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Montenegro

Montenegro

Background
The use of the name Crna Gora or Black Mountain (Montenegro) began in the 13th century in reference to a highland region in the Serbian province of Zeta. Under Ottoman control beginning in 1496, Montenegro was a semi-autonomous theocracy ruled by a series of bishop princes until 1852, when it became a secular principality. Montenegro fought a series of wars with the Ottomans and eventually won recognition as an independent sovereign principality at the Congress of Berlin in 1878. In 1918, the country was absorbed by the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, which became the Kingdom of Yugoslavia in 1929. At the end of World War II, Montenegro joined the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (SFRY). When the SFRY dissolved in 1992, Montenegro and Serbia created the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), which shifted in 2003 to a looser State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Montenegro voted to restore its independence on 3 June 2006. Montenegro became an official EU candidate in 2010 and joined NATO in 2017.
Location
Southeastern Europe, between the Adriatic Sea and Serbia
Geographic coordinates
42 30 N, 19 18 E
Map references
Europe
Area
total: 13,812 sq km
land: 13,452 sq km
water: 360 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Connecticut; slightly larger than twice the size of Delaware
Land boundaries
total: 680 km
border countries: Albania 186 km; Bosnia and Herzegovina 242 km; Croatia 19 km; Kosovo 76 km; Serbia 157 km
Coastline
293.5 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: defined by treaty
Climate
Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland
Terrain
highly indented coastline with narrow coastal plain backed by rugged high limestone mountains and plateaus
Elevation
highest point: Zia Kolata 2,534 m
lowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 1,086 m
Natural resources
bauxite, hydroelectricity
Land use
agricultural land: 19.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 18.5% (2023 est.)
forest: 61.5% (2023 est.)
other: 18.9% (2023 est.)
Irrigated land
24 sq km (2012)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lake Scutari (shared with Albania) - 400 sq kmnote - largest lake in the Balkans
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage: (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km)
Population distribution
highest population density is concentrated in the south and southwest; the extreme eastern border is the least populated area
Natural hazards
destructive earthquakes
Geography - note
strategic location along the Adriatic coast
Population
total: 599,849 (2024 est.)
male: 294,482
female: 305,367
Nationality
noun: Montenegrin(s)
adjective: Montenegrin
Ethnic groups
Montenegrin 45%, Serbian 28.7%, Bosniak 8.7%, Albanian 4.9%, Muslim 3.3%, Romani 1%, Croat 1%, other 2.6%, unspecified 4.9% (2011 est.)
Languages
Languages: Serbian 42.9%, Montenegrin (official) 37%, Bosnian 5.3%, Albanian 5.3%, Serbo-Croat 2%, other 3.5%, unspecified 4% (2011 est.)
major-language sample(s): Knjiga svetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Serbian) Knjiga svjetskih činjenica, neophodan izvor osnovnih informacija. (Montenegrin/Bosnian)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Orthodox 72.1%, Muslim 19.1%, Catholic 3.4%, atheist 1.2%, other 1.5%, unspecified 2.6% (2011 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years: 17.7% (male 54,608/female 51,594)
15-64 years: 64.4% (male 192,631/female 193,515)
65 years and over: 17.9% (2024 est.) (male 47,243/female 60,258)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 55.3 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 27.5 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 27.8 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 3.6 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 41.5 years (2025 est.)
male: 39.5 years
female: 42.5 years
Population growth rate
-0.46% (2025 est.)
Birth rate
10.77 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
10.29 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Net migration rate
-5.03 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Population distribution
highest population density is concentrated in the south and southwest; the extreme eastern border is the least populated area
Urbanization
urban population: 68.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population
177,000 PODGORICA (capital) (2018)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth
26.3 years (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
total: 3.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 2.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.7 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 78.2 years (2024 est.)
male: 75.8 years
female: 80.7 years
Total fertility rate
1.8 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.88 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: urban: urban: 99.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural: rural: 98.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 98.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 0.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural: rural: 1.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 1.1% of population (2022 est.)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 10.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 16.3% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.78 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Hospital bed density
3.8 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: urban: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: rural: rural: 93.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total: total: 98.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban: urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural: rural: 6.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total: total: 1.9% of population (2022 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
23.3% (2016)
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 9.91 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 3.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 2.68 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 3.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Tobacco use
total: 31.6% (2025 est.)
male: 29.9% (2025 est.)
female: 33.1% (2025 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
3.7% (2018 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
57.6% (2018 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 1.9% (2018)
women married by age 18: 5.8% (2018)
men married by age 18: 3.2% (2018)
Literacy
total population: 98.5% (2018 est.)
male: 99.2% (2018 est.)
female: 97.9% (2018 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 16 years (2023 est.)
male: 15 years (2023 est.)
female: 16 years (2023 est.)
Environmental issues
pollution of coastal waters from sewage outlets; serious air pollution in some cities from lignite power plants and household use of coal and wood for heating
International environmental agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Climate
Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfalls inland
Land use
agricultural land: 19.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land: arable land: 0.7% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops: permanent crops: 0.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture: permanent pasture: 18.5% (2023 est.)
forest: 61.5% (2023 est.)
other: 18.9% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 68.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 0.45% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions: 2.808 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 1.543 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 1.265 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
17.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 329,800 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 6.4% (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 121.32 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial: 2.079 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural: 6.76 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Country name
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Montenegro
local long form: none
local short form: Crna Gora
former: People's Republic of Montenegro, Socialist Republic of Montenegro, Republic of Montenegro
etymology: the name in Italian means "dark mountain" and is a translation of the Serbo-Croatian name Crna Gora; both refer to the dark coniferous forests in the mountainous region
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Podgorica
geographic coordinates: 42 26 N, 19 16 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1 hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
etymology: the Slavic name translates as "under the mountain," from pod (under) and gora (mountain)
Administrative divisions
25 municipalities (opstine, singular - opstina); Andrijevica, Bar, Berane, Bijelo Polje, Budva, Cetinje, Danilovgrad, Gusinje, Herceg Novi, Kolasin, Kotor, Mojkovac, Niksic, Petnjica, Plav, Pljevlja, Pluzine, Podgorica, Rozaje, Savnik, Tivat, Tuzi, Ulcinj, Zabljak, Zeta
Legal system
civil law
Constitution
history: several previous; latest adopted 22 October 2007
amendment process: proposed by the president of Montenegro, by the government, or by at least 25 members of the Assembly; passage of draft proposals requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly, followed by a public hearing; passage of draft amendments requires two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; changes to certain constitutional articles, such as sovereignty, state symbols, citizenship, and constitutional change procedures, require three-fifths majority vote in a referendum
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Montenegro
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Jakov MILATOVIC (since 20 May 2023)
head of government: Prime Minister Milojko SPAJIC (since 31 October 2023)
cabinet: ministers serve as the cabinet
election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister nominated by the president, approved by the Assembly
most recent election date: 19 March 2023, with a runoff on 2 April 2023
election results: 2023: Jakov MILATOVIC elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Milo DUKANOVIC (DPS) 35.4%, Jakov MILATOVIC (Europe Now!) 28.9%, Andrija MANDIC (DF) 19.3%, Aleksa BECIC (DCG) 11.1%, other 5.3%; percent of vote in second round - Jakov MILATOVIC 58.9%, Milo DUKANOVIC 41.1%2018: Milo DJUKANOVIC elected president in first round; percent of vote - Milo DJUKANOVIC (DPS) 53.9%, Mladen BOJANIC (independent) 33.4%, Draginja VUKSANOVIC (SDP) 8.2%, Marko MILACIC (PRAVA) 2.8%, other 1.7%
expected date of next election: 2028
Legislative branch
legislature name: Parliament (Skupstina)
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 81 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 4 years
most recent election date: 6/11/2023
parties elected and seats per party: Europe now! (Evropa sad) (24); Together! For the future that belongs to you (DPS – SD – DUA – LP - UDSh) (21); For the future of Montenegro (New Serb Democracy; Democratic People’s Party of Montenegro, Labour Party) (13); Bravery counts! (HRABRO se broji!) (11); It’s clear! (Jasno je!) – Bosniak Party (6); Other (6)
percentage of women in chamber: 27.2%
expected date of next election: June 2027
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Vrhovni Sud (consists of the court president, deputy president, and 15 judges); Constitutional Court or Ustavni Sud (consists of the court president and 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president proposed by general session of the Supreme Court and elected by the Judicial Council, a 9-member body consisting of judges, lawyers designated by the Assembly, and the minister of judicial affairs; Supreme Court president elected for a single renewable, 5-year term; other judges elected by the Judicial Council for life; Constitutional Court judges - 2 proposed by the president of Montenegro and 5 by the Assembly, and elected by the Assembly; court president elected from among the court members; court president elected for a 3-year term, other judges serve 9-year terms
subordinate courts: Administrative Courts; Appellate Court; Commercial Courts; High Courts; basic courts
Political parties
Albanian Alliance (electoral coalition includes FORCA, PD, DSCG)Albanian Alternative or AAAlbanian Democratic League or LDSHAlbanian Forum (electoral coalition includes AA, LDSH, UDSH)Aleksa and Dritan - Count Bravely! (electoral coalition includes Democrats, URA)Bosniak Party or BS Civic Movement United Reform Action or United Reform Action or URA Croatian Civic Initiative or HGI Democratic Alliance or DEMOS Democratic League in Montenegro or DSCGDemocratic Montenegro or DemocratsDemocratic Party of Socialists or DPS Democratic People's Party or DNP Democratic Union of Albanians or UDSHEurope Now!For the Future of Montenegro or ZBCG (coalition includes NSD, DNP, RP)Liberal Party or LP New Democratic Power or FORCANew Serb Democracy or NSD or NOVA Social Democrats or SDSocialist People's Party or SNP Together! (electoral coalition includes DPS, SD, LP, UDSH)United Montenegro or UCG (split from DEMOS)Workers' Party or RP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Jovan MIRKOVIĆ (since 18 September 2024)
chancery: 1610 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 234-6108
FAX: [1] (202) 234-6109
email address and website: usa@mfa.gov.meUnited States of America - Embassies and consulates of Montenegro and visa regimes for foreign citizens (www.gov.me)
consulate(s) general: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Judy Rising REINKE (since 20 December 2018)
embassy: Dzona Dzeksona 2, 81000 Podgorica
mailing address: 5570 Podgorica Place, Washington DC 20521-5570
telephone: [382] (0) 20-410-500
FAX: [382] (0) 20-241-358
email address and website: PodgoricaACS@state.govhttps://me.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, OAS (observer), OIF (observer), OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Independence
3 June 2006 (from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro); notable earlier dates: 13 March 1852 (Principality of Montenegro established); 13 July 1878 (Congress of Berlin recognizes Montenegrin independence); 28 August 1910 (Kingdom of Montenegro established)
National holiday
Statehood Day, 13 July (1878, 1941)
Flag
description: a red field bordered with a narrow golden-yellow stripe; the Montenegrin coat of arms in the center is a double-headed golden eagle, with a crown above; the eagle holds a golden scepter in its right claw and a blue orb in its left; the eagle's breast shield shows a golden lion on a green field in front of a blue skymeaning: the eagle symbolizes the unity of church and state; the lion is a symbol of episcopal authority, a reference to the three-and-a-half centuries when Montenegro was ruled as a theocracy
National symbol(s)
double-headed eagle
National color(s)
red, gold
National anthem(s)
title: "Oj, svijetla majska zoro" (Oh, Bright Dawn of May)
lyrics/music: Sekula DRLJEVIC/unknown, arranged by Zarko MIKOVIC
history: adopted 2004; music based on a Montenegrin folk song
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 4 (3 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Natural and Culturo-Historical Region of Kotor (c); Durmitor National Park (n); Stećci Medieval Tombstones Graveyards (c); Fortified City of Kotor Venetian Defense Works (c)
Economic overview
upper-middle-income, small Balkan economy; uses euro as de facto currency; reduced growth due to slowdown in tourism and industrial production; new impetus for EU accession under Europe Now government; energy price cap and declining food and services prices easing inflation rate
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $17.375 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $16.862 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $15.857 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2024: 3% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 6.3% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 6.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024: $27,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $27,000 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $25,400 (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$8.07 billion (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 3.3% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 8.6% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 13% (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 5.2% (2024 est.)
industry: 11.6% (2024 est.)
services: 62.1% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption: 76.3% (2024 est.)
government consumption: 17.9% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 20.2% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories: 8.3% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services: 44.9% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services: -67.5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, potatoes, watermelons, grapes, sheep milk, cabbages, oranges, eggs, goat milk, figs (2023)
Industries
steelmaking, aluminum, agricultural processing, consumer goods, tourism
Industrial production growth rate
-1.7% (2024 est.)
Labor force
245,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024: 14.1% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 14.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 14.9% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 25.9% (2024 est.)
male: 27.5% (2024 est.)
female: 23.6% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
20.3% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021: 34.3 (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food: 24.8% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 5.6% of household expenditures (2022 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2.1% (2021 est.)
highest 10%: 24.7% (2021 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2024: 10.6% of GDP (2024 est.)
Remittances 2023: 10.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 13.3% of GDP (2022 est.)
Budget
revenues: $1.463 billion (2015 est.)
expenditures: $1.491 billion (2015 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2017: 67.2% of GDP (2017 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2024: -$1.406 billion (2024 est.)
Current account balance 2023: -$851.525 million (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$817.858 million (2022 est.)
Exports
Exports 2024: $3.629 billion (2024 est.)
Exports 2023: $3.769 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $3.177 billion (2022 est.)
Exports - partners
Italy 38%, Serbia 13%, Spain 6%, Slovenia 5%, Bosnia & Herzegovina 4% (2023)
Exports - commodities
electricity, aluminum, copper ore, aluminum ore, packaged medicine (2023)
Imports
Imports 2024: $5.478 billion (2024 est.)
Imports 2023: $5.167 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $4.614 billion (2022 est.)
Imports - partners
Serbia 21%, China 10%, Germany 8%, Croatia 6%, Italy 6% (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cars, electricity, packaged medicine, aluminum (2023)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024: $1.741 billion (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023: $1.574 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022: $2.041 billion (2022 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023: $3.643 billion (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency: euros (EUR) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024: 0.924 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023: 0.925 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022: 0.951 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021: 0.845 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020: 0.877 (2020 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 1.082 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 2.719 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 6.288 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 5.421 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 601.023 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 39.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 7.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 53% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Coal
production: 1.862 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.658 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 205,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 2.8 metric tons (2022 est.)
proven reserves: 337 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 63.407 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions: 190,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 30 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 1.31 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 203 (2022 est.)
Broadcast media
state-funded national radio and TV broadcaster operates 2 terrestrial TV networks, 1 satellite TV channel, and 2 radio networks; 4 local public TV stations and 14 private TV stations; 14 local public radio stations, 35 private radio stations, and several online media (2019)
Internet country code
.me
Internet users
percent of population: 90% (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total: 203,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 32 (2023 est.)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
4O
Airports
5 (2025)
Heliports
1 (2025)
Railways
total: 250 km (2017)
standard gauge: 250 km (2017) 1.435-m gauge (224 km electrified)
Merchant marine
total: 18 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 4, other 14
Ports
total ports: 4 (2024)
large: 0
medium: 0
small: 1
very small: 3
ports with oil terminals: 1
key ports: Bar, Kotor, Risan, Tivat
Military and security forces
Army of Montenegro (Vojska Crne Gore or VCG): Ground Forces, Air Force, Navy Ministry of Interior: Police Directorate of Montenegro (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2025: 2% of GDP (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024: 1.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 2,000 active-duty military personnel (2025)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military's inventory is small and consists largely of Soviet-era equipment inherited from the former Yugoslavia military, along with a limited but growing mix of imported Western systems (2025)
Military service age and obligation
18-30 for voluntary military service; conscription abolished in 2006 (2025)
Military - note
the Army of Montenegro is responsible for the defense of Montenegro’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, cooperating in international and multinational security, and assisting civil authorities during emergencies such as natural disasters; since Montenegro joined NATO in 2017, another focus has been integrating into the Alliance, including adapting NATO standards for planning and professionalization, structural reforms, and modernization by replacing its Soviet-era equipment; the Army trains and exercises with NATO partners and actively supports NATO missions and operations, committing small numbers of troops in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence mission in Eastern Europe; a few personnel have also been deployed on EU- and UN-led operations (2025)
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees: 18,820 (2024 est.)
stateless persons: 423 (2024 est.)