# Geognos Data Export: East & Southeast Asia Generated: 2026-02-14T06:35:33.925Z ## Brunei **Slug:** brunei **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇧🇳 **Codes:** cek: bx, iso2: BN, iso3: BRN, iso_num: 096, genc: BRN, stanag: BRN, internet: .bn ### Introduction **Background:** The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the 15th and 17th centuries, when its control extended over coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern Philippines. Internal strife over royal succession, colonial expansion of European powers, and piracy subsequently brought on a period of decline. In 1888, Brunei became a British protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries, and in 2017, the country celebrated the 50th anniversary of Sultan Hassanal BOLKIAH’s accession to the throne. Brunei has one of the highest per-capita GDPs in the world, thanks to extensive petroleum and natural gas fields. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and Malaysia **Geographic coordinates:** 4 30 N, 114 40 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 5,765 sq km land: 5,265 sq km water: 500 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Delaware **Land boundaries:** total: 266 km border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km **Coastline:** 161 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid, rainy **Terrain:** flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly lowland in west **Elevation:** highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m mean elevation: 478 m **Natural resources:** petroleum, natural gas, timber **Land use:** agricultural land: 2.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.) forest: 72.1% (2023 est.) other: 25.4% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 10 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan **Natural hazards:** typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare **Geography - note:** close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically separated by Malaysia; the eastern part, the Temburong district, is an exclave and is almost an enclave within Malaysia ### People and Society **Population:** total: 498,766 (2025 est.) male: 242,030 female: 256,736 **Nationality:** noun: Bruneian(s) adjective: Bruneian **Ethnic groups:** Malay 67.4%, Chinese 9.6%, other 23% (2021 est.) **Languages:** Malay (Bahasa Melayu) (official), English, Chinese dialects major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Malay) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Muslim (official) 82.1%, Christian 6.7%, Buddhist 6.3%, other 4.9% (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 21.7% (male 54,924/female 51,710) 15-64 years: 70.8% (male 166,289/female 182,011) 65 years and over: 7.5% (2024 est.) (male 17,927/female 19,039) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 41.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 30.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 11.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 32.6 years (2025 est.) male: 31.4 years female: 33.1 years **Population growth rate:** 1.37% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 15.58 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 3.96 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 2.09 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** the vast majority of the population is found along the coast in the western part of Brunei, which is separated from the eastern portion by Malaysia; the largest population concentration is in the far north on the western side of the Brunei Bay, in and around the capital of Bandar Seri Begawan **Urbanization:** urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 266,682 BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) (2021) note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population of the capital increased tenfold **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 36 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 9.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 12.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 7.7 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 78.9 years (2024 est.) male: 76.5 years female: 81.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.85 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.4% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 2.2% of GDP (2021) 6.4% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.89 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Hospital bed density:** 3.9 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.5% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 14.1% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.69 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 17% (2025 est.) male: 31.2% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.) **Education expenditure:** 4.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 11.4% national budget (2016 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 14 years (2023 est.) male: 13 years (2023 est.) female: 14 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution, including seasonal haze from forest fires in Indonesia **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 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid, rainy **Land use:** agricultural land: 2.5% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.) forest: 72.1% (2023 est.) other: 25.4% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 79.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 10.823 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 998,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.175 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.65 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 50.5 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 0.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 9.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 0.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 216,300 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 20% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 151.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 5.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 8.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam conventional short form: Brunei local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam local short form: Brunei etymology: derivation of the name is unclear; the name may come from the Sanskrit word bhumi, meaning "land" or "region" **Government type:** absolute monarchy or sultanate **Capital:** name: Bandar Seri Begawan geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: named in 1970 after Sultan Omar Ali SAIFUDDIEN III (1914-1986), who adopted the title of "Seri Begawan" (approximately meaning "honored lord") when he abdicated in 1967; "bandar" means "city" or "port" in Malay; the capital had previously been called Bandar Brunei (Brunei City) **Administrative divisions:** 4 districts (daerah-daerah, singular - daerah); Belait, Brunei dan Muara, Temburong, Tutong **Legal system:** mixed legal system based on English common law and Islamic law note: in 2019, sharia penal codes came into force and apply to Muslims and partly to non-Muslims in parallel with common law codes **Constitution:** history: drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959 amendment process: proposed by the monarch; passage requires submission to the Privy Council for Legislative Council review and finalization takes place by proclamation; the monarch can accept or reject changes to the original proposal provided by the Legislative Council note: some constitutional provisions suspended since 1962 under a state of emergency, others suspended since independence in 1984 **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICC **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Brunei dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age for village elections; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided over by the monarch election/appointment process: none; the monarchy is hereditary note 1: the monarch is both chief of state and head of government, as well as Minister of Finance, Defense, and Foreign Affairs and Trade note 2: 4 additional advisory councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious Council, Privy Council for Constitutional Issues, Council of Succession, and Legislative Council **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislative Council (Majlis Mesyuarat Negara) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 45 (all appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 1/20/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 11.4% expected date of next election: January 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and the High Court, each with a chief justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court (consists the Court of Appeals and the High Court) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65, and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court judges appointed by the monarch for life subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrates' Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower sharia courts note: Brunei has a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious) courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council (in London) serves as the final appellate court for civil cases only **Political parties:** National Development Party or NDP note: the NDP is Brunei’s only registered party, but does not have representation in the Legislative Council, which is appointed **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires IZZATI Baharuddin (since 6 May 2025) chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 237-1838 FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560 email address and website: info@bruneiembassy.org http://www.bruneiembassy.org/index.html consulate(s): New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Caryn R. McCLELLAND (since December 2021) embassy: Simpang 336-52-16-9, Jalan Duta, Bandar Seri Begawan, BC4115 mailing address: 4020 Bandar Seri Begawan Place, Washington DC 20521-4020 telephone: (673) 238-7400 FAX: (673) 238-7533 email address and website: ConsularBrunei@state.gov https://bn.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 1 January 1984 (from the UK) **National holiday:** National Day, 23 February (1984) note: 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection; the Sultan's birthday, 15 June **Flag:** description: yellow with a diagonal white band and second below it in black, both starting from the upper left; the national emblem in red is at the center; the state motto, "Always render service with God's guidance," appears in yellow Arabic script on the emblem's crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads "Brunei, the Abode of Peace" meaning: yellow symbolizes the sultanate, and the white and black bands stand for the chief ministers; the emblem includes a royal umbrella (the monarchy), two wings with four feathers (justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace), two upraised hands (the government's pledge to preserve and promote the people's welfare), and the crescent moon of Islam (the state religion) **National symbol(s):** royal parasol **National color(s):** yellow, white, black **National anthem(s):** title: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His Majesty) lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap history: adopted 1951 ### Economy **Economic overview:** almost exclusively an oil and gas economy; high income country; expansive and robust welfare system; the majority of the population works for the government; promulgating a nationalized halal brand; considering establishment of a bond market and stock exchange **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $36.64 billion (2024 est.) $35.163 billion (2023 est.) $34.771 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 4.2% (2024 est.) 1.1% (2023 est.) -1.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $79,200 (2024 est.) $76,600 (2023 est.) $76,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $15.463 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** -0.4% (2024 est.) 0.4% (2023 est.) 3.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 1.2% (2024 est.) industry: 61.7% (2024 est.) services: 38.7% (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: 28.5% (2024 est.) government consumption: 23% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 28.2% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 74.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -58.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** chicken, eggs, fruits, vegetables, rice, bananas, beans, cucumbers/gherkins, pineapples, beef (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas, construction, agriculture, aquaculture, transportation **Industrial production growth rate:** 5.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 233,500 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 5.2% (2024 est.) 5.2% (2023 est.) 5.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 18.5% (2024 est.) male: 16.5% (2024 est.) female: 21.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $1.058 billion (2020 est.) expenditures: $3.189 billion (2020 est.) **Public debt:** 2.8% of GDP (2017 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $2.23 billion (2024 est.) $1.944 billion (2023 est.) $3.256 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $11.483 billion (2024 est.) $11.573 billion (2023 est.) $14.405 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Australia 21%, Japan 17%, China 17%, Singapore 16%, Malaysia 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** refined petroleum, natural gas, crude petroleum, hydrocarbons, fertilizers (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $9.11 billion (2024 est.) $9.077 billion (2023 est.) $10.099 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Malaysia 23%, UAE 10%, China 10%, UK 10%, Australia 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** crude petroleum, gold, refined petroleum, coal, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $4.414 billion (2024 est.) $4.483 billion (2023 est.) $5.035 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.336 (2024 est.) 1.343 (2023 est.) 1.379 (2022 est.) 1.344 (2021 est.) 1.38 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 904,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 5.081 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 502.188 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 99.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** consumption: 841,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 841,000 metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 95,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 1.1 billion barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 10.093 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 3.911 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 5.733 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 260.515 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 403.365 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 128,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 28 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 547,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 118 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-controlled Radio Television Brunei (RTB) operates 5 channels; 3 Malaysian TV stations are available; foreign TV broadcasts are available via satellite systems; RTB operates 5 radio networks and broadcasts on multiple frequencies; British Forces Broadcast Service (BFBS) provides radio broadcasts on 2 FM stations; some radio broadcast stations from Malaysia are available via repeaters **Internet country code:** .bn **Internet users:** percent of population: 99% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 93,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** V8 **Airports:** 2 (2025) **Heliports:** 14 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 97 (2023) by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 2, other 77 **Ports:** total ports: 5 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 2 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 5 key ports: Bandar Seri Begawan, Kuala Belait, Lumut, Muara Harbor, Seria Oil Loading Terminal ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) or Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB): Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), Royal Brunei Navy (RBN), Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF) (2025) note 1: the Gurkha Security Unit under the Ministry of Defense is a special guard force for the Sultan, the royal family, and the country’s oil installations note 2: the Royal Brunei Police Force (RBPF) is under the Prime Minister's Office **Military expenditures:** 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 3.7% of GDP (2020 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2019 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 7,000 active Armed Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military's s inventory includes equipment and weapons systems from a variety of suppliers from Asia, Europe, and the US (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-25 years of age for voluntary military service (2025) note: the Gurkha Reserve Unit (GRU) employs hundreds of Gurkhas from Nepal, the majority of whom are veterans of the British Army and the Singapore Police Force who have joined the GRU as a second career **Military - note:** the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) are responsible for ensuring the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as countering outside aggression, terrorism, and insurgency; Brunei has a long-standing defense relationship with the UK and hosts a British Army garrison, which includes a Gurkha battalion and a jungle warfare school; Brunei also has close security ties with Singapore and hosts a Singaporean military training detachment; the RBAF was formed in 1961 with British support as the Brunei Malay Regiment; "Royal" was added as an honorary title in 1965 and its current name was given in 1984 (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** stateless persons: 20,863 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — Brunei does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so, therefore Brunei was upgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/brunei/ --- ## Burma **Slug:** burma **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇲🇲 **Codes:** cek: bm, iso2: MM, iso3: MMR, iso_num: 104, genc: MMR, stanag: MMR, internet: .mm, comment: ISO uses the name Myanmar ### Introduction **Background:** Burma is home to ethnic Burmans and scores of other ethnic and religious minority groups that have resisted external efforts to consolidate control of the country throughout its history. Britain conquered Burma over a period extending from the 1820s to the 1880s and administered it as a province of India until 1937, when Burma became a self-governing colony. Burma gained full independence in 1948. In 1962, General NE WIN seized power and ruled the country until 1988 when a new military regime took control. In 1990, the military regime permitted an election but then rejected the results after the main opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader AUNG SAN SUU KYI (ASSK) won in a landslide. The military regime placed ASSK under house arrest until 2010. In 2007, rising fuel prices in Burma led pro-democracy activists and Buddhist monks to launch a "Saffron Revolution" consisting of large protests against the regime, which violently suppressed the movement. The regime prevented new elections until it had drafted a constitution designed to preserve the military's political control; it passed the new constitution in its 2008 referendum. The regime conducted an election in 2010, but the NLD boycotted the vote, and the military’s political proxy, the Union Solidarity and Development Party, easily won; international observers denounced the election as flawed. Burma nonetheless began a halting process of political and economic reforms. ASSK's return to government in 2012 eventually led to the NLD's sweeping victory in the 2015 election. With ASSK as the de facto head of state, Burma’s first credibly elected civilian government drew international criticism for blocking investigations into Burma’s military operations -- which the US Department of State determined constituted genocide -- against its ethnic Rohingya population. When the 2020 elections resulted in further NLD gains, the military denounced the vote as fraudulent. In 2021, the military's senior leader General MIN AUNG HLAING launched a coup that returned Burma to authoritarian rule, with military crackdowns that undid reforms and resulted in the detention of ASSK and thousands of pro-democracy actors. Pro-democracy organizations have formed in the wake of the coup, including the National Unity Government (NUG). Members of the NUG include representatives from the NLD, ethnic minority groups, and civil society. In 2021, the NUG announced the formation of armed militias called the People's Defense Forces (PDF) and an insurgency against the military junta. As of 2024, PDF units across the country continued to fight the regime with varying levels of support from and cooperation with the NUG and other anti-regime organizations, including armed ethnic groups that have been fighting the central government for decades. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand **Geographic coordinates:** 22 00 N, 98 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 676,578 sq km land: 653,508 sq km water: 23,070 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Texas **Land boundaries:** total: 6,522 km border countries (5): Bangladesh 271 km; China 2,129 km; India 1,468 km; Laos 238 km; Thailand 2,416 km **Coastline:** 1,930 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin **Climate:** tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) **Terrain:** central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands **Elevation:** highest point: Gamlang Razi 5,870 m lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay of Bengal 0 m mean elevation: 702 m **Natural resources:** petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten, lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural gas, hydropower, arable land **Land use:** agricultural land: 19.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 16.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.7% (2023 est.) forest: 42.4% (2023 est.) other: 37.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 17,140 sq km (2020) **Major rivers (by length in km):** Mekong (shared with China [s], Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween river mouth (shared with China [s] and Thailand) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 2,809 km; Chindwin - 1,158 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Major watersheds (area sq km):** Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) **Population distribution:** population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated **Natural hazards:** destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts **Geography - note:** strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping lanes; the north-south flowing Irrawaddy River is the country's largest and most important commercial waterway ### People and Society **Population:** total: 57,931,718 (2025 est.) male: 28,591,467 female: 29,340,251 **Nationality:** noun: Burmese (singular and plural) adjective: Burmese **Ethnic groups:** Burman (Bamar) 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5% note: the largest ethnic group — the Burman (or Bamar) — dominate politics, and the military ranks are largely drawn from this ethnic group; the Burman mainly populate the central parts of the country, while various ethnic minorities have traditionally lived in the peripheral regions that surround the plains in a horseshoe shape; the government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic groups **Languages:** Burmese (official) major-language sample(s): ကမ္ဘာ့အချက်အလက်စာအုပ်- အခြေခံအချက်အလက်တွေအတွက် မရှိမဖြစ်တဲ့ အရင်းအမြစ် (Burmese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: minority ethnic groups use their own languages **Religions:** Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est.) note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 national census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith; as of December 2019, Muslims probably make up less than 3% of Burma's total population due to the large outmigration of the Rohingya population since 2017 **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 24.4% (male 7,197,177/female 6,843,879) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 19,420,361/female 19,998,625) 65 years and over: 7.1% (2024 est.) (male 1,770,293/female 2,296,804) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 45.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 35 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 10.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 9.3 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 31.1 years (2025 est.) male: 29.9 years female: 31.6 years **Population growth rate:** 0.69% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 15.44 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 7.17 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -1.36 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population concentrated along coastal areas and in general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River; the extreme north is relatively underpopulated **Urbanization:** urban population: 32.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 5.610 million RANGOON (Yangon) (capital), 1.532 million Mandalay (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 24.7 years (2015/16 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 185 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 30.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 35.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.5 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 70.3 years (2024 est.) male: 68.5 years female: 72.1 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.95 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.95 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 93.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 77.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 82.4% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 6.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 22.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 17.6% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 5.6% of GDP (2021) 2.5% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.76 physicians/1,000 population (2019) **Hospital bed density:** 1.1 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 94.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 82% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 5.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 18% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.1% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 5.8% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 2.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.5 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.55 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 42.2% (2025 est.) male: 68.1% (2025 est.) female: 17.1% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 19.5% (2018 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 58% (2019 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 1.9% (2016) women married by age 18: 16% (2016) men married by age 18: 5% (2016) **Education expenditure:** 2% of GDP (2019 est.) 9.7% national budget (2019 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 93.5% (2020 est.) male: 94.7% (2020 est.) female: 92.7% (2020 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 12 years (2018 est.) male: 11 years (2018 est.) female: 12 years (2018 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water; inadequate sanitation and water treatment; rapid depletion of the country's natural resources **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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy, scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during winter (northeast monsoon, December to April) **Land use:** agricultural land: 19.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 16.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.7% (2023 est.) forest: 42.4% (2023 est.) other: 37.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 32.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 27.005 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.24 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 17.39 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 8.376 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 27.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.677 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.3% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 3.323 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 498.4 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 29.57 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 1.168 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Union of Burma conventional short form: Burma local long form: Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma, Union of Myanmar etymology: both "Burma" and "Myanmar" derive from the name of the majority Burman (Bamar) ethnic group, with the term myanma, or "the strong," being the group's name for itself note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and the deposed parliamentary government have promoted the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their state; the US Government has not officially adopted the name **Government type:** military regime **Capital:** name: Rangoon (aka Yangon, continues to be recognized as the primary Burmese capital by the US Government); Nay Pyi Taw is the administrative capital geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 10 E time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: Rangoon/Yangon derives from the Burmese words yan and koun, commonly translated as "end of strife"; Nay Pyi Taw translates as "abode of kings" **Administrative divisions:** 7 regions (taing-myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi ne-myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory regions: Ayeyarwady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon (Rangoon) states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, Shan union territory: Nay Pyi Taw **Legal system:** mixed legal system of English common law (as introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) and customary law **Constitution:** history: previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008); latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29 May 2008 amendment process: proposals require at least 20% approval by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of amendments to sections of the constitution on basic principles, government structure, branches of government, state emergencies, and amendment procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and approval in a referendum by absolute majority of registered voters; passage of amendments to other sections requires only 75% Assembly approval; military granted 25% of parliamentary seats by default **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: both parents must be citizens of Burma dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: none note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child or spouse of a citizen **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: Acting President Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING (since 31 July 2025) head of government: Prime Minister NYO SAW (since 31 July 2025) cabinet: Cabinet appointments shared by the president and the commander-in-chief election/appointment process: prior to the military takeover in 2021, president was indirectly elected by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates nominated by the Presidential Electoral College (consists of members of the lower and upper houses and military members); the other 2 candidates became vice presidents (president elected for a 5-year term) most recent election date: 8 November 2020 election results: 2020: the National League for Democracy (NLD) won 396 seats across both houses -- well above the 322 required for a parliamentary majority -- but on 1 February 2021, the military claimed the results of the election were illegitimate and deposed State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU KYI and President WIN MYINT of the NLD, causing military-affiliated Vice President MYINT SWE (USDP) to become acting president; MYINT SWE subsequently handed power to coup leader MIN AUNG HLAING; WIN MYINT and other key leaders of the ruling NLD party were placed under arrest after the military takeover 2018: WIN MYINT elected president in an indirect by-election held on 28 March 2018 after the resignation of HTIN KYAW; Assembly of the Union vote for president - WIN MYINT (NLD) 403, MYINT SWE (USDP) 211, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 18, 4 votes canceled (636 votes cast) expected date of next election: on 31 July 2025, the military government announced that it was preparing for elections to be held in December 2025 state counsellor: State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU KYI (since 6 April 2016); note - under arrest since 1 February 2021 note 1: on 31 July 2025, the military ended the state of emergency that had been in place since taking over the government in February 2021, although martial law continues to exist in parts of the country; at the same time, the military dissolved the State Administrative Council (SAC), which had been the official name of the military government in Burma, and replaced it with the National Security and Peace Commission (NSPC), chaired by Sr. Gen. MIN AUNG HLAING, who also retains his position as chief of the armed forces note 2: prior to the military takeover, the state counsellor served the equivalent term of the president and was similar to a prime minister **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Assembly of the Union (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) legislative structure: bicameral most recent election date: 28 December 2025 expected date of next election: on 31 July 2025, the military government announced that it was preparing for elections to be held in late December 2025 note: on 1 February 2021, the Burmese military claimed the results of the 2020 general election were illegitimate and launched a coup led by Sr. General MIN AUNG HLAING; the military subsequently dissolved the Assembly of the Union and replaced it with the military-led State Administration Council **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Union (consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges) judge selection and term of office: chief justice and judges nominated by the president, with approval of the Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: High Courts of the Region; High Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district and township courts; special courts (for juvenile, municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial **Political parties:** according to the military regime, more than 50 parties registered and were approved for the December 2025 election, but only 9 contested nationwide; the remainder ran in regional or state constituencies the 9 parties included: Democratic Party of National Politics (DNP) Myanmar Farmers Development Party (MFDP) National Democratic Force Party (NDF) National Unity Party (NUP) People’s Party People’s Pioneer Party (PPP) Shan and Ethnic Democratic Party (SEDP) Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) Women’s Party (Mon) note: more than 90 political parties participated in the 2020 elections; political parties continued to function after the 2021 coup, although some political leaders have been arrested by the military regime; in 2023, the regime announced a new law with several rules and restrictions on political parties and their ability to participate in elections; dozens of parties refused to comply with the new rules; the regime's election commission has subsequently banned more than 80 political parties, including the National League for Democracy **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Soe Thet NAUNG (since 24 June 2025) chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-3344 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351 email address and website: washington-embassy@mofa.gov.mm https://www.mewashingtondc.org/ consulate(s) general: Los Angeles **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Susan STEVENSON (since 10 July 2023) embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township, Rangoon mailing address: 4250 Rangoon Place, Washington DC 20521-4250 telephone: [95] (1) 753-6509 FAX: [95] (1) 751-1069 email address and website: ACSRangoon@state.gov https://mm.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 4 January 1948 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) **Flag:** description: three equal horizontal stripes of yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green band is a five-pointed white star that overlaps onto the yellow and red stripes history: the design revives the triband colors that Burma used from 1943 to 1945, during the Japanese occupation **National symbol(s):** chinthe (mythical lion) **National color(s):** yellow, green, red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World) lyrics/music: SAYA TIN history: adopted 1948 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Pyu Ancient Cities; Bagan ### Economy **Economic overview:** prior to COVID-19 and the February 2021 military coup, massive declines in poverty, rapid economic growth, and improving social welfare; underdevelopment, climate change, and unequal investment threaten progress and sustainability planning; since coup, foreign assistance has ceased from most funding sources **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $287.559 billion (2024 est.) $290.381 billion (2023 est.) $287.624 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** -1% (2024 est.) 1% (2023 est.) 4% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $5,300 (2024 est.) $5,400 (2023 est.) $5,400 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $74.08 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 8.8% (2019 est.) 6.9% (2018 est.) 4.6% (2017 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 20.8% (2024 est.) industry: 37.8% (2024 est.) services: 41.4% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data **Agricultural products:** rice, sugarcane, vegetables, beans, maize, groundnuts, plantains, fruits, coconuts, onions (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** agricultural processing; wood and wood products; copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural gas; garments; jade and gems **Industrial production growth rate:** -0.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 22.742 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 3.1% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 3.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 10% (2024 est.) male: 10.5% (2024 est.) female: 9.4% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 24.8% (2017 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 30.7 (2017 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 53.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 0.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3.8% (2017 est.) highest 10%: 25.5% (2017 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 1.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 2% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $10.945 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $10.22 billion (2019 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Taxes and other revenues:** 6% (of GDP) (2019 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $67.72 million (2019 est.) -$2.561 billion (2018 est.) -$4.917 billion (2017 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $20.4 billion (2021 est.) $17.523 billion (2019 est.) $15.728 billion (2018 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 32%, Thailand 16%, Japan 7%, Germany 6%, India 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** garments, natural gas, dried legumes, rare-earth metal compounds, precious stones (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $23.1 billion (2021 est.) $17.356 billion (2019 est.) $18.664 billion (2018 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 40%, Thailand 18%, Singapore 15%, Indonesia 4%, Malaysia 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, synthetic fabric, fertilizers, crude petroleum, fabric (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $9.338 billion (2023 est.) $8.182 billion (2022 est.) $9.103 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $8.748 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** kyats (MMK) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 2,100 (2023 est.) 1,932.543 (2022 est.) 1,615.367 (2021 est.) 1,381.619 (2020 est.) 1,518.255 (2019 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 73.7% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 93.9% electrification - rural areas: 62.8% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 7.419 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 23.625 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 200 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.855 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 61.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 36.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 1.031 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 907,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 221,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 67,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 252 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 7,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 122,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 139 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 13.549 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 4.241 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 9.29 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 219.822 million cubic meters (2021 est.) proven reserves: 637.129 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 8.384 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 559,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 62.3 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 114 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** government controls all domestic broadcast media; 2 state-controlled TV stations, with 1 controlled by the armed forces; 2 pay-TV stations are joint state-private ventures; 1 state-controlled radio station; 9 FM stations are joint state-private ventures; several international broadcasts are available in some areas; the Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Asia (RFA), BBC Burmese service, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and Radio Australia use shortwave to broadcast; VOA, RFA, and DVB produce daily TV news programs that are transmitted by satellite; in 2017, the government granted licenses to 5 private broadcasters for digital free-to-air TV channels to be operated in partnership with government-owned Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV); after the 2021 military coup, the regime revoked the media licenses of most independent outlets, including the free-to-air licenses for DVB and Mizzima (2022) **Internet country code:** .mm **Internet users:** percent of population: 59% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1.51 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** XY **Airports:** 74 (2025) **Heliports:** 6 (2025) **Railways:** total: 5,031 km (2008) narrow gauge: 5,031 km (2008) 1.000-m gauge **Merchant marine:** total: 101 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1, general cargo 44, oil tanker 5, other 51 **Ports:** total ports: 7 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 5 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Bassein, Mergui, Moulmein Harbor, Rangoon, Sittwe ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Burmese Defense Service (aka Armed Forces of Burma, Myanmar Army, Royal Armed Forces, the Tatmadaw, or the Sit-Tat): Army (Tatmadaw Kyi), Navy (Tatmadaw Yay), Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay); People’s Militia Ministry of Home Affairs: Burma (People's) Police Force, Border Guard Forces/Police (2025) note 1: under the 2008 constitution, the Tatmadaw was given control over the appointments of senior officials to lead the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Border Affairs, and the Ministry of Home Affairs; in 2022, a new law gave the commander-in-chief of the Tatmadaw the authority to appoint or remove the head of the police force note 2: the military is supported by pro-government militias; some are integrated within the Tatmadaw’s command structure as Border Guard Forces, which are organized as battalions with a mix of militia forces, ethnic armed groups, and government soldiers that are armed, supplied, and paid by the Tatmadaw; other pro-military government militias are not integrated within the Tatmadaw command structure but receive direction and some support from the military and are recognized as government militias; a third type of pro-government militias are small community-based units that are armed, coordinated, and trained by local Tatmadaw forces and activated as needed **Military expenditures:** 3.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 3% of GDP (2020 est.) 4.1% of GDP (2019 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** information varies; estimated 150,000 active military personnel (2025) note: the Tatmadaw has reportedly suffered heavy personnel losses in the ongoing fighting against anti-regime forces **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the Burmese military's inventory is comprised of mostly Chinese, Russian, or Soviet-era armaments; Burma's defense industry is involved in shipbuilding and the production of ground force equipment based largely on Chinese and Russian designs (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-35 years of age (men) and 18-27 years of age (women) for voluntary and conscripted military service; 24-month service obligation; conscripted professional men (ages 18-45) and women (ages 18-35), including doctors, engineers, and mechanics, serve up to 36 months; service terms may be extended to 60 months in an officially declared emergency (2025) note: in February 2024, the military government announced that the People’s Military Service Law requiring mandatory military service would go into effect; the Service Law was first introduced in 2010 but had not previously been enforced; the military government also said that it intended to call up about 60,000 men and women annually for mandatory service; during the ongoing insurgency, the military has recruited men 18-60 to serve in local militias **Military - note:** since the country’s founding, the Tatmadaw has been deeply involved in domestic politics and the national economy; it ran the country for five decades following a military coup in 1962; prior to the most recent coup in 2021, the military already controlled three key security ministries (Defense, Border, and Home Affairs), one of two vice presidential appointments, 25% of the parliamentary seats, and had a proxy political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP); it owns and operates two business conglomerates that have over 100 subsidiaries involved in a range of business activities, including banking, construction, mining, real estate, and tourism; the military also manages a film industry, publishing houses, and television stations the Tatmadaw's primary operational focus is internal security, and it is conducting counterinsurgency operations against anti-regime forces that launched an armed rebellion following the 2021 coup and an array of ethnic armed groups (EAGs); as of 2025, the Tatmadaw was engaged in combat operations across much of the country EAGs have been fighting for self-rule against the Burmese Government since 1948; they range in strength from a few hundred fighters up to an estimated 30,000; some are organized along military lines with brigades and divisions and armed with heavy weaponry, including artillery; they control large tracts of the country’s territory, primarily in the border regions; key groups include the United Wa State Army, Karen National Union, Kachin Independence Army, Arakan Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army the opposition National Unity Government claims its armed wing, the People's Defense Force (PDF), has more than 60,000 fighters loosely organized into battalions; in addition, several EAGs have cooperated with the NUG and supported local PDF groups (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** IDPs: 3,646,658 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 619,429 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — Burma does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Burma remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/burma/ **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025) --- ## Cambodia **Slug:** cambodia **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇰🇭 **Codes:** cek: cb, iso2: KH, iso3: KHM, iso_num: 116, genc: KHM, stanag: KHM, internet: .kh ### Introduction **Background:** Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers, descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king placed the country under French protection in 1863, and it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained full independence from France in 1953. In 1975, after a seven-year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A 1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese occupation, and touched off 13 years of internecine warfare in which a coalition of Khmer Rouge, Cambodian nationalists, and royalist insurgents, with assistance from China, fought the Vietnamese-backed People’s Republic of Kampuchea (PRK). The 1991 Paris Agreements ended the country’s civil war and mandated democratic elections, which took place in 1993 and ushered in a period of multi-party democracy with a constitutional monarchy. King Norodom SIHANOUK was reinstated as head of state, and the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and the royalist FUNCINPEC party formed a coalition government. Nevertheless, the power-sharing arrangement proved fractious and fragile, and in 1997, a coup led by CPP leader and former PRK prime minister HUN SEN dissolved the coalition and sidelined FUNCINPEC. Despite further attempts at coalition governance, the CPP has since remained in power through elections criticized for lacking fairness, political and judicial corruption, media control, and influence over labor unions, all of which have been enforced with violence and intimidation. HUN SEN remained as prime minister until 2023, when he transferred power to his son, HUN MANET. HUN SEN has subsequently maintained considerable influence as the leader of the CPP and the Senate. The CPP has also placed limits on civil society, press freedom, and freedom of expression. Despite some economic growth and considerable investment from China over the past decade, Cambodia remains one of East Asia's poorest countries. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge surrendered in 1999. A UN-backed special tribunal established in Cambodia in 1997 tried some of the surviving Khmer Rouge leaders for crimes against humanity and genocide. The tribunal concluded in 2022 with three convictions. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos **Geographic coordinates:** 13 00 N, 105 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 181,035 sq km land: 176,515 sq km water: 4,520 sq km **Area - comparative:** 1.5 times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Oklahoma **Land boundaries:** total: 2,530 km border countries (3): Laos 555 km; Thailand 817 km; Vietnam 1158 km **Coastline:** 443 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation **Terrain:** mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and north **Elevation:** highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m mean elevation: 126 m **Natural resources:** oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphates, hydropower potential, arable land **Land use:** agricultural land: 34.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 23.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.5% (2023 est.) forest: 39.4% (2023 est.) other: 25.8% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 3,540 sq km (2012) **Major lakes (area sq km):** fresh water lake(s): Tonle Sap - 2,700-16,000 sq km **Major rivers (by length in km):** Mekong (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Major watersheds (area sq km):** Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) **Population distribution:** population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers **Natural hazards:** monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts **Geography - note:** a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest freshwater lake) ### People and Society **Population:** total: 17,230,333 (2025 est.) male: 8,362,224 female: 8,868,109 **Nationality:** noun: Cambodian(s) adjective: Cambodian **Ethnic groups:** Khmer 95.4%, Cham 2.4%, Chinese 1.5%, other 0.7% (2019-20 est.) **Languages:** Khmer (official) 95.8%, minority languages 2.9%, Chinese 0.6%, Vietnamese 0.5%, other 0.2% (2019 est.) major-language sample(s): សៀវភៅហេតុការណនៅលើពិភពលោក។ ទីតាំងពត៏មានមូលដានគ្រឹះយាងសំខាន់។. (Khmer) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Buddhist (official) 97.1%, Muslim 2%, Christian 0.3%, other 0.5% (2019 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 28.9% (male 2,497,056/female 2,436,618) 15-64 years: 65.8% (male 5,456,941/female 5,765,206) 65 years and over: 5.3% (2024 est.) (male 323,591/female 584,257) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 51.2 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 42.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.4 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 11.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 28.3 years (2025 est.) male: 26.9 years female: 28.9 years **Population growth rate:** 0.95% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 17.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.62 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -2.62 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers **Urbanization:** urban population: 25.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 2.281 million PHNOM PENH (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 23.3 years (2021-22 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 137 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: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 71.4 years (2024 est.) male: 69.6 years female: 73.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.14 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.05 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 93.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 72.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 78% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 6.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 27.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 22% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 7.5% of GDP (2021) 7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2019) **Hospital bed density:** 0.7 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 79.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 84.7% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 20.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 15.3% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 3.9% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 4.56 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 4.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 14.5% (2025 est.) male: 24.9% (2025 est.) female: 4.7% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 16.3% (2021 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 67.2% (2022 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 1.9% (2022) women married by age 18: 17.9% (2022) men married by age 18: 3.3% (2022) **Education expenditure:** 2.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 11.6% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 71.9% (2021 est.) male: 81.5% (2021 est.) female: 63.6% (2021 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 11 years (2023 est.) male: 11 years (2023 est.) female: 11 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** habitat and biodiversity loss from illegal logging and strip mining; destruction of mangrove swamps; soil erosion; limited access to potable water in rural areas; illegal fishing and overfishing; deforestation leading to sediment build-up in coastal ecosystems **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, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea **Climate:** tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry season (December to April); little seasonal temperature variation **Land use:** agricultural land: 34.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 23.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 3% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 8.5% (2023 est.) forest: 39.4% (2023 est.) other: 25.8% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 25.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 18.779 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 8.026 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 10.753 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 18.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.089 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 12.4% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 98 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 33 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 2.053 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 476.1 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia conventional short form: Cambodia local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea (phonetic transliteration) local short form: Kampuchea former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea, People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia etymology: the name is derived from Kambu, a legendary ancestor of the Cambodian people **Government type:** parliamentary constitutional monarchy **Capital:** name: Phnom Penh geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "mountain of plenty," from the Cambodian words phnom (mountain or hill) and penh (full) **Administrative divisions:** 24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1 municipality (krong, singular and plural) provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie, Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Sihanouk, Preah Vihear, Prey Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh) **Legal system:** civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia), customary law, Communist legal theory, and common law **Constitution:** history: previous 1947; latest promulgated 21 September 1993 amendment process: proposed by the monarch, by the prime minister, or by the president of the National Assembly if supported by one fourth of the Assembly membership; passage requires two-thirds majority of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles on the multiparty democratic form of government and the monarchy cannot be amended **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 Cambodia dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 October 2004) head of government: Prime Minister HUN MANET (since 22 August 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime minister and appointed by the monarch election/appointment process: monarch chosen by the 9-member Royal Council of the Throne from among all eligible males of royal descent; after legislative elections, a member of the majority party or majority coalition is named prime minister by the Chairman of the National Assembly and appointed by the monarch note: MANET succeeded his father, HUN SEN, who had been prime minister since 1985 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: National Assembly (Radhsphea Ney Preah Recheanachakr Kampuchea) number of seats: 125 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 7/23/2023 parties elected and seats per party: Cambodian People's Party (CPP) (120); United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Co-operative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) (5) percentage of women in chamber: 13.6% expected date of next election: July 2028 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: Senate number of seats: 62 (60 indirectly elected; 2 appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 6 years most recent election date: 2/25/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 19.4% expected date of next election: February 2030 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Council (organized into 5- and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Council judge candidates recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a 17-member body chaired by the monarch and includes other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges appointed for 9-year terms with one third of the court renewed every 3 years subordinate courts: Appellate Court; provincial and municipal courts; Military Court **Political parties:** Cambodian People's Party (CPP) United National Front for an Independent, Neutral, Peaceful and Co-operative Cambodia (FUNCINPEC) note: the Cambodian Government has disqualified the main opposition Candlelight Party **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Koy KUONG (since 11 June 2025) chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 telephone: [1] (202) 726-7742 FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381 email address and website: camemb.usa@mfaic.gov.kh https://www.embassyofcambodiadc.org/ **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Bridgette L. WALKER (since August 2024) embassy: #1, Street 96, Sangkat Wat Phnom, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh mailing address: 4540 Phnom Penh Place, Washington DC 20521-4540 telephone: [855] (23) 728-000 FAX: [855] (23) 728-700 email address and website: ACSPhnomPenh@state.gov https://kh.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 9 November 1953 (from France) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 9 November (1953) **Flag:** description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double-width), and blue; a three-towered, stylized white temple outlined in black is in the center of the red band, representing Angkor Wat meaning: red and blue are traditional Cambodian colors note: only national flag to prominently incorporate an identifiable building into its design; Afghanistan, San Marino, Portugal, and Spain show small generic buildings as part of their coats of arms on the flag **National symbol(s):** Angkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox) **National color(s):** red, blue **National coat of arms:** Cambodia’s coat of arms is also the Royal Arms of Cambodia; the lions symbolize strength, courage, and the divine protection of the monarchs; the lion on the left is a gajasingha (a lion with an elephant’s trunk), and the lion on the right is a rajasingha (royal lion); both hold five-tiered umbrellas representing the king and queen, and they stand on a blue ribbon that says “Preah Chao Krung Kampuche”' (King of the Kingdom of Cambodia); between the lions is a crown with the Unalome, the Buddhist and Hindu symbol for the spiritual path to enlightenment, under it and a ray of light on top **National anthem(s):** title: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom) lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J. JEKYLL history: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat of the Communist regime **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 5 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Angkor; Temple of Preah Vihear; Sambor Prei Kuk; Koh Ker: Archaeological Site of Ancient Lingapora or Chok Gargyar; Cambodian Memorial Sites: From centres of repression to places of peace and reflection (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** one of the fastest growing economies; tourism and clothing exports; substantial manufacturing and construction sectors; COVID-19 declines and the suspension of EU market preferential access; massive reductions in poverty, but rural areas remain disproportionately poor **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $123.676 billion (2024 est.) $116.658 billion (2023 est.) $111.095 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 6% (2024 est.) 5% (2023 est.) 5.1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $7,000 (2024 est.) $6,700 (2023 est.) $6,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $46.353 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.1% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) 2.9% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 16.6% (2024 est.) industry: 41.8% (2024 est.) services: 35.6% (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: 59.8% (2024 est.) government consumption: 5.8% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 31.6% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.6% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 71.4% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -72.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** cassava, rice, maize, sugarcane, vegetables, oil palm fruit, rubber, bananas, jute, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing, wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining, textiles **Industrial production growth rate:** 9.5% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 9.904 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 0.3% (2024 est.) 0.3% (2023 est.) 0.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 0.8% (2024 est.) male: 0.7% (2024 est.) female: 0.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Average household expenditures:** on food: 40.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Remittances:** 6.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 6.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 6.5% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $7.076 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $8.285 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 50.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 12.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $222.108 million (2024 est.) $552.346 million (2023 est.) -$7.582 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $31.712 billion (2024 est.) $27.753 billion (2023 est.) $25.497 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** USA 36%, Germany 6%, China 6%, Japan 6%, Thailand 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** garments, semiconductors, trunks and cases, footwear, gold (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $34.329 billion (2024 est.) $29.421 billion (2023 est.) $34.759 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 39%, Thailand 20%, Vietnam 12%, Singapore 6%, Indonesia 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, fabric, gold, plastic products, synthetic fabric (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $22.506 billion (2024 est.) $19.984 billion (2023 est.) $17.801 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $8.019 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** riels (KHR) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 4,072.397 (2024 est.) 4,110.653 (2023 est.) 4,102.038 (2022 est.) 4,098.723 (2021 est.) 4,092.783 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 92.3% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 99% electrification - rural areas: 88% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 3.673 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 16.998 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 5.096 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.882 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 55.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 5.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 38.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 27,000 metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 4.39 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 4.36 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 77,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 15.664 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 29,100 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2024 est.) less than 1 **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 20.5 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** mix of state-owned, joint public-private, and privately owned broadcast media; 27 TV stations, with most operating on multiple channels, including 1 state-operated station with multiple locations and 11 stations either jointly operated or privately owned, some with several locations; multi-channel cable and satellite systems; 84 radio stations, including 1 state-owned broadcaster with multiple stations and a mix of public and private broadcasters; one international broadcaster is available, as well as one TV station that is jointly run by China and the Ministry of Interior; several TV and radio operators broadcast online only (often via Facebook) (2019) **Internet country code:** .kh **Internet users:** percent of population: 61% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 510,000 (2022 est.) Slowly increase as focus is on mobile internet subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** XU **Airports:** 12 (2025) **Heliports:** 1 (2025) **Railways:** total: 642 km (2014) narrow gauge: 642 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge note: under restoration **Merchant marine:** total: 195 (2023) by type: container ship 2, general cargo 123, oil tanker 18, other 52 **Ports:** total ports: 2 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Kampong Saom, Phsar Ream ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF): Royal Cambodian Army, Royal Khmer Navy, Royal Cambodian Air Force, Royal Gendarmerie (Military Police); National Committee for Maritime Security (2025) note 1: the National Committee for Maritime Security performs coast guard functions and has representation from military and civilian agencies note 2: the Cambodian National Police are under the Ministry of Interior **Military expenditures:** 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** information varies; estimated 200,000 Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the RCAF is armed largely with older Chinese and Russian/Soviet origin armaments; in recent years it has received limited amounts of more modern equipment from several suppliers, particularly China (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18 is the legal minimum age for military service for men and women (2025) note: in 2006, Cambodia's parliament approved a law requiring all Cambodians aged 18 to 30 to serve in the military for 18 months, although the law has never been enforced (service was to be voluntary for women); in 2025, the Cambodian Government announced that the 2006 conscription law would be enforced beginning in 2026 and have a 24-month service requirement **Military deployments:** 340 Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 180 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025) **Military - note:** the primary responsibilities of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) are border, coastal, and internal security; its most important security partners include China and Vietnam; a key area of concern is its disputed border with Thailand; RCAF and Thai military forces clashed at multiple locations along the border in July and December 2025; the fighting included ground attacks, cross-border artillery shelling, and air attacks by fighter aircraft and drones the RCAF was re-established in 1993 under the first coalition government from the merger of the Cambodian Government’s military forces (Cambodian People’s Armed Forces) and the two non-communist resistance forces (Sihanoukist National Army, aka National Army for Khmer Independence, and the Khmer People's National Liberation Armed Forces); thousands of communist Khmer Rouge fighters began surrendering by 1994 under a government amnesty program and the last of the Khmer Rouge forces (National Army of Democratic Kampuchea) were demobilized or absorbed into the RCAF in 1999 (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 28 (2024 est.) IDPs: 2,526 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 75,000 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — Cambodia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Cambodia remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/cambodia/ --- ## China **Slug:** china **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇨🇳 **Codes:** cek: ch, iso2: CN, iso3: CHN, iso_num: 156, genc: CHN, stanag: CHN, internet: .cn, comment: see also Taiwan ### Introduction **Background:** China's historical civilization dates to at least the 13th century B.C., first under the Shang (to 1046 B.C.) and then the Zhou (1046-221 B.C.) dynasties. The imperial era of China began in 221 B.C. under the Qin Dynasty and lasted until the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1912. During this period, China alternated between periods of unity and disunity under a succession of imperial dynasties. In the 19th century, the Qing Dynasty suffered heavily from overextension by territorial conquest, insolvency, civil war, imperialism, military defeats, and foreign expropriation of ports and infrastructure. It collapsed following the Revolution of 1911, and China became a republic under SUN Yat-sen of the Kuomintang (KMT or Nationalist) Party. However, the republic was beset by division, warlordism, and continued foreign intervention. In the late 1920s, a civil war erupted between the ruling KMT-controlled government, led by CHIANG Kai-shek, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Japan occupied much of northeastern China in the early 1930s, and then launched a full-scale invasion of the country in 1937. The resulting eight years of warfare devastated the country and cost up to 20 million Chinese lives by the time of Japan’s defeat in 1945. The Nationalist-Communist civil war continued with renewed intensity after the end of World War II and culminated with a CCP victory in 1949, under the leadership of MAO Zedong. MAO and the CCP established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring the PRC's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and launched agricultural, economic, political, and social policies -- such as the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) -- that cost the lives of millions of people. MAO died in 1976. Beginning in 1978, leaders DENG Xiaoping, JIANG Zemin, and HU Jintao focused on market-oriented economic development and opening up the country to foreign trade, while maintaining the rule of the CCP. Since the change, China has been among the world’s fastest growing economies, with real gross domestic product averaging over 9% growth annually through 2021, lifting an estimated 800 million people out of poverty and dramatically improving overall living standards. By 2011, the PRC’s economy was the second largest in the world. Current leader XI Jinping has continued these policies but has also maintained tight political controls. Over the past decade, China has increased its global outreach, including military deployments, participation in international organizations, and a global connectivity plan in 2013 called the "Belt and Road Initiative" (BRI). Many nations have signed on to BRI agreements to attract PRC investment, but others have expressed concerns about such issues as the opaque nature of the projects, financing, and potentially unsustainable debt obligations. XI Jinping assumed the positions of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and Chairman of the Central Military Commission in 2012 and President in 2013. In 2018, the PRC’s National People’s Congress passed an amendment abolishing presidential term limits, which allowed XI to gain a third five-year term in 2023. ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, bordering the East China Sea, Korea Bay, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, between North Korea and Vietnam **Geographic coordinates:** 35 00 N, 105 00 E **Map references:** Asia **Area:** total : 9,596,960 sq km land: 9,326,410 sq km water: 270,550 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than the US **Land boundaries:** total: 22,457 km border countries (14): Afghanistan 91 km; Bhutan 477 km; Burma 2,129 km; India 2,659 km; Kazakhstan 1,765 km; North Korea 1,352 km; Kyrgyzstan 1,063 km; Laos 475 km; Mongolia 4,630 km; Nepal 1,389 km; Pakistan 438 km; Russia (northeast) 4,133 km and Russia (northwest) 46 km; Tajikistan 477 km; Vietnam 1,297 km **Coastline:** 14,500 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:** extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north **Terrain:** mostly mountains, high plateaus, deserts in west; plains, deltas, and hills in east **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Everest (highest peak in Asia and highest point on earth above sea level) 8,849 m lowest point: Turpan Pendi (Turfan Depression) -154 m mean elevation: 1,840 m **Natural resources:** coal, iron ore, helium, petroleum, natural gas, arsenic, bismuth, cobalt, cadmium, ferrosilicon, gallium, germanium, hafnium, indium, lithium, mercury, tantalum, tellurium, tin, titanium, tungsten, antimony, manganese, magnesium, molybdenum, selenium, strontium, vanadium, magnetite, aluminum, lead, zinc, rare earth elements, uranium, hydropower potential (world's largest), arable land **Land use:** agricultural land: 55.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 41.7% (2023 est.) forest: 23.8% (2023 est.) other: 20.6% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 690,070 sq km (2012) **Major lakes (area sq km):** fresh water lake(s): Dongting Hu - 3,100 sq km; Poyang Hu - 3,350 sq km; Hongze Hu - 2,700 sq km; Tai Hu - 2,210 sq km; Hulun Nur - 1,590 salt water lake(s): Quinghai Hu - 4,460 sq km; Nam Co - 2,500 sq km; Siling Co - 1,860 sq km; Tangra Yumco - 1,400 sq km; Bosten Hu 1,380 sq km **Major rivers (by length in km):** Yangtze - 6,300 km; Huang He - 5,464 km; Amur river source (shared with Mongolia and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km; Lancang Jiang (Mekong) river source (shared with Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Yarlung Zangbo Jiang (Brahmaputra) river source (shared with India and Bangladesh [m]) - 3,969 km; Yin-tu Ho (Indus) river source (shared with India and Pakistan [m]) - 3,610 km; Nu Jiang (Salween) river source (shared with Thailand and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Irrawaddy river source (shared with Burma [m]) - 2,809 km; Zhu Jiang (Pearl) (shared with Vietnam [s]) - 2,200 km; Yuan Jiang (Red river) source (shared with Vietnam [m]) - 1,149 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Major watersheds (area sq km):** Arctic Ocean drainage: Ob (2,972,493 sq km) Indian Ocean drainage: Brahmaputra (651,335 sq km), Ganges (1,016,124 sq km), Indus (1,081,718 sq km), Irrawaddy (413,710 sq km), Salween (271,914 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Amur (1,929,955 sq km), Huang He (944,970 sq km), Mekong (805,604 sq km), Yangtze (1,722,193 sq km) Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km), Lake Balkash (510,015 sq km) **Major aquifers:** North China Aquifer System (Huang Huai Hai Plain), Song-Liao Plain, Tarim Basin **Population distribution:** overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many Asian and European countries; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang **Natural hazards:** frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence volcanism: China contains some historically active volcanoes including Changbaishan (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or P'aektu-san), Hainan Dao, and Kunlun although most have been relatively inactive in recent centuries **Geography - note:** note 1: world's fourth largest country (after Russia, Canada, and the US) and largest country situated entirely in Asia; Mount Everest, on the border with Nepal, is the world's tallest peak above sea level note 2: the largest cave chamber in the world is the Miao Room, in the Gebihe cave system at China's Ziyun Getu He Chuandong National Park, which encloses about 10.78 million cu m (380.7 million cu ft); the world's largest sinkhole is the Xiaoxhai Tiankeng sinkhole in Chongqing Municipality, which is 660 m deep, with a volume of 130 million cu m ### People and Society **Population:** total: 1,407,181,209 (2025 est.) male: 716,908,592 female: 690,272,617 **Nationality:** noun: Chinese (singular and plural) adjective: Chinese **Ethnic groups:** Han Chinese 91.1%, ethnic minorities 8.9% (includes Zhang, Hui, Manchu, Uighur, Miao, Yi, Tujia, Tibetan, Mongol, Dong, Buyei, Yao, Bai, Korean, Hani, Li, Kazakh, Dai, and other nationalities) (2021 est.) note: the PRC officially recognizes 56 ethnic groups **Languages:** Standard Chinese or Mandarin (official; Putonghua, based on the Beijing dialect), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghainese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages; note - Zhuang is official in Guangxi Zhuang, Yue is official in Guangdong, Mongolian is official in Nei Mongol, Uyghur is official in Xinjiang Uygur, Kyrgyz is official in Xinjiang Uyghur, and Tibetan is official in Xizang (Tibet) major-language sample(s): 世界概況 – 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Standard Chinese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** folk religion 21.9%, Buddhist 18.2%, Christian 5.1%, Muslim 1.8%, Hindu < 0.1%, Jewish < 0.1%, other 0.7% (includes Daoist (Taoist)), unaffiliated 52.1% (2021 est.) note: officially atheist **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 16.3% (male 122,644,111/female 107,926,176) 15-64 years: 69.3% (male 505,412,555/female 476,599,793) 65 years and over: 14.4% (2024 est.) (male 94,144,838/female 109,315,797) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 43.4 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 22.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 21 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4.8 (2025 est.) note: data do not include Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan **Median age:** total: 40.8 years (2025 est.) male: 39 years female: 41.5 years **Population growth rate:** -0.08% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 7.28 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 7.97 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** overwhelming majority of the population is found in the eastern half of the country; the west, with its vast mountainous and desert areas, remains sparsely populated; though ranked first in the world in total population, overall density is less than that of many Asian and European countries; high population density is found along the Yangtze and Yellow River valleys, the Xi Jiang River delta, the Sichuan Basin (around Chengdu), in and around Beijing, and the industrial area around Shenyang **Urbanization:** urban population: 64.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.78% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data do not include Hong Kong and Macau **Major urban areas - population:** 29.211 million Shanghai, 21.766 million BEIJING (capital), 17.341 million Chongqing, 14.284 million Guangzhou, 14.239 million Tianjin, 13.073 million Shenzhen (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.09 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.14 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.04 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 16 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 6.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.7 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 78.7 years (2024 est.) male: 76 years female: 81.7 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.2 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.57 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 98.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 96.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 97.6% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 3.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 2.4% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 5.4% of GDP (2021) 8.8% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 3.11 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 5 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 99.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 95.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 98% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 4.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 2% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 6.2% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 4.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 2.63 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 24.5% (2025 est.) male: 46.6% (2025 est.) female: 1.9% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 2.4% (2013) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 69.5% (2021 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0.1% (2020) women married by age 18: 2.8% (2020) men married by age 18: 0.7% (2020) **Education expenditure:** 4% of GDP (2023 est.) 11.9% national budget (2023 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 96.7% (2020 est.) male: 98.4% (2020 est.) female: 95.1% (2020 est.) **People - note:** in October 2015, the Chinese Government announced that it would change its rules to allow all couples to have two children, loosening a 1979 mandate that restricted many couples to one child; the new policy was implemented on 1 January 2016 to address China’s rapidly aging population and future economic needs ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution and acid rain from reliance on coal; carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels; water shortages, particularly in the north; water pollution from untreated wastes; coastal destruction due to land reclamation, industrial development, and aquaculture; deforestation and habitat destruction; poor land management leading to soil erosion, landslides, floods, droughts, dust storms, and desertification; trade in endangered 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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban **Climate:** extremely diverse; tropical in south to subarctic in north **Land use:** agricultural land: 55.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 41.7% (2023 est.) forest: 23.8% (2023 est.) other: 20.6% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 64.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.78% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) note: data do not include Hong Kong and Macau **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 12.196 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 9.575 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.847 billion metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 774.076 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 41.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 27,832.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 18,177.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 9,402.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 1,186.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 395.081 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 24.4% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 117.01 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 103.04 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 361.24 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 2.84 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 49 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Alxa; Arxan; Dali-Cangshan; Danxiashan; Dunhuang; Enshi Grand Canyon-Tenglongdong; Fangshan; Funiushan; Guangwushan-Noushuihe; Hexigten; Hong Kong; Huanggang Dabieshan; Huangshan; Jingpohu; Jiuhuashan; Kanbula; Keketuohai; Leiqiong; Leye Fengshan; Linxia; Longhushan; Longyan; Lushan; Mount Changbaishan; Mount Kunlun; Ningde; Qinling Zhongnanshan; Sanqingshan; Shennongjia; Shilin; Songshan; Taining; Taishan; Tianzhushan; Wangwushan-Daimeishan; Wudalianchi; Wugongshan; Xiangxi; Xingwen; Yingyi; Yandangshan; Yanqing; Yimengshan; Yuntaishan; Yunyang: Zhangjlajle; Zhangye; Zhijingdong Cave; Zigong (2025) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: People's Republic of China conventional short form: China local long form: Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo local short form: Zhongguo abbreviation: PRC etymology: English name could be derived from the Qin (Chin, Ts'in) rulers in the 3rd century B.C., or from the province of Shaanxi (Shensi) with its capital of Xi'an (Sian); the Chinese name Zhongguo translates as "Central Nation" or "Middle Country" **Government type:** communist party-led state **Capital:** name: Beijing geographic coordinates: 39 55 N, 116 23 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: China is the largest country (in terms of area) with just one time zone; before 1949 it was divided into five etymology: the name comes from the Chinese words bei (north) and jing (capital) **Administrative divisions:** 23 provinces (sheng, singular and plural), 5 autonomous regions (zizhiqu, singular and plural), 4 municipalities (shi, singular and plural), and two special administrative regions (tebie xingzhengqu, singular and plural) provinces: Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Guangdong, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang; (see note on Taiwan) autonomous regions: Guangxi, Nei Mongol (Inner Mongolia), Ningxia, Xinjiang Uyghur, Xizang (Tibet) municipalities: Beijing, Chongqing, Shanghai, Tianjin special administrative regions: Hong Kong, Macau note: China considers Taiwan its 23rd province; see separate entries for the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau **Legal system:** civil law influenced by Soviet and continental European civil law systems; legislature retains power to interpret statutes note: in 2020, the National People's Congress adopted the PRC Civil Code, which codifies personal relations and property relations **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest promulgated 4 December 1982 amendment process: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress or supported by more than one fifth of the National People’s Congress membership; passage requires more than two-thirds majority vote of the Congress membership **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: least one parent must be a citizen of China dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: while naturalization is theoretically possible, in practical terms it is extremely difficult; residency is required but not specified **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013) head of government: Premier LI Qiang (since 11 March 2023) cabinet: State Council appointed by National People's Congress election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected by National People's Congress; premier nominated by president, confirmed by National People's Congress most recent election date: 10 March 2023 election results: 2023: XI Jinping reelected president; National People's Congress vote - 2,952 (unanimously); HAN Zheng elected vice president with 2,952 votes; LI Qiang elected premier with 2,936 votes 2018: XI Jinping reelected president; National People's Congress vote - 2,970 (unanimously); WANG Qishan elected vice president with 2,969 votes expected date of next election: March 2028 note: ultimate authority rests with the Communist Party Central Committee’s 25-member Political Bureau (Politburo) and its seven-member Standing Committee; XI Jinping holds the three most powerful positions as party general secretary, state president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National People's Congress (Quanguo Renmin Daibiao Dahui) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 3000 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/5/2023 percentage of women in chamber: 26.5% expected date of next election: March 2028 note: in practice, only members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), its 8 allied independent parties, and CCP-approved independent candidates are elected **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme People's Court (consists of over 340 judges, including the chief justice and 13 grand justices organized into a civil committee and tribunals for civil, economic, administrative, complaint and appeal, and communication and transportation cases) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the People's National Congress (NPC); limited to 2 consecutive 5-year-terms; other justices and judges nominated by the chief justice and appointed by the Standing Committee of the NPC; term of other justices and judges determined by the NPC subordinate courts: Higher People's Courts; Intermediate People's Courts; District and County People's Courts; Autonomous Region People's Courts; International Commercial Courts; Special People's Courts for military, maritime, transportation, and forestry issues **Political parties:** Chinese Communist Party or CCP note: China has 8 nominally independent small parties controlled by the CCP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador XIE Feng (since 30 June 2023) chancery: 3505 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 495-2266 FAX: [1] (202) 495-2138 email address and website: chinaemppress_us@mfa.gov.cn http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador David PERDUE (since 25 July 2025) embassy: 55 Anjialou Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100600 mailing address: 7300 Beijing Place, Washington DC 20521-7300 telephone: [86] (10) 8531-3000 FAX: [86] (10) 8531-4200 email address and website: BeijingACS@state.gov https://china.usembassy-china.org.cn/ consulate(s) general: Guangzhou, Shanghai, Shenyang, Wuhan; note - the Chinese Government ordered closure of the US consulate in Chengdu in late July 2020 **International organization participation:** ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), BIS, BRICS, CDB, CICA, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-20, G-24 (observer), G-5, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), NSG, OAS (observer), OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SCO, SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UN Security Council (permanent), UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC **Independence:** 1 October 1949 (People's Republic of China established); notable earlier dates: 221 B.C. (unification under the Qin Dynasty); 1 January 1912 (Qing Dynasty replaced by the Republic of China) **National holiday:** National Day (anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949) **Flag:** description: red with a large five-pointed yellow star and four smaller ones in the upper-left corner; the small stars are arranged in a vertical arc around the large one meaning: red represents revolution; the stars symbolize the four social classes -- the working class, the peasantry, the urban petty bourgeoisie, and the national bourgeoisie (capitalists) -- united under the Communist Party of China **National symbol(s):** dragon, giant panda **National color(s):** red, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers) lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er history: adopted 1982; the anthem, which was banned during the Cultural Revolution, is more commonly known as "Zhongguo Guoge" (Chinese National Song) **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 60 (41 cultural, 15 natural, 4 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (c); Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (c); The Great Wall (c); Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (c); Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area (n); Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (c); Ancient Ancient City of Ping Yao (c); Historic Center of Macau (c); Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” (c); The Grand Canal (c); Mount Huangshan (m); Mogao Caves (c); Mount Taishan (m); Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian(c); Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area (n);Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area (n); Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (c); Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde (c); Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (c); Lushan National Park (c); Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (m); Classical Gardens of Suzhou (c); Old Town of Lijiang (c); Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (c); Dazu Rock Carvings (c); Mount Wuyi (m); Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui – Xidi and Hongcun (c); Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties (c); Longmen Grottoes (c); Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (c); Yungang Grottoes (c); Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (n); Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (c); Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt. Siguniang, and Jiajin Mountains (c); Yin Xu (c); Kaiping Diaolou and Villages (c); South China Karst (n); Fujian Tulou (c); Mount Sanqingshan National Park (n); Mount Wutai (c); China Danxia (n); West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou (c); Chengjiang Fossil Site (n); Site of Xanadu (c); Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces(c); Xinjiang Tianshan (n); Silk Roads: the Routes Network of Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (c); Tusi Sites (c); Hubei Shennongjia (n); Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape (c); Kulangsu, a Historic International Settlement (c); Qinghai Hoh Xil (n); Fanjingshan (n); Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City (c); Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (n); Quanzhou: Emporium of the World in Song-Yuan China (c); Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Pu’er (c); Badain Jaran Desert - Towers of Sand and Lakes (n); Beijing Central Axis: A Building Ensemble Exhibiting the Ideal Order of the Chinese Capital (c); Xixia Imperial Tombs (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** world’s second-largest economy by nominal GDP; global leader in exports and manufacturing; historically strong growth slowing; challenges of aging workforce, weak productivity, rising youth unemployment, struggling property sector, and public debt; state-sponsored economic controls and infrastructure investments **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $33.598 trillion (2024 est.) $32.005 trillion (2023 est.) $30.361 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 5% (2024 est.) 5.4% (2023 est.) 3.1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $23,800 (2024 est.) $22,700 (2023 est.) $21,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $18.744 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 0.2% (2024 est.) 0.2% (2023 est.) 2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 6.8% (2024 est.) industry: 36.5% (2024 est.) services: 56.7% (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: 39.6% (2023 est.) government consumption: 17.2% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 40.5% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0.6% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 19.1% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -17% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** maize, rice, vegetables, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, cucumbers/gherkins, tomatoes, watermelons, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** world leader in gross value of industrial output; mining and ore processing, iron, steel, aluminum, and other metals, coal; machine building; armaments; textiles and apparel; petroleum; cement; chemicals; fertilizer; consumer products (including footwear, toys, and electronics); food processing; transportation equipment, including automobiles, railcars and locomotives, ships, aircraft; telecommunications equipment, commercial space launch vehicles, satellites **Industrial production growth rate:** 5.3% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 773.88 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 4.6% (2024 est.) 4.7% (2023 est.) 5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 15.2% (2024 est.) male: 16.5% (2024 est.) female: 13.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 0% (2020 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 35.7 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 21.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3.2% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 28.2% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 0.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.2% 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: $2.684 trillion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated expenditures: $4.893 trillion (2019 est.) **Public debt:** 47% of GDP (2017 est.) note: official data; data cover both central and local government debt, including debt officially recognized by China's National Audit Office report in 2011; data exclude policy bank bonds, Ministry of Railway debt, and China Asset Management Company debt **Taxes and other revenues:** 7.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $423.919 billion (2024 est.) $263.382 billion (2023 est.) $443.374 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $3.793 trillion (2024 est.) $3.508 trillion (2023 est.) $3.719 trillion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** USA 13%, Hong Kong 8%, Japan 5%, Germany 5%, S. Korea 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** broadcasting equipment, computers, integrated circuits, garments, machine parts (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $3.254 trillion (2024 est.) $3.122 trillion (2023 est.) $3.142 trillion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** S. Korea 7%, USA 7%, Japan 6%, Australia 6%, Russia 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** crude petroleum, integrated circuits, iron ore, gold, natural gas (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $3.456 trillion (2024 est.) $3.45 trillion (2023 est.) $3.307 trillion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $488.114 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** Renminbi yuan (RMB) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 7.197 (2024 est.) 7.084 (2023 est.) 6.737 (2022 est.) 6.449 (2021 est.) 6.901 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 2.949 billion kW (2023 est.) consumption: 8.894 trillion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 20.577 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 7.195 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 325.352 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 64.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 4.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 6.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 9.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 13.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Nuclear energy:** Number of operational nuclear reactors: 57 (2025) Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 28 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 55.32GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 4.9% (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 4.805 billion metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 5.191 billion metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 13.239 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 401.517 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 157.041 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 4.984 million bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 16.189 million bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 26.023 billion barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 239.402 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 395.341 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 6.025 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 161.808 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 6.654 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 113.805 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 167 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 12 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 1.87 billion (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 132 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** all broadcast media are owned by, or affiliated with, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or a government agency; no privately owned TV or radio stations; state-run Chinese Central TV, provincial, and municipal stations offer more than 2,000 channels; the Central Propaganda Department and local (provincial, municipal) officials direct news reporting and approve all programming; foreign-made TV programs must be approved/censored prior to broadcast; widespread use of online platforms (Bilibili, Tencent Video, iQiyi, etc) to access domestic and international films and TV shows; Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) regulates video platforms (2022) **Internet country code:** .cn **Internet users:** percent of population: 78% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 636 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** B **Airports:** 552 (2025) **Heliports:** 120 (2025) **Railways:** total: 150,000 km (2021) 1.435-m gauge (100,000 km electrified); 104,0000 traditional, 40,000 high-speed **Merchant marine:** total: 8,314 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1,831, container ship 419, general cargo 1,392, oil tanker 1,196, other 3,476 **Ports:** total ports: 66 (2024) large: 5 medium: 9 small: 25 very small: 27 ports with oil terminals: 48 key ports: Chaozhou, Dalian, Fang-Cheng, Guangzhou, Hankow, Lon Shui Terminal, Qingdao Gang, Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shekou, Tianjin Xin Gang, Weihai, Wenzhou, Xiamen ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** People's Liberation Army (PLA): Ground Forces or People's Liberation Army Army (PLAA), Navy (PLAN, includes Marine Corps (PLANMC)), Air Force (PLAAF), Rocket Force (PLARF), Aerospace Force (ASF), Cyberspace Force (CSF), Information Support Force (ISF), Joint Logistics Support Force (JLSF); People's Armed Police (PAP, includes Coast Guard, Border Defense Force, Internal Security Forces); PLA Reserve Force (2025) note 1: the PAP is a paramilitary police component of China’s armed forces that is under the dual authority of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and the Central Military Commission; the China Coast Guard (CCG) is subordinate to the PAP note 2: the PLA (established 1927) is the military arm of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which oversees the PLA through its Central Military Commission (CMC); the CMC is China’s top military decision making body **Military expenditures:** 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.7% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 2 million active-duty PLA (950,000-1 million Ground; 250,000 Navy, including about 50,000 Marines; 350-400,000 Air Force; 120,000 Rocket Forces; 150-175,000 other forces) (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the PLA is mostly equipped with domestically produced armaments with smaller amounts of imported weaponry, largely from Russia; China has one of the world's largest defense-industrial sectors and is capable of producing advanced weapons systems across all military domains (2025) note: the PLA is in the midst of a decades-long modernization effort to achieve a "world-class" military by the 2040s **Military service age and obligation:** 18-26 years of age depending on education level for men and women for both volunteer and selective compulsory military service; 24-month service obligation (2025) note: the PLA’s conscription system functions as a levy; the PLA establishes the number of enlistees needed, which produces quotas for the provinces; each province provides a set number of soldiers or sailors; if the number of volunteers fails to meet quotas, the local governments may compel individuals to enter military service **Military deployments:** 475 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 1,050 South Sudan (UNMISS); 280 Sudan/South Sudan (UNISFA); has also established a base in Djibouti with approximately 400 marines, plus naval and support personnel (2025) **Military - note:** the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the world’s largest military; the PLA's primary responsibility is external security but it also has some domestic security duties; China’s stated defense policy includes safeguarding sovereignty, security, and development interests while emphasizing a greater global role for the PLA; the PLA conducts air, counterspace, cyber, electronic warfare, joint, land, maritime, missile, nuclear, and space operations; it trains regularly, including multinational and multiservice exercises, deploys overseas, and participates in international peacekeeping missions the PRC's internal security forces consist primarily of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the Ministry of State Security (MSS), the People’s Armed Police (PAP), and the militia; the PLA support the internal security forces as necessary: --the MPS controls the civilian national police, which serves as the first-line force for public order; its primary mission is domestic law enforcement and maintaining order, including anti-rioting and anti-terrorism --the MSS is the PRC’s main civilian intelligence and counterintelligence service --the PAP is a paramilitary component (or adjunct) of the PLA; its primary missions include internal security, maintaining public order, maritime security, and assisting the PLA in times of war; the China Coast Guard (CCG) administratively falls under the PAP and has a variety of missions, such as maritime sovereignty enforcement, surveillance, resource protection, anti-smuggling, and general law enforcement; it is the largest maritime law enforcement fleet in the world --the militia is an armed reserve of civilians which serves as an auxiliary and reserve force for the PLA upon mobilization, although it is distinct from the PLA’s reserve forces; militia units are organized around towns, villages, urban sub-districts, and enterprises, and vary widely in composition and mission; they have dual civilian-military command structures; a key component of the militia are the local maritime forces, commonly referred to as the People’s Armed Forces Maritime Militia (PAFMM); the PAFMM consists of mariners (and their vessels) who receive training, equipment, and other forms of support from the Navy and CCG (although the PAFMM remains separate from both) to perform tasks such as maritime patrolling, surveillance and reconnaissance, emergency/disaster response, transportation, search and rescue, and auxiliary tasks in support of naval operations in wartime; the PAFMM’s tasks are often conducted in conjunction or coordination with the Navy and the CCG; it has been used to assert Beijing's maritime claims in the Sea of Japan and South China Sea (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** China National Space Administration (CNSA; established in 1993); Administration for Science, Technology, and Industry for National Defense (SASTIND; subordinate to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology); People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Aerospace Force (2025) note: in 2024, the PLA created the Aerospace Force from the former Strategic Support Force, which had included the Space Systems Department and the China Manned Space Engineering Office or CMSEO) **Space launch site(s):** Jiuquan Launch Center (Inner Mongolia); Xichang Launch Center (Sichuan); Wenchang Launch Center (Hainan; Wenchang includes a commercial launch pad, the Hainan Commercial Space Launch Site, which became operational in December 2024); Taiyuan Launch Center (Shanxi); Eastern Spaceport (Shandong; a coastal spaceport designed to facilitate maritime launches) (2025) **Space program overview:** considered one of the world’s leading space powers, with a comprehensive and ambitious space program; can manufacture and operate the full spectrum of space launch vehicles (SLVs) and spacecraft, including human-crewed, lunar/inter-planetary/asteroid probes, satellites (communications, remote sensing, navigational, scientific, etc.), space stations, and reusable space transportation; has an astronaut/taikonaut program; researches and develops a range of space-related capabilities, including advanced telecommunications, optics, spacecraft components, and satellite payloads; participates in international space programs and co-leads (with Australia and Japan) the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; has signed agreements with more than 45 national space agencies, including those of Brazil, Canada, France, and Russia, as well several international organizations; has also cooperated with ESA; two state-owned aerospace enterprises dominate space industry, but a substantial commercial space sector includes launch services (2025) note: the US NASA is barred by a 2011 law from cooperating with the Chinese bilaterally in space unless approved by the US Congress; the US objected to China’s participation in the International Space Station program **Key space-program milestones:** 1960s - began launching rockets and initiated satellite and satellite launch vehicle (SLV) programs 1970 - launched first communications satellite (Dongfanghong I) 2003 - first manned space flight; launched first satellite for global navigational system (Beidou) 2011 - placed temporary space station (Tiangong-1) into Earth orbit 2013 - first unmanned lunar landing mission (Chang'e-3); placed a second temporary space station (Tiangong-2) in Earth orbit 2017 - employed a communications satellite (Micius) to perform the world’s first quantum-encrypted virtual teleconference between Beijing and Vienna 2019 - landed a rover vehicle (Chang’e-4) on the far side of the Moon 2021 - landed a probe and operated a rover vehicle on Mars; signed agreement with Russia to set up an international manned lunar research station; announced intent to send a manned mission to Mars by 2033 2022 - completed construction of a permanent manned space station (Tiangong) in Earth orbit 2024 - successful landing and return of robotic spacecraft/probe (Chang'e-6) from the far side the Moon; first launch of "Thousand Sails" commercial communications satellite constellation project 2025 - launched asteroid sample return mission probe (Tianwen-2); launched world's first quantum communications microsatellite (Jinan-1) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 814 (2024 est.) IDPs: 198,400 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — China does not fully meet the minimum standards for elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, China remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/china/ **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country major precursor-chemical producer (2025) --- ## Hong Kong **Slug:** hong-kong **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇭🇰 **Codes:** cek: hk, iso2: HK, iso3: HKG, iso_num: 344, genc: HKG, stanag: HKG, internet: .hk ### Introduction **Background:** The UK seized Hong Kong in 1841, and China formally ceded it the following year at the end of the First Opium War. The Kowloon Peninsula was added in 1860 at the end of the Second Opium War, and the UK obtained a 99-year lease of the New Territories in 1898. Pursuant to a UK-China agreement in 1984, Hong Kong became the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China as of 1 July 1997. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's socialist economic and strict political system would not be imposed on Hong Kong and that Hong Kong would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign and defense affairs for the next 50 years. After the handover, Hong Kong continued to enjoy success as an international financial center. However, growing Chinese political influence and dissatisfaction with the Hong Kong Government in the 2010s became central issues and led to considerable civil unrest, including large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations in 2019 after the HKSAR attempted to revise a local ordinance to allow extraditions to mainland China. In response to the protests, the governments of the HKSAR and China reduced the city's autonomy and placed new restrictions on the rights of Hong Kong residents, moves that were widely criticized as contravening obligations under the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Democratic lawmakers and political figures were arrested in a widespread crackdown, while others fled abroad. At the same time, dozens of civil society groups and several independent media outlets were closed or disbanded. In 2021, Beijing imposed a more restrictive electoral system, restructuring the Legislative Council (LegCo) and allowing only government-approved candidates to run for office. The changes ensured that virtually all seats in the 2021 LegCo election went to pro-establishment candidates and effectively ended political opposition to Beijing. In 2024, the LegCo passed a new national security law (Article 23 of the Basic Law) further expanding the Hong Kong Government's power to curb dissent. ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China **Geographic coordinates:** 22 15 N, 114 10 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 1,108 sq km land: 1,073 sq km water: 35 sq km **Area - comparative:** six times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 33 km regional borders (1): China 33 km **Coastline:** 733 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm **Climate:** subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall **Terrain:** hilly to mountainous with steep slopes; lowlands in north **Elevation:** highest point: Tai Mo Shan 958 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m **Natural resources:** outstanding deepwater harbor, feldspar **Land use:** agricultural land: 3.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 96.2% (2022 est.) **Irrigated land:** 10 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** population fairly evenly distributed **Natural hazards:** occasional typhoons **Geography - note:** consists of a mainland area (the New Territories) and over 200 islands ### People and Society **Population:** total: 7,305,556 (2025 est.) male: 3,367,222 female: 3,938,334 **Nationality:** noun: Chinese/Hong Konger adjective: Chinese/Hong Kong **Ethnic groups:** Chinese 91.6%, Filipino 2.7%, Indonesian 1.9%, other 3.7% (2021 est.) **Languages:** Cantonese (official) 85.4%, English (official) 4.5%, Putonghua (official) 2.2%, other Chinese dialects 2.8%, other 2%, persons under 5 or mute 3.2% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): 世界概况, 必須擁有的基本資料参考书 (Cantonese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent population by usual spoken language **Religions:** Buddhist or Taoist 27.9%, Protestant 6.7%, Roman Catholic 5.3%, Muslim 4.2%, Hindu 1.4%, Sikh 0.2%, other or none 54.3% (2016 est.) note: many people practice Confucianism, regardless of their religion or not having a religious affiliation **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 13.2% (male 505,718/female 459,956) 15-64 years: 64.8% (male 2,123,216/female 2,609,102) 65 years and over: 21.9% (2024 est.) (male 738,878/female 860,951) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 56.7 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 35.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2.8 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 47.6 years (2025 est.) male: 45.3 years female: 48.6 years **Population growth rate:** 0.09% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 7.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 8.16 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 1.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population fairly evenly distributed **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.58% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 7.685 million Hong Kong (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female total population: 0.86 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 29.8 years (2008 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 2.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 84 years (2024 est.) male: 81.3 years female: 86.8 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.24 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.6 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: NA total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: NA total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 2.04 physicians/1,000 population (2020) **Hospital bed density:** 4.9 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 96.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 96.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 3.5% of population (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 49.8% (2021 est.) **Education expenditure:** 3.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 15.7% national budget (2024 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 17 years (2023 est.) male: 17 years (2023 est.) female: 17 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air and water pollution from rapid urbanization; urban waste pollution; industrial pollution **Climate:** subtropical monsoon; cool and humid in winter, hot and rainy from spring through summer, warm and sunny in fall **Land use:** agricultural land: 3.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 1.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 1% (2023 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 96.2% (2022 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.58% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 58.433 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 12.935 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 35.453 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 10.045 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 5.68 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 34% (2016 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Hong Kong local long form: Heung Kong Takpit Hangching Ku (Eitel/Dyer-Ball) local short form: Heung Kong (Eitel/Dyer-Ball) abbreviation: HK etymology: probably an imprecise phonetic rendering of the Cantonese name meaning "fragrant harbor" **Government type:** presidential limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China **Dependency status:** special administrative region of the People's Republic of China **Legal system:** mixed system of common law based on the English model and Chinese customary law (in matters of family and land tenure); China's imposition of National Security Law incorporates elements of Chinese civil law **Constitution:** history: several previous (governance documents while under British authority); latest drafted April 1988 to February 1989, approved March 1990, effective 1 July 1997 (Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China serves as the constitution) amendment process: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, or the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, approval by two thirds of Hong Kong’s deputies to the NPC, and approval by the Hong Kong chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC note: since 1990, China's National People's Congress has interpreted specific articles of the Basic Law **Citizenship:** see China **Suffrage:** 18 years of age in direct elections for 20 of the 90 Legislative Council seats and all of the seats in 18 district councils; universal for permanent residents living in the territory of Hong Kong for the past 7 years note: in indirect elections, suffrage is limited to about 220,000 members of functional constituencies for the other 70 legislature seats and a 1,500-member election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad sectoral groupings, central government bodies, municipal organizations, and elected Hong Kong officials **Executive branch:** chief of state: President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013) head of government: Chief Executive John LEE Ka-chiu (since 1 July 2022) cabinet: Executive Council or ExCo appointed by the chief executive election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by National People's Congress for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); chief executive indirectly elected by the Election Committee and appointed by the PRC Government for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: president: 10 March 2023 chief executive: 8 May 2022 election results: 2022: John LEE was the only candidate and won with over 99% of the vote by the Election Committee 2017: Carrie LAM elected; Election Committee vote - Carrie LAM (non-partisan) 777, John TSANG (non-partisan) 365, WOO Kwok-hing (non-partisan) 21, 23 ballots rejected (1,186 votes cast) expected date of next election: president: March 2028 chief executive: 2027 note: electoral changes that Beijing imposed in March 2021 expanded the Election Committee to 1,500 members **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislative Council or LegCo legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 90 electoral system: 20 members directly elected; 70 members indirectly elected scope of elections: full most recent election date: 7 December 2025 parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) 20, Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade Unions (HKFTU) 8, Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA) 7, Liberal (LP) 4, New People's Party (NPP) 3, Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW) 2, Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions (HKFLU) 2, Professional Power (PP) 1, Roundtable (RT) 1, New Territories Association of Societies (NTAS) 1, Kowloon West New Dynamic (KWND) 1, Independents 40 expected date of next election: December 2029 note: all political candidates are evaluated by the Candidate Eligibility Review Committee (CERC), which was established in April 2022; CERC members are all appointed by the chief executive **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Final Appeal (consists of the chief justice, 3 permanent judges, and 20 non-permanent judges) judge selection and term of office: all judges appointed by the Hong Kong Chief Executive on the recommendation of the Judicial Officers Recommendation Commission, an independent body consisting of the Secretary for Justice, other judges, and judicial and legal professionals; permanent judges serve until normal retirement at age 65, but term can be extended; non-permanent judges appointed for renewable 3-year terms without age limit subordinate courts: High Court (consists of the Court of Appeal and Court of First Instance); District Courts (includes Family and Land Courts); magistrates' courts; specialized tribunals **Political parties:** Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong or BPA Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong or DAB Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions or HKFLU Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers or HKFEW Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions or HKFTU Kowloon West New Dynamic or KWND Liberal Party or LP New People's Party or NPP New Prospect for Hong Kong or NPHK New Territories Association of Societies or NTAS Professional Power or PP Roundtable or RT note 1: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies note 2: by the end of 2021, the leading pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong had been effectively removed from the political arena under the provisions of Beijing's 2021 electoral changes or via charges under the 2020 national security law; in addition, dozens of pro-democracy organizations, including political parties, unions, churches, civil rights groups, and media organizations have disbanded or closed; as of 2023, nearly all politically active groups were pro-Beijing **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: none (Special Administrative Region of China) HKETO offices: New York, San Francisco, Washington DC note: Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of China and does not have a diplomatic presence; the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO) carries out normal liaison activities and communication with the US government and other US entities; the position of the Hong Kong Commissioner to the US Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is vacant; address: 1520 18th Street NW, Washington, DC 20036; telephone: [1] (202) 331-8947; FAX: [1] (202) 331-8958; email: hketo@hketowashington.gov.hk; website: https://www.hketowashington.gov.hk/ **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Consul General Julie EADEH (since August 2025); note - also accredited to Macau embassy: 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong mailing address: 8000 Hong Kong Place, Washington DC 20521-8000 telephone: [852] 2523-9011 FAX: [852] 2845-1598 email address and website: acshk@state.gov https://hk.usconsulate.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, BIS, FATF, ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITUC (NGOs), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** none (special administrative region of China) **National holiday:** National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949) note: 1 July (1997) is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day **Flag:** description: red with a stylized white Bauhinia flower with five petals in the center of the flag; each petal has a tiny five-pointed red star with a fine red line curving toward the center of the flower meaning: the red color is the same as the Chinese flag and represents the motherland, and the five stars also echo the Chinese flag; the Bauhinia flower was developed in Hong Kong the late 19th century and has come to symbolize the region **National symbol(s):** bauhinia flower **National color(s):** red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers) lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er history: official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income tourism- and services-based economy; global financial hub; COVID-19 and political protests fueled recent recession; ongoing recovery but lower-skilled unemployment remains high; investing in job-reskilling programs **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $497.88 billion (2024 est.) $485.541 billion (2023 est.) $470.42 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 2.5% (2024 est.) 3.2% (2023 est.) -3.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $66,200 (2024 est.) $64,400 (2023 est.) $64,000 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $407.107 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 1.7% (2024 est.) 2.1% (2023 est.) 1.9% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 0% (2023 est.) industry: 6.3% (2023 est.) services: 91.4% (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: 67.4% (2024 est.) government consumption: 12.8% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 16.2% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: -0.5% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 181.7% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -177.7% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** pork, chicken, spinach, vegetables, pork offal, game meat, beef, fruits, onions, pork fat (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** trading and logistics, financial services, professional services, tourism, cultural and creative, clothing and textiles, shipping, electronics, toys, clocks and watches **Industrial production growth rate:** 3.4% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 3.836 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.8% (2024 est.) 3% (2023 est.) 4.4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 8.4% (2024 est.) male: 10.5% (2024 est.) female: 6.3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Average household expenditures:** on food: 11.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 0.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **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: $70.124 billion (2020 est.) expenditures: $105.849 billion (2020 est.) **Current account balance:** $52.475 billion (2024 est.) $32.338 billion (2023 est.) $36.525 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $739.915 billion (2024 est.) $673.738 billion (2023 est.) $697.583 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 22%, Vietnam 12%, S. Korea 8%, Netherlands 5%, Switzerland 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** gold, integrated circuits, gas turbines, broadcasting equipment, jewelry (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $723.397 billion (2024 est.) $671.492 billion (2023 est.) $682.881 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 40%, Taiwan 10%, Singapore 7%, Japan 5%, S. Korea 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, gold, machine parts, jewelry (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $425.554 billion (2023 est.) $424.03 billion (2022 est.) $496.867 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** Hong Kong dollars (HKD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 7.804 (2024 est.) 7.83 (2023 est.) 7.831 (2022 est.) 7.773 (2021 est.) 7.757 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 13.3 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 45.54 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 11.593 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 3.684 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 99.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** consumption: 5.567 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 16,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 5.884 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 96 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 233,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Natural gas:** consumption: 5.