2012 Edition

Background

The Tajik people came under Russian rule in the 1860s and 1870s, but Russia's hold on Central Asia weakened following the Revolution of 1917. Bolshevik control of the area was fiercely contested and not fully reestablished until 1925. Much of present-day Sughd province was transferred from the Uzbek SSR to the newly formed Tajik SSR in 1929. Ethnic Uzbeks form a substantial minority in Tajikistan. Tajikistan became independent in 1991 following the breakup of the Soviet Union, and experienced a civil war between regional factions from 1992-97. Tajikistan experienced several security incidents in 2010-12, including a mass prison-break from a Dushanbe detention facility, the country's first suicide car bombing in Khujand, and armed conflict between government forces and local strongmen in the Rasht Valley and Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast. The country remains the poorest in the former Soviet sphere. Attention by the international community since the beginning of the NATO intervention in Afghanistan has brought increased economic development and security assistance, which could create jobs and strengthen stability in the long term. Tajikistan was admitted to the WTO in December 2012 and is expected to become a member state in mid-2013; Tajikistan joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 2002.

Area

143,100 sq km 141,510 sq km 2,590 sq km

total

143,100 sq km

water

2,590 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Wisconsin

Climate

midlatitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m Qullai Ismoili Somoni (Pik Imeni Ismail Samani) 7,495 m

highest point

Qullai Ismoili Somoni (Pik Imeni Ismail Samani) 7,495 m

lowest point

Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 m

Environment - current issues

inadequate sanitation facilities; increasing levels of soil salinity; industrial pollution; excessive pesticides

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Environmental Modification, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

11.96 cu km/yr (4%/5%/92%) 1,837 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

1,837 cu m/yr (2000)

total

11.96 cu km/yr (4%/5%/92%)

Geographic coordinates

39 00 N, 71 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; mountainous region dominated by the Trans-Alay Range in the north and the Pamirs in the southeast; highest point, Qullai Ismoili Somoni (formerly Communism Peak), was the tallest mountain in the former USSR

Irrigated land

7,220 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

3,651 km Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km

border countries

Afghanistan 1,206 km, China 414 km, Kyrgyzstan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,161 km

total

3,651 km

Land use

6.52% 0.89% 92.59% (2005)

arable land

6.52%

other

92.59% (2005)

permanent crops

0.89%

Location

Central Asia, west of China, south of Kyrgyzstan

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

earthquakes; floods

Natural resources

hydropower, some petroleum, uranium, mercury, brown coal, lead, zinc, antimony, tungsten, silver, gold

Terrain

Pamir and Alay Mountains dominate landscape; western Fergana Valley in north, Kofarnihon and Vakhsh Valleys in southwest

Total renewable water resources

99.7 cu km (1997)

Age structure

33.7% (male 1,332,136/ female 1,285,643) 63% (male 2,424,903/ female 2,471,409) 3.3% (male 107,335/ female 146,959) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

33.7% (male 1,332,136/ female 1,285,643)

15-64 years

63% (male 2,424,903/ female 2,471,409)

65 years and over

3.3% (male 107,335/ female 146,959) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

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

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.9% (2005)

Death rate

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

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Tajik 79.9%, Uzbek 15.3%, Russian 1.1%, Kyrgyz 1.1%, other 2.6% (2000 census)

Health expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 500 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

9,100 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

5.41 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate

37.33 deaths/1,000 live births 41.91 deaths/1,000 live births 32.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

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

total

37.33 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Tajik (official), Russian widely used in government and business

Life expectancy at birth

66.38 years 63.3 years 69.61 years (2012 est.)

female

69.61 years (2012 est.)

total population

66.38 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.7% 99.8% 99.6% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.6% (2010 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.7%

Major cities - population

DUSHANBE (capital) 704,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

65 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

22.9 years 22.4 years 23.4 years (2012 est.)

female

23.4 years (2012 est.)

male

22.4 years

total

22.9 years

Nationality

Tajikistani(s) Tajikistani

adjective

Tajikistani

noun

Tajikistani(s)

Net migration rate

-1.21 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

2.013 physicians/1,000 population (2006)

