ARCHIVE // FM // 2010
Micronesia, Federated States of
2010 Edition — freely_associated
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Communications
Broadcast media
[time series]
no television broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with television transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half dozen radio stations in operation (2009)
Internet country code
[time series]
.fm
Internet users
(Internet hosts)
[time series]
3,097 (2010) country comparison to the world: 144
Internet users
[time series]
17,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 194
Telecommunication systems
(Telephone system)
[time series]
general assessment: adequate system domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)
Telephones - fixed lines
(Telephones - main lines in use)
[time series]
8,700 (2009) country comparison to the world: 203
Telephones - mobile cellular
[time series]
38,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199
Economy
Agricultural products
(Agriculture - products)
[time series]
black pepper, tropical fruits and vegetables, coconuts, bananas, cassava (tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, sweet potatoes; pigs, chickens; fish
Commercial bank prime lending rate
[time series]
15.38% (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52 14.38% (31 December 2008 est.)
Current account balance
[time series]
-$34.3 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 67
Debt - external
[time series]
$60.8 million (FY05 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Economic overview
(Economy - overview)
[time series]
Economic activity consists primarily of subsistence farming and fishing. The islands have few mineral deposits worth exploiting, except for high-grade phosphate. The potential for a tourist industry exists, but the remote location, a lack of adequate facilities, and limited air connections hinder development. Under the original terms of the Compact of Free Association, the US provided $1.3 billion in grant aid during the period 1986-2001; the level of aid has been subsequently reduced. The Amended Compact of Free Association with the US guarantees the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) millions of dollars in annual aid through 2023, and establishes a Trust Fund into which the US and the FSM make annual contributions in order to provide annual payouts to the FSM in perpetuity after 2023. The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile due not only to the reduction in US assistance but also to the current slow growth of the private sector.
Electricity - consumption
[time series]
178.6 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 179
Electricity - exports
[time series]
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - imports
[time series]
0 kWh (2002)
Electricity - production
[time series]
192 million kWh (2002) country comparison to the world: 177
Exchange rates
[time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports
[time series]
$14 million (2004 est.) country comparison to the world: 209
Exports - commodities
[time series]
fish, garments, bananas, black pepper, sakau (kava), betel nut
GDP (official exchange rate)
[time series]
$238.1 million (2008)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
(GDP (purchasing power parity))
[time series]
$238.1 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 214 $277 million (2002 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annually
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
(GDP - composition by sector)
[time series]
agriculture: 28.9% industry: 15.2% services: 55.9% (2004 est.)
Real GDP per capita
(GDP - per capita (PPP))
[time series]
$2,200 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 185 $2,300 (2005 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars
Real GDP growth rate
(GDP - real growth rate)
[time series]
NA% 0.3% (2005 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
[time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports
[time series]
$132.7 million (2004) country comparison to the world: 207
Imports - commodities
[time series]
food, manufactured goods, machinery and equipment, beverages
Industrial production growth rate
[time series]
NA%
Industries
[time series]
tourism, construction; fish processing, specialized aquaculture; craft items (from shell, wood, and pearls)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
[time series]
2.2% (2005) country comparison to the world: 64
Labor force
[time series]
16,360 (2008) country comparison to the world: 211
Labor force - by occupation
[time series]
agriculture: 0.9% industry: 34.4% services: 64.7% note: two-thirds are government employees (FY05 est.)
