Country Guide

Ireland Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Western Europe, occupying five-sixths of the island of Ireland in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Great Britain


Geographic coordinates:
53 00 N, 8 00 W


Map references:
Europe


Area:
total:70,273 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 120
land:68,883 sq km
water:1,390 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly larger than West Virginia


Land boundaries:
total:443 km
border countries:UK 443 km


Coastline:
1,448 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
exclusive fishing zone:200 nm


Climate:
temperate maritime; modified by North Atlantic Current; mild winters, cool summers; consistently humid; overcast about half the time


Terrain:
mostly level to rolling interior plain surrounded by rugged hills and low mountains; sea cliffs on west coast


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Carrauntoohil 1,041 m


    Natural resources:
natural gas, peat, copper, lead, zinc, silver, barite, gypsum, limestone, dolomite


Land use:
arable land:15.11%
permanent crops:0.01%
other:84.87% (2011)


Irrigated land:
11 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
52 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
52 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
NA


Environment - current issues:
water pollution, especially of lakes, from agricultural runoff


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Marine Life Conservation


Geography - note:
strategic location on major air and sea routes between North America and northern Europe; over 40% of the population resides within 100 km of Dublin

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Irishman(men), Irishwoman(women), Irish (collective plural)
adjective:Irish


Ethnic groups:
Irish 84.5%, other white 9.8%, Asian 1.9%, black 1.4%, mixed and other 0.9%, unspecified 1.6% (2011 est.)


Languages:
English (official, the language generally used), Irish (Gaelic or Gaeilge) (official, spoken mainly in areas along the western coast)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 84.7%, Church of Ireland 2.7%, other Christian 2.7%, Muslim 1.1%, other 1.7%, unspecified 1.5%, none 5.7% (2011 est.)


Population:
4,832,765 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 123


Age structure:
0-14 years:21.4% (male 529,140/female 506,857)
15-24 years:11.9% (male 292,962/female 283,127)
25-54 years:44.1% (male 1,070,875/female 1,061,396)
55-64 years:10.1% (male 245,913/female 244,345)
65 years and over:12.1% (male 275,114/female 323,036) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:51.4 %
youth dependency ratio:32.7 %
elderly dependency ratio:18.7 %
potential support ratio:5.4 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:35.7 years
male:35.4 years
female:36.1 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.2% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 99


Birth rate:
15.18 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 132


Death rate:
6.45 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 154


Net migration rate:
3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 34


Urbanization:
urban population:62.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:1.63% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
DUBLIN (capital) 1.121 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.84 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
29.8


Maternal mortality rate:
6 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:3.74 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 202
male:4.11 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.35 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:80.56 yearscountry comparison to the world: 27
male:78.28 years
female:82.97 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 125


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
64.8%


Health expenditures:
9.4% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
3.19 physicians/1,000 population (2008)


Hospital bed density:
3.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 99.7% of population
total: 99.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0.3% of population
total: 0.1% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 99.6% of population
rural: 97.9% of population
total: 99% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.4% of population
rural: 2.1% of population
total: 1% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 116


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
6,900 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 118


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 119


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
25.2% (2008)country comparison to the world: 57


Education expenditures:
6.4% of GDP (2010)country comparison to the world: 31

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:99%
male:99%
female:99% (2003 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:19 years
male:19 years
female:19 years (2011)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:24%country comparison to the world: 42
male:36.4%
female:24% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form:Ireland
local long form:none
local short form:Eire


Government type:
republic, parliamentary democracy


Capital:
name:Dublin
geographic coordinates:53 19 N, 6 14 W
time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
28 counties and 3 cities*; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Cork*, Donegal, Dublin*, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway, Galway*, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow


Independence:
6 December 1921 (from the UK by treaty)


National holiday:
Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March


Constitution:
previous 1922; latest drafted 14 June 1937, adopted by plebiscite 1 July 1937, effective 29 December 1937; amended many times, last in 2013 (2013)


