Federated States Of Micronesia

The Basics

Population: 110,218 (SPC 2006)

Capital: Palikir, Pohnpei State

Land Area: 704.6 sq. km.

Political Status and Form of Government: Independent nation in free association with the United States

Languages: English (official and common language), Chuukese, Pohnpeian, Yapese, Kosraean, Ulithian, Woleaian, Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi

Currency: U.S. Dollar

Number of Islands: 607

The Numbers

Gross Domestic Product: $244.7 million (2006 WB)

Gross Domestic Product per capita: $2,380 (2006)

Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate: -0.7% (2006)

National Budget: Expenditure $39.2 million (FY2007/08)

Aid per capita: $84.5 million annually, including over $70 million in Compact funds, and approximately $10 million from Japan.

Life Expectancy: Male: 70.35 years (2007 est.) Female:

Ethnicity: 9 Micronesian and Polynesian ethnic groups. Chuukese 48.8%, Pohnpeian 24.2%, Kosraean 6.2%, Yapese 5.2%, Outer Yap 4.5%, Asian 1.8%, Polynesian 1.5%, Other 6.4%, unknown 1.4% (2000 census)

Nationality: Micronesian

Age Distribution:0-14 years: 35.9%, 15-64 years: 61.2%, 65+: 2.9% (2006 est.)

Population Growth Rate: -0.11% (2006 est.)

People in Power

Head of Government: Pres. Emanuel Mori

Head of State: Pres. Emanuel Mori

Cabinet Members: Alik Alik, Vice President; Lorin S. Robert, Foreign Affairs; Finley S. Perman, Finance and Administration; Vita Akapito Skilling, Health and Social Services; Akillino H. Susaia, Economic Affairs; Andrew R. Yatilman, Transportation, Communications and Infrastructure; Julius Joey Sapelalut, Chief Public Defender; Junior Nomau (nom.), Postmaster General; Maketo Robert (nom.), Justice

Representative Body: Unicameral Congress with 14 members. President and Vice President are elected by the Congress from among those members holding four-year seats. Each of the country’s four states possesses one four-year seat.

Regional Organizations

ACP, ADB, ESCAP, FAO, FFA, G-77, GEF, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFC, IFRCS (associate), IMF, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, SOPAC, Sparteca, SPC, SPREP, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP UNESCO, WHO, WMO, WCPFC.

Media & Internet Service Providers

Radio: AM 5, FM 1, including one state-run AM station in each state. TV: 3 including cable. ICTV provides television broadcasting in Kosrae, Pohnpei and Yap in collaboration with cable provider, FSM Telecom. As of late 2006, Chuuk was without cable service. Print: The independent Kaselehlie Press based out of Pohnpei is published every two weeks. ISP: FSM Telecom is also the only ISP, providing Internet, wireless and cellular telephone services. Introduction of broadband technology has been delayed due to uncertainty about the arrival of a submarine fiber optic cable to the islands.

Recent News

The Federated States of Micronesia elected a new government in March 2007, and the administration led by President Immanuel Mori will continue to face deep economic challenges into 2008—including deficits at both national and state level. In November, the FSM Congress passed an operational budget of over $39 million for the 2008 fiscal year. It had earlier given the nod to resolutions relating to a new office of Executive Reorganization—one of President Mori’s stated priorities over his term. In practice this has involved the establishment of three new offices to deal with Statistics, Budget, Overseas Assistance and Compact Management; National Archives, Culture and Historical Preservation; and Environment and Emergency Management. Restructuring of other existing departments is underway. However, power in the FSM national government is heavily weighted toward the Congress, which chooses the president and vice president from among its members. There is new congressional leadership, with Speaker Isaac V. Figir of Yap leading the at times discordant body. Figir is a veteran lawmaker and has been known for speaking his mind, an uncommon trait in the region. Relations between the Congress and Executive Branch are still in a honeymoon period, with most executive appointments sailing through the confirmation process without problems. That wasn’t the case for Mori’s predecessor, Joe Urusemal, who is back in the Congress representing Yap state. Even more than most other Pacific Island countries, FSM is particularly vulnerable to external shocks, including global fuel prices. Controversy over bulk fuel purchasing also looks set to continue. While FSM’s four states initially agreed to participate in the new FSM Petroleum Corporation to enable cooperation on fuel purchasing and stock management—including the purchasing of Mobil Oil of Micronesia assets—Pohnpei state later appeared to be backing away from the agreement. Pressure continues for FSM to make its land market more open and flexible, including a provision for transferable lease rights, in order improve the business climate. Changes in representation at the state level also saw new Kosrae governor; Robert Weilbacher and colleagues at a leadership conference identify almost $2 million that could be cut from the budget immediately—including staff cuts. On taking office, Governor Weilbacher found the state was having difficulty even making payroll. Chuuk State remains the crisis center for the FSM. U.S. federal officials now control much of the outside funding for the state, which has a well deserved reputation for financial abuse and mismanagement

Airlines, Shippers Serving Countrys

Air: Continental Micronesia, Caroline Islands Air Shippers: NYK Line, Matson Navigation, Chief Container Service, FSM Line, Palau Shipping.

Main Government Contact

Office of the President, FSM Capital
PO Box PS-34, Palikir, Pohnpei, FM 96941
Ph: (691) 320-2548
Fax: (692) 320-4356

Sources and Federated States Of Micronesia on the Web

FSM Government www.fsmgov.org
Secretariat for the Pacific Community www.spc.int/demog/en/index.html
World Factbook/CIA: www.cia.gov/
Asian Development Bank www.adb.org/

Map courtesy UH Press, The Pacific Islands; an Encyclopedia

Click map for larger image