2016 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
Background
- A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to the Russian Empire 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, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.
- A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to the Russian Empire in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in w
- the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, poor interethnic relations, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.
Geography
Area
- 199,951 sq km 191,801 sq km 8,150 sq km
- 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
- 2,988 m lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
- elevation extremes
- lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m
- highest point
- Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
- mean elevation
- 2,988 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
- Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected 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
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
10,233 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries
- 4,573 km China 1,063 km, Kazakhstan 1,212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1,314 km
- border countries (4)
- China 1,063 km, Kazakhstan 1,212 km, Tajikistan 984 km, Uzbekistan 1,314 km
- total
- 4,573 km
Land use
- 55.4% arable land 6.7%; permanent crops 0.4%; permanent pasture 48.3% 5.1% 39.5% (2011 est.)
- 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
Population - distribution
the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains
Terrain
peaks of the Tien Shan mountain range and associated valleys and basins encompass the entire country
People and Society
Age structure
- 30.12% (male 883,875/female 841,362) 17.47% (male 508,656/female 492,046) 39.68% (male 1,112,777/female 1,159,967) 7.59% (male 189,684/female 245,202) 5.13% (male 112,494/female 181,490) (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 30.12% (male 883,875/female 841,362)
- 15-24 years
- 17.47% (male 508,656/female 492,046)
- 25-54 years
- 39.68% (male 1,112,777/female 1,159,967)
- 55-64 years
- 7.59% (male 189,684/female 245,202)
- 65 years and over
- 5.13% (male 112,494/female 181,490) (2016 est.)
Birth rate
22.6 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Child labor - children ages 5-14
- 563,920 40.3% data represent children ages 5-17 (2007 est.)
- note
- data represent 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
6.6 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 55.3% 48.8% 6.6% 15.2% (2015 est.)
- 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.)
- rural
- 13.8% of population
- total
- 10% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 3.3% of population
Education expenditures
6.8% of GDP (2013)
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
6.5% of GDP (2014)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.22% (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
200 (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
8,100 (2015 est.)
Hospital bed density
4.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Infant mortality rate
- 26.8 deaths/1,000 live births 30.9 deaths/1,000 live births 22.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
- female
- 22.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
- male
- 30.9 deaths/1,000 live births
- total
- 26.8 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
- 70.7 years 66.5 years 75.1 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 75.1 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 66.5 years
- total population
- 70.7 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 99.5% 99.6% 99.4% (2015 est.)
- 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)
Maternal mortality rate
76 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Median age
- 26.2 years 25.2 years 27.3 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 27.3 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 25.2 years
- total
- 26.2 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
23.3 (2013 est.)
Nationality
- Kyrgyzstani(s) Kyrgyzstani
- adjective
- Kyrgyzstani
- noun
- Kyrgyzstani(s)
Net migration rate
-5.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
13.3% (2014)
Physicians density
1.97 physicians/1,000 population (2013)
Population
5,727,553 (July 2016 est.)
Population distribution
the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains
Population growth rate
1.09% (2016 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.)
- rural
- 4.4% of population
- total
- 6.7% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 10.9% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 13 years 13 years 13 years (2014)
- female
- 13 years (2014)
- male
- 13 years
- total
- 13 years
Sex ratio
- 1.07 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.62 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
- 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 (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.64 children born/woman (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 13.4% 12% 15.8% (2013 est.)
- female
- 15.8% (2013 est.)
