2015 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. Former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won reelection in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, violent protests in Bishkek led to the collapse of the BAKIEV regime and his eventual flight to Minsk, Belarus. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in independent Kyrgyzstan's history. Continuing concerns include: the trajectory of democratization, 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

1,558 cu m/yr (2006)

total

8.01 cu km/yr (3%/4%/93%)

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

10,210 sq km (2005)

Land boundaries

border countries (4)

China 1,063 km, Kazakhstan 1,212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1,314 km

total

4,573 km

Land use

arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 48.3%

agricultural land

55.4%

forest

5.1%

other

39.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

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

Terrain

peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country

Total renewable water resources

23.62 cu km (2011)

Age structure

0-14 years

29.92% (male 867,668/female 827,235)

15-24 years

18.18% (male 523,347/female 506,453)

25-54 years

39.55% (male 1,096,430/female 1,144,265)

55-64 years

7.34% (male 180,874/female 234,733)

65 years and over

5.01% (male 108,776/female 175,158) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

22.98 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

note

data represents children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)

percentage

40.3%

total number

563,920

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

2.8% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

36.3% (2012)

Death rate

6.65 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6.6%

potential support ratio

15.2% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

55.3%

youth dependency ratio

48.8%

Drinking water source

urban: 96.7% of population

rural: 86.2% of population

total: 90% of population

urban: 3.3% of population

rural: 13.8% of population

total: 10% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

6.8% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 70.9%, Uzbek 14.3%, Russian 7.7%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.9% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2009 est.)

Health expenditures

6.7% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.26% (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

400 (2014 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,300 (2014 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

female

23.24 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

31.94 deaths/1,000 live births

total

27.73 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kyrgyz (official) 71.4%, Uzbek 14.4%, Russian (official) 9%, other 5.2% (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

female

74.8 years (2015 est.)

male

66.19 years

total population

70.36 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.4% (2015 est.)

male

99.6%

total population

99.5%

Major urban areas - population

BISHKEK (capital) 865,000 (2015)

Median age

female

27 years (2015 est.)

male

25 years

total

26 years

Nationality

adjective

Kyrgyzstani

noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

Net migration rate

-5.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

13.3% (2014)

Physicians density

1.97 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

5,664,939 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

1.11% (2015 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 89.1% of population

rural: 95.6% of population

total: 93.3% of population

urban: 10.9% of population

rural: 4.4% of population

total: 6.7% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

13 years (2011)

male

12 years

total

13 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.03 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.96 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.77 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.62 male(s)/female

at birth

1.07 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.66 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

16.2% (2006 est.)

male

13.6%

total

14.6%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.58% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

35.7% of total population (2015)

Administrative divisions

7 provinces (oblustar, singular - oblus) and 2 cities* (shaarlar, singular - shaar); Batken Oblusu, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblusu (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblusu, Naryn Oblusu, Osh Oblusu, Osh Shaary*, Talas Oblusu, Ysyk-Kol Oblusu (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

previous 1993; latest adopted 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010 (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 (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard MILES

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 Kadyr TOKTOGULOV (since 23 February 2015)

consulate(s)

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 386-7550

telephone

[1] (202) 449-9822-23

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; defense and security ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011)

election results

Almazbek ATAMBAEV elected president; percent of vote - Almazbek ATAMBAEV (SDPK) 63.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (All Kyrgyzstan) 14.7%, Kamchybek TASHIEV (Homeland) 14.3%, other 7.8%; Temir SARIYEV elected prime minister; Supreme Council vote - 97 to 2

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single 6-year term; election last held on 30 October 2011 (next to be held in 2017); prime minister nominated by the majority party or majority coalition in the Supreme Council, appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Temir SARIYEV (since 1 May 2015); First Deputy Prime Minister Tayyrbek SARPASHEV (since 2 April 2014); Deputy Prime Ministers Valeriy DIL (since 2 April 2014), Abdyrakhman MAMATALIEV (since 2 April 2014), Damira NIYAZALIEVA (since 26 December 2014)

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 law organization participation

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

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), 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, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 25 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president; Supreme Court judges serve for 10 years, Constitutional Court judges serve for 15 years; mandatory retirement at age 70 for judges of both courts

subordinate courts

Higher Court of Arbitration; oblast (provincial) and city courts

Legal system

civil law system which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws

Legislative branch

description

unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote to serve 5-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 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV

name

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

note

adopted 1992

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

National symbol(s)

gyrfalcon; national colors: red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Ar-Namys (Dignity) Party [Feliks KULOV]

Ata-Jurt (Homeland) [Kamchybek TASHIEV, Akhmat KELDIBEKOV, Sadyr JAPAROV]

Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV]

Butun Kyrgyzstan (All Kyrgyzstan) [Adakhan MADUMAROV]

Respublika [Omurbek BABANOV]

Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Adilet (Justice) Legal Clinic [Cholpon JAKUPOVA]

Citizens Against Corruption [Tolekan ISMAILOVA]

Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society [Dinara OSHURAKHUNOVA]

Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century) [Aziza ABDIRASULOVA]

Precedent Partnership Group [Nurbek TOKTAKUNOV]

Societal Analysis Public Association [Rita KARASARTOVA]

Union of True Muslims [Nurlan MOTUEV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

expenditures

$2.214 billion (2014 est.)

revenues

$2.036 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

13.73% (22 December 2011)

2.5% (31 December 2010)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

24% (31 December 2014 est.)

20.93% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.013 billion (2014 est.)

-$1.771 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$6.819 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$6.376 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.4 (2007)

29 (2001)

Economy - overview

Kyrgyzstan is a poor, mountainous country with an economy dominated by agriculture and minerals extraction. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and—in some years—electricity. Bishkek remains embroiled in a legal battle with Canadian investors in the Kumtor gold mine, the nation’s largest. Kyrgyzstan has sought foreign investment to develop hydroelectric potential as a source of export revenue. The economy also depends heavily on remittances from Kyrgyzstani migrant workers, primarily in Russia. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan rapidly carried out market reforms, such as improving the regulatory system and instituting land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. The government has sold much of its ownership shares in enterprises. 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 overthrow of President BAKIEV in April 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Under President ATAMBAEV, Kyrgyzstan has developed a plan for economic development in coordination with international donors. In December 2014 Kyrgyzstan agreed to join the Eurasian Economic Union in early 2015. The keys to future growth include progress in fighting corruption, improving administrative transparency, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment.

Exchange rates

soms (KGS) per US dollar -

52.66 (2014 est.)

48.438 (2013 est.)

47.01 (2012 est.)

46.144 (2011 est.)

45.964 (2010 est.)

Exports

$2.009 billion (2014 est.)

$2.048 billion (2013 est.)

Exports - commodities

gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat, tobacco; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners

Uzbekistan 29.3%, Kazakhstan 28.5%, UAE 6.6%, Russia 5.9%, Afghanistan 5.8%, Turkey 5.3% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

48.1%

government consumption

16.6%

household consumption

103.2%

imports of goods and services

-98.8%

investment in fixed capital

29.1%

investment in inventories

1.8%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

19.3%

industry

31.1%

services

49.6% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,400 (2014 est.)

$3,200 (2013 est.)

$2,900 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.6% (2014 est.)

10.5% (2013 est.)

-0.9% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.402 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.16 billion (2014 est.)

$18.49 billion (2013 est.)

$16.73 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

13.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

11.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

10.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

27.8% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

2.8%

Imports

$5.537 billion (2014 est.)

$5.614 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 54.4%, Russia 18.1%, Kazakhstan 7.8%, Turkey 4.4% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.5% (2014 est.)

6.6% (2013 est.)

Labor force

2.615 million (2014 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

48%

industry

12.5%

services

39.5% (2005 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$165 million (31 December 2012 est.)

$165 million (31 December 2011)

$79 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

33.7% (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$2.184 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$2.238 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.02 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.847 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$748.4 million (31 December 2014 est.)

$748.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.337 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$3.017 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.152 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.052 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.563 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.474 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

7.6% (2014 est.)

18% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.278 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

1,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

40 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

8.851 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.795 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

21.1% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

78.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

3.766 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

14.96 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

428.7 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - imports

420 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - production

8.666 million cu m (2012 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

35,090 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

2,433 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

35,040 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV 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 (2007)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet users

percent of population

24.2% (2014 est.)

total

1.4 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 23, shortwave 2 (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 was about 115 per 100 persons in 2011

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 (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

8 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

440,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

135 (2014 est.)

total

7.6 million

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)

Airports

28 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

11

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

over 3,047 m

1

total

18

under 914 m

3 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

8 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

10

Pipelines

gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

lake port(s)

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)

Railways

broad gauge

470 km 1.520-m gauge (2014)

total

470 km

Roadways

total

34,000 km (2007)

Waterways

600 km (2010)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

1,470,317 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,456,881

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

1,257,263 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,119,224

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

54,056 (2010 est.)

male

56,606

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2013)

Military expenditures

NA% (2012)

3.74% of GDP (2011)

NA% (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary male military service in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 1-year service obligation, with optional fee-based 3-year service in the callup mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2013)

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 over 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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons

12,133 (2014); note - most stateless people were born in Kyrgystan, have lived there many years, or are married to a Kyrgyz citizen; in 2009, Kyrgyzstan adopted a national action plan to speed up the exchange of old Soviet passports for Kyrgyz ones; stateless people are unable to register marriages and births, to travel within the country or abroad, to own property, or to receive social benefits