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Georgia flag

Georgia

Sak'art'velo

Capital:T'bilisi
Population:3.7M
Currency:Lari (GEL)
Language:Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia
Tbilisi

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Georgia.

Georgia Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

Georgia's culture is among the oldest and most distinctive in the Caucasus region, shaped by thousands of years of history at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The Georgian language, written in its own unique Mkhedruli script, is considered one of the world's fourteen independent scripts and has been in continuous use since at least the 5th century AD. This linguistic heritage is a profound source of national pride and identity. One of the most celebrated aspects of Georgian culture is its polyphonic choral singing tradition, which UNESCO inscribed on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Georgian polyphony is characterized by three or more independent vocal parts sung simultaneously, and it features prominently in both religious ceremonies and secular gatherings. The tradition is particularly strong in regions such as Guria, Svaneti, and Kakheti, each with its own distinct style. Georgian hospitality, known locally as "stumarmaspindzloba," is deeply embedded in social life. Guests are treated with extraordinary generosity, and the ritual feast known as the "supra" is central to this culture of welcome. A supra is presided over by a "tamada" (toastmaster), who guides elaborate sequences of toasts honoring family, ancestors, peace, and the homeland. Wine holds exceptional cultural significance in Georgia, which is widely regarded as one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with evidence of viticulture dating back approximately 8,000 years. The traditional method of fermenting wine in large clay vessels called "qvevri" was itself recognized by UNESCO in 2013 as an intangible cultural heritage. Religion plays a central role in Georgian cultural identity. The Georgian Orthodox Church, established in the 4th century, has shaped art, architecture, literature, and moral values throughout the country's history. More than three-quarters of the population identifies as Georgian Orthodox Christian. Traditional arts including enamel cloisonné work, carpet weaving, and the ancient form of sword dancing known as "Khorumi" further enrich a cultural landscape that has maintained remarkable continuity despite centuries of foreign invasions and occupation.

Tbilisi

Land of Wine and Hospitality

Social Customs & Etiquette

Greetings

Greetings in Georgia reflect the country's deep-rooted traditions of hospitality and respect, shaped by centuries of culture and the influence of the Georgian Orthodox Church. The Georgian language, one of the oldest in the world with its own unique script, forms the foundation of everyday salutations.

The most common everyday greeting is "Gamarjoba" (გამარჯობა), which is used informally between friends and peers and roughly translates to "hello" or "victory to you." When addressing a group of people or wishing to be more formal, Georgians say "Gamarjobat" (გამარჯობათ), the polite plural form. This distinction between informal and formal address is important in Georgian culture and reflects the high value placed on showing respect to elders and strangers.

When parting ways, Georgians typically say "Nakhvamdis" (ნახვამდის), meaning "goodbye" or literally "until we see each other again." A more casual farewell among friends and younger people is "Mshvidobit" (მშვიდობით), which conveys a wish for peace upon the departing person.

Physical greetings also carry cultural significance. Men commonly shake hands when meeting, and close male friends may embrace. Women often greet one another with a kiss on the cheek, and the same gesture is exchanged between men and women who are acquainted. Direct eye contact during a greeting is considered a sign of sincerity and warmth.

Time-specific greetings are also in common use. "Dila Mshvidoba" (დილა მშვიდობა) means "good morning," while "Saghamo Mshvidoba" (საღამო მშვიდობა) is used in the evening. Both phrases include the word "mshvidoba," reflecting the cultural emphasis on peace as a central social value.

Georgian hospitality, known as "Stumarmaspindzloba," is legendary in the Caucasus region. Guests are treated with exceptional warmth, and a greeting is often just the beginning of an elaborate welcome that may include food, wine, and toasts. For travelers visiting Georgia, learning even a basic greeting in Georgian is warmly appreciated by locals and seen as a meaningful gesture of respect.

Gestures

Tradition, loyalty to friends and family, and generosity towards guests are important values. Helping relatives get jobs is considered honorable. Guest usually bring gifts to the host such as flowers or chocolates. The best way to show respect for a guest is to provide a keipi or feast. Additionally one should stand up one someone enters a room and one should never sit with your back towards anyone.

Personal Appearance

Georgians wear casual clothes and follow the latest fashions.Traditional clothes include the chokha ( a tunic that is magenta or white, belted at the waist) for men and the kartuli kaba (a silk veil with a long embroidered dress that has wide sleeves and is gathered at the waist) for women.

Diet

Georgians like spicy food with Turkish, Greek, Arabic or Indian influence. A typical keipi might include khachapuri (baked cheese bread) satsivi (chicken soaked with spices) chanakhi (lamb and vegetable stew), tolma (meat wrapped in vine leaves) and badrizhani nivrit (eggplant with garlic).

Tbilisi

Family

Families usually consist of parents and two children with relatives living close by.

Dating Customs

Dating and marriage in Georgia are deeply influenced by Orthodox Christian traditions and a strong sense of family values that have persisted for centuries. The country has one of the oldest Christian heritages in the world, having adopted Christianity as its state religion in the 4th century, and this religious foundation continues to shape attitudes toward courtship, partnership, and family life.

Georgian society places great emphasis on the family unit, and marriage is widely regarded as one of the most important milestones in a person's life. Extended family networks play a significant role in daily life, and it is common for multiple generations to live in close proximity or even in the same household. Parents and grandparents often have a meaningful say in major decisions, including the choice of a spouse, particularly in rural areas.

Traditional gender roles remain relatively prominent in Georgia. Men are often expected to take the initiative in courtship and to serve as the primary financial provider within a household, while women are frequently associated with domestic responsibilities and child-rearing. However, younger urban Georgians, particularly those in Tbilisi, are increasingly influenced by European attitudes toward gender equality and relationship dynamics.

The legal age for marriage in Georgia is 18 for both men and women. Under special circumstances, a court may permit marriage at age 16. Arranged marriages are not common in the formal sense, though family approval of a partner remains culturally significant. Civil registration of marriages is required by law, and religious ceremonies, often conducted in an Orthodox church, are also widely performed.

Georgia's total fertility rate has declined over recent decades, reflecting broader demographic shifts. The marriage rate has also seen fluctuations, with urbanization and economic migration — particularly of young men seeking work abroad — affecting family formation patterns. Divorce, while stigmatized in more traditional communities, has become more legally accessible and socially accepted in urban settings.

Weddings in Georgia are known for being elaborate, multi-day celebrations filled with music, traditional toasts called "tamada" (led by a designated toastmaster), and abundant food and wine, reflecting the country's celebrated hospitality culture.

Recreation

Soccer is the most popular sport. Other sports include wrestling, archery and fencing. tskhenburti (a form of polo) and leloburti (a game like rugby). Georgians love the theater and classical concerts.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    5/26

    Independence Day

    26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

  • Christmas

    12/25

    Christmas

    Christmas in Georgia is celebrated on January 7 which is actually December 25 based on the Julian calendar. Most people in the country greet each other by the local dialect which is Georgian and is translated to Gilosavt Krist’es Shobas , pronounced ‘gee-low-saf kris-tes show-bus,’ and is also translated as Gilosavt akhal th’els, pronounced ‘gee-low-saf akal thels’. These popular greetings are heard everywhere throughout the Christmas season in Georgia.

    Literally meaning “Grandfather Snow,” Santa Claus is called Tovlis Papa, pronounced ‘tov-lis papa’ or Tovlis Babua, pronounced ‘tovlis ba-bwah’ depending on what part of Georgia you are in. Tovlis Papa is an old man with a long white beard that is dressed in the traditional Georgian garments and costume which is called chokka and wears a long fur coat that is called nabadi. Tovlis Papa leaves candies and small gifts inside good little children’s shoes and does not leave any goodies for children who have been naughty.

    The Christmas season for Georgia officially starts after the New Year but lately has been celebrated on theRoman calendar date of December 25 up to January when they officially celebrate their Christmas based on the Julian calendar.

    The days in between these dates are spent by the Georgian locals as a primer to the big festivities that will be held on January the 7th.

    Family members all eat together at the dinner table as the eve of New Year approaches. Fireworks light up the sky when midnight comes and champagne is one of the drinks served to celebrate the New Year. Christmas Day celebrations on the other hand, are more solemn and serious. A lot of people go to church where they hear Midnight Mass. After mass, it is time for the Alilo Procession, a modified form of aleluia. During the Alilo procession, laymen and clergy travel in horse-drawn carriages where people throw in alms for the poor while singing traditional Alilo Christmas songs.

    One Alilo folk song is:

    Sho ba sho-i-o i-oba ghme rtman da Ga- gvite e nos da a-i-lo-i-o o oida ai-da a-i-alilo o tsda o-i-o o-i-otasdakhu tsa da de-k’em-be e rsa da krist’e kri i-I st’e I ishva da be-tlem-sa a o da A-ka tkve eni sitotskhle Sho ba sho-i-o o-i-oba a khal da Ts’e-li-ts’a a di da

    Which translated to English is:

    May God bring us Christmas, Alleluia! On the twenty fifth of December, Alleluia! Christ was born in Bethlehem, Alleluia! May God grant you life, Alleluia! Christmas and New Year, Alleluia!

    After the solemn celebrations, families gather for a meal where traditional food and dishes like gozinaki, churchkhela, satsivi and other meat and vegetable dishes are served.

    Local Georgian Christmas trees are called Chichilaki, pronounced ‘chee-chee-la-kee’ which literally means Basil’s beard. Made of curled material and soft hazelnut branches, it occupies an important place on the dinner table during New Year celebrations.

    Traditionally, on the Eve of the Epiphany which is January 6, Chichilakies are burned and last year’s bad memories are supposed to be burned with it. Currently, Chichilakies are placed beside regular European Christmas trees which are decorated with fruit and sweets.

    The satsivi dish is a favorite Georgian Christmas dish served by most homes on Christmas Eve.

Dates of Interest

  • December 25th

    Christmas in Georgia is celebrated on January 7 which is actually December 25 based on the Julian calendar. Most people in the country greet each other by the local dialect which is Georgian and is translated to Gilosavt Krist'es Shobas, pronounced 'gee-low-saf kris-tes show-bus,' and is also translated as Gilosavt akhal th'els, pronounced 'gee-low-saf akal thels'. These popular greetings are heard everywhere throughout the Christmas season in Georgia. Literally meaning "Grandfather Snow," Santa Claus is called Tovlis Papa, pronounced 'tov-lis papa' or Tovlis Babua, pronounced 'tovlis ba-bwah' depending on what part of Georgia you are in. Tovlis Papa is an old man with a long white beard that is dressed in the traditional Georgian garments and costume which is called chokka and wears a long fur coat that is called nabadi.

How should I show respect when meeting people in Georgia?

Georgians value tradition, loyalty, and generosity, and respect is shown through attentive gestures when others are present.

Do

  • Stand up when someone enters the room

Don’t

  • Never sit with your back towards anyone

What is dining like in Georgia?

Meals are often celebrated through a feast (keipi or supra), and Georgians enjoy spicy food influenced by Turkish, Greek, Arabic, and Indian cuisine. Feasts are traditionally guided by a toastmaster called a tamada, who leads sequences of toasts.

Good to know

  • A typical keipi may include khachapuri (baked cheese bread), satsivi (spiced chicken), chanakhi (lamb and vegetable stew), tolma (meat in vine leaves), and badrizhani nivrit (eggplant with garlic)
  • Wine is exceptionally significant, traditionally fermented in clay qvevri vessels
  • Toasts honor family, ancestors, peace, and the homeland

What etiquette should travelers know in Georgia?

Hospitality (stumarmaspindzloba) is central to Georgian life, and guests are treated with extraordinary generosity, often welcomed with a feast.

Do

  • Bring a gift to your host, such as flowers or chocolates
  • Stand up when someone enters the room

Don’t

  • Don't sit with your back towards anyone

Good to know

  • Providing a keipi (feast) is the best way to show respect for a guest

What should I wear in Georgia?

Georgians wear casual clothes and follow the latest fashions.

Good to know

  • Traditional dress includes the chokha (a belted magenta or white tunic) for men and the kartuli kaba (a silk veil with a long embroidered, wide-sleeved dress) for women

What is family life like in Georgia?

Families usually consist of parents and two children, with relatives living close by.

Good to know

  • Helping relatives get jobs is considered honorable

What do Georgians do for recreation?

Soccer is the most popular sport, and Georgians also enjoy the theater and classical concerts.

Good to know

  • Other sports include wrestling, archery, fencing, tskhenburti (a form of polo), and leloburti (a game like rugby)
  • Polyphonic choral singing is a celebrated tradition, especially in Guria, Svaneti, and Kakheti

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Georgia

Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
lari (GEL)
Time Difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Protected by the Black Sea and Caucasus Mountains, Georgia's climate is relatively mild. Seasonal temperatures range from winter daytime highs of 32°F-35°F to summer daytime highs of 86°F-93°F. Except in the subtropical regions, humidity is relatively low in summer. Spring daytime highs average in the high 60s to the mid 70s. The weather allows for outside activity most of the year.
Airports
31
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Khatchapuri (Various Cheese-Filled Cookies)

Dessert

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History

Historical Eras

  1. Ancient Kingdoms

    1000 BCE – 330

    The early Georgian peoples organized into the kingdoms of Colchis along the Black Sea coast and Kartli-Iberia in the eastern interior, absorbing significant Greek cultural influence through Black Sea trade. Roman expansion brought the Caucasus under Roman suzerainty by 66 BCE. These centuries established the distinct Georgian ethnic and cultural identity that would persist through later conquests.

  2. Christian Kingdom

    330 – 813

    King Mirian III of Kartli-Iberia accepted Christianity around 330, binding Georgia spiritually and culturally to the Roman and later Byzantine Empire. Christianity became the cornerstone of Georgian national identity, with the Georgian Orthodox Church serving as a unifying institution. This era saw Georgia contested between Byzantine and Sassanid Persian spheres of influence before Arab invasions in the 7th century.

  3. Bagratid & Golden Age

    813 – 1386

    The Bagratid Dynasty unified the Georgian kingdoms, reaching its zenith under David IV the Builder (1089–1125), who expelled the Seljuk Turks and forged an expansive Georgian Empire stretching from the Black Sea to the Caspian. Queen Tamar (1184–1213) extended this empire further, presiding over a golden age of Georgian literature, architecture, and statecraft. Mongol invasions in the 13th century and Timur's devastating sack of Tbilisi in 1386 shattered this imperial order.

  4. Ottoman & Persian Rule

    1386 – 1801

    A fragmented Georgia fell increasingly under Ottoman and Persian domination; by 1553 the two empires had formally divided Georgian territory between them. The kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti was briefly reunified by Herekle II in 1762, but his realm faced constant Persian pressure. Seeking protection, Herekle II appealed to Russia, leading to the Treaty of Georgievsk in 1783 and ultimately the Russian abolition of the Bagratid Dynasty in 1801.

  5. Russian Imperial Era

    1801 – 1918

    Annexed into the Russian Empire, Georgia lost its dynastic sovereignty but gained relative security from Ottoman and Persian raids. Russian rule brought administrative modernization and infrastructure alongside cultural suppression and periodic nationalist resistance. The collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917 opened a brief window for independence, and Georgia declared itself a sovereign democratic republic in 1918.

  6. Soviet & Modern Georgia

    1918 – present

    Georgia's first republic lasted only until 1921, when the Red Army invaded and incorporated it into the Transcaucasian Soviet Federated Socialist Republic, later the Georgian SSR. The country regained independence with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, but immediately faced ethnic conflicts in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, economic collapse, and enduring Russian geopolitical pressure, including a brief war with Russia in 2008.

Overview

THE THREE REPUBLICS of Transcaucasia--Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia--were included in the Soviet Union in the early 1920s after their inhabitants had passed through long and varied periods as separate nations and as parts of neighboring empires, most recently the Russian Empire. By the time the Soviet Union dissolved at the end of 1991, the three republics had regained their independence, but their economic weakness and the turmoil surrounding them jeopardized that independence almost immediately. By 1994 Russia had regained substantial influence in the region by arbitrating disputes and by judiciously inserting peacekeeping troops. Geographically isolated, the three nations gained some Western economic support in the early 1990s, but in 1994 the leaders of all three asserted that national survival depended chiefly on diverting resources from military applications to restructuring economic and social institutions. Location at the meeting point of southeastern Europe with the western border of Asia greatly influenced the histories of the three national groups forming the present-day Transcaucasian republics. Especially between the twelfth and the twentieth centuries, their peoples were subject to invasion and control by the Ottoman, Persian, and Russian empires. But, with the formation of the twentieth-century states named for them, the Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian peoples as a whole underwent different degrees of displacement and played quite different roles. For example, the Republic of Azerbaijan that emerged from the Soviet Union in 1991 contains only 5.8 million of the world’s estimated 19 million Azerbaijanis, with most of the balance living in Iran across a southern border fixed when Persia and Russia in the nineteenth century. At the same time, slightly more than half the world’s 6.3 million Armenians are widely scattered outside the borders of the Republic of Armenia as a result of a centuries-long diaspora and step-by-step reduction of their national territory. In contrast, the great majority of the world’s Georgian population lives in the Republic of Georgia (together with ethnic minorities constituting about 30 percent of the republic’s population), after having experienced centuries of foreign domination but little forcible alteration of national boundaries. The starting points and the outside influences that formed the three cultures also were quite different. In pre-Christian times, Georgia’s location along the Black Sea opened it to cultural influence from Greece. During the same period, Armenia was settled by tribes from southeastern Europe, and Azerbaijan was settled by Asiatic Medes, Persians, and Scythians. In Azerbaijan, Persian cultural influence dominated in the formative period of the first millennium B.C. In the early fourth century, kings of Armenia and Georgia accepted Christianity after extensive contact with the proselytizing early Christians at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. Following their conversion, Georgians remained tied by religion to the Roman Empire and later the Byzantine Empire centered at Constantinople. Although Armenian Christianity broke with Byzantine Orthodoxy very early, Byzantine occupation of Armenian territory enhanced the influence of Greek culture on Armenians in the Middle Ages. In Azerbaijan, the Zoroastrian religion, a legacy of the early Persian influence there, was supplanted in the seventh century by the Muslim faith introduced by conquering Arabs. Conquest and occupation by the Turks added centuries of Turkic influence, which remains a primary element of secular Azerbaijani culture, notably in language and the arts. In the twentieth century, Islam remains the prevalent religion of Azerbaijan, with about three-quarters of the population adhering to the georgia/ge_glos.asp#Shia">Shia (see Glossary) branch. Golden ages of peace and independence enabled the three civilizations to individualize their forms of art and literature before 1300, and all have retained unique characteristics that arose during those eras. The Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian languages also grew in different directions: Armenian developed from a combination of Indo-European and non-Indo-European language stock, with an alphabet based on the Greek; Azerbaijani, akin to Turkish and originating in Central Asia, now uses the Roman alphabet after periods of official usage of the Arabic and Cyrillic alphabets; and Georgian, unrelated to any major world language, use a Greek-based alphabet quite different from the Armenian. Beginning in the eighteenth century, the Russian Empire constantly probed the Caucasus region for possible expansion toward the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea. These efforts engaged Russia in a series of wars with the Persian and Ottoman empires, both of which by that time were decaying from within. By 1828 Russia had

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 66 BCE

    Romans complete conquest of Caucasus Mountains region

    Romans complete conquest of Caucasus Mountains region, including Georgian kingdom of Kartli-Iberia.

  2. 330

    King Marian III of Kartli-Iberia accepts Christianity for the Georgian people.

    King Marian III of Kartli-Iberia accepts Christianity for the Georgian people.

  3. 813

    Armenian prince Ashot I begins 1,000 years of rule in Georgia by Bagratid Dynasty.

    Armenian prince Ashot I begins 1,000 years of rule in Georgia by Bagratid Dynasty.

  4. 1099 – 1125

    David IV the Builder establishes expanded Georgian Empire and begins golden age of Georgia.

    David IV the Builder establishes expanded Georgian Empire and begins golden age of Georgia.

  5. 1100 – 1300

    Cilician Armenian and Georgian armies aid European armies in Crusades.

    Cilician Armenian and Georgian armies aid European armies in Crusades to limit Muslim control of Holy Land.

  6. 1386

    Timur (Tamerlane) sacks Tbilisi, ending Georgian Empire.

    Timur (Tamerlane) sacks Tbilisi, ending Georgian Empire.

  7. 1401 – 1500

    Most of modern Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia become part of Ottoman Empire.

    Most of modern Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia become part of Ottoman Empire.

View full timeline (26 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth they throw their tooth high up on the roof of their house and say “Mouse, mouse, take away my spoiled tooth and send me back a strong healthy one.”

  • Perhaps the most famous Georgian was Josif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili who called himself "Stalin" or man of steel. Born in 1879, Stalin became the second leader of the USSR (after Lenin). Stalin led the USSR until his death in 1953.

  • Financial problems have meant that independent Georgia can only guarantee free education for the first nine years of school, starting at the age of six.

  • Georgia has centuries-old tradition of winemaking.

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Geography and Environment

The Republic of Georgia is situated on the eastern shore of the Black Sea and bordered by Russia and the Caucasus Mountains to the north. Its neighbor to the east is Azerbaijan, to the south are Turkey and Armenia. Georgia is at a crossroads of European and Asian commerce, culture, and religion. Starting in the east, Georgia’s landscape is largely semidesert. In the western portion lay the permanently snow-covered peaks and glaciers of the Caucasian Mountains, with summits as high as 5,000 meters. The peak of Kazbegi is a popular destination for climbers. The subtropical climate near the Black Sea coast nourishes citrus groves and tea plantations. Numerous rivers, including the Mtkvari and the Rioni, wind through Georgia’s mountains and valleys. Many of these rivers are used to generate hydroelectric power.
Terrain
largely mountainous with Great Caucasus Mountains in the north and Lesser Caucasus Mountains in the south; Kolkhet'is Dablobi (Kolkhida Lowland) opens to the Black Sea in the west; Mtkvari River Basin in the east; good soils in river valley flood plains,
Climate
Protected by the Black Sea and Caucasus Mountains, Georgia’s climate is relatively mild. Seasonal temperatures range from winter daytime highs of 32°F–35°F to summer daytime highs of 86°F–93°F. Except in the subtropical regions, humidity is relatively low in summer. Spring daytime highs average in the high 60s to the mid 70s. The weather allows for outside activity most of the year.
Natural Hazards
earthquakes
Current Environmental Issues
air pollution, particularly in Rust'avi; heavy pollution of Mtkvari River and the Black Sea; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil pollution from toxic chemicals
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7%

note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

  • Armenian
  • Azeri
  • Georgian
  • Russian

Population

Population
3,728,573
Population in Major Urban Areas
TBILISI (capital) 1.121 million
Nationality Noun
Georgian(s)
Ethnic Groups
Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%

Education

Literacy Definition
Age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Georgia stands at approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Women in Georgia can expect to live to around 78 to 79 years, while men have a considerably shorter life expectancy of approximately 70 to 71 years. This gender gap of roughly eight to nine years is among the more pronounced disparities in the broader European and Central Asian region. Georgia has made meaningful progress in improving population health outcomes over recent decades. Life expectancy declined sharply following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, as economic hardship, conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the deterioration of public health infrastructure took a heavy toll. Since the mid-2000s, a series of healthcare reforms have helped reverse this trend. The government undertook significant restructuring of its health system, expanding access to primary care and introducing universal health coverage programs, particularly after 2013. Key contributors to mortality in Georgia include cardiovascular disease, which accounts for the largest share of deaths, followed by cancers and respiratory conditions. These noncommunicable diseases place a significant burden on the population and remain a central focus of public health efforts. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, high rates of alcohol consumption among men, and diets rich in salt and animal fats contribute to elevated rates of heart disease and stroke. Rural populations and lower-income groups continue to face barriers to healthcare access, which affects health outcomes in these communities disproportionately. The country also has one of the higher rates of hepatitis C infection globally, though a national elimination program launched with international support has made substantial progress in reducing prevalence and is widely regarded as a model initiative in the region. Despite these challenges, Georgia's overall life expectancy trajectory has been positive, with steady gains recorded over the past two decades. Continued investment in preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and expanded health insurance coverage are expected to support further improvements in the years ahead.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Georgia stands at approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with notable differences between men and women. Women in Georgia can expect to live to around 78 to 79 years, while men have a considerably shorter life expectancy of approximately 70 to 71 years. This gender gap of roughly eight to nine years is among the more pronounced disparities in the broader European and Central Asian region. Georgia has made meaningful progress in improving population health outcomes over recent decades. Life expectancy declined sharply following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, as economic hardship, conflict in Abkhazia and South Ossetia, and the deterioration of public health infrastructure took a heavy toll. Since the mid-2000s, a series of healthcare reforms have helped reverse this trend. The government undertook significant restructuring of its health system, expanding access to primary care and introducing universal health coverage programs, particularly after 2013. Key contributors to mortality in Georgia include cardiovascular disease, which accounts for the largest share of deaths, followed by cancers and respiratory conditions. These noncommunicable diseases place a significant burden on the population and remain a central focus of public health efforts. Lifestyle factors such as tobacco use, high rates of alcohol consumption among men, and diets rich in salt and animal fats contribute to elevated rates of heart disease and stroke. Rural populations and lower-income groups continue to face barriers to healthcare access, which affects health outcomes in these communities disproportionately. The country also has one of the higher rates of hepatitis C infection globally, though a national elimination program launched with international support has made substantial progress in reducing prevalence and is widely regarded as a model initiative in the region. Despite these challenges, Georgia's overall life expectancy trajectory has been positive, with steady gains recorded over the past two decades. Continued investment in preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and expanded health insurance coverage are expected to support further improvements in the years ahead.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Georgia
Local - Short
Sak'art'velo
Former Name
Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic

Government Structure

Government Type
republic
Legal System
based on civil law system
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Salome ZOURABICHVILI (since 16 December 2018); note - the president serves as a largely ceremonial head of state following constitutional reforms that shifted significant executive authority to the prime minister head of government: Prime Minister Irakli KOBAKHIDZE (since 29 February 2024); note - the prime minister is the head of government and holds primary executive authority; the cabinet is accountable to parliament cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the prime minister elections: president elected by a 300-member electoral college for a single six-year term (as of 2024, no longer elected by direct popular vote); the most recent presidential election was held on 28 November 2024; prior to constitutional changes, the president was elected by popular vote for a five-year term election results: Salome ZOURABICHVILI elected president in the December 2018 runoff; percent of vote in runoff - Salome ZOURABICHVILI 59.5%, Grigol VASHADZE 40.5%; note - Mikheil KAVELASHVILI was elected president by the electoral college on 14 December 2024 and is expected to assume office upon completion of the transition
Legislative Branch
Unicameral Parliament of Georgia (Sakartvelos Parlamenti), consisting of 150 seats following constitutional reforms; members are elected through a mixed proportional representation system and serve four-year terms. The Parliament is based in the capital, Tbilisi. Elections: Last held on 26 October 2024 (next to be held in 2028). Election results: Percent of vote by party — Georgian Dream 54.1%, Coalition for Change 11.0%, Unity — National Movement 10.2%, Strong Georgia 8.8%, Gakharia for Georgia 7.8%; seats by party — Georgian Dream 89, Coalition for Change 19, Unity — National Movement 16, Strong Georgia 14, Gakharia for Georgia 12. The 2024 elections were marked by significant controversy, with opposition parties and international observers raising concerns about electoral irregularities, leading to prolonged political unrest and opposition boycotts of parliamentary proceedings.
Judicial Branch
Supreme Court (judges elected by the Supreme Council on the president's or chairman of the Supreme Court's recommendation); Constitutional Court; first and second instance courts
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
adopted 17 October 1995
Independence
9 April 1991 (from Soviet Union)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note - 26 May 1918 is the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 is the date of independence from the Soviet Union

Capital City

Capital Name
T'bilisi
Capital - geographic coordinate
41 41 N, 44 50 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

The name in Georgian means "warm place," referring to the numerous sulfuric hot springs in the area

Military

Branches: Georgian Armed Forces: Land Forces (including Air and Air Defense Forces); separatist Abkhazia Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Air Forces; separatist South Ossetia Armed Forces Note: Georgian naval forces have been incorporated into the Coast Guard, which is not part of the Defense Ministry

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy Tbilisi

11 George Balanchine Street

Tbilisi 0131

Tel: (995 32) 227-70-00 or Consular Section: (995 32) 227-77-24

Duty officer for emergencies after hours: (995 32) (995 32) 227-70-00

E-mail: AskConsulTbilisi@state.gov

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Economy

Georgia operates a mixed economy that has transitioned from a Soviet-era centrally planned system to a market-oriented model since gaining independence in 1991. Following severe economic contraction in the 1990s, the country implemented sweeping reforms in the mid-2000s, including tax simplification, anti-corruption measures, and deregulation, which significantly improved its business climate. Georgia consistently ranks among the top countries globally for ease of doing business and economic freedom.

The country's gross domestic product reached approximately 30.5 billion US dollars in 2023, with GDP per capita exceeding 8,100 US dollars. The economy has demonstrated robust growth, expanding by roughly 7.5 percent in 2023, supported by strong domestic demand, tourism recovery, and increased migration inflows from neighboring countries. Services dominate the economy, accounting for around 60 percent of GDP, followed by industry at about 20 percent and agriculture at roughly 7 percent.

Key sectors include tourism, which welcomed over 7 million international visitors in 2023, generating significant foreign currency earnings. Agriculture remains important for rural employment, with wine production being particularly notable—Georgia is recognized as one of the world's oldest wine-producing regions, with cultivation traditions dating back over 8,000 years. Other agricultural exports include hazelnuts, citrus fruits, and tea. Mining, particularly of manganese and copper, along with metallurgy, contributes substantially to industrial output.

Georgia's strategic location along the historic Silk Road has made it an important transit corridor between Europe and Asia. The Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the South Caucasus gas pipeline traverse the country, generating transit revenues. The Black Sea ports of Batumi and Poti facilitate regional trade.

Major trading partners include Turkey, Russia, China, Azerbaijan, and the European Union, with which Georgia signed an Association Agreement and Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area in 2014. Remittances from Georgians working abroad contribute significantly to household incomes, typically representing 10 to 15 percent of GDP. Challenges persist, including a sizeable current account deficit, unemployment hovering around 16 percent, and regional income disparities between Tbilisi and rural areas.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Lari (GEL)
GDP — official exchange rate
$6,400,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
5.6%
Gini Index
38

Banknotes

Georgia Money - Front
Georgia Money - Front
Georgia Money - Back
Georgia Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$1,560,000,000 (USD)
External Debt
$2,040,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
26.6%
Economic Aid
$150,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
-$439,300,000 (USD)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange
$350,100,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
industry 20%; agriculture 40%; services 40%
Household Income — highest 10%
27.9%
Industries
steel, aircraft, machine tools, electrical appliances, mining (manganese and copper), chemicals, wood products, wine
Agriculture Products
citrus, grapes, tea, hazelnuts, vegetables; livestock
Export Commodities
scrap metal, machinery, chemicals; fuel reexports; citrus fruits, tea, wine
Export Partners
Turkey 21.7%, Italy 11.4%, Russia 10.7%, Greece 8.1%, Netherlands 7.1%, Spain 5.5%, Turkmenistan 4.5%
Import Commodities
fuels, machinery and parts, transport equipment, grain and other foods, pharmaceuticals
Import Partners
Azerbaijan 11.7%, Turkey 10.6%, US 10.4%, Russia 9.5%, Germany 7.4%, Ukraine 6%, Italy 5.3%, Bulgaria 5.1%, France 4.4%

Energy

Oil Production
1,982 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
13,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
0 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
20,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
1,500,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
1,500,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
0 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
General assessment: Fixed-line telecommunications network has limited coverage outside Tbilisi; multiple mobile-cellular providers provide services to an increasing subscribership throughout the country Domestic: Cellular telephone networks cover the entire country; mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 100 per 100 people; intercity facilities include a fiber-optic line between T'bilisi and K'ut'aisi International: Country code - 995; the Georgia-Russia fiber-optic submarine cable provides connectivity to Russia; international service is available by microwave, landline, and satellite through the Moscow switch; international electronic mail and telex service are available
Internet Country Code
.ge

News & Weather

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Climate Overview

Protected by the Black Sea and Caucasus Mountains, Georgia's climate is relatively mild. Seasonal temperatures range from winter daytime highs of 32°F-35°F to summer daytime highs of 86°F-93°F. Except in the subtropical regions, humidity is relatively low in summer. Spring daytime highs average in the high 60s to the mid 70s. The weather allows for outside activity most of the year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Georgia?
The population of Georgia is approximately 3.7M.
How should I show respect when meeting people in Georgia?
Georgians value tradition, loyalty, and generosity, and respect is shown through attentive gestures when others are present. Do: Stand up when someone enters the room Don't: Never sit with your back towards anyone
What is dining like in Georgia?
Meals are often celebrated through a feast (keipi or supra), and Georgians enjoy spicy food influenced by Turkish, Greek, Arabic, and Indian cuisine. Feasts are traditionally guided by a toastmaster called a tamada, who leads sequences of toasts. A typical keipi may include khachapuri (baked cheese bread), satsivi (spiced chicken), chanakhi (lamb and vegetable stew), tolma (meat in vine leaves), and badrizhani nivrit (eggplant with garlic) Wine is exceptionally significant, traditionally fermented in clay qvevri vessels Toasts honor family, ancestors, peace, and the homeland
What etiquette should travelers know in Georgia?
Hospitality (stumarmaspindzloba) is central to Georgian life, and guests are treated with extraordinary generosity, often welcomed with a feast. Do: Bring a gift to your host, such as flowers or chocolates Stand up when someone enters the room Don't: Don't sit with your back towards anyone Providing a keipi (feast) is the best way to show respect for a guest
What should I wear in Georgia?
Georgians wear casual clothes and follow the latest fashions. Traditional dress includes the chokha (a belted magenta or white tunic) for men and the kartuli kaba (a silk veil with a long embroidered, wide-sleeved dress) for women
What is family life like in Georgia?
Families usually consist of parents and two children, with relatives living close by. Helping relatives get jobs is considered honorable
What do Georgians do for recreation?
Soccer is the most popular sport, and Georgians also enjoy the theater and classical concerts. Other sports include wrestling, archery, fencing, tskhenburti (a form of polo), and leloburti (a game like rugby) Polyphonic choral singing is a celebrated tradition, especially in Guria, Svaneti, and Kakheti
What is the capital of Georgia?
T'bilisi is the capital and largest city of Georgia, serving as the country's political, economic, and cultural heart. Situated along the Mtkvari (Kura) River in the southeast of the country, it has been the capital since the 5th century. The city is renowned for its distinctive Old Town, sulfurous bathhouses, and a blend of medieval, Moorish, and Soviet-era architecture that reflects Georgia's layered history at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.
Where is Georgia located?
Georgia is located in the South Caucasus region of western Asia, nestled between the Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north and the Lesser Caucasus to the south. It sits at a strategic crossroads between Europe and Asia, bordered by the Black Sea to the west. This position has made it a historic transit zone for trade, migration, and conquest across millennia, shaping its remarkably diverse cultural heritage.
What countries border Georgia?
Georgia shares land borders with four countries. Russia lies to the north along the Greater Caucasus range, while Turkey and Armenia border the country to the south and southwest. Azerbaijan borders Georgia to the southeast. To the west, Georgia has a coastline along the Black Sea. The country also contains the disputed territories of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, whose status remains a significant point of international contention.
What is the predominant religion in Georgia?
Georgian Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion, practiced by approximately 65 percent of the population. The Georgian Orthodox Church is one of the world's oldest Christian institutions, with roots dating to the 4th century, and it holds a central place in national identity and culture. Islam accounts for roughly 11 percent of the population, and Russian Orthodox Christianity for approximately 10 percent, reflecting the country's ethnic and regional diversity.
What currency does Georgia use?
Georgia's official currency is the Lari, with the ISO code GEL. The Lari was introduced in 1995, replacing the coupon that had served as a transitional currency following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The name "lari" is an old Georgian word meaning a hoard or property. The currency is subdivided into 100 tetri and is issued and regulated by the National Bank of Georgia.
What language is spoken in Georgia?
Georgian is the official language of the country, spoken by approximately 71 percent of the population. It belongs to the Kartvelian language family and is written in the unique Mkhedruli script, which dates to at least the 5th century and is used for no other language in the world. Russian remains widely spoken as a second language, while Armenian and Azeri are spoken by minority communities. Abkhaz holds official status within the disputed region of Abkhazia.
What is Georgia known for?
Georgia is known internationally for its ancient winemaking tradition — the country is considered one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world, with a method of fermenting wine in clay vessels called qvevri recognized by UNESCO. Georgian cuisine, particularly dishes such as khachapuri (cheese-filled bread) and khinkali (spiced dumplings), has a devoted following well beyond its borders. The country also gained global notoriety as the birthplace of Joseph Stalin, born Josif Dzhugashvili in the town of Gori in 1879, who would go on to lead the Soviet Union until his death in 1953.
What is the geography of Georgia like?
Georgia's landscape is dominated by the Greater Caucasus mountains along its northern border, with peaks exceeding 5,000 metres, while the interior contains fertile valleys, semi-arid plains, and subtropical coastline along the Black Sea in the west. This dramatic variation in terrain produces a wide range of microclimates within a relatively compact territory, supporting ecosystems from alpine glaciers to lush lowland forests. The Mtkvari and Rioni rivers are the country's principal waterways, draining the eastern and western regions respectively.

Last reviewed 2026

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