Country Profile: Georgia

Georgia is a nation situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bordered by the Black Sea to the west and high mountain ranges in the north and south. The country has a population of approximately 4.9 million people, characterized by a diverse cultural heritage that includes a strong emphasis on its national identity. Georgia's economy is classified as upper-middle income, focusing on exports of various goods including vehicles and minerals, while striving for closer integration with Western institutions such as the EU and NATO. The governance structure is a semi-presidential republic, with a political landscape marked by a history of reform and ongoing public support for democratic processes.

Geography

Georgia is located in Southwestern Asia, bordered by the Black Sea to the west and sharing land borders with Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia. The country has a total area of 69,700 sq km, with significant portions occupied by Russian military forces, including the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The terrain is predominantly mountainous, featuring the Great Caucasus Mountains, and has a warm Mediterranean-like climate along the coast.

310 km of coastline along the Black Sea
1,814 km total land boundaries with neighboring countries
Highest point: Mt'a Shkhara at 5,193 m
Population centers concentrated in the capital Tbilisi and along the Black Sea

People and Society

The population of Georgia is estimated at 4.9 million as of 2024, with a demographic profile that includes 86.8% ethnic Georgians and various minority groups such as Azeris and Armenians. The median age is 38.6 years, and the country boasts a high literacy rate of 99.7%. The predominant religion is Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with the society showing a mix of modern influences and traditional practices.

62.7% of the population is aged between 15 to 64 years
Life expectancy is 72.8 years (2024 est.)
60.7% of the population resides in urban areas
11.74 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Economy

Georgia's economy is classified as an upper-middle income and has been experiencing rapid growth, driven primarily by service sectors and exports. The GDP, measured in purchasing power parity, was approximately $91.849 billion in 2024, with a notable real GDP per capita of $25,000. The country is a regional exporter, particularly of vehicles and metals, while efforts to join the European Union continue.

11.5% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
1.7% of GDP dedicated to military expenditures (2024 est.)
Population below the poverty line: 11.8% (2023 est.)
Major agricultural products include milk, grapes, and potatoes

Government

Georgia operates as a semi-presidential republic, with a president and a prime minister sharing executive responsibilities. The current president is Mikheil KAVELASHVILI, and the prime minister is Irakli KOBAKHIDZE. The parliament is unicameral and consists of 150 elected members, functioning under a proportional representation system.

Next parliamentary elections expected in October 2028
18 years is the minimum voting age
The constitution was adopted in 1995 and has been amended several times
Georgia aims for EU and NATO integration as key foreign policy goals

Military and Security

The Georgian Defense Forces include ground, air, and special operations units, supported by a police and border force system. Military expenditures accounted for approximately 1.7% of GDP in 2024. Georgia faces ongoing security challenges, particularly regarding Russian military presence in separatist regions.

Military authorized strength: up to 37,000 personnel
Conscription established for men aged 18-27
Participation in multinational military operations and NATO partnerships
The military primarily utilizes Soviet-era equipment, with ongoing upgrades

Energy

Georgia's energy sector is primarily reliant on hydroelectric power, which constitutes approximately 75.5% of its installed capacity. The country has fully electrified its population with an installed generating capacity of 4.526 million kW.

Total energy consumption per capita: 56.076 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Natural gas consumption: 2.775 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity consumption was 12.569 billion kWh in 2023

Environment

Environmental issues in Georgia include air pollution, particularly in urban areas, and water pollution affecting the Mtkvari River and the Black Sea. Forest and land degradation along with biodiversity loss remain significant concerns.

44.6% of land is forested (2023 est.)
34.1% of land is used for agriculture (2023 est.)
Participates in international environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement

Transportation

Georgia features a range of transportation infrastructures, including 21 airports and a railway network of 1,363 km. The country has invested in improving its transport facilities, crucial for economic development and regional connectivity.

3 ports including Batumi and Sokhumi
4 heliports as of 2025
The merchant marine includes 26 vessels (2023)

Communications

Georgia has a developing telecommunications sector, with a high percentage of the population having access to mobile and internet services. As of 2023, 82% of the population are internet users.

5.91 million mobile cellular subscriptions
1.1 million fixed broadband subscriptions
The fixed line telephonic subscriptions stand at 278,000

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	4,900,961 (2024 est.)
Area	69,700 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$91.849 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	11.5% (2024 est.)
Birth Rate	11.74 births/1,000 pop.	(2025 est.)
Life Expectancy	72.8 years (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	56.076 million Btu/person	(2023 est.)
Literacy Rate	99.7% (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures	1.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Refugees	31,791 (2024 est.)