2016 Edition

Background

The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died. In an August 1999 UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forced 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. Most of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly all of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, Australian-led peacekeeping troops deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state. In 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste, and the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack, and most of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the attack, the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability, including successful 2012 elections for both the parliament and president and a successful transition of power in February 2015. In late 2012, the UN Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste and both the ISF and UNMIT departed the country.

Area

14,874 sq km 14,874 sq km 0 sq km

land

14,874 sq km

total

14,874 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Connecticut

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Coastline

706 km

Elevation

NA lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m

highest point

Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

mean elevation

NA

Environment - current issues

widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

8 50 S, 125 55 E

Geography - note

Timor comes from the Malay word for "east"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands

Irrigated land

350 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

253 km Indonesia 253 km

border countries (1)

Indonesia 253 km

total

253 km

Land use

25.1% arable land 10.1%; permanent crops 4.9%; permanent pasture 10.1% 49.1% 25.8% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

25.1%

forest

49.1%

other

25.8% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm

contiguous zone

24 nm

exclusive fishing zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones

Natural resources

gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Terrain

mountainous

Age structure

41.43% (male 268,578/female 253,897) 20.11% (male 128,678/female 124,870) 29.79% (male 180,750/female 194,916) 4.88% (male 31,349/female 30,194) 3.79% (male 22,852/female 24,988) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

41.43% (male 268,578/female 253,897)

15-24 years

20.11% (male 128,678/female 124,870)

25-54 years

29.79% (male 180,750/female 194,916)

55-64 years

4.88% (male 31,349/female 30,194)

65 years and over

3.79% (male 22,852/female 24,988) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

33.8 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

10,510 4% (2002 est.)

percentage

4% (2002 est.)

total number

10,510

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

37.7% (2013)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

22.3% (2009/10)

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

92.3% 81.5% 10.7% 9.3% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

10.7%

potential support ratio

9.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

92.3%

youth dependency ratio

81.5%

Drinking water source

urban: 95.2% of population rural: 60.5% of population total: 71.9% of population urban: 4.8% of population rural: 39.5% of population total: 28.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

39.5% of population

total

28.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

4.8% of population

Education expenditures

7.7% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority

Health expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

5.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

36.3 deaths/1,000 live births 39.2 deaths/1,000 live births 33.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

33.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

39.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

36.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by a significant portion of the population

note

there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by a significant portion of the population

Life expectancy at birth

68.1 years 66.5 years 69.7 years (2016 est.)

female

69.7 years (2016 est.)

male

66.5 years

total population

68.1 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 67.5% 71.5% 63.4% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

63.4% (2015 est.)

male

71.5%

total population

67.5%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever and malaria (2016)

Major urban areas - population

DILI (capital) 228,000 (2014)

Maternal mortality rate

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

Median age

18.8 years 18.2 years 19.4 years (2016 est.)

female

19.4 years (2016 est.)

male

18.2 years

total

18.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.1 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009/10 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2009/10 est.)

Nationality

Timorese Timorese

adjective

Timorese

noun

Timorese

Net migration rate

-3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

1.8% (2014)

Physicians density

0.07 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

1,261,072 (July 2016 est.)

Population growth rate

2.39% (2016 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 96.9%, Protestant/Evangelical 2.2%, Muslim 0.3%, other 0.6% (2005)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 69% of population rural: 26.8% of population total: 40.6% of population urban: 31% of population rural: 73.2% of population total: 59.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

73.2% of population

total

59.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

31% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

13 years 14 years 13 years (2010)

female

13 years (2010)

male

14 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

1.07 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.91 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.93 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.91 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

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

Total fertility rate

4.9 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

14.8% 10.4% 22.7% (2010 est.)

female

22.7% (2010 est.)

male

10.4%

total

14.8%

Urbanization

32.8% of total population (2015) 3.75% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.75% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

32.8% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

note

administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Capital

Dili 8 35 S, 125 36 E UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

8 35 S, 125 36 E

name

Dili

time difference

UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste no 10 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

drafted 2001, approved 22 March 2002, entered into force 20 May 2002 (2016)

Country name

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Timor-Leste pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese] Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese] East Timor, Portuguese Timor "timor" derives from the Indonesian and Malay word "timur" meaning "east"; "leste" is the Portuguese word for "east", so "Timor-Leste" literally means "Eastern-East"; the local [Tetum] name "Timor Lorosa'e" translates as "East Rising Sun"

conventional long form

Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste

conventional short form

Timor-Leste

etymology

"timor" derives from the Indonesian and Malay word "timur" meaning "east"; "leste" is the Portuguese word for "east", so "Timor-Leste" literally means "Eastern-East"; the local [Tetum] name "Timor Lorosa'e" translates as "East Rising Sun"

former

East Timor, Portuguese Timor

local long form

Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

local short form

Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]

note

pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Karen STANTON (since 16 January 2015) Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250 (670) 332-4684 (670) 331-3206

chief of mission

Ambassador Karen STANTON (since 16 January 2015)

embassy

Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili

FAX

(670) 331-3206

mailing address

US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250

telephone

(670) 332-4684

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Domingos Sarmento ALVES (since 21 May 2014) 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 966-3202 [1] (202) 966-3205

chancery

4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Domingos Sarmento ALVES (since 21 May 2014)

FAX

[1] (202) 966-3205

telephone

[1] (202) 966-3202

Executive branch

President Taur Matan RUAK, aka Jose Maria de VASCONCELOS (since 20 May 2012); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is the commander in chief of the military and is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO - formerly Jose Alexandre GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007); Vice Prime Minister Fernando "Lasama" de ARAUJO (since 8 August 2012) Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister and appointed by the president 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 17 March 2012 with a runoff on 16 April 2012; following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister Taur Matan RUAK elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Taur Matan RUAK (independent) 61.2%, Francisco GUTTERES (Frenti-Mudanca) 38.8%

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister and appointed by the president

chief of state

President Taur Matan RUAK, aka Jose Maria de VASCONCELOS (since 20 May 2012); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is the commander in chief of the military and is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections

election results

Taur Matan RUAK elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Taur Matan RUAK (independent) 61.2%, Francisco GUTTERES (Frenti-Mudanca) 38.8%

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 17 March 2012 with a runoff on 16 April 2012; following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister

head of government

Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO - formerly Jose Alexandre GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007); Vice Prime Minister Fernando "Lasama" de ARAUJO (since 8 August 2012)

Flag description

red with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star - pointing to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag - is in the center of the black triangle; yellow denotes the colonialism in Timor-Leste's past; black represents the obscurantism that needs to be overcome; red stands for the national liberation struggle; the white star symbolizes peace and serves as a guiding light

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Independence

20 May 2002 (from Indonesia); note - 28 November 1975 was the date independence was proclaimed from Portugal; 20 May 2002 was the date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the court president and NA judges) Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other Supreme Court judges appointed - 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body presided by the Supreme Court president and includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other Supreme Court judges appointed for life Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates' courts; military courts the UN Justice System Programme, launched in 2003 in 4 phases through 2018, is helping strengthen the country's justice system; the Programme is aligned with the country's long-range Justice Sector Strategic Plan, which includes legal reform

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the court president and NA judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other Supreme Court judges appointed - 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body presided by the Supreme Court president and includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other Supreme Court judges appointed for life

note

the UN Justice System Programme, launched in 2003 in 4 phases through 2018, is helping strengthen the country's justice system; the Programme is aligned with the country's long-range Justice Sector Strategic Plan, which includes legal reform

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates' courts; military courts

Legal system

civil law system based on the Portuguese model; note - penal and civil law codes to replace the Indonesian codes were passed by Parliament and promulgated in 2009 and 2011, respectively

Legislative branch

unicameral National Parliament (65 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) elections were held on 7 July 2012 (next to be held in July 2017) percent of vote by party - CNRT 36%, FRETILIN 30%, PD 10%, Frenti-Mudanca 3%, others 21%; seats by party - CNRT 30, FRETILIN 25, PD 8, Frenti-Mudanca 2

description

unicameral National Parliament (65 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - CNRT 36%, FRETILIN 30%, PD 10%, Frenti-Mudanca 3%, others 21%; seats by party - CNRT 30, FRETILIN 25, PD 8, Frenti-Mudanca 2

elections

elections were held on 7 July 2012 (next to be held in July 2017)

National anthem

"Patria" (Fatherland) Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Fransisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared

lyrics/music

Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO

name

"Patria" (Fatherland)

note

adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Fransisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared

National holiday

Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

National symbol(s)

Mount Ramelau; national colors: red, yellow, black, white

Mount Ramelau; national colors

red, yellow, black, white

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or PD [Fernando "Lasama" de ARAUJO] Frenti-Mudanca [Jose Luis GUTERRES] National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO] Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI] (only parties in Parliament are listed)

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, rice, corn, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Budget

$400 million $2.8 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$2.8 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$400 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-91.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.5% (31 December 2015 est.) 12.87% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

$431 million (2015 est.) $1.096 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$311.5 million (31 December 2014 est.) $687 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.9 (2007 est.) 38 (2002 est.)

Economy - overview

Since gaining independence in 1999, Timor-Leste has faced great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of offshore oil and gas resources has greatly supplemented government revenues. This technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs in part because there are no production facilities in Timor-Leste. Gas is currently piped to Australia for processing, but Timor-Leste has expressed interest in developing a domestic processing capacity. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of the Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and to preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of $16.5 billion, as of December 2014. Oil accounts for 90% of government revenues, and the drop in the price of oil in 2014 has led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of government spending. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the Petroleum Fund is sufficient to sustain government operations for the foreseeable future. Annual government budget expenditures increased markedly between 2009 and 2012 but dropped significantly in 2013-15. Historically, the government failed to spend as much as its budget allowed. The government has focused significant resources on basic infrastructure, including electricity and roads. Limited experience in procurement and infrastructure building has hampered these projects. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$18 million (2015 est.) $15.5 million (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil, coffee, sandalwood, marble potential for vanilla exports

note

potential for vanilla exports

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

36% 26.3% 16.3% 0% 77.4% -56% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

77.4%

government consumption

26.3%

household consumption

36%

imports of goods and services

-56% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

16.3%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7% 70.3% 22.5% (2015 est.)

agriculture

7%

industry

70.3%

services

22.5% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,600 (2015 est.) $5,500 (2014 est.) $5,300 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.3% (2015 est.) 5.5% (2014 est.) 2.8% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.62 billion (2015 est.) non-oil GDP

note

non-oil GDP

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.57 billion (2015 est.) $6.302 billion (2014 est.) $5.974 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4% 27% (2007)

highest 10%

27% (2007)

lowest 10%

4%

Imports

$647.7 million (2015 est.) $764.2 million (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Industrial production growth rate

-5% (2015 est.)

Industries

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2015 est.) 0.4% (2014 est.)

Labor force

259,800 (2013 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

64% 10% 26% (2010)

agriculture

64%

industry

10%

services

26% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

37% (2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$677.8 million (31 December 2015 est.) $599.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-127 million (31 December 2015 est.) $-15 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$397.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) $342.9 million (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2013 est.) 18.4% (2010 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

500,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

79,260 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

67,150 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

125.3 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

NA kW (2012 est.)

Electricity - production

349.4 million kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

744,032 42% 78% 27% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

27% (2012)

electrification - total population

42%

electrification - urban areas

78%

population without electricity

744,032

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

6.45 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,100 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,055 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Broadcast media

1 public TV broadcast station broadcasting nationally and 1 public radio broadcaster with stations in each of the 13 administrative districts; 1 commercial TV broadcast station, 3 commercial radio stations, and roughly 20 community radio stations (2012)

Internet country code

.tl

Internet users

165,000 13.4% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

13.4% (July 2015 est.)

total

165,000

Telephone system

rudimentary service in urban and some rural areas, which is expanding with the entrance of new competitors system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services have been expanding and are now available in urban and most rural areas country code - 670; international service is available (2015)

domestic

system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services have been expanding and are now available in urban and most rural areas

general assessment

rudimentary service in urban and some rural areas, which is expanding with the entrance of new competitors

international

country code - 670; international service is available (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

2,720 less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

2,720

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.377 million 112 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

112 (July 2015 est.)

total

1.377 million

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

4

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

4W (2016)

Heliports

8 (2013)

Merchant marine

passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

by type

passenger/cargo 1 (2010)

total

1

Ports and terminals

Dili

major seaport(s)

Dili

Roadways

6,040 km 2,600 km 3,440 km (2005)

paved

2,600 km

total

6,040 km

unpaved

3,440 km (2005)

Military branches

Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Army, Navy (Armada) (2013)

Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL))

Army, Navy (Armada) (2013)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2014) 1.8% of GDP (2013) 2.92% of GDP (2012) 2.6% of GDP (2011) 2.92% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-month service obligation; no conscription but, as of May 2013, introduction of conscription was under discussion (2013)

Disputes - international

three stretches of land borders with Timor-Leste have yet to be delimited, two of which are in the Oecussi exclave area, and no maritime or Economic Exclusion Zone boundaries have been established between the countries; maritime boundaries with Indonesia remain unresolved; in 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste signed a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing agreement in lieu of a maritime boundary

Illicit drugs

NA

Trafficking in persons

Timor Leste is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Timorese women and girls from rural areas are lured to the capital with promises of legitimate jobs or education prospects and are then forced into prostitution or domestic servitude, and other women and girls may be sent to Indonesia for domestic servitude; Timorese family members force children into bonded domestic or agricultural labor to repay debts; foreign migrant women are vulnerable to sex trafficking in Timor Leste, while men and boys from Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand are forced to work on fishing boats in Timorese waters under inhumane conditions Tier 2 Watch List – Timor Leste does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, legislation was drafted but not finalized or implemented that outlines procedures for screening potential trafficking victims; law enforcement made modest progress, including one conviction for sex trafficking, but efforts are hindered by prosecutors’ and judges’ lack of expertise in applying anti-trafficking laws effectively; the government rescued two child victims with support from an NGO but did not provide protective services (2015)

current situation

Timor Leste is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Timorese women and girls from rural areas are lured to the capital with promises of legitimate jobs or education prospects and are then forced into prostitution or domestic servitude, and other women and girls may be sent to Indonesia for domestic servitude; Timorese family members force children into bonded domestic or agricultural labor to repay debts; foreign migrant women are vulnerable to sex trafficking in Timor Leste, while men and boys from Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand are forced to work on fishing boats in Timorese waters under inhumane conditions

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List – Timor Leste does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, legislation was drafted but not finalized or implemented that outlines procedures for screening potential trafficking victims; law enforcement made modest progress, including one conviction for sex trafficking, but efforts are hindered by prosecutors’ and judges’ lack of expertise in applying anti-trafficking laws effectively; the government rescued two child victims with support from an NGO but did not provide protective services (2015)