Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste is one of the world's newest countries and also one of the poorest. This small, half-island nation is home to a young and culturally diverse population of just over 1 million. In its pivotal Southeast Asia location between Indonesia and Australia, Timor-Leste is already playing an important role in regional and global organizations. It currently holds the chair of the g7+ Group of Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, helping to lead the way to more effective engagement between developed and developing countries.

Timor-Leste has significant petroleum resources, but the country has young and inexperienced institutions of state, limited human resource capacity, and poor infrastructure. Despite the challenges, Timor-Leste has worked with diligence and courage since independence to establish its democratic institutions and a viable economy.

USAID works closely with Timor-Leste to address some of the country’s most pressing challenges. We focus on tackling Timor-Leste's serious health challenges, particularly those affecting women and children; improving agricultural capacity and performance; encouraging private sector competitiveness; building democratic institutions and good governance mechanisms, including anti-corruption systems; protecting the natural environment; and helping populations adapt to climate change.