Legal system:
common law system based on the English model but substantially modified by customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Michael D. HIGGINS (since 29 October 2011)
head of government:Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda KENNY (since 9 March 2011)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the president with previous nomination by the prime minister and approval of the lower house of Parliament
elections:president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 29 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2018); taoiseach (prime minister) nominated by the House of Representatives (Dail Eireann) and appointed by the president
election results:Michael D. HIGGINS elected president; percent of vote - Michael D. HIGGINS 39.6%, Sean GALLAGHER 28.5%, Martin MCGUINNESS 13.7%, Gay MITCHELL 6.4%, David NORRIS 6.2%, other 5.6%


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament or Oireachtas consists of the Senate or Seanad Eireann (60 seats; 49 members elected by the universities and from candidates put forward by five vocational panels, 11 are nominated by the prime minister; members serve five-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Dail Eireann (166 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation to serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate - last held in 27 April 2011 (next to be held 2016); House of Representatives - last held on 25 February 2011 (next to be held probably in 2016)
election results:Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Fine Gael 19, Fianna Fail 14, Labor Party 12, Sinn Fein 3, independents 12; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - Fine Gael 36.1%, Labor Party 19.5%, Fianna Fail 17.5%, Sinn Fein 9.9%, United Left Alliance 2.6%, independents and others 14.4%; seats by party - Fine Gael 76, Labor Party 37, Fianna Fail 20, Sinn Fein 14, United Left Alliance 5, independents 14


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court or Court of Final Appeal (consists of the chief justice and 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the prime minister and Cabinet and appointed by the president; judges serve till age 70
subordinate courts:High Court, Court of Criminal Appeal; circuit and district courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Fianna Fail [Micheal MARTIN]
Fine Gael [Enda KENNY]
Green Party [Eamon RYAN]
Labor Party [Eamon GILMORE]
New Vision
Sinn Fein [Gerry ADAMS]
Socialist Party [Collective Leadership]
The Workers' Party [Michael FINNEGAN]
United Left Alliance


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Families Acting for Innocent Relatives or FAIR [Brian MCCONNELL] (seek compensation for victims of violence);


International organization participation:
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNITAR, UNOCI, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Anne Colette ANDERSON (since 28 August 2013)
chancery:2234 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 462-3939
FAX:[1] (202) 232-5993
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, New York, San Francisco; note - Ireland will open a consulate general in Austin by the end of 2014


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Stuart DWYER (since 5 September 2013)
embassy:42 Elgin Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
mailing address:use embassy street address
telephone:[353] (1) 668-8777
FAX:[353] (1) 668-9946


Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and orange; officially the flag colors have no meaning, but a common interpretation is that the green represents the Irish nationalist (Gaelic) tradition of Ireland; orange represents the Orange tradition (minority supporters of William of Orange); white symbolizes peace (or a lasting truce) between the green and the orange


National symbol(s):
harp, shamrock (trefoil)


National anthem:
name:'Amhran na bhFiann' (The Soldier's Song)

lyrics/music:Peadar KEARNEY [English], Liam O RINN [Irish]/Patrick HEENEY and Peadar KEARNEY
note:adopted 1926; instead of 'Amhran na bhFiann,' the song 'Ireland's Call' is often used in athletic events where citizens of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland compete as a unified team

Economy

Economy - overview:
Ireland is a small, modern, trade-dependent economy. Ireland was among the initial group of 12 EU nations that began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002. GDP growth averaged 6% in 1995-2007, but economic activity has dropped sharply since the onset of the world financial crisis. Ireland entered into a recession in 2008 for the first time in more than a decade, with the subsequent collapse of its domestic property market and construction industry. Property prices rose more rapidly in Ireland in the decade up to 2007 than in any other developed economy. Since their 2007 peak, average house prices have fallen 47%. In the wake of the collapse of the construction sector and the downturn in consumer spending and business investment, the export sector, dominated by foreign multinationals, has become an even more important component of Ireland's economy. Agriculture, once the most important sector, is now dwarfed by industry and services. In 2008 the former COWEN government moved to guarantee all bank deposits, recapitalize the banking system, and establish partly-public venture capital funds in response to the country's economic downturn. In 2009, in continued efforts to stabilize the banking sector, the Irish Government established the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) to acquire problem commercial property and development loans from Irish banks. Faced with sharply reduced revenues and a burgeoning budget deficit, the Irish Government introduced the first in a series of draconian budgets in 2009. In addition to across-the-board cuts in spending, the 2009 budget included wage reductions for all public servants. These measures were not sufficient to stabilize Ireland’s public finances. In 2010, the budget deficit reached 32.4% of GDP - the world's largest deficit, as a percentage of GDP - because of additional government support for the country’s deeply troubled banking sector. In late 2010, the former COWEN government agreed to a $92 billion loan package from the EU and IMF to help Dublin recapitalize Ireland’s fragile banking sector and avoid defaulting on its sovereign debt. Since entering office in March 2011, the new KENNY government has intensified austerity measures to try to meet the deficit targets under Ireland's EU-IMF program. Ireland has grown slowly since 2011, but managed to reduce the budget deficit to 7.2% of GDP in 2013. In late 2013, Ireland formally exited its EU-IMF bailout program, benefiting from its strict adherence to deficit-reduction targets and success in refinancing a large amount of banking-related debt.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$190.4 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
$189.3 billion (2012 est.)
$189 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$220.9 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
0.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
0.2% (2012 est.)
2.2% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$41,300 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
$41,300 (2012 est.)
$41,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
13.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
15.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
12.5% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:50.2%
government consumption:14.8%
investment in fixed capital:10%
investment in inventories:0%
exports of goods and services:106.8%
imports of goods and services:-81.9%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:1.6%
industry:28%
services:70.4% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
barley, potatoes, wheat; beef, dairy products


Industries:
pharmaceuticals, chemicals, computer hardware and software, food products, beverages and brewing; medical devices


Industrial production growth rate:
0.2% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162

Labor force:
2.161 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:5%
industry:19%
services:76% (2011 est.)


Unemployment rate:
13.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
14.7% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
5.5% (2009)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.9%
highest 10%:27.2% (2000)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
33.9 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 97
35.9 (1987)


    Budget:
revenues:$75.32 billion
expenditures:$91.3 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
34.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-7.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187


Public debt:
124.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
117.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
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


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
0.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
1.7% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
0.75% (31 December 2013)
country comparison to the world: 124
1.5% (31 December 2010)
note:this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.2% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
3.55% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$121.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$122.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
note:see entry for the European Union for money supply in the euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 17 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders


Stock of broad money:
$238 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$238.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$425.4 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$433.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$109 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$7.3 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
$9.245 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$113.6 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
$119.3 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, computers, chemicals, medical devices, pharmaceuticals; food products, animal products


Exports - partners:
US 17.9%, UK 17.3%, Belgium 15.6%, Germany 8.4%, Switzerland 5.8%, France 5% (2012)


Imports:
$61.51 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
$63.63 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
data processing equipment, other machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum and petroleum products, textiles, clothing


Imports - partners:
UK 39.8%, US 13.2%, Germany 7.6%, Netherlands 5.7% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.707 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
$1.703 billion (31 December 2011 est.)


Debt - external:
$2.164 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$2.213 trillion (31 December 2011)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$777.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$725.8 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$792.6 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
$766 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
euros (EUR) per US dollar -
0.7634 (2013 est.)
0.7752 (2012 est.)
0.755 (2010 est.)
0.7198 (2009 est.)
0.6827 (2008 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production:
26.04 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67


Electricity - consumption:
26.1 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65


Electricity - exports:
370 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69


Electricity - imports:
724 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.316 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
76.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
2.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
17.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9


Crude oil - production:
725.6 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112


Crude oil - exports:
1,858 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68


Crude oil - imports:
62,070 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126


Refined petroleum products - production:
59,630 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
144,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69


Refined petroleum products - exports:
26,120 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70


Refined petroleum products - imports:
166,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34


Natural gas - production:
373 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74


Natural gas - consumption:
5.506 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93


Natural gas - imports:
4.522 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Natural gas - proved reserves:
9.911 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
36.57 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
2.007 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 57


Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.906 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 114


Telephone system:
general assessment:modern digital system using cable and microwave radio relay
domestic:system privatized but dominated by former state monopoly operator; increasing levels of broadband access particularly in urban areas
international:country code - 353; landing point for the Hibernia-Atlantic submarine cable with links to the US, Canada, and UK; satellite earth stations - 81 (2014)



    Broadcast media:
publicly owned broadcaster Radio Telefis Eireann (RTE) operates 2 TV stations; commercial TV stations are available; about 75% of households utilize multi-channel satellite and TV services that provide access to a wide range of stations; RTE operates 4 national radio stations and has launched digital audio broadcasts on several stations; a number of commercial broadcast stations operate at the national, regional, and local levels (2014)


Internet country code:
.ie


Internet hosts:
1.387 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 40


Internet users:
3.042 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 67

Transportation

Airports
40 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 105


Airports - with paved runways
total:16
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
1,524 to 2,437 m:4
914 to 1,523 m:5
under 914 m:5 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:24
2,438 to 3,047 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:
21 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 2,147 km (2013)


Railways
total:3,237 kmcountry comparison to the world: 54
broad gauge:1,872 km 1.600-m gauge (37 km electrified)
narrow gauge:1,365 km 0.914-m gauge (operated by the Irish Peat Board to transport peat to power stations and briquetting plants) (2008)


    Roadways
total:96,036 kmcountry comparison to the world: 49
paved:96,036 km (includes 1,224 km of expressways) (2014)


Waterways
956 km (pleasure craft only) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 68


Merchant marine
total:31country comparison to the world: 83
by type:cargo 28, chemical tanker 2, container 1
foreign-owned:5 (France 2, Spain 1, US 2)
registered in other countries:33 (Bahamas 3, Bermuda 1, Cambodia 1, Cyprus 3, Isle of Man 1, Kazakhstan 1, Malta 4, Marshall Islands 6, Netherlands 8, Panama 1, Russia 1, Slovakia 1, Sweden 1, UK 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Dublin, Shannon Foynes,
river port(s):Cork (Lee), Waterford (Suir)
container port(s) (TEUs):Dublin (1,931,001)

Military

Military branches
Irish Defence Forces (Oglaigh na h-Eireannn), Permanent Defence Forces (PDF): Army, Naval Service, Air Corps; Reserve Defence Forces (RDF): Army, Naval Service Reserves (2014)


Military service age and obligation
18-25 years of age for male and female voluntary military service recruits to the Permanent Defence Forces (PDF; 18-27 years of age for the Naval Service); 18-28 for cadetship (officer) applicants; 18-35 years of age for the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF); maximum obligation 12 years (PDF officers), 5 years (PDF enlisted), 3 years RDF (4 years for Naval Service Reserves); EU citizenship, refugee status, or 5-year residence in Ireland required (2014)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,179,125
females age 16-49:1,163,728 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:977,631
females age 16-49:965,900 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:28,564
female:27,197 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.55% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 125
0.59% of GDP (2011)
0.55% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Ireland, Iceland, and the UK dispute Denmark's claim that the Faroe Islands' continental shelf extends beyond 200 nm


Refugees and internally displaced persons
stateless persons:73 (2012)


    Illicit drugs
transshipment point for and consumer of hashish from North Africa to the UK and Netherlands and of European-produced synthetic drugs; increasing consumption of South American cocaine; minor transshipment point for heroin and cocaine destined for Western Europe; despite recent legislation, narcotics-related money laundering - using bureaux de change, trusts, and shell companies involving the offshore financial community - remains a concern
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Oman

Country Guide

Oman Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and Persian Gulf, between Yemen and UAE


Geographic coordinates:
21 00 N, 57 00 E


Map references:
Middle East


Area:
total:309,500 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 71
land:309,500 sq km
water:0 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Kansas


Land boundaries:
total:1,573 km
border countries:Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 609 km, Yemen 288 km


Coastline:
2,092 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
contiguous zone:24 nm
exclusive economic zone:200 nm


Climate:
dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strong southwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south


Terrain:
central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south


    Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Arabian Sea 0 m
highest point:Jabal Shams 2,980 m


Natural resources:
petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium, gypsum, natural gas


Land use:
arable land:0.1%
permanent crops:0.12%
other:99.77% (2011)


Irrigated land:
588.5 sq km (2004)


Total renewable water resources:
1.4 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
1.4 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts


Environment - current issues:
rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; limited natural freshwater resources


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


Geography - note:
strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Omani(s)
adjective:Omani


Ethnic groups:
Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African


Languages:
Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects


Religions:
Muslim (official; majority are Ibadhi, lesser numbers of Sunni and Shia)) 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, Jewish <.1, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.2%


Population:
3,219,775country comparison to the world: 136
note:immigrants make up just over 30% of the total population, according to UN data (2013) (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:30.4% (male 501,352/female 476,333)
15-24 years:19.9% (male 335,404/female 304,261)
25-54 years:42.6% (male 801,539/female 569,187)
55-64 years:3.9% (male 67,085/female 58,254)
65 years and over:3.2% (male 53,320/female 53,040) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:34.4 %
youth dependency ratio:30.4 %
elderly dependency ratio:3.9 %
potential support ratio:25.4 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:24.9 years
male:26.1 years
female:23.4 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
2.06% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 49


Birth rate:
24.47 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 59


Death rate:
3.38 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 218


Net migration rate:
-0.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 133


Urbanization:
urban population:73.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.23% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
MUSCAT (capital) 743,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.1 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.41 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.2 male(s)/female
65 years and over:1.03 male(s)/female
total population:1.22 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Maternal mortality rate:
32 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


    Infant mortality rate:
total:14 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 112
male:14.29 deaths/1,000 live births
female:13.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:74.97 yearscountry comparison to the world: 103
male:73.07 years
female:76.97 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.86 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 64


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
31.7% (2000)


Health expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
2.05 physicians/1,000 population (2010)


Hospital bed density:
1.8 beds/1,000 population (2009)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 95.5% of population
rural: 86.1% of population
total: 93% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4.5% of population
rural: 13.9% of population
total: 7% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 97.3% of population
rural: 94.7% of population
total: 96.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2.7% of population
rural: 5.3% of population
total: 3.4% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.1% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 165


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
1,100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 144


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 135


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
20.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 94


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
8.6% (2009)country comparison to the world: 72


Education expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2009)country comparison to the world: 100

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:86.9%
male:90.2%
female:81.8% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:14 years
male:13 years
female:14 years (2011)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Sultanate of Oman
conventional short form:Oman
local long form:Saltanat Uman
local short form:Uman
former:Muscat and Oman


Government type:
monarchy


Capital:
name:Muscat
geographic coordinates:23 37 N, 58 35 E
time difference:UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
11 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazat); Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Buraymi, Al Wusta, Az Zahirah, Janub al Batinah (Al Batinah South), Janub ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah South), Masqat (Muscat), Musandam, Shamal al Batinah (Al Batinah North), Shamal ash Sharqiyah (Ash Sharqiyah North), Zufar (Dhofar)


Independence:
1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)


National holiday:
Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)


Constitution:
previous 1996 (The Basic Law of the Sultanate of Oman serves as the constitution); latest amended by royal decree in 2011 (2011)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of Anglo-Saxon law and Islamic law


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal; note - members of the military and security forces by law cannot vote


Executive branch:
chief of state:Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972)
cabinet:Cabinet appointed by the monarch
elections:the Ruling Family Council determines a successor from the Sultan's extended family; if the Council cannot form a consensus within three days of the Sultan's death or incapacitation, the Defense Council will relay a predetermined heir as chosen by the Sultan


Legislative branch:
bicameral - consists of Majlis al-Dawla or upper chamber (71 seats; members appointed by the sultan; has only advisory powers) and Majlis al-Shura or lower chamber (84 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms; body has authority to draft legislation but is subordinate to the Sultan)
elections:(Majlis al-Shura) last held on 15 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; note - three prominent figures from the Arab Spring 2011 protests won seats; one woman also won a seat


    Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of 5 judges)
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the 9-member Supreme Judicial Council (chaired by the monarch) and appointed by the monarch; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts:Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; sharia courts; magistrates' courts


Political parties and leaders:
political parties are illegal

Political pressure groups and leaders:
none


International organization participation:
ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmad al-MUGHAIRI (since 9 November 2005)
chancery:2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 387-1980
FAX:[1] (202) 745-4933


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Greta C. HOLTZ (since 27 September 2012)
embassy:Jamait Ad Duwal Al Arabiyya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscat
mailing address:P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
telephone:[968] 24-643-400
FAX:[968] 24-64-37-40


Flag description:
three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width with a broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem (a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swords in scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band; white represents peace and prosperity, red recalls battles against foreign invaders, and green symbolizes the Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountains) and fertility


National symbol(s):
Khanjar dagger superimposed on two crossed swords


National anthem:
name:'Nashid as-Salaam as-Sultani' (The Sultan's Anthem)

lyrics/music:Rashid bin Uzayyiz al KHUSAIDI/James Frederick MILLS, arranged by Bernard EBBINGHAUS
note:adopted 1932; new words were written after QABOOS bin Said al Said gained power in 1970; the anthem was first performed by the band of a British ship as a salute to the Sultan during a 1932 visit to Muscat; the bandmaster of the HMS Hawkins was asked to write a salutation to the Sultan on the occasion of his visiting the ship

Economy

Economy - overview:
Oman is a middle-income economy that is heavily dependent on dwindling oil resources. Because of declining reserves and a rapidly growing labor force, Muscat has actively pursued a development plan that focuses on diversification, industrialization, and privatization, with the objective of reducing the oil sector's contribution to GDP to 9% by 2020 and creating more jobs to employ the rising numbers of Omanis entering the workforce. Tourism and gas-based industries are key components of the government's diversification strategy. However, increases in social welfare benefits, particularly since the Arab Spring, will challenge the government's ability to effectively balance its budget if oil revenues decline. By using enhanced oil recovery techniques, Oman succeeded in increasing oil production, giving the country more time to diversify, and the increase in global oil prices through 2011 provided the government greater financial resources to invest in non-oil sectors. In 2012, continued surpluses resulting from sustained high oil prices and increased enhanced oil recovery allowed the government to maintain growth in social subsidies and public sector job creation. However, the Sultan made widely reported statements indicating this would not be sustainable, and called for expanded efforts to support SME development and entrepreneurship. Government agencies and large oligarchic group companies heeded his call, announcing new initiatives to spin off non-essential functions to entrepreneurs, incubate new businesses, train and mentor up and coming business people, and provide financing for start-ups. In response to fast growth in household indebtedness, the Central Bank reduced the ceiling on personal interest loans from 8 to 7%, lowered mortgage rates, capped the percentage of consumer loans at 50% of borrower's salaries for personal loans and 60% for housing loans, and limited maximum repayment terms to 10 and 25 years respectively.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$94.86 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
$90.28 billion (2012 est.)
$85.99 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$81.95 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
5.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53
5% (2012 est.)
4.5% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$29,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
$29,200 (2012 est.)
$28,700 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
36.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
37.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
41% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:30.5%
government consumption:17.8%
investment in fixed capital:27.3%
investment in inventories:-0.5%
exports of goods and services:63.8%
imports of goods and services:-39.4%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:1%
industry:64.4%
services:34.6% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish


Industries:
crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel, chemicals, optic fiber


Industrial production growth rate:
3.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85

Labor force:
968,800
country comparison to the world: 144
note:about 60% of the labor force is non-national (2007)



Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:NA%
industry:NA%
services:NA%


    Unemployment rate:
15% (2004 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Population below poverty line:
NA%


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:NA%
highest 10%:NA%


Budget:
revenues:$34.42 billion
expenditures:$35.48 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
42% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68


Public debt:
4.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
4.3% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
2.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
2% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
0.05% (31 December 2009 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
5.8% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
5.65% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$9.537 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
$9.083 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$71.42 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$63.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$29.97 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$27.62 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$20.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$7.249 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$8.312 billion (2012 est.)


Exports:
$56.22 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
$52.14 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles


Exports - partners:
China 31.8%, Japan 12.9%, UAE 10.4%, South Korea 10%, Thailand 4.4%, Singapore 4.4% (2012)


Imports:
$30.75 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
$25.63 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, livestock, lubricants


Imports - partners:
UAE 24.1%, Japan 12.5%, India 8.5%, China 6.3%, US 6.1% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$17.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
$14.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$10.84 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
$9.99 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA


Exchange rates:
Omani rials (OMR) per US dollar -
0.3845 (2013 est.)
0.3845 (2012 est.)
0.3845 (2010 est.)
0.3845 (2009)
0.3845 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
18.63 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76


Electricity - consumption:
15.32 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
4.265 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204


Crude oil - production:
923,800 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25


Crude oil - exports:
705,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
5.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22


Refined petroleum products - production:
164,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
98,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79


Refined petroleum products - exports:
47,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60


Refined petroleum products - imports:
2,390 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177


Natural gas - production:
35.94 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27


Natural gas - consumption:
17.53 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37


Natural gas - exports:
10.93 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22


Natural gas - imports:
1.95 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50


Natural gas - proved reserves:
849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
52.67 million Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
305,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 115


Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.278 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 109


Telephone system:
general assessment:modern system consisting of open-wire, microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limited coaxial cable; domestic satellite system with 8 earth stations
domestic:fixed-line and mobile-cellular subscribership both increasing with fixed-line phone service gradually being introduced to remote villages using wireless local loop systems
international:country code - 968; the Fiber-Optic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) and the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable provide connectivity to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Indian Ocean), 1 Arabsat (2008)



    Broadcast media:
1 state-run TV broadcaster; TV stations transmitting from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Yemen available via satellite TV; state-run radio operates multiple stations; first private radio station began operating in 2007 and 2 additional stations now operating (2007)


Internet country code:
.om


Internet hosts:
14,531 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 127


Internet users:
1.465 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 83

Transportation

Airports
132 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 44


Airports - with paved runways
total:13
over 3,047 m:7
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:119
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:7
1,524 to 2,437 m:51
914 to 1,523 m:33
under 914 m:
26 (2013)


Heliports
3 (2013)


    Pipelines
condensate 106 km; gas 4,224 km; oil 3,558 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 264 km (2013)


Roadways
total:60,240 kmcountry comparison to the world: 70
paved:29,685 km (includes 1,943 km of expressways)
unpaved:30,545 km (2012)


Merchant marine
total:5country comparison to the world: 125
by type:chemical tanker 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 3
registered in other countries:15 (Malta 5, Panama 10) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Mina' Qabus, Salalah, Suhar
container port(s) (TEUs):Salalah (3,200,000)

Military

Military branches
Sultan's Armed Forces (SAF): Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman, Royal Air Force of Oman (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18-30 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:985,957
females age 16-49:737,812 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:837,886
females age 16-49:642,427 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:31,959
female:30,264 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
8.61% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 2
6.13% of GDP (2011)
8.61% of GDP (2010)
Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook