2010 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 Nagorno-Karabakh, a primarily Armenian-populated region that Moscow recognized as part of Soviet Azerbaijan in the 1920s after Armenia and Azerbaijan disputed the status of the territory. Armenia and Azerbaijan began fighting over the area in 1988; the struggle escalated after both countries attained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. By May 1994, when a cease-fire took hold, ethnic Armenian forces held not only Nagorno-Karabakh but also seven surrounding provinces in the territory of Azerbaijan. Corruption in the country is ubiquitous, and the government, which eliminated presidential term limits in a 2009 referendum, has been accused of authoritarianism. Although the poverty rate has been reduced in recent years due to revenue from oil production, the promise of widespread wealth resulting from the continued development of Azerbaijan's energy sector remains largely unfulfilled.

Area

land

82,629 sq km

total

86,600 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

highest point

Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

lowest point

Caspian Sea -28 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)

per capita

2,051 cu m/yr (2000)

total

17.25 cu km/yr (5%/28%/68%)

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

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

total

2,013 km

Land use

arable land

20.62%

other

76.77% (2005)

permanent crops

2.61%

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) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

17.75 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

8.28 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2008)

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.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,800 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

46.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

58.37 deaths/1,000 live births

total

52.84 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

71.67 years (2010 est.)

male

62.86 years

total population

67.01 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.2% (1999 census)

male

99.5%

total population

98.8%

Median age

female

30.3 years (2010 est.)

male

26.9 years

total

28.5 years

Nationality

adjective

Azerbaijani

noun

Azerbaijani(s)

Net migration rate

-1.42 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

8,303,512 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

0.805% (2010 est.)

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)

female

13 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.124 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.13 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.03 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

52% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

59 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular), 1 autonomous republic (muxtar respublika)

autonomous republic

Naxcivan Muxtar Respublikasi (Nakhichevan)

cities

Ali Bayramli Sahari, Baki Sahari, Ganca Sahari, Lankaran Sahari, Mingacevir Sahari, Naftalan Sahari, Saki Sahari, Sumqayit Sahari, Susa Sahari, Xankandi Sahari, Yevlax Sahari

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

Capital

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

40 23 N, 49 52 E

name

Baku (Baki, Baky)

time difference

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 12 November 1995; modified by referendum 24 August 2002

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Azerbaijan

conventional short form

Azerbaijan

former

Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Azarbaycan Respublikasi

local short form

Azarbaycan

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Matthew BRYZA

embassy

83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007

FAX

[994] (12) 4656-671

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

chancery

2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Yashar ALIYEV

Consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 337-5911

telephone

[1] (202) 337-3500

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003)

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

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for unlimited terms); election last held on 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

head of government

Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006)

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of blue (top), red, and green; a crescent and eight-pointed star in white are centered in the red band; the blue band recalls Azerbaijan's Turkic heritage, red stands for modernization and progress, and green refers to Islam; the crescent moon is an Islamic symbol, while the eight-pointed star represents the eight Turkic peoples of the world

Government type

republic

Independence

30 August 1991 (declared from the Soviet Union); 18 October 1991 (adopted by the Supreme Council of Azerbaijan)

International organization participation

ADB, BSEC, CE, CICA, 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)

election results

percent of vote by party - YAP 45.8%, CSP 1.6%, Motherland 1.4%, independents 48.2%, other 3.1%; seats by party - YAP 71, CSP 3, Motherland 2, Democratic Reforms 1, Great Creation 1, Hope Party 1, Social Welfare 1, Civil Unity 1, Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front 1, Justice 1, independents 42

elections

last held on 7 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2015)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV note: adopted 1992; although originally written in 1919 during a brief period of independence, "Azerbaijan Marsi" did not become the official anthem until after the dissolution of the Soviet Union

name

"Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan)

National holiday

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

Political parties and leaders

Azerbaijan Democratic Party or ADP [Sardar JALALOGLU]; Civil Solidarity Party or CSP [Sabir RUSTAMKHANLI]; Civil Unity Party [Sabir HACIYEV]; Classic People's Front of Azerbaijan [Mirmahmud MIRALI-OGLU]; Democratic Reform Party [Asim MOLLAZADE]; Great Creation Party [Fazil Gazanfaroglu MUSTAFAYEV]; Hope (Umid) Party [Iqbal AGAZADE]; Justice Party [Ilyas ISMAYILOV]; Liberal Party of Azerbaijan [Lala Shovkat HACIYEVA]; Motherland Party [Fazail AGAMALI]; Musavat (Equality) [Isa GAMBAR, chairman]; Open Society Party [Rasul GULIYEV, in exile in the US]; Social Democratic Party of Azerbaijan or SDP [Araz ALIZADE and Ayaz MUTALIBOV (in exile)]; Social Welfare Party [Hussein KAZIMLI]; United Popular Azerbaijan Front Party or AXCP [Ali KARIMLI]; Whole Azerbaijan Popular Front Party [Gudrat HASANGULIYEV]; Yeni (New) Azerbaijan Party or YAP [President Ilham ALIYEV] note: opposition parties regularly factionalize and form new parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

Azerbaijan Public Forum [Eldar NAMAZOV]; Karabakh Liberation Organization

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

2% (31 December 2009) 8% (31 December 2008) note: this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the National Bank of Azerbaijan

Commercial bank prime lending rate

20.03% (31 December 2009 est.) 19.76% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

$15.96 billion (2010 est.) $10.18 billion (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$3.221 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.44 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.5 (2001) 36 (1995)

Economy - overview

Azerbaijan's high economic growth during 2006-08 was attributable to large and growing oil exports, but some non-export sectors also featured double-digit growth, spurred by growth in the construction, banking, and real estate sectors. In 2009, economic growth remained above 9% even as oil prices moderated and growth in the construction sector cooled. In 2010, economic growth slowed to approximately 3.7%, although the impact of the global financial crisis was less severe than in many other countries in the region. The current global economic slowdown presents some challenges for the Azerbaijani economy as oil prices remain below their mid-2008 highs, highlighting Azerbaijan's reliance on energy exports and lackluster attempts to diversify its economy. Azerbaijan's oil production increased dramatically in 1997, when Azerbaijan signed the first production-sharing arrangement (PSA) with the Azerbaijan International Operating Company. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline remain the main economic driver while efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway. However, Azerbaijan has made only limited progress on instituting market-based economic reforms. Pervasive public and private sector corruption and structural economic inefficiencies remain a drag on long-term growth, particularly in non-energy sectors. Several other obstacles impede Azerbaijan's economic progress: the need for stepped up foreign investment in the non-energy sector and the continuing conflict with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. 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

18 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

786 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

548 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

18.6 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.8035 (2010), 0.8038 (2009), 0.8219 (2008), 0.8581 (2007), 0.8934 (2006)

Exports

$28.07 billion (2010 est.) $21.1 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Italy 20.69%, India 10.67%, US 9.24%, France 8.15%, Germany 7.62%, Indonesia 6.63%, Canada 5.13% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

5.5%

industry

61.4%

services

33.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$11,000 (2010 est.) $10,600 (2009 est.) $9,700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2010 est.) 9.3% (2009 est.) 10.8% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$52.17 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$90.15 billion (2010 est.) $86.93 billion (2009 est.) $79.54 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

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

Imports

$7.035 billion (2010 est.) $6.514 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Turkey 18.69%, Russia 16.98%, Germany 7.87%, Ukraine 7.3%, China 6.18%, UK 5.73% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

3.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.1% (2010 est.) 1.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

17.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

5.874 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

38.3%

industry

12.1%

services

49.6% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

10.12 billion cu m (2008)

Natural gas - exports

5.564 billion cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

23 billion cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

136,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

528,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

2,848 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

1.011 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

7 billion bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

11% (2009 est.)

Public debt

4.6% of GDP (2010 est.) 6.7% of GDP (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.33 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.364 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$11.64 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $10.54 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.058 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $5.558 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$8.918 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $8.318 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$8.135 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $5.726 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$7.34 billion (31 December 2010 est) $6.519 billion (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

0.9% (2010 est.) 6% (2009 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-run and 1 public television channel; 4 domestic commercial TV stations and about 15 regional TV stations; Turkish, Russian, and Iranian TV and radio broadcasts are available, especially in border regions; cable TV services are available in Baku; 1 state-run and 1 public radio network operating; a small number of private commercial radio stations broadcasting; local FM relays of Baku commercial stations are available in many localities; local relays of several international broadcasters had been available until late 2008 when their broadcasts were banned from FM frequencies (2008)

Internet country code

.az

Internet hosts

22,737 (2010)

Internet users

2.42 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

teledensity of 17 fixed lines per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased and is rapidly approaching 100 telephones per 100 persons; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Nakhchivan

general assessment

requires considerable expansion and modernization; 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 four providers in 2009

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 (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.397 million (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.757 million (2009)

Airports

35 (2010)

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 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

8 under 914 m: 8 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 27, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 9, petroleum tanker 48, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 3

foreign-owned

1 (Turkey 1)

registered in other countries

2 (Malta 1, Panama 1) (2010)

total

92

Pipelines

condensate 1 km; gas 3,361 km; oil 1,424 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Baku (Baki)

Railways

broad gauge

2,918 km 1.520-m gauge (1,278 km electrified) (2009)

total

2,918 km

Roadways

paved

29,210 km

total

59,141 km

unpaved

29,931 km (2004)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,336,611 females age 16-49: 2,329,275 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,753,878 females age 16-49: 1,958,408 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

78,905 (2010 est.)

male

84,441

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2010)

Military expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2005 est.)

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

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 January 18, 2011 ======================================================================

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

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

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)