ARCHIVE // GE // 2017

Georgia

2017 Edition — sovereign

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Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
Tbilisi-based Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2, as well as the Batumi-based Adjara TV (also a part of GPB); all three are funded from the state budget; there are a number of independent commercial TV stations, including but not limited to Rustavi 2, Imedi, Maestro, Kavkasia, GDS, and TV1; the Georgian Orthodox Church also operates a satellite-based TV station called Unanimity; 26 regional TV broadcasters across Georgia are members of the Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters (GARB) that seeks to strengthen the regional media's capacities and to distribute regional products; a nationwide digital switchover occurred in 2015; there are several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations (2016)
Internet country code [time series]
.ge
Internet users [time series]
total: 2,464,107 | percent of population: 50.0% (July 2016 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: 831,346 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total: 5,532,701 | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 112 (July 2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 114
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock
Budget [time series]
revenues: $4.088 billion | expenditures: $4.648 billion (2016 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-3.9% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137
Central bank discount rate [time series]
6.5% (7 Setpember 2016) | 7% (23 September 2015) | note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy rate of the National Bank of Georgia | country comparison to the world: 57
Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]
12.62% (31 December 2016 est.) | 12.49% (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62
Current account balance [time series]
$-1.91 billion (2016 est.) | $-1.775 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 150
Debt - external [time series]
$14.08 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $14.85 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 103
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]
40.1 (2014) | 46 (2011) | country comparison to the world: 62
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 hub 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% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-16, 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 continued effort 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, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. Georgia plans to improve the domestic investment environment through a four-year economic plan targeting the tax system, educational standards, infrastructure, and governance. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. 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. In mid-2014, Georgia signed an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. Georgia is also seeking to expand trade with China, concluding substantive negotiations on a trade agreement in October 2016.
Exchange rates [time series]
laris (GEL) per US dollar - | 2.3668 (2016 est.) | 2.3668 (2015 est.) | 2.2694 (2014 est.) | 1.7657 (2013 est.) | 1.65 (2012 est.)
Exports [time series]
$2.831 billion (2016 est.) | $3.021 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124
Exports - commodities [time series]
vehicles, ferro-alloys, fertilizers, nuts, scrap metal, gold, copper ores
Exports - partners [time series]
Russia 9.8%, Turkey 8.2%, China 8.1%, Bulgaria 7.3%, Azerbaijan 7.3%, Armenia 7.2%, Germany 4.1% (2016)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$14.33 billion (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$37.17 billion (2016 est.) | $35.72 billion (2015 est.) | $34.35 billion (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 119
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 64.8% | government consumption: 18.4% | investment in fixed capital: 30.4% | investment in inventories: 2% | exports of goods and services: 43.5% | imports of goods and services: -59.1% (2016 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 9.3% | industry: 22.8% | services: 67.2% (2016 est.)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$10,000 (2016 est.) | $9,700 (2015 est.) | $9,400 (2014 est.) | note: data are in 2016 dollars | country comparison to the world: 137
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
2.7% (2016 est.) | 2.9% (2015 est.) | 4.6% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109
Gross national saving [time series]
19.1% of GDP (2016 est.) | 20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) | 19.1% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 104
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 2% | highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)
Imports [time series]
$6.64 billion (2016 est.) | $7.394 billion (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109
Imports - commodities [time series]
fuels, vehicles, machinery and parts, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals
Imports - partners [time series]
Canada 18.6%, Turkey 14%, Russia 7%, Ireland 6.5%, China 5.7%, Azerbaijan 5.1%, Germany 4.4%, Ukraine 4.3% (2016)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
5.9% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 37
Industries [time series]
steel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, gold), chemicals, wood products, wine
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.1% (2016 est.) | 4% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 127
Labor force [time series]
1.998 million (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125
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]
$1.155 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | $943.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) | $795.7 million (31 December 2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105
Population below poverty line [time series]
9.2% (2010 est.)
Public debt [time series]
44.5% of GDP (2016 est.) | 41.3% of GDP (2015 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: 117
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$2.756 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.521 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109
Stock of broad money [time series]
$2.454 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.402 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 146
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]
$2.185 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $1.939 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 79
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]
$14.66 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $12.95 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89
Stock of domestic credit [time series]
$7.753 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $7 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 113
Stock of narrow money [time series]
$2.389 billion (31 December 2016 est.) | $2.063 billion (31 December 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
28.7% of GDP (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 88
Unemployment rate [time series]
11.8% (2016 est.) | 12% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
7 million Mt (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 118
Crude oil - exports [time series]
1,002 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73
Crude oil - imports [time series]
200 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82
Crude oil - production [time series]
400 bbl/day (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
