# Geognos Data Export: Australia-Oceania Generated: 2026-02-14T06:35:33.925Z ## American Samoa **Slug:** american-samoa **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇦🇸 **Codes:** cek: aq, iso2: AS, iso3: ASM, iso_num: 016, genc: ASM, stanag: ASM, internet: .as ### Introduction **Background:** Tutuila -- the largest island in American Samoa -- 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, which are also now part of American Samoa, developed a traditional chiefdom that maintained 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. 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 rather than US citizens. ### 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, D.C. **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: 14.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 9.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2023 est.) forest: 79.2% (2023 est.) other: 6% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Natural hazards:** cyclones common from December to March volcanism: 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 43,268 (2025 est.) male: 21,478 female: 21,790 **Nationality:** noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) adjective: American Samoan **Ethnic groups:** Pacific Islander 88.7% (includes Samoan 83.2%, Tongan 2.2%, other 3.3%), Asian 5.8% (includes Filipino 3.4%, other 2.4%), mixed 4.4%, other 1.1% (2020 est.) note: data represent population by ethnic origin or race **Languages:** Samoan 87.9% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.3%, Tongan 2.1%, other Pacific Islander 4.1%, Asian languages 2.1%, other 0.5% (2020 est.) note: most people are bilingual **Religions:** Christian 98.3%, other <1%, unaffiliated <1% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 25.3% (male 5,738/female 5,387) 15-64 years: 66% (male 14,291/female 14,679) 65 years and over: 8.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,775/female 2,025) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 51.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 37.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 13.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 30.6 years (2025 est.) male: 29.4 years female: 30.6 years **Population growth rate:** -1.33% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 15.3 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -22.23 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 87.2% of total population (2023) 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: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 9.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 75.8 years (2024 est.) male: 73.4 years female: 78.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.99 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.96 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 99.8% of population unimproved: total: 0.2% of population (2020 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 98.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 1.5% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 47.4% (2020 est.) ### Environment **Environmental 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: 14.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 9.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2023 est.) forest: 79.2% (2023 est.) other: 6% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 87.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.26% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 389,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 389,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 19,000 tons (2024 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa former: Eastern Samoa abbreviation: AS etymology: the name's meaning is disputed; according to one theory, sa means "sacred" and moa means "center," so the name can mean "Holy Center"; alternatively, some assert that the name can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology; however, the name may pre-date the Polynesian era (before 1000 B.C.), with sa'a meaning "tribe or people" and moa meaning "deep sea," or "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:** no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 3 districts and 2 islands* are considered second-order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western **Legal system:** mixed legal system of US common law and customary law **Constitution:** history: adopted 17 October 1960; revised 1 July 1967 amendment process: 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 **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 Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor Nikolao PULA (since 3 January 2025) cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 department directors appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature or Fono election/appointment process: 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) most recent election date: 19 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% expected date of next election: November 2028 **Legislative branch:** note: American Samoa elects 1 member by simple majority popular 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 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): 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) 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 note: American Samoa has no US federal courts **Political parties:** Democratic Party Republican Party **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of the US) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of the US) **International organization participation:** AOSIS (observer), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC **Independence:** none (territory of the US) **National holiday:** Flag Day, 17 April (1900) **Flag:** description: a large white triangle edged in red is based on the right side and extends to the left side, and it is on a dark blue field; a bald eagle holding a Samoan war club (fa'alaufa'i) and a coconut-fiber fly whisk (fue) sits on the right side of the flag meaning: the war club and fly whisk are traditional Samoan symbols of authority; the eagle carrying two objects echoes the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa; the red, white, and blue colors are traditionally used by both countries **National symbol(s):** a fue (coconut fiber fly whisk that represents wisdom) crossed with a to'oto'o (staff that represents authority) **National color(s):** red, white, blue **National anthem(s):** title: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa) lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA history: local anthem adopted 1950 _____ title: "The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH history: official anthem, as a US territory ### Economy **Economic overview:** tourism, tuna, and government services-based territorial economy; sustained economic decline; vulnerable tuna canning industry; large territorial government presence; minimum wage increases to rise to federal standards by 2036 **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $658 million (2016 est.) $674.9 million (2015 est.) $666.9 billion (2014 est.) note: data are in 2016 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 1.7% (2022 est.) -0.8% (2021 est.) 4.4% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **GDP (official exchange rate):** $871 million (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Agricultural products:** bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock **Industries:** tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts **Budget:** revenues: $249 million (2016 est.) expenditures: $262.5 million (2016 est.) **Exports:** $409 million (2022 est.) $332 million (2021 est.) $427 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Australia 31%, UK 18%, Tanzania 9%, UAE 7%, Senegal 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** animal meal, aluminum, refined petroleum, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $677 million (2022 est.) $694 million (2021 est.) $686 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Singapore 28%, NZ 15%, Fiji 14%, Taiwan 11%, Malaysia 11% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, fish, paper containers, wood, construction vehicles (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 50,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 157.697 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 13.975 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 97.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 3,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 89.105 million Btu/person (2019 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 9,690 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 2,250 (2004 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2004 est.) **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:** percent of population: 40.3% (1990 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 3 (2025) **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Pago Pago Harbor ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the US --- ## Ashmore and Cartier Islands **Slug:** ashmore-and-cartier-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Codes:** cek: at, genc: XAC, stanag: AUS, internet: -, comment: ISO includes with Australia ### Introduction **Background:** Indonesian fishermen have long fished in the area around Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island. British explorers were the first Europeans to see Cartier Island and Ashmore Reef in 1800 and 1811, respectively. American whalers frequently sailed by the islands in the 1850s and later settled to mine the phosphate deposits on Ashmore Reef, which were exhausted by 1891. The UK disputed US access to Ashmore Reef and formally annexed it in 1878. Cartier Island was annexed in 1909. In 1931, the UK transferred the islands to Australia, which accepted them in 1934 as part of Western Australia. In 1938, Australia transferred governance to the Northern Territory. During World War II, Cartier Island was used as a bombing range. In 1978, governance of Ashmore and Cartier Islands was moved to the federal government. Ashmore Reef and Cartier Island became marine reserves in 1983 and 2000 respectively. In 1974, Australia and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow Indonesian fishermen to continue fishing around the islands. The MOU also allows Indonesian fishermen to visit the graves of past fishermen, replenish their fresh water, and shelter in the West Island Lagoon of Ashmore Reef. In the 1990s, Indonesia challenged Australia’s claim to the islands, which was settled in a maritime boundary treaty in 1997. The islands were a popular first point of contact for migrants and refugees seeking to enter Australia, so in 2001, Australia declared the islands to be outside the Australian migration zone. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island; Ashmore Reef is 840 km west of Darwin and 610 km north of Broome; Cartier Islet is 70 km east of Ashmore Reef **Geographic coordinates:** 12 25 S, 123 20 E note: Ashmore Reef - 12 14 S, 123 05 E; Cartier Islet - 12 32 S, 123 32 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 5 sq km land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island **Area - comparative:** about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 74.1 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical **Terrain:** low with sand and coral **Elevation:** highest point: Cartier Island 5 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) **Natural hazards:** surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards **Geography - note:** Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in 1983; Cartier Island Marine Reserve established in 2000 ### People and Society **Population:** total: no permanent inhabitants note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island; access to East and Middle Islands is by permit only ### Environment **Environmental issues:** illegal killing of protected wildlife; overfishing; sea-level rise, changes in sea temperature, and ocean acidification; marine debris **Climate:** tropical **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands etymology: named after British Captain Samuel ASHMORE, who first sighted the island in 1811, and after the ship Cartier, from which the second island was discovered in 1800 **Dependency status:** territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport **Legal system:** the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply **Citizenship:** see Australia **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of Australia) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of Australia) **Flag:** the flag of Australia is used ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of Australia --- ## Australia **Slug:** australia **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇦🇺 **Codes:** cek: as, iso2: AU, iso3: AUS, iso_num: 036, genc: AUS, stanag: AUS, internet: .au, comment: ISO includes Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Coral Sea Islands ### 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, Englishman James COOK sailed to the east coast of Australia, named it New South Wales, and claimed it for Great Britain. In 1788 and 1825 respectively, Great Britain established New South Wales and then Tasmania as penal colonies. 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 but remained part of the British Commonwealth. 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. ### 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 48 contiguous US 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, lithium, tin, gold, silver, uranium, nickel, tungsten, rare earth elements, mineral sands, lead, zinc, diamonds, opals, natural gas, petroleum note 1: Australia is the world's largest net exporter of coal accounting for 26.5% of global coal exports in 2021; coal is the country’s most abundant energy resource, and coal ranks as the second-largest export commodity from Australia in terms of revenue; in 2020, Australia held the third-largest recoverable coal reserves in the world behind the United States and Russia note 2: Australia is by far the world's largest supplier of opals note 3: Australia holds the largest uranium reserves in the world and was the second-largest global uranium producer behind Kazakhstan in 2020 note 4: Australia was the largest exporter of LNG in the world in 2020 **Land use:** agricultural land: 47.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 43.1% (2023 est.) forest: 17.3% (2023 est.) other: 35.4% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 19,450 sq km (2022) **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 fires volcanism: 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; Perth on the west coast is home to the invigorating sea breeze known as the "Fremantle Doctor," one of the most consistent winds in the world; Australia hosts 10% of the world's biodiversity, and a great number of its flora and fauna exist nowhere else in the world ### People and Society **Population:** total: 27,490,921 (2025 est.) male: 13,685,935 female: 13,804,986 **Nationality:** noun: Australian(s) adjective: Australian **Ethnic groups:** English 33%, Australian 29.9%, Irish 9.5%, Scottish 8.6%, Chinese 5.5%, Italian 4.4%, German 4%, Indian 3.1%, Australian Aboriginal 2.9%, Greek 1.7%, unspecified 4.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent self-identified ancestry, with the option of reporting two ancestries **Languages:** English 72%, Mandarin 2.7%, Arabic 1.4%, Vietnamese 1.3%, Cantonese 1.2%, other 15.7%, unspecified 5.7% (2021 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home **Religions:** Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant 18.1% (Anglican 9.8%, Uniting Church 2.6%, Presbyterian and Reformed 1.6%, Baptist 1.4%, Pentecostal 1%, other Protestant 1.7%), other Christian 3.5%, Muslim 3.2%, Hindu 2.7%, Buddhist 2.4%, Orthodox 2.3% (Eastern Orthodox 2.1%, Oriental Orthodox 0.2%), other 2.1%, none 38.4%, unspecified 7.3% (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 18.3% (male 2,526,772/female 2,369,425) 15-64 years: 64.7% (male 8,688,023/female 8,640,671) 65 years and over: 17% (2024 est.) (male 2,090,315/female 2,453,392) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 53.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 26.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 26.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.8 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 38.5 years (2025 est.) male: 36.9 years female: 39.2 years **Population growth rate:** 1.59% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 10.75 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.81 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 11.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 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: 86.6% of total population (2023) 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:** 5.235 million Melbourne, 5.121 million Sydney, 2.505 million Brisbane, 2.118 million Perth, 1.367 million Adelaide, 472,000 CANBERRA (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 28.7 years (2019 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 2 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 83.5 years (2024 est.) male: 81.3 years female: 85.7 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.5 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.73 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 10.5% of GDP (2021) 20.2% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 4.09 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 3.8 beds/1,000 population (2016 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 29% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 9.51 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.71 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 3.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.32 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 11.4% (2025 est.) male: 13.6% (2025 est.) female: 9.2% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 54% (2021 est.) **Education expenditure:** 5.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 12.7% national budget (2022 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 21 years (2023 est.) male: 20 years (2023 est.) female: 21 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** soil erosion from overgrazing, deforestation, industrial development, urbanization, and poor farming practices; limited natural freshwater resources; soil salinity from use of poor-quality water, drought, desertification; habitat loss from agricultural clearing; floral extinctions; Great Barrier Reef preservation; overfishing; pollution; invasive species **International environmental 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 **Climate:** generally arid to semiarid; temperate in south and east; tropical in north **Land use:** agricultural land: 47.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 43.1% (2023 est.) forest: 17.3% (2023 est.) other: 35.4% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 86.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data include Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 394.653 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 146.81 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 154.346 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 93.497 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 9.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 2,146 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 2,382.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 587.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 144.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 13.345 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 52.9% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 2.43 billion cubic meters (2022) industrial: 3.11 billion cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 11.19 billion cubic meters (2022) **Total renewable water resources:** 492 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### 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+11 (16 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 six time zones, including Lord Howe Island (UTC+11) etymology: the name may derive from the Aboriginal word nganbirra, meaning "meeting place" **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, Jervis Bay, Norfolk Island (7) **Legal system:** common law system based on the English model **Constitution:** history: approved in a series of referenda from 1898 through 1900 and became law 9 July 1900, effective 1 January 1901 amendment process: 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 **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: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Samantha (Sam) MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) 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 election/appointment process: 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:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: House of Representatives number of seats: 150 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 5/3/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Australian Labor Party (ALP) (94); Liberal National coalition (43); Independents (10); Other (3) percentage of women in chamber: 46% expected date of next election: May 2028 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: Senate number of seats: 76 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 6 years most recent election date: 5/3/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Australian Labor Party (ALP) (16); Liberal (6); The Greens (6); Liberal/Nationals (4); Pauline Hanson's One Nation (3); Liberal National Party of Queensland (2); Other (3) percentage of women in chamber: 56.6% expected date of next election: May 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): High Court of Australia (consists of 7 justices, including the chief justice); each of the 6 states, 2 territories, and Norfolk Island has a Supreme Court; the High Court is the final appellate court 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:** Australian Greens Party or The Greens Australian Labor Party or ALP Australia's Voice Centre Alliance (formerly known as the Nick Xenophon Team or NXT) Jacqui Lambie Network or JLN Katter's Australian Party (KAP) Liberal Party of Australia The Nationals Pauline Hanson's One Nation or ONP United Australia Party note: the Labor Party is Australia’s oldest political party, established federally in 1901; the present Liberal Party was formed in 1944; the Country Party was formed in 1920, renamed the National Country Party in 1975, the National Party of Australia in 1982, and since 2003 has been known as the Nationals; since the general election of 1949, the Liberal Party and the Nationals (under various names) when forming government have done so as a coalition **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Kevin Michael RUDD (since 19 April 2023) chancery: 1601 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 797-3000 FAX: [1] (202) 797-3168 email address and website: info.us@dfat.gov.au 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); Chargé d'Affaires Erika OLSON (since January 2025) 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 **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), Quad, SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC **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) **Flag:** description: blue, with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large seven-pointed star in the lower-left quadrant; on the right half is a representation of the Southern Cross constellation in white, with one small five-pointed star and four larger seven-pointed stars meaning: the largest star is known as the Commonwealth or Federation Star and represents the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901; the star has one point for each of the six original states, plus one representing all of Australia's internal and external territories **National symbol(s):** Commonwealth Star (seven-pointed Star of Federation), golden wattle tree (Acacia pycnantha), kangaroo, emu **National color(s):** green, gold **National coat of arms:** King George V of the United Kingdom granted the current Commonwealth Coat of Arms to Australia on 19 September 1912; the center of the shield has the symbols of Australia’s six states; the kangaroo and the emu symbolize a nation moving forward, since neither animal can move backward easily; the gold Commonwealth star sits above the shield, with six points representing the Australian states and the seventh representing the territories; the gold and blue in the wreath under the star are the livery, or identifying, colors for the coat of arms; Australia’s floral emblem, the golden wattle, frames the shield **National anthem(s):** title: Advance Australia Fair lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK history: adopted 1984; although originally written in the late 19th century, the anthem was not used for all official occasions until 1984 _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as a Commonwealth country note: the well-known and much-loved bush ballad "Waltzing Matilda" is often referred to as Australia's unofficial national anthem; Australian poet Banjo PATERSON wrote the original lyrics in 1895, and they 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: 21 (5 cultural, 12 natural, 4 mixed) 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); Murujuga Cultural Landscape (c) note: includes one site on Heard Island and McDonald Islands ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income and globally integrated economy; strong mining, manufacturing, and service sectors driving slow but steady growth; net exporter, driven by commodities to East Asian trade partners; weak productivity and aging population straining labor force participation **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.635 trillion (2024 est.) $1.611 trillion (2023 est.) $1.558 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 1.4% (2024 est.) 3.4% (2023 est.) 4.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $60,100 (2024 est.) $60,500 (2023 est.) $59,900 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.752 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 3.2% (2024 est.) 5.6% (2023 est.) 6.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 2.2% (2024 est.) industry: 26% (2024 est.) services: 65.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 51.2% (2024 est.) government consumption: 22.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.3% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 24.7% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -22.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** wheat, sugarcane, barley, rapeseed, milk, cotton, sorghum, beef, lentils, grapes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals, steel **Industrial production growth rate:** 0.5% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 14.912 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 4.1% (2024 est.) 3.7% (2023 est.) 3.8% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 9.5% (2024 est.) male: 10.2% (2024 est.) female: 8.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 34.3 (2018 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 9.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.8% (2018 est.) highest 10%: 26.2% (2018 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 0.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $431.27 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $453.105 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 58% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 23.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$34.402 billion (2024 est.) -$5.186 billion (2023 est.) $5.707 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $425.16 billion (2024 est.) $448.507 billion (2023 est.) $465.99 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 37%, Japan 16%, S. Korea 6%, India 5%, Taiwan 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** iron ore, coal, natural gas, gold, minerals (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $405.336 billion (2024 est.) $389.211 billion (2023 est.) $379.981 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 26%, USA 11%, S. Korea 6%, Japan 6%, Thailand 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, cars, trucks, broadcasting equipment, garments (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $60.404 billion (2024 est.) $61.703 billion (2023 est.) $56.702 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 108.193 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 267.818 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 11.455 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 64.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 17.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 11.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 445.077 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 95.667 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 348.32 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 630,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 149.472 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 386,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 1.151 million bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.446 billion barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 151.307 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 48.845 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 105.146 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 3.228 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 223.158 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 5.95 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 30.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** tradition of public broadcasting, but privately owned TV and radio have the biggest audiences; ownership of print and broadcast media is concentrated; Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) runs national and local public radio and TV; other main public broadcaster is the multilingual Special Broadcasting Service (SBS); national commercial TV is dominated by three big free-to-air networks; broadcasters must carry a minimum percentage of Australian-made programs; pay TV via cable, satellite, and IPTV has a strong foothold (2023) **Internet country code:** .au **Internet users:** percent of population: 97% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 9.63 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 36 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** VH **Airports:** 2,257 (2025) **Heliports:** 392 (2025) **Railways:** total: 32,606 km (2022) 3,448 km electrified standard gauge: 18,007 km (2022) 1.435 mm narrow gauge: 11,914 km (2022) 1.067 mm broad gauge: 2,685 km (2022) 1.600 mm **Merchant marine:** total: 604 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 76, oil tanker 6, other 520 **Ports:** total ports: 66 (2024) large: 5 medium: 8 small: 24 very small: 29 ports with oil terminals: 38 key ports: Brisbane, Dampier, Darwin, Fremantle, Geelong, Hobart, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Adelaide, Port Dalrymple, Port Kembla, Port Lincoln, Sydney ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Australian Defense Force (ADF): Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force (2025) note: the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is an independent agency of the Attorney-General’s Department; the AFP, state, and territorial police forces are responsible for internal security; the Australian Border Force (ABF) is under the Department of Home Affairs **Military expenditures:** 2% of GDP (2024 est.) 2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2% of GDP (2022 est.) 2% of GDP (2021 est.) 2% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 60,000 active ADF personnel (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported Western weapons systems; in recent years, the US has been 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 (2025) note: in 2023, the Australian defense ministry announced a new strategic review that called for the acquisition of more long-range deterrence capabilities, including missiles, submarines, and cyber tools; in early 2024, Australia announced a 10-year plan to more than double the number of the Navy's major surface combatant ships **Military service age and obligation:** 17 years of age (with parental consent; 18 years of age to deploy) for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (abolished 1972) (2025) note 1: as of July 2024, New Zealanders who are permanent residents and have lived in Australia for at least 12 months could apply to join the ADF; from January 2025, eligible permanent residents from Canada, the UK, and the US were also to be allowed to apply note 2: women have served in all roles, including combat arms, since 2013; in 2024, they comprised slightly more than 20% of the military **Military deployments:** note: the number of Australian military forces varies by mission; since the 1990s, Australia has deployed more than 30,000 personnel on nearly 100 UN peacekeeping and coalition military operations around the World **Military - note:** the ADF's missions include protecting Australia’s borders and maritime interests, responding to domestic natural disasters, and deploying overseas for humanitarian, peacekeeping, and other security-related missions; in 2024, it established a cyber command; the ADF regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral exercises with foreign militaries 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 Australia has long-standing bilateral defense and security ties to the UK, including defense and security cooperation treaties in 2024 and 2013; the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) is their premier bilateral forum on foreign policy, defense, and security issues Australia also has a long-standing military relationship with the US; Australian and US forces first fought together in France in 1918 and have fought together in every major US conflict since; Australia and the US signed an agreement in 2014 that allowed for closer bilateral defense and security cooperation, including rotations of US military forces and equipment 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 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 (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Australian Space Agency (ASA; established 2018; headquarters opened in 2020) (2025) note: Australia established a Defense Space Command in 2022 **Space launch site(s):** Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex (commercial site, South Australia); Arnhem Space Center (commercial site, Northern Territory); Bown Orbital Spaceport (commercial site, North Queensland) (2025) **Space program overview:** has a history of involvement in space-related activities, including astronomy, rockets, satellites, and space tracking; develops, builds, operates, and tracks satellites, including communications, remote sensing (RS), and navigational, often in partnership with other countries; develops other space technologies, including communications, RS capabilities, and telescopes; encouraging growth in domestic commercial space-industry sector, including satellite launch vehicles; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the ESA, individual ESA member states, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US; co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems and hosts one of the telescopes for the international Square Kilometer Array radio telescope (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1960 - built first space-tracking station outside the US 1967 - first domestically built satellite (WRSEA) launched on a US rocket from Australian test range 1981 - commissioned first national satellite system 1996 - first Australian in space on US Space Shuttle 2021 - announced intent to provide a robotic lunar lander for US Artemis project 2022 - launched a US NASA rocket from a commercial launch site; joint Australia-US space surveillance telescope based in Western Australia became operational 2025 - first attempted launch of Australian-designed and -manufactured orbital launch vehicle failed to reach orbit ### Terrorism **Terrorist group(s):** 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 the Terrorism reference guide ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 120,789 (2024 est.) IDPs: 185 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 6,922 (2024 est.) --- ## Christmas Island **Slug:** christmas-island **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇨🇽 **Codes:** cek: kt, iso2: CX, iso3: CXR, iso_num: 162, genc: CXR, stanag: CXR, internet: .cx ### Introduction **Background:** Although Europeans sighted Christmas Island in 1615, it was named for the day of its rediscovery in 1643. Steep cliffs and dense jungle hampered attempts to explore the island over the next two centuries. The discovery of phosphate on the island in 1887 led to the UK annexing it the following year. In 1898, 200 Chinese indentured servants were brought in to work the mines, along with Malays, Sikhs, and a small number of Europeans. The UK administered Christmas Island from Singapore. Japan invaded the island in 1942, but islanders sabotaged Japanese mining operations, making the mines relatively unproductive. After World War II, Australia and New Zealand bought the company mining the phosphate, and in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty from Singapore to Australia in exchange for $20 million to compensate for the loss of future phosphate income. In 1980, Australia set up the Christmas Island National Park and expanded its boundaries throughout the 1980s until it covered more than 60% of the island’s territory. The phosphate mine was closed in 1987 because of environmental concerns, and Australia has rejected several efforts to reopen it. In the 1980s, boats of asylum seekers started landing on Christmas Island, and the migrants claimed refugee status because they were on Australian territory. In 2001, Australia declared Christmas Island to be outside the Australian migration zone and built an immigration detention center on the island. Completed in 2008, the controversial detention center was closed in 2018 but then reopened in 2019. In 2020, the center served as a coronavirus quarantine facility for Australian citizens evacuated from China. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, island in the Indian Ocean, south of Indonesia **Geographic coordinates:** 10 30 S, 105 40 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 135 sq km land: 135 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** about three-quarters the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 138.9 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds **Terrain:** steep cliffs along coast rise abruptly to central plateau **Elevation:** highest point: Murray Hill 361 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** phosphate, beaches **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) **Irrigated land:** NA **Population distribution:** majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island **Natural hazards:** the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard **Geography - note:** located along major sea lanes of the Indian Ocean ### People and Society **Population:** total: 1,692 (2021 est.) male: 1,007 female: 685 **Nationality:** noun: Christmas Islander(s) adjective: Christmas Island **Ethnic groups:** Chinese 70%, European 20%, Malay 10% (2001) note: no indigenous population **Languages:** English (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 **Religions:** Muslim 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.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 16.6% 15-64 years: 70.4% 65 years and over: 13% (2021) **Median age:** total: 38 years (2021 est.) **Population growth rate:** 1.11% (2014 est.) **Population distribution:** majority of the population lives on the northern tip of the island ### Environment **Environmental issues:** loss of rainforest; impact of phosphate mining **Climate:** tropical with a wet season (December to April) and dry season; heat and humidity moderated by trade winds **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Territory of Christmas Island conventional short form: Christmas Island etymology: named by English Captain William MYNORS for the day of its rediscovery, Christmas Day (25 December 1643); Europeans had sighted the island as early as 1615 **Government type:** non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia **Dependency status:** non-self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development **Capital:** name: The Settlement (Flying Fish Cove) geographic coordinates: 10 25 S, 105 43 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Flying Fish Cove was named after a British explorer's ship in 1886 **Legal system:** system is under the authority of the governor general of Australia and Australian law **Constitution:** history: 1 October 1958 (Christmas Island Act 1958) **Citizenship:** see Australia **Suffrage:** 18 years of age **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) head of government: Administrator Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023) cabinet: NA election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor-general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Christmas Island Shire Council legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 9 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/2023 parties elected and seats per party: independent (9) percentage of women in chamber: 13% expected date of next election: October 2025 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island, including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court) **Political parties:** none **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of Australia) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of Australia) **International organization participation:** none **Independence:** none (territory of Australia) **National holiday:** Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788) **Flag:** description: territorial flag; divided diagonally from upper left to lower right; the upper triangle is green with a yellow silhouette of the golden bosun bird; the lower triangle is blue and shows the Southern Cross constellation, representing Australia; a centered yellow disk displays a green outline of the island note: the flag of Australia is used for official purposes **National symbol(s):** golden bosun bird **National anthem(s):** title: "Advance Australia Fair" lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK history: national anthem, as an Australian territory _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as an Australian territory ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income Australian territorial economy; development through government services and phosphate mining; operates Australia’s Immigration Detention Centre; increasing tourism and government investments; sustained environmental protections **Industries:** tourism, phosphate extraction (near depletion) **Exports - partners:** Indonesia 30%, USA 26%, Malaysia 12%, Ireland 8%, UK 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fertilizers, paintings, amine compounds (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports - partners:** USA 58%, Australia 40%, Malaysia 1%, Fiji 0%, Singapore 0% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** aircraft, refined petroleum, cars, air conditioners, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) ### Communications **Broadcast media:** 1 community radio station; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations (2017) **Internet country code:** .cx **Internet users:** percent of population: 78.6% (2016 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Railways:** total: 18 km (2017) standard gauge: 18 km (2017) 1.435-m (not in operation) note: the 18-km Christmas Island Phosphate Company Railway between Flying Fish Cove and South Point was decommissioned in 1987; some tracks and scrap remain in place **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Flying Fish Cove ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of Australia --- ## Cocos (Keeling) Islands **Slug:** cocos-keeling-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇨🇨 **Codes:** cek: ck, iso2: CC, iso3: CCK, iso_num: 166, genc: CCK, stanag: AUS, internet: .cc ### Introduction **Background:** British sea captain William KEELING discovered the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1609, and they were named for their coconut trees in 1622. Some maps began referring to them as the Keeling Islands in 1703. In 1825, Scottish trader John CLUNIES-ROSS was trying to get to Christmas Island but was blown off course and landed on Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The next year, a British trader hired CLUNIES-ROSS's brother to bring slaves and a harem of Malay women to create the first permanent settlement on the island. By the 1830s, the Clunies-Ross family had firmly established themselves as the leaders of the islands, and they ruled Cocos (Keeling) Islands in a feudal style until 1978. The UK annexed the islands in 1857 and administered them from Ceylon after 1878 and from Singapore after 1886. The Cocos (Keeling) Islands hosted a cable relaying station and was attacked by the Germans in World War I. The Japanese similarly attacked the islands in World War II. The UK transferred the islands to Australia in 1955, when they were officially named the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and in 1978, Australia bought all the land held by the Clunies-Ross family, ending their control of the islands. In a referendum in 1984, most islanders voted to integrate with Australia, and Western Australian laws have applied on the islands since 1992. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka **Geographic coordinates:** 12 30 S, 96 50 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island **Area - comparative:** about 24 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 26 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year **Terrain:** flat, low-lying coral atolls **Elevation:** highest point: South Point on South Island 9 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) **Irrigated land:** NA **Population distribution:** only Home Island and West Island are populated **Natural hazards:** cyclone season is October to April **Geography - note:** 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 around a lagoon ### People and Society **Population:** total: 593 (2021 est.) male: 301 female: 292 **Nationality:** noun: Cocos Islander(s) adjective: Cocos Islander **Ethnic groups:** Europeans, Cocos Malays **Languages:** Malay (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. **Religions:** Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 75%, Anglican 3.5%, Roman Catholic 2.2%, none 12.9%, unspecified 6.3% (2016 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 21.2% 15-64 years: 61.5% 65 years and over: 17.3% (2021) **Median age:** total: 40 years (2021 est.) **Death rate:** 8.89 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Population distribution:** only Home Island and West Island are populated ### Environment **Environmental issues:** limited freshwater resources; illegal fishing **Climate:** tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) forest: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands conventional short form: Cocos (Keeling) Islands etymology: the name refers to the abundant coconut trees on the islands and to English Captain William KEELING, the first European to sight the islands in 1609 **Government type:** non-self-governing overseas territory of Australia **Dependency status:** non-self-governing territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities & Regional Development **Capital:** name: West Island geographic coordinates: 12 10 S, 96 50 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) **Legal system:** common law based on the Australian model **Constitution:** history: 23 November 1955 (Cocos (Keeling) Islands Act 1955) **Citizenship:** see Australia **Suffrage:** 18 years of age **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) head of government: Administrator Farzian ZAINAL (since 11 May 2023) cabinet: NA election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of the Australian prime minister; administrator appointed by the governor-general for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shire Council legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 7 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/21/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 16.7% expected date of next election: October 2025 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): under the terms of the Territorial Law Reform Act 1992, Western Australia provides court services as needed for the island including the Supreme Court and subordinate courts (District Court, Magistrate Court, Family Court, Children's Court, and Coroners' Court) **Political parties:** none **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of Australia) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of Australia) **International organization participation:** none **Independence:** none (territory of Australia) **National holiday:** Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788) **Flag:** the flag of Australia is used **National anthem(s):** title: "Advance Australia Fair" lyrics/music: Peter Dodds McCORMICK history: national anthem, as an Australian territory _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as an Australian territory ### Economy **Agricultural products:** vegetables, bananas, pawpaws, coconuts **Industries:** copra products, tourism **Exports - partners:** USA 31%, Singapore 29%, UK 12%, Australia 3%, Brazil 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** ships (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports - partners:** Australia 87%, USA 3%, Philippines 2%, Sweden 2%, Brazil 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** iron structures, special purpose motor vehicles, cars, ships, aluminum structures (2023) **Exchange rates:** Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) ### Communications **Broadcast media:** 1 local radio station staffed by community volunteers; satellite broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available (2017) **Internet country code:** .cc **Internet users:** percent of population: 13.4% (2021 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 1 (2025) ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of Australia --- ## Cook Islands **Slug:** cook-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇨🇰 **Codes:** cek: cw, iso2: CK, iso3: COK, iso_num: 184, genc: COK, stanag: COK, internet: .ck ### Introduction **Background:** Polynesians from Tahiti were probably the first people to settle Rarotonga -- the largest of the Cook Islands -- around A.D. 900. Over time, Samoans and Tongans also settled in Rarotonga, and Rarotongans voyaged to the northern Cook Islands, settling Manihiki and Rakahanga. Pukapuka and Penrhyn in the northern Cook Islands were settled directly from Samoa. Prior to European contact, there was considerable travel and trade between inhabitants of the different islands and atolls, but they were not united in a single political entity. Spanish navigators were the first Europeans to spot the northern Cook Islands in 1595, followed by the first landing in 1606, but no further European contact occurred until the 1760s. In 1773, British explorer James COOK spotted Manuae in the southern Cook Islands, and Russian mapmakers named the islands after COOK in the 1820s. Fearing France would militarily occupy the islands as it did in Tahiti, Rarotongans asked the UK for protectorate status in the 1840s and 1860s, a request the UK ignored. In 1888, Queen MAKEA TAKAU of Rarotonga formally petitioned for protectorate status, to which the UK reluctantly agreed. In 1901, the UK placed Rarotonga and the rest of the islands in the New Zealand Colony, and in 1915, the Cook Islands Act organized the islands into one political entity. It remained a protectorate until 1965, when New Zealand granted the Cook Islands self-governing status. The Cook Islands has a great deal of local autonomy and is an independent member of international organizations, but it is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for its defense and foreign affairs. In September 2023, the US recognized the Cook Islands as a sovereign and independent state. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand **Geographic coordinates:** 21 14 S, 159 46 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 236 sq km land: 236 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** 1.3 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 120 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin **Climate:** tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March **Terrain:** low coral atolls in north; volcanic, hilly islands in south **Elevation:** highest point: Te Manga 652 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** coconuts (copra) **Land use:** agricultural land: 7.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 65% (2023 est.) other: 27.1% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** NA **Population distribution:** most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga **Natural hazards:** tropical cyclones (November to March) **Geography - note:** the 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 7,592 (2025 est.) male: 3,890 female: 3,702 **Nationality:** noun: Cook Islander(s) adjective: Cook Islander **Ethnic groups:** Cook Island Maori 77.4%, part Cook Island Maori 8.3%, Fijian 3.6%, New Zealand Maori/European 3.4%, Filipino 2.9%, other Pacific Islands 1.8%, other 2.6% (2021 est.) **Languages:** English (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 **Religions:** Protestant 55% (Cook Islands Christian Church 43.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 8.3%, Assemblies of God 3.6%), Roman Catholic 16.7%, Church of Jesus Christ 3.9%, Jehovah's Witness 2.2%, Apostolic Church 2.1%, other 4.5%, none/unspecified 15.6% (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 18.2% (male 738/female 671) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 2,634/female 2,479) 65 years and over: 16% (2024 est.) (male 608/female 631) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 53 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 27.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 25.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 41.5 years (2025 est.) male: 40.7 years female: 41.4 years **Population growth rate:** -2.15% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 11.85 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 9.48 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -23.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most of the population is found on the island of Rarotonga **Urbanization:** urban population: 76.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 0 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 19 deaths/1,000 live births female: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 77.6 years (2024 est.) male: 74.8 years female: 80.6 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.99 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.97 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: NA rural: NA total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 3.2% of GDP (2020) 11.9% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2020) **Hospital bed density:** 8.2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 96.8% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 3.2% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 55.9% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 12.97 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 2.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 7.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 24% (2025 est.) male: 28.6% (2025 est.) female: 20.1% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 53.2% (2021 est.) **Education expenditure:** 3.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 9.2% national budget (2025 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 15 years (2023 est.) female: 15 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** solid- and liquid-waste disposal; soil degradation; deforestation; use of pesticides; improper disposal of pollutants; overfishing and destructive fishing practices; over-dredging of lagoons and coral rubble beds; unregulated building **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical oceanic; moderated by trade winds; a dry season from April to November and a more humid season from December to March **Land use:** agricultural land: 7.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 65% (2023 est.) other: 27.1% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 76.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 103,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Cook Islands former: Hervey Islands etymology: named after Captain James COOK, the British explorer who visited the islands in 1773 and 1777 **Government type:** parliamentary democracy **Dependency status:** self-governing in free association with New Zealand; Cook Islands is fully responsible for internal affairs and conducts its own international relations, including establishing diplomatic relationships with foreign countries; New Zealand has a constitutional responsibility to respond to requests for assistance with foreign affairs, disasters, and defense **Capital:** name: Avarua geographic coordinates: 21 12 S, 159 46 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: translates as "two harbors" in Maori **Legal system:** common law similar to New Zealand common law **Constitution:** history: 4 August 1965 (Cook Islands Constitution Act 1964) amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in each of several readings and assent of the chief of state’s representative; passage of amendments relating to the chief of state also requires two-thirds majority approval in a referendum **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration (New Zealand normally retains responsibility for external affairs); accepts ICCt jurisdiction **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Sir Tom J. MARSTERS (since 9 August 2013); New Zealand High Commissioner Catherine GRAHAM (since 8 September 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Mark BROWN (since 1 October 2020) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; UK representative appointed by the monarch; New Zealand high commissioner appointed by the New Zealand Government; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually becomes prime minister **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 24 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 8/1/2022 parties elected and seats per party: CIP (12); Demo (5); Cook Islands United Party (3); OCI (1); independent (3) percentage of women in chamber: 25% expected date of next election: 2026 note: the House of Ariki, a 24-member parliamentary body of traditional leaders appointed by the King's representative, serves as a consultative body to the Parliament **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 3 judges of the High Court); High Court (consists of the chief justice and at least 4 judges and organized into civil, criminal, and land divisions) judge selection and term of office: High Court chief justice appointed by the Queen's Representative on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the prime minister; other judges appointed by the Queen's Representative, on the advice of the Executive Council tendered by the chief justice, High Court chief justice, and the minister of justice; chief justice and judges appointed for 3-year renewable terms subordinate courts: justices of the peace note: appeals beyond the Cook Islands Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) **Political parties:** Cook Islands Party or CIP Democratic Party or Demo One Cook Islands or OCI **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (self-governing in free association with New Zealand) note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Cook Islands **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IMO, IMSO, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WMO **Independence:** 4 August 1965 (Cook Islands became self-governing state in free association with New Zealand) **National holiday:** Constitution Day, the first Monday in August (1965) **Flag:** description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and a large circle of 15 five-pointed white stars (one for each island) centered in the right half of the flag **National symbol(s):** a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars on a blue field, tiare maori flower (Gardenia taitensis) **National color(s):** green, white **National coat of arms:** the coat of arms was designed by Papa Motu Kora, a mataiapo (traditional chief) from the Matavera village in Rarotonga; the shield with a circle of 15 five-pointed white stars represents the protection of the people and the country; on each side of the shield is a flying fish (maroro) and a white tern (kakaia); a Rarotongan orator club above the fish represents local traditions, and a cross above the tern symbolizes Christianity; a red-feathered Ariki headdress (pare kura) at the top of the shield represents the country’s traditional ranking system **National anthem(s):** title: "Te Atua Mou E" (To God Almighty) lyrics/music: Tepaeru Te RITO/Thomas DAVIS history: adopted 1982; as prime minister, Sir Thomas DAVIS composed the anthem; Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki, his wife and a tribal chief, wrote the lyrics title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income self-governing New Zealand territorial economy; tourism-based activity but diversifying; severely curtailed by COVID-19 pandemic; copra and tropical fruit exporter; Asian Development Bank aid recipient **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $401.155 million (2024 est.) $364.686 million (2023 est.) $306.285 million (2022 est.) note: data are in 2015 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 10.5% (2022 est.) -24.5% (2021 est.) -5.2% (2020 est.) **Real GDP per capita:** $29,800 (2024 est.) $25,700 (2023 est.) $19,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $409.077 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 10.6% (2022 est.) 1.9% (2021 est.) 1% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **Agricultural products:** coconuts, vegetables, papayas, pork, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, fruits, mangoes/guavas, watermelons, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** fishing, fruit processing, tourism, clothing, handicrafts **Budget:** revenues: $113.687 million (2022 est.) expenditures: $143.391 million (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Exports - partners:** Japan 33%, Thailand 15%, Greece 15%, France 11%, China 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fish, ships, garments, shellfish (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports - partners:** NZ 44%, Italy 26%, Fiji 9%, China 7%, Australia 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** ships, refined petroleum, cars, plastic products, additive manufacturing machines (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 17,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 37.5 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.2 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 60.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 39.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** imports: 1 metric tons (2022 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 700 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 6,990 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 18,100 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** 1 privately owned TV station in Rarotonga provides a mix of local news and overseas-sourced programs (2019) **Internet country code:** .ck **Internet users:** percent of population: 64.8% (2021 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 2,700 (2018 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2018 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** E5 **Airports:** 10 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 190 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 19, general cargo 44, oil tanker 58, other 69 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Avatiu ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; Cook Islands Police Service **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of New Zealand in consultation with the Cook Islands and at its request the Cook Islands have a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within its designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) --- ## Coral Sea Islands **Slug:** coral-sea-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Codes:** cek: cr, genc: XCS, stanag: AUS, internet: -, comment: ISO includes with Australia ### Introduction **Background:** The widely scattered Coral Sea Islands were first charted in 1803, but they were too small to host permanent human habitation. The 1870s and 1880s saw attempts at guano mining, but these were soon abandoned. The islands became an Australian territory in 1969, and the boundaries were extended in 1997. A small meteorological staff has operated on the Willis Islets since 1921, and several other islands host unmanned weather stations, beacons, and lighthouses. Much of the territory lies within national marine nature reserves. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, islands in the Coral Sea, northeast of Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 18 00 S, 152 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 3 sq km less than land: 3 sq km less than water: 0 sq km note: includes numerous small islands and reefs scattered over a sea area of about 780,000 sq km (300,000 sq mi), with the Willis Islets the most important **Area - comparative:** about four times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 3,095 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical **Terrain:** sand and coral reefs and islands (cays) **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed location on Cato Island 9 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) **Natural hazards:** occasional tropical cyclones **Geography - note:** important nesting area for birds and turtles ### People and Society **Population:** total: no permanent inhabitants note: Willis Island is inhabited by meteorological staff ### Environment **Environmental issues:** no permanent freshwater resources; damaging activities include coral mining, fishing practices (overfishing, blast fishing) **Climate:** tropical **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Coral Sea Islands Territory conventional short form: Coral Sea Islands etymology: self-descriptive name to reflect the islands' position in the Coral Sea off the northeastern coast of Australia **Dependency status:** territory of Australia; administered from Canberra by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport **Legal system:** the common law system of Australia applies **Citizenship:** see Australia **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of Australia) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of Australia) **Flag:** the flag of Australia is used ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of Australia --- ## Fiji **Slug:** fiji **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇫🇯 **Codes:** cek: fj, iso2: FJ, iso3: FJI, iso_num: 242, genc: FJI, stanag: FJI, internet: .fj ### 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. The first European spotted Fiji in 1643 and by the 1800s, European merchants, missionaries, traders, and whalers frequented the islands. Rival kings and chiefs competed for power, at times aided by Europeans, and in 1865, Seru Epenisa CAKOBAU united many groups into the Confederacy of Independent Kingdoms of Viti. The arrangement proved weak, however, 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 to allocate parliamentary seats by ethnic groups. After 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 Josaia Voreqe "Frank" BAINIMARAMA to launch a coup in 2006. BAINIMARAMA appointed himself prime minister in 2007 and retained the position after elections in 2014 and 2018 that international observers deemed credible. BAINIMARAMA's party lost control of the prime minister position after elections in 2022 with former opposition leader Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA winning the office by a narrow margin. ### 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 note: 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: 17.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.) forest: 61.7% (2023 est.) other: 21.2% (2023 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 955,284 (2025 est.) male: 484,037 female: 471,247 **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: 24.7% (male 119,910/female 114,904) 15-64 years: 66.4% (male 323,339/female 308,921) 65 years and over: 8.9% (2024 est.) (male 39,055/female 45,482) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 50.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 36.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 13.9 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 32 years (2025 est.) male: 31.4 years female: 31.8 years **Population growth rate:** 0.38% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 15.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.58 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -5.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 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: 58.7% of total population (2023) 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 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 30 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 11.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.1 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 74.8 years (2024 est.) male: 72.2 years female: 77.6 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.18 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.06 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 98.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 91.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 1.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 8.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.5% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 5.4% of GDP (2021) 10.3% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.81 physicians/1,000 population (2015) **Hospital bed density:** 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2017 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 30.2% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 2.71 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.79 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 26.8% (2025 est.) male: 40.8% (2025 est.) female: 12.9% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 4.6% (2021 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 59.2% (2021 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0.2% (2021) women married by age 18: 4% (2021) men married by age 18: 1.7% (2021) **Education expenditure:** 4.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.8% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** female: 92.4% (2021 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution from waste incineration and vehicle emissions; deforestation and soil erosion; soil erosion from clearing land by bush burning **International environmental 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 **Climate:** tropical marine; only slight seasonal temperature variation **Land use:** agricultural land: 17.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 4.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.) forest: 61.7% (2023 est.) other: 21.2% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 58.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.37% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 1.432 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 12 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.432 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 8.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 189,400 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.1% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 25.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 9.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 50 million cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 28.55 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### 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; 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 language and may refer 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 **Legal system:** common law system based on the English model **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest signed into law 6 September 2013 amendment process: 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 **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 Naiqama LALABALAVU (since 12 November 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada RABUKA (since 24 December 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament and is responsible to Parliament election/appointment process: president elected by Parliament for a 3-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister endorsed by the president most recent election date: 31 October 2024 election results: 2024: Ratu Naiqama LALABALAVU elected president (People's Alliance) 35 votes, Meli Tora TAVAIQIA (Fiji First) 14 votes 2021: Ratu Wiliame KATONIVERE elected president; Wiliame KATONIVERE (People's Alliance) 28 votes, Teimumu KEPA (SODELPA) 23 votes expected date of next election: 2027 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 55 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 12/14/2022 parties elected and seats per party: FijiFirst (26); People's Alliance (21); National Federation Party (NFP) (5); Social Democratic Liberal Party (Soldelpa) (3) percentage of women in chamber: 9.1% expected date of next election: December 2026 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): 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 on the nomination of the Judicial Service Commission after consulting with the cabinet minister and the House of Representatives committee 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 or 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:** Fiji First Fiji Labor Party or FLP Freedom Alliance (formerly Fiji United Freedom Party or FUFP) National Federation Party or NFP People's Alliance Peoples Democratic Party or PDP Social Democratic Liberal Party or SODELPA Unity Fiji **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Ilisoni VUIDREKETI (since 17 June 2024) chancery: 1707 L Street NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (917) 208-4560 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 Marie DAMOUR (since 24 November 2022); 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/ **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 **Independence:** 10 October 1970 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Fiji (Independence) Day, 10 October (1970) **Flag:** description: light blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Fijian shield centered on the right half of the flag; the shield shows a yellow lion holding a coconut above a white field quartered by the cross of Saint George; the four quarters depict sugarcane, a palm tree, a banana bunch, and a white dove meaning: blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean **National symbol(s):** Fijian canoe **National color(s):** light blue **National anthem(s):** title: "God Bless Fiji" (Let Us Show Pride) lyrics/music: Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT/C. Austin MILES (adapted by Michael Francis Alexander PRESCOTT) history: 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 usually used, 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 ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper-middle income, tourism-based Pacific island economy; susceptible to ocean rises; key energy and infrastructure investments; post-pandemic tourism resurgence; improved debt standing; limited workforce **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $13.1 billion (2024 est.) $12.617 billion (2023 est.) $11.734 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 3.8% (2024 est.) 7.5% (2023 est.) 19.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $14,100 (2024 est.) $13,700 (2023 est.) $12,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $5.841 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 4.5% (2024 est.) 2.3% (2023 est.) 4.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 8.4% (2024 est.) industry: 14.1% (2024 est.) services: 56.2% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 71.7% (2023 est.) government consumption: 20.8% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 18.6% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 1.2% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 57% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -69.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** sugarcane, cassava, taro, vegetables, chicken, coconuts, eggs, ginger, milk, sweet potatoes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, sugar processing, clothing, copra, gold, silver, lumber **Industrial production growth rate:** 7.3% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 387,800 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 4.4% (2024 est.) 4.4% (2023 est.) 4.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 15.5% (2024 est.) male: 11.8% (2024 est.) female: 22.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 24.1% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 30.7 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3.5% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 24.2% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 9.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 9.1% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $1.345 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $1.562 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Taxes and other revenues:** 20.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$865.665 million (2022 est.) -$686.577 million (2021 est.) -$614.13 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $2.376 billion (2022 est.) $1.171 billion (2021 est.) $1.23 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** USA 32%, Australia 12%, Tonga 6%, NZ 6%, Samoa 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** water, fish, raw sugar, refined petroleum, garments (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $3.434 billion (2022 est.) $2.344 billion (2021 est.) $1.977 billion (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Singapore 25%, China 16%, Australia 15%, NZ 14%, USA 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, medical instruments, cars, broadcasting equipment, plastics (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $1.6 billion (2024 est.) $1.548 billion (2023 est.) $1.557 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $1.397 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** Fijian dollars (FJD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 2.268 (2024 est.) 2.25 (2023 est.) 2.201 (2022 est.) 2.071 (2021 est.) 2.169 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 92% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 97.6% electrification - rural areas: 86.8% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 427,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 1.048 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 102.047 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 36.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 52.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 10% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** consumption: 6 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 2 metric tons (2022 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 10,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 25.375 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 77,800 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 5.33 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 574 (2024 est.) **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, including 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:** percent of population: 79% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 23,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** DQ **Airports:** 26 (2025) **Heliports:** 2 (2025) **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 **Merchant marine:** total: 74 (2023) by type: general cargo 21, oil tanker 4, other 49 **Ports:** total ports: 5 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 4 key ports: Lautoka Harbor, Levuka, Malai, Savusavu Bay, Suva Harbor ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF): Land Force, Republic of Fiji Navy (2025) **Military expenditures:** 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 4,000 active Republic of Fiji Military Forces (2025) **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 and the US have provided small amounts of equipment (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women (2026) **Military deployments:** 170 Egypt (MFO); 160 Iraq (UNAMI); 150 Golan Heights (UNDOF) (2025) **Military - note:** the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) are responsible for external security but can be assigned some domestic security responsibilities in specific circumstances; the RFMF has a history of intervening in the country’s politics, and it continues to have significant political power; it also has a tradition of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, which have offered experience and a source of financial support; Fiji has sent troops on nearly 20 such missions since first deploying personnel to South Lebanon in 1978 Fiji has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Fiji's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 25 (2024 est.) IDPs: 259 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Fiji remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/fiji/ --- ## French Polynesia **Slug:** french-polynesia **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇵🇫 **Codes:** cek: fp, iso2: PF, iso3: PYF, iso_num: 258, genc: PYF, stanag: PYF, internet: .pf ### Introduction **Background:** French Polynesia consists of five archipelagos -- the Austral Islands, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands, the Society Islands, and the Tuamotu Archipelago. The Marquesas were first settled around 200 B.C. and the Society Islands around A.D. 300. Raiatea in the Society Islands became a center for religion and culture. Exploration of the other islands emanated from Raiatea, and by 1000, there were small permanent settlements in all the island groups. Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see the islands of French Polynesia in 1520. In 1767, British explorer Samuel WALLIS was the first European to visit Tahiti, followed by French navigator Louis Antoine de BOUGAINVILLE in 1768 and British explorer James COOK in 1769. King POMARE I united Tahiti and surrounding islands into the Kingdom of Tahiti in 1788. Protestant missionaries arrived in 1797, and POMARE I’s successor converted in the 1810s, along with most Tahitians. In the 1830s, Queen POMARE IV refused to allow French Catholic missionaries to operate, leading France to declare a protectorate over Tahiti and fight the French-Tahitian War of the 1840s in an attempt to annex the islands. In 1880, King POMARE V ceded Tahiti and its possessions to France, changing its status into a colony. France then claimed the Gambier Islands and Tuamotu Archipelago and by 1901 had incorporated all five island groups into its establishments in Oceania. A Tahitian nationalist movement formed in 1940, leading France to grant French citizenship to the islanders in 1946 and change it to an overseas territory. In 1957, the islands’ name was changed to French Polynesia, and the following year, 64% of voters chose to stay part of France when they approved a new constitution. Uninhabited Mururoa Atoll was established as a French nuclear test site in 1962, and tests were conducted between 1966 and 1992 (underground beginning in 1975). France also conducted tests at Fangataufa Atoll, including its last nuclear test in 1996. France granted French Polynesia partial internal autonomy in 1977 and expanded autonomy in 1984. French Polynesia was converted into an overseas collectivity in 2003 and renamed an overseas territory in 2004. Pro-independence politicians won a surprise majority in local elections that same year, but in subsequent elections, they have been relegated to a vocal minority. In 2013, French Polynesia was relisted on the UN List of Non-Self-Governing Territories. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, five archipelagoes (Archipel des Tuamotu, Iles Gambier, Iles Marquises, Iles Tubuai, Society Islands) in the South Pacific Ocean about halfway between South America and Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 15 00 S, 140 00 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 4,167 sq km (118 islands and atolls; 67 are inhabited) land: 3,827 sq km water: 340 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly less than one-third the size of Connecticut **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 2,525 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical, but moderate **Terrain:** mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs **Elevation:** highest point: Mont Orohena 2,241 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** timber, fish, cobalt, hydropower **Land use:** agricultural land: 8.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 7.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.5% (2023 est.) forest: 43.1% (2023 est.) other: 48.3% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 10 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** the 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 **Natural hazards:** occasional cyclonic storms in January **Geography - note:** includes 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 305,507 (2025 est.) male: 156,084 female: 149,423 **Nationality:** noun: French Polynesian(s) adjective: French Polynesian **Ethnic groups:** Polynesian 78%, Chinese 12%, local French 6%, metropolitan French 4% **Languages:** French (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. **Religions:** Protestant 54%, Roman Catholic 30%, other 10%, no religion 6% **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 20.3% (male 31,659/female 30,006) 15-64 years: 68.7% (male 107,162/female 101,228) 65 years and over: 11% (2024 est.) (male 16,317/female 17,168) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 46 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 29.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 35.8 years (2025 est.) male: 35 years female: 35.6 years **Population growth rate:** 0.63% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 12.7 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.84 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** the 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 **Urbanization:** urban population: 62.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 136,000 PAPEETE (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 5.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 78.9 years (2024 est.) male: 76.6 years female: 81.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.78 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.87 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2023) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 97% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 3% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 66.8% (2017 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** sea-level rise; cyclones, storms, and tsunamis producing floods, landslides, erosion, and reef damage; droughts; fresh water scarcity **Climate:** tropical, but moderate **Land use:** agricultural land: 8.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 7.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.5% (2023 est.) forest: 43.1% (2023 est.) other: 48.3% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 62.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 1.01 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.01 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 147,000 tons (2024 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Overseas Lands of French Polynesia conventional short form: French Polynesia local long form: Pays d'outre-mer de la Polynésie française local short form: Polynésie Française former: Establishments in Oceania, French Establishments in Oceania etymology: the term "Polynesia" is an 18th-century construct composed of two Greek words, poly (many) and nesoi (islands), and refers to the more than 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean **Government type:** parliamentary democracy (Assembly of French Polynesia); an overseas collectivity of France **Dependency status:** overseas country of France note: overseas territory of France from 1946-2003; overseas collectivity of France since 2003, but it is often referred to as an overseas country due to its degree of autonomy **Capital:** name: Papeete (located on Tahiti) geographic coordinates: 17 32 S, 149 34 W time difference: UTC-10 (5 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from the Tahitian words pape (water) and ete (basket), referring to a place where people came to get water **Administrative divisions:** 5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives, singular - subdivision administrative): Iles Australes (Austral Islands), Iles du Vent (Windward Islands), Iles Marquises (Marquesas Islands), Iles Sous-le-Vent (Leeward Islands), Iles Tuamotu-Gambier note: the Leeward Islands and the Windward Islands together make up the Society Islands (Iles de la Société) **Legal system:** the laws of France apply **Constitution:** history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) amendment process: French constitution amendment procedures apply **Citizenship:** see France **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017), represented by High Commissioner of the Republic Alexander ROCHATTE (since 1 September 2025) head of government: President of French Polynesia Moetai BROTHERSON (since 12 May 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers approved by the Assembly from a list of its members submitted by the president election/appointment process: French president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; French Polynesia president indirectly elected by Assembly of French Polynesia for a 5-year term (no term limits) **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Assembly of French Polynesia (Assemblée de la Polynésie française) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 57 (directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 4/30/2023 parties elected and seats per party: People's Servant People (38); List of the People (15); I Love Polynesia (3); Rally of the Mahoi People (1) percentage of women in chamber: 49.1% expected date of next election: 2028 note 1: elections held in two rounds; in the second round, 38 members are directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by a closed-list proportional representation vote; the party receiving the most votes gets an additional 19 seats note 2: French Polynesia indirectly elects 2 senators to the French Senate for 6-year terms with one-half the membership renewed every 3 years and directly elects 3 deputies to the French National Assembly for 5-year terms **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (composition NA) judge selection and term of office: judges assigned from France for 3 years subordinate courts: Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Première Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif note: appeals beyond the French Polynesia Court of Appeal are heard by the Court of Cassation (in Paris) **Political parties:** I Love Polynesia (A here la Porinetia) List of the People (Tapura Huiraatira) People's Servant Party (Tavini Huiraatira) Rally of the Maohi People (Amuitahiraʻa o te Nunaʻa Maohi) (formerly known as Popular Rally (Tahoeraa Huiraatira)) **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (overseas lands of France) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (overseas lands of France) **International organization participation:** ITUC (NGOs), PIF, SPC, UPU, WMO **Independence:** none (overseas land of France) **National holiday:** Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790) note 1: the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880) note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July) **Flag:** description: two horizontal red bands flank a wide white band in a 1:2:1 ratio; centered on the white band is a disk with a blue-and-white wave pattern depicting the sea on the lower half and a gold-and-white ray pattern depicting the sun on the upper half; a stylized red Polynesian canoe on the disk has a crew of five, represented by five stars meaning: the stars symbolize the five island groups; red and white are traditional Polynesian colors note 1: similar to the red-white-red flag of Tahiti, the largest and most populous of the French Polynesian islands, but the Tahitian flag has no emblem on the white band note 2: the flag of France is used for official occasions **National symbol(s):** outrigger canoe, Tahitian gardenia flower (Gardenia taitensis) **National color(s):** red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui" (Long Live Tahiti Nui) lyrics/music: Maeva BOUGES, Irmine TEHEI, Angele TEROROTUA, Johanna NOUVEAU, Patrick AMARU, Louis MAMATUI, and Jean-Pierre CELESTIN (created both the lyrics and music) history: adopted 1993; serves as a local anthem _____ title: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle history: official anthem, as a French territory **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 mixed); note - excerpted from the France entry selected World Heritage Site locales: Taputapuātea (c); Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas Islands (m) **Government - note:** French Polynesia has acquired autonomy from France in all areas except those relating to police, monetary policy, tertiary education, immigration, and defense and foreign affairs; the duties of its president are similar to those of the French prime minister ### Economy **Economic overview:** small, territorial-island tourism-based economy; large French financing; lower EU import duties; Pacific Islands Forum member; fairly resilient from COVID-19; oil-dependent infrastructure **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $6.007 billion (2024 est.) $5.935 billion (2023 est.) $5.892 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 3% (2023 est.) 4.5% (2022 est.) 2.1% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $23,300 (2024 est.) $22,800 (2023 est.) $20,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $6.563 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 6.4% (2022 est.) 0.5% (2021 est.) -0.1% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 2.2% (2020 est.) industry: 10.6% (2020 est.) services: 75.9% (2020 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 70.4% (2023 est.) government consumption: 30.5% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.7% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 23.1% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -45.6% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, fruits, cassava, sugarcane, pineapples, eggs, tropical fruits, watermelons, tomatoes, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, pearls, agricultural processing, handicrafts, phosphates **Labor force:** 119,100 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 11.8% (2024 est.) 11.8% (2023 est.) 11.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 36.9% (2024 est.) male: 33.5% (2024 est.) female: 41.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 9.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 10% of GDP (2022 est.) 9.5% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Current account balance:** $411.963 million (2016 est.) $291.182 million (2015 est.) $264.32 million (2014 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $162 million (2021 est.) $94.4 million (2020 est.) $184 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Japan 44%, USA 15%, France 12%, Netherlands 9%, China 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** pearls, fish, aircraft parts, gas turbines, vanilla (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $1.66 billion (2021 est.) $1.75 billion (2020 est.) $2.24 billion (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** France 26%, China 11%, USA 10%, NZ 7%, Malaysia 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** cars, packaged medicine, refined petroleum, poultry, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 110.306 (2024 est.) 110.347 (2023 est.) 113.474 (2022 est.) 100.88 (2021 est.) 104.711 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 345,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 669.5 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 42.663 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 66% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 27% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** imports: 1 metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 7,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 66,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 334,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 119 (2023 est.) **Broadcast media:** French public overseas broadcaster Réseau Outre-Mer provides 2 TV channels and 1 radio station; 1 government-owned TV station; a small number of privately owned radio stations (2019) **Internet country code:** .pf **Internet users:** percent of population: 73% (2017 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 78,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** F-OH **Airports:** 54 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 24 (2023) by type: general cargo 14 **Ports:** total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 5 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Atuona, Baie Taiohae, Papeete, Port Rikitea, Uturoa, Vaitape ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of France, and it maintains a military garrison in French Polynesia (Forces Armées en Polynésie Française, FAPF) --- ## Guam **Slug:** guam **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇬🇺 **Codes:** cek: gq, iso2: GU, iso3: GUM, iso_num: 316, genc: GUM, stanag: GUM, internet: .gu ### Introduction **Background:** Guam was settled by Austronesian people around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including the Micronesians in the first millennium A.D., and island Southeast Asians around 900. Society was stratified, with higher classes living along the coast and lower classes living inland. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN was the first European to see Guam in 1521, and Spain claimed the island in 1565 because it served as a refueling stop for ships between Mexico and the Philippines. Spain formally colonized Guam in 1668. Spain’s brutal repression of the Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population from more than 100,000 to less than 5,000 by the 1700s. Spain tried to repopulate the island by forcing people from nearby islands to settle on Guam and preventing them from escaping. Guam became a hub for whalers and traders in the western Pacific in the early 1800s. During the 1898 Spanish-American War, the US Navy occupied Guam and set up a military administration. The US Navy opposed local control of government despite repeated petitions from the Chamorro. Japan invaded Guam in 1941 and instituted a repressive regime. During the US recapture of Guam in 1944, the island’s two largest villages were destroyed. After World War II, political pressure from local Chamorro leaders led to Guam being established as an unincorporated organized US territory in 1950, with US citizenship granted to all Chamorro. In a referendum in 1982, more than 75% of voters chose closer relations with the US over independence, although no change in status was made because of disagreements on the future right of Chamorro self-determination. The US military holds about 29% of Guam’s land and stations several thousand troops on the island. The installations are some of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific; they also constitute the island’s most important source of income and economic stability. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines **Geographic coordinates:** 13 28 N, 144 47 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 544 sq km land: 544 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** three times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 125.5 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation **Terrain:** volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped) **Land use:** agricultural land: 29.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.) forest: 52.4% (2023 est.) other: 18% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 2 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo **Natural hazards:** frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December) **Geography - note:** largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean ### People and Society **Population:** total: 169,691 (2025 est.) male: 87,448 female: 82,243 **Nationality:** noun: Guamanian(s) (US citizens) adjective: Guamanian **Ethnic groups:** Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 46.1% (Chamorro 32.8%, Chuukese 6.7%, Palauan 1.4%, Pohnpeian 1.4%, Yapese 1%, other Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 2.8%), Asian 35.5% (Filipino 29.1%, Korean 2.2%, Japanese 1.4%, Chinese (except Taiwanese) 1.3%, other Asian 1.5%), White 6.8%, African descent or African-American 0.9%, Indigenous 0.1%, other 0.6%, mixed 10% (2020 est.) **Languages:** English 43.3%, Filipino 24.9%, Chamorro 16%, other Pacific Island languages 9.4%, Asian languages 6.5% (2020 est.) **Religions:** Christian (predominantly Roman Catholic) 94.2%, folk religions 1.5%, Buddhist 1.1%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 1.7% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 26.4% (male 23,139/female 21,632) 15-64 years: 62.7% (male 55,591/female 50,741) 65 years and over: 10.9% (2024 est.) (male 8,615/female 9,814) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 59.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 41.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 18.1 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 5.5 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 30.5 years (2025 est.) male: 29.6 years female: 31.1 years **Population growth rate:** 0.08% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 17.9 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -10.92 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** no large cities exist on the island; large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo **Urbanization:** urban population: 95.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 147,000 HAGATNA (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 10.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 11 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.9 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 78 years (2024 est.) male: 75.6 years female: 80.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.7 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.31 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 99.2% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.8% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 40.4% (2020 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** freshwater scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; rapid proliferation of the non-native brown tree snake **Climate:** tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (July to December); little seasonal temperature variation **Land use:** agricultural land: 29.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 14.8% (2023 est.) forest: 52.4% (2023 est.) other: 18% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 95.2% of total population (2022) rate of urbanization: 0.84% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.819 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 141,500 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 17.9% (2011 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Guam local long form: none local short form: Guahan abbreviation: GU etymology: the native Chamorro name for the island, Guahan (meaning "we have"), was changed to Guam in the 1898 Treaty of Paris, when Spain relinquished Guam, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines to the US **Government type:** unincorporated organized territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches **Dependency status:** unincorporated, organized territory of the US, with policy relations between Guam and the Federal government under the jurisdiction of the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior **Capital:** name: Hagatna (Agana) geographic coordinates: 13 28 N, 144 44 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name Hagatna is derived from the Chamorro word haga, meaning "life's blood" and referring to the town's role as the center of government for the island **Legal system:** common law modeled on US system; US federal laws apply **Constitution:** history: effective 1 July 1950 (Guam Act of 1950 serves as a constitution) **Citizenship:** see United States **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal note: Guamanians are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (since 7 January 2019) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature election/appointment process: 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 Guam, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president, but they can vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ballot by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 consecutive terms) most recent election date: gubernatorial: 8 November 2022 election results: 2022: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO reelected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 55%, Felix CAMACHO (Republican Party) 44%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor 2018: Lourdes LEON GUERRERO elected governor; percent of vote - Lourdes LEON GUERRERO (Democratic Party) 50.7%, Ray TENORIO (Republican Party) 26.4%; Josh TENORIO (Democratic Party) elected lieutenant governor expected date of next election: gubernatorial: 3 November 2026 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislature of Guam (Liheslaturan Guahan) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 15 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 2 years most recent election date: 11/8/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party (9); Republican Party (6) percentage of women in chamber: 40% expected date of next election: November 2024 note: Guam directly elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as 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 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court of Guam (consists of 3 justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Guam legislature; justices appointed for life but subject to retention election every 10 years subordinate courts: Superior Court of Guam (includes several divisions); US Federal District Court for the District of Guam (a US territorial court; appeals beyond this court are heard before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit) note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Guam are referred to the US Supreme Court **Political parties:** Democratic Party Republican Party **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of the US) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of the US) **International organization participation:** AOSIS (observer), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU **Independence:** none (territory of the US) **National holiday:** Discovery Day (or Magellan Day), first Monday in March (1521) **Flag:** description: territorial flag is dark blue with a narrow red border on all four sides; centered is a red-bordered, pointed, vertical ellipse containing a beach scene, a proa (outrigger canoe with sail), and a palm tree; the word GUAM in red is centered in the ellipse; the proa is sailing in Agana Bay with the promontory of Puntan Dos Amantes in the background meaning: blue stands for the sea and red for the blood shed in the fight against oppression; the central emblem is shaped like a Chamorro sling stone (a weapon for defense or hunting) note: the US flag is the national flag **National symbol(s):** coconut tree **National color(s):** deep blue, red **National anthem(s):** title: "Fanohge Chamoru" (Stand, Ye Guamanians) lyrics/music: Ramon Manalisay SABLAN [English], Lagrimas UNTALAN [Chamoru]/Ramon Manalisay SABLAN history: adopted 1919; the local anthem is also known as "Guam Hymn" _____ title: "The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH history: official anthem, as a US territory; played before "Stand, Ye Guamanians" ### Economy **Economic overview:** small Pacific island US territorial economy; upper income, tourism-based economy; hard-hit by COVID-19 disruptions; relaunched many industries via vaccination tourism; domestic economy relies on multiple military bases; environmentally fragile economy **Real GDP growth rate:** 5.1% (2022 est.) 2.1% (2021 est.) -10.5% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $35,600 (2016 est.) $35,200 (2015 est.) $34,400 (2014 est.) **GDP (official exchange rate):** $6.91 billion (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Agricultural products:** fruits, copra, vegetables; eggs, pork, poultry, beef **Industries:** national defense, tourism, construction, transshipment services, concrete products, printing and publishing, food processing, textiles **Labor force:** 77,700 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 5.6% (2024 est.) 5.4% (2023 est.) 5.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 13.7% (2024 est.) male: 13.3% (2024 est.) female: 14.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Average household expenditures:** on food: 34.6% of household expenditures (2021 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.3% of household expenditures (2021 est.) **Budget:** revenues: $1.24 billion (2016 est.) expenditures: $1.299 billion (2016 est.) **Exports:** $545 million (2022 est.) $193 million (2021 est.) $379 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Taiwan 42%, Hong Kong 12%, Philippines 11%, Italy 8%, Australia 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** scrap iron, scrap copper, trunks and cases (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports:** $4.421 billion (2022 est.) $3.662 billion (2021 est.) $3.388 billion (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Singapore 52%, Japan 15%, Malaysia 6%, Taiwan 4%, Greece 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, cars, trunks and cases, gas turbines, flavored water (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 525,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 1.715 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 90.023 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 92.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 7.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 150.555 million Btu/person (2019 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 71,300 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 98,000 (2004 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 60 (2004 est.) **Broadcast media:** about a dozen TV channels, including digital; multi-channel cable TV services are available; roughly 20 radio stations **Internet country code:** .gu **Internet users:** percent of population: 81% (2017 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 3,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** N **Airports:** 3 (2025) **Heliports:** 2 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 3 (2023) by type: other 3 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Apra Harbor ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Guam Police Department (GPD); Guam (US) National Guard **Military - note:** the US military maintains thousands of active-duty uniformed personnel and several bases and installations on the island --- ## Kiribati **Slug:** kiribati **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇰🇮 **Codes:** cek: kr, iso2: KI, iso3: KIR, iso_num: 296, genc: KIR, stanag: KIR, internet: .ki ### Introduction **Background:** Kiribati is made up of three distinct island groups -- the Gilbert Islands, the Line Islands, and the Phoenix Islands. The first Austronesian voyagers arrived in the Gilbert Islands as early as 3000 B.C., but these islands were not widely settled until about A.D. 200 by Micronesians. Around 1300, Samoans and Tongans invaded the southern Gilbert Islands, then known as Tungaru, bringing Polynesian cultural elements with them. Later arrivals of Fijians brought Melanesian elements to the Gilbert Islands, and extensive intermarriage between the Micronesian, Polynesian, and Melanesian people led to the creation of what would become Gilbertese cultural traditions by the time Europeans spotted the islands in the 1600s. The Phoenix Islands and Line Islands were both visited by various Melanesian and Polynesian peoples, but their isolation and lack of natural resources meant that long-term settlements were not possible. Both island groups were uninhabited by the time of European contact. Kiribati experienced sustained European contact by the 1760s; all three island groups were named and charted by 1826. American whaling ships frequently passed through the islands, and the UK declared a protectorate over the Gilbert and nearby Ellice Islands in 1892, in an attempt to block growing US influence. Phosphate-rich Banaba Island was annexed to the protectorate in 1900. In 1916, the protectorate became a colony, and some Line Islands were added in 1916 and 1919, with the final ones added in 1972. The Phoenix Islands were added to the colony in 1937, and the UK agreed to share jurisdiction of some with the US because of their strategic location for aviation. During World War II, the islands were occupied by Japanese forces but were ejected by US amphibious assaults. The Ellice Islands became its own colony in 1974 and was renamed Tuvalu for “eight standing together” in 1975. The Gilbert Islands became fully self-governing in 1977 and independent in 1979 under the new name of Kiribati, the Gilbertese spelling of Gilberts. The US relinquished all claims to the sparsely inhabited Phoenix and Line Islands in a 1979 treaty of friendship. In 2012, Kiribati purchased a 22 sq km (8.5 sq mi) plot of land in Fiji for potential eventual resettlement of its population because of climate change, and in 2014 Fijian Prime Minister Voreqe BAINIMARAMA said residents of Kiribati would be welcome to relocate to Fiji if their country is swamped by rising sea levels. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of 32 coral atolls and one raised coral island in the Pacific Ocean, straddling the Equator; the capital Tarawa is about halfway between Hawaii and Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 1 25 N, 173 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 811 sq km land: 811 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes three island groups -- Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, and Phoenix Islands -- dispersed over about 3.5 million sq km (1.35 million sq mi) **Area - comparative:** four times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 1,143 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds **Terrain:** mostly low-lying coral atolls surrounded by extensive reefs **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed elevation on Banaba 81 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m **Natural resources:** phosphate (production discontinued in 1979), coconuts (copra), fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 42% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 39.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 1.3% (2023 est.) other: 56.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** consists of three archipelagos 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 **Natural hazards:** typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level **Geography - note:** 21 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) ### People and Society **Population:** total: 117,702 (2025 est.) male: 56,866 female: 60,836 **Nationality:** noun: I-Kiribati (singular and plural) adjective: Kiribati **Ethnic groups:** I-Kiribati 95.78%, I-Kiribati/mixed 3.8%, Tuvaluan 0.2%, other 1.7% (2020 est.) **Languages:** Gilbertese, English (official) **Religions:** Roman 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.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 26.8% (male 15,895/female 15,304) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 38,046/female 41,059) 65 years and over: 5.4% (2024 est.) (male 2,423/female 3,818) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 47.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 39.1 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 12.2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 27.7 years (2025 est.) male: 26.4 years female: 28.2 years **Population growth rate:** 0.98% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 19.4 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.88 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -2.75 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** consists of three archipelagos 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 **Urbanization:** urban population: 57.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 64,000 TARAWA (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.63 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 23.1 years (2009 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 80 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 33.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 29.4 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 68.5 years (2024 est.) male: 65.9 years female: 71.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.13 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.04 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 87.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 59.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 75.7% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 12.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 40.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 24.3% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 14.8% of GDP (2021) 9.7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.2 physicians/1,000 population (2013) **Hospital bed density:** 1.9 beds/1,000 population (2016 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 72.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 48.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 62.1% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 27.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 51.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 37.9% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 46% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 35.4% (2025 est.) male: 48.4% (2025 est.) female: 23.6% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 6.9% (2018 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 67.4% (2020 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 2.4% (2019) women married by age 18: 18.4% (2019) men married by age 18: 8.6% (2019) **Education expenditure:** 16.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 20.1% national budget (2024 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 98.6% (2020 est.) male: 98.6% (2020 est.) female: 98.9% (2020 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** heavy pollution in lagoon of south Tarawa atoll due to overcrowding mixed with traditional practices such as lagoon latrines and open-pit dumping; coastal erosion **International environmental 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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; marine, hot and humid, moderated by trade winds **Land use:** agricultural land: 42% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 39.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 1.3% (2023 est.) other: 56.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 57.8% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.77% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 81,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 35,700 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.4% (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of Kiribati conventional short form: Kiribati local long form: Republic of Kiribati local short form: Kiribati former: Gilbert Islands etymology: the name is the local pronunciation of "Gilbert," the former designation of the islands; originally named after explorer Thomas GILBERT, who mapped many of the islands in 1788 note: pronounced keer-ree-bahss **Government type:** presidential republic **Capital:** name: Tarawa geographic coordinates: 1 21 N, 173 02 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Kiribati has three time zones: the Gilbert Islands group at UTC+12, the Phoenix Islands at UTC+13, and the Line Islands at UTC+14 etymology: the name is said to derive from the I-Kiribati words te (the) and rawa (run), referring to a channel through a nearby reef **Administrative divisions:** 3 geographical units: Gilbert Islands, Line Islands, Phoenix Islands; there are no first-order administrative divisions, but the 6 districts are Banaba, Central Gilberts, Line Islands, Northern Gilberts, Southern Gilberts, Tarawa, with 21 island councils on Abaiang, Abemama, Aranuka, Arorae, Banaba, Beru, Butaritari, Kanton, Kiritimati, Kuria, Maiana, Makin, Marakei, Nikunau, Nonouti, Onotoa, Tabiteuea, Tabuaeran, Tamana, Tarawa, Teraina **Legal system:** English common law supplemented by customary law **Constitution:** history: The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Order in Council 1915, The Gilbert Islands Order in Council 1975 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 12 July 1979 (at independence) amendment process: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership; passage of amendments affecting the constitutional section on amendment procedures and parts of the constitutional chapter on citizenship requires deferral of the proposal to the next Assembly meeting where approval is required by at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and support of the nominated or elected Banaban member of the Assembly; amendments affecting the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms also requires approval by at least two-thirds majority in a referendum **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 native-born citizen of Kiribati dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016) head of government: President Taneti MAAMAU (since 11 March 2016) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among House of Assembly members election/appointment process: president directly elected for a 4-year term (eligible for 2 additional terms) by simple-majority popular vote, after candidates are nominated from among House of Assembly members; vice president appointed by the president most recent election date: 25 October 2024 election results: 2024: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKP) 55%, Kaotitaake KOKORIA (independent) 42%, Bautaake BEIA (TKP) 3% 2020: Taneti MAAMAU reelected president; percent of vote - Taneti MAAMAU (TKP) 59.3%, Banuera BERINA (BKM) 40.7% expected date of next election: 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: House of Assembly (Maneaba Ni Maungatabu) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 45 (44 directly elected; 1 appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 8/14/2024 to 8/19/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 11.1% expected date of next election: August 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): High Court (consists of a chief justice and other judges as prescribed by the president) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president on the advice of the cabinet in consultation with the Public Service Commission (PSC); other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the chief justice along with the PSC subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; magistrates' courts **Political parties:** Boutokaan Kiribati Moa Party or BKM Kiribati Moa Party or KMP Kamanoan Kiribati Party or KKP Tobwaan Kiribati Party or TKP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Teburoro TITO (since 24 January 2018); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1109, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 867-3310 FAX: [1] (212) 867-3320 email address and website: Kimission.newyork@mfa.gov.ki **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 6 December 2022); note - Ambassador DAMOUR is based in the US Embassy in the Republic of Fiji and is accredited to Kiribati as well as Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu Note: the US does not have an embassy in Kiribati but has announced its intention to open an embassy **International organization participation:** ABEDA, ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO **Independence:** 12 July 1979 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 12 July (1979) **Flag:** description: the upper half is red with a yellow frigatebird flying over a yellow rising sun, and the lower half is blue with three wavy horizontal white stripes to represent the Pacific Ocean meaning: the white stripes represent the Gilbert, Line, and Phoenix island groups; the 17 rays of the sun represent the 16 Gilbert Islands and Banaba (formerly Ocean Island); the frigatebird symbolizes authority and freedom **National symbol(s):** frigatebird **National color(s):** red, white, blue, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Teirake kaini Kiribati" (Stand Up, Kiribati) lyrics/music: Urium Tamuera IOTEBA history: adopted 1979 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Phoenix Islands Protected Area ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower-middle income, Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; sizable remittances; key phosphate mining fund; tourism and fishing industries; public sector-dominated economy; recent withdrawal from Pacific Islands Forum; ongoing constitutional crisis **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $438.143 million (2024 est.) $416.221 million (2023 est.) $405.468 million (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 5.3% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 4.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $3,300 (2024 est.) $3,100 (2023 est.) $3,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $307.863 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 9.3% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) 2.1% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 27.8% (2022 est.) industry: 9.9% (2022 est.) services: 65.7% (2022 est.) **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 101.2% (2022 est.) government consumption: 61.7% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 19.1% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 1.3% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 7.6% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -100.5% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, bananas, vegetables, taro, tropical fruits, pork, chicken, nuts, eggs, pork offal (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** fishing, handicrafts **Industrial production growth rate:** -6.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Population below poverty line:** 21.9% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 27.8 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 4% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 22.8% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 4% of GDP (2023 est.) 10.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 4.7% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $260.557 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $264.736 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Taxes and other revenues:** 17.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$5.117 million (2023 est.) -$32.523 million (2022 est.) $20.251 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $17.099 million (2023 est.) $20.58 million (2022 est.) $10.754 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Thailand 85%, Japan 6%, Philippines 3%, UAE 2%, Fiji 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fish, coconut oil (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports:** $293.624 million (2023 est.) $272.004 million (2022 est.) $201.984 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 24%, Australia 20%, Fiji 15%, Japan 7%, NZ 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** ships, centrifuges, refined petroleum, rice, raw sugar (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) note: the Australian dollar circulates as legal tender ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 94.4% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 86% electrification - rural areas: 94.3% (2020 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 12,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 27.388 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 5 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 81.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 18.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 8.578 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 14 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2024 est.) less than 1 **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 72,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** multi-channel TV packages provide access to Australian and US stations; 1 government-operated radio station broadcasts on AM, FM, and shortwave (2017) **Internet country code:** .ki **Internet users:** percent of population: 88% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 0 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1 ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** T3 **Airports:** 21 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 74 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 24, oil tanker 11, other 37 **Ports:** total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Canton Island, English Harbor, Tarawa Atoll ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Kiribati Police Service (includes Maritime Police) (2025) **Military - note:** Australia, NZ, and the US have provided security assistance; Kiribati has a "ship rider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Kiribati's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; ship rider agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) --- ## Marshall Islands **Slug:** marshall-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇲🇭 **Codes:** cek: rm, iso2: MH, iso3: MHL, iso_num: 584, genc: MHL, stanag: MHL, internet: .mh ### Introduction **Background:** Humans arrived in the Marshall Islands in the first millennium B.C. and gradually created permanent settlements on the various atolls. The early inhabitants were skilled navigators who frequently traveled between atolls using stick charts to map the islands. Society became organized under two paramount chiefs, one each for the Ratak (Sunrise) Chain and the Ralik (Sunset) Chain. Spain formally claimed the islands in 1592. Germany established a supply station on Jaluit Atoll and bought the islands from Spain in 1884, although paramount chiefs continued to rule. Japan seized the Marshall Islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations Mandate to administer the islands in 1920. The US captured the islands in heavy fighting during World War II, and the islands came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI) in 1947. Between 1946 and 1958, the US resettled populations from Bikini and Enewetak Atolls and conducted 67 nuclear tests; people from Ailinginae, Rongelap, and Utrik Atolls were also evacuated because of nuclear fallout, and Bikini and Rongelap remain largely uninhabited. In 1979, the Marshall Islands drafted a constitution separate from the rest of the TTPI and declared independence under President Amata KABUA, a paramount chief. In 2000, Kessai NOTE became the first commoner elected president. In 2016, Hilda HEINE was the first woman elected president. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, consists of 29 atolls and five isolated islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia; the atolls and islands are situated in two, almost-parallel island chains - the Ratak (Sunrise) group and the Ralik (Sunset) group; the total number of islands and islets is about 1,225; 22 of the atolls and four of the islands are uninhabited **Geographic coordinates:** 9 00 N, 168 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 181 sq km land: 181 sq km water: 0 sq km note: the archipelago includes 11,673 sq km (4,507 sq mi) of lagoon and encompasses the atolls of Bikini, Enewetak, Kwajalein, Majuro, Rongelap, and Utirik **Area - comparative:** about the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 370.4 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt **Terrain:** low coral limestone and sand islands **Elevation:** highest point: East-central Airik Island, Maloelap Atoll 14 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m **Natural resources:** coconut products, marine products, deep seabed minerals **Land use:** agricultural land: 38.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 36.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 53.9% (2023 est.) other: 7.2% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** most people live in urban clusters on many of the country's islands; more than two thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye **Natural hazards:** infrequent typhoons **Geography - note:** Kwajalein atoll surrounds the world's largest lagoon; 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 83,037 (2025 est.) male: 42,086 female: 40,951 **Nationality:** noun: Marshallese (singular and plural) adjective: Marshallese **Ethnic groups:** Marshallese 95.6%, Filipino 1.1%, other 3.3% (2021 est.) **Languages:** Marshallese (official) 98.2%, other languages 1.8% (1999) 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 **Religions:** Protestant 79.3% (United Church of Christ 47.9%, Assembly of God 14.1%, Full Gospel 5%, Bukot Nan Jesus 3%, Salvation Army 2.3%, Reformed Congressional Church 2.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, New Beginning Church 1.4%, other Protestant 1.6%), Roman Catholic 9.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 5.7%, Jehovah's Witness 1.3%, other 3.3%, none 1.1% (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 30% (male 12,538/female 12,072) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 26,750/female 25,944) 65 years and over: 5.7% (2024 est.) (male 2,293/female 2,414) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 54.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 45.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 9.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 10.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 25.9 years (2025 est.) male: 25.4 years female: 25.6 years **Population growth rate:** 1.22% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 20.81 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 4.37 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -4.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most people live in urban clusters on many of the country's islands; more than two thirds of the population lives on the atolls of Majuro and Ebeye **Urbanization:** urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 31,000 MAJURO (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 155 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 20.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 24 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.1 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.) male: 73 years female: 77.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.62 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.28 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 84.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 87.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.1% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 15.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 12.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.9% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 12.5% of GDP (2021) 6.7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.47 physicians/1,000 population (2012) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 92.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 70.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 88% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 7.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 29.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 12% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 52.9% (2016) **Tobacco use:** total: 30.9% (2025 est.) male: 52.9% (2025 est.) female: 8.5% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 11.9% (2017 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 68.3% (2022 est.) **Education expenditure:** 7.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 11.3% national budget (2022 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 95.8% (2021 est.) male: 95.7% (2021 est.) female: 96.4% (2021 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 14 years (2022 est.) male: 14 years (2022 est.) female: 15 years (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** inadequate potable water; pollution of Majuro lagoon from household waste and discharges from fishing vessels; sea-level rise **International environmental 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 Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November; islands border typhoon belt **Land use:** agricultural land: 38.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 36.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 53.9% (2023 est.) other: 7.2% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 78.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.61% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 293,700 metric tonnes of CO2 (2017 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 8,600 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 39.7% (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands conventional short form: Marshall Islands local long form: Republic of the Marshall Islands local short form: Marshall Islands former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Marshall Islands District abbreviation: RMI etymology: named after British Captain John MARSHALL, who charted many of the islands in 1788 **Government type:** mixed presidential-parliamentary system in free association with the US **Capital:** name: Majuro geographic coordinates: 7 06 N, 171 23 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Majuro means "two openings" or "two eyes" and refers to the two major passages through the atoll into the Majuro lagoon note: the capital is an atoll of 64 islands; governmental buildings are housed on three fused islands on the eastern side of the atoll: Djarrit, Uliga, and Delap **Administrative divisions:** 24 municipalities; Ailinglaplap, Ailuk, Arno, Aur, Bikini & Kili, Ebon, Enewetak & Ujelang, Jabat, Jaluit, Kwajalein, Lae, Lib, Likiep, Majuro, Maloelap, Mejit, Mili, Namorik, Namu, Rongelap, Ujae, Utrik, Wotho, Wotje **Legal system:** mixed system of US and English common law, customary law, and local statutes **Constitution:** history: effective 1 May 1979 amendment process: proposed by the National Parliament or by a constitutional convention; passage by Parliament requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the total membership in each of two readings and approval by a majority of votes in a referendum; amendments submitted by a constitutional convention require approval of at least two thirds of votes in a referendum **International law organization participation:** accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Marshall Islands dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023) head of government: President Hilda C. HEINE (since 3 January 2023) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the president from among members of the Nitijela, appointed by Nitijela speaker election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the Nitijela from among its members for a 4-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 2 January 2023 election results: 2023: Hilda C. HEINE elected president; National Parliament vote - Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 17, David KABUA (independent) 16 2020: David KABUA elected president; National Parliament vote - David KABUA (independent) 20, Hilda C. HEINE (independent) 12 expected date of next election: 2027 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament (Nitijela) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 33 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/20/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 12.1% expected date of next election: November 2027 note: the Council of Iroij is a 12-member consultative group of tribal leaders that advises the Presidential Cabinet and reviews legislation affecting customary law or any traditional practice **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the Cabinet on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (consists of the chief justice of the High Court, the attorney general and a private citizen selected by the Cabinet) and upon approval of the Nitijela; the current chief justice, appointed in 2013, serves for 10 years; Marshallese citizens appointed as justices serve until retirement at age 72 subordinate courts: High Court; District Courts; Traditional Rights Court; Community Courts **Political parties:** traditionally 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 **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Charles Rudolph PAUL (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 2433 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-5414 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3236 email address and website: info@rmiembassyus.org consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Springdale (AR) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Laura M. STONE (since 12 July 2024) embassy: Mejen Weto, Ocean Side, Majuro mailing address: 4380 Majuro Place, Washington DC 20521-4380 telephone: [692] 247-4011 FAX: [692] 247-4012 email address and website: MAJConsular@state.gov https://mh.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, WHO **Independence:** 21 October 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) **National holiday:** Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) **Flag:** description: blue with an orange stripe and a white stripe radiating from the lower-left corner to the upper-right corner; a white star with four large rays and 20 small rays appears on the left side above the two stripes meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, orange for the Ralik Chain (or sunset and courage), and white for the Ratak Chain (or sunrise and peace); the star symbolizes the Christian cross, with a small ray for each electoral district and a larger ray for the principal cultural centers of Majuro, Jaluit, Wotje, and Ebeye; the diagonal stripes can also be interpreted as representing the equator, with the star showing the archipelago's position **National symbol(s):** a 24-rayed star **National color(s):** blue, white, orange **National anthem(s):** title: "Forever Marshall Islands" lyrics/music: Amata KABUA history: adopted 1981; words and music written by the first president of the Marshall Islands **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Bikini Atoll Nuclear Test Site ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance; large public sector; coconut oil production as diesel fuel substitute; growing offshore banking locale; fishing rights seller; import-dependent **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $270.809 million (2024 est.) $263.507 million (2023 est.) $274.3 million (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 2.8% (2024 est.) -3.9% (2023 est.) -1.1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $7,200 (2024 est.) $6,800 (2023 est.) $6,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $280.358 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 6.2% (2022 est.) 2.6% (2021 est.) -0.7% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 19.5% (2023 est.) industry: 11.1% (2023 est.) services: 70.5% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 70.7% (2023 est.) government consumption: 53.5% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.2% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -0.5% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 38.9% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -71.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** copra, tuna processing, tourism, craft items (from seashells, wood, and pearls) **Industrial production growth rate:** -2.8% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Population below poverty line:** 7.2% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 35.5 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.8% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 27.5% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 13.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 13.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $171.267 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $159.095 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 41.6% of GDP (2019 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 17.2% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $76.263 million (2021 est.) $90.281 million (2020 est.) $86.133 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $130.016 million (2021 est.) $88.042 million (2020 est.) $91.394 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** UK 16%, Germany 13%, Denmark 10%, Ghana 9%, Cyprus 9% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** ships, refined petroleum, fish, natural gas, stone processing machines (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $206.025 million (2021 est.) $132.845 million (2020 est.) $129.682 million (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 47%, Japan 15%, Germany 5%, Brazil 4%, Cyprus 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, iron structures, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 96.1% electrification - rural areas: 100% ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 1,950 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 15,900 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** no TV broadcast station; a cable network is available on Majuro with programming via videotape replay and satellite relays; 4 radio broadcast stations; US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio and TV service to Kwajalein Atoll (2019) **Internet country code:** .mh **Internet users:** percent of population: 66% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** V7 **Airports:** 33 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 4,180 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1,939, container ship 277, general cargo 66, oil tanker 1039, other 859 **Ports:** total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Enitwetak Island, Kwajalein, Majuro Atoll ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Marshall Islands Police Department (includes a Sea Patrol Division) **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the US; in 1982, the Marshall Islands signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the Marshall Islands financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986; the Marshall Islands hosts a US Army missile test site the Marshall Islands has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within its designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** IDPs: 35 (2024 est.) --- ## Micronesia, Federated States of **Slug:** micronesia-federated-states-of **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇫🇲 **Codes:** cek: fm, iso2: FM, iso3: FSM, iso_num: 583, genc: FSM, stanag: FSM, internet: .fm ### Introduction **Background:** Each of the four states that compose the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) -- Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap -- has its own unique history and cultural traditions. The first humans arrived in what is now the FSM in the second millennium B.C. In the 800s A.D., construction of the artificial islets at the Nan Madol complex in Pohnpei began, with the main architecture being built around 1200. At its height, Nan Madol united the approximately 25,000 people of Pohnpei under the Saudeleur Dynasty. By 1250, Kosrae was united in a kingdom centered in Leluh. Yap’s society became strictly hierarchical, with chiefs receiving tributes from islands up to 1,100 km (700 mi) away. Widespread human settlement in Chuuk began in the 1300s, and the different islands in the Chuuk Lagoon were frequently at war with one another. Portuguese and Spanish explorers visited a few of the islands in the 1500s, and Spain began exerting nominal, but not day-to-day, control over some of the islands -- which they named the Caroline Islands -- in the 1600s. In 1899, Spain sold all of the FSM to Germany. Japan seized the islands in 1914 and was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer them in 1920. During WWII, Japan built military bases across most of the islands and headquartered their Pacific naval operations in Chuuk. The US bombed Chuuk in 1944 but largely bypassed the other islands in its leapfrog campaign across the Pacific. In 1947, the FSM came under US administration as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, which comprised six districts: Chuuk, the Marshall Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Pohnpei, and Yap; Kosrae was separated from Pohnpei into a separate district in 1977. In 1979, Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap ratified the FSM Constitution and declared independence while the other three districts opted to pursue separate political status. There are significant inter-island rivalries stemming from their different histories and cultures. Chuuk, the most populous but poorest state, has pushed for secession, but an independence referendum has been repeatedly postponed. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia **Geographic coordinates:** 6 55 N, 158 15 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 702 sq km land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie) **Area - comparative:** four times the size of Washington, D.C. (land area only) **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 6,112 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage **Terrain:** islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk **Elevation:** highest point: Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate **Land use:** agricultural land: 7.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.) forest: 92.2% (2023 est.) other: 0.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** the majority of the population 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 **Natural hazards:** typhoons (June to December) **Geography - note:** composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands ### People and Society **Population:** total: 98,860 (2025 est.) male: 48,283 female: 50,577 **Nationality:** noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese **Ethnic groups:** Chuukese/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.) **Languages:** English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi **Religions:** Roman 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.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 27% (male 13,673/female 13,239) 15-64 years: 67.3% (male 32,527/female 34,487) 65 years and over: 5.7% (2024 est.) (male 2,508/female 3,169) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 48.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 39.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 11.4 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 28.7 years (2025 est.) male: 27.3 years female: 29.1 years **Population growth rate:** -0.77% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 17.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -20.98 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** the majority of the population 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 **Urbanization:** urban population: 23.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 129 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 20.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 23.