1 Brunei Country Profile

Brunei country profile  Life expectancy
76 years (men),
81 years (women)
 14 June 2017
UN, World Bank, CIA World Factbook
 Share
GETTY IMAGES
LEADER
The tiny state of Brunei has one of the world's highest

standards of living thanks to its bountiful oil and gas
reserves.
Its ruling royals, led by the head of state Sultan Hassanal

Bolkiah, possess a huge private fortune and its largely
ethnic-Malay population enjoy generous state handouts and
pay no taxes.
A British protectorate since 1888, Brunei was the only

Malay state in 1963 which chose to remain so rather than
join the federation that became Malaysia. Full Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
independence came relatively late in 1984.
The Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, is one of the
Despite a significant non-Muslim minority presence in the world's longest-reigning and few remaining absolute
country and strong condemnation from international rights monarchs. He was crowned in August 1968 following the
group, in 2014 Brunei became the first East Asian country abdication of his father, Sir Haji Omar Ali Saifuddin.
to adopt strict Islamic sharia law which allows punishment
such as stoning for adultery and amputation for theft. Upon Brunei's independence in 1984, he appointed himself
 COUNTRY PROFILES home page - Profiles prime minister and in 1991, introduced an ideology called
compiled by BBC Monitoring Malay Muslim Monarchy, which presented the monarch as
the defender of the faith.
FACTS He is one of the world's richest individuals and in a country
where the standard of living is high, appears to enjoy
Brunei Darussalam genuine popularity amongst his subjects. More recently
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan however, he has faced criticism over the introduction of
 Population 413,000 Islamic Sharia law in the country.
 Area 5,765 sq km (2,226 sq miles)

 Major languages Malay, Head of state: Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
English, Chinese
 Ethnicity 65% ethnic Malay, 10% Hassanal Bolkiah, one of the world's longest-
reigning monarchs, became sultan in October
Chinese
1967 after his father, Sir Haji Omar Ali
 Religious make-up 78% Saifuddin, abdicated. He was crowned in
Muslim, 8% Christian, 7% Buddhist August 1968.
1
In 1991 he introduced a conservative ideology 1849-54 - British destroy Malay pirates operating between
called Malay Muslim Monarchy, which Singapore and Borneo.
presented the monarchy as the defender of the
faith.
British rule
Apparently aimed at pre-empting calls for 1888 - Brunei becomes a British protectorate.
democratisation, it is said to have alienated 1906 - Brunei administered by a British resident, with the
Brunei's large Chinese and expatriate sultan having nominal authority.
communities. 1929 - Oil extraction begins.
1941-45 - Japan occupies Brunei.
In September 2004 the sultan reopened 1950 - Omar Ali Saifuddin III inaugurated sultan.
Brunei's parliament, 20 years after it was 1959 - Sultan Omar introduces Brunei's first written
constitution which enshrines Islam as the state religion and
suspended. Observers said it was a tentative keeps Britain in charge of defence and foreign affairs.
step towards giving some political power to the
country's citizens.
The sultan was born in 1946 and was educated Rule by decree
in Malaysia and Britain. He has two wives and 1962 - Legislative Council election results annulled after
is one of the world's richest individuals. leftist Brunei People's Party, which sought to remove the
sultan from power, won all 10 elected seats in the 21-
Brunei profile - member council; sultan declares state of emergency and
rules by decree.
Timeline  Share
1963 - Brunei decides to remain a British dependency
rather than join the Federation of Malaysia.
1967 - Hassanal Bolkiah becomes sultan following the
abdication of his father, Sultan Omar, who nonetheless
remains chief adviser.
A chronology of key events:
15th century - Islamic sultanate of Brunei nominally in
control of Borneo, including Sabah and Sarawak states of
Malaysia, and some parts of the Sulu islands in the Independence
Philippines. 1984 - Brunei becomes independent.
1985 - Government legalises the Brunei National
Democratic Party (BNDP).
1986 - Brunei National Solidarity Party (BNSP) becomes
legal; former Sultan Omar dies.
1988 - BNDP and BNSP banned.
1990 - Sultan Bolkiah introduces ideology of Malay
Muslim Monarchy.
1995 - Government allows BNSP to operate, but the party
is targeted for harassment and becomes inactive.
1998 - Sultan Bolkiah removes his younger brother, Prince
Jefri Bolkiah, as chief of Brunei Investment Agency over
Image concerns about his stewardship of agency; Sultan Bolkiah's
copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionOil exports are eldest son, Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah, becomes heir
an economic mainstay. The Billionth Barrel of Oil apparent.
Monument celebrates the industry
1521 - Brunei visited by Spanish navigator Juan Sebastian
del Cano.
1841 - Sultan of Brunei Omar Ali Saifuddin II rewards Royal scandal
British army officer James Brooke for helping to quell a 2000 - Brunei files civil suit against Prince Jefri Bolkiah for
civil war by granting him control of Sarawak. alleged misuse of state funds. Case is settled out of court.
1846 - Brunei reduced to its present size after ceding the Court documents reveal that he spent $2.7 billion on luxury
island of Labuan to Britain.
2
goods over 10 years. Prince agrees to return all assets
allegedly taken from state-owned investment agency.
2000 August - Brunei says it will retrain up to 25% of the
workforce to diversify the economy away from oil and to
develop alternative industries such as tourism.
2001 - Auction is held of more than 10,000 items belonging
to Prince Jefri.
2001 November - As chair of Association of South East
Asian Nations (Asean), Brunei hosts body's 2001 summit.
Leaders pledge to cooperate in fighting terrorism but push
back launch date for Asian free trade area.
2004 September - Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah reopens
parliament, 20 years after it was disbanded. The new
parliament has 21 appointed members. The sultan later
amends the constitution to allow the direct election of 15
members of the next parliament, but no poll date is set.
2005 May - Major cabinet reshuffle ushers in younger faces
and ministers with private sector experience.
2005 August - National Development Party registered as
political party.
2007 February - Brunei, along with Indonesia and
Malaysia, signs a "Rainforest Declaration", agreeing to
conserve a large area of Borneo that is home to rare
species.
2007 November - Former finance minister and Sultan's
brother, Prince Jefri Bolkiah, loses appeal at Brunei's
highest court and is ordered to return property, cash and
luxury goods allegedly acquired through misappropriated
state funds.
2007 December - Amnesty international criticises Brunei's
corporal punishment laws. Reports say 68 foreigners were
flogged in 2008 for immigration offences. Immigration VIE W 7 P H O T O S OF
BR U NE I
rules were tightened in 2004 to prevent illegal stay of
migrant workers.
2008 June - UK judge issues warrant for the arrest of
Prince Jefri Bolkiah after he failed to attend a High Court
hearing over allegations that he violated a court order to
return billions of dollars in missing funds to the Brunei
government.
2010 February - Brunei included in France's "blacklist" of
tax havens. French businesses operating in Brunei face
increased taxes at home.
2010 June - US adds Brunei to its human trafficking watch
list as a destination for forced labour and prostitution.
2010 December - Malaysia and Brunei agree to jointly
develop two oil areas off Borneo, ending a border dispute
dating from 2003 which held up exploration.
2014 April - Brunei becomes the first east Asian country to
adopt sharia law, despite widespread condemnation from
international human rights groups.
2016 September - Brunei ratifies the Paris global climate
agreement.
Reference: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-
pacific-12990058  Open All
 Close All
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 Hide slightly smaller than Delaware
INTRODUCTION :: BRUNEI

Land boundaries:
Panel - Expanded
total: 266 km
 Background:
border countries (1): Malaysia 266 km
The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the

15th and 17th centuries when its control extended over C oastline:
coastal areas of northwest Borneo and the southern
Philippines. Brunei subsequently entered a period of 161 km
decline brought on by internal strife over royal
succession, colonial expansion of European powers,
and piracy. In 1888, Brunei became a British Maritime claims:
protectorate; independence was achieved in 1984. The
same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. territorial sea: 12 nm
Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural
gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita exclusive economic zone: 200 nm or to median line
GDPs in the world.
 Hide Climate:
GEOGRAPHY :: BRUNEI tropical; hot, humid, rainy
Panel - Expanded
Terrain:
 Location:
flat coastal plain rises to mountains in east; hilly
lowland in west
Southeastern Asia, along the northern coast of the
island of Borneo, bordering the South China Sea and
Malaysia Elevation:
mean elevation: 478 m
Geographic coordinates:
elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0

4 30 N, 114 40 E
m
Map references: highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m
Southeast Asia
Natural resources:
Area: petroleum, natural gas, timber
total: 5,765 sq km Land use:
land: 5,265 sq km
agricultural land: 2.5%
water: 500 sq km arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent

pasture 0.6%
country comparison to the world: 1 7 3
forest: 71.8%
Area - comparative:
4
other: 25.7% (2011 est.) Malay 65.7%, Chinese 10.3%, other indigenous 3.4%,
other 20.6% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
Languages:
10 sq km (2012)
Malay (official), English, Chinese dialects
Natural hazards:
Religions:
typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare
Muslim (official) 78.8%, Christian 8.7%, Buddhist 7.8%,
other (includes indigenous beliefs) 4.7% (2011 est.)
Environment - current issues:
seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Age structure:

Indonesia
0-14 years: 23.12% (male 52,862/female 49,717)
Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the
Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected

65 years and over: 4.84% (male 10,440/female
agreements
11,020) (2017 est.)
Geography - note: population pyramid:
close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking

Indian and Pacific Oceans; two parts physically
Dependency ratios:
separated by Malaysia; almost an enclave within
Malaysia
total dependency ratio: 38.4
 Hide
youth dependency ratio: 32.8
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: BRUNEI
elderly dependency ratio: 5.7
Panel - Expanded
potential support ratio: 17.6 (2015 est.)
 Population:
Median age:
443,593 (July 2017 est.)
total: 30.2 years
male: 29.7 years
Nationality:
female: 30.7 years (2017 est.)
noun: Bruneian(s)
adjective: Bruneian
Population growth rate:
Ethnic groups:
5
1.57% (2017 est.) 65 years and over: 0.95 male(s)/female
country comparison to the world: 6 8 total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Birth rate: Maternal mortality rate:
17 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) 23 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1 0 8 country comparison to the world: 1 3 2
Death rate: Infant mortality rate:
3.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) total: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 2 1 4 male: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate: female: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 3 8
country comparison to the world: 4 0 Life expectancy at birth:
Urbanization: total population: 77.3 years
urban population: 77.8% of total population (2017) male: 75 years
rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change female: 79.8 years (2017 est.)

(2015- 20 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7 5
Major urban areas - population:

Total fertility rate:
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (capital) 241,000
1.78 children born/woman (2017 est.)
note: the boundaries of the capital city were expanded
in 2007, greatly increasing the city area; the population country comparison to the world: 1 5 2
of the capital increased tenfold (2011)
Health expenditures:
Sex ratio:
2.6% of GDP (2014)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
Physicians density:
1.47 physicians/1,000 population (2012)
Hospital bed density:

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
6
 Hide
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
GOVERNMENT :: BRUNEI
NA
Panel - Expanded
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
 C ountry name:
NA
conventional long form: Brunei Darussalam
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
conventional short form: Brunei
NA
local long form: Negara Brunei Darussalam
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

local short form: Brunei
14.1% (2016)
etymology: derivation of the name is unclear;
according to legend, MUHAMMAD SHAH, who would
become the first sultan of Brunei, upon discovering
what would become Brunei exclaimed "Baru nah," which
Children under the age of 5 years roughly translates as "there" or "that's it"
underweight:
Government type:
9.6% (2009)
absolute monarchy or sultanate
Education expenditures:
Capital:
3.7% of GDP (2016)
name: Bandar Seri Begawan
geographic coordinates: 4 53 N, 114 56 E
Literacy:
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of
Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 96% Administrative divisions:
male: 97.5% 4 districts (daerah- daerah, singular - daerah); Belait,

Brunei- Muara, Temburong, Tutong
female: 94.5% (2015 est.)
Independence:
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary

1 January 1984 (from the UK)
education):
total: 15 years National holiday:
male: 14 years National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January

1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23
February 1984 was the date of independence from
female: 15 years (2015)
British protection
7
C onstitution: Council, Privy Council for constitutional issues, Council
of Succession, and Legislative Council
drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959;

amended 1984, 2004, 2011; note - some constitutional elections/appointments: none; the monarchy is
provisions suspended since 1962 under a state of hereditary
emergency, others suspended since independence in
1984 (2016) Legislative branch:
Legal system: description: Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat

Negara Brunei (36 seats; members appointed by the
mixed legal system based on English common law and sultan including 3 ex-officio members - the speaker and
Islamic law; note - in May 2014, the first of three first and second secretaries; members appointed for 5-
phases of sharia- based penal codes was instituted, year terms)
which applies to Muslims and non- Muslims and exists in
parallel to the existing common law-based code elections/appointments: appointed by the sultan
International law organization participation: Judicial branch:
highest resident court(s): Supreme Court (consists of

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non- Court of Appeal and High Court, each with a chief
party state to the ICCt justice and 2 judges); Sharia Court of Appeal (consists
of judges appointed by the monarch); note - Brunei has
a dual judicial system of secular and sharia (religious)
Citizenship:
courts; the Judicial Committee of Privy Council in
London serves as the final appellate court for civil
citizenship by birth: no
cases only
citizenship by descent only: the father must be a

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court
citizen of Brunei
judges appointed by the monarch to serve until age 65,
and older if approved by the monarch; Sharia Court of
dual citizenship recognized: no Appeal judges appointed by the monarch for life
residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrate's

Courts; Juvenile Court; small claims courts; lower
Suffrage: sharia courts
18 years of age for village elections; universal Political parties and leaders:
Executive branch: National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]
chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir note: Brunei National Solidarity Party or PPKB [Abdul
HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967); note - the LATIF bin Chuchu] and People's Awareness Party or
monarch is both chief of state and head of government PAKAR [Awang Haji MAIDIN bin Haji Ahmad] were
deregistered in 2007; parties are small and have limited
activity
head of government: Sultan and Prime Minister Sir
HASSANAL Bolkiah (since 5 October 1967)
Political pressure groups and leaders:
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed and presided
over by the monarch; note - 4 additional advisory NA
councils appointed by the monarch are the Religious
International organization participation:

8
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, C, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, with God's guidance" appears in yellow Arabic script on
IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFRCS, the crescent; a ribbon below the crescent reads
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, ISO "Brunei, the Abode of Peace"
(correspondent), ITSO, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
National symbol(s):
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black

Diplomatic representation in the US:
National anthem:
chief of mission: Ambassador Serbini ALI (since 28
January 2016)
name: "Allah Peliharakan Sultan" (God Bless His
Majesty)
chancery: 3520 International Court NW, Washington,
DC 20008
lyrics/music: Pengiran Haji Mohamed YUSUF bin
Pengiran Abdul Rahim/Awang Haji BESAR bin Sagap
telephone: [1] (202) 237- 1838
note: adopted 1951
FAX: [1] (202) 885-0560
 Hide
consulate(s): New York
ECONOMY :: BRUNEI
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Panel - Expanded
chief of mission: Ambassador Craig B. ALLEN (since 9
March 2015)  Economy - overview:
embassy: Simpang 336- 52-16- 9, Jalan Datu, Bandar Brunei is an energy- rich sultanate on the northern coast
Seri Begawan, BC4115 of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei boasts a well-
educated, largely English-speaking population;
mailing address: Unit 4280, Box 40, FPO AP 96507; excellent infrastructure; and a stable government intent
P.O. Box 2991, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8675, Negara on attracting foreign investment. Crude oil and natural
Brunei Darussalam gas production account for approximately 65% of GDP
and 95% of exports, with Japan as the primary export
market.
telephone: [673] 238-4616
Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and

FAX: [673] 238- 4604
substantial income from overseas investment
supplements income from domestic hydrocarbon
Flag description: production. Bruneian citizens pay no personal income
taxes, and the government provides free medical
services and free education through the university level.
yellow with two diagonal bands of white (top, almost
double width) and black starting from the upper hoist
side; the national emblem in red is superimposed at the The Bruneian Government wants to diversify its
center; yellow is the color of royalty and symbolizes the economy away from hydrocarbon exports to other
sultanate; the white and black bands denote Brunei's industries such as information and communications
chief ministers; the emblem includes five main technology and halal manufacturing, permissible under
components: a swallow-tailed flag, the royal umbrella Islamic law. Brunei’s trade in 2016 was set to increase
representing the monarchy, the wings of four feathers following its regional economic integration in the
symbolizing justice, tranquility, prosperity, and peace, ASEAN Economic Community, and the expected
the two upraised hands signifying the government's ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade
pledge to preserve and promote the welfare of the agreement.
people, and the crescent moon denoting Islam, the
state religion; the state motto "Always render service GDP (purchasing power parity):
9
$32.76 billion (2016 est.) government consumption: 26.6%
$33.17 billion (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 35.3%
$32.95 billion (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 0%
note: data are in 2016 dollars exports of goods and services: 52.1%
country comparison to the world: 1 2 7 imports of goods and services: -36.5% (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate): GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
$11.4 billion (2016 est.) agriculture: 1.2%
GDP - real growth rate: industry: 56.5%
-2.5% (2016 est.) services: 42.4% (2016 est.)
-0.4% (2015 est.) Agriculture - products:
-2.5% (2014 est.)

rice, vegetables, fruits; chickens, water buffalo, cattle,
goats, eggs
Industries:
GDP - per capita (PPP):
petroleum, petroleum refining, liquefied natural gas,

$77,500 (2016 est.) construction, agriculture, transportation
$80,600 (2015 est.)

Industrial production growth rate:
$81,900 (2014 est.)

-2.9% (2016 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars


Labor force:
Gross national saving:

203,600 (2014 est.)
43.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

51.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation:
58.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
agriculture: 4.2%
country comparison to the world: 6
industry: 62.8%
GDP - composition, by end use:
services: 33% (2008 est.)
household consumption: 22.5%
Unemployment rate:
10
6.9% (2016 est.) -0.7% (2016 est.)
9.3% (2011 est.) -0.4% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9 0 country comparison to the world: 2 4
Population below poverty line: C ommercial bank prime lending rate:
NA% 5.5% (31 December 2016 est.)
5.5% (31 December 2015 est.)

Household income or consumption by
percentage share: country comparison to the world: 1 3 0
lowest 10%: NA%
Stock of narrow money:
highest 10%: NA%
$3.232 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Budget: $3.31 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
revenues: $2.679 billion country comparison to the world: 1 1 5
expenditures: $4.561 billion (2016 est.)

Stock of broad money:
Taxes and other revenues: $10.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
24% of GDP (2016 est.) $10.16 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1 2 3 country comparison to the world: 1 0 5
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): Stock of domestic credit:
-16.8% of GDP (2016 est.) $4.066 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2 1 3 $5.323 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Public debt: country comparison to the world: 1 3 1
3.1% of GDP (2016 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares:
3% of GDP (2015 est.) $NA

Current account balance:
Fiscal year: $1.091 billion (2016 est.)
1 April - 31 March $2.071 billion (2015 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): country comparison to the world: 4 1
11
1.3814 (2016 est.)
Exports:
1.3814 (2015 est.)

$5.023 billion (2016 est.)
1.3749 (2014 est.)

$6.126 billion (2015 est.)
1.267 (2013 est.)

1.25 (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities:
 Show
mineral fuels, organic chemicals
ENERGY :: BRUNEI
Exports - partners: Panel - Collapsed
Japan 36.5%, South Korea 16.8%, Thailand 10.6%,  Show

India 9.8%, Malaysia 6.6%, China 4.6% (2016)
COMMUNICATIONS :: BRUNEI
Imports:
Panel - Collapsed
$3.119 billion (2016 est.)  Show
$3.216 billion (2015 est.) TRANSPORTATION :: BRUNEI
country comparison to the world: 1 4 0 Panel - Collapsed
 Show
Imports - commodities:
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: BRUNEI
machinery and mechanical appliance parts, mineral
fuels, motor vehicles, electric machinery Panel - Collapsed
 Hide
Imports - partners:
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: BRUNEI

US 28.4%, Malaysia 24%, Singapore 7.1%, Indonesia
5.7%, Japan 5.3%, China 4.9%, Australia 4.3% (2016)
Panel - Expanded
Debt - external:
 Disputes - international:
$0 (2014)
per Letters of Exchange signed in 2009, Malaysia in
2010 ceded two hydrocarbon concession blocks to
$0 (2013) Brunei in exchange for Brunei's sultan dropping claims
to the Limbang corridor, which divides Brunei;
note: public external debt only; private external debt nonetheless, Brunei claims a maritime boundary
unavailable extending as far as a median with Vietnam, thus
asserting an implicit claim to Louisa Reef
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Exchange rates:
Bruneian dollars (BND) per US dollar -
12
stateless persons: 20,524 (2016); note - thousands of
stateless persons, often ethnic Chinese, are permanent
residents and their families have lived in Brunei for
generations; obtaining citizenship is difficult and
requires individuals to pass rigorous tests on Malay
culture, customs, and language; stateless residents
receive an International Certificate of Identity, which
enables them to travel overseas; the government is
considering changing the law prohibiting non-Bruneians,
including stateless permanent residents, from owning
land
Illicit drugs:
drug trafficking and illegally importing controlled

substances are serious offenses in Brunei and carry a
mandatory death penalty
Reference:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/geos/bx.html
Cambodia country
profile
13


5 September 2017
LEADERS
Head of state: King Norodom Sihamoni
King Sihamoni - a trained ballet dancer - was sworn in as

monarch on 29 October 2004, after his father, the widely
venerated and long-serving King Sihanouk, abdicated
because of poor health.
Heir to the ancient Khmer Empire, modern-day

Cambodia is benefiting from two decades of relative
stability, having endured civil war and the murderous
rule of the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
Painful memories still endure of the radical communist

Khmer Rouge's time in power under the leadership of Pol
Pot between 1975 and 1978, when two million people died
in the regime's brutal pursuit of a rural utopia.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
The economy is dominated by garment-making, but
tourism is expanding, and Cambodia hopes to tap into Cambodia's kings once enjoyed a semi-divine status; today,
offshore oil and gas reserves and draw in overseas the monarch's role is mainly ceremonial.
investment to replace aid.
The son of former king Norodom Sihanouk,
Corruption is deep-rooted and Cambodia is still one of the King Sihamoni was sworn in as monarch on 29
world's poorest countries, with most of the workforce still October 2004. The former king abdicated
employed in subsistence farming. because of poor health.
 See more country profiles - Profiles compiled
by BBC Monitoring
Born in 1953, he studied in Czechoslovakia.
He left Cambodia for France after the fall of the
FACTS Khmer Rouge in 1979. He is a trained classical
ballet dancer.
Kingdom of Cambodia
Capital: Phnom Penh
 Population 14.5 million (UN, 2012)
 Currency Riel
 Major language Khmer
 Major religion Buddhism
 Life expectancy 62 years (men),
65 years (women) (UN)
UN, World Bank
Prime minister: Hun Sen
Getty
14
More recently, some Western countries have
said his rule has become increasingly
authoritarian.
Critics accuse Hun Sen of using a mixture of

electoral fraud, corruption and intimidation to
maintain what is in effect dictatorial rule.
Born in 1952, Hun Sen joined the Communist

Party in the late 1960s and, for a time, was a
member of the Khmer Rouge. He has denied
Image accusations that he was once a top official
copyrightAFP within the movement, saying he was only an
ordinary soldier.
Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving prime
ministers, has been in power in various coalitions since During the Pol Pot regime in the late 1970s he
1985. joined anti-Khmer Rouge forces based in
Vietnam.
A former communist and - briefly - a member of the Khmer
Rouge - he was last reappointed by parliament in
Hun Sen has said he will rule Cambodia into
September 2013 for a further five-year term, in the face of
mass demonstrations and opposition allegations of fraud in his seventies.
the July elections.
TIMELINE
Since seizing power from his then co-prime minister,
Prince Ranariddh, brother of the then king, Sihanouk, in Some key events in Cambodia's history:
1997, critics believe Hun Sen has become increasingly
authoritarian, using a mixture of electoral fraud, corruption
and intimidation to maintain quasi-dictatorial rule.
Hun Sen, one of the world's longest-serving

prime ministers, has been in power in various
coalitions since 1985.
He was reappointed by parliament in

September 2013 for a further five-year term.
The move followed mass demonstrations and
came amid a boycott of parliament by the
opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party
(CNRP), which alleged fraud in the July
elections. Angkor Wat is one of the main temples in the
ancient capital of Angkor
The prime minister's Cambodian People's
Party won 68 seats in the poll, to the CNRP's
55. The CNRP said it was cheated out of 2.3
million votes, prompting protests by opposition
supporters.
Hun Sen is no stranger to controversy. He A chronology of key events

seized power from his then co-prime minister, 1863 - Cambodia becomes a protectorate of
Prince Ranariddh, in 1997. France. French colonial rule lasts for 90 years.
15
Khmer Rouge forces entered Phnom Penh in 1975
after a months-long siege
1970 - Prime Minister Lon Nol overthrows
Sihanouk in coup. He proclaims the Khmer
Sihamouk abdicated in 1955, but returned to high Republic and sends the army to fight the North
office several times Vietnamese in Cambodia. Sihanouk - in exile in
1941 - Prince Norodom Sihanouk becomes China - forms a guerrilla movement. Over next
king. Cambodia is occupied by Japan during few years the Cambodian army loses territory
World War II. against the North Vietnamese and communist
1945 - The Japanese occupation ends. Khmer Rouge guerrillas
1946 - France re-imposes its protectorate. A
new constitution permits Cambodians to form
political parties. Communist guerrillas begin an
armed campaign against the French. Cambodia Year Zero
1975 - Lon Nol is overthrown as the Khmer
Rouge led by Pol Pot occupy Phnom Penh.
Sihanouk briefly becomes head of state, the
Independence country is re-named Kampuchea.
1953 - Cambodia wins its independence from
France. Under King Sihanouk, it becomes the All city dwellers are forcibly moved to the
Kingdom of Cambodia. countryside to become agricultural workers.
1955 - Sihanouk abdicates to pursue a political Money becomes worthless, basic freedoms are
career. His father becomes king and Sihanouk curtailed and religion is banned. The Khmer
becomes prime minister. Rouge coin the phrase "Year Zero".
1960 - Sihanouk's father dies. Sihanouk
becomes head of state. Hundreds of thousands of the educated
1965 - Sihanouk breaks off relations with the middle-classes are tortured and executed in
US and allows North Vietnamese guerrillas to special centres. Others starve, or die from
set up bases in Cambodia in pursuance of their disease or exhaustion. The total death toll
campaign against the US-backed government during the next three years is estimated to be
in South Vietnam. at least 1.7 million.
1969 - The US begins a secret bombing 1976 - The country is re-named Democratic
campaign against North Vietnamese forces on Kampuchea. Sihanouk resigns, Khieu
Cambodian soil. Samphan becomes head of state, Pol Pot is
prime minister.
1977 - Fighting breaks out with Vietnam.
16
Image
copyrightAFP The monarchy, with Norodom Sihanouk as king,
1978 - Vietnamese forces invade in a lightning was restored in 1993
assault. 1993 - General election sees the royalist
1979 January - The Vietnamese take Phnom Funcinpec party win the most seats followed by
Penh. Pol Pot and Khmer Rouge forces flee to Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party (CPP).
the border region with Thailand.
A three-party coalition is formed with
The People's Republic of Kampuchea is Funcinpec's Prince Norodom Ranariddh as
established. Many elements of life before the prime minister and Hun Sen as deputy prime
Khmer Rouge take-over are re-established. minister.
1981 - The pro-Vietnamese Kampuchean
People's Revolutionary Party wins The monarchy is restored, Sihanouk becomes
parliamentary elections. The international king again. The country is re-named the
community refuses to recognise the new Kingdom of Cambodia. The government-in-
government. exile loses its seat at the UN.
1994 - Thousands of Khmer Rouge guerrillas
The government-in-exile, which includes the surrender in government amnesty.
Khmer Rouge and Sihanouk, retains its seat at 1996 - Deputy leader of Khmer Rouge Ieng
the United Nations. Sary forms a new party and is granted amnesty
1985 - Hun Sen becomes prime minister. by Sihanouk.
Cambodia is plagued by guerrilla warfare.
Hundreds of thousands become refugees.
1989 - Vietnamese troops withdraw. Hun Sen Coup
tries to attract foreign investment by
1997 - Hun Sen mounts a coup against the
abandoning socialism. The country is re-
prime minister, Prince Ranariddh, and replaces
named the State of Cambodia. Buddhism is re-
him with Ung Huot. The coup attracts
established as the state religion.
international condemnation. The Khmer Rouge
put Pol Pot on trial and sentence him to life
imprisonment.
An uneasy peace
1991 - A peace agreement is signed in Paris. A
UN transitional authority shares power
temporarily with representatives of the various
factions in Cambodia. Sihanouk becomes head
of state.
17
from Thailand. Angry crowds attack the Thai
embassy in Phnom Penh. Hun Sen's
Cambodian People's Party wins general
elections but fails to secure sufficient majority
to govern alone.
Hun Sen re-elected

2004 - After nearly a year of political deadlock,
Prime Minister Hun Sen is re-elected after CPP
strikes a deal with the royalist Funcinpec party.
Parliament ratifies kingdom's entry into World
Trade Organisation (WTO). King Sihanouk
abdicates and is succeeded by his son
Norodom Sihamoni.
Pol Pot died in his jungle hideout in 1998
1998 - Prince Ranariddh is tried in his absence

and found guilty of arms smuggling, but is then
pardoned by the king.
1998 April - Pol Pot dies in his jungle hideout.
1998 July - Elections are won by Hun Sen's
CPP, amid allegations of harassment. A
coalition is formed between the CPP and
Funcinpec. Hun Sen becomes prime minister,
Ranariddh is president of the National
Assembly.
2001 - A law setting up a tribunal to bring Cambodians regard their ancient temples as a key
genocide charges against Khmer Rouge part of their identity
leaders is passed. International donors,
encouraged by reform efforts, pledge $560 2005 February - Opposition leader Sam Rainsy
million in aid. goes abroad after parliament strips him of
2001 June - US-based Cambodian Freedom immunity from prosecution, leaving him open to
Fighters (CFF) members convicted of 2000 defamation charges brought by the ruling
attack in Phnom Penh. Group pledges to coalition.
continue campaign to overthrow Hun Sen. 2005 April - Tribunal to try Khmer Rouge
2001 December - First bridge across the leaders gets green light from UN after years of
Mekong River opens, linking east and west debate about funding.
Cambodia. 2005 December - Rainsy is convicted in
2002 -First multi-party local elections; ruling absentia of defaming Hun Sen and is
Cambodian People's Party wins in all but 23 sentenced to 18 months in prison
out of 1,620 communes. Ranariddh's half- 2006 February - Rainsy receives a royal pardon
brother Prince Norodom Chakrapong sets up and returns home.
his own Norodom Chakrapong Khmer Soul 2006 May - Parliament votes to abolish prison
Party. terms for defamation.
2003 - Serious diplomatic upset with Thailand 2006 July - Ta Mok, one of the top leaders of
over comments attributed to a Thai TV star that the Khmer Rouge regime, dies aged 80.
the Angkor Wat temple complex was stolen
18
2006 November - Funcinpec party, a junior charges of presiding over the murder and
partner in the ruling coalition, drops Prince torture of thousands of people as head of the
Norodom Ranariddh as its leader. notorious Tuol Sleng prison camp.
Parliament again strips opposition leader Sam

Rainsy of immunity. He is charged but fails to
Khmer Rouge trials appear in court.
2007 March - Ranariddh is sentenced in
absentia to 18 months in prison for selling the Another row with Thailand, after Cambodia
Funcinpec party's headquarters - a charge he refuses to extradite ex-Thai prime minister
denies. Thaksin Shinawatra and appoints him as an
2007 July - UN-backed tribunals begin economic adviser instead.
questioning Khmer Rouge suspects about 2010 - Comrade Duch is found guilty of crimes
allegations of genocide. against humanity and given 35-year prison
2007 September - Most senior surviving Khmer sentence.
Rouge member, Nuon Chea - "Brother Number
Two" - is arrested and charged with crimes Diplomatic ties with Thailand resumed after
against humanity. Cambodian government announces
2008 April - US court convicts CFF leader resignation of Thaksin Shinawatra.
Chhun Yasith of masterminding 2000 attack in
Phnom Penh. Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy is
sentenced in absentia to 10 years in jail after
being found guilty of manipulating a map to
suggest Cambodia is losing land to Vietnam.
2011 - Tensions rise as Cambodia charges two
Thai citizens with spying after they were
arrested for crossing the disputed border.
Respective forces exchange fire across the
border. Hun Sen calls for UN peacekeepers.
Image
copyrightAFPImage caption
The head of the notorious Khmer Rouge prison at
Tuol Sleng, Duch (c), was jailed for crimes against
humanity in 2010 and lost his appeal in 2012
2008 July - Hun Sen's ruling CPP claims victory

in parliamentary elections criticised by EU
monitors. Cambodia and Thailand move troops
to disputed land near Preah Vihear temple
after decision to list it as UN World Heritage Image copyrightAFPImage caption
Site fans nationalist sentiment on both sides. King Norodom Sihanouk's died in 2012, after an
2008 October - Two Cambodian soldiers die in eventful life closely intertwined with his country's
an exchange of fire with Thai troops in the history for six decades
disputed area. Thai soldier dies later of
wounds. Three most senior surviving Khmer Rouge
members, including leader Pol Pot's right-hand
man, "Brother Number Two" Nuon Chea, go on
trial on charges of genocide and crimes against
New spat with Thailand humanity.
2009 - Former Khmer Rouge leader Kaing
Guek Eav known as Duch goes on trial on
19
Cambodia and Thailand agree to withdraw genocide, leaving only Nuon Chea and Khieu
troops from disputed area. Samphan among prominent Khmer Rouge
2012 February - Duch loses appeal against figures still alive and under arrest by the UN-
conviction at UN-backed tribunal and has backed tribunal.
sentence increased to life. 2013 June - Parliament passes a bill making it
2012 March - A second judge quits the tribunal. illegal to deny that atrocities were committed
Swiss Judge Laurent Kasper-Ansermet says by the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s.
going because his Cambodian counterpart, 2013 July - Opposition leader Sam Rainsy
You Bunleng, had thwarted attempts to returns from exile.
investigate some former members of the
Khmer Rouge regime. Parliamentary elections. Ruling party of
2012 April - Outspoken environmental activist premier Hun Sen claims victory, opposition
Chut Wutty is shot dead in a confrontation with alleges widespread irregularities.
police while travelling in a threatened forest
region in the south-west.
2012 May - Government suspends the granting
of land for development by private companies
in a bid to curb evictions and illegal logging.
Border tension eases

2012 July - Cambodia and Thailand withdraw
their troops from a disputed border area near Image
the Preah Vihear temple in line with a ruling by copyrightAFPImage caption
the International Court of Justice which aims to Recurring protests in support of higher wages, land
halt outbreaks of armed conflict in recent rights or greater political freedom are brutally dealt
years. with, such as at this one by garment workers in
January 2014
2013 September - Mass protests in Phnom

Penh over contested election results.
Parliament approves new five-year term for
Hun Sen. Opposition boycotts opening of
parliament.
2014 January - Riot police clear a two-week
Image copyrightAFPImage caption opposition protest camp held in Phnom Penh
Main opposition leader Sam Rainsy returned home as part of a long-running campaign launched
after eight years in exile in 2013 against the government after the disputed 2013
election.
2012 October - Former king, Norodom 2014 July - More than 150,000 Cambodian
Sihanouk, dies of a heart attack. He was 89. workers return home from neighbouring
2012 November - Government approves the Thailand after rumours circulate that the new
controversial Lower Sesan 2 hydroelectric dam military junta there will crack down on illegal
project on a tributary of the Mekong. migrants.
2013 February - Tens of thousands of people
turn out in Phnom Penh for the cremation of Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party
the former king, Norodom Sihanouk. (CNRP) agrees to end its year-long boycott of
2013 March - Former Khmer Rouge foreign parliament as part of an agreement with Prime
minister Ieng Sary dies while awaiting trial for
20
Minister Hun Sen to break the deadlock over
the disputed 2013 parliamentary election.
2014 August - A UN-backed court in Cambodia
sentences two senior Khmer Rouge leaders to
life in prison for their role in the terror that
swept the country in the 1970s. The two,
second-in-command Nuon Chea, and the
former head of state Khieu Samphan, are the
first top Khmer Rouge figures to be jailed.
2015 January - Prime Minister Hun Sen marks Kem
30 years in power. Sokha became the new face of Cambodia's main
2015 March - A UN-backed tribunal in opposition party in March 2017
Cambodia indicts two more former
commanders of the Khmer Rouge, Im Cheam Parliament amends a law to bar anyone
and Meas Muth, with crimes against humanity. convicted of an offence from running for office.
2016 July - Kem Ley, a political commentator The legislation in effect bans main opposition
and prominent critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen politician Sam Rainsy from participating politics
is shot dead in the capital Phnom Penh. after he was found guilty of defamation.
2016 September - Prime Minister Hun Sen 2017 March - Human rights activist Kem Sokha
declares a political "ceasefire" following a wave is appointed as the new leader of the
of prosecutions of opposition members ahead opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party
of elections in 2018. (CNRP), replacing Sam Rainsy.
2016 October - Opposition Cambodian National 2017 September - Opposition leader Kem
Rescue Party (CNRP) resumes its months-long Sokha is charged with treason.
parliamentary boycott over alleged threats from
the ruling party.
2016 November - A UN-backed tribunal
pacific-13006539
upholds the life sentences of former Khmer
Rouge leaders Nuon Chea and Khieu
Samphan after they appealed against their
convictions. for crimes against humanity.
2016 December - Exiled opposition leader Sam
CAMBODIA
PAG E LAST U PDAT E D ON OC T OBE R 27, 2017
Rainsy is sentenced to five years in prison after
a document is published on his Facebook page
which the government says is a forgery. Mr
Rainsy was found guilty of posting an
inaccurate post about a border treaty between
Cambodia and Vietnam.
2017 February - Sam Rainsy resigns as head of
the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
He had been in self-imposed exile since 2005,
when parliament stripped him of his immunity.
21
full independence from France in 1953. In April 1975,
after a seven- year struggle, communist Khmer Rouge
forces captured Phnom Penh and evacuated all cities
and towns. At least 1.5 million Cambodians died from
execution, forced hardships, or starvation during the
Khmer Rouge regime under POL POT. A December
1978 Vietnamese invasion drove the Khmer Rouge into
the countryside, began a 10-year Vietnamese
occupation, and touched off almost 13 years of civil
war.
The 1991 Paris Peace Accords mandated democratic

elections and a ceasefire, which was not fully
respected by the Khmer Rouge. UN-sponsored elections
in 1993 helped restore some semblance of normalcy
under a coalition government. Factional fighting in 1997
ended the first coalition government, but a second
round of national elections in 1998 led to the formation
of another coalition government and renewed political
stability. The remaining elements of the Khmer Rouge
surrendered in early 1999. Some of the surviving Khmer
Rouge leaders have been tried or are awaiting trial for
crimes against humanity by a hybrid UN- Cambodian
tribunal supported by international assistance. Elections
in July 2003 were relatively peaceful, but it took one
year of negotiations between contending political
parties before a coalition government was formed. In
October 2004, King Norodom SIHANOUK abdicated the
throne and his son, Prince Norodom SIHAMONI, was
selected to succeed him. The most recent local
(Commune Council) elections were held in Cambodia in
2012, with little of the preelection violence that
preceded prior elections. National elections in July
2013 were disputed, with the opposition - the
Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) - boycotting
the National Assembly. The political impasse was ended
nearly a year later, with the CNRP agreeing to enter
 Open All
 Close All parliament in exchange for ruling party commitments to
electoral and legislative reforms.
 Hide
 Hide
INTRODUCTION :: CAMBODIA
GEOGRAPHY :: CAMBODIA
Panel - Expanded
Panel - Expanded
 Background:
 Location:
Most Cambodians consider themselves to be Khmers,

descendants of the Angkor Empire that extended over Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand,
much of Southeast Asia and reached its zenith between between Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos
the 10th and 13th centuries. Attacks by the Thai and
Cham (from present-day Vietnam) weakened the Geographic coordinates:
empire, ushering in a long period of decline. The king
placed the country under French protection in 1863, and
13 00 N, 105 00 E
it became part of French Indochina in 1887. Following
Japanese occupation in World War II, Cambodia gained
22
mostly low, flat plains; mountains in southwest and
Map references:
north
Southeast Asia
Elevation:
Area:
total: 181,035 sq km
elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m
land: 176,515 sq km
highest point: Phnum Aoral 1,810 m
water: 4,520 sq km
Natural resources:
oil and gas, timber, gemstones, iron ore, manganese,
phosphates, hydropower potential, arable land
Area - comparative:
Land use:
one and a half times the size of Pennsylvania; slightly
smaller than Oklahoma
Land boundaries:
arable land 22.7%; permanent crops 0.9%; permanent
pasture 8.5%
total: 2,530 km
forest: 56.5%
border countries (3): Laos 555 km, Thailand 817 km,
Vietnam 1,158 km
other: 11.4% (2011 est.)
C oastline:
Irrigated land:
443 km
3,540 sq km (2012)
Maritime claims:
Population - distribution:
territorial sea: 12 nm population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in

and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further
contiguous zone: 24 nm distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and
Mekong Rivers
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards:
continental shelf: 200 nm
monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding;

Climate: occasional droughts
tropical; rainy, monsoon season (May to November); dry Environment - current issues:
season (December to April); little seasonal temperature
variation
illegal logging activities throughout the country and
strip mining for gems in the western region along the
Terrain: border with Thailand have resulted in habitat loss and
declining biodiversity (in particular, destruction of
mangrove swamps threatens natural fisheries); soil
23
erosion; in rural areas, most of the population does not Khmer (official) 96.3%, other 3.7% (2008 est.)
have access to potable water; declining fish stocks
because of illegal fishing and overfishing
Religions:
Environment - international agreements: Buddhist (official) 96.9%, Muslim 1.9%, Christian 0.4%,
other 0.8% (2008 est.)
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate
Change- Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Age structure:
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation,
Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber
0-14 years: 31.01% (male 2,537,753/female 2,487,633)
94, Wetlands, Whaling
15-24 years: 18.36% (male 1,471,965/female

signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
1,503,977)
Geography - note: 25-54 years: 40.68% (male 3,229,901/female

3,361,475)
a land of paddies and forests dominated by the Mekong
River and Tonle Sap (Southeast Asia's largest 55-64 years: 5.69% (male 374,663/female 547,971)
freshwater lake)

 Hide
430,564) (2017 est.)
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: CAMBODIA
population pyramid:
Panel - Expanded
Dependency ratios:
 Population:

16,204,486

note: estimates for this country take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result
in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher elderly dependency ratio: 6.4
death rates, lower population growth rates, and
changes in the distribution of population by age and sex potential support ratio: 15.6 (2015 est.)
than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.3 years
Nationality:
male: 24.6 years
noun: Cambodian(s)
female: 26 years (2017 est.)
adjective: Cambodian
Ethnic groups:
Khmer 97.6%, Cham 1.2%, Chinese 0.1%, Vietnamese
0.1%, other 0.9% (2013 est.) 1.52% (2017 est.)

