2012 Edition

Background

Azerbaijan - a nation with a majority-Turkic and majority-shia Muslim population - was briefly independent (from 1918 to 1920) following the collapse of the Russian Empire; it was subsequently incorporated into the Soviet Union for seven decades. 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. In January 2011, Azerbaijan assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2012-13 term.

Area

86,600 sq km 82,629 sq km 3,971 sq km 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

total

86,600 sq km

water

3,971 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maine

Climate

dry, semiarid steppe

Coastline

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

Elevation extremes

Caspian Sea -28 m Bazarduzu Dagi 4,485 m

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

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected 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)

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

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

14,300 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

2,013 km 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

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

20.62% 2.61% 76.77% (2005)

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

22.7% (male 1,154,901/ female 999,512) 71% (male 3,307,881/ female 3,436,459) 6.3% (male 227,172/ female 367,675) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

22.7% (male 1,154,901/ female 999,512)

15-64 years

71% (male 3,307,881/ female 3,436,459)

65 years and over

6.3% (male 227,172/ female 367,675) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

17.3 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

8.4% (2006)

Death rate

7.13 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

2.8% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,600 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

7.93 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

28.76 deaths/1,000 live births 29.48 deaths/1,000 live births 27.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

27.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

28.76 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

71.32 years 68.38 years 74.68 years (2012 est.)

female

74.68 years (2012 est.)

total population

71.32 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.8% 99.9% 99.7% (2010 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.7% (2010 census)

male

99.9%

total population

99.8%

Major cities - population

BAKU (capital) 1.95 million (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

43 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.5 years 27.9 years 31.3 years (2012 est.)

female

31.3 years (2012 est.)

male

27.9 years

total

29.5 years

Nationality

Azerbaijani(s) Azerbaijani

adjective

Azerbaijani

noun

Azerbaijani(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

3.794 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

9,493,600 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.017% (2012 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 51% of population rural: 39% of population total: 45% of population urban: 49% of population rural: 61% of population total: 55% of population

rural

61% of population

total

55% of population

urban

49% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

12 years 12 years 12 years (2009)

female

12 years (2009)

male

12 years

total

12 years

Sex ratio

1.14 male(s)/female 1.16 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.62 male(s)/female

at birth

1.14 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.16 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

1.92 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

14.4% 18.7% 9.8% (2008)

female

9.8% (2008)

total

14.4%

Urbanization

52% of total population (2010) 1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

52% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

66 rayons (rayonlar; rayon - singular), 11 cities (saharlar; sahar - singular); Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab Baki, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax

cities

Baki, Ganca, Lankaran, Mingacevir, Naftalan, Naxcivan (Nakhichevan), Saki, Sirvan, Sumqayit, Xankandi, Yevlax

rayons

Abseron, Agcabadi, Agdam, Agdas, Agstafa, Agsu, Astara, Babak, Balakan, Barda, Beylaqan, Bilasuvar, Cabrayil, Calilabad, Culfa, Daskasan, Fuzuli, Gadabay, Goranboy, Goycay, Goygol, Haciqabul, Imisli, Ismayilli, Kalbacar, Kangarli, Kurdamir, Lacin, Lankaran, Lerik, Masalli, Neftcala, Oguz, Ordubad, Qabala, Qax, Qazax, Qobustan, Quba, Qubadli, Qusar, Saatli, Sabirabad, Sabran, Sadarak, Sahbuz, Saki, Salyan, Samaxi, Samkir, Samux, Sarur, Siyazan, Susa, Tartar, Tovuz, Ucar, Xacmaz, Xizi, Xocali, Xocavand, Yardimli, Yevlax, Zangilan, Zaqatala, Zardab

Capital

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

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

Republic of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan Azarbaycan Respublikasi Azarbaycan Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic

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

Ambassador Richard L. MORNINGSTAR 83 Azadlig Prospecti, Baku AZ1007 American Embassy Baku, US Department of State, 7050 Baku Place, Washington, DC 20521-7050 [994] (12) 4980-335 through 337 [994] (12) 4656-671

chief of mission

Ambassador Richard L. MORNINGSTAR

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

Ambassador Elin SULEYMANOV 2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 337-3500 [1] (202) 337-5911 Los Angeles

chancery

2741 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Elin SULEYMANOV

Consulate(s) general

Los Angeles

FAX

[1] (202) 337-5911

telephone

[1] (202) 337-3500

Executive branch

President Ilham ALIYEV (since 31 October 2003) Prime Minister Artur RASIZADE (since 4 November 2003); First Deputy Prime Minister Yaqub EYYUBOV (since June 2006) Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly 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 Ilham ALIYEV reelected president; percent of vote - Ilham ALIYEV 89%, Igbal AGHAZADE 2.9%, five other candidates with smaller percentages several political parties boycotted the election due to perceived unfair conditions; OSCE observers concluded that the election did not meet international standards

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly

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

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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court the president proposes judges of all the courts to the Parliament which appoints them; Supreme Court; Economic Court

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Milli Mejlis (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 7 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2015) 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

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

"Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan) Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV 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

lyrics/music

Ahmed JAVAD/Uzeyir HAJIBEYOV

name

"Azerbaijan Marsi" (March of Azerbaijan)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

flames of fire

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] 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

Budget

$23.25 billion $25.55 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$25.55 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$23.25 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.25% (31 December 2011 est.) this is the Refinancing Rate, the key policy rate for the National Bank of Azerbaijan

Commercial bank prime lending rate

19% (31 December 2012 est.) 19% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$12.3 billion (2012 est.) $17.15 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$4.042 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $4.056 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.7 (2008) 36.5 (2001)

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, including construction, banking, and real estate, although most of this increase was tied to growth in the hydrocarbon sector. In 2011, economic growth slowed to 0.1%, largely because oil production reached a plateau. Real GDP growth improved in 2012, reaching about 40%, but the current global economic slowdown presents some challenges for the Azerbaijani economy as oil prices remain volatile, highlighting Azerbaijan's reliance on energy exports and lackluster attempts to diversify its economy. Oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline remain the main economic driver while efforts to boost Azerbaijan's gas production are underway. Natural gas from fields under development in Azerbaijan by an international consortium is the only gas currently available for the geopolitically important Southern Corridor project, which aims to improve European energy security. 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, including 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 depend on world oil prices, the location of new oil and gas pipelines in the region, Azerbaijan's ability to negotiate export routes for its growing gas production, and its ability to manage its energy wealth to promote growth and spur employment in non-energy sectors of the economy.

Exchange rates

Azerbaijani manats (AZN) per US dollar - 0.7839 (2012 est.) 0.7897 (2011 est.) 0.8027 (2010 est.) 0.8038 (2009) 0.8219 (2008)

Exports

$30.58 billion (2012 est.) $34.49 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

oil and gas 90%, machinery, cotton, foodstuffs

Exports - partners

Italy 32.6%, France 13.3%, US 7.6%, Germany 6.3%, Indonesia 5.4%, Czech Republic 5.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

5.7% 59.5% 34.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

5.7%

industry

59.5%

services

34.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$10,700 (2012 est.) $10,400 (2011 est.) $10,400 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2012 est.) 0.1% (2011 est.) 5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$71.04 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$98.16 billion (2012 est.) $94.57 billion (2011 est.) $94.48 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.4% 27.4% (2008)

highest 10%

27.4% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.4%

Imports

$10.78 billion (2012 est.) $10.17 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Turkey 18.1%, Russia 15.4%, China 7.8%, Germany 7.2%, UK 6.1%, Ukraine 4.6%, Italy 4.2% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

-5.2% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.4% (2012 est.) 8.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

17.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

6.206 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

38.3% 12.1% 49.6% (2008)

agriculture

38.3%

industry

12.1%

services

49.6% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

11% (2009 est.)

Public debt

5.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 5.5% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$9.87 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.27 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$17.68 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $13.19 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$6.923 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.323 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$11.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $10.35 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$13.78 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $12.72 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$14.16 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $11.22 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

32.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

1% (2012 est.) 6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

35.12 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

821,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

987,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

7 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

13.48 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

380 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

82.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

17.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

110 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5.798 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

20 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

9.921 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

6.755 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

16.68 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

849.5 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

168,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

63,950 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,426 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

161,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

3 state-run and 1 public TV channels; 4 domestic commercial TV stations and about 15 regional TV stations; 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 (2010)

Internet country code

.az

Internet hosts

46,856 (2012)

Internet users

2.42 million (2009)

Telephone system

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 teledensity of 17 fixed lines per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased and now exceeds 100 telephones per 100 persons; satellite service connects Baku to a modern switch in its exclave of Nakhchivan 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 (2011)

domestic

teledensity of 17 fixed lines per 100 persons; mobile-cellular teledensity has increased and now exceeds 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 (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

1.684 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.12 million (2011)

Airports

37 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

13

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

4

over 3,047 m

5

total

30

under 914 m

3 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

7 (2012)

total

7

under 914 m

7 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 27, chemical tanker 1, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 8, petroleum tanker 47, roll on/roll off 3, specialized tanker 2 1 (Turkey 1) 2 (Malta 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

1 (Turkey 1)

registered in other countries

2 (Malta 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

total

90

Pipelines

condensate 1 km; gas 3,361 km; oil 1,424 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Baku (Baki)

Railways

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

total

2,918 km

Roadways

52,942 km 26,789 km 26,153 km (2006)

total

52,942 km

unpaved

26,153 km (2006)

Manpower available for military service

2,354,249 2,334,632 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,334,632 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,354,249

Manpower fit for military service

1,773,993 1,964,012 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,964,012 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,773,993

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

76,923 71,024 (2010 est.)

female

71,024 (2010 est.)

male

76,923

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

Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Russia ratified the Caspian seabed delimitation treaties based on equidistance, while Iran continues to insist on a one-fifth slice of the sea; the dispute over the break-away Nagorno-Karabakh region and the Armenian military occupation of surrounding lands in Azerbaijan remains the primary focus of regional instability; residents have evacuated the former Soviet-era small ethnic enclaves in Armenia and Azerbaijan; local border forces struggle to control the illegal transit of goods and people across the porous, undemarcated Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Georgian borders; bilateral talks continue with Turkmenistan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

599,417 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2012)

IDPs

599,417 (conflict with Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh) (2012)

Trafficking in persons

Azerbaijan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor, and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey, the UAE, Russia, and Iran for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia and Moldova for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation; Azerbaijan is also a destination country for men from Turkey and Afghanistan, and Chinese men and women for forced labor Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for not fully complying with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the Government of Azerbaijan has not made sufficient progress in investigating, prosecuting, or convicting labor trafficking offenses or in identifying victims of forced labor (2008)

current situation

Azerbaijan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor, and women and children subjected to sex trafficking; women and some children from Azerbaijan are trafficked to Turkey, the UAE, Russia, and Iran for the purpose of sexual exploitation; men and boys are trafficked to Russia and Moldova for the purpose of forced labor; Azerbaijan serves as a transit country for victims from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan trafficked to Turkey and the UAE for sexual exploitation; Azerbaijan is also a destination country for men from Turkey and Afghanistan, and Chinese men and women for forced labor

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Azerbaijan is on the Tier 2 Watch List for not fully complying with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the Government of Azerbaijan has not made sufficient progress in investigating, prosecuting, or convicting labor trafficking offenses or in identifying victims of forced labor (2008)