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 75 years (2024 est.) male: 72.9 years female: 77.2 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.17 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.06 (2025 est.) **Health expenditure:** 11% of GDP (2021) 1.9% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.97 physicians/1,000 population (2020) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 88.3% of population **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 45.8% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.92 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.52 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 51.7% (2023 est.) **Education expenditure:** 11.6% of GDP (2020 est.) 18.6% national budget (2020 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** overfishing; sea-level rise; water and toxic pollution from mining; solid waste disposal **International environmental 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, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage **Land use:** agricultural land: 7.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.) forest: 92.2% (2023 est.) other: 0.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 23.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 121,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 121,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 8.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 26,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.2% (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: New Philippines; Caroline Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM etymology: the name is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, mikros (small) and nesoi (islands), and refers to its thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean **Government type:** federal republic in free association with the US **Capital:** name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Micronesia has two time zones note: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital **Administrative divisions:** 4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap **Legal system:** mixed system of common and customary law **Constitution:** history: drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979 amendment process: proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states note: at least every ten years, voters are asked as part of a general or special election whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed **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 FSM dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023) head of government: President Wesley W. SIMINA (since 12 May 2023) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 12 May 2023 expected date of next election: 2027 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Congress legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 14 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 2 years most recent election date: 3/4/2025 percentage of women in chamber: 21.4% expected date of next election: March 2027 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Federated States of Micronesia Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life subordinate courts: the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court **Political parties:** no formal parties **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Jackson T. SORAM (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 email address and website: dcmission@fsmembassy.fm https://fsmembassy.fm/ consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Portland (OR), Tamuning (Guam) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Jennifer L. JOHNSON (since 13 September 2023) embassy: 1286 US Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941 mailing address: 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186 email address and website: koloniaacs@state.gov https://fm.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO **Independence:** 3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) **National holiday:** Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) **Flag:** description: light blue with four five-pointed white stars centered and arranged in a diamond pattern meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, and the stars for the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap **National symbol(s):** four five-pointed white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower **National color(s):** light blue, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Patriots of Micronesia" lyrics/music: unknown history: adopted 1991 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Nan Madol: Ceremonial Center of Eastern Micronesia ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower middle-income Pacific island economy; US aid reliance, sunsetting in 2024; low entrepreneurship; mostly fishing and farming; US dollar user; no patent laws; tourism remains underdeveloped; significant corruption **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $432.679 million (2024 est.) $429.59 million (2023 est.) $427.529 million (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 0.7% (2024 est.) 0.5% (2023 est.) -2.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $3,800 (2024 est.) $3,800 (2023 est.) $3,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $471.425 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 5.4% (2022 est.) 3.2% (2021 est.) 0.6% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 23.3% (2023 est.) industry: 5% (2023 est.) services: 69.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **Agricultural products:** coconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruits, beef, eggs (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood) **Industrial production growth rate:** 0.8% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Remittances:** 5.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 5.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 6% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $137.795 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $111.963 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 27.8% of GDP (2020 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 7% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $12 million (2017 est.) $11 million (2016 est.) $22.408 million (2014 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $129.5 million (2024 est.) $125.789 million (2023 est.) $90.466 million (2022 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Thailand 64%, China 16%, Philippines 11%, Japan 5%, Ecuador 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fish, diamonds, garments (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports:** $325.9 million (2024 est.) $310.669 million (2023 est.) $274.334 million (2022 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** USA 35%, China 20%, Japan 13%, Taiwan 6%, Philippines 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** poultry, fish, plastic products, cars, prepared meat (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $497.434 million (2021 est.) $451.913 million (2020 est.) $397.158 million (2019 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 85.3% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 98.6% electrification - rural areas: 79.4% **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 800 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 6,480 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 22,400 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about half a dozen radio stations (2009) **Internet country code:** .fm **Internet users:** percent of population: 41% (2022 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 7,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** V6 **Airports:** 7 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 38 (2023) by type: general cargo 17, oil tanker 4, other 17 **Ports:** total ports: 4 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Colonia, Lele Harbor, Moen, Pohnpei Harbor ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police (includes a maritime wing) **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the US; in 1982, the FSM signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted the FSM financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities; the COFA entered into force in 1986; Micronesians can serve in the US armed forces the FSM has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within the FSM's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) --- ## Nauru **Slug:** nauru **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇳🇷 **Codes:** cek: nr, iso2: NR, iso3: NRU, iso_num: 520, genc: NRU, stanag: NRU, internet: .nr ### Introduction **Background:** By 1000 B.C., Micronesian and Polynesian settlers inhabited Nauru, and the island was divided among 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, a British mariner was the first European to spot the island and by 1830, European whalers used Nauru as a supply stop, trading firearms for food. A civil war in 1878 reduced 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. Phosphate was discovered in 1900 and was 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. In 1962, recognizing the phosphate stocks would eventually be depleted, 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, a series of unwise investments led to near bankruptcy by 2000. Widespread phosphate mining officially ceased in 2006. As its economy faltered, Nauru briefly tried to rebrand itself as an offshore banking haven, an initiative that ended in 2005, and the country made a successful bid for Russian humanitarian aid in 2008. 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 closed in 2008 but reopened in 2012. The number of refugees steadily declined after 2014, and in 2020, the remaining people were moved to Brisbane, Australia, effectively shuttering the NRPC. However, in 2023, Australia agreed to continue funding NRPC for two years and restarted settling asylees in the center in mid-2023. The center remains the Government of Nauru’s largest source of income. ### 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, D.C. **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% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 20% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 80% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** 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 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 9,930 (2025 est.) male: 4,874 female: 5,056 **Nationality:** noun: Nauruan(s) adjective: Nauruan **Ethnic groups:** Nauruan 94.6%, I-Kiribati 2.2%, Fijian 1.3%, other 1.9% (2021 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 Gilbertese 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% (Nauruan Congregational 34.7%, Assemblies of God 11.6%, Pacific Light House 6.3%, Nauru Independent 3.6%, Baptist 1.5, Seventh Day Adventist 1.3%, other Protestant 1.4%), Roman Catholic 33.9%, other 4.2%, none 1.3%, no answer 0.3% (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 29.6% (male 1,493/female 1,433) 15-64 years: 66% (male 3,220/female 3,309) 65 years and over: 4.4% (2024 est.) (male 143/female 294) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 50.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 43.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 14.4 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 28.2 years (2025 est.) male: 27.3 years female: 28.4 years **Population growth rate:** 0.37% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 19.64 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.55 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -9.37 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most people live in the fertile coastal areas, especially along the southwest coast **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) 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 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.49 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 273 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 7.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.3 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 68.6 years (2024 est.) male: 65 years female: 72.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.52 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.24 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2020 est.) **Health expenditure:** 13.1% of GDP (2021) 11.8% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.27 physicians/1,000 population (2015) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 61% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 2.44 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.54 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 47.7% (2025 est.) male: 49.3% (2025 est.) female: 46.1% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 3.8% (2023 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 57.7% (2021 est.) **Education expenditure:** 5.7% of GDP (2023 est.) NA 6.6% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 96.6% (2023 est.) male: 93.4% (2023 est.) female: 99.7% (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** limited natural freshwater resources; effects of intensive phosphate mining that left the central 90% of Nauru a wasteland; air and water pollution from cadmium residue, phosphate dust, and other contaminants; rising sea levels **International environmental 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 **Climate:** tropical with a monsoonal pattern; rainy season (November to February) **Land use:** agricultural land: 20% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 20% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 80% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.18% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 86,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 86,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 6,200 tons (2024 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 10 million cubic meters (2022 est.) ### 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"; the former name, Pleasant Island, came from British navigator John Frean, who visited in 1798 **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 **Legal system:** mixed system of common law based on the English model and customary law **Constitution:** history: effective 29 January 1968 amendment process: 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 **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 David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023) head of government: President David ADEANG (since 30 October 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president from among members of Parliament election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by Parliament for 3-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 14 October 2025 election results: 2025: David ADEAGN elected president (unopposed) 2023: David ADEAGN elected president over Delvin THOMA, 10-8 expected date of next election: 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 19 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: Full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 10/11/2025 percentage of women in chamber: 10.5% expected date of next election: October 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several justices) judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president to serve until age 65 subordinate courts: District Court, Family Court note: in 2017, the Nauruan Government revoked the 1976 High Court Appeals Act, which had allowed appeals beyond the Nauruan Supreme Court, and in 2018, the government formed its own appeals court **Political parties:** Nauru does not have formal political parties; alliances within the government are often formed based on extended family ties **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Lara Erab DANIEL (since 13 January 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: 801 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 **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, WMO **Independence:** 31 January 1968 (from the Australia-, NZ-, and UK-administered UN trusteeship) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 31 January (1968) **Flag:** description: blue with a narrow horizontal gold stripe across the center and a large white 12-pointed star below the stripe on the left side meaning: 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 stand for the 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 color(s):** blue, yellow, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Nauru Bwiema" (Nauru, Our Homeland) lyrics/music: Margaret HENDRIE/Laurence Henry HICKS history: adopted 1968 ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper-middle-income Pacific island country; phosphate resource exhaustion made island interior uninhabitable; licenses fishing rights; houses Australia’s Regional Processing Centre; former tax haven; largely dependent on foreign subsidies **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $150.581 million (2024 est.) $147.976 million (2023 est.) $147.026 million (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 1.8% (2024 est.) 0.6% (2023 est.) 3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $12,600 (2024 est.) $12,500 (2023 est.) $12,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $160.351 million (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.6% (2022 est.) 2.4% (2021 est.) 1.8% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **Agricultural products:** coconuts, tropical fruits, pork, eggs, pork offal, pork fat, chicken, papayas, vegetables, cabbages (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** phosphate mining, offshore banking, coconut products **Remittances:** 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $199.74 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $157.86 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Taxes and other revenues:** 44.4% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $1.923 million (2023 est.) $2.966 million (2022 est.) $6.597 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $64.931 million (2023 est.) $78.383 million (2022 est.) $54.403 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Thailand 78%, Philippines 11%, NZ 5%, Japan 1%, Canada 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fish, phosphates (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports:** $150.193 million (2023 est.) $165.371 million (2022 est.) $141.185 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Australia 50%, Japan 11%, Fiji 9%, Senegal 9%, China 9% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** ships, titanium ore, refined petroleum, plastic products, other foods (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 19,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 37.893 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.922 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 88% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 12% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 500 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 0 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1 **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 10,300 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 87 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** 1 state-owned TV station broadcasting programs from New Zealand; 1 state-owned radio station, broadcasting on AM and FM, uses Australian and British programs (2019) **Internet country code:** .nr **Internet users:** percent of population: 82% (2020 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** C2 **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 6 (2023) by type: other 6 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Nauru ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; Nauru Police Force **Military - note:** under the terms of a security deal signed in December 2024, Australia and Nauru agreed to “deepen and expand security cooperation” and “consult and consider” in the event of threats; Nauru pledged to seek Australia’s agreement before it signed any bilateral accords on maritime security, defense, and policing, and would receive Australian financial assistance in support of Nauru's police and security needs Nauru has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Nauru's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 95 (2024 est.) --- ## New Caledonia **Slug:** new-caledonia **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇳🇨 **Codes:** cek: nc, iso2: NC, iso3: NCL, iso_num: 540, genc: NCL, stanag: NCL, internet: .nc ### Introduction **Background:** The first humans settled in New Caledonia around 1600 B.C. The Lapita were skilled navigators, and evidence of their pottery around the Pacific has served as a guide for understanding human expansion in the region. Successive waves of migrants from other islands in Melanesia intermarried with the Lapita, giving rise to the Kanak ethnic group considered indigenous to New Caledonia. British explorer James COOK was the first European to visit New Caledonia in 1774, giving it the Latin name for Scotland. Missionaries first landed in New Caledonia in 1840. In 1853, France annexed New Caledonia to preclude any British attempt to claim the island. France declared it a penal colony in 1864 and sent more than 20,000 prisoners to New Caledonia in the ensuing three decades. Nickel was discovered in 1864, and French prisoners were directed to mine it. France brought in indentured servants and enslaved labor from elsewhere in Southeast Asia to work the mines, blocking Kanaks from accessing the most profitable part of the local economy. In 1878, High Chief ATAI led a rebellion against French rule. The Kanaks were relegated to reservations, leading to periodic smaller uprisings and culminating in a large revolt in 1917 that colonial authorities brutally suppressed. During World War II, New Caledonia became an important base for Allied troops, and the US moved its South Pacific headquarters to the island in 1942. Following the war, France made New Caledonia an overseas territory and granted French citizenship to all inhabitants in 1953, thereby permitting the Kanaks to move off the reservations. The Kanak nationalist movement began in the 1950s, but most voters chose to remain a territory in an independence referendum in 1958. The European population of New Caledonia boomed in the 1970s with a renewed focus on nickel mining, reigniting Kanak nationalism. Key Kanak leaders were assassinated in the early 1980s, leading to escalating violence and dozens of fatalities. The Matignon Accords of 1988 provided for a 10-year transition period. The Noumea Accord of 1998 transferred increasing governing responsibility from France to New Caledonia over a 20-year period and provided for three independence referenda. In the first held in 2018, voters rejected independence by 57% to 43%; in the second held in 2020, voters rejected independence 53% to 47%. In the third referendum held in 2021, voters rejected independence 96% to 4%; however, a boycott by key Kanak groups spurred challenges about the legitimacy of the vote. Pro-independence parties subsequently won a majority in the New Caledonian Government for the first time. France and New Caledonia officials remain in talks about the status of the territory. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 21 30 S, 165 30 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 18,575 sq km land: 18,275 sq km water: 300 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than New Jersey **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 2,254 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid **Terrain:** coastal plains with interior mountains **Elevation:** highest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** nickel, chrome, iron, cobalt, manganese, silver, gold, lead, copper **Land use:** agricultural land: 10.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.) forest: 48.8% (2023 est.) other: 41.1% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 100 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea **Natural hazards:** cyclones, most frequent from November to March volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active **Geography - note:** consists of the main island of New Caledonia (one of the largest in the Pacific Ocean), the archipelago of Iles Loyauté, and numerous small, sparsely populated islands and atolls ### People and Society **Population:** total: 307,612 (2025 est.) male: 153,036 female: 154,576 **Nationality:** noun: New Caledonian(s) adjective: New Caledonian **Ethnic groups:** Kanak 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.) **Languages:** French (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. **Religions:** Christian 85.2%, Muslim 2.8%, other 1.6%, unaffiliated 10.4% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 20.7% (male 32,238/female 30,858) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 104,825/female 103,349) 65 years and over: 10.8% (2024 est.) (male 14,326/female 18,571) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 46.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6.2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 34.6 years (2025 est.) male: 33.5 years female: 35.1 years **Population growth rate:** 1.11% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 13.6 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 3.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most of the populace lives in the southern part of the main island, in and around the capital of Noumea **Urbanization:** urban population: 72.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 198,000 NOUMEA (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 4.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 5.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 79.3 years (2024 est.) male: 75.4 years female: 83.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.82 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.89 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.5% of population (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2018) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 46.4% (2019 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** preservation of coral reefs; prevention of invasive species; limiting erosion caused by nickel mining and forest fires **Climate:** tropical; modified by southeast trade winds; hot, humid **Land use:** agricultural land: 10.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 9.5% (2023 est.) forest: 48.8% (2023 est.) other: 41.1% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 72.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 4.887 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.312 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.575 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 108,200 tons (2024 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Territory of New Caledonia and Dependencies conventional short form: New Caledonia local long form: Territoire des Nouvelle-Calédonie et dépendances local short form: Nouvelle-Calédonie etymology: the name came from British explorer Captain James COOK in 1774 and uses the Latin name for Scotland, Caledonia **Government type:** parliamentary democracy (Territorial Congress); an overseas collectivity of France **Dependency status:** special collectivity of France note: independence referenda took place in 2018, 2020, and 2021, with a majority voting in each case to reject independence in favor of the status quo **Capital:** name: Noumea geographic coordinates: 22 16 S, 166 27 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: established in 1854 as Port-de-France, the settlement was renamed Noumea in 1866 to avoid confusion with Fort-de-France in Martinique; the name Noumea may come from the local name of the peninsula the city was founded on **Administrative divisions:** 3 provinces; Province Iles (Islands Province), Province Nord (North Province), and Province Sud (South Province) **Legal system:** civil law system based on French civil law **Constitution:** history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution with changes as reflected in the Noumea Accord of 5 May 1998) amendment process: French constitution amendment procedures apply **Citizenship:** see France **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by High Commissioner Jacques BILLANT (since 3 May 2025) head of government: President of the Government Alcide PONGA (since 8 January 2025) cabinet: Cabinet elected from and by the Territorial Congress election/appointment process: French president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); high commissioner appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of Interior; president of New Caledonia elected by Territorial Congress for a 5-year term (no term limits) most recent election date: 8 July 2021 election results: 2025: Alcide PONGA (The Republicans) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes 2021: Louis MAPOU (PALIKA) elected president by Territorial Congress with 6 of 11 votes expected date of next election: 2026 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Territorial Congress (Congrès du Territoire) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 54 (indirectly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/12/2019 parties elected and seats per party: Future With Confidence 18, UNI 9, UC 9, CE 7, FLNKS 6, Oceanic Awakening 3, PT 1, LKS 1 (Anti-Independence 28, Pro-Independence 26) expected date of next election: December 2025 note 1: the Customary Senate is the assembly of the various traditional councils of the Kanaks, the indigenous population; it rules on laws affecting Kanaks note 2: New Caledonia indirectly elects 2 members to the French Senate and directly elects 2 members to the French National Assembly (see France entry for electoral details) **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; organized into civil, commercial, social, and pre-trial investigation chambers; court bench normally includes the court president and 2 counselors); Administrative Court (number of judges NA) judge selection and term of office: judge appointment and tenure based on France's judicial system subordinate courts: Courts of First Instance include: civil, juvenile, commercial, labor, police, criminal, assizes, and also a pre-trial investigation chamber; Joint Commerce Tribunal; administrative courts note: final appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are referred to the Court of Cassation or Cour de Cassation (in Paris); final appeals beyond the Administrative Court are referred to the Administrative Court of Appeal (in Paris) **Political parties:** Caledonia Together or CE Caledonian Union or UC Future With Confidence or AEC Kanak Socialist Front for National Liberation or FLNKS (alliance includes PALIKA, UNI, UC, and UPM) Labor Party or PT National Union for Independence or UNI Oceanian Awakening Party of Kanak Liberation or PALIKA Socialist Kanak Liberation or LKS The Republicans (formerly The Rally or UMP) **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (overseas territory of France) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (overseas territory of France) **International organization participation:** ITUC (NGOs), PIF, SPC, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WMO **Independence:** none (overseas collectivity of France) note: in three independence referenda, on 4 November 2018, 4 October 2020, and 12 December 2021, the majority voted to reject independence in favor of maintaining the status quo **National holiday:** Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790) note 1: the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853) note 2: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, France's national celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July) **Flag:** description: the country has two official flags with equal status, the flag of France and the Kanak (ethnic Melanesian) flag; the latter consists of three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a large yellow disk shifted slightly to the left side is edged in black and displays a black fleche faîtière symbol, a native rooftop adornment **National symbol(s):** flèche faîtière (native rooftop adornment), kagu bird **National color(s):** grey, red **National coat of arms:** the emblem features two symbols of the local Kanak people: the flèche faîtière, which is a common rooftop adornment on houses, and the nautilus shell, which represents the sea; the third part of the emblem is a stylized representation of a New Caledonia pine tree **National anthem(s):** title: "Soyons unis, devenons frères" (Let Us Be United, Let Us Become Brothers) lyrics/music: Chorale Melodia (a local choir), Edouard “Gulaan” Wamedjo (Nengone)/Chorale Melodia history: adopted 2010; contains a mixture of lyrics in both French and Nengone (a local language) _____ title: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle history: official anthem, as a self-governing French territory **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural); note - excerpted from the France entry selected World Heritage Site locales: Lagoons of New Caledonia ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper-middle-income French Pacific territorial economy; enormous nickel reserves; ongoing French independence negotiations; large Chinese nickel exporter; luxury eco-tourism destination; large French aid recipient; high cost-of-living; lingering wealth disparities **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $8.469 billion (2024 est.) $8.642 billion (2023 est.) $8.678 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 3.5% (2022 est.) -2.1% (2021 est.) -2.4% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $34,600 (2024 est.) $35,000 (2023 est.) $33,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $10.129 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 3.7% (2022 est.) 0.6% (2021 est.) -0.5% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 1.8% (2019 est.) industry: 22.3% (2019 est.) services: 65.2% (2019 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 65.6% (2017 est.) government consumption: 23.5% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.9% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 21% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -37.9% (2017 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, vegetables, fruits, pork, beef, maize, eggs, bananas, yams, oranges (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** nickel mining and smelting **Labor force:** 130,800 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 11.2% (2024 est.) 11% (2023 est.) 10.8% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 32.7% (2024 est.) male: 30.2% (2024 est.) female: 35.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 6.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 6.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 6.6% of GDP (2020 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $1.995 billion (2015 est.) expenditures: $1.993 billion (2015 est.) **Current account balance:** -$654.237 million (2016 est.) -$1.119 billion (2015 est.) -$1.3 billion (2014 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $1.92 billion (2021 est.) $1.8 billion (2020 est.) $1.79 billion (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 75%, Japan 9%, Taiwan 3%, India 3%, France 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** iron alloys, nickel, nickel ore, processed crustaceans, shellfish (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $2.26 billion (2021 est.) $2.1 billion (2020 est.) $2.48 billion (2019 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** France 36%, Singapore 16%, Australia 15%, China 6%, NZ 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, coal, cars, aircraft, packaged medicine (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 110.306 (2024 est.) 110.347 (2023 est.) 113.474 (2022 est.) 100.88 (2021 est.) 104.711 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 1.174 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 3.02 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 66.3 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 73.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 7.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 17.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** consumption: 1.026 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 1.001 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 2 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 17,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 46,600 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 263,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 92 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** the publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which operates in France's overseas departments and territories, broadcasts over the RFO Nouvelle-Calédonie TV and radio stations; a small number of privately owned radio stations also broadcast **Internet country code:** .nc **Internet users:** percent of population: 82% (2017 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 56,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 21 (2025) **Heliports:** 2 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 23 (2023) by type: general cargo 5, oil tanker 1, other 17 **Ports:** total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Baie de Kouaoua, Baie Ugue, Noumea ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; Territorial Directorate of the National Police of New Caledonia (DTPN), Gendarmerie of New Caledonia (2025) **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of France, which bases land, air, and naval forces on New Caledonia (Forces Armées de la Nouvelle-Calédonie, FANC) --- ## New Zealand **Slug:** new-zealand **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇳🇿 **Codes:** cek: nz, iso2: NZ, iso3: NZL, iso_num: 554, genc: NZL, stanag: NZL, internet: .nz ### Introduction **Background:** Polynesians settled New Zealand between the late 1200s and the mid-1300s. They called the land Aotearoa, which legend holds is the name of the canoe that Kupe, the first Polynesian in New Zealand, used to sail to the country; the name Aotearoa is now in widespread use as the local Maori name for the country. By the 1500s, competition for land and resources led to intermittent fighting between different Maori tribes as large game became extinct. Dutch explorer Abel TASMAN was the first European to see the islands in 1642 but left after an encounter with local Maori. British sea captain James COOK arrived in 1769, followed by whalers, sealers, and traders. The UK only nominally claimed New Zealand and included it as part of New South Wales in Australia. Concerns about increasing lawlessness led the UK to appoint its first British Resident in New Zealand in 1832, although the position had few legal powers. In 1835, some Maori tribes from the North Island declared independence. Fearing an impending French settlement and takeover, the majority of Maori chiefs signed the Treaty of Waitangi with the British in 1840. Land tenure issues stemming from the treaty are still being actively negotiated in New Zealand. The UK declared New Zealand a separate colony in 1841 and granted limited self-government in 1852. Different traditions of authority and land use led to a series of wars between Europeans and various Maori tribes from the 1840s to the 1870s. Along with disease, these conflicts halved the Maori population. In the 1890s, New Zealand initially expressed interest in joining independence talks with Australia but ultimately opted against it and changed its status to an independent dominion in 1907. New Zealand provided more than 100,000 troops during each World War, many of whom fought as part of the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). New Zealand reaffirmed its independence in 1947 and signed the Australia, New Zealand, and US (ANZUS) Treaty in 1951. Beginning in 1984, New Zealand began to adopt nuclear-free policies, contributing to a dispute with the US over naval ship visits that led the US to suspend its defense obligations to New Zealand in 1986, but bilateral relations and military ties have been revitalized since the 2010s with new security agreements. A key challenge for Auckland that has emerged over the past decade is balancing concerns over China’s growing influence in the Pacific region with its role as New Zealand's largest export destination. New Zealand has close ties with Australia based to a large extent on the two nations’ common origins as British colonies and their shared military history. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 41 00 S, 174 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 268,838 sq km land: 264,537 sq km water: 4,301 sq km note: includes Antipodes Islands, Auckland Islands, Bounty Islands, Campbell Island, Chatham Islands, and Kermadec Islands **Area - comparative:** almost twice the size of North Carolina; about the size of Colorado **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 15,134 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin **Climate:** temperate with sharp regional contrasts **Terrain:** predominately mountainous with large coastal plains **Elevation:** highest point: Aoraki/Mount Cook 3,724 m; note - the mountain's height was 3,764 m until 14 December 1991 when it lost about 10 m in an avalanche of rock and ice; erosion of the ice cap since then has brought the height down another 30 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 388 m **Natural resources:** natural gas, iron ore, sand, coal, timber, hydropower, gold, limestone **Land use:** agricultural land: 36.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 34.6% (2023 est.) forest: 38.6% (2023 est.) other: 24.5% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 7,000 sq km (2014) **Major lakes (area sq km):** fresh water lake(s): Lake Taupo - 610 sq km **Population distribution:** over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas **Natural hazards:** earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity volcanism: significant volcanism on North Island; Ruapehu (2,797 m) has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island, Tongariro, and White Island; see note 2 under "Geography - note" **Geography - note:** note 1: consists of two main islands and a number of smaller islands; South Island, the larger main island, is the 12th-largest island in the world and is divided along its length by the Southern Alps; North Island is the 14th-largest island in the world and is not as mountainous, but it is marked by volcanism note 2: New Zealand lies along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world's volcanoes and up to 90% of the world's earthquakes 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 world ### People and Society **Population:** total: 5,207,259 (2025 est.) male: 2,607,574 female: 2,599,685 **Nationality:** noun: New Zealander(s) adjective: New Zealand **Ethnic groups:** European 64.1%, Maori 16.5%, Chinese 4.9%, Indian 4.7%, Samoan 3.9%, Tongan 1.8%, Cook Islands Maori 1.7%, English 1.5%, Filipino 1.5%, New Zealander 1%, other 13.7% (2018 est.) note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one ethnic group **Languages:** English (de facto official) 95.4%, Maori (de jure official) 4%, Samoan 2.2%, Northern Chinese 2%, Hindi 1.5%, French 1.2%, Yue 1.1%, New Zealand Sign Language (de jure official) 0.5%, other or not stated 17.2% (2018 est.) note: shares sum to 124.1% due to multiple responses on the 2018 census **Religions:** Christian 37.3% (Catholic 10.1%, Anglican 6.8%, Presbyterian and Congregational 5.2%, Pentecostal 1.8%, Methodist 1.6%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.2%, other 10.7%), Hindu 2.7%, Maori 1.3%, Muslim, 1.3%, Buddhist 1.1%, other religion 1.6% (includes Judaism, Spiritualism and New Age religions, Baha'i, Asian religions other than Buddhism), no religion 48.6%, objected to answering 6.7% (2018 est.) note: based on the 2018 census of the usually resident population; percentages add up to more than 100% because respondents were able to identify more than one religion **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 19% (male 503,120/female 475,490) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 1,674,407/female 1,638,276) 65 years and over: 16.9% (2024 est.) (male 407,080/female 462,838) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 56.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 29.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 26.9 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.7 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 38.1 years (2025 est.) male: 37.2 years female: 38.6 years **Population growth rate:** 0.83% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 12.4 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 2.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** over three quarters of New Zealanders, including the Maori, live on the North Island, primarily in urban areas **Urbanization:** urban population: 87% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 1.673 million Auckland, 422,000 WELLINGTON (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 27.8 years **Maternal mortality ratio:** 7 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 3.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 82.9 years (2024 est.) male: 81.2 years female: 84.8 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.84 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.9 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 10% of GDP (2021) 19.8% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 3.61 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 2.7 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 30.8% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 9.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 2.88 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 10% (2025 est.) male: 11.2% (2025 est.) female: 8.9% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 57.7% (2018 est.) **Education expenditure:** 5.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 12.7% national budget (2023 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 19 years (2023 est.) male: 19 years (2023 est.) female: 20 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** water quality and availability; rapid urbanization; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation; native flora and fauna hard-hit by invasive species **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Antarctic Seals, Marine Life Conservation **Climate:** temperate with sharp regional contrasts **Land use:** agricultural land: 36.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 34.6% (2023 est.) forest: 38.6% (2023 est.) other: 24.5% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 87% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.92% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 33.506 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 4.24 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 21.836 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.43 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 8.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 95.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 1,105.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 158.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 6.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.405 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 547 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 1.184 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 3.207 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 327 billion cubic meters (2022) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: New Zealand former: Nieuw Zeeland abbreviation: NZ etymology: the name is an anglicized form of the Dutch name Nieuw Zeeland, or "New Sea Land," which was first used in 1643 in honor of the Dutch province of Zeeland **Government type:** parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm **Capital:** name: Wellington geographic coordinates: 41 18 S, 174 47 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in September; ends first Sunday in April time zone note: New Zealand has two time zones: New Zealand standard time (UTC+12) and Chatham Islands time (45 minutes in advance of New Zealand standard time; UTC+12:45) etymology: named in 1840 after Arthur WELLESLEY, the first Duke of Wellington, who was famous for his victory at Waterloo in 1815 and was a benefactor of the New Zealand Company that settled North Island **Administrative divisions:** 16 regions and 1 territory*; Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Chatham Islands*, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatu-Wanganui, Marlborough, Nelson, Northland, Otago, Southland, Taranaki, Tasman, Waikato, Wellington, West Coast **Dependent areas:** Tokelau (1) **Legal system:** common law system, based on English model, with special legislation and land courts for the Maori **Constitution:** history: New Zealand has no single constitution document; the Constitution Act 1986, effective 1 January 1987, includes only part of the uncodified constitution; others include a collection of statutes or "acts of Parliament," the Treaty of Waitangi, Orders in Council, letters patent, court decisions, and unwritten conventions amendment process: proposed as bill by Parliament or by referendum called either by the government or by citizens; passage of a bill as an act normally requires two separate readings with committee reviews in between to make changes and corrections, a third reading approved by the House of Representatives membership or by the majority of votes in a referendum, and assent of the governor-general; passage of amendments to reserved constitutional provisions affecting the term of Parliament, electoral districts, and voting restrictions requires approval by 75% of the House membership or the majority of votes in a referendum **International law organization participation:** accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of New Zealand dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 3 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Christopher LUXON (since 27 November 2023) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the governor-general on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor-general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the prime minister; following legislative elections, the governor-general appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister also appointed by the governor-general **Legislative branch:** legislature name: House of Representatives legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 120 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 10/14/2023 parties elected and seats per party: National Party (49); Labour Party (34); Green Party (14); ACT New Zealand (11); New Zealand First (8); Te Pāti Māori (4); Others (2) percentage of women in chamber: 45.1% expected date of next election: 7 November 2026 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 5 justices, including the chief justice) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor-general upon the recommendation of the attorney- general; justices appointed until compulsory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; tribunals and authorities; district courts; specialized courts for issues related to employment, environment, family, Maori lands, youth, military; tribunals **Political parties:** ACT New Zealand Green Party New Zealand First Party or NZ First Labor Party National Party Te Pāti Māori **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Rosemary BANKS (since 17 June 2024) chancery: 37 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 328-4800 FAX: [1] (202) 667-5277 email address and website: wshinfo@mfat.govt.nz https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/united-states-of-america/ consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Los Angeles, New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires David GEHRENBECK (since January 2025); note - also accredited to Samoa embassy: 29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011 mailing address: 4370 Auckland Place, Washington DC 20521-4370 telephone: [64] (4) 462-6000 FAX: [64] (4) 499-0490 email address and website: AucklandACS@state.gov https://nz.