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Angola Historical and Political Profile








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Angola Index

  • Angola-Roots of Discontent
  • Angola-Mestiços
  • Angola-LABOR FORCE
  • Angola-Food Crops and Livestock
  • Angola-War and the Military in National Perspective
  • Angola-Interest Groups
  • Angola-NATIONAL SECURITY
  • Angola-Foreign Trade
  • Angola-Relations with Other African States
  • Angola-Policies Affecting Rural Society
  • Angola-The National Front for the Liberation of Angola
  • Angola-Conditions after Independence
  • Angola-FOREIGN TRADE AND ASSISTANCE
  • Angola-Troop Strength, Recruitment, and Conscription
  • Angola-Beginning of Revolution
  • Angola-Military Campaigns
  • Angola-BACKGROUND
  • Angola-Mbundu Social Structure
  • Angola-Conditions Before Independence EDUCATION
  • Angola-The Development of FAPLA
  • Angola-INDEPENDENCE AND THE RISE OF THE MPLA GOVERNMENT
  • Angola-Ethnolinguistic Categories
  • Angola-Portuguese Economic Interests and Resistance to Angolan Independence
  • Angola-EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES
  • Angola-Postindependence Exploration and Production
  • Angola-Internal Security Forces and Organization
  • Angola-Indigenous Religious Systems
  • Angola-Incidence and Trends in Crime
  • Angola-Timber
  • Angola-AGRICULTURE
  • Angola-Central Committee
  • Angola-Air and Air Defense Force
  • Angola-Administration and Development
  • Angola-Kongo Kingdom
  • Angola-THE DOS SANTOS REGIME
  • Angola-Marketing
  • Angola-Matamba and Kasanje Kingdoms
  • Angola-Traditional Elites
  • Angola-Role of Women and Children
  • Angola-ANGOLA
  • Angola-The Early Nineteenth Century THE 1800s: TURMOIL IN PORTUGAL, REFORM AND EXPANSION IN ANGOLA
  • Angola-Political Bureau
  • Angola-Military Organization and Capability
  • Angola-Drainage
  • Angola-POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT
  • Angola-Shaba Invasion and the Nitista Plot
  • Angola-Armed Forces Organization and Mission
  • Angola-The Costs of Endemic Conflict WAR AND THE ROLE OF THE ARMED FORCES IN SOCIETY
  • Angola-Heavy Industry
  • Angola-Civic Action and Veterans' Groups
  • Angola -COUNTRY PROFILE
  • Angola
  • Angola-The Demographic Situation SETTLEMENT, CONQUEST, AND DEVELOPMENT
  • Angola-South African Intervention
  • Angola-Defense and Security Council
  • Angola-Slave Trading in the 1700s ANGOLA IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
  • Angola-GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
  • Angola-Training
  • Angola-STRUCTURE OF SOCIETY
  • Angola-RISE OF AFRICAN NATIONALISM
  • Angola-Chapter 5 - National Security
  • Angola-The Defeat of Kongo and Ndongo
  • Angola-Operations
  • Angola-Policy Making FOREIGN RELATIONS
  • Angola-ANGOLAN INSURGENCY
  • Angola-Ascendancy of the MPLA
  • Angola-National Union of Angolan Workers
  • Angola-The Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola
  • Angola-Ovambo, Nyaneka-Humbe, Herero, and Others
  • Angola-Organizational Weaknesses
  • Angola-Foreign Auxiliary Forces
  • Angola-Railroads
  • Angola-Regional Politics
  • Angola-Transformation into a Marxist-Leninist Party and Internal Dissent
  • Angola-External Support
  • Angola-Constitutional and Political Context ARMED FORCES
  • Angola-Antigovernment Opposition
  • Angola-Strengthening Ties with the Soviet Union and Its Allies
  • Angola-ECONOMY
  • Angola-TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Angola-Council of Ministers
  • Angola-Christianity
  • Angola-Religious Communities
  • Angola-Social Structure in Rural Communities
  • Angola-Chapter - 1 - Historical Setting
  • Angola-Background EVOLUTION OF THE ARMED FORCES
  • Angola-PREFACE
  • Angola-Steps Toward a Stronger Party and Political Discord
  • Angola-Effects of the Insurgency
  • Angola-Other Minerals
  • Angola-Prison System
  • Angola-FAPLA's Combat Performance
