement for National Regeneration (Movimiento Regeneracion Nacional) or MORENA [Mario DELGADO Carillo] National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional) or PAN [Antonio CORTES Mendoza] Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolucion Democratica) or PRD [Jesus ZAMBRANO Grijalva] Together We Make History (Juntos Hacemos Historia) - alliance that includes MORENA, PT, PVEM This Is For Mexico (Va Por Mexico) – alliance that includes PAN, PRI, and PRDCitizen's Movement (Movimiento Ciudadano) or MC [Clemente CASTANEDA Hoeflich] Institutional Revolutionary Party (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) or PRI [Claudia RUIZ Massieu] Labor Party (Partido del Trabajo) or PT [Alberto ANAYA Gutierrez] Mexican Green Ecological Party (Partido Verde Ecologista de Mexico) or PVEM [Karen CASTREJON Trujillo] Movement for National Regeneration (Movimiento Regeneracion Nacional) or MORENA [Mario DELGADO Carillo] National Action Party (Partido Accion Nacional) or PAN [Antonio CORTES Mendoza] Party of the Democratic Revolution (Partido de la Revolucion Democratica) or PRD [Jesus ZAMBRANO Grijalva] Together We Make History (Juntos Hacemos Historia) - alliance that includes MORENA, PT, PVEM This Is For Mexico (Va Por Mexico) – alliance that includes PAN, PRI, and PRD Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofno formal parties Topic: Moldovarepresented in Parliament: Action and Solidarity Party or PAS [Igor GROSU] Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN] Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PSRM [vacant]  Shor Party or SHOR [Ilan SHOR] not represented in Parliament, participated in recent elections (2014-2021): Alliance for the Unification of Romanians or AUR [George SIMION] Anti-Mafia Movement or MPA [Sergiu MOCANU] Centrist Union of Moldova or UCM [Mihai PETRACHE] Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Victor CIOBANU] Civic Congress Party [Mark TKACIUK] Conservative Party or PC [Natalia NIRCA] Democratic Party of Moldova or PDM [Monica BABUC (acting)] Democracy at Home Party or PDA [Vasile COSTIUC] Democratic Action Party or PAD [Mihai GODEA] Dignity and Truth Platform or PPDA [Andrei NASTASE] Ecologist Green Party or PVE [Anatolie PROHNITCHI] European People’s Party of Moldova or EPPM [Iurie LEANCA] Law and Justice Party or PLD [Nicolae ALEXEI] Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova or PLDM [Tudor DELIU] Liberal Party or PL [Dorin CHIRTOACA] "Motherland" Party or PP [Sergiu BIRIUCOV] National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO] New Historical Option or NOI [Svetlana CHESARI] Our Home Moldova or PCNM [Grigore PETRENCO] Our Party or PN [Renato USATII] Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova or PDCM [Ion CHICU] Party of National Unity [Anatol SALARU] People’s Party of Moldova or PPRM [Alexandru OLEINIC] Power of the People Party [Ruslan CODREANU] Regions Party of Moldova or PRM [Alexandr KALININ] Socialist People’s Party of Moldova or PPSM [Victor STEPANIUC] We Build Europe at Home Party or PACE [Gheorghe CAVCALIUC]represented in Parliament: Action and Solidarity Party or PAS [Igor GROSU] Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PCRM [Vladimir VORONIN] Socialist Party of the Republic of Moldova or PSRM [vacant]  Shor Party or SHOR [Ilan SHOR] not represented in Parliament, participated in recent elections (2014-2021): Alliance for the Unification of Romanians or AUR [George SIMION] Anti-Mafia Movement or MPA [Sergiu MOCANU] Centrist Union of Moldova or UCM [Mihai PETRACHE] Christian Democratic People's Party or PPCD [Victor CIOBANU] Civic Congress Party [Mark TKACIUK] Conservative Party or PC [Natalia NIRCA] Democratic Party of Moldova or PDM [Monica BABUC (acting)] Democracy at Home Party or PDA [Vasile COSTIUC] Democratic Action Party or PAD [Mihai GODEA] Dignity and Truth Platform or PPDA [Andrei NASTASE] Ecologist Green Party or PVE [Anatolie PROHNITCHI] European People’s Party of Moldova or EPPM [Iurie LEANCA] Law and Justice Party or PLD [Nicolae ALEXEI] Liberal Democratic Party of Moldova or PLDM [Tudor DELIU] Liberal Party or PL [Dorin CHIRTOACA] "Motherland" Party or PP [Sergiu BIRIUCOV] National Liberal Party or PNL [Vitalia PAVLICENKO] New Historical Option or NOI [Svetlana CHESARI] Our Home Moldova or PCNM [Grigore PETRENCO] Our Party or PN [Renato USATII] Party of Development and Consolidation of Moldova or PDCM [Ion CHICU] Party of National Unity [Anatol SALARU] People’s Party of Moldova or PPRM [Alexandru OLEINIC] Power of the People Party [Ruslan CODREANU] Regions Party of Moldova or PRM [Alexandr KALININ] Socialist People’s Party of Moldova or PPSM [Victor STEPANIUC] We Build Europe at Home Party or PACE [Gheorghe CAVCALIUC] Topic: MonacoHorizon Monaco [Laurent NOUVION] Priorite Monaco [Stephane VALERI] Union Monegasque [Jean-Francois ROBILLON] Topic: MongoliaDemocratic 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] note - there were 35 total registered parties as of December 2021 Topic: MontenegroAlbanian Alternative or AA [Nik DJELOSAJ] Albanian Coalition (includes DP, DSCG, DUA) Albanian Coalition Perspective or AKP Albanian List (coalition includes AA, Forca, AKP, DSA) Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC] Croatian Civic Initiative or HGI [Adrian VUKSANOVIC] Croatian Reform Party [Marija VUCINOVIC] Democratic Alliance or DEMOS [Miodrag LEKIC] Democratic Front or DF [collective leadership] (coalition includes NOVA, PZP, DNP, RP) Democratic League in Montenegro or DSCG [Mehmet BARDHI] Democratic League of Albanians or DSA Democratic Montenegro or DCG [Aleksa BECIC] Democratic Party or DP [Fatmir GJEKA] Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC] Democratic Party of Unity or DSJ [Nebojsa JUSKOVIC] Democratic People's Party or DNP [Milan KNEZEVIC] Democratic Serb Party or DSS [Dragica PEROVIC] Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Mehmet ZENKA] For the Future of Montenegro or ZBCG [Zdravko KRIVOKAPIC] (electoral coalition includes SNP and 2 alliances - DF, NP) In Black and White [Dritan ABAZOVIC] Liberal Party or LP [Andrija POPOVIC] Movement for Change or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC] New Democratic Power or FORCA [Nazif CUNGU] New Serb Democracy or NOVA [Andrija MANDIC] Party of Pensioners, Disabled, and Restitution or PUPI [Momir JOKSIMOVIC] Peace is Our Nation or MNIM [Alexa BECIC] (coalition includes Democrats, DEMOS, New Left, PUPI) Popular Movement or NP [Miodrag DAVIDOVIC] (coalition includes DEMOS, RP, UCG, and several minor parties) Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC] Social Democrats or SD [Ivan BRAJOVIC] Socialist People's Party or SNP [Vladimir JOKOVIC] True Montenegro or PRAVA [Marko MILACIC] United Montenegro or UCG [Goran DANILOVIC] (split from DEMOS) United Reform Action or URA [Dritan ABAZOVIC] Workers' Party or RP [Maksim VUCINIC] Topic: MontserratMovement for Change and Prosperity or MCAP [Easton Taylor FARRELL] People's Democratic Movement or PDM [Donaldson ROMERO] Topic: MoroccoAction Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI] Amal (hope) Party [Mohamed BANI] An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj or Democratic Way [Mustapha BRAHMA] Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Abdellatif OUAHBI] Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohamed SAJID] Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE] Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Mustapha BENALI] Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhour CHAKKAFI] Green Left Party or PGV [Mohamed FARES] Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Nizar BARAKA] National Ittihadi Congress or CNI [Abdesalam EL AZIZ] Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Isaac CHARIA] Moroccan Union for Democracy or UMD [Jamal MANDRI] National Democratic Party [Abdellah KADIRI] National Rally of Independents or RNI [Aziz AKHANNOUCH] Neo-Democrats Party [Mohamed DARIF] Party of Development Reform or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOHEN] Party of Justice and Development or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE] Party of Liberty and Social Justice [Miloud MOUSSAOUI] Popular Movement or MP [Mohand LAENSER] Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Nabil BENABDELLAH] Renaissance and Virtue Party [Mohamed KHALIDI] Renaissance Party [Said EL GHENNIOUI] Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHEHABAR] Shoura (consultation) and Istiqlal Party [Ahmed BELGHAZI] Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Driss LACHGAR] Unified Socialist Party or GSU [Nabila MOUNIB] Unity and Democracy Party [Ahmed FITRI] Topic: MozambiqueDemocratic Movement of Mozambique (Movimento Democratico de Mocambique) or MDM [Lutero SIMANGO] Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (Frente de Liberatacao de Mocambique) or FRELIMO [Filipe NYUSI] Mozambican National Resistance (Resistencia Nacional Mocambicana) or RENAMO [Ossufo MOMADE] Optimistic Party for the Development of Mozambique or Podemos [Helder Mendonca] (2021) Topic: NamibiaAll People's Party or APP [Vacant] Christian Democratic Voice or CDV [Gothard KANDUME] Landless People's Movement or LPM [Bernadus SWARTBOOI] National Unity Democratic Organization or NUDO [Estes MUINJANGUE] Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters or NEFF [Epafras MUKWIILONGO] Popular Democratic Movement or PDM (formerly DTA) [McHenry VENAANI] Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Mike KAVEKOTORA] Republican Party or RP [Henk MUDGE] South West Africa National Union or SWANU [Tangeni IIYAMBO] South West Africa People's Organization or SWAPO [Hage GEINGOB] United Democratic Front or UDF [Apius AUCHAB] United People's Movement or UPM [Jan J. VAN WYK] Topic: NauruNauru First (Naoero Amo) Party [David ADEANG] Topic: Nepalthe Election Commission of Nepal granted ballot access under the proportional system to 88 political parties for the November-December 2017 House of Representatives election to the Federal Parliament; of these, the following 8 parties won seats: Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal or FSFN [Upendra YADAV] Naya Shakti Party, Nepal [Baburam BHATTARAI] Nepal Communist Party or NCP [Khadga Prasad OLI, Pushpa Kamal DAHAL] Nepali Congress or NC [Sher Bahadur DEUBA] Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE] Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra Bahadur K.C.] Rastriya Janata Party or RJPN [Mahanta THAKUR] Rastriya Prajatantra party or RPP [Kamal THAPA]the Election Commission of Nepal granted ballot access under the proportional system to 88 political parties for the November-December 2017 House of Representatives election to the Federal Parliament; of these, the following 8 parties won seats: Federal Socialist Forum, Nepal or FSFN [Upendra YADAV] Naya Shakti Party, Nepal [Baburam BHATTARAI] Nepal Communist Party or NCP [Khadga Prasad OLI, Pushpa Kamal DAHAL] Nepali Congress or NC [Sher Bahadur DEUBA] Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party [Narayan Man BIJUKCHHE] Rastriya Janamorcha [Chitra Bahadur K.C.] Rastriya Janata Party or RJPN [Mahanta THAKUR] Rastriya Prajatantra party or RPP [Kamal THAPA] Topic: NetherlandsChristian Democratic Appeal or CDA [Wopke HOEKSTRA] Christian Union or CU [Gert-Jan SEGERS] Democrats 66 or D66 [Rob JETTEN] Denk [Tunahan KUZU] 50 Plus [Henk KROL] Forum for Democracy or FvD [Thierry BAUDET] Green Left or GL [Jesse KLAVER] Labor Party or PvdA [Lilianne PLOUMEN] Party for Freedom or PVV [Geert WILDERS] Party for the Animals or PvdD [Esther OUWENHAND] People's Party for Freedom and Democracy or VVD [Mark RUTTE] Reformed Political Party or SGP [Kees VAN DER STAAIJ] Socialist Party or SP [Lilian MARIJNISSEN] plus a few minor parties Topic: New CaledoniaBuild Our Rainbow Nation Caledonia Together or CE [Philippe GERMAIN] Caledonian Union or UC [Daniel GOA] Future Together (l'Avenir Ensemble) [Harold MARTIN] Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM) [Victor TUTUGORO] Labor Party (Parti Travailliste) or PT [Louis Kotra UREGEI] National Union for Independence (Union Nationale pour l'Independance) or UNI Party of Kanak Liberation (Parti de Liberation Kanak) or PALIKA [Paul NEAOUTYINE] Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS [Nidoish NAISSELINE] The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP) [interim leader Thierry SANTA] Union for Caledonia in France Topic: New ZealandACT 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] Topic: NicaraguaAlliance for the Republic or APRE [Carlos CANALES] Conservative Party or PC [Alfredo CESAR] Independent Liberal Party or PLI [Jose del Carmen ALVARADO] Liberal Constitutionalist Party or PLC [Maria Haydee OSUNA] Nicaraguan Liberal Alliance or ALN [Alejandro MEJIA Ferreti] Nicaraguan Party of the Christian Path or CCN [Guillermo OSORNO] Sandinista National Liberation Front or FSLN [Jose Daniel ORTEGA Saavedra] Sandinista Renovation Movement or MRS [Suyen BARAHONA] Sons of Mother Earth or YATAMA [Brooklyn RIVERA] Topic: NigerAlliance 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 Topic: NigeriaAccord Party or ACC [Mohammad Lawal MALADO] Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) [Ralph Okey NWOSU]  All Progressives Congress or APC [Abdullahi ADAMU] All Progressives Grand Alliance or APGA [Victor Ike OYE] Labor Party or LP [Alhai Abdulkadir ABDULSALAM] Peoples Democratic Party or PDP [Iyourchia AYU] Young Progressive Party or YPP [Olufemi FOLAYAN] Topic: NiueAlliance of Independents or AI Niue People's Action Party or NPP [Young VIVIAN] Topic: Norfolk IslandNorfolk Island Labor Party [Mike KELLY] Norfolk Liberals [John BROWN] Topic: North MacedoniaAlliance for Albanians or AfA [Ziadin SELA] Alternative (Alternativa) [Afrim GASHI] Besa Movement [Bilal KASAMI] Democratic Party of Albanians or PDSh [Menduh THACI] Democratic Union for Integration or BDI [Ali AHMETI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - Democratic Party for Macedonian National Unity or VMRO-DPMNE [Hristijan MICKOSKI] Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization - People's Party or VMRO-NP [Ljubco GEORGIEVSKI] Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Goran MILEVSKI] Renewal (VMRO-DPMNE coalition) Social Democratic Union of Macedonia or SDSM [Dimitar KOVACHEVSKI] The Left (Levica) [Dimitar APASIEV] Turkish Democratic Party of DPT [Beycan ILYAS] We Can (coalition includes SDSM/Besa/VMRO-NP, DPT, LDP) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsDemocratic Party [Daniel QUITUGUA] Republican Party [James ADA] Topic: NorwayCenter Party or Sp [Trygve Slagsvold VEDUM] Christian Democratic Party or KrF [Olaug BOLLESTAD] Conservative Party or H [Erna SOLBERG] Green Party or MDG [Une Aina BASTHOLM]  Labor Party or Ap [Jonas Gahr STORE] Liberal Party or V [Guri MELBY] Patient Focus or PF [Irene OJALA] Progress Party or FrP [Sylvi LISTHAUG] Red Party or R [Bionar MOXNES] Socialist Left Party or SV [Audun LYSBAKKEN]Center Party or Sp [Trygve Slagsvold VEDUM] Christian Democratic Party or KrF [Olaug BOLLESTAD] Conservative Party or H [Erna SOLBERG] Green Party or MDG [Une Aina BASTHOLM]  Labor Party or Ap [Jonas Gahr STORE] Liberal Party or V [Guri MELBY] Patient Focus or PF [Irene OJALA] Progress Party or FrP [Sylvi LISTHAUG] Red Party or R [Bionar MOXNES] Socialist Left Party or SV [Audun LYSBAKKEN] Topic: Omannone; note - organized political parties are legally banned in Oman, and loyalties tend to form around tribal affiliations Topic: PakistanAwami National Party or ANP [Asfandyar Wali KHAN] Awami Muslim League or AML [Sheikh Rashid AHMED] Balochistan Awami Party or BAP [Jam Kamal KHAN] Balochistan National Party-Awami or BNP-A [Mir Israr Ullah ZEHRI] Balochistan National Party-Mengal or BNP-M [Sardar Akhtar Jan MENGAL] Grand Democratic Alliance or GDA (alliance of several parties) Jamhoori Wattan Party or JWP [Shahzain BUGTI] Jamaat-i Islami or JI [Sirajul HAQ] Jamiat-i Ulema-i Islam Fazl-ur Rehman or JUI-F [Fazlur REHMAN] Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London or MQM-L [Altaf HUSSAIN] (MQM split into two factions in 2016) Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan or MQM-P [Dr. Khalid Maqbool SIDDIQUI] (MQM split into two factions in 2016) Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal or MMA [Fazl-ur- REHMAN] (alliance of several parties) National Party or NP [Abdul Malik BALOCH] Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party or PMAP or PkMAP [Mahmood Khan ACHAKZAI] Pakistan Muslim League-Functional or PML-F [Pir PAGARO or Syed Shah Mardan SHAH-II] Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz or PML-N [Shehbaz SHARIF] Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid-e-Azam Group or PML-Q [Chaudhry Shujaat HUSSAIN] Pakistan Peoples Party or PPP [Bilawal BHUTTO ZARDARI, Asif Ali ZARDARI] Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaaf or PTI (Pakistan Movement for Justice) [Imran KHAN]Pak Sarzameen Party or PSP [Mustafa KAMAL] Qaumi Watan Party or QWP [Aftab Ahmed Khan SHERPAO] note: political alliances in Pakistan shift frequently Topic: Palaunone Topic: PanamaAlliance Party or PA [Jose MUNOZ Molina] Alternative Independent Socialist Party or PAIS [Jose ALVAREZ] Democratic Change or CD [Romulo ROUX] Democratic Revolutionary Party or PRD [Benicio ROBINSON] Nationalist Republican Liberal Movement or MOLIRENA [Francisco "Pancho" ALEMAN] Panamenista Party [Isabel BLANDON Figueroa] (formerly the Arnulfista Party) Popular Party or PP [Daniel Javier BREA Clavel] (formerly Christian Democratic Party or PDC) Realizing Goals Party [Ricardo Alberto MARTINELLI Berrocal] Topic: Papua New GuineaNational Alliance Party or NAP [Patrick PRUAITCH] Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU [Sam BASIL] Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP [Belden NAMAH] People's National Congress Party or PNC [Peter Paire O'NEILL] People's Party or PP [Peter IPATAS] People's Progress Party or PPP [Sir Julius CHAN] Social Democratic Party or SDP [Powes PARKOP] Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party or THE [Don POLYE] United Resources Party or URP [William DUMA] note: as of 8 July 2017, 45 political parties were registered Topic: ParaguayAsociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Pedro ALLIANA] Avanza Pais coalition or AP [Adolfo FERREIRO] Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Carlos FILIZZOLA] Ganar Alliance (alliance between PLRA and Guasu Front) Movimiento Cruzada Nacional or MCN Movimiento Hagamos or MH [Antonio "Tony" APURIL] Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO] Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado] Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Rafael FILIZZOLA] Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO] Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Efrain ALEGRE] Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares] Partido Popular Tekojoja or PPT [Sixto PEREIRA Galeano] Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Miguel CARRIZOSA] Topic: PeruAdvance the Nation (Avanza Pais) [Aldo BORRERO Zeta] Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP [Cesar ACUNA Peralta] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Marco ARANA] Free Peru (Peru Libre) [Vladimir CERRON Rojas] Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza) [Fernando OLIVERA Vega] National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN [George FORSYTH Sommer] Popular Action (Accion Popular) or AP [Mesias GUEVARA Amasifuen] Popular Force (Fuerza Popular or FP) [Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi] Popular Renewal (Renovacion Popular) [Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA] Purple Party (Partido Morado) [Luis DURAN Rojo] Social Integration Party (Avanza Pais - Partido de Integracion Social) [Aldo BORRERO] Together For Peru (Juntos por el Peru) or JP [Robert SANCHEZ Palomino] We Are Peru (Somos Peru) [Patricia LI] We Can Peru (Podemos Peru) [Jose Leon LUNA Galvez]Advance the Nation (Avanza Pais) [Aldo BORRERO Zeta] Alliance for Progress (Alianza para el Progreso) or APP [Cesar ACUNA Peralta] Broad Front (Frente Amplio) [Marco ARANA] Free Peru (Peru Libre) [Vladimir CERRON Rojas] Front for Hope (Frente Esperanza) [Fernando OLIVERA Vega] National Victory (Victoria Nacional) or VN [George FORSYTH Sommer] Popular Action (Accion Popular) or AP [Mesias GUEVARA Amasifuen] Popular Force (Fuerza Popular or FP) [Keiko FUJIMORI Higuchi] Popular Renewal (Renovacion Popular) [Rafael LOPEZ ALIAGA] Purple Party (Partido Morado) [Luis DURAN Rojo] Social Integration Party (Avanza Pais - Partido de Integracion Social) [Aldo BORRERO] Together For Peru (Juntos por el Peru) or JP [Robert SANCHEZ Palomino] We Are Peru (Somos Peru) [Patricia LI] We Can Peru (Podemos Peru) [Jose Leon LUNA Galvez] Topic: PhilippinesAksyon Demokratiko [Francisco "Isko Moreno" DOMAGOSO] Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD [Ramon "Bong" REVILLA Jr ] Liberal Party or LP [Leni ROBREDO] Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel "Manny" VILLAR] National Unity Party or NUP [Ronaldo V. PUNO] Partido Federal ng Pilipinas or PFP [Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.] Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL III] Topic: Pitcairn Islandsnone Topic: PolandCivic Coalition or KO [Donald TUSK] Confederation Liberty and Independence or KWiN [Janusz KORWIN-MIKKE, Robert WINNICKI, Grzegorz BRAUN] New Left [Wlodzimierz CZARZASTY] German Minority or MN [Ryszard GALLA] Kukiz 15 or K15 [Pawel KUKIZ] Law and Justice or PiS [Jaroslaw KACZYNSKI] TERAZ! (NOW!) [Ryszard PETRU] Nowoczesna (Modern) or N [Adam SZLAPKA] Poland 2050 or PL2050 [Szymon HOLOWNIA] Polish People's Party or PSL [Wladyslaw KOSINIAK-KAMYSZ] Razem (Together) [collective leadership] Topic: PortugalDemocratic Alliance (2022 electoral alliance in the Azores, includes PSD, CDS-PP, PPM) Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party (Partido do Centro Democratico Social-Partido Popular) or CDS-PP [Assuncao CRISTAS] Ecologist Party "The Greens" or "Os Verdes" (Partido Ecologista-Os Verdes) or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA] Enough (Chega) [Andre VENTURA] Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) or IL [Joao COTRIM DE FIGUEIREDO] Madeira First (2022 electoral alliance in Madeira, includes PSD, CDS-PP) People-Animals-Nature Party (Pessoas-Animais-Natureza) or PAN [Andre SILVA] People's Monarchist Party or PPM [Gonçalo DA CAMARA PEREIRA] Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Portugues) or PCP [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) or PSD (original name Partido Popular Democratico or PPD) [Rui RIO] Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) or PS [Antonio COSTA] The Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) or BE or O Bloco [Catarina MARTINS] Unitary Democratic Coalition (Coligacao Democratica Unitaria) or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes PCP and PEV) Topic: Puerto RicoNational Democratic Party [Charlie RODRIGUEZ] National Republican Party of Puerto Rico [Jenniffer GONZALEZ] New Progressive Party or PNP [Ricardo ROSSELLO] (pro-US statehood) Popular Democratic Party or PPD [Alejandro GARCIA Padillo] (pro-commonwealth) Puerto Rican Independence Party or PIP [Ruben BERRIOS Martinez] (pro-independence) Topic: Qatarpolitical parties are banned Topic: Romania2020 USR-PLUS Alliance [Dan BARNA and Dacian CIOLOS] (dissolved 16 April 2021) Alliance for the Fatherland or APP [Codrin STEFANESCU] Alliance for the Unity of Romanians or AUR [George SIMION and Claudiu TARZIU] Christian-Democratic National Peasants' Party or PNT-CD [Aurelian PAVELESCU] Civic Hungarian Party [Zsolt BIRO] Democratic Union of Hungarians in Romania or UDMR [Hunor KELEMEN] Ecologist Party of Romania or PER [Danut POP] Greater Romania Party or PRM [Victor IOVICI] Green Party [Florin CALINESCU] Liberal Force [Ludovic ORBAN] National Liberal Party or PNL [Florin CITU] Our Romania Alliance [Marian MUNTEANU] Party of Liberty, Unity, and Solidarity or PLUS [Dacian CIOLOS] (dissolved 16 April 2021) Party of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats or ALDE [Calin POPESCU TARICEANU] Party of the Humanist Power-Social Liberal or PPU-SL [Daniel IONASCU] Party of the Romanian Nation [Ninel PEIA] Popular Movement Party or PMP [Cristian DIACONESCU] PRO Romania [Victor PONTA] Save Romania Union Party or USR [Dacian CIOLOS] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Marcel CIOLACU] United Romania Party or PRU [Robert BUGA] Topic: RussiaA Just Russia [Sergey MIRONOV] Civic Platform or CP [Rifat SHAYKHUTDINOV] Communist Party of the Russian Federation or CPRF [Gennadiy ZYUGANOV] Liberal Democratic Party of Russia or LDPR [Vladimir ZHIRINOVSKIY] New People  [Alexey NECHAYEV] Party of Growth [Irina MIRONOVA] Rodina [Aleksei ZHURAVLYOV] United Russia [Dmitriy MEDVEDEV] note: 31 political parties are registered with Russia's Ministry of Justice (as of September 2021); 14 participated in the 2021 election, but only 8 parties maintain representation in Russia's national legislature Topic: RwandaDemocratic 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] Topic: Saint BarthelemyAll for Saint Barth (Tous pour Saint-Barth) [Bettina COINTRE] Saint Barth Action Equilibre [Marie-Helene BERNIER] Saint Barth First! (Saint-Barth d'Abord!) or SBA [Romaric MAGRAS] (affiliated with France's Republican party, Les Republicans) Saint Barth United (Unis pour Saint-Barthelemy) [Xavier LEDEE] Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhanone Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisConcerned Citizens Movement or CCM [Mark BRANTLEY] Nevis Reformation Party or NRP [Joseph PARRY] People's Action Movement or PAM [Shawn RICHARDS] People's Labour Party or PLP [Dr. Timothy HARRIS] Saint Kitts and Nevis Labor Party or SKNLP [Dr. Denzil DOUGLAS] Topic: Saint LuciaSaint Lucia Labor Party or SLP [Philip J. PIERRE] United Workers Party or UWP [Allen CHASTANET] Topic: Saint MartinAlternative [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] Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonArchipelago Tomorrow (Archipel Domain) or AD (affiliated with The Republicans) Focus on the Future (Cap sur l'Avenir) [Annick GIRARDIN] (affiliated with Left Radical Party) Together to Build (Ensemble pour Construire) [Karine CLAIREAUX] Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesNew 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] Topic: SamoaHuman Rights Protection Party or HRPP [TUILA'EPA Sailele Malielegaoi] Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST [FIAME Naomi Mata'afa] Tautua Samoa Party or TSP [Afualo Wood Uti SALELE] Topic: San MarinoCivic 10 [Franco SANTI] Domani - Modus Liberi or DML [Lorenzo Forcellini REFFI] Free San Marino or Libera Future Republic or RF [Mario VENTURINI] I Elect for a New Republic Party of Socialists and Democrats or PSD [Paride ANDREOLI] RETE Movement Sammarinese Christian Democratic Party or PDCS [Marco GATTI] Socialist Party or PS [Alessandro BEVITORI] Tomorrow in Movement coalition (includes RETE Movement, DML) We for the Republic Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeForce for Democratic Change Movement or MDFM [Fradique Bandeira Melo DE MENEZES] Independent Democratic Action or ADI [vacant] Movement for the Liberation of Sao Tome and Principe-Social Democratic Party or MLSTP-PSD [Aurelio MARTINS] Party for Democratic Convergence-Reflection Group or PCD-GR [Leonel Mario D'ALVA] other small parties Topic: Saudi Arabianone Topic: SenegalAlliance for the Republic-Yakaar or APR-Yakaar [Macky SALL] Alliance of Forces of Progress or AFP [Moustapha NIASSE] Alliance for Citizenship and Labor or ACT [Abdoul MBAYE] And-Jef/African Party for Democracy and Socialism or AJ/PADS [Mamadou DIOP Decriox] Benno Bokk Yakaar or BBY (United in Hope) [Macky SALL] (coalition includes AFP, APR, BGC, LD-MPT, PIT, PS, and UNP) Bokk Gis Gis coalition [Pape DIOP] Citizen Movement for National Reform or MCRN-Bes Du Nakk [Mansour Sy DJAMIL] Democratic League-Labor Party Movement or LD-MPT [Abdoulaye BATHILY] Dare the Future movement [Aissata Tall SALL] Front for Socialism and Democracy/Benno Jubel or FSD/BJ [Cheikh Abdoulaye Bamba DIEYE] Gainde Centrist Bloc or BGC [Jean-Paul DIAS] General Alliance for the Interests of the Republic or AGIR [Thierno BOCOUM] Grand Party or GP [Malick GAKOU] Independence and Labor Party or PIT [Magatte THIAM] Madicke 2019 coalition [Madicke NIANG] National Union for the People or UNP [Souleymane Ndene NDIAYE] Only Senegal movement [Pierre Goudiaby ATEPA] Party for Truth and Development or PVD [Cheikh Ahmadou Kara MBAKE] Party of Unity and Rally or PUR [El Hadji SALL] Patriotic Convergence Kaddu Askan Wi or CP-Kaddu Askan Wi [Abdoulaye BALDE] Patriots of Senegal for Ethics, Work and Fraternity or (PASTEF) [Ousmane SONKO] Rewmi Party [Idrissa SECK] Senegalese Democratic Party or PDS [Abdoulaye WADE] Socialist Party or PS [Ousmane Tanor DIENG] Tekki Movement [Mamadou Lamine DIALLO] Topic: SerbiaAlbanian Democratic Alternative (coalition of ethnic Albanian parties) [Shaip KAMBERI] Alliance of Vojvodina Hungarians or SVM [Istvan PASZTOR] Better Serbia [Dragan JOVANOVIC] Democratic Party or DS [Zoran LUTOVAC] Democratic Party of Serbia or DSS [Milos JOVANOVIC] Dveri [Bosko OBRADOVIC] Greens of Serbia [Ivan KARIC] Ivica Dacic - Prime Minister of Serbia [Ivica DACIC] (includes SPS, JS, ZS) Justice and Reconciliation Party or SPP [Usame ZUKORLIC] (formerly Bosniak Democratic Union of Sandzak or BDZS) Movement for the Restoration of the Kingdom of Serbia or POKS (leadership is disputed) Movement of Free Citizens or PSG [Pavle GRBOVIC] Movement of Socialists or PS [Aleksandar VULIN] National Democratic Alternative or NADA [Milos JOVANOVIC, Vojislav MIHAILOVIC, Bozidar DELIC] (includes DSS and POKS) Party of Democratic Action of the Sandzak or SDA [Sulejman UGLJANIN] Party of Freedom and Justice or SSP [Dragan DILAS] Party of United Pensioners of Serbia or PUPS [Milan KRKOBABIC] People's Party or NS or Narodna [Vuk JEREMIC] People's Peasant Party or NSS [Marijan RISTICEVIC] Serbian Party Oathkeepers or SSZ [Stefan STAMENKOVSKI] Serbian People's Party or SNP [Nenad POPOVIC] Serbian Progressive Party or SNS [Aleksandar VUCIC] Serbian Renewal Movement or SPO [Vuk DRASKOVIC] Social Democratic Party of Serbia or SDPS [Rasim LJAJIC] Socialist Party of Serbia or SPS [Ivica DACIC] Strength of Serbia or PSS [Bogoljub KARIC] Together for Serbia or ZZS [Nebojsa ZELENOVIC] Together We Can Do Everything [Aleksandar VUCIC] (includes SNS, SDPS, PUPS, PSS, SNP, SPO, PS, NSS, USS, BS) United for the Victory of Serbia or US (includes NS, SSP, DS, PSG) United Peasant Party or USS [Milija MILETIC] United Serbia or JS [Dragan MARKOVIC] We Must or Moramo [Nebojsa ZELENOVIC, Dobrica VESELINOVIC, Aleksandar JOVANOVIC CUTA, Biljana STOJKOVIC] note: Serbia has more than 110 registered political parties and citizens' associations Topic: SeychellesLinyon Sanzman or LS [Martin AGLAE] One Seychelles [Peter SINON] Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSJD [Vesna RAKIC] Seychellois Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa) or LDS [Roger MANCIENNE] (includes SPSJD) United Seychelles or US [Patrick HERMINIE] (formerly People's Party (Parti Lepep) or PL; (formerly SPPF) Topic: Sierra LeoneAll People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA] Coalition for Change or C4C [Tamba R. SANDY] National Grand Coalition or NGC [Dr. Dennis BRIGHT] Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Dr. Prince HARDING] numerous other parties Topic: SingaporeDemocratic 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 Topic: Sint MaartenNational Alliance or NA [Silveria JACOBS] Party for Progress or PFP [Melissa GUMBS] Sint Maarten Christian Party or SMCP [Garica ARRINDELL] United Democrats Party or UD [Sarah WESCOT-WILLIAMS] United Peoples Party or UP [Theodore HEYLIGER] United Sint Maarten Party or US Party [Frans RICHARDSON] Topic: SlovakiaAlliance-Szovetseg [Krisztian FORRO] Direction-Social Democracy or Smer-SD [Robert FICO] For the People or Za Ludi [Veronika REMISOVA] Freedom and Solidarity or SaS [Richard SULIK] Kotleba-People's Party Our Slovakia or LSNS [Marian KOTLEBA] Ordinary People and Independent Personalities - New Majority or OLaNO-NOVA [Igor MATOVIC] Slovak National Party or SNS [Andrej DANKO] Voice or Hlas-SD [Petr PELLIGRINI] We Are Family or Sme-Rodina [Boris KOLLAR] Topic: SloveniaDemocratic Party of Pensioners of Slovenia or DeSUS [Aleksandra PIVEC] 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 AB [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) Topic: Solomon IslandsDemocratic Alliance Party or DAP [Steve ABANA] Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KPSI [Peter BOYERS] People's Alliance Party or PAP [Nathaniel WAENA] Solomon Islands People First Party or SIPFP [Dr. Jimmie RODGERS] Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Manasseh MAELANGA] United Democratic Party or UDP [Sir Thomas Ko CHAN] note: in general, Solomon Islands politics is characterized by fluid coalitions Topic: SomaliaCosmopolitan Democratic Party [Yarow Sharef ADEN] Daljir Party or DP [Hassan MOALIM] Democratic Green Party of Somalia or DGPS [Abdullahi Y. MAHAMOUD] Democratic Party of Somalia or DPS [Maslah Mohamed SIAD] Green Leaf for Democracy or GLED Hiil Qaran Justice and Communist Party [Mohamed NUR] Justice and Development of Democracy and Self-Respectfulness Party or CAHDI [Abdirahman Abdigani IBRAHIM Bile] Justice Party [SAKARIYE Haji] Liberal Party of Somalia National Democratic Party [Abdirashid ALI] National Unity Party (Xisbiga MIdnimo-Quaran) [Abdurahman BAADIYOW] Peace and Development Party or PDP Somali Green Party (local chapter of Federation of Green Parties of Africa) Somali National Party or SNP [Mohammed Ameen Saeed AHMED] Somali People's Party [Salad JEELE] Somali Society Unity Party [Yasin MAALIM] Tayo or TPP [Mohamed Abdullahi MOHAMED] Tiir Party [Fadhil Sheik MOHAMUD] Union for Peace and Development or UPD [HASSAN SHEIKH Mohamud] United and Democratic Party [FAUZIA Haji] United Somali Parliamentarians United Somali Republican Party [Ali TIMA-JLIC] inactive: Alliance for the Reliberation of Somalia; reportedly inactive since 2009 Topic: South AfricaAfrican Christian Democratic Party or ACDP [Kenneth MESHOE] African Independent Congress or AIC [Mandla GALO] African National Congress or ANC [Cyril RAMAPHOSA] African People's Convention or APC [Themba GODI] Agang SA [Mike TSHISHONGA] Congress of the People or COPE [Mosiuoa LEKOTA] Democratic Alliance or DA [John STEENHUISEN] Economic Freedom Fighters or EFF [Julius Sello MALEMA] Freedom Front Plus or FF+ [Pieter GROENEWALD] GOOD [Patricia de LILLE] Inkatha Freedom Party or IFP [Mangosuthu BUTHELEZI] National Freedom Party or NFP [Zanele kaMAGWAZA-MSIBI] Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania or PAC [Luthanado MBINDA] United Christian Democratic Party or UCDP [Isaac Sipho MFUNDISI] United Democratic Movement or UDM [Bantu HOLOMISA] Topic: South SudanSudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR Mayardit] Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO [Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon] Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Former Detainees [Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior] South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA [Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii] (2021) Topic: SpainAsturias Forum or FAC [Carmen MORIYON] Basque Country Unite (Euskal Herria Bildu) or EH Bildu (coalition of 4 Basque pro-independence parties) Basque Nationalist Party or PNV or EAJ [Andoni ORTUZAR] Canarian Coalition or CC [Ana ORAMAS] (coalition of 5 parties) Junts per Catalunia or JxCat  [Carles PUIDGEMONT] Ciudadanos Party or C's [Ines ARRIMADAS] Compromis - Communist Coalition [Joan BALDOVI] New Canary or NCa [Pedro QUEVEDOS] Unidas Podemos [Ione BELARRA] (formerly Podemos IU; electoral coalition formed for May 2016 election) People's Party or PP [Pablo CASADO] Republican Left of Catalonia or ERC [Oriol JUNQUERAS i Vies] Spanish Socialist Workers Party or PSOE [Pedro SANCHEZ] JxCat-Junts Together for Catalonia [Jordi SANCHEZ] Union of People of Navarra or UPN [Javier ESPARZA] Navarra Suma (electoral Coaltion formed by Navarrese People's Union (UPN), Ciudadanos (C's), and the Popular Partty (PP) ahead of the 2019 election) Vox or Vox [Santiago ABASCAL] Topic: Sri LankaCrusaders 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) Topic: SudanDemocratic Unionist Party [Muhammad Uthman al-MIRGHANI] Democratic Unionist Party or DUP [Babika BABIKER] Federal Umma Party [Dr. Ahmed Babikir NAHAR] Muslim Brotherhood or MB [Sadig Abdalla ABDELMAJID and Dr. Yousif Al-Hibir Nor-ELDAYIM National Congress Party or NCP (in November 2019, Sudan's transitional government approved a law to "dismantle" the regime of former President Omar al-Bashir, including the dissolution of his political party, the NCP) National Umma Party or NUP [Fadlallah Baramah NASSER] Popular Congress Party or PCP [Nawal Al-KHIDIR] Reform Movement Now [Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin al-ATABANI]Sudan National Front [Ali Mahmud HASANAYN] Sudanese Communist Party or SCP [Mohammed Moktar Al-KHATEEB] Sudanese Congress Party or SCoP [Omar El DIGAIR] Umma Party for Reform and Development [Mubarak Al-Fadul Al-MAHDI] Unionist Movement Party or UMP [led by DUP Chair Mohammed Osama Al-MERGHANI] Topic: SurinameAlternative Combination or A-Com (coalition includes ABOP, KTPI, Party for Democracy and Development) Brotherhood and Unity in Politics or BEP [Ronnie ASABINA] Democratic Alternative '91 or DA91 [Angelique DEL CASTILLO] General Liberation and Development Party or ABOP [Ronnie BRUNSWIJK} National Democratic Party or NDP [Desire Delano BOUTERSE] National Party of Suriname or NPS [Gregory RUSLAND] Party for Democracy and Development in Unity or DOE [Carl BREEVELD] Party for National Unity and Solidarity or KTPI [Willy SOEMITA] People's Alliance (Pertjaja Luhur) or PL [Paul SOMOHARDJO] Progressive Workers' and Farmers' Union or PALU [Jim HOK] Progressive Reform Party or VHP [Chandrikapersad SANTOKHI] Reform and Renewal Movement or HVB [Raymond SAPOEN] Surinamese Labor Party or SPA [Guno CASTELEN] Topic: SvalbardSvalbard Conservative Party [Kjetil FIGENSCHOU] Svalbard Green Party [Pal BERG] Svalbard Labor Party [Arild OLSEN] Svalbard Liberal Party [Terie AUVENIK] Svalbard Progress Party [Jorn DYBDAHL] Topic: SwedenCenter Party (Centerpartiet) or C [Annie LOOF] Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) or KD [Ebba BUSCH] Green Party (Miljopartiet de Grona) or MP [Marta STEVENI and Per BOLUND] Left Party (Vansterpartiet) or V [Nooshi DADGOSTAR] Liberal Party (Liberalerna) or L [Johan PEHRSON] Moderate Party (Moderaterna) or M [Ulf KRISTERSSON] Swedish Social Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna) or SAP [Magdalena ANDERSSON] Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna) or SD [Jimmie AKESSON] Topic: SwitzerlandFree 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) [Christian LEVRAT] 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) [Albert ROESTI] other minor parties 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) Topic: Syrialegal parties/alliances: Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party [Bashar al-ASAD, regional secretary] Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party [President Bashar al-ASAD] Arab Socialist Union of Syria or ASU [Safwan al-QUDSI] Democratic Arab Socialist Union [Hassan Abdul AZIM, general secretary]  National Progressive Front or NPF [Bashar al-ASAD, Suleiman QADDAH] (alliance includes Arab Socialist Renaissance (Ba'th) Party, Socialist Unionist Democratic Party) Socialist Unionist Party [Fayiz ISMAIL] Socialist Unionist Democratic Party [Fadlallah Nasr al-DIN] Syrian Communist Party (two branches) [Wissal Farha BAKDASH, Yusuf Rashid FAYSAL] Syrian Social Nationalist Party or SSNP [Ali HAIDAR] Unionist Socialist Party [Fayez ISMAIL] Major Kurdish parties  Kurdish Democratic Union Party or PYD [Shahoz HASAN and Aysha HISSO] Kurdish National Council [Sa'ud MALA]   other: Syrian Democratic Party [Mustafa QALAAJI] Topic: TaiwanDemocratic Progressive Party or DPP [TSAI Ing-wen] Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) [CHU Chi-luan, aka Eric CHU] Taiwan People's Party or TPP [KO Wen-je] New Power Party or NPP [KAO Yu-ting] Taiwan Statebuilding Party or TSP [CHEN Yi-chi] (2021) note - the DPP and the KMT are the two major political parties; there are hundreds of registered minor parties Topic: TajikistanAgrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Rustam LATIFZODA] Communist Party of Tajikistan or CPT [Miroj ABDULLOEV] Democratic Party of Tajikistan or DPT [Saidjafar USMONZODA] Party of Economic Reform of Tajikistan or PERT [Rustam RAHMATZODA] People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON] Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan or SDPT [Qiyomiddin AZIZOV] Socialist Party of Tajikistan or SPT [Abduhalim GHAFFORZODA] Topic: TanzaniaAlliance for Change and Transparency (Wazalendo) or ACT [Zitto KABWE] Alliance for Democratic Change or ADC [Hamad Rashid MOHAMED] Civic United Front (Chama Cha Wananchi) or CUF [Ibrahim LIPUMBA] National Convention for Construction and Reform-Mageuzi or NCCR-M [James Francis MBATIA] National League for Democracy Party of Democracy and Development (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo) or Chadema [President Samia Suluhu HASSAN] Revolutionary Party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi) or CCM Tanzania Labor Party or TLP [Augustine MREMA] United Democratic Party or UDP [John Momose CHEYO] Topic: ThailandAction Coalition of Thailand Party or ACT [ANEK Laothamatas] Bhumjaithai Party or BJT [ANUTIN Charnvirakul] Chat Phatthana Party (National Development Party) [THEWAN Liptaphanlop] Chat Thai Phatthana Party (Thai Nation Development Party) or CTP [KANCHANA Sinlapa-acha] New Economics Party or NEP [MINGKHWAN Sangsuwan] Move Forward Party or MFP (formed in 2020 from the disbanded Future Forward Party, FPP) [PHITHA Limcharoenrat] Palang Pracharat Party or PPP (a pro-military party formed in 2018 by members of the military junta’s cabinet) [PRAWIT Wongsuwan] Phumchai Thai Party (Thai Pride Party) or PJT [ANUTHIN Chanwirakun] Prachachat Party of PCC [WAN Muhamad NOOR Matha] Prachathipat Party (Democrat Party) or DEM [JURIN Laksanawisit] Puea Chat Party (For Nation Party) or PCP [SARUNWUT Sarunket] Puea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [CHONLANON Sikaew] Puea Tham Party (For Dharma Party) [NALINI Thawisin] Seri Ruam Thai Party (Thai Liberal Party) or TLP [SERIPHISUT Temiyawet] Thai Civilized Party or TCL [MONGKOLKIT Suksintharanon] Thai Forest Conservation Party or TFCP [DAMRONG Phidet] Thai Liberal Party or TLP [SERIPISUT TEMIYAVET] Thai Local Power Party or TLP [CHATCHAWAI Kong-udom] Thai People Power Party or TLPT [NIKHOM Bunwiset] Thai Raksa Chat Party (Thai National Preservation Party) [PRICHAPHON Phongpanit] note - as of 5 April 2018, 98 new parties applied to be registered with the Election Commission in accordance with the provisions of the new organic law on political parties Topic: Timor-LesteAlliance for Change and Progress or AMP [Xanana GUSMAO] (collapsed in 2020; alliance included CNRT, KHUNTO, PLP) Democratic Development Forum or DDF Democratic Party or PD [Mariano Assanami SABINO] Frenti-Mudanca (Front for National Reconstruction of Timor-Leste - Change) or FM [Jose Luis GUTERRES] Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan or KHUNTO [Armanda BERTA DOS SANTOS] National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO] People's Liberation Party or PLP [Taur Matan RUAK] Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI] Timorese Democratic Union or UDT [Gilman SANTOS] Topic: TogoAction Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yaovi AGBOYIBO] Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development or ADDI [Tchaboure GOGUE] Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON] Democratic Forces for the Republic or FDR [Dodji APEVON] National Alliance for Change or ANC [Jean-Pierre FABRE] New Togolese Commitment [Gerry TAAMA] Pan-African National Party or PNP [Tikpi ATCHADAM] Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP [Edem KODJO] Patriotic Movement for Democracy and Development or MPDD [Agbeyome KODJO] Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR [Abi TCHESSA] The Togolese Party [Nathaniel OLYMPIO] Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO] Union for the Republic or UNIR [Faure GNASSINGBE] Topic: Tokelaunone Topic: TongaDemocratic Party of the Friendly Islands or DPFI or PTOA People's Democratic Party or PDP [Tesina FUKO] Sustainable Nation-Building Party [Sione FONUA] Tonga Democratic Labor Party Tonga Human Rights and Democracy Movement or THRDM Tonga People's Party or PAK (Paati ʻa e Kakai ʻo Tonga) [Pohiva TU'I'ONETOA] (split from Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoCongress of the People or COP [Kirt SINNETTE] People's National Movement or PNM [Keith ROWLEY] Progressive Democratic Patriots (Tobago) [Watson DUKE] United National Congress or UNC [Kamla PERSAD-BISSESSAR] Topic: TunisiaAfek Tounes [Yassine BRAHIM]Al Badil Al-Tounisi (The Tunisian Alternative) [Mehdi JOMAA] Amal Party [Ridha BELHAJ] Call for Tunisia Party (Nidaa Tounes) [Ali HAFSI] Current of Love [Hachemi HAMDI] (formerly the Popular Petition party) Democratic Current [Ghazi CHAOUACHI] Democratic Patriots' Unified Party [Zied LAKHDHAR] Dignity Coalition or Al Karama Coalition [Seifeddine MAKHIOUF] Ennahda Movement (The Renaissance) [Rached GHANNOUCHI] Free Destourian Party or PDL [Abir MOUSSI] Green Tunisia Party [Abdelkader ZITOUNI] Heart of Tunisia (Qalb Tounes) [Nabil KAROUI] Long Live Tunisia (Tahya Tounes) [Youssef CHAHED] Machrou Tounes (Tunisia Project) [Mohsen MARZOUK] Movement of Socialist Democrats or MDS [Ahmed KHASKHOUSSI] Party of the Democratic Arab Vanguard [Kheireddine SOUABNI] People's Movement [Zouheir MAGHZAOUI] Republican Party (Al Joumhouri) [Issam CHEBBI] The Movement Party (Hizb Harak) [Moncef MARZOUKI] Third Republic Party [Olfa Hamdi] Tunisian Ba'ath Movement [Othmen Bel Haj AMOR] Workers' Party [Hamma HAMMAMI] Topic: TurkeyDemocracy and Progress Party [Ali BABACAN] Democrat Party or DP [Gultekin UYSAL] Democratic Regions Party or DBP [Saliha AYDENIZ, Keskin BAYINDIR] Felicity Party (Saadet Party) or SP [Temel KARAMOLLAOGLU] Free Cause Party or HUDAPAR [Zekeriya YAPICIOGLU] Future Party [Ahmet DAVUTOGLU] IYI Party [Meral AKSENER] Grand Unity Party or BBP [Mustafa DESTICI] Justice and Development Party or AKP [Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN] Nation Alliance (CHP, IYI, SP, DP) (electoral alliance) Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI] People's Alliance (AKP, MHP, BBP) (electoral alliance) Patriotic Party or VP [Dogu PERINCEK] Peoples' Democratic Party or HDP [Pervin BULDAN, Mithat SANCAR] Republican People's Party or CHP [Kemal KILICDAROGLU] note:  as of September 2021, 116 political parties were legally registered Topic: TurkmenistanAgrarian 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 Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsPeople's Democratic Movement or PDM [Sean ASTWOOD] Progressive National Party or PNP [Washington MISICK] Topic: Tuvaluthere are no political parties but members of parliament usually align themselves in informal groupings Topic: UgandaAlliance for National Transformation or ANT [Ms. Alice ALASO, acting national coordinator]; note - Mugisha MUNTU resigned his position as ANT national coordinator in late June 2020 to run in the 2021 presidential election Activist Party [Stephen BAMPIGGA] Democratic Party or DP [Norbert MAO] Conservative Party [Walyemera Daniel MASUMBA] Forum for Democratic Change or FDC [Patrick Oboi AMURIAT] Justice Forum or JEEMA [Asuman BASALIRWA] National Resistance Movement or NRM [Yoweri MUSEVENI] Uganda People's Congress or UPC [James AKENA] National Unity Platform [Nkonge KIBALAMA] Topic: UkraineBatkivshchyna (Fatherland) [Yuliya TYMOSHENKO] European Solidarity (BPP-Solidarity) [Petro POROSHENKO] Holos (Voice) [Kira RUDYK] Opposition Bloc or OB [Evgeny MURAYEV] Opposition Platform-For Life [Yuriy BOYKO, Vadim RABINOVICH] Radical Party [Oleh LYASHKO] Samopomich (Self Reliance) [Andriy SADOVYY] Servant of the People [Oleksandr KORNIENKO] Svoboda (Freedom) [Oleh TYAHNYBOK] Topic: United Arab Emiratesnone; political parties are banned Topic: United KingdomAlliance 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 [Sian BERRY and Jonathan BARTLEY] 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] Ulster Unionist Party or UUP (Northern Ireland) [Robin SWANN] UK Independence Party or UKIP [Pat MOUNTAIN, interim leader] Topic: United StatesDemocratic Party [Jaime HARRISON] Green Party [collective leadership] Libertarian Party [Nicholas SARWARK] Republican Party [Ronna Romney MCDANIEL] Topic: UruguayBroad 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] Topic: UzbekistanEcological Party of Uzbekistan (O'zbekiston Ekologik Partivasi) [Narzullo OBLOMURODOV] Justice (Adolat) Social Democratic Party of Uzbekistan [Bahrom ABDUHALIMOV] Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (O'zbekiston Liberal-Demokratik Partiyasi) or LDPU [Aktam HAITOV] National Revival Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (O'zbekiston Milliy Tiklanish Demokratik Partiyasi) [Alisher QODIROV] People's Democratic Party of Uzbekistan (Xalq Demokratik Partiyas) or PDP [Ulugbek Ilyosovich INOYATOV] (formerly Communist Party) Topic: VanuatuGreens 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] Topic: VenezuelaA New Era or UNT [Manuel ROSALES] Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Richard BLANCO] Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano or CMC [Timoteo ZAMBRANO] Christian Democrats or COPEI [Miguel SALAZAR] 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 MACHADO] Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA] Democratic Action or AD [Jose Bernabe GUTIERREZ Parra] EL CAMBIO (The Change) [Javier Alejandro BERTUCCI Carrero] Justice First or PJ [Julio BORGES] Popular Will or VP [Leopoldo LOPEZ] Progressive Wave or AP [Henri FALCON] The Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELAZQUEZ] United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Nicolas MADURO] Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV [Simon CALZADILLA] Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique Fernando SALAS FEO]A New Era or UNT [Manuel ROSALES] Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Richard BLANCO] Cambiemos Movimiento Ciudadano or CMC [Timoteo ZAMBRANO] Christian Democrats or COPEI [Miguel SALAZAR] 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 MACHADO] Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA] Democratic Action or AD [Jose Bernabe GUTIERREZ Parra] EL CAMBIO (The Change) [Javier Alejandro BERTUCCI Carrero] Justice First or PJ [Julio BORGES] Popular Will or VP [Leopoldo LOPEZ] Progressive Wave or AP [Henri FALCON] The Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELAZQUEZ] United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Nicolas MADURO] Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV [Simon CALZADILLA] Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique Fernando SALAS FEO] Topic: VietnamCommunist Party of Vietnam or CPV [CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu TRONG] note: other parties proscribed Topic: Virgin IslandsDemocratic Party [Stacey PLASKELL] Independent Citizens' Movement or ICM [Dale BLYDEN] Republican Party [John CANEGATA] Topic: Wallis and FutunaLeft 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 Topic: YemenGeneral People’s Congress or GPC (3 factions: pro-Hadi [Abdrabbi Mansur HADI], pro-Houthi [Sadeq Ameen Abu RAS], pro-Saleh [Ahmed SALEH] National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party [Qassem Salam SAID] Nasserist Unionist People's Organization [Abdulmalik al-MEKHLAFI] Southern Transitional Council or STC [Aidarus al-ZOUBAIDA] Yemeni Reform Grouping or Islah [Muhammed Abdallah al-YADUMI] Yemeni Socialist Party or YSP [Dr. Abd al-Rahman Umar al-SAQQAF] ( Topic: ZambiaAlliance for Democracy and Development or ADD [Charles MILUPI] Forum for Democracy and Development or FDD [Edith NAWAKWI] Movement for Multiparty Democracy or MMD [Felix MUTATI] National Democratic Congress or NDC [Chishimba KAMBWILI] Patriotic Front or PF [Edgar LUNGU] United Party for National Development or UPND [Hakainde HICHILEMA] Party of National Unity and Progress or PNUP [Highvie HAMUDUDU] Topic: ZimbabweMDC Alliance [Nelson CHAMISA]  Movement for Democratic Change - MDC-T [Douglas MWONZORA] National People's Party or NPP [Joyce MUJURU] (formerly Zimbabwe People First or ZimPF) Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front or ZANU-PF [Emmerson Dambudzo MNANGAGWA] Zimbabwe African Peoples Union or ZAPU [Sibangalizwe NKOMO]

