2013 Edition

Background

The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean; they became part of a UN Trust Territory under US administration following World War II. The eastern four island groups adopted a constitution in 1979 and chose to become the Federated States of Micronesia. (The fifth, westernmost island group became Palau.) Independence came in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.

Area

702 sq km 702 sq km 0 sq km (fresh water only) includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

total

702 sq km

water

0 sq km (fresh water only)

Area - comparative

four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)

Climate

tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage

Coastline

6,112 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

highest point

Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

overfishing, climate change, pollution

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 158 15 E

Geography - note

four major island groups totaling 607 islands

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

2.86% 24.29% 72.86% (2011)

arable land

2.86%

other

72.86% (2011)

permanent crops

24.29%

Location

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Natural resources

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Terrain

islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk

Age structure

32.4% (male 17,478/female 16,915) 20.4% (male 10,933/female 10,715) 37.6% (male 19,370/female 20,551) 6.3% (male 3,374/female 3,360) 3.2% (male 1,500/female 1,908) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

32.4% (male 17,478/female 16,915)

15-24 years

20.4% (male 10,933/female 10,715)

25-54 years

37.6% (male 19,370/female 20,551)

55-64 years

6.3% (male 3,374/female 3,360)

65 years and over

3.2% (male 1,500/female 1,908) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

64.4 % 57.7 % 6.7 % 14.9 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

6.7 %

potential support ratio

14.9 (2013)

total dependency ratio

64.4 %

youth dependency ratio

57.7 %

Drinking water source

urban: 94% of population rural: 92% of population total: 92% of population urban: 6% of population rural: 8% of population total: 8% of population (2000 est.)

rural

8% of population

total

8% of population (2000 est.)

urban

6% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)

Health expenditures

13.4% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

22.71 deaths/1,000 live births 25.12 deaths/1,000 live births 20.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

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

total

22.71 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Life expectancy at birth

72.07 years 70.09 years 74.16 years (2013 est.)

female

74.16 years (2013 est.)

total population

72.07 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 89% 91% 88% (1980 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

88% (1980 est.)

male

91%

total population

89%

Major urban areas - population

PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

23.4 years 22.8 years 24 years (2013 est.)

female

24 years (2013 est.)

male

22.8 years

total

23.4 years

Nationality

Micronesian(s) Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

adjective

Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

noun

Micronesian(s)

Net migration rate

-20.95 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

40.6% (2008)

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

106,104 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.38% (2013 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 52.7%, Protestant 41.7% (Congregational 40.1%, Baptist 0.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 0.7%), other 3.8%, none or unspecified 0.8% (2000 Census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 59% of population rural: 16% of population total: 26% of population urban: 41% of population rural: 84% of population total: 74% of population (2000 est.)

rural

84% of population

total

74% of population (2000 est.)

urban

41% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.02 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

2.68 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

23% of total population (2010) 1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

23% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap

Capital

Palikir 6 55 N, 158 09 E UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

6 55 N, 158 09 E

name

Palikir

time difference

UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979; amended 1990 (2012)

Country name

Federated States of Micronesia none Federated States of Micronesia none Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts FSM

abbreviation

FSM

conventional long form

Federated States of Micronesia

conventional short form

none

former

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts

local long form

Federated States of Micronesia

local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Dorothea-Maria (Doria) ROSEN (since 9 August 2012) 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941; U.S. Embassy in Micronesia, 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120 [691] 320-2187 [691] 320-2186

chief of mission

Ambassador Dorothea-Maria (Doria) ROSEN (since 9 August 2012)

embassy

101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia

FAX

[691] 320-2186

mailing address

P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941; U.S. Embassy in Micronesia, 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120

telephone

[691] 320-2187

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Asterio R. TAKESY (since 13 January 2012) 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 223-4383 [1] (202) 223-4391 Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)

chancery

1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Asterio R. TAKESY (since 13 January 2012)

consulate(s) general

Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)

FAX

[1] (202) 223-4391

telephone

[1] (202) 223-4383

Executive branch

President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed Emanuel MORI reelected president by Congress unopposed; Alik L. ALIK reelected vice president

cabinet

Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments

chief of state

President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Emanuel MORI reelected president by Congress unopposed; Alik L. ALIK reelected vice president

elections

president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed

head of government

President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007)

Flag description

light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

Government type

constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Independence

3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions) justices appointed by the president of the Federated States of Micronesia with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court

highest court(s)

Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)

judge selection and term of office

justices appointed by the president of the Federated States of Micronesia with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life

subordinate courts

the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court

Legal system

mixed legal system of common and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) last held on 5 March 2013 (next to be held in March 2015) percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14

elections

last held on 5 March 2013 (next to be held in March 2015)

National anthem

"Patriots of Micronesia" unknown adopted 1991; the anthem is also known as "Across All Micronesia;" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben," which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"

lyrics/music

unknown

name

"Patriots of Micronesia"

National holiday

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

Political parties and leaders

no formal parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish

Budget

$107 million $102 million (FY10/11 est.)

expenditures

$102 million (FY10/11 est.)

revenues

$107 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.6% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.35% (31 December 2012 est.) 14.35% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$-34.3 million (FY05 est.)

