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Azerbaijan vs. Georgia

Introduction

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Background

Azerbaijan - a secular nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Shia Muslim population - was briefly independent (from 1918 to 1920) following the collapse of the Russian Empire; it was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union for seven decades. Azerbaijan remains involved in the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Armenia. Nagorno-Karabakh was a primarily ethnic Armenian region that Moscow recognized in 1923 as an autonomous oblast within Soviet Azerbaijan. In the late Soviet period, a separatist movement developed which sought to end Azerbaijani control over the region. Fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh began in 1988 and escalated after Armenia and Azerbaijan attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By the time a ceasefire took effect in May 1994, separatists, with Armenian support, controlled Nagorno-Karabakh and seven surrounding Azerbaijani territories. Following a Second Nagorno-Karabakh War that took place in September-November 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured much of the territory it had lost a quarter century earlier and under the terms of a cease fire agreement, Armenia returned the remaining territories it occupied to Azerbaijan.

In the 25 years following its independence, Azerbaijan succeeded in significantly reducing the poverty rate and has directed revenues from its oil and gas production to develop the country's infrastructure. However, corruption remains a problem, and the government has been accused of authoritarianism. The country's leadership has remained in the Aliyev family since Heydar ALIYEV became president in 1993 and was succeeded by his son, President Ilham ALIYEV in 2003. Following two national referendums in the past several years that eliminated presidential term limits and extended presidential terms from 5 to 7 years, President ALIYEV secured a fourth term as president in April 2018 in an election that international observers noted had serious shortcomings. Reforms are underway to diversify the country's non-oil economy and additional reforms are needed to address weaknesses in government institutions, particularly in the education and health sectors, and the court system.

The region of present day Georgia contained the ancient kingdoms of Colchis and Kartli-Iberia. The area came under Roman influence in the first centuries A.D., and Christianity became the state religion in the 330s. Domination by Persians, Arabs, and Turks was followed by a Georgian golden age (11th-13th centuries) that was cut short by the Mongol invasion of 1236. Subsequently, the Ottoman and Persian empires competed for influence in the region. Georgia was absorbed into the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Independent for three years (1918-1921) following the Russian revolution, it was forcibly incorporated into the USSR in 1921 and regained its independence when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Mounting public discontent over rampant corruption and ineffective government services, followed by an attempt by the incumbent Georgian Government to manipulate parliamentary elections in November 2003, touched off widespread protests that led to the resignation of Eduard SHEVARDNADZE, president since 1995. In the aftermath of that popular movement, which became known as the "Rose Revolution," new elections in early 2004 swept Mikheil SAAKASHVILI into power along with his United National Movement (UNM) party. Progress on market reforms and democratization has been made in the years since independence, but this progress has been complicated by Russian assistance and support to the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Periodic flare-ups in tension and violence culminated in a five-day conflict in August 2008 between Russia and Georgia, including the invasion of large portions of undisputed Georgian territory. Russian troops pledged to pull back from most occupied Georgian territory, but in late August 2008 Russia unilaterally recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and Russian military forces remain in those regions.

Billionaire Bidzina IVANISHVILI's unexpected entry into politics in October 2011 brought the divided opposition together under his Georgian Dream coalition, which won a majority of seats in the October 2012 parliamentary elections and removed UNM from power. Conceding defeat, SAAKASHVILI named IVANISHVILI as prime minister and allowed Georgian Dream to create a new government. Giorgi MARGVELASHVILI was inaugurated as president on 17 November 2013, ending a tense year of power-sharing between SAAKASHVILI and IVANISHVILI. At the time, these changes in leadership represented unique examples of a former Soviet state that emerged to conduct democratic and peaceful government transitions of power. IVANISHVILI voluntarily resigned from office after the presidential succession, and Georgia's legislature on 20 November 2013 confirmed Irakli GARIBASHVILI as his replacement. GARIBASHVILI was replaced by Giorgi KVIRIKASHVILI in December 2015. KVIRIKASHVILI remained prime minister following Georgian Dream's success in the October 2016 parliamentary elections, where the party won a constitutional majority. IVANISHVILI reemerged as Georgian Dream party chairman in April 2018. KVIRIKASHVILI resigned in June 2018 and was replaced by Mamuka BAKHTADZE. In September 2019, BAKHTADZE resigned and Giorgi GAKHARIA was named the country's new head of government, Georgia's fifth prime minister in seven years. Popular and government support for integration with the West is high in Georgia. Joining the EU and NATO are among the country's top foreign policy goals.

Geography

AzerbaijanGeorgia
LocationSouthwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus rangeSouthwestern Asia, bordering the Black Sea, between Turkey and Russia, with a sliver of land north of the Caucasus extending into Europe; note - Georgia views itself as part of Europe; geopolitically, it can be classified as falling within Europe, the Middle East, or both
Geographic coordinates40 30 N, 47 30 E42 00 N, 43 30 E
Map referencesAsiaAsia
Areatotal: 86,600 sq km

land: 82,629 sq km

water: 3,971 sq km

note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991
total: 69,700 sq km

land: 69,700 sq km

water: 0 sq km

note: approximately 12,560 sq km, or about 18% of Georgia's area, is Russian occupied; the seized area includes all of Abkhazia and the breakaway region of South Ossetia, which consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Area - comparativeabout three-quarters the size of Pennsylvania; slightly smaller than Maineslightly smaller than South Carolina; slightly larger than West Virginia
Land boundariestotal: 2,468 km

border countries (5): Armenia 996 km, Georgia 428 km, Iran 689 km, Russia 338 km, Turkey 17 km
total: 1,814 km

border countries (4): Armenia 219 km, Azerbaijan 428 km, Russia 894 km, Turkey 273 km
Coastline0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km)310 km
Maritime claimsnone (landlocked)territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climatedry, semiarid steppewarm and pleasant; Mediterranean-like on Black Sea coast
Terrainlarge, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland, much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) to the west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sealargely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; fertile soils in river valley flood plains and foothills of Kolkhida Lowland
Elevation extremeshighest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,466 m

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m

mean elevation: 384 m
highest point: Mt'a Shkhara 5,193 m

lowest point: Black Sea 0 m

mean elevation: 1,432 m
Natural resourcespetroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxitetimber, hydropower, manganese deposits, iron ore, copper, minor coal and oil deposits; coastal climate and soils allow for important tea and citrus growth
Land useagricultural land: 57.6% (2018 est.)

arable land: 22.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 2.7% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 32.1% (2018 est.)

forest: 11.3% (2018 est.)

other: 31.1% (2018 est.)
agricultural land: 35.5% (2018 est.)

arable land: 5.8% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 1.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 27.9% (2018 est.)

forest: 39.4% (2018 est.)

other: 25.1% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land14,277 sq km (2012)4,330 sq km (2012)
Natural hazardsdroughtsearthquakes
Environment - current issueslocal scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton; surface and underground water are polluted by untreated municipal and industrial wastewater and agricultural run-offair pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy water pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals; land and forest degradation; biodiversity loss; waste management
Environment - international agreementsparty to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - noteboth the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlockednote 1: strategically located east of the Black Sea; Georgia controls much of the Caucasus Mountains and the routes through them

note 2: the world's four deepest caves are all in Georgia, including two that are the only known caves on earth deeper than 2,000 m: Krubera Cave at -2,197 m (-7,208 ft; reached in 2012) and Veryovkina Cave at -2,212 (-7,257 ft; reached in 2018)
Total renewable water resources34.675 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)63.33 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Population distributionhighest population density is found in the far eastern area of the county, in and around Baku; apart from smaller urbanized areas, the rest of the country has a fairly light and evenly distributed populationsettlement concentrated in the central valley, particularly in the capital city of Tbilisi in the east; smaller urban agglomerations dot the Black Sea coast, with Bat'umi being the largest

Demographics

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Population10,282,283 (July 2021 est.)4,933,674 (July 2021 est.)
Age structure0-14 years: 22.84% (male 1,235,292/female 1,095,308)

15-24 years: 13.17% (male 714,718/female 629,494)

25-54 years: 45.29% (male 2,291,600/female 2,330,843)

55-64 years: 11.41% (male 530,046/female 634,136)

65 years and over: 7.29% (male 289,604/female 454,769) (2020 est.)
0-14 years: 18.42% (male 472,731/female 435,174)

15-24 years: 10.9% (male 286,518/female 250,882)

25-54 years: 40.59% (male 984,942/female 1,016,353)

55-64 years: 13.24% (male 288,650/female 364,117)

65 years and over: 16.85% (male 326,219/female 504,444) (2020 est.)
Median agetotal: 32.6 years

male: 31.1 years

female: 34.2 years (2020 est.)
total: 38.6 years

male: 35.9 years

female: 41.4 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate0.71% (2021 est.)0.05% (2021 est.)
Birth rate14.03 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)11.26 births/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Death rate6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)10.84 deaths/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Net migration rate0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)0.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Sex ratioat birth: 1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.13 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.84 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female

total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.09 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.14 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.79 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female

total population: 0.92 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Infant mortality ratetotal: 24.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 25.23 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 22.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
total: 15.1 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 17.26 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 12.83 deaths/1,000 live births (2021 est.)
Life expectancy at birthtotal population: 73.88 years

male: 70.79 years

female: 77.15 years (2021 est.)
total population: 77.25 years

male: 73.18 years

female: 81.52 years (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate1.87 children born/woman (2021 est.)1.75 children born/woman (2021 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate0.1% (2020 est.)0.3% (2020 est.)
Nationalitynoun: Azerbaijani(s)

adjective: Azerbaijani
noun: Georgian(s)

adjective: Georgian
Ethnic groupsAzerbaijani 91.6%, Lezghin 2%, Russian 1.3%, Armenian 1.3%, Talysh 1.3%, other 2.4% (2009 est.)

note: the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region is populated almost entirely by ethnic Armenians
Georgian 86.8%, Azeri 6.3%, Armenian 4.5%, other 2.3% (includes Russian, Ossetian, Yazidi, Ukrainian, Kist, Greek) (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS9,900 (2020 est.)9,100 (2020 est.)
ReligionsMuslim 96.9% (predominantly Shia), Christian 3%, other <0.1, unaffiliated <0.1 (2010 est.)

note: religious affiliation for the majority of Azerbaijanis is largely nominal, percentages for actual practicing adherents are probably much lower
Orthodox (official) 83.4%, Muslim 10.7%, Armenian Apostolic 2.9%, other 1.2% (includes Catholic, Jehovah's Witness, Yazidi, Protestant, Jewish), none 0.5%, unspecified/no answer 1.2% (2014 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths<200 (2020 est.)<100 (2020 est.)
LanguagesAzerbaijani (Azeri) (official) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4%, other 4.7% (2009 est.)

major-language sample(s):
Dünya fakt kitabi, ?sas m?lumatlar üçün ?v?z olunmaz m?nb?dir (Azerbaijani)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

note: Russian is widely spoken
Georgian (official) 87.6%, Azeri 6.2%, Armenian 3.9%, Russian 1.2%, other 1%; note - Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia (2014 est.)

major-language sample(s):
??????? ???????? ?????, ???????? ??????????? ?????????? ?????. (Georgian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Literacydefinition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.8%

male: 99.9%

female: 99.7% (2017)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 99.4%

male: 99.4%

female: 99.3% (2017)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)total: 14 years

male: 13 years

female: 14 years (2019)
total: 15 years

male: 16 years

female: 16 years (2019)
Education expenditures2.5% of GDP (2018)3.5% of GDP (2018)
Urbanizationurban population: 56.8% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 1.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Nagorno-Karabakh
urban population: 59.9% of total population (2021)

rate of urbanization: 0.35% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

note: data include Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Drinking water sourceimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 87.4% of population

total: 94.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 12.6% of population

total: 4.9% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 96.2% of population

total: 98.4% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 3.8% of population

total: 1.6% of population (2017 est.)
Sanitation facility accessimproved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 89.1% of population

total: 95.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 10.9% of population

total: 4.9% of population (2017 est.)
improved: urban: 97% of population

rural: 82.7% of population

total: 91.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 3% of population

rural: 17.3% of population

total: 8.9% of population (2017 est.)
Major cities - population2.371 million BAKU (capital) (2021)1.079 million TBILISI (capital) (2021)
Maternal mortality rate26 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)25 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight4.9% (2013)2.1% (2018)
Health expenditures3.5% (2018)7.1% (2018)
Physicians density3.45 physicians/1,000 population (2014)7.12 physicians/1,000 population (2018)
Hospital bed density4.8 beds/1,000 population (2014)2.9 beds/1,000 population (2014)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate19.9% (2016)21.7% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth24 years (2019 est.)25.9 years (2019 est.)

note: data do not cover Abkhazia and South Ossetia
Contraceptive prevalence rate54.9% (2011)40.6% (2018)
Dependency ratiostotal dependency ratio: 43.4

youth dependency ratio: 33.7

elderly dependency ratio: 9.7

potential support ratio: 10.3 (2020 est.)
total dependency ratio: 55

youth dependency ratio: 31.3

elderly dependency ratio: 23.6

potential support ratio: 4.2 (2020 est.)

Government

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan

conventional short form: Azerbaijan

local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi

local short form: Azarbaycan

former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

etymology: the name translates as "Land of Fire" and refers to naturally occurring surface fires on ancient oil pools or from natural gas discharges
conventional long form: none

conventional short form: Georgia

local long form: none

local short form: Sak'art'velo

former: Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

etymology: the Western name may derive from the Persian designation "gurgan" meaning "Land of the Wolves"; the native name "Sak'art'velo" means "Land of the Kartvelians" and refers to the core central Georgian region of Kartli
Government typepresidential republicsemi-presidential republic
Capitalname: Baku (Baki, Baky)

geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time: does not observe daylight savings time

etymology: the name derives from the Persian designation of the city "bad-kube" meaning "wind-pounded city" and refers to the harsh winds and severe snow storms that can hit the city

note: at approximately 28 m below sea level, Baku's elevation makes it the lowest capital city in the world
name: Tbilisi

geographic coordinates: 41 41 N, 44 50 E

time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

etymology: the name in Georgian means "warm place," referring to the numerous sulfuric hot springs in the area
Administrative divisions

66 districts (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular);

rayons: Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab

cities: Baku, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax

9 regions (mkharebi, singular - mkhare), 1 city (kalaki), and 2 autonomous republics (avtomnoy respubliki, singular - avtom respublika)

regions: Guria, Imereti, Kakheti, Kvemo Kartli, Mtskheta Mtianeti, Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, Samegrelo and Zemo Svaneti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Shida Kartli; note - the breakaway region of South Ossetia consists of the northern part of Shida Kartli, eastern slivers of the Imereti region and Racha-Lechkhumi and Kvemo Svaneti, and part of western Mtskheta-Mtianeti

city: Tbilisi

autonomous republics: Abkhazia or Ap'khazet'is Avtonomiuri Respublika (Sokhumi), Ajaria or Acharis Avtonomiuri Respublika (Bat'umi)



note 1: the administrative centers of the two autonomous republics are shown in parentheses

note 2: the United States recognizes the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia to be part of Georgia

Independence30 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 18 October 1991 (adopted by the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan)9 April 1991 (from the Soviet Union); notable earlier date: A.D. 1008 (Georgia unified under King BAGRAT III)
National holidayRepublic Day (founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan), 28 May (1918)Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
Constitutionhistory: several previous; latest adopted 12 November 1995

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by at least 63 members of the National Assembly; passage requires at least 95 votes of Assembly members in two separate readings of the draft amendment six months apart and requires presidential approval after each of the two Assembly votes, followed by presidential signature; constitutional articles on the authority, sovereignty, and unity of the people cannot be amended; amended 2002, 2009, 2016
history: previous 1921, 1978 (based on 1977 Soviet Union constitution); latest approved 24 August 1995, effective 17 October 1995

amendments: proposed as a draft law supported by more than one half of the Parliament membership or by petition of at least 200,000 voters; passage requires support by at least three fourths of the Parliament membership in two successive sessions three months apart and the signature and promulgation by the president of Georgia; amended several times, last in 2020 (legislative electoral system revised)
Legal systemcivil law systemcivil law system
Suffrage18 years of age; universal18 years of age; universal
Executive branchchief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003); First Vice President Mehriban ALIYEVA (since 21 February 2017)

head of government: Prime Minister Ali ASADOV (since 8 October 2019); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (eligible for unlimited terms); election last held on 11 April 2018 (next to be held in 2025); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; note - a constitutional amendment approved in a September 2016 referendum expanded presidential terms from 5 to 7 years; a separate constitutional amendment approved in the same referendum also introduced the post of first vice-president and additional vice-presidents, who are directly appointed by the president

election results: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV (YAP) 86%, Zahid ORUJ (independent) 3.1%, other 10.9%

note: OSCE observers noted shortcomings in the election, including a restrictive political environment, limits on fundamental freedoms, a lack of genuine competition, and ballot box stuffing
chief of state: President Salome ZOURABICHVILI (since 16 December 2018)

head of government: Prime Minister Irakli GARIBASHVILI (since 22 February 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers

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); election last held on 28 November 2018 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister nominated by Parliament, appointed by the president

note - 2017 constitutional amendments made the 2018 election the last where the president was directly elected; future presidents will be elected by a 300-member College of Electors; in light of these changes, ZOURABICHVILI was allowed a six-year term

election results: Salome ZOURABICHVILI elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Salome ZOURABICHVILI (independent, backed by Georgian Dream) 59.5%, Grigol VASHADZE (UNM) 40.5%; Irakli GARIBASHVILI approved as prime minister by Parliamentary vote 89-2
Legislative branchdescription: unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections: last held early on 9 February 2020 (next to be held in 2025)

election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - YAP 70, CSP 3, AVP 1, CUP 1, Democratic Enlightenment 1, PDR 1, Great Order 1, VP 1, Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front 1, independent 41, vacant 4; composition - men 103, women 22, percent of women 17.6%
description: unicameral Parliament or Sakartvelos Parlamenti (150 seats; 120 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by closed, party-list proportional representation vote and 30 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by at least 50% majority vote, with a runoff if needed; no party earning less than 40% of total votes may claim a majority; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 31 October and 21 November 2020 (next to be held in October 2024)

election results: percent of vote by party - Georgian Dream 48.2%, UNM 27.2%, European Georgia 3.8%, Lelo 3.2%, Strategy 3.2%, Alliance of Patriots 3.1%, Girchi 2.9%, Citizens 1.3%, Labor 1%; seats by party - Georgian Dream 90, UNM 36, European Georgia 5, Lelo 4, Strategy 4, Alliance of Patriots 4, Girchi 4, Citizens 2, Labor 1
Judicial branchhighest courts: Supreme Court (consists of the chairman, vice chairman, and 23 judges in plenum sessions and organized into civil, economic affairs, criminal, and rights violations chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Milli Majlis; judges appointed for 10 years; Constitutional Court chairman and deputy chairman appointed by the president; other court judges nominated by the president and appointed by the Milli Majlis to serve single 15-year terms

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (replaced the Economic Court in 2002); district and municipal courts
highest courts: Supreme Court (consists of 28 judges organized into several specialized judicial chambers; number of judges determined by the president of Georgia); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges); note - the Abkhazian and Ajarian Autonomous republics each have a supreme court and a hierarchy of lower courts

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the High Council of Justice (a 14-member body consisting of the Supreme Court chairperson, common court judges, and appointees of the president of Georgia) and appointed by Parliament; judges appointed for life; Constitutional Court judges appointed 3 each by the president, by Parliament, and by the Supreme Court judges; judges appointed for 10-year terms

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; regional (town) and district courts
Political parties and leadersAzerbaijan Democratic Enlightenment Party
Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLI]
Civil Unity Party or CUP [Sabir HAJIYEV]
Great Order Party
Islamic Party of Azerbaijan [Mavsum SAMADOV]
Musavat [Arif HAJILI]
Popular Front Party [Ali KARIMLI]
Motherland Party or AVP [Fazail AGAMALI]
National Renaissance Party
Party for Democratic Reforms (PDR)
Social Democratic Party [Ayaz MUTALIBOV]
Social Prosperity Party [Khanhusein KAZIMLI]
Unity Party (VP) [Tahir KARIMLI]
Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party [Gudrat HASANGULIYEV]
Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party or YAP [President Ilham ALIYEV]
Alliance of Patriots [Irma INASHVILI]
Democratic Movement-United Georgia [Nino BURJANADZE]
Citizens Party
Development Movement [Davit USPASHVILI]
European Georgia-Movement for Liberty [Davit BAKRADZE]
For Justice Party [Eka BESELIA]
Free Democrats or FD [Shalva SHAVGULIDZE]
Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia [Bidzina IVANISHVILI]
Girchi (Pinecone) [Zurab JAPARIDZE]
Industry Will Save Georgia (Industrialists) or IWSG [Giorgi TOPADZE]
Labor Party [Shalva NATELASHVILI]
Lelo for Georgia [Mamuka KHAZARADZE]
New Georgia [Giorgi VASHADZE]
Republican Party [Khatuna SAMNIDZE]
Strategy Aghmashenebeli [Giorgi VASHADZE]
United National Movement or UNM [Grigol VASHADZE]
International organization participationADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CICA, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)ADB, BSEC, CD, CE, CPLP (associate), EAPC, EBRD, FAO, G-11, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the USchief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); note - Ambassador Elin SULEYMANOV left in early August 2021

chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500

FAX: [1] (202) 337-5911

email address and website:
azerbaijan@azembassy.us; consul@azembassy.us

https://washington.mfa.gov.az/en

consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
chief of mission: Ambassador David BAKRADZE (since 18 January 2017)

chancery: 1824 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009

telephone: [1] (202) 387-2390

FAX: [1] (202) 387-0864

email address and website:
embgeo.usa@mfa.gov.ge

https://georgiaembassyusa.org/contact/

consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the USchief of mission: Ambassador Lee LITZENBERGER (since 12 March 2019)

embassy: 111 Azadlig Avenue, AZ1007 Baku

mailing address: 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050

telephone: [994] (12) 488-3300

FAX: [994] (12) 488-3330

email address and website:
BakuACS@state.gov

https://az.usembassy.gov/
chief of mission: Ambassador Kelly C. DEGNAN (since 31 January 2020)

embassy: 11 Georgian-American Friendship Avenue, Didi Dighomi, Tbilisi, 0131

mailing address: 7060 Tbilisi Place, Washington, DC  20521-7060

telephone: [995] (32) 227-70-00

FAX: [995] (32) 253-23-10

email address and website:
askconsultbilisi@state.gov

https://ge.usembassy.gov/
Flag descriptionthree equal horizontal bands of sky blue (top), red, and green; a vertical crescent moon and an eight-pointed star in white are centered in the red band; the blue band recalls Azerbaijan's Turkic heritage, red stands for modernization and progress, and green refers to Islam; the crescent moon and star are a Turkic insignia; the eight star points represent the eight Turkic peoples of the worldwhite rectangle with a central red cross extending to all four sides of the flag; each of the four quadrants displays a small red bolnur-katskhuri cross; sometimes referred to as the Five-Cross Flag; although adopted as the official Georgian flag in 2004, the five-cross design is based on a 14th century banner of the Kingdom of Georgia
National anthemname: "Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan)

lyrics/music: Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV

note: adopted 1992; although originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, "Azerbaijan Marsi" did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union
name: "Tavisupleba" (Liberty)

lyrics/music: Davit MAGRADSE/Zakaria PALIASHVILI (adapted by Joseb KETSCHAKMADSE)

note: adopted 2004; after the Rose Revolution, a new anthem with music based on the operas "Abesalom da Eteri" and "Daisi" was adopted
International law organization participationhas not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCtaccepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
National symbol(s)flames of fire; national colors: blue, red, greenSaint George, lion; national colors: red, white
Citizenshipcitizenship by birth: yes

citizenship by descent only: yes

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Georgia

dual citizenship recognized: no

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years

Economy

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Economy - overview

Prior to the decline in global oil prices since 2014, Azerbaijan's high economic growth was attributable to rising energy exports and to some non-export sectors. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline, the Baku-Novorossiysk, and the Baku-Supsa Pipelines remain the main economic driver, but efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway. The expected completion of the geopolitically important Southern Gas Corridor (SGC) between Azerbaijan and Europe will open up another source of revenue from gas exports. First gas to Turkey through the SGC is expected in 2018 with project completion expected by 2020-21.

Declining oil prices caused a 3.1% contraction in GDP in 2016, and a 0.8% decline in 2017, highlighted by a sharp reduction in the construction sector. The economic decline was accompanied by higher inflation, a weakened banking sector, and two sharp currency devaluations in 2015. Azerbaijan's financial sector continued to struggle. In May 2017, Baku allowed the majority state-owed International Bank of Azerbaijan (IBA), the nation's largest bank, to default on some of its outstanding debt and file for restructuring in Azerbaijani courts; IBA also filed in US and UK bankruptcy courts to have its restructuring recognized in their respective jurisdictions.

Azerbaijan has made limited progress with market-based economic reforms. Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. The government has, however, made efforts to combat corruption, particularly in customs and government services. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress, including the need for more foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. While trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics remains important, Azerbaijan has expanded trade with Turkey and Europe and is seeking new markets for non-oil/gas exports - mainly in the agricultural sector - with Gulf Cooperation Council member countries, the US, and others. It is also improving Baku airport and the Caspian Sea port of Alat for use as a regional transportation and logistics hub.

Long-term prospects depend on world oil prices, Azerbaijan's ability to develop export routes for its growing gas production, and its ability to improve the business environment and diversify the economy. In late 2016, the president approved a strategic roadmap for economic reforms that identified key non-energy segments of the economy for development, such as agriculture, logistics, information technology, and tourism. In October 2017, the long-awaited Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, stretching from the Azerbaijani capital to Kars in north-eastern Turkey, began limited service.

Georgia's main economic activities include cultivation of agricultural products such as grapes, citrus fruits, and hazelnuts; mining of manganese, copper, and gold; and producing alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, metals, machinery, and chemicals in small-scale industries. The country imports nearly all of its needed supplies of natural gas and oil products. It has sizeable hydropower capacity that now provides most of its electricity needs.

Georgia has overcome the chronic energy shortages and gas supply interruptions of the past by renovating hydropower plants and by increasingly relying on natural gas imports from Azerbaijan instead of from Russia. Construction of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline, the South Caucasus gas pipeline, and the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railroad are part of a strategy to capitalize on Georgia's strategic location between Europe and Asia and develop its role as a transit hub for gas, oil, and other goods.

Georgia's economy sustained GDP growth of more than 10% in 2006-07, based on strong inflows of foreign investment, remittances, and robust government spending. However, GDP growth slowed following the August 2008 conflict with Russia, and sank to negative 4% in 2009 as foreign direct investment and workers' remittances declined in the wake of the global financial crisis. The economy rebounded in the period 2010-17, but FDI inflows, the engine of Georgian economic growth prior to the 2008 conflict, have not recovered fully. Unemployment remains persistently high.

The country is pinning its hopes for faster growth on a continued effort to build up infrastructure, enhance support for entrepreneurship, simplify regulations, and improve professional education, in order to attract foreign investment and boost employment, with a focus on transportation projects, tourism, hydropower, and agriculture. Georgia had historically suffered from a chronic failure to collect tax revenues; however, since 2004 the government has simplified the tax code, increased tax enforcement, and cracked down on petty corruption, leading to higher revenues. The government has received high marks from the World Bank for improvements in business transparency. Since 2012, the Georgian Dream-led government has continued the previous administration's low-regulation, low-tax, free market policies, while modestly increasing social spending and amending the labor code to comply with International Labor Standards. In mid-2014, Georgia concluded an association agreement with the EU, paving the way to free trade and visa-free travel. In 2017, Georgia signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China as part of Tbilisi's efforts to diversify its economic ties. Georgia is seeking to develop its Black Sea ports to further facilitate East-West trade.

GDP (purchasing power parity)$144.374 billion (2019 est.)

$141.24 billion (2018 est.)

$139.152 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$55.776 billion (2019 est.)

$53.129 billion (2018 est.)

$50.662 billion (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - real growth rate0.1% (2017 est.)

-3.1% (2016 est.)

0.6% (2015 est.)
5% (2017 est.)

2.8% (2016 est.)

2.9% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)$14,404 (2019 est.)

$14,210 (2018 est.)

$14,121 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2010 dollars
$14,992 (2019 est.)

$14,257 (2018 est.)

$13,590 (2017 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP - composition by sectoragriculture: 6.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 53.5% (2017 est.)

services: 40.4% (2017 est.)
agriculture: 8.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 23.7% (2017 est.)

services: 67.9% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line4.9% (2015 est.)19.5% (2019 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage sharelowest 10%: 3.4%

highest 10%: 27.4% (2008)
lowest 10%: 2%

highest 10%: 31.3% (2008)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)2.6% (2019 est.)

2.3% (2018 est.)

12.8% (2017 est.)
4.8% (2019 est.)

2.6% (2018 est.)

6% (2017 est.)
Labor force4.939 million (2019 est.)686,000 (2019 est.)
Labor force - by occupationagriculture: 37%

industry: 14.3%

services: 48.9% (2014)
agriculture: 55.6%

industry: 8.9%

services: 35.5% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate5% (2017 est.)

5% (2016 est.)
11.8% (2016 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index33.7 (2008)

36.5 (2001)
36.4 (2018 est.)

46 (2011)
Budgetrevenues: 9.556 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 10.22 billion (2017 est.)
revenues: 4.352 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 4.925 billion (2017 est.)
Industriespetroleum and petroleum products, natural gas, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textilessteel, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese, copper, gold), chemicals, wood products, wine
Industrial production growth rate-3.8% (2017 est.)6.7% (2017 est.)
Agriculture - productsmilk, wheat, potatoes, barley, tomatoes, watermelons, cotton, apples, maize, onionsmilk, grapes, maize, potatoes, wheat, watermelons, tomatoes, tangerines/mandarins, barley, apples
Exports$15.15 billion (2017 est.)

$13.21 billion (2016 est.)
$3.566 billion (2017 est.)

$2.831 billion (2016 est.)
Exports - commoditiescrude petroleum, natural gas, refined petroleum, tomatoes, gold (2019)copper, cars, iron alloys, wine, packaged medicines (2019)
Exports - partnersItaly 28%, Turkey 15%, Israel 7%, Germany 5%, India 5% (2017)Russia 12%, Azerbaijan 12%, Armenia 9%, Bulgaria 8%, China 6%, Turkey 6%, Ukraine 6% (2019)
Imports$9.037 billion (2017 est.)

$9.004 billion (2016 est.)
$7.415 billion (2017 est.)

$6.747 billion (2016 est.)
Imports - commoditiesgold, cars, refined petroleum, wheat, packaged medical supplies (2019)cars, refined petroleum, copper, packaged medicines, natural gas (2019)
Imports - partnersUnited Kingdom 17%, Russia 17%, Turkey 12%, China 6% (2019)Turkey 17%, China 11%, Russia 9%, Azerbaijan 6%, United States 6%, Germany 5% (2019)
Debt - external$17.41 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$13.83 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$18.149 billion (2019 est.)

$17.608 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange ratesAzerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar -

1.723 (2017 est.)

1.5957 (2016 est.)

1.5957 (2015 est.)

1.0246 (2014 est.)

0.7844 (2013 est.)
laris (GEL) per US dollar -

2.535 (2017 est.)

2.3668 (2016 est.)

2.3668 (2015 est.)

2.2694 (2014 est.)

1.7657 (2013 est.)
Fiscal yearcalendar yearcalendar year
Public debt54.1% of GDP (2017 est.)

50.7% of GDP (2016 est.)
44.9% of GDP (2017 est.)

44.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities; Georgia does not maintain intragovernmental debt or social funds
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$6.681 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$7.142 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$3.039 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.756 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Current Account Balance$1.685 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.363 billion (2016 est.)
-$1.348 billion (2017 est.)

-$1.84 billion (2016 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)$48.104 billion (2019 est.)$17.694 billion (2019 est.)
Credit ratingsFitch rating: BB+ (2016)

Moody's rating: Ba2 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: BB+ (2016)
Fitch rating: BB (2019)

Moody's rating: Ba2 (2017)

Standard & Poors rating: BB (2019)
Ease of Doing Business Index scoresOverall score: 76.7 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 96.2 (2020)

Trading score: 77 (2020)

Enforcement score: 70.3 (2020)
Overall score: 83.7 (2020)

Starting a Business score: 99.6 (2020)

Trading score: 90.1 (2020)

Enforcement score: 75 (2020)
Taxes and other revenues23.5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)28.7% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)-1.6% (of GDP) (2017 est.)-3.8% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24total: 12.4%

male: 10.9%

female: 14.2% (2019 est.)
total: 30.4%

male: 28.9%

female: 32.9% (2019 est.)
GDP - composition, by end usehousehold consumption: 57.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 11.5% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 23.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.5% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 48.7% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -42% (2017 est.)
household consumption: 62.8% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17.1% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 29.5% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 2.4% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 50.4% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -62.2% (2017 est.)
Gross national saving29.2% of GDP (2019 est.)

31.7% of GDP (2018 est.)

28.5% of GDP (2017 est.)
22% of GDP (2019 est.)

21.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

19.2% of GDP (2017 est.)

Energy

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Electricity - production23.57 billion kWh (2016 est.)13.24 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption20.24 billion kWh (2016 est.)12.37 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports265 million kWh (2015 est.)560 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports114 million kWh (2016 est.)1.329 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Oil - production798,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)400 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Oil - imports0 bbl/day (2015 est.)2,660 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Oil - exports718,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)3,006 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Oil - proved reserves7 billion bbl (1 January 2018 est.)35 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves991.1 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)8.495 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)
Natural gas - production16.96 billion cu m (2017 est.)7.363 million cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption10.34 billion cu m (2017 est.)2.294 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports8.042 billion cu m (2017 est.)0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports2.095 billion cu m (2017 est.)2.294 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity7.876 million kW (2016 est.)4.641 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels84% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)35% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants14% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)65% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production138,900 bbl/day (2015 est.)247 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption100,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)27,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports46,480 bbl/day (2015 est.)2,052 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports5,576 bbl/day (2015 est.)28,490 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Electricity accesselectrification - total population: 100% (2020)electrification - total population: 100% (2020)

Telecommunications

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Telephones - main lines in usetotal subscriptions: 1,673,211

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 16.52 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 518,624

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 10.52 (2019 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellulartotal subscriptions: 10,750,300

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106.13 (2019 est.)
total subscriptions: 5,384,462

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 109.27 (2019 est.)
Internet country code.az.ge
Internet userstotal: 8,017,120

percent of population: 79.8% (July 2018 est.)
total: 3,151,218

percent of population: 63.97% (July 2018 est.)
Telecommunication systemsgeneral assessment: a landlocked country with historically poor infrastructure; state control of telecom systems; progress with Digital Hub project despite economic contraction in 2020; government launched e-school and e-service programs; risk of delays in infrastructure and launch of new technologies, including 5G due to slow market demand; LTE supports most data traffic while mobile broadband subscribership grows rapidly; fixed-line broadband market has slight upward trend; Internet access is expensive and suffers from outages and intentional government disruption; importer of broadcasting equipment from Russia (2021) (2020)

domestic: teledensity of some 17 fixed-lines per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased to 107 telephones per 100 persons; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan (Nakhchivan) (2019)

international: country code - 994; the TAE fiber-optic link transits Azerbaijan providing international connectivity to neighboring countries; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
general assessment:

despite economic challenges, the telecom market is one of Georgia's fastest growth sectors; LTE services cover the majority of citizens; regulators have strategy to introduce 5G; fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country; broadband subscribers steadily increasing; with investment in infrastructure, customers are moving from copper to fiber networks (2021)

(2020)

domestic: fixed-line 13 per 100, cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 135 per 100 persons; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi (2019)

international: country code - 995; landing points for the Georgia-Russia, Diamond Link Global, and Caucasus Cable System fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Russia, Romania and Bulgaria; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments

Broadband - fixed subscriptionstotal: 1,943,013

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.18 (2019 est.)
total: 941,509

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 19.11 (2019 est.)
Broadcast media3 state-run and 1 public TV channels; 4 domestic commercial TV stations and about 15 regional TV stations; cable TV services are available in Baku; 1 state-run and 1 public radio network operating; a small number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting; local FM relays of Baku commercial stations are available in many localities; note - all broadcast media is pro-government, and most private broadcast media outlets are owned by entities directly linked to the government

The Tbilisi-based Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB) includes Channel 1, Channel 2 as well as the Batumi-based Adjara TV, and the State Budget funds all three; there are also a number of independent commercial television broadcasters, such as Imedi, Rustavi 2, Pirveli TV, Maestro, Kavkasia, Georgian Dream Studios (GDS), Obiektivi, Mtavari Arkhi, and a small Russian language operator TOK TV; Tabula and Post TV are web-based television outlets; all of these broadcasters and web-based television outlets, except GDS, carry the news; the Georgian Orthodox Church also operates a satellite-based television station called Unanimity; there are 26 regional television broadcasters across Georgia that are members of the Georgian Association of Regional Broadcasters and/or the Alliance of Georgian Broadcasters; the broadcaster organizations seek to strengthen the regional media's capacities and distribution of regional products: a nationwide digital switchover occurred in 2015; there are several dozen private radio stations; GPB operates 2 radio stations

(2019)

Transportation

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Railwaystotal: 2,944 km (2017)

broad gauge: 2,944.3 km 1.520-m gauge (approx. 1,767 km electrified) (2017)
total: 1,363 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 37 km 0.912-m gauge (37 km electrified) (2014)

broad gauge: 1,326 km 1.520-m gauge (1,251 km electrified) (2014)
Roadwaystotal: 24,981 km (2013)total: 20,295 km (2018)
Pipelines89 km condensate, 3890 km gas, 2446 km oil (2013)1596 km gas, 1175 km oil (2013)
Ports and terminalsmajor seaport(s): Baku (Baki) located on the Caspian Seamajor seaport(s): Black Sea - Bat'umi, P'ot'i
Merchant marinetotal: 303

by type: general cargo 38, oil tanker 45, other 220 (2020)
total: 81

by type: bulk carrier 2, general cargo 22, oil tanker 2, other 55 (2020)
Airportstotal: 23 (2020)total: 22 (2013)
Airports - with paved runwaystotal: 30 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 5 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 5 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 4 (2017)

under 914 m: 3 (2017)
total: 18 (2017)

over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m: 5 (2017)

under 914 m: 2 (2017)
Airports - with unpaved runwaystotal: 7 (2013)

under 914 m: 7 (2013)
total: 4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)

under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Heliports1 (2012)2 (2013)
National air transport systemnumber of registered air carriers: 42 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 44

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 2,279,546 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 44.09 million mt-km (2018)
number of registered air carriers: 4 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 12

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 516,034 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 750,000 mt-km (2018)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix4K4L

Military

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Military branchesLand Forces (Combined Arms Army), Air Forces, Navy Forces; Ministry of Internal Affairs: State Border Service (includes Coast Guard), Internal Security Troops (2021)Georgian Defense Forces: Land Forces (includes Aviation and Air Defense Forces), Special Operations Forces, National Guard; Ministry of the Interior: Border Police, Coast Guard (includes Georgian naval forces, which were merged with the Coast Guard in 2009) (2021)
Military service age and obligation18-35 years of age for compulsory military service; service obligation 18 months or 12 months for university graduates; 17 years of age for voluntary service; 17 year olds are considered to be on active service at cadet military schools (2020)conscription abolished in 2016, but reinstated in 2017; 18 to 27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary active duty military service; conscript service obligation is 12 months (2019)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP4% of GDP (2019)

3.6% of GDP (2018)

3.8% of GDP (2017)

3.7% of GDP (2016)

5.5% of GDP (2015)
2.3% of GDP (2019)

2.1% of GDP (2018)

2.1% of GDP (2017)

2.2% of GDP (2016)

2.1% of GDP (2015)
Military - notesince November 2020, Russia has deployed about 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the area in and around Nagorno-Karabakh as part of a cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan; fighting erupted between the two countries over the Nagorno-Karabakh region in September of 2020; Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under control of ethnic Armenian forces (the "Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army") backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994; six weeks of fighting resulted in about 6,000 deaths and ended after Armenia ceded swathes of Nagorno-Karabakh territory; tensions remain high, and Armenia has accused Azerbaijani forces of a series of border intrusions and of seizing pockets of territory including along a lake shared by the two countries since the fighting endedGeorgia does not have any military stationed in the separatist territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, but large numbers of Russian servicemen have been stationed in these regions since the 2008 Russia-Georgia War (2019)
Military and security service personnel strengthsinformation varies; approximately 65,000 total active troops (55,000 Army; 2,000 Navy; 8,000 Air Force); approximately 15,000 Ministry of Internal Affairs troops (2020)information varies; approximately 25,000 troops, including active National Guard forces (2020)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitionsthe inventory of the Azerbaijan military is comprised mostly of Russian and Soviet-era weapons systems with a smaller mix of equipment from other countries; since 2010, Russia is the leading supplier of arms to Azerbaijan, followed by Israel and Turkey (2020)the Georgian Defense Forces are equipped mostly with older Russian and Soviet-era weapons; since 2010, it has received limited quantities of equipment from Bulgaria, France, and the US (2020)
Military deployments120 Afghanistan (NATO) (2021)860 Afghanistan (NATO) (2021)

Transnational Issues

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Disputes - international

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified the Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea; the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian

Russia's military support and subsequent recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia independence in 2008 continue to sour relations with Georgia

Illicit drugslimited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europelimited cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; used as transshipment point for opiates via Central Asia to Western Europe and Russia
Refugees and internally displaced personsIDPs: 735,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh; IDPs are mainly ethnic Azerbaijanis but also include ethnic Kurds, Russians, and Turks predominantly from occupied territories around Nagorno-Karabakh; includes IDPs' descendants, returned IDPs, and people living in insecure areas and excludes people displaced by natural disasters; around half the IDPs live in the capital Baku) (2020)

stateless persons: 3,585 (2020)
IDPs: 304,000 (displaced in the 1990s as a result of armed conflict in the breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia; displaced in 2008 by fighting between Georgia and Russia over South Ossetia) (2019)

stateless persons: 531 (2020)

Environment

AzerbaijanGeorgia
Air pollutantsparticulate matter emissions: 18.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 37.62 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 44.87 megatons (2020 est.)
particulate matter emissions: 21.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 10.13 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 6.05 megatons (2020 est.)
Total water withdrawalmunicipal: 449.6 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 3.062 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 9.27 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
municipal: 359,974,627.7 cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 402,206,287.9 cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 1,060,819,084.4 cubic meters (2017 est.)
Revenue from forest resourcesforest revenues: 0.02% of GDP (2018 est.)forest revenues: 0.07% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coalcoal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)coal revenues: 0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recyclingmunicipal solid waste generated annually: 2,930,349 tons (2015 est.)municipal solid waste generated annually: 800,000 tons (2015 est.)

Source: CIA Factbook