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September 10th, 2011 / May 25th, 2018

Facts & Figures

Political leadership

Algeria President Abdelaziz Bouteflika

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (since 27 april 1999)

Prime Minister Noureddine Bedoui (Since 11 March 2019)

Land

total: 2,381,741 sq km Land 2,381,741 km²; Water (0) km2; (country comparison to the world: 11)

Boundaries

total: 6,734 km

Border countries

Libya 989 km Mali 1,359 km Mauritania 460 km
Morocco 1,900 km Niger 951 km Tunisia 1,034 km
Western Sahara 41 km

Coastline

998 km

Population

42.2 million (January 2018 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.3% 15-64 years: 65% 65+: 5.7% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

2.18% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

72.6% of total population (2018)

Major cities

ALGIERS (capital) 2.7 million; Oran 881,000 (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, European less than 1%

Religions

Muslim (official; predominantly Sunni) 99%, other (includes Christian and Jewish) <1% (2012 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber or Tamazight (official), French (lingua franca)

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 80.2% male 87.2% female 73.1% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$199.37 billion (2017 est.); $196.03 billion (2016 est.);

GDP growth

1.7% (2017 est.); 3.3% (2016 est.)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$4,825.18 (2017 est.); $4,827.72 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate (of labour force)

11.7% (2017 est.); 10.5% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

12% (2017 est.)

Public debt

25.8% of GDP (2017 est.); 20.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

5.6% (2017 est.); 6.4% (2016 est.)

Bahrain

Political leadership

Bahrain King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa (since 1999, king since 2002)

Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa (since 1971)

Land

Total 770.8 km²; Land 770.8 km²; Water (0) Km2; (country comparison to the world: 188)

Boundaries

total: 0 km

Border countries

Maritime boundaries: Saudi Arabia and Qatar

Coastline

161 km

Population

1.5 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 19.1% 15-64 years: 78% 65+: 3% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

5.3% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

89.3% of total population (2018)

Major cities

MANAMA (capital) 38% of the total population; Muharraq 17% (2017 est.)

Ethnic groups

Bahrainis 45%, non-Bahrainis 55% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official; predominantly Shiites) 70.3%, Christian 14.5%, Hindus 9.8%, Other 5.4% (2010 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Farsi, Urdu

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 95.7% male: 96.9% female: 93.5% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$33.00 billion (2017 est.); $31.77 billion (2016 est.)

GDP growth

3.9% (2017 est.); 3.2% (2016 est.)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$22,111.5 (2017 est.); $22,291.4 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate (of labour force)

3.7% (2017 est.) ; 4.3% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

N/A

Public debt

79.7.8% of GDP (2017); 72.7% of GDP (2016)

Inflation rate

1.6% (2017); 2.4% (2016)

Political leadership

Egypt President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi (since 8 June 2014)

Prime Minister Mustapha Medbouli (since 7 June 2018)

Land

total: 1,001,450 sq km land: 995,450 sq km water: 6,000 sq km; (country comparison to the world: 31)

Boundaries

total: 2,612 km

Border countries

Gaza Strip 13 km Israel 208 km
Libya 1,115 km Sudan 1,276 km

Coastline

2,450 km

Population

94.8 million (April 2017)

Age structure

0-14 years: 34.2% 15-64 years: 61.9% 65+: 3.9% (2017 April)

Population growth rate

2.56% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

42.4% of the total population (2017)

Major cities

Cairo (capital) 10.1% (of the total population), Alexandria 5.5%(2017), Giza 9.1%

Ethnic groups

Egyptian 99.5%, other 0.5% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim (predominantly Sunni) 90%; Christian (majority Coptic Orthodox, other christians include Armenian Apostolic, Catholic, Maronite, Orthodox, and Anglican) 10% (2015 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English and French widely understood

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 95.7%, male: 78.9%, female: 69.2% (2017 est.)