Population below poverty line
[time series]
26.7% (2000)
Stock of broad money
[time series]
$114 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 184 $98 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
[time series]
$65.68 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 180 $43.75 million (31 December 2008)
Stock of narrow money
[time series]
$29.02 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 185 $21.21 million (31 December 2008)
Unemployment rate
[time series]
22% (2000 est.) country comparison to the world: 171
Geography
Area
[time series]
total: 702 sq km country comparison to the world: 190 land: 702 sq km water: 0 sq km (fresh water only) note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
Area - comparative
[time series]
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Climate
[time series]
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Coastline
[time series]
6,112 km
Elevation
(Elevation extremes)
[time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
Environment - current issues
[time series]
overfishing, climate change, pollution
International environmental agreements
(Environment - international agreements)
[time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates
[time series]
6 55 N, 158 15 E
Geography - note
[time series]
four major island groups totaling 607 islands
Irrigated land
[time series]
NA
Land boundaries
[time series]
0 km
Land use
[time series]
arable land: 5.71% permanent crops: 45.71% other: 48.58% (2005)
Location
[time series]
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Map references
[time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims
[time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards
[time series]
typhoons (June to December)
Natural resources
[time series]
timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Terrain
[time series]
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Government
Administrative divisions
[time series]
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Capital
[time series]
name: Palikir geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution
[time series]
10 May 1979
Country name
[time series]
conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia conventional short form: none local long form: Federated States of Micronesia local short form: none former: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts abbreviation: FSM
Diplomatic representation from the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Peter A. PRAHAR embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941 telephone: [691] 320-2187 FAX: [691] 320-2186
Diplomatic representation in the US
[time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Yosiwo GEORGE chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036 telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383 FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391 consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
Executive branch
[time series]
chief of state: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Emanuel MORI (since 11 May 2007); Vice President Alik L. ALIK (since 11 May 2007) cabinet: Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected by Congress from among the four senators at large for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2007 (next to be held in May 2011); note - a proposed constitutional amendment to establish popular elections for president and vice president failed election results: Emanuel MORI elected president; percent of Congress vote - NA; Alik L. ALIK elected vice president; percent of Congress vote - NA
Flag
(Flag description)
[time series]
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
Government type
[time series]
constitutional government in free association with the US; the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004
Independence
[time series]
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
International organization participation
[time series]
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Judicial branch
[time series]
Supreme Court
Legal system
[time series]
based on adapted Trust Territory laws, acts of the legislature, municipal, common, and customary laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch
[time series]
unicameral Congress (14 seats; 4 - one elected from each state to serve four-year terms and 10 - elected from single-member districts delineated by population to serve two-year terms; members elected by popular vote) elections: last held on 3 March 2009 (next to be held in March 2011) election results: percent of vote - NA%; seats - independents 14
National anthem(s)
(National anthem)
[time series]
name: "Patriots of Micronesia" lyrics/music: unknown note: adopted 1991; the anthem is also known as "Across All Micronesia;" the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben," which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"
National holiday
[time series]
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Political parties
(Political parties and leaders)
[time series]
no formal parties
Political parties
(Political pressure groups and leaders)
[time series]
NA
Suffrage
[time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background
[time series]
In 1979 the Federated States of Micronesia, a UN Trust Territory under US administration, adopted a constitution. In 1986 independence was attained under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, and overdependence on US aid.
Military
Manpower available for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 26,687 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service
[time series]
males age 16-49: 21,909 females age 16-49: 23,410 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
[time series]
male: 1,270 female: 1,221 (2010 est.)
Military - note
[time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
Military and security forces
(Military branches)
[time series]
no regular military forces
People
Age structure
[time series]
0-14 years: 34.8% (male 19,010/female 18,411) 15-64 years: 62.3% (male 33,286/female 33,629) 65 years and over: 2.9% (male 1,317/female 1,781) (2010 est.)
Birth rate
[time series]
22.57 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 77
Death rate
[time series]
4.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Education expenditure
(Education expenditures)
[time series]
7.3% of GDP (2000) country comparison to the world: 16
Ethnic groups
[time series]
Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Yap outer islands 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
[time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
[time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate
[time series]
total: 25.2 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 83 male: 27.82 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Languages
[time series]
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Life expectancy at birth
[time series]
total population: 71.23 years country comparison to the world: 132 male: 69.32 years female: 73.24 years (2010 est.)
Literacy
[time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 89% male: 91% female: 88% (1980 est.)
Median age
[time series]
total: 22.4 years male: 21.8 years female: 22.9 years (2010 est.)
Nationality
[time series]
noun: Micronesian(s) adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Net migration rate
[time series]
-21.01 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 220
Population
[time series]
107,154 (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Population growth rate
[time series]
-0.284% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 218
Religions
[time series]
Roman Catholic 52.7%, Congregational 40.1%, Baptist 0.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist 0.7%, other 3.8%, none or unspecified 0.8% (2000 Census)
Sex ratio
[time series]
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.74 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Total fertility rate
[time series]
2.8 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74
Urbanization
[time series]
urban population: 22% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 0.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
[time series]
none
Illicit drugs
[time series]
major consumer of cannabis
Transportation
Airports
[time series]
6 (2010) country comparison to the world: 170
Airports - with paved runways
[time series]
total: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)
Merchant marine
[time series]
total: 3 country comparison to the world: 140 by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)
Ports
(Ports and terminals)
[time series]
Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor
Roadways
[time series]
total: 240 km country comparison to the world: 206 paved: 42 km unpaved: 198 km (2000)