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 5.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 116.811 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 3.31 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 45 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 27.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 365 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** 34 commercial terrestrial TV networks, each with multiple stations; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; 3 licensed broadcasters, one of which is government-funded, operate about 12 radio stations (2019) **Internet country code:** .hk **Internet users:** percent of population: 96% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 2.97 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** B-H **Airports:** 2 (2025) **Heliports:** 142 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 2,537 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 1,047, container ship 560, general cargo 144, oil tanker 394, other 392 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 1 medium: 0 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Hong Kong ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Hong Kong Police Force (specialized units include the Police Counterterrorism Response Unit, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Bureau, the Special Duties Unit, the Airport Security Unit, and the VIP Protection Unit) China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Hong Kong Garrison is responsible for defense duties; the garrison includes elements of the PLA Army, PLA Navy, and PLA Air Force and are under the direct leadership of the Central Military Commission in Beijing and under administrative control of the adjacent Southern Theater Command (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 260 (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 Hong Kong 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/hong-kong/ **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025) --- ## Indonesia **Slug:** indonesia **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇮🇩 **Codes:** cek: id, iso2: ID, iso3: IDN, iso_num: 360, genc: IDN, stanag: IDN, internet: .id ### Introduction **Background:** The archipelago was once largely under the control of Buddhist and Hindu rulers. By around the 7th century, a Buddhist kingdom arose on Sumatra and expanded into Java and the Malay Peninsula until it was conquered in the late 13th century by the Hindu Majapahit Empire from Java. Majapahit (1290-1527) united most of modern-day Indonesia and Malaysia. Traders introduced Islam around the 11th century, and the religion gradually expanded over the next 500 years. The Portuguese conquered parts of Indonesia in the 16th century, but the Dutch ousted them (except in East Timor) and began colonizing the islands in the early 17th century. It would be the early 20th century before Dutch colonial rule was established across the entirety of what would become the boundaries of the modern Indonesian state. Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945. Indonesia declared its independence shortly before Japan's surrender, but it required four years of sometimes brutal fighting, intermittent negotiations, and UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to transfer sovereignty in 1949. A period of sometimes unruly parliamentary democracy ended in 1957 when President SOEKARNO declared martial law and instituted "Guided Democracy." After an abortive coup in 1965 by alleged communist sympathizers, SOEKARNO was gradually eased from power. From 1967 until 1998, President SUHARTO ruled Indonesia with his "New Order" government. After street protests toppled SUHARTO in 1998, free and fair legislative elections took place in 1999 while the country's first direct presidential election occurred in 2004. Indonesia has since become a robust democracy, holding four direct presidential elections, each considered by international observers to have been largely free and fair. Indonesia is now the world's third-most-populous democracy and the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. It has had strong economic growth since overcoming the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s. By the 2020s, it had the largest economy in Southeast Asia, and its economy ranked in the world's top 10 in terms of purchasing power parity. It has also made considerable gains in reducing poverty. Although relations amongst its diverse population--there are more than 300 ethnic groups--have been harmonious in the 2000s, there have been areas of sectarian discontent and violence, as well as instances of religious extremism and terrorism. A political settlement to an armed separatist conflict in Aceh was achieved in 2005, but a separatist group in Papua continued to conduct a low-intensity conflict as of 2024. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean **Geographic coordinates:** 5 00 S, 120 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 1,904,569 sq km land: 1,811,569 sq km water: 93,000 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly less than three times the size of Texas **Land boundaries:** total: 2,958 km border countries (3): Malaysia 1,881 km; Papua New Guinea 824 km; Timor-Leste 253 km **Coastline:** 54,716 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands **Terrain:** mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior mountains **Elevation:** highest point: Puncak Jaya 4,884 m lowest point: Indian/Pacific Oceans 0 m mean elevation: 367 m **Natural resources:** petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite, copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver note: Indonesia is the World's leading producer of nickel with an output of 1.6 million mt in 2022 **Land use:** agricultural land: 29.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 9.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 5.8% (2023 est.) forest: 50.6% (2023 est.) other: 20.3% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 67,220 sq km (2012) **Major lakes (area sq km):** fresh water lake(s): Danau Toba - 1,150 sq km note - located in the caldera of a super volcano that erupted more than 70,000 years ago; it is the largest volcanic lake in the World **Major rivers (by length in km):** Sepik (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,126 km; Fly (shared with Papua New Guinea [s]) - 1,050 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Population distribution:** major concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands, Sumatra contains some of the most significant clusters, particularly in the south near the Selat Sunda and along the northeastern coast near Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan) are also heavily populated **Natural hazards:** occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires volcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country in the world, with over 75 historically active; significant volcanic activity occurs on Java, Sumatra, the Sunda Islands, Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda Sea; Merapi (2,968 m), Indonesia's most active volcano, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; in 2018, a large explosion and flank collapse destroyed most of the island of Anak Krakatau (Child of Krakatau) and generated a deadly tsunami that left more than 400 dead; other notable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu, Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, Sinabung, and Tambora; see note 2 under "Geography - note" **Geography - note:** note 1: 13,466 islands are in the archipelago, of which 922 are permanently inhabited; Indonesia is the world's largest country composed solely of islands; the country straddles the equator and occupies a strategic location along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean note 2: Indonesia is one of the countries along the Ring of Fire, which is a belt bordering the Pacific Ocean that contains about 75% of the world's volcanoes, up to 90% of the world's earthquakes, and 80% of tsunamis note 3: despite having the fourth largest population in the world, Indonesia is the most heavily forested region on earth after the Amazon ### People and Society **Population:** total: 283,587,097 (2025 est.) male: 141,778,977 female: 141,808,120 **Nationality:** noun: Indonesian(s) adjective: Indonesian **Ethnic groups:** Javanese 40.1%, Sundanese 15.5%, Malay 3.7%, Batak 3.6%, Madurese 3%, Betawi 2.9%, Minangkabau 2.7%, Buginese 2.7%, Bantenese 2%, Banjarese 1.7%, Balinese 1.7%, Acehnese 1.4%, Dayak 1.4%, Sasak 1.3%, Chinese 1.2%, other 15% (2010 est.) **Languages:** Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay), English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely spoken is Javanese); note - more than 700 languages are used in Indonesia major-language sample(s): Fakta Dunia, sumber informasi dasar yang sangat diperlukan. (Indonesian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Muslim 87.4%, Protestant 7.5%, Roman Catholic 3.1%, Hindu 1.7%, other 0.8% (includes Buddhist and Confucian) (2022 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 23.8% (male 34,247,218/female 32,701,367) 15-64 years: 68.3% (male 96,268,201/female 95,961,293) 65 years and over: 8% (2024 est.) (male 10,284,628/female 12,099,758) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 46.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 34.1 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 12 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 8.3 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 31.8 years (2025 est.) male: 30.8 years female: 32.3 years **Population growth rate:** 0.7% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 14.55 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.82 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** major concentration on the island of Java, which is considered one of the most densely populated places on earth; of the outer islands, Sumatra contains some of the most significant clusters, particularly in the south near the Selat Sunda and along the northeastern coast near Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (Kalimantan) are also heavily populated **Urbanization:** urban population: 58.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 11.249 million JAKARTA (capital), 3.729 million Bekasi, 3.044 million Surabaya, 3.041 million Depok, 2.674 million Bandung, 2.514 million Tangerang (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 22.4 years (2017 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 140 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 21.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.4 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 73.6 years (2024 est.) male: 71.3 years female: 76 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.93 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.94 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 98.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 88.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.1% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 1.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 11.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.9% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 3.7% of GDP (2021) 8% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.52 physicians/1,000 population (2023) **Hospital bed density:** 1.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 97.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 91.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.7% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 2.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 8.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.3% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 6.9% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.08 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.01 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: 39% (2025 est.) male: 74.9% (2025 est.) female: 3.1% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 15.9% (2023 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 70.3% (2022 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 2% (2017) women married by age 18: 16.3% (2017) **Education expenditure:** 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 10.6% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 96% (2020 est.) male: 97.4% (2020 est.) female: 94.6% (2020 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 13 years (2023 est.) male: 13 years (2023 est.) female: 13 years (2023 est.) **People - note:** Indonesia is the fourth most populous nation in the World after China, India, and the United States; more than half of the Indonesian population - roughly 150 million people or 55% - live on the island of Java (about the size of California) making it the most crowded island on earth ### Environment **Environmental issues:** large-scale deforestation (much of it illegal) and related wildfires cause heavy smog; over-exploitation of marine resources; air pollution from vehicle emissions; waste disposal; water pollution from industrial wastes, sewage **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, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands **Land use:** agricultural land: 29.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 9.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 5.8% (2023 est.) forest: 50.6% (2023 est.) other: 20.3% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 58.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 829.655 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 527.923 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 223.352 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 78.38 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 18.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 3,621.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 3,379.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 4,200.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 165.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 65.2 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.2% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 23.8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 9.135 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 189.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 2.019 trillion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 12 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Batur; Belitong; Ciletuh - Palabuhanratu; Gunung Sewu; Ijen; Kebumen; Maros Pangkep; Merangin Jambi; Meratus; Raja Ampat; Rinjani-Lombok; Toba Caldera (2025) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia conventional short form: Indonesia local long form: Republik Indonesia local short form: Indonesia former: Netherlands East Indies (Dutch East Indies), Netherlands New Guinea etymology: the name is an 18th-century construct of two Greek words, "Indos" (India) and "nesoi" (islands), meaning "Indian islands" **Government type:** presidential republic **Capital:** name: Jakarta geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 49 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Indonesia has three time zones etymology: derives from the Sanscrit name Jayakarta, meaning "victory and prosperity;" Prince FATILLAH conquered and renamed the city, formerly known as Sunda Kelapa, in 1527 note: in 2022, the relocation of the country’s capital was approved, from Jakarta to a site on the island of Borneo between Samarinda City and the port city of Balikpapan; Nusantara ("archipelago"), the new capital, was in development as of 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2045 **Administrative divisions:** 35 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 1 autonomous province*, 1 special region** (daerah istimewa), and 1 national capital district*** (daerah khusus ibukota); Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta***, Jambi, Jawa Barat (West Java), Jawa Tengah (Central Java), Jawa Timur (East Java), Kalimantan Barat (West Kalimantan), Kalimantan Selatan (South Kalimantan), Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan), Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), Kalimantan Utara (North Kalimantan), Kepulauan Bangka Belitung (Bangka Belitung Islands), Kepulauan Riau (Riau Islands), Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara (North Maluku), Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara), Nusa Tenggara Timur (East Nusa Tenggara), Papua, Papua Barat (West Papua), Papua Barat Daya (Southwest Papua), Papua Pegunungan (Papua Highlands), Papua Selatan (South Papua), Papua Tengah (Central Papua), Riau, Sulawesi Barat (West Sulawesi), Sulawesi Selatan (South Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tengah (Central Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tenggara (Southeast Sulawesi), Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi), Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra), Sumatera Selatan (South Sumatra), Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra), Yogyakarta** **Legal system:** civil law system based on the Roman-Dutch model and influenced by customary law **Constitution:** history: drafted July to August 1945, effective 18 August 1945, abrogated by 1949 and 1950 constitutions; 1945 constitution restored 5 July 1959 amendment process: proposed by the People’s Consultative Assembly, with at least two thirds of its members present; passage requires simple majority vote by the Assembly membership; constitutional articles on the unitary form of the state cannot be amended **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 Indonesia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 continuous years **Suffrage:** 17 years of age; universal; married persons regardless of age **Executive branch:** chief of state: President PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo (since 20 October 2024) head of government: President PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo (since 20 October 2024) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 14 February 2024 election results: 2024: PRABOWO Subianto elected president (assumes office 20 October 2024); percent of vote - PRABOWO Subianto (GERINDRA) 58.6%, Anies Rasyid BASWEDAN (Independent) 24.9%, GANJAR Pranowo (PDI-P) 16.5% 2019: Joko WIDODO reelected president; percent of vote - Joko WIDODO (PDI-P) 55.5%, PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo (GERINDRA) 44.5% expected date of next election: 2029 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 580 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 2/14/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle (PDI-P) (110); Party of Functional Groups (Golkar) (102); Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) (86); National Democratic Party (NasDem) (69); National Awakening Party (PKB) (68); Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) (53); National Mandate Party (PAN) (48); Democratic Party (PD) (44) percentage of women in chamber: 21.9% expected date of next election: April 2029 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung (51 judges divided into 8 chambers); Constitutional Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi (consists of 9 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by Judicial Commission, appointed by president with concurrence of parliament; judges serve until retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court judges - 3 nominated by president, 3 by Supreme Court, and 3 by parliament; judges appointed by the president; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: High Courts of Appeal, district courts, religious courts **Political parties:** Democrat Party or PD Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P National Awakening Party or PKB National Democratic Party or NasDem National Mandate Party or PAN Prosperous Justice Party or PKS **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador INDROYONO Soesilo (since 16 December 2025) chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 775-5200 FAX: [1] (202) 775-5236 email address and website: washington.kbri@kemlu.go.id Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia, in Washington D.C., The United States of America (kemlu.go.id) consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Peter M. HAYMOND (since 15 June 2025) embassy: Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 3-5, Jakarta 10110 mailing address: 8200 Jakarta Place, Washington DC 20521-8200 telephone: [62] (21) 5083-1000 FAX: [62] (21) 385-7189 email address and website: jakartaacs@state.gov https://id.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Surabaya consulate(s): Medan **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-11, G-15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), IORA, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, MSG (associate member), NAM, OECD (enhanced engagement), OIC, OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 17 August 1945 (declared independence from the Netherlands) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 17 August (1945) **Flag:** description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white meaning: red stands for courage and white for purity history: the colors derive from the banner of the Majapahit Empire of the 13th-15th centuries note: similar to the flags of Monaco, which is shorter, and Poland, which is white (top) and red **National symbol(s):** garuda (mythical bird) **National color(s):** red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Indonesia Raya" (Great Indonesia) lyrics/music: Wage Rudolf SOEPRATMAN history: adopted 1945 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 10 (6 cultural, 4 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Borobudur Temple Compounds (c); Komodo National Park (n); Prambanan Temple Compounds (c); Ujung Kulon National Park (n); Sangiran Early Man Site (c); Lorentz National Park (n); Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra (n); Cultural Landscape of Bali Province (c); Ombilin Coal Mining Heritage of Sawahlunto (c); Cosmological Axis of Yogyakarta and its Historic Landmarks (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** one of the fastest growing economies and largest in Southeast Asia; upper middle-income country; human capital and competitiveness phase of its 20-year development plan; COVID-19 reversed poverty reduction trajectory; strengthening financial resilience **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $4.102 trillion (2024 est.) $3.906 trillion (2023 est.) $3.718 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 5% (2024 est.) 5% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $14,500 (2024 est.) $13,900 (2023 est.) $13,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.396 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 3.7% (2023 est.) 4.2% (2022 est.) 1.6% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 12.6% (2024 est.) industry: 39.3% (2024 est.) services: 43.8% (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: 55.4% (2024 est.) government consumption: 7.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29.1% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 2.3% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 22.2% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -20.4% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** oil palm fruit, rice, sugarcane, maize, coconuts, cassava, bananas, eggs, chicken, mangoes/guavas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** petroleum and natural gas, textiles, automotive, electrical appliances, apparel, footwear, mining, cement, medical instruments and appliances, handicrafts, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber, processed food, jewelry, and tourism **Industrial production growth rate:** 5.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 143.144 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 3.3% (2024 est.) 3.4% (2023 est.) 3.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 13.1% (2024 est.) male: 13.2% (2024 est.) female: 13% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 9% (2024 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 34.9 (2024 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 33.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 7.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3.5% (2024 est.) highest 10%: 28.8% (2024 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2023 est.) 1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $182.658 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $204.739 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues and expenditures (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 45.34% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 11.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$8.47 billion (2024 est.) -$2.042 billion (2023 est.) $13.215 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $300.868 billion (2024 est.) $291.287 billion (2023 est.) $315.746 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 24%, USA 9%, India 8%, Japan 8%, Singapore 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** coal, palm oil, iron alloys, lignite, garments (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $279.419 billion (2024 est.) $262.694 billion (2023 est.) $273.031 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 29%, Singapore 8%, Japan 7%, USA 5%, Malaysia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, crude petroleum, plastics, vehicle parts/accessories, integrated circuits (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $155.708 billion (2024 est.) $146.359 billion (2023 est.) $137.222 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $225.273 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 15,855.448 (2024 est.) 15,236.885 (2023 est.) 14,849.854 (2022 est.) 14,308.144 (2021 est.) 14,582.203 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 98.2% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 70.826 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 356.135 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 828.198 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 27.477 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 82% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 6.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 4.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 6.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 783.453 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 281.159 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 519.23 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 16.935 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 35.055 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 865,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 1.645 million bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.48 billion barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 58.691 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 38.378 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 20.989 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 727.056 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 1.408 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 37.39 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 9.16 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 347 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 123 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** mix of about a dozen national TV networks, including 1 public broadcaster and the rest private; more than 100 local TV stations; widespread use of satellite and cable TV systems; public radio broadcaster operates 6 national networks, as well as regional and local stations; more than 700 radio stations, with over 650 privately operated (2019) **Internet country code:** .id **Internet users:** percent of population: 69% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 13.5 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** PK **Airports:** 556 (2025) **Heliports:** 53 (2025) **Railways:** total: 8,159 km (2014) narrow gauge: 8,159 km (2014) 1.067-m gauge (565 km electrified) note: 4,816 km operational **Merchant marine:** total: 11,422 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 160, container ship 219, general cargo 2,347, oil tanker 714, other 7,982 **Ports:** total ports: 123 (2024) large: 3 medium: 6 small: 18 very small: 96 ports with oil terminals: 79 key ports: Belawan, Cilacap, Dumai, Jakarta, Kasim Terminal, Merak Mas Terminal, Palembang, Surabaya, Ujung Pandang ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Indonesian National Armed Forces (Tentara Nasional Indonesia, TNI): Army (TNI-Angkatan Darat, TNI-AD), Navy (TNI-Angkatan Laut, TNI-AL; includes Marine Corps (Korps Marinir or KorMar)), Air Force (TNI-Angkatan Udara, TNI-AU) Indonesian National Police (aka The State Police of the Republic of Indonesia or POLRI) Ministry of Transportation: Indonesia Sea and Coast Guard (Kesatuan Penjagaan Laut dan Pantai Republik Indonesia, KPLP); Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs: Maritime Security Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Badan Keamanan Laut Republik Indonesia, Bakamla) (2025) note 1: the National Police are an independent organization reporting directly to the president of Indonesia note 2: the KPLP ensures the safety of shipping inside the Indonesian Maritime Zone; the Bakamla conducts security and safety patrols in the territorial waters of Indonesia **Military expenditures:** 0.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 400,000 active Armed Forces, including about 300,000 Army (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military's inventory is a mix of older and new weapons platforms from China, Russia, Europe, the US, and other countries; in recent years, major suppliers have included China, France, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, and the US; the TNI has been engaged in a modernization program for more than a decade; Indonesia has a growing defense industry fueled by technology transfers and cooperation agreements with several countries; it has jointly produced aircraft and naval vessels (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; upper age limits vary by military service, position, specialty; compulsory service authorized but not utilized (2025) **Military deployments:** 250 (plus about 170 police) Central African Republic (MINUSCA); 1,025 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO); 1,225 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025) **Military - note:** the military is responsible for external defense, combatting separatism, and responding to national emergencies and natural disasters; in certain conditions it may provide operational support to police, such as for counterterrorism operations, maintaining public order, and addressing communal conflicts key operational priorities include an insurgency on Papua and the security of Indonesia's vast maritime domain; the West Papua Liberation Army, the military wing of the Free Papua Organization, has been fighting a low-level insurgency in Papua since Indonesia annexed the former Dutch colony in the 1960s; maritime issues include piracy, transnational crime, illegal fishing, and incursions by People's Republic of China (PRC) vessels; Indonesia is not a formal claimant in the South China Sea, although some of its waters lie within the PRC's “nine-dash line” maritime claims, resulting in some stand offs in recent years; over the past decade, the Indonesian military has bolstered its presence on and around the strategically located Natuna Islands (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Indonesian Space Agency (INASA; formed 2022); National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN; established 2021); Research Organization for Aeronautics and Space (ORPA; formed 2021) (2025) **Space program overview:** focuses largely on rocket development and satellite acquisition/operation; manufactures remote sensing (RS) satellites; has a sounding (research) rocket program to develop an orbital satellite launch vehicle (SLV); researching and developing a range of other space-related technologies related to satellite payloads, communications, RS, and astronomy; has relations with several foreign space agencies and industries, including those of France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the US; national space program includes building up the country's private space sector (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1964 - launched first sounding rocket (Kartika) 1976 - first communications satellite (Palapa A1) built and launched by US 2005 - re-started sounding rocket program with goal of producing a satellite launch vehicle (SLV) 2007 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (LAPAN-A1) built by Germany and launched by India 2015 - first domestically produced RS satellite (LAPAN-A2) launched by India 2023-2024 - two communications satellites (SATRIA-1 and Merah Putih 2) to provide high-speed internet access across the Indonesian archipelago built by European company and launched by US ### Terrorism **Terrorist group(s):** Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (aka Jemaah Anshorut Daulah); Jemaah Islamiyah 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: 11,964 (2024 est.) IDPs: 95,521 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 2,643 (2024 est.) --- ## Japan **Slug:** japan **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇯🇵 **Codes:** cek: ja, iso2: JP, iso3: JPN, iso_num: 392, genc: JPN, stanag: JPN, internet: .jp ### Introduction **Background:** In 1603, after decades of civil warfare, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military-led, dynastic government) ushered in a long period of relative political stability and isolation from foreign influence. For more than two centuries, this policy enabled Japan to enjoy a flowering of its indigenous culture. Japan opened its ports after signing the Treaty of Kanagawa with the US in 1854 and began to intensively modernize and industrialize. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Japan became a regional power that was able to defeat the forces of both China and Russia. It occupied Korea, Formosa (Taiwan), and southern Sakhalin Island. In 1931-32, Japan occupied Manchuria, and in 1937, it launched a full-scale invasion of China. Japan attacked US forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in 1941, triggering America's entry into World War II, and Japan soon occupied much of East and Southeast Asia. After its defeat in World War II, the country recovered to become an economic power and a US ally. While the emperor retains his throne as a symbol of national unity, elected politicians hold the decision-making power. After three decades of unprecedented growth, Japan's economy experienced a major slowdown starting in the 1990s, but the country remains an economic power. In 2011, Japan's strongest-ever earthquake and an accompanying tsunami devastated the northeast part of Honshu, killed thousands, and damaged several nuclear power plants. ABE Shinzo was reelected as prime minister in 2012, and he embarked on ambitious economic and security reforms to improve Japan's economy and bolster the country's international standing. In 2019, ABE became Japan's longest-serving post-war prime minister; he resigned in 2020 and was succeeded by SUGA Yoshihide. KISHIDA Fumio became prime minister in 2021. ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula **Geographic coordinates:** 36 00 N, 138 00 E **Map references:** Asia **Area:** total : 377,915 sq km land: 364,485 sq km water: 13,430 sq km note: includes Bonin Islands (Ogasawara-gunto), Daito-shoto, Minami-jima, Okino-tori-shima, Ryukyu Islands (Nansei-shoto), and Volcano Islands (Kazan-retto) **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than California **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 29,751 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the international straits - La Perouse or Soya, Tsugaru, Osumi, and the Korea and Tsushima Straits contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north **Terrain:** mostly rugged and mountainous **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Fuji 3,776 m lowest point: Hachiro-gata -4 m mean elevation: 438 m **Natural resources:** negligible mineral resources, fish note: with virtually no natural energy resources, Japan is almost totally dependent on imported sources of energy **Land use:** agricultural land: 12.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.) forest: 68.3% (2023 est.) other: 19% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 15,730 sq km (2014) **Major lakes (area sq km):** fresh water lake(s): Biwa-ko 688 sq km **Population distribution:** all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain) **Natural hazards:** many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors but occasional severe earthquakes) every year; tsunamis; typhoons volcanism: both Unzen (1,500 m) and Sakura-jima (1,117 m), which lies near the densely populated city of Kagoshima, have been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other notable historically active volcanoes include Asama (Honshu Island's most active volcano), Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima, Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu; see note 2 under "Geography - note" **Geography - note:** note 1: strategic location in northeast Asia; composed of four main islands (the "Home Islands") -- Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest, most populous, and site of Tokyo, the capital), Shikoku, and Kyushu note 2: a 2023 Geospatial Information Authority of Japan survey detected 100,000 islands and islets, but only the 14,125 islands with a circumference of at least 100 m (330 ft) were officially counted; about 260 of the islands are inhabited note 3: Japan annually records the most earthquakes in the world; it is one of the countries 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 122,664,433 (2025 est.) male: 59,618,418 female: 63,046,015 **Nationality:** noun: Japanese (singular and plural) adjective: Japanese **Ethnic groups:** Japanese 97.5%, Chinese 0.6%, Vietnam 0.4%, South Korean 0.3%, other 1.2% (includes Filipino, Brazilian, Nepalese, Indonesian, American, and Taiwanese) (2022 est.) note: data represent population by nationality; up to 230,000 Brazilians of Japanese origin migrated to Japan in the 1990s to work in industries; some have returned to Brazil **Languages:** Japanese major-language sample(s): 必要不可欠な基本情報の源、ワールド・ファクトブック(Japanese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Shintoism 48.6%, Buddhism 46.4%, Christianity 1.1%, other 4% (2021 est.) note: total adherents among persons claiming a religious affiliation **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 12.1% (male 7,701,196/female 7,239,389) 15-64 years: 58.4% (male 36,197,840/female 35,777,966) 65 years and over: 29.5% (2024 est.) (male 15,976,233/female 20,309,321) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 71.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 50.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 50.2 years (2025 est.) male: 48.3 years female: 51.3 years **Population growth rate:** -0.45% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 6.84 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 12.04 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 0.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** all primary and secondary regions of high population density lie on the coast; one third of the population resides in and around Tokyo on the central plain (Kanto Plain) **Urbanization:** urban population: 92% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.25% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 37.194 million TOKYO (capital), 19.013 million Osaka, 9.569 million Nagoya, 5.490 million Kitakyushu-Fukuoka, 2.937 million Shizuoka-Hamamatsu, 2.666 million Sapporo (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 30.7 years (2018 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 3 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 1.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 85.2 years (2024 est.) male: 82.3 years female: 88.2 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.41 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.68 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 10.8% of GDP (2021) 23.4% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 2.65 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 12.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 4.3% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 8.36 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.29 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.63 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 5.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 15.5% (2025 est.) male: 24.4% (2025 est.) female: 7.2% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 50% (2020 est.) **Education expenditure:** 3.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 7.5% national budget (2022 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 16 years (2022 est.) male: 16 years (2022 est.) female: 16 years (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution from power plants results in acid rain; acidification of lakes and reservoirs degrading water quality; waste management issues; ongoing environmental clean-up in small area of Fukushima after nuclear accident in 2011 **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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** varies from tropical in south to cool temperate in north **Land use:** agricultural land: 12.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 11.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.) forest: 68.3% (2023 est.) other: 19% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 92% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: -0.25% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 960.23 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 367.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 403.042 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 190.043 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 10.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 214.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 972.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 208.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 22.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 42.72 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 11.5% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 13.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 13 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 53 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 430 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 10 global geoparks and regional networks: Aso UNESCO; Hakusan Tedorigawa; Itoigawa; Izu Peninsula; Mt. Apoi; Muroto; Oki Islands; San'in Kaigan; Toya - Usu; Unzen (2023) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Japan local long form: Nihon-koku/Nippon-koku local short form: Nihon/Nippon etymology: the English word for Japan comes from the Chinese name for the country, Cipangu; both Nihon and Nippon come from the Japanese words nichi, or "sun," and hon, or "origin," which is frequently translated as "Land of the Rising Sun" **Government type:** parliamentary constitutional monarchy **Capital:** name: Tokyo geographic coordinates: 35 41 N, 139 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: originally known as Edo, meaning "estuary" because of its location on a bay; the name was changed to Tokyo, meaning "eastern capital," in 1868, as a contrast to Kyoto, the previous capital to the west **Administrative divisions:** 47 prefectures; Aichi, Akita, Aomori, Chiba, Ehime, Fukui, Fukuoka, Fukushima, Gifu, Gunma, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Hyogo, Ibaraki, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagawa, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Kochi, Kumamoto, Kyoto, Mie, Miyagi, Miyazaki, Nagano, Nagasaki, Nara, Niigata, Oita, Okayama, Okinawa, Osaka, Saga, Saitama, Shiga, Shimane, Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokushima, Tokyo, Tottori, Toyama, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Yamanashi **Legal system:** civil law system based on German model; also reflects Anglo-American influence and Japanese traditions; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts **Constitution:** history: previous 1890; latest approved 6 October 1946, adopted 3 November 1946, effective 3 May 1947 amendment process: proposed by the Diet; passage requires approval by at least two-thirds majority of both houses of the Diet and approval by majority 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 Japan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: Emperor NARUHITO (since 1 May 2019) head of government: Prime Minister Sanae TAKAICHI (since 21 October 2025) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; the leader of the majority party or majority coalition in the House of Representatives usually becomes prime minister election results: 2025: Sanae TAKAICHI (LDP) elected prime minister on 21 October 2025; upper house vote - 125 of 171 votes (runoff); lower house vote - 237 of 386 votes 2024: Shigeru ISHIBA (LDP) elected prime minister on 27 September 2024; upper house vote - 143 of 242 votes; lower house vote - 291 of 461 votes note: Shigeru ISHIBA resigned as prime minister on 7 September 2025; the party vote on the new prime minister is expected in early October 2025 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Diet (Kokkai) legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: House of Representatives (Shugiin) number of seats: 465 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 7/20/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) (191); Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (148); Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) (38); Democratic Party for the People (28); Komeito (24); Other (36) percentage of women in chamber: 15.7% expected date of next election: October 2028 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: House of Councillors (Sangiin) number of seats: 248 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 6 years most recent election date: 10/27/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) (39); Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (22); Democratic Party for the People (17); Sanseito (14); Komeito (8); Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party) (7); Independents (8); Other (10) percentage of women in chamber: 29.4% expected date of next election: June 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court or Saiko saibansho (consists of the chief justice and 14 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice designated by the Cabinet and appointed by the monarch; associate justices appointed by the Cabinet and confirmed by the monarch; all justices are reviewed in a popular referendum during the first general election of the House of Representatives after each judge's appointment and every 10 years afterward subordinate courts: 8 High Courts (Koto-saiban-sho), each with a Family Court (Katei-saiban-sho); 50 District Courts (Chiho saibansho), with 203 additional branches; 438 Summary Courts (Kani saibansho) note: the Supreme Court has jurisdiction in constitutional issues **Political parties:** Conservative Party of Japan or CPJ Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan or CDP Democratic Party for the People or DPFP or DPP Japan Communist Party or JCP Japan Innovation Party or Nippon Ishin no kai or Ishin Komeito or Komei Liberal Democratic Party or LDP Okinawa Social Mass Party or Okinawa Whirlwind or OW Party to Protect the People from NHK or NHK Reiwa Shinsengumi Sanseito Party Social Democratic Party or SDP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador YAMADA Shigeo (since 27 February 2024) chancery: 2520 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 238-6700 FAX: [1] (202) 328-2187 email address and website: emb-consulate.dc@ws.mofa.go.jp https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html consulate(s) general: Chicago consulate(s): Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville (TN), New York, Portland (OR), San Francisco, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), Seattle (WA) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador George GLASS (since 17 July 2025) embassy: 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 mailing address: 9800 Tokyo Place, Washington DC 20521-9800 telephone: [81] (03) 3224-5000 FAX: [81] (03) 3224-5856 email address and website: TokyoACS@state.gov https://jp.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Naha (Okinawa), Osaka-Kobe, Sapporo consulate(s): Fukuoka, Nagoya **International organization participation:** ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA (observer), CP, CPLP (associate), EAS, EBRD, EITI (implementing country), FAO, FATF, G-5, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Quad, SAARC (observer), SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC **Independence:** 3 May 1947 (current constitution adopted as amendment to Meiji Constitution); notable earlier dates: 11 February 660 B.C. (mythological date of Emperor JIMMU founding the nation); 29 November 1890 (Meiji Constitution provides for constitutional monarchy) **National holiday:** Birthday of Emperor NARUHITO, 23 February (1960) note: celebrates the birthday of the current emperor **Flag:** description: white with a large red disk that symbolizes the sun without rays, in the center history: the current flag was adopted in 1854, but a sun flag has been in use in Japan since at least 1184; the sun has long been a national symbol: according to tradition, the sun goddess Amaterasu founded the country in the 7th century B.C. **National symbol(s):** red sun disc, chrysanthemum **National color(s):** red, white **National coat of arms:** the Kikumon is the Japanese emperor's family coat of arms and dates from 1183; the Imperial chrysanthemum emblem (菊の御紋, kikunogomon) is a yellow or orange chrysanthemum with black or red outlines and background; a central disc is surrounded by a front set of 16 petals; a rear set of 16 petals are half-staggered in relation to the front set and are visible at the edges of the flower **National anthem(s):** title: "Kimigayo" (“His Majesty’s Reign) lyrics/music: unknown/Hiromori HAYASHI history: adopted 1999; unofficial national anthem since 1883; oldest anthem lyrics in the world, dating to the 10th century or earlier; some oppose the anthem because of its association with militarism and worship of the emperor **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 26 (21 cultural, 5 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Himeji-jo (c); Shiretoko (n); Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group: Mounded Tombs of Ancient Japan (c); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c); Yakushima (n); Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities) (c); Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome) (c); Shirakami-Sanchi (n); Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama (c); Itsukushima Shinto Shrine (c); Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara (c); Shrines and Temples of Nikko (c); Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu (c); Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range (c); Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land (c); Ogasawara Islands (n); Sacred Island of Okinoshima and Associated Sites in the Munakata Region (c); Hidden Christian Sites in the Nagasaki Region (c); Amami-Oshima Island, Tokunoshima Island, Northern part of Okinawa Island, and Iriomote Island (n); Jomon Prehistoric Sites in Northern Japan (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** second-largest East Asian economy; trade-oriented and highly diversified; high public debt levels; following years of near-zero interest rates, gradual increases to address inflation and depreciation of yen; strong rebound in tourism; aging population poses challenges to labor force participation **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $5.715 trillion (2024 est.) $5.71 trillion (2023 est.) $5.627 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 0.1% (2024 est.) 1.5% (2023 est.) 0.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $46,100 (2024 est.) $45,900 (2023 est.) $45,000 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $4.026 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.7% (2024 est.) 3.3% (2023 est.) 2.5% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 0.9% (2023 est.) industry: 28.6% (2023 est.) services: 69.8% (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: 55.5% (2022 est.) government consumption: 21.6% (2022 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.3% (2022 est.) investment in inventories: 0.5% (2022 est.) exports of goods and services: 21.5% (2022 est.) imports of goods and services: -25.3% (2022 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** rice, milk, sugar beets, vegetables, eggs, chicken, potatoes, onions, cabbages, pork (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** motor vehicles, electronic equipment, machine tools, steel and nonferrous metals, ships, chemicals, textiles, processed foods **Industrial production growth rate:** 1.4% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 69.382 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.6% (2024 est.) 2.6% (2023 est.) 2.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 3.9% (2024 est.) male: 4.2% (2024 est.) female: 3.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 32.3 (2020 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 15.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.4% (2020 est.) highest 10%: 23.9% (2020 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: $661.986 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $897.03 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenditures (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 215.9% of GDP (2022 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $194.257 billion (2024 est.) $156.592 billion (2023 est.) $90.21 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $922.447 billion (2024 est.) $923.488 billion (2023 est.) $922.813 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** USA 19%, China 18%, Taiwan 6%, S. Korea 6%, Hong Kong 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** cars, integrated circuits, machinery, vehicle parts/accessories, construction vehicles (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $965.047 billion (2024 est.) $996.364 billion (2023 est.) $1.081 trillion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 22%, USA 11%, Australia 8%, UAE 5%, Saudi Arabia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $1.231 trillion (2024 est.) $1.295 trillion (2023 est.) $1.228 trillion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** yen (JPY) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 151.366 (2024 est.) 140.491 (2023 est.) 131.498 (2022 est.) 109.754 (2021 est.) 106.775 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 361.617 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 902.769 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 41.79 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 65.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 8.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 10.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 7.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 6.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Nuclear energy:** Number of operational nuclear reactors: 14 (2025) Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 2 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 12.63GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 5.5% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 27 (2025) **Coal:** production: 27.657 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 197.612 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 1.615 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 170.874 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 350 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 8,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 3.14 million bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 44.115 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 2.019 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 88.317 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 271.607 million cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 85.003 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 20.898 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 129.504 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 59.3 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 48 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 222 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 178 (2023 est.) **Broadcast media:** a mix of public and commercial TV and radio stations; 5 national terrestrial TV networks including 1 public broadcaster; large number of radio and TV stations; satellite and cable services provide access to international channels (2023) **Internet country code:** .jp **Internet users:** percent of population: 87% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 47.9 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** JA **Airports:** 280 (2025) **Heliports:** 3,036 (2025) **Railways:** total: 27,311 km (2015) standard gauge: 4,800 km (2015) 1.435-m gauge (4,800 km electrified) narrow gauge: 124 km (2015) 1.372-m gauge (124 km electrified) dual gauge: 132 km (2015) 1.435-1.067-m gauge (132 km electrified) 22,207 km 1.067-mm gauge (15,430 km electrified) 48 km 0.762-m gauge (48 km electrified) **Merchant marine:** total: 5,229 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 166, container ship 49, general cargo 1,893, oil tanker 666, other 2,455 **Ports:** total ports: 163 (2024) large: 11 medium: 26 small: 54 very small: 71 size unknown: 1 ports with oil terminals: 99 key ports: Kawasaki Ko, Kobe, Mikawa, Nagasaki, Nagoya Ko, Onomichi-Itozaki, Osaka, Tokyo Ko, Wakamatsu Ko, Wakayama-Shimotsu Ko, Yokohama Ko ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF): Ground Self-Defense Force (Rikujou Jieitai, GSDF; includes aviation), Maritime Self-Defense Force (Kaijou Jieitai, MSDF; includes naval aviation), Air Self-Defense Force (Koukuu Jieitai, ASDF) (2025) note: the Coast Guard is under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; it is barred by law from operating as a military force, but in times of conflict Article 80 of the 1954 Self-Defense Forces Act permits the transfer of control of the coast guard to the Ministry of Defense with Cabinet approval **Military expenditures:** 1.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 230-240,000 active Self Defense Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the JSDF is equipped largely with domestically produced weapons platforms; most of its imported arms are from the US; Japan's defense industry is capable of producing a wide range of air, ground, and naval weapons systems; some domestically produced weapons are US-origin and manufactured under license (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-32 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025) note: as of 2023, women made up about 9% of the military's full-time personnel **Military deployments:** maintains a presence of about 400 military personnel at a permanent base in Djibouti (2025) **Military - note:** the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) has a range of missions, including territorial defense, monitoring the country’s air and maritime spaces, countering piracy and terrorism, and conducting humanitarian operations; the JSDF exercises regularly with the US military and increasingly with other regional countries, including Australia and the Philippines Japan’s alliance with the US is one of the cornerstones of the country’s security, as well as a large component of the US security posture in Asia; the US-Japan mutual defense treaty grants the US the right to base US military forces in Japan, including aircraft and ships, in return for US security guarantees; the Japanese Government provides approximately $3 billion on average per year to offset the cost of stationing US forces in Japan; in addition, it pays compensation to localities hosting US troops, rent for bases, and costs for new facilities to support the US presence; Japan also 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 Japan was disarmed after its defeat in World War II; shortly after the Korean War began in 1950, US occupation forces in Japan created a 75,000-member lightly armed force called the National Police Reserve; the JSDF was founded in 1954; Article 9 of Japan’s 1947 constitution renounced the use of force as a means of settling international disputes; however, Japan has interpreted Article 9 to mean that it can maintain a military for national defense purposes and, since 1991, has allowed the JSDF to participate in noncombat roles overseas in a number of UN peacekeeping missions and in the US-led coalition in Iraq; in 2014-2015, the Japanese Government reinterpreted the constitution as allowing for "collective self-defense," described as the use of force on others’ behalf if Japan’s security was threatened; in 2022, the government released security policy documents that declared Japan’s intention to develop "counterstrike” capabilities, including armed drones and cruise missiles, and outlined plans to increase Japan’s security-related expenditures to 2% of GDP (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA; established in 2003) (2025) **Space launch site(s):** Tanegashima Space Center/Yoshinobu Launch Complex (Kagoshima), Uchinoura Space Center (Kagoshima), Noshiro Testing Center (Akita) (2025) **Space program overview:** has one of the world’s largest and most advanced space programs, with independent capabilities in all areas except autonomous manned space flight; designs, builds, launches, and operates the full spectrum of satellites; designs, builds, and independently launches satellite/space launch vehicles (SLVs) and other spacecraft; has a wide range of research and development programs; has an astronaut training program; participates in international programs such as the International Space Station and the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope project; leads the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum and co-leads the Global Earth Observation System of Systems; cooperates with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Canada, the ESA and its member states, India, Russia, the UAE, the US; has a commercial space industry that develops space-related capabilities and technologies, including satellites, satellite payloads and subcomponents, and SLVs; in recent years, the Japanese Government has supported space startup companies (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1966-1970 - initiated satellite launch vehicle (SLV) program and launched first domestically produced satellite (OHSUMI) 1985 - launched two Halley’s Comet observation satellites (Japan’s first missions beyond Earth’s orbit) 1992 - first astronaut in space on US Space Shuttle 1998 - launched its first Mars orbiter (failed to enter orbit) 2003 - launched world’s first uncrewed spacecraft (Hayabusa 1) to return with a sample from an asteroid (2010) 2007 - launched Lunar orbiter (Kaguya) mission 2010 - launched Venus orbiter (Akatsuki) mission 2014 - launched asteroid probe with lander/rover (Hayabusa 2); first Japanese International Space Station commander 2018 - launched joint Japan-ESA probe to Mercury (BepiColombo); began operation of a navigational/positioning satellite constellation (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, QZSS) 2019 - began participating in US-led lunar orbital station and Moon exploration programs 2024 - soft-landed unmanned spacecraft (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon or SLIM) on the Moon; conducted first successful test launch of domestically produced H3 medium-lift SLV ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 60,361 (2024 est.) IDPs: 29,244 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 505 (2024 est.) --- ## Korea, North **Slug:** korea-north **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇰🇵 **Codes:** cek: kn, iso2: KP, iso3: PRK, iso_num: 408, genc: PRK, stanag: PRK, internet: .kp ### Introduction **Background:** The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms -- Kogoryo, Paekche, and Silla -- were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula and part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in 688. Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry among the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. After the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-05), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Japan formally annexed the entire peninsula. After World War II, the northern half came under Soviet-sponsored communist control. In 1948, North Korea (formally known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) was founded under President KIM Il Sung, who consolidated power and cemented autocratic one-party rule under the Korean Worker's Party (KWP). North Korea failed to conquer UN-backed South Korea (formally the Republic of Korea or ROK) during the Korean War (1950-53), after which a demilitarized zone separated the two Koreas. KIM's authoritarian rule included tight control over North Korean citizens and the demonization of the US as the central threat to North Korea's political and social system. In addition, he molded the country's economic, military, and political policies around the core objective of unifying Korea under Pyongyang's control. North Korea also declared a central ideology of juche ("self-reliance") as a check against outside influence, while continuing to rely heavily on China and the Soviet Union for economic support. KIM Il Sung's son, KIM Jong Il, was officially designated as his father's successor in 1980, and he assumed a growing political and managerial role until the elder KIM's death in 1994. Under KIM Jong Il's reign, North Korea continued developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. KIM Jong Un was publicly unveiled as his father's successor in 2010. Following KIM Jong Il's death in 2011, KIM Jong Un quickly assumed power and has since occupied the regime's highest political and military posts. After the end of Soviet aid in 1991, North Korea faced serious economic setbacks that exacerbated decades of economic mismanagement and resource misallocation. Since the mid-1990s, North Korea has faced chronic food shortages and economic stagnation. In recent years, the North's domestic agricultural production has improved but still falls far short of producing sufficient food for its population. Starting in 2002, North Korea began to tolerate semi-private markets but has made few other efforts to meet its goal of improving the overall standard of living. New economic development plans in the 2010s failed to meet government-mandated goals for key industrial sectors, food production, or overall economic performance. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, North Korea instituted a nationwide lockdown that severely restricted its economy and international engagement. Since then, KIM has repeatedly expressed concerns with the regime's economic failures and food problems, but in 2021, he vowed to continue "self-reliant" policies and has reinvigorated his pursuit of greater regime control of the economy. As of 2024, despite slowly renewing cross-border trade with China, North Korea remained one of the world's most isolated countries and one of Asia's poorest. In 2024, Pyongyang announced it was ending all economic cooperation with South Korea. The move followed earlier proclamations that it was scrapping a 2018 military pact with South Korea to de-escalate tensions along their militarized border, abandoning the country’s decades-long pursuit of peaceful unification with South Korea, and designating the South as North Korea’s “principal enemy.” ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, northern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Korea Bay and the Sea of Japan, between China and South Korea **Geographic coordinates:** 40 00 N, 127 00 E **Map references:** Asia **Area:** total : 120,538 sq km land: 120,408 sq km water: 130 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly larger than Virginia; slightly smaller than Mississippi **Land boundaries:** total: 1,607 km border countries (3): China 1,352 km; South Korea 237 km; Russia 18 km **Coastline:** 2,495 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm note: military boundary line 50 nm in the Sea of Japan and the exclusive economic zone limit in the Yellow Sea where all foreign vessels and aircraft without permission are banned **Climate:** temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters **Terrain:** mostly hills and mountains separated by deep, narrow valleys; wide coastal plains in west, discontinuous in east **Elevation:** highest point: Paektu-san 2,744 m lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m mean elevation: 600 m **Natural resources:** coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, precious metals, hydropower **Land use:** agricultural land: 21.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 19.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2023 est.) forest: 64% (2023 est.) other: 14.5% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 14,600 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least-populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east **Natural hazards:** late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall volcanism: P'aektu-san (2,744 m) (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, or Changbaishan), on the Chinese border, is considered historically active **Geography - note:** strategic location bordering China, South Korea, and Russia; mountainous interior is isolated and sparsely populated ### People and Society **Population:** total: 26,402,841 (2025 est.) male: 12,884,269 female: 13,518,572 **Nationality:** noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean **Ethnic groups:** racially homogeneous; there is a small Chinese community and a few ethnic Japanese **Languages:** Korean major-language sample(s): 월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** traditionally Buddhist and Confucian, some Christian and syncretic Chondogyo (Religion of the Heavenly Way) note: autonomous religious activities now almost nonexistent; government-sponsored religious groups exist to provide illusion of religious freedom **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 19.9% (male 2,673,822/female 2,548,775) 15-64 years: 68.9% (male 9,054,771/female 9,066,447) 65 years and over: 11.2% (2024 est.) (male 1,099,676/female 1,855,175) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 45.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 28.8 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 16.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 6 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 36.2 years (2025 est.) male: 34.5 years female: 37.4 years **Population growth rate:** 0.4% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 12.99 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 9.01 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population concentrated in the plains and lowlands; least-populated regions are the mountainous provinces adjacent to the Chinese border; largest concentrations are in the western provinces, particularly the municipal district of Pyongyang, and around Hungnam and Wonsan in the east **Urbanization:** urban population: 63.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 3.158 million PYONGYANG (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.59 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 67 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 14.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 73.5 years (2024 est.) male: 70.2 years female: 77 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.8 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.87 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 96.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 88.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 93.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 3.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 11.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 6.1% of population (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 3.63 physicians/1,000 population (2017) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 92.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 73.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.4% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 7.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 26.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.6% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 6.8% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 3.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 3.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 16% (2025 est.) male: 32.6% (2025 est.) female: 0% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 9.3% (2017 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 68.2% (2017 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0% (2017) women married by age 18: 0.1% (2017) men married by age 18: 0% (2017) **Education expenditure:** 14.6% national budget (2025 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 12 years (2018 est.) male: 12 years (2018 est.) female: 12 years (2018 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** water pollution; inadequate potable water; deforestation; soil erosion and degradation **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Law of the Sea **Climate:** temperate, with rainfall concentrated in summer; long, bitter winters **Land use:** agricultural land: 21.6% (2023 est.) arable land: 19.1% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2023 est.) forest: 64% (2023 est.) other: 14.5% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 63.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.85% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 55.744 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 52.985 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 2.759 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 41.8 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 902.8 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 1.145 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 6.61 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 77.15 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 1 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Mt Paektu (2025) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Democratic People's Republic of Korea conventional short form: North Korea local long form: Choson-minjujuui-inmin-konghwaguk local short form: Choson abbreviation: DPRK etymology: derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the North Korean name "Choson" means "[Land of the] Morning Calm" **Government type:** dictatorship, single-party communist state **Capital:** name: Pyongyang geographic coordinates: 39 01 N, 125 45 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: on 5 May 2018, North Korea reverted to UTC+9, the same time zone as South Korea etymology: the name translates as "flat land" in Korean **Administrative divisions:** 9 provinces (do, singular and plural) and 4 special administration cities (si, singular and plural) provinces: Chagang, Hambuk (North Hamgyong), Hamnam (South Hamgyong), Hwangbuk (North Hwanghae), Hwangnam (South Hwanghae), Kangwon, P'yongbuk (North Pyongan), P'yongnam (South Pyongan), Ryanggang special administration cities: Kaesong, Nampo, P'yongyang, Rason note: P'yongyang is considered a directly controlled city; Kaesong, Nampo, and Rason are designated as special cities **Legal system:** civil law system based on the Prussian model; influenced by Japanese traditions and Communist legal theory **Constitution:** history: previous 1948, 1972; latest adopted 1998 amendment process: proposed by the Supreme People’s Assembly (SPA); passage requires more than two-thirds majority vote of the total SPA membership **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of North Korea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: unknown **Suffrage:** 17 years of age; universal and compulsory **Executive branch:** chief of state: State Affairs Commission President KIM Jong Un (since 17 December 2011) head of government: Supreme People's Assembly President CHOE Ryong Hae (since 11 April 2019) cabinet: Cabinet or Naegak members appointed by the Supreme People's Assembly, except the Minister of People's Armed Forces election/appointment process: chief of state and premier indirectly elected by the Supreme People's Assembly most recent election date: 11 April 2019 election results: 2019: KIM Jong Un reelected unopposed expected date of next election: March 2024 note 1: KIM Jong Un's titles include general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (KWP), chairman of the KWP Central Military Commission, president of the State Affairs Commission, and supreme commander of the Korean People's Army note 2: in the North Korean system, KIM Jong Un's role as chief of state is secondary to his role as general secretary of the Korean Workers' Party; chief of state is used to engage with non-communist countries such as the US; North Korea revised its constitution in 2019 to define "the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission" as "the supreme leader who represents the state"; functions as the commander-in-chief and chief executive; the specific titles associated with this office have changed multiple times under KIM's tenure, but KIM Jong Un has been supreme leader since his father's death in 2011 note 3: the head of government functions as the technical head of state and performs related duties, such as receiving ambassadors' credentials **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Supreme People's Assembly (Choe Go In Min Hoe Ui) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 687 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 3/10/2019 percentage of women in chamber: 17.6% expected date of next election: December 2025 note: the SPA functions as a rubberstamp legislature; the Korean Workers' Party selects all candidates **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court or Central Court (consists of one judge and 2 "People's Assessors" or, for some cases, 3 judges) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Supreme People's Assembly for 5-year terms subordinate courts: lower provincial courts as determined by the Supreme People's Assembly **Political parties:** major parties: Korean Workers' Party or KWP (formally known as Workers' Party of Korea) General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon; under KWP control) minor parties: Chondoist Chongu Party (under KWP control) Social Democratic Party or KSDP (under KWP control) **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none note: North Korea has a Permanent Mission to the UN in New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: none; the Swedish Embassy in Pyongyang represents the US as consular protecting power **International organization participation:** ARF, FAO, G-77, ICAO, ICRM, IFAD, IFRCS, IHO, IMO, IMSO, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, NAM, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO **Independence:** 15 August 1945 (from Japan) **National holiday:** Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) **Flag:** description: three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (triple-width), and blue; the red band is edged in white; on the left side of the red band is a white disk with a red five-pointed star meaning: the red band stands for revolutionary traditions, the white for purity, strength, and dignity; blue for sovereignty, peace, and friendship; the red star represents socialism **National symbol(s):** red star, chollima (winged horse) **National color(s):** red, white, blue **National anthem(s):** title: "Aegukka" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: PAK Se Yong/KIM Won Gyun history: adopted 1947; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics; the North Korean anthem is also known as "Ach'imun pinnara" (Let Morning Shine) **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural, one mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Koguryo Tombs Complex; Historic Monuments and Sites in Kaesong; Mount Kumgang – Diamond Mountain from the Sea (m) ### Economy **Economic overview:** one of the last centrally planned economies; hard hit by COVID-19, crop failures, international sanctions, and isolationist policies; declining growth and trade, and heavily reliant on China; poor exchange rate stability; economic data integrity issues **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $15.416 billion (2023 est.) $14.959 billion (2022 est.) $14.982 billion (2021 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **Real GDP per capita:** $600 (2023 est.) $600 (2022 est.) $600 (2021 est.) note: data in 2015 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $16.447 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Agricultural products:** maize, vegetables, rice, apples, cabbages, fruits, sweet potatoes, potatoes, beans, soybeans (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** military products; machine building, electric power, chemicals; mining (coal, iron ore, limestone, magnesite, graphite, copper, zinc, lead, and precious metals), metallurgy; textiles, food processing; tourism **Labor force:** 17.637 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.9% (2024 est.) 2.9% (2023 est.) 2.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 6.8% (2024 est.) male: 6.1% (2024 est.) female: 7.4% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Exports - partners:** China 74%, Poland 3%, Senegal 3%, Angola 3%, Austria 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** fake hair, iron alloys, tungsten ore, electricity, cars (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports - partners:** China 97%, Togo 1%, Peru 1%, Gabon 1%, India 0% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** processed hair, plastic products, garments, fabric, soybean oil (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** North Korean won (KPW) per US dollar (average market rate) Exchange rates: 135 (2017 est.) 130 (2016 est.) 130 (2015 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 54.7% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 8.357 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 22.448 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.101 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 36.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 62.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 21.928 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 22.105 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 10.6 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 23.83 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 1.18 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 5 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 6.35 million (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 24 (2022 est.) **Broadcast media:** no independent media; radios and TVs are pre-tuned to government stations; 4 state-owned TV stations; the Korean Workers' Party owns and operates the Korean Central Broadcasting Station, and the state-run Voice of Korea operates an external broadcast service; the government prohibits listening to and jams foreign broadcasts (2019) **Internet country code:** .kp ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** P **Airports:** 81 (2025) **Heliports:** 8 (2025) **Railways:** total: 7,435 km (2014) standard gauge: 7,435 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (5,400 km electrified) note: figures are approximate; some narrow-gauge railway also exists **Merchant marine:** total: 264 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 10, container ship 5, general cargo 191, oil tanker 29, other 29 **Ports:** total ports: 10 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 7 very small: 3 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Ch'ongjin, Haeju Hang, Hungnam, Najin, Nampo, Senbong, Wonsan ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Korean People's Army (KPA): KPA Ground Forces, KPA Navy, KPA Air Force and Air Defense Forces, KPA Strategic Forces (missile forces), KPA Special Forces (special operations forces); Security Guard Command (aka Bodyguard Command); Military Security Command Ministry of Social Security (formerly Ministry of Public Security): Border Guard General Bureau, civil security forces; Ministry of State Security: internal security, investigations (2025) note 1: Kim Jong Un is the KPA supreme commander, while operational control of the armed forces resides in the General Staff Department (GSD), which reports directly to Kim; the GSD maintains overall control of all military forces and is charged with turning Kim’s directives into operational military orders; the Ministry of National Defense (MND) is responsible for administrative control of the military and external relations with foreign militaries note 2: the Security Guard Command protects the Kim family, other senior leadership figures, and government facilities note 4: the North also has a large paramilitary/militia force organized into the Worker Peasant Red Guard and Red Youth Guard; these organizations are present at all levels of government (province, county, ward) and are under the control of the Korean Workers' Party in peacetime, but revert to KPA control in crisis or war; they are often mobilized for domestic projects, such as road building and agricultural support **Military expenditures:** defense spending is a regime priority; between 2010 and 2020, military expenditures accounted for an estimated 20-30% of North Korea's GDP annually; spending estimates ranged from $7 billion to $11 billion annually; in 2024, North Korea announced that it would spend nearly 16% of state expenditures on defense; North Korea in the 2010s and 2020s has increasingly relied on illicit activities — including cybercrime — to generate revenue for its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs to evade US and UN sanctions **Military and security service personnel strengths:** estimates vary; as many as 1.3 million active-duty Korean People's Army (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the KPA is equipped with older weapon systems acquired from China, Russia, and the former Soviet Union, as well as some domestically produced armaments; North Korea produces an array of military hardware, including armored vehicles, artillery, munitions, naval vessels, and some advanced weapons systems, such as cruise and ballistic missiles; most are copies or upgrades of older foreign supplied equipment (2025) note: since 2006, the UN Security Council has passed nearly a dozen resolutions sanctioning North Korea for developing nuclear weapons and related activities, starting with Resolution 1718, which condemned the North's first nuclear test and placed sanctions on the supply of heavy weaponry (including tanks, armored combat vehicles, large caliber artillery, combat aircraft, attack helicopters, warships, and missiles and missile launchers), missile technology and material, and select luxury goods; additional resolutions have expanded to include all arms, including small arms and light weapons; the US and other countries have also imposed unilateral sanctions **Military service age and obligation:** compulsory military service for men (17-30 years of age) and women (17-23 years of age); service obligation is reportedly up to 10 years for men and up to 7 years for women (2025) **Military deployments:** estimated 10-12,000 Russia (2025) **Military - note:** the Korean People's Army (KPA) is one of the World’s largest military forces; founded in 1948, the KPA’s primary responsibilities are national defense and protection of the Kim regime; it also provides support to domestic economic projects such as agriculture production and infrastructure construction; North Korea views South Korea and the US as its primary external threats and Russia as its closest security partner in addition to the invasion of South Korea and the subsequent Korean War (1950-53), North Korea from the 1960s to the 1980s launched a number of military and subversive actions against South Korea; including skirmishes along the DMZ, overt attempts to assassinate South Korean leaders, kidnappings, the bombing of an airliner, and a failed effort in 1968 to foment an insurrection and conduct a guerrilla war in the South with more than 100 seaborne commandos; from the 1990s until 2010, the North lost two submarines and a semi-submersible boat attempting to insert infiltrators into the South (1996, 1998) and provoked several engagements in the Northwest Islands area along the disputed Northern Limit Line (NLL), including naval skirmishes between patrol boats in 1999 and 2002, the torpedoing and sinking of a South Korean Navy corvette in 2010, and the bombardment of a South Korean military installation on Yeonpyeong Island, also in 2010; since 2010, further minor incidents continue to occur periodically along the DMZ, where both the KPA and the South Korean military maintain large numbers of troops North Korea also has a history of provocative regional military actions and posturing that are of major concern to the international community, including: proliferation of military-related items; ballistic and cruise missile development and testing; weapons of mass destruction (WMD) programs including tests of nuclear devices in 2006, 2009, 2013, 2016, and 2017; and large conventional armed forces (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** National Aerospace Technology Administration (NATA; established 2013; re-named in 2023 from the National Aerospace Development Administration or NADA); State Space Development Bureau; Academy of National Defense Science; Ministry of People’s Armed Forces (2025) note: the predecessor of NATA/NADA was the Korean Committee of Space Technology (KCST), which was established in the 1980s **Space launch site(s):** Sohae Satellite Launching Station (aka Tongch'ang-dong Space Launch Center; North Pyongan province); Tonghae Satellite Launching Ground (North Hamgyong province) (2025) **Space program overview:** North Korea’s leader has emphasized the development of space capabilities, particularly satellite launch vehicles (SLVs) and remote sensing satellites; manufactures satellites and rockets/SLVs; independently launches rockets/SLVs; SLV program is viewed as closely related to the country's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles; passed a national space law in 2013, and revised it in 2022 to allow for the use of space for national defense; has cooperated with Iran on space-related technologies, and signed a mutual defense treaty with Russia in 2024 that stated the two countries would “develop exchanges and joint research in science and technology, including space” (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1980s - initiated space program 1998 - failed first attempt to place a satellite in orbit on a 3-stage Paektusan-1 satellite launch vehicle (SLV) 2012 - successfully placed first satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-3 or Bright Star-3) in orbit on Unha-3 SLV (satellite failed to operate) 2016 - second satellite (Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4) placed in orbit on Unha-3 SLV (reportedly a remote sensing (RS) satellite that also failed to operate) 2023 - placed a military RS satellite (Malligyong-1) in orbit on Chollima-1 SLV 2024 - failed attempt to place a second military RS satellite in orbit on new type SLV ### Transnational Issues **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — the government of North Korea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, North Korea remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/north-korea/ --- ## Korea, South **Slug:** korea-south **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇰🇷 **Codes:** cek: ks, iso2: KR, iso3: KOR, iso_num: 410, genc: KOR, stanag: KOR, internet: .kr ### Introduction **Background:** The first recorded kingdom (Choson) on the Korean Peninsula dates from approximately 2300 B.C. Over the subsequent centuries, three main kingdoms -- Kogoryo, Baekche, and Silla -- were established on the Peninsula. By the 5th century A.D., Kogoryo emerged as the most powerful, with control over much of the Peninsula and part of Manchuria (modern-day northeast China). However, Silla allied with the Chinese to create the first unified Korean state in 688. Following the collapse of Silla in the 9th century, Korea was unified under the Koryo (Goryeo; 918-1392) and the Chosen (Joseon; 1392-1910) dynasties. Korea became the object of intense imperialistic rivalry among the Chinese (its traditional benefactor), Japanese, and Russian empires in the latter half of the 19th and early 20th centuries. After the Sino-Japanese War (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), Korea was occupied by Imperial Japan. In 1910, Japan formally annexed the entire Peninsula. Korea regained its independence after Japan's surrender to the US and its allies in 1945. A US-supported democratic government (Republic of Korea, ROK) was set up in the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, while a communist-style government backed by the Soviet Union was installed in the north (North Korea; aka Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK). During the Korean War (1950-53), US troops and UN forces fought alongside ROK soldiers to defend South Korea from a North Korean invasion supported by communist China and the Soviet Union. After the 1953 armistice, the two Koreas were separated by a demilitarized zone. Syngman RHEE led the country as its first president from 1948 to 1960. PARK Chung-hee took over leadership of the country in a 1961 coup. During his controversial rule (1961-79), South Korea achieved rapid economic growth, with per capita income rising to roughly 17 times the level of North Korea by 1979. PARK was assassinated in 1979, and subsequent years were marked by political turmoil and continued military rule as the country's pro-democracy movement grew. South Korea held its first free presidential election under a revised democratic constitution in 1987, with former South Korean Army general ROH Tae-woo winning a close race. In 1993, KIM Young-sam became the first civilian president of South Korea's new democratic era. President KIM Dae-jung (1998-2003) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2000 for his contributions to South Korean democracy and his "Sunshine Policy" of engagement with North Korea. President PARK Geun-hye, daughter of former South Korean President PARK Chung-hee, took office in 2013 as South Korea's first female leader. In 2016, the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against PARK over her alleged involvement in a corruption and influence-peddling scandal, triggering an early presidential election in 2017 won by MOON Jae-in. In 2022, longtime prosecutor and political newcomer YOON Suk Yeol won the presidency by the slimmest margin in South Korean history. Discord and tensions with North Korea, punctuated by North Korean military provocations, missile launches, and nuclear tests, have permeated inter-Korean relations for years. Relations remained strained, despite a period of respite in 2018-2019 ushered in by North Korea's participation in the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in South Korea and high-level diplomatic meetings, including historic US-North Korea summits. In 2024, Pyongyang announced it was ending all economic cooperation with South Korea, a move that followed earlier proclamations that it was scrapping a 2018 military pact to de-escalate tensions along their militarized border, abandoning the country’s decades-long pursuit of peaceful unification with South Korea, and designating the South as North Korea’s “principal enemy.” ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, southern half of the Korean Peninsula bordering the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea **Geographic coordinates:** 37 00 N, 127 30 E **Map references:** Asia **Area:** total : 99,720 sq km land: 96,920 sq km water: 2,800 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Indiana **Land boundaries:** total: 237 km border countries (1): North Korea 237 km **Coastline:** 2,413 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm; between 3 nm and 12 nm in the Korea Strait contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: not specified **Climate:** temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters **Terrain:** mostly hills and mountains; wide coastal plains in west and south **Elevation:** highest point: Halla-san 1,950 m lowest point: Sea of Japan 0 m mean elevation: 282 m **Natural resources:** coal, tungsten, graphite, molybdenum, lead, hydropower potential **Land use:** agricultural land: 16.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 14.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.) forest: 64.4% (2023 est.) other: 19.5% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 7,780 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** the population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated **Natural hazards:** occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest volcanism: Halla (1,950 m) is considered historically active; it has not erupted in many centuries **Geography - note:** strategic location on Korea Strait; about 3,000 mostly small and uninhabited islands lie off the western and southern coasts ### People and Society **Population:** total: 51,486,343 (2025 est.) male: 25,636,127 female: 25,850,216 **Nationality:** noun: Korean(s) adjective: Korean **Ethnic groups:** Korean **Languages:** Korean, English major-language sample(s): 월드 팩트북, 필수적인 기본 정보 제공처 (Korean) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Protestant 17%, Buddhist 16%, Catholic 6%, none 60% (2021 est.) note: many people also carry on at least some Confucian traditions and practices **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 11.3% (male 3,024,508/female 2,873,523) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 18,653,915/female 17,465,817) 65 years and over: 19.3% (2024 est.) (male 4,440,688/female 5,623,348) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 44.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 14.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 30.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.3 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 47 years (2025 est.) male: 44 years female: 47.3 years **Population growth rate:** -0.09% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 4.29 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.94 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 1.76 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** the population is primarily concentrated in the lowland areas, where density is high; Gyeonggi Province in the northwest, which surrounds the capital of Seoul and contains the port of Incheon, is the most densely populated province; Gangwon in the northeast is the least populated **Urbanization:** urban population: 81.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 9.988 million SEOUL (capital), 3.472 million Busan, 2.849 million Incheon, 2.181 million Daegu (Taegu), 1.577 million Daejon (Taejon), 1.529 million Gwangju (Kwangju) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 32.2 years (2019 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 4 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 83.4 years (2024 est.) male: 80.3 years female: 86.6 years **Total fertility rate:** 0.68 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.33 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 9.7% of GDP (2022) 14.1% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 2.61 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 12.8 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: total: 99.8% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: total: 0.2% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 4.7% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 7.74 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.72 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 5.66 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 17.4% (2025 est.) male: 29.7% (2025 est.) female: 5.2% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 0.4% (2020 est.) **Education expenditure:** 5.8% of GDP (2022 est.) **Literacy:** total population: NA male: NA female: NA **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 17 years (2022 est.) male: 17 years (2022 est.) female: 16 years (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution in large cities; acid rain; water pollution from sewage and industrial effluents; drift-net fishing; solid waste disposal; transboundary air pollution from China **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: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** temperate, with rainfall heavier in summer than winter; cold winters **Land use:** agricultural land: 16.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 14.9% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.6% (2023 est.) forest: 64.4% (2023 est.) other: 19.5% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 81.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 644.231 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 275.411 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 248.599 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 120.222 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 25 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 145.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 500 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 478.6 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 27 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 20.453 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 67.1% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 6.672 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 4.45 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 15.96 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 69.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 7 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Cheongsong; Danyang; Gyeongbuk Donghaean; Hantangang; Jeju Island; Jeonbuk West Coast; Mudeungsan (2025) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of Korea conventional short form: South Korea local long form: Taehan-min'guk local short form: Han'guk abbreviation: ROK etymology: derived from the Chinese name for Goryeo, which was the Korean dynasty that united the peninsula in the 10th century A.D.; the South Korean name "Han'guk" derives from the long form, "Taehan-min'guk," which is itself a derivation from "Daehan-je'guk," which means "the Great Han Empire" **Government type:** presidential republic **Capital:** name: Seoul geographic coordinates: 37 33 N, 126 59 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name originates from the Korean word meaning "capital city;" it was the capital of the unified Korea from 1392 to 1910 note: Sejong, located some 120 km (75 mi) south of Seoul, serves as an administrative capital for segments of the South Korean government **Administrative divisions:** 9 provinces (do, singular and plural), 6 metropolitan cities (gwangyeoksi, singular and plural), 1 special city (teugbyeolsi), and 1 special self-governing city (teukbyeoljachisi) provinces: Chungcheongbuk-do (North Chungcheong), Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheong), Gangwon-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang), Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang), Jeju-do (Jeju), Jeollabuk-do (North Jeolla), Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla) metropolitan cities: Busan (Pusan), Daegu (Taegu), Daejeon (Taejon), Gwangju (Kwangju), Incheon (Inch'on), Ulsan special city: Seoul special self-governing city: Sejong **Legal system:** mixed system combining European civil law, Anglo-American law, and Chinese classical thought **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest passed by National Assembly 12 October 1987, approved in referendum 28 October 1987, effective 25 February 1988 amendment process: proposed by the president or by majority support of the National Assembly membership; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Assembly membership, approval in a referendum by more than one half of the votes by more than one half of eligible voters, and promulgation by the president **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Korea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President LEE Jae-myung (since 4 June 2025) head of government: Prime Minister KIM Min-seok (since 3 July 2025) cabinet: State Council appointed by the president on the prime minister's recommendation election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a single 5-year term; prime minister appointed by president with consent of the National Assembly most recent election date: 3 June 2025 (special snap election in the wake of the impeachment of former President YOON Suk-yeol) election results: 2025: LEE Jae-myung elected president; LEE Jae-myung (DPK) 49.4%, KIM Moon-soo (PPP) 41.2%, LEE Jun-seok (New Reform Party) 8.3% 2022: YOON Suk-yeol elected president; YOON Suk-yeol (PPP) 48.6%, LEE Jae-myung (DPK) 47.8%; other 3.6% expected date of next election: 2030 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government; the prime minister serves as the principal executive assistant to the president, similar to the role of a vice president **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Assembly (Kuk Hoe) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 300 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 4/10/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Democratic Party of Korea (161); People Power Party (90); People Future Party (18); Other (31) percentage of women in chamber: 20.3% expected date of next election: April 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 13 justices); Constitutional Court (consists of a court head and 8 justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly; other justices appointed by the president on the recommendation of the chief justice and consent of the National Assembly; position of the chief justice is a 6-year nonrenewable term; other justices serve 6-year renewable terms; Constitutional Court justices appointed - 3 by the president, 3 by the National Assembly, and 3 by the Supreme Court chief justice; court head serves until retirement at age 70, while other justices serve 6-year renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65 subordinate courts: High Courts; District Courts; Branch Courts (organized under the District Courts); specialized courts for family and administrative issues **Political parties:** Basic Income Party Democratic Party of Korea or DPK New Future Party New Reform Party Open Democratic Party or ODP People Power Party or PPP Progressive Party or Jinbo Party Rebuilding Korea Party Social Democratic Party note: the Democratic Alliance coalition consists of the DPK and the smaller Basic Income, Jinbo, Open Democratic, and Social Democratic parties, as well as two independents; for the 2024 election, the Basic Income Party, the ODP, and the Social Democratic Party formed the New Progressive Alliance **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador KANG Kyung-wha (since 16 December 2025) chancery: 2450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 939-5600 FAX: [1] (202) 797-0595 email address and website: generalusa@mofa.go.kr https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-en/index.do consulate(s) general: Anchorage (AK), Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires James “Jim” HELLER (since 7 January 2026) embassy: 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul mailing address: 9600 Seoul Place, Washington, DC 20521-9600 telephone: [82] (2) 397-4114 FAX: [82] (2) 397-4101 email address and website: seoulinfoACS@state.gov https://kr.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s): Busan **International organization participation:** ADB, AfDB (nonregional member), APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN (dialogue partner), Australia Group, BIS, CABEI, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, EBRD, FAO, FATF, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SAARC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC **Independence:** 15 August 1945 (from Japan) **National holiday:** Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) **Flag:** description: white with a red-and-blue yin-yang symbol in the center; a black trigram (kwae) from the ancient I Ching (Book of Changes) is in each corner of the white field meaning: the flag is called Taegukki; white is a traditional Korean color and represents peace and purity; blue stands for the negative cosmic forces of the yin, and red for the opposite positive forces of the yang; each trigram represents one of the universal elements, which together express the principle of movement and harmony **National symbol(s):** taegeuk (yin-yang symbol), Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), Siberian tiger **National color(s):** red, white, blue, black **National anthem(s):** title: "Aegukga" (Patriotic Song) lyrics/music: YUN Ch'i-Ho or AN Ch'ang-Ho/AHN Eaktay history: adopted 1948, well-known by 1910; North Korea's and South Korea's anthems have the same name and a similar melody, but different lyrics **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 17 (15 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes (n); Changdeokgung Palace Complex (c); Jongmyo Shrine (c); Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple (c); Hwaseong Fortress (c); Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites (c); Gyeongju Historic Areas (c); Namhansanseong (c); Baekje Historic Areas (c); Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea (c); Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (c); Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income, export- and technology-oriented East Asian economy; manufacturing led by semiconductor and automotive industries; slow growth amid declining construction investment, export risks, and recent political instability; aging workforce; increased restraint in fiscal policy while maintaining industry support initiatives **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $2.607 trillion (2023 est.) $2.572 trillion (2022 est.) $2.507 trillion (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 1.4% (2023 est.) 2.6% (2022 est.) 4.3% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $50,400 (2023 est.) $49,800 (2022 est.) $48,400 (2021 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.713 trillion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.3% (2024 est.) 3.6% (2023 est.) 5.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 1.6% (2023 est.) industry: 31.6% (2023 est.) services: 58.4% (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: 48.9% (2023 est.) government consumption: 18.9% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 32.2% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -0.1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 44% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -43.9% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** rice, vegetables, cabbages, milk, onions, pork, chicken, eggs, tangerines/mandarins, potatoes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** electronics, telecommunications, automobile production, chemicals, shipbuilding, steel **Industrial production growth rate:** 1.1% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 29.713 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.7% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 2.9% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 5.9% (2024 est.) male: 6% (2024 est.) female: 5.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 32.9 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 12.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.9% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 24.6% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 0.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $513.21 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $532.023 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 52.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 15.7% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $99.043 billion (2024 est.) $32.822 billion (2023 est.) $25.829 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $835.149 billion (2024 est.) $769.243 billion (2023 est.) $825.961 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 25%, USA 18%, Hong Kong 4%, Japan 4%, Taiwan 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** integrated circuits, cars, refined petroleum, plastics, machine parts (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $758.724 billion (2024 est.) $758.41 billion (2023 est.) $817.594 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 31%, USA 13%, Japan 9%, Germany 5%, Australia 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, natural gas, crude petroleum, machinery, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $418.219 billion (2024 est.) $420.93 billion (2023 est.) $423.366 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** South Korean won (KRW) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1,363.375 (2024 est.) 1,305.662 (2023 est.) 1,291.447 (2022 est.) 1,143.952 (2021 est.) 1,180.266 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 151.139 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 575.359 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 19.688 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 61.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 30.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 5.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) tide and wave: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Nuclear energy:** Number of operational nuclear reactors: 26 (2025) Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 2 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 25.57GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 30.7% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 2 (2025) **Coal:** production: 16.081 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 136.817 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 500 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 122.845 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 326 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 38,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 2.542 million bbl/day (2024 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 55.127 million cubic meters (2021 est.) consumption: 57.314 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 93.639 million cubic meters (2022 est.) imports: 60.025 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 7.079 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 234.668 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 21.3 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 89.2 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 173 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** multiple national TV networks, with 2 of the 3 largest networks publicly operated; the largest privately owned network, Seoul Broadcasting Service (SBS), has ties with other commercial TV networks; cable and satellite TV subscription services available; publicly operated radio broadcast networks and many privately owned radio broadcasting networks, each with multiple affiliates, and independent local stations **Internet country code:** .kr **Internet users:** percent of population: 97% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 24.1 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** HL **Airports:** 92 (2025) **Heliports:** 1,280 (2025) **Railways:** total: 3,979 km (2016) standard gauge: 3,979 km (2016) 1.435-m gauge (2,727 km electrified) **Merchant marine:** total: 2,149 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 93, container ship 115, general cargo 362, oil tanker 219, other 1,360 **Ports:** total ports: 15 (2024) large: 2 medium: 5 small: 4 very small: 4 ports with oil terminals: 10 key ports: Busan, Gwangyang Hang, Inchon, Masan, Mokpo, Pyeongtaek Hang, Ulsan ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea: Republic of Korea Army (ROKA), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN, includes Marine Corps, ROKMC), Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries: Korea Coast Guard; Ministry of Interior and Safety: Korean National Police Agency (2025) **Military expenditures:** 2.3% of GDP (2025 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 500,000 active Armed Forces (365,000 Army; 70,000 Navy, including about 30,000 Marines; 65,000 Air Force) (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the South Korean military is equipped with a mix of mostly modern domestically produced and imported weapons systems; the US is the leading provider of foreign arms; South Korea's defense industry produces a range of military hardware for both domestic use and export, including aircraft, armored fighting vehicles, artillery, missiles, and naval vessels; it also jointly produces equipment with other countries (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-29 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; mandatory military service for all eligible men 18-35 years of age (typically served from 20-28 years of age); compulsory service obligation is 18-21 months based on the branch of service and up to 36 months for alternative service (2025) note: women, in service since 1950, are able to serve in all branches and as of 2024 more than 15,000 served in the armed forces **Military deployments:** 250 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 275 South Sudan (UNMISS); approximately 150 United Arab Emirates (2025) **Military - note:** the South Korean military is responsible for external defense and is primarily focused on the threat from North Korea; it participates in bilateral and multinational exercises and deploys abroad for international missions, including peacekeeping and other security operations South Korea's primary defense partner is the US, and the 1953 US-South Korea Mutual Defense Treaty is a cornerstone of the country's national security; the Treaty committed the US to provide assistance in the event of an attack and gave the US permission to station land, air, and sea forces in and about the territory of South Korea as determined by mutual agreement; South Korea hosts approximately 28,000 US military troops and regularly conducts bilateral exercises with the US military; South Korea 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; the South Korean military has assisted the US in conflicts in Afghanistan (5,000 troops; 2001-2014), Iraq (20,000 troops; 2003-2008), and Vietnam (325,000 troops; 1964-1973) in 2016, South Korea concluded an agreement with the EU for participation in EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, such as EU counter-piracy operations off the coast of East Africa; South Korea has had a relationship with NATO since 2005, and in 2022 established a mission to the NATO headquarters to further cooperation; it has participated in NATO-led missions and exercises, including in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA; established 2024); Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI; established 1989 and previously acted as South Korea's space agency) (2025) **Space launch site(s):** Naro Space Center (South Jeolla province) (2025) **Space program overview:** has an ambitious space program focused on developing satellites, satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), and interplanetary probes; has a national space strategy; manufactures and operates satellites, including those with communications, remote sensing (RS), scientific, and multipurpose capabilities; manufactures and launches SLVs; developing interplanetary space vehicles, including orbital probes and landers; participates in international programs and works with an array of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Australia, the ESA, individual ESA member states (particularly France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK), India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Peru, Russia, UAE, and the US; has an active commercial space industry (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1992 - first domestically made technology-demonstrator satellite (KITSAT-1) launched on European rocket 1993-1998 - launched first single-stage sounding rocket (KSR-1) and first two-stage sounding rocket (KSR-2) 1999 - first domestically built multi-purpose satellite (KOMPSAT-1, aka Arirang-1) launched by US 2008 - first South Korean astronaut in space on International Space Station 2013 - first successful satellite launch of two-stage Korean Space Launch Vehicle-I (KSLV-I; aka Naro) 2021 - maiden launch of three-stage KSLV-II (aka Nuri); signed the US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration 2022 - first successful attempt to place satellites into orbit on the KSLV-II/Nuri; domestically made lunar orbiter (Danuri) reached Moon's orbit; began development of the Korea Positioning System (KPS) satellite navigational network 2024 - third successful launch of Nuri SLV placed eight small satellites in orbit, including a remote sensing satellite (NexSat-2) with radar imaging technology ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 40,084 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 248 (2024 est.) **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025) --- ## Laos **Slug:** laos **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇱🇦 **Codes:** cek: la, iso2: LA, iso3: LAO, iso_num: 418, genc: LAO, stanag: LAO, internet: .la ### Introduction **Background:** Modern-day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century under King FA NGUM. For 300 years, Lan Xang had influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th century until the late 19th century, when it became part of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of 1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. Following more than 15 years of civil war, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the government in 1975, ending a six-century-old monarchy and instituting a one party--the Lao People's Revolutionary Party--communist state. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began in the late 1980s. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and the WTO in 2013. In the 2010s, the country benefited from direct foreign investment, particularly in the natural resource and industry sectors. Construction of a number of large hydropower dams and expanding mining activities have also boosted the economy. Laos has retained its official commitment to communism and maintains close ties with its two communist neighbors, Vietnam and China, both of which continue to exert substantial political and economic influence on the country. China, for example, provided 70% of the funding for a $5.9 billion, 400-km railway line between the Chinese border and the capital Vientiane, which opened for operations in 2021. Laos financed the remaining 30% with loans from China. At the same time, Laos has expanded its economic reliance on the West and other Asian countries, such as Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Nevertheless, despite steady economic growth for more than a decade, it remains one of Asia's poorest countries. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of Vietnam **Geographic coordinates:** 18 00 N, 105 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 236,800 sq km land: 230,800 sq km water: 6,000 sq km **Area - comparative:** about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger than Utah **Land boundaries:** total: 5,274 km border countries (5): Burma 238 km; Cambodia 555 km; China 475 km; Thailand 1,845 km; Vietnam 2,161 km **Coastline:** 0 km (landlocked) **Maritime claims:** none (landlocked) **Climate:** tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) **Terrain:** mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus **Elevation:** highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m lowest point: Mekong River 70 m mean elevation: 710 m **Natural resources:** timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones **Land use:** agricultural land: 9.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.) forest: 56.8% (2023 est.) other: 33.3% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 4,410 sq km (2022) **Major rivers (by length in km):** Mènam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Major watersheds (area sq km):** Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) **Population distribution:** most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia **Natural hazards:** floods, droughts **Geography - note:** landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of the western boundary with Thailand ### People and Society **Population:** total: 8,052,913 (2025 est.) male: 4,016,077 female: 4,036,836 **Nationality:** noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s) adjective: Lao or Laotian **Ethnic groups:** Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%, Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha 1.8%, other 11.6% (2015 est.) note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is estimated to be well over 200 **Languages:** Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages major-language sample(s): ແຫລ່ງທີ່ຂາດບໍ່ໄດ້ສຳລັບຂໍ້ມູນຕົ້ນຕໍ່” (Lao) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not stated 2.1% (2015 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 30.1% (male 1,214,429/female 1,181,845) 15-64 years: 65% (male 2,573,668/female 2,599,957) 65 years and over: 4.8% (2024 est.) (male 178,223/female 205,434) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 52.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 45.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 13.1 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 25.8 years (2025 est.) male: 25 years female: 25.7 years **Population growth rate:** 1.22% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 19.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.07 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most densely populated area is in and around the capital city of Vientiane; large communities are primarily found along the Mekong River along the southwestern border; overall density is considered one of the lowest in Southeast Asia **Urbanization:** urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 721,000 VIENTIANE (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 112 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 34.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 39.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 31.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 69 years (2024 est.) male: 67.4 years female: 70.7 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.19 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.07 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 97.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 78.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 85.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 2.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 21.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 14.5% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 2.7% of GDP (2021) 4.3% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.33 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 1.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 72% of population (2022 est.) total: 82.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 28% of population (2022 est.) total: 17.5% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 5.3% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 8.15 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.62 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.07 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 4.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 24.1% (2025 est.) male: 41% (2025 est.) female: 7.2% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 24.3% (2023 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 61.6% (2017 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 7.1% (2017) women married by age 18: 32.7% (2017) men married by age 18: 10.8% (2017) **Education expenditure:** 1.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 8.2% national budget (2024 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 75.6% (2023 est.) male: 85.1% (2023 est.) female: 66.7% (2023 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 9 years (2023 est.) male: 9 years (2023 est.) female: 9 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity; water pollution; limited access to potable water **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry season (December to April) **Land use:** agricultural land: 9.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 5.3% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 1.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2.9% (2023 est.) forest: 56.8% (2023 est.) other: 33.3% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 38.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.99% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 23.412 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 19.652 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 3.76 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 20.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 351,900 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 15.1% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 130 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 170 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 7.05 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 333.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic Republic conventional short form: Laos local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao local short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial) abbreviation: Lao PDR etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people];" it derives from the name of the country's founder, Lao **Government type:** communist party-led state **Capital:** name: Vientiane (Viangchan) geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name Viangchan means "city of sandalwood" in Laotian; the standard spelling reflects French influence **Administrative divisions:** 17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 prefecture* (kampheng nakhon); Attapu, Bokeo, Bolikhamxay, Champasak, Houaphanh, Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang (Luang Prabang), Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet, Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli, Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang **Legal system:** civil law system similar in form to the French system **Constitution:** history: previous 1947 (pre-independence); latest promulgated 13-15 August 1991 amendment process: proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership and promulgation by the president of the republic **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 Laos dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith (since 22 March 2021) head of government: Prime Minister SONEXAY (also spelled SONXAI) Siphandon (since 30 December 2022) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly election/appointment process: president and vice president indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term (no term limits); prime minister nominated by the president, elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year term most recent election date: 22 March 2021 election results: 2021: THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected president; National Assembly vote - 161-1; PHANKHAM Viphavanh (LPRP) elected prime minister; National Assembly vote - 158-3 2016: BOUNNHANG Vorachit (LPRP) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulith (LPRP) elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA expected date of next election: March 2026 note: President THONGLOUN Sisoulith is also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Assembly (Sapha Heng Xat) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 164 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 2/21/2021 parties elected and seats per party: Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) (158); Other (6) percentage of women in chamber: 22% expected date of next election: February 2026 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): People's Supreme Court (consists of the court president and organized into criminal, civil, administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile chambers, each with a vice president and several judges) judge selection and term of office: president of People's Supreme Court appointed by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president of the republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of the People's Supreme Court appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the National Assembly; appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice presidents and chamber judges NA subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial, municipal, district, and military courts **Political parties:** Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP note: other parties proscribed **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador PHOUKHONG Sisoulath (since 5 September 2025) chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-6416 FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923 email address and website: embasslao@gmail.com https://laoembassy.com/ **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Heather VARIAVA (since 5 February 2024) embassy: Ban Somvang Tai, Thadeua Road, Km 9, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane mailing address: 4350 Vientiane Place, Washington DC 20521-4350 telephone: [856] 21-48-7000 FAX: [856] 21-48-7040 email address and website: CONSLAO@state.gov https://la.