Country Guide

Paraguay Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central South America, northeast of Argentina, southwest of Brazil


Geographic coordinates:
23 00 S, 58 00 W


Map references:
South America


Area:
total:406,752 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 60
land:397,302 sq km
water:9,450 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than California


Land boundaries:
total:3,995 km
border countries:Argentina 1,880 km, Bolivia 750 km, Brazil 1,365 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 m
highest point:Cerro Pero 842 m


Natural resources:
hydropower, timber, iron ore, manganese, limestone


    Land use:
arable land:9.59%
permanent crops:0.22%
other:90.19% (2011)


Irrigated land:
670 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
336 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)


Environment - current issues:
deforestation; water pollution; inadequate means for waste disposal pose health risks for many urban residents; loss of wetlands


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements


Geography - note:
landlocked; lies between Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil; population concentrated in southern part of country

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Paraguayan(s)
adjective:Paraguayan


Ethnic groups:
mestizo (mixed Spanish and Amerindian) 95%, other 5%


Languages:
Spanish (official), Guarani (official)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 89.6%, Protestant 6.2%, other Christian 1.1%, other or unspecified 1.9%, none 1.1% (2002 census)


Demographic profile:
Paraguay falls below the Latin American average in several socioeconomic categories, including immunization rates, potable water, sanitation, and secondary school enrollment, and has greater rates of income inequality and child and maternal mortality. Paraguay's poverty rate has declined in recent years but remains high, especially in rural areas, with more than a third of the population below the poverty line. However, the well-being of the poor in many regions has improved in terms of housing quality and access to clean water, telephone service, and electricity. The fertility rate continues to drop, declining sharply from an average 4.3 births per woman in the late 1990s to about 2 in 2013, as a result of the greater educational attainment of women, increased use of contraception, and a desire for smaller families among young women.


Population:
6,703,860 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 105


Age structure:
0-14 years:26.2% (male 892,315/female 861,915)
15-24 years:20.5% (male 691,365/female 683,653)
25-54 years:39.5% (male 1,326,281/female 1,323,194)
55-64 years:7.2% (male 246,869/female 236,564)
65 years and over:6.4% (male 206,089/female 235,615) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:60.5 %
youth dependency ratio:51.5 %
elderly dependency ratio:8.9 %
potential support ratio:11.2 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:26.8 years
male:26.6 years
female:27 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.19% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 100


Birth rate:
16.66 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 118


Death rate:
4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 199


Net migration rate:
-0.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 114


Urbanization:
urban population:61.9% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:2.55% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
ASUNCION (capital) 2.139 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.04 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1.01 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1 male(s)/female
55-64 years:1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.87 male(s)/female
total population:1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
22.9


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


Infant mortality rate:
total:20.75 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 86
male:24.39 deaths/1,000 live births
female:16.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:76.8 yearscountry comparison to the world: 72
male:74.16 years
female:79.56 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
1.96 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 131


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
79.4%


Health expenditures:
9.7% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
1.11 physicians/1,000 population (2002)


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


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 83.4% of population
total: 93.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 16.6% of population
total: 6.2% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 96.1% of population
rural: 52.5% of population
total: 79.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 3.9% of population
rural: 47.5% of population
total: 20.3% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
0.3% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 86


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
13,100 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 96


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
300 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 104


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
17.9% (2008)country comparison to the world: 110


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
3.4% (2005)country comparison to the world: 104


Education expenditures:
4.8% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 84

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:93.9%
male:94.8%
female:92.9% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:13 years
male:12 years
female:13 years (2011)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:



Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
total:11.2%country comparison to the world: 104
male:9%
female:14.6% (2012)

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Paraguay
conventional short form:Paraguay
local long form:Republica del Paraguay
local short form:Paraguay


Government type:
constitutional republic


Capital:
name:Asuncion
geographic coordinates:25 16 S, 57 40 W
time difference:UTC-4 (1 hour ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins first Sunday in October; ends fourth Sunday in March


Administrative divisions:
17 departments (departamentos, singular - departamento) and 1 capital city*; Alto Paraguay, Alto Parana, Amambay, Asuncion*, Boqueron, Caaguazu, Caazapa, Canindeyu, Central, Concepcion, Cordillera, Guaira, Itapua, Misiones, Neembucu, Paraguari, Presidente Hayes, San Pedro


Independence:
14 May 1811 (from Spain)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)


