People and Society of Timor-Leste

Nationality

Timorese

Ethnic Groups

Austronesian (Malayo-Polynesian), Papuan, small Chinese minority

Population

1,360,596

Population in Major Urban Areas

DILI (capital) 180,000

Although limited emergency medical care is available in Dili, options for routine medical care throughout the rest of country are extremely limited. Serious medical problems require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to Australia, the nearest point with acceptable medical care, to Singapore, or to the United States, and can cost thousands of dollars.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Timor-Leste has improved significantly over recent decades, reflecting ongoing progress in public health infrastructure, maternal and child care, and access to basic medical services. As of the most recent estimates, the average life expectancy at birth stands at approximately 68 years overall, with women generally outliving men by several years — women averaging around 70 years compared to approximately 66 years for men. These figures represent a remarkable turnaround from the early post-independence period following 2002, when the country was emerging from decades of conflict and widespread poverty. In the early 2000s, life expectancy hovered in the low-to-mid 50s, meaning the gains achieved in just two decades amount to roughly 13 to 16 additional years of expected life — one of the more notable improvements in the Asia-Pacific region during that period. Despite this progress, Timor-Leste still lags behind many of its Southeast Asian neighbors. Countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines all report life expectancies in the mid-to-upper 70s. The gap reflects persistent challenges within Timor-Leste's health system, including limited access to specialist care outside the capital Dili, high rates of malnutrition — particularly among children under five — and ongoing issues with tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. Maternal mortality, while declining, remains elevated by regional standards, which continues to weigh on overall life expectancy figures. Neonatal health outcomes have also been a concern, though vaccination coverage and prenatal care programs have expanded meaningfully in recent years with sustained international support. The government, in partnership with the World Health Organization and other international agencies, has prioritized community health worker programs and rural clinic expansion as part of broader national development strategies. Access to clean water and improved sanitation — both closely linked to longer, healthier lives — has also expanded, though coverage remains uneven between urban and rural areas. Malnutrition continues to be one of the more significant structural barriers to further gains, with stunting rates among young children remaining among the highest in the region. Continued investment in primary healthcare, nutrition programs, and rural health infrastructure is considered essential to sustaining the upward trajectory in life expectancy seen over the past two decades, and to closing the gap with neighboring nations.

Infant Mortality Rate

Timor-Leste has made notable progress in reducing its infant mortality rate over recent decades, though it remains one of the higher rates in Southeast Asia. As of the most recent available data, the infant mortality rate in Timor-Leste stands at approximately 38 to 42 deaths per 1,000 live births, reflecting both the challenges of the country's developing health infrastructure and the gains achieved through sustained public health efforts since independence in 2002. The primary causes of infant death in Timor-Leste include neonatal complications, pneumonia, diarrheal diseases, and malnutrition. Access to skilled birth attendants remains limited in rural and mountainous areas, where geography creates significant barriers to timely medical care. A substantial portion of births still take place outside of formal health facilities, increasing the risk of complications during and immediately after delivery. Malnutrition is a compounding factor in infant health outcomes. Timor-Leste has one of the highest rates of childhood stunting in the world, and inadequate maternal nutrition during pregnancy contributes directly to low birth weight, which in turn raises the risk of infant death in the first weeks of life. The government of Timor-Leste, in partnership with international organizations such as UNICEF and the World Health Organization, has invested in expanding community health centers, training community health workers, and promoting breastfeeding and oral rehydration therapy. Vaccination coverage has improved significantly, reducing deaths attributable to vaccine-preventable diseases. Despite these improvements, the infant mortality rate in Timor-Leste remains considerably higher than the regional average for Southeast Asia, which sits closer to 15 to 20 deaths per 1,000 live births. Continued investment in maternal health, nutrition programs, clean water access, and rural health infrastructure will be essential to further reducing infant deaths and improving overall child survival rates in the country.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

• Roman Catholic90.0%
• Muslim4.0%
• Protestant3.0%
• Other2.0%
• Hindu1.0%

Tetum (official), Portuguese (official), Indonesian, English note: there are about 16 indigenous languages; Tetum, Galole, Mambae, and Kemak are spoken by significant numbers of people

Portuguese and Tetum, the local language, are both official languages. Bahasa-Indonesia and English are also used in commercial and government spheres. English is often used in academic and non-government spheres. In school, it is still debated whether to focus on written Tetum, or Portuguese.

• Indonesian
• Portuguese
• Tetum

Crime Information

Crimes such as pick pocketing, purse snatchings, residential and automobile break-ins, and theft occur throughout the country but are more frequent in Dili, the capital. These crimes often occur in recreational areas and facilities frequented by foreigners. If you become a victim of these crimes but resist, you may end up facing physical violence by perpetrators. There is occasional gang-related violence, which, at times, has affected foreign nationals. Stone-throwing attacks on vehicles occur during periods of gang conflicts and civil unrest and have resulted in serious injury and death in the past. You should avoid travel at night or alone in unfamiliar areas. Women should avoid traveling alone, especially at night, because sexual assault or banditry is possible. Timor-Leste is socially conservative and you should avoid wearing revealing clothing, particularly in crowded public areas such as markets. Don’t buy counterfeit or pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Timor-Leste, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own, and criminal penalties vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Timor-Leste, 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 where you are. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Timor-Leste, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S. embassy of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the U.S. embassy.