ARCHIVE // GE // 2016

Georgia

2016 Edition — sovereign

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
1 public broadcaster in Tbilisi, 1 state-owned broadcaster in Ajaria Autonomous Republic; 8 privately owned TV stations; state-run public broadcaster operates 2 TV stations; dozens of cable TV operators, several major commercial TV stations, and several dozen private radio stations; state-run public broadcaster operates 2 radio stations (2012)
Internet country code [time series]
.ge
Internet users [time series]
total: 2.227 million | percent of population: 45.2% (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91
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 110 per 100 persons; 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 (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 950,167 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 5.551 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 113 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock
Budget [time series]
revenues: $3.966 billion | expenditures: $4.142 billion (2015 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-1.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67
Central bank discount rate [time series]
3.75% (15 January 2013) | 5.25% (31 December 2012) | note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia | country comparison to the world: 99
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
12.49% (31 December 2015 est.) | 11.91% (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 63
Current account balance [time series]
-$1.627 billion (2015 est.) | -$1.745 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 140
Debt - external [time series]
$13.31 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $13.91 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 101
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]
46 (2011) | 37.1 (1996) | country comparison to the world: 35
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of 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 South Caucasus 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. The expansion of the South Caucasus pipeline, as part of the Shah Deniz II Southern Gas Corridor project, will result in a $2 billion foreign investment in Georgia, the largest ever in the country. Gas from Shah Deniz II is expected to begin flowing in 2019. | 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% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in 2010-13, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment has also remained high. | 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. Georgia has historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, improved tax administration, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for its anti-corruption efforts. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending, strengthening anti-trust policy, and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. The government published its 2020 Economic Development Strategy in early 2014 and former Prime Minister Bidzina IVANISHVILI launched the Georgian Co-Investment Fund, a $6 billion private equity fund that will invest in tourism, agriculture, logistics, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing. In mid-2014, Georgia signed an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel.
Exchange rates [time series]
laris (GEL) per US dollar - | 2.2694 (2015 est.) | 1.7657 (2014 est.) | 1.7657 (2013 est.) | 1.65 (2012 est.) | 1.6865 (2011 est.)
Exports [time series]
$3.043 billion (2015 est.) | $3.995 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125
Exports - commodities [time series]
vehicles, ferro-alloys, fertilizers, nuts, scrap metal, gold, copper ores
Exports - partners [time series]
Azerbaijan 10.9%, Bulgaria 9.7%, Turkey 8.4%, Armenia 8.2%, Russia 7.4%, China 5.7%, US 4.7%, Uzbekistan 4.4% (2015)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$14.01 billion (2015 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$35.6 billion (2015 est.) | $34.65 billion (2014 est.) | $33.12 billion (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 120
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 71.2% | government consumption: 16.5% | investment in fixed capital: 28.5% | investment in inventories: 3.7% | exports of goods and services: 45% | imports of goods and services: -64.9% (2015 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 9.2% | industry: 22.1% | services: 68.7% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$9,600 (2015 est.) | $9,300 (2014 est.) | $8,800 (2013 est.) | note: data are in 2015 US dollars | country comparison to the world: 139
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
2.8% (2015 est.) | 4.6% (2014 est.) | 3.4% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111
Gross national saving [time series]
19.6% of GDP (2015 est.) | 18.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | 18.5% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 2% | highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)
Imports [time series]
$7.363 billion (2015 est.) | $8.29 billion (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110
Imports - commodities [time series]
fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners [time series]
Turkey 17.2%, Russia 8.1%, China 7.6%, Azerbaijan 7%, Ireland 5.9%, Ukraine 5.9%, Germany 5.6% (2015)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
3.2% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70
Industries [time series]
steel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, gold), chemicals, wood products, wine
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
4% (2015 est.) | 3.1% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 154
Labor force [time series]
1.959 million (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
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]
$943.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) | $795.7 million (31 December 2011 est.) | $1.06 billion (31 December 2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 107
Population below poverty line [time series]
9.2% (2010 est.)
Public debt [time series]
41.4% of GDP (2015 est.) | 35.4% of GDP (2014 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 | country comparison to the world: 110
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$2.521 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.699 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 110
Stock of broad money [time series]
$4.72 billion (31 September 2012 est.) | $4.249 billion (31 December 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 133
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]
$1.773 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $1.868 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 80
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]
$12.64 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $12.9 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$6.946 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $7.51 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$2.063 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $2.388 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 128
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
28.3% of GDP (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 93
Unemployment rate [time series]
12% (2015 est.) | 12.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 135
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
7 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121
Crude oil - exports [time series]
1,120 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 85
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195
Crude oil - production [time series]
799.5 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
35 million bbl (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity - consumption [time series]
9.8 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95
Electricity - exports [time series]
600 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 66
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
39.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 166
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
60.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 35
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 176
Electricity - imports [time series]
900 million kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
4.2 million kW (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 77
Electricity - production [time series]
10 billion kWh (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 99
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
2.18 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104
Natural gas - imports [time series]
2.18 billion cu m (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49
Natural gas - production [time series]
5.663 million cu m (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 191
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es) | country comparison to the world: 83
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
20,000 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
257.6 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
22,830 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 186
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 69,700 sq km | land: 69,700 sq km | water: 0 sq km | country comparison to the world: 121
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia
Climate [time series]
warm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Coastline [time series]
310 km
Elevation [time series]
mean elevation: 1,432 m | elevation extremes: 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
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 (2012)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 1,814 km | border countries (4): Armenia 219 km, Azerbaijan 428 km, Russia 894 km, Turkey 273 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 35.5% | arable land 5.8%; permanent crops 1.8%; permanent pasture 27.9% | forest: 39.4% | other: 25.1% (2011 est.)
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; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both
Map references [time series]
Asia
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
Population distribution (Population - distribution) [time series]
settlement coincides closely to the central valley, with emphasis on the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest
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; fertile soils in river valley flood plains and foothills of Kolkhida Lowland
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), 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; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti | city: Tbilisi | autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi) | note 1: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses | note 2: the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia
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)
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: no | citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia | dual citizenship recognized: no | residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Constitution [time series]
previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995; amended several times, last in 2013 (2016)
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 | etymology: the Western name may derive from the Persian designation "gurgan" meaning "Land of the wolves"; the native name "Sak'art'velo" means "Land of the Kartvelians" and refers to the core central Georgian region of Kartli
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Ian C. KELLY (since 17 September 2015) | embassy: 11 George Balanchine Street, T'bilisi 0131 | mailing address: 7060 T'bilisi Place, Washington, DC 20521-7060 | telephone: [995] (32) 227-70-00 | FAX: [995] (32) 253-23-10
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Archil GEGESHIDZE (since 12 April 2013) | chancery: 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 | telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390 | FAX: [1] (202) 387-0864 | consulate(s) general: New York
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (since 17 November 2013) | head of government: Prime Minister Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI (since 30 December 2015); First Deputy Prime Minister Dimitry KUMSISHVILI | cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers | elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 October 2013 (next to be held in October 2018); prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president | election results: Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI elected president; percent of vote - Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI (Georgian Dream) 62.1%, Davit BAKRADZE (UNM) 21.7%, Nino BURJANADZE 10.2%, other 6%
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; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross design appears to date back to the 14th century
Government type [time series]
semi-presidential 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, CPLP (associate), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, 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]
highest court(s): Supreme Court (organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges); note - the Abkhazian and Ajarian Autonomous republics each have a supreme court and a hierarchy of lower courts | note: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Parliament; judges serve not less than 10-year terms; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president following candidate selection by the Justice Council of Georgia, a 12-member consultative body of high-level judges, and presidential and parliamentary appointees; judges appointed for 10-year terms | judge selection and term of office: Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts | subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts
Legal system [time series]
civil law system
Legislative branch [time series]
description: unicameral Parliament or Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats; 77 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 73 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) | elections: last held on 8 October and 30 October 2012 (next to be held in 2020) | election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia 48.7%, ENM 27.1%, Alliance of Patriots 5%, other 19.2%; seats by party - Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia 115, ENM 27, Alliance of Patriots 6, IWSG 1, independent 1
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty) | lyrics/music: Davit 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; national colors: red, white
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Alliance of Patriots [Irma INASHVILI] | Conservative Party [Zviad DZIDZIGURI] | European Democrats [Paata DAVITAIA] | Free Georgia [Kakha KUKAVA] | Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI] | Green Party of Georgia [Gia GACHECHILADZE] | Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Giorgi TOPADZE] | National Democratic Party or NDP [Bachuki KARDAVA] | National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA] | New Rights [Pikria CHIKHRADZE] | Our Georgia-Free Democrats (OGFD) [Irakli ALASANIA] | Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE] | United Democratic Movement [Nino BURJANADZE] | United National Movement or ENM [Davit BAKRADZE]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
other: separatists in the Russian-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 parliamentary 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 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Georgian Dream's Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI was inaugurated as president on 17 November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and Georgia's legislature on 20 November 2013 confirmed Irakli GARIBASHVILI as his replacement. These changes in leadership represent unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.
Military and Security
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 part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs rather than the Ministry of Defense (2015)
Military expenditures [time series]
2.26% of GDP (2014) | 2.7% of GDP (2013) | 2.88% of GDP (2012) | 3.25% of GDP (2011) | 2.88% of GDP (2010) | country comparison to the world: 27
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18 to 34 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 18 months (2012)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 17.91% (male 463,526/female 419,334) | 15-24 years: 12.61% (male 326,675/female 294,912) | 25-54 years: 40.93% (male 980,024/female 1,037,044) | 55-64 years: 12.77% (male 282,067/female 347,287) | 65 years and over: 15.77% (male 304,668/female 472,515) (2016 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
12.5 births/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158
Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]
total number: 121,659 | percentage: 18% (2005 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
1.1% (2009) | country comparison to the world: 131
Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]
53.4% | note: percent of women aged 15-44 (2010)
Death rate [time series]
10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 33
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 45.7% | youth dependency ratio: 25.2% | elderly dependency ratio: 20.4% | potential support ratio: 4.9% (2015 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 100% of population | rural: 100% of population | total: 100% of population | urban: 0% of population | rural: 0% of population | total: 0% of population (2015 est.)
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
2% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 167
Ethnic groups [time series]
Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
0.39% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
200 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 119
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
9,600 (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 106
Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]
7.4% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 34
Hospital bed density [time series]
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 15.6 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 17.8 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 13.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 100
Languages [time series]
Georgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1% | note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 76.2 years | male: 72.1 years | female: 80.6 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 99.8% | male: 99.8% | female: 99.7% (2015 est.)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
TBILISI (capital) 1.147 million (2015)
Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]
36 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91
Median age [time series]
total: 38 years | male: 35.1 years | female: 40.7 years (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
24.4 | note: data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia (2013 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Georgian(s) | adjective: Georgian
Net migration rate [time series]
-2.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 170
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
22.1% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 82
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
4.27 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
Population [time series]
4,928,052 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 123
Population distribution [time series]
settlement coincides closely to the central valley, with emphasis on the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.05% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206
Religions [time series]
Orthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 95.2% of population | rural: 75.9% of population | total: 86.3% of population | urban: 4.8% of population | rural: 24.1% of population | total: 13.7% of population (2015 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 15 years | male: 15 years | female: 15 years (2014)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female | 0-14 years: 1.11 male(s)/female | 15-24 years: 1.11 male(s)/female | 25-54 years: 0.95 male(s)/female | 55-64 years: 0.81 male(s)/female | 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female | total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
1.76 children born/woman (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 35.6% | male: 35.3% | female: 36.4% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 53.6% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: -0.1% 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: 268,416 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2015) | stateless persons: 627 (2015)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
22 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 135
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 (2013)
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 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
4L (2016)
Heliports [time series]
2 (2013)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 142 | 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) | country comparison to the world: 40
National air transport system [time series]
number of registered air carriers: 5 | inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 13 | annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 232,263 | annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 185,040 mt-km (2015)
Pipelines [time series]
gas 1,596 km; oil 1,175 km (2013)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
major seaport(s): Black Sea - Bat'umi, P'ot'i
Railways [time series]
total: 1,363 km | broad gauge: 1,326 km 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified) | narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2014) | country comparison to the world: 81
Roadways [time series]
total: 19,109 km | paved: 19,109 km (includes 69 km of expressways) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 113