35 million bbl (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 83
Electricity - consumption [time series]
12.44 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86
Electricity - exports [time series]
560 million kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
36.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 173
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
63.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 24
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - imports [time series]
478.9 million kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
4.28 million kW (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity - production [time series]
11.57 billion kWh (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 94
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
2.18 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 109
Natural gas - imports [time series]
1.26 billion cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57
Natural gas - production [time series]
10 million cu m (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 95
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es) | country comparison to the world: 86
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
23,000 bbl/day (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 134
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
283.1 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 116
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
23,910 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 111
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 148
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 69,700 sq km | land: 69,700 sq km | water: 0 sq km | note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied | country comparison to the world: 122
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 5,193 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; Krubera Cave in the western part of the country is the deepest-known cave in the world; at -2,197 m it is the only known cave on earth deeper than 2,000 m
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]
history: previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995 | amendments: proposed as a draft law supported by more than one-half of the Parliament membership or by petition of at least 200,000 voters; passage requires support by at least three-fourths of the Parliament membership in two successive sessions three months apart and the signature and promulgation by the president of Georgia; amended several times, last in 2013 (2017)
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 David BAKRADZE (since 18 January 2017) | 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 in first round; 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 | judge selection and term of office: 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 | 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 2016 (next to be held in 2020) | election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.7%, UNM 27.1%, Alliance of Patriots 5%, other 19.2%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 115, UNM 27, Alliance of Patriots 6, IWSG 1, independent 1; note - European Georgia split from UNM in January 2017 taking 21 of 27 parliamentary members
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] | European Georgia [Davit BAKRADZE] (split from UNM) | Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI] | Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Giorgi TOPADZE] | National Forum [Kakhaber SHARTAVA] | Free Democrats (FD) [Tamar KEKENADZE] | Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE] | State for the People Party [formerly Paata BURCHULADZE ] | United Democratic Movement [Nino BURJANADZE] | United National Movement or UNM [Nika MELIA]
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. GARIBASHVILI was replaced by Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI in December 2015. KVIRIKASHVILI remained Prime Minister following Georgian Dream’s success in the October 2016 parliamentary elections, where the party won a constitutional majority. 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]
2.23% of GDP (2016) | 2.34% of GDP (2015) | 2.26% of GDP (2014) | 2.53% of GDP (2013) | 3.1% of GDP (2012) | country comparison to the world: 27
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18 to 27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2014)
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 18.08% (male 466,426/female 424,295) | 15-24 years: 11.94% (male 310,970/female 277,434) | 25-54 years: 40.96% (male 983,144/female 1,034,794) | 55-64 years: 13.01% (male 286,539/female 354,247) | 65 years and over: 16.01% (male 309,353/female 479,128) (2017 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
12.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 162
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 (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 50 | youth dependency ratio: 28.1 | elderly dependency ratio: 21.9 | potential support ratio: 4.6 (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% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
0.5% (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
<500 (2016 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
12,000 (2016 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89
Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]
7.4% of GDP (2014) | country comparison to the world: 69
Hospital bed density [time series]
2.6 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 15.2 deaths/1,000 live births | male: 17.3 deaths/1,000 live births | female: 12.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 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: 76.4 years | male: 72.3 years | female: 80.7 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 86
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: 108
Median age [time series]
total: 38.1 years | male: 35.3 years | female: 40.9 years (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 61
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
24.5 years | note: data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia (2014 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: Georgian(s) | adjective: Georgian
Net migration rate [time series]
-1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
21.7% (2016) | country comparison to the world: 86
Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]
4.78 physicians/1,000 population (2014)
Population [time series]
4,926,330 (July 2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 124
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]
-0.02% (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 195
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: 16 years (2015)
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 (2017 est.) | country comparison to the world: 158
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 35.6% | male: 28.6% | female: 30.8% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 23
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 54% of total population (2017) | rate of urbanization: -0.09% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.) | note: data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia
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: 208,000 (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) (2016) | stateless persons: 250 (2016)
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 (2017)
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: 41
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: 82
Roadways [time series]
total: 19,109 km | paved: 19,109 km (includes 69 km of expressways) (2010) | country comparison to the world: 113