Country Guide

Burundi Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo


Geographic coordinates:
3 30 S, 30 00 E


Map references:
Africa


Area:
total:27,830 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 147
land:25,680 sq km
water:2,150 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland


Land boundaries:
total:1,140 km
border countries:Democratic Republic of the Congo 236 km, Rwanda 315 km, Tanzania 589 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point:Heha 2,670 m


Natural resources:
nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone


    Land use:
arable land:33.06%
permanent crops:14.37%
other:52.57% (2011)


Irrigated land:
214.3 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
12.54 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
12.54 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
flooding; landslides; drought


Environment - current issues:
soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands; deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel); habitat loss threatens wildlife populations


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea


Geography - note:
landlocked; straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed; the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Burundian(s)
adjective:Burundian


Ethnic groups:
Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000


Languages:
Kirundi 29.7% (official), Kirundi and other language 9.1%, French (official) and French and other language 0.3%, Swahili and Swahili and other language 0.2% (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area), English and English and other language 0.06%, more than 2 languages 3.7%, unspecified 56.9% (2008 est.)


Religions:
Catholic 62.1%, Protestant 23.9% (includes Adventist 2.3% and other Protestant 21.6%), Muslim 2.5%, other 3.6%, unspecified 7.9% (2008 est.)


Population:
10,395,931country comparison to the world: 86
note:estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:45.7% (male 2,385,571/female 2,361,367)
15-24 years:19.3% (male 1,001,486/female 1,005,617)
25-54 years:28.6% (male 1,483,936/female 1,491,401)
55-64 years:3.9% (male 190,707/female 216,983)
65 years and over:2.5% (male 109,434/female 149,429) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:89.2 %
youth dependency ratio:84.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:4.5 %
potential support ratio:22.2 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:17 years
male:16.7 years
female:17.2 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
3.28% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 8


Birth rate:
42.33 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 6


Death rate:
9.54 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 55


Net migration rate:
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 102


Urbanization:
urban population:10.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:4.12% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
BUJUMBURA (capital) 605,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.67 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


    Mother's mean age at first birth:
21.3


Maternal mortality rate:
800 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:63.44 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 20
male:70.22 deaths/1,000 live births
female:56.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:59.55 yearscountry comparison to the world: 196
male:57.94 years
female:61.22 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
6.14 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 3


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
21.9% (2010/11)


Health expenditures:
8.7% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2004)


Hospital bed density:
1.9 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 91.5% of population
rural: 73.2% of population
total: 75.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8.5% of population
rural: 26.8% of population
total: 24.7% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 42.7% of population
rural: 48.1% of population
total: 47.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 57.3% of population
rural: 51.9% of population
total: 52.5% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.3% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 36


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
89,500 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 46


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
4,800 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 42


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
2.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 176


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
29.1% (2011)country comparison to the world: 19


Education expenditures:
5.8% of GDP (2012)country comparison to the world: 50

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:67.2%
male:72.9%
female:61.8% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:10 years
male:11 years
female:10 years (2010)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form:Burundi
local long form:Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi
local short form:Burundi
former:Urundi


Government type:
republic


Capital:
name:Bujumbura
geographic coordinates:3 22 S, 29 21 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
17 provinces; Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi


Independence:
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)


Constitution:
several previous; latest ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005 (2012)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Prosper BAZOMBAZA (since 13 February 2014); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Pierre NKURUNZIZA - Hutu (since 26 August 2005); First Vice President Prosper BAZOMBAZA (since 13 February 2014); Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI - Hutu (since 29 August 2010)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by president
elections:the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 28 June 2010 (next to be held in 2015); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament
election results:Pierre NKURUNZIZA elected president by popular vote; Pierre NKURUNZIZA 91.6%, other 8.4%; note - opposition parties withdrew from the election due to alleged government interference in the electoral process


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats; 34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women; additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - TBD; National Assembly - percent of vote by party - CNDD-FDD 81.2%, UPRONA 11.6%, FRODEBU 5.9%, others 1.3%; seats by party - CNDD-FDD 81, UPRONA 17, FRODEBU 5, other 3


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into Judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers)
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member independent body of judicial and legal profession officials); judges appointed by the president with the approval of the Senate; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence


Political parties and leaders:
Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society or FORSC [Pacifique NININAHAZWE] (civil society umbrella organization)
Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group)
other:Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)


International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Ernest NDABASHINZE (since 21 May 2014)
chancery:Suite 408, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 342-2574
FAX:[1] (202) 342-2578


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Dawn M. LIBERI (since 10 July 2012)
embassy:Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address:B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone:[257] 22-207-000
FAX:[257] 22-222-926


Flag description:
divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below); green symbolizes hope and optimism, white purity and peace, and red the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars in the disk represent the three major ethnic groups: Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress


National symbol(s):
lion


National anthem:
name:'Burundi Bwacu' (Our Beloved Burundi)
lyrics/music:Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO
note:adopted 1962

Economy

Economy - overview:
Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural; agriculture accounts for just over 30% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi's primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings, though exports are a relatively small share of GDP. Burundi's export earnings - and its ability to pay for imports - rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Less than 2% of the population has electricity in its homes. Burundi's GDP grew around 4% annually in 2006-13. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses - a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, overburdened utilities, and low administrative capacity - risk undermining planned economic reforms. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept up with inflation. Burundi will remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors - foreign aid represents 42% of Burundi's national income, the second highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Burundi joined the East African Community in 2009. Government corruption is hindering the development of a healthy private sector as companies seek to navigate an environment with ever changing rules.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$5.75 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
$5.504 billion (2012 est.)
$5.291 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.676 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
4.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
4% (2012 est.)
4.2% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$600 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 225
$600 (2012 est.)
$600 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
-0.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
-0.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
6.3% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:88.8%
government consumption:22.4%
investment in fixed capital:22.1%
investment in inventories:-4.6%
exports of goods and services:7.2%
imports of goods and services:-35.9%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:34.4%
industry:18.4%
services:47.2% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca); beef, milk, hides


Industries:
light consumer goods (blankets, shoes, soap, beer); assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing


Industrial production growth rate:
4.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64

Labor force:
4.245 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 89


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:93.6%
industry:2.3%
services:4.1% (2002 est.)


Unemployment rate:
NA%


    Population below poverty line:
68% (2002 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:4.1%
highest 10%:28% (2006)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
42.4 (1998)
country comparison to the world: 49

Budget:
revenues:$766.9 million
expenditures:$855.8 million (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
28.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131


Public debt:
47.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
50.3% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
9.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
18% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
11.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
10% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
13.7% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
14.32% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$339.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
$332.5 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$471.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$458.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$597.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$572.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$492.5 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
-$432.1 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$122.8 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
$134.7 million (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides


Exports - partners:
Switzerland 23.9%, UK 12.9%, Belgium 7.4%, Pakistan 7.4%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.4%, Uganda 5.6%, Germany 5.2%, China 4.9%, Egypt 4.7% (2012)


Imports:
$867.2 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
$886.2 million (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs


Imports - partners:
Saudi Arabia 11.3%, Belgium 10.1%, China 9.1%, India 7.9%, Tanzania 6.5%, Kenya 6%, Uganda 5.7%, Zambia 4.6%, US 4.1% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$314.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$308.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$677.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$641.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar -
1,556.5 (2013 est.)
1,442.51 (2012 est.)
1,230.8 (2010 est.)
1,230.18 (2009)
1,198 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
152 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Electricity - consumption:
221.4 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112


Electricity - imports:
80 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
52,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
1.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
98.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
2,290 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160


Refined petroleum products - imports:
1,429 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
204,700 Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
17,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 193


Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.247 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 140


Telephone system:
general assessment:sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays
domestic:telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 20 per 100 persons
international:country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
state-controlled La Radiodiffusion et Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates the lone TV station and the only national radio network; about 10 privately owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2007)


Internet country code:
.bi


Internet hosts:
229 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 198


Internet users:
157,800 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 147

Transportation

Airports
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 165


Airports - with paved runways
total:1
over 3,047 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:6
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:
2 (2013)