Languages:
24
Birth rate: total population: 0.94 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
23 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth:
country comparison to the world: 6 7 22.9 years
Death rate: note: median age at first birth among women 25- 29

(2014 est.)
7.5 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Maternal mortality rate:
161 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Net migration rate:

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Infant mortality rate:
total: 48.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Population distribution:
male: 55.2 deaths/1,000 live births
population concentrated in the southeast, particularly in

and around the capital of Phnom Penh; further female: 41.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
distribution is linked closely to the Tonle Sap and
Mekong Rivers country comparison to the world: 3 6
Urbanization: Life expectancy at birth:
urban population: 21.2% of total population (2017) total population: 64.9 years
rate of urbanization: 2.73% annual rate of change male: 62.4 years

(2015- 20 est.)
PHNOM PENH (capital) 1.731 million (2015)

Sex ratio:

C ontraceptive prevalence rate:
56.3% (2014)
5.7% of GDP (2014)

65 years and over: 0.6 male(s)/female
25
country comparison to the world: 1 1 5 country comparison to the world: 5 4
Physicians density: HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2013) 71,000 (2016 est.)
Hospital bed density: country comparison to the world: 4 7
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011) HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Drinking water source: 1,800 (2016 est.)

improved:
urban: 100% of population Major infectious diseases:
rural: 69.1% of population degree of risk: very high
total: 75.5% of population food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea,

hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
unimproved:
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese
urban: 0% of population encephalitis, and malaria (2016)
rural: 30.9% of population

total: 24.5% of population (2015 est.)

3.9% (2016)
Sanitation facility access: country comparison to the world: 1 8 3
improved:
Children under the age of 5 years
urban: 88.1% of population underweight:
rural: 30.5% of population 23.9% (2014)
total: 42.4% of population country comparison to the world: 1 8
unimproved:
urban: 11.9% of population

1.9% of GDP (2014)


Literacy:

0.6% (2016 est.)

total population: 77.2%
26
male: 84.5% parliamentary constitutional monarchy
female: 70.5% (2015 est.) Capital:
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary name: Phnom Penh
education):
geographic coordinates: 11 33 N, 104 55 E
total: 11 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2008) Administrative divisions:
24 provinces (khett, singular and plural) and 1

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
municipality (krong, singular and plural)
total: 0.5%
provinces: Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong
Cham, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Speu, Kampong
male: 0.7% Thom, Kampot, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, Kratie,
Mondolkiri, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin, Preah Vihear, Prey
female: 0.4% Veng, Pursat, Ratanakiri, Siem Reap, Sihanoukville,
Stung Treng, Svay Rieng, Takeo, Tbong Khmum
note: according to official statistics (2010 est.)
municipalities: Phnom Penh (Phnum Penh)
Independence:
 Hide
GOVERNMENT :: CAMBODIA 9 November 1953 (from France)
Panel - Expanded
National holiday:
 Country name: Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
conventional long form: Kingdom of Cambodia C onstitution:
conventional short form: Cambodia previous 1947; latest promulgated 21 September 1993;

amended 1999, 2008, 2014 (2016)
local long form: Preahreacheanachakr Kampuchea
(phonetic transliteration)
Legal system:
local short form: Kampuchea

civil law system (influenced by the UN Transitional
Authority in Cambodia) customary law, Communist legal
former: Khmer Republic, Democratic Kampuchea,
theory, and common law
People's Republic of Kampuchea, State of Cambodia
etymology: the English name Cambodia is an International law organization participation:

anglicization of the French Cambodge, which is the
French transliteration of the native name Kampuchea
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations;
Government type: accepts ICCt jurisdiction
27
Citizenship: note: two seats will be added to the National Assembly
in 2018, for a total of 125
elections: Senate - last held on 4 February 2012 (next
to be held in 2018); National Assembly - last held on 28
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must
July 2013 (next to be held in July 2018)
be a citizen of Cambodia
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party -

dual citizenship recognized: yes
CPP 77.8%, SRP 22.2%; seats by party - CPP 46, SRP
11; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CPP
residency requirement for naturalization: 7 years
48.8%, CNRP 44.5%, other 6.7%; seats by party - CPP
68, CNRP 55
Suffrage:
Judicial branch:
18 years of age; universal
highest court(s): Supreme Council (organized into 5-

Executive branch: and 9-judge panels and includes a court chief and
deputy chief); Constitutional Court (consists of 9
chief of state: King Norodom SIHAMONI (since 29 members); note - in 1997, the Cambodian Government
October 2004) requested UN assistance in establishing trials to
prosecute former Khmer Rouge senior leaders for
head of government: Prime Minister HUN SEN (since crimes against humanity committed during the 1975-
14 January 1985); Permanent Deputy Prime Minister 1979 Khmer Rouge regime; the Extraordinary Chambers
MEN SAM AN (since 25 September 2008); Deputy Prime of the Courts in Cambodia (also called the Khmer
Ministers SAR KHENG (since 3 February 1992), TEA Rouge Tribunal) were established and began hearings
BANH, Gen., HOR NAMHONG, NHEK BUNCHHAY (all for the first case in 2009; court proceeding were
since 16 July 2004), BIN CHHIN (since 5 September ongoing in 2016
2007), KEAT CHHON, YIM CHHAI LY (since 24
September 2008), KE KIMYAN (since 12 March 2009) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court
and Constitutional Council judge candidates
cabinet: Council of Ministers named by the prime recommended by the Supreme Council of Magistracy, a
minister and appointed by the monarch 17- member body chaired by the monarch and includes
other high-level judicial officers; judges of both courts
appointed by the monarch; Supreme Court judges
elections/appointments: monarch chosen by the 9-
appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges
member Royal Council of the Throne from among all
appointed for 9-year terms with one-third of the court
eligible males of royal descent; following legislative
renewed every 3 years
elections, a member of the majority party or majority
coalition named prime minister by the Chairman of the
National Assembly and appointed by the monarch subordinate courts: Appellate Court; provincial and
municipal courts; Military Court
Legislative branch:
Political parties and leaders:
description: bicameral Parliament of Cambodia

consists of the Senate (61 seats; 57 indirectly elected Cambodian National Rescue Party or CNRP [KHEM
SOKHA] (formed from a 2012 merger of the Sam Rangsi
by parliamentarians and commune councils, 2 indirectly
Party or SRP and the former Human Rights Party or
elected by the National Assembly, and 2 appointed by
HRP [KHEM SOKHA, also spelled KEM SOKHA])
the monarch; members serve 6-year terms) and the
National Assembly (123 seats; members directly elected
Cambodian People's Party or CPP [HUN SEN]
in multi-seat constituencies by proportional
representation vote; members serve 5-year terms)
28
Partnership for Transparency Fund or PTF [John of the red band; red and blue are traditional Cambodian
CLARK] (anti-corruption organization) colors
Students Movement for Democracy note: only national flag to incorporate an actual

building into its design
The Committee for Free and Fair Elections or Comfrel
[Koul PANHA]
National symbol(s):
other: human rights organizations; labor unions; youth

Angkor Wat temple, kouprey (wild ox); national colors:
groups
red, blue

National anthem:
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CICA (observer), EAS, FAO,

name: "Nokoreach" (Royal Kingdom)
G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO
(correspondent), ITU, MINUSMA, MIGA, NAM, OIF, lyrics/music: CHUON NAT/F. PERRUCHOT and J.
OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, JEKYLL
UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO note: adopted 1941, restored 1993; the anthem, based
on a Cambodian folk tune, was restored after the defeat
Diplomatic representation in the US: of the Communist regime
 Hide
chief of mission: Ambassador CHUM BUN RONG
(since 3 August 2015) ECONOMY :: CAMBODIA
chancery: 4530 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 Panel - Expanded
telephone: [1] (202) 726- 7742

 Economy - overview:
FAX: [1] (202) 726-8381

Cambodia has experienced strong economic growth
over the last decade; GDP grew at an average annual
Diplomatic representation from the US: rate of over 8% between 2000 and 2010 and at least 7%
since 2011. The tourism, garment, construction and real
estate, and agriculture sectors accounted for the bulk of
chief of mission: Ambassador William A. HEIDT (since
growth. Around 600,000 people, the majority of whom
2 December 2015)
are women, are employed in the garment and footwear
sector. An additional 500,000 Cambodians are
embassy: employed in the tourism sector, and a further 50,000
people in construction. Tourism has continued to grow
mailing address: Unit 8166, Box P, APO AP 96546 rapidly with foreign arrivals exceeding 2 million per year
since 2007 and reaching around 4.5 million visitors in
telephone: [855] (23) 728- 000 2014. Mining also is attracting some investor interest
and the government has touted opportunities for mining
FAX: [855] (23) 728-600 bauxite, gold, iron and gems.
Cambodia remains one of the poorest countries in Asia

Flag description: and long-term economic development remains a
daunting challenge, inhibited by endemic corruption,
three horizontal bands of blue (top), red (double width), limited human resources, high income inequality, and
and blue with a white, three- towered temple poor job prospects. As of 2012, approximately 2.66
representing Angkor Wat outlined in black in the center million people live on less than $1.20 per day, and 37%
of Cambodian children under the age of 5 suffer from
29
chronic malnutrition. More than 50% of the population is $3,500 (2015 est.)
less than 25 years old. The population lacks education
and productive skills, particularly in the impoverished $3,400 (2014 est.)
countryside, which also lacks basic infrastructure.
The World Bank in 2016 formally reclassified Cambodia
as a lower middle- income country as a result of
continued rapid economic growth over the past several
years. Cambodia’s graduation from a low-income
country will reduce its eligibility for foreign assistance Gross national saving:
and will challenge the government to seek new sources
of financing in 2017. The Cambodian Government has 14.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
been working with bilateral and multilateral donors,
including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank
13.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
and IMF, to address the country's many pressing needs;
more than 30% of the government budget comes from
13.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
donor assistance. A major economic challenge for
Cambodia over the next decade will be fashioning an
economic environment in which the private sector can country comparison to the world: 1 3 9
create enough jobs to handle Cambodia's demographic
imbalance.
GDP (purchasing power parity): household consumption: 76.1%
$59.02 billion (2016 est.) government consumption: 5.2%
$54.44 billion (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 21.7%
$50.24 billion (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 1.4%
country comparison to the world: 1 0 6 imports of goods and services: -65.7% (2016 est.)
GDP - real growth rate: industry: 31.7%
7% (2016 est.) services: 41.6% (2016 est.)
7.2% (2015 est.) Agriculture - products:
7.1% (2014 est.)

rice, rubber, corn, vegetables, cashews, cassava
(manioc, tapioca), silk
Industries:
tourism, garments, construction, rice milling, fishing,

$3,700 (2016 est.) wood and wood products, rubber, cement, gem mining,
textiles
30
Industrial production growth rate: Budget:
10.5% (2016 est.) revenues: $3.912 billion
country comparison to the world: 1 0 expenditures: $4.088 billion (2016 est.)
Labor force: Taxes and other revenues:
7.777 million (2016 est.) 20.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6 4 country comparison to the world: 1 5 2
Labor force - by occupation: Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
agriculture: 48.7% -0.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
industry: 19.9% country comparison to the world: 6 6
services: 31.5% (2013 est.) Public debt:
Unemployment rate: 29.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
0.3% (2013 est.) 31.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
0.2% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 6 6
note: according to official statistics; underemployment Fiscal year:

is high
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):

Population below poverty line:
3% (2016 est.)
17.7% (2012 est.)
1.2% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%: 2% C entral bank discount rate:
highest 10%: 28% (2013 est.) NA% (31 December 2012)
5.25% (31 December 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37.9 (2008 est.) C ommercial bank prime lending rate:
41.9 (2004 est.) 11.36% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7 2 11.71% (31 December 2015 est.)
31
country comparison to the world: 7 3 Exports - partners:
Stock of narrow money: US 21.3%, UK 9.4%, Germany 9%, Japan 8.2%, Canada
6.5%, China 6%, Thailand 4.2%, Spain 4% (2016)
Imports:
$12.65 billion (2016 est.)

$11.92 billion (2015 est.)
petroleum products, cigarettes, gold, construction

country comparison to the world: 9 6 materials, machinery, motor vehicles, pharmaceutical
products
Stock of domestic credit:
Imports - partners:
China 35.3%, Thailand 14.8%, Vietnam 11%, Singapore
$9.776 billion (31 December 2015 est.) 4.4%, Japan 4.1%, Hong Kong 4% (2016)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Market value of publicly traded shares: $9.122 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$NA $7.376 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Current account balance: country comparison to the world: 7 7
$-1.776 billion (2016 est.) Debt - external:
$-1.693 billion (2015 est.) $10.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exports: country comparison to the world: 1 1 1
$9.233 billion (2016 est.) Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$8.453 billion (2015 est.)
$29.17 billion (2014 est.)


Exchange rates:
clothing, timber, rubber, rice, fish, tobacco, footwear
32
riels (KHR) per US dollar -
Trafficking in persons:
4,058.7 (2016 est.)

current situation: Cambodia is a source, transit, and
destination country for men, women, and children
4,058.7 (2015 est.)
subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking;
Cambodian men, women, and children migrate to
4,067.8 (2014 est.)
countries within the region and, increasingly, the Middle
East for legitimate work but are subjected to sex
4,037.5 (2013 est.)
trafficking, domestic servitude, or forced labor in
fishing, agriculture, construction, and factories;
4,033 (2012 est.)
Cambodian men recruited to work on Thai-owned
fishing vessels are subsequently subjected to forced
 Show
labor in international waters and are kept at sea for
ENERGY :: CAMBODIA years; poor Cambodian children are vulnerable and,
often with the families’ complicity, are subject to forced
Panel - Collapsed labor, including domestic servitude and forced begging,
in Thailand and Vietnam; Cambodian and ethnic
 Show Vietnamese women and girls are trafficked from rural
areas to urban centers and tourist spots for sexual
COMMUNICATIONS :: CAMBODIA exploitation; Cambodian men are the main exploiters of
child prostitutes, but men from other Asian countries,
Panel - Collapsed and the West travel to Cambodia for child sex tourism
 Show tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Cambodia does not fully

comply with the minimum standards for the elimination
TRANSPORTATION :: CAMBODIA of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to
do so; the government has a written plan that, if
Panel - Collapsed implemented, would constitute making significant efforts
to meet the minimum standards for the elimination of
 Show trafficking; authorities made modest progress in
prosecutions and convictions of traffickers in 2014 but
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: CAMBODIA
did not provide comprehensive data; endemic corruption
continued to impede law enforcement efforts, and no
Panel - Collapsed
complicit officials were prosecuted or convicted; the
government sustained efforts to identify victims and
 Hide
refer them to NGOs for care, but victim protection
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: CAMBODIA remained inadequate, particularly for assisting male
victims and victims identified abroad; a new national
Panel - Expanded action plan was adopted, but guidelines for victim
identification and guidance on undercover investigation
techniques are still pending after several years (2015)
Illicit drugs: narcotics-related corruption
Cambodia is concerned about Laos' extensive upstream reportedly involving some in the government, military,
dam construction; Cambodia and Thailand dispute and police; limited methamphetamine production;
sections of boundary; in 2011 Thailand and Cambodia vulnerable to money laundering due to its cash-based
resorted to arms in the dispute over the location of the
economy and porous
boundary on the precipice surmounted by Preah Vihear borders reference:https://www.cia.gov/library/publicati
Temple ruins, awarded to Cambodia by ICJ decision in
ons/the-world-factbook/geos/cb.html
1962 and part of a UN World Heritage site; Cambodia
accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border
activities; progress on a joint development area with
Vietnam is hampered by an unresolved dispute over
sovereignty of offshore islands
33
The Dutch transferred sovereignty in 1949 after an armed
Indonesia profile - struggle.
At a glance
overview
 14 January 2016
 Politics: Democracy followed the end of

Suharto's three decades of dictatorial rule in 1998

 Economy: Indonesia is the regions biggest
 Share
economy and a member of the G20 group of the

world's richest nations
Indonesia profile - home
Read more country profiles
Profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring
Imag Economic growth

e copyrightBBC
Long-term leader General Suharto came to power in the
wake of an abortive coup in 1965. He imposed
Spread across a chain of thousands of islands between authoritarian rule while allowing technocrats to run the
Asia and Australia, Indonesia has the world's largest economy with considerable success.
Muslim population and Southeast Asia's biggest
economy. But his policy of allowing army involvement in all levels of
government, down to village level, fostered corruption. His
Ethnically it is highly diverse, with more than 300 local "transmigration" programmes - which moved large
languages. The people range from rural hunter-gatherers to numbers of landless farmers from Java to other parts of the
a modern urban elite. country - fanned ethnic conflict.
Sophisticated kingdoms existed before the arrival of the Suharto fell from power after riots in 1998 and escaped
Dutch, who consolidated their hold over two centuries, efforts to bring him to justice for decades of dictatorship.
eventually uniting the archipelago in around 1900.
Post-Suharto Indonesia has made the transition to
After Japan's wartime occupation ended, independence was democracy. Power has been devolved away from the
proclaimed in 1945 by Sukarno, the independence central government and the first direct presidential
movement's leader. elections were held in 2004.
Indonesia has undergone a resurgence since the 1997 Asian

financial crisis, becoming one of the world's major
emerging economies.
Investors are attracted by a large consumer base, rich

natural resources and political stability, but often equally
deterred by poor infrastructure, rampant corruption and
growing calls for economic protectionism.
Secessionists
Indonesia has the world's largest Muslim population The country faces demands for independence in several
provinces, where secessionists have been encouraged by
34
East Timor's 1999 success in breaking away after a
traumatic 25 years of occupation.
Militant Islamic groups have flexed their muscles over the

past few years. Some have been accused of having links
with al-Qaeda, including the group blamed for the 2002
Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, and others more
recently with Islamic State.
Lying near the intersection of shifting tectonic plates,

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. A
powerful undersea quake in late 2004 sent massive waves
crashing into coastal areas of Sumatra, and into coastal
communities across south and east Asia. The disaster left Image copyrightGETTY IMAGE
more than 220,000 Indonesians dead or missing.
Joko Widodo won a closely fought presidential
Demand for palm oil and other agricultural products has led
to high rates of deforestation. election in July 2014 on promises to break with
the authoritarian past, improve welfare for the
poor and take on corruption.
FACTS
The election commission declared the Jakarta
Republic of Indonesia
governor the winner with 53% of the vote.
Capital: Jakarta
 Population 243 million His rival, former army general Prabowo
Subianto, who won 47%, alleged widespread
 Area 1.9 million sq km (742,308 sq fraud and said he would challenge the result in
miles) court.
 Major languages Indonesian,
300 regional languages Mr Widodo is seen by many as relatively
untainted by the county's endemic corruption
 Major religion Islam and in touch with ordinary Indonesians as a
result of his humble background.
72 years (women) Known as "Jokowi", the former furniture maker
 Currency Rupiah is especially popular with the urban and rural
UN, World Bank young.
GETTY IMAGES
His campaign platform called for "mind-set
LEADER revolution" to end the corruption, nepotism and
intolerance Mr Widodo believes flourished
President: Joko Widodo during the 31-year-long dictatorship of former
President Suharto.
He also promised a strong focus on education

and modern technology, including e-
governance.
Critics said he lacked political experience and

would struggle to push through his agenda, as
his Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle
(PDI-P), has only 37% of seats in parliament.
35
Opponents claimed he would be the puppet of A chronology of key events:
the PDI-P's veteran leader, Megawati
Sukarnoputri, a former president and daughter
of Indonesia's independence leader, Sukarno.
Mr Widodo's allies insist he will be his own
man.
Born in 1961 in Solo as the son of a wood-

seller, Mr Widodo was elected mayor of Solo -
a city in the centre of Java - in 2005 and
gained popularity with policies aimed at
boosting small and local businesses. Dutch colonialists were the masters of Indonesia until 1949
1670-1900 - Dutch colonists bring the whole of Indonesia

Mr Widodo then went on to run for the position under one government as the Dutch East Indies.
of governor of Jakarta, winning an emphatic 1928 - A youth conference pledges to work for "one nation,
victory in 2012. one language, one people" for Indonesia.
1942 - Japan invades Dutch East Indies.
1945 - The Japanese help independence leader Sukarno
MEDIA return from internal exile and declare independence.
1949 - The Dutch recognise Indonesian independence after
four years of guerrilla warfare.
1950s - Maluku (Moluccas) declares independence from
Indonesia and fights an unsuccessful separatist war
1962 - Western New Guinea, or West Papua, held by the
Netherlands, is placed under UN administration and
subsequently occupied by Indonesian forces. Opposition to
Indonesian rule erupts.
Image
copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Television is the main medium, but online

media are catching up.
Facebook is hugely popular, and Indonesians

are among the world's most active users of Sukarno: Indonesia's founding father
Twitter.
Reporters Without Borders says many

journalists self censor because of legislation Suharto comes to power
1965 - Failed coup: In the aftermath, hundreds of thousands
governing blasphemy and online content.
of suspected Communists are killed in a purge of leftists
Indonesia profile - which descends into vigilantism.
1966 - Sukarno hands over emergency powers to General
Timeline Suharto, who becomes president in March 1967.

1969 - West Papua formally incorporated into Indonesia,
 12 June 2017 becoming Irian Jaya Province.
1975 - Portugal grants East Timor independence.
1976 - Indonesia invades East Timor and incorporates it as
 From the sectionAsia  Share this with Facebook

a province.
36
1997 - Asian economic crisis: Indonesian rupiah plummets
in value. Flashpoint: Papua
1998 - Protests and rioting topple Suharto; B J Habibie
becomes president.
East Timor independence vote

1999 - Ethnic violence breaks out in Maluku. Free elections
are held in Indonesia.
East Timor votes for independence in UN-sponsored

referendum, after which anti-independence militia go on
the rampage. East Timor comes under UN administration.
Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) becomes president.
Papua is a former Dutch colony placed under UN
Flashpoint: Aceh administration in 1962. Indonesia unilaterally annexed
it, but faces a pro-independence insurgency.
Indonesia flashpoints: Papua
Papua's struggle for independence
2002 January - Indonesia inaugurates human rights court
which is expected to test government's willingness to hold
the military accountable for atrocities in East Timor after
the 1999 independence vote.
Irian Jaya province granted greater autonomy by Jakarta,

allowed to adopt locally-preferred name of Papua.
2002 May - East Timor becomes independent.
2002 August - Constitutional changes are seen as a step
towards democracy. For the first time, voters will be able to
15,000 died in 30-year separatist conflict elect a president and vice president.
Indonesia flashpoints: Aceh
Aceh rebels sign peace agreement
2000 - Two financial scandals dog the Wahid
administration: Buloggate (embezzled funds from the state Bali attacks
logistics agency), and Bruneigate (missing humanitarian 2002 October - Bomb attack on the Kuta Beach nightclub
aid funds from the Sultan of Brunei). The corruption case district on Bali kills 202 people, most of them tourists.
against former President Suharto collapses.
Muslim Cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is arrested shortly after
Irian Jaya separatists become more vocal in demanding a the bombings. He is accused of plotting to overthrow the
referendum. government as the alleged spiritual leader of Jemaah
2001 - Ethnic violence in Kalimantan as indigenous Dayaks Islamiah (JI), the group thought to be behind the Bali
force out Madurese transmigrants. Mass political bombing.
demonstrations by Wahid's supporters and opponents. IMF
stops further loans citing lack of progress in tackling
corruption.
Megawati sworn in
2001 July - Parliament dismisses President Wahid over
allegations of corruption and incompetence. Vice President
Megawati Sukarnoputri is sworn in as his replacement,
even as Wahid refuses to leave the presidential palace.
37
More than 200 people died in the 2002 Bali nightclub
bombing
Tsunami; Aceh deal
2004 December - More than 220,000 people are dead or
BBC NEWS In Depth Bali missing in Indonesia alone after a powerful undersea
2003: Bali bomber smiles at guilty verdict earthquake off Sumatra generates massive tidal waves. The
2002 December - Government and separatist Free Aceh waves devastate Indian Ocean communities as far afield as
Movement (Gam) sign peace deal in Geneva, aimed at Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and Somalia.
ending 26 years of violence. The accord provides for 2005 March - Court finds Muslim cleric Abu Bakar
autonomy and free elections in the Muslim oil-rich Ba'asyir guilty of conspiracy over 2002 Bali bombings,
province of Aceh; in return the Gam must disarm. sentences him to two-and-a-half years in jail. He is freed in
2003 May - Peace talks between government and Gam June 2006.
separatists break down; government mounts military
offensive against Gam rebels. Martial law is imposed.
A powerful earthquake off Sumatra kills at least 1,000
2003 August - Car bomb explodes outside the Marriott
people, many of them on the island of Nias. The quake
Hotel in Jakarta, killing 14 people.
triggers tsunami alerts around the Indian Ocean.
2003 August-October - Three Bali bombing suspects are
found guilty and sentenced to death for their roles in the
2002 attacks. A fourth suspect is given life imprisonment.
Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is cleared of treason but jailed for

subversion and immigration offences. The subversion
charge is later overturned.
2004 April - Parliamentary and local elections: Golkar
party of former President Suharto wins greatest share of
vote, with Megawati Sukarnoputri's PDI-P coming second.
2004 July - First-ever direct presidential elections; first Imag
round narrows field to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and e copyrightGETTY IMAGES
incumbent Megawati Sukarnoputri.
2004 September - Car bomb attack outside Australian
embassy in Jakarta kills nine, injures more than 180. A year on, Tsunami survivors rebuild
2005: Aceh rebuilding gets on track
2005 August - Government and Free Aceh Movement
separatists sign a peace deal providing for rebel
disarmament and the withdrawal of government soldiers
from the province. Rebels begin handing in weapons in
September; government completes troop pull-out in
December.
2005 September - Airliner crashes on take-off from
Sumatran city of Medan, killing more than 100 passengers
and around 50 people on the ground.
Imag 2005 October - Three suicide bombings on the resort island
e copyrightGETTY IMAGES of Bali kill 23 people, including the bombers
2006 January - East Timorese report accuses Indonesia of
widespread atrocities during its 24-year occupation,
Giant waves left more than 220,000 dead, missing in holding it responsible for the deaths of more than 100,000
2004 people.
In depth: Asia quake disaster 2006 February-March - Deadly protests at a major US-
owned gold and copper mine in Papua province follow
Former general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wins second attempts to remove illegal prospectors from the site.
round of presidential elections, unseating incumbent 2006 May - A powerful earthquake kills thousands of
Megawati Sukarnoputri. people on Java.
2004 November - End of two-year process under which 18 2006 July - A tsunami, triggered by a large undersea
people were tried by Indonesian court for human rights earthquake, kills more than 500 people on Java.
abuses in East Timor during 1999 crisis. Only one
conviction - that of militia leader Eurico Guterres - is left
standing.
Aceh elections
38
2006 December - First direct elections held in Aceh
province, consolidating the August 2005 peace accord.
Former separatist rebel leader Irwandi Yusuf elected
governor.
Suharto resigned amid opposition to his 32-year rule in

1998
2010 February-March - Several suspected militants are

arrested in series of raids on alleged training camps of
groups thought to be linked to Jemaah Islamiah (JI) in Aceh
province. Fourteen men are charged with plotting to launch
terrorist attacks.
Aceh's special autonomy status allows the partial practice 2010 March - Police shoot dead Dulmatin - an alleged
leading member of JI and the last main suspect in the 2002
of Islamic laws
Bali bombings still at large - during a raid on a Jakarta
2007 June - Police capture the alleged head of the militant internet cafe.
group Jemaah Islamiah (JI), Zarkasih, and the leader of the 2010 October - Indonesia admits that men seen torturing
group's military wing, Abu Dujana. Papuan villagers in a video are members of the military.
2007 December - Alleged JI leader Zarkasih goes on trial in
Jakarta. President Yudhoyono calls off a state visit to the
2008 January - Former President Suharto dies. Netherlands because of a threatened bid by separatists to
2008 July - Final report by joint Indonesian-East Timorese have him arrested.
Truth Commission blames Indonesia for the human rights 2010 November - US President Barack Obama visits,
violations in the run-up to East Timor's independence in hailing Indonesia as an example of how a developing
1999 and urges it to apologise. President Yudhoyono nation can embrace democracy and diversity.
expresses "deep regret" but stops short of an apology. 2011 February - Two churches are set alight in central Java
2008 November - Three Islamic militants convicted of during a protest by hundreds of Muslims about blasphemy.
carrying out the 2002 Bali bombings are executed.
2009 July - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wins re-
election.
Twin suicide bomb attacks on the JW Marriott and Ritz-

Carlton hotels in Jakarta kill nine people and injure scores
of others.
Pressure mounts on militants Buddhist temple of Borobudur - Indonesia's most visited

2009 September - Police shoot dead Indonesia's most- tourist attraction
wanted Islamist militant Noordin Mohammad Top, thought
to be responsible for a series of deadly attacks across the
Three members of the Ahmadiyah sect, a minority Muslim
archipelago.
group, are bludgeoned to death in a mob attack in West
Java.
Radicals in court
2011 June - Radical cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir gets 15-year
jail sentence for backing an Islamist militant training camp.
39
2011 December - Pay deal ends acrimonious three-month 2015 April - Australia recalls ambassador after Indonesia
strike by 8,000 workers at copper and gold mine owned by executes two Australian drug convicts, in a group also
US company Freeport-McMoran in the restive eastern including three Nigerians, an Indonesian, a Brazilian and a
province of Papua. Ghanaian.
2015 May - Indonesia and Malaysia agree to rescue and
Dutch government apologises for massacre of at least 150 provide temporary shelter to Rohingya migrants fleeing
people in the village of Rawagede, on the island of Java, in Myanmar by boat, after weeks of mounting humanitarian
1947, during Indonesia's war of independence. crisis.
2012 March - Court sentences Islamist militant Pepi 2016 January - Islamic State media claim responsibility for
Fernando to 18 years in prison for a parcel-bombing coordinated attacks near a popular shopping centre in
campaign targeting Muslim leaders and police. central Jakarta.
2016 October - Parliament approves harsher penalties
including chemical castration, for child sex offenders.
2016 November - Indonesia agrees to help investigate the
disappearance of three Dutch warships that were sunk in
sunk in the Second World War.
2016 December - The Netherlands agrees to launch an
inquiry into the conclusion of its colonial rule in Indonesia
in the 1940s. Dutch troops are suspected of having killed
tens of thousands of people during the war of
independence.
Deadly earthquake strikes off Indonesia's Aceh province.

2017 May - Jakarta's Christian mayor Basuki Tjahaja
Purnama is jailed for two years for blasphemy.
Islamic State outlets claim a suicide bomb attack in Jakarta

which kills three policemen and injures twelve others.
The widespread practice of burning forests on Sumatra

causes an annual regional haze problem Reference: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-
pacific-14921238
2012 June - Jakarta court sentences bombmaker Umar
Patek to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2002 Bali
attacks. He was extradited from Pakistan in 2011. The EAST & SOUTHEAST
INDONESIA
sentencing brings to an end the 10-year investigation into
the bombings.
ASIA ::
2013 February - Eight soldiers are shot dead in two
separate attacks by armed men in Papua province.
2013 June - Parliament approves a major petrol and diesel
price hike to cut the ballooning fuel subsidy, sparking PAG E LAST U PDAT E D ON OC T OBE R 30, 2017
violent protests.
2013 September - Via its ambassador in Jakarta, the
Netherlands publicly apologises for summary executions
carried out by the Dutch army in the 1940s.
2013 November - Major diplomatic row with Australia
over allegations that Australia spied on the
president. Widodo presidency
2014 April - Opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI-P) comes out ahead in parliamentary
election, but wins fewer votes than expected.
2014 July - Joko Widodo is declared the winner in the
presidential election.
2015 January - Brazil and the Netherlands recall their
ambassadors from Indonesia after the execution by firing
squad of two of their citizens for drug trafficking.
40
sovereignty in 1949. A period of sometimes unruly
parliamentary democracy ended in 1957 when President
SOEKARNO declared martial law and instituted "Guided
Democracy." After an abortive coup in 1965 by alleged
communist sympathizers, SOEKARNO was gradually
eased from power. From 1967 until 1998, President
SUHARTO ruled Indonesia with his "New Order"
government. After street protests toppled SUHARTO in
1998, free and fair legislative elections took place in
1999. Indonesia is now the world's third most populous
democracy, the world's largest archipelagic state, and
the world's largest Muslim-majority nation. Current
issues include: alleviating poverty, improving education,
preventing terrorism, consolidating democracy after four
decades of authoritarianism, implementing economic
and financial reforms, stemming corruption, reforming
the criminal justice system, addressing climate change,
and controlling infectious diseases, particularly those of
global and regional importance. In 2005, Indonesia
reached a historic peace agreement with armed
separatists in Aceh, which led to democratic elections
in Aceh in December 2006. Indonesia continues to face
low intensity armed resistance in Papua by the
separatist Free Papua Movement.
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: INDONESIA
Panel - Expanded
 Location:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Indian

Ocean and the Pacific Ocean
 Open All
5 00 S, 120 00 E
 Close All
 Hide Map references:
INTRODUCTION :: INDONESIA

Southeast Asia
Panel - Expanded
Area:
 Background:
total: 1,904,569 sq km
The Dutch began to colonize Indonesia in the early 17th

land: 1,811,569 sq km
century; Japan occupied the islands from 1942 to 1945.
Indonesia declared its independence shortly before
Japan's surrender, but it required four years of water: 93,000 sq km
sometimes brutal fighting, intermittent negotiations, and
UN mediation before the Netherlands agreed to transfer country comparison to the world: 1 6
41
Area - comparative: agricultural land: 31.2%
arable land 13%; permanent crops 12.1%; permanent

slightly less than three times the size of Texas
pasture 6.1%
Area comparison map:

forest: 51.7%
other: 17.1% (2011 est.)

Land boundaries:
Irrigated land:
total: 2,958 km
67,220 sq km (2012)
border countries (3): Malaysia 1,881 km, Papua New
Guinea 824 km, Timor- Leste 253 km
C oastline:
major concentration on the island of Java, which is
considered one of the most densely populated places
54,716 km
on earth; of the outer islands (those surrounding Java
and Bali), Sumatra contains some of the most
Maritime claims: significant clusters, particularly in the south near the
Selat Sunda, and along the northeastern coast near
Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin
measured from claimed archipelagic straight baselines
(Kalimantan) are also heavily populated
territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards:
occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis;
earthquakes; volcanoes; forest fires
Climate:
volcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
any country in the world - some 76 are historically
active; significant volcanic activity occurs on Java,
Terrain: Sumatra, the Sunda Islands, Halmahera Island,
Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda Sea;
mostly coastal lowlands; larger islands have interior Merapi (2,968 m), Indonesia's most active volcano and
mountains in eruption since 2010, has been deemed a Decade
Volcano by the International Association of Volcanology
and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study
Elevation:
due to its explosive history and close proximity to
human populations; other notable historically active
volcanoes include Agung, Awu, Karangetang, Krakatau
(Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, and Tambora
elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m

highest point: Puncak Jaya 4,884 m
deforestation; water pollution from industrial wastes,

Natural resources: sewage; air pollution in urban areas; smoke and haze
from forest fires
petroleum, tin, natural gas, nickel, timber, bauxite,
copper, fertile soils, coal, gold, silver
Land use:
42
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate note: more than 700 languages are used in Indonesia
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Religions:
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,
Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
Muslim 87.2%, Protestant 7%, Roman Catholic 2.9%,
Hindu 1.7%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist and
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Confucian), unspecified 0.4% (2010 est.)
Geography - note: Age structure:
according to Indonesia's National Coordinating Agency

for Survey and Mapping, the total number of islands in
31,994,844)
the archipelago is 13,466, of which 922 are permanently
inhabited (Indonesia is the world's largest country
comprised solely of islands); the country straddles the 15-24 years: 16.99% (male 22,537,842/female
equator and occupies a strategic location astride or 21,738,210)
along major sea lanes from the Indian Ocean to the
Pacific Ocean; despite having the fourth largest 25-54 years: 42.4% (male 56,493,414/female
population in the world, Indonesia is the most heavily 53,980,979)
forested region on earth after the Amazon
 Hide 12,177,931)
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: INDONESIA

65 years and over: 7.01% (male 7,954,795/female
10,304,489) (2017 est.)
Panel - Expanded
population pyramid:
 Population:
260,580,739 (July 2017 est.) Dependency ratios:
country comparison to the world: 4 total dependency ratio: 49.2
Nationality: youth dependency ratio: 41.6
noun: Indonesian(s) elderly dependency ratio: 7.6
adjective: Indonesian potential support ratio: 13.2 (2015 est.)
Ethnic groups: Median age:
Javanese 40.1%, Sundanese 15.5%, Malay 3.7%, Batak total: 30.2 years

3.6%, Madurese 3%, Betawi 2.9%, Minangkabau 2.7%,
Buginese 2.7%, Bantenese 2%, Banjarese 1.7%, male: 29.6 years
Balinese 1.7%, Acehnese 1.4%, Dayak 1.4%, Sasak
1.3%, Chinese 1.2%, other 15% (2010 est.)
Languages: country comparison to the world: 1 1 7
Bahasa Indonesia (official, modified form of Malay),

English, Dutch, local dialects (of which the most widely
spoken is Javanese)
43
0.86% (2017 est.) 0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
country comparison to the world: 1 2 4 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
Birth rate: 25-54 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
16.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) 55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female
country comparison to the world: 1 1 3 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Death rate:
Mother's mean age at first birth:

country comparison to the world: 1 4 5 22.8 years
note: median age at first birth among women 25- 29

Net migration rate:
(2012 est.)


major concentration on the island of Java, which is

considered one of the most densely populated places Infant mortality rate:
on earth; of the outer islands (those surrounding Java
and Bali), Sumatra contains some of the most total: 23.5 deaths/1,000 live births
significant clusters, particularly in the south near the
Selat Sunda, and along the northeastern coast near male: 27.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Medan; the cities of Makasar (Sulawesi), Banjarmasin
(Kalimantan) are also heavily populated
female: 19.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
Urbanization: country comparison to the world: 7 1
urban population: 55.2% of total population (2017)

Life expectancy at birth:
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change

total population: 73 years
(2015- 20 est.)
male: 70.4 years
JAKARTA (capital) 10.323 million; Surabaya 2.853
million; Bandung 2.544 million; Medan 2.204 million; country comparison to the world: 1 4 1
Semarang 1.63 million; Makassar 1.489 million (2015)

Sex ratio:


44

61.1% (2015)

0.4% (2016 est.)

2.8% of GDP (2014)


Physicians density:
620,000 (2016 est.)


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
38,000 (2016 est.)

Drinking water source:
improved:
Major infectious diseases:

degree of risk: very high


unimproved:
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
(2016)
rural: 20.5% of population Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
total: 12.6% of population (2015 est.) 6.9% (2016)
improved: Children under the age of 5 years

underweight:
19.9% (2013)

total: 60.8% of population
unimproved: Education expenditures:
urban: 27.7% of population 3.3% of GDP (2014)
45
country comparison to the world: 1 4 3 etymology: the name is an 18th-century construct of
two Greek words, "Indos" (India) and "nesoi" (islands),
meaning "Indian islands"
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write Government type:
total population: 95.4% presidential republic
male: 97.2% Capital:
female: 93.6% (2016 est.) name: Jakarta
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary geographic coordinates: 6 10 S, 106 49 E
education):
total: 13 years
note: Indonesia has three time zones

male: 13 years
female: 13 years (2014) Administrative divisions:
31 provinces (provinsi-provinsi, singular - provinsi), 1

autonomous province*, 1 special region** (daerah-
daerah istimewa, singular - daerah istimewa), and 1
total: 22.6% national capital district*** (daerah khusus ibukota);
Aceh*, Bali, Banten, Bengkulu, Gorontalo, Jakarta
male: 22.3% Raya***, Jambi, Jawa Barat (West Java), Jawa Tengah
(Central Java), Jawa Timur (East Java), Kalimantan
Barat (West Kalimantan), Kalimantan Selatan (South
female: 23.1% (2015 est.)
Kalimantan), Kalimantan Tengah (Central Kalimantan),
Kalimantan Timur (East Kalimantan), Kalimantan Utara
(North Kalimantan), Kepulauan Bangka Belitung
(Bangka Belitung Islands), Kepulauan Riau (Riau
 Hide
Islands), Lampung, Maluku, Maluku Utara (North
Maluku), Nusa Tenggara Barat (West Nusa Tenggara),
GOVERNMENT :: INDONESIA
Nusa Tenggara Timur (East Nusa Tenggara), Papua,
Papua Barat (West Papua), Riau, Sulawesi Barat (West
Panel - Expanded Sulawesi), Sulawesi Selatan (South Sulawesi), Sulawesi
Tengah (Central Sulawesi), Sulawesi Tenggara
 Country name: (Southeast Sulawesi), Sulawesi Utara (North Sulawesi),
Sumatera Barat (West Sumatra), Sumatera Selatan
(South Sumatra), Sumatera Utara (North Sumatra),
conventional long form: Republic of Indonesia
Yogyakarta**
conventional short form: Indonesia

note: following the implementation of decentralization
beginning on 1 January 2001, regencies and
local long form: Republik Indonesia municipalities have become the key administrative units
responsible for providing most government services
local short form: Indonesia
Independence:
former: Netherlands East Indies, Dutch East Indies
17 August 1945 (declared independence from the

Netherlands)
46
National holiday: head of government: President Joko WIDODO (since
20 October 2014); Vice President Jusuf KALLA (since
20 October 2014)
Independence Day, 17 August (1945)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president

C onstitution:
elections/appointments: president and vice president

drafted July to August 1945, effective 17 August 1945, directly elected by absolute majority popular vote for a
abrogated by 1949 and 1950 constitutions, 1945 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last
constitution restored 5 July 1959; amended several held on 9 July 2014 (next to be held in 2019)
times, last in 2002; note - an amendment on "national
character building and national consciousness
election results: Joko WIDODO elected president;
awareness" was pending parliamentary review in early
percent of vote - Joko WIDODO (PDI-P) 53.2%,
2016 (2016)
PRABOWO Subianto (GERINDRA) 46.8%
Legal system:
Legislative branch:
civil law system based on the Roman- Dutch model and

influenced by customary law description: bicameral People's Consultative Assembly
or Majelis Permusyawaratan Rakyat consists of the
Regional Representative Council or Dewan Perwakilan
International law organization participation: Daerah (132 seats; non-partisan members directly
elected in multi-seat constituencies - 4 each from the
country's 33 electoral districts - by proportional
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non- representation vote to serve 5-year terms) and the
party state to the ICCt House of Representatives or Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat
(560 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat
constituencies by single non- transferable vote to serve
Citizenship:
5-year terms); note - the Regional Council has no
legislative authority
elections: last held on 9 April 2014 (next to be held in

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must 2019)
be a citizen of Indonesia
election results: Regional Representative Council - all

dual citizenship recognized: no seats elected on a non- partisan basis; House of
Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDI-P
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 19.0%, Golkar 14.8%, Gerindra 11.8%, PD 10.2%, PKB
continuous years 9.0%, PAN 2.6%, PKS 6.8%, NasDem 6.7%, PPP 6.5%,
Hanura 5.3%, other 7.9%; seats by party - PDI-P 109,
Suffrage: Golkar 91, Gerindra 73, PD 61, PAN 48, PKB 47, PKS
40, PPP 39, NasDem 36, Hanura 16
17 years of age; universal and married persons

regardless of age Judicial branch:
Executive branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Mahkamah Agung

(51 judges divided into 8 chambers); Constitutional
Court or Mahkamah Konstitusi (consists of 9 judges)
chief of state: President Joko WIDODO (since 20
October 2014); Vice President Jusuf KALLA (since 20
October 2014); note - the president is both chief of judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court
state and head of government judges nominated by Judicial Commission, appointed by
president with concurrence of parliament; judges serve
until retirement at age 65; Constitutional Court judges -
47
3 nominated by president, 3 by Supreme Court, and 3 member), NAM, OECD (enhanced engagement), OIC,
by parliament; judges appointed by the president; OPCW, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD,
judges serve until mandatory retirement at age 70 UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNWTO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
subordinate courts: High Courts of Appeal, district

courts, religious courts Diplomatic representation in the US:
Political parties and leaders: chief of mission: Ambassador Budi BOWOLEKSONO

(since 21 May 2014)
Democrat Party or PD [Susilo Bambang YUDHOYONO]
chancery: 2020 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Functional Groups Party or GOLKAR [Setya NOVANTO] Washington, DC 20036
Great Indonesia Movement Party or GERINDRA telephone: [1] (202) 775- 5200

[PRABOWO Subianto Djojohadikusumo]
FAX: [1] (202) 775-5365
Indonesia Democratic Party-Struggle or PDI-P
[MEGAWATI Sukarnoputri] consulate(s) general: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco
National Awakening Party or PKB [Muhaiman
ISKANDAR]
National Democratic Party or Nasdem [Surya PALOH]

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph R. DONOVAN,
Jr. (since 12 January 2017)
National Mandate Party or PAN [Zulkifli HASAN]
People's Conscience Party or HANURA [WIRANTO] embassy: Jalan Medan Merdeka Selatan 3- 5, Jakarta
10110
Prosperous Justice Party or PKS [Muhammad Sohibul
IMAN] mailing address: Unit 8129, Box 1, FPO AP 96520
United Development Party or PPP [Muhammad telephone: [62] (21) 3435- 9000

ROMAHURMUZIY]
FAX: [62] (21) 386-2259

consulate general: Surabaya
Commission for the "Disappeared" and Victims of

Violence or KontraS consulate: Medan
Indonesia Corruption Watch or ICW Flag description:
Indonesian Forum for the Environment or WALHI two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; the
colors derive from the banner of the Majapahit Empire
International organization participation: of the 13th-15th centuries; red symbolizes courage,
white represents purity
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer),

note: similar to the flag of Monaco, which is shorter;
CP, D-8, EAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-11, G-
15, G-20, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national also similar to the flag of Poland, which is white (top)
committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, and red
ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer),
IORA, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, National symbol(s):
MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, MSG (associate
48
garuda (mythical bird); national colors: red, white $2.85 trillion (2015 est.)
$2.688 trillion (2014 est.)

National anthem:

name: "Indonesia Raya" (Great Indonesia)

lyrics/music: Wage Rudolf SOEPRATMAN
note: adopted 1945 GDP (official exchange rate):
 Hide $932.4 billion (2016 est.)
ECONOMY :: INDONESIA

GDP - real growth rate:
Panel - Expanded
5% (2016 est.)
4.9% (2015 est.)
Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, has 5% (2014 est.)

seen a slowdown in growth since 2012, mostly due to
the end of the commodities export boom. During the
global financial crisis, Indonesia outperformed its
regional neighbors and joined China and India as the
only G20 members posting growth. Indonesia’s annual GDP - per capita (PPP):
budget deficit is capped at 3% of GDP, and the
Government of Indonesia lowered its debt-to-GDP ratio
$11,700 (2016 est.)
from a peak of 100% shortly after the Asian financial
crisis in 1999 to less than 27 percent today. While Fitch
$11,300 (2015 est.)
and Moody's Investors upgraded Indonesia's credit
rating to investment grade in December 2011, Standard
& Poor’s has yet to raise Indonesia’s rating to this $10,900 (2014 est.)
status amid several constraints to foreign direct
investment in the country, such as a high level of note: data are in 2016 dollars
protectionism.
Indonesia still struggles with poverty and
unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, corruption, a
complex regulatory environment, and unequal resource
distribution among its regions. President Joko WIDODO
- elected in July 2014 – seeks to develop Indonesia’s 32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
maritime resources and pursue other infrastructure
development, including significantly increasing its 32.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
electrical power generation capacity. Fuel subsidies
were significantly reduced in early 2015, a move which 31.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
has helped the government redirect its spending to
development priorities. Indonesia, with the nine other
ASEAN members, will continue to move towards
participation in the ASEAN Economic Community,
though full implementation of economic integration has GDP - composition, by end use:
not yet materialized.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
government consumption: 9.5%
49
investment in fixed capital: 32.6% Unemployment rate:
investment in inventories: -0.5%
5.6% (2016 est.)
exports of goods and services: 19.1% 6.2% (2015 est.)
imports of goods and services: -18.3% (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 4
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: Population below poverty line:
agriculture: 14% 10.9% (2016 est.)
industry: 40.8%
services: 45.3% (2016 est.) percentage share:
lowest 10%: 3.4%
Agriculture - products:
highest 10%: 28.2% (2010)

rubber and similar products, palm oil, poultry, beef,
forest products, shrimp, cocoa, coffee, medicinal herbs,
essential oil, fish and its similar products, and spices Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Industries: 36.8 (2009)
petroleum and natural gas, textiles, automotive, 39.4 (2005)

electrical appliances, apparel, footwear, mining,
cement, medical instruments and appliances, country comparison to the world: 8 1
handicrafts, chemical fertilizers, plywood, rubber,
processed food, jewelry, and tourism
Budget:
Industrial production growth rate: revenues: $116.9 billion
3.9% (2016 est.) expenditures: $140.1 billion (2016 est.)

Taxes and other revenues:
Labor force: 12.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
125.4 million (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 0 4

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Labor force - by occupation: -2.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
agriculture: 32% country comparison to the world: 1 0 3
industry: 21%
Public debt:

31.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
50
29.4% of GDP (2015 est.) $329.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Fiscal year: Stock of domestic credit:
calendar year $397.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.)


3.5% (2016 est.)
6.4% (2015 est.) Market value of publicly traded shares:

C entral bank discount rate:

6.37% (31 December 2010)

6.46% (31 December 2009)
note: this figure represents the 3-month SBI rate; the Current account balance:
Bank of Indonesia has not employed the one- month SBI
since September 2010 $-16.77 billion (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6 5 $-17.52 billion (2015 est.)
C ommercial bank prime lending rate: country comparison to the world: 1 8 9
11.89% (31 December 2016 est.) Exports:
12.66% (31 December 2015 est.) $144.4 billion (2016 est.)
note: these figures represent the average annualized $149.1 billion (2015 est.)
rate on working capital loans
mineral fuels, animal or vegetable fats (includes palm
$92.11 billion (31 December 2016 est.) oil), electrical machinery, rubber, machinery and
mechanical appliance parts
Exports - partners:
China 11.6%, US 11.2%, Japan 11.1%, Singapore 7.8%,
Stock of broad money: India 7%, Malaysia 4.9%, South Korea 4.8% (2016)
$372.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Imports:

51
$129 billion (2016 est.)
Exchange rates:
$135.1 billion (2015 est.)

Indonesian rupiah (IDR) per US dollar -

13,483 (2016 est.)
Imports - commodities: 13,389.4 (2015 est.)
mineral fuels, boilers, machinery, and mechanical parts, 13,389.4 (2014 est.)
electric machinery, iron and steel, foodstuffs
11,865.2 (2013 est.)
Imports - partners:
9,386.63 (2012 est.)
China 22.9%, Singapore 10.8%, Japan 9.6%, Thailand

 Show
6.4%, US 5.4%, Malaysia 5.4%, South Korea 5% (2016)
ENERGY :: INDONESIA
Panel - Collapsed
 Show
COMMUNICATIONS :: INDONESIA

Panel - Collapsed
Debt - external:  Show
TRANSPORTATION :: INDONESIA

Panel - Collapsed
 Show
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: INDONESIA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:

Panel - Collapsed
 Hide
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: INDONESIA
Panel - Expanded
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Indonesia has a stated foreign policy objective of
establishing stable fixed land and maritime boundaries
with all of its neighbors; 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
$30.17 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) boundaries have been
established between the countries; all borders between
country comparison to the world: 5 3 Indonesia and Australia have been agreed upon
52
bilaterally, but a 1997 treaty that would settle the last of
their maritime and EEZ boundary has yet to be ratified
by Indonesia's legislature; Indonesian groups challenge
Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed
parts of the Ashmore and Cartier Reserve to Indonesian
traditional fishing and placed restrictions on certain
catches; land and maritime negotiations with Malaysia
are ongoing, and disputed areas include the
controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border
area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the
Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea; Indonesia and
Singapore continue to work on finalizing their 1973
maritime boundary agreement by defining unresolved
areas north of Indonesia's Batam Island; Indonesian
secessionists, squatters, and illegal migrants create
repatriation problems for Papua New Guinea; maritime
delimitation talks continue with Palau; EEZ negotiations
with Vietnam are ongoing, and the two countries in Fall
2011 agreed to work together to reduce illegal fishing
along their maritime boundary
IDPs: 7,100 (inter- communal, inter- faith, and separatist

violence between 1998 and 2004 in Aceh and Papua;
religious attacks and land conflicts in 2012 and 2013;
most IDPs in Aceh, Maluku, East Nusa Tengarra) (2016)
(2011)
Illicit drugs:
illicit producer of cannabis largely for domestic use;

producer of methamphetamine and ecstasy; President
WIDODO's war on drugs has led to an increase in death
sentences and executions, particularly of foreign drug
traffickers
Reference:
factbook/geos/id.html
53
Laos profile - At a glance
overview  Politics: Ruling communists maintain a
 14 October 2015 monopoly of political power
 Economy: One of the world's poorest nations,
 From the sectionAsia Laos has little industry and relies on foreign aid;
hopes are pinned on big hydroelectric projects
 International:Communist regime is backed
by China and Vietnam
Laos profile - home
Read more country profiles
Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring
Economic growth since the 1990s has reduced poverty

levels significantly, but Laos still relies heavily on foreign
aid and investment, especially from Japan, China and
Vietnam.
Laos, one of the world's few remaining communist The Asian currency crisis of 1997 caused the national
states, is one of east Asia's poorest countries. Since the currency, the kip, to lose more than nine-tenths of its value
collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 it has struggled to against the US dollar.
find its position within a changing political and
economic landscape. Laos is a landlocked, mountainous country, widely covered
by largely unspoilt tropical forest. Less than 5% of the land
Communist forces overthrew the monarchy in 1975, is suitable for subsistence agriculture, which nevertheless
heralding years of isolation. Laos began opening up to the provides around 80% of employment.
world in the 1990s, but despite tentative reforms, it remains
poor and dependent on international donations. The main crop is rice, which is grown on the fertile
floodplain of the Mekong River. Vegetables, fruit, spices
The government has implemented gradual economic and and cotton are also grown. Part of the region's heroin-
business reforms since 2005 to somewhat liberalize its producing "Golden Triangle", Laos has all but stamped out
domestic markets. In 2011, it opened a stock market in opium production.
Vientiane as part of a tentative move towards capitalism.
Outside the capital, many people live without electricity or
access to basic facilities.
But Laos is banking on returns from a number of

hydropower plant projects to boost its economy and
infrastructure. The Nam Theun 2 dam, the largest built so
far, went into operation in 2010 mainly to generate
electricity for sale to Thailand.
A further significant upgrade to Laos' infrastructure is

expected with the construction of the first high-speed rail
line between China and Laos.
Public dissent in Laos is dealt with harshly by the

authorities, and the country's human rights record has come
under scrutiny.
Laos denies accusations of abuses by the military against

symbol: The Buddhist stupa of That Luang in the capital
the ethnic minority Hmong. Hmong groups have been
Vientiane
54
fighting a low-level rebellion against the communist regime Communist Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong on visit
since 1975. 2016.
President: Bounnhang Vorachit
Bounnhang Vorachit was appointed president

by the National Assembly in April 2016. four
months after being installed as head of the
country's ruling Lao People's Revolutionary
Party (LPRP).
In his acceptance speech, the president said

he would strive for "peaceful international
policies, unity, friendship and cooperation".
Monks in the former capital Luang Prabang during the
He has since forged stronger relations with the
Songkran New Year celebrations: Most Laotians are The
United States, welcoming President Barack
Lao People's Democratic Republic Obama on an official visit in September 2016,
Capital: Vientiane the first by a US president.
 Population 6.4 million Mr Vorachit has held several senior cabinet

 Area 236,800 sq km (91,400 sq miles) posts including vice-president. As a teenager
he joined the Pathet Lao armed movement
 Major languages Lao, French which fought for Laos' independence.
 Major religion Buddhism MEDIA
69 years (women)
 Currency kip
UN, World Bank
Getty Images
LEADER
to Hanoi in April
The communist state exerts tight control over

the media, owning all newspapers and
broadcast media.
Estimates suggest that there are over half a

million internet users and the number is rising.
President Bounnhang Vorachit (left) with Vietnam
55
In 2014, the government introduced strict new Revolutionary Party (LPRP) the only legal political party.
internet controls, making online criticism of its Kaysone Phomvihane becomes prime minister. "Socialist
policies or the ruling party a criminal offence. transformation" of the economy is launched.
The new legislation also demands that web National symbol
users register with their real names when
setting up social media accounts.
Laos profile - timeline

 14 June 2017

1893 - Laos becomes a French protectorate until 1945,
when it is briefly occupied by the Japanese towards the end
of World War II.
AFP
North Vietnamese troops and their South Vietnamese Motorcycle riders pass by the That Luang religious
opponents fought on Laotian territory as the conflict spilled landmark in Vientiane
over in the 1960s
 Originally built in the 16th century
1946 - French rule over Laos is resumed.
1950 - Laos is granted semi-autonomy as an associated  The present edifice dates from the 1930s
state within the French Union. 1979 - Food shortages and the flight of hundreds of
1954 - Laos gains full independence as a constitutional thousands of refugees to Thailand leads the government to
monarchy. Civil war breaks out between royalists and the modify its approach. Some private enterprise within
communist group, the Pathet Lao. agriculture is permitted.
1960s - Laos subject to extensive aerial bombardment by 1986 - Encouraged by the Gorbachev reforms in the Soviet
the United States in an attempt to destroy North Union, Laos introduces market-oriented reforms.
Vietnamese sanctuaries and to rupture the supply lines 1989 - First elections held since 1975. All candidates have
known as the Ho Chi Minh trail. It's estimated that more to be approved by the LPRP. Communists retain power.
bombs were dropped on Laos than were used during the 1991 - Security and cooperation pact signed with Thailand.
whole of World War II. A new constitution is endorsed. Kaysone Phomvihane
1973 - Vientiane ceasefire agreement divides Laos between becomes president, Khamtay Siphandon becomes prime
the communists and the royalists. minister.
Communist take-over 1992 - President Phomvihane dies. Siphandon becomes
1975 - The Pathet Lao - renamed the Lao People's Front - head of the LPRP.
seizes power. King Savang Vatthana abdicates - he is later 1994 - "Friendship bridge" over the Mekong linking Laos
arrested and dies in captivity. The Lao People's Democratic and Thailand is opened.
Republic is proclaimed, with the Lao People's
56
1995 - US lifts its 20-year aid embargo. 2002 February - Parliamentary elections. All but one of the
1997 - Laos becomes a member of the Association of 166 candidates are from the governing Lao People's
Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). The Asian financial crisis Revolutionary Party.
decimates the value of the Lao currency, the kip. 2003 June - Two European journalists and their American
1998 - Khamtay Siphandon becomes president. translator arrested after making contact with Hmong ethnic
Bomb blasts group. Pair found guilty of obstructing security forces and
2000 - A series of bomb blasts hits the capital - the briefly jailed.
authorities blame anti-government groups based abroad.
Celebrations of 25 years of communist rule take place in US-based Lao exile group, the Fact Finding Commission,
Vientiane in December. says the Lao Citizens Movement for Democracy (LCMD)
2000 - Government embarks on decentralization process, has started a revolution in 11 provinces. The government
granting more autonomy and budgetary responsibilities to dismisses the claim.
provinces.
2001 March - Khamtay Siphandon re-elected president. The LCMD says it has killed three soldiers in clashes. The
2001 April - International Monetary Fund approves a new government denies the claim.
three-year loan for Laos worth $40 million. IMF officials 2004 November - As chair of the Association of South East
expect the loan to help strengthen macroeconomic stability Asian Nations (Asean), Laos hosts the organisation's
and reduce poverty "through growth with equity". summit.
2001 April - Parliament introduces death sentence for 2005 February - US establishes Normal Trade Relations,
possession of more than 500g of heroin. ending protracted period of punitive import taxes.
2001 December - UN World Food Programme (WFP) 2005 April - World Bank approves loans for Nam Theun
launches three-year initative to feed 70,000 malnourished Two hydroelectric dam project. Dam is expected to
children in Laos. produce electricity for export; critics are concerned about
Mekong River its environmental, social impact.
the ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party has conducted

cautious economic reform, but maintains a tight grip on
Mekong irrigates fields, provides fish and transport politics
 At 4,200 km (2,600 miles), world's 12th 2005 November - Foundation stone of Nam Theun Two
longest river hydroelectric dam is laid.
2006 June - Choummaly Sayasone succeeds Khamtay
 Forms boundary between Laos and Burma, Siphandone as president. The former vice president became
leader of the ruling communists in March.
and part of Laos-Thailand border
2006 December - More than 400 members of the Hmong
ethnic group surrender to the authorities. They are among
 Chinese dam-building upstream has led to several groups of Hmong who have been living in the
falls in water level jungle as fugitives since 1975, when the pro-US
Mekong: 'Mother of rivers' government they supported was defeated by the
communists.
57
2007 June - US prosecutors charge nine people with 2013 August - European parliamentarians draw attention to
plotting a coup in Laos, including former general Vang the disappearance of activist Sombath Somphone, last seen
Pao, a prominent member of the ethnic Hmong group who at a police checkpoint.
emigrated to the US in the 1970s. 2014 May - Several senior officials are killed in a plane
2007 July - California court order the release on bail of crash in northern Laos, including Defence Minister and
former general Vang Pao, accused of plotting the Deputy Prime Minister Douangchay Phichit, Security
overthrow of Laos' communist government. Minister Thongbanh Sengaphone and Vientiane Mayor
WTO membership Soukanh Mahalath.
2008 January - Laos takes steps to become full member of 2016 April - National Assembly at its five-year congress
the World Trade Organization. appoints Bounnhang Vorachit as president and leader of the
ruling Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP),
Hmong refugees succeeding Choummaly Sayasone.
2016 September - President Barack Obama becomes the
first sitting US president to visit Laos.
US commits 90 million US dollars over three years to help

clear unexploded bombs the US dropped on Laos during
the Vietnam War.
Reference: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-
15351898
EAST & SOUTHEAST
LAOS
Imag
e copyrightGETTY IMAGES
ASIA ::
The UN voiced concern about the fate of Hmong
repatriated from Thailand PAG E LAST U PDAT E D ON N OVE M BE R 06, 2017
UN seeks access to Hmong in Laos

In pictures: Forced expulsion of the Hmong
2008 May - Some 69% of children in Laos lack basic
health care, Save the Children charity reports.
2009 March - Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn opens
a rail connection over the Mekong river, linking Thailand
and Laos.
2009 December - Thailand forcibly repatriates more than
4,000 ethnic Hmong asylum seekers back to Laos.
2010 December - PM Bouasone Bouphavanh resigns, citing
"family problems", and is replaced by National Assembly
president Thongsing Thammavong. Analysts say factional
disputes within the ruling party are the likely reason.
2011 January - New stock market opens in Vientiane as
part of tentative experiment with capitalism.
Former Laos royal general and leader of Hmong ethnic

group Vang Pao dies in exile in US, aged 81.
2011 June - President Choummaly is given a further five-
year term by parliament.
2012 July - Hillary Clinton becomes the first US secretary
of state to visit Laos for 57 years. The legacy of the
Vietnam War and a controversial dam project are on her
agenda.
2012 November - Laos approves plans to build a massive
dam at Xayaburi, on the lower Mekong river, despite
opposition from environmentalists and neighbours
Cambodia and Vietnam.
58
 Hide
INTRODUCTION :: LAOS
Panel - Expanded
 Background:
Modern- day Laos has its roots in the ancient Lao

kingdom of Lan Xang, established in the 14th century
under King FA NGUM. For 300 years Lan Xang had
influence reaching into present-day Cambodia and
Thailand, as well as over all of what is now Laos. After
centuries of gradual decline, Laos came under the
domination of Siam (Thailand) from the late 18th
century until the late 19th century, when it became part
of French Indochina. The Franco-Siamese Treaty of
1907 defined the current Lao border with Thailand. In
1975, the communist Pathet Lao took control of the
government, ending a six-century-old monarchy and
instituting a strict socialist regime closely aligned to
Vietnam. A gradual, limited return to private enterprise
and the liberalization of foreign investment laws began
in 1988. Laos became a member of ASEAN in 1997 and
the WTO in 2013.
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: LAOS
Panel - Expanded
 Location:
Southeastern Asia, northeast of Thailand, west of

Vietnam
18 00 N, 105 00 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
land: 230,800 sq km
 Open All
 Close All water: 6,000 sq km
59
country comparison to the world: 8 5 arable land 6.2%; permanent crops 0.7%; permanent
pasture 3.7%
Area - comparative:
forest: 67.9%
about twice the size of Pennsylvania; slightly larger

other: 21.5% (2011 est.)
than Utah
Irrigated land:
Land boundaries:
3,100 sq km (2012)
total: 5,274 km
border countries (5): Burma 238 km, Cambodia 555 Population - distribution:

km, China 475 km, Thailand 1,845 km, Vietnam 2,161
km most densely populated area is in and around the
capital city of Vientiane; large communities are
primarily found along the Mekong River along the
C oastline:
southwestern border; overall density is considered one
of the lowest in Southeast Asia
0 km (landlocked)
Natural hazards:
Maritime claims:
floods, droughts
none (landlocked)

Climate:
unexploded ordnance; deforestation; soil erosion; most

tropical monsoon; rainy season (May to November); dry of the population does not have access to potable water
season (December to April)

Terrain:

mostly rugged mountains; some plains and plateaus Change- Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered
Species, Environmental Modification, Law of the Sea,
Elevation: Ozone Layer Protection
mean elevation: 710 m signed, but not ratified: none of the selected

agreements
elevation extremes: lowest point: Mekong River 70 m

Geography - note:
highest point: Phu Bia 2,817 m
landlocked; most of the country is mountainous and
Natural resources: thickly forested; the Mekong River forms a large part of
the western boundary with Thailand
timber, hydropower, gypsum, tin, gold, gemstones

 Hide
Land use: PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: LAOS
Panel - Expanded
60
 Population: youth dependency ratio: 54

7,126,706 (July 2017 est.)

Median age:
Nationality:
total: 23 years
noun: Lao(s) or Laotian(s)
male: 22.7 years
adjective: Lao or Laotian

Ethnic groups:

Lao 53.2%, Khmou 11%, Hmong 9.2%, Phouthay 3.4%,
Tai 3.1%, Makong 2.5%, Katong 2.2%, Lue 2%, Akha
1.8%, other 11.6% Population growth rate:
note: the Laos Government officially recognizes 49 1.51% (2017 est.)

ethnic groups, but the total number of ethnic groups is
estimated to be well over 200 (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 8
Languages: Birth rate:
Lao (official), French, English, various ethnic languages 23.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Religions:
Buddhist 64.7%, Christian 1.7%, none 31.4%, other/not Death rate:

stated 2.1% (2015 est.)
Age structure:

Net migration rate:
151,800) (2017 est.)
most densely populated area is in and around the
capital city of Vientiane; large communities are
population pyramid:
primarily found along the Mekong River along the
southwestern border; overall density is considered one
of the lowest in Southeast Asia
Dependency ratios:
Urbanization:
61
urban population: 40.7% of total population (2017) Total fertility rate:

(2015- 20 est.)


VIENTIANE (capital) 997,000 (2015)
49.8% (2011/12)
Sex ratio:
1.9% of GDP (2014)


Physicians density:

65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female Hospital bed density:
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.) 1.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Maternal mortality rate: Drinking water source:
197 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) improved:
country comparison to the world: 5 2 urban: 85.6% of population


unimproved:



Sanitation facility access:

total population: 64.6 years
improved:
male: 62.6 years

rural: 56% of population
62
unimproved:
3.3% of GDP (2014)


Literacy:

0.3% (2016 est.)

male: 87.1%

female: 72.8% (2015 est.)

11,000 (2016 est.) education):
country comparison to the world: 9 4 total: 11 years
HIV/AIDS - deaths: male: 11 years

<500 (2016 est.)
 Hide
GOVERNMENT :: LAOS
Panel - Expanded
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal
diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever  C ountry name:
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria conventional long form: Lao People's Democratic
(2016) Republic
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: conventional short form: Laos
5.3% (2016) local long form: Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon

Lao
local short form: Mueang Lao (unofficial)

etymology: name means "Land of the Lao [people]"
underweight:
Government type:
26.5% (2011)
communist state
63
Capital: dual citizenship recognized: no

name: Vientiane (Viangchan)
geographic coordinates: 17 58 N, 102 36 E Suffrage:
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
Administrative divisions:
chief of state: President BOUNNYANG Vorachit (since
17 provinces (khoueng, singular and plural) and 1 20 April 2016); Vice President PHANKHAM Viphavan
capital city* (nakhon luang, singular and plural); Attapu, (since 20 April 2016)
Bokeo, Bolikhamxai, Champasak, Houaphan,
Khammouan, Louangnamtha, Louangphabang, head of government: Prime Minister THONGLOUN
Oudomxai, Phongsali, Salavan, Savannakhet,
Sisoulit (since 20 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers
Viangchan (Vientiane)*, Viangchan, Xaignabouli,
BOUNTHONG Chitmani, SONXAI Siphandon, SOMDI
Xaisomboun, Xekong, Xiangkhouang
Douangdi (since 20 April 2016)
Independence: cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the

president, approved by the National Assembly
19 July 1949 (from France)
National holiday: indirectly elected by the National Assembly for a 5-year
term (no term limits); election last held on 20 April 2016
(next to be held in 2021); prime minister nominated by
Republic Day (National Day), 2 December (1975)
the president, elected by the National Assembly for 5-
year term
C onstitution:
election results: BOUNNYANG Vorachit (LPRP)
previous 1947 (preindependence); latest promulgated elected president; PHANKHAM Viphavan (LPRP)
13- 15 August 1991; amended 2003, 2015 (2016) elected vice president; percent of National Assembly
vote - NA; THONGLOUN Sisoulit (LPRP) elected prime
Legal system: minister; percent of National Assembly vote - NA
civil law system similar in form to the French system Legislative branch:
International law organization participation: description: unicameral National Assembly or Sapha

Heng Xat (149 seats; members directly elected in multi-
seat constituencies by simple majority vote from
candidate lists provided by the Lao People's
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non- Revolutionary Party; members serve 5-year terms)
party state to the ICCt
elections: last held on 20 March 2016 (next to be held

Citizenship: in 2021)
citizenship by birth: no election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats

by party - LPRP 144, independent 5
be a citizen of Laos Judicial branch:
64
highest court(s): People's Supreme Court (consists of chief of mission: Ambassador Rena BITTER (since 2
the court president and organized into criminal, civil, November 2016)
administrative, commercial, family, and juvenile
chambers, each with a vice president and several embassy: Thadeua Road, Kilometer 9, Ban Somvang
judges) Tai, Hatsayfong District, Vientiane
judge selection and term of office: president of mailing address: American Embassy Vientiane, Unit
People's Supreme Court appointed by National 46222, APO AP 96546- 6222
Assembly on recommendation of the president of the
republic for a 5-year term; vice presidents of People's telephone: [856] 21- 48-7000
Supreme Court appointed by the president of the
republic on recommendation of the National Assembly; FAX: [856] 21-48-7190
appointment of chamber judges NA; tenure of court vice
presidents and chamber judges NA
Flag description:
subordinate courts: appellate courts; provincial,

municipal, district, and military courts three horizontal bands of red (top), blue (double width),
and red with a large white disk centered in the blue
band; the red bands recall the blood shed for liberation;
Political parties and leaders: the blue band represents the Mekong River and
prosperity; the white disk symbolizes the full moon
Lao People's Revolutionary Party or LPRP against the Mekong River, but also signifies the unity of
[BOUNNYANG Vorachit] the people under the Lao People's Revolutionary Party,
as well as the country's bright future
note: other parties proscribed
National symbol(s):
elephant; national colors: red, white, blue
International Labor Organization
National anthem:
name: "Pheng Xat Lao" (Hymn of the Lao People)
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD,
ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, lyrics/music: SISANA Sisane/THONGDY
IOC, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, Sounthonevichit
OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO,
UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO note: music adopted 1945, lyrics adopted 1975; the
anthem's lyrics were changed following the 1975
Diplomatic representation in the US: Communist revolution that overthrew the monarchy
 Hide
chief of mission: Ambassador MAI Xaignavong (since 3
August 2015) ECONOMY :: LAOS
chancery: 2222 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Panel - Expanded
telephone: [1] (202) 332- 6416

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4923

The government of Laos, one of the few remaining one-
party communist states, began decentralizing control
consulate(s): New York
and encouraging private enterprise in 1986. Economic
growth averaged more than 6% per year in the period
Diplomatic representation from the US: 1988- 2008, and Laos' growth has more recently been
65
amongst the fastest in Asia, averaging nearly 8% per
GDP (official exchange rate):
year for most of the last decade. However, growth has
declined over the past year and is expected to be about
6.8% in 2017, according to the IMF. $15.77 billion (2016 est.)
Nevertheless, Laos remains a country with an GDP - real growth rate:

underdeveloped infrastructure, particularly in rural
areas. It has a basic, but improving, road system, and 7% (2016 est.)
limited external and internal land- line
telecommunications. Electricity is available to 83% of
7.3% (2015 est.)
the population. Agriculture, dominated by rice
cultivation in lowland areas, accounts for about 25% of
GDP and 73% of total employment. Recently, the 7.6% (2014 est.)
country has faced a persistent current account deficit,
falling foreign currency reserves, and growing public country comparison to the world: 1 0
debt, as slow recovery of the global economy,
especially that of China, has driven down the prices of
its mineral exports.
$6,900 (2016 est.)

Laos' economy is heavily dependent on capital-
intensive natural resource exports. The economy has
benefited from high-profile foreign direct investment in $6,500 (2015 est.)
hydropower dams along the Mekong River, copper and
gold mining, logging, and construction, although some $6,200 (2014 est.)
projects in these industries have drawn criticism for
their environmental impacts. note: data are in 2016 dollars
Laos gained Normal Trade Relations status with the US country comparison to the world: 1 6 5
in 2004 and applied for Generalized System of
Preferences trade benefits in 2013 after being admitted
to the World Trade Organization earlier in the year. Gross national saving:
Laos held the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016. Laos is
in the process of implementing a value-added tax 14.8% of GDP (2016 est.)
system. The government appears committed to raising
the country's profile among foreign investors and has 14.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
developed special economic zones replete with
generous tax incentives, but a limited labor pool, a
19.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
small domestic market, and corruption remain
impediments to investment. Laos also has ongoing
problems with the business environment, including
onerous registration requirements, a gap between
legislation and implementation, and unclear or GDP - composition, by end use:
conflicting regulations.
$45.25 billion (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 33.1%
$41.75 billion (2015 est.)
investment in inventories: 4.9%
$38.5 billion (2014 est.)
exports of goods and services: 34.9%
imports of goods and services: -49% (2016 est.)
66
22% (2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 21.6% Household income or consumption by

percentage share:
industry: 32.8%
lowest 10%: 3.3%
services: 38.9% (2016 est.)
highest 10%: 30.3% (2008)


sweet potatoes, vegetables, corn, coffee, sugarcane,
tobacco, cotton, tea, peanuts, rice; cassava (manioc,
36.7 (2008)
tapioca), water buffalo, pigs, cattle, poultry
34.6 (2002)
Industries:
mining (copper, tin, gold, gypsum); timber, electric
power, agricultural processing, rubber, construction,
Budget:
garments, cement, tourism
revenues: $2.921 billion

8% (2016 est.)

21.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Labor force:

3.521 million (2016 est.)

-6.6% of GDP (2016 est.)


agriculture: 73.1%
Public debt:
industry: 6.1%
67.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

65.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate:

1.5% (2016 est.)
Fiscal year:
1.4% (2015 est.)
1 October - 30 September

67
2% (2016 est.) $576.8 million (2011 est.)
1.3% (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 0 6

C entral bank discount rate: $-1.678 billion (2016 est.)
4.3% (31 December 2010) $-2.265 billion (2015 est.)
4% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 1 5 9

Exports:
C ommercial bank prime lending rate: $2.705 billion (2016 est.)
18% (31 December 2016 est.) $2.769 billion (2015 est.)
18.2% (31 December 2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 2 7

Stock of narrow money: wood products, coffee, electricity, tin, copper, gold,
cassava
Exports - partners:
Thailand 40.1%, China 28.5%, Vietnam 13.7% (2016)

Imports:
$5.547 billion (2016 est.)

$5.233 billion (2015 est.)


machinery and equipment, vehicles, fuel, consumer

$8.381 billion (31 December 2016 est.) goods

Imports - partners:

Thailand 64.6%, China 16.5%, Vietnam 9.4% (2016)
Market value of publicly traded shares:

$1.012 billion (2012 est.)

