A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, most of Kyrgyzstan was formally annexed to Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz staged a major revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the Kyrgyz population was killed. Kyrgyzstan became a Soviet republic in 1936 and achieved independence in 1991 when the USSR dissolved. Nationwide demonstrations in the spring of 2005 resulted in the ouster of President Askar AKAEV, who had run the country since 1990. Former prime minister Kurmanbek BAKIEV overwhelmingly won the presidential election in the summer of 2005. Over the next few years, he manipulated the parliament to accrue new powers for the presidency. In July 2009, after months of harassment against his opponents and media critics, BAKIEV won re-election in a presidential campaign that the international community deemed flawed. In April 2010, violent protests in Bishkek led to the collapse of the BAKIEV regime and his eventual fleeing to Minsk, Belarus. His successor, Roza OTUNBAEVA, served as transitional president until Almazbek ATAMBAEV was inaugurated in December 2011, marking the first peaceful transfer of presidential power in independent Kyrgyzstan’s history. In November 2017, Sooronbai JEENBEKOV was elected as the new president of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Geography
Area: 199,951 sq km
land: 191,801 sq km
water: 8,150 sq km
country comparison to the world: 87
Climate:
dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan Mountains; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Kara-Daryya (Karadar’ya) 132 m
highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m
Natural resources:
abundant hydropower; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc
Land use:
arable land: 6.38%
permanent crops: 0.37%
other: 93.24%
note: Kyrgyzstan has the world’s largest natural-growth walnut forest (2011)
Irrigated land: 10,210 sq km (2005)
Total renewable water resources: 23.62 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
total: 8.01 cu km/yr (3%/4%/93%)
per capita: 1,558 cu m/yr (2006)
Environment — current issues:
water pollution; many people get their water directly from contaminated streams and wells; as a result, water-borne diseases are prevalent; increasing soil salinity from faulty irrigation practices
Geography — note:
landlocked; entirely mountainous, dominated by the Tien Shan range; 94% of the country is 1,000 m above sea level with an average elevation of 2,750 m; many tall peaks, glaciers, and high-altitude lakes
People and society
Ethnic groups:
Kyrgyz 64.9%, Uzbek 13.8%, Russian 12.5%, Dungan 1.1%, Ukrainian 1%, Uighur 1%, other 5.7% (1999 census)
Languages: Kyrgyz (state language) 64.7%, Uzbek 13.6%, Russian (official language) 12.5%, Dungun 1%, other 8.2% (1999 census)
Religions: Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%
Population: 5,604,212 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 114
Age structure:
0-14 years: 29.8% (male 854,029/female 815,300)
25-54 years: 39.4% (male 1,079,691/female 1,127,520)
55-64 years: 7.1% (male 171,960/female 224,450)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 105,651/female 169,816) (2014 est.)
Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio: 53.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 46.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 6.3 %
potential support ratio: 15.8 (2014 est.)
Median age:
total: 25.7 years male: 24.7 years female: 26.7 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.04% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 115
Birth rate: 23.33 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 69
Death rate: 6.74 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 141
Net migration rate: -6.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Urbanization:
urban population: 35.3% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.31% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas — population: BISHKEK (capital) 839,000 (2011)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.07 male(s)/female
Net migration rate: -6.16 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Mother’s mean age at first birth: 22.6 note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2012 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 28.71 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 67
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 70.06 years country comparison to the world: 153
male: 65.89 years
female: 74.51 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate: 2.68 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 72
Health expenditures: 6.2% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 102
Physicians density: 2.47 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density: 4.8 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
improved: urban: 97.1% of population rural: 82.3% of population total: 87.6% of population
Sanitation facility access: urban: 91.9% of population rural: 91.7% of population total: 91.8% of population
HIV/AIDS — adult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
HIV/AIDS — people living with HIV/AIDS: 8,700 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
HIV/AIDS — deaths: 300 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 101
Literacy: total population: 99.2%
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): 13 years
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: 14.6% country comparison to the world: 86
Government
Country name:
conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic
conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan
local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy
local short form: Kyrgyzstan
former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic
Government type: republic
Capital: Bishkek
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (oblustar, singular — oblus) and 2 cities* (shaarlar, singular — shaar); Batken Oblusu, Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblusu (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblusu, Naryn Oblusu, Osh Oblusu, Osh Shaary*, Talas Oblusu, Ysyk-Kol Oblusu (Karakol)
note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)
Independence: 31 August 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday: Independence Day, 31 August (1991)
Constitution: previous 1993; latest adopted 27 January 2017, effective 1 December 2017
Legal system: civil law system which includes features of French civil law and Russian Federation laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Sooronbai JEENBEKOV (since 1 December 2017)
head of government: Prime Minister Muhammedkalyi ABALGAZIEV (since 20 April 2018)
cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, appointed by the president; ministers in charge of defense and security are appointed solely by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for one six-year term; election last held on 15 October 2017 (next to be held in 2023); prime minister nominated by the parliamentary party holding more than 50% of the seats; if no such party exists, the president selects the party that will form a coalition majority and government
elections: last held on 4 October 2015 (next to be held in 2020)
election results: Sooronbai JEENBEKOV elected president; percent of vote — Sooronbai JEENBEKOV 54.22%, Omurbek BABANOV 33.49%, Adahan MADUMAROV 6.57%, Temir SARIEV 2.55%;
Legislative branch: unicameral Supreme Council or Jogorku Kengesh (120 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
Judicial branch:
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 25 judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court and Constitutional Court judges appointed by the Supreme Council on the recommendation of the president; Supreme Court judges serve for 10 years, Constitutional Court judges serve for 15 years; mandatory retirement at age 70 for judges of both courts
subordinate courts: Higher Court of Arbitration; oblast (provincial) and city courts
Political parties and leaders:
Ata-Meken (Fatherland) [Almambet SHYKMAMATOV]
Bir-Bol (United) Party [Altynbek SULAIMANOV]
Onuguu-Progress (Development) [Bakyt TOROBAEV]
Respublika – Ata-Jurt [Zhyrgalbek TURUSKULOV]
Social-Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) [Almazbek ATAMBAEV]
International organization participation:
ADB, CICA, CIS, CSTO, EAEC, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EITI (compliant country), FAO, GCTU, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, SCO, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Flag description:
red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kyrgyz tribes; on the obverse side the rays run counterclockwise, on the reverse, clockwise; in the center of the sun is a red ring crossed by two sets of three lines, a stylized representation of a «tunduk» — the crown of a traditional Kyrgyz yurt; red symbolizes bravery and valor, the sun evinces peace and wealth
Economy
overview:
Kyrgyzstan is a developing, mountainous country with a dominant agricultural sector. Cotton, tobacco, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products, although only tobacco and cotton are exported in any quantity. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, natural gas, and electricity. The economy depends heavily on gold exports — mainly from output at the Kumtor gold mine — and on remittances from Kyrgyzstani migrant workers primarily in Russia. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan was progressive in carrying out market reforms, such as an improved regulatory system and land reform. Kyrgyzstan was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. Much of the government’s stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production had been severe after the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995, production began to recover and exports began to increase. The overthrow of President BAKIEV in April 2010 and subsequent ethnic clashes left hundreds dead and damaged infrastructure. Under President ATAMBAYEV, Kyrgyzstan has developed a plan for economic development in coordination with international donors, and has also expressed its intent to join the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Progress in fighting corruption, improving transparency in licensing, business permits and taxations, restructuring domestic industry, and attracting foreign aid and investment are key to future growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $14.3 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 145
$13.32 billion (2012 est.)
$13.44 billion (2011 est.)
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $7.234 billion (2013 est.)
GDP — real growth rate: 7.4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 17
-0.9% (2012 est.)
6% (2011 est.)
GDP — per capita (PPP): $2,500 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
note: data are in 2013 US dollars
Gross national saving: 9.1% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
GDP — composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture: 20.8%
industry: 34.4%
services: 44.8% (2013 est.)
Agriculture — products: tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle, wool
Industries: small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals
Industrial production growth rate: 12% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 6
Labor force: 2.344 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 115
Labor force — by occupation:
agriculture: 48%
industry: 12.5%
services: 39.5% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8.6% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 95
Population below poverty line: 33.7% (2011 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: 2.8%
highest 10%: 27.8% (2009 est.)
Distribution of family income — Gini index: 33.4 (2007) country comparison to the world: 99
Budget: revenues: $2.128 billion expenditures: $2.458 billion (2013 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 29.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):-4.6% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 6.8% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Exports: $1.881 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 143
Exports — commodities: gold, cotton, wool, garments, meat, tobacco; mercury, uranium, electricity; machinery; shoes
Exports — partners: Kazakhstan 26.2%, Uzbekistan 26.1%, Russia 14.6%, China 7%, UAE 6.1%, Afghanistan 5.2% (2012)
Imports: $5.082 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Imports — commodities: oil and gas, machinery and equipment, chemicals, foodstuffs
Imports — partners: China 55.2%, Russia 17.4%, Kazakhstan 7.9% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.199 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 120
Debt — external: $3.859 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 128
Energy
Electricity — production: 14.9 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 82
Electricity — consumption: 7.326 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Electricity — exports: 2.62 billion kWh (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 39
Electricity — imports: 0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 161
Electricity — installed generating capacity: 3.64 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 84
Electricity — from fossil fuels: 20.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity — from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Electricity — from hydroelectric plants: 79.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 15
Electricity — from other renewable sources: 0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 186
Crude oil — production: 1,000 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 110
Crude oil — exports: 0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136
Crude oil — imports: 0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 203
Crude oil — proved reserves: 40 million bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 80
Refined petroleum products — production: 0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158
Refined petroleum products — consumption: 16,640 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 139
Refined petroleum products — exports: 2,433 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 99
Refined petroleum products — imports: 35,040 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 86
Natural gas — production: 10 million cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 90
Natural gas — consumption: 462.5 million cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas — exports: 0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 127
Natural gas — imports: 390 million cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 66
Natural gas — proved reserves: 5.663 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 94
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy: 7.793 million Mt (2011 est.)
