2010 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 AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Subsequent presidential elections in July 2005 were won overwhelmingly by former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Over the next few years, the new president manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for himself. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, nationwide protests led to the resignation and expulsion of BAKIEV. He was replaced by President Roza OTUNBAEVA who will serve as president until 31 December 2011 according to a presidential decree issued 19 May 2010. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in October 2011.

Continuing concerns include

endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, and terrorism.

Area

land

191,801 sq km

total

199,951 sq km

water

8,150 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

lowest point

Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 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)

per capita

1,916 cu m/yr (2000)

total

10.08 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%)

Geographic coordinates

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes

Irrigated land

10,720 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,224 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

total

3,051 km

Land use

arable land

6.55%

other

93.17% note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural-growth walnut forest (2005)

permanent crops

0.28%

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: 29.7% (male 822,128/female 789,425) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 1,717,497/female 1,787,551) 65 years and over: 5.8% (male 123,045/female 192,101) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Education expenditures

6.6% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

4,200 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

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

male

35.09 deaths/1,000 live births

total

30.25 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

73.94 years (2010 est.)

male

65.74 years

total population

69.74 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

98.1% (1999 census)

male

99.3%

total population

98.7%

Median age

female

25.6 years (2010 est.)

male

23.8 years

total

24.7 years

Nationality

adjective

Kyrgyzstani

noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

Net migration rate

-2.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Population

5,508,626 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.414% (2010 est.)

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.053 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 (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.64 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.6% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

36% of total population (2008)

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

geographic coordinates

42 52 N, 74 36 E

name

Bishkek

time difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

27 June 2010

Country name

conventional long form

Kyrgyz Republic

conventional short form

Kyrgyzstan

former

Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local short form

Kyrgyzstan

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Tatiana GFOELLER

embassy

171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

FAX

[996] (312) 551-264

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mukhtar JUMALIEV

consulate(s)

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 386-7550

telephone

[1] (202) 449-9822

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security, are appointed solely by the president (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Roza OTUNBAEVA (since 19 May 2010); note - OTUNBAEVA became acting president on 7 April 2010 following the early April 2010 riots that overthrew President Kurmanbek BAKIEV; she was appointed president through 31 December 2011 by a 19 May 2010 decree of the provisional government, which also prohibited her from running in the next presidential election; she was officially sworn in on 3 July 2010

election results

Kurmanbek BAKIEV elected president; percent of vote - Kurmanbek BAKIEV 76.1%, Almaz ATAMBAEV 8.4%, Temir SARIEV 6.7%, other candidates 8.8%

elections

Kurmanbek BAKIEV reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held on 23 July 2009 (next scheduled for 2011); 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 form a coalition majority and government

head of government

Prime Minister Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 17 December 2010); First Deputy Prime Minister - Omurbek BABANOV (since 17 December 2010); Deputy Prime Ministers - Shamil ATAKHANOV, Ibragim JUNUSOV, Jantoro SATYBALDIEV (since 17 December 2010)

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 a "tunduk" - the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth

Government type

republic

Independence

31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, 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 Jogorku 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 Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Ata-Jurt 28, SDPK 26, Ar-Namys 25, Respublika 23, Ata-Meken 18

elections

last held on 10 October 2007 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV note: adopted 1992

name

"Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Political parties and leaders

Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]; Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV]; Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]; Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV, Miroslav NIYAZOV]; Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV]; Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

9.07% (31 December 2009) 15.11% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

23.03% (31 December 2009 est.) 19.86% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$210 million (2010 est.) $184 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$3.738 billion (30 June 2010) $3.467 billion (31 December 2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

30.3 (2003) 29 (2001)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. 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. The economy depends heavily on gold exports - mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine. 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. In 2005, the BAKIEV government and international financial institutions initiated a comprehensive medium-term poverty reduction and economic growth strategy. Bishkek agreed to pursue much needed tax reform and, in 2006, became eligible for the heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) initiative. 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 2007-08. GDP grew about 8% annually in 2007-08, partly due to higher gold prices internationally, but slowed to 2.3% in 2009. The overthrow of President BAKIEV in April, 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Shrinking trade and agricultural production, as well as political instability, caused GDP to contract about 3.5% in 2010. The fiscal deficit widened to 12% of GDP, reflecting significant increases in crisis-related spending, including both rehabilitation of damaged infrastructure and bank recapitalization. Progress in reconstruction, fighting corruption, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.

Electricity - consumption

9 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.379 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

15.96 billion kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar - 46.337 (2010), 42.905 (2009), 36.108 (2008), 37.746 (2007), 40.149 (2006)

Exports

$1.682 billion (2010 est.) $1.726 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Switzerland 25.96%, Russia 25.88%, Uzbekistan 15.72%, Kazakhstan 12.47% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

24.6%

industry

25%

services

50.4% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2010 est.) $2,300 (2009 est.) $2,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

-3.5% (2010 est.) 2.3% (2009 est.) 8.4% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.444 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.85 billion (2010 est.) $12.28 billion (2009 est.) $12 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.6% highest 10%: 25.9% (2004)

Imports

$3.075 billion (2010 est.) $2.987 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 57.03%, Russia 19.34%, Kazakhstan 5.9% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

6% (2010 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.8% (2010 est.) 6.9% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

26.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

2.344 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

48%

industry

12.5%

services

39.5% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$71.84 million (31 December 2009) $93.79 million (31 December 2008) $121 million (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

750 million cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

720 million cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

30 million cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

15,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

1,890 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

12,850 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

979 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.615 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.585 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.247 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$505.4 million (31 December 2010 est.) $572.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$714.9 million (31 December 2010 est) $826.4 million (31 December 2009 est)

Unemployment rate

18% (2004 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run television broadcaster operates 2 nationwide networks and 6 regional stations; roughly 20 private TV stations operating with most rebroadcasting other channels; state-run radio broadcaster operates 2 networks; about 20 private radio stations operating (2007)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet hosts

97,976 (2010)

Internet users

2.195 million (2009)

Telephone system

domestic

fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership exceeded 80 per 100 persons in 2009

general assessment

telecommunications infrastructure is being upgraded; loans from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) are being used to install a digital network, digital radio-relay stations, and fiber-optic links

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

Telephones - main lines in use

498,300 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.487 million (2009)

Airports

28 (2010)

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 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 8 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 254 km; oil 16 km (2009)

Ports and terminals

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Railways

broad gauge

470 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

total

470 km

Roadways

paved

16,909 km (includes 140 km of expressways)

total

18,500 km

unpaved

1,591 km (2003)

Waterways

600 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,439,750 females age 16-49: 1,455,806 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,101,709 females age 16-49: 1,243,904 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

54,004 (2010 est.)

male

56,269

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces), National Guard (2010)

Military expenditures

0.5% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory male military service in the armed forces or Interior Ministry; service obligation 1 year; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2010)

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 page last updated on January 12, 2011 ======================================================================