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Auckland **International organization participation:** ADB, ANZUS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, C, CD, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NSG, OECD, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF, SICA (observer), Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNTSO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 26 September 1907 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840); Anzac Day, 25 April (1915) note: the Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand, and the second holiday commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Gallipoli, Turkey, during World War I **Flag:** description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant, with four five-pointed red stars edged in white centered in the right half of the flag meaning: the stars represent the Southern Cross constellation **National symbol(s):** Southern Cross constellation (four five-pointed stars), kiwi (bird), silver fern **National color(s):** black, white, red (ochre) **National coat of arms:** the first quarter of the shield shows four stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation and three ships that symbolize New Zealand's sea trade; in the second quarter, a fleece represents the sheep farming industry; the wheat sheaf in the third quarter represents the agricultural industry; the crossed hammers in the fourth quarter represent mining; the Māori chieftain holds a taiaha (a Māori war weapon) and a European woman holds the New Zealand flag; St. Edward's crown, shown above the shield, symbolizes the British monarch **National anthem(s):** title: "God Defend New Zealand" “Aotearoa” (Māori) lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS history: adopted 1940 as the national song, adopted 1977 as one of two official national anthems _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem and one of two official national anthems; usually played only when a member of the royal family or a representative is present or when allegiance to the crown is demonstrated note: New Zealand is one of only two countries that has two national anthems of equal status (Denmark is the other) **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Te Wahipounamu – South West New Zealand (n); Tongariro National Park (m); New Zealand Sub-Antarctic Islands (n) ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income, globally integrated Pacific island economy; strong agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism sectors; reliant on Chinese market for exports; recovery trajectory following deep post-pandemic recession; challenges of fiscal deficits, below-average productivity, cost of living, and drop in net migration **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $257.117 billion (2024 est.) $257.443 billion (2023 est.) $253.903 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** -0.1% (2024 est.) 1.4% (2023 est.) 3.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $48,200 (2024 est.) $49,100 (2023 est.) $49,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $260.236 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.9% (2024 est.) 5.7% (2023 est.) 7.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 4.6% (2022 est.) industry: 19.6% (2022 est.) services: 67.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 57.5% (2022 est.) government consumption: 20.9% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.4% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 0.9% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 24% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -29.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** milk, beef, kiwifruit, apples, grapes, lamb/mutton, potatoes, wheat, barley, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** agriculture, forestry, fishing, logs and wood articles, manufacturing, mining, construction, financial services, real estate services, tourism **Industrial production growth rate:** -1% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 3.124 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 4.9% (2024 est.) 3.8% (2023 est.) 3.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 14.3% (2024 est.) male: 14.6% (2024 est.) female: 14% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Average household expenditures:** on food: 12.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 4.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Remittances:** 0.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $83.167 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $91.782 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 54% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 29.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$15.978 billion (2024 est.) -$17.065 billion (2023 est.) -$21.627 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $61.799 billion (2024 est.) $59.029 billion (2023 est.) $57.485 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 28%, USA 12%, Australia 12%, Japan 6%, S. Korea 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** milk, wood, beef, butter, sheep and goat meat (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $67.998 billion (2024 est.) $68.412 billion (2023 est.) $71.35 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 20%, Australia 11%, USA 9%, S. Korea 7%, Japan 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, cars, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, trucks (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $22.065 billion (2024 est.) $15.487 billion (2023 est.) $14.4 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 10.643 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 40.794 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.058 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 12.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 59.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 17.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 3.011 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 2.696 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 906,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 283,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 6.75 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 12,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 154,000 bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 40.993 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 3.97 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 3.891 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 31.149 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 121.647 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 564,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 6.78 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 115 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-owned Television New Zealand operates multiple TV networks; state-owned Radio New Zealand operates 3 radio networks and an external shortwave radio service to the South Pacific region; a small number of national commercial TV and radio stations and many regional commercial TV and radio stations are available; cable and satellite TV systems are available (2019) **Internet country code:** .nz **Internet users:** percent of population: 96% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1.93 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 37 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** ZK **Airports:** 206 (2025) **Heliports:** 62 (2025) **Railways:** total: 4,128 km (2018) narrow gauge: 4,128 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (506 km electrified) **Merchant marine:** total: 117 (2023) by type: container ship 2, general cargo 12, oil tanker 3, other 100 **Ports:** total ports: 22 (2024) large: 2 medium: 1 small: 10 very small: 9 ports with oil terminals: 14 key ports: Auckland, Bluff Harbor, Gisborne, Manukau Harbor, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Otago Harbor, Picton, Tauranga, Timaru, Wellington, Whangarei ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF): New Zealand Army, Royal New Zealand Navy, Royal New Zealand Air Force (2025) note: the New Zealand Police, under the Minister of Police, is the primary law enforcement body agency of New Zealand and responsible for internal security **Military expenditures:** 1.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 8,800 active (Regular Force) New Zealand Defense Forces (4,300 Army; 2,100 Navy; 2,400 Air Force) (2025) note: the total NZDF complement is about 15,300 including the Regular Force, Reserves, and civilians **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the NZDF's inventory is comprised of domestically produced and Western-supplied weapons and equipment, including from Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 17 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; soldiers cannot be deployed until the age of 18; no conscription (2025) note: New Zealand opened up all military occupations to women in 2000; as of 2024, women accounted for about 20% of Regular Force personnel **Military deployments:** small numbers of NZ military personnel are deployed on a variety of international missions in Africa, Antarctica, the Asia-Pacific region, and the Middle East (2025) **Military - note:** the NZDF is responsible for protecting New Zealand’s sovereignty, promoting its interests, safeguarding peace and security, and conducting peacekeeping, humanitarian, and other international missions New Zealand is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily New Zealand has been part of the Australia, New Zealand, and US Security (ANZUS) Treaty since 1951; however, the US suspended its ANZUS security obligations to New Zealand in 1986 after Auckland implemented a policy barring nuclear-armed and nuclear-powered warships from its ports; the US and New Zealand signed the Wellington Declaration in 2010, which reaffirmed close ties between the two countries, and in 2012 signed the Washington Declaration, which provided a framework for future security cooperation and defense dialogues; in 2016, a US naval ship conducted the first bilateral warship visit to New Zealand since the 1980s; New Zealand has Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status with the US, a designation under US law that provides foreign partners with certain benefits in the areas of defense trade and security cooperation (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA; established 2016 under the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment) (2025) **Space launch site(s):** Mahia Peninsula Launch Complex (Hawke's Bay) (2025) **Space program overview:** has a national space program focused largely on the development of a commercial space sector, particularly in the field of satellites and satellite launch vehicles (SLV); manufactures and launches commercial satellites and SLVs; researches and develops a range of other space-related technologies, including propulsion systems; participates in international programs and partners with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, Canada, the EU, the ESA, individual European countries, South Africa, and the US; has a growing commercial space sector (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 2009 - launched a 2-stage suborbital sounding rocket (Atea-1) 2018 - placed satellite in orbit on rocket built by a New Zealand-US commercial company and launched from a privately owned domestic launch site 2019 - began operations of the Kiwi Space Radar, which is designed to track debris in low Earth orbit 2021 - signed the US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration 2024 - first domestically made science payload sent to International Space Station on US rocket ### Terrorism **Terrorist group(s):** 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 the Terrorism reference guide ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 5,622 (2024 est.) IDPs: 26 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 29 (2024 est.) --- ## Niue **Slug:** niue **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇳🇺 **Codes:** cek: ne, iso2: NU, iso3: NIU, iso_num: 570, genc: NIU, stanag: NIU, internet: .nu ### Introduction **Background:** Voyagers from Samoa first settled on Niue around A.D. 900, and a second main group of settlers came from Tonga around 1500. With only one reliable source of fresh water, conflict was high on the island. Samoan and Tongan customs heavily influenced Niuean culture, including the formation of an island-wide elected kingship system in the early 1700s. In 1774, British explorer James COOK landed on the island and named it Savage Island because of the Niueans' hostility. Missionaries arrived in 1830 but were also largely unsuccessful at staying on the island until 1846, when a Niuean trained as a Samoan missionary returned to the island and provided a space from which the missionaries could work. In addition to converting the population, the missionaries worked to stop the violent conflicts and helped establish the first parliament in 1849. Great Britain established a protectorate over Niue in 1900. The following year, Niue was annexed to New Zealand and included as part of the Cook Islands. Niue’s remoteness and cultural and linguistic differences with the Cook Islands led New Zealand to separate Niue into its own administration in 1904. The island became internally self-governing in 1974; it is an independent member of international organizations but is in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for defense and foreign affairs. In September 2023, the US recognized Niue as a sovereign and independent state. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Tonga **Geographic coordinates:** 19 02 S, 169 52 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 260 sq km land: 260 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 64 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; modified by southeast trade winds **Terrain:** steep limestone cliffs along coast, central plateau **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed elevation 1.4 km east of Hikutavake 80 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** arable land, fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 18.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 10.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.8% (2023 est.) forest: 72.6% (2023 est.) other: 9% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island **Natural hazards:** tropical cyclones **Geography - note:** one of world's largest coral islands; the only major break in the surrounding coral reef occurs in the central western part of the coast ### People and Society **Population:** total: 1,815 (2024 est.) male: 877 (2024 est.) female: 938 (2024 est.) **Nationality:** noun: Niuean(s) adjective: Niuean **Ethnic groups:** Niuean 65.4%, part-Niuean 14%, non-Niuean 20.6% (2017 est.) note: data represent the resident population **Languages:** Niuean 46% (official, a Polynesian language closely related to Tongan and Samoan), Niuean and English 32%, English (official) 11%, Niuean and others 5%, other 6% (2011 est.) **Religions:** Ekalesia Niue 61.7%, Latter Day Saints 8.7%, Roman Catholic 8.4%, other 8.2%, not stated 5.1%, none 3.7%, Jehovah's Witnesses 2.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.4% (2017 est.) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 64.6 (2024) youth dependency ratio: 38.2 (2024) elderly dependency ratio: 26.4 (2024) potential support ratio: 3.8 (2024) **Population growth rate:** -0.03% (2021 est.) **Population distribution:** population distributed around the peripheral coastal areas of the island **Urbanization:** urban population: 48.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 1,000 ALOFI (capital) (2018) **Life expectancy at birth:** male: 71.8 years (2016) female: 75.7 years (2016 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 97% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 3% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 7.8% of GDP (2020) 6.9% of national budget (2022 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 97.4% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 2.6% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 50% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 8.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 4.28 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.89 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Education expenditure:** 5.6% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 99.5% (2022 est.) male: 100% (2022 est.) female: 100% (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** increasing attention to conservationist practices to counter loss of soil fertility from traditional slash-and-burn agriculture **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; modified by southeast trade winds **Land use:** agricultural land: 18.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 10.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.8% (2023 est.) forest: 72.6% (2023 est.) other: 9% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 48.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 9,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 9,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 6.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Niue former: Savage Island etymology: the origin of the name is obscure; in Niuean, the word translates as "behold the coconut;" the former name, Savage Island, was the result of an acrimonious meeting in 1774 between English explorer Captain James COOK and local people note: pronunciation falls between nyu-way and new-way, but not like new-wee **Government type:** parliamentary democracy **Dependency status:** self-governing in free association with New Zealand since 1974; Niue is fully responsible for internal affairs; under the Niue Constitution Act of 1974, New Zealand provides necessary economic and administrative assistance to Niue, as well as assistance with foreign affairs, defense, and security if requested **Capital:** name: Alofi geographic coordinates: 19 01 S, 169 55 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: a traditional name for an area of the island; became the name for the newly declared capital in the 20th century **Administrative divisions:** no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 14 villages are considered second-order **Legal system:** English common law **Constitution:** history: several previous (New Zealand colonial statutes); latest 19 October 1974 (Niue Constitution Act 1974) amendment process: proposed by the Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership in each of three readings and approval by at least two-thirds majority votes in a referendum; passage of amendments to a number of sections, including Niue’s self-governing status, British nationality and New Zealand citizenship, external affairs and defense, economic and administrative assistance by New Zealand, and amendment procedures, requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly and at least two thirds of votes in a referendum **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Cindy KIRO (since 21 October 2021); the UK and New Zealand are represented by New Zealand High Commissioner Mark GIBBS (since 5 March 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Dalton TAGELAGI; also referred to as premier (since 10 June 2020) cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly for a 3-year term most recent election date: 8 May 2023 election results: Dalton TAGELAGI reelected prime minister; Legislative Assembly vote - Dalton TAGELAGI (independent) 16, O'Love JACOBSEN (independent) 4 expected date of next election: 2026 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Niue Assembly (Fono Ekepule) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 20 electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 29 April 2023 parties elected and seats per party: independents (20) percentage of women in chamber: 15% expected date of next election: April 2026 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and up to 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: Niue chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the premier; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet and tendered by the chief justice and the minister of justice; judges serve until age 68 subordinate courts: High Court note: the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) is the final appeal court beyond the Niue Court of Appeal **Political parties:** none **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand) note: on 25 September 2023, the US officially established diplomatic relations with Niue **International organization participation:** ACP, AOSIS, FAO, IFAD, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO **Independence:** 19 October 1974 (Niue became a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand) **National holiday:** Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) **Flag:** description: yellow with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant; the UK flag has five yellow five-pointed stars, with a large star on a blue disk in the center and smaller stars on each arm of the red cross meaning: the large star represents Niue, and the smaller stars symbolize links with New Zealand; yellow stands for sunshine, as well as the warmth and friendship between Niue and New Zealand **National symbol(s):** yellow five-pointed star **National color(s):** yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Ko e Iki he Lagi" (The Lord in Heaven) lyrics/music: unknown/unknown, prepared by Sioeli FUSIKATA history: adopted 1974 title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: in use since 1745 ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper-middle-income self-governing New Zealand territorial economy; environmentally fragile; massive emigration; post-pandemic tourism rebound; postage stamps, small-scale agricultural processing, and subsistence farming; most recent Asian Development Bank member **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $18.7 million (2021 est.) $19.9 million (2020 est.) $20.9 million (2019 est.) **Real GDP per capita:** $11,100 (2021 est.) $11,800 (2020 est.) $12,400 (2019 est.) note: data are in 2009 dollars **Agricultural products:** coconuts, taro, fruits, sweet potatoes, tropical fruits, yams, vegetables, lemons/limes, bananas, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** handicrafts, food processing **Exports - partners:** USA 54%, Germany 8%, Canada 5%, UK 5%, Guatemala 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** abrasive powder, coin (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports - partners:** NZ 87%, Fiji 6%, UAE 2%, Slovakia 1%, Australia 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, plastic products, machine parts, construction vehicles, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 3,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 3 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 400,000 kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 100% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 61 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 989 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 54 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** 1 state-owned TV station, with many of the programs supplied by Television New Zealand; 1 state-owned radio station broadcasting in AM and FM (2019) **Internet country code:** .nu **Internet users:** percent of population: 80% (2024 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 70 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 5, container ship 2, general cargo 29, oil tanker 4, other 30 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Alofi ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular indigenous military forces; Niue Police Department **Military - note:** under the Niue Constitution Act of 1974, New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs, defense, and security if requested by the Niue government --- ## Norfolk Island **Slug:** norfolk-island **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇳🇫 **Codes:** cek: nf, iso2: NF, iso3: NFK, iso_num: 574, genc: NFK, stanag: NFK, internet: .nf ### Introduction **Background:** Polynesians lived on Norfolk Island between 1200 and 1500, but the remote island was uninhabited by the time British explorer James COOK landed on the island in 1774. Two British attempts at establishing the island as a penal colony (1788-1814 and 1825-55) were ultimately abandoned. In 1856, almost 200 Pitcairn Islanders -- descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian companions -- were relocated to Norfolk Island because of overcrowding on the Pitcairn Islands. Some returned to the Pitcairn Islands over the next few years, but most settled permanently on Norfolk Island and recreated their previous land tenure and governance structures. Norfolk Island retained a great degree of local control until 1897, when it became a dependency of New South Wales. During World War II, Norfolk Island was an airbase and an important refueling stop in the South Pacific. In 1976, an Australian judge recommended Norfolk Island be incorporated fully into Australia, which Norfolk Islanders rejected. After an appeal to the UN, Australia granted limited self-government to Norfolk Island in 1979. With growing financial troubles during the 2000s, Australia abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly in 2015, reduced Norfolk Island’s autonomy in 2016, and suspended the local council in 2020. Most services are provided by a mix of the Australian Capital Territory and the states of New South Wales and Queensland. These moves were unpopular on Norfolk Island, which has sought to have its self-government restored and as of 2024, the Australian Government was working with Norfolk Island to establish a new local governing body. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, island in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 29 02 S, 167 57 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 36 sq km land: 36 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** about 0.2 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 32 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm **Climate:** subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation **Terrain:** volcanic island with mostly rolling plains **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Bates 319 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 25% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 25% (2023 est.) forest: 12.2% (2023 est.) other: 62.8% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** population concentrated around the capital of Kingston **Natural hazards:** tropical cyclones (especially May to July) **Geography - note:** most of the 32-km (20-mi) 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 located ### People and Society **Population:** total: 1,739 (2021) male: 823 female: 916 **Nationality:** noun: Norfolk Islander(s) adjective: Norfolk Islander(s) **Ethnic groups:** Australian 22.8%, English 22.4%, Pitcairn Islander 20%, Scottish 6%, Irish 5.2% (2011 est.) note: respondents were able to identify up to two ancestries; percentages represent a proportion of all responses from people in Norfolk Island, including those who did not identify an ancestry; only top responses are shown **Languages:** English (official) 44.9%, Norfolk (official, a mixture of 18th century English and ancient Tahitian) 40.3%, Fijian 1.8%, other 6.8%, unspecified 6.2% (2016 est.) note: data represent language spoken at home **Religions:** Protestant 46.8% (Anglican 29.2%, Uniting Church in Australia 9.8%, Presbyterian 2.9%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.7%, other 2.2%), Roman Catholic 12.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 1.4%, none 26.7%, unspecified 9.5% (2016 est.) **Population growth rate:** 0.01% (2014 est.) **Population distribution:** population concentrated around the capital of Kingston ### Environment **Environmental issues:** inadequate solid-waste management; most freshwater obtained through rainwater catchment; preservation of unique ecosystem **Climate:** subtropical; mild, little seasonal temperature variation **Land use:** agricultural land: 25% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2022 est.) permanent pasture: 25% (2023 est.) forest: 12.2% (2023 est.) other: 62.8% (2023 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Territory of Norfolk Island conventional short form: Norfolk Island etymology: named by British explorer Captain James COOK after Edward HOWARD, the ninth Duke of Norfolk, in 1774 **Government type:** administered as an overseas territory of Australia note: the Norfolk Island Regional Council, which began operations 1 July 2016, is responsible for planning and managing a variety of public services, including those funded by the Government of Australia **Dependency status:** administered as a territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities, & Regional Development **Capital:** name: Kingston geographic coordinates: 29 03 S, 167 58 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends first Sunday in April etymology: the name blends the words "king's" and "town;" the English king at the time of the town's settlement in the late 18th century was GEORGE III **Legal system:** English common law and the laws of Australia **Constitution:** history: previous 1913, 1957; latest effective 7 August 1979 **Citizenship:** see Australia **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia General Sam MOSTYN (since 1 July 2024) head of government: Administrator George PLANT (since 1 June 2023) election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the governor general of Australia for a 2-year term and represents the monarch and Australia **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Norfolk Island Regional Council legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 5 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 5/28/2016 parties elected and seats per party: independent (5) percentage of women in chamber: 20% expected date of next election: March 2021 (postponed) **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court of Norfolk Island (consists of the chief justice and several justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the governor general of Australia from among justices of the Federal Court of Australia; justices serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Petty Court of Sessions; specialized courts, including a Coroner's Court and the Employment Tribunal note: appeals beyond the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island are heard by the Federal Court and the High Court of Australia **Political parties:** Norfolk Island Labor Party Norfolk Liberals **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of Australia) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (territory of Australia) **International organization participation:** UPU **Independence:** none (territory of Australia) **National holiday:** Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856) **Flag:** description: three vertical bands of green (left side), white, and green, with a large green Norfolk Island pine tree centered on the white band meaning: green stands for the island's rich vegetation, and the native pine tree is an island symbol note: resembles Canada's flag in its use of only two colors and depiction of a symbol based on a native tree in the central white band; also resembles Nigeria's green-and-white tri-band flag **National symbol(s):** Norfolk Island pine **National coat of arms:** Norfolk Island is part of the Commonwealth of Australia, and in 1980, Queen Elizabeth II granted it a separate coat of arms (pictured); in the center is the island’s symbol, the Norfolk Island Pine, with Britain’s lion and Australia’s kangaroo supporting the shield; the island’s motto, “Inasmuch,” comes from a verse in the Bible’s Gospel of Matthew **National anthem(s):** title: "Come Ye Blessed" lyrics/music: New Testament/John Prindle SCOTT history: the local anthem, whose lyrics come from the Bible's Book of Matthew (25:34-36, 40), is also known as "The Pitcairn Anthem;" _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: royal anthem, as an Australian overseas territory ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income Australian territorial economy; key tourism and re-exportation industries; small labor force and declining participation creating more part-time jobs; former tax haven; increasing medical cannabis exporter; little transportation infrastructure **Agricultural products:** Norfolk Island pine seed, Kentia palm seed, cereals, vegetables, fruit; cattle, poultry **Industries:** tourism, light industry, ready mixed concrete **Exports - partners:** USA 31%, Belgium 9%, Philippines 7%, Israel 6%, Singapore 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** pine seeds, lumber, cars and vehicle parts, soybeans, lactose syrup (2021) top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports - partners:** Australia 52%, Fiji 13%, NZ 12%, Saudi Arabia 12%, Malaysia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, plastics, electrical lighting/signalling equipment, cars, machinery (2023) **Exchange rates:** Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) ### Communications **Broadcast media:** 1 local radio station; broadcasts of several Australian radio and TV stations available via satellite (2009) **Internet country code:** .nf **Internet users:** percent of population: 46.1% (2021 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Kingston ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of Australia --- ## Northern Mariana Islands **Slug:** northern-mariana-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇲🇵 **Codes:** cek: cq, iso2: MP, iso3: MNP, iso_num: 580, genc: MNP, stanag: MNP, internet: .mp ### Introduction **Background:** Austronesian people settled the Northern Mariana Islands around 1500 B.C. These people became the indigenous Chamorro and were influenced by later migrations, including Micronesians in the first century A.D. and island Southeast Asians around 900. Spanish explorer Ferdinand MAGELLAN sailed through the Mariana Islands in 1521, and Spain claimed them in 1565. Spain formally colonized the Mariana Islands in 1668 and administered the archipelago from Guam. Spain’s brutal repression of the Chamorro, along with new diseases and intermittent warfare, reduced the indigenous population by about 90% in the 1700s. With a similar dynamic occurring on Guam, Spain forced the Chamorro from the Northern Mariana Islands to resettle there. By the time they returned, many other Micronesians, including Chuukese and Yapese, had already settled on their islands. In 1898, Spain ceded Guam to the US after the Spanish-American War but sold the Northern Mariana Islands to Germany under the German-Spanish Treaty of 1899. Germany administered the territory from German New Guinea but took a hands-off approach to day-to-day life. Following World War I, Japan administered the islands under a League of Nations mandate. Japan focused on sugar production and brought in thousands of Japanese laborers, who quickly outnumbered the Chamorro on the islands. During World War II, Japan invaded Guam from the Northern Mariana Islands and used Marianan Chamorro as translators with Guamanian Chamorro, creating friction between the two Chamorro communities that continues to this day. The US captured the Northern Mariana Islands in 1944 after the Battle of Saipan and later administered them as part of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands (TTPI). On four occasions in the 1950s and 1960s, voters opted for integration with Guam, which Guam rejected in 1969. In 1978, the Northern Mariana Islands was granted self-governance separate from the rest of the TTPI, and in 1986, islanders were granted US citizenship, with the territory coming under US sovereignty as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). In 2009, the CNMI became the final US territory to elect a nonvoting delegate to the US Congress. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines **Geographic coordinates:** 15 12 N, 145 45 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 464 sq km land: 464 sq km water: 0 sq km note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian **Area - comparative:** 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 1,482 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October **Terrain:** the southern islands in this north-south trending archipelago are limestone, with fringing coral reefs; the northern islands are volcanic, with active volcanoes on several islands **Elevation:** highest point: Agrihan Volcano 965 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** arable land, fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 1.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.8% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 45.9% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 1 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan **Natural hazards:** active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) **Geography - note:** strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean ### People and Society **Population:** total: 50,946 (2025 est.) male: 26,931 female: 24,015 **Nationality:** noun: NA (US citizens) adjective: NA **Ethnic groups:** Asian 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.) **Languages:** Philippine 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.) **Religions:** Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefs and taboos may still be found) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 22.1% (male 6,066/female 5,231) 15-64 years: 67.7% (male 18,206/female 16,377) 65 years and over: 10.2% (2024 est.) (male 2,772/female 2,466) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 48.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 32.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6.1 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 32.6 years (2025 est.) male: 31.8 years female: 33.2 years **Population growth rate:** -0.33% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 15.8 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.91 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -13.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** approximately 90% of the population lives on the island of Saipan **Urbanization:** urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 51,000 SAIPAN (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.17 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.16 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.11 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.12 male(s)/female total population: 1.12 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 11.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 9 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 77.1 years (2024 est.) male: 75 years female: 79.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.53 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.17 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 99.4% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.6% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 38.2% (2020 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** contamination of groundwater on Saipan; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species **Climate:** tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October **Land use:** agricultural land: 1.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.8% (2023 est.) forest: 53% (2023 est.) other: 45.9% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 92.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.36% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 32,800 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 36% (2016 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands conventional short form: Northern Mariana Islands former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana Islands District abbreviation: CNMI etymology: Spain named the islands in 1667 in honor of the Spanish Queen, MARIANA of Austria **Government type:** a commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches **Dependency status:** commonwealth in political union with and under the sovereignty of the US; federal funds administered by the US Department of the Interior, Office of Insular Affairs **Capital:** name: Saipan geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; it probably comes from a local word meaning "deserted" or "uninhabited," but stories vary on how it came to be used **Administrative divisions:** no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US government, but 4 municipalities are considered second-order: Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian **Legal system:** the laws of the US apply, except for customs and some aspects of taxation **Constitution:** history: partially effective 9 January 1978 (Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); fully effective 4 November 1986 (Covenant Agreement) amendment process: proposed by constitutional convention, by public petition, or by the Legislature; ratification of proposed amendments requires approval by voters at the next general election or special election; amendments proposed by constitutional convention or by petition become effective if approved by a majority of voters and at least two-thirds majority of voters in each of two senatorial districts; amendments proposed by the Legislature are effective if approved by majority vote **Citizenship:** see United States **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal note: inhabitants are US citizens but do not vote in US presidential elections **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2025) head of government: Governor David M. APATANG (since 24 July 2025) cabinet: Sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday, 24 July 2025 election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of electors chosen from each state; president and vice president serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of the Northern Mariana Islands do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican party presidential primary elections; governor directly elected by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds, if needed most recent election date: 8 November 2022, with a runoff held on 25 November 2022 election results: 2022: Arnold PALACIOS elected governor in second round; percent of vote in first round - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 38.8%; Arnold PALACIOS (independent) 32.2%, Tina SABLAN (Democrat) 28%; percent of vote in second round - Arnold PALACIOS 54%, Ralph TORRES 46%; David APATANG (independent) elected lieutenant governor 2018: Ralph TORRES elected governor; percent of vote - Ralph TORRES (Republican) 62.2%, Juan BABAUTA (independent) 37.8%; Arnold PALACIOS elected lieutenant governor expected date of next election: 2026 **Legislative branch:** note: the Northern Mariana Islands delegate to the US House of Representatives can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the "Committee of the Whole House," but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) (consists of the chief justice and 2 associate justices); US Federal District Court (consists of 1 judge) judge selection and term of office: CNMI Supreme Court judges appointed by the governor and confirmed by the CNMI Senate; judges appointed for 8-year terms and another term if directly elected in a popular election; US Federal District Court judges appointed by the US president and confirmed by the US Senate; judges appointed for renewable 10-year terms subordinate courts: Superior Court note: US Federal District Court jurisdiction limited to US federal laws; appeals beyond the CNMI Supreme Court are referred to the US Supreme Court **Political parties:** Democratic Party Republican Party **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (commonwealth in political union with the US) **International organization participation:** PIF (observer), SPC, UPU **Independence:** none (commonwealth in political union with the US) **National holiday:** Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) **Flag:** description: blue with a five-pointed white star on a gray latte stone (a traditional foundation stone) in the center, surrounded by a mwáár or head lei (wreath) meaning: blue stands for the Pacific Ocean, the star for the Commonwealth, and the latte stone and mwáár for Marianas culture; the mwáár is made from four kinds of flowers: flores mayo (Plumeria), ylang-ylang or langilang (Cananga odorata), angagha or peacock flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), and teibwo or Pacific basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum) **National symbol(s):** latte stone **National color(s):** blue, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Gi Talo Gi Halom Tasi" (In the Middle of the Sea) "Satil Matawal Pacifico" (Carolinian) lyrics/music: Jose S. PANGELINAN [Chamoru], David PETER [Carolinian]/Wilhelm GANZHOM history: adopted 1996 _____ title: "The Star-Spangled Banner" lyrics/music: Francis Scott KEY/John Stafford SMITH history: official anthem, as a US commonwealth ### Economy **Economic overview:** US Pacific island commonwealth economy; growing Chinese and Korean tourist destination; hit hard by 2018 typhoon; dependent on energy imports; exempt from some US labor and immigration laws; longstanding garment production **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.242 billion (2016 est.) $933 million (2015 est.) $845 million (2014 est.) note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy; data are in 2013 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 16.6% (2022 est.) 5% (2021 est.) -29.1% (2020 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.096 billion (2022 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Agricultural products:** vegetables and melons, fruits and nuts; ornamental plants; livestock, poultry, eggs; fish and aquaculture products **Industries:** tourism, banking, construction, fishing, handicrafts, other services **Budget:** revenues: $389.6 million (2016 est.) expenditures: $344 million (2015 est.) **Exports:** $244 million (2022 est.) $55 million (2021 est.) $128 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Sweden 21%, Singapore 20%, Hong Kong 12%, UK 8%, India 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** scrap iron, refined petroleum, scrap copper, hydraulic engines, integrated circuits (2021) top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $777 million (2022 est.) $666 million (2021 est.) $556 million (2020 est.) note: GDP expenditure basis - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Singapore 63%, Japan 12%, Hong Kong 8%, Taiwan 4%, Philippines 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, cars, jewelry, trunks and cases, flavored water (2023) **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 19,500 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 42 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 20,500 (2004 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2004) **Broadcast media:** 1 TV station on Saipan; multi-channel cable TV services are available on Saipan; 9 licensed radio stations (2009) **Internet country code:** .mp **Internet users:** percent of population: 25.1% (2021 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 4 (2025) **Heliports:** 7 (2025) **Ports:** total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Rota, Saipan, Tinian ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the US --- ## Palau **Slug:** palau **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇵🇼 **Codes:** cek: ps, iso2: PW, iso3: PLW, iso_num: 585, genc: PLW, stanag: PLW, internet: .pw ### Introduction **Background:** Humans arrived in the Palauan archipelago from Southeast Asia around 1000 B.C. and developed a complex, highly organized matrilineal society where high-ranking women picked the chiefs. The islands were the westernmost part of the widely scattered Pacific islands north of New Guinea that Spanish explorers named the Caroline Islands in the 17th century. The 18th and 19th centuries saw occasional visits of whalers and traders as Spain gained some influence in the islands and administered it from the Philippines. Spain sold Palau to Germany in 1899 after losing the Philippines in the Spanish-American War. Japan seized Palau in 1914, was granted a League of Nations mandate to administer the islands in 1920, and made Koror the capital of its South Seas Mandate in 1922. By the outbreak of World War II, there were four times as many Japanese living in Koror as Palauans. In 1944, the US invasion of the island of Peleliu was one of the bloodiest island fights of the Pacific War. After the war, Palau became part of the US-administered Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Palau voted against joining the Federated States of Micronesia in 1978 and adopted its own constitution in 1981, which stated that Palau was a nuclear-free country. In 1982, Palau signed a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which granted Palau financial assistance and access to many US domestic programs in exchange for exclusive US military access and defense responsibilities. However, many Palauans saw the COFA as incompatible with the Palauan Constitution because of the US military’s nuclear arsenal, and seven referenda failed to achieve ratification. Following a constitutional amendment and eighth referendum in 1993, the COFA was ratified and entered into force in 1994 when the islands gained their independence. Its funding was renewed in 2010. Palau has been on the frontlines of combatting climate change and protecting marine resources. In 2011, Palau banned commercial shark fishing and created the world’s first shark sanctuary. In 2017, Palau began stamping the Palau Pledge into passports, reminding visitors to act in ecologically and culturally responsible ways. In 2020, Palau banned coral reef-toxic sunscreens and expanded its fishing prohibition to include 80% of its exclusive economic zone. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast of the Philippines **Geographic coordinates:** 7 30 N, 134 30 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 459 sq km land: 459 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly more than 2.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 1,519 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November **Terrain:** varying topography from the high, mountainous main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed by large barrier reefs **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** forests, minerals (especially gold), marine products, deep-seabed minerals **Land use:** agricultural land: 9.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.) forest: 90.6% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap **Natural hazards:** typhoons (June to December) **Geography - note:** westernmost archipelago in the Caroline chain, consists of six island groups totaling more than 300 islands; includes world-famous Rock Islands ### People and Society **Population:** total: 21,947 (2025 est.) male: 11,257 female: 10,690 **Nationality:** noun: Palauan(s) adjective: Palauan **Ethnic groups:** Palauan (Micronesian with Malayan and Melanesian admixtures) 70.6%, Carolinian 1.2%, Asian 26.5%, other 1.7% (2020 est.) **Languages:** Palauan (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 **Religions:** Roman Catholic 46.9%, Protestant 30.9% (Evangelical 24.6%, Seventh Day Adventist 5%, other Protestant 1.4%), Modekngei 5.1% (indigenous to Palau), Muslim 4.9%, other 12.3% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 17.5% (male 1,976/female 1,849) 15-64 years: 71.3% (male 8,647/female 6,935) 65 years and over: 11.2% (2024 est.) (male 612/female 1,845) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 41.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 24.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 35.5 years (2025 est.) male: 34.1 years female: 37.4 years **Population growth rate:** 0.38% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 11.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 8.52 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 0.77 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most of the population is located on the southern end of the main island of Babelthuap **Urbanization:** urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 277 NGERULMUD (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.25 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.33 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 89 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 10.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 8.8 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 75.2 years (2024 est.) male: 72 years female: 78.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.7 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.83 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 16.4% of GDP (2021) 9.5% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.81 physicians/1,000 population (2023) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 55.3% (2016) **Tobacco use:** total: 16.3% (2025 est.) male: 25.2% (2025 est.) female: 6.8% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 48.3% (2020 est.) **Education expenditure:** 3.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.8% national budget (2023 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 100% (2020 est.) male: 100% (2020 est.) female: 100% (2020 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 15 years (2023 est.) male: 14 years (2023 est.) female: 16 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** inadequate facilities for disposal of solid waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging, illegal fishing practices, and overfishing; rising sea level; coral bleaching; drought **International environmental 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 **Climate:** tropical; hot and humid; wet season May to November **Land use:** agricultural land: 9.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 4.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.3% (2023 est.) forest: 90.6% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 82.4% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.59% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 9,400 tons (2024 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of Palau conventional short form: Palau local long form: Beluu er a Belau local short form: Belau former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau District etymology: from the Palauan name for the islands, Belau, which likely derives from the Palauan word beluu, meaning "village" **Government type:** presidential republic in free association with the US **Capital:** name: Ngerulmud geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 37 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name comes from a Palauan term meaning "place of fermented angelfish;" the site of the capital was the traditional location for women to gather and offer fermented angelfish to the gods **Administrative divisions:** 16 states; Aimeliik, Airai, Angaur, Hatohobei, Kayangel, Koror, Melekeok, Ngaraard, Ngarchelong, Ngardmau, Ngatpang, Ngchesar, Ngeremlengui, Ngiwal, Peleliu, Sonsorol **Legal system:** mixed system of civil, common, and customary law **Constitution:** history: ratified 9 July 1980, effective 1 January 1981 amendment process: proposed by a constitutional convention (held at least once every 15 years with voter approval), by public petition of at least 25% of eligible voters, or by a resolution adopted by at least three fourths of National Congress members; passage requires approval by a majority of votes in at least three fourths of the states in the next regular general election **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 Palau dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: note - no procedure for naturalization **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021) head of government: President Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (since 21 January 2021) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate; also includes the vice president; the Council of Chiefs consists of chiefs from each of the states who advise the president on issues concerning traditional laws, customs, and their relationship to the constitution and laws election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 5 November 2024 election results: 2024: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 57.7%, Tommy REMENGESAU (independent) 42.1%, other 0.2% 2020: Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. elected president in second round; percent of vote - Surangel WHIPPS, Jr. (independent) 56.7%, Raynold OILUCH (independent) 43.3% expected date of next election: November 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Congress (Olbiil Era Kelulau) legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: House of Delegates number of seats: 16 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/5/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 25% expected date of next election: November 2028 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: Senate number of seats: 15 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/5/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 13.3% expected date of next election: November 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 3 associate justices organized into appellate trial divisions; the Supreme Court organization also includes the Common Pleas and Land Courts) judge selection and term of office: justices nominated by a 7-member independent body consisting of judges, presidential appointees, and lawyers and appointed by the president; judges can serve until mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: National Court and other inferior courts **Political parties:** although not expressly forbidden by law, Palau does not have political parties or coalitions **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Hersey KYOTA (since 12 November 1997) chancery: 1701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 349-8598 FAX: [1] (202) 452-6281 email address and website: info@palauembassy.org https://www.palauembassy.org/ consulate(s): Tamuning (Guam) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Joel EHRENDREICH (since 29 September 2023) embassy: Omsangel/Beklelachieb, Airai 96940 mailing address: 4260 Koror Place, Washington, DC 20521-4260 telephone: [680] 587-2920 FAX: [680] 587-2911 email address and website: ConsularKoror@state.gov https://pw.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WIPO **Independence:** 1 October 1994 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship) **National holiday:** Constitution Day, 9 July (1981); Independence Day, 1 October (1994) **Flag:** description: light blue with a large yellow disk to the left side meaning: blue stands for the ocean, and the disk for the moon, which is considered a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility **National symbol(s):** bai (native meeting house) **National color(s):** blue, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Belau rekid" (Our Palau) lyrics/music: multiple/Ymesei O. EZEKIEL history: adopted 1980 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Rock Islands Southern Lagoon ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income Pacific island economy; environmentally fragile; subsistence agriculture and fishing industries; US aid reliance; rebounding post-pandemic tourism industry and services sector; very high living standard and low unemployment **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $280.025 million (2023 est.) $274.866 million (2022 est.) $278.538 million (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 1.9% (2023 est.) -1.3% (2022 est.) -13.8% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $15,800 (2023 est.) $15,500 (2022 est.) $15,700 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $281.849 million (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.2% (2024 est.) 12.8% (2023 est.) 12.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 3% (2023 est.) industry: 9.9% (2023 est.) services: 76.7% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 77.8% (2022 est.) government consumption: 36.3% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 36.6% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 1.8% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 13.5% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -74.3% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes; fish, pigs, chickens, eggs, bananas, papaya, breadfruit, calamansi, soursop, Polynesian chestnuts, Polynesian almonds, mangoes, taro, guava, beans, cucumbers, squash/pumpkins (various), eggplant, green onions, kangkong (watercress), cabbages (various), radishes, betel nuts, melons, peppers, noni, okra **Industries:** tourism, fishing, subsistence agriculture **Industrial production growth rate:** -19.5% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Remittances:** 0.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $127.757 million (2020 est.) expenditures: $152.398 million (2020 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 85.2% of GDP (2019 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 18.1% (of GDP) (2020 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$135.428 million (2022 est.) -$115.739 million (2021 est.) -$115.61 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $24.48 million (2022 est.) $10.566 million (2021 est.) $52.897 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** India 41%, Turkey 26%, Taiwan 10%, USA 9%, Japan 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** ships, refined petroleum (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports:** $216.681 million (2022 est.) $169.938 million (2021 est.) $207.224 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Italy 32%, China 25%, USA 11%, Turkey 10%, Japan 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** ships, refined petroleum, additive manufacturing machines, cars, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 99.9% electrification - rural areas: 100% ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 6,150 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 35 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 24,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 135 (2023 est.) **Broadcast media:** no broadcast TV stations; a cable TV network covers the major islands and provides access to 4 local cable stations, rebroadcasts (on a delayed basis) of a number of US stations, as well as access to a number of real-time satellite TV channels; about a half dozen radio stations (1 government-owned) (2019) **Internet country code:** .pw **Internet users:** percent of population: 27% (2004 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** T8 **Airports:** 3 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 427 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 49, container ship 8, general cargo 200, oil tanker 52, other 118 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Malakal Harbor ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; the Bureau of Public Safety (Ministry of Justice) has divisions for police functions and maritime security (2025) **Military - note:** under the Compact of Free Association between Palau and the US, the US is responsible for the defense of Palau, and the US military is granted access to the islands; the COFA also allows citizens of Palau to serve in the US armed forces Palau has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Palau's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 5 (2024 est.) --- ## Pitcairn Islands **Slug:** pitcairn-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇵🇳 **Codes:** cek: pc, iso2: PN, iso3: PCN, iso_num: 612, genc: PCN, stanag: PCN, internet: .pn ### Introduction **Background:** Polynesians were the first settlers on the four tiny islands that are now called the Pitcairn Islands, but all four were uninhabited by the time Europeans discovered them in 1606. Pitcairn Island -- the only one now inhabited -- was rediscovered by a British explorer in 1767. In 1789, Fletcher CHRISTIAN led a mutiny on the HMS Bounty, and after several months of searching for Pitcairn Island, he landed on it with eight other mutineers and their Tahitian companions. They lived in isolation and evaded detection by English authorities until 1808, when only one man, 10 women, and 23 children remained. In 1831, with the population of 87 proving too big for the island, the British attempted to move all the islanders to Tahiti, but they were soon returned to Pitcairn Island. The island became an official British colony in 1838, and in 1856, the British again determined that the population of 193 was too high and relocated all the residents to Norfolk Island. Several families returned in 1858 and 1864, bringing the island’s population to 43, and almost all of the island’s current population are descendants of these returnees. The UK annexed the nearby uninhabited islands of Henderson, Oeno, and Ducie in 1902 and incorporated them into the Pitcairn Islands colony in 1938. The population peaked at 233 in 1937 as outmigration, primarily to New Zealand, has since thinned the population. Only two children were born between 1986 and 2012, and in 2005, a couple became the first outsiders to obtain citizenship in more than a century. Since 2013, the Pitcairn Islands has tried to attract new migrants but has had no applicants because it requires prospective migrants to front significant sums of money and prohibits employment during a two-year trial period, at which point the local council can deny long-term resident status. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about midway between Peru and New Zealand **Geographic coordinates:** 25 04 S, 130 06 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 47 sq km land: 47 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** about three-tenths the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 51 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) **Terrain:** rugged volcanic formation; rocky coastline with cliffs **Elevation:** highest point: Palwala Valley Point on Big Ridge 347 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** miro trees (used for handicrafts), fish note: manganese, iron, copper, gold, silver, and zinc have been discovered offshore **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 74.5% (2022 est.) other: 25.5% (2022 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** a handful of inhabitants, most residing near the village of Adamstown **Natural hazards:** occasional tropical cyclones (especially November to March), but generally only heavy tropical storms; landslides **Geography - note:** Britain'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 longboat from larger ships stationed offshore ### People and Society **Population:** total: 50 (2025 est.) **Nationality:** noun: Pitcairn Islander(s) adjective: Pitcairn Islander **Ethnic groups:** descendants of the Bounty mutineers and their Tahitian wives **Languages:** English (official), Pitkern (mixture of an 18th century English dialect and a Tahitian dialect) **Religions:** Seventh Day Adventist 100% **Population growth rate:** 0% (2014 est.) **Population distribution:** a handful of inhabitants, most residing near the village of Adamstown ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation (only a small portion of the original forest remains because of burning and clearing for settlement) **Climate:** tropical; hot and humid; modified by southeast trade winds; rainy season (November to March) **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 74.5% (2022 est.) other: 25.5% (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie, and Oeno Islands conventional short form: Pitcairn Islands etymology: named after English midshipman Robert PITCAIRN, who first sighted the island in 1767 **Government type:** parliamentary democracy **Dependency status:** overseas territory of the UK **Capital:** name: Adamstown geographic coordinates: 25 04 S, 130 05 W time difference: UTC-9 (4 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named after John ADAMS (1767–1829), the last survivor of the Bounty mutineers who settled on Pitcairn Island in 1790 **Legal system:** local island by-laws **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest drafted 10 February 2010, presented 17 February 2010, effective 4 March 2010 **Citizenship:** see United Kingdom **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal with three years of residency **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by UK High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor (nonresident) of the Pitcairn Islands Iona THOMAS (since 9 August 2022) head of government: Mayor and Chairman of the Island Council Shawn CHRISTIAN (since 5 November 2025) cabinet: none election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor and commissioner appointed by the monarch; island mayor directly elected by majority popular vote for a 3-year term most recent election date: 5 November 2025 election results: Shawn CHRISTIAN elected mayor and chairman of the Island Council expected date of next election: November 2028 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Island Council legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 10 (directly elected and appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 2 years note: the councilors and the deputy mayor serve 2-year terms, the mayor serves a 3-year term, and the administrator is appointed by the governor for an indefinite term most recent election date: 6 November 2019 parties elected and seats per party: independent (5) percentage of women in chamber: 60% expected date of next election: N/A note: the Council includes 5 councilors, the mayor, and the deputy mayor (who are elected by popular vote) and 3 ex officio non-voting members -- the administrator, who serves as both the head of government and the representative of the governor of Pitcairn Islands, the governor, and the deputy governor **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Pitcairn Court of Appeal (consists of the court president, 2 judges, and the Supreme Court chief justice, an ex-officio member); Pitcairn Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 2 judges) judge selection and term of office: all judges of both courts appointed by the governor of the Pitcairn Islands on the instructions of the British monarch through the Secretary of State; all judges can serve until retirement, normally at age 75 subordinate courts: Magistrate's Court note: appeals beyond the Pitcairn Court of Appeal are referred to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) **Political parties:** none **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (overseas territory of the UK) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none (overseas territory of the UK) **International organization participation:** SPC, UPU **Independence:** none (overseas territory of the UK) **National holiday:** Official birthday of King Charles III, usually celebrated the second Saturday in June (1948); Discovery Day (Pitcairn Day), 2 July (1767) **Flag:** description: blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant and the Pitcairn Islander coat of arms centered on the right half of the flag; the green field features a yellow anchor with a Bible over it (both were on the HMS Bounty); a Pitcairn Island wheelbarrow is on the crest, with a flowering twig of miro (a local plant) meaning: the green, yellow, and blue of the shield represents the island rising from the ocean **National anthem(s):** title: "We From Pitcairn Island" lyrics/music: unknown/Frederick M. LEHMAN history: serves as a local anthem _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as a UK overseas territory ### Economy **Economic overview:** small South Pacific British island territorial economy; exports primarily postage stamps, handicraft goods, honey, and tinctures; extremely limited infrastructure; dependent upon UK and EU aid; recent border reopening post-COVID-19 **Agricultural products:** honey; wide variety of fruits and vegetables; goats, chickens; fish **Industries:** postage stamps, handicrafts, beekeeping, honey **Exports - partners:** UK 21%, Canada 19%, Tanzania 12%, Colombia 11%, Spain 8% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fertilizers, sulfur, refined petroleum, excavation machinery, ethylene polymers (2022) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports - partners:** USA 59%, NZ 37%, Italy 2%, UAE 1%, Brazil 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** construction vehicles, refined petroleum, beef, computers, other foods (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - mobile cellular:** No traditional public cellular network. Satellite-based internet (Starlink) and VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Viber) are available. **Broadcast media:** satellite TV from Fiji-based Sky Pacific offering a wide range of international channels **Internet country code:** .pn **Internet users:** percent of population: 96.2% (2021 est.) ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the UK --- ## Samoa **Slug:** samoa **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇼🇸 **Codes:** cek: ws, iso2: WS, iso3: WSM, iso_num: 882, genc: WSM, stanag: WSM, internet: .ws ### Introduction **Background:** The first Austronesian settlers arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., and early Samoans traded and intermarried with Fijian and Tongan nobility. The fa’amatai system of titles and nobility developed, which dominates Samoan politics to this day; all but two seats in the legislature are reserved for matai, or heads of families. A Dutch explorer was the first European to spot the islands in 1722. Christian missionaries arrived in the 1830s and were followed by an influx of American and European settlers and influence. By the 1880s, Germany, the UK, and the US had trading posts and claimed parts of the kingdom. In 1886, an eight-year civil war broke out, with rival matai factions fighting over royal succession and the three foreign powers providing support to the factions. Germany, the UK, and the US all sent warships to Apia in 1889 and came close to conflict, but a cyclone damaged or destroyed the ships of all three navies. At the end of the civil war in 1894, Malietoa LAUPEPA was installed as king, but upon his death in 1898, a second civil war over succession broke out. When the war ended in 1899, the Western powers abolished the monarchy, giving the western Samoan islands to Germany and the eastern Samoan islands to the US. The UK abandoned claims in Samoa and received former German territory in the Solomon Islands. New Zealand occupied Samoa during World War I but was accused of negligence and opposed by many Samoans, particularly an organized political movement called the Mau (“Strongly Held View”) that advocated for independence. During the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, about 20% of the population died. In 1929, New Zealand police shot into a crowd of peaceful Mau protestors, killing 11, in an event known as Black Sunday. In 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish its independence as Western Samoa but dropped the “Western” from its name in 1997. The Human Rights Protection Party dominated politics from 1982 until Prime Minister FIAME Naomi Mata'afa's Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) party gained a majority in elections in 2021. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand **Geographic coordinates:** 13 35 S, 172 20 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 2,831 sq km land: 2,821 sq km water: 10 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Rhode Island **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 403 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) **Terrain:** two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** hardwood forests, fish, hydropower **Land use:** agricultural land: 17.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.3% (2023 est.) forest: 57.8% (2023 est.) other: 24.6% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** about three quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu **Natural hazards:** occasional cyclones; active volcanism volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m) is historically active **Geography - note:** occupies an almost central position within Polynesia ### People and Society **Population:** total: 210,223 (2025 est.) male: 106,542 female: 103,681 **Nationality:** noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan **Ethnic groups:** Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.) note: data represent the population by country of citizenship **Languages:** Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.) **Religions:** Protestant 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.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 26.9% (male 28,952/female 27,173) 15-64 years: 65.9% (male 70,225/female 67,427) 65 years and over: 7.2% (2024 est.) (male 6,743/female 8,333) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 51.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 40.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.8 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 27.8 years (2025 est.) male: 27 years female: 27.8 years **Population growth rate:** 0.66% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 18.53 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.41 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -6.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** about three quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu **Urbanization:** urban population: 17.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 36,000 APIA (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 101 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 17.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 20.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 75.7 years (2024 est.) male: 72.8 years female: 78.7 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.29 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.12 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 6.8% of GDP (2021) 15.2% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.56 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 99% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 1% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 47.3% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 2.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 20.5% (2025 est.) male: 28.6% (2025 est.) female: 12.3% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 3.4% (2019 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 62% (2020 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0.9% (2020) women married by age 18: 7.4% (2020) men married by age 18: 2% (2020) **Education expenditure:** 5.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 11.7% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 98% (2019 est.) male: 98.3% (2019 est.) female: 97.7% (2019 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** soil erosion; deforestation; invasive species; overfishing **International environmental 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, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October) **Land use:** agricultural land: 17.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 3.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.3% (2023 est.) forest: 57.8% (2023 est.) other: 24.6% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 17.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.03% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 335,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 335,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 27,400 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 57.6% (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa conventional short form: Samoa local long form: Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa local short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa etymology: the name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's name **Government type:** parliamentary republic **Capital:** name: Apia geographic coordinates: 13 49 S, 171 46 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) **Administrative divisions:** 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano **Legal system:** mixed system of English common law and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts involving fundamental citizen rights **Constitution:** history: several previous (pre-independence); latest 1 January 1962 amendment process: proposed as an act by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the third reading, provided at least 90 days have elapsed since the second reading, and assent of the chief of state; passage of amendments affecting constitutional articles on customary land or constitutional amendment procedures also requires at least two-thirds majority approval in a referendum **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 Samoa dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 21 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (since 21 July 2017) head of government: Prime Minister LA'AULIALEMALIETOA La'auli Leuatea Schmidt (since 16 September 2025) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: chief of state indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly to serve a 5-year term (2-term limit); following legislative elections, the chief of state usually appoints the leader of the majority party as prime minister, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly most recent election date: 23 August 2022 election results: TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va’aletoa Sualauvi II (independent) unanimously reelected by the Legislative Assembly expected date of next election: 2026 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Fono) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 51 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 8/29/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Faatuatua ile Atua Samoa ua Tasi (FAST) (32); Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) (22), Sāmoa Uniting Party (SUP) (3), Independents (4) percentage of women in chamber: 9.8% expected date of next election: August 2030 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 2 Supreme Court judges and meets once or twice a year); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and several judges) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the chief of state on the advice of the prime minister; other Supreme Court judges appointed by the Judicial Service Commission, a 3-member body chaired by the chief justice and includes the attorney general and an appointee of the Minister of Justice; judges normally serve until retirement at age 68 subordinate courts: District Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land and Titles Courts; village chief councils **Political parties:** Fa'atuatua i le Atua Samoa ua Tasi or FAST Human Rights Protection Party or HRPP Sāmoa Uniting Party (SUP) Tautua Samoa Party or TSP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Pa’olelei LUTERU (since 7 July 2021); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: 685 Third Avenue, 44th Street, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6196 FAX: [1] (212) 599-0797 email address and website: samoa@samoanymission.ws About | Samoa Permanent Mission to the United Nations consulate(s) general: Pago Pago (American Samoa) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: the US Ambassador to New Zealand is accredited to Samoa embassy: 5th Floor, Accident Corporation Building, Matafele Apia mailing address: 4400 Apia Place, Washington DC 20521-4400 telephone: [685] 21-436 FAX: [685] 22-030 email address and website: ApiaConsular@state.gov https://ws.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) **National holiday:** Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962) note: 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in June **Flag:** description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper-left quadrant; on the rectangle are five five-pointed white stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation meaning: red stands for courage, blue for freedom, and white for purity note: similar to the flag of Taiwan **National symbol(s):** Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars) **National color(s):** red, white, blue **National anthem(s):** title: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom) lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA history: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise) ### Economy **Economic overview:** ower middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous fishing and agriculture industries; significant remittances; growing offshore financial hub; recently hosted Pacific Games to drive tourism and infrastructure growth **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.503 billion (2024 est.) $1.374 billion (2023 est.) $1.258 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 9.4% (2024 est.) 9.2% (2023 est.) -5.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $6,900 (2024 est.) $6,300 (2023 est.) $5,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.068 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.2% (2024 est.) 7.9% (2023 est.) 11% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 11% (2024 est.) industry: 10.9% (2024 est.) services: 72.5% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 80.8% (2024 est.) government consumption: 18.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.5% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 2.3% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 29.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -53.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, bananas, taro, tropical fruits, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, root vegetables, milk, avocados (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** food processing, building materials, auto parts **Industrial production growth rate:** 4.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 57,200 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 4.6% (2024 est.) 5% (2023 est.) 5.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 11.9% (2024 est.) male: 7.4% (2024 est.) female: 20.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 21.9% (2018 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Remittances:** 26.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 28.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 33.6% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $371.764 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $326.052 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Taxes and other revenues:** 26.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $64.616 million (2024 est.) $40.177 million (2023 est.) -$74.039 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $369.73 million (2024 est.) $346.187 million (2023 est.) $175.377 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** India 26%, NZ 14%, USA 12%, American Samoa 10%, Australia 9% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** refined petroleum, integrated circuits, coconut oil, fish, insulated wire (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $575.749 million (2024 est.) $560.776 million (2023 est.) $512.021 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** NZ 20%, Singapore 19%, China 17%, Australia 10%, Fiji 9% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, poultry, cars, plastic products, milk (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $507.74 million (2024 est.) $447.09 million (2023 est.) $321.163 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $269.974 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** tala (SAT) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 2.754 (2024 est.) 2.738 (2023 est.) 2.689 (2022 est.) 2.556 (2021 est.) 2.665 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 98.3% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 97.9% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 54,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 141.846 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 17.284 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 59.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 15.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 18.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 23.476 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 4,570 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 134,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-owned TV station privatized in 2008; 4 privately owned TV stations; about a half-dozen privately owned radio stations and one state-owned; TV and radio broadcasts of several stations from American Samoa are available (2019) **Internet country code:** .ws **Internet users:** percent of population: 58% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 2,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** 5W **Airports:** 4 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 13 (2023) by type: general cargo 3, oil tanker 1, other 9 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Apia ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; Samoa Police Service (includes a maritime unit) (2025) **Military - note:** informal defense ties exist with New Zealand, which pledged to afford assistance to Samoa in the conduct of its international relations under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship; New Zealand naval vessels patrol Samoan waters Samoa has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Somoa's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) --- ## Solomon Islands **Slug:** solomon-islands **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇸🇧 **Codes:** cek: bp, iso2: SB, iso3: SLB, iso_num: 090, genc: SLB, stanag: SLB, internet: .sb ### Introduction **Background:** Settlers from Papua arrived on the Solomon Islands around 30,000 years ago. About 6,000 years ago, Austronesian settlers came to the islands, and the two groups mixed extensively. Despite significant inter-island trade, no attempts were made to unite the islands into a single political entity. In 1568, a Spanish explorer became the first European to spot the islands. After a failed Spanish attempt at creating a permanent European settlement in the late 1500s, the Solomon Islands remained free of European contact until a British explorer arrived in 1767. European explorers and US and British whaling ships regularly visited the islands into the 1800s. Germany declared a protectorate over the northern Solomon Islands in 1885, and the UK established a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893. In 1899, Germany transferred its islands to the UK in exchange for the UK relinquishing all claims in Samoa. In 1942, Japan invaded the islands, and the Guadalcanal Campaign (August 1942-February 1943) proved a turning point in the Pacific theater of WWII. The fighting destroyed large parts of the Solomon Islands, and a nationalist movement emerged near the end of the war. By 1960, the British allowed some local autonomy. The islands were granted self-government in 1976 and independence two years later under Prime Minister Sir Peter KENILOREA. In 1999, longstanding tensions between ethnic Guale in Honiara and ethnic Malaitans in Honiara’s suburbs erupted in civil war, leading thousands of Malaitans to take refuge in Honiara and prompting Guale to flee the city. In 2000, newly elected Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE focused on peace agreements and distributing resources equally among groups, but his actions bankrupted the government in 2001 and led to his ouster. In 2003, the Solomon Islands requested international assistance to reestablish law and order; the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands, which ended in 2017, improved the security situation. In 2006, however, riots broke out in Honiara, and the city’s Chinatown was burned amid allegations that the prime minister took money from China. SOGAVARE was reelected prime minister for a fourth time in 2019. When a small group of protestors, mostly from the island of Malaita, approached parliament to lodge a petition calling for SOGAVARE’s removal and more development in Malaita in 2021, police fired tear gas into the crowd which sparked rioting and looting in Honiara. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea **Geographic coordinates:** 8 00 S, 159 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 28,896 sq km land: 27,986 sq km water: 910 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Maryland **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 5,313 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines **Climate:** tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes **Terrain:** mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,335 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel **Land use:** agricultural land: 3.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.3% (2023 est.) forest: 89.9% (2023 est.) other: 6.2% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** most of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these about two thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port **Natural hazards:** tropical cyclones, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic activity; tsunamis volcanism: Tinakula (851 m) has frequent eruption activity, and an eruption of Savo (485 m) could affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal **Geography - note:** strategic 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; 38,300 acres) ### People and Society **Population:** total: 738,774 (2025 est.) male: 377,067 female: 361,707 **Nationality:** noun: Solomon Islander(s) adjective: Solomon Islander **Ethnic groups:** Melanesian 95.3%, Polynesian 3.1%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 0.3% (2009 est.) **Languages:** Melanesian pidgin (lingua franca in much of the country), English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population), 120 indigenous languages **Religions:** Protestant 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.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 30.6% (male 114,246/female 108,020) 15-64 years: 64.2% (male 238,708/female 227,636) 65 years and over: 5.3% (2024 est.) (male 18,016/female 20,173) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 55.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 46.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 12 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 25.5 years (2025 est.) male: 25 years female: 25.4 years **Population growth rate:** 1.62% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 21.57 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 3.94 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -1.47 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most of the population lives along the coastal regions; about one in five live in urban areas, and of these about two thirds reside in Honiara, the largest town and chief port **Urbanization:** urban population: 26% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 82,000 HONIARA (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 22.6 years (2015 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 123 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 18.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 77.2 years (2024 est.) male: 74.6 years female: 80 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.72 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.33 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: rural: 59.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 73.1% of population unimproved: rural: 40.6% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 4.8% of GDP (2021) 9.7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.24 physicians/1,000 population (2023) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: rural: 22.6% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: rural: 77.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 59.4% of population **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 22.5% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 1.19 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.1 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 36.8% (2025 est.) male: 54.5% (2025 est.) female: 18.8% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 64.5% (2019 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 5.6% (2015) women married by age 18: 21.3% (2015) men married by age 18: 4.4% (2015) **Education expenditure:** 8.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 25.2% national budget (2024 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation; soil erosion; damage to coral reefs **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban **Climate:** tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes **Land use:** agricultural land: 3.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.8% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.3% (2023 est.) forest: 89.9% (2023 est.) other: 6.2% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 26% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 318,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 318,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 180,000 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.1% (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 44.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Solomon Islands local long form: none local short form: Solomon Islands former: British Solomon Islands etymology: Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA named the isles in 1568 after the wealthy biblical King SOLOMON in the mistaken belief that the islands contained great riches **Government type:** parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm **Capital:** name: Honiara geographic coordinates: 9 26 S, 159 57 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from the local term nagho ni ara, meaning "place of the east wind" or "facing the trade winds" **Administrative divisions:** 9 provinces and 1 city*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira and Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western **Legal system:** mixed system of English common law and customary law **Constitution:** history: adopted 31 May 1978, effective 7 July 1978 amendment process: proposed by the National Parliament; passage of constitutional sections, including those on fundamental rights and freedoms, the legal system, Parliament, alteration of the constitution and the ombudsman, requires three-fourths majority vote by Parliament and assent of the governor general; passage of other amendments requires two-thirds majority vote and assent of the governor general **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 the Solomon Islands dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years **Suffrage:** 21 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General David Tiva KAPU (since 7 July 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Jeremiah MANELE (since 2 May 2024) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Parliament for up to 5 years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the National Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 50 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 4/17/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Ownership Unity and Responsibility (OUR Party) (15); Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) (11); Solomon Islands United Party (UP) (6); Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) (3); Independents (11); Other (4) percentage of women in chamber: 6% expected date of next election: April 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and ex officio members including the High Court chief justice and puisne judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice and puisne judges) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal and High Court president, chief justices, and puisne judges appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice and includes 5 members, mostly judicial officials and legal professionals; all judges serve until retirement at age 60 subordinate courts: Magistrates' Courts; Customary Land Appeal Court; local courts **Political parties:** Democratic Alliance Party or DAP Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KAD Ownership, Unity, and Responsibility Party (OUR Party) Solomon Islands People First Party or SIPFP Solomon Islands Democratic Party or SIDP Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA Solomon Islands United Party or UP United for Change Party or U4C Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) (includes DAP, SIDP, and U4C) note: the Solomon Islands political party system is characterized by fluid coalitions **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Jane Mugafalu Kabui WAETARA (since 16 September 2022); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: 685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 599-6192 FAX: [1] (212) 661-8925 email address and website: simun@solomons.com **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 14 March 2024); note - also accredited to the Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea embassy: BJS Building Commonwealth Avenue Honiara, Solomon Islands telephone: [677] 23426 FAX: [677] 27429 email address and website: EmbassyHoniara@state.gov https://pg.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, EITI (candidate country), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 7 July 1978 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 7 July (1978) **Flag:** description: divided diagonally by a yellow stripe from the lower-left corner; the upper triangle (left side) is blue with five five-pointed white stars in an "X" pattern; the lower triangle is green meaning: blue stands for the ocean, green for the land, and yellow for sunshine; the five stars stand for the main island groups **National color(s):** blue, yellow, green, white **National anthem(s):** title: "God Save Our Solomon Islands" lyrics/music: Panapasa BALEKANA and Matila BALEKANA/Panapasa BALEKANA history: adopted 1978 title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: in use since 1745 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: East Rennell ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower middle-income Pacific island economy; natural resource rich but environmentally fragile; key agrarian sector; growing Chinese economic relationship; infrastructure damage due to social unrest; metal mining operations **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $2.07 billion (2024 est.) $2.019 billion (2023 est.) $1.967 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 2.5% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 2.4% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $2,500 (2024 est.) $2,500 (2023 est.) $2,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.761 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 5.9% (2023 est.) 5.5% (2022 est.) -0.1% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 33.8% (2022 est.) industry: 18.7% (2022 est.) services: 47.3% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 61.7% (2022 est.) government consumption: 29.2% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 24.4% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: -1% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 26.3% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -51.7% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** oil palm fruit, coconuts, sweet potatoes, yams, taro, fruits, pulses, vegetables, cocoa beans, cassava (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** fish (tuna), mining, timber **Industrial production growth rate:** 4.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 435,600 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 1.5% (2024 est.) 1.5% (2023 est.) 1.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 3% (2024 est.) male: 2.6% (2024 est.) female: 3.4% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 5.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 5.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 5.2% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $436.174 million (2022 est.) expenditures: $482.24 million (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 15.4% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 20.7% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$66.231 million (2024 est.) -$178.197 million (2023 est.) -$218.534 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $642.877 million (2024 est.) $546.025 million (2023 est.) $411.359 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 56%, Australia 11%, Italy 10%, Spain 5%, Netherlands 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** wood, fish, gold, precious metal ore, palm oil (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $857.128 million (2024 est.) $883.611 million (2023 est.) $764.641 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 42%, Singapore 13%, Australia 13%, Taiwan 5%, Malaysia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, plastic products, fish, broadcasting equipment, iron structures (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $688.22 million (2023 est.) $661.604 million (2022 est.) $694.515 million (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $184.191 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 8.455 (2024 est.) 8.376 (2023 est.) 8.156 (2022 est.) 8.03 (2021 est.) 8.213 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 76% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 79% electrification - rural areas: 75.4% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 37,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 91.031 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 19.969 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 90.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 5.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 3.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 5.655 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 7,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.) less than 1 **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 485,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** multi-channel pay-TV is available; Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite (2019) **Internet country code:** .sb **Internet users:** percent of population: 43% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1 ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** H4 **Airports:** 36 (2025) **Heliports:** 2 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 25 (2023) by type: general cargo 8, oil tanker 1, other 16 **Ports:** total ports: 6 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 4 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Gizo Harbor, Honiara, Port Noro, Ringgi Cove, Tulaghi, Yandina ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS): the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) (2025) **Military - note:** in 2017, the Solomon Islands and Australia signed a security treaty allowing Australian police, defense, and associated civilian personnel to deploy rapidly to Solomon Islands should the need arise and where both countries consent; the treaty was activated for the first time in November 2021 following civil unrest in Honiara; Australia was the first country Solomon Islands called upon for support, and from November 2021, Australia deployed police and defense personnel to work alongside partners from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and New Zealand to restore law and order in Honiara in 2022, the Solomon Islands Government has also signed a police and security agreement with China (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** IDPs: 1,638 (2023 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Solomon Islands does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, Solomon Islands was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/solomon-islands/ --- ## Tokelau **Slug:** tokelau **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇹🇰 **Codes:** cek: tl, iso2: TK, iso3: TKL, iso_num: 772, genc: TKL, stanag: TKL, internet: .tk ### Introduction **Background:** Tokelau is composed of three atolls (Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunonu), and it was first settled by Polynesians around A.D. 1000. The atolls operated relatively independently, but Fakaofo Atoll eventually subjugated the others. British explorers first saw the atolls in 1765 and 1791. Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived in the 1840s and converted the population on the islands on which they landed. In 1863 Peruvian slave raiders abducted many islanders, and roughly contemporary outbreaks of disease reduced the population to about 200. Settlers of diverse nationalities subsequently intermarried with Tokelauans. In the same period, local governance moved to a system based on a Council of Elders, which still exists today. British interest began in the late 1870s, and Tokelau became a British protectorate in 1889, and in 1916 under the name Union Group, Tokelau became part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. In 1925, the UK placed Tokelau under New Zealand administration. The Tokelau Islands Act of 1948 formally transferred sovereignty from the UK to New Zealand, and Tokelauans were granted New Zealand citizenship. In 1979, the US relinquished its claim to Tokelau in the Treaty of Tokehega, and Tokelau relinquished its claim to Swains Island, which is part of American Samoa. Economic opportunities in Tokelau are sparse, and about 80% of Tokelauans live in New Zealand. Tokelau held self-governance referendums in 2006 and 2007 in which more than 60% of voters chose free association with New Zealand; however, the referendums failed to achieve the two-thirds majority necessary to enact a status change. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of three atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand **Geographic coordinates:** 9 00 S, 172 00 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 12 sq km land: 12 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** about 17 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 101 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) **Terrain:** low-lying coral atolls enclosing large lagoons **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed location 5 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 60% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 40% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** the small population is fairly evenly distributed among the three atolls **Natural hazards:** lies in Pacific cyclone belt **Geography - note:** consists 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 (10 ft) above sea level ### People and Society **Population:** total: 2,453 (2024 est.) male: 1,201 (2024 est.) female: 1,252 (2024 est.) **Nationality:** noun: Tokelauan(s) adjective: Tokelauan **Ethnic groups:** Tokelauan 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.) **Languages:** Tokelauan 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 **Religions:** Congregational Christian Church 50.4%, Roman Catholic 38.7%, Presbyterian 5.9%, other Christian 4.2%, unspecified 0.8% (2016 est.) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 52.7 (2024) youth dependency ratio: 40 (2024) elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 (2024) potential support ratio: 7.9 (2024) **Population growth rate:** -0.01% (2019 est.) **Net migration rate:** -3.84 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Population distribution:** the small population is fairly evenly distributed among the three atolls **Urbanization:** urban population: 0% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: rural: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: rural: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.67 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 100% (2022 est.) male: 100% (2022 est.) female: 100% (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** overfishing; damage to forest resources; pollution of freshwater and coastal waters from improper disposal of chemicals **Climate:** tropical; moderated by trade winds (April to November) **Land use:** agricultural land: 60% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 40% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 0% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tokelau former: Union Islands, Tokelau Islands etymology: the name comes from the Polynesian word tokelau, meaning "north wind;" the name "Tokelau Islands" was adopted in 1946, and the shortened form in 1976 **Government type:** parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy **Dependency status:** Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand and part of the Realm of New Zealand; Tokelau has its own political institutions, judicial system, public services (including telecommunications and shipping), and budget control **Capital:** time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: there is no designated, official capital for Tokelau; the location of the capital rotates among the three atolls along with the head of government or Ulu o Tokelau **Legal system:** common law system of New Zealand **Constitution:** history: many previous; latest effective 1 January 1949 (Tokelau Act 1948 of New Zealand) amendment process: proposed as a resolution by the General Fono; passage requires support by each village and approval by the General Fono note: Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory and has been administered by New Zealand since 1926; Tokelau is considered "part of New Zealand” under the Tokelau Act 1948, and Tokelauans are New Zealand citizens; in the mid-2000s Tokelau held two referenda on becoming self-governing in free association with New Zealand; the first vote was held in February 2006 but narrowly missed the two-thirds majority required for a change of status, as did a second vote held in 2007; since the self-government referenda, Tokelau has put questions about its constitutional status on hold; it remains a territory of New Zealand but exercises a substantial degree of self-government **Citizenship:** see New Zealand **Suffrage:** 21 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor-General of New Zealand Dame Cindy KIRO (since 21 September 2021); New Zealand is represented by Administrator Don HIGGINS (since June 2022) head of government: (Ulu o Tokelau) Esera Fofō Filipo Tuisano TUISANO (since 17 March 2025) cabinet: Council for the Ongoing Government of Tokelau (or Tokelau Council) functions as a cabinet; consists of 3 village leaders (Faipule) and 3 village mayors (Pulenuku) election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; administrator appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand; head of government chosen from the Council of Faipule to serve a 1-year term note: the meeting place of the Tokelau Council and the head of government position rotates annually among the three atolls; this tradition has given rise to the somewhat misleading description that the capital rotates yearly between the three atolls, but Tokelau has no capital **Legislative branch:** legislature name: General Fono (Fono Fakamua) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 20 electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 26 January 2023 parties elected and seats per party: independents (20) percentage of women in chamber: 15% expected date of next election: January 2026 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (in New Zealand) (consists of the court president and 8 judges sitting in 3- or 5-judge panels, depending on the case) judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Judicial Selection Committee and approved by three-quarters majority of the Parliament; judges serve for life subordinate courts: High Court (in New Zealand); Council of Elders or Taupulega **Political parties:** none **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (territory of New Zealand) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** none (territory of New Zealand) **International organization participation:** PIF (associate member), SPC, UNESCO (associate), UPU **Independence:** none (territory of New Zealand) **National holiday:** Waitangi Day, 6 February (1840) note: Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand **Flag:** description: a stylized yellow Tokelauan canoe on a dark blue field sails toward four white five-pointed stars on the left side meaning: the stars are the Southern Cross constellation and represent the role of Christianity in Tokelauan culture; the stars and canoe together symbolize the country navigating into the future; yellow stands for happiness and peace, and blue for the ocean **National symbol(s):** tuluma (fishing tackle box) **National color(s):** blue, yellow, white **National anthem(s):** title: “Viki O Tokelau” (Anthem of Tokelau) lyrics/music: Eric Lemuelu FALIMA history: adopted 2012; national contest was held to choose a local anthem _____ title: "God Defend New Zealand" lyrics/music: Thomas BRACKEN [English], Thomas Henry SMITH [Maori]/John Joseph WOODS history: official anthem, as a territory of New Zealand; played when no members of the royal family or the governor-general are present _____ title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: official anthem, as a territory of New Zealand; normally played only when a member of the royal family or the governor-general is present ### Economy **Economic overview:** small New Zealand territorial island economy; labor force can work in New Zealand or Australia; significant remittances; largely solar-powered infrastructure; reliant on New Zealand funding; stamp, coin, and crafts producer **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $7,711,583 (2017 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars. **Real GDP per capita:** $6,004 (2017 est.) $4,855 (2016 est.) $4,292 (2015 est.) note: data are in 2017 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $12.658 million (2017 est.) note: data uses New Zealand Dollar (NZD) as the currency of exchange. **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 4% (2020 est.) 2.5% (2019 est.) 11% (2017 est.) note: Tokelau notes that its wide inflation swings are due almost entirely to cigarette prices, a chief import. **Agricultural products:** coconuts, root vegetables, tropical fruits, pork, bananas, eggs, chicken (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** small-scale enterprises for copra production, woodworking, plaited craft goods; stamps, coins; fishing **Budget:** revenues: $24,324,473 (2017 est.) expenditures: $11,666,542 (2017 est.) **Exports - partners:** Czechia 92%, Singapore 2%, Brazil 1%, South Africa 1%, Sri Lanka 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** cars, telephones, garments, iron fasteners, fabric (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports - partners:** Samoa 31%, Italy 23%, France 21%, Netherlands 16%, Germany 2% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, stone processing machines, refined petroleum, gas turbines, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** New Zealand dollars (NZD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.652 (2024 est.) 1.628 (2023 est.) 1.577 (2022 est.) 1.414 (2021 est.) 1.542 (2020 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 300 (2010 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2010 est.) **Broadcast media:** Sky TV access for about a third of the population; each atoll operates a radio service with shipping news and weather reports (2019) **Internet country code:** .tk **Internet users:** percent of population: 58.3% (2021 est.) ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of New Zealand --- ## Tonga **Slug:** tonga **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇹🇴 **Codes:** cek: tn, iso2: TO, iso3: TON, iso_num: 776, genc: TON, stanag: TON, internet: .to ### Introduction **Background:** The first humans arrived in Tonga around 1000 B.C. The islands’ politics were highly centralized under the Tu’i Tonga, or Tongan king, by A.D. 950, and by 1200, the Tu’i Tonga had expanded his influence throughout Polynesia and into Melanesia and Micronesia. The Tongan Empire began to decline in the 1300s, with civil wars, a military defeat to Samoa, and internal political strife. By the mid-1500s, some Tu’i Tongans were ethnic Samoan, and day-to-day administration of Tonga was transferred to a new position occupied by ethnic Tongans. Dutch navigators explored the islands in the 1600s, followed by the British in the 1770s, who named them the Friendly Islands. Between 1799 and 1852 Tonga went through a period of war and disorder. In the 1830s, a low-ranking chief from Ha’apai began to consolidate control over the islands and was crowned King George TUPOU I in 1845, establishing the only still-extant Polynesian monarchy. During TUPOU's reign (1845–93), Tonga became a unified and independent country with a modern constitution (1875), legal code, and administrative structure. In separate treaties, Germany (1876), Great Britain (1879), and the US (1888) recognized Tonga’s independence. His son and successor, King George TUPOU II, agreed to enter a protectorate agreement with the UK in 1900 after rival Tongan chiefs tried to overthrow him. As a protectorate, Tonga never completely lost its indigenous governance, but it did become more isolated and the social hierarchy became more stratified between a group of nobles and a large class of commoners. Today, about one third of parliamentary seats are reserved for nobles. Tonga regained full control of domestic and foreign affairs and became a fully independent nation within the Commonwealth in 1970. A pro-democracy movement gained steam in the early 2000s, led by ‘Akilisi POHIVA, and in 2006, riots broke out in Nuku’alofa to protest the lack of progress on reform. To appease the activists, in 2008, King George TUPOU V announced he was relinquishing most of his powers leading up to parliamentary elections in 2010 and henceforth most of the monarch’s governmental decisions, except those relating to the judiciary, were to be made in consultation with the prime minister. The 2010 Legislative Assembly was called Tonga’s first democratically elected Parliament. King George TUPOU V died in 2012 and was succeeded by his brother Crown Prince Tupouto‘a Lavaka who ruled as George TUPOU VI. In 2015, ‘Akalisi POHIVA became Tonga’s first non-noble prime minister. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand **Geographic coordinates:** 20 00 S, 175 00 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 747 sq km land: 717 sq km water: 30 sq km **Area - comparative:** four times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 419 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation **Climate:** tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) **Terrain:** mostly flat islands with limestone bedrock formed from uplifted coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic rock **Elevation:** highest point: Kao Volcano on Kao Island 1,046 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** arable land, fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 48.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 27.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 15.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 5.6% (2023 est.) forest: 12.1% (2023 est.) other: 39.3% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** over two thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied **Natural hazards:** cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou volcanism: moderate volcanic activity; Fonualei (180 m) has had frequent activity in recent years, and Niuafo'ou (260 m) has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes include Late and Tofua **Geography - note:** the 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 104,519 (2025 est.) male: 52,421 female: 52,098 **Nationality:** noun: Tongan(s) adjective: Tongan **Ethnic groups:** Tongan 96.5%, other (European, Fijian, Samoan, Indian, Chinese, other Pacific Islander, other Asian, other) 3.5% (2021 est.) **Languages:** Tongan only 85%, Tongan and other language 13.9%, Tongan not used at home 1.1% (2021 est.) note: data represent language use at home of persons aged 5 and older **Religions:** Protestant 63.9% (Free Wesleyan Church 34.2%, Free Church of Tonga 11.3%, Church of Tonga 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 2.5%, Assembly of God 2.5%, Tokaikolo/Maamafo'ou 1.5%, Constitutional Church of Tonga 1.2%, other Protestant 4%), Church of Jesus Christ 19.7%, Roman Catholic 13.7%, other 2.1%, none 0.6%, no answer 0.1% (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 29.3% (male 15,627/female 15,142) 15-64 years: 63.2% (male 33,445/female 32,867) 65 years and over: 7.4% (2024 est.) (male 3,534/female 4,274) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 57.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 45.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11.9 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.4 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 26.4 years (2025 est.) male: 25.4 years female: 26.4 years **Population growth rate:** -0.37% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 19.43 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 4.98 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -18.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** over two thirds of the population lives on the island of Tongatapu; only 45 of the nation's 171 islands are occupied **Urbanization:** urban population: 23.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 23,000 NUKU'ALOFA (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 24.9 years (2012 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 67 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 11.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 78 years (2024 est.) male: 76.4 years female: 79.7 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.59 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.28 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 98.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 98.8% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 1.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 1.2% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 6.3% of GDP (2021) 8.7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.01 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.6% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.4% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 48.2% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.31 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 30.5% (2025 est.) male: 46.1% (2025 est.) female: 15.8% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 0.8% (2019 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 50.7% (2021 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0.4% (2019) women married by age 18: 10.1% (2019) men married by age 18: 2.8% (2019) **Education expenditure:** 5.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 9.3% national budget (2024 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 91.1% (2019 est.) male: 83.8% (2019 est.) female: 97.6% (2019 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 18 years (2020 est.) male: 16 years (2020 est.) female: 19 years (2020 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation from land being cleared for agriculture and settlement; soil exhaustion; water pollution due to salinization, sewage, and toxic chemicals from farming activities; coral reefs and marine populations threatened **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season (December to May), cool season (May to December) **Land use:** agricultural land: 48.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 27.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 15.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 5.6% (2023 est.) forest: 12.1% (2023 est.) other: 39.3% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 23.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 174,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 174,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 17,200 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.2% (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Kingdom of Tonga conventional short form: Tonga local long form: Pule'anga Fakatu'i 'o Tonga local short form: Tonga former: Friendly Islands etymology: the name is of local origin and is said to mean "island;" the former name, the Friendly Islands, came from Captain James COOK in 1773, based on the welcome he received from the inhabitants **Government type:** constitutional monarchy **Capital:** name: Nuku'alofa geographic coordinates: 21 08 S, 175 12 W time difference: UTC+13 (18 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins first Sunday in November; ends second Sunday in January etymology: name is said to be composed of the local words nuku, meaning "residence or abode," and alofa, meaning "love;" it may also mean "the south," describing Tonga's position in relation to most other Polynesian islands **Administrative divisions:** 5 island divisions; 'Eua, Ha'apai, Ongo Niua, Tongatapu, Vava'u **Legal system:** English common law **Constitution:** history: adopted 4 November 1875, revised 1988, 2016 amendment process: proposed by the Legislative Assembly; passage requires approval by the Assembly in each of three readings, the unanimous approval of the Privy Council (a high-level advisory body to the monarch), the Cabinet, and assent to by the monarch **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 Tonga; if a child is born out of wedlock, the mother must be a citizen of Tonga dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 21 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King TUPOU VI (since 18 March 2012) head of government: Prime Minister Fatafehi FAKAFANUA (since 18 December 2025) cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime minister indirectly elected by the Legislative Assembly and appointed by the monarch most recent election date: 15 December 2025 election results: 2025: Fatafehi FAKAFANUA elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly; Fatafehi FAKAFANUA (Independent) 16 votes, Aisake Valu EKE (Independent) 10 votes 2024: Aisake Valu EKE elected prime minister by the Legislative Assembly; Aisake Valu EKE (Independent) 16 votes, Viliami LATU (Independent) 8 note: a Privy Council advises the monarch **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Fale Alea) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 30 (17 directly elected; 9 indirectly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 11/20/2025 percentage of women in chamber: 3.8% expected date of next election: November 2025 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and a number of judges determined by the monarch) judge selection and term of office: judge appointments and tenures made by the King in Privy Council and subject to consent of the Legislative Assembly subordinate courts: Supreme Court; Magistrates' Courts; Land Courts note: appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are brought before the King in Privy Council, the monarch's advisory organ that has both judicial and legislative powers **Political parties:** Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands or DPFI or PTOA Tonga People's Party (Paati ʻa e Kakai ʻo Tonga) or PAK or TPPI **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Viliana Va’inga TONE (since 20 April 2021) chancery: 250 East 51st Street, New York, NY 10022 telephone: [1] (917) 369-1025 FAX: [1] (917) 369-1024 email address and website: tongaconsnot@gmail.com consulate(s) general: San Francisco **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Marie DAMOUR (since 6 December 2022); note - Ambassador DAMOUR is based in the US Embassy in the Republic of Fiji and is accredited to Tonga as well as Kiribati, Nauru, and Tuvalu embassy: although the US opened an embassy in Tonga on 9 May 2023, the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tonga while the Embassy is being staffed **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 4 June 1970 (from UK protectorate status) **National holiday:** Official birthday of King TUPOU VI, 4 July (1959) note: the monarch's actual birthday is 12 July 1959, 4 July (2015) is the day the king was crowned; Constitution Day (National Day), 4 November (1875) **Flag:** description: red with a red cross on a white rectangle in the upper-left corner meaning: the cross stands for Christianity in Tonga, red for Christ's blood and sacrifice, and white for purity **National symbol(s):** red cross on white field **National color(s):** red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Ko e fasi 'o e tu'i 'o e 'Otu Tonga" (Song of the King of the Tonga Islands) lyrics/music: Uelingatoni Ngu TUPOUMALOHI/Karl Gustavus SCHMITT history: in use since 1874; more commonly known as "Fasi Fakafonua" (National Song) ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous diaspora and remittance reliance; key tourism and agricultural sectors; major fish exporter; rapidly growing Chinese infrastructure investments; rising methamphetamine hub **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $740.082 million (2023 est.) $724.972 million (2022 est.) $742.114 million (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 2.1% (2023 est.) -2.3% (2022 est.) 0.4% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $7,100 (2023 est.) $6,900 (2022 est.) $7,000 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $508.735 million (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 3.2% (2024 est.) 6.4% (2023 est.) 11% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 17.5% (2023 est.) industry: 13.5% (2023 est.) services: 50.2% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 107.6% (2023 est.) government consumption: 29.1% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 27.3% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -0.3% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -75.4% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, pumpkins/squash, cassava, sweet potatoes, vegetables, yams, taro, root vegetables, plantains, lemons/limes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, construction, fishing **Industrial production growth rate:** -11.1% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 34,800 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.2% (2024 est.) 2.3% (2023 est.) 2.4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 6.3% (2024 est.) male: 3.9% (2024 est.) female: 10% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 20.6% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 27.1 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 4% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 22% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 50% of GDP (2023 est.) 41.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 42% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $276.025 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $244.97 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 43.9% of GDP (2020 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 23.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$21.165 million (2024 est.) -$30.087 million (2023 est.) -$27.749 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $119.511 million (2024 est.) $95.345 million (2023 est.) $59.926 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Guyana 17%, USA 17%, NZ 15%, Australia 15%, UAE 12% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** refined petroleum, gold, processed fruits and nuts, cassava, fish (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $392.888 million (2024 est.) $383.475 million (2023 est.) $330.306 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Fiji 27%, NZ 24%, China 21%, Australia 8%, USA 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, plastic products, poultry, cars, sheep and goat meat (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $377.299 million (2024 est.) $396.53 million (2023 est.) $375.564 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $159.276 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** pa'anga (TOP) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 2.373 (2024 est.) 2.364 (2023 est.) 2.328 (2022 est.) 2.265 (2021 est.) 2.3 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 34,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 67.01 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 5.99 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 89% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 9.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 1,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 23.272 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 11,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 64,800 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 62 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** 1 state-owned TV station and 3 privately owned TV stations; satellite and cable TV services available; 1 state-owned and 5 privately owned radio stations; Radio Australia available via satellite (2019) **Internet country code:** .to **Internet users:** percent of population: 59% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 9,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 8 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** A3 **Airports:** 6 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 29 (2023) by type: container ship 1, general cargo 13, oil tanker 1, other 14 **Ports:** total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Neiafu, Nuku Alofa, Pangai ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** His Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga (HMAF; aka Tonga Defense Services): Tonga Royal Guard, Tonga Land Force (Royal Tongan Marines), Tonga Navy, Air Wing Ministry of Police and Fire Services: Tonga Police Force (2025) **Military expenditures:** 1.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 600 active Armed Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military's inventory consists of light weapons, as well as some naval patrol vessels acquired from Australia (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 16-25 years of age for men and women to apply for trainee soldier; no conscription (2025) **Military - note:** the military's primary missions are defending Tonga's sovereignty, providing maritime security, and protecting the King; it is also responsible for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, search and rescue operations, monitoring against illegal fishing, and delivering supplies to the outer islands; the military has contributed limited numbers of personnel to multinational military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Solomon Islands; Australia, New Zealand, and the US are key partners Tonga has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Tonga's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas Tonga participated in World War I as part of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, but the Tonga Defense Force (TDF) was not established until 1939 at the beginning of World War II; in 1943, New Zealand helped train about 2,000 Tongan troops who saw action in the Solomon Islands; the TDF was disbanded at the end of the war, but was reactivated in 1946 as the Tonga Defense Services (TDS); in 2013, the name of the TDS was changed to His Majesty’s Armed Forces of Tonga (HMAF) (2025) --- ## Tuvalu **Slug:** tuvalu **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇹🇻 **Codes:** cek: tv, iso2: TV, iso3: TUV, iso_num: 798, genc: TUV, stanag: TUV, internet: .tv ### Introduction **Background:** Voyagers from either Samoa or Tonga first populated Tuvalu in the first millennium A.D., and the islands provided a stepping-stone for various Polynesian communities that subsequently settled in Melanesia and Micronesia. Tuvalu eventually came under Samoan and Tongan spheres of influence, although proximity to Micronesia allowed some Micronesian communities to flourish in Tuvalu, in particular on Nui Atoll. In the late 1700s and early 1800s, a series of American, British, Dutch, and Russian ships visited the islands, which were named the Ellice Islands in 1819. The UK declared a protectorate over islands in 1892 and merged them with the Micronesian Gilbert Islands. The Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate became a colony in 1916. During World War II, the US set up military bases on a few islands, and in 1943, after Japan captured many of the northern Gilbert Islands, the UK transferred administration of the colony southward to Funafuti. After the war, Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands was once again made the colony’s capital, and the center of power was firmly in the Gilbert Islands, including the colony’s only secondary school. Amid growing tensions with the Gilbertese, Tuvaluans voted to secede from the colony in 1974, were granted self-rule in 1975, and gained independence in 1978 as Tuvalu. In 1979, the US relinquished its claims to the Tuvaluan islands in a treaty of friendship. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, island group consisting of nine coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way from Hawaii to Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 8 00 S, 178 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 26 sq km land: 26 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** about the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 24 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) **Terrain:** low-lying and narrow coral atolls **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed location 5 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 2 m **Natural resources:** fish, coconut (copra) **Land use:** agricultural land: 60% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 34.3% (2023 est.) other: 5.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti **Natural hazards:** severe tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 there were three cyclones; low levels of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level **Geography - note:** one 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 11,824 (2025 est.) male: 5,865 female: 5,959 **Nationality:** noun: Tuvaluan(s) adjective: Tuvaluan **Ethnic groups:** Tuvaluan 97%, Tuvaluan/I-Kiribati 1.6%, Tuvaluan/other 0.8%, other 0.6% (2017 est.) **Languages:** Tuvaluan (official), English (official), Samoan, Kiribati (on the island of Nui) **Religions:** Protestant 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.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 29.2% (male 1,754/female 1,672) 15-64 years: 63.2% (male 3,736/female 3,675) 65 years and over: 7.6% (2024 est.) (male 326/female 570) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 59 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 46.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 28.1 years (2025 est.) male: 26.8 years female: 28.8 years **Population growth rate:** 0.75% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 21.57 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 7.78 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -6.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** over half of the population resides on the atoll of Funafuti **Urbanization:** urban population: 66.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.08% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 7,000 FUNAFUTI (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.57 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 170 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 27.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 31.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 24 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 69 years (2024 est.) male: 66.5 years female: 71.6 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.76 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.34 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 99% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 20% of GDP (2021) 11.2% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.35 physicians/1,000 population (2020) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 96.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 93.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 95.8% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 3.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 6.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 4.2% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 51.6% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.93 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 32.4% (2025 est.) male: 46.2% (2025 est.) female: 18.1% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 2.9% (2019 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 64.2% (2020 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0% (2020) women married by age 18: 1.8% (2020) men married by age 18: 1.7% (2020) **Education expenditure:** 12.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 16.8% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 100% (2022 est.) male: 100% (2022 est.) female: 100% (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** limited freshwater resources; beach erosion; deforestation; damage to coral reefs; rising sea levels **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban **Climate:** tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March) **Land use:** agricultural land: 60% (2023 est.) arable land: 0% (2022 est.) permanent crops: 60% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 34.3% (2023 est.) other: 5.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 66.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.08% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 6.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,000 tons (2024 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Tuvalu local long form: none local short form: Tuvalu former: Ellice Islands etymology: the name in the local language means "group of eight" or "eight standing together," referring to eight of the country's nine islands; the remaining island, Nui, was left out of the original grouping because its inhabitants spoke a different language; the former name was given in honor of Canadian shipping company owner Alexander Ellice, who owned a ship that visited the islands in 1819 **Government type:** parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm **Capital:** name: Funafuti geographic coordinates: 8 31 S, 179 13 E time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the town has the same name as the island it is located on; the name may either come from the Polynesian word futi (banana) or the name Futi, one of the wives of a local ruler, with the word funa added as a feminine prefix note: the capital is an atoll of 29 islets; administrative offices are in Vaiaku Village on Fongafale Islet **Administrative divisions:** 7 island councils and 1 town council*; Funafuti*, Nanumaga, Nanumea, Niutao, Nui, Nukufetau, Nukulaelae, Vaitupu **Legal system:** mixed system of English common law and local customary law **Constitution:** history: previous 1978 (at independence); latest effective 1 October 1986 amendment process: proposed by the House of Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership in the final reading **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes; for a child born abroad, at least one parent must be a citizen of Tuvalu dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: na **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Tofiga Vaevalu FALANI (since 29 August 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Feleti Penitala TEO (since 27 February 2024) cabinet: Cabinet members selected by the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on recommendation of the prime minister and the parliament; prime minister and deputy prime minister elected by and from members of House of Assembly following parliamentary elections election results: 2024: TEO was the only candidate nominated by the House of Assembly 2019: Kausea NATANO elected prime minister by House of Assembly; House of Assembly vote - 10 to 6 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament (Palamene) legislative structure: unicameral chamber name: Parliament of Tuvalu (Palamene o Tuvalu) number of seats: 16 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 1/26/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 0% expected date of next election: January 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of the chief justice and not less than 3 appeals judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice); appeals beyond the Court of Appeal are heard by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (in London) judge selection and term of office: Court of Appeal judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; judge tenure based on terms of appointment; High Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet; chief justice serves for life; other judges appointed by the governor general on the advice of the Cabinet after consultation with chief justice; judge tenure set by terms of appointment subordinate courts: magistrates' courts; island courts; land courts **Political parties:** note: no political parties, but members of parliament usually align in informal groupings **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Tapugao FALEFOU (since 19 April 2023); note - also Permanent Representative to UN chancery: 685 Third Avenue, Suite 1104, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 490-0534 FAX: [1] (212) 808-4975 email address and website: tuvalumission.un@gmail.com tuvalu.unmission@gov.tv https://www.un.int/tuvalu/about note: the Tuvalu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the Embassy **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: the US does not have an embassy in Tuvalu; the US Ambassador to Fiji is accredited to Tuvalu **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFRCS (observer), ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO **Independence:** 1 October 1978 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 1 October (1978) **Flag:** description: light blue with the UK flag in the upper-left quadrant; the right half of the flag has nine five-pointed yellow stars meaning: the stars represent a map of the country, with each symbolizing an atoll in the ocean **National symbol(s):** maneapa (native meeting house) **National color(s):** light blue, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Tuvalu mo te Atua" (Tuvalu for the Almighty) lyrics/music: Afaese MANOA history: adopted 1978; the anthem's name is also the nation's motto title: "God Save the King" lyrics/music: unknown history: used since 1745 ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper middle-income Pacific island economy; extremely environmentally fragile; currency pegged to Australian dollar; large international aid recipient; subsistence agrarian sector; Te Kakeega sustainable development; domain name licensing incomes **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $57.055 million (2023 est.) $54.938 million (2022 est.) $54.568 million (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 3.9% (2023 est.) 0.7% (2022 est.) 1.8% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $5,800 (2023 est.) $5,500 (2022 est.) $5,400 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $62.28 million (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 11.5% (2022 est.) 6.2% (2021 est.) 1.9% (2020 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 15.9% (2015 est.) industry: 7% (2015 est.) services: 70% (2012 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **Agricultural products:** coconuts, vegetables, tropical fruits, bananas, root vegetables, pork, chicken, eggs, pork fat, pork offal (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** fishing **Remittances:** 4.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 4.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $87 million (2019 est.) expenditures: $88 million (2019 est.) note: revenue data include Official Development Assistance from Australia **Current account balance:** $2.713 million (2022 est.) $14.533 million (2021 est.) $8.46 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $2.232 million (2022 est.) $2.745 million (2021 est.) $3.089 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Thailand 88%, Japan 6%, Philippines 3%, Ireland 1%, USA 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fish (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports:** $57.388 million (2022 est.) $63.962 million (2021 est.) $56.947 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 42%, Fiji 24%, Japan 11%, Australia 11%, NZ 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** ships, refined petroleum, iron structures, fish, hand tools (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** Tuvaluan dollars or Australian dollars (AUD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.515 (2024 est.) 1.505 (2023 est.) 1.442 (2022 est.) 1.331 (2021 est.) 1.453 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 99.1% ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 2,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 21 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 9,880 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 99 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** no TV stations; many households use satellite dishes to watch foreign TV; 1 state-owned radio station, Radio Tuvalu, includes relays from international broadcasters (2019) **Internet country code:** .tv **Internet users:** percent of population: 74% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 0 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** T2 **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 270 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 21, container ship 3, general cargo 29, oil tanker 19, other 198 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Funafuti Atoll ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; Tuvalu Police Force **Military - note:** as part of the Falepili Union treaty between Australia and Tuvalu, which entered into force in August 2024, Australia committed to assist Tuvalu in response to a major natural disaster, health pandemic, or military aggression; Tuvalu pledged to mutually agree with Australia any partnership, arrangement, or engagement with any other State or entity on security and defense-related matters in Tuvalu Tuvalu has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Tuvalu's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) --- ## United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges **Slug:** united-states-pacific-island-wildlife-refuges **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Codes:** cek: um ### Introduction **Background:** All of the following US Pacific Island territories except Midway Atoll constitute the Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex and as such are managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service of the US Department of the Interior. Midway Atoll NWR has been included in a Refuge Complex with the Hawaiian Islands NWR and also designated as part of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. These remote refuges are the most widespread collection of marine- and terrestrial-life protected areas on the planet under a single country's jurisdiction. They sustain many endemic species including corals, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, seabirds, water birds, land birds, insects, and vegetation not found elsewhere. Baker Island: The US took possession of the island in 1857. US and British companies mined its guano deposits during the second half of the 19th century. In 1935, a short-lived attempt at colonization began but was disrupted by World War II, and the island was thereafter abandoned. Baker Island was declared a National Wildlife Refuge in 1974. Howland Island: The US discovered the island early in the 19th century and officially claimed it in 1857. Both US and British companies mined guano on the island until about 1890. Earhart Light, a day beacon near the middle of the west coast, was partially destroyed during World War II but subsequently rebuilt; it is named in memory of famed aviatrix Amelia EARHART. The US Department of the Interior administers the island as a National Wildlife Refuge. Jarvis Island: First discovered by the British in 1821, the uninhabited island was annexed by the US in 1858 but abandoned in 1879 after tons of guano deposits were removed for use in producing fertilizer. The UK annexed the island in 1889 but never carried out plans for further exploitation. The US occupied and reclaimed the island in 1935. Abandoned after World War II, the island is currently a National Wildlife Refuge administered by the US Department of the Interior. Johnston Atoll: Both the US and the Kingdom of Hawaii annexed Johnston Atoll in 1858, but it was the US that mined the guano deposits until the late 1880s. Johnston Atoll was designated a wildlife refuge in 1926. The US Navy took over the atoll in 1934, and the US Air Force assumed control in 1948. The site was used for high-altitude nuclear tests in the 1950s and 1960s, and until 2000, the atoll was maintained as a storage and disposal site for chemical weapons. Cleanup and closure of the weapons facility ended in 2005. Kingman Reef: The US annexed Kingman Reef in 1922. Its sheltered lagoon served as a way station for flying boats on Hawaii-to-American Samoa flights during the late 1930s. There are no terrestrial plants on the reef, which is frequently awash, but it does support abundant and diverse marine fauna and flora. In 2001, the waters surrounding the reef out to 12 nm were designated a US National Wildlife Refuge. Midway Islands: The US took formal possession of the Midway Islands in 1867. The laying of the trans-Pacific cable, which passed through the islands, brought the first residents in 1903. Between 1935 and 1947, Midway was used as a refueling stop for trans-Pacific flights. The US naval victory over a Japanese fleet off Midway in 1942 was one of the turning points of World War II. The islands continued to serve as a naval station until 1993. Today the islands are a US National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was open to the public from 1996 to 2002 and again from 2008 to 2012, but it is now closed. Palmyra Atoll: The Kingdom of Hawaii claimed the atoll in 1862, and the US included it among the Hawaiian Islands when it annexed the archipelago in 1898. The Hawaii Statehood Act of 1959 did not include Palmyra Atoll, which is now partly privately owned by the Nature Conservancy and partly US Government-owned and administered as a nature preserve. The lagoons and surrounding waters within the 12-nautical-mile US territorial seas were transferred to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and were designated a National Wildlife Refuge in 2001. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania Baker Island: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 3,390 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia Howland Island: island in the North Pacific Ocean 3,360 km southwest of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Australia Jarvis Island: island in the South Pacific Ocean 2,415 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and Cook Islands Johnston Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,330 km southwest of Honolulu, about one-third of the way from Hawaii to the Marshall Islands Kingman Reef: reef in the North Pacific Ocean 1,720 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa Midway Islands: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 2,335 km northwest of Honolulu near the end of the Hawaiian Archipelago, about one-third of the way from Honolulu to Tokyo Palmyra Atoll: atoll in the North Pacific Ocean 1,780 km south of Honolulu, about halfway between Hawaii and American Samoa **Geographic coordinates:** Baker Island: 0 13 N, 176 28 W Howland Island: 0 48 N, 176 38 W Jarvis Island: 0 23 S, 160 01 W Johnston Atoll: 16 45 N, 169 31 W Kingman Reef: 6 23 N, 162 25 W Midway Islands: 28 12 N, 177 22 W Palmyra Atoll: 5 53 N, 162 05 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** land: 6,959.41 sq km (emergent land - 22.41 sq km; submerged - 6,937 sq km) Baker Island: total - 129.1 sq km; emergent land - 2.1 sq km; submerged - 127 sq km Howland Island: total - 138.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 136 sq km Jarvis Island: total - 152 sq km; emergent land - 5 sq km; submerged - 147 sq km Johnston Atoll: total - 276.6 sq km; emergent land - 2.6 sq km; submerged - 274 sq km Kingman Reef: total - 1,958.01 sq km; emergent land - 0.01 sq km; submerged - 1,958 sq km Midway Islands: total - 2,355.2 sq km; emergent land - 6.2 sq km; submerged - 2,349 sq km Palmyra Atoll: total - 1,949.9 sq km; emergent land - 3.9 sq km; submerged - 1,946 sq km **Area - comparative:** Baker Island: about 2.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Howland Island: about three times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Jarvis Island: about eight times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Johnston Atoll: about 4.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Kingman Reef: a little more than 1.5 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Midway Islands: about nine times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Palmyra Atoll: about 20 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** Baker Island: 4.8 km Howland Island: 6.4 km Jarvis Island: 8 km Johnston Atoll: 34 km Kingman Reef: 3 km Midway Islands: 15 km Palmyra Atoll: 14.5 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year **Terrain:** low and nearly flat sandy coral islands with narrow fringing reefs that have developed at the top of submerged volcanic mountains, which in most cases rise steeply from the ocean floor **Elevation:** highest point: Baker Island, unnamed location 8 m; Howland Island, unnamed location 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location 7 m; Johnston Atoll, Sand Island 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location less than 13 m; Palmyra Atoll, unnamed location 3 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** terrestrial and aquatic wildlife **Land use:** other: 100% (2018 est.) **Natural hazards:** Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef around the island poses a maritime hazard Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time; maximum elevation of less than 2 m makes the reef a maritime hazard **Geography - note:** Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: scattered vegetation consisting of grasses, 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 that 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 (21 mi) 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 observation and photography Palmyra Atoll: high rainfall and lush vegetation make the environment of this atoll unique among the US Pacific Island territories; supports a large undisturbed stand of Pisonia beach forest ### People and Society **Population:** note: entry is only allowed through a Special Use Permit when the activity is deemed appropriate with purposes to the refuge establishment. ### Environment **Environmental issues:** Baker Island: no natural freshwater resources Howland Island: no natural freshwater resources Jarvis Island: no natural freshwater resources Johnston Atoll: no natural freshwater resources; invasion of non-native species Midway Islands: pollution from plastic; predominantly non-native plant species Kingman Reef: none Palmyra Atoll: none **Climate:** Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun Johnston Atoll and Kingman Reef: tropical, but generally dry; consistent northeast trade winds with little seasonal temperature variation Midway Islands: subtropical with cool, moist winters (December to February) and warm, dry summers (May to October); moderated by prevailing easterly winds; most of the 107 cm of annual rainfall occurs during the winter Palmyra Atoll: equatorial, hot; located within the low pressure area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) where the northeast and southeast trade winds meet, it is extremely wet with between 400-500 cm of rainfall each year **Land use:** other: 100% (2018 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 294,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 294,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll etymology: self-descriptive name specifying the territories' affiliation and location **Dependency status:** with the exception of Palmyra Atoll, the constituent islands are unincorporated, unorganized territories of the US; administered 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 part privately owned and part federally owned; 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 **Legal system:** the laws of the US apply **Diplomatic representation from the US:** none (territories of the US) **Flag:** the US flag is used ### Energy **Coal:** imports: 108,000 metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 2 (2025) ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the US --- ## Vanuatu **Slug:** vanuatu **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇻🇺 **Codes:** cek: nh, iso2: VU, iso3: VUT, iso_num: 548, genc: VUT, stanag: VUT, internet: .vu ### Introduction **Background:** Austronesian speakers from the Solomon Islands first settled Vanuatu around 2000 B.C. By around 1000, localized chieftain systems began to develop on the islands. Around 1600, Melanesian Chief ROI MATA united some of the islands of modern-day Vanuatu under his rule. In 1606, a Portuguese explorer was the first European to see Vanuatu's Banks Islands and Espiritu Santo, setting up a short-lived settlement on the latter. The next European explorers arrived in the 1760s, and the islands -- then known as the New Hebrides -- were frequented by whalers in the 1800s. European interest in harvesting the islands’ sandalwood trees caused conflict with the inhabitants. In the 1860s, European planters in Australia, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Samoa needed labor and kidnapped almost half the adult males on the islands to work as indentured servants. With growing and overlapping interests in the islands, France and the UK agreed that the New Hebrides would be neutral in 1878 and established a joint naval commission in 1887. In 1906, the two countries created the UK-France condominium to jointly administer the islands, with separate laws, police forces, currencies, and education and health systems. The condominium arrangement was dysfunctional, and the UK used France’s initial defeat in World War II to assert greater control over the islands. During the war, the US stationed up to 50,000 soldiers in Vanuatu. In 1945, they withdrew and sold their equipment, leading to the rise of political and religious movements known as "cargo cults," such as the John Frum movement. The UK-France condominium was reestablished after World War II. The UK was interested in moving the condominium toward independence in the 1960s, but France was hesitant. Political parties agitating for independence began to form, largely divided along linguistic lines. France eventually relented, and elections were held in 1974, with independence granted to the newly named Vanuatu in 1980 under English-speaking Prime Minister Walter LINI. The Nagriamel Movement, with support from French-speaking landowners, then declared the island of Espiritu Santo independent from Vanuatu, but the short-lived state was dissolved 12 weeks later. Linguistic divisions have lessened over time, but highly fractious political parties have led to weak coalition governments that require support from both Anglophone and Francophone parties. Since 2008, prime ministers have been ousted more than a dozen times through no-confidence motions or temporary procedural issues. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Australia **Geographic coordinates:** 16 00 S, 167 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 12,189 sq km land: 12,189 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes more than 80 islands, about 65 of which are inhabited **Area - comparative:** slightly larger than Connecticut **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 2,528 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines **Climate:** tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April **Terrain:** mostly mountainous islands of volcanic origin; narrow coastal plains **Elevation:** highest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** manganese, hardwood forests, fish **Land use:** agricultural land: 15.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 10.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.4% (2023 est.) forest: 74.8% (2023 est.) other: 9.8% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace **Natural hazards:** tropical cyclones (January to April); volcanic activity; volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis volcanism: significant volcanic activity with multiple eruptions in recent years; Yasur (361 m), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experienced continuous activity in recent centuries; other historically active volcanoes include Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi, Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head **Geography - note:** a Y-shaped chain of four main islands and 80 smaller islands; several of the islands have active volcanoes, including several underwater volcanoes ### People and Society **Population:** total: 322,915 (2025 est.) male: 160,255 female: 162,660 **Nationality:** noun: Ni-Vanuatu (singular and plural) adjective: Ni-Vanuatu **Ethnic groups:** Ni-Vanuatu 99%, other 1% (European, Asian, other Melanesian, Polynesian, Micronesian, other) (2020 est.) **Languages:** indigenous languages (more than 100) 82.6%, Bislama (official; creole) 14.5%, English (official) 2.1%, French (official) 0.8% (2020 est.) note: data represent first language spoken for population aged 3 years and above **Religions:** Protestant 39.9% (Presbyterian 27.2%, Seventh Day Adventist 14.8%, Anglican 12%, Churches of Christ 5%, Assemblies of God 4.9%, Neil Thomas Ministry/Inner Life Ministry 3.2%), Roman Catholic 12.1%, Apostolic 2.3%, Church of Jesus Christ 1.8%, customary beliefs (including Jon Frum cargo cult) 3.1%, other 12%, none 1.4%, unspecified 0.1% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 31.1% (male 50,584/female 48,475) 15-64 years: 63.8% (male 99,496/female 103,425) 65 years and over: 5% (2024 est.) (male 7,852/female 8,175) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 55.8 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 47.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 12.3 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 24.9 years (2025 est.) male: 24.1 years female: 25 years **Population growth rate:** 1.51% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 20.36 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 4.02 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -1.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** three quarters of the population lives in rural areas; the urban populace lives primarily in two cities, Port-Vila and Lugenville; the three largest islands -- Espiritu Santo, Malakula, and Efate -- accommodate over half of the populace **Urbanization:** urban population: 26% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 53,000 PORT-VILA (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 100 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 15 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.3 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 75.7 years (2024 est.) male: 74 years female: 77.4 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.46 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.2 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 88.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 91.3% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 11.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 8.7% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 4.4% of GDP (2021) 3.9% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2019) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 94% of population (2022 est.) rural: 66.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 73.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 33.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 26.1% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 25.2% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 1.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.87 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 17.8% (2020 est.) male: 33% (2020 est.) female: 2.6% (2020 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 68.6% (2020 est.) **Education expenditure:** 7.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 20.1% national budget (2024 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 88% (2023 est.) male: 87.7% (2023 est.) female: 88.2% (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** water pollution; limited potable water; inadequate sanitation; deforestation **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; moderated by southeast trade winds from May to October; moderate rainfall from November to April; may be affected by cyclones from December to April **Land use:** agricultural land: 15.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 10.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 3.4% (2023 est.) forest: 74.8% (2023 est.) other: 9.8% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 26% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.55% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 292,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 292,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 9.1 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 70,200 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 52.9% (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 10 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of Vanuatu conventional short form: Vanuatu local long form: Ripablik blong Vanuatu local short form: Vanuatu former: New Hebrides etymology: the name means "Our land forever" in several of the Austronesian languages spoken on the islands; the former name, New Hebrides, was given by Captain James COOK in 1774 because he thought they looked similar to the Hebrides islands off the coast of Scotland **Government type:** parliamentary republic **Capital:** name: Port-Vila (on Efate) geographic coordinates: 17 44 S, 168 19 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the local name of Vila is sometimes used alone for the the port town; its meaning is unknown **Administrative divisions:** 6 provinces; Malampa, Penama, Sanma, Shefa, Tafea, Torba **Legal system:** mixed system of English common law, French law, and customary law **Constitution:** history: draft completed August 1979, finalized by constitution conference 19 September 1979, ratified by French and British Governments 23 October 1979, effective 30 July 1980 at independence amendment process: proposed by the prime minister or by the Parliament membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by Parliament in special session with at least three fourths of the membership; passage of amendments affecting the national and official languages, or the electoral and parliamentary system also requires approval in a referendum **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Vanuatu; in the case of only one parent, it must be the father who is a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Nikenike VUROBARAVU (since 23 July 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Jotham NAPAT (since 11 February 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister, responsible to Parliament election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of Parliament and presidents of the 6 provinces; national president serves a 5-year term; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition (who must also be a member of Parliament) as prime minister most recent election date: 23 July 2022 election results: 2022: Nikenike VUROBARAVU elected president in eighth round; electoral college vote - Nikenike VUROBARAVU (VP) 48 votes, Solas MOLISA (VP) 4 votes expected date of next election: 2027 note: the National Council of Chiefs (Malvatu Mauri) is a formal advisory body of chiefs recognized by the country's constitution; it advises the government on matters of culture and language **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 52 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 1/16/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Leaders Party of Vanuatu (LPV) (9); Vanua'aku Pati (VP) (7); Iauko Group (IG) (6); Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) (6); Rural Development Party (RDP) (6); Graon mo Jastis Pati (Land and Justice Party, GJP) (5); Reunification Movement for Change (RMC) (5); Other (8) percentage of women in chamber: 1.9% expected date of next election: January 2029 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeal (consists of 2 or more judges of the Supreme Court designated by the chief justice); Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 6 puisne judges -- 3 local and 3 expatriate) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president after consultation with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition; other judges appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Service Commission, a 4-member advisory body; judges serve until the age of retirement subordinate courts: Magistrates Courts; Island Courts **Political parties:** Iauko Group (Eagle Party) or IG Land and Justice Party (Graon mo Jastis Pati or GJP) Leaders Party of Vanuatu or LPV Rural Development Party or RDP Reunification of Movement for Change or RMC Union of Moderate Parties or UMP Vanua'aku Pati (Our Land Party) or VP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Odo TEVI (since 8 September 2017) note - also Permanent Representative to the UN chancery: 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400B, New York, NY 10017 telephone: [1] (212) 661-4303 FAX: [1] (212) 422-3427 email address and website: vanunmis@aol.com https://www.un.int/vanuatu/ note: the Vanuatu Permanent Mission to the UN serves as the embassy **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 16 April 2024); note - also accredited to the Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea embassy: Port Vila email address and website: https://vt.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IOM, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 30 July 1980 (from France and the UK) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 30 July (1980) **Flag:** description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and green with a black isosceles triangle (based on the left side); a black-edged yellow stripe in the shape of a horizontal "Y" faces the left side and encloses the triangle; a boar's tusk in the triangle circles two crossed namele fern fronds, all in yellow meaning: red stands for unity and the blood of men and boars, green for the richness of the islands, and black for the ni-Vanuatu people; the yellow "Y" reflects the islands' layout in the Pacific Ocean and symbolizes the light of the Gospel; the boar's tusk is a symbol of prosperity; the ferns represent peace note: one of four national flags that reflect the shape of the country in the flag design; the others are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, and Eritrea **National symbol(s):** boar's tusk with crossed fern fronds **National color(s):** red, black, green, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi" (We, We, We) lyrics/music: Francois Vincent AYSSAV history: adopted 1980; the anthem is written in the native Bislama **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Chief Roi Mata’s Domain ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower-middle income Pacific island economy; extremely reliant on subsistence agriculture and tourism; environmentally fragile; struggling post-pandemic and Tropical Cyclone Harold rebound; sizeable inflation; road infrastructure aid from Australia **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.039 billion (2024 est.) $999.162 million (2023 est.) $1.009 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 4% (2024 est.) -1% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $3,200 (2024 est.) $3,100 (2023 est.) $3,200 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.161 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 11.2% (2023 est.) 6.7% (2022 est.) 2.3% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 24.9% (2022 est.) industry: 7.5% (2022 est.) services: 60.4% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 77.2% (2022 est.) government consumption: 23.9% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 38.8% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 9.6% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -55.5% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** coconuts, oranges, yams, cabbages, taro, bananas, chillies/peppers, chestnuts, sweet potatoes, cassava (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** food and fish freezing, wood processing, meat canning **Industrial production growth rate:** -19.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 118,100 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 5.1% (2024 est.) 5.1% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 11.6% (2024 est.) male: 9.6% (2024 est.) female: 14% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 15.9% (2019 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 32.3 (2019 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3% (2019 est.) highest 10%: 24.7% (2019 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 12.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 19.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 20.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $386.577 million (2023 est.) expenditures: $378.659 million (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 71.7% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 17.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$127.432 million (2022 est.) -$75.451 million (2021 est.) -$57.858 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $152.087 million (2022 est.) $82.08 million (2021 est.) $132.943 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Thailand 49%, Japan 19%, Cote d'Ivoire 10%, China 7%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fish, ships, perfume plants, wood, copra (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $579.347 million (2022 est.) $520.391 million (2021 est.) $438.373 million (2020 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 26%, Australia 15%, Angola 11%, Fiji 9%, NZ 8% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, ships, plastic products, poultry, trucks (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $614.65 million (2024 est.) $643.768 million (2023 est.) $638.537 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $299.746 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** vatu (VUV) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 119.167 (2024 est.) 119.112 (2023 est.) 115.354 (2022 est.) 109.452 (2021 est.) 115.38 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 70% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 97% electrification - rural areas: 60.7% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 39,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 74.766 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 5.264 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 74.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 8.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 11.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 2,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 12.934 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 3,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 286,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 89 (2023 est.) **Broadcast media:** 1 state-owned TV station; multi-channel pay TV available; state-owned Radio Vanuatu has 2 radio stations; 2 privately owned radio broadcasters; multiple international broadcasts available (2023) **Internet country code:** .vu **Internet users:** percent of population: 46% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 4,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** YJ **Airports:** 31 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 338 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 11, container ship 3, general cargo 101, other 223 **Ports:** total ports: 3 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 2 key ports: Forari Bay, Luganville, Port Vila ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** no regular military forces; Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) note: the VPF includes the paramilitary Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and Police Maritime Wing (VMW); the VMF has external security responsibilities **Military - note:** the separate British and French police forces were unified in 1980 as the New Hebrides Constabulary, which was commanded by Ni-Vanuatu officers while retaining some British and French officers as advisors; the Constabulary was subsequently renamed the Vanuatu Police Force later in 1980 the Vanuatu Mobile Force has received training and other support from Australia, China, France, New Zealand, and the US Vanuatu has a "shiprider" agreement with the US, which allows local maritime law enforcement officers to embark on US Coast Guard (USCG) and US Navy (USN) vessels, including to board and search vessels suspected of violating laws or regulations within Vanuatu's designated exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or on the high seas; "shiprider" agreements also enable USCG personnel and USN vessels with embarked USCG law enforcement personnel to work with host nations to protect critical regional resources (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** IDPs: 2,336 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Vanuatu does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking, but the government has devoted sufficient resources to a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute significant efforts to meet the minimum standards; therefore, Vanuatu was granted a waiver per the Trafficking Victims Protection Act from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 and remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/vanuatu/ --- ## Wake Island **Slug:** wake-island **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Codes:** cek: wq, genc: XWK, stanag: UMI, internet: -, comment: ISO includes with the US Minor Outlying Islands ### Introduction **Background:** Early Micronesian and Polynesian settlers probably visited Wake Island, and oral legends tell of periodic voyages to the islands by people from the Marshall Islands. Wake Island was uninhabited when Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de NEYRA became the first European to see it in 1568 and still had no inhabitants when English captain Samuel WAKE sailed by it in 1796. The United States Exploring Expedition visited the island in 1841, and the US annexed it in 1899 to use as a cable and refueling station for its newly acquired Pacific territories of Hawaii, the Philippines, and Guam. In the 1930s, Pan American Airways built facilities on Wake Island so that it could be used as a stopover for flights from the US to China. In 1941, the US began to install military assets on Wake Island, and Japan then captured the island and held it until the end of World War II. In 1946, commercial airlines resumed using Wake Island as a refueling stop. In 1973, the Marshall Islands claimed Wake Island, based on the oral legends, although the US has not recognized these claims. In 1974, the US military took exclusive control of the island’s airstrip and restricted visitors. In 1978, Bikini Islanders from the Marshall Islands, who were evacuated in the 1950s and 1960s because of US nuclear tests, considered rehoming on Wake Island, but the US military rejected that plan. Since the 1970s, the island has been important for missile defense testing. In 2009, Wake Island was included in the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to the Northern Mariana Islands **Geographic coordinates:** 19 17 N, 166 39 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 7 sq km land: 6.5 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** about 11 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 19.3 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical **Terrain:** atoll of three low coral islands, Peale, Wake, and Wilkes, built up on an underwater volcano; central lagoon is former crater, islands are part of the rim **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed location 8 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** none **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Natural hazards:** subject to occasional typhoons **Geography - note:** strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean ### People and Society **Population:** total: no permanent inhabitants note: personnel maintain and operate the airfield and weather station ### Environment **Environmental issues:** limited potable water; hazardous waste disposal **Climate:** tropical **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2018 est.) other: 100% (2018 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 1.214 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.214 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Wake Island etymology: the name comes from one of two explorers who sighted the islands in the late 1700s; British Captain William WAKE visited in 1792, as did his relative, British Captain Samuel WAKE, in 1796, and sources disagree on which captain claimed the honor of naming the island **Dependency status:** unincorporated, unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Department of the Interior; the 11th US Air Force currently conducts activities on the atoll, and it is managed from Pacific Air Force Support Center **Legal system:** US common law **Citizenship:** see United States **Independence:** none (territory of the US) **Flag:** the US flag is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2021) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) ### Communications **Broadcast media:** US Armed Forces Radio and Television Service (AFRTS) provides satellite radio/TV broadcasts (2018) ### Transportation **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Wake Island ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of the US; the island serves as a trans-Pacific refueling stop for military aircraft and supports US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) testing activities; Wake is managed by the US Air Force (2025) --- ## Wallis and Futuna **Slug:** wallis-and-futuna **Region:** Australia-Oceania **Flag:** 🇼🇫 **Codes:** cek: wf, iso2: WF, iso3: WLF, iso_num: 876, genc: WLF, stanag: WLF, internet: .wf ### Introduction **Background:** Around 800 B.C., the first settlers arrived on the islands of Wallis and Futuna, which are a natural midpoint between Fiji and Samoa. Around A.D. 1500, Tongans invaded Wallis, and a chiefdom system resembling Tonga’s formal hierarchy developed on the island. Tongans attempted to settle Futuna but were repeatedly rebuffed. Samoans settled Futuna in the 1600s, and a slightly less centralized chiefdom system formed. Dutch explorers were the first Europeans to see the islands in 1616, followed intermittently by other Europeans, including British explorer Samuel WALLIS in 1767. French Catholic missionaries were the first Europeans to permanently settle Wallis and Futuna in 1837, and they converted most of the population of both islands by 1846. The missionaries and newly converted King LAVELUA of Uvea on Wallis asked France for a protectorate in 1842 following a local rebellion. France agreed, although the protectorate status would not be ratified until 1887. In 1888, King MUSULAMU of Alo and King TAMOLE of Sigave, both on Futuna, signed a treaty establishing a French protectorate; the Wallis and Futuna protectorate was integrated into the territory of New Caledonia the same year. France renegotiated the terms of the protectorate with the territory’s three kings in 1910, expanding French authority. Wallis and Futuna was the only French colony to side with the Vichy regime during World War II, until the arrival of Free French and US troops in 1942. In 1959, inhabitants of the islands voted to separate from New Caledonia, becoming a French overseas territory in 1961. Despite the split, a significant Wallisian and Futunan community still lives in New Caledonia. In 2003, Wallis and Futuna became a French overseas collectivity. The islands joined the Pacific Islands Forum as an associate member in 2018, two years after France’s other Pacific territories became full members of the organization. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand **Geographic coordinates:** 13 18 S, 176 12 W **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 142 sq km land: 142 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ile Uvea (Wallis Island), Ile Futuna (Futuna Island), Ile Alofi, and 20 islets **Area - comparative:** 1.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 129 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius **Terrain:** volcanic origin; low hills **Elevation:** highest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 522 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m **Natural resources:** NEGL **Land use:** agricultural land: 42.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 35.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 74.9% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0.6 sq km (2022) **Natural hazards:** cyclones; tsunamis **Geography - note:** both island groups have fringing reefs; Wallis contains several prominent crater lakes ### People and Society **Population:** total: 15,998 (2025 est.) male: 8,217 female: 7,781 **Nationality:** noun: Wallisian(s), Futunan(s), or Wallis and Futuna Islanders adjective: Wallisian, Futunan, or Wallis and Futuna Islander **Ethnic groups:** Polynesian **Languages:** Wallisian (indigenous Polynesian language) 58.9%, Futunian 30.1%, French (official) 10.8%, other 0.2% (2003 est.) **Religions:** Roman Catholic 99%, other 1% **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 19.8% (male 1,643/female 1,511) 15-64 years: 67.5% (male 5,535/female 5,247) 65 years and over: 12.7% (2024 est.) (male 1,023/female 1,005) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 48.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 29 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 19.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 5.1 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 36.9 years (2025 est.) male: 35.5 years female: 37.3 years **Population growth rate:** 0.19% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 11.63 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.13 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -3.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 0% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 1,000 MATA-UTU (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1.02 male(s)/female total population: 1.06 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 81.1 years (2024 est.) male: 78.2 years female: 84.2 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.71 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.84 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: rural: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 99.3% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: NA rural: 0.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.7% of population (2022 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: rural: 94.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.2% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: rural: 5.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.8% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 57.2% (2018 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 99.8% (2023 est.) male: 99.9% (2023 est.) female: 100% (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation (only small portions of the original forests remain) due to wood as the main fuel source; soil erosion; lack of natural freshwater resources; lack of soil fertility on the islands of Uvea and Futuna **Climate:** tropical; hot, rainy season (November to April); cool, dry season (May to October); rains 250-300 cm per year (80% humidity); average temperature 26.6 degrees Celsius **Land use:** agricultural land: 42.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 35.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 74.9% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 0% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands conventional short form: Wallis and Futuna local long form: Territoire des Iles Wallis et Futuna local short form: Wallis et Futuna former: Hoorn Islands is the former name of the Futuna Islands etymology: Wallis Island is named after British Captain Samuel WALLIS, who visited in 1767; Futuna is a local name, and the meaning is unclear **Government type:** parliamentary democracy (Territorial Assembly); overseas collectivity of France **Dependency status:** overseas collectivity of France **Capital:** name: Mata-Utu (on Ile Uvea) geographic coordinates: 13 57 S, 171 56 W time difference: UTC+12 (17 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) **Administrative divisions:** 3 administrative precincts (circonscriptions, singular - circonscription) Alo, Sigave, Uvea **Legal system:** French civil law **Constitution:** history: 4 October 1958 (French Constitution) amendment process: French constitution amendment procedures apply **Citizenship:** see France **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Emmanuel MACRON (since 14 May 2017); represented by Administrator Superior Jean-François de MANHEULLE (since 17 November 2025) head of government: President of the Territorial Assembly Munipoese MULI'AKA'AKA (since 20 March 2022) cabinet: Council of the Territory appointed by the administrator superior on the advice of the Territorial Assembly election/appointment process: French president elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); administrator superior appointed by the French president on the advice of the French Ministry of the Interior; the presidents of the Territorial Government and the Territorial Assembly elected by assembly members note: there are 3 traditional kings with limited powers **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Territorial Assembly (Assemblée territoriale) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 20 (directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/20/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Ofa mo'oni ki tou fenua (2); Mauli fetokoniaki (2); 1 seat each from 16 other lists note: 1 senator is indirectly elected to the French Senate by an electoral college for a 6-year term, and 1 deputy is directly elected to the French National Assembly for a 5-year term **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Assizes or Cour d'Assizes (consists of 1 judge; court hears primarily serious criminal cases) judge selection and term of office: NA subordinate courts: courts of first instance; labor court note 1: appeals beyond the Court of Assizes are heard before the Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel (in Noumea, New Caledonia) note 2: justice is generally administered under French law by the high administrator, but the 3 traditional kings administer customary law **Political parties:** Left Radical Party or PRG (formerly Radical Socialist Party or PRS and the Left Radical Movement or MRG) Lua Kae Tahi (Giscardians) Rally for Wallis and Futuna-The Republicans (Rassemblement pour Wallis and Futuna) or RPWF-LR Socialist Party or PS Taumu'a Lelei Union Pour la Democratie Francaise or UDF **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (overseas territory of France) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** none (overseas collectivity of France) **International organization participation:** PIF (observer), SPC, UPU **Independence:** none (overseas collectivity of France) **National holiday:** Fête de la Fédération, 14 July (1790) note: often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789 and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are la Fête nationale (National Holiday) and le Quatorze Juillet (14th of July) **Flag:** description: unofficial local flag has a red field with four white isosceles triangles in the middle; the apexes of the triangles are oriented inward and at right angles to each other; a small flag of France, outlined in white on two sides, is in the upper-left corner meaning: the triangles represent the three native kings of the islands and the French administrator history: the design is derived from a red flag with a white cross that French missionaries introduced in the 19th century note: the flag of France is used for official occasions **National symbol(s):** red saltire (Saint Andrew's Cross) on a white square on a red field **National color(s):** red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "La Marseillaise" (The Song of Marseille) lyrics/music: Claude-Joseph ROUGET de Lisle history: official anthem, as a French territory ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower-middle-income, agrarian French dependency economy; heavily reliant on French subsidies; licenses fishing rights to Japan and South Korea; major remittances from New Caledonia; aging workforce; import-dependent; deforestation-fueled fragility **Agricultural products:** coconuts, breadfruit, yams, taro, bananas; pigs, goats; fish **Industries:** copra, handicrafts, fishing, lumber **Budget:** revenues: $32.54 million (2015 est.) expenditures: $34.18 million (2015 est.) **Exports - partners:** Denmark 35%, Sweden 14%, Netherlands 14%, Pakistan 9%, Poland 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** seats (2023) note: top export commodities based on value in dollars over $500,000 **Imports - partners:** Fiji 35%, France 32%, NZ 11%, Australia 6%, China 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, prepared meat, poultry, iron pipe fittings, animal food (2023) **Exchange rates:** Comptoirs Francais du Pacifique francs (XPF) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 110.31 (2024 est.) 110.347 (2023 est.) 113.474 (2022 est.) 100.88 (2021 est.) 104.711 (2020 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 3,000 (2021 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 26 (2021 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 12,200 (2023) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 107 (2023) **Broadcast media:** publicly owned French Overseas Network (RFO), which broadcasts to France's overseas departments, collectivities, and territories, is carried on the RFO Wallis and Fortuna TV and radio stations (2019) **Internet country code:** .wf **Internet users:** percent of population: 45.8% (2021 est.) ### Transportation **Airports:** 2 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 1 (2023) by type: general cargo 1 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Mata-Utu ### Military and Security **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of France ---