2008 Edition

Background

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAYEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. The political opposition organized demonstrations in Bishkek in April, May, and November 2006 resulting in the adoption of a new constitution that transferred some of the president's powers to parliament and the government. In December 2006, the Kyrgyz parliament voted to adopt new amendments, restoring some of the presidential powers lost in the November 2006 constitutional change. By late-September 2007, both previous versions of the constitution were declared illegal, and the country reverted to the AKAYEV-era 2003 constitution, which was subsequently modified in a flawed referendum initiated by BAKIEV. The president then dissolved parliament, called for early elections, and gained control of the new parliament through his newly-created political party, Ak Jol, in December 2007 elections. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, negative trends in democracy and political freedoms, reduction of corruption, improving interethnic relations, and combating terrorism.

Area

total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Climate

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices

Environment - international agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) per capita: 1,916 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

Irrigated land

10,720 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 3,051 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Land use

arable land: 6.55% permanent crops: 0.28% other: 93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)

Location

Central Asia, west of China

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Terrain

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Total renewable water resources

46.5 cu km (1997)

Age structure

0-14 years: 29.9% (male 817,369/female 784,782) 15-64 years: 64% (male 1,681,440/female 1,748,222) 65 years and over: 6.1% (male 127,263/female 197,793) (2008 est.)

Birth rate

23.31 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate

6.97 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Education expenditures

4.9% of GDP (2005)

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uygur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

3,900 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 32.3 deaths/1,000 live births male: 37.33 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27 deaths/1,000 live births (2008 est.)

Languages

Kyrgyz 64.7% (official), Uzbek 13.6%, Russian 12.5% (official), Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 69.12 years male: 65.12 years female: 73.33 years (2008 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.7% male: 99.3% female: 98.1% (1999 census)

Median age

total: 24.2 years male: 23.3 years female: 25 years (2008 est.)

Nationality

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Net migration rate

-2.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Population

5,356,869 (July 2008 est.)

Population growth rate

1.38% (2008 est.)

Religions

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 12 years male: 12 years female: 13 years (2006)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2008 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.67 children born/woman (2008 est.)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (oblastlar, singular - oblasty) and 1 city* (shaar); Batken Oblasty, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Capital

name: Bishkek geographic coordinates: 42 52 N, 74 36 E time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted 5 May 1993; note - amendment proposed by President Askar AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 2 February 2003 significantly expanded the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature; during large-scale demonstrations in November 2006, President BAKIEV and the opposition negotiated a new constitution granting greater powers to the parliament and the government; amendments added on 30 December 2006 redistributed some power back to the president, but both November and December 2006 versions were annulled in September 2007, and a new version was approved by referendum on 21 October 2007; the BAKIEV-initiated referendum was criticized by Western observers for voting irregularities, particularly ballot stuffing

Country name

conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: Kyrgyzstan former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Tatiana C. GFOELLER embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Zamira SYDYKOVA chancery: 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 449-9822

Executive branch

chief of state: President Kurmanbek BAKIEV (since 14 August 2005) head of government: Prime Minister Igor CHUDINOV (since 24 December 2007) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, appointed solely by the president elections: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held 10 July 2005 (next scheduled for 2010); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will nominate a prime minister election results: Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 88.6%, Tursunbai BAKIR-UULU 3.9%, other candidates 7.5%

FAX

[1] (202) 386-7550 consulate(s): New York

[996] (312) 551-264

Flag description

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of the roof of the traditional Kyrgyz yurt

Government type

republic

Independence

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation

ADB, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, MINURCAT, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; Constitutional Court (judges of both the Supreme and Constitutional Courts are appointed for 10-year terms by the Jorgorku Kengesh on the recommendation of the president; their mandatory retirement age is 70 years); Higher Court of Arbitration; Local Courts (judges appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Council on Legal Affairs for a probationary period of five years, then 10 years)

Legal system

based on French and Russian laws; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral Supreme Council or Jorgorku Kengesh (90 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 16 December 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ak Jol 71, Social Democratic Party 11, KCP 8

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Political parties and leaders