Population

7,768,385 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.823% (2012 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 85%, Shia Muslim 5%, other 10% (2003 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 95% of population rural: 94% of population total: 94% of population urban: 5% of population rural: 6% of population total: 6% of population

rural

6% of population

total

6% of population

urban

5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 12 years 10 years (2008)

female

10 years (2008)

male

12 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.73 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.73 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.85 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

26% of total population (2010) 2.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.2% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

26% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

2 provinces (viloyatho, singular - viloyat), 1 autonomous province* (viloyati mukhtor), 1 capital region** (viloyati poytakht), and 1 area referred to as Districts Under Republic Administration***; Dushanbe**, Khatlon (Qurghonteppa), Kuhistoni Badakhshon [Gorno-Badakhshan]* (Khorugh), Nohiyahoi Tobei Jumhuri***, Sughd (Khujand) the administrative center name follows in parentheses

Capital

Dushanbe 38 33 N, 68 46 E UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

38 33 N, 68 46 E

name

Dushanbe

time difference

UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

6 November 1994

Country name

Republic of Tajikistan Tajikistan Jumhurii Tojikiston Tojikiston Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

conventional long form

Republic of Tajikistan

conventional short form

Tajikistan

former

Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

Jumhurii Tojikiston

local short form

Tojikiston

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Susan ELLIOTT 109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe 734019 7090 Dushanbe Place, Dulles, VA 20189 [992] (37) 229-20-00 [992] (37) 229-20-50

chief of mission

Ambassador Susan ELLIOTT

embassy

109-A Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe 734019

FAX

[992] (37) 229-20-50

mailing address

7090 Dushanbe Place, Dulles, VA 20189

telephone

[992] (37) 229-20-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Nuriddin SHAMSOV 1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 [1] (202) 223-6090 [1] (202) 223-6091

chancery

1005 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037

chief of mission

Ambassador Nuriddin SHAMSOV

FAX

[1] (202) 223-6091

telephone

[1] (202) 223-6090

Executive branch

President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992) Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999); First Deputy Prime Minister Matlubkhon DAVLATOV (since 5 January 2012) Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for multiple terms); election last held on 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Supreme Assembly

chief of state

President Emomali RAHMON (since 6 November 1994; head of state and Supreme Assembly chairman since 19 November 1992)

election results

Emomali RAHMON reelected president; percent of vote - Emomali RAHMON 79.3%, Olimjon BOBOEV 6.2%, other 14.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for multiple terms); election last held on 6 November 2006 (next to be held in November 2013); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Oqil OQILOV (since 20 January 1999); First Deputy Prime Minister Matlubkhon DAVLATOV (since 5 January 2012)

Flag description

three horizontal stripes of red (top), a wider stripe of white, and green; a gold crown surmounted by seven gold, five-pointed stars is located in the center of the white stripe; red represents the sun, victory, and the unity of the nation, white stands for purity, cotton, and mountain snows, while green is the color of Islam and the bounty of nature; the crown symbolizes the Tajik people; the seven stars signify the Tajik magic number "seven" - a symbol of perfection and the embodiment of happiness

Government type

republic

Independence

9 September 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, 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, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (membership pending Tajikistan's ratification)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (judges are appointed by the president); Constitutional Court, Supreme Economic Court

Legal system

civil law system

Legislative branch

bicameral Supreme Assembly or Majlisi Oli consists of the National Assembly (upper chamber) or Majlisi Milli (34 seats; 25 members selected by local deputies, 8 appointed by the president; 1 seat reserved for the former president; members serve five-year terms) and the Assembly of Representatives (lower chamber) or Majlisi Namoyandagon (63 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) National Assembly - last held on 28 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2015); Assembly of Representatives - last held on 28 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2015) National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 71%, IRPT 8.2%, CPT 7%, APT 5.1%, PER 5.1%, other 3.6%; seats by party - PDPT 55, IRPT 2, CPT 2, APT 2, PER 2

election results

National Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Assembly of Representatives - percent of vote by party - PDPT 71%, IRPT 8.2%, CPT 7%, APT 5.1%, PER 5.1%, other 3.6%; seats by party - PDPT 55, IRPT 2, CPT 2, APT 2, PER 2

elections

National Assembly - last held on 28 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2015); Assembly of Representatives - last held on 28 February 2010 (next to be held in February 2015)

