Timor-Leste: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Timor-Leste — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Timor-Leste has a population of 1,267,972 spread across 14,874 km², giving it an average density of 85.2 people per km².

Demographics

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Timor-Leste is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 31% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 64.0% of Timor-Leste's total exports, making it a major pillar of the economy — expect well-developed tourist infrastructure, but also crowded hotspots.

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Timor-Leste has 0.75 physicians per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Timor-Leste, 34% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 113 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Source: World Bank Open Data