    Heliports
1 (2012)


Roadways
total:12,322 kmcountry comparison to the world: 127
paved:1,286 km
unpaved:11,036 km (2004)


Waterways



Ports and terminals
lake port(s):Bujumbura (Lake Tanganyika)

Military

Military branches
National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes maritime wing, Air Wing), National Gendarmerie (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claimed that no one younger than 18 was being recruited; mandatory retirement age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,182,327
females age 16-49:2,202,125 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,398,769
females age 16-49:1,481,417 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:117,956
female:116,956 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
2.39% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 32
NA% (2011)
2.39% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Burundi and Rwanda dispute two sq km (0.8 sq mi) of Sabanerwa, a farmed area in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965; cross-border conflicts persist among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in the Great Lakes region


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):45,124 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2013)
IDPs:up to 78,900 (the majority are ethnic Tutsi displaced by inter-communal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; no new displacements since 2008 when the last rebel group laid down its arms) (2013)
stateless persons:1,302 (2012)



Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Armenia

Country Guide

Armenia Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Southwestern Asia, between Turkey (to the west) and Azerbaijan


Geographic coordinates:
40 00 N, 45 00 E


Map references:
Middle East


Area:
total:29,743 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 143
land:28,203 sq km
water:1,540 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland


Land boundaries:
total:1,570 km
border countries:Azerbaijan 996 km, Georgia 219 km, Iran 44 km, Turkey 311 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Debed River 400 m
highest point:Aragats Lerrnagagat' 4,090 m


Natural resources:
small deposits of gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, bauxite


Land use:
arable land:14.47%
permanent crops:1.8%
other:83.74% (2011)


    Irrigated land:
2,735 sq km (2006)


Total renewable water resources:
7.77 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
7.77 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts


Environment - current issues:
soil pollution from toxic chemicals such as DDT; the energy crisis of the 1990s led to deforestation when citizens scavenged for firewood; pollution of Hrazdan (Razdan) and Aras Rivers; the draining of Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan), a result of its use as a source for hydropower, threatens drinking water supplies; restart of Metsamor nuclear power plant in spite of its location in a seismically active zone


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants


Geography - note:
landlocked in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains; Sevana Lich (Lake Sevan) is the largest lake in this mountain range

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Armenian(s)
adjective:Armenian


Ethnic groups:
Armenian 98.1%, Yezidi (Kurd) 1.1%, other 0.7% (2011 est.)


Languages:
Armenian (official) 97.9%, Kurdish (spoken by Yezidi minority) 1%, other 1% (2011 est.)


Religions:
Armenian Apostolic 92.6%, Evangelical 1%, other 2.4%, none 1.1%, unspecified 2.9% (2011 est.)


Population:
3,060,631 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 137


Age structure:
0-14 years:19.1% (male 312,955/female 272,065)
15-24 years:15.2% (male 236,317/female 228,943)
25-54 years:43.5% (male 638,141/female 693,397)
55-64 years:11.7% (male 161,102/female 195,714)
65 years and over:10.5% (male 128,568/female 193,429) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:44.1 %
youth dependency ratio:29.1 %
elderly dependency ratio:14.9 %
potential support ratio:6.7 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:33.7 years
male:31.8 years
female:35.8 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
-0.13% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 209


Birth rate:
13.92 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 143


Death rate:
9.3 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 61


Net migration rate:
-5.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 197


Urbanization:
urban population:64.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:0.34% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
YEREVAN (capital) 1.116 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.14 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.15 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.59 male(s)/female
total population:0.89 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
23.5 (2011 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
30 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:13.97 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 113
male:15.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female:12.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:74.12 yearscountry comparison to the world: 116
male:70.9 years
female:77.78 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.64 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 177


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
54.9% (2010)


Health expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
2.85 physicians/1,000 population (2011)


Hospital bed density:
4 beds/1,000 population (2011)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 99.7% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 99.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.3% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0.2% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 95.9% of population
rural: 80.9% of population
total: 90.5% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4.1% of population
rural: 19.1% of population
total: 9.5% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 105


