2017 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 parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. 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 elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Georgian Dream's Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI was inaugurated as president on 17 November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and Georgia's legislature on 20 November 2013 confirmed Irakli GARIBASHVILI as his replacement. GARIBASHVILI was replaced by Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI in December 2015. KVIRIKASHVILI remained Prime Minister following Georgian Dream’s success in the October 2016 parliamentary elections, where the party won a constitutional majority. These changes in leadership represent unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.

Area

69,700 sq km 69,700 sq km 0 sq km approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied

land

69,700 sq km

note

approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied

total

69,700 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia

Climate

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Coastline

310 km

Elevation

1,432 m lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,193 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

highest point

Mt'a Shkhara 5,193 m

mean elevation

1,432 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

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; Krubera Cave in the western part of the country is the deepest-known cave in the world; at -2,197 m it is the only known cave on earth deeper than 2,000 m

Irrigated land

4,330 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,814 km Armenia 219 km, Azerbaijan 428 km, Russia 894 km, Turkey 273 km

border countries (4)

Armenia 219 km, Azerbaijan 428 km, Russia 894 km, Turkey 273 km

total

1,814 km

Land use

35.5% arable land 5.8%; permanent crops 1.8%; permanent pasture 27.9% 39.4% 25.1% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

35.5%

forest

39.4%

other

25.1% (2011 est.)

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both

Map references

Asia

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

Population - distribution

settlement coincides closely to the central valley, with emphasis on the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest

Terrain

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

Age structure

18.08% (male 466,426/female 424,295) 11.94% (male 310,970/female 277,434) 40.96% (male 983,144/female 1,034,794) 13.01% (male 286,539/female 354,247) 16.01% (male 309,353/female 479,128) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

18.08% (male 466,426/female 424,295)

15-24 years

11.94% (male 310,970/female 277,434)

25-54 years

40.96% (male 983,144/female 1,034,794)

55-64 years

13.01% (male 286,539/female 354,247)

65 years and over

16.01% (male 309,353/female 479,128) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

12.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.1% (2009)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

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

note

percent of women aged 15-44 (2010)

Death rate

10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

28.1 21.9 4.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

21.9

potential support ratio

4.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

50

youth dependency ratio

28.1

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.)

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

12,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2.6 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

15.2 deaths/1,000 live births 17.3 deaths/1,000 live births 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

12.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

17.3 deaths/1,000 live births

total

15.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Georgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1% Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.)

note

Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

76.4 years 72.3 years 80.7 years (2017 est.)

female

80.7 years (2017 est.)

male

72.3 years

total population

76.4 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.8% 99.7% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.7% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.8%

Major urban areas - population

TBILISI (capital) 1.147 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

36 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

38.1 years 35.3 years 40.9 years (2017 est.)

female

40.9 years (2017 est.)

male

35.3 years

total

38.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

24.5 years data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia (2014 est.)

note

data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia (2014 est.)

Nationality

Georgian(s) Georgian

adjective

Georgian

noun

Georgian(s)

Net migration rate

-1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21.7% (2016)

Physicians density

4.78 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

4,926,330 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

settlement coincides closely to the central valley, with emphasis on the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest

Population growth rate

-0.02% (2017 est.)

Religions

Orthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 95.2% of population rural: 75.9% of population total: 86.3% of population urban: 4.8% of population rural: 24.1% of population total: 13.7% of population (2015 est.)

rural

24.1% of population

total

13.7% of population (2015 est.)

urban

4.8% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 16 years (2015)

female

16 years (2015)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.08 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.64 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.11 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.11 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.95 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.81 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.64 male(s)/female

at birth

1.08 male(s)/female

total population

0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.76 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

35.6% 28.6% 30.8% (2015 est.)

female

30.8% (2015 est.)

male

28.6%

total

35.6%

Urbanization

54% of total population (2017) -0.09% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia

note

data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia

rate of urbanization

-0.09% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

54% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), 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; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti 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 the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia

autonomous republics

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

city

Tbilisi

note 1

the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

note 2

the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia

regions

Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia no 10 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995 proposed as a draft law supported by more than one-half of the Parliament membership or by petition of at least 200,000 voters; passage requires support by at least three-fourths of the Parliament membership in two successive sessions three months apart and the signature and promulgation by the president of Georgia; amended several times, last in 2013 (2017)

amendments

proposed as a draft law supported by more than one-half of the Parliament membership or by petition of at least 200,000 voters; passage requires support by at least three-fourths of the Parliament membership in two successive sessions three months apart and the signature and promulgation by the president of Georgia; amended several times, last in 2013 (2017)

history

previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995

Country name

none Georgia none Sak'art'velo Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic the Western name may derive from the Persian designation "gurgan" meaning "Land of the Wolves"; the native name "Sak'art'velo" means "Land of the Kartvelians" and refers to the core central Georgian region of Kartli

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Georgia

etymology

the Western name may derive from the Persian designation "gurgan" meaning "Land of the Wolves"; the native name "Sak'art'velo" means "Land of the Kartvelians" and refers to the core central Georgian region of Kartli

former

Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

none

local short form

Sak'art'velo

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Ian C. KELLY (since 17 September 2015) 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 Ian C. KELLY (since 17 September 2015)

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 David BAKRADZE (since 18 January 2017) 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 387-2390 [1] (202) 387-0864 New York

chancery

1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador David BAKRADZE (since 18 January 2017)

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 387-0864

telephone

[1] (202) 387-2390

Executive branch

President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (since 17 November 2013) Prime Minister Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI (since 30 December 2015); First Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry KUMSISHVILI Cabinet of Ministers president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI elected president in first round; percent of vote - Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (Georgian Dream) 62.1%, Davit BAKRADZE (UNM) 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE 10.2%, other 6%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers

chief of state

President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (since 17 November 2013)

election results

Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI elected president in first round; percent of vote - Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (Georgian Dream) 62.1%, Davit BAKRADZE (UNM) 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE 10.2%, other 6%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI (since 30 December 2015); First Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry KUMSISHVILI

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

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

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); note - the Abkhazian and Ajarian Autonomous republics each have a supreme court and a hierarchy of lower courts

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges nominated by the 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 Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats; 77 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 73 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 8 October and 30 October 2016 (next to be held in 2020) percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.7%, UNM 27.1%, Alliance of Patriots 5%, other 19.2%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 115, UNM 27, Alliance of Patriots 6, IWSG 1, independent 1; note - European Georgia split from UNM in January 2017 taking 21 of 27 parliamentary members

description

unicameral Parliament or Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats; 77 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 73 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.7%, UNM 27.1%, Alliance of Patriots 5%, other 19.2%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 115, UNM 27, Alliance of Patriots 6, IWSG 1, independent 1; note - European Georgia split from UNM in January 2017 taking 21 of 27 parliamentary members

elections

last held on 8 October and 30 October 2016 (next to be held in 2020)

National anthem

"Tavisupleba" (Liberty) Davit 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

Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)

name

"Tavisupleba" (Liberty)

note

adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted

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; national colors: red, white

Saint George, lion; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Patriots [Irma INASHVILI] European Georgia [Davit BAKRADZE] (split from UNM) Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI] Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Giorgi TOPADZE] National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA] Free Democrats (FD) [Tamar KEKENADZE] Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE] State for the People Party [formerly Paata BURCHULADZE ] United Democratic Movement [Nino BURJANADZE] United National Movement or UNM [Nika MELIA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

separatists in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

other

separatists in the Russian-occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

Budget

$4.088 billion $4.648 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$4.648 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$4.088 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.5% (7 Setpember 2016) 7% (23 September 2015) this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia

note

this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.62% (31 December 2016 est.) 12.49% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.91 billion (2016 est.) $-1.775 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$14.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $14.85 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.1 (2014) 46 (2011)

Economy - overview

Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its 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 South Caucasus 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 hub for gas, oil, and other goods. Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sunk to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-16, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment has also remained high. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a continued effort 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. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. Georgia plans to improve the domestic investment environment through a four-year economic plan targeting the tax system, educational standards, infrastructure, and governance. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending, strengthening anti-trust policy, and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia signed an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. Georgia is also seeking to expand trade with China, concluding substantive negotiations on a trade agreement in October 2016.

Exchange rates

laris (GEL) per US dollar - 2.3668 (2016 est.) 2.3668 (2015 est.) 2.2694 (2014 est.) 1.7657 (2013 est.) 1.65 (2012 est.)

Exports

$2.831 billion (2016 est.) $3.021 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Russia 9.8%, Turkey 8.2%, China 8.1%, Bulgaria 7.3%, Azerbaijan 7.3%, Armenia 7.2%, Germany 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

64.8% 18.4% 30.4% 2% 43.5% -59.1% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

43.5%

government consumption

18.4%

household consumption

64.8%

imports of goods and services

-59.1% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

30.4%

investment in inventories

2%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

9.3% 22.8% 67.2% (2016 est.)

agriculture

9.3%

industry

22.8%

services

67.2% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,000 (2016 est.) $9,700 (2015 est.) $9,400 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.7% (2016 est.) 2.9% (2015 est.) 4.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$14.33 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$37.17 billion (2016 est.) $35.72 billion (2015 est.) $34.35 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

19.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 19.1% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2% 31.3% (2008)

highest 10%

31.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

2%

Imports

$6.64 billion (2016 est.) $7.394 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Canada 18.6%, Turkey 14%, Russia 7%, Ireland 6.5%, China 5.7%, Azerbaijan 5.1%, Germany 4.4%, Ukraine 4.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

5.9% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2016 est.) 4% (2015 est.)

Labor force

1.998 million (2016 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

$1.155 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $943.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) $795.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

9.2% (2010 est.)

Public debt

44.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 41.3% of GDP (2015 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

note

data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities; Georgia does not maintain intra-governmental debt or social funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.756 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.521 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.454 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.402 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$2.185 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.939 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$14.66 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $12.95 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$7.753 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$2.389 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.063 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.8% (2016 est.) 12% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1,002 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

200 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

35 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

12.44 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports

560 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

36.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

63.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

478.9 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.28 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

11.57 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

2.18 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.26 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

10 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

23,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

283.1 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

23,910 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

Tbilisi-based Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2, as well as the Batumi-based Adjara TV (also a part of GPB); all three are funded from the state budget; there are a number of independent commercial TV stations, including but not limited to Rustavi 2, Imedi, Maestro, Kavkasia, GDS, and TV1; the Georgian Orthodox Church also operates a satellite-based TV station called Unanimity; 26 regional TV broadcasters across Georgia are members of the Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters (GARB) that seeks to strengthen the regional media's capacities and to distribute regional products; a nationwide digital switchover occurred in 2015; there are several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations (2016)

Internet country code

.ge

Internet users

2,464,107 50.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

50.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,464,107

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 110 per 100 persons; 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 (2015)

domestic

cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 110 per 100 persons; 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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

831,346 17 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

17 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

831,346

Telephones - mobile cellular

5,532,701 112 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

112 (July 2016 est.)

total

5,532,701

Airports

22 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2017)

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 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

4

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

4L (2016)

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)

by type

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

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

National air transport system

232,263 185,040 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

185,040 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

232,263

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

13

number of registered air carriers

5

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

1,363 km 1,326 km 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified) 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2014)

broad gauge

1,326 km 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified)

narrow gauge

37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2014)

total

1,363 km

Roadways

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

paved

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

total

19,109 km

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 part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs rather than the Ministry of Defense (2015)

Georgian Armed Forces

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

note

Georgian naval forces have been incorporated into the Coast Guard, which is part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs rather than the Ministry of Defense (2015)

Military expenditures

2.23% of GDP (2016) 2.34% of GDP (2015) 2.26% of GDP (2014) 2.53% of GDP (2013) 3.1% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 to 27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2014)

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

208,000 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2016) 250 (2016)

IDPs

208,000 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2016)

stateless persons

250 (2016)