Population, Language and Health

East Timor ’ s official population is 924,642 according to the first national census undertaken in July 2004. The median age is 20 years. The largest district population is Dili with 167,777 people, followed by Baucau with 104,571 and then Ermera with 103,169. The majority of the population are Roman Catholic (90%) with the remaining being Protestant, Muslim and Buddhist. Animism is widely practiced.

There are over 30 indigenous languages spoken with Tetun most widely known. The issue of language is a complex one in East Timor. The official languages are Portuguese and Tetun. Portuguese is spoken by the older generation and the well educated (estimated 5% or less of the population). Anyone educated since 1975 speaks Indonesian, and this is the language used predominantly in Universities and as a communication tool in meetings. Increasingly people are learning English as this is perceived to be the language of the future.

The decision to choose Portuguese as the official language is controversial. Some say it is the only choice that could have been made given East Timor ’ s long period as a colony of Portugal and cultural identification that goes with it. Others are perplexed by the exclusion of English as an official language seeing it as the language of the future as it is the most widely used international working language. Tetun is spoken in Dili and some parts of East Timor and this language has only recently begun to be used in written form. Much debate surrounds the correct spelling and grammar of Tetun. The issues of language will take generations to solve. Many are now learning Portuguese including the teachers who are meant to be teaching in Portuguese in primary and secondary schools.

Over 50% of the community lives under the poverty line, surviving on less than 55 ( U.S.)cents a day. World Bank definition of living in absolute poverty is having $1 per day. Unemployment is currently at over 80%. Health conditions are poor with life expectancy at 57 years and infant mortality at 80 deaths per 1,000 live births. One in 10 children do not make it to their fifth birthday. Access to health services is virtually non-existent for most of the population and people die of preventable illnesses and diseases at an alarming rate.