Constitution:
several previous; latest approved and promulgated 20 June 1992; amended 2011 (2011)


Legal system:
civil law system with influences from Argentine, Spanish, Roman, and French civil law models; judicial review of legislative acts in Supreme Court of Justice


International law organization participation:
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal and compulsory until the age of 75


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Horacio CARTES (since 15 August 2013); Vice President Juan AFARA Maciel (since 15 August 2013)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:president and vice president elected on the same ticket by popular vote for a single five-year term; election last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
election results:Horacio CARTES elected president; percent of vote - Horacio CARTES 45.8%, Efrain ALEGRE 36.94%, Mario FERREIRO 5.88%, Anibal CARRILLO 3.32%, other 8.06%


Legislative branch:
bicameral National Congress or Congreso Nacional consists of the Chamber of Senators or Camara de Senadores (45 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (80 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:Chamber of Senators - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 21 April 2013 (next to be held in April 2018)
election results:Chamber of Senators - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 19, PLRA 12, FG 5, PDP 3, Avanza Pais 2, UNACE 2, PEN 1, PPQ 1; Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ANR 44, PLRA 27, Avanza Pais 2, PEN 2, UNACE 2, FG 1, PPQ 1, other 1


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court of Justice or Corte Suprema de Justicia (consists of 9 justices divided 3 each into the Constitutional Court, Civil and Commercial Chamber, and Criminal Division
judge selection and term of office:justices proposed by the Council of Magistrates or Consejo de la Magistratura, a 6-member independent body, and appointed by the Chamber of Senators with presidential concurrence; judges appointed until mandatory retirement at age 75
subordinate courts:appellate courts; first instance courts; minor courts, including justices of the peace


    Political parties and leaders:
Asociacion Nacional Republicana - Colorado Party or ANR [Lilian SAMANIEGO]
Avanza Pais coalition [Adolfo FERREIRO]
Broad Front coalition (Frente Guasu) or FG [Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez]
Movimiento Union Nacional de Ciudadanos Eticos or UNACE [Jorge OVIEDO MATTO]
Patria Querida (Beloved Fatherland Party) or PPQ [Sebastian ACHA]
Partido del Movimiento al Socialismo or P-MAS [Camilo Ernesto SOARES Machado]
Partido Democratica Progresista or PDP [Desiree MASI]
Partido Encuentro Nacional or PEN [Fernando CAMACHO Paredes]
Partido Liberal Radical Autentico or PLRA [Miguel ABDON SAGUIER]
Partido Pais Solidario or PPS [Carlos Alberto FILIZZOLA Pallares]
Partido Popular Tekojoja [Sixto PEREIRA]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
Ahorristas Estafados or AE


International organization participation:
CAN (associate), CD, CELAC, FAO, G-11, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, Mercosur, MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, MONUSCO, NAM (observer), OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, Pacific Alliance (observer), PCA, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFICYP, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Francisco BARREIRO (since 31 October 2013)
chancery:2400 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 483-6960 through 6962
FAX:[1] (202) 234-4508
consulate(s) general:Los Angeles, Miami, New York


Diplomatic representation from the US:
embassy:1776 Avenida Mariscal Lopez, Casilla Postal 402, Asuncion
mailing address:Unit 4711, DPO AA 34036-0001
telephone:[595] (21) 213-715
FAX:[595] (21) 213-728


Flag description:
three equal, horizontal bands of red (top), white, and blue with an emblem centered in the white band; unusual flag in that the emblem is different on each side; the obverse (hoist side at the left) bears the national coat of arms (a yellow five-pointed star within a green wreath capped by the words REPUBLICA DEL PARAGUAY, all within two circles); the reverse (hoist side at the right) bears a circular seal of the treasury (a yellow lion below a red Cap of Liberty and the words PAZ Y JUSTICIA (Peace and Justice)); red symbolizes bravery and patriotism, white represents integrity and peace, and blue denotes liberty and generosity


National symbol(s):
lion


National anthem:
name:'Paraguayos, Republica o muerte!' (Paraguayans, The Republic or Death!)

lyrics/music:Francisco Esteban ACUNA de Figueroa/disputed
note:adopted 1934, in use since 1846; the anthem was officially adopted following its re-arrangement in 1934