Ak Jol [Avtandil ARABAYEV, Elmira IBRAIMOVA, Vladimir NIFADYEV, co-chairs]; Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Emil ALIYEV]; Asaba (Banner National Revival Party) [Azimbek BEKNAZAROV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Viktor TCHETRNOMORETS]; Erkindik (Freedom) Party [Topchubek TURGUNALIYEV]; Moya Strana (My Country Party of Action) [Medet SADYRKULOV]; Party of Communists of Kyrgyzstan or KCP [Ishak MASALIYEV]; Party of Justice and Progress [Muratbek IMANALIEV]; Party of Peasants [Esengul ISAKOV]; Republican Party of Labor and Unity [Tabaldy OROZALIYEV]; Sanjira (Tree of Life) [Ednan KARABAYEV]; Social Democratic Party [Almaz ATAMBAYEV]; Union of Democratic Forces [Kubatbek BAIBOLOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]; Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]; Interbilim [Asiya SASYKBAYEVA]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool

Budget

revenues: $964.6 million expenditures: $961.1 million (2007 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

25.32% (31 December 2007)

Currency (code)

som (KGS)

Currency code

KGS

Current account balance

-$267.9 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$2.966 billion (30 June 2007)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.3 (2003)

Economic aid - recipient

$268.5 million from the US (2005)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. The economy is heavily weighted toward gold export and a drop in output at the main Kumtor gold mine sparked a 0.5% decline in GDP in 2002 and a 0.6% decline in 2005. GDP grew more than 6% in 2007, partly due to higher gold prices internationally. The government made steady strides in controlling its substantial fiscal deficit, nearly closing the gap between revenues and expenditures in 2006, before boosting expenditures more than 20% in 2007. The government and international financial institutions have been engaged in a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. In 2005, Bishkek agreed to pursue much-needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. Progress fighting corruption, further restructuring of domestic industry, and success in attracting foreign investment are keys to future growth.

Electricity - consumption

8.997 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.387 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

15.62 billion kWh (2006 est.)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 7.6% hydro: 92.4% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar - 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006), 41.012 (2005), 42.65 (2004), 43.648 (2003)

Exports

$1.337 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners

Russia 20.7%, Switzerland 19.9%, Kazakhstan 18%, Afghanistan 10.4%, Uzbekistan 7.6%, China 5.5% (2007)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 33.6% industry: 18.9% services: 47.5% (2007 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2007 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

8.2% (2007 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.748 billion (2007 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.55 billion (2007 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.8% highest 10%: 24.3% (2003)

Imports

$2.636 billion f.o.b. (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Russia 40.5%, China 14.7%, Kazakhstan 12.9%, Uzbekistan 5% (2007)

Industrial production growth rate

9.3% (2007 est.)

Industries

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

10.2% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.6% of GDP (2007 est.)

Labor force

2.7 million (2000)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 55% industry: 15% services: 30% (2000 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$41.99 million (2005)

Natural gas - consumption

768 million cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - imports

750 million cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - production

18 million cu m (2007 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2008 est.)

Oil - consumption

12,330 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports

2,534 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - imports

14,240 bbl/day (2005)

Oil - production

964.7 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2008 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.177 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$558.3 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$911.1 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$303.7 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

18% (2004 est.)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet hosts

56,905 (2008)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

NA

Internet users

750,000 (2007)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave NA (2007)

Radios

520,000 (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: telecommunications infrastructure is growing; fixed line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas domestic: multiple mobile cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile cellular subscribership reached 40 per 100 persons in 2007 international: country code - 996; connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations - 2 (1 Intersputnik, 1 Intelsat); connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line (2007)

Telephones - main lines in use

482,100 (2007)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.152 million (2007)

Television broadcast stations

8 (2 countrywide and 6 regional stations; state-owned); note - there are about 20 private TV stations, most of which rebroadcast other channels (2007)

Televisions

210,000 (1997)

Airports

30 (2007)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 18 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 11 under 914 m: 3 (2007)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 10 (2007)

Pipelines

gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2007)

Ports and terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Railways

total: 470 km broad gauge: 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2006)

Roadways

total: 18,500 km paved: 16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,591 km (2003)

Waterways

600 km (2007)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,398,878 females age 16-49: 1,419,374 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,061,942 females age 16-49: 1,211,249 (2008 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 60,706 female: 58,721 (2008 est.)

Military branches

Army, Air Force, National Guard (2005)

Military expenditures

1.4% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service (2001)

Disputes - international

Kyrgyzstan has yet to ratify the 2001 boundary delimitation with Kazakhstan; disputes in Isfara Valley delay completion of delimitation with Tajikistan; delimitation of 130 km of border with Uzbekistan is hampered by serious disputes around enclaves and other areas

Illicit drugs

limited illicit cultivation of cannabis and opium poppy for CIS markets; limited government eradication of illicit crops; transit point for Southwest Asian narcotics bound for Russia and the rest of Europe; major consumer of opiates This page was last updated on 18 December, 2008