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 19 July 1949 (from France); 22 October 1953 (Franco-Lao Treaty recognizes full independence) **National holiday:** Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975) **Flag:** description: three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double-width), and red, with a large white disk centered in the blue band meaning: red stands for the blood shed for liberation, and blue for the Mekong River and prosperity; the white disk represents the full moon over the Mekong River and the unity of the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, as well as the country's bright future **National symbol(s):** elephant **National color(s):** red, white, blue **National anthem(s):** title: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People) lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY Sounthonevichit history: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the anthem's lyrics were changed after the communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy in 1975 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 3 (all cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Town of Luangphrabang; Vat Phou and Associated Ancient Settlements; Megalithic Jar Sites in Xiengkhuang - Plain of Jars ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower middle-income, socialist Southeast Asian economy; one of the fastest growing economies; declining but still high poverty; natural resource rich; new anticorruption efforts; already high and growing public debt; service sector hit hard by COVID-19 **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $66.905 billion (2024 est.) $64.173 billion (2023 est.) $61.856 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 4.3% (2024 est.) 3.7% (2023 est.) 2.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $8,600 (2024 est.) $8,400 (2023 est.) $8,200 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $16.503 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 23.1% (2024 est.) 31.2% (2023 est.) 23% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 16.8% (2024 est.) industry: 29% (2024 est.) services: 43.5% (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: 65.7% (2016 est.) government consumption: 14% (2016 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29% (2016 est.) investment in inventories: 0% (2016 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.2% (2016 est.) imports of goods and services: -41.9% (2016 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** cassava, root vegetables, rice, sugarcane, vegetables, bananas, maize, rubber, coffee, watermelons (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction, garments, cement, tourism **Industrial production growth rate:** 3.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 3.585 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 1.3% (2024 est.) 1.2% (2023 est.) 1.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 2.2% (2024 est.) male: 2.4% (2024 est.) female: 2.1% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 18.3% (2018 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 38.8 (2018 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 50.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 7.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3% (2018 est.) highest 10%: 31.2% (2018 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $2.288 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $2.259 billion (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 **Taxes and other revenues:** 12.1% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $404.523 million (2023 est.) -$458.754 million (2022 est.) $431.636 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $9.698 billion (2023 est.) $8.604 billion (2022 est.) $7.82 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 39%, Thailand 34%, Australia 4%, USA 4%, Cambodia 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** electricity, fertilizers, gold, garments, paper (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $8.596 billion (2023 est.) $7.983 billion (2022 est.) $6.527 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Thailand 58%, China 36%, Japan 1%, Singapore 1%, Germany 1% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, cars, raw sugar, plastic products, trucks (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $1.77 billion (2023 est.) $1.576 billion (2022 est.) $1.951 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $9.619 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** kips (LAK) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 17,688.874 (2023 est.) 14,035.227 (2022 est.) 9,697.916 (2021 est.) 9,045.788 (2020 est.) 8,679.409 (2019 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 12.738 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 12.803 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 38 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 955.095 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.447 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 23.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 76.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 16.629 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 15.944 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 1.065 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 22,000 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 62 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 25,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 34.463 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 1.23 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 4.96 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 65 (2023 est.) **Broadcast media:** 6 TV stations operating out of Vientiane, with half state-operated and half commercial; 17 provincial stations, with nearly all programming relayed via satellite from the state-operated stations in Vientiane; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems provide access to a wide range of foreign stations; state-controlled radio with state-operated Lao National Radio (LNR) broadcasting on 5 frequencies; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible **Internet country code:** .la **Internet users:** percent of population: 64% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 183,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** RDPL **Airports:** 20 (2025) **Railways:** total: 422 km (2023) standard gauge: 422 km (2023) 1.435-m gauge (422 km overhead electrification) **Merchant marine:** total: 1 (2023) by type: general cargo 1 ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Lao People's Armed Forces (LPAF; aka Lao People's Army): Lao People's Army (LPA, includes Riverine Force), Lao People's Air Force (LPAF); Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025) note: the Ministry of Public Security maintains internal security and is responsible for law enforcement; it oversees local, traffic, immigration, and security police, village police auxiliaries, and other armed police units **Military expenditures:** 0.2% of GDP (2019 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2018 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2017 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2016 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2015 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** information limited and varied; estimated 30,000 active Armed Forces; estimated 100,000 Self-Defense Militia Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the LPAF is armed with Chinese, Russian, and Soviet-era equipment and weapons (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18 years of age for voluntary military service; mandatory military service for men 18-35 with a minimum 18-month service obligation (2025) **Military - note:** the LPAF’s primary missions are border and internal security, including counterinsurgency, counterterrorism, and counter-narcotics operations, as well as protecting the regime; its defense partners include Cambodia, China, Russia, and Vietnam (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** IDPs: 1,274 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — Laos does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Laos was downgraded to Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/laos/ **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major illicit drug-producing and/or drug-transit country (2025) --- ## Macau **Slug:** macau **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇲🇴 **Codes:** cek: mc, iso2: MO, iso3: MAC, iso_num: 446, genc: MAC, stanag: MAC, internet: .mo ### Introduction **Background:** Portuguese ships began arriving in 1513. In the 1550s, Portuguese paying tribute to China settled in Macau, which became the official entrepôt for all international trade with China and Japan and the first European settlement in the Far East. The first governor was appointed in the 17th century, but the Portuguese remained largely under the control of the Chinese. In the 1930s and ’40s Macau was declared a neutral territory during the Sino-Japanese War and World War II and became a refuge for both Chinese and Europeans. Portugal officially made Macau an overseas province in 1951. In April 1987, Portugal and China reached an agreement to return Macau to Chinese rule in 1999, using the Hong Kong Joint Declaration between China and the UK as a model. In this agreement, China promised that, under its "one country, two systems" formula, China's political and economic system would not be imposed on Macau, and that Macau would enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters except foreign affairs and defense for the next 50 years. However, after China's multi-year crackdown against the pro-democracy movement in nearby Hong Kong, the governments of China and the Macau Special Administrative Region worked to limit Macau's political autonomy by suppressing opposition activity in the 2021 legislative elections. ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, bordering the South China Sea and China **Geographic coordinates:** 22 10 N, 113 33 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 28 sq km land: 28.2 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** less than one-sixth the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 3 km regional borders (1): China 3 km **Coastline:** 41 km **Maritime claims:** not specified **Climate:** subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers **Terrain:** generally flat **Elevation:** highest point: Alto Coloane 172 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m **Natural resources:** NEGL **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 100% (2022 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** population fairly equally distributed **Natural hazards:** typhoons **Geography - note:** primarily urban; an area of land reclaimed from the sea measuring 5.2 sq km (2 sq mi) and known as Cotai now connects the islands of Coloane and Taipa; the island area is connected to the mainland peninsula by three bridges ### People and Society **Population:** total: 648,666 (2025 est.) male: 306,726 female: 341,940 **Nationality:** noun: Chinese adjective: Chinese **Ethnic groups:** Chinese 89.4%, Chinese and Portuguese 1%, Portuguese 0.8%, Chinese and non-Portuguese 0.2%, Portuguese and others 0.2%, other 8.5% (2021 est.) **Languages:** Cantonese 81%, Mandarin 4.7%, other Chinese dialects 5.4%, English 3.6%, Tagalog 2.9%, Portuguese 0.6%, other 1.8% (2021 est.) major-language sample(s): 世界概况, 必須擁有的基本資料参考书 (Cantonese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Chinese and Portuguese are official languages; Macanese or Patua, a Portuguese-based Creole, is also spoken **Religions:** folk religion 58.9%, Buddhist 17.3%, Christian 7.2%, other 1.2%, none 15.4% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 14.4% (male 47,346/female 45,216) 15-64 years: 69.9% (male 210,059/female 240,577) 65 years and over: 15.7% (2024 est.) (male 47,583/female 53,645) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 44.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 24 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4.2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 43 years (2025 est.) male: 41.5 years female: 43.1 years **Population growth rate:** 0.64% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 8.31 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.02 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 3.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population fairly equally distributed **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 682,000 Macau (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.87 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.89 male(s)/female total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 4.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 85.3 years (2024 est.) male: 82.5 years female: 88.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.25 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.61 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 100% of population **Education expenditure:** 6.3% of GDP (2020 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 18 years male: 17 years female: 19 years (2021) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution; coastal water pollution; solid-waste disposal; noise pollution **Climate:** subtropical; marine with cool winters, warm summers **Land use:** agricultural land: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 100% (2022 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.46% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 1.595 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: -1,239 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.358 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 238,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 377,900 tons (2024 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Macau Special Administrative Region conventional short form: Macau official long form: Aomen Tebie Xingzhengqu (Chinese)/ Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau (Portuguese) official short form: Aomen (Chinese)/ Macau (Portuguese) etymology: name derived from the Chinese ama-gao, or “Bay of Ama,” for Ama, the patron goddess of sailors **Government type:** executive-led limited democracy; a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China **Dependency status:** special administrative region of the People's Republic of China **Legal system:** civil law system based on the Portuguese model **Constitution:** history: previous 1976 (Organic Statute of Macau, under Portuguese authority); latest adopted 31 March 1993, effective 20 December 1999 (Basic Law of the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China serves as Macau's constitution) amendment process: proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), the People’s Republic of China State Council, and the Macau Special Administrative Region; submittal of proposals to the NPC requires two-thirds majority vote by the Legislative Assembly of Macau, approval by two thirds of Macau's deputies to the NPC, and consent of the Macau chief executive; final passage requires approval by the NPC **Citizenship:** see China **Suffrage:** 18 years of age in direct elections for some legislative positions, universal for permanent residents living in Macau for the past 7 years note: indirect elections are limited to organizations registered as "corporate voters" and an election committee for the chief executive drawn from broad regional groupings, municipal organizations, central government bodies, and elected Macau officials **Executive branch:** chief of state: President of China XI Jinping (since 14 March 2013) head of government: Chief Executive Sam Hou FAI (since 20 December 2024) cabinet: Executive Council appointed by the chief executive election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by National People's Congress for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); chief executive chosen by a 400-member Election Committee for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: president: 10 March 2023 chief executive: 13 October 2024 election results: 2024: Sam Hou FAI (unopposed; received 394 out of 400 votes) 2019: HO lat Seng (unopposed; received 392 out of 400 votes) expected date of next election: president: March 2028 chief executive: 2029 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislative Assembly (Regiao Administrativa Especial de Macau) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 33 (14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected, 7 appointed) electoral system: mixed scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 9/12/2021 parties elected and seats per party: United Citizens Association of Macau (ACUM) (3); Union for Development (UPD) (2); Macau-Guangdong Union (UGM) (2); Union for Promoting Progress (UPP) (2); Alliance for a Happy Home (ABL) (2); New Hope (NE) (2); Association of Synergy of Macau (PS) (1) expected date of next election: September 2025 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Final Appeal of Macau Special Administrative Region (consists of the court president and 2 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: justices appointed by the Macau chief executive upon the recommendation of an independent commission of judges, lawyers, and "eminent" persons; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: Court of Second Instance; Court of First instance; Lower Court; Administrative Court **Political parties:** Alliance for a Happy Home or ABL Association of Synergy of Macau ("Synergy Power" or Poder da Singeria) or PS Macau-Guangdong Union or UGM New Hope or NE Union for Development or UPD Union for Promoting Progress or UPP or UNIPRO United Citizens Association of Macau or ACUM note: there is no political party ordinance, so there are no registered political parties; politically active groups register as societies or companies **Diplomatic representation in the US:** none (Special Administrative Region of China) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** embassy: the US has no offices in Macau; US Consulate General in Hong Kong is accredited to Macau **International organization participation:** ICC (national committees), IHO, IMF, IMO (associate), Interpol (subbureau), ISO (correspondent), UNESCO (associate), UNWTO (associate), UPU, WCO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** none (special administrative region of China) **National holiday:** National Day (anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China), 1 October (1949) note: 20 December (1999) is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day **Flag:** description: green with a lotus flower above a stylized bridge and water in white, under an arc of five five-pointed gold stars meaning: the lotus is the national floral emblem, and the three petals represent the country's peninsula and two islands; the five stars echo the Chinese flag **National symbol(s):** lotus blossom **National color(s):** green, white, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Yiyongjun Jinxingqu" (The March of the Volunteers) lyrics/music: TIAN Han/NIE Er history: official anthem, as a Special Administrative Region of China ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income, Chinese special administrative region economy; known for apparel exports and gambling tourism; currency pegged to Hong Kong dollar; significant recession due to 2015 Chinese anticorruption campaign; COVID-19 further halved economic activity **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $77.524 billion (2024 est.) $71.248 billion (2023 est.) $40.699 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 8.8% (2024 est.) 75.1% (2023 est.) -19.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $112,800 (2024 est.) $105,000 (2023 est.) $60,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $50.183 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 0.5% (2023 est.) 1% (2022 est.) 0% (2021 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** industry: 5.4% (2023 est.) services: 91.4% (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: 29% (2024 est.) government consumption: 12.2% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 13.8% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.7% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 89.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -45.4% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** pork, chicken, beef, eggs, pork offal, pork fat, pepper, beef offal, cattle hides, goose meat (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, gambling, clothing, textiles, electronics, footwear, toys **Industrial production growth rate:** 6.8% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 382,100 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.5% (2024 est.) 2.3% (2023 est.) 2.5% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 7.2% (2024 est.) male: 9.4% (2024 est.) female: 5.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 0.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.2% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $12.513 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $11.509 billion (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:** 22.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $14.38 billion (2023 est.) $3.476 billion (2022 est.) $2.705 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $41.839 billion (2023 est.) $21.097 billion (2022 est.) $28.163 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Hong Kong 73%, China 6%, USA 6%, Philippines 3%, Singapore 1% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** jewelry, garments, broadcasting equipment, precious metal watches, video and card games (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $23.205 billion (2023 est.) $20.923 billion (2022 est.) $23.77 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 36%, Hong Kong 17%, USA 6%, France 6%, Japan 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** jewelry, garments, trunks and cases, broadcasting equipment, electricity (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $29.392 billion (2024 est.) $27.771 billion (2023 est.) $25.971 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** patacas (MOP) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 8.037 (2024 est.) 8.063 (2023 est.) 8.065 (2022 est.) 8.006 (2021 est.) 7.989 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 427,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 5.659 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 5.327 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 161.125 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 58.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 41.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** exports: 600 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 7 metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 11,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Natural gas:** consumption: 121.747 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 121.716 million cubic meters (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 64.641 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 81,300 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 1.45 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 201 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** local government dominates broadcast media; 2 TV stations operated by the government, with one broadcasting in Portuguese and the other in Cantonese and Mandarin; 1 cable TV and 4 satellite TV services available; 3 radio stations broadcasting, of which 2 are government-operated (2019) **Internet country code:** .mo **Internet users:** percent of population: 89% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 212,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** B-M **Airports:** 1 (2025) **Heliports:** 4 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 5 (2023) by type: other 5 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Macau ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Macau Public Security Police Force **Military - note:** defense is the responsibility of China; the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) maintains a garrison in Macau ### Transnational Issues **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — Macau does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, therefore, Macau remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/macau --- ## Malaysia **Slug:** malaysia **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇲🇾 **Codes:** cek: my, iso2: MY, iso3: MYS, iso_num: 458, genc: MYS, stanag: MYS, internet: .my ### Introduction **Background:** Malaysia’s location has long made it an important cultural, economic, historical, social, and trade link between the islands of Southeast Asia and the mainland. Through the Strait of Malacca, which separates the Malay Peninsula from the archipelago, flowed maritime trade and with it influences from China, India, the Middle East, and the east coast of Africa. Prior to the 14th century, several powerful maritime empires existed in what is modern-day Malaysia, including the Srivijayan, which controlled much of the southern part of the peninsula between the 7th and 13th centuries, and the Majapahit Empire, which took control over most of the peninsula and the Malay Archipelago between the 13th and 14th centuries. The adoption of Islam between the 13th and 17th centuries also saw the rise of a number of powerful maritime states and sultanates on the Malay Peninsula and the island of Borneo, such as the port city of Malacca (Melaka), which at its height in the 15th century had a navy and hosted thousands of Chinese, Arab, Persian, and Indian merchants. The Portuguese in the 16th century and the Dutch in the 17th century were the first European colonial powers to establish themselves on the Malay Peninsula and in Southeast Asia. However, it was the British who ultimately secured hegemony across the territory and during the late 18th and 19th centuries established colonies and protectorates in the area that is now Malaysia. Japan occupied these holdings from 1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on the Malay Peninsula (except Singapore) formed the Federation of Malaya, which became independent in 1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the Federation. A communist insurgency, confrontations with Indonesia, Philippine claims to Sabah, and Singapore's expulsion in 1965 marred the first several years of the country's independence. During the 22-year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of raw materials to the development of manufacturing, services, and tourism. Former Prime Minister MAHATHIR and a newly formed coalition of opposition parties defeated Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Razak's United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 2018, ending over 60 years of uninterrupted UMNO rule. From 2018-2022, Malaysia underwent considerable political upheaval, with a succession of coalition governments holding power. Following legislative elections in 2022, ANWAR Ibrahim was appointed prime minister after more than 20 years in opposition. His political coalition, Pakatan Harapan (PH), joined its longtime UNMO rival to form a government, but the two groups have remained deeply divided on many issues. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and northern one-third of the island of Borneo, bordering Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of Vietnam **Geographic coordinates:** 2 30 N, 112 30 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 329,847 sq km land: 328,657 sq km water: 1,190 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly larger than New Mexico **Land boundaries:** total: 2,742 km border countries (3): Brunei 266 km; Indonesia 1,881 km; Thailand 595 km **Coastline:** 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km; East Malaysia 2,607 km) **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea **Climate:** tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons **Terrain:** coastal plains rising to hills and mountains **Elevation:** highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 419 m **Natural resources:** tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas, bauxite **Land use:** agricultural land: 26.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 22.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.) forest: 57.8% (2023 est.) other: 16% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 4,420 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** a highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula **Natural hazards:** flooding; landslides; forest fires **Geography - note:** strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern South China Sea ### People and Society **Population:** total: 34,905,275 (2025 est.) male: 17,833,074 female: 17,072,201 **Nationality:** noun: Malaysian(s) adjective: Malaysian **Ethnic groups:** Bumiputera 63.8% (Malay 52.8% and indigenous peoples, including Orang Asli, Dayak, Anak Negeri, 11%), Chinese 20.6%, Indian 6%, other 0.6%, non-citizens 9% (2023 est.) **Languages:** Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese (Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan, Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai major-language sample(s): Buku Fakta Dunia, sumber yang diperlukan untuk maklumat asas. (Bahasa Malaysia) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: Malaysia has 134 languages (112 indigenous and 22 non-indigenous); in East Malaysia, there are several indigenous languages, and the most widely spoken are Iban and Kadazan **Religions:** Muslim (official) 63.5%, Buddhist 18.7%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.1%, other (Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions) 0.9%, none/unspecified 1.8% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 22.2% (male 3,947,914/female 3,730,319) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 12,308,938/female 11,666,947) 65 years and over: 8.4% (2024 est.) (male 1,409,360/female 1,501,332) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 44.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 31.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 12.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 32.2 years (2025 est.) male: 31.7 years female: 31.9 years **Population growth rate:** 0.97% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 14.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 1.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** a highly uneven distribution, with over 80% of the population residing on the Malay Peninsula **Urbanization:** urban population: 78.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 8.622 million KUALA LUMPUR (capital), 1.086 million Johor Bahru, 857,000 Ipoh (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.94 male(s)/female total population: 1.05 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 26 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 6.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 6.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 76.6 years (2024 est.) male: 75 years female: 78.4 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.73 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.83 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 90.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 97.2% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 9.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 2.8% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 4.4% of GDP (2021) 8% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 2.34 physicians/1,000 population (2023) **Hospital bed density:** 2 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 15.6% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.64 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.48 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 21.5% (2025 est.) male: 41.8% (2025 est.) female: 0.6% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 15.3% (2022 est.) **Education expenditure:** 3.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 14.1% national budget (2023 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 95.8% (2022 est.) male: 96.8% (2022 est.) female: 94.7% (2022 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 12 years (2023 est.) male: 11 years (2023 est.) female: 12 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions; water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation; smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires; endangered species; coastal reclamation damaging mangroves and turtle nesting sites **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and northeast (October to February) monsoons **Land use:** agricultural land: 26.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 2.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 22.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.9% (2023 est.) forest: 57.8% (2023 est.) other: 16% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 78.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 260.005 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 76.78 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 90.273 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 92.951 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 23.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 818.9 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 182.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 847.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 15.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 12.983 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 22.1% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 1.342 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 1.641 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 2.505 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 580 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 global geoparks and regional networks: Kinabalu; Langkawi (2023) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Malaysia local long form: none local short form: Malaysia former: British Malaya, Malayan Union, Federation of Malaya etymology: devised in the early 19th century by British geographers; the suffix -sia was added to the name of the Malay people to form a classical-style name; the name Malay may come from the Tamil word malai, meaning "mountain" **Government type:** federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy note: all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka (Malacca) and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have governors appointed by government; powers of state governments are limited by the federal constitution; under terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their own immigration controls) **Capital:** name: Kuala Lumpur geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "muddy river junction," referring to the city's location on the confluence of the Kelang and Gombak rivers; it comes from the Malay words kuala (river junction or estuary) and lumpur (mud) note: nearby Putrajaya is referred to as a federal government administrative center but not as the capital; the legislature meets in Kuala Lumpur **Administrative divisions:** 13 states (negeri-negeri, singular - negeri); Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor, Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur, Labuan, and Putrajaya **Legal system:** mixed system of English common law, Islamic law (sharia), and customary law; the Federal Court can review legislative acts at the request of the supreme head of the federation **Constitution:** history: previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957, effective 27 August 1957 amendment process: proposed as a bill by Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Parliament membership in the bill’s second and third readings; a number of constitutional sections are excluded from amendment or repeal **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Malaysia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 out 12 years preceding application **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King Sultan IBRAHIM ibni al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar (since 31 January 2024) head of government: Prime Minister ANWAR Ibrahim (since 24 November 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from among members of Parliament with the consent of the king election/appointment process: king elected by and from the hereditary rulers of 9 states for a 5-year term; election is on a rotational basis among rulers of the 9 states; prime minister designated from among members of the House of Representatives; following legislative elections, the leader who has support of the majority of members in the House becomes prime minister most recent election date: 24 October 2023 expected date of next election: October 2028, with inauguration in January 2029 note: the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime minister **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament (Parlimen) legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat) number of seats: 223 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 11/19/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Pakatan Harapan (PH) (76); National Alliance (PN) (52); National Front (BN) (30); Sarawak Parties Alliance (GPS) (23); Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) (22); Other (19) percentage of women in chamber: 13.5% expected date of next election: November 2027 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: Senate (Dewan Negara) number of seats: 70 (26 indirectly elected; 44 appointed) percentage of women in chamber: 16.1% **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Federal Court (consists of the chief justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief justice of the High Court of Malaya, chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, 8 judges, and 1 "additional" judge) judge selection and term of office: Federal Court justices appointed by the monarch on advice of the prime minister; judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 66 with the possibility of a single 6-month extension subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court note: Malaysia has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious (sharia) courts **Political parties:** National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN: Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan Cina Malaysia) or MCA Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or MIC United Malays National Organization (Pertubuhan Kebansaan Melayu Bersatu) or UMNO United Sabah People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah) or PBRS Alliance of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH: Democratic Action Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR United Progressive Kinabalu Organization (Pertubuhan Kinabalu Progresif Bersatu) or UPKO National Alliance (Perikatan Nasional) or PN: Malaysian People's Movement Party (Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia) or GERAKAN or PGRM Malaysian United Indigenous Party (Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia) or PPBM or BERSATU Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) or PAS Sabah People's Alliance (Gabungan Rakya Sabah) or GRS: Homeland Solidarity Party (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku) or STAR Love Sabah Party (Parti Cinta Sabah) or PCS Sabah People's Ideas Party (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) or GAGASAN or PGRS Sarawak Parties Alliance (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) or GPS: Progressive Democratic Party (Parti Demokratik Progresif) or PDP Sarawak People's Party (Parti Rakyat Sarawak) or PRS Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Rakyat Bersatu Sarawak) or SUPP United Bumiputera Heritage Party (Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersata) or PBB Homeland Movement/Party (Gerakan Tanah Air) or GTA Homeland Fighter's Party (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) or PEJUANG Perkasa Bumiputera Party of Malaysia (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia) All-Malaysian Jemaah Islamiah Front (Barisan Jemaah Islamiah Se-Malaysia) National All India Muslim Alliance Party (Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional) others: Malaysian Nation Party (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) or PBM Heritage Party (Parti Warisan) or WARISAN Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia) or MUDA United Sarawak Party (PSB) **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Tan Sri Muhammad SHAHRUL Ikram bin Yaakob (since 24 July 2025) chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 572-9700 FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882 email address and website: mwwashington@kln.gov.my https://www.kln.gov.my/web/usa_washington/home consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Edgard D. KAGAN (since 20 March 2024) embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur mailing address: 4210 Kuala Lumpur, Washington DC 20521-4210 telephone: [60] (3) 2168-5000 FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 email address and website: KLACS@state.gov https://my.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 31 August 1957 (from the UK) **National holiday:** Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia) **Flag:** description: 14 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white; a dark blue rectangle in the upper-left corner has a yellow crescent and a 14-pointed yellow star meaning: the flag is often called Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand for the equal status of the 13 member states and the federal government; the points on the star represent the unity among these entities; the crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue symbolizes the unity of the Malay people, and yellow is the royal color note: the design is based on the US flag **National symbol(s):** tiger, hibiscus **National color(s):** gold, black **National anthem(s):** title: "Negaraku" (My Country) lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER history: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the king's presence, the shorter version performed for the queen and lesser officials **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 6 (4 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Gunung Mulu National Park (n); Kinabalu Park (n); Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Melaka (c); Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (c); The Archaeological Heritage of Niah National Park’s Caves Complex (c); Forest Research Institute Malaysia Forest Park Selangor (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; implementing key anticorruption policies; major electronics, oil, and chemicals exporter; trade sector employs over 40% of jobs; key economic equity initiative; high labor productivity **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.212 trillion (2024 est.) $1.153 trillion (2023 est.) $1.113 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 5.1% (2024 est.) 3.6% (2023 est.) 8.9% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $34,100 (2024 est.) $32,800 (2023 est.) $32,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $421.972 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 1.8% (2024 est.) 2.5% (2023 est.) 3.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 8.2% (2024 est.) industry: 37.1% (2024 est.) services: 53.6% (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: 60.8% (2024 est.) government consumption: 12% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 20.6% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 1.3% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 71.4% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -66% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** oil palm fruit, rice, chicken, eggs, tropical fruits, coconuts, vegetables, pineapples, rubber, bananas (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, electronics and semiconductors, timber processing; Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production; Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural gas production, logging **Industrial production growth rate:** 4.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 18.264 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 3.9% (2024 est.) 3.9% (2023 est.) 4% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 12.3% (2024 est.) male: 11.3% (2024 est.) female: 13.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 6.2% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 40.7 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 26.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.6% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.3% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 30.9% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $69.055 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $89.046 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 **Public debt:** 64.3% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 12.6% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $7.15 billion (2024 est.) $6.257 billion (2023 est.) $12.738 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $301.789 billion (2024 est.) $274.1 billion (2023 est.) $312.88 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 21%, Singapore 12%, USA 12%, Japan 5%, Hong Kong 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, natural gas, palm oil (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $279.09 billion (2024 est.) $253.665 billion (2023 est.) $283.758 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 24%, Singapore 11%, USA 7%, Japan 5%, Taiwan 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, coal, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $116.229 billion (2024 est.) $113.463 billion (2023 est.) $114.659 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 4.576 (2024 est.) 4.561 (2023 est.) 4.401 (2022 est.) 4.143 (2021 est.) 4.203 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 37.22 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 178.653 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 1.2 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 61.678 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 13.188 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 81.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 16.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 4.476 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 35.741 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 462,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 31.706 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 226 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 582,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 672,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 3.6 billion barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 74.32 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 47.112 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 37.451 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 3.359 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 1.189 trillion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 113.163 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 8.22 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 49.7 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 140 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-owned TV broadcaster operates 2 TV networks with relays; the leading private commercial media group operates 4 TV stations with numerous relays; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio broadcaster operates multiple national networks, as well as regional and local stations; many private commercial radio broadcasters and some subscription satellite radio services are available; about 55 radio stations overall (2019) **Internet country code:** .my **Internet users:** percent of population: 98% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 4.58 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 13 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** 9M **Airports:** 100 (2025) **Heliports:** 24 (2025) **Railways:** total: 1,851 km (2014) standard gauge: 59 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge (59 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,792 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge (339 km electrified) **Merchant marine:** total: 1,750 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 14, container ship 35, general cargo 169, oil tanker 148, other 1,384 **Ports:** total ports: 35 (2024) large: 3 medium: 4 small: 10 very small: 18 ports with oil terminals: 24 key ports: Johor, Kota Kinabalu, Port Dickson, Port Klang, Pulau Pinang, Tanjung Pelepas, Tapis Marine Terminal A ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Malaysian Armed Forces (Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, ATM): Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force Ministry of Home Affairs: Royal Malaysia Police (RMP or Polis Diraja Malaysia, PDRM), Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA; aka Malaysian Coast Guard) (2025) note: the Royal Malaysia Police includes the General Operations Force, a paramilitary force with a variety of roles, including patrolling borders, counterterrorism, maritime security, and counterinsurgency **Military expenditures:** 1% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 1% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 110,000 active Malaysian Armed Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military fields a diverse array of mostly older but growing quantities of more modern weapons and equipment; its inventory originates from a variety of suppliers across Europe, Asia, and the US; Malaysia has a domestic defense industry that has some co-production agreements with countries such as France, Germany, and Türkiye in areas such as armored vehicles and naval vessels (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 17 years 6 months of age for voluntary military service for men and women (younger with parental consent and proof of age); mandatory retirement age 60; no conscription (2025) **Military deployments:** 825 Lebanon (UNIFIL) (2025) **Military - note:** the Malaysian military is responsible for defense of the country's national interests, sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it also has some domestic responsibilities, such as responding to natural disasters; key areas of focus for the military include cyber defense, crime and piracy in the Strait of Malacca, and tensions in the South China Sea; the Army has traditionally been the dominant service, but air and maritime security have received increased emphasis in recent years; Malaysia has undertaken efforts to procure more modern aircraft and ships, improve air and maritime surveillance, expand the Navy’s support infrastructure (particularly bases/ports) and domestic ship-building capacities, and increase cooperation with regional and international partners such as Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and the US Malaysia is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; there is no specific obligation to intervene militarily (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Malaysian Space Agency (MYSA; established 2019) (2025) note: MYSA was established through the merging of the National Space Agency (ANGKASA; established 2002) and the Malaysian Remote Sensing Agency (MRSA; established 1998) **Space launch site(s):** has launched feasibility studies for potential space launch sites in Pahang, Sabah, and Sarawak (2025) **Space program overview:** has a national space policy and program focused on the areas of remote sensing (RS), navigational services, and telecommunications to support domestic economic sectors; seeks to promote a domestic space industry; acquires, manufactures, and operates satellites; conducts research in RS capabilities and space sciences such as astronomy, atmospherics, space environment, and weather; has an astronaut training exchange program with Russia and works with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of the ESA, individual ESA member states, India, Japan, Russia, South Korea, the UK, and the US (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1996 - first of a series of domestically produced commercial communications satellites (MEASAT) launched on European rocket 2000 - first multipurpose (remote sensing/RS, communications, scientific) microsatellite (TiungSat-1) produced with technology and training from the UK and launched by Russia 2007 - first Malaysian astronaut (trained in Russia) to space on International Space Station 2009 - first RS satellite (RazakSat) built with assistance from South Korea and launched by US 2011 - completed construction of a satellite assembly, integration, and testing facility 2025 - first commercial high-resolution RS satellite (UzmaSat-1) launched by US; signed US-led Artemis Accords ### Terrorism **Terrorist group(s):** Terrorist group(s): Abu Sayyaf Group, al-Qa'ida, 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: 191,343 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 120,857 (2024 est.) --- ## Mongolia **Slug:** mongolia **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇲🇳 **Codes:** cek: mg, iso2: MN, iso3: MNG, iso_num: 496, genc: MNG, stanag: MNG, internet: .mn ### Introduction **Background:** The peoples of Mongolia have a long history under a number of nomadic empires dating back to the Xiongnu in the 4th century B.C., and the name Mongol goes back to at least the 11th century A.D. The most famous Mongol, TEMÜÜJIN (aka Genghis Khan), emerged as the ruler of all Mongols in the early 1200s. By the time of his death in 1227, he had created through conquest a Mongol Empire that extended across much of Eurasia. His descendants, including ÖGÖDEI and KHUBILAI (aka Kublai Khan), continued to conquer Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the rest of China, where KHUBILAI established the Yuan Dynasty in the 1270s. The Mongols attempted to invade Japan and Java before their empire broke apart in the 14th century. In the 17th century, Mongolia fell under the rule of the Manchus of the Chinese Qing Dynasty. After Manchu rule collapsed in 1911, Mongolia declared independence, finally winning it in 1921 with help from the Soviet Union. Mongolia became a socialist state (the Mongolian People’s Republic) in 1924. Until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989, Mongolia was a Soviet satellite state and relied heavily on economic, military, and political assistance from Moscow. The period was also marked by purges, political repression, economic stagnation, and tensions with China. Mongolia peacefully transitioned to an independent democracy in 1990. In 1992, it adopted a new constitution and established a free-market economy. Since the country's transition, it has conducted a series of successful presidential and legislative elections. Throughout the period, the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party -- which took the name Mongolian People’s Party (MPP) in 2010 -- has competed for political power with the Democratic Party and several other smaller parties. For most of its democratic history, Mongolia has had a divided government, with the presidency and the parliamentary majority held by different parties but that changed in 2021, when the MPP won the presidency after having secured a supermajority in parliament in 2020. Mongolia’s June 2021 presidential election delivered a decisive victory for MPP candidate Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH. Mongolia maintains close cultural, political, and military ties with Russia, while China is its largest economic partner. Mongolia’s foreign relations are focused on preserving its autonomy by balancing relations with China and Russia, as well as its other major partners, Japan, South Korea, and the US. ### Geography **Location:** Northern Asia, between China and Russia **Geographic coordinates:** 46 00 N, 105 00 E **Map references:** Asia **Area:** total : 1,564,116 sq km land: 1,553,556 sq km water: 10,560 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Alaska; more than twice the size of Texas **Land boundaries:** total: 8,082 km border countries (2): China 4,630 km; Russia 3,452 km **Coastline:** 0 km (landlocked) **Maritime claims:** none (landlocked) **Climate:** desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) **Terrain:** vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central **Elevation:** highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Khuiten Peak) 4,374 m lowest point: Hoh Nuur 560 m mean elevation: 1,528 m **Natural resources:** oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron **Land use:** agricultural land: 69% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 68.2% (2023 est.) forest: 9.1% (2023 est.) other: 21.9% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 796 sq km (2022) **Major lakes (area sq km):** fresh water lake(s): Hovsgol Nuur - 2,620 sq km; Har Us Nuur - 1,760 sq km; salt water lake(s): Uvs Nuur - 3,350 sq km; Hyargas Nuur - 1,360 sq km **Major rivers (by length in km):** Amur (shared with China [s] and Russia [m]) - 4,444 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Population distribution:** population sparsely distributed throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities **Natural hazards:** dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is harsh winter conditions **Geography - note:** landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia ### People and Society **Population:** total: 3,543,677 (2025 est.) male: 1,733,882 female: 1,809,795 **Nationality:** noun: Mongolian(s) adjective: Mongolian **Ethnic groups:** Khalkh 83.8%, Kazak 3.8%, Durvud 2.6%, Bayad 2%, Buriad 1.4%, Zakhchin 1.2%, Dariganga 1.1%, other 4.1% (2020 est.) **Languages:** Mongolian 90% (official, Khalkha dialect is predominant), Turkic, Russian (1999) major-language sample(s): Дэлхийн баримтат ном, үндсэн мэдээллийн зайлшгүй эх сурвалж. (Mongolian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Buddhist 51.8%, no religion 40.6%, Muslim 3.2%, Shaman 2.5%, Christian 1.3%, Other 0.6% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 25.7% (male 429,867/female 412,943) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,087,487/female 1,156,547) 65 years and over: 5.9% (2024 est.) (male 78,242/female 116,590) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 59.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 49.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 9.5 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 10.5 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 28.8 years (2025 est.) male: 30.1 years female: 32.8 years **Population growth rate:** 1.08% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 18.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.35 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -1.83 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population sparsely distributed throughout the country; the capital of Ulaanbaatar and the northern city of Darhan support the highest population densities **Urbanization:** urban population: 69.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 1.673 million ULAANBAATAR (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 20.5 years (2008 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 20-24 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 41 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 8.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 22.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 16.2 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 71.9 years (2024 est.) male: 67.8 years female: 76.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.6 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.27 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 94.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 59.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 83.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 5.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 40.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 16.5% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 6.9% of GDP (2021) 9.2% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 4.13 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 10.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 97.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 78.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 91.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 21.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 8.1% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 20.6% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 5.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 2.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 1.46 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 1.82 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 28.9% (2025 est.) male: 51.9% (2025 est.) female: 7.2% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 1.9% (2023 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 60.2% (2020 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0.9% (2018) women married by age 18: 12% (2018) men married by age 18: 2.1% (2018) **Education expenditure:** 3.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 13.8% national budget (2024 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 98.6% (2023 est.) male: 98.3% (2023 est.) female: 98.9% (2023 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 14 years (2023 est.) male: 13 years (2023 est.) female: 14 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** limited natural freshwater resources in some areas; air pollution from coal-burning power plants and lax regulations in Ulaanbaatar; soil erosion from deforestation and overgrazing; water pollution; desertification; effects from mining **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges) **Land use:** agricultural land: 69% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 68.2% (2023 est.) forest: 9.1% (2023 est.) other: 21.9% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 69.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.4% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 19.203 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 13.489 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 5.714 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 41.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 532.2 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 525.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 14.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 2.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 2.9 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 45.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 166.2 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 250.9 million cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 34.8 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Mongolia local long form: none local short form: Mongol Uls former: Outer Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic etymology: name comes from the Mongol people, whose name derives from the Mongol root word mengu or mongu, meaning "brave" or "unconquered;" the Mongolian name Mongol Uls translates as "Mongol State" **Government type:** semi-presidential republic **Capital:** name: Ulaanbaatar geographic coordinates: 47 55 N, 106 55 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September time zone note: Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC) etymology: the name means "red hero" in Mongolian and honors national hero Damdin SUKHBAATAR, leader of the partisan army that, with Soviet help, liberated Mongolia from Chinese occupation in the early 1920s **Administrative divisions:** 21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs **Legal system:** civil law system influenced by Soviet and Romano-Germanic systems; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest adopted 13 January 1992, effective 12 February 1992 amendment process: proposed by the State Great Hural, by the president of the republic, by the government, or by petition submitted to the State Great Hural by the Constitutional Court; conducting referenda on proposed amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the State Great Hural; passage of amendments by the State Great Hural requires at least three-quarters majority vote; passage by referendum requires majority participation of qualified voters and a majority of votes **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH (since 25 June 2021) head of government: Prime Minister Gombojavyn ZANDANSHATAR (since 13 June 2025) cabinet: Cabinet directly appointed by the prime minister election/appointment process: presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in the State Great Hural and directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for one 6-year term; following legislative elections, the State Great Hural usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister most recent election date: 9 June 2021 election results: 2021: Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH elected president in first round; percent of vote - Ukhnaagiin KHURELSUKH (MPP) 68%, Dangaasuren ENKHBAT (RPEC) 20.1%, Sodnomzundui ERDENE (DP) 6% 2017: Khaltmaa BATTULGA elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Khaltmaa BATTULGA (DP) 38.1%, Miyegombo ENKHBOLD (MPP) 30.3%, Sainkhuu GANBAATAR (MPRP) 30.2%, invalid 1.4%; percent of vote in second round - Khaltmaa BATTULGA 55.2%, Miyegombo ENKHBOLD 44.8% expected date of next election: 2027 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: State Great Hural (Ulsiin Ih Hural) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 126 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 6/28/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Mongolian People's Party (MPP) (68); Democratic Party (DP) (42); HUN Party (8); Other (8) percentage of women in chamber: 25.4% expected date of next election: June 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the Chief Justice and 24 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tsets (consists of the chairman and 8 members) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice and judges appointed by the president on recommendation of the General Council of Courts -- a 14-member body of judges and judicial officials -- to the State Great Hural; appointment is for life; chairman of the Constitutional Court elected from among its members; members appointed from nominations by the State Great Hural - 3 each by the president, the State Great Hural, and the Supreme Court; appointment is 6 years; chairmanship limited to a single renewable 3-year term subordinate courts: aimag (provincial) and capital city appellate courts; soum, inter-soum, and district courts; Administrative Cases Courts **Political parties:** Democratic Party or DP Mongolian People's Party or MPP National Coalition (consists of Mongolian Green Party or MGP and the Mongolian National Democratic Party or MNDP) National Labor Party or HUN Civil Will-Green Party or CWGP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador BATBAYAR Ulziidelger (since 1 December 2021) chancery: 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7117 FAX: [1] (202) 298-9227 email address and website: washington@mfa.gov.mn http://mongolianembassy.us/ consulate(s) general: New York, San Francisco **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Richard L. BUANGAN (since November 2022) embassy: Denver Street #3, 11th Micro-District, Ulaanbaatar 14190 mailing address: 4410 Ulaanbaatar Place, Washington DC 20521-4410 telephone: [976] 7007-6001 FAX: [976] 7007-6174 email address and website: UlaanbaatarACS@state.gov https://mn.