Debt - external

$60.8 million (FY05 est.)

Economy - overview

Economic activity consists of subsistence farming and fishing and government which is funded largely by Compact of Free Association (Compact) assistance provided by the US. The islands have few known mineral deposits worth commercial exploration. The potential for tourism is also limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited air and water connections hinder development. Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid in 1986-2001. The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) negotiated a second (amended) Compact agreement in 2002-2003 that took effect in 2004. The amended Compact runs for a 20-year period to 2024; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also includes a Trust Fund for the people of the FSM which is to provide an income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants are to end. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of reduced US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$24.9 million (2009 est.) $14 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nuts

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

14% 12% 74% (2011 est.)

agriculture

14%

industry

12%

services

74% (2011 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,100 (2012 est.) $7,100 (2011 est.) $7,000 (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

0.4% (2012 est.) 2.1% (2011 est.) 2.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$321.6 million (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$739 million (2012 est.) $736.7 million (2011 est.) $721 million (2010 est.) GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$132.7 million (2004)

Imports - commodities

food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.4% (2011 est.) 3.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

15,920 (2011)

Labor force - by occupation

0.9% 20.6% 78.5% two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2011 est.)

agriculture

0.9%

industry

20.6%

services

78.5%

Population below poverty line

26.7% (2000)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$75.06 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$118.4 million (31 December 2011 est.) $113.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-56.77 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$27.22 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.3% of GDP (FY10/11 est.)

Unemployment rate

22% (2000 est.)

Electricity - consumption

178.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002)

Electricity - production

192 million kWh (2002)

Broadcast media

no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations (2009)

Internet country code

.fm

Internet hosts

4,668 (2012)

Internet users

17,000 (2009)

Telephone system

adequate system islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

domestic

islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap

general assessment

adequate system

international

country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

Telephones - main lines in use

8,400 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

27,600 (2012)

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

6

Merchant marine

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)

total

3

Ports and terminals

Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

Roadways

240 km 42 km 198 km (2000)

total

240 km

unpaved

198 km (2000)

Manpower available for military service

26,712 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

26,712 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

22,008 23,501 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

23,501 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

22,008

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

1,276 1,253 (2010 est.)

female

1,253 (2010 est.)

male

1,276

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military branches

no regular military forces (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major consumer of cannabis

Trafficking in persons

Micronesia is a source, and to a limited extent, destination country for women subjected to sex trafficking; Micronesian women are fraudulently recruited for jobs in the US and its territories only to be forced into prostitution or labor upon arrival; Micronesian and foreign women and children are also reportedly prostituted on fishing vessels in Micronesia or its territorial waters, as well as restaurants and clubs frequented by fishermen; complaints of nonpayment and inhuman treatment on fishing boats has led to investigations of labor trafficking Tier 2 Watch List - Micronesia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite passage of implementing regulations for Micronesia's 2012 trafficking law, the government has not reported any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions for sex or labor trafficking; the government also makes no efforts to identify trafficking victims and refer them to protective services; no NGOs provide services to victims; limited efforts are made to increase the public's awareness of human trafficking (2013)

current situation

Micronesia is a source, and to a limited extent, destination country for women subjected to sex trafficking; Micronesian women are fraudulently recruited for jobs in the US and its territories only to be forced into prostitution or labor upon arrival; Micronesian and foreign women and children are also reportedly prostituted on fishing vessels in Micronesia or its territorial waters, as well as restaurants and clubs frequented by fishermen; complaints of nonpayment and inhuman treatment on fishing boats has led to investigations of labor trafficking

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Micronesia does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite passage of implementing regulations for Micronesia's 2012 trafficking law, the government has not reported any investigations, prosecutions, or convictions for sex or labor trafficking; the government also makes no efforts to identify trafficking victims and refer them to protective services; no NGOs provide services to victims; limited efforts are made to increase the public's awareness of human trafficking (2013)