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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

1 state-owned public TV station in Tbilisi and 8 privately-owned TV stations; state-run public broadcaster operates 2 networks; dozens of cable TV operators and several major commercial TV stations are operating; state-owned public radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; several dozen private radio stations (2008)

Internet country code [time series]

.ge

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

357,864 (2012) country comparison to the world: 59

Internet users [time series]

1.3 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 90

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country domestic: cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi international: country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available

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

1.345 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 67

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

4.43 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 113

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $4.388 billion expenditures: $3.605 billion (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

5% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Central bank discount rate [time series]

6.5% (31 January 2012) country comparison to the world: 35 8% (25 December 2008) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

21.1% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 25.87% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$1.669 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 -$1.799 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$8.2 billion (31 December 2012) country comparison to the world: 101 $11.08 billion (31 December 2011)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

40.8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 55 37.1 (1996)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Georgia's main economic activities include the cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and output of a small industrial sector producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals. The country imports nearly all its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its energy needs. Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-T'bilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the Baku-T'bilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline, and the Kars-Akhalkalaki Railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit point for gas, oil, and other goods. Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sunk to negative 4 percent in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in 2010-12, with growth rates above 6% per year, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment has also remained high at above 16%. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, the government, since coming to power in 2004, has simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The country is pinning its hopes for renewed growth on a determined effort to continue to liberalize the economy by reducing regulation, taxes, and corruption in order to attract foreign investment, with a focus on hydropower, agriculture, tourism, and textiles production. Since 2004, the government has taken a series of actions against endemic corruption, including reform of the traffic police and implementation of a fair examination system for entering the university system. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for its anti-corruption efforts.

Exchange rates [time series]

laris (GEL) per US dollar - 1.66 (2012 est.) 1.6865 (2011 est.) 1.7823 (2010 est.) 1.6705 (2009 est.) 1.47 (2008 est.)

Exports [time series]

$3.324 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 $3.326 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

vehicles, ferro-alloys, fertilizers, nuts, scrap metal, gold, copper ores

Exports - partners [time series]

Azerbaijan 17.3%, Turkey 10.4%, Armenia 9.9%, Kazakhstan 7.3%, Ukraine 6.2%, US 5.5%, Canada 5.1%, Bulgaria 4.7% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$15.8 billion (2012 est.)

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

$26.4 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $24.9 billion (2011 est.) $23.32 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

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

agriculture: 8.3% industry: 23.7% services: 68% (2012 est.)

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

$5,900 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 $5,600 (2011 est.) $5,300 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

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

6% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 42 6.8% (2011 est.) 6.3% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2% highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)

Imports [time series]

$6.623 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113 $6.683 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners [time series]

Turkey 17.8%, Ukraine 10%, Azerbaijan 8.3%, China 7.6%, Germany 6.8%, Russia 5.6% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

11.8% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

4.5% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 9% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

22.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Labor force [time series]

1.945 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 55.6% industry: 8.9% services: 35.5% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$795.7 million (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 108 $1.06 billion (31 December 2010) $733.3 million (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

9.7% (2010)

Public debt [time series]

27.7% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 117 29.1% of GDP (2011 est.) note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities; Georgia does not maintain intra-governmental debt or social funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$3.586 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 104 $2.818 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$4.249 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $3.497 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$741.6 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 $660.3 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$9.305 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82 $8.172 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$2.344 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $4.973 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$1.636 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 135 $1.737 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

27.8% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Unemployment rate [time series]

16.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153 16.9% (2009 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

5.302 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Crude oil - exports [time series]

820 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Crude oil - imports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Crude oil - production [time series]

1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

35 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Electricity - consumption [time series]

9.256 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Electricity - exports [time series]

931 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 58

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

37.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

62.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Electricity - imports [time series]

471 million kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

4.538 million kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Electricity - production [time series]

10.1 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.65 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 202

Natural gas - imports [time series]

1.64 billion cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 53

Natural gas - production [time series]

10 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

17,280 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

18,500 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 108

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

858 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 69,700 sq km country comparison to the world: 121 land: 69,700 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than South Carolina

Climate [time series]

warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast

Coastline [time series]

310 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,201 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals

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

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 3.61 cu km/yr (20%/21%/59%) per capita: 808 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

42 00 N, 43 30 E

Geography - note [time series]

strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

Irrigated land [time series]

4,330 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,461 km border countries: Armenia 164 km, Azerbaijan 322 km, Russia 723 km, Turkey 252 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 11.51% permanent crops: 3.79% other: 84.7% (2005)

Location [time series]

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe

Map references [time series]

Middle East

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

earthquakes

Natural resources [time series]

timber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth

Terrain [time series]

largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains, foothills of Kolkhida Lowland

Total renewable water resources [time series]

63.3 cu km (1997)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (k'alak'i), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika) regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli city: Tbilisi autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) note: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

Capital [time series]

name: Tbilisi geographic coordinates: 41 41 N, 44 50 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

adopted 24 August 1995

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Georgia local long form: none local short form: Sak'art'velo former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard NORLAND embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 telephone: [995] (32) 27-70-00 FAX: [995] (32) 53-23-10

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Temuri YAKOBASHVILI chancery: 2209 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 FAX: [1] (202) 393-4537 consulate(s) general: New York

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Mikheil SAAKASHVILI (since 25 January 2004); the president is the chief of state and serves as head of government for the power ministries of internal affairs and defense head of government: Prime Minister Bidzina IVANISHVILI (since 25 October 2012); the prime minister is head of government for all the ministries of government except the power ministries of internal affairs and defense cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 5 January 2008 (next to be held in October 2013) election results: Mikheil SAAKASHVILI reelected president; percent of vote - Mikheil SAAKASHVILI 53.5%, Levan GACHECHILADZE 25.7%, Badri PATARKATSISHVILI 7.1%, other 13.7%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

white rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross flag design appears to date back to the 14th century

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts

Legal system [time series]

civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Parliament or Parlamenti (also known as Supreme Council or Umaghlesi Sabcho) (150 seats; 77 members elected by proportional representation, 73 elected in single-member constituencies; members to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 1 October 2012 (next to be held in 2016) election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 55%, United National Movement 40.3%, other 4.7%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 85, United National Movement 65

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty) lyrics/music: Dawit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE) note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union

National symbol(s) [time series]

Saint George; lion

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

Christian Democratic Movement [Giorgi TARGAMADZE]; Conservative Party [Kakha KUKAVA]; Democratic Movement United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]; For Fair Georgia [Zurab NOGAIDELI]; Georgian Dream (a six-party coalition composed of Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia, Republican Party, Our Georgia-Free Democrats, National Forum, Conservative Party, and Industry Will Save Georgia); Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Bidzina IVANISHVILI]; Georgian People's Front [Nodar NATADZE]; Greens [Giorgi GACHECHILADZE]; Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Georgi TOPADZE]; Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]; National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA]; National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA]; New Rights [David GAMKRELIDZE]; Our Georgia-Free Democrats (OGFD) [Irakli ALASANIA]; People's Party [Koba DAVITASHVILI; Republican Party [David USUPASHVILI]; Traditionalists [Akaki ASATIANI]; United National Movement or UNM [Mikheil SAAKASHVILI]

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

separatists in the occupied regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D. and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian government to manipulate national legislative elections in November 2003 touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Periodic flare-ups in tension and violence culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of undisputed Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia and Russian military forces remain in those regions. Billionaire philanthropist Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 legislative election and removed UNM from power. A new constitution shifting many powers from the president to the prime minister and parliament, including the power to name the prime minister and government ministers, does not go into effect until after a new president is elected in the fall of 2013. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Tensions remain high as IVANISHVILI and SAAKASHVILI and their supporters struggle to co-exist until the end of the president's term.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,080,840 females age 16-49: 1,122,031 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 893,003 females age 16-49: 931,683 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 29,723 female: 27,242 (2010 est.)

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

Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (include Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces note: Georgian naval forces have been incorporated into the coast guard, which is not part of the Defense Ministry (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

1.9% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation - 18 months (2005)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.5% (male 378,551/ female 329,790) 15-64 years: 68.4% (male 1,511,564/ female 1,616,959) 65 years and over: 16.1% (male 292,344/ female 441,726) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.75 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 180

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

2.3% (2005) country comparison to the world: 107

Death rate [time series]

10.05 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 128

Ethnic groups [time series]

Georgian 83.8%, Azeri 6.5%, Armenian 5.7%, Russian 1.5%, other 2.5% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.1% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 137

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

3,500 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

11.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 16

Hospital bed density [time series]

3.32 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 14.68 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 117 male: 16.58 deaths/1,000 live births female: 12.59 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

Georgian (official) 71%, Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 77.32 years country comparison to the world: 66 male: 73.99 years female: 81 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99.7% male: 99.8% female: 99.7% (2010 est.)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

TBILISI (capital) 1.115 million (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

67 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 90

Median age [time series]

total: 39.3 years male: 36.8 years female: 41.8 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Georgian(s) adjective: Georgian

Net migration rate [time series]

-3.96 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

4.538 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population [time series]

4,570,934 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 122

Population growth rate [time series]

-0.327% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Religions [time series]

Orthodox Christian (official) 83.9%, Muslim 9.9%, Armenian-Gregorian 3.9%, Catholic 0.8%, other 0.8%, none 0.7% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 96% of population rural: 93% of population total: 95% of population unimproved: urban: 4% of population rural: 7% of population total: 5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 13 years male: 13 years female: 13 years (2009)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.11 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.15 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female total population: 0.91 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.46 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 35.5% country comparison to the world: 11 male: 32.4% female: 40.7% (2008)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 53% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: -0.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

IDPs: 261,400 - 274,000 (displaced in the 1990s and 2008 from Abkhazia and South Ossetia) (2011)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

22 (2012) country comparison to the world: 134

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 5 under 914 m: 2 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 under 914 m: 1 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

2 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 142 country comparison to the world: 40 by type: bulk carrier 13, cargo 114, chemical tanker 1, container 1, liquefied gas 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 5, vehicle carrier 2 foreign-owned: 95 (Bulgaria 1, China 10, Egypt 7, Hong Kong 3, Israel 1, Italy 2, Latvia 1, Lebanon 1, Romania 7, Russia 6, Syria 24, Turkey 14, UAE 2, UK 5, Ukraine 10, US 1) registered in other countries: 1 (unknown 1) (2010)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 1,596 km; oil 1,258 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Bat'umi, P'ot'i

Railways [time series]

total: 1,612 km country comparison to the world: 78 broad gauge: 1,575 km 1.520-m gauge (1,575 electrified) narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 electrified) (2008)

Roadways [time series]

total: 20,329 km country comparison to the world: 106 paved: 19,123 km (includes 13 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,206 km (2006)

Transportation - note [time series]

large parts of transportation network are in poor condition because of lack of maintenance and repair