Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Roble OLHAYE; Chancery
(temporary) at the Djiboutian Permanent Mission to the UN; 866 United
Nations Plaza, Suite 4011, New York, NY 10017; telephone (212) 753-3163;
US--Ambassador Robert S. BARRETT IV; Embassy at Villa Plateau du
Serpent, Boulevard Marechal Joffre, Djibouti (mailing address is B. P.
185, Djibouti); telephone 253 35-39-95
Flag: two equal horizontal bands of light blue (top) and light
green with a white isosceles triangle based on the hoist side bearing a
red five-pointed star in the center
ECONOMY
Overview: The economy is based on service activities connected with
the country's strategic location and status as a free trade zone in
northeast Africa. Djibouti provides services as both a transit port
for the region and an international transshipment and refueling center.
It has few natural resources and little industry. The nation is,
therefore, heavily dependent on foreign assistance to help support its
balance of payments and to finance development projects. An unemployment
rate of over 40% continues to be a major problem. Per capita
consumption dropped an estimated 35% over the last five years with
a population growth rate of 6% (including immigrants and refugees) and a
recession.
GDP: $340 million, $1,030 per capita; real growth rate - 1.0% (1989
est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.7% (1989)
Unemployment rate: over 40% (1989)
Budget: revenues $131 million; expenditures $154 million, including
capital expenditures of $25 million (1990 est.)
Exports: $190 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.);
commodities--hides and skins, coffee (in transit);
partners--Middle East 50%, Africa 43%, Western Europe 7%
Imports: $311 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.);
commodities--foods, beverages, transport equipment, chemicals,
petroleum products;
partners--EC 36%, Africa 21%, Asia 12%, US 2%
External debt: $355 million (December 1990)
Industrial production: growth rate 0.1% (1989); manufacturing
accounts for 4% of GDP
Electricity: 110,000 kW capacity; 190 million kWh produced,
580 kWh per capita (1989)
Industries: limited to a few small-scale enterprises, such as
dairy products and mineral-water bottling
Agriculture: accounts for only 5% of GDP; scanty rainfall limits
crop production to mostly fruit and vegetables; half of population
pastoral nomads herding goats, sheep, and camels; imports bulk of food
needs
Economic aid: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY78-89), $39
million; Western (non-US) countries, including ODA and OOF bilateral
commitments (1970-88), $1,035 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89),
$149 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $35 million
Currency: Djiboutian franc (plural--francs); 1 Djiboutian franc
(DF) = 100 centimes
Exchange rates: Djiboutian francs (DF) per US$1--177.721 (fixed
rate since 1973)
Fiscal year: calendar year
COMMUNICATIONS
Railroads: the Ethiopian-Djibouti railroad extends for 97 km
through Djibouti
Highways: 2,900 km total; 280 km bituminous surface, 2,620 km
improved or unimproved earth (1982)
Ports: Djibouti
Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft
Airports: 13 total, 10 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways;
none with runways over 3,659 m; 2 with runways 2,440-3,659 m;
4 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications: fair system of urban facilities in Djibouti and
radio relay stations at outlying places; 7,300 telephones; stations--2
AM, 1 FM, 2 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth station and 1 ARABSAT;
1 submarine cable to Saudi Arabia
DEFENSE FORCES
Branches: Army (including Navy and Air Force), paramilitary
National Security Force, National Police Force
Manpower availability: males 15-49, 89,519; 52,093 fit for military
service
