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Communications

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

1 state-owned radio broadcast station of NA type

Radios [time series]

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

poorly developed domestic: NA international: linked by cable and microwave radio relay to other CIS republics and to other countries by leased connections to the Moscow international gateway switch; a new telephone link from Ashgabat to Iran has been established; a new exchange in Ashgabat switches international traffic through Turkey via Intelsat; satellite earth stations--1 Orbita and 1 Intelsat

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

3 (much programming relayed from Russia and Turkey) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture--products) [time series]

cotton, grain; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $521 million expenditures: $548 million, including capital expenditures of $83 million (1996 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Turkmen manat (TMM) = 100 tenesi

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

$1.7 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid (Economic aid--recipient) [time series]

$27.2 million (1995)

Economic overview (Economy--overview) [time series]

Turkmenistan is largely desert country with nomadic cattle raising, intensive agriculture in irrigated oases, and huge gas and oil resources. One-half of its irrigated land is planted in cotton, making it the world's tenth largest producer. It also possesses the world's fifth largest reserves of natural gas and substantial oil resources. Until the end of 1993, Turkmenistan had experienced less economic disruption than other former Soviet states because its economy received a boost from higher prices for oil and gas and a sharp increase in hard currency earnings. In 1994, Russia's refusal to export Turkmen gas to hard currency markets and mounting debts of its major customers in the former USSR for gas deliveries contributed to a sharp fall in industrial production and caused the budget to shift from a surplus to a slight deficit. The economy bottomed out in 1996, but high inflation continued. Furthermore, with an authoritarian ex-communist regime in power and a tribally based social structure, Turkmenistan has taken a cautious approach to economic reform, hoping to use gas and cotton sales to sustain its inefficient economy. In 1996, the government set in place a stabilization program aimed at a unified and market-based exchange rate, allocation of government credits by auction, and strict limits on budget deficits. Privatization goals remain limited. Turkmenistan is working hard to open new gas export channels through Iran and Turkey to Europe, but these will take many years to realize. In 1998 Turkmenistan faced revenue shortfalls due to the continued lack of adequate export routes for natural gas and obligations on extensive short-term external debt.

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

7.134 billion kWh (1996)

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

2.7 billion kWh (1996)

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

350 million kWh (1996)

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

9.484 billion kWh (1996)

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

fossil fuel: 99.96% hydro: 0.04% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1996)

Exchange rates [time series]

manats per US$1--5,350 (January 1999), 4,070 (January 1997), 2,400 (January 1996)

Exports [time series]

$689 million (1997 est.)

Exports - commodities (Exports--commodities) [time series]

natural gas, cotton, petroleum products, textiles, electricity, carpets

Exports - partners (Exports--partners) [time series]

FSU, Hong Kong, Switzerland, US, Germany, Turkey (1996)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity--$7 billion (1998 est.)

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

agriculture: 18% industry: 50% services: 32% (1996 est.)

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

purchasing power parity?$1,630 (1998 est.)

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

5% (1998)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.9% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$1.1 billion (1997 est.)

Imports - commodities (Imports--commodities) [time series]

machinery and parts, grain and food, plastics and rubber, consumer durables, textiles

Imports - partners (Imports--partners) [time series]

FSU, US, Turkey, Germany, Cyprus (1996)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

19.8% (1998 est.)

Labor force [time series]

2.34 million (1996)

Labor force - by occupation (Labor force--by occupation) [time series]

agriculture and forestry 44%, industry and construction 19%, other 37% (1996)

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 488,100 sq km land: 488,100 sq km water: 0 sq km

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

slightly larger than California

Climate [time series]

subtropical desert

Coastline [time series]

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

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 m (note--Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in north eastern Turkmenistan whose water levels fluctuate widely; at its shallowest, its level is -110 m; it is presently at -60 m, 20 m above Vpadina Akchanaya) highest point: Ayrybaba 3,139 m

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

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

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

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol

Geographic coordinates [time series]

40 00 N, 60 00 E

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

landlocked

Irrigated land [time series]

13,000 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,736 km border countries: Afghanistan 744 km, Iran 992 km, Kazakhstan 379 km, Uzbekistan 1,621 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 63% forests and woodland: 8% other: 26% (1993 est.)

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

Commonwealth of Independent States

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, coal, sulfur, salt

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

5 welayatlar (singular--welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty (formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty (Charjew), Mary Welayaty note: administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses)

Capital [time series]

Ashgabat

Constitution [time series]

adopted 18 May 1992

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: none conventional short form: Turkmenistan local long form: none local short form: Turkmenistan former: Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic

Data code [time series]

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Steven R. MANN embassy: 9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat mailing address: use embassy street address

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Halil UGUR chancery: 2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV (since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election occurred); note--the president is both the chief of state and head of government; Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers Mukhamed ABALAKOV (since NA), Orazgeldy AYDOGDIYEV (since NA 1992), Hudaayguly HALYKOV (since NA 1996), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA 1992), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA 1993), Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA 1993), Ilaman SHIKHIYEV (since NA 1995), Yolly GURBANMURADOV (since NA 1997), Saparmurat NURIYEV (since NA 1997) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president note: NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on 21 December 1998 at the Second Congress of the Democratic Party, to be "president for life," but he has declined, saying the status would require an amendment to the constitution elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002; note--extension of President NIYAZOV's term for an additional five years overwhelmingly approved by national referendum held 15 January 1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet of ministers are appointed by the president election results: Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote--Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed olive branches similar to the olive branches on the UN flag; a white crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper corner of the field just to the fly side of the red stripe

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)

International organization participation [time series]

CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president

Legal system [time series]

based on civil law system

Legislative branch [time series]

under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: People's Council--NA; Assembly--last held 11 December 1994 (next to be held NA December 1999) election results: Assembly--percent of vote by party--NA; seats by party--Democratic Party 45, other 5; note--all 50 preapproved by President NIYAZOV

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 27 October (1991)

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

Democratic Party of Turkmenistan note: formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition movements exist underground or in foreign countries

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Military

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

Ministry of Defense (Army, Air and Air Defense, Navy, Border Troops, and Internal Troops), National Guard

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

$88 million (1998)

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

3% (1998)

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

males age 15-49: 1,110,606 (1999 est.)

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

males age 15-49: 901,735 (1999 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: 45,050 (1999 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 38% (male 845,584; female 813,223) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,243,031; female 1,283,985) 65 years and over: 4% (male 68,496; female 112,064) (1999 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

25.91 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Death rate [time series]

8.77 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Turkmen 77%, Uzbek 9.2%, Russian 6.7%, Kazakh 2%, other 5.1% (1995)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

73.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Languages [time series]

Turkmen 72%, Russian 12%, Uzbek 9%, other 7%

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 61.11 years male: 57.48 years female: 64.91 years (1999 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98% male: 99% female: 97% (1989 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Turkmen(s) adjective: Turkmen

Net migration rate [time series]

-1.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

Population [time series]

4,366,383 (July 1999 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.58% (1999 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.61 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.21 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Transnational Issues

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

Caspian Sea boundaries are not yet determined among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan

Illicit drugs [time series]

limited illicit cultivator of opium poppy, mostly for domestic consumption; limited government eradication program; increasingly used as transshipment point for illicit drugs from Southwest Asia to Russia and Western Europe; also a transshipment point for acetic anhydride destined for Afghanistan

Transportation

Airports [time series]

64 (1994 est.)

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

total: 22 2,438 to 3,047 m: 13 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (1994 est.)

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

total: 42 914 to 1,523 m: 7 under 914 m: 35 (1994 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 24,000 km paved: 19,488 km (note--these roads are said to be hard-surfaced, meaning that some are paved and some are all-weather gravel surfaced) unpaved: 4,512 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 oil tanker (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,896 GRT/3,389 DWT (1998 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 250 km; natural gas 4,400 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Turkmenbashy

Railways [time series]

total: 2,187 km broad gauge: 2,187 km 1.520-m gauge (1996 est.)

Waterways [time series]

the Amu Darya is an important inland waterway