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Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture-products) [time series]

wool, tobacco, cotton, potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruits and berries; sheep, goats, cattle

Budget [time series]

revenues: $225 million expenditures: $308 million, including capital expenditures of $11 million (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Kyrgyzstani som (KGS) = 100 tyiyn

Debt - external (Debt-external) [time series]

$746 million (1996)

Economic aid [time series]

recipient: ODA, $56 million (1993) note: commitments, 1992-95, $1,695 million ($390 million disbursements)

Economic overview (Economy-overview) [time series]

Kyrgyzstan is a small, poor, mountainous country with a predominantly agricultural economy. Cotton, wool, and meat are the main agricultural products and exports. Industrial exports include gold, mercury, uranium, and hydropower. Kyrgyzstan has been one of the most progressive countries of the former Soviet Union in carrying out market reforms. Following a successful stabilization program, which lowered inflation from 88% in 1994 to 15% for 1997, attention is turning toward stimulating growth. Much of the government's stock in enterprises has been sold. Drops in production have been severe since the breakup of the Soviet Union in December 1991, but by mid-1995 production began to recover and exports began to increase. Pensioners, unemployed workers, and government workers with salary arrears continue to suffer. Foreign assistance played a substantial role in the country's economic turnaround in 1996-97.

Electricity - capacity (Electricity-capacity) [time series]

3.632 million kW (1995)

Electricity - consumption per capita (Electricity-consumption per capita) [time series]

2,090 kWh (1995)

Electricity - production (Electricity-production) [time series]

13.7 billion kWh (1996 est.)

Exchange rates [time series]

soms (KGS) per US$1-14.6 (January 1997), 11.2 (yearend 1995), 10.6 (yearend 1994)

Exports [time series]

total value: $506 million (1996) commodities: cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes partners: China, UK, FSU

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year Communications

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$9.7 billion (1997 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP-composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 47% industry: 12% services: 41% (1996 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP-per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity-$2,100 (1997 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP-real growth rate) [time series]

10% (1997 est.)

Imports [time series]

total value: $890 million (1996) commodities: grain, lumber, industrial products, ferrous metals, fuel, machinery, textiles, footwear partners: Turkey, Cuba, US, Germany

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

10.8% (1996 est.)

Industries [time series]

small machinery, textiles, food processing, cement, shoes, sawn logs, refrigerators, furniture, electric motors, gold, rare earth metals

Inflation rate (consumer prices) (Inflation rate-consumer price index) [time series]

15% (1997 est.)

Labor force [time series]

total: 1.7 million by occupation: agriculture and forestry 40%, industry and construction 19%, other 41% (1995 est.)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

1 state-run radio broadcast station

Radios [time series]

825,000 (radio receiver systems with multiple speakers for program diffusion 748,000)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay international: connections with other CIS countries by landline or microwave radio relay and with other countries by leased connections with Moscow international gateway switch and by satellite; satellite earth stations-1 Intersputnik and 1 Intelsat

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

342,000 (1991 est.)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 note: receives Turkish broadcasts

Televisions [time series]

875,000

Unemployment rate [time series]

8% (December 1996 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 198,500 sq km land: 191,300 sq km water: 7,200 sq km

Area - comparative (Area-comparative) [time series]

slightly smaller than South Dakota

Climate [time series]

dry continental to polar in high Tien Shan; subtropical in southwest (Fergana Valley); temperate in northern foothill zone

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Kara-Darya 132 m highest point: Jengish Chokusu (Pik Pobedy) 7,439 m

Environment - current issues (Environment-current issues) [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment-international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

41 00 N, 75 00 E

Geography - note (Geography-note) [time series]

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

9,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,878 km border countries: China 858 km, Kazakhstan 1,051 km, Tajikistan 870 km, Uzbekistan 1,099 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 7% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 44% forests and woodland: 4% other: 45% (1993 est.) note: Kyrgyzstan has the world's largest natural growth walnut forest

Location [time series]

Central Asia, west of China

Map references [time series]

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

abundant hydroelectric potential; significant deposits of gold and rare earth metals; locally exploitable coal, oil, and natural gas; other deposits of nepheline, mercury, bismuth, lead, and zinc

Terrain [time series]

peaks of Tien Shan and associated valleys and basins encompass entire nation

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 oblasttar (singular-oblast) and 1 city* (singular-shaar); Bishkek Shaary*, Chuy Oblasty (Bishkek), Jalal-Abad Oblasty, Naryn Oblasty, Osh Oblasty, Talas Oblasty, Ysyk-Kol Oblasty (Karakol) note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Constitution [time series]

adopted 5 May 1993 note: amendment proposed by President AKAYEV and passed in a national referendum on 10 February 1996 significantly expands the powers of the president at the expense of the legislature

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Kyrgyz Republic conventional short form: Kyrgyzstan local long form: Kyrgyz Respublikasy local short form: none former: Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Anne SIGMUND embassy: Erkindik Prospekt #66, Bishkek 720002 mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [7] (3312) 22-29-21, 22-27-77, 22-26-31, 22-24-73

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Bakyt ABDRISAYEV chancery: 1732 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 338-5141

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Kubanychbek JUMALIYEV (since 25 March 1998) cabinet: Cabinet of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; elections last held 24 December 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Askar AKAYEV elected president; percent of vote-Askar AKAYEV 75%; note-elections were held early which gave the two opposition candidates little time to campaign; AKAYEV may have orchestrated the "deregistration" of two other candidates, one of whom was a major rival

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 338-5139

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[7] (3312) 22-35-51

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

red field with a yellow sun in the center having 40 rays representing the 40 Kirghiz 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 the roof of the traditional Kirghiz yurt

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

31 August 1991 (from Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

AsDB, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, OIC, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges are appointed for a 10-year term by the Supreme Council on recommendation of the president; Constitutional Court; Higher Court of Arbitration

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

bicameral Supreme Council or Zhogorku Kenesh consists of the Assembly of People's Representatives (70 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and the Legislative Assembly (35 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Assembly of People's Representatives-last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000); Legislative Assembly-last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held NA 2000) election results: Assembly of People's Representatives-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-NA; note-not all of the 70 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held at later dates; the assembly meets twice yearly; Legislative Assembly-percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party-NA; note-not all of the 35 seats were filled at the 5 February 1995 elections; as a result, run-off elections were held note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections

Capital (National capital) [time series]

Bishkek

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 2 December; Independence Day, 31 August (1991)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Social Democratic Party or PSD [Zh. IBRAMOV]; Democratic Movement of Kyrgyzstan or DDK [Jypar JEKSHEYEV, chairman]; National Unity Democratic Movement or DDNE [Yury RAZGULYAYEV]; Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan or PKK [Absamat MASALIYEV, chairman]; Kyrgyzstan Erkin Party (Democratic Movement of Free Kyrgyzstan) or ErK [Tursunbay Bakir UULU]; Republican Popular Party of Kyrgyzstan [Zh. SHARSHENALIYEV]; Agrarian Party of Kyrgyzstan [A. ALIYEV]; Fatherland or Alta Mekel Party [Omurbek TEKEBAYEV]; Banner National Rivival Party or ASABA [Chaprashty BAZARBAY]; Movement for the People's Salvation [Djumgalbek AMAMBAYEV]; Mutual Help Movement or Ashar [Zhumagazy USUPOV]; Peasant Party; Agrarian Party

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

National Unity Democratic Movement; Council of Free Trade Unions; Union of Entrepreneurs; Kyrgyz Committee on Human Rights [Ramazan DYRYIDAYEV]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, National Guard, Security Forces (internal and border troops), Civil Defense note: border troops controlled by Russia

Military expenditures - dollar figure (Military expenditures-dollar figure) [time series]

151 million soms (1995); note-conversion of defense expenditures into US dollars using the current exchange rate could produce misleading results

Military expenditures (Military expenditures-percent of GDP) [time series]

NA%

Military manpower - availability (Military manpower-availability) [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,124,900 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service (Military manpower-fit for military service) [time series]

males: 912,596 (1998 est.)

Military manpower - military age (Military manpower-military age) [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually (Military manpower-reaching military age annually) [time series]

males: 45,066 (1998 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 36% (male 817,229; female 800,248) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,285,520; female 1,337,259) 65 years and over: 6% (male 104,105; female 177,920) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

22.03 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.65 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Kirghiz 52.4%, Russian 18%, Uzbek 12.9%, Ukrainian 2.5%, German 2.4%, other 11.8%

Infant mortality rate [time series]

74.76 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages [time series]

Kirghiz (Kyrgyz)-official language, Russian-official language note: in March 1996, the Kyrgyzstani legislature amended the constitution to make Russian an official language, along with Kirghiz, in territories and work places where Russian-speaking citizens predominate

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 63.77 years male: 59.45 years female: 68.3 years (1998 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 99% female: 96% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Kyrgyzstani(s) adjective: Kyrgyzstani

Net migration rate [time series]

-9.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population [time series]

4,522,281 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

0.37% (1998 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 75%, Russian Orthodox 20%, other 5%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.68 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international (Disputes-international) [time series]

territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited illicit cultivator of cannabis and opium poppy, mostly for CIS consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs to Russia and Western Europe from Southwest Asia LAOS

Transportation

Airports [time series]

54 (1994 est.)

Airports - with paved runways (Airports-with paved runways) [time series]

total: 14 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 9 under 914 m: 1 (1994 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways (Airports-with unpaved runways) [time series]

total: 40 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 32 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 18,500 km paved: 16,854 km (including 140 km of expressways) unpaved: 1,646 km (1996 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

natural gas 200 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Balykchy (Ysyk-Kol or Rybach'ye)

Railways [time series]

total: 370 km in common carrier service; does not include industrial lines broad gauge: 370 km 1.520-m gauge (1990)

Waterways [time series]

600 km (1990)