2017 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. In 2016, Russia and Iran halted their purchase of gas from Turkmenistan making China the only 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 2012 and again in 2017 with over 97% of the vote in both instances, in elections widely regarded as undemocratic.

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 more than three times the size of Georgia; slightly larger than California

Climate

subtropical desert

Coastline

0 km (landlocked); 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

earthquakes; mudslides; droughts; dust storms; floods

Natural resources

petroleum, natural gas, sulfur, salt

Population - distribution

the most densely 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

25.79% (male 699,612/female 680,583) 18.39% (male 495,025/female 488,930) 43.18% (male 1,147,044/female 1,163,762) 7.9% (male 199,363/female 223,443) 4.74% (male 110,505/female 143,010) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

25.79% (male 699,612/female 680,583)

15-24 years

18.39% (male 495,025/female 488,930)

25-54 years

43.18% (male 1,147,044/female 1,163,762)

55-64 years

7.9% (male 199,363/female 223,443)

65 years and over

4.74% (male 110,505/female 143,010) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

19.1 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.2% (2015)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

50.2% (2015/16)

Death rate

6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

52.7 46.5 6.2 16.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

6.2

potential support ratio

16.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

52.7

youth dependency ratio

46.5

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

34.3 deaths/1,000 live births 41.2 deaths/1,000 live births 27 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

27 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

41.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

34.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

70.4 years 67.4 years 73.6 years (2017 est.)

female

73.6 years (2017 est.)

male

67.4 years

total population

70.4 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

27.9 years 27.5 years 28.4 years (2017 est.)

female

28.4 years (2017 est.)

male

27.5 years

total

27.9 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

24.6 years (2006 est.)

Nationality

Turkmen(s) Turkmen

adjective

Turkmen

noun

Turkmen(s)

Net migration rate

-1.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

18.6% (2016)

Physicians density

2.29 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

5,351,277 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

the most densely 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

1.12% (2017 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

2.07 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

50.8% of total population (2017) 1.87% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.87% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

50.8% of total population (2017)

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 proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership or absolute majority approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2016; note - in mid-2014, the president established a Constitutional Commission to initiate a process for developing constitutional reforms (2017)

amendments

proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires two-thirds majority vote of the total Assembly membership or absolute majority approval in a referendum; amended several times, last in 2016; note - in mid-2014, the president established a Constitutional Commission to initiate a process for developing constitutional reforms (2017)

history

adopted 18 May 1992

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 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 12 February 2017 (next to be held in February 2024) Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW reelected president; percent of vote - Gurbanguly BERDIMUHAMEDOW (DPT) 97.7%, other 2.3%

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 (DPT) 97.7%, other 2.3%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 12 February 2017 (next to be held in February 2024)

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; 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 from single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held in December 2018), although interim elections are held on an ad hoc basis to fill vacant sets percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPT 47, Organization of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan 33, Women's Union of Turkmenistan 16, PIE 14, Magtymguly Youth Organization 8, independent 7; note - all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMIDOW

description

unicameral National Assembly or Mejlis (125 seats; members directly elected from single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - DPT 47, Organization of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan 33, Women's Union of Turkmenistan 16, PIE 14, Magtymguly Youth Organization 8, independent 7; note - all of these parties support President BERDIMUHAMIDOW

elections

last held on 15 December 2013 (next to be held in December 2018), although interim elections are held on an ad hoc basis to fill vacant sets

National anthem

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

lyrics/music

collective/Veli MUKHATOV

name

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

note

adopted 1997, lyrics revised in 2008, following the death of President Saparmurat NYYAZOW, 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 [Ovezmyrat ENERMYRADOW] Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Kasymguly BABAYEW] Organization of Trade Unions of Turkmenistan Magtymguly Youth Organization Party of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs or PIE [Ovezmammed MAMMEDOW] Women's Union of Turkmenistan 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

$4.629 billion $5.086 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$5.086 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$4.629 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Current account balance

$-7.605 billion (2016 est.) $-1.113 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$425.3 million (31 December 2016 est.) $402.8 million (31 December 2015 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 9% of GDP, it continues to employ nearly half of the country's workforce. Hydrocarbon exports (mainly natural gas) make up 25% of Turkmenistan’s GDP, the bulk of which is natural gas going to China. 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. There is a widening spread between the official exchange rate (3.49 TMM per US dollar) and the black market exchange rate (approximately 7 TMM per US dollar). Currency depreciation, corruption, isolationist policies, and limited spending on public services has resulted in a stagnate economy that is nearing crisis. Turkmenistan 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 (2016 est.) 3.5 (2015 est.) 3.5 (2014 est.) 2.85 (2013 est.) 2.85 (2012 est.)

Exports

$6.987 billion (2016 est.) $9.561 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

gas, crude oil, petrochemicals, textiles, cotton fiber

Exports - partners

China 70%, Turkey 5.3%, Italy 5.3%, Afghanistan 4.5%, Russia 4.1% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

50% 8.9% 30.8% 0% 28% -17.7% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

28%

government consumption

8.9%

household consumption

50%

imports of goods and services

-17.7% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

30.8%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

7.5% 45.1% 47.4% (2016 est.)

agriculture

7.5%

industry

45.1%

services

47.4% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$17,500 (2016 est.) $16,700 (2015 est.) $15,900 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2016 est.) 6.5% (2015 est.) 10.3% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$36.18 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$95.5 billion (2016 est.) $88.78 billion (2015 est.) $82.5 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

23.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 19.1% of GDP (2015 est.) 12.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.6% 31.7% (1998)

highest 10%

31.7% (1998)

lowest 10%

2.6%

Imports

$5.001 billion (2016 est.) $6.059 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Turkey 26.4%, Russia 10.5%, Japan 8.6%, Germany 8.2%, South Korea 7.8%, China 7.2%, Italy 5.2% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.6% (2016 est.) 16% (2015 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.)

Public debt

23.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 19.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$25.05 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $26.64 billion (31 December 2015 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

12.8% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

67 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

62,880 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

230,800 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

600 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

15.09 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

3.201 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

4.001 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

21.18 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

67.52 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

40.3 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

83.7 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

7.504 trillion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

158,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

53,780 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

191,100 bbl/day (2014 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

951,925 18.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

18.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

951,925

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 170 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 (2016)

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 170 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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

665,000 13 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

13 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

665,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

8.575 million 162 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

162 (July 2016 est.)

total

8.575 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 River 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

5,744 (2016)

stateless persons

5,744 (2016)

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)