Introduction
Background
The island of Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries, and by the 14th century, it exported sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. The sandalwood trade attracted the Portuguese, who arrived in the early 16th century; by mid-century, they had colonized the island, which was previously ruled by local chieftains. In 1859, Portugal ceded the western portion of the island to the Dutch. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. The eastern part of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975, but Indonesian forces invaded and occupied the area nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor or Timor Leste). Indonesia conducted an unsuccessful pacification campaign in the province over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died.
In a UN-supervised referendum in 1999, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, anti-independence Timorese militias -- organized and supported by the Indonesian military -- began a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution, killing approximately 1,400 Timorese and displacing nearly 500,000. Most of the country's infrastructure was destroyed, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, schools, and most of the electrical grid. Australian-led peacekeeping troops eventually deployed to the country and ended the violence. In 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.
In 2006, Australia and the UN had to step in again to stabilize the country, which allowed presidential and parliamentary elections to be conducted in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In 2008, rebels staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. Since that attack, Timor-Leste has made considerable progress in building stability and democratic institutions, holding a series of successful parliamentary and presidential elections since 2012. Nonetheless, weak and unstable political coalitions have led to periodic episodes of stalemate and crisis. The UN continues to provide assistance on economic development and strengthening governing institutions. Currently, Timor-Leste is one of the world's poorest nations, with an economy that relies heavily on energy resources in the Timor Sea.
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Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note - Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco
Geographic coordinates
8 50 S, 125 55 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area - comparative
slightly larger than Connecticut; almost half the size of Maryland
Land boundaries
total: 253 km
border countries (1): Indonesia 253 km
Coastline
706 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Terrain
mountainous
Elevation
highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
Natural resources
gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
Land use
agricultural land: 25.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 4.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 10.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 49.1% (2018 est.)
other: 25.8% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land
350 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
most of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili
Natural hazards
floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones
Geography - note
the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the district of Oecussi is an exclave separated from Timor-Leste proper by Indonesia; Timor-Leste has the unique distinction of being the only Asian country located completely in the Southern Hemisphere
People and Society
Population
total: 1,506,909
male: 750,665
female: 756,244 (2024 est.)
comparison rankings: female 154; male 156; total 156
Nationality
noun: Timorese
adjective: Timorese
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.)
note: data represent population by mother tongue; Tetun and Portuguese are official languages; Indonesian and English are working languages; there are about 32 indigenous languages
Religions
Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.)
Demographic profile
Timor-Leste’s high fertility and population growth rates sustain its very youthful age structure – approximately 40% of the population is below the age of 15 and the country’s median age is 20. While Timor-Leste’s total fertility rate (TFR) – the average number of births per woman – decreased significantly from over 7 in the early 2000s, it remains high at 4.3 in 2021 and will probably continue to decline slowly. The low use of contraceptives and the traditional preference for large families is keeping fertility elevated. The high TFR and falling mortality rates continue to fuel a high population growth rate of nearly 2.2%, which is the highest in Southeast Asia. The country’s high total dependency ratio – a measure of the ratio of dependents to the working-age population – could divert more government spending toward social programs. Timor-Leste’s growing, poorly educated working-age population and insufficient job creation are ongoing problems. Some 70% of the population lives in rural areas, where most of people are dependent on the agricultural sector. Malnutrition and poverty are prevalent, with 42% of the population living under the poverty line as of 2014.
During the Indonesian occupation (1975-1999) and Timor-Leste’s fight for independence, approximately 250,000 Timorese fled to western Timor and, in lesser numbers, Australia, Portugal, and other countries. Many of these emigrants later returned. Since Timor-Leste’s 1999 independence referendum, economic motives and periods of conflict have been the main drivers of emigration. Bilateral labor agreements with Australia, Malaysia, and South Korea and the presence of Timorese populations abroad, are pull factors, but the high cost prevents many young Timorese from emigrating. Timorese communities are found in its former colonizers, Indonesia and Portugal, as well as the Philippines and the UK. The country has also become a destination for migrants in the surrounding region, mainly men seeking work in construction, commerce, and services in Dili.
Age structure
0-14 years: 38.7% (male 299,929/female 283,416)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 418,493/female 437,727)
65 years and over: 4.5% (2024 est.) (male 32,243/female 35,101)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 90.3
youth dependency ratio: 59.4
elderly dependency ratio: 8.9
potential support ratio: 11.2 (2021 est.)
Median age
total: 20.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 19.8 years
female: 21.3 years
comparison ranking: total 201
Population distribution
most of the population concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili
Urbanization
urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
281,000 DILI (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
23 years (2016 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Infant mortality rate
total: 32.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 35.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 41
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 70.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 68.9 years
female: 72.3 years
comparison ranking: total population 174
Gross reproduction rate
1.92 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
26.1% (2016)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: 98% of population
rural: 82.5% of population
total: 87.4% of population
unimproved: urban: 2% of population
rural: 17.5% of population
total: 12.6% of population (2020 est.)
Current health expenditure
9.9% of GDP (2020)
Physician density
0.76 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: 88.7% of population
rural: 56.1% of population
total: 66.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 11.3% of population
rural: 43.9% of population
total: 33.7% of population (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases
degree of risk: very high (2023)
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 166
Tobacco use
total: 39.2% (2020 est.)
male: 67.6% (2020 est.)
female: 10.8% (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 6
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
55.9% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 2.6%
women married by age 18: 14.9%
men married by age 18: 1.2% (2016 est.)
Literacy
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 68.1%
male: 71.9%
female: 64.2% (2018)
People - note
one of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being the Philippines
Environment
Environment - current issues
air pollution and deterioration of air quality; greenhouse gas emissions; water quality, scarcity, and access; land and soil degradation; forest depletion; widespread use of slash and burn agriculture has led to deforestation and soil erosion; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Land use
agricultural land: 25.1% (2018 est.)
arable land: 10.1% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 4.9% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 10.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 49.1% (2018 est.)
other: 25.8% (2018 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 20.47 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.5 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 4.74 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 63,875 tons (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 100 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.07 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
8.22 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
conventional short form: Timor-Leste
local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa'e (Tetum)/ Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste (Portuguese)
local short form: Timor Lorosa'e (Tetum)/ Timor-Leste (Portuguese)
former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor
etymology: timor" derives from the Indonesian and Malay word "timur" meaning "east"; "leste" is the Portuguese word for "east", so "Timor-Leste" literally means "Eastern-East"; the local [Tetum] name "Timor Lorosa'e" translates as "East Rising Sun"
note: pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Dili
geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
12 municipalities (municipios, singular municipio) and 1 special adminstrative region* (regiao administrativa especial); Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Covalima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Lospalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oe-Cusse Ambeno* (Pante Macassar), Viqueque
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence
20 May 2002 (from Indonesia); note - 28 November 1975 was the date independence was proclaimed from Portugal; 20 May 2002 was the date of international recognition of Timor-Leste's independence from Indonesia
National holiday
Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Legal system
civil law system based on the Portuguese model; note - penal and civil law codes to replace the Indonesian codes were passed by Parliament and promulgated in 2009 and 2011, respectively
Constitution
history: drafted 2001, approved 22 March 2002, entered into force 20 May 2002
amendments: proposed by Parliament and parliamentary groups; consideration of amendments requires at least four-fifths majority approval by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by Parliament and promulgation by the president of the republic; passage of amendments to the republican form of government and the flag requires approval in a referendum
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President José RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; ministers proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in the Parliament and sworn in by the President of the Republic
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 19 March 2022 with a runoff on 19 April 2022 (next to be held in April 2027); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister
election results:
2022: José RAMOS-HORTA elected president in second round - RAMOS-HORTA (CNRT) 62.1%, Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 37.9%
2017: Francisco GUTERRES elected president; Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 57.1%, António da CONCEICAO (PD) 32.5%, other 10.4%
note: the president is commander in chief of the military and can veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections
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)
elections: last held on 21 May 2023 (next to be held in May 2028)
election results: percent of vote by party - CNRT 41.5%, FRETILIN 25.8%, PD 9.3%, KHUNTO 7.5%, PLP 6%, other 9.9%; seats by party - CNRT 31, FRETILIN 19, PD 6, KHUNTO 5, PLP 4; composition - men 40, women 25, percentage women 38.5%
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Appeals (consists of the court president and NA judges)
judge selection and term of office: court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other court judges appointed - 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body chaired by the court president and that includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other judges serve for life
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
note: the UN Justice System Programme, launched in 2003 and being rolled out in 4 phases through 2018, is helping strengthen the country's justice system; the Programme is aligned with the country's long-range Justice Sector Strategic Plan, which includes legal reforms
Political parties
Democratic Party or PD
National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT
National Unity of the Sons of Timor (Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan or KHUNTO)
People's Liberation Party or PLP
Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador José Luis GUTERRES (since 17 June 2024)
chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202
FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205
email address and website:
[email protected]
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant), Chargé d'Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since August 2023)
embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili
mailing address: 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250
telephone: (670) 332-4684, (670) 330-2400
FAX: (670) 331-3206
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://tl.usembassy.gov/
Flag description
red with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) superimposed on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star - pointing to the upper hoist-side corner of the flag - is in the center of the black triangle; yellow denotes the colonialism in Timor-Leste's past, black represents the obscurantism that needs to be overcome, red stands for the national liberation struggle; the white star symbolizes peace and serves as a guiding light
National symbol(s)
Mount Ramelau; national colors: red, yellow, black, white
National anthem
name: "Patria" (Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO
note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared
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)
$6.265 billion (2023 est.)
$7.316 billion (2022 est.)
$9.207 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 175
Real GDP growth rate
-14.36% (2023 est.)
-20.54% (2022 est.)
5.32% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 218
Real GDP per capita
$4,600 (2023 est.)
$5,500 (2022 est.)
$7,000 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 182
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.243 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
0.96% (2019 est.)
2.29% (2018 est.)
0.52% (2017 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 17
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 9.1% (2017 est.)
industry: 56.7% (2017 est.)
services: 34.4% (2017 est.)
comparison rankings: services 220; industry 4; agriculture 95
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 33% (2017 est.)
government consumption: 30% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 10.6% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 78.4% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -52% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products
maize, rice, coconuts, root vegetables, vegetables, cassava, other meats, coffee, beans, pork (2022)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth
Industrial production growth rate
-46.25% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 220
Labor force
597,000 (2023 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 157
Unemployment rate
1.52% (2023 est.)
1.54% (2022 est.)
2.34% (2021 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 15
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 3.2% (2023 est.)
male: 3.1% (2023 est.)
female: 3.2% (2023 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 192
Population below poverty line
41.8% (2014 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
28.7 (2014 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 133
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 4% (2014 est.)
highest 10%: 24% (2014 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
10.88% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
4.85% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $879 million (2019 est.)
expenditures: $1.396 billion (2019 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
21.67% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 69
Current account balance
-$227.62 million (2023 est.)
$256.151 million (2022 est.)
$1.328 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 111
Exports
$701.808 million (2023 est.)
$1.858 billion (2022 est.)
$2.772 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 188
Exports - partners
China 25%, Indonesia 20%, Japan 14%, South Korea 13%, Thailand 7% (2022)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, coffee, natural gas, beer, construction vehicles (2022)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$1.179 billion (2023 est.)
$1.405 billion (2022 est.)
$1.298 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 190
Imports - partners
Indonesia 27%, China 23%, Singapore 9%, Australia 6%, Malaysia 6% (2022)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, rice, cars, coal, cranes (2022)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$781.995 million (2023 est.)
$830.81 million (2022 est.)
$934.781 million (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 152
Debt - external
$311.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$687 million (31 December 2013 est.)
comparison ranking: 183
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Energy
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 99.7% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 100%
electrification - rural areas: 100%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 283,000 kW (2022 est.)
consumption: 414.76 million kWh (2022 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 100 million kWh (2022 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 47; consumption 178; installed generating capacity 167
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 99.6% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)
Coal
imports: 122,000 metric tons (2022 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 4,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)
Natural gas
production: 2.925 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
exports: 2.925 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
637,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 637,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 184
Communications
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 2,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 213
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 1.481 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 158
Telecommunication systems
general assessment: Timor-Leste has been moving forward with the regeneration of its economy and rebuilding key infrastructure, including telecommunications networks, that were destroyed during the years of civil unrest; fixed-line and fixed broadband penetration in Timor-Leste remains extremely low, mainly due to the limited fixed-line infrastructure and the proliferation of mobile connectivity; in an effort to boost e-government services; the number of subscribers through to 2026 is expected to develop steadily, though from a low base; by August 2020, Timor-Leste had three telecom service providers who jointly achieved a 98% network coverage nationally; the mobile broadband market is still at an early stage of development, strong growth is predicted over the next five years; at the end of 2020, the government issued new policy guidelines to maximize the use of spectrum in Timor-Leste; it invited mobile operators to submit applications for the allocation of spectrum in the 1800MHz, 2300MHz and 2600MHz bands; in November 2020, the government approved the deployment of a submarine fiber link connecting the south of the country to Australia via the North Western Cable System (NWCS) (2021)
domestic: fixed-line services less than 1 per 100 and mobile-cellular services is 110 per 100 (2022)
international: country code - 670; international service is available; partnership with Australia telecom companies for potential deployment of a submarine fiber-optic link (NWCS); geostationary earth orbit satellite
Broadcast media
7 TV stations (3 nationwide satellite coverage; 2 terrestrial coverage, mostly in Dili; 2 cable) and 21 radio stations (3 nationwide coverage) (2019)
Internet users
total: 507,000 (2021 est.)
percent of population: 39% (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: total 167
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 75 (2020 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.01 (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: total 214
Transportation
National air transport system
number of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 2
Heliports
2 (2024)
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 0
ports with oil terminals: 0
key ports: Dili
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Joint Headquarters with Land, Air, Naval, Service Support, and Education/Training components
Ministry of Interior: National Police (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2024)
Military expenditures
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
1.7% of GDP (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: 109
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 1,500-2,000 personnel (2023)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military is lightly armed and has a limited inventory consisting mostly of donated equipment from countries such as Australia, China, Portugal, South Korea, and the US (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; compulsory service was authorized in 2020 for men and women aged 18-30 for 18 months of service, but the level of implementation is unclear (2023)
Military - note
the F-FDTL is a small and lightly equipped force with both external defense and internal security roles; it has two infantry battalions, a small air component, and a handful of naval patrol boats
since achieving independence, Timor-Leste has received security assistance from or has made defense cooperation arrangements with Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, the UN, and the US (2024)