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
3,500 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 130


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
200 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 109


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
24% (2008)country comparison to the world: 68


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
5.3% (2010)country comparison to the world: 89


Education expenditures:
3.3% of GDP (2012)country comparison to the world: 132

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99.6%
male:99.7%
female:99.5% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:12 years
male:11 years
female:14 years (2009)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:39.2%country comparison to the world: 14
male:35%
female:45% (2011)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Armenia
conventional short form:Armenia
local long form:Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun
local short form:Hayastan
former:Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic, Armenian Republic


Government type:
republic


Capital:
name:Yerevan
geographic coordinates:40 10 N, 44 30 E
time difference:UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
11 provinces (marzer, singular - marz); Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Geghark'unik', Kotayk', Lorri, Shirak, Syunik', Tavush, Vayots' Dzor, Yerevan


Independence:
21 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 21 September (1991)


Constitution:
previous 1915, 1978; latest adopted 5 July 1995; amended 2005 (2013)


Legal system:
civil law system


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Serzh SARGSIAN (since 9 April 2008)
head of government:Prime Minister Hovik ABRAHAMYAN (since 13 April 2014)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 18 February 2013 (next to be held February 2018); prime minister appointed by the president based on majority or plurality support in parliament; the prime minister and Council of Ministers must resign if the National Assembly refuses to accept their program
election results:Serzh SARGSIAN reelected president; percent of vote - Serzh SARGSIAN 58.6%, Raffi HOVHANNISIAN 36.7%, Hrant BAGRATIAN 2.2%, other 2.5%


Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (Parliament) or Azgayin Zhoghov (131 seats; members elected by popular vote, 90 members elected by party list and 41 by direct vote; to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 6 May 2012 (next to be held in the spring of 2017)
election results:percent of vote by party - RPA 44%, Prosperous Armenia 30.1%, ANC 7.1%, Heritage Party 5.8%, ARF (Dashnak) 5.7%, Rule of Law 5.5%, other 1.8%; seats by party - RPA 69, Prosperous Armenia 37, ANC 7, Heritage Party 5, ARF (Dashnak) 5, Rule of Law 6, independent 2


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Court of Cassation (consists of the court chairman and organized into a criminal chamber and a civil and administrative chamber, each with a court chairman and 2 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office:Court of Cassation judges nominated by the Judicial Council, a 9-member body of selected judges and legal scholars; judges appointed by the president; Constitutional Court judges - 4 appointed by the president, and 5 elected by National Assembly; judges of both courts can serve until retirement at age 65
subordinate courts:2 Courts of Appeal (for civil cases and for criminal and military cases); district courts; Administrative Court


    Political parties and leaders:
Armenian National Congress or ANC (bloc of independent and opposition parties) [Levon TER-PETROSSIAN]
Armenian National Movement or ANM [Ararat ZURABIAN]
Armenian Revolutionary Federation ('Dashnak' Party) or ARF [Hrant MARKARIAN]
Heritage Party [Raffi HOVHANNISIAN]
People's Party of Armenia [Stepan DEMIRCHIAN]
Prosperous Armenia [Gagik TSARUKIAN]
Republican Party of Armenia or RPA [Serzh SARGSIAN]
Rule of Law Party (Orinats Yerkir) [Artur BAGHDASARIAN]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Aylentrank (Impeachment Alliance) [Nikol PASHINIAN]


International organization participation:
ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CIS, CSTO, EAEC (observer), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Tatoul MARKARIAN (since 26 May 2005)
chancery:2225 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 319-1976
FAX:[1] (202) 319-2982
consulate(s) general:Glendale (CA), Los Angeles


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador John HEFFERN (since 6 October 2011)
embassy:1 American Ave., Yerevan 0082
mailing address:American Embassy Yerevan, US Department of State, 7020 Yerevan Place, Washington, DC 20521-7020
telephone:[374](10) 464-700
FAX:[374](10) 464-742


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue, and orange; the color red recalls the blood shed for liberty, blue the Armenian skies as well as hope, and orange the land and the courage of the workers who farm it


