People and Society of Georgia

Nationality

Georgian(s)

Ethnic Groups

Georgian 70.1%, Armenian 8.1%, Russian 6.3%, Azeri 5.7%, Ossetian 3%, Abkhaz 1.8%, other 5%

Population

3,728,573

Population in Major Urban Areas

TBILISI (capital) 1.121 million

Western-standard medical care in Georgia is limited, but Georgian healthcare continues to improve. There is a shortage of medical supplies and capabilities outside of Tbilisi and Batumi. Elderly travelers and those with pre-existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. We strongly recommend that travelers who intend to visit Georgia for at least two weeks get the Hepatitis A vaccine and the pre-exposure rabies vaccine series. Travelers are also encouraged to bring medicine to treat diarrhea, which regularly afflicts newcomers. Georgian doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment before rendering medical services. Travelers should take care that food is cooked thoroughly to reduce the risk of food-borne illness. Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Georgia. There are eight known poisonous snake species in Georgia. The season when you are most likely to encounter snakes is between March and October. Anti-venom is available for some species in a small number of facilities. Treat all snakes as poisonous.

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.

Infant Mortality Rate

Georgia has made substantial progress in reducing infant mortality over the past two decades, reflecting broader improvements in the country's healthcare infrastructure, prenatal care access, and public health policy. As of the most recent available data, Georgia's infant mortality rate stands at approximately 8 to 9 deaths per 1,000 live births. This represents a dramatic decline from the early post-Soviet period of the 1990s, when the rate was significantly higher due to economic instability, deteriorating health services, and limited access to quality medical care following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The improvement in infant survival rates can be attributed to several key factors. Georgia has expanded coverage of essential vaccines, strengthened maternal and child health programs, and improved the quality of neonatal care in both urban hospitals and regional health facilities. International organizations, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, have supported Georgia in implementing evidence-based interventions targeting newborn care and reducing preventable causes of infant death such as birth asphyxia, sepsis, and preterm birth complications. Geographic and socioeconomic disparities, however, continue to influence outcomes. Rural regions and economically marginalized communities tend to face higher risks due to reduced access to specialized medical facilities and trained healthcare personnel. The government has worked to address these gaps through targeted health reforms and investment in primary healthcare networks across the country. Compared to regional neighbors, Georgia performs relatively well, with rates that approach those seen in several Central and Eastern European nations. The country's trajectory suggests continued improvement, driven by ongoing healthcare reform efforts and sustained international health partnerships. For travelers and researchers, it is worth noting that Georgia's healthcare system has undergone significant modernization, with Tbilisi and other major cities offering medical facilities capable of handling complex maternal and neonatal cases. The infant mortality rate, while still above the averages seen in Western Europe, reflects a country that has made measurable and consistent public health gains over recent years.

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

• Georgian Orthodox65.0%
• Muslim11.0%
• Russian Orthodox10.0%
• Armenian Apostolic8.0%
• unknown6.0%

Georgian 71% (official), Russian 9%, Armenian 7%, Azeri 6%, other 7% note: Abkhaz is the official language in Abkhazia

• Armenian
• Azeri
• Georgian
• Russian

Crime Information

When traveling in Georgia, you should take the same precautions against becoming a victim of crime as you would in any large city. U.S. citizens in particular are perceived as being wealthy, and therefore may be targeted for economic and property-based crimes. Petty street crime, such as theft by pickpockets, has been reported throughout the country, particularly in crowded places such as tourist sites or on public transportation. Firearms are readily available in Georgia and assailants may be armed with firearms or other weapons. There are also disputes, sometimes in areas where U.S. citizens frequent, which include firearms and may endanger U.S. citizens. Vary your times and routes, especially from places of residence to work locations. Maintain a low profile – do not carry large amounts of cash or otherwise draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Report any security-related incidents such as suspicious vehicles, individuals, or activities, to the Georgian authorities, and also inform the U.S. Embassy as soon as possible. Travel in pairs or groups, and stay on main streets and routes. The U.S. Embassy recommends that if you are traveling throughout the country you do so during daylight hours only and provide a travel itinerary and contact telephone numbers to someone before you go. See below for more details on road safety in Georgia. Personal vehicles and established (clearly marked) taxis and public transportation are generally safe for overland travel in Georgia. However, crowded and “off the beaten path” conditions of some public transportation increase passengers’ vulnerability to robbery. U.S. citizens have reported occurrences of sexual assault in Georgia, including date or acquaintance rape. Women should avoid being alone in isolated areas with people whom they do not know well. In many of the reported cases, alcohol was involved. Avoid traveling alone in a private taxi or a “marshrutka” mini-bus, especially after dark. Victims of sexual assault should first get to a safe location and then call the local police and the U.S. Embassy. Women victimized overseas may be entitled to receive compensation for counseling and/or other services, including relocation back to the United States.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Georgia, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Georgia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. For example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children, using, or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Georgia, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you go. Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. Embassy if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. Embassy as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. If you are arrested in Georgia, the local authorities are required to notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. If you are concerned that the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request that police or prison officials notify the U.S. Embassy of your arrest. A Consular Officer from the Embassy will visit you but will not be able to get you out of jail. You will need to consult an attorney. A list of English-speaking attorneys can be found on the embassy’s website. The Georgian authorities will provide you with an attorney and translator if you cannot afford one.