Timor-Leste

Country Summary

Introduction

Background

Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries and by the 14th century exported aromatic sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. By mid-16th century, the Portuguese had colonized the island. It was incorporated into Indonesia in July 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor). On 20 May 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.

Geography

Area

total: 14,874 sq km
land: 14,874 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons

Natural resources

gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble

People and Society

Population

1,476,042 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority

Languages

Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima'a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5% (2015 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.1% (2023 est.)

Government

Government type

semi-presidential republic

Capital

name: Dili

Executive branch

chief of state: President José RAMOS-HORTA (since May 2022); note - the president is commander in chief of the military and can veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections
head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023)

Legislative branch

description: unicameral National Parliament (65 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed, party-list proportional representation vote using the D'Hondt method to serve 5-year terms)

Economy

Economic overview

lower middle-income Southeast Asian economy; government expenditures funded via oil fund drawdowns; endemic corruption undermines growth; foreign aid-dependent; wide-scale poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$6.648 billion (2021 est.)
$6.313 billion (2020 est.)
$4.786 billion (2019 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$5,000 (2021 est.)
$4,900 (2020 est.)
$3,700 (2019 est.)

Agricultural products

rice, maize, vegetables, coffee, roots/tubers nes, other meats, cassava, pork, beans, mangoes/guavas

Industries

printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth

Remittances

7.2% of GDP (2020 est.)
4.95% of GDP (2019 est.)
6.16% of GDP (2018 est.)

Exports

$2.315 billion (2021 est.)
$57.105 million (2020 est.)
$117.472 million (2019 est.)

Exports - partners

Singapore 51%, China 20%, Japan 9%, Indonesia 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities

crude petroleum, natural gas, coffee, various vegetables, scrap iron (2019)

Imports

$1.523 billion (2021 est.)
$842 million (2020 est.)
$1.039 billion (2019 est.)

Imports - partners

Indonesia 39%, China 27%, Singapore 10%, Malaysia 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, cars, cement, delivery trucks, motorcycles (2019)

Exchange rates

1 (2021 est.)
1 (2020 est.)
1 (2019 est.)
1 (2018 est.)
1 (2017 est.)


Page last updated: Wednesday, December 06, 2023