CapitalDili
Population1,404,785
Area14,874 km²
GDP per capita$4,200
LanguagesTetun Prasa, Mambai, Makasai, Tetun Terik, Baikenu, Kemak, Bunak, Tokodede, Fataluku, Waima'a, Galoli, Naueti, Idate, Midiki, other
Life Expectancy70.5 yr
Governmentsemi-presidential republic
Introduction
Background
The island of Timor has been a key participant in Southeast Asian trade networks for many centuries, exporting products such as sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax by the 14th century. The lucrative sandalwood trade drew the attention of the Portuguese, who arrived in the early 16th century; by the middle of that century, they had established control over the island, which had been governed by local chieftains. In 1859, Portugal transferred the western section of the island to the Dutch. Between 1942 and 1945, Portuguese Timor was occupied by Imperial Japan, but following Japan's defeat in World War II, Portugal regained its colonial governance. On 28 November 1975, the eastern segment of Timor proclaimed its independence from Portugal; however, nine days later, Indonesian forces invaded and took control of the territory. In 1976, it became part of Indonesia, known as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor or Timor Leste). Over the subsequent two decades, Indonesia undertook a failed pacification effort in the province, resulting in the deaths of approximately 250,000 individuals.
In a United Nations-supervised referendum held in 1999, a significant majority of the Timor-Leste population voted for independence from Indonesia. Nevertheless, anti-independence militias, which were organized and supported by the Indonesian military, launched a widespread campaign of vengeance, resulting in around 1,400 Timorese deaths and the displacement of nearly 500,000 people. Much of the nation’s infrastructure was devastated, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, schools, and a majority of the electrical grid. Eventually, Australian-led peacekeeping forces were deployed to the nation, effectively ending the violence. Timor-Leste was internationally acknowledged as an independent nation in 2002.
In 2006, Australia and the UN were called upon once more to stabilize the country, facilitating the conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections in 2007 under relatively peaceful circumstances. In 2008, there was an unsuccessful assault on the president and prime minister by rebels. Since that incident, Timor-Leste has made notable strides in establishing stability and democratic frameworks, successfully holding a series of parliamentary and presidential elections since 2012. However, fragile and unstable political coalitions have resulted in intermittent periods of deadlock and crisis. The UN continues to offer support for economic development and the enhancement of governance structures. At present, Timor-Leste stands as one of the poorest countries globally, with an economy that is heavily dependent on energy resources from the Timor Sea.
Geography
Area
land
14,874 sq km
water
0 sq km
total
14,874 sq km
Climate
tropical; characterized by hot and humid conditions; features distinct wet and dry seasons
Terrain
rugged terrain
Land use
other
6% (2023 est.)
forest
71% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
23% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 10.1% (2023 est.)
Location
located in Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia, within the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern extremity of the Indonesian archipelago; it is important to note that Timor-Leste encompasses the eastern section of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) area situated in the northwest part of Timor, as well as the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco
Coastline
706 km
Elevation
lowest point
Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
highest point
Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
Irrigated land
350 sq km (2012)
Map references
Southeast Asia
Land boundaries
total
253 km
border countries
Indonesia 253 km
Maritime claims
contiguous zone
24 nm
territorial sea
12 nm
exclusive fishing zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
frequent occurrences of floods and landslides; seismic activity; tsunamis; tropical storms
Geography - note
the island of Timor belongs to the Malay Archipelago and stands as the largest and furthest east of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the Oecussi district serves as an exclave, separated from the main territory of Timor-Leste by Indonesia; Timor-Leste is unique as the sole Asian nation entirely situated in the Southern Hemisphere
Natural resources
gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
Area - comparative
slightly larger than the state of Connecticut; nearly half the size of Maryland
Geographic coordinates
8 50 S, 125 55 E
Population distribution
a significant portion of the population resides in the western third of the nation, especially in the vicinity of Dili
People & Society
Literacy
male
73.1% (2022 est.)
female
71.8% (2022 est.)
total population
72.5% (2022 est.)
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
Catholic 90.7%, other 7.1%, Protestant Evangelical 1.9%; less than 1%: Islam, Buddhist, Hindu (2022 est.)
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
total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.92 male(s)/female
Birth rate
23.39 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.86 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
19.8 years
total
23 years (2025 est.)
female
21.3 years
Population
male
693,940
total
1,404,785 (2025 est.)
female
710,845
Nationality
noun
Timorese
adjective
Timorese
Tobacco use
male
62.6% (2025 est.)
total
36.1% (2025 est.)
female
8.9% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
32.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
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)
Ethnic groups
Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority
People - note
one of only two majorly Christian countries in Southeast Asia, with the Philippines being the other
Child marriage
men married by age 18
1.2% (2016)
women married by age 15
2.6% (2016)
women married by age 18
14.9% (2016)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
62 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
54.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
12.9 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
7.7 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.75 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
11.4% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
8.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-3.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.79 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 81.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 87% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 98.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 18.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 13% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 1.6% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
5.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
4.3% national budget (2025 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
35.3 deaths/1,000 live births
total
41.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
28.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
1.28% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.35 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
a significant portion of the population is located in the western third of the nation, especially in the vicinity of Dili
Life expectancy at birth
male
68.9 years
female
72.3 years
total population
70.5 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
192 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 64% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 73.7% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 94.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 36% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 26.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 5.9% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
281,000 DILI (capital) (2018)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
3.8% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
23 years (2016 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
56.4% (2022 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
31.9% (2020 est.)
Environment
Climate
tropical; characterized by high temperatures and humidity; clearly defined wet and dry seasons
Land use
other
6% (2023 est.)
forest
71% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
23% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 7.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 5.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 10.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
32.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
63,900 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
13.5% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
air pollution and the decline of air quality; issues related to water quality, availability, and access; degradation of land and soil; depletion of forests; deforestation and soil erosion resulting from slash-and-burn agricultural practices; reduction in biodiversity
Total water withdrawal
municipal
99 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
2 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
1.071 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
660,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
660,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
20.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
8.215 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental 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
Government
Flag
description: a red field featuring a black isosceles triangle (base oriented to the left) on an elongated yellow arrowhead that points towards the center of the flag; at the center of the black triangle lies a white star
meaning: yellow symbolizes the history of colonialism, black represents the obscurantism to be transcended, and red signifies the fight for freedom; the white star stands for peace and serves as a guiding light
Capital
name
Dili
time difference
UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
8 35 S, 125 36 E
Suffrage
17 years of age; universal
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
Constitution
history
drafted in 2001, accepted on 22 March 2002, and came into effect on 20 May 2002
amendment process
initiated by Parliament and its parliamentary factions; any amendments require a minimum of four-fifths majority approval from Parliament; to pass, a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament is necessary along with promulgation by the president of the republic; amendments concerning the republican form of government and the flag must be validated through a referendum
Country name
former
East Timor, Portuguese Timor
etymology
the name partially derives from the Indonesian and Malay term timur, which translates to "east;" leste is the Portuguese word for "east," thus making "Timor-Leste" literally mean "Eastern-East"
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)
conventional long form
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
conventional short form
Timor-Leste
Independence
28 November 1975 (from Portugal); 20 May 2002 (from Indonesia)
Legal system
civil law system modeled after the Portuguese framework
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeals (consists of the court president and NA judges)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates' courts; military courts
judge selection and term of office
the court president is appointed by the president of the republic from among the existing court judges for a term of four years; other judges are appointed - one by Parliament and the remainder by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, which is chaired by the court president and mostly consists of presidential and parliamentary appointees; other judges serve for life
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers; ministers are proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in Parliament and are sworn in by the president
chief of state
President José RAMOS-HORTA (in office since 20 May 2022)
election results
2022: José RAMOS-HORTA elected president in the second round - RAMOS-HORTA (CNRT) with 62.1%, Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) with 37.9%
2017: Francisco GUTERRES elected president; Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) received 57.1%, António da CONCEICAO (PD) 32.5%, and others 10.4%
head of government
Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023)
most recent election date
19 March 2022, with a runoff on 19 April 2022
election/appointment process
the president is elected directly through an absolute-majority popular vote, potentially requiring two rounds for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); after parliamentary elections, the president designates the leader of the majority party or coalition as the prime minister
expected date of next election
April 2027
National holiday
Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
National color(s)
red, yellow, black, white
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
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
65 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
National Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
5/21/2023
expected date of next election
May 2028
percentage of women in chamber
35.4%
parties elected and seats per party
National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) (31); Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (FRETILIN) (19); Democratic Party (PD) (6); Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO) (5); People's Liberation Party (PLP) (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"Patria" (Fatherland)
history
adopted in 2002; this song was first performed as an anthem when Timor-Leste proclaimed its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion shortly after independence was declared
lyrics/music
Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO
National symbol(s)
Mount Ramelau
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
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 966-3205
chancery
4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 966-3202
chief of mission
Ambassador José Luis GUTERRES (in position since 17 June 2024)
email address and website
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
(670) 331-3206
embassy
Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili
telephone
(670) 332-4684, (670) 330-2400
mailing address
8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250
chief of mission
Ambassador (position currently vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Bruce BEGNELL (since July 2025)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://tl.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN, 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
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$1.877 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures
$1.826 billion (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$1.858 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$701.808 million (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$278.047 million (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$1.286 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$1.169 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$1.197 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
printing, soap production, artisanal crafts, woven textiles
Labor force
615,900 (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
3.1% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
5.1% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
9.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
11.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
the US dollar is in use
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$238.042 million (2023 est.)
Economic overview
Southeast Asian economy classified as lower middle-income; government spending supported by oil fund withdrawals; pervasive corruption hampers growth; reliant on foreign aid; widespread poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy issues
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
1.6% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
1.6% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
1.7% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
China 46%, Singapore 25%, Japan 15%, Indonesia 5%, USA 3% (2023)
Imports - partners
Indonesia 34%, China 26%, Singapore 9%, Taiwan 5%, India 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$5,300 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$4,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$4,200 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
-20.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
-18.1% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
-2.2% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
maize, rice, coconuts, root crops, vegetables, cassava, other meats, pork, beans, coffee (2023)
Exports - commodities
crude oil, natural gas, coffee, scrap iron, telephones (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined oil, rice, automobiles, plastic items, trucks (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$408.059 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$177.336 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
-$529.738 million (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
21.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.881 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
70% (2023 est.)
government consumption
52.9% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
3.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
17.4% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
22.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-66.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
7% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
8.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
2.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-57% (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$7.322 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$5.995 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$5.863 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
3.2% (2024 est.)
total
3.4% (2024 est.)
female
3.7% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$830.81 million (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$781.995 million (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$736.967 million (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
23.9% (2023 est.)
services
61% (2023 est.)
agriculture
16.9% (2023 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
122,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
consumption
411.519 million kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
277,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
99.481 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
exports
521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
production
521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
100%
electrification - urban areas
100%
electrification - total population
99.7% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
6.825 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
99.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
34% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
In 2019, there were 7 television stations, which included 3 with nationwide satellite coverage, 2 providing terrestrial coverage primarily in Dili, and 2 cable stations. Additionally, there were 21 radio stations, of which 3 offered nationwide coverage.
Internet country code
.tl
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
2,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
1.63 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
116 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
0 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2023 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Ports
large
0
small
1
medium
0
key ports
Dili
very small
0
total ports
1 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
0
Airports
11 (2025)
Heliports
2 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
1 (2023)
by type
other 1
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
4W
Military & Security
Military - note
The Timor-Leste Defense Force (F-FDTL) is tasked with both external defense and internal security responsibilities; it also participates in national development initiatives, international peacekeeping operations, and regional security collaborations. The F-FDTL maintains relationships with various partners, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, the UN, and the US (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L'este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Land Component, Air Force Component, Naval Component
Ministry of Interior: National Police of Timor-Leste (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2025)
Military service age and obligation
Individuals are eligible for voluntary military service at 18 years of age, for both men and women; according to Timorese legislation regarding military service, all citizens aged 18 to 30 are required to support the defense of the nation's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity by serving in defense and security institutions (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military is equipped lightly, possessing a limited stock of mostly donated equipment from nations such as Australia, China, Portugal, South Korea, and the US (2025)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 2,000 Defense Forces (2025)
