2013 Edition

Background

The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Periodic flare-ups in tension and violence culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of undisputed Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions. Billionaire philanthropist Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary election and removed UNM from power. A new constitution shifting many powers from the president to the prime minister and parliament, including the power to name the prime minister and government ministers, does not go into effect until after a new president is elected in the fall of 2013. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Tensions remain high as IVANISHVILI, SAAKASHVILI, and their supporters struggle to co-exist until the end of the president's term.

Area

69,700 sq km 69,700 sq km 0 sq km

total

69,700 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Coastline

310 km

Elevation extremes

Black Sea 0 m Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m

highest point

Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m

lowest point

Black Sea 0 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, 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)

1.81 cu km/yr (20%/22%/58%) 410.6 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

410.6 cu m/yr (2005)

total

1.81 cu km/yr (20%/22%/58%)

Geographic coordinates

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Geography - note

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

Irrigated land

4,328 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

1,461 km Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

border countries

Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

total

1,461 km

Land use

5.94% 1.65% 92.41% (2011)

arable land

5.94%

other

92.41% (2011)

permanent crops

1.65%

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

earthquakes

Natural resources

timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

Terrain

largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland

Total renewable water resources

63.33 cu km (2011)

Age structure

15.4% (male 373,539/female 327,139) 14% (male 326,910/female 309,245) 42.2% (male 926,172/female 994,432) 12.3% (male 255,905/female 305,652) 16.2% (male 293,435/female 443,482) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

15.4% (male 373,539/female 327,139)

15-24 years

14% (male 326,910/female 309,245)

25-54 years

42.2% (male 926,172/female 994,432)

55-64 years

12.3% (male 255,905/female 305,652)

65 years and over

16.2% (male 293,435/female 443,482) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

10.72 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

113,106 18 % (2005 est.)

percentage

18 % (2005 est.)

total number

113,106

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.1% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

53.4% percent of women aged 15-44 (2010)

Death rate

10.17 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

47.7 % 26.4 % 21.3 % 4.7 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

21.3 %

potential support ratio

4.7 (2013)

total dependency ratio

47.7 %

youth dependency ratio

26.4 %

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 96% of population total: 98% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 4% of population total: 2% of population (2010 est.)

rural

4% of population

total

2% of population (2010 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census)

Health expenditures

9.4% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,500 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

14.21 deaths/1,000 live births 16.07 deaths/1,000 live births 12.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

12.16 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

14.21 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Life expectancy at birth

77.51 years 74.17 years 81.17 years (2013 est.)

female

81.17 years (2013 est.)

total population

77.51 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.7% 99.8% 99.7% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.7% (2011 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.7%

Major urban areas - population

TBILISI (capital) 1.115 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

67 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

39.6 years 37.1 years 42.1 years (2013 est.)

female

42.1 years (2013 est.)

male

37.1 years

total

39.6 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

23.9 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Georgian(s) Georgian

adjective

Georgian

noun

Georgian(s)

Net migration rate

-3.86 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.1% (2008)

Physicians density

4.24 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

4,555,911 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.33% (2013 est.)

Religions

Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 96% of population rural: 93% of population total: 95% of population urban: 4% of population rural: 7% of population total: 5% of population (2010 est.)

rural

7% of population

total

5% of population (2010 est.)

urban

4% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13.2 years (2009)

total

13.2 years (2009)

Sex ratio

1.1 male(s)/female 1.15 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 0.84 male(s)/female 0.66 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.15 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.05 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.93 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.66 male(s)/female

at birth

1.1 male(s)/female

total population

0.91 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.46 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

35.6% (2011)

total

35.6% (2011)

Urbanization

52.8% of total population (2011) -0.37% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

-0.37% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

52.8% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli Tbilisi Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

autonomous republics

Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)

city

Tbilisi

regions

Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli

Capital

Tbilisi 41 41 N, 44 50 E UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

41 41 N, 44 50 E

name

Tbilisi

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995; amended several times, last in 2013 (2013)

Country name

none Georgia none Sak'art'velo Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Georgia

former

Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

none

local short form

Sak'art'velo

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Richard NORLAND (since 25 July 2012) 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 [995] (32) 227-70-00 [995] (32) 253-23-10

chief of mission

Ambassador Richard NORLAND (since 25 July 2012)

embassy

11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131

FAX

[995] (32) 253-23-10

mailing address

7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060

telephone

[995] (32) 227-70-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Archil GEGESHIDZE (since 12 April 2013) 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 387-2390 [1] (202) 387-0864 New York

chancery

2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Archil GEGESHIDZE (since 12 April 2013)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 387-0864

telephone

[1] (202) 387-2390

Executive branch

President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (since 17 November 2013); the president is the chief of state and serves as head of government for the power ministries of internal affairs, justice, and defense Prime Minister Irakli GARIBASHVILI (since 20 November 2013); the prime minister is head of government for all the ministries of government except the power ministries of internal affairs, justice, and defense Cabinet of Ministers president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018) Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI elected president; percent of vote - Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI 62.1%, Davit BAKRADZE 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE 10.2%, other 6%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers

chief of state

President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (since 17 November 2013); the president is the chief of state and serves as head of government for the power ministries of internal affairs, justice, and defense

election results

Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI elected president; percent of vote - Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI 62.1%, Davit BAKRADZE 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE 10.2%, other 6%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018)

head of government

Prime Minister Irakli GARIBASHVILI (since 20 November 2013); the prime minister is head of government for all the ministries of government except the power ministries of internal affairs, justice, and defense

Flag description

white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross design appears to date back to the 14th century

Government type

republic

Independence

9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)

9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date

A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) note - the Abkhazian and Ajarian Autonomous republics each have a supreme court and a hierarchy of lower courts Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Parliament; judges serve not less than 10-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president following candidate selection by the Justice Council of Georgia, a 12-member consultative body of high-level judges, and presidential and parliamentary appointees; judges appointed for 10-year terms Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Parliament; judges serve not less than 10-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president following candidate selection by the Justice Council of Georgia, a 12-member consultative body of high-level judges, and presidential and parliamentary appointees; judges appointed for 10-year terms

subordinate courts

Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (150 seats; 77 members elected by proportional representation, 73 elected in single-member constituencies; members to serve four-year terms) last held on 1 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 55%, United National Movement 40.3%, other 4.7%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 85, United National Movement 65

election results

percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 55%, United National Movement 40.3%, other 4.7%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 85, United National Movement 65

elections

last held on 1 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Tavisupleba" (Liberty) Dawit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE) adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted

lyrics/music

Dawit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)

name

"Tavisupleba" (Liberty)

National holiday

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

National symbol(s)

Saint George; lion

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE] Conservative Party [Zviad DZIDZIGURI] Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE] For Fair Georgia [Zurab NOGAIDELI] Georgian Dream (a six-party coalition composed of Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia, Republican Party, Our Georgia-Free Democrats, National Forum, Conservative Party, and Industry Will Save Georgia) Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Bidzina IVANISHVILI, honorary chairman] Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE] Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE] Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE] Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI] National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA] National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA] New Rights [Pikria CHIKHRADZE] Our Georgia-Free Democrats (OGFD) [Irakli ALASANIA] People's Party [Koba DAVITASHVILI Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI] Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI] United National Movement or UNM [Vano MERABISHVILI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

separatists in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

Budget

$4.421 billion $4.905 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$4.905 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$4.421 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.25% (31 December 2012) 6.5% (31 January 2012) this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia

Commercial bank prime lending rate

22.08% (31 December 2012 est.) 22.19% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.875 billion (2012 est.) $-1.96 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$11.67 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.12 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46 (2011) 37.1 (1996)

Economy - overview

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its energy needs. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil, and other goods. Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sunk to negative 4 percent in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in 2010-12, with growth rates above 6% per year, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment has also remained high at above 15%. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, with a focus on hydropower, agriculture, tourism, and textiles production. Since 2004, the government has taken a series of actions against endemic corruption, including reform of the traffic police and implementation of a fair examination system for entering the university system. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for its anti-corruption efforts.

Exchange rates

laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.65 (2012 est.) 1.69 (2011 est.) 1.78 (2010 est.) 1.67 (2009 est.) 1.47 (2008 est.)

Exports

$3.458 billion (2012 est.) $3.223 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

vehicles, ferro-alloys, fertilizers, nuts, scrap metal, gold, copper ores

Exports - partners

Azerbaijan 26.4%, Armenia 11%, US 9.5%, Ukraine 7%, Turkey 6%, Canada 4.4% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

72.2% 17.7% 24.9% 4.1% 38.8% -57.8% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

38.8%

government consumption

17.7%

household consumption

72.2%

imports of goods and services

-57.8%

investment in fixed capital

24.9%

investment in inventories

4.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

8.4% 23.1% 68.4% (2012 est.)

agriculture

8.4%

industry

23.1%

services

68.4% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,800 (2012 est.) $5,500 (2011 est.) $5,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.1% (2012 est.) 7.2% (2011 est.) 6.3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.62 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$26.28 billion (2012 est.) $24.76 billion (2011 est.) $23.1 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

17.1% of GDP (2012 est.) 12.6% of GDP (2011 est.) 10.2% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 31.3% (2008)

highest 10%

31.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$7.682 billion (2012 est.) $6.723 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners

Turkey 17.8%, Azerbaijan 8.1%, Ukraine 7.6%, China 7.2%, Germany 6.9%, Russia 6% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

13% (2012 est.)

Industries

steel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, and gold), chemicals, wood products, wine

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.9% (2012 est.) 8.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

1.959 million (2011 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

55.6% 8.9% 35.5% (2006 est.)

agriculture

55.6%

industry

8.9%

services

35.5% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$795.7 million (31 December 2011) $1.06 billion (31 December 2010) $733.3 million (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

9.2% (2010)

Public debt

36.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 36.5% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities; Georgia does not maintain intra-governmental debt or social funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.873 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.818 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.72 billion (31 September 2012 est.) $4.249 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.329 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.137 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$10.49 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $9.749 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$5.518 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.973 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.965 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.737 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

15% (2012 est.) 15.1% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

5.868 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

531 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

979.5 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

35 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

9.379 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

1.492 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

37.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

62.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

614 million kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.538 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

9.694 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

1.97 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.96 billion cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

9.151 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

17,280 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

18,500 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

1 public broadcaster in Tbilisi, 1 state-owned broadcaster in Ajaria Autonomous Republic; 8 privately owned TV stations; state run public broadcaster operates 2 TV stations; dozens of cable TV operators, several major commercial TV stations, and several dozen private radio stations; state run public broadcaster operates 2 radio stations (2012)

Internet country code

.ge

Internet hosts

357,864 (2012)

Internet users

1.3 million (2009)

Telephone system

fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber-optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (2011)

domestic

cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi

general assessment

fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country

international

country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber-optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.276 million (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.699 million (2012)

Airports

22 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

2,438 to 3,047 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

5

over 3,047 m

1

total

18

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

4

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 13, cargo 114, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 2 95 (Bulgaria 1, China 10, Egypt 7, Hong Kong 3, Israel 1, Italy 2, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Romania 7, Russia 6, Syria 24, Turkey 14, UAE 2, UK 5, Ukraine 10, US 1) 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

95 (Bulgaria 1, China 10, Egypt 7, Hong Kong 3, Israel 1, Italy 2, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Romania 7, Russia 6, Syria 24, Turkey 14, UAE 2, UK 5, Ukraine 10, US 1)

registered in other countries

1 (unknown 1) (2010)

total

142

Pipelines

gas 1,596 km; oil 1,175 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Black Sea - Bat'umi, P'ot'i

major seaport(s)

Black Sea - Bat'umi, P'ot'i

Railways

1,612 km 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 km electrified) 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2008)

narrow gauge

37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2008)

total

1,612 km

Roadways

19,109 km 19,109 km (includes 69 km of expressways) (2010)

total

19,109 km

Manpower available for military service

1,080,840 1,122,031 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,122,031 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,080,840

Manpower fit for military service

893,003 931,683 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

931,683 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

893,003

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

29,723 27,242 (2010 est.)

female

27,242 (2010 est.)

male

29,723

Military branches

Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (include Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces Georgian naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard, which is not part of the Defense Ministry (2011)

Georgian Armed Forces

Land Forces (include Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months (2012)

Disputes - international

Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia

Illicit drugs

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia

Refugees and internally displaced persons

268,415 - 280,000 (displaced in the 1990s and 2008 from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2012) 1,156 (2012)

IDPs

268,415 - 280,000 (displaced in the 1990s and 2008 from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2012)

stateless persons

1,156 (2012)