2024 Edition Primary

Background

Kyrgyzstan is a Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions. The Russian Empire annexed most of the territory of present-day Kyrgyzstan in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916, during which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1926 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in 2005 and 2010 resulted in the ouster of the country’s first two presidents, Askar AKAEV and Kurmanbek BAKIEV. Almazbek ATAMBAEV was sworn in as president in 2011. In 2017, ATAMBAEV became the first Kyrgyzstani president to serve a full term and respect constitutional term limits, voluntarily stepping down at the end of his mandate. Former prime minister and ruling Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan member Sooronbay JEENBEKOV replaced him after winning the 2017 presidential election, which was the most competitive in the country’s history despite reported cases of vote buying and abuse of public resources. In 2020, protests against parliamentary election results spread across Kyrgyzstan, leading to JEENBEKOV’s resignation and catapulting previously imprisoned Sadyr JAPAROV to acting president. In 2021, Kyrgyzstanis formally elected JAPAROV as president and approved a referendum to move Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system. In 2021, Kyrgyzstanis voted in favor of constitutional changes that consolidated power in the presidency. Pro-government parties won a majority in the 2021 legislative elections. Continuing concerns for Kyrgyzstan include the trajectory of democratization, endemic corruption, tense regional relations, vulnerabilities due to climate change, border security vulnerabilities, and potential terrorist threats.

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

highest point

Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

lowest point

Kara-Daryya (Karadar'ya) 132 m

mean elevation

2,988 m

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

10,043 sq km (2020)

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

4,573 km

Land use

agricultural land

55.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 6.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 48.3% (2018 est.)

forest

5.1% (2018 est.)

other

39.5% (2018 est.)

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kazakhstan

Major lakes (area sq km)

salt water lake(s)

Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq kmnote - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes

Major rivers (by length in km)

Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

major flooding during snow melt; prone to earthquakes

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 the capital, 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

Age structure

0-14 years

29.1% (male 922,086/female 873,245)

15-64 years

64% (male 1,935,200/female 2,013,733)

65 years and over

6.9% (2024 est.) (male 164,032/female 263,805)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

0.43 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

3.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

4.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

18.7 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Child marriage

women married by age 15

0.3%

women married by age 18

12.9% (2018 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.8% (2018)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

39.4% (2018)

Current health expenditure

5.3% of GDP (2020)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

66.2% (2023 est.)

Death rate

6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Demographic profile

Kyrgyzstan is a sparsely populated country whose population is unevenly distributed.  More than 50% of the population lives in or around the two cities of Bishkek and Osh and their surrounding districts, which together account for about 12% of the country’s area.  Kyrgyzstan’s population continues to grow rapidly owing to its high fertility rate and the traditional preference for larger families, a low mortality rate, a growing share of women of reproductive age, and measures to support families with children. The country has a youthful age structure; over 45% of the population is under the age of 25 as of 2022.  Nevertheless, Kyrgyzstan is transitioning from an agricultural society with high fertility and mortality rates to an industrial society with lower fertility and mortality rates. As part of the USSR, Kyrgyzstan’s rapid population growth was not problematic because its needs were redistributed among the Soviet States.  As an independent state, however, population growth became burdensome.  International labor migration continues to serve as a safety valve that decreases pressure on the labor market and resources (healthcare, education, and pensions), while also reducing poverty through much-needed remittances.  The main destinations for labor migrants are Russia and Kazakhstan, where wages are higher; almost a third of Kyrgyzstan’s working-age population migrates to Russia alone.  Outmigration was most pronounced in the 1990s, after the collapse of the USSR, when ethnic Russians, Ukrainians, and Germans left Kyrgyzstan, changing the proportion of ethnic Kyrgyz in the country from barely 50% in 1992 to almost three-quarters today. While Kyrgyzstan is a net emigration country, it does receive immigrants.  The majority of immigrants are from the Commonwealth of Independent States – particularly Kazakhstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan – but more recent arrivals also include persons from China, Turkey, and Turkmenistan.  Chinese immigrants work primarily in construction and gold mining, while Turkish immigrants mainly work in construction, trade, education, and services.  Border areas between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan experience irregular migration, but many of these migrants plan to move on to Europe.

