2010 Edition

Background

The Mongols gained fame in the 13th century when under Chinggis KHAAN they established a huge Eurasian empire through conquest. After his death the empire was divided into several powerful Mongol states, but these broke apart in the 14th century. The Mongols eventually retired to their original steppe homelands and in the late 17th century came under Chinese rule. Mongolia won its independence in 1921 with Soviet backing and a Communist regime was installed in 1924. The modern country of Mongolia, however, represents only part of the Mongols' historical homeland; more ethnic Mongolians live in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China than in Mongolia. Following a peaceful democratic revolution, the ex-Communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won elections in 1990 and 1992, but was defeated by the Democratic Union Coalition (DUC) in the 1996 parliamentary election. The MPRP won an overwhelming majority in the 2000 parliamentary election, but the party lost seats in the 2004 election and shared power with democratic coalition parties from 2004-08. The MPRP regained a solid majority in the 2008 parliamentary elections but nevertheless formed a coalition government with the Democratic Party. In 2010 the MPRP voted to retake the name of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP), a name it used in the early 1920s. The prime minister and most cabinet members are MPP members.

Area

land

1,553,556 sq km

total

1,564,116 sq km

water

10,560 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Alaska

Climate

desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

lowest point

Hoh Nuur 560 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural fresh water resources in some areas; the policies of former Communist regimes promoted rapid urbanization and industrial growth that had negative effects on the environment; the burning of soft coal in power plants and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws severely polluted the air in Ulaanbaatar; deforestation, overgrazing, and the converting of virgin land to agricultural production increased soil erosion from wind and rain; desertification and mining activities had a deleterious effect on the environment

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

166 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%)

Geographic coordinates

46 00 N, 105 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia

Irrigated land

840 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

border countries

China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

total

8,220 km

Land use

arable land

0.76%

other

99.24% (2005)

permanent crops

0%

Location

Northern Asia, between China and Russia

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud," which is harsh winter conditions

Natural resources

oil, coal, copper, molybdenum, tungsten, phosphates, tin, nickel, zinc, fluorspar, gold, silver, iron

Terrain

vast semidesert and desert plains, grassy steppe, mountains in west and southwest; Gobi Desert in south-central

Total renewable water resources

34.8 cu km (1999)

Age structure

0-14 years: 28.1% (male 436,391/female 418,923) 15-64 years: 67.9% (male 1,031,819/female 1,033,806) 65 years and over: 4% (male 52,430/female 67,773) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

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

Death rate

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

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Mongol (mostly Khalkha) 94.9%, Turkic (mostly Kazakh) 5%, other (including Chinese and Russian) 0.1% (2000)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

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

male

41.63 deaths/1,000 live births

total

38.56 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Khalkha Mongol 90%, Turkic, Russian (1999)

Life expectancy at birth

female

70.54 years (2010 est.)

male

65.54 years

total population

67.98 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.5% (2000 census)

male

98%

total population

97.8%

Median age

female

26.2 years (2010 est.)

male

25.3 years

total

25.8 years

Nationality

adjective

Mongolian

noun

Mongolian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

3,086,918 (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate

1.495% (2010 est.)

Religions

Buddhist Lamaist 50%, Shamanist and Christian 6%, Muslim 4%, none 40% (2004)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

14 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.22 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.2% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

57% of total population (2008)

Administrative divisions

21 provinces (aymguud, singular - aymag) and 1 municipality* (singular - hot); Arhangay, Bayanhongor, Bayan-Olgiy, Bulgan, Darhan-Uul, Dornod, Dornogovi, Dundgovi, Dzavhan (Zavkhan), Govi-Altay, Govisumber, Hentiy, Hovd, Hovsgol, Omnogovi, Orhon, Ovorhangay, Selenge, Suhbaatar, Tov, Ulaanbaatar*, Uvs

