Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
East & Southeast Asia :: Timor-Leste
page last updated on October 22, 2012
Flag of Timor-Leste
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Timor-Leste
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Timor-Leste
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of Timor-Leste
 
Navigation Arrow view 1 photo Opens in New Window
of Timor-Leste
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 individuals lost their lives. On 30 August 1999, in a 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 forcibly pushed 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 100% 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 unsuccessful attacks the government has enjoyed one of its longest periods of post-independence stability.
Back to Top
Geography ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8 50 S, 125 55 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 14,874 sq km
country comparison to the world: 160
land: 14,874 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly larger than Connecticut
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 228 km
border countries: Indonesia 228 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
706 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mountainous
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 8.2%
permanent crops: 4.57%
other: 87.23% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
140 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
People ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Timorese
adjective: Timorese
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English
note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by a significant portion of the population
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Roman Catholic 98%, Muslim 1%, Protestant 1% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,143,667
country comparison to the world: 159
note: other estimates range as low as 800,000 (July 2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 43% (male 252,874/ female 238,865)
15-64 years: 53.5% (male 302,572/ female 308,991)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 19,719/ female 20,646) (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 22.8 years
male: 22.8 years
female: 22.9 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.957% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
25.43 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.86 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 28% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
DILI (capital) 166,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
300 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 37
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 36.78 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 65
male: 42.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 30.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 68.27 years
country comparison to the world: 157
male: 65.85 years
female: 70.81 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.32 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 8
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: chikungunya, dengue fever and malaria (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
40.6% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 4
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
16.8% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 58.6%
male: NA
female: NA (2002)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 11 years (2004)
Back to Top
Government ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste (pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay)
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Dili
geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13 administrative districts; Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Cova-Lima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Los Palos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oecussi (Ambeno), Viqueque
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28 November 1975 (independence proclaimed from Portugal); note - 20 May 2002 is the official date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 May 2002 (effective date)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Taur Matan RUAK (Jose Maria de VASCONCELOS) (since 20 May 2012); note - the president plays a largely symbolic role but is able to veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections
head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 8 August 2007); note - he formerly used the name Jose Alexandre GUSMAO; Vice Prime Minister Fernando "Lasama" de ARAUJO (since 8 August 2012)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); an election was held on 17 March 2012 with a run-off on 16 April 2012); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister
election results: Taur Matan RUAK elected president in 2012; percent of vote - Taur Matan RUAK 61.23%, Francisco GUTTERES 38.7%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral National Parliament (the number of seats can vary from 52 to 65; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms in a modified proportional representation system)
elections: elections were held on 7 July 2012 (next to be held in July 2017)
election results: percent of vote by party - CNRT 36%, FRETILIN 30%, PD 10%, Frenti-Mudanca 3%, others 21%; seats by party - CNRT 30, FRETILIN 25, PD 8, Frenti-Mudanca 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court of Justice - constitution calls for one judge to be appointed by National Parliament and rest appointed by Superior Council for Judiciary; note - until Supreme Court is established, Court of Appeals is highest court
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Democratic Party or PD [Fernando de ARAUJO]; National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT [Xanana GUSMAO]; National Democratic Union of Timorese Resistance or UNDERTIM [Cornelio DA Conceicao GAMA]; National Unity Party or PUN [Fernanda BORGES]; People's Party of Timor or PPT [Jacob XAVIER]; Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN [Mari ALKATIRI]; Social Democratic Association of Timor or ASDT; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zacarias Albano da COSTA]; Sons of the Mountain Warriors or KOTA [Manuel TILMAN] (also known as Association of Timorese Heroes); (only parties in Parliament are listed)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, 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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Constancio da Conceicao PINTO
chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504,Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202
FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Judith R. FERGIN
embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili
mailing address: US Department of State, 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250
telephone: (670) 332-4684
FAX: (670) 331-3206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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, Fransisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in an Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared
Back to Top
Economy ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
In late 1999, about 70% of the economic infrastructure of Timor-Leste was laid waste by Indonesian troops and anti-independence militias. Three hundred thousand people fled westward. Over the next three years a massive international program, manned by 5,000 peacekeepers (8,000 at peak) and 1,300 police officers, led to substantial reconstruction in both urban and rural areas. The country continues to face great challenges in rebuilding its infrastructure, strengthening the civil administration, and generating jobs for young people entering the work force. The development of oil and gas resources in offshore waters has greatly supplemented government revenues. This technology-intensive industry, however, has done little to create jobs for the unemployed in part because there are no production facilities in Timor-Leste. Gas is piped to Australia. In June 2005, the National Parliament unanimously approved the creation of a 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 US$9.3 billion as of December 2011. The economy continues to recover strongly from the mid-2006 outbreak of violence and civil unrest, which disrupted both private and public sector economic activity. All of the estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons returned home by early 2009. Government spending increased markedly from 2009 through 2011, primarily on basic infrastructure, including electricity and roads. 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. The parliament in late 2011 approved an ambitious, infrastructure-focused $1.67 billion budget for 2012 that would allow the government to borrow for the first time in its 10-year history.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$9.629 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
$8.707 billion (2010 est.)
$7.953 billion (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.315 billion
note: non-oil GDP (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10.6% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
9.5% (2010 est.)
12.8% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8,800 (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$8,200 (2010 est.)
$7,600 (2009 est.)
note: data are in 2011 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 26.5%
industry: 17.8%
services: 55.6% (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
418,200 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 158
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 64%
industry: 10%
services: 26% (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
20% (2006 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
41% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 27% (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
31.9 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106
38 (2002 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $2.6 billion
expenditures: $1.3 billion (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
60.3% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30.1% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12.3% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
6.8% (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11.04% (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
11% (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$162.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
$141.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$322.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
$295 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$280 million (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
$221 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coffee, rice, corn, cassava (manioc), sweet potatoes, soybeans, cabbage, mangoes, bananas, vanilla
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8.5% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.375 billion (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
$1.161 billion (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$18 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
$17.8 million (2010 est.)
note: excludes oil
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
oil, coffee, sandalwood, marble
note: potential for vanilla exports
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$689 million (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
$439.1 million (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
food, gasoline, kerosene, machinery
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US dollar is used
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
calendar year
Back to Top
Energy ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
131.7 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
67.59 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
83,740 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
96,270 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
553.8 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,755 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,205 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
200 billion cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
395,300 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Back to Top
Communications ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3,100 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 218
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
614,200 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 161
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: rudimentary service in urban and some rural areas
domestic: system suffered significant damage during the violence associated with independence; limited fixed-line services; mobile-cellular services have been expanding and are now available in urban and most rural areas
international: country code - 670; international service is available in major urban centers
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 public TV broadcast station broadcasting nationally and 1 public radio broadcaster with stations in each of the 13 administrative districts; one commercial TV broadcast station broadcasting, a few commercial radio stations, and roughly a dozen community radio stations (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.tl
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
210 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 199
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 211
Back to Top
Transportation ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 175
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 4
914 to 1,523 m: 2
under 914 m: 2 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6,040 km
country comparison to the world: 149
paved: 2,600 km
unpaved: 3,440 km (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 151
by type: passenger/cargo 1 (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Dili
Back to Top
Military ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Timor-Leste Defense Force (Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Army, Navy (Armada) (2010)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; 18-month service obligation (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 305,643
females age 16-49: 293,052 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 243,120
females age 16-49: 251,061 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 12,737
female: 12,389 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Timor-Leste
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
three stretches of land borders with Timor-Leste 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; many refugees who left Timor-Leste in 2003 still reside in Indonesia and refuse repatriation; in 2007, Australia and Timor-Leste signed a 50-year development zone and revenue sharing agreement in lieu of a maritime boundary
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.