National symbol(s):
Mount Ararat; eagle; lion


National anthem:
name:'Mer Hayrenik''(Our Fatherland)

lyrics/music:Mikael NALBANDIAN/Barsegh KANACHYAN
note:adopted 1991; based on the anthem of the Democratic Republic of Armenia (1918-1922) but with different lyrics

Economy

Economy - overview:
After several years of double-digit economic growth, Armenia faced a severe economic recession with GDP declining more than 14% in 2009, despite large loans from multilateral institutions. Sharp declines in the construction sector and workers' remittances, particularly from Russia, led the downturn. The economy began to recover in 2010 with 2.1% growth, and has grown even faster in the three years since then. Under the old Soviet central planning system, Armenia developed a modern industrial sector, supplying machine tools, textiles, and other manufactured goods to sister republics, in exchange for raw materials and energy. Armenia has since switched to small-scale agriculture and away from the large agroindustrial complexes of the Soviet era. Armenia's geographic isolation, a narrow export base, and pervasive monopolies in important business sectors have made it particularly vulnerable to the sharp deterioration in the global economy and the economic downturn in Russia. Since August 2011, Armenia has experienced a sharp currency depreciation. Armenia has only two open trade borders - Iran and Georgia - because its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed since 1991 and 1993, respectively, as a result of Armenia's ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region. Armenia is particularly dependent on Russian commercial and governmental support and most key Armenian infrastructure is Russian-owned and/or managed, especially in the energy sector. The electricity distribution system was privatized in 2002 and bought by Russia's RAO-UES in 2005. Natural gas is primarily imported from Russia but construction of a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Iran to Armenia was completed in December 2008, and gas deliveries expanded after the April 2010 completion of the Yerevan Thermal Power Plant. Armenia's severe trade imbalance has been offset somewhat by international aid, remittances from Armenians working abroad, and foreign direct investment. Armenia joined the WTO in January 2003. The government made some improvements in tax and customs administration in recent years, but anti-corruption measures have been ineffective and the economic downturn has led to a sharp drop in tax revenue and forced the government to accept large loan packages from Russia, the IMF, and other international financial institutions. Amendments to tax legislation, including the introduction of the first ever 'luxury tax' in 2011, aim to increase the ratio of budget revenues to GDP, which still remains at low levels. Armenia will need to pursue additional economic reforms and to strengthen the rule of law in order to regain economic growth and improve economic competitiveness and employment opportunities, especially given its economic isolation from two of its nearest neighbors, Turkey and Azerbaijan.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$20.61 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$19.7 billion (2012 est.)
$18.38 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$10.44 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
4.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
7.2% (2012 est.)
4.7% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,300 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$6,000 (2012 est.)
$5,600 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
16.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
13.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
16.1% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:84.7%
government consumption:13%
investment in fixed capital:22.7%
investment in inventories:-0.9%
exports of goods and services:23.6%
imports of goods and services:-43.1%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:20.6%
industry:37.3%
services:42.1% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
fruit (especially grapes), vegetables; livestock


Industries:
diamond processing, metal-cutting machine tools, forging and pressing machines, electric motors, tires, knitted wear, hosiery, shoes, silk fabric, chemicals, trucks, instruments, microelectronics, jewelry, software, food processing, brandy, mining


Industrial production growth rate:
3.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76

Labor force:
1.394 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:44.2%
industry:16.8%
services:39% (2008 est.)


    Unemployment rate:
17.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
18.4% (2011 est.)


Population below poverty line:
35.8% (2010 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:3.7%
highest 10%:25.4% (2008)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
30.9 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 114
44.4 (1996)


Budget:
revenues:$2.677 billion
expenditures:$2.707 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
25.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-0.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50


Public debt:
37.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
41.4% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
6.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
2.6% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
$NA (11 January 2012)
country comparison to the world: 39
7.25% (2 December 2008)
note:this is the Refinancing Rate, the key monetary policy instrument of the Armenian National Bank


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
17.23% (31 December 2012 est.)
note:average lending rate on loans up to one year


Stock of narrow money:
$1.418 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$1.352 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$2.051 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
$1.829 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$4.355 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
$3.548 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$132.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
-$720.6 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
-$1.052 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$1.653 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
$1.588 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
pig iron, unwrought copper, nonferrous metals, diamonds, mineral products, foodstuffs, energy


Exports - partners:
Russia 19.6%, Germany 10.7%, Bulgaria 9.1%, Belgium 8.9%, Iran 6.9%, US 6.1%, Canada 6%, Georgia 5.7%, Netherlands 5.6%, Switzerland 5% (2012)


Imports:
$3.459 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
$3.656 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
natural gas, petroleum, tobacco products, foodstuffs, diamonds


Imports - partners:
Russia 20%, Germany 11%, Bulgaria 9%, Belgium 9%, Iran 6.5%, US 6.1%, Canada 5.9%, Netherlands 5.6%, Georgia 5.6%, Switzerland 5.2% (2012 est.)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.863 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
$1.799 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$7.839 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
$7.633 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
drams (AMD) per US dollar -
410.5 (2013 est.)
401.76 (2012 est.)
373.66 (2010 est.)
363.28 (2009)
303.93 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
7.432 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102


Electricity - consumption:
5.8 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


Electricity - exports:
1.36 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53


Electricity - imports:
246 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
3.472 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
55.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
10.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
33.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106


Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
45,300 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102


Refined petroleum products - exports:
32 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122


Refined petroleum products - imports:
46,550 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98


Natural gas - consumption:
2.1 billion cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Natural gas - imports:
2.1 billion cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
11.74 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
584,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 92


Telephones - mobile cellular:
3.223 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 128


Telephone system:
general assessment:telecommunications investments have made major inroads in modernizing and upgrading the outdated telecommunications network inherited from the Soviet era; now 100% privately owned and undergoing modernization and expansion; mobile-cellular services monopoly terminated in late 2004 and a second provider began operations in mid-2005
domestic:reliable modern fixed-line and mobile-cellular services are available across Yerevan in major cities and towns; significant but ever-shrinking gaps remain in mobile-cellular coverage in rural areas
international:country code - 374; Yerevan is connected to the Trans-Asia-Europe fiber-optic cable through Iran; additional international service is available by microwave radio relay and landline connections to the other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, through the Moscow international switch, and by satellite to the rest of the world; satellite earth stations - 3 (2008)



    Broadcast media:
2 public TV networks operating alongside more than 40 privately owned TV stations that provide local to near nationwide coverage; major Russian broadcast stations are widely available; subscription cable TV services are available in most regions; Public Radio of Armenia is a national, state-run broadcast network that operates alongside about 20 privately owned radio stations; several major international broadcasters are available (2008)


Internet country code:
.am


Internet hosts:
194,142 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 73


Internet users:
208,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 138

Transportation

Airports
11 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 154


Airports - with paved runways
total:10
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:2 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:1
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2013)


    Pipelines
gas 2,233 km (2013)


Railways
total:869 kmcountry comparison to the world: 96
broad gauge:869 km 1.520-m gauge (818 km electrified)
note:some lines are out of service (2009)


Roadways
total:7,705 km (2012)country comparison to the world: 143

Military

Military branches
Armenian Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Force and Air Defense; 'Nagorno-Karabakh Republic': Nagorno-Karabakh Self-Defense Force (NKSDF) (2011)


Military service age and obligation
18-27 years of age for voluntary or compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation; 17 year olds are eligible to become cadets at military higher education institutes, where they are classified as military personnel (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:805,847
females age 16-49:854,296 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:644,372
females age 16-49:717,272 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:23,470
female:21,417 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
3.92% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
3.87% of GDP (2011)
3.92% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; ethnic Armenian groups in the Javakheti region of Georgia seek greater autonomy from the Georgian Government


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):11,090 (Syria - ethnic Armenians) (2013)
IDPs:8,400 (conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2009)
stateless persons:35 (2012)



Illicit drugs
illicit cultivation of small amount of cannabis for domestic consumption; minor transit point for illicit drugs - mostly opium and hashish - moving from Southwest Asia to Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook