2013 Edition

Background

Present-day Turkmenistan covers territory that has been at the crossroads of civilizations for centuries. The area was ruled in antiquity by various Persian empires, and was conquered by Alexander the Great, Muslim crusaders, the Mongols, Turkic warriors, and eventually the Russians. In medieval times Merv (today known as Mary) was one of the great cities of the Islamic world and an important stop on the Silk Road. Annexed by Russia in the late 1800s, Turkmenistan later figured prominently in the anti-Bolshevik movement in Central Asia. In 1924, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic; it achieved independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves, which have yet to be fully exploited, have begun to transform the country. Turkmenistan is moving to expand its extraction and delivery projects. The Government of Turkmenistan is actively working to diversify its gas export routes beyond the still important Russian pipeline network. In 2010, new gas export pipelines that carry Turkmen gas to China and to northern Iran began operating, effectively ending the Russian monopoly on Turkmen gas exports. President for Life Saparmurat NYYAZOW died in December 2006, and Turkmenistan held its first multi-candidate presidential election in February 2007. Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, a deputy cabinet chairman under NYYAZOW, emerged as the country's new president; he was chosen as president again in February 2012, in an election that the OSCE said lacked the freedoms necessary to create a competitive environment.

Area

488,100 sq km 469,930 sq km 18,170 sq km

total

488,100 sq km

water

18,170 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than California

Climate

subtropical desert

Coastline

0 km; note - Turkmenistan borders the Caspian Sea (1,768 km)

Elevation extremes

Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with a water level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of Vpadina Akchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m) Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

highest point

Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

lowest point

Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m

Environment - current issues

contamination of soil and groundwater with agricultural chemicals, pesticides; salination, water logging of soil due to poor irrigation methods; Caspian Sea pollution; diversion of a large share of the flow of the Amu Darya into irrigation contributes to that river's inability to replenish the Aral Sea; desertification

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

27.95 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%) 5,752 cu m/yr (2004)

per capita

5,752 cu m/yr (2004)

total

27.95 cu km/yr (3%/3%/94%)

Geographic coordinates

40 00 N, 60 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; the western and central low-lying desolate portions of the country make up the great Garagum (Kara-Kum) desert, which occupies over 80% of the country; eastern part is plateau

Irrigated land

19,910 sq km (2006)

Land boundaries

3,736 km Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

border countries

Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

total

3,736 km

Land use

3.89% 0.12% 95.98% (2011)

arable land

3.89%

other

95.98% (2011)

permanent crops

0.12%

Location

Central Asia, bordering the Caspian Sea, between Iran and Kazakhstan

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

NA

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt

Terrain

flat-to-rolling sandy desert with dunes rising to mountains in the south; low mountains along border with Iran; borders Caspian Sea in west

Total renewable water resources

24.77 cu km (2011)

Age structure

26.7% (male 690,673/female 673,271) 20.8% (male 535,131/female 528,473) 41.8% (male 1,058,811/female 1,079,697) 6.5% (male 157,474/female 176,088) 4.2% (male 92,891/female 120,531) (2013 est.)

0-14 years

26.7% (male 690,673/female 673,271)

15-24 years

20.8% (male 535,131/female 528,473)

25-54 years

41.8% (male 1,058,811/female 1,079,697)

55-64 years

6.5% (male 157,474/female 176,088)

65 years and over

4.2% (male 92,891/female 120,531) (2013 est.)

Birth rate

19.53 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

61.8% (2000)

Death rate

6.18 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.3 % 42.2 % 6.1 % 16.5 (2013)

elderly dependency ratio

6.1 %

potential support ratio

16.5 (2013)

total dependency ratio

48.3 %

youth dependency ratio

42.2 %

Drinking water source

urban: 97% of population rural: 72% of population total: 83% of population urban: 3% of population rural: 28% of population total: 17% of population (2000 est.)

rural

28% of population

total

17% of population (2000 est.)

urban

3% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Turkmen 85%, Uzbek 5%, Russian 4%, other 6% (2003)

Health expenditures

2.7% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

fewer than 200 (2007 est.)

Hospital bed density

4.1 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

39.48 deaths/1,000 live births 47.17 deaths/1,000 live births 31.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

31.41 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

39.48 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Turkmen (official) 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Life expectancy at birth

69.16 years 66.18 years 72.29 years (2013 est.)

female

72.29 years (2013 est.)

total population

69.16 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.6% 99.7% 99.5% (2011 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.5% (2011 est.)

male

99.7%

total population

99.6%

Major urban areas - population

ASHGABAT (capital) 637,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

67 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

26.2 years 25.8 years 26.6 years (2013 est.)

female

26.6 years (2013 est.)

male

25.8 years

total

26.2 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

24.6 (2006 est.)

Nationality

Turkmen(s) Turkmen

adjective

Turkmen

noun

Turkmen(s)

Net migration rate

-1.88 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

13.2% (2008)

Physicians density

2.44 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

5,113,040 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

1.15% (2013 est.)

Religions

Muslim 89%, Eastern Orthodox 9%, unknown 2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99% of population rural: 97% of population total: 98% of population urban: 1% of population rural: 3% of population total: 2% of population (2010 est.)

rural

3% of population

total

2% of population (2010 est.)

urban

1% of population

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.01 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.77 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.12 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

48.7% of total population (2011) 1.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

48.7% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*: Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

5 provinces (welayatlar, singular - welayat) and 1 independent city*

Ahal Welayaty (Anew), Ashgabat*, Balkan Welayaty (Balkanabat), Dashoguz Welayaty, Lebap Welayaty (Turkmenabat), Mary Welayaty

Capital

Ashgabat (Ashkhabad) 37 57 N, 58 23 E UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

37 57 N, 58 23 E

name

Ashgabat (Ashkhabad)

time difference

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

Constitution

adopted 18 May 1992; amended several times, last in 2008; note - sources disagree as to whether the changes in 2008 are amendments or reflect a new constitution (2012)

Country name

none Turkmenistan none Turkmenistan Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Turkmenistan

former

Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

none

local short form

Turkmenistan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Robert E. PATTERSON (since 26 April 2011) No. 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000 7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070 [993] (12) 94-00-45 [993] (12) 94-26-14

chief of mission

Ambassador Robert E. PATTERSON (since 26 April 2011)

embassy

No. 9 1984 Street (formerly Pushkin Street), Ashgabat, Turkmenistan 744000

FAX

[993] (12) 94-26-14

mailing address

7070 Ashgabat Place, Washington, DC 20521-7070

telephone

[993] (12) 94-00-45

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOW (since 14 February 2001) 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 588-1500 [1] (202) 280-1003

chancery

2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOW (since 14 February 2001)

FAX

[1] (202) 280-1003

telephone

[1] (202) 588-1500

Executive branch

President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term; election last held on 12 February 2012 (next to be held February 2017) Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW reelected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW 97.1%, Annageldi YAZMYRADOW 1.1%, other candidates 1.8%

cabinet

Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW reelected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW 97.1%, Annageldi YAZMYRADOW 1.1%, other candidates 1.8%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term; election last held on 12 February 2012 (next to be held February 2017)

head of government

President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007)

Flag description

green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five tribal guls (designs used in producing carpets) stacked above two crossed olive branches; five white stars and a white crescent moon appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe; the green color and crescent moon represent Islam; the five stars symbolize the regions or welayats of Turkmenistan; the guls reflect the national identity of Turkmenistan where carpet-making has long been a part of traditional nomadic life the flag of Turkmenistan is the most intricate of all national flags

Government type

defines itself as a secular democracy and a presidential republic; in actuality displays authoritarian presidential rule, with power concentrated within the presidential administration

Independence

27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, CIS (associate member, has not ratified the 1993 CIS charter although it participates in meetings and held the chairmanship of the CIS in 2012), EAPC, EBRD, ECO, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Turkmenistan (consists of the court president and 21 associate judges) judges appointed by the president; judge tenure NA provincial, district, and city courts; High Commercial Court; military courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Turkmenistan (consists of the court president and 21 associate judges)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the president; judge tenure NA

subordinate courts

provincial, district, and city courts; High Commercial Court; military courts

Legal system

civil law system with Islamic law influences

Legislative branch

unicameral parliament known as the National Assembly (Mejlis) (125 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 14 December 2008 (next to be held in December 2013) 100% of elected officials are members of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan and are preapproved by the president in 26 September 2008, a new constitution of Turkmenistan abolished a second, 2,507-member legislative body known as the People's Council and expanded the number of deputies in the National Assembly from 65 to 125; the powers formerly held by the People's Council were divided up between the president and the National Assembly

election results

100% of elected officials are members of the Democratic Party of Turkmenistan and are preapproved by the president

elections

last held on 14 December 2008 (next to be held in December 2013)

National anthem

"Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem) collective/Veli MUKHATOV adopted 1997, lyrics revised 2008; following the death of the President Saparmurat NYYAZOW, the lyrics were altered to eliminate references to the former president

lyrics/music

collective/Veli MUKHATOV

name

"Garassyz, Bitarap Turkmenistanyn" (Independent, Neutral, Turkmenistan State Anthem)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

National symbol(s)

