2017 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

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

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

NA lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

highest point

Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

mean elevation

NA

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

composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands

Irrigated land

0 sq km NA (2012)

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

25.5% arable land 2.3%; permanent crops 19.7%; permanent pasture 3.5% 74.5% 0% (2011 est.)

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

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

Population - distribution

the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas

Terrain

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

Age structure

30.3% (male 16,050/female 15,520) 19.59% (male 10,236/female 10,173) 39.19% (male 19,737/female 21,094) 6.99% (male 3,560/female 3,727) 3.93% (male 1,849/female 2,250) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

30.3% (male 16,050/female 15,520)

15-24 years

19.59% (male 10,236/female 10,173)

25-54 years

39.19% (male 19,737/female 21,094)

55-64 years

6.99% (male 3,560/female 3,727)

65 years and over

3.93% (male 1,849/female 2,250) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Dependency ratios

62.4 55.3 7.1 14.1 (2015 est.)

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.)

rural

12.6% of population

total

11% of population (2015 est.)

urban

5.2% of population

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

13.7% of GDP (2014)

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

19.8 deaths/1,000 live births 21.9 deaths/1,000 live births 17.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

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

male

21.9 deaths/1,000 live births

total

19.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

73.1 years 71.1 years 75.3 years (2017 est.)

female

75.3 years (2017 est.)

male

71.1 years

total population

73.1 years

Major infectious diseases

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

note

active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)

Major urban areas - population

PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

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

Median age

25.1 years 24.4 years 25.8 years (2017 est.)

24total

25.1 years

female

25.8 years (2017 est.)

male

24.4 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

-20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

45.8% (2016)

Physicians density

0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

104,196 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas

Population growth rate

-0.52% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God 0.7%), 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.)

rural

51% of population

total

42.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

14.9% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.81 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

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

0.97 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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.41 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

22.5% of total population (2017) 1.33% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.33% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

22.5% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979; amended 1990; note - in 2001, all 26 amendments proposed by the FSM constitutional convention were defeated in a national referendum (2016)

Country name

Federated States of Micronesia none Federated States of Micronesia none Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts FSM the term "Micronesia" is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, "micro" (small) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean

abbreviation

FSM

conventional long form

Federated States of Micronesia

conventional short form

none

etymology

the term "Micronesia" is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, "micro" (small) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean

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 Robert Annan RILEY III (since 16 August 2016) 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 Robert Annan RILEY III (since 16 August 2016)

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 Akillino Harris SUSAIA (since 24 April 2017) 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 223-4383 [1] (202) 223-4391 Honolulu (HI), Tamuning (Guam)

chancery

1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Akillino Harris SUSAIA (since 24 April 2017)

consulate(s) general

Honolulu (HI), Tamuning (Guam)

FAX

[1] (202) 223-4391

telephone

[1] (202) 223-4383

Executive branch

President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 11 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 11 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 May 2015) Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments 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 2015 (next to be held in 2019) Peter M. CHRISTIAN elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE elected vice president

cabinet

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

chief of state

President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 11 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 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 2015 (next to be held in 2019)

head of government

President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 11 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 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

federal republic in free association with the US

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; 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) last held on 7 March 2017 (next to be held in March 2019) percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14

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 7 March 2017 (next to be held in March 2019)

National anthem

"Patriots of Micronesia" unknown 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"

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

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

$213.8 million $192.1 million (FY12/13 est.)

expenditures

$192.1 million (FY12/13 est.)

revenues

$213.8 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.7% of GDP (FY12/13 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.7% (31 December 2016 est.) 15.93% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$10 million (2016 est.) $26.98 million (2015 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 2002-03 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.) $39.88 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by end use

83.5% 41.8% 24.3% 0% 26.6% -76.2% (2013 est.)

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

26.3% 18.9% 54.8% (2013 est.)

agriculture

26.3%

industry

18.9%

services

54.8% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,300 (2016 est.) $3,200 (2015 est.) $3,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2016 est.) 3.7% (2015 est.) -2.4% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$323 million (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$334 million (2016 est.) $320 million (2015 est.) $305 million (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$258.5 million (2013 est.) $263.4 million (2015 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)

0.5% (2016 est.) -0.2% (2015 est.)

Labor force

37,920 (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

0.9% 5.2% 93.9% two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2013 est.)

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

24.8% of GDP (2016 est.) 25.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$157 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock of broad money

$178.3 million (31 December 2015 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.) $-103 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$196 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

66.4% of GDP (FY12/13 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 fossil fuels

96% of total installed capacity (2015 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)

Electricity access

42,934 59% 100% 45% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

45% (2012)

electrification - total population

59%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

42,934

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2014)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day

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

33,000 31.5% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

31.5% (July 2016 est.)

total

33,000

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 the major islands country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); in 2015, Fiber Optic was launched and is the primary communication path to the outside world (2016)

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 the major islands

general assessment

adequate system

international

country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean); in 2015, Fiber Optic was launched and is the primary communication path to the outside world (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

6,808 6 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

6,808

Telephones - mobile cellular

31,400 30 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

30 (July 2016 est.)

total

31,400

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2017)

total

6

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

V6 (2016)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)

by type

cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)

total

3

Ports and terminals

Colonia (Tamil Harbor), Molsron Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

major seaport(s)

Colonia (Tamil Harbor), Molsron Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

Roadways

388 km 184 km 204 km (2015)

paved

184 km

total

388 km

unpaved

204 km (2015)

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