2016 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 armies, the Mongols, Turkic warriors, and eventually the Russians. In medieval times, Merv (located in present-day Mary province) 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. The Government of Turkmenistan is moving to expand its extraction and delivery projects and has attempted to diversify its gas export routes beyond Russia's 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. Subsequently, decreased Russian purchases, as well as limited purchases by Iran, have made China the dominant buyer of Turkmen gas. 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 reelected in February 2012 with 97% of the vote, in an election widely regarded as "a democratic sham."

Area

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

land

469,930 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

230 m lowest point: 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) highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: 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)

highest point

Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

mean elevation

230 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

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

19,950 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

4,158 km Afghanistan 804 km, Iran 1,148 km, Kazakhstan 413 km, Uzbekistan 1,793 km

border countries (4)

Afghanistan 804 km, Iran 1,148 km, Kazakhstan 413 km, Uzbekistan 1,793 km

total

4,158 km

Land use

72% arable land 4.1%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 67.8% 8.8% 19.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

72%

forest

8.8%

other

19.2% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

the most densly populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat

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

Age structure

25.95% (male 695,752/female 677,166) 19.04% (male 506,856/female 500,647) 42.86% (male 1,125,058/female 1,142,870) 7.59% (male 189,464/female 212,330) 4.56% (male 105,140/female 136,034) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

25.95% (male 695,752/female 677,166)

15-24 years

19.04% (male 506,856/female 500,647)

25-54 years

42.86% (male 1,125,058/female 1,142,870)

55-64 years

7.59% (male 189,464/female 212,330)

65 years and over

4.56% (male 105,140/female 136,034) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

19.3 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.2% (2006)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

48% (2006)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

47.9% 41.7% 6.1% 16.3% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.1%

potential support ratio

16.3% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

47.9%

youth dependency ratio

41.7%

Drinking water source

urban: 89.1% of population rural: 53.7% of population total: 71.1% of population urban: 10.9% of population rural: 46.3% of population total: 28.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

46.3% of population

total

28.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

10.9% of population

Education expenditures

3% of GDP (2012)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

2.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

4 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

35.5 deaths/1,000 live births 42.7 deaths/1,000 live births 28.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

28.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

42.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

35.5 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

70.1 years 67.1 years 73.3 years (2016 est.)

female

73.3 years (2016 est.)

male

67.1 years

total population

70.1 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.7% 99.8% 99.6% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99.6% (2015 est.)

male

99.8%

total population

99.7%

Major urban areas - population

ASHGABAT (capital) 746,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

42 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

27.5 years 27 years 28 years (2016 est.)

female

28 years (2016 est.)

male

27 years

total

27.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

24.6 (2006 est.)

Nationality

Turkmen(s) Turkmen

adjective

Turkmen

noun

Turkmen(s)

Net migration rate

-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.8% (2014)

Population

5,291,317 (July 2016 est.)

Population distribution

the most densly populated areas are the southern, eastern, and northeastern oases; approximately 50% of the population lives in and around the capital of Ashgabat

Population growth rate

1.13% (2016 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 98.2% of population total: 99.1% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 1.8% of population total: 0.9% of population (2012 est.)

rural

1.8% of population

total

0.9% of population (2012 est.)

urban

0% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2014)

female

11 years (2014)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.89 male(s)/female 0.77 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 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

0.89 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 (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.08 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Urbanization

50% of total population (2015) 1.94% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.94% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

50% of total population (2015)

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

note

administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkmenistan yes 7 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkmenistan

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

7 years

Constitution

adopted 18 May 1992; amended several times, last in 2008; note - in mid-2014, the president established the Constitutional Commission to initiate a process for developing constitutional reforms (2016)

Country name

none Turkmenistan none Turkmenistan Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so Turkmenistan literally means the "Land of the Turkmen [people]"

conventional long form

none

conventional short form

Turkmenistan

etymology

the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so Turkmenistan literally means the "Land of the Turkmen [people]"

former

Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

local long form

none

local short form

Turkmenistan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Allan MUSTARD (since 20 January 2015) 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 Allan MUSTARD (since 20 January 2015)

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) 588-0697

chancery

2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Mered Bairamovich ORAZOW (since 14 February 2001)

FAX

[1] (202) 588-0697

telephone

[1] (202) 588-1500

Executive branch

President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 14 February 2007) Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2017); note - while the next presidential election would normally be held in February 2017, that may change as a result of the ongoing constitutional reforms, which are expected to extend the presidential term to 7 years 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 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/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 12 February 2012 (next to be held in February 2017); note - while the next presidential election would normally be held in February 2017, that may change as a result of the ongoing constitutional reforms, which are expected to extend the presidential term to 7 years

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

note

the flag of Turkmenistan is the most intricate of all national flags

Government type

presidential republic; highly authoritarian

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 and organized into civil, criminal, and military chambers) judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms High Commercial Court; appellate courts; provincial, district, and city courts; military courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Turkmenistan (consists of the court president and 21 associate judges and organized into civil, criminal, and military chambers)

judge selection and term of office

judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms

subordinate courts

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

Legal system

civil law system with Islamic law influences

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Mejlis (125 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms); note - in September 2008, a constitutional change abolished a second, 2,507-member People's Council and expanded the membership in the National Assembly to 125 from 65; the powers formerly held by the People's Council were divided between the president and the National Assembly last held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held in December 2018) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 47, Organization of Trade and Unions of Turkmenistan 33, Women's Union of Turkmenistan 16, Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 14, Magtymguly Youth Organization 8, independents 7; note - all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMIDOW

description

unicameral National Assembly or Mejlis (125 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in two rounds if needed; members serve 5-year terms); note - in September 2008, a constitutional change abolished a second, 2,507-member People's Council and expanded the membership in the National Assembly to 125 from 65; the powers formerly held by the People's Council were divided between the president and the National Assembly

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - Democratic Party 47, Organization of Trade and Unions of Turkmenistan 33, Women's Union of Turkmenistan 16, Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs 14, Magtymguly Youth Organization 8, independents 7; note - all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMIDOW

elections

last held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held in December 2018)

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

collective/Veli MUKHATOV

name

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

note

adopted 1997, lyrics revised 2008; following the death of President Saparmurat NYYAZOW, the lyrics were altered to eliminate references to him

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

National symbol(s)

Akhal-Teke horse; national colors: green, white

Akhal-Teke horse; national colors

green, white

Political parties and leaders

Agrarian Party of Turkmenistan or APT [Rezhep BAZAROV] (government created in September 2014, like the PIE, but not represented in parliament) Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Kasymguly BABAYEW] Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or PIE [Orazmammet MAMMEDOW] a law authorizing the registration of political parties went into effect in January 2012; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad

note

a law authorizing the registration of political parties went into effect in January 2012; unofficial, small opposition movements exist abroad

Political pressure groups and leaders

none

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cotton, grain, melons; livestock

Budget

$5.771 billion $5.771 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$5.771 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$5.771 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2014) 5% (31 December 2013)

Current account balance

-$4.523 billion (2015 est.) -$3.092 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$454.7 million (31 December 2015 est.) $441.2 million (31 December 2014 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 significant natural 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 14% of GDP, it continues to employ nearly half of the country's workforce. Hydrocarbon exports (mainly natural gas) make up 31% of Turkmenistan’s GDP, with 60% of gas exports going to China and the remainder to Russia and Iran. Ashgabat has explored two initiatives to bring gas to new markets: a trans-Caspian pipeline that would carry gas to Europe and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. Both face major financing and security hurdles and are unlikely to be completed soon. Turkmenistan’s autocratic governments under presidents NIYAZOW (1991-2006) and BERDIMUHAMEDOW (since 2007) have made little progress improving the business climate, privatizing state-owned industries, and combatting corruption, limiting economic development outside the energy sector. High energy prices in the mid-2000s allowed the government to undertake extensive development and social spending, including providing heavy utility subsidies. Low energy prices since mid-2014 are hampering Turkmenistan’s economic growth and reducing government revenues. The government has cut subsidies in several areas, and wage arrears have increased. In January 2014, the Central Bank of Turkmenistan devalued the manat by 19%, and downward pressure on the currency continues. Turkmenistan continues to report GDP growth of nearly 10% per year and claims substantial foreign currency reserves, but non-transparent data limit international institutions’ ability to verify this information.

Turkmenistan is largely a desert country with intensive agriculture in irrigated oases and significant natural gas and oil resources. The two largest crops are cotton, most of which is produced for export, and wheat, which is domestically consumed. Althou

a trans-Caspian pipeline that would carry gas to Europe and the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline. Both face major financing and security hurdles and are unlikely to be completed soon.

Exchange rates

Turkmen manat (TMM) per US dollar - 3.5 (2015 est.) 2.85 (2014 est.) 2.85 (2013 est.) 2.85 (2012 est.) 2.85 (2011 est.)

Exports

$10.38 billion (2015 est.) $12.39 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber

Exports - partners

China 68.6%, Turkey 4.9% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

50% 11.5% 23.2% 0% 37.7% -22.4% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

37.7%

government consumption

11.5%

household consumption

50%

imports of goods and services

-22.4% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23.2%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

13.1% 48.4% 38.5% (2015 est.)

agriculture

13.1%

industry

48.4%

services

38.5% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$16,400 (2015 est.) $15,700 (2014 est.) $14,400 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.5% (2015 est.) 10.3% (2014 est.) 10.2% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$35.68 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$88.6 billion (2015 est.) $83.19 billion (2014 est.) $75.43 billion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

20.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 9.6% of GDP (2014 est.) -22.1% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 31.7% (1998)

highest 10%

31.7% (1998)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$8.198 billion (2015 est.) $10.17 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Turkey 24.9%, Russia 12.3%, China 10.9%, UAE 9.1%, Kazakhstan 5.1%, Germany 4.6%, Iran 4.4% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2015 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

16% (2015 est.) 11% (2014 est.)

Labor force

2.305 million (2013 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

0.2% (2012 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$13.62 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $20.43 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$12.23 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $5.632 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$3.061 billion (2013 est.) $3.117 billion (2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$28.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $13.09 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.326 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.255 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

11% (2014 est.) 10.6% (2013)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

67 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

70,740 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - production

243,100 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

600 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

13 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

3.2 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2014 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.275 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

22.3 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

30.2 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

45.79 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

76 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

7.504 trillion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

145,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

47,830 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

173,200 bbl/day (2013 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 users

785,000 15% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

15% (July 2015 est.)

total

785,000

Telephone system

telecommunications network is gradually improving 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 160 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; Turkmenistan's first telecommunication satellite was launched in 2015 and is expected to greatly improve connectivity in the country 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 (2015)

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 160 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; Turkmenistan's first telecommunication satellite was launched in 2015 and is expected to greatly improve connectivity in the country

general assessment

telecommunications network is gradually improving

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 (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

648,000 12 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

12 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

648,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.842 million 150 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

150 (July 2015 est.)

total

7.842 million

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

under 914 m

4 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

EZ (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

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

by type

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

total

11

National air transport system

2,138,389 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

2,138,389

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

23

number of registered air carriers

1

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

Caspian Sea - Turkmenbasy

major seaport(s)

Caspian Sea - Turkmenbasy

Railways

2,980 km 2,980 km 1.520-m gauge (2014)

broad gauge

2,980 km 1.520-m gauge (2014)

total

2,980 km

Roadways

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

paved

47,577 km

total

58,592 km

unpaved

11,015 km (2002)

Waterways

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

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 service age and obligation

18-27 years of age for compulsory male military service; 2-year conscript service obligation; 20 years of age for voluntary service; males may enroll in military schools from age 15 (2015)

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

7,125 (2015)

stateless persons

7,125 (2015)

Trafficking in persons

Turkmenistan is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Turkmen who migrate abroad are forced to work in the textile, agriculture, construction, and domestic service industries, while women and girls may also be sex trafficked; in 2014, men surpassed women as victims; Turkey and Russia are primary trafficking destinations, followed by the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and other parts of Europe; Turkmen also experience forced labor domestically in the informal construction industry; participation in the cotton harvest is still mandatory for some public sector employees 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; in 2014, Turkmenistan was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government made some progress in its law enforcement efforts in 2014, convicting more offenders than in 2013; authorities did not make adequate efforts to identify and protect victims and did not fund international organizations or NGOs that offered protective services; some victims were punished for crimes as a result of being trafficked (2015)

current situation

Turkmenistan is a source country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Turkmen who migrate abroad are forced to work in the textile, agriculture, construction, and domestic service industries, while women and girls may also be sex trafficked; in 2014, men surpassed women as victims; Turkey and Russia are primary trafficking destinations, followed by the Middle East, South and Central Asia, and other parts of Europe; Turkmen also experience forced labor domestically in the informal construction industry; participation in the cotton harvest is still mandatory for some public sector employees

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; in 2014, Turkmenistan was granted a waiver from an otherwise required downgrade to Tier 3 because its government has a written plan that, if implemented, would constitute making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government made some progress in its law enforcement efforts in 2014, convicting more offenders than in 2013; authorities did not make adequate efforts to identify and protect victims and did not fund international organizations or NGOs that offered protective services; some victims were punished for crimes as a result of being trafficked (2015)