National anthem

"Surudi milli" (National Anthem) Gulnazar KELDI/Suleiman YUDAKOV adopted 1991; after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan kept the music of the anthem from its time as a Soviet republic but adopted new lyrics

lyrics/music

Gulnazar KELDI/Suleiman YUDAKOV

name

"Surudi milli" (National Anthem)

National holiday

Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)

National symbol(s)

crown surmounted by seven, five-pointed stars

Political parties and leaders

Agrarian Party of Tajikistan or APT [Amir QARAQULOV]; Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan or IRPT [Muhiddin KABIRI]; Party of Economic Reform or PER [Olimjon BOBOEV]; People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan or PDPT [Emomali RAHMON]; Social Democratic Party or SDPT [Rahmatullo ZOYIROV]; Tajik Communist Party or CPT [Shodi SHABDOLOV]

Political pressure groups and leaders

influential spiritual leader Akbar TURAJONZODA; Tajikistani Youth Union in Russia [Izzat AMON]; Guruhi-24 (Group-24) [Umarali QUVVATOV]; Vatandor (Patriot) Movement [Dodojon ATOVULLOEV]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, grain, fruits, grapes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, goats

Budget

$2.046 billion $2.066 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$2.066 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$2.046 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.) 8% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

21.2% (31 December 2012 est.) 26.3% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$401 million (2012 est.) -$303.9 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.771 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.589 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

32.6 (2006) 34.7 (1998)

Economy - overview

Tajikistan has one of the lowest per capita GDPs among the 15 former Soviet republics. Because of a lack of employment opportunities in Tajikistan, as many as a million Tajik citizens work abroad, almost all of them in Russia, supporting families in Tajikistan through remittances. Less than 7% of the land area is arable. Cotton is the most important crop, and its production is closely monitored, and in many cases controlled, by the government. In the wake of the National Bank of Tajikistan's admission in December 2007 that it had improperly lent money to investors in the cotton sector, the IMF canceled its program in Tajikistan. A reform agenda is underway, according to which over half a billion dollars in farmer debt is being forgiven, and IMF assistance has been reinstated. Mineral resources include silver, gold, uranium, and tungsten. Industry consists only of a large aluminum plant, hydropower facilities, and small obsolete factories mostly in light industry and food processing. The civil war (1992-97) severely damaged the already weak economic infrastructure and caused a sharp decline in industrial and agricultural production. Tajikistan's economic situation remains fragile due to uneven implementation of structural reforms, corruption, weak governance, seasonal power shortages, and the external debt burden. Electricity output expanded with the completion of the Sangtuda-1 hydropower dam - finished in 2009 with Russian investment. The smaller Sangtuda-2, built with Iranian investment, began operating in 2011. The government of Tajikistan is pinning major hopes on the massive Roghun dam which, if finished according to Tajik plans, will be the tallest dam in the world and significantly expand electricity output. The World Bank has agreed to fund two feasibility studies for the dam (technical-economic, and social-enviromental), scheduled to be completed in mid-2013. In January 2010, the government began selling shares in the Roghun enterprise to its population, ultimately raising over $180 million but Tajikistan will still need significant investment to complete the dam. According to numerous reports, many Tajik individuals and businesses were forced to buy shares. The coerced share sales finally ended in mid-2010 under intense criticism from donors, particularly the IMF, and all sales of Roghun shares in 2012. Food and fuel prices in 2011 increased to the highest levels seen since 2002 due in part to an increase in rail transport tariffs through Uzbekistan. Tajikistan imports approximately 60% of its food and 90% of that comes by rail. Uzbekistan closed one of the rail lines into Tajikistan in late 2011, hampering the transit of goods.

Exchange rates

Tajikistani somoni (TJS) per US dollar - 4.791 (2012 est.) 4.6103 (2011 est.) 4.379 (2010 est.) 4.1428 (2009) 3.4563 (2008)

Exports

$1.746 billion (2012 est.) $1.739 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

aluminum, electricity, cotton, fruits, vegetable oil, textiles

Exports - partners

Turkey 30.2%, Russia 8.3%, Iran 7%, China 6.7%, South Korea 6.7%, Afghanistan 6%, Italy 5.1% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

19.3% 20.1% 60.5% (2012 est.)

agriculture

19.3%

industry

20.1%

services

60.5% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,200 (2012 est.) $2,100 (2011 est.) $2,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.8% (2012 est.) 7.4% (2011 est.) 6.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.263 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$17.61 billion (2012 est.) $16.48 billion (2011 est.) $15.35 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.5% 24.3% (2009 est.)

highest 10%

24.3% (2009 est.)

lowest 10%

3.5%

Imports

$3.733 billion (2012 est.) $3.54 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, aluminum oxide, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 45.9%, Russia 16.4%, Kazakhstan 6.8%, US 4.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

7.5% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.3% (2012 est.) 12.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

16.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

2.1 million (2009)

Labor force - by occupation

49.8% 12.8% 37.4% (2009 est.)

agriculture

49.8%

industry

12.8%

services

37.4% (2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

46.7% (2009 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$596.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) $532.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.979 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $1.248 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$18.5 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $16.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$100.3 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $93.05 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.285 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.009 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.213 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $989.1 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.2% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.2% (2009 est.) 2.3% (2008 est.) official rates; actual unemployment is much higher

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

6.678 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

80 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

215 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

12 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

13.29 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

4.247 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

8.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

91.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

338.5 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.426 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

15.95 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

226 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

185 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

41 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

45,810 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

225.2 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

10,770 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

225 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV broadcaster transmits nationally on 4 stations and regionally on 4 stations; 11 independent TV stations broadcast locally and regionally; some households are able to receive Russian and other foreign stations via cable and satellite; state-run radio broadcaster operates Radio Tajikistan, Voice of Dushanbe, and several regional stations; a small number of independent radio stations (2010)

Internet country code

.tj

Internet hosts

6,258 (2012)

Internet users

700,000 (2009)

Telephone system

foreign investment in the telephone system has resulted in major improvements; conversion of the existing fixed network from analogue to digital more than 90% complete by 2009 fixed line availability has not changed significantly since 1998 while mobile cellular subscribership, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded rapidly; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 3 (2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita) (2009)

domestic

fixed line availability has not changed significantly since 1998 while mobile cellular subscribership, aided by competition among multiple operators, has expanded rapidly; coverage now extends to all major cities and towns

general assessment

foreign investment in the telephone system has resulted in major improvements; conversion of the existing fixed network from analogue to digital more than 90% complete by 2009

international

country code - 992; linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; Dushanbe linked by Intelsat to international gateway switch in Ankara (Turkey); satellite earth stations - 3 (2 Intelsat and 1 Orbita) (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

380,000 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

6.324 million (2011)

Airports

24 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

5

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

3

over 3,047 m

2

total

17

under 914 m

3 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

1

total

7

under 914 m

5 (2012)

Pipelines

gas 549 km; oil 38 km (2010)

Railways

680 km 680 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

total

680 km

Roadways

27,767 km (2000)

total

27,767 km (2000)

Waterways

200 km (along Vakhsh River) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

2,012,790 2,020,618 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,020,618 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,012,790

Manpower fit for military service

1,490,267 1,675,083 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,675,083 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,490,267

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

76,430 74,038 (2010 est.)

female

74,038 (2010 est.)

male

76,430

Military branches

Ground Forces, Air and Air Defense Forces, Mobile Forces (2010)

Military expenditures

1.5% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009)

Disputes - international

in 2006, China and Tajikistan pledged to commence demarcation of the revised boundary agreed to in the delimitation of 2002; talks continue with Uzbekistan to delimit border and remove minefields; disputes in Isfara Valley delay delimitation with Kyrgyzstan

Illicit drugs

major transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; limited illicit cultivation of opium poppy for domestic consumption; Tajikistan seizes roughly 80% of all drugs captured in Central Asia and stands third worldwide in seizures of opiates (heroin and raw opium); significant consumer of opiates

Refugees and internally displaced persons

4,000 (Afghanistan) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

4,000 (Afghanistan) (2012)