Social: North Torbia

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North Torbia is extremely homogeneous in its language, ethnicity, culture, and beliefs. Life essentially revolves around family and the cult of personality surrounding the nation's leader. This is melded with a overall sense of fear--either of the government or of the threats of South Torbia and the western world.

Social Statistics for Belesia, Gabal, North Torbia, Olvana, and South Torbia

Statistic	Belesia	Gabal	North Torbia	Olvana	South Torbia
Age distribution (%)	0 - 14 years: 32.64% 15 - 64 years: 62.21% 65+ years: 5.15%	33.45% 62.93% 3.62%	23.82% 68.63% 7.55%	16.60% 70.14% 13.26%	13.30% 66.70% 20.00%
Median age	27.4 Males: 27.0 Females: 27.9	23.8 M: 23.9 F: 23.74	31.1 M: 30.0 F: 32.3	37.4 M: 36.5 F: 38.4	44.6 M: 43.1 F: 46.1
Population Growth rate	59,966,876 +1.53%	84,190 +2.21%	12,981,493 +0.69%	1,123,348,142 +0.59%	42,375,386 +0.13%
Birth rate per 1,000	19.7	23.9	16.4	16.5	8.0
Death rate per 1,000	5.9	5.5	8.4	12.2	7.9
Net migration rate per 1,000	-5.1	-0.4	0	-1.3	+4.4
Urban population Annual urbanization rate	49.1% 2.2%	21.9% 2.8%	47.5% 1.6%	87.0% 0.7%	88.0% 4.6%
Infant mortality rate per 1000 live births	22.6	48.1	50.3	12.2	3.5
Life expectancy at birth in years	70.9 Males: 68.4 Females: 73.5	67.5 M: 65.4 F: 69.7	68.6 M: 65.8 F: 71.3	72.6 M: 70.5 F: 76.0	83.0 M: 79.3 F: 86.2
Fertility rate (children per woman)	2.4	3.0	2.1	1.6	1.3
Major diseases in the OE	Bacterial diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Dengue fever Malaria Leptospirosis	Bacterial diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Dengue fever Malaria Zika virus	Bacterial diarrhea Protozoal diarrhea Hepatitis B Malaria Tuberculosis Rabies	Bacterial diarrhea Hepatitis A Typhoid fever Japanese encephalitis Hantaviral hemorrhagic fever	Cholera Tuberculosis HIV/AIDS Shigellosis
Ethnic groups (%)	Mindanoan Suluese: 54.7% Cebuan Suluese: 14.1% Olvanese: 23.3% Torbian: 7.0% Other: 1.0%	Indigenous Gabalian: 93.8% Belesian: 1.9% Olvanese: 1.5% European/Australian: 1.0% Other: 1.8%	Torbian: 99.8% Olvanese: 0.2%	Peelee: 91.5% Beihai: 1.6% Baiyin: 1.0% Dong: 0.9% Yi: 0.6% Gannan: 0.5% Other: 4.0%	Torbian: 99.0% Other: 1.0%
Religions in OE (%)	Muslim: 86.8% Christian: 10.4% Buddhist: 2.8%	Protestant: 68.0% Catholic: 24.1% Buddhist: 4.7% Indigenous faiths: 1.7% Other: 1.5%	Officially irreligious Pockets of Buddhism Pockets of indigenous faiths	Hindu: 79.8% Muslim: 14.2% Christian: 2.3% Sikh: 1.7% Buddhist: 0.7% Jain: 0.4% Other: 0.9%	Buddhist: 61.3% Agnostic/Atheist: 19.1% Christian: 5.6% Confucian: 4.7% Muslim: 2.9% Other: 6.4%
Primary Languages (%)	Belesian: 85.9% Major indigenous languages: 8.2% English 4.5% Other foreign languages: 1.4%	Official Gabalian: 33.7% Local variants: 61.2% English: 2.0% Olvanane: 2.0% Torbian 1.1%	Torbian: 100.0%	Eastern variants of Olvanese: 71.5% Other Olvanese variants: 24.3% Non-Olvanese languages: 4.2%	Torbian: 99.2% English: 0.5% Other: 0.3%
Literacy rate (older than 15) (%)	94.9% Males: 96.1% Females: 93.7%	64.2% M: 65.3% F: 59.4%	100% M: 100% F: 100%	96.4% M: 98.3% F: 94.4%	98.5% M: 99.1% F: 97.8%

Population Movement (Migration/IDPs/Refugees)

The islands that make up Torbia remained largely homogeneous both ethnically and linguistically throughout its history, despite repeated invasions and occupations by various foreign entities. A close-held Torbian ethnic identity is one of the most significant long-term consequences of these occupations; this ultimately resulted in widespread migration throughout the island, but relatively little emigration or immigration. The Torbian War created a mass migration event as both families and individuals moved north or south depending on political affiliations and family connections. The Torbian War also created a significant refugee crisis, with over 500,000 Torbians seeking asylum in other nations around the region. At the same time, Olvanan involvement in the Torbian War moved nearly 300,000 Olvanan citizens into what eventually became North Torbia. A post-war exchange of refugees and Olvanese immigrants was one of the largest mass migrations in world history.

Emigration from North Torbia is tightly controlled, as it has been throughout the country’s history. Citizens are generally not allowed to leave the country legally unless they are given specific permission by the government; illegal emigration is considered treasonous and is punishable by imprisonment, torture, and or execution. Nonetheless, thousands of North Torbians illegally escape every year, typically requesting asylum status in any one of a number of other countries (most commonly South Torbia, Olvana, Australia, and the United States). These countries routinely accept North Torbian defectors. Defection numbers vary significantly year-to-year: in years of lean food availability or severe government crackdown, refugee numbers predictably increase. Limited legal emigration is allowed, primarily in the form of guest workers. Approximately 70,000 North Torbian guest workers are currently abroad, with the majority residing in Olvana and Donovia. Guest workers are chosen specifically for their loyalty to the party and rarely defect.

Legal immigration into North Torbia is practically nonexistent. Few foreign visas are issued and nearly all of these are to senior foreign political officials or business executives whom the leadership think may bring money or influence into North Torbia. Illegal immigration, however, is thriving, largely in support of black and grey market activities. Though border security in North Torbia is extremely tight, border officials are easily bribed, allowing immigrants, day workers, and traders to routinely cross the border without incident.

The complex political relationship between North and South Torbia influences migration significantly. Both countries recognize citizens of the other nation as citizens of their own. As a result, migrants are usually given full recognition, along with rights of resettlement. Though today there are typically fewer than a thousand cross-border migrations in a given year, in the event the DPRT government collapses the South Torbian government will face a flood of new citizens, many of which will require medical care, food, and political/social integration.

Population Distribution

The North Torbian population lives in two primary spheres: those in and around the capital of Baguio, and the rural poor. Virtually all wealth and power in the country resides within a few miles of the capital: senior political officials, military officers, and bureaucrats. Outside of the capital, large swaths of empty land are occasionally broken up by small villages, collective farms, or collectivized industry, populated almost entirely by destitute workers, with small numbers of low level bureaucrats and political officials. The five largest cities in North Torbia are:

Baguio: pop. 518,049

Tuguegarao: pop. 230,253

Aparri: pop. 218,352

Santiago: pop. 202,245

Laoag: pop. 194,254

Geographically, the population tends to concentrate more towards coastal areas, as there is somewhat more economic activity and infrastructure. In general, the better connected a region is to the capital, the more dense the population, and the better off the area is economically and socially.

Within communities, populations typically congregate around the limited critical resources: clean water access to food, and access to employment or transportation. Large and overcrowded government-built communal living structures are the most common living structures, followed by shantytowns or other transient housing just outside of urbanized areas. Independent residences are rare due largely to the poor infrastructure and a lack of transportation (particularly automobiles). These are usually limited to party members or military officers.

Soldier housing has a measurable effect on population distribution due to the size of the North Torbian military. Nearly 5% of the population lives on military installations, many of which are subterranean. These represent significant economic activity areas due to soldier wages, black/grey market activity, and corruption/bribes. North Torbia actively works to suppress development of nonmilitary populations in and around military installations.

Demographic Mix

Due to the closed nature of North Torbian society, reliable demographic numbers are very difficult to obtain, and those published by the government are often incorrect or misleading. North Torbia's total population is approximately 13 million, with a life expectancy of 68 years. Women have a significantly higher life expectancy than men do, roughly 74 years to 65 years respectively. There is a massive disparity in the male-to-female ratio for older citizens, resulting from the mid-century wars, but the rest of the population shows a slightly increased male population. However, the military skews this ratio in practice, removing around 5% of the young male population from society at large.

Social Volatility

Social volatility is relatively rare at present due to the repressive nature of the government. Dissent and protest are not tolerated; both are considered criminal acts. Little is known about frictions between social groups, particularly different age generations. Due to the racially and ethnically homogeneous population, racial and ethnic tensions are thought to be low to nonexistent.

The possibility exists, however, for social upheaval on an historic scale. If the regime falls or has its position significantly weakened, long-suppressed social tensions could rise quickly, adding to what would certainly be an already-chaotic situation. It is impossible to forecast the fault lines of a widespread populist resistance movement in North Torbia, but any major resistance would likely target the regime and party members.

Education Level

The DPRT enjoys an effective education system, particularly relative to its economic status. Early childhood education and primary school are public and universal; facilities are generally available to all citizens except those in very remote rural areas. The DPRT government places a high priority on education, both in keeping with Communist traditions and viewing public education as a valuable component of political indoctrination. Primary and secondary education usually total 11 years.

After primary education, most working class citizens move either onto government-sponsored vocational training or directly into the military or workforce. Certain vocational training is considered highly desirable; families use political connections and influence to get children into sought-after career fields.

Higher education is sporadic and widely unavailable, but is considered of reasonable quality. Only around 5% of the population receives formal higher education; these are typically the children of party officials, influential bureaucrats, and military officers. There is some provision for academically gifted students from poorer backgrounds as well: these individuals are often trained as doctors, or as engineers and scientists who support military capability development.

Due to expansive early education, the country's literacy rate is virtually universal. However, fewer than 5% of the population has a university degree or equivalent.

Ethnic Diversity

North Torbia is one of the most ethnically homogeneous countries on earth; 99.8% of the population is ethnic Torbians. Very limited numbers of other ethnicities come mostly from expatriate populations, primarily guest workers and invitees of the government. The most common non-Torbian ethnicity is Olvanese, followed by Donovian and Belesian.

Religious Diversity

North Torbia is officially an atheist state and does not recognize any form of religious freedom or freedom of worship. Information on the religious practices is sporadic and of questionable accuracy. However, it is assumed that major religions are represented in small numbers, mostly through private and or secret worship. Folk religions are more common, primarily ancient belief systems that involve worship of ancestors and the family. Families typically hold services and prayer in the home; the government tacitly allows this practice. Actual statistics for North Torbian religious views are unavailable.

Common Languages

Torbian is the official language of North Torbia; it is spoken almost universally. Foreign language education is rare and is typically only offered to students who may require it for their careers. The extreme lack of immigration and general closure of the North Torbian society exacerbates language homogeneity. There are, however, at least three identifiable Torbian dialects in North Torbia: the formal dialect, spoken in and around the capital and considered the most prestigious; a working-class dialect that is spoken in remote, primarily central, rural areas, and a dialect heavily influenced by Olvanan, spoken in and around ports that regularly interact with Olvanan merchants and tradesmen.

Criminal Activity

Like many other data, statistics on crime within North Torbia is widely unavailable, and public information has likely been modified to suit the needs of the Torbian Worker's Party (WPT). In addition, there are numerous “crimes”, just as speaking out against the government, learning a foreign language, or practicing a banned religion, that while technically criminal, are not usually recognized as such. In short, it is difficult to ascertain the prevalence and severity of crime in North Torbia.

It is assumed that there are two widespread criminal activities in North Torbia, not including crimes of a political nature (such as public dissent): smuggling and extortion. North Torbia’s closed economy makes smuggling an incredibly lucrative activity: black- and grey-market goods comprise a large percentage of the market economy. Movements of these goods across borders, as well as their sale, are considered serious crimes, but perpetrators are rarely caught and punished. Instead, local WPT officials tend to seek bribes from smugglers in exchange for limited political and legal protection. Extortion tends to take the form of either small criminal elements intimidating impoverished locals or, more commonly, low-level government officials threatening action against citizens with the expectation of bribe payments. Higher-level organized crime is largely nonexistent in North Torbia: severe government crackdowns through the 1990s imprisoned or executed large numbers of suspected crime bosses and associates, and new organizations have yet to emerge.

Corruption is practically a separate issue from traditional crime in North Torbia: though officially illegal, it is so widespread and vital to the country’s political and economic well-being that any serious attempt to enforce anti-corruption laws would threaten the country’s entire political system. Corruption payments are essentially vital to government operation, particularly in rural or distant areas; all parties involved typically accept the system as it is so long as more severe measures, such as extortion, are not involved.

Human Rights

North Torbia is widely recognized as one of the world’s worst human rights offenders. This record stems almost entirely from the WPT’s unchecked use of power. Arrest/imprisonment without trial, work camps, torture, and executions all occur with virtually no oversight or transparency; the smallest offense directed at the WPT can be used as grounds for punishment. The government officially recognizes many standard freedoms including press/assembly, and religion, but in practice, these rights are ignored whenever convenient. North Torbia is also a signatory to multiple international human rights conventions; these are likewise ignored whenever the government desires.

North Torbian repression is codified into law, using a system classifying citizens from “loyal” to “hostile” based on their perceived political position. This heavily influences employment, residence, and schooling opportunities. This classification system is usually established by lower party officials and provides them with a significant opportunity to pressure local constituents for bribe and graft.

Imprisonment in North Torbia is particularly vile. Prisons are virtually unmonitored and poorly funded. Wardens have no oversight and are free to do what they wish within the confines of their facility. Unsanitary conditions, starvation-level diets, sexual coercion and rape, beatings and torture, and dangerous forced labor are common to every known North Torbian prison. Disease and death rates for prisoners are astronomically high.

Despite its otherwise abysmal human rights record, the WPT grants surprising dispensations to the family unit. Families are usually not bothered by police or party officials; families are allowed to remain together and are even treated as a “unit” by the government. If one family member is accused of disloyalty, other family members will often be deliberately overlooked to ensure survival of the family unit. However, if husband and wife units are both clearly shown to be disloyal, the government will not hesitate to imprison or execute both parties. This practice has led to large numbers of political orphans in North Torbia; these orphans make up a significant portion of the forced labor force and the military.

North Torbia has a similarly poor record when it comes to its treatment of foreign citizens, particularly prisoners of war and other uninvited parties. These individuals have no recognized rights and are typically mistreated to varying degrees based on the assumed severity of their offenses. This policy has resulted in numerous political flashpoints and resulting consequences for the country, including economic sanctions.

Centers of Social Power

There are really only two centers of social power in North Torbia: the family and the WPT. The WPT recognizes the importance of the family in maintaining stability and generally seeks harmony with the family construct. Inside the home, families are a patriarchy, with wives expected to defer to husbands on most household matters. Outside of the family, the only meaningful holder of social power is the WPT: it establishes cultural norms, legal and illegal communications, jobs and education, and virtually everything else not directly related to the individual family.

Basic Cultural Norms and Values

Cultural norms and values unique to North Torbia are still not well known in the west. Western visitors are typically limited to meeting only party officials in formal settings, which limits interaction with the population at large. However, certain cultural norms are common to both North and South Torbia, and some limited information about North Torbian culture is available. Much of North Torbian cultural values stem from the historical reactive concepts common in Buddhism with the linear-active understanding of time that stems from the highly directed modern government influence. Thus, North Torbians retain a sense of politeness and respect, but this is tinged with a sense of fear rather than obligation. Planning and short-term results are more important to a North Torbian than their southern cousins, but face-to-fact interaction is less important.

Meeting & Greeting	A short bow is the most typical greeting, followed by a firm, two-handed handshake; handshakes grasp the right wrist with the left hand. The most common greeting is that of the time of day (“good morning/afternoon/evening”). Women often do not shake hands and instead bow the head.
Visiting / Hospitality	If visiting a North Torbian home, shoes should be taken off at the door. Do not walk on carpets, even with slippers, as carpets are often used for sitting. Bringing gifts such as cigarettes or Scotch whisky for men and chocolate or skin cream for women is a nice gesture.
Manners	Do not cough, sneeze or blow your nose at the dining table. Never raise your underwear above your head as this is considered very rude. Never use the water from the drinking pot to wash your feet. Arriving on time is paramount to North Torbian manners.
Cultural Dos and Dont's	Family names are extremely important. The first name is the family name, the last is the given name. Do not address anyone with the given name until given explicit permission. A central concept in Torbian culture is the idea of one’s pride/honor/state of mind, and much social interaction revolves around it. The basic idea is that of harmony. Torbians seek to avoid friction and uncomfortable atmospheres; to deliberately ignore this is to cause personal offense. Torbian culture also encompasses respect and honor: if someone is offended or dishonored, their status is damaged, and this is cause for serious concern. Social status is also visible in political and military settings; it results in high deference to superiors and a significant willingness to suffer losses in order to avoid dishonor.
Gifts	Gifting in North Torbia is a difficult proposition. WPT officials often expect valuable, hard-to-get gifts from foreigners. It is assumed that common citizens would refuse any gift, not wanting to violate strict import laws.
Taboos	Losing one’s temper and shouting is considered highly rude Bluntness in personal discussion is considered rude, less so in diplomacy and business. Poor posture is judged harshly. Touching or extended eye contact with someone unfamiliar is considered impolite and challenging.
Personal Space	Never touch a person’s hair, head, or cheek, even if you consider it as a friendly gesture. Always ask permission before taking pictures of people.
Displays of Affection	Public displays of affection are not just considered inappropriate; in many places they are actually illegal.
Marriage Rituals	Arranged marriages are common; divorce rare. Patriarchal lineage is extremely important culturally.
Dispute Resolution	It is considered improper to lose one's temper or show much emotion in public. In informal markets haggling is acceptable, although not in government shops.
Birth Rituals	Most births occur in hospitals, in relatively clean and efficient facilities. The husband typically does not attend the birth, but sees the child with his family after the birth occurs. Births are one of the few events that the government does not carefully control; they often serve as a de facto family reunion.
Death Rituals	Death rituals are very important to all Torbians. Numerous items, including knives, scissors, and red ink signify death. Funerals are expensive and as ornate as the family can make them. However, this often means they are very basic, in a government assigned plot. Commissioning a portrait of the deceased is a common ritual.