Economy

Economy - overview:
Landlocked Paraguay has a market economy distinguished by a large informal sector, featuring re-export of imported consumer goods to neighboring countries, as well as the activities of thousands of microenterprises and urban street vendors. A large percentage of the population, especially in rural areas, derives its living from agricultural activity, often on a subsistence basis. Because of the importance of the informal sector, accurate economic measures are difficult to obtain. On a per capita basis, real income has stagnated at 1980 levels. The economy grew rapidly between 2003 and 2008 as growing world demand for commodities combined with high prices and favorable weather to support Paraguay's commodity-based export expansion. Paraguay is the sixth largest soy producer in the world. Drought hit in 2008, reducing agricultural exports and slowing the economy even before the onset of the global recession. The economy fell 3.8% in 2009, as lower world demand and commodity prices caused exports to contract. The government reacted by introducing fiscal and monetary stimulus packages. Growth resumed at a 13% level in 2010, the highest in South America, but slowed in 2011-12 as the stimulus subsided and severe drought and outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease led to a drop in beef and other agricultural exports. The economy took another leap in 2013, largely due to strong export growth. Political uncertainty, corruption, limited progress on structural reform, and deficient infrastructure are the main obstacles to long-term growth.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$45.9 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
$40.98 billion (2012 est.)
$41.49 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$30.56 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
12% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4
-1.2% (2012 est.)
4.3% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$6,800 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$6,100 (2012 est.)
$6,300 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:67.1%
government consumption:12.8%
investment in fixed capital:16.9%
investment in inventories:0.4%
exports of goods and services:52.1%
imports of goods and services:-49.4%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:20.4%
industry:17.7%
services:61.9% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
cotton, sugarcane, soybeans, corn, wheat, tobacco, cassava (manioc, tapioca), fruits, vegetables; beef, pork, eggs, milk; timber


Industries:
sugar, cement, textiles, beverages, wood products, steel, base metals, electric power


Industrial production growth rate:
5.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Labor force:
3.19 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:26.5%
industry:18.5%
services:55% (2008)


Unemployment rate:
6.6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
6.9% (2012 est.)


Population below poverty line:
34.7% (2010 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:1%
highest 10%:41.1% (2010 est.)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
53.2 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 13
57.7 (1998)


    Budget:
revenues:$5.788 billion
expenditures:$6.287 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
18.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-1.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74


Public debt:
15.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
14.7% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
2.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
3.7% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
5.5% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
6% (31 December 2011 est.)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
28.9% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
29.1% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$4.364 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
$4.135 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$8.215 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
$7.637 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$11 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
$9.747 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$962.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Current account balance:
$1.376 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$115.6 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$14.7 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
$11.9 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
soybeans, feed, cotton, meat, edible oils, wood, leather


Exports - partners:
Uruguay 17.7%, Brazil 16.4%, Argentina 15.6%, Russia 12% (2012)


Imports:
$12.37 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 93
$11.06 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
road vehicles, consumer goods, tobacco, petroleum products, electrical machinery, tractors, chemicals, vehicle parts


Imports - partners:
Brazil 24.2%, China 19.5%, Argentina 18.3%, US 11.5% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$6.336 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
$4.994 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$7.013 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
$5.985 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$4.526 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$4.145 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$213.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
$213.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
guarani (PYG) per US dollar -
4,315.1 (2013 est.)
4,424.9 (2012 est.)
4,735.5 (2010 est.)
4,965.4 (2009)
4,337.7 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
53.53 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50


Electricity - consumption:
6.778 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101


Electricity - exports:
46.12 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 4


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
8.816 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
0.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
99.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3


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


Crude oil - production:
2,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
26,820 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207


Refined petroleum products - imports:
31,290 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
376,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 107


Telephones - mobile cellular:
6.79 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 95


Telephone system:
general assessment:the fixed-line market is a state monopoly and fixed-line telephone service is meager; principal switching center is in Asuncion
domestic:deficiencies in provision of fixed-line service have resulted in a rapid expansion of mobile-cellular services fostered by competition among multiple providers
international:country code - 595; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2010)



    Broadcast media:
6 privately owned TV stations; about 75 commercial and community radio stations; 1 state-owned radio network (2010)


Internet country code:
.py


Internet hosts:
280,658 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 65


Internet users:
1.105 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 94

Transportation

Airports
799 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 9


Airports - with paved runways
total:15
over 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:7
914 to 1,523 m:5 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:784
1,524 to 2,437 m:23
914 to 1,523 m:290
under 914 m:
471 (2013)


Railways
total:36 kmcountry comparison to the world: 132
standard gauge:36 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)


    Roadways
total:32,059 kmcountry comparison to the world: 95
paved:4,860 km
unpaved:27,199 km (2010)


Waterways
3,100 km (primarily on the Paraguay and Paraná river systems) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 33


Merchant marine
total:19country comparison to the world: 96
by type:cargo 13, container 3, passenger 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:6 (Argentina 5, Netherlands 1) (2010)



Ports and terminals
river port(s):Asuncion, Villeta, San Antonio, Encarnacion (Parana)

Military

Military branches
Armed Forces Command (Commando de las Fuerzas Militares): Army, National Navy (Armada Nacional, includes Marine Corps, Naval Aviation, and Coast Guard), Paraguayan Air Force (Fuerza Aerea Paraguay, FAP), Logistics Command, War Materiel Directorate (2012)


Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months for Army, 24 months for Navy; volunteers for the Air Force must be younger than 22 years of age with a secondary school diploma (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,678,335
females age 16-49:1,675,352 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,409,859
females age 16-49:1,433,037 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:73,367
female:71,801 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.66% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 54
1.16% of GDP (2011)
1.66% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
unruly region at convergence of Argentina-Brazil-Paraguay borders is locus of money laundering, smuggling, arms and illegal narcotics trafficking, and fundraising for extremist organizations


    Illicit drugs
major illicit producer of cannabis, most or all of which is consumed in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile; transshipment country for Andean cocaine headed for Brazil, other Southern Cone markets, and Europe; weak border controls, extensive corruption and money-laundering activity, especially in the Tri-Border Area; weak anti-money-laundering laws and enforcement
 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Sierra Leone

Country Guide

Sierra Leone Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Liberia


Geographic coordinates:
8 30 N, 11 30 W


Map references:
Africa


Area:
total:71,740 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 119
land:71,620 sq km
water:120 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than South Carolina


Land boundaries:
total:958 km
border countries:Guinea 652 km, Liberia 306 km


Coastline:
402 km


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


Climate:
tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season (May to December); winter dry season (December to April)


Terrain:
coastal belt of mangrove swamps, wooded hill country, upland plateau, mountains in east


Elevation extremes:
lowest point:Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m


    Natural resources:
diamonds, titanium ore, bauxite, iron ore, gold, chromite


Land use:
arable land:15.33%
permanent crops:1.88%
other:82.79% (2011)


Irrigated land:
293.6 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
160 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms


Environment - current issues:
rapid population growth pressuring the environment; overharvesting of timber, expansion of cattle grazing, and slash-and-burn agriculture have resulted in deforestation and soil exhaustion; civil war depleted natural resources; overfishing


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Environmental Modification


Geography - note:
rainfall along the coast can reach 495 cm (195 inches) a year, making it one of the wettest places along coastal, western Africa

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Sierra Leonean(s)
adjective:Sierra Leonean


Ethnic groups:
Temne 35%, Mende 31%, Limba 8%, Kono 5%, Kriole 2% (descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area in the late-18th century; also known as Krio), Mandingo 2%, Loko 2%, other 15% (includes refugees from Liberia's recent civil war, and small numbers of Europeans, Lebanese, Pakistanis, and Indians) (2008 census)


Languages:
English (official, regular use limited to literate minority), Mende (principal vernacular in the south), Temne (principal vernacular in the north), Krio (English-based Creole, spoken by the descendants of freed Jamaican slaves who were settled in the Freetown area, a lingua franca and a first language for 10% of the population but understood by 95%)


Religions:
Muslim 60%, Christian 10%, indigenous beliefs 30%


Population:
5,743,725 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 112


Age structure:
0-14 years:41.9% (male 1,198,553/female 1,208,775)
15-24 years:18.8% (male 524,819/female 557,142)
25-54 years:31.6% (male 872,284/female 943,626)
55-64 years:3.9% (male 101,856/female 123,164)
65 years and over:3.7% (male 91,198/female 122,308) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:78.3 %
youth dependency ratio:73.5 %
elderly dependency ratio:4.8 %
potential support ratio:21 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:19 years
male:18.5 years
female:19.6 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
2.33% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 37


Birth rate:
37.4 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 15


Death rate:
11.03 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 33


Net migration rate:
-3.12 migrant(s)/1,000 populationcountry comparison to the world: 178
note:refugees currently in surrounding countries are slowly returning (2014 est.)



Urbanization:
urban population:39.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:3.04% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
FREETOWN (capital) 941,000 (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:0.99 male(s)/female
15-24 years:0.94 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.92 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.78 male(s)/female
total population:0.94 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
19


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


Infant mortality rate:
total:73.29 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 11
male:81.84 deaths/1,000 live births
female:64.49 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:57.39 yearscountry comparison to the world: 201
male:54.85 years
female:60 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
4.83 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 19


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
11% (2010)


Health expenditures:
18.8% of GDP (2011)


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


Hospital bed density:
0.4 beds/1,000 population (2006)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 87.1% of population
rural: 42.4% of population
total: 60.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 12.9% of population
rural: 57.6% of population
total: 39.9% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 22.5% of population
rural: 6.8% of population
total: 13% of population
unimproved:
urban: 77.5% of population
rural: 93.2% of population
total: 87% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
1.5% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 31


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
57,700 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 59


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
3,300 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 51


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
6.8% (2008)country comparison to the world: 144


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
18.6% (2010)country comparison to the world: 35


Education expenditures:
2.9% of GDP (2012)country comparison to the world: 141

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write English, Mende, Temne, or Arabic
total population:43.3%
male:54.7%
female:32.6% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:7 years
male:8 years
female:6 years (2001)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form:Sierra Leone
local long form:Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form:Sierra Leone


Government type:
constitutional democracy


Capital:
name:Freetown
geographic coordinates:8 29 N, 13 14 W
time difference:UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
3 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, Southern, Western*


Independence:
27 April 1961 (from the UK)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 April (1961)


Constitution:
several previous; latest in effect 1 October 1991; amended several times, last in 2010; note - in mid-2013 a committee was formed to review the constitution (2013)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of English common law and customary law


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 Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Ernest Bai KOROMA (since 17 September 2007)
cabinet:Ministers of State appointed by the president with the approval of the House of Representatives; the cabinet is responsible to the president
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 17 November 2012 (next to be held in 2017)
election results:Ernest Bai KOROMA re-elected president; percent of vote - Ernest Bai KOROMA 58.7%, Julius Maada BIO 37.4%, other 3.9%


Legislative branch:
unicameral Parliament (124 seats; 112 members elected by popular vote, 12 filled by paramount chiefs elected in separate elections; members to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 17 November 2012 (next to be held in 2017)
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - APC 69, SLPP 43


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court - at the apex - with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges; note – the Judicature has jurisdiction in all civil, criminal, and constitutional matters
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman) and subject to the approval of Parliament; all Judicature judges appointed until retirement at age 65
subordinate courts:magistrates' courts; District Appeals Court; local courts


    Political parties and leaders:
All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]
Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Kandeh Baba CONTEH]
People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]
Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Sumanu KAPEN]
United Democratic Movement or UDM [Mohamed BANGURA]
numerous others


Political pressure groups and leaders:
All People's Congress or APC [Ernest Bai KOROMA]
Peace and Liberation Party or PLP [Kandeh Baba CONTEH]
People's Movement for Democratic Change or PMDC [Charles MARGAI]
Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP [Sumanu KAPEN]
United Democratic Movement or UDM [Mohamed BANGURA]
numerous others



International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIT, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Bockari Kortu STEVENS (since 28 March 2008)
chancery:1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:[1] (202) 939-9261 through 9263
FAX:[1] (202) 483-1793


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Kathleen FITZGIBBON (since 2 October 2013)
embassy:Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown
mailing address:use embassy street address
telephone:[232] (76) 515 000 or (76) 515 000
FAX:[232] (76) 515 355


Flag description:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and blue; green symbolizes agriculture, mountains, and natural resources, white represents unity and justice, and blue the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown


National symbol(s):
lion


National anthem:
name:'High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free'

lyrics/music:Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA
note:adopted 1961

Economy

Economy - overview:
Sierra Leone is extremely poor. Nearly half of the working-age population engages in subsistence agriculture. The country possesses substantial mineral, agricultural, and fishery resources, but it is still recovering from a civil war that ended in the early 2000s that destroyed most institutions. In recent years economic growth has been driven by mining - particularly of iron ore and oil exploration. The country exports rutile, diamonds, and bauxite, and is vulnerable to fluctuations in international commodity prices. The country relies on external assistance to meet its budgetary needs; overseas grants make up one-fourth of total revenue. Corruption is a hindrance to foreign investment, although from 2011 to 2012 the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission increased convictions of high-level officials from nine to 22 and recovered millions of dollars. In December 2013, the US Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) did not hold a vote on the reselection of Sierra Leone because the country did not pass MCC’s Scorecard Corruption indicator; however, MCC continues compact development through a more limited engagement.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$9.156 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$8.079 billion (2012 est.)
$7.016 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$4.607 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
13.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
15.2% (2012 est.)
6% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,400 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
$1,300 (2012 est.)
$1,200 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
27.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
17.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
-1% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:77.8%
government consumption:6.8%
investment in fixed capital:36.7%
investment in inventories:0.8%
exports of goods and services:9.7%
imports of goods and services:-31.8%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:47.9%
industry:18.6%
services:33.5% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, sheep, pigs; fish


Industries:
diamond mining; iron ore, rutile and bauxite mining; small-scale manufacturing (beverages, textiles, cigarettes, footwear); petroleum refining, small commercial ship repair


Industrial production growth rate:
42% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Labor force:
2.207 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119


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


Unemployment rate:
NA%


Population below poverty line:
70.2% (2004)


    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.6%
highest 10%:33.6% (2003)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
62.9 (1989)
country comparison to the world: 4

Budget:
revenues:$614.8 million
expenditures:$754.4 million (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
13.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 124


Public debt:
31.1% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
36.5% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
11.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
12.9% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
NA%


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
20.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
21% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$355.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
$324.7 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.001 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$772.6 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$567.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
$429.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$463.3 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
-$862.5 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$1.563 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$953.4 million (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish


Exports - partners:
China 51.1%, Belgium 18.2%, Japan 7.7%, Turkey 4.8% (2012)


Imports:
$1.637 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170
$1.597 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, fuels and lubricants, chemicals


Imports - partners:
China 16.5%, India 10.2%, South Africa 7.6%, US 6.7%, UK 6.7%, Belgium 4.6% (2012)


Debt - external:
$1.331 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$1.172 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$2.394 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$1.719 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
leones (SLL) per US dollar -
4,320.8 (2013 est.)
4,344 (2012 est.)
3,978.1 (2010 est.)

Energy

Electricity - production:
145 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190


Electricity - consumption:
134.9 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
102,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
47.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
52.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122


Crude oil - production:
25.39 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
8,768 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129


Refined petroleum products - imports:
9,373 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128


Natural gas - proved reserves:
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192


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

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
18,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 190


Telephones - mobile cellular:
2.21 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 143


Telephone system:
general assessment:marginal telephone service with poor infrastructure
domestic:the national microwave radio relay trunk system connects Freetown to Bo and Kenema; while mobile-cellular service is growing rapidly from a small base, service area coverage remains limited
international:country code - 232; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2009)



    Broadcast media:
1 government-owned TV station; 1 private TV station began operating in 2005; a pay-TV service began operations in late 2007; 1 government-owned national radio station; about two dozen private radio stations primarily clustered in major cities; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available (2007)


Internet country code:
.sl


Internet hosts:
282 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 191


Internet users:
14,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 199

Transportation

Airports
8 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 164


Airports - with paved runways
total:1
over 3,047 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:7
914 to 1,523 m:7 (2013)


Heliports
2 (2013)


Roadways
total:11,300 kmcountry comparison to the world: 131
paved:904 km
unpaved:10,396 km (2002)


    Waterways
800 km (600 km navigable year round) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 72


Merchant marine
total:215country comparison to the world: 34
by type:bulk carrier 22, cargo 120, carrier 2, chemical tanker 19, container 6, liquefied gas 3, passenger/cargo 2, petroleum tanker 28, refrigerated cargo 7, roll on/roll off 4, specialized tanker 1, vehicle carrier 1
foreign-owned:98 (Bangladesh 1, China 19, Cyprus 2, Egypt 3, Estonia 2, Hong Kong 7, Japan 4, Lebanon 2, North Korea 2, Romania 2, Russia 7, Singapore 9, Syria 13, Taiwan 7, Turkey 9, UAE 1, UK 1, Ukraine 5, Yemen 2) (2010)



Ports and terminals
major seaport(s):Freetown, Pepel, Sherbro Islands

Military

Military branches
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF): Army (includes Maritime Wing and Air Wing) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service (younger with parental consent); women are eligible to serve; no conscription; candidates must be HIV negative (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:1,183,093 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:731,898
females age 16-49:838,032 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:54,212
female:57,154 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
0.72% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 118
0.8% of GDP (2011)
0.72% of GDP (2010)
Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook