Montenegro

republic

Montenegro as the 2013 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 145 fields, one of 20 editions from 2006 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.

CapitalPodgorica, UTC+1
Position42 30 N, 19 18 E
Area13,812 sq km
LocationSoutheastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
Populationas each edition published it
653,474 people July 2013 est. · 630,548 in 2006
Population growth% a year
-0.56% 2013 est. · 3.5% in 2006
Median ageyears
38.7 years 2013 est. · 36.7 yrs in 2009
Life expectancyyears at birth
Not in this edition 77.3 yrs in 2020
Fertility ratechildren per woman
Not in this edition 1.82 in 2020
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
Not in this edition 3.4 in 2020
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$11,600 2012 est. · $3,800 in 2006
GDP real growth% a year
-0.5% 2012 est. · 7.5% in 2008

Introduction

1 field

Background

The use of the name Crna Gora (Montenegro) began in the 13th century in reference to a highland region in the Serbian province of Zeta. The later medieval state of Zeta maintained its existence until 1496 when Montenegro finally fell under Ottoman rule. Over subsequent centuries, Montenegro, while a part of the Ottoman Empire, was able to maintain a level of autonomy. From the 16th to 19th centuries, Montenegro was a theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes; in 1852, it was transformed into a secular principality.

Montenegro was recognized as an independent sovereign principality at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. After World War I, during which Montenegro fought on the side of the Allies, Montenegro was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929; at the conclusion of World War II, it became a constituent republic of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. When the latter dissolved in 1992, Montenegro federated with Serbia, first as the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and, after 2003, in a looser State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

In May 2006, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia barely exceeded 55% - the threshold set by the EU - allowing Montenegro to formally restore its independence on 3 June 2006.

Geography

Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia

18 fields

Land useshare of 13,812 sq km

arable land 12.45%permanent crops 1.16%other 86.39% (2011)irrigated 24.12 sq km (2010)
Area
13,812sq km
country comparison to the world: 162land: 13,452 sq kmwater: 360 sq kmslightly smaller than Connecticut
Coastline
293.5km
territorial sea: 12 nmcontinental shelf: defined by treaty
Highest point
2,522m
Bobotov Kuklowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
Land boundaries
625km
border countries: Albania 172 km, Bosnia and Herzegovina 225 km, Croatia 25 km, Kosovo 79 km, Serbia 124 km

Location

Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia

Geographic coordinates

42 30 N, 19 18 E

Climate

Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland

Terrain

highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus

Natural resources

bauxite, hydroelectricity

Natural hazards

destructive earthquakes

Environment - current issues

pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets, especially in tourist-related areas such as Kotor

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

strategic location along the Adriatic coast

People and Society

29 fields

Age structuremale left, female right · (2013 est.)

35,573
65 and over13.8%
54,285
40,618
55-6412.6%
41,398
164,913
25-5447%
142,372
35,750
15-2411.4%
38,516
48,670
0-1415.3%
51,379
MaleFemaleDependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 46.7 % · youth dependency ratio: 27.5 % · elderly dependency ratio: 19.2 % · potential support ratio: 5.2 (2013)
Population
653,474
(July 2013 est.)country comparison to the world: 168growth rate: -0.56% (2013 est.)country comparison to the world: 226

Per 1,000 population(2013 est.)

Birth
10.75Death
9.17

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (2011 est.)98.5%
99.4% · 97.6%Median age years (2013 est.)38.7
37.6 · 40.1
TotalMale · femaleYouth unemployment ages 15-24 (2011)37%
35.5% · 40%
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write · Youth unemployment ages 15-24 country comparison to the world: 14

Ethnic groups(2003 census)

Montenegrin 43%Serbian 32%Bosniak 8%Albanian 5%other (Muslims, Croats, Roma (Gypsy)) 12% (2003 census)

Religions(2003 census)

Orthodox 74.2%Muslim 17.7%Catholic 3.5%other 0.6%unspecified 3%atheist 1% (2003 census)
Urban population
61%of total population
(2010)rate of urbanization: 0.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)Major urban areas - population: PODGORICA (capital) 144,000 (2009)
Improved drinking water
98%of population
improved: urban: 99% of populationrural: 96% of populationunimproved: urban: 1% of populationrural: 4% of populationtotal: 2% of population (2010 est.)
Improved sanitation
90%of population
improved: urban: 92% of populationrural: 87% of populationunimproved: urban: 8% of populationrural: 13% of populationtotal: 10% of population (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate
8deaths/100,000 live births
(2010)country comparison to the world: 161Mother's mean age at first birth: 26.3 (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Montenegrin(s)
adjective:
Montenegrin

Languages

Serbian 63.6%, Montenegrin (official) 22%, Bosnian 5.5%, Albanian 5.3%, unspecified (includes Croatian) 3.7% (2003 census)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years:
0.95 male(s)/female
15-24 years:
0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years:
1.15 male(s)/female
55-64 years:
0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.66 male(s)/female
total population:
0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Health expenditures

9.3% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 39

Physicians density

2.03 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Hospital bed density

4 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk:
intermediate
food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial diarrhea
vectorborne disease:
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (2013)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 79

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.2% (2006) country comparison to the world: 114

Child labor - children ages 5-14

total number:
8,520
percentage:
10 % (2005 est.)

Government

Republic; President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April 2008); Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 4 December 2012)

21 fields

Assembly, 81 seats, elected 14 October 2012one dot, one seat

Coalition for European Montenegro 39Democratic Front 20SNP 9Positive Montenegro 7Bosniak Party 3Albanian and Croatian minority parties 3

Country name

conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Montenegro
local long form:
none
local short form:
Crna Gora
former:
People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro

Capital

name:
Podgorica; note - the Old Royal Capital is Cetinje mentioned in the constitution
geographic coordinates:
42 26 N, 19 16 E
time difference:
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:
+1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Administrative divisions

  • 21 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina);
  • Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Ulcinj, Zabljak

Independence

3 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro)

National holiday

National Day, 13 July (1878)

Constitution

  • several previous;
  • latest adopted 22 October 2007;
  • note - in early 2013, Montenegro's parliamentary constitutional committee began debate on proposed amendments (2013)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICC jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age, 16 if employed; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Filip VUJANOVIC (since 6 April 2008)
head of government:
Prime Minister Milo DJUKANOVIC (since 4 December 2012)
cabinet:
Ministers act as cabinet; (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website)
elections:
  • president elected by direct vote for five-year term (eligible for a second term);
  • election last held on 7 April 2013 (next to be held in 2018);
  • prime minister proposed by president, accepted by Assembly
election results:
Filip VUJANOVIC reelected president; Filip VUJANOVIC 51.2%, Miodrag LEKIC 48.8%%

Legislative branch

unicameral Assembly (81 seats; members elected by direct vote to serve four-year terms)

elections:
last held on 14 October 2012 (next to be held by 2016)
election results:
  • percent of vote by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 45.6%, Democratic Front 22.8%, SNP 11.1%, Positive Montenegro 8.2%, Bosniak Party, 4.2%, other (including Albanian and Croatian minority parties) 8.1%;
  • seats by party - Coalition for European Montenegro 39, Democratic Front 20, SNP 9, Positive Montenegro 7, Bosniak Party 3, Albanian and Croatian minority parties 3

Judicial branch

highest court(s):
Supreme Court or Vrhovni Sud (consists of the court president and 6 judges); Constitutional Court or Ustavni Sud (consists of the court president and 6 judges)
judge selection and term of office:
  • president of Supreme Court proposed jointly by the president of Montenegro, the speaker of the Assembly, and the prime minister;
  • other judges elected by the Judicial Council;
  • court president term is 5 years;
  • term of other judges is 9 years;
  • Constitutional Court judges proposed by the president of Montenegro and elected by the Assembly;
  • court president elected among its members;
  • term of judges is 9 years;
  • court president term is 3 years
subordinate courts:
  • Administrative Court;
  • Court of Appeal;
  • regional and first instance courts

Political parties and leaders

Albanian Coalition (includes Democratic Alliance in Montenegro [Mehmed BARDHI], Democratic Party [Fatmir DJEKA], and Albanian Alternative [Djerdj DAMAJ])

Bosniak Party or BS [Rafet HUSOVIC]

Coalition for European Montenegro (bloc) [Milo DJUKANOVIC] (includes Democratic Party of Socialists or DPS [Milo DJUKANOVIC], Social Democratic Party or SDP [Ranko KRIVOKAPIC], and the Liberal Party of Montenegro or LP [Andrija POPOVIC])

Coalition FORCA for Unity (includes FORCA [Nazif CUNGU and Civic Initiative [Vaselj Sinistaj])

Croatian Civic Initiative or HGI [Marija VUCINOVIC]

Democratic Center or DC [Goran BATRICEVIC]

Democratic Front (bloc) [Miodrag LEKIC] (includes New Serb Democracy or NOVA [Andrija MANDIC], Movement for Change or PZP [Nebojsa MEDOJEVIC], a splinter faction of the Socialist People's Party or SNP, and the Pensioners' Party [Vojo VULETIC])

Democratic Serbian Party of Montenegro or DSS [Dragica PEROVIC]

Democratic Union of Albanians or DUA [Mehmet ZENKA]

Just Montenegro [Rade BOJOVIC]

People's Party of Montenegro or NS [Dejan VUCICEVIC]

Positive Montenegro [Darko PAJOVIC]

Socialist People's Party or SNP [Srdan MILIC]

International organization participation

CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Srdjan DARMANOVIC (since 30 November 2010)
chancery:
1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009
telephone:
[1] (202) 234-6108
FAX:
[1] (202) 234-6109
consulate(s) general:
New York

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Sue K. BROWN (since 27 April 2011)
embassy:
Dzona Dzeksona 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[382] (0) 20 410 500
FAX:
[382] (0) 20 241 358

Flag description

  • a red field bordered by a narrow golden-yellow stripe with the Montenegrin coat of arms centered;
  • the arms consist of a double-headed golden eagle - symbolizing the unity of church and state - surmounted by a crown;
  • the eagle holds a golden scepter in its right claw and a blue orb in its left;
  • the breast shield over the eagle shows a golden lion passant on a green field in front of a blue sky;
  • the lion is symbol of episcopal authority and harks back to the three and a half centuries that Montenegro was ruled as a theocracy

National symbol(s)

double-headed eagle

National anthem

name: "Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May)

Economy

Montenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system, but the state sector remains large and additional institutional changes are needed.

33 fields
GDP, purchasing power parity
$7.219billion
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 158$7.259 billion (2011 est.) · $7.032 billion (2010 est.)note: data are in 2012 US dollarsofficial exchange rate: $4.157 billion (2012 est.)
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,600
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 108$11,700 (2011 est.) · $11,400 (2010 est.)note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Real growth rate
-0.5%
(2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 1883.2% (2011 est.) · 2.5% (2010 est.)
Inflation, consumer prices
4%
(2012)country comparison to the world: 1243% (2011)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin(2011)

agriculture 0.8%industry 11.3%services 87.9% (2011)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

22.7%
Serbia
29.3%
22.7%
Croatia
Greece
8.7%
7.8%
Slovenia
China
7.1%
Exports $489.2 million (2012 est.)Imports $2.4 billion (2012 est.)(2012 est.)

By end use% of GDP

Household consumption
84.4%Government consumption
22.1%Fixed capital
18.4%Inventories
1.1%Exports
40.2%Imports
-66.2%
(2011 est.)

Budget

Revenues
$1.68 billionExpenditures
$1.58 billion (2012 est.)

Economy - overview

Montenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system, but the state sector remains large and additional institutional changes are needed. The economy relies heavily on tourism and the export of refined metals. Unprofitable state-owned enterprises weigh on public finances. Montenegro severed its economy from federal control and from Serbia during the MILOSEVIC era and maintained its own central bank, adopted the deutsch mark, then the euro - rather than the Yugoslav dinar - as official currency, collected customs tariffs, and managed its own budget.

The dissolution of the loose political union between Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 led to separate membership in several international financial institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. In January 2007, Montenegro joined the World Bank and IMF. Montenegro became the 156th member of World Trade Organization in December 2011.

The European Council (EC) granted candidate country status to Montenegro at the December 2010 session. Montenegro began negotiations to join the EC in June, 2012, having met the conditions set down by the European Council, which called on Montenegro to take steps to fight corruption and organized crime.

Unemployment and regional disparities in development are key political and economic problems. Montenegro has privatized its large aluminum complex - the dominant industry - as well as most of its financial sector, and has begun to attract foreign direct investment in the tourism sector.

The global financial crisis had a significant negative impact on the economy, due to the ongoing credit crunch, a decline in the real estate sector, and a fall in aluminum exports. In 2012, real GDP growth slipped to 0.5%, reflecting the general downturn in most of Europe.

Agriculture - products

tobacco, potatoes, citrus fruits, olives, grapes; sheep

Industries

steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism

Labor force

251,300 (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 166

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture:
6.3%
industry:
20.9%
services:
72.8% (2011 est.)

Unemployment rate

19.1% (2012 est.) · 11.5% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Distribution of family income - Gini index

24.3 (2010) · 30 (2003) country comparison to the world: 134

Taxes and other revenues

40.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

2.4% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Public debt

52.1% of GDP (2012 est.) · 45% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 60 note: data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Fiscal year

calendar year

Commercial bank prime lending rate

9.69% (31 December 2011 est.) · 9.53% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Stock of narrow money

$749 million (31 December 2011 est.) · $783.3 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154

Stock of broad money

$1.982 billion (31 December 2011 est.) · $2.01 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Stock of domestic credit

$3.29 billion (31 December 2009) · $3.771 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 122

Market value of publicly traded shares

$3.322 billion (31 December 2011) · $3.604 billion (31 December 2010) · $4.289 billion (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 90

Current account balance

$-1.938 billion (2012 est.); $-1.927 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 140

Exports

$489.2 million (2012 est.) · $640 million (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Imports

$2.4 billion (2012 est.) · $2.5 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$400 million (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 149

Debt - external

$1.7 billion (2012 est.) · $1.2 billion (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 147

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.78 (2012 est.) · 0.72 (2011 est.) · 0.76 (2010 est.) · 0.72 (2009 est.) · 0.68 (2008 est.)

Energy

23 fields

Installed generating capacity, 868,000 kW(2010 est.)

Fossil fuels 24.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)Hydroelectric plants 75.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)Nuclear fuels 0% · Other renewable sources 0%
Electricity production
3.945 billion (2010 est.)Electricity consumption
3.279 billion (2010 est.)Electricity exports
730 million (2010 est.)Electricity imports
732 million (2010 est.)Refined petroleum imports
3,300 (2010 est.)Refined petroleum consumption
4,446 (2011 est.)Refined petroleum exports
369.3 (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 es) country comparison to the world: 161

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 204

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 164

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es) country comparison to the world: 168

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

2.166 million Mt (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 146

Communications

7 fields
Mobile cellular
1.126 million
(2012)
Internet users
10,088
(2012)
Fixed lines
163,000
(2012) · country code .me

Telephone system

general assessment:
modern telecommunications system with access to European satellites
domestic:
GSM mobile-cellular service, available through multiple providers with national coverage, is growing
international:
country code - 382; 2 international switches connect the national system (2011)

Broadcast media

  • state-funded national radio-TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and 2 radio networks;
  • 4 public TV stations and some 20 private TV stations;
  • 14 local public radio stations and more than 40 private radio stations (2007)

Internet users

280,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 133

Transportation

7 fields

Merchant marine, 2 ships by typeone square, one ship

cargo 1passenger/cargo 1registered in other countries: 4 (Bahamas 2, Honduras 1, Slovakia 1) (2010)

Airports by runway lengthpaved only

under 914 m
1

Networkskm

Roadways
7,763Railways
250
Roadways: paved: 5,365 km · unpaved: 2,398 km (2010) · Railways: standard gauge: 250 km 1.435-m gauge (169 km electrified) (2010)

Airports

5 (2013) country comparison to the world: 181

Heliports

1 (2012)

Railways

total:
250 km

country comparison to the world: 124

standard gauge:
250 km 1.435-m gauge (169 km electrified) (2010)

Roadways

total:
7,763 km

country comparison to the world: 142

paved:
5,365 km
unpaved:
2,398 km (2010)

Military

Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army of Montenegro (includes Montenegrin Navy (Mornarica Crne Gore, MCG)), Air Force (2011)

4 fields

Military branches

Armed Forces of the Republic of Montenegro: Army of Montenegro (includes Montenegrin Navy (Mornarica Crne Gore, MCG)), Air Force (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49:
149,159
females age 16-49:
131,823 (2010 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin):
8,504 (Kosovo) (2012)
stateless persons:
3,383 (2012)

Cite this entry

Central Intelligence Agency. “Montenegro.” The World Factbook 2013. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/montenegro/2013.