2012 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 that lasted until January 2012. In 2010 the MPRP voted to retake the name of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP), a name it used in the early 1920s.

Area

1,564,116 sq km 1,553,556 sq km 10,560 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

Hoh Nuur 560 m Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

highest point

Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m

lowest point

Hoh Nuur 560 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater 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

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 none of the selected 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)

0.44 cu km/yr (20%/27%/52%) 166 cu m/yr (2000)

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

8,220 km China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

border countries

China 4,677 km, Russia 3,543 km

total

8,220 km

Land use

0.76% 0% 99.24% (2005)

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

27.1% (male 439,504/ female 421,838) 68.9% (male 1,095,073/ female 1,096,374) 4% (male 55,274/ female 71,934) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

27.1% (male 439,504/ female 421,838)

15-64 years

68.9% (male 1,095,073/ female 1,096,374)

65 years and over

4% (male 55,274/ female 71,934) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

20.7 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

5.3% (2005)

Death rate

6.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

5.6% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

9.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

5.89 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

36 deaths/1,000 live births 38.94 deaths/1,000 live births 32.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

32.91 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

36 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Khalkha Mongol 90% (official), Turkic, Russian (1999)

Life expectancy at birth

68.63 years 66.16 years 71.23 years (2012 est.)

female

71.23 years (2012 est.)

total population

68.63 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.4% 96.9% 97.9% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97.9% (2010 est.)

male

96.9%

total population

97.4%

Major cities - population

ULAANBAATAR (capital) 949,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

63 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

26.6 years 26.2 years 27 years (2012 est.)

female

27 years (2012 est.)

male

26.2 years

total

26.6 years

Nationality

Mongolian(s) Mongolian

adjective

Mongolian

noun

Mongolian(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

9.8% (2005)

Physicians density

2.763 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

3,179,997 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.469% (2012 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 64% of population rural: 32% of population total: 50% of population urban: 36% of population rural: 68% of population total: 50% of population

rural

68% of population

total

50% of population

urban

36% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 15 years (2009)

female

15 years (2009)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.19 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

20% 19.5% 20.7% (2003)

female

20.7% (2003)

total

20%

Urbanization

62% of total population (2010) 1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

62% of total population (2010)

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

Ulaanbaatar 47 55 N, 106 55 E UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

none Mongolia none Mongol Uls Outer Mongolia

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

Ambassador Piper Anne Wind CAMPBELL Big Ring Road, 11th Micro Region, Ulaanbaatar, 14171 Mongolia PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 1021, Ulaanbaatar-13 [976] (11) 329-095 [976] (11) 320-776

chief of mission

Ambassador Piper Anne Wind CAMPBELL

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

Ambassador Khasbazar BEKHBAT 2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 333-7117 [1] (202) 298-9227 New York, San Francisco

chancery

2833 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Khasbazar BEKHBAT

consulate(s) general

New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 298-9227

telephone

[1] (202) 333-7117

Executive branch

President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009) Prime Minister Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 9 August 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Dendev TERBISHDAGVA (since 20 August 2012) Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) 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 by May 2013); following legislative elections, leader of majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by State Great Hural in elections in May 2009, Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ elected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ 51.2%, Nambar ENKHBAYAR 47.4%, others 1.3%

cabinet

Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president and confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament)

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 by 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 Norov ALTANKHUYAG (since 9 August 2012); Deputy Prime Minister Dendev TERBISHDAGVA (since 20 August 2012)

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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, ARF, CD, CICA, CP, EBRD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OPCW, OSCE, SCO (observer), UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, 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); Constitutional Court (this independent court resolves disputes about potentially unconstitutional laws and acts of the president, members of parliament, and the cabinet)

Legal system

civil law system influenced by Soviet and Romano-Germanic legal systems; constitution ambiguous on judicial review of legislative acts

Legislative branch

unicameral State Great Hural (76 seats; of which 48 members are directly elected from 26 electoral districts, while 28 members are proportionally elected based on a party's share of the total votes; all serve four-year terms) last held on 28 June 2012 (next to be held in June 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DP 33, MPP 25, Justice Coalition 11, others 5, vacant 2

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DP 33, MPP 25, Justice Coalition 11, others 5, vacant 2

elections

last held on 28 June 2012 (next to be held in June 2016)

National anthem

"Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia) Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; the anthem's lyrics have been altered on numerous occasions

lyrics/music

Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ

name

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

National holiday

Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)

National symbol(s)

soyombo emblem

Political parties and leaders

Civil Will-Green Party or CWGP [Dangaasuren EHKHBAT]; Democratic Party or DP [Norov ALTANHUYAG]; Mongolian People's Party or MPP [O. ENKHTUVSHIN]; Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambar ENKHBAYAR]

Political pressure groups and leaders

human rights groups; women's groups

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

Budget

$4.409 billion $4.925 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$4.925 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$4.409 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

10.99% (31 December 2010) 10.82% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

18.3% (31 December 2012 est.) 15.5% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.76 billion (2011 est.) -$885.9 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$2.07 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.94 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.5 (2008) 32.8 (2002)

Economy - overview

Mongolia's extensive mineral deposits and attendant growth in mining-sector activities have transformed Mongolia's economy, which traditionally has been dependent on herding and agriculture. Mongolia's copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten deposits, among others, have attracted foreign direct investment. 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. The country opened a fledgling stock exchange in 1991. Mongolia joined the World Trade Organization in 1997 and seeks to expand its participation in regional economic and trade regimes. Growth averaged nearly 9% per year in 2004-08 largely because of high copper prices globally and new gold production. By late 2008, Mongolia was hit hard by the global financial crisis. Slower global economic growth hurt the country's exports, notably copper, and slashed government revenues. As a result, Mongolia's real economy contracted 1.3% in 2009. In early 2009, the International Monetary Fund reached a $236 million Stand-by Arrangement with Mongolia and the country has largely emerged from the crisis. The banking sector is recovering and the government has started to enact greater supervision regulations. In October 2009, Mongolia passed long-awaited legislation on an investment agreement to develop the Oyu Tolgoi mine, considered to be among the world's largest untapped copper deposits. Another similarly lengthy process is under review by the National Security Council for an investment agreement for the massive coal mine at Tavan Tolgoi. The economy grew by 6.4% in 2010, 17.5% in 2011, and by more than 12% in 2012, largely on the strength of commodity exports to nearby countries and high government spending domestically. Mongolia's economy, however, faces near-term economic risks from the government's loose fiscal policies, which are contributing to high inflation, and uncertainties in foreign demand for Mongolian exports. Trade with China represents more than half of Mongolia's total external trade - China receives more than 90% of Mongolia's exports. Mongolia purchases 95% of its petroleum products and a substantial amount of electric power from Russia, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Due to severe winter weather in 2009-10, Mongolia lost 22% of its total livestock, and meat prices doubled. Inflation remained higher than 10% for much of 2010-12, due in part to higher food prices. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad, particularly in South Korea, are significant.

Exchange rates

togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,299.5 (2012 est.) 1,265.5 (2011 est.) 1,357.1 (2010 est.) 1,442.8 (2009) 1,170 (2007)

Exports

$4.78 billion (2011 est.) $2.909 billion (2010 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

China 85.7%, Canada 6.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

15.1% 33.8% 51.2% (2012 est.)

agriculture

15.1%

industry

33.8%

services

51.2% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$5,400 (2012 est.) $4,800 (2011 est.) $4,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2011 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

12.7% (2012 est.) 17.5% (2011 est.) 6.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.923 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$15.22 billion (2012 est.) $13.51 billion (2011 est.) $11.5 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2011 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3% 28.4% (2008)

highest 10%

28.4% (2008)

lowest 10%

3%

Imports

$5.79 billion (2011 est.) $3.089 billion (2010 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, fuel, cars, food products, industrial consumer goods, chemicals, building materials, cigarettes and tobacco, appliances, soap and detergent

Imports - partners

China 43.4%, Russia 23.3%, South Korea 5.6%, Japan 5.1%, US 5% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

23% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

12.9% (2012 est.) 9.5% (2011 est.)

Labor force

1.147 million (2010 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

33.5% 11.5% 55% (2010)

agriculture

33.5%

industry

11.5%

services

55% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.579 billion (31 December 2011) $1.093 billion (31 December 2010) $430.2 million (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

39.2% (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money

$4.592 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $3.725 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$95 million (31 December 2011 est.) $62 million (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$4.715 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.691 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$4.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $3.077 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.702 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.247 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

44.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

9% (2011 est.) 13% (2010)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

9.436 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

5,260 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

6,983 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

NA bbl

Electricity - consumption

3.375 billion kWh (2010)

Electricity - exports

22.2 million kWh (2010)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

262.9 million kWh (2010)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

833,200 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

4.056 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

11,790 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

21,610 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

15,730 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

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

20,084 (2012)

Internet users

330,000 (2008)

Telephone system

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 very low fixed-line teledensity; there are multiple mobile- cellular providers and subscribership is increasing country code - 976; satellite earth stations - 7

domestic

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

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

187,600 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.942 million (2011)

Airports

44 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

11

over 3,047 m

1

total

15

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

23

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

over 3,047 m

2

total

29

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 21, cargo 25, chemical tanker 1, container 2, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 1 44 (Indonesia 2, Japan 2, North Korea 1, Russia 2, Singapore 3, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 33) (2010)

foreign-owned

44 (Indonesia 2, Japan 2, North Korea 1, Russia 2, Singapore 3, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 33) (2010)

total

57

Railways

1,908 km 1,908 km 1.520-m gauge the railway is 50 percent owned by the Russian State Railway (2010)

total

1,908 km

Roadways

49,249 km 3,015 km 46,234 km (2010)

total

49,249 km

unpaved

46,234 km (2010)

Waterways

580 km (the 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, they are open from May to September) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

898,546 891,192 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

891,192 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

898,546

Manpower fit for military service

726,199 756,628 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

756,628 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

726,199

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

30,829 29,648 (2010 est.)

female

29,648 (2010 est.)

male

30,829

Military branches

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

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