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LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Israel

Country Guide

Israel Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon


Geographic coordinates:
31 30 N, 34 45 E


Map references:
Middle East


Area:
total:20,770 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 154
land:20,330 sq km
water:440 sq km


Area - comparative:
Area comparison map: '>


Land boundaries:
total:1,068 km
border countries:Egypt 208 km, Gaza Strip 59 km, Jordan 307 km, Lebanon 81 km, Syria 83 km, West Bank 330 km


Coastline:
273 km


Maritime claims:
territorial sea:12 nm
continental shelf:to depth of exploitation


Climate:
temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas


Terrain:
Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley


    Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Dead Sea -408 m
highest point:Har Meron 1,208 m


Natural resources:
timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand


Land use:
arable land:13.68%
permanent crops:3.69%
other:82.62% (2011)


Irrigated land:
2,250 sq km (2004)


Total renewable water resources:
1.78 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes


Environment - current issues:
limited arable land and natural freshwater resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Marine Life Conservation


Geography - note:
Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti); there are about 355 Israeli civilian sites including about 145 small outpost communities in the West Bank, 41 sites in the Golan Heights, and 32 in East Jerusalem (2010 est.)

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Israeli(s)
adjective:Israeli


Ethnic groups:
Jewish 75.1% (of which Israel-born 73.6%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 17.9%, Africa-born 5.2%, Asia-born 3.2%), non-Jewish 24.9% (mostly Arab) (2012 est.)


Languages:
Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)


Religions:
Jewish 75.1%, Muslim 17.4%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.6%, other 3.9% (2012 est.)


Population:
7,821,850country comparison to the world: 99
note:approximately 341,400 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2012); approximately 18,900 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2012); approximately 196,400 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2011) (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:27.1% (male 1,084,748/female 1,035,525)
15-24 years:15.7% (male 628,205/female 599,871)
25-54 years:37.8% (male 1,508,860/female 1,443,898)
55-64 years:8.8% (male 333,453/female 352,302)
65 years and over:10.5% (male 368,318/female 466,670) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:63.1 %
youth dependency ratio:45.5 %
elderly dependency ratio:17.6 %
potential support ratio:5.7 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:29.9 years
male:29.2 years
female:30.6 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.46% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 84


Birth rate:
18.44 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 101


Death rate:
5.54 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 175


Net migration rate:
1.68 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 53


Urbanization:
urban population:91.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:1.73% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
Tel Aviv-Yafo 3.381 million; Haifa 1.054 million; JERUSALEM (capital) 791,000 (2009)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.05 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.05 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.78 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
27.3 (2011 est.)


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


    Infant mortality rate:
total:3.98 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 199
male:4.16 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:81.28 yearscountry comparison to the world: 19
male:79.05 years
female:83.61 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
2.62 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 75


Health expenditures:
7.7% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
3.11 physicians/1,000 population (2011)


Hospital bed density:
3.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)


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


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.2% (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 104


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
7,500 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 115


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)country comparison to the world: 120


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
26.2% (2008)country comparison to the world: 49


Education expenditures:
5.6% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 57

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:97.1%
male:98.5%
female:95.9% (2004 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:16 years
male:15 years
female:16 years (2009)


Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:12.1%country comparison to the world: 98
male:11.6%
female:12.7% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form:Israel
local long form:Medinat Yisra'el
local short form:Yisra'el


Government type:
parliamentary democracy


Capital:
name:Jerusalem: note - Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its embassy in Tel Aviv
geographic coordinates:31 46 N, 35 14 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins Friday before the last Sunday in March; ends the last Sunday in October


Administrative divisions:
6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv


Independence:
14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May


Constitution:
no formal constitution; some functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the Parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law (2013)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)
head of government:Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009)
cabinet:Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset
elections:president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 10 June 2014 (next to be held in 2021 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition to a Knesset member whom he or she determines is most likely to accomplish that task
election results:Reuven RIVLIN elected president in second round; number of votes in first round - Reuven RIVLIN 44, Meir SHEETRIT 31, Dalia Itzik 28, Dalia Dorner 13, other/invalid 3; number of votes in second round - Reuven RIVLIN 63, Meir SHEETRIT 53, other/invalid 3; RIVLIN will be sworn in 24 July 2014


Legislative branch:
unicameral Knesset (120 seats; political parties are elected by popular vote and assigned seats for members on a proportional basis; members serve 4-year terms)
elections:last held on 22 January 2013 (next to be held in 2017)
election results:percent of vote by party - Likud-Beiteinu (combined for electoral purposes only) 23.3%, Yesh Atid 14.3%, Labor 11.4%, The Jewish Home 9.1%, SHAS 8.7%, United Torah Judaism 5.2%, The Movement 5%, The New Movement-Meretz 4.5%, United Arab List-Ta'al 3.6%, HADASH 3%, Balad 2.6%, Kadima 2.1%; other 7.2%; seats by party - Likud-Beiteinu 31, Yesh Atid 19, Labor 15, The Jewish Home 12, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 7, The Movement 6, Meretz 6, United Arab List-Ta'al 4, HADASH 4, Balad 3, Kadima 2
note:Ehud BARAK and four others on 17 January 2011 split from the Labor Party and formed the Atzmaut (Independence) Party; the Labor Party holds 8 seats in the Knesset and the Independence Party holds 5 seats; Aztmaut did not submit a candidate list for the election on 22 January 2013


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court ( consists of the chief justice and 14 judges)
judge selection and term of office:judges selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, made up of all three branches of the government and chaired by the Minister of Justice; judges can serve up to mandatory retirement age of 70
subordinate courts:district and magistrate courts; national and regional labor courts; special and religious courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Balad [Jamal ZAHALKA]
Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]
Kadima [Shaul MOFAZ]
Labor Party [Yitzhak HERZOG]
Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]
National Union [Uri ARIEL]
SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]
The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Naftali BENNETT]
The Movement (Hatnuah) [Tzipora 'Tzipi' LIVNI]
The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]
United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]
United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN] (a conglomerate of three parties)
Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID]
Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses


International organization participation:
BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Ron DERMER (since 3 December 2013)
chancery:3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 364-5500
FAX:[1] (202) 364-5647
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Daniel B. SHAPIRO (since 8 July 2011)
embassy:71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903
telephone:[972] (3) 519-7475
FAX:[972] (3) 516-4390
consulate(s) general:Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government


Flag description:
white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Star of David or Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times


National symbol(s):
Star of David (Magen David)


National anthem:
name:'Hatikvah' (The Hope)

lyrics/music:Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN
note:adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song 'Carul cu boi' (The Ox Driven Cart)

Economy

Economy - overview:
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading exports. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. Between 2004 and 2011, growth averaged nearly 5% per year, led by exports. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals, following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. In 2010, Israel formally acceded to the OECD. Israel's economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies, but slowing demand domestically and internationally, and a strong shekel, have reduced forecasts for the next decade to the 3% level. Natural gas fields discovered off Israel's coast since 2009 have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Tamar and Leviathan fields were some of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade. The massive Leviathan field is not due to come online until 2018, but production from Tamar provided a one percentage point boost to Israel's GDP in 2013 and is expected to contribute 0.5% growth in 2014. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. Israel's income inequality and poverty rates are among the highest of OECD countries and there is a broad perception among the public that a small number of 'tycoons' have a cartel-like grip over the major parts of the economy. The government formed committees to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands. In May 2013 the Israeli government, in a politically difficult process, passed an austerity budget to reign in the deficit and restore confidence in the government's fiscal position. Over the long term, Israel faces structural issues, including low labor participation rates for its fastest growing social segments - the ultra-orthodox and Arab-Israeli communities. Also, Israel's progressive, globally competitive, knowledge-based technology sector employs only 9% of the workforce, with the rest employed in manufacturing and services - sectors which face downward wage pressures from global competition.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$273.2 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$264.5 billion (2012 est.)
$255.9 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$272.7 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
3.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
3.4% (2012 est.)
4.6% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$36,200 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
$34,300 (2012 est.)
$34,000 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
22.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
21% of GDP (2012 est.)
21.4% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:56.1%
government consumption:22.7%
investment in fixed capital:19.6%
investment in inventories:0.7%
exports of goods and services:34.4%
imports of goods and services:-33.5%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:2.4%
industry:31.2%
services:66.4% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products


Industries:
high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metal products, chemical products, plastics, cut diamonds, textiles, footwear


Industrial production growth rate:
5.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Labor force:
3.493 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:1.6%
industry:18.1%
services:80.3% (2012 est.)


Unemployment rate:
5.8% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
6.8% (2012 est.)


    Population below poverty line:
21%


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.5%
highest 10%:24.3% (2008)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
37.6 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 75
39.2 (2008)


Budget:
revenues:$109.7 billion
expenditures:$113.9 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
40.2% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72


Public debt:
67.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
66.9% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
1.7% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
1.7% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
1% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
1.75% (31 December 2012 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
3.8% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
5.16% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$37.09 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$32.48 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$151.2 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$136.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$207.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
$192.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$148.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$5.259 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$609 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$60.67 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
$62.32 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel


Exports - partners:
US 27.8%, Hong Kong 7.7%, UK 5.7%, Belgium 4.6%, China 4.3% (2012)


Imports:
$67.03 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
$71.67 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods


Imports - partners:
US 12.9%, China 7.3%, Germany 6.3%, Switzerland 5.5%, Belgium 4.8% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$80.74 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
$75.91 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$96.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
$93.98 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$86.04 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
$75.94 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$80.85 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
$74.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -
3.621 (2013 est.)
3.8559 (2012 est.)
3.739 (2010 est.)
3.93 (2009)
3.588 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
55.77 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Electricity - consumption:
48.73 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48


Electricity - exports:
4.224 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
15.33 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
98.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
1.8% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75


Crude oil - production:
5,839 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131


Crude oil - imports:
260,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
11.5 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90


Refined petroleum products - production:
278,400 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
238,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 53


Refined petroleum products - exports:
83,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47


Refined petroleum products - imports:
56,420 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65


Natural gas - production:
6.86 billion cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49


Natural gas - consumption:
6.86 billion cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120


Natural gas - imports:
720 million cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63


Natural gas - proved reserves:
268.5 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
3.594 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 44


Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.225 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 84


Telephone system:
general assessment:most highly developed system in the Middle East
domestic:good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage
international:country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
state broadcasting network, operated by the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), broadcasts on 2 channels, one in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; 5 commercial channels including a channel broadcasting in Russian, a channel broadcasting Knesset proceedings, and a music channel supervised by a public body; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; IBA broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2008)


Internet country code:
.il


Internet hosts:
2.483 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 36


Internet users:
4.525 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 51

Transportation

Airports
47 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 95


Airports - with paved runways
total:29
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:6
914 to 1,523 m:11
under 914 m:5 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:18
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:
14 (2013)


Heliports
3 (2013)


Pipelines
gas 763 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2013)


    Railways
total:975 kmcountry comparison to the world: 89
standard gauge:975 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)


Roadways
total:18,566 kmcountry comparison to the world: 115
paved:18,566 km (includes 449 km of expressways) (2011)


Merchant marine
total:8country comparison to the world: 120
by type:cargo 1, container 7
registered in other countries:48 (Bermuda 3, Georgia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 34, Malta 3, Moldova 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa
container port(s) TEUs):Ashdod (1,176,000), Haifa (1,238,000)

Military

Military branches
Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Force (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) military service; 17 years of age for voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9 years service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2013)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,797,960
females age 16-49:1,713,230 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,517,510
females age 16-49:1,446,132 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:62,304
female:59,418 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
5.69% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 4
5.87% of GDP (2011)
5.69% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a 'seam line' separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):34,988 (Eritrea); 12,926 (Sudan) (2013)
stateless persons:14 (2012)



Illicit drugs
increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Rwanda

Country Guide

Rwanda Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo


Geographic coordinates:
2 00 S, 30 00 E


Map references:
Africa


Area:
total:26,338 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 149
land:24,668 sq km
water:1,670 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland


Land boundaries:
total:893 km
border countries:Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Rusizi River 950 m
highest point:Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m


Natural resources:
gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land


    Land use:
arable land:46.32%
permanent crops:9.49%
other:44.19% (2011)


Irrigated land:
96.25 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
9.5 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo


Environment - current issues:
deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea


Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Rwandan(s)
adjective:Rwandan


Ethnic groups:
Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%


Languages:
Kinyarwanda only (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, Kinyarwanda and other language(s) 6.2%, French (official) and other language(s) 0.1%, English (official) and other language(s) 0.1%, Swahili (or Kiswahili, used in commercial centers) 0.02%, other 0.03%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 49.5%, Protestant 39.4% (includes Adventist 12.2% and other Protestant 27.2%), other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 1.8%, animist 0.1%, other 0.6%, none 3.6% (2001), unspecified 0.5% (2002 est.)


Population:
12,337,138country comparison to the world: 74
note:estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:42.1% (male 2,617,472/female 2,575,429)
15-24 years:18.9% (male 1,166,258/female 1,167,934)
25-54 years:32.5% (male 2,010,034/female 1,994,582)
55-64 years:4% (male 229,759/female 267,430)
65 years and over:2.5% (male 125,862/female 182,378) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:80.2 %
youth dependency ratio:75.8 %
elderly dependency ratio:4.4 %
potential support ratio:22.8 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:18.7 years
male:18.4 years
female:18.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
2.63% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 23


Birth rate:
34.61 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 28


Death rate:
9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 63


Net migration rate:
0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 63


Urbanization:
urban population:19.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:4.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
KIGALI (capital) 1.004 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.67 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
22.9


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


Infant mortality rate:
total:59.59 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 23
male:63.11 deaths/1,000 live births
female:55.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:59.26 yearscountry comparison to the world: 197
male:57.73 years
female:60.83 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
4.62 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 27


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
51.6% (2010/11)


Health expenditures:
10.8% of GDP (2011)


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


Hospital bed density:
1.6 beds/1,000 population (2007)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 80.7% of population
rural: 68.3% of population
total: 70.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 19.3% of population
rural: 31.7% of population
total: 29.3% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 61% of population
rural: 64.4% of population
total: 63.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 39% of population
rural: 35.6% of population
total: 36.2% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.9% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 22


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
206,900 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 30


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,600 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 34


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
4.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 170


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
11.7% (2011)country comparison to the world: 63


Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2013)country comparison to the world: 73

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:71.1%
male:74.8%
female:67.5% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:10 years
male:10 years
female:10 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda
conventional short form:Rwanda
local long form:Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form:Rwanda
former:Ruanda, German East Africa


Government type:
republic; presidential, multiparty system


Capital:
name:Kigali
geographic coordinates:1 57 S, 30 03 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern)


Independence:
1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)


Constitution:
several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003; amended several times, last in 2010 (2013)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of civil law, based on German and Belgian models, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court


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


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)
head of government:Prime Minister Pierre Damien HABUMUREMYI (since 7 October 2011)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 9 August 2010 (next to be held in 2017)
election results:Paul KAGAME re-elected president; Paul KAGAME 93.1%, Jean NTAWUKURIRYAYO 5.1%, Prosper HIGIRO 1.4%, Alvera MUKABARAMBA 0.4%


Legislative branch:
bicameral Parliament consists of Senate (26 seats; 12 members elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum, 2 represent institutions of higher learning; members to serve eight-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies (80 seats; 53 members elected by popular vote, 24 women elected by local bodies, 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members to serve five-year terms)
elections:Senate - NA; Chamber of Deputies - last held on 15 September 2008 (next to be held on 16-18 September 2013)
election results:percent of vote by party - RPF 78.8%, PSD 13.1%, PL 7.5%; seats by party - RPF 42, PSD 7, PL 4, additional 27 members indirectly elected


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 12 judges; normally organized into 3-judge benches)
note - the Gacaca Court was established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases of genocide against the Tutsis
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the president of the republic, after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (a 14-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate; court president and vice president appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of other judges NA
subordinate courts:High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts


    Political parties and leaders:
Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Agnes MUKABARANGA]
Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Gonzague RWIGEMA]
Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA] (officially banned)
Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Musa Fazil HARERIMANA]
Liberal Party or PL [Protais MITALI]
Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned)
Party for Progress and Concord or PPC [Alvera MUKABARAMBA]
Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]
Rwandan Socialist Party or PSR [Jean Baptist RUCIBIGANGO]
Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]
Socialist Party-Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri [Christine MUKABUNANI]
Solidarity and Prosperity Party or PSP [Pheobe KANYANGE]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
IBUKA (association of genocide survivors)


International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 5 July 2013)
chancery:1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:[1] (202) 232-2882
FAX:[1] (202) 232-4544


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Donald W. KORAN (since 8 August 2011)
embassy:2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali
mailing address:B. P. 28, Kigali
telephone:[250] 596-400
FAX:[250] 596-591


Flag description:
three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band; blue represents happiness and peace, yellow economic development and mineral wealth, green hope of prosperity and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity, as well as enlightenment and transparency from ignorance


National anthem:
name:'Rwanda nziza' (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)

lyrics/music:Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA
note:adopted 2001

Economy

Economy - overview:
Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture and some mineral and agro-processing. Tourism, minerals, coffee and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 7%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. Nonetheless, a significant percent of the population still live below the official poverty line. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005-06. In recognition of Rwanda's successful management of its macro economy, in 2010, the IMF graduated Rwanda to a Policy Support Instrument (PSI). Rwanda also received a Millennium Challenge Threshold Program in 2008. Africa's most densely populated country is trying to overcome the limitations of its small, landlocked economy by leveraging regional trade. Rwanda joined the East African Community and is aligning its budget, trade, and immigration policies with its regional partners. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment and pursuing market-oriented reforms. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. The Rwandan Government is seeking to become regional leader in information and communication technologies. In 2010, Rwanda neared completion of the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications technologies, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. The global downturn hurt export demand and tourism, but economic growth has recovered, driven in large part by the services sector, but inflation has grown. On the back of this growth, government is gradually ending its fiscal stimulus policy while protecting aid to the poor.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$16.37 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$15.23 billion (2012 est.)
$14.1 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$7.7 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
7.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
8% (2012 est.)
8.2% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
$1,500 (2012 est.)
$1,400 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
12.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
14.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
14.1% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:88.2%
government consumption:9%
investment in fixed capital:21.2%
investment in inventories:0%
exports of goods and services:11.3%
imports of goods and services:-29.7%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:31.9%
industry:14.8%
services:53.3% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock


Industries:
cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes


Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Labor force:
4.446 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 86


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:90%
industry and services:10% (2000)


Unemployment rate:
NA%


Population below poverty line:
44.9% (2011 est.)


    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.1%
highest 10%:43.2% (2011 est.)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.8 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 31
28.9 (1985)


Budget:
revenues:$1.814 billion
expenditures:$2.146 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
23.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-4.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155


Public debt:
23.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
21.7% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
6.3% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
7.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
11.25% (31 December 2008)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.3% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
17.5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$791.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
$671.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.445 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$1.137 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$717.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$557 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$667.9 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
-$569.2 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$538.3 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
$512 million (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
coffee, tea, hides, tin ore


Exports - partners:
Kenya 30.5%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 12.2%, China 12.1%, Malaysia 10.7%, US 5.8%, Swaziland 4.9% (2012)


Imports:
$1.937 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
$1.871 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material


Imports - partners:
Kenya 17.3%, Uganda 15.6%, UAE 8.9%, China 7.2%, India 5.6%, Tanzania 5%, Belgium 4.5%, Canada 4.1% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.354 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$847.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$1.656 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$1.153 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$900.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$743.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$12.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$12.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar -
633.6 (2013 est.)
616.6 (2012 est.)
583.13 (2010 est.)
568.18 (2009)
550 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
280.2 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176


Electricity - consumption:
319.6 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Electricity - exports:
3 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91


Electricity - imports:
62 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
57,250 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
52.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
47.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87


Crude oil - production:
10 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
5,245 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211


Refined petroleum products - imports:
5,302 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121


Natural gas - proved reserves:
56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
865,100 Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
44,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 167


Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.69 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 104


Telephone system:
general assessment:small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business, education, and government
domestic:the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density has increased and now exceeds 40 telephones per 100 persons
international:country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service) (2010)



    Broadcast media:
government owns and operates the only TV station; government-owned and operated Radio Rwanda has a national reach; 9 private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)


Internet country code:
.rw


Internet hosts:
1,447 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 168


Internet users:
450,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 118

Transportation

Airports
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 167


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


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


    Roadways
total:4,700 kmcountry comparison to the world: 152
paved:1,207 km
unpaved:3,493 km (2012)


Waterways



Ports and terminals
lake port(s):Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu)

Military

Military branches
Rwanda Defense Force (RDF): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; Rwandan citizenship is required, as is a 9th grade education for enlisted recruits and an A-level certificate for officer candidates; enlistment is either as contract (5-years, renewable twice) or career; retirement (for officers and senior NCOs) after 20 years of service or at 40-60 years of age (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,625,917
females age 16-49:2,608,110 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,685,066
females age 16-49:1,749,580 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:110,736
female:110,328 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.12% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 93
1.19% of GDP (2011)
1.12% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
Burundi and Rwanda dispute two sq km (0.8 sq mi) of Sabanerwa, a farmed area in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965; fighting among ethnic groups - loosely associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in Great Lakes region transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC), Rwanda, and Uganda - abated substantially from a decade ago due largely to UN peacekeeping, international mediation, and efforts by local governments to create civil societies; nonetheless, 57,000 Rwandan refugees still reside in 21 African states, including Zambia, Gabon, and 20,000 who fled to Burundi in 2005 and 2006 to escape drought and recriminations from traditional courts investigating the 1994 massacres; the 2005 DROC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):72,988 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2013)
IDPs:undetermined (fighting between government and insurgency in 1998-99; returning refugees) (2012)



Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook