2019 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 (FSM). (The westernmost island group became Palau.) Independence came in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which was amended in 2004. The COFA has been a force for stability and democracy in the FSM since it came into force in 1986. Present concerns include economic uncertainty after 2023 when direct US economic assistance is scheduled to end, large-scale unemployment, overfishing, overdependence on US foreign aid, and state perceptions of inequitable allocation of US aid. As a signatory to the COFA with the US, eligible Micronesians can live, work, and study in any part of the US and its territories without a visa - this privilege reduces stresses on the island economy and the environment. Micronesians serve in the US armed forces and military recruiting from the Federated States of Micronesia, per capita, is higher than many US states.

Area

Land

702 sq km

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

Highest Point

Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment Current Issues

overfishing; climate change; water pollution, toxic pollution from mining; solid waste disposal

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

composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands

Irrigated Land

0 sq km NA (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

Agricultural Land

25.5% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

2.3% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

19.7% (2011 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

3.5% (2011 est.)

Forest

74.5% (2011 est.)

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

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

0 14 Years

29.81% (male 15,707 /female 15,186)

15 24 Years

19.38% (male 10,068 /female 10,020)

25 54 Years

39.57% (male 19,799 /female 21,208)

55 64 Years

7.09% (male 3,574 /female 3,777)

65 Years And Over

4.15% (male 1,943 /female 2,361) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

19.6 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

12.6% (2016)

Death Rate

4.2 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Dependency Ratios

Elderly Dependency Ratio

7.1 (2015 est.)

Potential Support Ratio

14.1 (2015 est.)

Total Dependency Ratio

62.4 (2015 est.)

Youth Dependency Ratio

55.3 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

Improved Rural

87.4% of population

Improved Total

89% of population

Improved Urban

94.8% of population

Unimproved Rural

12.6% of population

Unimproved Total

11% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

5.2% of population

Education Expenditures

12.5% of GDP (2015)

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.)

Hospital Bed Density

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

16.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

21.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

19.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

75.6 years

Male

71.3 years

Total Population

73.4 years (2018 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

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

Major Urban Areas Population

7,000 PALIKIR (capital) (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

88 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)

Median Age

Female

26.2 years

Male

24.7 years

Total

25.5 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

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

Noun

Micronesian(s)

Net Migration Rate

-20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

45.8% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

103,643 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-0.55% (2018 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

Improved Rural

49% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

57.1% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

85.1% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

51% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

42.9% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

14.9% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.03 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.93 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.95 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.82 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.05 male(s)/female

Total Population

0.97 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.37 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

Female

29.9% (2014)

Male

10.4%

Total

18.9%

Urbanization

Rate Of Urbanization

1.05% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

Urban Population

22.8% of total population (2019)

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)

Citizenship

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

Amendments

proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states; amended 1990; note – at least every 10 years as part of a general or special election, voters are asked whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed (2018)

History

drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979

Country Name

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

New Philippines; Caroline Islands; 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 Robert Annan RILEY III (since 16 August 2016)

Embassy

1986 U.S. Embassy Place, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FM 96941

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 Akillino Harris SUSAIA (since 24 April 2017)

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 David W. PANUELO (since 11 May 2019); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

Election Results

David W. PANUELO elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE reelected 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 2019 (next to be held in 2023)

Head Of Government

President David W. PANUELO (since 11 May 2019); 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

Highest Courts

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 FSM president 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 at- large members 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; composition - men 14, women 0

Elections

last held on 5 March 2019 (next to be held in March 2021)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

unknown

Name

Patriots of Micronesia

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

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 (FY12/13 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

6.6% (of GDP) (FY12/13 est.)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

31 December 2016

15.7%

31 December 2017

15.73%

Current Account Balance

2016

$11 million

2017

$12 million

Debt External

2012

$93.5 million

2013

$93.6 million

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

2013

61.1

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

2013

$88.3 million

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

27.5% (2016 est.)

Government Consumption

48.4% (2016 est.)

Household Consumption

83.5% (2013 est.)

Imports Of Goods And Services

-77% (2016 est.)

Investment In Fixed Capital

29.5% (2016 est.)

Investment In Inventories

1.9% (2016 est.)

GDP Composition By Sector Of Origin

Agriculture

26.3% (2013 est.)

Industry

18.9% (2013 est.)

Services

54.8% (2013 est.)

GDP Official Exchange Rate

$328 million (2017 est.)

GDP Per Capita Ppp

2015

$3,200

2016

$3,300

2017

$3,400

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2015

$331.4 million

2016

$341.1 million

2017

$348 million

GDP Real Growth Rate

2015

3.9%

2016

2.9%

2017

2%

Imports

2013

$258.5 million

2015

$167.8 million

Imports Commodities

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

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2016

0.5%

2017

0.5%

Labor Force

37,920 (2010 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Agriculture

0.9%

Industry

5.2%

Services

93.9% (2013 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

NA

Population Below Poverty Line

26.7% (2000 est.)

Public Debt

2016

25.3% of GDP

2017

24.5% of GDP

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

31 December 2015

$135.1 million

31 December 2017

$203.7 million

Stock Of Broad Money

31 December 2013

$225.2 million

31 December 2015

$178.3 million

Stock Of Direct Foreign Investment at Home

2012

$34.4 million

2013

$15.8 million

Stock Of Domestic Credit

31 December 2015

-$103 million

31 December 2017

$56.98 million

Stock Of Narrow Money

31 December 2013

$196 million

31 December 2015

$44.07 million

31 December 2016

$NA

Taxes And Other Revenues

65.2% (of GDP) (FY12/13 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2010

16.2%

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 Access

Electrification Rural Areas

70.7% (2016)

Electrification Total Population

75.4% (2016)

Electrification Urban Areas

91.9% (2016)

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)

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)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

4 (2017 est.)

Total

3,776

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

31.5% (July 2016 est.)

Total

33,000

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 the major islands (2016)

General Assessment

adequate system (2016)

International

country code - 691; landing points for the Chuukk-Pohnpei Cable and HANTRU-1 submarine cable system linking the Federated States of Micronesia and the US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

7 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

6,947

Telephones Mobile Cellular

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

22 (2017 est.)

Total Subscriptions

23,114

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1 524 To 2 437 M

4 (2017)

914 To 1 523 M

2 (2017)

Total

6 (2017)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

V6 (2016)

Merchant Marine

By Type

general cargo 40, oil tanker 6, other 17 (2018)

Total

63

Ports And Terminals

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

Military And Security Forces

no military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police (2019)

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes International

none

Illicit Drugs

major consumer of cannabis