2016 Edition
CIA World Factbook 2016 Archive (HTML)
Introduction
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; today, 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 in 1990, the ex-communist Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party (MPRP) won most parliamentary elections and stayed in power either governing alone or in coalition. In 2009, current President ELBEGDORJ of the Democratic Party (DP) was elected to office and was re-elected for a second and final term in June 2013. In 2010, the MPRP voted to retake the name of the Mongolian People's Party (MPP), a name it used in the early 1920s. Shortly thereafter, a new party was formed by former President ENKHBAYAR, which confusingly adopted for itself the MPRP name. Following the 2012 parliamentary elections, a coalition of four political parties was formed but then dissolved in November 2014 when Prime Minister ALTANKHUYAG was voted out of office. A new five-party grand coalition was formed in December 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister SAIKHANBILEG. The coalition had been expected to last until the next parliamentary elections in the summer of 2016. However, in August 2015, the grand coalition also dissolved, and Prime Minister SAIKHANBILEG took charge of a new governing coalition comprising three parties. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 29 June 2016.
Geography
Area
- 1,564,116 sq km 1,553,556 sq km 10,560 sq km
- land
- 1,553,556 sq km
- total
- 1,564,116 sq km
- water
- 10,560 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly smaller than Alaska; more than twice the size of Texas
Climate
desert; continental (large daily and seasonal temperature ranges)
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
- 1,528 m lowest point: Hoh Nuur 560 m highest point: Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m
- elevation extremes
- lowest point: Hoh Nuur 560 m
- highest point
- Nayramadlin Orgil (Huyten Orgil) 4,374 m
- mean elevation
- 1,528 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
Geographic coordinates
46 00 N, 105 00 E
Geography - note
landlocked; strategic location between China and Russia
Irrigated land
840 sq km (2012)
Land boundaries
- 8,082 km China 4,630 km, Russia 3,452 km
- border countries (2)
- China 4,630 km, Russia 3,452 km
- total
- 8,082 km
Land use
- 73% arable land 0.4%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 72.6% 7% 20% (2011 est.)
- agricultural land
- 73%
- forest
- 7%
- other
- 20% (2011 est.)
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
People and Society
Age structure
- 26.92% (male 416,053/female 399,954) 16.76% (male 256,897/female 251,160) 45.45% (male 667,509/female 710,116) 6.68% (male 92,781/female 109,768) 4.19% (male 51,691/female 75,401) (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 26.92% (male 416,053/female 399,954)
- 15-24 years
- 16.76% (male 256,897/female 251,160)
- 25-54 years
- 45.45% (male 667,509/female 710,116)
- 55-64 years
- 6.68% (male 92,781/female 109,768)
- 65 years and over
- 4.19% (male 51,691/female 75,401) (2016 est.)
Birth rate
19.6 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Child labor - children ages 5-14
- 106,203 18% (2005 est.)
- percentage
- 18% (2005 est.)
- total number
- 106,203
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.6% (2013)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
54.9% (2010)
Death rate
6.3 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Dependency ratios
- 47.6% 41.7% 6% 16.7% (2015 est.)
- elderly dependency ratio
- 6%
- potential support ratio
- 16.7% (2015 est.)
- total dependency ratio
- 47.6%
- youth dependency ratio
- 41.7%
Drinking water source
- urban: 66.4% of population rural: 59.2% of population total: 64.4% of population urban: 33.6% of population rural: 40.8% of population total: 35.6% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 40.8% of population
- total
- 35.6% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 33.6% of population
Education expenditures
4.6% of GDP (2011)
Ethnic groups
Khalkh 81.9%, Kazak 3.8%, Dorvod 2.7%, Bayad 2.1%, Buryat-Bouriates 1.7%, Zakhchin 1.2%, Dariganga 1%, Uriankhai 1%, other 4.6% (2010 est.)
Health expenditures
4.7% of GDP (2014)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate
0.02% (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths
fewer than 100 (2015 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
400 (2015 est.)
Hospital bed density
6.8 beds/1,000 population (2012)
Infant mortality rate
- 21.8 deaths/1,000 live births 24.9 deaths/1,000 live births 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
- female
- 18.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
- male
- 24.9 deaths/1,000 live births
- total
- 21.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages
Khalkha Mongol 90% (official), Turkic, Russian (1999)
Life expectancy at birth
- 69.6 years 65.4 years 74.1 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 74.1 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 65.4 years
- total population
- 69.6 years
Literacy
- age 15 and over can read and write 98.4% 98.2% 98.6% (2015 est.)
- definition
- age 15 and over can read and write
- female
- 98.6% (2015 est.)
- male
- 98.2%
- total population
- 98.4%
Major urban areas - population
ULAANBAATAR (capital) 1.377 million (2015)
Maternal mortality rate
44 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Median age
- 27.9 years 27.1 years 28.7 years (2016 est.)
- female
- 28.7 years (2016 est.)
- male
- 27.1 years
- total
- 27.9 years
Mother's mean age at first birth
- 20.5 median age at first birth among women 20-24 (2008 est.)
- note
- median age at first birth among women 20-24 (2008 est.)
Nationality
- Mongolian(s) Mongolian
- adjective
- Mongolian
- noun
- Mongolian(s)
Net migration rate
-0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
15.7% (2014)
Physicians density
2.84 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Population
3,031,330 (July 2016 est.)
Population growth rate
1.25% (2016 est.)
Religions
Buddhist 53%, Muslim 3%, Christian 2.2%, Shamanist 2.9%, other 0.4%, none 38.6% (2010 est.)
Sanitation facility access
- urban: 66.4% of population rural: 42.6% of population total: 59.7% of population urban: 33.6% of population rural: 57.4% of population total: 40.3% of population (2015 est.)
- rural
- 57.4% of population
- total
- 40.3% of population (2015 est.)
- urban
- 33.6% of population
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- 15 years 14 years 15 years (2014)
- female
- 15 years (2014)
- male
- 14 years
- total
- 15 years
Sex ratio
- 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
- 0-14 years
- 1.04 male(s)/female
- 15-24 years
- 1.02 male(s)/female
- 25-54 years
- 0.94 male(s)/female
- 55-64 years
- 0.85 male(s)/female
- 65 years and over
- 0.69 male(s)/female
- at birth
- 1.05 male(s)/female
- total population
- 0.96 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
Total fertility rate
2.13 children born/woman (2016 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24
- 16.6% 14.7% 19.1% (2013 est.)
- female
- 19.1% (2013 est.)
- male
- 14.7%
- total
- 16.6%
Urbanization
- 72% of total population (2015) 2.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- rate of urbanization
- 2.78% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
- urban population
- 72% of total population (2015)
Government
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) +1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)
- daylight saving time
- +1hr, begins last Saturday in March; ends last Saturday in September
- geographic coordinates
- 47 55 N, 106 55 E
- name
- Ulaanbaatar
- note
- Mongolia has two time zones - Ulaanbaatar Time (8 hours in advance of UTC) and Hovd Time (7 hours in advance of UTC)
- time difference
- UTC+8 (13 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Citizenship
- no both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia no 5 years
- citizenship by birth
- no
- citizenship by descent only
- both parents must be citizens of Mongolia; one parent if born within Mongolia
- dual citizenship recognized
- no
- residency requirement for naturalization
- 5 years
Constitution
several previous; latest adopted 13 January 1992, effective 12 February 1992; amended 1999, 2001; legislation on amendments proposed in 2015 continued into 2016 (2016)
Country name
- none Mongolia none Mongol Uls Outer Mongolia the name means "Land of the Mongols" in Latin; the Mongolian name Mongol Uls translates as "Mongol State"
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Mongolia
- etymology
- the name means "Land of the Mongols" in Latin; the Mongolian name Mongol Uls translates as "Mongol State"
- former
- Outer Mongolia
- local long form
- none
- local short form
- Mongol Uls
Diplomatic representation from the US
- Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl GALT (since 5 October 2015) Denver Street PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 341, Ulaanbaatar-14192 [976] 7007-6001 [976] 7007-6016
- chief of mission
- Ambassador Jennifer Zimdahl GALT (since 5 October 2015)
- embassy
- Denver Street
- FAX
- [976] 7007-6016
- mailing address
- PSC 461, Box 300, FPO AP 96521-0002; P.O. Box 341, Ulaanbaatar-14192
- telephone
- [976] 7007-6001
Diplomatic representation in the US
- Ambassador Bulgaa ALTANGEREL (since 8 January 2013) 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 Bulgaa ALTANGEREL (since 8 January 2013)
- 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 Jargaltulga ERDENEBAT (since 7 July 2016); Deputy Prime Minister Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH (since 25 July 2016) Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president, confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament) presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in the State Great Hural and directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 June 2013 (next to be held in June 2017); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ reelected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (DP) 50.2%, Badmaanyambuu BAT-ERDENE (MPP) 42%, Natsag UDVAL (MPRP) 6.5%, other 1.3%
- cabinet
- Cabinet nominated by the prime minister in consultation with the president, confirmed by the State Great Hural (parliament)
- chief of state
- President Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (since 18 June 2009)
- election results
- Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ reelected president; percent of vote - Tsakhia ELBEGDORJ (DP) 50.2%, Badmaanyambuu BAT-ERDENE (MPP) 42%, Natsag UDVAL (MPRP) 6.5%, other 1.3%
- elections/appointments
- presidential candidates nominated by political parties represented in the State Great Hural and directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 26 June 2013 (next to be held in June 2017); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or majority coalition usually elected prime minister by the State Great Hural
- head of government
- Prime Minister Jargaltulga ERDENEBAT (since 7 July 2016); Deputy Prime Minister Ukhnaa KHURELSUKH (since 25 July 2016)
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
semi-presidential republic
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), ICCt, 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 (consists of the Chief Justice and 24 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tsets (consists of a chairman and 8 members) Supreme Court chief justice and judges appointed by the president upon recommendation to the State Great Hural by the General Council of Courts, a 14-member body of judges and judicial officials; term of appointment is for life; chairman of the Constitutional Court elected from among its members; members appointed by the State Great Hural upon nominations - 3 each by the president, the State Great Hural, and the Supreme Court; term of appointment is 6 years; chairmanship limited to a single renewable 3-year term aimag (provincial) and capital city appellate courts; soum, inter-soum, and district courts; Administrative Cases Courts
- highest court(s)
- Supreme Court (consists of the Chief Justice and 24 judges organized into civil, criminal, and administrative chambers); Constitutional Court or Tsets (consists of a chairman and 8 members)
- judge selection and term of office
- Supreme Court chief justice and judges appointed by the president upon recommendation to the State Great Hural by the General Council of Courts, a 14-member body of judges and judicial officials; term of appointment is for life; chairman of the Constitutional Court elected from among its members; members appointed by the State Great Hural upon nominations - 3 each by the president, the State Great Hural, and the Supreme Court; term of appointment is 6 years; chairmanship limited to a single renewable 3-year term
- subordinate courts
- aimag (provincial) and capital city appellate courts; soum, inter-soum, and district courts; Administrative Cases Courts
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 or Ulsyn Ikh Khural (76 seats; 48 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 28 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms) last held on 29 June 2016 (next to be held in June 2020) MPRP 65, independent 9
- description
- unicameral State Great Hural or Ulsyn Ikh Khural (76 seats; 48 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote and 28 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
- election results
- MPRP 65, independent 9
- elections
- last held on 29 June 2016 (next to be held in June 2020)
National anthem
- "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia) Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions
- lyrics/music
- Tsendiin DAMDINSUREN/Bilegiin DAMDINSUREN and Luvsanjamts MURJORJ
- name
- "Mongol ulsyn toriin duulal" (National Anthem of Mongolia)
- note
- music adopted 1950, lyrics adopted 2006; lyrics altered on numerous occasions
National holiday
Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
National symbol(s)
- soyombo emblem; national colors: red, blue, yellow
- soyombo emblem; national colors
- red, blue, yellow
Political parties and leaders
Civil Will-Green Party or CWGP [Sanjaasuren OYUN, Sambuu DEMBEREL, Tserendorj GANKHUYAG] Democratic Party or DP [Zandaakhuu ENKHBOLD] Mongolian National Democratic Party or MNDP [Mendsaikhan ENKHSAIKHAN] Mongolian People's Party or MPP [Miyegombo ENKHBOLD] Mongolian People's Revolutionary Party or MPRP [Nambar ENKHBAYAR] New Labor Party or XYH [S. GANBAATAR]
Political pressure groups and leaders
- human rights groups; women's rights groups; disability rights groups
- other
- human rights groups; women's rights groups; disability rights groups
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Economy
Agriculture - products
wheat, barley, vegetables, forage crops; sheep, goats, cattle, camels, horses
Budget
- $2.994 billion $3.354 billion (2015 est.)
- expenditures
- $3.354 billion (2015 est.)
- revenues
- $2.994 billion
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
-3.1% of GDP (2015 est.)
Central bank discount rate
12% (14 January 2016) 13% (15 January 2015)
Commercial bank prime lending rate
19.56% (31 December 2015 est.) 19.03% (31 December 2014 est.)
Current account balance
-$567 million (2015 est.) -$1.405 billion (2014 est.)
Debt - external
$18.16 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $20.83 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index
36.5 (2008) 32.8 (2002)
Economy - overview
Foreign direct investment in Mongolia's extractive industries – which are based on extensive deposits of copper, gold, coal, molybdenum, fluorspar, uranium, tin, and tungsten - has transformed Mongolia's landlocked economy from its traditional dependence on herding and agriculture. Exports now account for more than half of GDP. Mongolia depends on China for more than 60% of its external trade - China receives some 90% of Mongolia's exports and supplies Mongolia with more than one-third of its imports. Mongolia also relies on Russia for 90% of its energy supplies, leaving it vulnerable to price increases. Remittances from Mongolians working abroad, particularly in South Korea, are significant. 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 strong economic growth, because of market reforms and extensive privatization of the formerly state-run economy. The country opened a fledgling stock exchange in 1991. Mongolia joined the WTO 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 by the global financial crisis and Mongolia's real economy contracted 1.3% in 2009. In early 2009, the IMF reached a $236 million Stand-by Arrangement with Mongolia and it emerged from the crisis with a stronger banking sector and better fiscal management. In October 2009, Mongolia passed long-awaited legislation on an investment agreement to develop the Oyu Tolgoi (OT) mine, among the world's largest untapped copper-gold deposits. However, a dispute with foreign investors developing OT called into question the attractiveness of Mongolia as a destination for foreign investment. This caused a severe drop in FDI, and a slowing economy, leading to the dismissal of Prime Minister ALTANKHUYAG in November 2014. The economy had grown more than 10% per year between 2011 and 2013 - largely on the strength of commodity exports and high government spending - before slowing to 7.8% in 2014 and 2.3% in 2015. The current government has made restoring investor trust and reviving the economy its top priority, but has failed to invigorate the economy in the face of the large drop off in foreign direct investment. Mongolia's economy faces near-term economic risks from the government's loose fiscal and monetary policies, from uncertainties in foreign demand for Mongolian exports, and on Mongolia's ability to access financing. The May 2015 agreement with Rio Tinto to restart the OT mine and the subsequent $4.4 billion finance package signing in December 2015 have served to increase investor confidence but are unlikely to overcome the downward economic pressures in the short term.
Exchange rates
togrog/tugriks (MNT) per US dollar - 1,970.3 (2016 est.) 1,817.9 (2014 est.) 1,817.9 (2013 est.) 1,357.6 (2012 est.) 1,265.5 (2011 est.)
Exports
$4.619 billion (2015 est.) $5.774 billion (2014 est.)
Exports - commodities
copper, apparel, livestock, animal products, cashmere, wool, hides, fluorspar, other nonferrous metals, coal, crude oil
Exports - partners
China 84%, Switzerland 9% (2015)
Fiscal year
calendar year
GDP - composition, by end use
- 58.8% 11.9% 18.2% 8.3% 44.9% -42% (2015 est.)
- exports of goods and services
- 44.9%
- government consumption
- 11.9%
- household consumption
- 58.8%
- imports of goods and services
- -42% (2015 est.)
- investment in fixed capital
- 18.2%
- investment in inventories
- 8.3%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- 14.9% 34.1% 51.1% (2015 est.)
- agriculture
- 14.9%
- industry
- 34.1%
- services
- 51.1% (2015 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
- $12,100 (2015 est.) $12,100 (2014 est.) $11,300 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
GDP - real growth rate
2.3% (2015 est.) 7.9% (2014 est.) 11.6% (2013 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$11.74 billion (2015 est.)
GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $36.07 billion (2015 est.) $35.26 billion (2014 est.) $32.68 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars
- note
- data are in 2015 US dollars
Gross national saving
20.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 23.7% of GDP (2014 est.) 27.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
- 3% 28.4% (2008)
- highest 10%
- 28.4% (2008)
- lowest 10%
- 3%
Imports
$3.512 billion (2015 est.) $4.746 billion (2014 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 39.9%, Russia 28.4%, Japan 6.4%, South Korea 6.2% (2015)
Industrial production growth rate
8.8% (2015 est.)
Industries
construction and construction materials; mining (coal, copper, molybdenum, fluorspar, tin, tungsten, gold); oil; food and beverages; processing of animal products, cashmere and natural fiber manufacturing
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
5.8% (2015 est.) 13% (2014 est.)
Labor force
1.164 million (2015 est.)
Labor force - by occupation
- 28.6% 21% 50.4% (2014)
- agriculture
- 28.6%
- industry
- 21%
- services
- 50.4% (2014)
Market value of publicly traded shares
$632.6 million (31 December 2015 est.) $766.1 million (31 December 2014 est.) $1.095 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
Population below poverty line
21.6% (2014 est.)
Public debt
72% of GDP (31 September 2015 est.)
Stock of broad money
$5.036 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $5.648 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad
$367.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $354.8 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home
$16.89 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $16.69 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of domestic credit
$8.048 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $7.786 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of narrow money
$844.4 million (31 December 2015 est.) $963.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
25.5% of GDP (2015 est.)
Unemployment rate
8.3% (2015 est.) 4.8% (2014 est.)
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy
14 million Mt (2013 est.)
Crude oil - exports
14,360 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil - imports
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Crude oil - production
23,180 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves
NA bbl 0 bbl
Electricity - consumption
5.6 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - exports
33 million kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels
99.8% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources
0.2% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
Electricity - imports
1.3 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity
1 million kW (2014 est.)
Electricity - production
5.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)
Electricity access
- 300,000 90% 98% 73% (2013)
- electrification - rural areas
- 73% (2013)
- electrification - total population
- 90%
- electrification - urban areas
- 98%
- population without electricity
- 300,000
Natural gas - consumption
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - exports
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - imports
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - production
0 cu m (2013 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
Refined petroleum products - consumption
28,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports
25,620 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
Communications
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 users
- 642,000 21.4% (July 2015 est.)
- percent of population
- 21.4% (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 642,000
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 (2015)
- 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 (2015)
Telephones - fixed lines
- 255,634 9 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 9 (July 2015 est.)
- total subscriptions
- 255,634
Telephones - mobile cellular
- 3.068 million 103 (July 2015 est.)
- subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
- 103 (July 2015 est.)
- total
- 3.068 million
Transportation
Airports
44 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
- 3 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 3 (2013)
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 10
- over 3,047 m
- 2
- total
- 15
Airports - with unpaved runways
- 1 (2013)
- 1,524 to 2,437 m
- 24
- 2,438 to 3,047 m
- 2
- over 3,047 m
- 2
- total
- 29
- under 914 m
- 1 (2013)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
JU (2016)
Heliports
1 (2013)
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)
- by type
- bulk carrier 21, cargo 25, chemical tanker 1, container 2, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 2, roll on/roll off 3, vehicle carrier 1
- foreign-owned
- 44 (Indonesia 2, Japan 2, North Korea 1, Russia 2, Singapore 3, Ukraine 1, Vietnam 33) (2010)
- total
- 57
National air transport system
- 541,129 7,130,148 mt-km (2015)
- annual freight traffic on registered air carriers
- 7,130,148 mt-km (2015)
- annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers
- 541,129
- inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers
- 12
- number of registered air carriers
- 3
Railways
- 1,815 km 1,815 km 1.520-m gauge national operator Ulannbaator Railway is jointly owned by the Mongolian Government and by the Russian State Railway (2016)
- broad gauge
- 1,815 km 1.520-m gauge
- note
- national operator Ulannbaator Railway is jointly owned by the Mongolian Government and by the Russian State Railway (2016)
- total
- 1,815 km
Roadways
- 49,249 km 4,800 km 44,449 km (2013)
- paved
- 4,800 km
- total
- 49,249 km
- unpaved
- 44,449 km (2013)
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 ice free from May to September) (2010)
Military and Security
Military branches
- Mongolian Armed Forces (Mongol ulsyn zevsegt huchin): Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force (2016)
- Mongolian Armed Forces (Mongol ulsyn zevsegt huchin)
- Mongolian Army, Mongolian Air Force (2016)
Military expenditures
0.98% of GDP (2015) 1.12% of GDP (2012) 0.99% of GDP (2011) 1.12% of GDP (2010)
Military service age and obligation
18-27 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 1-year conscript service obligation in land or air forces or police for males only; after conscription, soldiers can contract into military service for 2 or 4 years; citizens can also voluntarily join the armed forces (2015)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
none