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, ARF, CD, CICA, CP, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 29 December 1911 (independence declared from China; in actuality, autonomy attained); 11 July 1921 (from China) **National holiday:** Naadam (games) holiday, 11-15 July; Constitution Day, 26 November (1924) note: the first holiday commemorates independence from China in the 1921 Revolution, and the second marks the date that the Mongolian People's Republic was created under a new constitution **Flag:** description: three equal vertical bands of red (left side), blue, and red; centered on the left-side red band is the national emblem in yellow, the soyombo, which is an abstract representation of fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol meaning: blue stands for the sky, and red for progress and prosperity **National symbol(s):** Soyombo character (from the Soyombo writing system) **National color(s):** red, blue, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia) lyrics/music: Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ history: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 6 (4 cultural, 2 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Uvs Nuur Basin (n); Orkhon Valley Cultural Landscape (c); Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai (c); Great Burkhan Khaldun Mountain and surrounding sacred landscape (c); Landscapes of Dauria (n); Deer Stone Monuments and Related Bronze Age Sites (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower middle-income East Asian economy; large human capital improvements over last 3 decades; agricultural and natural resource rich; export and consumption-led growth; high inflation due to supply bottlenecks and increased food and energy prices; currency depreciation **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $59.221 billion (2024 est.) $56.474 billion (2023 est.) $52.572 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 4.9% (2024 est.) 7.4% (2023 est.) 5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $16,800 (2024 est.) $16,200 (2023 est.) $15,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $23.586 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 6.8% (2024 est.) 10.3% (2023 est.) 15.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 7.4% (2024 est.) industry: 38.1% (2024 est.) services: 44.2% (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: 49.8% (2024 est.) government consumption: 16.3% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 26.8% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 7.8% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 69.1% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -69.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** milk, wheat, lamb/mutton, potatoes, beef, carrots/turnips, goat milk, goat meat, bison milk, horse meat (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing **Industrial production growth rate:** 6.5% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 1.449 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 5.5% (2024 est.) 5.6% (2023 est.) 6.3% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 13.8% (2024 est.) male: 15.9% (2024 est.) female: 10.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 27.1% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 31.4 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3.4% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 24.6% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 2.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.1% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $4.721 billion (2021 est.) expenditures: $5.623 billion (2021 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 67.6% of GDP (2021 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 16.9% (of GDP) (2021 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $121.266 million (2023 est.) -$2.303 billion (2022 est.) -$2.108 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $15.501 billion (2023 est.) $10.989 billion (2022 est.) $8.95 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 92%, Switzerland 6%, Italy 1%, Thailand 0%, Japan 0% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** coal, copper ore, gold, iron ore, crude petroleum (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $13.545 billion (2023 est.) $12.112 billion (2022 est.) $9.256 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 57%, Japan 13%, Germany 3%, Singapore 3%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** cars, trucks, trailers, tractors, construction vehicles (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $5.508 billion (2024 est.) $4.916 billion (2023 est.) $3.398 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $8.379 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 3,389.982 (2024 est.) 3,465.737 (2023 est.) 3,140.678 (2022 est.) 2,849.289 (2021 est.) 2,813.29 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 1.51 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 8.997 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 24 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 2.224 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 1.113 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 90.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 6.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 64.824 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 8.941 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 55.884 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 900 metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 2.52 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 15,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 39,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 67.132 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 519,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 4.89 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 141 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-run radio and TV provider is now a public-service provider; also available are 68 radio and 160 TV stations, including multi-channel satellite and cable TV providers; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2019) **Internet country code:** .mn **Internet users:** percent of population: 83% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 499,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 15 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** JU **Airports:** 37 (2025) **Railways:** total: 1,815 km (2017) broad gauge: 1,815 km (2017) 1.520-m gauge note: national operator Ulaanbaatar Railway is jointly owned by the Mongolian Government and by the Russian State Railway **Merchant marine:** total: 318 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 8, container ship 8, general cargo 151, oil tanker 58, other 93 ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF): Land Force, Air Force, Cyber Security Forces, Special Forces, Construction-Engineering Forces (2025) note: the National Police Agency and the General Authority for Border Protection, which operate under the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, are primarily responsible for internal security; they are assisted by the General Intelligence Agency under the prime minister **Military expenditures:** 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.8% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** information varies; estimated 10-20,000 active Mongolian Armed Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the MAF's inventory is comprised largely of Soviet-era and secondhand Russian equipment (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-25 years of age for voluntary service for men and women; initial service 24 months; compulsory service for men at 18; service obligation is 12 months in the military or police, which can be extended to 15 months under special circumstances; compulsory service can be exchanged for a 24‐month stint in the civil service or a cash payment determined by the Mongolian Government; after conscription, soldiers can contract into military service for up to 4 years (2025) **Military deployments:** 850 South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025) note: since 2002, Mongolia has deployed more than 20,000 peacekeepers and observers to UN operations in more than a dozen countries **Military - note:** the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) are responsible for ensuring the country's independence, security, and territorial integrity, as well as supporting Mongolia's developmental goals and diplomacy; it has a range of missions, including counterterrorism, international peacekeeping duties, and assisting the internal security forces in providing emergency aid and disaster relief; Mongolia hosts an annual international peacekeeping exercise known as “Khaan Quest”; it has no formal military alliances, but has defense ties and conducts training exercises with several regional countries and others, such as China, India, Russia, and the US Mongolia actively cooperates with NATO on issues such as counterterrorism, nonproliferation, and cybersecurity through an Individual Partnership and Cooperation Program; it supported the NATO-led Kosovo Force from 2005-2007 and contributed troops to the NATO-led missions in Afghanistan from 2009-2021; Mongolia also is an observer in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 26 (2024 est.) IDPs: 22 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 17 (2024 est.) --- ## Papua New Guinea **Slug:** papua-new-guinea **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇵🇬 **Codes:** cek: pp, iso2: PG, iso3: PNG, iso_num: 598, genc: PNG, stanag: PNG, internet: .pg ### Introduction **Background:** Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea; the western half is part of Indonesia. PNG was first settled between 50,000 and 60,000 years ago. Its harsh geography of mountains, jungles, and numerous river valleys kept many of the arriving groups isolated, giving rise to PNG’s ethnic and linguistic diversity. Around 500 B.C., Austronesian voyagers settled along the coast. Spanish and Portuguese explorers periodically visited the island starting in the 1500s, but none made it into the country’s interior. American and British whaling ships frequented the islands off the coast of New Guinea in the mid-1800s. In 1884, Germany declared a protectorate -- and eventually a colony -- over the northern part of what would become PNG and named it German New Guinea; days later the UK followed suit on the southern part and nearby islands and called it Papua. Most of their focus was on the coastal regions, leaving the highlands largely unexplored. The UK put its colony under Australian administration in 1902 and formalized the act in 1906. At the outbreak of World War I, Australia occupied German New Guinea and continued to rule it after the war as a League of Nations Mandate. The discovery of gold along the Bulolo River in the 1920s led prospectors to venture into the highlands, where they found about 1 million people living in isolated communities. The New Guinea campaign of World War II lasted from January 1942 to the Japanese surrender in August 1945. After the war, Australia combined the two territories and administered PNG as a UN trusteeship. In 1975, PNG gained independence and became a member of the Commonwealth. Between 1988-1997, a secessionist movement on the island province of Bougainville, located off the eastern PNG coast, fought the PNG Government, resulting in 15,000-20,000 deaths. In 1997, the PNG Government and Bougainville leaders reached a cease-fire and subsequently signed a peace agreement in 2001. The Autonomous Bougainville Government was formally established in 2005. Bougainvilleans voted in favor of independence in a 2019 non-binding referendum. The Bougainville and PNG governments are in the process of negotiating a roadmap for independence, which requires approval by the PNG parliament. ### Geography **Location:** Oceania, group of islands including the eastern half of the island of New Guinea between the Coral Sea and the South Pacific Ocean, east of Indonesia **Geographic coordinates:** 6 00 S, 147 00 E **Map references:** Oceania **Area:** total : 462,840 sq km land: 452,860 sq km water: 9,980 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly larger than California **Land boundaries:** total: 824 km border countries (1): Indonesia 824 km **Coastline:** 5,152 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm note: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines **Climate:** tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation **Terrain:** mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 667 m **Natural resources:** gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil, fisheries **Land use:** agricultural land: 3.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2023 est.) forest: 75.2% (2023 est.) other: 21.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Major rivers (by length in km):** Sepik river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,126 km; Fly river source and mouth (shared with Indonesia) - 1,050 km **Population distribution:** population concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one fifth of the population residing in urban areas **Natural hazards:** active volcanism; frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis volcanism: severe volcanic activity; Ulawun (2,334 m), one of Papua New Guinea's potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul (688 m) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and 1994; Lamington erupted in 1951, killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004 eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau, Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa; see note 2 under "Geography - note" **Geography - note:** note 1: shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; highlands that trend from east to west break up New Guinea into diverse ecoregions; one of world's largest swamps lies along the southwest coast note 2: Papua New Guinea is one of the countries 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 ### People and Society **Population:** total: 10,273,996 (2025 est.) male: 5,206,211 female: 5,067,785 **Nationality:** noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean **Ethnic groups:** Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian **Languages:** Tok Pisin (official), English (official), Hiri Motu (official), some 839 living indigenous languages are spoken (about 12% of the world's total) note: Tok Pisin, a creole language, is widely used and understood; English is spoken by 1%-2%; Hiri Motu is spoken by less than 2% **Religions:** Protestant 64.3% (Evangelical Lutheran 18.4%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.9%, Pentecostal 10.4%, United Church 10.3%, Evangelical Alliance 5.9%, Anglican 3.2%, Baptist 2.8%, Salvation Army 0.4%), Roman Catholic 26%, other Christian 5.3%, non-Christian 1.4%, unspecified 3.1% (2011 est.) note: data represent only the citizen population; roughly 0.3% of the population are non-citizens, consisting of Christian 52% (predominantly Roman Catholic), other 10.7% , none 37.3% **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 37.1% (male 1,902,272/female 1,825,471) 15-64 years: 58.9% (male 2,991,479/female 2,923,410) 65 years and over: 4% (2024 est.) (male 198,511/female 205,090) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 69.4 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 62.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 14.2 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 21.9 years (2025 est.) male: 21.6 years female: 21.9 years **Population growth rate:** 2.22% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 27.57 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.36 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population concentrated in the highlands and eastern coastal areas on the island of New Guinea; predominantly a rural distribution with only about one fifth of the population residing in urban areas **Urbanization:** urban population: 13.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 410,000 PORT MORESBY (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 21.9 years (2016/18) note: data represents median age a first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 189 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 31.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 35.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 70.1 years (2024 est.) male: 68.3 years female: 71.9 years **Total fertility rate:** 3.72 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.82 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 86.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 44.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 50.2% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 13.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 55.5% of population (2022 est.) total: 49.8% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 2.3% of GDP (2021) 7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2023) **Hospital bed density:** 0.2 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 57.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 18.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 23.6% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 42.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 81.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 76.4% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 21.3% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 38.9% (2025 est.) male: 53.4% (2025 est.) female: 23.8% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 66.9% (2018 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 8% (2018) women married by age 18: 27.3% (2018) men married by age 18: 3.7% (2018) **Education expenditure:** 0.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.5% national budget (2023 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 70.1% (2017 est.) male: 78.4% (2017 est.) female: 61.6% (2017 est.) **People - note:** the indigenous population of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is one of the most heterogeneous in the world; PNG has several thousand separate communities, most with only a few hundred people; divided by language, customs, and tradition, some of these communities have engaged in low-scale tribal conflict with their neighbors for millennia; the advent of modern weapons and modern migrants into urban areas has greatly magnified the impact of this lawlessness ### Environment **Environmental issues:** rainforest loss as a result of commercial demand for tropical timber; soil erosion, water-quality degradation, and loss of habitat from logging; effects of large-scale mining projects (discharge of heavy metals, cyanide, and acids into rivers); severe drought; land degradation from poor farming practices; poor fishing practices; coastal pollution due to runoff and oil spills **International environmental agreements:** party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban **Climate:** tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation **Land use:** agricultural land: 3.1% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0.4% (2023 est.) forest: 75.2% (2023 est.) other: 21.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 13.7% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.91% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 5.798 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 1,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 4.467 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 1.33 million 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: 1 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.3% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 223.5 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 167.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1 million cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 801 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea local short form: Papuaniugini former: German New Guinea, British New Guinea, Territory of Papua and New Guinea abbreviation: PNG etymology: the name derives from the Malay word pua-pua, describing the tightly curled hair of the Papuan people; Spanish explorer Ynigo ORTIZ de RETEZ applied the term "Nueva Guinea" to the island in 1545 because he thought the locals resembled the peoples of the Guinea coast of Africa **Government type:** parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm **Capital:** name: Port Moresby geographic coordinates: 9 27 S, 147 11 E time difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) time zone note: Papua New Guinea has two time zones, including Bougainville (UTC+11) etymology: named in 1873 by Captain John MORESBY in honor of his father, British Admiral Sir Fairfax MORESBY (1786-1877) **Administrative divisions:** 20 provinces, 1 autonomous region*, and 1 district**; Bougainville*, Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Hela, Jiwaka, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital**, New Ireland, Northern, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain, West Sepik **Legal system:** mixed system of English common law and customary law **Constitution:** history: adopted 15 August 1975, effective at independence 16 September 1975 amendment process: proposed by the National Parliament; passage has prescribed majority vote requirements depending on the constitutional sections being amended – absolute majority, two-thirds majority, or three-fourths majority **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 Papua New Guinea dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 8 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General Grand Chief Sir Bob DADAE (since 28 February 2017) head of government: Prime Minister James MARAPE (since 30 May 2019) cabinet: National Executive Council appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of the prime minister election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; governor general nominated by the National Parliament and appointed by the chief of state; following legislative elections, the governor general usually appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister, pending a National Parliament vote election results: James MARAPE reelected prime minister; National Parliament vote - 105 out of 118 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 118 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 7/4/2022 to 7/22/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Papua & Niugini Union Pati (PANGU) (39); People's National Congress Party (PNC) (15); United Resource Party (URP) (11); Others (40); Independents (10) percentage of women in chamber: 2.7% expected date of next election: July 2027 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, 35 justices, and 5 acting justices); National Courts (consists of 13 courts located in the provincial capitals, with a total of 19 resident judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice appointed by the governor general on advice of the National Executive Council (cabinet) after consultation with the National Justice Administration minister; deputy chief justice and other justices appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission, a 5-member body that includes the Supreme Court chief and deputy chief justices, the chief ombudsman, and a member of the National Parliament; full-time citizen judges appointed for 10-year renewable terms; non-citizen judges initially appointed for 3-year renewable terms and after first renewal can serve until age 70; appointment and tenure of National Court resident judges NA subordinate courts: district, village, and juvenile courts, military courts, taxation courts, coronial courts, mining warden courts, land courts, traffic courts, committal courts, grade five courts **Political parties:** Destiny Party Liberal Party Melanesian Alliance Party or MAP Melanesian Liberal Party or MLP National Alliance Party or NAP Our Development Party or ODP Papua and Niugini Union Party or PANGU PATI Papua New Guinea Greens Party Papua New Guinea National Party Papua New Guinea Party or PNGP People's First Party or PFP People's Movement for Change or PMC People's National Congress Party or PNC People’s National Party People's Party or PP People's Progress Party or PPP People's Reform Party or PRP Social Democratic Party or SDP Triumph Heritage Empowerment Party or THE United Labor Party or ULP United Resources Party or URP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Arnold Karibone AMET (since 5 September 2025) chancery: 1825 K Street NW, Suite 1010, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: [1] (202) 745-3680 FAX: [1] (202) 745-3679 email address and website: info@pngembassy.org http://www.pngembassy.org/ **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 22 February 2024); note - also accredited to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu embassy: Harbour City Road, Konedobu, Port Moresby, NCD, Papua New Guinea mailing address: 4240 Port Moresby Pl, Washington DC 20521-4240 telephone: [675] 308-9100 email address and website: ConsularPortMoresby@state.gov https://pg.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, APEC, ARF, ASEAN (observer), C, CD, CP, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 16 September 1975 (from the Australia-administered UN trusteeship) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 16 September (1975) **Flag:** description: divided diagonally from upper-left corner; the upper triangle is red and has a soaring yellow bird of paradise in the center; the lower triangle is black with five five-pointed white stars of the Southern Cross constellation meaning: red, black, and yellow are the country's traditional colors; the bird of paradise is an emblem of regional tribal culture and represents the emergence of Papua New Guinea as a nation; the Southern Cross symbolizes the country's connection with Australia and several other countries in the South Pacific **National symbol(s):** bird of paradise **National color(s):** red, black **National coat of arms:** Papua New Guinea's coat of arms was adopted on July 1, 1971, and features the country's national symbol, the Raggiana bird-of-paradise; the bird stands for the nation's freedom and rich natural environment; the traditional spear under the bird represents the country's ethnic groups and the protection of its heritage, and the Kundu drum, which is used in ceremonies, represents local artistic traditions and communication **National anthem(s):** title: "O Arise, All You Sons" lyrics/music: Thomas SHACKLADY history: adopted 1975 **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Kuk Early Agricultural Site ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower-middle-income Pacific island economy; primarily informal agrarian sector; natural-resource-rich and key exporter of liquified natural gas; collapse in betel nut prices, tighter monetary policy, and improved foreign-exchange availability contributing to declining inflation; challenges include lack of progress in infrastructure, agricultural reform, and corruption **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $45.487 billion (2024 est.) $43.697 billion (2023 est.) $42.093 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 4.1% (2024 est.) 3.8% (2023 est.) 5.7% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $4,300 (2024 est.) $4,200 (2023 est.) $4,100 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $32.538 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 0.6% (2024 est.) 2.3% (2023 est.) 5.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 17.2% (2024 est.) industry: 37.2% (2024 est.) services: 41.5% (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: 43.7% (2017 est.) government consumption: 19.7% (2017 est.) investment in fixed capital: 10% (2017 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2017 est.) exports of goods and services: 49.3% (2017 est.) imports of goods and services: -22.3% (2017 est.) **Agricultural products:** oil palm fruit, coconuts, bananas, fruits, sweet potatoes, game meat, yams, root vegetables, vegetables, sugarcane (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** oil and gas; mining (gold, copper, and nickel); palm oil processing; plywood and wood chip production; copra crushing; construction; tourism; fishing; livestock (pork, poultry, cattle) and dairy farming; spice products (turmeric, vanilla, ginger, cardamom, chili, pepper, citronella, and nutmeg) **Industrial production growth rate:** 3.6% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 3.66 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 2.8% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 2.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 3.8% (2024 est.) male: 4.6% (2024 est.) female: 3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $5.518 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $6.856 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 **Public debt:** 52.4% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 15.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $4.183 billion (2023 est.) $4.567 billion (2022 est.) $3.284 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $12.93 billion (2023 est.) $14.862 billion (2022 est.) $11.032 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 28%, Japan 25%, Australia 17%, Taiwan 8%, India 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** natural gas, gold, copper ore, palm oil, nickel (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $7.192 billion (2023 est.) $8.568 billion (2022 est.) $6.43 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Australia 27%, China 24%, Singapore 15%, Malaysia 9%, Japan 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, trucks, rice, plastic products, excavation machinery (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $3.901 billion (2023 est.) $3.983 billion (2022 est.) $3.24 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $7.011 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** kina (PGK) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 3.59 (2023 est.) 3.519 (2022 est.) 3.509 (2021 est.) 3.46 (2020 est.) 3.388 (2019 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 19% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 65.1% electrification - rural areas: 14.2% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 1.148 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 4.399 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 328.234 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 76.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 21.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** imports: 2,000 metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 32,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 30,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 159.656 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 11.57 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 677.736 million cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 10.892 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 183.125 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 8.781 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 173,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2022 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 4.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 39 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** 5 TV stations: 1 commercial (TV Wan), 2 state-run (National Broadcasting Corporation and EMTV); 1 digital free-to-view network, and 1 satellite network (Click TV or PNGTV); the state-run NBC operates 3 radio networks with multiple repeaters and about 20 provincial stations; several commercial radio stations with multiple transmission points as well as several community stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are accessible (2023) **Internet country code:** .pg **Internet users:** percent of population: 24% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 22,000 (2022 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1 ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** P2 **Airports:** 569 (2025) **Heliports:** 3 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 205 (2023) by type: container ship 6, general cargo 89, oil tanker 4, other 106 **Ports:** total ports: 22 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 6 very small: 16 ports with oil terminals: 8 key ports: Kavieng Harbor, Kieta, Port Moresby, Rabaul, Vanimo, Wewak Harbor ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF): Land, Air, Maritime elements Ministry of Internal Security: Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary (RPNGC) (2025) **Military expenditures:** 0.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** estimated 4,000 active PNGDF (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the PNGDF is lightly armed; the Land Force has no heavy weapons while the Air and the Maritime forces have a handful of light aircraft and small patrol boats provided by Australia and New Zealand (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-27 (30 for officers) for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025) **Military - note:** the Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) is tasked with defense of the country and its territories against external attack, as well as internal security and socio-economic development duties; following some inter-tribal violence in Wapenamanda in 2024, the PNGDF was given arrest powers since 2023, Papua New Guinea has signed bilateral defense cooperation agreements with Australia, Indonesia, the UK, and the US; the 2023 defense cooperation agreement with the US allowed the US military to develop and operate out of bases in PNG with the PNG Government’s approval; PNG has also military relations with France and New Zealand and has discussed a security cooperation agreement with China the PNGDF was established in 1973, and its primary combat unit, the Royal Pacific Islands Regiment (RPIR), is descended from Australian Army infantry battalions comprised of native soldiers and led by Australian officers and non-commissioned officers formed during World War II to help fight the Japanese; the RPIR was disbanded after the war, but reestablished in 1951 as part of the Australian Army where it continued to serve until PNG gained its independence in 1975, when it became part of the PNGDF (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 10,983 (2024 est.) IDPs: 107,985 (2024 est.) **Trafficking in persons:** tier rating: Tier 3 — Papua New Guinea does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so; therefore, Papua New Guinea remained on Tier 3; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/papua-new-guinea/ --- ## Paracel Islands **Slug:** paracel-islands **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Codes:** cek: pf, genc: XPR, stanag: -, internet: - ### Introduction **Background:** The Paracel Islands are surrounded by productive fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. In 1932, French Indochina annexed the islands and set up a weather station on Pattle Island. China has occupied all the Paracel Islands since 1974, when its troops seized a South Vietnamese garrison occupying the western islands. China has built a military installation on Woody Island with an airfield and artificial harbor, and it has scattered garrisons on some of the other islands. Taiwan and Vietnam also claim the Paracel Islands. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines **Geographic coordinates:** 16 30 N, 112 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 8 sq km ca. land: 7.75 sq km ca. water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** land area is about 13 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 518 km **Climate:** tropical **Terrain:** mostly low and flat **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m **Natural resources:** none **Land use:** other: 100% (2018 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** a population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands **Natural hazards:** typhoons **Geography - note:** composed of 130 small coral islands and reefs divided into the northeast Amphitrite Group and the western Crescent Group ### People and Society **Population:** total: 2,230 (2024 est.) **Population growth rate:** 0.75% (2021 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.66 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Population distribution:** a population of over 1,000 Chinese resides on Woody Island, the largest of the Paracels; there are scattered Chinese garrisons on some other islands ### Environment **Environmental issues:** harm to reef systems from China's use of dredged sand and coral to build artificial islands; damage to ecosystem from human activities, including military operations, infrastructure construction, and tourism **Climate:** tropical **Land use:** other: 100% (2018 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Paracel Islands ### Transportation **Airports:** 2 (2025) **Heliports:** 7 (2025) ### Military and Security **Military - note:** occupied by China, which is assessed to maintain 20 outposts or bases in the Paracels (Antelope, Bombay, and North reefs; Drummond, Duncan, Lincoln, Middle, Money, North, Pattle, Quanfu, Robert, South, Tree, Triton, Woody, and Yagong islands; South Sand and West Sand; Observation Bank); Woody Island is the main military base and includes an airstrip with aircraft hangers, naval facilities, surveillance radars, and defenses such as surface-to-air missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles (2025) --- ## Philippines **Slug:** philippines **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇵🇭 **Codes:** cek: rp, iso2: PH, iso3: PHL, iso_num: 608, genc: PHL, stanag: PHL, internet: .ph ### Introduction **Background:** The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. Led by Emilio AGUINALDO, the Filipinos conducted an insurgency against US rule from 1899-1902, although some fighting continued in outlying islands as late as 1913. In 1935, the Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth. Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked with preparing the country for independence after a 10-year transition. The islands fell under Japanese occupation during World War II, and US forces and Filipinos fought together during 1944-45 to regain control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines attained its independence. Twenty-one years of authoritarian rule under Ferdinand MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power" movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Several coup attempts hampered her presidency, and progress on political stability and economic development faltered until Fidel RAMOS was elected president in 1992. The US closed its last military bases on the islands the same year. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president in 1998. His vice-president, Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, succeded him in 2001 after ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption charges broke down and another "people power" movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation. MACAPAGAL-ARROYO was elected president in 2004. Corruption allegations marred her presidency, but the Philippine economy was one of the few to avoid contraction after the 2008 global financial crisis. Benigno AQUINO III was elected as president in 2010, followed by Rodrigo DUTERTE in 2016. During his term, DUTERTE pursued a controversial drug war that garnered international criticism for alleged human rights abuses. Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. was elected president in 2022 with the largest popular vote in a presidential election since his father's ouster. For decades, the country has been challenged by armed ethnic separatists, communist rebels, and Islamic terrorist groups, particularly in the southern islands and remote areas of Luzon. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam **Geographic coordinates:** 13 00 N, 122 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 300,000 sq km land: 298,170 sq km water: 1,830 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 36,289 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late 1970s has also claimed polygonal-shaped area in South China Sea as wide as 285 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: to the depth of exploitation **Climate:** tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) **Terrain:** mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal lowlands **Elevation:** highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m mean elevation: 442 m **Natural resources:** timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt, copper **Land use:** agricultural land: 42.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 18.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 18.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 5% (2023 est.) forest: 24.7% (2023 est.) other: 32.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 16,270 sq km (2012) **Major lakes (area sq km):** salt water lake(s): Laguna de Bay - 890 sq km **Population distribution:** population concentrated in areas with good farmland; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one eighth of the national population **Natural hazards:** astride typhoon belt, usually affected by several cyclonic storms each year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m) has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 and forced over 33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang; see note 2 under "Geography - note" **Geography - note:** note 1: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national mapping authority reported that hundreds of new islands had been discovered and increased the number of islands to 7,641, though not all of the new islands have been verified note 2: the Philippines is one of the countries 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: the Philippines sits on the Pacific typhoon belt, and an average of 9 typhoons make landfall on the islands each year, with about 5 being destructive; the country is the most exposed in the world to tropical storms ### People and Society **Population:** total: 112,904,458 (2025 est.) male: 56,846,416 female: 56,058,042 **Nationality:** noun: Filipino(s) adjective: Philippine **Ethnic groups:** Tagalog 26%, Bisaya/Binisaya 14.3%, Ilocano 8%, Cebuano 8%, Illonggo 7.9%, Bikol/Bicol 6.5%, Waray 3.8%, Kapampangan 3%, Maguindanao 1.9%, Pangasinan 1.9%, other local ethnicities 18.5%, foreign ethnicities 0.2% (2020 est.) **Languages:** Tagalog 39.9%, Bisaya/Binisaya 16%, Hiligaynon/Ilonggo 7.3%, Ilocano 7.1%, Cebuano 6.5%, Bikol/Bicol 3.9%, Waray 2.6%, Kapampangan 2.4%, Maguindanao 1.4%, Pangasinan/Panggalato 1.3%, other languages/dialects 11.2%, unspecified 0.4% (2020 est.) major-language sample(s): Ang World Factbook, ang mapagkukunan ng kailangang impormasyon. (Tagalog) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent percentage of households; unspecified Filipino (based on Tagalog) and English are official languagesTaga; eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray, Pampango, and Pangasinan **Religions:** Roman Catholic 78.8%, Muslim 6.4%, Iglesia ni Cristo 2.6%, other Christian 3.9%, other 8.2%, none/unspecified <0.1 (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 30.2% (male 18,234,279/female 17,462,803) 15-64 years: 64.3% (male 38,381,583/female 37,613,294) 65 years and over: 5.6% (2024 est.) (male 2,611,230/female 3,973,874) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 48 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 39.4 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 8.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 11.6 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 27.1 years (2025 est.) male: 25.1 years female: 26.3 years **Population growth rate:** 0.74% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 16.02 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -2.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** population concentrated in areas with good farmland; highest concentrations are northwest and south-central Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and Negros; Manila is home to one eighth of the national population **Urbanization:** urban population: 48.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 14.667 million MANILA (capital), 1.949 million Davao, 1.025 million Cebu City, 931,000 Zamboanga, 960,000 Antipolo, 803,000 Cagayan de Oro City, 803,000 Dasmarinas (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 23.6 years (2022 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 84 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 24.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 70.8 years (2024 est.) male: 67.3 years female: 74.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.94 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.94 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 97.8% of population (2022 est.) rural: 92.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.9% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 2.2% of population (2022 est.) rural: 7.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.1% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 5.1% of GDP (2022) 9% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.79 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Hospital bed density:** 1 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 96.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 92.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.5% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 3.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 7.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.5% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 6.4% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 4.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.47 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 3.34 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 19.2% (2025 est.) male: 34.4% (2025 est.) female: 3.7% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 16.7% (2021 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 55.6% (2022 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 1.5% (2022) women married by age 18: 9.4% (2022) **Education expenditure:** 3.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 15.2% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 98.5% (2020 est.) male: 98.4% (2020 est.) female: 97% (2022 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 12 years (2021 est.) male: 12 years (2021 est.) female: 13 years (2021 est.) **People - note:** one of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being Timor-Leste ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation, especially in watershed areas; illegal mining and logging; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps; coastal erosion; dynamite fishing; wildlife extinction **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, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October) **Land use:** agricultural land: 42.7% (2023 est.) arable land: 18.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 18.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 5% (2023 est.) forest: 24.7% (2023 est.) other: 32.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 48.3% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.04% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 156.228 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 88.581 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 61.597 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 6.05 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 25.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 230.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 1,662.2 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 452.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 39.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 14.632 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 49.9% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 9.498 billion cubic meters (2022) industrial: 13.602 billion cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 67.937 billion cubic meters (2022) **Total renewable water resources:** 479 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 1 global geoparks and regional networks: Bohol Island (2023) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines conventional short form: Philippines local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas local short form: Pilipinas etymology: named in honor of King PHILLIP II of Spain by Spanish explorer Ruy LOPEZ de VILLALOBOS, who visited the islands in 1543 **Government type:** presidential republic **Capital:** name: Manila geographic coordinates: 14 36 N, 120 58 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: derives from the Tagalog word may, meaning "there is," and nila, the local name for a shrub in the indigo family **Administrative divisions:** 81 provinces and 38 chartered cities provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao de Oro, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque, Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar, Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay chartered cities: Angeles, Bacolod, Baguio, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato, Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa, Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga **Legal system:** mixed system of civil, common, Islamic (sharia), and customary law **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, effective 11 February 1987 amendment process: proposed by Congress if supported by three fourths of the membership, by a constitutional convention called by Congress, or by public petition; passage by either of the three proposal methods requires a majority vote in a national referendum **International law organization participation:** accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; withdrew from the ICCt in March 2019 **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of the Philippines dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Ferdinand "BongBong" MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022) head of government: President Ferdinand "BongBong" MARCOS, Jr. (since 30 June 2022) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the consent of the Commission of Appointments, an independent body of 25 Congressional members that includes the Senate president (ex officio chairman) and is appointed by the president election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on separate ballots by simple-majority popular vote for a single 6-year term most recent election date: 9 May 2022 election results: 2022: Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. elected president; percent of vote - Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. (PFP) 58.7%, Leni ROBREDO (independent) 27.9%, Manny PACQUIAO (PROMDI) 6.8%, other 6.6%; Sara DUTERTE-Carpio elected vice president; percent of vote Sara DUTERTE-Carpio (Lakas-CMD) 61.5%, Francis PANGILINAN (LP) 17.8%, Tito SOTTO 15.8%, other 4.9% 2016: Rodrigo DUTERTE elected president; percent of vote - Rodrigo DUTERTE (PDP-Laban) 39%, Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 23.5%, Grace POE (independent) 21.4%, Jejomar BINAY (UNA) 12.7%, Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO (PRP) 3.4%; Leni ROBREDO elected vice president; percent of vote Leni ROBREDO (LP) 35.1%, Ferdinand MARCOS, Jr. (independent) 34.5%, Alan CAYETANO 14.4%, Francis ESCUDERO (independent) 12%, other 4% expected date of next election: 9 May 2028 note: the president is both chief of state and head of government **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Congress (Kongreso) legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: House of Representatives (Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan) number of seats: 317 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 3 years most recent election date: 5/12/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Lakas-CMD party (103), National Unity Party (NUP) (32), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) 31, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) (27), Nacionalista Party (NP) (22), Liberal Party (LP) (6), others (28), independents (11) percentage of women in chamber: 28.3% expected date of next election: May 2028 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: Senate (Senado) number of seats: 24 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: partial renewal term in office: 6 years most recent election date: 5/12/2025 parties elected and seats per party: Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) (2); Nacionalista Party (NP) (3); Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) (2); Lakas- CMD party (1); Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) (1); Liberal Party (1); Independents (2) percentage of women in chamber: 20.8% expected date of next election: May 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 14 associate justices) judge selection and term of office: justices are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally created, 6-member body that recommends Supreme Court nominees; justices serve until age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan (special court for corruption cases of government officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, and municipal trial courts; sharia courts **Political parties:** Democratic Action (Aksyon Demokratiko) Alliance for Change (Hugpong ng Pagbabago or HNP) Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KANP) Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-CMD Liberal Party or LP Nacionalista Party or NP Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC National Unity Party or NUP Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan or PDP-Laban Partido Federal ng Pilipinas or PFP **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Jose Manuel del Gallego ROMUALDEZ (since 29 November 2017) chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 467-9300 FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614 email address and website: info@phembassy-us.org The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Washington D.C. (philippineembassy-dc.org) consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam) **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador MaryKay Loss CARLSON (since 22 July 2022) embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 mailing address: 8600 Manila Place, Washington DC 20521-8600 telephone: [63] (2) 5301-2000 FAX: [63] (2) 5301-2017 email address and website: acsinfomanila@state.gov https://ph.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer), CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 4 July 1946 (from the US) **National holiday:** Independence Day, 12 June (1898) note: 12 June 1898 was the date of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was the date of independence from the US **Flag:** description: two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a white equilateral triangle is based on the left side; the center of the triangle has a yellow sun with eight rays, each split into smaller rays; the triangle's corners each have a small five-pointed yellow star meaning: blue stands for peace and justice, red for courage, and the triangle for equality; the rays represent the first eight provinces that sought independence from Spain, and the stars represent the country's three parts: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao history: the design dates to 1897 note: in wartime, the flag is flown upside-down with the red band at the top **National symbol(s):** three stars and sun, Philippine eagle **National color(s):** red, white, blue, yellow **National coat of arms:** the coat of arms was adopted on 3 July 1946; the three gold stars represent the major island groups of Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao; the rays of the sun represent the provinces of the Philippines; the American eagle and lion of Spain represent the nation's colonial past **National anthem(s):** title: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land) lyrics/music: collectively/Julian FELIPE history: music adopted 1898 and lyrics adopted 1956; only sung in Tagalog **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 6 (3 cultural, 3 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Baroque Churches of the Philippines (c); Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (n); Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras (c); Historic Vigan (c); Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park (n); Mount Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary (n) ### Economy **Economic overview:** growing Southeast Asian economy; commercial rebound led by transportation, construction and financial services; electronics exports recovering from sector slowdown; significant remittances; interest rate rises following heightened inflation; uncertainties due to increased regional tensions with China **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.202 trillion (2024 est.) $1.137 trillion (2023 est.) $1.078 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 5.7% (2024 est.) 5.5% (2023 est.) 7.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $10,400 (2024 est.) $9,900 (2023 est.) $9,500 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $461.618 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 3.2% (2024 est.) 6% (2023 est.) 5.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 9.1% (2024 est.) industry: 27.7% (2024 est.) services: 63.2% (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: 76.1% (2024 est.) government consumption: 14.5% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.6% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 25.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -40.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** sugarcane, rice, coconuts, maize, bananas, vegetables, tropical fruits, plantains, pineapples, cassava (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** semiconductors and electronics assembly, business process outsourcing, food and beverage manufacturing, construction, electric/gas/water supply, chemical products, radio/television/communications equipment and apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments, non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport equipment **Industrial production growth rate:** 5.6% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 50.979 million (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.) 2.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 6.6% (2024 est.) male: 5.6% (2024 est.) female: 8.3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 15.5% (2023 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 39.3 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 37.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.9% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 31.6% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 8.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 8.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 9.4% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $65.069 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $93.871 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenditures (excluding grants and social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 39.9% of GDP (2017 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 14.1% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$17.514 billion (2024 est.) -$12.387 billion (2023 est.) -$18.261 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $106.99 billion (2024 est.) $103.588 billion (2023 est.) $98.832 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 19%, USA 13%, Hong Kong 12%, Japan 11%, Germany 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** integrated circuits, machine parts, gold, insulated wire, semiconductors (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $161.154 billion (2024 est.) $151.441 billion (2023 est.) $152.638 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 25%, Indonesia 8%, Japan 8%, S. Korea 6%, USA 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, refined petroleum, cars, crude petroleum, coal (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $106.195 billion (2024 est.) $103.742 billion (2023 est.) $96.04 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $63.241 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 57.291 (2024 est.) 55.63 (2023 est.) 54.478 (2022 est.) 49.255 (2021 est.) 49.624 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 94.8% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 98% electrification - rural areas: 91.1% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 29.174 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 100.824 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 10.693 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 77.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 9.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 14.457 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 42.859 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 8.151 million metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 36.542 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 361 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 10,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 457,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 138.5 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 2.325 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 3.12 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 794.289 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 98.543 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 17.654 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 4.42 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2024 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 134 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 115 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more than 400 TV stations; about 1,500 cable TV providers with more than 2 million subscribers; over 1,400 radio stations; was scheduled to move to digital by the end of 2023 (2019) **Internet country code:** .ph **Internet users:** percent of population: 84% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 7.51 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 7 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** RP **Airports:** 256 (2025) **Heliports:** 416 (2025) **Railways:** total: 77 km (2017) standard gauge: 49 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 28 km (2017) 1.067-m gauge **Merchant marine:** total: 2,203 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 52, container ship 43, general cargo 955, oil tanker 207, other 946 **Ports:** total ports: 70 (2024) large: 2 medium: 4 small: 8 very small: 56 ports with oil terminals: 22 key ports: Batangas City, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Manila, San Fernando Harbor, Subic Bay ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force Department of Transportation: Philippine Coast Guard (PCG); Department of the Interior: Philippine National Police Force (PNP) (2025) note 1: the PCG is an armed and uniformed service that would be attached to the AFP during a conflict note 2: the Philippine Government also arms and supports civilian militias; the AFP controls the Civilian Armed Force Geographical Units, while the Civilian Volunteer Organizations fall under PNP command **Military expenditures:** 1.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.1% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 145,000 active Armed Forces (105,000 Army; 25,000 Navy, including about 8,000 Marine Corps; 15,000 Air Force) (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the AFP is equipped with a mix of imported weapons systems from more than a dozen countries, including Brazil, Israel, South Korea, and the US (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** some variations in age based on the branch of service, but generally 18-27 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; no conscription (2025) note: as of 2023, women made up about 8% of the active military; women have attended the Philippine Military Academy and trained as combat soldiers since 1993 **Military - note:** the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are responsible for territorial defense and assisting with internal security; much of the AFP's operational focus is on internal security alongside the Philippines National Police, particularly in the south, where several separatist insurgent, terrorist, and criminal groups operate and a considerable portion of the AFP is typically deployed; additional combat operations are conducted against the Communist People’s Party/New People’s Army, which is active mostly on Luzon, as well as the Visayas and areas of Mindanao; prior to a peace deal in 2014, the AFP fought a decades-long conflict against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a separatist organization based mostly on the island of Mindanao, which had up to 40,000 fighters under arms maritime security is also a priority; the AFP's naval forces conduct naval interdiction missions in support of security operations on the southern islands, including joint maritime patrols with Indonesia and Malaysia; rising tensions with China over disputed waters and land features in the South China Sea since 2012 have spurred the AFP to place more emphasis on blue-water naval capabilities, including acquiring larger warships such as guided missile frigates, corvettes, offshore patrol vessels, and landing platform dock (LPD) amphibious assault ships the Philippine military was formally organized during the American colonial period as the Philippine Army; they were established by the National Defense Act of 1935 and comprised of both Filipinos and Americans; the US and Philippines agreed to a mutual defense treaty in 1951; based on agreements signed in 2014 and 2023, the Philippine Government allows the rotational presence of US military forces, aircraft, and ships at up to nine bases in the Philippines; also in 2023, the US agreed to assist in modernizing Philippine defense capabilities, deepen interoperability, enhance bilateral planning and information-sharing, and combat transnational and nonconventional threats (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA; established 2019) (2025) **Space program overview:** has a small space program focused on acquiring satellites and related technologies, largely for climate studies, national security, and risk management; also prioritizing development of space expertise and industry; manufactures and operates satellites (mostly micro- and nano-sized), including remote sensing and scientific/experimental; has relations with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, the ESA (and some of its member states), India, Japan, Russia, and the US (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1994 - formed a consortium of companies to acquire and operate satellites 1996 - acquired first communications satellite (Agila-1) from Indonesia after it was already in orbit 2014 - initiated a scientific remote sensing (RS) microsatellite development program in collaboration with Japan, resulting in first RS microsatellite (Diwata-1) being deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2016 2018 - first domestically designed and built scientific/technology-demonstrator cube satellite (Maya-1) deployed from ISS; second RS microsatellite (Diwata-2) developed with assistance from and launched by Japan 2023 - signed agreement with the ESA and EU to expand cooperation on Earth observation/RS data sharing 2025 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration ### Terrorism **Terrorist group(s):** Terrorist group(s): Abu Sayyaf Group; Communist Party of the Philippines/New People's Army (CPP/NPA); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – East Asia (ISIS-EA) in the Philippines note 1: ISIS-EA factions include Daulah Islamiya-Lanao (aka Maute Group), Daulah Islamiya-Maguindanao, Daulah Islamiya-Socsargen, ISIS-aligned elements of the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), ISIS-aligned elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), and rogue elements of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) note 2: 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: 2,342 (2024 est.) IDPs: 1,158,643 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 30 (2024 est.) --- ## Singapore **Slug:** singapore **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇸🇬 **Codes:** cek: sn, iso2: SG, iso3: SGP, iso_num: 702, genc: SGP, stanag: SGP, internet: .sg ### Introduction **Background:** A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries and was eventually burned in the 17th century, falling into obscurity. In 1819, the British founded modern Singapore as a trading colony on the same site and granted it full internal self-government for all matters except defense and foreign affairs in 1959. Singapore joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years later and became independent. Singapore subsequently became one of the world's most prosperous countries, with strong international trading links and per capita GDP among the highest globally. The People’s Action Party has won every general election in Singapore since the end of the British colonial era, aided by its success in delivering consistent economic growth, as well as the city-state's fragmented opposition and electoral procedures that strongly favor the ruling party. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and Indonesia **Geographic coordinates:** 1 22 N, 103 48 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 719 sq km land: 709.2 sq km water: 10 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 193 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 3 nm exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial sea, as defined in treaties and practice **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms **Terrain:** lowlying, gently undulating central plateau **Elevation:** highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m **Natural resources:** fish, deepwater ports **Land use:** agricultural land: 0.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 22% (2023 est.) other: 77.1% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 0 sq km (2022) **Population distribution:** most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas **Natural hazards:** flash floods **Geography - note:** focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of about 60 islands, the largest of which by far is Pulau Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former islands and created a number of new ones ### People and Society **Population:** total: 6,080,545 (2025 est.) male: 3,040,862 female: 3,039,683 **Nationality:** noun: Singaporean(s) adjective: Singapore **Ethnic groups:** Chinese 74.2%, Malay 13.7%, Indian 8.9%, other 3.2% (2021 est.) note: data represent population by self-identification; the population is divided into four categories: Chinese, Malay (includes indigenous Malays and Indonesians), Indian (includes Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, or Sri Lankan), and other ethnic groups (includes Eurasians, Caucasians, Japanese, Filipino, Vietnamese) **Languages:** English (official) 48.3%, Mandarin (official) 29.9%, other Chinese dialects (includes Hokkien, Cantonese, Teochew, Hakka) 8.7%, Malay (official) 9.2%, Tamil (official) 2.5%, other 1.4% (2020 est.) major-language sample(s): The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. (English) 世界概況 – 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin) note: data represent language most frequently spoken at home **Religions:** Buddhist 31.1%, Christian 18.9%, Muslim 15.6%, Taoist 8.8%, Hindu 5%, other 0.6%, none 20% (2020 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 14.6% (male 455,536/female 424,969) 15-64 years: 71.1% (male 2,157,441/female 2,126,799) 65 years and over: 14.3% (2024 est.) (male 400,653/female 463,061) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 41.6 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 20.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 21.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4.7 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 39.8 years (2025 est.) male: 38 years female: 40.6 years **Population growth rate:** 0.85% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 8.77 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 4.38 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 4.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most of the urbanization is along the southern coast, with relatively dense population clusters found in the central areas **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 6.081 million SINGAPORE (capital) (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.87 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 30.5 years (2015 est.) note: data represents median age **Maternal mortality ratio:** 6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 1.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 1.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 1.4 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 86.7 years (2024 est.) male: 84 years female: 89.5 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.18 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.58 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 5.6% of GDP (2021) 18.1% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 2.83 physicians/1,000 population (2022) **Hospital bed density:** 2.6 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 6.1% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 1.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.26 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.24 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 16.2% (2025 est.) male: 27.6% (2025 est.) female: 3.8% (2025 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 43.8% (2020 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 0% (2023) women married by age 18: 0.1% (2023) **Education expenditure:** 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.) 12% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 97.7% (2021 est.) male: 98.9% (2021 est.) female: 96.4% (2021 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 17 years (2022 est.) male: 17 years (2022 est.) female: 17 years (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** water pollution; industrial pollution; limited freshwater resources; waste disposal problems from limited land availability; air pollution; deforestation; seasonal smoke/haze from forest fires in Indonesia **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 signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March) and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms **Land use:** agricultural land: 0.9% (2023 est.) arable land: 0.8% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 22% (2023 est.) other: 77.1% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 100% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 238.962 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 2.338 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 210.859 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 25.765 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 10 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 1.87 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 51.7% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 198.207 million cubic meters (2022) industrial: 162.624 million cubic meters (2022) agricultural: 0 cubic meters (2022) **Total renewable water resources:** 600 million cubic meters (2022) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Republic of Singapore conventional short form: Singapore local long form: Republic of Singapore local short form: Singapore etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words simha (lion) and pur (city); according to Malayan folklore, an Indian prince visited Singapore in the 7th century and mistook the first animal he saw for a lion, which is not native to the country **Government type:** parliamentary republic **Capital:** name: Singapore geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words simha (lion) and pur (city); according to Malayan folklore, an Indian prince visited Singapore in the 7th century and mistook the first animal he saw for a lion, which is not native to the country **Administrative divisions:** no first-order administrative divisions; five community development councils: Central Singapore Development Council, North East Development Council, North West Development Council, South East Development Council, South West Development Council (2019) **Legal system:** English common law **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965 amendment process: proposed by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote in the second and third readings by the elected Parliament membership and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting sovereignty or control of the Police Force or the Armed Forces requires at least two-thirds majority vote in a referendum **International law organization participation:** has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt **Citizenship:** citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Singapore dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years **Suffrage:** 21 years of age; universal and compulsory **Executive branch:** chief of state: President THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (since 14 September 2023) head of government: Prime Minister Lawrence WONG (since 15 May 2024) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister; responsible to Parliament election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 6-year term (no term limits); following legislative elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime ministers also appointed by the president most recent election date: 1 September 2023 election results: 2023: THARMAN Shanmugaratnam elected president; percent of vote - THARMAN Shanmugaratnam (independent) 70.4%, NG Kok Song (independent) 15.7%, TAN Kin Lian (independent) 13.9% 2017: HALIMAH Yacob declared president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible candidate expected date of next election: 2029 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 108 (97 directly elected; 9 appointed) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/3/2025 parties elected and seats per party: People's Action Party (PAP) (87); Workers' Party (WPS) (12) percentage of women in chamber: 32.3% expected date of next election: May 2030 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (number of judges varies but includes judicial commissioners, judges of appeal, and international judges); the court is organized into an upper-tier Appeal Court and a lower-tier High Court judge selection and term of office: judges appointed by the president from candidates recommended by the prime minister after consultation with the chief justice; judges usually serve until retirement at age 65, but terms can be extended subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile, family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims tribunals; employment claims tribunals **Political parties:** People's Action Party or PAP Workers' Party or WPS there are 13 additional active political parties in Singapore note: the PAP has won every general election since the end of the British colonial era in 1959 **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador LUI Tuck Yew (since 30 June 2023) chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 537-3100 FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876 email address and website: singemb_was@mfa.sg https://www.mfa.gov.sg/washington/ consulate(s) general: San Francisco consulate(s): New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Anjani K. SINHA (since 17 November 2025) embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 mailing address: 4280 Singapore Place, Washington DC 20521-4280 telephone: [65] 6476-9100 FAX: [65] 6476-9340 email address and website: singaporeusembassy@state.gov https://sg.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation) **National holiday:** National Day, 9 August (1965) **Flag:** description: two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; a vertical white crescent is on the left side of the red band, with a circle of five five-pointed white stars to the right of the crescent meaning: red stands for brotherhood and equality, and white for purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the stars represent the national ideals of democracy, peace, progress, justice, and equality **National symbol(s):** lion, merlion (mythical half-lion, half-fish creature), orchid **National color(s):** red, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward, Singapore) lyrics/music: Zubir SAID history: adopted 1959; the anthem is sung only in Malay; first four lines of the melody are used as a presidential salute **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 1 (cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Singapore Botanic Gardens ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income, service-based economy; global financial hub; business-friendly policies and open to investment and trade; inflation easing but persistent in services; public investments in education, healthcare, and infrastructure; strong human capital development challenged by aging population **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $800.304 billion (2024 est.) $766.662 billion (2023 est.) $752.948 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 4.4% (2024 est.) 1.8% (2023 est.) 4.1% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $132,600 (2024 est.) $129,600 (2023 est.) $133,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $547.387 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.4% (2024 est.) 4.8% (2023 est.) 6.1% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 0% (2024 est.) industry: 21.4% (2024 est.) services: 73% (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: 31.5% (2024 est.) government consumption: 10.6% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.9% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.3% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 178.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -143.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** chicken, eggs, vegetables, pork, duck, spinach, lettuce, pork offal, cabbages, pork fat (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling equipment, petroleum refining, biomedical products, scientific instruments, telecommunication equipment, processed food and beverages, ship repair, offshore platform construction, entrepot trade **Industrial production growth rate:** 4.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 3.722 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 3.2% (2024 est.) 3.5% (2023 est.) 3.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 7.8% (2024 est.) male: 5.6% (2024 est.) female: 10.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 45.8 (2016) **Average household expenditures:** on food: 7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Remittances:** 0% of GDP (2023 est.) 0% of GDP (2022 est.) 0% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $80.836 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $73.144 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:** 175.6% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 13.9% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $96.015 billion (2024 est.) $89.403 billion (2023 est.) $93.771 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $978.597 billion (2024 est.) $917.683 billion (2023 est.) $947.355 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** Hong Kong 13%, China 11%, USA 10%, Malaysia 9%, S. Korea 6% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** integrated circuits, refined petroleum, machinery, vaccines, gold (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $786.02 billion (2024 est.) $728.5 billion (2023 est.) $744.364 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 15%, Malaysia 11%, Taiwan 11%, USA 10%, S. Korea 6% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, refined petroleum, crude petroleum, gold, gas turbines (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $383.946 billion (2024 est.) $359.835 billion (2023 est.) $296.629 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Exchange rates:** Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 1.336 (2024 est.) 1.343 (2023 est.) 1.379 (2022 est.) 1.343 (2021 est.) 1.38 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 13.134 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 56.672 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 169.447 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 94.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 3.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** consumption: 1.153 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 97 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 1.326 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** refined petroleum consumption: 1.514 million bbl/day (2023 est.) **Natural gas:** consumption: 13.134 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 399.452 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 13.973 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 643.259 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 1.912 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 33 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 9.96 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 171 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-controlled broadcast media; 6 domestic TV stations operated by state-owned MediaCorp; broadcasts from Malaysian and Indonesian stations available; satellite dishes banned; multi-channel cable TV services available; 19 domestic radio stations, including 11 for MediaCorp, 5 for state-linked Singapore Press Holdings, 2 for Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association, and 1 for BBC Radio; Malaysian and Indonesian radio stations available (2019) **Internet country code:** .sg **Internet users:** percent of population: 94% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 1.57 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 27 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** 9V **Airports:** 9 (2025) **Heliports:** 1 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 3,202 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 591, container ship 604, general cargo 107, oil tanker 600, other 1,300 **Ports:** total ports: 5 (2024) large: 2 medium: 1 small: 1 very small: 1 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Jurong Island, Keppel - (East Singapore), Pulau Bukom, Pulau Sebarok ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Singapore Armed Forces (SAF; aka Singapore Defense Force): Singapore Army, Republic of Singapore Navy, Republic of Singapore Air Force (includes air defense), Digital and Intelligence Service Ministry of Home Affairs: Singapore Police Force (SPF; includes Police Coast Guard and the Gurkha Contingent) (2025) note 1: the Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force (GCSPF) is a paramilitary unit for riot control and acts as a rapid reaction force note 2: the Navy includes the multi-agency standing Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF), which assists the Police Coast Guard in conducting maritime security operations **Military expenditures:** 3% of GDP (2024 est.) 3% of GDP (2023 est.) 3% of GDP (2022 est.) 3% of GDP (2021 est.) 3% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** information varies; approximately 55,000 active-duty Armed Forces (40,000 Army; 7,000 Navy; 8,000 Air Force) (2025) note: the Army is comprised mostly of conscripts and reservists with a small core of professional soldiers, while the Air Force and Navy are staffed mainly by professional personnel **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the SAF has a diverse and modern mix of domestically produced and imported Western weapons systems from such suppliers as France, Germany, and the US; Singapore has a small but sophisticated defense industry, which produces armaments such as armored vehicles and naval warships (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18 years of age for voluntary enlistment for men and women (16.5 for early enlistment program with parental consent); 18-21 years of age for compulsory military service for men; 24-month conscript service obligation (2026) note 1: all male Singaporean citizens and permanent residents, unless exempted, are required to enter National Service (NS) upon attaining the age of 18; most NS conscripts serve in the Armed Forces, but some go into the Police Force or Civil Defense Force; conscripts comprise over half of the defense establishment note 2: the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) also has a uniformed volunteer auxiliary branch known as the Volunteer Corps (SAFVC); the SAFVC allows citizens and residents not subject to the National Service obligation, including Singaporean women, first generation permanent residents, and naturalized citizens, to contribute towards Singapore's defense; the volunteers must be 18-45 and physically fit note 3: members of the Gurkha Contingent (GC) of the Singapore Police Force are mostly recruited from a small number of hill tribes in Nepal; the GC was formed in 1949 originally from selected ex-British Army Gurkhas **Military deployments:** maintains permanent training detachments of military personnel in Australia, France, and the US (2025) **Military - note:** the SAF’s primary responsibility is external defense, particularly maritime security, but it also trains for certain domestic security operations, including joint deterrence patrols with police in instances of heightened terrorism alerts; the Army includes a “people’s defense force,” which is a divisional headquarters responsible for homeland security and counterterrorism; the SAF regularly participates in bilateral and multilateral training exercises Singapore is a member of the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a series of mutual assistance agreements reached in 1971 embracing Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK; the FPDA commits the members to consult with one another in the event or threat of an armed attack on any of the members and to mutually decide what measures should be taken, jointly or separately; Singapore also has close security ties with the US, including granting the US military access, basing, and overflight privileges the SAF's roots go back to 1854 when the Singapore Volunteer Rifle Corps was formed under colonial rule; the first battalion of regular soldiers, the First Singapore Infantry Regiment, was organized in 1957; the modern SAF was established in 1965 (2025) ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** stateless persons: 1,109 (2024 est.) --- ## Spratly Islands **Slug:** spratly-islands **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Codes:** cek: pg, genc: XSP, stanag: -, internet: - ### Introduction **Background:** The Spratly Islands consist of more than 100 small islands or reefs surrounded by rich fishing grounds -- and potentially by gas and oil deposits. China, Taiwan, and Vietnam all claim the islands in their entirety, while portions are claimed by Malaysia and the Philippines. Around 70 disputed islets and reefs in the Spratly Islands are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Since 1985, Brunei has claimed a continental shelf that overlaps a southern reef but has not made any formal claim to the reef. Brunei claims an exclusive economic zone over this area. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, group of reefs and islands in the South China Sea, about two-thirds of the way from southern Vietnam to the southern Philippines **Geographic coordinates:** 8 38 N, 111 55 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 5 sq km less than land: 5 sq km less than water: 0 sq km note: includes over 100 islets, coral reefs, and sea mounts scattered over an area of nearly 410,000 sq km (158,000 sq mi) in the central South China Sea **Area - comparative:** land area is about seven times the size of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 926 km **Climate:** tropical **Terrain:** small, flat islands, islets, cays, and reefs **Elevation:** highest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 6 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m **Natural resources:** fish, guano, undetermined oil and natural gas potential **Land use:** other: 100% (2018 est.) **Natural hazards:** typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard **Geography - note:** strategically located near several primary shipping lanes in the central South China Sea; includes numerous small islands, atolls, shoals, and coral reefs ### People and Society **Population:** total: no permanent inhabitants note: scattered garrisons are occupied by military personnel of several claimant states ### Environment **Environmental issues:** harm to reefs from China's use of dredged sand and coral to build artificial islands; illegal fishing practices **Climate:** tropical **Land use:** other: 100% (2018 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Spratly Islands etymology: named after British whaling captain Richard SPRATLY, who sighted the islands in 1843 ### Military and Security **Military - note:** around 70 disputed islets and reefs in the Spratly Islands are occupied by China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam China: occupies seven outposts (Fiery Cross, Mischief, Subi, Cuarteron, Gavin, Hughes, and Johnson reefs); the outposts on Fiery Cross, Mischief, and Subi include air bases with helipads and aircraft hangers, naval port facilities, surveillance radars, air defense and anti-ship missile sites, and other military infrastructure such as communications, barracks, maintenance facilities, and ammunition and fuel bunkers Malaysia: occupies five outposts in the southern portion of the archipelago, closest to the Malaysian state of Sabah (Ardasier Reef, Eric Reef, Mariveles Reef, Shallow Reef, and Investigator Shoal); all the outposts have helicopter landing pads, while Shallow Reef also has an airstrip Philippines: occupies nine features (Commodore Reef, Second Thomas Shoal, Flat Island, Loaita Cay, Loaita Island, Nanshan Island, Northeast Cay, Thitu Island, and West York Island); Thitu Island has an airstrip and a coast guard station Taiwan: maintains a coast guard outpost with an airstrip on Itu Aba Island Vietnam: occupies about 50 outposts, plus some 14 platforms known as “economic, scientific, and technological service stations” (Dịch vụ-Khoa) that sit on underwater banks to the southeast that Vietnam does not consider part of the disputed island chain, although China and Taiwan disagree; Spratly Islands outposts are on Alison Reef, Amboyna Cay, Barque Canada Reef, Central Reef, Collins Reef, Cornwallis South Reef, Discovery Great Reef, East Reef, Grierson Reef, Ladd Reef, Landsdowne Reef, Namyit Island, Pearson Reef, Petley Reef, Sand Cay, Sin Cowe Island, South Reef, Southwest Cay, Spratly Island, Tennent Reef, West Reef; the underwater banks with stations include Vanguard, Rifleman, Prince of Wales, Prince Consort, Grainger, and Alexandra; in recent years, Vietnam has continued to make improvements to its outposts, including defensive positions and infrastructure (2025) --- ## Taiwan **Slug:** taiwan **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇹🇼 **Codes:** cek: tw, iso2: TW, iso3: TWN, iso_num: 158, genc: TWN, stanag: TWN, internet: .tw ### Introduction **Background:** First inhabited by Austronesian people, Taiwan became home to Han immigrants beginning in the late Ming Dynasty (17th century). In 1895, military defeat forced China's Qing Dynasty to cede Taiwan to Japan, which then governed Taiwan for 50 years. Taiwan came under Chinese Nationalist (Kuomintang, KMT) control after World War II. With the communist victory in the Chinese civil war in 1949, the Nationalist-controlled Republic of China government and 2 million Nationalists fled to Taiwan and continued to claim to be the legitimate government for mainland China and Taiwan, based on a 1947 constitution drawn up for all of China. Until 1987, however, the Nationalist Government ruled Taiwan under a civil war martial law declaration dating to 1948. Beginning in the 1970s, Nationalist authorities gradually began to incorporate the native population into the governing structure beyond the local level. The democratization process expanded rapidly in the 1980s, leading to the then-illegal founding of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Taiwan’s first opposition party, in 1986 and the lifting of martial law the following year. Taiwan held legislative elections in 1992, the first in over 40 years, and its first direct presidential election in 1996. In the 2000 presidential elections, Taiwan underwent its first peaceful transfer of power with the KMT loss to the DPP and afterwards experienced two additional democratic transfers of power in 2008 and 2016. Throughout this period, the island prospered and turned into one of East Asia's economic "Tigers," becoming a major investor in mainland China after 2000 as cross-Strait ties matured. The dominant political issues continue to be economic reform and growth, as well as management of sensitive relations between Taiwan and China. ### Geography **Location:** Eastern Asia, islands bordering the East China Sea, Philippine Sea, South China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, north of the Philippines, off the southeastern coast of China **Geographic coordinates:** 23 30 N, 121 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 35,980 sq km land: 32,260 sq km water: 3,720 sq km note: includes the Pescadores, Matsu, and Kinmen islands **Area - comparative:** slightly smaller than Maryland and Delaware combined **Land boundaries:** total: 0 km **Coastline:** 1,566.3 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year **Terrain:** eastern two-thirds mostly rugged mountains; flat to gently rolling plains in west **Elevation:** highest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m mean elevation: 1,150 m **Natural resources:** small deposits of coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, asbestos, arable land **Land use:** agricultural land: 22% (2023 est.) arable land: 16.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 78% (2022 est.) **Irrigated land:** 3,820 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts **Natural hazards:** earthquakes; typhoons volcanism: Kueishantao Island (401 m), east of Taiwan, is the only historically active volcano, but it has not erupted in centuries **Geography - note:** strategic location adjacent to both the Taiwan Strait and the Luzon Strait ### People and Society **Population:** total: 23,600,776 (2025 est.) male: 11,596,835 female: 12,003,941 **Nationality:** noun: Taiwan (singular and plural) adjective: Taiwan (or Taiwanese) note: example - he or she is from Taiwan; they are from Taiwan **Ethnic groups:** Han Chinese (including Holo, who compose approximately 70% of Taiwan's population, Hakka, and other groups originating in mainland China) more than 95%, indigenous Malayo-Polynesian peoples 2.3% note 1: there are 16 officially recognized indigenous groups: Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Hla'alua, Kanakaravu, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Sakizaya, Seediq, Thao, Truku, Tsou, and Yami; Amis, Paiwan, and Atayal are the largest and account for roughly 70% of the indigenous population note 2: although not definitive, the majority of current genetic, archeological, and linguistic data support the theory that Taiwan is the ultimate source for the spread of humans across the Pacific to Polynesia; the expansion (ca. 3000 B.C. to A.D. 1200) took place via the Philippines and eastern Indonesia and reached Fiji and Tonga by about 900 B.C.; from there voyagers spread across the rest of the Pacific islands over the next two millennia **Languages:** Mandarin (official), Min Nan, Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages major-language sample(s): 世界概況 – 不可缺少的基本消息來源 (Mandarin) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk religion (includes Confucian) approximately 10%, none or unspecified 18.2% (2005 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 12.1% (male 1,472,059/female 1,391,031) 15-64 years: 69% (male 8,132,356/female 8,155,582) 65 years and over: 18.8% (2024 est.) (male 2,002,076/female 2,442,170) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 46.5 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 17.7 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 28.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.5 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 45.1 years (2025 est.) male: 43.6 years female: 45.5 years **Population growth rate:** 0.02% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 7.22 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 8.18 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** 1.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** distribution exhibits a peripheral coastal settlement pattern, with the largest populations on the north and west coasts **Urbanization:** urban population: 80.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 4.504 million New Taipei City, 2.754 million TAIPEI (capital), 2.319 million Taoyuan, 1.553 million Kaohsiung, 1.369 million Taichung, 863,000 Tainan (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.82 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 4.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 81.6 years (2024 est.) male: 78.6 years female: 84.7 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.12 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.54 (2025 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution; water pollution from industrial emissions, raw sewage; contamination of drinking water supplies; trade in endangered species; low-level radioactive waste disposal **Climate:** tropical; marine; rainy season during southwest monsoon (June to August); persistent and extensive cloudiness all year **Land use:** agricultural land: 22% (2023 est.) arable land: 16.6% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 0% (2022 est.) forest: 0% (2022 est.) other: 78% (2022 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 80.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.65% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 289.109 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 140.734 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 92.014 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 56.361 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 7.336 million tons (2015 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.8% (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 67 cubic meters (2011) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: none conventional short form: Taiwan local long form: none local short form: Taiwan former: Formosa etymology: the name may derive from the Chinese words tai (terrace) and wan (bay), referring to the island's terrain; in 1590, the Portuguese named it Formosa, meaning "beautiful" **Government type:** semi-presidential republic **Capital:** name: Taipei geographic coordinates: 25 02 N, 121 31 E time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "Northern Taiwan," from the Chinese words tai (a short form of Taiwan) and bei (north), reflecting the city's position in the far north of the island **Administrative divisions:** includes main island of Taiwan, plus smaller islands nearby and off coast of China's Fujian Province; Taiwan is divided into 13 counties (xian, singular and plural), 3 cities (shi, singular and plural), and 6 special municipalities directly under the jurisdiction of the Executive Yuan counties: Changhua, Chiayi, Hsinchu, Hualien, Kinmen, Lienchiang, Miaoli, Nantou, Penghu, Pingtung, Taitung, Yilan, Yunlin cities: Chiayi, Hsinchu, Keelung special municipalities: Kaohsiung (city), New Taipei (city), Taichung (city), Tainan (city), Taipei (city), Taoyuan (city) note: Taiwan uses a variety of romanization systems for names; a modified Wade-Giles system still dominates, but the city of Taipei has adopted a Pinyin romanization for street and place names; other local authorities use different romanization systems **Legal system:** civil law system **Constitution:** history: previous 1912, 1931; latest adopted 25 December 1946, promulgated 1 January 1947, effective 25 December 1947 amendment process: proposed by at least one fourth of the Legislative Yuan membership; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote of at least three fourths of the Legislative Yuan membership and approval in a referendum by more than half of eligible voters **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 Taiwan dual citizenship recognized: yes, except that citizens of Taiwan are not recognized as dual citizens of the People's Republic of China residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 20 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President LAI Ching-te (since 20 May 2024) head of government: Premier CHO Jung-tai (President of the Executive Yuan) (since 20 May 2024) cabinet: Executive Yuan; ministers appointed by president on recommendation of premier election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by simple-majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); premier appointed by the president; vice premiers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the premier most recent election date: 13 January 2024 election results: 2024: LAI Ching-te elected president; percent of vote - LAI Ching-te (DPP) 40.1%, HOU Yu-ih (KMT) 33.5%, KO Wen-je (TPP) 26.5%) 2020: TSAI Ing-wen reelected president; percent of vote - TSAI Ing-wen (DPP) 57.1%, HAN Kuo-yu (KMT) 38.6%, James SOONG (PFP) 4.3% expected date of next election: 2028 **Legislative branch:** legislature name: Legislative Yuan legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 113 (directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 13 January 2024 parties elected and seats per party: Kuomintang (KMT) 52, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) 51, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) 8, independent 2 percentage of women in chamber: 41.6% expected date of next election: January 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and approximately 100 judges organized into civil and criminal panels, each with a chief justice and 4 associate justices); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 13 justices) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices appointed for life by the president; Constitutional Court justices appointed by the president, with approval of the Legislative Yuan, for 8-year terms, with half the membership renewed every 4 years subordinate courts: high courts; district courts; hierarchy of administrative courts **Political parties:** Democratic Progressive Party or DPP Kuomintang or KMT (Nationalist Party) Taiwan People's Party or TPP note: the DPP and the KMT are the two major political parties; more than 30 parties garnered votes in the 2024 election **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: none Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices (branch offices): Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver (CO), Hagatna (Guam), Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC Note: commercial and cultural relations with its citizens in the US are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts, represented by Ambassador Alexander YUI (since 11 December 2023); office: 4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016; telephone: [1] (202) 895-1800; fax: [1] (202) 363-0999 **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: the US does not have an embassy in Taiwan; commercial and cultural relations with the people of Taiwan are maintained through an unofficial instrumentality, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation that performs citizen and consular services similar to those at diplomatic posts; it is managed by Director Raymond F. GREENE (since 8 July 2024) mailing address: 4170 AIT Taipei Place, Washington DC 20521-4170 telephone: [886] 2-2162-2000 FAX: [886] 2-2162-2251 email address and website: TaipeiACS@state.gov https://www.ait.org.tw/ branch office(s): American Institute in Taiwan No. 100, Jinhu Road, Neihu District 11461, Taipei City other offices: Kaohsiung (Branch Office) **International organization participation:** ADB (Chinese Taipei), APEC (Chinese Taipei), BCIE, CABEI, IOC, ITUC (NGOs), SICA (observer), WTO (Chinese Taipei) note: separate customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu **National holiday:** Republic Day (National Day), 10 October (1911) note: celebrates the anniversary of the Chinese Revolution, also known as Double Ten (10-10) Day **Flag:** description: red field with a dark blue rectangle in the upper-left corner, bearing a white sun with 12 triangular rays meaning: blue stands for liberty, justice, and democracy; red for fraternity, sacrifice, and nationalism; white for equality, frankness, and the people's livelihood; the 12 rays represent the months of the year and the traditional Chinese hours (each ray equals two hours) history: the blue-and-white design of the canton (symbolizing the sun of progress) dates to 1895 note: similar to the flag of Samoa **National symbol(s):** white sun with 12 rays on a blue field **National color(s):** blue, white, red **National anthem(s):** title: "Zhonghua Minguo guoge" (National Anthem of the Republic of China) lyrics/music: HU Han-min, TAI Chi-t'ao, and LIAO Chung-k'ai/CHENG Mao-yun history: adopted 1937; also the song of the Kuomintang Party; informally known as "San Min Chu I" or "San Min Zhu Yi" (Three Principles of the People); the anthem is banned from performance in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau ### Economy **Economic overview:** high-income East Asian economy; most technologically advanced computer microchip manufacturing; increasing Chinese interference threatens market capabilities; minimum wages rising; longstanding regional socioeconomic inequality **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.743 trillion (2023 est.) $1.664 trillion (2022 est.) $1.512 trillion (2021 est.) **Real GDP growth rate:** 1.28% (2023 est.) 2.59% (2022 est.) 6.62% (2021 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $32,300 (2023 est.) $32,600 (2022 est.) $32,900 (2021 est.) note: data are in current dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $611.391 billion (2023 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.2% (2024 est.) 2.5% (2023 est.) 2.9% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by end use:** household consumption: 48.3% (2023 est.) government consumption: 13.3% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 23.7% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: -0.6% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 64% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -49.1% (2023 est.) **Agricultural products:** rice, vegetables, pork, chicken, cabbages, milk, sugarcane, tropical fruits, pineapples, eggs (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, iron and steel, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals **Unemployment rate:** 3.4% (2024 est.) 3.5% (2023 est.) 3.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 33.9 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 13.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 2.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Budget:** revenues: $94.943 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $105.833 billion (2019 est.) **Public debt:** 35.7% of GDP (2017 est.) note: data for central government **Current account balance:** $105.076 billion (2023 est.) $101.032 billion (2022 est.) $118.298 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $432.432 billion (2023 est.) $479.415 billion (2022 est.) $446.371 billion (2021 est.) note: figures complied according to the General Trade System - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 20%, USA 17%, Hong Kong 13%, Singapore 9%, Japan 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** integrated circuits, machine parts, broadcasting equipment, computers, plastics (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $351.441 billion (2023 est.) $428.083 billion (2022 est.) $381.958 billion (2021 est.) note: figures complied according to the General Trade System - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 21%, Japan 13%, USA 11%, S. Korea 9%, Australia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, crude petroleum, machinery, natural gas, coal (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Exchange rates:** New Taiwan dollars (TWD) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 32.108 (2024 est.) 31.15 (2023 est.) 29.777 (2022 est.) 28.022 (2021 est.) 28.211 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 64.535 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 270.648 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 7.907 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 84.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 6.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 4.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 2.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 1.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Nuclear energy:** Number of operational nuclear reactors: 1 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 0.94GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 6.9% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 5 (2025) **Coal:** production: 5.212 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 64.609 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 47,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 58.15 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 1 million metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 800 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 954,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 2.38 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 60.761 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 27.222 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 26.997 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 6.23 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 206.102 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 10 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 43 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 29.8 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** 5 national TV networks with about 22 stations; over 300 satellite TV channels available; about half of households use multi-channel cable TV; almost all subscribe to digital cable TV; national and regional radio networks with about 171 radio stations (2023) **Internet country code:** .tw **Internet users:** percent of population: 90% (2021 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 5,831,470 (2019 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 25 (2019 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** B **Airports:** 57 (2025) **Heliports:** 56 (2025) **Railways:** total: 1,613.1 km (2018) standard gauge: 345 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (345 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,118.1 km (2018) 1.067-m gauge (793.9 km electrified) 150 0.762-m gauge note: the 0.762-gauge track belongs to three entities: the Forestry Bureau, Taiwan Cement, and TaiPower **Merchant marine:** total: 465 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 29, container ship 53, general cargo 58, oil tanker 35, other 290 **Ports:** total ports: 8 (2024) large: 1 medium: 3 small: 2 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 8 key ports: Chi-Lung, Hua-Lien Kang, Kao-Hsiung, Su-Ao ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Taiwan Armed Forces: Army, Navy (includes Marine Corps), Air Force, Information Communication and Electronic Force (ICEF) Ocean Affairs Council: Coast Guard Administration (CGA) Ministry of Interior: National Police (2025) note: the CGA is a law enforcement organization with homeland security functions during peacetime and national defense missions during wartime **Military expenditures:** 2.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.1% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 170,000 active duty Armed Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military's inventory is a mix of domestically produced and foreign-supplied armaments, mostly from the US either as secondhand or direct acquisitions; Taiwan's domestic defense industry produces weapons systems such as aircraft, armored vehicles, missiles, and naval platforms (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** men 18-36 years of age may volunteer or must complete 12 months of compulsory military service; civil service can be substituted for military service in some cases; women can volunteer (2025) note: in January 2024, Taiwan extended compulsory service from 4 to 12 months for men born in 2005 and thereafter **Military - note:** the military’s primary responsibility is external security, including the defense and protection of the country’s air space, maritime claims, sea lines of communications, sovereignty, and territory; its main focus is the challenge posed by the People’s Republic of China (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Taiwan Space Agency (TASA; renamed and reorganized in 2023 from the former National Space Program Organization or NSPO, which was established in 1991) (2025) **Space launch site(s):** sounding rockets launched from Jui Peng Air Base (Pingtung); has announced intentions to build a future national space port on the southeast coast (Pingtung) (2025) **Space program overview:** has had a national space program since the early 1990s, with a focus on acquiring satellites and developing independent space capabilities, such as rocket manufacturing and satellite launch services; manufactures and operates satellites and sounding rockets; researching and developing other space technologies, including remote sensing, telecommunications, small satellites, satellite payloads and ground station components, spacecraft components, navigational control, and rocket propulsion systems; has bilateral relations with the space programs of France, India, Japan, Paraguay, Poland, the UK, and the US; has a commercial space industry that provides components and expertise for the Taiwan Space Agency and is independently developing satellites and a small satellite launch vehicle; the government passed a space promotion act in 2021 to encourage private investment in the space industry (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1997 - launched first sounding rocket 1999 - first scientific satellite (FORMOSAT-1) built and launched by the US 2004 - first remote sensing (RS) satellite (FORMOSAT-2) built by France and launched by US 2017 - first domestically built RS satellite (FORMOSAT-5) launched by US 2021 - initiated development of a commercial 3-stage, hybrid-engine rocket (Hapith-5) 2023 - first domestically made RS/meteorological satellite (FormoSat-7R/Triton) launched on European rocket ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** IDPs: 380 (2024 est.) **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025) --- ## Thailand **Slug:** thailand **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇹🇭 **Codes:** cek: th, iso2: TH, iso3: THA, iso_num: 764, genc: THA, stanag: THA, internet: .th ### Introduction **Background:** Two unified Thai kingdoms emerged in the mid-13th century. The Sukhothai Kingdom, located in the south-central plains, gained its independence from the Khmer Empire to the east. By the late 13th century, Sukhothai’s territory extended into present-day Burma and Laos. Sukhothai lasted until the mid-15th century. The Thai Lan Na Kingdom was established in the north with its capital at Chang Mai; the Burmese conquered Lan Na in the 16th century. The Ayutthaya Kingdom (14th-18th centuries) succeeded the Sukhothai and would become known as the Siamese Kingdom. During the Ayutthaya period, the Thai/Siamese peoples consolidated their hold on what is present-day central and north-central Thailand. Following a military defeat at the hands of the Burmese in 1767, the Siamese Kingdom rose to new heights under the military ruler TAKSIN, who defeated the Burmese occupiers and expanded the kingdom’s territory into modern-day northern Thailand (formerly the Lan Na Kingdom), Cambodia, Laos, and the Malay Peninsula. In the mid-1800s, Western pressure led to Siam signing trade treaties that reduced the country’s sovereignty and independence. In the 1890s and 1900s, the British and French forced the kingdom to cede Cambodian, Laotian, and Malay territories that had been under Siamese control. Following a bloodless revolution in 1932 that led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy, Thailand's political history was marked by a series of mostly bloodless coups with power concentrated among military and bureaucratic elites. Periods of civilian rule were unstable. The Cold War era saw a communist insurgency and the rise of strongman leaders. Thailand became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam. In the 21st century, Thailand has experienced additional turmoil, including a military coup in 2006 that ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat and large-scale street protests led by competing political factions in 2008-2010. In 2011, THAKSIN's youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, led the Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed control of the government. In 2014, after months of major anti-government protests in Bangkok, the Constitutional Court removed YINGLAK from office, and the Army, led by Gen. PRAYUT Chan-ocha, then staged a coup against the caretaker government. The military-affiliated National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ruled the country under PRAYUT for more than four years, drafting a new constitution that allowed the military to appoint the entire 250-member Senate and required a joint meeting of the House and Senate to select the prime minister -- which effectively gave the military a veto on the selection. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed away in 2016 after 70 years on the throne; his only son, WACHIRALONGKON (aka King RAMA X), formally ascended the throne in 2019. The same year, a long-delayed election allowed PRAYUT to continue his premiership, although the results were disputed and widely viewed as skewed in favor of the party aligned with the military. The country again experienced major anti-government protests in 2020. The reformist Move Forward Party won the most seats in the 2023 election but was unable to form a government, and Srettha THRAVISIN from the Pheu Thai Party replaced PRAYUT as prime minister after forming a coalition of moderate and conservative parties. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma **Geographic coordinates:** 15 00 N, 100 00 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 513,120 sq km land: 510,890 sq km water: 2,230 sq km **Area - comparative:** about three times the size of Florida; slightly more than twice the size of Wyoming **Land boundaries:** total: 5,673 km border countries (4): Burma 2,416 km; Cambodia 817 km; Laos 1,845 km; Malaysia 595 km **Coastline:** 3,219 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; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid **Terrain:** central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains elsewhere **Elevation:** highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,565 m lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m mean elevation: 287 m **Natural resources:** tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land **Land use:** agricultural land: 43.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 31% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 1.6% (2023 est.) forest: 39% (2023 est.) other: 17.2% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 64,150 sq km (2012) **Major lakes (area sq km):** salt water lake(s): Thalesap Songkhla - 1,290 sq km **Major rivers (by length in km):** Mae Nam Khong (Mekong) (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam [m]) - 4,350 km; Salween (shared with China [s] and Burma [m]) - 3,060 km; Mun - 1,162 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Major watersheds (area sq km):** Indian Ocean drainage: Salween (271,914 sq km) Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) **Population distribution:** highest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters throughout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country **Natural hazards:** land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts **Geography - note:** controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and Singapore ### People and Society **Population:** total: 70,025,248 (2025 est.) male: 34,101,016 female: 35,924,232 **Nationality:** noun: Thai (singular and plural) adjective: Thai **Ethnic groups:** Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, other 1.1%, unspecified <0.1% (2015 est.) note: data represent population by nationality **Languages:** Thai (official) only 90.7%, Thai and other languages 6.4%, only other languages 2.9% (includes Malay, Burmese); English is a secondary language among the elite (2010 est.) major-language sample(s): สารานุกรมโลก - แหล่งข้อมูลพื้นฐานที่สำคัญ (Thai) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. note: data represent population by language(s) spoken at home **Religions:** Buddhist 92.5%, Muslim 5.4%, Christian 1.2%, other 0.9% (includes animist, Confucian, Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, and Taoist) (2021 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 15.8% (male 5,669,592/female 5,394,398) 15-64 years: 69% (male 23,681,528/female 24,597,535) 65 years and over: 15.1% (2024 est.) (male 4,714,191/female 5,863,754) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 45.9 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 22.9 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 23.1 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 4.3 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 41.9 years (2025 est.) male: 40.2 years female: 42.7 years **Population growth rate:** 0.13% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 9.82 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 8.08 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.41 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** highest population density is found in and around Bangkok; significant population clusters throughout large parts of the country, particularly north and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern region of the country **Urbanization:** urban population: 53.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 11.070 million BANGKOK (capital), 1.454 Chon Buri, 1.359 million Samut Prakan, 1.213 million Chiang Mai, 1.005 million Songkla, 1.001 million Nothaburi (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 23.3 years (2009 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 34 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 6.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 6.9 deaths/1,000 live births female: 5.6 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 78.2 years (2024 est.) male: 75.2 years female: 81.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 1.55 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.75 (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:** 5.2% of GDP (2021) 16.1% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.54 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Hospital bed density:** 2.3 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 10% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 6.86 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.85 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 4.78 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 18.1% (2025 est.) male: 36.1% (2025 est.) female: 1.6% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 6.7% (2022 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 52.4% (2022 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 5.5% (2022) women married by age 18: 17% (2022) men married by age 18: 5.8% (2022) **Education expenditure:** 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 12.6% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 91.1% (2022 est.) male: 90.7% (2022 est.) female: 91.5% (2022 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 16 years (2023 est.) male: 16 years (2023 est.) female: 16 years (2023 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from organic and factory wastes; water scarcity; deforestation; soil erosion; illegal hunting; hazardous waste disposal **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, 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; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid **Land use:** agricultural land: 43.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 31% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.2% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 1.6% (2023 est.) forest: 39% (2023 est.) other: 17.2% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 53.6% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 336.693 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 79.928 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 160.931 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 95.834 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 26.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 708.8 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 2,109.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 635.8 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 57.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 26.853 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 40% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 2.739 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 2.777 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 51.79 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 438.61 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 2 global geoparks and regional networks: Khorat; Satun (2023) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand conventional short form: Thailand local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai local short form: Prathet Thai former: Siam etymology: the name means "Land of the Thai," referring to the local population; the people's name comes from the Thai word tha, meaning "to be free;" the former name of Siam comes from the Sanskrit word syama, meaning "dark" **Government type:** constitutional monarchy **Capital:** name: Bangkok geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name is from the Thai words bang (region) and kok (olive trees); the city's full ceremonial name holds the world record for longest place name, Krungthepmahanakhon amonrattanakosin mahintharayutthaya mahadilokphop noppharatratchathaniburirom udomratchaniwetmahasathan amonphimanawatansathit sakkathattiyawitsanukamprasit, which means "City of angels, great city of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of gods incarnate, erected by Vishvakarman at Indra's behest" **Administrative divisions:** 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural) and 1 municipality* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep* (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Si Sa Ket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon **Legal system:** civil law system with common law influences **Constitution:** history: many previous; latest drafted and presented 29 March 2016, approved by referendum 7 August 2016, signed into law by the king on 6 April 2017 amendment process: amendments require a majority vote in a joint session of the House and Senate and further require at least one fifth of opposition House members and one third of the Senate vote in favor; a national referendum is additionally required for certain amendments; all amendments require signature by the king **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 Thailand dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal and compulsory **Executive branch:** chief of state: King WACHIRALONGKON; also spelled Vajiralongkorn (since 1 December 2016) head of government: Prime Minister ANUTIN Charnvirakul (since 5 Sep 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the king; a Privy Council advises the king election/appointment process: the monarchy is hereditary; prime minister candidate approved by House of Representatives and appointed by the king **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Assembly (Rathhasapha) legislative structure: bicameral **Legislative branch - lower chamber:** chamber name: House of Representatives (Saphaphuthan Ratsadon) number of seats: 500 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 5/14/2023 (House of Representatives dissolved on 12 December 2025) parties elected and seats per party: Move Forward (151); Pheu Thai (141); Bhumjaithai (71); Palang Pracharath (40); United Thai Nation (36); Democrat Party (25); Other (36) percentage of women in chamber: 19.6% expected date of next election: 8 February 2026 **Legislative branch - upper chamber:** chamber name: Senate (Wuthisapha) number of seats: 200 (all indirectly elected) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 6/9/2024 to 6/26/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 22.5% expected date of next election: June 2029 note: Senate members are indirectly elected from 20 eligible groups of professions, including agriculture, artists or athletes, business owners, education, employees or workers, independent professionals, industrialists, law and justice, mass communication, public health, science and technology, tourism-related professions, women, and elderly, disabled, or ethnic groups **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the court president, 6 vice presidents, 60-70 judges, and organized into 10 divisions); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 8 judges); Supreme Administrative Court (number of judges determined by Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the Courts of Justice and approved by the monarch; judge term determined by the monarch; Constitutional Court justices - 3 judges drawn from the Supreme Court, 2 judges drawn from the Administrative Court, and 4 judge candidates selected by the Selective Committee for Judges of the Constitutional Court, and confirmed by the Senate; judges appointed by the monarch serve single 9-year terms; Supreme Administrative Court judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts and appointed by the monarch; judges serve for life subordinate courts: courts of first instance and appeals courts within both the judicial and administrative systems; military courts **Political parties:** Bhumjaithai Party or BJT (aka Phumchai Thai Party or PJT; aka Thai Pride Party) Chat Thai Phatthana Party (Thai Nation Development Party) or CTP Democrat Party Move Forward Party or MFP (dissolved by order of the Constitutional Court, August 2024) Palang Pracharat Party (People's State Power Party) or PPRP Pheu (Puea) Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP Prachachat Party or PCC Prachathipat Party (Democrat Party) or DP Thai Sang Thai Party United Thai Nation (Ruam Thai Sang Chat) or UTN note: more than 50 parties have registered for the February 2026 general election **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Dr. SURIYA Chindawongse (since 17 June 2024) chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 email address and website: thai.wsn@thaiembdc.org https://washingtondc.thaiembassy.org/en/index consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Sean O'NEILL (since 16 December 2025) embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 mailing address: 7200 Bangkok Place, Washington DC 20521-7200 telephone: [66] 2-205-4000 FAX: [66] 2-205-4103 email address and website: acsbkk@state.gov https://th.