Australia-Oceania :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • Introduction :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • 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. (The westernmost island group became Palau.) Independence came in 1986 under a Compact of Free Association with the US, which was amended and renewed in 2004. Present concerns include large-scale unemployment, overfishing, overdependence on US foreign aid, and state perception of inequitable allocation of US aid.

  • Geography :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
    6 55 N, 158 15 E
    Oceania
    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
    four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
    0 km
    6,112 km
    territorial sea: 12 nm
    exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
    tropical; heavy year-round rainfall, especially in the eastern islands; located on southern edge of the typhoon belt with occasionally severe damage
    islands vary geologically from high mountainous islands to low, coral atolls; volcanic outcroppings on Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk
    mean elevation: NA
    elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Dolohmwar (Totolom) 791 m
    timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate
    agricultural land: 25.5%
    arable land 2.3%; permanent crops 19.7%; permanent pasture 3.5%
    forest: 74.5%
    other: 0% (2011 est.)
    0 sq km NA (2012)
    typhoons (June to December)
    overfishing, climate change, pollution
    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
    composed of four major island groups totaling 607 islands

  • People and Society :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • 104,719 (July 2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 194
    noun: Micronesian(s)
    adjective: Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese
    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.)
    English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi
    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.)
    0-14 years: 30.81% (male 16,401/female 15,863)
    15-24 years: 19.8% (male 10,406/female 10,326)
    25-54 years: 38.8% (male 19,667/female 20,966)
    55-64 years: 6.87% (male 3,532/female 3,659)
    65 years and over: 3.72% (male 1,753/female 2,146) (2016 est.)
    total dependency ratio: 62.4%
    youth dependency ratio: 55.3%
    elderly dependency ratio: 7.1%
    potential support ratio: 14.1% (2015 est.)
    24total: 24.7 years
    male: 24 years
    female: 25.3 years (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 157
    -0.49% (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 225
    20.3 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 80
    4.2 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 206
    -20.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 222
    urban population: 22.4% of total population (2015)
    rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
    PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2014)
    at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
    0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
    15-24 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
    25-54 years: 0.94 male(s)/female
    55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female
    total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
    100 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 71
    total: 20.5 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 22.7 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 18.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 81
    total population: 72.9 years
    male: 70.8 years
    female: 75 years (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 137
    2.45 children born/woman (2016 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 79
    13.7% of GDP (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 6
    0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2009)
    3.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)
    improved:
    urban: 94.8% of population
    rural: 87.4% of population
    total: 89% of population
    unimproved:
    urban: 5.2% of population
    rural: 12.6% of population
    total: 11% of population (2015 est.)
    improved:
    urban: 85.1% of population
    rural: 49% of population
    total: 57.1% of population
    unimproved:
    urban: 14.9% of population
    rural: 51% of population
    total: 42.9% of population (2015 est.)
    NA
    NA
    NA
    note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus (2016)
    33.2% (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 12
    NA

  • Government :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • conventional long form: Federated States of Micronesia
    conventional short form: none
    local long form: Federated States of Micronesia
    local short form: none
    former: 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
    federal republic in free association with the US
    name: Palikir
    geographic coordinates: 6 55 N, 158 09 E
    time difference: UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
    4 states; Chuuk (Truk), Kosrae (Kosaie), Pohnpei (Ponape), Yap
    3 November 1986 (from the US-administered UN trusteeship)
    Constitution Day, 10 May (1979); Independence Day, 3 November (1986)
    drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979; amended 1990; note - in 2001, all 26 amendments proposed by the FSM constitutional convention were defeated in a national referendum (2016)
    mixed legal system of common and customary law
    has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
    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
    18 years of age; universal
    chief of state: President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 12 May 2015); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
    head of government: President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); Vice President Yosiwo P. GEORGE (since 12 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 2011 (next to be held in May 2015)
    election results: Peter M. CHRISTIAN elected president by Congress; Yosiwo P. GEORGE elected vice president
    description: unicameral Congress (14 seats; 10 members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 2-year terms and 4 directly elected from each of the 4 states by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)
    elections: last held on 5 March 2013 (next to be held in March 2015)
    election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - independent 14
    highest court(s): 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 president of the Federated States of Micronesia 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
    no formal parties
    NA
    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
    chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Ad interim James A. NAICH
    chancery: 1725 N Street NW, Washington, DC 20036
    telephone: [1] (202) 223-4383
    FAX: [1] (202) 223-4391
    consulate(s) general: Honolulu, Tamuning (Guam)
    chief of mission: Ambassador Dorothea-Maria (Doria) ROSEN (since 9 August 2012)
    embassy: 101 Upper Pics Road, Kolonia
    mailing address: P. O. Box 1286, Kolonia, Pohnpei, 96941; U.S. Embassy in Micronesia, 4120 Kolonia Place, Washington, D.C. 20521-4120
    telephone: [691] 320-2187
    FAX: [691] 320-2186
    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
    four, five-pointed, white stars on a light blue field; national colors: light blue, white
    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 :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • 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.
    $306 million (2015 est.)
    $306.5 million (2014 est.)
    $317.3 million (2013 est.)
    note: data are in 2013 US dollars; GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging about $100 million annually
    country comparison to the world: 216
    $318 million (2015 est.)
    -0.2% (2015 est.)
    -3.4% (2014 est.)
    -3.6% (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 197
    $3,000 (2015 est.)
    $2,900 (2014 est.)
    $3,100 (2013 est.)
    note: data are in 2015 US dollars
    country comparison to the world: 191
    household consumption: 83.5%
    government consumption: 41.8%
    investment in fixed assets: 24.3%
    investment in inventories: 0%
    exports of goods and services: 26.6%
    imports of goods and services: -76.2% (2013 est.)
    agriculture: 26.3%
    industry: 18.9%
    services: 54.8% (2013 est.)
    taro, yams, coconuts, bananas, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sakau (kava), Kosraen citrus, betel nuts, black pepper, fish, pigs, chickens
    tourism, construction; specialized aquaculture, craft items (shell and wood)
    NA%
    37,920 (2010 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 198
    agriculture: 0.9%
    industry: 5.2%
    services: 93.9%
    note: two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2013 est.)
    16.2% (2010 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 158
    26.7% (2000 est.)
    lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    61.1 (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 4
    revenues: $213.8 million
    expenditures: $192.1 million (FY12/13 est.)
    67.2% of GDP (FY12/13 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 5
    6.8% of GDP (FY12/13 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 7
    28% of GDP (2013)
    27% of GDP (2012)
    country comparison to the world: 146
    1 October - 30 September
    -1% (2015 est.)
    0.6% (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 18
    7.1% (2013 est.)
    6.4% (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 116
    $196 million (31 December 2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    $225.2 million (31 December 2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 189
    $56.98 million (2013 est.)
    $56.77 million (31 December 2011 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 186
    $3 million (2015 est.)
    $22 million (2014 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 53
    $88.3 million (2013 est.)
    $95.7 million (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 195
    fish, sakau (kava), betel nuts, black pepper
    $258.5 million (2013 est.)
    $263.4 million (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 203
    food, beverages, clothing, computers, household electronics, appliances, manufactured goods, automobiles, machinery and equipment, furniture, tools
    $75.06 million (31 December 2011 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 167
    $93.6 million (2013 est.)
    $93.5 million (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 195
    $15.8 million (2013 est.)
    $34.4 million (2012 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 120
    the US dollar is used

  • Energy :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • population without electricity: 42,934
    electrification - total population: 59%
    electrification - urban areas: 100%
    electrification - rural areas: 45% (2012)
    192 million kWh (2002)
    country comparison to the world: 187
    178.6 million kWh (2002)
    country comparison to the world: 188
    0 kWh (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 138
    0 kWh (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 149
    18,000 kW (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    96% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 65
    0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 92
    1% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 143
    3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 72
    0 bbl/day (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 136
    0 bbl/day (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 125
    0 bbl/day (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 190
    0 bbl (1 January 2014)
    country comparison to the world: 134
    0 bbl/day (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 182
    0 bbl/day
    country comparison to the world: 181
    0 cu m (2014)
    country comparison to the world: 187
    0 cu m
    country comparison to the world: 139
    105 Mt (2010 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 213

  • Communications :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • total subscriptions: 6,808
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 6 (July 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 204
    total: 31,400
    subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (July 2013 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 208
    general assessment: adequate system
    domestic: islands interconnected by shortwave radiotelephone (used mostly for government purposes), satellite (Intelsat) ground stations, and some coaxial and fiber-optic cable; mobile-cellular service available on the major islands
    international: country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2015)
    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)
    .fm
    total: 33,000
    percent of population: 31.5% (July 2015 est.)
    country comparison to the world: 196

  • Transportation :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • V6 (2016)
    6 (2013)
    country comparison to the world: 173
    total: 6
    1,524 to 2,437 m: 4
    914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
    total: 388 km
    paved: 184 km
    unpaved: 204 km (2015)
    country comparison to the world: 208
    total: 3
    by type: cargo 1, passenger/cargo 2 (2010)
    country comparison to the world: 139
    major seaport(s): Colonia (Tamil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

  • Military and Security :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • no regular military forces (2012)
    defense is the responsibility of the US

  • Transnational Issues :: MICRONESIA, FEDERATED STATES OF

  • none
    major consumer of cannabis