Country Profile: Georgia

Georgia is a country situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordered by the Black Sea to the west and sharing its land borders with Turkey, Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The nation has a population of approximately 4.9 million, predominantly ethnic Georgians, and follows a semi-presidential republic system of governance. Despite facing territorial disputes and political challenges, Georgia has a diverse economy that has shown significant growth in recent years, positioning itself as an exporter of various goods, including automobiles and energy resources.

Geography

Georgia's geographical landscape is characterized by its mountainous terrain, with the Great Caucasus mountains to the north and the Lesser Caucasus to the south. The country has a total area of 69,700 square kilometers, a portion of which is currently occupied by Russian forces. With a Mediterranean-like climate along the Black Sea coast, Georgia supports rich agriculture, including tea and citrus cultivation.

69,700 sq km - total area of Georgia.
310 km - coastline along the Black Sea.
44.6% - forest coverage of the land as of 2023.
12,560 sq km - area under Russian occupation.
5,193 m - height of the highest peak, Mt'a Shkhara.

People and Society

The population of Georgia is around 4.9 million, with a diverse ethnic makeup primarily comprising Georgians (86.8%), followed by significant Azeri and Armenian communities. The official language is Georgian, and the predominant religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Urbanization is significant, with about 60.7% of the population living in urban areas, particularly Tbilisi, the capital.

4,900,961 - estimated population in 2024.
99.7% - literacy rate among the total population.
20.6% - proportion of the population aged 0-14 years.
72.8 years - average life expectancy at birth in 2024.
1.94 children - total fertility rate.

Economy

Georgia has an upper-middle-income economy that is rapidly growing, driven by exports of cars, energy, and metal ores. The country has become a regional hub for trade, boosted by foreign remittances, particularly following the Ukraine conflict. Despite low inflation rates, it faces challenges such as high unemployment and political instability affecting its EU accession ambitions.

$91.849 billion - estimated GDP (PPP) in 2024.
9.4% - projected GDP growth rate for 2024.
$25,000 - GDP per capita expected in 2024.
11.5% - unemployment rate in 2024.
11.8% - population below the poverty line in 2023.

Government

Georgia operates as a semi-presidential republic with a complex political structure that includes a president, a prime minister, and a unicameral legislature. The government has faced political challenges, including frequent changes in leadership and issues related to foreign influence. The country aspires to join the EU and NATO, reflecting its foreign policy goals.

President: Mikheil KAVELASHVILI (since December 2024).
Prime Minister: Irakli KOBAKHIDZE (since February 2024).
150 - total number of seats in the Parliament.
18 years - minimum voting age in elections.
43.4% - public debt as a percentage of GDP in 2023.

Military and Security

The Georgian Defense Forces are tasked with protecting the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially concerning the contested regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Military relations with NATO have been established, despite Georgia not being a member. The country has focused on modernizing its military capabilities and enhancing cooperation with Western nations.

37,000 personnel - authorized strength of the Georgian Defense Forces.
1.7% - military expenditure as a percentage of GDP in 2024.
18-35 years - age range for voluntary military service.
5-day conflict - with Russia in 2008 impacting territorial integrity.
Soviet-era - majority of military equipment still in use, alongside some modern acquisitions.

Energy

Georgia's energy sector is predominantly hydropower-based, providing 75.5% of its electricity generation capacity. The country has achieved 100% electrification, with ongoing projects aimed at improving energy efficiency and promoting renewable resources. Despite limited fossil fuel production, Georgia continues to pursue energy diversification.

4.526 million kW - total installed electricity generating capacity in 2023.
100% - electrification rate for the population.
12.569 billion kWh - total electricity consumption in 2023.
375,000 metric tons - of petroleum refined daily in 2023.
$4.447 billion - foreign exchange and gold reserves in 2024.

Environment

Georgia faces various environmental challenges, including air and water pollution, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. The government is party to multiple international environmental agreements, and ongoing efforts are needed to address these pressing issues effectively.

10.7 million metric tons - of CO2 emissions in 2023.
800,000 tons - municipal solid waste generated annually (2024).
19.6% - of municipal waste recycled (2022).
63.33 billion cubic meters - total renewable water resources (2022).
34.1% - agricultural land use as of 2023.

Transportation

Georgia's transportation infrastructure includes a range of air, rail, maritime, and road networks, facilitating domestic and international mobility. Tbilisi serves as a key transport hub, while the country has made investments to enhance its connectivity and facilitate trade.

21 airports - operational in 2025.
1,363 km - total railway length (as of 2014).
3 major seaports - including Batumi and Supsa Marine Terminal.
4,234 million kWh - electricity imported in 2023.
26 vessels - total merchant marine fleet in 2023.

Communications

Georgia has a growing telecommunications sector, with high mobile and internet penetration rates. The country boasts a well-developed broadcasting system with various media outlets and digital platforms, supporting free communication and information dissemination.

82% - percentage of the population using the Internet (2023).
5.91 million - mobile phone subscriptions in 2023.
1.1 million - fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).
278,000 - fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023).
7 subscriptions - to fixed lines per 100 inhabitants.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,900,961	Estimated for 2024
Area	69,700 sq km	Total area of Georgia
GDP (PPP)	$91.849 billion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	11.5%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth	72.8 years	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	99.7%	Estimated for 2024
Military Expenditure	1.7% of GDP	Estimated for 2024
Annual CO2 Emissions	10.7 million metric tons	Estimated for 2023
Electricity Access	100%	Full access as of 2022
Urban Population	60.7%	Percentage of the total population (2023)