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CD, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner), PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO **Independence:** 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) **National holiday:** Birthday of King WACHIRALONGKON, 28 July (1952) **Flag:** description: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double-width), white, and red meaning: red stands for the nation and the blood of life, white for religion and the purity of Buddhism, and blue for the monarchy note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica, but with the blue and red colors reversed **National symbol(s):** garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird figure), elephant **National color(s):** red, white, blue **National coat of arms:** in 1911, King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) of Thailand officially adopted the Garuda as the national coat of arms and emblem; this mythological half-man, half-bird figure from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions is considered the vahana (vehicle) of the god Vishnu (Narayana) and was a symbol of royalty in Thailand for centuries **National anthem(s):** title: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of Thailand) lyrics/music: Luang SARANUPRAPAN/Phra JENDURIYANG history: music adopted 1934, lyrics adopted 1939; it is the law that citizens stand and show respect for nation when the anthem is heard; the anthem is played each day at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm when the flag is raised and lowered _____ title: "Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami" (A Salute to the Monarch) lyrics/music: Narisara NUWATTIWONG and King VAJIRAVUDH/Pyotr SHCHUROVSKY history: royal anthem, played in the presence of the royal family and during certain state ceremonies **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 8 (5 cultural, 3 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic City of Ayutthaya (c); Historic Sukhothai and Associated Historic Towns (c); Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries (n); Ban Chiang Archaeological Site (c); Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex (n); Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex (n); The Ancient Town of Si Thep and its Associated Dvaravati Monuments (n); Phu Phrabat, a testimony to the Sīma stone tradition of the Dvaravati period (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** upper middle-income Southeast Asian economy; substantial infrastructure; major electronics, food, and automobile parts exporter; globally used currency; extremely low unemployment, even amid COVID-19; ongoing Thailand 4.0 economic development **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.558 trillion (2024 est.) $1.519 trillion (2023 est.) $1.489 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 2.5% (2024 est.) 2% (2023 est.) 2.6% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $21,700 (2024 est.) $21,200 (2023 est.) $20,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $526.411 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 1.4% (2024 est.) 8.5% (2023 est.) -1.6% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 8.7% (2024 est.) industry: 32.1% (2024 est.) services: 59.2% (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: 58.2% (2024 est.) government consumption: 16.7% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.2% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: -0.6% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 70.1% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.7% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** sugarcane, rice, cassava, oil palm fruit, maize, rubber, tropical fruits, chicken, mangoes/guavas, fruits (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics, automobiles and automotive parts, agricultural machinery, air conditioning and refrigeration, ceramics, aluminum, chemical, environmental management, glass, granite and marble, leather, machinery and metal work, petrochemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, printing, pulp and paper, rubber, sugar, rice, fishing, cassava, world's second-largest tungsten producer and third-largest tin producer **Industrial production growth rate:** 0.9% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 40.623 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 0.7% (2024 est.) 0.8% (2023 est.) 1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 4.3% (2024 est.) male: 3.1% (2024 est.) female: 6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 5.4% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 33.5 (2023 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 25.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 3.4% (2023 est.) highest 10%: 26.1% (2023 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 1.8% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.9% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $102.84 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $114.521 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated **Public debt:** 61.1% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP **Taxes and other revenues:** 15.4% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** $11.089 billion (2024 est.) $7.412 billion (2023 est.) -$17.162 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $369.191 billion (2024 est.) $337.45 billion (2023 est.) $324.111 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** USA 18%, China 13%, Japan 7%, Australia 4%, Singapore 4% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** machine parts, integrated circuits, trucks, cars, broadcasting equipment (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $351.419 billion (2024 est.) $327.008 billion (2023 est.) $334.44 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 26%, Japan 11%, USA 7%, UAE 6%, Taiwan 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** crude petroleum, integrated circuits, natural gas, gold, vehicle parts/accessories (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $236.934 billion (2024 est.) $224.47 billion (2023 est.) $216.501 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $37.065 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** baht per US dollar - Exchange rates: 35.294 (2024 est.) 34.802 (2023 est.) 35.061 (2022 est.) 31.977 (2021 est.) 31.294 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 99.9% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 100% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 55.971 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 215.281 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 2.256 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 35.805 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 14.44 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 81.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 2.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 1.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 10.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 12.812 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 42.371 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 65,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 29.757 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 1.063 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 386,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 1.397 million bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 252.75 million barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 29.614 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 52.351 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 22.738 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 138.243 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 80.602 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 4.087 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 115 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 161 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** 26 digital TV stations and 6 terrestrial TV stations broadcast nationally via relay stations, with 2 of the terrestrial stations military-owned and the other 4 state-owned or state-controlled; some leased to private enterprise; all required to broadcast government-produced news; multi-channel satellite and cable TV subscriptions available; radio frequencies allotted for over 500 government and commercial radio stations; many small community radio stations operate with low-power transmitters (2017) **Internet country code:** .th **Internet users:** percent of population: 90% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 11.5 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** HS **Airports:** 105 (2025) **Heliports:** 5 (2025) **Railways:** total: 4,127 km (2017) standard gauge: 84 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (84 km electrified) narrow gauge: 4,043 km (2017) 1.000-m gauge **Merchant marine:** total: 884 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 28, container ship 28, general cargo 88, oil tanker 251, other 489 **Ports:** total ports: 21 (2024) large: 1 medium: 2 small: 3 very small: 15 ports with oil terminals: 14 key ports: Bangkok, Laem Chabang, Pattani, Phuket, Sattahip, Si Racha ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF): Royal Thai Army (RTA), Royal Thai Navy (RTN; includes Royal Thai Marine Corps), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Office of the Prime Minister: Royal Thai Police (2025) note: official paramilitary forces in Thailand include the Thai Rangers (Thahan Phran or "Hunter Soldiers") under the Army; the Paramilitary Marines under the Navy; the Border Patrol Police (BPP) under the Royal Thai Police; the Volunteer Defense Corps (VDC or O So) and National Defense Volunteers (NDV), both under the Ministry of Interior; there are also several government-backed volunteer militias created to provide village security against insurgents in the Deep South or to assist government security forces **Military expenditures:** 1.1% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** estimated 350,000 active-duty Armed Forces (250,000 Army; 70,000 Navy; 30,000 Air Force) (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the RTARF has a diverse array of foreign-supplied armaments, as well as some domestically produced items; its imported weapons and equipment are from a variety of suppliers, including China, several European countries, Israel, Russia, South Korea, and the US; Thailand's domestic defense industry produces such items as armored vehicles, artillery systems, naval vessels, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other military technologies (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; all men register at 17 years of age and are subject to selective compulsory military service at 21; volunteer service obligation may be as short as 6-18 months, depending on educational qualifications; conscript service obligation also varies by educational qualifications, but is typically 24 months (2025) note: serving in the armed forces is a national duty of all Thai citizens; conscription was introduced in 1905; it includes women, however, only men over the age of 21 who have not gone through reserve training are conscripted; conscripts are chosen by lottery (on draft day, eligible draftees can request volunteer service, or they may choose to stay for the conscription lottery) **Military deployments:** 280 South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025) **Military - note:** the missions of the Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTARF) include defending the country’s territory and sovereignty, protecting the monarchy, ensuring internal security, and responding to natural disasters; the military has historically had a large role in domestic politics and has attempted as many as 20 coups since the fall of absolute monarchy in 1932, the most recent being in 2014 key areas of emphasis for the RTARF are disputed international borders and a low-level insurgency in the country's south; RTARF and Cambodian military forces clashed at multiple locations along the Thai-Cambodian border in July and December 2025; the fighting included ground attacks, cross-border artillery shelling, and air attacks by fighter aircraft and drones; since 2004, the RTARF and Thai paramilitary forces have combated a separatist insurgency in the southern Thailand provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat, as well as parts of Songkhla; the insurgency is rooted in ethnic Malay nationalist resistance to Thai rule that followed the extension of Siamese sovereignty over the Patani Sultanate in the 18th century; the insurgency consists of several armed groups, the largest of which is the Barisan Revolusi Nasional-Koordinasi (BRN-C) (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA; created in 2000 from the Thailand Remote Sensing Center that was established in 1979); National Space Policy Committee (NSPC) (2025) note: GISTDA is under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation; the NSPC is an advisory body to the prime minister **Space launch site(s):** none; in 2023, announced intentions to build a spaceport with South Korean assistance (2025) **Space program overview:** has an ambitious national space program focused on the acquisition, production, and operation of satellites, as well as research and development of related infrastructure, sciences, and technologies; operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; manufactures scientific/research/testing cube satellites and is developing the capabilities to produce RS satellites (has historically built satellites with foreign assistance); works with a range of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of China, France, India, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, and the US; founding member of the China-led Asia-Pacific Space Cooperation Organization (APSCO); has a commercial space industry, including Southeast Asia’s first dedicated satellite manufacturing facility, which opened in 2021 (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1982 - established first satellite ground station 1993 - first foreign-built commercial communications satellite (Thaicom-1) launched on European rocket 2008 - first remote sensing satellite (Theos-1; aka Thaichote) co-developed with France and launched by Russia 2018 - first domestically produced scientific/research satellite (KNACKSAT) launched by US 2024 - signed memorandum of understanding with China for cooperation on Beijing's lunar research station project and space exploration; signed US-led Artemis Accords ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 87,025 (2024 est.) IDPs: 19 (2023 est.) stateless persons: 612,524 (2024 est.) **Illicit drugs:** USG identification: major precursor-chemical producer (2025) --- ## Timor-Leste **Slug:** timor-leste **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇹🇱 **Codes:** cek: tt, iso2: TL, iso3: TLS, iso_num: 626, genc: TLS, stanag: TLS, internet: .tl ### Introduction **Background:** The island of Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries, and by the 14th century, it exported sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. The sandalwood trade attracted the Portuguese, who arrived in the early 16th century; by mid-century, they had colonized the island, which was previously ruled by local chieftains. In 1859, Portugal ceded the western portion of the island to the Dutch. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. The eastern part of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975, but Indonesian forces invaded and occupied the area nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor or Timor Leste). Indonesia conducted an unsuccessful pacification campaign in the province over the next two decades, during which as many as 250,000 people died. In a UN-supervised referendum in 1999, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, anti-independence Timorese militias -- organized and supported by the Indonesian military -- began a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution, killing approximately 1,400 Timorese and displacing nearly 500,000. Most of the country's infrastructure was destroyed, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, schools, and most of the electrical grid. Australian-led peacekeeping troops eventually deployed to the country and ended the violence. In 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In 2006, Australia and the UN had to step in again to stabilize the country, which allowed presidential and parliamentary elections to be conducted in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In 2008, rebels staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. Since that attack, Timor-Leste has made considerable progress in building stability and democratic institutions, holding a series of successful parliamentary and presidential elections since 2012. Nonetheless, weak and unstable political coalitions have led to periodic episodes of stalemate and crisis. The UN continues to provide assistance on economic development and strengthening governing institutions. Currently, Timor-Leste is one of the world's poorest nations, with an economy that relies heavily on energy resources in the Timor Sea. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco **Geographic coordinates:** 8 50 S, 125 55 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 14,874 sq km land: 14,874 sq km water: 0 sq km **Area - comparative:** slightly larger than Connecticut; almost half the size of Maryland **Land boundaries:** total: 253 km border countries (1): Indonesia 253 km **Coastline:** 706 km **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons **Terrain:** mountainous **Elevation:** highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m **Natural resources:** gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble **Land use:** agricultural land: 23% (2023 est.) arable land: 7.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 10.1% (2023 est.) forest: 71% (2023 est.) other: 6% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 350 sq km (2012) **Population distribution:** most of the population is concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili **Natural hazards:** floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones **Geography - note:** the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the district of Oecussi is an exclave separated from Timor-Leste proper by Indonesia; Timor-Leste is the only Asian country located completely in the Southern Hemisphere ### People and Society **Population:** total: 1,404,785 (2025 est.) male: 693,940 female: 710,845 **Nationality:** noun: Timorese adjective: Timorese **Ethnic groups:** Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority **Languages:** Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5% (2015 est.) note: data represent population by mother tongue; Tetun and Portuguese are official languages; Indonesian and English are working languages; there are about 32 indigenous languages **Religions:** Catholic 90.7%, other 7.1%, Protestant Evangelical 1.9%; less than 1%: Islam, Buddhist, Hindu (2022 est.) **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 38.7% (male 299,929/female 283,416) 15-64 years: 56.8% (male 418,493/female 437,727) 65 years and over: 4.5% (2024 est.) (male 32,243/female 35,101) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 62 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 54.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 12.9 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 23 years (2025 est.) male: 19.8 years female: 21.3 years **Population growth rate:** 1.28% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 23.39 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -3.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** most of the population is concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili **Urbanization:** urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 281,000 DILI (capital) (2018) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Mother's mean age at first birth:** 23 years (2016 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49 **Maternal mortality ratio:** 192 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 41.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 35.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 70.5 years (2024 est.) male: 68.9 years female: 72.3 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.79 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 1.35 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 98.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 81.6% of population (2022 est.) total: 87% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 1.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 18.4% of population (2022 est.) total: 13% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 11.4% of GDP (2021) 8.9% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 0.75 physicians/1,000 population (2020) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 94.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 64% of population (2022 est.) total: 73.7% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 5.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 36% of population (2022 est.) total: 26.3% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 3.8% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 0.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 36.1% (2025 est.) male: 62.6% (2025 est.) female: 8.9% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 31.9% (2020 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 56.4% (2022 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 2.6% (2016) women married by age 18: 14.9% (2016) men married by age 18: 1.2% (2016) **Education expenditure:** 5.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 4.3% national budget (2025 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 72.5% (2022 est.) male: 73.1% (2022 est.) female: 71.8% (2022 est.) **People - note:** one of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being the Philippines ### Environment **Environmental issues:** air pollution and deterioration of air quality; water quality, scarcity, and access; land and soil degradation; forest depletion; deforestation and soil erosion from slash-and-burn agriculture; loss of biodiversity **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban **Climate:** tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons **Land use:** agricultural land: 23% (2023 est.) arable land: 7.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 10.1% (2023 est.) forest: 71% (2023 est.) other: 6% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 660,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 660,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 20.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 63,900 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.5% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 99 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 2 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.071 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 8.215 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste conventional short form: Timor-Leste local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e (Tetum)/ Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste (Portuguese) local short form: Timor Lorosa'e (Tetum)/ Timor-Leste (Portuguese) former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor etymology: the name partly derives from the Indonesian and Malay word timur, meaning "east;" leste is the Portuguese word for "east," so "Timor-Leste" literally means "Eastern-East" note: pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay **Government type:** semi-presidential republic **Capital:** name: Dili geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) **Administrative divisions:** 12 municipalities (municipios, singular - municipio) and 1 special adminstrative region* (regiao administrativa especial); Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Covalima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Lospalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oe-Cusse Ambeno* (Pante Macassar), Viqueque note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; exceptions show the administrative center name in parentheses **Legal system:** civil law system based on the Portuguese model **Constitution:** history: drafted 2001, approved 22 March 2002, entered into force 20 May 2002 amendment process: proposed by Parliament and parliamentary groups; consideration of amendments requires at least four-fifths majority approval by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by Parliament and promulgation by the president of the republic; passage of amendments to the republican form of government and the flag requires approval 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 Timor-Leste dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years **Suffrage:** 17 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President José RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2022) head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023) cabinet: Council of Ministers; ministers proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in the Parliament and sworn in by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister most recent election date: 19 March 2022, with a runoff on 19 April 2022 election results: 2022: José RAMOS-HORTA elected president in second round - RAMOS-HORTA (CNRT) 62.1%, Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 37.9% 2017: Francisco GUTERRES elected president; Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 57.1%, António da CONCEICAO (PD) 32.5%, other 10.4% expected date of next election: April 2027 note: the president is commander in chief of the military and can veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 65 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/21/2023 parties elected and seats per party: National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) (31); Revolutionary Front for an independent East Timor (FRETILIN) (19); Democratic Party (PD) (6); Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO) (5); People's Liberation Party (PLP) (4) percentage of women in chamber: 35.4% expected date of next election: May 2028 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Court of Appeals (consists of the court president and NA judges) judge selection and term of office: court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other court judges appointed - 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body chaired by the court president and that includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other judges serve for life subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates' courts; military courts **Political parties:** Democratic Party or PD National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT National Unity of the Sons of Timor (Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan or KHUNTO) People's Liberation Party or PLP Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador José Luis GUTERRES (since 17 June 2024) chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202 FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205 email address and website: info@timorlesteembassy.org **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Bruce BEGNELL (since July 2025) embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili mailing address: 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 telephone: (670) 332-4684, (670) 330-2400 FAX: (670) 331-3206 email address and website: ConsDili@state.gov https://tl.usembassy.gov/ **International organization participation:** ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN, CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO **Independence:** 28 November 1975 (from Portugal); 20 May 2002 (from Indonesia) **National holiday:** Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975) **Flag:** description: red with a black isosceles triangle (based on the left side) on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle meaning: yellow stands for past colonialism, black for obscurantism that needs to be overcome, and red for the struggle for freedom; the white star represents peace and a guiding light **National symbol(s):** Mount Ramelau **National color(s):** red, yellow, black, white **National anthem(s):** title: "Patria" (Fatherland) lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO history: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower middle-income Southeast Asian economy; government expenditures funded via oil fund drawdowns; endemic corruption undermines growth; foreign aid-dependent; wide-scale poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $5.863 billion (2024 est.) $5.995 billion (2023 est.) $7.322 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** -2.2% (2024 est.) -18.1% (2023 est.) -20.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $4,200 (2024 est.) $4,300 (2023 est.) $5,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $1.881 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 2.1% (2024 est.) 8.4% (2023 est.) 7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 16.9% (2023 est.) industry: 23.9% (2023 est.) services: 61% (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% (2023 est.) government consumption: 52.9% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 17.4% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 3.1% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 22.9% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -66.4% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** maize, rice, coconuts, root vegetables, vegetables, cassava, other meats, pork, beans, coffee (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth **Industrial production growth rate:** -57% (2023 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 615,900 (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 1.7% (2024 est.) 1.6% (2023 est.) 1.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 3.4% (2024 est.) male: 3.2% (2024 est.) female: 3.7% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Remittances:** 11.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 5.1% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $1.877 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $1.826 billion (2022 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:** 21.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP **Current account balance:** -$529.738 million (2024 est.) -$177.336 million (2023 est.) $408.059 million (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $278.047 million (2024 est.) $701.808 million (2023 est.) $1.858 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** China 46%, Singapore 25%, Japan 15%, Indonesia 5%, USA 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** crude petroleum, natural gas, coffee, scrap iron, telephones (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $1.197 billion (2024 est.) $1.169 billion (2023 est.) $1.286 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** Indonesia 34%, China 26%, Singapore 9%, Taiwan 5%, India 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** refined petroleum, rice, cars, plastic products, trucks (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $736.967 million (2024 est.) $781.995 million (2023 est.) $830.81 million (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $238.042 million (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** the US dollar is used ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 99.7% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 100% electrification - rural areas: 100% **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 277,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 411.519 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 99.481 million kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** imports: 122,000 metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 6.825 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 2,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1 **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 1.63 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** 7 TV stations (3 nationwide satellite coverage; 2 terrestrial coverage, mostly in Dili; 2 cable) and 21 radio stations (3 nationwide coverage) (2019) **Internet country code:** .tl **Internet users:** percent of population: 34% (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:** 4W **Airports:** 11 (2025) **Heliports:** 2 (2025) **Merchant marine:** total: 1 (2023) by type: other 1 **Ports:** total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 0 small: 1 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 0 key ports: Dili ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Land Component, Air Force Component, Naval Component Ministry of Interior: National Police of Timor-Leste (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2025) **Military expenditures:** 2.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 2.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.2% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.8% of GDP (2020 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 2,000 Defense Forces (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the military is lightly armed with a limited inventory consisting mostly of donated equipment from countries such as Australia, China, Portugal, South Korea, and the US (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; according to Timorese law on military service, all citizens 18-30 must contribute to the defense of independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the country and render their contribution through defense and security institutions (2025) **Military - note:** the Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) has both external defense and internal security roles; it also engages in national development missions, international peacekeeping, and regional security cooperation; the F-FDTL has ties with a variety of partners, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, the UN, and the US (2025) --- ## Vietnam **Slug:** vietnam **Region:** East & Southeast Asia **Flag:** 🇻🇳 **Codes:** cek: vm, iso2: VN, iso3: VNM, iso_num: 704, genc: VNM, stanag: VNM, internet: .vn ### Introduction **Background:** Vietnam's early history included periods of occupation by outside forces and eventual power consolidation under Vietnamese dynastic families. A succession of Han Chinese emperors ruled the area, which was centered on the Red River Valley, until approximately the 10th century. The Ly Dynasty (11th-13th century) created the first independent Vietnamese state, which was known as Dai Viet, and established their capital at Thang Long (Hanoi). Under the Tran Dynasty (13th-15th century), TRAN Hung Dao, one of Vietnam’s national heroes, led Dai Viet forces to fight off Mongol invaders in 1279. After a brief Chinese occupation in the early 1400s, Vietnamese resistance leader LE Thai To made himself emperor and established the Le Dynasty, which lasted until the late 18th century despite decades of political turmoil, civil war, and division. During this period, Dai Viet expanded southward to the Central Highlands and Mekong Delta, reaching the approximate boundaries of modern-day Vietnam by the 1750s. Dai Viet suffered additional civil war and division in the latter half of the 18th century, but it was reunited and renamed Vietnam under Emperor NGUYEN Phuc Anh (aka Gia Long) in 1802. France began its conquest of Vietnam in 1858 and made Vietnam part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but the French continued to rule until communist forces under Ho Chi MINH defeated them in 1954. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. Fighting erupted between the two governments shortly afterwards with the North supporting communist rebels in the South and eventually committing thousands of combat troops. The US provided to the South significant economic and military assistance, including large numbers of US military forces, which reached a peak strength of over 500,000 troops in 1968. US combat forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South, reuniting the country under communist rule. The conflict, known as the Second Indochina War (1955-1975), devastated Vietnam, spilled over into the neighboring countries of Cambodia and Laos, and is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of up to 3 million Vietnamese civilians and soldiers. It also caused more than 58,000 US combat and non-combat deaths and created deep domestic divisions in the US. Despite the return of peace, the country experienced little economic growth for over a decade because of its diplomatic isolation, leadership policies, and the persecution and mass exodus of citizens, many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, the economy has seen strong growth, particularly in agricultural and industrial production, construction, exports, foreign investment, and tourism. Nevertheless, the Communist Party maintains tight political and social control of the country, and Vietnam faces many related challenges, such as rising income inequality and corruption. ### Geography **Location:** Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia **Geographic coordinates:** 16 10 N, 107 50 E **Map references:** Southeast Asia **Area:** total : 331,210 sq km land: 310,070 sq km water: 21,140 sq km **Area - comparative:** about three times the size of Tennessee; slightly larger than New Mexico **Land boundaries:** total: 4,616 km border countries (3): Cambodia 1,158 km; China 1,297 km; Laos 2,161 km **Coastline:** 3,444 km (excludes islands) **Maritime claims:** territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin **Climate:** tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March) **Terrain:** low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest **Elevation:** highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m mean elevation: 398 m **Natural resources:** antimony, phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower, arable land **Land use:** agricultural land: 39.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 21.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 15.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2% (2023 est.) forest: 47% (2023 est.) other: 13.7% (2023 est.) **Irrigated land:** 46,000 sq km (2012) **Major rivers (by length in km):** Sông Tiên Giang (Mekong) river mouth (shared with China [s], Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia) - 4,350 km; Pearl river source (shared with China [m]) - 2,200 km; Red river mouth (shared with China [s]) - 1,149 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth **Major watersheds (area sq km):** Pacific Ocean drainage: Mekong (805,604 sq km) **Population distribution:** though it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people **Natural hazards:** occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta **Geography - note:** note 1: extending 1,650 km (1,025 mi) north to south, the country is only 50 km (31 mi) across at its narrowest point note 2: Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the world's largest cave (greatest cross-sectional area) and is the largest known cave passage in the world by volume at 38.5 million cu m (about 1.35 billion cu ft); it connects to Thoong cave, but not yet officially -- when recognized, it will add an additional 1.6 million cu m; it is so massive that it contains its own jungle, underground river, and localized weather system, with clouds forming inside the cave and spewing from its exits ### People and Society **Population:** total: 106,688,169 (2025 est.) male: 53,597,784 female: 53,090,385 **Nationality:** noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) adjective: Vietnamese **Ethnic groups:** Kinh (Viet) 85.3%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.9%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.4%, Mong 1.4%, Nung 1.1%, other 5.5% (2019 est.) note: 54 ethnic groups are recognized by the Vietnamese Government **Languages:** Vietnamese (official); English (often as a second language); some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain-area languages (including Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian) major-language sample(s): Dữ kiện thế giới, là nguồn thông tin cơ bản không thể thiếu. (Vietnamese) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information. **Religions:** Catholic 6.1%, Buddhist 5.8%, Protestant 1%, other 0.8%, none 86.3% (2019 est.) note: most Vietnamese are culturally Buddhist **Age structure:** 0-14 years: 23.2% (male 12,953,719/female 11,579,690) 15-64 years: 68.5% (male 36,591,845/female 35,887,201) 65 years and over: 8.3% (2024 est.) (male 3,563,611/female 5,182,909) **Dependency ratios:** total dependency ratio: 46.4 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 33.6 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 12.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 7.8 (2025 est.) **Median age:** total: 33.5 years (2025 est.) male: 32 years female: 34.2 years **Population growth rate:** 0.86% (2025 est.) **Birth rate:** 14.58 births/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Death rate:** 5.81 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Net migration rate:** -0.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.) **Population distribution:** though it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people **Urbanization:** urban population: 39.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Major urban areas - population:** 9.321 million Ho Chi Minh City, 5.253 million HANOI (capital), 1.865 million Can Tho, 1.423 million Hai Phong, 1.221 million Da Nang, 1.111 million Bien Hoa (2023) **Sex ratio:** at birth: 1.1 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.) **Maternal mortality ratio:** 48 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.) **Infant mortality rate:** total: 13.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 13.7 deaths/1,000 live births **Life expectancy at birth:** total population: 76.1 years (2024 est.) male: 73.5 years female: 78.9 years **Total fertility rate:** 2.01 children born/woman (2025 est.) **Gross reproduction rate:** 0.96 (2025 est.) **Drinking water source:** improved: urban: 99.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 97.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 98% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 2.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 2% of population (2022 est.) **Health expenditure:** 4.6% of GDP (2021) 10.7% of national budget (2022 est.) **Physician density:** 1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2021) **Hospital bed density:** 2.6 beds/1,000 population (2017 est.) **Sanitation facility access:** improved: urban: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 90.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 94.4% of population (2022 est.) unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 9.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 5.6% of population (2022 est.) **Obesity - adult prevalence rate:** 2.1% (2016) **Alcohol consumption per capita:** total: 3.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) **Tobacco use:** total: 22% (2025 est.) male: 43.1% (2025 est.) female: 2.1% (2025 est.) **Children under the age of 5 years underweight:** 9.7% (2023 est.) **Currently married women (ages 15-49):** 72.8% (2021 est.) **Child marriage:** women married by age 15: 1.1% (2021) women married by age 18: 14.6% (2021) men married by age 18: 1.9% (2021) **Education expenditure:** 2.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 15.4% national budget (2022 est.) **Literacy:** total population: 96.1% (2022 est.) male: 97.2% (2022 est.) female: 95.1% (2022 est.) **School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):** total: 14 years (2022 est.) male: 15 years (2022 est.) female: 14 years (2022 est.) ### Environment **Environmental issues:** deforestation and soil degradation from logging and slash-and-burn agriculture; water pollution; overfishing; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; air pollution **International environmental agreements:** party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements **Climate:** tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March) **Land use:** agricultural land: 39.2% (2023 est.) arable land: 21.5% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 15.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 2% (2023 est.) forest: 47% (2023 est.) other: 13.7% (2023 est.) **Urbanization:** urban population: 39.5% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.) **Carbon dioxide emissions:** 305.404 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 218.502 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 72.383 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 14.52 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) **Particulate matter emissions:** 20.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.) **Methane emissions:** energy: 806.7 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 2,146.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 683.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 40.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) **Waste and recycling:** municipal solid waste generated annually: 9.57 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 46% (2022 est.) **Total water withdrawal:** municipal: 1.206 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 3.074 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 77.75 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Total renewable water resources:** 884.12 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) **Geoparks:** total global geoparks and regional networks: 4 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Dak Nong; Dong Van Karst Plateau; Lang Son; Non nuoc Cao Bang (2025) ### Government **Country name:** conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam conventional short form: Vietnam local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam local short form: Viet Nam former: Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) abbreviation: SRV etymology: the name translates as "Viet south;" Viet is an ethnic term of unknown origin that dates back to ancient times, and nam (south) refers to the country's location **Government type:** communist party-led state **Capital:** name: Hanoi (Ha Noi) geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name means "inside the river," from the Vietnamese words ha (river) and noi (inside), and refers to its location in a bend of the Red River **Administrative divisions:** 58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural) provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi (Hanoi), Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) **Legal system:** civil law system with European influences **Constitution:** history: several previous; latest adopted 28 November 2013, effective 1 January 2014 amendment process: proposed by the president, by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee, or by at least two thirds of the National Assembly membership; a decision to draft an amendment requires approval by at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership, followed by the formation of a constitutional drafting committee to write a draft and collect citizens’ opinions; passage requires at least two-thirds majority of the Assembly membership; the Assembly can opt to conduct 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 citizen of Vietnam dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years **Suffrage:** 18 years of age; universal **Executive branch:** chief of state: President Luong CUONG (since 21 Oct 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Pham Minh CHINH (since 26 July 2021) cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, confirmed by the National Assembly, and appointed by the president election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a single 5-year term; prime minister recommended by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly note: in August 2024, To LAM was elected general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country’s most powerful position **Legislative branch:** legislature name: National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 500 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 5/23/2021 parties elected and seats per party: Communist Party (485); Other (14) percentage of women in chamber: 31.4% expected date of next election: March 2026 **Judicial branch:** highest court(s): Supreme People's Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 judges) judge selection and term of office: chief justice elected by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president for a 5-year, renewable term; deputy chief justice appointed by the president from among the judges for a 5-year term; judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly for 5-year terms subordinate courts: High Courts (administrative, civil, criminal, economic, labor, family, juvenile); provincial courts; district courts; Military Court note: the National Assembly Standing Committee can establish special tribunals on the recommendation of the chief justice **Political parties:** Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV note: other parties banned **Diplomatic representation in the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Quoc DZUNG (since 19 April 2022) chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737 FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917 email address and website: vanphong@vietnamembassy.us http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/ consulate(s) general: Houston, San Francisco consulate(s): New York **Diplomatic representation from the US:** chief of mission: Ambassador Marc KNAPPER (since 11 February 2022) embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi mailing address: 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521-4550 telephone: [84] (24) 3850-5000 FAX: [84] (24) 3850-5010 email address and website: ACShanoi@state.gov https://vn.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City **International organization participation:** ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (2024) **Independence:** 2 September 1945 (from France) **National holiday:** Independence Day (National Day), 2 September (1945) **Flag:** description: red field with a five-pointed yellow star in the center meaning: red stands for revolution and blood, and the five-pointed star for the five elements of the populace -- peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders, and soldiers -- that unite to build socialism **National symbol(s):** five-pointed yellow star on a red field, lotus blossom **National color(s):** red, yellow **National anthem(s):** title: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops) lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO history: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; only the first verse is used as the official anthem **National heritage:** total World Heritage Sites: 9 (6 cultural, 2 natural, 1 mixed) selected World Heritage Site locales: Complex of Hué Monuments (c); Ha Long Bay (n); Hoi An Ancient Town (c); My Son Sanctuary (c); Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (n); Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi (c); Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (c); Trang An Landscape Complex (m); Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes (c) ### Economy **Economic overview:** lower middle-income socialist East Asian economy; rapid economic growth since Đổi Mới reforms; strong investment and productivity growth; tourism and manufacturing hub; TPP signatory; declining poverty aside from ethnic minorities; systemic corruption **Real GDP (purchasing power parity):** $1.456 trillion (2024 est.) $1.359 trillion (2023 est.) $1.294 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **Real GDP growth rate:** 7.1% (2024 est.) 5.1% (2023 est.) 8.5% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency **Real GDP per capita:** $14,400 (2024 est.) $13,500 (2023 est.) $13,000 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars **GDP (official exchange rate):** $476.388 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate **Inflation rate (consumer prices):** 3.6% (2024 est.) 3.3% (2023 est.) 3.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices **GDP - composition, by sector of origin:** agriculture: 11.9% (2024 est.) industry: 37.6% (2024 est.) services: 42.4% (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: 54.3% (2023 est.) government consumption: 8.8% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 30.1% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 1.5% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 86.5% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -78.4% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection **Agricultural products:** rice, vegetables, sugarcane, cassava, maize, pork, fruits, bananas, coconuts, coffee (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage **Industries:** food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, mobile phones **Industrial production growth rate:** 8.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency **Labor force:** 57.133 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work **Unemployment rate:** 1.5% (2024 est.) 1.7% (2023 est.) 1.6% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment **Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):** total: 6.8% (2024 est.) male: 7% (2024 est.) female: 6.6% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment **Population below poverty line:** 4.3% (2022 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line **Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:** 36.1 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality **Average household expenditures:** on food: 34.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 1.9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) **Household income or consumption by percentage share:** lowest 10%: 2.6% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 28.1% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population **Remittances:** 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.2% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.5% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities **Budget:** revenues: $68.818 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $83.707 billion (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:** 58.5% of GDP (2017 est.) note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions **Current account balance:** $28.047 billion (2024 est.) $25.793 billion (2023 est.) $1.402 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars **Exports:** $429.383 billion (2024 est.) $374.986 billion (2023 est.) $385.241 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars **Exports - partners:** USA 28%, China 20%, Japan 6%, Hong Kong 4%, Germany 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports **Exports - commodities:** broadcasting equipment, garments, integrated circuits, machine parts, footwear (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars **Imports:** $398.672 billion (2024 est.) $339.785 billion (2023 est.) $369.746 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars **Imports - partners:** China 49%, Singapore 6%, Japan 6%, Hong Kong 5%, Taiwan 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports **Imports - commodities:** integrated circuits, broadcasting equipment, fabric, plastics, telephones (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars **Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:** $83.082 billion (2024 est.) $92.238 billion (2023 est.) $86.54 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars **Debt - external:** $34.426 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars **Exchange rates:** dong (VND) per US dollar - Exchange rates: 24,164.886 (2024 est.) 23,787.319 (2023 est.) 23,271.212 (2022 est.) 23,159.783 (2021 est.) 23,208.368 (2020 est.) ### Energy **Electricity access:** electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.) **Electricity:** installed generating capacity: 85.725 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 277.501 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 933.237 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 3.106 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 18.197 billion kWh (2023 est.) **Electricity generation sources:** fossil fuels: 50.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 9.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 4.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 34.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 1.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) **Coal:** production: 51.519 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 96.099 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 815,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 43.637 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 3.116 billion metric tons (2023 est.) **Petroleum:** total petroleum production: 187,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 544,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 4.4 billion barrels (2021 est.) **Natural gas:** production: 7.48 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 7.48 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 699.426 billion cubic meters (2021 est.) **Energy consumption per capita:** 40.263 million Btu/person (2023 est.) ### Communications **Telephones - fixed lines:** total subscriptions: 2.316 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2023 est.) **Telephones - mobile cellular:** total subscriptions: 129 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 128 (2024 est.) **Broadcast media:** state-controlled broadcast media, with oversight from the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC); state-controlled national TV provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), has several channels with regional broadcasting centers; law limits access to satellite TV, but many access foreign programming via home satellite equipment; state-controlled Voice of Vietnam, the national radio broadcaster, broadcasts on several channels and is repeated on AM, FM, and shortwave stations (2018) **Internet country code:** .vn **Internet users:** percent of population: 78% (2023 est.) **Broadband - fixed subscriptions:** total: 22.8 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 23 (2023 est.) ### Transportation **Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:** VN **Airports:** 36 (2025) **Heliports:** 26 (2025) **Railways:** total: 2,600 km (2014) standard gauge: 178 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge; 253 km mixed gauge narrow gauge: 2,169 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge **Merchant marine:** total: 1,973 (2022) by type: bulk carrier 117, container ship 45, general cargo 1,176, oil tanker 134, other 501 **Ports:** total ports: 16 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 6 very small: 9 ports with oil terminals: 12 key ports: Da Nang, Hai Phong, Nghe Tinh, Nha Trang, Thanh Ho Chi Minh, Vinh Cam Ranh, Vung Tau ### Military and Security **Military and security forces:** People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; aka Vietnam People's Army, VPA): Ground Forces (Army), Navy (includes naval infantry), Air Defense - Air Force, Vietnam Border Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard Vietnam People's Ministry of Public Security; Vietnam Civil Defense Force (2025) note 1: the People's Public Security Ministry is responsible for internal security and controls the national police, a special national security investigative agency, and other internal security units, including specialized riot police regiments note 2: the Vietnam Coast Guard was established in 1998 as the Vietnam Marine Police and renamed in 2013; Vietnam established a civilian maritime self-defense force in 2010; the Vietnam Department of Fisheries Resources Surveillance (DFIRES; under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), established in 2013, is responsible for fisheries enforcement, aquatic conservation roles, and is designated as Vietnam's standing agency for combating illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; it is armed, allowed to use force if necessary, and works in tandem with the Vietnam Coast Guard note 3: the PAVN is the military arm of the ruling Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and responsible to the Central Military Commission (CMC), the highest party organ on military policy; the CMC is led by the CPV General Secretary **Military expenditures:** 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2021 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2020 est.) 2.3% of GDP (2019 est.) **Military and security service personnel strengths:** approximately 450,000 active-duty People's Army of Vietnam (2025) **Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:** the PAVN is equipped largely with armaments from Russia and the former Soviet Union; in recent years, Vietnam has moved to diversify its arms suppliers and has acquired items from countries such as India, Israel, the Netherlands, South Korea, and the US; Vietnam has a small defense industry involved in the manufacture of small arms, ground combat vehicles, and naval systems (2025) **Military service age and obligation:** 18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service for men and women (in practice only men are drafted); service obligation is 24-36 months depending on the branch of service (including Coast Guard and Ministry of Public Security) (2025) **Military deployments:** 200 Abyei/South Sudan/Sudan (UNISFA) (2025) **Military - note:** since withdrawing its military occupation forces from Cambodia in the late 1980s and the end of Soviet aid in 1991, Vietnam has practiced a non-aligned foreign policy and security doctrine known as the "Four Nos" (no alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign bases, and no using force in international relations); despite longstanding tensions with Beijing over maritime boundaries in the South China Sea, Vietnam puts a priority on stable relations with China, given its proximity, size, and status as Vietnam's largest trading partner the responsibilities of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) include protecting the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests, as well as assisting civilian authorities with natural disasters; in recent years, the PAVN has placed additional emphasis on protecting Vietnam's interests in the disputed South China Sea; the military is also involved in economic projects, such as electrical infrastructure, oil and gas services, hydroelectric projects, aviation and seaport services, telecommunications, and the shipbuilding industry, while military-owned factories and enterprises produce weapons and equipment (2025) ### Space **Space agency/agencies:** Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC; established 2011) (2025) note: the VNSC is under the Vietnamese Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) **Space program overview:** has a growing national space program focused on acquiring, operating, and exploiting satellites, as well as expanding domestic capabilities in satellites and associated sub-system production, space sciences, and technology applications; builds and operates communications and remote sensing satellites; conducting research and development on space science and applied space technologies, such as advanced optics and space data exploitation; has worked closely with Japan on its space program; has also established relationships with the space agencies or commercial space sectors of some European countries (such as France), India, and the US (2025) **Key space-program milestones:** 1980 - first Vietnamese astronaut/cosmonaut into space on Soviet spacecraft 2008 - first telecommunications satellite (VINASAT-1) built by US company and launched on European rocket 2012 - first educational/scientific cube satellite (F-1) built jointly with and launched by Japan; second telecommunications satellite (VINASAT-2) built by US and launched on European rocket 2013 - first domestically built remote-sensing (RS)/technology-demonstrator cube satellite (PicoDragon) launched by Japan; first RS satellite (VNREDSat-1a or Vietnam Natural Resources, Environment, and Disaster Monitoring Satellite) launched on European rocket 2016 - signed an agreement with India to establish a satellite tracking and imaging center in Ho Chi Minh City in exchange for access to Indian RS imagery 2018 - completed National Space Center in Hanoi 2021 - announced a developmental roadmap for producing “Made in Vietnam” small satellites as part of a larger effort to increase space sciences and technology through 2030; signed an agreement with Japan to increase cooperation on space defense ### Transnational Issues **Refugees and internally displaced persons:** refugees: 19 (2024 est.) IDPs: 2,568 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 20,590 (2024 est.) ---