- male
- 12%
- total
- 13.4%
Urbanization
- 35.7% of total population (2015) 1.58% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 1.58% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 35.7% of total population (2015)
Government
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) administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
- note
- administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Capital
- Bishkek 42 52 N, 74 36 E UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
- geographic coordinates
- 42 52 N, 74 36 E
- name
- Bishkek
- time difference
- UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship
- no at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force 5 years
- citizenship by birth
- no
- citizenship by descent only
- at least one parent must be a citizen of Kyrgyzstan
- dual citizenship recognized
- yes, but only if a mutual treaty on dual citizenship is in force
- residency requirement for naturalization
- 5 years
Constitution
previous 1993; latest adopted 27 June 2010, effective 2 July 2010; note - the current constitution prohibits any change until 2020 (2016)
Country name
- Kyrgyz Republic Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyz Respublikasy Kyrgyzstan Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic a combination of the Turkic words "kyrg" (forty) and "-yz" (tribes) with the Persian suffix "-stan" (country) creating the meaning "Land of the forty tribes"; the name refers to the forty clans united by the legendary Kyrgyz hero, MANAS
- conventional long form
- Kyrgyz Republic
- conventional short form
- Kyrgyzstan
- etymology
- a combination of the Turkic words "kyrg" (forty) and "-yz" (tribes) with the Persian suffix "-stan" (country) creating the meaning "Land of the forty tribes"; the name refers to the forty clans united by the legendary Kyrgyz hero, MANAS
- former
- Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
- local long form
- Kyrgyz Respublikasy
- local short form
- Kyrgyzstan
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Sheila GWALTNEY (14 October 2015) 171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016 use embassy street address [996] (312) 551-241, (517) 777-217 [996] (312) 551-264
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Sheila GWALTNEY (14 October 2015)
- 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
- Ambassador Kadyr TOKTOGULOV (since 23 February 2015) 2360 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 449-9822-23 [1] (202) 386-7550 New York
- 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
- President Almazbek ATAMBAEV (since 1 December 2011) Prime Minister Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (since 13 April 2016) Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; defense and security committee chairs appointed by the president 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 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%; Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected prime minister; Supreme Council vote - 115 to 0
- cabinet
- Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; defense and security committee chairs 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%; Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected prime minister; Supreme Council vote - 115 to 0
- 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 Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (since 13 April 2016)
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
parliamentary 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, EAEU, 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
- Supreme Court (consists of 25 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges) 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 Higher Court of Arbitration; oblast (provincial) and city courts
- 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
- 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) last held on 4 October 2015 (next to be held in 2020) Supreme Council - percent of vote by party - SDPK 27.4%, Respublika-Ata-Jurt 20.1%, Kyrgyzstan Party 12.9%, Onuguu-Progress 9.3%, Bir Bol 8.5%, Ata-Meken 7.8%, other 14%; seats by party - SDPK 38, Respublika-Ata-Jurt 28, Kyrgyzstan Party 18, Onuguu-Progress 13, Bir Bol 12, Ata-Meken 11
- 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 - SDPK 27.4%, Respublika-Ata-Jurt 20.1%, Kyrgyzstan Party 12.9%, Onuguu-Progress 9.3%, Bir Bol 8.5%, Ata-Meken 7.8%, other 14%; seats by party - SDPK 38, Respublika-Ata-Jurt 28, Kyrgyzstan Party 18, Onuguu-Progress 13, Bir Bol 12, Ata-Meken 11
- elections
- last held on 4 October 2015 (next to be held in 2020)
National anthem
- "Kyrgyz Respublikasynyn Mamlekettik Gimni" (National Anthem of the Kyrgyz Republic) Djamil SADYKOV and Eshmambet KULUEV/Nasyr DAVLESOV and Kalyi MOLDOBASANOV adopted 1992
- 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
- gyrfalcon; national colors
- red, yellow
Political parties and leaders
Ata-Jurt-Respublika (Homeland-Republic) [Omurbek BABANOV, Kamchybek TASHIEV] Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Omurbek TEKEBAEV] Bir Bol (Stay United) [Altynbek SULAIMANOV] Kyrgyzstan Party [Kanatbek ISAEV, Kanybek IMANALIEV] Onuguu-Progress [Bakyt TOROBAEV] Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan or 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
Economy
Agriculture - products
cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Budget
- $1.987 billion $2.085 billion (2015 est.)
- expenditures
- $2.085 billion (2015 est.)
- revenues
- $1.987 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-1.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
Central bank discount rate
13.73% (22 December 2011) 2.5% (31 December 2010)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
24.25% (31 December 2015 est.) 22.36% (31 December 2014 est.)
Current account balance
-$979 million (2015 est.) -$1.245 billion (2014 est.)
Debt - external
$7.37 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $7.257 billion (31 December 2014 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 minerals extraction, agriculture, and reliance on remittances from citizens working abroad. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only cotton is exported in any quantity. Other exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and - in some years - electricity. The country has sought to attract foreign investment to expand its export base, including construction of hydroelectric dams, but a difficult investment climate and an ongoing legal battle with Canadian investors in the nation’s largest gold mine deter potential investors. Remittances from Kyrgyz migrant workers in Russia and Kazakhstan are equivalent to about a quarter of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. 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 privatized much of its ownership shares in public enterprises. Despite these reforms, the country suffered a severe drop in production in the early 1990s and has again faced slow growth in recent years as the global financial crisis and declining oil prices have damaged economies across Central Asia. Kyrgyz leaders hope the country’s August 2015 accession to the Eurasian Economic Union will bolster trade and investment, but slowing economies in Russia and China, low commodity prices, and currency fluctuations continue to hamper economic growth. 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 - 64.462 (2015 est.) 53.654 (2014 est.) 53.654 (2013 est.) 47.01 (2012 est.) 46.144 (2011 est.)
Exports
$1.61 billion (2015 est.) $1.794 billion (2014 est.)
Exports - commodities
gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes
Exports - partners
Switzerland 26%, Uzbekistan 22.6%, Kazakhstan 20.8%, UAE 4.9%, Turkey 4.5%, Afghanistan 4.5%, Russia 4.2% (2015)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 81.3% 17.9% 30.2% 2.7% 36.3% -68.4% (2015 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 36.3%
- government consumption
- 17.9%
- household consumption
- 81.3%
- imports of goods and services
- -68.4% (2015 est.)
- investment in fixed capital
- 30.2%
- investment in inventories
- 2.7%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 17.7% 26% 56.3% (2015 est.)
- agriculture
- 17.7%
- industry
- 26%
- services
- 56.3% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
- $3,400 (2015 est.) $3,300 (2014 est.) $3,200 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
3.5% (2015 est.) 3.6% (2014 est.) 10.5% (2013 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$6.65 billion (2015 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $20.1 billion (2015 est.) $19.42 billion (2014 est.) $18.75 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
Gross national saving
20.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2014 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 2.8% 27.8% (2009 est.)
- highest 10%
- 27.8% (2009 est.)
- lowest 10%
- 2.8%
Imports
$3.648 billion (2015 est.) $5.204 billion (2014 est.)
Imports - commodities
oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners
China 56.4%, Russia 17.1%, Kazakhstan 9.9% (2015)
Industrial production growth rate
0.9% (2015 est.)
Industries
small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
6.5% (2015 est.) 7.5% (2014 est.)
Labor force
2.732 million (2015 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 48% 12.5% 39.5% (2005 est.)
- 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 est.) $79 million (31 December 2010 est.)
Population below poverty line
33.7% (2011 est.)
Public debt
68.8% of GDP (2015 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$1.778 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.957 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of broad money
$1.333 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.399 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$331.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $418.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$4.347 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $3.667 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$831.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $1.074 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$928.2 million (31 December 2015 est.) $1.062 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
29.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate
8% (2013 est.) 8.1% (2014 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
9.4 million Mt (2013 est.)
Crude oil - exports
19.65 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil - production
1,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
40 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)
Electricity - consumption
11 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - exports
72 million kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
21.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
78.9% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - imports
300 million kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
3.9 million kW (2014 est.)
Electricity - production
14 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity access
- 100% (2016)
- electrification - total population
- 100% (2016)
Natural gas - consumption
429 million cu m (2014 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - imports
395 million cu m (2014 est.)
Natural gas - production
34 million cu m (2014 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
37,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
3,070 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
35,710 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
1,571 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Communications
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
- 1.713 million 30.2% (July 2015 est.)
- percent of population
- 30.2% (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 1.713 million
Telephone system
- 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 fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership up to about 130 per 100 persons in 2015 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 (2015)
- domestic
- fixed-line penetration remains low and concentrated in urban areas; multiple mobile-cellular service providers with growing coverage; mobile-cellular subscribership up to about 130 per 100 persons in 2015
- 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 (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines
- 408,037 7 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 7 (July 2015 est.)
- total subscriptions
- 408,037
Telephones - mobile cellular
- 7.579 million 134 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 134 (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 7.579 million
Transportation
Airports
28 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 3 (2013)
- 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
- under 914 m
- 8 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
EX (2016)
National air transport system
- 625,294 69,290 mt-km (2015)
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers
- 69,290 mt-km (2015)
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers
- 625,294
- inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers
- 10
- number of registered air carriers
- 3
Pipelines
gas 480 km; oil 16 km (2013)
Ports and terminals
- Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)
- lake port(s)
- Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)(Lake Ysyk-Kol)
Railways
- 470 km 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2014)
- broad gauge
- 470 km 1.520-m gauge (2014)
- total
- 470 km
Roadways
- 34,000 km (2007)
- total
- 34,000 km (2007)
Waterways
600 km (2010)
Military and Security
Military branches
- State Committee on Defense Affairs (GKDO): Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2015)
- State Committee on Defense Affairs (GKDO)
- Ground Forces, Air Force (includes Air Defense Forces) (2015)
Military expenditures
NA% (2012) 3.74% of GDP (2011)
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)
Transnational Issues
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
- 9,118 (2015); note - most stateless people were born in Kyrgyzstan, have lived there many years, or married Kyrgyz citizens; 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
- stateless persons
- 9,118 (2015); note - most stateless people were born in Kyrgyzstan, have lived there many years, or married Kyrgyz citizens; 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