Capital

geographic coordinates

47 55 N, 106 55 E

name

Ulaanbaatar

time difference

UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

13 January 1992

Country name

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Mongolia

former

Outer Mongolia

local long form

none

local short form

Mongol Uls

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Jonathan ADDLETON

embassy

Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia

FAX

[976] (11) 320-776

mailing address

PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13

telephone

[976] (11) 329-095

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Khasbazar BEKHBAT

consulate(s) general

New York

FAX

[1] (202) 298-9227

telephone

[1] (202) 333-7117

Executive branch

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

chief of state

President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009)

election results

in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.2%, Nambar ENKHBAYAR 47.4%, others 1.3%

elections

presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in State Great Hural and elected by popular vote for a four-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 May 2009 (next to be held in May 2013); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural

head of government

Prime Minister Sukhbaatar BATBOLD (since 29 October 2009); First Deputy Prime Minister (Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 20 September 2008); Deputy Prime Minister Miegombyn ENKHBOLD (since 6 December 2007)

Flag description

three equal, vertical bands of red (hoist side), blue, and red; centered on the hoist-side red band in yellow is the national emblem ("soyombo" - a columnar arrangement of abstract and geometric representation for fire, sun, moon, earth, water, and the yin-yang symbol); blue represents the sky, red symbolizes progress and prosperity

Government type

parliamentary

Independence

11 July 1921 (from China)

International organization participation

ADB, ARF, CD, CICA, CP, EBRD, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SCO (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (serves as appeals court for people's and provincial courts but rarely overturns verdicts of lower courts; judges are nominated by the General Council of Courts and approved by the president)

Legal system

blend of Soviet and German systems that employ "continental" or "civil" code; case-precedent may be used to inform judges, but all decisions must refer to the law as written; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral State Great Hural 76 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPP 46, DP 27, others 3

elections

last held on 29 June 2008 (next to be held in June 2012)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ note: music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; the anthem's lyrics have been altered on numerous occasions

name

"Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia)

National holiday

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's Party or MPP [Sukhbaatar BATBOLD]

Political pressure groups and leaders

other

human rights groups; women's groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses

Central bank discount rate

10.82% (31 December 2009) 14.78% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

21.67% (31 December 2009 est.) 20.58% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$228.7 million (2009 est.) -$710 million (2008 est.)

Debt - external

$1.86 billion (2009) $1.6 billion (2008)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.8 (2002) 44 (1998)

Economy - overview

Economic activity in Mongolia has traditionally been based on herding and agriculture - Mongolia's extensive mineral deposits, however, have attracted foreign investors. The country holds copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten deposits, which account for a large part of foreign direct investment and government revenues. Soviet assistance, at its height one-third of GDP, disappeared almost overnight in 1990 and 1991 at the time of the dismantlement of the USSR. The following decade saw Mongolia endure both deep recession, because of political inaction and natural disasters, as well as economic growth, because of reform-embracing, free-market economics and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. Severe winters and summer droughts in 2000-02 resulted in massive livestock die-off and zero or negative GDP growth. This was compounded by falling prices for Mongolia's primary sector exports and widespread opposition to privatization. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices and new gold production. In 2008 Mongolia experienced a soaring inflation rate with year-to-year inflation reaching nearly 30% - the highest inflation rate in over a decade. By late 2008, as the country began to feel the effects of the global financial crisis, falling commodity prices helped lower inflation, but also reduced government revenues and forced cuts in spending. In early 2009, the International Monetary Fund reached a $236 million Stand-by Arrangement with Mongolia, and the country has started to move out of the crisis. Although the banking sector remains unstable, the government is now enforcing stricter supervision regulations. In October 2009, the government passed long-awaited legislation on an investment agreement to develop Mongolia's Oyu Tolgoi mine, considered to be one of the world's largest untapped copper deposits. The economy grew an estimated 7% in 2010, largely on the strength of exports to nearby countries, and international reserves reached $1.6 billion in September, an all time high for Mongolia. Mongolia's economy continues to be heavily influenced by its neighbors. Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives about two-thirds of Mongolia's exports. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad are sizable, but have fallen due to the economic crisis; money laundering is a growing concern. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization in 1997 and seeks to expand its participation in regional economic and trade regimes.

Electricity - consumption

3.439 billion kWh (2009)

Electricity - exports

21.2 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - imports

186.1 million kWh (2009)

Electricity - production

4.03 billion kWh (2009)

Exchange rates

togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,442.8 (2009), 1,267.51 (2008), 1,170 (2007), 1,165 (2006)

Exports

$1.902 billion (2009) $2.539 billion (2008)

Exports - commodities

copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal

Exports - partners

China 78.52%, Canada 9.46%, Russia 3.02% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

21.2%

industry

29.5%

services

49.3% (2009 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$3,300 (2010 est.) $3,100 (2009 est.) $3,200 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

7% (2010 est.) -1.6% (2009 est.) 8.9% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.807 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.16 billion (2010 est.) $9.5 billion (2009 est.) $9.654 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.9% highest 10%: 24.9% (2005)

Imports

$2.131 billion (2009) $3.224 billion (2008)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, sugar, tea

Imports - partners

China 35.99%, Russia 31.56%, South Korea 7.08%, Japan 4.8% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2006 est.)

Industries

construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, and gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.2% (2009 est.) 28% (2008 est.)

Labor force

1.068 million (2008)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

34%

industry

5%

services

61% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$430.2 million (31 December 2009) $407 million (31 December 2008) $612.2 million (31 December 2007)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

16,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

5,300 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009)

Oil - production

5,100 bbl/day (2009)

Oil - proved reserves

NA bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

36.1% (2004)

Stock of broad money

$1.996 billion (31 December 2009) $1.791 billion (31 December 2008)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$NA

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$NA

Stock of domestic credit

$1.664 billion (31 December 2008 est.) $1.183 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$451.4 million (31 December 2009) $510.7 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate

2.8% (2008) 3% (2007)

Broadcast media

following a law passed in 2005, Mongolia's state-run radio and TV provider converted to a public service provider; also available are private radio and TV broadcasters, as well as multi-channel satellite and cable TV providers; more than 100 radio stations, including some 20 via repeaters for the public broadcaster; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2008)

Internet country code

.mn

Internet hosts

7,942 (2010)

Internet users

330,000 (2008)

Telephone system

domestic

very low fixed-line teledensity; there are multiple mobile- cellular providers and subscribership is increasing rapidly;

general assessment

network is improving with international direct dialing available in many areas; a fiber-optic network has been installed that is improving broadband and communication services between major urban centers with multiple companies providing inter-city fiber-optic cable services

international

country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7

Telephones - main lines in use

188,900 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.249 million (2009)

Airports

46 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

32 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 4 1,524 to 2,437 m: 25 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Merchant marine

by type

bulk carrier 20, cargo 29, chemical tanker 2, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 1

foreign-owned

44 (Indonesia 2, North Korea 1, Russia 4, Singapore 1, Turkey 1, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 34) (2010)

total

58

Railways

broad gauge

1,810 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

total

1,810 km

Roadways

paved

2,824 km

total

49,250 km

unpaved

46,426 km (includes 1,994 km with gravel surface and 1,874 km with improved surface) (2009)

Waterways

580 km note: only waterway in operation is Lake Hovsgol (135 km); Selenge River (270 km) and Orhon River (175 km) are navigable but carry little traffic; lakes and rivers freeze in winter, are open from May to September (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 887,059 females age 16-49: 880,788 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 715,585 females age 16-49: 748,083 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

28,156 (2010 est.)

male

29,240

Military branches

Mongolian Armed Forces

Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force; there is no navy (2010)

Military expenditures

1.4% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 12 months in land or air defense forces or police; a small portion of Mongolian land forces (2.5 percent) is comprised of contract soldiers; women cannot be deployed overseas for military operations (2006)

Disputes - international

none page last updated on January 20, 2011 ======================================================================