Micronesia, Federated States of :: Australia-Oceania
Introduction
Background:
The Caroline Islands are a widely scattered archipelago in the western Pacific Ocean; they became part of a UN Trust Territory under US administration following World War II. The eastern four island groups adopted a constitution in 1979 and chose to become the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). (The westernmost island group became Palau.) Independence came in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association (COFA) with the US, which was amended in 2004. The COFA has been a force for stability and democracy in the FSM since it came into force in 1986. Present concerns include economic uncertainty after 2023 when direct US economic assistance is scheduled to end, large-scale unemployment, overfishing, overdependence on US foreign aid, and state perceptions of inequitable allocation of US aid.
As a signatory to the COFA with the US, eligible Micronesians can live, work, and study in any part of the US and its territories without a visa - this privilege reduces stresses on the island economy and the environment. Micronesians serve in the US armed forces and military recruiting from the Federated States of Micronesia, per capita, is higher than many US states.
Geography
Location:
Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Geographic coordinates:
6 55 N, 158 15 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total:
702 sq km
land:
702 sq km
water:
0 sq km
(fresh water only)
note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)
country comparison to the world: 191
Area - comparative:
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
6,112 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea:
12
nm
exclusive economic zone:
200
nm
Climate:
tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
Terrain:
islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
Elevation:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Nanlaud on Pohnpei 782 m
Natural resources:
timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
Land use:
agricultural land:
25.5%
(2011 est.)
arable land:
2.3%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent crops:
19.7%
(2011 est.)
/
permanent pasture:
3.5%
(2011 est.)
forest:
74.5%
(2011 est.)
other:
0%
(2011 est.)
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
NA
(2012)
Population distribution:
the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas
Natural hazards:
typhoons (June to December)
Environment - current issues:
overfishing; climate change; water pollution, toxic pollution from mining; solid waste disposal
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands
People and Society
Population:
102,436
(July 2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
Nationality:
noun:
Micronesian(s)
adjective:
Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
Ethnic groups:
Chuukese/Mortlockese 49.3%, Pohnpeian 29.8%, Kosraean 6.3%, Yapese 5.7%, Yap outer islanders 5.1%, Polynesian 1.6%, Asian 1.4%, other 0.8%
(2010 est.)
Languages:
English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
Religions:
Roman Catholic 54.7%, Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God 0.7%), Mormon 1.5%, other 1.9%, none 0.7%, unspecified 0.1%
(2010 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years:
28.88%
(male 15,046/female 14,542)
15-24 years:
18.94%
(male 9,710/female 9,696)
25-54 years:
40.32%
(male 19,903/female 21,395)
55-64 years:
7.24%
(male 3,572/female 3,842)
65 years and over:
4.62%
(male 2,130/female 2,600)
(2020 est.)
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:
55.2
youth dependency ratio:
48.4
elderly dependency ratio:
6.8
potential support ratio:
14.7
(2020 est.)
Median age:
total:
26.3 years
male:
25.5 years
female:
27.1 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Population growth rate:
-0.6%
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 226
Birth rate:
18.9 births/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Death rate:
4.3 deaths/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210
Net migration rate:
-20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 224
Population distribution:
the majority of the populaton lives in the coastal areas of the high islands; the mountainous interior is largely uninhabited; less than half of the population lives in urban areas
Urbanization:
urban population:
22.9% of total population
(2020)
rate of urbanization:
1.05% annual rate of change
(2015-20 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
7,000 PALIKIR (capital)
(2018)
Sex ratio:
at birth:
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
1 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.82 male(s)/female
total population:
0.97 male(s)/female
(2020 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
88 deaths/100,000 live births
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Infant mortality rate:
total:
17.8 deaths/1,000 live births
male:
19.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female:
15.8 deaths/1,000 live births
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Life expectancy at birth:
total population:
73.9 years
male:
71.8 years
female:
76.1 years
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
Total fertility rate:
2.29 children born/woman
(2020 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Drinking water source:
improved:
total:
78.6% of population
unimproved:
total:
21.4% of population
(2017 est.)