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

7.2

potential support ratio

13.9 (2021 est.)

total dependency ratio

63.5

youth dependency ratio

56.4

Drinking water source

improved: rural

rural: 89.9% of population

improved: total

total: 93.6% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 10.1% of population

unimproved: total

total: 6.4% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

Education expenditures

6.2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Ethnic groups

Kyrgyz 73.8%, Uzbek 14.8%, Russian 5.1%, Dungan 1.1%, other 5.2% (includes Uyghur, Tajik, Turk, Kazakh, Tatar, Ukrainian, Korean, German) (2021 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

1.19 (2024 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.4 beds/1,000 population (2014)

Infant mortality rate

female

20.2 deaths/1,000 live births

male

28.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

24.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)

Languages

Languages

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

major-language sample(s)

Дүйнөлүк фактылар китеби, негизги маалыматтын маанилүү булагы. (Kyrgyz)The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Life expectancy at birth

female

77.2 years

male

68.9 years

total population

72.9 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.5% (2018)

male

99.7%

total population

99.6%

Major urban areas - population

1.105 million BISHKEK (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

50 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)

Median age

female

29.8 years

male

26.9 years

total

28.3 years (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.6 years (2019 est.)

Nationality

adjective

Kyrgyzstani

noun

Kyrgyzstani(s)

Net migration rate

-4.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

16.6% (2016)

Physician density

2.21 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

female

3,150,783 (2024 est.)

male

3,021,318

total

6,172,101

Population distribution

the vast majority of Kyrgyzstanis live in rural areas; densest population settlement is to the north in and around the capital, Bishkek, followed by Osh in the west; the least densely populated area is the east, southeast in the Tien Shan mountains

Population growth rate

0.79% (2024 est.)

Religions

Muslim 90% (majority Sunni), Christian 7% (Russian Orthodox 3%), other 3% (includes Jewish, Buddhist, Baha'i) (2017 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 100% of population

improved: total

total: 100% of population

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2020 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

14 years (2021)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.96 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 (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

female

2.8% (2020 est.)

male

48% (2020 est.)

total

25.4% (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.45 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

37.8% of total population (2023)

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

note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Capital

etymology

founded in 1868 as a Russian settlement on the site of a previously destroyed fortress named "Pishpek"; the name was retained and overtime became "Bishkek"

geographic coordinates

42 52 N, 74 36 E

name

Bishkek

time difference

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

Citizenship

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

amendments

proposed as a draft law by the majority of the Supreme Council membership or by petition of 300,000 voters; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Council membership in each of at least three readings of the draft two months apart; the draft may be submitted to a referendum if approved by two thirds of the Council membership; adoption requires the signature of the president

history

previous 1993, 2007, 2010; latest approved by referendum in April 2021 that transitioned Kyrgyzstan from a parliamentary to a presidential system, and implemented changes that allow the president to serve for two 5-year terms rather than one 6-year term, reduced the number of seats in Kyrgyzstan's legislature from 120 to 90, and established a Kurultay - a public advisory council

Country name

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 40 clans united by the mythic Kyrgyz hero, MANAS

local long form

Kyrgyz Respublikasy

local short form

Kyrgyzstan

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Lesslie VIGUERIE (since 29 December 2022)

email address and website

ConsularBishkek@state.govhttps://kg.usembassy.gov/

embassy

171 Prospect Mira, Bishkek 720016

FAX

[996] (312) 597-744

mailing address

7040 Bishkek Place, Washington DC  20521-7040

telephone

[996] (312) 597-000

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2360 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); (since 26 October 2024)

email address and website

kgembassy.usa@mfa.gov.kgEmbassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the USA and Canada (mfa.gov.kg)

FAX

[1] (202) 449-8275

telephone

[1] (202) 449-9822

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021)

election results

2021: Sadyr JAPAROV elected president in first round; percent of vote - Sadyr JAPAROV (Mekenchil) 79.2%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.8%, other 14%2017: Sooronbay JEENBEKOV elected president; Sooronbay JEENBEKOV (Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan) 54.7%, Omurbek BABANOV (independent) 33.8%, Adakhan MADUMAROV (United Kyrgyzstan) 6.6%, other 4.9%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 10 January 2021 (next to be held in 2027)

head of government

President Sadyr JAPAROV (since 28 January 2021)

note

note: the president is both chief of state and head of government

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, 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

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of 25 judges); Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court (consists of the chairperson, deputy chairperson, and 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 Kenesh (90 seats statutory, current 88; 54 seats allocated for proportional division among political party lists from the national vote and 36 seats allocated for candidates running in single-seat constituencies; members serve 5-year terms; parties must receive 5% of the vote to win seats in the Council)

election results

percent of vote by party - AJK 17.3%, Ishenim 15%, Yntymak 12.1%, Alyans 9.2%, Butun Kyrgyzstan 7.8%, Yiman Nuru 6.8%, other 30%; seats by party - AJK 15, Ishenim 12, Yntymak 9, Alyns 7, Butun Kyrgyzstan 6, Yiman Nuru 5, other 36; composition - men 70, women 19, percentage women 21.1%

elections

last held on 28 November 2021 (next to be held in 2026)

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

note: adopted 1992

National heritage

selected World Heritage Site locales

Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain (c); Silk Roads: the Chang'an-Tianshan Corridor (c); Western Tien Shan (n)

total World Heritage Sites

3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)

National holiday

Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

National symbol(s)

white falcon; national colors: red, yellow

Political parties

Afghan's PartyAllianceAta-Jurt Kyrgyzstan (Fatherland) or AJKCohesionIshenim (Trust)Light of FaithMekenchil or the "Patriotic" Political PartySocial Democrats or SDKUnited KyrgyzstanYntymak (Unity)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agricultural products

milk, potatoes, maize, wheat, barley, sugar beets, tomatoes, onions, watermelons, carrots/turnips (2022)

note

note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

expenditures

$2.892 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

revenues

$3.859 billion (2022 est.)

Credit ratings

Moody's rating

B2 (2015)

note

note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.

Standard & Poors rating

NR (2016)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2020

$374.257 million (2020 est.)

Current account balance 2021

-$737.696 million (2021 est.)

Current account balance 2022

-$5.18 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

Debt - external 2022

$3.457 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: present value of external debt in current US dollars

Economic overview

landlocked, lower-middle-income Central Asian economy; natural resource rich; growing hydroelectricity and tourism; high remittances; corruption limits investment; COVID-19 and political turmoil hurt GDP, limited public revenues, and increased spending

Exchange rates

Currency

soms (KGS) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2019

69.789 (2019 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

77.346 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

84.641 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

84.116 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

87.856 (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2020

$2.435 billion (2020 est.)

Exports 2021

$3.292 billion (2021 est.)

Exports 2022

$3.628 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

garments, refined petroleum, gold, precious metal ore, dried legumes (2022)

note

note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

Russia 43%, Kazakhstan 18%, Uzbekistan 10%, Turkey 6%, UAE 4% (2022)

note

note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

GDP - composition, by end use

exports of goods and services

29.9% (2022 est.)

government consumption

16.8% (2022 est.)

household consumption

88.7% (2022 est.)

imports of goods and services

-87.4% (2022 est.)

investment in fixed capital

21.5% (2022 est.)

investment in inventories

14.2% (2022 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

9.7% (2023 est.)

industry

22.6% (2023 est.)

note

note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

services

50.8% (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$13.988 billion (2023 est.)

note

note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

28.8 (2021 est.)

note

note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

24.2% (2021 est.)

lowest 10%

4.1% (2021 est.)

note

note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports

Imports 2020

$4.051 billion (2020 est.)

Imports 2021

$5.928 billion (2021 est.)

Imports 2022

$10.655 billion (2022 est.)

note

note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

garments, footwear, refined petroleum, cars, fabric (2022)

note

note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

China 64%, Russia 10%, Uzbekistan 4%, Turkey 4%, Kazakhstan 4% (2022)

note

note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

4.93% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2021

11.91% (2021 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

13.92% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

10.75% (2023 est.)

note

note: annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

3.069 million (2023 est.)

note

note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Population below poverty line

33.3% (2021 est.)

note

note: % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

note

note: central government debt as a % of GDP

Public debt 2022

47.09% of GDP (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2021

$39.302 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$42.826 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$45.461 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

note

note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2021

5.51% (2021 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2022

8.97% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

6.15% (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita

note

note: data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2021

$5,800 (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2022

$6,100 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$6,400 (2023 est.)

Remittances

note

note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

32.56% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

26.58% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

18.59% of GDP (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

note

note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2021

$2.983 billion (2021 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$2.799 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$3.237 billion (2023 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

19.54% (of GDP) (2022 est.)

note

note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

note

note: % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2021

4.1% (2021 est.)

Unemployment rate 2022

4.06% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

4.04% (2023 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

female

9.2% (2023 est.)

male

7.6% (2023 est.)

note

note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

total

8.2% (2023 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

from coal and metallurgical coke

5.066 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from consumed natural gas

859,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

4.272 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

total emissions

10.197 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2022 est.)

Coal

consumption

3.352 million metric tons (2022 est.)

exports

1.321 million metric tons (2022 est.)

imports

738,000 metric tons (2022 est.)

production

3.637 million metric tons (2022 est.)

proven reserves

28.499 billion metric tons (2022 est.)

Electricity

consumption

13.465 billion kWh (2022 est.)

exports

457 million kWh (2022 est.)

imports

2.806 billion kWh (2022 est.)

installed generating capacity

4.408 million kW (2022 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

2.738 billion kWh (2022 est.)

Electricity access

electrification - rural areas

99.6%

electrification - total population

99.7% (2022 est.)

electrification - urban areas

100%

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels

14.1% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

hydroelectricity

85.9% of total installed capacity (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2022

26.992 million Btu/person (2022 est.)

Natural gas

consumption

438 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

imports

406.974 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

production

31.026 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

proven reserves

5.663 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Petroleum

crude oil estimated reserves

40 million barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

31,000 bbl/day (2022 est.)

total petroleum production

6,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

4 (2020 est.)

total

289,000 (2020 est.)

Broadcast media

state-funded public TV broadcaster NTRK has nationwide coverage; also operates Ala-Too 24 news channel which broadcasts 24/7 and 4 other educational, cultural, and sports channels; ELTR is a state-owned TV station with national reach; the switchover to digital TV in 2017 resulted in private TV station growth; approximately 20 stations are struggling to increase their own Kyrgyz-language content up to 60% of airtime, as required by law, instead of rebroadcasting primarily programs from Russian channels or airing unlicensed movies and music; several Russian TV stations also broadcast; state-funded radio stations and about 10 significant private radio stations also exist (2023)

Internet country code

.kg

Internet users

percent of population

78% (2021 est.)

total

5.07 million (2021 est.)

Telecommunication systems

domestic

fixed-line subscriptions 5 per 100; mobile-cellular subscribership up to over 130 per 100 persons (2022)

general assessment

the country’s telecom sector (specifically the mobile segment) has been able to prosper; Kyrgyzstan has opened up its telecom market to competition; the mobile market has achieved high levels of penetration (140% in 2021) along with a fairly competitive operating environment with four major players; mobile broadband has come along strongly, reaching over 125% penetration in 2019 before falling back slightly during the COVID-19 crisis; slow-to-moderate growth is expected for both segments in coming years, supported by the anticipated rollout of 5G services which began testing in 2022 with a pilot service in 2023 which has been delayed into 2024 (2024)

international

country code - 996; connections with other CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States, 9 members post-Soviet Republics in EU) 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) (2019)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

5 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

299,000 (2021 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

130 (2021 est.)

total subscriptions

8.511 million (2021 est.)

Airports

28 (2024)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

EX

Heliports

1 (2024)

National air transport system

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

709,198 (2018)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

17

number of registered air carriers

5 (2020)

Pipelines

4,195 km gas (2022), 16 km oil (2022) (2022)

Railways

broad gauge

424 km (2018) 1.520-m gauge

total

424 km (2022)

Roadways

paved

22,600 km (2020)

total

34,000 km (2022)

unpaved

7,700 km (2020)

Waterways

576 km (2022)

Military - note

Kyrgyzstan has been a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) since 1994 and contributes troops to CSTO's rapid reaction force; it also started a relationship with NATO in 1992 and joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994the Kyrgyz military’s primary responsibility is defense of the country’s sovereignty and territory, although it also has some internal security duties; elements of the military were called out in 2020 to respond to post-election demonstrations for example, and the National Guard’s missions include counterterrorism, responding to emergencies, and the protection of government facilities; the military also participates in UN and CSTO peacekeeping missions; border disputes with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the threat posed by militant Islamic groups, have been particular areas of concern for both the military and internal security forces; the military’s closest security partner is Russia, which provides training and material assistance, and maintains a presence in the country, including an airbase; the military also conducts training with other regional countries such as India, traditionally with a focus on counterterrorismthe Kyrgyz military was formed in 1992 from Soviet Army units then based in Kyrgyzstan following the dissolution of the USSR (2023)

Military and security forces

Armed Forces of the Kyrgyz Republic: Land Forces, Air Defense Forces, National Guard; Internal Troops; State Committee for National Security (GKNB): State Border Service (2024)

Military and security service personnel strengths

approximately 15,000 active-duty troops (9,000 Land Forces; 3,000 Air Force/Air Defense; 3,000 National Guard) (2023)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the Kyrgyz military inventory is comprised almost entirely of Russian and Soviet-era weapons and equipment; in recent years, the military has acquired small amounts of material from other suppliers such as Turkey, which provided unmanned aerial vehicles/drones (2024)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2018

2.3% of GDP (2018 est.)

Military Expenditures 2019

2.3% of GDP (2019 est.)

Military Expenditures 2020

1.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

1.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory or voluntary service for men in the Armed Forces or Interior Ministry; 12-month service obligation (9 months for university graduates), with optional fee-based 3-year service in the call-up mobilization reserve; women may volunteer at age 19; 16-17 years of age for military cadets, who cannot take part in military operations (2023)

Illicit drugs

a prime transit route and transshipment route for illegal drugs transiting north from Afghanistan to Russia and Europe; illicit drugs are primarily smuggled into the country from Tajikistan  

Refugees and internally displaced persons

stateless persons

482 (2022)

Trafficking in persons

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Kyrgyzstan was downgraded to Tier 2 Watch List; for more details, go to:  https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/kyrgyzstan/

Terrorist group(s)

US-designated foreign terrorist groups such as the Islamic Jihad Union, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan Province have operated in the area where the Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and Tajik borders converge and ill-defined and porous borders allow for the relatively free movement of people and illicit goods

Air pollutants

carbon dioxide emissions

9.79 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions

4.47 megatons (2020 est.)

particulate matter emissions

37.58 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Climate

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

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; air pollution due to rapid increase of traffic

Environment - international agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Land use

agricultural land

55.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 6.7% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.4% (2018 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 48.3% (2018 est.)

forest

5.1% (2018 est.)

other

39.5% (2018 est.)

Major lakes (area sq km)

salt water lake(s)

Ozero Issyk-Kul 6,240 sq kmnote - second largest saline lake after the Caspian Sea; second highest mountain lake after Lake Titicaca; it is an endorheic mountain basin; although surrounded by snow capped mountains it never freezes

Major rivers (by length in km)

Syr Darya river source (shared with Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan [m] ) - 3,078 kmnote – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Tarim Basin (1,152,448 sq km), (Aral Sea basin) Amu Darya (534,739 sq km), Syr Darya (782,617 sq km)

Revenue from coal

0.21% of GDP (2018 est.)

Revenue from forest resources

0.01% of GDP (2018 est.)

Total renewable water resources

23.62 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

Total water withdrawal

agricultural

7.1 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)

industrial

340 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

municipal

220 million cubic meters (2020 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.05% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

urban population

37.8% of total population (2023)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

1,113,300 tons (2015 est.)