2015 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 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, overdependence on US foreign aid, and state perception of inequitable allocation of US aid.

Area

land

702 sq km

note

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

highest point

Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

overfishing, climate change, pollution

Environment - international 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

arable land 2.3%; permanent crops 19.7%; permanent pasture 3.5%

agricultural land

25.5%

forest

74.5%

other

0% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

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

0-14 years

31.34% (male 16,761/female 16,215)

15-24 years

20% (male 10,576/female 10,469)

25-54 years

38.41% (male 19,583/female 20,827)

55-64 years

6.72% (male 3,494/female 3,580)

65 years and over

3.53% (male 1,660/female 2,051) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

20.54 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

4.23 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

7.1%

potential support ratio

14.1% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

62.4%

youth dependency ratio

55.3%

Drinking water source

urban: 94.8% of population

rural: 87.4% of population

total: 89% of population

urban: 5.2% of population

rural: 12.6% of population

total: 11% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8% (2010 est.)

Health expenditures

12.6% of GDP (2013)

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

female

18.79 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

23.46 deaths/1,000 live births

total

21.18 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

74.75 years (2015 est.)

male

70.59 years

total population

72.62 years

Major urban areas - population

PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2014)

Median age

female

24.4 years (2014 est.)

male

23.2 years

total

23.8 years

Nationality

adjective

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

noun

Micronesian(s)

Net migration rate

-20.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

33.2% (2014)

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

105,216 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.46% (2015 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God .7%), Mormon 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 85.1% of population

rural: 49% of population

total: 57.1% of population

urban: 14.9% of population

rural: 51% of population

total: 42.9% of population (2015 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.94 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.81 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.49 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

0.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

22.4% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

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

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

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

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

cabinet

Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments

chief of state

President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 12 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Peter M. CHRISTIAN elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE elected vice president

elections/appointments

president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2015)

head of government

President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 12 May 2015)

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

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

description

unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14

elections

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

National anthem

lyrics/music

unknown

name

"Patriots of Micronesia"

note

adopted 1991; 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"

National holiday

Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)

National symbol(s)

four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field; national colors: light blue, white

Political parties and leaders

no formal parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

taro, yams, coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, black pepper, fish, pigs, chickens

Budget

expenditures

$192.1 million (FY12/13 est.)

revenues

$213.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.3% of GDP (2013 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.1% (2013 est.)

6.4% (2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$31.6 million (2013 est.)

-$41.2 million (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$93.6 million (2013 est.)

$93.5 million (2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

61.1 (2013 est.)

Economy - overview

Economic activity consists largely of subsistence farming and fishing, and government, which employs two-thirds of the adult working population and receives funding largely - 58% in 2013 – from Compact of Free Association assistance provided by the US. The islands have few commercially valuable mineral deposits. The potential for tourism is limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited internal air and water transportation. Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid from 1986 to 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 2023; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also develops a Trust Fund for the FSM that will provide a comparable income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants end. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of dependence on US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$88.3 million (2013 est.)

$95.7 million (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

26.6%

government consumption

41.8%

household consumption

83.5%

imports of goods and services

-76.2% (2013 est.)

investment in fixed assets

24.3%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

26.3%

industry

18.9%

services

54.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,000 (2014 est.)

$3,000 (2013 est.)

$3,100 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.1% (2014 est.)

-4% (2013 est.)

0.1% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$315 million (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$312 million (2014 est.)

$311.7 million (2013 est.)

$324.8 million (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2013 US dollars; GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$258.5 million (2013 est.)

$263.4 million (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, beverages, clothing, computers, household electronics, appliances, manufactured goods, automobiles, machinery and equipment, furniture, tools

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.7% (2014 est.)

6.3% (2012 est.)

Labor force

37,920 (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

0.9%

industry

5.2%

note

two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2013 est.)

services

93.9%

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

26.7% (2000 est.)

Public debt

28% of GDP (2013)

27% of GDP (2012)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$75.06 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$225.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$15.8 million (2013 est.)

$34.4 million (2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$56.98 million (2013 est.)

$56.77 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$196 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

63% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

16.2% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

105 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014)

Electricity - consumption

178.6 million kWh (2002)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

18,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

192 million kWh (2002)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014)

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 users

percent of population

28.3% (2014 est.)

total

29,900

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Telephone system

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 - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

7 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

7,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

30 (2013)

total

31,400

Television broadcast stations

3 (cable TV also available) (2004)

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

6

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)

total

3

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s)

Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

Roadways

paved

184 km

total

388 km

unpaved

204 km (2015)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49

26,712 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

23,501 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

22,008

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

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