Federated States of Micronesia

constitutional government in free association with the US

Federated States of Micronesia as the 2015 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 139 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalPalikir, UTC+11
Position6 55 N, 158 15 E
Area702 sq km
LocationOceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia
Populationas each edition published it
105,216 people July 2015 est. · 104,937 in 1990
Population growth% a year
-0.46% 2015 est. · 3.37% in 1993
Median ageyears
23.8 years 2014 est. · 20.9 yrs in 2006
Life expectancyyears at birth
72.62 years 2015 est. · 67.45 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
2.49 children per woman 2015 est. · 5 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
21.18 deaths per 1,000 live births 2015 est. · 26 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$3,000 2014 est. · $1,500 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
0.1% 2014 est. · 4% in 1995

Introduction

1 field

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. (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

Oceania, island group in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to Indonesia

18 fields
Area
702sq km
land: 702 sq kmwater: 0 sq km (fresh water only)note: includes Pohnpei (Ponape), Chuuk (Truk) Islands, Yap Islands, and Kosrae (Kosaie)country comparison to the world: 191four times the size of Washington, DC (land area only)
Coastline
6,112km
land boundaries: 0 kmterritorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
791m
Dolohmwar (Totolom)lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

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

Natural resources

timber, marine products, deep-seabed minerals, phosphate

Land use

agricultural land:
25.5%;
  • arable land 2.3%;
  • permanent crops 19.7%;
  • permanent pasture 3.5%
forest:
74.5%
other:
0% (2011 est.)

Natural hazards

typhoons (June to December)

Environment - current issues

overfishing, climate change, pollution

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

four major island groups totaling 607 islands

People and Society

28 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2015 est.)

1,660
65 and over3.53%
2,051
3,494
55-646.72%
3,580
19,583
25-5438.41%
20,827
10,576
15-2420%
10,469
16,761
0-1431.34%
16,215
MaleFemaleDependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 62.4% · youth dependency ratio: 55.3% · elderly dependency ratio: 7.1% · potential support ratio: 14.1% (2015 est.)
Population
105,216
(July 2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 193growth rate: -0.46% (2015 est.)country comparison to the world: 220

Per 1,000 population(2015 est.)

Birth
20.54Death
4.23Net migration
-20.93

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2015 est.)72.62
70.59 · 74.75Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)21.18
23.46 · 18.79
TotalMale · femaleMedian age years (2014 est.)23.8
23.2 · 24.4
MaleFemaleLife expectancy country comparison to the world: 136 · Infant mortality country comparison to the world: 81

Ethnic groups(2010 est.)

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.)

Religions(2010 est.)

Roman Catholic 54.7%Protestant 41.1% (includes Congregational 38.5%, Baptist 1.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 0.8%, Assembly of God .7%)Mormon 1.5%other 1.9%none 0.7%unspecified 0.1% (2010 est.)
Urban population
22.4%of total population
(2015)rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)Major urban areas - population: PALIKIR (capital) 7,000 (2014)
Improved drinking water
89%of population
urban: 94.8% of populationrural: 87.4% of populationurban: 5.2% of populationrural: 12.6% of populationtotal: 11% of population (2015 est.)
Improved sanitation
57.1%of population
urban: 85.1% of populationrural: 49% of populationurban: 14.9% of populationrural: 51% of populationtotal: 42.9% of population (2015 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
33.2%
(2014)country comparison to the world: 12

Nationality

noun:
Micronesian(s)
adjective:
Micronesian; Chuukese, Kosraen(s), Pohnpeian(s), Yapese

Languages

English (official and common language), Chuukese, Kosrean, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Sex ratio

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:
0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.81 male(s)/female
total population:
0.98 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.49 children born/woman (2015 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Health expenditures

12.6% of GDP (2013) country comparison to the world: 6

Physicians density

0.18 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Hospital bed density

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Government

Constitutional government in free association with the US; President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015); President Peter M. CHRISTIAN (since 12 May 2015)

21 fields

Congress, 14 seats, elected 5 March 2013one dot, one seat

independent 14

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:
Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Ponape, Truk, and Yap Districts
abbreviation:
FSM

Government type

  • constitutional government in free association with the US;
  • the Compact of Free Association entered into force on 3 November 1986 and the Amended Compact entered into force in May 2004

Capital

name:
Palikir
geographic coordinates:
6 55 N, 158 09 E
time difference:
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

drafted June 1975, ratified 1 October 1978, entered into force 10 May 1979; amended 1990 (2012)

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 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

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 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

Judicial branch

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

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 Asterio R. TAKESY (since 13 January 2012)
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 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

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; 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

36 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$312million
(2014 est.) · $311.7 million (2013 est.) · $324.8 million (2012 est.)note: data are in 2013 US dollars; GDP supplemented by grant aid, averaging perhaps $100 million annuallycountry comparison to the world: 216official exchange rate: $315 million (2014 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,000
(2014 est.) · $3,000 (2013 est.) · $3,100 (2012 est.)note: data are in 2014 US dollarscountry comparison to the world: 184
Real growth rate
0.1%
(2014 est.) · -4% (2013 est.) · 0.1% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 194industrial production growth: NA%
Inflation, consumer prices
0.7%
(2014 est.) · 6.3% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 51

GDP - composition, by sector of origin(2013 est.)

agriculture 26.3%industry 18.9%services 54.8% (2013 est.)

By end use% of GDP

Household consumption
83.5%Government consumption
41.8%Fixed assets
24.3%Inventories
0%Exports
26.6%Imports
-76.2% (2013 est.)

Budget

Revenues
$213.8 millionExpenditures
$192.1 million (FY12/13 est.)

Economy - 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 2002-2003 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.

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)

Labor force

37,920 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 214

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
0.9%
industry:
5.2%
services:
93.9%

note: two-thirds of the labor force are government employees (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

16.2% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 168

Taxes and other revenues

63% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 83

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

6.3% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Public debt

28% of GDP (2013) · 27% of GDP (2012)

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

Commercial bank prime lending rate

7.1% (2013 est.) · 6.4% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Stock of narrow money

$196 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$225.2 million (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Stock of domestic credit

$56.98 million (2013 est.) · $56.77 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$31.6 million (2013 est.) · -$41.2 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Exports

$88.3 million (2013 est.) · $95.7 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Exports - commodities

fish, sakau (kava), betel nuts, black pepper

Imports

$258.5 million (2013 est.) · $263.4 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 209

Imports - commodities

food, beverages, clothing, computers, household electronics, appliances, manufactured goods, automobiles, machinery and equipment, furniture, tools

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$75.06 million (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 167

Debt - external

$93.6 million (2013 est.) · $93.5 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$15.8 million (2013 est.) · $34.4 million (2012 est.)

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Energy

15 fields

Installed generating capacity, 18,000 kW(2015 est.)

Electricity production
192 million (2002)Electricity consumption
178.6 million (2002)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

1% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2014)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

105 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 213

Communications

8 fields

Per 100 inhabitants(2013–14 est.)

30Mobile cellular
28.3%Internet users, % of population
7Fixed lines
Mobile cellular
31,400
(2013)
Internet users
29,900
(2014 est.)
Fixed lines
7,000
(2014 est.) · country code .fm

Telephone system

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 Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap
international:
country code - 691; satellite earth stations - 5 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean) (2002)

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)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 5, FM 1, shortwave 0 (2004)

Television broadcast stations

3 (cable TV also available) (2004)

Transportation

5 fields

Merchant marine, 3 ships by typeone square, one ship · (2010)

cargo 1passenger/cargo 2

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

1,524 to 2,437 m
4914 to 1,523 m
2

Airports

6 (2013) country comparison to the world: 173

Roadways

total:
388 km
paved:
184 km
unpaved:
204 km (2015)

country comparison to the world: 208

Ports and terminals

major seaport(s): Colonia (Tomil Harbor), Lele Harbor, Pohnepi Harbor

Military

No regular military forces (2012)

5 fields

Military branches

no regular military forces (2012)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 26,712 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
22,008
females age 16-49:
23,501 (2010 est.)

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Illicit drugs

major consumer of cannabis

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Micronesia, Federated States Of.” The World Factbook 2015. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/micronesia/2015.