Real GDP

$286.12 billion (Jully 2017 - June 2018); $271.72 billion (Jully 2016 - June 2017)

GDP growth

5.3% (July 2017 - June 2018); 4.2% (July 2016 - June 2017)

GDP per capita

$2,785.4 (2017 est.); $2,725.7 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.9% (2018 July); 11.8% (2017)

Population below poverty line

27.8% (2015 est.)

Public debt

103.3% of GDP (2017 est.); 96.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

29.5% (2017)

Political leadership

Iran

Khamenei

Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei (since 4 June 1989)

President Hassan Rouhani (since 3 August 2013)

First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri (since 5 August 2013)

Land

Total 1,648,195 sq km; Land 1,531,595 sq km; Water 116,600 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 19)

Boundaries

Total: 5,894 km

Border countries

Afghanistan 921 km Armenia 44 km Azerbaijan 689 km
Iraq 1,599 km Pakistan 959 km
Turkey 534 km Turkmenistan 1,148 km

Coastline

2,440 km; note - Iran also borders the Caspian Sea (740 km)

Population

81 million (March 2018)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24% 15-64 years: 70% 65+ 6% (March 2017)

Population growth rate

1.34% (March 2017 – March 2018)

Urbanisation

74.9% of total population (2018)

Major cities

TEHRAN (capital) 8.7 million; Mashhad 3.4 million; Esfahan 2.2 million; Karaj 1.97 million; Tabriz 1.8 million; Shiraz 1.9 million (2017 est.)

Ethnic groups

Persian, Azeri, Kurd, Lur, Baloch, Arab, Turkmen and Turkic tribes

Religions

Muslim 99.4% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2011 est.)

Languages

Persian (official), Azeri and Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, Arabic, other

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 86.8%; male: 91.2%; female: 82.5% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$563.83 billion (2017); $540.58 billion (2016)

GDP growth

4.30% (2017); 13.40% (2016)

GDP per capita

$6,946.9 (2017 est.); $6,733.9 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate (of labour force)

12.1% (April Est. 2018); 12.6% (April Est. 2017)

Population below poverty line

0.2% (2014 est.)

Public debt

39.5% of GDP (2017 est.); 47.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

9.6% (2017)

Political leadership

Iraq

President Barham Saleh (since 2 October 2018)

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi (since 25 October 2018)

Land

Total 438,317 sq km; Land 437,367 sq km; Water 950 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 60)

Boundaries

Total 3,809 km

Border countries

Iran 1,599 km Jordan 179 km Kuwait 254 km
Saudi Arabia 811 km Syria 599 km Turkey 367 km

Coastline

58 km

Population

37,056,169 million (2015 est.) (country comparison to the world: 37)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.3% 15-64 years: 56.4% 65+ 3.3% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.93% (2015 est.)

Urbanisation

Urban population: 69.5% of total population (2015) rate of urbanisation: 3% annual rate of change (2010-2015 est.)

Major cities

Baghdad (capital) 6.64 million; Mosul 1.7 million; Erbil 1.17 million; Basra 1.02 million; Sulaymaniya 1 million; Najaf 889,000 (2015)

Ethnic groups

Arab 75-80%, Kurdish 15-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%

Religions

Muslim (official) 99 % (Shia 60-65%, Sunni 32-37 %), Christian or other 1%

Languages

Arabic (official), Kurdish (official in Kurdish regions), Turkmen (Turkish dialect), Assyrian (Neo-Aramaic), Armenian

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 79.7% male 85.7% female: 73.7% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$212.27 billion (2017); $213.94 billion (2016)

GDP growth

-0.78% (2017); 11% (2016)

GDP per capita

$5,545.9 (2017 est.); $5,750.6 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate (of labour force)

16.1% (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line

2.5% (2012 est.)

Public debt

57.8% of GDP (2017 est.); 64.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

0.1% (2017)

Political leadership

Israel Minister Benyamin Netanyahu President Reuven Rivlin (since 27 July 2014)

Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu (since 31 March 2009)

Land

Total 20,770 sq km; Land 20,330 sq km; Water 440 sq km (country comparison to the world: 154)

Boundaries

Total: 1,068 km

Border countries

Egypt 208 km Gaza Strip 59 km Jordan 307 km
Lebanon 81 km Syria 83 km West Bank 330 km

Coastline

273 km

Population

8.842 million (April est. 2018)

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.51% 15-64 years: 61.16% 65+ 11.33% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

2% (2015)

Urbanisation

92.4% of total population (2018 est.)

Major cities

JERUSALEM (proclaimed capital) 907,000 ; Tel Aviv-Yafo 4.011 million; Haifa 1.135 million (2018)

Ethnic groups

Jewish 74.5% (of which Israel-born 76.9%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.9%, Africa-born 4.6%, Asia-born 2.6%), Arab 20.9%, other 4.6% (2017 est.)

Religions

Jewish 74.7%, Muslim 17.7%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.6%, other 4% (2016 est.)

Languages

Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 97.8%; male: 98.7%; female: 96.8% (2011 est.)

Real GDP

$563.83 billion (2017); $540.58 billion (2016)

GDP growth

3.33% (2017); 4.09% (2016)

GDP per capita

$34,134.8 (2017 est.); $33,677.5 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate (of labour force)

4.22% (2017 est.); 4.80% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

21% (2014); National poverty line is $7.30 per capita/day

Public debt

60.9% of GDP (2017 est.); 62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

0.4% (2017)
 

Political leadership

Jordan King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein

King Abdullah II bin al-Hussein (since 1999)

Prime Minister Omar al-Razzaz (since 4 June 2018)

Land

Total 89,342 sq km; Land 88,802 sq km; Water 540 sq km (country comparison to the world: 113)

Boundaries

total: 1,744 km

Border countries

Iraq 179 km Israel 307 km Saudi Arabia 731 km
Syria 379 km West Bank 148 km

Coastline

26 km

Population

10.05 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 34.35% 15-64 years: 61.96% 65+ 3.69% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.55% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

91% of total population (2018 est.)

Major cities

AMMAN (capital) 4.01 million (42%); Irbid 1.77 million (18.6%); Al Zarqa 1.364 million (14.3) (2015)

Ethnic groups

Arab 97.4%, other 2.6% (includes Armenian, Circassian) (2015 est.)

Religions

Muslim 97.2% (official; predominantly Sunni), Christian 2.2% (majority Greek Orthodox), other 0.6% (2010 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English (widely understood among upper and middle classes)

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 95.4%; male: 97.7%; female: 92.9% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$31.42 billion (2017); $30.81 billion (2016)

GDP growth

1.97% (2017); 2% (2016)

GDP per capita

$3,238.3 (2017 est.); $3,258.5 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

14.92% (2017 est.); 15.27% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

0.1% (2010); Jordan has not released poverty estimates since 2010

Public debt

95.9% of GDP (2017 est.); 95.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

3.3% (2017)

Political leadership

Kuwait Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

Emir Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006)

Prime Minister Jabir al-Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 30 November 2011)

Land

Total 17,818 sq km; Land 17,818 sq km; Water (0) sq km (country comparison to the world: 158)

Boundaries

475 km

Border countries

Iraq 254 km, Saudi Arabia 221 km

Coastline

499 km

Population

4.23 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.81% 15-64 years: 72.53% 65+ 2.66% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

2.05% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

100% of total population (2018 est.)

Major cities

Kuwait City (capital) 2.99 million (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab 57.8 (Kuwaiti 30.4%, other Arab 27.4%), Asian 40.3%, African 1%, other 0.9% (includes European, North American, South American, and Australian) (2018 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 74.6%, Christian 18.2%, other and unspecified 7.2% (2013 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English widely spoken

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 95.7%; male: 96.4%; female: 94.5% (2016 est.)

Real GDP

$31.42 billion (2017); $30.81 billion (2016)

GDP growth

-2.9% (2017); 3.5% (2016)

GDP per capita

$35,545.6 (2017 est.); $35,250.9 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.14% (2017 est.); 2.23% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

N/A

Public debt

20.6% of GDP (2017 est.); 9.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

1.6% (2017)

Lebanon

Political leadership

Lebanon

President Michel Aoun (since 31 October 2016)

Prime Minister Saad Hariri (Since 18 December 2016)

Land

Total 10,400 sq km; Land 10,230 sq km; Water 170 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 169)

Boundaries

total: 484 km

Border countries

Israel 81 km, Syria 403 km

Coastline

225 km

Population

6.10 million (July 2018 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.32%; 15-64 years: 69.65%; 65+: 7.03% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

-2.1% (July 2017 – July 2018)

Urbanisation

88.6% of total population (2018)

Major cities

BEIRUT (capital) 2.385 million (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab 95%, Armenian 4%, other 1%

Religions

Muslim 57.7% (28.7% Sunni, 28.4% Shia, smaller percentages of Alawites and Ismailis), Christian 36.2% (Maronite Catholics are the largest Christian group), Druze 5.2%, very small numbers of Jews, Baha'is, Buddhists, and Hindus (2017 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), French, English, Armenian

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 93.9% male: 96% female: 91.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$43.78 billion (2017); $42.91 billion (2016)

GDP growth

2.02% (2017); 2% (2016)

GDP per capita

$7,197.6 (2017 est.); $7,144.0 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.64% (2017 est.); 6.58% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

Unavailable

Public debt

146.8% of GDP (2017 est.); 145.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

4.5% (2017)

Political leadership

Libya

Chairman of the High Council of State Abdulrahman Asswehly (since 6 April 2016)

Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Council of the National Unity Government Fayez al-Sarraj (since 30 March 2016)

Prime Minister of the Interim Government Abdullah Al-Thanni (Acting from 11 August 2015)

Prime Minister of the National Salvation Government Khalifa al-Ghawil (acting from 31 March 2015)

Land

Total 1,759,540 sq km; Land 1,759,540 sq km; Water (0) sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 18)

Boundaries

total: 4,339 km

Border countries

Algeria 989 km Chad 1,050 km Egypt 1,115 km
Niger 342 km Sudan 382 km Tunisia 461 km

Coastline

1,770 km

Population

6.37 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.53% 15-64 years: 70.04% 65+ 4.43% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

1.3% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

80.1% of total population (2018)

Major cities

TRIPOLI (capital) 1.158 million; Benghazi 799,000; Misratah 801,000 (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Berber and Arab 97%, other 3% (includes Greeks, Maltese, Italians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, Turks, Indians, and Tunisians)

Religions

Muslim (official; virtually all Sunni) 96.6%, Christian 2.7%, other 0.7% (2010 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 91%; male: 96.7%; female: 85.6% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$46.68 billion (2017); $36.81 billion (2016)

GDP growth

26.68% (2017); -2.79% (2016)

GDP per capita

$7,314.6 (2017 est.); $5,848.9 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

17.68% (2017 est.); 18.42% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

38.6% (2014 est.)

Public debt

4.7% of GDP (2017 est.); 7.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

28.5% (2017 est.)
 

Political leadership

Morocco King Mohammed VI

King Mohammed VI (since 23 July 1999)

Prime Minister Saad Eddin Othmani (since 17 March 2017)

Land

Total 446,550 sq km; Land 446,300 sq km; Water 250 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 59)

Boundaries

Total: 2,362.5 km

Border countries

Algeria 1,900 km Western Sahara 444 km
Spain (Ceuta) 8 km Spain (Melilla) 10.5 km

Coastline

1,835 km

Population

35.74 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25.47% 15-64 years: 67.58% 65+ 6.95% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

1.3% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

62.5% of total population (2018)

Major cities

Casablanca 3.68 million, RABAT (capital) 1.85 million, Fes 1.18 million, Tangier 1.12 million, Marrakech 976,000, Agadir 888,000 (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab-Berber 99%, other 1%

Religions

Muslim 99% (official; virtually all Sunni, <0.1% Shia), other 1%. note - Jewish about 6,000 (2010 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), Berber languages (Tamazight (official), French (often the language of business, government, and diplomacy)

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 68.5%; male: 78.6%; female: 58.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$119.49 billion (2017); $114.78 billion (2016)

GDP growth

4.10% (2017); 1.22% (2016)

GDP per capita

$3,292.4 (2017 est.); $3,204.9 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

9.33% (2017 est.); 9.40% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

1% (2013 est.)

Public debt

65.1% of GDP (2017 est.); 64.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

0.8% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

Oman Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said

Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said (since 1970)

Land

Total 309,500 sq km; Land 309,500 sq km; Water (0) sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 72)

Boundaries

Total: 1,561 km

Border countries

Saudi Arabia 658 km, UAE 608 km, Yemen 294 km

Coastline

2,092 km

Population

4.56 million (2017)

Age structure

0-14 years: 30.10% 15-64 years: 66.35% 65+ 3.55% (2018 est.)

Population growth rate

3.3% (2017)

Urbanisation

84.5% of total population (2018)

Major cities

MUSCAT (capital) 1.447 million (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi), African

Religions

Muslim 85.9%, Christian 6.5%, Hindu 5.5%, Buddhist 0.8%, other 1.3 (2010 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English, Balochi, Urdu, Indian dialects

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 93% male: 96.6% female: 86% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$74.85 billion (2017); $75.05 billion (2016)

GDP growth

-0.27% (2017); 5.38% (2016)

GDP per capita

$16,144.4 (2017 est.); $16,962.3 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.25% (2017 est.); 3.27% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

N/A

Public debt

46.9% of GDP (2017 est.); 32.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

1.6% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

Palestine President Mahmud Abbas

President Mahmoud Abbas (Since January 2005)

Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah (Since June 2013)

Land

West BankTotal 5,860 sq km; Land 5,640 sq km; Water (220) sq Km Gaza Strip Total 360 sq km; Land 360 sq km; Water (0) sq Km

Boundaries

Gaza Strip: 72 km West Bank: 478 km

Border countries

West Bank: Israel 330 km, Jordan 148 km Gaza Strip: Egypt 13 km, Israel 59 km

Coastline

West Bank: 0 km Gaza Strip: 40 km

Population

Gaza Strip: 1.90 million (2017 est.) West Bank: 2.88 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

West Bank:
0-14 years: 36.9%; 15-64 years: 57.2%; 65+: 3.6% (2017 est.)
Gaza Strip:
0-14 years: 41.8%; 15-64 years: 53.9%; 65+: 2.8% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

WEST BANK and GAZA STRIP: 2.9% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

WEST BANK and GAZA STRIP: 77% (2017 est.)

Major cities

WEST BANK: Khalil 25% of the total population of the West Bank, Jerusalem 14.7%, Nablus 13.7% GAZA STRIP: Gaza 34% of the total population of Gaza Strip, Khan Yunis 19.6%, North Gaza 19.4%

Ethnic groups

WEST BANK: Palestinian Arab, Jewish, other GAZA STRIP: Palestinian Arab

Religions

WEST BANK: Muslim 80-85% (predominantly Sunni), Jewish 12-14%, Christian 1-2.5% (mainly Greek Orthodox), other <1% (2012 est.) GAZA STRIP: Muslim 98.0 - 99.0% (predominantly Sunni), Christian <1.0%, other, unaffiliated, unspecified <1.0% (2012 est.)

Languages

WEST BANK: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by Israeli settlers and many Palestinians), English (widely understood) GAZA STRIP: Arabic, Hebrew (spoken by many Palestinians), English (widely understood)

Literacy

West Bank and Gaza: (Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 96.9%; male: 98.6%; female: 95.2% (2016 est.)

Real GDP

$12.14 billion (2017); $11.77 billion (2016)

GDP growth

3.14% (2017); 4.71% (2016)

GDP per capita

$2,494.1 (2017 est.); $2,655.5 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

WEST BANK : 18% (2017 est.); GAZA STRIP: 44% (2017 est.)

Population below poverty line

WEST BANK : 18% (2011 est.); GAZA STRIP: 30% (2011 est.)

Public debt

24.4% of GDP (2014 est.); 23.8% of GDP (2013 est.)

Inflation rate

0.2% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

Qatar Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

Emir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 25 June 2013)

Prime Minister Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani (since 26 June 2013)

Land

Total 11,586 sq km; Land 11,586 sq km; Water (0) sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 165)

Boundaries

total: 87 km

Border countries

Saudi Arabia 87 km

Coastline

563 km

Population

2.72 million (September 2018 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 12.70% 15-64 years: 86.26% 65+ 1.06% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.92% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

99.1% of total population (2018)

Major cities

DOHA (capital) 633,000 (July 2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

non-Qatari 88.4%, Qatari 11.6% (2015 est.)

Religions

Muslim 67.7%, Christian 13.8%, Hindu 13.8%, other 4.7% (2010 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), English commonly used as a second language

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 97.3% male: 97.4% female: 96.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$173.39 billion (2017); $170.66 billion (2016)

GDP growth

1.60% (2017); 2.22% (2016)

GDP per capita

$65,696.4 (2017 est.); $66,410.8 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

0.12% (2017 est.); 0.14% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

N/A

Public debt

53.8% of GDP (2017 est.); 46.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

0.4% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

Saudi Arabia Prince Charles official visit to Saudi Arabia - 10 Feb 2015

King and Prime Minister Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015)

Mohammed bin Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (Since 21 June 2017)

Land

Total 2,149,690 sq km; Land 2,149,690 sq km; Water (0) sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 14)

Boundaries

Total: 4,272 km

Border countries

Iraq 811 km Jordan 731 km Kuwait 221 km
Oman 658 km Qatar 87 km UAE 457 km
Yemen 1,307 km

Coastline

2,640 km

Population

32.55 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 24.7% 15-64 years: 72.1% 65+ 3.2% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

2.52% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

83.8% of total population (2018)

Major cities

RIYADH (capital) 6.907 million, Jeddah 4.433 million, Mecca 1.967 million, Medina 1.430 million, Ad Dammam 1.197 million (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab 90%, Afro-Asian 10%

Religions

Muslim (official; citizens are 85-90% Sunni and 10-15% Shia), other (includes Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and Sikh) (2012 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official)

Literacy

(Age 15+ can read and write) total population: 94.7%; male: 97%; female: 91.1% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$684.99 billion (2017); $690.07 billion (2016)

GDP growth

-0.74% (2017); 1.67% (2016)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$20,796.3 (2017 est.); $21,380.4 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

5.52% (2017 est.); 5.65% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA

Public debt

17.2% of GDP (2017 est.); 13.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

-0.9% (2017 est.)

Sudan

Political leadership

Sudan

President Omar al Bashir

President Omar al-Bashir (30 June 1989 - 11 April 2019)

Prime Minister Moataz Moussa (10 September 2018 - 11 April 2019)

Land

Total 1,861,484 sq km; Land (NA); Water (NA) (country comparison to the world: 17)

Boundaries

Total: 6,819 km

Border countries

Central African Republic 174 km, Chad 1403 km, Egypt 1276 km, Eritrea 682 km, Ethiopia 744 km, Libya 382 km, South Sudan 2158 km

Coastline

853 km

Population

40.53 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.8% 15-64 years: 53.7% 65+ 5.5% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

2.38% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

34.7% of total population (2017)

Major cities

KHARTOUM (capital) 5.13 million (2017 est.)

Ethnic groups

unspecified Sudanese Arab (approximately 70%), Beja, Nuba, Fallata, Other

Religions

Muslim (official, Sunni), small Christian minority

Languages

Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, Other

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 75.9% male: 83.3% female: 68.6% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$79.41 billion (2017); $76.15 billion (2016)

GDP growth

4.28% (2017); 4.70% (2016)

GDP per capita

$1,959.1 (2017 est.); $1,924.0 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

12.73% (2017 est.); 12.73% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

14.9 (2009 est.)

Public debt

121.6% of GDP (2017 est.); 99.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

32.4% (2017 est.)

Syria

Political leadership

Syria Bashar al-Assad

President Bashar al-Assad (Since 17 July 2000)

Prime Minister Imad Khamis (since 3 July 2016)

Land

Total 185,180 sq km (note: includes 1,295 sq km of Israeli-occupied territory); Land 183,630 sq km; Water 1,550 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 90)

Boundaries

total: 2,363 km

Border countries

Iraq 599 km Israel 83 km Jordan 379 km
Lebanon 403 km Turkey 899 km

Coastline

193 km

Population

17,064,854 (2014 est.) (country comparison to the world: 65)

Age structure

0-14 years: 32.5% 15-64 years: 63.5% 65+ 4% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.16% (2015 est.)

Urbanisation

Urban population: 57.7% of total population (2015) rate of urbanisation: 1.37% annual rate of change (2010-2015 est.)

Major cities

Aleppo 3.56 million, Damascus (capital) 2.6 million, Homs 1.6 million, Hamah 1.2 million, Latakia 781,000 (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab 90.3%, Kurds, Armenians and other 9.7%

Religions

Sunni Muslim 74%, Alawite, Ismaili and Shia 13%, Christian (various denominations) 10%, Druze 3%

Languages

Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian (widely understood), French, English (somewhat understood)

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 86.4% male: 91.7% female: 81% (2015 est.)

GDP

$50.28 billion (2015 est.); $55.80 billion (2014 est.)

GDP growth

-9.9% (2015); -9.9 (2014)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$2,900 (2015 est.); $3,300 (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

50% (2017 est.); 50% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

82.5% (2014 est.)

Public debt

94.8% of GDP (2017 est.); 91.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

28.1% (2017 est.)

Tunisia

Political leadership

Tunisia

President: kais Saied (since 23 October 2019)

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed (since 27 August 2016)

Land

Total : 163,610 sq km; Land 155,360 sq km; Water 8,250 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 94)

Boundaries

total: 1,495

Border countries

Algeria 1.034 km, Libya 461 km

Coastline

1,148 km

Population

11.53 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 25% 15-64 years: 67% 65+ 8% (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

1.12% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

68.9% of total population (2018)

Major cities

TUNIS (capital) 1.99 million (2017 est.)

Ethnic groups

Arab 98%, European 1%, Jewish and other 1%

Religions

Muslim (official; Sunni) 99.1%, other (includes Christian, Jewish, Shia Muslim, and Baha'i) 1%

Languages

Arabic (official, one of the languages of commerce), French (commerce), Berber (Tamazight)

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 81.8% male: 89.6% female: 74.2% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$49.63 billion (2017); $48.68 billion (2016)

GDP growth

1.96% (2017); 1.1% (2016)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$4,304.0 (2017 est.); $4,269.1 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

15.38% (2017 est.); 15.51% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

2% (2010 est.)

Public debt

70.3% of GDP (2017 est.); 62.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

5.3% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

Turkey Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (since 10 August 2014)

Land

Total 783,562 sq km; Land 769,632 sq km; Water 13,930 sq Km; (country comparison to the world: 38)

Boundaries

total: 2,816 km

Border countries

Armenia 311 km Azerbaijan 17 km Bulgaria 223 km
Georgia 273 km Greece 192 km Iran 534 km
Iraq 367 km Syria 899 km

Coastline

7,200 km

Population

80.81 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.6% 15-64 years: 67.9% 65+ 8.5 % (2017 est.)

Population growth rate

1.24% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

92.5% of total population (2017)

Major cities

Istanbul 18.6% of total population, ANKARA (capital) 6.7%, Izmir 5.3%, Izmir 3,6%, Antalya 2.9% (2017 est.)

Ethnic groups

Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 7-12% (2016 est.)

Religions

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Languages

Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 95.6% male: 98.6% female: 92.6% (2015)

Real GDP

$1.206 Trillion (2017); $1.123 Trillion (2016)

GDP growth

7.4% (2017); 3.2% (2016)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$14,933.3 (2017 est.); $14,117.4 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.26% (2017 est.); 10.84% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

0.2% (2016 est.)

Public debt

28.3% of GDP (2017 est.); 28.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

11.1% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

United Arab Emirates President Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan

President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (since 3 November 2004)

Vice-President, Prime Minister & Ruler of Dubai Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (since 5 January 2006)

Land

Total 83,600 sq km; Land 83,600 sq km; Water (0) Km; (country comparison to the world: 116)

Boundaries

total: 1.066 km

Border countries

Oman 609 km, Saudi Arabia 457 km

Coastline

1,318 km

Population

9.40 million (2017 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 13.9% 15-64 years: 85% 65+ 1.1% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

3.06% (2017 est.)

Urbanisation

86.5% of total population (2018)

Major cities

Dubai 2.785 million, Sharjah 1.571 million, ABU DHABI (capital) 1.42 million (2018 est.)

Ethnic groups

Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4% (includes Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani), Egyptian 10.2%, Philippine 6.1%, other 12.8% (2015 est.)

Religions

Muslim (official) 76%, Christian 9%, other (including Buddhist, Hindu) 15% (2005 est.)

Languages

Arabic (official), Persian, English, Hindi, Urdu

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 93.8% male: 93.1% female: 95.8% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$387.26 billion (2017); $384.22 billion (2016)

GDP growth

0.79% (2017); 2.99% (2016)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$41,197.2 (2017 est.); $41,449.7 (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

1.67% (2017 est.); 1.64% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

Unavailable

Public debt

19.7% of GDP (2017 est.); 20.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

2% (2017 est.)

Political leadership

Yemen

President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi (since 21 February 2012)

Prime Minister Moin Abdul-Malik Said (since 15 October 2018)

Land

Total 527,968 sq km; Land 527,968 sq km; Water (0) Km; (country comparison to the world: 51)

Boundaries

total: 1,601 km

Border countries

Oman 294 km, Saudi Arabia 1,307 km

Coastline

1,906 km

Population

26,737,317 (2015 est.) (country comparison to the world: 48)

Age structure

0-14 years: 41% 15-64 years: 56.2% 65+ 2.7% (2015 est.)

Population growth rate

2.47% (2015 est.)

Urbanisation

Urban population: 34.6% of total population (2015) rate of urbanisation: 4% annual rate of change (2010-2015 est.)

Major cities

Sanaa (capital) 2.962 million, Aden 882,000 (2015 est.)

Ethnic groups

Predominantly Arab; but also Afro-Arab, South Asians, Europeans

Religions

Muslim, including Sunni (Shafi'i) and Shia (Zaydi); small numbers of Jews, Christians and Hindus

Languages

Arabic (official)

Literacy

(Age 15+ Can Read and Write) total population: 70.1% male: 85.1% female: 55% (2015 est.)

Real GDP

$11.223 billion (2017); $11.927 billion (2016)

GDP growth

-5.90% (2017); -34.34% (2016)

GDP per capita (PPP)

$432.4 (2016 est.); $674.9 (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

14.04% (2017 est.); 13.73% (2016 est.)

Population below poverty line

18.8 (2014 est.)

Public debt

74.5% of GDP (2017 est.); 68.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Inflation rate

24.7% (2017 est.)

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