The island of Timor was actively involved in Southeast Asian trading networks for centuries, and by the 14th century, it exported sandalwood, slaves, honey, and wax. The sandalwood trade attracted the Portuguese, who arrived in the early 16th century; by mid-century, they had colonized the island, which was previously ruled by local chieftains. In 1859, Portugal ceded the western portion of the island to the Dutch. Imperial Japan occupied Portuguese Timor from 1942 to 1945, but Portugal resumed colonial authority after the Japanese defeat in World War II. The eastern part of Timor declared itself independent from Portugal on 28 November 1975, but Indonesian forces invaded and occupied the area nine days later. It was incorporated into Indonesia in 1976 as the province of Timor Timur (East Timor or Timor Leste). Indonesia conducted an unsuccessful pacification campaign in the province over the next two decades, during which an estimated 100,000 to 250,000 people died.
In a UN-supervised referendum in 1999, an overwhelming majority of the people of Timor-Leste voted for independence from Indonesia. However, anti-independence Timorese militias — organized and supported by the Indonesian military — began a large-scale, scorched-earth campaign of retribution, killing approximately 1,400 Timorese and displacing nearly 500,000. Most of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed, including homes, irrigation systems, water supply systems, schools, and most of the electrical grid. Australian-led peacekeeping troops eventually deployed to the country and ended the violence. In 2002, Timor-Leste was internationally recognized as an independent state.
In 2006, Australia and the UN had to step in again to stabilize the country, which allowed presidential and parliamentary elections to be conducted in 2007 in a largely peaceful atmosphere. In 2008, rebels staged an unsuccessful attack against the president and prime minister. Since that attack, Timor-Leste has made considerable progress in building stability and democratic institutions, holding a series of successful parliamentary and presidential elections since 2012. Nonetheless, weak and unstable political coalitions have led to periodic episodes of stalemate and crisis. The UN continues to provide assistance on economic development and strengthening governing institutions. Currently, Timor-Leste is one of the world’s poorest nations, with an economy that relies heavily on energy resources in the Timor Sea.TipVisit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.Definitions and Notes
Geography
Location
Southeastern Asia, northwest of Australia in the Lesser Sunda Islands at the eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago; note – Timor-Leste includes the eastern half of the island of Timor, the Oecussi (Ambeno) region on the northwest portion of the island of Timor, and the islands of Pulau Atauro and Pulau Jaco
Geographic coordinates
8 50 S, 125 55 E
Map references
Southeast Asia
Area
total : 14,874 sq km
land: 14,874 sq km
water: 0 sq km
comparison ranking: total 159
Area – comparative
slightly larger than Connecticut; almost half the size of Maryland
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 253 km
border countries (1): Indonesia 253 km
Coastline
706 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Terrain
mountainous
Elevation
highest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m
lowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 m
Natural resources
gold, petroleum, natural gas, manganese, marble
Land use
agricultural land: 23% (2022 est.)
arable land: 7.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 5.4% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 10.1% (2022 est.)
forest: 61.8% (2022 est.)
other: 15.3% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
350 sq km (2012)
Population distribution
most of the population is concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili
Natural hazards
floods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis; tropical cyclones
Geography – note
the island of Timor is part of the Malay Archipelago and is the largest and easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands; the district of Oecussi is an exclave separated from Timor-Leste proper by Indonesia; Timor-Leste is the only Asian country located completely in the Southern Hemisphere
People and Society
Population
total: 1,506,909 (2024 est.)
male: 750,665
female: 756,244
comparison rankings: total 156; female 154; male 156
Nationality
noun: Timorese
adjective: Timorese
Ethnic groups
Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian) (includes Tetun, Mambai, Tokodede, Galoli, Kemak, Baikeno), Melanesian-Papuan (includes Bunak, Fataluku, Bakasai), small Chinese minority
Languages
Tetun Prasa 30.6%, Mambai 16.6%, Makasai 10.5%, Tetun Terik 6.1%, Baikenu 5.9%, Kemak 5.8%, Bunak 5.5%, Tokodede 4%, Fataluku 3.5%, Waima’a 1.8%, Galoli 1.4%, Naueti 1.4%, Idate 1.2%, Midiki 1.2%, other 4.5% (2015 est.)
note: data represent population by mother tongue; Tetun and Portuguese are official languages; Indonesian and English are working languages; there are about 32 indigenous languages
Religions
Roman Catholic 97.6%, Protestant/Evangelical 2%, Muslim 0.2%, other 0.2% (2015 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 38.7% (male 299,929/female 283,416)
15-64 years: 56.8% (male 418,493/female 437,727)
65 years and over: 4.5% (2024 est.) (male 32,243/female 35,101)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 63.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 56.1 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 7.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 13 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 20.6 years (2024 est.)
male: 19.8 years
female: 21.3 years
comparison ranking: total 201
Population growth rate
2.04% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 39
Birth rate
29.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 26
Death rate
5.5 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 180
Net migration rate
-3.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 192
Population distribution
most of the population is concentrated in the western third of the country, particularly around Dili
Urbanization
urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
281,000 DILI (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
23 years (2016 est.)
note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Maternal mortality ratio
204 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 46
Infant mortality rate
total: 32.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 35.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 28.9 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 41
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 70.5 years (2024 est.)
male: 68.9 years
female: 72.3 years
comparison ranking: total population 174
Total fertility rate
3.98 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 24
Gross reproduction rate
1.92 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
26.1% (2016)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 98% of population
rural: 82.5% of population
total: 87.4% of population
unimproved:
urban: 2% of population
rural: 17.5% of population
total: 12.6% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
11.4% of GDP (2021)
8.9% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
0.75 physicians/1,000 population (2020)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 88.7% of population
rural: 56.1% of population
total: 66.3% of population
unimproved:
urban: 11.3% of population
rural: 43.9% of population
total: 33.7% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
3.8% (2016)
comparison ranking: 190
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 0.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.27 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 166
Tobacco use
total: 36.1% (2025 est.)
male: 62.6% (2025 est.)
female: 8.9% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 7
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
31.9% (2020)
comparison ranking: 3
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
55.9% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 2.6% (2016)
women married by age 18: 14.9% (2016)
men married by age 18: 1.2% (2016)
Education expenditure
3% of GDP (2021 est.)
7.5% national budget (2021 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 150
Literacy
total population: 65.8% (2016 est.)
male: 72.2% (2016 est.)
female: 59.6% (2016 est.)
People – note
one of only two predominantly Christian nations in Southeast Asia, the other being the Philippines
Environment
Environment – current issues
air pollution and deterioration of air quality; water quality, scarcity, and access; land and soil degradation; forest depletion; deforestation and soil erosion from slash-and-burn agriculture; loss of biodiversity
Environment – international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; distinct rainy and dry seasons
Land use
agricultural land: 23% (2022 est.)
arable land: 7.5% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 5.4% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 10.1% (2022 est.)
forest: 61.8% (2022 est.)
other: 15.3% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 32.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 3.31% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 20.47 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 0.5 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 4.74 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 63,875 tons (2016 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 100 million cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 2 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
agricultural: 1.07 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
8.22 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
conventional short form: Timor-Leste
local long form: Republika Demokratika Timor Lorosa’e (Tetum)/ Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste (Portuguese)
local short form: Timor Lorosa’e (Tetum)/ Timor-Leste (Portuguese)
former: East Timor, Portuguese Timor
etymology: the name partly derives from the Indonesian and Malay word timur, meaning “east;” leste is the Portuguese word for “east,” so “Timor-Leste” literally means “Eastern-East”
note: pronounced TEE-mor LESS-tay
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Dili
geographic coordinates: 8 35 S, 125 36 E
time difference: UTC+9 (14 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
12 municipalities (municipios, singular – municipio) and 1 special adminstrative region* (regiao administrativa especial); Aileu, Ainaro, Baucau, Bobonaro (Maliana), Covalima (Suai), Dili, Ermera (Gleno), Lautem (Lospalos), Liquica, Manatuto, Manufahi (Same), Oe-Cusse Ambeno* (Pante Macassar), Viqueque
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers; exceptions show the administrative center name in parentheses
Legal system
civil law system based on the Portuguese model
Constitution
history: drafted 2001, approved 22 March 2002, entered into force 20 May 2002
amendment process: proposed by Parliament and parliamentary groups; consideration of amendments requires at least four-fifths majority approval by Parliament; passage requires two-thirds majority vote by Parliament and promulgation by the president of the republic; passage of amendments to the republican form of government and the flag requires approval in a referendum
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Timor-Leste
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
17 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President José RAMOS-HORTA (since 20 May 2022)
head of government: Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana GUSMAO (since 1 July 2023)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; ministers proposed to the prime minister by the coalition in the Parliament and sworn in by the president
election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); following parliamentary elections, the president appoints the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister
most recent election date: 19 March 2022, with a runoff on 19 April 2022
election results:
2022: José RAMOS-HORTA elected president in second round – RAMOS-HORTA (CNRT) 62.1%, Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 37.9%
2017: Francisco GUTERRES elected president; Francisco GUTERRES (FRETILIN) 57.1%, António da CONCEICAO (PD) 32.5%, other 10.4%
expected date of next election: April 2027
note: the president is commander in chief of the military and can veto legislation, dissolve parliament, and call national elections
Legislative branch
legislature name: National Parliament
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 65 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 5/21/2023
parties elected and seats per party: National Congress for the Reconstruction of Timor-Leste (CNRT) (31); Revolutionary Front for an independent East Timor (FRETILIN) (19); Democratic Party (PD) (6); Kmanek Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan (KHUNTO) (5); People’s Liberation Party (PLP) (4)
percentage of women in chamber: 35.4%
expected date of next election: May 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Court of Appeals (consists of the court president and NA judges)
judge selection and term of office: court president appointed by the president of the republic from among the other court judges to serve a 4-year term; other court judges appointed – 1 by the Parliament and the others by the Supreme Council for the Judiciary, a body chaired by the court president and that includes mostly presidential and parliamentary appointees; other judges serve for life
subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Administrative, Tax, and Audit Court; district courts; magistrates’ courts; military courts
Political parties
Democratic Party or PD
National Congress for Timorese Reconstruction or CNRT
National Unity of the Sons of Timor (Haburas Unidade Nasional Timor Oan or KHUNTO)
People’s Liberation Party or PLP
Revolutionary Front of Independent Timor-Leste or FRETILIN
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador José Luis GUTERRES (since 17 June 2024)
chancery: 4201 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 504, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 966-3202
FAX: [1] (202) 966-3205
email address and website:
[email protected]
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Marc WEINSTOCK (since 22 February 2025)
embassy: Avenida de Portugal, Praia dos Coqueiros, Dili
mailing address: 8250 Dili Place, Washington, DC 20521-8250
telephone: (670) 332-4684, (670) 330-2400
FAX: (670) 331-3206
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://tl.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, ARF, ASEAN (observer), CPLP, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OPCW, PIF (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WMO
Independence
28 November 1975 (from Portugal); 20 May 2002 (from Indonesia)
National holiday
Restoration of Independence Day, 20 May (2002); Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
Flag description
red with a black isosceles triangle (based on the hoist side) on a slightly longer yellow arrowhead that extends to the center of the flag; a white star is in the center of the black triangle; yellow stands for past colonialism, black for obscurantism that needs to be overcome, and red for the struggle for freedom; the white star represents peace and a guiding light
National symbol(s)
Mount Ramelau
National color(s)
red, yellow, black, white
National anthem
name: “Patria” (Fatherland)
lyrics/music: Fransisco Borja DA COSTA/Afonso DE ARAUJO
note: adopted 2002; the song was first used as an anthem when Timor-Leste declared its independence from Portugal in 1975; the lyricist, Francisco Borja DA COSTA, was killed in the Indonesian invasion just days after independence was declared
Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income Southeast Asian economy; government expenditures funded via oil fund drawdowns; endemic corruption undermines growth; foreign aid-dependent; wide-scale poverty, unemployment, and illiteracy
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$5.992 billion (2023 est.)
$7.318 billion (2022 est.)
$9.214 billion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 176
Real GDP growth rate
-18.12% (2023 est.)
-20.58% (2022 est.)
5.32% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 218
Real GDP per capita
$4,300 (2023 est.)
$5,300 (2022 est.)
$6,800 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 184
GDP (official exchange rate)
$2.08 billion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
2.1% (2024 est.)
8.4% (2023 est.)
7% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 64
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 16.9% (2023 est.)
industry: 23.9% (2023 est.)
services: 61% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 84; industry 108; agriculture 48
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 70% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 52.9% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 17.4% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: 3.1% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 22.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -66.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
maize, rice, coconuts, root vegetables, vegetables, cassava, other meats, pork, beans, coffee (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
printing, soap manufacturing, handicrafts, woven cloth
Industrial production growth rate
-56.97% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 220
Labor force
615,900 (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 158
Unemployment rate
1.6% (2024 est.)
1.5% (2023 est.)
1.5% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 16
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 3.4% (2024 est.)
male: 3.2% (2024 est.)
female: 3.7% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 184
Population below poverty line
41.8% (2014 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
28.7 (2014 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 134
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 4% (2014 est.)
highest 10%: 24% (2014 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
9.28% of GDP (2023 est.)
5.12% of GDP (2022 est.)
4.14% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $1.877 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $1.684 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
3.8% of GDP (2017 est.)
comparison ranking: 202
Taxes and other revenues
21.6% (of GDP) (2022 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 68
Current account balance
-$17.331 million (2023 est.)
$474.005 million (2022 est.)
$1.524 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 89
Exports
$701.808 million (2023 est.)
$1.858 billion (2022 est.)
$2.772 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 188
Exports – partners
China 46%, Singapore 25%, Japan 15%, Indonesia 5%, USA 3% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
crude petroleum, natural gas, coffee, scrap iron, telephones (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$1.204 billion (2023 est.)
$1.405 billion (2022 est.)
$1.298 billion (2021 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 192
Imports – partners
Indonesia 34%, China 26%, Singapore 9%, Taiwan 5%, India 4% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
refined petroleum, rice, cars, plastic products, trucks (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$781.995 million (2023 est.)
$830.81 million (2022 est.)
$934.781 million (2021 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 154
Debt – external
$238.042 million (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 120
Exchange rates
the US dollar is used
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 99.7% (2022 est.)
electrification – urban areas: 100%
electrification – rural areas: 100%
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 277,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 411.519 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 99.481 million kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 45; consumption 178; installed generating capacity 167
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 99.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
imports: 122,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 5,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Natural gas
production: 521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 521.034 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
660,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 660,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 185
Energy consumption per capita
6.825 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 163
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 2,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 211
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 1.56 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 110 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 158
Broadcast media
7 TV stations (3 nationwide satellite coverage; 2 terrestrial coverage, mostly in Dili; 2 cable) and 21 radio stations (3 nationwide coverage) (2019)
Internet country code
.tl
Internet users
percent of population: 34% (2023 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 0 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1
comparison ranking: total 212
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
4W
Airports
11 (2025)
comparison ranking: 157
Heliports
2 (2025)
comparison ranking: 140
Merchant marine
total: 1 (2023)
by type: other 1
comparison ranking: total 186
Ports
total ports: 1 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 0
ports with oil terminals: 0
key ports: Dili
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Timor-Leste Defense Force (Falintil-Forcas de Defesa de Timor-L’este, Falintil (F-FDTL)): Land Component, Light Air Component, Naval Component
Ministry of Interior: National Police of Timor-Leste (Polícia Nacional de Timor-Leste, PNTL) (2025)
Military expenditures
2.5% of GDP (2024 est.)
2.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
1.2% of GDP (2021 est.)
1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 2,000 Defense Forces (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military is lightly armed and has a limited inventory consisting mostly of donated equipment from countries such as Australia, China, Portugal, South Korea, and the US (2024)
Military service age and obligation
18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women; compulsory service was authorized in 2020 for men and women aged 18-30 for 18 months of service, but the level of implementation is unclear (2023)
Military – note
the F-FDTL is a small and lightly equipped force with both external defense and internal security roles; it has two infantry battalions, a small air component, and a handful of naval patrol boats
since achieving independence, Timor-Leste has received security assistance from or has made defense cooperation arrangements with Australia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, the UN, and the US (2024)
Transnational Issues
Illicit drugs
NA
