East Timor nation-building
Last reviewed: 01-09-2008
East Timor
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BASIC FACTS
Capital
Dili
Language
Tetum is the national language, but there are some 40 dialects. The use of native languages was banned under Indonesian occupation, though the situation was reversed after the country's independence. Portuguese is also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Area size
14870 sq. km
Area comparison
About the same size as Northern Ireland
Population
| 2009 | 1.1 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009) |
| 2007 | 1.1 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006) |
| 2006 | 1.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2005 | 1.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2004 | 1.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2003 | 1.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2002 | 0.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2001 | 0.8 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2000 | 0.8 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
Future population estimates
3.2 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)
PEOPLE
Language
Tetum is the national language, but there are some 40 dialects. The use of native languages was banned under Indonesian occupation, though the situation was reversed after the country's independence. Portuguese is also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
Future population estimates
3.2 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)
Ethnic groups
East Timor's Maubere people are descended from Melanesian and Malayan populations.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Most Timorese follow traditional religious practices; some 30 percent are Catholic.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
Year women granted right to vote
No data available
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2006)
Percentage of population under 15
Tetum is the national language, but there are some 40 dialects. The use of native languages was banned under Indonesian occupation, though the situation was reversed after the country's independence. Portuguese is also spoken.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide
Population
| 2009 | 1.1 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009) |
| 2007 | 1.1 million | U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006) |
| 2006 | 1.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2005 | 1.1 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2004 | 1.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2003 | 1.0 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2002 | 0.9 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2001 | 0.8 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
| 2000 | 0.8 million | U.N. DESA (2006) |
Future population estimates
3.2 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)
Ethnic groups
East Timor's Maubere people are descended from Melanesian and Malayan populations.
Source: NI World Guide
Religion
Most Timorese follow traditional religious practices; some 30 percent are Catholic.
Source: NI World Guide
Percentage urban population
| 2007 | 27.3 percent | U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005 |
| 2006 | 26.9 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2005 | 26.5 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2004 | 26.1 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2003 | 25.7 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2002 | 25.3 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2001 | 24.9 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
| 2000 | 24.5 percent | U.N. DESA (2005) |
Year women granted right to vote
No data available
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.
Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2006)
Percentage of population under 15
| 2005 | 45.0 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 41.6 percent | U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 42.5 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 39.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | No data available percent | |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
USEFUL INFORMATION
Time zone
GMT +8
Climate description
The climate is tropical with heavy rainfall. It is dominated by intense monsoon rain, succeeded by a pronounced dry season. The north coast of the island has a brief rainy season from December to February; the south coast a double rainy season from Decembee to June, with a respite in March. The mountainous spine of the island has heavy rains that feed torrential floods.
Currency
U.S. dollar
Telephone dialling code
(+) 670
Driving (left/right)
Left
GMT +8
Climate description
The climate is tropical with heavy rainfall. It is dominated by intense monsoon rain, succeeded by a pronounced dry season. The north coast of the island has a brief rainy season from December to February; the south coast a double rainy season from Decembee to June, with a respite in March. The mountainous spine of the island has heavy rains that feed torrential floods.
Currency
U.S. dollar
Telephone dialling code
(+) 670
Driving (left/right)
Left
STANDARD OF LIVING
Average life expectancy
Life expectancy - male
Life expectancy - female
Infant mortality
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
Births attended by skilled personnel
Maternal mortality
Human development index (HDI rank)
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
Percentage of undernourished population
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
Population with access to improved sanitation
Literacy - average
Literacy - male
No data available percent
Literacy - female
No data available percent
Landlines telephones
Cellular telephone subscribers
Internet users
Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
| 2005 | 59.7 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 56.0 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 55.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 49.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | No data available years | |
| 2000 | No data available years |
Life expectancy - male
| 2005 | 58.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 54.9 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 54.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 48.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | No data available years | |
| 2000 | No data available years |
Life expectancy - female
| 2005 | 60.5 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 57.1 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 56.6 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 50.2 years | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | No data available years | |
| 2000 | No data available years |
Infant mortality
| 2007 | 77 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009 |
| 2006 | 47 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 52 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 64 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 87 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 89 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | 85 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 2000 | No data available per 1,000 live births |
Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
| 2007 | 97 per 1,000 live births | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009 |
| 2006 | 55 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 2005 | 61 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 2004 | 80 per 1,000 live births | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 2003 | 124 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 126 per 1,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | No data available per 1,000 live births |
Births attended by skilled personnel
| 1997-2005 | 18 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1996-2004 | 18 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 24 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | 26 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2003 |
| 1995-2000 | No data available percent |
Maternal mortality
| 2005 | 380 per 100,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2000 | 660 per 100,000 live births | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
Human development index (HDI rank)
| 2005 | 150 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2004 | 142 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2003 | 140 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 158 | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | No data available | |
| 2000 | No data available |
Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
| 2000-2007 | 49 percent | U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009 |
| 2000-2006 | 46 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008 |
| 1996-2005 | 46 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007 |
| 1996-2004 | 46 percent | UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006 |
| 1995-2003 | 43 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 1995-2002 | 43 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 1995-2001 | No data available percent | |
| 1995-2000 | No data available percent |
Percentage of undernourished population
| 2003-2005 | 22 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008 |
| 2002-2004average | 9 percent | U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006 |
| 2001-2003average | 8 percent | FAO 2006 |
Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.
