View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2004 CSV Excel Print All Years

Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.ao

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

17 (2003)

Internet users [time series]

41,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 21, FM 6, shortwave 7 (2000)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: telephone service limited mostly to government and business use; HF radiotelephone used extensively for military links domestic: limited system of wire, microwave radio relay, and tropospheric scatter international: country code - 244; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

96,300 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

130,000 (2002)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

6 (2000)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

bananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.874 billion expenditures: $6.012 billion, including capital expenditures of $963 million (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

kwanza (AOA)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

AOA

Current account balance [time series]

$-475 million (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$9.164 billion (2003 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$383.5 million (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Angola has been an economy in disarray because of a quarter century of nearly continuous warfare. An apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI on February 22, 2002, but consequences from the conflict continue including the impact of wide-spread land mines. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for 85% of the population. Oil production and the supporting activities are vital to the economy, contributing about 45% to GDP and more than half of exports. Much of the country's food must still be imported. To fully take advantage of its rich natural resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to continue reforming government policies and to reduce corruption. While Angola made progress in bringing inflation down further, from 325% in 2000 to about 106% in 2002, the government has failed to make sufficient progress on reforms recommended by the IMF such as increasing foreign exchange reserves and promoting greater transparency in government spending. Increased oil production supported 7% GDP growth in 2003.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

1.348 billion kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

1.45 billion kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

kwanza per US dollar - 74.6063 (2003), 43.5302 (2002), 22.0579 (2001), 10.041 (2000), 2.791 (1999), 0.393 (1998); note - in December 1999 the kwanza was revalued with six zeroes dropped off the old value

Exports [time series]

$9.669 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, gas, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton

Exports - partners [time series]

US 47.7%, China 23.4%, Taiwan 8%, France 7.4% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $20.42 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 8% industry: 67% services: 25% (2001 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

1.5% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA

Imports [time series]

$4.08 billion f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods

Imports - partners [time series]

Portugal 18.2%, South Africa 12.4%, US 12.2%, Netherlands 11.6%, France 6.5%, Brazil 6.1%, UK 4.2% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

1% (2000)

Industries [time series]

petroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing; brewing; tobacco products; sugar; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

76.6% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

31.7% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

5.57 million (2003 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 85%, industry and services 15% (2003 est.)

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

530 million cu m (2001 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

79.57 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Oil - consumption [time series]

31,000 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

742,400 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

5.691 billion bbl (1 January 2002)

Population below poverty line [time series]

70% (2003 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$638.4 million (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

extensive unemployment and underemployment affecting more than half the population (2001 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 1,246,700 sq km land: 1,246,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate [time series]

semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)

Coastline [time series]

1,600 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

overuse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

12 30 S, 18 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

the province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Irrigated land [time series]

750 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 5,198 km border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 2.41% permanent crops: 0.24% other: 97.35% (2001)

Location [time series]

Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium

Terrain [time series]

narrow coastal plain rises abruptly to vast interior plateau

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire

Capital [time series]

Luanda

Constitution [time series]

11 November 1975; revised 7 January 1978, 11 August 1980, 6 March 1991, and 26 August 1992; note - new constitution has not yet been approved

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Angola conventional short form: Angola local long form: Republica de Angola local short form: Angola former: People's Republic of Angola

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher William DELL embassy: number 32 Rua Houari Boumedienne (in the Miramar area of Luanda), Luanda mailing address: international mail: Caixa Postal 6468, Luanda; pouch: American Embassy Luanda, Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2550 telephone: [244] (2) 445-481, 447-028, 446-224 FAX: [244] (2) 446-924

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Josefina Perpetua Pitra DIAKIDI chancery: 2108 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 785-1156 FAX: [1] (202) 785-1258 consulate(s) general: Houston and New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government; Fernando de Piedade Dias DOS SANTOS was appointed Prime Minister on 6 December 2002, but this is not a position of real power cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by universal ballot for a NA-year term; President DOS SANTOS originally elected (in 1979) without opposition under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was not held and SAVIMBI's National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) repudiated the results of the first election; the civil war resumed

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle)

Government type [time series]

republic, nominally a multiparty democracy with a strong presidential system

Independence [time series]

11 November 1975 (from Portugal)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Tribunal da Relacao (judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system [time series]

based on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; recently modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 29-30 September 1992 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 54%, UNITA 34%, others 12%; seats by party - MPLA 129, UNITA 70, PRS 6, FNLA 5, PLD 3, others 7

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 11 November (1975)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Analia de Victoria PEREIRA]; National Front for the Liberation of Angola or FNLA [disputed leadership: Lucas NGONDA, Holden ROBERTO]; National Union for the Total Independence of Angola or UNITA [Isaias SAMAKUVA], largest opposition party has engaged in years of armed resistance; Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola or MPLA [Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS], ruling party in power since 1975; Social Renewal Party or PRS [disputed leadership: Eduardo KUANGANA, Antonio MUACHICUNGO] note: about a dozen minor parties participated in the 1992 elections but only won a few seats and have little influence in the National Assembly

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO; Antonio Bento BEMBE] note: FLEC is waging a small-scale, highly factionalized, armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Angola has begun to enjoy the fruits of peace since the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but UNITA renewed fighting after being beaten by the MPLA at the polls. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. DOS SANTOS has pledged to hold national elections in 2006.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra, MdG), Air and Air Defense Forces (FANA)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$265.1 million (2003)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.9% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,620,219 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,317,328 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

17 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years plus time for training (2001)

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 113,103 (2004 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,410,326; female 2,363,368) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,998,892; female 2,897,837) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 137,340; female 170,789) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

45.14 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

25.86 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and Native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

21,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

240,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 192.5 deaths/1,000 live births male: 204.97 deaths/1,000 live births female: 179.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 36.79 years male: 36.06 years female: 37.55 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 42% male: 56% female: 28% (1998 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 18.1 years male: 18.1 years female: 18.1 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Angolan(s) adjective: Angolan

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

10,978,552 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.93% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

6.33 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

continues to give shelter to refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo while many Angolan refugees and Cabinda exclave secessionists reside in neighboring states

Illicit drugs [time series]

used as a transshipment point for cocaine destined for Western Europe and other African states

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 40,000 - 60,000 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2004)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

244 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 32 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 8 1,524 to 2,437 m: 14 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 1 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 211 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 30 914 to 1,523 m: 95 under 914 m: 80 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 51,429 km paved: 5,349 km unpaved: 46,080 km (1999)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 7 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 26,123 GRT/42,879 DWT by type: cargo 6, petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 4 (2004 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 214 km; liquid natural gas 14 km; liquid petroleum gas 30 km; oil 837 km; refined products 56 km (2004)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Ambriz, Cabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Malongo, Namibe (Mocamedes), Porto Amboim, Soyo

Railways [time series]

total: 2,761 km narrow gauge: 2,638 km 1.067-m gauge; 123 km 0.600-m gauge (2003)

Waterways [time series]

1,300 km (2004)