20220901

countries-morocco

Topic: Photos of Morocco Topic: Introduction Background: In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half-century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Since Spain's 1976 withdrawal from Western Sahara, Morocco has extended its de facto administrative control to roughly 75% of this territory; however, the UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power for Western Sahara. The UN since 1991 has monitored a cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front - an organization advocating the territory’s independence - and restarted negotiations over the status of the territory in December 2018. On 10 December 2020, the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over all of Western Sahara. King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the North Africa region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In September 2015, Morocco held its first direct elections for regional councils, one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. The PJD again won the largest number of seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in October 2016, but it lost its plurality to the probusiness National Rally of Independents (RNI) in September 2021. In December 2020, Morocco signed a normalization agreement with Israel, similar to those that Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan had concluded with Israel earlier in 2020.In 788, about a century after the Arab conquest of North Africa, a series of Moroccan Muslim dynasties began to rule in Morocco. In the 16th century, the Sa'adi monarchy, particularly under Ahmad al-MANSUR (1578-1603), repelled foreign invaders and inaugurated a golden age. The Alaouite Dynasty, to which the current Moroccan royal family belongs, dates from the 17th century. In 1860, Spain occupied northern Morocco and ushered in a half-century of trade rivalry among European powers that saw Morocco's sovereignty steadily erode; in 1912, the French imposed a protectorate over the country. A protracted independence struggle with France ended successfully in 1956. The internationalized city of Tangier and most Spanish possessions were turned over to the new country that same year. Sultan MOHAMMED V, the current monarch's grandfather, organized the new state as a constitutional monarchy and in 1957 assumed the title of king. Since Spain's 1976 withdrawal from Western Sahara, Morocco has extended its de facto administrative control to roughly 75% of this territory; however, the UN does not recognize Morocco as the administering power for Western Sahara. The UN since 1991 has monitored a cease-fire between Morocco and the Polisario Front - an organization advocating the territory’s independence - and restarted negotiations over the status of the territory in December 2018. On 10 December 2020, the US recognized Morocco's sovereignty over all of Western Sahara.King MOHAMMED VI in early 2011 responded to the spread of pro-democracy protests in the North Africa region by implementing a reform program that included a new constitution, passed by popular referendum in July 2011, under which some new powers were extended to parliament and the prime minister, but ultimate authority remains in the hands of the monarch. In November 2011, the Justice and Development Party (PJD) - a moderate Islamist party - won the largest number of seats in parliamentary elections, becoming the first Islamist party to lead the Moroccan Government. In September 2015, Morocco held its first direct elections for regional councils, one of the reforms included in the 2011 constitution. The PJD again won the largest number of seats in nationwide parliamentary elections in October 2016, but it lost its plurality to the probusiness National Rally of Independents (RNI) in September 2021. In December 2020, Morocco signed a normalization agreement with Israel, similar to those that Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan had concluded with Israel earlier in 2020.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, between Algeria and Mauritania Geographic coordinates: 28 30 N, 10 00 W Map references: Africa Area: total: 716,550 sq km land: 716,300 sq km water: 250 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than twice the size of California Land boundaries: total: 3,523.5 km border countries (3): Algeria 1,941 km; Mauritania 1,564 km; Spain (Ceuta) 8 km and Spain (Melilla) 10.5 km note: an additional 75-meter border segment exists between Morocco and the Spanish exclave of Penon de Velez de la Gomera Coastline: 2,945 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation Climate: Mediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Terrain: mountainous northern coast (Rif Mountains) and interior (Atlas Mountains) bordered by large plateaus with intermontane valleys, and fertile coastal plains; the south is mostly low, flat desert with large areas of rocky or sandy surfaces  Elevation: highest point: Jebel Toubkal 4,165 m lowest point: Sebkha Tah -59 m mean elevation: 909 m Natural resources: phosphates, iron ore, manganese, lead, zinc, fish, salt Land use: agricultural land: 67.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 47.1% (2018 est.) forest: 11.5% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) note: does not include the area of the former Western Sahara, which is almost exclusively desert Irrigated land: 14,850 sq km (2012) Major rivers (by length in km): Draa - 1,100 km Population distribution: the highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map Natural hazards: in the north, the mountains are geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts; windstorms; flash floods; landslides; in the south, a hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility Geography - note: strategic location along Strait of Gibraltar; the only African nation to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines; the waters off the Atlantic coast are particularly rich fishing areas Map description: Morocco map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean. Note that in 2020 the US recognized Western Sahara as part of Morocco.Morocco map showing major population centers as well as parts of surrounding countries and the North Atlantic Ocean. Note that in 2020 the US recognized Western Sahara as part of Morocco. Topic: People and Society Population: 36,738,229 (2022 est.) note: includes Western Sahara Nationality: noun: Moroccan(s) adjective: Moroccan Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber 99%, other 1% note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Languages: Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy); note - the proportion of Berber speakers is disputed; does not include data from the former Western Sahara major-language sample(s): كتاب ديال لحقائق متاع العالم، احسن مصدر متاع المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Religions: Muslim 99% (official; virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1% (includes Christian, Jewish, and Baha'i); note - Jewish about 3,000-3,500 (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Demographic profile: Morocco is undergoing a demographic transition. Its population is growing but at a declining rate, as people live longer and women have fewer children. Infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been reduced through better health care, nutrition, hygiene, and vaccination coverage, although disparities between urban and rural and rich and poor households persist. Morocco’s shrinking child cohort reflects the decline of its total fertility rate from 5 in mid-1980s to 2.2 in 2010, which is a result of increased female educational attainment, higher contraceptive use, delayed marriage, and the desire for smaller families. Young adults (persons aged 15-29) make up almost 26% of the total population and represent a potential economic asset if they can be gainfully employed. Currently, however, many youths are unemployed because Morocco’s job creation rate has not kept pace with the growth of its working-age population. Most youths who have jobs work in the informal sector with little security or benefits.During the second half of the 20th century, Morocco became one of the world’s top emigration countries, creating large, widely dispersed migrant communities in Western Europe. The Moroccan Government has encouraged emigration since its independence in 1956, both to secure remittances for funding national development and as an outlet to prevent unrest in rebellious (often Berber) areas. Although Moroccan labor migrants earlier targeted Algeria and France, the flood of Moroccan "guest workers" from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s spread widely across northwestern Europe to fill unskilled jobs in the booming manufacturing, mining, construction, and agriculture industries. Host societies and most Moroccan migrants expected this migration to be temporary, but deteriorating economic conditions in Morocco related to the 1973 oil crisis and tighter European immigration policies resulted in these stays becoming permanent.A wave of family migration followed in the 1970s and 1980s, with a growing number of second generation Moroccans opting to become naturalized citizens of their host countries. Spain and Italy emerged as new destination countries in the mid-1980s, but their introduction of visa restrictions in the early 1990s pushed Moroccans increasingly to migrate either legally by marrying Moroccans already in Europe or illegally to work in the underground economy. Women began to make up a growing share of these labor migrants. At the same time, some higher-skilled Moroccans went to the US and Quebec, Canada.In the mid-1990s, Morocco developed into a transit country for asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa and illegal labor migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia trying to reach Europe via southern Spain, Spain’s Canary Islands, or Spain’s North African enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla. Forcible expulsions by Moroccan and Spanish security forces have not deterred these illegal migrants or calmed Europe’s security concerns. Rabat remains unlikely to adopt an EU agreement to take back third-country nationals who have entered the EU illegally via Morocco. Thousands of other illegal migrants have chosen to stay in Morocco until they earn enough money for further travel or permanently as a "second-best" option. The launching of a regularization program in 2014 legalized the status of some migrants and granted them equal access to education, health care, and work, but xenophobia and racism remain obstacles.Morocco is undergoing a demographic transition. Its population is growing but at a declining rate, as people live longer and women have fewer children. Infant, child, and maternal mortality rates have been reduced through better health care, nutrition, hygiene, and vaccination coverage, although disparities between urban and rural and rich and poor households persist. Morocco’s shrinking child cohort reflects the decline of its total fertility rate from 5 in mid-1980s to 2.2 in 2010, which is a result of increased female educational attainment, higher contraceptive use, delayed marriage, and the desire for smaller families. Young adults (persons aged 15-29) make up almost 26% of the total population and represent a potential economic asset if they can be gainfully employed. Currently, however, many youths are unemployed because Morocco’s job creation rate has not kept pace with the growth of its working-age population. Most youths who have jobs work in the informal sector with little security or benefits.During the second half of the 20th century, Morocco became one of the world’s top emigration countries, creating large, widely dispersed migrant communities in Western Europe. The Moroccan Government has encouraged emigration since its independence in 1956, both to secure remittances for funding national development and as an outlet to prevent unrest in rebellious (often Berber) areas. Although Moroccan labor migrants earlier targeted Algeria and France, the flood of Moroccan "guest workers" from the mid-1960s to the early 1970s spread widely across northwestern Europe to fill unskilled jobs in the booming manufacturing, mining, construction, and agriculture industries. Host societies and most Moroccan migrants expected this migration to be temporary, but deteriorating economic conditions in Morocco related to the 1973 oil crisis and tighter European immigration policies resulted in these stays becoming permanent.A wave of family migration followed in the 1970s and 1980s, with a growing number of second generation Moroccans opting to become naturalized citizens of their host countries. Spain and Italy emerged as new destination countries in the mid-1980s, but their introduction of visa restrictions in the early 1990s pushed Moroccans increasingly to migrate either legally by marrying Moroccans already in Europe or illegally to work in the underground economy. Women began to make up a growing share of these labor migrants. At the same time, some higher-skilled Moroccans went to the US and Quebec, Canada.In the mid-1990s, Morocco developed into a transit country for asylum seekers from Sub-Saharan Africa and illegal labor migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia trying to reach Europe via southern Spain, Spain’s Canary Islands, or Spain’s North African enclaves, Ceuta and Melilla. Forcible expulsions by Moroccan and Spanish security forces have not deterred these illegal migrants or calmed Europe’s security concerns. Rabat remains unlikely to adopt an EU agreement to take back third-country nationals who have entered the EU illegally via Morocco. Thousands of other illegal migrants have chosen to stay in Morocco until they earn enough money for further travel or permanently as a "second-best" option. The launching of a regularization program in 2014 legalized the status of some migrants and granted them equal access to education, health care, and work, but xenophobia and racism remain obstacles. Age structure: 0-14 years: 27.04% (male 4,905,626/female 4,709,333) 15-24 years: 16.55% (male 2,953,523/female 2,930,708) 25-54 years: 40.64% (male 7,126,781/female 7,325,709) 55-64 years: 8.67% (male 1,533,771/female 1,548,315) 65 years and over: 7.11% (2020 est.) (male 1,225,307/female 1,302,581) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 52.4 youth dependency ratio: 40.8 elderly dependency ratio: 11.6 potential support ratio: 8.6 (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Median age: total: 29.1 years male: 28.7 years female: 29.6 years (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Population growth rate: 0.91% (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Birth rate: 17.42 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Death rate: 6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Net migration rate: -1.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Population distribution: the highest population density is found along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts; a number of densely populated agglomerations are found scattered through the Atlas Mountains as shown in this population distribution map Urbanization: urban population: 64.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Major urban areas - population: 3.840 million Casablanca, 1.932 million RABAT (capital), 1.267 million Fes, 1.238 million Tangier, 1.277 million Marrakech, 960,000 Agadir (2022) 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: 0.98 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Maternal mortality ratio: 70 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Infant mortality rate: total: 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births male: 21.47 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Life expectancy at birth: total population: 73.68 years male: 71.98 years female: 75.46 years (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Total fertility rate: 2.29 children born/woman (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Contraceptive prevalence rate: 70.8% (2018) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Drinking water source: improved: urban: 98.3% of population rural: 79.1% of population total: 91% of population unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population rural: 20.9% of population total: 9% of population (2017 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Current Health Expenditure: 5.3% (2019) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Physicians density: 0.73 physicians/1,000 population (2017) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Hospital bed density: 1 beds/1,000 population (2017) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 98.2% of population rural: 72.4% of population total: 88.8% of population unimproved: urban: 1.8% of population rural: 27.6% of population total: 11.2% of population (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: (2020 est.) <.1% note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 22,000 (2020 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500 note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 26.1% (2016) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Tobacco use: total: 14.5% (2020 est.) male: 28.2% (2020 est.) female: 0.8% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 2.6% (2017/18) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.5% women married by age 18: 13.7% (2018 est.) Education expenditures: NA note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 73.8% male: 83.3% female: 64.6% (2018) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 14 years male: 14 years female: 14 years (2020) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 22.2% male: 22% female: 22.8% (2016 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: in the north, land degradation/desertification (soil erosion resulting from farming of marginal areas, overgrazing, destruction of vegetation); water and soil pollution due to dumping of industrial wastes into the ocean and inland water sources, and onto the land; in the south, desertification; overgrazing; sparse water and lack of arable land note:  data does not include former Western Sahara 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 Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 30.99 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 61.28 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 17.16 megatons (2020 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Climate: Mediterranean in the north, becoming more extreme in the interior; in the south, hot, dry desert; rain is rare; cold offshore air currents produce fog and heavy dew note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Land use: agricultural land: 67.5% (2018 est.) arable land: 17.5% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 47.1% (2018 est.) forest: 11.5% (2018 est.) other: 21% (2018 est.) note: does not include the area of the former Western Sahara, which is almost exclusively desert Urbanization: urban population: 64.6% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 1.88% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 6.852 million tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 548,160 tons (2014 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 8% (2014 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Major rivers (by length in km): Draa - 1,100 km Total water withdrawal: municipal: 1.063 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 212 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 9.156 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Total renewable water resources: 29 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) note:  data does not include former Western Sahara Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Kingdom of Morocco conventional short form: Morocco local long form: Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah local short form: Al Maghrib former: French Protectorate in Morocco, Spanish Protectorate in Morocco, Ifni, Spanish Sahara, Western Sahara etymology: the English name "Morocco" derives from, respectively, the Spanish and Portuguese names "Marruecos" and "Marrocos," which stem from "Marrakesh" the Latin name for the former capital of ancient Morocco; the Arabic name "Al Maghrib" translates as "The West" Government type: parliamentary constitutional monarchy Capital: name: Rabat geographic coordinates: 34 01 N, 6 49 W time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Arabic title "Ribat el-Fath," meaning "stronghold of victory," applied to the newly constructed citadel in 1170 Administrative divisions: 12 regions; Beni Mellal-Khenifra, Casablanca-Settat, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Draa-Tafilalet, Fes-Meknes, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, Marrakech-Safi, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Kenitra, Souss-Massa, Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima note: effective 10 December 2020, the US Government recognizes the sovereignty of Morocco over all of the territory of former Western Sahara Independence: 2 March 1956 (from France) National holiday: Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) Constitution: history: several previous; latest drafted 17 June 2011, approved by referendum 1 July 2011; note - sources disagree on whether the 2011 referendum was for a new constitution or for reforms to the previous constitution amendments: proposed by the king, by the prime minister, or by members in either chamber of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by both chambers and approval in a referendum; the king can opt to submit self-initiated proposals directly to a referendum Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law based on French civil law and Islamic (sharia) law; judicial review of legislative acts by Constitutional 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 Morocco; if the father is unknown or stateless, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: King MOHAMMED VI (since 30 July 1999) head of government: Prime Minister Aziz AKHANNOUCH (since 7 October 2021) cabinet: Council of Ministers chosen by the prime minister in consultation with Parliament and appointed by the monarch; the monarch chooses the ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Islamic Affairs, and National Defense Administration elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch from the majority party following legislative elections Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of: House of Councillors or Majlis al-Mustacharine (120 seats; members indirectly elected by an electoral college of local councils, professional organizations, and labor unions; members serve 6-year terms) House of Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwab (395 seats; 305 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 90 directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - 60 seats reserved for women and 30 seats for those under age 40 in regional multi-seat constituencies, with the seats divided proportionally among the 12 regions by population size of the region elections: House of Councillors - last held on 5 October 2021 (next to be held by 31 October 2027) House of Representatives - last held on 8 September 2021 (next to be held by 30 September 2026) election results: House of Councillors - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RNI 27, PAM 19, PI 17, MP 12, USFP 8, UGIM 6, CDT 3, PJD 3, UC 2, UMT 2, Amal 1, FDT 1, MDS 1, PRD 1, independent 1; composition as of October 2021) men 105, women 15, percent of women 12.5% House of Representatives - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - RNI 102, PAM 87, PI 81, USFP 34, MP 28, PPS 22, UC 18, PJD 13, MDS 5, other 5; composition as of July 2022 - men 305, women 90, percent of women 24.1%; note - overall percent of women in Parliament 21.4% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Court of Cassation (consists of 5-judge panels organized into civil, family matters, commercial, administrative, social, and criminal sections); Constitutional Court (consists of 12 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the Superior Council of Judicial Power, a 20-member body presided over by the monarch, which includes the Supreme Court president, the prosecutor general, representatives of the appeals and first instance courts  (among them 1 woman magistrate), the president of the National Council for Human Rights (CNDH), and 5 "notable persons" appointed by the monarch; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court members - 6 designated by the monarch and 6 elected by Parliament; court president appointed by the monarch from among the court members; members serve 9-year nonrenewable terms subordinate courts: courts of appeal; High Court of Justice; administrative and commercial courts; regional and Sadad courts (for religious, civil and administrative, and penal adjudication); first instance courts Political parties and leaders: Action Party or PA [Mohammed EL IDRISSI] Amal (hope) Party [Mohamed BANI] An-Nahj Ad-Dimocrati or An-Nahj or Democratic Way [Mustapha BRAHMA] Authenticity and Modernity Party or PAM [Abdellatif OUAHBI] Constitutional Union Party or UC [Mohamed SAJID] Democratic and Social Movement or MDS [Mahmoud ARCHANE] Democratic Forces Front or FFD [Mustapha BENALI] Democratic Society Party or PSD [Zhour CHAKKAFI] Green Left Party or PGV [Mohamed FARES] Istiqlal (Independence) Party or PI [Nizar BARAKA] National Ittihadi Congress or CNI [Abdesalam EL AZIZ] Moroccan Liberal Party or PML [Isaac CHARIA] Moroccan Union for Democracy or UMD [Jamal MANDRI] National Democratic Party [Abdellah KADIRI] National Rally of Independents or RNI [Aziz AKHANNOUCH] Neo-Democrats Party [Mohamed DARIF] Party of Development Reform or PRD [Abderrahmane EL KOHEN] Party of Justice and Development or PJD [Abdelilah BENKIRANE] Party of Liberty and Social Justice [Miloud MOUSSAOUI] Popular Movement or MP [Mohand LAENSER] Party of Progress and Socialism or PPS [Nabil BENABDELLAH] Renaissance and Virtue Party [Mohamed KHALIDI] Renaissance Party [Said EL GHENNIOUI] Renewal and Equity Party or PRE [Chakir ACHEHABAR] Shoura (consultation) and Istiqlal Party [Ahmed BELGHAZI] Socialist Union of Popular Forces or USFP [Driss LACHGAR] Unified Socialist Party or GSU [Nabila MOUNIB] Unity and Democracy Party [Ahmed FITRI] International organization participation: ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, CAEU, CD, EBRD, FAO, G-11, 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, ITUC (NGOs), LAS, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNSC (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Lalla Joumala ALAOUI (since 24 April 2017) chancery: 3508 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-7979 FAX: [1] (202) 462-7643 email address and website: Washingtonembbmorocco@maec.gov.ma https://www.embassyofmorocco.us/ consulate(s) general: New York Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Lawrence M. RANDOLPH (since 4 January 2021) embassy: Km 5.7 Avenue Mohammed VI, Souissi, Rabat 10170 mailing address: 9400 Rabat Place, Washington DC  20521-9400 telephone: [212] 0537-637-200 FAX: [212] 0537-637-201 email address and website: ACSCasablanca@state.gov (US Consulate General Casablanca) https://ma.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Casablanca Flag description: red with a green pentacle (five-pointed, linear star) known as Sulayman's (Solomon's) seal in the center of the flag; red and green are traditional colors in Arab flags, although the use of red is more commonly associated with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf; the pentacle represents the five pillars of Islam and signifies the association between God and the nation; design dates to 1912 National symbol(s): pentacle symbol, lion; national colors: red, green National anthem: name: "Hymne Cherifien" (Hymn of the Sharif) lyrics/music: Ali Squalli HOUSSAINI/Leo MORGAN note: music adopted 1956, lyrics adopted 1970 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 9 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Medina of Fez; Medina of Marrakesh; Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou; Historic City of Meknes; Archaeological Site of Volubilis; Medina of Tétouan (formerly known as Titawin); Medina of Essaouira (formerly Mogador); Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida); Historic and Modern Rabat Topic: Economy Economic overview: Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to work towards building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center and broker for business throughout Africa. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness.   In the 1980s, Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although poor harvests and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the US in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the EU in 2008. In late 2014, Morocco eliminated subsidies for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil, dramatically reducing outlays that weighed on the country’s budget and current account. Subsidies on butane gas and certain food products remain in place. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable more than 50% of installed electricity generation capacity by 2030.   Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. Key economic challenges for Morocco include reforming the education system and the judiciary.Morocco has capitalized on its proximity to Europe and relatively low labor costs to work towards building a diverse, open, market-oriented economy. Key sectors of the economy include agriculture, tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents. Morocco has increased investment in its port, transportation, and industrial infrastructure to position itself as a center and broker for business throughout Africa. Industrial development strategies and infrastructure improvements - most visibly illustrated by a new port and free trade zone near Tangier - are improving Morocco's competitiveness. In the 1980s, Morocco was a heavily indebted country before pursuing austerity measures and pro-market reforms, overseen by the IMF. Since taking the throne in 1999, King MOHAMMED VI has presided over a stable economy marked by steady growth, low inflation, and gradually falling unemployment, although poor harvests and economic difficulties in Europe contributed to an economic slowdown. To boost exports, Morocco entered into a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the US in 2006 and an Advanced Status agreement with the EU in 2008. In late 2014, Morocco eliminated subsidies for gasoline, diesel, and fuel oil, dramatically reducing outlays that weighed on the country’s budget and current account. Subsidies on butane gas and certain food products remain in place. Morocco also seeks to expand its renewable energy capacity with a goal of making renewable more than 50% of installed electricity generation capacity by 2030. Despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, particularly in rural areas. Key economic challenges for Morocco include reforming the education system and the judiciary. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $259.42 billion (2020 est.) $279.3 billion (2019 est.) $272.53 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 2.5% (2019 est.) 2.96% (2018 est.) 3.98% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $6,900 (2020 est.) $7,500 (2019 est.) $7,400 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $118.858 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.2% (2019 est.) 2% (2018 est.) 0.7% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BB+ (2020) Moody's rating: Ba1 (1999) Standard & Poors rating: BBB- (2010) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 14% (2017 est.) industry: 29.5% (2017 est.) services: 56.5% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 58% (2017 est.) government consumption: 18.9% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.4% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 4.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 37.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -46.6% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, sugar beet, milk, potatoes, olives, tangerines/mandarins, tomatoes, oranges, barley, onions Industries: automotive parts, phosphate mining and processing, aerospace, food processing, leather goods, textiles, construction, energy, tourism Industrial production growth rate: 2.8% (2017 est.) Labor force: 10.399 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 39.1% industry: 20.3% services: 40.5% (2014 est.) Unemployment rate: 9.23% (2019 est.) 9.65% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 22.2% male: 22% female: 22.8% (2016 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Population below poverty line: 4.8% (2013 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 39.5 (2013 est.) 39.5 (1999 est.) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 33.2% (2007) Budget: revenues: 22.81 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 26.75 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 65.1% of GDP (2017 est.) 64.9% of GDP (2016 est.) Taxes and other revenues: 20.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: -$5.075 billion (2019 est.) -$6.758 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $37.52 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $44.05 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $43.25 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Spain 23%, France 19% (2019) Exports - commodities: cars, insulated wiring, fertilizers, phosphoric acid, clothing and apparel (2019) Imports: $46.26 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $54.1 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $55.38 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Spain 19%, France 11%, China 9%, United States 7%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5%, Italy 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, natural gas, coal, low-voltage protection equipment (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $26.27 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $25.37 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $52.957 billion (2019 est.) $51.851 billion (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Moroccan dirhams (MAD) per US dollar - 9.0065 (2020 est.) 9.657 (2019 est.) 9.48825 (2018 est.) 9.7351 (2014 est.) 8.3798 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 14.187 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 29,447,883,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 624 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 856 million kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 6.703 billion kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 81.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 13% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 4.4% 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: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 66,230 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 9,504 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 229,300 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 105.678 million cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 1,051,658,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 950.765 million cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 1.444 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 60.2 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 20.267 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 37.834 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 2.099 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 24.59 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 2,357,286 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 49,421,023 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 134 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: despite Morocco's economic progress, the country suffers from high unemployment and illiteracy affecting telecom market, particularly in rural areas; national network nearly 100% digital using fiber-optic links; improved rural service employs microwave radio relay; one of the most state-of-the-art markets in Africa; high mobile penetration rates in the region with low cost for broadband Internet access; improvement in LTE reach and capabilities; service providers have all successfully completed 5G proofs of concept and are currently lining up 5G equipment providers for both radio and core technology; regulatory agency expects to conduct the 5G spectrum auction in 2023; mobile Internet accounts for 93% of all Internet connections; World Bank provided funds for Morocco’s digital transformation; government supported digital education during pandemic; submarine cables and satellite provide connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Australia; importer of broadcasting equipment, surveillance equipment, scanning equipment, and video displays from China (2022) domestic: fixed-line teledensity is just over 6 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular subscribership is nearly 134 per 100 persons; good system composed of open-wire lines, cables, and microwave radio relay links; principal switching centers are Casablanca and Rabat (2020) international: country code - 212; landing point for the Atlas Offshore, Estepona-Tetouan, Canalink and SEA-ME-WE-3 fiber-optic telecommunications undersea cables that provide connectivity to Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Australia; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Arabsat; microwave radio relay to Gibraltar, Spain, and Western Sahara (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: 2 TV broadcast networks with state-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) operating one network and the state partially owning the other; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite dish; 3 radio broadcast networks with RTM operating one; the government-owned network includes 10 regional radio channels in addition to its national service (2019) Internet country code: .ma Internet users: total: 31,004,869 (2020 est.) percent of population: 84% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 2,102,434 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Communications - note: the University of al-Quarawiyyin Library in Fez is recognized as the oldest existing, continually operating library in the world, dating back to A.D. 859; among its holdings are approximately 4,000 ancient Islamic manuscripts Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 76 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 8,132,917 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 97.71 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CN Airports: total: 62 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 36 over 3,047 m: 13 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 26 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 6 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 944 km gas, 270 km oil, 175 km refined products (2013) Railways: total: 2,067 km (2014) standard gauge: 2,067 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (1,022 km electrified) Roadways: total: 57,300 km (2018) Merchant marine: total: 93 by type: container ship 6, general cargo 5, oil tanker 2, other 80 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Ad Dakhla, Agadir, Casablanca, Jorf Lasfar, Laayoune (El Aaiun), Mohammedia, Safi, Tangier container port(s) (TEUs): Tangier (4,801,713) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Jorf Lasfar (planned) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Royal 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: the National Police manages internal law enforcement in cities; the Royal Gendarmerie is responsible for law enforcement in rural regions and on national highways   Military expenditures: 4.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 4.5% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.4% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $7.46 billion) 3.3% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $7.12 billion) 3.4% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $7.08 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 200,000 active personnel (175,000 Army; 10,000 Navy; 15,000 Air Force); estimated 20,000 Gendarmerie; estimated 5,000 Mobile Intervention Corps (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Moroccan military's inventory is comprised of mostly older French and US equipment; since 2010, it has received equipment from about a dozen countries with France and the US as the leading suppliers (2021) Military service age and obligation: 19-25 years of age for 12-month compulsory military service (reintroduced in 2019); both sexes (age 20-27 for women) are obligated to national service (2021) Military deployments: 775 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 925 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) (May 2022) Military - note: Moroccan military forces were engaged in combat operations against the Polisario Front (aka Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro or Frente Polisario) from 1975 until a UN-brokered cease-fire in 1991; a 2,500-kilometer long sand berm, built in 1987, separates the forces of Morocco and the Polisario Front the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by Security Council resolution 690 in April 1991 in accordance with settlement proposals accepted in August 1988 by Morocco and the Polisario Front; MINURSO was unable to carry out all the original settlement proposals, but as of 2022 continued to monitor the cease-fire and reduce the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance, and has provided logistic support to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-led confidence building measures with personnel and air and ground assets Morocco 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 commitmentsMoroccan military forces were engaged in combat operations against the Polisario Front (aka Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguia el-Hamra y de Río de Oro or Frente Polisario) from 1975 until a UN-brokered cease-fire in 1991; a 2,500-kilometer long sand berm, built in 1987, separates the forces of Morocco and the Polisario Front the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) was established by Security Council resolution 690 in April 1991 in accordance with settlement proposals accepted in August 1988 by Morocco and the Polisario Front; MINURSO was unable to carry out all the original settlement proposals, but as of 2022 continued to monitor the cease-fire and reduce the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance, and has provided logistic support to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)-led confidence building measures with personnel and air and ground assets Morocco 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 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: Morocco-Algeria: Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smuggling Morocco-Mauritania: tensions arose in 2016 when Mauritanian soldiers were deployed to Lagouira, a city in the southernmost part of Morocco, and raised their flag Morocco-Spain: Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island); discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North AfricaMorocco-Algeria: Algeria's border with Morocco remains an irritant to bilateral relations, each nation accusing the other of harboring militants and arms smugglingMorocco-Mauritania: tensions arose in 2016 when Mauritanian soldiers were deployed to Lagouira, a city in the southernmost part of Morocco, and raised their flagMorocco-Spain: Morocco protests Spain's control over the coastal enclaves of Ceuta, Melilla, and Penon de Velez de la Gomera, the islands of Penon de Alhucemas and Islas Chafarinas, and surrounding waters; both countries claim Isla Perejil (Leila Island); discussions have not progressed on a comprehensive maritime delimitation, setting limits on resource exploration and refugee interdiction, since Morocco's 2002 rejection of Spain's unilateral designation of a median line from the Canary Islands; Morocco serves as one of the primary launching areas of illegal migration into Spain from North Africa Illicit drugs: one of the world’s largest cannabis-producing country with Europe as the main  market; hashish is also smuggled to South America and the Caribbean where it is exchanged for cocaine which is distributed in Europe; MDMA (ecstasy), originating in Belgium and the Netherlands is smuggled into northern Morocco for sale on the domestic marketone of the world’s largest cannabis-producing country with Europe as the main  market; hashish is also smuggled to South America and the Caribbean where it is exchanged for cocaine which is distributed in Europe; MDMA (ecstasy), originating in Belgium and the Netherlands is smuggled into northern Morocco for sale on the domestic market

20220901

field-languages

This entry provides a listing of languages spoken in each country and specifies any that are official national or regional languages. When data is available, the languages spoken in each country are broken down according to the percent of the total population speaking each language as a first language, unless otherwise noted. For those countries without available data, languages are listed in rank order based on prevalence, starting with the most-spoken language. Topic: AfghanistanAfghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%, Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbeki 11%, English 6%, Turkmani 3%, Urdu 3%, Pachaie 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi 1%, other <1% (2020 est.) major-language sample(s): کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note 1: percentages sum to more than 100% because many people are multilingual note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pachaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks themکتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) Topic: AkrotiriEnglish, Greek major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: AlbaniaAlbanian 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. Topic: AlgeriaArabic (official), French (lingua franca), Berber or Tamazight (official); dialects include Kabyle Berber (Taqbaylit), Shawiya Berber (Tacawit), Mzab Berber, Tuareg Berber (Tamahaq) 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. Topic: American SamoaSamoan 88.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.9%, Tongan 2.7%, other Pacific islander 3%, other 1.8% (2010 est.) note: most people are bilingual Topic: AndorraCatalan (official), French, Castilian, Portuguese Topic: AngolaPortuguese 71.2% (official), Umbundu 23%, Kikongo 8.2%, Kimbundu 7.8%, Chokwe 6.5%, Nhaneca 3.4%, Nganguela 3.1%, Fiote 2.4%, Kwanhama 2.3%, Muhumbi 2.1%, Luvale 1%, other 3.6%; note - data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2014 est.) Topic: AnguillaEnglish (official) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaEnglish (official), Antiguan creole Topic: ArgentinaSpanish (official), Italian, English, German, French, indigenous (Mapudungun, Quechua) 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. Topic: ArmeniaArmenian (official) 97.9%, Kurdish (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1%; note - Russian is widely spoken (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Աշխարհի Փաստագիրք, Անփոխարինելի Աղբյւր Հիմնական Տեղեկատվւթյան. (Armenian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: ArubaPapiamento (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.) Topic: AustraliaEnglish 72.7%, Mandarin 2.5%, Arabic 1.4%, Cantonese 1.2%, Vietnamese 1.2%, Italian 1.2%, Greek 1%, other 14.8%, unspecified 6.5% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home Topic: AustriaGerman (official nationwide) 88.6%, Turkish 2.3%, Serbian 2.2%, Croatian (official in Burgenland) 1.6%, other (includes Slovene, official in southern Carinthia, and Hungarian, official in Burgenland) 5.3% (2001 est.) major-language sample(s): Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: AzerbaijanAzerbaijani (Azeri) (official) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7% (2009 est.) major-language sample(s): Dünya fakt kitabı, əsas məlumatlar üçün əvəz olunmaz mənbədir (Azerbaijani) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Russian is widely spoken Topic: Bahamas, TheEnglish (official), Creole (among Haitian immigrants) Topic: BahrainArabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu 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. Topic: BangladeshBangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): বিশ্ব ফ্যাক্টবুক, মৌলিক তথ্যের অপরিহার্য উৎস (Bangla) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. বিশ্ব ফ্যাক্টবুক, মৌলিক তথ্যের অপরিহার্য উৎস (Bangla) Topic: BarbadosEnglish (official), Bajan (English-based creole language, widely spoken in informal settings) Topic: BelarusRussian (official) 70.2%, Belarusian (official) 23.4%, other 3.1% (includes small Polish- and Ukrainian-speaking minorities), unspecified 3.3% (2009 est.) major-language sample(s): Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник базовой информации. (Russian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: BelgiumDutch (official) 60%, French (official) 40%, German (official) less than 1% major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een omnisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: BelizeEnglish 62.9% (official), Spanish 56.6%, Creole 44.6%, Maya 10.5%, German 3.2%, Garifuna 2.9%, other 1.8%, unknown 0.5%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) La Libreta Informativa del Mundo, la fuente indispensable de información básica. (Spanish) Topic: Benin55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba (once counted as a Gur language) and Fulfulde Topic: BermudaEnglish (official), Portuguese Topic: BhutanSharchopkha 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est.) Topic: BoliviaSpanish (official) 60.7%, Quechua (official) 21.2%, Aymara (official) 14.6%, Guarani (official) 0.6%, other native languages 0.4%, foreign languages 2.4%, none 0.1%; note - Bolivia's 2009 constitution designates Spanish and all indigenous languages as official; 36 indigenous languages are specified, including a few that are extinct (2001 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. Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosnian (official) 52.9%, Serbian (official) 30.8%, Croatian (official) 14.6%, other 1.6%, no answer 0.2% (2013 est.) major-language sample(s): Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Bosnian/Montenegrin) Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian) Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: BotswanaSetswana 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.) Topic: BrazilPortuguese (official and most widely spoken language); note - less common languages include Spanish (border areas and schools), German, Italian, Japanese, English, and a large number of minor Amerindian languages major-language sample(s): O Livro de Fatos Mundiais, a fonte indispensável para informação básica. (Brazilian Portuguese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: British Virgin IslandsEnglish (official) Topic: BruneiMalay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: BulgariaBulgarian (official) 76.8%, Turkish 8.2%, Romani 3.8%, other 0.7%, unspecified 10.5% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Светoвен Алманах, незаменимият източник за основна информация. (Bulgarian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Burkina FasoFrench (official), native African languages belonging to Sudanic family spoken by 90% of the population Topic: BurmaBurmese (official) major-language sample(s): ကမ္ဘာ့အချက်အလက်စာအုပ်- အခြေခံအချက်အလက်တွေအတွက် မရှိမဖြစ်တဲ့ အရင်းအမြစ် (Burmese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: minority ethnic groups use their own languages Topic: BurundiKirundi only 29.7% (official); French only .3% (official); Swahili only .2%; English only .1% (official); Kirundi and French 8.4%; Kirundi, French, and English 2.4%, other language combinations 2%, unspecified 56.9% (2008 est.) major-language sample(s): Igitabo Mpuzamakungu c'ibimenyetso bifatika, isoko ntabanduka ku nkuru z'urufatiro. (Kirundi) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent languages read and written by people 10 years of age or older; spoken Kirundi is nearly universal Topic: Cabo VerdePortuguese (official), Krioulo (a Portuguese-based Creole language with two main dialects spoken in Cabo Verde and in the Cabo Verdean diaspora worldwide) Topic: CambodiaKhmer (official) 95.8%, minority languages 2.9%, Chinese 0.6%, Vietnamese 0.5%, other 0.2% (2019 est.) major-language sample(s): សៀវភៅហេតុការណនៅលើពិភពលោក។ ទីតាំងពត៏មានមូលដានគ្រឹះយាងសំខាន់។. (Khmer) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Cameroon24 major African language groups, English (official), French (official) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) Topic: CanadaEnglish (official) 58.7%, French (official) 22%, Punjabi 1.4%, Italian 1.3%, Spanish 1.3%, German 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, Tagalog 1.2%, Arabic 1.1%, other 10.5% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) Topic: Cayman IslandsEnglish (official) 90.9%, Spanish 4%, Filipino 3.3%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Central African RepublicFrench (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages Topic: ChadFrench (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: ChileSpanish 99.5% (official), English 10.2%, Indigenous 1% (includes Mapudungun, Aymara, Quechua, Rapa Nui), other 2.3%, unspecified 0.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census (2012 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. Topic: ChinaStandard Chinese or Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages (see Ethnic groups entry); note - Zhuang is official in Guangxi Zhuang, Yue is official in Guangdong, Mongolian is official in Nei Mongol, Uighur is official in Xinjiang Uygur, Kyrgyz is official in Xinjiang Uygur, and Tibetan is official in Xizang (Tibet) major-language sample(s): 世界概況  –  不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Standard Chinese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Christmas IslandEnglish (official) 27.6%, Mandarin 17.2%, Malay 17.1%, Cantonese 3.9%, Min Nan 1.6%, Tagalog 1%, other 4.5%, unspecified 27.1% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsMalay (Cocos dialect) 68.8%, English 22.3%, unspecified 8.9%; note - data represent language spoken at home (2016 est.) major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: ColombiaSpanish (official) and 65 Amerindian languages 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. Topic: ComorosArabic (official), French (official), Shikomoro (official; similar to Swahili) (Comorian) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theFrench (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, Tshiluba 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. Topic: Congo, Republic of theFrench (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. Topic: Cook IslandsEnglish (official) 86.4%, Cook Islands Maori (Rarotongan) (official) 76.2%, other 8.3% (2011 est.) note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census Topic: Costa RicaSpanish (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. Topic: Cote d'IvoireFrench (official), 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: CroatiaCroatian (official) 95.6%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3% (including Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and Albanian), unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, nužan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Croatian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: CubaSpanish (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. Topic: CuracaoPapiamento (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) 80%, Dutch (official) 8.8%, Spanish 5.6%, English (official) 3.1%, other 2.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) note: data represent most spoken language in household Topic: CyprusGreek (official) 80.9%, Turkish (official) 0.2%, English 4.1%, Romanian 2.9%, Russian 2.5%, Bulgarian 2.2%, Arabic 1.2%, Filipino 1.1%, other 4.3%, unspecified 0.6%; note - data represent only the Republic of Cyprus (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: CzechiaCzech (official) 88.4%, Slovak 1.5%, other 2.6%, unspecified 7.2% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): World Fackbook, nepostradatelný zdroj základních informací. (Czech) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: includes only persons with one mother tongue Topic: DenmarkDanish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an Inuit dialect), German (small minority); note - English is the predominant second language major-language sample(s): Verdens Faktabog, den uundværlig kilde til grundlæggende oplysninger. (Danish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: DhekeliaEnglish, Greek major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: DjiboutiFrench (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar Topic: DominicaEnglish (official), French patois Topic: Dominican RepublicSpanish (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. Topic: EcuadorSpanish (Castilian) 93% (official), Quechua 4.1%, other indigenous 0.7%, foreign 2.2%; note - (Quechua and Shuar are official languages of intercultural relations; other indigenous languages are in official use by indigenous peoples in the areas they inhabit) (2010 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. Topic: EgyptArabic (official), English, and French widely understood by educated classes major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أفضل مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: El SalvadorSpanish (official), Nawat (among some Amerindians) 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. Topic: Equatorial GuineaSpanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes Fang, Bubi, Portuguese (official), French (official), Portuguese-based Creoles spoken in Ano Bom) 32.4% (1994 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. Topic: EritreaTigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages Topic: EstoniaEstonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Topic: EswatiniEnglish (official, used for government business), siSwati (official) Topic: EthiopiaOromo (official working language in the State of Oromiya) 33.8%, Amharic (official national language) 29.3%, Somali (official working language of the State of Sumale) 6.2%, Tigrigna (Tigrinya) (official working language of the State of Tigray) 5.9%, Sidamo 4%, Wolaytta 2.2%, Gurage 2%, Afar (official working language of the State of Afar) 1.7%, Hadiyya 1.7%, Gamo 1.5%, Gedeo 1.3%, Opuuo 1.2%, Kafa 1.1%, other 8.1%, English (major foreign language taught in schools), Arabic (2007 est.) major-language sample(s): Kitaaba Addunyaa Waan Qabataamaatiif - Kan Madda Odeeffannoo bu’uraawaatiif baay’ee barbaachisaa ta’e. (Oromo) የአለም እውነታ መጽሐፍ፣ ለመሠረታዊ መረጃ እጅግ አስፈላጊ የሆነ ምንጭ። (Amharic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: European UnionBulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish note: only the 24 official languages are listed; German, the major language of Germany and Austria, is the most widely spoken mother tongue - about 16% of the EU population; English is the most widely spoken foreign language - about 29% of the EU population is conversant with it; English is an official language in Ireland and Malta and thus remained an official EU language after the UK left the bloc (2020) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)English 89%, Spanish 7.7%, other 3.3% (2006 est.) Topic: Faroe IslandsFaroese 93.8% (derived from Old Norse), Danish 3.2%, other 3% (2011 est.) note:  data represent population by primary language Topic: FijiEnglish (official), iTaukei (official), Fiji Hindi (official) Topic: FinlandFinnish (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. Topic: FranceFrench (official) 100%, declining regional dialects and languages (Provencal, Breton, Alsatian, Corsican, Catalan, Basque, Flemish, Occitan, Picard); note - overseas departments: French, Creole patois, Mahorian (a Swahili dialect) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: French PolynesiaFrench (official) 73.5%, Tahitian 20.1%, Marquesan 2.6%, Austral languages 1.2%, Paumotu 1%, other 1.6% (2017 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: GabonFrench (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi Topic: Gambia, TheEnglish (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars Topic: Gaza StripArabic, 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. Topic: GeorgiaGeorgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1%; note - Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.) major-language sample(s): მსოფლიო ფაქტების წიგნი, ძირითადი ინფორმაციის აუცილებელი წყარო. (Georgian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: GermanyGerman (official); note - Danish, Frisian, Sorbian, and Romani are official minority languages; Low German, Danish, North Frisian, Sater Frisian, Lower Sorbian, Upper Sorbian, and Romani are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages major-language sample(s): Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: GhanaAsante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron (Brong) 4.9%, Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.9%, Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1%, other 31.2% (2010 est.) note: English is the official language Topic: GibraltarEnglish (used in schools and for official purposes), Spanish, Italian, Portuguese Topic: GreeceGreek (official) 99%, other (includes English and French) 1% major-language sample(s): Το Παγκόσμιο Βιβλίο Δεδομένων, η απαραίτητη πηγή βασικών πληροφοριών. (Greek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: GreenlandGreenlandic (West Greenlandic or Kalaallisut is the official language), Danish, English Topic: GrenadaEnglish (official), French patois Topic: GuamEnglish 43.6%, Filipino 21.2%, Chamorro 17.8%, other Pacific island languages 10%, Asian languages 6.3%, other 1.1% (2010 est.) Topic: GuatemalaSpanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q'eqchi' 8.3%, K'iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q'anjob'al 1.2%, Poqomchi' 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna); note - the 2003 Law of National Languages officially recognized 23 indigenous languages, including 21 Maya languages, Xinca, and Garifuna (2018 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. Topic: GuernseyEnglish, French, Norman-French dialect spoken in country districts Topic: GuineaFrench (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages note: about 40 languages are spoken; each ethnic group has its own language Topic: Guinea-BissauPortuguese-based Creole, Portuguese (official; largely used as a second or third language), Pular (a Fula language), Mandingo Topic: GuyanaEnglish (official), Guyanese Creole, Amerindian languages (including Caribbean and Arawak languages), Indian languages (including Caribbean Hindustani, a dialect of Hindi), Chinese (2014 est.) Topic: HaitiFrench (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. Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Italian, Latin, French, various other languages major-language sample(s): L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: HondurasSpanish (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. Topic: Hong KongCantonese (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) Topic: HungaryHungarian (official) 99.6%, English 16%, German 11.2%, Russian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, French 1.2%, other 4.2%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Hungarian is the mother tongue of 98.9% of Hungarian speakers (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): A World Factbook nélkülözhetetlen forrása az alapvető információnak.  (Hungarian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: IcelandIcelandic, English, Nordic languages, German Topic: IndiaHindi 43.6%, Bengali 8%, Marathi 6.9%, Telugu 6.7%, Tamil 5.7%, Gujarati 4.6%, Urdu 4.2%, Kannada 3.6%, Odia 3.1%, Malayalam 2.9%, Punjabi 2.7%, Assamese 1.3%, Maithili 1.1%, other 5.6%; note - English enjoys the status of subsidiary official language but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; there are 22 other officially recognized languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Manipuri, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): विश्व फ़ैक्टबुक, आधारभूत जानकारी का एक अपरिहार्य स्त्रोत  (Hindi) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: IndonesiaBahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese); note - more than 700 languages are used in Indonesia major-language sample(s): Fakta Dunia, sumber informasi dasar yang sangat diperlukan. (Indonesian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: IranPersian 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. Topic: IraqArabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkmen (a Turkish dialect), Syriac (Neo-Aramaic), and Armenian are official in areas where native speakers of these languages constitute a majority of the population major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أحسن مصدر للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: IrelandEnglish (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken by approximately 39.8% of the population as of 2016; mainly spoken in areas along Ireland's western coast known as gaeltachtai, which are officially recognized regions where Irish is the predominant language) Topic: Isle of ManEnglish, Manx Gaelic (about 2% of the population has some knowledge) Topic: IsraelHebrew (official), Arabic (special status under Israeli law), English (most commonly used foreign language) major-language sample(s): ספר עובדות העולם, המקור החיוני למידע בסיסי (Hebrew) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: ItalyItalian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area) major-language sample(s): L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: JamaicaEnglish, English patois Topic: JapanJapanese major-language sample(s): 必要不可欠な基本情報の源、ワールド・ファクトブック(Japanese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: JerseyEnglish (official) 94.5%, Portuguese 4.6%, other .9% (includes French (official) and Jerriais) (2001 est.) note: data represent main spoken language; the traditional language of Jersey is Jerriais or Jersey French (a Norman language), which was spoken by fewer than 3,000 people as of 2001;  two thirds of Jerriais speakers are aged 60 and overEnglish (official) 94.5%, Portuguese 4.6%, other .9% (includes French (official) and Jerriais) Topic: JordanArabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes) 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. Topic: KazakhstanKazakh (official, Qazaq) 83.1% (understand spoken language) and trilingual (Kazakh, Russian, English) 22.3% (2017 est.); Russian (official, used in everyday business, designated the "language of interethnic communication") 94.4% (understand spoken language) (2009 est.) major-language sample(s): Әлемдік деректер кітабы, негізгі ақпараттың таптырмайтын көзі. (Kazakh) Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник  базовой информации. (Russian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: KenyaEnglish (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languages major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili) Topic: KiribatiI-Kiribati, English (official) Topic: Korea, NorthKorean major-language sample(s): 월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Korea, SouthKorean, 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. Topic: KosovoAlbanian (official) 94.5%, Bosnian 1.7%, Serbian (official) 1.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 0.9% (includes Romani), unspecified 0.1%; note - in municipalities where a community's mother tongue is not one of Kosovo's official languages, the language of that community may be given official status according to the 2006 Law on the Use of Languages (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Libri i Fakteve Boterore, burimi vital per informacione elementare. (Albanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: KuwaitArabic (official), English widely spoken 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. Topic: KyrgyzstanKyrgyz (official) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2% (2009 est.) major-language sample(s): Дүйнөлүк фактылар китеби, негизги маалыматтын маанилүү булагы. (Kyrgyz) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: LaosLao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages major-language sample(s): ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: LatviaLatvian (official) 56.3%, Russian 33.8%, other 0.6% (includes Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarusian), unspecified 9.4%; note - data represent language usually spoken at home (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): World Factbook, neaizstājams avots pamata informāciju. (Latvian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: LebanonArabic (official), French, English, Armenian 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. Topic: LesothoSesotho (official) (southern Sotho), English (official), Zulu, Xhosa Topic: LiberiaEnglish 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondence Topic: LibyaArabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq) 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. Topic: LiechtensteinGerman 91.5% (official) (Alemannic is the main dialect), Italian 1.5%, Turkish 1.3%, Portuguese 1.1%, other 4.6% (2015 est.) major-language sample(s): Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: LithuaniaLithuanian (official) 85.3%, Russian 6.8%, Polish 5.1%, other 1.1%, two mother tongues 1.7%% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): Pasaulio enciklopedija – naudingas bendrosios informacijos šaltinis. (Lithuanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: LuxembourgLuxembourgish (official administrative and judicial language and national language (spoken vernacular)) 55.8%, Portuguese 15.7%, French (official administrative, judicial, and legislative language) 12.1%, German (official administrative and judicial language) 3.1%, Italian 2.9%, English 2.1%, other 8.4% (2011 est.) Topic: MacauCantonese 80.1%, Mandarin 5.5%, other Chinese dialects 5.3%, Tagalog 3%, English 2.8%, Portuguese 0.6%, other 2.8%; note - Chinese and Portuguese are official languages; Macanese, a Portuguese-based Creole, is also spoken (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) Topic: MadagascarMalagasy (official) 99.9%, French (official) 23.6%, English 8.2%, other 0.6% (2018 est.) note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census Topic: MalawiEnglish (official), Chewa (common), Lambya, Lomwe, Ngoni, Nkhonde, Nyakyusa, Nyanja, Sena, Tonga, Tumbuka, Yao note: Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects; Nkhonde and Nyakyusa are mutually intelligible dialects Topic: MalaysiaBahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai; note - Malaysia has 134 living languages - 112 indigenous languages and 22 non-indigenous languages; in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages; the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Bahasa Malaysia) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: MaldivesDhivehi (official, dialect of Sinhala, script derived from Arabic), English (spoken by most government officials) Topic: MaliFrench (official), Bambara 46.3%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.) note: Mali has 13 national languages in addition to its official language Topic: MaltaMaltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.) Topic: Marshall IslandsMarshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999 est.) major-language sample(s): Bok eo an Lalin kin Melele ko Rejimwe ej jikin ebōk melele ko raurōk. (Marshallese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: English (official), widely spoken as a second language Bok eo an Lalin kin Melele ko Rejimwe ej jikin ebōk melele ko raurōk. (Marshallese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: MauritaniaArabic (official and national), Pular, Soninke, Wolof (all national languages), French; note - the spoken Arabic in Mauritania differs considerably from the Modern Standard Arabic used for official written purposes or in the media; the Mauritanian dialect, which incorporates many Berber words, is referred to as Hassaniya 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. Topic: MauritiusCreole 86.5%, Bhojpuri 5.3%, French 4.1%, two languages 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes English, one of the two official languages of the National Assembly, which is spoken by less than 1% of the population), unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Topic: MexicoSpanish only 93.8%, Spanish and indigenous languages 5.4%, indigenous only 0.6%, unspecified 0.2%; note - indigenous languages include various Mayan, Nahuatl, and other regional languages (2020 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. Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofEnglish (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi Topic: MoldovaMoldovan/Romanian 80.2% (official) (56.7% identify their mother tongue as Moldovan, which is virtually the same as Romanian; 23.5% identify Romanian as their mother tongue), Russian 9.7%, Gagauz 4.2% (a Turkish language), Ukrainian 3.9%, Bulgarian 1.5%, Romani 0.3%, other 0.2% (2014 est.); note - data represent mother tongue major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Moldovan/Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: MonacoFrench (official), English, Italian, Monegasque major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: MongoliaMongolian 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. Topic: MontenegroSerbian 42.9%, Montenegrin (official) 37%, Bosnian 5.3%, Albanian 5.3%, Serbo-Croat 2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 4% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian)  Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Montenegrin/Bosnian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: MontserratEnglish Topic: MoroccoArabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), Tachelhit, Tarifit), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy); note - the proportion of Berber speakers is disputed; does not include data from the former Western Sahara major-language sample(s): كتاب ديال لحقائق متاع العالم، احسن مصدر متاع المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: MozambiqueMakhuwa 26.1%, Portuguese (official) 16.6%, Tsonga 8.6%, Nyanja 8.1, Sena 7.1%, Lomwe 7.1%, Chuwabo 4.7%, Ndau 3.8%, Tswa 3.8%, other Mozambican languages 11.8%, other 0.5%, unspecified 1.8% (2017 est.) Topic: NamibiaOshiwambo languages 49.7%, Nama/Damara 11%, Kavango languages 10.4%, Afrikaans 9.4% (also a common language), Herero languages 9.2%, Zambezi languages 4.9%, English (official) 2.3%, other African languages 1.5%, other European languages 0.7%, other 1% (2016 est.) note: Namibia has 13 recognized national languages, including 10 indigenous African languages and 3 European languages Topic: NauruNauruan 93% (official, a distinct Pacific Island language), English 2% (widely understood, spoken, and used for most government and commercial purposes), other 5% (includes I-Kiribati 2% and Chinese 2%) (2011 est.) note: data represent main language spoken at home; Nauruan is spoken by 95% of the population, English by 66%, and other languages by 12% Topic: NepalNepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Bajjika 3%, Magar 3%, Doteli 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, Baitadeli 1%, other 6.4%, unspecified 0.2%; note - 123 languages reported as mother tongue in 2011 national census; many in government and business also speak English (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): विश्व तथ्य पुस्तक,आधारभूत जानकारीको लागि अपरिहार्य स्रोत (Nepali) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: NetherlandsDutch (official); note - Frisian is an official language in Fryslan province; Frisian, Low Saxon, Limburgish, Romani, and Yiddish have protected status under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages; Dutch is the official language of the three special municipalities of the Caribbean Netherlands; English is a recognized regional language on Sint Eustatius and Saba; Papiamento is a recognized regional language on Bonaire major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een onmisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: New CaledoniaFrench (official), 33 Melanesian-Polynesian dialects major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: New ZealandEnglish (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 Topic: NicaraguaSpanish (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. Topic: NigerFrench (official), Hausa, Djerma Topic: NigeriaEnglish (official), Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo (Ibo), Fulani, over 500 additional indigenous languages Topic: NiueNiuean (official) 46% (a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 est.) Topic: Norfolk IslandEnglish (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (also known as Norfuk or Norf'k, which is a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home Topic: North MacedoniaMacedonian (official) 61.4%, Albanian (official) 24.3%, Turkish 3.4%, Romani 1.7%, other (includes Aromanian (Vlach) and Bosnian) 2%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no language data was available 7.2% (2021 est.); note - data represent mother tongue; minority languages are co-official with Macedonian in municipalities where they are spoken by at least 20% of the population; Albanian is co-official in Tetovo, Brvenica, Vrapciste, and other municipalities; Turkish is co-official in Centar Zupa and Plasnica; Romani is co-official in Suto Orizari; Aromanian is co-official in Krusevo; Serbian is co-official in Cucer Sandevo major-language sample(s): Книга на Светски Факти, неопходен извор на основни информации. (Macedonian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsPhilippine languages 32.8%, Chamorro (official) 24.1%, English (official) 17%, other Pacific island languages 10.1% (includes Carolinian (official), Chinese 6.8%, other Asian languages 7.3%, other 1.9% (2010 est.) Topic: NorwayBokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami has three dialects: Lule, North Sami, and South Sami; Sami is an official language in nine municipalities in Norway's three northernmost counties: Finnmark, Nordland, and Troms major-language sample(s): Verdens Faktabok, den essensielle kilden for grunnleggende informasjon. (Norwegian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: OmanArabic (official), English, Baluchi, Swahili, Urdu, Indian dialects 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. Topic: PakistanPunjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8% major-language sample(s): ਸੰਸਾਰ ਦੀ ਤੱਥ ਕਿਤਾਬ, ਆਧਾਰੀ ਜਾਣਕਾਰੀ ਲਈ ਜ਼ਰੂਰੀ ਸਰੋਤ ਹੈ (Punjabi) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: PalauPalauan (official on most islands) 65.2%, other Micronesian 1.9%, English (official) 19.1%, Filipino 9.9%, Chinese 1.2%, other 2.8% (2015 est.) note: Sonsoralese is official in Sonsoral; Tobian is official in Tobi; Angaur and Japanese are official in Angaur Topic: PanamaSpanish (official), indigenous languages (including Ngabere (or Guaymi), Buglere, Kuna, Embera, Wounaan, Naso (or Teribe), and Bri Bri), Panamanian English Creole (similar to Jamaican English Creole; a mixture of English and Spanish with elements of Ngabere; also known as Guari Guari and Colon Creole), English, Chinese (Yue and Hakka), Arabic, French Creole, other (Yiddish, Hebrew, Korean, Japanese); note - many Panamanians are bilingual 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. Topic: Papua New GuineaTok 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 note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2% Topic: ParaguaySpanish (official) and Guarani (official) 46.3%, only Guarani 34%, only Spanish 15.2%, other (includes Portuguese, German, other Indigenous languages) 4.1%, no response 0.4%; note - data represent predominant household language (2012 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. Topic: PeruSpanish (official) 82.9%, Quechua (official) 13.6%, Aymara (official) 1.6%, Ashaninka 0.3%, other native languages (includes a large number of minor Amazonian languages) 0.8%, other (includes foreign languages and sign language) 0.2%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.7% (2017 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. Topic: Philippinesunspecified Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan major-language sample(s): Ang World Factbook, ang mapagkukunan ng kailangang impormasyon. (Tagalog) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Pitcairn IslandsEnglish (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) Topic: PolandPolish (official) 98.2%, Silesian 1.4%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.3%; note - data represent the language spoken at home; shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; Poland ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 2009 recognizing Kashub as a regional language, Czech, Hebrew, Yiddish, Belarusian, Lithuanian, German, Armenian, Russian, Slovak, and Ukrainian as national minority languages, and Karaim, Lemko, Romani (Polska Roma and Bergitka Roma), and Tatar as ethnic minority languages (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Księga Faktów Świata, niezbędne źródło podstawowych informacji. (Polish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: PortugalPortuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used) Topic: Puerto RicoSpanish, 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. Topic: QatarArabic (official), English commonly used as a second language 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. Topic: RomaniaRomanian (official) 85.4%, Hungarian 6.3%, Romani 1.2%, other 1%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Cartea informativa a lumii, sursa indispensabila pentru informatii de baza. (Romanian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: RussiaRussian (official) 85.7%, Tatar 3.2%, Chechen 1%, other 10.1%; note - data represent native language spoken (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): Книга фактов о мире – незаменимый источник базовой информации. (Russian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: RwandaKinyarwanda (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. Topic: Saint BarthelemyFrench (primary), English major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaEnglish Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisEnglish (official) Topic: Saint LuciaEnglish (official), Saint Lucian Creole Topic: Saint MartinFrench (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. Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonFrench (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. Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesEnglish, Vincentian Creole English, French patois Topic: SamoaSamoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.) Topic: San MarinoItalian major-language sample(s): L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipePortuguese 98.4% (official), Forro 36.2%, Cabo Verdian 8.5%, French 6.8%, Angolar 6.6%, English 4.9%, Lunguie 1%, other (including sign language) 2.4%; note - shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census; other Portuguese-based Creoles are also spoken (2012 est.) Topic: Saudi ArabiaArabic (official) 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. Topic: SenegalFrench (official), Wolof, Pular, Jola, Mandinka, Serer, Soninke Topic: SerbiaSerbian (official) 88.1%, Hungarian 3.4%, Bosnian 1.9%, Romani 1.4%, other 3.4%, undeclared or unknown 1.8%; note - Serbian, Hungarian, Slovak, Romanian, Croatian, and Ruthenian (Rusyn) are official in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina; most ethnic Albanians boycotted the 2011 census (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: SeychellesSeychellois Creole (official) 89.1%, English (official) 5.1%, French (official) 0.7%, other 3.8%, unspecified 1.4% (2010 est.) Topic: Sierra LeoneEnglish (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%) Topic: SingaporeEnglish (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) Topic: Sint MaartenEnglish (official) 67.5%, Spanish 12.9%, Creole 8.2%, Dutch (official) 4.2%, Papiamento (a Spanish-Portuguese-Dutch-English dialect) 2.2%, French 1.5%, other 3.5% (2001 est.) Topic: SlovakiaSlovak (official) 81.8%, Hungarian 8.5%, Roma 1.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): Svetova Kniha Faktov, nenahraditelny zdroj zakladnej informacie. (Slovak) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: SloveniaSlovene (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. Topic: Solomon IslandsMelanesian pidgin (in much of the country is lingua franca), English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population), 120 indigenous languages Topic: SomaliaSomali (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Arabic (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, English major-language sample(s): Buugga Xaqiiqda Aduunka, waa laga maarmaanka macluumaadka assasiga. (Somali) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: South AfricaisiZulu (official) 25.3%, isiXhosa (official) 14.8%, Afrikaans (official) 12.2%, Sepedi (official) 10.1%, Setswana (official) 9.1%, English (official) 8.1%, Sesotho (official) 7.9%, Xitsonga (official) 3.6%, siSwati (official) 2.8%, Tshivenda (official) 2.5%, isiNdebele (official) 1.6%, other (includes Khoi, Nama, and San languages) 2%; note - data represent language spoken most often at home (2018 est.) major-language sample(s): Die Wereld Feite Boek, n’ onontbeerlike bron vir basiese informasie. (Afrikaans) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) Topic: South SudanEnglish (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), ethnic languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, Shilluk major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) كتاب حقائق العالم، المصدر الذي لا يمكن الاستغناء عنه للمعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) Topic: SpainCastilian Spanish (official nationwide) 74%, Catalan (official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community (where it is known as Valencian)) 17%, Galician (official in Galicia) 7%, Basque (official in the Basque Country and in the Basque-speaking area of Navarre) 2%, Aranese (official in the northwest corner of Catalonia (Vall d'Aran) along with Catalan, <5,000 speakers); note - Aragonese, Aranese Asturian, Basque, Calo, Catalan, Galician, and Valencian are recognized as regional languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages 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. Topic: Sri LankaSinhala (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 Topic: SudanArabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Fur 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. (English) Topic: SurinameDutch (official), English (widely spoken), Sranang Tongo (Surinamese, sometimes called Taki-Taki, is the native language of Creoles and much of the younger population and is lingua franca among others), Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Javanese major-language sample(s): Het Wereld Feitenboek, een omnisbare bron van informatie. (Dutch) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) Topic: SvalbardNorwegian, Russian major-language sample(s): Verdens Faktabok, den essensielle kilden for grunnleggende informasjon. (Norwegian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: SwedenSwedish (official) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, den obestridliga källan för grundläggande information. (Swedish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Finnish, Sami, Romani, Yiddish, and Meankieli are official minority languages Topic: SwitzerlandGerman (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. Topic: SyriaArabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, English 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. Topic: TaiwanMandarin (official), Taiwanese (Min Nan), Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages major-language sample(s): 世界概況  –  不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: TajikistanTajik (official) 84.4%, Uzbek 11.9%, Kyrgyz 0.8%, Russian 0.5%, other 2.4% (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): Китоби Фактҳои Ҷаҳонӣ, манбаи бебадали маълумоти асосӣ (Tajik) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Russian widely used in government and business Topic: TanzaniaKiswahili or Swahili (official), Kiunguja (name for Swahili in Zanzibar), English (official, primary language of commerce, administration, and higher education), Arabic (widely spoken in Zanzibar), many local languages; note - Kiswahili (Swahili) is the mother tongue of the Bantu people living in Zanzibar and nearby coastal Tanzania; although Kiswahili is Bantu in structure and origin, its vocabulary draws on a variety of sources including Arabic and English; it has become the lingua franca of central and eastern Africa; the first language of most people is one of the local languages major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, Chanzo cha Lazima Kuhusu Habari ya Msingi. (Kiswahili) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: ThailandThai (official) only 90.7%, Thai and other languages 6.4%, only other languages 2.9% (includes Malay, Burmese); note - data represent population by language(s) spoken at home; English is a secondary language of the elite (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): สารานุกรมโลก - แหล่งข้อมูลพื้นฐานที่สำคัญ (Thai) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Timor-LesteTetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5% (2015 est.) note: data represent population by mother tongue; Tetun and Portuguese are official languages; Indonesian and English are working languages; there are about 32 indigenous languages Topic: TogoFrench (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north) Topic: TokelauTokelauan 88.1% (a Polynesian language), English 48.6%, Samoan 26.7%, Tuvaluan 11.2%, Kiribati 1.5%, other 2.8%, none 2.8%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 ests.) note: shares sum to more than 100% because some respondents gave more than one answer on the census Topic: TongaTongan and English 76.8%, Tongan, English, and other language 10.6%, Tongan only (official) 8.7%, English only (official) 0.7%, other 1.7%, none 2.2% (2016 est.) note: data represent persons aged 5 and older who can read and write a simple sentence in Tongan, English, or another language Topic: Trinidad and TobagoEnglish (official), Trinidadian Creole English, Tobagonian Creole English, Caribbean Hindustani (a dialect of Hindi), Trinidadian Creole French, Spanish, Chinese Topic: TunisiaArabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight); note - despite having no official status, French plays a major role in the country and is spoken by about two thirds of the population major-language sample(s): كتاب حقائق العالم، أحسن كتاب تتعلم به المعلومات الأساسية (Arabic) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, temel bilgi edinmek için vazgeçilmez bir kaynak. (Turkish) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: TurkmenistanTurkmen (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. Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsEnglish (official) Topic: TuvaluTuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) Topic: UgandaEnglish (official language, taught in schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), Arabic Topic: UkraineUkrainian (official) 67.5%, Russian (regional language) 29.6%, other (includes small Crimean Tatar-, Moldovan/Romanian-, and Hungarian-speaking minorities) 2.9% (2001 est.); note - in February 2018, the Constitutional Court ruled that 2012 language legislation entitling a language spoken by at least 10% of an oblast's population to be given the status of "regional language" - allowing for its use in courts, schools, and other government institutions - was unconstitutional, thus making the law invalid; Ukrainian remains the country's only official nationwide language major-language sample(s): Свiтова Книга Фактiв – найкраще джерело базової інформації. (Ukrainian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: United Arab EmiratesArabic (official), English, Hindi, Malayam, Urdu, Pashto, Tagalog, Persian 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. Topic: United KingdomEnglish 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.) Topic: United StatesEnglish only 78.2%, Spanish 13.4%, Chinese 1.1%, other 7.3% (2017 est.) note: data represent the language spoken at home; the US has no official national language, but English has acquired official status in 32 of the 50 states; Hawaiian is an official language in the state of Hawaii, and 20 indigenous languages are official in Alaska Topic: UruguaySpanish (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. Topic: UzbekistanUzbek (official) 74.3%, Russian 14.2%, Tajik 4.4%, other 7.1% major-language sample(s): Jahon faktlari kitobi, asosiy ma'lumotlar uchun zaruriy manba. (Uzbek) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: in the autonomous Karakalpakstan Republic, both the Karakalpak language and Uzbek have official status Topic: Vanuatulocal languages (more than 100) 63.2%, Bislama (official; creole) 33.7%, English (official) 2%, French (official) 0.6%, other 0.5% (2009 est.) Topic: VenezuelaSpanish (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. Topic: VietnamVietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) major-language sample(s): Dữ kiện thế giới, là nguồn thông tin cơ bản không thể thiếu. (Vietnamese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. Topic: Virgin IslandsEnglish 71.6%, Spanish or Spanish Creole 17.2%, French or French Creole 8.6%, other 2.5% (2010 est.) Topic: Wallis and FutunaWallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 est.) Topic: West BankArabic, 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. Topic: Worldmost-spoken language: English 16.5%, Mandarin Chinese 14.6%, Hindi 8.3%, Spanish 7%, French 3.6%, Arabic 3.6%, Bengali 3.4%, Russian 3.4%, Portuguese 3.3%, Indonesian 2.6% (2020 est.) most-spoken first language: Mandarin Chinese 12.3%, Spanish 6%, English 5.1%, Arabic 5.1%, Hindi 3.5%, Bengali 3.3%, Portuguese 3%, Russian 2.1%, Japanese 1.7%, Punjabi, Western 1.3%, Javanese 1.1% (2018 est.) note 1: the six UN languages - Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Russian, and Spanish (Castilian) - are the mother tongue or second language of about 45% of the world's population, and are the official languages in more than half the states in the world; some 400 languages have more than a million first-language speakers (2018) note 2: all told, there are estimated to be just over 7,151 languages spoken in the world (2022); approximately 80% of these languages are spoken by less than 100,000 people; about 150 languages are spoken by fewer than 10 people; communities that are isolated from each other in mountainous regions often develop multiple languages; Papua New Guinea, for example, boasts about 840 separate languages (2018) note 3: approximately 2,300 languages are spoken in Asia, 2,140, in Africa, 1,310 in the Pacific, 1,060 in the Americas, and 290 in Europe (2020)most-spoken language: English 16.5%, Mandarin Chinese 14.6%, Hindi 8.3%, Spanish 7%, French 3.6%, Arabic 3.6%, Bengali 3.4%, Russian 3.4%, Portuguese 3.3%, Indonesian 2.6% (2020 est.) most-spoken first language: Mandarin Chinese 12.3%, Spanish 6%, English 5.1%, Arabic 5.1%, Hindi 3.5%, Bengali 3.3%, Portuguese 3%, Russian 2.1%, Japanese 1.7%, Punjabi, Western 1.3%, Javanese 1.1% (2018 est.)note 1: the six UN languages - Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, Russian, and Spanish (Castilian) - are the mother tongue or second language of about 45% of the world's population, and are the official languages in more than half the states in the world; some 400 languages have more than a million first-language speakers (2018)note 2: all told, there are estimated to be just over 7,151 languages spoken in the world (2022); approximately 80% of these languages are spoken by less than 100,000 people; about 150 languages are spoken by fewer than 10 people; communities that are isolated from each other in mountainous regions often develop multiple languages; Papua New Guinea, for example, boasts about 840 separate languages (2018)note 3: approximately 2,300 languages are spoken in Asia, 2,140, in Africa, 1,310 in the Pacific, 1,060 in the Americas, and 290 in Europe (2020) Topic: YemenArabic (official); note - a distinct Socotri language is widely used on Socotra Island and Archipelago; Mahri is still fairly widely spoken in eastern Yemen 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. Topic: ZambiaBemba 33.4%, Nyanja 14.7%, Tonga 11.4%, Lozi 5.5%, Chewa 4.5%, Nsenga 2.9%, Tumbuka 2.5%, Lunda (North Western) 1.9%, Kaonde 1.8%, Lala 1.8%, Lamba 1.8%, English (official) 1.7%, Luvale 1.5%, Mambwe 1.3%, Namwanga 1.2%, Lenje 1.1%, Bisa 1%, other 9.7%, unspecified 0.2% (2010 est.) note: Zambia is said to have over 70 languages, although many of these may be considered dialects; all of Zambia's major languages are members of the Bantu family; Chewa and Nyanja are mutually intelligible dialects Topic: ZimbabweShona (official; most widely spoken), Ndebele (official, second most widely spoken), English (official; traditionally used for official business), 13 minority languages (official; includes Chewa, Chibarwe, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambya, Ndau, Shangani, sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda, and Xhosa)

20220901

countries-venezuela-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Venezuela due to arrest and detention of U.S. citizens without due process or fair trial guarantees, or as a pretext for an illegitimate purpose; crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and kidnapping. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 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. If you are a dual citizen you must have a valid Venezuelan passport in your possession. US Embassy/Consulate: 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; all consular services, routine and emergency, are suspended; previously - +58 (212) 975–6411; US Embassy in Caracas; F St. and Suapure St., Urb . Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas, Venezuela 1080; ACSBogota@state.gov; https://ve.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 58 Local Emergency Phone: 171 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; more moderate in highlands Currency (Code): Bolivars (VEB) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 120 V / 60 Hz / plug types(s): A, B Major Languages: Spanish, numerous indigenous dialects Major Religions: Nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Time Difference: UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Potable Water: Opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested; additionally, if you plan to drive in Venezuela, you will need an Inter-American Driving Permit issued by the AAA Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Los Roques Archipelago; Isla de Margarita; Morrocoy National Park; Canaima National Park (includes Angel Falls, Mount Roraima, Gran Sabana) Major Sports: Baseball, basketball, soccer Cultural Practices: Offering coffee is a sign of hospitality in Venezuela, so declining a cup from a host may be seen as rude. Tipping Guidelines: Most restaurants already add a 10% service charge, but an additional 5-10% tip is still expected. Bellhops expect the equivalent of $1 (USD) per piece of luggage. Taxis do not expect a tip, but do appreciate rounding up the bill.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-malta

Topic: Photos of Malta Topic: Introduction Background: With a civilization that dates back thousands of years, Malta boasts some of the oldest megalithic sites in the world. Situated in the center of the Mediterranean, Malta’s islands have long served as a strategic military asset, with the islands at various times having come under control of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Moors, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, Knights of St. John, and the French. Most recently a British colony (since 1814), Malta gained its independence in 1964 and declared itself a republic 10 years later. While under British rule, the island staunchly supported the UK through both world wars. Since about the mid-1980s, the island has transformed itself into a freight transshipment point, a financial center, and a tourist destination while its key industries moved toward more service-oriented activities. Malta became an EU member in May 2004 and began using the euro as currency in 2008.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Southern Europe, islands in the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily (Italy) Geographic coordinates: 35 50 N, 14 35 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 316 sq km land: 316 sq km water: 0 sq km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Washington, DC Land boundaries: total: 0 km Coastline: 196.8 km (excludes 56 km for the island of Gozo) Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 25 nm Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers Terrain: mostly low, rocky, flat to dissected plains; many coastal cliffs Elevation: highest point: Ta'Dmejrek on Dingli Cliffs 253 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m Natural resources: limestone, salt, arable land Land use: agricultural land: 32.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 28.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.9% (2018 est.) other: 66.8% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 35 sq km (2012) Population distribution: most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands Natural hazards: occasional droughts Geography - note: the country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing oil exploration on the continental shelf between their countries, although no commercially viable reserves have been found as of 2017 Map description: Malta map showing the major population centers of this archipelagic country in the Mediterranean Sea.Malta map showing the major population centers of this archipelagic country in the Mediterranean Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 464,186 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Maltese (singular and plural) adjective: Maltese Ethnic groups: Maltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Languages: Maltese (official) 90.1%, English (official) 6%, multilingual 3%, other 0.9% (2005 est.) Religions: Roman Catholic (official) more than 90% (2006 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 14.38% (male 33,934/female 31,823) 15-24 years: 10.33% (male 24,445/female 22,811) 25-54 years: 41.1% (male 97,685/female 90,264) 55-64 years: 12.88% (male 29,533/female 29,353) 65 years and over: 21.3% (2020 est.) (male 44,644/female 52,775) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.5 youth dependency ratio: 22.4 elderly dependency ratio: 33.2 potential support ratio: 3 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 42.3 years male: 41.2 years female: 43.5 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.67% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 9.73 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 5.49 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: most of the population lives on the eastern half of Malta, the largest of the three inhabited islands Urbanization: urban population: 94.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.28% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 213,000 VALLETTA (capital) (2018) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.3 years (2020 est.) note: data refer to the average of the different childbearing ages of first-order births Maternal mortality ratio: 6 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.53 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.43 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.64 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.2 years male: 81.11 years female: 85.38 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.5 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: 8.2% (2019) Physicians density: 2.86 physicians/1,000 population (2015) Hospital bed density: 4.5 beds/1,000 population (2017) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.1% (2016 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: (2016 est.) <500 HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2016 est.) <100 Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 28.9% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 24% (2020 est.) male: 26.4% (2020 est.) female: 21.6% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2017 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 94.5% male: 93% female: 96% (2018) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.7% male: 13.1% female: 8% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: limited natural freshwater resources; increasing reliance on desalination; deforestation; wildlife preservation Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 13.97 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 1.34 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.2 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: Mediterranean; mild, rainy winters; hot, dry summers Land use: agricultural land: 32.3% (2018 est.) arable land: 28.4% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 3.9% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0.9% (2018 est.) other: 66.8% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 94.9% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.28% 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: 269,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 17,996 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.7% (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 37.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1 million cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 25.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 50.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Malta conventional short form: Malta local long form: Repubblika ta' Malta local short form: Malta etymology: the ancient Greeks called the island "Melite" meaning "honey-sweet" from the Greek word "meli" meaning "honey" and referring to the island's honey production Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Valletta geographic coordinates: 35 53 N, 14 30 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: named in honor of Jean de Valette, the Grand Master of the Order of Saint John (crusader knights), who successfully led a defense of the island from an Ottoman invasion in 1565 Administrative divisions: 68 localities (Il-lokalita); Attard, Balzan, Birgu, Birkirkara, Birzebbuga, Bormla, Dingli, Fgura, Floriana, Fontana, Ghajnsielem, Gharb, Gharghur, Ghasri, Ghaxaq, Gudja, Gzira, Hamrun, Iklin, Imdina, Imgarr, Imqabba, Imsida, Imtarfa, Isla, Kalkara, Kercem, Kirkop, Lija, Luqa, Marsa, Marsaskala, Marsaxlokk, Mellieha, Mosta, Munxar, Nadur, Naxxar, Paola, Pembroke, Pieta, Qala, Qormi, Qrendi, Rabat, Rabat (Ghawdex), Safi, San Giljan/Saint Julian, San Gwann/Saint John, San Lawrenz/Saint Lawrence, Sannat, San Pawl il-Bahar/Saint Paul's Bay, Santa Lucija/Saint Lucia, Santa Venera/Saint Venera, Siggiewi, Sliema, Swieqi, Tarxien, Ta' Xbiex, Valletta, Xaghra, Xewkija, Xghajra, Zabbar, Zebbug, Zebbug (Ghawdex), Zejtun, Zurrieq Independence: 21 September 1964 (from the UK) National holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974) Constitution: history: many previous; latest adopted 21 September 1964 amendments: proposals (Acts of Parliament) require at least two-thirds majority vote by the House of Representatives; passage of Acts requires majority vote by referendum, followed by final majority vote by the House and assent of the president of the republic; amended many times, last in 2020 Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and civil law based on the Roman and Napoleonic civil codes; subject to European Union 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 Malta dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age (16 in local council elections); universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George VELLA (since 4 April 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Robert ABELA (13 January 2020) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the House of Representatives for a single 5-year term; election last held on 2 April 2019 (next to be held by April 2024); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually appointed prime minister by the president for a 5-year term; deputy prime minister appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister election results: George VELLA (PL) elected president; House of Representatives vote - unanimous; Robert ABELA (PL) appointed prime minister Legislative branch: description: unicameral House of Representatives or Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati, a component of the Parliament of Malta (65 seats statutory, 79 for 2022-2027 term; members directly elected in 5 multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 5-year terms) elections: last held on 26 March 2022 (next to be held in 2027) election results: percent of vote by party - PL 55.1%, PN 41.7%, other 3.2%; seats by party - PL 38, PN 29; composition - men 57, women 22, percent of women 27.8%; note - due to underrepresentation by women in the combined general on 26 March and two casual elections on 7 and 12 April (10 seats or 14.9%), an additional 12 seats were awarded because their percentage did not meet the 40% threshold required by the Malta Constitution or the General Elections Amendment Act 2021 Judicial branch: highest courts: Court of Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 judges); Court of Criminal Appeal (consists of either 1 or 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president, usually upon the advice of the prime minister; judges of both courts serve until age 65 subordinate courts: Civil Court (divided into the General Jurisdiction Section, Family Section, and Voluntary Section); Criminal Court; Court of Magistrates; Gozo Courts (for the islands of Gozo and Comino) Political parties and leaders: Democratic Party (Partit Demokratiku) or PD [Godfrey FARRUGIA] Labor Party (Partit Laburista) or PL [Robert ABELA] Nationalist Party (Partit Nazzjonalista) or PN [Bernard GRECH] International organization participation: Australia Group, C, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Keith AZZOPARDI (since 17 September 2018) chancery: 2017 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 462-3611; [1] (202) 462-3612 FAX: [1] (202) 387-5470 email address and website: maltaembassy.washington@gov.mt https://foreignandeu.gov.mt/en/Embassies/ME_United_States/Pages/ME_United_States.aspx Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Gwendolyn "Wendy" GREEN (since August 2020) embassy: Ta' Qali National Park, Attard, ATD 4000 mailing address: 5800 Valletta Place, Washington DC  20521-5800 telephone: [356] 2561-4000 email address and website: ACSMalta@state.gov https://mt.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: two equal vertical bands of white (hoist side) and red; in the upper hoist-side corner is a representation of the George Cross, edged in red; according to legend, the colors are taken from the red and white checkered banner of Count Roger of Sicily who removed a bi-colored corner and granted it to Malta in 1091; an uncontested explanation is that the colors are those of the Knights of Saint John who ruled Malta from 1530 to 1798; in 1942, King George VI of the UK awarded the George Cross to the islanders for their exceptional bravery and gallantry in World War II; since independence in 1964, the George Cross bordered in red has appeared directly on the white field National symbol(s): Maltese eight-pointed cross; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "L-Innu Malti" (The Maltese Anthem) lyrics/music: Dun Karm PSAILA/Robert SAMMUT note: adopted 1945; written in the form of a prayer National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: City of Valletta; Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum; Megalithic Temples of Malta Topic: Economy Economic overview: Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe. Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008.   Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year.   Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors. Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors. The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals.   Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market. The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth. Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Inflation remains low.Malta’s free market economy – the smallest economy in the euro-zone – relies heavily on trade in both goods and services, principally with Europe. Malta produces less than a quarter of its food needs, has limited fresh water supplies, and has few domestic energy sources. Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the euro on 1 January 2008. Malta has weathered the euro-zone crisis better than most EU member states due to a low debt-to-GDP ratio and financially sound banking sector. It maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, and growth has fully recovered since the 2009 recession. In 2014 through 2016, Malta led the euro zone in growth, expanding more than 4.5% per year. Malta’s services sector continues to grow, with sustained growth in the financial services and online gaming sectors. Advantageous tax schemes remained attractive to foreign investors, though EU discussions of anti-tax avoidance measures have raised concerns among Malta’s financial services and insurance providers, as the measures could have a significant impact on those sectors. The tourism sector also continued to grow, with 2016 showing record-breaking numbers of both air and cruise passenger arrivals. Malta’s GDP growth remains strong and is supported by a strong labor market. The government has implemented new programs, including free childcare, to encourage increased labor participation. The high cost of borrowing and small labor market remain potential constraints to future economic growth. Increasingly, other EU and European migrants are relocating to Malta for employment, though wages have remained low compared to other European countries. Inflation remains low. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $20.6 billion (2020 est.) $22.15 billion (2019 est.) $20.99 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 4.94% (2019 est.) 5.17% (2018 est.) 8.03% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $39,200 (2020 est.) $44,000 (2019 est.) $43,300 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $14.986 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.6% (2019 est.) 1.1% (2018 est.) 1.3% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: A+ (2017) Moody's rating: A2 (2019) Standard & Poors rating: A- (2016) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.1% (2017 est.) industry: 10.2% (2017 est.) services: 88.7% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 45.2% (2017 est.) government consumption: 15.3% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.1% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 136.1% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -117.9% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: milk, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, cauliflowers, broccoli, eggplants, pork, cabbages, poultry Industries: tourism, electronics, ship building and repair, construction, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, footwear, clothing, tobacco, aviation services, financial services, information technology services Industrial production growth rate: -3.3% (2016 est.) Labor force: 223,000 (2019 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 1.6% industry: 20.7% services: 77.7% (2016 est.) Unemployment rate: 0.78% (2019 est.) 0.89% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 10.7% male: 13.1% female: 8% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 17.1% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 29.2 (2017 est.) 27.7 (2014) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA Budget: revenues: 5.076 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 4.583 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): 3.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 50.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 56.3% of GDP (2016 est.) note: Malta reports public debt at nominal value outstanding at the end of the year, according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty for general government gross debt; the data include the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); general government comprises the central, state, and local governments, and social security funds Taxes and other revenues: 40.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $1.561 billion (2019 est.) $1.55 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $19.04 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20.76 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $20.19 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Germany 12%, France 9%, Italy 9% (2019) Exports - commodities: integrated circuits, refined petroleum, packaged medicines, children's toys and stuffed animals, postage stamps  (2019) Imports: $18.01 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $18.45 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $17.87 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Russia 22%, Italy 12%, United Kingdom 11%, Germany 6%, Turkey 5%, France 5%, China 5%, South Korea 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: refined petroleum, recreational boats, ships, aircraft, coal tar oil (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $833 million (31 December 2017 est.) $677.1 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $98.179 billion (2019 est.) $104.467 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: 784,000 kW (2020 est.) consumption: 2,497,143,000 kWh (2019 est.) exports: 4 million kWh (2020 est.) imports: 420 million kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 158 million kWh (2019 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 88.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 11.2% 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: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) consumption: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) exports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) imports: 0 metric tons (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 metric tons (2019 est.) Petroleum: total petroleum production: 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 10,400 bbl/day (2015 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 52,290 bbl/day (2015 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 415.606 million cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 415.606 million cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 9.576 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 0 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 8.831 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 745,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 267.739 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 259,456 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 633,123 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 143 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Malta’s small telecom sector is among the most advanced in Europe; this has been helped by the topography, which has made it relatively easy for operators to expand the reach of their fiber infrastructure; with high mobile and broadband penetration rates, the government and regulator have effective strategies in place to capitalize on these infrastructure developments to ensure that the population has among the fastest data rates in Europe, and is well positioned to take advantage of emerging e-commerce opportunities; the sector has also been stimulated by regulatory measures designed to reduce consumer prices; Melita having been sold to EQT in late 2019 and Vodafone Malta having been sold to Monaco Telecom, and rebranded as Epic; the incumbent telco GO is investing in a sub sea cable to connect the islands to France and Egypt; expected to be ready for service in 2022, the cable will further enhance Malta’s internet bandwidth and lead to reduced prices for end-users; there has also been some encouragement to increase market competition; this led to the VULA agreement between GO and Epic Malta, by which Epic was able to enter the fixed broadband market using GO’s fibre infrastructure; in April 2021 Epic began offering FttP services directly, over its own fiber network; Melita provides a national gigabit service via its fiber and DOCSIS3.1 networks, while GO’s extensive FttP network covered about 150,000 premises by early 2021; the company is investing €100 million to develop LTE and fiber through to 2023. (2021) domestic: fixed-line approximately 59 per 100  persons and mobile-cellular subscribership 143 per 100 persons; automatic system featuring submarine cable and microwave radio relay between islands (2020) international: country code - 356; landing points for the Malta-Gozo Cable, VMSCS, GO-1 Mediterranean Cable System, Malta Italy Interconnector, Melita-1, and the Italy-Malta submarine cable connections to Italy; 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: 2 publicly owned TV stations, Television Malta broadcasting nationally plus an educational channel; several privately owned national television stations, 2 of which are owned by political parties; Italian and British broadcast programs are available; multi-channel cable and satellite TV services are available; publicly owned radio broadcaster operates 3 stations; roughly 20 commercial radio stations (2019) Internet country code: .mt Internet users: total: 448,339 (2020 est.) percent of population: 87% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 213,419 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 13 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 180 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,576,898 (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5.14 million (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9H Airports: total: 1 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 over 3,047 m: 1 (2021) Heliports: 2 (2021) Roadways: total: 3,096 km (2008) paved: 2,704 km (2008) unpaved: 392 km (2008) urban: 1,422 km (2001) non-urban: 832 km (2001) Merchant marine: total: 2,137 by type: bulk carrier 601, container ship 310, general cargo 218, oil tanker 412, other 596 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Marsaxlokk (Malta Freeport), Valletta container port(s) (TEUs): Marsaxlokk (2,722,889) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Delimara Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Malta (AFM, includes land, maritime, and air elements, plus a Volunteer Reserve Force) (2022) Military expenditures: 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2020) 0.5% of GDP (2019) (approximately $110 million) 0.5% of GDP (2018) (approximately $110 million) 0.5% of GDP (2017) (approximately $110 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 2,000 active duty personnel (2021) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the small inventory of the Armed Forces of Malta consists of equipment from a mix of European countries, particularly Italy, and the US (2021) Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary military service (men and women); no conscription (2021) Military - note: Malta maintains a security policy of neutrality, but contributes to EU and UN military missions and joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1995 (suspended in 1996, but reactivated in 2008); it also participates in various bilateral and multinational military exercises; Malta cooperates closely with Italy on defense matters; in 1973, Italy established a military mission in Malta to provide advice, training, and search and rescue assistance  Malta maintains a security policy of neutrality, but contributes to EU and UN military missions and joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1995 (suspended in 1996, but reactivated in 2008); it also participates in various bilateral and multinational military exercises; Malta cooperates closely with Italy on defense matters; in 1973, Italy established a military mission in Malta to provide advice, training, and search and rescue assistance  Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: none identifiednone identified Refugees and internally displaced persons: stateless persons: 11 (mid-year 2021) note: 8,154 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015-July 2022) Illicit drugs: minor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe

20220901

countries-italy-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens Do not travel to Italy due to COVID-19. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. 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: (+39) 06-4674-1; US Embassy Rome, via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma, Italy; uscitizenrome@state.gov; https://it.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 39 Local Emergency Phone: Ambulance: 112, 118; Fire: 112, 115; Police: 112, 113; Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south Currency (Code): Euros (EUR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F, L Major Languages: Italian, German, French, Slovene Major Religions: Christian 80.8% (overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim 4.9% 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, but some opt for bottled water International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Right Tourist Destinations: Rome (includes Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Castel Sant’Angelo, Roman Forum); Venice Canals; Pompeii; Leaning Tower of Pisa; Lake Como; Florence (includes Ponte Vecchio, Cathedral, Uffizi Gallery); Sicily; Mount Vesuvius; Amalfi Coast; Hadrian's Villa; Milan (includes Cathedral, La Scala) Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, rugby, cycling, water polo Cultural Practices: Chrysanthemums are used at funerals, red flowers indicate secrecy, and yellow flowers indicate jealousy. All make poor gifts. Tipping Guidelines: A service charge, ranging from 1-3 euros, is sometimes added to a restaurant bill, but you can round up for good service. Tip a bartender 1 euro for a round of drinks. Tipping in hotels is not required, but always appreciated. It is appropriate to tip a porter 5 euros, the concierge 1-2 euros (if they provided a service), and housekeeping between 75 cents to 1.5 euros per day. Round up taxi fares.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-ireland-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Ireland 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. Passport must remain valid the entire length of the stay. A visa is not required. US Embassy/Consulate: [353] (1) 668-8777; US Embassy in Dublin, 42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, Ireland; ACSDublin@state.gov; https://ie.usembassy.gov/ Telephone Code: 353 Local Emergency Phone: 112, 999 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time Currency (Code): Euros (EUR) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G Major Languages: English (the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) Major Religions: Roman Catholic 78.3%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 1.6%, Orthodox 1.3%, Muslim 1.3% 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 Potable Water: Yes International Driving Permit: Suggested Road Driving Side: Left Tourist Destinations: Cliffs of Moher; Dublin (includes Dublin Castle, Trinity College & Book of Kells, Grafton Street, Kilmainham Gaol); Killarney National Park & Muckross House & Gardens; Ring of Kerry; Kilkenny Castle; Blarney Castle; Bru na Boinne; Powerscourt Estate Major Sports: Soccer, golf, rugby Cultural Practices: Hands should remain visible while eating; try to not let your elbows rest on the table. Tipping Guidelines: In restaurants, tip 10-15% of the bill if no service charge is included. Leave 1-2 euros at bars. Taxi drivers do not expect tips and many drivers often round down the bill, especially on longer fares, but you may round up the fare. Tip bellhops 1-2 euros per bag and leave housekeeping 1-2 euros 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

field-telephones-fixed-lines

This entry gives the total number of fixed telephone lines in use, as well as the number of subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. Topic: Afghanistantotal subscriptions: 145,787 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Albaniatotal subscriptions: 223,469 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: Algeriatotal subscriptions: 4,784,306 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: American Samoatotal subscriptions: 10,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Andorratotal subscriptions: 40,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2020 est.) Topic: Angolatotal subscriptions: 119,164 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Anguillatotal subscriptions: 6,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2018 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbudatotal subscriptions: 27,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.) Topic: Argentinatotal subscriptions: 7,356,165 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Armeniatotal subscriptions: 427,539 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Arubatotal subscriptions: 35,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Australiatotal subscriptions: 6.2 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Topic: Austriatotal subscriptions: 3,786,725 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2020 est.) Topic: Azerbaijantotal subscriptions: 1,652,688 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Bahamas, Thetotal subscriptions: 91,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Bahraintotal subscriptions: 274,106 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Bangladeshtotal subscriptions: 1,390,048 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Barbadostotal subscriptions: 128,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2020 est.) Topic: Belarustotal subscriptions: 4,406,560 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: Belgiumtotal subscriptions: 3,634,639 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Belizetotal subscriptions: 19,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Benintotal subscriptions: 32,386 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Bermudatotal subscriptions: 25,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2020 est.) Topic: Bhutantotal subscriptions: 22,987 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Boliviatotal subscriptions: 598,082 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinatotal subscriptions: 706,135 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2020 est.) Topic: Botswanatotal subscriptions: 140,003 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Braziltotal subscriptions: 30,653,813 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: British Virgin Islandstotal subscriptions: 7,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Bruneitotal subscriptions: 103,885 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Topic: Bulgariatotal subscriptions: 872,757 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Burkina Fasototal subscriptions: 75,039 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Burmatotal subscriptions: 523,951 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Burunditotal subscriptions: 18,300 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Cabo Verdetotal subscriptions: 57,668 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Cambodiatotal subscriptions: 55,603 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Cameroontotal subscriptions: 964,378 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Canadatotal subscriptions: 13.34 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Cayman Islandstotal subscriptions: 36,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55 (2020 est.) Topic: Central African Republictotal subscriptions: 2,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Chadtotal subscriptions: 5,340 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Chiletotal subscriptions: 2,567,938 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Chinatotal subscriptions: 181.908 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Colombiatotal subscriptions: 7,248,026 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Comorostotal subscriptions: 7,573 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thetotal subscriptions: 0 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of thetotal subscriptions: 17,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Cook Islandstotal subscriptions: 6,576 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2018 est.) Topic: Costa Ricatotal subscriptions: 559,882 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoiretotal subscriptions: 264,073 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Croatiatotal subscriptions: 1,299,329 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.) Topic: Cubatotal subscriptions: 1,502,230 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Curacaototal subscriptions: 54,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Cyprustotal subscriptions: 311,439 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Czechiatotal subscriptions: 1,335,224 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Denmarktotal subscriptions: 734,436 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Djiboutitotal subscriptions: 38,866 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Dominicatotal subscriptions: 1,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Dominican Republictotal subscriptions: 1,155,493 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Ecuadortotal subscriptions: 2,063,044 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Egypttotal subscriptions: 9,858,331 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: El Salvadortotal subscriptions: 894,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guineatotal subscriptions: 11,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Eritreatotal subscriptions: 66,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Estoniatotal subscriptions: 304,728 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Eswatinitotal subscriptions: 39,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Ethiopiatotal subscriptions: 1.252 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: European Uniontotal subscriptions: 160,149,025 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2020 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)total subscriptions: 2,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2018 est.) Topic: Faroe Islandstotal subscriptions: 15,341 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Fijitotal subscriptions: 48,510 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Finlandtotal subscriptions: 225,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Francetotal subscriptions: 37.759 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 58 (2020 est.) Topic: French Polynesiatotal subscriptions: 94,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Gabontotal subscriptions: 25,428 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Gambia, Thetotal subscriptions: 60,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Gaza Striptotal subscriptions: 466,283 (2020 est.) includes the West Bank subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) includes the West Bank Topic: Georgiatotal subscriptions: 387,698 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Germanytotal subscriptions: 38.3 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2020 est.) Topic: Ghanatotal subscriptions: 307,668 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Gibraltartotal subscriptions: 17,041 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (2020 est.) Topic: Greecetotal subscriptions: 5,028,332 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2020 est.) Topic: Greenlandtotal subscriptions: 6,352 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Grenadatotal subscriptions: 16,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Guamtotal subscriptions: 70,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.) Topic: Guatemalatotal subscriptions: 2,272,467 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Guernseytotal subscriptions: 33,940 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54 (2020 est.) Topic: Guineatotal subscriptions: 0 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2018 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissautotal subscriptions: 0 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2018 est.) Topic: Guyanatotal subscriptions: 125,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Haititotal subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Hondurastotal subscriptions: 531,763 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Hong Kongtotal subscriptions: 3,900,599 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 52 (2020 est.) Topic: Hungarytotal subscriptions: 2,970,347 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Icelandtotal subscriptions: 107,032 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Indiatotal subscriptions: 20,052,162 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Indonesiatotal subscriptions: 9,662,135 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Irantotal subscriptions: 29,093,587 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Iraqtotal subscriptions: 2,699,758 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Irelandtotal subscriptions: 1,678,651 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.) Topic: Israeltotal subscriptions: 3.37 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2020 est.) Topic: Italytotal subscriptions: 19,607,341 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.) Topic: Jamaicatotal subscriptions: 436,249 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Japantotal subscriptions: 61,978,594 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2020 est.) Topic: Jerseytotal subscriptions: 48,310 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2019 est.) Topic: Jordantotal subscriptions: 391,486 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Kazakhstantotal subscriptions: 3.091 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Kenyatotal subscriptions: 66,646 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Kiribatitotal subscriptions: 33 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Korea, Northtotal subscriptions: 1.18 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Southtotal subscriptions: 23,858,239 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: Kosovototal subscriptions: 383,763 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2019 est.) Topic: Kuwaittotal subscriptions: 583,463 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 14 (2020 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstantotal subscriptions: 299,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Laostotal subscriptions: 1.491 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Latviatotal subscriptions: 211,849 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Lebanontotal subscriptions: 875,480 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Lesothototal subscriptions: 11,574 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Liberiatotal subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Libyatotal subscriptions: 1.576 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Liechtensteintotal subscriptions: 12,607 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2020 est.) Topic: Lithuaniatotal subscriptions: 322,108 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Luxembourgtotal subscriptions: 268,090 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2020 est.) Topic: Macautotal subscriptions: 110,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Madagascartotal subscriptions: 69,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Malawitotal subscriptions: 12,465 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Malaysiatotal subscriptions: 7,467,900 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Maldivestotal subscriptions: 14,508 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Malitotal subscriptions: 281,638 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Maltatotal subscriptions: 259,456 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 59 (2020 est.) Topic: Marshall Islandstotal subscriptions: 2,361 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2018 est.) Topic: Mauritaniatotal subscriptions: 62,099 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Mauritiustotal subscriptions: 478,700 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 38 (2020 est.) Topic: Mexicototal subscriptions: 24,500,456 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States oftotal subscriptions: 7,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Moldovatotal subscriptions: 1,027,689 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Topic: Monacototal subscriptions: 43,706 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 111 (2020 est.) Topic: Mongoliatotal subscriptions: 160,153 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Montenegrototal subscriptions: 191,768 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Montserrattotal subscriptions: 3,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 60 (2018 est.) Topic: Moroccototal subscriptions: 2,357,286 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Mozambiquetotal subscriptions: 89,016 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Namibiatotal subscriptions: 140,370 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Naurutotal subscriptions: 1,900 (2009 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2009 est.) Topic: Nepaltotal subscriptions: 726,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Netherlandstotal subscriptions: 4.937 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 29 (2020 est.) Topic: New Caledoniatotal subscriptions: 46,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: New Zealandtotal subscriptions: 858,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Nicaraguatotal subscriptions: 210,981 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Nigertotal subscriptions: 58,000 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Nigeriatotal subscriptions: 107,031 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Niuetotal subscriptions: 1,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2018 est.) Topic: North Macedoniatotal subscriptions: 415,390 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2020 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandstotal subscriptions: 20,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Norwaytotal subscriptions: 348,808 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2020 est.) Topic: Omantotal subscriptions: 594,550 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Pakistantotal subscriptions: 2,876,794 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Palautotal subscriptions: 8,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 44 (2020 est.) Topic: Panamatotal subscriptions: 649,156 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Papua New Guineatotal subscriptions: 166,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.) Topic: Paraguaytotal subscriptions: 249,231 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Perutotal subscriptions: 2.47 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Philippinestotal subscriptions: 4,731,196 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Polandtotal subscriptions: 5,777,428 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Portugaltotal subscriptions: 5,212,507 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (2020 est.) Topic: Puerto Ricototal subscriptions: 711,512 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2020 est.) Topic: Qatartotal subscriptions: 454,701 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Romaniatotal subscriptions: 3.025 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Russiatotal subscriptions: 25,892,405 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Rwandatotal subscriptions: 11,671 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhatotal subscriptions: 3,000 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49.93 (2018 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevistotal subscriptions: 15,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Luciatotal subscriptions: 38,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2020 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelontotal subscriptions: 4,800 (2015 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 76 (2015 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinestotal subscriptions: 12,483 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Samoatotal subscriptions: 6,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: San Marinototal subscriptions: 16,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principetotal subscriptions: 2,790 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabiatotal subscriptions: 5,749,058 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Senegaltotal subscriptions: 228,774 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Serbiatotal subscriptions: 2,572,254 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2020 est.) Topic: Seychellestotal subscriptions: 18,882 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2020 est.) Topic: Sierra Leonetotal subscriptions: 189 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Singaporetotal subscriptions: 1.891 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2020 est.) Topic: Slovakiatotal subscriptions: 648,462 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Sloveniatotal subscriptions: 704,909 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2020 est.) Topic: Solomon Islandstotal subscriptions: 7,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Somaliatotal subscriptions: 91,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: South Africatotal subscriptions: 2,098,802 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: South Sudantotal subscriptions: (2018 est.) less than 1 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2018 est.) less than 1 Topic: Spaintotal subscriptions: 19,455,658 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2020 est.) Topic: Sri Lankatotal subscriptions: 2,607,868 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Sudantotal subscriptions: 129,408 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Surinametotal subscriptions: 103,240 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Swedentotal subscriptions: 1,478,610 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Switzerlandtotal subscriptions: 3,071,296 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Syriatotal subscriptions: 2,857,193 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2020 est.) Topic: Taiwantotal subscriptions: 12,971,900 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 55 (2019 est.) Topic: Tajikistantotal subscriptions: 502,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2020 est.) Topic: Tanzaniatotal subscriptions: 72,469 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) Topic: Thailandtotal subscriptions: 5.003 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Timor-Lestetotal subscriptions: 2,012 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Togototal subscriptions: 46,499 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Tokelautotal subscriptions: 0 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2018 est.) Topic: Tongatotal subscriptions: 7,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2020 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagototal subscriptions: 323,905 (2020) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Topic: Tunisiatotal subscriptions: 1,533,273 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2020 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)total subscriptions: 12,448,604 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2020 est.) Topic: Turkmenistantotal subscriptions: 717,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2020 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstotal subscriptions: 4,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2020 est.) Topic: Tuvalutotal subscriptions: 2,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.) Topic: Ugandatotal subscriptions: 90,774 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Ukrainetotal subscriptions: 3,314,263 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2020 est.) Topic: United Arab Emiratestotal subscriptions: 2,380,866 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2020 est.) Topic: United Kingdomtotal subscriptions: 32.037 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2020 est.) Topic: United Statestotal subscriptions: 101.526 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Uruguaytotal subscriptions: 1,224,600 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Topic: Uzbekistantotal subscriptions: 3,550,069 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2020 est.) Topic: Vanuatutotal subscriptions: 3,472 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.) Topic: Venezuelatotal subscriptions: 5,251,182 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (2020 est.) Topic: Vietnamtotal subscriptions: 3,205,775 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2020 est.) Topic: Virgin Islandstotal subscriptions: 76,000 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 73 (2020 est.) Topic: Wallis and Futunatotal subscriptions: 3,132 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2018 est.) Topic: West Banktotal subscriptions: 466,283 (2020 est.) includes Gaza Strip subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 9 (2020 est.) includes Gaza Strip note: includes Gaza Strip Topic: Worldtotal subscriptions: 901,317,598 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2021 est.) Topic: Yementotal subscriptions: 1.24 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2020 est.) Topic: Zambiatotal subscriptions: 71,844 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (2020 est.) less than 1 Topic: Zimbabwetotal subscriptions: 252,067 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2020 est.)

20220901

field-imports-partners

This entry provides a rank ordering of trading partners starting with the most important; it sometimes includes the percent of total dollar value. Topic: AfghanistanUnited Arab Emirates 23%, Pakistan 17%, India 13%, China 9%, United States 9%, Uzbekistan 7%, Kazakhstan 6% (2019) Topic: AlbaniaItaly 28%, Greece 12%, China 11%, Turkey 9%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: AlgeriaChina 18%, France 14%, Italy 8%, Spain 8%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: American SamoaFiji 10.7%, Singapore 10.4%, NZ 10.4%, South Korea 9.3%, Samoa 8.2%, Kenya 6.4%, Australia 5.2% (2017) Topic: AndorraSpain 71%, France 17% (2019) Topic: AngolaChina 22%, Portugal 15%, Nigeria 6%, Belgium 6%, United States 5%, South Africa 5%, Brazil 5% (2019) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaUnited States 39%, Poland 16%, China 7% (2019) Topic: ArgentinaBrazil 21%, China 18%, US 14%, Germany 6% (2019) Topic: ArmeniaRussia 29%, China 10%, Georgia 8%, Iran 6%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: ArubaUnited States 48%, Netherlands 16% (2019) Topic: AustraliaChina 25%, United States 12%, Japan 7%, Germany 5%, Thailand 5% (2019) Topic: AustriaGermany 39%, Italy 7%, Czechia 5% (2019) Topic: AzerbaijanUnited Kingdom 17%, Russia 17%, Turkey 12%, China 6% (2019) Topic: Bahamas, TheUnited States 31%, South Korea 29%, Japan 14% (2019) Topic: BahrainUnited Arab Emirates 27%, China 11%, Saudi Arabia 7%, United States 5%, Brazil 5%, Japan 5%, India 5% (2019) Topic: BangladeshChina 31%, India 15%, Singapore 5% (2019) Topic: BarbadosUnited States 35%, Trinidad and Tobago 14%, China 9%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: BelarusRussia 57%, China 7%, Poland 5%, Germany 5%, Ukraine 5% (2019) Topic: BelgiumNetherlands 16%, Germany 13%, France 10%, United States 8%, Ireland 5%, China 5% (2019) Topic: BelizeUnited States 36%, China 13%, Mexico 12%, Guatemala 10% (2019) Topic: BeninChina 28%, Thailand 9%, India 8%, Togo 6%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: BermudaUnited States 44%, South Korea 17%, Germany 10%, Canada 8% (2019) Topic: BhutanIndia 85%, Thailand 5% (2019) Topic: BoliviaBrazil 22%, Chile 15%, China 13%, Peru 11%, Argentina 8%, United States 7% (2017) Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaCroatia 15%, Serbia 13%, Germany 10%, Italy 9%, Slovenia 7%, China 6% (2019) Topic: BotswanaSouth Africa 58%, Namibia 9%, Canada 7% (2019) Topic: BrazilChina 21%, United States 18%, Germany 6%, Argentina 6% (2019) Topic: British Virgin IslandsGermany 32%, United States 22%, Italy 9%, France 7%, Seychelles 7% (2019) Topic: BruneiSingapore 18%, China 14%, Malaysia 12%, Nigeria 5%, United Arab Emirates 5%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: BulgariaGermany 11%, Russia 9%, Italy 7%, Romania 7%, Turkey 7% (2019) Topic: Burkina FasoCote d'Ivoire 15%, China 9%, Ghana 8%, France 8%, India 6%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: BurmaChina 43%, Thailand 15%, Singapore 12%, Indonesia 5% (2019) Topic: BurundiChina 14%, Saudi Arabia 14%, India 9%, Kenya 7%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Tanzania 5%, Zambia 5% (2019) Topic: Cabo VerdePortugal 36%, Netherlands 16%, Spain 11%, China 6% (2019) Topic: CambodiaChina 27%, Thailand 25%, Vietnam 15%, Singapore 8% (2019) Topic: CameroonChina 28%, Nigeria 15%, France 9%, Belgium 6% (2019) Topic: CanadaUS 57%, China 11%, Mexico 5% (2019) Topic: Cayman IslandsNetherlands 56%, United States 18%, Italy 8%, Switzerland 5% (2019) Topic: Central African RepublicIndia 18%, France 12%, United States 11%, China 9%, Netherlands 7%, Belgium 7%, Malta 6% (2019) Topic: ChadChina 29%, United Arab Emirates 16%, France 10%, United States 8%, India 5% (2019) Topic: ChileChina 24%, United States 20%, Brazil 8%, Germany 5%, Argentina 5% (2019) Topic: ChinaSouth Korea 9%, Japan 8%, Australia 7%, Germany 7%, US 7%, Taiwan 6% (2019) Topic: Christmas IslandAustralia 80%, United States 7%, Canada 5% (2019) Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsAustralia 73%, United Arab Emirates 15%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: ColombiaUnited States 27%, China 20%, Mexico 7%, Brazil 6% (2019) Topic: ComorosChina 22%, United Arab Emirates 16%, France 11%, Pakistan 9%, India 6% (2019) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theChina 29%, South Africa 15%, Zambia 12%, Rwanda 5%, Belgium 5%, India 5% (2019) Topic: Congo, Republic of theChina 15%, France 12%, Belgium 6%, Angola 5% (2019) Topic: Cook IslandsNew Zealand 41%, China 21%, Italy 12%, Fiji 10% (2019) Topic: Costa RicaUnited States 41%, China 13%, Mexico 7% (2019) Topic: Cote d'IvoireChina 18%, Nigeria 13%, France 11% (2019) Topic: CroatiaItaly 14%, Germany 14%, Slovenia 11%, Hungary 7%, Austria 6% (2019) Topic: CubaSpain 19%, China 15%, Italy 6%, Canada 5%, Russia 5%, United States 5%, Brazil 5% (2019) Topic: CuracaoUnited States 35%, Netherlands 24%, China 5% (2019) Topic: CyprusGreece 16%, Italy 10%, Turkey 8%, Russia 5%, Germany 5%, United Kingdom 5%, China 5% (2019) Topic: CzechiaGermany 27%, China 12%, Poland 9%, Slovakia 5% (2019) Topic: DenmarkGermany 21%, Sweden 11%, Netherlands 8%, China 7% (2019) Topic: DjiboutiChina 43%, United Arab Emirates 15%, India 7%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: DominicaUnited States 57%, Nigeria 11%, China 6%, Italy 5% (2019) Topic: Dominican RepublicUnited States 50%, China 13% (2019) Topic: EcuadorUnited States 22%, China 18%, Colombia 9%, Panama 5% (2019) Topic: EgyptChina 15%, Russia 7%, United States 6%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: El SalvadorUnited States 30%, China 14%, Guatemala 13%, Mexico 8%, Honduras 6% (2019) Topic: Equatorial GuineaUnited States 22%, Spain 19%, China 12%, United Kingdom 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Topic: EritreaUAE 14.5%, China 13.2%, Saudi Arabia 13.2%, Italy 12.9%, Turkey 5.6%, South Africa 4.6% (2017) Topic: EstoniaRussia 12%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Lithuania 7%, Latvia 7%, Sweden 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2019) Topic: EswatiniSouth Africa 81.6%, China 5.2% (2017) Topic: EthiopiaChina 27%, India 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, France 9%, United Kingdom 7% (2019) Topic: European UnionChina 20.1%, United States 14.5%, Switzerland 7.1%, Russia 6.3% (2016 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)United Kingdom 79%, Netherlands 16% (2019) Topic: Faroe IslandsDenmark 33%, China 10.7%, Germany 7.6%, Poland 6.8%, Norway 6.7%, Ireland 5%, Chile 4.3% (2017) Topic: FijiSingapore 18%, Australia 13%, China 13.8%, New Zealand 11%, France 11%, South Korea 8% (2017) Topic: FinlandGermany 16%, Sweden 14%, Russia 13%, China 6%, Netherlands 6% (2019) Topic: FranceGermany 18%, Belgium 9%, Italy 9%, Spain 7%, China 7%, Netherlands 6%, United Kingdom 5% (2019) Topic: French PolynesiaFrance 27.9%, South Korea 12.1%, US 10.1%, China 7.3%, NZ 6.7%, Singapore 4.2% (2017) Topic: GabonFrance 22%, China 17%, Belgium 6%, United States 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Topic: Gambia, TheChina 33%, India 10%, Senegal 5%, Brazil 5% (2019) Topic: GeorgiaTurkey 17%, China 11%, Russia 9%, Azerbaijan 6%, United States 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: GermanyNetherlands 9%, China 8%, France 7%, Belgium 6%, Poland 6%, Italy 6%, Czechia 5%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: GhanaChina 24%, Nigeria 22%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: GibraltarSpain 19%, US 12%, India 12%, Italy 12%, Netherlands 11%, United Kingdom 7%, Greece 6% (2019) Topic: GreeceGermany 11%, China 9%, Italy 8%, Iraq 7%, Russia 6%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: GreenlandDenmark 51%, Spain 23%, Sweden 12%, Iceland 7% (2019) Topic: GrenadaUnited States 35%, Canada 24%, China 5% (2019) Topic: GuamSingapore 33%, Japan 21%, South Korea 18%, Hong Kong 9%, Malaysia 6% (2019) Topic: GuatemalaUnited States 36%, China 12%, Mexico 11%, El Salvador 5% (2019) Topic: GuineaChina 39%, India 8%, Netherlands 6%, Belgium 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Topic: Guinea-BissauPortugal 31%, Senegal 20%, China 10%, Netherlands 7%, Pakistan 7% (2019) Topic: GuyanaUnited States 26%, Trinidad and Tobago 16%, Singapore 18%, Liberia 11%, China 5%, Norway 5% (2019) Topic: HaitiUnited States 39%, China 22%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: HondurasUnited States 42%, China 10%, Guatemala 8%, El Salvador 8%, Mexico 6% (2019) Topic: Hong KongChina 46%, Taiwan 7%, Singapore 7%, South Korea 5%, United States 5%, Japan 5% (2019) Topic: HungaryGermany 25%, China 6%, Poland 6%, Austria 6%, Czechia 5%, Slovakia 5%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: IcelandNorway 11%, Netherlands 10%, Germany 8%, Denmark 8%, United States 7%, United Kingdom 6%, China 6%, Sweden 5% (2019) Topic: IndiaChina 15%, United States 7%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019) Topic: IndonesiaChina 27%, Singapore 12%, Japan 8%, Thailand 5%, United States 5%, South Korea 5%, Malaysia 5% (2019) Topic: IranChina 28%, United Arab Emirates 20%, India 11%, Turkey 7%, Brazil 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: IraqUnited Arab Emirates 28%, Turkey 21%, China 19% (2019) Topic: IrelandUnited Kingdom 31%, United States 16%, Germany 10%, Netherlands 5%, France 5% (2019) Topic: IsraelUnited States 12%, China 11%, Germany 7.5%, Switzerland 7%, Turkey 6% (2020) Topic: ItalyGermany 16%, France 9%, China 7%, Spain 5%, Netherlands 5%, Belgium 5% (2019) Topic: JamaicaUnited States 43%, China 11% (2019) Topic: JapanChina 23%, United States 11%, Australia 6% (2019) Topic: JordanChina 17%, Saudi Arabia 15%, United States 6%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Egypt 5%, India 5% (2019) Topic: KazakhstanRussia 34%, China 24% (2019) Topic: KenyaChina 24%, United Arab Emirates 10%, India 10%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Japan 5% (2019) Topic: KiribatiChina 20%, Fiji 19%, Australia 12%, Taiwan 11%, South Korea 11%, New Zealand 7%, Japan 5% (2019) Topic: Korea, NorthChina 96% (2019) Topic: Korea, SouthChina 22%, United States 12%, Japan 9% (2019) Topic: KosovoGermany 12.4%, Serbia 12.3%, Turkey 9.6%, China 9.1%, Italy 6.4%, North Macedonia 5.1%, Albania 5%, Greece 4.4% (2017) Topic: KuwaitChina 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, United States 10%, Saudi Arabia 6%, Japan 6%, Germany 5%, India 5% (2019) Topic: KyrgyzstanChina 53%, Russia 17%, Kazakhstan 7%, Uzbekistan 7%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: LaosThailand 53%, China 26%, Vietnam 10% (2019) Topic: LatviaRussia 21%, Lithuania 14%, Germany 9%, Poland 7%, Estonia 7% (2019) Topic: LebanonUnited Arab Emirates 11%, China 10%, Italy 8%, Greece 8%, Turkey 7%, United States 6% (2019) Topic: LesothoSouth Africa 85%, China 5% (2019) Topic: LiberiaChina 41%, Japan 21%, South Korea 18% (2019) Topic: LibyaChina 16%, Turkey 14%, Italy 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, Egypt 5% (2019) Topic: LithuaniaPoland 12%, Russia 12%, Germany 12%, Latvia 7%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: LuxembourgBelgium 27%, Germany 24%, France 11%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: MacauChina 33%, Hong Kong 31%, France 5% (2019) Topic: MadagascarChina 24%, France 11%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 7%, South Africa 5% (2019) Topic: MalawiSouth Africa 17%, China 16%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 9%, United Kingdom 8% (2019) Topic: MalaysiaChina 24%, Singapore 14%, Japan 6%, United States 6%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019) Topic: MaldivesUnited Arab Emirates 24%, China 16%, Singapore 14%, India 11%, Malaysia 6%, Thailand 5% (2019) Topic: MaliSenegal 23%, Cote d'Ivoire 15%, China 11%, France 9% (2019) Topic: MaltaRussia 22%, Italy 12%, United Kingdom 11%, Germany 6%, Turkey 5%, France 5%, China 5%, South Korea 5% (2019) Topic: Marshall IslandsSouth Korea 39%, China 27%, Japan 15% (2019) Topic: MauritaniaChina 26%, France 6%, Spain 6%, Morocco 6%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Topic: MauritiusChina 15%, India 13%, France 10%, South Africa 8%, United Arab Emirates 7% (2019) Topic: MexicoUnited States 54%, China 14% (2019) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofUnited States 32%, China 16%, Japan 14%, Taiwan 9%, Philippines 6%, South Korea 6% (2019) Topic: MoldovaRomania 20%, Russia 10%, Ukraine 9%, Germany 8%, China 7%, Turkey 6%, Italy 6% (2019) Topic: MonacoItaly 34%, Switzerland 16%, Germany 9%, United Kingdom 7% (2019) Topic: MongoliaChina 31%, Russia 29%, Japan 10%, South Korea 5% (2019) Topic: MontenegroSerbia 30%, Bosnia and Herzegovina 8%, Croatia 8%, Italy 6%, Greece 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: MontserratUnited States 70%, United Kingdom 6% (2019) Topic: MoroccoSpain 19%, France 11%, China 9%, United States 7%, Germany 5%, Turkey 5%, Italy 5% (2019) Topic: MozambiqueSouth Africa 31%, India 18%, China 17% (2019) Topic: NamibiaSouth Africa 47%, Zambia 16% (2019) Topic: NauruTaiwan 52%, Australia 28% (2019) Topic: NepalIndia 70%, China 15% (2019) Topic: NetherlandsGermany 15%, China 11%, Belgium 9%, United States 8%, Russia 7%, United Kingdom 5% (2019) Topic: New CaledoniaFrance 43%, Australia 12%, Singapore 12%, China 6% (2019) Topic: New ZealandChina 18%, Australia 15%, United States 9%, Japan 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: NicaraguaUnited States 27%, Mexico 12%, China 11%, Guatemala 9%, Costa Rica 7%, El Salvador 6%, Honduras 6% (2019) Topic: NigerChina 19%, France 9%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Cote d'Ivoire 6%, India 6%, Nigeria 5%, Togo 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: NigeriaChina 30%, Netherlands 11%, United States 6%, Belgium 5% (2019) Topic: NiueNew Zealand 43%, United Kingdom 30%, Japan 22% (2019) Topic: Norfolk IslandNew Zealand 23%, Australia 19%, Philippines 19%, Singapore 14%, Fiji 11% (2019) Topic: North MacedoniaUnited Kingdom 14%, Germany 14%, Greece 8%, Serbia 8% (2019) Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsHong Kong 29%, Japan 29%, Singapore 16%, South Korea 9% (2019) Topic: NorwaySweden 17%, Germany 12%, China 8%, Denmark 7%, United States 6%, United Kingdom 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: OmanUnited Arab Emirates 36%, China 10%, Japan 7%, India 7%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: PakistanChina 28%, United Arab Emirates 11%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: PalauSouth Korea 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 17%, United States 17%, Japan 16% (2019) Topic: PanamaChina 21%, United States 19%, Japan 16%, Colombia 6%, Ecuador 5% (2019) Topic: Papua New GuineaAustralia 33%, China 19%, Singapore 14%, Malaysia 9% (2019) Topic: ParaguayBrazil 24%, United States 22%, China 17%, Argentina 10%, Chile 5% (2019) Topic: PeruChina 24%, United States 22%, Brazil 6% (2019) Topic: PhilippinesChina 29%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7%, United States 6%, Singapore 6%, Indonesia 6%, Thailand 5%, Taiwan 5% (2019) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsEcuador 43%, New Zealand 29% (2019) Topic: PolandGermany 25%, China 10%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: PortugalSpain 29%, Germany 13%, France 9%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019) Topic: Puerto RicoIreland 38%, Singapore 9%, Switzerland 8%, South Korea 5% (2019) Topic: QatarUnited States 15%, France 13%, United Kingdom 9%, China 9%, Germany 5%, Italy 5% (2019) Topic: RomaniaGermany 19%, Italy 9%, Hungary 7%, Poland 6%, China 5%, France 5% (2019) Topic: RussiaChina 20%, Germany 13%, Belarus 6% (2019) Topic: RwandaChina 17%, Kenya 10%, Tanzania 9%, United Arab Emirates 9%, India 7%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2019) Topic: Saint BarthelemyFrance 78%, Switzerland 7%, Italy 7% (2019) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaUnited Kingdom 65%, South Africa 21% (2019) Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisUnited States 59%, Peru 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: Saint LuciaColombia 46%, United States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 5% (2019) Topic: Saint MartinUnited States 76%, Netherlands 7%, France 7% (2019) Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonFrance 69%, Canada 22% (2019) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesUnited States 30%, Trinidad and Tobago 12%, China 8%, United Kingdom 6% (2019) Topic: SamoaNew Zealand 22%, China 16%, Singapore 13%, United States 10%, Australia 9%, South Korea 8%, Fiji 5% (2019) Topic: San MarinoGermany 21%, Italy 13%, Poland 10%, France 7%, Spain 7%, Belgium 6%, Romania 6% (2019) Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipePortugal 41%, Angola 17%, China 8% (2019 ) Topic: Saudi ArabiaChina 18%, United Arab Emirates 12%, United States 9%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: SenegalChina 17%, France 11%, Belgium 7%, Russia 7%, Netherlands 7% (2019) Topic: SerbiaGermany 13%, Russia 9%, Italy 8%, Hungary 6%, China 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: SeychellesUnited Arab Emirates 21%, Qatar 13%, British Virgin Islands 7%, Germany 6%, France 6%, China 5%, Spain 5%, South Africa 5% (2019) Topic: Sierra LeoneChina 27%, India 11%, United States 6%, Ghana 5%, Turkey 5% (2019) Topic: SingaporeChina 16%, Malaysia 11%, United States 9%, Taiwan 7%, Japan 5%, Indonesia 5% (2019) Topic: SlovakiaGermany 18%, Czechia 18%, Poland 8%, Hungary 7%, Russia 5% (2019) Topic: SloveniaGermany 14%, Italy 12%, Austria 8%, Switzerland 8%, China 7% (2019) Topic: Solomon IslandsChina 24%, Australia 13%, South Korea 12%, Singapore 12%, Malaysia 10% (2019) Topic: SomaliaUnited Arab Emirates 32%, China 20%, India 17%, Turkey 7% (2019) Topic: South AfricaChina 18%, Germany 11%, United States 6%, India 5% (2019) Topic: South SudanUnited Arab Emirates 37%, Kenya 18%, China 18% (2019) Topic: SpainGermany 13%, France 11%, China 8%, Italy 7% (2019) Topic: Sri LankaIndia 24%, China 23%, Singapore 7%, United Arab Emirates 6%, Malaysia 5% (2019) Topic: SudanChina 31%, India 14%, United Arab Emirates 11%, Egypt 6% (2019) Topic: SurinameUnited States 22%, Netherlands 14%, China 13%, Trinidad and Tobago 7%, Antigua and Barbuda 5% (2019) Topic: SwedenGermany 18%, Netherlands 9%, Denmark 7%, Norway 7%, China 6%, Finland 5%, Belgium 5%, Poland 5% (2019) Topic: SwitzerlandGermany 21%, Italy 8%, United States 6%, France 6%, United Kingdom 5%, United Arab Emirates 5% (2019) Topic: SyriaTurkey 27%, China 22%, United Arab Emirates 14%, Egypt 5% (2019) Topic: TaiwanChina 21%, Japan 16%, United States 11%, South Korea 6% (2019) Topic: TajikistanChina 40%, Russia 38%, Kazakhstan 19%, Uzbekistan 5% (2019) Topic: TanzaniaChina 34%, India 15%, United Arab Emirates 12% (2019) Topic: ThailandChina 22%, Japan 14%, United States 7%, Malaysia 6% (2019) Topic: Timor-LesteIndonesia 39%, China 27%, Singapore 10%, Malaysia 5% (2019) Topic: TogoChina 18%, South Korea 13%, India 11%, Belgium 10%, Netherlands 8%, United States 5% (2019) Topic: TokelauSamoa 35%, Ireland 17%, Philippines 14%, Malaysia 13%, South Africa 9% (2019) Topic: TongaFiji 29%, New Zealand 23%, China 14%, United States 8%, Australia 6%, Japan 6% (2019) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoUnited States 40%, Guyana 19%, China 6% (2019) Topic: TunisiaFrance 17%, Italy 16%, Germany 8%, China 8%, Algeria 7% (2019) Topic: TurkeyGermany 11%, China 9%, Russia 9%, United States 5%, Italy 5% (2019) Topic: TurkmenistanTurkey 25%, Russia 18%, China 14%, Germany 6% (2019) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsUnited States 76% (2019) Topic: TuvaluChina 32%, Japan 29%, Fiji 23%, New Zealand 6% (2019) Topic: UgandaChina 19%, India 17%, Kenya 16%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Japan 5% (2019) Topic: UkraineChina 13%, Russia 12%, Germany 10%, Poland 9%, Belarus 7% (2019) Topic: United Arab EmiratesChina 15%, India 12%, Untied States 7% (2019) Topic: United KingdomGermany 13%, China 10%, United States 8%, Netherlands 7%, France 6%, Belgium 5% (2019) Topic: United StatesChina 18%, Mexico 15%, Canada 13%, Japan 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: UruguayBrazil 25%, China 15%, United States 11%, Argentina 11% (2019) Topic: UzbekistanChina 23%, Russia 18%, South Korea 11%, Kazakhstan 9%, Turkey 6%, Germany 5% (2019) Topic: VanuatuChina 29%, Australia 18%, New Zealand 11%, Fiji 11%, Taiwan 5%, Thailand 5% (2019) Topic: VenezuelaChina 28%, United States 22%, Brazil 8%, Spain 6%, Mexico 6%  (2019) Topic: VietnamChina 35%, South Korea 18%, Japan 6% (2019) Topic: Virgin IslandsIndia 18%, Algeria 14%, South Korea 9%, Argentina 9%, Sweden 7%, Brazil 5% (2019) Topic: Wallis and FutunaFrance 43%, Fiji 24%, New Zealand 11%, Australia 6% (2019) Topic: YemenChina 25%, Turkey 10%, United Arab Emirates 9%, Saudi Arabia 8%, India 7% (2019) Topic: ZambiaSouth Africa 29%, China 14%, United Arab Emirates 12%, India 5% (2019) Topic: ZimbabweSouth Africa 41%, Singapore 23%, China 8% (2019)

20220901

countries-estonia

Topic: Photos of Estonia Topic: Introduction Background: After centuries of Danish, Swedish, German, and Russian rule, Estonia attained independence in 1918. Forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1940 - an action never recognized by the US and many other countries - it regained its freedom in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since the last Russian troops left in 1994, Estonia has been free to promote economic and political ties with the West. It joined both NATO and the EU in the spring of 2004, formally joined the OECD in late 2010, and adopted the euro as its official currency on 1 January 2011.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia Geographic coordinates: 59 00 N, 26 00 E Map references: Europe Area: total: 45,228 sq km land: 42,388 sq km water: 2,840 sq km note: includes 1,520 islands in the Baltic Sea Area - comparative: about twice the size of New Jersey Land boundaries: total: 657 km border countries (2): Latvia 333 km; Russia 324 km Coastline: 3,794 km Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: limits as agreed to by Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Russia Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers Terrain: marshy, lowlands; flat in the north, hilly in the south Elevation: highest point: Suur Munamagi 318 m lowest point: Baltic Sea 0 m mean elevation: 61 m Natural resources: oil shale, peat, rare earth elements, phosphorite, clay, limestone, sand, dolomite, arable land, sea mud Land use: agricultural land: 22.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.) forest: 52.1% (2018 est.) other: 25.7% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 40 sq km (2012) Population distribution: a fairly even distribution throughout most of the country, with urban areas attracting larger and denser populations Natural hazards: sometimes flooding occurs in the spring Geography - note: the mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands Map description: Estonia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea.Estonia map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Baltic Sea. Topic: People and Society Population: 1,211,524 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Estonian(s) adjective: Estonian Ethnic groups: Estonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.) Languages: Estonian (official) 68.5%, Russian 29.6%, Ukrainian 0.6%, other 1.2%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.) Religions: Orthodox 16.2%, Lutheran 9.9%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Roman Catholic, Pentecostal) 2.2%, other 0.9%, none 54.1%, unspecified 16.7% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 16.22% (male 102,191/female 97,116) 15-24 years: 8.86% (male 56,484/female 52,378) 25-54 years: 40.34% (male 252,273/female 243,382) 55-64 years: 13.58% (male 76,251/female 90,576) 65 years and over: 21% (2020 est.) (male 89,211/female 168,762) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 58.4 youth dependency ratio: 26.1 elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 potential support ratio: 3.1 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 43.7 years male: 40.4 years female: 47 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: -0.71% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 8.75 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 13.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: -2.79 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 Urbanization: urban population: 69.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 452,000 TALLINN (capital) (2022) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.42 male(s)/female total population: 0.89 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 28.2 years (2020 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 9 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 3.42 deaths/1,000 live births male: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.56 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 77.88 years male: 73.25 years female: 82.73 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.61 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population rural: NA total: 99.6% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: NA total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 6.7% (2019) Physicians density: 3.47 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 4.6 beds/1,000 population (2018) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.8% of population rural: 100% of population total: 99.8% of population unimproved: urban: 0.2% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.8% (2020 est.) HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 7,100 (2020 est.) note: estimate does not include children HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <100 note: estimate does not include children Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 21.2% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 29.7% (2020 est.) male: 36.3% (2020 est.) female: 23% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.4% (2013/15) Education expenditures: 5.2% of GDP (2018 est.) Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.8% male: 99.8% female: 99.8% (2015) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 15 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.9% male: 17.4% female: 18.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: air polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast; however, the amounts of pollutants emitted to the air have fallen dramatically and the pollution load of wastewater at purification plants has decreased substantially due to improved technology and environmental monitoring; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and manmade lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas need to be monitored; coastal seawater is polluted in certain locations Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, 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, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 6.74 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 16.59 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 0.99 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: maritime; wet, moderate winters, cool summers Land use: agricultural land: 22.2% (2018 est.) arable land: 14.9% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 7.2% (2018 est.) forest: 52.1% (2018 est.) other: 25.7% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 69.6% of total population (2021) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.85% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.) Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: intermediate (2020) vectorborne diseases: tickborne encephalitis Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 473,000 tons (2015 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 117,020 tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.7% (2015 est.) Total water withdrawal: municipal: 59.4 million cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 1.721 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 4.5 million cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 12.806 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Estonia conventional short form: Estonia local long form: Eesti Vabariik local short form: Eesti former: Estonian Soviet Socialist Republic (while occupied by the USSR) etymology: the country name may derive from the Aesti, an ancient people who lived along the eastern Baltic Sea in the first centuries A.D. Government type: parliamentary republic Capital: name: Tallinn geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 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 Estonian name is generally believed to be derived from "Taani-linn" (originally meaning "Danish castle", now "Danish town") after a stronghold built in the area by the Danes; it could also have come from "tali-linn" ("winter castle" or "winter town") or "talu-linn" ("home castle" or "home town") Administrative divisions: 15 urban municipalities (linnad, singular - linn), 64 rural municipalities (vallad, singular vald) urban municipalities: Haapsalu, Keila, Kohtla-Jarve, Loksa, Maardu, Narva, Narva-Joesuu, Paide, Parnu, Rakvere, Sillamae, Tallinn, Tartu, Viljandi, Voru rural municipalities: Alutaguse, Anija, Antsla, Elva, Haademeeste, Haljala, Harku, Hiiumaa, Jarva, Joelahtme, Jogeva, Johvi, Kadrina, Kambja, Kanepi, Kastre, Kehtna, Kihnu, Kiili, Kohila, Kose, Kuusalu, Laane-Harju, Laane-Nigula, Laaneranna, Luganuse, Luunja, Marjamaa, Muhu, Mulgi, Mustvee, Noo, Otepaa, Peipsiaare, Pohja-Parnumaa, Pohja-Sakala, Poltsamaa, Polva, Raasiku, Rae, Rakvere, Räpina, Rapla, Rouge, Ruhnu, Saarde, Saaremaa, Saku, Saue, Setomaa, Tapa, Tartu, Toila, Tori, Torva, Turi, Vaike-Maarja, Valga, Viimsi, Viljandi, Vinni, Viru-Nigula, Vormsi, Voru Independence: 24 February 1918 (from Soviet Russia); 20 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 6 September 1991 (recognized by the Soviet Union) National holiday: Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union restoring its statehood Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 28 June 1992, entered into force 3 July 1992 amendments: proposed by at least one-fifth of Parliament members or by the president of the republic; passage requires three readings of the proposed amendment and a simple majority vote in two successive memberships of Parliament; passage of amendments to the "General Provisions" and "Amendment of the Constitution" chapters requires at least three-fifths majority vote by Parliament to conduct a referendum and majority vote in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2015 Legal system: civil law system 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 Estonia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; age 16 for local elections Executive branch: chief of state: President Alar KARIS (since 11 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Kaja KALLAS (since 26 January 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister, approved by Parliament elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 30-31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); in a first round of voting on 30 August, parliament failed to elect a president; in a second round on 31 August, the sole candidate, Alar KARIS, received 72 votes of 101 votes (there were 8 blank votes and 21 electors not present); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament election results: 2021: Alar KARIS elected president; parliamentary vote Alar KARIS (independent) 72 of 101 votes;  KALLAS is Estonia's first female prime minister 2016: Kersti KALJULAID is indirectly elected president with 81 of 98 votes in parliament (17 ballots blank). She is sworn in on October 10 as the first female head of state of Estonia.president indirectly elected by Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); if a candidate does not secure two thirds of the votes after 3 rounds of balloting, then an electoral college consisting of Parliament members and local council members elects the president, choosing between the 2 candidates with the highest number of votes; election last held on 30-31 August 2021 (next to be held in 2026); in a first round of voting on 30 August, parliament failed to elect a president; in a second round on 31 August, the sole candidate, Alar KARIS, received 72 votes of 101 votes (there were 8 blank votes and 21 electors not present); prime minister nominated by the president and approved by Parliament2021: Alar KARIS elected president; parliamentary vote Alar KARIS (independent) 72 of 101 votes;  KALLAS is Estonia's first female prime minister 2016: Kersti KALJULAID is indirectly elected president with 81 of 98 votes in parliament (17 ballots blank). She is sworn in on October 10 as the first female head of state of Estonia. Legislative branch: description: unicameral Parliament or Riigikogu (101 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by open- list proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) elections: last held on 3 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2023) election results: percent of vote by party - RE 28.9%, K 23.1%, EKRE 17.8%, Pro Patria 11.4%, SDE 9.8%, other 9%; seats by party - RE 34, K 26, EKRE 19, Pro Patria 12, SDE 10; composition - men 75, women 26, percent of women 25.7% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 19 justices, including the chief justice, and organized into civil, criminal, administrative, and constitutional review chambers) judge selection and term of office: the chief justice is proposed by the president of the republic and appointed by the Riigikogu; other justices proposed by the chief justice and appointed by the Riigikogu; justices appointed for life subordinate courts: circuit (appellate) courts; administrative, county, city, and specialized courts Political parties and leaders: Center Party of Estonia (Keskerakond) or K [Juri RATAS] Estonia 200 [Kristina KALLAS] Estonian Conservative People's Party (Konservatiivne Rahvaerakond) or EKRE [Mart HELME] Estonian Reform Party (Reformierakond) or RE [Kaja KALLAS] Free Party or EV [Andres HERKEL] Pro Patria (Isamaa) [Helir-Valdor SEEDER] Social Democratic Party or SDE [Jevgeni OSSINOVSKI] International organization participation: Australia Group, BA, BIS, CBSS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA (cooperating state), EU, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NIB, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kristjan PRIKK (since 7 July 2021) chancery: 1990 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 588-0101 FAX: [1] (202) 588-0108 email address and website: Embassy.Washington@mfa.ee https://washington.mfa.ee/ consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Brian RORAFF (since July 2019) embassy: Kentmanni 20, 15099 Tallinn mailing address: 4530 Tallinn Place, Washington DC  20521-4530 telephone: [372] 668-8100 FAX: [372] 668-8265 email address and website: acstallinn@state.gov https://ee.usembassy.gov/ Flag description: three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), black, and white; various interpretations are linked to the flag colors; blue represents faith, loyalty, and devotion, while also reminiscent of the sky, sea, and lakes of the country; black symbolizes the soil of the country and the dark past and suffering endured by the Estonian people; white refers to the striving towards enlightenment and virtue, and is the color of birch bark and snow, as well as summer nights illuminated by the midnight sun National symbol(s): barn swallow, cornflower; national colors: blue, black, white National anthem: name: "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 National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center (Old Town) of Tallinn; Struve Geodetic Arc Topic: Economy Economic overview: Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU.   The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption.   Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce.Estonia, a member of the EU since 2004 and the euro zone since 2011, has a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and the Baltic region, but its economy is highly dependent on trade, leaving it vulnerable to external shocks. Estonia's successive governments have pursued a free market, pro-business economic agenda, and sound fiscal policies that have resulted in balanced budgets and the lowest debt-to-GDP ratio in the EU. The economy benefits from strong electronics and telecommunications sectors and strong trade ties with Finland, Sweden, Germany, and Russia. The economy’s 4.9% GDP growth in 2017 was the fastest in the past six years, leaving the Estonian economy in its best position since the financial crisis 10 years ago. For the first time in many years, labor productivity increased faster than labor costs in 2017. Inflation also rose in 2017 to 3.5% alongside increased global prices for food and energy, which make up a large share of Estonia’s consumption. Estonia is challenged by a shortage of labor, both skilled and unskilled, although the government has amended its immigration law to allow easier hiring of highly qualified foreign workers, and wage growth that outpaces productivity gains. The government is also pursuing efforts to boost productivity growth with a focus on innovations that emphasize technology start-ups and e-commerce. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $47.44 billion (2020 est.) $48.87 billion (2019 est.) $46.54 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 5% (2019 est.) 4.36% (2018 est.) 5.51% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $35,600 (2020 est.) $36,800 (2019 est.) $35,200 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $31.461 billion (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (2019 est.) 3.4% (2018 est.) 3.4% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA- (2018) Moody's rating: A1 (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AA- (2011) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.8% (2017 est.) industry: 29.2% (2017 est.) services: 68.1% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 50.3% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.4% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 2.2% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 77.2% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -74% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, milk, barley, rapeseed, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, pork, triticale Industries: food, engineering, electronics, wood and wood products, textiles; information technology, telecommunications Industrial production growth rate: 9.5% (2017 est.) Labor force: 648,000 (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2.7% industry: 20.5% services: 76.8% (2017 est.) Unemployment rate: 4.94% (2019 est.) 4.73% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 17.9% male: 17.4% female: 18.4% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 21.7% (2018 est.) Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 30.4 (2017 est.) 35.6 (2014) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.3% highest 10%: 25.6% (2015) Budget: revenues: 10.37 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 10.44 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -0.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 9% of GDP (2017 est.) 9.4% of GDP (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities, including sub-sectors of central government, state government, local government, and social security funds Taxes and other revenues: 39.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: calendar year Current account balance: $616 million (2019 est.) $280 million (2018 est.) Exports: $21.69 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $22.94 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $22.69 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: Finland 13%, Sweden 9%, Latvia 8%, Russia 8%, United States 7%, Lithuania 6%, Germany 6% (2019) Exports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, cars, prefabricated buildings (2019) Imports: $21.73 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $21.68 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $21.89 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: Russia 12%, Germany 10%, Finland 9%, Lithuania 7%, Latvia 7%, Sweden 6%, Poland 6%, China 6% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars, refined petroleum, coal tar oil, broadcasting equipment, packaged medicines (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $345 million (31 December 2017 est.) $352.2 million (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $23.944 billion (2019 est.) $23.607 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: 3.03 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 9.172 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 3.722 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 7.367 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 375 million kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 55.8% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 14.3% 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: 27.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 27,150 bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 35,520 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 417.106 million cubic meters (2020 est.) exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) imports: 417.276 million cubic meters (2020 est.) proven reserves: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 4.924 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 44,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.979 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 901,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 76.329 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 304,728 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 1,925,789 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 145 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the competitive telecom market continues to progress with a range of regulatory measures which have enabled alternative operators to chip away at the fixed-line market share of the incumbent telco Telia Estonia; fixed-line infrastructure upgrades have been focused on fiber, and the legacy DSL network has gradually been replaced; the MNOs Telia, Elisa and Tele2 have comprehensive LTE infrastructure in place; limited commercial 5G deployments have been made though an expansion of service availability awaits the delayed auction of spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, which is expected to be held later in 2021. (2021) domestic: just under 23 per 100 for fixed-line subscribership and approximately 145 per 100 for mobile-cellular; substantial fiber-optic cable systems carry telephone, TV, and radio traffic in the digital mode; Internet services are widely available; schools and libraries are connected to the Internet, a large percentage of the population files income tax returns online, and online voting - in local and parliamentary elections - has climbed steadily since first being introduced in 2005; a large percent of Estonian households have broadband access (2020) international: country code - 372; landing points for the EE-S-1, EESF-3, Baltic Sea Submarine Cable, FEC and EESF-2 fiber-optic submarine cables to other Estonia points, Finland, and Sweden; 2 international switches are located in Tallinn (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: the publicly owned broadcaster, Eesti Rahvusringhaaling (ERR), operates 3 TV channels and 5 radio networks; growing number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting nationally, regionally, and locally; fully transitioned to digital television in 2010; national private TV channels expanding service; a range of channels are aimed at Russian-speaking viewers; in 2016, there were 42 on-demand services available in Estonia, including 19 pay TVOD and SVOD services; roughly 85% of households accessed digital television services Internet country code: .ee Internet users: total: 1,183,236 (2020 est.) percent of population: 89% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 415,610 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 31 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 3 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 14 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 31,981 (2018) Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: ES Airports: total: 18 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 13 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 5 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 3 (2021) Heliports: 1 (2021) Pipelines: 2,360 km gas (2016) Railways: total: 2,146 km (2016) broad gauge: 2,146 km (2016) 1.520-m and 1.524-m gauge (132 km electrified) note: includes 1,510 km public and 636 km non-public railway Roadways: total: 58,412 km (2011) (includes urban roads) paved: 10,427 km (2011) (includes 115 km of expressways) unpaved: 47,985 km (2011) Waterways: 335 km (2011) (320 km are navigable year-round) Merchant marine: total: 68 by type: general cargo 2, oil tanker 4, other 62 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Kuivastu, Kunda, Muuga, Parnu Reid, Sillamae, Tallinn Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Estonian Defense Forces: Land Forces, Navy, Air Force, Estonian Defense League (Reserves) (2022) Military expenditures: 2.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2020) 2% of GDP (2019) (approximately $850 million) 2% of GDP (2018) (approximately $800 million) 2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $750 million) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 7,000 active duty personnel; approximately 15,000 Defense League (2022) Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Estonian Defense Forces have a limited inventory of Soviet-era and more recently acquired modern weapons systems, largely from western European countries, particularly France and the Netherlands (2021) Military service age and obligation: men 18-27 for compulsory military or governmental service, conscript service requirement 8-11 months depending on education; NCOs, reserve officers, and specialists serve 11 months; women can volunteer and as of 2018, women could serve in any branch of the military (2021) note: conscripts comprise about half (approximately 3,000-3,300) of the Estonian military's 6,500 active personnel and serve in all branches, except for the Air Force, which does not have conscripts; in 2020, women comprised about 10% of the full-time professional military force Military - note: Estonia officially became a member of NATO in 2004 since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiative NATO also has provided air protection for Estonia since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on 4-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft have been hosted at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base since 2014 (2022)since 2017, Estonia has hosted a UK-led multi-national NATO ground force battlegroup as part of the Alliance’s Enhanced Forward Presence initiativeNATO also has provided air protection for Estonia since 2004 through its Air Policing mission; NATO member countries that possess air combat capabilities voluntarily contribute to the mission on 4-month rotations; NATO fighter aircraft have been hosted at Estonia’s Ämari Air Base since 2014 Topic: Transnational Issues Disputes - international: Russia and Estonia in May 2005 signed a technical border agreement, but Russia in June 2005 recalled its signature after the Estonian parliament added to its domestic ratification act a historical preamble referencing the Soviet occupation and Estonia's pre-war borders under the 1920 Treaty of Tartu; Russia contends that the preamble allows Estonia to make territorial claims on Russia in the future, while Estonian officials deny that the preamble has any legal impact on the treaty text; Russia demands better treatment of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia implements strict Schengen border rules with RussiaRussia and Estonia in May 2005 signed a technical border agreement, but Russia in June 2005 recalled its signature after the Estonian parliament added to its domestic ratification act a historical preamble referencing the Soviet occupation and Estonia's pre-war borders under the 1920 Treaty of Tartu; Russia contends that the preamble allows Estonia to make territorial claims on Russia in the future, while Estonian officials deny that the preamble has any legal impact on the treaty text; Russia demands better treatment of the Russian-speaking population in Estonia; as a member state that forms part of the EU's external border, Estonia implements strict Schengen border rules with Russia Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 49,471 (Ukraine) (as of 9 August 2022) stateless persons: 71,873 (mid-year 2021); note - following independence in 1991, automatic citizenship was restricted to those who were Estonian citizens prior to the 1940 Soviet occupation and their descendants; thousands of ethnic Russians remained stateless when forced to choose between passing Estonian language and citizenship tests or applying for Russian citizenship; one reason for demurring on Estonian citizenship was to retain the right of visa-free travel to Russia; stateless residents can vote in local elections but not general elections; stateless parents who have been lawful residents of Estonia for at least five years can apply for citizenship for their children before they turn 15 years old Illicit drugs: producer of synthetic drugs; important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy

20220901

countries-croatia-travel-facts

US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise normal precautions in Croatia. 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 1 blank page in their passport for any entry stamp that will be required. A visa is not required. US Embassy/Consulate: [385] (1) 661-2200; US Embassy in Zagreb, Ulica Thomasa Jeffersona 2, 10010 Zagreb, Croatia; https://hr.usembassy.gov/; ZagrebACS@state.gov Telephone Code: 385 Local Emergency Phone: 112 Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations http://www.who.int/ Climate: Mediterranean and continental; continental climate predominant with hot summers and cold winters; mild winters, dry summers along coast Currency (Code): Kuna (HRK) Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F Major Languages: Croatian 95.6%, Serbian 1.2%, other 3% (including Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, and Albanian) Major Religions: Roman Catholic 86.3%, Orthodox 4.4%, Muslim 1.5% 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: Zagreb; Plitvice Lakes National Park; Kornati National Park; Split; Zadar's Romanesque churches; Zlatni Rat Beach; Kor?ula Town; Mljet National Park; Dubrovnik; Osijek; Stecci Medieval tombstones Major Sports: Soccer, basketball, tennis Cultural Practices: When eating, be sure to accept second helpings if offered. Refusal is considered impolite. Tipping Guidelines: Tips are often included in restaurant bills, but, if not, add 10%; loose change or rounding up to the next convenient number is acceptable at bars. A tip of 15-20 kuna per bag for a hotel porter to deliver luggage to your room is appreciated. A daily tip of 15-20 kuna for housekeeping is considered to be good. Taxi drivers are not usually tipped.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-howland-island

20220901

about-did-you-know

Topic: The World Factbook is one of the US Government’s most accessed publications.The World Factbook, produced for US policymakers and coordinated throughout the US Intelligence Community, presents the basic realities about the world in which we live. We share these facts with the people of all nations in the belief that knowledge of the truth underpins the functioning of free societies. Topic: Who uses The World Factbook?A wide variety of folks including US Government officials, researchers, news organizations, corporations, geographers, travelers, teachers, professors, librarians, and students. In short, anyone looking for an expansive body of international data on a recently updated Web site. The World Factbook is visited by tens of millions of visitors annually; the Web site is especially popular during the school year, with a noticeable drop-off in online visits during the summer months. In all, The World Factbook is one of the US Government’s most popular Web sites. Topic: Answers to The World Factbook’s many quiz questions are available.The answers to the questions that have appeared in the What’s New page since 2010 may all be found here. Topic: The World Factbook has had three different logos.Beginning in 2001, The World Factbook has been represented with three distinct emblems. The evolution of The Factbook’s logo may be found here. Topic: The World Factbook is a one-stop reference site.Although many of the facts presented in The Factbook may be found in various other publications, they are conveniently gathered together in one place only at The World Factbook Web site. Topic: The World Factbook is now widely represented on social media and contains more features geared to travelers.Visitors can follow The Factbook on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and You Tube, while travelers can download single-page Travel Facts and One-Page Country Summaries. Topic: The World Factbook is a unique reference in that it is updated continuously – on average, every week.Information in The Factbook is collected from – and coordinated with – a wide variety of US Government agencies, as well as from hundreds of published sources.

20220901

countries-canada

Topic: Photos of Canada Topic: Introduction Background: A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.A land of vast distances and rich natural resources, Canada became a self-governing dominion in 1867, while retaining ties to the British crown. Canada gained legislative independence from Britain in 1931 and formalized its constitutional independence from the UK when it passed the Canada Act in 1982. Economically and technologically, the nation has developed in parallel with the US, its neighbor to the south across the world's longest international border. Canada faces the political challenges of meeting public demands for quality improvements in health care, education, social services, and economic competitiveness, as well as responding to the particular concerns of predominantly francophone Quebec. Canada also aims to develop its diverse energy resources while maintaining its commitment to the environment.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic. Topic: Geography Location: Northern North America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean on the east, North Pacific Ocean on the west, and the Arctic Ocean on the north, north of the conterminous US Geographic coordinates: 60 00 N, 95 00 W Map references: North America Area: total: 9,984,670 sq km land: 9,093,507 sq km water: 891,163 sq km Area - comparative: slightly larger than the US Land boundaries: total: 8,891 km border countries (1): US 8,891 km (includes 2,475 km with Alaska) note: Canada is the world's largest country that borders only one country Coastline: 202,080 km note: the Canadian Arctic Archipelago - consisting of 36,563 islands, several of them some of the world's largest - contributes to Canada easily having the longest coastline in the world 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: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Terrain: mostly plains with mountains in west, lowlands in southeast Elevation: highest point: Mount Logan 5,959 m lowest point: Atlantic/Pacific/Arctic Oceans 0 m mean elevation: 487 m Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, nickel, zinc, copper, gold, lead, uranium, rare earth elements, molybdenum, potash, diamonds, silver, fish, timber, wildlife, coal, petroleum, natural gas, hydropower Land use: agricultural land: 6.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 1.6% (2018 est.) forest: 34.1% (2018 est.) other: 59.1% (2018 est.) Irrigated land: 8,700 sq km (2012) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh 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 Major rivers (by length in km): Mackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of Mexico) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km) Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km) note - watersheds shared with the US shown with * Major aquifers: Northern Great Plains Aquifer Population distribution: vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia Natural hazards: continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountainsvolcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormantcontinuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountainsvolcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's Coast Mountains remain dormant Geography - note: note 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border note 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combinednote 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US bordernote 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combined Map description: Canada map showing the country positioned in northern North America between the North Pacific, Arctic, and North Atlantic Oceans.Canada map showing the country positioned in northern North America between the North Pacific, Arctic, and North Atlantic Oceans. Topic: People and Society Population: 38,232,593 (2022 est.) Nationality: noun: Canadian(s) adjective: Canadian Ethnic groups: Canadian 32.3%, English 18.3%, Scottish 13.9%, French 13.6%, Irish 13.4%, German 9.6%, Chinese 5.1%, Italian 4.6%, North American Indian 4.4%, East Indian 4%, Ukrainian 3.9%, other 47.7% (2016 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin Languages: English (official) 58.7%, French (official) 22%, Punjabi 1.4%, Italian 1.3%, Spanish 1.3%, German 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, Tagalog 1.2%, Arabic 1.1%, other 10.5% (2011 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French) Religions: Catholic 39% (includes Roman Catholic 38.8%, other Catholic .2%), Protestant 20.3% (includes United Church 6.1%, Anglican 5%, Baptist 1.9%, Lutheran 1.5%, Pentecostal 1.5%, Presbyterian 1.4%, other Protestant 2.9%), Orthodox 1.6%, other Christian 6.3%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 1.5%, Sikh 1.4%, Buddhist 1.1%, Jewish 1%, other 0.6%, none 23.9% (2011 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 15.99% (male 3,094,008/female 2,931,953) 15-24 years: 11.14% (male 2,167,013/female 2,032,064) 25-54 years: 39.81% (male 7,527,554/female 7,478,737) 55-64 years: 14.08% (male 2,624,474/female 2,682,858) 65 years and over: 18.98% (2020 est.) (male 3,274,298/female 3,881,126) Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 51.2 youth dependency ratio: 23.9 elderly dependency ratio: 27.4 potential support ratio: 3.7 (2020 est.) Median age: total: 41.8 years male: 40.6 years female: 42.9 years (2020 est.) Population growth rate: 0.75% (2022 est.) Birth rate: 10.17 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Death rate: 8.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Net migration rate: 5.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Population distribution: vast majority of Canadians are positioned in a discontinuous band within approximately 300 km of the southern border with the United States; the most populated province is Ontario, followed by Quebec and British Columbia Urbanization: urban population: 81.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Major urban areas - population: 6.313 million Toronto, 4.277 million Montreal, 2.632 million Vancouver, 1.611 million Calgary, 1.519 million Edmonton, 1.423 million OTTAWA (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: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2022 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.4 years (2019 est.) Maternal mortality ratio: 10 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.) Infant mortality rate: total: 4.38 deaths/1,000 live births male: 4.66 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83.8 years male: 81.52 years female: 86.21 years (2022 est.) Total fertility rate: 1.57 children born/woman (2022 est.) Contraceptive prevalence rate: NA Drinking water source: improved: urban: 99.3% of population rural: 99.1% of population total: 99.2% of population unimproved: urban: 0.7% of population rural: 0.9% of population total: 0.8% of population (2020 est.) Current Health Expenditure: 10.8% (2019) Physicians density: 2.44 physicians/1,000 population (2019) Hospital bed density: 2.5 beds/1,000 population (2019) Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.1% of population rural: 98.9% of population total: 99% of population unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population rural: 1.1% of population total: 1% 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: 29.4% (2016) Tobacco use: total: 13% (2020 est.) male: 15.3% (2020 est.) female: 10.7% (2020 est.) Children under the age of 5 years underweight: NA Education expenditures: 5.3% of GDP (2011 est.) Literacy: total population: NA male: NA female: NA School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 17 years (2019) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.2% male: 20.9% female: 19.4% (2020 est.) Topic: Environment Environment - current issues: metal smelting, coal-burning utilities, and vehicle emissions impacting agricultural and forest productivity; air pollution and resulting acid rain severely affecting lakes and damaging forests; ocean waters becoming contaminated due to agricultural, industrial, mining, and forestry activities 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, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Marine Life Conservation Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 6.48 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.) carbon dioxide emissions: 544.89 megatons (2016 est.) methane emissions: 101.82 megatons (2020 est.) Climate: varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north Land use: agricultural land: 6.8% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.7% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.5% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 1.6% (2018 est.) forest: 34.1% (2018 est.) other: 59.1% (2018 est.) Urbanization: urban population: 81.8% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.95% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.) Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0.08% of GDP (2018 est.) Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 25,103,034 tons (2014 est.) municipal solid waste recycled annually: 5,168,715 tons (2008 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20.6% (2008 est.) Major lakes (area sq km): Fresh 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 Major rivers (by length in km): Mackenzie - 4, 241 km; Yukon river source (shared with the US [m]) - 3,185 km; Saint Lawrence river mouth (shared with US) - 3,058 km; Nelson - 2,570 km; Columbia river source (shared with the US [m]) - 1,953 km; Churchill - 1,600 km; Fraser - 1,368 km; Ottawa - 1,271 km; Athabasca - 1,231 km; North Saskatchewan - 1,220 km; Liard - 1,115 km note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Mississippi* (Gulf of Mexico) (3,202,185 sq km, Canada only 32,000 sq km), Nelson (Hudson Bay) (1,093,141 sq km), Saint Lawrence* (1,049,636 sq km, Canada only 839,200 sq km) Arctic Ocean drainage: Mackenzie (1,706,388 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Yukon* (847,620 sq km, Canada only 823,800 sq km), Columbia* (657,501 sq km, Canada only 103,000 sq km) note - watersheds shared with the US shown with * Major aquifers: Northern Great Plains Aquifer Total water withdrawal: municipal: 4.888 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) industrial: 28.07 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) agricultural: 2.639 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) Total renewable water resources: 2.902 trillion cubic meters (2017 est.) Topic: Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Canada etymology: the country name likely derives from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word "kanata" meaning village or settlement Government type: federal parliamentary democracy (Parliament of Canada) under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm; federal and state authorities and responsibilities regulated in constitution Capital: name: Ottawa geographic coordinates: 45 25 N, 75 42 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 time zone note: Canada has six time zones etymology: the city lies on the south bank of the Ottawa River, from which it derives its name; the river name comes from the Algonquin word "adawe" meaning "to trade" and refers to the indigenous peoples who used the river as a trade highway Administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon* Independence: 1 July 1867 (union of British North American colonies); 11 December 1931 (recognized by UK per Statute of Westminster) National holiday: Canada Day, 1 July (1867) Constitution: history: consists of unwritten and written acts, customs, judicial decisions, and traditions dating from 1763; the written part of the constitution consists of the Constitution Act of 29 March 1867, which created a federation of four provinces, and the Constitution Act of 17 April 1982 amendments: proposed by either house of Parliament or by the provincial legislative assemblies; there are 5 methods for passage though most require approval by both houses of Parliament, approval of at least two thirds of the provincial legislative assemblies and assent and formalization as a proclamation by the governor general in council; the most restrictive method is reserved for amendments affecting fundamental sections of the constitution, such as the office of the monarch or the governor general, and the constitutional amendment procedures, which require unanimous approval by both houses and by all the provincial assemblies, and assent of the governor general in council; amended 11 times, last in 2011 (Fair Representation Act, 2011) Legal system: common law system except in Quebec, where civil law based on the French civil code prevails 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: minimum of 3 of last 5 years resident in Canada Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Mary SIMON (since 6 July 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Justin Pierre James TRUDEAU (Liberal Party) (since 4 November 2015) cabinet: Federal Ministry chosen by the prime minister usually from among members of his/her own party sitting in Parliament elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister for a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Commons generally designated prime minister by the governor general note: the governor general position is largely ceremonial Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament or Parlement consists of: Senate or Senat (105 seats; members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister and can serve until age 75) House of Commons or Chambre des Communes (338 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote with terms up to 4 years) elections: Senate - appointed; latest appointments in July 2021 House of Commons - last held on 20 September 2021 (next to be held on or before 20 October 2025) election results: Senate - composition as of May 2022 - men 47, women 45, percent of women 48.9% House of Commons - percent of vote by party - CPC 33.7%, Liberal Party 32.6%, NDP 17.8%, Bloc Quebecois 7.7%, Greens 2.3%, other 5.9%; seats by party - Liberal Party 159, CPC 119, NDP 25, Bloc Quebecois 32, Greens 2, independent 1; composition as of May 2022 - men 235, women 103, percent of women 30.5%; note - total Parliament percent of women 34.4% Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court of Canada (consists of the chief justice and 8 judges); note - in 1949, Canada abolished all appeals beyond its Supreme Court, which prior to that time, were heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges appointed by the prime minister in council; all judges appointed for life with mandatory retirement at age 75 subordinate courts: federal level: Federal Court of Appeal; Federal Court; Tax Court; federal administrative tribunals; Courts Martial; provincial/territorial level: provincial superior, appeals, first instance, and specialized courts; note -  in 1999, the Nunavut Court - a circuit court with the power of a provincial superior court, as well as a territorial court - was established to serve isolated settlements Political parties and leaders: Bloc Quebecois [Yves-Francois BLANCHET] Conservative Party of Canada or CPC [Candice BERGEN (interim)] Green Party [Amita KUTTNER (interim)] Liberal Party [Justin TRUDEAU] New Democratic Party or NDP [Jagmeet SINGH] People's Party of Canada [Maxime BERNIER] International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CDB, CE (observer), EAPC, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, 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, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAFTA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS, OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, USMCA, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Kirsten HILLMAN (since 17 July 2020) chancery: 501 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001 telephone: [1] (844) 880-6519 FAX: [1] (202) 682-7738 email address and website: ccs.scc@international.gc.ca https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/us-eu/washington.aspx?lang=eng consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco/Silicon Valley, Seattle trade office(s): Houston, Palo Alto (CA), San Diego; note - there are trade offices in the Consulates General Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador David L. COHEN (since December 2021) embassy: 490 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 1G8 mailing address: 5480 Ottawa Place, Washington DC  20521-5480 telephone: [1] (613) 238-5335 FAX: [1] (613) 241-7845 email address and website: OttawaNIV@state.gov https://ca.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver consulate(s): Winnipeg Flag description: two vertical bands of red (hoist and fly side, half width) with white square between them; an 11-pointed red maple leaf is centered in the white square; the maple leaf has long been a Canadian symbol National symbol(s): maple leaf, beaver; national colors: red, white National anthem: name: "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) National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 20 (9 cultural, 10 natural, 1 mixed) (2021) selected World Heritage Site locales: L'Anse aux Meadows (c); Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks (n); Dinosaur Provincial Park (n); Historic District of Old Quebec (c); Old Town Lunenburg (c); Wood Buffalo National Park (n); Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (c); Gros Morne National Park (n); Pimachiowin Aki (m) Topic: Economy Economic overview: Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer.   TThe 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship, with goods and services trade totaling more than $680 billion in 2017, and two-way investment stocks of more than $800 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s merchandise exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports.   Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Canada’s economy posted strong growth in 2017 at 3%, but most analysts are projecting Canada’s economic growth will drop back closer to 2% in 2018.Canada resembles the US in its market-oriented economic system, pattern of production, and high living standards. Since World War II, the impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors has transformed the nation from a largely rural economy into one primarily industrial and urban. Canada has a large oil and natural gas sector with the majority of crude oil production derived from oil sands in the western provinces, especially Alberta. Canada now ranks third in the world in proved oil reserves behind Venezuela and Saudi Arabia and is the world’s seventh-largest oil producer. TThe 1989 Canada-US Free Trade Agreement and the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (which includes Mexico) dramatically increased trade and economic integration between the US and Canada. Canada and the US enjoy the world’s most comprehensive bilateral trade and investment relationship, with goods and services trade totaling more than $680 billion in 2017, and two-way investment stocks of more than $800 billion. Over three-fourths of Canada’s merchandise exports are destined for the US each year. Canada is the largest foreign supplier of energy to the US, including oil, natural gas, and electric power, and a top source of US uranium imports. Given its abundant natural resources, highly skilled labor force, and modern capital stock, Canada enjoyed solid economic growth from 1993 through 2007. The global economic crisis of 2007-08 moved the Canadian economy into sharp recession by late 2008, and Ottawa posted its first fiscal deficit in 2009 after 12 years of surplus. Canada's major banks emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 among the strongest in the world, owing to the financial sector's tradition of conservative lending practices and strong capitalization. Canada’s economy posted strong growth in 2017 at 3%, but most analysts are projecting Canada’s economic growth will drop back closer to 2% in 2018. Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $1,742,790,000,000 (2020 est.) $1,842,330,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,808,660,000,000 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars Real GDP growth rate: 1.66% (2019 est.) 2.02% (2018 est.) 3.17% (2017 est.) Real GDP per capita: $45,900 (2020 est.) $49,000 (2019 est.) $48,800 (2018 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars GDP (official exchange rate): $1,741,865,000,000 (2019 est.) Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.9% (2019 est.) 2.2% (2018 est.) 1.5% (2017 est.) Credit ratings: Fitch rating: AA+ (2020) Moody's rating: Aaa (2002) Standard & Poors rating: AAA (2002) GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 1.6% (2017 est.) industry: 28.2% (2017 est.) services: 70.2% (2017 est.) GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 57.8% (2017 est.) government consumption: 20.8% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.9% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -33.2% (2017 est.) Agricultural products: wheat, rapeseed, maize, barley, milk, soybeans, potatoes, oats, peas, pork Industries: transportation equipment, chemicals, processed and unprocessed minerals, food products, wood and paper products, fish products, petroleum, natural gas Industrial production growth rate: 4.9% (2017 est.) Labor force: 18.136 million (2020 est.) Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 2% industry: 13% services: 6% industry and services: 76% manufacturing: 3% (2006 est.) Unemployment rate: 5.67% (2019 est.) 5.83% (2018 est.) Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 20.2% male: 20.9% female: 19.4% (2020 est.) Population below poverty line: 9.4% (2008 est.) note: this figure is the Low Income Cut-Off, a calculation that results in higher figures than found in many comparable economies; Canada does not have an official poverty line Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.3 (2017 est.) 31.5 (1994) Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 24.8% (2000) Budget: revenues: 649.6 billion (2017 est.) expenditures: 665.7 billion (2017 est.) Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -1% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Public debt: 89.7% of GDP (2017 est.) 91.1% of GDP (2016 est.) note: figures are for gross general government debt, as opposed to net federal debt; gross general government debt includes both intragovernmental debt and the debt of public entities at the sub-national level Taxes and other revenues: 39.3% (of GDP) (2017 est.) Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March Current account balance: -$35.425 billion (2019 est.) -$42.862 billion (2018 est.) Exports: $477.31 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $555.83 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $556.89 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Exports - partners: US 73% (2019) Exports - commodities: crude petroleum, cars and vehicle parts, gold, refined petroleum, natural gas (2019) Imports: $510.29 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $583.6 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars $589.55 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars Imports - partners: US 57%, China 11%, Mexico 5% (2019) Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, delivery trucks, crude petroleum, refined petroleum (2019) Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $86.68 billion (31 December 2017 est.) $82.72 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Debt - external: $2,124,887,000,000 (2019 est.) $1,949,796,000,000 (2018 est.) Exchange rates: Canadian dollars (CAD) per US dollar - 1.28035 (2020 est.) 1.3228 (2019 est.) 1.32925 (2018 est.) 1.2788 (2014 est.) 1.0298 (2013 est.) Topic: Energy Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Electricity: installed generating capacity: 153.251 million kW (2020 est.) consumption: 539.695 billion kWh (2020 est.) exports: 67.2 billion kWh (2020 est.) imports: 9.8 billion kWh (2020 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 32.937 billion kWh (2020 est.) Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 16.5% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) nuclear: 14.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) solar: 0.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) wind: 5.7% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) hydroelectricity: 60.8% 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: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2020 est.) Coal: production: 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.) Petroleum: total 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.) Refined petroleum products - production: 2.009 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - exports: 1.115 million bbl/day (2017 est.) Refined petroleum products - imports: 405,700 bbl/day (2017 est.) Natural gas: production: 178,723,494,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) consumption: 124,502,315,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) exports: 76,094,066,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) imports: 28,026,440,000 cubic meters (2019 est.) proven reserves: 2,067,126,000,000 cubic meters (2021 est.) Carbon dioxide emissions: 612.084 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 56.087 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 311.336 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) from consumed natural gas: 244.66 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.) Energy consumption per capita: 403.7 million Btu/person (2019 est.) Topic: Communications Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 13.34 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2020 est.) Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 32.36 million (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 86 (2020 est.) Telecommunication systems: general assessment: the Canadian telecom market continues to show steady development as operators invest in network upgrades; much of the investment among telcos has been channelled into LTE infrastructure to capitalize on consumer demand for mobile data services, while there has also been further investment in 5G; investment programs have also been supported by regulatory efforts to ensure that operators have spectrum available to develop 5G services; spectrum in the 600MGz and 3.5GHz ranges has already been auctioned, while other auctions are planned through to 2024; in the 3.5GHz range the regulator set aside 50MHz for new entrants to encourage competition in the wireless segment; an investment in fixed-line infrastructure, focused on FttP and, among cable broadband providers, upgrades to the DOCSIS3.1 standard; the DSL segment is losing market share as customers are migrated to fiber; Telus expected to have completely decommissioned its copper network by the end of 2022; government policy has encouraged the extension of broadband to rural and regional areas, with the result that services are almost universally available and the emphasis now is on improving service speeds to enable the entire population to benefit from the digital economy and society; cable broadband is the principal access platform, followed by DSL; the main cablecos are upgrading their networks to the DOCSIS3.1 standard, which can deliver data at 1Gb/s and above; fiber deployments are also gaining momentum, with a growing number of Gigabit towns now connected; the mobile rate remains comparatively low by international standards, and so the market offers further room for growth; Canadians have provided for LTE and LTE-A infrastructure; despite topographical challenges and the remoteness of many areas, the major players effectively offer 99% population coverage with LTE. In the 5G segment, Telus and Bell Wireless were early triallists, followed by Shaw Communications in May 2018; operators now provide up to 70% population coverage with 5G. (2022) domestic: Nearly 37 per 100 fixed-line and 96 per 100 mobile-cellular teledensity; domestic satellite system with about 300 earth stations (2020) international: country code - 1; landing points for the Nunavut Undersea Fiber Optic Network System, Greenland Connect, Persona, GTT Atlantic, and Express, KetchCan 1 Submarine Fiber Cable system, St Pierre and Miquelon Cable submarine cables providing links to the US and Europe; satellite earth stations - 7 (5 Intelsat - 4 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Pacific Ocean, and 2 Intersputnik - Atlantic Ocean region) (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: 2 public TV broadcasting networks, 1 in English and 1 in French, each with a large number of network affiliates; several private-commercial networks also with multiple network affiliates; overall, about 150 TV stations; multi-channel satellite and cable systems provide access to a wide range of stations including US stations; mix of public and commercial radio broadcasters with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the public radio broadcaster, operating 4 radio networks, Radio Canada International, and radio services to indigenous populations in the north; roughly 1,119 licensed radio stations (2016) Internet country code: .ca Internet users: total: 36,896,088 (2020 est.) percent of population: 97% (2020 est.) Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 15,825,813 (2020 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2020 est.) Topic: Transportation National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 51 (2020) inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 879 annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 89.38 million (2018) annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 3,434,070,000 (2018) mt-km Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: C Airports: total: 1,467 (2021) Airports - with paved runways: total: 523 over 3,047 m: 21 2,438 to 3,047 m: 19 1,524 to 2,437 m: 147 914 to 1,523 m: 257 under 914 m: 79 (2021) Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 944 1,524 to 2,437 m: 75 914 to 1,523 m: 385 under 914 m: 484 (2021) Heliports: 26 (2021) Pipelines: 840,000 km oil and gas (2020) Railways: total: 49,422 km (2021) note: 129 km electrified (2021) standard gauge: 49,422 km (2021) 1.435-m gauge Roadways: total: 1,042,300 km (2011) paved: 415,600 km (2011) (includes 17,000 km of expressways) unpaved: 626,700 km (2011) Waterways: 636 km (2011) (Saint Lawrence Seaway of 3,769 km, including the Saint Lawrence River of 3,058 km, shared with United States) Merchant marine: total: 679 by type: bulk carrier 22, container ship 1, general cargo 66, oil tanker 15, other 575 (2021) Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Halifax, Saint John (New Brunswick), Vancouver oil terminal(s): Lower Lakes terminal container port(s) (TEUs): Montreal (1,745,244), Vancouver (3,398,860) (2019) LNG terminal(s) (import): Saint John river and lake port(s): Montreal, Quebec City, Sept-Isles (St. Lawrence) dry bulk cargo port(s): Port-Cartier (iron ore and grain), Fraser River Port (Fraser) Hamilton (Lake Ontario) Topic: Military and Security Military and security forces: Canadian 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 Military expenditures: 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020) 1.3% of GDP (2019) (approximately $26 billion) 1.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $25.7 billion) 1.4% of GDP (2017) (approximately $27.6 billion) Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 70,000 active armed forces personnel (23,000 Army; 12,000 Navy; 12,000 Air Force; 23,000 other) (2022) note: the Army also has approximately 19,000 part-time volunteer soldiers in the Reserve Force, including about 5,500 Rangers Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the CAF's inventory is a mix of domestically-produced equipment and imported weapons systems from Australia, Europe, Israel, and the US; since 2010, the leading supplier is the US; Canada's defense industry develops, maintains, and produces a range of equipment, including aircraft, combat vehicles, naval vessels, and associated components (2022) Military service age and obligation: 17 years of age for voluntary male and female military service (with parental consent); 16 years of age for Reserve and Military College applicants; Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status required; maximum 34 years of age; service obligation 3-9 years (2022) note: Canada opened up all military occupations to women in 2001; in 2020, women comprised about 16% of the CAF Military deployments: the 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  Military - note: Canada 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 Canada is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD; established 1958); NORAD is a Canada-US bi-national military command responsible for monitoring and defending North American airspace; traditionally, a Canadian Armed Forces officer has served as the deputy commander of NORAD Canada’s defense relationship with the US extends back to the Ogdensburg Declaration of 1940, when the two countries formally agreed on military cooperation, including the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), which continued to be the highest-level bilateral defense forum between Canada and the US as of 2022 British troops withdrew from Canada in 1871 as part of the UK-US Treaty of Washington; following the withdrawal, the first Canadian militia, known as the Royal Canadian Regiment, was organized in 1883 to protect Canadian territory and defend British interests abroad, which it did in the South African War (1899-1902), Canada’s first overseas conflict; militia units formed the backbone of the more than 425,000 Canadian soldiers that went to Europe during World War I in what was called the Canadian Expeditionary Force; the Royal Canadian Navy was created in 1910, while the Canadian Air Force was established in 1920 and became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924; the Canadian Army was officially founded in 1942; a unified Canadian Armed Forces was created in 1968Canada 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 1949Canada is part of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD; established 1958); NORAD is a Canada-US bi-national military command responsible for monitoring and defending North American airspace; traditionally, a Canadian Armed Forces officer has served as the deputy commander of NORADCanada’s defense relationship with the US extends back to the Ogdensburg Declaration of 1940, when the two countries formally agreed on military cooperation, including the establishment of the Permanent Joint Board on Defense (PJBD), which continued to be the highest-level bilateral defense forum between Canada and the US as of 2022British troops withdrew from Canada in 1871 as part of the UK-US Treaty of Washington; following the withdrawal, the first Canadian militia, known as the Royal Canadian Regiment, was organized in 1883 to protect Canadian territory and defend British interests abroad, which it did in the South African War (1899-1902), Canada’s first overseas conflict; militia units formed the backbone of the more than 425,000 Canadian soldiers that went to Europe during World War I in what was called the Canadian Expeditionary Force; the Royal Canadian Navy was created in 1910, while the Canadian Air Force was established in 1920 and became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924; the Canadian Army was officially founded in 1942; a unified Canadian Armed Forces was created in 1968 Topic: Terrorism Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Hizballah 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: managed maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine, including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada and the United States 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; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nm from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the UN Convention on the Law of the Seamanaged maritime boundary disputes with the US at Dixon Entrance, Beaufort Sea, Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the Gulf of Maine, including the disputed Machias Seal Island and North Rock; Canada and the United States 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; US works closely with Canada to intensify security measures for monitoring and controlling legal and illegal movement of people, transport, and commodities across the international border; sovereignty dispute with Denmark over Hans Island in the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland; commencing the collection of technical evidence for submission to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf in support of claims for continental shelf beyond 200 nm from its declared baselines in the Arctic, as stipulated in Article 76, paragraph 8, of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 22,400 (Venezuela) (refugees and migrants) (2020); 9,883 (Nigeria), 7,571 (Turkey), 7,385 (Iran), 6,965 (Pakistan), 6,287 (China), 5,244 (Colombia) (mid-year 2021) stateless persons: 3,823 (mid-year 2021) Illicit drugs: illicit production of fentanyl primarily for Canada's domestic drug market with at least small quantities smuggled to the US; complex laboratories setup for fentanyl production have been found and Mexican traffickers present in the country; Canada legalized marijuana in 2018

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-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

field-international-law-organization-participation

This entry includes information on a country's acceptance of jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and of the International Criminal Court (ICCt); 61 countries have accepted ICJ jurisdiction with reservations and 12 have accepted ICJ jurisdiction without reservations; 123 countries and the Palestine Liberation Organization have accepted ICCt jurisdiction. Appendix B: International Organizations and Groups explains the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt. Topic: Afghanistanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; formerly accepted ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Albaniahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Algeriahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Andorrahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Angolahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Antigua and Barbudahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Argentinahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Armeniahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Australiaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Austriaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Azerbaijanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Bahamas, Thehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Bahrainhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Bangladeshhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Barbadosaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Belarushas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Belgiumaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Belizehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Beninhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Bermudahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Bhutanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Boliviahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Botswanaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Brazilhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Bruneihas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC Topic: Bulgariaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Burkina Fasohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Burmahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Burundihas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017 Topic: Cabo Verdehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Cambodiaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Cameroonaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Canadaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Central African Republichas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Chadhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Chilehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Chinahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Colombiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Comoroshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Congo, Republic of thehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Cook Islandshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Costa Ricaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Cote d'Ivoireaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Croatiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Cubahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Cyprusaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICC jurisdiction Topic: Czechiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Denmarkaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Djiboutiaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Dominicaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Dominican Republicaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Ecuadorhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Egyptaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: El Salvadorhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Equatorial Guineaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Eritreahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Estoniaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Eswatiniaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Ethiopiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Fijihas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Finlandaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Francehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Gabonhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Gambia, Theaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Georgiaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Germanyaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Ghanahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Greeceaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Grenadahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Guatemalahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Guineaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Guinea-Bissauaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Guyanahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Haitiaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Hondurasaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Hungaryaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICC jurisdiction Topic: Icelandhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Indiaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Indonesiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Iranhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Iraqhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Irelandaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Israelhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 Topic: Italyaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Jamaicahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Japanaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Jordanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICC jurisdiction Topic: Kazakhstanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Kenyaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Kiribatihas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Korea, Northhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC Topic: Korea, Southhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Kosovohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Kuwaithas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Kyrgyzstanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Laoshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Latviahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Lebanonhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Lesothoaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Liberiaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Libyahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC Topic: Liechtensteinaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Lithuaniaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Luxembourgaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Madagascaraccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Malawiaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Malaysiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Maldiveshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Malihas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICC jurisdiction Topic: Maltaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Marshall Islandsaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Mauritaniahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Mauritiusaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Mexicoaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Moldovahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Monacohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Mongoliahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Montenegrohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Moroccohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Mozambiquehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Namibiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Nauruhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Nepalhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Netherlandsaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: New Zealandaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Nicaraguaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Nigerhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Nigeriaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: North Macedoniahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Norwayaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Omanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Pakistanaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Palauhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Panamaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Papua New Guineahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Paraguayaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Peruaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Philippinesaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew from the ICCt in March 2019 Topic: Polandaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Portugalaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Qatarhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Romaniaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Russiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Rwandahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevishas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Saint Luciahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Samoahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: San Marinohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Sao Tome and Principehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Saudi Arabiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Senegalaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Serbiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Seychelleshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Sierra Leonehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Singaporehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC (2019) Topic: Slovakiaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Sloveniahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Solomon Islandshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Somaliaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: South Africahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Spainaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Sri Lankahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Sudanaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2008 Topic: Surinameaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Swedenaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Switzerlandaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Syriahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC Topic: Taiwanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Tajikistanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Tanzaniahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Thailandhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Timor-Lesteaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Togoaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Tongahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Trinidad and Tobagohas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Tunisiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Turkmenistanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Tuvaluhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Ugandaaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Ukrainehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: United Arab Emirateshas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: United Kingdomaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: United Stateswithdrew acceptance of compulsory ICJ jurisdiction in 2005; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002 Topic: Uruguayaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Uzbekistanhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Vanuatuhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Venezuelahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Vietnamhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Worldall members of the UN are parties to the statute that established the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or World Court; states parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICCt) are those countries that have ratified or acceded to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the Court; as of May 2019, a total of 122 countries have accepted jurisdiction of the ICCt (see Appendix B for a clarification on the differing mandates of the ICJ and ICCt) Topic: Yemenhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt Topic: Zambiahas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction Topic: Zimbabwehas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

20220901

field-illicit-drugs

This entry gives information on the five categories of illicit drugs - narcotics, stimulants, depressants (sedatives), hallucinogens, and cannabis. These categories include many drugs legally produced and prescribed by doctors as well as those illegally produced and sold outside of medical channels. Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is the common hemp plant, which provides hallucinogens with some sedative properties, and includes marijuana (pot, Acapulco gold, grass, reefer), tetrahydrocannabinol (THC, Marinol), hashish (hash), and hashish oil (hash oil). Coca (mostly Erythroxylum coca) is a bush with leaves that contain the stimulant used to make cocaine. Coca is not to be confused with cocoa, which comes from cacao seeds and is used in making chocolate, cocoa, and cocoa butter. Cocaine is a stimulant derived from the leaves of the coca bush. Depressants (sedatives) are drugs that reduce tension and anxiety and include chloral hydrate, barbiturates (Amytal, Nembutal, Seconal, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (Librium, Valium), methaqualone (Quaalude), glutethimide (Doriden), and others (Equanil, Placidyl, Valmid). Drugs are any chemical substances that effect a physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in an individual. Drug abuse is the excessive use of any licit or illicit chemical substance that results in physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairment in an individual. Hallucinogens are drugs that affect sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. Hallucinogens include LSD (acid, microdot), mescaline and peyote (mexc, buttons, cactus), amphetamine variants (PMA, STP, DOB), phencyclidine (PCP, angel dust, hog), phencyclidine analogues (PCE, PCPy, TCP), and others (psilocybin, psilocyn). Hashish is the resinous exudate of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Heroin is a semisynthetic derivative of morphine. Mandrax is a trade name for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Marijuana is the dried leaf of the cannabis or hemp plant (Cannabis sativa). Methaqualone is a pharmaceutical depressant, referred to as mandrax in Southwest Asia and Africa. Narcotics are drugs that relieve pain, often induce sleep, and refer to opium, opium derivatives, and synthetic substitutes. Natural narcotics include opium (paregoric, parepectolin), morphine (MS-Contin, Roxanol), codeine (Tylenol with codeine, Empirin with codeine, Robitussin AC), and thebaine. Semisynthetic narcotics include heroin (horse, smack), and hydromorphone (Dilaudid). Synthetic narcotics include meperidine or Pethidine (Demerol, Mepergan), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), and others (Darvon, Lomotil). Opium is the brown, gummy exudate of the incised, unripe seedpod of the opium poppy. Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is the source for the natural and semisynthetic narcotics. Poppy straw is the entire cut and dried opium poppy-plant material, other than the seeds. Opium is extracted from poppy straw in commercial operations that produce the drug for medical use. Qat (kat, khat) is a stimulant from the buds or leaves of Catha edulis that is chewed or drunk as tea. Quaaludes is the North American slang term for methaqualone, a pharmaceutical depressant. Stimulants are drugs that relieve mild depression, increase energy and activity, and include cocaine (coke, snow, crack), amphetamines (Desoxyn, Dexedrine), ephedrine, ecstasy (clarity, essence, doctor, Adam), phenmetrazine (Preludin), methylphenidate (Ritalin), and others (Cylert, Sanorex, Tenuate). Topic: Afghanistanthe world’s largest producer of illicit opiates but it is not a major supplier to the United States; 215,000 hectares (ha) of opium poppy cultivated in Afghanistan in 2020; also produces methamphetamine and cannabis products; one of the highest domestic substance abuse rates in the world (2022)the world’s largest producer of illicit opiates but it is not a major supplier to the United States; 215,000 hectares (ha) of opium poppy cultivated in Afghanistan in 2020; also produces methamphetamine and cannabis products; one of the highest domestic substance abuse rates in the world Topic: Albaniaactive 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 Topic: Angolaused as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africaused as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states, particularly South Africa Topic: Anguillatransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europetransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Topic: Antigua and Barbudaa 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 Topic: Argentinacounterfeiting, drug trafficking, and other smuggling offenses along the northern border; some money laundering organizations in the Tri-Border Area may have links to the terrorist organization Hizballah; a large producer of chemical precursorscounterfeiting, drug trafficking, and other smuggling offenses along the northern border; some money laundering organizations in the Tri-Border Area may have links to the terrorist organization Hizballah; a large producer of chemical precursors Topic: Armeniaa transit country for illicit drugs with its location between source countries Afghanistan and Iran and the markets of Europe and Russiaa transit country for illicit drugs with its location between source countries Afghanistan and Iran and the markets of Europe and Russia Topic: Arubanorthbound transshipment point for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; Cocaine shipped to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europenorthbound transshipment point for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; Cocaine shipped to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe Topic: AustraliaTasmania is one of the world's major suppliers of licit opiate products; government maintains strict controls over areas of opium poppy cultivation and output of poppy straw concentrate; major consumer of cocaine and amphetamines Topic: Austriatransshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; increasing consumption of European-produced synthetic drugs Topic: Azerbaijanlimited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe Topic: Bahamas, Thea significant transit point for illegal drugs bound for the United States; illicit production of marijuana continuesa significant transit point for illegal drugs bound for the United States; illicit production of marijuana continues Topic: Bangladeshtransit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries; does not manufacture precursor chemicals with the exception of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and toluenetransit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries; does not manufacture precursor chemicals with the exception of sulphuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and toluene Topic: Barbadosa 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 Topic: Belaruslimited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for the domestic market; transshipment point for illicit drugs to and via Russia, and to the Baltics and Western Europe; a small and lightly regulated financial center; anti-money-laundering legislation does not meet international standards and was weakened further when know-your-customer requirements were curtailed in 2008; few investigations or prosecutions of money-laundering activities Topic: Belgiuma primary entry point for cocaine smuggled into Europe; also a transit point for precursor chemicals from China for amphetamine and MDMA production labs in Belgium; a transit country for new psychoactive substances (NPS); increasing number of amphetamine and ecstasy production labs in Belgium; heroin also transits through Belgium.a primary entry point for cocaine smuggled into Europe; also a transit point for precursor chemicals from China for amphetamine and MDMA production labs in Belgium; a transit country for new psychoactive substances (NPS); increasing number of amphetamine and ecstasy production labs in Belgium; heroin also transits through Belgium. Topic: BelizeBelize is a transit country for illegal drugs, mainly cocaine, originating from countries in South America; low domestic drug consumption problem outside of recreational cannabisBelize is a transit country for illegal drugs, mainly cocaine, originating from countries in South America; low domestic drug consumption problem outside of recreational cannabis Topic: Benina significant transit and departure country for cocaine shipments in Africa destined for Europea significant transit and departure country for cocaine shipments in Africa destined for Europe Topic: Boliviathird-largest source country of cocaine and a major transit for Peruvian cocaine; in 2020 coca cultivation totaled 39,400 hectares (ha); illicit drug consumption is low in Bolivia;  most cocaine is exported to other Latin American countries, such as  Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, for domestic consumption, or for onward transit to West Africa and Europe, not the United Statesthird-largest source country of cocaine and a major transit for Peruvian cocaine; in 2020 coca cultivation totaled 39,400 hectares (ha); illicit drug consumption is low in Bolivia;  most cocaine is exported to other Latin American countries, such as  Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, for domestic consumption, or for onward transit to West Africa and Europe, not the United States Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinadrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European marketsdrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets Topic: Brazila significant transit and destination country for cocaine; most of the cocaine enters Brazil from neighboring producing countries Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru then goes to West Africa and Europe, but an increasing percentage feeds substantial domestic drug consumption; second-largest consumer of cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine-derivative products in the worlda significant transit and destination country for cocaine; most of the cocaine enters Brazil from neighboring producing countries Bolivia, Colombia, and Peru then goes to West Africa and Europe, but an increasing percentage feeds substantial domestic drug consumption; second-largest consumer of cocaine hydrochloride and cocaine-derivative products in the world Topic: British Virgin Islandstransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe; large offshore financial center makes it vulnerable to money laundering Topic: Bruneidrug trafficking and illegally importing controlled substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a mandatory death penalty Topic: Bulgariasource country for amphetamine tablets Topic: Burmaa major source of illicit methamphetamine and opiates; illicit import of precursor chemicals from China increased production and trafficking of synthetic drugs; second-largest opium poppy cultivator in Asia, with an estimated 20,200 hectares grown in 2019; “Yaba,” a tablet containing methamphetamine, caffeine, and other stimulants, is produced in Burma and trafficked regionally; ethnic armed organizations, military-affiliated militias, and transnational criminal organizations oversee billion dollar a drug production and trafficking industry; drugs produced in Burma are trafficked beyond Southeast Asia to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan; not a major source or transit country for drugs entering the United States   (2021)a major source of illicit methamphetamine and opiates; illicit import of precursor chemicals from China increased production and trafficking of synthetic drugs; second-largest opium poppy cultivator in Asia, with an estimated 20,200 hectares grown in 2019; “Yaba,” a tablet containing methamphetamine, caffeine, and other stimulants, is produced in Burma and trafficked regionally; ethnic armed organizations, military-affiliated militias, and transnational criminal organizations oversee billion dollar a drug production and trafficking industry; drugs produced in Burma are trafficked beyond Southeast Asia to Australia, New Zealand, and Japan; not a major source or transit country for drugs entering the United States  Topic: Cabo VerdeCabo Verde is a transit hub for cocaine, marijuana, and other drugs trafficked from Latin America to Europe; marijuana, cocaine, hashish, heroin, and methamphetamine are the most frequently consumed drugs in Cabo Verde Topic: Cambodiamanufacture of methamphetamine expanding due to  transnational crime syndicates moving from China to evade the law; drugs destined for Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea and the rest of East and South-East Asia (2021)manufacture of methamphetamine expanding due to  transnational crime syndicates moving from China to evade the law; drugs destined for Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea and the rest of East and South-East Asia Topic: Canadaillicit production of fentanyl primarily for Canada's domestic drug market with at least small quantities smuggled to the US; complex laboratories setup for fentanyl production have been found and Mexican traffickers present in the country; Canada legalized marijuana in 2018 Topic: Cayman Islandsmajor offshore financial center vulnerable to drug trafficking money laundering  major offshore financial center vulnerable to drug trafficking money laundering  Topic: Chiletransshipment country for cocaine destined for Europe and the region; some money laundering activity, especially through the Iquique Free Trade Zone; imported precursors passed on to Bolivia; domestic cocaine consumption is rising, making Chile a significant consumer of cocaine Topic: Chinaa major source of precursor chemicals, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and synthetic drugs, including fentanyl precursors and methamphetamine;  PRC criminal organizations, transnational crime, and organizations from Mexico and Southeast Asia traffic licit precursor chemical components and illicit finished drugs within the PRC as well as to international markets; significant illicit drug consumption of methamphetamine and ketamine; a major destination and transit country for heroin produced in neighboring countries; the PRC remains a major source of NPS sold in North America and Europe     (2021)a major source of precursor chemicals, new psychoactive substances (NPS), and synthetic drugs, including fentanyl precursors and methamphetamine;  PRC criminal organizations, transnational crime, and organizations from Mexico and Southeast Asia traffic licit precursor chemical components and illicit finished drugs within the PRC as well as to international markets; significant illicit drug consumption of methamphetamine and ketamine; a major destination and transit country for heroin produced in neighboring countries; the PRC remains a major source of NPS sold in North America and Europe    Topic: ColombiaColombia is the world’s top cocaine producer; exports and is a source of heroin and marijuana; coca cultivation was estimated at 245,000 hectares (ha) in 2020; potential pure cocaine production reached 1,010 metric tons in 2020  Colombia is the world’s top cocaine producer; exports and is a source of heroin and marijuana; coca cultivation was estimated at 245,000 hectares (ha) in 2020; potential pure cocaine production reached 1,010 metric tons in 2020  Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecountry of origin of methamphetamine destined for overseas markets Topic: Costa Ricasignificant 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.   Topic: Cote d'Ivoireillicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center Topic: Croatiadrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets  drug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets  Topic: CubaCuba is not a major consumer, producer, or transit point of illicit drugs; strict policing on smuggling, production and consumption; prescription drug abuse is increasingCuba is not a major consumer, producer, or transit point of illicit drugs; strict policing on smuggling, production and consumption; prescription drug abuse is increasing Topic: Curacaonorthbound transshipment points for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; cocaine is transported to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe  northbound transshipment points for cocaine from Colombia and Venezuela; cocaine is transported to the United States, other Caribbean islands, Africa, and Europe  Topic: Cyprusvulnerable to money laundering from illegal drugs  vulnerable to money laundering from illegal drugs  Topic: Czechiamanufacture of methamphetamine continues to be mostly based on pseudoephedrine from  Poland or Turkey.  manufacture of methamphetamine continues to be mostly based on pseudoephedrine from  Poland or Turkey.  Topic: Dominicaa 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 Topic: Dominican Republica major transshipment point for cocaine transiting through the Caribbean Topic: EcuadorEcuador is a major transit country for illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin and chemical precursors to process cocaine from Colombia and Peru; not a major drug producing country Topic: Egyptmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics Topic: El Salvadora transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States  a transit country for illicit drugs destined for the United States   Topic: Estoniaproducer of synthetic drugs; important transshipment zone for cannabis, cocaine, opiates, and synthetic drugs since joining the European Union and the Schengen Accord; potential money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking is a concern, as is possible use of the gambling sector to launder funds; major use of opiates and ecstasy Topic: Ethiopiatransit hub for heroin originating in Southwest and Southeast Asia and destined for Europe, as well as cocaine destined for markets in southern Africa; cultivates qat (khat) for local use and regional export, principally to Djibouti and Somalia (legal in all three countries); the lack of a well-developed financial system limits the country's utility as a money laundering center Topic: Francemetropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics; French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe; Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europemetropolitan France: transshipment point for South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and European synthetics;French Guiana: small amount of marijuana grown for local consumption; minor transshipment point to Europe;Martinique: transshipment point for cocaine and marijuana bound for the US and Europe Topic: Georgialocated on a major drug trafficking route where Southwest Asian opium, heroin and precursor chemicals are transported; marijuana trafficking increasedlocated on a major drug trafficking route where Southwest Asian opium, heroin and precursor chemicals are transported; marijuana trafficking increased Topic: Germanymaritime transshipment point for cocaine heading to Europemaritime transshipment point for cocaine heading to Europe Topic: Ghanaa transit and destination point for illicit drugs trafficked from Asia and South America to other African nations and Europe, and to a lesser extent the United States; cultivation of cannabis for domestic use and is trafficked to regional markets or to Europe Topic: Greecea gateway to Europe for traffickers smuggling cannabis products and heroin from the Middle East and Southwest Asia to the West and precursor chemicals to the East; some South American cocaine transits or is consumed in Greece; money laundering related to drug trafficking and organized crime Topic: Grenadaa 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 Topic: Guatemalaa major transit country for illegal drugs destined for the United States with increasing cultivation originating from Guatemala; farmers  cultivate opium poppy and cannabis Topic: Guinea-Bissauimportant transit country for South American cocaine en route to Europe; enabling environment for trafficker operations due to pervasive corruption; archipelago-like geography near the capital facilitates drug smuggling Topic: Guyanatransshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic drug consumption problemtransshipment point for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and West Africa; growing domestic drug consumption problem Topic: Haitia 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 Topic: Hondurastransshipment 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 Topic: Hong Kongmodern 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 Topic: Hungarytransshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; efforts to counter money laundering, related to organized crime and drug trafficking are improving but remain vulnerable; significant consumer of ecstasy Topic: Indiasource and transit point for illicit narcotics and precursor chemicals bound for Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America; in 2020 India exported over $19 billion of illegal pharmaceutical drugs; illegal opium poppy growing in the Northeast; traffickers retool commercial chemical factories to produce large volumes of ephedrine, methamphetamine, and other drugs illicitly  source and transit point for illicit narcotics and precursor chemicals bound for Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia, and North America; in 2020 India exported over $19 billion of illegal pharmaceutical drugs; illegal opium poppy growing in the Northeast; traffickers retool commercial chemical factories to produce large volumes of ephedrine, methamphetamine, and other drugs illicitly  Topic: Indonesiaa transit and destination point for illicit narcotics; consumer of crystal methamphetamine trafficked in Burma and Pakistan and also transit to Australia and New Zealand; significant consumer of ecstasy from China and the Netherlands and domestically grown cannabis  a transit and destination point for illicit narcotics; consumer of crystal methamphetamine trafficked in Burma and Pakistan and also transit to Australia and New Zealand; significant consumer of ecstasy from China and the Netherlands and domestically grown cannabis  Topic: Iransignificant 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 Topic: Irelandtransshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern Topic: Israelincreasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center Topic: Italyimportant gateway for drug trafficking; organized crime groups allied with Colombian and Spanish groups trafficking cocaine to Europe Topic: Jamaicathe largest Caribbean source of marijuana which is trafficked to other Caribbean countries for illegal weapons and other contraband; transit point for cocaine trafficked from South America to North America and other international markets Topic: Jordanprimarily a transshipment country for amphetamine tablets originating in Lebanon and Syria and destined for Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Gulf countries; the government is increasingly concerned about domestic consumption of illicit drugs Topic: Kazakhstansynthetic drugs dominate the local illicit drug market, smuggled from Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Europe; however the number of domestic clandestine laboratories producing synthetic drugs continues to increase.  Kazakhstan remains a transit country for Afghan heroin destined for Russia and Europe.synthetic drugs dominate the local illicit drug market, smuggled from Southeast Asia, China, Russia and Europe; however the number of domestic clandestine laboratories producing synthetic drugs continues to increase.  Kazakhstan remains a transit country for Afghan heroin destined for Russia and Europe. Topic: Kenyaa transit country for a variety of illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine; transit location for precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine and other drugs; heroin from Southwest Asia enters Kenya destined for international markets, mainly Europe; cocaine transits through Kenya shipped through Ethiopia from South America;  cultivates cannabis and miraa (khat) for both local use and exporta transit country for a variety of illicit drugs, including heroin and cocaine; transit location for precursor chemicals used to produce methamphetamine and other drugs; heroin from Southwest Asia enters Kenya destined for international markets, mainly Europe; cocaine transits through Kenya shipped through Ethiopia from South America;  cultivates cannabis and miraa (khat) for both local use and export Topic: Korea, Northat present there is insufficient information to determine the current level of involvement of government officials in the production or trafficking of illicit drugs, but for years, from the 1970s into the 2000s, citizens of North Korea , many of them diplomatic employees of the government, were apprehended abroad while trafficking in narcotics; police investigations in Taiwan, Japan and Australia during that period have linked North Korea to large illicit shipments of heroin and methamphetamine Topic: Korea, Southprecursor 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  Topic: Kyrgyzstana prime transshipment location; illegal drugs move from Afghanistan to Russia, and sometimes into Europe  a prime transshipment location; illegal drugs move from Afghanistan to Russia, and sometimes into Europe  Topic: LaosBokeo Province part of the “Golden Triangle,” a notorious drug production and transit area; remains a poppy cultivator and source of illicit opium and a transit hub for other illicit drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and chemical precursors; estimate of 4,925 ha of opium poppy cultivated in Laos in 2018Bokeo Province part of the “Golden Triangle,” a notorious drug production and transit area; remains a poppy cultivator and source of illicit opium and a transit hub for other illicit drugs such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) and chemical precursors; estimate of 4,925 ha of opium poppy cultivated in Laos in 2018 Topic: Latviatransshipment and destination point for cocaine, synthetic drugs, opiates, and cannabis from Southwest Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and neighboring Baltic countries; despite improved legislation, vulnerable to money laundering due to nascent enforcement capabilities and comparatively weak regulation of offshore companies and the gaming industry; CIS organized crime (including counterfeiting, corruption, extortion, stolen cars, and prostitution) accounts for most laundered proceeds Topic: Lebanonsource country for amphetamine tablets destined for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya and Sudan; in 2021 authorities in various Near Eastern countries seized millions of captagon tablets that originated in or transited to Lebanon, prompting Lebanese authorities to conduct raids on captagon production facilities and trafficking rings within the country Topic: Liberianot a significant transit country for illicit narcotics but proximity to major drug routes contribute to trafficking; not a significant producer of illicit narcotics; local drug use involves marijuana, heroin, cocaine, the synthetic opioid tramadol, and amphetamine-type stimulantsnot a significant transit country for illicit narcotics but proximity to major drug routes contribute to trafficking; not a significant producer of illicit narcotics; local drug use involves marijuana, heroin, cocaine, the synthetic opioid tramadol, and amphetamine-type stimulants Topic: Liechtensteinhas strengthened money laundering controls, but money laundering remains a concern due to Liechtenstein's sophisticated offshore financial services sector Topic: Lithuaniasource country for  amphetamine tabletssource country for  amphetamine tablets Topic: Macauasian organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking and money launderingasian organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking and money laundering Topic: Madagascarillicit producer of cannabis (cultivated and wild varieties) used mostly for domestic consumption; transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin Topic: Malaysiamethamphetamine is the most used and trafficked drug controlled by criminal organizations that produce it; crystal methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis products, heroin, ketamine, and Erimin 5 (nimetazepam) are smuggled into the country; a transit point for trafficking cocaine and other drugs to the Australian market  methamphetamine is the most used and trafficked drug controlled by criminal organizations that produce it; crystal methamphetamine, MDMA (ecstasy), cannabis products, heroin, ketamine, and Erimin 5 (nimetazepam) are smuggled into the country; a transit point for trafficking cocaine and other drugs to the Australian market  Topic: Malia transit point for illicit drugs trafficked to Europe; trafficking controlled by armed groups, criminal organizations, terrorist groups and government officials that facilitate, protect and profit from the activitya transit point for illicit drugs trafficked to Europe; trafficking controlled by armed groups, criminal organizations, terrorist groups and government officials that facilitate, protect and profit from the activity Topic: Maltaminor transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Western Europe Topic: Mauritiusconsumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money launderingconsumer and transshipment point for heroin from South Asia; small amounts of cannabis produced and consumed locally; significant offshore financial industry creates potential for money laundering Topic: Mexicomajor source and transit country for heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and illicit synthetic drugs including fentanyl and counterfeit pills destined for the United States; main transit country for cocaine from South America, a transit route and destination for fentanyl and associated precursors originating from Chinamajor source and transit country for heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and illicit synthetic drugs including fentanyl and counterfeit pills destined for the United States; main transit country for cocaine from South America, a transit route and destination for fentanyl and associated precursors originating from China Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofmajor consumer of cannabis Topic: Moldovalimited cultivation of opium poppy and cannabis, mostly for CIS consumption; transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia via Central Asia to Russia, Western Europe, and possibly the US; widespread crime and underground economic activity Topic: Montenegrodrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European marketsdrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets Topic: Montserrattransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Topic: Moroccoone of the world’s largest cannabis-producing country with Europe as the main  market; hashish is also smuggled to South America and the Caribbean where it is exchanged for cocaine which is distributed in Europe; MDMA (ecstasy), originating in Belgium and the Netherlands is smuggled into northern Morocco for sale on the domestic marketone of the world’s largest cannabis-producing country with Europe as the main  market; hashish is also smuggled to South America and the Caribbean where it is exchanged for cocaine which is distributed in Europe; MDMA (ecstasy), originating in Belgium and the Netherlands is smuggled into northern Morocco for sale on the domestic market Topic: Mozambiqueused by transnational organized crime networks from West and East Africa and South Asia as a transit point for drug trafficking and international money laundering; heroin from Southwest Asia, cocaine from South America, precursor chemicals and controlled pharmaceuticals from India, and methamphetamine from Nigeria transit destined for Southern Africa, Northern Africa, Europe, Canada, and the United States; cannabis is cultivated in Mozambique Topic: Nepalillicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the Westillicit producer of cannabis and hashish for the domestic and international drug markets; transit point for opiates from Southeast Asia to the West Topic: Netherlandsa significant transit country for illicit drugs, especially cocaine from South America destined for Europe; one of the largest sources of synthetic drugs for international markets; numerous methamphetamine laboratories; traffickers use postage companies to send cocaine, ecstasy or methamphetamines distribute narcotics to global customersa significant transit country for illicit drugs, especially cocaine from South America destined for Europe; one of the largest sources of synthetic drugs for international markets; numerous methamphetamine laboratories; traffickers use postage companies to send cocaine, ecstasy or methamphetamines distribute narcotics to global customers Topic: New Zealandsignificant consumer of amphetamines Topic: Nicaraguaa 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 Topic: Nigera 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 Topic: Nigeriaa significant source for cannabis cultivation and methamphetamine production; a major place for transnational drug trafficking networks that supply cocaine to Asia and Europe, heroin to Europe and North America, and methamphetamine to South Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand; traffickers also involved in the transportation, facilitation, and distribution of illicitly diverted tramadol Topic: North Macedoniamajor transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and hashish; minor transit point for South American cocaine destined for Europe; although not a financial center and most criminal activity is thought to be domestic, money laundering is a problem due to a mostly cash-based economy and weak enforcement Topic: Pakistanminor cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis with 1,400 hectares of poppy cultivated 2016; one of the world’s top transit corridors for opiates and cannabis products along with Afghanistan and Iran; precursor chemicals also pass through Pakistan as a major transit point for global distribution  minor cultivator of opium poppy and cannabis with 1,400 hectares of poppy cultivated 2016; one of the world’s top transit corridors for opiates and cannabis products along with Afghanistan and Iran; precursor chemicals also pass through Pakistan as a major transit point for global distribution  Topic: Panamaa prime sea and land passage for drugs, primarily cocaine from Colombia, from South America to North America and Europe; traffickers ship drugs in containers passing through the Panama Canal each year North America and Europe  a prime sea and land passage for drugs, primarily cocaine from Colombia, from South America to North America and Europe; traffickers ship drugs in containers passing through the Panama Canal each year North America and Europe  Topic: Papua New Guineatransit point for smuggling drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine; major consumer of cannabistransit point for smuggling drugs such as methamphetamine and cocaine; major consumer of cannabis Topic: Paraguaycannabis cultivation and the trafficking of Andean cocaine in the tri-border area shared with Argentina, and Brazil facilitates money laundering, violence and other criminal activity. cannabis cultivation and the trafficking of Andean cocaine in the tri-border area shared with Argentina, and Brazil facilitates money laundering, violence and other criminal activity.  Topic: Peruworld’s second-largest producer of cocaine, with an estimated 88,200 hectares under coca cultivation in 2020; cocaine is trafficked throughout South America for shipment to Europe, East Asia, Mexico, and the United States; major importer of precursor chemicals for cocaine production Topic: Philippinescannabis products, methamphetamine hydrochloride (locally known as "shabu"), and MDMA (ecstasy) are locally used; Chinese Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) are the main source of methamphetamine; precursor chemicals are in transit from China to Burma Topic: Polandsource country for amphetaminessource country for amphetamines Topic: Portugala European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin  a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin  Topic: Romaniaa source country for cannabisa source country for cannabis Topic: Russiaa destination country for Afghan opium and heroin; a transit country for cocaine from South America, especially Ecuador to Europe, Belgium and Netherlands; synthetic drugs are produced in clandestine drug laboratories throughout the country; cannabis cultivated in Russian Far East and the North Caucasus; the majority of hashish is smuggled in from Northern Africaa destination country for Afghan opium and heroin; a transit country for cocaine from South America, especially Ecuador to Europe, Belgium and Netherlands; synthetic drugs are produced in clandestine drug laboratories throughout the country; cannabis cultivated in Russian Far East and the North Caucasus; the majority of hashish is smuggled in from Northern Africa Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevisa 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 Topic: Saint Luciaa 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 Topic: Saint Martintransshipment 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 Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesa 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 Topic: Saudi Arabiaregularly sentences drug traffickers to the death penalty, although a moratorium on executions for drug offences has been in place since at least 2020; improving anti-money-laundering legislation and enforcement Topic: Senegalmajor transit point on the cocaine route from South America to Europe; the third-largest cannabis-producing country in West Africamajor transit point on the cocaine route from South America to Europe; the third-largest cannabis-producing country in West Africa Topic: Serbiadrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European marketsdrug trafficking groups are major players in the procurement and transportation of of large quantities of cocaine  destined for  European markets Topic: Singaporedrug 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 Topic: Slovakiatransshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe; producer of synthetic drugs for regional market; consumer of ecstasy Topic: Sloveniaminor transit point for cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin bound for Western Europe, and for precursor chemicals Topic: South Africaleading regional importer of chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs especially synthetic drugs Topic: Spainprimary transit point in Europe for cocaine from South America and for hashish from Morocco; cocaine is shipped in raw or liquid form with mixed cargo to avoid detection; traffickers ship methamphetamine via express mail; increasing number of indoor cannabis grow operations; illegal labs cutting, mixing, and reconstituting cocaine, and heroin and methamphetamine labs; synthetic drugs, including ketamine and MDMA (ecstasy) transit from Spain to the United States Topic: Surinamea transit country for South American cocaine en route to Europe, the United States and Africa; marijuana is the primary drug consumed locally Topic: Switzerlandmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics; a significant importer and exporter of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine Topic: Syriasource country for amphetamine tablets destined for Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Libya, Sudan , and other countries in the Gulf, Mediterranean region, and Europe  Topic: Taiwanmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcoticsmajor source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics Topic: TajikistanTajikistan is a major route for drug trafficking in Central Asia; opiates and cannabis travel from Afghanistan through Tajikistan to markets in Russia, Belarus, and Western and Central Europe Topic: Tanzaniasignificant transit country for illicit drugs in East Africa; international drug-trafficking organizations and courier networks transit through Tanzania to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Southwest Asia; produces cannabis products and khat for domestic consumption and regional and international distribution; traffickers influence politicians, law enforcement, and others in positions of power with money (2021)significant transit country for illicit drugs in East Africa; international drug-trafficking organizations and courier networks transit through Tanzania to smuggle heroin and methamphetamine from Southwest Asia; produces cannabis products and khat for domestic consumption and regional and international distribution; traffickers influence politicians, law enforcement, and others in positions of power with money Topic: Thailanda minor producer of opium, heroin, and cannabis products; major part of the illegal drug market for the Southeast Asia region and the interconnected markets in East Asia and Oceania; transit point for illicit heroin en route to the international drug market from Burma and Laos; . “Yaba,” a tablet containing methamphetamine, caffeine, and other stimulants, is the most widely abused drug in Thailand Topic: Timor-LesteNA Topic: Togotransit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoa transit point for illegal drugs destined for Europe, North America, and the rest of the Caribbean; drug trafficking organizations use proximity to Venezuela, porous borders, vulnerabilities at ports of entry, limited law enforcement capacity and resources, and law enforcement corruption to traffic illicit drugs;  marijuana the only locally-produced illicit drug  a transit point for illegal drugs destined for Europe, North America, and the rest of the Caribbean; drug trafficking organizations use proximity to Venezuela, porous borders, vulnerabilities at ports of entry, limited law enforcement capacity and resources, and law enforcement corruption to traffic illicit drugs;  marijuana the only locally-produced illicit drug  Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)transit country for heroin, opium, and cocaine trafficked to European markets;  amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are trafficked to Middle East and Southeast Asia markets; one of the major transit routes for opiates smuggled from Afghanistan via Iran destined for Western Europe; smugglers involved in both heroin sales and transport and production and smuggling of synthetic drugs; criminal networks have interests in heroin conversion laboratories operating in Iran near the Turkish border;  hashish imported or grown domestically for local consumptiontransit country for heroin, opium, and cocaine trafficked to European markets;  amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are trafficked to Middle East and Southeast Asia markets; one of the major transit routes for opiates smuggled from Afghanistan via Iran destined for Western Europe; smugglers involved in both heroin sales and transport and production and smuggling of synthetic drugs; criminal networks have interests in heroin conversion laboratories operating in Iran near the Turkish border;  hashish imported or grown domestically for local consumption Topic: Turkmenistantransit 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  Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandstransshipment point for South American narcotics destined for the US and Europe Topic: Ukrainea transit country for illicit drug trafficking into the European Union due to its location amidst several important trafficking routes into western Europe, ports on the Black and Azov seas, extensive river routes, and porous northern and eastern borders; South American cocaine moves through Ukrainian seaports and airports; amphetamine and methamphetamine laboratories supply the local marketa transit country for illicit drug trafficking into the European Union due to its location amidst several important trafficking routes into western Europe, ports on the Black and Azov seas, extensive river routes, and porous northern and eastern borders; South American cocaine moves through Ukrainian seaports and airports; amphetamine and methamphetamine laboratories supply the local market Topic: United Arab Emiratesa transshipment point for illegal narcotics and a pass-through for drug proceeds; numerous exchange houses and general trading companies increase potential for money; major source of precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit narcotics Topic: United Kingdomconsumer 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 Topic: United Statesworld's largest consumer of cocaine (mostly from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; major consumer of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids sourced from Mexico and China, often mixed with other drugs; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering centerworld's largest consumer of cocaine (mostly from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; major consumer of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids sourced from Mexico and China, often mixed with other drugs; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center Topic: Uruguaytransit 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 Topic: Uzbekistantransit country for Afghan opium and heroin destined for Russia and the European Union; also transit country for hashish, cannabis products, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and synthetic drugs; cannabis and poppy are cultivated in small amounts for personal use and local saletransit country for Afghan opium and heroin destined for Russia and the European Union; also transit country for hashish, cannabis products, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), and synthetic drugs; cannabis and poppy are cultivated in small amounts for personal use and local sale Topic: Venezuela 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 Topic: Vietnamtransshipment point for transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) trafficking heroin, crystal methamphetamine, and ketamine throughout East Asia and the Pacific; approximately 90% of the illicit drugs in the country originate in Laos, Burma, and Thailand Topic: Worldcocaine: worldwide coca cultivation in 2020 likely amounted to 373,000 hectares, potential pure cocaine production reached 2,100 metric tons in 2020 opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation probably reached about 265,000 hectares in 2020, with potential opium production reaching 7,300 metric tons; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 85% of the global supply; Southeast Asia was responsible for 7% of global opium; Latin America opium in 2020 was sufficient to produce about 61 metric tons of pure heroin (2015)cocaine: worldwide coca cultivation in 2020 likely amounted to 373,000 hectares, potential pure cocaine production reached 2,100 metric tons in 2020 opiates: worldwide illicit opium poppy cultivation probably reached about 265,000 hectares in 2020, with potential opium production reaching 7,300 metric tons; Afghanistan is world's primary opium producer, accounting for 85% of the global supply; Southeast Asia was responsible for 7% of global opium; Latin America opium in 2020 was sufficient to produce about 61 metric tons of pure heroin Topic: Zambiatransshipment point for moderate amounts of methaqualone, small amounts of heroin, and cocaine bound for southern Africa and possibly Europe; a poorly developed financial infrastructure coupled with a government commitment to combating money laundering make it an unattractive venue for money launderers; major consumer of cannabis Topic: Zimbabwetransit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, methaqualone, and methamphetamines en route to South Africatransit point for cannabis and South Asian heroin, methaqualone, and methamphetamines en route to South Africa

20220901

field-ethnic-groups

This entry provides an ordered listing of ethnic groups starting with the largest and normally includes the percent of total population. Topic: AfghanistanCurrent, reliable statistical data on ethnicity in Afghanistan are not available; Afghanistan's 2004 Constitution cited Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Turkman, Baluch, Pachaie, Nuristani, Aymaq, Arab, Qirghiz, Qizilbash, Gujur, and Brahwui ethnicities; Afghanistan has dozens of other small ethnic groups Topic: AlbaniaAlbanian 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 Topic: AlgeriaArab-Berber 99%, European less than 1% note: although almost all Algerians are Berber in origin (not Arab), only a minority identify themselves as primarily Berber, about 15% of the total population; these people live mostly in the mountainous region of Kabylie east of Algiers and several other communities; the Berbers are also Muslim but identify with their Berber rather than Arab cultural heritage; Berbers have long agitated, sometimes violently, for autonomy; the government is unlikely to grant autonomy but has officially recognized Berber languages and introduced them into public schools Topic: American SamoaPacific Islander 92.6% (includes Samoan 88.9%, Tongan 2.9%, other .8%), Asian 3.6% (includes Filipino 2.2%, other 1.4%), mixed 2.7%, other 1.2% (2010 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic origin or race Topic: AndorraAndorran 48.3%, Spanish 24.8%, Portuguese 11.2%, French 4.5%, Argentine 1.4%, other 9.8% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by nationality Topic: AngolaOvimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22% Topic: AnguillaAfrican/Black 85.3%, Hispanic 4.9%, mixed 3.8%, White 3.2%, East Indian/Indian 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic origin Topic: Antigua and BarbudaAfrican descent 87.3%, mixed 4.7%, Hispanic 2.7%, White 1.6%, other 2.7%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic group Topic: ArgentinaEuropean (mostly Spanish and Italian descent) and Mestizo (mixed European and Amerindian ancestry) 97.2%, Amerindian 2.4%, African descent 0.4% (2010 est.) Topic: ArmeniaArmenian 98.1%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.2%, other 0.7% (2011 est.) Topic: ArubaAruban 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.) note: data represent population by country of birth Topic: AustraliaEnglish 36.1%, Australian 33.5%, Irish 11.0%, Scottish 9.3%, Chinese 5.6%, Italian 4.6%, German 4.5%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2.8%, Indian 2.8%, Greek 1.8%, Dutch 1.6% (2016 est.) note: data represent self-identified ancestry, with the option of reporting two ancestriesEnglish 36.1%, Australian 33.5%, Irish 11.0%, Scottish 9.3%, Chinese 5.6%, Italian 4.6%, German 4.5%, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 2.8%, Indian 2.8%, Greek 1.8%, Dutch 1.6% Topic: AustriaAustrian 80.8%, German 2.6%, Bosnian and Herzegovinian 1.9%, Turkish 1.8%, Serbian 1.6%, Romanian 1.3%, other 10% (2018 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth Topic: AzerbaijanAzerbaijani 91.6%, Lezghin 2%, Russian 1.3%, Armenian 1.3%, Talysh 1.3%, other 2.4% (2009 est.) note: the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which is part of Azerbaijan on the basis of the borders recognized when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, is populated almost entirely by ethnic Armenians; Azerbaijan has over 80 ethnic groups Topic: Bahamas, TheAfrican descent 90.6%, White 4.7%, mixed 2.1%, other 1.9%, unspecified 0.7% (2010 est.) note: data represent population by racial group Topic: BahrainBahraini 46%, Asian 45.5%, other Arab 4.7%, African 1.6%, European 1%, other 1.2% (includes Gulf Co-operative country nationals, North and South Americans, and Oceanians) (2010 est.) Topic: BangladeshBengali at least 98%, other indigenous ethnic groups 1.1% (2011 est.) note: Bangladesh's government recognizes 27 indigenous ethnic groups under the 2010 Cultural Institution for Small Anthropological Groups Act; other sources estimate there are about 75 ethnic groups; critics of the 2011 census claim that it underestimates the size of Bangladesh's ethnic population Topic: BarbadosAfrican descent 92.4%, mixed 3.1%, White 2.7%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.2%, unspecified 0.3% (2010 est.) Topic: BelarusBelarusian 83.7%, Russian 8.3%, Polish 3.1%, Ukrainian 1.7%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.9% (2009 est.) Topic: BelgiumBelgian 75.2%, Italian 4.1%, Moroccan 3.7%, French 2.4%, Turkish 2%, Dutch 2%, other 10.6% (2012 est.) Topic: BelizeMestizo 52.9%, Creole 25.9%, Maya 11.3%, Garifuna 6.1%, East Indian 3.9%, Mennonite 3.6%, White 1.2%, Asian 1%, other 1.2%, unknown 0.3% (2010 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin Topic: BeninFon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.) Topic: BermudaAfrican descent 52%, White 31%, mixed 9%, Asian 4%, other 4% (2010 est.) Topic: BhutanNgalop (also known as Bhote) 50%, ethnic Nepali 35% (predominantly Lhotshampas), indigenous or migrant tribes 15% Topic: BoliviaMestizo (mixed White and Amerindian ancestry) 68%, Indigenous 20%, White 5%, Cholo/Chola 2%, African descent 1%, other 1%, unspecified 3%; 44% of respondents indicated feeling part of some indigenous group, predominantly Quechua or Aymara (2009 est.) note: results among surveys vary based on the wording of the ethnicity question and the available response choices; the 2001 national census did not provide "Mestizo" as a response choice, resulting in a much higher proportion of respondents identifying themselves as belonging to one of the available indigenous ethnicity choices; the use of "Mestizo" and "Cholo" varies among response choices in surveys, with surveys using the terms interchangeably, providing one or the other as a response choice, or providing the two as separate response choices Topic: Bosnia and HerzegovinaBosniak 50.1%, Serb 30.8%, Croat 15.4%, other 2.7%, not declared/no answer 1% (2013 est.) note: Republika Srpska authorities dispute the methodology and refuse to recognize the results; Bosniak has replaced Muslim as an ethnic term in part to avoid confusion with the religious term Muslim - an adherent of Islam Topic: BotswanaTswana (or Setswana) 79%, Kalanga 11%, Basarwa 3%, other, including Kgalagadi and people of European ancestry 7% Topic: BrazilWhite 47.7%, mixed 43.1%, Black 7.6%, Asian 1.1%, Indigenous 0.4% (2010 est.) Topic: British Virgin IslandsAfrican/Black 76.3%, Latino 5.5%, White 5.4%, mixed 5.3%, Indian 2.1%, East Indian 1.6%, other 3%, unspecified 0.8% (2010 est.) Topic: BruneiMalay 65.8%, Chinese 10.2%, other 24% (2020 est.) Topic: BulgariaBulgarian 76.9%, Turkish 8%, Romani 4.4%, other 0.7% (including Russian, Armenian, and Vlach), other (unknown) 10% (2011 est.) note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 9–11% of Bulgaria's population Topic: Burkina FasoMossi 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.) Topic: BurmaBurman (Bamar) 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% note: government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic groups Topic: BurundiHutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy) Topic: Cabo VerdeCreole (Mulatto) 71%, African 28%, European 1% Topic: CambodiaKhmer 95.4%, Cham 2.4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 0.7% (2019-20 est.) Topic: CameroonBamileke-Bamu 24.3%, Beti/Bassa, Mbam 21.6%, Biu-Mandara 14.6%, Arab-Choa/Hausa/Kanuri 11%, Adamawa-Ubangi, 9.8%, Grassfields 7.7%, Kako, Meka/Pygmy 3.3%, Cotier/Ngoe/Oroko 2.7%, Southwestern Bantu 0.7%, foreign/other ethnic group 4.5% (2018 est.) Topic: CanadaCanadian 32.3%, English 18.3%, Scottish 13.9%, French 13.6%, Irish 13.4%, German 9.6%, Chinese 5.1%, Italian 4.6%, North American Indian 4.4%, East Indian 4%, Ukrainian 3.9%, other 47.7% (2016 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic origin Topic: Cayman Islandsmixed 40%, White 20%, African descent 20%, expatriates of various ethnic groups 20% Topic: Central African RepublicBaya 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.) Topic: ChadSara (Ngambaye/Sara/Madjingaye/Mbaye) 30.5%, Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma 9.8%, Arab 9.7%, Wadai/Maba/Masalit/Mimi 7%, Gorane 5.8%, Masa/Musseye/Musgum 4.9%, Bulala/Medogo/Kuka 3.7%, Marba/Lele/Mesme 3.5%, Mundang 2.7%, Bidiyo/Migaama/Kenga/Dangleat 2.5%, Dadjo/Kibet/Muro 2.4%, Tupuri/Kera 2%, Gabri/Kabalaye/Nanchere/Somrai 2%, Fulani/Fulbe/Bodore 1.8%, Karo/Zime/Peve 1.3%, Baguirmi/Barma 1.2%, Zaghawa/Bideyat/Kobe 1.1%, Tama/Assongori/Mararit 1.1%, Mesmedje/Massalat/Kadjakse 0.8%, other Chadian ethnicities 3.4%, Chadians of foreign ethnicities 0.9%, foreign nationals 0.3%, unspecified 1.7% (2014-15 est.) Topic: ChileWhite and non-Indigenous 88.9%, Mapuche 9.1%, Aymara 0.7%, other Indigenous groups 1% (includes Rapa Nui, Likan Antai, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Kawesqar, Yagan or Yamana), unspecified 0.3% (2012 est.) Topic: ChinaHan Chinese 91.1%, ethnic minorities 8.9% (includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.) note: the PRC officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups Topic: Christmas IslandChinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001) note: no indigenous population Topic: Cocos (Keeling) IslandsEuropeans, Cocos Malays Topic: ColombiaMestizo and White 87.6%, Afro-Colombian (includes Mulatto, Raizal, and Palenquero) 6.8%, Amerindian 4.3%, unspecified 1.4% (2018 est.) Topic: ComorosAntalote, Cafre, Makoa, Oimatsaha, Sakalava Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of themore than 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) - make up about 45% of the population Topic: Congo, Republic of theKongo 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.) Topic: Cook IslandsCook Island Maori (Polynesian) 81.3%, part Cook Island Maori 6.7%, other 11.9% (2011 est.) Topic: Costa RicaWhite 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.) Topic: Cote d'IvoireAkan 28.9%, Voltaique or Gur 16.1%, Northern Mande 14.5%, Kru 8.5%, Southern Mande 6.9%, unspecified 0.9%, non-Ivoirian 24.2% (2014 est.) Topic: CroatiaCroat 90.4%, Serb 4.4%, other 4.4% (including Bosniak, Hungarian, Slovene, Czech, and Romani), unspecified 0.8% (2011 est.) Topic: CubaWhite 64.1%, Mulatto or mixed 26.6%, Black 9.3% (2012 est.) note: data represent racial self-identification from Cuba's 2012 national census Topic: CuracaoCuracaoan 75.4%, Dutch 6%, Dominican 3.6%, Colombian 3%, Bonairean, Sint Eustatian, Saban 1.5%, Haitian 1.2%, Surinamese 1.2%, Venezuelan 1.1%, Aruban 1.1%, other 5%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.) Topic: CyprusGreek 98.8%, other 1% (includes Maronite, Armenian, Turkish-Cypriot), unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the Greek-Cypriot citizens in the Republic of Cyprus Topic: CzechiaCzech 57.3%, Moravian 3.4%, other 7.7%, unspecified 31.6% (2021 est.) note: includes only persons with one ethnicity Topic: DenmarkDanish (includes Greenlandic (who are predominantly Inuit) and Faroese) 85.6%, Turkish 1.1%, other 13.3% (largest groups are Polish, Syrian, Romanian, German, and Iraqi) (2022 est.) note: data represent population by ancestry Topic: DjiboutiSomali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (mostly Yemeni Arab, also French, Ethiopian, and Italian) Topic: DominicaAfrican descent 84.5%, mixed 9%, Indigenous 3.8%, other 2.1%, unspecified 0.6% (2011 est.) Topic: Dominican Republicmixed 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 Topic: EcuadorMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 71.9%, Montubio 7.4%, Amerindian 7%, White 6.1%, Afroecuadorian 4.3%, Mulatto 1.9%, Black 1%, other 0.4% (2010 est.) Topic: EgyptEgyptian 99.7%, other 0.3% (2006 est.) note: data represent respondents by nationality Topic: El SalvadorMestizo 86.3%, White 12.7%, Amerindian 0.2% (includes Lenca, Kakawira, Nahua-Pipil), Black 0.1%, other 0.6% (2007 est.) Topic: Equatorial GuineaFang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 est.) Topic: EritreaTigrinya 50%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Afar 4%, Kunama 4%, Bilen 3%, Hedareb/Beja 2%, Nara 2%, Rashaida 1% (2021 est.) note: data represent Eritrea's nine recognized ethnic groups Topic: EstoniaEstonian 68.7%, Russian 24.8%, Ukrainian 1.7%, Belarusian 1%, Finn 0.6%, other 1.6%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.) Topic: Eswatinipredominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestrypredominantly Swazi; smaller populations of other African ethnic groups, including the Zulu, as well as people of European ancestry Topic: EthiopiaOromo 35.8%, Amhara 24.1%, Somali 7.2%, Tigray 5.7%, Sidama 4.1%, Guragie 2.6%, Welaita 2.3%, Afar 2.2%, Silte 1.3%, Kefficho 1.2%, other 13.5% (2022 est.) Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Falkland Islander 48.3%, British 23.1%, St. Helenian 7.5%, Chilean 4.6%, mixed 6%, other 8.5%, unspecified 2% (2016 est.) note: data represent population by national identity Topic: Faroe IslandsFaroese 85.3% (Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon descent), Danish 8.3%, other Nordic 1.4%, other 4.5% (includes Filipino, Poland, Romanian) (2022 est.) note: data represent respondents by country of birth Topic: FijiiTaukei 56.8% (predominantly Melanesian with a Polynesian admixture), Indo-Fijian 37.5%, Rotuman 1.2%, other 4.5% (European, part European, other Pacific Islanders, Chinese) (2007 est.) note: a 2010 law replaces 'Fijian' with 'iTaukei' when referring to the original and native settlers of Fiji Topic: FinlandFinnish, Swedish, Russian, Estonian, Romani, Sami note: 91.5% of the population has a Finnish background Topic: FranceCeltic and Latin with Teutonic, Slavic, North African (Algerian, Moroccan, Tunisian), Indochinese, Basque minorities note: overseas departments: Black, White, Mulatto, East Indian, Chinese, Amerindian Topic: French PolynesiaPolynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% Topic: GabonGabonese-born 80.1% (includes Fang 23.2%, Shira-Punu/Vili 18.9%, Nzabi-Duma 11.3%, Mbede-Teke 6.9%, Myene 5%, Kota-Kele 4.9%, Okande-Tsogo 2.1%, Pygmy .3%, other 7.5%), Cameroonian 4.6%, Malian 2.4%, Beninese 2.1%, acquired Gabonese nationality 1.6%, Togolese 1.6%, Senegalese 1.1%, Congolese (Brazzaville) 1%, other 5.5% (includes Congolese (Kinshasa), Equatorial Guinean, Nigerian) (2012 est.) Topic: Gambia, TheMandinka/Jahanka 33.3%, Fulani/Tukulur/Lorobo 18.2%, Wolof 12.9%, Jola/Karoninka 11%, Serahuleh 7.2%, Serer 3.5%, other 4%, non-Gambian 9.9% (2019-20 est.) Topic: Gaza StripPalestinian Arab Topic: GeorgiaGeorgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.) Topic: GermanyGerman 86.3%, Turkish 1.8%, Polish 1%, Syrian 1%, Romanian 1%, other/stateless/unspecified 8.9% (2020 est.) note:  data represent population by nationality Topic: GhanaAkan 45.7%, Mole-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%, Ga-Dangme 7.1%, Gurma 6.4%, Guan 3.2%, Grusi 2.7%, Mande 2%, other 1.6% (2021 est.) Topic: GibraltarGibraltarian 79%, other British 13.2%, Spanish 2.1%, Moroccan 1.6%, other EU 2.4%, other 1.6% (2012 est.) note: data represent population by nationality Topic: GreeceGreek 91.6%, Albanian 4.4%, other 4% (2011 est.) note: data represent citizenship; Greece does not collect data on ethnicity Topic: GreenlandGreenlandic 89.1%, Danish 7.5%, other Nordic peoples 0.9%, and other 2.5% (2022 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth Topic: GrenadaAfrican descent 82.4%, mixed 13.3%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.9% (2011 est.) Topic: GuamChamorro 37.3%, Filipino 26.3%, White 7.1%, Chuukese 7%, Korean 2.2%, other Pacific Islander 2%, other Asian 2%, Chinese 1.6%, Palauan 1.6%, Japanese 1.5%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, mixed 9.4%, other 0.6% (2010 est.) Topic: GuatemalaMestizo (mixed Amerindian-Spanish - in local Spanish called Ladino) 56%, Maya 41.7%, Xinca (Indigenous, non-Maya) 1.8%, African descent 0.2%, Garifuna (mixed West and Central African, Island Carib, and Arawak) 0.1%, foreign 0.2% (2018 est.) Topic: GuernseyGuernsey 53.1%, UK and Ireland 23.9%, Portugal 2.2%, Latvia 1.5%, other Europe 2.8%, other 4.4%, unspecified 11.4% (2020 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth; the native population is of British and Norman-French descent Topic: GuineaFulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign 0.4% (2018 est.) Topic: Guinea-BissauBalanta 30%, Fulani 30%, Manjaco 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%, unspecified smaller ethnic groups 6% (2015 est.) Topic: GuyanaEast Indian 39.8%, African descent 29.3%, mixed 19.9%, Amerindian 10.5%, other 0.5% (includes Portuguese, Chinese, White) (2012 est.) Topic: HaitiBlack 95%, mixed and White 5% Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)Italian, Swiss, Argentinian, and other nationalities from around the world (2017) Topic: HondurasMestizo (mixed Amerindian and European) 90%, Amerindian 7%, African descent 2%, White 1% Topic: Hong KongChinese 92%, Filipino 2.5%, Indonesian 2.1%, other 3.4% (2016 est.) Topic: HungaryHungarian 85.6%, Romani 3.2%, German 1.9%, other 2.6%, unspecified 14.1% (2011 est.) note: percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–10% of Hungary's population Topic: IcelandIcelandic 81.3%, Polish 5.6%, Danish 1%, other 12.1% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth Topic: IndiaIndo-Aryan 72%, Dravidian 25%, and other 3% (2000) Topic: IndonesiaJavanese 40.1%, Sundanese 15.5%, Malay 3.7%, Batak 3.6%, Madurese 3%, Betawi 2.9%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Buginese 2.7%, Bantenese 2%, Banjarese 1.7%, Balinese 1.7%, Acehnese 1.4%, Dayak 1.4%, Sasak 1.3%, Chinese 1.2%, other 15% (2010 est.) Topic: IranPersian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen, and Turkic tribes Topic: IraqArab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, other 5% (includes Turkmen, Yezidi, Shabak, Kaka'i, Bedouin, Romani, Assyrian, Circassian, Sabaean-Mandaean, Persian) note: data is a 1987 government estimate; no more recent reliable numbers are available Topic: IrelandIrish 82.2%, Irish travelers 0.7%, other White 9.5%, Asian 2.1%, Black 1.4%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2016 est.) Topic: Isle of ManWhite 94.7%, Asian 3.1%, Mixed 1%, Black 0.6%, other 0.4% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by nationality Topic: IsraelJewish 74% (of which Israel-born 78.7%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 14.8%, Africa-born 4.2%, Asia-born 2.3%), Arab 21.1%, other 4.9% (2020 est.) Topic: ItalyItalian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south) Topic: JamaicaBlack 92.1%, mixed 6.1%, East Indian 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.7% (2011 est.) Topic: JapanJapanese 97.9%, Chinese 0.6%, Korean 0.4%, other 1.1% (includes Vietnamese, Filipino, and Brazilian) (2017 est.) note: data represent population by nationality; up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil Topic: JerseyJersey 44.4%, British 30.5%, Portuguese/Madeiran 9.4%, Polish 3%, Irish 2.1%, other 10.6% (2021 est.) Topic: JordanJordanian 69.3%, Syrian 13.3%, Palestinian 6.7%, Egyptian 6.7%, Iraqi 1.4%, other 2.6% (includes Armenian, Circassian) (2015 est.) note: data represent population by self-identified nationality Topic: KazakhstanKazakh (Qazaq) 68%, Russian 19.3%, Uzbek 3.2%, Ukrainian 1.5%, Uighur 1.5%, Tatar 1.1%, German 1%, other 4.4% (2019 est.) Topic: KenyaKikuyu 17.1%, Luhya 14.3%, Kalenjin 13.4%, Luo 10.7%, Kamba 9.8%, Somali 5.8%, Kisii 5.7%, Mijikenda 5.2%, Meru 4.2%, Maasai 2.5%, Turkana 2.1%, non-Kenyan 1%, other 8.2% (2019 est.) Topic: KiribatiI-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.) Topic: Korea, Northracially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese Topic: Korea, Southhomogeneous Topic: KosovoAlbanians 92.9%, Bosniaks 1.6%, Serbs 1.5%, Turk 1.1%, Ashkali 0.9%, Egyptian 0.7%, Gorani 0.6%, Romani 0.5%, other/unspecified 0.2% (2011 est.) note: these estimates may under-represent Serb, Romani, and some other ethnic minorities because they are based on the 2011 Kosovo national census, which excluded northern Kosovo (a largely Serb-inhabited region) and was partially boycotted by Serb and Romani communities in southern Kosovo Topic: KuwaitKuwaiti 30.4%, other Arab 27.4%, Asian 40.3%, African 1%, other 0.9% (includes European, North American, South American, and Australian) (2018 est.) Topic: KyrgyzstanKyrgyz 73.8%, Uzbek 14.8%, Russian 5.1%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.2% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2021 est.) Topic: LaosLao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.) note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200 Topic: LatviaLatvian 62.7%, Russian 24.5%, Belarusian 3.1%, Ukrainian 2.2%, Polish 2%, Lithuanian 1.1%, other 1.8%, unspecified 2.6% (2021 est.) Topic: LebanonArab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1% note: many Christian Lebanese do not identify themselves as Arab but rather as descendants of the ancient Canaanites and prefer to be called Phoenicians Topic: LesothoSotho 99.7%, Europeans, Asians, and other 0.3% Topic: LiberiaKpelle 20.3%, Bassa 13.4%, Grebo 10%, Gio 8%, Mano 7.9%, Kru 6%, Lorma 5.1%, Kissi 4.8%, Gola 4.4%, Krahn 4%, Vai 4%, Mandingo 3.2%, Gbandi 3%, Mende 1.3%, Sapo 1.3%, other Liberian 1.7%, other African 1.4%, non-African .1% (2008 est.) Topic: LibyaBerber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Egyptian, Greek, Indian, Italian, Maltese, Pakistani, Tunisian, and Turkish) Topic: LiechtensteinLiechtensteiner 65.5%, Swiss 9.6%, Austrian 6%, German 4.5%, Italian 3.1%, other 11.4% (2020 est.) note: data represent population by nationality Topic: LithuaniaLithuanian 84.6%, Polish 6.5%, Russian 5%, Belarusian 1%, other 1.1%, unspecified 1.8% (2021 est.) Topic: LuxembourgLuxembourger 52.9%, Portuguese 14.5%, French 7.6%, Italian 3.7%, Belgian 3%, German 2%, Spanish 1.3%, Romania 1%, other 14% (2022 est.) note: data represent population by nationality Topic: MacauChinese 88.7%, Portuguese 1.1%, mixed 1.1%, other 9.2% (includes Macanese - mixed Portuguese and Asian ancestry) (2016 est.) Topic: MadagascarMalayo-Indonesian (Merina and related Betsileo), Cotiers (mixed African, Malayo-Indonesian, and Arab ancestry - Betsimisaraka, Tsimihety, Antaisaka, Sakalava), French, Indian, Creole, Comoran Topic: MalawiChewa 34.3%, Lomwe 18.8%, Yao 13.2%, Ngoni 10.4%, Tumbuka 9.2%, Sena 3.8%, Mang'anja 3.2%, Tonga 1.8%, Nyanja 1.8%, Nkhonde 1%, other 2.2%, foreign 0.3% (2018 est.) Topic: MalaysiaBumiputera 62.5% (Malays and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6.2%, other 0.9%, non-citizens 9.8% (2019 est.) Topic: Maldiveshomogeneous mixture of Sinhalese, Dravidian, Arab, Australasian, and African resulting from historical changes in regional hegemony over marine trade routes Topic: MaliBambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.) Topic: MaltaMaltese (descendants of ancient Carthaginians and Phoenicians with strong elements of Italian and other Mediterranean stock) Topic: Marshall IslandsMarshallese 92.1%, mixed Marshallese 5.9%, other 2% (2006 est.) Topic: MauritaniaBlack Moors (Haratines - Arabic-speaking descendants of African origin who are or were enslaved by White Moors) 40%, White Moors (of Arab-Berber descent, known as Beydane) 30%, Sub-Saharan Mauritanians (non-Arabic speaking, largely resident in or originating from the Senegal River Valley, including Halpulaar, Fulani, Soninke, Wolof, and Bambara ethnic groups) 30% Topic: MauritiusIndo-Mauritian (compose approximately two thirds of the total population), Creole, Sino-Mauritian, Franco-Mauritian note: Mauritius has not had a question on ethnicity on its national census since 1972 Topic: MexicoMestizo (Amerindian-Spanish) 62%, predominantly Amerindian 21%, Amerindian 7%, other 10% (mostly European) (2012 est.) note: Mexico does not collect census data on ethnicity Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofChuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.) Topic: MoldovaMoldovan 75.1%, Romanian 7%, Ukrainian 6.6%, Gagauz 4.6%, Russian 4.1%, Bulgarian 1.9%, other 0.8% (2014 est.) Topic: MonacoMonegasque 32.1%, French 19.9%, Italian 15.3%, British 5%, Belgian 2.3%, Swiss 2%, German 1.9%, Russian 1.8%, American 1.1%, Dutch 1.1%, Moroccan 1%, other 16.6% (2016 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth Topic: MongoliaKhalkh 83.8%, Kazak 3.8%, Durvud 2.6%, Bayad 2%, Buriad 1.4%, Zakhchin 1.2%, Dariganga 1.1%, other 4.1% (2020 est.) Topic: MontenegroMontenegrin 45%, Serbian 28.7%, Bosniak 8.7%, Albanian 4.9%, Muslim 3.3%, Romani 1%, Croat 1%, other 2.6%, unspecified 4.9% (2011 est.) Topic: MontserratAfrican/Black 86.2%, mixed 4.8%, Hispanic/Spanish 3%, Caucasian/White 2.7%, East Indian/Indian 1.6%, other 1.8% (2018 est.) Topic: MoroccoArab-Berber 99%, other 1% note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: MozambiqueAfrican 99% (Makhuwa, Tsonga, Lomwe, Sena, and others), Mestizo 0.8%, other (includes European, Indian, Pakistani, Chinese) 0.2% (2017 est.) Topic: NamibiaOvambo 50%, Kavangos 9%, Herero 7%, Damara 7%, mixed European and African ancestry 6.5%, European 6%, Nama 5%, Caprivian 4%, San 3%, Baster 2%, Tswana .5% Topic: NauruNauruan 88.9%, part Nauruan 6.6%, I-Kiribati 2%, other 2.5% (2007 est.) Topic: NepalChhettri 16.6%, Brahman-Hill 12.2%, Magar 7.1%, Tharu 6.6%, Tamang 5.8%, Newar 5%, Kami 4.8%, Muslim 4.4%, Yadav 4%, Rai 2.3%, Gurung 2%, Damai/Dholii 1.8%, Thakuri 1.6%, Limbu 1.5%, Sarki 1.4%, Teli 1.4%, Chamar/Harijan/Ram 1.3%, Koiri/Kushwaha 1.2%, other 19% (2011 est.) note: 125 caste/ethnic groups were reported in the 2011 national census Topic: NetherlandsDutch 75.4%, EU (excluding Dutch) 6.4%, Turkish 2.4%, Moroccan 2.4%, Surinamese 2.1%, Indonesian 2%, other 9.3% (2021 est.) Topic: New CaledoniaKanak 39.1%, European 27.1%, Wallisian, Futunian 8.2%, Tahitian 2.1%, Indonesian 1.4%, Ni-Vanuatu 1%, Vietnamese 0.9%, other 17.7%, unspecified 2.5% (2014 est.) Topic: New ZealandEuropean 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 Topic: NicaraguaMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 69%, White 17%, Black 9%, Amerindian 5% Topic: NigerHausa 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.) Topic: NigeriaHausa 30%, Yoruba 15.5%, Igbo (Ibo) 15.2%, Fulani 6%, Tiv 2.4%, Kanuri/Beriberi 2.4%, Ibibio 1.8%, Ijaw/Izon 1.8%, other 24.9% (2018 est.) note: Nigeria, Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups Topic: NiueNiuean 65.4%, part-Niuean 14%, non-Niuean 20.6% (2017 est.) note: data represent the resident population Topic: Norfolk IslandAustralian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.) note: respondents were able to identify up to two ancestries; percentages represent a proportion of all responses from people in Norfolk Island, including those who did not identify an ancestry; only top responses are shownAustralian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% Topic: North MacedoniaMacedonian 58.4%, Albanian 24.3%, Turkish 3.9%, Romani 2.5%, Serb 1.3%, other 2.3%, persons for whom data were taken from administrative sources and no ethnic affiliation data was available 7.2% (2021 est.) note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 6.5–13% of North Macedonia’s population Topic: Northern Mariana IslandsAsian 50% (includes Filipino 35.3%, Chinese 6.8%, Korean 4.2%, and other Asian 3.7%), Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 34.9% (includes Chamorro 23.9%, Carolinian 4.6%, and other Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 6.4%), other 2.5%, two or more ethnicities or races 12.7% (2010 est.) Topic: NorwayNorwegian 81.5% (includes about 60,000 Sami), other European 8.9%, other 9.6% (2021 est.) Topic: OmanArab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African Topic: PakistanPunjabi 44.7%, Pashtun (Pathan) 15.4%, Sindhi 14.1%, Saraiki 8.4%, Muhajirs 7.6%, Balochi 3.6%, other 6.3% Topic: PalauPalauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 73%, Carolinian 2%, Asian 21.7%, Caucasian 1.2%, other 2.1% (2015 est.) Topic: PanamaMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 65%, Native American 12.3% (Ngabe 7.6%, Kuna 2.4%, Embera 0.9%, Bugle 0.8%, other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2%), Black or African descent 9.2%, Mulatto 6.8%, White 6.7% (2010 est.) Topic: Papua New GuineaMelanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian Topic: ParaguayMestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian ancestry) 95%, other 5% Topic: PeruMestizo (mixed Amerindian and White) 60.2%, Amerindian 25.8%, White 5.9%, African descent 3.6%, other (includes Chinese and Japanese descent) 1.2%, unspecified 3.3% (2017 est.) Topic: PhilippinesTagalog 24.4%, Bisaya/Binisaya 11.4%, Cebuano 9.9%, Ilocano 8.8%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 8.4%, Bikol/Bicol 6.8%, Waray 4%, other local ethnicity 26.1%, other foreign ethnicity 0.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Pitcairn Islandsdescendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives Topic: PolandPolish 96.9%, Silesian 1.1%, German 0.2%, Ukrainian 0.1%, other and unspecified 1.7% (2011 est.) note: represents ethnicity declared first Topic: PortugalPortuguese 95%; citizens from Portugal’s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5% Topic: Puerto RicoWhite 75.8%, Black/African American 12.4%, other 8.5% (includes American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, other Pacific Islander, and others), mixed 3.3% (2010 est.) note: 99% of the population is Latino Topic: Qatarnon-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.) Topic: RomaniaRomanian 83.4%, Hungarian 6.1%, Romani 3.1%, Ukrainian 0.3%, German 0.2%, other 0.7%, unspecified 6.1% (2011 est.) note: Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Romania's population Topic: RussiaRussian 77.7%, Tatar 3.7%, Ukrainian 1.4%, Bashkir 1.1%, Chuvash 1%, Chechen 1%, other 10.2%, unspecified 3.9% (2010 est.) note: nearly 200 national and/or ethnic groups are represented in Russia's 2010 census Topic: RwandaHutu, Tutsi, Twa (Pygmy) Topic: Saint BarthelemyFrench, Portuguese, Caribbean, Afro-Caribbean Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaAfrican descent 50%, White 25%, Chinese 25% Topic: Saint Kitts and NevisAfrican descent 92.5%, mixed 3%, White 2.1%, East Indian 1.5%, other 0.6%, unspecified 0.3% (2001 est.) Topic: Saint LuciaBlack/African descent 85.3%, mixed 10.9%, East Indian 2.2%, other 1.6%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.) Topic: Saint MartinCreole (Mulatto), Black, Guadeloupe Mestizo (French-East Asia), White, East Indian, other Topic: Saint Pierre and MiquelonBasques and Bretons (French fishermen) Topic: Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesAfrican descent 71.2%, mixed 23%, Indigenous 3%, East Indian/Indian 1.1%, European 1.5%, other 0.2% (2012 est.) Topic: SamoaSamoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.) note: data represent the population by country of citizenship Topic: San MarinoSammarinese, Italian Topic: Sao Tome and PrincipeMestico, Angolares (descendants of Angolan slaves), Forros (descendants of freed slaves), Servicais (contract laborers from Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde), Tongas (children of servicais born on the islands), Europeans (primarily Portuguese), Asians (mostly Chinese) Topic: Saudi ArabiaArab 90%, Afro-Asian 10% Topic: SenegalWolof 39.7%, Pular 27.5%, Serer 16%, Mandinka 4.9%, Jola 4.2%, Soninke 2.4%, other 5.4% (includes Europeans and persons of Lebanese descent) (2019 est.) Topic: SerbiaSerb 83.3%, Hungarian 3.5%, Romani 2.1%, Bosniak 2%, other 5.7%, undeclared or unknown 3.4% (2011 est.) note: most ethnic Albanians boycotted the 2011 census; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 5–11% of Serbia's population Topic: Seychellespredominantly Creole (mainly of East African and Malagasy heritage); also French, Indian, Chinese, and Arab populations Topic: Sierra LeoneTemne 35.4%, Mende 30.8%, Limba 8.8%, Kono 4.3%, Korankoh 4%, Fullah 3.8%, Mandingo 2.8%, Loko 2%, Sherbro 1.9%, Creole 1.2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), other 5% (2019 est.) Topic: SingaporeChinese 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) Topic: Sint MaartenSaint Maarten 29.9%, Dominican Republic 10.2%, Haiti 7.8%, Jamaica 6.6%, Saint Martin 5.9%, Guyana 5%, Dominica 4.4%, Curacao 4.1%, Aruba 3.4%, Saint Kitts and Nevis 2.8%, India 2.6%, Netherlands 2.2%, US 1.6%, Suriname 1.4%, Saint Lucia 1.3%, Anguilla 1.1%, other 8%, unspecified 1.7% (2011 est.) note:  data represent population by country of birth Topic: SlovakiaSlovak 83.8%, Hungarian 7.8%, Romani 1.2%, other 1.8% (includes Czech, Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Russian, German, Polish), unspecified 5.4% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by nationality; Romani populations are usually underestimated in official statistics and may represent 7–11% of Slovakia's population Topic: SloveniaSlovene 83.1%, Serb 2%, Croat 1.8%, Bosniak 1.1%, other or unspecified 12% (2002 est.) Topic: Solomon IslandsMelanesian 95.3%, Polynesian 3.1%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 0.3% (2009 est.) Topic: SomaliaSomali 85%, Bantu and other non-Somali 15% (including 30,000 Arabs) Topic: South AfricaBlack African 80.9%, Colored 8.8%, White 7.8%, Indian/Asian 2.6% (2021 est.) note: colored is a term used in South Africa, including on the national census, for persons of mixed race ancestry who developed a distinct cultural identity over several hundred years Topic: South SudanDinka (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.) note: Figures are estimations due to population changes during South Sudan's civil war and the lack of updated demographic studies Topic: SpainSpanish 84.8%, Moroccan 1.7%, Romanian 1.2%, other 12.3% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by country of birth Topic: Sri LankaSinhalese 74.9%, Sri Lankan Tamil 11.2%, Sri Lankan Moors 9.2%, Indian Tamil 4.2%, other 0.5% (2012 est.) Topic: SudanSudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Fur, Beja, Nuba, Ingessana, Uduk, Fallata, Masalit, Dajo, Gimir, Tunjur, Berti; there are over 500 ethnic groups Topic: SurinameHindustani (also known locally as "East Indians"; their ancestors emigrated from northern India in the latter part of the 19th century) 27.4%, Maroon (their African ancestors were brought to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries as slaves and escaped to the interior) 21.7%, Creole (mixed White and Black) 15.7%, Javanese 13.7%, mixed 13.4%, other 7.6%, unspecified 0.6% (2012 est.) Topic: SvalbardNorwegian 61.1%, foreign population 38.9% (consists primarily of Russians, Thais, Swedes, Filipinos, and Ukrainians) (2021 est.) note: foreigners account for almost one third of the population of the Norwegian settlements, Longyearbyen and Ny-Alesund (where the majority of Svalbard's resident population lives), as of mid-2021 Topic: SwedenSwedish 80.3%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.4%, other 15% (2020 est.) note: data represent the population by country of birth; the indigenous Sami people are estimated to number between 20,000 and 40,000Swedish 80.3%, Syrian 1.9%, Iraqi 1.4%, Finnish 1.4%, other 15% Topic: SwitzerlandSwiss 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 Topic: SyriaArab ~50%, Alawite ~15%, Kurd ~10%, Levantine ~10%, other ~15% (includes Druze, Ismaili, Imami, Nusairi, Assyrian, Turkoman, Armenian) Topic: TaiwanHan Chinese (including Holo, who compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's population, Hakka, and other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%, indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3% note 1: there are 16 officially recognized indigenous groups: Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Hla'alua, Kanakaravu, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Seediq, Thao, Truku, Tsou, and Yami; Amis, Paiwan, and Atayal are the largest and account for roughly 70% of the indigenous population note 2: although not definitive, the majority of current genetic, archeological, and linguistic data support the theory that Taiwan is the ultimate source for the spread of humans across the Pacific to Polynesia; the expansion (ca. 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1200) took place via the Philippines and eastern Indonesia and reached Fiji and Tonga by about 900 B.C.; from there voyagers spread across the rest of the Pacific islands over the next two millennia Topic: TajikistanTajik 84.3% (includes Pamiri and Yagnobi), Uzbek 13.8%, other 2% (includes Kyrgyz, Russian, Turkmen, Tatar, Arab) (2014 est.) Topic: Tanzaniamainland - African 99% (of which 95% are Bantu consisting of more than 130 tribes), other 1% (consisting of Asian, European, and Arab); Zanzibar - Arab, African, mixed Arab and African Topic: ThailandThai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, other 1.1%, unspecified <.1% (2015 est.) note: data represent population by nationality Topic: Timor-LesteAustronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority Topic: TogoAdja-Ewe/Mina 42.4%, Kabye/Tem 25.9%, Para-Gourma/Akan 17.1%, Akposso/Akebu 4.1%, Ana-Ife 3.2%, other Togolese 1.7%, foreigners 5.2%, no response 0.4% (2013-14 est.) note: Togo has an estimated 37 ethnic groups Topic: TokelauTokelauan 64.5%, part Tokelauan/Samoan 9.7%, part Tokelauan/Tuvaluan 2.8%, Tuvaluan 7.5%, Samoan 5.8%, other Pacific Islander 3.4%, other 5.6%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: TongaTongan 97%, part-Tongan 0.8%, other 2.2%, unspecified <0.1% (2016 est.) Topic: Trinidad and TobagoEast Indian 35.4%, African descent 34.2%, mixed - other 15.3%, mixed - African/East Indian 7.7%, other 1.3%, unspecified 6.2% (2011 est.) Topic: TunisiaArab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1% Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 6-11% (2016 est.) Topic: TurkmenistanTurkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos IslandsBlack 87.6%, White 7.9%, mixed 2.5%, East Indian 1.3%, other 0.7% (2006 est.) Topic: TuvaluTuvaluan 97%, Tuvaluan/I-Kiribati 1.6%, Tuvaluan/other 0.8%, other 0.6% (2017 est.) Topic: UgandaBaganda 16.5%, Banyankole 9.6%, Basoga 8.8%, Bakiga 7.1%, Iteso 7%, Langi 6.3%, Bagisu 4.9%, Acholi 4.4%, Lugbara 3.3%, other 32.1% (2014 est.) Topic: UkraineUkrainian 77.8%, Russian 17.3%, Belarusian 0.6%, Moldovan 0.5%, Crimean Tatar 0.5%, Bulgarian 0.4%, Hungarian 0.3%, Romanian 0.3%, Polish 0.3%, Jewish 0.2%, other 1.8% (2001 est.) Topic: United Arab EmiratesEmirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian 38.2%, Bangladeshi 9.5%, Pakistani 9.4%, other 2.3%), Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.) note: data represent the total population; as of 2019, immigrants make up about 87.9% of the total population, according to UN data Topic: United KingdomWhite 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.) Topic: United StatesWhite 61.6%, Black or African American 12.4%, Asian 6%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.1%, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 0.2%, other 8.4%, two or more races 10.2% (2020 est.) note: a separate listing for Hispanic is not included because the US Census Bureau considers Hispanic to mean persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin including those of Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican Republic, Spanish, and Central or South American origin living in the US who may be of any race or ethnic group (White, Black, Asian, etc.); an estimated 18.7% of the total US population is Hispanic as of 2020 Topic: UruguayWhite 87.7%, Black 4.6%, Indigenous 2.4%, other 0.3%, none or unspecified 5% (2011 est.) note: data represent primary ethnic identity Topic: UzbekistanUzbek 83.8%, Tajik 4.8%, Kazakh 2.5%, Russian 2.3%, Karakalpak 2.2%, Tatar 1.5%, other 2.9% (2017 est.) Topic: VanuatuMelanesian 99.2%, non-Melanesian 0.8% (2016 est.) Topic: Venezuelaunspecified Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, Indigenous Topic: VietnamKinh (Viet) 85.3%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.9%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.4%, Mong 1.4%, Nung 1.1%, other 5.5% (2019 est.) note: 54 ethnic groups are recognized by the Vietnamese Government Topic: Virgin IslandsBlack 76%, White 15.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 4.9%, mixed 2.1% (2010 est.) note: 17.4% self-identify as Latino Topic: Wallis and FutunaPolynesian Topic: West BankPalestinian Arab, Jewish, other Topic: Yemenpredominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asian, European Topic: ZambiaBemba 21%, Tonga 13.6%, Chewa 7.4%, Lozi 5.7%, Nsenga 5.3%, Tumbuka 4.4%, Ngoni 4%, Lala 3.1%, Kaonde 2.9%, Namwanga 2.8%, Lunda (north Western) 2.6%, Mambwe 2.5%, Luvale 2.2%, Lamba 2.1%, Ushi 1.9%, Lenje 1.6%, Bisa 1.6%, Mbunda 1.2%, other 13.8%, unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.) Topic: ZimbabweAfrican 99.4% (predominantly Shona; Ndebele is the second largest ethnic group), other 0.4%, unspecified 0.2% (2012 est.)

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Answers to many frequently asked questions are explained in the Definitions and Notes section in The World Factbook. Please review this section to see if your question is already answered there. In addition, we have compiled the following list of FAQs to answer other common questions. Topic: GeneralThe staff cannot provide data beyond what appears in The World Factbook. The format and information in the Factbook are tailored to the specific requirements of US Government officials and content is focused on their current and anticipated needs. The staff welcomes suggestions for new entries.Formerly the website and the published Factbook were only updated annually. In November 2001, the Factbook began more frequent online updating and for many years bi-weekly updates were the norm. 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As a courtesy, please cite The World Factbook when used.Although estimates and projections start with the same basic data from censuses, surveys, and registration systems, final estimates and projections can differ as a result of factors including data availability, assessment, and methods and protocols.Data availability  Researchers may obtain specific country data at different times. Estimates or projections developed before the results of a census have been released will not be as accurate as those that take into account new census results.Assessment  Researchers can differ in their assessment of data quality and in their estimates based on the available country data. 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We urge caution, however, in attempting to create time series by stringing together economic data – especially dollar values – from previous editions of the Factbook. Over time, data sources, definitions, and economic accounting methods have changed. We occasionally have made these changes ourselves in order to provide our readers with the best information available. Also, in the case of dollar values, changes in relative exchange rates and prices may make trends difficult to comprehend. Therefore, individuals should consult additional resources when doing comparative research or trend analysis Topic: GeographyThe World Factbook is not a gazetteer (a dictionary or index of places, usually with descriptive or statistical information) and cannot provide more than the names of the administrative divisions (in the Government category) and major cities/towns (on the country maps). Our expanded Cross-Reference List of Geographic Names (Appendix F), however, includes many of the world’s major geographic features as well as historic (former) names of countries and cities mentioned in The World Factbook.The European Union (EU) is not a country, but it has taken on many nation-like attributes and these may be expanded in the future. It is for these reasons that a separate European Union entry was created. However, because of the EU’s special status, this entry appears after the country listing. A more complete explanation on the inclusion of the EU into the Factbook may be found in the “Preliminary statement” of the European Union entry.Vatican City is found under Holy See. The term “Holy See” refers to the authority and sovereignty vested in the Pope and his advisors to direct the worldwide Catholic Church. As the jurisdictional equal of a state, the Holy See can enter into treaties and sends and receives diplomatic representatives. Vatican City, created in 1929 to administer properties belonging to the Holy See in Rome, is recognized under international law as a sovereign state, but it does not send or receive diplomatic representatives. Consequently, Holy See is included as a Factbook entry, with Vatican City cross-referenced in the Geographic Names appendix.The Palestinian areas of Gaza Strip and West Bank are listed in the Factbook.The World Factbook provides information on the administrative divisions of a country as recommended by the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is a component of the US Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names – domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features.Also included in the Factbook are entries on parts of the world whose status has not yet been resolved (e.g., West Bank, Spratly Islands). Specific regions within a country or areas in dispute among countries are not covered.A doubly landlocked country is one that is separated from an ocean or an ocean-accessible sea by two intervening countries. Uzbekistan and Liechtenstein are the only countries that fit this definition.It all depends on whether one is looking at total area (land and water) when making the comparison (which is the criterion used by the Factbook) or just land area (which excludes inland water features such as rivers and lakes).Total area (combining land and water)United States = 9,826,630 sq km, China = 9,596,960 sq kmLand only (without any water features)United States = 9,161,923 sq km, China = 9,326,410 sq kmThe five entities are no longer in The World Factbook because their status has changed. While they are overseas departments of France, they are also now recognized as French regions, having equal status to the 22 metropolitan regions that make up European France. In other words, they are now recognized as being part of France proper. Their status is somewhat analogous to Alaska and Hawaii vis-à-vis the contiguous United States. Although separated from the larger geographic entity, they are still considered to be an integral part of it. Topic: PhotosInclusion of photos in The World Factbook is a long-term project, and we plan to continuously add more photos to the site over time. Eventually, we hope to have images for every country in the Factbook.We appreciate the many offers from the public to contribute to our photo collection. However, we only use photos from US Government sources.Yes! All photos in The World Factbook are in the public domain. Topic: Policies and ProceduresThe Factbook staff uses many different sources to publish what we judge are the most reliable and consistent data for any particular category. Space considerations preclude a listing of these various sources.The Factbook staff follows the guidance of the United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN). The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names – domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to have access to uniform names of geographic features. The position of the BGN is that the names Burma and Sea of Japan be used in official US Government maps and publications.US Federal agencies are required by the Metric Conversion Act of 1975 (Public Law 94-168) and by Executive Order 12770 of July 1991 to use the International System of Units, commonly referred to as the metric system or SI. In addition, the metric system is used by over 95% of the world’s population.The Factbook staff judges that this information would only be useful for some (generally smaller) countries. Larger countries can have large temperature extremes that do not represent the landmass as a whole.Flag designs used in The World Factbook are based on various national and vexillological sources.We have two sets of GDP dollar estimates in The World Factbook , one derived from purchasing power parity (PPP) calculations and the other derived from official exchange rates (OER). Other sources probably use one of the two. See the Definitions and Notes section on GDP and GDP methodology for more information.Although Chiefs of State and The World Factbook both appear on the CIA Web site, they are produced and updated on different weekly schedules. Chiefs of State includes fewer countries but more leaders, whereas The World Factbook has a much larger database and includes all countries.Because of rounding, percentage distributions do not always add precisely to 100%. Rounding of numbers always results in a loss of precision – i.e., error. This error becomes apparent when percentage data are totaled, as the following two examples show:When this occurs, we do not force the numbers to add exactly to 100, because doing so would introduce additional error into the distribution.In deciding on the number of digits to present, the Factbook staff assesses the accuracy of the original data and the needs of US Government officials. All of the economic data are processed by computer – either at the source or by the Factbook staff. The economic data presented in The Factbook, therefore, follow the rounding convention used by virtually all numerical software applications, namely, any digit followed by a “5” is rounded up to the next higher digit, no matter whether the original digit is even or odd. Thus, for example, when rounded to the nearest integer, 2.5 becomes 3, rather than 2, as occurred in some pre-computer rounding systems.For most countries, this entry presents the date that sovereignty was achieved and from which nation, empire, or trusteeship. For other countries, the date may be some other significant nationhood event such as the traditional founding date or the date of unification, federation, confederation, establishment, or state succession and so may not strictly be an “Independence” date. Dependent entities have the nature of their dependency status noted in this same entry. Topic: Spelling and PronunciationThe Factbook staff applies the names and spellings from the World Leaders link on the CIA Web site. The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings. Surnames are always spelled with capital letters; they may appear first in some cultures.The United States Board on Geographic Names (BGN) recommends and approves names and spellings. The BGN is the component of the United States Government that develops policies, principles, and procedures governing the spelling, use, and application of geographic names – domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea. Its decisions enable all departments and agencies of the US Government to use uniform names of geographic features. (A note is usually included where changes may have occurred but have not yet been approved by the BGN). The World Factbook is prepared using the standard American English computer keyboard and does not use any special characters, symbols, or most diacritical markings in its spellings.There are too many variations in pronunciation among English-speaking countries, not to mention English renditions of non-English names, for pronunciations to be included. American English pronunciations are included for some countries such as Qatar and Kiribati. Topic: TechnicalThe World Factbook home page has a link entitled “Text/Low Bandwidth Version.” The country data in the text version is fully accessible. We believe The World Factbook is compliant with the Section 508 law. If you are experiencing difficulty, please use our comment form to provide us details of the specific problem you are experiencing and the assistive software and/or hardware you are using so that we can work with our technical staff to find and implement a solution. We welcome visitors’ suggestions to improve accessibility of The World Factbook and the CIA website.Hundreds of “Factbook” look-alikes exist on the Internet. You can access The World Factbook at: cia.gov, which is the only official site.Some of the files on The World Factbook website are large and could take several minutes to download on a dial-up connection. The screen might be blank during the download process.Adjusting the resolution setting on your monitor should correct this problem.The Factbook website features Country Comparison pages for selected Factbook entries. All of the Country Comparison pages can be downloaded as tab-delimited data files that can be opened in other applications such as spreadsheets and databases.

20220901

countries-central-african-republic-summaries

Topic: Introduction Background: The French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 but lasted only a decade. Peace agreements signed in 2017 and 2019 between the government and armed factions have had little effect and armed groups operate openly.The French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 but lasted only a decade. Peace agreements signed in 2017 and 2019 between the government and armed factions have had little effect and armed groups operate openly. Topic: Geography Area: total: 622,984 sq km land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers Natural resources: diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Topic: People and Society Population: 5,454,533 (2022 est.) 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.) Population growth rate: 1.78% (2022 est.) Topic: Government Government type: presidential republic Capital: name: Bangui Executive branch: chief of state: President Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 30 March 2016; reelected 27 December 2020) head of government: Prime Minister Felix MOLOUA (since 7 February 2022); note - Prime Minister Henri-Marie DONDRA resigned on 2 February 2022 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) Topic: Economy Economic overview: enormous natural resources; extreme poverty; weak public institutions and infrastructure; political and gender-based violence have led to displacement of roughly 25% of population; Bangui-Douala corridor blockade reduced activity and tax collection; strong agricultural performance offset COVID-19 downturnenormous natural resources; extreme poverty; weak public institutions and infrastructure; political and gender-based violence have led to displacement of roughly 25% of population; Bangui-Douala corridor blockade reduced activity and tax collection; strong agricultural performance offset COVID-19 downturn Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $4.483 billion (2019 est.) Real GDP per capita: $900 (2020 est.) Agricultural products: cassava, yams, groundnuts, taro, bananas, sugar cane, beef, maize, plantains, milk Industries: gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, sugar refining Exports: $113.7 million (2017 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.) 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)Page last updated: Wednesday, May 11, 2022

20220901

field-geography-note

This entry includes miscellaneous geographic information of significance not included elsewhere. Topic: Afghanistanlandlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor) Topic: AkrotiriBritish 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 Topic: Albaniastrategic location along Strait of Otranto (links Adriatic Sea to Ionian Sea and Mediterranean Sea) Topic: Algerialargest country in Africa but 80% desert; canyons and caves in the southern Hoggar Mountains and in the barren Tassili n'Ajjer area in the southeast of the country contain numerous examples of prehistoric art - rock paintings and carvings depicting human activities and wild and domestic animals (elephants, giraffes, cattle) - that date to the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, when the region was completely vegetated Topic: American SamoaPago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean Topic: Andorralandlocked; straddles a number of important crossroads in the Pyrenees Topic: Angolathe province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo Topic: Anguillathe most northerly of the Leeward Islands in the Lesser Antilles Topic: Antarcticathe coldest, windiest, highest (on average), and driest continent; during summer, more solar radiation reaches the surface at the South Pole than is received at the Equator in an equivalent period mostly uninhabitable, 99% of the land area is covered by the Antarctic ice sheet, the largest single mass of ice on earth covering an area of 14 million sq km (5.4 million sq mi) and containing 26.5 million cu km (6.4 million cu mi) of ice (this is almost 62% of all of the world's fresh water); if all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world's oceans by 58 m (190 ft) Topic: Antigua and BarbudaAntigua has a deeply indented shoreline with many natural harbors and beaches; Barbuda has a large western harbor Topic: Arctic Oceanmajor 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 Topic: Argentinanote 1: second-largest country in South America (after Brazil); strategic location relative to sea lanes between the South Atlantic and the South Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage); diverse geophysical landscapes range from tropical climates in the north to tundra in the far south; Cerro Aconcagua is the Western Hemisphere's tallest mountain, while Laguna del Carbon is the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere; shares Iguazu Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Brazil note 2: southeast Bolivia and northwest Argentina seem to be the original development site for peanuts Topic: Armenialandlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range Topic: Arubaa flat, riverless island renowned for its white sand beaches; its tropical climate is moderated by constant trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean; the temperature is almost constant at about 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsAshmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 Topic: Atlantic Oceanmajor chokepoints include the Dardanelles, Strait of Gibraltar, access to the Panama and Suez Canals; strategic straits include the Strait of Dover, Straits of Florida, Mona Passage, The Sound (Oresund), and Windward Passage; the Equator divides the Atlantic Ocean into the North Atlantic Ocean and South Atlantic Ocean Topic: Australianote 1: world's smallest continent but sixth-largest country; the largest country in Oceania, the largest country entirely in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest country without land borders note 2: the Great Dividing Range that runs along eastern Australia is that continent’s longest mountain range and the third-longest land-based range in the world; the term "Great Dividing Range" refers to the fact that the mountains form a watershed crest from which all of the rivers of eastern Australia flow – east, west, north, and south note 3: Australia is the only continent without glaciers; it is the driest inhabited continent on earth, making it particularly vulnerable to the challenges of climate change; the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor" affects the city of Perth on the west coast and is one of the most consistent winds in the world; Australia is home to 10% of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world Topic: Austrianote 1: landlocked; strategic location at the crossroads of central Europe with many easily traversable Alpine passes and valleys; major river is the Danube; population is concentrated on eastern lowlands because of steep slopes, poor soils, and low temperatures elsewhere note 2: the world's largest and longest ice cave system at 42 km (26 mi) is the Eisriesenwelt (Ice Giants World) inside the Hochkogel mountain near Werfen, about 40 km south of Salzburg; ice caves are bedrock caves that contain year-round ice formations; they differ from glacial caves, which are transient and are formed by melting ice and flowing water within and under glaciers Topic: Azerbaijanboth the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked Topic: Bahamas, Thestrategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain of which 30 are inhabited Topic: Bahrainclose to primary Middle Eastern petroleum sources; strategic location in Persian Gulf, through which much of the Western world's petroleum must transit to reach open ocean Topic: Bangladeshmost of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal Topic: Barbadoseasternmost Caribbean island Topic: Belaruslandlocked; glacial scouring accounts for the flatness of Belarusian terrain and for its 11,000 lakes Topic: Belgiumcrossroads of Western Europe; most West European capitals are within 1,000 km of Brussels, the seat of both the European Union and NATO Topic: Belizeonly country in Central America without a coastline on the North Pacific Ocean Topic: Beninsandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands Topic: Bermudaconsists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995 Topic: Bhutanlandlocked; strategic location between China and India; controls several key Himalayan mountain passes Topic: Bolivianote 1: landlocked; shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake (elevation 3,805 m), with Peru note 2: the southern regions of Peru and the extreme northwestern part of Bolivia are considered to be the place of origin for the common potato, while southeast Bolivia and northwest Argentina seem to be the original development site for peanuts Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinawithin Bosnia and Herzegovina's recognized borders, the country is divided into a joint Bosniak/Croat Federation (about 51% of the territory) and the Bosnian Serb-led Republika Srpska or RS (about 49% of the territory); the region called Herzegovina is contiguous to Croatia and Montenegro, and traditionally has been settled by an ethnic Croat majority in the west and an ethnic Serb majority in the east Topic: Botswanalandlocked; population concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the country Topic: Bouvet Islandalmost entirely covered by glacial ice (93%); declared a nature reserve by Norway; the distance from Bouvet Island to Norway is 12,776 km, which is almost one-third the circumference of the earth Topic: Brazilnote 1: largest country in South America and in the Southern Hemisphere; shares common boundaries with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador; most of the Pantanal, the world's largest tropical wetland, extends through the west central part of the country; shares Iguazu Falls, the world's largest waterfalls system, with Argentina note 2: cassava (manioc) the sixth most important food crop in the world - after maize, rice, wheat, potatoes, and soybeans - seems to have originated in the west-central part of Brazil; pineapples are probably indigenous to the southern Brazil-Paraguay region Topic: British Indian Ocean Territorynote 1: archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, the largest and southernmost island, occupies a strategic location in the central Indian Ocean; the island is the site of a joint US-UK military facility note 2: Diego Garcia is the only inhabited island of the BIOT and one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being Gibraltarnote 1: archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, the largest and southernmost island, occupies a strategic location in the central Indian Ocean; the island is the site of a joint US-UK military facilitynote 2: Diego Garcia is the only inhabited island of the BIOT and one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being Gibraltar Topic: British Virgin Islandsstrong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico Topic: Bruneiclose to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia Topic: Bulgariastrategic location near Turkish Straits; controls key land routes from Europe to Middle East and Asia Topic: Burkina Fasolandlocked savanna cut by the three principal rivers of the Black, Red, and White Voltas Topic: Burmastrategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes; the north-south flowing Irrawaddy River is the country's largest and most important commercial waterway Topic: Burundilandlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile Topic: Cabo Verdestrategic location 500 km from west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site; one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain), and Madeira (Portugal) Topic: Cambodiaa land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake) Topic: Cameroonsometimes referred to as the hinge of Africa because of its central location on the continent and its position at the west-south juncture of the Gulf of Guinea; throughout the country there are areas of thermal springs and indications of current or prior volcanic activity; Mount Cameroon, the highest mountain in Sub-Saharan west Africa, is an active volcano Topic: Canadanote 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US border note 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combinednote 1: second-largest country in world (after Russia) and largest in the Americas; strategic location between Russia and US via north polar route; approximately 90% of the population is concentrated within 160 km (100 mi) of the US bordernote 2: Canada has more fresh water than any other country and almost 9% of Canadian territory is water; Canada has at least 2 million and possibly over 3 million lakes - that is more than all other countries combined Topic: Cayman Islandsimportant location between Cuba and Central America Topic: Central African Republiclandlocked; almost the precise center of Africa Topic: Chadnote 1: Chad is the largest of Africa's 16 landlocked countries note 2: not long ago - geologically speaking - what is today the Sahara was green savannah teeming with wildlife; during the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, a vibrant animal community, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and antelope lived there; the last remnant of the "Green Sahara" exists in the Lakes of Ounianga (oo-nee-ahn-ga) in northern Chad, a series of 18 interconnected freshwater, saline, and hypersaline lakes now protected as a World Heritage site note 3: Lake Chad, the most significant water body in the Sahel, is a remnant of a former inland sea, paleolake Mega-Chad; at its greatest extent, sometime before 5000 B.C., Lake Mega-Chad was the largest of four Saharan paleolakes that existed during the African Humid Period; it covered an area of about 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq mi), roughly the size of today's Caspian Seanote 1: Chad is the largest of Africa's 16 landlocked countriesnote 2: not long ago - geologically speaking - what is today the Sahara was green savannah teeming with wildlife; during the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, a vibrant animal community, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and antelope lived there; the last remnant of the "Green Sahara" exists in the Lakes of Ounianga (oo-nee-ahn-ga) in northern Chad, a series of 18 interconnected freshwater, saline, and hypersaline lakes now protected as a World Heritage sitenote 3: Lake Chad, the most significant water body in the Sahel, is a remnant of a former inland sea, paleolake Mega-Chad; at its greatest extent, sometime before 5000 B.C., Lake Mega-Chad was the largest of four Saharan paleolakes that existed during the African Humid Period; it covered an area of about 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq mi), roughly the size of today's Caspian Sea Topic: Chilenote 1: the longest north-south trending country in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage) note 2: Chile is one of the countries 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: the Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world - spreads across the northern part of the country; Ojos del Salado (6,893 m) in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world, Chile's tallest mountain, and the second highest in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere - its small crater lake (at 6,390 m) is the world's highest lake note 1: the longest north-south trending country in the world, extending across 39 degrees of latitude; strategic location relative to sea lanes between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans (Strait of Magellan, Beagle Channel, Drake Passage)note 2: Chile is one of the countries 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: the Atacama Desert - the driest desert in the world - spreads across the northern part of the country; Ojos del Salado (6,893 m) in the Atacama Desert is the highest active volcano in the world, Chile's tallest mountain, and the second highest in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere - its small crater lake (at 6,390 m) is the world's highest lake Topic: Chinanote 1: world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and US) and largest country situated entirely in Asia; Mount Everest on the border with Nepal is the world's tallest peak above sea level note 2: the largest cave chamber in the world is the Miao Room, in the Gebihe cave system at China's Ziyun Getu He Chuandong National Park, which encloses some 10.78 million cu m (380.7 million cu ft) of volume note 3: China appears to have been the center of domestication for two of the world's leading cereal crops: millet in the north along the Yellow River and rice in the south along the lower or middle Yangtze River Topic: Christmas Islandlocated along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean Topic: Clipperton Islandthe atoll reef is approximately 12 km (7.5 mi) in circumference; an attempt to colonize the atoll in the early 20th century ended in disaster and was abandoned in 1917 Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islandsnote 1: there are 27 coral islands in the group; apart from North Keeling Island, which lies 30 km north of the main group, the islands form a horseshoe-shaped atoll surrounding a lagoon; North Keeling Island was declared a national park in 1995 and is administered by Parks Australia; the population on the two inhabited islands generally is split between the ethnic Europeans on West Island and the ethnic Malays on Home Island; the islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation note 2: site of a World War I naval battle in November 1914 between the Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney and the German raider SMS Emden; after being heavily damaged in the engagement, the Emden was beached by her captain on North Keeling Island Topic: Colombiaonly South American country with coastlines on both the North Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea Topic: Comorosimportant location at northern end of Mozambique Channel; the only Arab League country that lies entirely in the Southern Hemisphere Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thenote 1: second largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Ocean note 2: because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world; estimates of its greatest depth vary between 220 and 250 metersnote 1: second largest country in Africa (after Algeria) and largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa; straddles the equator; dense tropical rain forest in central river basin and eastern highlands; the narrow strip of land that controls the lower Congo River is the DRC's only outlet to the South Atlantic Oceannote 2: because of its speed, cataracts, rapids, and turbulence the Congo River, most of which flows through the DRC, has never been accurately measured along much of its length; nonetheless, it is conceded to be the deepest river in the world; estimates of its greatest depth vary between 220 and 250 meters Topic: Congo, Republic of theabout 70% of the population lives in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire, or along the railroad between them Topic: Cook Islandsthe northern Cook Islands are seven low-lying, sparsely populated, coral atolls; the southern Cook Islands, where most of the population lives, consist of eight elevated, fertile, volcanic isles, including the largest, Rarotonga, at 67 sq km Topic: Coral Sea Islandsimportant nesting area for birds and turtles Topic: Costa Ricafour 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 Topic: Cote d'Ivoiremost of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated Topic: Croatiacontrols most land routes from Western Europe to Aegean Sea and Turkish Straits; most Adriatic Sea islands lie off the coast of Croatia - some 1,200 islands, islets, ridges, and rocks Topic: Cubalargest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles Topic: CuracaoCuracao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser AntillesCuracao is a part of the Windward Islands (southern) group in the Lesser Antilles Topic: Cyprusthe third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily and Sardinia); several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area Topic: Czechianote 1: landlocked; strategically located astride some of oldest and most significant land routes in Europe; Moravian Gate is a traditional military corridor between the North European Plain and the Danube in central Europe note 2: the Hranice Abyss in Czechia is the world's deepest surveyed underwater cave at 404 m (1,325 ft); its survey is not complete and it could end up being some 800-1,200 m deep Topic: Denmarkcomposed of the Jutland Peninsula and a group of more than 400 islands (Danish Archipelago); controls Danish Straits (Skagerrak and Kattegat) linking Baltic and North Seas; about one-quarter of the population lives in greater Copenhagen Topic: DhekeliaBritish extraterritorial rights also extended to several small off-post sites scattered across Cyprus; several small Cypriot enclaves exist within the Sovereign Base Area (SBA); of the SBA land, 60% is privately owned and farmed, 20% is owned by the Ministry of Defense, and 20% is SBA Crown land Topic: Djiboutistrategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa and the saltiest lake in the world Topic: Dominicaknown as "The Nature Island of the Caribbean" due to its spectacular, lush, and varied flora and fauna, which are protected by an extensive natural park system; the most mountainous of the Lesser Antilles, its volcanic peaks are cones of lava craters and include Boiling Lake, the second-largest, thermally active lake in the world Topic: Dominican Republicshares 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 Topic: Ecuadornote 1: Cotopaxi in Andes is highest active volcano in world note 2: genetic research indicates that the cherry-sized tomato originated in Ecuador without any human domestication; later domestication in Mexico transformed the plant into the large modern tomato; archeological research indicates that the cacao tree, whose seeds are used to make chocolate and which was long thought to have originated in Mesoamerica, was first domesticated in the upper Amazon region of northwest South America - present-day Ecuador - about 3,300 B.C. Topic: Egyptnote: controls Sinai Peninsula, the only land bridge between Africa and remainder of Eastern Hemisphere; controls Suez Canal, a sea link between Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; size, and juxtaposition to Israel, establish its major role in Middle Eastern geopolitics; dependence on upstream neighbors; dominance of Nile basin issues; prone to influxes of refugees from Sudan and the Palestinian territories Topic: El Salvadorsmallest Central American country and only one without a coastline on the Caribbean Sea Topic: Equatorial Guineainsular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator Topic: Eritreastrategic geopolitical position along world's busiest shipping lanes; Eritrea retained the entire coastline of Ethiopia along the Red Sea upon de jure independence from Ethiopia on 24 May 1993 Topic: Estoniathe mainland terrain is flat, boggy, and partly wooded; offshore lie more than 1,500 islands Topic: Eswatinilandlocked; almost completely surrounded by South Africa Topic: Ethiopianote 1: landlocked - entire coastline along the Red Sea was lost with the de jure independence of Eritrea on 24 May 1993; Ethiopia is, therefore, the most populous landlocked country in the world; the Blue Nile, the chief headstream of the Nile by water volume, rises in T'ana Hayk (Lake Tana) in northwest Ethiopia note 2: three major crops may have originated in Ethiopia: coffee (almost certainly), grain sorghum, and castor bean Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)deeply indented coast provides good natural harbors; short growing season Topic: Faroe Islandsarchipelago of 17 inhabited islands and one uninhabited island, and a few uninhabited islets; strategically located along important sea lanes in northeastern Atlantic; precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal lowlands Topic: Fijiconsists of 332 islands, approximately 110 of which are inhabited, and more than 500 islets Topic: Finlandlong boundary with Russia; Helsinki is northernmost national capital on European continent; population concentrated on small southwestern coastal plain Topic: Francelargest West European nation; most major French rivers - the Meuse, Seine, Loire, Charente, Dordogne, and Garonne - flow northward or westward into the Atlantic Ocean, only the Rhone flows southward into the Mediterranean Sea Topic: French Polynesiaincludes five archipelagoes: four volcanic (Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) and one coral (Archipel des Tuamotu); the Tuamotu Archipelago forms the largest group of atolls in the world - 78 in total, 48 inhabited; Makatea in the Tuamotu Archipelago is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Nauru Topic: French Southern and Antarctic Landsislands' component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian OceanBassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll is a circular reef atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano; Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles; Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises)islands' component is widely scattered across remote locations in the southern Indian OceanBassas da India (Iles Eparses): atoll is a circular reef atop a long-extinct, submerged volcano; Europa Island and Juan de Nova Island (Iles Eparses): wildlife sanctuary for seabirds and sea turtles; Glorioso Island (Iles Eparses): islands and rocks are surrounded by an extensive reef system; Tromelin Island (Iles Eparses): climatologically important location for forecasting cyclones in the western Indian Ocean; wildlife sanctuary (seabirds, tortoises) Topic: Gabona small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity Topic: Gambia, Thealmost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the African mainland Topic: Gaza Striponce 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 Topic: Georgianote 1: strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them note 2: the world's four deepest caves are all in Georgia, including two that are the only known caves on earth deeper than 2,000 m: Krubera Cave at -2,197 m (-7,208 ft; reached in 2012) and Veryovkina Cave at -2,212 (-7,257 ft; reached in 2018) Topic: Germanystrategic location on North European Plain and along the entrance to the Baltic Sea; most major rivers in Germany - the Rhine, Weser, Oder, Elbe - flow northward; the Danube, which originates in the Black Forest, flows eastward Topic: GhanaLake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake (manmade reservoir) by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi); the lake was created following the completion of the Akosombo Dam in 1965, which holds back the White Volta and Black Volta Rivers Topic: Gibraltarnote 1: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea note 2: one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being the island of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territorynote 1: strategic location on Strait of Gibraltar that links the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Seanote 2: one of only two British territories where traffic drives on the right, the other being the island of Diego Garcia in the British Indian Ocean Territory Topic: Greecestrategic location dominating the Aegean Sea and southern approach to Turkish Straits; a peninsular country, possessing an archipelago of about 2,000 islands Topic: Greenlanddominates North Atlantic Ocean between North America and Europe; sparse population confined to small settlements along coast; close to one-quarter of the population lives in the capital, Nuuk; world's second largest ice sheet after that of Antarctica covering an area of 1.71 million sq km (660,000 sq mi) or about 79% of the island, and containing 2.85 million cu km (684 thousand cu mi) of ice (this is almost 7% of all of the world's fresh water); if all this ice were converted to liquid water, one estimate is that it would be sufficient to raise the height of the world's oceans by 7.2 m (24 ft) Topic: Grenadathe administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada Topic: Guamlargest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean Topic: Guatemalanote 1: despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean respectively), there are no natural harbors on the west coast note 2: Guatemala is one of the countries 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 1: despite having both eastern and western coastlines (Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean respectively), there are no natural harbors on the west coastnote 2: Guatemala is one of the countries 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 Topic: Guernseylarge, deepwater harbor at Saint Peter Port Topic: Guineathe Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands Topic: Guinea-Bissauthis small country is swampy along its western coast and low-lying inland Topic: Guyanathe third-smallest country in South America after Suriname and Uruguay; substantial portions of its western and eastern territories are claimed by Venezuela and Suriname respectively; contains some of the largest unspoiled rainforests on the continent Topic: Haitishares 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 Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsMawson Peak on Heard Island is the highest Australian mountain (at 2,745 meters, it is taller than Mt. Kosciuszko in Australia proper), and one of only two active volcanoes located in Australian territory, the other being McDonald Island; in 1992, McDonald Island broke its dormancy and began erupting; it has erupted several times since, most recently in 2005 Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)landlocked; an enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence) Topic: Hondurashas only a short Pacific coast but a long Caribbean shoreline, including the virtually uninhabited eastern Mosquito Coast Topic: Hong Kongconsists of a mainland area (the New Territories) and more than 200 islands Topic: Hungarylandlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions Topic: Icelandstrategic 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 Topic: Indiadominates South Asian subcontinent; near important Indian Ocean trade routes; Kanchenjunga, third tallest mountain in the world, lies on the border with Nepal Topic: Indian Oceanmajor chokepoints include Bab el Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait Topic: Indonesianote 1: according to Indonesia's National Coordinating Agency for Survey and Mapping, the total number of islands in the archipelago is 13,466, of which 922 are permanently inhabited (Indonesia is the world's largest country comprised solely of islands); the country straddles the equator and occupies a strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean note 2: Indonesia is one of the countries 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; 80% of tsunamis, caused by volcanic or seismic events, occur within the "Pacific Ring of Fire" note 3: despite having the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia is the most heavily forested region on earth after the Amazon note 4: two major food crops apparently developed on the island of New Guinea: bananas and sugarcanenote 1: according to Indonesia's National Coordinating Agency for Survey and Mapping, the total number of islands in the archipelago is 13,466, of which 922 are permanently inhabited (Indonesia is the world's largest country comprised solely of islands); the country straddles the equator and occupies a strategic location astride or along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Oceannote 2: Indonesia is one of the countries 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; 80% of tsunamis, caused by volcanic or seismic events, occur within the "Pacific Ring of Fire"note 3: despite having the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia is the most heavily forested region on earth after the Amazon note 4: two major food crops apparently developed on the island of New Guinea: bananas and sugarcane Topic: Iranstrategic location on the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which are vital maritime pathways for crude oil transport Topic: Iraqstrategic location on Shatt al Arab waterway and at the head of the Persian Gulf Topic: Irelandstrategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin Topic: Isle of Manone small islet, the Calf of Man, lies to the southwest and is a bird sanctuary Topic: Israelnote 1: Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti) note 2: the Malham Cave in Mount Sodom is the world's longest salt cave at 10 km (6 mi); its survey is not complete and its length will undoubtedly increase; Mount Sodom is actually a hill some 220 m (722 ft) high that is 80% salt (multiple salt layers covered by a veneer of rock) note 3: in March 2019, there were 380 Israeli settlements,to include 213 settlements and 132 outposts in the West Bank, and 35 settlements in East Jerusalem; there are no Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, as all were evacuated in 2005 (2019) Topic: Italystrategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe Topic: Jamaicathird largest island in the Caribbean (after Cuba and Hispaniola); strategic location between Cayman Trench and Jamaica Channel, the main sea lanes for the Panama Canal Topic: Jan Mayenbarren volcanic spoon-shaped island with some moss and grass flora; island consists of two parts: a larger northeast Nord-Jan (the spoon "bowl") and the smaller Sor-Jan (the "handle"), linked by a 2.5 km-wide isthmus (the "stem") with two large lakes, Sorlaguna (South Lagoon) and Nordlaguna (North Lagoon) Topic: Japannote 1: strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest and most populous), Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and islets note 2: Japan annually records the most earthquakes in the world; it is one of the countries 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 1: strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands - from north: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest and most populous), Shikoku, and Kyushu (the "Home Islands") - and 6,848 smaller islands and isletsnote 2: Japan annually records the most earthquakes in the world; it is one of the countries 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 Topic: Jerseylargest and southernmost of Channel Islands; about 30% of population concentrated in Saint Helier Topic: Jordanstrategic location at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba and as the Arab country that shares the longest border with Israel and the occupied West Bank; the Dead Sea, the lowest point in Asia and the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lac Assal in Djibouti), lies on Jordan's western border with Israel and the West Bank; Jordan is almost landlocked but does have a 26 km southwestern coastline with a single port, Al 'Aqabah (Aqaba) Topic: Kazakhstanworld's largest landlocked country and one of only two landlocked countries in the world that extends into two continents (the other is Azerbaijan); Russia leases approximately 6,000 sq km of territory enclosing the Baikonur Cosmodrome; in January 2004, Kazakhstan and Russia extended the lease to 2050 Topic: Kenyathe Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa; glaciers are found on Mount Kenya, Africa's second highest peak; unique physiography supports abundant and varied wildlife of scientific and economic value; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda Topic: Kiribati21 of the 33 islands are inhabited; Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Makatea in French Polynesia, and Nauru; Kiribati is the only country in the world to fall into all four hemispheres (northern, southern, eastern, and western) Topic: Korea, Northstrategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated Topic: Korea, Southstrategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts Topic: Kosovothe 41-km long Nerodimka River divides into two branches each of which flows into a different sea: the northern branch flows into the Sitnica River, which via the Ibar, Morava, and Danube Rivers ultimately flows into the Black Sea; the southern branch flows via the Lepenac and Vardar Rivers into the Aegean Sea Topic: Kuwaitstrategic location at head of Persian Gulf Topic: Kyrgyzstanlandlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes Topic: Laoslandlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand Topic: Latviamost of the country is composed of fertile low-lying plains with some hills in the east Topic: Lebanonsmallest country in continental Asia; Nahr el Litani is the only major river in Near East not crossing an international boundary; rugged terrain historically helped isolate, protect, and develop numerous factional groups based on religion, clan, and ethnicity Topic: Lesotholandlocked, an enclave of (completely surrounded by) South Africa; mountainous, more than 80% of the country is 1,800 m above sea level Topic: Liberiafacing the Atlantic Ocean, the coastline is characterized by lagoons, mangrove swamps, and river-deposited sandbars; the inland grassy plateau supports limited agriculture Topic: Libyanote 1: more than 90% of the country is desert or semidesert note 2: the volcano Waw an Namus lies in south central Libya in the middle of the Sahara; the caldera is an oasis - the name means "oasis of mosquitoes" - containing several small lakes surrounded by vegetation and hosting various insects and a large diversity of birds Topic: Liechtensteinalong with Uzbekistan, one of only two doubly landlocked countries in the world; variety of microclimatic variations based on elevation Topic: Lithuaniafertile central plains are separated by hilly uplands that are ancient glacial deposits Topic: Luxembourglandlocked; the only grand duchy in the world Topic: Macauessentially urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges Topic: Madagascarworld's fourth-largest island; strategic location along Mozambique Channel; despite Madagascar’s close proximity to the African continent, ocean currents isolate the island resulting in high rates of endemic plant and animal species; approximately 90% of the flora and fauna on the island are found nowhere else Topic: Malawilandlocked; Lake Nyasa, some 580 km long, is the country's most prominent physical feature; it contains more fish species than any other lake on earth Topic: Malaysiastrategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea Topic: Maldivessmallest 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 Topic: Malilandlocked; divided into three natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese; the central, semiarid Sahelian; and the northern, arid Saharan Topic: Maltathe country comprises an archipelago, with only the three largest islands (Malta, Ghawdex or Gozo, and Kemmuna or Comino) inhabited; numerous bays provide good harbors; Malta and Tunisia are discussing oil exploration on the continental shelf between their countries, although no commercially viable reserves have been found as of 2017 Topic: Marshall Islandsthe islands of Bikini and Enewetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein atoll, famous as a World War II battleground, surrounds the world's largest lagoon and is used as a US missile test range; the island city of Ebeye is the second largest settlement in the Marshall Islands, after the capital of Majuro, and one of the most densely populated locations in the Pacific Topic: MauritaniaMauritania is considered both a part of North Africa's Maghreb region and West Africa's Sahel region; most of the population is concentrated in the cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou and along the Senegal River in the southern part of the country Topic: Mauritiusthe main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs; former home of the dodo, a large flightless bird related to pigeons, driven to extinction by the end of the 17th century through a combination of hunting and the introduction of predatory species Topic: Mexiconote 1: strategic location on southern border of the US; Mexico is one of the countries 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 2: some of the world's most important food crops were first domesticated in Mexico; the "Three Sisters" companion plants - winter squash, maize (corn), and climbing beans - served as the main agricultural crops for various North American Indian groups; all three apparently originated in Mexico but then were widely disseminated through much of North America; avocado, amaranth, and chili peppers also emanate from Mexico, as does vanilla, the world's most popular aroma and flavor spice; although cherry tomatoes originated in Ecuador, their domestication in Mexico transformed them into the larger modern tomato note 3: the Sac Actun cave system at 348 km (216 mi) is the longest underwater cave in the world and the second longest cave worldwide, after Mammoth Cave in the United States (see "Geography - note" under United States) note 4: the prominent Yucatan Peninsula that divides the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea is shared by Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; just on the northern coast of Yucatan, near the town of Chicxulub (pronounce cheek-sha-loob), lie the remnants of a massive crater (some 150 km in diameter and extending well out into the Gulf of Mexico); formed by an asteroid or comet when it struck the earth 66 million years ago, the impact is now widely accepted as initiating a worldwide climate disruption that caused a mass extinction of 75% of all the earth's plant and animal species - including the non-avian dinosaursnote 1: strategic location on southern border of the US; Mexico is one of the countries 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 2: some of the world's most important food crops were first domesticated in Mexico; the "Three Sisters" companion plants - winter squash, maize (corn), and climbing beans - served as the main agricultural crops for various North American Indian groups; all three apparently originated in Mexico but then were widely disseminated through much of North America; avocado, amaranth, and chili peppers also emanate from Mexico, as does vanilla, the world's most popular aroma and flavor spice; although cherry tomatoes originated in Ecuador, their domestication in Mexico transformed them into the larger modern tomato note 3: the Sac Actun cave system at 348 km (216 mi) is the longest underwater cave in the world and the second longest cave worldwide, after Mammoth Cave in the United States (see "Geography - note" under United States) note 4: the prominent Yucatan Peninsula that divides the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea is shared by Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize; just on the northern coast of Yucatan, near the town of Chicxulub (pronounce cheek-sha-loob), lie the remnants of a massive crater (some 150 km in diameter and extending well out into the Gulf of Mexico); formed by an asteroid or comet when it struck the earth 66 million years ago, the impact is now widely accepted as initiating a worldwide climate disruption that caused a mass extinction of 75% of all the earth's plant and animal species - including the non-avian dinosaurs Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofcomposed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands Topic: Moldovalandlocked; well endowed with various sedimentary rocks and minerals including sand, gravel, gypsum, and limestone Topic: Monacosecond-smallest independent state in the world (after the Holy See); smallest country with a coastline; almost entirely urban Topic: Mongolialandlocked; strategic location between China and Russia Topic: Montenegrostrategic location along the Adriatic coast Topic: Montserratthe island is entirely volcanic in origin and comprised of three major volcanic centers of differing ages Topic: Moroccostrategic location along Strait of Gibraltar; the only African nation to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines; the waters off the Atlantic coast are particularly rich fishing areas Topic: Mozambiquethe Zambezi River flows through the north-central and most fertile part of the country Topic: Namibiathe Namib Desert, after which the country is named, is considered to be the oldest desert in the world; Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the protection of the environment into its constitution; some 14% of the land is protected, including virtually the entire Namib Desert coastal strip; Namib-Naukluft National Park (49,768 sq km), is the largest game park in Africa and one of the largest in the world Topic: NauruNauru is the third-smallest country in the world behind the Holy See (Vatican City) and Monaco; it is the smallest country in the Pacific Ocean, the smallest country outside Europe, the world's smallest island country, and the the world's smallest independent republic; situated just 53 km south of the Equator, Nauru is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific Ocean - the others are Banaba (Ocean Island) in Kiribati and Makatea in French Polynesia Topic: Navassa Islandstrategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock with numerous solution holes (limestone sinkholes) but with enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig trees, scattered cactus Topic: Nepallandlocked; strategic location between China and India; contains eight of world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga - the world's tallest and third tallest mountains - on the borders with China and India respectively Topic: Netherlandslocated at mouths of three major European rivers (Rhine, Maas or Meuse, and Schelde); about a quarter of the country lies below sea level and only about half of the land exceeds one meter above sea level Topic: New Caledoniaconsists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyaute, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls Topic: New Zealandnote 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 Topic: Nicaragualargest country in Central America; contains the largest freshwater body in Central America, Lago de Nicaragua Topic: Nigerlandlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture Topic: Nigeriathe Niger River enters the country in the northwest and flows southward through tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea Topic: Niueone of world's largest coral islands; the only major break in the surrounding coral reef occurs in the central western part of the coast Topic: Norfolk Islandmost of the 32 km coastline consists of almost inaccessible cliffs, but the land slopes down to the sea in one small southern area on Sydney Bay, where the capital of Kingston is situated Topic: North Macedonialandlocked; major transportation corridor from Western and Central Europe to Aegean Sea and Southern Europe to Western Europe Topic: Northern Mariana Islandsstrategic location in the North Pacific Ocean Topic: Norwayabout two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its much-indented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and air routes in North Atlantic; one of the most rugged and longest coastlines in the world Topic: Omanconsists of Oman proper and two northern exclaves, Musandam and Al Madhah; the former is a peninsula that occupies a strategic location adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil Topic: Pacific Oceanthe major chokepoints are the Bering Strait, Panama Canal, Luzon Strait, and the Singapore Strait; the Equator divides the Pacific Ocean into the North Pacific Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean; dotted with low coral islands and rugged volcanic islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean; much of the Pacific Ocean's rim lies along the Ring of Fire, a belt of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters that accounts for up to 90% of the world's earthquakes and some 75% of the world's volcanoes; the Pacific Ocean is the deepest ocean basin averaging 4,000 m in depth Topic: Pakistancontrols Khyber Pass and Bolan Pass, traditional invasion routes between Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent Topic: Palauwesternmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes World War II battleground of Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous Rock Islands Topic: Panamastrategic location on eastern end of isthmus forming land bridge connecting North and South America; controls Panama Canal that links North Atlantic Ocean via Caribbean Sea with North Pacific Ocean Topic: Papua New Guineanote 1: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; generally east-west trending highlands break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast note 2: two major food crops apparently developed on the island of New Guinea: bananas and sugarcane note 3: Papua New Guinea is one of the countries 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 1: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; generally east-west trending highlands break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast note 2: two major food crops apparently developed on the island of New Guinea: bananas and sugarcanenote 3: Papua New Guinea is one of the countries 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 Topic: Paracel Islandscomposed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group Topic: Paraguaynote 1: landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in eastern and southern part of country note 2: pineapples are probably indigenous to the southern Brazil-Paraguay region  Topic: Perunote 1: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon River note 2: Peru is one of the countries 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: on 19 February 1600, Mount Huaynaputina in the southern Peruvian Andes erupted in the largest volcanic explosion in South America in historical times; intermittent eruptions lasted until 5 March 1600 and pumped an estimated 16 to 32 million metric tons of particulates into the atmosphere reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface and affecting weather worldwide; over the next two and a half years, millions died around the globe in famines from bitterly cold winters, cool summers, and the loss of crops and animals note 4: the southern regions of Peru and the extreme northwestern part of Bolivia are considered to be the place of origin for the common potato note 1: shares control of Lago Titicaca, world's highest navigable lake, with Bolivia; a remote slope of Nevado Mismi, a 5,316 m peak, is the ultimate source of the Amazon Rivernote 2: Peru is one of the countries 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: on 19 February 1600, Mount Huaynaputina in the southern Peruvian Andes erupted in the largest volcanic explosion in South America in historical times; intermittent eruptions lasted until 5 March 1600 and pumped an estimated 16 to 32 million metric tons of particulates into the atmosphere reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the earth's surface and affecting weather worldwide; over the next two and a half years, millions died around the globe in famines from bitterly cold winters, cool summers, and the loss of crops and animals note 4: the southern regions of Peru and the extreme northwestern part of Bolivia are considered to be the place of origin for the common potato Topic: Philippinesnote 1: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641 - though not all of the new islands have been verified; the country is favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Strait note 2: Philippines is one of the countries 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: the Philippines sits astride the Pacific typhoon belt and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year - with about 5 of these being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical stormsnote 1: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641 - though not all of the new islands have been verified; the country is favorably located in relation to many of Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon Straitnote 2: Philippines is one of the countries 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: the Philippines sits astride the Pacific typhoon belt and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year - with about 5 of these being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical storms Topic: Pitcairn IslandsBritain's most isolated dependency; only the larger island of Pitcairn is inhabited but it has no port or natural harbor; supplies must be transported by rowed longboat from larger ships stationed offshore Topic: Polandhistorically, an area of conflict because of flat terrain and the lack of natural barriers on the North European Plain Topic: PortugalAzores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; they are two of the four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are the Canary Islands (Spain) and Cabo Verde Topic: Puerto Ricoimportant location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north Topic: Qatarthe peninsula occupies a strategic location in the central Persian Gulf near major petroleum deposits Topic: Romaniacontrols the most easily traversable land route between the Balkans, Moldova, and Ukraine; the Carpathian Mountains dominate the center of the country, while the Danube River forms much of the southern boundary with Serbia and Bulgaria Topic: Russianote 1: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculture note 2: Russia's far east, particularly the Kamchatka Peninsula, 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: Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak; Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, is estimated to hold one fifth of the world's fresh surface water note 4: Kaliningrad oblast is an exclave annexed from Germany following World War II (it was formerly part of East Prussia); its capital city of Kaliningrad - formerly Koenigsberg - is the only Baltic port in Russia that remains ice free in the winternote 1: largest country in the world in terms of area but unfavorably located in relation to major sea lanes of the world; despite its size, much of the country lacks proper soils and climates (either too cold or too dry) for agriculturenote 2: Russia's far east, particularly the Kamchatka Peninsula, 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: Mount El'brus is Europe's tallest peak; Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world, is estimated to hold one fifth of the world's fresh surface water note 4: Kaliningrad oblast is an exclave annexed from Germany following World War II (it was formerly part of East Prussia); its capital city of Kaliningrad - formerly Koenigsberg - is the only Baltic port in Russia that remains ice free in the winter Topic: Rwandalandlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged with the population predominantly rural Topic: Saint Barthelemya 1,200-hectare marine nature reserve, the Reserve Naturelle, is made up of five zones around the island that form a network to protect the island's coral reefs, seagrass, and endangered marine species Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da CunhaSaint Helena harbors at least 40 species of plants unknown elsewhere in the world; Ascension is a breeding ground for sea turtles and sooty terns; Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha is the highest island mountain in the South Atlantic and a prominent landmark on the sea lanes around southern Africa Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevissmallest country in the Western Hemisphere both in terms of area and population; with coastlines in the shape of a baseball bat and ball, the two volcanic islands are separated by a 3-km-wide channel called The Narrows; on the southern tip of long, baseball bat-shaped Saint Kitts lies the Great Salt Pond; Nevis Peak sits in the center of its almost circular namesake island and its ball shape complements that of its sister island Topic: Saint Luciathe twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean Topic: Saint Martinnote 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  Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelonvegetation scanty; the islands are actually part of the northern Appalachians along with Newfoundland Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinesthe 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 Topic: Samoaoccupies an almost central position within Polynesia Topic: San Marinolandlocked; an enclave of (completely surrounded by) Italy; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennine Mountains Topic: Sao Tome and Principethe second-smallest African country (after the Seychelles); the two main islands form part of a chain of extinct volcanoes and both are mountainous Topic: Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea allow for considerable shipping (especially of crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal Topic: Senegalwesternmost country on the African continent; The Gambia is almost an enclave within Senegal Topic: Serbialandlocked; controls one of the major land routes from Western Europe to Turkey and the Near East Topic: Seychellesthe smallest African country in terms of both area and population; the constitution of the Republic of Seychelles lists 155 islands: 42 granitic and 113 coralline; by far the largest island is Mahe, which is home to about 90% of the population and the site of the capital city of Victoria Topic: Sierra Leonerainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa Topic: Singaporefocal 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 Topic: Sint Maartennote 1: the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; 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 entitiesnote 1: the northern border is shared with the French overseas collectivity of Saint Martin; 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 Topic: Slovakialandlocked; most of the country is rugged and mountainous; the Tatra Mountains in the north are interspersed with many scenic lakes and valleys Topic: Sloveniadespite its small size, this eastern Alpine country controls some of Europe's major transit routes Topic: Solomon Islandsstrategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean, the Solomon Sea, and the Coral Sea; Rennell Island, the southernmost in the Solomon Islands chain, is one of the world’s largest raised coral atolls; the island’s Lake Tegano, formerly a lagoon on the atoll, is the largest lake in the insular Pacific (15,500 hectares) Topic: Somaliastrategic location on Horn of Africa along southern approaches to Bab el Mandeb and route through Red Sea and Suez Canal Topic: South AfricaSouth Africa completely surrounds Lesotho and almost completely surrounds Eswatini Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsthe north coast of South Georgia has several large bays, which provide good anchorage Topic: South Sudanlandlocked; The Sudd is a vast swamp in the north central region of South Sudan, formed by the White Nile, its size is variable but can reach some 15% of the country's total area during the rainy season; it is one of the world's largest wetlands Topic: Southern Oceanthe major chokepoint is the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica; the Polar Front (Antarctic Convergence) is the best natural definition of the northern extent of the Southern Ocean; it is a distinct region at the middle of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current that separates the cold polar surface waters to the south from the warmer waters to the north; the Front and the Current extend entirely around Antarctica, reaching south of 60 degrees south near New Zealand and near 48 degrees south in the far South Atlantic coinciding with the path of the maximum westerly winds Topic: Spainstrategic location along approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; Spain controls a number of territories in northern Morocco including the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, and the islands of Penon de Velez de la Gomera, Penon de Alhucemas, and Islas Chafarinas; Spain's Canary Islands are one of four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), and Cabo Verde Topic: Spratly Islandsstrategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs Topic: Sri Lankastrategic 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 Topic: Sudanthe Nile is Sudan's primary water source; its major tributaries, the White Nile and the Blue Nile, meet at Khartoum to form the River Nile which flows northward through Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea Topic: Surinamesmallest independent country on South American continent; mostly tropical rain forest; great diversity of flora and fauna that, for the most part, is increasingly threatened by new development; relatively small population, mostly along the coast Topic: Svalbardnorthernmost part of the Kingdom of Norway; consists of nine main islands; glaciers and snowfields cover 60% of the total area; Spitsbergen Island is the site of the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, a seed repository established by the Global Crop Diversity Trust and the Norwegian Government Topic: Swedenstrategic location along Danish Straits linking Baltic and North Seas; Sweden has almost 100,000 lakes, the largest of which, Vanern, is the third largest in Europe Topic: Switzerlandlandlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps Topic: Syriathe capital of Damascus - located at an oasis fed by the Barada River - is thought to be one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities; there are 42 Israeli settlements and civilian land use sites in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights (2017) Topic: Taiwanstrategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait Topic: Tajikistanlandlocked; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR Topic: TanzaniaKilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and one of only three mountain ranges on the continent that has glaciers (the others are Mount Kenya [in Kenya] and the Ruwenzori Mountains [on the Uganda-Democratic Republic of the Congo border]); Tanzania is bordered by three of the largest lakes on the continent: Lake Victoria (the world's second-largest freshwater lake) in the north, Lake Tanganyika (the world's second deepest) in the west, and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi) in the southwest Topic: Thailandcontrols only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore; ideas for the construction of a canal across the Kra Isthmus that would create a bypass to the Strait of Malacca and shorten shipping times around Asia continue to be discussed Topic: Timor-LesteTimor comes from the Malay word for "east"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the district of Oecussi is an exclave separated from Timor-Leste proper by Indonesia; Timor-Leste has the unique distinction of being the only Asian country located completely in the Southern Hemisphere Topic: Togothe country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna Topic: Tokelauconsists of three atolls (Atafu, Fakaofo, Nukunonu), each with a lagoon surrounded by a number of reef-bound islets of varying length and rising to over 3 m above sea level Topic: Tongathe western islands (making up the Tongan Volcanic Arch) are all of volcanic origin; the eastern islands are nonvolcanic and are composed of coral limestone and sand Topic: Trinidad and TobagoPitch Lake, on Trinidad's southwestern coast, is the world's largest natural reservoir of asphalt Topic: Tunisiastrategic location in central Mediterranean; Malta and Tunisia are discussing the commercial exploitation of the continental shelf between their countries, particularly for oil exploration Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link the Black and Aegean Seas; the 3% of Turkish territory north of the Straits lies in Europe and goes by the names of European Turkey, Eastern Thrace, or Turkish Thrace; the 97% of the country in Asia is referred to as Anatolia; Istanbul, which straddles the Bosporus, is the only metropolis in the world located on two continents; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country Topic: Turkmenistanlandlocked; 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 Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandsinclude eight large islands and numerous smaller cays, islets, and reefs; only two of the Caicos Islands and six of the Turks group are inhabited Topic: Tuvaluone of the smallest and most remote countries on Earth; six of the nine coral atolls - Nanumea, Nui, Vaitupu, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae - have lagoons open to the ocean; Nanumaya and Niutao have landlocked lagoons; Niulakita does not have a lagoon Topic: Ugandalandlocked; fertile, well-watered country with many lakes and rivers; Lake Victoria, the world's largest tropical lake and the second largest fresh water lake, is shared among three countries: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda Topic: Ukrainestrategic position at the crossroads between Europe and Asia; second-largest country in Europe after Russia Topic: United Arab Emiratesstrategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil Topic: United Kingdomlies 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 Topic: United Statesnote 1: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Denali (Mt. McKinley) is the highest point (6,190 m) in North America and Death Valley the lowest point (-86 m) on the continent note 2: the western coast of the United States and southern coast of Alaska lie 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: the Aleutian Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that divide the Bering Sea (north) from the main Pacific Ocean (south); they extend about 1,800 km westward from the Alaskan Peninsula; the archipelago consists of 14 larger islands, 55 smaller islands, and hundreds of islets; there are 41 active volcanoes on the islands, which together form a large northern section of the Ring of Fire note 4: Mammoth Cave, in west-central Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave system with more than 650 km (405 miles) of surveyed passageways, which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, the Sac Actun underwater cave in Mexico - the world's longest underwater cave system (see "Geography - note" under Mexico); note 5: Kazumura Cave on the island of Hawaii is the world's longest and deepest lava tube cave; it has been surveyed at 66 km (41 mi) long and 1,102 m (3,614 ft) deep note 6: Bracken Cave outside of San Antonio, Texas is the world's largest bat cave; it is the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world; an estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October making it the world's largest known concentration of mammals note 7: the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources - Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details note 8: three food crops are generally acknowledged to be native to areas of what is now the United States: cranberries, pecans, and sunflowersnote 1: world's third-largest country by size (after Russia and Canada) and by population (after China and India); Denali (Mt. McKinley) is the highest point (6,190 m) in North America and Death Valley the lowest point (-86 m) on the continentnote 2: the western coast of the United States and southern coast of Alaska lie 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: the Aleutian Islands are a chain of volcanic islands that divide the Bering Sea (north) from the main Pacific Ocean (south); they extend about 1,800 km westward from the Alaskan Peninsula; the archipelago consists of 14 larger islands, 55 smaller islands, and hundreds of islets; there are 41 active volcanoes on the islands, which together form a large northern section of the Ring of Fire note 4: Mammoth Cave, in west-central Kentucky, is the world's longest known cave system with more than 650 km (405 miles) of surveyed passageways, which is nearly twice as long as the second-longest cave system, the Sac Actun underwater cave in Mexico - the world's longest underwater cave system (see "Geography - note" under Mexico); note 5: Kazumura Cave on the island of Hawaii is the world's longest and deepest lava tube cave; it has been surveyed at 66 km (41 mi) long and 1,102 m (3,614 ft) deep note 6: Bracken Cave outside of San Antonio, Texas is the world's largest bat cave; it is the summer home to the largest colony of bats in the world; an estimated 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats roost in the cave from March to October making it the world's largest known concentration of mammals note 7: the US is reliant on foreign imports for 100% of its needs for the following strategic resources - Arsenic, Cesium, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Indium, Manganese, Niobium, Rare Earths, Rubidium, Scandium, Tantalum, Yttrium; see Appendix H: Strategic Materials for further details note 8: three food crops are generally acknowledged to be native to areas of what is now the United States: cranberries, pecans, and sunflowers Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public; Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public; Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography; Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forestBaker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, prostrate vines, and low growing shrubs; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife; closed to the public; Johnston Atoll: Johnston Island and Sand Island are natural islands, which have been expanded by coral dredging; North Island (Akau) and East Island (Hikina) are manmade islands formed from coral dredging; the egg-shaped reef is 34 km in circumference; closed to the public; Kingman Reef: barren coral atoll with deep interior lagoon; closed to the public; Midway Islands: a coral atoll managed as a National Wildlife Refuge and open to the public for wildlife-related recreation in the form of wildlife observation and photography; Palmyra Atoll: the high rainfall and resulting lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest Topic: Uruguaysecond-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 Topic: Uzbekistanalong with Liechtenstein, one of the only two doubly landlocked countries in the world Topic: Vanuatua 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 Topic: Venezuelanote 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 Topic: Vietnamnote 1: extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point note 2: Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the world's largest cave (greatest cross sectional area) and is the largest known cave passage in the world by volume; it currently measures a total of 38.5 million cu m (about 1.35 billion cu ft); it connects to Thung cave (but not yet officially); when recognized, it will add an additional 1.6 million cu m in volume; Son Doong is so massive that it contains its own jungle, underground river, and localized weather system; clouds form inside the cave and spew out from its exits and two dolines (openings (sinkhole skylights) created by collapsed ceilings that allow sunlight to stream in) Topic: Virgin Islandsimportant 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 Topic: Wake Islandstrategic location in the North Pacific Ocean; emergency landing location for transpacific flights Topic: Wallis and Futunaboth island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes Topic: West Banklandlocked; 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) Topic: Worldnote 1: the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13.8-billion-year age estimated for the universe; the earliest widely accepted date for life appearing on earth is 3.48 billion years ago, but this date is conservative and may get pushed back further note 2: although earthquakes can strike anywhere at any time, the vast majority occur in three large zones of the earth; the world's greatest earthquake belt, the Circum-Pacific Belt (popularly referred to as the Ring of Fire), is the zone of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; about 90% of the world's earthquakes (81% of the largest earthquakes) and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire; the belt extends northward from Chile, along the South American coast, through Central America, Mexico, the western US, southern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, to Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, island groups in the southwestern Pacific, and New Zealand the second prominent belt, the Alpide, extends from Java to Sumatra, northward along the mountains of Burma, then eastward through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and out into the Atlantic Ocean; it accounts for about 17% of the world's largest earthquakes; the third important belt follows the long Mid-Atlantic Ridge note 3: information on the origin sites for many of the world's major food crops may be found in the "Geography - note" for the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, and the United Statesnote 1: the world is now thought to be about 4.55 billion years old, just about one-third of the 13.8-billion-year age estimated for the universe; the earliest widely accepted date for life appearing on earth is 3.48 billion years ago, but this date is conservative and may get pushed back furthernote 2: although earthquakes can strike anywhere at any time, the vast majority occur in three large zones of the earth; the world's greatest earthquake belt, the Circum-Pacific Belt (popularly referred to as the Ring of Fire), is the zone of active volcanoes and earthquake epicenters bordering the Pacific Ocean; about 90% of the world's earthquakes (81% of the largest earthquakes) and some 75% of the world's volcanoes occur within the Ring of Fire; the belt extends northward from Chile, along the South American coast, through Central America, Mexico, the western US, southern Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, to Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, island groups in the southwestern Pacific, and New Zealand the second prominent belt, the Alpide, extends from Java to Sumatra, northward along the mountains of Burma, then eastward through the Himalayas, the Mediterranean, and out into the Atlantic Ocean; it accounts for about 17% of the world's largest earthquakes; the third important belt follows the long Mid-Atlantic Ridge note 3: information on the origin sites for many of the world's major food crops may be found in the "Geography - note" for the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, and the United States Topic: Yemenstrategic location on Bab el Mandeb, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, one of world's most active shipping lanes Topic: Zambialandlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zimbabwe; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi) Topic: Zimbabwelandlocked; the Zambezi forms a natural riverine boundary with Zambia; in full flood (February-April) the massive Victoria Falls on the river forms the world's largest curtain of falling water; Lake Kariba on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border forms the world's largest reservoir by volume (180 cu km; 43 cu mi)

20220901

field-death-rate

This entry gives the average annual number of deaths during a year per 1,000 persons at midyear; also known as crude death rate. The death rate, while only a rough indicator of the mortality situation in a country, accurately indicates the current mortality impact on population growth. This indicator is significantly affected by age distribution, and most countries will eventually show a rise in the overall death rate, in spite of continued decline in mortality at all ages, as declining fertility and increased lifespans result in an aging population. Topic: Afghanistan12.33 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: AkrotiriNA Topic: Albania7.31 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Algeria4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: American Samoa6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Andorra7.92 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Angola8.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Anguilla4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Antigua and Barbuda5.65 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Argentina7.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Armenia9.51 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Aruba8.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ashmore and Cartier IslandsNA Topic: Australia6.77 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Austria9.85 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Azerbaijan6.92 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bahamas, The6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bahrain2.82 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bangladesh5.47 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Barbados7.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Belarus12.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Belgium9.64 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Belize3.94 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Benin8.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bermuda9.11 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bhutan6.22 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bolivia6.48 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovina10.26 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Botswana9.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bouvet IslandNA Topic: Brazil6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA Topic: British Virgin Islands5.38 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Brunei3.79 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Bulgaria14.41 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Burkina Faso7.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Burma7.13 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Burundi5.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cabo Verde5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cambodia5.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cameroon7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Canada8.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cayman Islands5.97 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Central African Republic11.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Chad9.45 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Chile6.52 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: China7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Christmas IslandNA Topic: Clipperton IslandNA Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands8.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) Topic: Colombia7.73 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Comoros6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of the7.94 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Congo, Republic of the8.38 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cook Islands9.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Coral Sea IslandsNA Topic: Costa Rica4.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cote d'Ivoire7.6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Croatia12.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cuba9.29 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Curacao8.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Cyprus6.94 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Czechia10.74 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Denmark9.52 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: DhekeliaNA Topic: Djibouti7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Dominica8.11 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Dominican Republic6.29 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ecuador5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Egypt4.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: El Salvador5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Equatorial Guinea8.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Eritrea6.69 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Estonia13.1 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Eswatini9.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ethiopia5.7 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: European Union(2021 est.) 10.7 deaths/1,000 population Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)4.9 deaths/1,000 population (2012 est.) Topic: Faroe Islands8.63 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Fiji6.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Finland10.35 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: France9.54 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: French Polynesia5.59 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: French Southern and Antarctic LandsNA Topic: Gabon5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gambia, The5.81 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gaza Strip2.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Georgia10.8 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Germany11.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ghana6.14 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Gibraltar8.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Greece12.04 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Greenland8.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Grenada8.31 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guam6.03 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guatemala4.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guernsey9.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea8.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guinea-Bissau7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Guyana6.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Haiti7.23 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Heard Island and McDonald IslandsNA Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)NA Topic: Honduras4.68 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Hong Kong7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Hungary12.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Iceland6.56 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: India10.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Indonesia6.75 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Iran5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Iraq3.9 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ireland6.73 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Isle of Man10.18 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Israel5.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Italy11.31 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jamaica7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jan MayenNA Topic: Japan11.59 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jersey7.75 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Jordan3.45 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kazakhstan8.11 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kenya5.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kiribati6.92 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, North9.53 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Korea, South7.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kosovo8.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kuwait2.25 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Kyrgyzstan6.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Laos6.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Latvia14.65 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Lebanon5.57 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Lesotho11.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Liberia6.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Libya3.45 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Liechtenstein7.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Lithuania15.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Luxembourg7.21 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Macau4.72 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Madagascar6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Malawi4.58 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Malaysia5.69 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Maldives4.15 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mali8.53 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Malta8.48 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Marshall Islands4.28 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritania7.43 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mauritius8.86 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mexico7.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of4.19 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Moldova12.47 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Monaco10.7 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Mongolia6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Montenegro10.33 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Montserrat5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Morocco6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) note: does not include data from the former Western Sahara Topic: Mozambique10.25 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Namibia6.85 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nauru6.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Navassa IslandNA Topic: Nepal5.58 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Netherlands9.24 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: New Caledonia5.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: New Zealand6.89 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nicaragua5.17 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Niger9.87 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Nigeria8.7 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Niue(2021 est.) NA Topic: Norfolk IslandNA Topic: North Macedonia9.61 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Northern Mariana Islands5.44 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Norway7.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Oman3.23 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Pakistan6.02 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Palau8.25 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Panama6.11 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Papua New Guinea5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Paracel IslandsNA Topic: Paraguay4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Peru11.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Philippines6.41 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Pitcairn IslandsNA Topic: Poland10.71 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Portugal10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Puerto Rico9.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Qatar1.42 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Romania15.26 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Russia13.36 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Rwanda5.86 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Barthelemy9.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha8.08 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Kitts and Nevis7.27 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Lucia8.07 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Martin4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Pierre and Miquelon11.22 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadines7.49 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Samoa5.37 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: San Marino8.82 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sao Tome and Principe6.2 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Saudi Arabia3.42 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Senegal5.08 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Serbia16.39 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Seychelles6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sierra Leone9.32 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Singapore4.04 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sint Maarten6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Slovakia10.13 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Slovenia10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Solomon Islands3.96 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Somalia11.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: South Africa9.26 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: South Georgia and South Sandwich IslandsNA Topic: South Sudan9.52 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Spain10.22 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Spratly Islands(2021 est.) NA Topic: Sri Lanka6.49 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Sudan6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Suriname6.59 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: SvalbardNA Topic: Sweden9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Switzerland8.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Syria4.22 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Taiwan7.89 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tajikistan5.72 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tanzania5.09 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Thailand7.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Timor-Leste5.61 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Togo5.27 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tonga4.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Trinidad and Tobago8.38 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tunisia6.36 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)6.05 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Turkmenistan5.95 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islands3.5 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Tuvalu7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Uganda5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Ukraine13.77 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United Arab Emirates1.56 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United Kingdom9.07 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United States8.38 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesNA Topic: Uruguay9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Uzbekistan5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Vanuatu3.98 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Venezuela6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Vietnam5.77 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Virgin Islands8.78 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Wake IslandNA Topic: Wallis and Futuna5.79 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: West Bank3.4 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: World7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2020 est.) note: this rate results in about 108 worldwide deaths per minute or 1.8 deaths every second Topic: Yemen5.62 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Zambia6.12 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Topic: Zimbabwe8.76 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)

20220901

field-electricity-access

This entry provides information on access to electricity. Electrification data – collected from industry reports, national surveys, and international sources – consists of four subfields. Population without electricity provides an estimate of the number of citizens that do not have access to electricity. Electrification – total population is the percent of a country’s total population with access to electricity, electrification – urban areas is the percent of a country’s urban population with access to electricity, while electrification – rural areas is the percent of a country’s rural population with access to electricity. Due to differences in definitions and methodology from different sources, data quality may vary from country to country. Topic: Afghanistanelectrification - total population: 99% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 98% (2018) Topic: Albaniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Algeriaelectrification - total population: 99.4% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.6% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 97% (2019) Topic: Andorraelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Angolaelectrification - total population: 43% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 61% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Topic: Antigua and Barbudaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Argentinaelectrification - total population: 99% (2020) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2020) electrification - rural areas: 85% (2020) Topic: Armeniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Arubaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Australiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Austriaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Azerbaijanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Bahamas, Theelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Bahrainelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Bangladeshelectrification - total population: 83% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 93% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019) Topic: Barbadoselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Belaruselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Belgiumelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Belizeelectrification - total population: 99.5% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 98.2% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 100% (2018) Topic: Beninelectrification - total population: 33% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 58% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 9% (2019) Topic: Bermudaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Bhutanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Boliviaelectrification - total population: 93% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.3% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 79% (2019) Topic: Bosnia and Herzegovinaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Botswanaelectrification - total population: 59% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 29% (2019) Topic: Brazilelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: British Virgin Islandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Bruneielectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Bulgariaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Burkina Fasoelectrification - total population: 22% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 69% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 2% (2019) Topic: Burmaelectrification - total population: 51% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 39% (2019) Topic: Burundielectrification - total population: 11% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 66% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 2% (2019) Topic: Cabo Verdeelectrification - total population: 96% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 89% (2019) Topic: Cambodiaelectrification - total population: 75% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 67% (2019) Topic: Cameroonelectrification - total population: 70% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 98% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 32% (2019) Topic: Canadaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Cayman Islandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Central African Republicelectrification - total population: 3% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 7% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 0.4% (2019) Topic: Chadelectrification - total population: 9% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 32% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 1% (2019) Topic: Chileelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Chinaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Colombiaelectrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 86% (2019) Topic: Comoroselectrification - total population: 70% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 89% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 62% (2019) Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of theelectrification - total population: 9% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 19% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 0.4% (2019) Topic: Congo, Republic of theelectrification - total population: 72% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 89% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 36% (2019) Topic: Costa Ricaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Cote d'Ivoireelectrification - total population: 76% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 51% (2019) Topic: Croatiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Cubaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Curacaoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Cypruselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Czechiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Denmarkelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Djiboutielectrification - total population: 42% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 54% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 1% (2019) Topic: Dominicaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Dominican Republicelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Ecuadorelectrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019) Topic: Egyptelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: El Salvadorelectrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019) Topic: Equatorial Guineaelectrification - total population: 67% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 75% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 45% (2019) Topic: Eritreaelectrification - total population: 47% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 95% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 13% (2019) Topic: Estoniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Eswatinielectrification - total population: 90% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 98% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 87% (2019) Topic: Ethiopiaelectrification - total population: 47% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 96% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 34% (2019) Topic: Faroe Islandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Fijielectrification - total population: 99.6% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 99.2% (2018) Topic: Finlandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Franceelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: French Polynesiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Gabonelectrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 39% (2019) Topic: Gambia, Theelectrification - total population: 49% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 69% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 16% (2019) Topic: Gaza Stripelectrification - total population: 100% (2018) note: data for Gaza Strip and West Bank combined Topic: Georgiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Germanyelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Ghanaelectrification - total population: 85% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 93% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 75% (2019) Topic: Gibraltarelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Greeceelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Greenlandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Grenadaelectrification - total population: 95.3% (2018) Topic: Guamelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Guatemalaelectrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 85% (2019) Topic: Guernseyelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Guineaelectrification - total population: 46% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 84% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 24% (2019) Topic: Guinea-Bissauelectrification - total population: 28% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 56% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 7% (2019) Topic: Guyanaelectrification - total population: 91.8% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 96.9% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 90% (2018) Topic: Haitielectrification - total population: 39% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 60% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 12% (2019) Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Honduraselectrification - total population: 81% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 68% (2019) Topic: Hong Kongelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Hungaryelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Icelandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Indiaelectrification - total population: 99% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 99% (2019) Topic: Indonesiaelectrification - total population: 99% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 99% (2019) Topic: Iranelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Iraqelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Irelandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Isle of Manelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Israelelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Italyelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Jamaicaelectrification - total population: 99% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 97% (2019) Topic: Japanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Jerseyelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Jordanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Kazakhstanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Kenyaelectrification - total population: 85% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 79% (2019) Topic: Kiribatielectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Korea, Northelectrification - total population: 26% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 36% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 11% (2019) Topic: Korea, Southelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Kosovoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Kuwaitelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Kyrgyzstanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Laoselectrification - total population: 95% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 98% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019) Topic: Latviaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Lebanonelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Lesothoelectrification - total population: 36% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 63% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 26% (2019) Topic: Liberiaelectrification - total population: 12% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 18% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Topic: Libyaelectrification - total population: 100% (2019) Topic: Liechtensteinelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Lithuaniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Luxembourgelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Macauelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Madagascarelectrification - total population: 39% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 64% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019) Topic: Malawielectrification - total population: 13% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 55% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 5% (2019) Topic: Malaysiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Maldiveselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Malielectrification - total population: 50% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 78% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 28% (2019) Topic: Maltaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Marshall Islandselectrification - total population: 96.3% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 95.7% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 98.4% (2018) Topic: Mauritaniaelectrification - total population: 32% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 56% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 4% (2019) Topic: Mauritiuselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Mexicoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Micronesia, Federated States ofelectrification - total population: 82% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 93.5% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 78.7% (2018) Topic: Moldovaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Monacoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Mongoliaelectrification - total population: 91% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 73% (2019) Topic: Montenegroelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Moroccoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Mozambiqueelectrification - total population: 35% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 57% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 22% (2019) Topic: Namibiaelectrification - total population: 57% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 78% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 36% (2019) Topic: Nauruelectrification - total population: 99.8% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 98.7% (2018) Topic: Nepalelectrification - total population: 93% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 94% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019) Topic: Netherlandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: New Caledoniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: New Zealandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Nicaraguaelectrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.2% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019) Topic: Nigerelectrification - total population: 14% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 2% (2019) Topic: Nigeriaelectrification - total population: 62% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 30% (2019) Topic: North Macedoniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Northern Mariana Islandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Norwayelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Omanelectrification - total population: 99% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019) Topic: Pakistanelectrification - total population: 79% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 91% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 72% (2019) Topic: Palauelectrification - total population: 100% (2018) Topic: Panamaelectrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99.4% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 77% (2019) Topic: Papua New Guineaelectrification - total population: 58.9% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 82% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 55.4% (2018) Topic: Paraguayelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Peruelectrification - total population: 97% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 86% (2019) Topic: Philippineselectrification - total population: 96% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 93% (2019) Topic: Polandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Portugalelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Puerto Ricoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Qatarelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Romaniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Russiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Rwandaelectrification - total population: 53% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 48% (2019) Topic: Saint Barthelemyelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Saint Luciaelectrification - total population: 99.5% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 97.5% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 99.9% (2018) Topic: Saint Martinelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadineselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Samoaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: San Marinoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Sao Tome and Principeelectrification - total population: 71% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 87% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 25% (2019) Topic: Saudi Arabiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Senegalelectrification - total population: 71% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 94% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 50% (2019) Topic: Serbiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Seychelleselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Sierra Leoneelectrification - total population: 26% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 52% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Topic: Singaporeelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Sint Maartenelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Slovakiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Sloveniaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Solomon Islandselectrification - total population: 66.7% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 76.7% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 63.5% (2018) Topic: Somaliaelectrification - total population: 18% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 34% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 4% (2019) Topic: South Africaelectrification - total population: 94% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 95% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 92% (2019) Topic: South Sudanelectrification - total population: 28.2% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 46.8% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 23.6% (2018) Topic: Spainelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Sri Lankaelectrification - total population: 100% (2019) Topic: Sudanelectrification - total population: 47% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 35% (2019) Topic: Surinameelectrification - total population: 97.4% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 99% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 94.3% (2018) Topic: Swedenelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Switzerlandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Syriaelectrification - total population: 92% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 84% (2019) Topic: Tajikistanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Tanzaniaelectrification - total population: 40% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 71% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 23% (2019) Topic: Thailandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Timor-Lesteelectrification - total population: 85.6% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 79.2% (2018) Topic: Togoelectrification - total population: 43% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 77% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 19% (2019) Topic: Tongaelectrification - total population: 98.9% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 98.9% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 98.9% (2018) Topic: Trinidad and Tobagoelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Tunisiaelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Turkey (Turkiye)electrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Turkmenistanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Tuvaluelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Ugandaelectrification - total population: 29% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 66% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 17% (2019) Topic: Ukraineelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: United Arab Emirateselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: United Kingdomelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: United Stateselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Uruguayelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Uzbekistanelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Vanuatuelectrification - total population: 61.8% (2018) electrification - urban areas: 93.7% (2018) electrification - rural areas: 51.1% (2018) Topic: Venezuelaelectrification - total population: 99.6% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 100% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 99% (2019) Topic: Vietnamelectrification - total population: 100% (2019) Topic: Virgin Islandselectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: Wake Islandelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) Topic: West Bankelectrification - total population: 100% (2020) note: data for West Bank and Gaza Strip combined Topic: Worldelectrification - total population: 90% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 96% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 85% (2019) Topic: Yemenpopulation without electricity: 16 million (2019) electrification - total population: 47% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 72% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 31% (2019) Topic: Zambiaelectrification - total population: 37% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 76% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 6% (2019) Topic: Zimbabweelectrification - total population: 53% (2019) electrification - urban areas: 89% (2019) electrification - rural areas: 36% (2019)