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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 12 (plus 10 repeater stations), FM 14, shortwave 2 (1998)

Radios [time series]

520,000 (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

poorly developed; about 100,000 unsatisfied applications for household telephones domestic: principally microwave radio relay; one cellular provider, probably limited to Bishkek region 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; connected internationally by the Trans-Asia-Europe (TAE) fiber-optic line

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

357,000 (1995)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

NA (repeater stations throughout the country relay programs from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

210,000 (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

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 [time series]

$1.1 billion (1999 est.)

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

$329.4 million (1995)

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 electricity. 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 had 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. The government has adopted a series of measures to combat such severe problems as excessive external debt, inflation, inadequate revenue collection, and the spillover from Russia's economic disorders. Kyrgyzstan had moderate growth in 1999 of 3.4% with a similar rate expected for 2000.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

11.102 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - exports [time series]

1.1 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - imports [time series]

850 million kWh (1998)

Electricity - production [time series]

12.206 billion kWh (1998)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 10.78% hydro: 89.22% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)

Exchange rates [time series]

soms (KGS) per US$1 - 46.235 (January 2000), 39.008 (1999), 20.838 (1998), 17.362 (1997), 12.810 (1996), 10.822 (1995)

Exports [time series]

$515 million (1999 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

cotton, wool, meat, tobacco; gold, mercury, uranium, hydropower; machinery; shoes

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 37%, Kazakhstan 17%, Russia 16%, Uzbekistan 8%, China 3% (1998)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

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

purchasing power parity - $10.3 billion (1999 est.)

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

agriculture: 45% industry: 20% services: 35% (1999 est.)

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

purchasing power parity - $2,300 (1999 est.)

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

3.4% (1999 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.7% highest 10%: 26.2% (1993)

Imports [time series]

$590 million (1999 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

oil and gas, machinery and equipment, foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

Russia 24%, Uzbekistan 14%, Kazakhstan 9%, Germany 6%, China 5% (1998)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

-3.4% (1999 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) [time series]

37% (1999 est.)

Labor force [time series]

1.7 million

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture and forestry 55%, industry 15%, services 30% (1999 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

40% (1993 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

6% (1998 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

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 [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 [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 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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

6 oblastlar (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)

Capital [time series]

Bishkek

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 M. SIGMUND embassy: 171 Prospect Mira, 720016 Bishkek mailing address: use embassy street address telephone: [996] (3312) 22-29-20, 22-27-77 FAX: [996] (3312) 22-35-51

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 FAX: [1] (202) 338-5139

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Askar AKAYEV (since 28 October 1990) head of government: Prime Minister Jumabek IBRAIMOV (since NA December 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 November or December 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: Askar AKAYEV reelected 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

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, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM (observer), OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PCA, PFP, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIK, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO, WTrO (applicant)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court, judges are appointed for 10-year terms 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 20 February 2000); Legislative Assembly - last held 5 February 1995 (next to be held 20 February 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 at later dates note: the legislature became bicameral for the 5 February 1995 elections

National holiday [time series]

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

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

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

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

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

A Central Asian country of incredible natural beauty and proud nomadic traditions, Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1864; it achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Current concerns include: privatization of state-owned enterprises, expansion of democracy and political freedoms, inter-ethnic relations, and terrorism.

Military

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

Army, Air and Air Defense, Security Forces (internal and border troops)

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$12 million (FY99)

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

1% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,172,899 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 951,395 (2000 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 48,551 (2000 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 36% (male 843,038; female 825,519) 15-64 years: 58% (male 1,337,268; female 1,393,397) 65 years and over: 6% (male 107,405; female 178,603) (2000 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

26.29 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate [time series]

9.15 deaths/1,000 population (2000 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]

77.08 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 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: 63.37 years male: 59.06 years female: 67.9 years (2000 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]

-2.81 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Population [time series]

4,685,230 (July 2000 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.43% (2000 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: 0.6 male(s)/female total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

3.22 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

territorial dispute with Tajikistan on southwestern boundary in Isfara Valley area; periodic target of Islamic terrorists from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

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 [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]

Transportation

Airports [time series]

54 (1994 est.)

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 [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)