2010 Edition

Background

The French Territory of the Afars and the Issas became Djibouti in 1977. Hassan Gouled APTIDON installed an authoritarian one-party state and proceeded to serve as president until 1999. Unrest among the Afars minority during the 1990s led to a civil war that ended in 2001 following the conclusion of a peace accord between Afar rebels and the Issa-dominated government. In 1999, Djibouti's first multi-party presidential elections resulted in the election of Ismail Omar GUELLEH; he was re-elected to a second term in 2005. Djibouti occupies a strategic geographic location at the mouth of the Red Sea and serves as an important transshipment location for goods entering and leaving the east African highlands. The present leadership favors close ties to France, which maintains a significant military presence in the country but also has strong ties with the US. Djibouti hosts the only US military base in sub-Saharan Africa and is a front-line state in the global war on terrorism.

Area

land

23,180 sq km

total

23,200 sq km

water

20 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Massachusetts

Climate

desert; torrid, dry

Coastline

314 km

Elevation extremes

highest point

Moussa Ali 2,028 m

lowest point

Lac Assal -155 m

Environment - current issues

inadequate supplies of potable water; limited arable land; desertification; endangered species

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

25 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.02 cu km/yr (84%/0%/16%)

Geographic coordinates

11 30 N, 43 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location near world's busiest shipping lanes and close to Arabian oilfields; terminus of rail traffic into Ethiopia; mostly wasteland; Lac Assal (Lake Assal) is the lowest point in Africa

Irrigated land

10 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

Eritrea 109 km, Ethiopia 349 km, Somalia 58 km

total

516 km

Land use

arable land

0.04%

other

99.96% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Eastern Africa, bordering the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, between Eritrea and Somalia

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods

volcanism

Djibouti experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba (elev. 298 m, 978 ft) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, located along the Ethiopian border, is also historically active

Natural resources

potential geothermal power, gold, clay, granite, limestone, marble, salt, diatomite, gypsum, pumice, petroleum

Terrain

coastal plain and plateau separated by central mountains

Total renewable water resources

0.3 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 36.3% (male 131,878/female 131,449) 15-64 years: 60.4% (male 194,503/female 243,495) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 10,462/female 12,835) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

25.58 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

8.37 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

8.7% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Somali 60%, Afar 35%, other 5% (includes French, Arab, Ethiopian, and Italian)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

1,100 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

16,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

48.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

64.55 deaths/1,000 live births

total

56.65 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Arabic (official), Somali, Afar

Life expectancy at birth

female

63.22 years (2010 est.)

male

58.31 years

total population

60.73 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

58.4% (2003 est.)

male

78%

total population

67.9%

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Median age

female

22.8 years (2010 est.)

male

19.8 years

total

21.4 years

Nationality

adjective

Djiboutian

noun

Djiboutian(s)

Net migration rate

4.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

740,528 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

2.181% (2010 est.)

Religions

Muslim 94%, Christian 6%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

4 years (2007)

male

5 years

total

5 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.8 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female

total population

0.86 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.79 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

87% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

6 districts (cercles, singular - cercle); Ali Sabieh, Arta, Dikhil, Djibouti, Obock, Tadjourah

Capital

geographic coordinates

11 35 N, 43 09 E

name

Djibouti

time difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

approved by referendum 4 September 1992; note - constitution allows for multiparties

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Djibouti

conventional short form

Djibouti

former

French Territory of the Afars and Issas, French Somaliland

local long form

Republique de Djibouti/Jumhuriyat Jibuti

local short form

Djibouti/Jibuti

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador James C. SWAN

embassy

Plateau du Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti

FAX

[253] 35 39 40

mailing address

B. P. 185, Djibouti

telephone

[253] 35 39 95

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

Suite 515, 1156 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

chief of mission

Ambassador Roble OLHAYE Oudine

FAX

[1] (202) 331-0302

telephone

[1] (202) 331-0270

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers responsible to the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Ismail Omar GUELLEH (since 8 May 1999)

election results

Ismail Omar GUELLEH reelected president; percent of vote - Ismail Omar GUELLEH 100%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; president is eligible to hold office until age 75; election last held on 8 April 2005 (next to be held by April 2011); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Mohamed Dileita DILEITA (since 4 March 2001)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a red five-pointed star in the center; blue stands for sea and sky and the Issa Somali people; green symbolizes earth and the Afar people; white represents peace; the red star recalls the struggle for independence and stands for unity

Government type

republic

Independence

27 June 1977 (from France)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC, LAS, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Legal system

based on French civil law system, traditional practices, and Islamic law; accepts ICJ compulsory jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (65 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms); note - constitutional amendments in 2010 provided for the establishment of a senate

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats - UMP (coalition of parties associated with President Ismail Omar GUELLAH) 65

elections

last held on 8 February 2008 (next to be held in 2013)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Aden ELMI/Abdi ROBLEH note: adopted 1977

name

"Jabuuti" (Djibouti)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 June (1977)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic National Party or PND [ADEN Robleh Awaleh]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Abdillahi HAMARITEH]; Djibouti Development Party or PDD [Mohamed Daoud CHEHEM]; Front pour la Restauration de l'Unite Democratique or FRUD [Ali Mohamed DAOUD]; People's Progress Assembly or RPP [Ismail Omar GUELLEH] (governing party); Peoples Social Democratic Party or PPSD [Moumin Bahdon FARAH]; Republican Alliance for Democracy or ARD [Ahmed YOUSSOUF]; Union for a Presidential Majority or UMP [Mohamed Dileita DILEITA] (a coalition of parties including RPP, FRUD, PND, and PPSD); Union for Democracy and Justice or UDJ

Political pressure groups and leaders

Union for Presidential Majority UMP (coalition includes RPP, FRUD, PPSD and PND); Union for Democratic Changeover or UAD (opposition coalition includes ARD, MRDD, and UDJ)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables; goats, sheep, camels, animal hides

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) 11.56% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$352 million (2009 est.) -$212 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$428 million (2006)

Economy - overview

The economy is based on service activities connected with the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in the Horn of Africa. Two-thirds of Djibouti's inhabitants live in the capital city; the remainder are mostly nomadic herders. Scanty rainfall limits crop production to fruits and vegetables, and most food must be imported. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center. Imports and exports from landlocked neighbor Ethiopia represent 70% of port activity at Djibouti's container terminal. Djibouti has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is, therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment rate of nearly 60% in urban areas continues to be a major problem. While inflation is not a concern, due to the fixed tie of the Djiboutian franc to the US dollar, the artificially high value of the Djiboutian franc adversely affects Djibouti's balance of payments. Per capita consumption dropped an estimated 35% between 1999 and 2006 because of recession, civil war, and a high population growth rate (including immigrants and refugees). Djibouti has experienced relatively minimal impact from the global economic downturn, but its reliance on diesel-generated electricity and imported food leave average consumers vulnerable to global price shocks.

Electricity - consumption

260.4 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

280 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Djiboutian francs (DJF) per US dollar - 177.71 (2007), 174.75 (2006), 177.72 (2005), 177.72 (2004), 177.72 (2003)

Exports

$100 million (2009); $340 million

Exports - commodities

reexports, hides and skins, coffee (in transit)

Exports - partners

Somalia 76.68%, France 4.89%, UAE 4.22% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

3.2%

industry

14.9%

services

81.9% (2006)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,800 (2010 est.) $2,800 (2009 est.) $2,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.8% (2010 est.) 5% (2009 est.) 5.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.139 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.099 billion (2010 est.) $2.003 billion (2009 est.) $1.908 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.4% highest 10%: 30.9% (2002)

Imports

$644 million (2009 est.) $1.555 billion (2006)

Imports - commodities

foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals, petroleum products

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 16.26%, India 16.03%, China 14.26%, US 9.57%, Malaysia 6.63%, Japan 4.74% (2009)

Industries

construction, agricultural processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6% (2009 est.) 5%

Labor force

351,700 (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

12,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

19 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

8,476 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

42% (2007 est.)

Stock of broad money

$940.8 million (31 December 2009 est.) $800.8 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$339 million (31 December 2009) $269.9 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money

$577.8 million (31 December 2009) $462.7 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate

59% (2007 est.) note: data are for urban areas, 83% in rural areas

Broadcast media

maintains restrictions on the licensing and operation of broadcast media; state-owned Radiodiffusion-Television de Djibouti (RTD) operates the sole terrestrial TV station as well as the only 2 domestic radio networks; no private TV or radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.dj

Internet hosts

195 (2010)

Internet users

25,900 (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

Djibouti Telecom is the sole provider of telecommunications services and utilizes mostly a microwave radio relay network; fiber-optic cable is installed in the capital; rural areas connected via wireless local loop radio systems; mobile cellular coverage is primarily limited to the area in and around Djibouti city

general assessment

telephone facilities in the city of Djibouti are adequate, as are the microwave radio relay connections to outlying areas of the country

international

country code - 253; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3 optical telecommunications submarine cable with links to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intelsat - Indian Ocean and 1 Arabsat); Medarabtel regional microwave radio relay telephone network (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

16,800 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

128,800 (2009)

Airports

13 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

3 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 2 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Djibouti

Railways

narrow gauge

100 km 1.000-m gauge note: railway is under joint control of Djibouti and Ethiopia but is largely inoperable (2008)

total

100 km (Djibouti segment of the 781 km Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway)

Roadways

paved

1,226 km

total

3,065 km

unpaved

1,839 km (2000)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports offshore waters in the Gulf of Aden are high risk for piracy; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crew, passengers, and cargo are held for ransom

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 165,000 females age 16-49: 213,894 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 110,441 females age 16-49: 147,939 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

8,503 (2010 est.)

male

8,260

Military branches

Djibouti National Army (includes Navy and Air Force)

Military expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 16-25 years of age for voluntary military training; no conscription (2008)

Disputes - international

Djibouti maintains economic ties and border accords with "Somaliland" leadership while maintaining some political ties to various factions in Somalia; Kuwait is chief investor in the 2008 restoration and upgrade of the Ethiopian-Djibouti rail link; in 2008, Eritrean troops move across the border on Ras Doumera peninsula and occupy Doumera Island with undefined sovereignty in the Red Sea

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

8,642 (Somalia) (2007) page last updated on January 19, 2011 ======================================================================