Current Health Expenditure:
12.4%
(2017)
Hospital bed density:
3.2 beds/1,000 population
(2009)
Sanitation facility access:
improved:
total:
88.3% of population
unimproved:
total:
11.7% of population
(2017 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
NA
Major infectious diseases:
degree of risk:
high
(2020)
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases:
malaria
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
45.8%
(2016)
country comparison to the world: 10
Education expenditures:
12.5% of GDP
(2015)
country comparison to the world: 2
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:
18.9%
male:
10.4%
female:
29.9%
(2014)
country comparison to the world: 70
Government
Country name:
conventional long form:
Federated States of Micronesia
conventional short form:
none
local long form:
Federated States of Micronesia
local short form:
none
former:
New Philippines; Caroline Islands; Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
abbreviation:
FSM
etymology:
the term "Micronesia" is a 19th-century construct of two Greek words, "micro" (small) and "nesoi" (islands), and refers to thousands of small islands in the western Pacific Ocean
Government type:
federal republic in free association with the US
Capital:
name:
Palikir
geographic coordinates:
6 55 N, 158 09 E
time difference:
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
note 1: Micronesia has two time zones ++ note 2: Palikir became the new capital of the country in 1989, three years after independence; Kolonia, the former capital, remains the site for many foreign embassies; it also serves as the Pohnpei state capital
Administrative divisions:
4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
Independence:
3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
National holiday:
Constitution Day, 10 May (1979)
Constitution:
history:
drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979
amendments:
proposed by Congress, by a constitutional convention, or by public petition; passage requires approval by at least three-fourths majority vote in at least three fourths of the states; amended 1990; note – at least every 10 years as part of a general or special election, voters are asked whether to hold a constitution convention; a majority of affirmative votes is required to proceed
Legal system:
mixed legal system of common and customary law
International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship:
citizenship by birth:
no
citizenship by descent only:
at least one parent must be a citizen of FSM
dual citizenship recognized:
no
residency requirement for naturalization:
5 years
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President David W. PANUELO (since 11 May 2019); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:
President David W. PANUELO (since 11 May 2019); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 11 May 2015)
cabinet:
Cabinet includes the vice president and the heads of the 8 executive departments
elections/appointments:
president and vice president indirectly elected by Congress from among the 4 'at large' senators for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 May 2019 (next to be held in 2023)
election results:
David W. PANUELO elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE reelected vice president
Legislative branch:
description:
unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 at- large members directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
elections:
last held on 5 March 2019 (next to be held on 2 March 2021)
election results:
percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14; composition - men 14, women 0
Judicial branch:
highest courts:
Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and not more than 5 associate justices and organized into appellate and criminal divisions)
judge selection and term of office:
justices appointed by the FSM president with the approval of two-thirds of Congress; justices appointed for life
subordinate courts:
the highest state-level courts are: Chuuk Supreme Court; Korsae State Court; Pohnpei State Court; Yap State Court
Political parties and leaders:
no formal parties
International organization participation:
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IMF, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Akillino Harris SUSAIA (since 24 April 2017)
chancery:
1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
telephone:
[1] (202) 223-4383
FAX:
[1] (202) 223-4391
consulate(s) general:
Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Carmen G. CANTOR (since 31 January 2020)
telephone:
[691] 320-2187
embassy:
US Embassy in Kolonia, PO Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, FSM 96941
mailing address:
P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941; U.S. Embassy in Micronesia, 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120
FAX:
[691] 320-2186
Flag description:
light blue with four white five-pointed stars centered; the stars are arranged in a diamond pattern; blue symbolizes the Pacific Ocean, the stars represent the four island groups of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
National symbol(s):
four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field, hibiscus flower; national colors: light blue, white
National anthem:
name:
Patriots of Micronesia
lyrics/music:
unknown
note: adopted 1991; also known as "Across All Micronesia"; the music is based on the 1820 German patriotic song "Ich hab mich ergeben", which was the West German national anthem from 1949-1950; variants of this tune are used in Johannes Brahms' "Festival Overture" and Gustav Mahler's "Third Symphony"
Economy
Economic overview:
Economic activity consists largely of subsistence farming and fishing, and government, which employs two-thirds of the adult working population and receives funding largely - 58% in 2013 – from Compact of Free Association assistance provided by the US. The islands have few commercially valuable mineral deposits. The potential for tourism is limited by isolation, lack of adequate facilities, and limited internal air and water transportation.
++ Under the terms of the original Compact, the US provided $1.3 billion in grants and aid from 1986 to 2001. The US and the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) negotiated a second (amended) Compact agreement in 2002-03 that took effect in 2004. The amended Compact runs for a 20-year period to 2023; during which the US will provide roughly $2.1 billion to the FSM. The amended Compact also develops a trust fund for the FSM that will provide a comparable income stream beyond 2024 when Compact grants end.
++ The country's medium-term economic outlook appears fragile because of dependence on US assistance and lackluster performance of its small and stagnant private sector.
GDP real growth rate:
2%
(2017 est.)
2.9%
(2016 est.)
3.9%
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.5%
(2017 est.)
0.5%
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
GDP (purchasing power parity) - real:
$348 million
(2017 est.)
$341.1 million
(2016 est.)
$331.4 million
(2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
$328 million
(2017 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$3,400
(2017 est.)
$3,300
(2016 est.)
$3,200
(2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 174
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:
26.3%
(2013 est.)
industry:
18.9%
(2013 est.)
services:
54.8%
(2013 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:
83.5%
(2013 est.)
government consumption:
48.4%
(2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital:
29.5%
(2016 est.)
investment in inventories:
1.9%
(2016 est.)
exports of goods and services:
27.5%
(2016 est.)
imports of goods and services:
-77%
(2016 est.)
Ease of Doing Business Index scores:
69.6
(2020)
Agriculture - products:
taro, yams, coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, black pepper, fish, pigs, chickens
Industries:
tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)
Industrial production growth rate:
NA
Labor force:
37,920
(2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:
0.9%
industry:
5.2%
services:
93.9%
(2013 est.)
note: two-thirds of the labor force are government employees
Unemployment rate:
16.2%
(2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Population below poverty line:
26.7%
(2000 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:
NA
highest 10%:
NA
Budget:
revenues:
213.8 million
(FY12/13 est.)
expenditures:
192.1 million
(FY12/13 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
65.2% (of GDP)
(FY12/13 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
6.6% (of GDP)
(FY12/13 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
Public debt:
24.5% of GDP
(2017 est.)
25.3% of GDP
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Fiscal year:
1 October - 30 September
Current account balance:
$12 million
(2017 est.)
$11 million
(2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Exports:
$88.3 million
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Exports - commodities:
fish, sakau (kava), betel nuts, black pepper
Imports:
$167.8 million
(2015 est.)
$258.5 million
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Imports - commodities:
food, beverages, clothing, computers, household electronics, appliances, manufactured goods, automobiles, machinery and equipment, furniture, tools
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$203.7 million
(31 December 2017 est.)
$135.1 million
(31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Debt - external:
$93.6 million
(2013 est.)
$93.5 million
(2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Exchange rates:
the US dollar is used
Energy
Electricity access:
electrification - total population:
82%
(2018)
electrification - urban areas:
93.5%
(2018)
electrification - rural areas:
78.7%
(2018)
Electricity - production:
192 million kWh
(2002)
country comparison to the world: 193
Electricity - consumption:
178.6 million kWh
(2002)
country comparison to the world: 195
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
Electricity - imports:
0 kWh
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
18,000 kW
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
96% of total installed capacity
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity
(2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
1% of total installed capacity
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
3% of total installed capacity
(2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
Crude oil - production:
0 bbl/day
(2014)
country comparison to the world: 174
Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day
(2014)
country comparison to the world: 165
Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day
(2014)
country comparison to the world: 167
Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl
(1 January 2014)
country comparison to the world: 169
Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day
(2014)
country comparison to the world: 178
Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day
country comparison to the world: 182
Natural gas - production:
0 cu m
(2014)
country comparison to the world: 171
Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m
country comparison to the world: 170
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
105 Mt
(2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines:
total subscriptions:
6,420
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
6.23
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Telephones - mobile cellular:
total subscriptions:
21,374
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
20.74
(2019 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Telecommunication systems:
general assessment:
adequate system, the demand for mobile broadband is increasing due to mobile services being the primary and most wide-spread source for Internet access across the region
(2020)
domestic:
islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone, satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on the major islands; fixed line teledensity 6 per 100 and mobile-cellular 21 per 100
(2019)
international:
country code - 691; landing points for the Chuukk-Pohnpei Cable and HANTRU-1 submarine cable system linking the Federated States of Micronesia and the US; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
(2019)
note: the COVID-19 outbreak is negatively impacting telecommunications production and supply chains globally; consumer spending on telecom devices and services has also slowed due to the pandemic's effect on economies worldwide; overall progress towards improvements in all facets of the telecom industry - mobile, fixed-line, broadband, submarine cable and satellite - has moderated
Broadcast media:
no TV broadcast stations; each state has a multi-channel cable service with TV transmissions carrying roughly 95% imported programming and 5% local programming; about a half-dozen radio stations
(2009)
Internet country code:
.fm
Internet users:
total:
36,586
percent of population:
35.3%
(July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Broadband - fixed subscriptions:
total:
3,776
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:
4
(2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:
V6
(2016)
Airports:
6
(2013)
country comparison to the world: 174
Airports - with paved runways:
total:
6
(2017)
1,524 to 2,437 m:
4
(2017)
914 to 1,523 m:
2
(2017)
Roadways:
note - paved and unpaved circumferential roads, most interior roads are unpaved
Merchant marine:
total:
39
by type:
general cargo 19, oil tanker 4, other 16
(2019)
country comparison to the world: 123
Ports and terminals:
major seaport(s):
Colonia (Tamil Harbor), Molsron Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor
Military and Security
Military and security forces:
no military forces; Federated States of Micronesia National Police
(2019)
Military - note:
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international:
none
Illicit drugs:
major consumer of cannabis
