Micronesia, Federated States of

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) country comparison to the world: 147

Internet users

17,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 196

Telephone system

general assessment: adequate 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 international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

Telephones - main lines in use

8,400 (2012) country comparison to the world: 202

Telephones - mobile cellular

27,600 (2012) country comparison to the world: 208

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $107 million expenditures: $102 million (FY10/11 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.5% of GDP (FY10/11 est.) country comparison to the world: 22

Commercial bank prime lending rate

14.35% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 45 14.35% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$34.3 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 65

Debt - external

$60.8 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

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.) country comparison to the world: 204 $14 million (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP (official exchange rate)

$339 million (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$754 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 210 $749.1 million (2012 est.) $746.8 million (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars; GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 14% industry: 12% services: 74% (2011 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$7,300 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 140 $7,200 (2012 est.) $7,200 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.6% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 182 2.1% (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$132.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 208

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.) country comparison to the world: 122 3.5% (2010 est.)

Labor force

15,920 (2011) country comparison to the world: 213

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 0.9% industry: 20.6% services: 78.5% note: two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

26.7% (2000)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$75.06 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167 $75.06 million

Stock of broad money

$118.4 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 $113.9 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-56.77 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 181 $56.77 million

Stock of narrow money

$27.22 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 187 $27.22 million

Taxes and other revenues

31.6% of GDP (FY10/11 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Unemployment rate

22% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Electricity - consumption

178.6 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 188

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 136

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 144

Electricity - production

192 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 184

Area

total: 702 sq km country comparison to the world: 191 land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)

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

lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 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: 2.86% permanent crops: 24.29% other: 72.86% (2011)

Location

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

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 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

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E 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

conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothea-Maria (Doria) ROSEN (since 9 August 2012) embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia 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 FAX: [691] 320-2186

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Asterio R. TAKESY (since 13 January 2012) chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)

Executive branch

chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the eight executive departments (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) 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) election results: Emanuel MORI re-elected president by Congress unopposed; Alik L. ALIK reelected vice president

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

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) elections: last held on 5 March 2013 (next to be held in March 2015) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independents 14

National anthem

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

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.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 26,712 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 22,008 females age 16-49: 23,501 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 1,276 female: 1,253 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Military branches

no regular military forces (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 31.9% (male 17,120/female 16,561) 15-24 years: 20.2% (male 10,755/female 10,609) 25-54 years: 38% (male 19,483/female 20,686) 55-64 years: 6.5% (male 3,440/female 3,477) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 1,576/female 1,974) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

20.97 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Death rate

4.25 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 206

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 63.3 % youth dependency ratio: 56.4 % elderly dependency ratio: 6.9 % potential support ratio: 14.6 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 94.8% of population rural: 87.4% of population total: 89% of population unimproved: urban: 5.2% of population rural: 12.6% of population total: 11% of population (2012 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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Health expenditures

13.4% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 7

Hospital bed density

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

total: 21.93 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 81 male: 24.28 deaths/1,000 live births female: 19.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.35 years country comparison to the world: 135 male: 70.34 years female: 74.45 years (2014 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.)

Major urban areas - population

PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 71

Median age

total: 23.8 years male: 23.2 years female: 24.4 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Net migration rate

-20.93 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

40.6% (2008) country comparison to the world: 12

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

105,681 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Population growth rate

-0.42% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 220

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

improved: urban: 85.1% of population rural: 49% of population total: 57.2% of population unimproved: urban: 14.9% of population rural: 51% of population total: 42.8% of population (2012 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 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: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.55 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Urbanization

urban population: 22.6% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.98% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

major consumer of cannabis

Trafficking in persons

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)

Airports

6 (2013) country comparison to the world: 172

Airports - with paved runways

total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 3 country comparison to the world: 138 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

Roadways

total: 240 km country comparison to the world: 207 paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000)