2009 Edition

Background

Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-Muslim population - was briefly independent from 1918 to 1920; it regained its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Despite a 1994 cease-fire, Azerbaijan has yet to resolve its conflict with Armenia over the Azerbaijani Nagorno-Karabakh region (largely Armenian populated). Azerbaijan has lost 16% of its territory and must support some 600,000 internally displaced persons as a result of the conflict. Corruption is ubiquitous, and the government has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent years, the promise of widespread wealth from development of Azerbaijan's energy sector remains largely unfulfilled.

Area

total: 86,600 sq km country comparison to the world: 112 land: 82,629 sq km water: 3,971 sq km note: includes the exclave of Naxcivan Autonomous Republic and the Nagorno-Karabakh region; the region's autonomy was abolished by Azerbaijani Supreme Soviet on 26 November 1991

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

dry, semiarid steppe

Coastline

0 km (landlocked); note - Azerbaijan borders the Caspian Sea (713 km)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Caspian Sea -28 m highest point: Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

Environment - current issues

local scientists consider the Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) (including Baku and Sumqayit) and the Caspian Sea to be the ecologically most devastated area in the world because of severe air, soil, and water pollution; soil pollution results from oil spills, from the use of DDT pesticide, and from toxic defoliants used in the production of cotton

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 17.25 cu km/yr (5%/28%/68%) per capita: 2,051 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

40 30 N, 47 30 E

Geography - note

both the main area of the country and the Naxcivan exclave are landlocked

Irrigated land

14,550 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 2,013 km border countries: Armenia (with Azerbaijan-proper) 566 km, Armenia (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 221 km, Georgia 322 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-proper) 432 km, Iran (with Azerbaijan-Naxcivan exclave) 179 km, Russia 284 km, Turkey 9 km

Land use

arable land: 20.62% permanent crops: 2.61% other: 76.77% (2005)

Location

Southwestern Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Russia, with a small European portion north of the Caucasus range

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

droughts

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, nonferrous metals, bauxite

Terrain

large, flat Kur-Araz Ovaligi (Kura-Araks Lowland) (much of it below sea level) with Great Caucasus Mountains to the north, Qarabag Yaylasi (Karabakh Upland) in west; Baku lies on Abseron Yasaqligi (Apsheron Peninsula) that juts into Caspian Sea

Total renewable water resources

30.3 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 23.9% (male 1,042,132/female 926,495) 15-64 years: 69.4% (male 2,807,717/female 2,908,221) 65 years and over: 6.7% (male 204,410/female 349,697) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

17.62 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 115

Death rate

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 103

Education expenditures

2.1% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 165

Ethnic groups

Azeri 90.6%, Dagestani 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.9% (1999 census) note: almost all Armenians live in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.2% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 127

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,800 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 113

Infant mortality rate

total: 54.6 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 46 male: 60.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.27 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

Azerbaijani (Azeri) 90.3%, Lezgi 2.2%, Russian 1.8%, Armenian 1.5%, other 3.3%, unspecified 1% (1999 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 66.66 years country comparison to the world: 158 male: 62.53 years female: 71.34 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.8% male: 99.5% female: 98.2% (1999 census)

Median age

total: 28.2 years male: 26.6 years female: 30 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Azerbaijani(s) adjective: Azerbaijani

Net migration rate

-1.69 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

Population

8,238,672 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Population growth rate

0.762% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Religions

Muslim 93.4%, Russian Orthodox 2.5%, Armenian Orthodox 2.3%, other 1.8% (1995 est.) note: religious affiliation is still nominal in Azerbaijan; percentages for actual practicing adherents are much lower

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 11 years male: 11 years female: 11 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.13 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.12 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.04 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Urbanization

urban population: 52% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Administrative divisions

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika) rayons: Abseron Rayonu, Agcabadi Rayonu, Agdam Rayonu, Agdas Rayonu, Agstafa Rayonu, Agsu Rayonu, Astara Rayonu, Balakan Rayonu, Barda Rayonu, Beylaqan Rayonu, Bilasuvar Rayonu, Cabrayil Rayonu, Calilabad Rayonu, Daskasan Rayonu, Davaci Rayonu, Fuzuli Rayonu, Gadabay Rayonu, Goranboy Rayonu, Goycay Rayonu, Haciqabul Rayonu, Imisli Rayonu, Ismayilli Rayonu, Kalbacar Rayonu, Kurdamir Rayonu, Lacin Rayonu, Lankaran Rayonu, Lerik Rayonu, Masalli Rayonu, Neftcala Rayonu, Oguz Rayonu, Qabala Rayonu, Qax Rayonu, Qazax Rayonu, Qobustan Rayonu, Quba Rayonu, Qubadli Rayonu, Qusar Rayonu, Saatli Rayonu, Sabirabad Rayonu, Saki Rayonu, Salyan Rayonu, Samaxi Rayonu, Samkir Rayonu, Samux Rayonu, Siyazan Rayonu, Susa Rayonu, Tartar Rayonu, Tovuz Rayonu, Ucar Rayonu, Xacmaz Rayonu, Xanlar Rayonu, Xizi Rayonu, Xocali Rayonu, Xocavand Rayonu, Yardimli Rayonu, Yevlax Rayonu, Zangilan Rayonu, Zaqatala Rayonu, Zardab Rayonu cities: Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari autonomous republic: Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi (Nakhichevan)

Capital

name: Baku (Baki, Baky) geographic coordinates: 40 23 N, 49 52 E time difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

adopted 12 November 1995; modified by referendum 24 August 2002

Consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Azerbaijan conventional short form: Azerbaijan local long form: Azarbaycan Respublikasi local short form: Azarbaycan former: Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Anne E. DERSE embassy: 83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 mailing address: American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 telephone: [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV chancery: 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 337-3500

Executive branch

chief of state: President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) head of government: Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly elections: president elected by popular vote to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 15 October 2008 (next to be held in October 2013); prime minister and first deputy prime minister appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 89%, Igbal AGHAZADE 2.9%, five other candidates with smaller percentages note: several political parties boycotted the election due to unfair conditions; OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet international standards

FAX

[1] (202) 337-5911

[994] (12) 4656-671

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in red band

Government type

republic

Independence

30 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International organization participation

ADB, BSEC, CE, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, GUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (observer), OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court

Legal system

based on civil law system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 6 November 2005 (next to be held in November 2010) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Yeni 58, Azadliq coalition 8, CSP 2, Motherland 2, other parties with single seats 9, independents 42, undetermined 4

National holiday

Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)

Political parties and leaders

Azadliq (Freedom) coalition (Popular Front Party, Liberal Party, Citizens' Development Party); Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Azerbaijan Democratic Reforms Party (ADRP) Youth Movement [Ramin HAJILI]; Azerbaijan Popular Front or APF, now split in two [Ali KARIMLI, leader of "Reform" APF party; Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU, leader of "Classic" APF party]; Azerbaijan Public Forum [Eldar NAMAZOV]; Citizens' Development Party [Ali ALIYEV]; Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLY]; Dalga Youth Movement [Vafa JAFAROVA]; Green Party [Mais GULALIYEV and Tarana MAMMADOVA]; Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Ireli Youth Movement [Jeyhun OSMANLI, Roya TALIBOVA, Farhad MAMMADOV, Elnara GARIBOVA, Elnur MAMMADOV, Ziya ALIYEV]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Magam Youth Movement [Emin HUSEYNOV]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Musavat Party Youth Movement [Elnur MAMMADLI]; National Democratic Party or Grey Wolves (Nationalist, Pan-Turkic) [Iskender HAMIDOV]; Open Society Party [Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan or PNIA [Ayaz RUSTAMOV]; Popular Front Party Youth Movement [Seymur KHAZIYEV]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Turkish Nationalist Party [Vugar BAYTURAN]; United Azerbaijan Party [Karrar ABILOV]; United Azerbaijan National Unity Party [Hajibaba AZIMOV]; United Party [Tahir KARIMLI]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party [President Ilham ALIYEV]; Yeni Azerbaijan Party Youth Movement [Ramil HASANOV]; Yox (No) Youth Movement [Ali ISMAYILOV] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties;

Political pressure groups and leaders

Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (self-proclaimed); Karabakh Liberation Organization; Sadval, Lezgin movement; Talysh independence movement; Union of Pro-Azerbaijani Forces or UPAF

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, grain, rice, grapes, fruit, vegetables, tea, tobacco; cattle, pigs, sheep, goats

Budget

revenues: $12.69 billion expenditures: $15.67 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

8% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 13% (31 December 2007) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the National Bank of Azerbaijan

Commercial bank prime lending rate

19.76% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 19 19.13% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance

$16.45 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 22 $9.019 billion (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$2.635 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 131 $2.439 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.5 (2001) country comparison to the world: 81 36 (1995)

Economy - overview

Azerbaijan's high economic growth during 2006-08 is attributable to large and growing oil exports, but the non-energy sector also featured double-digit growth in 2008, spurred by growth in the construction, banking, and real estate sectors. However, the current global economic slowdown presents some challenges for the Azerbaijani economy as oil prices have plummeted since mid-2008 and local banks face a more uncertain international financial environment. Azerbaijan's oil production declined through 1997, but has registered an increase every year since. Negotiation of production-sharing arrangements (PSAs) with foreign firms, which have committed $60 billion to long-term oilfield development, should generate the funds needed to spur future industrial development. Oil production under the first of these PSAs, with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company, began in November 1997. A consortium of Western oil companies built a $4 billion pipeline from Baku to Turkey's Mediterranean port of Ceyhan which will pump 1.2 million barrels a day from a large offshore field when at full capacity. Azerbaijan shares all the formidable problems of the former Soviet republics in making the transition from a command to a market economy, but its considerable energy resources brighten its medium-term prospects. Baku has only recently begun making progress on economic reform, and old economic ties and structures are slowly being replaced. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector, the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, pervasive corruption, and potential for a sharp downturn in the construction and real estate sectors. Trade with Russia and the other former Soviet republics is declining in importance, while trade is building with Turkey and the nations of Europe. Long-term prospects will depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, and Azerbaijan's ability to manage its energy wealth to promote sustainable growth in non-energy sectors of the economy and spur employment.

Electricity - consumption

15.68 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Electricity - exports

786 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

548 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

19.35 billion kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

Exchange rates

Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.8219 (2008 est.), 0.8581 (2007), 0.8934 (2006), 4,727.1 (2005), 4,913.48 (2004) note: on 1 January 2006 Azerbaijan revalued its currency, with 5,000 old manats equal to 1 new manat

Exports

$30.59 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 64 $21.27 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Italy 40.2%, US 12.6%, Israel 7.6%, India 5.1%, France 4.9% (2008)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 6% industry: 60.5% services: 33.5% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$9,500 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107 $8,600 (2007 est.) $7,000 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

10.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 25% (2007 est.) 34.5% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$46.38 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$77.79 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $70.21 billion (2007 est.) $56.17 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 6.1% highest 10%: 17.5% (2005)

Imports

$7.575 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 100 $6.045 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, oil products, foodstuffs, metals, chemicals

Imports - partners

Russia 18.8%, Turkey 11.3%, Germany 8.4%, Ukraine 7.9%, China 6.7%, UK 5.4% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Industries

petroleum and natural gas, petroleum products, oilfield equipment; steel, iron ore; cement; chemicals and petrochemicals; textiles

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

20.8% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 206 16.7% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Labor force

5.782 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 39.3% industry: 12.1% services: 48.6% (2005)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

10.64 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 47

Natural gas - exports

5.564 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 25

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 201

Natural gas - production

16.2 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Oil - consumption

126,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Oil - exports

528,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Oil - imports

2,848 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 170

Oil - production

875,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Oil - proved reserves

7 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 19

Population below poverty line

24% (2005 est.)

Public debt

4.1% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 18.9% of GDP (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.519 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 77 $4.273 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$5.232 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 56 $4.677 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$7.844 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 83 $7.829 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$8.135 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 75 $5.726 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$6.381 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 49 $4.261 billion (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$4.125 billion (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 76 $2.593 billion (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

0.9% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 4 1% (2007 est.)

Internet country code

.az

Internet hosts

7,045 (2009) country comparison to the world: 130

Internet users

1.485 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 75

Radio broadcast stations

AM 10, FM 17, shortwave 1 (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: inadequate; requires considerable expansion and modernization; teledensity of 15 main lines per 100 persons is low; mobile-cellular penetration has increased rapidly and is currently about 80 telephones per 100 persons domestic: fixed-line telephony and a broad range of other telecom services are controlled by a state-owned telecommunications monopoly and growth has been stagnant; more competition exists in the mobile-cellular market with three providers in 2006; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Naxcivan international: country code - 994; the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic link transits Azerbaijan providing international connectivity to neighboring countries; the old Soviet system of cable and microwave is still serviceable; satellite earth stations - 2 (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.311 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 68

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.548 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 76

Television broadcast stations

2 (1997)

Airports

34 (2009) country comparison to the world: 111

Airports - with paved runways

total: 27 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 6 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 1 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 7 under 914 m: 7 (2009)

Heliports

1 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 89 country comparison to the world: 52 by type: cargo 26, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 46, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 3 registered in other countries: 3 (Malta 2, Panama 1) (2008)

Pipelines

condensate 1 km; gas 3,361 km; oil 1,424 km (2008)

Ports and terminals

Baku (Baki)

Railways

total: 2,122 km country comparison to the world: 71 broad gauge: 2,122 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 59,141 km country comparison to the world: 74 paved: 29,210 km unpaved: 29,931 km (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,278,888 females age 16-49: 2,291,770 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,727,464 females age 16-49: 1,944,260 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 90,416 female: 85,344 (2009 est.)

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2008)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Military service age and obligation

men between 18 and 35 are liable for military service; 18 years of age for voluntary military service; length of military service is 18 months and 12 months for university graduates (2006)

Disputes - international

Armenia supports ethnic Armenian secessionists in Nagorno-Karabakh and since the early 1990s has militarily occupied 16% of Azerbaijan; over 800,000 mostly ethnic Azerbaijanis were driven from the occupied lands and Armenia; about 230,000 ethnic Armenians were driven from their homes in Azerbaijan into Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh; Azerbaijan seeks transit route through Armenia to connect to Naxcivan exclave; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) continues to mediate dispute; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia have ratified Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on an even one-fifth allocation and challenges Azerbaijan's hydrocarbon exploration in disputed waters; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian; Azerbaijan and Georgia continue to discuss the alignment of their boundary at certain crossing areas

IDPs

580,000-690,000 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2007)

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; small government eradication program; transit point for Southwest Asian opiates bound for Russia and to a lesser extent the rest of Europe page last updated on November 11, 2009

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 2,400 (Russia)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Azerbaijan is primarily a source and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Moldova trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons, particularly efforts to investigate, prosecute, and punish traffickers; to address complicity among law enforcement personnel; and to adequately identify and protect victims in Azerbaijan; the government has yet to develop a much-needed mechanism to identify potential trafficking victims and refer them to safety and care; poor treatment of trafficking victims in courtrooms continues to be a problem (2008)