Timor-Leste

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Introduction

Background

The Portuguese began to trade with the island of Timor in the early 16th century and colonized it in mid-century. Skirmishing with the Dutch in the region eventually resulted in an 1859 treaty in which Portugal ceded the western portion of the island. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. East Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975 and was invaded and occupied by Indonesian forces nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). An unsuccessful campaign of pacification followed over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died. In an August 1999 UN-supervised popular referendum, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, in the next three weeks, anti-independence Timorese militias - organized and supported by the Indonesian military - commenced a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution. The militias killed approximately 1,400 Timorese and forced 300,000 people into western Timor as refugees. Most of the country's infrastructure, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, and schools, and nearly all of the country's electrical grid were destroyed. On 20 September 1999, Australian-led peacekeeping troops deployed to the country and brought the violence to an end. On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.In 2006, internal tensions threatened the new nation's security when a military strike led to violence and a breakdown of law and order. At Dili's request, an Australian-led International Stabilization Force (ISF) deployed to Timor-Leste, and the UN Security Council established the UN Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT), which included an authorized police presence of over 1,600 personnel. The ISF and UNMIT restored stability, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In February 2008, a rebel group staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. The ringleader was killed in the attack, and most of the rebels surrendered in April 2008. Since the attack, the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability, including successful 2012 elections for both the parliament and president and a successful transition of power in February 2015. In late 2012, the UN Security Council ended its peacekeeping mission in Timor-Leste and both the ISF and UNMIT departed the country. Early parliamentary elections in the spring of 2017 finally produced a majority goovernment after months of impasse. Currently, the government is a coalition of three parties and the president is a member of the opposition party. In 2018 and 2019, this configuration stymied nominations for key ministerial positions and slowed progress on certain policy issues.

Geography

Location

Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco

Geographic coordinates

8 50 S, 125 55 E

Map references

Southeast Asia

Area

total: 14,874 sq km
land: 14,874 sq km
water: 0 sq km
country comparison to the world: 160

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Connecticut; almost half the size of Maryland

Land boundaries

total: 253 km
border countries (1): Indonesia 253 km

Coastline

706 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12nm
contiguous zone: 24nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200nm

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Terrain

mountainous

Elevation

lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Natural resources

gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

Land use

agricultural land: 25.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 10.1% (2011 est.)/permanent crops: 4.9% (2011 est.)/permanent pasture: 10.1% (2011 est.)
forest: 49.1% (2011 est.)
other: 25.8% (2011 est.)

Irrigated land

350 sq km (2012)

Population distribution

most of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili

Natural hazards

floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones

Environment - current issues

air pollution and deterioration of air quality; greenhouse gas emissions; water quality, scarcity, and access; land and soil degradation; forest depletion; widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion; loss of biodiversity

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

Timor comes from the Malay word for "east"; the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the district of Oecussi is an exclave separated from Timor-Leste proper by Indonesia

People and Society

Population

1,321,929 (July 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156

Nationality

noun: Timorese
adjective: Timorese

Ethnic groups

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority

Languages

Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5%
note: data represent population by mother tongue; Tetun and Portuguese are official languages; Indonesian and English are working languages; there are about 32 indigenous languages

Religions

Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.44%(male 274,881 /female 259,736)
15-24 years: 20.46%(male 137,363 /female 133,128)
25-54 years: 30.13%(male 191,290 /female 206,973)
55-64 years: 5.02%(male 33,047 /female 33,325)
65 years and over: 3.95%(male 25,086 /female 27,100) (2018 est.)
population pyramid:

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Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 90.3 (2015 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 83.7 (2015 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 6.6 (2015 est.)
potential support ratio: 15.2 (2015 est.)

Median age

total: 19.1 years (2018 est.)
male: 18.5 years
female: 19.7 years
country comparison to the world: 202

Population growth rate

2.32% (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32

Birth rate

32.9 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Death rate

5.8 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174

Net migration rate

-3.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Population distribution

most of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili

Urbanization

urban population: 30.9% of total population(2019)
rate of urbanization: 3.35% annual rate of change(2015-20 est.)

Major urban areas - population

281,000 DILI (capital) (2018)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.93 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2018 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.1 years (2009/10 est.)
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29

Maternal mortality rate

142 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Infant mortality rate

total: 33.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 36.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 31 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 53

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 68.7 years (2018 est.)
male: 67.1 years
female: 70.4 years
country comparison to the world: 165

Total fertility rate

4.67 children born/woman (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23

Contraceptive prevalence rate

26.1% (2016)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 95.2% of population
rural: 60.5% of population
total: 71.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 4.8% of population
rural: 39.5% of population
total: 28.1% of population (2015 est.)

Current Health Expenditure

4% (2016)

Physicians density

0.72 physicians/1,000 population (2017)

Hospital bed density

5.9 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 69% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 26.8% of population (2015 est.)
total: 40.6% of population (2015 est.)
unimproved: urban: 31% of population (2015 est.)
rural: 73.2% of population (2015 est.)
total: 59.4% of population (2015 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: very high (2016)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria (2016)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

3.8% (2016)
country comparison to the world: 190

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

37.5% (2013)
country comparison to the world: 3

Education expenditures

3.8% of GDP (2017)
country comparison to the world: 116

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 67.5%
male: 71.5%
female: 63.4% (2015)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 13 years
male: 14 years
female: 13 years (2010)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 13.2%
male: 10.9%
female: 15.9% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
conventional short form: Timor-Leste
local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
local short form: Timor Lorosa'e [Tetum]; Timor-Leste [Portuguese]
former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor
etymology: timor" derives from the Indonesian and Malay word "timur" meaning "east"; "leste" is the Portuguese word for "east", so "Timor-Leste" literally means "Eastern-East"; the local [Tetum] name "Timor Lorosa'e" translates as "East Rising Sun"
note: pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Capital

name: Dili
geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

12 municipalities (municipios, singular municipio) and 1 special adminstrative region* (regiao administrativa especial); Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Covalima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Lospalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oe-Cusse Ambeno* (Pante Macassar), Viqueque
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Independence

20 May 2002 (from Indonesia); note - 28 November 1975 was the date independence was proclaimed from Portugal; 20 May 2002 was the date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia

National holiday

Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)

Constitution

history: drafted 2001, approved 22 March 2002, entered into force 20 May 2002
amendments: proposed by Parliament and parliamentary groups; consideration of amendments requires at least four-fifths majority approval by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by Parliament and promulgation by the president of the republic; passage of amendments to the republican form of government and the flag requires approval in a referendum (2018)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Portuguese model; note - penal and civil law codes to replace the Indonesian codes were passed by Parliament and promulgated in 2009 and 2011, respectively

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Suffrage

17 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Francisco GUTERRES (since 20 May 2017); note - the president is commander in chief of the military and is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections
head of government: Prime Minister Taur Matan RUAK (since 22 June 2018); note - President GUTERRES dissolved parliament because of an impasse over passing the country's budget on 26 January 2018, with then Prime Minister Mari ALKATIRI assuming the role of caretaker prime minister until a new prime minister was appointed
cabinet: the governing coalition in the Parliament proposes cabinet member candidates to the Prime Minister, who presents these recommendations to the President of the Republic for swearing in
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 20 March 2017 (next to be held in 2022); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister
election results: Francisco GUTERRES elected president; percent of vote - Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 57.1%, Antonio DA CONCEICAO (PD) 32.5%, Jose Luis GUTERRES (Frenti-Mudanca) 2.6%, Jose NEVES (independent) 2.3%, Luis Alves TILMAN (independent) 2.2%, other 3.4%

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Parliament (65 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 12 May 2018 (next to be held in July 2023)
election results: percent of vote by party - AMP - 49.6%, FRETILIN 34.2%, PD 8.1%, DDF 5.5%, other 2.6%; seats by party - AMP 34, FRETILIN 23, PD 5, DDF 3; composition - men 39, women 26, percent of women 40%

Judicial branch

highest courts: Court of Appeals (consists of the court president and NA judges)
judge selection and term of office: court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other court judges appointed - 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body chaired by the court president and that includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other judges serve for life
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
note: the UN Justice System Programme, launched in 2003 and being rolled out in 4 phases through 2018, is helping strengthen the country's justice system; the Programme is aligned with the country's long-range Justice Sector Strategic Plan, which includes legal reforms

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Change and Progress or AMP [Xanana GUSMAO] (alliance includes CNRT, KHUNTO, PLP)
Democratic Development Forum or DDF
Democratic Party or PD
Frenti-Mudanca [Jose Luis GUTERRES]
Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan or KHUNTO
National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO]
People's Liberation Party or PLP [Taur Matan RUAK]
Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]

International organization participation

ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Domingos Sarmento ALVES (since 21 May 2014)
chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202
FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kathleen FITZPATRICK (since 19 January 2018)
telephone: (670) 332-4684
embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili
mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250
FAX: (670) 331-3206

Flag description

red with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star - pointing to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag - is in the center of the black triangle; yellow denotes the colonialism in Timor-Leste's past, black represents the obscurantism that needs to be overcome, red stands for the national liberation struggle; the white star symbolizes peace and serves as a guiding light

National symbol(s)

Mount Ramelau; national colors: red, yellow, black, white

National anthem

name: "Patria" (Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO
note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared

Economy

Economy - overview

Since independence in 1999, Timor-Leste has faced great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of offshore oil and gas resources has greatly supplemented government revenues. This technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs in part because there are no production facilities in Timor-Leste. Gas is currently piped to Australia for processing, but Timor-Leste has expressed interest in developing a domestic processing capability.In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of the Timor-Leste Petroleum Fund to serve as a repository for all petroleum revenues and to preserve the value of Timor-Leste's petroleum wealth for future generations. The Fund held assets of $16 billion, as of mid-2016. Oil accounts for over 90% of government revenues, and the drop in the price of oil in 2014-16 has led to concerns about the long-term sustainability of government spending. Timor-Leste compensated for the decline in price by exporting more oil. The Ministry of Finance maintains that the Petroleum Fund is sufficient to sustain government operations for the foreseeable future.Annual government budget expenditures increased markedly between 2009 and 2012 but dropped significantly through 2016. Historically, the government failed to spend as much as its budget allowed. The government has focused significant resources on basic infrastructure, including electricity and roads, but limited experience in procurement and infrastructure building has hampered these projects. The underlying economic policy challenge the country faces remains how best to use oil-and-gas wealth to lift the non-oil economy onto a higher growth path and to reduce poverty.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$7.426 billion (2017 est.)
$7.784 billion (2016 est.)
$7.391 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 166

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.775 billion (2017 est.)
note: non-oil GDP

GDP - real growth rate

-4.6% (2017 est.)
5.3% (2016 est.)
4% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 216

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,000 (2017 est.)
$6,400 (2016 est.)
$6,200 (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 164

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 33% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 30% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 10.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 78.4% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -52% (2017 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 9.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 56.7% (2017 est.)
services: 34.4% (2017 est.)

Agriculture - products

coffee, rice, corn, cassava (manioc, tapioca), sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla

Industries

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133

Labor force

286,700 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 41%
industry: 13%
services: 45.1% (2013)

Unemployment rate

4.4% (2014 est.)
3.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Population below poverty line

41.8% (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 27% (2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.9 (2007 est.)
38 (2002 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123

Budget

revenues: 300 million (2017 est.)
expenditures: 2.4 billion (2017 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

10.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-75.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222

Public debt

3.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
3.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206

Fiscal year

calendar year

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.6% (2017 est.)
-1.3% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.29% (31 December 2017 est.)
14.05% (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57

Stock of narrow money

$563.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$464.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167

Stock of broad money

$563.3 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$464.1 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171

Stock of domestic credit

-$213 million (31 December 2017 est.)
-$212 million (31 December 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Market value of publicly traded shares

NA

Current account balance

-$284 million (2017 est.)
-$544 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103

Exports

$16.7 million (2017 est.)
$18 million (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214

Exports - commodities

oil, coffee, sandalwood, marble
note: potential for vanilla exports

Imports

$681.2 million (2017 est.)
$558.6 million (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193

Imports - commodities

food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$544.4 million (31 December 2017 est.)
$437.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)
note: excludes assets of approximately $9.7 billion in the Petroleum Fund (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 150

Debt - external

$311.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$687 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

(31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Energy

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 63.4% (2016)
electrification - urban areas: 91.7% (2016)
electrification - rural areas: 49.2% (2016)

Electricity - production

0 kWhNA (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219

Electricity - consumption

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 218

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209

Electricity - installed generating capacity

600 kWNA (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity - from fossil fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204

Electricity - from other renewable sources

100% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Crude oil - production

33,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Crude oil - exports

62,060 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,500 bbl/day (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208

Refined petroleum products - imports

3,481 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Natural gas - production

5.776 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205

Natural gas - exports

5.776 billion cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199

Natural gas - proved reserves

200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

533,400 Mt (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 2,364
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 1,546,624
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 120 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Telephone system

general assessment: rudimentary service in urban and some rural areas, which is expanding with the entrance of new competitors; 3G LTE service, with about 97% of population having access, among 3 mobile operators; increase in mobile broadband penetration (2018)
domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; limited fixed-line services; less than 1 per 100 and  mobile-cellular services have been expanding and are now available in urban and most rural areas with teledensity of 120 per 100 (2018)
international: country code - 670; international service is available; geostationary earth orbit satellite agreement in the works

Broadcast media

7 TV stations (3 nationwide satellite coverage; 2 terrestrial coverage, mostly in Dili; 2 cable) and 21 radio stations (3 nationwide coverage) (2019)

Internet country code

.tl

Internet users

total: 318,373
percent of population: 25.2% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 3,346
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182

Military and Security

Military expenditures

0.61% of GDP (2018)
0.86% of GDP (2017)
0.97% of GDP (2016)
1.19% of GDP (2015)
0.73% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 141

Military and security forces

Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Headquarters with Land and Naval components (2019)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; 18-month service obligation (2019)

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

4W (2016)

Airports

6 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 176

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 (2013)
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 4 (2013)
914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
under 914 m: 2 (2013)

Heliports

8 (2013)

Roadways

total: 6,040 km (2008)
paved: 2,600 km (2008)
unpaved: 3,440 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 139

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Dili

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international

three stretches of land borders with Indonesia have yet to be delimited, two of which are in the Oecussi exclave area, and no maritime or Economic Exclusion Zone boundaries have been established between the countries; maritime boundaries with Indonesia remain unresolved; Timor-Leste and Australia reached agreement on a treaty delimiting a permanent maritime boundary in March 2018; the treaty will enter into force once ratified by the two countries' parliaments

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Timor-Leste is a source and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Timorese women and girls from rural areas are lured to the capital with promises of legitimate jobs or education prospects and are then forced into prostitution or domestic servitude, and other women and girls may be sent to Indonesia for domestic servitude; Timorese family members force children into bonded domestic or agricultural labor to repay debts; foreign migrant women are vulnerable to sex trafficking in Timor-Leste, while men and boys from Burma, Cambodia, and Thailand are forced to work on fishing boats in Timorese waters under inhumane conditions
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Timor-Leste does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; in 2014, legislation was drafted but not finalized or implemented that outlines procedures for screening potential trafficking victims; law enforcement made modest progress, including one conviction for sex trafficking, but efforts are hindered by prosecutors’ and judges’ lack of expertise in applying anti-trafficking laws effectively; the government rescued two child victims with support from an NGO but did not provide protective services (2015)

Illicit drugs

NA

Flag of Timor-Leste

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