Population with access to improved water
| 2006 | 62 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 58 percent | UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006 |
| 2002 | 52 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
Population with access to improved sanitation
| 2006 | 41 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2008 |
| 2004 | 36 percent | UNICEF and WHO 2006 |
| 2002 | 33 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
Literacy - average
| 2004 | No data available percent | |
| 2003 | 58.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2002 | 58.6 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2001 | No data available percent | |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
Literacy - male
No data available percent
Literacy - female
No data available percent
Landlines telephones
| 2008 | 2 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2007 | 2 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2006 | 2 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2005 | 2 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2004 | 2 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2003 | 2 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2002 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2001 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2000 | No data available per 1,000 people |
Cellular telephone subscribers
| 2008 | 74 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2007 | 74 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2006 | 48 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2005 | 33 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2004 | 27 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2003 | 22 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2002 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2001 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2000 | No data available per 1,000 people |
Internet users
| 2008 | 1 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2007 | 1 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2006 | 1 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2005 | 1 per 1,000 people | ITU 2009 |
| 2004 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2003 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2002 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2001 | No data available per 1,000 people | |
| 2000 | No data available per 1,000 people |
Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
| 2008 | 145 (joint) | Transparency International 2008 |
| 2007 | 123 (joint) | Transparency International 2007 |
| 2006 | 111 (joint) | Transparency International |
Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
No (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report
ECONOMY & AID
Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
No data available percent
GNI per capita, Atlas method
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
Annual GDP growth
Annual inflation
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
No data available
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
No data available
No data available percent
GNI per capita, Atlas method
| 2007 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2006 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2005 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2004 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2003 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2002 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2001 | No data available current US$ | |
| 2000 | No data available current US$ |
The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.
GDP
| 2007 | 0.4 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2006 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2005 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2004 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2003 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2002 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2001 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2000 | 0.3 current US$ billions | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
Annual GDP growth
| 2006 | -1.6 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2005 | 2.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2004 | 0.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2003 | -6.2 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2002 | -6.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2001 | 16.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
| 2000 | 13.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008 |
Annual inflation
| 2007 | 12.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2006 | 4.5 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2005 | 1.0 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2004 | -0.3 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2003 | 4.7 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2002 | 0.0 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2001 | 0.1 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
| 2000 | 3.0 percent | World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009 |
Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
No data available
Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
No data available
HEALTH
Physicians
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
No data available percent
Malaria
Risk of falciparum malaria exists throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2000-2004 | 10 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 1990-2004 | 10 per 100,000 people | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 1990-2003 | No data available per 100,000 people |
Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
No data available percent
Malaria
Risk of falciparum malaria exists throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO
TB cases
| 2007 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2006 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2005 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2004 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2003 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2002 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2001 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
| 2000 | 322 per 100,000 people | WHO 2009 |
CONFLICT & MIGRATION
Number of refugees originating here
Number of refugees residing here
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
Landmine casualties per year
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (2003 )
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent (2004)
Percentage of GDP spent on education
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2008 | 7 | UNHCR |
| 2007 | 6 | UNHCR |
| 2006 | No data available | |
| 2005 | 251 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 221 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 127 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 28097 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | 73042 | UNHCR |
| 2000 | 122202 | UNHCR |
Number of refugees residing here
| 2008 | 1 | UNHCR |
| 2007 | 1 | UNHCR |
| 2006 | 3 | UNHCR |
| 2005 | 3 | UNHCR |
| 2004 | 3 | UNHCR |
| 2003 | 3 | UNHCR |
| 2002 | 1 | UNHCR |
| 2001 | No data available | |
| 2000 | No data available |
Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
| 2009 | 30000 | Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) 2009 | |
| 2008 | 100000 | IDMC 2008 | |
| 2007 | 100000 | IDMC 2008 | |
| 2006 | 150000 | IDMC 2006 | |
Landmine casualties per year
| 2004 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2005 |
| 2003 | 0 | Landmine Monitor Report 2004 |
Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (2003 )
Source: Landmine Monitor Report
Percentage of GDP spent on military
No data available percent (2004)
Percentage of GDP spent on education
No data available percent
Percentage of GDP spent on health
| 2004 | 8.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008 |
| 2003-2004 | 7.3 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2006 |
| 2002 | 6.2 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2005 |
| 2001 | 5.8 percent | UNDP - Human Development Report 2004 |
| 2000 | No data available percent |
• Protecting the Most Vulnerable
CRS - USA
• Aengus Finucane (1932-2009)
Concern Worldwide U.S.
• Public Health Promoter – Humanitarian Support Professional (HSP) (Oxfam GB)
Oxfam GB - UK
• Human Resources Director-WVTL
WV - International
• Development Jobs
World Vision - UK
• Various Positions up to Country Manager Level
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