$940.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
68
$1.058 billion (31 December 2015 est.)  Show
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: LAOS

Panel - Collapsed
Debt - external:
 Hide
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: LAOS
Panel - Expanded

southeast Asian states have enhanced border
surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks
continue on completion of demarcation with Thailand
$15.14 billion (31 December 2012 est.) but disputes remain over islands in the Mekong River;
Cambodia and Laos have a longstanding border
$12.44 billion (31 December 2011 est.) demarcation dispute; concern among Mekong River
Commission members that China's construction of eight
country comparison to the world: 8 7 dams on the Upper Mekong River and construction of
more dams on its tributaries will affect water levels,
sediment flows, and fisheries; Cambodia and Vietnam
Exchange rates: are concerned about Laos' extensive plans for upstream
dam construction for the same reasons
kips (LAK) per US dollar -
8,129.1 (2016 est.)
current situation: Laos is a source and, to a lesser

8,129.1 (2015 est.)
extent, transit and destination country for men, women,
and children subjected to forced labor and sex
8,147.9 (2014 est.)
trafficking; Lao economic migrants may encounter
conditions of forced labor or sexual exploitation in
8,049 (2013 est.)
destination countries, most often Thailand; Lao women
and girls are exploited in Thailand’s commercial sex
8,007.3 (2012 est.)
trade, domestic service, factories, and agriculture; a
small, possibly growing, number of Lao women and girls
 Show
are sold as brides in China and South Korea and
ENERGY :: LAOS subsequently sex trafficked; Lao men and boys are
victims of forced labor in the Thai fishing, construction,
Panel - Collapsed and agriculture industries; some Lao children, as well
as Vietnamese and Chinese women and girls, are
 Show subjected to sex trafficking in Laos; other Vietnamese
and Chinese, and possibly Burmese, adults and girls
COMMUNICATIONS :: LAOS transit Laos for sexual and labor exploitation in
neighboring countries, particularly Thailand
Panel - Collapsed
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Laos does not fully
 Show comply with the minimum standards for the elimination
of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to
TRANSPORTATION :: LAOS do so; authorities sustained moderate efforts to
investigate, prosecute, and convict trafficking offenders;
Panel - Collapsed the government failed to make progress in proactively
69
identifying victims exploited within the country or among The country is benefiting from a growth in manufacturing,
those deported from abroad; the government continues and is a major tourist destination, but there are fears that
to rely almost entirely on local and international development could harm the environment, particularly the
organizations to provide and fund services to trafficking rainforests of northern Borneo, which are under pressure
victims; although Lao men and boys are trafficked, most from palm oil plantations and illegal logging.
protective services are only available to women and
 See more country profiles - Profiles compiled
girls, and long- term support is lacking; modest
by BBC Monitoring
prevention efforts include the promotion of anti-
trafficking awareness on state-controlled media (2015) FACTS
Illicit drugs:
Federation of Malaysia
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
estimated opium poppy cultivation in 2015 was
estimated to be 5,700 hectares, compared with 6,200
 Population 29.3 million (UN, 2012)
hectares in 2014; estimated potential production of  Area 329,847 sq km (127,355 sq miles)
between 84 and 176 mt of raw opium; unsubstantiated
reports of domestic methamphetamine production;  Major languages Malay
growing domestic methamphetamine problem (official), English, Chinese dialects, Tamil, Telugu,
Malayalam
Reference: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-
world-factbook/geos/la.html  Major religions Islam,
Malaysia country Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity,

Sikhism
profile  Life expectancy 73 years (men),
 20 July 2017 77 years (women)
 Currency Ringgit
 From the sectionAsia UN
LEADERS
Head of state: Sultan Muhammad V
Sultan Muhammad V was sworn in as the 15th paramount

ruler, Malaysia's head of state, in December 2016. The post
of paramount ruler is rotated every five years among the
sultans of the nine Malay kingdoms.
Prime minister: Najib Abdul Razak
Malaysia boasts one of south-east Asia's most vibrant

economies, the fruit of decades of industrial growth and
political stability.
Consisting of two regions separated by some 640 miles of

the South China Sea, Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-
religious federation of 13 states and three federal territories.
The majority Muslim ethnic Malay are dominant

politically, and benefit from positive discrimination in
business, education and the civil service, but a large ethnic
Chinese minority holds economic power. The communities
coexist in relative harmony, although racial and religious
divides persist.
70
Najib Razak, the scion of an longstanding Malaysian  12 June 2017
political dynasty, assumed the post of prime minister
following the resignation of his predecessor in 2009.  From the sectionAsia  Share this with Facebook

He was sworn in for a second term after the National Front

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coalition won the 2013 elections with a weakened majority

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to extend its unbroken, 56-year rule, in the face of the  Share
strongest opposition ever. Opponents alleged major A chronology of key events:

electoral fraud. 14th century - Conversion of Malays to Islam begins.
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
On coming to power, Mr Najib pledged radical reforms and
a more transparent government, including closing closing a
widening ethnic and religious divide, after ethnic minorities
shifted towards the opposition in large numbers in the 2008
polls, fearing their rights were being eroded.
But his rise to power was marked by a government

crackdown on the resurgent opposition, with allegations
that strong-arm tactics were being used to stifle political
dissent. Of late his administration has been dogged by
accusations of corruption, particularly in relation to the
management of state investment firm 1MDB.
MEDIA
Imag
 Settlement established 1857 by Chinese tin

miners
 Kuala Lumpur translates as "muddy

confluence"
 Population: 1.4 million

Mahathir leaves mark on skyline
internet has become the focal point of free speech, amid
1826 - British settlements of Malacca, Penang and
extensive government control over the media
Singapore combine to form the Colony of Straits
Settlements, from where the British extend their influence
Malaysia has some of the toughest censorship laws in the by establishing protectorates over the Malay sultanates of
world. The authorities exert substantial media controls and the peninsula.
can impose restrictions in the name of national security. 1895 - Four Malay states combine to form the Federated
Malay States.
Privately-owned TVs have close ties to the ruling coalition, 1942-45 - Japanese occupation.
while state outlets reflect government views. 1948 - British-ruled Malayan territories unified under
Federation of Malaya.
Most privately-owned print titles are run by parties or 1948-60 - State of emergency to counter local communist
business groups allied with the ruling coalition. insurgency.
1957 - Federation of Malaya becomes independent from
The internet is the main platform for free political debate. Britain with Tunku Abdul Rahman as prime minister.
1963 - British colonies of Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore
Malaysia profile - join Federation of Malaya to form the Federation of
Malaysia.
Timeline
71
1965 - Singapore withdraws from Malaysia, which is Demonstrations against the Internal Security Act following
reduced to 13 states; communist insurgency begins in the detention without trial of supporters of Anwar Ibrahim.
Sarawak. Malaysia, Singapore resolve long-standing disputes, agree
1969 - Malays stage anti-Chinese riots in the context of to build a new bridge and tunnel.
increasing frustration over the economic success of the Mahathir bows out
ethnic Chinese. 2002 August - Tough new laws against illegal immigrants
1970 - Tun Abdul Razak becomes prime minister following come into effect, providing for whipping and prison terms
Abdul Rahman's resignation; forms National Front (BN) for offenders. Laws prompt exodus of foreign workers.
coalition. 2003 October - Abdullah Ahmad Badawi takes over as
Positive discrimination for Malays prime minister as Mahathir Mohamad steps down after 22
1971 - Government introduces minimum quotas for Malays years in office.
in business, education and the civil service. 2004 - Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi wins landslide
1977 - Kelantan chief minister expelled from Pan- general election victory. Former deputy PM Anwar Ibrahim
Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), triggering unrest, a freed after court overturns his sodomy conviction. Scores
national emergency and the expulsion of PAS from the BN of Malaysians die in Asian tsunami disaster. Malaysia
coalition. delays planned deportations of many thousands of illegal
1978-89 - Vietnamese refugees benefit from unrestricted immigrants, most of them from Indonesia.
asylum.
1981 - Mahathir Mohamad becomes prime minister. Controversial: Anwar Ibrahim
1989 - Local communist insurgents sign peace accord with
government.
1990 - Sarawak communist insurgents sign peace accord
with government.
1993 - Sultans lose legal immunity.
Financial crisis
1997 - Asian financial crisis spells end of decade of
impressive economic growth.
Imag
Veteran opposition leader was once heir-apparent to

Mahathir Mohamad but has spent years in prison
Imag  Deputy prime minister from 1993-1998

 Fell out with Mahathir over his anti-corruption
Mahathir Mohamad oversaw the country's campaign
transformation
Profile: Mahathir Mohamad  Arrested in 1998 after leading mass protests,
Mahathir fights to protect legacy charged with sodomy and corruption
2003 - BBC's Kylie Morris on Mahathir legacy
1998 - Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sacks his deputy  Jailed in 1999, freed in 2004 after sodomy
and presumed successor, Anwar Ibrahim, on charges of conviction overturned
sexual misconduct, against the background of differences
between the two men over economic policy; Ibrahim  Charged with sodomy for second time in 2008
arrested.
2000 - Ibrahim is found guilty of sodomy and sentenced to
nine years in prison. This is added to the six-year jail  Acquitted of sodomy by High Court in 2012
sentence he was given in 1999 after being found guilty of Profile: Anwar Ibrahim
corruption following a controversial trial. Anwar acquittal boosts Malaysia's opposition
2001 - Dozens arrested during worst ethnic clashes in 2005 - Malaysia, Singapore settle a bitter dispute over land
decades between Malays and ethnic Indians. reclamation work in border waters. Round-up of illegal
72
immigrants follows a four-month amnesty which sees an calling for electoral reform. PM Razak announces setting-
exodus of hundreds of thousands of illegal workers. Those up of parliamentary committee to study electoral reform.
remaining risk jail, a fine or whipping. 2012 January - High Court acquits opposition leader Anwar
2006 - Malaysia shelves construction of controversial Ibrahim of charge of sodomy.
bridge to Singapore. Some 60,000 displaced by flooding in 2012 February - Some 3,000 environmental activists take
the south. part in protest against building of rare earths refinery in
2007 - Around 70,000 evacuated as second wave of floods Pahang state.
hits south of country. Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei 2012 June - A Malaysian court approves the extradition of
Darussalam sign deal to protect 200,000 square kilometres Iranian Masoud Sedaghatzadeh to Thailand over his alleged
of rainforest on the island of Borneo. Anwar Ibrahim's Parti involvement in a bomb plot targeting Israeli officials in
Keadilan Rakyat loses a bitterly contested by-election to February.
the government. The result is seen as a blow to his efforts 2013 March - Malaysian troops attack Filipino insurgents
to revive his political career. around Lahad Datu on Borneo after local clashes leave
2008 - Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's National about 30 people dead. The roughly 180 Filipinos are
Front coalition suffers its worst election result in decades, demanding the cessation of part of Sabah state to the
losing its two-thirds parliamentary majority and control of defunct Sultanate of Sulu.
five state assemblies. Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is 2013 May - Ruling National Front coalition retains power
arrested over allegations of sodomy, in a move that in national elections, albeit with reduced majority.
exacerbates political tensions. Opposition supporters allege fraud.
Economic downturn 2013 October - Appeal court rules non-Muslims cannot use
2009 - Malaysia bans recruitment of foreign workers to the word Allah to refer to God even in their own faiths,
protect its citizens from unemployment during the overturning a 2009 lower court ruling.
economic downturn. Anwar Ibrahim's second sodomy trial 2014 January - Government bans Comango broad civil
begins. The government unveils a $16bn economic rights coalition on grounds that most of its constituent
stimulus plan as it seeks to stave off a deep recession. groups are not registered and some promote "rights counter
Badawi steps down as prime minister and is replaced by his to Islam" such as homosexuality.
deputy, Najib Abdul Razak. 2014 March - Government and Malaysia Airlines face
international criticism over handling of Flight MH370,
which goes missing en route to China in unexplained
circumstances. The plane is believed to have crashed in the
southern Indian Ocean, but an extensive search turns up no
sign of wreckage.
2014 June - Malaysia's highest court rejects a challenge to
the ban on Christians using the word "Allah" to refer to
God, in a highly divisive legal case.
2014 July - Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 travelling from
Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashes in eastern Ukraine,
close to the border with Russia, with the loss of all 298
people on board. The two sides in the Ukrainian conflict
accuse each other of shooting the plane down. The incident
and its aftermath spark international outrage and
condemnation.
2014 September - Malaysia says the findings of a Dutch
report into the crash of a Malaysia Airlines flight over
eastern Ukraine suggests the plane had been shot down.
2015 February - Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim is jailed
Najib Razak was appointed prime minister in 2009 for five years after failing to win an appeal against a
sodomy conviction.
2010 - Religious tensions increase following a court
2015 March - Opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party
decision allowing non-Muslims to use the word Allah to
(PAS) seeks parliament's approval to expand hudud laws, a
refer to God. Three Malay women are flogged for extra-
strict Islamic penal code which permits punishments such
marital sex in the first case of this Islamic punishment
as flogging, stoning and public execution, in the
being meted out to women in the country. Decision by
northeastern state of Kelantan.
Malacca state to allow underage marriages draws criticism
2015 March - Police arrest opposition politician Nurul
from women's groups.
Izzah Anwar, the eldest daughter of jailed opposition leader
2011 - Police use tear gas and water cannon to disperse
Anwar Ibrahim, for alleged sedition over a speech she
thousands of people taking part in Kuala Lumpur rally
made in parliament.
73
2015 April - Anwar Ibrahim is denied royal pardon to
overturn sodomy conviction and loses his seat as an MP.
Lower house of parliament passes controversial anti-

terrorism bill that allows suspects to be held indefinitely
without trial, and toughens penalties for sedition.
2015 May - Malaysia and Indonesia agree to rescue and
provide temporary shelter to Rohingya migrants fleeng
Myanmar by boat, after weeks of mounting humanitarian
crisis.
2015 June - The Wall Street Journal alleges that close to
$700m (£490m) from the sovereign wealth fund 1MDB
was deposited in Prime Minister Najib Razak's personal
bank account.
2016 January - Anti-Corruption Commission announces
appeal after attorney-general clears Prime Minister Najib
Razak of wrongdoing in relation to the 1MDB financial
scandal.
2016 July - US Department of Justice says it is seizing
more than $1bn (£761m) in assets associated with funds
misappropriated from the 1MDB fund.
Protests against alleged government corruption hit the

streets of Kuala Lumpur in 2016
2016 November - Thousands of anti-government protesters

take to the streets of Kuala Lumpur to demand the
resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak over his alleged
links to a corruption scandal.
2016 December - Sultan Muhammad V is sworn in as the
new king, succeeding Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.
2017 February - Kim Jong-nam, the estranged brother of
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, is killed with a nerve
agent at a Malaysian airport.
15356257
EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA :: MALAYSIA
PAG E LAST U PDATED ON N OVEM BER 06, 2017
74
Panel - Expanded
 Location:
Southeastern Asia, peninsula bordering Thailand and

northern one- third of the island of Borneo, bordering
Indonesia, Brunei, and the South China Sea, south of
Vietnam
2 30 N, 112 30 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
 Open All
 Close All total: 329,847 sq km
 Hide land: 328,657 sq km
INTRODUCTION :: MALAYSIA

water: 1,190 sq km
Panel - Expanded
 Background:
Area - comparative:
During the late 18th and 19th centuries, Great Britain

established colonies and protectorates in the area of slightly larger than New Mexico
current Malaysia; these were occupied by Japan from
1942 to 1945. In 1948, the British-ruled territories on Area comparison map:
the Malay Peninsula except Singapore formed the
Federation of Malaya, which became independent in
1957. Malaysia was formed in 1963 when the former
Land boundaries:
British colonies of Singapore, as well as Sabah and
Sarawak on the northern coast of Borneo, joined the
Federation. The first several years of the country's total: 2,742 km
independence were marred by a communist insurgency,
Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippine border countries (3): Brunei 266 km, Indonesia 1,881
claims to Sabah, and Singapore's withdrawal in 1965. km, Thailand 595 km
During the 22- year term of Prime Minister MAHATHIR
bin Mohamad (1981- 2003), Malaysia was successful in
C oastline:
diversifying its economy from dependence on exports of
raw materials to the development of manufacturing,
services, and tourism. Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB 4,675 km (Peninsular Malaysia 2,068 km, East Malaysia
bin Abdul Razak (in office since April 2009) has 2,607 km)
continued these pro- business policies.
Maritime claims:
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: MALAYSIA territorial sea: 12 nm
75
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm flooding; landslides; forest fires
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of Environment - current issues:

exploitation; specified boundary in the South China Sea
air pollution from industrial and vehicular emissions;

Climate: water pollution from raw sewage; deforestation;
smoke/haze from Indonesian forest fires
tropical; annual southwest (April to October) and
northeast (October to February) monsoons Environment - international agreements:
Terrain: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

coastal plains rising to hills and mountains Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94,
Elevation:
Wetlands
agreements
elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
Geography - note:
highest point: Gunung Kinabalu 4,095 m
strategic location along Strait of Malacca and southern

Natural resources: South China Sea
tin, petroleum, timber, copper, iron ore, natural gas,  Hide

bauxite
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: MALAYSIA
Land use:
Panel - Expanded
 Population:
pasture 0.9% 31,381,992 (July 2017 est.)
forest: 62% country comparison to the world: 4 1
other: 14.8% (2011 est.) Nationality:
Irrigated land: noun: Malaysian(s)
3,800 sq km (2012) adjective: Malaysian
Population - distribution: Ethnic groups:
a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the Malay 50.1%, Chinese 22.6%, indigenous 11.8%, Indian
population residing on the Malay Peninsula 6.7%, other 0.7%, non-citizens 8.2% (2010 est.)
Natural hazards: Languages:
76
Bahasa Malaysia (official), English, Chinese country comparison to the world: 1 3 0
(Cantonese, Mandarin, Hokkien, Hakka, Hainan,
Foochow), Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Panjabi, Thai
note: Malaysia has 134 living languages - 112

1.37% (2017 est.)
indigenous languages and 22 non-indigenous
languages; in East Malaysia there are several
indigenous languages; most widely spoken are Iban and country comparison to the world: 8 2
Kadazan
Birth rate:
Religions:
19.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Muslim (official) 61.3%, Buddhist 19.8%, Christian
9.2%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other country comparison to the world: 8 5
traditional Chinese religions 1.3%, other 0.4%, none
0.8%, unspecified 1% (2010 est.)
Death rate:
Age structure: 5.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
0-14 years: 27.83% (male 4,493,084/female 4,238,991) country comparison to the world: 1 9 2

Net migration rate:
2,598,958)

25-54 years: 41% (male 6,507,499/female 6,358,762)

65 years and over: 6.1% (male 907,850/female Population distribution:

1,005,125) (2017 est.)
a highly uneven distribution with over 80% of the
population pyramid: population residing on the Malay Peninsula
Urbanization:
Dependency ratios:
urban population: 76% of total population (2017)
youth dependency ratio: 36.1 (2015- 20 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8.5 Major urban areas - population:
potential support ratio: 11.8 (2015 est.) KUALA LUMPUR (capital) 6.837 million; Johor Bahru
912,000 (2015)
Median age:
Sex ratio:
total: 28.5 years
male: 28.2 years
77
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female country comparison to the world: 1 6 3
25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female Physicians density:


total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)



improved:

urban: 100% of population

total: 12.5 deaths/1,000 live births total: 98.2% of population
male: 14.4 deaths/1,000 live births unimproved:
female: 10.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) urban: 0% of population
country comparison to the world: 1 1 5 rural: 7% of population
Life expectancy at birth: total: 1.8% of population (2015 est.)
total population: 75.2 years Sanitation facility access:
male: 72.4 years improved:
female: 78.2 years (2017 est.) urban: 96.1% of population
country comparison to the world: 1 0 9 rural: 95.9% of population
total: 96% of population

unimproved:


total: 4% of population (2015 est.)
52.2% (2014)

0.4% (2016 est.)
4.2% of GDP (2014)
78
country comparison to the world: 6 7 male: 96.2%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: female: 93.2% (2015 est.)
97,000 (2016 est.) School life expectancy (primary to tertiary

education):
total: 13 years
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
male: 12 years
7,000 (2016 est.)

total: 10.7%
degree of risk: intermediate
male: 9.9%
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
female: 11.8% (2015 est.)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2016)
 Hide
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: GOVERNMENT :: MALAYSIA
15.6% (2016) Panel - Expanded

 C ountry name:
Children under the age of 5 years conventional long form: none

underweight:
conventional short form: Malaysia
12.4% (2015)
local long form: none
local short form: Malaysia
former: Federation of Malaya
5% of GDP (2015)
etymology: the name means "Land of the Malays"

Government type:
Literacy:
federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy

note: all Peninsular Malaysian states have hereditary
rulers (commonly referred to as sultans) except Melaka
(Malacca) and Pulau Pinang (Penang); those two states
79
along with Sabah and Sarawak in East Malaysia have
International law organization participation:
governors appointed by government; powers of state
governments are limited by federal constitution; under
terms of federation, Sabah and Sarawak retain certain
constitutional prerogatives (e.g., right to maintain their has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-
own immigration controls) party state to the ICCt
Capital: Citizenship:
name: Kuala Lumpur; note - nearby Putrajaya is citizenship by birth: no

referred to as a federal government administrative
center but not the capital; Parliament meets in Kuala citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must
Lumpur be a citizen of Malaysia
geographic coordinates: 3 10 N, 101 42 E dual citizenship recognized: no
time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of residency requirement for naturalization: 10 out 12
Washington, DC, during Standard Time) years preceding application
Administrative divisions: Suffrage:
13 states (negeri- negeri, singular - negeri); Johor, 21 years of age; universal

Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang,
Perak, Perlis, Pulau Pinang, Sabah, Sarawak, Selangor,
Executive branch:
Terengganu; and 1 federal territory (Wilayah
Persekutuan) with 3 components, Kuala Lumpur,
Labuan, and Putrajaya chief of state: King MUHAMMAD V (formerly known as
Tuanku Muhammad Faris Petra) (selected on 14
October 2016; installed on 13 December 2016); note -
Independence:
the position of the king is primarily ceremonial, but he
is the final arbiter on the appointment of the prime
31 August 1957 (from the UK) minister
National holiday: head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed NAJIB

bin Abdul Najib Razak (since 3 April 2009); Deputy
Independence Day (or Merdeka Day), 31 August (1957) Prime Minister Ahmad ZAHID Hamidi (since 29 July
(independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day, 16 September 2015)
(1963) (formation of Malaysia)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime minister from
among members of Parliament with the consent of the
C onstitution:
king
previous 1948; latest drafted 21 February 1957,

elections/appointments: king elected by and from the
effective 27 August 1957; amended many times, last in
2010 (2016) hereditary rulers of 9 states for a 5-year term; election
is on a rotational basis among rulers of the 9 states;
election last held on 14 October 2016 (next to be held
Legal system: in 2021); prime minister designated from among
members of the House of Representatives; following
mixed legal system of English common law, Islamic law, legislative elections, the leader who commands support
and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in of the majority of members in the House becomes prime
the Federal Court at request of supreme head of the minister
federation
80
election results: Mohamed NAJIB bin Abdul Najib Malaysian Chinese Association (Persatuan China
Razak (UMNO) sworn in as prime minister for second Malaysia) or MCA [LIOW Tiong Lai]
term on 3 April 2009
Malaysian Indian Congress (Kongres India Malaysia) or
MIC [S. SUBRAMANIAM]
Legislative branch:
Parti Bersatu Sabah or PBS [Joseph PAIRIN Kitingan]

description: bicameral Parliament or Parlimen consists
of the Senate or Dewan Negara (70 seats; 44 members Sarawak United People's Party (Parti Bersatu Rakyat
appointed by the king and 26 indirectly elected by 13 Sarawak) or SUPP [Dr. SIM Kui Hian]
state legislatures; members serve 3-year terms) and the
House of Representatives or Dewan Rakyat (222 seats; United Malays National Organization or UMNO [NAJIB
members directly elected in single-seat constituencies bin Abdul Razak]
by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)
United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 5 Organization (Pertubuhan Pasko Momogun Kadazan
May 2013 (next to be held by 24 August 2018) Dusun Bersatu) or UPKO [Wilfred Madius TANGAU]
election results: House of Representatives - percent of Coalition of Hope (Pakatan Harapan) or PH

vote by party/coalition - BN 47.4%, People's Alliance (formerly the People's Alliance):: Democratic Action
(DAP, PAS, PKR) 50.9%, other 1.7%; seats by Party (Parti Tindakan Demokratik) or DAP [TAN Kok
party/coalition - BN 133, People's Alliance (DAP, PAS, Wai, Acting National Chairman]
PKR) 89
National Trust Party (Parti Amanah Negara) or AMANAH
note: seats by party/coalition as of October 2016 - BN [Mohamad SABU]
132, PH 72 (DAP 37, PKR 28, AMANAH 6, PPBM 1),
PAS 14, WARISAN 2, PSM 1, independent 1 People's Justice Party (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) or PKR
[WAN AZIZAH Wan Ismail]
Judicial branch:
Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia or PPBM [MAHATHIR
Mohamad]
highest court(s): Federal Court (consists of the chief
justice, president of the Court of Appeal, chief justice of
Other: Islamic Party of Malaysia (Parti Islam se
the High Court of Malaya, chief judge of the High Court
Malaysia) or PAS [Abdul HADI Awang]
of Sabah and Sarawak and 7 judges); note - Malaysia
has a dual judicial hierarchy of civil and religious
Sabah Heritage Party or WARISAN [Shafie APDAL]
(sharia) courts
Socialist Party of Malaysia (Parti Sosialis Malaysia) or

judge selection and term of office: Federal Court PSM [Mohd Nasir HASHIM]
justices appointed by the monarch on advice of the
prime minister; judges serve until mandatory retirement
at age 65 Political pressure groups and leaders:
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Bar Council

Sessions Court; Magistrates' Court
BERSIH (electoral reform coalition)

ISMA (Muslim NGO)
National Front (Barisan Nasional) or BN: Gerakan PERKASA (defense of Malay rights)

Rakyat Malaysia Party or GERAKAN [MAH Siew Keong]
other: religious groups; women's groups; youth groups

Liberal Democratic Party (Parti Liberal Demokratik -
Sabah) or LDP [TEO Chee Kang]
81
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, C, CICA (observer), note: the design is based on the flag of the US
CP, D-8, EAS, FAO, G-15, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC,
National symbol(s):
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU,
ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO,
MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN, tiger, hibiscus; national colors: red, white, blue, yellow
UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA,
UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO,
National anthem:
WIPO, WMO, WTO
name: "Negaraku" (My Country)

lyrics/music: collective, led by Tunku ABDUL

chief of mission: Ambassador ZULHASNAN Rafique RAHMAN/Pierre Jean DE BERANGER
(since 9 January 2017)
note: adopted 1957; full version only performed in the
chancery: 3516 International Court NW, Washington, presence of the king; the tune, which was adopted from
DC 20008 a popular French melody titled "La Rosalie," was
originally the anthem of Perak, one of Malaysia's 13
telephone: [1] (202) 572- 9700 states
FAX: [1] (202) 572-9882  Hide
ECONOMY :: MALAYSIA

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Panel - Expanded
chief of mission: Ambassador Kamala Shirin LAKHDIR
(since 21 February 2017)
Malaysia, an upper middle- income country, has
transformed itself since the 1970s from a producer of
embassy: 376 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
raw materials into a multi-sector economy. Under
current Prime Minister NAJIB, Malaysia is attempting to
mailing address: US Embassy Kuala Lumpur, APO AP achieve high-income status by 2020 and to move further
96535- 8152 up the value-added production chain by attracting
investments in high technology, knowledge- based
telephone: [60] (3) 2168- 5000 industries and services. NAJIB's Economic
Transformation Program is a series of projects and
FAX: [60] (3) 2142-2207 policy measures intended to accelerate the country's
economic growth. The government has also taken steps
to liberalize some services sub-sectors. Malaysia is
Flag description: vulnerable to a fall in world commodity prices or a
general slowdown in global economic activity.
14 equal horizontal stripes of red (top) alternating with
white (bottom); there is a dark blue rectangle in the The NAJIB administration is continuing efforts to boost
upper hoist-side corner bearing a yellow crescent and a domestic demand and reduce the economy's
yellow 14-pointed star; the flag is often referred to as dependence on exports. Domestic demand continues to
Jalur Gemilang (Stripes of Glory); the 14 stripes stand anchor economic growth, supported mainly by private
for the equal status in the federation of the 13 member consumption, which accounts for 53% of GDP.
states and the federal government; the 14 points on the Nevertheless, exports - particularly of electronics, oil
star represent the unity between these entities; the and gas, and palm oil - remain a significant driver of the
crescent is a traditional symbol of Islam; blue economy. In 2015, gross exports of goods and services
symbolizes the unity of the Malay people and yellow is were equivalent to 73% of GDP. The oil and gas sector
the royal color of Malay rulers supplied about 22% of government revenue in 2015,
down significantly from prior years amid a decline in
commodity prices and diversification of government
82
revenues. Malaysia has embarked on a fiscal reform 4.2% (2016 est.)
program aimed at achieving a balanced budget by 2020,
including rationalization of subsidies and the 2015 5% (2015 est.)
introduction of a 6% value added tax. Sustained low
commodity prices throughout the period not only 6% (2014 est.)
strained government finances, but also shrunk
Malaysia’s current account surplus and weighed heavily
on the Malaysian ringgit, which was among the region’s
worst performing currencies during 2015. The ringgit
rebounded in early 2016, but hit new lows following the GDP - per capita (PPP):
US presidential election amid a broader selloff of
emerging market assets.
$27,300 (2016 est.)
Bank Negara Malaysia (the central bank) maintains

$26,600 (2015 est.)
adequate foreign exchange reserves; a well-developed
regulatory regime has limited Malaysia's exposure to
$25,700 (2014 est.)
riskier financial instruments, although it remains
vulnerable to volatile global capital flows. In order to
increase Malaysia’s competitiveness, Prime Minister note: data are in 2016 dollars
NAJIB raised possible revisions to the special economic
and social preferences accorded to ethnic Malays under country comparison to the world: 7 0
the New Economic Policy of 1970, but retreated in 2013
after he encountered significant opposition from Malay
nationalists and other vested interests. In September
2013 NAJIB launched the new Bumiputra Economic
Empowerment Program, policies that favor and advance 28.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
the economic condition of ethnic Malays.
28.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Malaysia signed the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership
(TPP) free trade agreement in February 2016, although 29.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
the future of the TPP remains unclear following the US
withdrawal from the agreement. Along with nine other country comparison to the world: 3 6
ASEAN members, Malaysia established the ASEAN
Economic Community in 2015, which aims to advance
regional economic integration. GDP - composition, by end use:
$863.3 billion (2016 est.)

$770.4 billion (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 0.1%
country comparison to the world: 2 9 imports of goods and services: -61% (2016 est.)
industry: 37%
83
percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.8%
Peninsular Malaysia - palm oil, rubber, cocoa, rice;
Sabah - palm oil, subsistence crops; rubber, timber;
highest 10%: 34.7% (2009 est.)
Sarawak - palm oil, rubber, timber; pepper

Industries:
46.2 (2009)
Peninsular Malaysia - rubber and oil palm processing
and manufacturing, petroleum and natural gas, light
manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, medical technology, 49.2 (1997)
electronics and semiconductors, timber processing;
Sabah - logging, petroleum and natural gas production; country comparison to the world: 3 1
Sarawak - agriculture processing, petroleum and natural
gas production, logging
Budget:
Industrial production growth rate: revenues: $51.21 billion
4.5% (2016 est.) expenditures: $60.46 billion (2016 est.)


agriculture: 11% country comparison to the world: 1 2 2
industry: 36%
Public debt:

52.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
3.5% (2016 est.) note: this figure is based on the amount of federal

government debt, RM501.6 billion ($167.2 billion) in
3.2% (2015 est.) 2012; this includes Malaysian Treasury bills and other
government securities, as well as loans raised
country comparison to the world: 3 7 externally and bonds and notes issued overseas; this
figure excludes debt issued by non- financial public
enterprises and guaranteed by the federal government,
which was an additional $47.7 billion in 2012
3.8% (2009 est.)

84
Fiscal year:

calendar year

$383 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

2.1% (2016 est.)

2.1% (2015 est.)

note: approximately 30% of goods are price-controlled


$6.996 billion (2016 est.)

3% (31 December 2011)
$9.068 billion (2015 est.)

2.83% (31 December 2010)

Exports:
C ommercial bank prime lending rate:
$165.3 billion (2016 est.)

4.49% (31 December 2016 est.)
$174.6 billion (2015 est.)

4.57% (31 December 2015 est.)

semiconductors and electronic equipment, palm oil,

petroleum and liquefied natural gas, wood and wood
products, palm oil, rubber, textiles, chemicals, solar
$83.98 billion (31 December 2015 est.) panels

Exports - partners:

Singapore 14.7%, China 12.6%, US 10.3%, Japan 8.1%,
Thailand 5.7%, Hong Kong 4.8%, India 4.1% (2016)
Imports:
$140.9 billion (2016 est.)

$146.7 billion (2015 est.)

85
4.15 (2015 est.)
3.91 (2014 est.)

electronics, machinery, petroleum products, plastics,
vehicles, iron and steel products, chemicals
3.27 (2013 est.)
Imports - partners: 3.09 (2012 est.)
China 19.4%, Singapore 9.8%, Japan 7.7%, US 7.6%,  Show

Thailand 5.8%, South Korea 5%, Indonesia 4% (2016)
ENERGY :: MALAYSIA

Panel - Collapsed
$94.5 billion (31 December 2016 est.)  Show
$95.29 billion (31 December 2015 est.) COMMUNICATIONS :: MALAYSIA
country comparison to the world: 2 6 Panel - Collapsed
 Show
Debt - external:
TRANSPORTATION :: MALAYSIA
Panel - Collapsed
 Show
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: MALAYSIA
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: Panel - Collapsed
 Hide
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: MALAYSIA

Panel - Expanded


while the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in
the South China Sea" has eased tensions over the
Spratly Islands, it is not the legally binding "code of
$126.9 billion (31 December 2016 est.) conduct" sought by some parties; Malaysia was not
party to the March 2005 joint accord among the national
$136.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam on
conducting marine seismic activities in the Spratly
Islands; disputes continue over deliveries of fresh water
to Singapore, Singapore's land reclamation, bridge
construction, and maritime boundaries in the Johor and
Exchange rates: Singapore Straits; in 2008, ICJ awarded sovereignty of
Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to
ringgits (MYR) per US dollar - Singapore, and Middle Rocks to Malaysia, but did not
rule on maritime regimes, boundaries, or disposition of
South Ledge; land and maritime negotiations with
4.1483 (2016 est.)
86
Indonesia are ongoing, and disputed areas include the tier rating: Tier 2 Watch list - Malaysia does not fully
controversial Tanjung Datu and Camar Wulan border comply with the minimum standards for the elimination
area in Borneo and the maritime boundary in the of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to
Ambalat oil block in the Celebes Sea; separatist do so; in 2014, amendments to strengthen existing anti-
violence in Thailand's predominantly Muslim southern trafficking laws, including enabling victims to move
provinces prompts measures to close and monitor
freely and to work and for NGOs to run protective
border with Malaysia to stem terrorist activities;
facilities, were drafted by the government and are
Philippines retains a dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah
pending approval from Parliament; authorities more
State in northern Borneo; per Letters of Exchange
than doubled investigations and prosecutions but
signed in 2009, Malaysia in 2010 ceded two
convicted only three traffickers for forced labor and
hydrocarbon concession blocks to Brunei in exchange
for Brunei's sultan dropping claims to the Limbang none for sex trafficking, a decline from 2013 and a
corridor, which divides Brunei; piracy remains a disproportionately small number compared to the scale
problem in the Malacca Strait of the country’s trafficking problem; NGOs provided the
majority of victim rehabilitation and counseling services
with no financial support from the government (2015)
Illicit drugs:
refugees (country of origin): 87,036 (Burma) (2016)

drug trafficking prosecuted vigorously, including
enforcement of the death penalty; heroin still primary
stateless persons: 10,931 (2016); note - Malaysia's drug of abuse, but synthetic drug demand remains
stateless population consists of Rohingya refugees from strong; continued ecstasy and methamphetamine
Burma, ethnic Indians, and the children of Filipino and producer for domestic users and, to a lesser extent, the
Indonesian illegal migrants; Burma stripped the regional drug market
Rohingya of their nationality in 1982; Filipino and
Indonesian children who have not been registered for
birth certificates by their parents or who received birth Reference:
certificates stamped "foreigner" are not eligible to https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
attend government schools; these children are factbook/geos/my.html
vulnerable to statelessness should they not be able to
apply to their parents' country of origin for passports
Myanmar country
profile
current situation: Malaysia is a destination and, to a  31 October 2017
lesser extent, a source and transit country for men,
women, and children subjected to forced labor and
women and children subjected to sex trafficking;
Malaysia is mainly a destination country for foreign
workers who migrate willingly from countries, including
Indonesia, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Nepal, Burma,
and other Southeast Asian countries, but subsequently
encounter forced labor or debt bondage in agriculture,
construction, factories, and domestic service at the
hands of employers, employment agents, and labor
recruiters; women from Southeast Asia and, to a much
lesser extent, Africa, are recruited for legal work in
restaurants, hotels, and salons but are forced into
prostitution; refugees, including Rohingya adults and Myanmar, also known as Burma, was long considered a
children, are not legally permitted to work and are
pariah state while under the rule of an oppressive
vulnerable to trafficking; a small number of Malaysians
military junta from 1962 to 2011.
are trafficked internally and subjected to sex trafficking
abroad
87
The generals who ran the country suppressed almost all Htin Kyaw was sworn in as president in March 2016,
dissent - symbolised by the house arrest of opposition ushering in the first democratically elected government into
leader Aung San Suu Kyi - and stood accused of gross office after decades of military rule.
human rights abuses, prompting international
condemnation and sanctions. Rightfully, the job belonged to Nobel laureate Aung San
Suu Kyi, who has been the face of the pro-democracy
A gradual liberalisation process has been under way since movement and who endured decades of house arrest and
2010. The country is expected to see a major shift after the harassment by military rulers without ever giving up on her
government changed hands early in 2016. non-violent campaign to unseat them.
The dominance of the largest ethnic group, the Burman or But Suu Kyi was barred by the constitution from becoming
Bamar people, over the country's many minorities has been president, and she made it clear that whoever sits in that
fuelling a series of long-running rebellions, although a chair will be her proxy.
gradual peace process yielded a draft ceasefire deal in
2015. Her reputation was battered in 2017 by her apparent
 See more country profiles - Profiles compiled disregard for the suffering of Muslim Rohinya, whom the
by BBC Monitoring UN described as targets of ethnic cleansing at the hands of
the military.
Htin Kyaw will be remembered by history as the first

civilian president for Myanmar and the head of its first
KEY FACTS government to be elected in free and fair polls.
Republic of the Union of Myanmar The military retains considerable amount of power in the
Capital: Nay Pyi Taw government and parliament.
 Population 48.7 million
 Currency Kyat
 Major language Burmese,
minority languages
 Major religions Buddhism
68 years (women)
UN Image
AFP Aung San Suu Kyi symbolised opposition to military rule
LEADERS MEDIA
President: Htin Kyaw
I
mage copyrightEPA
88
Shwedagon Pagoda: Myanmar's key religious site
 Said to date back 2,500 years
 Restored in 1998
 Jewellery donated for gold roof

1287 - Mongols under Kublai Khan conquer Pagan.
1531 - Toungoo dynasty, with Portuguese help, reunites
country as Burma.
1755 - Alaungpaya founds the Konbaung dynasty.
1824-26 - First Anglo-Burmese war ends with the Treaty of
Yandabo, according to which Burma ceded the Arakan
coastal strip, between Chittagong and Cape Negrais, to
British India.
Im
1852 - Britain annexes lower Burma, including Rangoon,
age copyrightAFP following the second Anglo-Burmese war.
1885-86 - Britain captures Mandalay after a brief battle;
Myanmar's media have seen a gradual easing of strict state Burma becomes a province of British India.
controls since 2011. 1937 - Britain separates Burma from India and makes it a
crown colony.
But media freedom has not been a priority for the
democratically elected government that took office in 2016,
says Reporters Without Borders.
Japanese occupation
The state still controls the main broadcasters and 1942 - Japan invades and occupies Burma with some help
publications, and self-censorship is commonly practised. from the Japanese-trained Burma Independence Army,
which later transforms itself into the Anti-Fascist People's
Freedom League (AFPFL) and resists Japanese rule.
Myanmar profile -
1945 - Britain liberates Burma from Japanese occupation
with help from the AFPFL, led by Aung San.
1947 - Aung San and six members of his interim
Timeline government assassinated by political opponents led by U
Saw, a nationalist rival of Aung San's. U Nu, foreign
 31 October 2017 minister in Ba Maw's government, which ruled Burma
during the Japanese occupation, asked to head the AFPFL
and the government.
A chronology of key events

1057 - King Anawrahta founds the first unified Myanmar Independence
state at Pagan and adopts Theravada Buddhism. 1948 - Burma becomes independent with U Nu as prime
minister.
Mid-1950s - U Nu, together with Indian Prime Minister
Nehru, Indonesian President Sukarno, Yugoslav President
Tito and Egyptian President Nasser co-found the
Movement of Non-Aligned States.
1958-60 - Caretaker government, led by army Chief of
Staff General Ne Win, formed following a split in the
ruling AFPFL party.
1960 - U Nu's party faction wins decisive victory in
elections, but his promotion of Buddhism as the state
religion and his tolerance of separatism angers the military.
Image copyrightAFP
89
One-party, military-led state Thwarted elections
1962 - U Nu's faction ousted in military coup led by Gen 1990 - Opposition National League for Democracy (NLD)
Ne Win, who abolishes the federal system and inaugurates wins landslide victory in general election, but the result is
"the Burmese Way to Socialism" - nationalising the ignored by the military.
economy, forming a single-party state with the Socialist
Programme Party as the sole political party, and banning
independent newspapers.
Anti-government protests in 1988 triggered martial law and

mass arrests
1991 - Aung San Suu Kyi awarded Nobel Peace Prize for
her commitment to peaceful change.
1992 - Than Shwe replaces Saw Maung as Slorc chairman,
prime minister and defence minister. Several political
Burma's military junta ruled from 1962-2011 prisoners freed in bid to improve Myanmar's international
1974 - New constitution comes into effect, transferring image.
power from the armed forces to a People's Assembly 1995 - Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest
headed by Ne Win and other former military leaders; body after six years.
of former United Nations secretary-general U Thant 1996 - Aung San Suu Kyi attends first NLD congress since
returned to Burma for burial. her release; Slorc arrests more than 200 delegates on their
1975 - Opposition National Democratic Front formed by way to party congress.
regionally-based minority groups, who mounted guerrilla 1997 - Burma admitted to Association of South East Asian
insurgencies. Nations (Asean); Slorc renamed State Peace and
1981 - Ne Win relinquishes the presidency to San Yu, a Development Council (SPDC).
retired general, but continues as chairman of the ruling
Socialist Programme Party.
1982 - Law designating people of non-indigenous
background as "associate citizens" in effect bars such Release of pro-democracy
people from public office. supporters
1998 - 300 NLD members released from prison; ruling
council refuses to comply with NLD deadline for
Riots and repression convening of parliament; student demonstrations broken
up.
1987 - Currency devaluation wipes out many people's 1999 - Aung San Suu Kyi rejects ruling council conditions
savings and triggers anti-government riots. to visit her British husband, Michael Aris, who dies of
1988 - Thousands of people are killed in anti-government cancer in UK.
riots. The State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc)
is formed.
1989 - Slorc declares martial law, arrests thousands of
people, including advocates of democracy and human
rights, renames Burma 'Myanmar', with the capital,
Rangoon, becoming Yangon. NLD leader Aung San Suu
Kyi, the daughter of Aung San, is put under house arrest.
90
2003 August - Khin Nyunt becomes prime minister. He
proposes to hold convention in 2004 on drafting new
constitution as part of "road map" to democracy.
2003 November - Five senior NLD leaders released from
house arrest after visit of UN human rights envoy.
2004 January - Government and Karen National Union -
most significant ethnic group fighting government - agree
to end hostilities.
2004 May - Constitutional convention begins, despite
boycott by National League for Democracy (NLD) whose
leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest. The
convention adjourns in July.
The new city Nay Pyi Taw became the capital in 2005, but
streets have taken time to fill up
2000 September - Ruling council lifts restrictions on

New capital
movements of Aung San Suu Kyi and senior NLD 2004 October - Khin Nyunt is replaced as prime minister
members. amid reports of a power struggle. He is placed under house
2000 October - Aung San Suu Kyi begins secret talks with arrest.
ruling council. 2004 November - Leading dissidents are freed as part of a
2001 Ruling council releases some 200 pro-democracy release of thousands of prisoners, including Min Ko Naing,
activists. Government says releases reflect progress in talks who led the 1988 pro-democracy student demonstrations.
with opposition NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi who 2005 July - Asean announces that Myanmar has turned
remains under house arrest. down the 2006 chairmanship of the regional grouping.
2001 February - Burmese army, Shan rebels clash on Thai 2005 November - Myanmar says its seat of government is
border. moving to a new site near the central town of Pyinmana; it
2001 June - Thai Prime Minister Shinawatra visits, says is later given the name Nay Pyi Taw.
relations are back on track. 2007 January - China and Russia veto a draft US resolution
2001 November - Chinese President Jiang Zemin visits, at the UN Security Council urging Myanmar to stop
issues statement supporting government, reportedly urges persecuting minority and opposition groups.
economic reform. 2007 April - Myanmar and North Korea restore diplomatic
ties, 24 years after Rangoon broke them off, accusing North
Korean agents of staging a deadly bomb attack against the
visiting South Korean president.
Conflicting signals 2007 May - Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest is extended
for another year.
2002 May - Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi 2007 June - In a rare departure from its normally neutral
released after nearly 20 months of house arrest. stance, the International Committee of the Red Cross
accuses the government of abusing the Myanmar people's
Aung San Suu Kyi taken into "protective custody" after rights.
clashes between her supporters and those of government.
Public unrest
Image
Aung San Suu Kyi has spent long periods under house
arrest
91
The
Karen rebellion against the Myanmar government is one of Cyclone Nargis: The regime was accused of blocking aid,
the world's longest-running civil conflicts refusing initial access to humanitarian workers
2007 August - Wave of public dissent sparked by fuel price Referendum on new constitution proceeds amid
hikes. Dozens of activists are arrested. humanitarian crisis following cyclone. Government says
2007 September - Military government declares 14 years of 92% voted in favour of draft constitution and insists it can
constitutional talks complete and closes the National cope with cyclone aftermath without foreign help.
Convention.
Junta renews Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.
Buddhist monks hold a series of anti-government protests. 2008 November - Dozens of political activists given
Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed to leave her house to greet sentences of up to 65 years in series of secretive trials.
monks demonstrating in Rangoon. It is her first public 2008 December - Government signs deal with consortium
appearance since 2003. of four foreign firms to pipe natural gas into neighbouring
China, despite protests from human rights groups.
UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari meets opposition leader Aung 2009 January - Thailand expels hundreds of members of
San Suu Kyi. Muslim Rohingya minority who appeared off its coast.
2007 October - Normality returns to Rangoon amid heavy Myanmar denies the minority's existence. Several hundred
military presence. Monks are absent, after thousands are Rohingyas are subsequently rescued from boats off the
reportedly rounded up. coast of Indonesia.
After some delay, UN Security Council deplores military UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari meets opposition leader Aung
crackdown on peaceful protesters. San Suu Kyi for the first time in a year.
2008 January- A series of bomb blasts hits the country. 2009 March- Senior US State Department official Stephen
State media blame "insurgent destructionists", including Blake visits for talks with Foreign Minister Nyan Win in
ethnic Karen rebels. what the US calls a routine visit. Myanmar says it was
2008 April - Government publishes proposed new notable given his seniority.
constitution, which allocates a quarter of seats in 2009 April - The National League for Democracy (NLD)
parliament to the military and bans opposition leader Aung main opposition group offers to take part in planned
San Suu Kyi from holding office. elections if the government frees all political prisoners,
changes the constitution and admits international observers.
2009 May - The EU extends the 2006 sanctions for another
year, but adds that they can be reviewed in the event of
Cyclone moves towards democracy.
2008 May - Cyclone Nargis hits the low-lying Irrawaddy
delta. Some estimates put the death toll as high as 134,000. UN and aid agencies say hundreds of thousands in the
Irrawaddy Delta still need assistance a year after Cyclone
Nargis. The UN says Myanmar now allows it to bring in all
the staff it needs.
Aung San Suu Kyi trial

2009 August - Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is
convicted of breaching conditions of her house arrest,
92
following visit by an uninvited US national in May. The 2011 September - President Thein Sein suspends
initial sentence of three years' imprisonment is commuted construction of controversial Chinese-funded Myitsone
to 18 months' house arrest. hydroelectric dam, in move seen as showing greater
openness to public opinion.
2011 October - Some political prisoners are freed as part of
a general amnesty. New labour laws allowing unions are
passed.
2011 November- Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi
says she will stand for election to parliament, as her party
rejoins the political process.
2011 December - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
visits, meets Aung San Suu Kyi and holds talks with
President Thein Sein. US offers to improve relations if
democratic reforms continue.
The main military-backed party claimed victory in the

2010 election
2009 September - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

announces plans for engagement with military rulers.
2009 October - Aung San Suu Kyi begins talks with
Myanmar's military leaders and is allowed to meet Western
diplomats.
2010 February - The authorities free NLD vice-chairman Image
Tin Oo. Aung San Suu Kyi's deputy had spent more than a Pre-publication censorship was scrapped in 2012, but state
decade in prison or under house arrest. control of media remains strong
2010 March - Government announces that long-awaited
election laws have been passed, with provisions for an President Thein Sein signs law allowing peaceful
electoral commission hand-picked by the junta. demonstrations for the first time; NLD re-registers as a
political party in advance of by-elections for parliament due
NLD votes to boycott polls. A splinter party - National to be held early in 2012.
Democratic Front (NDF) - later gains legal status and plans
to compete in polls. Burmese authorities agree truce deal with rebels of Shan
2010 October - Government changes country's flag, ethnic group and orders military to stop operations against
national anthem and official name. ethnic Kachin rebels.
2010 November - Main military-backed party, the Union 2012 January - Government signs ceasefire with rebels of
Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), claims Karen ethnic group.
resounding victory in first election for 20 years. Opposition
groups allege widespread fraud and the election is widely
condemned as a sham. The junta says the election marks
the transition from military rule to a civilian democracy. Partly-free elections held
2012 April - NLD candidates sweep the board in
A week after the election, Aung San Suu Kyi - who had parliamentary by-elections, with Aung San Suu Kyi
been prevented from taking part - is released from house elected. The European Union suspends all non-military
arrest. sanctions against Burma for a year.
2011 January - Government authorises internet connection 2012 May - Manmohan Singh pays first official visit by an
for Aung San Suu Kyi. Indian prime minister since 1987.
2012 August - President Thein Sein sets up commission to
investigate violence between Rakhine Buddhists and
Rohingya Muslims in the west, in which dozens have died.
Junta retires to wings
2011 March - Thein Sein is sworn in as president of a new, Myanmar abolishes pre-publication media censorship.
nominally civilian government.
2011 August - President Thein Sein meets Aung San Suu In a major cabinet reshuffle, President Thein Sein replaces
Kyi in Nay Pyi Taw. hard-line Information Minister Kyaw Hsan with moderate
93
Aung Kyi, the military's negotiator with opposition leader 2014 May - US extends some sanctions for another year,
Aung San Suu Kyi. saying that despite the recent reforms, rights abuses and
2012 September - Moe Thee Zun, the leader of student army influence on politics and the economy persist.
protests in 1988, returns from exile after Burma removed 2014 October - Parliamentary elections set for
2,082 people from its blacklist. October/November 2015.
President Thein Sein tells the BBC he would accept Government announces release of 3,000 prisoners. Burma
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi as president if she watchers say most are petty criminals, but include ex-
were elected. military intelligence officers imprisoned along with former
Prime Minister Khin Nyunt, who was freed in 2012.
2015 February - Flare-up in fighting with Kokang
separatists in Shan State near the border with China leaves
Foreign ties nearly 50 soldiers dead. Government puts Kokang region
2012 November - Visiting European Commission chief under temporary martial law.
Jose Manuel Barroso offers Myanmar more than $100m in
development aid. Government withdraws temporary voting rights from
Muslim Rohingyas ahead of proposed constitutional
Around 90 people are killed in a renewed bout of referendum, following street protests by Buddhists.
communal violence between Rakhine Buddhists and
Rohingya Muslims.
US President Barack Obama visits to offer "the hand of Peace hopes

friendship" in return for more reforms. He urges 2015 March - A draft ceasefire agreement is signed
reconciliation with the Rohingya minority. between the government and 16 rebel groups.
2013 January-February - The army surrounds Laiza, the 2015 May - Hundreds of Muslim Rohingyas migrants leave
biggest town controlled by Kachin rebels. The government by sea in flimsy boats, along with migrants from
and rebels agree to disengage and start a political dialogue Bangladesh. UN criticizes failure of south-east Asian states
after Chinese-sponsored talks. to rescue them.
2013 March - Rioting between Muslims and Buddhists in 2015 July-August - Floods affect much of low-lying parts
Meiktila, south of Mandalay, leaves at least 10 people dead. of country, killing 100 people and displacing a million
2013 April - Four private daily newspapers appear for the others.
first time in almost 50 years as the state monopoly ends. 2015 November - Opposition National League for
Democracy - led by Aung San Suu Kyi - wins enough seats
in parliamentary elections to form a government.
2016 March - Htin Kyaw sworn in as president, ushering in
a new era as Aung San Suu Kyi's democracy movement
takes power after 50 years of military domination.
2017 March - The United Nations human rights council
decides to set up an investigation into alleged human rights
abuses by the army against the Rohingya Muslim minority.
2017 October - The number of Rohingya Muslims who
have fled military action in Rakhine state and sought refuge
in Bangladesh is estimated at one million.
Violence has flared between Rohingya Muslims and
Buddhists in Rakhine province
2013 May - President Thein Sein visits Washington. 12990563
President Obama praises Myanmar's political and economic
progress, but criticises violence against Rohingya Muslims.
Six Muslims are jailed over the Meiktila clashes in March.

No Buddhists are convicted.
2014 April - At least 22 people are killed in fighting
between government troops and ethnic Kachin rebels in the
north.
94
 Various ethnic Burmese and ethnic minority
EAST & SOUTHEAST city-states or kingdoms occupied the present borders
BURMA
through the 19th century. Over a period of 62 years
(1824- 1886), Britain conquered Burma and incorporated
the country into its Indian Empire. Burma was
administered as a province of India until 1937 when it
ASIA :: became a separate, self-governing colony; in 1948,
Burma attained independence from the British
Commonwealth. Gen. NE WIN dominated the
MYANMAR
government from 1962 to 1988, first as military ruler,
then as self-appointed president, and later as political
kingpin. In response to widespread civil unrest, NE WIN
resigned in 1988, but within months the military crushed
PAG E LAST U PDATED ON N OVEM BER 06, 2017 student-led protests and took power.
Multiparty legislative elections in 1990 resulted in the

main opposition party - the National League for
Democracy (NLD) - winning a landslide victory. Instead
of handing over power, the junta placed NLD leader
(and 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient) AUNG SAN
SUU KYI under house arrest from 1989 to 1995, 2000 to
2002, and from May 2003 to November 2010. In late
September 2007, the ruling junta brutally suppressed
protests over increased fuel prices led by prodemocracy
activists and Buddhist monks, killing an unknown
number of people and arresting thousands for
participating in the demonstrations. In early May 2008,
Burma was struck by Cyclone Nargis, which left over
138,000 dead and tens of thousands injured and
homeless. Despite this tragedy, the junta proceeded
with its May constitutional referendum, the first vote in
Burma since 1990. Legislative elections held in
November 2010, which the NLD boycotted and were
considered flawed by many in the international
community, saw the ruling Union Solidarity and
Development Party garner over 75% of the contested
seats.
The national legislature convened in January 2011 and

selected former Prime Minister THEIN SEIN as
president. Although the vast majority of national- level
appointees named by THEIN SEIN were former or
current military officers, the government initiated a
series of political and economic reforms leading to a
substantial opening of the long-isolated country. These
reforms included releasing hundreds of political
prisoners, signing a nationwide cease-fire with several
of the country's ethnic armed groups, pursuing legal
reform, and gradually reducing restrictions on freedom
of the press, association, and civil society. At least due
in part to these reforms, AUNG SAN SUU KYI was
elected to the national legislature in April 2012 and
became chair of the Committee for Rule of Law and
Tranquility. Burma served as chair of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for 2014. In a flawed
but largely credible national legislative election in
November 2015 featuring more than 90 political parties,
the NLD again won a landslide victory. Using its
overwhelming majority in both houses of parliament, the
95
NLD elected HTIN KYAW, AUNG SAN SUU KYI’s
C oastline:
confidant and long- time NLD supporter, as president.
Burma's first credibly elected civilian government after
more than five decades of military dictatorship was 1,930 km
sworn into office on 30 March 2016.
Maritime claims:
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: BURMA territorial sea: 12 nm
Panel - Expanded contiguous zone: 24 nm

 Location:
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the continental margin
Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand
Climate:
tropical monsoon; cloudy, rainy, hot, humid summers

22 00 N, 98 00 E (southwest monsoon, June to September); less cloudy,
scant rainfall, mild temperatures, lower humidity during
Map references: winter (northeast monsoon, December to April)
Southeast Asia Terrain:
Area: central lowlands ringed by steep, rugged highlands
total: 676,578 sq km Elevation:
land: 653,508 sq km mean elevation: 702 m
water: 23,070 sq km elevation extremes: lowest point: Andaman Sea/Bay

of Bengal 0 m
highest point: Gamlang Razi 5,870 m
Area - comparative:
Natural resources:
slightly smaller than Texas
petroleum, timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper, tungsten,
Area comparison map: lead, coal, marble, limestone, precious stones, natural
gas, hydropower, arable land
Land boundaries: Land use:
total: 6,522 km agricultural land: 19.2%
border countries (5): Bangladesh 271 km, China arable land 16.5%; permanent crops 2.2%; permanent
2,129 km, India 1,468 km, Laos 238 km, Thailand 2,416 pasture 0.5%
km
forest: 48.2%
96
other: 32.6% (2011 est.) note: estimates for this country take into account the
effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result
in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher
Irrigated land:
death rates, lower population growth rates, and
changes in the distribution of population by age and sex
22,950 sq km (2012)
than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)
Population - distribution: country comparison to the world: 2 4
population concentrated along coastal areas and in

Nationality:
general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River;
the extreme north is relatively underpopulated
noun: Burmese (singular and plural)
Natural hazards:
adjective: Burmese
destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and

landslides common during rainy season (June to Ethnic groups:
September); periodic droughts
Burman (Bamar) 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%, Rakhine
4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%
note: government recognizes 135 indigenous ethnic

deforestation; industrial pollution of air, soil, and water;
groups
inadequate sanitation and water treatment contribute to
disease
Languages:

Burmese (official)

note: minority ethnic groups have their own languages
Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94 Religions:
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist
agreements 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1%
Geography - note: note: religion estimate is based on the 2014 national

census, including an estimate for the non-enumerated
population of Rakhine State, which is assumed to
strategic location near major Indian Ocean shipping
mainly affiliate with the Islamic faith (2014 est.)
lanes; the north- south flowing Irrawaddy River is the
country's largest and most important commercial
waterway Age structure:
 Hide
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: BURMA
Panel - Expanded 4,865,264)

 Population:
11,922,728)
55,123,814 55-64 years: 7.52% (male 1,930,253/female 2,213,263)
97
65 years and over: 5.53% (male 1,327,811/female Population distribution:
1,718,739) (2017 est.)
population concentrated along coastal areas and in

population pyramid:
general proximity to the shores of the Irrawaddy River;
the extreme north is relatively underpopulated
Dependency ratios:
Urbanization:


(2015- 20 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 8
potential support ratio: 12.6 (2015 est.) Major urban areas - population:
RANGOON (Yangon) (capital) 4.802 million; Mandalay

Median age:
1.167 million; Nay Pyi Taw 1.03 million (2015)
total: 28.2 years
Sex ratio:
male: 27.4 years



0.91% (2017 est.)


Birth rate: total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
18.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) Mother's mean age at first birth:

25 years
Death rate: note: median age at first birth among women 25- 29

(2015/16 est.)

Net migration rate:
98
total: 35.8 deaths/1,000 live births total: 80.6% of population
male: 38.8 deaths/1,000 live births unimproved:
female: 32.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) urban: 7.3% of population
country comparison to the world: 5 1 rural: 25.6% of population


male: 66.6 years improved:
female: 69.9 years (2017 est.) urban: 84.3% of population


unimproved:
52.2% (2015/16)
0.8% (2016 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2014)
Physicians density:
230,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:

7,800 (2016 est.)

improved:

99
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal conventional long form: Union of Burma
diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
conventional short form: Burma
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and
Japanese encephalitis local long form: Pyidaungzu Thammada Myanma
Naingngandaw (translated as the Republic of the Union
water contact disease: leptospirosis of Myanmar)
animal contact disease: rabies (2016) local short form: Myanma Naingngandaw
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: former: Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma,

Union of Myanmar
5.8% (2016)
note: since 1989 the military authorities in Burma and
the current parliamentary government have promoted
the name Myanmar as a conventional name for their
state; the US Government has not adopted the name
underweight: etymology: both "Burma" and "Myanmar" derive from
the name of the majority Burmese Bamar ethnic group
18.9% (2016)
Government type:
parliamentary republic
Literacy:
Capital:
name: Rangoon (Yangon); note - Nay Pyi Taw is the
total population: 75.6% administrative capital
male: 80% geographic coordinates: 16 48 N, 96 09 E
female: 71.8% (2016 est.) time difference: UTC+6.5 (11.5 hours ahead of


education):
7 regions (taing- myar, singular - taing), 7 states (pyi

total: 8 years
ne- myar, singular - pyi ne), 1 union territory
male: NA
regions: Ayeyawady (Irrawaddy), Bago, Magway,
Mandalay, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Yangon (Rangoon)
female: NA (2007)
states: Chin, Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Mon, Rakhine,

 Hide
Shan
GOVERNMENT :: BURMA
union territory: Nay Pyi Taw
Panel - Expanded
Independence:
 Country name:
4 January 1948 (from the UK)
100
National holiday: Executive branch:
Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 chief of state: President HTIN KYAW (since 30 March
February (1947) 2016); Vice Presidents MYINT SWE (since 30 March
2016) and HENRY VAN THIO (since 30 March 2016);
C onstitution: note - the president is both chief of state and head of
government
history: previous 1947, 1974 (suspended until 2008);

head of government: President HTIN KYAW (since 30
latest drafted 9 April 2008, approved by referendum 29
March 2016); Vice Presidents MYINT SWE (since 30
May 2008; amended 2015
March 2016) and HENRY VAN THIO (since 30 March
2016)
amendments: proposals require at least 20% approval
by the Assembly of the Union membership; passage of
note: a parliamentary bill creating the position of "state
amendments to sections of the constitution on basic
counsellor" was signed into law by President HTIN
principles, government structure, branches of
KYAW on 6 April 2016; a state counsellor serves the
government, state emergencies, and amendment
equivalent term of the president and is similar to a
procedures requires 75% approval by the Assembly and
prime minister in that the holder acts as a link between
approval in a referendum by absolute majority of
the parliament and the executive branch
registered voters; passage of amendments to other
sections requires only 75% Assembly approval (2017)
state counsellor: State Counsellor AUNG SAN SUU
KYI (since 6 April 2016); she concurrently serves as
Legal system: minister of foreign affairs and minister for the office of
the president
mixed legal system of English common law (as
introduced in codifications designed for colonial India) cabinet: Cabinet appointments shared by the president
and customary law
and the commander- in-chief
International law organization participation: elections/appointments: president indirectly elected

by simple majority vote by the full Assembly of the
Union from among 3 vice-presidential candidates
nominated by the Presidential Electoral College
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-
(consists of members of the lower and upper houses
and military members); the other 2 candidates become
vice-presidents (president elected for a 5-year term);
Citizenship: election last held on 15 March 2016 (next to be held in
2021)
election results: HTIN KYAW elected president;
citizenship by descent only: both parents must be Assembly of the Union vote: HTIN KYAW (NLD) 360,
citizens of Burma MYINT SWE (USDP) 213, HENRY VAN THIO (NLD) 79
(652 votes cast)
dual citizenship recognized: no
Legislative branch:
residency requirement for naturalization: none
description: bicameral Assembly of the Union or

note: an applicant for naturalization must be the child Pyidaungsu consists of an upper house - the House of
or spouse of a citizen Nationalities or Amyotha Hluttaw, (224 seats; 168
members directly elected in single-seat constituencies
Suffrage: by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed
and 56 appointed by the military; members serve 5-year
18 years of age; universal terms) and a lower house - the House of
101
Representatives or Pyithu Hluttaw, (440 seats; 330 Pa-O National Organization or PNO [AUNG KHAN HTI]
members directly elected in single-seat constituencies
by simple majority vote and 110 appointed by the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party or SNDP [SAI AIK
military; members serve 5- year terms) PAUNG]
elections: last held on 8 November 2015 (next to be Shan Nationalities League for Democracy or SNLD
held in 2020) [KHUN HTUN OO]
election results: Upper House - percent of vote by Ta'ang National Party or TNP [AIK MONE]
party - NLD 60.3%, USDP 4.9%, ANP 4.5%, SNLD
1.3%, military 25%, other 4%, ; seats by party - NLD Union Solidarity and Development Party or USDP
135, USDP 11, ANP 10, SNLD 3, ZCD 2, TNP 2, [THAN HTAY]
independent 2, other 3, military appointees 56; Lower
House - percent of vote by party - NLD 58%, USDP Zomi Congress for Democracy or ZCD [PU CIN SIAN
6.8%, ANP 2.7%, SNLD 2.7%, military 25%, other 4.8%; THANG]
seats by party - NLD 255, USDP 30, ANP 12, SNLD 12,
PNO 3, TNP 3, ZCD 2, LNDP 2, independent 1, other 3, numerous smaller parties
canceled due to insurgence 7, military appointees 110
Judicial branch:
Thai border: Ethnic Nationalities Council or ENC
highest court(s): Supreme Court of the Union
(consists of the chief justice and 7-11 judges) Federation of Trade Unions- Burma or FTUB (exiled
trade union and labor advocates)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice and

judges nominated by the president, with approval of the United Nationalities Federal Council or UNFC [NAI
HONG SAR]
Lower House, and appointed by the president; judges
normally serve until mandatory retirement at age 70
inside Burma: Kachin Independence Organization or
KIO [Gen. LANYAW ZAWNG HRA]
subordinate courts: High Courts of the Region; High
Courts of the State; Court of the Self-Administered
Karen National Union or KNU [Gen. SAW MUTU SAY
Division; Court of the Self-Administered Zone; district
POE]
and township courts; special courts (for juvenile,
municipal, and traffic offenses); courts martial
Karenni National People's Party or KNPP [KHUN ABEL
TWEED]
United Wa State Army or UWSA [BAO YOU-XIANG]
All Mon Region Democracy Party or AMRDP [NAING
NGWE THEIN] 88 Generation Students Group [collective leadership]
(pro- democracy movement)
Arakan National Party or ANP [Dr. AYE MAUNG]
(formed from the 2013 merger of the Rakhine several other Chin, Karen, Mon, and Shan factions
Nationalities Development Party and the Arakan League
for Democracy)
note: many restrictions on freedom of expression have
been relaxed by the government; a limited number of
National Democratic Force or NDF [KHIN MAUNG SWE] political groups, other than parties, are approved by the
government
National League for Democracy or NLD [AUNG SAN
SUU KYI]
National Unity Party or NUP [THAN TIN]
ADB, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, CP, EAS, EITI
(candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO,
102
ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, lyrics/music: SAYA TIN
Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU,
ITUC (NGOs), NAM, OPCW (signatory), SAARC note: adopted 1948; Burma is among a handful of non-
(observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO,
European nations that have anthems rooted in
UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
indigenous traditions; the beginning portion of the
anthem is a traditional Burmese anthem before
Diplomatic representation in the US: transitioning into a Western- style orchestrated work
chief of mission: Ambassador AUNG LYNN (since 16  Hide

September 2016)
ECONOMY :: BURMA
chancery: 2300 S Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

Panel - Expanded
telephone: [1] (202) 332- 3344

FAX: [1] (202) 332-4351

Since the transition to a civilian government in 2011,
Burma has begun an economic overhaul aimed at
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
attracting foreign investment and reintegrating into the
global economy. Economic reforms have included
Diplomatic representation from the US: establishing a managed float of the Burmese kyat in
2012, granting the Central Bank operational
chief of mission: Ambassador Scot MARCIEL (since 27 independence in July 2013, enacting a new anti-
April 2016) corruption law in September 2013, and granting
licenses to nine foreign banks in 2014 and four more
foreign banks in 2016. State Counselor AUNG SAN SUU
embassy: 110 University Avenue, Kamayut Township,
KYI and the ruling National League for Democracy, who
Rangoon
took power in March 2016, are seeking to improve
Burma’s investment climate, following the US sanctions
mailing address: Box B, APO AP 96546 lift in October 2016 and reinstatement of Generalized
System of Preferences trade benefits in November
telephone: [95] (1) 536-509, 535- 756, 538-038 2016. In October 2016, Burma passed a revised foreign
investment law that consolidates investment regulations
FAX: [95] (1) 511- 069 and eases the investment approval process. Parliament
is also expected to pass amendments to the Companies
Law and Gemstone Law later this year.
Flag description:
The government reforms since 2011 and the subsequent
design consists of three equal horizontal stripes of easing of most Western sanctions led to accelerated
yellow (top), green, and red; centered on the green growth, from under 6% in 2011 to roughly 8% in 2013
band is a large white five-pointed star that partially through 2016. While the economy is expected to grow
overlaps onto the adjacent colored stripes; the design by 6.5% this year, the World Bank and IMF predict that
revives the triband colors used by Burma from 1943- 45, growth will return to over 7% per year during the next
during the Japanese occupation three years. In 2015, growth slowed slightly because of
political uncertainty in an election year, summer floods,
and external factors, including China’s slowdown and
National symbol(s):
lower commodity prices. Burma’s abundant natural
resources and young labor force are attracting foreign
chinthe (mythical lion); national colors: yellow, green, investment in the energy, garment, information
red, white technology, and food and beverage sectors.
National anthem: Despite these improvements, living standards have not

improved for the majority of the people residing in rural
areas. Burma remains one of the poorest countries in
name: "Kaba Ma Kyei" (Till the End of the World,
Asia – approximately 26% of the country’s 51 million
Myanmar)
103
people live in poverty. The isolationist policies and
economic mismanagement of previous governments
have left Burma with poor infrastructure, endemic
corruption, underdeveloped human resources, and 16.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
inadequate access to capital, which will require a major
commitment to reverse. The Burmese government has 19.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
been slow to address impediments to economic
development such as insecure land rights, a restrictive 21.9% of GDP (2014 est.)
trade licensing system, an opaque revenue collection
system, and an antiquated banking system. AUNG SAN country comparison to the world: 2 1
SUU KYI’s government is focusing on accelerating
agricultural productivity and land reforms, modernizing
and opening the financial sector, and developing GDP - composition, by end use:
transportation and electricity infrastructure.

$303.3 billion (2016 est.)

$282.2 billion (2015 est.)
$260.9 billion (2014 est.)
imports of goods and services: -23.9% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 25.6%
$64.37 billion (2016 est.)
industry: 34.7%

6.1% (2016 est.)

7% (2015 est.)
rice, pulses, beans, sesame, groundnuts; sugarcane;
8% (2014 est.) fish and fish products; hardwood
country comparison to the world: 2 1 Industries:
GDP - per capita (PPP): agricultural processing; wood and wood products;
copper, tin, tungsten, iron; cement, construction
materials; pharmaceuticals; fertilizer; oil and natural
$5,800 (2016 est.)
gas; garments; jade and gems
$5,500 (2015 est.)

$5,200 (2014 est.)
8.4% (2016 est.)
104
Labor force: country comparison to the world: 1 2 0
22.13 million (2016 est.) Fiscal year:
country comparison to the world: 2 9 1 April - 31 March
Labor force - by occupation: Inflation rate (consumer prices):
agriculture: 70% 6.8% (2016 est.)
industry: 7% 9.5% (2015 est.)
services: 23% (2001) country comparison to the world: 1 8 9
Unemployment rate: C entral bank discount rate:
4% (2016 est.) 9.95% (31 December 2010)
0.8% (2015 est.) 12% (31 December 2009)
Population below poverty line: C ommercial bank prime lending rate:
25.6% (2016 est.) 13% (31 December 2016 est.)
13% (31 December 2015 est.)

percentage share: country comparison to the world: 5 9
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 32.4% (1998)

Budget: $14.23 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
revenues: $8.361 billion country comparison to the world: 7 0
expenditures: $10.44 billion (2016 est.) Stock of domestic credit:
Taxes and other revenues: $23.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
12.6% of GDP (2016 est.) $18.55 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): Market value of publicly traded shares:
-3.1% of GDP (2016 est.) $NA
105
Current account balance: Imports - partners:
$-3.789 billion (2016 est.) China 33.9%, Singapore 14.3%, Thailand 12.5%, Japan
7.9%, India 6.9%, Malaysia 4.3% (2016)
$-2.494 billion (2015 est.)

Exports:
$9.085 billion (2016 est.)
$9.966 billion (2015 est.)
Debt - external:
note: official export figures are grossly underestimated
due to the value of timber, gems, narcotics, rice, and
other products smuggled to Thailand, China, and
Bangladesh

Exchange rates:
natural gas; wood products; pulses and beans; fish;

kyats (MMK) per US dollar -
rice; clothing; minerals, including jade and gems
1,234.87 (2016 est.)

Exports - partners:
1,234.87 (2015 est.)
China 40.6%, Thailand 19.1%, India 8.8%, Singapore
7.6%, Japan 5.7% (2016) 1,162.62 (2014 est.)
Imports: 984.35 (2013 est.)
853.48 (2012 est.)

 Show
$13.74 billion (2015 est.)
ENERGY :: BURMA
note: import figures are grossly underestimated due to
the value of consumer goods, diesel fuel, and other Panel - Collapsed
products smuggled in from Thailand, China, Malaysia,
and India  Show
country comparison to the world: 8 9 COMMUNICATIONS :: BURMA
Panel - Collapsed
 Show
fabric; petroleum products; fertilizer; plastics;
machinery; transport equipment; cement, construction TRANSPORTATION :: BURMA
materials; food products � edible oil
Panel - Collapsed
106
 Show Rakhine State Action Plan drafted in October 2014, the
Rohingya must demonstrate their family has lived in
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: BURMA
Burma for at least 60 years to qualify for a lesser
naturalized citizenship and the classification of Bengali
Panel - Collapsed
or be put in detention camps and face deportation;
native-born but non- indigenous people, such as Indians,
 Hide
are also stateless; the Burmese Government does not
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: BURMA grant citizenship to children born outside of the country
to Burmese parents who left the country illegally or fled
persecution, such as those born in Thailand
Panel - Expanded
note: estimate does not include stateless IDPs or

 Disputes - international: stateless persons in IDP-like situations because they
are included in estimates of IDPs (2016)
over half of Burma's population consists of diverse
ethnic groups who have substantial numbers of kin in
neighboring countries; the Naf River on the border with
Bangladesh serves as a smuggling and illegal transit
route; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 29,000 current situation: Burma is a source country for men,
Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Arakan State, women, and children trafficked for the purpose of forced
living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border labor and for women and children subjected to sex
authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire trafficking; Burmese adult and child labor migrants
fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and travel to East Asia, the Middle East, South Asia, and
tensions from the military build- up along border with the US, where men are forced to work in the fishing,
Bangladesh in 2010; Bangladesh referred its maritime manufacturing, forestry, and construction industries and
boundary claims with Burma and India to the
women and girls are forced into prostitution, domestic
International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Burmese
servitude, or forced labor in the garment sector; some
forces attempting to dig in to the largely autonomous
Burmese economic migrants and Rohingya asylum
Shan State to rout local militias tied to the drug trade,
seekers have become forced laborers on Thai fishing
prompts local residents to periodically flee into
boats; some military personnel and armed ethnic groups
neighboring Yunnan Province in China; fencing along
the India- Burma international border at Manipur's Moreh unlawfully conscript child soldiers or coerce adults and
town is in progress to check illegal drug trafficking and children into forced labor; domestically, adults and
movement of militants; over 100,000 mostly Karen children from ethnic areas are vulnerable to forced
refugees and asylum seekers fleeing civil strife, labor on plantations and in mines, while children may
political upheaval, and economic stagnation in Burma also be subject to forced prostitution, domestic service,
were living in remote camps in Thailand near the border and begging
as of May 2017
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Burma does not fully
of trafficking, but it is making significant efforts to do
so; the government has a written plan that, if
implemented, would constitute making a significant
IDPs: 644,000 (government offensives against armed effort toward meeting the minimum standard for
ethnic minority groups near its borders with China and eliminating human trafficking; in 2014, law enforcement
Thailand, natural disasters, forced land evictions) continued to investigate and prosecute cross-border
(2016) trafficking offenses but did little to address domestic
trafficking; no civilians or government officials were
stateless persons: 925,939 (2016); note - Rohingya prosecuted or convicted for the recruitment of child
Muslims, living predominantly in Rakhine State, are soldiers, a serious problem that is hampered by
Burma's main group of stateless people; the Burmese corruption and the influence of the military; victim
Government does not recognize the Rohingya as a referral and protection services remained inadequate,
"national race" and stripped them of their citizenship especially for men, and left victims vulnerable to being
under the 1982 Citizenship Law, categorizing them as re- trafficked; the government coordinated anti-
"non- nationals" or "foreign residents"; under the
107
trafficking programs as part of its five- year national Spanish and US influences remain strong, especially in
action plan (2015) terms of language, religion and government. Self-rule in
1935 was followed by full independence in 1946 under a
US-style constitution.
Illicit drugs:
The US is a close ally and has provided military aid to help

world's second largest producer of illicit opium with an combat Muslim and communist insurgencies.
estimated poppy cultivation totaling 55,500 hectares in  Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC
2015 and an estimated potential production of 647 mt of Monitoring
raw opium; Shan state is the source of 91% of Burma's
poppy cultivation; lack of government will to take on
major narcotrafficking groups and lack of serious FACTS
commitment against money laundering continues to
hinder the overall antidrug effort; major source of Republic of the Philippines
methamphetamine and heroin for regional consumption Capital: Manila
reference:
factbook/geos/bm.html  Major languages Filipino,
English (both official)
Philippines country  Major religion Christianity
profile  Life expectancy 66 years (men),
73 years (women)
 2 July 2017

 Currency Philippine peso
 Share
UN, World Bank
Profile: Duterte the

controversial
'strongman' of the
Philippines
 4 October 2016

More than 7,000 islands make up the Philippines, but
the bulk of its fast-growing population lives on just 11
of them.
Much of the country is mountainous and prone to

earthquakes and eruptions from around 20 active
volcanoes. It is often buffeted by typhoons and other
storms.
The Philippines - a Spanish colony for more than three

centuries and named after a 16th century Spanish king -
was taken over by the US in the early 20th century after a
protracted rebellion against rule from Madrid.
Image copyrightREUTERS
108
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has attracted The police has said the campaign has worked in reducing
intense controversy for a bloody drug war and overall crime, with hundreds of thousands of suspects
undiplomatic remarks since he took office in June 2016. turning themselves in - although homicides and murders
have gone up.
The straight-talking leader won by a landslide on the back
of promises to tackle crime and corruption, and remains
popular domestically for his hardline policies.
'Son of a whore'
But he has increasingly earned criticism from the
international community and rights groups that say his Faced with mounting criticism, Mr Duterte, known for
policies amount to human rights abuses. making brash off-the-cuff remarks, has been bellicose.
He has threatened to "separate" from the UN - which he
later said was a joke - and called UN secretary-general Ban
Ki-moon "a fool".
'Slaughter' of addicts
He also called the EU "hypocrites" during a September
The hallmark of Mr Duterte's administration so far has been speech and showed the middle finger.
a relentless crackdown on drug dealers and users. He famously referred to US President Barack Obama as a
"son of a whore", but later expressed regret when Mr
Obama cancelled a meeting.
He has urged citizens and the police to conduct extra-
judicial killings of suspects. More than 3,000 people have
died in a campaign which Mr Duterte controversially Earlier he called the Pope "the son of a whore" in a largely
compared to the Holocaust in September. devout Catholic country, and joked that when he was still
Noting that there are three million addicts in Philippines, he the mayor of the southern city of Davao he should have
has said he would be "happy to slaughter them". been the first to rape an Australian missionary murdered in
Read more: The woman who kills drug dealers for a a prison riot.
living Read more: Duterte in quotes
The United Nation, the Roman Catholic church, the

European Union and the United States have repeatedly
condemned his policy as a violation of human rights.
Domestic activist groups have also protested the killings.
Mr Duterte won on a platform of tough action against

crime, saying many criminals should be executed
Political origins
The war on drugs has attracted protests from local student
and activist groups Rodrigo "Digong" Duterte was born in 1945 into a family
closely tied to local politics. His father was once a
But Mr Duterte has said a hardline stance was necessary to provincial governor and the family had links with the
wipe out the illegal drugs trade and remains undeterred, powerful families in Cebu province, where his father was
vowing to kill "every last one" of the traffickers. once mayor.
109
Mr Duterte trained as a lawyer and rose to become state
prosecutor, eventually becoming mayor of Davao in 1988,
ruling the city for much of the past 30 years.
He built his reputation fighting some of the biggest

problems facing the Philippines - crime, militancy and
corruption. All three dropped significantly during his time
leading Davao, making the city one of the safest in the
Philippines.
He has vowed to replicate his efforts in Davao at a national

level.
Duterte's firebrand speeches have done little to dent levels

of support among Filipinos hungry for change
'Duterte Harry'
His tough approach has earned him the nicknames "The
Punisher" and "Duterte Harry". He said in a televised
Duterte supporters say his tough reputation is what the debate that he would kill his own children if they took
Philippines needs to deal with corruption and crime drugs.
All have burnished his strongman image among many in
the Philippines as someone who will do what is necessary
to get things done. A July poll saw him earning a historic
Pivoting to China? 91% approval rating.
But horrified opponents have continued to castigate him,

Self-styled as both a socialist and a reformist, he has comparing him to US presidential Republican nominee
promised to change the country from a centralised system Donald Trump. Mr Duterte has rejected the comparisons,
to a federal parliamentary form of government, to better saying that "he is a bigot and I am not".
share wealth.
Married twice, he has four children, one of whom -
His foreign policy direction, vague during campaigning, daughter Sara - took over as mayor for a term before he
has continued to flip-flop. resumed office. He is now officially single, but has claimed
to have several girlfriends.
Mr Duterte had previously hinted at taking a stronger
stance against China, which the Philippines is engaged with
in maritime disputes in the South China Sea. He famously
Philippines profile -
said he would ride a jet ski to a disputed island claimed by
both countries and stick a flag on it. Media
 26 April 2016
But since becoming president he has emphasised a desire to
move away from the US - the Philippines' former colonial
ruler turned military and economic partner - and pivot
closer to China and Russia, sparking concerns from
investors.
110
Imag Imag
e copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionMore than 33 e copyrightGETTY IMAGES
million people are online
 Philippine Star - daily
 The Daily Tribune - daily
Powerful commercial interests control or influence  Philippine Daily Inquirer - daily
much of the media.  Malaya Business Insight - daily
 Manila Bulletin - daily
 Manila Times - daily
The lively TV scene is dominated by free-to-air networks  Business World - daily
ABS-CBN and GMA. Some Manila-based networks
broadcast in local languages. Cable TV has extensive reach.
Television
Films, comedies and entertainment shows attract the largest
audiences.  ABS-CBN - commercial
 GMA Network - commercial
There are more than 600 radio stations. With around 100  ETC - commercial
outlets, Manila Broadcasting Company is the largest  People's Television - government-owned
network.
Radio
The private press is vigorous, comprising some 500
newspaper titles. The most popular are Filipino-language  ABS-CBN - operates stations nationally
tabloids, which can be prone to sensationalism.  GMA Network - operates stations nationally
 Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) -
Press freedom is guaranteed under the constitution. But operates stations nationally
violent attacks and threats against journalists are serious  Radio Mindanao Network - operates more than
problems, says NGO Freedom House. 50 stations nationwide
 Philippine Broadcasting Service (PBS) -
"The government has allowed unpunished violence against government-run, operates 31 stations nationwide with
journalists, most of it politically motivated, to become part emphasis on news, public affairs
of the culture," the Committee to Protect Journalists has
said. News agency
By 2016 there were 44.5 million internet users  Philippines News Agency - government-run
(InternetLiveStats). Facebook and Twitter are the most
popular social media platforms.
The press
Philippines profile -
Timeline
111
 2 July 2017

 From the sectionAsia  Share

1542 - Spanish expedition claims the islands and names
them the Philippines after the heir to the Spanish throne.
Imag
Mount Mayon volcano, with its near-perfect cone, is

active
Living in the shadow of a volcano
1907 - Elected Philippine assembly inaugurated under US
rule. 1916 - US government promises Philippines greater
autonomy, leading to independence.
1935 - A plebiscite approves establishment of
Commonwealth of Philippines. Manuel Quezon is its first
president. Philippines promised full independence within
10 years.
Invasion and occupation
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGESImage captionUS troops 1941 - Japan seizes Philippines.
in the Spanish-American War, which ended over 350 years 1944 - US forces retake islands.
of Spanish rule in the Philippines 1946 - Islands granted full independence and renamed
Republic of the Philippines.
1896 - Civil and armed campaign for independence from 1947 - The US is awarded military bases on the islands.
Spanish rule begins. 1951 - Peace treaty signed with Japan. The Philippines
1898 - Revolutionary forces under Emilio Aguinaldo eventually receive $800m in reparations payments.
proclaim independence. 1965 - Ferdinand Marcos becomes president.
1898 December - During brief Spanish-American War, US
Navy destroys Spanish fleet in Manila Bay. Spain cedes Ex-president Ferdinand Marcos
Philippines to US, which proclaims military rule.
1899 - Revolutionaries refuse to recognise US takeover,
proclaim First Philippine Republic with General Aguinaldo
as president, launch armed struggle against US forces
known as Philippine-American War.
1901 - Emilio Aguinaldo captured.
1902 - Philippine-American War formally ends as US civil
government replaces military rule. Some independence
forces fight on until defeat of Moro resistance in south in
1913.
Mount Mayon
Imag
Marcos amassed an estimated $10bn fortune
 Born in 1917
 Became president in 1965
 Fled the country in 1986

112
 Died in Hawaii in 1989 2000 November - Impeachment proceedings start against
Manila awarded Marcos millions President Estrada on allegations of corruption, betrayal of
1986: Filipino coup leaders tell Marcos to go public trust, and violation of the constitution.
1969 - Marcos re-elected amidst allegations of electoral Estrada tried
fraud. Supports US policy in Vietnam. Muslim separatists 2001 January - Suspension of impeachment causes mass
in south begin guerrilla war. street protests. Military withdraws support and President
Martial law Estrada stands down. Vice-President Gloria Arroyo sworn
1972 - Marcos declares martial law. Parliament suspended, in as president.
opposition politicians arrested, censorship imposed. 2001 March - MILF declares ceasefire, says ready to hold
1973 - New constitution gives Marcos absolute powers. talks with government.
1977 - Opposition leader Benigno Aquino sentenced to 2001 April - Joseph Estrada is charged with plundering
death, but Marcos delays execution. more than $80m from state funds while in office.
1980 - Aquino allowed to travel to US for medical Eventually found guilty and jailed for life. although he wins
treatment. pardon.
1981 - Martial law lifted. Marcos wins presidential
elections.
Conflict in the south Philippines
1983 - Aquino returns to Philippines, but is shot dead as he
leaves plane amid suspicions of official military
involvement.
"People power"
1986 - Presidential elections see Marcos opposed by
Aquino's widow Corazon. Marcos declares himself the
winner, but Aquino disputes result. Mass protests, dubbed
"people power", in Manila see military abandon Marcos,
who flees to Hawaii. New government says Marcos looted
billions of dollars during his rule.
1989 December - US jets assist Philippine government
forces suppress attempted coup.
Fallen hero
Guide to the Philippines conflict

2002 January - US and Filipino armies hold joint counter-
terror exercises take place near stronghold of Al-Qaeda-
linked Abu Sayyaf group.
2002 October - Series of deadly bomb blasts on Manila bus
and three locations in Zamboanga city blamed on Islamist
militants.
2003 February - Ceasefire between MILF and government
Imag breaks down. Planned talks called off in May after rebel
e copyrightGETTY IMAGES attack on Mindanao kills 30 people.
2003 July - Government signs another ceasefire with MILF
ahead of planned talks in Malaysia.
Joseph Estrada: Former film star was ousted in coup
Profile: Joseph Estrada
Army mutiny in Manila as some 300 soldiers seize
1990 - Military officials convicted of murder of Benigno
shopping centre, but surrender peacefully following
Aquino.
negotiations.
1991 - US abandons Clark Air Base after volcanic eruption
2004 February - Peace talks between government and
smothers it with ash.
Maoist rebel New People's Army start in Norway, but are
1992 - Aquino's defence minister Fidel Ramos wins
called off by the rebels in August.
presidency. US closes Subic Bay Naval Station.
2004 June - Gloria Arroyo wins May's presidential
1996 - Peace agreement reached with Muslim separatist
elections.
group, Moro National Liberation Front. Another group,
Arroyo under pressure
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), fights on.
1998 - Former film star Joseph Estrada elected president.
113
2005 January - Heavy fighting between troops and MILF  Report implicated military in deaths of
rebels breaks July 2003 ceasefire. hundreds of activists
Philippines army is 'in denial'
2007 January - Death of Abu Sayyaf leader Khaddafy
Janjalani in 2006 confirmed.
2007 February - Government report accuses military of
being behind the killings of hundreds of mainly left-wing
activists since 2001.
2007 November - Renegade soldiers make failed coup bid
at luxury hotel in Manila after breaking out of court where
they were standing trial for failed 2003 mutiny.
Rebel peace accords
2008 July-August - Government negotiators say they have
reached an agreement with MILF rebels on the expansion
of a Muslim autonomous region in the south. Deal
collapses after Christian communities raise objections and
renewed fighting on the southern island of Mindanao leaves
at least 30 people dead.
Despite impressive economic growth, millions of Filipinos 2008 December - Norwegian-brokered peace talks with
still live in poverty Maoist guerrillas of the New People's Army (NPA) break
down; NPA attacks army patrol on Mindanao.
2005 April- Breakthrough achieved on contentious issue of 2009 September - Army announces capture of leading
ancestral land achieved at peace talks in Malaysia between MILF figure Camarudin Hadji Ali.
government and MILF rebels. 2009 November - An attack on group of people travelling
2005 June - Influential Cardinal Jaime Sin, who led the two to file election nomination papers on Mindanao leaves 57
peaceful revolts that toppled Presidents Marcos and dead. Victims' relatives blame the rival Ampatuan clan.
Estrada, dies aged 76. 2009 December - Peace talks between Manila and MILF
2006 February - More than 1,000 people are killed by a resume in Malaysia, after breaking down 16 months ago.
mudslide which engulfs a village on the central island of
Leyte. Mindanao massacre
President Arroyo declares a week-long state of emergency
after the army says it has foiled a planned coup.
Political killings
The 2009 massacre of 57 people on Mindanao

shocked the Philippines
The rise of the Ampatuans
Philippine massacre exposes political underworld
2010 February - The army captures Abu Sayyaf leader
Mujibar Alih Amon, suspected of a kidnapping raid on a
Malaysian resort in 2000 and the killing of Christian
missionaries in 2001.
2007: students in Quezon city stage a mock massacre
in protest against political killings Prosecutors charge 196 more people with murder over the
Maguindanao massacre in November, including Andal
Ampatuan Snr, a former provincial governor and ally of
President Arroyo.
114
Benigno Aquino elected
2010 June - Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino becomes president.
2010 September - Andal Ampatuan junior, a member of the
powerful Ampatuan clan, goes on trial on charges of
organising the Maguindanao mass killings.
2011 February - Manila and Maoist NPA agree to work
towards a peace deal by 2012 at talks in Oslo, their first
negotiations since the previous round broke down in 2004.
Troops arrested prominent NPA member Tirso Alcantara
the previous month.
2012 May - Philippines and Chinese naval vessels confront
one another off the Scarborough Shoal reef in the South
China Sea. Both countries claim the reef, which may have
significant reserves of oil and gas.
2012 October - The government signs a framework peace
plan with the Muslim rebel Moro Islamic Liberation Front,
ending a 40-year conflict that has cost an estimated 120,000 Government troops fought Islamic State-inspired militants
lives. on the island of Mindanao in 2017
2012 December - Parliament defies the Catholic Church to
2016 June - The so-called Islamic State (IS) group
vote for state-funded contraception, approving a bill that
acknowledges its operations in the Philippines in an official
has been debated for 13 years.
video, having recognised Isnilon Hapilon, an Abu Sayyaf
2013 February - Armed followers of a self-proclaimed
leader, as "emir" there.
sultan invade Sabah state on Malaysian Borneo, sparking
2016 July - Government welcomes the ruling in a case it
several days of fighting with Malaysian forces. More than
brought before an international tribunal which concluded
60 people are killed.
that China's claim to much of the resources in the South
2013 May - Major diplomatic row erupts between Taiwan
China Sea had no legal basis.
and the Philippines after Filipino coastguards kill a
2017 May - Martial law imposed on the island of Mindanao
Taiwanese fisherman in disputed waters.
after fighting erupts between security forces and Islamic
2013 September - Stand-off between the army and rebel
State-linked militants of the Maute group and Isnilon
remnants of Moro National Liberation Front in southern
Hapilon.
city of Zamboanga prompts 75,000 residents to flee.
2013 November - Typhoon Haiyan sweeps across central
Reference:
areas of the country leaving devastation and thousands of
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-15521300
dead in its wake. A major international aid effort is
organised to help more than four million people affected.
2014 March - The MILF rebel group signs a peace deal EAST & SOUTHEAST
with the government that brings an end to one of Asia's
longest and deadliest conflicts.
2014 April - Supreme Court approves a birth control law,
ASIA :: PHILIPPINES
which requires government health centres to distribute free PAG E LAST U PDAT E D ON N OVE M BE R 06, 2017
contraceptives. The bill marks a defeat for the Catholic
Church, which campaigned strongly against it.
2015 January - Forty-four police commandos are killed in
clashes with Muslim rebels on the southern island of
Mindanao, the largest loss of life for the security forces in
recent memory.
2015 March - Hundreds of Muslim rebels in the southern
Philippines register to vote in 2016 elections under peace
deal designed to end four decades of conflict.
2016 June - Populist former mayor Rodrigo Duterte elected
president, announces hard-line crackdown on drugs and
suggests he might pivot from the US to China.
115
 Background:
The Philippine Islands became a Spanish colony during

the 16th century; they were ceded to the US in 1898
following the Spanish-American War. In 1935 the
Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth.
Manuel QUEZON was elected president and was tasked
with preparing the country for independence after a 10-
year transition. In 1942 the islands fell under Japanese
occupation during World War II, and US forces and
Filipinos fought together during 1944- 45 to regain
control. On 4 July 1946 the Republic of the Philippines
attained its independence. A 20-year rule by Ferdinand
MARCOS ended in 1986, when a "people power"
movement in Manila ("EDSA 1") forced him into exile
and installed Corazon AQUINO as president. Her
presidency was hampered by several coup attempts that
prevented a return to full political stability and
economic development. Fidel RAMOS was elected
president in 1992. His administration was marked by
increased stability and by progress on economic
reforms. In 1992, the US closed its last military bases
on the islands. Joseph ESTRADA was elected president
in 1998. He was succeeded by his vice-president,
Gloria MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, in January 2001 after
ESTRADA's stormy impeachment trial on corruption
charges broke down and another "people power"
movement ("EDSA 2") demanded his resignation.
MACAPAGAL- ARROYO was elected to a six-year term
as president in May 2004. Her presidency was marred
by several corruption allegations but the Philippine
economy was one of the few to avoid contraction
following the 2008 global financial crisis, expanding
each year of her administration. Benigno AQUINO III
was elected to a six-year term as president in May 2010
and was succeeded by Rodrigo DUTERTE in May 2016.
The Philippine Government faces threats from several

groups, some of which are on the US Government's
Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a
decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies
in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace
accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and
ongoing peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation
Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's
Army insurgency also operates through much of the
country. The Philippines faces increased tension with
China over disputed territorial and maritime claims in
the South China Sea.
 Open All
 Close All
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 Hide GEOGRAPHY :: PHILIPPINES
INTRODUCTION :: PHILIPPINES

Panel - Expanded
Panel - Expanded
116
 Location: Climate:
Southeastern Asia, archipelago between the Philippine tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to
Sea and the South China Sea, east of Vietnam April); southwest monsoon (May to October)
Geographic coordinates: Terrain:
13 00 N, 122 00 E mostly mountains with narrow to extensive coastal

lowlands
Map references:
Elevation:
Southeast Asia
Area:
elevation extremes: lowest point: Philippine Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m
land: 298,170 sq km
Natural resources:
water: 1,830 sq km
timber, petroleum, nickel, cobalt, silver, gold, salt,
country comparison to the world: 7 4 copper
Area - comparative: Land use:
slightly less than twice the size of Georgia; slightly agricultural land: 41%
larger than Arizona
Area comparison map: pasture 5%
forest: 25.9%
Land boundaries:
other: 33.1% (2011 est.)
0 km
Irrigated land:
C oastline:
16,270 sq km (2012)
36,289 km
Maritime claims:
population concentrated where good farmlands lie;
highest concentrations are northwest and south- central
territorial sea: irregular polygon extending up to 100 Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the
nm from coastline as defined by 1898 treaty; since late islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and
1970s has also claimed polygonal- shaped area in South Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire
China Sea as wide as 285 nm national population

Natural hazards:
continental shelf: to the depth of exploitation
117
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck
by five to six cyclonic storms each year; landslides; PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: PHILIPPINES
active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
Panel - Expanded
volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Taal (311 m),
which has shown recent unrest and may erupt in the
 Population:
near future, has been deemed a Decade Volcano by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry
104,256,076 (July 2017 est.)
of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its
explosive history and close proximity to human
populations; Mayon (2,462 m), the country's most active
volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over 33,000 to be
evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include Nationality:
Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin
de Babuyanes, Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, noun: Filipino(s)
Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo, and Ragang
adjective: Philippine
Ethnic groups:
uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed
areas; soil erosion; air and water pollution in major
Tagalog 28.1%, Cebuano 13.1%, Ilocano 9%,
urban centers; coral reef degradation; increasing
Bisaya/Binisaya 7.6%, Hiligaynon Ilonggo 7.5%, Bikol
pollution of coastal mangrove swamps that are
6%, Waray 3.4%, other 25.3% (2000 census)
important fish breeding grounds
Languages:
Filipino (official; based on Tagalog) and English

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate (official); eight major dialects - Tagalog, Cebuano,
Change- Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Ilocano, Hiligaynon or Ilonggo, Bicol, Waray,
Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Pampango, and Pangasinan
Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands,
Religions:
Whaling
Catholic 82.9% (Roman Catholic 80.9%, Aglipayan 2%),

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution- Persistent
Muslim 5%, Evangelical 2.8%, Iglesia ni Kristo 2.3%,
Organic Pollutants
other Christian 4.5%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.6%,
none 0.1% (2000 census)
Geography - note:
Age structure:
note 1: favorably located in relation to many of
Southeast Asia's main water bodies: the South China
Sea, Philippine Sea, Sulu Sea, Celebes Sea, and Luzon
17,050,168)
Strait

note 2: for decades, the Philippine archipelago was
9,780,025)
reported as having 7,107 islands; in 2016, the national
mapping authority reported that hundreds of new
islands had been discovered and increased the number
18,964,900)
of islands to 7,641 - though not all of the new islands
have been verified
 Hide
118
65 years and over: 4.49% (male 1,930,273/female Population distribution:
2,748,942) (2017 est.)
population concentrated where good farmlands lie;

population pyramid:
highest concentrations are northwest and south- central
Luzon, the southeastern extension of Luzon, and the
islands of the Visayan Sea, particularly Cebu and
Dependency ratios: Negros; Manila is home to one-eighth of the entire
national population
Urbanization:
youth dependency ratio: 51
potential support ratio: 13.8 (2015 est.) (2015- 20 est.)
Median age: Major urban areas - population:
total: 23.5 years MANILA (capital) 12.946 million; Davao 1.63 million;

Cebu City 951,000; Zamboanga 936,000 (2015)
male: 23.1 years
Sex ratio:

1.57% (2017 est.)
Birth rate:


Mother's mean age at first birth:
Death rate:
23 years

note: median age at first birth among women 25- 29
(2013 est.)

Net migration rate:

-2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

119
Infant mortality rate: unimproved:



country comparison to the world: 7 7 Sanitation facility access:
improved:


male: 65.9 years

unimproved:
0.1% (2016 est.)
55.1% (2013)
4.7% of GDP (2014)

56,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths:
1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

<1000 (2016 est.)

improved:
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea,
rural: 90.3% of population hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
total: 91.8% of population vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
120
water contact disease: leptospirosis (2016) country comparison to the world: 7 4
 Hide
GOVERNMENT :: PHILIPPINES
6.4% (2016)
Panel - Expanded
 C ountry name:
underweight: conventional long form: Republic of the Philippines
19.9% (2013) conventional short form: Philippines
country comparison to the world: 2 9 local long form: Republika ng Pilipinas
local short form: Pilipinas

etymology: named in honor of King PHILLIP II of Spain

2.7% of GDP (2009)
by Spanish explorer Ruy LOPEZ de VILLALOBOS, who
visited some of the islands in 1543
Government type:
Literacy:
presidential republic
total population: 96.3% Capital:
male: 95.8% name: Manila
female: 96.8% (2015 est.) geographic coordinates: 14 36 N, 120 58 E

education):
total: 13 years
80 provinces and 39 chartered cities

male: 12 years
provinces: Abra, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur,

female: 13 years (2013) Aklan, Albay, Antique, Apayao, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan,
Batanes, Batangas, Biliran, Benguet, Bohol, Bukidnon,
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur,
Camiguin, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Cebu,
total: 15% Compostela, Cotabato, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur,
Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar,
Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo,
male: 14.3%
Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del
Sur, La Union, Leyte, Maguindanao, Marinduque,
female: 16% (2015 est.)
Masbate, Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental,
Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Mountain,
121
Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Northern Samar, citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must
Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pampanga, be a citizen of the Philippines
Pangasinan, Quezon, Quirino, Rizal, Romblon, Samar,
Sarangani, Siquijor, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, dual citizenship recognized: no
Southern Leyte, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, Surigao del
Norte, Surigao del Sur, Tarlac, Tawi-Tawi, Zambales, residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga
Sibugay
Suffrage:
chartered cities: Angeles, Antipolo, Bacolod, Baguio,

Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Cebu, Cotabato,
Dagupan, Davao, General Santos, Iligan, Iloilo, Lapu-
Lapu, Las Pinas, Lucena, Makati, Malabon, Executive branch:
Mandaluyong, Mandaue, Manila, Marikina, Muntinlupa,
Naga, Navotas, Olongapo, Ormoc, Paranaque, Pasay, chief of state: President Rodrigo DUTERTE (since 30
Pasig, Puerto Princesa, Quezon, San Juan, Santiago, June 2016); Vice President Leni ROBREDO (since 30
Tacloban, Taguig, Valenzuela, Zamboanga (2012) June 2016); note - the president is both chief of state
and head of government
Independence:
head of government: President Rodrigo DUTERTE
4 July 1946 (from the US) (since 30 June 2016); Vice President Leni ROBREDO
(since 30 June 2016)
National holiday:
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president with the
consent of the Commission of Appointments, an
Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note - 12 June
independent body of 25 Congressional members
1898 was date of declaration of independence from
including the Senate president (ex officio chairman),
Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from the
appointed by the president
US

C onstitution: directly elected on separate ballots by simple majority
popular vote for a single 6-year term; election last held
several previous; latest ratified 2 February 1987, on 9 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2022)
effective 11 February 1987 (2016)
election results: Rodrigo DUTERTE elected president;
Legal system: percent of vote - Rodrigo DUTERTE (PDP-Laban) 39%,
Manuel "Mar" ROXAS (LP) 23.5%, Grace POE
mixed legal system of civil, common, Islamic, and (independent) 21.4%, Jejomar BINAY (UNA) 12.7%,
customary law Miriam Defensor SANTIAGO (PRP) 3.4%; Leni
ROBREDO elected vice president; percent of vote Leni
ROBREDO (LP) 35.1%, Bongbong MARCOS
International law organization participation: (independent) 34.5%, Alan CAYETANO 14.4%, Francis
ESCUDERO (independent) 12%, Antonio TRILLANES
(independent) 2.1%, Gregorio HONASAN (UNA) 1.9%
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations;
accepts ICCt jurisdiction Legislative branch:
Citizenship: description: bicameral Congress or Kongreso consists

of the Senate or Senado (24 seats; members directly
citizenship by birth: no elected in multi-seat constituencies by majority vote;
members serve 6-year terms with one- half of the
membership renewed every 3 years) and the House of
Representatives or Kapulungan Ng Mga Kinatawan (297
122
seats; 238 members directly elected in single-seat Nationalist People's Coalition or NPC [Eduardo
constituencies by simple majority vote and 59 COJUNGCO, Jr.]
representing minorities directly elected by party-list
proportional representation vote; members serve 3-year National Unity Party or NUP [Albert GARCIA]
terms)
PDP-Laban [Aquilino PIMENTEL III]
elections: Senate - elections last held on 9 May 2016
(next to be held in May 2019); House of People's Reform Party or PRP [Narcisco SANTIAGO]
Representatives - elections last held on 9 May 2016
(next to be held in May 2019) Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino (Force of the Philippine
Masses) or PMP [Joseph ESTRADA]
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - LP
31.3%, NPC 10.1%, UNA 7.6%, Akbayan 5.0%, other United Nationalist Alliance or UNA
30.9%, independent 15.1%; seats by party - LP 6, NPC
3, UNA 4, Akbayan 1, other 10; House of Political pressure groups and leaders:
Representatives - percent of vote by party - LP 41.7%,
NPC 17.0%, UNA 6.6%, NUP 9.7%, NP 9.4%,
Black and White Movement or BWM [Vicente ROMANO]
independent 6.0%, others 10.1%; seats by party - LP
115, NPC 42, NUP 23, NP 24, UNA 11, other 19,
People Action (Kilosbayan)
independent 4, party-list 59

Judicial branch:
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIS, CD, CICA (observer),

highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of a chief CP, EAS, FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC
justice and 14 associate justices) (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,
judge selection and term of office: justices are IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSTAH,
appointed by the president on the recommendation of NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, PIF (partner), UN,
the Judicial and Bar Council, a constitutionally created, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina,
6-member body that recommends Supreme Court UNMIL, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU
nominees; justices serve until age 70 (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; Sandiganbayan Diplomatic representation in the US:

(special court for corruption cases of government
officials); Court of Tax Appeals; regional, metropolitan, chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge
and municipal trial courts; sharia courts d'Affaires Ad interim Patrick Ang CHUASOTO (since 30
June 2016)
chancery: 1600 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Akbayon [Machris CABREROS] Washington, DC 20036
Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino (Struggle of Filipino telephone: [1] (202) 467- 9300

Democrats) or LDP [Edgardo ANGARA]
FAX: [1] (202) 328-7614
Lakas ng EDSA-Christian Muslim Democrats or Lakas-
CMD [Ferdinand Martin ROMUALDEZ] consulate(s) general: Chicago, Honolulu, Los
Angeles, New Yoek, Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands),
Liberal Party or LP [Francis PANGILINAN] San Francisco, Tamuning (Guam)
Nacionalista Party or NP [Manuel "Manny" VILLAR]

123
chief of mission: Ambassador Sung KIM (since 6  Economy - overview:
December 2016)
The economy has been relatively resilient to global

embassy: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 economic shocks due to less exposure to troubled
international securities, lower dependence on exports,
mailing address: PSC 500, FPO AP 96515- 1000 relatively resilient domestic consumption, large
remittances from about 10 million overseas Filipino
telephone: [63] (2) 301-2000 workers and migrants, and a rapidly expanding
outsourcing industry. During 2016, the current account
balance narrowed to its lowest level since the 2008
FAX: [63] (2) 301- 2017
global financial crisis, but nevertheless mustered a
surplus for a 14th consecutive year. International
Flag description: reserves remain at comfortable levels and the banking
system is stable.
two equal horizontal bands of blue (top) and red; a
white equilateral triangle is based on the hoist side; the Efforts to improve tax administration and expenditures
center of the triangle displays a yellow sun with eight management have helped ease the Philippines' debt
primary rays; each corner of the triangle contains a burden and tight fiscal situation. The Philippines
small, yellow, five-pointed star; blue stands for peace received investment-grade credit ratings on its
and justice, red symbolizes courage, the white equal- sovereign debt under the former AQUINO administration
sided triangle represents equality; the rays recall the and has had little difficulty financing its budget deficits.
first eight provinces that sought independence from However, weak absorptive capacity and implementation
Spain, while the stars represent the three major bottlenecks have prevented the government from
geographical divisions of the country: Luzon, Visayas, maximizing its expenditure plans. Although it has
and Mindanao; the design of the flag dates to 1897 improved, the low tax-to-GDP ratio remains a constraint
to supporting increasingly higher spending levels and
note: in wartime the flag is flown upside down with the sustaining high and inclusive growth over the longer
red band at the top term.
Economic growth has accelerated, averaging 6.1% per

National symbol(s): year from 2011 to 2016, compared with 4.5% under the
MACAPAGAL- ARROYO government; and
three stars and sun, Philippine eagle; national colors: competitiveness rankings have improved. Although
red, white, blue, yellow 2016 saw a record year for net foreign direct investment
inflows, FDI to the Philippines has continued to lag
regional peers, in part because the Philippine
National anthem:
constitution and other laws restrict foreign ownership in
important activities/sectors - such as land ownership
name: "Lupang Hinirang" (Chosen Land) and public utilities.
lyrics/music: Jose PALMA (revised by Felipe PADILLA Although the economy grew at a faster pace under the
de Leon)/Julian FELIPE AQUINO government, challenges to achieving more
inclusive growth remain. Wealth is concentrated in the
note: music adopted 1898, original Spanish lyrics hands of the rich. The unemployment rate declined from
adopted 1899, Filipino (Tagalog) lyrics adopted 1956; 7.3% to 5.5% between 2010 and 2016 but the jobs are
low paying and tedious. Underemployment hovers at
although the original lyrics were written in Spanish,
around 18% to 19% of the employed. At least 40% of
later English and Filipino versions were created; today,
the employed work in the informal sector. Poverty
only the Filipino version is used
afflicts more than a fifth of the population. More than
60% of the poor reside in rural areas, where the
 Hide
incidence of poverty (about 30%) is more severe - a
challenge to raising rural farm and non- farm incomes.
ECONOMY :: PHILIPPINES
Continued efforts are needed to improve governance,
the judicial system, the regulatory environment, the
Panel - Expanded
infrastructure, and the overall ease of doing business.
124
2016 saw the election of President Rodrigo DUTERTE, $7,100 (2014 est.)
who has pledged to make inclusive growth and poverty
reduction his top priority. DUTERTE believes that illegal note: data are in 2016 dollars
drug use, crime and corruption are key barriers to
economic development among the lower income class.
This administration wants to reduce the poverty rate to
14% and graduate the economy to upper- middle income
status by the end of President DUTERTE’s term in Gross national saving:
2022. Key themes under the government’s Ten-Point
Socioeconomic Agenda include continuity of 24.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
macroeconomic policy, tax reform, higher investments
in infrastructure and human capital development, and
23.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
improving competitiveness and the overall ease of
doing business. The administration has vowed to
24.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
address spending bottlenecks and is pushing for
congressional passage of a Comprehensive Tax Reform
Program to help finance more aggressive infrastructure country comparison to the world: 5 7
and social spending, starting in 2018. The government
also supports relaxing restrictions on foreign ownership,
except for land.
$806.3 billion (2016 est.)
$744.6 billion (2015 est.)
$694.5 billion (2014 est.)
exports of goods and services: 28%

imports of goods and services: -37% (2016 est.)


agriculture: 9.7%
$304.9 billion (2016 est.)
industry: 30.8%
6.9% (2016 est.)
6.1% (2015 est.)
rice, fish, livestock, poultry, bananas, coconut/copra,

6.1% (2014 est.)
corn, sugarcane, mangoes, pineapple, cassava

Industries:

semiconductors and electronics assembly, food and
beverage manufacturing, construction,
$7,700 (2016 est.) electric/gas/water supply, chemical products,
radio/television/communications equipment and
$7,400 (2015 est.) apparatus, petroleum and fuel, textile and garments,
125
non-metallic minerals, basic metal industries, transport
Budget:
equipment
8.4% (2016 est.)

15.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Labor force:

-2.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

agriculture: 26.9%
Public debt:
industry: 17.5%
42.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

44.8% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate:
5.5% (2016 est.)
Fiscal year:
6.3% (2015 est.)
calendar year

1.8% (2016 est.)

21.6% (2015 est.)
1.4% (2015 est.)

lowest 10%: 3.2% C entral bank discount rate:
highest 10%: 29.5% (2015 est.) 3.56% (31 December 2016)
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 6.19% (31 December 2015)

44.4 (2015 est.)
46 (2012 est.) C ommercial bank prime lending rate:
country comparison to the world: 4 5 5.64% (31 December 2016 est.)

126
Stock of narrow money: Exports - commodities:
$61.62 billion (31 December 2016 est.) semiconductors and electronic products, machinery and
transport equipment, wood manufactures, chemicals,
$56.56 billion (31 December 2015 est.) processed food and beverages, garments, coconut oil,
copper concentrates, seafood, bananas/fruits
Exports - partners:
Japan 20.8%, US 15.5%, Hong Kong 11.7%, China 11%,
Singapore 6.6%, Germany 4.1% (2016)
$171 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Imports:
country comparison to the world: 4 0 $77.52 billion (2016 est.)
Stock of domestic credit: $66.51 billion (2015 est.)

$166.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Imports - commodities:
country comparison to the world: 4 7 electronic products, mineral fuels, machinery and
transport equipment, iron and steel, textile fabrics,
grains, chemicals, plastic
$290.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Imports - partners:
$286.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) China 17.3%, Japan 11.1%, US 8.4%, Thailand 7.3%,
South Korea 6.1%, Singapore 6.1%, Indonesia 5.1%
$318 billion (31 December 2014 est.) (2016)
country comparison to the world: 2 9 Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Current account balance: $80.69 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$601 million (2016 est.)
$7.266 billion (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 3 0
country comparison to the world: 4 4 Debt - external:
Exports: $75.01 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$43.44 billion (2016 est.) $77.73 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
127
country comparison to the world: 5 7 Electricity - production:
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: 90.8 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - consumption:
74.15 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - exports:
$45.38 billion (31 December 2016 est.) 0 kWh (2016 est.)
$41.02 billion (31 December 2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 1 9
country comparison to the world: 4 4 Electricity - imports:
Exchange rates: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Philippine pesos (PHP) per US dollar - country comparison to the world: 1 2 2
47.493 (2016 est.) Electricity - installed generating capacity:
47.493 (2015 est.) 21.42 million kW (2016 est.)
45.503 (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 3
44.395 (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels:
42.23 (2012 est.)

67.5% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
 Hide
ENERGY :: PHILIPPINES
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:

Panel - Expanded
0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

 Electricity access:
population without electricity: 20,600,000
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:

electrification - total population: 88%

electrification - urban areas: 94%

electrification - rural areas: 82% (2013)
128
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Refined petroleum products - imports:

1.577 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

C rude oil - production:

Natural gas - production:
5,502 bbl/day (2016 est.)

3.979 billion cu m (2016 est.)

C rude oil - exports:

Natural gas - consumption:
4,942 bbl/day (2016 est.)

3.827 billion cu m (2016 est.)

C rude oil - imports:

Natural gas - exports:
215,800 bbl/day (2016 est.)

0 cu m (2016 est.)

C rude oil - proved reserves:

Natural gas - imports:
100 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production:

Natural gas - proved reserves:
1.373 million bbl/day (2014 est.)

98.54 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption:

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption
of energy:
329,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

88 million Mt (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports:  Hide
219,800 bbl/day (2014 est.) COMMUNICATIONS :: PHILIPPINES
129
Panel - Expanded .ph
 Telephones - fixed lines: Internet users:
total subscriptions: 3,835,911 total: 56,956,436
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (July 2016 est.) percent of population: 55.5% (July 2016 est.)
 Hide
Telephones - mobile cellular:
TRANSPORTATION :: PHILIPPINES
total: 113 million
Panel - Expanded
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (July 2016
est.)
 National air transport system:

number of registered air carriers: 11
Telephone system:
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air
carriers: 158
general assessment: good international
radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic annual passenger traffic on registered air
and interisland service adequate carriers: 32,230,986
domestic: telecommunications infrastructure includes annual freight traffic on registered air

the following platforms: fixed line, mobile cellular, cable carriers: 484,190,968 mt-km (2015)
TV, over-the-air TV, radio and Very Small Aperture
Terminal (VSAT), fiber-optic cable, and satellite for
redundant international connectivity Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
international: country code - 63; a series of submarine

cables together provide connectivity to the US, and to RP (2016)
countries like Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan,
Japan, Brunei, and Malaysia, among others; multiple
Airports:
international gateways (2016)
247 (2013)
Broadcast media:

multiple national private TV and radio networks; multi-
channel satellite and cable TV systems available; more
than 400 TV stations; about 1,500 cable TV providers Airports - with paved runways:
with more than 2 million subscribers, and some 1,400
radio stations; the Philippines adopted Japan’s total: 89
Integrated Service Digital Broadcast – Terrestrial
standard for digital terrestrial television in November over 3,047 m: 4
2013 and is scheduled to complete the switch from
analog to digital broadcasting by the end of 2023 (2016)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 8
Internet country code: 1,524 to 2,437 m: 33
130
914 to 1,523 m: 34 Merchant marine:
under 914 m: 10 (2017)

total: 446
Airports - with unpaved runways: by type: bulk carrier 76, cargo 152, carrier 12,
chemical tanker 27, container 17, liquefied gas 5,
total: 158 passenger 7, passenger/cargo 65, petroleum tanker 44,
refrigerated cargo 20, roll on/roll off 11, vehicle carrier
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 10
914 to 1,523 m: 56 foreign-owned: 159 (Bermuda 47, China 4, Denmark 2,

Germany 2, Greece 5, Japan 77, Malaysia 1,
under 914 m: 99 (2013) Netherlands 17, Singapore 1, South Korea 1, Taiwan 1,
UAE 1)
Heliports:
registered in other countries: 7 (Cyprus 1, Panama 5,
unknown 1) (2010)
2 (2013)

Pipelines:
Ports and terminals:

gas 530 km (2014); oil 138 km; refined products 185 km
(2013)
major seaport(s): Batangas, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu,
Davao, Liman, Manila
Railways:
container port(s) (TEUs): Manila (3,976,000) (2015)
total: 995 km
 Hide
narrow gauge: 995 km 1.067-m gauge (484 km are in
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: PHILIPPINES
operation) (2015)
Panel - Expanded
 Military expenditures:
Roadways:
1.28% of GDP (2016)

total: 216,387 km
1.14% of GDP (2015)

paved: 61,093 km
1.09% of GDP (2014)

unpaved: 155,294 km (2014)
1.24% of GDP (2013)

1.16% of GDP (2012)

Waterways:
3,219 km (limited to vessels with draft less than 1.5 m)
(2011)
Military branches:

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): Army, Navy
(includes Marine Corps), Air Force (2013)
131
Military service age and obligation: Refugees and internally displaced persons:
17- 23 years of age (officers 20-24) for voluntary military

service; no conscription; applicants must be single male
IDPs: 359,680 (government troops fighting the Moro
or female Philippine citizens with either 72 college
Islamic Liberation Front, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the
credit hours (enlisted) or a baccalaureate degree
(officers) (2013) New People's Army; clan feuds; natural disasters)
(2017)
Maritime threats:
stateless persons: 4,636 (2016); note - stateless
persons are descendants of Indonesian migrants
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial
and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk
for piracy and armed robbery against ships; during Illicit drugs:
2016, 10 attacks were reported in and around the
Philippines including six ships that were boarded, one domestic methamphetamine production has been a
hijacked, one fired upon, and 18 crew were kidnapped growing problem in recent years despite government
for ransom; an emerging threat area lies in the Celebes crackdowns; major consumer of amphetamines;
and Sulu Seas between the Philippines and Malaysia longstanding marijuana producer mainly in rural areas
where 12 crew were kidnapped in three incidents during where Manila's control is limited
the last quarter of 2016; it is believed the pirates
involved are associated with the Abu Sayyaf Group
(ASG) terrorist organization; during the first six months Reference:
of 2017, 13 attacks were reported including 10 ships https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
that were boarded, one was fired upon, 10 crew were factbook/geos/rp.html
kidnapped for ransom and two killed; numerous
commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked
EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA :: SINGAPORE
both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels
are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East PAG E LAST U PDAT E D ON N OVE M BE R 06, 2017
Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
 Hide
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: PHILIPPINES
Panel - Expanded
Philippines claims sovereignty over Scarborough Reef

(also claimed by China together with Taiwan) and over
certain of the Spratly Islands, known locally as the
Kalayaan (Freedom) Islands, also claimed by China,
Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam; the 2002 "Declaration
on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea," has
eased tensions in the Spratly Islands but falls short of a
legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of
the disputants; in March 2005, the national oil
companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam
signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic
activities in the Spratly Islands; Philippines retains a
dormant claim to Malaysia's Sabah State in northern
Borneo based on the Sultanate of Sulu's granting the
Philippines Government power of attorney to pursue a
sovereignty claim on his behalf; maritime delimitation
negotiations continue with Palau
132
A Malay trading port known as Temasek existed on the
island of Singapore by the 14th century. The settlement
changed hands several times in the ensuing centuries
and was eventually burned in the 17th century and fell
into obscurity. The British founded Singapore as a
trading colony on the site in 1819. It joined the
Malaysian Federation in 1963 but was ousted two years
later and became independent. Singapore subsequently
became one of the world's most prosperous countries
with strong international trading links (its port is one of
the world's busiest in terms of tonnage handled) and
with per capita GDP equal to that of the leading nations
of Western Europe.
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: SINGAPORE
Panel - Expanded
 Location:
Southeastern Asia, islands between Malaysia and

Indonesia
1 22 N, 103 48 E
Map references:
Southeast Asia
Area:
total: 719.2 sq km
land: 709.2 sq km
water: 10 sq km
 Open All
 Close All country comparison to the world: 1 9 2
 Hide
Area - comparative:
INTRODUCTION :: SINGAPORE
slightly more than 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Panel - Expanded
Land boundaries:
 Background:
0 km
133
C oastline: Population - distribution:
193 km most of the urbanization is along the southern coast,

with relatively dense population clusters found in the
central areas
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3 nm Natural hazards:
exclusive fishing zone: within and beyond territorial flash floods

sea, as defined in treaties and practice
Climate:
industrial pollution; limited natural freshwater
resources; limited land availability presents waste
tropical; hot, humid, rainy; two distinct monsoon
disposal problems; seasonal smoke/haze resulting from
seasons - northeastern monsoon (December to March)
forest fires in Indonesia
and southwestern monsoon (June to September); inter-
monsoon - frequent afternoon and early evening
thunderstorms Environment - international agreements:
Terrain: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate

lowlying, gently undulating central plateau Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
Elevation:
agreements
mean elevation: NA
Geography - note:
elevation extremes: lowest point: Singapore Strait 0 m
highest point: Bukit Timah 166 m focal point for Southeast Asian sea routes; consists of
about 60 islands, by far the largest of which is Pulau
Ujong; land reclamation has removed many former
Natural resources: islands and created a number of new ones
fish, deepwater ports  Hide
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: SINGAPORE

Land use:
Panel - Expanded
agricultural land: 1%
 Population:
pasture 0%
5,888,926 (July 2017 est.)
forest: 3.3%
other: 95.7% (2011 est.)
Nationality:
Irrigated land:
noun: Singaporean(s)
0 sq km (2012)
134
adjective: Singapore total: 34.6 years
Ethnic groups: male: 34.5 years

Chinese 74.3%, Malay 13.4%, Indian 9.1% (includes Sri
Lankan), other 3.2% (2016 est.)
Languages:
Mandarin (official) 36.3%, English (official) 29.8%,

Malay (official) 11.9%, Hokkien 8.1%, Cantonese 4.1%, 1.82% (2017 est.)
Tamil (official) 3.2%, Teochew 3.2%, other Indian
languages 1.2%, other Chinese dialects 1.1%, other country comparison to the world: 6 0
1.1% (2010 est.)
Birth rate:
Religions:
Buddhist 33.9%, Muslim 14.3%, Taoist 11.3%, Catholic
7.1%, Hindu 5.2%, other Christian 11%, other 0.7%, country comparison to the world: 2 1 4
none 16.4% (2010 est.)
Death rate:
Age structure:


Net migration rate:

1,527,038)
13.1 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)


308,449) (2017 est.) Population distribution:
population pyramid: most of the urbanization is along the southern coast,

with relatively dense population clusters found in the
central areas
Dependency ratios:
Urbanization:
urban population: 100% of total population (2017)
elderly dependency ratio: 16 (2015- 20 est.)

Median age: SINGAPORE (capital) 5.619 million (2015)
135
Sex ratio:

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female Health expenditures:
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 4.9% of GDP (2014)
25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female country comparison to the world: 1 4 4
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female Physicians density:
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female 1.91 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Mother's mean age at first birth: 2 beds/1,000 population (2011)
30.5 years
median age (2015 est.)

improved:

10 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) total: 100% of population
country comparison to the world: 1 4 8 unimproved:
Infant mortality rate: urban: 0% of population
total: 2.4 deaths/1,000 live births total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
male: 2.6 deaths/1,000 live births Sanitation facility access:
female: 2.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.) improved:
country comparison to the world: 2 2 2 urban: 100% of population
Life expectancy at birth: total: 100% of population
unimproved:
male: 82.6 years

country comparison to the world: 3 HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
136
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
NA total: 6.6%
HIV/AIDS - deaths: male: 5.6%
NA female: 7.7% (2015 est.)

 Hide
note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes
species mosquitoes has been identified in this country GOVERNMENT :: SINGAPORE
(as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large
number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten Panel - Expanded
by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to
get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or
 C ountry name:
during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes
Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
conventional long form: Republic of Singapore

conventional short form: Singapore
6.1% (2016) local long form: Republic of Singapore
country comparison to the world: 1 7 0 local short form: Singapore
Education expenditures: etymology: name derives from the Sanskrit words

"singa" (lion) and "pura" (city) to describe the city-
2.9% of GDP (2013) state's leonine symbol
country comparison to the world: 1 4 0 Government type:
Literacy: parliamentary republic
definition: age 15 and over can read and write Capital:
total population: 97% name: Singapore
male: 98.7% geographic coordinates: 1 17 N, 103 51 E
female: 98.2% (2016 est.) time difference: UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of

education): Administrative divisions:
total: 13 years none
male: 13 years Independence:
female: 13 years (2009) 9 August 1965 (from Malaysian Federation)

137
National holiday: cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president on the
advice of the prime minister; Cabinet responsible to
Parliament
National Day, 9 August (1965)
elections/appointments: president directly elected by

C onstitution: simple majority popular vote for a single 6-year term;
election last held on 27 August 2011 (next to be held on
several previous; latest adopted 22 December 1965; 23 September 2017); following legislative elections,
amended many times, last in 2015 (2016) leader of majority party or majority coalition usually
appointed prime minister by president; deputy prime
Legal system: ministers appointed by the president
English common law election results: Halimah YACOB was declared

president on 13 September 2017, being the only eligible
candidate; Tony TAN Keng Yam elected president in the
International law organization participation: previous contested election; percent of vote - Tony TAN
Keng Yam (independent) 35.2% , TAN Cheng Bock
(independent) 34.9%, TAN Jee Say (independent) 25%,
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non- TAN Kin Lian (PP) 4.9%
Legislative branch:
Citizenship:
description: unicameral Parliament (101 seats; 89
citizenship by birth: no members directly elected by popular vote, 9 nominated
by the president, and up to 9 - but currently 3 - non-
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must constituency members from opposition parties to ensure
be a citizen of Singapore political diversity; members serve 5-year terms)
dual citizenship recognized: no elections: last held on 11 September 2015 (next to be

held in 2020)

election results: percent of vote by party - PAP 69.9%,
WP 12.5%, other 17.6%; seats by party - PAP 83, WP 6
Suffrage:
Judicial branch:
21 years of age; universal and compulsory
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the

Executive branch:
president or chief justice and 16 justices and is
organized into an upper tier Appeal Court and a lower
chief of state: President Halimah YACOB (since 14 tier High Court)
September 2017); note - President TAN's term ended on
31 August 2017; YACOB is Singapore's first female judge selection and term of office: all judges
president; the head of the Council of Presidential appointed by the president from candidates
Advisors, J.Y. PILLAY, served as acting president until recommended by the prime minister after consultation
YACOB was sworn in as president on 14 September with the chief justice; justices appointed for life
2017
subordinate courts: district, magistrates', juvenile,

head of government: Prime Minister LEE Hsien Loong family, community, and coroners' courts; small claims
(since 12 August 2004); Deputy Prime Ministers TEO tribunals
Chee Hean (since 1 April 2009) and Tharman
SHANMUGARATNAM (since 21 May 2011)
138
National Solidarity Party or NSP FAX: [65] 6476- 9340
People's Action Party or PAP [LEE Hsien Loong]

Flag description:
Singapore Democratic Party or SDP [Dr. CHEE Soon

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and white; near
Juan]
the hoist side of the red band, there is a vertical, white
crescent (closed portion is toward the hoist side)
Workers' Party or WP [LOW Thia Khiang]
partially enclosing five white five-pointed stars arranged
in a circle; red denotes brotherhood and equality; white
Political pressure groups and leaders: signifies purity and virtue; the waxing crescent moon
symbolizes a young nation on the ascendancy; the five
stars represent the nation's ideals of democracy, peace,
none
progress, justice, and equality

National symbol(s):
ADB, AOSIS, APEC, Arctic Council (observer), ARF,

lion, merlion (mythical half lion-half fish creature),
ASEAN, BIS, C, CP, EAS, FAO, FATF, G-77, IAEA,
orchid; national colors: red, white
IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM,
IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol,
IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, National anthem:
OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNCTAD,
UNESCO, UNHCR, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO,
name: "Majulah Singapura" (Onward Singapore)
WTO
lyrics/music: ZUBIR Said
note: adopted 1965; first performed in 1958 at the
chief of mission: Ambassador Ashok Kumar MIRPURI Victoria Theatre, the anthem is sung only in Malay
(since 30 July 2012)
 Hide
chancery: 3501 International Place NW, Washington,
ECONOMY :: SINGAPORE
DC 20008
Panel - Expanded
telephone: [1] (202) 537- 3100
FAX: [1] (202) 537-0876  Economy - overview:
consulate(s) general: San Francisco Singapore has a highly developed and successful free-
market economy. It enjoys a remarkably open and
consulate(s): New York corruption- free environment, stable prices, and a per
capita GDP higher than that of most developed
countries. Unemployment is very low. The economy
Diplomatic representation from the US: depends heavily on exports, particularly of consumer
electronics, information technology products, medical
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge and optical devices, pharmaceuticals, and on its vibrant
d'Affaires Stephanie SYPTAK-RAMNATH (since 20 transportation, business, and financial services sectors.
January 2017)
The economy contracted 0.6% in 2009 as a result of the
embassy: 27 Napier Road, Singapore 258508 global financial crisis, but has continued to grow since
2010. Growth in 2014- 16 was slower than during the
previous decade, at under 3% annually, largely a result
mailing address: FPO AP 96507- 0001
of soft demand for exports amid a sluggish global
economy and weak growth in Singapore’s manufacturing
telephone: [65] 6476-9100 sector.
139
The government is attempting to restructure
Singapore’s economy by weaning its dependence on
foreign labor, addressing weak productivity growth, and
increasing Singaporean wages. Singapore has attracted 44.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
major investments in advanced manufacturing,
pharmaceuticals, and medical technology production 44.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
and will continue efforts to strengthen its position as
Southeast Asia's leading financial and technology hub. 48.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
Singapore is a member of the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership negotiations with the nine other country comparison to the world: 5
ASEAN members plus Australia, China, India, Japan,
South Korea, and New Zealand. In 2015, Singapore
formed, with the other ASEAN members, the ASEAN GDP - composition, by end use:
Economic Community.

$492.5 billion (2016 est.)

$476.8 billion (2015 est.)
$462.7 billion (2014 est.)
agriculture: 0%
industry: 26.2%

2% (2016 est.)
1.9% (2015 est.)
orchids, vegetables; poultry, eggs; fish, ornamental fish
3.6% (2014 est.)
Industries:
electronics, chemicals, financial services, oil drilling

GDP - per capita (PPP): equipment, petroleum refining, rubber processing and
rubber products, processed food and beverages, ship
repair, offshore platform construction, life sciences,
$87,800 (2016 est.)
entrepot trade
$87,200 (2015 est.)

$86,600 (2014 est.)
2.8% (2016 est.)
140
Labor force: expenditures: $52.78 billion
note: expenditures include both operational and

3.673 million
development expenditures (2016 est.)
note: excludes non-residents (2016 est.)

16.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

agriculture: 0.96%
industry: 15.5%
-1.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
services: 83.5%
note: excludes non-residents (2016)
Public debt:
Unemployment rate:
112.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
103.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
1.9% (2015 est.)
note: Singapore's public debt consists largely of
country comparison to the world: 1 7 Singapore Government Securities (SGS) issued to
assist the Central Provident Fund (CPF), which
administers Singapore's defined contribution pension
fund; special issues of SGS are held by the CPF, and
are non- tradable; the government has not borrowed to
NA% finance deficit expenditures since the 1980s; Singapore
has no external public debt
percentage share:
lowest 10%: 1.7% Fiscal year:
highest 10%: 26% (2016) 1 April - 31 March
Distribution of family income - Gini index: Inflation rate (consumer prices):
45.8 (2016) -0.5% (2016 est.)
46.3 (2015) -0.5% (2015 est.)
Budget: C entral bank discount rate:
revenues: $49.2 billion 1.17% (2016 est.)
141
1.21% (2015 est.) $53.76 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1 2 6 country comparison to the world: 9
C ommercial bank prime lending rate: Exports:
$119.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) machinery and equipment (including electronics and
telecommunications), pharmaceuticals and other
$113.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) chemicals, refined petroleum products, foodstuffs and
beverages
Exports - partners:
China 12.8%, Hong Kong 12.6%, Malaysia 10.5%,
Indonesia 7.8%, US 6.8%, Japan 4.5%, South Korea
4.4% (2016)

Imports:
$278.8 billion (2016 est.)

$296.7 billion (2015 est.)


machinery and equipment, mineral fuels, chemicals,
foodstuffs, consumer goods
$654.8 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Imports - partners:
$640 billion (31 December 2015 est.) China 14.3%, Malaysia 11.4%, US 10.8%, Japan 7%,
South Korea 6.1%, Indonesia 4.8% (2016)
142
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Debt - external:
TRANSPORTATION :: SINGAPORE
Panel - Collapsed
 Show
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: SINGAPORE

Panel - Collapsed
 Hide
$1.096 trillion (31 December 2016 est.)
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: SINGAPORE
$1.082 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)
Panel - Expanded
disputes persist with Malaysia over deliveries of fresh
water to Singapore, Singapore's extensive land
reclamation works, bridge construction, and maritime
$682.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) boundaries in the Johor and Singapore Straits; in 2008,
ICJ awarded sovereignty of Pedra Branca (Pulau Batu
$651.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) Puteh/Horsburgh Island) to Singapore, and Middle
Rocks to Malaysia, but did not rule on maritime
country comparison to the world: 1 5 regimes, boundaries, or disposition of South Ledge;
Indonesia and Singapore continue to work on
finalization of their 1973 maritime boundary agreement
Exchange rates: by defining unresolved areas north of Indonesia's
Batam Island; piracy remains a problem in the Malacca
Singapore dollars (SGD) per US dollar - Strait
1.3815 (2016 est.)

Illicit drugs:
1.3815 (2015 est.)

drug abuse limited because of aggressive law
enforcement efforts, including carrying out death
1.3748 (2014 est.)
sentences; as a transportation and financial services
hub, Singapore is vulnerable, despite strict laws and
1.2671 (2013 est.) enforcement, as a venue for money laundering
1.25 (2012 est.) Reference:

 Show factbook/geos/sn.html
ENERGY :: SINGAPORE
Panel - Collapsed
 Show
COMMUNICATIONS :: SINGAPORE
Panel - Collapsed
143
 Currency baht
UN, World Bank
Thailand country
profile
 24 May 2017 Thailand profile -
 Share
Leaders
 19 May 2015

Head of state: King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thailand is the only country in south-east Asia to have

escaped colonial rule. Buddhist religion, the monarchy
and the military have helped to shape its society and
politics.
The military has ruled for most of the period since 1947,
with a few interludes in which the country had a Imag
democratically elected government. e copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Since 2001, Thai politics have been dominated by the Thailand is a constitutional monarchy.
irreconcilable split between supporters and detractors of
Thaksin Shinawatra, who served as prime minister until he Its king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, assumed the throne in June
was ousted by the military in 2006. 1946 and is the world's longest-reigning monarch.
Thaksin's sister Yingluck became prime minister following The royal family is revered by many Thais.
the 2011 election but was in her turn ousted by a military
coup in 2014. Thailand has strict lese-majeste laws, and those deemed to
 Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC have offended the monarchy - which is still a powerful
Monitoring force in the country - are often dealt with severely.
FACTS Prime minister: Prayuth Chan-ocha

Kingdom of Thailand
Capital: Bangkok
 Major language Thai
 Life expectancy Life expectancy:
71 years (men), 78 years (women)
144
General Prayuth Chan-ocha seized power in a coup in May
2014 and was appointed prime minister by the military-
appointed parliament a few months later.
He promised far-reaching political reforms to prevent a

return to the instability of recent years.
But critics suspect his real priority is to destroy the party of

the former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and to
ensure the royal succession takes place smoothly.
For several years before the coup he held the powerful

position of army chief.
Thailand's military has a history of intervening in politics Ruins of Sukhothai, capital of the first major Thai kingdom
and has seized power 12 times since the end of the absolute
monarchy in 1932. 10th-14th cent - Southern Thailand is ruled by the mainly
Mon Lavo Kingdom, but with growing influence from the
The coup was condemned by Western powers, but Khmer neighbouring Empire. (modern-day Cambodia). The
Thailand's relations with key Asian nations remained Tai people - the antecedents of modern ethnic Thais - start
unchanged. to move southwards into the area.
1238-1448 - Thai-speaking Sukhothai kingdom expands its
The US said it hoped the selection of an interim prime rule further south, coming to dominate much of modern-
minister was a step towards establishing democratic day Thailand, before being eclipsed by a rival Thai
institutions. It said restrictions on aid would stay in place kingdom in the south, Ayutthaya.
until Thailand had a democratically elected government. 1350-1767 - Ayutthaya kingdom gradually brings Thailand
under its control and becomes a major power in Southeast
In early 2015, Gen Prayuth sought the king's permission to Asia. At its greatest extent around 1600, it rules parts of
end martial law, replacing it with rule by executive decree modern-day Cambodia, Laos and Burma.
until a referendum on a new constitution in 2016. 1448 - King Ramesuan joins Ayutthaya and Sukhothai in
personal union.
1590-1605 - Reign of Naresuan. Seen as Ayutthaya's
Thailand has been deeply divided since 2006, when former
greatest king, he ends a period of Burmese overlordship
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was toppled after being
and briefly conquers Cambodia and parts of southern
accused of corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for
Burma.
the king.
1767 - Invading Burmese forces sack the capital,
Ayutthaya, bringing an end to the kingdom.
Thailand profile -
timeline
 24 May 2017


7th-10th cent AD - Hindu and Buddhist Dvaravati culture,
thought to be of the ethnic Mon people, predominates.
Thai Royal navy oarsmen in ancient warrior costume
1768-1782 Under Taksin the Great, an ethnic Thai Chinese,

the briefly-lived Thonburi Kingdom re-establishes Thai
control. Taksin is toppled by a coup launched by General
Chao Phraya Chakri, who founds a new dynasty centred on
Bangkok.
145
1946 - King Ananda assassinated.
Rise of modern Thailand 1947 - Military coup by the wartime, pro-Japanese leader
1782 - Beginning of the Chakri dynasty under King Rama Phibun Songkhram. The military retain power until 1973.
I, which rules to this day. The country is known as Siam. 1965 onwards - Thailand permits US to use bases there
New capital of Bangkok founded. during the Vietnam War. Thai troops fight in South
1804-1868 - Reign of King Mongkut (Rama IV), who Vietnam.
embraces Western innovations and initiates Thailand's
modernisation.
1868-1910 - Reign of King Chulalongkorn. Employment of
Western advisers to modernise Siam's administration and
commerce. Railway network developed.
Short-lived civilian rule
1973 - Student riots in Bangkok bring about the fall of the
1917 - Siam becomes ally of Great Britain in World War I.
military government. Free elections are held but the
1932 - Bloodless coup against absolute monarch King
resulting governments lack stability.
Prajadhipok. Constitutional monarchy introduced with
1976 - Military takes over again.
parliamentary government.
1978 - New constitution promulgated.
1939 - Siam changes its name to Thailand ("Land of the
1980 - General Prem Tinsulanonda assumes power.
Free").
1983 - Prem gives up his military position and heads a
1941 - Japanese forces land. After negotiations Thailand
civilian government. He is re-elected in 1986.
allows Japanese to advance towards British-controlled
1988 - General Chatichai Choonhaven replaces Prem after
Malay Peninsula, Singapore and Burma.
elections.
1942 - Thailand declares war on Britain and US, but Thai
1991 - Military coup, the 17th since 1932. A civilian,
ambassador in Washington refuses to deliver declaration to
Anand Panyarachun, is installed as prime minister.
US government.
Temples
Post-war uncertainty
1945 - End of World War II. Thailand compelled to return
territory it had seized from Laos, Cambodia and Malaya.
Exiled King Ananda returns.
Capital: Bangkok
Imag
e copyrightAFP
Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep temple is located near

northern city of Chiang Mai
'Etiquette guide' for Thai monks
Boom in Buddhist websites
Imag BBC - Religion Buddhism
e copyrightAFP 1992 - New elections in March replace Anand with General
Suchinda Kraprayoon. There are demonstrations against
Bangkok, known as "Krung Thep" - City of Angels him, forcing him to resign. Anand is re-instated
temporarily. Elections in September see Chuan Leekpai,
leader of the Democratic Party, chosen as prime minister.
 Population: 7.2 million 1995 - Government collapses. Banharn Silpa-archa, of the
Thai Nation party, elected prime minister.
 Original settlement established by Chinese 1996 - Banharn's government resigns, accused of
traders corruption. Chavalit Yongchaiyudh of the New Aspiration
party wins elections.
 Became capital of Kingdom of Siam in 1782
Subway cheers Bangkok commuters
146
2004 January-March - Martial law is imposed in largely-
Financial turmoil Muslim south after more than 100 killed in a wave of
1997 - Asian financial crisis: The baht falls sharply against attacks blamed on Islamic militants.
the dollar, leading to bankruptcies and unemployment. The 2004 February - More than 100 Islamic militants die in
IMF steps in. Chuan Leekpai becomes prime minister. coordinated attacks on police bases in the south.
1998 - Tens of thousands of migrant workers are sent back 2004 October - 85 Muslim protesters die, many from
to their countries of origin. Chuan involves the opposition suffocation, while in army custody following violence at a
in his government in order to push through economic rally in the south. An enquiry concludes they were not
reforms. killed deliberately.
1999 - Economy begins to pick up again. Thai media
highlight high cost of drug treatments for Aids and HIV.
Thailand begins to put pressure on drugs companies to find
ways to make the drugs cheaper. Tsunami
Drugs 2004 December - Thousands of people - both Thais and
foreign tourists - are killed as when a massive tsunami,
triggered by an undersea earthquake off the coast of
Sumatra, devastates communities on the south-west coast,
including the resort of Phuket.
Hero for a time
Imag
e copyrightAFP
Thousands were killed in controversial anti-drug drive

Thai PM hails drug war success
Thailand's bloody drug war Imag
2001 January - New Thai Love Thai party wins elections e copyrightAFP
after partial re-run of poll. Leader Thaksin Shinawatra
forms coalition government. Policeman-turned-tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra
2001 June - Burma-Thailand border crossing, which was transformed Thai politics but was ousted in a military
closed after clashes between the two countries' troops in
coup
February, re-opens after Thaksin visits Burma.
2002 May - Burma closes border with Thailand again after
Profile: Thaksin Shinawatra
Thai army fires shells into Burma during battle between 2005 March - Thaksin Shinawatra begins a second term as
Burmese army and ethnic Shan rebels. Border reopens in PM after his party wins February's elections by a landslide.
October. 2005 July - As violent unrest continues in the south, Prime
Minister Thaksin is given new powers to counter suspected
Muslim militants in the region. In November the death toll
in violence since January 2004 tops 1,000.
Temple row 2005 October - Thailand redoubles efforts to fight bird flu
as fresh outbreaks of the disease are reported.
2003 January - More than 500 Thai nationals are evacuated
from Cambodia amid angry protests after remarks
attributed to by a Thai actress that Cambodia "stole" its
Angokr Wat temple complex from Thailand.
2003 February - Controversial crackdown on drugs starts;
Coup
more than 2,000 suspects are killed. The government 2006 April-May - Snap election called by the PM amid
blames many of the killings on criminal gangs; rights mass rallies against him is boycotted by the opposition and
groups say extra-judicial killings were encouraged by the is subsequently annulled, leaving a political vacuum. The
authorities. PM takes a seven-week break from politics.
147
2006 August - Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra accuses
several army officers of plotting to kill him after police find Unrest
a car containing bomb-making materials near his house. 2008 September - Opposition protesters occupy Bangkok's
2006 19 September- Military leaders stage a bloodless coup main government complex and begin mass anti-government
while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is at the UN protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak
General Assembly. Retired General Surayud Chulanont is Sundaravej.
appointed as interim prime minister in October.
2007 January - Martial law is lifted in more than half of the Constitutional Court dimisses PM Sundaravej for violating
country. a conflict of interest law by hosting two television cooking
2007 April - First draft of a new constitution is approved by shows while in office. Somchai Wongsawat chosen by
a committee appointed by the military administration. parliament as the new prime minister, but the street protests
2007 May - Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak against the PPP government continue.
Thai party is banned. Thousands of soldiers are put on alert. 2008 October - Thai troops shoot dead two Cambodian
2007 August - Voters approve a new, military-drafted soldiers in a firefight on the disputed stretch of the two
constitution in a referendum. countries' border, near the Preah Vihear temple.
Thai Supreme Court gives fugitive former PM Thaksin

Shinawatra a two-year jail sentence after finding him guilty
Democracy restored of corruption over a land deal.
2007 December- General elections mark the first major step
towards a return to civilian rule. The People Power Party
Hmong expulsion
(PPP), seen as the reincarnation of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai
(Thais Love Thais) party, wins the most votes.
Temple row
Imag
The UN voiced concern over the fate of Hmong

Imag repatriated from Thailand
e copyrightAFP UN seeks access to Hmong in Laos
In pictures: Forced expulsion of the Hmong
The Preah Vihear temple sparked a border standoff 2008 November - Tens of thousands of opposition People's
with Cambodia Alliance for Democracy supporters rally around parliament
Q&A: Thailand-Cambodia temple dispute in Bangkok and blockade Thailand's main airports in "final
Tranquil temple at centre of a storm battle" to topple the government.
2008 February - Return to civilian rule. Samak Sundaravej
of the Thaksin-linked People Power Party (PPP) is sworn in
as prime minister. Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra
returns from exile. Anti-Thaksin forces in power
2008 July - Pojaman Shinawatra, the wife of former prime 2008 December - Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is
minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is found guilty of fraud and forced from office by a Constitutional Court ruling
sentenced to three years in jail. She is granted bail pending disbanding the governing People Power Party for electoral
an appeal. fraud and barring its leaders from politics for five years.
2008 August - Thaksin flees to Britain with his family after
failing to appear in court to face corruption charges. Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva forms a coalition to
become Thailand's new prime minister, the country's third
new leader in three months.
148
2009 March-April - Supporters of former PM Thaksin
Shinawatra hold mass rallies against the government's
economic policies.
2009 April - Continuing unrest forces the cancellation of an
ASEAN summit after anti-government protesters storm the
summit venue in the resort of Pattaya.
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva moves troops into Bangkok to end an

opposition protest sit-in. More than 120 people injured in
resulting clashes.
2009 June - Leaders of the protest group that helped topple Imag
Thaksin Shinawatra apply to register themselves as the e copyrightGETTY IMAGES
New Politics Party.
2009 November - Row with Cambodia grows over the Thailand's polarised politics has led to waves of mass
appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser protest
to the Cambodian government. Cambodia takes over Thai- Q&A: Thailand protests
owned air traffic control firm.
Profile: Thailand's reds and yellows
2009 December - Up to 20,000 Thaksin supporters rally in
2010 November - Thailand extradites Russian national
Bangkok to demand fresh elections. Mr Thaksin addressed
Viktor Bout to the US on charges of arms dealing, after
them by video-link.
months of legal wrangling. Russia says the move is a
"glaring injustice" and politically motivated.
Thailand deports about 4,000 ethnic Hmong back to 2011 January - Tensions rise as Cambodia charges two
communist-ruled Laos, deeming them to be economic Thai citizens with spying after arresting them for crossing
migrants. The UN and US expressed concern about their the disputed border.
possible reception in Laos. 2011 February - After an exchange of fire across the Thai-
2010 February - Supreme Court strips Mr Thaksin's family Cambodian border, the two countries agree to allow
of half of its wealth after ruling that he illegally acquired Indonesian monitors access to the area to prevent further
$1.4bn during his time as PM. Security forces placed on clashes.
high alert amid fear of clashes with Thaksin supporters. 2011 April - Eighteen people are left dead after border
dispute over land near the ancient Preah Vihear temple on
the Thai-Cambodian sparks armed clashes.
Red Shirts
2010 March-May - Tens of thousands of Thaksin
supporters - in trademark red shirts - paralyse parts of Election sweep
central Bangkok with months-long protests calling for PM 2011 July - The pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai party wins a
Abhisit's resignation and early elections. Troops eventually landslide victory in elections. Yingluck Shinawatra - the
storm the protesters' barricades in a bid to break the sister of Mr Thaksin Shinawatra - becomes prime minister.
deadlock and end the demonstrations. The death toll in the 2011 October - The government introduces a rice subsidy
violence - the worst in the country's modern history - is put scheme with the aim of ensuring that farmers - who form
at 91. the main part of Pheu Thai's social base in the rural north of
2010 August - Thailand resumes diplomatic ties with Thailand - receive a guaranteed price for their rice crop.
Cambodia after Phnom Penh announces that ousted Thai The scheme causes government debt to soar, and the
PM Thaksin Shinawatra is stepping down as its economic resulting increase in the price of Thai rice causes the
advisor. country to lose its rank as the world's number one rice
Protest politics exporter.
2012 June - Anti-government yellow-shirts blockade
parliament to prevent debate on proposed reconciliation bill
aimed at ending six-tear-old political tensions. Group fears
that a proposed amnesty would enable the return of ousted
PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
2012 November - Police disperse 10,000-strong protest in
Bangkok calling for overthrow of Prime Minister Yingluck
Shinawatra.
149
New Pitak Siam (Protect Thailand) movement led by more than 90 people died. Mr Abhisit, leader of the
retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit unites yellow-shirts and opposition Democrat Party, denies the charges and is
others who see the government as a puppet of exiled former granted bail.
PM Thaksin Shinawatra. 2014 February - General elections go ahead but the
2012 December - Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Constitutional Court declares them invalid because of
is charged with responsibility for the death of a taxi driver disruption by the opposition.
shot by troops during anti-government protests in Bangkok
in 2010.
Coup
2014 May - Constitutional court orders Prime Minister
Peace moves Yingluck Shinawatra and several ministers out of office
2013 February - Government, Muslim separatists in south over alleged irregularities in appointment of security
sign first-ever peace talks deal. adviser.
2013 April - Constitutional Court blocks moves by ruling
Pheu Thai party to amend 2007 post-coup constitution. Army seizes power in coup.
2013 June - Government cuts guaranteed price for rice, 2014 June - King Bhumibol gives his assent to an interim
provoking an angry reaction from farmers and protests in constitution enacted by the junta and giving the military
Bangkok. sweeping powers.
2014 August - Coup leader General Prayuth Chan-ocha is
PM Yingluck Shinawatra reshuffles cabinet for fifth time, made prime minister.
sacking commerce minister responsible for rice price 2014 November - Finance Minister Sommai Phasee says
subsidy cut and taking on defence portfolio herself. Thai elections unlikely until 2016.
2013 July - Government, Muslim separatists in south agree
to Ramadan ceasefire. Parliament bans the trade in babies born through surrogate
2013 November - Tens of thousands of opposition pregnancies, following growing public opposition to the
supporters protest in Bangkok against a proposed political practice.
amnesty bill that critics say would allow ousted leader 2014 December - Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn revokes
Thaksin Shinawatra - the brother of Prime Minister royally-assigned family name of his wife, following the
Yingluck Shinawatra - to return to Thailand without facing arrest of several of her relatives in a corruption case.
jail. 2015 March - Coup-appointed Prime Minister Prayuth
2013-14 mass protests Chan-ocha ends martial law, continues to rule by executive
order.
2015 August - Bomb attack kills 20 people at Hindu
Erawan shrine, Bangkok.
2016 August - Voters approve a new constitution giving the
military continuing influence over the country's political
life.
King's death
2016 October - King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's
longest reigning monarch, dies at the age of 88 after 70
Imag years on the throne.
Demonstrators tried to force prime minister to quit

Q&A: Thailand protests
2013 December - In response to opposition pressure, PM
Yingluck Shinawatra announces that early elections will be
held in February 2014 but rejects calls for her to step down
in the meantime.
Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva charged with

murder over 2010 crackdown on demonstrators in which
150
Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn replaced his father as king in
late 2016
2016 - December - Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn is

proclaimed king, replacing his late father Bhumibol
Adulyadej.
2017 April - King Vajiralongkorn signs the new, military-
drafted constitution that paves the way for a return to
democracy.
2017 May - Bomb attack on a Bangkok hospital wounds 24
people on the third anniversary of the military coup.
EAST & SOUTHEAST ASIA :
: THAILAND
PAG E LAST U PDATED ON N OVEM BER 06, 2017
 Open All
 Close All
 Hide
INTRODUCTION :: THAILAND
Panel - Expanded
 Background:
A unified Thai kingdom was established in the mid-14th

century. Known as Siam until 1939, Thailand is the only
Southeast Asian country never to have been colonized
by a European power. A bloodless revolution in 1932
led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. In
alliance with Japan during World War II, Thailand
became a US treaty ally in 1954 after sending troops to
Korea and later fighting alongside the US in Vietnam.
151
Thailand since 2005 has experienced several rounds of total: 513,120 sq km
political turmoil including a military coup in 2006 that
ousted then Prime Minister THAKSIN Chinnawat, land: 510,890 sq km
followed by large-scale street protests by competing
political factions in 2008, 2009, and 2010. THAKSIN's
water: 2,230 sq km
youngest sister, YINGLAK Chinnawat, in 2011 led the
Puea Thai Party to an electoral win and assumed
control of the government. A blanket amnesty bill for country comparison to the world: 5 2
individuals involved in street protests, altered at the
last minute to include all political crimes - including all Area - comparative:
convictions against THAKSIN - triggered months of
large- scale anti-government protests in Bangkok
about three times the size of Florida; slightly more than
beginning in November 2013.
twice the size of Wyoming
In early May 2014, YINGLAK was removed from office

by the Constitutional Court and in late May 2014 the
Royal Thai Army, led by Royal Thai Army Gen. PRAYUT
Chan- ocha, staged a coup against the caretaker
government. PRAYUT was appointed prime minister in Land boundaries:
August 2014. The interim military government created
several interim institutions to promote reform and draft
total: 5,673 km
a new constitution, which was passed in a national
referendum in August 2016. Elections are tentatively set
for mid-2018. King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet passed border countries (4): Burma 2,416 km, Cambodia 817
away in October 2016 after 70 years on the throne; his km, Laos 1,845 km, Malaysia 595 km
only son, WACHIRALONGKON
Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun, ascended the throne in C oastline:
December 2016. He signed the new constitution in April
2017. Thailand has also experienced violence
3,219 km
associated with the ethno-nationalist insurgency in its
southern Malay-Muslim majority provinces. Since
January 2004, thousands have been killed and wounded Maritime claims:
in the insurgency.
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: THAILAND exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Panel - Expanded continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of

exploitation
 Location:
Climate:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the
Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-
May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon
(November to mid- March); southern isthmus always hot
and humid
15 00 N, 100 00 E
Terrain:
Map references:
central plain; Khorat Plateau in the east; mountains
elsewhere
Southeast Asia
Elevation:
Area:
152
mean elevation: 287 m Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation,
Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical
elevation extremes: lowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 m Timber 94, Wetlands
highest point: Doi Inthanon 2,565 m signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Natural resources: Geography - note:
tin, rubber, natural gas, tungsten, tantalum, timber, controls only land route from Asia to Malaysia and
lead, fish, gypsum, lignite, fluorite, arable land Singapore; ideas for the construction of a canal across
the Kra Isthmus that would create a bypass to the Strait
of Malacca and shorten shipping times around Asia
Land use:
continue to be discussed
agricultural land: 41.2%  Hide
arable land 30.8%; permanent crops 8.8%; permanent PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: THAILAND
pasture 1.6%
Panel - Expanded
forest: 37.2%
 Population:
other: 21.6% (2011 est.)
68,414,135
Irrigated land:
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into
64,150 sq km (2012) account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS;
this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant
mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth
rates, and changes in the distribution of population by
age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July
highest population density is found in and around 2017 est.)
Bangkok; significant population clusters found
throughout large parts of the country, particularly north
and northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern
region of the country
Nationality:
Natural hazards:
noun: Thai (singular and plural)
land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the
depletion of the water table; droughts adjective: Thai
Environment - current issues: Ethnic groups:
air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution Thai 97.5%, Burmese 1.3%, other 1.1%, unspecified
from organic and factory wastes; deforestation; soil <.1% (2015 est.)
erosion; wildlife populations threatened by illegal
hunting
Languages:
Environment - international agreements: Thai (official) 90.7%, Burmese 1.3%, other 8%
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate note: English is a secondary language of the elite
Change- Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered (2010 est.)
153
11 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Religions:

Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.3%, Christian 1%, other
<.1%, none <.1% (2015 est.)
Death rate:
Age structure:
8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)


4,752,038) Net migration rate:
25-54 years: 46.32% (male 15,677,322/female 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

16,009,399)
55-64 years: 12% (male 3,851,575/female 4,358,837)
4,072,449) (2017 est.)
highest population density is found in and around
Bangkok; significant population clusters found througout
population pyramid:
large parts of the country, particularly north and
northeast of Bangkok and in the extreme southern
region of the country
Dependency ratios:
Urbanization:
total dependency ratio: 40


elderly dependency ratio: 14.8 (2015- 20 est.)

Median age:
BANGKOK (capital) 9.27 million; Samut Prakan 1.814
million (2015)
total: 37.7 years
Sex ratio:
male: 36.6 years


0.3% (2017 est.)
Birth rate:
154
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.) 0.39 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Mother's mean age at first birth: Hospital bed density:
23.3 years (2009 est.) 2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Maternal mortality rate: Drinking water source:
20 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) improved:
country comparison to the world: 1 2 9 urban: 97.6% of population


unimproved:



improved:
male: 71.7 years
total: 93% of population
unimproved:

C ontraceptive prevalence rate: total: 7% of population (2015 est.)
79.3% (2012)
Health expenditures: 1.1% (2016 est.)
6.5% of GDP (2014) country comparison to the world: 4 0

Physicians density:
155
450,000 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1 6 education):
total: 16 years
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
male: 16 years
16,000 (2016 est.)


total: 0.9%
male: 0.8%
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
female: 1.1% (2015 est.)

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, Japanese
encephalitis, and malaria (2016)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:  Hide
GOVERNMENT :: THAILAND

10% (2016)
Panel - Expanded
 C ountry name:
underweight:
conventional long form: Kingdom of Thailand
9.2% (2012)
conventional short form: Thailand

local long form: Ratcha Anachak Thai
Education expenditures: local short form: Prathet Thai
4.1% of GDP (2013) former: Siam
country comparison to the world: 4 7 etymology: "Land of the Tai [People]"; the meaning of
"tai" is uncertain, but may originally have meant "human
beings," "people," or "free people"
Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write Government type:
total population: 92.9% constitutional monarchy; note - interim military-affiliated

government since May 2014
male: 94.7%
Capital:
female: 91.2% (2015 est.)
name: Bangkok
156
geographic coordinates: 13 45 N, 100 31 E has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-
Washington, DC, during Standard Time) Citizenship:
Administrative divisions: citizenship by birth: no
76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural) and 1 citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must
municipality* (maha nakhon); Amnat Charoen, Ang be a citizen of Thailand
Thong, Bueng Kan, Buri Ram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat,
Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, dual citizenship recognized: no
Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet,
Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep*
(Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae
Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok,
Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Suffrage:
Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan,
Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, 18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung,
Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok,
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Executive branch:
Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi
Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut chief of state: King WACHIRALONGKON
Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Saraburi, Satun, Sing Buri, Bodinthrathepphayawarangkun (since 1 December
Si Sa Ket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat 2016); note - King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet, also
Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon
spelled BHUMIBOL Adulyadej (since 9 June 1946) died
Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
13 October 2016
Independence: head of government: Interim Prime Minister Gen.

PRAYUT Chan- ocha (since 25 August 2014); Deputy
1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized) Prime Ministers PRAWIT Wongsuwan, Gen. (since 31
August 2014), THANASAK Patimaprakon, Gen. (since
31 August 2014), WISSANU Kruea- ngam (since 31
National holiday:
August 2014), SOMKHIT Chatusiphithak (since 20
August 2015), PRACHIN Chantong, Air Chief Mar.
Birthday of King Maha VAJIRALONGKORN, 28 July
(since 20 August 2015), NARONG Phiphatthanasai,
(1952)
Adm. (since 20 August 2015)
C onstitution: cabinet: Council of Ministers nominated by the prime

minister, appointed by the king; a Privy Council advises
many previous; draft of latest completed 29 March the king
2016, approved by referendum 7 August 2016, signed
by the king 6 April 2017; note - the final version has elections/appointments: the monarchy is hereditary;
several changes not reflected in the one passed by the House of Representatives approves a person for
referendum (2016)
Prime Minister who must then be appointed by the King
(as stated in the transitory provision of the 2017
Legal system: constitution); the office of prime minister can be held
for up to a total of 8 years
civil law system with common law influences
note: Prime Minister YINGLAK Chinnawat, also spelled
YINGLUCK Shinawatra, was removed from office on 7
International law organization participation:
May 2014 after the Constitutional Court ruled she
illegally transferred a government official; Thai army
157
declared martial law on 20 May 2014 followed by a coup Political parties and leaders:
on 22 May 2014
Chat Phatthana Party or CPN (National Development

Legislative branch: Party) [WANNARAT Channukun]
description: in transition; following the May 2014 Chat Thai Phatthana Party or CTP (Thai Nation
military coup, a National Legislative Assembly or Sapha Development Party)
Nitibanyat Haeng Chat of no more than 220 members
replaced the bicameral National Assembly; expanded to Mahachon Party or Mass Party [APHIRAT Sirinawin]
250 members in September 2016; elections for a
permanent legislative body are currently unscheduled Matuphum Party (Motherland Party) [Gen. SONTHI
and probably will not occur until late 2018; the 2017 Bunyaratkalin]
constitution calls for a 250- member military-appointed
Senate with 5-year terms and a 500-member elected Phalang Chon Party (People Power Party) [SONTHAYA
House of Representatives with 4-year terms Khunpluem]
elections: Senate - last held on 30 March 2014 (next to Phumchai (Bhumjai) Thai Party or PJT (Thai Pride)
[ANUTHIN Chanwirakun]
be held in 2018); House of Representatives - last held
on 2 February 2014 but later declared invalid by the
Constitutional Court (next to be held in 2018) Prachathipat Party or DP (Democrat Party) [ABHISIT
Wechachiwa, also spelled ABHISIT Vejjajiva]
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party -

Prachathipatai Mai Party (New Democracy Party)
NA; seats by party - NA; House of Representatives -
[SURATHIN Phichan]
percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
Puea Thai Party (For Thais Party) or PTP [acting leader

Judicial branch: WIROT Paoin]
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists Rak Prathet Thai Party (Love Thailand Party) [acting
of court president, 6 vice-presidents, and 60- 70 judges, leader SURAPHON Wetchakon]
and organized into 10 divisions); Constitutional Court
(consists of court president and 8 judges); Supreme Rak Santi Party (Peace Conservation Party) [Pol. Lt.
Administrative Court (number of judges determined by Gen. THAWIN Surachetphong]
Judicial Commission of the Administrative Courts)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court
judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the Multicolor Group
Courts of Justice and approved by the monarch; judge
term determined by the monarch; Constitutional Court People's Democratic Reform Committee or PDRC
justices - 3 judges drawn from the Supreme Court, 2
judges drawn from the Administrative Court, and 4
Student and People Network for Thailand's Reform or
judge candidates selected by the Selective Committee STR
for Judges of the Constitutional Court and confirmed by
the Senate; judges appointed by the monarch to serve
United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship or
single 9-year terms; Supreme Administrative Court UDD
judges selected by the Judicial Commission of the
Administrative Courts and appointed by the monarch;
judges appointed for life International organization participation:
subordinate courts: courts of first instance and ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, BIMSTEC, BIS, CD, CICA,
appeals courts within both the judicial and CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national
committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO,
administrative systems; military courts
IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO,
ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC
158
(observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE (partner),
National anthem:
PCA, PIF (partner), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMOGIP, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU,
WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO name: "Phleng Chat Thai" (National Anthem of
Thailand)

lyrics/music: Luang SARANUPRAPAN/Phra
JENDURIYANG
chief of mission: Ambassador PHISAN Manawaphat
(since 23 February 2015)
note: music adopted 1932, lyrics adopted 1939; by law,
people are required to stand for the national anthem at
chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 401, 0800 and 1800 every day; the anthem is played in
Washington, DC 20007 schools, offices, theaters, and on television and radio
during this time; "Phleng Sanlasoen Phra Barami" (A
telephone: [1] (202) 944- 3600 Salute to the Monarch) serves as the royal anthem and
is played in the presence of the royal family and during
FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 certain state ceremonies
consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, New  Hide

York
ECONOMY :: THAILAND
Diplomatic representation from the US: Panel - Expanded
chief of mission: Ambassador Glyn T. DAVIES (since

28 November 2015)
With a relatively well-developed infrastructure, a free-

embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330
enterprise economy, and generally pro- investment
policies, Thailand is highly dependent on international
mailing address: APO AP 96546 trade, with exports accounting for about two-thirds of
GDP. Thailand’s exports include electronics,
telephone: [66] (2) 205-4000 agricultural commodities, automobiles and parts, and
processed foods. The industry and service sectors
FAX: [66] (2) 254- 2990, 205- 4131 produce about 90% of GDP. The agricultural sector,
comprised mostly of small-scale farms, contributes only
10% of GDP but employs about one- third of the labor
consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai
force. Thailand has attracted an estimated 3.0-4.5
million migrant workers, mostly from neighboring
Flag description: countries.
five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double Over the last few decades, Thailand has sustained
width), white, and red; the red color symbolizes the strong growth and has reduced poverty substantially. In
nation and the blood of life; white represents religion 2013, the Thai Government implemented a nationwide
and the purity of Buddhism; blue stands for the 300 baht (roughly $10) per day minimum wage policy
monarchy and deployed new tax reforms designed to lower rates
on middle-income earners.
note: similar to the flag of Costa Rica but with the blue
and red colors reversed Growth has slowed in the last few years, however, due
to domestic political turmoil and sluggish global
demand. Nevertheless, Thailand’s economic
National symbol(s): fundamentals are sound, with low inflation, low
unemployment, and reasonable public and external debt
garuda (mythical half-man, half-bird figure), elephant; levels. Tourism and government spending - mostly on
national colors: red, white, blue infrastructure and short-term stimulus measures – have
helped to boost the economy, and The Bank of Thailand
159
has been supportive, with several interest rate 27.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
reductions.
Over the longer- term, Thailand faces labor shortages,
and domestic debt levels, political uncertainty, and an
aging population pose risks to growth.




agriculture: 8.3%
$407.1 billion (2016 est.)
industry: 35.8%

3.2% (2016 est.)
2.9% (2015 est.)
0.9% (2014 est.) rice, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rubber, corn,

sugarcane, coconuts, palm oil, pineapple, livestock, fish
products
Industries:
tourism, textiles and garments, agricultural processing,

$16,900 (2016 est.)
beverages, tobacco, cement, light manufacturing such
as jewelry and electric appliances, computers and
$16,400 (2015 est.) parts, integrated circuits, furniture, plastics,
automobiles and automotive parts, agricultural
$16,000 (2014 est.) machinery, air conditioning and refrigeration, ceramics,
aluminum, chemical, environmental management, glass,
note: data are in 2016 dollars granite and marble, leather, machinery and metal work,
petrochemical, petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals,
printing, pulp and paper, rubber, sugar, rice, fishing,
cassava, world's second- largest tungsten producer and
third-largest tin producer

33.5% of GDP (2016 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)

30.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
160
country comparison to the world: 1 0 4 Taxes and other revenues:
country comparison to the world: 1 7 Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
agriculture: 31.8% country comparison to the world: 1 1 1
industry: 16.7% Public debt:
services: 51.5% (2015 est.) 41.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
0.8% (2016 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and

includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by
0.9% (2015 est.) government entities other than the treasury; the data
include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data
country comparison to the world: 6 include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as
intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt
consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the
social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and
unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds
7.2% (2015 est.) are sold at public auctions
Household income or consumption by country comparison to the world: 1 3 0
percentage share:
Fiscal year:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
1 October - 30 September
highest 10%: 31.5% (2009 est.)
0.2% (2016 est.)
44.5 (2015)
-0.9% (2015 est.)
48.4 (2011)
Budget:
1.5% (31 December 2016)
1.5% (31 December 2015)

161
C ommercial bank prime lending rate: Exports:
6.56% (31 December 2015 est.) $214 billion (2015 est.)
$52.03 billion (31 December 2016 est.) automobiles and parts, computer and parts, jewelry and
precious stones, polymers of ethylene in primary forms,
$49.27 billion (31 December 2015 est.) refine fuels, electronic integrated circuits, chemical
products, rice, fish products, rubber products, sugar,
cassava, poultry, machinery and parts, iron and steel
and their products

Exports - partners:

US 11.4%, China 11.1%, Japan 9.6%, Hong Kong 5.3%,
Australia 4.8%, Malaysia 4.5%, Vietnam 4.4% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 2 2 Imports:
$177.7 billion (2016 est.)

$187.2 billion (2015 est.)


country comparison to the world: 2 5 Imports - commodities:
machinery and parts, crude oil, electrical machinery and

parts, chemicals, iron & steel and product, electronic
integrated circuit, automobile’s parts, jewelry including
$348.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) silver bars and gold, computers and parts, electrical
household appliances, soybean, soybean meal, wheat,
$430.4 billion (31 December 2014 est.) cotton, dairy products

Imports - partners:

China 21.6%, Japan 15.8%, US 6.2%, Malaysia 5.6%
(2016)

$46.83 billion (2016 est.)

$32.11 billion (2015 est.)

162
country comparison to the world: 1 5 Panel - Collapsed
 Show
Debt - external:
TRANSPORTATION :: THAILAND
Panel - Collapsed
 Show
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: THAILAND
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home: Panel - Collapsed
 Hide
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: THAILAND

Panel - Expanded


separatist violence in Thailand's predominantly Malay-
Muslim southern provinces prompt border closures and
controls with Malaysia to stem insurgent activities;
$96.27 billion (31 December 2016 est.) Southeast Asian states have enhanced border
surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; talks
continue on completion of demarcation with Laos but
disputes remain over several islands in the Mekong
River; despite continuing border committee talks,
Thailand must deal with Karen and other ethnic rebels,
refugees, and illegal cross-border activities; Cambodia
Exchange rates: and Thailand dispute sections of boundary; in 2011,
Thailand and Cambodia resorted to arms in the dispute
over the location of the boundary on the precipice
baht per US dollar -
surmounted by Preah Vihear temple ruins, awarded to
Cambodia by ICJ decision in 1962 and part of a planned
35.296 (2016 est.)
UN World Heritage site; Thailand is studying the
feasibility of jointly constructing the Hatgyi Dam on the
35.296 (2015 est.) Salween river near the border with Burma; in 2004,
international environmentalist pressure prompted China
34.248 (2014 est.) to halt construction of 13 dams on the Salween River
that flows through China, Burma, and Thailand;
32.48 (2013 est.) approximately 105,000 mostly Karen refugees fleeing
civil strife, political upheaval and economic stagnation
31.08 (2012 est.) in Burma live in remote camps in Thailand near the
border
 Show
ENERGY :: THAILAND
Panel - Collapsed
refugees (country of origin): 102,633 (Burma) (2016)
 Show
COMMUNICATIONS :: THAILAND

163
IDPs: 35,000 (resurgence in ethno-nationalist violence understanding of trafficking indicators, a failure to
in south of country since 2004) (2016) recognize non-physical forms of coercion, and a
shortage of language interpreters; the government
stateless persons: 487,741 (2016); note - about half of passed new labor laws increasing the minimum age in
Thailand's northern hill tribe people do not have the fishing industry to 18 years old, guaranteeing the
citizenship and make up the bulk of Thailand's stateless minimum wage, and requiring work contracts, but weak
population; most lack documentation showing they or law enforcement and poor coordination among
one of their parents were born in Thailand; children regulatory agencies enabled exploitive labor practices
born to Burmese refugees are not eligible for Burmese to continue; the government increased efforts to raise
or Thai citizenship and are stateless; most Chao Lay, public awareness to the dangers of human trafficking
maritime nomadic peoples, who travel from island to and to deny entry to foreign sex tourists (2015)
island in the Andaman Sea west of Thailand are also
stateless; stateless Rohingya refugees from Burma are Illicit drugs:
considered illegal migrants by Thai authorities and are
detained in inhumane conditions or expelled; stateless
a minor producer of opium, heroin, and marijuana;
persons are denied access to voting, property,
transit point for illicit heroin en route to the
education, employment, healthcare, and driving
international drug market from Burma and Laos;
eradication efforts have reduced the area of cannabis
note: Thai nationality was granted to more than 18,000 cultivation and shifted some production to neighboring
stateless persons in the last 3 years (2015) countries; opium poppy cultivation has been reduced by
eradication efforts; also a drug money-laundering
center; minor role in methamphetamine production for
regional consumption; major consumer of
methamphetamine since the 1990s despite a series of
current situation: Thailand is a source, transit, and government crackdowns
destination country for men, women, and children
subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; victims Reference; https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-
from Burma, Cambodia, Laos, China, Vietnam, world- factbook/geos/th.html
Uzbekistan, and India, migrate to Thailand in search of
jobs but are forced, coerced, or defrauded into labor in
commercial fishing, fishing-related industries, factories,
domestic work, street begging, or the sex trade; some
Thai, Burmese, Cambodian, and Indonesian men forced
to work on fishing boats are kept at sea for years; sex
trafficking of adults and children from Thailand, Laos,
Vietnam, and Burma remains a significant problem;
Thailand is a transit country for victims from China,
Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Burma subjected to sex
trafficking and forced labor in Malaysia, Indonesia,
Singapore, Russia, South Korea, the US, and countries Vietnam country
in Western Europe; Thai victims are also trafficked in
North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle profile
East  30 October 2017

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Thailand does not fully
of trafficking, and is not making significant efforts to do
so; in 2014, authorities investigated, prosecuted, and
convicted fewer traffickers and identified fewer victims;
some cases of official complicity were investigated and
prosecuted, but trafficking- related corruption continues
to hinder progress in combatting trafficking; authorities’
efforts to screen for victims among vulnerable
populations remained inadequate due to a poor
164
Vietnam, a one-party Communist state, has one of
south-east Asia's fastest-growing economies and has set
its sights on becoming a developed nation by 2020.
It became a unified country once more in 1975 when the

armed forces of the Communist north seized the south.
This followed three decades of bitter wars, in which the

Communists fought first against the colonial power France,
then against South Vietnam and its US backers. In its latter
stages, the conflict held the attention of the world.
The US joined the hostilities in order to stem the "domino

effect" of successive countries falling to Communism.
 Read more country profiles - Profiles by BBC I
Monitoring mage copyrightEPA
Tran Dai Quang was elected to the largely ceremonial post

FACTS of president in January 2016.
Secretary-general of the Communist Party: Nguyen Phu
Socialist Republic of Vietnam Trong
Capital: Hanoi
 Major languageVietnamese
77 years (women)
 Currency dong
UN, World Bank
Getty Images I
mage copyrightGETTY IMAGES
LEADERS The Communist Party holds the real power in Vietnam. It
President: Tran Dai Quang appointed Nguyen Phu Trong as its secretary-general in
January 2011, replacing Nong Duc Manh, who retired after
10 years in the post.
He took over as Vietnam faced mounting economic

problems, including rising inflation, a growing trade deficit
and a weakening currency.
Born in 1944, he also previously served the Communist

Party's chief political theorist.
Nguyen Phu Trong is seen as a conservative.

Prime minister: Nguyen Xuan Phuc
165
Vietnam profile -
Timeline
 30 October 2017


1858 - French colonial rule begins.
Founding father
Image copyrightAFP/GETTY IMAGES
Nguyen Xuan Phuc was elected to the post of prime

minister by parliament in April 2016, after being picked to
succeed outgoing leader Nguyen Tan Dung at the
Communist Party's congress in January.
Mr Phuc, 61, pledged to improve the business climate and

crack down on corruption.
Imag
Unlike his charismatic predecessor, he is seen as a team e copyrightAFP
player and a technocrat ready to stick to the party line.
Images of Ho Chi Minh abound
MEDIA  Born 1890
 Founded Indochina Communist Party 1930
 President of North Vietnam 1945-69

BBC History: Ho Chi Minh
1930 - Ho Chi Minh founds the Indochinese Communist
Party (ICP).
1941 - ICP organises a guerrilla force, Viet Minh, in
response to invasion by Japan during World War II.
1945 - The Viet Minh seizes power. Ho Chi Minh
announces Vietnam's independence.
1946 - French forces attack Viet Minh in Haiphong in
November, sparking the war of resistance against the
colonial power.
Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES 1950 - Democratic Republic of Vietnam is recognised by
China and USSR.
1954 - Viet Minh forces attack an isolated French military
The Communist Party has a strong grip on the media. outpost in the town of Dien Bien Phu. The attempt to take
the outpost lasts two months, during which time the French
Media outlets and journalists risk sanctions for broaching government agrees to peace talks in Geneva.
sensitive topics and for criticising the government. But
some press titles and online outlets do report on corruption Vietnam is split into North and South at Geneva
in official circles. conference.
1956 - South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem begins
There were 41 million internet users by the end of 2013, campaign against political dissidents.
out of a population of 94 million (Internetworldstats.com)
166
1970 - Nixon's national security advisor, Henry Kissinger,
Vietnam war and Le Duc Tho, for the Hanoi government, start talks in
Paris.
1973 - Ceasefire agreement in Paris, US troop pull-out
completed by March.
Refugee crisis
Imag
 US, South Vietnam failed to stop communist-

led unification Imag
 War, known as "American War" in Vietnam,
claimed millions of lives 1955-1975
Thousands of Vietnamese ''boat people'' fled abroad in
overcrowded vessels
 58,000 Americans died
1975 - North Vietnamese troops invade South Vietnam and
1957 - Beginning of Communist insurgency in the South.
take control of the whole country after South Vietnamese
1959 - Weapons and men from North Vietnam begin
President Duong Van Minh surrenders.
infiltrating the South.
1960 - American aid to Diem increased.
1962 - Number of US military advisors in South Vietnam
rises to 12,000.
1963 - Viet Cong, the communist guerrillas operating in
Reconstruction
South Vietnam, defeat units of the ARVN, the South 1976 - Socialist Republic of Vietnam proclaimed. Saigon is
Vietnamese Army. re-named Ho Chi Minh City. Hundreds of thousands flee
abroad, including many "boat people".
1979 - Vietnam invades Cambodia and ousts the Khmer
President Diem is overthrown and then killed in a US-
Rouge regime of Pol Pot. In response, Chinese troops cross
backed military coup.
Vietnam's northern border. They are pushed back by
Vietnamese forces. The number of "boat people" trying to
leave Vietnam causes international concern.
US enters the war 1986 - Nguyen Van Linh becomes party leader. He
introduces a more liberal economic policy.
1964 - Gulf of Tonkin incident: the US says North 1989 - Vietnamese troops withdraw from Cambodia.
Vietnamese patrol boats fire on two US Navy destroyers. 1992 - New constitution adopted allowing certain economic
US Congress approves Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, freedoms. The Communist Party remains the leading force
authorising military action in region. in Vietnamese society.
1965 - 200,000 American combat troops arrive in South
Vietnam.
1966 - US troop numbers in Vietnam rise to 400,000, then
to 500,000 the following year.
1968 - Tet Offensive - a combined assault by Viet Cong
Reconciliation
1994 - US lifts its 30-year trade embargo.
and the North Vietnamese army on US positions - begins.
1995 - Vietnam and US restore full diplomatic relations.
More than 500 civilians die in the US massacre at My Lai.
Vietnam becomes full member of Association of Southeast
Thousands are killed by communist forces during their
Asian Nations (Asean).
occupation of the city of Hue.
1969 - Ho Chi Minh dies. President Nixon begins to reduce Agent Orange
US ground troops in Vietnam as domestic public opposition
to the war grows.
167
Imag
Imag e copyrightAFP
Hanoi is a mix of old and new
 Herbicide used by US forces to clear Hanoi's 1000th anniversary
vegetation, depriving enemy of cover 2005 - Prime Minister Phan Van Khai makes the first visit
to the US by a Vietnamese leader since the end of the
 Name derives from orange markings on the Vietnam War.
drums containing the chemical 2006 January onwards - Senior officials are investigated
over the alleged embezzlement of millions of dollars of
 Children born in areas sprayed have state money in the transport ministry.
2006 June - As part of an anticipated political shake-up, the
disproportionate rate of mental and physical
prime minister, president and National Assembly chairman
problems are replaced by younger leaders.
PBS video: The leaves keep falling
US to ease deadly Vietnam legacy
1997 - Le Kha Phieu becomes party leader. Tran Duc
Luong chosen as president, Phan Van Khai becomes prime
minister.
WTO membership
2007 January - After 12 years of talks, Vietnam becomes
1998 - A senior party member, Pham The Duyet, faces the 150th member of the World Trade Organization.
charges of corruption. Economic growth slumps in the 2007 February - Government approves a $33bn plan to
wake of the Asian financial crisis. build a high-speed rail link between Hanoi and Ho Chi
1999 - A former high-ranking party member, Tran Do, is Minh City in the south.
expelled after calling for more democracy and freedom of 2007 February - US agrees for the first time to help fund a
expression. study into the removal of Agent Orange, the highly toxic
2000 - US President Bill Clinton pays a three-day official defoliant used by US forces, from a former US base in Da
visit. The US pledges more help to clear landmines left Nang.
over from the Vietnam war. The Vietnamese government 2007 June - President Nguyen Minh Triet makes first visit
estimates nearly 40,000 people have been killed by to the US by a Vietnamese head of state since the Vietnam
unexploded munitions. War ended in 1975.
2001 - The Communist Party chooses Nong Duc Manh as 2007 July - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung reappointed,
its new leader. US, Vietnam implement a trade agreement promises to push through economic reforms.
which normalises the trade status between them. 2008 April - Vietnam launches first communications
2002 - Russia hands back the Cam Ranh Bay naval base, satellite from French Guiana.
once the largest Soviet base outside the Warsaw Pact.
President Tran Duc Luong reappointed for second term by
National Assembly, which also reappoints Prime Minister
Phan Van Khai for second five-year term.
2004 - First US commercial flight since the end of the
Media clampdown
Vietnam War touches down in Ho Chi Minh City. 2008 October - US and international media campaigners
condemn the guilty verdicts on two Vietnamese journalists
Hanoi: Ancient capital Nguyen Viet Chien and Nguyen Van Hai, who had helped
to expose a major corruption scandal. Nguyen Van Hai
pleads guilty and is spared imprisonment.
2008 November - Vietnam says it plans to enforce a two-
child policy in an attempt to control population growth.
168
2008 December - China and Vietnam resolve border 2011 January - Five-yearly congress of the Communist
dispute 30 years after 1979 war which left tens of Party reappoints Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and
thousands dead. elects the head of the national assembly, Nguyen Phu
Trong, as party secretary-general.
Government bans bloggers from raising "inappropriate" 2011 June - Vietnam begins joint operation with the United
subjects. States to clean up contamination from the toxic Agent
2009 January - Jailed journalist Nguyen Viet Chien is Orange defoliant widely used by the US military during the
among more than 15,000 prisoners freed early under a Vietnam war.
Lunar New Year amnesty - one of Vietnam's largest. 2011 October - China and Vietnam sign an agreement to
manage the South China Sea dispute. It includes a hotline
Government dismisses Nguyen Cong Khe and Le Hoang, to deal with emergencies and a provision for twice-yearly
the editors of the two largest pro-reform newspapers, over bilateral meetings.
their coverage of the October corruption scandal trial. 2012 June: Vietnam surpasses Brazil to become the world's
2009 June - Vietnam calls on China to stop preventing largest coffee exporter.
Vietnamese fishermen from working in what Hanoi says 2012 October: Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong
are its territorial waters amid growing tensions over fishing acknowledges mistakes in preventing corruption in
grounds. response to public anger over a recent spate of scandals at
2009 October - Six democracy activists sentenced to up to state-owned enterprises.
six years in prison for "spreading propaganda" against the 2012 November: The Communist-dominated parliament
government by hanging pro-democracy banners on a road votes to require elected leaders, including the president and
bridge. the prime minister, to face annual confidence votes.
Observers say the votes may be little more than symbolic.
Territorial dispute 2013 February - Twenty two people sentenced for trying to
overthrow the government, in what is seen as a renewed
clampdown on freedom of expression.
2013 August - New decree bans internet users from
discussing current affairs online.
2013 September - Economy grows by 5.14% in first three
quarters of year, marking return to growth after years of
stagnation.
2013 October - Leading dissident Le Quoc Quan sentenced
to 30 months in jail for tax evasion, charges his supporters
say are politically motivated.
2014 January - State media for first time marks anniversary
Imag of South Vietnam's 1974 clash with China over Paracel
Islands, in sign of growing tension over Chinese intentions
e copyrightGETTY IMAGES in the area.
Rival claims to ocean areas and islands in the South Court sentences former Vietinbank official Huynh Thi
China Sea have caused much regional tension Huyen Nhu to life in prison in possibly country's largest
Q&A: South China Sea dispute fraud trial. Twenty-two others get jail terms of up to 20
2009 December - Pro-democracy activist Tran Anh Kim years, but public voices discontent at clearing bank of any
receives five-and-a-half-year jail sentence for subversion liability.
after allegedly publishing pro-democracy articles on 2014 March-April - Vietnam releases high-profile
internet. democracy campaigners Cu Huy Ha Vu, Nguyen Tien
2010 January - Four activists, including prominent human Trung and Vi Duc Hoi amid Trans-Pacific Partnership free
rights lawyer Le Cong Dinh, are jailed on charges of trying trade talks with the United States.
to overthrow the government. Rights groups abroad say the
case is a sign of an growing clampdown on freedom of At same time prominent bloggers Pham Viet Dao and
expression. Truong Duy Nhat jailed for "abusing democratic freedoms
2010 May - Human Rights Watch accuses Vietnam of to infringe interests of state".
intensifying its suppression of online dissent. 2014 May - One Chinese worker killed and at least 90 other
2010 July/August - The government arrests the chairman of people injured when protesters attack Taiwanese-owned
shipbuilding corporation Vinashin, one of the country's steel mill in Ha Tinh province. Crowds attack several other
largest state-owned companies, for allegedly nearly foreign-owned companies in protest at China's moving
bankrupting the enterprise. drilling rig into waters also claimed by Vietnam in South
China Sea.
169
2014 August - The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of
Staff, Martin Dempsey, holds talks with Vietnamese
leaders, in the highest level visit by an American military
EAST & SOUTHEAST
officer since the Vietnam war.
2014 October - The United States says it will partially lift
its embargo on arms sales to Vietnam, which has been in
place for three decades. Washington says the move applies
ASIA :: VIETNAM
to weapons for maritime purposes only. PAG E LAST U PDAT E D ON N OVE M BE R 06, 2017
2014 October - Prominent dissident blogger Nguyen Van
Hai is released from prison and flies to the US after serving
two years of a 12-year sentence for conducting "anti-state
propaganda".
2015 February - The government revokes licence of
outspoken newspaper Nguoi Cao Tuoi website - "Elderly"
in Vietnamese - after it publishes articles which allegedly
"abuse freedom and democratic rights".
2016 January - Communist Party re-elects conservative
Nguyen Phu Trong as general secretary for second term,
after relatively liberal Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
withdrew from contest after failing to garner enough
support from delegates.
2016 May - US lifts long-standing ban on selling weapons
to Vietnam.
2016 July - Government says its Vietnam says it will
release 20,000 prisoners over the next two years to save
money.
Formosa Ha Tinh Steel is ordered to compensate local

fishing communities after authorities establish toxic
chemicals from its plant caused widespread fish deaths
along the central coast.
2016 September - India announces half a billion dollars
worth of credit for Vietnam for defence spending.
Vietnam issues an international arrest warrant for oil

executive Trinh Xuan Thanh on fraud charges.
2016 November - Police arrest well-known blogger Ho Van
Hai for posting articles critical of the government. His
arrest is latest of an ongoing crackdown on writers and
activists.
2017 January - Vietnam introduces draft law requiring all
adult citizens to donate blood once a month due to a
shortage at national blood banks.
pacific-16567315
170
leaders maintain tight control on political expression but
have demonstrated some modest steps toward better
protection of human rights. The country continues to
experience small-scale protests, the vast majority
connected to either land-use issues, calls for increased
political space, or the lack of equitable mechanisms for
resolving disputes. The small-scale protests in the
urban areas are often organized by human rights
activists, but many occur in rural areas and involve
various ethnic minorities such as the Montagnards of
the Central Highlands, Hmong in the Northwest
Highlands, and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta
region.
 Hide
GEOGRAPHY :: VIETNAM
Panel - Expanded
 Location:
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf

of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China,
 Hide Laos, and Cambodia
INTRODUCTION :: VIETNAM

Panel - Expanded
16 10 N, 107 50 E
 Background:
Map references:
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and
was completed by 1884. It became part of French Southeast Asia
Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence
after World War II, but France continued to rule until its
Area:
1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH.
Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was
divided into the communist North and anti-communist total: 331,210 sq km
South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam
grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the land: 310,070 sq km
government, but US armed forces were withdrawn
following a ceasefire agreement in 1973. Two years
water: 21,140 sq km
later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South
reuniting the country under communist rule. Despite the
return of peace, for over a decade the country country comparison to the world: 6 7
experienced little economic growth because of
conservative leadership policies, the persecution and Area - comparative:
mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful
South Vietnamese merchants - and growing
about three times the size of Tennessee; slightly larger
international isolation. However, since the enactment of
than New Mexico
Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986,
Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased
economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms
needed to modernize the economy and to produce more
competitive, export-driven industries. The communist
171
Land boundaries: agricultural land: 34.8%

total: 4,616 km
pasture 2.1%
border countries (3): Cambodia 1,158 km, China

forest: 45%
1,297 km, Laos 2,161 km
other: 20.2% (2011 est.)

C oastline:
Irrigated land:
3,444 km (excludes islands)
46,000 sq km (2012)
Maritime claims:
though it has one of the highest population densities in

contiguous zone: 24 nm
the world, the population is not evenly dispersed;
clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and
the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the concentrations of people
continental margin
Natural hazards:
Climate:
occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive
tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
season (May to September) and warm, dry season
(October to March)
Terrain: logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices

contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water
low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; pollution and overfishing threaten marine life
hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest populations; groundwater contamination limits potable
water supply; growing urban industrialization and
population migration are rapidly degrading environment
Elevation: in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0

m
Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous
highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m
Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship
Pollution, Wetlands
Natural resources:
phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, agreements
bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits,
timber, hydropower, arable land
Geography - note:
Land use:
172
extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 25-54 years: 45.56% (male 22,087,095/female
50 km across at its narrowest point 21,719,615)
 Hide 55-64 years: 8.55% (male 3,798,928/female 4,419,837)
PEOPLE AND SOCIETY :: VIETNAM

3,601,075) (2017 est.)
Panel - Expanded
population pyramid:
 Population:
96,160,163 (July 2017 est.) Dependency ratios:
country comparison to the world: 1 5 total dependency ratio: 42.5
Nationality: youth dependency ratio: 32.9
noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural) elderly dependency ratio: 9.6
adjective: Vietnamese potential support ratio: 10.4 (2015 est.)
Ethnic groups: Median age:
Kinh (Viet) 85.7%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, total: 30.5 years
Khmer 1.5%, Mong 1.2%, Nung 1.1%, Hoa 1%, other
4.3% male: 29.4 years
note: 54 ethnic groups are recognized by the female: 31.7 years (2017 est.)
Vietnamese Government (2009 est.)
Languages:
Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a
second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer,
0.93% (2017 est.)
mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-
Polynesian)
Religions:
Birth rate:
Buddhist 7.9%, Catholic 6.6%, Hoa Hao 1.7%, Cao Dai

0.9%, Protestant 0.9%, Muslim 0.1%, none 81.8% (2009
est.)
Age structure:
Death rate:

10,735,324) 5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
15-24 years: 16.23% (male 8,098,019/female country comparison to the world: 1 7 0

7,509,021)
Net migration rate:
173
-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) total: 17.3 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 1 1 8 male: 17.6 deaths/1,000 live births
Population distribution: female: 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)
though it has one of the highest population densities in country comparison to the world: 9 4
the world, the population is not evenly dispersed;
clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Life expectancy at birth:
Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and
the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest
concentrations of people
male: 71.2 years
Urbanization:

(2015- 20 est.)

Ho Chi Minh City 7.298 million; HANOI (capital) 3.629 country comparison to the world: 1 4 9
million; Can Tho 1.175 million; Haiphong 1.075 million;
Da Nang 952,000; Bien Hoa 834,000 (2015)
Sex ratio:
75.7% (2015)

7.1% of GDP (2014)
Physicians density:

total population: 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
2 beds/1,000 population (2010)


improved:

174
unimproved:
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and
urban: 0.9% of population Japanese encephalitis (2016)


2.1% (2016)
improved:
urban: 94.4% of population underweight:
rural: 69.7% of population 14.1% (2015)
total: 78% of population country comparison to the world: 6 0
unimproved: Education expenditures:
urban: 5.6% of population 5.7% of GDP (2013)


Literacy:

0.4% (2016 est.)


male: 96.3%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: female: 92.8% (2015 est.)
250,000 (2016 est.)


total: 7%
HIV/AIDS - deaths: male: 6.8%
8,000 (2016 est.) female: 7.3% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2 3 country comparison to the world: 1 2 4
Major infectious diseases:  Hide
GOVERNMENT :: VIETNAM

Panel - Expanded
175
 Country name: Independence:
conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam 2 September 1945 (from France)
conventional short form: Vietnam National holiday:
local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam Independence Day (National Day), 2 September (1945)
local short form: Viet Nam

C onstitution:
abbreviation: SRV
several previous; latest adopted 15 April 1992, effective
1 January 1995; amended 2001, 2013 (2016)
etymology: "Viet nam" translates as "Viet south,"
where "Viet" is an ethnic self identification dating to a
second century B.C. kingdom and "nam" refers to its Legal system:
location in relation to other Viet kingdoms
civil law system; note - the civil code of 2005 reflects a
European- style civil law
Government type:
communist state International law organization participation:
Capital:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-
name: Hanoi (Ha Noi) party state to the ICCt
geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E Citizenship:
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of citizenship by birth: no

Administrative divisions: be a citizen of Vietnam
58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 dual citizenship recognized: no

municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)
provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu,
Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Suffrage:
Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang,
Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap,
Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau
Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang,
Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Executive branch:
Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan,
Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang chief of state: President Tran Dai QUANG (since 2
Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay April 2016); Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc THINH
Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien- (since 7 April 2016)
Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long,
Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan
PHUC (since 7 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers
municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Truong Hoa BINH (since 9 April 2016), Vuong Dinh HUE
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) (since 9 April 2016), Vu Duc DAM (since 13 November
176
2013), Trinh Dinh DUNG (since 9 April 2016), Pham Political parties and leaders:
Binh MINH (since 13 November 2013)
Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nguyen Phu

cabinet: Cabinet proposed by prime minister, appointed TRONG]
by the president, and confirmed by the National
Assembly
note: other parties proscribed
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected

by National Assembly from among its members for a Political pressure groups and leaders:
single 5-year term; election last held on 2 April 2016
(next to be held in spring 2021); prime minister 8406 Bloc
appointed by the president from among members of the
National Assembly, confirmed by National Assembly; Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV
deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister,
confirmed by National Assembly People's Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN
election results: Tran Dai QUANG (CPV) elected Alliance for Democracy

president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.9%;
Nguyen Xuan PHUC elected prime minister; percent of note: these groups advocate democracy but are not
National Assembly vote - 91.0% recognized by the government
Legislative branch: International organization participation:
description: unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77,
(500 seats; members directly elected by absolute IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
majority vote with a second round if needed; members IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU,
serve 5-year terms) ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO,
WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
elections: last held on 22 May 2016 (next to be held in
May 2021)
election results: percent of vote by party - CPV 95.8%,
non-party members 4.2%; seats by party - CPV 473, chief of mission: Ambassador Pham Quang VINH
non-party CPV-approved 19, self-nominated 2; note - (since 23 February 2015)
496 candidates elected, 2 CPV candidates-elect were
disqualified chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20036
Judicial branch:
telephone: [1] (202) 861- 0737
highest court(s): Supreme People's Court (consists of

the chief justice and 13 judges) FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
judge selection and term of office: chief justice consulate(s) general: Houston, San Francisco
elected by the National Assembly on the
recommendation of the president for a 5-year, consulate: New York
renewable term; other judges appointed by the
president for 5-year terms Diplomatic representation from the US:
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; administrative, chief of mission: Ambassador Ted G. OSIUS III (since
civil, criminal, economic, and labor courts; Central 16 December 2014)
Military Court; People's Special Courts; note - the
National Assembly can establish special tribunals
embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi
177
mailing address: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, annual GDP growth was 6.2%, reflecting strengthening
Hanoi; 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521- 4550 domestic demand and strong manufacturing exports.
telephone: [84] (4) 3850- 5000 Vietnam has a young population, stable political
system, commitment to sustainable growth, relatively
low inflation, stable currency, strong FDI inflows, and
FAX: [84] (4) 3850-5010
strong manufacturing sector. In addition, the country is
committed to continuing its global economic integration.
consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 and concluded
several free trade agreements in 2015- 16, including the
Flag description: EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the Korean Free
Trade Agreement, and the Eurasian Economic Union
Free Trade Agreement.
red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the
center; red symbolizes revolution and blood, the five-
pointed star represents the five elements of the However, to continue its trajectory of strong economic
populace - peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders, growth, the government acknowledges the need to
and soldiers - that unite to build socialism spark a �second wave’ of reforms, including reforming
state-owned- enterprises, reducing red tape, increasing
business sector transparency, reducing the level of non-
National symbol(s): performing loans in the banking sector, and increasing
financial sector transparency. Vietnam has
yellow, five-pointed star on red field; lotus blossom; demonstrated a commitment to sustainable growth over
national colors: red, yellow the last several years, but a recent slowdown in
economic growth could test the government’s resolve.
National anthem:
In 2016, Vietnam cancelled its civilian nuclear energy
development program, citing public concerns about
name: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching safety and the high cost of the program, and is facing
Troops) growing pressure on energy infrastructure. Overall, the
country’s infrastructure fails to meet the needs of an
lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO expanding middle class. As the 2017 Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) chair, Vietnam will lead
the dialogue on key APEC priorities such as inclusive
note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic
growth, innovation, food security and climate change.
Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national
anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in
1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is GDP (purchasing power parity):
used as the official anthem
$595.4 billion (2016 est.)
 Hide
$553.5 billion (2015 est.)
ECONOMY :: VIETNAM
$513.3 billion (2014 est.)

Panel - Expanded

Vietnam is a densely populated developing country that
has been transitioning from the rigidities of a centrally
planned, highly agrarian economy since 1986 to a more
industrial and market based economy, raising incomes
substantially. In 2016, Vietnam missed its yearly growth $201.3 billion (2016 est.)
target of 6.7% due to environmental issues – drought
and salinization - impacting the agricultural sector and
low oil prices affecting the extractive sector. However,
178
6.2% (2016 est.) services: 40.9% (2016 est.)
6.7% (2015 est.)

6% (2014 est.)
rice, coffee, rubber, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews,
sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; pork; poultry; seafood
Industries:
food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building;

$6,400 (2016 est.) mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass,
tires, oil, mobile phones
$6,100 (2015 est.)

$5,800 (2014 est.)
7.6% (2016 est.)


Labor force:

30.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
27.5% of GDP (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 2
31.7% of GDP (2014 est.) Labor force - by occupation:
country comparison to the world: 2 4 agriculture: 48%
GDP - composition, by end use: industry: 21%
household consumption: 68.5% services: 31% (2012)
government consumption: 6.5% Unemployment rate:
investment in fixed capital: 23.7% 2.3% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.3% 3.4% (2015 est.)
exports of goods and services: 93.6% country comparison to the world: 3 5

GDP - composition, by sector of origin: 11.3% (2012 est.)
agriculture: 16.3%
percentage share:
industry: 32.7%
lowest 10%: 3.2%
179
highest 10%: 30.2% (2008) Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Distribution of family income - Gini index: 2.7% (2016 est.)
37.6 (2008) 0.6% (2015 est.)
36.1 (1998) country comparison to the world: 1 3 7
country comparison to the world: 7 6 C entral bank discount rate:
Budget: 9% (31 December 2012)
revenues: $49.48 billion 15% (31 December 2011)
expenditures: $60.84 billion (2016 est.) country comparison to the world: 2 9
Taxes and other revenues: C ommercial bank prime lending rate:
24.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 6.96% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1 2 1 7.12% (31 December 2015 est.)

-5.6% of GDP (2016 est.) Stock of narrow money:

Public debt:

61.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
60.1% of GDP (2015 est.) Stock of broad money:
note: official data; data cover general government debt, $299.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by
government entities other than the treasury; the data $256.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data
include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as country comparison to the world: 3 4
intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt
consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the
social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and
unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds
are not sold at public auctions


Fiscal year:

calendar year
180
$51.88 billion (31 December 2015 est.) China 25.1%, South Korea 17.5%, Japan 7.9%, US 6%,
Thailand 4.7% (2016)


$8.235 billion (2016 est.)
Debt - external:
$906 million (2015 est.)


Exports:
$176.6 billion (2016 est.)

$162.1 billion (2015 est.)

clothes, shoes, electronics, seafood, crude oil, rice, country comparison to the world: 4 2
coffee, wooden products, machinery

Exports - partners:
US 20.2%, China 14.2%, Japan 8.2%, South Korea

6.2% (2016) $7.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Imports:

$162.6 billion (2016 est.)
$154.7 billion (2015 est.) Exchange rates:
country comparison to the world: 2 6 dong (VND) per US dollar -
22,355 (2016 est.)

22,355 (2015 est.)

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, steel
products, raw materials for the clothing and shoe
21,909 (2014 est.)
industries, electronics, plastics, automobiles
21,189 (2013 est.)

Imports - partners:
20,859 (2012 est.)
181
 Show conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands;
Economic Exclusion Zone negotiations with Indonesia
ENERGY :: VIETNAM are ongoing, and the two countries in Fall 2011 agreed
to work together to reduce illegal fishing along their
Panel - Collapsed maritime boundary
 Show
COMMUNICATIONS :: VIETNAM
Panel - Collapsed stateless persons: 11,000 (2016); note - Vietnam's

stateless ethnic Chinese Cambodian population dates to
 Show
the 1970s when thousands of Cambodians fled to
Vietnam to escape the Khmer Rouge and were no
TRANSPORTATION :: VIETNAM
longer recognized as Cambodian citizens; Vietnamese
women who gave up their citizenship to marry foreign
Panel - Collapsed
men have found themselves stateless after divorcing
and returning home to Vietnam; the government
 Show
addressed this problem in 2009, and Vietnamese
MILITARY AND SECURITY :: VIETNAM women are beginning to reclaim their citizenship
Panel - Collapsed Illicit drugs:
 Hide
minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit
point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues
TRANSNATIONAL ISSUES :: VIETNAM
to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine
addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns;
Panel - Expanded enforces the death penalty for drug trafficking
Reference:
southeast Asian states have enhanced border https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia
factbook/geos/vm.html
and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed
encroachments along border; Cambodia accuses
Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border
activities; progress on a joint development area with
Cambodia is hampered by an unresolved dispute over
sovereignty of offshore islands; an estimated 300,000
Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of
a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by
unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore
islands; the decade- long demarcation of the China-
Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; China
occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam
and Taiwan; Brunei claims a maritime boundary
extending beyond as far as a median with Vietnam, thus
asserting an implicit claim to Lousia Reef; the 2002
"Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South
China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a
legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of
the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand
construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March
2005, the national oil companies of China, the
Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to
182

1 Brunei Country Profile

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Brunei country profile  Life expectancy

The tiny state of Brunei has one of the world's highest

Its ruling royals, led by the head of state Sultan Hassanal

A British protectorate since 1888, Brunei was the only

 Area 5,765 sq km (2,226 sq miles)

INTRODUCTION :: BRUNEI

The Sultanate of Brunei's influence peaked between the

GEOGRAPHY :: BRUNEI tropical; hot, humid, rainy

elevation extremes: lowest point: South China Sea 0

Map references: highest point: Bukit Pagon 1,850 m

Area: petroleum, natural gas, timber

total: 5,765 sq km Land use:

water: 500 sq km arable land 0.8%; permanent crops 1.1%; permanent

seasonal smoke/haze resulting from forest fires in Age structure:

Environment - international agreements:

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification,

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected

Geography - note: population pyramid:

close to vital sea lanes through South China Sea linking

country comparison to the world: 6 8 total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Birth rate: Maternal mortality rate:

17 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) 23 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

country comparison to the world: 1 0 8 country comparison to the world: 1 3 2

Death rate: Infant mortality rate:

3.6 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.) total: 9.9 deaths/1,000 live births

country comparison to the world: 2 1 4 male: 11.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Net migration rate: female: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

2.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 3 8

country comparison to the world: 4 0 Life expectancy at birth:

Urbanization: total population: 77.3 years

urban population: 77.8% of total population (2017) male: 75 years

rate of urbanization: 1.52% annual rate of change female: 79.8 years (2017 est.)

Major urban areas - population:

Hospital bed density:

2.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:

total population: 96% Administrative divisions:

male: 97.5% 4 districts (daerah- daerah, singular - daerah); Belait,

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary

total: 15 years National holiday:

male: 14 years National Day, 23 February (1984); note - 1 January

drafted 1954 to 1959, signed 29 September 1959;

Legal system: description: Legislative Council or Majlis Mesyuarat

International law organization participation: Judicial branch:

highest resident court(s): Supreme Court (consists of

citizenship by descent only: the father must be a

residency requirement for naturalization: 12 years subordinate courts: Intermediate Court; Magistrate's

Executive branch: National Development Party or NDP [YASSIN Affendi]

International organization participation:

royal parasol; national colors: yellow, white, black

Per capita GDP is among the highest in the world, and

$33.17 billion (2015 est.) investment in fixed capital: 35.3%

$32.95 billion (2014 est.) investment in inventories: 0%

note: data are in 2016 dollars exports of goods and services: 52.1%

GDP (official exchange rate): GDP - composition, by sector of origin:

$11.4 billion (2016 est.) agriculture: 1.2%

GDP - real growth rate: industry: 56.5%

-2.5% (2016 est.) services: 42.4% (2016 est.)

-0.4% (2015 est.) Agriculture - products: