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Micronesia, Federated States of
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.Tip
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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: 191Area - comparative
four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Land boundaries
total: 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
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.)
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.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 22.45 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 25.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 74.17 years
male: 72.06 years
female: 76.4 years (2021 est.)
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.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: high (2020)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne diseases: malaria
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
total: 18.9%
male: 10.4%
female: 29.9% (2014)
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.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$390 million (2018 est.)
$348 million (2017 est.)
$389 million (2017 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate)
$328 million (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$3,464 (2018 est.)
$3,493 (2017 est.)
$3,200 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 191GDP - 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)
Agricultural products
coconuts, cassava, vegetables, sweet potatoes, bananas, pork, plantains, fruit, eggs, beef
Industries
tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)
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
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.)
Fiscal year
1 October - 30 September
Current account balance
$12 million (2017 est.)
$11 million (2016 est.)
Exports - commodities
fish, sakau (kava), betel nuts, black pepper
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.)
Debt - external
$93.6 million (2013 est.)
$93.5 million (2012 est.)
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 - installed generating capacity
18,000 kW (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205Electricity - from fossil fuels
96% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
1% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149Electricity - from other renewable sources
3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 6,420
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6.23 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 21,374
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 20.74 (2019 est.)
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 users
total: 36,586
percent of population: 35.3% (July 2018 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 3,776
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 4 (2017 est.)
Transportation
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: 38
by type: general cargo 18, oil tanker 4, other 16 (2020)
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