  • Angola-Collapse of the Transitional Government
  • Angola-Foreign Assistance
  • Angola-Human Rights
  • Angola-POPULATION STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS
  • Angola-The Constitution STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
  • Angola-INTERNAL SECURITY
  • Angola-Emergence of UNITA
  • Angola-Salazar's Racial Politics
  • Angola-Criminal Justice System CRIME AND PUNISHMENT
  • Angola-Chapter 2 - The Society and Its Environment
  • Angola-Diamonds
  • Angola-Communist Nations
  • Angola-Independence Struggle, Civil War, and Intervention
  • Angola-SOCIETY
  • Angola-Angola as a Refuge
  • Angola-Ground Forces
  • Angola-Electric Power
  • Angola-Ports
  • Angola-Party Congress
  • Angola-Light Industry
  • Angola-Regional Organization
  • Angola-Judicial System
  • Angola-Navy
  • Angola-Terrain
  • Angola-STRUCTURE OF THE ECONOMY
  • Angola-ROLE OF THE GOVERNMENT
  • Angola
  • Angola-Telecommunications
  • Angola-Second Party Congress
  • Angola-The Enduring Rival: UNITA
  • Angola-Construction Materials
  • Angola-Noncommunist Nations
  • Angola-The Dutch Interregnum, 1641-48
  • Angola-The Namibia Issue and Security Threats in the 1980s
  • Angola-Roads TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
  • Angola-Fishing
  • Angola-Food Processing
  • Angola-Nganguela
  • Angola-Abolition of the Slave Trade
  • Angola-United States and Western Europe
  • Angola
  • Angola
  • Angola-Liberation Movements in Cabinda
  • Angola-Local Administration
  • Angola-INDUSTRY
  • Angola-Ovimbundu
  • Angola
  • Angola-ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  • Angola-Regional Accord
  • Angola-Angola under the New State ANGOLA UNDER THE SALAZAR REGIME
  • Angola-Hunters, Gatherers, Herders, and Others
  • Angola-Conditions of Service, Ranks, and Military Justice
  • Angola-Effects of Socialist Policies
  • Angola-Social Structure in Urban Areas
  • Angola-Finances
  • Angola-GEOGRAPHY
  • Angola-Ovimbundu Social Structure
  • Angola-Balance of Trade and Payments BALANCE OF PAYMENTS, FINANCES, AND FOREIGN DEBT
  • Angola-Education in UNITA-Claimed Territory
  • Angola-Foreword
  • Angola-Mbundu
  • Angola-Foreign Debt
  • Angola-Mass Organizations MASS ORGANIZATIONS AND INTEREST GROUPS
  • Angola-Ndongo Kingdom
  • Angola-Oil
  • Angola-ETHNIC GROUPS AND LANGUAGES
  • Angola-Executive Branch
  • Angola-MASS MEDIA
  • Angola-Foreign Intervention
  • Angola-Legislative Branch
  • Angola-RELIGIOUS LIFE
  • Angola-PRECOLONIAL ANGOLA AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE PORTUGUESE
  • Angola-Climate
  • Angola-Lunda-Chokwe
  • Angola-Air Transport
  • Angola-Policies Affecting Urban Society
  • Angola-Erstwhile Opposition: FLEC and the FNLA
  • Angola-The Definition of Ethnicity
  • Angola-Structure
  • Angola
  • Angola-Iron Ore
  • Angola-Chapter 3 - The Economy
  • Angola-HEALTH AND WELFARE
  • Angola-Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola-Youth Movement
  • Angola-NATIONAL SECURITY ENVIRONMENT
  • Angola-Portuguese Settlers in Angola
  • Angola-Organization of Angolan Women
  • Angola-Coffee
  • Angola-Lunda and Chokwe Kingdoms
  • Angola-Economic Problems and the Implementation of Socialist Policies
  • Angola-BACKGROUND TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  • Angola-The Final Days of the Neto Regime
  • Angola
  • Angola-INTRODUCTION
  • Angola
  • Angola-Background POPULAR MOVEMENT FOR THE LIBERATION OF ANGOLA-WORKERS' PARTY
  • Angola-PHYSICAL SETTING
  • Angola-Ovimbundu and Kwanhama Kingdoms
  • Angola-COALITION, THE TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT, AND CIVIL WAR
  • Angola-Chapter 4 - Government and Politics
    • BackgroundAngola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008 and, despite promising to hold presidential elections in 2009, has since made a presidential poll contingent on the drafting of a new constitution.
    LocationSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Area(sq km)total: 1,246,700 sq km
    land: 1,246,700 sq km
    water: 0 sq km
    Geographic coordinates12 30 S, 18 30 E
    Land boundaries(km)total: 5,198 km
    border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
    Coastline(km)1,600 km
    Climatesemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
    Natural resourcespetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
    Land use(%)arable land: 2.65%
    permanent crops: 0.23%
    other: 97.12% (2005)
    Irrigated land(sq km)800 sq km (2003)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)184 cu km (1987)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%)
    per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardslocally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
    Environment - current issuesoveruse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
    Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
    signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
    Geography - notethe province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Population12,799,293 (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047)
    15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440)
    65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 18 years
    male: 18 years
    female: 18 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)2.095% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
    total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 38.2 years
    male: 37.24 years
    female: 39.22 years (2009 est.)
    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Angolan(s)
    adjective: Angolan
    Ethnic groups(%)Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
    Religions(%)indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
    Languages(%)Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
    Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Angola
    conventional short form: Angola
    local long form: Republica de Angola
    local short form: Angola
    former: People's Republic of Angola
    Government typerepublic; multiparty presidential regime
    Capitalname: Luanda
    geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E
    time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisions18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
    Constitutionadopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
    Legal systembased on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
    Suffrage18 years of age; universal
    Executive branchchief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
    head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008
    cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
    elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed)
    election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
    Legislative branchunicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
    elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012)
    election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
    Judicial branchSupreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)
    Political pressure groups and leadersFront for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
    note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006
    International organization participationACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptiontwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants
    Economy - overviewAngola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$112.8 billion (2008 est.)
    $100.5 billion (2007 est.)
    $82.94 billion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$84.95 billion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)12.3% (2008 est.)
    21.1% (2007 est.)
    18.6% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$9,000 (2008 est.)
    $8,200 (2007 est.)
    $6,900 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 9.2%
    industry: 65.8%
    services: 24.6% (2008 est.)
    Labor force7.569 million (2008 est.)
    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture: 85%
    industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
    Unemployment rate(%)NA
    Population below poverty line(%)40.5% (2006 est.)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)9% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: $28.99 billion
    expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.)
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)12.5% (2008 est.)
    12.2% (2007 est.)
    Stock of money$8.446 billion (31 December 2008)
    $4.153 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$10.41 billion (31 December 2008)
    $7.216 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$7.893 billion (31 December 2008)
    $1.166 billion (31 December 2007)
    Economic aid - recipient$441.8 million (2005)
    Public debt(% of GDP)15.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
    12% of GDP (2007 est.)
    Agriculture - productsbananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
    Industriespetroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
    Industrial production growth rate(%)14.3% (2008 est.)
    Current account balance$17.11 billion (2008 est.)
    $9.402 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports$66.3 billion (2008 est.)
    $44.4 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports - commodities(%)crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
    Exports - partners(%)China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008)
    Imports$17.08 billion (2008 est.)
    $13.66 billion (2007 est.)
    Imports - commodities(%)machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
    Imports - partners(%)Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home$16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad$2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    Exchange rateskwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004)
    Currency (code)kwanza (AOA)
    Telephones - main lines in use114,300 (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular6.773 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008
    domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001
    international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008)
    Internet country code.ao
    Internet users550,000 (2008)
    Airports192 (2009)
    Pipelines(km)gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008)
    Roadways(km)total: 51,429 km
    paved: 5,349 km
    unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
    Ports and terminalsCabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe
    Military branchesAngolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 2,856,492
    females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 1,467,833
    females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 146,738
    female: 143,478 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)5.7% of GDP (2006)
    Disputes - internationalCabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement
    Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
    IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)
    Electricity - production(kWh)3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 36.4%
    hydro: 63.6%
    nuclear: 0%
    other: 0% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)680 million cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)680 million cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)2.1% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS190,000 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deaths11,000 (2007 est.)
    Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high
    food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever
    vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
    water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 67.4%
    male: 82.9%
    female: 54.2% (2001 est.)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)2.4% of GDP (2005)
    BackgroundAngola is rebuilding its country after the end of a 27-year civil war in 2002. Fighting between the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA), led by Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS, and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), led by Jonas SAVIMBI, followed independence from Portugal in 1975. Peace seemed imminent in 1992 when Angola held national elections, but fighting picked up again by 1996. Up to 1.5 million lives may have been lost - and 4 million people displaced - in the quarter century of fighting. SAVIMBI's death in 2002 ended UNITA's insurgency and strengthened the MPLA's hold on power. President DOS SANTOS held legislative elections in September 2008 and, despite promising to hold presidential elections in 2009, has since made a presidential poll contingent on the drafting of a new constitution.
    LocationSouthern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Area(sq km)total: 1,246,700 sq km
    land: 1,246,700 sq km
    water: 0 sq km
    Geographic coordinates12 30 S, 18 30 E
    Land boundaries(km)total: 5,198 km
    border countries: Democratic Republic of the Congo 2,511 km (of which 225 km is the boundary of discontiguous Cabinda Province), Republic of the Congo 201 km, Namibia 1,376 km, Zambia 1,110 km
    Coastline(km)1,600 km
    Climatesemiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
    Elevation extremes(m)lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
    highest point: Morro de Moco 2,620 m
    Natural resourcespetroleum, diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, copper, feldspar, gold, bauxite, uranium
    Land use(%)arable land: 2.65%
    permanent crops: 0.23%
    other: 97.12% (2005)
    Irrigated land(sq km)800 sq km (2003)
    Total renewable water resources(cu km)184 cu km (1987)
    Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)total: 0.35 cu km/yr (23%/17%/60%)
    per capita: 22 cu m/yr (2000)
    Natural hazardslocally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau
    Environment - current issuesoveruse of pastures and subsequent soil erosion attributable to population pressures; desertification; deforestation of tropical rain forest, in response to both international demand for tropical timber and to domestic use as fuel, resulting in loss of biodiversity; soil erosion contributing to water pollution and siltation of rivers and dams; inadequate supplies of potable water
    Environment - international agreementsparty to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
    signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
    Geography - notethe province of Cabinda is an exclave, separated from the rest of the country by the Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Population12,799,293 (July 2009 est.)
    Age structure(%)0-14 years: 43.5% (male 2,812,359/female 2,759,047)
    15-64 years: 53.7% (male 3,496,726/female 3,382,440)
    65 years and over: 2.7% (male 153,678/female 195,043) (2009 est.)
    Median age(years)total: 18 years
    male: 18 years
    female: 18 years (2009 est.)
    Population growth rate(%)2.095% (2009 est.)
    Birth rate(births/1,000 population)43.69 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Death rate(deaths/1,000 population)24.08 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
    Net migration rate(migrant(s)/1,000 population)1.34 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
    Urbanization(%)urban population: 57% of total population (2008)
    rate of urbanization: 4.4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
    Sex ratio(male(s)/female)at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
    under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
    15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
    65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
    total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
    Infant mortality rate(deaths/1,000 live births)total: 180.21 deaths/1,000 live births
    male: 192.24 deaths/1,000 live births
    female: 167.58 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
    Life expectancy at birth(years)total population: 38.2 years
    male: 37.24 years
    female: 39.22 years (2009 est.)
    Total fertility rate(children born/woman)6.12 children born/woman (2009 est.)
    Nationalitynoun: Angolan(s)
    adjective: Angolan
    Ethnic groups(%)Ovimbundu 37%, Kimbundu 25%, Bakongo 13%, mestico (mixed European and native African) 2%, European 1%, other 22%
    Religions(%)indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
    Languages(%)Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
    Country nameconventional long form: Republic of Angola
    conventional short form: Angola
    local long form: Republica de Angola
    local short form: Angola
    former: People's Republic of Angola
    Government typerepublic; multiparty presidential regime
    Capitalname: Luanda
    geographic coordinates: 8 50 S, 13 14 E
    time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
    Administrative divisions18 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Bengo, Benguela, Bie, Cabinda, Cuando Cubango, Cuanza Norte, Cuanza Sul, Cunene, Huambo, Huila, Luanda, Lunda Norte, Lunda Sul, Malanje, Moxico, Namibe, Uige, Zaire
    Constitutionadopted by People's Assembly 25 August 1992
    Legal systembased on Portuguese civil law system and customary law; modified to accommodate political pluralism and increased use of free markets; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
    Suffrage18 years of age; universal
    Executive branchchief of state: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
    head of government: President Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS (since 21 September 1979); Antonio Paulo KASSOMA was named prime minister by MPLA on 26 September 2008
    cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
    elections: president elected by universal ballot for a five-year term (eligible for a second consecutive or discontinuous term) under the 1992 constitution; President DOS SANTOS was selected by the party to take over after the death of former President Augustino NETO(1979) under a one-party system and stood for reelection in Angola's first multiparty elections 29-30 September 1992 (next were to be held in September 2009 but have been postponed)
    election results: Jose Eduardo DOS SANTOS 49.6%, Jonas SAVIMBI 40.1%, making a run-off election necessary; the run-off was never held leaving DOS SANTOS in his current position as the president
    Legislative branchunicameral National Assembly or Assembleia Nacional (220 seats; members elected by proportional vote to serve four-year terms)
    elections: last held 5-6 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2012)
    election results: percent of vote by party - MPLA 81.6%, UNITA 10.4%, PRS 3.2%, ND 1.2%, FNLA 1.1%, other 2.5%; seats by party - MPLA 191, UNITA 16, PRS 8, FNLA 3, ND 2
    Judicial branchSupreme Court and separate provincial courts (judges are appointed by the president)
    Political pressure groups and leadersFront for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC [N'zita Henriques TIAGO, Antonio Bento BEMBE]
    note: FLEC's small-scale armed struggle for the independence of Cabinda Province persists despite the signing of a peace accord with the government in August 2006
    International organization participationACP, AfDB, AU, CPLP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OPEC, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
    Flag descriptiontwo equal horizontal bands of red (top) and black with a centered yellow emblem consisting of a five-pointed star within half a cogwheel crossed by a machete (in the style of a hammer and sickle); red represents liberty, black the African continent, the symbols characterize workers and peasants
    Economy - overviewAngola's high growth rate is driven by its oil sector, which has taken advantage of high international oil prices. Oil production and its supporting activities contribute about 85% of GDP. Increased oil production supported growth averaging more than 15% per year from 2004 to 2007. A postwar reconstruction boom and resettlement of displaced persons has led to high rates of growth in construction and agriculture as well. Much of the country's infrastructure is still damaged or undeveloped from the 27-year-long civil war. Remnants of the conflict such as widespread land mines still mar the countryside even though an apparently durable peace was established after the death of rebel leader Jonas SAVIMBI in February 2002. Subsistence agriculture provides the main livelihood for most of the people, but half of the country's food must still be imported. In 2005, the government started using a $2 billion line of credit, since increased to $7 billion, from China to rebuild Angola's public infrastructure, and several large-scale projects were completed in 2006. Angola also has large credit lines from Brazil, Portugal, Germany, Spain, and the EU. The central bank in 2003 implemented an exchange rate stabilization program using foreign exchange reserves to buy kwanzas out of circulation. This policy became more sustainable in 2005 because of strong oil export earnings; it has significantly reduced inflation. Although consumer inflation declined from 325% in 2000 to under 13% in 2008, the stabilization policy has put pressure on international net liquidity. Angola became a member of OPEC in late 2006 and in late 2007 was assigned a production quota of 1.9 million barrels a day, somewhat less than the 2-2.5 million bbl Angola's government had wanted. To fully take advantage of its rich national resources - gold, diamonds, extensive forests, Atlantic fisheries, and large oil deposits - Angola will need to implement government reforms, increase transparency, and reduce corruption. The government has rejected a formal IMF monitored program, although it continues Article IV consultations and ad hoc cooperation. Corruption, especially in the extractive sectors, and the negative effects of large inflows of foreign exchange, are major challenges facing Angola.
    GDP (purchasing power parity)$112.8 billion (2008 est.)
    $100.5 billion (2007 est.)
    $82.94 billion (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP (official exchange rate)$84.95 billion (2008 est.)
    GDP - real growth rate(%)12.3% (2008 est.)
    21.1% (2007 est.)
    18.6% (2006 est.)
    GDP - per capita (PPP)$9,000 (2008 est.)
    $8,200 (2007 est.)
    $6,900 (2006 est.)
    note: data are in 2008 US dollars
    GDP - composition by sector(%)agriculture: 9.2%
    industry: 65.8%
    services: 24.6% (2008 est.)
    Labor force7.569 million (2008 est.)
    Labor force - by occupation(%)agriculture: 85%
    industry and services: 15% (2003 est.)
    Unemployment rate(%)NA
    Population below poverty line(%)40.5% (2006 est.)
    Household income or consumption by percentage share(%)lowest 10%: NA%
    highest 10%: NA%
    Investment (gross fixed)(% of GDP)9% of GDP (2008 est.)
    Budgetrevenues: $28.99 billion
    expenditures: $21.44 billion (2008 est.)
    Inflation rate (consumer prices)(%)12.5% (2008 est.)
    12.2% (2007 est.)
    Stock of money$8.446 billion (31 December 2008)
    $4.153 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of quasi money$10.41 billion (31 December 2008)
    $7.216 billion (31 December 2007)
    Stock of domestic credit$7.893 billion (31 December 2008)
    $1.166 billion (31 December 2007)
    Economic aid - recipient$441.8 million (2005)
    Public debt(% of GDP)15.5% of GDP (2008 est.)
    12% of GDP (2007 est.)
    Agriculture - productsbananas, sugarcane, coffee, sisal, corn, cotton, manioc (tapioca), tobacco, vegetables, plantains; livestock; forest products; fish
    Industriespetroleum; diamonds, iron ore, phosphates, feldspar, bauxite, uranium, and gold; cement; basic metal products; fish processing; food processing, brewing, tobacco products, sugar; textiles; ship repair
    Industrial production growth rate(%)14.3% (2008 est.)
    Current account balance$17.11 billion (2008 est.)
    $9.402 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports$66.3 billion (2008 est.)
    $44.4 billion (2007 est.)
    Exports - commodities(%)crude oil, diamonds, refined petroleum products, coffee, sisal, fish and fish products, timber, cotton
    Exports - partners(%)China 33%, US 28.7%, France 6%, South Africa 4.6%, Canada 4.1% (2008)
    Imports$17.08 billion (2008 est.)
    $13.66 billion (2007 est.)
    Imports - commodities(%)machinery and electrical equipment, vehicles and spare parts; medicines, food, textiles, military goods
    Imports - partners(%)Portugal 17.6%, China 15.7%, US 11.3%, Brazil 7.6%, South Korea 6.8%, South Africa 4.8% (2008)
    Reserves of foreign exchange and gold$18.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $11.2 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Debt - external$14.09 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $8.357 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - at home$16.36 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    $14.51 billion (31 December 2007 est.)
    Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad$2.477 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
    Exchange rateskwanza (AOA) per US dollar - 75.023 (2008 est.), 76.6 (2007), 80.4 (2006), 88.6 (2005), 83.541 (2004)
    Currency (code)kwanza (AOA)
    Telephones - main lines in use114,300 (2008)
    Telephones - mobile cellular6.773 million (2008)
    Telephone systemgeneral assessment: system inadequate; fewer than one fixed-line per 100 persons; combined fixed line and mobile telephone density exceeded 50 telephones per 100 persons in 2008
    domestic: state-owned telecom had monopoly for fixed-lines until 2005; demand outstripped capacity, prices were high, and services poor; Telecom Namibia, through an Angolan company, became the first private licensed operator in Angola's fixed-line telephone network; Angola Telecom established mobile-cellular service in Luanda in 1993 and the network has been extended to larger towns; a privately-owned, mobile-cellular service provider began operations in 2001
    international: country code - 244; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; satellite earth stations - 29 (2008)
    Internet country code.ao
    Internet users550,000 (2008)
    Airports192 (2009)
    Pipelines(km)gas 2 km; oil 87 km (2008)
    Roadways(km)total: 51,429 km
    paved: 5,349 km
    unpaved: 46,080 km (2001)
    Ports and terminalsCabinda, Lobito, Luanda, Namibe
    Military branchesAngolan Armed Forces (FAA): Army, Navy (Marinha de Guerra Angola, MGA), Angolan National Air Force (Forca Aerea Nacional Angolana, FANA) (2009)
    Military service age and obligation(years of age)22-24 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years; Angolan citizenship required (2009)
    Manpower available for military servicemales age 16-49: 2,856,492
    females age 16-49: 2,755,864 (2008 est.)
    Manpower fit for military servicemales age 16-49: 1,467,833
    females age 16-49: 1,411,468 (2009 est.)
    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annuallymale: 146,738
    female: 143,478 (2009 est.)
    Military expenditures(% of GDP)5.7% of GDP (2006)
    Disputes - internationalCabindan separatists continue to return to the Angolan exclave from exile in neighboring states and Europe since the 2006 ceasefire and peace agreement
    Refugees and internally displaced personsrefugees (country of origin): 12,615 (Democratic Republic of Congo)
    IDPs: 61,700 (27-year civil war ending in 2002; 4 million IDPs already have returned) (2007)
    Electricity - production(kWh)3.722 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - production by source(%)fossil fuel: 36.4%
    hydro: 63.6%
    nuclear: 0%
    other: 0% (2001)
    Electricity - consumption(kWh)3.173 billion kWh (2007 est.)
    Electricity - exports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Electricity - imports(kWh)0 kWh (2008 est.)
    Oil - production(bbl/day)2.015 million bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - consumption(bbl/day)64,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
    Oil - exports(bbl/day)1.407 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - imports(bbl/day)28,090 bbl/day (2007 est.)
    Oil - proved reserves(bbl)9.04 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
    Natural gas - production(cu m)680 million cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - consumption(cu m)680 million cu m (2008 est.)
    Natural gas - exports(cu m)0 cu m (2008)
    Natural gas - proved reserves(cu m)269.8 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate(%)2.1% (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS190,000 (2007 est.)
    HIV/AIDS - deaths11,000 (2007 est.)
    Major infectious diseasesdegree of risk: very high
    food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, typhoid fever
    vectorborne diseases: malaria, African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
    water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2009)
    Literacy(%)definition: age 15 and over can read and write
    total population: 67.4%
    male: 82.9%
    female: 54.2% (2001 est.)
    Education expenditures(% of GDP)2.4% of GDP (2005)








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