Akhal-Teke horse

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW, Chairman; Kasymguly BABAYEW, DPT Political Council First Secretary] Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or PIE [Orazmammet MAMMEDOW] (party registered 21 August 2012) a law authorizing the registration of political parties went into effect in January 2012; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad; the three most prominent opposition groups-in-exile are the National Democratic Movement of Turkmenistan (NDMT), the Republican Party of Turkmenistan, and the Watan (Fatherland) Party; the NDMT was led by former Foreign Minister Boris SHIKHMURADOV until his arrest and imprisonment in the wake of the 25 November 2002 attack on President NYYAZOW's motorcade

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, grain, melons; livestock

Budget

$5.158 billion $4.667 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$4.667 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$5.158 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Current account balance

$622.7 million (2012 est.) $196.5 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$428.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) $445.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.8 (1998)

Economy - overview

Turkmenistan is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and sizeable gas and oil resources. The two largest crops are cotton, most of which is produced for export, and wheat, which is domestically consumed. Although agriculture accounts for roughly 8% of GDP, it continues to employ nearly half of the country's workforce. Turkmenistan's authoritarian regime has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton export revenues to sustain its inefficient and highly corrupt economy. Privatization goals remain limited. From 1998-2005, Turkmenistan suffered from the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and from obligations on extensive short-term external debt. At the same time, however, total exports rose by an average of roughly 15% per year from 2003-08, largely because of higher international oil and gas prices. Additional pipelines to China, that began operation in early 2010, and increased pipeline capacity to Iran, have expanded Turkmenistan''s export routes for its gas. Overall prospects in the near future are discouraging because of endemic corruption, a poor educational system, government misuse of oil and gas revenues, and Ashgabat''s reluctance to adopt market-oriented reforms. The majority of Turkmenistan''s economic statistics are state secrets. The present government established a State Agency for Statistics, but GDP numbers and other publicized figures are subject to wide margins of error. In particular, the rate of GDP growth is uncertain. Since his election, President BERDIMUHAMEDOW unified the country''s dual currency exchange rate, ordered the redenomination of the manat, reduced state subsidies for gasoline, and initiated development of a special tourism zone on the Caspian Sea. Although foreign investment is encouraged, and some improvements in macroeconomic policy have been made, numerous bureaucratic obstacles impede international business activity.

Exchange rates

Turkmen manat (TMM) per US dollar - 2.85 (2012 est.) 2.85 (2011 est.) 2.85 (2010 est.) 2.85 (2009) 14,250 (2008)

Exports

$15.48 billion (2012 est.) $13.91 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber

Exports - partners

China 69.6%, Italy 4.7% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

50% 12.9% 10.3% 0% 62.8% -36% (2012 est.)

exports of goods and services

62.8%

government consumption

12.9%

household consumption

50%

imports of goods and services

-36%

investment in fixed capital

10.3%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.5% 24.4% 68.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

7.5%

industry

24.4%

services

68.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,600 (2012 est.) $7,900 (2011 est.) $7,000 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

11.1% (2012 est.) 14.7% (2011 est.) 9.2% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$34.69 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$48.51 billion (2012 est.) $43.67 billion (2011 est.) $38.06 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Gross national saving

12.9% of GDP (2012 est.) 10.6% of GDP (2011 est.) 11.9% of GDP (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 31.7% (1998)

highest 10%

31.7% (1998)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$10.69 billion (2012 est.) $9.673 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

China 19.5%, Turkey 17%, Russia 12.6%, UAE 6.8%, Ukraine 6%, Germany 4.7%, UK 4.2% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

6.5% (2012 est.)

Industries

natural gas, oil, petroleum products, textiles, food processing

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.5% (2012 est.) 12% (2011 est.)

Labor force

2.3 million (2008 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

48.2% 14% 37.8% (2004 est.)

agriculture

48.2%

industry

14%

services

37.8% (2004 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

30% (2004 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$20.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $19.23 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.652 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.41 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$2.561 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.281 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$526.3 million (31 December 2012 est.) $477.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.9% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

60% (2004 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

51.85 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

67,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

244,100 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

600 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

11.12 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.41 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

2.852 million kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

15.66 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

25 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

46.1 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

59.5 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

7.504 trillion cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

145,000 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

64,360 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,542 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

143,200 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

broadcast media is government controlled and censored; 7 state-owned TV and 4 state-owned radio networks; satellite dishes and programming provide an alternative to the state-run media; officials sometimes limit access to satellite TV by removing satellite dishes (2007)

Internet country code

.tm

Internet hosts

714 (2012)

Internet users

80,400 (2009)

Telephone system

telecommunications network remains underdeveloped and progress toward improvement is slow; strict government control and censorship inhibits liberalization and modernization Turkmentelekom, in cooperation with foreign partners, has installed high-speed fiber-optic lines and has upgraded most of the country's telephone exchanges and switching centers with new digital technology; combined fixed-line and mobile teledensity is about 80 per 100 persons; Russia's Mobile Telesystems, the only foreign mobile-cellular service provider in Turkmenistan, had its operating license suspended in December 2010 but was able to resume operations in September 2012 country code - 993; linked by fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; an exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat (2012)

domestic

Turkmentelekom, in cooperation with foreign partners, has installed high-speed fiber-optic lines and has upgraded most of the country's telephone exchanges and switching centers with new digital technology; combined fixed-line and mobile teledensity is about 80 per 100 persons; Russia's Mobile Telesystems, the only foreign mobile-cellular service provider in Turkmenistan, had its operating license suspended in December 2010 but was able to resume operations in September 2012

general assessment

telecommunications network remains underdeveloped and progress toward improvement is slow; strict government control and censorship inhibits liberalization and modernization

international

country code - 993; linked by fiber-optic cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; an exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations - 1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat (2012)

Telephones - main lines in use

575,000 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.953 million (2012)

Airports

26 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

9

2,438 to 3,047 m

9

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

over 3,047 m

1

total

21

Airports - with unpaved runways

4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

total

5

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

cargo 4, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 5, refrigerated cargo 1 (2010)

total

11

Pipelines

gas 7,500 km; oil 1,501 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Turkmenbasy

Railways

2,980 km 2,980 km 1.520-m gauge (2008)

total

2,980 km

Roadways

58,592 km 47,577 km 11,015 km (2002)

total

58,592 km

unpaved

11,015 km (2002)

Waterways

1,300 km (Amu Darya and Kara Kum canal are important inland waterways) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

1,380,794 1,387,211 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,387,211 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,380,794

Manpower fit for military service

1,066,649 1,185,538 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,185,538 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,066,649

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

53,829 52,988 (2010 est.)

female

52,988 (2010 est.)

male

53,829

Military branches

Turkmen Armed Forces: Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2013)

Turkmen Armed Forces

Ground Forces, Navy, Air and Air Defense Forces (2013)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory male military service; 2-year conscript service obligation, or 1 year for university students; 20 years of age for voluntary service; males may enroll in military schools from age 15 (2013)

Disputes - international

cotton monoculture in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan creates water-sharing difficulties for Amu Darya river states; field demarcation of the boundaries with Kazakhstan commenced in 2005, but Caspian seabed delimitation remains stalled with Azerbaijan, Iran, and Kazakhstan due to Turkmenistan's indecision over how to allocate the sea's waters and seabed; bilateral talks continue with Azerbaijan on dividing the seabed and contested oilfields in the middle of the Caspian

Illicit drugs

transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and Western European markets; transit point for heroin precursor chemicals bound for Afghanistan

Refugees and internally displaced persons

8,947 (2012)

stateless persons

8,947 (2012)

Trafficking in persons

Turkmenistan is a source, and to a much lesser degree, destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Turkmen in search of work in other countries are forced to work in textile sweatshops, construction, and domestic service; some Turkmen women and girls are sex trafficked abroad; Turkey is the primary trafficking destination, followed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and, to a lesser extent, the UK, Kazakhstan, and Cyprus; labor trafficking occurs within Turkmenistan, particularly in the construction industry, with victims identified from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan Tier 2 Watch List - Turkmenistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to convict trafficking offenders under its anti-trafficking statute; it employs no formal victim identification procedures and does not provide services or fund NGOs to provide services to victims; authorities punish some victims for crimes committed as a result of being trafficked; there continues to be no governmental coordinating body for anti-trafficking efforts or a national anti-trafficking action plan (2013)

current situation

Turkmenistan is a source, and to a much lesser degree, destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Turkmen in search of work in other countries are forced to work in textile sweatshops, construction, and domestic service; some Turkmen women and girls are sex trafficked abroad; Turkey is the primary trafficking destination, followed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and, to a lesser extent, the UK, Kazakhstan, and Cyprus; labor trafficking occurs within Turkmenistan, particularly in the construction industry, with victims identified from Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Turkmenistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government continues to convict trafficking offenders under its anti-trafficking statute; it employs no formal victim identification procedures and does not provide services or fund NGOs to provide services to victims; authorities punish some victims for crimes committed as a result of being trafficked; there continues to be no governmental coordinating body for anti-trafficking efforts or a national anti-trafficking action plan (2013)